Curry, Paneer, and some guy named Rogan Josh

I’m not shy about trying new food, even if I’m not quite as brave as I like to think I am. When I traveled to the Philippines last year it was hard to find authentic Filipino dishes, but we found a few and I definitely tried most of them. I got more adventurous in Vietnam and tried a lot of Pho at restaurants and roadside stands, and other random food items at roadside stands and carts. Sometimes just a rice flour dumpling kind of deal, sometimes a former animal on a stick. So when I travel, I like to try the food. I knew going into this work trip to India that I wasn’t a big fan of Indian food. I’d had it a few times in Denver and it always seemed weirdly bland, and wholly undifferentiated from itself. Ordering lamb or chicken or beef with varying degrees of spice always yielded a plate that looked exactly like all the others.

And the lady will have…

India is a male dominated culture. I knew that going in, but to actually experience it is another thing. I figured women were second class, men were valued more, and men were respected more. From what I’ve read and experienced that’s kind of true, but it’s not so overt as that — though it must be noted that where I’m spending my days is either at the hotel or at the office. The office is filled with smart, educated and progressive folks. The way I’m seeing male dominance expressed is so “subtle”, almost underhanded so that it feels unintentional.

And at least they got me flowers

In America, and a few other countries ’round the globe, we drive on the right side of the road. It’s only natural, or something. We drive on the right, and the fastest lanes are left of that, towards the center of the roadway. This is pretty much a natural and easily understood fact of life for everyone in America, save for the many among us who lack the mental acuity to understand things like roundabouts and non 90 degree angle 4-way stops.

Oh hi India, I didn’t see you standing there!

Welp, I made it. To India. Kolkata, to be exact. I know, it’s nothing special. But I’m still going to write about it like this is the coolest thing you could possibly ever read about! (Also, this is really long. So if you want to skip to the bottom for some fun pictures, please do!)

I left Denver at ~3p on January 3rd. After a night in which I probably should’ve refrained from drinking whiskey and staying up until 4 to watch USA/Canada Junior Hockey (With gold medal game implications!) with my cousin….but didn’t… So that started me out right.

Things I Would Never Do

I’m leaving for India a week from today. I’m equal parts excited and nervous, but overall I feel wholly unprepared. I’m trying to remain slightly aloof, as if somehow I can become the kind of guy who can handle any situation with the charm and aplomb of James Bond simply by pretending. But alas, I’m me.

Of Curry and an Affront To Your Senses

It’s been said that visiting India is an affront to every natural sense one possesses. Visually it’s overwhelming, majesty and squalor intermingling like so much peanut butter and jelly, only less tasty. Aurally it accosts you, forcing it’s way into your skull to let the simultaneous shouts and car horns and whistles and who knows what else reverberate inside. Its aroma confuses the brain, with equal parts “awesome” and “awful.” It’s hot, humid, and feels dirty. The tastes of the country will leave you spellbound, sweaty, and possibly wishing you had some bread and a glass of milk to wash the spice down. Oh, and no beef.

On Tim Thomas staying home

“I believe the Federal government has grown out of control, threatening the Rights, Liberties, and Property of the People.
This is being done at the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial level. This is in direct opposition to the Constitution and the Founding Fathers vision for the Federal government.

Dinner: A Capricious Love Affair

I generally love to cook. That is to say: I love to cook when it comes out well and I get to show it off and preferably share with friends and potentially strangers.

I live by myself so a lot of the time cooking just ends up being a race against expiration dates and vegetables that are more soft and more brown than I’d prefer.

On life without Facebook

It was a decision I made somewhat irrationally though definitely impulsively. If I’m honest the decision was made in haste, and in a fit of some sort of modified “woe is me” depression. The kind of depression only privileged white guys can get, really. 2011 proved to be, in turns, the best and one of the worst years of my life.

September 12

I think for me, more than 9/11, September 12th is the day that hurts the most.