"In The Loop"

Just a sampling of the genius behind this movie:

Simon Foster: Tobes, I don't want to have to read you the riot act but I am going to have to read you some extracts from the riot act, like section one, paragraph one: don't leave your boss twisting in the wind and then burst in late, smelling like a pissed seaside donkey.

Toby Wright: Look, alright, I was late for the meeting, Simon, I am sorry, but it's not like I threw up in there, is it?

Simon Foster: No, you're right, I'm being unfair. I should be thanking you for not throwing up. Well done, you're a star. You didn't wet yourself, did you? You're in the right city. You didn't say anything overtly racist. You didn't pull your cock out and start plucking it and shouting "Willy Banjo". No, I'm being really unfair. You'd got so much right, without actually being there in the beginning of one of the most important moments of my career. Thanks, you're a legend.

stuffed portobello mushrooms

i'm no vegetarian. i've tried. but i've become inspired by my friend, livininthegspot and i'm trying to limit my meats intake. here is one of my favorites, cause it feels like you're eating the meats, but you're not! it's super easy, and you can use whatever veggies you may have in the fridge. the most important and delicious part is the cheese. that is something i will NEVER be able to give up.

Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms


2 Portobello mushrooms
1 T olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 of an onion, chopped
1/2 of red pepper, yellow pepper chopped
1/2 yellow squash, chopped
2 small tomatoes, seeded and chopped (or half can of drained, diced tomatoes)
1 bunch of fresh spinach, cleaned and trimmed
1/2 tsp each, basil, oregano
pinch of crushed red pepper
kosher salt, pepper to taste
1/4ish cup grated good parmesan
several slices fresh mozzerella cheese
fresh basil (optional)

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. (i used the toaster oven) Remove the stem and gills from the mushroom.
2. Brush the mushrooms with a little oil and put on a foiled cookie sheet.
3. Heat olive oil in a small saute pan. Add the onions and peppers. Cook until tender. Add in garlic, then squash. Cook until tender.
4. Add in tomatoes and spinach. Add seasonings to taste. Cook until spinach wilted and "cooked."
5. Divide the filling and stuff the mushrooms.
6. Sprinkle grated parmesan on top. Cook for about 10/15 minutes or until cheese begins to melt.
7. Add slices of fresh mozzarella on top and set to broil. When the mozzerella begins to bubble and brown, take out and sprinkle with fresh basil.
8. Serve it up over a few spinach greens, they start to wilt while eating. Delicious.

three fingers

i totally just got, after watching a frank sinatra movie, what a "three finger" drink means. before, i could never understand that drink order. why would someone want a bartender to put three fingers in their drink? wouldn't that pour be over the glass and be unsanitary? and wouldn't it depend on the length of said bartender's fingers?
i'm stupid. and the end.

(not yet) vanishing new york

a great audio/slide show of my neighborhood cheese store and the proprietress.

stoner

a highly over-looked book. sent to me by my friend e. because she felt so strongly about the book. this was my original response to her after reading about 80 pages:
"is this book going to be relentlessly depressing? it's beautiful, but so
far he has a failed family life, what seems to be a future failed academic
life and a failed marriage. tell me there is some light in this."
her response:
" no. there is no light. but i think it's his relentless HONESTY and
stoicism that saves the book from being depressing somehow. it's a near
PERFECT book somehow...."

it took another 20 pages to realize she was right.
the first paragraph gives us the summary of his academic life and his legacy. then you roll back the layers of his real life. they are both tragic and hopeful. it makes you think of every obituary ever written. what is a good life? what is an honest life? what are we willing to give up? and what are we not willing to give up?

read it. and the end.

beginnings and endings

my friend erica told me that she did an exercise where she wrote down everything of note that she did last year. she found it really productive. i think this is a great exercise. she also mentioned that she got really resentful while doing it, which i totally understand. but by the end, it was really helpful. i'm going to start working on my list. i'd be interested in knowing yours...