I talked about this on the podcast recently, and would like to get your thoughts on the subject. I’d like to know what your favorite late night snacks are. I’ve mentioned that there’s not a moment of the day or night when I couldn’t eat a complete meal or lay down for a full night’s sleep. And that includes right after I’ve eaten a complete meal or had a full night’s sleep. So, I’m always hankering for one last food item before I climb atop the dormancy platform. And my favorites, as discussed in the episode, are:
- A bowl of cornflakes, with bananas (when available)
- Two slices of toast with apple butter
- A bowl of garden salad (Ian in Scotland called the hotline and mocked me for this one)
- A slice (or two) of cold leftover pizza
I mean, I’ll go with whatever I can get. But those are the ones I especially enjoy. I hear people talk about leftover Chinese food, but I never have any leftovers. Whatever I get, I power through it in short order. I have never, not once in my life, put uneaten Chinese food into a fridge. But apparently that’s a popular choice? What do you have on this? Please tell us about it in the comments.
Speaking of food, a brand new Chick-fil-A restaurant opened near us yesterday (I think). Check out this news report, it’s quite memorable. I love Chick-fil-A, but I’m not waiting two hours (or one hour, or one half-hour) for fast food. Ya know? It’s insanity. And I like the guy who says he’ll always be able to tell people he was there on the day they opened. Then added, for some reason, the word “ceremony.” This thing will probably take up two full pages in his scrapbook.
Also, I enjoy the fact that people are getting out of their cars and talking shit each other. Hilarious. I’m not going anywhere near that cluster. And that woman is right, it’s not temporary. It’s going to be like this for a long, long time. A new Chick-fil-A opened in Wilkes-Barre about a year and a half ago, and it’s still pandemonium. Just unbridled craziness. Like I said, I love Chick-fil-A, but not that much. There are few things I would wait two hours for, and a fast food sandwich is not on the list.
Finally, I posted an article at Substack yesterday. I’m planning to publish a new piece there, discussing some aspect of aging, on the first day of every month. You can check out the first one here. And this is some additional information. If you’d like the monthly column to be delivered directly to your email inbox, please feel free to sign up. Or you can read it (or not) at the Substack website each month. It’s totally up to you. I always liked the idea of writing a column, like the old newspaper guys. And since I find myself talking about “getting old” all the time… I thought that might be a good subject to tackle. And it’s only once per month, so I’m certainly not over-extending myself. Check it out if you’d like, and leave a comment or whatever. It’s just something I’m trying out. We’ll see how it goes.
And I’m going to work now. I’m still working funky-ass hours, and it’s taking its toll. But I’m sure I’ll survive, right?
Oh, and speaking of that, I got my booster shot yesterday. I feel completely normal, just like with the first two injections. But I don’t want to get too cocky and have my aorta blow-out or something. But, let’s just say… so far, so good.
I’ll see you guys again soon.
Have a great day!
Support the Surf Report with a monthly $4 donation at Patreon, and get an extra podcast episode every week! Or you can buy me a beer. God knows I love the beer. In Canada? Do your shopping at Amazon! Thank you, guys!
My arm swelled up and hurt for a week when I got the booster shot.
Booster shot for me was a mix of the prior two shot reactions. Sore arm and felt terrible for a couple days.
I too hope my heart doesn’t explode.
I’ll eat whatever is put in front of me generally, provided it’s free of The Devils Toilet Brush (more commonly called broccoli). Free of most vegetables frankly, as they taste like sadness. In fact, if a doctor ever tells me I’ll die if I don’t turn vegetarian or even worse, vegan, I will select my hospice based on its proximity to a steak house.
But I digress.
I have young kids at home who aren’t big eaters, so there’s often leftover Chinese. I also order with the intent of having leftovers, often as the next days lunch.
I’d say my go to’s are cheese, dried spicy hunters sausage, or fruit. Or candy, or cookies. Yeah, cookies. Maybe apple pie if there’s some around. Or a bit of cake. Maybe a few crackers to go with the cheese. Or crackers with peanut butter. Perhaps more cheese and some olives. Kalamata, or green stuffed with garlic, or blue cheese, or anchovies. Sometimes with good old fashioned pimento. A few drinks of either diet Vernors ginger ale (a regional delicacy and the only true ginger ale) or some no calorie fruit drink I mix in an old two liter bottle. Have I mentioned cheese? What about cookies? Also pizza if there’s some of that left. Or maybe just left over dinner if it’s easily accessed and edible while cold (for example chili would be ruled out since its cold and requires some minimal effort to rewarm). And last but not least, a little cheese.
As far as the booster goes, you have my sincere thanks.
I’m back at an old gig in a trauma hospital and we’re in a building surge. It’s rough and people are dropping like flies. I like knowing that people, any people, are doing what they can to stay out of the hospital.
Stay safe and healthy everybody.
Jorge,
Standing ovation to you my friend. Thank you for your service helping others.
Random thoughts:
I had no idea bananas were seasonal. I shop a couple times a week year-round and my grocery always seems to find a way to present a gala display of bananas.
If I ate whatever was put in front of me I’d be underweight rather than over. Food rarely appears in front of me. It generally requires some preparation.
I don’t eat fast food, but Chick Fillet is the kind I don’t eat most. I’ve never been to the joint, although there are a few around town, and I’ve noticed no lines. There are fast food places (no, they are not restaurants. fuck them) where I would be caught dead, but Chick is not one of them. A long line of cars at Chick surely signals the beginning of the end of civilization, although I thought The Ropers were responsible for that.
To be fair, when I was a younger man I visited several non-chain fast food joints for lunch. That’s one reason for the cardio problems. Another is all the weddings. Too much of anything might be bad for you. I’ll have to pursue that theory.
My arm hurts, but luckily it’s not my heiling arm.
jtb
Go to midnight snack:
Doritos and cottage cheese. It’s convenient and tasty. Probably not the healthiest, but it definitely satisfies. A little loud, so I have to hear shit about it if the wife is already asleep. I usually eat in the kitchen on those occasions.
Carrots. With salt. Also noisy. See above.
Good old bologna and cheese on white bread with mayo. Lettuce, mustard, and pickles depending on availability and desire. And sometimes Doritos layered in.
Yes. My midnight snacks are usually the least healthy thing I eat all day (except for the carrots), but I love them.
Loved the column on oldness.
Many of the things you guys mentioned – like pizza or Chinese or spicy sausage- are not viable late snacks for a person of my age (Jeff’s age). We used to have a bowl of something salty, but heart disease took care of that. So mostly, it’s a mix of finger-friendly cereals. Crackin Oat, oat squares, Chex, granola. The Mrs likes her hard candies too.
Tomatoes with salt. Cheese and crackers. Leftovers of something tasty and homemade; we’re solidly into casserole season now, and it’s time to get cracking. I make a nice macaroni and beef. The other night it was potatoes roasted in duck fat.
Duck fat’s the way to go. I hope you slightly parboil them then beat them up a bit for extra crispy edges. We’re not hosting Christmas this year, but I’m on the hook to bring 10lbs of roast potatoes with us.
Yes. The parboil water gets salt and a little baking soda. Damn, now I have a hankering. As Jay Sherman used to say, “patience, my sweet.”
I stop by the WVSR once a week or so to see whether there’s been a new comment. This week the comment ticker incremented to 24. And it’s about the goddamn duck fat. I don’t decry ducks or their fat or, for that matter, chefs de cuisine. I was just looking for a dick joke.
jtb
All right then… dick fat, or fat dick, or something.
At this point I’ll wait until the weekend to cook the potatoes.
Kenji stole that technique from me Mam!
Tension!, Excitement!, Frustration!…chicken sandwich? The nearest Chick-fil-A to me has been open 5 years and on a Friday or Saturday night you cannot get near the place. I would not wait 10 minutes for the kidney that would save my life.
The chicken place? Nobody goes there anymore. It’s too crowded. (thanks, Yog).
Apologies if I’ve mentioned this before.
When Yogi died, NPR aired an interview with his daughter (-in-law?). She told a story I had not heard before. Apparently when Yogi and Carmen moved to New York, they were shopping for an apartment (as one does) and looked at a place that had a Murphy bed. Yogi had never seen such a thing, and looked it up and down. Finally he said “what are you supposed to do? Sleep standing up?”
Midnight snack? Peanut butter on toast. The sevret is to add a SMALL amount of salt. Damn that’s good.
Chick Fil A near me always has like 25 cars in the drive-thru, but they move those bastards through quickly. I spend maybe 10 minutes in line, when a standard fast food line would take more than that for 5 cars. They must pay their employees enough to give a shit. Either that or beat them harshly.
I usually pull out some kind of leftovers and since Beloved cooks as if we’re feeding West Point, there’s always something to munch on. Or, ill eat a handful of nuts and call it a night. Pizza is always a good option. Or a hunk of crusty bread and butter. A piece of candy in a pinch.
I have to get my booster. I’m due at the end of the month but selfish me doesn’t want the holidays ruined. Again. Last year my entire office came down with covid except for me and another kid. But I guess on Monday ill make an appointment.
Oh a cheese sandwich on rye with a glob of mustard was always a good after drinking snack. Just sayin
Hey, Madz, it’s a day, or, at most, a day and a half. Not a month. And this shot is half as strong as the last one (depending on which flavor you favor). I don’t think of saving your life as ruining Christmas.
And it’s good to know you’re still a kid. Always enjoy your comments and your youthful vigor.
John
Oh by the way our town opened a taco bell last year. The traffic getting through the light on a busy intersection was so ridiculous I drove home a different route to avoid it. Now? Amazing they’re still in business.
Rumour has it were getting a Popeyes soon.
Chick Til A is a good half hour away and always has a long line. Sorry, I’m just not into that bullshit.
Madz, I’m not following you, I just have a comment on two of your comments.
Do you mean the anti-LGBTQ bullshit or the line bullshit? Chick Til A is famous for the first; I guess, based on a few comments they have some of the second as well which is dispiriting.
Merry Christmas.
John
The Popeyes chicken sandwich (the spicy version is best) makes the CFA sandwich cry. It is so much better.
Chick-fil-A is the best! No other fast-food place even comes close.
I do ghetto lunchables. 4 Ritz crackers, one slice of cheese folded and split into 4 pieces and top each with a slice of salami.
it’s me, icecycle66, reporting form mcmurdo station antarctica.
I had to give an IT half of this week’s booze ration to post here.
But i had to get on and let you all know that i was interviewed by Spin Magazine. A REAL PUBLICATION.
I volunteer time on my one day off a week as a DJ at our little radio station (104.5 IceRadio). Spin heard about the station and asked to talk to some people. Since i’m most active in the station they put me i th interview. So keep an eye out on spin about a radio station in antarctica.
Hey ice, hope all is going well.
Do you broadcast over the FM airwaves, over a closed-circuit internal network, or over the Web (so we could hear you)?
How many scientist/workers are at the McMurdo station this summer? In mid-95 I corresponded with a guy at McMurdo over the incipient Web, but I don’t think it cost him booze rations to do so; maybe those were more genteel times.
Good luck on your tenure at McMurdo. How long are you on station? I think the old rotation was nine months, but my understanding is that transportation is a little more frequent these days. What’s your specialty?
Again, best of luck, and thanks for serving the interests of science and human knowledge.
best,
John
Dude, that’s super cool! I, for one, will definitely look for it.
Enjoy your summer, such as it is.
Godspeed, Michael Nesmith. May you rest in peace.
And to address the topic: I never partake in midnight snacks.
Good to see you, Clue.
Michael Nesmith was always a little bit embarrassed about being a Monkee, but he never stopped making really good music. Different Drum launched Linda Ronstadt like a guided missile. It was a carefully crafted song. But Joanne is even better. It remains one of the best pop songs of the last 50 years. Here is Mike in 1992 with the second or third National Band. Adios Mike; you were always the musician in the group.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZiHjmE-5BI&list=RD9ZiHjmE-5BI&index=1