March 30, 2008
A slice of heaven: Aureole, LV
If you're a foodie or just love a perfect dining experience, you should make sure to eat at Aureole at Mandalay Bay. Just do yourself a favor and look to the left when you enter the restaurant: an elevator exists to whisk you in, which is a much better option than the purely decorative, highly slippery staircase.
The restaurant has a wine tower and apparently, staff rappel the tower to gather wine when ordered by the bottle. Don't get confused if they bring you the wine list before the menu - you might end up ordering more liquor than necessary if you bow to the pressure to hand back the wine selection gadget (a tablet PC).
My dearest friend Tanyka and I shared the most delightful tasting menu ever. Shortly after the confusion with the wine list, a server came to our table and started putting down more plates. Once everything had been settled, he announced Lobster Bisque, "compliments of the chef." Then we received the Rose Chardonnay we ordered to accompany our appetizers and delicious bread. Finally, we received the menu and decided to go with the 7 course tasting menu rather than the 3 course prix fixe. Then, we decided to add the wine pairings, for a total of 4.5 glasses of wine (each course had half a glass, plus the rose). Here's the menu - each and every dish was absolutely fabulous! (Seriously; I don't even like sushi and I loved the ahi tuna.)
1. Hawaiian Ahi Tuna Trio w Paul Goerg, Blanc de Blancs Champagne (Chardonnay)
2. Slow Braised Beef Shank and Foie Grass Ravioli w W.T.W. Nadia (Viognier/Grenache Blanc/Roussane)
3. Olive Oil Poached Oregon Petrale Sole w Chardonnay, Oddero, Collaretto
4. Modesto County Pan-Seared Rabbit, w/ Morey St. Denis, J.P. Marchand (Pinot Noir)
5. Duo of Beef Tenderloin and Flat Iron w/ R.T.W. Cadence, Bel Canto (Cabernet Franc/Merlot/Petit Verdot)
6. Tasting of Cheese w Brioche Toast w/ Muskateller, Koehler-Ruprecht (Muscat)
7. Myer Lemon Parfait w Lemencello Sorbet w/ Kracher, Beernauslese Cuvee (Welschriesling/Chardonnay)
Unfortunately, Tanyka and I had a full day: we started with lunch/drinks at Trader Vic's, then did some serious shopping that didn't allow us to nap before arriving at Aureole. Since she had flown in from NYC and we got to the restaurant at 9:30 p.m., I had to understand when she started fading during course five. Thankfully, Hyoun and Lynne got into town in time for Hyoun to join us and eat Tanyka's sixth course and my seventh course. They brought me a trio of chocolates for my bday - including cake, tiramisu, and take-away wrapped white/milk chocolate. Let's be clear - I had every glass of alcohol from the rose champagne to the Beeranauslese Cuvee.
If this meal was the only thing I did for my 30th birthday, it would have been enough. Tanyka, you rock! (And thanks, Steve, for making the reservation.)
Posted by cj at 07:59 PM | Comments (0)
Note to Self: Stop Eating
First, Fast Food Nation taught me to hate all fast food not made at In 'N Out. Now, the NYT reminds us that veggies grown in Latin America can be extremely harmful to your health, and deadly to birds. Of course, I read Bridget Stutchbury's Op-Ed the day after buying Made in Mexico heirloom tomatoes and red peppers, among other deadly produce items. Needless to say, I'll be eating my $55 worth of groceries before changing my ways. But seriously, is anyone else feeling like there is nowhere left in the US to let your hair down and enjoy life without worrying about your ecological footprint? ...well, there's always Vegas...
Posted by cj at 07:36 PM | Comments (0)
February 10, 2008
Romantic Love and Feminism
Recently, I've been confronted with the negative effects of romantic love. The all-consuming nature of this love can be a detriment to a person's well-being, particularly when the love is not mutual. Just as importantly, falling head over heels prevents an individual's rational mind from having complete decision-making authority.
These are not necessarily bad things. I'm not a curmudgeon who thinks only fools fall in love. I'm just worried that in this highly competitive modern society, we haven't figured out how to maintain individual autonomy while accepting support from a lover.
I know that in my time at a women's college, I never once had to think deeply about my personal future - never had to figure out what it would be like to be financially dependent on another person, either for myself or my offspring. In fact, there was very little opportunity to confront the realities of modern society in my four cloistered years. Sure, I delved deeply into understanding human sexuality, gender roles, gender identity, and gender leadership through my chosen course work. But what does it mean to be dependent on another person to raise a child? What about when you're a passionate artist, and depend on your lover for food, shelter, and all those other material needs? What happens to you when the lover is no longer the support you need?
I'm being haunted by these questions because of things that happened to friends in the recent past. I know I am not responsible for other people's choices, but I keep wondering if I was better at being non-judgmental if my friendship could be a stronger support mechanism. I know this is irrational, but I keep grasping at straws as to how I can help my friends believe that both romantic love and feminist independence is possible. And that even if you've temporarily lost your independence, you will heal and you will return to your full self.
This is my Valentine's Day hope - that we can stop being afraid of getting close to one another, while remembering the importance of our separate identities.
...with hope for the future for my brilliant friend: a true artist and inspiration who will emerge from this dark period to continue inspiring the world with her magnificent writing and poetic acting.
Posted by cj at 01:08 PM | Comments (0)
February 02, 2008
Birth Control: Probably Still Okay
It gets tiring listening to news reports about the latest trial involving a widely used drug or drug family. Every epidemiological study seems to contradict the one before it. Which is why I was happy to read "The Pill, A Rock Opera" by Amanda Schaffer in Slate. Seems that there is definitive evidence that birth control decreases the risk of ovarian cancer. It probably doesn't increase the risk of anything else, though it might if you smoke.
For a long time I refused to consider birth control. My reasoning was simplistic - I felt it was unwise to mess with your hormone levels and that daily drug use was destined to cause problems. Nothing necessarily strange about that, except that while I was steadfastly refusing the gynecologist's offer of a script, I was also puffing away on cartons of cigarettes. Can't exactly be indignant about prescription drug effects when you're smoking cancer sticks.
In the end, I realized that freedom from condoms was a fair trade-off for possibly, probably not increasing my risk of disease. Strangely enough, the other hormone I take daily is more likely to cause long-term problems (early onset menopause, random cancers) than my lil white pill. Since I can't actually survive without my metabolism drug, I decided sometime last year to stop caring about future risk and focusing on today.
...this post is in honor of the 1-year anniversary of my thyroidectomy.
Posted by cj at 03:21 PM | Comments (0)
October 28, 2007
Love in a time of Uncertainty, Violence, and Isolation
The Wellesley College community was shocked and jolted last week by news that a current student, upset over being dumped, trespassed into the dorm room of her former boyfriend, an MIT student, and stabbed him in the back. He woke up during the attack, fought her off, and survived. The Wellesley woman is being held without bail awaiting trial.
Today, the NYT reported on a case of "star-crossed lovers" in Calcutta, India. A rich Hindu woman married a relatively poor Muslim man. Her family hated the union so much, they got the police to harass the couple and push the bride into returning to her familial home. The husband ended up dead on train tracks, and its unclear whether the cause was suicide or murder.
The NYT also reports that divorced is the new single, and plenty of people are sending formal separation announcements, via printed cards and long email diatribes.
Taken together, the news does not inspire a single woman nearing 30 to believe love conquers all. I recognize that many types of love exist, and perhaps familial love is the strongest bond (though not always in a positive way, see the India story). I tend to think cerebrally on an issue that can best be understood emotionally. But don't you agree that there's something terribly wrong with the world?
I'll just say it like I see it - the consumer culture perpetuated by US-led free-trade capitalism has created a society devoid of depth, incapable of articulating emotions in a positive way, and without the time to heal its psychic traumas because of the perpetual need to Work and Consume.
...here's hoping I find someone to navigate the murky waters of life with. Because in the end, despite all evidence to the contrary, I still believe in love.
"Wellesley student accused of stabbing former boyfriend at MIT," by Maria Cramer in the Boston Globe
AP story on Boston ABC news site, including picture of the knife
"A Tale of Tragic Love Cracks Calcutta's Mirror," by Somini Sengupta in the NYT
"This Is to Inform You of Our New Life Apart...," by Francesca Segre in the NYT
Posted by cj at 08:18 PM | Comments (0)
September 16, 2007
How to Handle Debt...
found at Pinko Feminist Hellcat
Posted by cj at 01:03 AM | Comments (0)
July 01, 2007
Lite Reading in the Sunday NYT
Men are spending an enormous amount of time dressing their avatars.
Married women have too much time on their hands - they write really boring messages to their husbands and then waste the space of the Modern Love column sharing the deets of their broken foot misery with the rest of humanity.
Love doesn't last for most people longer than 3 years. Seriously folks, who needs love? It's summer - bring on the flings! Buy me a drink and I'll tell you my new mantra, which I learned from a wise woman.
Ride the Pony sounds like it's related to the above article. Actually, it's a children's game. And they must have made kids a lot skinnier back in the '50s when it was popular. More on the demise of street games in NY in this random article - I was so fascinated that someone could write this many words on this inane topic, that I read every word of it.
The Travel Section this weekend blows. I think the good writers are busy traveling. I was amused by the call out in this section to a new, luxury class flight available from NYC to Mumbai. Amused b/c the same flight - with the same photo - paid for a full page color ad in the front section. That line between advertising and reporting just got a little blurrier.
Those crazy Mass residents are still trying to make their for-profit healthcare for all work. No one - or at least no one the reporter spoke with - mentioned that a system built on the premise that someone should legally profit from someone else's ill health is morally wrong and a violation of a basic human right. But who cares what the American Public Health Association thinks? That "most liberal of states" figured out a way to get the volunteer activists in bed with the corporate hacks.
Racial tensions still abound in Atlanta. If you need proof, go read about Br'er Rabbit.
Posted by cj at 11:51 AM | Comments (0)
June 24, 2007
Read on Act for Love...
But really, if you're kinda witty and sorta smarty, then you're the cat's pajamas...Sigh. My faith in the game of dating has returned...
Posted by cj at 02:27 PM | Comments (0)
June 17, 2007
Jason Rowe and his Avatar
I was reading Today's Papers from Slate, hoping to be inspired to write something on my political blog when I ran across a mention of a NYT slideshow on people and their avatars.
One image totally captured me.
Turns out, the slideshow is from a book of images. Here's a bit more info I found by Googling the guy:
Real name Jason Rowe Crosby, TexasThat excerpt is from the Long Road Media blog.
Avatar name Rurouni Kenshin, marksman in Star Wars GalaxiesThe difference between me and my online character is pretty obvious. l have a lot of physical disabilities but in Star Wars Galaxies I can ride an imperial speeder bike, fight monsters, or just hang out with friends at a bar. I can't press the keys on a regular keyboard so I use an on-screen keyboard called 'soft type'. The computer screen is my window to the world. In the real world, people can be uncomfortable around me before they get to know me and realise that, apart from my outer appearance, I'm just like them.
It's fascinating, really. Makes my problems with queasiness and the taste of metal in my mouth rather ridiculous to complain about.
Posted by cj at 05:41 PM | Comments (0)
June 16, 2007
What's in a Name?
I was reading posts on how to get a book published (my aunt keeps telling me I should write a book about my thyca experience, which is amusing because part of me has always planned to publish my memoirs), and I ran across this horse manure:
But side note: What’s up with her name? Who has any idea how to pronounce it? If you want people to talk about the stuff you do, you need a name people can say. Of course, this is easy for me to say since I’m already on my fourth name now. But remember how blogs did wonders for the book with the unprintable title? Maybe blogs can also do wonders for an author with the unpronounceable last name.So that's the end of a post that offers a decent round up of recently published books on work. It leaves me with a metallic taste in my mouth stronger than the one I'm getting from the radioactive iodine I recently swallowed.
I believe in the power of names. I'm sure I'm not the only woman whose father wanted boys so they could pass down the family name. It's the primary reason I'm determined to keep my name professionally: to prove that I too can make the Minsters proud, even if I'm not a guy. And while most US'ians mispronounce my name, at least the British understand it. But I would never advocate anglicizing an ethnic name. My mother's maiden name harkens all the way back to Ellis Island. They asked my great, great grandfather how to spell his name and he said "like the guy in front of me" because he was not fluent in English (and probably not literate in any language). So, yes, I think it's pretty damn important that we stand up for our sister citizens' ability to make it in the corporate world and the US society in general with whatever name they choose. "Brazen Careerist" seems code to me for "how to be accepted into mainstream, misogynist world." After all, one of the pull out pieces of advice from her book is to ignore sexual harassment.
The waves of feminists who paved the way for her success should be so proud of her accomplishments.
Don't get me wrong - Penelope (or whatever her real name is*) has some interesting insight to share and is a decent writer. Just don't spend too much time trying to analyze her politics or how the hell she lives with her advice and you might be able to stomach the crap long enough to gather the nuggets of truth.
*According to Wikipedia she was born Adrienne Roston. Too bad she feared her name was too ethnic for mass publishing.
Posted by cj at 11:22 PM | Comments (0)
Long Live Scratch 'n Sniffs!
The first in a series of pack rat ideas that invaded my childhood. Long live scratch 'n sniffs!
Posted by cj at 08:52 PM | Comments (1)
C is for Cookie!
In honor of the chocolate chip cookies my mom baked for my release from hospital isolation, I bring you the Cookie Monster -
link found at the I Miss My Childhood blog.
Posted by cj at 05:01 PM | Comments (0)
February 04, 2007
Designer Dogs
The cover story in the NYT Magazine is designer dogs. It really doesn't offer any new info. But it's kinda intriguing - how you can't really know that breeding two purebreds will get you the best attributes of both breeds, you could end up with the worst aspects of both breeds.
And owning a Bagel sounds cuter than what the dog actually looks like (it's a combo Basset hound and Beagle).
I still want a dog. Looks like I wont get one till I move out.
And in case you're wondering, I look like the bride of Frankenstein - there's a lovely scar across my neck and a piece of surgical thread hanging out of it.
"The Modern Kennel Conundrum," by Jon Mooallem in today's NYT.
Posted by cj at 02:21 PM | Comments (1)
November 23, 2006
American Icons: Plymouth Rock & Bob Dylan
Any fan of Dylan or casual history buff will enjoy this commentary from the NYT by Nathaniel Philbrick - "Rocks of Ages."
Posted by cj at 10:13 PM | Comments (0)
November 22, 2006
Racist Slurs, Strange "Apologies"
By now, you've heard something about the Kramer melt down at the Laugh Factory and his subsequent apology on the Letterman show. I heard teases on t.v. news and until tonight, didn't bother to watch the YouTube clips. Wow.
First of all, I cringed watching the clip from the Laugh Factory. It was so hateful, so full of rage. It was really quite unbelievable. The clip starts with "Shut up! 50 years ago we'd have you upside down with a fucking fork up your ass!" and it degenerates from there. I know, I didn't think anything could degenerate beyond that.
Then, Michael Richards "apologized" on the Letterman show. True, it was unfortunate that the audience laughed at the beginning of his apology. But the thing that really struck me was that he never said straight up, "I used racial epithets; I made racist comments and for that I apologize." No, instead he apologized for getting "enraged" and for not being able to keep his cool.
I'm sorry but that just doesn't cut it for me. Why is it that when white people make racist comments the first thing they say is "I'm not a racist?" Dude, you look like a racist, you act like a racist, and until you do something tangible to change yourself, you'll still be a racist. It's not enough to go on an old white guy's t.v. show and apologize amongst your white friends. You need to figure out why you use such horrific language - you need to gather some insight from some non-white folk, and you need to try to make amends with the specific individuals you insulted and the larger African American community. Until you do that, you'll remain a racist hack in my eyes.
Watch the video from the Laugh Factory at your own risk:
See Richards' "apology" on Letterman:
NYT Explains how Seinfeld got Richards on Letterman
NYT critic accepts Richards' apology
Posted by cj at 07:00 PM | Comments (0)
October 30, 2006
3 Papers a Day & No Connection to Local Culture
This weekend, my friends were astonished to learn that I read three papers a day - the LA Times, NY Times, and Wall Street Journal. Granted, my reading time will severely diminish once I start working full time again. While my appetite for news remains insatiable, I also realized this weekend that none of these papers provide a tangible connection to the local culture scene. The Calendar section is my favorite in the LAT, but its use is primarily for studying the business of entertainment. I never feel like its contributors are close enough to the LA scene to provide really useful reviews.
In Chicago, I didn't have this problem. There was Chicago Tonight to connect me with local politics, culture, and history. (A weekday news program from Chicago public t.v.) There was Check, Please! to introduce me to great restaurants (three local residents pick three restaurants, they all go then come into the studio to chat about them, led by host and sommelier Alpana Singh). And of course, there's Phil Vittel, the Trib's restaurant critic and Roger Ebert's film criticism at the Sun Times. There's Metromix (also from the Trib) to find a restaurant, bar, or club in any part of Chicagoland. And the Reader for great insight into the plethora of block parties and other festivals in Chi-town (and jobs and apartments, both of which I found through the Reader).
Sigh. I miss Chi-town. So, how do I find all of this local info for my hometown?!?!
Posted by cj at 11:24 AM | Comments (0)
September 12, 2006
"The Cubicle"
"The Cubicle" is a hilarious parody of "You're Beautiful," another James Blunt song. Go watch the music video on Yahoo now. Of course, the song / video have nothing to do with my personal views on work. I just like them for their artistic value.
Tip o the hat to Camille for sending me the link.
Posted by cj at 04:37 PM | Comments (0)
August 24, 2006
Lessons from Craigslist
1. Free stuff goes really, really fast.
2. Even if someone emails that "SHE HAS TO HAVE IT!!!!!" that doesn't mean she wants to pay your price or will actually buy it. It could be an unforseen circumstance, she could just change her mind. Either way, you're stuck with the item.
3. If you think too much about justice, you'll feel guilty for not making sure that the first person who emailed you gets the item. It can get ridiculous. Take my baker's rack: I had two people walk away from it and now have two other people who each think they're about to buy a piece of furniture. I'm anxious to sell it and move on to another part of my packing, and I worry about waiting until the person who was first in line can pick it up - the second person might not want it if the first person doesn't get it and then I'll be out $30. The fact that I'm still thinking about this proves how deep my anxiety runs (about moving and quitting my job and having no income).
4. This cycle will continue until you finish packing / get rid of all your stuff.
Posted by cj at 11:39 PM | Comments (1)
August 13, 2006
Esther Snyder, In-N-Out Burger Founder, Dies at 86
The best fast food restaurant in the history of this country has lost its founders. Esther Snyder co-founded the chain with her husband, Harry Snyder, in 1948.
The family, though rich in good business practices - including using fresh ingredients and paying all of its workers a living wage - is also brimming with personal tragedy.
Harry died in 1976. One son, Rich, died in a plane crash in 1993. Their other son, Gary, died of an accidental drug overdose in 1999.
And then this -
Mrs. Snyder was said to be in poor health, according to a lawsuit in January that accused her granddaughter of trying to force her out of the operation.May Esther rest in peace. If you've never had an In-N-Out burger, I assure you it is worth a trip to California, Arizona, or Nevada. Seriously - a double double and chocolate shake (fries are an acquired taste since they are pure potato, without any of the chemicals McDonald's uses to make theirs addictive) - is worth a trip to another state (or country).A lawyer for In-N-Out, Arnold Wensinger, said the suit contained inaccuracies. It was settled in May, and the terms were not disclosed.
"Esther Snyder, In-N-Out Burger Founder, Dies at 86," by the Associated Press in the NYT
Posted by cj at 03:47 PM | Comments (1)
July 21, 2006
Travel Scams & Other Forms of ID Theft
I've gotten three phone calls trying to get me to confirm travel vouchers that I allegedly signed up for over the internet. Let's be clear: I would never do such a thing. Further, I told the first person that I didn't sign up and that I wanted to be removed from the list. I still received "ticket vouchers" in the mail for Florida. This morning, I received a call from "Mario" to discuss the travel to Williamsburg, Virginia that I signed up for. I told him I was a victim of identity theft and asked him to not call me again. I should have found out what bogus company he "worked for" before hanging up.
Two days ago, I received a package in the mail from Columbia House. It says I signed up for a DVD Club, and included a dvd that I already own. It listed 800-262-2001 as the number to call with questions. I have spent at least a half hour trying to get through the automated system (on various call attempts) to speak to a human being. There is no way to do so. There is also no option for cancelling membership. I tried their web contact form. If you choose the Cancel Membership Subject line, it directs you to call the 800 number to speak to a Customer Service Representative.
I tried searching online for help from other consumers. The info I found on a forum was out of date.
Finally, I used the web contact form and the subject line "Membership Obligation." Here is the email I wrote:
My friend suggested that these incidents indicate that I am a victim of identity theft. I looked that up online two nights ago and found the Federal Trade Commission's ID Theft website. From there, I contact Experian to place a 90 day warning on my credit. It was not clear that I could order a copy of my credit report via Experian's automated system.
Your phone number, 800-262-2001 has no option to speak with a human being. There is also no option for cancelling membership. I have spent at least a half hour trying to get through to a human being. Even your email system refuses to accept an email labelled Cancel Membership.I am very disturbed that someone signed me up for your program - I NEVER SIGNED UP AND DO NOT WANT A MEMBERSHIP.
To repeat, CANCEL THIS MEMBERSHIP WHICH I NEVER APPLIED FOR.
I expect email confirmation that you have cancelled this membership.
Sincerely,
Cynthia Minster
Today, after receiving that creepy call at 8:30am about travel to Virginia, I tried to find the Chicago Police Department's Fraud Division. From CPD, I opened the PDF on ID Theft published by the FTC.
From the pdf, I found the FTC's Identity Theft Hotline. (Mind you, this websearch started b/c I thought I'd be 21st century and not call 311 to find my local police department.) 877-438-4338. The extremely unhelpful person that I finally reached on the other line after sifting through more automated crap said that nothing could be done without a copy of my credit report as proof of ID theft. I said, so you're telling me the federal government has no way of helping me protect my identity until I contact a private credit reporting agency? He gave me the same number for Experian to request a copy of my credit report. (When I placed the warning on my file two nights ago, the automated system only told me that I would receive a written request for a copy in the mail; not that I could order it over the phone.) I refused the man-whose-English-wasn't-very-good's offer to file a FTC report, since he basically said it would be worthless without credit report information.
So I called back Experian and tried to order my credit report and credit score. Turns out the credit report is free if you suspect you're a victim of ID Theft, but you have to pay 7 bucks for the credit score (which one of my credit cards already tells me). But there was no option to cancel you request and return to the previous menu. So I had to hang up and go through the process again.
Supposedly, I'll be getting a copy of my Credit Report within 7-10 business days.
I can't believe this all is happening on top of everything else going on in my life...
Posted by cj at 10:34 AM | Comments (0)
June 28, 2006
Cultural Hodgepodge
Bob Dylan in the Baseball Hall of Fame. by the Associate Press. Basically, one of his radio programs for XM Satellite radio is being entered in the Hall b/c it focuses on baseball. He even sang the national anthem. Why can't I just subscribe to his program rather than XM?!?!
India.Arie released her third album yesterday. I'm trying to allow it to calm my frayed nerves. Listening to it for the fourth time via Rhapsody. My nerves are still frayed, but that's because of the state of the world, not the quality of the album.
So-called Star was finally fired from The View! Hilarity ensues as she shows her trashy nature by interrupting a segment to announce her dismissal, which led to her immediate termination!
I'd be remiss if I didn't ask you to check out my other blog. The world is a very scary place these days.
Posted by cj at 11:50 PM | Comments (0)
May 18, 2006
the passage of time...
I'm watching the end of Will & Grace. I never watched it religiously; I vaguely remember it starting while I was in college and scoffing at it - it seemed to be a show full of gay stereotypes. Turns out, it is that, but it's also highly amusing.
So watching the "Say Goodnight, Gracie" flashback show started me thinking about the passage of time. And how much faster it passes as you get older. Seriously, this last year really just slipped by me. And every time I try to get it to slow down, I don't like the results.
Still, things are happening. The Da Vinci Code is almost in theaters. I remember when I first heard about the casting of that film and made plans to see it...
This series finale is weird. Although, really, there's nothing bad about watching Harry Connick, Jr. Nothing at all.
Have you ever waited for an email you knew was coming and felt like time started passing more slowly just to torment you while you waited for the email? Yeah, that's what I'm doing right now.
Posted by cj at 07:58 PM | Comments (0)
April 28, 2006
The President is Resigning
No, not that one. President Diana Chapman Walsh of Wellesley College announced today that she plans to step down in June 2007. She accomplished her fundraising goal - setting a new record for any liberal arts school.
Note to self: (overheard online) "he said that he is at a point in his life where he is looking for a serious relationship and he is seriously feeling me."
Perhaps it's the half bottle of Cote du Rhone that I drank, but I think that's such a poetic line.
I say, amen brother! You better do right by my girl. And I hope there's more like you out in the world...for when I'm ready to settle down.
Posted by cj at 09:39 PM | Comments (0)
April 26, 2006
Why the Obsession with Celebs?
Bitch, Ph.D posted about the ubiquitous inquiry into Britney Spear uterus and asked readers to comment on why everyone seems to care. Here was my response:
People have always been interested in celebrity gossip, but the fascination is at an all time high. I believe it is fueled by media coverage, especially the proliferation of celebrity gossip rags like US Weekly, Star, Hello, and OK!
Celebrity magazines have a higher growth rate (in readers and ad dollars) than almost any other category.
Now, as to why people are so fascinated with Britney and Angelina's wombs, I think it is relaxing to crawl under a rock and fill one's mind with useless detritus from celeb lives rather than deal with the reality of increasing gas prices, illegal occupation of foreign countries, and death from the mumps.
Posted by cj at 10:54 PM | Comments (1)
April 24, 2006
quotes and life
I don't remember where I picked up this quote that resides on my refrigerator:
You can't have a better tomorrow if you are thinking about yesterday all the time. --Charles F. KetteringMost of the time, it is a highly useful reminder on how to follow the other bit of advice on my fridge:
Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you've imagined. --ThoreauAnd yet, today, I'm realizing that sometimes it's really good to look into yesterday. Not every day should be spent reflecting on the past; but right now I'm re-reading papers I wrote in college to gleam a hint of an understanding to my future direction. Here's what I know for sure: I knew many bigger words back then, and I threw them around unconsciously (historiography anyone?) I also read some really interesting stuff back then; and I'm starting to appreciate that college-level material now since only reading articles written in simple language leaves out a lot of the analysis and connecting the dots that academics do so well.
I guess it's time for me to start using my brain a bit more. to be continued...
Posted by cj at 09:53 PM | Comments (0)
April 19, 2006
Snark and Poorly Dressed Boys
Esquire's search for the Best Dressed Real Man came to Chi-town last night. It was a night filled with Bud Select (and Chardonnay) and a few shrimp.
The contestants were a rag tag bunch. Most of them clearly never read an Esquire mag - they didn't know the first thing about being a truly elegant man of style. There were men who didn't bother to tailor their pant legs - high waters and draggin on the floor abounded. Plus, too many old shoes were bein worn with shiny news suits and no one seemed to understand how to accessorize.
Didn't matter though. They were all fodder for snarky comments and my coworkers and I came through in a pinch. I wasn't sure the judges would be able to find a top ten, but they did. And when the top ten was announced, I picked the winner - a skinny black guy in a grey suit with a light purple shirt and a bright purple tie that really popped with his skin tone.
Things I learned from the experience:
1. ironing counts. (damnit - and I so abhor it)
2. accessories count (check, got that down)
3. shoes count (check, got more than I can count)
4. tailor ur pants (dude, I've never felt like I had the money...)
5. people will notice every detail, so when it counts, make sure ur lookin picture perfect
6. there aren't enough metro-sexuals in Chi-town. Either that, or they just don't show up for cheezy pageants.
7. always be on the look out for amusing entertainment that includes free booze. They happen more often than you think.
If you're in Boston, Philly, Miami, or NYC there's still time to register for the search!
More info:
Official Site: Search for the Best Dressed Real Man
Posted by cj at 11:25 PM | Comments (0)
April 18, 2006
the view from the cheap seats
There's something that ties together the three cities I've lived in the longest: baseball. My dad had dugout season passes when I was little at Dodger Stadium - the same place where the Dodgers and Cubs are currently tied in the ninth. I spent five years in Boston with the Sox. Two summers were spent on MIT frat row (cheapest housing to be found), which is in walking distance from Fenway. One summer, I was in LA and went to several games with my sister who is a huge Dodger fan. And for the last two years, I've been livin on Chicago's North Side. My first summer was a charmed experience: my roommate worked at Wrigley and my ex-boyfriend kept getting free tickets. I was on WGN kissing behind the first base line. I learned what a true Chicago dog is (different, not better than a Dodger dog). I look forward to finding more baseball fans to enjoy cheap beer and hot summer days with. And I agree with Tommy Craggs that baseball is waging a war on the cheap seats and that's not a good thing.
Posted by cj at 11:38 PM | Comments (0)
March 19, 2006
Trader Joe's
The one chore I've been able to accomplish this weekend is going to the grocery store; probably because I was on the verge of an empty refrigerator. And since I quickly lost my cleaning momentum, I ended up reading "Is Whole Foods Wholesome? The dark secrets of the organic-food movement." by Field Maloney in Slate's Culturebox. The guy apparently doesn't like slick marketing campaigns and thinks healthy food is only available at upper-class prices. Apparently, he's never heard of Trader Joe's. Now, I grant you that Whole Foods is in many more cities than TJ, but I remember when there was only one Whole Foods in the San Fernando Valley, but plenty of TJ's. And now I live in Chicago, with two TJ's to choose from.
Here's what I wrote in "The Fray" on Slate:
I'm not afraid of the globalization of food trade, since I prefer to be able to purchase fresh tomatoes (and other produce) year round. Plus, I care as much about the lives of farmers in Latin America as I do about the lives of farmers in the US.
But I certainly don't make enough money to buy my food from Whole Foods, since it really does translate into Whole Paycheck in my life. Instead, I'm thankful I live in a city with several Trader Joe's, where organic produce always ends up being cheaper than my previous trips to Jewel. It's not just about pesticides - I don't want to eat beef from a cow that was fed other cows; nor do I want to eat animals that were doped up with antibiotics. Alternatives exist to agri-business conglomerates at affordable prices. Unfortunately, there aren't enough stores to reach everyone; but perhaps one day citizens will take back their power and the FDA and USDA will truly monitor our food supply instead of sitting in the back pocket of agri-business.
Posted by cj at 06:28 PM | Comments (0)
February 14, 2006
Ode to Sister Singles
to my sister singles:
Happy Valentine's Day!
Here's to a ridiculous amount of free chocolate available at work!
And remember - regardless of your relationship status, no one can take away your ability to be drunk!
Viva Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio!!
Posted by cj at 08:34 PM | Comments (0)
January 19, 2006
The Tyranny of February
You might think the calendar still says January, but in the mad mad world of consumer magazines, we're already well into February.
And if you're female, or read women's magazines, you know what that means - EVERY ISSUE is about Love or Coupling or Marriage or Love or Valentine's Day or Love or some other crap.
Now I recognize that it is far past time for me to dust off my flirting skills and get back into the scene; but come on people. Does every person in the world fall for this "Valentine's Day = couples = Everyone's in a Relationship in February" shite?
To add insult to injury, my coworker was commenting today on how soon V-Day is. Oh, how I yearn for the simple days of college...when V-Day meant I could brush up on my dramatic skills and help do a reading of the Vagina Monologues to raise money for local domestic violence survivor centers...
Posted by cj at 10:34 PM | Comments (0)
January 02, 2006
Intriguing Perspective on Self Help
According to one author, self help is the bane of our collective existence. Ever since pop culture turned from crying victim to crying You Can Achieve Anything You Want, we've all be deluded into thinking we really deserve the world without an ounce of work.
It's an intriguing damnation of quacks and other assorted "gurus." I've never been particularly vulnerable to the pull of the self-help aisle...except when I am. I pride myself on a discerning taste, and I think the self-help books I like are better than the rest. For example, I'm still reading Zen and the Art of Making a Living, and every time I return to it I'm reminded why I enjoy it so much. Perhaps because it posits the same theory as all self-help manuals: that personal truth can be found within and be used to succeed in the wider world. I'm not delusional though: I know my faults and my ego is healthy enough for me to recognize my own intelligence, but small enough to accept that I'm not perfect.
To me, the really great thing about the self-help aisle is that it tells the consumer that she can change her life; it doesn't always take a professional to work through depression; the diet industry doesn't have to suck you dry for you to be thinner; a man doesn't need to sweep you off your feet for you to be complete. Then again, there are plenty of books out there that encourage professional help (which can be useful; though it never was for me); that supplement Big Name Diets; and the Teach You How to Snare a Man in Ten Days. Like all books and industries, I say take it with a grain of salt. While I usually can't stand Dr. Phil, I enjoyed his article in the January issue of O, the Oprah Magazine. Then again, I'm at a particularly vulnerable point in my life, where I'm willing to listen to anyone for a few pages but can't be bothered to buy any more books to teach me what I already know - me, myself, and I are complete today, completely alone still searching for the perfect career and mate. Who cares about the externalities? I've got my brain, I've basically got my health, and I'm moving forward. Maybe all the new age reading I did as a teenager has finally sunk in...
It's intriguing that when I looked for more info on the article's author I came across his words in The Observer, lamenting the temptation to bone the pert, lithe first years who populate his creative writing courses. (According to him, he's never succumb to the temptation.) Which makes me understand, a little bit, why there were so many inappropriate relationships at my all women's college.
More info:
"Self Help's Big Lie," editorial by Steve Salerno in the LAT
"The Third Degree," by Steve Salerno in the Observer Magazine
another self-help book that might actually help:
My sister recommends "The Artist's Way," to help you unlock your creativity.
Posted by cj at 04:22 PM | Comments (2)
December 23, 2005
It's starting to feel a lot like Chrismikah!
On the Today show this morning, a rabbi and a priest chided interfaith couples for attempting to raise their kids with both religions. The rabbi pointed out that no religious institution ("certainly no Jewish temple") would accept a pupil who was simultaneously studying at another religion's children's school. The priest pointed out that the meaning of Christmas is to accept Christ as the Messiah and Lord. And, surprisingly, modern day Judaism does not believe that.
The interesting thing was that both religious leaders thought that by denying a primary religion to your children, you deny them an identity. To me, that's like saying the child of a white man and a Lebanese woman is neither white nor Lebanese. Identities are no longer black and white and many children grow up to question their religious beliefs, whether or not both parents share the belief. Further, it is possible to separate the ethnic identity of Judaism from the religion.
To me, it's interesting that I'm open to learning more about all religions, that I can understand the pull of paganism and Hinduism and Buddhism, but I still can't wrap my brain around a virgin birth and a trinity of holiness being equal to monotheism. I wish everyone health and happiness in the New Year and comfort and joy in their spiritual beliefs - I certainly don't have to agree with you to agree with your right to celebrate.
And on a lighter note, here's Hanukah 101 by Jonathan Safran Foer in the NYT.
Posted by cj at 11:21 AM | Comments (0)
December 19, 2005
Choosing Home
I've lived all over the United States. Once, I was so desperate for love and a life outside of this country, I flirted with moving to Amsterdam. Nowadays, I call Chicago home. There are very few places in the States that make me happy. I need a metropolis full of different people, an assortment of culinary indulgences, a Trader Joe's, and most importantly reliable public transportation. Last weekend, I visited friends in Milwaukee who tried to convince me that their city was a better, smaller version of Chi-town. Frankly, I don't need a smaller city. And I'm not interested in packing up my crap to move anywhere that I have to drive to work. I have to believe that taking public trans is about more than just saving gas money. Its a recognition that in our oil-dependent country, where everyone is separated from one another, I enjoy doing something relatively small to help the world. Further, I enjoy reading on my way to work. And since my wrists aren't always my friends, I enjoy giving them a bit of a rest on my commute to work.
I also obviously enjoy living in a big city. And I've been thinking lately why it is I keep looking only for jobs outside of my current state lines. Am I weak to run away from a city I love simply because my heart was broken? Perhaps. Because there is no WTTW in NYC or Philly or any other city that draws me towards it. There's no Chicago Tonight or Check, Please! on the public airwaves in another town. But there are more friends and perhaps more career opportunities in those fine places, so maybe I do need to give up this city I love to find a more fulfilling life.
More on oil:
"The Price of Oil," by Peter Maass in the Sunday NYT Magazine
Posted by cj at 08:35 PM | Comments (0)
December 10, 2005
Richard Pryor Died Today at 65
Check out the tribute by Allen Johnson in the Trib.
Reuters tribute by Kevin Krolicki
I looked up Pryor tonight because I'm watching the "Richard Pryor: I Ain't Dead Yet, Motherfucker" special on Comedy Central...
Posted by cj at 11:24 PM | Comments (0)
November 20, 2005
The Weird Side of Donor Insemination
I work with a lot of women who are bitterly single. They probably agree with MoDo (Maureen Dowd) that men are scared by successful women. I think men, like women, can smell desperation and aren't attracted to it. Many unmarried women in their 30s hear a booming biological clock. Unmarried men in their 30s see a new decade's worth of legal tail.
So, I can see why those unmarried hetero women turn to donor insemination (aka D.I.). I also understand why lesbian couples choose it. But the idea of meeting up with a dozen half siblings is just kinda freaky to me. I have enough trouble sorting through my familial relations as it is, I couldn't imagine having to deal with that many other people. And what makes a man worthy of planting his seeds so often? Why in the world would a married father of four be a donor? Was he in need of money, like most women who become egg donors? I didn't realize this until I had a discussion about the proliferation of egg donor ads in my women's college's school newspaper, but women risk infertility and sickness when they give up an egg, whereas men just have to get off in a sterile environment. It seems weird to me that blonde hair and blue eyes are moving forward as the preferred traits by the many women using D.I.
Its not surprising to me that D.I. is a highly unregulated field. The US doesn't bother to properly regulate its meat production, why should it worry about something as banal as the creation of human life? Better to criminalize using birth control by allowing pharmacists to decide their "religious beliefs" wont allow them to dispense legal prescriptions.
A girl in the NYT story made an appropriate comment:
"I hate when people that use D.I. say that biology doesn't matter (cough, my mom, cough)," Danielle wrote in an e-mail message, using the shorthand for donor insemination. "Because if it really didn't matter to them, then why would they use D.I. at all? They could just adopt or something and help out kids in need."Indeed. Why is it that adoption seems to only be in vogue for freaks like Angelina Jolie? And can someone please explain to me why the upper middle class feel better traipsing across the world to pick out a designer Asian kid instead of adopting one of the thousands of kids here in the US eager for a family? I believe it is racism - white folks would rather a "pliable, smart" Asian baby rather than a Latino or Black American kid. Then again, black American kids who are adopted by lilly white Canadians have been documented as having problems being fully accepted in social circles in Canada, and also wondering what their culture is really like.
I've strayed a lot from my ethnic roots. I'm Jewish and know that the majority of my ancestors were Ukrainian, even though at the time no one called a Jew an equal. But I don't have to wonder about my biological roots the way my older brother does (he was adopted). All I have to do is feel guilty that I have a stronger personal connection to my sister, who shares my parenthood, than I do to my brother. This article further cements my certainty that I'd rather adopt a child than accept anonymous sperm.
The article that sparked this post: "Hello, I'm Your Sister. Our Father Is Donor 150." by Amy Harmon in today's NYT (randomly, my hard copy of today's NYT was STOLEN! by a frickin neighbor! I can't wait to leave this place.)
Posted by cj at 02:28 PM | Comments (1)