Very far away from fine

The thing is.

I don't even feel like posting silly things. Or food. I mean. I would love to.

For example, today I had a stunning tattoo done.

And I'm obsessing with a new fandom.

I shared these silly things on other socials.

But then I feel like. Should I? Would people think I'm not shocked? That I think everything is ok? That I pretend that everything is ok?

No, it's not ok. Galaxies far from it.

I literally spend my evenings crying on my sofa watching the news.

And I'm so so privileged because, as an immigrant, I'm white. I'm white and privileged.

A student the other day told me "as long as you're not speaking, you should be fine."

They were right.

But this is very far away from fine.

100+ hours

Mariposa

BBBD

Tsukemen

You could argue that tsukemen can’t possibly be someone’s favorite Japanese dish, especially given the sheer range of culinary wonders Japan offers.

But it’s mine.

And, by some cosmic curse, while other types of ramen are ubiquitous outside Asia, tsukemen is almost nonexistent in Europe and, especially, in the US. 

And my soul cries.

So, every time I come to New York, I carve out time for Okiboru: a tiny, crowded spot that serves the best tsukemen I’ve found in the US so far.

To be fair, the one I used to have in Taipei was better, thicker and less salty, somehow.  

But this is a solid dish, even on Michelin’s radar (!).  

So who am I to disagree?

I ordered it with some ebi katsu and mayo (to be honest, just because of an old Japanese man and his obsession with mayo), and they were incredible.

Everyone deserves the chance to fly

If I could give a million stars to The Palm Court at The Plaza, I would.

Sure, I sat down expecting an excellent quality for my Wicked-inspired afternoon tea.

But this was a life defying experience in the shape of a cucumber sandwich.

At the salmon (and capers) brioche bun I basically teared up. The waiter saw it, nodded like a man who’s seen this before, and brought me another. That’s service.

Speaking of which. Room staff kind, attentive, and so impeccably perfect.

The sweets were more conventional, yes.

But “conventional” at The Plaza is still a masterclass.

Now, let’s talk economics.

The tea isn’t cheap. But neither is a Stradivarius. And you don’t complain when it plays like that.

And, after all, "everyone deserves the chance to fly."

Legacy

I feel a very warm sense of fandom legacy in starting to display the collection that before belonged to another person. I feel like a museum curator or something. Like "you trusted me with something it was your treasure once, and I will love it as much". I like this.