Who knew that the film 300 could temporarily snap me out of my blogging funk and inspire a series of at least 4 entries thinly related to 300? Entries whose topics can somehow be linked to Kevin Bacon through a game of Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon? Now, if you thought you’d be reading another film review and discussions on homophobia, racism, women empowerment, sex, violence and war mongering (Bush and Iraq), do think again. Oh puh-lease! Snooze. If you’re a regular visitor, you should know me better by now. 
By “know me”, I mean the shallow part of me that steadfastly refrains from writing anything that smacks of “articulate, deep or compelling”. 
While I can’t claim that my schtuff has always been original, I do feel confident in stating that when it comes to jumping on “me too, copycat!” bandwagon topics, my treatment of those topics… has always been true to my blog’s motto: fruity and oh so oaty! Yeah, whatever to you too. Sometimes I get moments of clarity (i.e. when I’m cleaning out my cat’s nasty litter box)… and this is one of those occasions. Those moments are usually short-lived.
Unlike Ann who felt uninspired when she wrote about 300, but had actually wanted to write about Wicked by Gregory McGuire (read it, so shiny), I am completely in my lame element here. In truth, I was inspired to create my latest Sparta-ghetti with Hearty Tomato Sauce (photo above, harhar) initially because of the following animated GIF I came across on this entry by Jun and most recently because I had a lot of leftover extra ingredients from making my super tasty Easter lasagna. The scene in the GIF is where King Leonidas kicks Xerxes’ Persian messenger down the well as an answer to Xerxes’ ultimatum for Sparta’s submission to his will. To read the spoiler scene script, scroll down below to the postscript. Gerard Butler (as King Leonidas) growled, “Madness? This is SPARTA!!” , but he could have yelled:
RED SAUCE ON PASTA!
The pasta dish… Spaghettini (thinner spaghetti) topped with rustic chunky tomato sauce containing a lot of veggies and some meat. Of course, you can omit the browned lean ground beef and bacon altogether or substitute with soy-based veggie products, for example, Yves Veggie Ground Round or Luxmi Natural Soya Chunks or minced Indonesian tempeh for protein and texture. And yes Valerie, my veggie friend… it would taste really good too, but bloodthirsty Spartan men probably didn’t dine on veggie quiche. After all, King Leonidas instructed: “Spartans! Ready your breakfast and eat hearty, for tonight we dine in Hell!” Blood… red, red, red everywhere.
Sautée in virgin olive oil, green peppers, garlic, chopped onions & celery & carrots, cubed eggplant (sprinkling pieces of eggplant with salt draws any bitter juices to the surface in beads of moisture and can be blotted away with paper towel)… in separate stages so as not to overcook the veggies. I used a bottle of Classico Four Cheese pasta sauce (not so bad if you’re feeling lazy) and freshened up the taste with chopped fresh tomatoes. I threw all that good schtuff with browned ground beef and bacon (drained of fat) into a pot with a liberal amount of red wine. And do not forget to deglaze the pan with water or red wine after you’ve sautéed and browned the ingredients to get the flavour of the juices that have caramelized on the pan. Simmer all the ingredients with some water, oregano and basil on low for about 15 minutes in a pot… throw in some chopped fresh Italian parsley in the last 5 minutes… and voilà , rustic, hearty, yummy… so good!
(Don’t bother mentioning that scene where King Leonidas was chomping on an apple… or Queen Gorgo — Gorgonzola cheese. Been there. Snooze.)
OK, we’re coming to the end… How does any of this babble connect to Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon? (Nooo, it’s NOT the bacon in the pasta sauce… smartypants.) You’ll just have to come back for Part 2 of this 300 series.
Hint: I saw King Leonidas… live! But how, you ask? It’s in Part Deux, baby.
Oh yeah, see those 3 new voting buttons on the right? Click on ALL 3, including “Worst Blog of All Time”, YES PLEASE. My sister has a really strange sense of humour. She gets 3 fruity-points for nominating me.
Adieu,
Queen fruity 
_________________________________________________________
P.S. Optional read. Full spoiler scene script [ source ]:
Persian messenger: All the God-King Xerxes requires is this: a simple offering of earth and water. A token of Sparta’s submission to the will of Xerxes.
Leonidas: Submission… Well that’s a bit of a problem. See rumor has it that the ATHENIANS have already turned you down. And if those philosophers and boy-lovers have that kind of nerve…
Theron: We must be diplomatic.
Leonidas: And of course Spartans… have their reputation to consider.
Persian messenger: Choose your next words carefully, Leonidas. They may be your last as king.
[ Leonidas draws his sword and points it towards the Persian messenger, whose back is to a large, deep well ]
Persian messenger: Madman! You’re a madman!
Leonidas: Earth and water… you’ll find plenty of both down there.
Persian messenger: No man — Persian or Greek — no man threatens a messenger!
Leonidas: You bring the crowns and heads of conquered kings to my city’s steps. You insult my queen. You threaten my people with slavery and death! Oh, I’ve chosen my words carefully, Persian. Perhaps you should have done the same!
Persian messenger: This is blasphemy! This is madness!
Leonidas: [ He looks at Gorgo, who nods to him ] Madness? THIS IS SPARTA!! [ kicks the messenger down the well ]
Bloody spaghetti! Thanks for the linkback.
I, too, get inspired by the smallest detail on things I come across. Ideas spring eternal. but unlike you, I usually end up not writing anything at all.
Aww… darn! I wish I watched this movie, but I just can’t find any time to do so. I may be the last person on Earth who hasn’t seen this movie yet! Ahaha.
Take care!
-xoxo-
The “Nominated for Worst Blog of All Time” button initially elicited a raised eyebrow. Lol.
Anyway, this explains why you thought of pasta after watching 300. I never quite got that.
Otherwise known as your SISTER who nominated you… Oh, you know you want the “Worst Blog of All Time” or “Freakiest Blogger” title for the NOTORIETY.
You are the champion.
Freak. Kisses.
Just 3 fruity-points? 10, at least.
-xoxoxoxoxo-
Yes to sparta-ghetti!
Yes to fruityoaty!
Nice post. LOL.
To quote the comment above mine “Nominated for Worst Blog of All Time”, I also wonder who would be stupid enough to nominate you for that but oh well.
I think the pasta looks delicious.
And I can see how that Spartan guy could be saying Pasta. Scary!
Ohohohohaha! If I’d known about the Blogger’s Choice Awards earlier, I would’ve nominated you for Freakiest Blogger first!
I voted too - yes, all 3 categories. Worst.
I can see your connect-the-dots to Kevin Bacon coming from a mile away. Why you picked B & G as one of your 2006 TIFF selections, I’ll never understand.
What a stinker of a movie.
Your friend and fruityoaty’s #1 Writing Muse,
Jude
That pasta looks kickass. I might just try to make some as I adore cooking.
And that “RED SAUCE ON PASTA!” gif made me giggle.
@Jude: Your status has been demoted to #2.
Voted? Thanks.
@Nan: I understand your reaction. My sister nominated me for all 3 categories, but it’s with my full consent (it began as an inside joke). I think it’s hilarious… and no, I wouldn’t hold it against ANYONE who voted for me. In fact, I’d be HONOURED. Really.
@Mitsuru: Thanks. Right back at ya.
@Dessert Queen: Hi big sis! Yes, I am the champion. Thanks!
@Ann: Thanks for the vote! Check out the other 2 categories, too.
@Babyjen: On cinematography and art, the movie is stunning.
@Jun.anteola: You’re welcome. Thanks for the inspiration!
Foodie, foodie, foodie!
Want rice?
Wow… you’re really becoming a food blogger. I get hungry looking at your posts.
“Sparta-ghetti with Hearty Tomato Sauce”… rarrrrrgghh. *drools like Homer Simpson*
Hahah the GIF was hillarious. And the pasta looks damn fine! I’m off to visit your veggie friend now.. hehe.
300 is in the cinemas here now. We may see it on Wednesday. A friend said it is really good.
I love Kevin Bacon… and that has got nothing to do with this post of yours.
RED SAUCE ON PASTA!
Haha! Nice. It made me hungry. Heck, I haven’t eaten since lunch, so I really drooled over your Sparta-ghetti! Haha!
Of course, it’s drool-worthy. Hungry or not.
300! THE BEST MOVIE EVER (actually for 2007)!!!!!
Ok I got one issue here. The ingredients that you listed are mostly found, well, in the part of the department store where prices are near rocket fuel prices.
Seriously though, don’t you have any sisig recipes? Hahaha. This site makes me hungry. I shouldn’t stalk this blog during midnight or else I’d be tempted to eat a midnight snack.
I love the 300 thing. RED SAUCE ON PASTA! Indeed Leonidas. Indeed.
I haven’t watched the movie yet coz I was so lazy to drag my ass to the movie theatres. I really have to watch this one. Anyway, love the look of your spaghetti!
I am actually only one degree away from Kevin Bacon.
I had a nice cute smile in the morning. Thanks!
I saw this movie last week and ohw! Those mighty meaty spartans gave me god impression. I could have 290 Spartans in one night!
Sweet ins.!
Kiss
Fendi
Red sauce on pasta! Hehe.
Lookssss yummyyy…
I haven’t watched 300 yet. Wooo I will… one day.
I have that animation saved on my laptop. Oh so mesmerizing!
Haha! I haven’t seen that one yet! GAR! Now you’re making me want to watch it again! Well no worries there, when I come home from good ol’ school I’m sulking in my couch and gonna watch it.
This… is… SPARTA!!
Ah, I love it.
Lol, inspirations come out of nowhere sometimes… I loved the ‘Red Sauce on Pasta’ part and used it when we had pasta for lunch today. *lmao*
Thanks for your comment, too; you’re definitely lucky to be able to work from home, but I too realized that I got distracted by my cat chasing a butterfly several times and had completely lost track of what I was just doing. Annoying! :O
Omg! I sooooo love spaghetti! And I think 300 is the most parodied movie these days. Loved it though. You should watch the ‘Raining 300 Men’ on YouTube. It’s hilarious!
When I first saw the spaghetti pic, I thought I clicked on a food website. That looks delish!
Mmmm. I want spaghetti now. LOL
LMAO –> “red sauce on pasta”.
I wanted to watch 300, but I just didnt want to go to the movies alone. I heard it was good. I guess it is since it got you out of your blog rut.
I’ve yet to actually see “300″ having seen mixed reviews on it. Some people rave over it, while other people said they found it terribly overrated and wouldn’t recommend people seeing it. I’ve just assumed that I’ll have to watch it myself and make my mind up!
That looks delicious. Hmm. It’s made me quite hungry…
I wanna see this so bad. Why does everyone get to see it but me?
Halo fruity, thanks for the tag and you have a yummy looking pogeti right there (my youngest son is still calling it pogeti “hahaha”). TC.
I am sorry, I didn’t read the whole blog. Simply put, I am just not interested in watching that movie 300. I did, however, vote for you in all 3 categories and had a look around your site. I hope this comment doesn’t come off as rude.
We saw 300 last night. The 300 Spartans were yummy. I didn’t really care much about the movie. I was just drooling over the abs of the Spartans!
300 really inspired me! I’m glad to see it’s not just me. I think I will eat pasta tonight — a hearty meal for a hearty soul. This is pasta! Yeah, I love 300 so much.
I saw 300 and I honestly couldn’t get into it… I have no idea why. The pasta dish looks great though — it looks close to the sauce that my family makes. We just throw in a few important ingredients that you didn’t list above… heh (family secrets rule, lol).
HAHA oh man that’s funny with your video clip. It does look like he’s saying that. Hehehe.
I haven’t yet seen 300, but omg that picture is funny. It totally does look like he’s saying red sauce on pasta! This makes me want to see it.
Congrats on getting nominated for all those awards, even if one of them is Worst Blog of All Time, lol. Maybe you won’t win that one.
I agree. Red sauce on pasta! Hehe.
That spaghetti looks so good! I’ve been craving for spaghetti the past few days. I think I really should cook some later.
Haha! Yeah… I seem to see why you got soooo inspired to whip up that pasta dish. It looks delicious! And pasta IS my favorite dish!
Red Sauce on Pasta!! That is the funniest thing I’ve seen in weeks, months — hell maybe all year. Love ya Massa P.
Red Sauce on Pasta! Wahahaha! My stomach hurts!!!
Gotta make me some of that pasta!