The McRib? Nah, I'm good...

“The McRib Is Back!”


A brightly colored sign announced this to an overflowing McDonald’s. The food stylists, those people responsible for making sure that every photo of every item of food looks heavenly, have done a great job. The barbeque sauce looks tantalizing, the pickles and onions look crisp and refreshing and the bun looks fresh. The best looking fries and ice cold drink sit off to the side. It all just works together.

But me, I just shook my head. Under all that lovely looking accompaniment lies one of the strangest food experiences I’ve ever had. Ever. Years ago, when I lived with my grandmother and we were broker than broke, we were signed up with a food bank at a local church. We’d go over and pick up a couple of bags of staples to supplement what we could afford. One day, as we were unpacking the bags, we came across this large industrial plastic bag with a dozen or so patties in the bottom.

They were grayish brown and covered in ice, so we didn’t know what they were. We smelled them, something completely unrecognizable hit me, but I still couldn’t identify what kind of meat they were. So we put them in the freezer to figure out some other day. You know, when we got low on protein.

When we finally defrosted some, we started to see the faint shape of ribs…more accurately, a McRib. They were like little oily sponges of pork something-or-other once they were thawed. I’d never seen a texture like that in a grocery store before in my life. My 1st thought…“is this what scrapple looks like?”

But, we were hungry and it was time to cook them. So, into the pan they went. BIG mistake! Within 2 minutes, they were swimming in grease and a 3rd of their size. We ended up wrapping them in paper towels, a couple of times, to get as much of the grease off as possible before we ate them. They tasted alright, but my stomach was not happy. But, we thought it was our cooking method. They couldn’t be THAT bad right? This was the highly sought after McRib, after all.

But, sadly it was not. The next time, we tried to bake them. When we pulled them out of the over there were these small, still grayish brown, things floating in grease. I’ve never seen anything like it.

Needless to say, I never touch a McRib again. And this was before I gave up meat. All it did was make me wonder…what else is in this stuff?

A little global funk and soul recap...

I saw Taylor McFerrin (yes, son of Bobby) do a great improved set this past Wednesday at Zanzibar...on the same show as Electric Wire Hustle. I'd heard his name, seen a few mentions but hadn't really gotten into his stuff. Until now. UBER talented dude. And he makes beautiful music. I newly obsessed with A Place In My Heart feat Ryat. Check this dude out, you won't be disappointed...

Taylor McFerrin - Track Preview from EARLY RISER by Taylor McFerrin

Go sign up for Taylor McFerrin's mailing list to get these songs!

And speaking of Wednesday night...Electric Wire Hustle!!! Another group I'd heard bits and pieces about for a while before I got the album. Loved it right away. But that album is only about a third as good as they are live. And I mean that. 3 people on the stage that sounded like 12! A lead singer with a gorgeous voice holding down the guitar, a keyboard player/programmer that did a BANANAS talk box solo and a drummer that really BEAT my bad day completely out of my body. This is their first go 'round in the US, but if you get a chance to see their show, DO NOT MISS IT!

The Sounds & GREAT Vibes of Sunset Junction 2010...(videos)

The only way I can describe Sunset Junction...energy! So, I filmed some of the good times at the Evelyn Champagne King and Bobo & Rhettmatic shows...both shows were a dance party. Also, Me'Shell N'degeocello's rendition of Cars. Enjoy!

SANG ANDRE!

The vocal ministry of the amazing Andre Washington! That's the only thing I can call it...enjoy!

Sights of Sunset Junction 2010...

I had a ball this weekend at Sunset Junction. The music, the people, the food, the energy. It was everything I needed. Everywhere you went people were dancing, smiling and socializing. I can't even tell you how much fun it was just to people watch. It was an experience. And, yes, The Whispers did Olivia during their AMAZING set!!! What a way to wind down the summer. Get there next year...

You're how old? I'll have what he's having!

My mom and I ordered dinner from a new place tonight. Natural Soul Food Cafe. They messed up our order a bit & took great pains to drive back to us and fix it. I'm so glad they did! It gave me a change to speak to one of the employees and for for my mom to talk to the delivery guy. They're older, we knew that off the bat. But during his 2nd trip to our place, my mom told the delivery man that we really enjoyed the food. It was great and healthy! 

His response sent me online to look them up. He stopped cold and said "I'm 70. I do 100 push ups on the classroom floor to motivate elementary kids to eat healthy. I got a letter from Michelle Obama!" My mom said, "wow, we'll be giving you guys lots of business!" He then informed her that they were a non-profit cafe. What? A non-profit? Ice seen there space for years but had never eaten at the restaurant. So, follwing a great meal and an eye opening visit, I looked them up...

They really are a non-profit, they really do have a program that serves our kids. And they really are committed to healthy food. It seems the delivery service is a small piece of their overall mission. So small, in fact, that when I called the woman answered "is this the lady that ordered the food?" 

I'm in love with this place and these people. I am going to spend money with them because I belive in what they are trying to do. It's wide reaching, but with a serious focus on the community around them. Their sponsors have given them the luxury of using ingredients that are pretty much cost prohibitive in this economy, and especially in this area.  And all if this so that they can provide healthier food to the lower income community around them. The only thing that disappoints me is the lack of spotlight on what they're doing.

So, if you're in the Crenshaw/Leimert/West Adams/Jefferson Park Area, stop by! Call and order something! Go to their "Community Sensitivity Dining Room" and over pay them. Their website says "pay what your taste buds say"...those of you that eat out all the time should stop by and give them what you'd give everyone else that's chasing a profit. Just look past the red, black and green militant looking storefront...they are lovely people, doing great work, that will serve you tasty food and use you money to give back. Check them out...www.naturalsoulfood.org.

32...

So, I'm now 32. Happy Birthday to me...again! And like every year round this time, I reflect, correct and grow a little more. This year, I really didn't feel like celebrating my birthday. Not because I don't like my birthday, but because 2010 has been a ridiculously busy year already. And a lot of fun! I couldn't think of anything I wanted to do that I hadn't done yet. Well, nothing I could afford anyway. I also didn't want to deal with the bullshit that happens every time I plan something for my birthday. People respond to the invitations with "I'm there!" Which really translates into "I'm there...unless something that benefits me comes up...or someone's throwing a more fabulous party than you...or I'm working...or I can't make a good enough excuse to leave my man/woman...or I procrastinate and miss the entire thing altogether."

That happens more often than not because I have, what I'd like to refer to as, a large group of acquaintances and a small group of friends. I can count my real friends on one hand. And they were great this weekend! Most people land in the large group of acquaintances. Fine by me. My social circle is fun, entertaining, talented and sweet. But unreliable as hell. LOL So, for the last few years, I've been learning to expect exactly what people are capable of and no more. It's working out great actually. I feel selfish at times, but I think you need to be to get what you want. At least a little bit. Not to the point of treating people badly, but at least to the point that you take care of you and be ok with that.

At 30, I learned that it was ok to be exactly who I am. At 31, I learned that it's ok to say "no, I won't keep giving of myself and getting nothing in return". At 32...well I'm not quite sure what I've learned yet. Though, I've definitely accepted that I know more than I realize and see things in terms of what's happening below the surface. It's a great tool to have. But it's not life changing. Every year, I learn a lesson that changes the way I live my life. Even slightly. I look back at 07-08, I was 29 having the hardest year of my life. Then look at my life now, I know that even a slight change makes a HUGE difference. I'm looking forward to figuring out what the lesson is this year...