Food Porn

So today is my last day in South Carolina. Tomorrow, I start the long drive home.

Admittedly, it is difficult to be away from home like this. But there is a part of me that enjoys it. One of my favorite TV shows is Anthony Bourdain’s “No Reservations”. Not only is he one cool mother, but his philosophy in regard to traveling matches mine. He immerses himself into the culture and is not afraid to sample local delicacies.

The thing I like about my job – I am able to stay in a place long enough to get to know a place.

Some construction workers find bliss in leaving their dollars in the garter belt of strippers. I leave by bills on the table of the waitress. Food is my solace.

The pizza and Italian food in Connecticut. The lobster in Massachusetts. The taco stands in Tucson with their Sonoran hot dogs. The buffets in Vegas. DiBella’s subs and Primanti Brothers in Pittsburgh. The greasy goodness of Southern cooking as exemplified in South Carolina’s Lizard’s Thicket.

And when we don’t eat out, we grill. Carne asada, jalapeños roasted on flames and burned fingers from flipping over tortillas by hand.

The pain of being separated from my family assuaged by the sizzling of meat…

Our Time in the South

THIS BLOG POST WAS WRITTEN BY MY BROTHER TONY ABOUT HIS TIME IN THE SOUTH (WHERE I AM CURRENTLY WORKING WITH HIM.)

The South is a place in America that is rich with history. Within the last seven months, I've had the privilege of working here, and have experienced/witnessed many different things. Above all my memories I'll take with me when I leave is the genuine and heart-felt greeting strangers give one another. I was raised to greet people--even in passing--but to find that when done in the Northeast, people draw back as they pass, cringing with the spoken pleasantry, and frowning as they pass.

I was told by a friend I met, that here, in the South, if one doesn't greet another, then something is wrong with that person.

The beauty of this place is yet another thing I will miss. I have finally found a locale where I'm not incapacitated with allergies. At home in the White Mountains of Arizona, I dread the juniper trees' bi-annual release of pollen. Under a microscope, the pollen has vicious-looking barbs, that within my lung tissue, viciously attach themselves, which leads to an eventual illness, fever, and leaves me just feeling miserable. I'm usually bed-ridden for a couple weeks.

I won't miss the Tiger Mosquitos, and their voracious and aggressive appetite. Or the chiggers. Insect repellent has become a common object among my personal effects.

Each morning I enjoy stopping outdoors, when throwing my trash and listening to the variety of birds that perch upon the branches of the oak, pine, magnolia, birch, willow. Everything is so green out here. Even the vines that reach towards these trees, and envelop the floor, is beautiful. There are squirrels here that have become accustomed to my morning walks to the dumpster and no longer feel threatened by my presence, as they forage for their breakfast.

I also won't miss the mustard barbeque sauce. It's too acidic for my taste, and I always regret having eaten it during the night waking with heartburn.

Easter Saturday (if there is such a day), I was driving back to the hotel after picking up my morning coffee from Circle K and I observed a bearded man with long hair pulling a cross on wheels. I've seen a similar character in the Phoenix valley before, but what struck me profoundly, is that as I passed, he passed a woman hired by Liberty Taxes, dressed in a greened-copper-colored gown, with a crown to match, who smiled from the sidewalk and waved at the passing vehicles, then turned to wave with equal excitement to the man with the roller-cross. I couldn't help but grin and shake my head as I turned onto Chris Drive.

Another thing I shall not miss are the smelly poultry trucks that pass each day--carrying stacks of cages filled with fryers headed towards their demise.

I will miss the cuisine. Southern cooking is within a league of their own. I love cooking vegetables in olive oil, and let them steam with their own moisture, but was thrilled to discover that Southerners cook theirs in pork fat, which lends to an explosion of flavor in every bite. I even was amused by the disclaimer Lizard's Thicket has on their tables--that the vegetables are cooked with animal products.

I'll miss Bojangle's. Some of the best and cheapest chicken I've had from fast-food, as well as the legendary french fries from Checker's. And I'll miss the mac 'n' cheese, that seems to be more of a staple here than grits. It's not like the Kraft variety--it's baked with egg, cheese, butter. The top is browned to a crust, and, wow. Comfort food that really gives one comfort.

I'll miss the balmy weather, and the occasional whiff from the sea. Seeing the Spanish moss hang from the trees in Charleston, and seeing the many historic structures there was a visual delight. I half expected seeing women in hoop-skirts emerging from those homes, with their umbrellas casually perched on their shoulders as we passed by. And the sand at Sullivan's Island--so fine that a gust of wind would stir it onto my lips.

I honestly hope that one day work brings me in this direction again. I'll miss all those with whom I've had the pleasure of meeting, and they will always have a fond place within my heart. If you ever get the opportunity to visit the South--do so. The Carolinas and Georgia are beautiful places to see, but even more,there is an abundance of beautiful places at which to eat.

New Baby

So, I had a baby boy born to Martha and I on Sunday, April 19, 2009. He was born at 12:10PM in Arizona, and weighed 10 lbs., 5 oz.

The only problem is that I was not there...

The ultrasound said the baby was due March 28th. But the midwife insisted that she was due April 12th.

And I am still working in South Carolina.

We had been waiting on a carpet delivery for the hotel project we are working on, and the first week of April was the Master's Open. So the hotel was sold out and wanted no work during the golf tournament.

What this means... I got laid off for the first week of April. So I took the chance that the baby could come during this time and flew home.

It was a nice visit, but it became evident that Martha had not dropped. So we both knew (from experience) that the baby wouldn't be coming soon.

The project in South Carolina is due to end at the end of April, and I have no work slated after that. So after much discussion, Martha and I decided that the family would be best served if I went back to South Carolina. So I flew back to Columbia.

Sunday morning, April 19, Temple called me. She asked me if I had spoken to Martha. I told her that Martha hadn't called me in a couple of days. Temple told me that the previous night, Martha's water had partially broke. She told me that it wouldn't be that long before the baby would come.

I was in disbelief. "What? Like in a couple of days?"

"No," Temple said. "Today."

A couple of hours later, Martha called me to say that she was starting to feel contractions come on.

I paced the hallways, waiting for the carpet to be installed. The frustration that I was not there, could not be there was beyond belief.

An hour or so later, Temple texted me - the baby was in the birth canal. I texted her back: Let me know.

An hour or so later, she texted back... a photo of a baby boy.

I am amazed. I have not seen him yet, beyond seeing his photo.

Martha is still resting at my mother's house, getting some rest. She is amazing.

Temple is at home, watching Martha's kids (alomg with her own). She is feeding them, helping them with their homework, doing the shopping for 10 other kids, running errands, etc. Temple is also amazing. This is what being a sisterwife is all about.

I can't wait until I go home.... (Next week, I think.)

.

Bad Economy... Good for Polygamists

Someone in one of the comments on my last post pointed out that Harry Reid should be worrying about other more important issues - like the economy, etc. Instead he flexes his congressional love-muscle to fret about the existence of polygamists.

Here is more from that article about David "Pendejo" Lujan at ASU:

"The bill soared through the House with bipartisan support but was blocked by former Rep. Eddie Farnsworth on the House Judiciary Committee, who Lujan said had a “difference in philosophy.”

"Farnsworth is no longer in the legislature, but now the budget crisis must be resolved before any representatives or state senators can introduce new bills."

First of all:

1. God bless Eddie Farnsworth! I would kiss you if I didn't have puke breath!
2. That sucks that he is gone.
3. Hurray for budget crisis! Lujan's pendejo bill will have to wait. :(

Creepy Creepy

Sorry about the lapse. I do repent…

Imagine that you are part of a minority group. Not that hard to imagine. Now imagine that there are certain bigots that are well-placed in government that have an agenda to wipe you and your minority group off the face of the planet – an ethnic cleansing, if you will.

From ASU Webdevil, dated 4/15/09:

http://www.asuwebdevil.com/node/5975

This article covered an anti-polygamy speech given by Arizona Representative David Lujan at ASU. He brought with him Flora “Tweaking Scarecrow” Jessop to vomit lies about the FLDS. (Now, I don’t know the FLDS that well, but even I have a hard time believing her tall tales. Holding babies heads under water to stop them from crying??? Give me a break! Even I know that is bullshit!)

Lujan obviously plans to continue his crusade against polygamists, but he also plans to take his battle to Arizona’s AG office:

“Lujan is the Arizona House of Representatives Minority Leader, and a possible contender for Attorney General in 2010. Additionally, he serves as the staff attorney for Defenders of Children, the first nonprofit organization to open an office in Colorado City“

I swear, if Lujan becomes AG in Arizona, I am moving. I am ashamed that we are both latinos. ¡La tuya, pendejo!

Even creepier… This article in US News yesterday:


http://www.usnews.com/blogs/washington-whispers/2009/4/16/harry-reid-pushes-for-anti-polygamy-task-force.html#

Harry Reid Pushes For Anti-Polygamy Task Force

By Paul Bedard, Washington Whispers


He's a Mormon convert and a Nevada lawyer, so nobody has to tell Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid that polygamy is illegal. But having multiple spouses continues, especially in splinter Mormon groups, and now he's planning to make it a federal case. Reid says he will push the attorney general to create a task force to stamp out the practice. The Department of Justice is expected to agree. "We have an obligation to help these women and children who are being victimized," Reid says..




No, Harry is not a crusader. Harry is not doing this because he is a Mormon. He is doing this from the goodness of his heart. Bless him. Now my children and I have something to fear in the dark of night.

So Harry Reid is going to “stamp out the practice? Riiiiiight. Harry, you sure have a hairy pair, doncha?? Brigham Young would be shaking his finger out you, naughty boy!