Parapraxis in action

[nmg]

So, the garklet got a whole bunch of brightly-coloured plastic toys for his birthday and for Christmas, and most of them a) make electronic noises when you press buttons and b) have no off switch. Given that he's attracted to buttons like a wasp to jam (a case in point: I've taped cardboard over the power switch for the television, because he was trying to power cycle it a couple of times a second), we're pretty inured to said noises by now. I've 'fixed' the really objectionable ones with the help of Mr. Screwdriver; he'll get the batteries back in a few years time.

One of the toys is a cement truck (from ELC, I believe) which makes noises when you press the head of the not-Bob-the-Builder-honest figure. It says the following, in order:

• "Where do you want it?"
• "Let's get mixing!"
• "It won't take long to set."
• "Four parts sand, one part cement."

However, I've realised that I've been mentally translating the last phrase as "four parts gin, one part vermouth". My brain is clearly trying to tell me something...

Comments

[nmg.livejournal.com]

I have to admit, I prefer my Martinis (and Gibsons) rather less dry than Lehrer suggests. 4:1 are the normal proportions I'd mix.

[makyo.livejournal.com]

I remember reading somewhere (I've a vague recollection that it might be in one of Stephen Potter's books, but I'd have to check) a recommendation that the perfect Martini can be made by allowing a glass of gin to stand, for a few seconds, in the shadow of a bottle of vermouth.

(I don't drink, though, so I don't have an opinion on whether this is a good idea or not.)

[nmg.livejournal.com]

Winston Churchill was reputed to mix Martinis by putting gin in a mixing glass, and glaring at the vermouth.

[drdoug.livejournal.com]

fantastic - am on a Churchill jag ATM and have never understood the appeal of Vermouth so will adopt this recipe myself.

[nmg.livejournal.com]

Bah. Vermouth is lovely.

[drdoug.livejournal.com]

I've never been - I'm told it's beautiful in the Fall, and the maple syrup is world class.

[nmg.livejournal.com]

Badabum-ching! You're here all week, right?