Word Vomiting Into the Great Abyss

So, y'all, there's a sucker born every minute.  In this case, I'm referring to myself.  Remember how I said heatedly at some point last year that I was going to quit submitting my work to McSweeney's? 

Well, today, I submitted.  A quick idea came to me, and I drafted it in my head during the 15 minute commute to work.  I typed it up and e-mailed it this morning.  I think it's clever AF, but if I am not McSweeney's material, then I'll post it here, and you can lament my failure with me.

It felt good to be inspired, and then to act on that.   It doesn't happen every day.  Most days, I post on here without having a real plan.  I just ramble until I come to something I can sink my teeth into, metaphorically.

Today, I was in a day-long meeting at work.  I always feel like I'm "playing adult" in these meetings.  Allison in the role of Middle Aged Professional Office Worker Low on the Food Chain.  I've played that role for ages.  It was a good meeting, and they brought in lunch - which never sucks.  After the meeting, my boss came over and talked through a plan with me.  It's exciting to be involved in the process, and not just a cog in the wheel.  I am really loving what I do. 

I think back to a year ago, when I felt really helpless and frustrated.  What a difference a year makes.  I know I talk about the idea of "in six months".  Whenever something is stagnant or frustrating I think about six months from then, and how everything will be different - that it may be a new stagnation or frustration, but it won't be the same shit that I'm dealing with at that point. At the moment, I'm not frustrated or feeling stagnant.  I'm ready to get to Arkansas and prove myself.

I am going to head to Atlanta soon - I need a haircut, and I need to spend time with my Mom, and I need access to a decent shopping scene.  Since my time in Arkansas creeps into the Spring months, a trip to the mall is in order.  My mother has asked me to take a look for her as well.  She's heading to California in May, and she needs a few things.

I may try to get my hands on some decent bagels while I'm there.  Not that I need them, but...when in Rome.  Metaphorically.  I suspect that neither Rome, Georgia nor Rome, Italy have phenomenal bagels.  But in the case of the latter Rome, it doesn't matter.  They have pasta, pizza, formaggio and gelato.  Oh, the gelato!  I do love Italian cuisine.

In that vein, tonight I cooked a dinner that was exceptionally good, and not entirely unhealthy.  I found some tomato/mozzarella pasta in the cold case at Kroger.  I paired that with a homemade sauce - olive oil, garlic, onion, tomato, and arugula.  I remember the first time I heard about arugula.


It may not be pretty, but it's pretty tasty!



There was a movie that came out when I was a High School Sophomore - called "My Blue Heaven".  It is an underrated little Steve Martin movie (before he got too much plastic surgery).   In it, he plays a mafia informant who is put into witness protection so that he can testify in a big FBI case.  His FBI case worker is played by the incredibly lovely Rick Moranis.  Steve's character teaches Rick's character how to live, and Rick shows Steve that the straight and narrow isn't so bad.  Add Joan Cusack as Rick's love interest, and throw in a scene where they dance a tango, and it's a charming little movie.  Where the arugula comes in is in the first time Steve's character goes grocery shopping in his new hometown.  The extremely cheerful store manager suggests that if there's anything Steve can't find, to please let him know.  Steve requests arugula.  The manager asks what arugula is.  Steve replies,  "It is a veggie-table".   That's a lot of set up, but I advise you just watch the movie. 




Anyway, my arugula-tomato sautee was excellent, and I paired the veggie-tables with the pasta, and some grilled chicken.  The chicken had been marinated in buttermilk and rosemary.  It was top notch.  I've turned into a decent cook.  But, come on!  Pasta.  I do love pasta in every form.

Shortly before Dad died, I gave him a book called (I believe) The Geometry of Pasta.  It indexed all types of pasta.  Along with a line drawing of each entry, it gave a history on how it was named, how it is made, and what sauce it pairs with.  I had heard about it on NPR - the author was talking about a specific pasta whose Italian name translated into "Priest Stranglers".  I think Mom ended up giving the book away, and more is the pity.  I should order myself a copy.  I haven't bought a cookbook in ages.  Or for that matter, a physical book of any kind.  I wonder if McKays would have it...

So.  Pasta, writing, reading and bad movies of the early 90s.  It's always a good time.

Peace out for now,

ae

Comments