Well, not in the way you might think. I've made no bones about my love for music. Not surprisingly, I was lucky enough to receive a substantial quantity of great music over the Christmas holidays. Here are three of the standouts. All of the following are great discs and come recommended:
Tom Waits - Bad As Me - Great disk that falls solidly in his later canon. A mix of ballads and his rythmic howlers.
Stand Out Track: Bad As Me. It's full of tribal rythms, braggadocio lyrics, and howling in the way only Mr. Waits can. This is the kind of song that he does so well and only he could write and perform.
Wilco - The Whole Love - This one bridges Wilco's later interests: expermental soundscapes and 70s folk-pop.
Stand Out Track: Capitol City or Whole Love. Both are great pop songs that really highlight the strengths of Jeff Tweedy's songwriting and the cohesiveness of the current lineup.
The Posies - Blood/Candy - I've been a fan for a long time but I admit my interest has waned in them of late. However, I'm quite pleased with their latest (from 2010). Four words: all killer no filler. A great pop album in the grand tradition of happy pop songs with often dark lyrics.
Stand Out Track: Licenses to Hide (but it's all REALLY good.) This one is full of great melody, harmony, interesting tempo shifts, and great lyrics. They really play with the pop song format in interesting and creative ways.
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Reason # 1 I'm glad we dumped the dish.
A few weeks ago I was browsing our usual Dish Network channels and I paused for a moment on HGTV. It was another one of those surprise makeover shows where the upper middle class couple invites some sort of generically perky designer and their TV show crew to secretly redo a room in their house. It was all to formula and the couple was beside themselves with gushing joy that they had such a new and stylish room. There were hugs, cheers, and even some tears. I've watched these sorts of shows for years now. They sell a nice little fantasy that's fun to contemplate if it were to happen to you. This last time though, my feelings were different. I wasn't amused, envious, or intrigued. I was instead, angry and disgusted.
First, what a colossal waste of time. It isn't even good entertainment. If I'm going to spend time watching TV, then for crying out loud I should be watching something with at least minimal artistic value. All these types of shows really do is perpetuate empty and vacuous consumerism by making you feel the need to spend idiotic amounts of money to be just like the first world jackasses on screen.
Second, what kind of world do we live in where someone makes a living decorating other people's houses? How, as a society, did we get to the point where such paltry life skills manage to be a viable profession?
Third, Is evereyone onscreen so blissfully unaware of how truly sad and idiotic they look if just a room makeover elicits these sorts of emotions? (I swear it was like a dead relative had been miraculously brought to life.)
Oy vey.
First, what a colossal waste of time. It isn't even good entertainment. If I'm going to spend time watching TV, then for crying out loud I should be watching something with at least minimal artistic value. All these types of shows really do is perpetuate empty and vacuous consumerism by making you feel the need to spend idiotic amounts of money to be just like the first world jackasses on screen.
Second, what kind of world do we live in where someone makes a living decorating other people's houses? How, as a society, did we get to the point where such paltry life skills manage to be a viable profession?
Third, Is evereyone onscreen so blissfully unaware of how truly sad and idiotic they look if just a room makeover elicits these sorts of emotions? (I swear it was like a dead relative had been miraculously brought to life.)
Oy vey.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
A Sweet, Smart, and Soulful Girl
In the summer of 2000 I got home from a trip to the British Isles. It was a a lot of fun (despite everyone else that was SUPPOSED to go flaking out). On a side note, I also learned on my return that making ATM withdrawals across international borders costs a lot in surcharges. But this is only tangential to the story.
You see, a week after returning there was this party. Nothing momentous, just another summer pool party for our single adult ward (a congregation made up of mostly 18-31 year old single Mormons). The party was at someone's house with more money than sense. I remember this party for two reasons. First of all there was a giant dolphin fountain (See, more money than sense!) and secondly I met a girl.
Well, I had met her before but had never exchanged more than a few words with her. She was tangentially a part of the group of people I hung out with. (It was a big group with lots of people cycling in and out.)
Several of "the group" we're sitting around a table chatting about artistic endeavors. (I remember talking, rather pretentiously, about "my art".) At the other end of the table I heard this girl talking about David Lynch. My movie geek sense began tingling. David Lynch? The famed auteur? The guy that gave us one of the most brilliantly bizarre films ever made, Eraserhead? I had to talk to her. A cute Mormon girl discussing David Lynch at a party is not something you ignore! Needless to say, I worked my way over to the other side of the table and we began to talk movies. Lo-and-behold, we hit it off. We agreed that a movie night in the near future was in order but left it at that. I sensed that she was more than casually interested in me and I was still tingling. She was awesome.
The next day was church and I wasted no time. I Immediately tracked her down and we agreed to a movie date at her house. A few days later I brought a suitably artsy movie over and, not surprisingly, she liked it. She seemed to like ME too. We took a walk and began to talk. We finished the walk and talked some more, several hours more. I remember going home late, heart a flutter. I had wanted to kiss her that night but thought that might be a little premature.
Fast forward to our third date. We returned home to her house, sat on the couch, and talked some more. When it was time to for me to go we hugged and, on a whim, I leaned in and kissed her then quickly left, not looking back. I wasn't sure if I had been too forward or not but it felt right.
Luckily, it was right. The next day we hung out and she let me know in no uncertain terms that she was fully ready and willing to kiss me too. (Did I mention she was also very good at it?)
Time passed. I remember, sometime around my birthday that year, realizing that I really and truly was in love with this lovely, artistic, smart, and soulful girl. (She tells me she knew I was in love with her when I once called he " My Main Squeeze".)
We dated into the summer 2001. I had just finished a principal photography on a very dysfunctional and ultimately failed short film that had ended up stressing me out beyond words. One warm summer evening, a week or so after the shoot, I was decompressing over at her apartment. Glad to be done with the film, my mind was turned to more serious matters. I was thinking that maybe it was time to ask her to marry me. I loved her, she loved me, and we were great together. There really was no reason to prolong the inevitable. I had a problem though. I was irrationally scared at the prospect of the actual proposal. In other words, I was a big fat wuss.
Luckily, the stars aligned. It seems she had been thinking along the same lines. Sitting there on her futon, we had "the talk". She wanted to know where this relationship was going (and rightly so). We had dated for a year and she wanted some clarification. I remember the conversation going something like this,
Amy: "Nate, we've dated for a year now. Where do you see this relationship going?"
Me: "Well, I think we have something. I guess I see us getting married. How about you?"
Amy: "I see that too."
Me: "Why don't we then... get married."
Amy: "Okaaay. (long pause) Does this mean were engaged?"
Me: "I think so."
(Long pause)
Amy: "Ok, but I want you to do it the right way."
Nate: "Huh, ok. (kneels and takes her hand) Amy Glaser, will you marry me?"
Amy: "Yes!"
Then we kissed (we were very good at it by now) and called our parents. Not very romantic I realized. We immediately shopped for rings and I put a deposit down on the one she wanted. I payed off the ring and planned to do a better proposal at a nice restaurant.
A couple weeks later we went to the nice restaurant. (Plan working so far!) It was a lovely evening: great atmosphere, warm summer evening, great food. (Huzzah!) Then, they sat us in a weird little section of the restaurant with tiny booths all bunched together. The booths were so closely packed together we were essentially sharing a table with a couple of complete strangers. (Alert! Plans fizzling!) I managed to contort my body to fit in the little booth. (Kinda' hard to kneel now. Ugh!) In retrospect I should have asked for a different table but the thought never crossed my mind at the time. We had an akward dinner, trying to ignore out tablemates, and I recalculated my plans. (Sigh.)
Later, over at my place, I remember sitting on the couch thinking, "In the long run it doesn't really matter where it is I give her this ring. I think she'll be happy regardless."
I pulled it out of my pocket and I remember the look in her eyes when she saw the little velvet box. I was right. It didn't matter.
On October 11, 2001 we were married for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple.
Now here we are living in a quiet little town in Ohio expecting our 4th child. We've grown a lot in these last ten years. I'm more in love with her now than ever and I look forward to many more years.
I love you Amy Kathleen Frary. You are are the superlatives I can think of and damn sexy to boot.
Nate
You see, a week after returning there was this party. Nothing momentous, just another summer pool party for our single adult ward (a congregation made up of mostly 18-31 year old single Mormons). The party was at someone's house with more money than sense. I remember this party for two reasons. First of all there was a giant dolphin fountain (See, more money than sense!) and secondly I met a girl.
Well, I had met her before but had never exchanged more than a few words with her. She was tangentially a part of the group of people I hung out with. (It was a big group with lots of people cycling in and out.)
Several of "the group" we're sitting around a table chatting about artistic endeavors. (I remember talking, rather pretentiously, about "my art".) At the other end of the table I heard this girl talking about David Lynch. My movie geek sense began tingling. David Lynch? The famed auteur? The guy that gave us one of the most brilliantly bizarre films ever made, Eraserhead? I had to talk to her. A cute Mormon girl discussing David Lynch at a party is not something you ignore! Needless to say, I worked my way over to the other side of the table and we began to talk movies. Lo-and-behold, we hit it off. We agreed that a movie night in the near future was in order but left it at that. I sensed that she was more than casually interested in me and I was still tingling. She was awesome.
The next day was church and I wasted no time. I Immediately tracked her down and we agreed to a movie date at her house. A few days later I brought a suitably artsy movie over and, not surprisingly, she liked it. She seemed to like ME too. We took a walk and began to talk. We finished the walk and talked some more, several hours more. I remember going home late, heart a flutter. I had wanted to kiss her that night but thought that might be a little premature.
Fast forward to our third date. We returned home to her house, sat on the couch, and talked some more. When it was time to for me to go we hugged and, on a whim, I leaned in and kissed her then quickly left, not looking back. I wasn't sure if I had been too forward or not but it felt right.
Luckily, it was right. The next day we hung out and she let me know in no uncertain terms that she was fully ready and willing to kiss me too. (Did I mention she was also very good at it?)
Time passed. I remember, sometime around my birthday that year, realizing that I really and truly was in love with this lovely, artistic, smart, and soulful girl. (She tells me she knew I was in love with her when I once called he " My Main Squeeze".)
We dated into the summer 2001. I had just finished a principal photography on a very dysfunctional and ultimately failed short film that had ended up stressing me out beyond words. One warm summer evening, a week or so after the shoot, I was decompressing over at her apartment. Glad to be done with the film, my mind was turned to more serious matters. I was thinking that maybe it was time to ask her to marry me. I loved her, she loved me, and we were great together. There really was no reason to prolong the inevitable. I had a problem though. I was irrationally scared at the prospect of the actual proposal. In other words, I was a big fat wuss.
Luckily, the stars aligned. It seems she had been thinking along the same lines. Sitting there on her futon, we had "the talk". She wanted to know where this relationship was going (and rightly so). We had dated for a year and she wanted some clarification. I remember the conversation going something like this,
Amy: "Nate, we've dated for a year now. Where do you see this relationship going?"
Me: "Well, I think we have something. I guess I see us getting married. How about you?"
Amy: "I see that too."
Me: "Why don't we then... get married."
Amy: "Okaaay. (long pause) Does this mean were engaged?"
Me: "I think so."
(Long pause)
Amy: "Ok, but I want you to do it the right way."
Nate: "Huh, ok. (kneels and takes her hand) Amy Glaser, will you marry me?"
Amy: "Yes!"
Then we kissed (we were very good at it by now) and called our parents. Not very romantic I realized. We immediately shopped for rings and I put a deposit down on the one she wanted. I payed off the ring and planned to do a better proposal at a nice restaurant.
A couple weeks later we went to the nice restaurant. (Plan working so far!) It was a lovely evening: great atmosphere, warm summer evening, great food. (Huzzah!) Then, they sat us in a weird little section of the restaurant with tiny booths all bunched together. The booths were so closely packed together we were essentially sharing a table with a couple of complete strangers. (Alert! Plans fizzling!) I managed to contort my body to fit in the little booth. (Kinda' hard to kneel now. Ugh!) In retrospect I should have asked for a different table but the thought never crossed my mind at the time. We had an akward dinner, trying to ignore out tablemates, and I recalculated my plans. (Sigh.)
Later, over at my place, I remember sitting on the couch thinking, "In the long run it doesn't really matter where it is I give her this ring. I think she'll be happy regardless."
I pulled it out of my pocket and I remember the look in her eyes when she saw the little velvet box. I was right. It didn't matter.
On October 11, 2001 we were married for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple.
Now here we are living in a quiet little town in Ohio expecting our 4th child. We've grown a lot in these last ten years. I'm more in love with her now than ever and I look forward to many more years.
I love you Amy Kathleen Frary. You are are the superlatives I can think of and damn sexy to boot.
Nate
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
How Audiobooks Saved My Bacon er, Sanity
Due to those pesky character traits I've developed over the years such as, responsibility, ambition, and self-esteem, I find myself doing otherwise distasteful tasks in order to provide for my family, improve my career, and feel good about myself as a person. On such task is commuting. You see, I drive quite a bit between work, school, and home. I easily put 30000-40000 miles on my car in the last year. That's a lot of time spent just driving and it seems a crime to waste it.
What to do; what to do? Commercial radio is a wasteland of corporate managed mediocrity. NPR is hit or miss and always seems to have Diane Rehm on (Ugh). Listening to music helps but I need more stimulation. This is where the beauty of modern technology comes in. The resurgence of the audiobook format and the advent of podcasts are truly a godsend for someone like me. If I may be so bold as to express my strong opinion, here are some recommendations:
AUDIOBOOKS
The Dresden Files Series- All but the most recent have been narrated by James Marsters (you may know him as Spike from the Buffy.) He does a brilliant job with characters and narration and really bring the humor and action alive. I was forced to actually read the most recent one when I found out he was unable to narrate due to scheduling conflicts.
Harry Potter Series - Jim Dale narrates the American version of the books and is just a brilliant as James Marsters.
John Adams, The Greater Journey (both by David McCullough), and Einstein: His Life and Universe (by Walter Isaacson) - What these all have in common is that they're engaging, biographies/histories of interesting people and times and all are narrated by Edward Herrmann (you may recognize him as Rory's grandpa from The Gilmore Girls). Hermann has a lovely musical baritone and gives a lively and thoughtful reading to all these books. He is hands down one of the best audiobook readers of non-fiction. He could read the phone book to me and I'd sit through all 100 discs.
To Kill a Mocking Bird - I finally got around to this book after years of being told how great it is. I was not dissapointed. The version I listened to was narrated by Roses Prichard and boy did she get the accent and voice of Scout pitch perfect. I admit to choking up at several points in this book which is perfectly ok when quietly ensconced in my Camry with no one around to look at me sideways. My perceived manliness is still firmly intact.
PODCASTS
This Week in Tech - Leo Laporte and Friends - This is where I get my weekly dose of tech news and analysis. I've been a fan of Leo since he was at the now defunct TechTV as a co-host on The Screen Savers.
Radio From Hell - It was described once by TV Critic Bill Frost as "A morning radio show for people who hate morning radio shows." This is apt. The hosts Bill Allred, Carey Jackson, and Gina Barberi manage to put out a very smart, very funny, very liberal, top rated radio show in Salt Lake City, Utah of all places. They do it without idiotic skits, music, or a stuntboy. It is sometimes very local but not inordinately so that someone who's never lived there wouldn't get it.
Writing Excuses - Brandon Sanderson, Dan Wells, Howard Tayler, and Mary Robinette Kowal. A weekly podcast from four working writers in the Fantasy/Sci-Fi/Horror genres and full of great advice for aspiring writers. A great one if you have any writing aspiration.
The Tobolowsky Files - Actor Steven Tobolowsky (You may know him as Ned Ryerson from Groundhog's Day or from hundreds of other movies and TV shows.) discusses his life experiences and a long career in the entertainment industry. He filters it all through the lens of what he's learned and how he's grown from all the bad and good experiences in his life. This could easily come across as self indulgent but he is a natural and engaging racconteur and his observations are warm, humorous, and often very profound.
What to do; what to do? Commercial radio is a wasteland of corporate managed mediocrity. NPR is hit or miss and always seems to have Diane Rehm on (Ugh). Listening to music helps but I need more stimulation. This is where the beauty of modern technology comes in. The resurgence of the audiobook format and the advent of podcasts are truly a godsend for someone like me. If I may be so bold as to express my strong opinion, here are some recommendations:
AUDIOBOOKS
The Dresden Files Series- All but the most recent have been narrated by James Marsters (you may know him as Spike from the Buffy.) He does a brilliant job with characters and narration and really bring the humor and action alive. I was forced to actually read the most recent one when I found out he was unable to narrate due to scheduling conflicts.
Harry Potter Series - Jim Dale narrates the American version of the books and is just a brilliant as James Marsters.
John Adams, The Greater Journey (both by David McCullough), and Einstein: His Life and Universe (by Walter Isaacson) - What these all have in common is that they're engaging, biographies/histories of interesting people and times and all are narrated by Edward Herrmann (you may recognize him as Rory's grandpa from The Gilmore Girls). Hermann has a lovely musical baritone and gives a lively and thoughtful reading to all these books. He is hands down one of the best audiobook readers of non-fiction. He could read the phone book to me and I'd sit through all 100 discs.
To Kill a Mocking Bird - I finally got around to this book after years of being told how great it is. I was not dissapointed. The version I listened to was narrated by Roses Prichard and boy did she get the accent and voice of Scout pitch perfect. I admit to choking up at several points in this book which is perfectly ok when quietly ensconced in my Camry with no one around to look at me sideways. My perceived manliness is still firmly intact.
PODCASTS
This Week in Tech - Leo Laporte and Friends - This is where I get my weekly dose of tech news and analysis. I've been a fan of Leo since he was at the now defunct TechTV as a co-host on The Screen Savers.
Radio From Hell - It was described once by TV Critic Bill Frost as "A morning radio show for people who hate morning radio shows." This is apt. The hosts Bill Allred, Carey Jackson, and Gina Barberi manage to put out a very smart, very funny, very liberal, top rated radio show in Salt Lake City, Utah of all places. They do it without idiotic skits, music, or a stuntboy. It is sometimes very local but not inordinately so that someone who's never lived there wouldn't get it.
Writing Excuses - Brandon Sanderson, Dan Wells, Howard Tayler, and Mary Robinette Kowal. A weekly podcast from four working writers in the Fantasy/Sci-Fi/Horror genres and full of great advice for aspiring writers. A great one if you have any writing aspiration.
The Tobolowsky Files - Actor Steven Tobolowsky (You may know him as Ned Ryerson from Groundhog's Day or from hundreds of other movies and TV shows.) discusses his life experiences and a long career in the entertainment industry. He filters it all through the lens of what he's learned and how he's grown from all the bad and good experiences in his life. This could easily come across as self indulgent but he is a natural and engaging racconteur and his observations are warm, humorous, and often very profound.
Monday, August 22, 2011
In Which My Eldest is Adorable in an Entirely Creative Way
If it hasn't been clear to those that know me already, I've always wanted to write professionally (in one form or another). As my school career has been winding down I've been flexing my writing muscles more lately. I'm finding the process more personally rewarding than ever. (Here's to hoping it can be as financially rewarding someday too.)
As part of my increased activity I've been writing weekly(ish) installments of a story for my two oldest boys in which slighty exaggerated versions of themselves partake in perilous and hilarious adventures. This was never intended for anyone but them and I'm using it as much to entertain them as I am practicing my craft. It's a great exercise that's fun to do and with almost immediate gratification from the boys. (What kids wouldn't love to read adventure stories starring themselves?)
Last week when I hadn't been able to write my weekly installment in time, Ian took it upon himself to write a story to share with us. His characters of choice though were not his family but his current ardent obsession, Calvin and Hobbbes. (He spends hours reading and rereading the various collections we've acquired.) What's great about Ian is that when he gets really interested in something he can focus on it with the kind of intensity rarely seen in most eight-year-olds. This story was no exception. I showed him how to bring up MS Word and off he went. Three days later, after spending every available moment he had working on his story, this is what he came up with (video follows as well):
(Note: The only changes I made was to space things out so it wasn't a gigantic lump of text.)
Calvin and Hobbes
Let me introduce you to Calvin and Hobbes Calvin is spikey haired, age 6 and has a big imageanation. Hobbes on the other hand slim,imagenary,no one knows his age and he’s Calvins friend.This is their life. One day dot dot dot Calvin[This is saterday]Came bumping down the stairs yelling its saterday![Note:he does this every saterday] When his parents herd him his dad said to mom go and break his little legs. Calvin got down rotted his inards with chocolate cereal and rotted his brain waching cartoons.
Finaly Calvin manged to get upstairs get his clothing on and go outside finnialy the house was quiet at least for a while.Meanwhile outside Calvin was digging in his yard like always is. This time he wasn’t digging for dinosoar bones which he usually does that. Even I don’t know why hes digging this time.Well lets see what he says. What are you doing to are yard! Yelled mom furiously. Makeing speed bumps. Said Calvin. Then he went inside. Hobbes was their waiting for him.
Hobbes?asked Calvin in a stammerd voice.
YYYYYYAAAAAAHHHHHH! Yelled Hobbes AUGH TIGER ATACK! Scremed Calvin in a very screamy voice.
Would the two of you keep it down!Yelled mom. It was Hobbes mom I fighting for my very surviveal.Said Calvin.
Sure Calvin I don’t want to sew Hobbes up again why don’t you two go do something quiet. Said mom.
Okay okay.Mumbled Calvin as he walked away. You sissy mom always takes your side. Said Calvin to Hobbes.
Thats because she wanted another tiger not you.Said Hobbes. Well it looks like our friend Calvin went outside again. This time he’s takeing Hobbes with him so when he comes back in he will not be pounced on. Ok I was kidding about that one. It’s actually his bedtime.
Time for bed Calvin.Said mom.
NO MOM NO DON’T PUT ME TO BED. I INSTRUCTED HOBBES TO MESSILY DEVOR ANYONE WHO PUTS ME IN BED BEFORE 9’PM.Yelled Calvin.
Your stuffed tiger is in the washing machine.Said mom.
Fine time to take a bath.Mumbled Calvin.
Listen just because you never take one.Said Hobbes.Well I guess its the end.
Yes, he borrowed from the comic A LOT and maybe this is just my daddy blinders but I was quite impressed with his effort. He now plans a sequel.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
The Things We Do For The Music We Love
There was a time in my life where country music made me gag and sneer (sometimes at the same time.) Then I got older and more nuanced and realized the problem wasn't the heart of country music but the over produced image and mediocrity of what passes for it.
It turns out I didn't mind it when GOOD bands like Wilco or The Old 97s let classic country, roots music, and Americana influence their stellar songwriting. The problem wasn't country, per se, but the delivery mechanism.
That said, I found myself on CMT.com last week. I felt a little dirty. I felt like I had betrayed myself in some sort of indefinable way. This was the belly of the beast. It's amazing what you'll do to see good bands performing their great songs. I blame this one on The Avett Brothers. When you write songs as good as "The Once and Future Carpenter" and play them live for the first time on a hated website even I will swallow my pride and let CMT.com be on my permanent DNS record.
I present to you the evidence of my sweet shame:
It turns out I didn't mind it when GOOD bands like Wilco or The Old 97s let classic country, roots music, and Americana influence their stellar songwriting. The problem wasn't country, per se, but the delivery mechanism.
That said, I found myself on CMT.com last week. I felt a little dirty. I felt like I had betrayed myself in some sort of indefinable way. This was the belly of the beast. It's amazing what you'll do to see good bands performing their great songs. I blame this one on The Avett Brothers. When you write songs as good as "The Once and Future Carpenter" and play them live for the first time on a hated website even I will swallow my pride and let CMT.com be on my permanent DNS record.
I present to you the evidence of my sweet shame:
Friday, July 1, 2011
Eggplant Parmesan
I love to eat good food. "Good" is a relative term I realize but I mean: food prepared with quality ingredients by someone that knows what they're doing. Even more so, I love to be the one responsible for the "good" food. In the vast realm of world cuisine my first and true love will always be Italian. I have two years as a Mormon missionary in northwest Italy to thank for that.
The first thing you learn, when as a culturally clueless 19-year-old in a whole different country, is that the American version of that country is usually a horrible pastiche of broad stereotypes. The cheese is a great example. I remember just months before I left going to The Olive Garden and marveling that a waiter grated parmesan cheese right on my pasta there at the table! Oh the pageantry of it all! (I have no idea if they used the authentic stuff.) Yes, in Italy they sprinkle aged cheese (often Parmigianino Reggiano, Gran Padano, or Pecorino Romano) on their pasta but it's done without the fanfare. It's more like adding a little salt to season your food. (It was early in my stay that my soon to be life-long hatred of The Olive Garden and its ubiquitous mediocrity was seeded.)
As missionaries, living somewhat independently, we we're responsible for preparing our own meals. Would you believe that the cheapest and easiest food to make in Italy was pasta? I wasn't very good at it. I made a lot of bad sauce and some other horrible travesties that are best left unknown. But amongst the many wonderful things I took away from my two year mission in Italy was an intense curiosity into how food came together.
It really wasn't until I got back to America that it started gelling for me. All the lessons I had learned in my many kitchen failures (and few successes) led me to the realization that I could not only cook but that I loved doing it.
In the post-mission years I grew in confidence and skill and eventually hit a culinary plateau. I would occasionally experiment with new recipes but largely stuck with the 9-10 Italian recipes I knew really well. There were a good 2-3 years where I made and ate my own marinara sauce almost every day. (The side benefit of that is I now make a FANTASTIC marinara sauce.)
Then I met a lovely young woman who was a good cook in her own right but loved it more when I cooked for her. From this I learned an important lesson, the culinary arts becomes even more fun when you have someone ELSE to share them with. The possibilities of someone to share my journey into world cuisine spurred me onward and forward. But for all my experiments and restless search to conquer the cuisines of the world there are few things I enjoy more than a big plate of spaghetti marinara or eggplant parmesan. Despite being raised in white suburban America on peanut butter sandwiches, Kool-Aid, and Kraft Mac n' Cheese, Italian is my food comfort zone.
For Father's Day this year, at my request, Amy made me eggplant parmesan. This is a meal that is dear to me. It was the first homemade meal I had in Italy, made by a real Italian mamma. I remember my first delicious bite. I had never eaten eggplant before let alone something like eggplant parmesan with its sumptuous layers of tomato, fried eggplant, and cheese. It was incredibly delicious and I can probably count that as the moment my eyes were opened to what really good Italian food should be.
Now, I didn't necessarily give Amy the whole back story but she knew it was a meal important to me. Never one to shirk a solid challenge, she found a good recipe and forged ahead. Luckily, she did a fantastic job. It was delicious and tasted wonderfully authentic.
What I haven't told her until now is that she is the only other person, besides me and that wonderful Italian mamma that has ever made eggplant parmesan for me. That may not mean anything to anyone else but it means a lot to me. It's a recipe I'm particular about and asking her to make it indicates a level of culinary trust I have in very few other people. I can't say I had planned it this way but maybe it's an old fashioned conceit on my part. Eggplant parm tastes best when it's made at home for someone you care about. It's even better when a mamma makes it for you.
The first thing you learn, when as a culturally clueless 19-year-old in a whole different country, is that the American version of that country is usually a horrible pastiche of broad stereotypes. The cheese is a great example. I remember just months before I left going to The Olive Garden and marveling that a waiter grated parmesan cheese right on my pasta there at the table! Oh the pageantry of it all! (I have no idea if they used the authentic stuff.) Yes, in Italy they sprinkle aged cheese (often Parmigianino Reggiano, Gran Padano, or Pecorino Romano) on their pasta but it's done without the fanfare. It's more like adding a little salt to season your food. (It was early in my stay that my soon to be life-long hatred of The Olive Garden and its ubiquitous mediocrity was seeded.)
As missionaries, living somewhat independently, we we're responsible for preparing our own meals. Would you believe that the cheapest and easiest food to make in Italy was pasta? I wasn't very good at it. I made a lot of bad sauce and some other horrible travesties that are best left unknown. But amongst the many wonderful things I took away from my two year mission in Italy was an intense curiosity into how food came together.
It really wasn't until I got back to America that it started gelling for me. All the lessons I had learned in my many kitchen failures (and few successes) led me to the realization that I could not only cook but that I loved doing it.
In the post-mission years I grew in confidence and skill and eventually hit a culinary plateau. I would occasionally experiment with new recipes but largely stuck with the 9-10 Italian recipes I knew really well. There were a good 2-3 years where I made and ate my own marinara sauce almost every day. (The side benefit of that is I now make a FANTASTIC marinara sauce.)
Then I met a lovely young woman who was a good cook in her own right but loved it more when I cooked for her. From this I learned an important lesson, the culinary arts becomes even more fun when you have someone ELSE to share them with. The possibilities of someone to share my journey into world cuisine spurred me onward and forward. But for all my experiments and restless search to conquer the cuisines of the world there are few things I enjoy more than a big plate of spaghetti marinara or eggplant parmesan. Despite being raised in white suburban America on peanut butter sandwiches, Kool-Aid, and Kraft Mac n' Cheese, Italian is my food comfort zone.
For Father's Day this year, at my request, Amy made me eggplant parmesan. This is a meal that is dear to me. It was the first homemade meal I had in Italy, made by a real Italian mamma. I remember my first delicious bite. I had never eaten eggplant before let alone something like eggplant parmesan with its sumptuous layers of tomato, fried eggplant, and cheese. It was incredibly delicious and I can probably count that as the moment my eyes were opened to what really good Italian food should be.
Now, I didn't necessarily give Amy the whole back story but she knew it was a meal important to me. Never one to shirk a solid challenge, she found a good recipe and forged ahead. Luckily, she did a fantastic job. It was delicious and tasted wonderfully authentic.
What I haven't told her until now is that she is the only other person, besides me and that wonderful Italian mamma that has ever made eggplant parmesan for me. That may not mean anything to anyone else but it means a lot to me. It's a recipe I'm particular about and asking her to make it indicates a level of culinary trust I have in very few other people. I can't say I had planned it this way but maybe it's an old fashioned conceit on my part. Eggplant parm tastes best when it's made at home for someone you care about. It's even better when a mamma makes it for you.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Books I'm Waiting For
Some books I'm really excited for this year:
Safehold: How Firm A Foundation
Safehold: How Firm A Foundation
This is the 5th in his best written series to date. The series so far plays to Weber's strengths in political intrigue, plotting, religious corruption, and lots and lots of naval battles.
This series is, in a word, awesome. Butcher excels at characterization, dialogue, plotting, and world-building.
You should probably read these series from their beginning. You won't be dissapointed.
Here's where to start:
You should probably read these series from their beginning. You won't be dissapointed.
Here's where to start:
Friday, June 3, 2011
I salute you artists in secret!
Whenever I have the distinct privilege of using the public bathroom at school I am constantly impressed with the eloquence, maturity, and artistic abilities of my fellow students. I wish I could express my ennui as lyrically or draw half as good!
Who knew <insert person's name here> was still in need of a good time? Not me!
My that is a large and hearty representation of the male member. Bravo!
Yes, everyone that disagrees with you should go get themselves suitably fornicated. Excellent analysis!
Kudos to you all. I salute you future Shakespeares and Rembrandts! When you graduate and move on to become the movers and shakers in society, may you express yourselves so eloquently still. I quail to imagine what you may draw on the bathroom walls of the halls of power someday. It will be earth-shatteringly epic.
Who knew <insert person's name here> was still in need of a good time? Not me!
My that is a large and hearty representation of the male member. Bravo!
Yes, everyone that disagrees with you should go get themselves suitably fornicated. Excellent analysis!
Kudos to you all. I salute you future Shakespeares and Rembrandts! When you graduate and move on to become the movers and shakers in society, may you express yourselves so eloquently still. I quail to imagine what you may draw on the bathroom walls of the halls of power someday. It will be earth-shatteringly epic.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Summer Mix
As everyone knows one of the most important parts of preparing for the summer is the proper playlist.
Here is mine (more or less):
Redemption Song - Bob Marley
Don't Carry it All - The Decemberists
Girl Is On My Mind - The Black Keys
Foxey Lady - Jimi Hendrix
Abel - The National
Un Dernier Verre (Pour La Route) - Beirut
I Was Born - Billy Bragg/Natalie Merchant
Just Like Heaven - The Cure
Crystal Frontier [Widescreen Version] - Calexico
Jesus Gonna' Be Here - The Blind Boys of Alabama
Born to Hum - Erin Mckeown
Heavy Lifting - Ambulance LTD
Everybody Needs Love - Robyn Hitchcock
Killer Queen - Queen
Flightless Bird American Mouth - Iron & Wine
Dog Days Are Over - Florence + The Machine
Cello Song - Nick Drake
Our Story - The Judybats
Sec Walkin - My Morning Jacket
Damn, Sam (I Love A Woman That Rains) - Ryan Adams
Animal Shapes - Silver Jews
Transcendental Blues - Steve Earle
Since the Last Time - Arrested Development
Simple - Collective Soul
Baddest of the Bad - Reverend Horton Heat
Sister Havana - Urge Overkill
Blue Orchid - White Stripes
Filipino Box Spring Hog - Tom Waits
Mr. Grieves - The Pixies
Big Brown Eyes - Old 97's
It Goes On And On - The Avett Brothers
Too long to burn to a CD but not too long for my digital player. Go technology.
Here is mine (more or less):
Redemption Song - Bob Marley
Don't Carry it All - The Decemberists
Girl Is On My Mind - The Black Keys
Foxey Lady - Jimi Hendrix
Abel - The National
Un Dernier Verre (Pour La Route) - Beirut
I Was Born - Billy Bragg/Natalie Merchant
Just Like Heaven - The Cure
Crystal Frontier [Widescreen Version] - Calexico
Jesus Gonna' Be Here - The Blind Boys of Alabama
Born to Hum - Erin Mckeown
Heavy Lifting - Ambulance LTD
Everybody Needs Love - Robyn Hitchcock
Killer Queen - Queen
Flightless Bird American Mouth - Iron & Wine
Dog Days Are Over - Florence + The Machine
Cello Song - Nick Drake
Our Story - The Judybats
Sec Walkin - My Morning Jacket
Damn, Sam (I Love A Woman That Rains) - Ryan Adams
Animal Shapes - Silver Jews
Transcendental Blues - Steve Earle
Since the Last Time - Arrested Development
Simple - Collective Soul
Baddest of the Bad - Reverend Horton Heat
Sister Havana - Urge Overkill
Blue Orchid - White Stripes
Filipino Box Spring Hog - Tom Waits
Mr. Grieves - The Pixies
Big Brown Eyes - Old 97's
It Goes On And On - The Avett Brothers
Too long to burn to a CD but not too long for my digital player. Go technology.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Sometimes I Just Need to Act
I watched an episode of the most excellent how-to web series Film Riot today and boy it made me want to be an actor again. I haven't performed in almost ten years. (Wow!) Every once-in-a-while it hits me, this wave of longing and angst for something I found incredibly fulfilling. I can go months and even years between the longing, but when it hits it's overwhelming.
If you were to ask me why it's been so long the answer is: I've been busy. From the time I last performed to now, I've had three kids, a couple of mortgages, moved across the country, dealt with the depression and emotional aftermath of a difficult miscarriage, changed jobs six times, and decided to actually finish my bachelor's degree. I've been busy.
I don't regret any of those decisions (or the experiences that resulted) and have done a lot of maturing in that time. There's been a lot of happiness, a lot of fun, and some pain. I'm not wishing for a life I never had. I love my life. But sometimes I miss some parts that I've chosen to leave behind (even if only temporarily).
Someday soon I will perform again. I'll find a little theatre or an independent filmmaker and lose myself for a time in the creative process and make a little art. It seems incongruous to say, but despite having let the acting muscles lay largely unused I feel like I'll be a better actor when I do return. The years in-between have given me greater empathy and understanding of myself and those around me. I can see now a lot of the mistakes I was making. My approach to the craft is going to be significantly different.
I daresay I'm not the only one out there who's creative life has been on hold for a few years. (In part starting this ever so cutting edge blog [It'll revolutionize the internet!] is an attempt to fulfill the part of me that loves and needs to write.) To my fellow Creative-Souls-On-Hold I would only give this small piece of advice: Your time will come just as mine will. Until then we have our dreams.
If you were to ask me why it's been so long the answer is: I've been busy. From the time I last performed to now, I've had three kids, a couple of mortgages, moved across the country, dealt with the depression and emotional aftermath of a difficult miscarriage, changed jobs six times, and decided to actually finish my bachelor's degree. I've been busy.
I don't regret any of those decisions (or the experiences that resulted) and have done a lot of maturing in that time. There's been a lot of happiness, a lot of fun, and some pain. I'm not wishing for a life I never had. I love my life. But sometimes I miss some parts that I've chosen to leave behind (even if only temporarily).
Someday soon I will perform again. I'll find a little theatre or an independent filmmaker and lose myself for a time in the creative process and make a little art. It seems incongruous to say, but despite having let the acting muscles lay largely unused I feel like I'll be a better actor when I do return. The years in-between have given me greater empathy and understanding of myself and those around me. I can see now a lot of the mistakes I was making. My approach to the craft is going to be significantly different.
I daresay I'm not the only one out there who's creative life has been on hold for a few years. (In part starting this ever so cutting edge blog [It'll revolutionize the internet!] is an attempt to fulfill the part of me that loves and needs to write.) To my fellow Creative-Souls-On-Hold I would only give this small piece of advice: Your time will come just as mine will. Until then we have our dreams.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
As Is Typical I'm Late
Hello,
I'm Nate. I have opinions. Sometimes I have questions. Occasionally I have neither. Being on the cutting edge of technological innovation I thought I'd start a webblog (or blog) where I tell people what I think about stuff. This is a revolutionary idea I realize but that's me, always pushing the envelope.
I'm Nate. I have opinions. Sometimes I have questions. Occasionally I have neither. Being on the cutting edge of technological innovation I thought I'd start a webblog (or blog) where I tell people what I think about stuff. This is a revolutionary idea I realize but that's me, always pushing the envelope.
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