2011 Favorites

As we ring in the new year, here's a look back at some of my favorites of the past one.

Here's Youth Lagoon's video for the climactic track "Montana." I especially enjoyed the editing and nostalgic feel to the video.

The wonders of a rewrite.

Here's an edit by Raymond Carver. He would write up to 30 drafts, adding and crossing out words, until he felt the story was finished. I like this edit because it just shows you that sometimes less is more. Much more.
 

Spaghetti at Midnight or Spaghettata Di Mezzanotte

I thought this article was particularly fitting. Late-night spaghetti has become a sort of spiritual ritual for me, verging on a nirvana-like moment. With a large spaghetti plate, yes I have spaghetti plates (large ones), filled with freshly cooked spaghetti with my favorite turkey meatballs, I am at peace. Perhaps, the spaghetti is hope in a world of despair. Perhaps I like to overdramatize a bit.   Especially when the spaghetti is prepared in the twilight hour between midnight and 01:00. But it comforts me after a long day. It is a quintessential comfort food. It's also cheap and lasts a few days. $6 dollars can cover at least 2 days of delightful meals.

Anyways this article from the fine people at the New York Times hits it right on the spot. Their recipe is probably a bit healthier and just as cheap. Perhaps the most important thing is that with a little olive oil, garlic and maybe some capers your midnight spaghetti can be ready in mere minutes! I think I'm gonna try out a new recipe and I'll report back about how it turns out and my mental state upon eating it.

http://dinersjournal.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/12/03/spaghetti-at-midnight-2/