"Melvin Purvis" > wrote in message
...
> Help me out he
>
> In the cosmic scheme of Manliness and General Usefulness, which is a
> Mightier Skill:
>
> Being a kick-ass home baker who can produce professional-quality bread
> at home
> Being a master barbequer and smoker
>
> Inquiring minds want to know.

I recently watched the season finale of Mad Men, which I guess is why I
thought your subject line referred to that show.

Mad Men, for those who don't watch the show or receive it, is about a 1960
advertising agency. The men on that show wouldn't dream of baking
anything -- that's women's work. They wouldn't smoke anything either.
Well, that's not true -- they all chain smoke cigarettes. But they've
probably never eaten any smoked meat except maybe ham and bacon.

They'd barbecue steaks or hamburgers or hot dogs. Maybe to be exotic they
might grill some chicken. They'd cluster around the grill, drinking beer or
martinis, stopping every now and then to slap a child (not their own) or go
into the house to call a girlfriend in the city.

I love Mad Men but I'm really glad it's no longer the early 1960's.

Anny