Random rants

Casablanca --
Finally saw the movie that is quoted in every other movie ever made.  I understand that this is one of the best movies of all time and is a favorite for many people so I cringe a little when I say "That was it?"
I guess I let the hype of "It's a classic!"  train my mind to think I would get swept away with the story but, um, I didn't.  However, I did enjoy seeing the context for all those random quips in my head.

Bacon grease --
This is one of those things that people saved in metal cans and cooked with for many many many years before Crisco and cooking spray were invented.  Apparently it will kill you with just a glance because it is so full of grease and bacon and, therefore, worse for you than just plain grease.  But I rose to the challenge the other night and cooked with it and I just have to say yum.  I will definitely be using this again in the future.  At least, until my heart clogs.

Published! --
I've actually seen my name in print!!  I don't know why this excites me so much other than it means that other people in the world now know that I exist, but it does!  Any no, it's nothing monumental, just a Letter to the Editor in Living Without magazine (a magazine for people with food allergies) but I still get to brag about it!  Just don't critique it: yes, I ended a sentence with a preposition.  I was lazy.  It will never happen again.

Plastic bags --
For a good fifteen years the media has made sure that everyone knows that when shopping for groceries (or just random things at a store) you should always choose plastic bags over paper because they are recyclable.  Most store don't even carry paper sacks, and since I (and my husband) are of the dust of the earth that can never remember to bring reusable bags with us we end up taking home a gallon jar full or various plastic bags each month (shopping bags, sandwich bags, frozen vegetable bags, bulk food bags, etc.).  This never seemed a big deal to me, since I collect them and take them to Target (or wherever) once in awhile to dutifully recycle them into something useful, like a good Oregon girl should.

However, I was mildly annoyed (or perhaps a stronger word) reading a fact-check article in the paper a week ago that stated that, um, yeah, plastic bags aren't really recyclable.  That was all a lie.  Only about 0.3% of the bags that are even taken to be recycled (which is about 13% of all plastic bags in general) actually get turned into something else.  There isn't even a market for the rest of them, so those nice stores that take back your bags and promise you a pat on the back for being a conscientious citizen are just throwing them in the garbage when your back is turned.

I'm not really into the save-the-world, earth-day buy-in, but I do believe in making a small effort not to fill my garbage can to the brim each week.  Plus, I really hate it when others lie to me.  I'm a big girl, I can handle the truth even if it makes you look bad.

Okay, enough ranting.  Time to load my dishwasher.