Matt: Writing

Inappropriate movie theater and food experiences that Kimberly Eichelberger and I have shared throughout the years:


1. We were students in Hawaii, and every fortnight or so Kimmy and I would manage the trek from Laie to Kaneohe to feast on pho at our favorite Vietnamese dive. No problem, a bowl of pho, though massive, is a socially acceptable meal. Social acceptability quickly began to sour however, once we discovered how succulent the doughnuts next door at Kaneohe Bakery were. Two doughnuts a piece became the set standard after each pho run. The problem zone hadn't fully been entered until a decision was made that we couldn't leave town without first stopping at Jamba Juice. For a small fruit smoothie perhaps? Just a sip to cleanse the pallet? Never. We (or at least I) went for the beastly 20-something-ounce Peanut Butter Moo'd. Let's just call it what it is: a giant-size milkshake. I mean, part of its name is "Moo".

One sad, lonesome Valentines Day we (and some others) bought all the above to-go (plus a Coke, I'm sure), positioned it conspicuously into Kim's purse (duffel bag?), and sneaked it into the theater where we dined while watching Tyler Perry's "Daddy's Little Girls".

Depressed yet?



2. 2010's "Lottery Ticket". Yes, we paid money to watch it. Yes, I've seen it twice. Yes, it stars Bow Wow (the artist formerly known as Lil Bow Wow) and Loretta Devine. Yes, it would be the perfect movie if Madea would make an appearance. We were in San Diego, and yes, we sneaked Vietnamese baguette sandwiches into the theater. The theater was obviously dark and Kimmy took a bite without realizing that jalapenos were a main topping. The reaction made my life.



3. My favorite food is fried chicken. I like it golden, crispy, greasy, salty. Popeye's, yes. KFC, absolutely. But if you're really looking to tickle my fancy, forget the fancy buckets and boxes and hook your brother up with an 8-piece bag from the Albertson's deli. And I know I'm not alone, Alby's chicken has an upstanding reputation of perfection.

I traded Flagstaff for a warm weekend in Phoenix. Kimmy and I were on our way to a movie and naturally, we craved fried chicken. An Albertson's happened to be in the neighborhood and we bought a bag. Somehow we ended up with our fried chicken watching "Precious". Apparently we're inadvertent racists, Oops.


Until now I didn't realize how much we enjoy movies intended for a Black audience. J/K, I totally did.

Friends and food at the farm:


Click on collage to enlarge

*Note the photo of the couple sitting on the ground was taken by my friend Ellie Jeffers. She knows what's up in the photo world.

I have a busy year ahead of me. School is set to challenge me even more than it has the last few months, I hope to find a museum internship, and I've decided that I will go to Antarctica.

I am absolutely in love with the beach and I've seen my fair share of them, but my trip to the desert last March gave me a taste of something new. It is well known that Iceland needs me and will eventually come beckoning, but until then I'm taking matters into my own hands and proving that I can handle some cold air.

In other news I have been at my parent's home in Oregon for the last two and a half weeks and weighed in tonight at a staggering 193, exactly 14 pounds heavier than when I arrived. And I can't get my mind off of the seared ahi burger from Bricktops restaurant in Nashville. Salivating at 2:15 in the morning.