Mark Bittman is such a drama queen. I didn't see much in there that counters Teppy's analysis from a week or so ago. He just seems to hate McDonald's and fast food culture, really. He's a bit of a food elitist in my opinion.

Yeah, I read that and was a bit taken aback--I mean, yes, it'd be nice if you could get skim milk instead of weird "cream", but the rest of it sounds fine. (Though honestly, if it's only ten calories less than an egg mc muffin, I'd just as soon have one of those--more protein for my morning start, which is what I've had trouble with the oatmeal for!)

ETA: And Zen's route shouldn't be freight train interrupted, except possibly at the beginning (am I remembering Virignia right, Zen?). DC-NYC-BOS is pretty well traveled, Amtrak wise, and they even have semi-speedy trains (Acela) that cost extra (and aren't all that much faster, but are unlikely to end up behind a freight train)

ND,

Mark Bittman is such a drama queen.

No doubt. He has also abandoned his cooking column for a new food blog and so he is an evangelist now.

There is nothing worse than an evangelist. Also, remember news channels don't call who's smartest...they call who's always around...the David Frums of the world get called back cause they've got their hands in the air even when their answers are wrong.

Hivemind opinion--I have one of these metal wig stands: [link]

Is TSA going to let me fly with it?

Mark Bittman is such a drama queen. I didn't see much in there that counters Teppy's analysis from a week or so ago. He just seems to hate McDonald's and fast food culture, really. He's a bit of a food elitist in my opinion.

Nora already said what I would have about Bittman. He's annoying at best, but on this specific issue, he's sanctimonious, pearl-clutching, and inflammatory. He says nothing to actually put the oatmeal's nutritional content in context, and that allows him to pontificate his ass off. I noted that only a few people in the comments were willing to point out that the ingredients he was decrying as horrific were, actually, pretty common and pretty healthy.

I'm on the iPod, and typing is annoying, so I'll end my screed here.

I have a variety of silly hats, but they are more for display than wear. I don't really wear hats, but I want to start.

metal wig stand...Is TSA going to let me fly with it?

Should be no problem in a checked bag, but in carry-on? Maybe, maybe not. It is subject to whim: [link] "To ensure travelers' security, Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) may determine that an item not on the Prohibited Items List is prohibited."

Yeah, I had gotten that far, but I wasn't sure which way the whim might go. I think I will risk it though--they are cheap

so 2 hours outside weeding = tired. My yard is such a disaster, just years of neglect. I'm gonna eat and go out again. I would really like to pull up all the weeds and grass in one bed area and get mulch down.