Who's the Actual Heartbreaker?

Very recently, I was approached by a very attractive girl. Let's call her Mae. Mae walked up to me, smiled, and proceeded to hand me a small slip of paper onto which her name and phone number had been seemingly hastily jotted. I was flattered. I mean, I'm not the most unattractive schmo in town, but this definitely isn't something that happens everyday. I'm certain that a typical bro would have gone after this girl without hesitation; long legs resulting in an almost intimidating height, flowing dark hair that would undoubtedly feel perfect running through your fingers, and a pair of lips that you just know were made for long, slow kisses. Even thinking about her now, as I picture her in my mind, I'm wondering how my libido let me pass up this opportunity. Oh yeah, I remember; food!

After the initial phone number exchange, the first form of communication Mae and I participated in was via text message. During these silent conversations, the normal get-to-know-you chatter took place. The charm of scattered 'LOLs' and parenthetical smiley-faces would soon be drowned out by something she'd say during our first face-to-face conversation.

I remember it like it was yesterday (probably because it was yesterday;) the discussion began with each of us asking about the other's day and how it had been going so far. After several minutes of forgettable Q&A and a few subtle glances at her body, I quickly became alert when the topic of conversation turned to eats. She'd asked me which type of food I liked to eat the most and this just so happened to be a question to which I have a customary answer:

Me:     "I always say my second favorite food is hotdogs."
Asker: "Oh. What's your first favorite?"
Me:    "Well, I can't think of anything I dislike, so I guess my favorite is whatever I'm eating at the time."

Her response to my answer was putrid. With an innocent grin and total lack of shame, she uttered, "I'm probably one of the pickiest eaters you will ever meet." Now, I didn't want to seem rude or neglect whatever positive reputation I'd established for myself in her mind so, as much as it hurt, I playfully laughed along. Kicking my people skills into high gear, I tactfully came up with an excuse to end the conversation and went about my business. After learning this about her, I knew that the future had nothing in store for Mae and I, in terms of any sort of intimate relationship.

I received a text message from Mae later that night. She'd asked me about my plans for Halloween and I assumed she was preparing to invite me to join in on that which she'd be doing. At that point, I decided not to let whatever this was drag on any further. I decided to cease communication.


Compatibility = a must = food/music interests = compatibility.
(an opportunity to discuss music interests never presented itself)

Guster

I'll edit this post with more information later on. In the mean time, listen to 'I Spy' by Guster.

Smoothies, Kid. Smoothies.

I enjoy smoothies on a very regular basis. I've decided to provide homemade recipes for a few of the smoothies I prepare throughout my week. Those recipes can be found here.

All of my smoothies contain fruits/berries that I have purchased fresh, cut into chunks that can be easily blended, portioned into single servings, and frozen. Besides being a necessary method of organization, this process has done two things; provided a longer lasting supply of produce and eliminated the need for ice in my smoothies. Also, I've found that frozen fruit, in most cases, tastes better in smoothies.

For me, there are a few rules when it comes to smoothie consumption:

1) Fruits must be fresh (as opposed to canned, IQF is okay)
2) Juices must not be from concentrate nor contain added sweeteners
3) Yogurt must be plain
4) Ice should rarely (if ever) be needed

Please note that the practices above are not mandatory to achieve brilliant smoothies. They're just a set of guidelines that make my smoothie-making hobby as pleasant as possible. 

Texas RenFest 2010

The Texas Renaissance Festival was started in 1974 in Plantersville, Texas. Year after year, people from all walks of life wander their way to the small town to be surrounded by ye old food, drink, and merriment. Upon passing through the castle-like walls of this medieval celebration, each of one's senses are stimulated by the plethora of goodness that's offered. Amongst the crowds of pirates and swashbucklers, damsels and dukes, recreated taverns and beirgartens happily provide guests with traditional drinks and eats that are as tasty as they are pricy.

2010 marks the 36th running year for the Texas Renaissance Festival, and on 10/10/2010, I vistited for opening weekend. A few of the guys from work thought it sounded fun, so I opted to take the drive out. When I was younger,  my family attended the festival once before so I knew what to expect. I knew it'd be a day for blowing money on over-priced fun and a lot of walking, but I knew I'd end up enjoying time with some co-workers. I'm not a fan of crowds, which I knew would be plentiful. I'm not a fan of noises over other noises (like talking on the phone and listening to the radio at the same time,) which I knew I'd have to endure. I'm not a fan of being hassled by booth workers trying to persuade me into trying their game for $100 per throw, which I knew would happen. I'm not a fan of... well, I suppose I could go on, but I'm sure you're thinking, "Is there anything he did enjoy? Again, I knew what to expect and, being the person I am, you can trust that I'd not have gone if I were not anticipating something I'd take pleasure in.

There are three reasons I made the trip that day: a massive charred turkey leg, a succulent ear of roasted corn, and the crisp refreshment of unfiltered German wheat beer.

I got what I went for.

It's Natural: an Introduction to 'Eat, Play, Love'

I feel that, as humans, we we're placed here with a purpose; and along with that purpose, we have been endowed with a buffet natural characteristics which we each display differently. Among these (hundreds of) characteristics are things such as curiosity, eagerness or excitement, and the ability to love.

Yeah, curiosity. I mean, man has always been eager to learn, right? If that weren't the case, industrial or technological evolution wouldn't exist. If man wasn't curious about his body, his surroundings, his life, where would we be? If you've not already done so, really think about that.

And, excitement? We were designed to feel good. We were made to be happy. Take a moment to think back to the earliest Christmas Eve you're able to remember. Think back to getting behind a steering wheel for the first time. Think back to your first kiss. Now, those butterflies in your stomach; that smile on your face, they were placed there not by something physical, but by pure cognitive power - naturally.

How loosely do you use the word 'love?' It's an extremely vague term, huh? How many times have you said, "I love this song!" "I love you so much." or "Love ya, bye."? We can feel strongly about anything, and we often do. Sometimes it seems like the thing we love the most is love itself. And there's nothing wrong with that.  Even as infants, before we're able to comprehend the concept of love, we do it, don't we? (Thanks, mom.) After our first heartbreak, we continue to love and eventually seek love again. Our favorite song comes on the radio, we love it. We need that warmth. We need that fuzziness. We need passion.

As I'm writing, I, too, am asking myself how these three blessed traits can be tied together. Honestly, two things come to mind; music and food. At any given moment, with any given person, I've never been short of conversation when it comes to either of these two topics. In Eat, Play, Love I will share with you the obsession I've developed for music and food as a result of my curiosity, my eagerness, and my love for them throughout life up to this point.