We Were Where We Were

Sometimes you have those days--like unwarranted gifts, or when school was abruptly canceled due to weather, as a child. Oddly, school was abruptly canceled yesterday in anticipation for wintery mix precipitation (never came by the way). Even nicer being a teacher, as I got paid for not going to work. So I just went with it--the day was mine. I couldn't fail--nobody could.

Upon getting that joyously bittersweet call from the boss, lesson planning immediately turned into writing. Then, coffee and life with a truly beautiful young lady--eyes like Bora Bora with matching outlook. Already a wondrous day, I couched it. Soon, one of my primary compadres, for both food and livin, hit me with one of my favorite questions to be asked:

Wanna get some pho?

YES.

Detours ensued. Foodtours ensued. Brilliance ensued. It's important to note that we jammed Matisyahu en route to our new found glory. He's an inspirational cat--appropriate muse for the day's capture.

The smell in the middle eastern grocery store confirmed we were where we were supposed to be.....in life. I aggressively believe you gotta look out for these reminders throughout your days; otherwise, what the hell are you doin? @lingokid and I were in the zone and we knew it.

Free Falafel, Gentlemen? Why yes, thank you kindly. Side note: if anyone (of a savory nature) ever offers you a free falafel.....your answer is yes.
Delicious.

It's a taste off! Imported Greek feta vs. local feta. My money's on the one that costs 125% more than the other. Surprisingly good prize fight, but the Greek gave the loc the business, and was awarded a handsome purse in the form of prime real estate in my fridge.

Meanwhile, a real prize fight allllmost (I can't say ensued again) broke out. Some idiots still think women are inferior. Hurts my heart, but I made her chin shoot up with a radiant smile, substantiating what's inside my country and me.

Pretty jacked on adrenaline, twas olive oil time. I used the added acute focus and intensity running through my veins for deep search of a vital component to make something like this:

With Real Deal Holyfield feta already in hand, I needed a pool of Cretan liquid gold. I happily settled for some from Kalamata.

If free fajitas would have prevented the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, kebabs would have prevented America from dropping the bombs. The world just doesn't get it...food is what should be focused on. And great kebabs are something special.

Don't do lamb? (Who are you, my mother? Do lamb indeed--don't be stupid.) No problem--the left side of that fresh tomato,which I watched the guy cut, is Texas food--beef. I think beef is to Texas as rice is to....Asia. Love beef to death, but lamb would make Neo perplexingly say whuuoa.

Couple of middle eastern brews for a couple of southwestern bros. The day was shaping up just right. I recognized whilst driving a couple blocks to the actual reason we left the house--pho reals--that this had been some of the best couple/few hours I've had in months. I live for hours like that--the essence of my being (Matisyahu, 2004).

This is who cooked for us--the tender creator of that sweetheart of a bowl o' soup above. How could anyone say no to that (believe it or not, someone did)?

I asked her to be my Valentine.

She accepted.

Fighting traffic didn't even seem tasking after the way we had just lived our lives the previous couple hours.

Then the night faded in... Between inspirational skylines,

swiggin single-malt scotch out of the bottle, smoking while freezing, drinkin scotch (like classy humans this time) in a too cave-like (Kelly, 2011) pretty hype bar, tardy greaser-brother appearance, unfortunately absent Memphis-stranded buddy texting, deep corner convos with endearing and pleasantly drunk friend/mentor/neighbor, new friend's arm-twisting appearance, in-truck karaoke (yeah, that's right), a monumental late-night grubbin revolution, additional scotch, and so much more......I've got nothing about which to complain.

Houston : Me = Los Angeles : Anthony Kiedis

Happy Chinese New Year, People.