• [Forks, Fences, Foolish Ads]

    S&M Files, Episode 7: December 30, 1999
    “Painted with Anti Climb Paint”

    A local house is identified by this sign outside. I never had
    the urge until now. I can hardly wait for my rock climbing shoes
    to arrive.

    Fork Up

    In Britain, by law, you must pay more to eat in some place
    nice.

    A patron at a local Grease & Chips shop had to fork out
    more dough between mouthfuls. He apparently sat in the “nice”
    seats, where he had access to amenities like cutlery, padded
    seats and a table at the right height. If he were clever, he
    would have perched against the wall on the stools up front with
    the rest of the lepers and common scum. I know I would have. Not
    good enough for us lepers, hmm?

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  • [Food, Furnishing, and Freezing]

    S&M Files, Episode 5: December 12, 1999
    Perish the Thought

    Food must either go bad faster here, or we North Americans are
    used to rancid. The roast chicken is labelled EAT WITHIN 24
    HOURS. It’s good for up to an hour unrefrigerated. My grapes
    almost expired by the time I got home. :)

    On the plus side, food seems to be less Americanized here.
    That is, the ingredient list does not take up two panels of the
    cookie box. There is also a lot more organic and vegetarian food
    readily available. Well, readily if you are readily rich. Grapes
    are $6 a pound. It’s cheaper to fly to Spain for $125 and pick
    your own.

    Our fridge is small. You might know this, but you do not
    understand this. It is SMALL. We have two (2) shelves. Neither is
    big enough to fit a 2- litre carton of milk at any angle. The
    crisper is the size of a very large hamster. I would kill for the
    bar fridge at the office.

    In a way, it’s very much like camping out. You carefully pack
    and unpack your food each time you need some, taking care not to
    create empty pockets. You light your stove with a match. You wear
    multiple layers of clothing. It’s the West Coast Trail X 2.5.

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  • [Terrible Taste and Britain's Best]

    S&M Files, Episode 4: December 6, 1999
    Food and Being English

    Indian Pizza. Not surprisingly, and more to my delight than
    Michelle’s, Indian cuisine is prevalent here. The local Safeway
    has a complete Indian dinner for two next to the frozen pizzas.
    I’m curious to discover what lies in the “ethnic” foods
    section.

    Fish and Chips. Still waiting for decent fish and chips. The
    local shop downstairs seems to believe in a long soak in grease
    followed by a gentle warming.

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