Black Cat, White Stripes

As a throwback to the early days of our courtship, we decided to dress up as rock duo, the White Stripes for Halloween this year. It was one of the first things we discovered that we had in common,  and we enjoyed listening to Icky Thump on our first trip to Washington to meet his family.

I realize that this group is not on the top of everyone's list right now. It's been a few years since their last album, and the rumored future album is still a ways out. But, we already had the red and white clothes, the white Guitar Hero toy guitar, and a vision. All we had to do was get a couple of wigs at the thrift store.

Only two couples at the ward party "got" the costume, but that kind of made it all the better. We got to act indignant when no one understood our genius, and feel smug in our quiet superiority (we were really channeling that White Stripes brand aloofness).

Despite it being a typically dismal ward holiday function, we had fun. Ryan even helped our team win the photo scavenger hunt by posing for a photo where the requirement was  "Take a picture of someone named Jack."  (Jack White, get it?)

At home, we took a few more pictures for kicks. Betcha can't tell which are the real White Stripes. . .

Also, the day before Halloween, I tried to rescue an adorable black cat with white tufts that followed me to my car outside Pizza Hut. I fed him a few pepperoni and tried to lure him into the backseat so I could take him to the Humane Society (he was obviously in need of some TLC and a flea-bath).

Unfortunately, I didn't have a cage and animal control was closed for the weekend. When I tried to pick him up, he was having none of it. I wasn't willing to endure more than the one scratch he gave me, so, I left him a little pile of sausage and said goodbye to my Halloween familiar. He seemed pretty scrappy; I bet he's okay.

Rock 'n' Roll Romance

Our very first date. Cold Stone Creamery. March 21, 2007. On the juke box: "Just Can't Get Enough"

Ruthy: bobbing head and unconsciously singing along
Ryan: You know this song??
Ruthy: (embarrassed to have been caught singing): Um, Yeah. Depeche Mode?
Ryan:  You know Depeche Mode! Do you like 80's music??
Ruthy: Ah...Yeah!  (big exaggeration. I really don't care for most 80's music)
Ryan: Me too!


Later, in the car:  Ryan pulls out his ipod and cues up some Depechde Mode. I am already regretting my lie. Ryan "accidentally" (we still debate this) drops his ipod on the passenger seat.  With one elbow on the steering wheel, his left hand holding his birthday-cake flavored milkshake, his eyes on the road, and his right hand feeling around for his ipod, his hand brushes my thigh.

Ryan laughs nervously. I blush.

Fast forward to date # 2:

We are at his apartment, eating a deliciously simple pasta he made (recipe below), and thumbing through his music collection. I was exposed to a few bands I had never heard of, but grew to love (Billy Talent, Fugazi, The Strokes) and some that I still haven't come around to (Dead or Alive, most David Lee Roth, etc).

We listened to the entirety of Elephant by the White Stripes as the midnight curfew came and went. It was already 1:30am when he pulled out an album whose presence in his collection blew my mind: Where Have All the Merry Makers Gone? by Harvey Danger. Being from Maryland, I grew up believing that my brothers and I were the only Harvey Danger fans on the face of the planet. Ryan was the first person outside of my family I met who had ever heard of anything other than this band's single MTV-aired hit, much less owned their best album.

Listen

I would later learn that Ryan wasn't incredibly unique in being from Washington and knowing of this group. (It was a Seattle-based band after all, that had retained some popularity in the area). I guess I was more of the outlier for being a HD fan from Maryland.

Anyway, I was instantly impressed, and even as our relationship progressed and I at times questioned whether we had enough in common to make it work, Harvey Danger kind of became our Breakfast at Tiffany's.  (Except, in this case, unlike the Deep Blue Something song, we stayed together). I thought, How could I NOT give my Harvey Danger soul mate a chance?

 
It was kind of like this comic by XKCD:

Despite my original attraction to him being based mostly on his cooking skills and taste in music, we built an actual relationship and entered into holy matrimony in 2008 (and his cooking still keeps me coming back).  But, unlike eternal marriage, some good things must come to an end.

In 2009, Harvey Danger announced their breakup. Hectic school schedules, and full-time jobs aside, we knew that we had to make the trip to Seattle to see them play their penultimate show at the Vera Project.

Ryan pretending to be a cheesy tourist at the Space Needle. Me, actually being a cheesy tourist.

We were excited about it, but my older brother David definitely took the "Biggest Fan" cake. He made the transcontinental flight from MD to be there for the show.

Was it worth the trip? It was simply everything you could ask of a rock concert: a stellar set list,  a relatively small group of dedicated fans, and venue so intimate we were practically necking the band. We even got to ask questions and make song requests!

After the show, David and I got a picture with the lead singer, Sean Nelson. (Ryan is dutifully behind the lens):

Between the show, the delicious teriyaki and bubble tea, and hanging out with a couple of my favorite guys, it was a great day.

By the way,  if you've never listened to Harvey Danger, you should check them out. They were offering their music for free download before Radiohead made this practice cool.

And, of course, here is the dopamine-inducing pasta that first made  my brain associate Ryan with its internal reward system:







(Photo: http://epicureanquest.blogspot.com/)

Spaghetti Aglio, Olio, e Peperoncino:  (Spaghetti with oil, garlic, and red pepper)

1 lb box of Spaghetti
4 med-large cloves of fresh garlic – minced
1 small dried red chili pepper – seeded & minced (or about 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes)
6 tbsp of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
4 med-large cloves of fresh garlic – minced
at least 1/2 C grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
salt
Optional: Parsley.

Into a large pot, add enough water to boil pasta and generously season with salt. When boiling add your spaghetti & cook until al dente. While the spaghetti is cooking, into a saute pan (large enough to accommodate the pasta once it has cooked) add your olive oil, garlic & pepper flakes. Cook over low-med heat until garlic starts to turn golden (do not allow to burn). When pasta is ready, drain well & transfer pasta into pan with oil. Toss together and allow to heat through for approx 1-2 min. Sprinkle with plenty of shredded Parmesan and fresh or dried parsley. Serve immediately. Devour.