05 March 2008
I give you A Cat, a Purse, a Tray (on Table):
The thing about trying to photograph the Booty Cat is that the more you call his name, the more firmly interested he gets in whatever is next to him (and thus, not in your direction). On the edge of my vision, though, I could see Beany practically hopping up and down. "Me, me! Take MY picture! I can look off into the distance and appear thoughtful!" Beany, she has known the camera from a tender age. Too bad I didn't focus properly.
So here's Booty. It's five in the afternoon, and not only is the sun still out, it doesn't have the feeling of disappearing over the horizon at any second. I can almost imagine what it will be like in a few months time, when the days stretch on and on. It's strange what a different headspace even thinking about that puts me in. I've never thought of myself as particularly affected by the seasons, but this winter has definitely made me feel trapped by the cold and short days. So let's forget about all this snow and sub-freezing temperatures and get on with spring already, okay?
Two food related things: Sadly, it turns out I will NOT be receiving my two cases of Almond Breeze from Trader Joe's, as planned. They don't actually sell the unsweetened original variety, so I will have to look elsewhere for potential bulk-buying. (I'm assuming the person I spoke to at TJ's on Monday thought that vanilla is original -- as they do stock unsweetened vanilla -- but not so.)
Secondly, it's no secret that I'm a food snob, although I wouldn't call myself a foodie -- I don't care at all about fancy restaurants. But good food is important to me, and while I don't give a toss what my friends and family eat (nobody would like me if I did), I'm perfectly happy to judge people I don't know. Like the lady in front of me in line at the grocery store. From her cart to the belt: bologna, potato chips, white bread, microwave meals, tins of high-sodium soup, sugar cereals. And an impressive collection of vitamin and mineral supplements. Oh no, where were MY supplements? Oh, that's right, my food actually has food in it.
Okay, stepping off my snobbery soap box (yeah, right).
I understand the spirit in which you are posting so I hope you understand when I admit that I worry that people judge my grocery shopping--I buy my produce from the Chinatown markets, or the giant open air market near me, more produce, nitrate free bacon, good snacks, coffee (and cheap booze) from Trader Joe's--and bologna, potato chips, soda, tins of soup and sugared cereals from the big chain grocery store. But no vitamins or mineral supplements! Still, I know my cart looks night-marish at times. And yet I still judge other people's carts myself.
posted by donna at March 6, 2008 05:23 AM
It is a guilty pleasure, judging other people's food choices, and definitely unfair, as donna points out, because the products might be highly atypical of the person's usual diet. But I do it anyway. It's that or read the tabloids!
The more I learn about the effects our food choices have on our bodies and our planet, the more of a food nazi (sorry, yucky reference) I become. I was absolutely incensed one day when I read the label on a snack cracker and a single serving had 4 grams of trans fats (and very few ingredients that I'd actually call food).
My kids have fun parroting back to me my favorite saying: Michael Pollan's "Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants." (Not that we eat that way all the time, by a long shot!) It really has made a difference in what I buy and what I think when I surreptitiously look at other people's choices. Mostly I think that I used to buy that stuff all the time!
Almost more than the food choices, it really scares me when I realize what a panoply of strong chemical cleaners I used to use routinely. So when I see gallons of bleach and petrochemical-based cleaners roll down the belt, I shudder (internally). I remember using a whole gallon of bleach in one day. Yikes.
posted by anne at March 7, 2008 02:41 AM
Yeah, I think the consequence for judging others' purchases is being totally aware of when your own cart is less-than-respectable.
I used to work at a little supermarket, and one of the popular games to pass the hours is 'what's this person going to make when they get home?' I ran into Target today on my way home from the gym and emerged with two lemons, a bag of cat food, and a bottle of fizzy water. What CAN'T you make with those fine ingredients?
posted by Anna at March 7, 2008 04:04 AM
Anna, this is not a comment about your blog, sorry. But I need zipper help.
I have read your zipper tutorial and the ends of the zipper still aren't coming out right. What am I doing wrong? Can you help me? Thanks so very much!
posted by Lauri at March 7, 2008 05:40 PM
Not food snob, food smart. I can't help but peer into other people's trollies, I try not to, it just happens. Much like cranking one's neck to view a car wreck.
Until the day I run into the headmaster at the shops, have a quick chat, proceed to the till only to realize I have frozen pizzas, ice cream and pain au chocolat. Fodder for the childrens' sleepover - pinched for time after work that day, I didn't cook.
Has this experience cured me of trolly rubbernecking? No. We eat well almost all of the time.
When I see other trollies rolling around full to the brim with rubbish I truly don't judge, instead I'm reminded how lucky I am, and my children are that I was taught very healthy eating habits by my parents.
posted by joanie at March 8, 2008 09:15 PM
Hi! I stumbled onto your page when I googled "cupcakes." I was feeling down while studying for exams and needed some happy pictures! I must say, you're an excellent photographer; both your camera and your subjects are spectacular.
I wanted to ask you what camera you use. I've never had a professional camera, but wanted to try my hand at photography. Any suggestions?
Thanks!
-I
posted by Irene at March 9, 2008 12:23 AM
Your Kitty looks like mine! So cute!
posted by Tiff@ Three Peas at March 11, 2008 08:25 PM