RIP

On my lunch break today I went to Serious Eats and was horrified when I read that Joe Ades, the Union Square peeler guy passed away.

I don't even know what to say about him. He captivated audiences so simply with the confident power embedded in his thick, booming British voice. He was cutting potatoes and carrots for chrissake! But the man was a genius. He was a salesman, a man practicing an art lost to the slimy car dealer. Joe baked in the sun during the summer, dressed to the nines in a suit every day he was out there. I saw him only about a month and a half ago, drawing in his usual crowd. It was hard not to smile at his enthusiasm. I purchased one of the peelers once and he made some joke about me not having any friends because I bought only one.

Living in New York City is depressing. An overwhelming sense of nostalgia hits us young and it never stops.

RIP Joe.

Vanity Fair article: http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2006/05/grafter200605

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26976442/

http://newyork.seriouseats.com/2009/02/video-legendary-nyc-vegetable-peeler-guy-salesman-joe-ades-dies.html

Obituary: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/03/nyregion/03ades.html