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Tryptophan Trippin'
Topics: Tryptophan, Thanksgiving, 2007, Stories, funny, comedy, Bakotopia, Bakersfield, November 2007, blog
Posted by Bakontributor Thu Nov 15, 2007 21:15:31 PST
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0 responses 0 comments Tryptophan Trippin'
Thanksgiving memories courtesy of a chemically enhanced holiday feast. Happy Turkey Day!



By YOU, Bakotopia.com Contributors

Editor's Note: One widely-held urban myth is that heavy consumption of turkey meat (as for example in a Thanksgiving feast) results in drowsiness, which has been attributed to high levels of tryptophan, an essential amino acid contained in turkey - Wikipedia.org


Marsha Bidwell, Bakotopia.com Contributor

“About three years ago my daughter and I went to Albertsons for our Thanksgiving turkey.

I know, it sounds so harmless.

Well, the deal was that if you bought one turkey you can get another one for free. There we were in the frozen turkey section where we picked the perfect bird.
Now back to that ‘free’ one. I had to find another turkey that was the same price or lower then the first one - and I found it.

The problem was it was about halfway down the large pile of birds. I grabbed the one I wanted, and no sooner did I start to pull two doors down on both sides of me opened up and frozen turkeys shot out and hit a freshly waxed floor - and away they went.

There were about 30 frozen turkeys shooting through this store at mock speed. People were trying to head them off in all directions. I was mortified. It took six people over 30 minutes to round up the entire flock of frozen poultry. My daughter and I could not believe what had just happened.
 
After the bird’s ‘flew’ I was trying to remain calm and hope no one saw what had just taken place. Then as I rounded the corner I hit an entire display of pie crusts. I thought it could not get any worse at this point, but as we approached the checkout stand a young man came running up to us and yelled, “I got it!” and not only did he unload my cart - he put everything in my car.

I think there is a photo of me there to this day that states: ‘Keep this one away from the frozen turkeys!’”


Tam (GEPRS), Bakotopia.com Contributor

“One of the most fun - but wacky - Thanksgivings experiences we’ve had was when my family actually dressed up as medieval peasants and pilgrims - FULL costumes complete with authentic food from the period.

We had no eating utensils to use, and we had to eat the whole meal with our hands!

My brothers had brewed up some beer and mead, so we all got tipsy and it got a bit messy but we had a blast.”


Sistersheree, Bakotopia.com Contributor

“Most memorable thanksgiving ever was back in 1973 in Oklahoma when I watched my 12-year-old cousin, ‘Quilly,’ place a smooth, round rock into a leather sling and swing it around a few times. The rock, aimed through a thicket of trees, flew free from the leather sling, and separated a turkey from its head.

It was one of those, “You had to be there” abstract life moments. I am grateful as hell to have had so many awe-inspiring, abstract moments in my life.
Happy Thanksgiving to all! Please remember to start donating to our local food banks!”


Tashkajones, Bakotopia.com Contributor

“A couple of years ago I had psychology at BC. We got to take the “stress test” that assigns a numerical value to events that have happened in your life over the past year. That number should be indicative of the amount of stress it serves you. We won’t even go into my score, but one interesting thing on the list was holidays. Apparently holidays are one of the most stressful events of the year. I had never thought of it that way before, but I totally understand. Oh, and I’m thrilled to know that it’s not just me.

My family is an interesting mosaic of extremities. When I was a little one I remember both sides of my family having awesome holidays. We would all get together and sit at the gigantic dining room table. Grandma would get out her best sterling and china. For a few moments of each year, my family would get along as a unit.

I get along with most of my family - as separate components of a broken puzzle.

My dad’s family fell to pieces after grandma passed. I think they only talk to each other once or twice a year. OK, well I take that back. They only talk to my dad about once or twice a year. The uncles are a little closer than that.

My mom’s family, on the other hand, is an odd mix of people. Again, I get along with most of them. However, I do not think they should all be together in one place.

Picture this scene: Arguing over lame stuff which leads me and my brothers in the corner far away from everybody - happens at every gathering without fail.

So, what does this leave me with on the holidays? I run, run, run, and run some more. Each holiday typically involves me going to about four places to ensure I see all of my family. Unless, that is, I am fortunate enough to have the money for gas and the free time from studying to go to my uncle’s house in Montecito. 

Then I have a sweet excuse as to why I didn’t go anywhere else. Also having the time to relax on the patio in the sun where the table is set and have a nice, pleasant holiday.

So, if I get to see you this Thanksgiving, great! If not, I hope you all have a fantastic four-day weekend!”


Kindra79, Bakotopia.com Contributor

“Thanksgiving has to be my favorite holiday besides Halloween. I mean, think about it - you’re surrounded by family, food, pies, and presents.  

Who doesn’t love to eat, spent time with their family, and be showered with gifts? Oh wait, not everyone was born the week of Thanksgiving?

Every year, without fail, my family believes that my birthday is on Thanksgiving.

I’m some mystical error with a rotating birth date. My birthday will completely come and go and they’ll look shocked when I announce, “Thanks, it was yesterday” when they happily exclaim “Happy Birthday!” thinking they are the very first one to bestow these words on me.

It has come to the point where even I forget my own birthday. Shoot, half the time I can’t even tell you how old I am without thinking about it first.

 Still, this long running joke has never bothered me. As a kid it actually made the festivities last just that much longer. A week or two before my birthday Mom would load up a carload of giggling little girls, take us to the ice skating rink, let us loose to Boy George tunes, then load us back in and give us some motherly advice, “I'm going to tell you girls one thing, and you better listen, OK? Do not let a boy stick his tongue in your mouth.”

At 9 years old we had no idea what she was talking about, but it sounded pretty gross ...”

*Originally printed in Bakotopia Magazine, issue 15, 11-15-07

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