In case you missed the news, Pantone has chosen Marsala as the color of the year for 2015. Their industry is color, so I suppose they’re as qualified as anyone to choose a color of the year.So next year expect to see Marsala used in all sorts of different designs, like clothing, appliances, and linens. But a color of the year has to go big or go home, so we’ll also see Marsala used in fox masks, ties and aprons of well-dressed men who just brought in the groceries, the shirt of his younger brother who just interrupted his kitchen seduction, and the wine and dessert enjoyed by two ladies as they tailor some expensive Marsala-tinted fabric.And all this time I thought marsala only paired nicely with chicken and veal.But no, now Marsala is ready to open up to a whole new world, and I’m ready to take it on. This should come as no surprise to those of you who know me. I mean, I’m nothing if not on the cutting edge of design and fashion.While I’m looking forward to the Year of Marsala, I figure, why stop there? A color of the year is fun, but there’s more to life than just color. (Notice I didn’t say that there’s more to life than just marsala. That was a conscious choice since that might imply that there’s more to life than wine and food, and I’m not quite sure that’s right!)Before we get started, let’s enjoy marsala. Here’s what the Shedd Aquarium and my son will look like when they’re both converted to the Color of the Year.No wonder Pantone chose it!Anyway, back to other _____ of the Year choices.Smell: The smell of the year is Marijuana, without a doubt. No public policy issue had a better 2014 than marijuana, and there’s no end in sight to its good fortunate. (Note: Gay marriage might have had a better year, but as far as I know neither gays nor marriage have a distinct smell, so they lose out here.)So in 2015, whenever you’re at a rock concert, Colorado, or Snoop Dogg’s house, just take pleasure in knowing that you’re experiencing the smell of the year.Sound: The sound of the year is Peanuts Adults. You know what I mean. Charlie Brown’s teacher for example. If written it would sound like, “Wah, wah, wah-wah, wah, wah-wah-wah.” Or something.That sound is not only Peanuts Adults, but it’s also the sound that people in outer space hear coming from Earth. It’s the sound of politicians who can’t solve problems, it’s reality television stars whom bathe in self-importance, it’s protests that fall on deaf ears, it’s the sound of inaction.To some it might even be the sound of a guy who writes a blog with a non-sensical name who thinks he’s much wittier than he is.Taste: The taste of the year is Bitter. A wine can have the color of the year. I don’t know many people who buy wine for the color. Beer is taking the taste of the year, and that taste is Bitter. I’ve already talked about my beer snobbery, and its correlation with bitterness, and I'm not alone in my fondness for beer. (Click on that link. It's interesting.)Of course, beer isn’t alone in its bitterness either. Endive’s bitter and it’s one of the tastiest lettuces. Dark chocolate’s bitter and I love dark chocolate. I really love dark chocolate. If I were made from stereotypes, I’d be the woman who chooses chocolate over my husband in some dumb survey.Just so we’re clear, I’m not a woman. I was just making a point.Sensation: The sensation of the year is Warmth. I know there are many sensations, but I was just thinking of Warmth in air temperature as opposed to cold, and I choose Warmth. If you don’t choose Warmth, you’re wrong. And just for future reference, Warmth will be the sensation of the year for 2016, 2017, 2018. In fact, it’ll get the nod for the forseeable future.Meat: The meat of the year is Pork. I don’t eat much meat, but along with the turkey on Thanksgiving we had some ham, and it was delicious. I’m looking forward to cooking another one for Christmas. I don’t subscribe to the "Bacon is God" belief system, but that Thanksgiving ham was good.Sorry Wilbur.But the main reason I chose Pork was to frustrate those trendy people who hoped to plan dinner parties and serve chicken or veal marsala, in the hopes that someone will remark, “Marsala’s the color of the year, you know.” Well now if they do it they’re going to have to commit a faux pas and serve a meat that isn’t the meat of the year.How uncouth!PREVIOUS POST: Ruin Christmas and Get a Lump of Coal...Shoved Down your ThroatIF YOU LIKED THIS POST I BET YOU'LL ALSO LIKE: What I Learned from HGTV+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Hey, did you like reading this? If so, you should Share it on Facebook so you can bring joy to others. You can also find tons of other posts by me here. And you can like my Facebook page, Brett Baker Writes. Please.
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