That’s My Story

I love cooking. Spending time in my kitchen is my escape from this crazy life. I also enjoy learning how to cook and hope one day I have a few sous chefs of my own so I can pass on my cooking knowledge.
I also enjoy video games. I kick serious butt in Madden and can hold my own in Guitar Hero.
But I never thought these two worlds would mesh.
Food Network, one of my favorite television networks, is releasing Cook or Be Cooked for the Wii. The game features cooking instructions and techniques. Players can use the Wii remote to use appliances, utensils to create dishes. Completing challenges will unlock harder recipies.
Their food will be judged by Food Network officials, one of which is a cartoon version of Susie Fogelson (I can’t even stand the real life version).
Basically Sally’s mother doesn’t have to teach her how to cook. She can make a boxed meal while Sally dishes up a gourmet feast sitting in front of the television.
There are plenty of video games that make sense. Exercising with a video game has even peaked my interest.
But cooking isn’t something you can learn by simulating breaking eggs and stirring a batter. You can’t smell the aroma of a roast simmering in the over or steak sizzling on a grill.
If you are a novice cook and want to learn some new techniques watch Food TV or take a cooking class.
Maybe I am naive, but in a world where some of the greatest recipes and techniques have been set aside for boxed meals, I worry that this will not encourage new cooks try making items from scratch.
Please, let’s leave tackling, jamming and blowing things up for the video games and cooking for the kitchen.
(I welcome any comments, suggestions and criticism at michelleg@dailyamerican.com)

Dear Chamillionaire

I understand you are a hip rapper, and too cool for my taste, but could you please stop sampling Tom Petty’s Free Fallin’ in your song Good Morning.
While flipping through the radio channels I stopped when I thought I was going to hear the classic tune. Then I heard something about haters, love, shoes and big stacks of cash.
This isn’t the first time music lovers have been fooled.
In the early 1990s music lovers heard the baseline of Under Pressure by Queen and David Bowie, to only be disappointed at “all right stop collaborate and listen.”
I tried to stomach Rihanna using the “tainted love” beat in her catchy first single and ignore Flo Rida’s use of “you spin me” in his tune about strippers, but I cannot take anymore. I know there are more examples, but there are just some of the more current disgraces to a time when music was good.
These songs are classics and there are some things you should just leave alone.
P.S. Could you please call the oldies’ station in Pittsburgh and inform them that the 80ies are not oldies. I am not ready for my music to be “old.”
(I welcome any comments, suggestions and criticism at michelleg@dailyamerican.com)