Endorsements 2008

Chimps on Segways

Please, Please, Please...

Do NOT muddy up your bowl of pho by dumping a bunch of hoisin into the broth...it just overpowers the whole thing and disrupts the delicate balance of herbs and spices. Sriracha is fine, but if you must insist, take an extra spoon and put your hoisin there, for dipping your meat. I like to mix it with some lime juice for an extra kick.

Heard on NPR

Rosa sat
So Martin could walk

Martin walked
So Barack could run

Barack ran
So our children can fly

How about some good wholesome fun?

Saturday was spectacular outside, so we packed up the kids and headed out to Carleton Farm for some pumpkin patch fun. When did the pumpkin patch become such a big carnival? There were hay rides, a corn maze, goats, a pumpkin howitzer, and lord knows what else. Roc definitely enjoyed himself, so this looks to be an annual event.

Note: the old 20D just got some new kit, just acquired a 50mm/f1.8 at Glazer's (ask J2 for the story behind that), and shot these photos. It was really bright, and it was midday, so some of the photos are a little overexposed, but I like how the pictures turned out otherwise. Will post the rest to Flickr when I get a chance.

Endorsements 2008

Sandwiches:

Tortas. Next time you're at the taco truck, don't overlook the torta, often overshadowed by its more popular cousins, the burrito and taco. For the unitiated, a torta is basically the Mexican hamburger, a round bun filled with some kind of meat topped by lettuce and tomato. Simple, but wholly satisfying when done right. Most times the meat is basically the usual taco/burrito fillings on a bun,* but one local place called Barriga Llena ("full belly") elevates it into a gut busting pleasure-bomb. Fillings include the Milanesa - basically a pork cutlet breaded and fried, house-cured chorizo, carne asada, hot dogs (unnecessary but included to complete the picture), roast pork, and combinations thereof. One of these will keep you happy for hours. Love 'em.

Banh Mi. One of these, on the other hand, can leave you hungry. Fortunately, they're hella cheap (Never pay more than $2 for one, by the way), and very good. I always buy them in multiples, and it's still cheaper than the #1 meal at McD's. My fave is the BBQ pork banh mi from Seattle Deli.

Philly Cheesesteak. The bread, the bread, the bread. I didn't understand until I actually visited Philly. It doesn't actually taste any better there, but you just don't get that same chewy texture from a Gai's roll. But now I at least know what all of those Right Coast expats are complaining about.

Hoagies: See Cheesesteak, above.

PB&J: When's the last time you had one of these? From about 1983 until Roc started eating solid food, I hadn't even considered having one, but in a fit of desperation during a particularly nasty food tantrum, I slapped one together and stole a few bites for myself. Ahhh, nostalgia.


*Some comedian did a funny bit based on that, basically how American-Mexican food is basically the same 3 ingredients in different combos...I'll have to find it on YouTube.

WIA Poetry Corner

I'm not into poetry; that fact notwithstanding, I heard this on Garrison Keillor's Writer's Almanac today while munching on a sandwich on my way to a meeting. Something just struck me as being profoundly true.

"Candlelight"
by Tony Hoagland

Crossing the porch in the hazy dusk
to worship the moon rising
like a yellow filling-station sign
on the black horizon,

you feel the faint grit
of ants beneath your shoes,
but keep on walking
because in this world

you have to decide what
you're willing to kill.
Saving your marriage might mean
dinner for two

by candlelight on steak
raised on pasture
chopped out of rain forest
whose absence might mean

an atmospheric thinness
fifty years from now
above the vulnerable head
of your bald grandson on vacation

as the cells of his scalp
sautéed by solar radiation
break down like suspects
under questioning.

Still you slice
the sirloin into pieces
and feed each other
on silver forks

under the approving gaze
of a waiter
whose purchased attention
and French name

are a kind of candlelight themselves,
while in the background
the fingertips of the pianist
float over the tusks
v of the slaughtered elephant
without a care,
as if the elephant
had granted its permission.

Friday morning blogging

or: "I love my son, but..."

Rough night. Ardel and I were at our wits end trying to figure out why Mace seemed so uncomfortable and how we can possibly get some sleep tonight. Frustration led to anger then guilt. I finally took the babe for an hourlong drive.

I'm sitting here trying to figure out how I can get him out of his car seat without waking him up. I can't just leave him in there, can I?

Good News is, Huskies Didn't Lose this Weekend

...since it was their Bye week. The Seahawks now officially suck. Maybe I should just give up on football this year.

However, I do take some pleasure in learning that this goat-fucker has taken a bath from the financial crisis.

Endorsements 2008

The cheap umbrella stroller:



Times is hard, you can take those $1000 bugaboos and shove 'em up yer arse.

"Pinoy Backfield" Powers Eastside Catholic

The nut quote:

"I call them the 'Mighty Mites' and for good reason," Marsh said. "There's no lack of effort amongst them. They're not the biggest kids but they're all 6-4 and 230 in their hearts."

Jala2 says no way can our boys play football, they'll be too small. Maybe this will change her mind a little.

Some Cool Things

The guy who worked on the classic Rainier Beer ads reminisces.

A shit knife? Let's see Bear Grylls do that.

A little late, now that the weather is cooler, but here's a way to deal with fruit flies.

Cheapshitcondos? The name says it all.

When's the last time you actually cracked open the Yellow Pages? Me Neither.

All of a sudden, the minivan becomes a real possibility in my life.

For more, visit my Google shared items page.