Sunday At The Market To Gorge: One Vendor's Grit Gave Way To HER

I admit- I come on strong, someone who holds public office, AND, whom I trust, once said I can be "overwhelming," and I will dispense with the argumentative, that she had intended it as an exuberantly disguised "both thumbs up" compliment. I admit, when I burst through the virtual door of any vendor at the West Hollywood Farmer's Market, saying "What's Your Story!?" I may be asserting myself, because I do worry I am too warm and fuzzy, someone else may think I come on more like I.C.E.

That said, and I am exaggerating the situation for the vendor's benefit, I am invested in believing that Han was sizing me up, as I was him, and I worried about profiling him as either a rigid and controlling Asian and/or lacking a conversational command of the English language, and he, me, who knows? A looney fogey, perhaps? Even after he gave me permission to take photos of his hands, no faces, same thing for his girlfriend at their other location in Brentwood, who may have been too self-conscious, even after I suggested she send me a photo of herself, she likes, he imposed these rules:

• No photos of faces, except the one online
• No revealing which ingredients are imported and which are local
• Ok, "Yes"
• Then, "That's two- you're done."

I blame myself, always, and thought, "this isn't working very well." I hold no grudges here, as I do in my private life, his info will be shared below, but I was tired and exasperated and when some woman, who looked like a Madonna or Venus on the half shell, suddenly appeared in Christmas garb, wanting to try Han's slow-brewed tea, she asked to taste the same as me, ("The Coincidence-with ginger, jujube, persimmon leaf-imported from South Korea, and acacia flower- imported from China, I believe, all delicious, I must say: www.mmnt.co)

I asked her, "Would you mind if I got a shot of you perusing the menu," she had seemed rushed, when she first walked in, but it was about 2:10 PM, give or take, IT WAS CLOSING TIME AT 2:00, she beamed and said, "Of course!"

When I wondered why this was Victoria's first taste of the tea that was sold by the vendor three feet away, she said, "I haven't had the chance to try any and I wanted to make sure I buy the right one because..." I'll say, on her behalf, as a benefit to Han, they aren't priced for every day thirst. Then I bid adieu to Han and asked Victoria,

"Who ARE you?" OMG!

My brain was too jammed at that moment, because she is AMAZING. AMAZING. She was all smiles and laughter as she zoomed around to work with new customers on EVERYTHING you would want to buy as a gift for Christmas for all those people you really like too much to let their stockings go bare or let bankrupt you, or, who NEED STOCKINGS/SOCKS, and I am going to try to do justice to a few, starting with:

TUNISIAN OLIVE OIL: not a poor substitute for Italian nor Greek (she even knew that some Greek Olive Oil pressers can't afford to bottle their own, so Italian companies take their produce and package it as Italian- makes me furioso, whether that's Spanish or not, it does.) Victoria explained how Tunisian Olive Oil is thicker and she explained why- my brain, jammed- remember?

Kegan, could tell you, because he is a chef and he listened intently, he is a baker above all and prides himself on his homemade lemon cake and lemon bars, that he "may" make for Christmas for his grandma, but was also interested in something else in Victoria's potpourri of delicacies:

ECUADORIAN CACAO POWDER: Victoria says it heals people naturally- I believed her, as I did everything she said, because I am a discerning observer, but Kegan seemed to also, and he is more conventionally exotic ingredient-smart. He also seems to have good judgment in friends, his buddy Alex, who seemed to know little about cooking, was the first person I asked to break the ageist wall, and make fun of being a Senior, and he obliged with what he thinks a Senior citizen looks like- hey, if Kegan doesn't hold his lack of cooking smarts against him, who am I to lead a guy to the trough and say, surprise- no water- go buy Slow Brewed Tea from Han (and anyone who says I've done that- I speak for Han, who denies it vehemently, without losing face.)

HEMP: She will explain her organic socks are made from the marijuana plant without the, I thought I heard "DVD," she said, "CBD," I asked, "What's that?" Victoria said- "Without the charge." I said, "Static cling?" Later I realized she meant- "It doesn't get you high." She was so polite, I asked, "What country are you from?" She seemed to be disappointed, perhaps it was me, when she said, "Born and bred in L.A., not far from here." I said- "Don't be sorry. I thought all the friendly Angelenos were born elsewhere- you ARE a star."

That's all you need to hear from me, perhaps, too much- find her online at: www.powerplant.fun

Powerplant -fun? Since when is eating vegetables or veganables named after meat any fun? OK- so I found one flaw in Victoria- what are you going to do, sue her? It won't work.