Archive | Writing RSS feed for this section

Breakfast- The Most Important Meal of the Day (Delicious-Tasting Repost)

4 May

May 5, 2013

Mr. Blog is off trying to talk Allan Keyes out of rigging the Kentucky Derby. so for today, enjoy this Classic Repost, not seen in five years.

from June 30, 2007

The Editors and Staff of Mr. Blog’s Tepid Ride would like to Congratulate BMJ2K – Winner of the 2007 NAACP Image Award on his Outstanding Achievement.

NOTE: The following originally appeared in Woman’s Day Magazine, February 2006, under the pseudonym “Breakfast Betty”

Breakfast has long been known as “the most important meal of the day.” Indeed, though there has been fierce competition from both brunch and dinner, it has always been the morning meal which gives us the strength to make it through our rough days.

Back in the badly misnamed “dawn of time” (misnamed because time actually began about six months earlier) the early hominids that would later evolve to become both the human race and the French (“la culture de la sauce crémeuse“) lived in a state of near-perpetual hunger. During the day fierce predators roamed, and at night the scavengers came out. Early man would hunt in the twilight and try to find whatever sustenance they could. It wasn’t until the discovery of fire led to the innovation of bacon and eggs did humanity’s ancestors feel secure and able to meet the daylight hours. Hash browns soon followed, then coffee, then the pyramids, and then, ultimately, The Federalist Papers.

In today’s modern age, it seems silly to look back just a few decades and realize that our great-grandparents never had the opportunity to eat an Egg McMuffin. Nor did they drink Sunny Delight or Hi-C. (Both of which, by the way, contain no more than 10% juice.)

The Egg McMuffin was created by a McDonald’s franchisee who wanted to increase his profits. He reasoned that his restaurant was only open half the day, but if he opened during the morning hours he would increase sales in the previously closed early hours. He hit upon the McMuffin because it could be easily made on existing McDonald’s equipment. (True story- look it up.)

Today, McMuffin-penetration in our urban areas is fast-approaching 98%. There is not a man, woman, pre- or post-op transsexual, or child who does not have the opportunity for a hearty morning McMuffin.

The question is not, of course, whether or not to eat an Egg McMuffin for breakfast. The question becomes where do you eat your McMuffin? Important as breakfast is, many of us take the McMuffin for granted. Eating on the subway or in your car is not breakfast. Eating at your desk and dripping crumbs on your computer isn’t breakfast. Neither is gobbling your McMuffin while trying to sell a house. (If you are a realtor, this is also not a good way to sell a home.)

Breakfast should be the most human and humane meal of the day. Lunch is often just whenever you can squeeze it in. Dinner is a hassle to be endured with your family or a bad date.

Breakfast, however,  should be the basis of a good day.

Heed my advice: Make a good breakfast the center of your morning. Take it from Breakfast Betty- this column would not have possible without a strong morning meal of pancakes and vodka.

egg-mcmuffin

Late Night Movie House: Akira Takarada

2 May

May 2, 2013

akira takarada

I met Akira Takarada at the Chiller Convention last weekend. There was a bit of a language barrier. I do not speak Japanese and he, despite traveling to the USA for the weekend, didn’t spend not one minute or so on that there  airplane learning how to speak good American-like words. Sheesh, just another foreigner coming to our country to take money from his fans at a horror convention.

But I kid.

Akira Takarada is a legend in Japan. Here he is lauded for his roles in the original Godzilla and some of the other Godzilla franchise films. I had him sign my King Kong Escapes poster because I just love that thing.

akira poster

The man is amazingly polite and respectful. He was dressed in a sharp suit and at nearly 80, was in better shape than I ever have been. He bowed to everyone, took pictures with everyone- as many as you wanted- and even beckoned my brother to take a picture with him, for free.

And I think he looks like an Asian Bob Barker. You decide.

akira bob

As I said, he is a legend in Japan and, it seems, here to. This was his first American signing and there was a huge line to see him. And the fans? They recited lines to him, discussed their favorite scenes with him, one even acted out a Godzilla fight scene for him, all of which his assistant translated.  The man was the very soul of refinement and respectability.

And now, on with the show!

AKIRA TAKARADA SINGS!

AKIRA TAKARADA IN THE ORIGINAL GODZILLA TRAILER!

AKIRA TAKARADA (edited out of) KING KONG VS. GODZILLA SET TO METALLICA’S MASTER OF PUPPETS