Iron Man (I can has cheezburger?)

After a really great post on American consumerism last week at Mormon Matters last week, I felt inspired and energized to begin my gradual shunning of all things corporate America...

Well, it's going to take a while longer, because last night I saw Iron Man (which is a GREAT movie by the way, I knew nothing about the character--it was surprisingly entertaining and funny, especially as a summer blockbuster). So, yeah, I still give in to the Hollywood machine. Anyway, during the movie there is some shameless product placement (which is in everything now, I suppose--BUT the movie was still really good--did I already say that?). The main character, upon coming home after being held hostage in Afghanistan for three months, declares that he wants "an American cheeseburger." Guess what they bring him? Which fast-food chain is marketing Iron Man in their commercials? Yep, that's the one. I won't repeat it here, lest they get more advertising (although I have plugged the movie 3 times now).

So what's the problem? After the cheeseburger scene, I was hungry. I wanted a cheeseburger too, dang it! A friend and I went out looking for one (promising not to buy one from previously mentioned chain), and the one we wanted to go to (a local, mom and pop type with the really good shakes) was closed. Guess what was across the street.  Yep.  I still have a ways to go in terms of living up to my principles.

Iron Man: A

Cheeseburger: B+

Adam sticking to his principles: C

Mormon safe

During the lunch break of a faculty meeting I attended today I poured a cup of what I thought was apple juice. I sat down and started eating my sandwich, and took a swig of said beverage. It was not an apple-based drink. I went back to the table where the food was and asked a professor, "Is this drink Mormon safe?" He said, "no, it's iced tea." Another professor added, "Adam, you are not Mormon safe."

Bishop, if you're reading this, that is the third time I have broken the Word of Wisdom, lol. Fourth if you count the Monster I drank a few weeks ago. 57th if you count the Dr. Pepper in high school. 9,723rd if you count all the delicious buffalo steaks and Wendy's #4s consumed outside of a famine.

My latest creation

Chinese Restaurant, August 3rd

The overweight man in overalls (and a slightly intrusive nude Betty Boop tattoo on his arm) says to the young parents that his son is 26, and that things will change once the baby starts crawling.

Some women at another table debate the pronunciation of "Tsao's". They can't decide if it's 'chows' or 'dows' or 'tsaous'.

Just before leaving a lady tells her husband that she has to see the baby, and the young parents show him off yet again. He draws a lot of attention, which the introverted couple is not used to. The lady wants to see him smile.

A mother ponders something illustrative of American prosperity: "I can't decide if I want crispy or soft noodles with my chow mein." She orders the crispy noodles, but says it was a hard decision.

A father grows impatient, as the check has not come yet. He says to his wife that the tip is getting smaller by the minute. Some of this is due to his impatience, some of it due to his newfound frugality as a working father/student not living next door to his parents anymore.

The fortune cookies come (and the check). One of them reads, "You will receive helpful information."

A women who just came in says that the baby is cute, and guesses that he is 3 months old. Actually he is 3.9 months.