Remembering Les Bailey, Volume 2

Just got this letter in the mail today, from Olivia, Holly, and Carleen.  I knew it was coming out, but not when it was actually arriving.  Obviously, they were also aiming for what would have been Les' 69th birthday.  For my "real" blog post on remembering Les, see here.

In any case, if you knew Les, and/or are moved to contribute...

Little Things: Remembering Professor Les Bailey

Today, November 23, 2011, would have been Les Bailey's 69th birthday.

He died last year on Christmas Eve. And because I have been on sabbatical this semester (Fall 2011), I think that it has still not set in that Les is no longer roaming the halls of Old Main, no longer seated in front of his Mac computer, in his office on the 3rd floor, reading student papers.  Or Dickens. 

Perhaps I will fully realize his absence next semester when I'm back on campus, and there has been some distance...

Remembering him--remembering anybody--is usually not a grandiose proposition once the funeral is past.  Rather, it's about the little things.  Or, for me it is, anyway.

For example,  one week ago I opened a new jar of capers.

After all, how can you eat bagels and cream cheese and lox without also having capers and diced red onions?  I got this jar of capers from Les.  I know, seems strange.  But like I said, it's the little things. Earlier this year, when I was doing my small part to help cleanup Les' house–with Father Kilian and Brian and Pam and Ericka, all of whom did yeo(wo)man's work–I was going through his kitchen cabinets.

And I found this beautiful jar of capers.  I almost left it there.  Why would anyone take a jar of capers?  But I'm glad I took it.  It's just the kind of jar that Les would have had.  You can see my small jar of capers, perfectly good non pareilles from Safeway or wherever.  But Les, no, Les would never have wasted his time with such a jar of boring capers.  And, in truth, when I compared them, there was a significant difference.  Les' capers, Mustapha's capers, were indeed much bigger, juicier, and more robust.  They pack quite a vinegary, briny wallop.  Perfect for such a breakfast.

Little things.

Or this.  For Thanksgiving this year at Midge and David Price's house, I'm making potato and celery root Gruyère gratin with leeks and backyard thyme.  I love cooking with root vegetables and Thanksgiving is the perfect time to make such a dish.  I have long wanted to cook with celery root, but it was so expensive ($6.50 for one root!) that I will not be making a habit of it.  I'm also using the last of my glorious CSA potatoes.   I think it will be a good dish.

  

You've probably guessed it already, but, yes, the French Emile Henry baking dish itself is from Les' kitchen.  I found it in the garage.  Someone had put it there because when Les went to the hospital there was still a carcass of something (a chicken probably) in the dish.  When I found it, a couple months later, it was rancid and disgusting and I had to suppress my gag reflex just to approach it.  Very soon, the dish was probably going to be thrown into the trash.

But I just couldn't let this happen.  So, holding my breath, I ran the dish to the trashcan, being careful not to spill anything, and dumped everything out.  Then I hosed the dish down outside, then took it back inside, and scraped it semi-clean with hot water and soap. Then I took it home, scrubbed it some more, and put it in the dishwasher a couple times. It took all of this just to clean the damn thing.

But I'm glad I did it.  And this Thanksgiving it will be the dish in which I bake my gratin.

It's the little things that help me best remember Les.

Professor Les Bailey, 1942-2010.

On Editing: British Spelling

I'm in the middle of the penultimate proofs on our second book, entitled The Cinema of Terry Gilliam: It's a Mad World. 

(Again, co-edited with my dear friends and colleagues, Anna Froula of East Carolina University and Karen Randell of Southampton Solent University, UK.  You may remember us from such first co-edited books as, Reframing 9/11: Film, Popular Culture, and the "War on Terror".)

Working on the book (l-r, American, American, Brit), Ocracoke Island, North Carolina, February 2011

We are fortunate to have this book coming out (probably in 2012) from Wallflower Press, an imprint of Columbia University Press.

So far so good...

Here's the catch: Wallflower is in the United Kingdom and their style sheet is in English. 

Some light shopping at the December '10 San Francisco Dickens Fair(e).

 "But, what's the problem," you ask? "You speak English, Birkenstein, you num(b)skull.  You even dare to teach it, whatever that means," you say.

"Good point," I say.  "Well, I mean, yes and no.  That is, you see, I, uh, usually speak and write American.  And I spell that way, too" 

Something Mark Twain helped us sort out all those years ago in the "Explanatory" to begin Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1884 in England; 1885 in the U.S.; h'mmmm, curious):

IN this book a number of dialects are used, to wit: the Missouri negro dialect; the extremest form of the backwoods Southwestern dialect; the ordinary "Pike County" dialect; and four modified varieties of this last. The shadings have not been done in a haphazard fashion, or by guesswork; but painstakingly, and with the trustworthy guidance and support of personal familiarity with these several forms of speech. 

I make this explanation for the reason that without it many readers would suppose that all these characters were trying to talk alike and not succeeding.

So, where was I?  Oh, yes, our penultimate proofs... 

(That's what I'm calling them anyway, which means that they have been edited by our publisher, have been put in book order, and page numbered.  But the manuscript has not yet been put into final proof status, where it looks like the book will actually look--moving from MS Word to Adobe pdf file, to put it simply.)

And these British spellings are driving me crazy (all apologies, Karen; I apologize/apologise).  It's just amazing how different are our two languages, Brit and 'Merican, especially the spelling.  And I'm not even getting into our various words for the same damn things! 

This is something we all know, of course, but until you really get into the weeds...

So, without further ado, here are some of the words I've been dealing with (full disclosure: our editor seems to have caught all of these ahead of time, but I constantly find myself questioning their spelling.  For example, since when does "aging" have "e" in it?)

This whole process, in fact, is ageing me, and I remain sceptical about it all...

ageing
allegorises
catalogue
centred
characterise(d)(s)
dehumanising
dialogue
emphasise
favour
favourite
marvellous
neighbours
organised
popularised
programmes
realise(s)
recognises
recognisable
rumour(ed)
theorised
savours
sceptical(ly)
sexualising
tranquilised
valourised

Karen says I must remembour that Brits just love extra vowels.

Anyway, I don't have any great points to make, which is no doubt typical of me.  I just love words, all words, despite my pretend frustration, and this process is a joy to be involved in.*

Agurrak

*in which to be involved

Two Left-Coasters on College Bowl Pilgrimage to Heartland (Reprint)

Thanks to Terry Smith, Editor at The Athens News (Athens, Ohio), for publishing our little piece in his fine newspaper.  Now, everyone knows how I'm spending my Fall vacation (along with my old buddy, Mike--old because he's in his 40s and old because I've known him for 40 years):

And, because the internet is what it is, we've already heard from John Ellis.  He runs the Cat's Eye Saloon out in Athens and has invited us to his tailgate party before the Temple vs. Ohio game on Wednesday, November 2.

Damn straight we'll be there...

My little brother, Johnny, sporting his new UK tattoo at UK's upset of USC (east coast version), Lexington, 2010.

Vote NO on 2011 Washington Initiative 1183!

Why I'm voting against Washington I-1183  

All things being equal (whatever that means), here's what I would like to see in Washington State: More stores like the wonderful Liquor Barn in Kentucky.  Much more fun and interesting and informational and, yes, communal than the slimy, sleazy, dreary, fluorescent-lit, porn-store-out-on-the-interstate feel (not that I would know) that is our current set of state-controlled liquor stores.  These are not stores meant for browsing or speaking to other liquor-seekers, but places to duck into in order to take what you want before sheepishly walking out into the rain, paper bag tucked under your arm...

Yuck.

Tea Thyme (vodka infused with Earl Grey tea bag, honey water, muddled backyard thyme with thyme for garnish).

That said, I'm voting against 1183 which, in a nutshell, is stated thusly on the ballot:   

"Initiative Measure No. 1183 concerns liquor:  beer, wine, and spirits (hard liquor). 

This measure would close state liquor stores and sell their assets; license private parties to sell and distribute spirits; set license fees based on sales; regulate licensees; and change regulation of wine distribution.

Should this measure be enacted into law?

[  ]  Yes

[  ]  No

The Official Ballot Title was written by the Attorney General as required by law and revised by the court. The Explanatory Statement was written by the Attorney General as required by law. The Fiscal Impact Statement was written by the Office of Financial Management as required by law. The Secretary of State is not responsible for the content of arguments or statements (WAC 434-381-180)."

My brother-in-law's perfect manhattan.

Here are at least 3 of my reasons for voting against 1183:

* Costco (a store I frequent and enjoy and which is relatively good on the scale of good/bad businesses) has dumped many millions into this fight in support of this measure, not to mention the last 2 or 3 of the same topic. Such outlay is deeply suspicious for multiple reasons, at least one of which is because...

* This measure controls the size of stores that can sell liquor (which is either touted or ignored on the VOTE YES commercials and depending on what misleading information is in that particular commercial). If I read the Initiative correctly, liquor-selling stores must be over 9,000 square feet. Thus, whatever this bill is, it is not free market capitalism (which is, ironically, one of the main arguments for it).  Rather, it is more, if not monopolistic, then pre-determined to create winning and losing businesses. Obviously, Costco is over 9,000 square feet.

My point:  Costco and others are selling this change as being good for businesses, prices, consumers, yadda, yadda, yadda (yeah, it's actually in a dictionary or two, but I digress), but it is mostly just good for their businesses.  Thus, Costco is a bad actor here and is intentionally misleading Washingtonians.  What else are we not being told in their publicity campaign?

*Also, as the Voters' Pamphlet's (VP) "Argument Against" correctly argues, Washingtonians have recently voted against such a change multiple times. But clearly the goal here is for deep pocketed corporations (certainly not actual people) to keep bringing it up until the voters submit. Not my version of democracy even though, as Mitt Romney proudly reminds us, "Corporations are people, my friend." Well, not in my Constitution.

* Despite the size requirement, VP estimates that there will be over 1,400 licenses liquor retailers in the near future (up from 328 current state stores).  Thus...

*Those for 1183 argue that b/c selling-to-minor penalties will increase, little or no increase in alcohol problems (i.e. drunk driving, teens accessing alcohol) will exist. They also argue that increased revenue will go to fire/police, thus tacitly admitting, at least in part, that there will be increased problems.

OK, maybe that was more than 3 reasons, but that's enough for now...

I urge you to Vote No on I-1183, but to also keep drinking safely and interestingly.

My brother's jalapeño and cucumber margarita.

PS: Here are a few other good reasons to Vote No, taken from my facebook page discussion on the same topic (unedited):

Samantha K:  Another reason is that although Costco is generally "good" as far as corporations go - they pass on the 10% distributors fee to suppliers that currently state liquor stores. This is why many of our state's small distilleries are against this initiative. I think writing in what is essentially their own tax loophole is hurtful to these small businesses. They also have threatened to not carry those distilleries product should they openly oppose this initiative. I guess that's politics but I don't like this side of it. Our firefighters at large are against it - which matters to me. All of your other points are good too 

Danny O:  Additionally, stores like Costco (and other big-box contributors like Target and Wal Mart) are dumping cash into this while asking us to "trust them" that they won't collude or mark up the prices higher than they are now. I'm sure it wouldn't happen right away (they have a point to prove) but there wouldn't be anyway to stop it once it started. After all, its a hell of a lot easier to eliminate a liquor control organization than start a new one after its abolition. When was the last time we could trust these guys anyways?

Andrew M: "Teens are going to get alcohol anyway" is not convincing me. I'm against this issue too.

Eating the World: Australia

So, my brother and I like to travel, and have done a decent bit of it, but are always starving for more.

Which is where the eating comes in.  We also like to eat.  So, last year Brian had the brilliant idea to cook a dinner from each country in the world, in alphabetical order.  We could travel without leaving the kitchen. 

At least one problem we will have is that people rarely agree on just how many countries there are, but it's currently in the 190s, I think.  And anyway, who cares?  (I know who: people from that country!)

We won't sweat the small stuff and have given ourselves the liberty of not being entirely faithful to the food's origins, because, of course, that would be impossible anyway.

And, fortunately, we are in no hurry.  I say fortunately because we are in our second year and only just now approaching the end of the As.

I plan to post pictures from each country, but am only getting around to it now, with Australia. 

But what the hell is Australian food, you ask?  Well, there are the basics that every U.S.-type person knows, thanks to stereotyping, or marketing, or both, such as Foster's beer (I know, I know, not a popular beer in Australia, but re-read the first part of my sentence), vegemite, and shrimp on barbies (called prawns in Australia, I think; Paul Hogan's been lying to us for years, apparently).  Also, the dessert Pavlova, which I had never heard of and which, apparently, the Kiwis also claim as their own. 

But never mind, because I don't have a sweet tooth and don't make desserts.  I have an umami tooth and cook accordingly. 

So, what else is there?  Well, there's Kanga and Roo.  Brian's been Down Under many times and eaten the tasty looking marsupial, but I never have.  So, a query on facebook and Kayla C. provided the answer:  Stewart's Meats, a fine old-fashioned and very busy butcher shop.

Head toward Mt. Rainier on Yelm Hwy and you'll find Stewart's on the right.

Among other meat wonders, they have a freezer case with exotic meats, including, in Spanish, cangoro, $12.99 a pound.

But what to do with it?  A good red meat like that can certainly be spiced and eaten on its own, with some kind of mash on the side.  And, according to the Kangaroo Institute of Australia this is a perfectly Aussie thing to do.

But it seemed too boring.  And, as Australia is more or less in Asia (in school, they never tired of telling us that it was somehow its own continent, which, upon reflection, seems like a racial/colonial issue of some kind), I wanted something else.  So when I found a recipe on their website for Red Thai Coconut Curry I knew I had a winner.

(Note:  I also learned from the KIA (how appropriate) that kangaroo is not farmed but hunted under strict guidelines.  Or, so they say.)

Speaking of which, as recipes are but guidelines, I made my own version, which includes pre-made red curry paste from a local Asian grocery and whatever veggies I had in the fridge and the cabinet:

CSA carrot, onion, leek and lettuce with tomato, asparagus, canned baby corn.

First, I seared the kangaroo in a cast iron pan, then cut it up into bite-sized chunks.

Then, I stir-fried the chili paste on its own before adding half the can of coconut milk.  Next, the meat, cooked until almost done.  Lastly, throw in all veggies but the tomato (added at the last moment).

Added the rest of the coconut milk, a little water, and cooked until veggies just tender.  Served on jasmine rice (always buy at an Asian grocery, never at Safeway et al., a bloo'y rip-off).  Served with Foster's, because, remember, this is technically Aussie.  Canned rambutan for dessert.

Delicious, mate. (I couldn't resist, the "mate" or the dinner.)

Only 190+ posts to go, but surely this is a noble cause.  Surely.  Noble.  Or, if not noble, then hopefully quite tasty.

Next up:  Austria.

Note to self:  No more shooting with the yellow kitchen light.  Flash needed for real colors.

Neo-Historical Road Markers as Art

My friend Irina G. just tuned me into this amazing project:

Norm Magnusson's I-75 Project

Magnusson creates new historical markers that are overtly political.  Good stuff.

I've been working with (thinking and writing about, photographing) historical markers in Northern Kentucky (especially in Lexington) for awhile now, so this project is near and dear to my heart.  Besides good politics, these signs, of course, point out what a farce so many historical markers really are.

Here, a prime example of historical lying, from Lexington:

False history through the sins of omission.

For more, see my blog post on this and other historical markers here: "Revisionist History...Might Just Be a Good Thing"

In a piece of fine timing, it just so happens that I will soon be driving the entire state of Ohio (more on this soon) so I will be on the lookout for Magnusson's project and be reporting back.