The Dippin' Dots Theory of Good Times

🌈 Abstract

The article discusses the author's theory that it is difficult to have a bad time when Dippin' Dots are nearby, as well as their views on potato salad being a "Side Dish of the Here and Now." It also covers the author's experience making two versions of potato salad for a backyard barbecue, a cocktail recipe featuring Bénédictine liqueur, a recommendation for the band Cloud Nothings, and a review of the book "Harold" by Steven Wright. Additionally, the author reflects on childhood milestones and shares reader-submitted photos of pets.

🙋 Q&A

[01] Dippin' Dots and Potato Salad

1. What is the author's theory about Dippin' Dots? The author believes it is difficult, if not impossible, to have a bad time when Dippin' Dots are nearby, as they are found in places that are almost exclusively "A Good Time" - amusement parks, ballparks, zoos, carnivals, etc.

2. How does the author view potato salad? The author believes that potato salad is a "Side Dish of the Here and Now," meant for picnics, potlucks, and backyard barbecues, rather than for sad desk lunches. The author made two versions of potato salad for a backyard barbecue - a traditional version and a Spanish-inflected batch.

[02] Cocktail and Music Recommendation

1. What cocktail did the author recommend? The author recommended the "Antibes" cocktail, which features gin, Bénédictine, and grapefruit juice, as a warm-weather vehicle for the Bénédictine liqueur.

2. What band did the author recommend? The author recommended the band Cloud Nothings, specifically their recent album "Final Summer," as they are from the author's hometown of Cleveland.

[03] Book Review

1. What is the book "Harold" about? "Harold" is a novel by comedian Steven Wright that follows the stream-of-consciousness thoughts of a seven-year-old boy attending third grade in Massachusetts in the 1970s. The author found the book to be a visceral reminder of what it feels like to be a kid, with thoughts that are simultaneously innocent and dark.

[04] Childhood Milestones

1. What question did the author pose to readers about their own childhood milestones? The author asked readers what childhood milestone, such as going off a diving board, riding a roller coaster, or climbing a tall tree, had once loomed large but felt small in retrospect.

[05] Reader-Submitted Pet Photos

1. What pets were featured in the reader-submitted photos? The reader-submitted photos featured a happy, newly adopted dog named Marley, a battle-hardened feral cat named Stallone, and a young Pumi dog named Polka with large, expressive ears.