Year in photos
A great idea borrowed from Cortney. I've created a set at Flickr with a few pictures from this year:
Cookie overload
Yesterday I made Elevator Lady Spice Cookies, chocolate-pistachio dipped vanilla rolls, and peppermint snow-topped chocolate cookies. Today was cranberry-pear chutney, and moroccan carrot-ginger sauce. ("Moroccan" in my cooking roughly translates to the addition of emergency peanut butter when an experiment goes awry.)
Comments
Post a Comment Hide Comments
A perfect Portland day
I'm back home for the holidays, and savoring every minute of Portlandy goodness. My cousin and I started the day with breakfast at Besaws in Northwest, and then I wandered along 23rd. It was about 9:30, so most of the boutiques weren't open yet, thankfully sparing me an otherwise egregious shopping bill. All of the little shops appeared to be thriving; my one disappointment was that Coffee People appears to be Starbucks now (I'm going to have to rethink my "Starbucks isn't really evil" stance). I turned left at Hoyt, wandering through the neighborhoods with funkily-decorated gardens, apartment doors, and balconies. Turned right on 12th and wandered through the Pearl District. Eventually ended up at Buffalo Exchange, where I spent two hours trying on used designer clothing (oh, how Pittsburgh needs a BE!). Then crossed the street to Powell's, just as the rain started.Surprisingly, the worlds second largest bookstore didn't have A Dictionary of Modern American Usage by Bryan A. Garner (which is reviewed exquisitely by David Foster Wallace in the book I'm currently reading). But they did have several other DFW books, great cookbooks, the latest Dave Eggers, and Michael Chabon's first novel. All of which i schlepped into the coffee shop and perused for another couple of hours along with the foamiest soy latte ever and a mushroom leek tarte.
After Powells, I wandered downtown, debating whether to catch a bus across the river. But first, I hit the Saturday Market under the Burnside Bridge (open mid-day Wednesday, I guess because of the holidays). Finding the Burnside Bridge and promenade usually pedestrian unfriendly (construction), I caught a 19 bus to E. 28th and picked up some groceries for the butternut squash risotto I'm making for my cousin and her sons tonight. (Yes, this would be the fourth time with this risotto in the last three weeks -- some recipes make for wicked cravings.) Going to take the extra Better than Bouillon to my parents' house tomorrow and introduce them to its yumminess.
Erin and I are meeting at a wine bar late this evening (and I'm really looking forward to tasting some Willamette Valley Pinot). Tomorrow I head to Eugene.
Comments
Two posts ago, you pine for northwest terrain as you hike back east; this post, you spend time in Powells thumbing a Chabon book that is about 50% Pittsburgh references. So where is the grass greener?
On the scarier note, so there's a Starbucks in the old CP? Would that make it a SB across the street from a SB? Do they really need four places on 23rd (incl. Tully's), or are they just needing more frontage for the sunny-weather bikers?
On the scarier note, so there's a Starbucks in the old CP? Would that make it a SB across the street from a SB? Do they really need four places on 23rd (incl. Tully's), or are they just needing more frontage for the sunny-weather bikers?
Sounds divine! Did the 19 take you to Belmont (the grocery store on Belmont, local chain, can't remember the name?).
If you can, I would be truly delighted if you brought back a six-pack of Full Sail Amber. Otherwise, you definitely need to have one. My favorite spot is at a dive bar on Hawthorne -- Angelo's. They have free pool *and* foosball. The delightful water hole caddy-corner across the street, the Water Trough, has cheap pool and the best freakin' shuffleboard table!
If you can, I would be truly delighted if you brought back a six-pack of Full Sail Amber. Otherwise, you definitely need to have one. My favorite spot is at a dive bar on Hawthorne -- Angelo's. They have free pool *and* foosball. The delightful water hole caddy-corner across the street, the Water Trough, has cheap pool and the best freakin' shuffleboard table!
Cortney -- I took the 19 right down Burnside to the Wild Oats at E. 28th. It's right near my cousin's house. But I know which grocery store on Belmont you're talking about. Wish pgh had more places like that.
JB -- The grass is green in both locations. (Well, no, it's probably literally greener in Oregon.) And I figured reading the Chabon book would be a good way to enjoy my current home. (I've actually heard "Mysteries of Pittsburgh" isn't all that good, but I like several of his other novels, so I'm looking forward to it.)
I was a little disoriented when I saw the Starbucks on 23rd, and forgot to look at the old Starbucks location across the street (Hoyt-ish?). I think they moved from the one location to the other, rather than opening two. I'll be near there again today and will report. At least Vivace is still thriving.
JB -- The grass is green in both locations. (Well, no, it's probably literally greener in Oregon.) And I figured reading the Chabon book would be a good way to enjoy my current home. (I've actually heard "Mysteries of Pittsburgh" isn't all that good, but I like several of his other novels, so I'm looking forward to it.)
I was a little disoriented when I saw the Starbucks on 23rd, and forgot to look at the old Starbucks location across the street (Hoyt-ish?). I think they moved from the one location to the other, rather than opening two. I'll be near there again today and will report. At least Vivace is still thriving.
Update: The Starbucks did move into the CP, and there's a swank restaurant in the old Starbucks location.
I talked to the owner of Vivace yesterday and he said it's still good (actually better) to have a Tully's and Starbucks across the street -- people choose to shop at the independent coffee shop instead.
I talked to the owner of Vivace yesterday and he said it's still good (actually better) to have a Tully's and Starbucks across the street -- people choose to shop at the independent coffee shop instead.
oh the water trough, how I miss you. if only someplace around here had a jukebox as good as you did.
if you're into the good books with pittsburgh references, try out The Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Steven Chbosky (what's with the ch's?). it's aimed at a younger audience, but still a very good (short) read.
and I might have to try that risotto recipe out, I have a pumpkin risotto one that's pretty good, but I think the butternut might work better.
Post a Comment
Hide Comments
if you're into the good books with pittsburgh references, try out The Perks of Being a Wallflower, by Steven Chbosky (what's with the ch's?). it's aimed at a younger audience, but still a very good (short) read.
and I might have to try that risotto recipe out, I have a pumpkin risotto one that's pretty good, but I think the butternut might work better.
Movie game
From Allison via Cortney today:Do you know these quotes? Guess the movies in the comments section. (Now updated with hints in the comments section.)
2. Paranoid sister: "I swear I heard a noise upstairs. It sounded like, well, a little like feet.
Brother: "Well, sister, when you boil it right down, what's the problem with feet? You know, I've always found them quite useful. Especially for walking. It's almost as if they were made for the very purpose.
4. Respect the delicate ecology of your delusions.
7. "Quality of mercy is not strained"? Well, fuck you, quality of mercy!
9. It's your restaurant, but it's her kitchen.
Comments
I'll identify #8 because anon didn't; it's from Billy Joel's Miracle Max character in The Princess Bride. Incidentally, I've just read the book on which the movie was based (by William Goldman) and everyone should check it out from their local library--it's the movie, but more and better.
As for "follow them size 5's", is that said by the thief character in Home Alone?
As for "follow them size 5's", is that said by the thief character in Home Alone?
Good job on #8, Jesse. As for #5, you're on the right track, but it's an older movie than Home Alone (from our childhood). Oh, and you'd probably like #9, if you haven't seen it.
Some other hints: I've talked about at least two in this blog before (probably mentioned some of the others). At least two were stage plays before being made into movies. One (maybe two) is/are British, one is German. I think the rest are US productions.
Some other hints: I've talked about at least two in this blog before (probably mentioned some of the others). At least two were stage plays before being made into movies. One (maybe two) is/are British, one is German. I think the rest are US productions.
#5 is way too easy; Momma in The Goonies.
I know I've heard #3 before. My first instinct was wings of desire, but it didn't quite fit. I slept on it, and thanks to a quick look back on the netflix queue, I wanna say Northfolk? Which oddly enough reminded me of both WoD and Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress (but for different reasons obviously).
oh, and jesse: Billy Crystal, not Joel ;)
I know I've heard #3 before. My first instinct was wings of desire, but it didn't quite fit. I slept on it, and thanks to a quick look back on the netflix queue, I wanna say Northfolk? Which oddly enough reminded me of both WoD and Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress (but for different reasons obviously).
oh, and jesse: Billy Crystal, not Joel ;)
Yep - #3 is Northfork. I still haven't seen Wings of Desire -- I've been meaning to. And yes on Goonies, too.
Post a Comment
Hide Comments
Hiking
Over Thanksgiving weekend, Benoit, some of his friends, and I hiked Beam Rocks in the Laurel Highlands. It was enjoyable and the company was great. Some hiking pictures on Flickr.In this picture I'm thinking, "This is it?", which is unfortunately, the reaction I've had to most hikes in Pennsylvania so far, which tend to be leaf-strewn flat trails through desaturated (color-wise) forests. Maybe I need to learn bouldering -- that was the highlight of the Beam Rocks trip. But I really miss some of the terrain back home.
Comments
P.S. That's not to say you're not absolutely right about Pennsylvania, because you definitely are.
Cheers!
Cheers!
having lived in both portland and pittsburgh, I can sadly agree. No evergreens or near-rainforest environs anymore. Not to mention waterfalls!
The only problem with PA forests is that there's no white birch trees. And not enough pines. And too many rhododendrons and laurels. And the coniferous and deciduous trees aren't racially integrated.
Clearly, Quebec forests are better.
Clearly, Quebec forests are better.
My favourite comment ever on a rec.climbing (or was it rec.backpacking) New England sucks / California sucks flamewar was:
"Redwoods make me feel insignificant."
"Redwoods make me feel insignificant."
Through the wonder of google groups, I have found the flame
Post a Comment
Hide Comments
Freak show
CMU Drama is putting on the musical Sideshow this week. It's the story of conjoined twins working a midway in the 1930s who are discovered and moved to the vaudeville circuit, and their difficulties negotiating fame and romantic relationships.Margaret and I saw it on Saturday, and my feelings are mixed. The performances were excellent, particularly the singing by Daisy, Violet, and Jake, but the production was overshadowed by a rather lousy book. It feels like the writers repurposed all of the successful elements of other musicals (Chicago: an independently minded female duo. Cabaret: a scantily clad ensemble. Rent: the ensemble simulates sex onstage, and the overall atmosphere is slummy. Les Mis: forced prostitution.)
However, the dramaturg and director both spoke to a small group of us after the show, discussing the ways they altered the show from its Broadway version, making it grittier and more explicit. Their goal was to use the show as a lens to gender, race, disability, and class issues in the U.S. And given that emphasis, I appreciate the show much more. "Freak show" performers were considered sub-human in the early 20th century (sold and even willed away by their owners), and often forced to prostitute themselves and mule drugs around the country. Those with real disabilities were often terrified of doctors, and the real life twins the musical is based on actually died of the flu at age 60, rather than seek simple medical help. The Broadway version, sensitive to competition in 1998 with Ragtime and The Lion King, was a glamorized and lightweight treatment, and flopped after a half-year run. CMU's gutsier version is playing through Saturday.
Comments
Heh...you were *very* generous, compared to the city paper's review...
My very good friend Maya was the lighting designer. So how was the lighting? :)
My very good friend Maya was the lighting designer. So how was the lighting? :)
...relatedly...I'll be in the Burgh from the 28th through 2nd. My schedule's kinda packed, but if you're around, lemme know!
Post a Comment
Hide Comments
Comments
Post a Comment Hide Comments