The birth of a sandwich

A long time ago, 80 years to be exact, there was a hot dog vendor.  He sold hot dogs in the streets of Philadelphia.  One morning before leaving for work, he decided to pack himself a piece of steak for lunch.  He planned on cooking the steak on his hot dog grill.  That afternoon during the lunch rush, one of the customers saw the steak on the side of the grill.  He said, “I’d like that steak, please.”  The hot dog vendor said, “Oh, I’m sorry.  The steak is not for sale.  I was going to eat it for my own lunch.”  To which the customer replied, “Well, I want that steak, or I won’t even buy a hotdog!”  The vendor thought about this for a minute and finally agreed to sell the man the piece of steak.  So, he cooked the steak on the grill.  When it was cooked, he chopped the steak up into small bits and put them into a hot dog bun.  This was the world’s first Philadelphia Cheesesteak!  (The cheese came later, of course).  That hot dog vendor’s name was Pat.  Pat brought a steak with him the next day, and the same thing happened!  A new customer demanded the steak!  So, once again, Pat cooked the steak on his hot dog grill, chopped it up, and put it in a hot dog bun.  The next day, Pat brought two pieces of steak and they both sold!  Pretty soon, Pat became known for his special steaks!  The lines in front of his hot dog cart became longer and longer.  Pat quickly realized he had found something BIG.  With enough money saved, he opened up his store, ‘Pat’s KING of Steaks’.  Business was booming!  What started as a small hot dog stand became a business that gave the city of Philadelphia a signature sandwich.

"Legends..." reflection, 1/13/10

I just watched Legends of the Fall,
and I associate with the character of Tristin.
I, too, feel a wild bear or beast burning inside me.
He had unquenched issues that he quietly carried everywhere.
But deep down, there was a wild madness that,
despite his desire to love Susanna,
forced him to retreat.
Not her fault he had a bear's voice in his head.
He had to go away and deal with his anger, fear, passion,
and urge to live so much he could taste Death plainly.
And after he quieted this voice,
he was able to return.
But she had moved on.  On paper.
She still loved him.
"He was a rock that everyone broke themselves against."
Except for Isabel Two.
Somehow, she could see into his soul,
and his soul did not run with the bear's voice when she did.
She was quiet, peaceful, natural, and deep.  Beautiful.
I almost cried when...
-well actually multiple times (hey- it's a great movie!)-

I know that feeling and far off look Tristin has in the 'hot tub' with Susanna.
I don't don't care for politics and much of the concerns outside my 'ranch'.
He asks, "Am I and the people around me damned?"
Does he ever find peace?

Finding Eden, intro

He stands below moss covered roots, rising up from the ground, some as big as cars.  Looking up the hill of the forest, he is silent.  Still.  Hunting.
The peyote had caused him to vomit for an hour or so, but he viewed the sickness as an expungance of innocence and ignorance.  The end of a life provided by, the beginning of a life provided for.  Colors enriched, sounds acute.  He would become an animal here.