Kate, my darling deatest, your poll is biased towards those who live in cities. I, for example, do not have access to the following: television (to know non-book writing chefs), a deli, Greek/Turkish, Afghan, or Cajun/Creole restaurants, Trader Joes (????), health food store/neighborhood coop, farmers market, street vendor, or a bodega (although I learned about them in the movie "Half Baked").

I do, however, have access to Thai food, and have set-up residence in the local restaurant. I have my own table there, my own waiter, my own tent, and a small cot in the corner of the kitchen. My special table is located behind an enormous alter full of incense and wood-carved gods. I peek out of the eyeholes of the thunder god at the other customers and dine on Tom Kah Kai soup and Panang curry. This blocks me from being seen and commented upon by the ravening hoardes of rednecks suspiciously poking at their PadThai whilst exclaiming things such as, "Darrell- what the hell kinda spaghetti is this ?!?!?!"