The Budget of Paradox

Sophia,
In my last post, I mentioned that I was in a nice hotel with a fancy restaurant. Last night, I sat at a teppanyaki table with four other adults. I was dining alone. They were Russians, probably. I didn’t really interact with them. A man and three women. Among their orders, they had two steaks. The steaks looked like filet mignons. The chef cooked the beef and split it among them. The two women closest to me did not finish their meals. They left with plenty of beef on their plates. I was sad that so much wonderful beef was going to waste. So, when no one was looking, I stole the leftover beef from their plates. Yes, I admit it. But, damn. Throwing filet mignon in the trash. Seriously?

Later, I was shocked — horrified — to see them come BACK. Apparently, they only left to go out to smoke. They came back! Thankfully, they asked for dessert and the check, and for the dinner plates to be removed. They didn’t notice the missing beef.

Damn! Almost busted.

Had to laugh out loud at that. Of course, no one noticed I was laughing, and certainly would have no idea why…

If you didn’t know, filet mignon is an excellent cut of beef. And it’s expensive. It reminds me, I made this post last year about making your mother a steak sandwich.

Dad
beef thief

Sophia,
I wish I knew you better. I wish I knew, for example, if you like sushi. I suspect you haven’t been exposed to sushi in Lynchburg. At least not at a proper venue. Morey, Percy, whatever, she liked salmon sushi when she was younger. But I have no idea if her palate ever expanded. I would love to introduce you to sushi — proper sushi. Nowadays, seemingly any rolled food can be called sushi, which is absurd. And all these crazy rolls, with cream cheese and vegetables, are just imposters.

I’d love to show you.

Anyway, I’m reminded because last night I had toro. It’s a rare treat. It’s the fatty part of the bluefish tuna belly. Tuna sushi is easy to find. But the bluefin fatty belly is very rare and expensive. I’ve only seen it on the menu a few times. I know the expression, “melts in your mouth” is overused. But toro really does melt. It’s wonderful.

I’m still working in Africa. But I got a small break and I’m spending a few nights in nice hotel with a proper sushi restaurant.

I wonder what you’re doing this summer. I’d love to see you.

Thinking of you always,
Dad

Sophia, It’s a short video, just four minutes.

Dad

Sophia,
I’m thinking about you today. I hope the day goes well for you. I wish I was there to celebrate it with you.
Dad

Sophia,

I’m thinking of you always, but especially during your last week of school. I hope it goes well. When I was about your age, my father would take me out to a late lunch on the last day of school. It was a brief tradition. I’m sorry I won’t be taking you out for lunch next Friday.

I wish I knew what you were doing this summer.

More than a year ago, I wrote this post about a summer camp. But I suppose maybe you’re now too old to consider going to summer camp.

I’m working in Africa, but I can be in Athens or Rome at a moment’s notice. Get a passport. I’ll meet you in Rome. I recently posted some photos from Rome on IG. I hiked through the city about ten years ago. Seriously, if you have some free time this summer, get a passport and I’ll fly you to Rome for a long weekend. We’ll have fun. And if your mom says I’ll kidnap you, tell her, “Yes, and he’ll make me happy.”

And then I’ll send you back home.

God, I really hope you’re not sitting at home this summer, bored out of your mind, taking anti-depressants. We could connect and do crazy shit and eat sushi and see cool stuff. What a waste.

Dad