newsworthy

Important things that I should write about but don't want to (so feel free to enlighten and elaborate in the comments section if you so desire):

• Occupy Wall Street protests, particularly what has come of it in Oakland (but I will say this: Although I do support the initial motives for the movement, I am cognizant of the reasons for police intervention (note: not inappropriately aggressive measures). Honestly, seeing the footage, and as acknowledged in the Times today, it looks like a lot of dirty white people, so it is very likely that camp areas have become health hazards and public nuisances, in terms of smells and nastiness.
• Last night's CBS Evening News '1 in 7 Billion' story on the typical person, who, as I predicted, was Han Chinese
• Last night's crazy World Series Game 6
• Post-election protests in Tunisia

capes

Not much to say this Friday, fashion-wise, except that I love the arrival of capes, particularly this rich-hued one from Zara.

(photo cred: Zara)

They're so much more interesting and fun and loose than coats. You can pretend you have no arms and just low-slung hands. I say the 'arrival' of capes because 1) they're carried by mass retailers like Zara and 2) they've had a history of being perceived as a garment worn by weirdos.

can't...turn...the...channel...

Folks, we're treated to another guest post by G today! Enjoy this week's List.
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It's an honor to bring you yet another guest post for LIST WEDNESDAY, coming to you a day late.  My apologies.  

We've all been stuck inside on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon and randomly flipping through the channels hoping to find something entertaining to watch.  Assuming it's not football season, it's sometimes a pleasant surprise to land on a channel that is showing a movie you love that you haven't seen in a while.  Thanks TNT, AMC, TBS and FX.  With that being said, here are 7 movies that I just can't stop watching whenever I unexpecedly find them on TV (in no particular order, or INPO):

==TOP 7 MOVIES I CAN'T STOP WATCHING WHEN THEY'RE ON TV==

1) A FEW GOOD MEN - Star Power Galore:  Cruise, Nicholson, Demi Moore, Keifer, Kevin Bacon, Cuba Gooding Jr., and Rob Reiner directing.  Everyone remembers "You want the truth? You can't handle the TRUTH!" but how about "Oh I'm sorry, you were sick the day they taught law at law school".  Reminds me of my days in law school.

2) MY COUSIN VINNY - A TBS Classic with so many funny moments and lines.  "The two yutes", "Uh, What's a yute?" -  "I wore this ridiculous thing for you" (when Vinny was forced to wear a ridiculous red tuxedo because the dry cleaner was closed) - Vinny, going from "What's a grit" to "I love grits too, do you like yours creamy or al dente?"  Just a coincidence that this is a courtroom "drama" like "A Few Good Men."

3) SILENCE OF THE LAMBS - "Place the lotion in the f-ing basket!"  Sir Anthony Hopkins is so creepy and so convincing and even though I've seen this movie at least 15 times, I can still feel the suspense build and am constantly entrigued by the interactions between Hannibal Lecter and Clarice Starling.  When Clarice walks down the hall to Lecter's cell only to see him standing there smiling and waiting for her is genius filmmaking.    

4) OLD SCHOOL - Another TBS Classic and my favorite moment among many includes a short cameo from Terry O'Quinn (Locke from LOST).  Luke Wilson is talking with his boss (Locke) and Locke's daughter walks in.  Earlier, Luke had hooked up with Locke's daughter and Locke says something along the lines of "It's amazing how fast they grow up, and to think in a few months she'll be graduating high school." Luke choking on his coffee always makes me chuckle.  

5) NATIONAL LAMPOONS EUROPEAN VACATION - Whenever I hear Big Ben referenced, I will always think about Chevy Chase driving around in circles going nuts saying "Look kids, Big Ben, Parliament.  I just can't get left."

6) JURASSIC PARK - The T-Rex breaking free from his pen and looking into the SUV where the kids were is classic Speilberg.  Of course, as with so many Speilberg films, John Williams does the score and the music playing when everyone first sees the dinosaurs is sweeping and unforgettable.

7) THE WEDDING PLANNER - Not sure why I can't turn away from this not-particulary-good movie.  As the author of this blog can attest, I must have a thing for Matthew McConaughey romantic comedies because I also enjoy "HOW TO LOSE A GUY IN 10 DAYS".

Hope you enjoyed this "List Wednesday" list on Thursday.  

tasty bits

There are a few tasty bits to nibble on this Toothsome Tuesday. Let's begin with the joyful announcement that the McRib is back! Along with its 'quirky sense of humor,' it's weird spongy, boneless texture and pickles (!) make it the best transient LTO chain food item ever (except maybe the never ending pasta bowl at Olive Garden). I've had the link to this McRib locator map saved in my draft email box for 2 years now, so it's time to dust it off: Find your next McRib now!

(photo cred: David Paul Morris/Getty Images)

Next up: I missed Food Day yesterday and all of its events. Maybe next year.

Thirdly: Speaking of McRibs, I'd love to shove one in this man's mouth - Michael Pollan is going to be speaking at the Strathmore tomorrow night for over $30 a ticket. Who would pay that and why? If you just flipped through his annoying Food Rules book, you should realize that it's all common sense...but maybe I'm overestimating the actual proportion of people who were raised with high dietary standards in the home. It's sad that Pollan can just pen up a list of things you should have been taught as a child and make money off it, or maybe he's just smart and banking on his yipsterhipsterfoodiegroupies, knowing that this audience would pay for it. They would, after all, pay $100 to ride a horse at a diner pop-up 90's party (anyone else watch 2 Broke Girls?).

...but back to the idea of Food Rules - I'll give the man some credit for enlightening those who were unfortunately not taught by their parents how to eat nutritiously. I guess I am just lucky. I suppose one thing that bothers me about Pollan, and this is probably what bothers me about Alice Waters, is his preachiness. Pollan preaches against eating processed foods. Sure, unprocessed foods are preferable and more nutritious, but the reality is that they're not going away. They're convenient, often practical and affordable. So instead of telling people not to eat them, why can't he instead use his public and influential voice to support, say, the sodium reduction effort the FDA and USDA are mulling over? (yes, that was a shameless plug) Rather than badmouthing processed foods, why not support making them better?

So anyway, buying the book is bad but paying for a ticket to listen to Pollan preach for what an excellent meal would cost is worse, because if you're contemplating going to the Strathmore, you probably already know what he's going to say and agree with it anyway.

Fourthly: We finally went to Fast Gourmet last weekend and success! Even though I regretted what I ordered (check my Foodspotting roll for pics - I'm too embarrased to write what I ordered. Eddie Huang would poopoo my choice. My justification is that I had lots of meat the night before and was seeking something without meat, and buckled at the pressure of ordering in a hurry), I thoroughly enjoyed the huge fried yuca rods and the dipping sauces (we mixed the spicy green sauce from G's falafel with the pink mayo-based yuca sauce). I also really enjoyed the empanada (it had egg! and no raisins!), even though it was hella pricey for a small empanada. We plan to return to eat some of the more enticing, meaty items on the menu, but also leaving room for some stall food from the DC Marketplace across the street, since we'll probably go back on a weekend.

republicans + taxes

BUSINESS DAY

Economix: The Republican Idea of Tax Reform

By BRUCE BARTLETT

Published: October 25, 2011

Republicans talk of tax reform only when they can't get their way with straightforward tax cuts, an economist writes.

best wishes...

...are in order (and a bit overdue):

• to Tunisia: congratulations on your election (the first of the Arab Spring) and best wishes on your road to democracy.
• to Libya: best wishes on your new freedom from 42 years of regime rule. Although I agree with those who favored trying Colonel Gaddafi and having him pay for the horrific acts he committed, enjoy this moment of liberation. Good luck on your efforts to stabilizing and rebuilding your government and country.

idioms

(photo cred: Kate Spade)

Mah boo surprised me with this lovely bauble today. I've been {fashion blogger speak alert} crushing on it for years (or maybe just over a year now) and he remembered an emailed link I sent him 6-7 months ago (before the engagement - after that, I told him he shouldn't buy me anything for the next decade or so...but he still did). In case you can't see the inscription, it reads "TURN THE TABLES."  So as I set up DJ Hero, I'll also be daydreaming about my next trip to my favorite borough, all while wearing my new favorite accessory..."'cuz I'll be rockin this party eight days a week."

WTF morons

For the second time in what, a week?, Senate Republicans shot down the president's jobs bill, which apparently was already chopped up and slimmed down. Not sure what they're looking for, but it doesn't seem to be to help their country or the voters who gave them a job. I can only hope that the GOP is shooting themselves in the foot right now and that voters remember this and kick their asses at the polls.

UPDATE: Per MoveOn, the bill didn't even get this far...it was filibustered, so an up/down vote didn't even happen.

clue: it weighs a ton

This week's List is superfun - it's a list of 

==WHAT'S IN MY BAG==

(This looks like a really bad eBay photo, but it's not. I'm not selling my bag.)

This is my red Foley + Corinna mid city tote bought from a sample sale in the LES.  I love its rich color and that you can wear it multiple ways, but it's pretty heavy even when empty. So what do I do? I stuff it with lots of stuff, of course.

... so here's ==THE STUFF THAT'S IN MY BAG==

• Kindle
• Government ID
• Sunglasses (from Target) in a Brooks Brothers case (from an old pair of glasses)
• Orbit gum
• Extra maxi pads (Always Infinity, if you must know)
• Black foldable reusable shopping bag (thanks, Ma - it's the best for unexpected shopping)
• White hankerchief (because every lovely lady should use one - thanks again, Ma)
• Ipod in a Totoro case (from HK) dirtied by a leaking pen (case courtesy of Ma too)
• Eos mint lip balm
• Green leather dual mirror from Crabtree & Evelyn (from Ma also)
• Black Muji mesh zip case of various cosmetic and toiletry items
• Coin purse from the National Native American Museum, which holds my Harris Teeter VIP shoppers card, my SmarTrip card and a few extra bucks (this serves as my giveaway wallet should I ever be held up...walking through DC at night makes you think of these things)
• Keys on keyring with a library of tiny club cards, library cards, etc..., keychains and rape whistle
• Hand sanitizer
• Forever-reliable DayMinder (model SK-48 - I dedicated a whole post on it here)
• Ro wallet from Century 21 years ago (original price $100, but I got it for $14.97!)

...and here's a more detailed look at what's in my Muji case (bonus list!):

• Shiseido blush
• Crabtree & Evelyn lip conditioner (Remedy line)
• Stila lip glaze in starfruit
• Mini hair clawclip
• GUM toothpicks
• Pill box in the shape of a bear's head
• Other items in the case include bandaids, floss, hair clips, hair ties, Bliss breath freshening mint lip balm

Hope you enjoyed that look into the intimate world that is my bag...plus, you got a bonus list! Score!

momofuku

Eater has unveiled the cover of the next issue of David Chang's quarterly food journal, Lucky Peach. If you haven't read the first issue yet, too bad (you're free to borrow my copy, which is currently on loan). It was all about ramen, and included a story about a trip Chang took to Japan (on somewhat of a ramen pilgrimage), one about Ivan Orkin and how he successfully opened a ramen shop in Tokyo, a piece by Anthony Bourdain, and recipes using instant ramen. Needless to say, I'm quite excited about this upcoming issue, due to drop around November 15, and am fortunate our pantry Harris Teeter (or as we call it, Harry Teets) carries it.



(photo cred: Eater)

meatballs

...while we're on the subject of Michel Richard (see post below), just read on Eater that he's going to open up a meatball shop in Penn Quarter. It'd be interesting to see his interpretation of meatballs and how this does as a business. It would also be my first taste of Michel Richard anything if I don't get in to the Jacques Pepin lunch. I still haven't been to The Meatball Shop despite it being in the middle of my old stomping territory of below 14th St, but still want to and have heard good things. (I find it interesting that one of the co-owners worked at two Woo Lae Oak locations.) This also calls to mind the guy on America's Next Great Restaurant whose "Saucy Balls" concept lost, though maybe it should have won, given Soul Daddy's demise.

(photo cred: Sean K of The Meatball Shop meatballs/Yelp)

masters

(photo cred: International Culinary Center/NPR)

I waited for Toothsome Tuesday to come around to post about this...I'm so excited, but won't get my hopes up. As reported by Eater, Jacques Pepin and Michel Richard will be cooking together on November 18 at Citronelle!!! ...and I've been put on the waiting list. Let's hope someone cancels. The menu will consist of dishes from Jacques Pepin's new cookbook, the reason for this occasion of dynamomasterFrenchchefs proportions.

...now where's that picture I have of me and him when we met at the National Book Fair in 2007? Would it be creepy if I brought it with me on the 18th and had him sign it?

garmin

...just trying out the web-based Garmin tools that can keep track of and analyze my runs. This is what I did yesterday. It was a bit slow (I had a case of heavy-legs) but was the best kind of run - exploratory. I found my way to a new walkway that was just constructed that overlooks the river, railroad tracks, and new soccer fields in what was previously dead land that we called "murder scene."

more sunday please

(photo cred: my awesome Sony Ericsson phone circa 2007)

This here was our Sunday afternoon football spread: cracked pepper water crackers, a wedge of bel paese cheese, some birthday jerky all the way from Jackson Market via MaBa, and some pony beers. We later ordered some pastitsio (or as they call it, pastasio) and gyro fixins from Mom's Pizza Kitchen to supplement. After a serene and spiritual morning, there's nothing like an afternoon of football and food on a bright fall day. It doesn't hurt that there was a trifecta of football happiness either (Steelers win, Niners win, Redskins lose).

...birthday jerky? Yes, birthday jerky. Because today is a day to commemorate the birth of someone the world could certainly use more of (I think I've written that in every one of his birthday cards) - Happy Birthday, G :)

mi$$oni

(photo cred: Moda Operandi)

The Italian-made skirt shown above is made mostly of lambskin and costs $10,029, requires a $5,015 deposit, and won't arrive at your door until Feb-April 2012. Holy Missoni, I'm even more proud of my Missoni for Target purchases! Granted, my purchases were not made in Italy, are not exclusive, were not made with the same standard of quality, and are not made of lambskin, but I still get to enjoy the aesthetic characteristics of the Missoni brand nonetheless.

...meanwhile, there are others who are making lots of money off their Missoni for Target purchases, not surprisingly.

closed

Ray's Hell Burger Too is now closed, as reported by Eater. I wonder if Mike Landrum's mysteriousness about his restaurants (e.g. Rays to the Third) will start to get old and people won't care anymore...

eerrgg

So I posted a short post last week about how the Republicans are bashing the president's jobs bill, which was a pretty good segue into this week's Senate vote on the bill. Not surprisingly, Senate Republicans killed it. In my post, I was trying to be fair by not exactly saying the Republicans have no ideas of their own to counter the president's jobs bill. I was giving them the benefit of the doubt. Why did I even bother? I should have just said what I wanted to say (I'm sure by not doing so, I committed some sort of blogger crime, and am sorry). Here we go: Their spiel is fluff. That plan I linked to is hot air. Their flavor of the month, Herman Cain, is a joke of a candidate.

Published yesterday in the Times was this editorial on exactly my sentiments. I'm glad my initial thinking was correct and validated by the Times, but I'm also still steaming from the lack of progress our lawmakers are making. I hope Republican voters are paying attention and not holding the president responsible for this lack of progress.  A recent poll (was it the NBC/WSJ one?) showed that a majority of Americans supported the president's jobs bill. Killing the bill was a political act that couldn't be more blatant. I can only imagine the frustration the president is feeling...forget Tiger Woods, I'd be slinging hot dogs at the Republicans right about now.

public transportation etiquette for dummies

This week's List addresses some of the offenses I witness everyday on public transportation. As a current daily rider of the bus and train, and as a customer of public transportation in three major metropolitan areas since the age of 8 (many of my years using it daily), I consider myself a seasoned rider.  So, yes, consider your source, because in this case, I know the subject well.


==TOP OFFENSES WHEN RIDING PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION==

1. Taking too long to board and de-board (includes not getting up from your seat until people are already boarding)
• What are you waiting for?
2. Talking too loud on your phone
• Age-old problem in any public space
3. Not de-boarding through the back door, especially when you are not close to the front door
• I don't think people realize that this could really speed things up. People can board the bus through the front door while you de-board out the back door.
4. Not taking off your backpack or shoulder bag in a sardine-packed, super crowded train or bus
• This frees up a lot of space - a full backpack can take up as much room as an additional body. Plus, holding your bag or backpack rather than wearing it on your back or shoulder keeps your belongings secure and in your vision, or out of reach for pickpockets.
5. Staring
• Even a 5-yr old knows not to stare (or they should know). Don't do it.
6. Standing by the door when you have no intention of getting off at the next stop.
• You're in the way of someone actually de-boarding, or you're taking up room for someone who is actually planning on getting off at the next stop.

I know there are more, but I can't think of them right now. If you think of any, please post them in the comments. As for the items that are listed above, now you know - don't do them!

...just a thought...

(photo cred: Brian C. Frank/NYTimes)

This man is a competitive grower. Featured in the Times, he is part of a group of growers that dedicate their lives to their hobby of growing huge pumpkins.  The current world record is 1,810 lbs. These babies (or giants?) are so big they can instantaneously combust under their own weight...yet due to their thick skin, they are inedible. Some of these growers are engineers in that they come up with breeding and grafting methods to achieve maximum growth, so why can't they apply their drive and knowledge to developing a huge pumpkin that's actually edible, then donate it to food banks?

yes to more jobs

Support the President's Jobs Bill