Elevenses

Aragorn: Gentlemen, we do not stop 'til nightfall.

Pippin: What about breakfast?
Aragorn: You've already had it.
Pippin: We've had one, yes. What about second breakfast?
[Aragorn turns and walks off in disgust]
Merry: I don't think he knows about second breakfast, Pip.
Pippin: What about elevenses? Luncheon? Afternoon tea? Dinner? Supper? He knows about them, doesn't he?
Merry: I wouldn't count on it.

But unlike Aragorn, my grazing hunger and my British interests are keenly tuned to elevenses, and as I sup my own, I reflect on the elevenses of 2011, that is, eleven interesting and delicious things that happened or that I discovered.

Elevenses: Year of the [White] Rabbit, 2011:

1. Wearing a backpack in Southeast Asia.

Cambodia, Vietnam, Bali, Thailand, Laos.

2. Arrivals, O'Hare International Airport.

Whenever I come home, they roll out the red carpet for a limited time only. #worthit

3. Living with the Enemy: Inside North Korea.

한국은 정말 매력적.

4. For Us, Surrender is Out of the Question.

In the interest of solving international conflict and specifically the Burmese refugee crisis, my vote goes to Mac MacClelland and Mother Jones magazine.

5. Thinking critically.

And all-night summer vigils. And bicycles, and Leinenkugel, and chats and debates and laughter. And house-sitting. But not necessarily dog-sitting.

6. Music.

Always, everywhere...mostly live.

7. Spielberg’s Tin Tin.

But also Herge’s.

8. Vespa. It's a motorcycle.

500 ccs ≠ scooter!

9. Comedy.

Garfunkel and Oates, Parks and Recreation,

10. Mixing and Matching.

Curried lentil soup, basil-goat cheese bruschetta, quinoa and eggs, and POM margaritas, #ftw.

11. Jeff Bezos.

Thank you for re-Kindling my obsession with books and literature! (And kudos to Project Gutenberg and Open Culture for freely supplementing my supply!)

Year of the Dragon, 2012 (Eleven sub-plots in my plan to take over the world):

1. Commence kicking my bucket list.