On the News Today...

When I started this 4-day-a-week experiment, my plan was that Mondays would be devoted to some commentary on current events, give my two-cents on what was going on.  The trouble is, the only thing that has engaged my attention is the U.S. Congress federal shutdown, and the more I hear about it, the more depressed it makes me.  At the end of the day, it reminds me why I’m still unaffiliated with any political party.

Okay, the constant fighting between the two parties is not the reason I haven’t joined a party.  I’m not a fan of conflict, but I don’t mind sticking up for a group against others when we have shared beliefs.  The reason I haven’t joined is that I don’t have a party that represents all or even a majority of my beliefs.  I wish I could join either the Republican or Democratic parties because they’re the only parties with enough power to get things done, but I have views that offend both their platforms.  I’m going to be vilified whether I join them or not; I find it easier to not get involved at all.

This leaves me with a huge problem: the only news of interest is the shutdown and it’s the one thing I have nothing to contribute or anything I want to say anything about.  The only direct effect it would have had on me is my school loans, but fortunately, those aren’t being touched by the shutdown.  I consider that a huge blessing because otherwise, I’d be screwed.

So you know what I think I will do?  Give directions for my perfect sandwich: the BLT.

Sourdough is the perfect bread for this, toasted until it is perfectly and uniformly brown.  Slather on that mayonnaise, don’t be shy with it.  It wasn’t a healthy sandwich to start with, so why pretend you’re trying to live longer?  The bacon goes on the bottom, right where it will be closest to your taste buds for its delightful, porky goodness.  I prefer mine crispy, but the important thing is that there are three layers of it.  The number of pieces of bacon doesn’t matter, but it must be three layers.

I don’t like lettuce myself, especially iceberg, which is little more than water in crispy form.  Utterly tasteless vegetable.  My cousin told me that lettuce is given to us for its crisp, but the bacon and toast already accomplish the crispy texture pleasuring your mouth.  His argument is valueless.  I guess you could use romaine, but I actually like replacing lettuce altogether with raw spinach.  Don’t be shy with putting this in the sandwich either.

Whole tomato is actually close to being my least favorite kind of tomato, but in this case, there is no better kind for sandwiches.  One slice will do, but make it a thick slice and cut from the center where it’s widest to fill the whole space.  Add a dash of salt if you want to bring out the sweetness, but considering the amount of bacon on the bottom, salt is not going to be a huge issue.

Eat with gusto.