on television(after "Good Eats" of course.)
.
Are you all ready to sit quietly and listen? Good, then we can begin. According to the "Lost" mythology, a Constant is a person who for whatever reason is present (in one way or another ) during important or pivotal or stressful periods in their lives. The Constant may or may not realize or understand their importance, but they are, just the same. I know, sounds a little well, unusual, for lack of a better word, but it's the truth.
Here's why Alton Brown is mine. In the summer of 1999, I broke up(I thought for good) with Mark, yes, the same Mark that I DID break up with for good earlier this year. I was inconsolable during this time, and one thing I did for distraction was watch the Food Network. I've been cooheking since I was small--making things like French Toast and Eggs Benedict when I was 12. We won't talk about the Disasterous Biscuit Incident(e-mail me for details).
Cooking for me was an adventure, something that you could create and others could enjoy.
But, I digress. One August night, bored and channel surfing, I settled on the Food Network, and low and behold found a new show, "Good Eats". My first viewing left me confused(that was a cooking show?) but intrigued. The rest of that summer, I watched faithfull, learned a lot, and laughed a lot.
At the end of the first season, I was hooked.
Flash forward to 2006, when, unemployed, again single, and still dealing with the loss of my dad. One sleepless night, FN aired a commercial for the First Feasting On Asphalt.
There was AB, in a hospital, in a sling, scruffy.
Here were my thought processes.
OMG-he's hurt!
OMG-he's scruffy
OMG-he rides a motorcyle..
O....M...G!
Kicked in the head moment, for sure. And I guess that's when I realized, that like it or not, whether I ever met this man, he would always be important to me.
Flash forward again to last October 9th-the worst day so far of my life.
It also happened to be the day I met AB for the first time. Because of everything that had happened that day, I didn't expect much. Instead, I got to meet someone warm, and gracious and genuine. Someone who basically redeemed the day for me.
And this past February, when I met him again, he effusively thanked me for a gift that I gave him, something that I thought was so negligible, I'd get an off-handed "thanks " for. That was so NOT the case.
This year, to put it bluntly, has sucked. So many times I have been close to shuffling off this mortal coil, due to the ending of a 20 year relationship, the estrangement of family and friends.
Some things have remained. My faith, my writing, my love of art and books.
I am blessed with three amazing friends who have stuck through all of this with me.
So, to Jules, and Dee, and Lisa, I don't know how I will ever thank you. None of you have ever criticized or questioned me, have endured my snark and my screaming,and my constant barrage of tears and self-loathing. I wish you all were closer. If not for you three....well.
You all have saved my life, innumerable times.
And, as I get ready to go see The Illustrious Mr Brown next month, I want to say, "Thank You So Much" -I don't expect you to understand, and I'm sure what I've written here will catch you off guard. But you, and your show have helped me through an extremely difficult time, and if, you can't sleep one night, and happen upon this entry, know that I appreciate everything you do.
And yes, I do love you. In the best possible way.
In closing, I'm posting this video, shot by another fan in Boston last year.
Enjoy, all.
PS. Thank you also, Ashli, my twin sis, born 20 years after me, for all the late night letters. I love you, sweetie.
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