Fun Facts about Mark

Tasting & Complaining is the newest online stomping ground of a guy named Mark and perhaps a bit later, his compatriots. Mark eats out far too often and finds a certain amount of cynicism is sometimes necessary when eating. Some say he’s too cynical, but he’s often uncomfortably close to the truth. This site covers all the weird stuff that happens while he’s eating, and, increasingly, the rest of what makes Mark a whole human being, including Soccer, gratuitous amounts of alcohol, and the fun that results when all three are mixed. As snarky as he might be, don’t think he’s not having a good time.

Here are some fun facts. Mark:

• Doesn’t believe in the phrase “Discount Sushi.”
• Also blogs about the Portland Timbers for the Portland Mercury’s Blogtown. Those articles are indexed here.
• Rides a bike with brakes AND he wears a helmet.
• Previously blogged at the Gastronautical Gastronomicon, but all the content is available on this site.
• Did not know that one could refer to oneself in the third person until his 7th grade social studies teacher expressed herself in such a construction constantly.
• Started his food writing career with a column that appeared in his college paper, the Quest, entitled The Gastronaut. Those columns are here, and though he has some favorites, most of them are not very good.
• That last bullet was half a lie: he’s really quite proud of his Rick James joke and the nearly entirely truthful and accurateadvice about a date restaurant.
• Would like the term musings eliminated from the blogosphere.
  
• Works as a sustainable business consultant, periodically interrupted by stints as a chef, cook, dish dog or scourge on society.
• Decided on the title of this site because it was the title of Thailand’s ex-Prime minister’s cooking show.