The Crave Issue

The media is full of articles and commentary right now on how the recession is forcing us to live with less, to get back to basics, to make amends for our flat-screen TVs. In other words, we have sinned with our greedy, ungreen consumerism and the recession is our hair shirt. The New York Times even featured an urban neighborhood whose residents are raising chickens, slaughtering pigs and making artisan cheeses in order to be self-sufficient (and a wee bit self-righteous in the bargain). Having grown up around and participated in the slaughter of chickens, I have no desire to return to the good old days; instead, I forego chicken altogether, whether free-range or from poultry prisons. And while my life has indeed become simpler (fewer trips, more savings, less craving), I am still an unapologetically immoderate person. If I get curious about the Russian Revolution or Gnosticism, I will read every book I can find until I’m sated and move on to some other goofy obsession. If I get a hunger for a BLT, I’ll eat one every day until I can’t stand the sight of one more tomato. I wouldn’t make a good Puritan, but I don’t want to tame my itch for bookstore binges, Ciao Bella pistachio gelato, a trip to Hawaii for another tattoo from Slik Rik, a soulmate or the perfect pair of sole-mate shoes, because it’s just plain fun. And fun is in short supply right now. Everyone I know is worried about losing or finding a job, putting aside a cash cushion, having enough to help others, losing their house or health insurance, having their kids move back in with them or being stuck in a hell job because they need a paycheck. We’re overdrawn at the bank and overwhelmed by problems we can’t fix. A trip to Hawaii may not be in the credit cards for me, but I can still dream and desire and crave better times and more ice cream while I’m trying to wear this damn hair shirt with good grace. If only it were more stylish.