Who said comfort food was just about sweet things from childhood?! Mmmm like lamingtons with jam and clotted cream, or buttered piklets, or apple crumble, or rhubard anything (mmm rhubard confit on french vanilla icecream, damn I hope they grow rhubard in the US).

It’s time we had a little cup-of-tea and a chat about savory comfort Falafel. foods – like the. Those little warmed pita pockets, lined with hummus, deep-fried spiced chickpea balls, freshly diced cucumber – tomatoes – parsley – onion, or tabouli maybe, a spread of tahini if you are very lucky, topped with spicy sauces to burn your mouth to the degree needed.

A staple of university life – cheap and readily available when you went to the movies in Auckland instead of studying – mmmm damn how can I forget the Middle East Cafe. The place was the size of a postage stamp, had an illuminated neon camel in the window, and was always the best spot in town to watch cute guys walking past hehe.

I lived on them in Israel (falafel that is). The only thing you were guaranteed to find on nights when it was snowing in Jerusalem were rug salemen and falafel carts. The former were entertaining (great place to get a cup of coffee and watch them set petrol alight on camel hair rugs), the latter were filling. For 20 cents you had your evening meal, and if you were loyal to your falafel man then he would though you the odd hot falafel ball while you were waiting.

I won’t mention how they were the standard food after way too much drinking and singing on London nights. Eeeeek.

Then Nelson (NZ) one of the best falafel stands outside of Israel I had found. Though they never seemed to go with chilled Sauvignon Blanc – I had to make a choice – the wine won out.
Then the big black hole of bad falafel, of mussy falafel balls, of sketchy vegetables, of over priced and miniature serving sizes.

Until Taim. The falafel is resurrected again. Taim is another postage stamp spot, this time in downtown New York (222 Waverly, where Perry & Waverly pop onto 7th together). Its uncomplicated chalk-board menu reminds you that they have a pretty simple focus, falafel. All I can tell you is that this is some of the freshest, crunchiest and simply tastiest falafel I have had in years. The diced salad is full of crunch and sweetness, the tahini, damn and the hummus … yeah and the roasted red pepper falafel balls rock! I am a convert again. Top it off with a fresh ginger-lemonade and you feel very special about life again. Hey and nice staff makes such a difference as well – they are not all over you, but they are nice to you and say goodbye when you leave (yeah – you remember those days too!?!).

Kosher too just in case that might be important.

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Who! married What!

Dunno Where! or When!

Nor Why! I wasn’t invited

Based on stats, it won’t last.

Categories: New York
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I am sorry, to myself, for not posting more here. Maybe I have not been in the best of spaces. It hasn’t easy settling in, I have felt very alone with a lot of things, but know that is mostly in my inner world.

So its probably right to be externalising my world a little more.

I am not sure how many of you know this, but I trained to be a priest, but left after I meeting the man of my life (awwww and youre still that even after 13 years hehehe) as they made it clear there was no place for me. I suspect I had a crisis of faith, a beautifully patronising term used by those who use systematic shame to control the masses.

Anyway, why am I telling you this. Well, simply because while I no longer adhere to any form of institutionalised religion, there are still elements of my life and experience that deeply spiritual reality. There are moments when I am touched by the intense delight or darkness of human experience, or when I see or hear things that have a deeper meaning that the day to day reality of what I do.

Today was one of those. I read something that fits strongly within my reconstructed queer theology of self and other, the interwoven wisdom theology of hebel, the transitory or ephemeral experience of now. I just thought I would share it with you:

“I have come to believe that the whole world is an enigma, a harmless enigma that is made terrible by our own mad attempt to interpret it as though it had an underlying truth.” – Umberto Eco

It made me sad and delighted at the same time. Sad when I see a world engulfed in hating and warring against each other in the name of idealised truth, righteousness or god. Delighted, because the world around us is such a lovely enigma to walk amongst, to be with, to experience.

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H ey just before I pop myself off to bed tonight, I wanted to wish all my Canadian friends a happy Canadian Thanksgiving Day for today past. I have just come back from a cool dinner which was lovely.

And I was thinking when I was walking home that I am thankful for how many great Canadian people I have know over my lifetime. You are very “real” people, very generous and very welcoming. And most of you are geeky which makes me laugh, very sweet people.

Note to foodies – mmm I discovered what I am told is a northern Canadian dish. Sweet potatoe (somewhat different from the kiwi Kumera – less starchy – US sweet potatoe is more of a cross between squash and a potatoe, though sweet in flavour) that has been cooked and mashed, then layered with pecan nuts, covered with a brown-sugar and butter mixture then baked. Serious comfort food – the flavours are grounding and sweet, haha you feel like you are getting away with something having a desert flavoured vegetable. Mmmm and the fresh cranberry sauce, damn fine.

Night.

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* for those to whom this is unintelligible – never fear, thats probably for the best *

Kiora mon-petite-cheeriette

Upon arrival in the land of the free, I saluted an effigy of George W Bush on your behalf. The security chap looked at me rather strangely, came over and asked me my name. Thinking to myself “how very friendly”, I said … Django, Django Farquar. His hand twitched and edged toward his holster (pause: momentary flashback to Tel Aviv airport, security guard asks who I am visiting, I say God, I spent 3 hours being strip-searched – eeeck rubber gloves). I laughed, whimsically, he stood his ground. I realised this had not been a pick up line, yet how fateful this new street name would prove.

I am a little disturbed that my namesake always has a fag out the side of his mouth (not that I object to fags … depending on the lighting and the condition of my sobriety). But here is what I found, my dear Whanga’s friend …

(what a dapper suit)
*excuse me for a moment, I think someone is choking on a chicken bone in the street below, I must ensure he doesn’t cark it on sidewalk otherwise there will be bloody paramedics hanging around all night*

**never fear a restaurateur chased him away, he is now choking outside a Pipe & Smoke shop – far more appropriate**

***ok he is still at it, let me pop downstairs … hmmm well yes I can confirm he is choking but also telling people they would look good in high heals. I popped into Magnolia Bakery since I was down there … steamed milk with a slice of Oreo based Snickers Pie … yeah baby feel the (sugar) burn!***

Where was I, yes Django, Django Farquar. Now little did you know when this surname was penned, the subtle musical connections it would have. Please explore (may have a couple of loading issues, but follow the links, you will be impressed) the Farquar yellow brick road.

How I tire … the snickers pie sugar rush has sped through my highly metabolised body … the sugar low has hit. So good night my ferel northern friend (and your nebulous friend who spills things on herself constantly).

PS: thanks for sharing about the Sanitary Collection Lady … that was most inspiring.

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