On the way to the Outer Banks

Okay, it is time for short post. Mrs. Alphageek and I are at the beach. It was a wonderful drive down and we feel lucky because we missed most of the rain. During this road trip, we made several stops. Two of those stops were to see items from one of my favourite websites, Roadside America. Roadside America enabled us to see the following exciting sights.

We got to see a monster truck display at the Grave Digger site. For the uninitiated, this is a site that has several of their monster trucks on display. We stopped by and took several pictures that you can see by clicking this link.

I then stopped and got a special treat. My picture was taken with the world's largest hammock. Click on the picture for a larger image, if you dare.
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Hammock

Signs You Might have a Problem

HDNet Test Pattern
Originally uploaded by AlphaHokie

The other night, Mrs. Alphageek and I were watching Lost on the PVR. You do have and use a PVR, right? The show has been dealing a lot with time travel lately. In the show, a character tries to communicate with someone in another time. This led me to pause the PVR and tell Mrs. Alphageek how I would communicate with her if I were ever stuck in a time paradox. She gave me the look you probably have on your face right now. That look says "what the heck is wrong with you"? I say one needs to be prepared. Please do not ask the code I worked out because it needs to be secret and only Mrs. Alphageek knows.

This led to a discussion of other signs I might be a geek, as if the two engineering degrees were not enough.

Another sign is the picture with this entry. I was watching tv and stumbled across HDnet running a test pattern. This test pattern is important because you can use it to check the calibration of a high definition tv. I decided to record the six minute test pattern, so that I would always have it.

Finally, I used the internet to find a new telephone number for the fine folks at XM when I was having trouble with their customer service. I was on the phone 47 minutes the first time and that call did no good. I took ten minutes, searched the internet, and found a new number for XM. I used the new telephone number to call and make the changes I needed in about five minutes. For you liberal arts majors, I saved 32 minutes!

Mrs. Alphageek has not yet wiped that strange look off of her face. I wonder what look she will have after reading this article?

Food Porn

Mrs. Alphageek found a television show to watch while I drink bourbon. This fine show is No Reservations on the Travel Channel. I like the show because it is in high def. I think Mrs. Alphageek likes it because I usually don't talk a lot during the show. Yes, yes the underlined and in a different color means that is link to the shows web site. You go read about the show and then come back, I am not going anywhere.

We were watching an episode titled Food Porn. in this episode Mr. Bourdain eloquently gives his definition of food porn. He basically says that food porn is food that is way over the top, at least in terms of its opulence. You should go read that and come back, because I cannot improve on his statement of his position. I find his position somewhat ironic because the entire episode is filmed in a darkened theater. You figure the rest out.

I told this irony to Mrs. Alphageek and she replied, "well, what is your definition, and why are you telling me anyway? You should write this on your web site." So here I am, sharing this with all four of my followers. In my world, food porn is the lowest denominator. Food so basic, and probably bad for you too, that you never admit you eat it. If you were diagnosed with a terminal illness, you request to go eat your food porn. After all, what do you have to lose at that point?

Two items of food came to mind. The first is a Hardee's biscuit. Not just any biscuit, but a sausage and egg biscuit. I will have to say that is one of the best simple foods out there. If you really want to shock yourself, surf over to Hardee's web site and see the nutritional information on this delight. Instead, just go buy one and enjoy one of life's simple pleasures.

The second one that comes to mind was, unknowingly to him, submitted by The Common Man. The Common Man is a frequent reader here and suggested this somewhere else in cyberspace. For those of you familiar with Mcados, they serve an incredible sandwich. This incredible delight is called the Hindenburg. This sandwich is intended for four people to enjoy, but most people don't do that. You can split it with someone else or, better yet, you can wolf down the whole thing on your own.

So, I will now ask the question: do you know any food porn? Why not use the talk back feature and describe one of the basics of food pleasure.