The White Death and the Top 10 database
Whoa. I was just quietly getting a cup of tea with the Weather Channel in the background (I love the Weather Channel) and suddenly they're forecasting five to eight inches of snow. When did that happen? Actually I happen to like one big snow a year because we have to go into work no matter what, and it's kind of interesting figuring out how to get there. It's the nibbled-to-death-by-ducks kind of winter I can't stand.
Anyway, did you happen to notice the Top 10 database that was added to the right of the page? It's such a better way to look up old Top 10s than the category listing. I was using it this morning for inspiration because I suddenly realized we never came up with a Top 10 subject for this Tuesday, something I have to report (if restaurants need to be called) and write tomorrow. Assuming I can get into work through the White Death. ..
I also went into my "unpublished entries," where I label entry "forms" with headlines for future posts when I get an idea for something but don't feel like writing it right away.
Here are old Top 10 ideas that I thought at the time might work: Top 10 Restaurants with Former Versions, Top 10 Restaurants for a Pig Out, Places to Eat at the Bar, Deals on Wine, Restaurants You Wouldn't Expect to Be Kid Friendly (But Are), Independently Owned Coffee Bars, Restaurants for People Watching, Restaurants for Winter Dining and Top 10 Restaurants with Great Carryout (as opposed to great carryout places).
When I first went through the old ideas, I thought it was too late for the winter dining one, but after going downstairs and turning on the Weather Channel, I'm thinking maybe I'm wrong.
Votes? New ideas?
(Monica Lopossay/Sun photographer)
Comments
How about the top ten restaurants that will crowded during a snow storm.
There are always a couple of bars and restaurants that are packed during snow storms.
Posted by: Robert of Cross Keys | March 1, 2009 7:55 AM
If you use the "Top 10 Restaurants for a Pig Out" you should lay out some guidelines so we are not inundated with "All You Can Eat for Ten Bucks" buffet restaurants. At my former office we used to have a "Pig In" several times a year. Everyone brought in their specialties for a nice lunch.
Posted by: Retired in Elkridge | March 1, 2009 8:22 AM
How about the top ten meals for a snow day. The precipitation is coming down in clumps, the schools are closed, the gummint has canceled, your employer has told you to stay home. You have all day to cook a great winter meal for your family as the arctic winds blast outside. What's it gonna' be?
Posted by: Michael A Gray | March 1, 2009 12:11 PM
RE: Top Ten ... I stopped in at Savona in Bel Air on Friday (I often get bread there) and scanned the blackboard for their Top Ten Italian Cold Cut sub. It turns out that you won't find one there. What you will find is the "Toscano," made on a small version of the bread we like so much.
As for white death, I am planning to travel to Concord, NH, tomorrow. When I checked in with my hosts, they assured me that the 6-8 inches they were expecting overnight wouldn't slow anything down. The Mason-Dixon line is not so much a geographic boundary as a curse.
Posted by: MD Canon | March 1, 2009 2:33 PM
Michael - I was thinking the same thing...When you know the impending doom is approaching, and you "just by coincidence had to go to the store anyway not like all the others who are panicking", what snowed-in-for-the-day-food do you plan on?
Sorry, I am sure my sentence structure is enough to make Prof. McIntyre shake his head! Oh and EL, please explain "nibbled to death by ducks" kind of winter!
A little wintry mix here, a bit of ice there... :-) EL
Posted by: Trixie | March 1, 2009 3:43 PM
"nibbled to death by ducks" kind of winter!
Perfectly clear to me.
Posted by: Owl Meat Gravy II – | March 1, 2009 3:47 PM
I think a good, slow cooked chili is perfect for those days when the white death is upon the area. When I lived up there, it was either chili or soup for those kind of days.
Believe it or not, there is a winter weather advisory up in Dothan AL, just 60 miles to the north. And its only 44 here, with a VERY brisk wind.
Florida....humpf.
Posted by: PCB Rob | March 1, 2009 4:43 PM
When we heard the forecast this morning (Sunday) we decided that we would indeed fix a delicious pot of chili for dinner tomorrow night.
Posted by: NotableM | March 1, 2009 5:26 PM
I go to the store just about every day (embracing my inner European, I guess), but I really hate it when I just coincidentally need milk or toilet paper when snow is forcecast. I feel it makes me look just like the rest of the idiots.
That is such a better reason than mine, which is I never plan ahead, so I'm going to steal it. EL
Posted by: Hal Laurent, VoR | March 1, 2009 5:30 PM
OK, I give. What's wrong with going to the store to stock up in anticipation of a blizzard?
Only someone who lives in Denver would ask that. Normally in Baltimore, if 1 to 3 inches of snow is forecast, the city goes nuts. By 10 a.m. the day before, there is not a roll of toilet paper or carton of milk left on the supermarket shelves. It's the weirdest thing ever. EL
Posted by: Bucky | March 1, 2009 6:22 PM
Another reason to go to the store everyday is that you can almost always use the "15 items or less (sic)" line.
Posted by: Hal Laurent, VoR | March 1, 2009 6:41 PM
People raid the stores for bread too. They buy out all the of bread and all kinds of junk food too.
Posted by: PCB Rob | March 2, 2009 8:33 AM
It's the basic need to have something to do (eat) when you know you are going to be alternatively digging out your house from (what now looks like a foot) of snow and coming in to warm up. It's not exactly about being "stuck" because if most of us wanted to we could walk to some place that's opened (at least on day 2 after a big storm). At least that's what I think the store runs before snow are, not always bread, milk and tp.
Posted by: Joyce W. | March 2, 2009 9:34 AM
Beer, too. If someone says the four letter 's' word, Baltimoreans buy every can of beer and every roll of toilet paper in sight.
I've never been able to figure out that combination.
I vote for take away. Isn't that what people grab on the way home from work when it is snowy?
Posted by: Lissa | March 2, 2009 9:48 AM
Usually, on snowy days, I'll make soup or chili; however, on Saturday I started marinating beef chunks for sour beef. I cooked it today, and it was perfect on a cold winter's night.
Posted by: Dottie | March 2, 2009 9:10 PM
If i had my druthers, I'd prefer to be licked to death by puppies.
Posted by: RayRay | March 3, 2009 2:40 PM
I knew you were a druther licker.
Posted by: Owl Meat Gravy 2 – Chimp Therapist | March 3, 2009 6:12 PM