I just have to let it run its course…

This little know fact that only most closest associates are privy to, is bizarre and common at the same time. I guess you could call it obsession – or you could call it hungry. I get on kicks with certain foods i.e. Nordstrom’s Tomato Basil Soup, Houndog’s Pizza, Fillipi’s, Phad Thai, etc..etc…for a short length of time – usually two to four weeks. My binges range from three to five times a week, but never has it reached the magnitude that my most recent addiction has. For some strange reason i cannot get a hold of myself when it comes to consuming four or five servings of hummus at the Happy Greek Restaurant. I have seriously eaten there five days in a row. This recent obsession isn’t as violent as my others in the past – usually the addiction comes to a frightening climax when i break down and try and get the recipe and make a months supply all for myself just in case i cannot get over to the Happy Greek on weekdays…this has happened before and it wasn’t pretty. Mrs. Parks is patient and goes along most days to get my fix – she shakes her head every time in disbelief – i tell her “just let it run its course honey…”

There is S**T in the meat.

The Book Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser is a book i haven’t read, but now that it has been optioned into a motion picture, i feel obligated to see it after what i read in Schlosser’s Rolling Stone article. The article traces the origins of the fast food meal, and its transformation into the now common American staple, that a majority of Americans eat on average four times a week.

McDonald’s, a big player in this dominant industry,  is looked at in detail from its conception to the monopoly it has become today, with its famous advertising symbols, the golden arches becoming more recognizable than the Christian Cross. Even more disturbing, the in detail description of the procedures, trends, and standards (and the failure to adhere to these standards) of the agricultural industry along with its meatpacking plants are enough to make me go vegetarian. The conditions are completely unacceptable, unregulated for the most part, and far far below what is considered industry standard. The short descriptions is reminiscent of SinClair’s The Jungle.

Basically there is shit in the meat. Not to mention a number of other vile and dangerous pathogens and bacteria such as E-Coli that go unchecked are shipped out to thousands of Fast Food joints nation wide. There are numerous concerns that go beyond the fast food counter that often go unchecked such as factory safety conditions, immigration, sanitation, worker abuse, other socio-economic issues that have repercussions far reaching into the American landscape. It is truly a small slice of the drive of greed and power in the American corporation psyche, and how the system that supports it, is the very system that is raped. Beyond general promotion of health concern, this is truly ugly.

I might even read the book…definately seeing the film. If you read the article it will make you simultaneously nauseated and furious, a condition that could induce projectile vomiting or death.

Utube Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfPYbFCLZ5o