Eat Ayout

Kalei asked for a mention. Here it is. Happy 18th!

So, yesterday evening I went fine dining for the first time since Mauritius, which was aaaaaaages ago. So it was obviously the aforementioned event, and to celebrate, we decided (well, not me, but you know what I mean. Us as a family...) to go over the border into New York state where there is an exit mall owned by one guy. Epic restaurant called Salvatore's resides there, and that's where we went.

But before that, US cold shoulder at the border. Canadian niceties go out the window as the United States of America (gawd bless!) set up a giant vacuum-lock-passport-transporting border post with real men armed with real guns prancing around taking fingerprints. Hell, if you're not from Canada, you're from Mexico. So don't give me that Mexicanese nonsense 'round here, son, this is the United States! Once again I was prejudiced for being Mexican, and we had to wait in line for about half an hour before they got to my passport. Then they charged us six bucks for processing.

The irony is sickening, especially as on the way back, the Canadian border control were like old friends to us. I love Canada! Like, urban legend has it that Canadians are the nicest people in the world, and so far, it's certainly true!

Anyway, border hiccups aside, I remembered my drum teachers words when he said, "R3000 isn't that much for a drum kit. I mean, people spend that kind of money out at dinner on one night!". I mean, we didn't spend that much, but that's not the point. It's back to the McDonalds cost/sale argument. The food itself probably costs about 10% of what you're paying for it (less in a fast food outlet) but you're paying for availability and service. And you know what, if one has money to spare, it's not that big a deal to be treated like a king once in a while. Hell, the waiter forgot to bring a shrimp cocktail, so he got us one on the house, that's how fancy-shmancy it was! (I still can't believe a Big Mac costs two cents...) Where is that New Era Socialist Manifesto which solves all these dilemmas!?

The food was absolutely epic, the dècor insane, the waiters super-professional, and it was generally an excellent dining experience. I should know, eating is one of my prime hobbies :D as most of you know! I could totally work as a waiter in one a restaurant like that, except I'm not sure if I'd survive carrying all those expensive plates. Oh yeah, I actually had my first smashing in the dining hall today! I was getting ready to akimbo whip out some glasses off the holder, and one of them slips, spins, bounces once, and goes SMASH! on the floor... everyone started clapping, and I turned around and bowed. Good show, what! Well, at least I hadn't managed to fill it up with sticky liquid yet, or else it would have been a mess!

Anyways, I always contemplate capitalism and economic theories after seeing something that a lot of money gets sloshed around in. I mean, I used to have a very antagonistic view of fine dining/cars/Swiss watches etc. but I've slowly been convinced that sometimes it's actually worth it once in a while. I mean, obviously within limits as determined by one's income, which reminds me, I still need to get a pair of two-buck fake Aviators! Yep, that's my splashout... although let's be perfectly honest, I play Warhammer. 'nuff said.

My dog Butch died today, of cancer, aged 8. He is succeeded by his twin sister Sunny. I don't know what she's gonna do without him, they haven't been separated since birth. I've had a lot of good times with that dog... almost choking on a 2kg slab of meat once, eating squirrels multiple times,running on the beach with him, barking at seagulls and suspicious-looking sticks in the water, stopping him from eating Rory and Owen and Guy and Chloe... he was a good dog. I think I'll cry proper when I get back home and only one comes running out to meet me. I'll miss you, buddy.