Sweet Blog o' Mine

This Week's Reading List

If you haven't read these two pieces this week, you should. 

Going With Your Gut First, And Then Your Heart pretty much sums up my philosophy on food and relationship compatibility. Gathering over food and drink, often at my own home, is a huge part of my life and someone who "doesn't eat vegetables" or would rather eat a wrap at the gym cafe than have a home-cooked healthy meal (yes, I've heard both of these from men I have dated) is likely not the guy for me. He doesn't have to be as crazy as I am about food or enjoy cooking as much, but it would be ideal if he were open to it and excited about it, and embraced my passion for cooking for friends and family. As a starting point. The last boyfriend I lived with learned to cook in our home. He continues to cook to this day.

All the Single Ladies explores how the "romantic market" has changed for marriage-minded women, but also how many women are challenging whether or not they want to be married at all. As the author states in the articles introduction: "[T]his strange state of affairs also presents an opportunity: as the economy evolves, it’s time to embrace new ideas about romance and family—and to acknowledge the end of “traditional” marriage as society’s highest ideal." Definitely an interesting read and one that got me thinking.

Cooking Up A Storm

 
I was supposed to go to Maine this past weekend, but was foiled by Hurricane Tropical Storm Irene. That said, I had serious lobster on the brain, and between that and Mark Bittman's timely piece on lobster in the Sunday NYT magazine, I decided that lobster bisque was just what I needed to make it through the storm. I stockpiled everything I needed, but as Saturday morning arrived, I realized I needed a tomato, so headed to my local natural foods market, where I picked up a bunch of tomatoes, corn, and an artichoke. As of about 2 p.m. on Saturday, after a workout, I hunkered down and started to cook, thinking that friends within walking distance might come over that night. After brunch (egg, Flying Pigs Farm bacon, skim latte), I made lobster stock from some shells I had in the freezer, cooked the two lobsters I had bought the night before, then proceeded to make bisque, corn and tomato salad, and a steamed artichoke. As I was taking out the garbage, I ran into my next door neighbors, and we arranged for an impromptu dinner party later that evening. In addition to the bisque, I whipped up some brownies (using my favorite recipe, but substituting some espresso-laced chocolate), and we feasted -- Arturo's pizza;  tomato, corn, shallot & arugula salad; bisque and brownies.

Day two of the storm seemed a little calmer, and true to our nature, my fellow New Yorkers were ansty from being inside all day and night on Saturday. Roopa, Karen, Enzo, Noel, Caroline & Kevin came over and we feasted on a hodgepodge of canned goods (pickled herring, anyone?), made Ramos Gin Fizzes and Bloody Marys/Red Snappers and a killer batch of fried rice, spearheaded by Noel. We followed that up with A Fish Called Wanda and truffle-parmesan popcorn. 

Almost everyone I talked to ate and drank their way through the storm. Wonder if that's just a reflection of my friends and family or if people generally find it comforting?

Rock You Like a Hurricane

I couldn't help myself.

Pre-Irene shopping list/prep includes: C batteries for flashlight/radio, bottle of rosé, new rainboots, carrots/onion/celery for making lobster & chicken stock, milk for coffee, bottled water, battery-powered cell charger, & cash (learned my lesson during the blackout). Am I forgetting anything? I've got a well-stocked pantry and bar, and as long as I can light my stove w/a match I should be ok if the power goes out . . .

Asymmetry

"A common observation, about both the Internet dating world and the world at large, is that there is an apparent surplus of available women, especially in their thirties and beyond, and a shortage of recommendable men. The explanation for this asymmetry, which isn’t exactly news, is that men can and usually do pursue younger women, and that often the men who are single are exactly the ones who prefer them. For women surveying a landscape of banished husbands or perpetual boys, the biological rationale offers little solace. Neither does the Internet."  - from Looking for Someone, an article about online dating in this week's New Yorker

Pride

Proud to be a New Yorker tonight -- it's going to be one hell of a Pride weekend!!

Call Me!*

Something odd has happened over the past year and a half or so:  I've noticed that I talk on the phone significantly less than I used to.  I'd wager that you might say the same thing.  I find that the majority of my interaction with friends, even the ones I used to call regularly, is now via phone, IM, or email, and it's often to make plans to catch up on person.  Why is this?  For me, I can say that I hate talking cell-to-cell, so will often limit my "big" phone calls to times when I am home so I can talk on my land line (yes, I have a land line).  Plus, I'd rather catch up in person, which is fine for local friends/relatives, but not so great for long-distance folks.  I'm going to try to be better about making more phone calls, but I hope that others will also feel free to call me, especially you out-of-towners.

* A nod, of course, to Blondie.  Art by Gaping Void.

Change is Challenging

Apparently there is a new system on some of the NYC buses these days -- it completely threw me for a loop.  There are certain buses now where you purchase your ticket in advance, you have to hold on to your receipt, you can enter at any door, and if they check and find you are not carrying your receipt, you have to pay a $100 fine.  I must have missed the memo because I was ridiculously confused (so much for that law degree being helpful in the real world).  Now I've got it, though. 

Happy Pro Bono Week!

It's National Pro Bono Week and I thought this wonderful print by Hugh at Gaping Void seemed fitting to honor all of those who do pro bono work on behalf of those in need.

 

To Ruth!

As I read this article about Ruth Bader Ginsburg, I was once again reminded how much I admire this woman.  I wrote a paper about her equal rights work when I was in law school and I have had the honor and good fortune to see her speak several times.  She is small and slight (even shorter than I am), but commands a room with the power of her words. Truly remarkable.  So tonight, I'll raise a glass to Ruth -- my favorite Supreme. (Please forgive the photo; it was taken with my old crappy cameraphone when I saw her last in person)

Thoughts This Week

- Five years later and I'm still dealing with this nonsense.

- I'm developing a Fried Chicken to-do list, including Momofuku Noodle Bar, The Redhead, Savoy, Fatty Crab, and Locanda Verde.  Must spread it out over several months for fear of calorie overload.

- Speaking of calorie overload, I've got a hot date with a pork butt tonight.

- I've been practicing my newfound cocktail skills by chilling down my iced espresso in a Boston Shaker every morning.  Many thanks to The Cocktail Guru for reminding me of the easiest way to open the shaker (hint -- it's not upside down, which is how I was doing it this week.  Then again, it was pre-coffee).

- Barney Frank is brilliant.

- As much as I have enjoyed my food writing over the years, I am thrilled that I was never a professional reviewer dealing with picky/high maintenance dining companions.

That is all.