[Sca-cooks] "The Mom Face"

[Rosine]

Completely off topic, of course...

   During my last three months in the Navy, while stationed in Yokosuka,
Japan, I pulled Shore Patrol Duty. Now - I was 7 months preggers with what
turned out to be a 10 and a half pound baby boy, so "small" did NOT describe
my profile. The protective males at the Shore Patrol office tried to send me
back to my command with a request that a different person be assigned - and
I was having none of it. I was rabidly opposed to special treatment on the
basis of my sex (or condition)... so I gave 'em the "beginning Mom face" and
explained what kind of trouble they could get into should I raise
sexual-discrimination charges. They gave me my arm band, billy club and
partner...
   I should point out that for the most part, shore patrol duty in that area
was a walk in the park - boring, full of stops at marvelous road-side stands
of incredible food, and lots of chatting with store keepers. Trouble was
rare. So of course, foreshadowing the advent of Drakey, we got trouble.
   A bar brawl, to be exact. Heralded by a chair cracking a window. My
partner radioed the office for backup as we headed for the door.
   We step inside. Partner moves in front of my bulging belly as he sees the
movie-like brawl in progress. I, without even realising I'm strong enough,
move him aside with a sweep of one arm, take a stance of Total Matriarichal
Disapproval (arms folded across the top of swelling belly, legs settled
wide, glare in place), and shout:
   "Don't EVEN make me have to have this baby!"

   Total silence. (I'll be danged. Didn't think it would work.) Everyone
freezes, heads turn, stiffled amazed reactions as dazed eyes take in "The
Belly". One lonely little chuckle triggers the surge of laughter... everyone
cracks up, settling into chairs, dropping to floor, releasing everyone else
they were slugging. By the time our back-up folks arrive, the brawlers are
cleaning up the mess and pulling out wallets to pay for the damages and the
owner is bowing and agreeing to not press charges and wants to know if this
is my first child...

   The only price I paid was having my belly cermonially rubbed by every
single one of those smart-a** sailors as they got escorted to the wagon.

Rosine
Food content - *Why* does Japanese chocolate taste so very different from
European and American chocolate? I'm talking about the big broken blocks you
buy on street corners and at festivals...