Open thread | Cup o' Joel

katnip (Deb Townsend) says…

gooseberry pie.

May 5, 2005 at 2:27 p.m.

Todd (anonymous) says…

Evolution debate>

When I was in school no one paid attention to much in class. I mean, most the people just had the "what will be on the test" selective hearing on. I seriously doubt any kids pay attention enough for evolution to matter.

There's so much stuff taught in high school and so little learned. I think we could just drop evolution/creationism/mystic-design/whatver alltogether and be better off for it.

Parents should be bitchin' this loud about how personal finance isn't taught in schools. The lack of money-sense among adults is scary.

May 5, 2005 at 2:30 p.m.

Joel (Joel Mathis) says…

Todd, I'll agree that kids could use some mandatory personal finance time in school. Maybe they teach that in whatever passes for home ec these days. I certainly don't remember any such instruction.

But I think you'd find a lot of disagreement to the "kids aren't paying attention, so why teach it?" theory. I'll see if anybody else takes up the ball.

katnip: Sour cream apple pie.

Now we gots ourselves a conversation goin'!

May 5, 2005 at 2:44 p.m.

Joel (Joel Mathis) says…

And for what it's worth: I thought Captain Ribman's Meat Market made the best burger I've had in Lawrence.

Of course, it took me more than an hour to get it that one time. But still.

This is worth an entire blog in and of itself, but having come to Lawrence from a meat-packing town (Emporia) I kind of miss a truly great cheeseburger. There are some good burgers in this town (Johnny's leaps immediately to mind) but nothing that is, to my mind, remarkable. Not like Bruff's or J's in Emporia -- two dives that were benefitted by 30 years of grease on the grills.

May 5, 2005 at 2:50 p.m.

mitzibel (Misty Nuckolls) says…

It would almost be worth living in Joplin again to have ready access to Babe's Chubby Cheeseburgers. I rate cheeseburgers by how far the grease drips down your arm while you eat it; Babe's usually scores at least a forearm, usually an elbow.

May 5, 2005 at 2:57 p.m.

Joel (Joel Mathis) says…

In Emporia, I once ate a one-pound hamburger at the Wagon Wheel. Along with several other guys; it was a going-away party for one of the great shoul've-stayed-a-sportswriter-he-was-so-good-but-went-to-law-school-instead guys, Bill Petulla.

It was tasty for the first half-pound or so. After that ... it was a little bit like climbing Mount Everest. You do it because it's there, darn it.

That bad part was we all had to go back to work that afternoon. Four guys, all with a pound of meat in their gut (I think I hear CafeSiren dry-heaving in California about now) trying to accomplish anything. It wasn't a pretty sight.

Misty: I never ate at Babe's Chubby Cheeseburgers when I lived in Parsons and was taking frequent trips to Joplin. I can see it was my loss...

May 5, 2005 at 3:03 p.m.

Dazie (Aileen Dingus) says…

¢ The evolution debate?
Being related to a pretty well known paleontologist makes it difficult for me to understand why people are arguing about evolution. Uncle has shown me proof, honest to goodness hard evidence, that evolution occurred. How can people eschew that proof in deference to something unproveable? I acknowledge people's faiths, but to follow blindly makes no logical sense to me.

¢ Kurt Vonnegut and school finance?
I don't know enough about that to comment.

¢ Your favorite kind of pie?
Anne Dingus' Cream Cheese Pie. Yum. Or my ex-BF's mom's apple pie. One of the only reasons I considered staying with him.

¢ The best cheeseburger in Lawrence?
I don't like cheeseburgers. Yuck.

¢ The best song on the radio right now?
:) Well, I head Bob Seeger at lunch- that's pretty good. I don't think I'd know a "popular" song if it bit me on the ass.

May 5, 2005 at 3:06 p.m.

lazz (anonymous) says…

Lawrence: Love It or Leave It!
Don't be dissin' our burgers here, kids! The Wheel makes a terrific assortment of burgers (with egg, bacon, cheese, in various combinations, etc.) on an old, weathered grill ... Also superior are the Buckaroo (or Double Buckaroo!) and Double Cheese at Bucky's. That place is FAR underrated when it comes to discussions of fine burgers. Set 'em Jacks makes a great burger, and they are half price on Mondays.
My recent thing has been to get burgers sans cheese. Find I like the taste of the meat better without the cheese.

May 5, 2005 at 3:28 p.m.

katnip (Deb Townsend) says…

I heard Mexican Radio by Wall of Voodoo on my internet radio this morning, heard Blister in the Sun about an hour ago. Its been a good music day so far.

In-N-Out Burger in California---very very good. So is the Oasis Lounge in Wichita, The Rolling Stone even though so a number of years ago.

Would have loved to have "Balancing checkbook 101," "What an APR really is" and "how to survive a used car lot"

Oh--now its "Our House" (Our mum, she's so house proud)

Joel--I'll see your Sour Cream apple and raise you a Key Lime and Mango Cream Pie.

May 5, 2005 at 3:34 p.m.

katnip (Deb Townsend) says…

An afterthought-- Jack's North Hi in Wichita was good. There used to be a tiny cafe in Toronto KANSAS that had great burgers, haven't been there since I was a teen though. Don't even know if its still around.

But for you purists, I actually do like good old fashioned French Silk or sour cream raisin. I echo Andie McDowell in her praise for pie which unfortunately took place in that stinker of a movie "Michael."

May 5, 2005 at 3:40 p.m.

Joel (Joel Mathis) says…

katnip: Well that settles whether I know you or not.

I don't know anybody who would've watched "Michael," let alone closely enough to remember a pie scene years after the fact.

May 5, 2005 at 3:51 p.m.

Joel (Joel Mathis) says…

lazz: I haven't been to The Wheel.

Obviously, I have some work to do to burnish my townie credentials.

May 5, 2005 at 3:52 p.m.

ladylaw (Terry Bush) says…

Evolution debate = One group trying to prove there IS a God while the other group is trying to prove there ISN'T a God. Both afraid that kids will not believe what they want them to believe if it's not clearly laid out in a text book. What really poor parents such kids must have, to rely so heavily upon what a school teacher says as opposed to what they are taught at home...

What a huge waste of time and money.

Not to mention an aggravating sea of reporters following them around all the time and all of them using up toilet paper paid for by tax payers....

May 5, 2005 at 3:58 p.m.

ladylaw (Terry Bush) says…

And Joel....I watched that move Michael...and remember the pie scene....andyou know me..... so you may yet realize you know/knew katnip from somewhere....

May 5, 2005 at 4 p.m.

Dazie (Aileen Dingus) says…

Katnip- I had In-N-Out for lunch. :) Neener!

(They have them in Nevada now too! Yay!)

May 5, 2005 at 4:06 p.m.

mitzibel (Misty Nuckolls) says…

And for the record, here's what I have to say on the evolution debate:

I would like to say something to everyone who is making so much noise over the issue: Do you want to know what your message is coming across as to those of us on the sidelines? Well, here it is. This is what we hear from you:

"I don't trust my own authority as a parent. I have no confidence in my ability to instill my own beliefs in my children, and furthermore, I have no confidence that those beliefs will stand up to my child's scrutiny and questioning. I believe that I have done such a crappy job of raising my children that one paragraph in a science textbook can and will completely undermine all of my efforts."

But I guess that's a little too long for a picket sign or bumper sticker.

May 5, 2005 at 4:16 p.m.

katnip (Deb Townsend) says…

Dazie--deadly jealous.

Ladylaw--I knew I wasn't the only one to have seen it, now if we can just find the other two.

Joel--I remember it because that pie song is etched into my psyche like a terrifically bad date, a swig of spoiled mik, a stubbed toe in the middle of the night. There, I have defended my thesis and you can stop denying that you knew me.

May 5, 2005 at 4:21 p.m.

liz (Liz Weslander) says…

I worked on the Kansan with Bill Petulla! He was a very sincere fellow and a good writer. What is it with this journalist-turned lawyer trend? He's one of at least five I know.

May 5, 2005 at 4:23 p.m.

Joel (Joel Mathis) says…

katnip: Well, seeing as how I don't KNOW that I know you, I feel like I'm on solid ground in my denials. Until proven otherwise.

One of my faaaaavorite things about blogging is how people I know log on under pseudonyms, then play coy with me....

liz: Bill Petulla: Damned fine American. Soft-spoken as heck. Who, it turns out, can eat a one-pound hamburger. Or could, at least, back in 1998. It's something I'm pretty sure I'll never attempt again.

ladylaw: For you, I'll overlook the "Michael" thing. Even if you just did dis my profession and colleagues.

May 5, 2005 at 4:36 p.m.

katnip (Deb Townsend) says…

Joel--I truly dont think this anonymity thing is cute. Like I said before, I used to be one of the not-so-nice people, and I am just testing the waters. Its not meant to be a game. We've really not run into one another but once in this decade so far.

Mitzibel--I agree, its similar to the argument that gay unions undermine straight ones, that all of some couple's hard work and compromise will be for naught if a girl from Eudora wants to get her girlfriend on her health plan or, in this case, if some teacher spends a fraction of a school year covering what is a theory either way. My parents taught me to take textbooks with a grain of salt and to go out and do the research necessary to form my own opinion anyway, but that's just me.

Joel--got any more favorite pies?

May 5, 2005 at 4:52 p.m.

Joel (Joel Mathis) says…

K- Don't sweat it. I'm also fond of sweet potato pie, which is odd because I detest actual sweet potatoes.

May 5, 2005 at 5:40 p.m.

katnip (Deb Townsend) says…

I like pecan bourbon pie too.

May 5, 2005 at 6:09 p.m.

darkangel (anonymous) says…

pie: I'm a purist. Chocolate! I'll also eat apple pie. No ice cream though.

burger: Bucky's ranks right up toward the top. But you've got to have cheese!:)

evolution: mitzibel nailed it!! For crying out loud, everyone ends up believing what they want to believe. You do your research and your soul-searching and come to your own conclusions. A page in a text book in high school is not going to affect a student's beliefs unless that student lets it. In which case, creationism parents would eventually have had a problem anyway!

And I saw Michael, too. I've tried to block it out of my memory and had quite a bit of success.

May 5, 2005 at 7:12 p.m.

strait (anonymous) says…

Weezer -- just listened to its/their new album, and it is terrible. Weezer has totally lost whatever joy it once had. R. Cuomo used to write songs about falling in love with lesbians; now he writes sincere songs about sincere subjects. Give me a break.

Bill Petulla is one of my favorite people in life and journalism. Sportswriters, particularly older ones, are some of the saddiest people I've ever known. I'm glad he got out. He was too good of a person for that.

May 5, 2005 at 7:36 p.m.

pissykitty (Melissa Lynch) says…

I agree with the Bucky's thing. Nothing better on a sunday afternoon than a Bucky burger with cheese. And they sell malts there, right? Regardless whether its a malt or a shake they're damn good.
Pie has got to be apple or cherry, and it has to be homemade.
Evolution: glad I live in Illinois right now.
The only radio stations I listen to are classic rock, oldies, and sometimes the classical station. Maybe I'll turn to the Nine 'cause they play everything. I guess if it has to be a new song, it'd be that new one by Beck.

On a completely random note: I love my new clothes hamper. It fits just where I need it to be and it blends with its surroundings. The only problem, I found out today, is is that I can fit FIVE loads of laundry in it! Where did I get all these clothes?

May 5, 2005 at 7:40 p.m.

darkangel (anonymous) says…

Clothes reproduce themselves in laundry baskets and hampers. Yes, you have to have somewhere to put dirty clothes but just keep in mind that the someplace will allow your clothes to multiply! It happened to me, too.

Bucky's has just about everything ice cream you can think of and it's darn good ice cream.

mmmmm....homemade apple pie...mmmm

Remedy by Seether. Great song!

May 5, 2005 at 7:53 p.m.

MyName (anonymous) says…

Pies: my favorite is the strawberry pie from perkins, but then I have an unreal addiction/obsession with strawberries. This is the perfect time of year to have that obsession. Bye the way, I also like chocolate pie.

Evolution: my high school Biology teacher actually seemed embarrassed or scared to cover evolution in his class because he knew how much it ticked off the Jesus kids. They'd spent years being told how full of crap Evolution was and for some of them this was their shining moment to stand up for Truth or whatever. They didn't start a debate in my class, but I'm sure that they did in a different hour. The rest of the class was bored out of their minds for the most part I think.

Anyways, I don't understand why there's a debate about teaching unadulterated evolution at all. Teaching biology without evolution is like trying to teach physics without Newton's theory of gravity. It's a sick joke and the only thing you're doing is hurting the children's education. This "it's only a theory" thing makes me mad too because Newton's theory of gravity is not only just a theory, but it's actually a disproven theory!

Einstein showed that Newton was wrong (or at least not 100% right) but we still teach Newton because you can't understand Einstein without understanding Newton. Just like you can't understand Biology without learning about evolution.

This whole thing kind of ticks me off as it makes Kansans look stupid to the rest of the world. Oh well, that's just one example of why politicians should stay as far away from education as possible.

May 5, 2005 at 8:15 p.m.

godjilla (Jill Ensley) says…

Damn you, damn you to hell for getting that Cake (uh, I mean Weezer) song in my head....

And I'm living for the opening of Hayes. open, you bastards! i need a quart of chili, stat!

May 5, 2005 at 8:24 p.m.

darkangel (anonymous) says…

The evolution vs creation question definitely makes Kansas look bad. I hear all the jokes from friends who live in other states. My favorite? "Welcome to Kansas, where evolution is outlawed and the monkeys are in charge." Makes me laugh.

I realize that part of the problem is that evolution is/was taught but creation wasn't. What Christian doesn't learn about creation, btw? The whole separation of church and state means that creation stays in church or at home and evolution goes into the schools. But if it's a matter of theory, maybe creation should have it's paragraph, too. Along with every other creation theory in every other religion on earth. Bit cumbersome for the biology student to suddenly get a religious studies class.

I think science has it's place IN the schools. It's a matter of education, learning, and "fact-based" material. Creation, on the other hand, is a matter of faith and therefore belongs in places where you learn about faith, i.e. church and home. Which theory is right, that's a completely different question.

May 5, 2005 at 9:43 p.m.

obuchanan (anonymous) says…

Joel- Three food oriented topics in a week? Are we to guess that the diet is becoming difficult to maintain? Maybe we'll have to get you a "Live Strong" band for moral support...

Ladylaw, I have to respectfully disagree on the evolution issue. I have no fears that my daughter will be "turned" on the issue, but allowing religious dogma to be taught in the schools would be a frightening precedent. As Dazie said, despite the nomenclature, evolution is fact. As parents, we should not accept fallacious or untestable speculation to be taught in our schools, even if we have the ability to "straighten them out" at home. Hopefully we wouldn't accept it if they started teaching blatantly revisionist history (yeah, yeah, I know ALL history is to some extent, but I'm talking worse here) or "alternate" mathematics. I don't think that very many scientists are interested in "disproving" God.

Dazie, who is this famous paleontologist uncle? Anyone that could help this once and future Anthro major get a job?

Jill, careful, don't spill any o' that chili on your coffee filters, it might stain!

I'm kinda partial to my Chocolate chip-Walnut pie, myself...

I agree that personal finance (how to balance a checkbook, the dangers of credit cards, etc.) should be mandatory for graduation. Along with some kind of parenting class, also.

May 5, 2005 at 11:29 p.m.

pissykitty (Melissa Lynch) says…

also an auto mechanics class would be nice. i can maintain fluid levels and tire pressure and other little things, but i would love to be able to replace my own thermostat and maybe even fix my own brakes. that way i wont get fleeced as much at the mechanic shop. and instead of teaching us how to drive using an automatic we should learn with manual. any yahoo can drive an automatic.

May 5, 2005 at 11:37 p.m.

squishypoet (anonymous) says…

Deep dish pumpkin pie. Mmmmmmm.

May 5, 2005 at 11:50 p.m.

obuchanan (anonymous) says…

Miss Kitty: My plan was always to have loads of chill'uns, and train them all in some vital field. An Accountant, a lawyer, a plumber, a mechanic, a doctor...

May 6, 2005 at 12:06 a.m.

toreador (Michael Austin) says…

PK, funny how I never had an automotive class in high school, but growing up in a small town with no money made me fix what I broke. I can happily say that I now like fixing and restoring cars, and am really wanting to get an older 50's auto to make into a retro street rod. I had to learn how to drive a stick in the Army. No such thing as an automatic there!

Pecan Pie,... and as long as we are throwing out deserts. Bread Pudding!

Little warm today for chili Godjilla! That is a winter food. If you eat it the cold weather might come back! I will blame you!

I have had Indian two days in a row now. I am stuffed and happy. All this talk of food makes my stomach ache.

Science tries to prove things, faith and belief aren't part of scientific fact.Keep them out of science class. If you want to teach about religion, have a world religions course. I know a lot of evolutionists that are christians, and even had a bible school teacher that said they can co-exist. So why argue about it so much. We just look like fools.

May 6, 2005 at 1:18 a.m.

joemiller (anonymous) says…

¢ The evolution debate?

I could go either way, really.

¢ Kurt Vonnegut and school finance?

I read a bunch of KV in college and liked it. School finance is proof that Brown is dead and we can't even live up to the twisted ideals of Plessy vs. Ferguson.

¢ Your favorite kind of pie?

Cherry.

¢ The best cheeseburger in Lawrence?

Johnny's.

¢ The best song on the radio right now?

That one they keep playing all the time. I can't remember the name. But, you know. The one where they sing. And the guitars. You know? That one.

May 6, 2005 at 7:43 a.m.

hilary (anonymous) says…

Cheeseburger? That's probably at Molly McGee's, the Boardwalk Burger, served with crip, meaty bacon, and a thick slice of pineapple. Add honey mustard, and you've got perfection!

Pie: Strawberry Rhubarb. Nothin' finer.

May 6, 2005 at 8:38 a.m.

mazzy (Sarah Wallace) says…

¢ The evolution debate - I agree with those who say that teaching evolution should not undermine the spiritual teachings that parents choose to instill in their children. Evolution is based on scientific fact and that foundation is necessary for many other science classes. Religious parents that are secure enough in their faith to be open minded can easily see that evolution and intelligent design can coexist.

¢ Kurt Vonnegut and school finance - Wasn't there something in the paper where he said that they were misinterpreting his writing?

¢ Your favorite kind of pie - Lemon Meringue

¢ The best cheeseburger in Lawrence - I'm not a big fan of red meat but when the craving has hit I've had a couple good ones at Johnny's. And Chili's has a mushroom swiss burger that's pretty tasty.

¢ The best song on the radio right now - Ummm... I don't think I actually listen to the radio.... I've been listening to a CD that a friend loaned me by Drag the River. It's a punk band turned country. Good stuff.

May 6, 2005 at 9:20 a.m.

Joel (Joel Mathis) says…

Chili's has a really good veggie burger, too, Mazzy. But it does involve going to Chili's, so there you go.

JoeMiller: I read that BrownvBoard spin on the school finance thing a couple of weeks ago in the Pitch, but that's about the only place I've heard it. Interesting argument, but aren't there a lot of poor mostly-white school districts out there? Seems hard to boil this down to race to me, but perhaps I could be convinced.

May 6, 2005 at 9:31 a.m.

quinn (Patrick Quinn) says…

The cheeseburger is America's single greatest contribution to world cuisine.

Coldplay's "The Scientist." I don't even like Coldplay, but it reminds of a girl I knew.

3.141592653589793238462643383279502884197169399375105820974944592307816406
with whipped cream and a mango on top.

It's absurd to expect Kurt Vonnegut to pay for everyone's education. The man has quite enough to worry about w/out a bunch of people from Kansas demanding that he pay for their schooling. Why not Tom Clancy, or maybe Judith Krantz? Or Martha Stewart. They prolly have more money than Vonnegut anyway. Sheesh.

May 6, 2005 at 9:56 a.m.

UKept (anonymous) says…

Funk the cheeseburger, give me a hamdog--

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20050...

--any damn day of the week.

For those of you travelling to the UK, check out the amazing joys of a bacon roll. By far the best (if only) British culinary delight, the Bacon roll consists of a soft hoagie slathered in butter and crazy UK thick cut bacon. It's like a pie with icing.

May 6, 2005 at 10:13 a.m.

alicia (Alicia Henrikson) says…

Best burger I've ever had can't be found in Lawrence. But it's close to Lawrence. It's at Shirley's Cafe in Overbrook. It's pretty awesome...and I don't use those words lightly. Hard.

As for pies...anything with chocolate and peanut butter is good.

I have no comments on evolution or school finance at this time.

And on the radio front, I rarely listen to it. Some people decided they really needed the antenna on my Nissan Sentra. Jerks!

May 6, 2005 at 10:52 a.m.

Joel (Joel Mathis) says…

If we're leaving Lawrence city limits, than the Linwood Cafe makes a great burger. Also, a great chicken fried steak breakfast. Hard.

May 6, 2005 at 11:01 a.m.

toreador (Michael Austin) says…

Otto's in Westport was my favorite burger joint. But sadly it is gone. Such a wonderful place! I would have thought Lawrence would have had someplace so cool. Guess not..

What is this thing called the "radio?". Funny how I work for the "business", but I can't remember the last time I listened to it.

May 6, 2005 at 11:11 a.m.

katnip (Deb Townsend) says…

Chicken fried steak...mmmmm....mashed potatoes with skins on and peppery cream gravy, flaky biscuit with a buttery top.....been on Weight Watchers so long that all of this talk of cheeseburgers and pie and now chicken fried steak is as stimulating as adult entertainment at this point. I suddenly feel the need to be alone for a few minutes.

May 6, 2005 at 11:16 a.m.

katnip (Deb Townsend) says…

Otto's was the best--also the best place for a blueberry banana shake.

May 6, 2005 at 11:18 a.m.

Joel (Joel Mathis) says…

I like how this open thread thing is shaking out. I ought to do this more often ... a lot more dialogue going on than when I post my own midweek musings.

Mike: I'm so telling your bosses you don't listen to the radio.

May 6, 2005 at 11:21 a.m.

Dazie (Aileen Dingus) says…

obuchanan... Lowell Dingus. With the American Museum of Natural History in NYC.

Remember a few years back when they found the raptor ova in the eggs in Mongolia? That was him. Also the sauropod eggs in Patagonia.

May 6, 2005 at 11:33 a.m.

Joel (Joel Mathis) says…

Wait, Dazie: Your uncle isn't responsible for the dinosaur cloning that made Jurassic Park possible, is he? Because that had horrible consequences.

May 6, 2005 at 11:37 a.m.

pissykitty (Melissa Lynch) says…

oh mike! BUSTED!

May 6, 2005 at 12:21 p.m.

pissykitty (Melissa Lynch) says…

i may have said i dont like coldplay either, but that first song they put out i liked. and it was "Yellow". now isnt that a shame?

May 6, 2005 at 12:29 p.m.

Dazie (Aileen Dingus) says…

Aww jeez Joel. Now I'll have to kill you. And everyone who reads this blog.

Sorry everyone. Blame Joel.

*hunts for chainsaw*

May 6, 2005 at 1:04 p.m.

toreador (Michael Austin) says…

We measure music. We are responsible for most of music charting and had an interesting discussion on music trends yesterday. Alternative music stations are having a horrible time because people that listen to alternative types of music tend to listen to music from everywhere but the radio. So, they know I don't listen to it ;)

Open forum topics are nice and lackadaisical, which sometimes is very nice.

Otto's had the best shakes EVER! My cousin tried to consume a 32oz malt once and had serious brain freezage. I always wanted to try the fat burger, with what, cheddar, cream cheese, bacon and an egg? I thought they would be around forever, so I put it on my someday list. Guess I learned a life lesson there. Try it now, because tomorrow you may not have the chance.

May 6, 2005 at 1:16 p.m.

toreador (Michael Austin) says…

Oh, and to talk to food. We just had a farewell lunch for someone at Stroud's. I am now going to go outside, hide under a tree and take a nap.

May 6, 2005 at 1:17 p.m.

Joel (Joel Mathis) says…

Johnny's has a "Goober" burger that has peanut butter on it, Mike, which I've found tempting from the standpoint of I-was-brave-enough-to-try-it.

I didn't realize that you aren't DJing anymore, Mike. You've moved into the "brains" part of the industry, huh?

May 6, 2005 at 1:21 p.m.

pissykitty (Melissa Lynch) says…

A hamburger with peanut butter?? Hmmm. It sounds interesting, but I don't think I'd have the guts. I'd watch someone else eat it. I took my sister and her friends to the Parthenon on Halsted for her birthday one year and one of the guys ordered the baked lambs head. I did not have the juevos to try it myself, but I gladly watched others gag down their piece of brain or eyeball. I love it when going to dinner is a spectator sport.

Theres this awesome restaurant somewhere near the Lincoln Park Zoo downtown that has this burger thats covered in blue cheese an green olives. Believe it or not, it is de-lish. i just don't remember exactly where it is because we were just wandering around. I think I may have written it down somewhere.

May 6, 2005 at 1:33 p.m.

Carmenilla (anonymous) says…

My father-in-law is from Sedalia, MO. He swears by the goober burgers from The Wheel, which is an old drive-up burger stand. I think they may be an aquired taste though, Joel.

Favorite pie: Key Lime (my own), fresh Strawberry with REAL whipped cream, and gooseberry. Gooseberries are tangy but I'm a tart that is into tart tarts. Got it?

Also, best song on the radio: I am fond of Gwen Stefani's marching drum song. Don't know the name but I love the break-down. "The shit is bananas, b-a-n-a-n-a-s,". Oh man, I'm gonna catch hell for that one. I am a nerd.....

P.S. I refuse to comment on the evolution thang. Beaten to death it is!

May 6, 2005 at 1:34 p.m.

Carmenilla (anonymous) says…

Hey PK, did you mean cojones, not huevos? 'Cause you do have eggs if you are a girl. Just a little gentle joshing from someone who should know a lot more Spanish than she does!

May 6, 2005 at 1:36 p.m.

pissykitty (Melissa Lynch) says…

you see, i learned french instead of spanish in school. i can only ask for the bathroom and bank in spanish. oh, and i know a fair amount of swear words. but i thought huevos was eggs. whats cojones? im so confused...

May 6, 2005 at 1:48 p.m.

katnip (Deb Townsend) says…

Carmenilla, Gooseberry is the best, reference the beginning of the thread. The song is Hollaback Girl. I work with a competitive marching band in southcentral Kansas and now all of our drummers want to go get snare heads with bananas on them out of some homage to Ms Stefani. I've heard the song about 400 times now so the thrill, if it was ever there, is gone.

Joel, I think you were a drummer weren't you?

The fatburger used to be my morning after antidote for a hard night in Westport. Fatburger, no fries and a huge coke with 2 aspirin and a scoop of ice cream plopped in. You had to supply your own aspirin though.

May 6, 2005 at 1:49 p.m.

Carmenilla (anonymous) says…

Cojones are ball, nuts, testicles. I think you said,"I did not have the juevos to try it myself". I thought you meant you didn't have the balls to do it. Obviously you have the eggs....

May 6, 2005 at 1:50 p.m.

katnip (Deb Townsend) says…

cojones are a man's bits, PK

May 6, 2005 at 1:51 p.m.

Carmenilla (anonymous) says…

katnip, I totally missed your post. Gooseberries are the shiz, girlfriend. I have 3 very fragile bushes in my yard that yield next to nothing in the berry dept. But I refuse to tear them out. I mean how many gooseberry bushes can there be in our humble hamlet?

Yes, I know that "Hollaback Girl" song will soon grow tiresome but for now it is a toe-tapping, head-bopping good time! And my daughter loves it despite the "questionable" lyrics. Not that she hasn't heard it before, mind you. Her version is, "The SHAKE is bananas, etc.". She is a funny kid.....

May 6, 2005 at 1:55 p.m.

pissykitty (Melissa Lynch) says…

yeah, i didnt have them with me that time though! baked lambs head, can you imagine? it totally ruined my appetite for my chicken spanaki.

May 6, 2005 at 2:06 p.m.

katnip (Deb Townsend) says…

I leave mine in the glove compartment so they are never too far away!

May 6, 2005 at 2:08 p.m.

Joel (Joel Mathis) says…

Yup, played drums. This was about 15 years before "Drumline," so we did not, unfortunately, get all the chicks.

PK: Eyeballs?

Carmenilla: I suppose I could be persuaded to try some of your Key Lime pie, if you're offering to make one. You weren't? That's a shame...

May 6, 2005 at 2:09 p.m.

Carmenilla (anonymous) says…

When is your b-day, Joel? I would make one for the mac playa of Da Blogs. And, don't worry, my husband would understand. Key Lime is his fav too! Or I'll give you the recipe. Its 5 ingredients and super easy.

May 6, 2005 at 2:23 p.m.

toreador (Michael Austin) says…

Otto's had the Elvis Burger. I think it was peanut butter and bananas on the burger.

Joel, I'm not THAT Mike Austin. Though it is the first thing that pops into people's minds. We both do work in the "business". I work for the people that figure out what has played on the radio, not the people that play it!

Um... no heads on a plate on my table please.

Catchy to me right now is Supersystem Born into the World.

May 6, 2005 at 2:24 p.m.

pissykitty (Melissa Lynch) says…

Katnip, sometimes, when i dont think ill need to make any important decisions, i leave them at home. its easier for me to drive that way, too... ; )

Joel, when you order a baked lambs head it is cut in half vertically and baked open, the take most of the skin off and leave the brains, eyeballs, tongue, and the muscles of the face. The poor little lamb.

May 6, 2005 at 2:24 p.m.

katnip (Deb Townsend) says…

PK--oh-wait-did the little throw-up in the mouth thing--wow, poor little lambie is right.

Carmenilla--share the recipe!

And Joel is the mac playa, disguised as this unassuming journalist--I bet he's a closet lothario! And I mean lothario in the sexy, virile, seduce you with words and masculinity way--not in the B movie Antonio Banderas way.

May 6, 2005 at 2:33 p.m.

katnip (Deb Townsend) says…

this is the best afternoon off I have spent in a while. Doing the fresh air/transplanting flowers thing, pausing long enough to catch up on the blog--Thanks for providing such an amusing way to spend the afternoon. Sorry--just had to share that warm fuzzy.

May 6, 2005 at 2:37 p.m.

pissykitty (Melissa Lynch) says…

of course, if we were greek our mouths would be watering.

May 6, 2005 at 2:49 p.m.

Joel (Joel Mathis) says…

All I can say is this: I must come across MUCH differently on the blog than in real life.

In real life, I lose my ability to be articulate around women. I stare at the floor, rock back-and-forth and mumble a lot. Kind of like Rainman.

But y'all are doing wonders for my ego.

May 6, 2005 at 2:54 p.m.

pissykitty (Melissa Lynch) says…

you have to give yourself more credit than that, my dear. i insist!

May 6, 2005 at 2:54 p.m.

katnip (Deb Townsend) says…

Joel--if only a girl could be so lucky to snag you. No flattery at all--you seem to be the whole package from what I have read. You were an inherently good person years ago and I can only imagine who you have become beyond this blog.

I bet you make bad girls want to go good and good girls want to be bad with you. But this is your blog and I imagine this would make you blush if it continued.

Just take PK's advice--and give yourself the credit.

May 6, 2005 at 3:19 p.m.

pissykitty (Melissa Lynch) says…

See? Told you. : Ã

May 6, 2005 at 3:21 p.m.

Carmenilla (anonymous) says…

Here's the recipe :

4 eggs separated
1 can of sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup lime juice and the zest of the limes (usually 4 limes, it may vary)
1 tsp. vanilla
9 in.unbaked graham cracker crust (store-bought or homemade)

Beat egg yolks until creamy, add can of sweetened condensed milk, vanilla, lime juice and zest. Mix thoroughly with whisk or hand-held electric mixer.

In another clean dry bowl whip egg whites 'til soft peaks form. Incorporate a little whipped egg white into the yolk/lime/milk mixture. Once incorporated, fold in the rest of the egg whites. Do not over mix!

You can also omit the whites (if you are too lazy) and the pie will be more custardy. With the egg whites it has the texture of a light cheesecake. Either way its delicious! Also, you can hold back the whipped whites and add a little sugar (2-4 TBL) and spread it over the filling for a meringue.

Bake in a preheated oven at 350 for 12-15 minutes. If you do the meringue make it 375 for 10 minutes.

I found this recipe on a vintage dishtowel. It is perfection! All the variations on the recipe are my own. Enjoy....

One more thing, I have been playing around with a blog idea pertaining to food. Sort of a Ruth Reichl meets Jeffrey Steingarten experimental cooking and restaurant reviewing. Do you think something like that would fly on this website? Most people I know don't cook (thats why they all end up at my house for dinner) so maybe it would be meaningless. Comments? Questions?

May 6, 2005 at 3:22 p.m.

toreador (Michael Austin) says…

I cook lots, so I am fine with it. Except for the fact I don't like to cook lots as I have fewer people around to eat said food, which makes me eat more, which is not condusive to dieting!

I agree Joel. What is it about women that when you are in person makes the mind turn to utter mush. Especially new ones. Old friends I can spin a tail to have everyone laughing, meet someone new and I feel like my mouth is made of lead. Maybe it is the whole comfort level thing.

My new cooking trend is curries. MMMmmmm.

May 6, 2005 at 3:49 p.m.

Joel (Joel Mathis) says…

Mike: Curries are awesome

Carmenilla: I've never made a pie. Ever. I have a friend who has tried starting a cooking blog, but she doesn't update it all that often. Seems like a good idea, tho.

http://caterina.blogs.friendster.com/...

And everybody: Hush, please. I'll accept the fact that I'm the hunkiest man in blogdom if you'll stop talking about it.

Signed,
The Hunkiest Man in Blogdom

May 6, 2005 at 4:09 p.m.

pissykitty (Melissa Lynch) says…

i find myself blurting out silly things that make sense in my head but not when it comes out of my mouth. i get all jumpy and anxious, too. its not just you guys who get that.

May 6, 2005 at 4:10 p.m.

jen82 (anonymous) says…

I disagree that the evolutionists are trying to prove that there ISN'T a god. That's absolutely not true and I know many Christians who don't take the bible literally, word for word, and are able to include evolution in their belief system. I had a 9th grade biology teacher who was super catholic who said she'd pull out her bible and show you proof for evolution if you had an issue with it (this was in Georgia). Never asked her, but would be curious to know what she found as proof for evolution in the Bible.

I have quit reading stuff about this topic because it just makes me upset. Science is science, philosophy is philosophy, religion is religion. Science and philosophy are taught in schools, religion is taught at home. Parents should teach their children what they believe and then let their children decide for themselves.

May 6, 2005 at 4:19 p.m.

ladylaw (Terry Bush) says…

Joel:

1. When did I dis you and your colleauges/where? I try SO hard not to offend folks...but sometimes the folks I hang out with have their (evil) influence on me, and I try to get funny, and it comes out snippy..

2. Am I the only one who thinks it is friggen funny that Joel throws out one paragraph with a few suggested topics, and gets what 80 comments (so far) while other intellecutal or angry artist types labor to be clever and/or insightful, and garner 7 or 8 comments at best? See Joel, you have real talent for starting a conversation.

3. Joel is "a catch" for any woman who has wised up enough to like herself enough to insist on being treated well, and realized that the best boyfriend/husband is not necessarily the guys who can be all smooth with lines with their bad boy charm and looks (the type most stupid insecure women like and chase after, until he gets what he wants and then he is like - GONE - or worse abusive). Joel isn't like that. He's smart, nice, kind, hard working, cute, faithful and cuddly! He has the MOM stamp of approval!

And no. I am not related to him, nor being paid by him..... Heck, most of the time I don't like journalists....THERE - that was the "slam" (or as bad as I get).....

May 6, 2005 at 4:37 p.m.

ladylaw (Terry Bush) says…

I found it...I said " aggravating sea of reporters" - Being an aggravation had less to do with the profession then the sheer number (a sea). Cords, cameras, people, mikes, everywhere!

May 6, 2005 at 4:59 p.m.

pissykitty (Melissa Lynch) says…

well, ladylaw, thats good enough for me. you see what she wrote, joel? of course you do. you can marry me now! ; )

May 6, 2005 at 4:59 p.m.

joemiller (anonymous) says…

Joel, everything boils down to race. The fact that poor white kids don't have it so good doesn't change that.

May 6, 2005 at 5:06 p.m.

Joel (Joel Mathis) says…

PK: Well, ladylaw did say she was a matchmaker...

May 6, 2005 at 5:07 p.m.

pissykitty (Melissa Lynch) says…

she says, with an air of playfulness

May 6, 2005 at 5:08 p.m.

toreador (Michael Austin) says…

We need to change this to "Joel's Love Shack". (badukka waaaWAAA)

May 6, 2005 at 5:11 p.m.

pissykitty (Melissa Lynch) says…

that she did

May 6, 2005 at 5:15 p.m.

DavidRose (anonymous) says…

"I've got no musings this midweek ... too tired"

Best blog yet! ;)

evolution: Why bother? I got better things to worry about.

Kurt Vonnegut: Yeah, Nightcrawler is my favorite X-Men, too!

pie: I like all kinds of pie, buhrother!

best cheeseburger in Lawrence: The Wakiki Burger at Tanners was real good the other night!

radio: I dunno. But there's a kid on KJHK sports talk who tries just a little too hard to sound like Ian Eagle or someone. Gotta love it.

May 6, 2005 at 8:21 p.m.

mitzibel (Misty Nuckolls) says…

I have to chime in on the Joel love fest. He reminds me of my husband, which is the highest praise I can give anyone with a penis.

May 6, 2005 at 10:24 p.m.

katnip (Deb Townsend) says…

See, told you...along with PK, Ladylaw and Mitzibel..you are it. Its unanimous! I only wish I could have some Joel. (cue the aforementioned porn guitar riff)

Mike, what kind of curry do enjoy most?

My parents always wanted me to go out with Joel, so he really DID get the parent stamp of approval. My mom always came home from Ray's and said "why don't you give Joel a try?" (like he was some sort of new shampoo on the market or something) Some of us just need to hit our @#$hole quotient before we are bright enough to see the real deal.

And in front of men I either try too hard or not at all. I can do stand-up with no fear but that one on one--I just want to crawl inside myself. I painfully empathize with the Rainman thing Joel. Be well.

May 6, 2005 at 11:30 p.m.