Determined

I came home last night feeling a little sick (no, it’s not bird flu!). I know my body, and the best way for me to get over it is with a great meal and lots of sleep. Having shopped for my standard Italian ingredients earlier in the week, I felt that the cure was close at hand. So, I started by trying to open a bottle of wine. Unfortunately, the bottle opener I bought was defective, and ended up grinding the cork to a point where it was no longer possible to open by civilized means.

...but I was determined, so I got out a brand-new Ikea butter knife and started carving out the cork. Well, these butter knives are kind of sharp, and as the cork slid a bit further into the bottle, the knife went with it and took a slice out of my hand. The cut was very deep, and there were splashes (not drops!) of dark red blood everywhere. I cleaned up my wound (as well as the apartment) and bandaged up my hand.

...but I was determined, so I continued with the butter knife and bottle thing, this time keeping closer watch on my appendages. Because the cork had slid so far down, I figured it was best to continue with that approach. One big push of the knife, and the cork plunged into the bottle, subsequently forcing a geyser of wine out the top. Wine everywhere (including the ceiling), I had to once again clean my apartment (and now I also had to start a load of laundry), but I finally had my glass of wine.



...but I was determined, so I moved on to start cooking my first meal in my Ikea cube (my apartment is essentially an Ikea showroom). The knife I bought was still wrapped, and I soon discovered that I needed another knife just to open the packaging for that knife. This time, my tool of choice was a pair of scissors, which I could barely use with all of the pressure on my bound hand.

...but I was determined, so I cautiously proceeded, trying not to cut my good hand (and that’s already the second glass of wine in the photo). Successful, I was on to the next stage: prep. I gathered all of the ingredients, and realized that I only had one fully-functional hand to slice and dice (I have a new-found respect for those armless people you see on The Learning Channel that seem to be more “dexterous” with their feet than most are with their hands).



...but I was determined, so I carefully advanced with the dangerous task. As is always the case, you try not to get your wound too involved, but it was unavoidable. The acidic tomato juice had somehow found its way to the cut, as if it were magnetically attracted.

...but I was determined, so I moved full-speed ahead. Being right next door to Transylvania, I even treated myself to extra garlic. The scene was even more dramatic because the music I was listening to (OK, singing along with in full tenor voice, even though I’m a baritone) seemed to be warning me: Giusto ciel, non avanza, implorar la tua pietà (righteous heaven, I cannot go on, I beg for your mercy).



...but I was determined, damn it! After finishing the prep work, the next piece reassured me a bit: Giunse alfine il bel momento che c’invita a respirar (when I reach the end, the great moment will invite me to breathe). The next song just seemed to be mocking me: Lascia la spina, cogli la rosa (leave the thorns, cut away the rose). I chose to ignore that!

I’ve come so far, there was no looking back. And finally, 2.5 hours later, I had finished the simple meal that I had set out to create (not bad, considering my risotto takes 3 hours, sans disasters). It was well worth it... it tasted amazing!



After that, I decided to enjoy a glass of Hungarian mézes szilva pálinka (to je žganje z medom + žganje s suho slivo). I was now ready for step 2 of my recovery: sleep!