Don't ask me why but saucers have been on my mind, lately. Perhaps it's the result of a decreasing availability that's bothersome and somewhat perplexing. Just to clarify for people reading this and wondering if there have been visitations by unworldly beings, the saucers in question are the one's that go with teacups and act as receptacles for teabags.
Could be my early British origins in that there are conventions which have remained part of my essential nature. The afternoon tea ritual is part of a daily routine whereby life stops for a half hour or so to sit down for a "cuppa", however, therein lies the problem. Over time it seems to me that saucers have all but disappeared. In conducting some personal research, it appears that your matching tea cup and saucer have been slowly replaced by your pedestrian mugs. Not that there's anything wrong with mugs per se, the choice of coffee drinkers, but tea drinkers need somewhere to place their used teabags and saucers fulfill that need. We tea drinkers have needs or requirements that coffee drinkers don't need to worry about.
For whatever reason, tableware manufacturers appear to have made the decision to eliminate or phase out the need for saucers. Perhaps there was a move to acquiesce to the world of coffee drinkers who are content to consume their beverage of choice out of paper cups. Consuming tea out of a paper cup is sacrilege for tea drinkers - okay - it is for me, anyway. In my view, paper interferes with the flavor and once again, what does one do with the used teabag, which leads me back to my original point.
"Spread the word," a dishware manufacturer might have told his workers, "we're cutting back on the production of saucers. If it's good enough for coffee drinkers - it's good enough for them teabag soakers."
"But what are they supposed to do with their used teabags?" a worker and tea drinker might have asked.
"Let 'em drink iced tea," the dishware manufacturer could have responded off-handedly and hence that could have been the creation and impetus for a new beverage. But I digress.
Thinking back, my grandfather who hailed from Russia, loved his afternoon glass of tea. The act
of sipping the hot liquid slowly until it cooled, was part of a ritual consisting of blowing on the surface for a short time followed by pouring the tea into a saucer and sipping it slowly for the finishing touch. What would he have used had a saucer not been available? A soup bowl? One can only speculate but somehow and knowing grandfather, it wouldn't have sufficed.
When it comes to the subject of tea time and societal correctness, Debretts is one of the best sources, at least in my eyes. Although no mention is made directly regarding the tea saucers and their disappearing act, the source does provide some interesting advice on how to drink tea and the important role of the saucer. According to Debretts, a spoon should be used to stir the tea - this is important - without clinking it against the side of the cup and - still more very important and telling information regarding the saucer - should be placed back in the saucer. Note the usage of the saucer here. Once more saucers are the focus with advice that includes saucers remain on the table and never raised when the cup is lifted up to the lips. Perhaps - pure speculation - keeping the saucer on the table would prevent the breakage of the saucer in case some tableware manufacturers decide in the future to phase out the saucers. But I digress.
I'm wondering why the emphasis on not clinking the spoon against the cup. Is it the noise factor one wonders. Can't speak for others (why would I want to, anyway) and keep this to yourself but I'm guilty of hitting the side of the cup when stirring my tea. Actually I never gave stirring a second thought to be honest and nobody has drawn this faux pas to my attention, or perhaps they were too polite to mention it.
"Excuse me, Eleanor, but you appear to hit the side of the cup with your spoon when stirring your tea," somebody might have but hasn't as yet, asked. To which my response would be, "oh really? Yeah - and?"
"Where there's tea, there's hope." - Arthur Wing Pinero. Along with the return of the saucer.
Showing posts with label random thoughts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label random thoughts. Show all posts
Sunday, February 08, 2015
Monday, December 29, 2014
Random thoughts
We all have them, thoughts that come and go and leave us pondering the meaning of life. Important thoughts and speculation which leave us pondering as to, for example, who was that missed phone or cell call that didn't register on the callers list.
Chances are nearly everyone reading this owns a cell phone. For the longest time, it was the be-all-and-end-all of my life's desires or at least close to that to own a cell phone. Why you may well be asking and the answer is quite simple: everyone else owns one.
The first challenge was to memorize the cell phone number. Life these days is so filled with numbers and codes to remember including passwords, and asking the brain to set aside still another set of numbers is asking a lot. The first challenge is to remember to put it on. The second challenge is to remember to take it with me and choosing which zippered purse compartment to store it.
Couldn't figure out why phone calls were few and far between for the longest time until it was pointed out that storing the phone in a purse muffles the sound of the ring. This became apparent upon checking the callers list with a long line up of messages. It now travels in a coat pocket within hearing range and where it can be accessed when necessary.
The proliferation of phones and other communication devices owned by everyone makes it difficult to distinguish which phone is ringing, generating everyone within hearing range to check their phones for visual and aural verification. Walking now is relegated to staring down at one's hand holding a communication device to ensure that every sent message is acknowledged and returned.
According to information gleaned from the Pew Research Internet Project focusing on Teens and Technology 2013 http://www.pewinternet.org/2013/03/13/teens-and-technology-2013/ 78% of teens own cell phones, and 90% of adults own a cell phone. That's a lot of talking on the go.
Furthermore:
- 67% of cell owners find themselves checking their phone for messages, alerts, or calls — even when they don’t notice their phone ringing or vibrating.
- 44% of cell owners have slept with their phone next to their bed because they wanted to make sure they didn’t miss any calls, text messages, or other updates during the night. (http://www.pewinternet.org/fact-sheets/mobile-technology-fact-sheet/)
At one time and it wasn't "that" long ago but seems like ancient history, people connected with each other via a plastic phones attached to a cord eventually evolving into cordless phones for usage in the house. The phone rang, someone answered - or not - or an answering device took a message. In spite of installing all the call answering options including call display, the answering machine still has a function in our household.
Somehow, we're at a place in society where we feel compelled to be in constant communication with someone, twenty four hours a day. The business community as a money saving move, presumably, seldom supplies a real human to provide information and instead offers callers a list of categories from which to choose, accompanied by numbers to press. While waiting to be served, we are supplied with vague electronic music or singers performing oldies with brief interruptions of: "please stay on the line to retain your calling priority." By the time a call is answered, one has forgotten the reason for the call.
Texting has eliminated the actual need to hear a human voice and thumbs have become a vital component or communication tool. Holding an electronic device and texting has turned into a fashion statement. Physicians could be treating carpal tunnel syndrome of the thumb at some point. But I digress.
We've come a long way from the first telephone call made by Alexander Graham Bell in 1876, spoken to his assistant, Thomas Watson, in which he said: "Mr. Watson--come here--I want to see you."
Indeed.
Chances are nearly everyone reading this owns a cell phone. For the longest time, it was the be-all-and-end-all of my life's desires or at least close to that to own a cell phone. Why you may well be asking and the answer is quite simple: everyone else owns one.
The first challenge was to memorize the cell phone number. Life these days is so filled with numbers and codes to remember including passwords, and asking the brain to set aside still another set of numbers is asking a lot. The first challenge is to remember to put it on. The second challenge is to remember to take it with me and choosing which zippered purse compartment to store it.
Couldn't figure out why phone calls were few and far between for the longest time until it was pointed out that storing the phone in a purse muffles the sound of the ring. This became apparent upon checking the callers list with a long line up of messages. It now travels in a coat pocket within hearing range and where it can be accessed when necessary.
The proliferation of phones and other communication devices owned by everyone makes it difficult to distinguish which phone is ringing, generating everyone within hearing range to check their phones for visual and aural verification. Walking now is relegated to staring down at one's hand holding a communication device to ensure that every sent message is acknowledged and returned.
According to information gleaned from the Pew Research Internet Project focusing on Teens and Technology 2013 http://www.pewinternet.org/2013/03/13/teens-and-technology-2013/ 78% of teens own cell phones, and 90% of adults own a cell phone. That's a lot of talking on the go.
Furthermore:
- 67% of cell owners find themselves checking their phone for messages, alerts, or calls — even when they don’t notice their phone ringing or vibrating.
- 44% of cell owners have slept with their phone next to their bed because they wanted to make sure they didn’t miss any calls, text messages, or other updates during the night. (http://www.pewinternet.org/fact-sheets/mobile-technology-fact-sheet/)
At one time and it wasn't "that" long ago but seems like ancient history, people connected with each other via a plastic phones attached to a cord eventually evolving into cordless phones for usage in the house. The phone rang, someone answered - or not - or an answering device took a message. In spite of installing all the call answering options including call display, the answering machine still has a function in our household.
Somehow, we're at a place in society where we feel compelled to be in constant communication with someone, twenty four hours a day. The business community as a money saving move, presumably, seldom supplies a real human to provide information and instead offers callers a list of categories from which to choose, accompanied by numbers to press. While waiting to be served, we are supplied with vague electronic music or singers performing oldies with brief interruptions of: "please stay on the line to retain your calling priority." By the time a call is answered, one has forgotten the reason for the call.
Texting has eliminated the actual need to hear a human voice and thumbs have become a vital component or communication tool. Holding an electronic device and texting has turned into a fashion statement. Physicians could be treating carpal tunnel syndrome of the thumb at some point. But I digress.
We've come a long way from the first telephone call made by Alexander Graham Bell in 1876, spoken to his assistant, Thomas Watson, in which he said: "Mr. Watson--come here--I want to see you."
Indeed.
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
DID YOU HEAR THE JOKE ABOUT...
Just wondering - I do that a lot - if there are people reading this who are joke-deprived. By joke-deprived I'm not referring to the actual act of "getting" or appreciating when someone relates a funny story. I'm referring here to the actual act of telling or re-telling a joke that was told to them.
Y'see - I can't.
Well... I could if it was socially acceptable or allowable to carry the joke around on a piece of paper and read it aloud. However, I can't envision sitting at a table with - let's say - a business aquaintance and whipping out a cue card from my purse and then saying, "hey - did 'ya hear the one about..." after which I would recite it.
On the rare occasion that I've attempted to re-tell a joke, either I forgot the punch line or relate the joke incorrectly. Then I get hurt when nobody laughs or there's a puzzled expression on their face.
It leads one to wonder if there's a secret in joke telling and to this end a search on the Web revealed some hints in an article printed in Reader's Digest, with some hints passed on by some well-known comedians.
Comedian Jay Leno advises people to keep it simple.
"If you just do a joke about the funny noise that potato chips make when you bite into them, you'll get more laughs. Jokes work best when they're easy to understand," Leno advises.
Meanwhile, Conan O'Brien advises:
"The most important thing is to keep it short. It's like knowing when to leave the table in Vegas. Get your laugh or, if you're lucky, laughs, and then get off the stage. If you don't trust yourself, hire a friend to tackle you after four minutes."
So now I'm wondering (and admittedly hoping) that there are others like me "out there" that suffer from this affliction. If so - let's share angst and pass on some joke-telling advice and/or hints
By the way - heard any good jokes lately?
Writers & Friends
www.jrslater.com/forum
Y'see - I can't.
Well... I could if it was socially acceptable or allowable to carry the joke around on a piece of paper and read it aloud. However, I can't envision sitting at a table with - let's say - a business aquaintance and whipping out a cue card from my purse and then saying, "hey - did 'ya hear the one about..." after which I would recite it.
On the rare occasion that I've attempted to re-tell a joke, either I forgot the punch line or relate the joke incorrectly. Then I get hurt when nobody laughs or there's a puzzled expression on their face.
It leads one to wonder if there's a secret in joke telling and to this end a search on the Web revealed some hints in an article printed in Reader's Digest, with some hints passed on by some well-known comedians.
Comedian Jay Leno advises people to keep it simple.
"If you just do a joke about the funny noise that potato chips make when you bite into them, you'll get more laughs. Jokes work best when they're easy to understand," Leno advises.
Meanwhile, Conan O'Brien advises:
"The most important thing is to keep it short. It's like knowing when to leave the table in Vegas. Get your laugh or, if you're lucky, laughs, and then get off the stage. If you don't trust yourself, hire a friend to tackle you after four minutes."
So now I'm wondering (and admittedly hoping) that there are others like me "out there" that suffer from this affliction. If so - let's share angst and pass on some joke-telling advice and/or hints
By the way - heard any good jokes lately?
Writers & Friends
www.jrslater.com/forum
Thursday, May 03, 2007
Hey - wanna rent a Swiss cow?
A Swiss farmer who is/was a little short on cash has found a unique use for his cows, Maxime, Wanda and Lynn. By paying a small rental fee of 80£ interested persons can visit the trio as frequently as they please, milk them and la-créme-de-la-créme, have their photo taken with the cow of their choice.
As if all that weren't enough, they also get a discount on bread and cheese sold on the farm and the opportunity to spend a weekend in an Alpine chalet by the lake in summer, where the cows are put out to graze. One wonders, though, how the cows feel about the arrangement:
As if all that weren't enough, they also get a discount on bread and cheese sold on the farm and the opportunity to spend a weekend in an Alpine chalet by the lake in summer, where the cows are put out to graze. One wonders, though, how the cows feel about the arrangement:
MAXIME
Oh no - not another one of...'those'
WANDA
How much more indignity do we hav'ta put up with?
LYNN
Look ladies. It's either that or we're tonight's steak dinner
MAXIME
True...true... It's just that they have such cold hands
LYNN
At least if the farmer would suggest warming them before milking us
WANDA
Listen - I heard that a human up on the Vinkeberstistat farm tried to milk old Hans, the bull. He was not amused, let me tell you (the trio all laugh uproariously)
Maxime
Now I hear that they're going to follow us up by the lake during summer. I mean,we have rights too!
LYNN
We're cows, Maxime! You've been peaking through the farmer's window watching Court TV again, haven't you? Rights - ha!
WANDA
The least the farmer can do is renovate our stall with some of the money he makes
LYNN
Wanda...Wanda...Wanda... Still watching home renovation shows. Get it through your head that we live in a barn, period! Got that?
MAXIME
A cow can dream, can't she?
WANDA
Uh-oh! Heads up. Here comes another one. Just close your eyes and pretend we're being milked by Justin Timberlake.
Writers & Friends
Thursday, April 19, 2007
A Stranger's Last Wish...whoever...whatever
Like many people reading this I'm a cyber $$$ millionaire a few times - more than a mere few times - over but today, posted directly in one of my e-mail's bulk file, I was asked to fulfill a dying man's wish. This letter joins all the others including one from my Nigerian friend, Mr. Nagobukutu along with hundreds - nay - thousands of "friends" from around the globe. However, this was my first letter from a dying friend.
It's true! Really!
As is the case with all the other "offers" the request came by letter and I know it was directed to me personally because it was addressed: "dear friend." The sender, a virtual stranger in the true sense of the word, seeked me out personally explaining, "I got your contact informations from the web data directory when I was searching for a relaible individual to assist me in this project." I mean - how much more personal can it get?
Before going into his spiel...I mean to say, before he explained the purpose of his letter, he wrote: "I don't want you to feel SORRY or PITY for me because I believe everyone will die someday. My name is Mr. Larry -----, a merchant in Dubai in the U.A.E. I have been diagnosed with prostate and esophageal Cancer that was discovered lately due to my laxity in caring for my health. It has defiled (a Freudian slip perhaps?) all forms of medicine and right now,I have only about few months to live according to medical experts."Furthermore," he went on to confess and/or reflect on his past, "I have not particularly lived my life so well as I never really cared for anyone not even myself but my business. I wasn't too generous, I was always hostile to people and only focused on my businesses as that was the only thing I cared for. But now I regret all this as I now know that there is more to life than just wanting to have or make all the money in the world."
Oh yeah?
Larry - I'm sure he doesn't mind me using his first name since I feel that we became cyber buds in the money sense - then went on the juicy part where he explained that he was rich and "the last of my money, which I planned to use in openning a shopping complex in London is a huge cash deposited with a Financial Security Firm abroad. I want to donate it to any worthy, charity organisation, hence my contacting you with blind trust having been led by my intuition of goodwill."
Aw Larry! Such generosity!
'Intuition of goodwill' - such poetic drivel...I mean, self-expression.
Anyway, the gist of his communique was "...I am looking for a trustworthy individual/firm to help me collect this deposited funds with the Financial Firm abroad and dispatch it to charity organizations and let them know that I, Mr Larry ---- is making this generous donation as a dying man's last wish."
Now ain't he just the greatest? I get all choked up at the point where he says he is writing his letter to me in a hospital bed on a laptop computer.
He closes his comminique by writing: " I have decided to offer you 25% of the total sum and also set aside 5% for all your expenses (i.e for any expenses you may incure during the process of this project).
I mean...here's a guy - Larry - a stranger let's not forget - who makes me an offer that I can easily refuse! Is there no end to how much cyber money a person can make?
Anybody else receive a letter from Larry? If not - I'm sure he'll get to you all sooner or later.
Writers & Friends forum
www.jrslater.com/forum
It's true! Really!
As is the case with all the other "offers" the request came by letter and I know it was directed to me personally because it was addressed: "dear friend." The sender, a virtual stranger in the true sense of the word, seeked me out personally explaining, "I got your contact informations from the web data directory when I was searching for a relaible individual to assist me in this project." I mean - how much more personal can it get?
Before going into his spiel...I mean to say, before he explained the purpose of his letter, he wrote: "I don't want you to feel SORRY or PITY for me because I believe everyone will die someday. My name is Mr. Larry -----, a merchant in Dubai in the U.A.E. I have been diagnosed with prostate and esophageal Cancer that was discovered lately due to my laxity in caring for my health. It has defiled (a Freudian slip perhaps?) all forms of medicine and right now,I have only about few months to live according to medical experts."Furthermore," he went on to confess and/or reflect on his past, "I have not particularly lived my life so well as I never really cared for anyone not even myself but my business. I wasn't too generous, I was always hostile to people and only focused on my businesses as that was the only thing I cared for. But now I regret all this as I now know that there is more to life than just wanting to have or make all the money in the world."
Oh yeah?
Larry - I'm sure he doesn't mind me using his first name since I feel that we became cyber buds in the money sense - then went on the juicy part where he explained that he was rich and "the last of my money, which I planned to use in openning a shopping complex in London is a huge cash deposited with a Financial Security Firm abroad. I want to donate it to any worthy, charity organisation, hence my contacting you with blind trust having been led by my intuition of goodwill."
Aw Larry! Such generosity!
'Intuition of goodwill' - such poetic drivel...I mean, self-expression.
Anyway, the gist of his communique was "...I am looking for a trustworthy individual/firm to help me collect this deposited funds with the Financial Firm abroad and dispatch it to charity organizations and let them know that I, Mr Larry ---- is making this generous donation as a dying man's last wish."
Now ain't he just the greatest? I get all choked up at the point where he says he is writing his letter to me in a hospital bed on a laptop computer.
He closes his comminique by writing: " I have decided to offer you 25% of the total sum and also set aside 5% for all your expenses (i.e for any expenses you may incure during the process of this project).
I mean...here's a guy - Larry - a stranger let's not forget - who makes me an offer that I can easily refuse! Is there no end to how much cyber money a person can make?
Anybody else receive a letter from Larry? If not - I'm sure he'll get to you all sooner or later.
Writers & Friends forum
www.jrslater.com/forum
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