funky49's New Writeups

Cozumel (place)

2003-03-17T14:36:26Z

Shopping in Cozumel

Lots of items for sale don't have price tags for a reason. You're supposed to haggle. It only takes a little bit of time and it's fun and it's expected in the owner-operated open air markets and beach/street vendors. If an item does have a price tag, go ahead and ask how much it sells for, they might tell you a lower price!

Silver jewelry and Tanzanite jewelry is sold in abundance here. When is comes to silver, be sure it has .925 stamped on the back for the highest quality.

Partying in Cozumel

There are street vendors down the main strip who will sell you drinks and street merchants who will give you free shots of Tequila. The loudest, funnest places to party in Cozumel is Senior Frog's and Carlos & Charlie's. Upon my visit, Carlos & Charlie's was a bit too loud and ruckus but I found the service, food and atmosphere top notch at Senior Frogs. Try a drink from "The Yard" plastic cup. It's a great souvenir.

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Futterman's Rule (thing)

2003-02-12T16:48:18Z

Futterman's Rule

"When Two Are Served, You May Begin To Eat"

-Gene Futterman

Futterman's Rule is one of the many funk-tastic instrumentals performed by the Beastie Boys. It is found on the Ill Communication album. It features some jammin' guitar parts, turntables, organ, drums and other way wicked percussion. Below is the spoken word before the instrumental.

The story behind the Futterman's Rule was told in the Grand Royal magazine, issue 2. Gene Futterman is a friend of Adam Yauch's father, Noel. Futterman was very into cooking and at dinner parties he always used to say "when two are served, all may eat". This attitude makes sure that nobody eats alone and the food is hot when you eat it.

"Time Is Runnin' I'm Passin' I'm Passin' And Runnin'
I'm Runnin' And Passin'
So You All Better Get Right At This Time
'Cause There Might Be No Next Time Ya'll"

Old Timer's Day (thing)

2003-01-07T21:24:59Z

"Boxer's don't have an old timer's day."
-Marsellus Wallace, Pulp Fiction

Old Timer's Day is the name given to a sporting event (usually baseball) where the spectators watch retired atheletes play the game. Not only does it allow the older players back on to the field in front of a crowd, it also allows fans the ability to watch the best players of the previous generation.

Manchester, TN celebrates an event called "Old Timer's Day" the first Saturday in October. It started as an excuse to get the townsfolk together with beard-growing and tobacco spitting contests and for the area merchants to show appreciation for the community. Now it has beauty pagents, pet-owner look-a-like contests with food, music, dancing, a road race and a parade.

toaster shake (thing)

2003-01-06T19:44:42Z

Where you find toasters... you find toaster shake.

Toaster shake (or toaster shakin's) is the term for the collection of crumbs left at the bottom of toasters and toaster ovens. Some oven toasters are available with crumb trays for the easy disposal of toaster shake. Other toasters have a bottom opening for toster shake waste. If left unchecked, a large enough collection of toaster shake can rival a full piece of toast.

Mazda 6 (thing)

2003-01-02T20:43:38Z

The Mazda 6 sport sedan replaces the Mazda 626 and the Mazda millenia in the Mazda USA model line. It replaces the Mazda 626 in Austrailia (thanks simonc). With the Mazda 6, the company wants to introduce the idea of "Emotion in Motion" where cars appear athletic and well-performing. Driver pleasure, occupant comfort, safety, solid craftmanship and packaging flexibility are priorities. Their aim is to be a cheaper version of the BMW 3-series.

This vehicle was designed as an entirely new car on a new platform with a new family of engines. A wagon and hatchback version should be coming to the US. The Mazda 6 is produced in Flat Rock, Michigan and went on sale in fall 2002. It's market competitors are the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry and the VW Passat.

Red Hat Squadron (thing)

2002-11-05T21:18:40Z

The Red Hat Squadron is the name given to the fliers of capture/stolen Soviet aircraft. The Red Hat Squadron operates out of Area 51. It is speculated they use Hanger 5 at the Area 51, Groom Lake airbase.

Resulting from the foreign material exploitation program named "Red Hat", the Red Hat Squadron started in the 1960's and has been attributed to the improved fighter kill ratios in the Viet Nam, the Persian Gulf and Serbia conflicts.

Soviet aircraft in the Red Hat Squadron include the Mig 17, Mig-19, Mig-21, Mig-23, Mig-27 and Su-27.