WHO KNOWS? NOBODY, BUT ME – EVEN THAT’S DEBATABLE, SOME MIGHT SAY...BUT THEY WOULD BE WRONG!

Other people think they know you. The reality is they have not a clue.  Even if they were interested in authenticity, they don’t know where, or how, to begin to learn.  In fact, to make an attempt is the least of their concerns. Half the time most are more interested in painting their own picture; filling in the blanks with the use of pedestrian, baseless imagination; creating fictional scripts to suit their own ideas; scripts remotely removed from the real thing. 

We think we know someone.  However, the harsh truth is...in most cases others have only a smidgen of a clue, and in the balance of cases, not even half a clue.  

Around and around we go, believing we know another like the back of our hands, but, in actuality, we don’t.   In the dark last night just before I drifted off to sleep I wrote something on the back of my hand. This morning I’m still in the dark as to what I was supposed to remember because I can’t understand my writing!

My two furry mates are exceptions. They know me well.  Virtuosos both, they play me like a fiddle.  Andre Rieu can’t hold a whisker to them!

The singular person who truly knows you is you.  To put it another way...the singular person who truly knows me is me).

 Even then, many lose sight of who they are because they’re too busy trying to be someone else rather than spend time and energy on being their own true self. 

These days, for reasons known only to the individual, scores try to be clones of the Kardashians, or others of similar fake faces and bodies. 

There is a lot of jumping up and down about “fake news”, but fake lips, cheeks, butts, boobs, etc., are more prevalent from appearances...not nice appearances, to my eyes – in my opinion.  

Obviously, as well as jumping, much pumping is going on.  

Who wants lips that can be seen when you cast your eyes downward?

  

On the flipside, protruding lips jutting out beyond the limits could be useful if you need somewhere to rest your pen or pad when multi-tasking.  Some lips are big enough to support a keyboard.  I can’t see anything attractive about a human looking like a pufferfish.

Wildly imaginative, out-of-control reality dating/marriage shows inundate our television screens.  Oddly, some don’t need to be force-fed the tripe, believing the “reality” being fed them is reality!  

Rarely do we see a “real” face or body among the pouting, posing female contestants on those orchestrated, mind-numbing shows.  I wonder who it is they see in the mirror. I wonder what goes on in their mind – if anything does. Nothing remotely interesting or intelligent, I dare to say. A “Room to Let” sign wouldn’t go astray.  

Their parents must have difficulty recognising them.  In the future, when re-running the footage, they’ll question who the impersonators were.

Paraphrasing Andy Warhol, the American painter, filmmaker, publisher, actor, and leading force in the Sixties/Seventies Pop Art Movement...“Some will do anything for their 15 minutes of fame”.

We each believe we know our own self.  On the whole, we do...better than anyone else does, or ever will.  Even so, there are times we kid ourselves; times we...me, you...and you over there shaking your head in denial...can be conflicted.  Sometimes, unexpected, unplanned circumstances can cause confusion, entrapping us. 

Momentarily, we find our own self enmeshed in a weak, most vulnerable moment.  At such times, like Sleeping Beauty we need, not a kiss from a prince to wake us up, but the kiss of reality.

One’s behaviour, words, and/or thoughts are sometimes contrary to the true person...the unfettered, inner being. 

Getting down to the nitty-gritty, at the end of the day, the harsh reality is, we have only our own genuine, inner self upon whom we can rely. 

With that being the case, the best advice is for each of us to be true to our self.  Oft-quoted Oscar Wilde said: “Be yourself...everyone else is taken.” 

People are other people; only you are you; be you, warts and all. Everybody has them – even pufferfish. 

It’s best to be the best version of you; or at least try your best to be the best.  I said this...you can quote me. No copyright applies.  And, that is enough of my pondering for one week....

Cod with White Wine Basil Sauce: Preheat oven, 190C. Heat 2tbs olive oil in pan over med-heat; add 1/2tsp crushed red pepper flakes and 2 large, finely minced garlic cloves. Sauté 1min; add 2 punnets halved cherry tomatoes; cook until soft and blistering, but still holding their shape; add 1/4c dry white wine; bring to gentle simmer; add 1/2c finely chopped fresh basil, 2tbs lemon juice, 1/2tsp lemon zest; season; cook 2mins; transfer to bowl. Heat oil in pan over med-heat; season both sides of 750g fresh cod, cut into 4 fillets; place in oil; cook until golden, about 5mins. Flip; place pan in oven; continue cooking 5-6mins.  Pour sauce over cod; serve.

Pesto Chicken: Arrange rack in middle of oven; preheat 200C. Place 4c cherry tomatoes on baking sheet.  Drizzle with 1tbs olive oil; toss to combine. Spread into even layer. Pat dry 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts; season well. Place chicken in centre of baking sheet. Spread 1/4c basil pesto over each chicken breast (about 1tbs over each), spreading it into a thin layer until each breast is evenly and completely coated. Roast until tomatoes have caramelized, and some have burst, and the chicken is cooked through, 25-30mins. Serve drizzled with the pan juices.

Strawberry Creams: Break 150g white chocolate into squares; put in a bowl. Add 3tbs cream; melt together in microwave or double boiler until completely melted and smooth. Pour chocolate cream into bottom of four large dessert cups; freeze 15mins until firm. Cut 200g strawberries into cubes; put into bowl; add 1tsp sugar and 1/2tsp lemon juice; mix gently; stand 10mins. Put generous helping of strawberry cubes into each cup of white chocolate cream.  Whip 250ml heavy cream, 2tbs icing sugar and 1tsp vanilla extra until stiff peaks form; pipe into top of each cup.  Garnish with strawberry halves, grated white chocolate and roasted almonds.