Gotham Gal

The Overachievers

Years ago, when our kids were just starting school, I recall the conversations about holding the boys back.  If they were born sometime around the cut off date that it might be better to hold them back because they were too small or not ready or whatever the reasoning was.  I was amazed.  But if everyone was doing it, how could you be the only parent that didn't.  Lucky for us, our kids were all born a few months after the cut off date so we never had to make that decision.  How do we get parents to stop the nonsense?

I just finished reading The Overachievers, The Secret Lives of Driven Kids by Alexandra Robbins.  Bravo to Alexandra from writing this book.  She explores how the high stake race into getting into a top college has become out of control.  The pressure on each individual kid to succeed, be the best, rank number one, get into the Ivy Leagues, get the best SAT score, be the captain of a variety of sports teams has put childhood on hold.  The back lash from this is cheating, over testing, sports injuries, drug use, depression, suicide and worse of all the ability to be yourself.  Each kid is doing what college advisors tell them to do.  You wonder who are they?  How are they ever going to be able to enjoy downtime?  How are they going to be able to function without their parents doing everything for them?  Are they actually going to be happy with the college that their parents want them to go to?  Will they be so burnt out by the time they get to college that they won't be able to perform?

This book is coming out at a very poignant time.  Recently the SAT test has changed to incorporate an essay so the test lasts somewhere around 5 hours with breaks.  5 hours for a 16 year old to take a test that might make or break getting into the college of their choice.  Crazy...right?  I believe the test just signifies if you are a good test taker.  Years ago the SAT actually helped colleges find a kid who might have done poorly in school but tested well on the test.  Maybe there is something there that they would not have seen before.  Now, it is driven by tutors and preparing for years to excel on this test.  In essence the kid who come from upper-middle class families can afford to have their kid tutored, those that don't can't.  The test isn't a fair assessment.  William Hiss (quoted in the NYTimes today) who is the VP for external affairs at Bates College said something that I think is right on the money.  Hiss said "human intelligence and ambition is more complex, more multifaceted, than any standardized testing system can capture."

Recently some top Liberal Arts schools have made the decision to not use the SAT as a guide.  Thank god.  They are looking at the individual kid.  Who they are and are they the right candidate to provide a balanced class.  Robbins explores the admissions process too.  They aren't looking for the kid that has taken 6 AP classes necessarily.  I remember growing up and there weren't any AP classes.  What has happened?

Do I want my kids to get into a good college, of course.  But, I want them to get into a college that is the right fit for them.  I also want them to have a balanced life.  As I write this I hear our kids outside without a group of friends enjoying the last gasps of summer, playing in the pool, talking about silly things that teenagers talk about not talking about grades or SAT's or how they will achieve next year.  They all know that they are expected to do the best they can do because that will make them feel good about themselves.  But it is for them not for us. 

Robbins makes some great points at the end of her book.  Here is a few things that she recommends what high schools can do.  Drop class rank, deemphasize testing, provide less-competitive alternatives, limit AP's, Re-institute recess.  What colleges can do is boycott rankings, scrap the SAT, Eliminate early decision, prioritize mental health and send a message that allows students to what they enjoy vs. what they are supposed to do. Most important, here is what she recommends that parents can do, limit young children's activities, get a life (one kid said in the book that he wished his parents had some other hobby besides himself), schedule family time and place character above performance.  What students can do is stop the guilt, adjust the superstar mentality, carve an individual path, pick a college that reflects you and pare down the activities, reclaim summer. 

My hope is that a backlash is coming.  Backlash to No Child Left Behind.  What I mean by that is bring back the arts, gym and music.  It has been proven that those activities actually enhance children's learning habits in math and science. Stop living vicariously through our children, stop thinking that an Ivy League School means success for later in life, etc.  Carpe diem.  Work hard but enjoy the moment of being 10, 13, 15, 18, 25 etc. 

Wei Fun

Wei Fun is the latest restaurant in the East Hampton area under the umbrella of Kevin Penner.   Kevin Penner is the head chef who oversees Ben Krupinski empire of restaurants including 1770 House, Cittanuova, East Hampton Point and now Wei Fun. 

Ben is a builder.  His restaurants are all well designed according to the surroundings and food being served.  Each has their own vibe and appeal.  Running restaurants is not his best asset.  I am not sure it is Kevins either.  I can only find it comical each time we go to one of their restaurants at how poorly managed they are but it is summer so you have to let it roll off your back.  We all found last night hilarious at best.

Keep in mind that Wei Fun opened last night so it was their first night.  We tried to.  It opened at 6pm.  We got there at 530 realizing that it would be packed and we had to be drop off Emily's friend in Sag Harbor at 8.  Fred walked in with a few of the kids at 530.  The woman managing the front said that they did not open until 6pm and that we'd have to wait outside.  What?  Fred came back to the car and told me the news.  That is insane.  So, I went in and asked the same thing.  She gave me the same story.  I basically said that it didn't make sense to me since there were other people inside hanging at the bar.  Also, if this is the first night you are open a few days before Labor Day weekend ( that would be when all city people leave and the locals breath a huge sigh of relief ) and it is pouring outside and we can't wait inside until you begin seating at 6pm?  She asked her manager and we were allowed to hang.  We had drinks at the bar etc. 

The vibe inside is great.  I really like the way it was designed.  Big front windows.  All white seating.  3 large TV screens above the bar.  A signature for their restaurants.  Big bar.  A very groovy vibe.  At this point I asked the woman if she would take our name since we were hanging at the bar and more people would be coming in and we have been here for awhile.  She wasn't sure about that one but decided with 2 other people that it was okay to take our names.  6pm came.  People were starting to come in and they were telling them that it was an hour wait but no one was seated.  It took them awhile to figure out that seating would be a good idea.

The menu is reads great.  Nice selection of choices.  Big wine list by the glass too.  The waiter asked us if we were ready to order.  I asked him if they were ready for us.  He laughed.  He said that last night was the only run through and the first night that any of the chefs had cooked together.  Yikes. 

We began with four appetizers.  Shrimp lollipops.  Deep fried shrimp on sticks of ginger.  Mushy and pretty much inedible.  The barbecued ribs were not bad.  They could use a little more basting but the taste is there.  Green papaya salad with chillies was spicy, crisp and refreshing.  Last and certainly least were the sesame noodles.  The noodles were so starchy that they might have been cooked at 10 in the morning.  Very little bland sauce.  Sesame noodles are a no brainer.  This was inedible.

It took about another 45 minutes for our main courses to come out.  Totally understandable, first night.  We split four entrees.  Beef and broccoli.  Sauteed beef, small pieces of broccoli in a dark sauce and thick egg noodles.  Sort of bland and way too heavy on the garlic.  There are 3 stir frys to choose from.  We went with the Kung Pao chicken and Crispy Beef.  Kung Pao chicken with peppers and garlic sauce.  Over cooked chicken with so much salt it was literally inedible.  The crispy beef was so over cooked that the beef was actually tough.  Long bean and tons of garlic in there.  The best of the lot was the Chicken Lo Mein with mushrooms.  Brown sauce, chicken, mushrooms and lots of soft noodles.  This one has potential.

We got there at 530, hung around 1/2 an hour or so and left at 730.  Asked for the check the minute the main courses got there.  Josh commented that Wei Fun does not mean way good.  He's right about that one.  I would hope that they'd get it together as time goes on.  They probably were in such a rush to open before Labor Day came and went.  They space is fabulous.  Now, can someone work on the service and food?

This Next

I just added This Next to my blog.  This Next is a new website created by one of my favorite people, Gordon Gould.  You can create lists for yourself.  You can search other peoples lists.  Check it out and see what you use it for.  Not that it is like Amazon at all but when I first started using Amazon I went crazy ordering new stuff.  Books I hadn't heard of, music I liked, etc.  This next has the same sort of appeal.  People have lists of items that I am so glad that I know of now.  Click on the link and before you know it, the item shows up at your house in a few days.  Addictive. 

Banana Chocolate Chunk Cookies

We pulled this recipe from Martha Stewart Living, the August issue.  The kids thought these were unbelievable.  We sort of played with this recipe which is below.

1 cup flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1 t. kosher salt
1/2 t. baking soda
1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup dark brown sugar (that is what we had but it calls for light brown which I'd use next time)
2 t. vanilla
1 cup mashed ripe banana
1 cup old fashioned rolled oats
11.5 ounces of semi sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375.  Whisk together the flours, salt and baking soda in a small bowl.  Beat the butter and sugars in an electric mixer until fluffy.  Add egg and vanilla, mix again.  Mix in banana.  Mix in flour mixture.  Stir in oats and chocolate chunks. 

Put cookies on parchment lined cookie sheets.  Bake for about 10-12 minutes.  Yum.

Brownies

Emily made these brownies last night.  They are unbelievable.  She got the recipe out of the Barefoot Contessa cookbook but we played around a little based on what was in the cabinet.  Divine.

1 lb. unsalted butter (yes, that is four full sticks)
24 ounces milk chocolate chips (you could use semisweet too but we had milk available)
12 ounces (11.5 in the bag is fine of semisweet chocolate chunks or chips)
3 T. instant coffee (we used sanka)
2 T. vanilla extract
7 large eggs
2 1/4 cups white sugar
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 T. baking powder
1 t. kosher salt

Preheat oven to 350. 
We sprayed down a 12 x 18 x 1 inch baking sheet with a Pam type product instead of greasing with butter which you can do too. 
Melt together the butter and 24 ounces of chocolate chips.  We used a medium sauce pan on low heat.  Allow to cool slightly after melted.  In a large bowl stir together the eggs, coffee, vanilla and sugar.  Use a wooden spoon.  Then stir in the warm chocolate mixture into the egg mixture and let it cool to room temperature. 
In a medium bowl take 1 cup flour, baking powder and salt and whisk so it blends together.  Add this to the cooled chocolate mixture.  In a small bowl mix together 1/4 cup flour and the 12 ounces of chocolate bits or chips left.  If you put this into the chocolate mixture before it cools the chips will melt which isn't the end of the world but if it is cool the chips will remain chunky in the brownies.
Pour into the baking sheet until it is about 1/2 to 2/3 full.  Em poured it almost to the top and when the brownies baked they over flowed a bit in the oven.  Not a big deal but an FYI. 
Bake for 20 minutes and then sort of rap the baking sheet against the shelf to allow air to escape.  We didn't really rap it good because the brownies were so over the top but it didn't seem to matter.  Then let bake another 15 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Let cool before cutting.  These are so rich that we highly recommend cutting them into small brownies.  Although it just gives you the rationalization for eating more.

Summer Vacation

I am in full swing on summer vacation.  There is something about the summer vacation that takes you back in time when you were a kid.  You don't want to do anything but play.  School is starting soon and looming over your head.  Fall is the kick off to a new season. 

I have been remiss about blogging but will be back in swing in a few weeks.  As much as I miss it, I'm enjoying the doing nothing moment.

Time for Change

Time for a Change?  I sure hope so.  Politics as usual seems to be falling to the wayside.  Or perhaps politics as usual is no longer being bought by the American people. 

We hosted an event a few nights ago to support Sherrod Brown of Ohio and Claire McCaskell of Missouri for the Senate seats in their states.  Both are smart and pragmatic.  I am impressed everytime I hear them speak.  They know that it is time for a change. 

There were 2 things that stayed with me the other night.  One is that each of our elected officials spend about 75% of their time raising money.  There is something wrong with that.  We elect people to represent our voice in Government and then they have to spend more than half of that time trying to stay in office.  We donate money to their seat which is in some respects like going to Las Vegas and sitting down at a poker table.  Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. Change must come on how our officals get elected.  Perhaps each official who gets so many signatures to run is given an alloted amount of money from the US Government and that is it.  Everyone has equal footing financially (although it would certainly be easier on someone already in office) and would force everyone to be creative in getting the message across.  There is clearly something wrong when one candidate runs a negative ad on Friday which doesn't allow the other candidate to respond until Monday and that changes the polling numbers.  In essence, people are not reading between the lines, they are just reacting to ads.  I guess that is why the Bush administration has had such success.  They just tell the public what they want us to hear regardless of being true or false.

The second thing that made an impact on me is something that Claire McCaskell said.  Both her and Sherrod spoke about their responses to being attacked from their opponents.  They each said that in the past Democrats have just sat back passively.  They have responded back with what they actually believe in and how they would go about supporting that.  In essence, giving people answers with information to back it up.  You can either support it or not but what they believe in is out there in black and white.  What Claire said was that we were all being patriotic by being at the event that night.  We have been told by the Republicans that we aren't patriotic but not supporting their agenda.  That is wrong.  We live in a Democratic society where being patriotic is getting involved and supporting our beliefs.  I really liked when Claire said that.  She was spot on.  We need to hear more of that from the Democrats.

Fred wrote a really excellent post on the event which is also worth reading.

Another Podcast..

Another podcast is up and running.  To listen live, click here.  For more information, go to Fred's blog.

Piece of Mind

I went into the city on Friday to see the play Piece of Mind that my friend produced.  Left Lane Productions is the proudction company.  The play was performed at Classic Stage Company on East 13th Street.  It is one of the many plays being put on by  production companies around the city through the Fringe Festival. 

I am really glad that I went.  If I was in going to be in the city for the next 2 weeks, I'd probably see a different play every night.  There is really a wealth of interesting stuff out there that might never have had the chance to perform to an audience of NYers if it wasn't for this Festival. 

Piece of Mind is about Alzheimer's.  An awful disease that affects so many people.  My Grandmother got dementia about a year before she passed away.  It is awful.  It isn't the same thing but it is similar.  Alzheimer's generally affects younger people where is dementia is something that generally comes on much later in life.  My Grandmother was living between life and death.  She didn't know what was going on.  She was confused.  She thought I was just graduating from college and wanted to know what I was going to do with my life.  My life already had 3 kids in it.  It was heartbreaking.

In this play, there are a cast of characters.  Over the course of an hour, each actor plays a few different characters that are either victims of this disease or care takers or family members.  There stories each give the audience an insight into how one person's illness affects everyone around them.

Very well done play.  Some of the actors were much better than others but the writing was good.  It isn't a subject that most people want to delve into and I give the producer, director and writer huge kudos for just doing that.  I left thinking this play should be shown to a larger audience to understand more about the disease.  Where and who to I am not sure.  I am also not sure what the answer is when you see other people dealing with an awful disease like this.  There are no cures.  Just heartache.

Cacio E Pepe

Cacio E Pepe is located on 2nd Avenue between 11/12th.  They have been open for 2 years now.  We had dinner with a group of people there the other night.

It happened to be a beautiful night.  Warm but not too hot and low humidity.  Sitting in the garden behind the restaurant was a delight.  Not many of those in NYC.  The restaurant was hopping by the time we left.  I don't think there are an empty seat in the place including the outdoor seating on the street. 

The menu was good.  A mixture of salads, pastas, meat and fish dishes.  Everything sounded delicious.  I went with the specials of the evening.  Tossed greens with fava beans and pecorino cheese.  Simple, tasty and light.  Not too heavy handed which I really liked.  I also had the Striped Bass special.  Striped bass roasted with a rich tangy tomato sauce that was mixed with olives, capers and onions.  Really wonderful.  I tasted a few other things that night too.  Pounded chicken breaded and deep fried was juicy on the inside and crisp and not oily on the outside.  On top was a mixture of tomatoes and argula salad in a light sauce.  A great summer meal.  The house pasta is served on top of a large piece of parmigiana cheese.  That didn't wow me.  Way too much salt.  The pasta with sardines, breadcrumbs and raisins was quite good. 

Desserts were just OK, nothing great.  Personally I have always found the meal much better than the desserts at Italian restaurants.  If I am going to be in that area again, I will absolutely go back.  The food isn't off the charts but it is good and the menu is worth exploring a little bit more.