And thus it began:

Post # 74—Robert Sorenson says:

An open letter to the VHISN

We have been observing with great interest the formation of the VHISN. It pains us to admit that, alas, we do not meet all the qualifications to a level in which you would be satisfied. Nevertheless we greatly admire your thirst for knowledge in this worthy area of study. This presented us with a conundrum--not just any humdrum conundrum, either. After long reflection it has been decided that on behalf of the Zeppo Foundation we extend an olive branch by providing a year's supply of Weetabix for the cafeteria. We hope this provides the necessary texture to keep you awake on those challenging nocturnal field trips. Please accept this as a token of goodwill and friendship. We wish the faculty well and look forward to further communication. Respectfully Yours, Rob Sorenson, Xander Harris and Buffy Summers-Harris.

Post # 75—Rusty Good says:

As President of VHISN I would like to personally thank the Zeppo Foundation for its generous contribution. We gratefully accept anything that helps us keep our energy up for pursuing the knowledge. And as Spike knows, you can never have enough Weetabix!

Post # 76—ellie jason says:

Dear professor Sorenson-

thank you for the extended olive branch. It pains any administration to have to prune their departmental offerings. There is always the Department of Unsubs(tantiated rejection).

Alas I have been instructed to remind you that Weetabix necessarily insures that the Gilesaphobes among us will "never eat food of any kind" (or something to that effect) and that an offering of "flowering onion" would be a more than acceptable substitute.

Sincerely; gladys"snark"(nom de plume or guerre)

Post # 77—ellie jason says:

Dear Dr. Goode-

May I please request that you keep me apprised of any letters of compliance with the unshriven in the future?

I feel that we were onto a bigger and better donation if we had just stuck together. Oh well- I rahter like Weetabix myself- lets hope the Gilesaphobes and Gilesaphiles don't have a hissy fit.

Post # 80—Spring Summers says: Professor Sorenson:

As a VHISN Chair, I want to thank you for the Weetabix contribution.

In return, I would offer the Zeppo Foundation a free deluxe DVD version of "King Ralph", and shiny new linoleum for your cafeteria.

I do feel an obligation, as a full-fledged S'cubie, to point out to you that Spike's last name is not Harris - at least I don't think it is, unless you know something I don't know. So Buffy will probably just stick with "Buffy Summers".



So then, after a lengthy discussion on just what exactly Weetabix actually is, I myself posted the original quote from Hush (season 4, episode 10):

The following is quoted from the Butffy shooting scripts on www.studiesinwords.com

Act 1

INT. GILES' APARTMENT - DAY

Giles sits at his table, talking with Buffy on the phone.

GILES

"Can't even shout, can't even cry... the Gentlemen are coming by... "It sounds vaguely familiar -- you're sure you never heard this as a child? (listens) All right... and the girl was holding a box. Nothing else? (listens) Well, it certainly could be one of your prophecy dreams, or it could just be the eternal mystery that is your brain. I'll check it out, let you know if I come up with anything. B'bye. He hangs up, studies his notes. Calls out:

GILES

Have you ever heard of a group call the Gentlemen? The person he is talking to is Spike, who appears in the kitchen rummaging through some cupboards, mouth full of crackers.

SPIKE

Group a what?

GILES

The Gentlemen.

SPIKE

Don't know ‘em.

GILES

You're certain?

SPIKE

No. We're out of Weetabix. Giles crosses to the shelf behind his couch, rummages as he talks.

GILES

We're out of Weetabix because you ate it all. Again.

SPIKE

Get some more.

GILES

I thought vampires were supposed to eat blood. Spike crosses to the couch with a snack.

SPIKE

Yeah, well sometimes I like to crumble up the Weetabix in the blood. Gives it a little texture.

GILES

Well, since the picture you've just painted means I will never touch food of any kind again, I'm afraid you'll have to pick it up yourself.

SPIKE

Sissy.

All things Spike/James Marsters Part 6

Post # 225 vlad imp says:

Yes indeed. I believe I will throw a party for all the Chairs (and certain snarky or non-traditional students). Come one, come all...the pizza and Weetabix are on me. BYOB, however.

Vlad, ta., TP.

Proud to be a S'cubie

Post # 241 watergal says:

I've got some maple syrup my uncle made that we can have along with our Wheetabix. That should up the Yum factor. (Wheetabix is like Shredded Wheat right? Different brands up here sometimes. I could bring some Shreddies too. Much better than Shredded Wheat.)

Watergal

Post # 278 vlad imp says:

Okay, so much to catch up on. Where to start The most important things first, right? Okay:

1. Water Gal, I was under the impression that Wheetabix were cookies or crackers, in the vein of Wheat Thins. Biscuits in every other English speaking country (other than Canada, and aren't they really just Americans too dumb to move to where its warm?) call cookies "biscuits", and if I remember right, Robert made a reference to them being English in origin. I assumed the "bix" part meant "biscuit."

As far as putting maple syrup on it..hmmm..well, heck, I'll try most anything once.

Post # 287:

Okay now, am really confused. What the heck is Wheetabix anyway?

Watergal

Post # 289: Went to the website to answer my own question.

http://www.weetabix.co.uk/frameset.asp

And I quote "Weetabix is made from whole grains - which are an excellent source of dietary fibre. It also contains many of the things our bodies need to stay fit and healthy, like protein and carbohydrate which repair body cells and give us energy, B vitamins and important minerals such as iron. Weetabix is ideal as part of a well-balanced diet."

So we are dealing with a breakfast cereal here folk and I submit it is not unlike Shredded Wheat. Basically hay stacks of wheat stalk like food product. Really good roughage and good to add a little crunch to your evening repast.

Watergal

Post # 296: Rusty Goode says:

I'm sure someone has replied to the Weetabix posts but I bought some when I was in the UK just to check it out. It's the poor cousin to Shredded Wheat. Smaller, paler and with less taste, but in the same shape. It's probably what they made David Copperfield eat in the orphan asylum. It's kind of a cultural joke.



Post #304: Diane Ullman says:

My (English and kind of Giles-like) husband tells me Weetabix is a little like our Shredded Wheat.



Post # 306 Diane Ullman says:

http://www.schumann.cleveland.oh.us/weetabix.html

"The world's finest breakfast cereal, originating in the United Kingdom, Weetabix is available in many places in the United States but is a little hard to find in your typical supermarket. It is like the Nabisco Shredded Wheat product, but with the wheat flaked rather than "shredded," yielding a greater propensity to get soggy very quickly in milk. (This is neither a bug nor a design flaw; it's a 'feature.')"

This may be why Spike likes the "texture".



Post # 309: Rusty Goode says: Soggyness is a *feature*?

Post # 310 Diane Ullman says: :Soggyness is a *feature*? :

Apparently. Having eaten a good deal of the cooking, I'd say so.

Post # 325 Spring Summers says:

I live in a University area, so it is very multicultural and the local grocery sells Wheatabix. It caught my eye one day and I looked at the box and thought it just looked awful - like Shredded Wheat's emaciated English cousin. I was curious about it, but not curious enough to buy it.

I do not doubt "soggy" is a feature. My exposure to the cooking of the British Isles has been minimal, but still almost more than this poor Italian-American's palate could handle (all 4 grandparents from the old country!). There is a reason you don't see "British" restaurants on every street corner.



So Athene, that brings you up to date on the salient points of the Weetabix discussion. I found some at my local chain grocery store Just look next to the "old-people cereal" next to the Shredded Wheat, the Bran cereal that is only good in muffins and the tasteless stuff kids will not touch.

And in Soulful Spike Society Part 7

Post # 214 Athene V. says:

Aka everything you ever wanted to know about Weetabix

But were afraid to ask.

I have a good image of it now, and I know exactly where I'd be likely to buy it.

I hope upon hope that I'll be able to get him to sign more than one item.

Post # 217: Diane Ullman says:

Husband filled me in a little more about the stuff. Apparently it's quite nice (this from a man who LIKES Spam!) until it 'sets up'. That is, too long in milk and it becomes something like a cross between library paste and papier mache'.

Ew.

I may have to stop at the International Department of the food store and actually try the stuff.

Post # 218: vlad imp says:

SPAM sliced very, very thin and fried til crispy is good.

Did I mention Shredded Wheat (not that sugared Frosted Mini Wheats crap...that's for weenies) ranks in my top 5 cereals?

Post # 219: Diane Ullman says:

Actually, according to Ian, the stuff's flaked more than shredded. I gotta get some to check it out. One must test the ensogulation factor.

Evidently Spike isn't the only superhero to have a taste for the stuff.