2014-0823 Ordinary

Hi all –

Here’s a poem (?) I wrote some years ago addressing our pop culture’s mania for the emulation of questionable idols.  Why are we so afraid to be different?

ORDINARY

Kevin Crittenden 12/8/06

When you are done

with knowing what  everyone else knows,

And doing

what everyone else does,

And thinking

like everyone else thinks,

And talking

about the same TV shows,

And listening

to the same songs on your identical (except for color) iPods,

And being

like SallyandJaneandCindyandMonika(didyounoticethe 'k', socute!),

And dressing to make a statement

just like the people around you;

When you are through,

            being

                        afraid

                                    to be different

Then begin to see clearly again

                        the forks in the road . . .,            

the choices less taken. . .,

the divergent possibilites . . . -

Or even start          your own road,

Who knows, you may even draw -

                                                 a crowd.   Wanting to be.  Just.  Like.  You.

2014-0809 Farmer’s Market

Hi all –

Yesterday I wandered over to the Farmer’s market near Vallco because we needed some good fruit.  I suppose you could say that we already had an adequate supple of bad fruit.  Also we wanted to get some fresh green beans.  In past years, I’ve grown my own but didn’t put any in this year.  The reason why, of course, was that it’s good to let the ground lie fallow for a year.  This sounds better than the real reason which is that I was lazy.

As usual, there were many people already engaged in picking over the produce and making comparisons between the different vendors.  Why buy strawberries for $3 a basket here when further down the row, another vendor sells them for $2.50?  Also, if you enjoy just being with people ( a people watcher), it’s a fun place to be.  I notice people looking through the produce, wondering what criteria they are using to find the best ones. 

Farmer’s markets are a great place to buy local, fresh, organic food.  But I must admit that much of what is sold is food that I don’t recognize.  As our area diversifies, I’m seeing fruits and vegetables which are new to me.  For instance, bitter melon.  The name alone makes me wonder why anyone would eat it.  It must taste bitter, right?

So I am thinking that it would be a nice challenge to learn about some of these new items and learn how to use them to expand my culinary repertoire.  Currently I am able to open up a can of soup and heat it on the stove all by myself.  I know, pretty impressive.  I don’t like to brag ( liar!) but I can also make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. 

Now here’s a simple dish that I enjoy.  Buy a butternut squash and a yam.  Peel both and remove the seeds from the squash.  Cut everything up into 1-1/2” cubes and steam it until it is soft.  Mash it altogether and enjoy!

You can also make healthier mashed potatoes in the same way.  Buy a head of cauliflower and 2 white potatoes.  Peel the potatoes, chunk them up, chunk up the cauliflower and again steam everything until soft.  Mix it all up and you have faux mashed potatoes. 

So if you’ve never been to a farmer’s market before, google “farmers markets” and find one near you.  Then, take some shopping bags and go explore!

Bon appetit!

Kevin

Reminder:  If you are unsure about the meaning of the idioms used in this message, please refer to "Idioms, Figures of Speech, and Proverbs" posted on this blog in August 2013.  An alternative is to look at http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com

2014-0803 Taking Off

Hi all –

A little while back, I sent a  YouTube video link to my friend, Rob.  Here is his reply:

Kevin,

I was away on a business trip and so only got to this recently.  It's pretty interesting -- thanks for sending it.

On a related note, I'm moving to Tibet - bye.

Rob.

Now don’t be concerned.  He’s not REALLY moving to Tibet ( I hope).  Although, come to think of it, you probably have no feelings one way or the other about the situation since you don’t know Rob.  But I know Rob and would be sorry to see him go. 

Anyway, the point is that sometimes, like Rob, we get fed up with our situation and want to jettison our lives so we can start fresh somewhere else, preferably halfway around the world.  The implication is that we want to get as far away from our current problems as possible.  This is why the statement “….I’m moving to Tibet – bye” packs more of a punch than, say, “… I’m moving to Reno – bye.” 

It’s sometimes fun to envision making a radical change to our lives, especially if we are stressed out at work or just wanting a change in our daily routine.  Maybe you’ve been a wafer fabricator for umpteen years and could do it in your sleep.  There’s not much challenge in the job and your inner creativity is getting restless.  So you start to daydream about being a travel agent and seeing the world or wonder what your life would be like as a Hollywood star. 

So have a little fun.  Take some time to think about making a major change to your life.  In these reveries, money is no object nor is anything else.  Rob is moving to Tibet.  Where would you go?  What would you like to do?  What would you like to be?  Who would you like to go with you?  What would a perfect day look like for you?

As for me, sometimes I wonder what it would be like to, say, write a blog.  If I had any talent as a writer, that is.

And, BTW (by the way), here is the video link I sent to Rob:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWxMDdLey0E

Cheers!

Kevin

Reminder:  If you are unsure about the meaning of the idioms used in this message, please refer to "Idioms, Figures of Speech, and Proverbs" posted on this blog in August 2013.  An alternative is to look at http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com