I Will See You In Far Off Places
July 13th, 2008
I don’t mean to be negative here — I mean, far be it from me to squash someone’s dreams or anything — but I fail to see a) the appeal of America’s Got Talent, because seriously, how can anyone care what David Hasselhoff thinks about anything, much less your TALENT; and b) if I hear ONE MORE TIME about the “inspirational” contestant for next week — an opera singer, surprise, surprise, who lost his voice and is now RAISING IT UP on America’s Got Talent, for chrissake — I might throw myself squarely out the window. I also don’t see how being freakishly flexible is a TALENT. So you can put your feet behind your ears and lick your own ass. BIG DEAL.
I also don’t understand sprinkles – jimmies, if you’re in New England — and I only bring this up, because a multitude of you mentioned it during last week’s cake batter ice cream discussion, and I have to ask: What’s the appeal? It’s a teeny waxy thing that brings NO FLAVOR. NO FLAVOR AT ALL. I was also perplexed by those of you who mentioned its place in cake batter ice cream, because when was the last time you got sprinkles in cake? (Note: am not talking about chocolate crunchies in ice cream cakes, for those are heavenly, and I don’t know why.) I’m saying it: down with sprinkles, especially the rainbow variety. BLEAH.
Incidentally, we finally decided on a trip for our fifth anniversary later this summer, after literally booking and canceling at least three separate trips all over the country and, in some cases, OUTSIDE the country. I never thought I’d miss anything about Florida, but I DO miss the vast availability of a variety of relaxing spas within driving distance. We went on a fair amount of weekend getaways, each lovelier than the previous and while New England is full of idyllic pastoral vacations, I, uh, live in Vermont. I know this makes me spoiled, but my whole life is one big bucolic vacation, complete with old farmhouse, quaint small town, nearby swimming holes and ample antiquing. And for a host of reasons, not the least of which is that Burlington airport isn’t exactly rife with direct flights to exotic locations — as in, anywhere we went other than Boston or Cincinnati would add a FULL DAY to our travel — we wanted to drive. And also, did I mention I wanted a spa?
So ah, we’re headed to Canada! We’re starting in Montreal — a mere two-hour drive! — to start with a very soothing stay at a spa and later, perhaps hitting Quebec City, Mont Tremblant and maaaybe Toronto and points elsewhere in the wilds of Quebec and Ontario. And I’ll gleefully take suggestions from eastern Canadians.
Incidentally, in proof that I choose my battles poorly, I fought like hell to get Adam to take the dog out this morning, promising that I would take his afternoon shift. Ha HA. Guess who was SO SORRY SHE DID THAT when it was pouring down rain all afternoon and evening? Also, wore the most pathetic raincoat ever, that did nothing but absorb the water, leaving me more waterlogged than our kitchen sponge? Yes, those extra five minutes in bed were totally worth it.
Happy Monday! I’m about to pass out in a puddle of my own drool, and I sincerely hope I don’t drown in it.
*Morrissey. Plus, those far off places really aren’t so far at all.
Entry Filed under: Nuttin'
37 Comments Add your own
1. Angella | July 13th, 2008 at 7:43 pm
If you were coming to Western Canada, I could SO HOOK YOU UP.
I am also secretly hoping that this is all a facade and you will be in SF this week.
2. jonniker | July 13th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
Angella — I wish I were headed to western Canada! I LOVE Vancouver and the surrounding areas. Hell, I love Banff. All of it. Not to sell eastern Canada short, but the east cost of everything pales in comparison to our Pacific counterparts.
And nope, no SF for me next week. I’ll be in sunny Philadelphia (God, not even. A SUBURB) for what promises to be the worst family wedding ever. No really, there isn’t a single person who isn’t dreading it. AWESOME.
3. Assertagirl | July 13th, 2008 at 8:07 pm
Toronto!? Come over!
4. Trina | July 13th, 2008 at 10:23 pm
I don’t understand sprinkles either. I refuse cupcakes (and other treats) that have them, because as far as i’m concerned they *detract* from the taste. Colored sugar is ok, and edible silver dragées are fantastic, but save me from sprinkles!
Have fun in Canada!
5. Jennifer | July 13th, 2008 at 11:19 pm
I’m in agreement with you also on sprinkles. I don’t understand why people choose doughnuts with them either. They sorta get in the way of the true food!
6. slynnro | July 14th, 2008 at 4:05 am
I LOVE sprinkles. With a fiery passion. They add a nice little texture to ice cream.
7. Danell | July 14th, 2008 at 4:41 am
Oh, rainbow sprinkles are THE BEST. My favorite is soft serve vanilla with about FIVE POUNDS of rainbow sprinkles dumped on top. Because I have very refined taste, don’t you see.
8. Jeanne | July 14th, 2008 at 5:14 am
I love sprinkles! On cookies or ice cream, but especially on doughnuts! They give a tiny amount of crunch without being too hard.
9. Jess | July 14th, 2008 at 5:51 am
Yay, Montreal! I haven’t been there for 13 years and I really want to go back. I expect many photos upon your return.
10. sassymonkey | July 14th, 2008 at 5:52 am
Ok, so I’ve only lurked forever before chiming in to say OTTAWA! It’s only a 2 hour drive from Montreal (where I lived for almost 10 years).
Hmmm is this where I should confess that when I was a kid my cousin made chocolate jimmy and butter sandwiches and after she made me eat one I found myself randomly craving them and whenever I see them at the grocery store I want a chocolate jimmy and butter sandwich? Oh, it’s not? Oops.
11. Aprylsantics | July 14th, 2008 at 6:03 am
I hate sprinkles and David Hasselhoff. Not necessarily in that order.
12. Danielle | July 14th, 2008 at 6:07 am
First, if you do make it to Toronto, there’s this mini-chain of restaurants called Fresh (www.juiceforlife.com) that you should totally check out. They have awesome rice bowls. I ate there at least 4 times in my week in Toronto. Toronto is a really cool city, and I could totally recommend an amazing Italian restaurant, except I don’t remember the name and only sort of recall where it was located, haha.
Also, Philadelphia (suburbs), that’s where I live! I’m sorry that you are dreading the wedding, but the suburbs of Philly aren’t all bad. Valley Forge Park is beautiful and historical. And if you are into shopping there’s always the King of Prussia Mall, huge tourist attraction that happens to be the mall I hung out in as a teenager.
13. TwoBusy | July 14th, 2008 at 6:08 am
Ah, Montreal. The last time I was there, my friends and I got absurdly loaded on cheap sake and ended up wandering lost around the city for hours. Good times.
14. jonniker | July 14th, 2008 at 6:11 am
Danielle – It’s not Philly I’m dreading, it’s the wedding, for a variety of reasons. I grew up not too far from there, so visiting isn’t even that thrilling for me. And OH MY GOD, this wedding is going to blow.
15. claire | July 14th, 2008 at 6:43 am
Oooh, Quebec City. If you haven’t booked a hotel there yet, may i suggest the Auberge Saint-Antoine (www.saint-antoine.com)? So pretty – and maybe a little too fancy for me, but i didn’t find them too pretentious. It’s in lovely area right on the banks of the St. Lawrence river- a beautiful view if you’re on the right side of the hotel. Can be kind of pricey, but i got a great deal on a travel website – maybe hotels.com, i don’t remember. But it’s within walking distance of the Quartier Petit Champlain (shopping!) and some really cute little bistros and cafes. LOVE! Quebec City. Ahh, i wish i could go right now…. such a beautiful city.
16. ali | July 14th, 2008 at 7:08 am
toronto! awesome! come and see me!
also? America’s Got Talent…i CANNOT watch it…and i make a point to watch all the shitty shows on tv.
17. Black Hockey Jesus | July 14th, 2008 at 7:14 am
David Hasselhoff is a total butthole.
Let’s review:
1). We both like ice cream.
2). We both hate David Hasselhoff.
This is getting spooky.
18. Danell | July 14th, 2008 at 7:17 am
c’mon, c’mon.c’mon…DETAILS on what’s so bad about the wedding you’re going to! Expand on the misery…for our enjoyment! Pleeease.
19. jonniker | July 14th, 2008 at 7:25 am
HA. Danell, it’s not very exciting. It’s family-related, too, so I can’t really go into it without being unfair to them. It’s also really boring – it’s a relative’s wedding and there are all kinds of wonky family dynamics coming to one, gigantic head at this wedding.
But what’s MOST miserable about the wedding is that a) it’s a long Catholic mass ceremony; and b) there are FOUR HOURS between the wedding and the reception. NOTE TO WEDDING PLANNERS: DO NOT DO THAT. IT IS SO RUDE TO YOUR GUESTS, LEAVING THEM WITH FOUR FREE HOURS TO KILL IN A RANDOM PHILADELPHIA SUBURB. That is just enough time to be annoying, but not enough time to actually DO anything. GRAH.
20. Kathryn Stolle | July 14th, 2008 at 7:46 am
Looking for fantastic spas in Quebec? Our member spas are just the answer! In Montréal, try AWAY spa at W Montréal Hotel or Savannah Spa also in Montréal. One of our most supportive and finest members is Amerispa with 8 spas throughout Québec, all located in beautiful hotels (including Mont Tremblant) and if you’re looking for a real hydrotherapy experience, head straight for Euro-Spa Wellness Resort in St-Ignace de Stanbridge, Québec. They’re all great representatives of Leading Spas of Canada and each offers a different experience. Go to http://www.leadingspasofcanada.com and click on Québec.
P.s. Just got back from Québec City last week and absolutely loved it! Bon Voyage and have a fabulous trip!
21. houndrat | July 14th, 2008 at 8:03 am
Just the thought of David Hasslehoff makes me want to vomit a little.
And if that show is really indicative of America’s talent, our country is in more serious trouble than I ever imagined.
I think sprinkles are gross, but I have to confess, my son thinks they’re the bomb. Then again, his favorite ice cream is blue cotton candy, so his taste is obviously impaired……
22. Jakki | July 14th, 2008 at 9:22 am
NEVER watched the show but after reading your wonderful desription, I have no other choice but to check it out.
23. H | July 14th, 2008 at 9:40 am
I live a ways west of you but about the same distance from Canada and we discovered Canada when our kids were little. It is as close or closer than most US vacation destinations, it is kind of cool to be out of the US, and despite being so close, it is different — really different. We love visiting there. The funniest thing ever, though, is when we told our young kids that when the border crossing guy comes to talk to us, do NOT mess around. They mean business and it is no time to joke. We didn’t realize how those comments along with the “official looking” guy in uniform would scare the bejesus out of them. They sat in the back seat like we were heading for the firing squad if they so much as moved!
24. Kristin H | July 14th, 2008 at 9:54 am
Re: Sprinkles. Word. Another ding against them, in my book, is that kids always want to put them on cake, and they do nothing but bounce annoyingly off the frosting and all over the floor.
I was also going to ask about the wedding, and how it could possibly be so bad? Weddings are always fun to me due to A) booze and B) dancing. But, uh…maybe some weddings really AREN’T very fun and I’m too drunk to notice?
This weekend it also poured rain here. I had a race Saturday that was delayed due to thunder, and because I am officially in the “old lady” category I am one of the last waves to start. So I spent about an hour in my bathing suit, walking around in the pouring rain, blue-lipped and shivering violently. Uhg.
25. Mauigirl52 | July 14th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
Agree about sprinkles. Never liked them.
Have a wonderful time in Canada!
26. Orange Peacock | July 14th, 2008 at 2:50 pm
But…but…sprinkles are PRETTY. Food coloring doesn’t taste like anything, either, but I sure do like it!
27. Jamie | July 15th, 2008 at 11:46 am
THANK YOU for putting my sprinkle hatred into words. Until now, I seriously couldn’t explain my dislike for them. And I’ve been made fun of more than one time for turning down sprinkles.
Also, those weird silver balls used to decorate baked goods. I don’t get those at all.
28. Lara | July 15th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
Rob LOVES jimmies. And, oddly, I kind of love rainbow sprinkles, at least in theory.
When I was in high school, I used to vex my friends who for some reason gave a crap about the fact that when faced with a million ice cream flavors, i always chose vanilla. They would beg me to get a topping to make my choice more exciting, so I always added sprinkles to it – the dullest topping ever – just to piss them off. Oh, how we laughed. Okay, fine, not really. But it is funny in my memory.
Also, yay for sprinkles! And I am very impressed with your good dog ownership. I make Chester go without a walk when it rains.
29. Shana | July 15th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
I got this cake batter ice cream and it is TRIPPING MY SHIT OUT. Jonna, will you marry me?
30. metalia | July 16th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
I’ve never much cared for sprinkles. Neither has J. T, however, could eat them by the spoonful. What up with that, GENETICS?
31. Danielle-lee | July 19th, 2008 at 9:31 pm
I love sprinkles, but only in ice cream. And only a specific ice cream, not every damn one.
BTW, I went out and bought that Cake Batter ice cream by B&J. It was fan-fucking-tastic!!! I also bought the B&J Creme Brulee….have you had that little pint of heaven yet??? OMG. It was all I could do to not just inhale the whole thing in the grocery store!!!1
32. She Likes Purple | July 20th, 2008 at 7:00 am
I was so hoping you’d say Texas as, obviously, it’s where MOST people go to vacation.
33. Morrigan | July 22nd, 2008 at 8:42 am
A little late to the party, but there are so many fun things to do in Quebec and Ontario! In Quebec City be sure to check out the Pub St. Patrick on rue Couillard in Old Quebec, go on a Friday or Saturday night for live music. In Ottawa visit Byward Market and stop for a croissant from French Baker before heading to the National Gallery for the afternoon. And if you’re coming to Toronto, just e-mail me because my suggestions would take up far too much space in your comments! I’ll even tell you where to find the best gelato in the city.
34. Canadian GIrl | July 23rd, 2008 at 2:25 pm
Ohhhh….Ottawa, for sure! Only 2 hours from Montreal, and tons of small towns surrounding….half hour drive and you get touristy attractions with no crowds…..spas…..boutique shopping….fairs, etc. All the perks of a big city with a smaller town feel. I love Toronto, grew up near there, but its big and loud and not as friendly as Ottawa. I’m delurking to tell you this…..it’s worth it.
35. Eric&hellip | December 11th, 2008 at 10:46 am
Trip Planners Driving…
As a result, TrackBack spam filters similar to those implemented against comment spam now exist in many weblog publishing systems….
36. Recent URLs tagged Waxy -&hellip | May 5th, 2009 at 2:16 am
[...] recorded first by renatalino on 2009-03-24→ I Will See You In Far Off Places [...]
37. credit repair vermont&hellip | December 1st, 2009 at 9:53 pm
credit repair vermont…
So many different ideas listed here – amazing…..
Leave a Comment
Some HTML allowed:
<a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong>
Trackback this post | Subscribe to the comments via RSS Feed