Tuesday, June 24, 2008

The Appetite of Youth

Today at lunch, I was a witness to something I had only heard allusions to on Whataburger commercials.

The young fella that's an intern here, a big strapping former offensive lineman, actually ate a triple-meat with bacon Whataburger, along with a bucket of fries and a big coke.

The older guys present, of which I am chronologically the eldest, were aghast at the thought of putting that much meat into one's stomach.

In my day, three patties was virtually un-thought-of. Double meat was the epitome of gluttony, and that's pretty much the standard of consumption for me way back in the 70's and 80's. The idea of putting on another quarter-pound of beef and three slices of bacon hadn't crossed anyone's minds yet. I wouldn't think. I "usta-could" eat a double meat cheeseburger, and did on many, many (many,many) occasions, but that was when I did something besides sit on my backside and click a mouse for 9 hours a day.

I checked in with him a little later in the afternoon to see how he was faring after his gastronomical gut-bomb. He affirmed that he was doing pretty well, although, he did admit that an hour or so earlier, he had a patty on each eyelid, pulling them toward the ground floor.

Those days are gone for me, however. One patty, one burger, a tomato slice, pickle, ketchup, cheese and mayo, on a good day. But that's only maintenance. If I actually DID anything, I'd probably take up less real estate.

Oh, well, that's a big "IF".

5 comments:

Rob V. said...

Let me see ...
A triple-meat burger, plus a "bucket" of fried potatoes, plus one large (sugar saturated) cola ...
That one meal (I use the term very loosely) probably has enough calories to sustain a very large Pakistani family for about a month.
Oh, the hardships and deprivations we face here in America!

Wollf Howlsatmoon said...

Heh....yup, my 16 year old cub's favorite meal is a thing called the Bacon Bomb....imagine for yourself.

I ensure that they stay fit and trim with healthy food and lots of outdoor activity....but once a month......All Heck breaks out at the Lair.

Ferinstance? Tonight's the night. Dinner is gonna be....

Large fresh baked Chocolate chip cookies, with a slice of swiss cheese and crisp fried bacon on top, microwaved to melty perfection, and a dribble of Maple Surple on top.

Sided with Bread and Butter Vlasic pickles....milk for them, a Corona for me........

Almost Heaven....you can actually feel your arteries crying in pain.....

Wollf

Anonymous said...

Lineman have to do something to get noticed. They spend all summer lifting weights so they can block correctly, open a hole for the running back, and then the running back gets his photo in the paper.
He's just trying to out-what-a-burger the real stars.
Pathfinder
(former SJC employee for waay to long)

Anonymous said...

Big Toe....
Do I hear some hostility coming from those emails you are sending out? My Son can eat one of those too! He is a seventeen year old that can't seem to get enough to eat.
rob v, Love that professional photo!

aA said...

Big Toe; no hostility, just awe and wonder. Cuz I look back, realize that I used to be able to eat that way, then I say, "AW, no WONDER I weigh what I do!"