Comments on: Some Troubling Thoughts.

By: Contagion

Contagion — Sun, 08 Jan 2006 16:47:18 +0000

I’m 31 and I know what a church key is. We used them in Scouts all the time. Dang things where hard on the fingers.

By: Bad Example

Bad Example — Sun, 08 Jan 2006 03:43:29 +0000

THE GREAT CHURCH KEY DEBATE

Jim of Parkway Rest Stop offhandedly mention that knowing what a “church key” is is a sign that you’re probably over 40, which naturally sparked some discussion in the comments about what a “church key” is. Jim says it’s a…

By: CraigC

CraigC — Sat, 31 Dec 2005 07:26:26 +0000

MCPO, maybe I haven’t been paying attention at Sondra’s, but I didn’t know you’re an East-Coaster.

Remember when pull-tabs first came out, and half the time they didn’t work, and you ended up having to open the goddam beer with a screwdriver, or something? Good times.

By: dogette

dogette — Sat, 31 Dec 2005 05:38:14 +0000

One tiny quibble with your titling/labeling. I would say numbers 9 and 10 weren’t just “troubling” thoughts. Aren’t they more like “go fill the old clawfoot bathtub with water, turn on some real depressing music, get into the tub, and then drop in 6 hot toaster-ovens” thoughts?

By: Jim - Parkway Rest Stop

Jim - Parkway Rest Stop — Sat, 31 Dec 2005 04:12:02 +0000

Ah, yes…. The Coney Island Whitefish. We used see small schools of them from the Rye Beach boat.

By: Elisson

Elisson — Sat, 31 Dec 2005 04:09:38 +0000

Church key, sure – and what about the elusive Coney Island Whitefish?

By: JCK

JCK — Fri, 30 Dec 2005 22:37:56 +0000

Jim,
Thanks. Church key. Heh. I really did not know. My dad was not much of a beer drinker, and my mom was more of a scotch drinker. By the time I was old enough to drink, pop tops were available, and I switched to other spirits soon after. But I do really like that euphemism.

By: Jim - Parkway Rest Stop

Jim - Parkway Rest Stop — Fri, 30 Dec 2005 17:13:54 +0000

Joated,

Nope. No iPod, and no music. I walk in town, and I need both eyes and both ears to keep from being run down by one of our courteous and careful drivers. If I walked on a track or a treadmill (blecch), I would listen to music. However, as much as I love music, I often get blogging ideas or mentally formulate posts while walking, and music would likely screw that up.

Oh, and for those who don’t know (I know you do), a church key is an old-fashioned can opener. Used to be you needed one to open beer cans.

By: JCK

JCK — Fri, 30 Dec 2005 15:10:10 +0000

Well, you managed to make me feel better about having left NJ. Of course, MI politicians are not something to brag about, but not nearly as amazing.

However, I am over 40 (44), and I am ashamed to admit I have no idea what church keys are?

By: joated

joated — Fri, 30 Dec 2005 14:36:56 +0000

And again with that age thing! (See #1-4 on your list.) Stop being so maudlin, dammit! (You’re reminding me how old I am, too. My teachers have passed, I know what coal is, and I have several church keys in the drawer. (Though my pocket knife has a very serviceable opener for cans and bottles, thank you.))
Get some Sousa Marches (or Williams for that matter) ripped onto that iPod.