I’m crazy for people who are jalapenos.
I’m like Count Dracula. I can always use some fresh blood — spicy and hot — for that je ne sais quo.
A jalapeno is explosive. They’re a force. They’re positive in their thinking. They can move me to tears with their sunny optimism. They’re not cucumbers. They’re peppers.
Unfortunately too many people think it doesn’t matter. They’re kidding themselves, of course. Throw a hot tamale into an omelet or a salad and your taste buds come alive. You feel something happening — you’re now awake. Awake to life’s possibilities. Maybe you can even be optimistic because boy, optimism is in short supply.
The jalapeno analogy came to me when I started writing The Essentials of Fabulous. We live in a world where there are so many opportunities to be a jalapeno and we don’t seize them. We can make the subject line of our emails crackle with excitement. We can step into a room and raise its temperature. We can shake a hand and practically inject the other person with palpable energy. We can wear clothing that practically shouts our originality. We can be “on” not just some of the time but all of the time.
Give us a jolt. Force us to give up the ennui. We are tired of bland.
Thanks for the jolt — may we all remember to jolt each other appropriately every now and then…it can’t just be one person all the time. Sometimes the jolt comes out of nowhere – like at 4:30 a.m. when you spring out of bed because you forgot to pull the car in the driveway and will more than likely get a ticket. So I did traverse the lawn in the wee hours in my nightgown and escaped the traffic police. In my weary state, I turned the corner of the driveway to go back in the house and the sprinkler system went off like a bat out of hell. It shot me right in the heart and nowhere else and it was a cold shot of water. I decided to consider it a baptism of sorts as I just began meditating with a local zendo. You just never know where a jalapeno might show up. Grateful no matter what…there are no accidents. Zenny Jenny
Dear Jennifer: When you got to the lawn sprinklers, I was in the tank. Those moments are priceless! I’m glad you got to have the jolt. Thanks too for writing. Warmest regards, E.
Great post and very funny, thank you Ellen.
Today was definitely a jalapeno day!
xx
Dear Andrea: Belated thanks for sharing your day of jalapeno fun. Toss one in everyday to ensure you’re living a life well-lived. Best regards, E.
I have only had them in pizzas and I positively hate them. Which gets me into trouble, coz most adore them.
That said, jalapeno people (cheese, maybe?) as you say are actually divne. I’ve envied hem all my life. Effortlessly refreshing, you!
Thankie from non-anology Jalapeno hater
Sreemanti
Dear Ideator: A little tingle in the mouth and the brain? Be brave. Don’t eat them but find those hot people who move you with their energy and zest. You’re on your way, kiddo. I can feel it. Your fan.
Dear Ellen,
I am writing from a Key West beach where I am sitting with your illustrator, our mutual and beautiful friend, Susan Sugar.
I love the book and Susan has now directed me to the blog.
Warm Regards,
Sophie
P.S. small typo: “je ne sais quo” requires an “i” at the end of quo, for the correct spelling is “je ne sais quoi.” Susi assures me that you would want to know.