Afternoon Drive with Jeff & Carly

Yesterday, I wrote about biting off more than you can chew (figuratively, of course).  Today, I want to talk about eating more than you can digest (literally) or having eyes that are bigger than your stomach (back to the figurative again).

I’ll give you an example.  So, I’m at this course all week and as it turns out, three meals and two snacks per day are provided.  I don’t normally eat that much, so on Day 1 my plan was to work out during my free time, but that didn’t happen (not much time to spare).  Today, I decided to sample just a little bit of everything, but even that felt gluttonous.  On the plus side, most of the food is delicious.  The downside is that my summer wardrobe is less forgiving than my winter clothing (i.e. no bulky sweaters), so I can’t keep this up!

I have heard from people who attend dinner functions on a regular basis that the trick is to only have one bite of everything, but that seems like such a waste.  It also requires a great deal of restraint.

What stories do you have surrounding excessive food?  Were you at a function or in someone’s home?  Was the amount of food deliberate or accidental, e.g. miscommunication or someone ordered too much?  Did you ever try to score a free meal by eating a 64 ounce steak or engage in a contest with high school buddies as to who could devour the most at the all-you-can-eat buffet?  Share your anecdotes by clicking on the No Comments/Comments link below.  I’m hoping your stories might act as an appetite suppressant for me.

Today’s Jack Nation bonus code is TOOMUCHFOOD.  It’s good until May 29th.  

Just a quick note to touch base.  I’m at a training workshop this week.  I thought it was going to be a breeze - you know, late breakfasts, early lunches, done by 5 p.m. - but it’s much more intensive than I expected.  It’s also quite fascinating, so although it’s more work than I expected, it’s actually a pleasant surprise.  And no, I’m not just saying that to please the boss.

Have you ever committed to an activity or a project that you thought would be a walk in the park, only to realize it was going to take longer or require more effort than you imagined?  Was it beyond your capabilities?  How did that turn out?  For better or for worse?  Have your say by clicking on the No Comments/Comments link at the bottom.  Today’s Jack Nation bonus code is BITEMORETHANCHEW.  It’s good until May28th.

It wasn’t my intention to write about Indiana Jones again today, but when I read this article, I just had to share.  A man named Michael Ryan has been so obsessed with the character of Indiana Jones since seeing “Raiders of the Lost Ark” back in 1981, that he has worn a fedora ever since and even named his son Harrison (his wife wouldn’t agree to Indiana).  He estimates he has spent about $50 000 on his hobby.  Personally, I think he’s too busy trying to live Indiana’s life to create and live his own dreams.  To read the whole sordid tale, click HERE.

Do you know anyone like this - someone who has an obsession that borders on unhealthy?  Maybe it’s a hobby or a collection that’s out of control.  I’m sure there have been PhD theses written on the need to possess a collection and live vicariously through it.  Do you think it’s harmless?  Am I being too hard on this guy?  Share your thoughts by clicking on the No Comments/Comments link below.  Today’s Jack Nation bonus code is OBSESSION.  It’s good until May 25th.

I will be away next week, but hope to update my blog a few times, so keep checking back. :) 

“Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” is out today.  Reviews have been mixed, although I hardly think that will deter moviegoers.  (Even if the latest installment of the series doesn’t live up to the previous three, you know it’s still going to be a good time.)  Seeing the actor who plays the screen hero have his chest hair ripped out might deter you from scheduling a waxing appointment, though. 

In order to educate the public about global warming and deforestation, Harrison Ford agreed to have his chest waxed.  “Every bit of rain forest that gets ripped out over there, really hurts us over here” is what he said.  Click HERE to watch the video.  Ouch!

What have you endured in the name of a good cause (or even a not-so-good cause, like fashion)?  Share your pain by clicking on the No Comments/Comments link below.  Today’s Jack Nation bonus code is WAXED.  It’s valid until May 2-4! 

Photo from toddweinstein.com

How do you survive a road trip with your significant other?  Years ago, my ex-boyfriend and I drove from Toronto to Quebec City to visit my parents.  I had done that drive a million times on my own, so I had no interest in taking time to stop and smell the roses.  My ex, however, is the type who likes to take frequent breaks, get a coffee, look around and stretch his legs.  A drive that normally took me about 8 hours with one pit stop took over 10 hours because we stopped numerous times.  At the time, the trip felt painfully long, but in hindsight, it was the only time that I have ever checked out the Big Apple in Colborne.  I have fond memories of buying a pie (delicious!) and petting the animals they keep in the back.

According to Women’s Health, here are some aspects of a road trip that could cause a spat or two:

• each wanting to follow a different route
• arguing over who gets control of the radio
• getting lost
• boredom
• where to stop to eat

Is there anything you would add to the list?  Do you have any war stories you’d care to share?  Click on the No Comments/Comments link below.  Today’s Jack Nation bonus code is ROADTRIP.  It’s good until May 23rd.

If you think that the Internet has replaced word of mouth in the realm of consumer influence, think again.  A new survey suggests that when it comes to purchasing real estate, cell phones and music, ninety percent of us still rely on friends and sales staff to assist us in making our decisions.

I don’t know if I would purchase a CD based on a buddy’s recommendation alone, especially since you can usually preview at least some of the tunes on the Internet before the album is released.  I do appreciate the advice of a good salesperson, though.  I remember one in particular pointing out the ink cartridge differences between two printers I was considering buying.  He showed me that the replacement cartridges for one of the models were about half the price of the other and that the quality was negligible, especially since I didn’t plan on printing any photos.  Not only did he help me to make a decision, he also taught me what to look for in the future (and that not all sales guys are out to make a quick buck).

What have you purchased on the recommendation of a friend or salesperson?  Did it work out for you?  Do you do any research on the Internet before buying an item?  Your thoughts can be shared by clicking on the No Comments/Comments link below.  Today’s Jack Nation bonus code is WORDOFMOUTH.  It’s valid until May 22nd.

So it’s the long weekend (Woo Hoo!!!) and that means it’s summer!  Well, not officially, but after the winter we had, it might as well be.  This is the weekend that most Ontarians are opening up the cottage or doing some spring cleaning around the yard at home.  The lawn mower will emerge from hibernation - if not this weekend, then sometime very soon.

A recent consumer survey determined what people like to do while mowing the lawn.  Here are the results:

1. Nothing - just mow the lawn (79%)
2. Listen to music (38%)
3. Drink beer (12%)

How do you drink beer while mowing?  I guess you mow with one hand or you need to wear the hat above.  You can’t ride and drink if you have a riding mower.  Wouldn’t that be like drinking and driving?

And as tedious a chore as mowing can be, I wouldn’t recommend putting on earphones or buds anywhere near a mower.  It could be dangerous, especially for men!

Share your lawn mowing (mis)adventures by clicking on the No Comments/Comments link below.  Today’s Jack Nation bonus code is MOWERMISHAPS.  It’s good until May 19th.

Did you hear about this family that left their toddler at the airport?  They were immigrating to Canada from the Philippines.  Destined for Winnipeg, they had a connecting Air Canada flight through Vancouver.  The four adults were separated into two groups, each assuming the child was with the other.  Since he is too young to have his own seat, no one - including the airline - realized the young passenger was missing at first.  (Kind of strange, don’t you think?  He’s 23-months, so presumably it would be oddly quiet without him.  But I digress…)  It was only when he was discovered wandering around the flight gates that the race to find his parents was on.  To read the whole story, click HERE.  For those of you too lazy to read the whole thing, the airline flew his dad back to Vancouver to collect him and then back to Winnipeg 

What person or item have you accidentally left behind?  After a long day, my leather agenda and I were seated on a bench, awaiting the next southbound train at York Mills Station.  The subway train arrived, I got up and got on, and only as the doors closed did I notice my agenda still on the bench, forlorn without me.  I got off at Lawrence Station and took the next train north, only to discover that my leather lifeline was no longer there.  I made my way to the collector’s booth to enquire about it.  I wasn’t very optimistic, but lo and behold - someone had actually turned it in!  The collector told me to check to make sure all my valuables were inside.  He seemed puzzled to learn that the folder I was so happy to be reunited with had never contained money or a phone to begin with - just papers.  All my appointments, some phone numbers, my last performance review (yikes!) - all items that would take forever to replace or once the info was out there, you couldn’t reel it back in.  I don’t know who turned in my agenda, but I’m still thankful to this day.

Share your lost and found stories by clicking on the No Comments/Comments link below.  Today’s Jack Nation bonus code is LOSTANDFOUND.  It’s valid until May 17th.

Back in March, a Peterborough County OPP constable was allegedly pulled over in his cruiser doing more than 50 km over the limit.  He was not responding to a call at the time.  He’s on desk duty until his court appearance in June.

I wonder how that conversation went?  What excuse, I mean reason, do you think he tried to use?  I don’t currently own a car, but I was never pulled over when I drove regularly.  However, I don’t expect my luck to last forever, so in the event that I am caught speeding, what have you said to get out of a ticket?  Use the No Comments/Comments link below to share your wisdom.  Today’s Jack Nation bonus code is OPP.  It’s valid until May 16th.

The other day I wrote about the signs that indicate a guy is whipped (see May 8th), so today I thought I would follow it up with the traits that make you a real man.  According to Esquire, here are a few of the skills every man must master:

• cook meat… somewhere other than a grill
• buy a suit (price, fit, purpose)
• throw a punch
• chop down a tree (know your escape path!)
• call his poison (brand, amount, style)

Do you agree with this list?  What other skills would you add?  Share your point of view by clicking on the No Comments/Comments link at the bottom.  Today’s Jack Nation bonus code is MANLY.  It’s valid until 11:59 p.m. on May 15th.