I must amend my entry to say that I also lurk in this thread now.

Hello to fellow lurkers!

I haven't weighed in on any important matters of taste. I love cilantro (mmmmm), do not like either olives or muffulettas, have never tried fernet, but am fully committed to the serial comma.

Cilantro is good and necessary. At least, if you cook Cuban food. Parsley is no substitute.

Dunno about fernet or absinthe. I suspect my move to the PNW will take care of both of those deficiencies.

Captain Morgan Private Stock on the other hand is the One True Rum.

I am still fuzzy on the nature of the muffuletta. I have looked it up on Wikpedia, and established that it was something sandwichy, but then promptly forgot all the details. (In my head, it's the name of part of a car. A pink car that Barbie drives.)

A muffuletta is New Orleans' contribution to the hero-grinder-sub sandwich genre. It is cold cuts including ham and salami; cheese; and the signature olive salad on a round Italian-style loaf of bread. Olive salad is a sort of relish made of olives; various vegetables such as cauliflower, carrots and celery; spices; vinegar; and olive oil. It is best experienced by buying it at Central Grocery, where it may or may not have originated, and eating it on a New Orleans street with the olive oil dripping off your hands. As may be obvious, I am pro-muffuletta.

This thread was an inspired idea, ita. It's so great to not only meet lurkers but also to be reintroduced to everyone else.

hero-grinder-sub sandwich genre.

Meaning a sandwich on baguette-type bread, yes? Like from Subway?

I have to say, from your description I think I too would be pro-muffuletta.

::grabs Barb's definition of muffaletta and hugs it to chest:: It's so cute!

Fernet: of the devil, and not in the fun way.

Wrod. That shit is nastier than Jager, and I don't say that lightly.

I've always wanted to like Scotch, but my palate doesn't like the smoke/peat taste.

In fact, due to various circumstances (#1 being living with a non-drinker), I drink so so SO much less than I used to. Kind of sad, but I think my liver appreciates it.

The serial comma is the only way to go, I'm neutral on cilantro, and muffalettas are tasty.

Okay, delurking since I also have been mostly lurking here - it is SO COOL to see the lurkers coming out to play, and to see all the internationalistas and localistas! (And the other stepmom--Sassy, we need a secret handshake or a something.)

JZ. Bayista, spouse of DavidS, stepmom of Darth Tigger, mom of Matilda, teaching hospital office drone, frustrated writer, frustrated actor, voracious reader, genuinely fond of turgid and overwritten and sentimental Victorian novels the size of a cinderblock, vintage clothing slut. I think that covers it.

eta: Not quite. Olives, cilantro and Fernet yay. And, like Leigh, inconsistent on the serial comma.

I feel a need to delurk here in this thread yet again because I was remiss in declaring my pro-cilantro stance.

So to add to my details: Cilantro – yay! Muffuletta – if olives are contained within no thanks. Scotch – Laphroig (perhaps this is an Elizabeth preference) Fernet – I’ve never had it but based on reactions here I think I’ll pass

Serial comma – Yes, absolutely, and indubitably so. Semi colons – rarely use them for fear of incorrect usage

Are there any other controversial subjects I should declare a stance on whilst delurked? When the inevitable lurking begins again, my controversial opinions will appear in email.

I’m enjoying the regulars who are lurking more than delurking myself. It just tickles my fancy.

BTW, tonight's drink is Dark 'n' Stormy. Which is megan walker's fault -- and I know she will claim it is javachick's fault.

Only 'cause it's true.

I've never had a muffuletta, but I'm pretty sure I'd like it because I love olives. Fernet is okay, and I'll drink almost anything but scotch; however, I'm definitely pro-cilantro and want to marry the serial comma and have its babies. This causes me much consternation when editing French, where it doesn't exist.

I love all the people de-lurking in this thread. Welcome!