Growing up, I never much cared for fish. Unless it came out of a box with a picture of a fisherman in a yellow raincoat and was smothered in tartar sauce. Fish sticks may be the chicken nuggets of the sea, but when you’re a kid there’s nothing better. Fortunately, I grew up and my tastes evolved.*
*Although, just a week or two ago, Tara and I did make fish sticks. Our excuse was that the kids were with us and it would be a quick and cheap dinner, but really we both just wanted fish sticks. Even as adults, they’re still pretty good.
Aside from that, my tastes did evolve. I’m quite fond of fish nowadays – especially salmon (pretty much a requirement to obtain your residency card in the Pacific Northwest), but also white fish like halibut and cod. And tilapia. Which is, not coincidentally, what Tara and I ended up making for dinner last night. We had purchased a bag of frozen filets from WinCo, and I’ll admit, I’m a bit of a food snob so I don’t usually go for frozen fish, but we were shopping at night and they were closing down the seafood case. Neither of us had ever made tilapia before, and we decided to try it two different ways; hers was sautéed with butter, seasoning, and a sprig of fresh rosemary, while mine was baked with a citrus sauce that included lemon juice, dill, basil, and capers . Both were excellent – actually, the whole meal was superb; we also had sautéed garlicky green beans, rice pilaf, and beer bread. And we enjoyed the process of cooking together in the kitchen, as cramped as it is. We rock, if I do say so myself!
And I’m proud to say, the kids loved the meal, too. When I was their age I wouldn’t go near fish unless it was breaded or swimming in a pond or played by Abe Vigoda. Kudos to Rusty and Audrey for their less discriminatory palates (although somebody please explain to me why they don’t like Sloppy Joes).
So, yeah. We’ll have to make fish more often.
Speaking of Abe Vigoda, can you believe that – unlike Nipsey Russell – he is still alive?! I figured ol’ Abe had expired ten or twenty years ago, but nope, he’s still going strong at 91. Apparently there have been several false reports of his death over the years, including a story in People Magazine back in 1982 that referred to him as “the late” Abe Vigoda, and an erroneous 1987 news report that made the same mistake. In fact, there’s a website that is updated daily with one simple status message: whether Abe Vigoda is dead or alive. I couldn’t make this shit up if I tried. Seriously, check it out:
abevigoda.com
God, that’s funny. I think.
Abe has often made fun of his presumed death over the years, even posing for a picture in a coffin one time. It’s that kind of self-deprecating humor that makes me appreciate the man. Plus, Barney Miller was one of my favorite 70s sitcoms. I love me some Abe Vigoda.
I’m not normally the matchmaker type, but I would love it if Abe Vigoda and Betty White hooked up. They would make the perfect Hollywood power couple: they’re the same age, both single, and have even worked together. Plus, they would make some really cute babies!
Go on, Abe. Ask her out.
In other news, I’ve decided that I need to write incendiary blog posts more often. My “Mitt Romney sucks and so does Dave Matthews” post got quite a number of hits, and received more comments than any other over the past couple of months. Naturally, I want to keep that momentum going, so I’m thinking of ending every new post with a few wry observations on divisive, hot button topics. Like, for instance:
- Let’s face it, the War on Drugs has failed. It’s led to massive prison overcrowding, a surge in violence and corruption by drug cartels in foreign countries, and an increase in the incidence of drug abuse. By decriminalizing drugs we take away the power from organized crime syndicates, free up prison space, and can channel some of the money we’d save into treatment programs for addicts. Plus, potato chip sales would skyrocket thanks to all those people developing a case of “the munchies!”
- People who are in favor of offshore oil drilling can’t see the forest for the trees (environmental pun intended). They’d sacrifice the environment and put people in harm’s way for one year’s worth of oil. Our reserves comprise but a tiny fraction of the world’s crude oil supplies, nowhere near enough to free us from relying on foreign imports. Let’s invest in clean, green technology and more efficient transportation technologies instead, . (Just as long as they’re not Smart cars. Those things are stupid).
- If Flo Rida, 2 Chainz, Trey Songz, Ne-Yo, Ca$h Out, Wiz Khalifa and Pitbull were on a giant Suck Tour together and their bus went over the side of a cliff, my only regret would be that Chris Brown wasn’t behind the wheel.
Wow, I kinda like the “new” me, expressing my views so freely. The possibilities are endless. I haven’t even touched Walmart or Todd Akin yet, for cyring out loud!
But before I go, tell me which of Abe Vigoda’s roles is your favorite: Sal Tessio in The Godfather, Det. Phil Fish on Barney Miller, or Chief of the Waponis in Joe Versus The Volcano?
Mark My Words 
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