Underachiever

I’m not really bringing my “A” game to NaBloPoMo. I could, I suppose. I could write about all sorts of deeply insightful, raw, personal stuff. Lord knows I’ve got plenty of that stuff weighing me down right now (just like everyone else). I could simply channel all of it—my anxiety about employment, about letting my family down, about being what I have always suspected I am: a trifling sort of failure—into a post about how much I don’t like the short days and longs nights of this time of year, about how cold weather makes me anxious, about my very likely SAD. I think I have covered that ground before, though.

Naturally, I am too lazy to look it up.

There’s also the fact that if I do write about that stuff, and even mentioning it here counts I suppose, I will be deluged with messages and comments telling me to turn that frown upside down or get a life. Both of which are basically good advice but neither of which actually do anything to help me.

My most immediate wish is to get shed of this goddamned sinus headache that is actually to the point of causing nausea, which does wonders for my already foul mood. And then, perhaps, I would like a pimento cheese sandwich.

And some iced tea.

And a piece of chocolate cake.

Please.

Comments (33)

  1. Jagosaurus wrote::

    Turn that frown upside down AND get a life!

    Also, get some lunch. You haven’t eaten anything all day.

    Wednesday, November 28, 2007 at 12:16 pm #
  2. Erik R. wrote::

    ‘Tis a sad day when you have to comment on your own blog to remind yourself to eat.

    I wouldn’t mind a little p-cheese action right now. Doesn’t exist over here, I don’t think.

    Wednesday, November 28, 2007 at 12:30 pm #
  3. Jagosaurus wrote::

    Erik: You could make it yourself. here’s the recipe I sent to Elsa:

    Here’s the recipe as dictated to me today by my great aunt (with
    modest notations from yours truly):

    -4oz cheddar, grated (sharpness dependent on your mood)
    -1 small jar pimento
    -1-2 Tbs. of finely chopped green onions (again, up to your mood)
    -1/4 tsp. Old Bay Seasoning (or cayenne pepper if you are into that,
    which I am but my great aunt is not)
    -4-5 Tbs. mayo
    -Salt and pepper to taste
    -Maybe a drop or two of the pimento juice

    Mix until it as to your liking and refrigerate until ready to eat.
    (Alternately, eat directly out of bowl without refrigerating. Make
    sure the bowl is large enough to accommodate your noggin when you
    decide to lick said bowl clean.)

    Wednesday, November 28, 2007 at 12:39 pm #
  4. Erik R. wrote::

    So there’s no melting involved? Just stirring? Or does “mix” mean “with an electric mixer”?

    Wednesday, November 28, 2007 at 1:06 pm #
  5. Trasherati wrote::

    “Mix” as in “stir with a spoon”.

    And be forewarned: you’ll eat this and love it and be forever branded as a Southerner. And you should totally try it in a grilled sandwich. It’ll make you smack your mama. Jag, have you had it grilled? Da-yum.

    Wednesday, November 28, 2007 at 1:15 pm #
  6. Erik R. wrote::

    Mama-smackin’ good, huh? Hot damn!

    I don’t think a “Southerner” branding will make me any more or less weird where I live. Y’all’s all “yankees” from this side of the pond.

    Wednesday, November 28, 2007 at 1:26 pm #
  7. NotMyAndrea wrote::

    I had assumed that a pimento cheese sandwich was made out of some special pimento cheese I’d never heard of. I didn’t realize it was a bunch of grated cheese, pimento, and other stuff mixed together.

    The thought of this as a grilled cheese sandwich is making my mouth water.

    Wednesday, November 28, 2007 at 2:18 pm #
  8. Re: Pimento cheese sandwich
    Well. Now I have to go and find pimento. Kiwis aren’t too keen on spicy stuff, but maybe in the ‘exotic imports’ aisle?

    Re: SAD
    Have you tried a SAD-light? One of the cafés at my university in Montréal had a few of those. We’d go enjoy our coffee in front of a bright white light – eyes mostly close, quiet for 15-20 minutes, sipping coffee/tea. It felt a bit silly at first, but it did make a difference. Not that we became instantly HAPPY HAPPY!, but it kept the serious blues away. I’ve missed it this year, NZ doesn’t get very cold but the days are short nonetheless.

    Wednesday, November 28, 2007 at 2:25 pm #
  9. jagosaurus wrote::

    Trasherati: I haven’t tried it grilled … yet. Also, Erik is originally from the mountains of NC so he is already a southerner, even though he’s way off over there in Old Europe.

    NMA: I think I’ve started a pimento cheese craze. I honestly don’t know why I never ate this before. I really do think I assumed it was in the jell-o salad family which rendered it automatically dead to me.

    Frédérique: The good news is the peppers aren’t spicy. Any spiciness will have to come from seasoning. I’ll look into pimentos and see what the deal is. I jut bought the fixins for pimento cheese and the (red) pimentos come already diced up in little jars.

    I think I really do need to invest in a good full spectrum light and be done with it. At least my current apartment has a southern exposure so I get the most of what natural daylight there is.

    Wednesday, November 28, 2007 at 3:05 pm #
  10. Erik R. wrote::

    Jag, you done outted me, dadgummit!

    I found the following info on Wikipedia amusing, considering that I just asked about this here.

    There is common agreement that the pimento cheese should not be a puree. [citation needed] But there are differences as to how much mixing and mashing should go on. Some favor a gentle tossing while other seem to advocate a more thorough combination.

    Some favor a gentle tossing.

    Another good Wikipedia statement is this:

    These sweet pimento peppers are the familiar red stuffing found in Spanish green olives.

    I think it’s funny that the word “pimento” doesn’t really exist in Spain. “Pimiento” is the general word for all peppers. I suspect that a regular bell pepper (the only red peppers commonly found in the grocery store here) will work just fine.

    I also find it humorous that “pimento cheese [is] a snack food and sandwich filling in the Southern United States and the Philippines.” Parallel evolution?

    Wednesday, November 28, 2007 at 3:30 pm #
  11. Tina wrote::

    I feel you, Jag. I feel you.

    Wednesday, November 28, 2007 at 3:34 pm #
  12. sgazzetti wrote::

    1) Not bringing the ‘A’ game? I hear you. As far as I am concerned, the (NaBloPoMo) magic is not on this time around.
    2) You should try being more positive. You know: turn that frown upside down!
    3) OLD BAY! Holly carp, I love that stuff. Must obtain.

    P.S.: get a life.

    Wednesday, November 28, 2007 at 3:43 pm #
  13. CJ wrote::

    The last time I was in Asheville, I went to a restaraunt that served nachos with a pimento cheese salsa. It was stunningly good.

    I hope you’ve been fortunate enough to have/make pimento cheese using homemade pimento relish. My mom hasn’t made it in awhile, which means the whole family is eyeing my mom’s last little jar like it was gold.

    My grandmother never had a recipe per se, it’s just shredded cheese (not grated), mayo, pimento relish, salt, and pepper. Put in what you think are the right amounts, then taste and add more of whatever you think it’s lacking. When you have the right consistency and taste, add the secret ingredient: just a pinch of sugar. Trust me.

    Make a grilled ham and pimento chesse sandwich out of that and taste what heaven is like.

    It may exist somehwere, but I’ve never had good store-bought pimento cheese. In fact I’m not sure I’ve ever had edible store-bought pimento cheese, so don’t judge by that stuff.

    Wednesday, November 28, 2007 at 3:56 pm #
  14. jagosaurus wrote::

    Erik: What’s not to love about a gentle tossing, I ask you?

    I think a puree of these ingredients would be foul. I was also informed, earlier this afternoon, that it is, in fact, and unacceptable thing to do to these ingredients. And yeah, I agree re the regular bell peppers.

    Tina: Thanks. :)

    sgazzetti: 1) We suck.
    2) Bite me (she typed with a smile).
    3) I wonder if I can get a HUGE container at Costco? I bet I can and if so, it might find its way across the ocean.

    Wednesday, November 28, 2007 at 4:00 pm #
  15. jagosaurus wrote::

    CJ: I think I may have also been steered away from pimento cheese by the prepared stuff that is usually in store delis. It looks … wrong.

    Wednesday, November 28, 2007 at 4:01 pm #
  16. Ogre wrote::

    Jag’s former employer bought her 2 full spectrum lights for her office. (at enormous cost) They probably helped some but she did not follow the instructions exactly — which clearly state that you have to be naked to reap the full benefit of the healing wavelengths …

    Wednesday, November 28, 2007 at 4:06 pm #
  17. jagosaurus wrote::

    Ogre: If my former employer really loooooved me, he’d let me bring one of those lamps home, where I would still NOT do any naked benefit reaping.

    Wednesday, November 28, 2007 at 4:12 pm #
  18. Ogre wrote::

    Yes, Miss Daisy…

    Wednesday, November 28, 2007 at 4:13 pm #
  19. Trasherati wrote::

    Erik, you big faker…you knew the cheesy goodness all along.

    Ogre: I miss you. And for the record, I favor a gentle tossing, too.

    Wednesday, November 28, 2007 at 4:19 pm #
  20. NotMyAndrea wrote::

    The most pressing issue in my mind right now is, what’s the difference between shredded cheese and grated cheese? (re: CJ’s comment)

    Wednesday, November 28, 2007 at 4:31 pm #
  21. Ogre wrote::

    Trasherati : You leave me breathless… And I miss you too.

    Wednesday, November 28, 2007 at 4:56 pm #
  22. jagosaurus wrote::

    Dear Ogre and Trasherati: GET A ROOM.

    Wednesday, November 28, 2007 at 5:06 pm #
  23. Erik R. wrote::

    Good work, guys! I think we’ve succeeded in applying the best remedy for a friend that’s feeling low: change the topic and have a lively discussion about it.

    Trasherati: Oh, I know the cheesy goodness. If I were ignorant of the cheese, I wouldn’t yearn for it so…

    Wednesday, November 28, 2007 at 5:07 pm #
  24. Ogre wrote::

    *makes reservation*

    Wednesday, November 28, 2007 at 5:13 pm #
  25. Tom wrote::

    The best store brands we have tried are Palmetto Farms (Winn-Dixie) and Sedgefield. You probably have to be in the South to finde these brands though.

    Wednesday, November 28, 2007 at 6:43 pm #
  26. Ogre wrote::

    Y’all know Tom is old ’cause he spells finde with an e on the end.

    Wednesday, November 28, 2007 at 7:51 pm #
  27. Mr. Sun wrote::
    Wednesday, November 28, 2007 at 8:28 pm #
  28. Mr. Sun wrote::

    Urgent advice.

    Wednesday, November 28, 2007 at 8:29 pm #
  29. jagosaurus wrote::

    Erik: Heh.

    Dad: If only we had a Winn-Dixie up here. At least Harris Teeter has infiltrated the market.

    Mr. Sun: Don’t you worry your pretty little head about it.

    Thursday, November 29, 2007 at 7:35 am #
  30. Tom wrote::

    Ogre,

    I use the Samuel Johnson dictionary as my reference book.

    Thursday, November 29, 2007 at 8:35 am #
  31. Ogre wrote::

    Tom: I use that one too. Got it in one of the olde book shoppes in Alexandria. Goode enough for Sam, goode enough for me!

    Thursday, November 29, 2007 at 12:58 pm #
  32. Trasherati wrote::

    Ogre: Where’s our roome?

    Thursday, November 29, 2007 at 1:55 pm #
  33. Ogre wrote::

    Trasherati : I’m working on it.

    Thursday, November 29, 2007 at 3:25 pm #

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  1. Erik’s Blog » Pimento Cheese on Friday, November 30, 2007 at 4:43 am

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