Aria the Natural #18: That New Me…

It’s barbecue time!

In a food processor, blend 1 cup cilantro, 2 cloves garlic, 1 tbsp. lime zest, and 3 tbsp. lime juice. Mix this with 2 tsp. of combination salt, cumin, and ground red pepper. Rub this mixture into a 2 lbs. boneless top sirloin, 1¼ inches thick. Let the steak set for 2 hours.

Grill 6 ears of corn. Cut the corn from the cob into a bowl. Stir in half a teaspoon of lime zest, quarter cup lime juice, 2 tsp. olive oil, a minced jalapeño pepper, and half a teaspoon of the salt/cumin/pepper mix.

Grill the steak to your preferred doneness, then serve with the corn dressing.

Something else may have happened in this episode. I don’t think it was anything important. My best wishes and lots of joy to Chiwa Saito on her wedding this week.

Sorry for the delay last week. I can type again, but awkwardly while wearing a wrist brace. Next is Aria the Natural #13: Those Really Self-Imposed Rules…

Aria the Animation #5: To That Impossibly Existing Island…

Akari: Wow, it’s high.
Alice: But the sea is below.
Akari: That’s right. Then let’s jump together!

I could talk metaphorically about throwing yourself at your ambition. Or say the unknown future is a sea of time. Or relate memories to hidden islands in your heart. But looking for deep meaning in Aria can be put off for another day. Like all good beach episodes, this is just about having fun and showing off cute swimsuits.

Of course, this excursion is a chance for Akira to teach things that aren’t possible in the crowded canals of Neo-Venezia. It isn’t said, but I imagine the same thing was done for her, Alicia, and Athena when they were apprentices. The most important lesson is in the invitation to “Neverland.” It’s a reminder not to grow so old that you forget to take time off for play. Oh, and even though she claims it was for endurance building, the reason they were sent to the opposite end of the island is to give the seniors time to catch-up.

I remarked last week that Akari rowed out to Burano. This time she’s on the open sea. Are gondolas really meant for this kind of work? Then again, the gravity of Aqua is less than on Man-Home, even with the tinkering the gnomes do underground.

This was an unfair episode to watch when it’s just below freezing outside. Next week, Aria the Origination #3: Those Feelings Within…