The Zoo over Ambuscade Street

Yesterday, with the exceptions of some residual class-related stress (that's going to stick around for a while, I'm afraid) was pretty good.

-Official start of sandal weather. Actually, this started on Sunday but I was too frazzled to notice. We also have a flock of robins living in our trees, which is neat - I didn't think the flocked, and I still don't think they do, but there are at least five of them. Wai! Maybe I'll get some nice bird shots this year...

-Wawa pwnz my soul. Apparently they replaced the wonderful Sugar Cookie Coffee with Cookies and Cream coffee - same thing, with what tastes like cocoa added. It actually tastes as good as it smells, unlike most coffee. (Note: I don't like fajitas for the same reason)

-They found my frame order, AND the two cut frames. Yay! I had to pick out a different frame for the third, because it splintered when they tried to cut it. I should be able to pick those up on Thursday when I go in for the stained glass course.

I think I'm finally catching up on things here at work. Provided, of course, that I can stay awake. That seems to be rather an issue this week.

When we were in Tucson we stopped, as we always do, in at See's Candy, home of molassas chips. I'm told they have other things too, but I really don't pay much attention. Anyway, Erik sampled something called a "Polar Bear Paw," which is supposedly covered in a "vanilla coating." This "vanilla coating" looked an awful lot like white chocolate to me, so I asked about it. This is where the funny part comes into play.

Apparently, the FDA has a standard for what something has to contain in order to be called "white chocolate." In addition, in order to use the term "white chocolate" you need a Temporary Marketing Permit as mentioned in this nastygram. There are lots of other nastygrams, too.

For some reason, I find this to be utterly hysterical. I think this is going to entertain me for the better part of the week.

Person 1: "So, what do you do for a living?"
FDA Guy: "I, um, work for the FDA."
Person 2: "Really? What is it that you do there?"
FDA Guy: "I'm responsible for drafting the 'white chocolate' requirements."

[EDIT] Oh! I thought of a better one! "I'm in charge of Chocolate Enforcement." I want to be in charge of Chocolate Enforcement!

Suddenly, babysitting my pile of dirt doesn't look so bad anymore. Although that might have to do with the weather being so nice out, too - it's one thing to sit outside when it's freezing, quite another when it's pleasant and sunny.