Carol Rutz’s Annexe

Out of the bowels of CNN and into the forum of Fark, a list of things that DO NOT save gas. But while this is common sense, what makes this worthwhile are the Farkers’ comments regarding gas usage.

Here is one gimmick I remembered from my trip to Florida about several years ago: It was around 2.50 a gallon in South Beach, and after some sightseeing, Mr Theologian and I took the bus to the hotel. We relaxed and Prediger turned on the telly…and it was this commercial for a gas saving device, complete with flying dollars out of the guy’s wallet before the device and flying dollars into the guy’s pocket after the device (*smug guy pats shirt pocket*). And that commercial was on every day on our trip. Turns out that it was a ripoff.

One guy mentioned adding a bit of acetone, but I am wary of adding something that can eat up the plastic parts inside the car.

But here is something worth looking at: Farker Timmy the Tumor suggested not “topping off”:

If you pay attention to gas pumps and fuel nozzles, you’ll notice warnings specifying “do not top off.” If you ignore those warnings and continue fueling after automatic shutoff, the tank can over-fill causing fuel to dump into the vapor recovery system (it works like the extra drain hole in your bathtub that prevents over-filling, but in this case runs to an activated charcoal cannister that is mucho expensive to replace…if you “fill” it, plan on the check engine light firing up, and big repair bills).

One suggestion made by Car and Driver magazine is to not fill your tank all the way to the very damn top (when the automatic stop is actuated on the fuel nozzle), ESPECIALLY during warm/Summer months.

Two reasons.

One, during hot weather the heat CAN cause expansion of the fuel to a certain extent in the tank, causing minute amounts to spill into the vapor recovery system, over and over…which equals LOSS OF FUEL that should be burned in your engine, which therefore equals loss of MPG.

Two, and more reasonable, is that if you fill the tank to the brim, and stop without over-filling, and think “well, that’s that!” you are fine if you are somehow able to drive smoothly with granny starts and stops, no sharp turns, no panic stops, no drama, no nothing, good for you.

However, if you drive like a normal person, there will naturally be some splashing and sloshing of that fuel in your tank, and without a little “room” in the tank, guess where it’s gonna’ go when you pull a .90 g turn, or a jackrabbit start?

Yup, the vapor recovery system.

And voila, lost MPG.

Am looking for the Car and Driver issue to verify, so if any of you guys have info about topping off, I’m all ears.

In the meantime, here is an article from the San Francisco Chronicle on driving 55 mph. If you do not mind getting the middle finger and take extra time driving, maybe this will be of help.

You never will fathom how much you have been a blessing.

From Rick Ross, an announcement that Signature Books has published the diaries of L John Nuttal, temple recorder to Brigham Young and private secretary to two LDS presidents. This caught my eye:

As a polygamist, Nuttal lived underground for at least six years, beginning in the 1880s. He was bothered by long absences from his family, including his 18 children, and he suffered various health problems: a face rash, which he treated with sour cream and stewed cranberries; a stomachache he treated by drinking “about a wine-glass full” of squeezed carrot juice. Nuttal also had a strong aversion to the sedentary life of office work. When President Woodruff suffered abdominal problems, Nuttal waited on him, shaved him, kept his journal and attended to some of his office duties.

I can see why Nuttal used sour cream and cranberries in his treatment: Sour cream contains lactic acid, which exfoliates dead skin cells and the fats softens and soothes the skin. Cranberries are rich in antioxidants, vitamin C and has an astringent property. Combine them together and it sounds like one effective face mask.

My guess is that he used the crushed cranberry pulp and mixed it with the cream. Probably massaged the mix into the skin as the seeds help remove the dead skin.

The cynic in me would say that the high couture spas would take the recipe and charge at least 50 bux for an hour session.

Another part of my childhood in the San Fernando Valley has passed away today. Hal Fishman, the longest-running anchor in television history and an icon of Los Angeles culture, died this morning after a bout with cancer.

I remember our family watching the nightly news on Channel 5, and Hal was there with the stories. He spoke with authority and professionalism, something that is lacking in today’s news. Consider what he said in his 1985 interview in the LA Times:

“When I was a professor, I used to tell my students, ‘You can’t have a properly functioning democracy without an enlightened electorate.’ It’s our job as newscasters to enlighten the electorate. We are the conduits of information.”

There is a huge difference between enlightenment and entertainment. News as Enlightenment informs people; News as Entertainment sensationalizes and trivializes issues. Hal Fishman knew the difference. He will be sorely missed.

I’ve rented V for Vendetta, and it was a great, entertaining movie (even though things departed from the original graphic novel). Planning to write an article on Bishop Lilliman, the Office of the Holy Ministry, and Church and State. But first: a special request from your Friend of the Predigtamt.

If you have not made Eggy in the Basket, do so when you can.

There was this scene in which V made breakfast for Evey, who was hidden away in V’s sanctuary. What made it so humorous is that the guy in the Guy Fawkes costume…was wearing a cute patterned apron while frying eggy in the basket to the tune of The Girl from Ipenema. I mean…this guy blew up the Old Bailey, beat the living crap out of Fingermen, and took over the British Television building…and he decided to don something Martha Stewart would have worn. No wonder Alan Moore disassociated himself from the Wachowski Siblings’ project! Nevertheless, it was a great entertaining movie. The breakfast looked extremely great, and I had a craving to eat that today…and made the same meal the next day.

When I was in Irvine, a roommate referred to the dish as “One-Eyed Jacks”, which reminded me of the house of ill repute in Twin Peaks. But the method is still the same: Cut a hole in a slice of bread, fry both sides with butter. Crack an egg over the hole and the yolk should be in the middle of the hole. It’s okay if the white is all over the bread: it will soak through. Cook ’til the egg’s done. Adjust the temperature accordingly if you want a hard yolk or a soft yolk. I prefer mine hard. (Remember to follow food safety guidelines!)

You do not have to steal butter from wretched despots like Chancellor Sutler, but butter really makes the dish. It makes the bread golden brown and the bread will soak up the flavor. Using any other frying agent will make the bread taste like “Epic FAIL”.

Here’s to many years more.

Love,
Carol

In a month or so we’ll be going to Concordia Seminary-St Louis for Wayne’s class reunion. It has been 40 years since he was awarded his Master of Divinity degree, and many things has happened since then. He is looking forward to seeing his classmates and alma mater after so long. And yes, he will introduce me to all of them.

I noticed in the brochure that there will be this “Women’s Event” in which I’ll be dining with Mrs Dale Meyer and the Alumni Wives. Which means that unless any of Wayne’s classmates remarried, I would be the youngest wife in the bunch. Not only that, I might be the only one in the Wartburg dining hall whose still has her original hair color.

I told Preggie that I may be an Alumni Wife, but there is NO WAY that I’m going to look like an upholstered matron.

I’ve been on a Adam Ant kick for over two decades, ever since I’ve first seen the Desperate But Not Serious video at the age of four. On my 13th birthday, I got the Antics in the Forbidden Zone compilation tape, which was worn over time and broke one day years later. My parents, thank goodness, tolerated the Ants– they must have figured that Whip in My Valise is much tamer than my brother’s music collection of NWA and related groups.

But today, I want to shed a spotlight on one of the more obscure songs Adam and the Ants produced. They were pirates, dandy highwaymen, and noble savages. The Kings of the New Frontier album is heavy with the mighty warrior/American Indian imagery. One song, The Human Beings, is simply composed of the names of these tribes. It’s a hidden gem worth listening to, and I figured that I should share this with you.

“My biggest joy in life iterates your insistence that I am not disordered. Other worldly to you, but to me it’s merely my everyday splendor.”

Five Symposia ago, I was on my way to the Current Trends of Theology class when the Rev. Wayne Rutz was standing outside Wyneken Hall, near the Te Deum mosaic area. He opened the door for me and asked me if I was related to a fellow MA student, who happens to be also from California. It was a logical question to ask, since being Latina is not a common sight at the Seminary. I replied that she’s not related, but I knew her from class and her husband is also studying at the Sem for his MDiv. After a few minutes, Wayne asked if I was with someone at the Sem. I responded in the negative and I asked him if he brought his wife to the lectures. He replied that he was widowed nine years ago. He then talked about how he served over 35 years in ministry. After introductions, we chatted for a while.

I looked at the time. “I have a class to attend. Today, it will be a shortened class as everybody wants to see Neuhaus speak. But wait here. The way Symposia is, not too many people would attend the class.” I made a mad dash to the classroom and looked through the window. About 5 people in attendance. I was sure that Professor Muller would not mind me skipping class this one time. (Professor Muller: If you are reading this, my apologies. I had a very important appointment to keep.)

So, I went back to Pastor Rutz and hung out with him outside the doors. It turned out that Wayne was there to see Richard John Neuhaus speak. Richard was one of Wayne’s classmates during his studies at Concordia Seminary-St Louis. After that, he crossed over to the LCA and then one day joined the Catholic Church and became Father Neuhaus. His First Things magazine is very popular with the liturgical/conservative set.

After talking, we went to the commons and hung out with some students there. We talked for a while until it was time for the lecture. Walking down towards Wambsganss gym, Wayne asked me if I am interested in having dinner. I said yes, thinking that it could mean he’s taking me out to dinner, but considering my being at the Sem, the dinner was most likely a church potluck, complete with foam plates, mac and cheese, and punch served in those AAL-imprinted cups. We sat down together and listened to Fr Neuhaus attempt to explain why he became a Catholic. After that, we exchanged numbers and wished each other blessings.

The next evening, after the Symposia ended, Wayne called and asked me out for dinner Saturday night. I asked him if this is an actual date, and he said yes. “Do you know how old I am?” I inquired Wayne. “I’m 23. How about you?” He replied that he was 60. Then I asked: “Do you have any moral qualms about that?” “No,” he answered. “Me neither,” I answered. “See ya tomorrow night.” I accepted and had an enjoyable time. We hit it off immediately and we became together ever since.
This is my favorite love song, from Pulp. Jarvis Cocker’s persona is of a guy that would drink all your brandy after he has a tryst with your spouse. This song reflects his more tender side, revealing the sublime joy of meeting someone for the first time…and that someone is The One person who will be the love of your life.

I wrote this song two hours before we met
I didn’t know your name or what you like yet
Oh, I could have stayed at home and gone to bed
I could have gone to see a film instead
You might have changed your mind and seen your friend
Life could have been very different but then
Something changed

Do you believe that there’s someone up above?
And does he have a timetable directing acts of love?
Why did I write this song on that one day?
Why did you touch my hand and softly say
“Stop asking questions that don’t matter anyway
Just give us a kiss to celebrate here today
Something changed”

When we woke up that morning we had no way of knowing
That in a matter of hours we changed the way we were going
Where would I be now, where would I be now
If we have never met?
Would I be singing this song to someone else instead?
I dunno but like you just said
Something changed

God has sent my Prediger to me. He is my best friend and I thank God for him everyday. You never believe how much good you have brought into my life. Thank you, my husband.