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Reading the article I read;
"Fittingly enough, the contest is called "They Ate WHAT?"
Even stranger. The $1,500 first place winner was a Plano, Texas, animal hospital that treated an exotic frog that ate more than 30 small ornamental rocks from its cage."
I got as far as the word in BOLD and thought, how the elephant did it eat a piano  then continued to read 
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Couldn't hold that last half down?
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I know people who are like that with beer... 
You looking for sympathy?
You'll find it in the dictionary, between sympathomimetic and sympatric
(Page 1788, if it helps)
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It's in his genes, he thought thay smelt of Danish Blue
Life is like a s**t sandwich; the more bread you have, the less s**t you eat.
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There are some pretty significant fires going on here today. The problem is there is only one person in the office (of 2 total) that have the knowledge base and skill set to fix it.
The entire portion of that system is a black box to me. I never learned qbx, and am wildly innefficient with random access file structures. The entire thing, even if it were in a language that I know, is a crazy spiderweb so deep that even the authors forget the command line stuff and options.
This is part of why I was hired back (if you haven't read before). To update the older stuff, and create better tooling for us. We've been making great progress, but there are 2 main problems. While we have a database in that environment, it's only being used for reporting... so the flat file structure is still being maintained as well. Also, the management has been getting very excited about the things I can do, so the push has shifted to new software for clients as well as ourselves. The problem with that is that, because we haven't updated, we still have to support the legacy stuff. So it takes a lot of extra work, and the resulting software isn't as clean as I'd like.
I think today is going to be a good reminder of what they want from me. I believe that this will be an opportunity to refocus our efforts on updating that system first and phasing out of the legacy system.
Today is still frustrating for me though. there is a definite sense of panic, and all I can do is watch. I'm absolutely helpless. I'm just here for moral support.
-edit-
My next project (the tablet one) is replacing most, if not all, of the system we are having problems with today
-end-
Elephant elephant elephant, sunshine sunshine sunshine
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Transitions are always difficult... take it in stride and move along. 
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These things will always come hurtling out of the blue. In each case we need to put ou the fires then decide if it is a Tanguska event[^] or a Chicxulub[^] event
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RE: http://www.codeproject.com/Messages/4895351/Re-Scottish-independence.aspx[^]
I stand by my observation: that British Native Fare isn't considered suitable (i.e., humane) for inclusion in pet food.
As for all the talk about what "Mericans" eat: If any of you ever checked the place out, we're absolutely flooded with ethnic fare from all regions. The concept, well established and popular, of TexMex puts to bed that ill-considered remark that the other "Americas" are ignored. On the contrary, it's embraced.
Ya' see - we love tasty food. For that reason, no one in their right mind would eat that traditional ooze-heaps that pass for food. Fortunately for you there's gin to swig and thereby disable all senses.
The curse of Bieber upon you as it is already evident upon your pallet !
* a word about 'ketchup': I know the European psyche . . . if it had a French-style spelling it you'd line upt to pray premium prices because it would considered a gourmet dressing.
| "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein | | "As far as we know, our computer has never had an undetected error." - Weisert | | "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010 |
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You know not of what you speak: apart from diners (love 'em), American food, of any ethnicity is over priced sludge; unworthy of the so-called 'chefs' that prepare it.
Food in London, on the other hand, whilst pricey, is, for the most part, bloody good; even ethnic British fayre: there are some marvelous restaurants that include British food on the menu and it is often (especially gastro-pubs) top-notch.
Tell you what, next time we both happen to be in London, I'll take you to a fooderie that will blow your socks off.
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mark merrens wrote: apart from diners (love 'em),
You have just stated your qualifications as a connoisseur. Or more specifically, permanently excluded yourself from the title.
As for overpriced - only because you apparently frequented the tourist traps. The normal neighborhood restaurants are a good feeding for a good price.
| "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein | | "As far as we know, our computer has never had an undetected error." - Weisert | | "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010 |
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W∴ Balboos wrote: Or more specifically, permanently excluded yourself from the title.
Rubbish: diner food is the only honest food here (apart form, perhaps, some of the gourmet food trucks).
W∴ Balboos wrote: only because you apparently frequented the tourist traps.
Don't silly: you might frequent tourist traps, which is, presumably, what has colored your rather lop-sided view of cuisine, but I don't.
W∴ Balboos wrote: The normal neighborhood restaurants are a good feeding for a good price.
Oh, you mean Red Lobster and Olive Garden: sorry, I didn't realize that was your benchmark.
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mark merrens wrote: Oh, you mean Red Lobster and Olive Garden: sorry, I didn't realize that was your benchmark.
No, silly person. No one with a sense of taste eats in those places.
If you want Italian food you go to an Italian restaurant (almost all are primarily southern Italian)
Pizza - pretty much only in NY. A separate category from Italian because it's a specialty, of sorts.
Asian food? Pick Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Indian.
Neighborhood restaurants implies non-chain eating.
So - for you singling those out as eligible for eating explains your vision. It's time to take the (feed) bag off your head so you can find some genuine cooking.
| "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein | | "As far as we know, our computer has never had an undetected error." - Weisert | | "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010 |
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Nonsense: the Indian here is muck. Try the Indian Ocean in Theydon Bois or, for the best fish restaurant ever, Smiths in Ongar. Italian? La Figa in Wapping. American? Wolfes in Great Queen Street. Outsanding food att he Wolesley in Piccadily or Langhams in Langham Street. Greek or Turkish? Anywhere in North London. Japanese? There's alittle place behind Selfridges - fantastic. The Fat Duck in Bray. St James's, the Ritz for afternoon tea. Home House. Pizza on the South Bank. Italian opposite Harrods - Montpeliano. The Elephant Royale (Thai) in Redbridge. I could go on but, unless you've eaten in London you know not of what you speak.
I say again, the only decent food in the USA is form diners: the rest don't have a clue.
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I'm beginning to detect ever so faint a hint of snobbery?
From your referenced establishments:
I don't need a waiter in a tux to enjoy my food.
Neither a check to eat a week's pay.
A paper napkin is fine.
I simply enjoy the most important part of eat-out food: flavor.
| "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein | | "As far as we know, our computer has never had an undetected error." - Weisert | | "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010 |
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W∴ Balboos wrote: I'm beginning to detect ever so faint a hint of snobbery?
Nope; I like diner food and I like burgers. I'll eat burgers off a roach coach, or hotdogs from a street vendor. But I also like good food. None of those places are stuffy or have surly waiters in tuxedos. What they do have is good food and good service (you need both).
Flavor? Good luck finding that here.
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If you're the Mark Merrens California resident, what you say now all falls into place.
Anecdoete: My wife, when we were dating, told me she have a trip to California and saw "pineapple pizza". I shook my head in disbelief. She found the food generally wretched.
If then, you dwell in that realm, I understand your food experiences. Mine, via the greater NYC vicinity, are quite different.
| "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein | | "As far as we know, our computer has never had an undetected error." - Weisert | | "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010 |
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Why, yes I am. And, yes, you are correct.
NY is a bit like London without the proper accent.
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Context!
| "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein | | "As far as we know, our computer has never had an undetected error." - Weisert | | "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010 |
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I've eaten in CA but in the off the path sort of places that you mention. I've found the food there both good and bad. The same goes for OR, UT, AZ, TX, NY, NJ, IL (Chicago), NV (LV) and OH.
I've also eaten in many places in Europe and find the food there both good and bad. Mostly good.
If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.-John Q. Adams
You must accept one of two basic premises: Either we are alone in the universe, or we are not alone in the universe. And either way, the implications are staggering.-Wernher von Braun
Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former.-Albert Einstein
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Exactly.
There's another component, as well: one becomes habituated to their local cuisine. It's comforting. The offensive parts (to most) can be the Pavlovian trigger to the eater.
In my particular area, ethnicity is persevered rather well in the cuisine. As one gets to less and less urban areas, the ethnicity is (of necessity) diluted with local preference (or bankruptcy).
| "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein | | "As far as we know, our computer has never had an undetected error." - Weisert | | "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010 |
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My friend, you accuse Mr Merrens of exactly what you are guilty of. It's certainly true that almost all visitors, to a new town or a new country, are unlikely to get to eat at the most representative establishments. Any major tourist trap is mostly inhabited by big-business, mass-produced food consortiums (and the truth is that most of these are American).
Britain is incredibly diverse. Liverpool and Manchester ar 30 miles apart, yet the accents, vernacular and traditional foods are very different. There are differences between East and West London. There are many traditional British foods that I, as a well travelled and foodie ex-Brit haven't even tried.
Many of the things I grew up with have become mass produced or hard to find in modern Britain (unless you are truly a local). Even food establishments for the poor working class when I was a kid used wholesome, fresh ingredients (e.g., the humble Pie & Mash shop's "liquor" was a freshly made flour and herb gravy). These places still exist, but most eateries are big business just as they are in the US, where profit invariably comes before quality.
Many of the world's most renowned chefs come from Britain. Probably the two most famous TV chefs internationally are Gordon Ramsey (Scot) and Jamie Oliver (an Essex boy!)
Some of the world's best cheese comes from Britain (especially Wales and England) and no other country has the diversity. I'm willing to bet that I could name more cheese varieties from Britain than anyone could name from the rest of the world (at least without cheating and searching on the web!)
One last point about "imported" cuisine which Britain has at least as much of as the US and that's authenticity. Buy a Carbonara in North America and you'll most probably be served an Alfredo sauce. In Britain, your sauce will ALWAYS be an egg custard (authentic). I have yet to find any Chinese restaurant here selling a decent crispy duck. Go to the UK and every Chinese restaurant I've ever eaten at serves the real thing.
We Brits can hold our heads up with regard to our food. If your experience has been poor, I suggest you engage with some locals if you visit again AND get out of the main tourist areas and see the real Britain!
Life is like a s**t sandwich; the more bread you have, the less s**t you eat.
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The above notwithstanding (pretending I believe a word of it).
Mr Merrins & I have actually (above) reached an understanding: it was a matter of Context - where he dines (regionally) vs. where I do.
The same concept goes to you: where is "Here" for you? My here has a Chinatown full of Chinese (surprise!), many new immigrants, and those crispy ducks you speak of? Hanging in rows in shop after shop - for take home. Restaurants order what supply they need from the pros dedicated to that specialty. Not finding a good one probably means you look in the wrong places (or, at least, your restaurant does).
Per TV chef reference: that undercuts credibility of all of your claims.
| "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein | | "As far as we know, our computer has never had an undetected error." - Weisert | | "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010 |
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Here is rural Ontario.
My main point is, nose tweaking aside, is that visitors rarely see the reality. It's also true to say that "ethnic" localities, like the various China towns in North America (yes, we have them up here too!) are more likely to be authentic.
I've visited the States on more than a few occasions, but have probably eaten out with locals only once (in Boulder) that I can recall. I've had good and bad dining experiences there. If you travel Britain, you have to know the places to go or, at least, the type of place. I'm pretty certains that it's much the same in any developed country.
As far as the last sentence goes, that's just trolling! Ramsey might be a git, I'm not actually sure. His shock-jock (there's a pun there somewhere) tactics on TV are almost certainly just performing for ratings. He is a Michelin awarded chef and truly great at his craft. Jamie Oliver is not just a great chef, he's a great bloke too
Life is like a s**t sandwich; the more bread you have, the less s**t you eat.
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If you look way back at the source of this (the Scotland thread) - you'll notice it was all in fun (as it should be).
Of the TV chef, I used to like Yan, of "Yan Can Cook" - not for his actual cooking, but learning techniques. I cook a lot of Chinese style food - and much of the trick, if one can call it that, is the a combination of technique and a certain spirit. I have no recipes - I use what I have because, that, it turns out, is how it's really done.
(Restaurants don't have that luxury if they want to actually have a menu).
And panning your chefs? That's not trolling. Just good honest teasing.
I'll probably be gone by the time (and if) you reply.
B'tay Avon.
| "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein | | "As far as we know, our computer has never had an undetected error." - Weisert | | "If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010 |
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Quote: you'll notice it was all in fun (as it should be
Absolutely, right back at yer (as were the trolling and sugar and jalapenos comments!)
I do most of the cooking at home myself, I'm allergic to garlic, which does make for challenges eating out, so we probably share a passion for taste and quality.
Londoners (for I am one) are renowned for our robust sense of humour as I believe are New Yorkers. We greet each other with insults (at least our friends and family.)
Have a good evening if you catch this and bon appetit!
Life is like a s**t sandwich; the more bread you have, the less s**t you eat.
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