I’m on my travels again. Tomorrow I’m flying off to New York, laden with salmiakki, as requested by two of my American friends. No doubt they will repay me by buying me American beer. I’ve also been told I’ll be taught how to jay-walk, so I will report back if I’m able.
At the end of the week I’m popping down to North Carolina to ScienceOnline09, where I hope to meet a bunch of interesting people, including of course some of you. I’m guessing more beer will be drunk – there is due to be a NN meet-up in the Radisson bar at 8.30pm on Friday.
I’ve been preparing for my trip today, buying stuff (like 10 tonnes of salmiakki). One thing I was not able to procure was this:
The text says “Talvicrocsit”, which is Finnish for Winter Crocs. Just the thing, I thought, for Henry to wear when versifying (after all, Cromer is so bracing). But the lady selling them wasn’t there today, so sorry, Henry, you’ll have to manage with photo.
For those of you worried about The Beast, he’s staying with a new friend. I suspect he’s going to come back rather fatter than he left.
So, I hope you’ll all be on good form whilst I’m away, particularly those of you who will be in North Carolina next weekend. I’m sure there will be at least one report during or after the meeting. If we’re sober enough to type.
Have a great time in NC, Bob!
I’ve tried the Swedish version of that salty liquorice; I think it’s an acquired taste. I much prefer the Australian licorice varieties (Kookaburra brand is good. And it has a Kookaburra on the label, which is sufficient reason for me to buy it.)
I sometimes get salty licorice from Holland. It’s fun to give to Canadians and see how long they last before they spit it out in disgust! Some are brave and pretend to like it, but then refuse a second one…
Ah! Now I understand the real reason
For your inquiry of my feets’ dimensions.
I thank you for that thought, it were the season
For Talvicrocsits to be worth a mention.
I’ll see you, then, at ScienceOnline09.
I’ll be there, my aim to moderate a session
On Saturday, from two ’til three-oh-five.
With Peter Binfield, Oh, and I might mention
I’ve not even begun to turn my brain
To the topic – alternative careers in science
And whether it is really such a strain
Not to place your soul, your whole reliance
On working at the bench, but raise your eyes
To worlds beyond, to writing, reading, more
activities that gain the choicest prize
Of pleasure, and to keep wolves from the door.
I present my frank apologies to Peter
But hope you’ll come down for our chat
Discussions, free and not in iambic meter
We’ll have a good discussion, for all that.
Bob – if your friends are generous, they won’t repay you quite in kind. And after all, if they asked for the salmiakki…
Enjoy your discussions and suchlike, and do keep us non-attendees posted (as it were)!
Eva, I don’t even like the sweet stuff, so the salty version is a definite no-no. But my Dutch friend insisted I try it… what is wrong with you people?! 😉
We live on land reclaimed from the sea, so we need lots of salt to survive.
Ah, yes. As an island nation, Brits are in a similar situation, but prefer to obtain our NaCl in the form of properly seasoned chips.
Not being able to afford either licorice or chips in New Zealand we simply lick the windows.
Windows? Luxury!
Here on August Bank Holiday Island …
Eeeeurgh. I used to work for a Dutch fellow who would occasionally bring in ‘drop’, which according to Wikipedia-who-knows-all-some-of-the-time is the same stuff, more or less.
Nathaniel – here in Canada we simply lick up the road salt in winter. In summer we eat heavy-sodium food from south of the border. It’s not a good system, but it works.
@Henry – are you going to give some of your ScienceOnline09 session in verse?
Bob – winter crocs? Impressive!
Henry
Did I mention the windows there are made of sack cloth and go up hill 15 miles each way in the snow, etc etc?
For a brief, deluded moment, I thought that the winter Crocs were made of salmiakki.
Or that the salmiakki was made from winter Crocs ….
@Henry – are you going to give some of your ScienceOnline09 session in verse?
No.
On the other hand…
Or that the salmiakki was made from winter Crocs
Oh. I thought they were. (goes back and reads posting more carefully).
Well, Henry, I’m sure for you they could make some. But the fur lining might stick in your teeth.
I’ve passed the samiakki on to the recipients, who appreciated it. I’m a bit worried, though, that the Invertebrate Zoology at the AMNH may have its first case of liquorice poisoning today.
Off to North Carolina tomorrow!