"You see? You have to use butter! Not vegetable oil..." the husband said as he rolled his eyes.
Let me tell you about my husband's eyes. When relaxed, he has some of the kindest eyes I have ever seen. (Not that I have seen many because I rarely look at people in the eyes - deep within I've always suspected myself a case of mild autism, and not just because of the eye contact part.)
Sometimes JL looks stoic in photos as a consequence of keeping his eyes opened far too long that his smile is lost. But he makes me laugh when he rolls his eyes, for they can nearly pop out of the sockets. Especially so when I know he has proven me wrong, like on this particular evening.
Let me tell you about my husband's eyes. When relaxed, he has some of the kindest eyes I have ever seen. (Not that I have seen many because I rarely look at people in the eyes - deep within I've always suspected myself a case of mild autism, and not just because of the eye contact part.)
Sometimes JL looks stoic in photos as a consequence of keeping his eyes opened far too long that his smile is lost. But he makes me laugh when he rolls his eyes, for they can nearly pop out of the sockets. Especially so when I know he has proven me wrong, like on this particular evening.
He was cutting himself a second slice of the yogurt cake I had made that day. All these years I made them with vegetable oil. Lately he protested about the unpleasant taste that comes with it, so off-putting he now dreads the thought of my yogurt cake. So instead of switching between brands and types of vegetable oils, I decided to take the easiest way out - butter.
It is very simple. One only has to melt an equal amount of butter in weight to that of vegetable oil. Perhaps some five to ten percent more. You are guaranteed of a more delicious flavor in the end product.
"It is like how you want the best seats in the theatre, right? If you don't get them, you'd rather not watch, right? Same with this cake. If you don't use butter, you might as well not make it."
Not only was the man spot-on, he even analogized it to my hairsplitting, fussy preference when it comes to Broadway theatre tickets. How Machiavellian!
I was a lousy student during my university days. Those who had lived in a hall of residence would be able to relate to this: "full-time resident, part-time student". We were more involved in hall activities - sports, culture, and then some - than lectures and tutorials.
In the end I could not graduate as scheduled because I kept failing Complex Analysis, an essential module in my final year. It took me four attempts which included two special semesters, meaning I had to attend classes during semester holidays. It really sucked.
While "doing time", I also worked at what was then Singapore Lyric Theatre, assisting the music director and managing his orchestra. I spent much time in the orchestra pit and along the aisles of an empty Victoria or Kallang Theatre. Back in the office, I also had a good glimpse of how seats in the house are categorized for sale.
It was nothing glamorous, just hard labour and late hours. But how it forever influenced my choice of seats for theatre performances. Because I will not pay for any seats apart from the center of the eighth to the eleventh rows. Twelfth is really pushing it. Anything else, I'd rather not go. This makes even more sense when you do a little study on ticket prices and seating charts among Broadway theatres.
Broadway tickets, unless you are willing to spend a day queueing for discounted same-day tickets (hello, tourist), are pricey even for the less desirable seats. Some folks like the feeling of being God, preferring to see things from above. The very enthusiastic ones like the front row, hoping to score a handshake or a blown kiss. Some others prefer the sides, probably so they feel less guilty un-commiting themselves.
But trust me when I say the best seats in the house are among the last rows of the front section, in the middle. In most venues, that means rows H to J. Bear in mind this is applicable to small-capacity (1000-seats or fewer) theatres. That is where your enjoyment is maximized, provided everyone around you is well-behaved.
Otherwise - much like the yogurt cake with vegetable oil - you are better off not going, because these are things you should whole-heartedly enjoy when you decide to.
P.S. It would be rude of me not to share with you a good recipe from Bon Appetit for yogurt cake. JL would strongly recommend that you use butter instead of vegetable oil. Try it first and subsequently make it your own recipe by adding your favorite jams or flavors to it. Half a cup of vegetable oil weighs 100 grams. So gently melt 110 grams of butter then measure the liquid in grams. I do this using the microwave on moderate power.
It is very simple. One only has to melt an equal amount of butter in weight to that of vegetable oil. Perhaps some five to ten percent more. You are guaranteed of a more delicious flavor in the end product.
"It is like how you want the best seats in the theatre, right? If you don't get them, you'd rather not watch, right? Same with this cake. If you don't use butter, you might as well not make it."
Not only was the man spot-on, he even analogized it to my hairsplitting, fussy preference when it comes to Broadway theatre tickets. How Machiavellian!
I was a lousy student during my university days. Those who had lived in a hall of residence would be able to relate to this: "full-time resident, part-time student". We were more involved in hall activities - sports, culture, and then some - than lectures and tutorials.
In the end I could not graduate as scheduled because I kept failing Complex Analysis, an essential module in my final year. It took me four attempts which included two special semesters, meaning I had to attend classes during semester holidays. It really sucked.
While "doing time", I also worked at what was then Singapore Lyric Theatre, assisting the music director and managing his orchestra. I spent much time in the orchestra pit and along the aisles of an empty Victoria or Kallang Theatre. Back in the office, I also had a good glimpse of how seats in the house are categorized for sale.
It was nothing glamorous, just hard labour and late hours. But how it forever influenced my choice of seats for theatre performances. Because I will not pay for any seats apart from the center of the eighth to the eleventh rows. Twelfth is really pushing it. Anything else, I'd rather not go. This makes even more sense when you do a little study on ticket prices and seating charts among Broadway theatres.
Broadway tickets, unless you are willing to spend a day queueing for discounted same-day tickets (hello, tourist), are pricey even for the less desirable seats. Some folks like the feeling of being God, preferring to see things from above. The very enthusiastic ones like the front row, hoping to score a handshake or a blown kiss. Some others prefer the sides, probably so they feel less guilty un-commiting themselves.
But trust me when I say the best seats in the house are among the last rows of the front section, in the middle. In most venues, that means rows H to J. Bear in mind this is applicable to small-capacity (1000-seats or fewer) theatres. That is where your enjoyment is maximized, provided everyone around you is well-behaved.
Otherwise - much like the yogurt cake with vegetable oil - you are better off not going, because these are things you should whole-heartedly enjoy when you decide to.
P.S. It would be rude of me not to share with you a good recipe from Bon Appetit for yogurt cake. JL would strongly recommend that you use butter instead of vegetable oil. Try it first and subsequently make it your own recipe by adding your favorite jams or flavors to it. Half a cup of vegetable oil weighs 100 grams. So gently melt 110 grams of butter then measure the liquid in grams. I do this using the microwave on moderate power.
