I almost forgot. September 26 was an anniversary of sorts: I quit smoking a year ago. To commemorate the occasion I unwittingly arranged to have my wisdom teeth “extracted”, in the parlance of dentists. I was promised mind-altering pain in the aftermath unless I took mind-altering drugs, but so far I’ve held out. Today I shopped for mashed potatoes, 6 cans of prechewed soup, and tubs of chocolate ice cream, and I rented some food movies: Chocolat, and Like Water for Chocolate. It’s called eating vicariously–I think there is a theme there somewhere.

While on the topic, I’d like to state for the record that some of the best movies ever are food movies: Babette’s Feast, Tampopo, Eat Drink Man Woman, La Grande Bouffe, Cook Thief Wife Lover, Big Night, Delicatessen (ahem)–these are the ones that come to mind immediately.

And if you’re looking for a respite from post-September 11 depression, you can’t do better than Together (Tillsammans), a generous, humane and funny movie about a hippie commune in 1970’s Sweden. It’s currently playing in New York and any other world capital near you.

[Thu 18:58] Pedant (email) The Cook, The Thief, His Wife and Her Lover

[Thu 20:39] Kartika (email) Congrats on giving up smoking and sympathies over the wisdom teeth Stefan- now what is your postal address- so that I may forward on “to the hermitage”? and will you be under intense scrutiny by the powers that are in ny for receiving a bulky parcel from the Antipodes?

How exciting!!!!

Kartika

[Sat 07:06] Kartika Panwar (email) Hi- as I am at a different computer, thought it was easier to use this than someone else’s e-mail address. Sorry if it is not the right forum for this.

Have sent the book to you- you should get it next week.

Regards

Kartika

[Sun 12:49] Francesca Hi Steffie

Your sister here! I read ‘to the hermitage’ this summer- its really good..are you reading it yet? how are the teeth?

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