Journey of the Prodigal Son

Mother's Day Reflection

2009-04-29T12:16:00.000-07:00

Well like the rest of America, I know I'm not alone in the resent we feel about marketing our mothers. My mom knows that I love her, she's happy when I visit, call, or stay for dinner. So now that Mother's Day is yet again looming around the corner and I'm searching for new restaurant ideas, I am hit by a moment of tender reflection.

Now, I can't say for sure if this realization came about because I know Mother's Day is approaching, or because I am actually a really swell daughter, let's chalk it up to both! Of all the things mom has taught my siblings and me, there is one thing I've always taken for granted, which is my ability to nurture. I figure, I'm female, I was born with a more nurturing biology than most men, it's innate and I didn't choose it! And for all the years I fought being a girly-girl, claim up to this day that I'm an undomesticated woman, deep down I know that I care for people, in the sense of "take care of." I care for friends, boyfriends, family, heck even those nasty co-workers! It isn't really because I was born with an extra X chromosome, nope! It's because MOM taught me to be a good nurturer. From all her years of caring for her children, making sure we were clothed, fed, laughing and loved, she showed us by example how to care for others.

So on this Mother's Day, I thank Mom for making me the better woman I am today. Even though I run and disobey (like the typical prodigal son, uh-hem, daughter), all the good parts I am today is because of you Mom. Much love to all the hard-working mothers out there!

A Long and Cheesy Afternoon

2009-04-25T19:39:00.000-07:00

After spending a long day in sunny L.A. I am thoroughly exhausted! Allow me to recount my journey to all of those interested in finding out how the whole grilled cheese sensation really panned out.

First, as suggested by the event hosts on their website, I decided to brave the Metrorail system and take the bus to grilled cheese heaven. I figured it would be a nice weekend ride and save me the hassle of finding parking, and uh of course, doing my part for Earth. Let me begin by stating the ride took 1.5 hours from Redondo Beach to my final destination. Giving credit to the Metro process, only one stop was canceled due to maintenance, while everything else was in expected order. It was admittedly a bad call on my part to endure three transfers with at least five stops within each line rather than just braving L.A traffic. I've previously taken the Metro's Chinatown line from Pasadena and recall that trip to be much less painful than today's...lesson learned.

So we've arrived in lively Chinatown, and walk just a short couple of blocks to the State Historic Park, which oddly doesn't feel like any of my childhood parks. To my amazement, we are met with the longest line I've ever seen!!! (Now I'm no virgin to lines, a la Disneyland, all woman's public restrooms, and Lord of the Rings I, II, and III premiers, point made.) And in case you think I'm exaggerating, take a look at this photo, and yes, that's a vegan roach coach, worth every penny!

The line moves decently, 40 minutes I think, I really try not to remember. When we're close to the front gates, an event coordinator comes out to announce they have reached the maximum number of judges for the competition. Great! This means my chance to taste the deliciousness of grilled cheese variations is no longer available. Oh well, hopefully they don't run out of freebies. We pay our $5 admission to an out-going, red-headed woman dressed in a lavish orange colored dress, receive our paper bracelet, and we're in!

Once inside the hipster, cheese-loving festival, we stand in line again for our free grilled cheese sandwich made by the Kraft sponsors. Among the hungry patrons, I wait. Excitement peaks when I can finally see the grill and can fulfill my appetite of digging into a gooey cheese sammie. Then I hear the Krafts peeps saying only 1 serving per person per visit. No big deal, can't be greedy, but wait! The sandwiches are cut into fours, and you only get that 1/4 cut! Un-effin-believable! Now, here's the problem with that: you have people waiting in line to get in, waiting to get a sandwich, then you cut them in tiny servings not even filling enough for a 4-year old! Here's a thought, why not give people the whole dang sandwich? The line wasn't caused by the fact Kraft cooks couldn't spit 'em out fast enough, it was because it took so long just to have 2 people serve them out to 100's! And as they politely remind you, "sorry 1 per person," they don't consider that if you feel satisfied with eating a whole sandwich, we wouldn't come back so many times! Or how about reducing the line by allowing one person to collect a bunch for the group. Rationing isn't the problem, it's lack of thoughtfulness. The final verdict of Kraft's version? Good, it was good like "school lunch" good. Next time, get here earlier to try the real stuff.

Last stop, the "adult" section where alcohol is available for sale at a reasonable $5. So as any trained monkey would do, we get in line. Reaching the front of the line we discover that you need to purchase a ticket to actually pay for the alcohol. So back to another booth, no line here, but also no more beer tickets! Instead, they have wine, so desperate to get any kind of libation in us, we take it. Fortunately, back in the beer line, they don't actually differentiate between "wine" or "beer" tickets, so we take off with two refreshing pilsners, ahhh!

With all this disappointment, was there anything enjoyable about this grilled cheese invitational? Well, yes there were; the nice warm day was perfect, the free IZZE cold drinks (even though they were down to 1 flavor), and the easy-going atmosphere and good-spirited crowd of people attending. After staying a solid three hours, we decide it's time to leave, skip on the $15 Cheesy t-shirts, take whatever peek we can at the competition and head back to the Metro. All in all, it was an interesting way to spend a California afternoon, but I think I'll stick to grilling up my own cheese sammies the next time they come to town.

One more photo you might enjoy...yes, he's wearing ketchup packets!

Grilled Cheese Anyone?

2009-04-24T14:24:00.000-07:00

Do I even have to ask? Who doesn't love the delicious goodness of warm gooey cheese melting out of nice Texas sized toasted bread?! That's a rhetorical question by the way... Thanks to Kraft Singles and the good people of L.A. you can take part of this grilled cheese sensation too. Here's a link to their site, and hopefully I'll have a mouthful to share next week! mmmm

http://grilledcheeseinvitational.com/

Psst...Are You Doing Fine in the Down Economy?

2009-04-12T11:13:00.000-07:00

I know this is taboo and maybe I shouldn't even be bringing this up...but are there some of you out there not at all affected by the current turmoil in our economy? I think that's a fair question to ask. Sure it's a huge deal when the strongest world government's economical structure starts to collapse, and that's bound to have an impact on everyone! But for some of us, who are young enough to ride out the bumpy market, aren't homeowners caught up in bad mortgages, and have the comfort of job security, well, we're pretty much doing OK.

If you are lucky to be comfortable with your current situation, it's still likely someone you know has lost their job or soon to, so it's not like you're completely immune to what's going on. If these are people you personally know and care about, it's bound to affect your relationships. So how do you avoid the guilt of being "OK" and should we feel like we have to hide it from others? It's definitely an odd situation to be in and soon enough these questions will be answered on their own. Depends on how those that are suffering through these hard times begin reacting to us and see that our buying power is still strong, but I think good taste will determine the best solution. Don't shove it in their faces--the great new car deal you snagged, or how you love taking advantage of low travel rates--use common sense I suggest!

God, Evolution, What Else? A Question Into a Third Option

2009-03-23T00:21:00.000-07:00

With the speed at which our world is advancing every day, how do we know what is fact and what is assumption? We were first led to believe that God created the earth, man, life, period. Then we discovered science and carbon dating, and that Pluto really isn't a planet?... "My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us NOTHING!" In fear of being completely dismissed by the entire community of theologists and scientists alike, I propose a third option. What is it? you ask. Well, frankly, I don't know.

What I do know is that I'm here & alive today somehow, and probably not by choice. I've been to church, prayed obediently seven times a day, and swallowed the idea that my ancestors once dragged their arms on the ground. But what if I reject either of those schools of thought, what if there really is another means by which man first appeared in this world? Heck, some people believe in both creationism and evolution, why choose just one? Then is it so far fetched to think that there exists yet another option that no one has thought of, or dared to suggest? I put this out there and let my readers determine for themselves.

Happy V-Day!

2009-02-14T12:00:00.000-08:00

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!

Enjoy the week with your loved ones!

Cute penguins thanks to www.gettyimages.com

Toast to the New Year!

2009-01-02T17:47:00.000-08:00

Here's to a great new year of life and love!
A toast to what 2009 will bring and looking foward to it!

Hello

2009-01-02T12:20:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my blog post! And thank you to those who are following me on this new site. Please feel free to enjoy my many random ideas. I appreciate your comments!