journal

Journal Writing

August 11th, 2022

Laundro-Matey or Five-second Gruel

They say the first step to good cooking is having clean laundry. And no, not because your oven doubles as a dryer — though, if it does, we’ve got bigger problems. It’s because nothing ruins a culinary masterpiece faster than realizing you’re out of clean dish towels and drying your hands on last week’s jeans. Suddenly, that five-star meal feels a lot more like a five-second rule situation.

Of course, before you can even think about cooking, you’ve got to conquer one of life’s great mysteries: the case of the missing sock. Did it vanish under the washer? Fall victim to the laundry room floor? Or, and hear me out, is there a scoundrel band of sock pirates using them as ransom? Honestly, feet can smell pretty funky, so maybe someone’s airing them out for the greater good. If you’re concerned, may I suggest sandals? Or, if you’re feeling bold, perhaps a pair of Crocs. Though someone once disclosed to me, in confidence, that Crocs are only fashionable if you’re boating — and no, a gravy boat doesn’t count.

And what if you do find yourself out on a boat, clad in Crocs, the wind in your hair? You know, when you suddenly find yourself in a galley cooking for those sock pirates. Just pray they’re hoisting actual sails and not one of your bedsheets. Because if you spot your fitted sheet flapping proudly above deck, congratulations — you’ve officially aired your dirty laundry in the most literal sense.

So, before you tackle that fancy soufflé or attempt a ‘simple’ three-course meal, maybe check the laundry pile. Clean towels, clean clothes, and a clear conscience — that’s the real recipe for success. And if you’re lucky, you might even find that missing sock. Or at least its ransom note.

Ryan Olejnik is an author, computer scientist, music journalist, musician, record producer and photographer. He is currently writing a novella, an anthology of short stories and a volume of poetry. He is a music journalist for Tapevine Magazine and a record producer for Farm Out Music. He has a sci-fidelic rock project known as Starjelly and releases instrumental electronic music as Torchard.

Leave a Reply