this ain't livin'

Eating in America | 22Nov06

There seems to be a growing awareness in this country that there is something wrong with the way we eat an interact with food. Browsing Cody’s the other day, I noticed a huge layout of books all about the American food crisis: the way we eat, where our food comes from, and how our fast paced lifestyles are destroying us from within. This topic seems to come up a great deal at Thanksgiving, a holiday when families traditionally cook large meals incorporating a complex mixture of ingredients.

I swung by the grocer’s last night to pick up a few things for Thanksgiving, and it was interesting so contrast my basket with others. To begin with, I took a bus to the grocery store and had to be conscious about how much I was carrying. I also didn’t need to pick up meat and stuffing ingredients, because the Cap’ns are doing that. Thus I can’t be too smug about my shopping.

I had: milk, cream, buttermilk, butter, eggs, white flour, yeast, water chestnuts (Cap’n Raspberry is skeptical about putting them in the stuffing but he says if I buy them, he’ll use them), spaghetti squash, corn, acorn squash, apples, a pie pumpkin, Yukon gold potatoes, and cranberries. Today some of those ingredients turned into pumpkin pie and bread, with the assistance of other ingredients I had around the house, and tomorrow I’ll be making apple dumplings (or pie, the jury is still out), along with roasting the squashes and corn and ricing the potatoes to make buttermilk mashed potatoes. Later today I’ll go back into the City to pick up salad ingredients.

I think our meal is going to be well balanced: a mixture of fresh vegetables, meaty goodness, and salad. I think we will probably eat more than is good for us, but it will be a balance of healthy, delicious food cooked by caring hands. I was surprised by how many people purchase packaged meals, where turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, and a lone woeful looking vegetable all come out of a box. Where’s the fun in that?

A friend seemed incredulous yesterday when I said I was on the way to the grocers to pick up ingredients.

“Oh,” he said, “you’re making everything from scratch?”

Well, hardly. If I was making the meal from scratch, I would have planted squashes in the early summer, along with corn seedlings. I’d have a field of wheat which would have been threshed and ground into flour. I would collect local wild yeast, grow my own potatoes, and have a miniature cranberry bog. There would be a cow or two in the back yard along with a turkey.

But yes, I am assembling things ingredient by ingredient, rather than buying everything pre-packaged.

“Well,” I said, “I think it has been established that I am kind of a food Nazi, and I think it will taste better.”

Does it?

I think so, but maybe that’s because I was raised on home made food. My father cooked dinner for us every single night, and it was always varied, interesting, and delicious. But friends of mine raised on macaroni and cheese out of the box often don’t like my food. It’s “weird.” My cooking has “too many strange flavours.” My bread isn’t white. My pie “isn’t sweet enough.”

But I feel like my food is also healthier. I have more control over my ingredients and where they come from. I can season food to my taste, seeking out flavors I like and discarding flavors I don’t. I experiment with my food, and I’m always willing to try something new in the kitchen…as long as it’s not out of a box. I really just can’t fathom making things out of boxes. It mystifies me, and it mystifies some of my acquaintances when they mention off hand that “such and such a food” would be good and the next time they come over I’ve looked up various recipes and made it. “Oh,” they say, “I was thinking the kind that Kraft makes.”

Numerous authors have written that we are losing our connection with food: I don’t think that point needs to be belabored. But I think sometimes that the food gods on high alienate consumers with talks of a locavore diet (a noble and great thing, but a stretch for some people), or other various high and mighty things. You don’t have to make bread with whole wheat flour. I could make a bread surprisingly similar to Wonderbread if I wanted to, and maybe I would if it would show someone that it is possible to make cheaper, healthier incarnations of the food they eat every day. I think that dietary change is all about baby steps.

First, show people that home made bread is easier and cheaper than store bought bread. Show them that it can be therapeutic, that it makes the house smell good, that it is worth the time and making bread can be worked into a busy schedule: millions of housewives over the centuries can’t be wrong. Show them that familiar foods can be replicated without the use of artificial colors, flavoring, and stabilizers. Let people taste fresh home made food…and then try to win them over to the gospel of organic, of whole grain, of locally sourced sustainable food.

People eat trash because their parents fed them trash, and they perceive it as easier. Rather than trying to convert a die hard McDonald’s fan to a locally based vegan diet, first get them making burgers at home. I think that most people will be converted when they experience the taste difference. Especially for families, making and serving food together can be a fun experience…and will be the formation of a new generation of food Nazis, who think nothing of whipping of a quiche or experimenting with a new recipe.

Expanding the American palate is not going to happen overnight, but it might require less effort than you think.

[American diet]
[NaBloPoMo]

Astonishing | 21Nov06

No, I mean, really. I was flabbergasted when I read this article in the San Francisco Chronicle, talking about a substitute teacher who allowed students to share lancets in a science class. This story shocked me on so many levels that I didn’t actually know where to begin when formulating a reaction. And we all know that I dislike children, so that’s saying something.

Needle sharing has been condemned for over twenty years as a common vector of disease transmission. Many viruses can live in the blood for a surprisingly long time, and therefore medical professionals are required to use a fresh, sterilized needle on every patient. Furthermore, each time a needle is used it dulls. Therefore, needle reuse can be painful, because a dull needle causes far more pain than a sharp one. Those two things, right there, are a really good reason not to share needles, ever, especially when they are cheap and available.

For an education professional to violate such a basic precept of disease protocol is shocking. Most teachers are extensively trained in HIV/AIDS prevention, and are committed to the health of the minors in their charge. Part of infection training includes the risks of exposure to bodily fluids, and sharing a lancet will certainly result in shared body fluids. Parents trust schools and teachers to provide a safe environment for their children to learn in, and I’m sure this news report was chilling to the bone for a large number of parents.

Needles shouldn’t have been used in that classroom at all, due to the inherent risk which opening up wounds provides. Open wounds do not belong in the classroom, kiddos! Most people remember looking at cheek cells under a microscope, and remember the lesson as a fun and interesting look at the human body. Taking cheek swabs is very easy for a student to perform, and carries a much smaller risk than drawing blood. I simply cannot comprehend why this substitute thought it was acceptable to expose anyone to such danger, and cannot help but think that either the decision was deliberate or the teacher was under the influence. This is the sort of thing which should be common sense: no one should have to tell an education professional that ou students should not be allowed to share needles.

Furthermore, most seventh grade students should be aware enough to speak out in a situation like this. Blind obedience to adults is never a good course of action, especially when your health is at risk. One of the students should have objected during the class session, instead of waiting to tell mother later, and parents need to inform their children that they are allowed to take any measure necessary, including defying an adult to protect their personal health and safety.

While the region may have low rates of blood borne disease, these diseases could still be present. If the parents and children are fortunate, blood testing will confirm that all of the children are negative for any blood borne pathogens. If a child is infected with something, however, the wait could be six weeks to six months before the rest of the children will be safe. This incident may have ruined the substitute’s career, but the fact that it might ruin a young adult’s life is tragic.

Furthermore, the school is not behaving in a professional manner, only telling parents to take their children to the pediatrician. The school should be providing blood testing and monitoring for a period of up to six months to ensure that nothing has been transmitted in this foolhardy incident. Not only is this ethically responsible, but it also allows the school to determine the source of infection, if an infection is identified. For example, if one of the students has Hepatitis the disease could be genotyped, so that if additional students get Hepatitis, epidemiologists can determine whether the HCV+ child infected others in the class. I hope that the state steps in in this case to supervise, since the school has clearly lost control.

Infection prevention is a really important thing, especially in environments where hundreds of people could potentially be exposed. Parents should not have to be afraid to send their children to school, and children should be taught to stand up for themselves. Shame on that anonymous teacher, shame on the school, and shame on the parents for not raising independent, thinking children.

[infection prevention]
[NaBloPoMo]

Goodwill to Dinner | 20Nov06

Thanksgiving is rapidly approaching, and already our household is in a flutter. We had a strategic meeting last night where we determined the full menu that lies ahead of us, and planned out our baking. We’re fortunate in that the Cap’ns live right down the street, so we essentially have two kitchens to play with. I’ll be doing the bulk of the baking on Wednesday (apple pie, pumpkin pie, pecan-chocolate torte, dinner rolls, cinnamon bread, cranberry chocolate tarts) and then on Thursday the true fun will begin.

Cap’n Raspberry gamely volunteered to “take care of the turkey,” and I wish him the best of fortune in that endeavor. I wasn’t actually that fixated on turkey, mainly because I usually find that people over cook it and underseason it, resulting in a dull and bland meal. But the Cap’n wanted tryptophan, so turkey it is. He’s also taking care of stuffing and gravy, which leaves me mashed potatoes, baked yams, top secret brussels sprouts, grilled corn, and salad with Puff.

I was a vegan for number of years, and have always been amazed and amused by Thanksgiving, because it’s such a meat-o-centric holiday. I’ve had many delicious vegan Thanksgivings, utterly turkey free and perfectly fun, but I admit I am kind of looking forward to making a “traditional” Thanksgiving meal. The turkey is the centerpiece of an overindulgent meal, with ravenous hordes beating down the table for seconds. It’s the one holiday that I take very, very seriously, because it involves food on a scale which causes my heart rate to accelerate. And all of the food is relatively easy to make, not like these complex and insane meals that I construct most of the time. Sure, there’s a lot of stuff on the table, but all of it flows so nice and easily that in a way it’s a very relaxing holiday for me.

So how about that turkey.

This year there seems to be a growing interest in heritage and heirloom turkeys, which The Ethicurean’s Dairy Queen has explained in more detail here. Go on, read it, I’ll wait. It is a very informative look at turkey nomenclature, which can be dizzying to the uninitiated. For consumers trying to be conscious, food labeling can be deeply confusing, and I know that I for one wish there was more standardization in all these terms being tossed around, willy nilly, like so many giblets.

I think that more and more consumers are finally starting to connect meat with animals, and are feeling concern and perhaps even empathy for their food. I am pleased to see this, in a world where factory farming is so dominant. It is my ardent hope that consumer awareness will terminate the process of factory farming, that all of us will end up eating less meat but that it will be healthy, sustainable meat. The way in which we raise food animals is wrong.

Of course, many upscale markets like Whole Foods have begun to realize the potential sales value of sustainable farming. Consumers will pay more for food which they perceive as ethically more justifiable, and Whole Foods is happy to help with labeling like the Animal Compassion tags that are starting to pop up on meat products.

While I make fun of the capitalists for seizing upon the commercial value of humane meat, I think it is a very positive step in the right direction. After all, McDonald’s caused major reforms in chicken farming due to consumer outcry. In a capitalist nation, you’ve got to harness the man to achieve your goals. The growing popularity of sustainable meats is a really positive sign in the market, and I encourage all of you who haven’t already made your Thanksgiving arrangements to think about getting meat that makes you feel good while you eat it.

If you don’t have access to a local farm, pester your butcher. Find out where the meat comes from, and do some research on their farming practices and what the labeling on your meat actually means. Make a decision based on concrete facts rather than claims on the package. Not only will the meat be of a higher quality, but you will be able to sleep in a tryptophan induced peace, knowing that the animal you consumed for dinner was ethically and sustainably farmed without the use of harmful substances. It went outside during its life, and got to scratch around in the grass. It was handled with respect and love before it reached your plate, and you are supporting a humane farming industry by purchasing it.

Goodwill to dinner: all the cool kids are doing it!

[Thanksgiving]
[NaBloPoMo]

Reproductive Health Reality Check | 19Nov06

While perusing the world wide interwebs in search of interesting fodder to talk about today, I stumbled across an excellent clearing house of information: Reproductive Health Reality Check, a website with a wealth of discussion about reproductive health. In addition to a regularly updated blog, the site also has brief fact sheets on a number of reproductive health issues, and a great “Fact v. Fiction” section which dispels myths surrounding reproductive health, women’s rights, self care, and so on. The site is a great source for people of any persuasion, although naturally it has a liberal lean (why else would I be recommending it?!) I think that many of their discussions are fair and balanced looks at serious issues, allowing readers to make their own educated and informed decisions.

The blog is a great place for newsflash information about decisions going on in the legislature and the nation, and around the world which affect reproductive health. It looks at access to health care, reproductive health funding, human rights, STDs and STIs, and so forth. All kinds of goodness, written by strong and reputable writers. The writers do a great job of examining what is going on in the world, the hidden language behind legislation, and how it affects readers of any gender. I would highly recommend making it a regular stop on your daily rounds.

The site is also informative and safe for younger readers, and I would highly recommend that the parents among my readership introduce the site to their teen and young adult children. Given that education about sexuality and reproductive health is very limited in the United States, I think it’s time for parents to get more assertive about helping their children to make informed decisions, and this site is a great place to start. Hopefully it will get some youth fired up about their reproductive health rights. Other great sources of sexual health education for youth include Scarleteen and Sex Talk.

Why care so much about reproductive health? Readers may have noticed that I’ve added a new top level category in the sidebar for my posts about sexuality and reproductive health. I don’t just believe it’s important because I’m a sexually active adult—I believe that caring about reproductive health is important for people of all ages, sexual orientations, and political beliefs.

To begin with, especially for women, control over reproductive rights is an important issue. Many states are trying to limit our access to birth control, abortion, and regular health care. For both sexes, the increasing limitations on sexual education should be a concern, because it is impossible to make informed and intelligent choices without the information in front of you. As a result, STIs are on the rise, with many people not really understanding the modes of STI transmission, and certainly not following up on potential exposures with testing and self care. Even if you’re not sexually active, surely you can recognize the need for informational access. And you should be aware that many STIs aren’t just transmitted sexually, and that therefore a rise of STIs reflects a risk to you whether or not you engage in sexual behaviour.

Globally, some of the most devastating diseases are linked with sexual modes of transmission. The stigma that follows reproductive health has made it difficult to identify, treat, and prevent these diseases, causing them to develop into global plagues. AIDS, for example, was not fully addressed by public health officials for several years after it was apparent that it was a major outbreak because it was perceived as a gay disease. Countless individuals could have avoided HIV transmission or received treatment sooner if major public health bodies had acted more quickly.

Politically, access to reproductive health care is heavily restricted in many countries, and plays a major role in political agendas. It is important to be informed about upcoming legislation, so that citizens are not in for an unpleasant surprise. Whatever arrangement of genitals you may have, your government has an unhealthy interest in it, so you might as well pay attention to what’s going on.

Sexual health is a taboo subject in many places, with misinformation, fear, and social stigma behind it. By educating yourself, you can also empower others, and in a world with a population this big, that’s probably a good idea. Remember kids: use barrier protection, get tested, and communicate!

[reproductive health]
[NaBloPoMo]

Take Back the Night | 18Nov06

The Chronicle has an interesting article today about a community patrol group in the Castro which is responding to several recent rapes in the neighborhood. I was interested to read it for several reasons: the first is that the Castro has traditionally been a very proactive neighborhood, and I am glad to see that tradition being carried on. The first step in reducing crime and making your community safer is being aware, and sending a message that citizens care about their neighbors. I think that the street patrols are a great thing, and I hope that the City supports them.

The second is that there is a great deal of stigma surrounding the rape of men. I remember once having a discussion with an otherwise very intelligent woman who said “but I don’t get it…how can men be raped?” I tried to explain to her that there were a variety of ways in which men could be forced into sexual activity against their will, including forcible anal penetration, which was presumably the case in the rapes in the Castro although forced oral copulation may have been involved as well. Let me break it down for you, in case you missed it: men are as capable of being victims of rape as women are, although it is statistically less likely.

There is also a great deal of social confusion around rape in general, kiddos, and since the season is getting cold I thought we would have a little chat about rape and consent.

The legal definition of rape varies from state to state. California, for example, has very stringent laws about forced sexuality. In general, though, rape refers to intercourse or penetration with another object without consent. This can be accomplished through coercion, threats, drugs, or simple force. Our culture is very strange about sexuality, and sometimes sends very mixed messages about appropriate sexual behaviour. Within the heterosexual sphere, for example, men are expected to be aggressive while women are supposed to be passive. This is not really ideal for ensuring that consent has been given, and in California sexual intercourse can still be considered rape if either partner decides halfway through that consent has been revoked and the activity does not cease. So be warned.

Sexuality is about communication, and it is difficult in a society where women are trained to say “no, stop,” when they mean “yes, continue.” We also live in an age when everyone refuses to take responsibility for their own actions, which is really rather maddening. It makes things confusing for well meaning individuals of any gender in any sort of sexual situation, I tell you what. Furthermore, we live in a society where no one seems to know what they want anymore. The fact that an alarming amount of people spend an amazing amount of time hooking up while intoxicated also complicates the issue. Is it rape if you decide later that it was a bad idea?

I think that for most of us, the idea of rape conjures up a dark alley, a stranger, a knife, trauma. But in fact most rapes are acquaintance rapes, committed by someone you know, often in a familiar environment. And many of these rapes are cases which walk a thin line, where consent may have not been clearly given, but assumed. Or both partners were drunk. Or one partner was pushy and the other partner went along with it, and began to have regrets halfway through.

I think the first step for sexually active adults of all genders is to establish more clear lines of communication, something which can be difficult in the modern world. In the case of the man in the Castro who was raped in a dark alley, there’s a clear issue of lack of consent going on. But in the case of that girl you kind of hooked up with at the party last week…

In a society where alcohol is used as a social crutch, it is difficult for most people to step back and reevaluate the role of alcohol in their sexuality, but I recommend that all my readers take my stance on humpies+alcohol, which is simple and finite: no. Granted, I don’t drink that much, so that eliminates most of my qualms about being personally intoxicated, but I still have to question the sobriety of any potential partners. While it may seem like a challenge to some of my more liquid readers, I really cannot recommend it enough. It makes situations much more clear cut and easy to understand, and reduces general embarassment.

I think also that we all need to be more clear about our needs and boundaries. Don’t say “no” unless you mean it, and when you are uncomfortable with a situation, any situation, don’t be afraid to say so. You owe it to yourself. If you feel unsure about a situation or the individuals involved, step back and assess before moving forward. Be clear about what you want, and be certain that you understand what other parties want. Speak! Do not remain silent.

I once caused a kerfuffle when I led a rape workshop at a local high school, when a well meaning football player asked me what I thought he should do when his girlfriend said “no, stop.”

“Well,” I said, “it’s pretty simple, you stop.”

“Yeah, but I feel like maybe she’s teasing, or I don’t know, it’s really confusing.”

“Trust me,” I said, “if she doesn’t mean to be saying no, she’ll break that habit really quickly if you stop every time she says it. Call her on it. Make sure that you have an open line of communication with her so that when she does say ’stop,’ you know she’s serious.”

It’s also time to dismiss the myths about rape that involve physical violence. You can be raped without being apparently injured, and you do deserve care for it. Do not leave a crime unreported. Many rapists are multiple offenders, and will continue to offend unless their victims step forward.

If you have been raped, seek help immediately. Although you may long to do so, do not shower or discard your clothing. Report the crime to the police and seek medical attention, so that evidence can be properly collected in your case. The sooner you report the rape, the higher the quality of the evidence and the potential conviction. Also be certain that you seek psychological help. Most communities provide rape counselors to victims at the hospital, and be sure to ask if one is not provided. Do not be afraid to seek support from friends and family as well.

Above all, do not let others shame you for what has happened. Rape is not your fault, it is the fault of the rapist, who made a conscious choice which resulted in an unpleasant action. Whether you are male or female, strong or weak, stupid or smart, you have been wronged and you deserve justice.

Take back the night for yourself by being a better communicator, and more aware of the needs of others. Perhaps some day we will not need civilian patrols to prevent rape.

[rape]
[NaBloPoMo]

meloukhia daily shot | 17Nov06

So, it’s my birthday, in case anyone missed that, and to celebrate it I’ve launched a partner site, meloukhia daily shot. You may have noticed a link to it skulking down there in the sidebar.

There’s nothing terribly exciting over there yet, but there could be, if you meet my “replace my camera and I’ll take a photo every day for a year” challenge!

So far four readers have risen to the challenge and made contributions to the general fund, and their donations are greatly appreciated. Many thanks to Anonymous, Barbara, J, and Puff!

Update: 28 November, 2007—an anonymous reader did meet the challenge, almost one year later. My photography can be found at six:fourteen.

Life | 17Nov06

It is precisely because all is transient that even mute trees put forth blossoms in springtime and in autumn shed brown leaves.

The air of the Island tonight smelled like sushi rice while I walked home through the fog, my slippers clattering on the damp pavement and the sound being swallowed by the night. The Island is never truly asleep but it seemed to be breathing a long sigh as I ambled, drunk on Scrabble success (a bingo for “traitors”) and musing on the fates.

On this day I was born, once.

Life, the universe, happiness.

Last night we went on an Indian food adventure, the Cap’ns and Puff and I, and I glutted on cheap and delicious food and I rejoiced to live in a place where cheap, delicious food is readily available. With friends around me I nibbled on samosas the size of my fist and the air was filled with smoke and loud Indian pop music and I thought “yes, this is life.”

Cap’n Boysenberry and I went for a walk on the sea wall earlier, and we hopped the fence to get onto the jetty and lay on the seagull shit covered boards looking up. We talked about photographing fireworks and the lights of the financial district loomed large behind us. Yerba Buena was wreathed in fog like a tattered bowler hat, and the top of the Bay Bridge was swallowed in a swath of fog. The Bay was fairly still tonight, slapping against the pilings now and then while the woeful noise of foghorns bellowed out.

I don’t understand why they try to keep us away from such delights. I wonder if the Navy is aware that the citizens of the Island are like a herd of curious cats, into and around everything in sight.

When we got back to the Island we opened a bottle of Frey and busted out the board games. The wine seemed somewhat flat and immature, lacking as I am in the proper terminology for describing wine. But there seemed to be no real body behind the wine. Perhaps it slipped away into the night like most of last year seems to have done.

I’m not sure what lies ahead today, this week, this year. But I have a feeling that something excellent is in store.

I wonder, would you like to look at my record collection?

Sounds About Right | 16Nov06

The eggnog report!

So last night after meeting one in a string of wierd people on Craigslist interested in renting one of our rooms (more on this later), we decided to make eggnog to celebrate…er…something. The sun. Yeah, that’s it. It was sunny yesterday. And, uhm, stuff. I mean, I realize that last night wasn’t that long ago, and technically I suppose I could say tonight, but eggnog was made on Wednesday, and now it is Thursday, and, uhm, yeah.

We had an eggnog preview the night before, when I busted out the storebought, which everyone thought was pretty great. But I assured them that home made eggnog would knock their socks off so throughly that they wouldn’t even comprehend what had happened. The troops were skeptical at first, but I was confident that I could win them over.

Cap’n Boysenberry and the Scarab came over for noggy goodness while Cap’n Raspberry skulked at home, and I turned to the Joy of Cooking, my infallible cooking resource. I was shocked to see a recipe for cooked eggnog, which I ignored in favor of the traditional style recipe…which claimed to make enough for forty servings.

Not needing forty servings, I decided to shrink the recipe a little, and it was easiest to simply quarter it. Making it any smaller than that involved some kind of crazy fraction I couldn’t even wrap my head around. Here is the quartered recipe, for those interested, which by the way serves four eggnog lovers perfectly.

Beat three egg yolks until pale in color before adding several reasonably sized shakes of confectioners sugar. (The full recipe called for a pound of sugar. I, uhm, don’t have kitchen scales, hint hint, so I resorted to the eyeball method.) Blend this and slowly add two cups of heavy cream. (Yes, and shut up.) Add one half cup booze of your choice. I went for brandy because it’s what we had around the house. Set aside.

Beat three egg whites into stiff peaks and fold into the yolk/cream mixture.

Dispense into glasses, sprinkle with nutmeg, enjoy.

The verdict seemed to be one of all around pleasure. Puff said “it’s like a latte!” The Scarab was initially hesitant but got into it about halfway through (presumably when he hit the brandy, which settled to the bottom). Cap’n Boysenberry finished his and quested around the kitchen for seconds, instead landing upon a batch of the best cookies ever with an additional secret ingredient which has rendered them ambrosial.

All in all, I think it is safe to say that traditional eggnog will be made again this winter, perhaps frequently. I had forgotten how insanely rich it is, so I’m thinking it should be a treat in moderation. But it really doesn’t compare to the storebought shlock. It’s light and frothy, tingling on the tongue joyfully, instead of being heavy and dense like storebought nog. In addition, I like to walk on the wild side, eating raw eggs and all.

Remember kids, friends don’t let friends eat safe, but shitty tasting, foods. It’s all about food as an adventure, an experience to remember. It’s also all about buying new pants every November due to excessive eggnog, pumpkin pie, and mashed potato consumption. For me, the entire month is just a warm up for Thanksgiving, when I’ll really go all out.

Oh…and about Christmas…we’re totally roasting a goose. Although we might have to nab it with a slingshot because firearms aren’t allowed on Island.

[eggnog]
[NaBloPoMo]

For the Hell of It | 15Nov06

Puff and I were feeling particularly like tourists this weekend, so we decided to take the cable car to Ghirardelli Square for ice cream.

First we wandered around downtown on an assortment of errands, waiting for the other household to mobilize and join us for our San Francisco adventure. We ambled through the Farmer’s Market at Civic Center, where we ogled a variety of produce and bought some grapes. I grazed at the Indian food stall for awhile, because they kept handing me free samples, and was only pulled away from the area by force. Most of the produce is looking pretty sad these days, but there were a few tasty looking comestibles. And persimmons. Oh, persimmons.

We got on board the cable car at the Powell Street stop, where I discovered that the Fast Pass is indeed a thing of beauty and a joy forever, because I didn’t need to pay an addition fare to ride the cable car. I was filled with a sense of deep inner joy when I flashed my Fast Pass at the conducter while the tourists delved around in their pockets for bills.

Puff, Scarab, and I were the last people on the car, so we got to stand on the back, which was awesome. We could see the City pulling away behind us as we moved up Powell Street. And then we almost got kicked off at Geary because we helped someone to hop on. Apparently you are not allowed to hop onto the cable cars anymore because people kept falling and then suing the City. I really have to wonder about intelligence levels sometimes.

Luckily we smoothed things over with the brakeman and had a pleasant trip to the Square. It was quite fun. I don’t think I had ever been on one of the cable cars before, despite them being a San Francisco institution and all. The cars move very slowly, so the City drifted by us while the balmy weather felt nice. The most excellent part was when we went down a steep, steep hill and saw a stunning view of the Bay. Fun times.

I had a hot brownie sundae with cookie dough ice cream. The brownie was too sweet so I pawned it off on Cap’n Raspberry, but the rest of the concoction was quite good. I do like me some ice cream. Mmmm.

Afterwards, I wandered around by the waterfront, checking out the tall ship that is docked there and sprawling on the grass for awhile. It was a lazy and excellent sort of day, and the sort of one which I feel is destined to be repeated.

Camera update: so far I have received $150 in donations from anonymous, J, and Puff. Wouldn’t you like to join them so that the next time I go on a cable car adventure I can take pictures for you? If you contribute funds to my PayPal account in the care of meloukhia at gmail dot com, be sure and let me know if you would like a public credit on the site, or if you would prefer to remain anonymous.

[cable car]
[NaBloPoMo]

The Best Cooking Show Ever | 14Nov06

Cap’n Raspberry introduced me to the best cooking show ever last night, and I demand that you go check it out. Seriously. I’ll wait. There aren’t that many episodes, and the star of the show is an octopus named Tako. Guest stars include Britney Spears and a killer King Shrimp. I almost peed my pants during the shrimp episode, actually. The show combines food with entertainment in a way that is greatly endearing to me, as some of my favorite gastronomists are also humourists.

Since the episodes date from 2001, I am guessing that the show is now defunct, which is a major bummer. The recent release of a book makes me suspect that the site is going to amp up again, which would be awesome. I am really hoping that the site will revitalize and more shows will start getting posted, because in addition to being funny, they are really good. I’m addicted, and I demand at least a weekly episode, damnit. Each episode is very informative, and the recipes are very good. They also integrate a click interface, where information pops up in the sidebar and you can click on it to get more detail, which I think is brilliant.

The authors are talented, not just at humour but also in the kitchen, and it shows. Deep Fried Live kind of reminds me of Alton Brown, because it covers a great deal of food science and information in a really fun, accessible way. The turkey deep frying episode inspired me to try and attempt the dream this Thanksgiving, assuming Puff lets me. The Cap’n is convinced that me+deep fryer=disaster of epic proportions, but I disagree.

I just finished rewatching the steak episode, and I love that they provide a chart of all the cuts of meat, talking about what makes a quality cut and how to identify good meat. There’s a great informational sidebar on marbling. And I’ve decided that beer can chicken is in my near future, because I love chicken and I love beer, and that combination sounds ideal. It is also apparently possible to cook a beer can chicken in the oven, which is fantastic. Puff got all excited too, especially when I mentioned beer gravy.

I take playing with food very seriously, and I’m pleased to see that someone else does too.

Tonight: the eggnog adventure begins!

[Deep Fried Live]
[NaBloPoMo]