The difference between strong and soft

Anthony and I had our usual Sunday dinner and grocery shopping excursion tonight.  One thing about today that was a little different -- we're getting into the early stages of the hottest stretch of Tucson's summer, and even though we stalled a bit so it would be cooler outside, it was still 101 at 7:00 p.m. when we headed out.  But, it's a dry heat!

First, we went to dinner at Arby's near Park Place Mall on Broadway and Chantilly.  We ate in a completely empty restaurant (it happens often).  Anthony had a crispy chicken sandwich, I had a classic roast beef.  I had to dump plenty of Arby's Sauce on it.  Arby's Sauce is one of the great wonders of the world.

Grocery shopping was at Walmart Neighborhood Market at 22nd and Craycroft.  I needed toilet paper and ran into a dilemma:  Is it better to buy Ultra Soft, or Ultra Strong?  I ended up deciding on the soft, but it was a decision I wrestled over for almost ten seconds.

I also found an unusual number of products that someone picked up, then decided across the store that they didn't want anymore... so they ended up on random shelves.  I feel for the store employees, they have to put it all back where it belongs.  Anthony gives me crap, because I'm the kind of person that would go all the way across the store to put the item back where it belongs.  He tells me I'm a 'weirdo'.  Well, this weirdo sleeps well at night knowing I put stuff back in the right place.  (For the record, I was not responsible for putting the stuff you see in the photos below where they ended up... it was a completely random thing done by some other store customers).

Eating dinner in an empty Arby's at Broadway and Chantilly

Dinner at Arby's is served

You can never put enough Arby's Sauce
on an Arby's Roast Beef sandwich

Guy Fieri sausages
Of course, I checked and none of these are expired.

Scooby-Doo Campbell's Soup
Ruh Ruh Raggy... I'm on roup!

Sneaky photo of Anthony:
Look how happy grabbing the big pickles makes him.

Discarded item:
Pool toy with the paper plates

Discarded item:
Chocolate Crème Twinkies with the facial tissue

Discarded item:
Tortillas with the paper plates

Discarded item:
Frozen pizza with the chips

Today's dilemma:
Do I buy Charmin Ultra Strong toilet paper....

...or do I buy Charmin Ultra Soft?
It's like deciding whether to have sex with a man or a woman.

Earthquake strikes Arizona

A 5.2 magnitude earthquake struck eastern Arizona tonight just before 10:00 p.m.  It was centered near Duncan, Arizona -- about 100 miles east of Tucson.

It's the first earthquake I've ever felt.  Which is weird to say considering the number of years I lived in northern California.  I never felt one while I was there.

I was laying on the couch tonight watching TV.  I had felt flu-like symptoms all day (don't know what caused it) and was being lazy flipping through the channels.  Anthony had gone to bed and Lucky went in the bedroom with him.

The couch started shaking and I could hear the whole building shake.  At first, I thought it was a plane flying over but it seemed like too much shaking for that.  My next thought was some sort of major catastrophe involving an air conditioner on the apartment building roof.  Or, maybe an explosion in the vicinity although I had not heard a boom.

I decided to check @whatsuptucson on Twitter and sure enough, I started getting Tweets by the dozens saying they felt the shaking.  It turned out to be an earthquake, the second strongest on record in Arizona.

It apparently knocked some people's pictures on their walls askew, and rattled a few nerves.  That was followed by Tweets saying things like "we will rebuild" and "when is FEMA getting here?".  It was a dramatic event with no harm done.  Those can become pretty funny.

I was sent a photoshopped picture by my buddy Alex Steiniger which I wanted to share:

"Earthquake In Tucson"
Coming to a DVD player near you.
I make a stunning Ava Gardner.

When a sausage gets old

One of the items I purchased when Anthony and I were at Walmart Neighborhood Market on Sunday was a package of Guy Fieri's Smoked Sausages.  They come four in a package for $3.78.  I normally wouldn't spend that much for a pack of sausages but I wanted to try them so I splurged.  Plus, I can make them stretch 3-4 dinners.

I opened the package Monday night and microwaved two of them.  To my horror, when I put the remainder of the package back into the refrigerator, I noticed they had an expiration date of June 17.  That was six days prior.

Many items can be used after their expiration date without issue.  Meat can get a little scary because meat related items tend to have a short shelf life in the refrigerator.  I took a good sniff and they didn't seem rancid.  The Guy Fieri sausages have all kind of fancy herbs and all I could smell was a meat smell and those herbs.  Maybe that's part of Guy's plan.  He can sell his sausages beyond their normal shelf life disguising whether they're edible or not with herbs.

I decided to take a gamble.  I already had two of them spinning around on the turntable inside of the microwave.  I wasn't about to waste $3.78.  So, I put them on buns and ate them.  I figured if I died from eating the expired sausages, Anthony could sue and never have to work another day in his life.
Lucky would have enough money to eat gold plated dog food.

The gamble was successful.  I didn't get sick.  So, I had already taken the plunge with the first two.  I ate the third one on Wednesday, and the last one (pictured below) on Friday (ten days after expiration).

I've decided that I'm not going to buy any more Guy Fieri sausages.  They weren't the best I've ever had, weren't the worst. They were the only sausages I've ever eaten past their expiration date.  I'll stick with Oscar Mayer cheese hot dogs. At least they have enough nitrates and preservatives to last a long long time.

A ten day past expiration Guy Fieri Smoked Sausage.
At least the bun was fresh.

Anthony passed his class

Anthony took a college class this summer and it was more difficult than I think he expected.

The longer it went, the louder the groans and moans got, the later the nights got, and the worrying that went with it all got.

To his credit, he rose to the occasion.  He passed (it was a pass / fail).  He also knows more about a long list of math equations that I can only wonder about.  In my line of work, addition and subtraction is pretty much all that is needed.

There was homework strewn all over the apartment on Thursday.  The aftermath of hours of long work.  And, it was the one class he needed to take so he could apply to graduate school so he's ready.

Homework on the kitchen counter

Homework on the toaster oven

Homework on the couch

Homework on this end table

Drink up ladies

I use Google's Picasa to handle my online photos for this blog.  One of the interesting things it does is automatically take a series of photos that I upload and create a gif file.  Most of the time the gif isn't that interesting but once in a while, it creates a gem.

It did the .gif today with a photo series I shot of a beer tasting segment we did on the TV show.  I thought it was hilarious.  It takes up to 5-10 seconds to load before it repeats the series, but is worth the wait.

Drink up ladies.

They're fun at parties.

Anthony holds a hot nut sack

The Sunday dinner + grocery store excursion this week included food at Wendy's and a cart full o' fun at Walmart Neighborhood Market at Broadway and Camino Seco.

Dinner at Wendy's on Speedway included a Tuscan Chicken sandwich for Anthony and a Single hamburger with cheese for me.  In a not shocking moment, we ate in another empty restaurant.  It happens so frequently now that it's weird to eat in a restaurant with people.  I don't do people watching in most restaurants we eat at, I do empty chair and booth watching.

We haven't eaten in a Wendy's for a while and I didn't see pretzel buns on the menu board.  It would be sad if they don't offer them with their sandwiches anymore.  If they stopped offering them it was a stroke of genius, at least while it lasted.

We headed to the grocery store after that, the Walmart Neighborhood Market at Broadway and Camino Seco.  One thing about summer in Tucson that makes shopping a little easier -- a lot of people are out of town this time of year due to the heat, University of Arizona on summer break, and the older population that is here during the winter leaving to their homes in other places.  Shorter lines at stores (usually).

It was a pretty uneventful weekend.  I've been a bit more exhausted lately because work has been a bit more stressful than usual so it was nice to get some extra sleep.  Anthony finishes his summer college math class on Thursday, after that we'll sit around all summer and stare at each other.  It'll be lovely.

Wendy's at Speedway Blvd and Woodland.
Home of tonight's Ken and Anthony dinner palooza.

My single hamburger with cheese and ketchup
(I don't like the vegetables on it or mustard).
The fries were kind of yucky today.
They're usually delicious.

Anthony's Tuscan chicken sandwich at Wendy's.
He said it was yummy, I thought it was stinky.

We ate in an empty Wendy's dining room.

Harley-Davidson Road House Customs
Hard Smoked Sausage at Walmart Neighborhood Market.
Sweaty leather chaps and girlie tattoos sold separately.

Marie Callender's Chocolate Fudge Brownie Mix
"Restaurant Style".
That means a tip for bad service is required.

Polar sliced mushrooms
After eating these, I'd be taking a big ol' shiitake.

M&M's Mega
Bigger is always better... so I've heard.

Someone left this bag of rice next to the frozen chicken.
I think it's called "suggestive selling" but that is
usually not the responsibility of the customers.

Little Debbie Coral Reef Cakes
This is a sign that they're running out of cake variation ideas
at the Little Debbie Company.

"A hot dog is not as fun unless it has a bun" --
Me

Pillsbury Toaster Strudel Raspberry Cheesecake
"Limited Edition"
The folks at Pillsbury must know me, this is a
Kentastic idea.

Pillsbury Toaster Strudel Boston Cream Pie
I'd marry this if I could.

Chex Mix Muddy Buddies
I tried talking Anthony into buying these, but he said
they have too many carbs.
He then went down the aisle looking for potato chips.

You have a choice in the freezer section:
"Healthy Entrees" or "Entrees".
I ran right past the healthy crap.
I know a trap when I see one.

I talked Anthony into holding this up
so I could take a picture.
Amazingly, he somehow ended up in the photo
so I could show the world what it looks like
when he's holding a sack of hot nuts.
You're welcome.

Going Back Back to Burger King Burger King

The title of this post is a nod to an old Sir Mix-A-Lot song (in case you wondered).

Anthony has been a mess the last couple of weeks thanks to a college class he's taking this summer.  He needs it to be able to apply to grad school.  It's some kind of difficult math class and he hasn't slept well, has streaks of procrastination about studying and doing homework, then announces how difficult the class is about every ten minutes.  I keep telling him that he should attempt to enjoy it since he loved going to college so much when he went to University of Arizona, but so far my suggestion has not stuck.

We did grab a quick dinner tonight out of the apartment so at least that was a minor distraction.  We ate at the Burger King at Grant and Craycroft.

He finishes this class on Thursday.  I'll be happy (for him) when it's over.

We ate (once again) in an empty restaurant.
Burger King at Grant Road and Craycroft.

Extra long BBQ burger, Chicken Big King,
fries, and a nice pile of ketchup.

Anthony poured salt on his fries and he spilled
a bunch on the tray liner.
He said, "I hope that doesn't mean bad luck".
I hoped it didn't mean increased blood pressure.

Anthony's Chicken Big King sandwich.
This looked pretty good, which sandwiches made at fast food restaurants
usually don't look anything close to the TV commercials.
Way to go staff at the Grant and Craycroft Burger King.

Ice cream and donut palooza

One of the things I didn't know when I started my media career many moons ago was how many opportunities I'd have to eat free donuts, pizza, cupcakes, cake, ice cream, and fast food.  That's just scratching the surface.  Any opportunity to eat is loved by TV and radio folks.  Salad?  No thanks.

Today was one of those opportunities.  There was a celebration for a successful spring ratings period in the radio department that included ice cream and donuts at 9:30 a.m.  Judging by the response, an ice cream breakfast is kind of like winning the lottery.

I'm not the only one who gets excited.  A swarm of my co-workers were in on it, too.

It's a good thing I don't have a high capacity for eating or my inner fat girl would become my outer fat girl.

Nine ice cream flavors for the choosing
at 9:30 a.m.
Yes please.

Donuts donut donuts!
The one on the top left is maple iced with bacon.

I had one of the donuts with the white icing and chocolate chips

Co-workers gather to get ice cream

I scream, you scream, they all scream for ice cream

Sure, we're down here for ice cream
because it makes us happy!

Kenparazzi: Folklorico Dancers

A couple of exciting photos (to me anyway) from today's Morning Blend to share.

If you are a regular reader of my blog, you know I have a fascination with freezing motion when I take a photo.  It's mostly because it's a more newly acquired skill and a still a work in progress.  So, when I nail it successfully during a high motion activity (in today's case, dancing) I get excited.

Folklorico dancers performing on the TV show:

Ballet Folklorico Tapatio
I was able to successfully freeze the motion while
they performed a dance.

Peek-a-boo

Baby poo in a cup

The weekly Sunday night Anthony and Ken excursion today included dinner, grocery shopping, and some ice cream.

First stop was Burger King at Grant and Craycroft.  We got there just before 7:00 p.m. and we were the only customers in the restaurant during our whole dinner.  I did find it amusing that when our order was ready they still called out our order number.  I assume it was to make sure that the other non-existent customers in the restaurant didn't come and steal our food.

Our next stop was Walmart Neighborhood Market at Broadway and Camino Seco.  It was a pretty uneventful visit (although I did get my usual collection of photos as you'll see below).  The people watching was pretty uneventful as well except for this guy who looked like he was in his early 20's.  He was the pretty boy type, and had one of the darkest tans I have ever seen.  I have to admit, I was kind of jealous.  I'm the pasty type.  I suppose the one advantage to being really pasty is that it's not difficult to find me in the dark.  Or, if I'm outside at night and my flashlight batteries fail I can just take off my shirt to light the way.

After we put the groceries into the Ken Carr car, we walked across the parking lot to Baskin Robbins and had some ice cream.  It always tastes extra good on a 100 degree day (which is any day from late May to October in these parts).

One other note:  Radio and voiceover legend Casey Kasem passed away today at the age of 82 from complications related to Lewy Body Dimentia.  He, like many other people who started their radio careers in the late 1970's and into the 1980's, had a tremendous impact on me.  He was the Cadillac of broadcasters and voiceover folks including his work creating and hosting the American Top 40 countdown, and voicing cartoon characters like Shaggy on Scooby-Doo and Robin on the Super Friends.  I wanted to be as awesome on the radio as he was.  I ended up developing my own style as the years went on (if he was the Cadillac, I was the Yugo of broadcasters) and still appreciate to this day the work that he did behind the mic.  I hope your nutty family somehow manages to settle their differences over the money you made and they're about to inherit.  Your legacy deserves that.

"Keep your feet on the ground, and keep reaching for the stars".  And now, on with the photos.

Burger King at Grant and Craycroft.
This door is a throwback to the days of the wooden window.

Eating dinner in another empty restaurant.
I swear that I have a talent for this.
It's happened dozens of times in the last few years
let alone throughout my lifetime.

Chicken Big King, Extra long barbecue burger,
fries, ketchup and a fork.
That's how we roll.

There's something about gooey cheese on a sandwich
that makes my no-no parts quiver.

Sneaky photo of Anthony at Walmart Neighborhood Market
at Broadway and Camino Seco.
He's trying to decide which flavor of Ramen he wants.

Icee Zero Water Enhancer
and Orange Crush water enhancer.
I would prefer the actual Icee and Orange Crush instead of water enhancer.
Call me old fashioned.

McVitie's Digestive biscuits
When you're having trouble pooping,
I'm assuming these must be helpful.

Club cracker Cornbread
They must be good, they're pictured
on top of a checkered table cloth.

Crest bubble gum flavored toothpaste
Hello Kitty and Disney princesses
If I kissed someone who tasted like bubble gum
I'd find it kind of hot.
(As long as they were 18 or older thank you very much).

Night View Glasses
Now you've got yellow sunglasses
to see where you're about to stub your toe.

Hey Anthony, I found another product for you to try.

The pharmacy drive thru at this Walmart Market
is this wall.
That do not enter sign is probably good advice.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough ice cream
at Baskin Robbins at Broadway and Camino Seco.
This is what I ordered.

Anthony's ice cream covered with what appears
to be liquid baby poo.
Fortunately he's got a diaper under the cup.