The Starbucks Vote

Rock the Vote!

I'm not endorsing any particular candidate (unless you want to write-in my husband, Fred) but I highly encourage everyone to vote. Not only is it your civic duty, they'll give you free ice cream for doing so. So Rock the Vote, then go get a Rocky Road. You'll feel better for doing both.

So much stuff, so little time

So I'm sort of still jet-lagged. At least informationally. Receiving & Distributing. I haven't actually had time to read a whole day's paper (retarded, but important to me.) But here's what I've been glancing at.

Politician digs himself into a deepere hole

Americans defile French sensibilities

The ungodly co$t of Modern Cinderella's (blue-like-glass) slipper = $945

Honey, I don't want to share with the kids. It's my Valetine's Day present, (ref. to Val-Day wish list)

One more for the neglected wish list = FIRE!

NYC's Fashion Week, Online, in your pocketbook

Aloha Ohana

Below is a 3 part photo slideshow synopsis of our anniversary vacation on the island of O'ahu. All 800+ photos can bee seen at my Flickr photo site.
Oh, make sure you watch Fred shake, shake it, shake, shake it, shake it like a polaroid picture.

I know what Fred did this Summer...and I'm tellin'

Fred shaking his groove thang Tahitian-style. You go Fred!

Smile, Jamaica, Smile

Jamaican Supremacy Continues

Light Weekend Reading

If you didn't know, I'm in love with the NYTimes. I just got an email fulfilling all my fashonista dreams.


It is the stunning Fall 2008 Women’s Fashion issue of T, The New York Times Style Magazine — appearing in The Times this Sunday, August 17.

Exploring the must-have accessory, the must-shop boutique, the looks that dazzle, the ideas that provoke, entertain, enlighten and surprise.

In the meanwhile, I can be satiated w/ the Russian gymnasts. And I'm not talking about the Olympics.

Mansion For Sale, Cheap

$28 MILLION, UNFINISHED This 35,000-square-foot estate built on spec and still unsold is listed as having two elevators, an indoor pool and a wine cellar.

Hint: It’s Warm and Has a Secret

Her invention is considered by many to be a miracle. The woman: Ruth Graves Wakefield. Her contribution to the world: the chocolate chip cookie.

Want the perfect chocolate chip cookie? Follow these simple rules of thumb and the recipe.

Rule #1: Read through the recipe first.
Rule #2: Make sure all the ingredients are at room temperature.
Rule #3: Use the best-quality ingredients you can find.
Rule #4: 60% Cacoa - only use chocolate with at least 60 percent cacao content.
Rule #5: Chip:Dough Ratio - ratio of chocolate to dough of no less than 40 to 60.
Rule #6: Don’t overmix.
Rule #7: Add Salt - You can’t underestimate the importance of salt in sweet baked goods. Salt, in the dough and sprinkled on top, adds dimension that can lift even a plebian cookie.
Rule #8: Resting Rule - Let the dough rest at least 24 hours. 36 hours is best.
Rule #9: The Warm Rule - “Even a bad cookie straight from the oven has its appeal.”




Chocolate Chip Cookies
Adapted from Jacques Torres

Time: 45 minutes (for 1 6-cookie batch), plus at least 24 hours’ chilling


2 cups minus 2 tablespoons
(8 1/2 ounces) cake flour
1 2/3 cups (8 1/2 ounces) bread flour
1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt
2 1/2 sticks (1 1/4 cups) unsalted butter
1 1/4 cups (10 ounces) light brown sugar
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons (8 ounces) granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons natural vanilla extract
1 1/4 pounds bittersweet chocolate disks or fèves, at least 60 percent cacao content
Sea salt.


1. Sift flours, baking soda, baking powder and salt into a bowl. Set aside.

2. Using a mixer fitted with paddle attachment, cream butter and sugars together until very light, about 5 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla. Reduce speed to low, add dry ingredients and mix until just combined, 5 to 10 seconds. Drop chocolate pieces in and incorporate them without breaking them. Press plastic wrap against dough and refrigerate for 24 to 36 hours. Dough may be used in batches, and can be refrigerated for up to 72 hours.

3. When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a nonstick baking mat. Set aside.

4. Scoop 6 3 1/2-ounce mounds of dough (the size of generous golf balls) onto baking sheet, making sure to turn horizontally any chocolate pieces that are poking up; it will make for a more attractive cookie. Sprinkle lightly with sea salt and bake until golden brown but still soft, 18 to 20 minutes. Transfer sheet to a wire rack for 10 minutes, then slip cookies onto another rack to cool a bit more. Repeat with remaining dough, or reserve dough, refrigerated, for baking remaining batches the next day. Eat warm, with a big napkin.

Yield: 1 1/2 dozen 5-inch cookies.

Is It Chilled Yet?

Bon Appetit! Super-easy super quick. Almost no need to watch the cute 1930ish movie. Click photo above if you wish to indulge.

Ultrafast Avocado Soup
Time: 10 minutes, plus chilling


About 2 cups chopped ripe avocado flesh (3 or 4 small avocados)

3 cups milk, preferably whole

Salt and cayenne pepper to taste

2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice, or to taste

A handful or more of small cooked shrimp

Chopped fresh cilantro or parsley leaves.



1. Put chopped avocado in a blender. Add half the milk, a large pinch of salt and a small pinch of cayenne; process to a purée. Add remaining milk and purée, then chill for up to 6 hours if you have time (press a piece of plastic wrap to surface of soup so it does not discolor).

2. Add lime juice, taste, then adjust seasoning, if necessary. Garnish with shrimp and parsley or cilantro, and serve.

Yield: 4 servings.

Quote of the Day

When we are no longer able to change a situation — we are challenged to change ourselves. — Victor E. Frankl

Cool as a Cucumber

Cucumbers are cool and refreshing in a salad or spirit, like Hendrick’s Gin from Scotland. Now there is Square One Organic Cucumber Flavored Vodka, subtle and delicate, 80 proof and superb right from the freezer, or on the rocks with a cucumber spear or slice as garnish. Square One is organic, as is another new cucumber vodka, Crop, which is only 70 proof but seems slightly sweeter.

Quote of the Day

You can learn many things from children. How much patience you have, for instance.
— Franklin P. Jones

There are many reasons to love NY. But I love it because I see it as the greatest clarrsoom ever given to mankind. My impression was probably formed when I was a child. We lived in the Bronx and my mom would take me into the City every weekend. We'd go to the Met or the Natural History Museum, take a break at the playground in central park, then buy an armful of books from Barnes & Noble for the train ride back home. Since then NYC keeps displaying exhibits that spark my curiousity and make me travel back, even though I'm now a plane ride away.

The items/exhibits that are drawing me back are as follows (in order of earliest closing dates):
Playing the Building: An Installation by David Byrne
10 South Street, New York, NY
31 May – 24 August 2008
Open Friday, Saturday, Sunday: Noon – 6PM (Free)




MOMA: Young Architects Program 2008
July 20–October 20, 2008



Home Delivery: Fabricating the Modern Dwelling
July 20–October 20, 2008

What to do with a Plethora of Peaches?

Make Peach Brandy, which is what I'm currently in the process of doing. It'll take about 6 weeks to ferment then another 3 months to age. On the lighter side, you'll never fit all the ingredients in the gallon jar. So I advise you reserve some of the vodka or gin for more immediate uses. Like staying cool this summer. Another note: Use cling peaches, as opposed to freestone. (As if I knew the difference earlier than 15 minutes ago.) Save the freestones for the sangria you'll be making with the extra vodka that I mentioned.

Nik's 30th Birthday Beach Bashment

Make a Smilebox slideshow

How's the View?

Architects that live in Glass Houses shouldn't throw stones. Or anything else.

How Much Is That Doggy on the Rooftop?

Quote of the Day

I have learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends on our dispositions and not on our circumstances.

Martha Washington

Hold fast to dreams for if dreams die, life is a broken winged bird that cannot fly.

Langston Hughes

Shop @ Wal-Mart = Save $$$

I don't go because I can save money; it's about saving time. Last week I needed a computer hard drive, peat moss, eggs, and orange juice. I got all of these items at Super Wal-Mart. Not because I like them or because they're cheaper, but because (in this isolated case) they were convenient.

One commercial features a family embarking on a long overdue vacation. Another depicts a father and son preparing to buy a used car. In both, Wal-Mart shopping bags are visible in their cars.

Wal-Mart, the ads claim, saves the average family $2,500 a year. The implication seems clear: shop at Wal-Mart, save money, and you can afford to splurge.

But it turns out you save $2,500 even if you never step foot inside a Wal-Mart.

An outside firm, paid by Wal-Mart, found that the company’s emphasis on low prices led to a 3 percent decline in overall consumer prices. That translated into $287 billion in savings in 2006, or $2,500 a household, whether a family shops at Wal-Mart or a competitor, according to the study.

Have A Happy & Holy Easter

The Easter Parade Comes to Town

2 Days to Spring

Chaenomeles speciosa = Flowering Quince


Peach Blossom

Samantha Alexandra

We went to Maryland to visit my cousin Sam last weekend. I'm so smitten by her, I want to purchase a camcorder to record her every move. We're going back to see here at the beginning of April, so expect more pics of Sam.

Sitting Pretty

Great Gatsby, I'm in love with this "othello" chair. The movie (click image above)ain't bad either.

Can/Should Students Be Paid to Excel?

The fourth graders squirmed in their seats, waiting for their prizes. In a few minutes, they would learn how much money they had earned for their scores on recent reading and math exams. Some would receive nearly $50 for acing the standardized tests, a small fortune for many at this school, P.S. 188 on the Lower East Side of Manhattan.

The children were unaware that their teacher, Ruth Lopez, also stood to gain financially from their achievement. If students show marked improvement on state tests during the school year, each teacher at Public School 188 could receive a bonus of as much as $3,000.

The Future of Dubai

Spring Time is Here

Forget what Punxsutawney Phil or Sir Walter Raleigh said, I'm calling it "Spring".

Spread the Love!

Make a free ecard - it's easy!

The Sexiest Wish List

So one of the benefits of having a Vicky's card is that they send you marketing materials w/ coupons. For Valentines Day, they send out a mini-brochure entitled "What is Sexy™”, with a wish list form for you to fill out for your Valentine.



So I flip thru again to see if there is anything in particular that I want for Valentine’s Day. Well I found it! But of course it’s not a Victoria’s Secret product. It’s the shoes. The black ankle strapped heels with the rhinestone buckle and the satin rose. At the end of the day (or night) it’s the only thing you’ll consistently feel sexy in. At the end of the day (or night), it’s probably the only thing you’ll be left wearing.

“No it's the shoes (the shoes?) It's gotta be the shoes!”- ‘Chief Rocka’ – Lords of the Underground

We're all the same...

...in very different ways.

Pamela Andersen has more prosthetic in her body than I do. No one is calling this woman disabled.

I'd like to congratulate Kenneth Cole, as a corporation, for highlighting diversity. (Click picture above for Aimee Mullin's story.) And for continuing to make gorgeous shoes to continue the journey down life's road, no matter what your path may entail.

Potential Spouse Application

Depending on the seriousness of the relationship, a background check (criminal, civil, sexual offense, medical exams, etc) may be advisable.

Please note that I do expect and answer for all the questions.
Some are weighted more heavily than others. Please use your time
wisely in assessing and answering the questions below.

Preliminary Questions
1. What are the three most important things I should know about you?
2. What hobbies do you have? What do you like to do for fun?
3. Have you ever been married? Do you have children?
4. How do you think you are viewed by others?
5. What are you the most proud of in your life? What do you cherish the
most in life?
6. How long was your last relationship? When did it end? Why did it
end?
7. Where do you see yourself two years from now? Where do you see
yourself in five years?
8. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
9. What is the most dangerous thing you have ever done?
10. What was the funniest thing that has ever happened to you?
11. Have you ever had a life-changing experience?
12. What do you think is the most misunderstood thing about your
gender by the opposite sex?
13. Do you believe there is such a thing as a "soul mate"?
14. Tell me what you feel is the most important value in a
relationship (e.g., honesty, money, fidelity, openness, sense of
humor, intelligence, integrity, common denominators)?
15. How do you view yourself?
16. What was the most embarrassing moment in your life?
17. If you had three wishes, what would they be?
18. If you had to write your epitaph, what would it be?
19. What's your claim to fame?
20. What is your most prized material possession?
21. What was the single greatest day of your life?
22. What is a significant memory from childhood?
23. What single political or social issue is most important to you?
24. Do you have close friends of the opposite sex?
25. What you do wish your parents would have told you?
26. What book are you reading now?
27. What was the most recent movie you saw?
28. What's your favorite movie of all time?
29. What did you get away with that you’ve still never told anyone about?
30. Do you have a favorite website(s)?
31. What birthday do you best remember and why?
32. Who is your favorite musician?
33. What person(s) has most influenced you in your life…and why?
34. Who is your hero (anyone from history or your life) and why?
35. Who is the most interesting person you have ever met? Why?
36. What one thing would you want me to appreciate about you?

Weighted Questions
1. Why do you want an exclusive relationship?
2. What do you believe the benefits of having an exclusive
relationship is?
3. What qualities and skills do you like to see in a potential
girl/boyfriend?
4. What do you feel gives you a competitive edge as a potential
girl/boyfriend?
5. What is your marketing strategy for keeping that competitive edge?
6. What motivates you to put forth your best effort in a relationship?
7. How well do you function in relationships while under pressure?
8. Have you considered the detriments of having an exclusive
relationship?
9. Why do you want me, (YOUR NAME HERE), as your girl/boyfriend/in
an exclusive relationship with you?
10. What are your expectations of an exclusive romantically
intimate relationship with me (physically, emotionally, spiritually,
professionally, intellectually, etc)?
11. What would be my primary responsibilities as your girl/boyfriend?
How will I be evaluated, how frequently, and by whom?
12. What would you expect of me in the first three months? first
year?
13. What are your goals within an exclusive romantically intimate
relationship with me (physically, emotionally, spiritually,
professionally, intellectually, etc)?
14. Where do you see yourself relationally to me in two years?
Five years?
15. Why should I consider you for the position of my girl/boyfriend?

Yes We Can

Valentine's Day Wish List

Fred, Here are some Valentine's Day gift ideas.

• Richart Chocolates or approval equal



• A 32 Gb ITouch



• A video interview about us (see example)



• A day of shopping at 10022-SHOE (rendering below)

• A Kithaus









• My own private island to place my Kithaus

A Spring Fashion Week?

Did you know that there was a fashion week held during the spring? Well this is news to me. I always thought it was during September, but alas I can get my haute couture fill twice a year. They (the media) say you haven't heard anything about it because of the economic down turn. I think the media's been too busy chasing down pollsters, pundits, and presidential candidates. But now that Super Tuesday has passed, back to the important things in life.

Check out the downtown demimonde turning out for a party for Chloe Sevigny's new clothing line. Fashion insiders reveal how to survive New York Fashion Week -- if you can get in.

Unresolved Political Issues?

So now Super-Tuesday is over! We've learned that more people like John McCain than Mitt Romney. And Hillary & Barack are still neck and neck. The May 6th primaries in NC, might make a difference after all. But I still have some questions.

• What's a delegate and how do you become one?
• What's a super-delegate and how do you become one of those?
• Exactly how does the electoral college work?
• What does the electoral college do in the off-season and are we paying them for it?

I know that I should know these answers, and I did at one point and time. Probably because I had to pass Local History & Goverment to graduate high school. Then I had to take the citizenship exam (which BTW the native-borns were of no study help). It helps to talk politics with kids. I had a brief conversation w/ my 8 year old sister about why we don't choose presidents based on their gender. I ended up explaining government programs for the good of the people and the funding of said institutions (like HeadStart) on an elemetary level. She got it!

Next week on Nik's Politiking: Citizenship: Right or Priviledge? Who decides?

Happy Chinese New Year

Tis the Year of the Rat!

Merry Valentine's Day

I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for....

Apparently Cantabrigians raised a big stink when the IRS shut down Toscanini's.

Even though, Corby Kummer, a senior editor at The Atlantic Monthly and an ardent fan who once wrote a long essay about his favorite flavor, burnt caramel. And a Harvard professor from India helped concoct a flavor called kulfi, with cardamom and pistachios, based on a South Asian dessert. Sam Mehr, a college student who works there, has helped invent flavors like summer blue lemon (blueberry ice cream with lemon zest) and plum and red wine sorbet.

Be not downcast,as much as we adore Toscanini's; there are other places that serve ice cream in this fair city.
Christina's Ice Cream
1255 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139
phone: (617) 492-7021

And even across the river, ice cream abounds at
P&R Ice Cream
1284 Blue Hill Ave
Boston, MA 02126

Nothing beats a beef patty followed by a scoop of Grape Nut ice cream.

Super Fat Tuesday

Tomorrow is Super Fat Tuesday. Vote, drink, and be merry!
Click to stay updated with the national campaigning.
BTW, do you know who these people are:
Mike Gravel, Ron Paul, Alan Keyes

Custom Rubik's Cube

You can make your own Magnetic Acrylic Rubik's Cube.

One Big Happy Family

Debutante Ball/Cotillion/Coming Out Party

I've heard of them in passing, but when I saw pictures in the local newspaper, I just knew I had to have one. See, I've been planning the kind of masquerade surprise birthday ball that I want my husband, Frederick, to throw me for my 30th birthday. Then we talked about toning it down and doing a family thing at the beach. But schedules misaligned, and I'm right back on my pomp and circumstance birthday she-bang. I may just save the Cotillion for my 40th birthday. And do something really wild and crazy for my 30th, while I'm still young.

Hindi High School Musical

How do you sing “bop to the top” in Hindi? The media conglomerate, Disney, is trying to expand the global reach of “High School Musical” to squeeze even more money from the franchise.

Now I love a good Bollywood movie, just as much as anyone else. I'm even glad to see that Blockbuster has started to carry them in the Foreign Film section. But the ever-reaching black gloved hands of Disney have stretched too far for my liking. Nothing like the globalization and homogenization of distinct cultures. That and "Aaja Nachle" from Monsoon Wedding is a better artistically.

Back to the Future

Remember when Home Economics was mandatory fro everyone. Well it is again. At least for these chubby little poppets, it is.

Affordable Car?

What does it take to build the world’s cheapest car?
For Tata Motors of India, which will introduce its ultra-cheap car on Thursday, the better question was, what could it take out?

The upside is a car expected to retail for as little as the equivalent of $2,500.
The downside is a car that would most likely fail emission and safety standards on any Western road, and, perhaps, in India in a few years, when the country imposes tougher environmental standards.

Open Art Gallery

NYC has outdone itself again. In hopes of emulating the success of Christo and Jeanne-Claude's project, "The Gates," which drew around 1.5 million visitors to the city in February 2005 to view about 7,500 saffron panels draped through Central Park. They've privately funded NYC Waterfalls, the brainchild of Danish artist Olafur Eliasson, which will be in place from mid-July to mid-October.

Mona Really Was a Lisa

The University of Heidelberg in Germany says it has identified the woman in Leonardo’s “Mona Lisa” (detail below), The Associated Press reported. She is Lisa del Giocondo, wife of Francesco del Giocondo, a Florentine businessman. In a statement on Monday(1/14/08), the college said its library expert, Armin Schlechter, found the answer in a copy of the works of Cicero, where, in 1503, Agostino Vespucci, a Florentine official and friend of Leonardo’s, wrote in the margins that the artist was working on a portrait of Lisa del Giocondo. Surprise? For centuries the Mona Lisa has been known in Italian as La Gioconda. Though anecdotal evidence pointed to Giocondo as early as 1550, vague references in 1517, 1525 and 1540 pointed to others.

But still, what's she smiling so wryly about?

Good Idea/Bad Idea? BAD IDEA!

India: Unemployed to Sterilize Monkeys
Himachal Pradesh in the north said it would use unemployed youths to capture and sterilize monkeys that have been raiding farms and attacking people. The idea, which would involve “laser sterilization,” drew quick condemnation from conservationists. “It will do nothing to contain the problem and probably make it worse,” said one, Sujoy Chaudhuri. “Can you imagine what having badly sterilized monkeys running around will do to the levels of aggression?”

Two Perspectives

When a state panel recommended last April that Tennessee abandon the three chemicals used in executions across the nation in favor of the single drug usually used in animal euthanasia, the state’s corrections commissioner said no. Though the move would have simplified executions and eliminated the possibility of excruciating pain, the commissioner, George Little, said Tennessee should not be “out at the forefront” of a decision with “political ramifications,” according to recently disclosed evidence in a death row inmate’s lawsuit.

Meanwhile, China plans to expand the use of lethal injection to replace the current method of execution, a shot to the back of the head, the newspaper China Daily quoted Jiang Xingchang, vice president of the Supreme People’s Court, as saying. Half of the 404 intermediate people’s courts, which carry out most executions, now use lethal injection, he said. “It is considered more humane” and “will eventually” be expanded to all such courts, he said without providing a timetable.

Weird World of Sports

On a safari in Nepal, Phil Noble discovered the sport of elephant polo. “There were seven elephant polo teams there from all over the world, and an umpire riding a massive bull elephant who rode around ensuring fair play,” said Noble, 32, who joined Reuters in 2006. “There were two other guys running around the field removing any elephant dung dropped on either goal line which could have prevented a goal from being scored.”

After-Christmas Sale

Vista Art and Design, a Web site introduced this month by Victor Alfaro, the New York fashion designer, offers an online inventory of 20th and 21st century collectible furniture for sale. This 1966 Max Ingrand desk by Sebastian + Barquet, from the Peugeot showroom is only $450,000 (available online). With 25%-75% off, that's almost affordable.

eat, DRINK, and be merry

Funny how drinking and merriment, go hand in hand this time of year.
I'm not encouraging anyone to drink or over-indulge. But if you are going to enjoy a holiday ale, make it the best. After all you only get to do so once a year.


1958: Eggnog
This recipe appeared in The Times in an article by Craig Claiborne.

12 eggs, separated(It’s important to get good farm-fresh eggs, with really orange yolks and really thick cream; these are the main constituents of the drink.)1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup bourbon
1 cup Cognac
½ teaspoon salt
3 pints heavy cream
Grated nutmeg
1 to 2 cups milk (optional)

1. In an electric mixer, beat the egg yolks with the sugar until thick.
2. Slowly add the bourbon and Cognac while beating at slow speed. Chill for several hours.
3. Add the salt to the egg whites. Beat until almost stiff.
4. Whip the cream until stiff.
5. Fold the whipped cream into the yolk mixture, then fold in the beaten egg whites. Chill 1 hour.
6. When ready to serve, sprinkle the top with freshly grated nutmeg. Serve in punch cups with a spoon.
7. If desired, add 1 to 2 cups of milk to the yolk mixture for a thinner eggnog.

Makes about 40 punch-cup servings. Halve the recipe for a smaller gathering.

Art Imitating Life or Is It?

As told by DAVID POGUE of the NYTimes on Dec. 20, 2007

One morning, Mr. FedEx dropped off a mysterious package that looked for all the world as if it contained a painting.

It did: a stunning interpretive painting of my two children hugging, by the seashore at sunset. Oil on canvas, stretched across a 16-x-20-inch frame.

It was awesome — and sneaky. It had been sent by PhotoFiddle.com, a company that turns your digital photos into actual paint-on-canvas originals, in any of dozens of art styles (modern, abstract, Warhol, sketch and so on). They’d found the photo on my own Web site, run it through their computerized painting machines, and sent it, unsolicited, in hopes of piquing my interest.

My editor said I was welcome to write about it — but I couldn’t keep it unless I paid for it. Which I did ($140).

There are other companies that turn photos into canvas paintings, by the way; Google can find them for you, and they make incredible gifts. But not many of them offer a choice of painter styles the way PhotoFiddle does.

Eletronic Yule Log to Go

Want a flaming flickering yule log you can put in your pocket?
Well Merry Christmas to you!

Physics Illustrated

Science has never been SEXIER!!!



Professor Walter H. G. Lewin’s videotaped physics lectures, free online on the OpenCourseWare (the global classroom the institute created to spread knowledge through cyberspace) of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, have won him devotees across the country and beyond who stuff his e-mail in-box with praise.

Please Don't Kill Santa

Suspected drug traffickers shot at a helicopter carrying a Santa Claus to a Rio de Janeiro slum to distribute toys. No one was hurt, although two shots hit the copter. It returned to its base, and the Santa took a car to complete his mission. According to the police, the gunmen apparently mistook the helicopter and its passenger as a police operation.

Random Acts of Animal Violence

Three flamingos have been found decapitated in their pen at Frankfurt Zoo, the police said. A fourth flamingo was strangled. “We cannot explain why someone would want to murder flamingos," a zoo spokeswoman said.

Finding World Peace

If all the diplomats and heads of state would start off their peace talks with some cornbread cake and maple ice cream; maybe we wouldn't have all these problems?

With Style and Grace

Most of us are not as monetarily wealthy as anyone of the Astor family. But we're all richly blessed. Let's spread it around.


Roberta Brooke Astor, who by night reigned over New York society with a decided disdain for pretension and by day devoted her time and considerable resources to New York’s unfortunate, died on the afternoon of August 13, 2007 at her weekend estate, Holly Hill, in Briarcliff Manor, N.Y. She was 105.

With a wink and a sly smile, she liked to quote Dolly Levi in Thornton Wilder’s play “The Matchmaker,” saying, “Money is like manure; it’s not worth a thing unless it’s spread around.” It was Mrs. Astor who decided that because most of the Astor fortune had been made in New York real estate, it should be spent in New York, for New Yorkers. Grants supported the city’s museums and libraries, its boys’ and girls’ clubs, homes for the elderly and other institutions and programs.

When the Astor Foundation closed its doors in December 1997, Mrs. Astor had overseen the disbursement of almost $195 million, almost all within New York City. If she regretted anything, she said, it was that she had not visited friends in Europe often enough and that she had not been able to read, and write, all the books she would have wished.

New Toys

"A Living Art Piece"

If you like tropical fish but not the bulky aquariums that go with them, consider the AquaVista 500 ($299.99), below, which hangs on the wall like a picture. The 4.3-inch-thick, 26-inch-square aquarium is made of shatterproof acrylic and injection-molded plastic, and the pump and filtration system are concealed inside. All you see are the fish in their environment, against a background chosen from eight options, including midnight black and deep blue. The aquarium comes with a black or silver frame; a wood frame is available for an additional $60.

Designer Wine anyone?

Frank Gehry, flanked by an associate, Edwin Chan, at left, and Kathryn and Craig Hall, shows a model of the Hall Winery he is designing.

Apparently wineries need to be "designer chic" too. Oh no, not just the wines, but the buildings they are housed in. I don't object because I like wine and I like architecture. I just think sometimes the architecture shouldn't outdo the tasting experience. But not all would agree with me. Thus Frank Gehry's latest commission to do the Hall Winery. Am I hating? Maybe a little bit. But just a little bit.

But I'll give Frank his props, he's made a name for himself and his profession.
Look at what he did at the Marqués De Riscal. Have you seen a sexier winery? And do they have as a virtual winery experience.?

Providing Shelter

     

Architecture for Humanity is helping communities rebuild across the Gulf Coast. Since the storm we have supported a wide range of projects from supporting historic preservation to funding community design centers to pairing clients with architects willing to offer their services on a pro bono basis.

Architects: We're Here For You, Because You Need Us

So here I go giving my (under/over)esteemed profession a shameless plug. But I wouldn't even bother if it weren't necessary. Everyone thinks, oh, you're an architect, so you must be designing these multi-million skyscrapers for these multi-national companies, thus you are mega-rich. Not so my friend. The majority of us, just like the rest of the population, never break into that realm of Oprah, Bill Gates, or the Sultan of Brunei. I've yet to meet anyone in it for the money.

Fact of the matter is you need shelter. We like shelter. We like designing shelter, building shelter, manipulating shelter, and those of us that are really honest about it, love demolishing shelter. The best part of construction is destruction. Go outside and swing a sledgehammer around and tell me you don't fell better when you're done. After all the damage is done, whether by you, a hurricane, a tsunami, big government; basic needs are still the same. Food, clothing, and SHELTER.

So whenever you're ready to come on in from the cold, hot, rain, or whatever the elements have to offer. Give us a call....we'll be here....waiting.

The Many Faces of Joy

Regardless of your stance on the War in Iraq, to see joyful children is worth all the fight in the world.

Why Should We Have Sex?

Have you ever thought about it? Not, why we (you & I). I can give you one reason why we shouldn't; my husband! But why we (human beings) do the do. Probably never thought about it beyond pleasure and procreation. According to a new sexual psychology study, there are 237 reasons why. Bet you never thought men have sex to get ahead more often than women. There are a slew of dumb reasons, which make you pray these people aren't procreating as well. You can nominate your own reasons at TierneyLab. You can also submit nominations for a brand new taxonomy: reasons for just saying “No way!”

It's the Little Things

The red Swivel sofa sleeper is 72 by 32 by 30 inches high when closed (and 72 by 77 inches when open). The seats can open separately into twin beds, or they can be opened together to make a double bed; $639 from Tiny Living.


The Case dining table, 30 inches square and 29 inches tall, is made of birch; $259 from Tiny Living. Now if they'd only produce the Geroge Jetson flying-then-folds-into-a-briefcase car. That whole traffic congestion/no-where-to-park issue would be all over.

The Gramercy tallboy is 23 3/4 inches wide, 20 inches deep and 54 1/2inches high, in birch veneer; $1,400 from Vastu.

Gin & Tonic Bus Stop

Len Brackett, a designer and builder, recently began producing what he calls his “gin and- tonic bus stop” — a 6-by-10-foot pagoda, he said, so he could “sit, look at the garden, and have a gin and tonic.” The structure, above, also known as the Summer House, is made of three types of wood — sugar pine, incense cedar and Port Orford cedar — and has the same complex joinery elaborate Japanese-style homes.

It costs $19,000, plus shipping (it comes in two crates). “It’s a pure architectural form — there are no utilities, no planning expenses and no permitting, which is how I am able to make it so cheaply.” The kit comes with detailed instructions and almost everything required for assembly, and if you’re comfortable working with concrete and epoxy, you should have no problem putting the house together yourself in two or three days. Otherwise, you might want to hire a carpenter.

Quote of the Day

Any fool can criticize, condemn, and complain but it takes character and self-control to be understanding and forgiving. - Dale Carnegie

Cool New Designers' Toys

We plan on ripping out the carpet on the first level and replacing with either ceramic tile or hardwood flooring. When we do so, we'll need throw rugs. I thing these will work well.

Tickle My Feet: Cartoons to Wiggle the Toes In
Dan Golden, a New York cartoonist, has teamed up with Ford Lininger, an interior designer, to produce six hand-tufted designs in New Zealand wool, including “So Long, Suckahs!” far right, and “Keep Dogs Off Grass.” The rugs come in four sizes, from 4 by 6 feet to 9 by 12, and start at $3,000. Available from Qui.


No real reason, I just gotta have it. A thing of beauty is a joy forever, and just imagine all the shadow puppets you could create.

A Glow To Tease The Shadows
Leo Scarff, an Irish designer who specializes in atmospheric mood lighting, recently introduced a collection of four lamps at the NoHo showroom of Clodagh, the Manhattan interior designer. Lightweave ($1,550), above, a cylindrical maple-veneer floor lamp, casts a basket-weave of light and shadow on a wall. (Hanging versions are $1,200 and $1,925.) Clodagh’s showroom, which is open to the public, is at 670 Broadway (Bond Street); (212) 780-5300.


Do you have the same problem I do? You can never get those vacation pictures in order. Well there's someone who will do it for you. All for a small fee, of course.

Endless Summers, All on the Wall
Ilevel, an art consulting and installation service, offers an easy solution for those who return from vacation with lots of new photographs. For $240, it will send someone with a trained eye to advise how to create a wall of framed photographs that can expand with each successive vacation. If you like, the consultant will hang them, too. Most projects are done within four hours, said David Kassel, the owner. Each additional hour is $60. Ilevel works mainly in the New York area, but its consultants will travel for an additional fee.

Home Abroad

I've always wanted to live abroad. I guess when I think about it, I have lived most of my life abroad. But since I have, I don't think of my homeland as home. Reading this article (click picture above) convinced me more that I should definitely live abroad, no matter how old I may be when I get there.

Excerpt from:
At Home Abroad
Settling Down in a City in Motion
By EMILY PRAGER

WHEN you rent a place in Shanghai, the landlord gives you presents. This is a terrific shock for a New Yorker. My agent told me I could ask for special furniture, TVs, gym memberships — the landlady would actually take me shopping.

I was flummoxed by what to ask for. Finally I requested a washing machine and window screens to keep out mosquitoes. Otherwise, I took the place unfurnished, thinking I would buy secondhand furniture and get a look at the town in the process. My rental agent was so upset by my reticence that she insisted that the owner throw in a big TV and pay for the satellite service for a year.

Matheletes are SEXY too!

I know we like to run after/model ourselves on the LeBron James' of the world, but we're not all physically blessed. Here's another road to fortune, if not fame.

A Head for Numbers
by Laura Vanderkam

Anarghya Vardhana grew up solving math problems with her dad on the way to school. Before tenth grade, she'd breezed through calculus. But her first big breakthrough as a math genius came two years later, when the proof for a new theorem popped into her brain — a set of starting values for the Lucas-Lehmer test for prime numbers.

Vardhana's epiphany did more than get her into Stanford, where the 18-year-old is about to start her third term. It also scored her $10,000 from the Davidson Institute for Talent Development. Jan and Bob Davidson — creators of the educational software Math Blaster and Reading Blaster — give these prizes to teens as a sort of junior MacArthur Fellowship, the so-called genius grants.

Vardhana is using her prize to help pay for school. "Although, if I had it my way," she says, "it would probably go toward my buy-Anarghya-a-motorcycle-or-Ferrari fund!"

Why you can NEVER take yourself seriously?

I love my career. I really do. But I've never taken myself too seriously within it. I'm no super-starchitect. I'm just a baby in the field. And it's totally subjective, so the minute you think you've done a stellar job, someone will come in from stage left with a critique. As much as I love my fellow architects, some of you have issues. A God-complex to be exact. With that, from your fellow well-rounded human being that knows as-cool-as-it-is architecture is not the end-all-be-all, this letter is for you:

Dear Architects, I Am Sick of Your Shit.

by: Annie Choi (an open letter)

Once, a long time ago in the days of yore, I had a friend who was studying architecture to become, presumably, an architect.
This friend introduced me to other friends, who were also studying architecture. Then these friends had other friends who were architects - real architects doing real architecture like designing luxury condos that look a lot like glass dildos. And these real architects knew other real architects and now the only people I know are architects. And they all design glass dildos that I will never work or live in and serve only to obstruct my view of New Jersey.

Do not get me wrong, architects. I like you as a person. I think you are nice, smell good most of the time, and I like your glasses. You have crazy hair, and if you are lucky, most of it is on your head. But I do not care about architecture. It is true. This is what I do care about:

* burritos
* hedgehogs
* coffee

As you can see, architecture is not on the list. I believe that architecture falls somewhere between toenail fungus and invasive colonoscopy in the list of things that interest me.

Perhaps if you didn’t talk about it so much, I would be more interested. When you point to a glass cylinder and say proudly, hey my office designed that, I giggle and say it looks like a bong. You turn your head in disgust and shame. You think, obviously she does not understand. What does she know? She is just a writer. She is no architect. She respects vowels, not glass cocks. And then you say now I am designing a lifestyle center, and I ask what is that, and you say it is a place that offers goods and services and retail opportunities and I say you mean like a mall and you say no. It is a lifestyle center. I say it sounds like a mall. I am from the Valley, bitch. I know malls.

Architects, I will not lie, you confuse me. You work sixty, eighty hours a week and yet you are always poor. Why aren’t you buying me a drink? Where is your bounty of riches? Maybe you spent it on merlot. Maybe you spent it on hookers and blow. I cannot be sure. It is a mystery. I will leave that to the scientists to figure out.

Architects love to discuss how much sleep they have gotten. One will say how he was at the studio until five in the morning, only to return again two hours later. Then another will say, oh that is nothing. I haven’t slept in a week. And then another will say, guess what, I have never slept ever. My dear architects, the measure of how hard you’ve worked and how much you’ve accomplished is not related to the number of hours you have not slept. Have you heard of Rem Koolhaas? He is a famous architect. I know this because you tell me he is a famous architect. I hear that Rem Koolhaas is always sleeping. He is, I presume, sleeping right now. And I hear he gets shit done. And I also hear that in a stunning move, he is making a building that looks not like a glass cock, but like a concrete vagina. When you sleep more, you get vagina. You can all take a lesson from Rem Koolhaas.

Life is hard for me, please understand. Architects are an important part of my existence. They call me at eleven at night and say they just got off work, am I hungry? Listen, it is practically midnight. I ate hours ago. So long ago that, in fact, I am hungry again. So yes, I will go. Then I will go and there will be other architects talking about AutoCAD shortcuts and something about electric panels and can you believe that is all I did today, what a drag. I look around the table at the poor, tired, and hungry, and think to myself, I have but only one bullet left in the gun. Who will I choose?

I have a friend who is a doctor. He gives me drugs. I enjoy them. I have a friend who is a lawyer. He helped me sue my landlord. My architect friends have given me nothing. No drugs, no medical advice, and they don’t know how to spell subpoena. One architect friend figured out that my apartment was one hundred and eighty seven square feet. That was nice. Thanks for that.

I suppose one could ask what someone like me brings to architects like yourselves. I bring cheer. I yell at architects when they start talking about architecture. I force them to discuss far more interesting topics, like turkey eggs. Why do we eat chicken eggs, but not turkey eggs? They are bigger. And people really like turkey. See? I am not afraid to ask the tough questions.

So, dear architects, I will stick around, for only a little while. I hope that one day some of you will become doctors and lawyers or will figure out my taxes. And we will laugh at the days when you spent the entire evening talking about some European you’ve never met who designed a building you will never see because you are too busy working on something that will never get built. But even if that day doesn’t arrive, give me a call anyway, I am free.

Yours truly,
Annie Choi

Summer Express: 101 Simple Meals Ready in 10 Minutes or Less

1 Make six-minute eggs: simmer gently, run under cold water until cool, then peel. Serve over steamed asparagus.

2 Toss a cup of chopped mixed herbs with a few tablespoons of olive oil in a hot pan. Serve over angel-hair pasta, diluting the sauce if necessary with pasta cooking water.

3 Cut eight sea scallops into four horizontal slices each. Arrange on plates. Sprinkle with lime juice, salt and crushed chilies; serve after five minutes.

4 Open a can of white beans and combine with olive oil, salt, small or chopped shrimp, minced garlic and thyme leaves in a pan. Cook, stirring, until the shrimp are done; garnish with more olive oil.

5 Put three pounds of washed mussels in a pot with half a cup of white wine, garlic cloves, basil leaves and chopped tomatoes. Steam until mussels open. Serve with bread.

6 Heat a quarter-inch of olive oil in a skillet. Dredge flounder or sole fillets in flour and fry until crisp, about two minutes a side. Serve on sliced bread with tartar sauce.

7 Make pesto: put a couple of cups of basil leaves, a garlic clove, salt, pepper and olive oil as necessary in a blender (walnuts and Parmesan are optional). Serve over pasta (dilute with oil or water as necessary) or grilled fish or meat.

8 Put a few dozen washed littlenecks in a large, hot skillet with olive oil. When clams begin to open, add a tablespoon or two of chopped garlic. When most or all are opened, add parsley. Serve alone, with bread or over angel-hair pasta.

9 Pan-grill a skirt steak for three or four minutes a side. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, slice and serve over romaine or any other green salad, drizzled with olive oil and lemon.

10 Smear mackerel fillets with mustard, then sprinkle with chopped herbs (fresh tarragon is good), salt, pepper and bread crumbs. Bake in a 425-degree oven for about eight minutes.

11 Warm olive oil in a skillet with at least three cloves sliced garlic. When the garlic colors, add at least a teaspoon each of cumin and pimentón. A minute later, add a dozen or so shrimp, salt and pepper. Garnish with parsley, serve with lemon and bread.

12 Boil a lobster. Serve with lemon or melted butter.

13 Gazpacho: Combine one pound tomatoes cut into chunks, a cucumber peeled and cut into chunks, two or three slices stale bread torn into pieces, a quarter-cup olive oil, two tablespoons sherry vinegar and a clove of garlic in a blender with one cup water and a couple of ice cubes. Process until smooth, adding water if necessary. Season with salt and pepper, then serve or refrigerate, garnished with anchovies if you like, and a little more olive oil.

14 Put a few slices of chopped prosciutto in a skillet with olive oil, a couple of cloves of crushed garlic and a bit of butter; a minute later, toss in about half a cup bread crumbs and red chili flakes to taste. Serve over pasta with chopped parsley.

15 Call it panini: Grilled cheese with prosciutto, tomatoes, thyme or basil leaves.

16 Slice or chop salami, corned beef or kielbasa and warm in a little oil; stir in eggs and scramble. Serve with mustard and rye bread.

17 Soak couscous in boiling water to cover until tender; top with sardines, tomatoes, parsley, olive oil and black pepper.

18 Stir-fry a pound or so of ground meat or chopped fish mixed with chopped onions and seasoned with cumin or chili powder. Pile into taco shells or soft tacos, along with tomato, lettuce, canned beans, onion, cilantro and sour cream.

19 Chinese tomato and eggs: Cook minced garlic in peanut oil until blond; add chopped tomatoes then, a minute later, beaten eggs, along with salt and pepper. Scramble with a little soy sauce.

20 Cut eggplant into half-inch slices. Broil with lots of olive oil, turning once, until tender and browned. Top with crumbled goat or feta cheese and broil another 20 seconds.

21 While pasta cooks, combine a couple cups chopped tomatoes, a teaspoon or more minced garlic, olive oil and 20 to 30 basil leaves. Toss with pasta, salt, pepper and Parmesan.

22 Make wraps of tuna, warm white beans, a drizzle of olive oil and lettuce and tomato.

23 The New York supper: Bagels, cream cheese, smoked salmon. Serve with tomatoes, watercress or arugula, and sliced red onion or shallot.

24 Dredge thinly sliced chicken breasts in flour or cornmeal; cook about two minutes a side in hot olive oil. Place on bread with lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise.

25 Upscale tuna salad: good canned tuna (packed in olive oil), capers, dill or parsley, lemon juice but no mayo. Use to stuff a tomato or two.

26 Cut Italian sausage into chunks and brown in a little olive oil; chop onions and bell peppers and add them to the pan. Cook until sausage is browned and peppers and onions tender. Serve in sandwiches.

27 Egg in a hole, glorified: Tear a hole in a piece of bread and fry in butter. Crack an egg into the hole. Deglaze pan with a little sherry vinegar mixed with water, and more butter; pour over egg.

28 New Joe’s Special, from San Francisco: Brown ground meat with minced garlic and chopped onion. When just about cooked, add chopped spinach and cook, stirring, until wilted. At the last minute, stir in two eggs, along with grated Parmesan and salt and pepper.

29 Chop prosciutto and crisp it in a skillet with olive oil; add chopped not-too-ripe figs. Serve over greens dressed with oil and vinegar; top all with crumbled blue cheese.

30 Quesadilla: Use a combination of cheeses, like Fontina mixed with grated pecorino. Put on half of a large flour tortilla with pickled jalapenos, chopped onion, shallot or scallion, chopped tomatoes and grated radish. Fold tortilla over and brown on both sides in butter or oil, until cheese is melted.

31 Fast chile rellenos: Drain canned whole green chilies. Make a slit in each and insert a piece of cheese. Dredge in flour and fry in a skillet, slit side up, until cheese melts.

32 Cobb-ish salad: Chop bacon and begin to brown it; cut boneless chicken into strips and cook it with bacon. Toss romaine and watercress or arugula with chopped tomatoes, avocado, onion and crumbled blue cheese. Add bacon and chicken. Dress with oil and vinegar.

33 Sauté 10 whole peeled garlic cloves in olive oil. Meanwhile, grate Pecorino, grind lots of black pepper, chop parsley and cook pasta. Toss all together, along with crushed dried chili flakes and salt.

34 Niçoise salad: Lightly steam haricot verts, green beans or asparagus. Arrange on a plate with chickpeas, good canned tuna, hard-cooked eggs, a green salad, sliced cucumber and tomato. Dress with oil and vinegar.

35 Cold soba with dipping sauce: Cook soba noodles, then rinse in cold water until cool. Serve with a sauce of soy sauce and minced ginger diluted with mirin and/or dry sake.

36 Fried egg “saltimbocca”: Lay slices of prosciutto or ham in a buttered skillet. Fry eggs on top of ham; top with grated Parmesan.

37 Frisée aux lardons: Cook chunks of bacon in a skillet. Meanwhile, make six-minute or poached eggs and a frisée salad. Put eggs on top of salad along with bacon; deglaze pan with sherry vinegar and pour pan juices over all.

38 Fried rice: Soften vegetables with oil in a skillet. Add cold takeout rice, chopped onion, garlic, ginger, peas and two beaten eggs. Toss until hot and cooked through. Season with soy sauce and sesame oil.

39 Taco salad: Toss together greens, chopped tomato, chopped red onion, sliced avocado, a small can of black beans and kernels from a couple of ears of corn. Toss with crumbled tortilla chips and grated cheese. Dress with olive oil, lime and chopped cilantro leaves.

40 Put a large can of chickpeas and their liquid in a medium saucepan. Add some sherry, along with olive oil, plenty of minced garlic, smoked pimentón and chopped Spanish chorizo. Heat through.

41 Raita to the rescue: Broil any fish. Serve with a sauce of drained yogurt mixed with chopped cucumber, minced onion and cayenne.

42 Season boneless lamb steaks cut from the leg with sweet curry powder. Sear on both sides. Serve over greens, with lemon wedges.

43 Migas, with egg: Sauté chopped stale bread with olive oil, mushrooms, onions and spinach. Stir in a couple of eggs.

44 Migas, without egg: Sauté chopped stale bread with chopped Spanish chorizo, plenty of garlic and lots of olive oil. Finish with chopped parsley.

45 Sauté shredded zucchini in olive oil, adding garlic and chopped herbs. Serve over pasta.

46 Broil a few slices prosciutto until crisp; crumble and toss with parsley, Parmesan, olive oil and pasta.

47 Not exactly banh mi, but... Make sandwiches on crisp bread with liverwurst, ham, sliced half-sours, shredded carrots, cilantro sprigs and Vietnamese chili-garlic paste.

48 Not takeout: Stir-fry onions with cut-up broccoli. Add cubed tofu, chicken or shrimp, or sliced beef or pork, along with a tablespoon each minced garlic and ginger. When almost done, add half cup of water, two tablespoons soy sauce and plenty of black pepper. Heat through and serve over fresh Chinese noodles.

49 Sprinkle sole fillets with chopped parsley, garlic, salt and pepper; roll up, dip in flour, then beaten egg, then bread crumbs; cook in hot olive oil about three minutes a side. Serve with lemon wedges.

50 The Waldorf: Toast a handful of walnuts in a skillet. Chop an apple or pear; toss with greens, walnuts and a dressing made with olive oil, sherry vinegar, Dijon mustard and shallot. Top, if you like, with crumbled goat or blue cheese.

51 Put a stick of butter and a handful of pine nuts in a skillet. Cook over medium heat until both are brown. Toss with cooked pasta, grated Parmesan and black pepper.

52 Grill or sauté Italian sausage and serve over store-bought hummus, with lemon wedges.

53 Put a tablespoon of cream and a slice of tomato in each of several small ramekins. Top with an egg, then salt, pepper and grated Parmesan. Bake at 350 degrees until the eggs set. Serve with toast.

54 Brown small pork (or hot dog) chunks in a skillet. Add white beans, garlic, thyme and olive oil. Or add white beans and ketchup.

55 Dredge skate or flounder in flour and brown quickly in butter or oil. Deglaze pan with a couple of spoonfuls of capers and a lot of lemon juice or a little vinegar.

56 Make a fast tomato sauce of olive oil, chopped tomatoes and garlic. Poach eggs in the sauce, then top with Parmesan.

57 Dip pork cutlets in egg, then dredge heavily in panko; brown quickly on both sides. Serve over lettuce, with fresh lemon, or bottled Japanese curry sauce.

58 Cook chicken livers in butter or oil with garlic; do not overcook. Finish with parsley, lemon juice and coarse salt; serve over toast.

59 Brown bratwursts with cut-up apples. Serve with coleslaw.

60 Peel and thinly slice raw beets; cook in butter until soft. Take out of pan and quickly cook some shrimp in same pan. Deglaze pan with sherry vinegar, adding sauce to beets and shrimp. Garnish with dill.

61 Poach shrimp and plunge into ice water. Serve with cocktail sauce: one cup ketchup, one tablespoon vinegar, three tablespoons melted butter and lots of horseradish.

62 Southeast Asia steak salad: Pan- or oven-grill skirt or flank steak. Slice and serve on a pile of greens with a sauce of one tablespoon each of nam pla and lime juice, black pepper, a teaspoon each of sugar and garlic, crushed red chili flakes and Thai basil.

63 Miso steak: Coat beef tenderloin steaks (filet mignon) with a blend of miso and chili paste thinned with sake or white wine. Grill or broil about five minutes.

64 Pasta with fresh tomatoes: Cook chopped fresh tomatoes in butter or oil with garlic until tender, while pasta cooks. Combine and serve with grated Parmesan.

65 Sauté squid rings and tentacles in olive oil with salt and pepper and garlic; add chopped tomatoes. Cook until the tomatoes break down. Serve over pasta.

66 Salmon (or just about anything else) teriyaki: Sear salmon steaks on both sides for a couple of minutes; remove. To skillet, add a splash of water, sake, a little sugar and soy sauce; when mixture is thick, return steaks to pan and turn in sauce until done. Serve hot or at room temperature.

67 Rich vegetable soup: Cook asparagus tips and peeled stalks or most any other green vegetable in chicken stock with a little tarragon until tender; reserve a few tips and purée the rest with a little butter (cream or yogurt, too, if you like) adding enough stock to thin the purée. Garnish with the reserved tips. Serve hot or cold.

68 Brush portobello caps with olive oil; sprinkle with salt and pepper and broil until tender. Briefly sweat chopped onions, then scramble eggs with them. Put eggs in mushrooms.

69 Buy good blintzes. Brown them on both sides in butter. Serve with sour cream, apple sauce or both.

70 Sauté squid rings and tentacles in olive oil with salt and pepper. Make a sauce of minced garlic, smoked pimentón, mayo, lots of lemon juice and fresh parsley. Serve with a chopped salad of cucumber, tomato, lettuce, grated carrot and scallion, lightly dressed.

71 Press a lot of coarsely ground black pepper onto both sides of filet mignon or other steaks or chopped meat patties. Brown in butter in a skillet for two minutes a side. Remove steaks and add a splash of red wine, chopped shallots and a bit of tarragon to skillet. Reduce, then return steaks to pan, turning in the sauce for a minute or two.

72 World’s leading sandwich: prosciutto, tomato, butter or olive oil and a baguette.

73 Near instant mezze: Combine hummus on a plate with yogurt laced with chopped cucumbers and a bit of garlic, plus tomato, feta, white beans with olive oil and pita bread.

74 Canned sardines packed in olive oil on Triscuits, with mustard and Tabasco.

75 Boil-and-eat shrimp, cooked in water with Old Bay seasoning or a mixture of thyme, garlic, paprika, chopped onion, celery, chili, salt and pepper.

76 Make a thin plain omelet with two or three eggs. Sauté cubes of bacon or pancetta or strips of prosciutto until crisp. Cut up the omelet and use it and the meat to garnish a green salad dressed with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

77 Sear corn kernels in olive oil with minced jalapeños and chopped onions; toss with cilantro, black beans, chopped tomatoes, chopped bell pepper and lime.

78 Cook shrimp in a skillet slowly (five minutes or so) to preserve their juices, with plenty of garlic and olive oil, until done; pour over watercress or arugula, with lemon, pepper and salt.

79 Liverwurst on good sourdough rye with scallions, tomato and wholegrain mustard.

80 Not-quite merguez: Ground lamb burgers seasoned with cumin, garlic, onion, salt and cayenne. Serve with couscous and green salad, along with bottled harissa.

81 Combine crab meat with mayo, Dijon mustard, chives and tarragon. Serve in a sandwich, with potato chips.

82 Combine canned tuna in olive oil, halved grape tomatoes, black olives, mint, lemon zest and red pepper flakes. Serve with pasta, thinning with olive oil or pasta cooking water as needed.

83 Pit and chop a cup or more of mixed olives. Combine with olive oil, a little minced garlic, red pepper flakes and chopped basil or parsley. Serve over pasta.

84 Cook chopped tomatillos with a little water or stock, cilantro and a little minced fresh chili; serve over grilled, broiled or sautéed chicken breasts, with corn tortillas.

85 A winning sandwich: bresaola or prosciutto, arugula, Parmesan, marinated artichoke hearts, tomato.

86 Smoked trout fillets served with lightly toasted almonds, shredded fennel, a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of lemon.

87 Grated carrots topped with six-minute eggs (run under cold water until cool before peeling), olive oil and lemon juice.

88 Cut the top off four big tomatoes; scoop out the interiors and mix them with toasted stale baguette or pita, olive oil, salt, pepper and herbs (basil, tarragon, and/or parsley). Stuff into tomatoes and serve with salad.

89 Pasta frittata: Turn cooked pasta and a little garlic into an oiled or buttered skillet. Brown, pressing to create a cake. Flip, then top with three or four beaten eggs and loads of Parmesan. Brown other side and serve.

90 Thai-style beef: Thinly slice one and a half pounds of flank steak, pork shoulder or boneless chicken; heat peanut oil in a skillet, add meat and stir. A minute later, add a tablespoon minced garlic and some red chili flakes. Add 30 clean basil leaves, a quarter cup of water and a tablespoon or two of soy sauce or nam pla. Serve with lime juice and more chili flakes, over rice or salad.

91 Dredge calf’s liver in flour. Sear in olive oil or butter or a combination until crisp on both sides, adding salt and pepper as it cooks; it should be medium-rare. Garnish with parsley and lemon juice.

92 Rub not-too-thick pork or lamb chops with olive oil; sprinkle with salt and pepper plus sage or thyme. Broil about three minutes a side and drizzle with good balsamic vinegar.

93 Cut up Italian sausage into chunks and brown in a little olive oil until just about done. Dump in a lot of seedless grapes and, if you like, a little slivered garlic and chopped rosemary. Cook, stirring, until the grapes are hot. Serve with bread.

94 Ketchup-braised tofu: Dredge large tofu cubes in flour. Brown in oil; remove from skillet and wipe skillet clean. Add a little more oil, then a tablespoon minced garlic; 30 seconds later, add one and a half cups ketchup and the tofu. Cook until sauce bubbles and tofu is hot.

95 Veggie burger: Drain and pour a 14-ounce can of beans into a food processor with an onion, half a cup rolled oats, a tablespoon chili powder or other spice mix, an egg, salt and pepper. Process until mushy, then shape into burgers, adding a little liquid or oats as necessary. Cook in oil about three minutes a side and serve.

96 A Roman classic: In lots of olive oil, lightly cook lots of slivered garlic, with six or so anchovy fillets and a dried hot chili or two. Dress pasta with this.

97 So-called Fettuccine Alfredo: Heat several tablespoons of butter and about half a cup of cream in a large skillet just until the cream starts to simmer. Add slightly undercooked fresh pasta to the skillet, along with plenty of grated Parmesan. Cook over low heat, tossing, until pasta is tender and hot.

98 Rub flank steak or chuck with curry or chili powder before broiling or grilling, then slice thin across the grain.

99 Cook a couple of pounds of shrimp, shell on or off, in oil, with lots of chopped garlic. When they turn pink, remove; deglaze the pan with a half-cup or so of beer, along with a splash of Worcestershire sauce, cayenne, rosemary and a lump of butter. Serve with bread.

100 Cook red lentils in water with a little cumin and chopped bacon until soft. Top with poached or six-minute eggs (run under cold water until cool before peeling) and a little sherry vinegar.

101 Hot dogs on buns — with beans!

Disclaimer: I totally hijacked this from 7/18/07 NYTimes. But it's so worth it.

Cruising in Style: Four Seasons Ocean Residences

The Four Seasons will launch a residential ocean liner from London with spa and concierge service, among others. Residences starting at $3.8 million. Sales began recently, and the ship is scheduled to begin service in 2010.CONTACT (877) 507-3393 or www.oceanresidences.com.

The Four Seasons — a 719-foot, 13-deck ship operated by the hotel company that will be filled entirely with residences — will begin construction next spring in Helsinki, Finland. Its 112 residences are described as nothing like standard cruise ship cabins. The one- to four-bedroom units, sold in whole ownership, will range from 800 to more than 7,000 square feet and will have full-length windows, walk-in closets, terraces and full-size kitchens. Each residence will be credited $12,000 a year for food, drinks and spa services. Amenities, other than the spa, will include a fitness center, a pool, a shopping promenade, four restaurants, a specialty food market, a wine cellar, a business center, putting greens and a driving range. Sailboats and motorized water scooters will be launched from the ship’s marina area, which will also be used for diving trips and shuttles to shore. Round-the-clock concierge service will be available to help arrange on-shore activities, and in-room dining will be offered. Plans call for the ship initially to follow a two-year fixed itinerary that will take it to Antarctica, the Amazon and the 2012 Olympics in London. During that time, it is expected that the ship will spend an average of 250 days a year in port.

Next time Czech it out

Henriette Heussner of Münster, Germany, enjoyed a mineral bath on Friday in the King Edward cabin of the Nove Lazne hotel.

MARIANSKE LAZNE, Czech Republic — Anybody with a little cash in this quaint and quiet spa town can take a bath fit for a king.

Edward VII of Britain visited this bucolic corner of Bohemia six times during his short reign and each time took a bath in the Royal Cabin, as his private bathroom at the Nove Lazne hotel is still called. For about $45, you can, too.

Or at least, so says Craig S. Smith. I'd like his travel agent's phone number.

Girls Gone Golfing

I went golfing yesterday. Yes! I went golfing. It was a company outing and I figured I'd try something new. If I was terrible at it, at least I'd be in good company.

Here are a few things I learned while golfing:
It looks A LOT EASIER, than it actually is.
You really are supposed to be quiet when others are "teeing off".
There's way more golf lingo than I can I'm willing to learn.
You can become sore for simply swinging a club.
Driving the golf cart, not so easy.

I'm glad I got the opportunity to play. I'm sure I'll be doing it again. Anyone know of any golf courses by the sea with a built-in pool bar that serves "Painkillers"? Cause that's where I'd like to golf next time.

Just A Little Bit of Narcissism

Have you ever wanted just a little bit a recognition? A little bit of pop stardom? Now you can fulfill that narcissitic impulse.

Summertime....

...and the livin' is easy.



I don't know about you but down here, we've been experiencing summer down here in North Carolina. It's not anything extreme, at least not by our standards. But sure does help to have a tall cool drink by your side. And the afternoon off, if you can spare it. Alright ladies and gents, step right up for a cooling elixir. Unfortunately you'll have to make your own. Don't know how, just click on the picture. You'll be refreshed in no time.


Frozen drinks are good at the resort, but I prefer drinks that don't require extra machinery on my part. But a good daiquiri may be worth the investment in a new kitchen appliance.

I always thought that a Long Island Iced Tea was whatever was left in the bottles. Not enough to actually make the drink you wanted but not enough to just throw away. Boy was I wrong. My taste buds are thankful for the correction.


I learned the hard way. Sangria is not just fruit and wine.
A little goes a long way.


I'm not one of those girls that needs girlie drinks. For the most part I want what the guys are having, unless of course what they guys are having tastes like ear wax.

29 Years Young

I recently celebrated my 29th birthday. So of course I choose this as the most opportune time to reflect on my life and accomplishments. Overall I feel pretty good about being 29 and where I am in life. I really enjoying this age because all those identity crises and anxieties of my early 20's have been resolved. I am who I am, which is not who I used to be, nor am I who I am going to be. I am just who I am.

I am not 22, or 23. Nor do I want to be 22 or 23. I'm wiser, more stable, well-adjusted, more even tempered. Now don't get me wrong frustration does still get the best of me at times, just not all the time. Though now I can sit back and chuckle at those "young whipper-snappers" as they get bent out of shape over things I know they can't change; they just don't know it yet. And yes I'm still well capable of acting a fool, but now it's more so when I'm happy or excited over something rather than upset.

I've accepted that I don't look like I did when I was younger. Gravity has taken hold, but in a good way. I don't despise my gray hairs, they're only "natural" highlights. I found a gray hair in my husband's head and actually got excited. He couldn't understand, but that's okay. We're growing gray together and that's all that matters.

All in all, I enjoyed 28, revelling in 29, and look forward to 30. BTW, if the boomers have 60 as the new 20; then at 30 I just a kid in a candy shop. Life is sweet!

Good Marriage Advice

To keep your marriage brimming, With love in the loving cup,
Whenever you’re wrong, admit it; Whenever you’re right, shut up.
— Ogden Nash

The New Reality TV

I hate reality TV programming. Most of these people wouldn't really act that way. It's a dumb concept and I want all the script writers back, NOW! But I came upon this site that is "my" concept of reality programming. FlickrVision. I could easily watch this for a while. It's kind of like a visual lullaby.

TwitterVision on the other hand, not so much likey. Don't really care what other people are doing at the moment. Care even less when they report what they're doing in a language that is foreign to me.

Don't Have time to Read...

Sorry now that excuse won't work. If you're willing to forgo forward one email joke a day you can read the classics in no time. Dailylit emails you a snippet of the book and that's all you you have to read that day. That's it. You can completed a book in a month. Or you can do like me. Most libraries have a link to a "Internet" library where you can borrow and audio book. I listened to "Anna Karenina" while working. I'm glad I did; because I really enjoyed the story. But I surely would not have picked up a physical book at the end of my day and gotten through it in the same time period.