Banter Bites

Saving Time … Resetting Clocks? Again?

Although it’s time to change the clocks (again!), some things never change, including our very different opinions of Daylight Saving Time. But we do agree that the extra darkness requires us to be extra careful.

Love it, hate it, or just don't care about it … but you can't avoid it.

BANTER BITE BACKSTORY: It happens like clockwork every fall, as Red starts to hate the feeling of waking up in darkness, she's pleasantly reminded that the clocks will be turned back shortly; while to Black, who keeps oddball hours, none of it really matters to her, except for having to remember to reset all her clocks.


Red loves the fall and winter months, except when it gets too cold, which she now defines as dropping below freezing. Although she grew up in New York, her decades living in sub-tropical climates (first Hong Kong, then Shanghai, and now Houston) may not have "thinned out her blood" (as the old wives' tale says), but it has made her less tolerant of the cold. But that doesn't stop her from loving when it gets darker earlier, and for the same reason she likes dreary, rainy days (so long as she doesn't have to go out because it causes her hair to frizz) … she welcomes the cozy feeling of being bundled up inside.

Black, on the other hand, is more pragmatic about it. Initially, she thought Daylight Saving Time was instituted to save energy but was surprised to learn it's a moneymaking strategy endorsed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. And independent of the fact she prefers the extra sunlight (and vitamin D), she'd like them (she was fascinated to learn "them" is the Department of Transportation, although it would take an Act of Congress to do it) to permanently switch to Daylight Saving Time since we use it most the year anyway. (Sorry, Red.) Not to mention, it would eliminate time wasted resetting all the clocks twice a year.

What’s the cost of avoiding conflict at all costs?

BANTER BITE BACKSTORY: Red will admit that she’s always been an ostrich, although she’s not sure whether it was to avoid dealing with things she didn’t like or to avoid conflict at all costs, but knows whatever position she takes, Black will probably take the opposing side just for the fun of it.

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Beware the Ides of March! That sounds scary. But what is it? And is it a myth or the truth? Red knew it had to with (Julius) Caesar, and the mere mention of “Caesar” made Black question if we were talking about a General, a politician, or a salad. But it does reveal the power of storytelling, and how a good story can last not only decades, but centuries!

Is "The Ides of March" the day Julius Caesar was assassinated, a famous Shakespearean quote, or a George Clooney movie?

BANTER BITE BACKSTORY: The answer is "all three" but we'll completely understand if "The Ides of March" means nothing to you, or if you think it sounds familiar but you're not quite sure why.

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It’s easy to think that Girl Scouts are only about the cookies. But in celebration of tomorrow being National Girl Scout Day, take a moment to remember that they’re about so much more – as the organization was founded with the goal of building confidence, courage, and character. And we strongly support them as we believe girls can do anything!

Of course, you can help support your Girl Scouts by buying cookies, as long as you don’t want the new Raspberry Rally, as they’re already sold out!

Let's play word association. If we say, "Girl Scouts," what's the first word that comes to mind? Ok, what's the second word?

BANTER BITE BACKSTORY: When Juliette "Daisy" Gordon Low organized the first Girl Scout meeting – hoping to create an organization that redefined what was possible for girls everywhere – there was no way for her to know the difference it would make in the lives of millions of girls and their communities.

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