INCREASE-DECREASE

I (Reynolds) took a trip up to Middletown, Connecticut yesterday to perform at Wesleyan University. “Middletown” must indeed be short for “Middle-of-nowhere-town.” This place is like 45 minutes away (in no apparent direction) from New Haven, which by the way is affectionately referred to as “Pistol wavin’ New Haven” (people love to nickname hoods, no matter how small and unhood-like they may be.)

Anyway, consistent with my usual travel habits, I was absolutely starving when I got to the hotel, and had already come to grips with the fact that I would most likely be choking down over-fried chicken tenders from the school dining hall. Would’ve been cool, strictly for nostalgia, but it definitely wasn’t my preferred choice.

Then it happened. Uncanny irony. My host says, “We have an amazing Jamaican restaurant. It’s really good. Really.”

(Didn’t care that she assumed I wanted Jamaican food. Nope. Not important.)

“Really? On the side of mountain? GOOD Jamaican food?”

I’ll be damned if she wasn’t right. Amazing food. Pattie’s Palace. It was booming with people ordering dumplings and jerk whatevers, oxtail, and fish they couldn’t quite pronounce. Unbelievable bizarro-world moment. But also a valuable moment. A testament to the fact that there is a market and an audience for everyone and everything.

Beef patties on the side of a mountain inspired the hell out of me.

Reynolds

PS- If yall are wondering where Griffin is, he’s preparing something special for yall. Stirring the ol’ movement stew. Gotta get it right. You’ll hear from him soon. And when you do…Boomshakalaka!