Let me begin this post with the disclaimer: I will get to the pie. Now, after scanning the worldwide web, and finally joining Facebook (after a stupidly long period of resistance) I have been becoming more and more exposed to everyone else out there in the internet ether. I’m not unique – the world is getting smaller and we are all more available to each other more of the time, plus I’ve been following blogs for years. All of this makes me wonder if previous generations were as self-involved as we are, or whether we just have a better and more permanent medium for chasing attention.
The problem is, I don’t know how I feel about it! We are all more available, but everything is becoming a little less personal. Don’t get me wrong, there is a stupid amount of incredibly personal content out there, but it’s not directed at anyone, it’s just out there. It’s not personal to the reader, it’s only personal to the writer. And the reason it’s out there is because the person who puts it out there wants to affect the way the world thinks of them. Like it or not everything we put into social media or onto the web is building a brand; your personal brand.
Depending on how you look at it, this is either a good or a bad thing. It can mean that you can change the way that people view you, put a positive spin on your life, make it seem glamorous or exciting. Or it can mean that people can be manipulative, lead false lives, and generally portray themselves in ways that they otherwise never would! I think it’s important to remember that no-one would start a website or account, and fill it with all the bad stuff that happens to them in life and a bunch of pictures of them looking ugly. Because no-one wants to see themselves that way, let alone have the rest of the world see it. I have a wise friend and creepy movie to thank for this perspective.
If you don’t keep this in mind, it can lead you to serious cases of internet envy. I am no stranger to this phenomenon. It’s when you start to trawl around, and you think, wow, she’s started a business! Wow, he’s an actor now, that’s amazing. Oh my god, I can’t believe they’re living in London, that’s so great. And then you think, I haven’t done anything with my life.
1 x recipe Flaky Pie Crust
6 ripe summer peaches, skinned and sliced into chunks (*directions below)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1tbsp plain flour
1tsp vanilla bean paste
Preheat the oven to 180C. Roll out one half of the pastry dough and line the base of a 23cm pie dish with it, place in the fridge to keep cold. Place the sliced and peeled peaches into a large bowl, and sprinkle over the sugar, flour and vanilla bean paste, before tossing with your hands to mix. At this point, feel free to add more or less sugar depending on the sweetness of your peaches, or some cinnamon or lemon juice for another dimension to the pie. Remove the pie crust from the fridge, and pour in the filling, mounding it in the middle as the filling will shrink when it bakes. Next roll out the pie crust, and either just put a flat top on it, or make a latticed top, or something else creative there are some great ideas here! And then place in the oven for 45 minutes or until the pie is bubbling, golden brown and delicious.
I love your writing. Hilarious, insightful, honest and pragmatic every time.
Don't stop!
Thank you so much Laura! I appreciate the encouragement! A girl needs every bit she can get after all.
Wow, looks delicious. if only it wasn’t Autumn right now….-_-