Terrible Analogies

Coming from a California mindset, it amazes me that we’re able to find some amazing hole-in-the-wall places that serve excellent Mexican food, sushi, and yes, even Chinese. But it seems that the Chinese restaurant occupies a space in reality that’s slightly askew from out own:

Instead of bamboo chopsticks, this place employs its dim-witted “baboo” brethren. Perhaps the owner is just a big fan of The Jungle Book?

And what freaks me out the most is that in this part of the world they refer to “soda” as “pop”. I can’t seem to be able to wrap my head around that one:

Anyway, enough of the quick update. I’m late for dinner.

Can’t wait to get back to regular posting next week. Hope everyone is having a great week!

Today we took a trip over to Baraboo to visit the Circus World Museum.

One of only two such museums in the United States, this place hosts the world’s largest collection of circus artifacts and circus wagons. Broken up over half a dozen buildings you can wander for hours looking at the amazing posters, peruse through manuscripts, journals, oil paintings, handbills, photographs, and records pertaining to the circus.

We spent a good four hours there and hadn’t taken it fully in, but before Tyler pooped out snuck into the Hippodrome and were privy to an honest to gosh circus act replete with performing animals, a contortionist, a family unicycle act, a comedy troupe, a ringmaster, and clowns.

Of course, the clowns were Tyler’s favorite part. We caught him squealing in delight as the clown did his thing. As we left the tent the acts were out front waiting for us, and Tyler was anxious to meet Robert the Clown.

Tyler looking into a funhouse mirror:

This is as close as Tyler wanted to get to the elephant:

I got to sit in the Fat Lady’s chair:

We had the option to ride the elephant, but Tyler didn’t want to, so this was the backup solution:

When we got back into town Tyler took a quick ride on Grandpa’s tractor:

And as soon as we got back to the Inn, it was lights out for our little guy:

It can finally be told that the reason for our trip up to Wisconsin is to host a surprise 50th Anniversary party for Karin’s parents. And now that the cat’s out of the bag, we can get down to the business of setting up the rented room, get the food together, set up the decorations, and shuttle in people arriving at the airport.

Sure, it’s more work than vacation, but it’s worth it! The secret remained intact until today when the guests started arriving. Tomorrow’s the party, and it should be a memorable one.

We’re currently staying at a place called River’s Bend Inn. We’re up on the third floor overlooking (yep, you guessed it) a river. It’s on older building with no air conditioning, but with good airflow and a decent fan it’s actually quite comfortable. And the nice lady who owns it apparently has the distinction around town of once having an affair with John F. Kennedy. With any luck I’ll be able to talk to her about it. Sounds like it’d be a great story to hear!

Anyway, updates will be posted as time permits. Having a great time so far helping out and occasionally reading in a comfy chair next to the lazy river…

…At least for a few days.

Tonight I’ll be packing the bags and heading out the door. Will be spending the next week in Wisconsin with Karin’s folks (along with Karin and Tyler of course) so posting may be very hit or miss. I’ll be taking my iPad with me, so I’ll at least be able to post periodic updates as time (and internet connection) permits.

Will return to regularly scheduled postings on the 24th, so please excuse a few blank days and missed opportunities to comment on your fine blogs between then and now.

In the meantime, has everyone seen the first trailer for the next installment of The Hobbit?

This I can’t wait to see!

I went to Popeye’s chicken for the first time last week.

You know how it is visiting a new restaurant for the first time; you’re unfamiliar with the menu, and your mind races to choose a meal from the myriad of choices as quickly as possible from a menu board that’s laid out like a William Faulkner novel, where all font the same size and color, and every inch of space is utilized to maximum efficiency, drawing your eye everywhere and nowhere all at the same time.

Pulling up to the menu I honestly wasn’t sure what I was looking at.  Sanskrit?  An Ikea assembly document?  The Torah?

And then the most helpful of employees chimes in through the paper thin drive-through speaker, and it was obvious from the get-go that ‘enunciation’ wasn’t her strong suit:

Popeye’s Employee: Welcome to Popeyes!  May I take yo odor?
Confused Me:  Yes.  Um…can I get a two piece meal?
PE: Yo want dark or white?
Confused Me: White, please
PE: And what toof soods yo gllhslsa
Confused Me: Pardon me?
PE: What toof soods yo gllhslsa…
Confused Me: I’m sorry.  I can’t understand you?
PE (speaking louder): WHAT TOOF SOODS YO LOOFA GOMMM WIT YO MOOOL?
Confused Me: I’m sorry.  Let me pull up.

Pulling up to the window I feigned a, “I’m sorry, I’m losing my hearing,” just to avoid arguments.  Turns out the cashier did indeed have a mumble mouth, and it was only through a combination of listening and lip reading did I finally understand that she wanted to know what side dishes that I’d like with my order.

This isn’t the first time I’ve encountered cashiers with questionable speaking abilities manning the drive-through, and it can’t be just me who finds it nearly impossible to understand some of them.  Who makes the decision to place Mumbles on drive-through duty?  Can’t they tell that, just by talking to them on a daily basis, that they’d be a bad match for such a position?

I don’t know.  Maybe it’s just me and I’m too much of a complainer.  Perhaps I should just accept this flaw in the world and move on…