Once upon a time, a dear, dear friend brought some Sam Adams Cherry Wheat beer over to my house. First, I'm kind of an omnivore with a willingness to try stuff, and second, the cherry beer was also known as "Free Beer," so it tasted exceptionally good to me that evening. I'm sure I expressed appreciation for the beer, and for my friend, whom I love.
Somehow, though, fruity beers made their way into a conversation at a neighborhood gathering some time later, and I was outed for loving them. It was that little awkward moment where I could have disavowed all enthusiasm, like a high schooler might loudly exclaim, red-faced, "What? I am SO NOT a Justin Bieber Fan!" but truth is, though I prefer IPA, I won't deny an offer of Raspberry Hefeweisen.
But here's the deal. I've been to a party or two now where a helpful host has bought some fruit beer "just for you, Fer." Another generous friend saved the bottles of fruit beer (someone else brought to their house) just in case I come over.
It's time to come clean about fruit beers and Fer: there's just too many other tasty beers to drink.
I was in a teacher's classroom today admiring his socks (yep, that's how we evaluate teachers at our school), and then realized I've complimented his socks before. He admitted to having a "socks thing."
"It all started one Christmas," he explained, "when I put socks on a few too many gift lists." The socks keep coming. And he rocks them.
Another teacher mentioned that she's awash in rubber ducks since once offhandedly remarking on their cuteness. Her dad now makes it a mission to find one for her every time he travels.
The third colleague in the room has a problem with braised pork, and the problem is that too many people think it's his favorite food. People push the pork at family dinner parties; they make extra Just For Him. He doesn't have the heart to let them down, so he chokes it down.
The climax of the conversation occurred when our extraordinary-sock-sporting friend admitted he also went through a Thomas Jefferson Phase.
"I think you already know that I can be obsessive. I was really into Thomas Jefferson." He shrugged, "Now I have about five books about Thomas Jefferson, which other people gave me, on my shelf."
I've been to the homes of people who whisper a little too loudly that they have a penchant for pigs, baskets, shot glasses, angels, or old license plates. Sometimes we grow out of our interests (though I wish I still had some of my Miss Piggy paraphernalia), but the world won't let us forget them.
One of the teachers predicted better results by expressing great interest in things like expensive wine, or cash.
"You know me!" he joked, "I really appreciate a pricey Pinot! And I collect it, you know, in case you have any cases lying around."
Socks, fruity beers, rubber ducks, braised pork, Thomas Jefferson: from which fan club do you need to unsubscribe yourself?
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