KPCC (that’s Pasadena City College, if I remember right) is streaming the audio
of plays (or radio plays specifically, I’m not sure), done by LA Theater Works.
Some of the plays listed sound great, including the latest, which is War of the Worlds starring ST:TNG alumnus.
It’s all RealAudio, and I can’t wait to listen!
Digitally assured destruction – Business – International Herald Tribune
An excellent article from the IH-T on protecting your info once you delete it on your personal computer.
It’s a little embarassing, but I have something to admit.
I have a major aversion to squashes. All kinds. No, not the drinks…the vegetable. A serious aversion, some might even call it a prejudice.
But, really, all the pumpkin stuff that’s happening now? Not such a big deal for me. Pumpkin pie? Ugh. Pumpkin soup? Uh-uh. Roasted butternut squash? No way. I will never choose one of those off a menu, and I sure don’t choose to make ’em.
I did see the Good Eats episode about squashes. And I even got a little excited about making them. But I just can’t bring myself to buy one and prep it and do…anything with it. Last year, we got a couple extra pumpkins and I roasted them and then puree’d them. The only thing we make is pumpkin pie pancakes, which I like cause of the spices in it. But there’s still tons of puree in the freezer, and I have no urge to make something with it.
Anyone have any recipes that might sway me?
In California, we happened to go to our favorite restaurant on our anniversary. Well, maybe not happened, maybe we booked it, but still….it was a happy coincidence we were there on the day. The menu….ah, the menu.
Menu Gastronomique
CELERY ROOT SALAD
Enoki Mushrooms, Brulee Figs, Carrot Jus
PEAR AND AUTUMN SQUASH
Spiced Cappuccino, Mille-Feuille, Citrus Powder
HUDSON VALLEY FOIE GRAS
Granny Smith Apple Gastrique, Sautern Gelee, Hazelnut Crisp
_______________________
ALBACORE TUNA
Baby Artichokes, Cocoa Nibs, Yuzu Vinaigrette
ALASKAN BLACK COD
Nasturtium-Saffron Tea, Salmon Caviar, Garden Herbs
DAYBOAT SCALLOPS
Concord Grapes, Pink Peppercorn Caramel, Pickled Fennel
______________________
STEAK ONGLET
Chanterelles, Fingerling Potato, Syrah Jus
PORK TENDERLOIN
Roasted Lady Apple, Salsify, Perigeuex Sauce
MAGRET DUCK BREAST
Foie Gras, Pluots, Butter Beans
_______________________
ARTISIAN CHEESE SELETION
Marmalades, Honeys
FIG PARFAIT
Spiced Port Reduction, Roasted Fennel Seed Ice Cream
CHOCOLATE PEAR CUP
Coriander Ice Cream, Clove Ganache
PINEAPPLE RAVIOLI
Pink Peppercorn Panna Cotta, Lime Sorbet
CHILLED BERRY COMPOTE
Cinnamon Basil Ice Cream, Almond Crisp
No no no, we didn’t eat all of that. Just one thing from each section. Man I love food.
Magda and I were looking at what her visa means (like how long can she be here, can she leave and come back, etc), and I saw this on the main page of United States Visas.
A Message from
President Bush:
“America is not a fortress; no, we never want to be a fortress. We’re a free country; we’re an open society. And we must always protect the rights of our law — of law-abiding citizens from around the world who come here to conduct business or to study or to spend time with their family.”
— 14 May 2002, President Bush Signs Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act
This is one of the biggest LIES I have ever heard/seen/known of. I mean, I WAS IN THE ROOM when the guy at the embassy told Magda that they had to assume that EVERY person who applied for a visa had to be suspected of trying to illegally emigrate. I gotta send a letter to my senators, and to my two former senators about this. I’M SO PISSED.
But it’s not like he tells the truth or anything. I mean, he can’t even talk. Look at the editing job up there. He couldn’t even say “law abiding” without thinking about it. Sheesh.
Well, Thursday afternoon, Magda returned home to her passport waiting in the overnight package (that she had to provide to the Embassy). In it was her visa!!!! And not for the three months we were told. She has a 6 month visa, good til the beginning of December! She’s trying to figure out what she’s going to do right now, but has to put it all in teh back of her mind cause she has a big exam next week. Whoo hoo!!
I cannot believe the disgust I have for the US Government right now.
Magda wants to come to the states, and we’d love for her to visit us. So she’s coming in late summer. We jumped through the hoops to get the forms she needed and photos and the 80 euros for the tourist visa (80 FREAKING EUROS!?). She got an appointment at the embassy. And I went with her, cause if she’s gonna be staying with us, I thought I should be there.
Now, I’ve heard stories about the embassy, but I thought they’d be decent to someone who wanted to come, spend their hard-earned money, and experience the land of milk and honey, then go home and not suck up valuable tax dollars by trying to claim welfare. Apparently, I was wrong.
The clerk who helped us (after we waited 45 minutes after our ‘appointment’) was one of the rudest men I think I have ever come across. He actually said that they needed to assume that everyone who is coming to the states is trying to sneak in and live there. No, he really said that. Basically, since Magda is a student and is young and from Poland (and living in Ireland), he thinks she doesn’t have good enough family ties (FFS, she lives with her dad and brother and boyfriend) and if she was married it would be better. He didn’t talk loud enough to hear him all the time through the bulletproof glass of the counter (after having to go through a security checkpoint to even get into the ‘complex’, including no keys or mobiles, and the security guard checking my travel mug of tea), which was a problem for both Magda and I. Things he didn’t like about Magda:
She was young
She was Polish
Her family situation (ie dad is a carpenter not “someone who works at IBM”)
Unmarried
Student (not working)
I can see how that would be an issue. No, really. But the rudeness, and the attitude, MAN. I just can’t get how ANYONE would want to go to the states after that fun. And then we still have to deal with immigration in Shannon (or whereever she flies from). Argh.
I am embarassed that the US would treat someone that way. No matter who they were. I can now understand why people do what they do. I read recently that the US is like a drunk waving a gun around in a bar. No one’s going to mess with him, but once he passes out or drops the gun, his ass will be handed to him on a platter.
Never before had I thought about revoking my US citizenship. Now, I wonder. I’m disgusted by the comments the man made, and the assumptions.
Sometimes I wonder while I work on this cookbook..how can I be a good cook if I don’t like certain things? Like blue cheese. Hate it. Bitter herbs and veggies. Hate ’em. Most nuts…really not a nut person. But how can I be objective in creating food if I don’t like some food? And my own food allergies cause me to not be able to use some foods in the recipes. It’s an odd thing. I can create something, but I can’t taste it. Durn.
Just a brain dump :-).
I realized it’s been a long time since our last podcast. Wonder if we can get our act together tomorrow to do one? Raise your hand if you want more AcciCook!
For obvious reasons, breakfasts for us are hard to do. With no eggs, dairy, tomatoes or strawberries, lots of things are cut out right away. It’s difficult, cause making our weekly recipe list, we normally just blow off the breakfasts (cereal, porridge, occasional bagels with smoked salmon, toast and jam). But we like breakfast food. We do make french toast, pumpkin pie pancakes, and right now we’re having raspberry muffins.
What I would do to just whip up a proper fry tho….
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