One Way I've Changed

I don't know how it happened, but for some reason over the past couple years somehow my tastes have changed quite a bit.  I used to scoff at really artsy things thinking that people like eccentric art just because some dude (or girl) says it's cool.  I didn't like having some rich or famous person tell me what to appreciate.

Now I find myself drawn to various forms of art that I used to think was way too weird or ridiculous.  The other day, I further came to this realization of how much I like strange art.  Though I haven't really previously viewed food as an art form, I found one man I praise as an artist.

I came across an article in Time magazine about a chef named Grant Achatz and his award-winning restaurant Alinea.  This article is one of the few magazine articles I have actually read all the way through (so I recommend checking it out in order to understand a little more about what I'm trying to say here).  Achatz's work intrigues me because he pushes the envelope a bit when it comes to your traditional dining experience.  Take this dish for example:

This dish is called Fried Pheasant, Burning Leaves and the caption to this picture reads: "Juxtaposition and aroma are key ingredients at Alinea, where a bite of tempura-dipped pheasant is served on a branch of burning oak leaves to evoke memories of fall."  I think this is pure genius and can only imagine how the sight, smell and taste of this dish would be to experience.  Needless to say, after reading about the restaurant Alinea, I decided that is one place I am going to visit in the future.  I don't care that having that experience costs $195; I'm going to see what such a restaurant is like.  Since I'm a poor college student, I don't see myself going anytime soon, but if anyone else wants to accompany me I might consider taking a few more shifts at work and making an awesome road trip out of it.  

Here's another great photo of a dish simply called Bacon:

It would almost be a shame to eat something that is so cleverly and beautifully made.  

Not only is his work beautiful, but Achatz's story is rather poetic.  He is a man who has worked most of his life developing his culinary talents but recently discovered he has tongue cancer.  Though he hasn't smoked or exposed his mouth to anything that would normally cause this kind of cancer, he ironically now has to deal with working at his career without one of his most important tools.  Thankfully he still has his sense of smell and can use others to taste test.  

Thank you Grant and I look forward to seeing your work one of these days.

Why I Hate Texting

Sure, sending a quick text can be very practical and efficient.  It's a great way to get a quick message out to somebody instead of having to find a place where you're not bothering other people while you're talking on the phone.  In fact I get rather annoyed by people who are at the library having some long conversation about what they plan on doing this weekend.  Get off your bum and go outside to have your blasted conversation!  Of course I send a number of texts everyday because I heard or saw something hilarious that I want to share with others.  When I'm really bored in class the first thing I do is pull out my phone and think of a message to send to my brother or some friend.

However, in the words of the Steward of Gondor, "I know [it's] uses, and they are few."

Call me old fashioned or whatever, but I would much rather hear your voice in person or over the phone.  Why is it such a big deal?  Here's why.

Real intent and meanings of words are easily misinterpreted in text messages!  Think of all the interpretations of the following phrase:

"It would have been nice if you had let me know."

Harmless phrase from someone asking for better communication in the future or the outcry of an upset individual?  My friend sent a similar message to a girl who after receiving it thought he was mad at her.  On the contrary, he only got mad when she misinterpreted his intent.  Did he try to call or talk to her to clear up the problem?  Yes, multiple times.  Did she fail to call him back or talk to him even when she saw him?  Yep.  After listening to my friend relate this story, I completely understood that after these events he was not eager to try to continue their relationship.

Here's another one.  Think of all the ways you can alter the meaning of this single word: whatever.

This simple word could be said by a jerk who is blowing you off.  It could be said by someone who is tired and doesn't really want to talk right now.  Maybe it's said by someone who honestly doesn't care what's decided either way and wants to leave it up to the person to whom he/she texted this word.  I could think of a myriad of nuances associated with this word. 

The thing about texting is that it's difficult, annoying and time-consuming to write very  much.  Nobody wants to have to explain himself/herself in great detail.  Otherwise what's the purpose of texting?  Besides, not all of us are English gurus with talents of expression through the written word.  But, people tend to analyze every word seeking for possible hidden meanings.  This sounds stupid but I've talked to many adults who have become offended or have thought that some guy or girl was showing interest because of a word or two. Who are they to know exactly what the other person meant with a certain word choice? 

I hate texting because it gives people an excuse to get out of a potentially awkward or difficult situation.  How many people have been asked out on dates or have been dumped over a text message?  Unfortunately I hear these kinds of stories all the time.  People should suck it up and at least have the decency to make a phone call.  Sure it might be difficult.  Sure you might not know exactly what to say, but that's life.

So if it takes me a while to answer a text, or if my replies seem really short, don't think it's because I hate you.  I just hate texting.