Random thoughts and links, part 109

See? See right there? I'm NOT crazy. There really IS such a thing as Chocolate Pasta.

Way back in 1996, while on a trip to Atlanta for a piping and drumming workshop, my pals and I grabbed some dinner at a mall food court near our hotel. In this same mall was a candy shop that, along with the usual crappy, run-of-the-mill candy, had not only gourmet chocolate (like Godiva and Joseph Schmidt) but chocolate pasta.

Blown away by the concept of chocolate pasta, I bought a package to take home. I cooked it and, although I can't remember what I topped it with, I remember being impressed with it.

I've been looking for it for almost 12 years. I've checked chocolatiers and candy shops, international groceries and gourmet food markets. Most of the time I get a strange look when I ask for Chocolate Pasta. One time in a Kansas City gourmet shop I actually go the answer, "Oh, we stopped carrying that a while back." Oh, well, at least they had heard of it.

So a couple of weeks ago, just out of the blue, my brain brought up the old memories of chocolate pasta. So I sat myself down in front of the Mac and googled it. Now mind you, I've done this several times in the pst and come up with nothing.

But this time I struck gold. I found it. The same stuff I had found all those years ago. And Amazon was selling it. (Have I mentioned lately how much I love the internet?)

Viola! Two packages land on my doorstep a couple of days ago. And I now have a contact to get more!

I am most happy.

Speaking of travel, the Spouse and I will be hitting the road Friday down to Mobile where we'll catch us a big-ass boat on its way to a couple spots in Mexico. So while we're getting away from the ice and snow, here's some things to keep yall busy:

Who said dog shit isn't funny?

The holidays may be over, but there's always next year.

I can has day job?

Just in time for Valentine's Day... if you honestly, seriously, cannot bare the thought of being separated from your one true love...

Or, ladies, if you want to really surprise your sweetie, your "carpet" can now match your "drapes." (Stolen from Kim ;) )

But if Valentine's Day has you lonely and bitter, you can always sit around and contemplate your own mortality, artistically any way.

Or, let's say, you've been jilted recently. You could send your false love a gift that says how you really feel.

And for those poor gals who keep ending up the bridesmaid and never the bride, sister, we have a place for you.