Alinea

As an anniversary present Jose and Meigan got reservations at Alinea and were kind enough to invite Nicole and I along. Alinea is one of two three-star Michelin restaurants in Chicago, one of a dozen in the US. It specializes in molecular gastronomy and focuses on creating a complete dining experience on top of great food. I'm not a foodie and have rarely had any meals that could be called "fine dining" so this was a once in a lifetime type of experience for me.

When we got there we were quickly ushered upstairs to a relatively spacious room with only a handful of tables. The design of the room was such that it created a subtle atmosphere of privacy for each table, you could hear the murmur from other tables but not their conversations. All the staff were knowledgeable and kind, adaptable and fluid, we didn't have a specific server per say but there were a couple that stayed in our particular room, and they alternated with who presented each course.

The food was all challenging and mostly incredible. I say challenging because a couple of the courses featured bizarre preparations and pairing. The one that sticks out the most was a pea and lemon powder(freeze dried?) and a cold Parmesan soup that I would quite frankly describe as gross. This right after easily the best soup I've ever had. Later in the meal there was a pork belly with curry and mango which was transcendent and then later a gruyere, black truffle, and pumpernickel toast that was, odd. There was a cold clear nut gel as part of the first course and an edible helium balloon as part of the desert. A lot of delicious food but also a lot of thought provoking combinations, scents, sauces, and visual compositions. Truly unique.

The food itself was playful and absorbing but the real surprise, to me, was the service. After the first course they began setting the subsequent courses to favor our dominate hand. Maybe a right-handed person wouldn't have noticed as the world for the most part is skewed toward them but as a left-hander that small adjustment meant the world. I was stunned, not only that they had thought to do it but someone had been observing us during the first course and made a note of it. It was a huge surprise and made me feel very special and taken care of. The various servers also were relatively talkative with us, I think it was clear early on we were there to have a good time and laugh and also that we weren't terribly familiar with that kind of atmosphere, the servers responded in kind. I noticed with other tables they weren't necessarily as outgoing or causal, I can only assume they read the room and tailor their interactions to provide the best experience for the diners. Amazing they even try to do that doubly so given they are successful.

My taste isn't too complicated and I'm not really one for cucumbers that look like grapes or clear maraschino cherry glass, I think there were some courses that I didn't really get because they were too complex, but it will without a doubt stand as one of the best meals of my life. Incredible food, Magnificent service.

BBQ

Bodies comfortably lounging
drinking cool drinks in the warm sun-light
the sharp earthy smell of searing meats
and the sweeter stench of roasting veggies
hands smudged with salt, oil, and grease
wiped casually on jeans
lentil chips and lentil dips
and soft marshmallow cereal squares
the weather and the food are nice
but it is the companionship
that repels the work-week's avarice
small-talk accompanied by relaxed smiles
and comfortable silences underscored
by the soft tinkle of melting ice-cubes
I bask in the warm spring afternoon
but still more I laze in the fortifying cocoon of friends.

Solitude

Nicole's been out of town on vacation the past couple days and I've had a good amount of time to myself. Being by myself isn't something that's ever bothered me and in a lot of ways it's my default. Growing up I didn't have a lot of friends and spent a good amount of time by myself especially in the summers.

It makes me wonder is being alone something I naturally enjoyed or something I learned to enjoy. As far back as I can remember I loved fantasy books and movies, had a vivid imagination, was drawn to different worlds and magic and talking beasts and dragons and all the rest of it(what some would call escapism). Maybe because I thought the real world lonely or disappointing or mundane. Maybe because I didn't see a place for myself in it. Whatever the reason I spent a lot of time listening to books on tape, reading, playing video games, riding my bike, finding secret spots to call my own. And over time it became natural, became my preference. Earthsea and Narnia and Hyrule more mine than my neighborhood or school, imagined adventures more attractive than social encounters. Not to say I didn't have some friends(I had a few) or that my family wasn't loving(because they were). But on balance I spent a good amount of time alone and I came to like it that way. So much so in middle school my parents became worried and had a sit-down convo with me encouraging me to hang out with friends. Which eventually I did.

Middle school and high school I actually started to socialize and it was great, I became a part of a group of friends, something I never really had before. But I still spent time alone, still had an active imagination which I lived in. College was much the same as childhood, I struggled, was outside of various social groups and had few friends. I began going to movies by myself regularly, at first as just something to do, something to pass the time, eventually I came to love it. Over time I've been able to find more of a balance but I'm still probably more a loner than socially energetic.

Now I'm in a wonderful relationship, have a number of great friends, and overall have a pretty good life. But I still go to movies solo and read lots of fantasy books but I no longer fantasize about finding a portal to a magic kingdom to whisk me away forever. I like the quiet, I like the time to reflect, I like to simply be. Although I don't prefer my own company to others I enjoy it and value it. Some people find silence and solitude oppressive or daunting, which I understand and I won't get into the why of that, I imagine its part nature and part nurture as it was for me. But I don't find it so, I find it energizing and comforting. Like the company of an old and cherished friend.

So this weekend while my love was away, I listened to an audio book and washed the windows and let my mind wonder, content.

'Alien: Covenant' A Review

Alien: Covenant is the latest in the Alien franchise a sequel to the 2012 prequel Prometheus. The film opens on a scene between android David(Michael Fassbender) and his creator Mr. Weyland(Guy Pearce) discussing creation. Following that we see android Walter(Michael Fassbender) on the Covenant a colonization ship. After a neutrino burst damages the ship Daniels(Katherine Waterston) and the rest of the crew are awakened to make repairs. They then pick up a transmission from a near by habitable planet, significantly closer than their intended destination, which they then go to inspect.

Fassbender in his dual role is the bright spot in an otherwise tepid cast of characters, not for lack of talent but a flatness and impatience in the script. His characters are the only two given any room or time to develop. Waterston is serviceable but she is no Ripley not because she is incapable but because the film is so predictable it has no tension and things move so quickly we have no idea(nor care) much about any of the crew or their proposed mission.

All production elements are noteworthy but the doesn't live up to its potential because it essentially has two focuses, neither of which are fully explored, and is lesser for its middle-of-the-rode narrative and tone. After the critical backlash of Prometheus writer/director Ridley Scott re-conceived its sequel shoehorning in more classic horror elements and the creatures the series is known for although it is clear in this installment, as in the proceeding, that he is more interested in the philosophical questions about creation and the origin of Man. These are not totally excluded but the result is a disappointing mish-mash where neither is actually realized or given free reign. The film, essentially, lacks a clear identity. It is neither compelling horror nor though-provoking scifi.

Entertaining but weak for all the talent on display.

Rent It.

'A Quiet Passion' A Review

A Quiet Passion is a historical drama about the life of poet Emily Dickinson. The film opens on Emily(Emma Bell) in a school during a confrontation with a teacher on matters of religion. She is then taken home by her family and we are shown their intelligent, close, and unique dynamic. In an interesting portrait time-lapse scene the actors change. Emily(Cynthia Nixon) writes poetry, banters with her outspoken friend Miss Buffum(Catherine Bailey), discusses religion and gender with her family, and yearns for romantic companionship but steadfastly refuses to give up her limited personal and spiritual autonomy.

Nixon is incredibly striking and dynamic as the famous poet. Evoking not only her joy for poetry and her family but her uncompromising and radical views on gender and religion. Easily one of the best performances of the year and one of Nixon's best. The supporting cast are all engaging with great chemistry most notably Bailey as Buffum and Jennifer Ehle as Vinnie Emily's sister. For a period drama the cast does remarkably well creating fully flushed out and compelling characters despite the pervading cultural restraint. There is also an alacrity with the language that heightens the film rather than hamstrings it, allowing passion and poetry.

Picturesque but contained the cinematography mirrors and helps translate Emily's inner life. Comfortable but confining, sunlit but shadowed. The score is remarkably restrained, almost indiscernible, emotional moments are left mostly alone to patiently develop and show reality in real time more than something more presentational.

A fascinating and inspiring look into the life of America's greatest poets.

Don't Miss It.

A Thawing

There shouldn't be any surprise
as it happens every year
birds begin to wheel and cry
the fading of long winter's sneer

But the glory of warmth and sun
is startling in its vitality
hordes of lethargic people begin to run
shocked out of prolonged revery

Always it seems entrancing
this shift from chill to heat
all lives gradually enhancing
months constrained now replete

All things begin to open
mirroring the flower blossom
hearts, again, turn to hoping
not a thought for distant autumn

Kids

Went up to Madison today to spend time with my niece Maris. Last time I saw her was a couple months ago and its astonishing how much she's grown. She's so expressive and energetic and curious its really incredible. She was smiling a ton and so engaging. It was wondrous. And although that might seem hyperbolic or saccharine it is sincere. Perhaps anyone who has a close connection with a child realizes it but wow, a little human growing and evolving so quickly and joyously right before your eyes, there's nothing like it.

In the evening I hung out with Adam and his son Eli, his older son Ethan is getting to the age where he's a bit too cool and just wants to play video games so he was around but plugged in. Ah well. We had a nice visit, always great to see my oldest bud and spend some QT with the boys.

Maybe its just aging, maybe its the fact the over half the people I know have kids, are pregnant, or want kids but there's a lot of kids in my life currently and how fun and cool it is interacting with them and watching them grow is not something I ever expected but its an opportunity I relish and am grateful for.