From time to time, I check up on various bands and artists, usually via a simple internet search. I never really have taken to putting myself on a mailing list that alerts me to any new activities, so I tend to always be in reactive mode. This is not a real big deal, since I no longer feel the need to buy the new release of some group on the first day that the album comes out. The drawback to this slightly complacent approach to being a fan is that I tend to find out about local concerts way too late, or all together after the fact.
This is what happened during the last week of February, when I suddenly felt compelled to check up on Joe Jackson, my favorite pianist. I was delighted to discover that he had released a new album last fall, and the two songs I listened to were fantastic. My delight surged when I realized that he would be performing in Frankfurt on the 1st of March, just over a week away. "Gosh, this is the perfect time for me to see him in concert again," I thought to myself, thinking of the rather difficult month I had experienced.
The delight faded quickly as I realized that the show was already sold out, and no tickets were available. I considered trying to hit the black market, but none of the scalping sites I found had anything for offer, so I accepted the fact that I would not be able to see the show. Sure, I was disappointed, but there wasn't anything I could do about it, and since it was my fault for not staying on top of tour schedules, what could I say?
When I first moved to Frankfurt, I was much more active in searching for concerts to go to. Unfortunately, most of the bands I listen to (that are still touring) don't always include Frankfurt on their stops, so over time, I have assumed this would almost always be the case. The result? Exactly what occurred with the Joe Jackson show: I missed it. Of course, his concert was announced last November, and it is difficult for me to plan so many months ahead. Three times in the past I had actually "planned ahead," going so far as to purchase my tickets well in advance. And, three times in the past I actually had to miss the shows, usually because of business travel that ended up taking precedence. One of those times, however, was due to unfortunate timing of a volcano erupting, which prevented me from getting back home in time to make the show. Alas, lessons learned, and perhaps one day I will be a bit more alert and plan for things a bit better.
To compensate for the missed Joe Jackson show, I spent last weekend listening to a lot of JJ stuff, and found some old concert footage that was quite entertaining. Throughout the weekend, I sat down at the piano and played my share of cover. All of this brought some solace, and like I said, it was my fault that I failed to buy a ticket in advance, so boop on me.
Several years ago, I returned from my Christmas holidays in Spain with a small batch of various cookies that we had baked during the holiday season. Baking cookies has always been a family tradition, whether in Texas, Spain, or wherever. I shared the cookies with a few friends, and one of the cookies in particular was a pretty big hit: the haystack candy.
Haystack candies are a very simple thing to make, but the ingredients are not so widely available in Europe. For years, I would always bring over the specific ingredients (namely butterscotch morsels) to my sister's house. This proved more complicated than it sounds, as three years in a row, my luggage was "temporarily misplaced" by the airline. It became something of a joke as I would arrive in the airport. "Never mind your clothes, etc. Did the baking stuff make it safely?" would be how my sister greeted me.
As I said, these things are very easy to make. Take a package of butterscotch morsels, one packet of potato sticks (which are basically potato chips that are cut like very small dry french fries) and a cup of peanut butter. Melt the morsels and the peanut butter, then add the potato sticks, mix them up, then spoon a little dab onto a sheet of waxed paper and let it cool. Ta da! You have a little sweet candy that looks like....(wait for it)...a small haystack. Very tasty.
The problem is that butterscotch morsels are not available in Spain. Thus, my sister would always need a little pack mule assistance once a year. Sometimes my parents would bring them over, and my sister tended to buy a few bags at a local US supermarket when she visited the states, but since I was the only one traveling at Christmas, I usually was the main transporter. One year, I forgot, and the entire Spanish family (on my brother-in-law's side) was very dismayed that there no haystacks that Christmas.
This has made for some humorous stories through the years, and a friend of mine here in Frankfurt took it upon herself to try and help locate butterscotch morsels for me, as she was frequently in the UK, where she believed that this product was more available. (I had already scouted around in Germany without success)
She actually had never had sampled on of the Haystacks, so she was curious. Unfortunately, despite her attempts, she never found quite what I needed in order to make a batch.
Finally, during one of my own visits back to the states one summer, I remembered to pick up a couple of bags of morsels, and brought them back to Germany, only to discover that I could not find any potato sticks in any of the local super markets. The closest alternative was a type of potato snack that was heavily flavored with paprika; not really suitable for the purposes of Haystack making.
So, during my Christmas visit to Spain, I picked up potato sticks (plain flavored), and finally had all the necessary ingredients to make a batch of Haystacks for my German friends. Thus, in January 2015, I had a very small gathering where we spent a winter afternoon drinking mulled wine and making a successful batch of Haystacks.
Word got around, and a few other friends expressed interest in sampling Haystack candy, and I made a tentative plan to have another little party at the beginning of 2016. A friend of mine (who had followed this whole butterscotch morsel searching saga) brought back several bags of morsels as a surprise, and I stocked them in my fridge for safekeeping. Then, during my own stateside visit this past December, I made a note to try and pick up some potato sticks.
Our Christmas cookie baking experience in December had a few ups and downs, which was a bit curious. Our family tradition involves making several types of cookies, and some of the batches just didn't turn out quite right. We all agreed that it wasn't the best Christmas cookie year, but hey, sometimes that just happens.
When I was packing my bag to return to Germany just after New Year, my sister brought me two packages of potato sticks, but I found that I did not have enough room for them in my one suitcase. In fairness, I was bringing home more things than I had taken with me, but in the end, I had to organize a second suitcase, and actually paid an additional 100 Euro for the extra baggage allowance. An expensive way to transport potato sticks, for sure.
So, a few friends looked forward to a repeat of the Haystack candy making afternoon, and I started looking at the calendar to try and find the right weekend afternoon to have a few people over. As you might have seen above, planning is not my forte. So, suddenly we were fast approaching the end of February and I hadn't arranged any little gathering. A friend pointed this out to me, and mentioned that March would be a busy month (including Easter) and we were quickly losing our window of opportunity. It is not as if Haystacks are only allowed at Christmas, but I associate them as a kind of seasonal treat. Thus, it would not be the same to make Haystacks in July.
I caved to the "pressure" of my friend, and had a very, very spontaneous gathering last Sunday to make a batch of Haystacks. Although it may sound like a big production, it actually has taken longer to write this piece than it takes to make a batch. Melting a packet of butterscotch morsels takes really no time at all.
Somehow, though, the whole thing turned into a rather big cock-up.
The morsels did not melt so well, and when I added the potato sticks, things didn't get any better. I thought that perhaps I used too many potato sticks, or not enough butterscotch morsels, but it turns out that I used the right quantities. But, the result was crap.
My friends (fortunately just two of them) sort of looked on, and finally suggested that maybe I just put the whole mess into a baking pan, which I finally did. The idea was to let the mixture cool, then try and cut it into little squares, kind of like you would do with Rice Krispie Treats, without marshmallow.
Well, the mixture did eventually cool, but when I tried to cut little squares everything just crumbled. Not the kind of thing that you start sharing with your friends and neighbors.
I still don't know what happened, but this past week, I have been eating a few crumbles. Sure, the butterscotch flavor is there, along with the crunch (of potato), but it really isn't a Haystack. Quite the mystery. Oh well, I still have another packet of morsels and potato sticks, so I can give it another go.
However, I don't think I will plan to do that today.
Instead, I plan to go to the pub and watch Arsenal. Perhaps Arsenal will have better luck on the football pitch today than in recent weeks. Three straight losses. Talk about a cock-up.
Here's hoping that today's result doesn't end up resembling the leftover stuff in the pan still sitting in my refrigerator.
keep the faith
bryan
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