With everything going on in the world, moving forward my (try to write) weekly 500 Words will be more encompassing. It’s morphed naturally so instead of fighting I’ll embrace it. 500 Words started as a challenge from a friend to write steadily about my real time experiences in getting a manuscript published. I had doubts about self-publishing and still do but it’s been worth a try as it’s not like anyone is beating down my door for the 3 manuscripts living in my computer- the modern age equivalent to under the bed.
It’s been worth the effort except I just don’t have that much to write about publishing at the moment. As a life long newshound though, as much as I’ve tried to ignore the nonstop chaos and drama and go about my life, it’s not working. Knowing that turning away allows more to get by, and frankly feeling guilty in so doing, I can’t. Book covers and media packages as necessary as they are seem trivial in comparison to the sad state of our formerly United ones.
Hopefully 500 Words won’t turn into a 500 word rant but it may.
How nice would it be to see some spine somewhere in politics or some punishment for clearly illegal misdeeds? Some accountability for January 6th and the classified docs in the shitter for starters. The courts will not save us. They have no way to enforce anything if their bosses @ the DOJ aren’t interested, which they’re not. Unqualified cabinet picks taking cues from a compromised SCOTUS and a lawless Executive branch that defies court orders like the orange one applies bad bronzer- this is the Wild West and end of empire type of shit.
Knowing how “deplorable” some of our neighbors are surprises me. What they really think of women and minorities and people in the margins is sad. Then there’s Jared’s 2 billion $ from the Saudis. Betting that will buy a bit of beachfront on his father-in-law’s new real estate development, Trump’s Gaza Riviera brought to you by genocide and co.
How nice would it be not to be force-fed absurd delusions defended by equally complicit enablers? Sycophant yes men and women willing to overlook what they’ve condemned in the past. Walking back statements saying not to believe our lying eyes. Under investigation? Not to worry. Campaign for 4 years and win the presidency, dismantle the agencies and eliminate the investigators.
Banning books, insults and trade wars with allies, questioning and threatening any that contradict dear leader… this is a coup unfolding in real time in order to check off Vlad’s wish list.
Hillary’s emails have nothing on the CIA sending a list of their recent hires on an unsecured server thereby putting targets on all backs mentioned therein. Remember the manufactured outrage when Donny boy falsely accused Obama of being born in Africa? Now he’s good with an unelected S.African and his team of juvenile computer bros without security clearances controlling our government.
It makes it hard to believe anything when everything is suspect.
And that’s the goal. The 2025 barrage has been planned for years, and the warnings, ignored. It’s meant to overwhelm. To make us feel powerless because of how the narrative is portrayed and controlled. Lets call it what it is. Propaganda.
The Constitution reads “We the people” not “Me the president”.
There’s one thing you can do though. Something that comes quite naturally to this old hippy, and if not already you should get in the habit of.
Resist.
Chef/percussionist/writer/reprobate and lover of all things beautiful & delicious, Chef Alan Lake’s culinary career includes East Bank Club in Chicago; Sunset Marquis in W. Hollywood; Izakaya Hiwatta in Ichinomia Japan and legendary nightclub Purpur in Zurich, Switzerland. Working all around the world for over four decades, he's won numerous awards, professional competitions and distinctions. He’s the author of Home Cookin'- The Stories Behind The Food and The Garlic Manifesto- the history of garlic going back to 10,000-year-old Neolithic caves and contains facts, fiction, folklore, myths and legends (besides 100 recipes).
A lifelong musician that plays 70+ percussion instruments, he coined the term “Jazzfood” to describe his cooking style i.e. “solid technique coupled with tasteful improvisation.” He views his food as he does his music and writing and has been known to bust a pout if subpar in any way.