Scott and I are extremely well matched. We read the same books. We share the same favorite color. Our politics are the same, our spiritual beliefs are closely aligned, we both would rather take a hike in the mountains and go camping than spend the day in the city and dine in fancy restaurants and stay in fancy hotels. Our kids are even alike: our sons both have degrees in history, and our daughters are both aspiring entertainers. All this makes for a very mellow relationship. We don’t fight, because there is nothing to fight about.
Except for two things: he absolutely hates mayonnaise, yogurt, sour cream—anything white and creamy. And I hate The Marriage of Figaro. I love opera, don’t get me wrong. But Marriage of Figaro? I don’t care if Mozart wrote it (and I love Mozart). It’s a terrible opera. It goes on, and on, and on, and on, and … you get the picture.
Mayonnaise, yogurt, and sour cream, on the other hand, are a delight to the senses. How can you make a perfect sandwich without mayo? I’m not even talking Kraft or Hellman’s here; I love the canola oil mayo you can buy at Trader Joe’s that’s like eight bucks a jar. Yogurt is synonymous with lunch for me, especially my own home-made yogurt, which is better than Dannon or Mountain High any day (I have a secret ingredient they don’t have). And sour cream? What’s an enchilada without sour cream on top?
The funny thing is, Scott’s quite the gourmet cook. I’d rather eat his eggplant parmesan (with several different sauces, all made from scratch, between the layers of eggplant) or his soyrizo and sweet potato tacos than just about anything else on earth. How can a gourmet cook not like white creamy stuff?
Of course, he’s a musician (classical guitarist) and music
Scott with his Guitar
professor. So he’s certain he’s right about Marriage of Figaro and I’m wrong, because he’s the expert and I’m not.
So we stay away from the topic of white creamy foods and poor Figaro, agreeing to disagree. Except, he’s wrong and I’m right.
So what does this have to do with writing? It’s all about conflict resolution. Conflict resolution is, or course, important in a story. You don’t want the murderer to go unpunished in a murder mystery; you don’t want love to go unrequited in a romance novel. You have to resolve the central conflict in your story.
But that doesn’t mean there can’t be conflicts left in play. Unresolved conflict is what leads to lively discussion about a story. Unresolved conflict makes us think. It’s what makes us want to re-read our favorite books over and over again, hoping for a different ending that never materializes. Unresolved conflict is what makes us identify with certain characters more than others, because we know ourselves just how painful that unrequited love is, or the pain of being wronged and not getting any justice. Face it, would Shakespeare have written such a beautiful story if the Capulets and the Montagues had told Romeo and Juliet that they could marry and everyone live happily ever after? Although maybe that isn’t such a good example; I guess double suicide is conflict resolution. Not pretty, but it certainly is resolution.
I’ve got to stop now. Scott just put on his CD of Marriage of Figaro, and it’s going to curdle the yogurt I’m making. This is one conflict that’s going to get resolved, one way or the other, right now. And since I’m right and he’s wrong … well, I’ll be back to blog another day.
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* This edition of Smoky Talks…was originally run on Xanga four years ago. Smoky stands by her hatred of The Marriage of Figaro. Scott still refuses to eat mayonnaise, but Smoky has high hopes for him in the future.
I feel your pain…..mine is with my son who came home from OR about 3 years ago. We[‘ve both been living by ourselves for many years, and it took a lot of tongue biting on both our parts, when one of us does (or doesn’t do or say something). Gave me an idea for my blog post, thank you.l…..:)
Always happy to inspire, Marilyn. As for the pain–it really isn’t very painful. I adore my guy, and if this is the only difference of opinion we have, I’m a very lucky woman.
Another great analogy, Smoky, and you made me laugh, to boot!
Always happy to make you smile, Melinda! And yes–I am the analogy queen…
Marriage of Figaro – Fair, Magic Flute – wonderful
Mayo – A mostly disgusting condiment, though it’s handy in a few things, but only Blue Plate.
Yogurt – yawn
Sour Cream – What you said, plus baked potatoes
I’m right and both of you are wrong.
Malcolm
Hah! I take back my invite for you to come for dinner, as I was going to serve mayo sandwiches and yogurt for desert. But I don’t want you yawning at my dinner table!
I definitely like The Marriage of Figaro AND mayo, sour cream and yogurt! Somehow, I can’t imagine one without the other! My mother wouldn’t eat anything “slimy and white.” And, my cat bites me when I sing opera. So, I sympathize with your dilemma.
I’ve sat through live performances of TMoF twice. I figure I’ve paid my dues. Now, The Magic Flute? Rigoletto? Madame Butterfly? I’ll sit through back-to-back-to-back performances of those operas! And I’m dying to see Aida!
If this link works, check out Cousin Sam’s performance. You gotta like this! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyE3Edgqj7A
Ramey, that’s absolutely beautiful! Is Samuel with an opera company? Scott called when I was listening, and I played a bit for him. He can’t wait to get home and hear the whole thing.
I think he just turned 70. Here’s a shot of his surprise b’day party. I think he teaches at Roosevelt University’s College of Performing Arts in Chicago. I’ve never met him. (boo-hoo) My sister has visited his mother a long time ago in Texas. It’s so funny: my sister and I used to sing the Figaro song all the time when we were kids. We didn’t know the actual words; we just sang what it sounded like to us!.
Pure heaven is listening to an old recording of Jussi Björling singing the arias in “La Bohème” and “Madam Butterfly.”
“La Bohème”–that’s another favorite of mine. Beautiful opera.
Very funny! If that’s all you disagree over, you’re doing well
I happen to love salad cream in my sandwiches but my partner can’t stand the stuff and is a mayo man. I like mayo but only with chips, not sandwiches. I also adore yogurt, cream, anything dairy. I have to tell you, the best yogurt and butter I’ve tasted anywhere in the world was in Iceland. That country really rocks dairy,
Well, I can’t speak for Icelandic butter or yogurt, but I’d put my yogurt recipe up against theirs any day! Don’t know about butter, though. Haven’t made that since my Girl Scout days.
We need some photos of this yogurt
What a delicious post and Malcolm is right. You’re both wrong. But as my first husband and I agreed-marriage is one long conversation “where seldom is heard a discouraging word and skies are not cloudy all day.”
Who would ever have guessed a blog post about mayo would generate such a debate! It’s pretty fun, actually. And you and Malcolm are wrong.
Although I appreciate his taste in opera in that he likes The Magic Flue, Madame Butterfly, and La Boheme.
Love this definition of marriage!
Our skies are seldom cloudy. We do, however, often awaken to a foggy marine layer. It usually disappears by my second cup of coffee!
so — i don’t like opera, so that would include MoF. i do like mayonaise (or Miracle Whip), but don’t go out of my way for it. Sour Cream? depends. however, my main take from this post is about conflict resolution. that isn’t going to happen in my life. but in writing — the reason i am unable to write fiction is that i don’t have the patience to slowly work out the plot. to let things evolve until the end. i doubt i could! not to mention the inability to imagine. maybe someday. but just the thought of the long work involved spreading out a plot — gotta hand it to you, Smoky. and the rest of your writing gang!
Thank you Mary. And you’re right–the point was conflict resolution. But as long as I have my VHP family cheerfully willing to debate the opera and mayo issue, we may all just have to agree to disagree!
A lovely post–and I’m with Malcolm–and mayo is the pits. Homemade yogurt has zing! At least mine does. But on the Figaro business, I’m with your husband. How can you say that about an opera that contains “Porgi Amor?”
Ah, yes, Porgi Amor…beautiful! But it’s one thing to like bits and pieces, quite another to like the entire package. It’s just too long; I think that’s my main gripe about it. That, and the fact it gives me something to debate with my beloved hubby!
My hubby thinks all pies should be chilled before eating. I think most pies ought to be warm. I’m right, of course. lol
Yes, Yvonne. On this you are definitely right, unless you’re talking about egg custard. Or coconut custard. Or banana creme. I guess it depends on the pie!
Definitely a sour cream fan! Stir in into my guacamole, but leave it out for Aaron’s.
Your example of Romeo and Juliet calls to mind The Fantastiks. Since I’ve just claimed stereo rights, I’m heading off to listen to Jerry Orbach.
How can anyone not like sour cream? Other than my sweet Scott, I mean? Ah, Jerry Orbach. To hear him sing again…