A churro is something like a Mexican doughnut. Epicurious defines them as being made in a spiral, but the kind you buy in Santa Cruz are shaped - rather unfortunately - like a long, corrugated extrusion from the lower intestines. Rather fitting, since one could argue that a certain percentage of any consumed will continue to reside precisely there.

We've plans to go to the Santa Cruz beach boardwalk tomorrow where I will consume at least one churro, but where I will not likely see anything like the kind of healthy, active people featured in the never-ending commercials that will play on television from now until Labor Day.

What I will see are people for whom shambling about outside their cars is a sweaty, indignant labor. What fun!

But on the less cynical side, I'm genuinely looking forward to an odor combination - yes - that, if you know it, should trigger a tidal wave of sense-memories: salty ocean breeze, french fries, and vinegar.