and while i'm at it....

since i am on the subject of chopsticks, i'd like to take this opportunity to call the bout and declare a winner...the fork...yes, the fork is clearly dominant over the chopstick. i understand that chopsticks are a chinese cultural thing and there is no way that they would admit that a western invention is better than their own..this is fine, i understand, but there is really no comparison. allow me to elaborate through example: the first week i was here i was eating with my chinese friend; i was trying to pick up a potato that was pyramidal in shape (sp3-sp2 hybridized?) {please note that the preceeding will only be understood by a select few who took chem 227,228 and that i don't really know what i am talking about} i digress, so i'm getting really frustrated because i can't pick it up and i'm looking like a really dumb foreigner, so i ask my chinese friend to try and pick it up; he tries for about a minute, and too my delight, can't get it either. he then suggests that i hold the plate up to my mouth and shovel it in (refer to previous post). case and point! and this doesn't even consider the need to cut pieces of food! so, i will joyfully continue the use of chopsticks (it really is fun) but the winner has clearly been decided.*

jerry seinfeld: 'how did they not figure out the fork? i mean, when they are out digging ditches they are using shovels, right? not pool cues'...

*the preceeding does not consider the 'spork' a valid contender.