On Acquired Tastes

Eggplant Nixon

I will never develop a liking for purple vegetables. I like most other foods, and don't consider myself a picky eater, but purple vegetables and I just don't get along. Cabbage, eggplants, those weird purple peppers, whenever I try to eat them, they all make me feel immediately physically ill.

I still remember back in elementary school, I ate coleslaw on purpose to get out of having to go back to class... and let me suffice to say that I did not have to say anything further to convince the teacher not to send me to class, or to convince the lunchroom ladies not to serve coleslaw at my lunch hour again for a solid year. Yeah, it was bad.

Most of the time I just avoid them though. I tuck the purple bits of cabbage and radish to the side of my salads as I eat. I smile sweetly and tell people that I simply don't like eggplants. (Understatement of the year.) I only stave off coleslaw like the evil soul sucking food it is with crossed fingers when strangers aren't looking.

Sometimes people insist though, and being the sweet caring person that I am, I don't want to refuse. I learned my lesson fast on being nice about this though. It only happened once. It was an Italian style eggplant casserole. The incident will not be repeated. Now I do like they said to in DARE and just say no.

I can't help but wonder though, what are my "big purple vegetables" in life? What things in life will I never be able to actually like, no matter how hard I try? I am a big supporter or the idea that one can do anything if they really put their all into it, (The only exceptions being: changing the past and defying the physical/chemical nature of something.) but that doesn't mean that I would enjoy doing anything.

I can do math. I am actually pretty good at it. I will never be a mathematician. The vocab. to function cross over is a "purple vegetable to me. I can work the problem all day, but if you ask me to explain what I am doing using mathematical terms, I will freeze up to the point that I can't even do basic math. On an intellectual level, I know I could overcome it, but in every other way I find myself desireless to do so. My brain's gag reflex is instinctual when it comes to the cross over.

Recently I've found myself in the same situation with re-entering the education arena. A metaphorical eggplant casserole has been placed before me, and everyone tells me to eat up because it's good for me. So here I am, wondering if maybe everyone else is right. Maybe this time will be different. It might even be enjoyable. It was made with a different recipe, by a different chef. Maybe this time I will be fine. Maybe...

Maybe you should stand by with a mop and bucket.

Clean-up. Table 4.