Gotham Gal

More on the toilet paper

At the yoga studio that I frequent they use Second Generation toilet paper.  It is ecologically sound.  I noted today that on the wrapping it said the following:

"In our every deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations"

From the Great Law of The Iroquois Confederacy

I admit, I thought that this was a great quote.  The Bush Administration could learn by this law as they slowly destroy our environment on a daily basis.  Anyone up for buying a few cases of Second Generation toilet paper and sending it to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue....

The Political Picture of the week

I have been reading all the nonsense this week as we watch the Republican party supposedly implode.  The cronyism, the incapable leaders of different areas of Government, etc.

The most disturbing photo of the week following was of Karen Hughes.  Karen has been spending the week over in Iraq, Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia talking to woman about how they should be like American women.  It appears from their conversations that the Middle Eastern women seem pretty damn happy about their state of affairs.  But, Karen persisted.  Was she amazed?  Is this not what she expected?  Did she think that they would kiss her feet and greet her with open arms for shedding light on their miserable situation?  Please.

The picture of the week was today in the NYTimes.  Karen Hughes surrounded by Iraqi children holding up a grade school book that had pictures of our most influential Presidents on the cover titled The Presidents.  What..we are now over there to fix up Bush's image and teach these kids our culture and our way of life.  I am appalled.  Who the hell do we think we are?  Shame shame.

I could go on about the shame shame.  About money already missing in the rebuilding of New Orleans, about the support of the Republicans behind Tom Delay (come on ). 

Today I saw a preview of Good Night and Good Luck which is about Edward Murdoch, the journalist who stood up against McCarthyism.  I felt as if we were repeating history.  It isn't about communism this time but it is certainly a time when Americans need to stand up and take back their Government.

Annisa

Last night will have been my third time to Annisa and I can guarantee that it will not be the last. 

The ambiance is warm and inviting.  There is a small bar in the front that probably holds about 5 people.  The glass front on to Bedford Street makes the restaurant look like a gem in the rough.  I am not so sure about the rough part but it is certainly a gem.

The chef, Anita Lo, it quite accomplished.  She has been honored in her field, she has worked at a variety of top restaurants and now has a restaurant that she can call her own.  I believe the restaurant is 5 plus years old.  Her and her partner, both women, have not only created a wonderful setting but the wine list is basically from female run/owned wineries.  Something I just found out last night. 

There were 6 of us and we went with the 5 course tasting.  Some of us ate only vegetables and fish so we all went with the flow and opted for the same thing.  Nice call.

The meal always begins with a small treat from the chef.  I can't remember exactly what it was but it was like a fish pate inside a small rounded crisp.  Good start. 

Our first course was white tuna tartare cut up into small pieces and shaped into a small rounded mound that was layered over Asian pears and topped with a cold cucumber ice, black sesame seeds and a fried piece of kimichi.  On the side of the dish was a swath of spicy Korean chili.  Delicious.

The second course was a fried zucchini blossom stuff with feta cheese, currants and dill.  The different flavors of currants mixed with the dill was interesting.  Very different take on what to do with a zucchini blossom that is generally filled with some type of cheese.  The feta made the dish light.

The third course was our first fish dish.  Sauteed fluke that was crispy on one side layered over a braised fennel.  To top it off was an orange vinaigrette which really made the dish sing.

The fourth dish was my least favorite.  Sauteed fillet of hake layered over Manila clams.  The clams were really cooked perfectly, sweet and soft.  She had taken pea shoots and turned them into a sauce that peeked out from underneath in swirled stripes. 

The most magnificent performance were the desserts.  They brought out 6 desserts at once.  We each took a bite and passed.  Very communal.  There were also a small tray of candied ginger(my fave), chocolate covered mints that were shaped like mini ho-ho's and tiny coconut ice cream bars.  Unbelievable taste for such a small bite.  The desserts were a lemon bread pudding that looked like a piece of kugel.  It was light and really divine.  The crispy sesame mochis were served with a delightful coconut and pineapple dipping sauce.  An apple tarte with caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream was classic.  The most incredible dessert was the chocolate biscuit pudding.  Rich and elegantly presented with tiny pieces of small chocolate crushed. 

All and all a real treat.

Scott vs. Charmin

Just a little tidbit.  We were having major clog toilet issues.  The plumber told me that we should bag Charmin and move to Scott.  Really?  I swear.

We did a little test.  Put Charmin in the water and it literally absorbs the water and inflates.  Scott disappears.  Granted Charmin is soft and thick but clogged toilets is a major drag.

Last time we had run out of Scott and went with the Charmin.  Big mistake.  It took me about 45 minutes, many buckets of steaming hot water and lots of plunging to get the toilet moving again. 

Charmin is out and Scott is in.  Who would have known?

The Russians are Here

I have always loved the architecture of the Guggenheim.  The long stroll up the circular floors.  How one exhibit literally takes over the entire museum.  There is always another small exhibit that if you miss the tiny corridor behind one of the elevators, you've missed that exhibit.  It is mostly about the one big show.  Now through January 11, it is all about Russia.

The exhibit starts on the ground floor in the Peter the Great era.  The pieces are truly uninspiring or interesting.  As you continue up the ramp, you end up in the modern art era. 

What struck me about the art as a whole is that Russia was obviously cut off from the rest of the world.  Their education system must not have embraced art because the art work is mediocre at best, at least in the beginnings of time to the 19th Century.  There are hints of influence by other artists that we know such as Picasso (cubism) or even Norman Rockwell.  But it was as if they had been painting off of small tidbits of information that flowed into the country.  The pieces were depressing.

Yet, as you get to the top of the exhibit, the modern pieces are much better.  There has been more flow of information into Russia from other parts of the world.  There is some interesting pieces that are pretty good and thought provoking.  What kind of modern world are the Russians living in.  How are artists reacting to it.  Are there that many artists in Russia? 

As in life, no pain no gain, you have to walk up to the very top to really get something out of the exhibit.

Pouring Rain

Since we didn't make it to Texas, we did make it to an annual event put on by the Washington Square Park Council.  Washington Square Park is about to undergo a tremendous renovation and the council has raised private money to combine with the public funds.  In the end, this council will provide the endowment that will make sure that the parks transformation will be kept up.  It is all a good thing.  Fred's partner, Brad is very involved with this. 

Washington Square Park happens to be the most used park in the city second to Central Park.  Pretty amazing statistic.  So, needless to say, the community discussions about the how the park will undergo change has been quite a challenge to Adrian Benepe, the Parks Commissioner.  But, it appears as though they are moving forward positively. 

The one event I really wanted to go to last night was to support our friends efforts at The League for the Hard of Hearing.  In the past there has been comedy shows to raise funds and this year it was all about food.  More importantly, the League's commitment to loss of hearing, deaf and deaf-blind - adults and children - is fantastic.  They are one of a kind and have not been giving the funding or attention that they need.  I am actually sending them cash today and I urge people to look at the website.

When we left the Washington Square Park event last night it was pouring.  Fred and I were donning new shoes and we both opted to take them off and walk barefoot home.  Sounds gross in NYC but we weren't far from home and the rain was coming down pretty hard.  I took a picture of our feet.

Abducted Child?

We are driving back from Amagansett on 495, the wonderful LIE, and on the electronic signs that generally give you traffic information, the following is written....Child Abduction, Tune to Local Radio.

From literally exit 68 to exit 23 the following was in bold print.  How weird?  What were we supposed to do? Is there a purpose behind that?  I wasn't sure.  If anybody has any information, please share. 

I found the whole thing frightening, strange and eerie at the same time.

Josh

Of course every parent is impressed with their child.  There isn't a new parent who hasn't told me when there kid is around 2 - 4 how they are really smart and very articulate, etc.  Are they trying to tell me that there kid is gifted?  It never fails to give me a little chuckle inside.  Of course the kid is smart, you are smart but gifted?  Hmmm.  Well that remains to be seen.  But, hey, let them dream.  That is part of being a parent. 

My kids are entering the next phase.  They are 9, 12 and 14.  I am constantly impressed with their insight and knowledge as I should be.  But this evening I was reading through Josh's writers notebook and was truly impressed by the poem that he had glued in the front cover when you open on the book on the left hand side.

He said he was influenced by his teachers on how they (the kids in the class) should each construct a poem about themselves.  He wrote and edited this piece.  I think it is fantastic and want to share with the world what a great kid he is because I am the proud parent.  Here is his poem.

I am from littered streets.
And the place that never sleeps.
I am from ping pong to foosball.
I am from all my friends.
I am from Led Zeppelin to Van Halen.
I am from sleepovers to school.
I am from Math to Spanish.
I am from Basketball to Football.
I am from Christmas to Chanukah
I am from Manhattan.

Come on readers...how great is that? I'd say, pretty impressive for a 4th grade boy. 

Podcast is up...

A new podcast is up and running.  Check out Positively 10th street. 

Listen live here. 

Get itunes download here.

Good songs..and of course great commentary..

Rhett Miller

So we didn't go to Austin but luck was with us in Amagansett.  Rhett Miller was playing at Stephen Talkhouse.  For any of you familiar with Stephen Talkhouse, we were beyond lucky.  At this point of the year, I've never even heard of the bands playing there.  Most you probably don't want to hear either.  Sorry guys. 

Rhett Miller is the lead singer of the Old '97s.  I believe since he was 15.  His only solo album, The Instigator, had some serious playtime in our house for awhile.  My sister turned me on to him.  He is a combo of Ben Lee, Jonathan Richman and Ben Kweller.  His lyrics are great and he really rocks.  I was impressed.  He played a few songs on his new album coming out in February.  That will definitely be in my pre-order box with Amazon.