today: 9.1.99
every day

(in which the author has an interlude of Epicurean proportions)

My favorite thing about summer has got to be corn on the cob. And my favorite thing about corn on the cob is queso blanco. I have been blessed by geography and am within lazy-waddling distance of La Taqueria, a Mexican take-out place that specializes in pretending Brooklyn, 1999 is really San Francisco, 1969. But man do they do corn a serious proper...

One cob, grilled. Then butter, chili powder, that amazing mild white cheese that is only served in places with Spanish names, and a handful of loose red cabbage. I can't explain the cabbage part and I think for most people that might actually be a deal-breaker, but trust me. The cabbage makes all the difference. Texture on texture.

It is very rare for me to have so much love for a food that doesn't contain xantham gum or yellow #3, but this corn has touched me in an unusual way that is usually reserved for Japanese businessmen and Gastroentrologists. It makes me sad, though, knowing summer is slipping away. As autumn's decaying chill creeps in, I'll be happy to finally wear more than a tubetop, terry shorts and flip-flops to work, but I'll surely miss the corn.

prequel | sequel

all these words © 1999 todd levin.

• Idea for sale: toupees for babies. Babies don't have hair but they have everything else -- that's a bit weird, isn't it? Plus, babies always need to keep their heads covered. Wouldn't babies look great with wigs? Dan Quayle style headpieces for boys or Tina Turner wigs for the ladies. switch up wigs as much as possible; people love to give gifts for babies, so a baby might have 6-8 different exciting hairstyles at his or her disposal -- just like Cher. They could even come with adorable chin straps. No one would care. No one would say, "oh dear, that baby's obviously wearing a wig," because that baby WOULD OBVIOUSLY BE WEARING A WIG!!! That's the beauty of this. What's the point in having a baby if they aren't going to make you laugh?