Monday, November 17, 2008

Day 323: Seattle Scenes and Unseemly Potluck Sacrilege

This weeks theme is "on the road," but the closest I'll be to being on the road this week, is in my memories and fantasies. So here are a few photos, one literally of the road, remembering my visit to Seattle two months ago.






Have you ever noticed how there are two types of people in the world: potluck people, and Not potluck people? I would like to say that I'm a potluck kind of person, and it almost seems like there's a kind of nobility or saintliness that would come with being a potluck person.

But I can't quite make myself like potlucks, and I've tried! I'd like them better if I was participating in a potluck because I really wanted to hang out with the people I was having the potluck with, and trusted their food. (Trusted, as in, no one licked their fingers or spoons while preparing it; the cats weren't on the counter and the only pet hair in it is from my own dog(ick!); and it's not 90% cornstarch and sugar and salt.)

The bigger issue for me, other than the virus/bacteria/cesspool issue, is the coerced, having-to-hang-out-with-people that I don't really want to hang out with issue. In my heart, I know I should love it, and the people, and the small talk, but having time to even get to think my own thoughts is often scarce, and having eyes-glazed-over conversations where I have to bite my tongue and nod politely makes me want to pull my fingers nails out. And then I just feel guilty. And then I get to go home and clean up the mess in my kitchen from whatever I made for the potluck in the first place. Anyone know a sure-fire cure for a bad attitude?

11 comments:

Jason said...

great shots, I really like the perspective on that last shot. I hear you on the potluck, I am kid of the type buy it from the store and bring it :o)

Margaret said...

Your shots are great! And your rant about the potluck made me laugh.

Amy said...

Cool shots, I just LOVE the bright colors and umbrella patterns of the first one!

My family is potluck crazy, it's insane. My dad always threatened to have a potluck wedding reception for me...no way! I have never thought about the cleanliness aspect of potluck food until now though. I know that when I make food for them, I'm very careful to make sure my hands are scrubbed often and nothing odd gets in the food. I'm moving back by my family just in time for Christmas and I already have four invitations for potlucks!

Mom2Drew said...

I love how you made the highway look like art in that second shot.

Anonymous said...

Oh I love the ones with the umbrella...so colorful.

I found your post about potlucks so entertaining. I am so that way too...I love the whole concept of potlucks, but I can't get over giving up control over every little detail in my food intake management. I am a really sociable person, so it pulls at my heart...but I would much rather attend a dinner party where one person cooked the food, that a ton. I am a potluck snob. :(

Reds said...

Love the umbrellas!! And awesome shot of the roads!! We do potluck in our family - somebody brings dessert, somebody will bring cheese, etc. Wouldn't do it though with a lot of people at the same time though!

Jeanne said...

The first photo of the colorful umbrellas is really striking.

You know, I never thought of the whole food issue before. Guess I'm too trusting that others will do the right thing. I haven't been to a ton of potlucks though, so I don't have an opinion one way or another on them. Whatever...your commentary made me giggle!

Donnah Ciempka said...

Those umbrellas are beautiful. I am so with you on the pot luck.

Gypsy Girl(Brenda) said...

Cool perspective on the umbrellas. No cure for you but when you find one fill me in. I run from potlucks and yeah I would rather pull my finger nails out than to sit and nod politely. My dh says Im anti social.

pat said...

LOVE LOVE the umbrella shot! The colors are fab, and I really like your POV of it. As for the freeway--yep, that's Seattle!! Nice angle and perspective, Ang. I have to laugh about the putluck thing...

Joanie said...

Your perspective of pot-lucks CRACKED ME UP! I loved hearing your rant. I grew up on pot-luck dinners at church. I love the social interaction and tasting everyone's dishes. I figured if I haven't died yet, I must be ammune! Thanks for the laugh! (And you know what? It's ok that you DON'T like pot-lucks!!! Wouldn't it be boring if we were all the same?)