Omnivore 100

I meant to do this the other day when Lori sent it, but got distracted with politics. And as we all know, I usually do put food first.

Here’s a chance for a little interactivity for all the bloggers out there. Below is a list of 100 things that I supposedly every good omnivore should have tried at least once in their life. The list includes fine food, strange food, everyday food and even some pretty bad food – but a good omnivore should really try it all. Don’t worry if you haven’t, mind you; neither have I, though I’ll be sure to work on it. Don’t worry if you don’t recognise everything in the hundred, either; Wikipedia has the answers.

Here’s what I want you to do:

1) Copy this list into your blog or journal, including these instructions.
2) Bold all the items you’ve eaten. (You can add an * for your favorites.)
3) Cross out any items that you would never consider eating (or underline, if crossing out isn’t an option).
4) Optional extra: Post a comment here at www.verygoodtaste.co.uk linking to your results.

The VGT Omnivore’s Hundred:

1. Venison
2. Nettle tea
3. Huevos rancheros
4.  Steak tartare
5. Crocodile (does Alligator count?)
6. Black pudding
7. Cheese fondue*
8. Carp
9. Borscht
10. Baba ghanoush*
11. Calamari
12. Pho*
13. PB&J sandwich*
14. Aloo gobi*
15. Hot dog from a street cart
16. Époisses de Bourgogne (maybe I have, sounds good)
17. Black truffle
18. Fruit wine made from something other than grapes
19. Steamed pork buns (‘m not sure if this is referring to a dumpling or a bbq pork sandwich???, but I’ve had and loved both)
20. Pistachio ice cream*
21. Heirloom tomatoes*
22. Fresh wild berries*
23. Foie gras* (I know, it’s evil, but it’s tasty and that is what this is about. Wouldn’t eat it again.)
24. Rice and beans*
25. Brawn, or head cheese
26. Raw Scotch Bonnet pepper
27. Dulce de leche*
28. Oysters*
29. Baklava*
30. Bagna cauda
31. Wasabi peas
32. Clam chowder in a sourdough bowl*
33. Salted lassi
34. Sauerkraut*
35. Root beer float*
36. Cognac with a fat cigar
37. Clotted cream tea
38. Vodka jelly/Jell-O
39. Gumbo*
40. Oxtail
41. Curried goat
42. Whole insects
43. Phaal
44. Goat’s milk
45. Malt whisky from a bottle worth £60/$120 or more
46. Fugu
47. Chicken tikka masala*
48. Eel
49. Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut*
50. Sea urchin
51.Prickly pear
52. Umeboshi
53. Abalone
54. Paneer
55. McDonald’s Big Mac Meal
56. Spaetzle
57. Dirty gin martini
58. Beer above 8% ABV
59. Poutine (haven’t tried it, but yum)
60. Carob chips
61. S’mores
62. Sweetbreads
63. Kaolin
64. Currywurst
65. Durian
66. Frogs’ legs
67. Beignets*, churros, elephant ears or funnel cake
68. Haggis
69. Fried plantain
70. Chitterlings, or andouillette
71. Gazpacho
72. Caviar and blini
73. Louche absinthe
74. Gjetost, or brunost
75. Roadkill
76. Baijiu
77. Hostess Fruit Pie
78. Snail
79. Lapsang souchong
80. Bellini
81. Tom yum*
82. Eggs Benedict*
83. Pocky
84. Tasting menu at a three-Michelin-star restaurant.
85. Kobe beef
86. Hare
87. Goulash*
88. Flowers
89. Horse
90. Criollo chocolate
91. Spam
92. Soft shell crab
93. Rose harissa
94. Catfish*
95. Mole poblano*
96. Bagel and lox
97. Lobster Thermidor
98. Polenta
99. Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee
100. Snake

As the stomach turns

I had to watch the train wreck on TV this morning. McCain’s pick of Gov. Palin as his running mate is indeed historic. Unfortunately, it is mainly historic in its level of opportunism. Don’t get me wrong, it is exciting that a woman is on the ticket. But why this woman? She’s surely nice and sweet and probably makes great blueberry muffins, but really— when the old flint crumbles, is she going to be president?

So much of this makes me sick. McCain thinks that Hillary supporters really liked her solely because she is a woman? Hillery is a political force. She is smart, savvy, and worth about 10 McCains when it comes to understanding the way things work and how to fix them. But yet McCain gauged Obama’s brilliant speech, he looked at the decision to bring on Biden and he stuck a fungus ridden toe in the waters and thought “I need a vagina.” As a woman, this is one of the most disgusting things I’ve witnessed. Shame on you McCain. Shame on you for thinking we are that dumb. (Of course, you have opposed equal pay, so you must think we are that dumb.) We need more than a woman, we need a team. It’s still going to take a brain and a beating heart and experience and guts and teamwork and compassion to fix the nightmare your party has left the world in. So please Godzilla, could you return the brunette Barbie to her PTA board and go stomp off into the distance? Could you please stop insulting my gender with your Rovian tactics of distraction? Shame on you. This is a slap in the face that should be beneath you.

(my) times they are a changin’

I got ambushed today. Willingly so, but ambushed regardless. My father asked me to drop by while he was having a meeting and then introduced me to the Obama coordinator for the region and then I realized they elected me to  . . . well to handle the efforts. Let’s hope it isn’t that extreme. But I’m happy to be involved and help in any way I can.

Then I got home and had a call from one of the schools that I applied for a librarian position. Somehow I need to start considering the possibility of working in Atlanta and politicking in the panhandle. Fun and busy. I do love chaos.

And now I’m on Twitter? How can I link that to my blog.

I’ll keep you all posted on the progress. Register to vote before October 6th if you aren’t already!

Some articles for your pleasure.

Love these articles:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/cenk-uygur/why-doesnt-john-mccains-a_b_117811.html Is an article by Cenk Uygur about the John McCain affair and why no one talks about it. Well said and check out the links he includes. Lexie sent it to me, and I’m just now getting around to reading it.

And this one http://www.salon.com/opinion/keillor/2008/08/06/mccain/index.html is one of Garrison Keillor’s articles about the current campaign to target Senator Obama as an elitist in spite of their backgrounds. Lori sent it to me and it’s very well-said.

Really makes you think about perception. Why do we form these views? Is it because Obama is intelligent that he can be painted as an elitist? And is it easier to think badly about Edwards because he is young and attractive and McCain looks like the grandfather of a toad? Is it easier to forgive a money hungry old man?

I don’t know. But read the articles when you can and let me know.

Wilco, a mermaid and the girls

I think the title says it all. Last weekend was brilliant. Lori and I drove up to Raleigh (which took us too much time) and I got to see Shelby and have some wine after the long road trip. The next day, I was able to see Miche (thanks again for the pedi treat!) and have lunch and talk politics and revel in the fact I was doing the very thing I had missed so much — spending time with my dear girls dishing about men (because w/o Hillery we just had the men to talk about). Topping that Friday off with an incredible Wilco performance under the stars and pines, dancing with tipsy Lori (and thanks again Shelby for being the designated driver), and loving the appreciative crowd, the lyrics, the whole moment — well, it just doesn’t get much better than that.

I finally got to meet Shelby’s Bostonian beau Joe, and we all went to a dive bar and had a blast. As Shelby pointed out, maybe too much fun. Sleep didn’t find me until 4 a.m. and then the flurry of Bojangles and getting Lori to her appointment with the mermaid (courtesy of Lacey) and then I had a bit of a communication breakdown and HAD to get a new cell phone and ended up with some handheld world controlling device, aka the Palm Centro. I don’t know, it’s no iPhone or Crack (I mean Black)berry — but it’s still a bit much for a girl who just wanted to make a call. After that, we were beat (and I didn’t even get a 3 hour long tattoo). Sorry I didn’t get to hang out with Joe again Saturday night, but the nachos were great and I’m sure there will be other times to argue about the Braves vs. the Red Sox.

All in all, it was the best Wilco Weekend ever. And last night I finally saw The Dark Knight with Mendy (oh, Mr. Ledger, we will miss you). And today more visits with friends while I’m here in Atlanta. And tomorrow back to the farm. I already feel like I need a vacation.

Big Blue Bash

So much more fun than I thought. Unfortunately, I don’t have a lot of pictures of the farm during the concert, but I have the before and next day (and a few in between). We had surprisingly great weather with a breeze and lots of people, young and old, that are excited about the Democratic candidate and ready for some change. Honestly though, most people were talking about how great the place looked. And it did. Dad puts anyone to shame in the effort category.

Two bands played on the deck and chased the cows down pasture. Burning Paradise was very heavy metal and Sky Tells All jumped all over the place and took their shirts off. All in all, surprisingly good — just not sure what my grandmother would say about it all. But then again, grandpa would have loved the people being here. Mom and I celebrated the later spirit and hung out with the boys til 2 a.m. (The boys being the Chair of the Walton County Dems and a former student of mine). Of course, before the last band left, one of them called me ma’am. Horrifying.

Check out the pictures (especially my adorable mother). Tomorrow I head to Atlanta and then on to Raleigh and then  . . . Wilco and pedicures and friendtime!!! Very excited.

Big Blue Bash

Location, location, location

My mother is a realtor so maybe that is why the mantra rings so true to me. After arriving back in the States this week, I’ve tried to think of the new name for the blog and have resorted to this one for now. Like me, it isn’t specific and rests on fluctuation. When I decide or am led to where I’ll be, perhaps it will change. (On Ponce sounds nice, no?) Or maybe I’ll keep it; after all, sometimes ambiguity feels like my one constant.

So, change your link titles, etc. Or keep them as Along the Arno until I’m really fixed somewhere else. Now, I’ll just be in between.

And soon you’ll have news of the Big Blue Bash. Oh, yes, my homecoming has coincided with some Walton County Florida Democrats merriment. Must dig the camera out of the luggage. Certo.