I really don’t spend much time thinking about being single. I consider myself independent and self sufficient. Being husbandless is only a fleeting thought at unavoidable moments of validity. There are the wedding announcements requesting all the single ladies to pathetically chase flowers. The IRS annually demanding a declaration of tax categorization. And the occasional Polar Vortex!
I’ve been alone for 60+ hours. My niece Abby did come over for dinner last night. Her hot water wasn’t working and she wanted to take a shower. She got more than shampoo. I bent her ear for a couple of hours. It was a lovely respite from solitary confinement.
Before her arrival, I’d been playing house with Netflix. Although I’ve never been a wife, my warped reality suggests Netflix is like a helpful husband. He wants to tell me what I would like based on intimate knowledge of my preferences. Sometimes, I appreciate his attention to my likes and dislikes. And sometimes, I want to slap him and say ‘you don’t know me at all.‘ During the Polar Vortex, I decided to play mind games with my house husband.
I mixed it up. I watched “My Idiot Brother” and “Zoolander.” Then when Netflix started going down that playful comedy route, I zagged with some old black and white classics like “All About Eve” and “The Lady Eve.” And to add a little spice to our relationship, I ordered up “How to Marry a Millionaire.” Netflix had to be completely baffled when I stopped the fiction and went documentary with “Forks Over Knives” and “Jiro Dreams of Sushi.”
Bilger had recommended “Forks Over Knives.” It’s a documentary supporting a whole foods, plant-based diet. (Yes, Richard, I know that’s you!) The expose on Americans vs the rest of the world in cancer and heart disease was an eye opener. The idea is our large consumptions of meat and processed foods is making us sick.
“Let food be thy medicine.” – Hippocrates
It showcased people getting off medicines by eating healthier. I do appreciate medication. I just believe in a more holistic approach to living. If we were more mindful of what we ate, we’d feel better. The documentary said people get stuck in pleasure traps by choosing foods or drugs that give them a false sense of satisfaction. After being locked down with commissary options (I ate a box of crackers yesterday. I was bored!), I’m craving fresh food choices today.
The other documentary was a PBS offering suggested by Sue James. “Jiro Dreams of Sushi” is about an 85 year old Michelin 3 star chef in Japan. Jiro’s restaurant serves only ten people and is in a subway station. Dinner is roughly $350. He doesn’t serve appetizers only sushi. He has dedicated his life to mastering his craft. It was an inspirational film about a man’s passion. Even in his seasoned years, he is still working toward perfecting his sushi making.
“Always try to look ahead and above yourself.” -Jiro
I appreciated both documentaries for their zesty portrayals of lives in motion. People believing in something and committing strongly to it. As I finally leave my house today and rejoin the workforce, these shows motivate me to strive for wellness in my food and work choices. I want to live a robust life.
Netflix, thank you for being there for me but I’m going to need some space.