We're having such a great discussion over at our online book club, Ship of Fools, about this book. I wanted to continue some of my thoughts here.
I read this book about eight months ago. I am not sure what compelled me to pick it up, perhaps the interesting title but, after the first page, I was completely hooked. Didion's writing is masterful, so raw and honest in her grief.
Living in a Western society, I find it weird that people are so uncomfortable talking about this subject. They don't believe in teaching it to their children. When pets die, kids are told that they've gone to some farm somewhere. When our pets died, we sent out handmade funeral invitations to our neighbourhood friends. We'd all have a chance to say goodbye. I am glad that my parents never hid the truth from me. We talk about loved ones that passed frequently.
When one of my good high school friends died, there was no more talk of her after the memorial services. It was as if everyone wanted to forget something tragic had happened. It was hard for me not to talk about her. I missed her so much and I would think of her in classes and hallways I had seen her last. At the end of the year when I was organizing a memorial for her for our yearbook and had to get a letter from her parents, I found a kindred spirit in her father.
It was awkward at first, he was hesitant and finally I guessed that he really wanted to talk about her. So I talked about things we used to do in school, the funny things she would say, her dreams for her future. I stayed for over an hour. As I left after a very teary afternoon, he whispered, "Thank you. Everyone refuses to talk about her. It's like she never existed." You know the cheesy saying - No one ever truly dies, as long as we have them in our hearts, they are still with us? I really believe it and silence about death is the true death.
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Posted in Reading List, Reviewing
Like every Harry Potter fan, I got my book today. I could barely wait to read it, but Stefan assured me that reading whilst walking home would not do. I have been flying through the pages of the book all afternoon, even shushing Stefan when he tried to ask me a question.
I finished the book in four hours, surprising even myself. The only thing is I am all bummed out that I read it so quickly - sad to know that the series is truly all over. I was really worried on how things could have ended, but I think J.K Rowling did a tremendous job wrapping everything up. I am dying to discuss the book with someone else but I don't think any of my friends have finished it yet and am under oath to not reveal any secrets. I think I'll just start reading the entire series again and by then surely someone will be done.
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Posted in Reading List
Inspired by my own post yesterday, I went out to get some duck breast and attempted to make a decent meal out of it. Holy Crap! What do they feed these things anyway? Two small to medium breasts cost about $20. It's almost the same price as a really good cut of beef.
I have to be the first to admit that I sometimes have issues mixing the proper flavours together. For example, the side dish will overpower the flavour of the main dish. This is the first time that I really put some thought into what each ingredient would taste like together and how I could make it work to enhance one another. Whenever I have had duck, it's usually been cooked in a Chinese rotisserie style, where the fat crisped up is favoured. From friends who are connoisseurs of this particular meat, I was told that duck breast done right should have pretty lean with a really subtle, rich flavour. I have to say that I am so surprised and pleased that my first attempt came out so fabulously. It's definitely going to be added into the list of dishes to serve when guests come over.
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Posted in Homage to Hunger
Have I mentioned how unbelievable smoldering it's been for the past week? So much for trying to go as AC-free as possible this summer. Although I must admit that we've used it less this year than we have in the past. We just cannot go without it when the temperature hits the 30's because our apartment is always 10 degrees hotter than it is outside. Fans, open windows and doors do nothing to abate the problem. And poor Mindy, when it's preposterous like this, she does nothing but lies on her back with a really pathetic look on her face.
Anyway, the great thing about the summer is that I tend to get so much more inspired to cook. The variety of local produce is simply endless and I tend to take the time to go to the markets that carry local products; as opposed to my cop out of going to those large supermarkets.
So here is my list of things that I want to learn to cook or learn to cook better:
Black Pepper Crab
Beets
Beef Bone Marrow
Cerviche
Chicken Pot Pie
Chicken Stock
Duck
Miso
New Pastas (other than my regular standbys)
Risotto
Smelts
Truffles
I am sure the list will get longer as I get exposed to cooking shows, magazines, food blogs etc. but I think that's a good list so far. Does anyone have any suggestions?
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Posted in Homage to Hunger
Someone needs to explain to me what the big deal is with Rachel Ray. Tons of people love her - she's got TV shows, books, magazines - I am just not one of them. I just find her bubbly personality so forced, insincere and incredibly annoying. I am right now, as we speak watching her "30 minute meal" show and let me tell you, what she's making is not "YUMM-O." In fact, it kind of looks like a dog's dinner.
On a side note, when I first started this blog I had complained about Giada of "Everyday Italian" fame for being too skinny to be a convincing cook. After watching "Chef-ography" where she explained her loss of weight due to nervousness of doing a new show, and her consequent weight gain to normalcy; I have to say, I've been all over her show like fresh herbs on a rack of lamb.
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Posted in Glued To The Tube, Homage to Hunger, What's Buggin' Me
Recently, I had to get rid of some of our furniture and miscellaneous things. We seem to be drowning in "things" right now. My parents had such success selling off their goods from their old house online that I thought I would also give it a try. Usually, I'm a Craigslist fan. I am constantly trolling it for miscellaneous things that I don't need.
After weeks and weeks of posting and reposting, I had some interest but no bites. I then remembered that my dad had mentioned this lesser known site called Kijiji. It works on the same principles as Craigslist but since barely anyone I knew had heard of it, I was a little skeptical on it's rate of success.
Boy! Was I wrong! I basically sold everything I listed within 3 days of posting the ad. Most of the responses were seconds after I posted them. I do wonder why this site has proven to be more effective than Craigslist though. Regardless, I am happy to be rid of those things.
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Posted in Randomness, Reviewing