A bunch of useless crap
Published on April 28, 2007 By MasonM In Blogging
As it's such a beautiful day with just some scattered clouds in the sky and the air feeling reasonably warm (for Spring in WI), and just happening to have wheels, I decided to go out and find myself something for lunch. I opted for the Chinese buffet down the street and sat down to enjoy a nice leisurely meal.

While I was enjoying my lunch I noticed this one kid of about 10 years of age kept watching me as I was eating. When he eventually realized that I was aware of his staring he asked me if "those", indicating my chopsticks, were hard to use. I told him that they weren't hard to use but did require a bit of practice.

A couple of minutes later he was at my table holding a package of chopsticks and asked if I could show him how to use them. His mother called over and told him to stop bothering "the nice man", but I assured her that it was ok. I showed him how to hold them and how to pick up bites of food with them. I got a good chuckle out of watching the little fellow fumbling around while trying to eat with them after he returned to his table.

But I'll give the kid credit, he didn't give up. He eventually figured it out and did a passable job of eating with them even if he did frequently drop a few items.

After eating I decided to pay a visit to that holy capitalist temple known as Wal Mart to pick up a few items I needed. I secured what I had come for and contrary to my normal habit I decided to wander around the store for a bit just looking at the cheap crap they sell. It's not like I was in a hurry or on any sort of schedule.

As I wandered into the bicycle section after leaving the electronics section where I had to resist the temptation to buy goodies, I noticed that they sell a pretty nifty light weight six speed folding bicycle for around $180. Not bad really. Something like that would be perfect to carry on the truck with me. While I can't afford to buy one right at the moment, I'm filing it away as a near-future purchase. It would be quite handy for going exploring and getting a little exercise when I park in various places and it's cheap enough that if eventually gets stolen it's no big loss. It wouldn't be any speed demon, but handy just the same.

I'm now settled back in my hotel room. I plan to spend the majority of this weekend just relaxing. Once my truck is finally ready I want to be rested up and ready to hammer towards home.

Comments
on Apr 28, 2007

heh, turn the TV on, watch the NFL draft a bit and see if you can project just how far down Brady Quinn will slide

On your bicycle idea, sounds like an excellent future purchase.  You're making me feel guilty about my "luv handles" and the fact that I'm thinking about giving away the unused bicycle that sits in my shed.  Hopefully soon I'll get inclined to clean up enough to use my treadmill more regularly and maybe that will help me lose the paunch.

Your mention of the chinese food has me wanting some of that soon, but I'll probably wait and do that for lunch on Monday.  There's a decent Chinese restaurant near my work that knows me well enough to get my usual order out to me fairly quickly.  Yummm.

on Apr 28, 2007

  That sure was a cool thing ya did teaching the boy how to use chopsticks.

I had to giggle at the term you used for Wal-Mart!

It's a gorgeous day here in good ol Minnesota too,  sooooooo nice not to see snow!

This spring was well earned I think,  imho.

on Apr 28, 2007
I love watching people learn to use chopsticks. Kids are even better.

Don't forget to buy a helmet when you get the bike. And elbow pads. And knee pads. You don't want to get hurt.
on Apr 28, 2007
Nice of you to show the kid how to use the chopsticks mason. I use to love showing kids how to tie hooks when I was fishing and their dad was to busy fishing to help them {assholes}
on Apr 28, 2007
I love it that you're so patient with him! I can't believe they have a bike that folds up, then again we're talking about Wal Mart, they seem to have everything!lol!
on Apr 28, 2007
Mason.. they found a pattern for you at knitting help.. just for you...


I tried learning how to use chopsticks... the waiter brought me a fork... I guess I flunked...
on Apr 28, 2007
You're making me feel guilty about my "luv handles" and the fact that I'm thinking about giving away the unused bicycle that sits in my shed.


Don't give it away, ride that sucker.

on Apr 28, 2007

  That sure was a cool thing ya did teaching the boy how to use chopsticks.


I had to giggle at the term you used for Wal-Mart!


It's a gorgeous day here in good ol Minnesota too,  sooooooo nice not to see snow!


This spring was well earned I think,  imho.




Thanks. Yeah is nice to not be freezing for a change.
on Apr 28, 2007

I love watching people learn to use chopsticks. Kids are even better.



Don't forget to buy a helmet when you get the bike. And elbow pads. And knee pads. You don't want to get hurt.



Yeah it is amusing watching a kid try to use them.

I already have plenty of bike gear at the house. Once I pick up the folding bike I can toss some of my spare stuff in the truck.
on Apr 28, 2007

Nice of you to show the kid how to use the chopsticks mason. I use to love showing kids how to tie hooks when I was fishing and their dad was to busy fishing to help them {assholes}


Thanks. Yeah it's a shame when a dad can't take the time to teach his kids the stuff they need to know.
on Apr 28, 2007

I love it that you're so patient with him! I can't believe they have a bike that folds up, then again we're talking about Wal Mart, they seem to have everything!lol!


Folding bikes have been around for a good while, but they're usually at least $400. I was surprised to see one so cheap (and I'm sure it not exactly a quality bike). It should be good enough to haul around with me.
on Apr 28, 2007

Mason.. they found a pattern for you at knitting help.. just for you...





I tried learning how to use chopsticks... the waiter brought me a fork... I guess I flunked...

Ya have to just keep trying. Practice makes perfekt.

I saw the post about the pattern right before I checked in here. thanks.

Awwwww.
on Apr 30, 2007
I learned how to use them (chopsticks) in Chinatown SF.  A few years later, when my Grandfather took us to a chinese restaurant (as we were preparing to leave for Germany), we all broke them out to eat our dinner.  He grumped "Stop playing around".  My mother told him we were all proficient in their use, and sure enough, we ate our meal with them.  He was grudgingly impressed.
on Apr 30, 2007

I learned how to use them (chopsticks) in Chinatown SF.  A few years later, when my Grandfather took us to a chinese restaurant (as we were preparing to leave for Germany), we all broke them out to eat our dinner.  He grumped "Stop playing around".  My mother told him we were all proficient in their use, and sure enough, we ate our meal with them.  He was grudgingly impressed.


Some folks just don't see the appeal. I quite enjoy using them.