The Knacks: July 2004 Archives

I hear the 9-11 Commission Report is actually readable, and I may have to track down a hard copy at some point just to see. That said, I'm completely flabbergasted. Why in the world would someone spend $4.95 for a "download only" copy at Braindex.com when the same exact file is available directly from the government?

Posted 07/28/2004 16:55 by Fritz | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Friday, July 23, 2004

Fritz's Birthday 2004

I didn't get to use my camera much, but other folks did. I had a great time and a very nice turnout for my birthday this year at the Flying Saucer. Thanks to all who made it.

More pictures follow in the extended entry.

Posted 07/23/2004 12:00 by Fritz | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Wednesday, July 21, 2004

ADCHOO

I just stumbled across an explanation for why my kids and I sneeze when we walk out into the sun. A Slashdot poll on the subject led me to a couple of other links.

Wikipedia refers to it as "ADCHOO", or Autosomal Dominant Compelling Helio-Ophthalmic Outburst—a backronym, of course, but kinda funny anyway. There's a little more if you scroll down on the entry on sneezing at KidsHealth.

A man and a woman are sitting beside each other in the first class section of the plane.

The woman sneezes, takes a tissue, gently wipes her nose, and shudders quite violently in her seat.

The man isn't sure why she is shuddering and goes back to reading.

A few minutes pass. The woman sneezes again. She takes a tissue, gently wipes her nose and shudders quite violently in her seat.

The man is becoming more and more curious about the shuddering.

A few more minutes pass. The woman sneezes yet again. She takes a tissue, gently wipes her nose and shudders violently again.

The man has finally had all he can handle. He turns to the woman and says, "Three times you've sneezed and three times you've taken a tissue and wiped your nose then shuddered violently!

Are you sending me signals, or are you going crazy?"

The woman replies, "I'm sorry if I disturbed you. I have a rare condition and when I sneeze, I have an orgasm."

The man, now feeling a little embarrassed but even more curious says, "I've never heard of that before. What are you taking for it?"

The woman looks at him and says, "Pepper."

Posted 07/21/2004 08:01 by Fritz | Comments (1) | TrackBack

Monday, July 5, 2004

Ofenfrische Schweinehaxen

During our family vacation this year, Suzette and I went to dinner at a quiet German restaurant in downtown Helen, Georgia. We'd already eaten German earlier in the week, so I was feeling a little bit adventurous and wasn't quite sure what to order.

All the menu choices were nicely translated and described: wiener schnitzel was breaded veal, etc. Then I saw it: Ofenfrische Schweinehaxen. No English description. No translation. The description in German translated roughly to "for the one who knows". So of course I ordered it.

Every once in a while, a gamble pays off beyond your wildest dreams, and this was one of those times. What they brought out to me was beautiful: A fresh (not cured) ham hock, served short end up. It stood at least 9 inches tall and must have weighed at least a pound and a half. Brown crispy perfectly seasoned—bay and probably a hint of allspice—skin encasing warm fatty pork. I hope that place is still there if we end up back there someday.

Sadly, I didn't have my camera with me that night. Here are some of the pics I did get, though.