Emptying Out the Brain
Jul 10th, 2008 by Alex
No picture today, just a lot that’s been in the back of my mind lately.
I’ve been going to the gym again. It was one of those things I kept putting off (for close to six months) so I feel pretty good about it. I’m only going twice a week, but I feel healthier. I’d been doing the bench press on the Smith machine, but it felt off. It wasn’t the same as a standard 45-pound bar, but I was worried about working without a spotter. Then my buddy just leveled it out for me, saying “you know whether you can put it up or not.” Great point. Working up gradually, you know if you have it in you when you’re pushing the bar off your chest. And in the event that something went drastically wrong without a spotter, “worse case, just drop one arm and let the weight slide off.” Granted I’m not lifting enough weight that a spotter is necessary, but it made me feel more comfortable. So this week I’m been using the bench and it feels better. Balancing the bar is part of it, the fact that my arms aren’t exactly the same length doesn’t bother me as much as it did on the Carson. Maybe one of these days I’ll get back to lifting what I was when I took weight training.
It was gorgeous when I got out of the gym today, not too hot. It hasn’t felt that good in a week or two, then I got socked by the mail box when I got home. The annual real property tax levy came today. It doesn’t matter whether you’re prepared for it or whether the cash is in your savings account, getting a bill in the mail for a couple grand sucks. In the case of the property tax, it always feels like I just paid the damned thing. It knocks the wind out of you.
Some time ago I started reading one of Anthony Bourdain’s books. It had been left on a coffee table and I had picked it up. I hadn’t heard of him but I had a few minutes before we were heading out and so I read a few pages. It felt like a fun read. Gutsy, brash, and arrogant. I bumped into the same copy again on a different coffee table in a different state a few weeks later and I put a bigger dent in it. The thing that I liked the most is that — despite enjoying going out to eat — I knew absolutely nothing about a chef’s life. Not to say that his book is the complete answer, but it was easy to pick up and read learning about a completely different lifestyle. It hooked me after a few pages. I think that’s pretty cool for any writer. A week or two ago I picked up the first edition from the public library and finished the bugger. It’s entitled Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly and though the author proclaims that he wrote it for his fellow chefs, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Still on the topic of culinary wonder, Rachel (of Coconut & Lime) is raffling off a box of grilling spices. All you have to do to enter is leave a comment with a valid email address. Though I don’t even own a functional grill, I’m crossing my fingers and hedging my bets.
On the front of the back burner I’m planning a happy hour at DuClaw Arundel Mills. The plan is to have a few rounds there with friends, followed up by catching The Dark Knight at Muvico. I’m sick of competing with the opening night masses, so I’m thinking Saturday July 26th. I need to get off my butt and create the Evite already.
Personally, I don’t see the need for Grilling Spices. Call me old-fashioned, but I will take my chances with either salt and fresh-ground pepper on a steak or making my own rubs and sauces a la Steven Raichlen.
JJT: I’m not a big fan of steak, but I do like my grilled chicken and burgers to have a little more flavor than salt and pepper have to offer. I also use them on salads and steamed vegetables for a little variety.