Last time I mentioned how Thanksgiving dinner prep was already underway and my dream of a full-blown Cracker Barrel holiday would have to be put off for another year. Or at least until Christmas. Remember that? Well… I planted the seed and it’s already bearing fruit. Or something. A few days ago Toney said, “Hey, maybe we should just do that Cracker Barrel thing…” Completely unprompted.
Yes! So, it’s already ordered and scheduled for pick-up on Thursday. For our three additional sides (it comes with stuffing and gravy), we went with mashed potatoes, green beans, and macaroni & cheese. The last one is controversial in my mind, but the kids requested it. And we went with a 50/50 mix of biscuits and cornbread. I guess I’m good with that.
So, it’s going to be a Cracker Barrel Thanksgiving at Chez Kay. Just like I envisioned it in my fantasies! …I’m sorry, I’m getting a little emotional. In addition, I’ve been told that we’re having pumpkin pie (blecch) and apple pie (OK). I might have to go rogue and buy an additional pie. I’m not really a fan of the gourd-based desserts, and apple is good… but fairly predictable. I might have to shake things up in the pie realm. Sam’s Club always has delicious manhole cover-sized pies for sale. Maybe I’ll check that shit out? Stay tuned for additional updates on this important matter.
Also, I’ve been to the gym two days in a row, and plan to go again today. The first day was touch and go. I didn’t really understand how to program the treadmill, and it was semi-ridiculous for the first ten minutes or so. But I got the hang of it and walked for an hour, plus cool-down (ha!). And yesterday I went in there like some grizzled pro and took care of business with purpose and confidence.
However… I have some observations. My welcome email said I’d receive the warmest greeting ever during my first visit, followed by a tour of the facility. But the greeting was lukewarm at best. The dude was fine, but fairly uninterested and just going through the motions. And I got no tour whatsoever. He just said, “Feel free to look around…” I have no problem with any of this, not really. I don’t need a tour, and certainly don’t require a warm greeting. But I was promised both. Ya know?
Also, they make a big show of offering free Tootsie Rolls to the members. Yeah, it’s weird… But it flashes on the TVs all the time: Help yourself to a handful of complimentary Tootsie Rolls after your workout. And they have a giant bucket of the things at the front desk. So… I grabbed three or four (they’re small), and all but one were grape flavored! What in the open and shut hell?? What kind of maniac eats grape Tootsie Rolls? Why are they even in production? I’m getting angry just thinking about it.
But, so far, it’s been pleasant. It’s never been super-busy in there, but not empty either. Just right in the zone where it doesn’t feel awkward or cause my blood pressure to spike out. And the machines are modern and clean, and seemingly all in operation. And there’s a shitload of ’em. It’s good. Yesterday I was sweating and hoping my underwear wasn’t made of some kind of flammable material. Oh, around the 45-minute mark it was a like a smelting furnace in there. Pass the beer nuts.
I’m off today, just burning that PTO… So, I’ll go over and do my 60-minute walk in a little while. Then immediately go somewhere and replace 150% of the calories burned. It’s the way I roll. But I just want the exercise. At this point, that’s the goal: daily exercise. Once that’s in place, I’ll look at other things. But people tend to get carried away and attempt too much too soon. I just want to walk every day. That’s the entire goal.
And finally, remember how I was scoffing at the idea of a major snowstorm in mid-November? Well… there are updates on that story as well. In fact, I did a full 30-minute Jeff Kay Show on the subject. You can check it out here, or wherever you get your podcasts. You can see that the episode has already received a rating of 8 out of 10 by Mike L. who offers up the world’s most uncomplicated podcast reviews. …He’s tough. He gave one episode a 6. It nearly ruined my day. But I’m happy with an 8. It gives me room for growth but isn’t low enough to crush me.
In any case, Thursday was The Longest Day. As one of the great philosophers once said, it sucked all the dicks. Check out Episode 39 of the podcast for the gory details. Episode 39! How’s that possible? Anyway…
I’ll leave you now with the simplest of Questions. What did you have for lunch today? Or what are you planning to have? I have a mid-level hankering for Chipotle (chicken bowl with white rice, black beans, mild salsa, corn salsa, sour cream, and shredded cheese). What do you have on this? Bring us up to date, won’t you?
And I’ll be back on Thursday, before the feast. Or maybe Friday. We’ll see how it goes. I might be too excited to type!
Please don’t forget to pass through one of our Amazon links if you’re planning to do some online shopping over the next few days. Just click through any of them, like the one at the bottom of this update, and shop as normal. It’ll cost you nothing extra but will help me a great deal. It’s much appreciated.
Have a great one, my friends!
Now playing in the bunker
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Lunch was Panera you-pick-two: autumn squash soup and steak & arugula sandwich, with an apple for my side. I forgot to order the sandwich on Asiago cheese focaccia, so it came on the too-thinly-sliced sourdough. A bit of a letdown, but I did it to myself. It was still good, though, if somewhat messy.
Wait – I’m first??
3. Sorry. Check the deep archives for quality and quantity. I know, nobody’s holding a gun to my head. Actually, there is, but I’m in a bad part of town. I have like seven dollars, and I’m gonna need that at the local Maryjane smoke store. How do you simultaneously make a comment and dial 911 on a flip phone? I suppose I should leave a comment of substance whilst I’m pissing on Jeff’s day-off writing: I worry that when we start getting Thanksgiving, a holiday that, as I recall was kicked off by Abraham Lincoln or Doc Holiday (just before one of them kicked off) from Cracker Barrel, which at least has an honest name, we’re one step closer to being fucked in the trousers. Tied a world record for clauses in that one. Have a happy holiday, Doc.
John
A sausage pizza roll that was about as long as my arm. Couldn’t finish it. I’m trying to stay away from any fowl since I feel like I may be eating turkey for a month. And quite honestly, I don’t really like turkey all that much.
A yogurt for lunch.
I drove past Dunbar WV at the weekend. Had I known that was on my route from Kentucky to Philly I would have made time to stop and find the Jeff Kay Lived Here blue plaque that must be in town somewhere. I was sorely tempted by Biscuit World because I enjoy dunking in a good cuppa, but the schedule was tight. Maybe next time.
Flat noodles with shar shiu. It was good, dagummit!
I brought leftovers from home, but then, because I work a mile from Chick-Fil-A, have an hour to kill and lack impulse control, I went to buy a peppermint shake. It was delicious.
An hour after lunch, they emailed me a coupon for a free shake. Woulda come in handy earlier.
I had my usual lunch at the Dismal Cafeteria on the military base. Today it was a flavorless, dried-out “pork cutlet” and some green beans that were actually not bad. The upside is that I gave notice today, and there won’t be many more lunches like that.
Gave notice because you’re off somewhere else, or gave notice because you’re done for good? If the latter that’s a hell of a feeling and congrats.
Off somewhere else; I can’t afford to retire yet. But I think the new job will suck a good deal less. I already feel 100 pounds lighter.
Jeff- please do an “ad vs reality” review of the Cracker Barrel feast please!
Yes! Inquiring minds want to know!
Lunch today is a below-average bagel with salmon cream cheese (not lox, which is a huge disappointment.) It’s from a place called Bowery Bagels, and sadly it’s nowhere near as good as a bagel from New York. It’s only $3.50 which is reasonable, but I prefer a place called Spielman’s which has lox, onion and capers. Portland seriously lacks good Jewish delis, or even a solid bodega. I wish I could open one, but it’d go out of business because it’s not “artisinal” enough, and I refuse to sell novelty food items like rainbow cronuts or doughnuts with stale cereal on them.
Call me when Jeff takes his first Zumba class.
God, please let there be video.
jtb
LOL gentlemen!!!
Bumble Bee solid white albacore tuna and a buncha steamed cauliflower.
Lunch from the cafe at work. Was seriously tempted by the turkey BLT ranch wrap, but after a gluttonous weekend, I made a salad instead.
Lunch was leftover Uncle Kenny’s bbq pulled pork egg rolls great even a day later. I’ve gone the gym route but it became unsustainable due to time and distance, now it’s a somewhat brisk walk 6 days a week. I’m not here to change the world , but maybe…just maybe, extend the expiration date.
I think we need to stage an intervention for Mr. Kay. In the olden days, he used to keenly evaluate and keep us abreast of the latest and greatest in fast food, and now he’s talking about about going to the gym and working out?!? My oh my, what a slippery slope! Next thing you know, he’ll be sharing vegan tofu recipes with us! Dear God, man…pull yourself together and go down to McDonald’s for a McRib–it’ll bring life back into proper focus! 🙂
I made myself about a pound of mashed potatoes. Working around food all day tends to make me not want anything on our menu. Was so satisfying.
Heard that. It’s like when I worked at the TV station, the last thing I wanted to do in my off time was watch TV. Especially my station.
In other news, I just salted the turkey. It’s going into the deep fry on, of course, Fryday.
The only things more vile than grape Tootsie Rolls are the orange-flavored variety.
Falafel wrap today while I prep stuff for tomorrow.
Pimento cheese on Ritz crackers.
It’s a southern thing.