Slices of quince wrapped up in a five-pound note

[rinue]

As any student of economics and human nature knows, there is a good deal of difference between money and wealth. Money is a set of numbers. Wealth is a standard of living. A person who makes a seven-figure income but has no time to spend it is merely rich; a person who makes a five-figure income and uses it to travel the world in style is wealthy. In other words, wealth is really a question of money's disposability coupled with the imagination to use it properly. With that in mind, I try, despite the extreme poverty that means I never have to pay taxes and could probably qualify for food stamps if I wanted to, to live at a high level of wealth. To, in other words, be able to spend the day slinking around in an evening gown or fine kimono, eating oysters and sprawling across the piano at appropriate moments. To this end, I have made a list of things that I currently think are decadent so I can check whether I do or do not have them.

1. Organic rose syrup (no)
2. Gin (no)
3. Mushrooms (yes)
4. Scones and Jam (mostly)
5. Runcible spoon (no)
6. Turkish coffee (no)

At this point, it occurs to me that everything on my list is directly food-and-drink related, but not at all neccessary nutritionally. (Especially the runcible spoon, which, let's face it, is not loaded with vitamins.) It must be concluded that I am very fond of food, but not of having to eat. It is also true that I would sell all of my books if it was the only way I could keep a fine table. I guess that makes me a very special kind of shallow.

In any case, it seems the nos outnumber the yeses on my list. Action must be taken forthwith!

Comments

[faithhopetricks.livejournal.com]

Man, it is v strange to read that after listening to Chris Rock rant about "Not talking about rich, talking about wealth" last night....

Runcible?

[rinue.livejournal.com]

It's a spoon which is specially designed for eating grapefruit - it's basically a spoon with a serrated edge. I don't even eat grapefruit very often, but the idea of having such a specialized piece of tableware appeals to me; I mean, I own a crab fork and a spoon for serving honey. I also have three spoons which are specially made for stirring sugar into iced tea, even though I don't *put* sugar into my iced tea. I'm not this way about plates or glasses; just flatware. More to the point, I have always enjoyed saying "runcible."

[faithhopetricks.livejournal.com]

Runcible, Runcible, that sounds familiar....is that the name of the prof in "Dirk Gently's Holistic Det Agency"? Or am I nuts?

Pleasingly, the runcible spoon was apparently invented by Edward Lear.

[hipgunslinger.livejournal.com]

Hey Romie.
I am delighted at the sudden re-issue of your livejournal. As horrid as I feel that this has, over the years, remained the historically predominant means of communication, its convenience (though scathing to me, whipping the hinds of my lack of effort) is apparant to always know how you are feeling.

[rinue.livejournal.com]

Thanks. :) I miss you and continue to wish you still lived next door, despite the fact that you never did. Love you so much.

-Romie

[hipgunslinger.livejournal.com]

hey kid, if you're awake just now, and I am too, and I don't have a phone number from you...
c'moooon... e-mail!

[rinue.livejournal.com]

Indeed, although the reason it's assumed to have a cutting edge is some linguist's contention that Lear derived the word from the (bloody) battle of Roncevalles. And, apparently, a lot of people think "runcible spoon" means "pickle fork," which makes no sense at all.

-R

[faithhopetricks.livejournal.com]

((Moira's Brain picks up "pickle fork," begins repeating it endlessly))

Damn, I need caffeine. Sometimes my brain just grabs phrases....

[treehavn.livejournal.com]

If I come, I'm bringing gin. And limes. And possibly figs/dates. Also, I find wearing silk elbow gloves with jet beads makes everything that little bit more special.