Matthew Rowley
@mbrowley.bsky.social
Write | Lift | Travel | James Beard finalist | Past Southern Foodways Alliance board | Contributing editor, Oxford Companion to Spirits & Cocktails | 🏡 San Diego | Typos no extra charge.
Finished a manuscript. Put my usual thumbprint on the final page. Might’ve gotten carried away with the green ink.
November 11, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Finished a manuscript. Put my usual thumbprint on the final page. Might’ve gotten carried away with the green ink.
Dublin graffiti. “One honest conversation can change everything.“
Mind you, a dishonest conversation can to do the same.
Mind you, a dishonest conversation can to do the same.
November 11, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Dublin graffiti. “One honest conversation can change everything.“
Mind you, a dishonest conversation can to do the same.
Mind you, a dishonest conversation can to do the same.
Taqueria counter clerk: Where have YOU been?
Me: Mexico. 14 days.
Clerk: You eat any good food?
Me: I ate almost nothing BUT good food.
Clerk: Hell, yeah.
Me: Mexico. 14 days.
Clerk: You eat any good food?
Me: I ate almost nothing BUT good food.
Clerk: Hell, yeah.
November 11, 2025 at 12:06 AM
Taqueria counter clerk: Where have YOU been?
Me: Mexico. 14 days.
Clerk: You eat any good food?
Me: I ate almost nothing BUT good food.
Clerk: Hell, yeah.
Me: Mexico. 14 days.
Clerk: You eat any good food?
Me: I ate almost nothing BUT good food.
Clerk: Hell, yeah.
Smaller vendors can be smart choices for plenty of reasons—including price.
The Adobo Book (2004), a compilation of Filipino adobo recipes. $8 for a secondhand Thriftbooks copy; Amazon lists it new for over $90.
Bonus curator’s trick: a little Goo Gone will lift that spine sticker right off.
The Adobo Book (2004), a compilation of Filipino adobo recipes. $8 for a secondhand Thriftbooks copy; Amazon lists it new for over $90.
Bonus curator’s trick: a little Goo Gone will lift that spine sticker right off.
November 10, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Smaller vendors can be smart choices for plenty of reasons—including price.
The Adobo Book (2004), a compilation of Filipino adobo recipes. $8 for a secondhand Thriftbooks copy; Amazon lists it new for over $90.
Bonus curator’s trick: a little Goo Gone will lift that spine sticker right off.
The Adobo Book (2004), a compilation of Filipino adobo recipes. $8 for a secondhand Thriftbooks copy; Amazon lists it new for over $90.
Bonus curator’s trick: a little Goo Gone will lift that spine sticker right off.
I did not mind, at first, sharing space under the shelter of an oversized umbrella with the beach dog. But as he slept in the gravid, enervating heat of Zipolite, his flanks heaving with fitful dreams, he’d kick waves of sand my way. Eventually, we parted on cordial, if somewhat cool, terms.
November 10, 2025 at 3:46 PM
I did not mind, at first, sharing space under the shelter of an oversized umbrella with the beach dog. But as he slept in the gravid, enervating heat of Zipolite, his flanks heaving with fitful dreams, he’d kick waves of sand my way. Eventually, we parted on cordial, if somewhat cool, terms.
It was Ludwig van—9th symphony, 4th movement.
ALEX: Stop it...stop it, please! I beg of you! It's a sin! It's a sin! It's a sin, please!
Brodsky leans forward and turns down the sound.
DR. BRODSK: What's all this about sin?
~ A Clockwork Orange (1971 Stanley Kubrick script)
ALEX: Stop it...stop it, please! I beg of you! It's a sin! It's a sin! It's a sin, please!
Brodsky leans forward and turns down the sound.
DR. BRODSK: What's all this about sin?
~ A Clockwork Orange (1971 Stanley Kubrick script)
November 10, 2025 at 1:28 PM
It was Ludwig van—9th symphony, 4th movement.
ALEX: Stop it...stop it, please! I beg of you! It's a sin! It's a sin! It's a sin, please!
Brodsky leans forward and turns down the sound.
DR. BRODSK: What's all this about sin?
~ A Clockwork Orange (1971 Stanley Kubrick script)
ALEX: Stop it...stop it, please! I beg of you! It's a sin! It's a sin! It's a sin, please!
Brodsky leans forward and turns down the sound.
DR. BRODSK: What's all this about sin?
~ A Clockwork Orange (1971 Stanley Kubrick script)
A few months ago, some sneakerhead on IG mentioned Dawn Powerwash for cleaning scuffed shoe soles. Not my scene, but I filed the thought in my memory shack.
After 14 days of walking around dry, dusty Jalisco and Oaxaca, 40 seconds or so of spray & scrub did a bang-up job of cleaning my manky shoes.
After 14 days of walking around dry, dusty Jalisco and Oaxaca, 40 seconds or so of spray & scrub did a bang-up job of cleaning my manky shoes.
November 9, 2025 at 9:46 PM
A few months ago, some sneakerhead on IG mentioned Dawn Powerwash for cleaning scuffed shoe soles. Not my scene, but I filed the thought in my memory shack.
After 14 days of walking around dry, dusty Jalisco and Oaxaca, 40 seconds or so of spray & scrub did a bang-up job of cleaning my manky shoes.
After 14 days of walking around dry, dusty Jalisco and Oaxaca, 40 seconds or so of spray & scrub did a bang-up job of cleaning my manky shoes.
Good morning, San Diego.
November 9, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Good morning, San Diego.
Oaxaca airport. Small. Ten gates. Crowded. Travelers sitting and lying upon the floor.
Husband, realizing that dozens of seats hold others’ purses, backpacks, carry-on bags: Surely people wouldn’t just—
Me: There is no more “surely.” Only what is.
Fuxache. Here we are. Terminal realpolitik.
Husband, realizing that dozens of seats hold others’ purses, backpacks, carry-on bags: Surely people wouldn’t just—
Me: There is no more “surely.” Only what is.
Fuxache. Here we are. Terminal realpolitik.
November 9, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Oaxaca airport. Small. Ten gates. Crowded. Travelers sitting and lying upon the floor.
Husband, realizing that dozens of seats hold others’ purses, backpacks, carry-on bags: Surely people wouldn’t just—
Me: There is no more “surely.” Only what is.
Fuxache. Here we are. Terminal realpolitik.
Husband, realizing that dozens of seats hold others’ purses, backpacks, carry-on bags: Surely people wouldn’t just—
Me: There is no more “surely.” Only what is.
Fuxache. Here we are. Terminal realpolitik.
This Scotter implies the existence of the Scottest and I am, for the moment, foxed as to who that may be. Capaldi? Tennant? Maybe Karen Gillan or Billy Connelly? Hmm. I’m putting down Robert Carlyle as a placeholder. That feels right and proper.
November 8, 2025 at 8:57 PM
This Scotter implies the existence of the Scottest and I am, for the moment, foxed as to who that may be. Capaldi? Tennant? Maybe Karen Gillan or Billy Connelly? Hmm. I’m putting down Robert Carlyle as a placeholder. That feels right and proper.
This condo has a pool.
This pool has a condor.
(I don’t actually know what sort of buzzard this is, but right on the coast of Puerto Ángel, Oaxaca and for the sake of reflection, I went with condor. Feel free to correct if you have relevant avian knowledge).
This pool has a condor.
(I don’t actually know what sort of buzzard this is, but right on the coast of Puerto Ángel, Oaxaca and for the sake of reflection, I went with condor. Feel free to correct if you have relevant avian knowledge).
November 6, 2025 at 10:17 PM
This condo has a pool.
This pool has a condor.
(I don’t actually know what sort of buzzard this is, but right on the coast of Puerto Ángel, Oaxaca and for the sake of reflection, I went with condor. Feel free to correct if you have relevant avian knowledge).
This pool has a condor.
(I don’t actually know what sort of buzzard this is, but right on the coast of Puerto Ángel, Oaxaca and for the sake of reflection, I went with condor. Feel free to correct if you have relevant avian knowledge).
Frolic? Me? In the surf? No, no, no. In all that sun? GTFO. I have other plans.
November 6, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Frolic? Me? In the surf? No, no, no. In all that sun? GTFO. I have other plans.
If there’s something strange
on Mustafar,
Who you gonna call?
on Mustafar,
Who you gonna call?
November 5, 2025 at 6:29 PM
If there’s something strange
on Mustafar,
Who you gonna call?
on Mustafar,
Who you gonna call?
“What the hell,” says my husband at the sight of a dead pufferfish on the beach, “is THAT?“
“That,” I elucidate, “is a dead pufferfish on the beach.”
“Don’t,” I advise, “touch.”
“That,” I elucidate, “is a dead pufferfish on the beach.”
“Don’t,” I advise, “touch.”
November 4, 2025 at 11:33 PM
“What the hell,” says my husband at the sight of a dead pufferfish on the beach, “is THAT?“
“That,” I elucidate, “is a dead pufferfish on the beach.”
“Don’t,” I advise, “touch.”
“That,” I elucidate, “is a dead pufferfish on the beach.”
“Don’t,” I advise, “touch.”
A tumble of tamales for your dining pleasure.
📍 El Mercado 20 de November
Oaxaca de Juárez
📍 El Mercado 20 de November
Oaxaca de Juárez
November 4, 2025 at 9:09 PM
A tumble of tamales for your dining pleasure.
📍 El Mercado 20 de November
Oaxaca de Juárez
📍 El Mercado 20 de November
Oaxaca de Juárez
Dia de Muertos
Outside Xochimilco cemetery
Oaxaca, Mexico
Outside Xochimilco cemetery
Oaxaca, Mexico
November 3, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Dia de Muertos
Outside Xochimilco cemetery
Oaxaca, Mexico
Outside Xochimilco cemetery
Oaxaca, Mexico
After not having touched my LinkedIn account for the better part of a decade, the firm’s AI move was the nudge I needed simply to delete the account. It’s also reminded me to hunt down and 86 all my other old zombie accounts. Autumn cleaning.
Last chance to turn it off.
On Monday, November 3rd, Microsoft will start using your LinkedIn data for AI training. And remember, you're opted in by default.
To toggle it off 👉 Account - Settings & Privacy > Data privacy > Data for Generative AI Improvement.
On Monday, November 3rd, Microsoft will start using your LinkedIn data for AI training. And remember, you're opted in by default.
To toggle it off 👉 Account - Settings & Privacy > Data privacy > Data for Generative AI Improvement.
November 3, 2025 at 1:33 PM
After not having touched my LinkedIn account for the better part of a decade, the firm’s AI move was the nudge I needed simply to delete the account. It’s also reminded me to hunt down and 86 all my other old zombie accounts. Autumn cleaning.
Cobblestones
Calle José López Alavez
Oaxaca de Juárez
Calle José López Alavez
Oaxaca de Juárez
November 2, 2025 at 5:55 AM
Cobblestones
Calle José López Alavez
Oaxaca de Juárez
Calle José López Alavez
Oaxaca de Juárez
Molotes de plátano con coloradito at Ancestral Cocina Tradicional in Oaxaca. Delicious.
A shout goes up from one table. I don’t quite catch it. The restaurant erupts into cheers.
Husband: I don’t suspect many Mexicans are Toronto fans.
Mr: Ah, *uck. I was rooting for them Jays.
A shout goes up from one table. I don’t quite catch it. The restaurant erupts into cheers.
Husband: I don’t suspect many Mexicans are Toronto fans.
Mr: Ah, *uck. I was rooting for them Jays.
November 2, 2025 at 4:28 AM
Molotes de plátano con coloradito at Ancestral Cocina Tradicional in Oaxaca. Delicious.
A shout goes up from one table. I don’t quite catch it. The restaurant erupts into cheers.
Husband: I don’t suspect many Mexicans are Toronto fans.
Mr: Ah, *uck. I was rooting for them Jays.
A shout goes up from one table. I don’t quite catch it. The restaurant erupts into cheers.
Husband: I don’t suspect many Mexicans are Toronto fans.
Mr: Ah, *uck. I was rooting for them Jays.
And a very feliz jalowin to you, one and all.
October 31, 2025 at 9:59 PM
And a very feliz jalowin to you, one and all.
Afternoon drinks at De la O, a sorta-tiki cantina in Guadalajara when my husband—who is not part of the food/drinks world and doesn’t necessarily know our ways—exclaimed with surprise: “They use the SAME blue tape on their bottles that YOU do!”
Prolly two or three other places do, too.
Prolly two or three other places do, too.
October 29, 2025 at 10:21 PM
Afternoon drinks at De la O, a sorta-tiki cantina in Guadalajara when my husband—who is not part of the food/drinks world and doesn’t necessarily know our ways—exclaimed with surprise: “They use the SAME blue tape on their bottles that YOU do!”
Prolly two or three other places do, too.
Prolly two or three other places do, too.
Encacahuatadas for breakfast at Café PalReal, Guadalajara: blue corn tortillas filled with requesón and nopal, drowned in peanut sauce with cream, red onions, avocado, slices of radish, and cilantro.
October 29, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Encacahuatadas for breakfast at Café PalReal, Guadalajara: blue corn tortillas filled with requesón and nopal, drowned in peanut sauce with cream, red onions, avocado, slices of radish, and cilantro.
Tijuana airport. Headed to Oaxaca for Dia de Muertos, but first: a few meals in Guadalajara.
October 25, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Tijuana airport. Headed to Oaxaca for Dia de Muertos, but first: a few meals in Guadalajara.
A Canticle for Leibowitz (1959) by Walter M. Miller Jr.
October 24, 2025 at 9:03 PM
A Canticle for Leibowitz (1959) by Walter M. Miller Jr.
Chanterelle season. These were meant for risotto, but husband came home with a couple of thick bone-in pork chops. Quick change of plans, sautéed with bacon fat and butter, a deniable amount of cayenne, deglazed with vermouth, enrobed with cream. Success.
A few left uncooked for a morning omelette.
A few left uncooked for a morning omelette.
October 24, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Chanterelle season. These were meant for risotto, but husband came home with a couple of thick bone-in pork chops. Quick change of plans, sautéed with bacon fat and butter, a deniable amount of cayenne, deglazed with vermouth, enrobed with cream. Success.
A few left uncooked for a morning omelette.
A few left uncooked for a morning omelette.