If Audrey Hepburn has a funny face, then I'm Quasimodo.

I didn't particularly care for Breakfast at Tiffany's and I definitely prefer the 1995 version of Sabrina to the original.  I did enjoy Roman Holiday a lot and I actually really liked My Fair Lady - because it was witty/funny, not really because I'm some kind of Audrey fanatic.

I just watched Funny Face for dinner and was struck by how modern it was.  I could see where movies like Down With Love got their inspiration and I thought it was an interesting commentary on the world of haute couture.  Not to mention that I can't get over just how good Audrey and Fred Astaire really were at singing/dancing.  True all-around entertainers they were.

Anyway it's still a stretch for me to buy someone like Audrey Hepburn as a mousy chick who needs to get made over into a swan.  I wish more people who made Pygmalion-type movies would pick someone who looks really crazy in the beginning and does a total 180, like the main character in Baz Luhrmann's Strictly Ballroom - you can hardly believe it was the same actress from beginning to end.

In lieu of Foodie Tuesday, Meet: I'm a foodblog fangirl

You may think that my primary interest in food is rather conventional - that is, eating it.  But oftentimes for me the relationship ventures onto a whole other plane, one of sublime pleasure, spirituality, aspiration, exhilaration, and a rather deep and wholesome relief, like recognizing an old friend in a sea of strange faces.

As long as I can remember, I took special pleasure in reading about food, especially reading long descriptions of meals in novels.  One I remember very well appeared in Mary Stewart's The Crystal Cave, a tale of how the legendary Merlin grew from a boy to a powerful wizard.  

In this meal, Merlin had not eaten for days and after being bullied by some officers was taken into the care of Cadal, a kindly servant.  "Cadal served me himself, and even fetched fresh bread hot from the bakehouse, where the first batch had just come out for morning.  The soup was some savoury concoction of shellfish...smoking hot and delicious, and I thought I had never eaten anything so good, until I tried the chicken, crisp-fried in oil, and the grilled sausages, brown and bursting with spiced meat and onions.  I mopped the platter dry with the new bread, and shook my head when Cadal handed a dish of dried dates and cheese and honey cakes."

There is something about the sensory detail and the curiosity of what food was like in another time and place that gets to me.  I mean, doesn't that passage make you really want to know what a medieval honey cake tastes like?

These days I find myself reluctantly inspired by food bloggers who do what they do much better than I do.  Part of me wants to hate them because they are young-ish and seem to live the kind of lives I only dream about.  But I can't deny how transportive their writing and photography is for me.
  • Molly Wizenberg, aka Orangette.  Sushmita was the first to suggest I check out this blog. At first I found the lengthy entries and smug photography a bit insufferable, but I somehow found myself going back, which is saying a lot for someone who doesn't use Google Reader to keep track of blog-reading.   Molly's blog is not so much about food as it is about the experience, stories, and imaginings that surround food.  She's like a modern-day MFK Fisher.  For me, it was the introduction to her new book, A Homemade Life, that really struck a chord in me.  I completely agree with at least two things she said in it.  First, "Food is never just food.  It's also a way of getting at something else: who we are, who we have been, and who we want to be."  And second, "Like most people who love to cook, I like the tangible things.  I like the way the knife claps when it meets the cutting board.  I like the haze of sweet air that hovers over a hot cake as it sits, cooling, on the counter.  I like the way a strip of orange peel looks on an empty plate."  Incidentally, I go straight for Molly's regular column every month when my Bon Appetit arrives in the mail.  I'm going to try her recipe for gougeres sometime soon.
  • Carol Blymire, creator of French Laundry at Home and Alinea at Home. Anyone who has the discipline and foolhardy tenacity to cook their way through such ambitious works by such venerable chefs must be commended under all circumstances.  In her words: "I'm cooking my way through the Alinea Cookbook. Because I can.  I think."
  • Peter Hertzmann, who writes for A La Carte. I stumbled across one of his articles when looking for a good explanation of what is fromage blanc and what one can do with it.  His articles, released monthly, proffer a wealth of little-known facts and practical know-how, mostly based in the French discipline, for the intrepid home chef. So traditional and informative!
  • Ree Drummond, aka The Pioneer Woman: A city mouse transplanted to a cattle ranch.  Try scrolling through one of her entries really fast, and it's like watching a video demonstration of how things are done.  Pause briefly for explanations and answers. I like her crisp, delectable photography and focus on basic, good home cooking.
  • Genevieve Wang, my personal friend who likes muffins. She's one of the few people I know who meditates on and loves food even more than I do.  You know she's a kindred spirit when she attempted ~15 times in the past six years to replicate a special kind of Belgian waffle she tasted from a street vendor in Germany.
  • Elise Bauer, creator of Simply Recipes. For once, a blog that delivers exactly what it promises.  Straightforward and chock-ful of delicious recipe resources.
Keep in mind, the featured blogs above have a decided focus on cooking and creating food even more than eating it; restaurant blogs are in a separate category that I might treat in a separate post.

Aquatic therapy and massage...for dogs!?

Having never owned a furry pet, I find it really, really difficult to understand how and why some people pour so many resources into the well-being of their dogs.  I mean, I think dogs are lovable and endearing and can be seen as "part of the family," and I certainly believe they should be treated humanely and given proper nutrition/shelter/exercise.  But the thing that gets me every time is that in many cases, dogs in this country live about 50x better than many human beings do, in other parts of the world.

You can imagine my reaction to the recently launched Rex Center, aquatic fitness just for your canine pals.  Complete with swim coaches, assisted swimming, canine massage, and aromatherapy--keep in mind that these services are NOT for medical purposes, though it sounds like they can be used for rehab.  I saw this come through my e-mail inbox and I don't think my eyes could roll any further back in my head.  Maybe there I am missing something very crucial, and maybe some readers will be thrilled to discover this find.  But I just don't see why animals deserve such luxurious treatment (essential oils and aromatherapy!?) when human beings in so many parts of the world face poverty, malnutrition, abuse, and injustice.

Folks might be interested in Michael Schaffer's look into America's obsession with their pets in his new book, One Nation Under Dog.

I understand I may not have the full picture and my strong feelings about this may very well be self-righteous and misguided--if so, someone please explain what I'm missing.

(Early) Foodie Tuesday: Fromage Blanc

Yesterday, I met up with a couple friends to hike Muir Woods for the first time (and struck another thing off my To Do List).  We decided to do yuppie hiking--a term I first heard from vchu--that is, went with our packs full of provisions for a gourmet picnic at the top of the mountain.  Jenny brought the wine and grapes, Beth brought the chocolate and apples, and I brought the bread and cheese.

On Friday I went to my lovely neighborhood market and perused their cheese selection.  When on sale, you can get a better deal on cheese there than at TJ's.  I decided on a $1.50 block called English Huntsman (Double Gloucester with blue stilton in the middle) and a $1.99 pot of fromage blanc from Traderspoint Creamery in Indiana.  I knew nothing about either cheese; I just got it because it said "soft spreadable cheese" and that sounded good.

What we found was a delicately light and fresh-tasting creamy cheese, a little bit like fresh ricotta if you've ever had that.  The reason it tastes so fresh is that it isn't aged at all, though it's cultured, a bit like yogurt.  Beth was surprised it had herbs in it because she has only seen it served straight-up with jam, and not on bread.

I did a bit more digging and found this very informative article about all the different ways to make and use fromage blanc, also known as fromage frais, such as:
  • In a dessert, layered with fruit syrup, coulis, or preserves
  • In chocolate truffles
  • In a fromage blanc cheese tart
  • In slices (after it has been drained more), with blueberry-cassis reduction
  • With herbs and spread over toast or bread, like we had it
I don't know if fromage blanc is easy to find where you are, but if do find it, give it a try!  Or you can try making it yourself (instructions in the article above) with some whole milk, live cultures, and cheesecloth.

Quarterly Check-In: 2009 To-Do List

Amazing that we're already three months into 2009.  I thought it'd be a good time to check in with progress on my 2009 To-Do List , a series of goals I make every year.  I'd love to hear how 2009 is shaping up for other people too.  So far, I think, so good--maybe it's because spring seemed to come so early this year.  
_____________________________________________________

Travel
  • Summer weekend trip to Lake Tahoe
  • One long-weekend domestic trip: New Mexico, Portland, New Orleans/Texas, Hawaii, Yellowstone, OR DC area (I'm going to Boston for a wedding, but I don't think this counts)
  • Visit LA at least 2x and go to Magic Mountain (I'll be visiting in May so this will be half accomplished)
  • Visit (or camp at) Muir Woods, Mt. Tam, Bodega Bay, Sonoma, northern CA (Eureka or Shasta), and one California destination I've never heard of.
  • Fall 2009 trip - China/SE Asia, Japan, South America, Costa Rica, Western Australia OR Spain/Morocco
Health & Wellness
  • Sleep at least 7 hours/night (before 12:30am on weeknights) (HAH. I really need to work on this one.)
  • Wear sunscreen daily, and lip balm for my perpetually chapped lips (Need to work on this too)
  • Move my bike from home (in LA) to the Bay Area
  • Hike once a month.  (So far, so good.  Urban hikes count =)
  • Conquer my asthma and my gimp knee, so I can ski by next winter
  • ...and get my weight back down to 120-125lbs., however that has to happen (gymming, walking, eating less).
  • Take a self-defense class
Personal Projects

Sewing (skills): Learn one new technique every month, things like: install a zipper, read/execute a pattern, tailoring techniques such as darts, princess seams, etc., create a pattern, smocking and shirring, install interfacing, create pleats, Hong Kong seams, linings for anything, make a pocket, and dye fabric (Haven't gotten too far on this, but w/ the sewing book Karin gave me for my b-day it will be easier to accomplish this)
Sewing (projects): 
  • Addition: Make myself a lunch bag.
  • Finish my fingerless gloves
  • Alter the $5 sari dress and skirt that I bought at the Lotus Festival and never wore.
  • Make a sundress out of the pretty batik I bought in Malaysia last year.
  • Make an evening/cocktail dress out of the material I bought at Joann's + all the sewing ideas I've been collecting for the past few months
  • Make an obi-style belt 
Cooking
  • Organize recipes and start recording family favorites and newly inspired creations in a journal or binder.
  • Master my slow-cooker so I don't starve when I start my new job
Recipes to master: 
  • The 'One Great Cookie' recipe for browned-butter cookies in the 2006 issue of Gourmet Magazine
  • My coworker's famous chocolate-chip cookie recipe
  • Addition: my old boss' wonderful recipe for blueberry scones
  • A really great gingerbread cookie recipe
  • Chili
  • The Google chef's recipe for madeleines
  • Baked butterfish with miso glaze like they used to make in our cafeteria
  • Flan!
Volunteering: Find one great organization/activity to commit to.

General Know-How:
  • Learn about the import/export process and more about retail distribution
  • Read some of those motivational books and start a learning journal of sorts.
Just for Fun 
  • Taiko drumming classes.
  • Organize and post my photos from my trip to Asia last year
  • 3x the average traffic-per-post on my blog
  • Use my new 40-min. commute to learn some things.  Get Spanish-language and Chinese-language tapes.
  • Work on an indie film. Bug former coworker Tony about producing his next movie OR get involved in a theater production (ask Annie).
  • Film footage and piece together a 5-10 minute short of any kind.
  • Work with my mom to translate my grandmother's life story, and interview my dad about his family history.
  • Send out Christmas cards next year
  • Take 1 class with Doc Wong, and learn how to drive stick shift.
  • Mail out DVD copies of the play I produced 5 years ago to the cast/crew, which have been sitting on my desk for the past 3 years -___-
Professional
  • Incorporate lessons learned from my last job. Take more responsibility for my career.
  • Manage expectations and deliver on promises. (Working on it.  It's a daily challenge.)
  • Exceed my quarterly targets
  • Be on time
  • Respond to important e-mails within 2 hours and keep my inbox under 20 messages. (HAH.)
  • Find projects beyond the core role by Q2-3
  • Get promoted
  • Decide on B-school once and for all
Financial
  • Don't buy any more clothing or home stuff until my birthday (in February). (Update: I failed this one but have a goal for Lent)
  • Pay off my car loan
  • Read www.fool.com or other other educational resources once a week and take a couple seminars about investing.  Learn about stocks and all that, because it's Greek to me now.  And identify 3 areas to invest in.
  • Donate at least 10% of my net earnings to church and some non-profits that are doing great work.
Spiritual, Personal Improvement, and Miscellaneous
  • Develop a daily prayer life. Pray regularly for my daddy.
  • Re-join a small group at church and go 2x/month
  • Forgive and let go of some specific, debilitating things from my past
  • Work on communication (synthsizing/clarity) and listening skills.
  • Give up something that matters for someone who truly needs it
  • Try to buy clothing made of natural materials: cotton, linen, bamboo, leather, silk, wool.  This will force me to buy fewer things of higher quality, rather than synthetic blends that pill after 2 wears.
  • Clean out/reorganize my closet twice (I will probably do this, this weekend)
  • Read: The Far Pavilions, Malcom X's Autobiography, and at least 2 other novels
  • Watch: After Life, Carnivale Seasons 1 and 2, Hellboy 1 and Hellboy 2, Elizabeth 1 and Elizabeth 2, It's a Wonderful Life, Waking Life, Slumdog Millionaire, the Orphic Trilogy, the Decalogue, Brazil, M, Wild Strawberries
  • Listen: Organize my mp3s and create a handful of playlists so I can start using my iPod again
  • ...and the one thing that will make it all possible: STOP WASTING SO MUCH TIME.  Spend less than 1.5 hours/day online--do less online shopping and find a way to blog more efficiently! (Well I am blogging less but probaby not wasting any less time -__-)

Years of interviewing finally paid off

I've been an alumni interviewer for my alma mater pretty much since I graduated.  This year I grumbled about signing up for 4 or 5 interviews... it's a surprising number of man-hours.  Each interview is supposed to take 45 min, but I usually go way over-time, sometimes as long as 1.5 hours.  Then there is the time it takes to actually do the write-ups.  It can get pretty discouraging when, year after year, the kids you interview keep getting rejected, even if the numbers tell you what to expect.

I've probably interviewed close to 20 students in the last few years, and not one of them have ever been accepted...until today.  And I have to say he totally deserved it--I haven't met many individuals who have so impressed me with their maturity, engagement, and thoughtfulness, so I was especially happy to find those qualities in one so young.  I really feel that he will enrich the experiences of his fellow students if he decides to go.

Congrats, 2009 admits!

My favorite quote about Carnivale

Episodes 3 and 4 were not quite as strong as the first two (I need more weirdness), but I'm not complaining yet.

From a reviewer on Netflix : "To say that this is a show about a carnival during the Depression is like saying Hendrix played the guitar: It really doesn't convey the essence of what you will experience when you watch Carnivale."

It's an incredibly interesting experience watching this show in the era of our own Economic Downturn, with a lot of chilling parallels as I'm reading more and more about the Dust Bowl (what an epic, massive disaster of Man Abusing Nature!), migrant workers who traveled from there to California, and the socioeconomic dynamics of the times.  Lessons for us all.

Carnivale: an Underrated Cult Favorite

 Where was I when the critically acclaimed HBO series Carnivale ran through its sadly curtailed and short-lived two seasons (2003 - 2005)?  Let's see...oh right--I was scraping by as a lowly Hollywood assistant with no expendable income to spend on outlandish extravagances like premium cable. 

I stayed up past my bedtime the other night watching the two first episodes of Season 1 on DVD and basically freaking myself out (my roommate was gone so I had to keep all the lights on!).  This is some strange, disturbing stuff, but somehow I couldn't look away.

The show has been on my Netflix queue and List of Things to Do for several years running because of 1) all the great things I've heard about it and 2) my long-standing celebrity crush on Nick Stahl (since 1993's Man Without a Face--yes, Garry, even though he was a pansy in T3), which has outlasted even my long-standing celebrity crush on Joseph Gordon-Levitt (since 1994's Angels in the Outfield).  I mean, I even dragged my friends to watch Tall Tale: The Unbelievable Adventures of Pecos Bill, something I am none to proud to admit.  

Anyway, I can safely say that no role has been better suited to Mr. Stahl, and he has never been better, than in the role of Ben Hawkins, the taciturn, young, and recently orphaned Okie farmer with healing abilities that gets picked up by a motley band of carnival freaks.  The show is thick with mythology, almost too smart for its own good, and yet strangely compelling, especially if you're a romantic.  Because there is something deeply and darkly romantic about the whole idea of social outcasts eking a living alongside the ordinary folks they entertain, who love and yet despise them, even though the whole thing's rather violent and dysfunctional.

Episodes 3-4 arrive in the mail today.  I'm so excited!

Made Me a Lunch Tote

It's been an adjustment having to take lunch to work with me (so much planning!).  But just because I'm trying to be economical doesn't mean I have to brownbag it.  Indeed, why not gold/blue/white/black bag it? Tired of packing my lunch in old shopping bags (even Anthropologie), I decided I needed something more environmentally friendly and just the right size.  

Behold, my new hand-quilted lunch bag!  It took me several hours over the course of the last week and a half.  I used fabric from my costume in the sixth grade play (some 15 years ago), a lovely cotton print I bought at Stone Mountain & Daughter, and some remnants from Wal-Mart.  The stitching is pretty darn sloppy, but you can't really tell, and it will do the job.  See slideshow below for the making-of.