As the year winds down, Athens stands tall—if slightly slouched, sipping a craft beer—proudly
holding its well-earned title as Georgia’s beloved blueberry in a strawberry pie. Yes, we painted
our town blue while the rest of the country seemed to binge-watch a reality show no one asked
for, featuring the return of a certain marmalade-hued protagonist. And oh, how the plot twists
keep us laughing nervously into our locally sourced kombucha.
A Recipe for December Nachos of Existential Dread
Ingredients:
A heaping cup of hope (optional, most Americans are fresh out).
Two cans of beans labeled “What’s even the point?”
A generous sprinkle of Athens’ finest cynicism (available at any local bookstore).
Tortilla chips sturdy enough to carry the weight of democracy.
A splash of hot sauce for every time you scream into the void.
Instructions:
- Preheat your expectations to 400°F, only to lower them steadily throughout the month of December.
- Layer chips with beans, cheese and a faint glimmer of optimism. Store bought is fine.
- Bake until you realize a hot plate of nachos is the closest thing to a win you’ll get this
month. - Garnish with fresh cilantro (optional, much like trust in our democratic system).
- Serve immediately, paired with a strong drink and stronger willpower.
So, let’s embrace the absurdity of it all. After all, who among us hasn’t tried to escape the
crushing weight of history by shouting “Go Dawgs!” at a passing stranger? We’re Athenians. We
thrive in chaos, whether it’s fighting over parking downtown or debating which indie band is the
next big thing.
To close, here’s to Athens: The small blue flame that refuses to be snuffed out, even when the
winds of political absurdity blow harder than a baritone sax at the Georgia Theatre. Keep it
weird. Keep it hopeful. Keep it unapologetically blue. Here’s to 2025!
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