30 & Musing

On Heavy Rotation-Love the Luda

Tue, 01 Feb 2011 19:12:04 -0800

On Heavy Rotation-Love the Luda

Thanksgiving Redefined

Mon, 22 Nov 2010 17:23:35 -0800

Thanksgiving Redefined

Wow! Adele-Rolling in the Deep

Tue, 16 Nov 2010 07:57:17 -0800

Wow! Adele-Rolling in the Deep

"When a human being becomes a set of data on a website like Facebook, he or she is reduced...."

Sun, 14 Nov 2010 21:54:01 -0800

“When a human being becomes a set of data on a website like Facebook, he or she is reduced. Everything shrinks. Individual character. Friendships. Language. Sensibility. In a way it’s a transcendent experience: we lose our bodies, our messy feelings, our desires, our fears. It reminds me that those of us who turn in disgust from what we consider an overinflated liberal-bourgeois sense of self should be careful what we wish for: our denuded networked selves don’t look more free, they just look more owned.”

- Zadie Smith in a review of the movie ‘The Social Network’

I am in love with a sofa. (Source: Anthropologie)

Sun, 14 Nov 2010 09:07:57 -0800

I am in love with a sofa.

(Source: Anthropologie)

Worth the Read- November 14th Edition

Sun, 14 Nov 2010 09:04:22 -0800

* NY Times magazine did an article on this new brand of anti-feminist evangelical Christian woman. It centers on one apparently famous woman who holds to the adage that women must submit to their husbands but the article then takes a broader look at this new cultural norm. The basic thrust of the argument is rooted in gender roles and Biblical teachings of women versus historical and social changes as time has gone on. The most interesting part for me was that I hear this argument all the time and have had a hard time articulating what I think about it. I think the journalist did an excellent job in pointing out some inconsistencies with the message these women are trying to send.

* Gawker posted a great blog on ‘New Rules for Media Ethics’. Transparency is king in these new rules and the false premise of objectivity is thrown out the window. I found it refreshing actually and as I plan to take my research in the direction of ethics, this proves to be a good starting point.

* Robert Niles over at the Online Journalism Review wrote an articleabout how news orgs should start restructuring their beat systems. Instead of headings like ‘Government’, ‘Sports’ and ‘Business’, he suggests ‘Food’, ‘Education and ‘Labor’. I love when journalists think outside their self defined boxes.

This song has been rolling around in my head. When Mary J. Blige...

Sat, 13 Nov 2010 09:57:37 -0800

This song has been rolling around in my head. When Mary J. Blige sings ‘You ask for me to enter but then you make me crawl. And I can’t keep holding on to what you’ve got. Cuz all you got is hurt.’

Amazing!

Cougar Town…the best show you’re not watching!!!

Thu, 04 Nov 2010 08:42:58 -0700

Cougar Town…the best show you’re not watching!!!

"I said, ‘Well I guess you Pasadenans are pretty glad about Ike’s election..."

Sun, 24 Oct 2010 20:34:07 -0700

“I said, ‘Well I guess you Pasadenans are pretty glad about Ike’s election results.’
‘Glad? I should say we are!’ Big John thundered. ‘Why, who wouldn’t be? Everybody’s glad! But of course you people over there, you wouldn’t know how the country feels—all your news is slanted.’
This was hard to take, especially from the man who read only the right-leaning LA Times. For the record, Paul and I were avid devourers of the New York Times, the Herald Tribune, Le Figaro, Time, Fortune, The Reporter, Harper’s, The New Yorker, even L’Humanite, not to mention the flood of embassy cables, intelligence briefs, and twenty four hour wire-service and ticker sheets pouring in from around the world. So—whose news was slanted?”

- Julia Child

99 Things to Eat—-Sweet Edition So I have crossed two more...

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 21:38:30 -0700

Bulgarini Gelato

Little Flower Candy Co.-Sea Salt Caramel

99 Things to Eat—-Sweet Edition

So I have crossed two more things off of my 99 Things to Eat in LA list. The first is the sea salt caramels at Little Flower Candy Company in Eagle Rock. They are the perfect amount of sweet and salty. This caramel is second to none and worth the trip up to ER.

The second is the gelato at Bulgarini, which is in the most random, middle-of-nowhere mini mall in Altadena. Jonathan Gold recommends the goat’s milk but after trying at least seven flavors my favorite was by far the yogurt with olive oil. Sounds strange but it was simply divine and I have nothing to compare it to. The pistachio and almond were also lovely and really nutty, which you don’t often get in gelato (usually more cream than nut). All this to say I am glad I made the trip up and will definitely be coming back…it beats all the gelato I’ve had (including in Italy) times ten.

Summer Book Reviews

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 13:19:00 -0700

It is halfway through the summer and I have finished 3 books. Here is what I think…

Devil in the White City:

This book is the story of Chicago before, during and after the World’s Fair which occurred in the late 19th century and beginning of the 20th century. It brings together many historical figures but reserves its main focus for the Fair’s chief architect and a serial killer that was running amok at the time.

The story itself is amazing. The inventions that came from the investment in the Fair are things that we take for granted today. And the twisted mind of the man who was the serial killer made the read much more interesting. However, I found the writer put in too much detail which took away from the narrative. At times, I wanted a chapter to be over so that I could get to the good parts.

Overall I would recommend the book. However, if you’re into historical non-fiction I would highly recommend a book called American Lightning which was written in a similar fashion but whose narrative is much more palatable.

Child 44:

I remember seeing posters for this book in the tube a few years ago but never got around to reading it. Boy did I miss a gem! It was so engrossing I finished it in 3 days. I literally could not put it down. It is the perfect marriage of a compelling moment in history (Soviet Russia in the mid to late 50s) and crime caper. To be sure, there are some things in the book that are tough to read (due to the depravity of humanity that seemed to exist during that time) but I would recommend it to almost anyone.

One Day:

I had a couple of people tell me that I need to read this fun summer book. The main reason for the recommendation was the fact that a lot of action takes place in London. It is the story of two people, Dexter & Emma. The book chronicles their relationship on the same day, July 15, every year. It begins in 1988 as they are finishing University and goes on from there. Some years they are close and some years they are not but no matter what their friendship remains.

I liked the characters a great deal and reading about London always brings fond memories to my mind. However I found the romance part a bit cliche and the ending to me was over the top. I would definitely agree that it is a lovely beach read and much better than other chick lit I have read however, I think it could have been more which made me disappointed.

99 Things to Eat in LA Before You Die This is the egg salad...

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 19:51:29 -0700

99 Things to Eat in LA Before You Die

This is the egg salad sandwich from Euro Pane bakery in Pasadena. Now to be honest, I am in no way an egg salad fan. I find it generally to be very heavy and mushy. Also, the tendency is to put so much mayo on it.

However, this open faced sandi had none of these traits. It was quite simply divine. I have never ever had eggs cooked this way and the way it was presented was perfect. I am now a bona fide egg salad fan and will visit again soon. Worth the drive to Pasadena…trust me on this.

A Reasonable Man

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 09:00:49 -0700

A Reasonable Man:

Great article about my favorite Op-Ed columnist David Brooks.

Glen Beck's Lady Special

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 08:49:58 -0700

Glen Beck's Lady Special:

This man NEVER ceases to amaze me. His stupidity, misogynous nature, ability to rewrite history and emotionalism are absolutely insane. In these series of clips he calls the ‘Founding Mothers’ ugly, says Marxists rewrote history to make white men appear racist and sexist and then says simply that men are better. Nothing much to say really.

Yes friends you are seeing clearly. A ‘PRIVATE’...

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 10:49:00 -0700

Yes friends you are seeing clearly. A ‘PRIVATE’ letter from one Dick Cheney addressed to me. It is framed.

99 Things to Eat in LA Before You Die: This is the Strawberry...

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 20:31:00 -0700

99 Things to Eat in LA Before You Die:

This is the Strawberry Donut from the Donut Man in Glendora, CA. I thought I would cross it off the list since it is right near my University on Route 66. It was good although a bit too sweet for my taste. I would have preferred less jelly and more plain strawberries. The donut itself was just as described and the perfect texture. Overall, head over if you’re in the area but I wouldn’t make a trip out for them.

Two Poles of Journalism

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 19:46:00 -0700

Two Poles of Journalism:

The BEST analysis I have seen about the reaction from the journalism community to Michael Hastings’ Rolling Stone article. I am with Greenwald on this one but find the debate fascinating.

Tales of Dating-Post 1, Church Boy

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 19:36:00 -0700

You don’t reach the age of 30 without being married and not have a great wealth of dating stories under your belt. I have actually had friends tell me that I need to write a book about these adventures. Instead of a book, I will share them here on this blog. Some of the stories are new, others reside far back into my past but they all provide one thing: a good story.

It was at a lovely little church in London one Sunday morning that my first story begins. It was similar to most Sunday mornings, although I remember that it was quite warm outside and that the Notting Hill Carnival was coming up. I entered church, sat next to a friend and began singing. About fifteen minutes into the songs it was time to turn and greet your neighbor (or ‘meet and greet’ as I like to call it). I turned around said hello to a young man behind me.

Now first of all I want to be clear that I was not going to church to meet a man. Of course, I am not opposed to this happening but it was not my purpose. I began talking to ‘church boy’ and quickly realized he was also from the US. He was an east coaster and had come to the UK to do some sort of accounting job. It didn’t interest me much but he seemed nice enough. I really didn’t think much of it.

After the service was over I began talking to the friend that I was sat next to, while noticing that the ‘church boy’ was sitting all alone and appeared to be waiting for me. After some minutes, I turned around to chat more to ‘church boy’ before taking my leave.

As I was leaving the church, ‘church boy’ began walking next to me. He started asking what I was doing that week. I gave vague answers and was beginning to get hungry when I heard the magic words ‘Do you want to go to lunch with me?’ Now friends, to a hungry girl like myself this was a tempting proposition. I had no interest in this man but free food and I didn’t even have to go home to make it was too much.

I replied ‘YES’. ‘Church boy’ than brought out his ideas for a place to eat which included: McDonald’s, Burger King and Pizza Hut. A true American indeed. I honestly did not know what to say as I never eat at any of these places but I had already committed to lunch. I reluctantly chose Pizza Hut thinking this would be the most respectable of the three.

We entered Pizza Hut. I immediately wanted to leave after looking at the menu but remained seated. I suggested sharing a combo meal deal. He said that he was hungry and wanted to get his own meal very intensely. I then suggested the buffet but he wanted to order from the menu. So we both ordered meals which consisted of fries, buffalo chicken wings, pizza and ice cream—-no need to ask how I felt afterwards.

Both of our meals took forever to come out. They tasted disgusting. But worse than this we had nothing to talk about and nothing in common. Once we got past the fact that we were both Americans living in London there was nothing much to say. So we stumbled through lunch (which also included a dessert) and by the end were starring at each other in silence waiting for the check.

The check finally comes (an hour after the meal began). He does not make a move for it. I am at a loss but decide to grab it and politely offer to pay for my half. I quickly realize that my half would be eight pounds but I only had six in my wallet. I tell him about my problem and he replies one of my favorite lines to date, ‘You can give me back the two pounds next time you see me.’

Yes friends the ‘church boy’ did not get my lunch but graciously gave me a two pound loan that I could pay him back the next time I saw him. Amazing.

LESSON: If someone asks you to lunch it doesn’t mean they are paying. Don’t commit to an entire meal if you don’t know much about the person. Don’t eat at Pizza Hut—-in any circumstance.

Yes friends…an entire Vegas nightclub for douchebags.

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 18:45:15 -0700

Yes friends…an entire Vegas nightclub for douchebags.

30 & Musing

On Heavy Rotation-Love the Luda

Thanksgiving Redefined

Wow! Adele-Rolling in the Deep

"When a human being becomes a set of data on a website like Facebook, he or she is reduced...."

I am in love with a sofa. (Source: Anthropologie)

Worth the Read- November 14th Edition

This song has been rolling around in my head. When Mary J. Blige...

Cougar Town…the best show you’re not watching!!!

"I said, ‘Well I guess you Pasadenans are pretty glad about Ike’s election..."

99 Things to Eat—-Sweet Edition So I have crossed two more...

Top Secret America-The Washington Post

Summer Book Reviews

99 Things to Eat in LA Before You Die This is the egg salad...

A Reasonable Man

Glen Beck's Lady Special

Yes friends you are seeing clearly. A ‘PRIVATE’...

99 Things to Eat in LA Before You Die: This is the Strawberry...

Two Poles of Journalism

Tales of Dating-Post 1, Church Boy

Yes friends…an entire Vegas nightclub for douchebags.