Skip to main content

BOYCOTT CORPORATE ARTISAN CRAP

Lately, I've been hearing the word "artisan" far too much. Allow me to clear up the definition:

Definition of ARTISAN
1: a worker who practices a trade or handicraft : craftsperson
2: one that produces something (a cheese or wine) in limited quantities often using traditional methods

That said, I do NOT think that Domino's Pizza, Dunkin Donuts, Panerra Bread or anything from Giant Eagle (or most chain grocery stores) qualifies.

Yes, I'm aware that this is very nitpicky of me. Once in a while, that's how I am. But in all seriousness, I don't like CORPORATIONS ripping folks off...which is what they're doing here...moreso than usual.

Over the years, I have enjoyed many things made by true artisans. A fine wine that no one has ever heard of; a hand-made guitar by someone most have never heard of, a hand-made sweater of exceptional quality, these are examples of true artisans. Cheap, processed crap thrown together haphazardly in a factory somewhere by someone who may or may not have had an ENTIRE DAY's worth of training DOES NOT QUALIFY.

My other problem: while this is still just cheap, processed crap, these corporations feel that by adding the word 'artisan' to their product, that YOU the consumer won't mind paying EXTRA for it. This is just how stupid corporations think people are.

I personally boycott ANYTHING that advertises itself as "artisan". I think everyone should. It might send the message to the corporate world that the master plan ain't working. Alas...it probably is.

If you want a truly artisan pizza, don't go to Dominos (which is owned by an Irish family, the Doyles....which could explain why it tastes NOTHING like Italian pizza). Find a popular local mom & pop pizza shop (always the best). Same with bagels. Find a small bakery, preferably in an area with a high Jewish concentration. I'm not stereotyping here, I'm going to the source! While I'm known for making a wicked gumbo, I can guarantee you that most cajun grandmas make it better.

Most of my friends already probably boycott the crap. But to those out there that aren't...go for the real thing...the good stuff...not the processed corporate crap. Oftentimes, it will cost LESS, be of better quality, and will further the traditions of true artisans.

BOYCOTT CRAP...especially if it has the word "artisan" on it.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to head into the kitchen to make an artisan midnight snack. Fried leftover ham on toast...just the way my grandmother taught me to make it...and her grandmother before her.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Very Teddy Tuesday

 I told myself I wouldn't do this. I didn't want to share any part of the new book yet. But - I'm enjoying it too much, and that feels selfish. Lord knows I don't write for any reason other than to share stories, so I edited a few bits down to this little excerpt. You might like it. Might not. Might think WTF?! Might ignore it all together. No matter what you think, or if you even read it at all, I'm enjoying writing it. Those who know me won't be surprised. Yet. - MCM 6/20/26 Mid-afternoon sun spilled through a dirty window, cutting across the living room in long golden beams. Dust drifted lazily through the light. Teddy the cockroach made his way up a dusty work boot. The boot had been there longer than anyone could remember. So had the body beside it. The humans who once occupied the old house were long gone. Their furniture remained. Their toys remained. Their guns remained. Even some of the humans themselves remained, though mostly as bones and geography. T...
Post a Comment
Read more

New Book! (and what comes next)

 My 1st print book now exists. What a strange way to put it. I've always enjoyed writing, even when I was a kid and it wasn't cool . Honestly, I never thought I'd do anything with it. It was just another outlet for all of the ideas banging around in my head. For decades, a lot of these thoughts became songs. Now I've returned to the simplicity of words. I write because I enjoy telling stories - pretty much the same with songwriting. The only difference is that now I don't have to go on a stage or into a recording studio. There I days I miss both, but who knows...maybe one day I'll do it all again. Writers write for different reasons. Some for acclaim or notoriety. Some for profit. Same as with music, painting, sculpting, acting - I think those goals are a matter of seeking validation. But for what? Doing what you enjoy is validation enough. For years I've written this blog. In some ways, it's the perfect medium for me. I do it, it's done, published, ...
Post a Comment
Read more

It's Selling!

Just a big ol' WOW and Thank Ye Kindly! My 1st book (BODIES) is actually selling!  Publicly releasing an original work - whether it be a book, music, film, whatever - is somewhat nerve-racking. A person takes the time to create something - something that means something to them (which doesn't mean it's of any value to anyone else) - and they release it into the wild. I've heard it compared to a parent watching their child go out into the world on their own. I was always lucky, musically. I had enough of a reputation that some folks were, at least, interested in what I recorded. This guaranteed a few sales. In all honesty, some releases sold really well, some not so much. But I made them. They held their own. But a book? From ME? Why would anyone stop to give it even a cursory look? Is it the greatest collection of words ever committed to paper? Probably not. I won't even say it's the best I've ever written. But there are definitely some gems in there that I...
Post a Comment
Read more