Open Thread

slopefarm, I’m still a mets fan. it’s just that around August for the last few yrs, I’ve ADDED Yanks to my fandom (vs. jettison the Mets). for all the suffering I endured with Mets, rangers, and Knicks, I should get my honorary JEW certification (btw, I’ve already got the bargaining piece down pat).

Hasn’t Bill Bryson lived in the UK for a long time (much longer than Madonna) & has a British wife??
Thanks bxgrl and jessi. Pasty cakes are the best kind.

(I’m with CGar on ice cream jingles, now that I’m old and grouchy)

m4l — you can root for the Mets, but you can’t call them “your” Mets, if you are going to drop them like a hot potato for the Yanks every August. If they are your Mets, I’m calling ACS to have them removed from your custody. Not abuse, but definitely neglect.

CGar — Apparently the mayor agreed with you, as a law was passed a while back limiting the playing time. If the truck is singing but it ain’t moving, it’s breaking the law.

From wiki, for your edification: The jingle played by Mister Softee trucks is instrumental and based on The Whistler and his Dog in 1960 by Les Waas, but according to the New York Times, the lyrics are as follows:

“The creamiest, dreamiest soft ice cream,
You get from Mister Softee.
For a refreshing delight supreme,
Look for Mister Softee.
My milkshakes and my sundaes and my cones are such a treat,
Listen for my store on wheels, ding-a-ling down the street.
The creamiest, dreamiest soft ice cream,
You get from Mister Softee.
For a refreshing delight supreme,
Look for Mister Softee.
S-O-F-T Double ‘E’, Mister Softee.”

It is written in E-flat major with 6/8 time. In New York City, the trucks can only play the jingle while moving, to reduce noise.

P.S. The lyrics don’t scan particularly well with the tune — you need some artificial contractions and elongations to make it work.

Happy Birthday ETSON! (you too, Randi)