Stories and Rants

I am in a coffee shop in East Atlanta–Joe’s–using the wireless internet to work on reserach for my “Sexuality and Parenthood” term paper.Except, as usual, my research has morphed into a delirious bout of web-surfing and day-dreaming.This morning, I received an e-mail from the lovely Clotilde of the scrumptious food blog Chocolate and Zucchini. She…

The time has come for a confession. Forgive me readers, for I have sinned. A lot.I have been advertising myself as a “gourmet”–an amateur one, at that, but still–and yet my “gourmet” status is about to become severely compromised. I wake up in the morning craving not a Bouillabaisse or a Vichyssoise. I pine not…

WEDNESDAY FEB. 25 2004, 10:53 PMI am making guacamole. Lauren is watching Will and Grace. Suddenly, and without anyone warning, the electricty snaps off. We are in utter darkness.10:54 PMI begin screaming like a girl. Lauren smacks me across the face. She misses and knocks over a lamp. “Get a hold of yourself!” she yells.10:55…

This is a variation on my mother’s recipe for chicken. The recipe goes like this:1. Go to Publix.2. Buy an already roasted chicken.3. Go home.4. Eat it.In my version, I retain a greater morsel of self-respect. First of all I buy my chicken from Whole Foods. Granted, I probably spend a dollar or two more,…

This is my favorite pastry:What is it called? That depends on who you ask. In the California Farmer’s Market, this was called a Raspberry Princess. At Alon’s Bakery, where I purchased this beautiful specimen, it was called “Fruit Bar.” I call it: Piece Of Heaven. But I’m biased. After all, this is my favorite pastry.What…

Tonight Lauren and I ordered a pizza. The first idea was to order from Savage Pizza but the Savages refused to deliver to Emory.”Sorry man,” a Savage said on the phone. “We don’t go out that far.”So we went for Johnny’s. The official name is “Johnny’s New York Pizza,” but that is perhaps a misnomer.…

I spent the afternoon reading 68 pages of Nancy Silverton’s Breads from the La Brea Bakery. This was one of my birthday gifts, and I was very excited about diving in and making delicious bread. Turns out that “diving in” happens in bread-making the way pyrotechnics happen at a PGA tournament. (Forgive that last sentence,…

Lauren and I went to Einstein Bagels for lunch today. The next table over, a young seemingly healthy couple proceeded to do the following. They each tore at their individual bagels, spread cream cheese on the torn off piece, and proceeded to dunk the piece in a communal cup of coffee. I have never been…

Ok two hours and 15 minutes before people start arriving and there’s so much left to do! Why am I posting on my blog?Here’s what’s up. I have to go make homemade guacamole and sun-dried tomato dip, scarf down dinner, vacuum, shower and dress myself. Will it happen? Will this party be a flop or…