Meanwhile...at the Wing Hong Fat Noodle Company

I originally wrote yesterday's blog March 30th, 2011. Those of you that receive it through your Email may be somewhat confused by the reference to Wanda's Jury Duty. I used that particular blog entry because of my coffee discussion. Yesterday was National Coffee Day. 

I forgot to tell you that Krispy Kreme Donuts was giving away coffee, a BOGO. Mark it on your calendar for next year, September 29, 2015.

I spent the morning at the office with Wanda reading Rolling Stone magazine, playing on my Kindle and having needles stuck in my gums. It's amazing what childhood horrors people are willing to discuss once they are famous. A filling fell out of an upper right tooth.

I have a temporary on it now, the permanent crown should be in next Thursday. I hope it is. I'm not looking forward to a diet of oatmeal and soup on the cruise.

I'm running out of places to chew.

I love these two comments.

There is no underestimating dysfunction and incompetence of government bureaucracy.

The job of the artist is not to succumb to despair but to find an antidote for the emptiness of existence.

On the subject of coffee; wearing caffeine laced underpants will not help you lose weight.

The Federal Trade Commission charged that Norm Thompson Outfitters Inc. and Wacoal America made false claims that their women’s “shapewear” undergarments would help people lose weight. 

Now the companies have been ordered to pay more than $1.5 million in consumer refunds.

“Caffeine-infused shapewear is the latest ‘weight-loss’ brew concocted by marketers,” said Jessica Rich, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “If someone says you can lose weight by wearing the clothes they are selling, steer clear."

The FTC’s complaint alleges the company deceptively advertised, marketed, and sold women’s undergarments infused with microencapsulated caffeine, retinol, and other ingredients, claiming the “shapewear” would slim and reshape the wearer’s body and reduce cellulite.

Specifically, the company made claims that wearing its shapewear would eliminate or substantially reduce cellulite; reduce the wearer’s hip measurements by up to two inches and their thigh measurements by one inch; and reduce thigh and hip measurements “without any effort.”

The complaint alleges that these claims are not true or substantiated by scientific evidence, and therefore violate the FTC Act.

I'm not so much amazed at the concept as the $1.5 million people spent.

The owner of a Chinese noodle restaurant admitted to adding opium ingredients to dishes to hook customers.

Liu Juyou, 26, was arrested when a routine urine test during a drunken driving screening tested positive for opium use and he spent 15 days behind bars.

Family members went back to the restaurant and tested their own urine after eating. Juyou's brother said, "My sister and I went back there since we know our brother well. He would never take drugs. I have to say those were some good freaking noodles."

They informed police when they found they were testing positive for opium use.

Police said the owner of the eatery, identified only as Zhang, was brought in for questioning and he admitted to spiking his dishes with parts of a poppy plant, the main ingredient in opium, to keep customers coming back for more.

Once again I question my insatiable desire to share what I think are ridiculous things with you.

If you sit around thinking about your under utilized appliances here are several suggestions for dish washer double duty.

Clean Canvas Sneakers

Tired of hearing your sneakers clunk around in the washing machine? Put them in the dishwasher instead. Just remove the liners before you wash them and skip the dry cycle (let the sneakers air-dry). After you're done washing your sneakers, run the dishwasher without anything in it to clean it.

Cook Vegetables

This trick comes in handy around the holidays when you're more likely to be cooking for a large group and maxing out the space in your oven. Try cooking vegetables like broccoli or carrots in foil packets or steaming foil-wrapped potatoes or yams.

Poach Salmon

And, while you're at it, why not throw some fish in the dishwasher too? That way you can make a complete meal. Just be sure, as with the vegetables, that the fish is wrapped tightly in foil.

Clean Sports Gear

Anything that doesn't fit well in the washing machine and that can withstand high temperatures could be a good candidate for a spin in the dishwasher. Sports gear like knee pads, shin guards, and mouth guards all fall into this category.

Don't forget the jock strap and cup.

A Scottish teenager who won a $1.6 million lottery jackpot a year ago says she still lives with her mother.

Jane Park, 18, of Edinburgh, said she has not followed through on her plans to live in the luxury house she bought because she dislikes living on her own. So she still lives with her mother a year after winning the EuroMillions Millionaire Raffle payout.

Park said she also put off her previously announced plans to splurge on a white Range Rover because she has not yet learned to drive.

The teenager said she has taken some vacations since winning the money, but they were "package" trips affordable by the public rather than "luxury" vacations.

The girl said she had her "boobs done" recently, and she has been shopping for "designer handbags," but she leaves the expensive accessories at home when she goes out with her friends.

"Other than that, I don't really know what I've spent money on."

"I might have new boobs and nice designer bags, but I'm still the same person I was before....and I don't think any amount of money will change that."