May Days

What is it about the Padres and May? For the second year in a row, after an absolutely miserable April, the Padres have put the hammer down in May. Last year, they went 22-6 (if I recall correctly) in May; this year, they've gone a week-plus since their last loss, sweeping the Giants, Dodgers, and Cubs in consecutive series.

In one sense, I'd like the pattern to repeat. In another, though... Last year, apart from that wonderful May, the Padres were a pitiful team. They won the NL West, to be sure, but they did it with an 82-80 record, which says a lot about the woeful state of the division. They were (deservedly) swept, three straight, in the first round of the playoffs.

I'm still looking at this as a transitional year. I don't expect Klesko at first, Piazza behind the plate, or Castilla at third to return next year, being replaced by Adrian Gonzalez, George Kottaras, and - perhaps - Justin Leone. That will give the Padres a good young infield, since Greene and Barfield have already taken over at short and second. I'd like to see Ben Johnson get a chance in the outfield, but Xavier Nady never did, and Nady was (make that "is" - just ask the Mets!) a better player.

Well, we'll see. I'm just going to enjoy their success, as long as it lasts.

Culinary Envy

During my grad school days in Chicago, I knew a fellow named Albert Fu, and I envied him. He was an astrophysics student, and a good one. He was tall and rangy, a demon on the volleyball court, and by reputation also a skilled break-dancer. Also, he could cook. Once, I remember, he held a dinner party. He invited, and made enough food for, twelve people, but only six of us showed up. Nonetheless, every scrap was eaten, and unanimously voted delicious.

I thought of Albert today. Yesterday, on impulse, I picked up a packet of microwaveable egg rolls. The package boasts of their sweet'n'sour sauce. However, the sauce comes in a separate packet from the egg rolls, and the instructions say nothing about its preparation. Yesterday, after cooking one of the egg rolls, I squeezed the still-frozen sauce onto it. This was not entirely satisfactory, so today I put the sauce on the roll before popping it into the microwave. This was not quite right either, and I am at a loss for tomorrow's experiment.

I decided that I shall have to teach myself how to make my own egg rolls. (This was what brought Albert to mind.) I am a decent cook, I think, but too often I take the easy way out, buying frozen dinners and the like. They're tasty enough, but I know I can do better. So. Egg rolls.

It was at that point that I remembered what Albert served at that memorable party: not egg rolls, but four different kinds of stir-fry.

Now I'm confused.

The Seduction of Max

By popular request, Doug Muir has posted the sequel to "Max and the Typhoon", "The Seduction of Max". Go, enjoy.