I have never seen a Broadway show, or even walked down Broadway for that matter. However, had I been in New York (or Hong Kong, New Zealand, Sydney, or London) when The History Boys came to town, I would have tried my hardest to see them. However, since that chance did not plan itself out ("f***king history" as some of the characters say), I decided that viewing the movie version of the play was the next best thing. No need to dress up or wait for intermission to go to the restroom, pretty good situation, I think.
The History Boys could be mentioned as a rite of passage, coming of age, lessons on life, the new Dead Poets Society film. But it deserves such better descriptors than just those. It is funny, dramatic, tongue-in-cheek, open, heart-wrenching and so much more. It revolves around eight public school boys who are all preparing for exams and interviews in hopes of getting into Oxford and other elite British colleges. Three teachers help them along the way, each with their differing styles, approaches, and emphases. And while each teacher seems somewhat contradictory to the other, some of the boys are able to find the balance between each of them.
Poetry and song is often quoted. The question, "what is history?" is wrestled over. The approaching exams and college interviews are so focused on it appears to the boys that college is the be all, end all for life. And yet, life happens in the interim. Some take risks, some work to the status quo, others act for others rather than themselves. All the meanwhile, the connect with history and thought and poetry. As Hector shared, "The best moments in reading are when you come across something - a thought, a feeling, a way of looking at things - which you had thought special and particular to you. And now, here it is, set down by someone else, a person you have never met, someone even who is long dead. And it is as if a hand has come out, and taken yours."
The History Boys is not a great film. There are no shootouts, CGI effects or "boy meets girl" love stories. But it is a good one, a solid one. One that follows you, leaves you thinking and reflecting. So, as a close, I will allow Hector to speak on my behalf, "Pass the parcel. That's sometimes all you can do. Take it, feel it and pass it on. Not for me, not for you, but for someone, somewhere, one day. Pass it on, boys. That's the game I want you to learn. Pass it on."
Monday, June 18, 2007
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Barbecue Across America
I recently traveled northeast to to good state of North Carolina. (North Carolina cannot be called "great" because "great" is Texas.) Among my many goals while in North Carolina, more specifically Raleigh, was to taste this thing called "Carolina BBQ." Barbecue is bar-b-que is BBQ, right? Wrong. So very wrong. There are four agreed upon regions of US barbecue, and are broken up thusly:
Memphis - Pork ribs served either dry (straight from the smoker or grill) or wet (slathered in BBQ sauce).
Kansas City - Known less for the type of meat it highlights than the sticky sweet tomato-based sauce (KC Masterpiece, anyone?). Generally sauces are featured best on chicken or pork ribs.
Texas - Features smoked brisket, dry rub, smoker, and long and low cooking. The brisket is never sauced during the smoking/cooking process but may be served with sauce on the side when ready to eat.
Carolina - It is a Carolina BBQ joint if the menu featured pulled or shredded pork and a vinegar-based sauce. The pork is always slow roasted for the deep smoky flavor, then shredded (not sliced!) and possibly put on a bun before serving.
If you were to find four people who each grew up in one of these four regions and then asked them to choose which 'cue is best, don't hold your breath waiting for a decision. Being from Texas, I think that a good brisket, with its pink smoke ring and spicy crust of rub, is just about the best thing a person could savor. But, I am not so close-minded as to think all other BBQs are inferior. Just that Texas 'cue is a hair better. So, it was with this attitude I went to Ole Time Barbecue on the outskirts of Raleigh, North Carolina.
I do not think I have been to a place that better embodied "roadside cafe" than Ole Time Barbecue. It is literally on the side of the highway. A car could lose control and go crashing through the establishment at any moment. Which I think makes the eating experience all the more thrilling and unique. Upon entering, you seat yourself at any one of the 8 or so tables. Prominently showcased on the wall are pictures of family, awards they've won, the plaque saying they can seat no more than 49 people, and lots of down-home, Southern decor. I ordered water, much to the shock of my dinner companion who thinks the only drink that goes with Carolina 'cue is sweet tea. I am daring, but I also like my teeth in my mouth and sugar for dessert. I ordered the chopped BBQ pork plate with green beans and sweet potato sticks.
While waiting for the food to arrive, I devoured plenty of hush puppies. These hush puppies are divine. I know, I know, it is just fried dough, but that was some fantastic fried dough. Crunchy on the outside, pillowy on the inside. Not dry, not overly greasy, and not too heavy. The food arrived soon and looked pretty good. It came on a plate, which is uncommon with Texas 'cue, usually it is presented on some butcher paper. Green beans, mediocre. Sweet potato sticks, holy cow these are good! I do not know how or what they did to the esteemed sweet potato, but it was incredible. Like mashed sweet potato in the inside, crunchy shell on the outside. Yum, yum, yum.
It was time for me to try the pork. It did not look bad, sitting there shredded with little bits of what I assumed to be pepper seeds. I took a tentative bite.
I love brisket. I have mentioned this already, I know. Love brisket. And sausage. And smoked turkey. And chicken. Love it all. Love the sides (cole slaw, baked beans, and potato salad). Love the serving platter (paper). Love that you are allowed to get messy eating it. Love it all. But, my gracious, if pulled pork is not one of the best things this little mouth has tasted in a long while. I feel like I need to turn in my "Texan" card or something. I still love you brisket!
The pork was moist, perfectly flavored with vinegar and spices and rubs. It was simple. No need to add sauce, pepper, salt or anything. Simple and yet, I knew, this simple food took years for the owners of Ole Time Barbecue to master. I sat there in awe. However, I could not let my Carolinian dinner partner know my thoughts. I would not have heard the end of the Texas razzing. (Well, I guess you know now, huh? Oh well.)
That was a darn fine meal. But, at the table, there was a little bottle labeled "Texas Heat." So, even though Carolina 'cue got a point or few on the board, I have proof that Carolina still needs a little Texas.
Memphis - Pork ribs served either dry (straight from the smoker or grill) or wet (slathered in BBQ sauce).
Kansas City - Known less for the type of meat it highlights than the sticky sweet tomato-based sauce (KC Masterpiece, anyone?). Generally sauces are featured best on chicken or pork ribs.
Texas - Features smoked brisket, dry rub, smoker, and long and low cooking. The brisket is never sauced during the smoking/cooking process but may be served with sauce on the side when ready to eat.
Carolina - It is a Carolina BBQ joint if the menu featured pulled or shredded pork and a vinegar-based sauce. The pork is always slow roasted for the deep smoky flavor, then shredded (not sliced!) and possibly put on a bun before serving.
If you were to find four people who each grew up in one of these four regions and then asked them to choose which 'cue is best, don't hold your breath waiting for a decision. Being from Texas, I think that a good brisket, with its pink smoke ring and spicy crust of rub, is just about the best thing a person could savor. But, I am not so close-minded as to think all other BBQs are inferior. Just that Texas 'cue is a hair better. So, it was with this attitude I went to Ole Time Barbecue on the outskirts of Raleigh, North Carolina.
I do not think I have been to a place that better embodied "roadside cafe" than Ole Time Barbecue. It is literally on the side of the highway. A car could lose control and go crashing through the establishment at any moment. Which I think makes the eating experience all the more thrilling and unique. Upon entering, you seat yourself at any one of the 8 or so tables. Prominently showcased on the wall are pictures of family, awards they've won, the plaque saying they can seat no more than 49 people, and lots of down-home, Southern decor. I ordered water, much to the shock of my dinner companion who thinks the only drink that goes with Carolina 'cue is sweet tea. I am daring, but I also like my teeth in my mouth and sugar for dessert. I ordered the chopped BBQ pork plate with green beans and sweet potato sticks.
While waiting for the food to arrive, I devoured plenty of hush puppies. These hush puppies are divine. I know, I know, it is just fried dough, but that was some fantastic fried dough. Crunchy on the outside, pillowy on the inside. Not dry, not overly greasy, and not too heavy. The food arrived soon and looked pretty good. It came on a plate, which is uncommon with Texas 'cue, usually it is presented on some butcher paper. Green beans, mediocre. Sweet potato sticks, holy cow these are good! I do not know how or what they did to the esteemed sweet potato, but it was incredible. Like mashed sweet potato in the inside, crunchy shell on the outside. Yum, yum, yum.
It was time for me to try the pork. It did not look bad, sitting there shredded with little bits of what I assumed to be pepper seeds. I took a tentative bite.
I love brisket. I have mentioned this already, I know. Love brisket. And sausage. And smoked turkey. And chicken. Love it all. Love the sides (cole slaw, baked beans, and potato salad). Love the serving platter (paper). Love that you are allowed to get messy eating it. Love it all. But, my gracious, if pulled pork is not one of the best things this little mouth has tasted in a long while. I feel like I need to turn in my "Texan" card or something. I still love you brisket!
The pork was moist, perfectly flavored with vinegar and spices and rubs. It was simple. No need to add sauce, pepper, salt or anything. Simple and yet, I knew, this simple food took years for the owners of Ole Time Barbecue to master. I sat there in awe. However, I could not let my Carolinian dinner partner know my thoughts. I would not have heard the end of the Texas razzing. (Well, I guess you know now, huh? Oh well.)
That was a darn fine meal. But, at the table, there was a little bottle labeled "Texas Heat." So, even though Carolina 'cue got a point or few on the board, I have proof that Carolina still needs a little Texas.
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
How I Spent my Memorial Day
For my Memorial Day celebration last week, I ventured out into public areas without any nudging or prompting from outside sources (mom, dad, friends, desperate need for food). Yes, little hermit crab/homebody/anti-social (pick your descriptor) me voluntarily went outside the four walls of her apartment on a weekend. And I liked it. However, me enjoying this journey was due in large part to where I was going to.
I have a great love of books. They are little friends - memories of classes I had, people I met, feminist professors I did not quite "get." Sadly, some of them had to be rid of. In the end I believe I got rid of books associated with college courses I did not enjoy or do well in. Alonzo's Texas History anyone? How about the second half of African history, which makes little sense without first taking part one. You would think that would be an obvious assumption, but not obvious enough for my junior-in-college brain. So, with my two bags of unwanted books, I ventured to what could be a happiest place on earth - Half Price Books.
Half Price Books is glorious. It is like an animal shelter for books, except the books never die and they don't chew up your baseboards or leave "presents" on your carpet. Each store is unique because each store's bookshelves are stocked with whatever books your neighbors read. Apparently my neighbors like cheap romance novels. I dropped my bags of unwanted books off at the resale desk and began the hunt for replacement books. I wanted to purchase some classic books; Dracula, The Jungle, Frankenstein, and a beautiful hardcover Jane Eyre that was about $7. Also at the store I found a book I came across at a bookstore in college but did not purchase at the time, My War Gone By, I Miss It So. I will not go into details about this book because I shall give my take on it at a later point in time.
One book I could not find, however, was A Perfect Red, which I have read reviews of and desperately wanted to read for the past nine months. And yet, this book was not to be found. This book is quickly becoming the Holy Grail of books for me. I cannot find it anywhere; not the library, not Half Price, not Barnes & Noble. "Why don't you just order it online, then?" you ask. Because. Because I have such high hopes that this book will be great that I refuse to take the easy way out. I want to work for this book, or at least not cave into buying it online until I have let everyone in my birthday and Christmas gift-giving circle that this would make an excellent gift for me. Hint, hint.
The Half Price people called my name over the intercom, it was time to see how much money I was going to get for my two bags of books. Grand total was about $12. Yes, $12 represented the hours of labor it took me to read Talons of the Eagle, African Perspectives, and other sleep-inducing writings. Well, it is $12 worth of books I don't have to haul around anymore. I slowly approached the check out line, trying to think if there were any more books I could possibly want at a discounted rate, plus an extra 20% off for Memorial Day sale. No, I was set with my five books. With my discount and $12 off for my resale books, grand total came to about $10. Yes, you are not reading that incorrectly, ten dollars for 5 books. Oh, Half Price, how magnificent you are.
I have a great love of books. They are little friends - memories of classes I had, people I met, feminist professors I did not quite "get." Sadly, some of them had to be rid of. In the end I believe I got rid of books associated with college courses I did not enjoy or do well in. Alonzo's Texas History anyone? How about the second half of African history, which makes little sense without first taking part one. You would think that would be an obvious assumption, but not obvious enough for my junior-in-college brain. So, with my two bags of unwanted books, I ventured to what could be a happiest place on earth - Half Price Books.
Half Price Books is glorious. It is like an animal shelter for books, except the books never die and they don't chew up your baseboards or leave "presents" on your carpet. Each store is unique because each store's bookshelves are stocked with whatever books your neighbors read. Apparently my neighbors like cheap romance novels. I dropped my bags of unwanted books off at the resale desk and began the hunt for replacement books. I wanted to purchase some classic books; Dracula, The Jungle, Frankenstein, and a beautiful hardcover Jane Eyre that was about $7. Also at the store I found a book I came across at a bookstore in college but did not purchase at the time, My War Gone By, I Miss It So. I will not go into details about this book because I shall give my take on it at a later point in time.
One book I could not find, however, was A Perfect Red, which I have read reviews of and desperately wanted to read for the past nine months. And yet, this book was not to be found. This book is quickly becoming the Holy Grail of books for me. I cannot find it anywhere; not the library, not Half Price, not Barnes & Noble. "Why don't you just order it online, then?" you ask. Because. Because I have such high hopes that this book will be great that I refuse to take the easy way out. I want to work for this book, or at least not cave into buying it online until I have let everyone in my birthday and Christmas gift-giving circle that this would make an excellent gift for me. Hint, hint.
The Half Price people called my name over the intercom, it was time to see how much money I was going to get for my two bags of books. Grand total was about $12. Yes, $12 represented the hours of labor it took me to read Talons of the Eagle, African Perspectives, and other sleep-inducing writings. Well, it is $12 worth of books I don't have to haul around anymore. I slowly approached the check out line, trying to think if there were any more books I could possibly want at a discounted rate, plus an extra 20% off for Memorial Day sale. No, I was set with my five books. With my discount and $12 off for my resale books, grand total came to about $10. Yes, you are not reading that incorrectly, ten dollars for 5 books. Oh, Half Price, how magnificent you are.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)