Text 33987, 118 rader
Skriven 2015-12-05 07:43:29 av Dave Drum (1:18/200)
     Kommentar till en text av MICHAEL LOO
Ärende: Re: Careers
===================
-=> MICHAEL LOO wrote to DAVE DRUM <=-

 > I wrote a blog long before the interweb became the interweb.
 > It was called a newspaper column.

 ML> Free rein on topics? Or did someone get on the horn
 ML> and say, "Dave, I need 1000 words on the origins of
 ML> the staple gun"? The only writing I've done other
 ML> than on the BBSes has been on topics set by someone
 ML> else.

Free rein - whatever shiny bit attracted my interest or my ire. One time I 
took a CPA I knew (who owed me a favour and did this pro bono) down the 
offices of the local United Way and demanded to see the books. Then 
reported/commented on the findings. Why, you'd have thought I was the second 
coming of Salaḥ al-Din Yusuf ibn Ayyub for exposing their obscene (92% admin 
and overhead) practices with donations. And calling their distribution of the 
dribs and drabs of money that did escape the clutches of the greedy fingers of 
management "socialistic". Which it was, BTW. With the directors deciding who 
got what amount(s). The big deal was - someone snuffed it and left a 
quarter-million to the YMCA. So, United Way reduced their $$$ from United Way 
by that amount.

And then I took off after a political candidate of Italian heritage --- naming 
names, dates and places (all documented) which got me several phone calls from 
voices with almost cartoonish/cliche accents telling me I better lay off 
Frankie if I knew what was good for me. That caused me to trick others into 
starting my car for me until after the election.

I could also write on assignment (straight reportage) without editorialising. 
Although keeping opinion outside the article if doing an in-depth was tough. 
So, sometimes I'd submit a side-bar.

 > If I ever open a restaurant it will be like my friend, Jungle Jim's. He is
 > chef in the actual meaning of the word - chief. He owns the joint, hires 
the
 > help, directs the operations, schmoozes with the customers, etc.

 ML> The way I see it, that's too strenuous for someone
 ML> of three score and ten.

You're prolly right.

 > In other news - Mary Ann Rogers, (former) owner of The
 > Chili Parlor (current name, formerly The Den and Joe Rogers)
 > is retiring for good at 71 (or so) admitted years old.

 ML> She knows what's good for her, it appears.

 > She has sold the place lock, stock, recipe and real estate
 > to a couple of optimists.

 ML> Optimists indeed. I wonder if they'd taken a good look
 ML> at the place's balance sheets or blinded themselves to
 ML> reality, intoxicated by a whiff of deliciousness from
 ML> the back room.

 > No more contracts for deed, no more taking the place
 > back and fixing the carnage wrought by the defaulters.
 > Take the money, smile and walk away.

 ML> No ambiguity there, a clean break - and who in his
 ML> right mind would try to sell a restaurant via contract
 ML> for deed? I mean, that implies a strong faith in the
 ML> subsequent operators, or at least their capability of
 ML> paying the payments.

The CFD was Mary Ann's attempt to provide an income for her waning years. Part 
of the deal was they hadda buy the chilli spice from her. Of course the new 
buyers soon began futzing with the product trying to duplicate her tested 
spice mix --- with the result that the chilli sucked and so did their 
dwindling profits. This time the new owners get the real estate, the recipes, 
the mixing equipment, everything. It will still be tough to make it with what 
is basically a limited menu lunch joint - hours (unless they change them) are 
11:00 to 16:00. No breakfast - I know breakfast isn't one of your favourite 
meals, but it is high-profit for the restaurant. Also, no dinner trade.
 
MMMMM----- Recipe via Meal-Master (tm) v8.06

      Title: Fattoush Salad
 Categories: Breads, Squash, Vegetables, Citrus, Herbs
      Yield: 3 servings

      5 c  Toasted pita bread; in 1"
           - pieces
      2 lg Tomatoes; diced
      1 lg Cucumber; diced
    1/4 c  Parsley; chopped
    1/4 c  Green onions; chopped
    1/4 c  Bell pepper; diced
    1/2     Head romaine lettuce; in
            - small pieces
      3 cl Garlic; crushed
    1/2 c  Lemon juice
    3/4 c  Olive oil
    1/4 c  Fresh mint; chopped
           Salt & pepper


  FOR THE SALAD: In a large bowl, combine lettuce, bread,
  cucumber, tomatoes, green peppers, onions, and parsley
  together. Toss gently.

  FOR THE DRESSING: In a small bowl combine garlic, olive
  oil, lemon juice, and mint. Mix well. Pour dressing over
  salad and serve.

  COURTESY: Saladin's Silk Road Diner

  RECIPE FROM: http://www.saladins.net

  Uncle Dirty Dave's Archives

MMMMM

... An alcoholic is someone you don't like who drinks as much as you do.
--- MultiMail/Win32
 * Origin: Outpost BBS * Limestone, TN, USA (1:18/200)