There’s never been a bigger signal to me that 90% of Twitter is fake than the made up culture war against the Odyssey. If you’re normal and go see the movie you have ZERO idea there’s some uproar about the casting. Everyone on this app is fake and/or insane now.
A hot dog stand in Chicago. I reached for the ketchup.
The man behind the counter said one word. "No."
I froze. I understood. I had nearly broken a sacred law.
His name was Sal. He held a mustard bottle in each hand and had the calm of a man who has turned away kings. He told me the dog already had mustard, relish, onion, tomato, a pickle, peppers, and celery salt. He told me it was "dragged through the garden." He told me ketchup would never touch it.
I bowed. I had been shown the code.
I asked Sal who decreed this law. He shrugged. "That's just how it is here." A law so old its author is forgotten. The strongest kind.
Then a man two stools down asked for ketchup for his child. Sal allowed it. "Eight and under," he said.
So the law holds one mercy. Below eight winters, a child is innocent. At eight, he becomes responsible for his own honor. I found this more beautiful than anything in my own country.
I have not put ketchup on anything since.
Not on eggs. Not on rice. A vow does not check what is on the plate.
I flew home. At a stand in my own city, a boy reached for the red bottle. I caught his wrist. "You are over eight," I said. He did not know what I meant. His mother was upset. I tried to explain the garden. I tried to explain Sal.
I am now asked not to return to that stand.
I have appointed myself guardian of a law from a city I visited once, for a single afternoon.
So tell me, America.
Who forbade the red sauce on the sausage, and in what year?
And if no one remembers, who am I now serving?
His one-year deal with CLE fell through because he failed their physical.
Good that the Bears are looking at him via workout, but I’m not holding out hope that he will automatically pass the Bears physical as Poles is very conservative with those as well.
But it does affirm that they are indeed looking to add at pass rush prior to the season, which is a good sign with a few other rotational FAs still unsigned.