Dinner Party Favors Continued

After I wrote my third BB post, I wrote to Drea and Mir and linked them to my blog. I asked them to peruse the Betsey Johnson website and pick out their own party favors. They were both totally psyched, but Drea doesn't have internet at her place and she is busy being a California Girl, so i am not going to press the issue too much. However, Mir responded (immediately, and with enthusiasm), so I am going to post her choices here and, if Drea decides she wants to partake, I will gladly post her chosen favors as well.

Taken directly from her message:

1. Shoes - not at all shoes I would ever expect to tempt me, but how could I not fall in love with these?

(Funny, these are totally shoes I would expect to tempt Miranda.)

2. Bag - Since my own very loved betsey johnson bag is no longer on the website, this one will have to do (and it does just fine, mmm).


3. Sunglasses - And since I already have the ever seductive aviators, I decided to go with these. They make me want summer to arrive. (Good news: it's since arrived!)


4. Jewelry - I have been in love with this (and the matching earrings) for about a year now, and have been too poor to buy them.


Yay! Now, Drea... get on it! :)

BB 5: Om Nom Nom

You win some money and decide to open a restaurant. Looking at the local phone book, there are already over a hundred restaurants in the area. How will yours be different? What will make people flock to your restaurant?

I'm late on my own prompt: how embarrassing.

The thing is, I wanted to create a mockup of my restaurant but it proved to take waaaay longer than I'd expected, so I'm just going to give you what I have and verbally describe the rest.

First off, my restaurant will be in Seattle. This is because, well, I want it to be there. What else can I say? And my plan is so off the wall that maybe I'll find a little niche of loyal customers. But first, I'll need a big city with lots of people and I don't want to leave the Pacific NW.

Second, I think I'd like to call it La 食糧 Deliciosa. "WTF?" You might say. Well, my restaurant will serve both Japanese and Spanish food. Not together, mind you; this isn't some weirdo fusion restaurant that serves paella topped with unagi and masago (even though my name is a hybrid that reads simply "The Delicious Food"). This is two restaurants in one.

Basically, Japanese food is my most favoritest food EVER. And I obviously have an affinity for good Spanish food, and it's always so hard for me to find either that adequately satisfy my cravings. I love Sushi Land of course, because they know what people like and they always use very fresh fish: every Sushi Land I've been to has served perfectly fine sushi. And you can't argue with the price. Spanish food is a bit harder to come by, I believe, because it hasn't turned into a cultural fad amongst the type of people that lives in the Pacific NW. But this past weekend I was at home on the west side and I went to this Spanish restaurant in Portland called The Maiden. It was pretty good, and the price was decent, but some of the mussels were off and they poured vinegar into the oil for the bread and the ceviche was so stupidly spicy that we had to send it back. (Other than all that, it was a good experience.) Therefore, I'd like to get some native, world-class cooks up in my restaurant to blow everyone away.

The layout is where things get a bit tricky. I mentioned I want two restaurants in one, which means I want an area where the Japanese food is served and an area for the Spanish food. But I want people to be able to experience both places, whether they start with tapas and move over to nigiri, or have some sake early in the evening and then take off for a pitcher of sangria. So, the two areas will be separated, but connected with a moat. And to get from one part of the restaurant to the other, you'll have to get into a little gondola and ride across the moat. At each end of the moat there will be dramatic, theater-type curtains pulled back, welcoming you into the other half of La 食糧 Deliciosa, and you'll step up out of the gondola and pick your seating.

(Yes, I realize gondolas have nothing to do with this setup. I just like them. Why have a moat, too? Because that's cooler than a walkway. Okay, fine, there will be a foot path as well. But traveling by gondola would be way more fun, and you know it.)

The decor of my restaurant will be the same on each side. This is the mockup I've created.

(Please click on the image to see it full size and with the proper colors. Why do browser eff with the color of images? Whyyyy?)

Essentially, I decided that I wanted really unique chandeliers and striped gold and maroon wallpaper. I found that chandelier image online a while ago, fell in love with it, and have since come back to grab it for my restaurant. I love it because chandeliers are beautiful and classy and scream wealth at you, but this one is fresh and hip and kind of kitschy. It was a BITCH Photoshopping out all of the white of the background between the beaded bits. But it was worth it.

Then I found those chairs. God, how I love those chairs. (If you can't guess, they're from Ikea.) At first, I planned to use something like this:

Because, how cool would it be to eat at a restaurant where you sit on a chaise lounge like that?? (Okay, this is actually called a fainting couch and it's from Urban Outfitters, but it's sort of chaise-loungey.) In fact, in my dream world, I would have both: the couches in place of traditional booths and the chairs as opposed to regular, boring restaurant chairs. And yes, I fully realize how much square footage I'll have to purchase in order to house all of this oversized furniture. But I'm okay with that, because it's MY dream!

The floor will be hardwood, cleaned twice a day, so if people want to walk around barefoot or something, they can. Maybe I'll make little booties available so you can slip out of your heels and put your fleeced feet up on our chaise-lounge-fainting couch. That sounds nice.

The decor will be the same in both halves of the restaurant, as I mentioned, but the tables will be unique to each area. I would like to put in tables that are colorful and bright, to match the chandeliers. Therefore, the tables will be inspired by my favorite artist from each country: Takashi Murakami in the Japanese half of the restaurant, and Antonio Gaudí in the Spanish half. It would be sooo awesome to have Murakami flower bomb tables:

And tables inspired by the Serpentine benches at one of the coolest, most interesting, most inspiring places in the whole entire world, Park Güell (if you don't know what I'm talking about here, Google it now):

These tables would obviously be refashioned a bit to actually be shaped properly for a table (Like, the flower bomb base will need a flat top) and then the tops will be glass.

So, there you have it. I welcome you to The Delicious Food. (Wouldn't that be hysterical, for your waiter to say that to you? "Welcome to The Delicious Food!" Mwahahahahaha. So dorky.)

The Pullman Spring 2006 Mix CD: BB Number Four

Come up with a mix CD of songs, that for you, relate to a particular place.

As you can gather from my title, I'm going to put together a list of songs that remind me of Pullman, two years ago, as the seasons changed. From the tail-end of winter to spring, and from spring into the beautiful budding of summer, dragging my emotions and lightheartedness along into the nurturing warmth of the end of my junior year of college.

Why, might you ask, is this particular time in this particular place so important and exciting and blog-post-worthy for me? Because it is when I started dating Tony.

I know. Seriously, I know. I promise in the future I will write more things that don't have anything to do with Tony, but this prompt is just too easy to give up! I have so many songs that remind me of that spring in Pullman, and they all carry very unique feelings of mine in their lyrics, and it'll be fun to write. I hope it's half as fun to read. I hope you don't choke on my girliness.

Tony introduced me to the vast majority of the artists on my list. We have very similar tastes in music, but his collection was much more extensive. In fact, our relationship began with trading music. I've always said that if we ever break up, I won't be able to listen to 90% of my (huge) music collection. Fingers crossed.

I apologize in advance for the disgustingly saccharin text I am about to spew forth through the screen and into your eyeballs.

The Track List:

1. Stars - Elevator Love Letter
2. Doves - Almost Forgot Myself
3. Emiliana Torrini - Sunny Road
4. Silversun Pickups - Kissing Families
5. Maria Taylor - Two of Those Too
6. Feist - Mushaboom
7. Her Space Holiday - Tech Romance
8. Okkervil River - For Real
9. Azure Ray - Sleep
10. The Good Life - Always a Bridesmaid
11. Rilo Kiley - Portions for Foxes
12. Nada Surf - Blankest Year
    
13. The American Analog Set - Aaron & Maria
    
14. The Wrens - She Sends Kisses
15. Stars - What I'm Trying to Say

And now, for my (hopefully not too long-winded) explanation for each track.

1. Stars - Elevator Love Letter

Sigh. Amy Millan disappointed me so much with her solo album because it is totally different from the way she sings for Stars ... which is pure beauty. Her voice is like the oral equivalent to red lipstick, or pink stilettos, or fields of butter-yellow daffodils, or smoking with a cigarette holder, or white silk sheets topped with a mountain of down pillows. I LOVE HER VOICE.

During one of our musical exchange programs, Tony sent me this song and said, "I'm not sure you'll like it." He was wrong. I instantly fell in love. At record speed, Stars became one of my very favorite bands ever. And Elevator Love Letter remains one of the sweetest, most powerful songs I've ever heard.

2. Doves - Almost Forgot Myself

This was a particularly warm day in Pullman. Tony and I were at his place and he was late to work. He lived far off of campus, so walking wasn't an option and the bus would take even longer. We didn't even really have time to make a stop at my place for my car. He came up with the solution that he'd drive us over to the Lighty/French Ad area of campus and then I'd drive his car back to my place.

"Really?" I inquired, "You're comfortable with that?" I am super possessive of my car and not really disappointed that it's got a manual transmission and therefore can't be driven by just anyone who needs wheels. Tony insisted that he was cool with it, that he trusted me to not smash the shit out of his little Jetta. We soared over to work, dodging other cars and screaming through stoplights to come to a screeching stop in front of the admin buildings. (Okay, I'm exaggerating a bit. I mean, it's just Pullman. Consider this creative nonfiction.) As we hopped out of the car and Chinese-fire-drilled, I asked him once more if he was certain he was okay that I was getting behind his wheel. ("That's what she said"? Teehee.)

"Yes," he said, giving me a peck on the lips, "I trust you." He hustled off toward the building and I slid into the driver's side of his car. Scooting the seat forward, I smiled to myself as those words reverberated in my head: "I trust you." I turned the ignition, opened the windows and the sunroof, and turned up his stereo. A CD was playing, and I hadn't heard the track that came through the speakers. I took note of the song number and asked after the album when he got off work.

"Erm, Doves? I think..." He thought right. Those lyrics seemed so appropriate on that day, driving around in my new boyfriend's car, the uncharacteristically sunny day. I almost forgot myself again in the best way possible.

3. Emiliana Torrini - Sunny Road

We fell asleep together listening to this album more times than I can count. Legs entwined, windows open, watching each other's eyes close. This was my favorite song to lull me to sleep.

(OMG, the corniness is overwhelming and I'm only at song number three!)

4. Silversun Pickups - Kissing Families

Tony gave me SSPU's Pikul EP early in our relationship and it would be a lie to say I fell in love with it instantly. However, the first track on the EP, Kissing Families, intrigued me by title alone so I kept listening to it, really listening over and over, deconstructing it and putting it back together, and I grew this strange love for the song. It reminds me now of hot sunshine and cool Pullman breezes. (Also, we saw them in concert at the Doug Fir in Portland two winters ago and it was such an incredible, high-energy show. I'm pretty sure we held hands while this song played. I KNOW.)

5. Maria Taylor - Two of Those Too

(That video sucks, by the way. You don't even get to hear the best part at the beginning. Lemme know if you want the song, I'll send it to you.)

Good God. I don't even know where to start with this one. This song has always resonated very deeply with me. I think it's because when Tony and I first got together, Pullman seemed as ethereal and magical a place as the college town Maria describes in this song. Sure, it was spring and the seasons were changing, but man, I was in love!

This is what she sings: "A college town with a musical sound, and everyone had a new face. There was something there, maybe it was the trees, or the flowery air, or that everyone seemed so glad they were there. And we were two of those, too."

That was it, dudes. It was springtime, the air was alive with the scent of new grass and buds on trees. This song made me want to spend my life at Reaney Park with Tony, a blanket, and a picnic basket. And I wanted it to be sunny and 80 degrees forever. That feeling resurfaces whenever I hear this song. Maria, you are a soulful, spot-on chick.

And you can't sustain anything, everything must change. So be thankful for everything.

And I am.

6. Feist - Mushaboom

Feist is another artist that Tony introduced me to and I am ashamed to say I didn't know about before. I love everything about Leslie Feist: I love her voice, her face, her lyrics, her music videos, her melodies. This song is like an old blanket or teddy bear for me, except it's way too upbeat to be an old teddy bear so, really, it's like my grandma's old can-can dresses or my favorite pair of heels. (I don't even know what my favorite pair of heels is. Probably my red round-toe Steve Maddens, but my square-toe, deep shimmery gray Nine Wests are a close, close second.) Whenever I listen to this song, I want to grab Tony's hand, yank him up Kamiak Butte, and skip to the top singing, "Oooooooh dirt road!"

P.S. That video is magnificent. Feist is luminous. I wish we were friends.

7. Her Space Holiday - Tech Romance

(Don't pay attention to anything but the song here. This is the only video I could find that wasn't a live version of the song recorded on someone's cell phone.)

When I sent Tony this album, and he listened to this song, he said to me, "They sound like the look of impressionist paintings." (I know because I wrote it down.)

That may have been the exact moment I fell in love with him.

8. Okkervil River - For Real

You know how some songs have that inexplicable pull on your emotions, that make you feel something you don't really understand, or even know where that feeling came from? This is one of those songs for me. It makes my heart hurt. It makes me want to sob big, fat tears with a crazy smile spread across my face. I can't describe why; all I know is that it makes me want to be in Tony's arms, (metaphorically) spinning around and around in the middle on Stadium Way while cars swerve to keep from hitting us. It's fragile and complicated. I don't know how to describe it.

9. Azure Ray - Sleep

I have the same feeling toward this song as I do for Sunny Road, but it's a bit different. This album was, like, thebeginning of Lauren and Tony. (And Sleep is the first song on the album.) This was also falling asleep next to each other, but in a different way. This was more intense or something. Sunny Road is like, "I love you, you're beautiful and magnificent and I'm so happy we're here together." Sleep is more like, "OMG HOW HAVE I LIVED WITHOUT YOU FOR TWO DECADES?!?!?!?!"

And, interestingly, it has nothing to do with the song. Because to me, the song is kind of sad. I think my feelings are mainly fueled the tranquility of the voices of Maria Taylor and Orenda Fink.

10. The Good Life - Always a Bridesmaid

(I have NO idea what's up with this video. But, again, the only other version I found was live and it sounded horrible. Tons of static. Anyone know a better place for music videos than YouTube??)

There is one reason this is on the list.

"Maybe it's the whiskey sours, but I think this could be it."

eep!

Also, Tony had gotten a poster of this EP cover mere days before the first time I went over to his place. Whenever I see the image now, I am reminded of sitting in his computer chair, in his old apartment, and just staring at it. It's kind of how I felt with him. Handcuffed together, like we were destined to be together (?? Ugh, cheesy), but so in love we wanted to be there. Stuck together. Christ, that is so ridiculous. But it's true. 

11. Rilo Kiley - Portions for Foxes

It was really hard to pick one song from one Rilo Kiley album. I mean, I can't pick every song on two albums, right? But this was, I think, the first Rilo Kiley song I ever heard. And it's such an intense, rapid succession of lyrical shittiness. I don't relate to this song at all (I wish I did, because then I'd be, you know, hot and mysterious and incomprehensible. Kind of like Jenny Lewis), but I like the way it makes me feel: transported back to that green, fragrant, love-filled Pullman spring.

12. Nada Surf - Blankest Year

I love listening to this upbeat album because it's so appropriate for driving the back road to Moscow with your boyfriend, rolling down the windows, and screaming into the wind together, "Ah fuck it, I'm gonna have a party!"

13. The American Analog Set - Aaron & Maria
(I can send a better version of this to you, as well, if you're interested.)
Tony loved this song when he first heard it, and it made me really happy because it's a powerful one. I can't really relate to the story in this song, but it's about a couple who don't want anything but to be together. (That's what it means to me, anyway.) Now that, I can relate to. Sometimes, to be cute, I'll sing it using our names: "Tony and Lauren ran from the Northwest coast to the city and..." But my two-syllable name kind of screws it up.

14. The Wrens - She Sends Kisses
You know what I said about For Real? This song does the same thing to me, but in a much more forceful way. Like, when I hear this song, it feel like someone punched my chest open, ripped out my heart, picked little pieces off the edges and then plopped it on the ground to kick it across the dirt... then picked it up again, tossing it like a baseball at dumpsters, cars, and trees, watching the shiny red trails it left behind, wondering where to finally discard of the broken, pulpy mess.

Tony gave me this album, The Meadowlands, and when I said "more more more," he gave me The Wrens' other albums and warned me that they contained a very different sound. He was right. I really like The Wrens, but this song just gets to me every single time I hear it. It reminds me of how I felt about Tony when we first started dating: that all-consuming, intimidating feeling of love that makes you grab at your chest, trying to stop the pain.

15. Stars - What I'm Trying to Say

(Again, no video watching. Especially the beginning if you don't want to have a seizure.)

This song is akin to basically what I have been trying to do for this entire post: describe something so special and wonderful by using words. I mean, sure, I like to pretend I'm a great writer, but more often than not I have no idea what I'm doing. (Yeah, yeah, I know, I'm being too hard on myself. Like a typical writer. ["writer"?]) But how do you quantify something, down to strings of letters and syllables and sounds, that is purely conceptual? Something that you can feel, but you can't touch? Everything just sounds like a cliché, you know? "His skin felt like silk against my skin," or "His kiss sent electric shock waves down my spine." Metaphors and similies. Blah.

So, when you love someone, how do you say it? And I don't mean, "Say it with flowers!" or "Say it with chocolate!" or "Say it with a trip to Jamaica!" I mean, what are the true, pure words that come out of your mouth, without any inflation or any cliché?

Isn't it always just, "I love you"?

Tony told me he loved me 16 days after we were officially together. I know this because I wrote it down. (I have a habit of doing that.) If you didn't know that before, well, surprise! And, true, we didn't become a couple, like, the second we met. It was not long after, though. And from the moment we started dating, I knew how I felt about him. But you can't really tell someone you're in love with them after you've known them for a week, right?

So, instead, we did that little dance for a while; you know, the whole, "I... um... I think you're... when I'm with you... *sigh* I care for you so much." (And when I say a while, I mean, like two weeks.) When he finally told me, he wrote it to me. I know. It's too perfect.

But before that, this song was my savior. Sometimes, on those warm, windows-open nights with him, I'd put this album on and will him, so hard, to understand what I wanted to say without having to say "I love you."

*

I realize that this post is more "my relationship with Tony" as opposed to "my time in Pullman, Spring '06." The thing is, though, that springtime in Pullman reminds me of Tony, and all of these songs remind me of that time. Perhaps the specific memories associated with them relate more to Tony than to the actual place, but Pullman in the spring is like a backdrop to my cache of memories of Lauren & Tony: The Beginning. I'm so happy when the sun is shining and the air feels fresh, and that feeling was amplified two springs ago when I met him.

I know this post is really gross, and probably more lovey-dovey shit than you ever cared to know about my relationship, but I'm trying this thing where I'm more open with people. I like talking about stuff like this (and I like it even more when someone wants to listen), but I'm often afraid of, I don't know, ridicule or annoyance or something. So I end up keeping it to myself. Or, I end up writing it privately. Maybe publicly writing stuff like this will be a nice segue into, I don't know, actually talking to people about substantial stuff in my life.

Or maybe I'll get embarrassed and delete this post in two days. Here's hoping my courage stays strong.

may 29, 2006

BB Number Three

Who would you invite to your dinner party, and why?

This prompt comes from Debbie, in true English-professor fashion. Modeled off of an article by Marina Warner, who hosted a faux-party with six guests, a chef, and sous-chef. The point, however, was to not only invite your favorite people or those who are most influential to you. Warner made a point to create her guest list based upon pairings: which two people would sit with whom, making for the most dynamic set of three couples around the dinner table?

I thought and thought and thought about all the literary figures who've been stuffed into my head throughout my life, but then I decided, "You know what? SCRAP THAT. It's summertime. And there are more awesome people in the world than just Englishy folk." (Although, many very cool people are Englishy folk. If I didn't believe that, I wouldn't be studying what I am. [What I am studying, that is. Not what I am. Except, I suppose I do study what I am here, as well. It's unavoidable.])

And so, in true nonconformist fashion, I am inviting three of my favorite people in the world, who all incidentally get along famously with one another, and I am pairing them with people who I feel are interesting enough to make for an awesome party and who my friends would adore. (Aaaaand, breathe.)

Pair One: The ravishing and intensely complicated Andrea S. I am pairing her with Salvador Dalí. He has always been one of the most enigmatic artists to me, so I'd like him to come to the party. I'm pairing them because, for one, Drea is an artist.

And although this may be hotly contested, I am going to argue that a tortured soul's lamentations are often soothed best by another tortured soul. Dalí and Drea can sit side by side, their heads bent toward each other with magnetic whispers, sipping vodka on the rocks. (Or with soda.) Then, when they're good and drunk, they can crazily throw cats around the room.

stipulations: Dalí must come later in his life, when he painted like this:

He must bring a blank canvas and paints, as well, because I want him to take a break from Gala and paint Drea instead. Since I'm the host for this incredible dinner party, he'll have to leave the canvas with me, though. Sorry, Salvador. And I'd really like Drea to come with her hair down, dramatic eyes, and wearing layers upon layers of wispy, gossamer chiffon.

Pair Two: My outrageously gregarious and beautiful friend Miranda S. She gets to sit with Betsey Johnson. I am fairly certain that Miranda and Betsey, kicked back with cosmopolitans or tequila shots, each wiggling a four-inch-heeled ankle off of crossed thighs, would be an unstoppable pair. They'd exude boisterous, sexy drama punctuated with sparkly pink laughter that would fill the room to the brim. They, too, would soon be drunk, and then they'd talk of nothing but how great it is to be blonde and fabulous. And no one would argue with them.

stipulations: Miranda has to wear her "OMG that's low"-cut black and white patterned halter dress, and Betsey has to bring party favors for the girls (me, Mir, and Drea). Yes, that is how it works at my party. The favors will be a bag stuffed with a pair of shoes, a piece of jewelry, and either a bottle of perfume or a pair of sunglasses. All by Betsey. And my friends can pick with pieces they want.

In case you're wondering, I would choose:

Pair Three: The intelligent, intimidating, breathtaking, hysterical Anthony D. (Are you sick of hearing about him yet?) It was really, really hard for me to pair Tony with someone, perhaps because I wanted to just pair him with myself and get it ovah with. But that's not the point. So, instead, I'm pairing him with Joey Burns. I think, of all the singers in all the bands in all the world, Tony would get along best with Joey. I can picture them seated at the table, chairs migrating to face one another more and more after each draft pint (suddenly I've got beer taps! Hooray!) talking of eating enchiladas in a dark, dingy, Guadalajaran restaurant while a Spanish woman named Rocío flamenco dances with castanets. Joey will tell Tony that next time, he has to come along.

"When?" Tony will ask.

"Next Thursday? There's this Mexican festival I've always wanted to go to -- supposedly they sell the best churros and chocolate, and there are mariachi bands lining the streets..."

And the next thing we know, they're debating whether to drive or fly.

stipulations: Both Joey and Tony have to bring their guitars. Tony can use mine if he can't get ahold of his (depending on how long he's been back from Korea), but the instruments will be mandatory. And I won't want to listen to any arguing about how Tony "isn't good enough" because, even though it is a bit difficult to be as good as Joey Burns on guitar, Tony can hold his own. We'll also work on getting Joey super drunk so he plays worse.

Food

As far as food goes, I would like Julia Child in the kitchen and my mom as sous-chef. When I was very young, I remember my mom watching Julia Child's cooking show. I always thought the way she talked was so funny, but she started to grow on me after spending so much time on my TV at home. I would love to hear her bumbling around in my kitchen, exclaiming whenever a sauce turned out just right. My mom would slink right under her wing as sous-chef. Luckily, she is a pretty amazing cook herself. I'd want a very french meal, too, because good french food seems damn near impossible to come by in America. Ratatouille, spinach quiches, provencal cornish game hen, chocolate crepes. I don't know. Whatever Julia comes up with. I just want french food.

Music

Lastly, I am going add a little bit to my party. Sure, Joey and Tony will rock out with their guitars while we're drinking, but when the food is served, we'll need background music. But I don't want to listen to the radio, or CDs, or even vinyl. I want a band. And, because there is no way I could ever pick a single band to come play at my dinner party, I am going to hand-pick my musicians instead. And so, without further ado, I'd like to present the Lauren Dinner Party Group.

vocals: Leslie Feist and Amy Millan (but only if she sings like she sings in Stars, not how she sings on her solo album.)

guitar: Jenny Lewis and Britt Daniel (they would also obviously sing, as well.)

bass: Nate Query (from The Decemberists)

drums: Arlen Thompson (from Wolf Parade)

piano: Regina Spektor (nom nom nom)

violin: Marc Bianchi (he is basically the entirety of Her Space Holiday, right??)

I also want probably five or six other people to play, but this is just a short and concise list because, let's be honest, I've been writing this post for like seventeen hours now. And I'm sure you're just as sick of reading it by now. Not to mention very upset that you can't come to my kick-ass party (because it doesn't exist. *sadface* Maybe some day...).

BB Number Two

Describe the best meal you've ever eaten.

I'm a tad late on this prompt, I realize, but I've been busy. So there.

As most people know, food is very important to me. I love eating. I love all of the different, unique flavors that can be created from, say, the way you cook meat to the variety of spices that can meld a dish together. I love eating so much that I obviously love cooking. Baking is my favorite, probably because I have like ten sweet teeth. ("Oh, so you're ordering it for your tooth?" - Jim G.) But I also love standing in front of the stove, throwing shit into a pan, and seeing what comes out. This is a product of sitting on a bar stool at home and watching my mom or dad in the kitchen. Because I don't have as much experience has either of my parents, who are both wonderful cooks, I usually get something that is edible, sure, but kind of gross. I never try new things on other people unless I have a recipe to follow. I can make damn near anything turn out from a recipe, but when I'm winging it, well, that's a different story.

Accordingly, I could write about so many food experiences here. I could write about how for one summer of my life I ate sushi every day. I could write about the time I went (back) to Spain in high school, and, after our united and incessant whining about ham and cheese sandwiches, my classmates and I sat down at a long banquet table to giant pans of paella, one of my favorite dishes. I could write about how much I love munching on popomat and sipping glasses of Huck with Toria while watching The Office. But I'm not going to write about any of those things. Because food isn't just about eating to me. It's about connecting, sharing, and loving. After all, what good is it to cook a four course meal if you're the only one who's going to enjoy it (and then have to clean up afterward)?

Therefore, I am going to write about a mediocre meal I had a week and a half ago. It was a tuna salad sandwich and french fries. To be honest, I was so hungry by the time I got to the restaurant that my tummy had shrunk to fit just half the sandwich and about ten fries. I took the rest home and left it in the fridge to get thrown away. (Honestly, not my original intention. But that is what ended up happening, much to my dismay.) What made this particular meal so wonderful wasn't the food. Because it's never really about the food for me. It's about the experience. And this experience was lovely.

I was at the Village Pub in Magnolia with Tony and the majority of his family: mom, dad, stepmom, and sister. It was the night before he left for Korea. It was one of the last times I would get to sit next to him, touch his arm, and smack a kiss on his cheek for many months to come. And not only did I get to enjoy this meal with him, but also with his family who, over the course of the past two years, now occupy a specialized spot inside my heart.

I've never been so accepted into a family as I have with Tony's. Maybe I've never wanted to be. But they are so kind to me I sometimes wonder, "What have I done to deserve this?" Every single one of them -- Paulette, Sue, Zach, Jenny -- said to me that I have to visit even while Tony is in Korea. Well, Jenny said she'd have to come visit me in Pullman because she'd miss me. And she'd better, because I'll miss her too. I will miss them all.

At dinner, the conversation never halted, even when we finally got our food. Jenny and I quoted Sex and the City unabatedly, she pausing only occasionally to toss a relevant Flight of the Conchords quote into the conversation. It's nice to find someone else who is as on top of SATC as Miranda. The evening's laughter and teasing and kind words frolicked around the table between bites, all six of us playing with everyone else. I didn't feel like an outsider, someone sitting at a table with a family. I felt like I belonged there, like I was wanted, and that is one of the most precious feelings a girl can hope to experience when in the presence of her boyfriend's family. Even though the food was there less to be outstanding and more to satiate empty tummies, this meal was proof that people can be brought together with food. We were celebrating Tony's departure and enjoying the time we had with him before he was gone, and I was invited to share in the experience.

And so, although this is nowhere near the story of the best meal I've ever eaten -- because I've eaten so many amazing meals in so many different states and countries -- it's the story of the best meal, as of right now, that I have had the pleasure of sitting in on. Because, like I said, what's a good meal without good company?