Make sure to check me out at The Gospel of JP today. Topic: dating. I know some stuff about it…trust
*****************
In college, our improv troupe was called Recess. They were sporadically funny, but they did manage to turn out a few memorable skits. Also, they churned out TJ Miller, who was in such classics as Cloverfield and is also a pretty entertaining stand-up as far as stand-ups go. Weird dude that TJ; my friends and I cleverly referred to him as “Buck Toothed Blond Boy”.
Anyway, when I think of Recess I always think of this one video skit. It is this guy, some worker drone, getting ready for his day. He is happy, smiling, and going about his daily tasks with some pep as U2’s “Beautiful Day” plays in the background. At the end of the 60 second short, huge smile planted on his face, he hangs himself. The caption across the top of the screen reads “Even Happy People Kill Themselves”.
Is suicide funny? No, but that skit sure was… And the point of this story? Not everything is perfect and yesterday was certainly a bad day. I am alive, though. Thanks to everyone for their emails and comments of concern yesterday, even if some of them did manage to scare me a bit. I promise I am not dying, or have a brain tumor, or celiac disease, or a zillion other things. I trust my doctor and it is gonna be fine.
Last night I stopped at Vace, the best Italian deli in the city, and picked up some homemade fettucine. Without shame (hey, I have lost 5 freaking pounds from feeling so crappy), I made a huge trough of pasta, covered it in oil, garlic amd parmesan, and scarfed down. It is the little things, kids. Today, despite a sore thorat and a still lingering headache, I feel better. Thanks for the vent…I needed it.
So, I ask you this…what is your favorite comfort food when feeling sick? Soup? Sundaes? Mashed Potatoes? I am curious.
And for some much needed comic relief, please head on over to Just JP’s place for some hard truths about men and dating…Mom, skip this one.
8:31 am on May 13th, 2009
Grilled cheese and tomato soup… Now and forever.
Just like us.
(If you get a brain tumor I will kill you.)
No brain tumors! Promise.
[Reply]
8:37 am on May 13th, 2009
I love Vace. Was there last week for a slice at lunch since I took the week off. I make my own pasta on occasion, but their fresh and frozen stuff is almost as good. And they have the best sausage in the city. By the way, Litteri’s in the DC Farmer’s Market is also good. Pasta is my ultimate comfort food, or chicken parm with a side of pasta.
Their slices are so great and perfect for a walk back from the zoo.
[Reply]
8:38 am on May 13th, 2009
fresh, homemade pasta gives me an instant orgasm. or foodgasm, however you want to say it.
I will say foodgasm.
[Reply]
8:39 am on May 13th, 2009
I had a brain tumor once. The doctors removed my brain and left the tumor and I have been functioning much better since. So you see my blogging broad, when life gives you Lemmonex you get down on your knees and utter a huge prayer of thanks! And then have some lemonade. (This almost sparked a whole crude riff about the juices of lemmies, I mean lemons, but I have decided not to go there). You’re welcome.
Who needs a brain? Mine is barely functioning anyway…
[Reply]
8:40 am on May 13th, 2009
Ginger ale and toast. When you grow up with a weak stomach, these are household staples.
I used to be totally obsessed with gingerale….lovely over tons of ice.
[Reply]
8:44 am on May 13th, 2009
Hmm… I usually crave something terrible for me when I’m sick, like Qdoba 3-cheese nachos. Totally not sickness appropriate. During my last bout with a sore throat a week or so ago, all I wanted was fettucini alfredo.
And fruit. Millions of fruit.
The fruit cancels out the alfredo sauce…true story.
[Reply]
8:50 am on May 13th, 2009
Um. Taco Bell. Number Seven. With Sprite. And a side of Gay Boyfriend to entertain me.
Everything is better with a side of gay BF.
[Reply]
8:55 am on May 13th, 2009
Comfort food? Scotch.
With some honey?
[Reply]
8:57 am on May 13th, 2009
Mashed potatoes. Specifically KFC mashed potatoes. Also Carnita buritos w/ guac from Chipotle. And a bottle of Sutter Home Moscato doesn’t hurt.
The carnitas at Chipotle are pretty damn good; I used to get chicken, but now I always go for the pork.
[Reply]
8:59 am on May 13th, 2009
I like ginger ale and sweets. Especially brownies.
I simply don’t understand the expectation that no one should ever be in a bad mood, or have a bad day. I’m about the most optimistic person, ever, and there are times when my life sucks and I just want to crawl into bed and feel sorry for myself. It’s natural and good to have down times.
Expecting to always be happy is so unrealistic that you’ll just make yourself miserable trying.
It is an impossible task…truly.
[Reply]
9:14 am on May 13th, 2009
Green Jell-O if I’m sick. Or a “melted cheese sandwich”; you take two slices of white bread, toast them, put huge slabs of orange cheddar on top, pop them in the microwave for 45 seconds, then smush them together.
My mom hated cooking, but damn if she didn’t come up with some delicious lunches.
Is there fruit cocktail in the green jello?
[Reply]
9:25 am on May 13th, 2009
I’m beginning to wonder how I never met you in college. Recess and TJ? Seriously. The campus was not big enough for us to never meet.
I was with the rugby kids most the time, acting like a total delinquent.
[Reply]
9:26 am on May 13th, 2009
Mac&Cheese. Ideally, I make it myself but when I really need some comforting, I’m willing to take Kraft at its word. I also go with cinnabons (it’s a sickness, but I figure so long as I’m not in denial it’s not a problem) and waffles.
More often than not, though, I stay with the Mac & Cheese. It’s simple, it’s warm, and it always makes me feel a little better.
Kraft Deluxe is some trashy goodness, let me tell you.
[Reply]
9:38 am on May 13th, 2009
It is now “Bakon”, bacon-flavored vodka.
I do not approve, Phil.
[Reply]
9:48 am on May 13th, 2009
I almost hate admitting it, but my total comfort food is Ramen. There was one weekend not so long ago that I went through packets of that and a tub of ice cream like it was going out of style.
Make sure you drink a lot of water with that stuff.
[Reply]
9:53 am on May 13th, 2009
Scrambled eggs. My mom was of the opinion that scrambled egg were easily digestible, so she would give them to us whenever we had any sort of stomach issue at all. I now associate them with “getting better enough” to be able to eat something.
That kinda stinks though…does that mean they are ruined for you?
[Reply]
9:53 am on May 13th, 2009
I try to tell this to every person I hear of that is suffering from migraines, and I’m not sure if I’ve said this to you or not. And I’m sure you are tired of people giving you their advice but…. I used to have migraines, bad ones, I’d lose vision in my left eye and all that shit, I started going to a chiropractor and they’ve been virtually eliminated. I go once a month, if I go longer in between appointments I start getting headaches and the longer I wait the better the chance it will turn into a migraine. I also can go right away if I do happen to get a migraine and the length of time the headaches lasts is usually cut in half like instead of being one week long hell its a few days instead. I don’t know, it worked for me, maybe it would help you.
When I’m sick? Italian wedding soup and 7up. I know, its a strange combination.
Chiro…huh. Never heard about that. I will ask my neuro. Thanks for the heads up.
[Reply]
9:55 am on May 13th, 2009
comfort food? pretty much anything that involves a potato
Anything you slather in butter makes things better.
[Reply]
9:58 am on May 13th, 2009
My comfort food is mexican food.
Or actually, anything thats smothered in green chile.
I really enjoy the Mexican as well, but I usually want a margarita with it and that is no good when sick.
[Reply]
10:00 am on May 13th, 2009
Suicide skits funny? Yes! I am glad however I read “college” and not high school. Don’t think it would be appropriate there.
Vace is one of my favorite places to go to that I’ve only been once. It’s been awhile, but I remember the italian hoagies/subs/whatever they called them were to die for. A friend and I did that for lunch before a baseball game so we wouldn’t scarf down hot dogs. Because cured meat and cheese is much healthier for us.
Well, it sure is classier, my friend.
[Reply]
10:01 am on May 13th, 2009
Anything that says “cheese” on it.
I really hope you keep feeling better!
Me too, woman.
[Reply]
10:09 am on May 13th, 2009
Chicken and dumplings. No contest. Ultimate comfort food in my book.
I should learn how to make those–they are so good.
[Reply]
10:42 am on May 13th, 2009
There are Italian delis in this city?????
Soft Boiled Egg, served over buttered toast with salt and pepper. Had it last night after a day when my allergies generated enough phlegm to make me sick to my stomach.
And don’t get a brain tumor–Barton Seaver’s new restaurant is about to open, and I need someone to go and lust over him with me.
I mean the food. Lust over the food.
You have your girl. We should set a date.
[Reply]
10:49 am on May 13th, 2009
French fries. I could eat a ton of them. Literally.
Half the fun is all the catsup.
[Reply]
10:50 am on May 13th, 2009
Pasta with butter, garlic and parmesan. In the right mood (i.e. PMSing or just plain ol’ depressed) I can eat a whole damned box.
So worth it.
Yes it IS. Feels so good.
[Reply]
10:56 am on May 13th, 2009
nachos. They can make everything feel better.
They need lots of guacamole…
[Reply]
11:01 am on May 13th, 2009
There’s something strangely disarming about confessing one’s sick food, but I’m all about the McNuggets and Spaghettio’s with meatballs when I’m sick.
Sometimes, I don’t think I can get better without them.
McNuggets…holy crap, I love them dipped in pure honey. Delicious.
[Reply]
11:08 am on May 13th, 2009
Gotta be home made mac and cheese from scratch. Though pouring the bechamel sauce over the aldente noodles and THEN waiting to bake it is always SO hard to be patient, but worth it.
Welcome, Lusty…..and yes, I will never ever say no to bechamel.
[Reply]
11:09 am on May 13th, 2009
I have a great recipe if you would like it.
That would be awesome…thanks.
[Reply]
11:12 am on May 13th, 2009
Kung Pao chicken.
Or just bread.
Or McDonald’s double cheeseburger.
Just bread with some butter is very nice…soothing, almost.
[Reply]
11:21 am on May 13th, 2009
Just bread with homemade sour cherry jam.
Yum.
I love sour cherries but never had sour cherry jam.
[Reply]
11:49 am on May 13th, 2009
baked mac and cheese. mashed potatoes. grilled cheese. vodka.
Basically carbs. You are a woman after my own heart.
[Reply]
11:51 am on May 13th, 2009
Oh I’ll have to give you a jar when I move out. It’s a Turkish thing
That sounds amazing. Thanks!
[Reply]
12:45 pm on May 13th, 2009
It’s yummy but nothing compares to the one my grandma makes with fresh sour cherries.
Reason #184890 I’m fat. LOL
You are not fat, honey.
[Reply]
1:37 pm on May 13th, 2009
Tomato soup, or mac & cheese or plain pasta with nothing but butter, salt & pepper on it. I also like the warm half flat coke when I’m sick too. And it’s always more comforting when someone is there to make it for you…it just tastes yummier.
Yes, all these things are good. Sadly I have to make them for myself.
[Reply]
2:20 pm on May 13th, 2009
Oh, Vace is divine. And when sick, pasta. And Gatorade. Maybe not together. But they both make me feel better.
Pasta with a gatorade chaser!
[Reply]
3:22 pm on May 13th, 2009
I don’t really get sick. I know that sounds like I’m bragging, but it’s totally not, I just don’t ever get sick (unless induced by massive alcohol consumptiom). It’s really weird.
Plus I’m kind of awesome. That was bragging.
It is ok; plenty of people brag around here.
[Reply]
3:23 pm on May 13th, 2009
i rarely get sick but when in need of comfort food, a good cheeseburger hits the spot. a double-double and fries from in-n-out is great but since there isn’t any of those out here five guys is a pretty good substitute.
I one day will get to In ‘n Out.
[Reply]
3:51 pm on May 13th, 2009
Toast is one of my comfort foods. Goes like this: When Pigs Fly’s (best brand ever) Tuscan Wheat bread toasted to perfection (i.e., medium brown) and slathered with butter and honey. Lip-smacking good. Random, I know.
Actually, now I kind of want to go make some, considering I’ve had a shitty hump day myself and need a little comforting…
Never even heard of WPF bread.
[Reply]
4:10 pm on May 13th, 2009
A BLT, homemade, on Wonderbread, iceberg lettuce, plenty of mayo. With ruffles and a cold glasses of coke.
Or homemade velveeta queso.
Or a grilled steak, roast potato’s, and a spring green salad with a simple lemon-mustard dressing. Ok. Now I’m showing off.
Glad to see you survived.
Velveeta queso…perfect.
[Reply]
4:30 pm on May 13th, 2009
Fried chicken from KFC, sweet tea, real mash potatoes (meaning red bliss with the skins left on and lots of garlic cloves in it), a salty ribeye…not all in one sitting mind you.
Lately though, it’s been buckets and buckets o’ bourbon, Jack preferred.
Smashed potatoes always need tons of garlic.
[Reply]
5:02 pm on May 13th, 2009
Anything homey that reminds of childhood works for me, and that includes too many things to bother listing. When it comes to any bug that bugs the ol’ sinuses, though, my go-to is Thai food. I generally have to tell them, “No, really: Thai hot, not Wimpy Californian hot.” They look askance briefly, then go and do it. And then those hot, sweet, sour, tangy, lush flavors blast everything bad out of the way and have a party.
Thai hot…dayum. Must be super duper hot.
[Reply]
5:03 pm on May 13th, 2009
Oh lordy, redhead. Those last 2 items sound like heaven.
They sure do.
[Reply]
6:25 pm on May 13th, 2009
super duper hot
Well, not so hot that you can’t taste the actual flavor, but definitely hot enough to cut through the deadness of a cold or sinus infection. Except for this one place that is pretty spicy even by Thai standards, and I don’t dare get it hot at that restaurant unless I need a serious endorphin hit, and damn the torpedoes!
Usually, around here, asking for hot gets what anyone who likes spicy food (Texans, Mexicans, Thai) would call “kinda medium-ish.”
Hm, maybe next time I will try the Thai.
[Reply]
5:55 pm on May 13th, 2009
Just found your blog and I love it. love. love. HI!
Hi! Welcome Chelsea…nice having you here.
[Reply]