Meat!

Just for fun and a few years ago, we had a contest in our house to make up our own word for "cool" and all the crazy expressions that have evolved over the years.

It seems we were tired of the usual exclamations of approval including "right on", "cool", "too cool", "way cool", "the coolest", "sweet", "nice", "excellent" and considering the times, an occasional "rad", "bad", "bad-ass", "I hear that", "word" etc.

Not being skaters, surfers, or Valley people, we never used a lot of radical expressions including "gnarly", "bitchin'", "fer sure", and "tubular."

I'll occasionally slip with a "far out!" and "neat-o!" Andy and Aaron use "off the hook", "dabomb" and "sooooo freakin' good" to describe their cooking. They get really, really excited stirring stuff on the stove. I've seen near seizure-like activity in our kitchen. Confidence is good, but don't fall face first into your paella.

Also, I'm lost on today's expressions but imagine most start with a "ph" like "phat", "phabulous" and "phantastic."

Back to the contest... the winning entry (mine) was - drum roll, please - "MEAT!" I don't recall the other entries but I'm fairly sure Aaron's entry was "This is a bunch of b-s."

The new sensation "Meat!" pops up during conversation; mainly when we are sitting down to a large platter of ribs. Now that's "Meat!"

There have been a number of "Meat!" worthy events lately. Amanda graduated with honors from UTA. MEAT! Andy survived his solo motorcycle journey to the far reaches of Eastern Oklahoma. Meat! Aaron is on month two of his vegetarian diet. Meat-o! Rush Limbaugh continues to prove he's the ultimate dolt. Double Meat with Gravy!

Remember. Always praise with "MEAT!"

Marshall's Quasi-Proust Questionnaire

Marshall is a perfect specimen of a tabby cat at age 7 - physically striking, mature but youthful, loving though aloof, simple yet complex. Here's what he had to say to Proustian and other important questions (note the questions were asked in random order to allow for the most spontaneous response):

What is your favorite music? Blues

What is your favorite cocktail? Blueberry Martini

What do you like most about your appearance? My spectacular stripes

What do you dislike most about your body? I am not ashamed to say... my shriveled testicles

What languages do you speak? English, Russian, Bahasa Indonesian, Sign, and Cat Slang including purring, hissing and yowling at different pitches and beats, Yo!

What is your favorite entertainment? Pouncing to Zydeco at Poor David's Pub and watching Animal Planet

What is your motto? One Life At A Time

Where would you like to live? Taj Mahal or a temperature controlled barn in Iowa

What is your most treasured possession? My prowess and ability to dart up a tree at record speed and give the Bronx cheer to salivating German Shepherds

What do you value in your owners? Loyalty, plus they open doors for me at any hour

Which actress would you most like to meet? Nastassja Kinski

What subject did you enjoy most in school? Biology; specifically dissecting frogs.

Which historical figure do you most identify with? Sigmund Freud

What is your favorite movie? Breakfast at Tiffany's

Which talent would you most like to have? Ability to woo Nastassja Kinski as a panther

What it the quality you most like in a mate? A good listener

What is your greatest regret? I didn't escape prepubertal castration

Who are your favorite writers? Rudyard Kipling, Lewis Carroll and Dr. Seuss

What can be found in your refrigerator? Mouse on ice, butter, olives and Rock Star

What is your current state of mind? Bored and not at all amused with these questions

What instrument would you like to play? Accordion or double bass

What is your favorite game? Ping Pong

Do you have political aspirations? Yes. Find a way to quash oppressive city ordinances and join in the fight to "remake" America

Which words or phrases do you most overuse? "Feed me" in four different languages

Who is your favorite musician? Brian Setzer

What is your greatest fear? There is nothing to fear but fear itself or maybe an open dryer door

What is your favorite occupation? Day dreaming and writing love letters

What is your favorite flower? One that I can eat and regurgitate without being poisoned

Which magazine do you enjoy? Vogue Knitting. Sorry, Vanity Fair, but yarn fascinates me

End