artichokes and lagophthalmus

Today has been a great day…1. because I just ate an artichoke…one of the BEST creations on this earth and 2. because I think I found some contacts that help me out with my newly discovered-name of my sleeping “condition” called “lagophthalmus”. Okay, I’ll admit it on this blog, both my brother, Will (sorry bro), and I sleep with our eyes open. Not completely open like zombies, but just a wee bit enough to make one wonder whether we really are asleep or not. Yes, it’s been a bit embarrassing at moments…such as the time when I was on the UI track team and we were travelling on the bus down to Boise…Tam decides to take a nappie-nap and low and behold, she wakes up to everyone within whispering-distance staring at her like wow! She sleeps with her eyes open! So thank you sunglasses! 😀 So my eye doc said it’s called “lagophthalmus” and basically it’s a lack of elasticity (maybe has something to do with my mom’s Chinese ethnicity??) in my eyes and he said “it’s rare for someone as young as yourself to have this so don’t be surprised when you’re older to be taping your eyes shut at night before you go to sleep” WHAA???? But really, do I have to??? It’s a tad bit depressing but when I think about the recent China quake or the tornado victims or those serving in the war, I don’t think I need to be so selfish. Anyways, back to artichokes…THE best vegetable. Period. Mike personally doesn’t like interactive food such as artichokes or picking chicken from a bone…but I’m the complete opposite. If there’s work involved, I’m there! I cannot even eat canned artichokes and struggle with the artichokes on pizzas because the only flavor I can taste in these is the pickling juice – BITTER! So give me a fresh artichoke and I’m the happiest person in the world. Our cashier at Albertson’s who is usually quiet with us perked up when he saw our artichokes. He admitted he hasn’t had one in years so I kicked my pro-artichoke campaign into full gear and pretty much suaded him to think that yes, they are the coolest perennial thistles out there. Granted they take some patience with the boiling/steaming but once you start pealing the leaves off and scraping for the meat, the encore kicks in and ends the grand finale of … the heart! ah, the best part. I’ve actually wondered why more restaurants don’t have artichokes on their menu. Just plain artichokes with butter or whatever you like. I’ve even considered opening up an artichoke restaurant where it’s artichoke-everything. Even dessert? Maybe not…for now it’s just in my dreams…