I'm Hungry

I'm not sure if I have ever written about food before.   I've eaten in some amazing places, to include the White House. I eat more than almost any other thing I do in the world. I've eaten more than I have driven, more than I have worked, more than I have changed clothes. Thinking about it, eating takes up a lot of things you do in your life - yet rarely are meals, that is the food itself, memorable.

There are some exceptions, however..

The best soup I have ever had was Lisa's cheddar beer soup.
The best barbeque  I ever had was at the Dinosaur BBQ in Syracuse, NY.
The best milk shake I ever had was at Doug's Fish Fry in Cortland, NY.
The best waffle (yes, waffle) I ever had was at the Westin Hotel in downtown Charlotte, NC with Charles Geter.
The best pizza I ever had was at Johnny's Pizzeria in NYC; once with Sam and Lisa and once with some old friends from high school.

Food abroad during a deployment is atrocious.  Correction, the food on base is awful.  Within two weeks the menu is predictable and unsavory.  Never, in three deployments, have I uttered the words, "I'd like seconds."  The meat is too tough, the fish too wet (no pun intended) or too dry, and the chicken tastes like chicken.  You can try to mix it up by ordering from the short order line or the sandwich bar or make a salad.  Yes, you have to balance your meals and not eat cheeseburgers all the time or have dessert every night.  However, it meals are just sustenance to get through the day.

Outside the gate is another story. Going out to eat here is a treat because the food at non-chain restaurants has flavor and variety. Finding a good place is the luck of the draw. Since most places cater to Arabs and Westerners alike someone is always willing to speak English to you and most menus are in two languages.

The other night I went to a recommended place called the 70's Restaurant located down near the souqs (shops) where we buy electronics, souvenirs, and knock off clothes.  It was clearly an Arab place and had nothing to do with the 1970s - not in the décor or flair. 

I wasn't entirely sure what to order so I ordered the staples; hummus, kabobs, nan (bread), and roasted vegetables.  It came with fries as if was some afterthought because, well, Americans.  I did not eat the fries but just about everything else.  It was delicious.  All of it.  I was full and satiated. 

One of my dinner companions ordered a Turkish coffee.  If you have never had Turkish coffee it is thick and sweet and loaded with caffeine.  It is served in a small cup with a small pot of reserve.  I - in all my travels - had never had one.  He encouraged me to try some since the next day was Sunday and "sleep is a crutch" - meaning "who cares if you can't fall asleep tonight, tomorrow is a day off."

The coffee - well - the best coffee I ever had...

The Mythology of Us

my·thol·o·gy

[məˈTHäləjē]

NOUN

a. Mythology is a collection of myths, especially the ones that belong to a particular sacred, religious, or cultural tradition of a group of people. Myths are a collection of stories told to explain nature, history, and customs–or the study of such myths.

Like most mythology, this story is based on several true, factual, actual events. This story, like most mythology requires some imagination, some magic, belief in other forces of nature at play, and – most importantly, love.

This story takes place in 1976, the year of the United States’ Bicentennial. It is a time of red, white, and blue bunting, readings of the Declaration of Independence, and reminder that America is unique among nations.

One specific American uniqueness began in 1928.  Humbly enough, it began with a mouse.  A mouse with a name,.Mickey Mouse.  Out of that first black and white cartoon emerged a growing empire founded on Walt Disney's dreams.  By the year of our story, Disney had created two magical places; Disneyland and Walt Disney World.

Walt Disney World in those days consisted of the Magic Kingdom, the Contemporary Resort, the Polynesian Resort, a Monorail to connect them all, and the former Disney Inn. The one park had seven magical lands and still required tickets to get on the rides (look up E-Ticket Ride here).

Every February hundreds of thousands of kids have off from school for what is known as “spring break”.  For those in the north, the wind is still in full effect with driving snow, wind, and artic temperatures. Florida, with its sunshine and moderate weather is a very enticing destination and what better place to visit in Florida than Disney World.

And so, a family from Upper Arlington, Ohio, went to Orlando to visit the Magic Kingdom; a mom, dad, two girls and a boy.

At the same time, a family from Monroe, New York, flew from La Guardia airport to Florida; a mom, dad, and two boys.

And somewhere in that magic place and time a nine-year-old boy from Monroe laid eyes on a six-year-old girl from Upper Arlington.  They stood next to each other on the Mad Hatter’s Tea Cup Ride. In the minds of children nothing about that moment registered, nor should it in the anticipation of spinning tea cups! No parent noticed either as they were tending to other children.  Yet, in that moment something happened.  Where and why does fate intervene? Know one can know.

The families went on the ride and exited at different points of egress.  The boy and the girl would not see each other for another twenty-five years.

Destiny has a funny way of playing itself out.  Life took them in very different directions before bringing them back together.  But they did find each other again. It was meant to be.  In mythology these things work out because of magic, forces beyond our perception, and most of all - love. 

Where does the truth end and the myth take over? We are not very sure and that is what makes it a great story...

Lisa and I take the kids to the Magic Kingdom every few years.  We have made Disney the beginning of our story and a part of our life.  With a wink and nod we always find our way over to the teacup ride to see who the boys are standing next to - wondering if. 

Happy Valentine’s Day, Lisa.

It's Exactly Like Riding a Bike

I have a bike! I no longer have to wait for the bus or walk miles all day long to run errands or get back from work or go to dinner! 

I don’t mind walking but there are times I just want to get there (anywhere) faster than my own two feet can carry me. And it takes a toll! I know people say walking is a great way to lose weight and they are right. However, none of my pants fit me anymore and I am on the last notch in my belt.

The base has a bike shop here that lends bikes for free. I am still on the waiting list for one of those bikes.

The bike – not yet named but feel free to make suggestions – was liberated from a rusty demise.  It had been abandoned, unchained, without a seat over near the barracks.  In fact there are a lot of abandoned bikes around; people just left them, locked up, without paying it forward to a new owner.  However, someone knew I was looking for a set of wheels and fixed this one up for me.  It’s rusted, the gears barely work, and it looks like it has been sitting in the elements for over a year – but it works. 

This will come in handy in about 40^o – 50^o. I can’t imagine walking a mile back and forth to work and all the places in between when it is over 120^o outside.  At least the bike will get me there quicker.

Oh yes, by the way, we have a vehicle. Two, actually. I did not get a license here - yet - because if I want to go somewhere people drive me. So while I could drive back and forth, my guys use the cars far more than I do. Besides, I wouldn't use a car to run errands here anyway. 

I haven't ridden a bike in years aside from the occasional ride with TJ.  Already there have been some valuable lessons. There is a trick to pedaling in sand, try not to stop. I have to remember the rules of the road because there is traffic all over the base. If it looks like you can't fit between cement barriers, STOP! My ass is already sore - it's only been a day.  And since I don't have a lot of meat on it right now its going to be a while before I walk right.