An empty feeling of "fortune"

"Your observations are useful to others."

That is a nice compliment, but not what I would consider a fortune.

I ate at a Chinese restaurant this past weekend and that was the "fortune" I received in my cookie.

I'll tell you, it wasn't very filling.

But it did get me thinking about how in recent months, the quality of the fortunes have gone way downhill, just like the economy oddly enough.

I tend to keep them, not only because they can be little strips of wisdom, but also because I secretly hope that if I collect enough of them I can one day learn the language fluently.

To me, the fortunes in those slightly sweet cookies, which by the way, are also good in place of crackers or Fritos with chili, should be some vague statement or blatant phrase which can brighten the day or motivate a sense of self-confidence for the near future.

Instead, I have been getting very odd "fortunes" that give no advice ("It could be better, but it's good enough") or provide a definition of an economic concept ("The three basic ingredients of the capitalistic system: money, energy and ideas").

Part of the fun of cracking open the end-of-meal treasures is the small tidbit of advice. However, like the cookie once it is broken, the meaning of the "fortune is hollow."

At least I still have the solace of being able to play the fortune cookie game I learned in college.

When reading the fortune, add the phrase "in bed" to the end of the statement and, more times than not, it will add a bit of clean vulgarity and adult humor to the conversation which is always good for a laugh.

I guess until the quality of fortunes pick back up, I can sit back and remember, "There are many paths to the top of the mountain, but only one view."