Ad Hudler's Blog, page 14
May 20, 2011
Urban Wildlife: Post #866T5
I call this my "rapper tuxedo."
May 18, 2011
This week's Addie Award for Thriftiness
I love how, once your kids get into college, the tables turn: after all those years of you teaching them, they start teaching you. I've learned so many great things through our daughter: books I never would have read, political theories, the themes and meanings behind Shakespeare.
And here's another fun one: Recently, one of her professors was chatting with the class and he divulged that he and his wife really enjoy their cocktails -- but, both of them academics, they can't afford the pricier vodkas.
Enter Britta. For those who haven't used a Britta, please note that they are nothing short of miraculous. It's a water pitcher with built-in carbon filter that makes even Florida tap water taste delicious.
Evidently, according to my daughter's professor, it also can turn cheap vodka into expensive-tasting stuff. They run their cheap liquor through the Britta a few times, and ... voila! ... they're suddenly drinking Grey Goose!
And here's another fun one: Recently, one of her professors was chatting with the class and he divulged that he and his wife really enjoy their cocktails -- but, both of them academics, they can't afford the pricier vodkas.
Enter Britta. For those who haven't used a Britta, please note that they are nothing short of miraculous. It's a water pitcher with built-in carbon filter that makes even Florida tap water taste delicious.
Evidently, according to my daughter's professor, it also can turn cheap vodka into expensive-tasting stuff. They run their cheap liquor through the Britta a few times, and ... voila! ... they're suddenly drinking Grey Goose!
May 16, 2011
Definition of Tired
Exhausted daughter just finished a grueling two weeks of finals and papers and is in animal mode this week: Sleep. Eat. Sleep. Facebook. Eat. Sleep.
Shhhhhhhhhhhhh..............
Shhhhhhhhhhhhh..............
May 14, 2011
Addie Awards: #45856T5
Starting something new on my blog this week: When I see something that I think deserves a superlative and mention, I'm going to share it with you. We will call them Addie Awards. My grandma Max used to call me Addie. Also, Addison Forbsikens.
From my recent trip to Greenville, South Carolina ...
Best Place to Get Married:
The YMCA camp in the mountains north of town. No alcohol allowed, though. (sigh)
And the Skinniest Coffee Shop in the World award goes to:
Owner says: "Go in the door and take a QUICK turn to the right."
From my recent trip to Greenville, South Carolina ...
Best Place to Get Married:
The YMCA camp in the mountains north of town. No alcohol allowed, though. (sigh)And the Skinniest Coffee Shop in the World award goes to:
Owner says: "Go in the door and take a QUICK turn to the right."
May 11, 2011
Coitus Interruptus
Easy to spot a Floridian this time of year by the front of his truck or car.
Yep. Love bugs. Easy to see how they got their nickname:
For those who haven't seen them, these little critters have sex while flying: the TRUE Mile High Club. Problem is, they're ... uhh ... well, they're a little distracted in the process and tend to float into the paths of oncoming vehicles.I do admire their zeal for multi-tasking ... though often unsuccessful.
And I wonder: Who gets to fly forwards and who has to fly backwards?
May 9, 2011
Barstool Wisdom: #8556TV
Quick story for you: The other night after a hockey game I was drinking at a hotel bar with a friend, and there was a talkative, negative jerk sitting next to us. It took every ounce of willpower just to keep our mouths shut.
But, at one point, my friend could hold back no more. He said: "You know buddy, I think we've just about heard enough. You need to know somethin' here: Real men don't talk bad about their wives or their waitresses. You understand? Now, I'm gonna get up and go to the bathroom and when I get back I sure as hell hope you're gone."
And he was.
But, at one point, my friend could hold back no more. He said: "You know buddy, I think we've just about heard enough. You need to know somethin' here: Real men don't talk bad about their wives or their waitresses. You understand? Now, I'm gonna get up and go to the bathroom and when I get back I sure as hell hope you're gone."
And he was.
May 4, 2011
Mysteries of the Universe: #7576TG6
So one of my guy's-guy friends called me recently with an unusual observation -- at least for him: He'd tuned into the royal wedding and noted something peculiar: "Hats," he said. "Really, cool hats. Man, those Brit ladies can do hats. They make the Kentucky Derby hats look downright dowdy."
And then, he added: "So, if they can do hats so well, why can't they figure out the teeth thing?"
"???"
"Their teeth," he explained. "They really are horrible, all gray and crooked. If they worry so much about their hats, then why not their teeth? I just think it's really weird."
It made me think how we Americans are so consumed with acquiring the perfect smile. First, the introduction of orthodontics in the 70s ... and, most recently, this obsession with getting our teeth as white as copier paper. We've perfected teeth, boobs, eyebrows, etc. Where do we go next?
I, for one, like a little gravity on a lady. And I'm a little wary of those with smiles that look computer-generated.
What makes teeth gray, anyway?
And then, he added: "So, if they can do hats so well, why can't they figure out the teeth thing?"
"???"
"Their teeth," he explained. "They really are horrible, all gray and crooked. If they worry so much about their hats, then why not their teeth? I just think it's really weird."
It made me think how we Americans are so consumed with acquiring the perfect smile. First, the introduction of orthodontics in the 70s ... and, most recently, this obsession with getting our teeth as white as copier paper. We've perfected teeth, boobs, eyebrows, etc. Where do we go next?
I, for one, like a little gravity on a lady. And I'm a little wary of those with smiles that look computer-generated.
What makes teeth gray, anyway?
May 2, 2011
Memoir-writing, Lesson #47T4: The ending
Since I'm immersed in writing my first memoir (after writing four novels), I've been consuming as many of them as I can, and I see a common thread: Though many of them are well written, few have good, solid endings. They all just seem to peter out with a bunch of notebook-dumping: "Oh, and then this happened, and then this, and then this." It's as if the writer died while the book was in progress, and an editor somewhere had to finish the project.
While teaching a class at the Kentucky Writers' Conference a weeks ago, I shared this thought with my students, and asked them if they had any idea why memoirs had this problem. One smart woman raised her hand: "Memoirs are open-ended because your life's not over," she said. "You really don't know how the events in the memoir are going to impact you in the long run. You don't know the ending because, well, because you're still living."
I think she's right. Don't you?
While teaching a class at the Kentucky Writers' Conference a weeks ago, I shared this thought with my students, and asked them if they had any idea why memoirs had this problem. One smart woman raised her hand: "Memoirs are open-ended because your life's not over," she said. "You really don't know how the events in the memoir are going to impact you in the long run. You don't know the ending because, well, because you're still living."
I think she's right. Don't you?
"Yes, Virginia, there is an Easter Bunny."
As I've mentioned in the past, I have a fascination with animal costumes and secretly wish to be a mascot for some sports team. Hence, I enjoy having my picture taken with large furry characters.
These shots were taken at the Hermitage Hotel in downtown Nashville, where my wife, daughter and I had a great Easter brunch.
Honestly, I am not goosing him or doing anything inappropriate. What on earth is he covering his eyes for? Isn't this the weirdest photo?
Now a not-so-strange one:
Aren't my girls beautiful? I hope y'all had a great holiday weekend with family or friends.
May 1, 2011
Housekeeping Horror: #465Q2
I've heard from my nomadic Kansas Correspondent again. (Remember the gentleman who sent us the photo of the huge fake eyelash left behind on his hotel chair?)
Here's his most recent find:
And his report: OK. I am staying at Hilton Garden Inn uptown Charlotte... 15th floor. So did someone really use a condom in the 15th floor foyer? Or did they use it on the elevator? Now would that be on the way down or up or both? I am taking the stairs as a precautionary matter. You Kansas Konnection has issued a travel advisory for this hotel.
Here's his most recent find:
And his report: OK. I am staying at Hilton Garden Inn uptown Charlotte... 15th floor. So did someone really use a condom in the 15th floor foyer? Or did they use it on the elevator? Now would that be on the way down or up or both? I am taking the stairs as a precautionary matter. You Kansas Konnection has issued a travel advisory for this hotel.
