Today I Appreciate "THAT'S SO RAVEN!"

No, I do not have a special affinity for the Disney Channel. In fact, I tend to rather adversely react to the idea of marketing and producing particularly attractive teens for general consumption. However, over a conversation with some wonderful literary journal staff members, we collectively decided that one particular Disney Channel phrase (and incidentally the name of a semi-successful program) should come back into every day vernacular:

"THAT'S SO RAVEN!"

OK, hear us out on this. My friend, Jeff, initially proposed the idea and I think it's an excellent one for several reasons:

1. Currently, no appropriate expression exists for expressing one's astonishment and excitement over a particular event, person, or circumstance that is shockingly out of the ordinary. Sure, we could say something like, "That's unbelievable!" or "I never would have expected that!" but we lack a modifier for what "that" truly is. To only describe "that" as "unbelievable" or "unexpected" seems rather shoddy and, frankly, rather dull. We need a new phrase to encompass our earth-shattered expectation! Hence, "raven." It rolls off the tongue. It's easy to say. It has a certain punch.

2. The word "raven" conjures mystery, intrigue, and excitement. Even if you're not a fan of Poe, you must admit that a raven seems like a rather looming, enchanted creatures. Sure, it may have some negative and creepy connotations, but it also evokes a mysticism that's heavy, a touch dark, and powerful. Sure, a unicorn or a narwhal edges at producing some feelings of magical wonderment and fulfillment, but not to the same extent as a raven: graceful, powerful, somehow all-knowing. Hence, when someone proclaims something to be "so raven!" one evokes a whole range of emotions and feelings about what a raven encompasses and how a certain event or person may, too, evoke the same sort of excitement and intrigue as the raven itself.

There are only a few hang-ups with trying to integrate this expression into our every day vernacular. First, listeners may immediately associate the expression with the unfortunate Disney channel show about a teen psychic. However, psychics also imply a sort of mysticism, too, even if psychics are more of a joke than anything else. This cultural connection could help better ease those into using the phrase, though, if they see that the adopted meaning of the expression maintains some relevancy to its source material.

Another potential problem is simply the fact that people may not immediately understand what one means upon proclaiming, "That's so raven!" After all, someone may assume that you simply diverged into a non sequiter about a defunct television show and everyone knows that that's not the way to maintain social fluidity. However, a few concise, articulate explanations (see the above list as potential source material) may clear up any potential confusion that may occur.

So, today, I appreciate the discussion of turning "That's so raven!" into an every day catch phrase because not only is it exciting to think about how we have the power to change our language, but it's also a rather fun and energizing process to simply create discussion with wonderful people about even the silliest of topics.

Today I Appreciate Debate

This is going to be a short entry today because... I'm tired. Long day.

However, at our literary journal meeting today, a wonderful debate spurred with the fiction staff members and I really appreciated how everyone argued their points well and made me think about (and further respect the thought) that goes into not only those you write/submit to the journal, but to those who help edit.

It's so bed time right now. Tonight, I WILL appreciate sleep.

Today I Appreciate the Korean BBQ Taco Truck

In my family, the higher risk of gastro-intestinal illness a taco is likely to cause, the more authentic and therefore "better" said taco must be. This, of course, means that I have not yet fulfilled my duty as a true Mexican food aficionado because I have yet to order any food from a real L.A. taco truck. White van, silver heated roof, and aluminum foil-wrapped tacos dripping with the fat of pork al pastor is what comprises a true taco truck and that, my friends, must be what eating real Mexican food is like.

Alas, I attend school in West Los Angeles where an authentic taqueria cannot be found because - well - there's plenty of authentic Mexican food to go around in Downtown L.A. Also, unfortunately, accessing Downtown L.A. without a car (as is my state right now) is a rather laborious task as it requires transferring to different buses and/or subways. Public transportation for me is only an issue when it takes longer than an hour to get somewhere that, by car, would take only 30 minutes. So, my reasoning for never tasing the joys of a taco truck seem reasonable given the expensive cost of my time.

Yet today, I can say that I experienced the joy of ordering from a taco truck, even if it wasn't of the traditional Mexican variety...

The Kogi Korean BBQ taco truck circulates around the Los Angeles area, selling $2 tacos and $5 burritos filled with a choice of short ribs, pork, chicken, or tofu. The toppings on the tacos (alas, I cannot speak for the burrito) include a spicy cabbage salsa with sesame seeds, cilantro, onion, and romaine lettuce "tossed in Korean chili-soy vinaigrette."

Feel free to salivate. It's delicious.

The particular truck I found was on the corner of Landfair and Ophir (a few blocks from my apartment) and a few of my literary journal buddies and I waited, discussing the joys (?) of the Twilight phenomena, David Foster Wallace, and hipsters/poets (e.g. "I'm so cool I don't need a TV. Also, I write experimental poetry."). We traced the path of every passing car and truck with our eyes, glancing around the corner to catch a glimpse at the newest oncoming headlight hoping that it would be our truck.

Needless to say, the wait for food was worth it. I write this one tofu and one short rib taco later and am content reimagining the dripping of the tender cubes of beef, the satisfying spice of the tofu, and the crunchy cabbage topping encased in corn tortillas. While the tacos were decidedly more Korean than Mexican, the spice factor and sweet, sesame flavor more than compensated for any salsa I may have missed.

New food always provides opportunities to explore different senses and to appreciate the melding of different cultures. It's easy to take Los Angeles for granted, but with moments like this, it's difficult not to appreciate the beautiful culture union here and the ways in which people create their own unique, cultural communities.

If you, too, would like to appreciate the Korean BBQ Taco Truck in the near future and you live in L.A., here's the website. There's a schedule posted for where the taco truck will travel next: http://kogibbq.com/