08/04/03’s illustrious band:

Musubi Monday

It’s our monthly reading from the Book of Spam!

This month’s entry is quoted directly from my official Spam calendar, a gift from Hawaii devotees Lightbringer and the Flexible Chef. To wit:

“More Spam luncheon meat is eaten in Hawaii than in any other state in the union . . . by a huge margin. Spam appears on Hawaiian restaurant menus on a regular basis. The most common way that Spam I eaten in Hawaii is in Spam musubi. This is a kind of sushi that consists of seaweed, rice, pickled plum and (of course) Spam. This popular food is sold in convenience stores and school cafeterias.

“The popularity of Spam musubi caused a major controversy in 1994. The state health department stared to enforce oft-ignored regulations preventing stores from selling convenience foods with meat in them at room temperature. However, Spam musubi is always sold at room temperature, because it is believed that refrigerating rice ruins it. The health department’s decision caused a huge wash of feedback in newspapers and on the radio. Finally, a compromise was reached in 1996, allowing Spam musubi to be left at room temperature for no more than four hours -- causing all Spam musubi fans to breathe a sigh of relief.”

Wow. Room-temperature Spam sushi? Spammy school lunches? I can’t wait to visit the islands!

In other travel-related news, this weekend marked the last occasion to see Sister-san and Brother-in-Law-san before their big move to Phoenix, which commences later this week. Some local friends of theirs hosted a farewell party, complete with homemade salsa, margaritas and a 15-foot trampoline -- and no Spam. The guests of honor had been expecting friends to attend but were surprised (pleasantly, we hope) by the arrival of several family members as well, including parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, and a nephew who is the author of tomorrow’s Band Name of the Day.

The weather was perfect, the company was excellent, the food was plentiful. The only thing wrong with the party is that it means my favorite sister and brother-in-law are really and truly moving very far away. No more quick trips north for me for a weekend of theater and ice cream. No more playing hostess for a night or two if they stop by the metropolis. I’m excited for them in their new adventure, but feeling a little lonely now that my nearest relatives, geographically speaking, are about 600 miles away. I’ve already warned them to expect a visit about the time temperatures drop below zero here on the tundra.

Meanwhile, what’s a girl to do in Minnesota?

I guess I’m in no position to make fun of Spam musubi, really. Mother Media and I, biding time before the party, attended that staple of Twin Cities summer, the Uptown Art Fair. We decided it should be renamed the Art Fare, since we sampled almost as much food as art. Deep-fried cheese curds for breakfast? You betcha! Deep-fried Oreos for lunch? Got ‘em right here! We sniffed everything else and bought some kettlecorn to give as a gift, but we had no room left after the Oreos. If you get a chance to try them, do, just once. They’re so greasy and crunchy and sweet and good, they’ll remind you of home.

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