RoR: Forum

Robert -- you keep that Vegemite right where you found it. :)

Mike, remember that part of the joy (for people who love to cook) is in the process itself. It is an act of creation, after all. I would liken it to whatever sets your inner burners aflame, whether it be programming, writing, managing a company, etc.

And regarding inefficiency, if you get really good in the kitchen, you can have a gourmet meal -- from prep to finish -- in 20 minutes. Yes.

Peanut butter. Hmmph.

Post 21

Monday, April 25, 2005 - 2:05pm

Mike, food is one of the most sensuous experiences you can have. Learn to savor it. As a matter of fact, given the choice between some of the guys I've known and a perfectly grilled 23-day aged T-bone steak -- hm. I'm thinking. I'm thinking.

Ginny

Post 22

Monday, April 25, 2005 - 2:21pm

Where the hell is Adam? Why ain't her here? I remember a post where he liked to fondle bread...

Post 23

Monday, April 25, 2005 - 2:23pm

Look she's wide awake again!

See! Vegemite is potent stuff, I only had to threaten to use it and she came back to life. It's got to be good for ya - it's made from used brewer's yeast!

:-) :-)

Post 24

Monday, April 25, 2005 - 3:21pm

Jennifer,

Before I forget again, I really liked your exchange with Joe on the "Talents and Values" thread. You remind me of something I read in Harold Geneen's book "Managing" years ago. He said that when starting a new job, if he wasn't scared to death he knew he wasn't challenging himself enough.

Back to the subject:

I was kidding about peanut butter three times a day. I can actually make pretty good use of the microwave. I can make a passable spinach, mushroom and cheese omelet.

Some of us should be banned from the kitchen. I really don't think about eating until I'm famished. If I start something when I'm not hungry I invariably forget I've started it. Timers don't always help. I've burned up many pieces of kitchenware. Pots, pans, rice cookers, egg poachers, ruined. So cooking is more destructive than creative for me. Sort of "We need to test the smoke alarm, have Mike make something."

Post 25

Monday, April 25, 2005 - 3:28pm

Thank you, Mike. The fear seems to be part of the fuel. :)

I think it is in fact best that you stay out of the kitchen. If the environmentalists get wind of all that smoke, they'll start protesting outside your house. Very messy.

Ginny, you are a soul-sister. :)

Post 26

Monday, April 25, 2005 - 4:29pm

Yes - Ginny seems like a wonderful person to be in the kitchen with :-)......

Post 27

Monday, April 25, 2005 - 4:57pm

Last joke too dry? Hm, if I'm making people faint, maybe it's time I work on my facetious tone. :P

Great idea Mike! People Chow. With your ideas and my ability to exploit people with ideas we could make a great partnership!

Funny story: Years ago back in college I was determined to start paying my own way. One semester I managed to afford everything I needed, until I realized too late that I never budgeted for any food. So I took the last 40 dollars that I had, went to the local wholesaler and picked up a mega-pack of ramen noodles (120 servings). I had a few dollars left over so I bought some Kool-Aid packets to flavor up all the tap water I would be drinking (proving my sense of taste wasn't completely dead). Each day I would eat one packet of ramen and drink one glass of Kool-Aid (which tasted terrible because I couldn't afford sugar), work my internship during the day and take classes at night. In fact I only cooked the noodles twice. Every other day I would just smash up the packet and eat it like a bag of potato chips.
Long story short, four months later and sixty pounds lighter, I gave up the free internship and got an entry-level job, and have been eating relatively healthy ever since. To this day I get a little sick feeling whenever I see raw ramen noodles. The things we do for a good education...

Post 28

Tuesday, April 26, 2005 - 6:28am

Jennifer - indeed, soul sister.

Mike - indeed, brother.

Am forced to agree with both of you.

Ginny

Post 29

Tuesday, April 26, 2005 - 9:53pm

Colonel said
"Where the hell is Adam? Why ain't her here? I remember a post where he liked to fondle bread..."

I reply:
I don't recall saying that, but yes I do like to fondle bread. In fact, I'm doing so right now.

Adam

Post 30

Tuesday, April 26, 2005 - 10:12pm

Mah deah suh Adam Buhah,

What a pleasuh to see yew agin!

I waz speakin, of course, of the otheh bread-fondlin Adam, but ah see that yew are willin to pahtake of this singulah sensation.

With them fine fingehs of yours, Misteh Bukah, fondle on to gloreh, man!

And neveh allow yoah plate to bear bread fondled by anothah!

We ahre proud Abjetivist fondlehs!

(wiping an emotional tear away...)

Colonel Michael Stuart

Post 31

Wednesday, April 27, 2005 - 12:12am

Fondling? Did someone say, "fondling?"

Seriously though Steven, wow. I somehow made it this entire summer on Chunky Soups and Mac 'n' Cheese. But Ramen and Kool-Aid... I bow to your culinary stoicism.

Post 32

Wednesday, April 27, 2005 - 3:25am

Canned sardines and whole wheat bread was my diet one semester - took years before being able to eat sardines again......

Post 33

Wednesday, April 27, 2005 - 6:45am

Robert, I know what you mean. When I was totally broke and in college, I lived on mayonnaise sandwiches for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I'm embarrassed to say that I still, occasionnaly get a yen for a nice slice of bread with mayo. One of my embarrassing secrets.

Gin

Post 34

Wednesday, April 27, 2005 - 7:05am

Egads...I thought my powdered macaroni and cheese diet was bad. (First startup.) I can't even look at the boxes without getting ill.

Post 35

Wednesday, April 27, 2005 - 4:03pm

Sounds like the makings of an interesting little book - Cuisinal Lifestyles of the Collegiate ...
(Edited by robert malcom on 4/27, 4:05pm)

(Edited by robert malcom on 4/27, 4:07pm)

Post 36

Wednesday, April 27, 2005 - 4:59pm

How about "Queasyne: The Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner of Champions?"

Sorry -- fatigue level very high. :) Computer...sucking...life energy...

Post 37

Wednesday, April 27, 2005 - 5:31pm

"Ramen Soup for the Collegiate Soul."

I always vowed, after going the Ramen route, that no matter how poor I was, I would never do that again, that I would always manage to at least eat real food. Fortunately, some frozen dinners are edible, and it's pretty affordable to mix up some angel hair pasta with white clam sauce.

Post 38

Wednesday, April 27, 2005 - 6:32pm

Jennifer,

It might not be such a silly idea! Are you familiar with James Lileks book, "The Gallery of Regrettable Food"? This book idea is kind of in the same category!

Post 39

Wednesday, April 27, 2005 - 6:35pm