Okay, so I didn't read the blog yesterday because I was busy touring a massive industrial facility and then traveling home from Ohio. But I logged in this morning ready to write a masterpiece, inspired by today's designation of "National Milk Day," all about how we used to drink milk every day for lunch, but now what do we drink? And what would we drink if we didn't all have to go back to work after lunch? And well, damn you, Peep!
Okay, so, soldiering on, and searching desperately for blogging ideas, lately, I've been reading Heat by Bill Buford. The descriptions of food in Heat make me desperately want to travel to Italy for some homemade pasta. They also make me want to either travel to New York immediately and storm a Mario Batali restaurant, demanding a five course tasting menu, or call the NYC health department to report all of Mr. Batali's restaurants. And I haven't even gottent to the part touted on the jacket where the author interns with a butcher. I predict at least temporary vegetarianism in my future. For better and for worse, the book is, um, rather vivid.
So, what's your favorite food fiction (or non-fiction)? Do you read over your lunch break? Any books you can't read because they put you off food? And, most importantly, What's for Lunch?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
47 comments:
hmmm...good topic. Especially considering that I read cookbooks like novels. I will literally camp out on the couch with a new cookbook and read through it page by page. I'm a nerd.
Under the Tuscan Sun (which in reality is nothing like the dumb romantic comedy starring Diane Lane) and A Year in Provence, are two books that constantly made me hungry when I read them. And I also came to the conclusion that if I ever travel to either of those places, that I should just plan to stay there because I would get so fat that they wouldn't let me back on the plane!
I enjoy reading during lunch, I think is a great way to get an actual mental break from work. The only book that I can think of that I may not read during lunch is The Jungle.
Today I'm going to have some soup that LC brought over the other night...it is delicioso.
Good topic.
Choke by Chuck Palahniuk made me really conscious of everyone else when we went out. So much so I didn't eat anything.
Today I'm thinking salad. I went out to Christian's tailgate with RoEsq last night to meet some friends and I got a 1/2lb burger and fries and 2 pitchers of beer.
I love carbs.
Oh, as for reading during lunch? When I get into a book, it becomes a near crack addiction. If I break that too many times.. I never want to go back .. so reading is kept for weekend quiet times.
I guess like Diz, I am a reading adict. Last year I went through a book a day when I was working in a middle school. Ok, so they were books I got in the library, but they were still 300 - 400 pages.
I like to read during lunch, it is almost essential to have a shitty paper, I mean City Paper, or an Express, or a National Gographic, or the back of a shampoo bottle or something. If not, all you have to do is order, wait, pay eat and go back to work. I enjoy the mental vacation at lunch, and will often skip lunch if I have nothing to read.
I read a lot of science fiction, so they don't talk about recognizable foods much if at all. It's all about nutrition paste, or health pills or roast wombazoid. In fact the only thing I can remember about food in a book is the organic hippies in the Celistine Prophesy who sing to and focus their hippy energy on their veggies what grow larger and better and then they all have a giant hippie feast and probably get high and talk about changing the world, but don't actually do anything because they're stupid hippies.
Lunch today is TBD, I am skipping breakfast for the most part. I am having a bananna, but that is not what I normally eat. So I'll be looking for something good today. Maybe Susui Taro or Baja Fresh.
Nice recovery, GG!
Unlike a lot of you, I do not participate in the joys of public transportation. And, even I recognize that reading while operating a motor vehicle is generally ill advised. This means that my reading time is limited to in the evenings and weekends at home. Or on planes. I do a lot of reading on planes.
I can't think of anyone more fantastic than M.F.K. Fisher when it comes to books about eating. Sure, you've got your Moveable Feast, but Hemingway skeeves me out.
I have to say that a good portion of my eating (in fact, damn near all of my eating at home) is done in front of the computer, so less than books I'm likely to be perusing this here blog, gossip sites, news sites, political blogs, what have you. I really do need to start reading more books again.
I am however currently reading an historical overview of the history of the American Indians, borrowed from Lady A. It is making me want to eat bison and maize. I'm highly susceptible to suggestion.
Anything by Upton Sinclair.
My daily reading schedule consists of the Post in the morning, online news at lunch and during the day, and whatever graphic novel/comic I am working on in the evening. Right now I am reading "Sword of Atlantis" which chronicles the origin of the new Aquaman.
Say something...
For lunch I have no ideas yet.
Dinner is at a place called Ristorante La Perla, which is confusing because I thought that was a store for fancy undergarments.
I love love love reading at lunch time. It's not just for the genuine mental break that has been mentioned already, but it also makes me feel good about not eating lunch with anyone else. I like to believe that sitting quietly with a book and my lunch says to any approaching co-workers, "I grudgingly accept that you might need to bother me in the course of my work day, but - for the sweet love of the Holy Mother - do NOT interrupt my lunch with your vapid, mouth-breathing idiocy."
It only works marginally.
I'm sad to say that no passages about food that are jumping to mind. I have vague recollection of some delightful passage about the taste of a pear. I'm under the unfounded impression that it's in some Fitzgerald work, probably a prelude to some not-quite-scandalous adultery. But, nothing definite.
There's really nothing I'm not willing to read while I eat. I am pretty skilled at separating whatever I'm doing from whatever I'm reading. Or talking about, for that matter. I'm one of those no-new-converational-limits-just-because-we're-eating types.
I'm having more leftovers today. Much like LT's overgrown burger of yesterday, my shells and sausage ragout just keep getting better with age. Probably some more dried apricots, too. And water.
Oooh, good topic. I've neve read the Jungle b/c I'm scared too. Plus I love a good steak too much. Maybe I'll eat it after steak at Charlie Palmer's. Is 'Heat' like the 21st century's version of the Jungle? At first I thought you were maybe talking about a novel that that Val Kilmer movie was based on.
I don't usually read at lunch, b/c my eyes are already burning from staring at a computer screen all morning. However, earlier in my career I was reading the Hot Zone during lunch & I had to stop b/c the descriptions of the guy who was sick on the plane made me absolutely nauseated. I usually don't have too much problem, but that book . . . shudder. In fact, I will put a challenge out to Quake to read the Hot Zone during lunch. Especially that chapter (I believe it's the first or second chapter).
nice topic on a shitty day. My fing tire came off my rim on my way to work today. $150 and two hours later i made it to work (thank god this happened outside a nissan dealership).
anyway
this topic immediately made me think of "The Life of Pi" where Pi is describing in detail how he butchers the sea turtles and how much a treat their blood is... mmm.. that put me off from turtle meat for like a month... Ah and that makes me think of "The Dark Tower" series where Suzanna is having those hallucinations of being at a feast where in reality she is roaming the swamps eating muskrats and huge toads... (haven't had a muskrat since)
I really like EQ's eloquence and discussed it with my boss.. bad news is, verbal abuse is out..
M [11:05 AM]:
"I grudgingly accept that you might need to bother me in the course of my work day, but - for the sweet love of the Holy Mother - do NOT interrupt my lunch with your vapid, mouth-breathing idiocy."
M [11:05 AM]:
can i say this to ele?
Boss [11:06 AM]:
You might want to word it a little nicer...when you are eating, change your status to away
M [11:06 AM]:
hmm
M [11:07 AM]:
if i dont say that can i use a cattle prod when she comes to my desk?
Boss [11:07 AM]:
sure
M [11:07 AM]:
yay!!
M [11:07 AM]:
can i expense that?
Boss [11:08 AM]:
of course, it's a motivation tool
M [11:09 AM]:
thanks!
Oh, and speaking of Charlie Palmer's, I just want to make sure I've got everyone on the list who wants to be there: me, HT, Lachoi, GG, Lady A, Quake, and Bonbon. Lady A, you never told me if Lord A was coming. If he is, then we are full up at 8, if he's not, then we have an extra spot!
We also have an extra spot still at PS7 tonight at 8:45! Come on, you know you want it. Seriously, people, this is apparently a hard place to get into - this was the earliest reservation I could get (well, I could have gotten 5:30, but who the hell can make that?) - and they were booked up on the weekend.
Wait a second LT...when is Charlie Palmer's?
Depending on your answer to that question I may have two more for wannabes for you.
It's Sunday at 5:15. Let me know asap - I'll have to call & see if we can bump up the #s.
Lunch today will probably have me doing a bit of a research project at the parking garage at 1800 Mass ave. Oh no, I've said too much.
So anywise, I may hit a book store and pick up a book to accompany my probably Baja Fresh or CPK meal in the Dupont ave area of Cap. City.
LT I am checking with the missus and will let you know asap.
Will you folks be drinking after Charlie Palmer's since Monday is a national holiday?
LT: I'm still in. It's on my calendar and ever'thin'.
Turns out lunch is not going to be leftovers. I had a big meeting with outside people at 1130AM, but those clown-ass tricks got lost because they "followed MapQuest directions." Who the fuck doesn't know that MapQuest doesn't work?
Anyway, that means that the presentation portion of the meeting that I was supposed to attend has been folded in to the lunch portion of the meeting that I wasn't supposed to attend. So, guess who's going to Morton's on the company dime this afternoon?
Alas, that means no reading, but take that, o-so-tasty leftovers!
I will take up these appetite-crushing reading suggestions and report back when they are complete. (I should note here that I've made no claims to absolute immunity; I'm just saying that I am not at the queasy end of the scale.)
jo: I certainly will be.
Everyone: I find it curious that there has been no shittalking in the wake of Monday night's football contest. No braggarts. No naysayers. Is this all because Blogger's orneriness on Tuesday outlasted anyone's concern for the game?
And for the Record on Milk day.
Dairy products like cheese, sour cream and more cheese aside, my favorite form of milk is the Shake.
I tried a new candy cane shake at Christian Holiday time in December. It was great.
Like Mexican food, I take Icecream and especially milkshakes very seriously.
Duke lost again last night.
Leftover chicken enchiladas made with green chile that was imported from new mexico. Is anyone familiar with that state's fascination with the green chile? Kinda weird.
I've been doing sudoku at lunch recently. Whatever...
MLK day is not a holiday for me, so I won't be drinking apres dinner. Although I could probably be talked into a drink. My company doesn't care about the black man. Or woman. Sigh!
Quake, the Hot Zone is an excellent book even besides the stomach-churning illness descriptions. You'll know you've gotten to the part I'm talking about when the sick guy gets on the plane to the big city (Kinshasa or something? I forget, it's been awhile since I read it). Let's just say, if I did my job well, you'll have a hard time cleaning out the coffee filter for awhile . . . . mwa ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!!!! Ew, so gross.
You know, we will be in my neck o' the woods on Sunday night... some red... some black...
I still don't know if I'm off on Monday though, but going for a drink after CPS is a no brainer.
E-quake--as a federal employee, I will probably be drinking after dinner at Charlie Palmer's. If you can stand another appetite-crushing read, may I suggest "In the Heart of the Sea." Fascinating book, really well-written, but nothing kills the appetite like graphic descriptions of starvation, dehydration, and cannabilism. It was grosser than the Jungle.
And, no, LT, Heat isn't a modern The Jungle (that would be Fast Food Nation). It's basically a memoir about a guy who had a midlife crisis and decided to become a chef (and, apparently a butcher's apprentice). The descriptions of what goes on in a restaurant kitchen are no grosser than Kitchen Confidential (and certainly won't put me off restaurant dining forever), but they are eye-opening.
Lunch today was Reuben from the cafeteria. With LOTS of sauerkraut!
Everone: The Gators are the superest National Champs there ever have been in the history of Sports. On monday they padded their resume by giving Ohio State, The Big Ten, and the entire country the most uncomfortable rim job they've ever had. In your face Michigan, in your face USC, Go fuck a potato Boise State. Next stop, another Final Four appearance and another trophy.
It's Great to be Florida Gator!
Now if only I can make my degree work for me and get a damn job, that'd be sweet.
Is that boastful enough Quake? I can do more if you like.
quake: @ Morton's get the cajun ribeye medium rare.
Good job, Peep! Any idea where DC (or Alexandria) ranked in there??
God, I'm hungry. I might have to eat earlier than I planned (which was 2).
1/2 pound mushroom swiss sans fungus. pretty wonderful hangover food.
Going to see Man Man in Philly tomorrow so things are Looking Up.
2 items:
1. My friend just told me about all the awesome free food at Morton's happy hours!! How have I never been?? (I suspect Morton's has 17 dollar cocktails... totally worth it for a couple of steak sandwiches)
2. Wooo!! American soccer just got another over-the-hill soccer star!! When we say 'Bend it like Beckham', we mean his spine! B/c he's so old! With the osteoperosis! Ah well. One day soccer, sorry, football will be popular enough here to get a star in his prime.
Hey kids, blogging you from Beirut, Lebanon. Got an intermitent internet connection.
Today for lunch, which was 8 hours ago, I had some sort of Lebanese food I can't pronounce. Basically it was meat balls in red sauce with rice,and there were some pine nuts in there that made it awesome.
About to head out in an armored car with a couple body guards who tote machine guns all just to go to an italian place, which I guess is popular here.
That better be some good spaghetti.
Today's lunch reading, "How to Survive Anything"
PeeP, If in the past month I did 3 - 4 drinking binges, and in each of those binges I drank enough to intoxicate 2 people, how many people do I represent?
I ask, because I think the Czar's NY Eve Eve party wasn't counted in your statistics. If it was, I bet Cap City would get on the map.
I was casually relating to other party goers in an adult like manner one minute, had a glass of the punch a minute later, was yelling and swearing loudly the next minute, then got a touch of the Irish Flu and had to be driven home... I only live 4 blocks away.
LizT, if it is possible the missus and I would like to join you on Sunday at Charlie Trotter's. If it isn't no worries because I know how late I am to the dance.
Re: Morton's HH. I have been and the steak sandwiches are tasty, but I think they recently stopped serving them at the Conn Ave Morton's. And you're right, a "free" bite sized steak sandwich and a $15 drink isn't exactly a great deal.
And I would like to thank everyone who came...and puked at the annual NYEE party. The bathroom was spotless and I would have never known that so many of you had orally evacuated the missus' punch.
Can't wait till the next one!
LT - I'm pretty sure that Lord A is in for CP's on sunday. So just keep him in the counts! I do have monday off as well but depending on how full I am will determine on post-dinner drinking.
Jo, you are in luck. They said they could expand the list. So now it's:
LT
HT
LC
Lady A
Lord A
Quake
Bonbon
GGg
Jo
Lady Jo
Whoop whoop! They better have steak on their restaurant week menu . . . .
Wait, we're going to Charlie Trotter's? Chicago's an awful far way to go...
And that bitch won't serve me my foie gras.
Peep - sup sup?!! H-town in tha house with the 25.6! I knew there was a reason I got along with everyone here so well.
At least yins don't have the "oversharing" problem that most Houstonians have. You ask them a freakin question about how their day was and they give you a life story. GEEESH!
That is why I binge drink. ... well that and college loans I didn't get to collect myself.
LizT: Thanks for the inclusion. Looking forward to it.
Trotters, Palmers...
By the way, The L Word is back and during a love scene between Jenny and the new girl guess what I spied in their lesbian fridge...CLAMATO!
If you saw the definitions at the end of the day yesterday you would know that it has been decreed that
Clamato means "fucking (bearded) clams"
SO of course lesbians have it in their fridge.
And Jo, it is slightly disturbing that during hot girl on girl action you are looking past it and into the fridge. What up with that? Has reading about Aquaman turned you a little squishy?
Diz, Houstonians do that too? I thought that was more of a northern-mid-western thing. A guy I used to work with would give you, not only his minute-by-minute itinerary for work travel, but his minute-by-minute alternative itineraries and the myriad reasons he decided not to take those. Gah! Shut up already! All I asked was: Are you back in the office Tuesday afternoon or Wednesday morning?!?!?
I used to overinform, but I realized that I don't care about what other people have to say, so they must not care about what I have to say.
If Turtle asked me that question, my answer would be:
"Yes"
Because I would be home Tuesday or Wednesday.
yap yap yap, helio.
Jo, do you think that was a subtle bearded clam reference? I still haven't seen it - thank God for OnDemand...
"helio" you have obviously not seen as many L Words as I have.
My eyes are schooled to catch every detail in frame.
Need to read all posts before commenting... need to read all posts before commenting... need to read all posts before commenting...
Wound up having the full-grown steak sandwich with french fries at Morton's. I loves me a good steak sandwich. I also realized that my ad hoc attendance of this lunch meeting meant I wasn't gonna have to talk because I wasn't even supposed to be there. So, I figured I would go with the thing I could eat with my fingers.
Super-duper Charlie Palmer's crowd! I was excited when it was just me and the ladies, but adding Lord A and Jo? You couldn't ask for an better additional pair of bitches.
wd: can you arrange for our security detail for Sunday night?
jo: wish I could have made the party, but I was out drinking my face off in a different jurisdiction. For what it's worth, throwing up was one of the few things I didn't do that night. I saved that for the morning.
well quakey I'm glad that you'll be there so I have another pair of breasts to look at...
Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight!
No? Sigh. The schoolgirl in me is disappointed.
Don't buy that Blue-ray Sony player ... it AIN'T GONNA MAKE IT!!!
It ain't gonna make it!
HD-DVD WINS!!! Yeah X-Box360!!!!
nice link diz! i liked the quote:
"Porn . . . pushes tech adoption"
Post a Comment