Chef Mojo

Your Daily Johnson

Every man thinks the day coming, in which he shall be gratified with all his wishes, in which he shall leave all those competitors behind, who are now rejoicing like himself in the expectation of victory; the day is always coming to the servile in which they shall be powerful, to the obscure in which they shall be eminent, and to the deformed in which they shall be beautiful.

Samuel Johnson
Adventurer #69 (July 3, 1753)

Your Daily Johnson

Some people have a foolish way of not minding, or pretending not to mind, what they eat. For my part, I mind my belly very studiously, and very carefully; for I look upon it, that he who does not mind his belly, will hardly mind anything else.
 
Samuel Johnson
James Boswell: Life of Samuel Johnson

Your Daily Johnson

Since all rational agents are conscious of having neglected or violated the duties prescribed to them, the fear of being rejected or punished by God has always burthened the human mind.

Samuel Johnson
Rambler #110 (April 6, 1751)

Your Daily Johnson

Talking of constitutional melancholy, he observed, "A man so afflicted, Sir, must divert distressing thoughts, and not combat with them." 

Boswell: "May not he think them down, Sir?" 

Johnson: "No, Sir. To attempt to think them down is madness. He should have a lamp constantly burning in his bed chamber during the night, and if wakefully disturbed, take a book, and read, and compose himself to rest. To have the management of the mind is a great art, and it may be attained in a considerable degree by experience and habitual exercise.." 

Boswell: "Should not he provide amusements for himself? Would it not, for instance, be right for him to take a course of chymistry?" 

Johnson: "Let him take a course of chymistry, or a course of rope-dancing, or a course of any thing to which he is inclined at the time. Let him contrive to have as many retreats for his mind as he can, as many things to which it can fly from itself."

Samuel Johnson
James Boswell: Life of Samuel Johnson

Your Daily Johnson

But scarce observed, the knowing and the bold
Fall in the general massacre of gold;
Wide-wasting pest! that rages unconfined,
And crowds with crimes the records of mankind;
For gold his sword the hireling ruffian draws,
For gold the hireling judge distorts the laws;
Wealth heaped on wealth, nor truth nor safety buys,
The dangers gather as the treasures rise.

Samuel Johnson
The Vanity Of Human Wishes

Your Daily Johnson

Those who desire to partake of the pleasure of wit must contribute to its production, since the mind stagnates without external ventilation.

Samuel Johnson
Rambler #101 (March 5, 1751)

Your Daily Johnson

A gentleman attacked Garrick for being vain. 

Johnson: No wonder, Sir, that he is vain; a man who is perpetually flattered in every mode that can be conceived. So many bellows have blown the fire, that one wonders he is not by this time become a cinder.

Samuel Johnson
James Boswell: Life of Samuel Johnson

Now, Here's A Bit Of Green I Can Deal With...

Periodically, I go to the website for Moon River Brewing Company to sign up for their mailing list. For some reason, I tend to get dropped off the list, even though I'm pretty fanatical about Moon River's brews.

This time, when I signed up for the newsletter, I got an email confirmation with the following bit of information:

Please note our big news:

We have upgraded to corn plastic to-go cups that are 100% compostable.

 

"We are becoming better corporate citizens and want to be a local leader in the green movement that is sweeping our industry," says Gene Beeco, general manager and co-owner. "We hope that other area restaurants will join us in our efforts, and I believe that in the future recyclable materials may become the law."

The brew pub uses 52,000+ cups each year. The new cups cost about 9¢ more each than regular plastic cups.

Huzzah! This is environmentalism I can get down with. To understand my enthusiasm in this regard, you have to understand the concept of the "to-go cup," or "go-cup." This is one of the true expressions of a drunkard's paradise; In Savannah, you can walk around with the adult beverage of your choice, as long as it's in a "go-cup." If you're in a bar, and you want to go somewhere else - say, another bar - then you just take your current drink, grab a "go-cup" from the stack (every establishment supplies these...), pour your beer, wine or cocktail into the "go-cup" and stumble on your merry way. 

I am simply thrilled that the next time I'm in Savannah - hopefully soon - I'll be able to stumble about with a clear conscience as far as the carrier for my beverage is concerned. It's nice to know that said container will eventually compost and assist in the growing of, hopefully, more plants with which to create adult beverages.

Your Daily Johnson

There is nothing which has yet been contrived by man, by which so much happiness is produced as by a good tavern or inn.

Samuel Johnson
James Boswell: Life of Samuel Johnson

Your Daily Johnson

Surely, it is much easier to respect a man who has always had respect, than to respect a man who we know was last year no better than ourselves, and will be no better next year.

Samuel Johnson
James Boswell: Life of Samuel Johnson