2005.02.06

Red red rooibos

[Dragon rooibos]

Decided that today was high time to visit Teavana, the new tea store I’ve had my eye on at the local mall. Why aren’t there more places to shop for loose teas? Still, this one turned out to be just what the doctor ordered! Sampled several sips of aromatic goodness, before getting what has to be the most divine tea blend I’ve ever had — a 50-50 blend of Jasmine Dragon Phoenix Pearl (a green tea variety for when one mythical creature just isn’t enough) and vanilla-infused rooibos. Have constantly had a hot mug of it in hand ever since I got home, the sipping of which has left me v. calm and contented.

Have been on a rooibos kick lately, ever since Rav turned me on to a lovely strawberry infusion at a dinner party. Sadly it seems this variety isn’t readily available anymore (the closest thing at Teavana was a blend of strawberry-kiwi juice and vanilla rooibos, which was nothing like), but the plain South African red rooibos is a treat in and of itself when it’s available (and naturally caffeine-free and loaded with antioxidants!).

Also sampled: macadamia and “tropical” infusions, as well as “monkey-picked” oolong, an unfamiliar but wonderful flavor…

I love finding new and wonderful places to shop! So today is officially a success.

[But when, oh when will we finally see a LUSH in the Seattle area?]


On the health front, am feeling better but getting little sleep of late, as certain creative pursuits are occupying my time. Massive productivity is always satisfying, but at what cost..?


2005.02.12

Broken record

Thanks to kakumei, who grabbed these on a recent trip to Canada:

Dill Pickle Lay's Potato Chips
“Irresistibly Candian!

“Why are Lay’s Dill Pickle flavoured Potato Chips a true taste tradition? Because no Canadian can resist the tangy taste of Dill Pickle and the fresh taste of Lay’s Potato Chips! It’s a “Dill-icious” flavour Canadians love!”

I know they’re just Lay’s, but they’re really good! Tangy, like sea salt & vinegar potato chips, but more subtly, and with more complex seasonings — exactly like a good dill pickle should taste. If you’ve got a classier brand I should try, let me know! Or better yet, tell me how I can get a fast hookup when the inevitable cravings hit.

On the Pringles front, it seems that in Brazil and Italy, one can acquire paprika-flavored crisps, while Germans can get their hands on a spring onion & feta(!) variety. I have to try that last one…

Someone needs to start an Amazon.com for snack foods!

[update (2005/02/15) — Tim’s has dill pickle chips too! And they’re good.]

[update (2005/02/18) — pringle shots from flickr: French Consommé, Spring Onion & Feta, and a Pringles vending machine!]


I know it reads like all I’ve been writing about lately is food. There’s been a lot happening, honest! And I’ve got lots of other stuff to tell, too — I’ve just been waiting for things to settle down just enough so that I can sit down and organize my thoughts.

In the meantime, food isn’t all that bad, is it?


2005.02.14

Krispy redux

Got this news tidbit from fink earlier today. Skip the part about the “hamdog” abomination to the bottom, and you’ll see this blurb:

But he acknowledged that the “Hamdog” and the “Luther Burger,” a bacon-cheeseburger served on a Krispy Kreme doughnut bun, are what draw attention.

Feeling a wave of déjà vu here — or possibly just indigestion?

As for the “hamdog,” I wonder if there’s a new challenge for jet on the horizon?

To quote:

…a hot dog wrapped by a beef patty that’s deep fried, covered with chili, cheese and onions and served on a hoagie bun. Oh yeah, it’s also topped with a fried egg and two fistfuls of fries.

Time will tell. Either way, I’m not going near the thing!


2005.02.21

Bride and Prejudice

Gurinder Chadha’s Bride & Prejudice is loud, colorful and really cheesy, but in the end, lots of fun. I have to admit that even though I really like Bollywood movies, for the first hour or so I wasn’t sure this film was going to work. I don’t remember my Austen that well, but surely the characters weren’t as thinly portrayed as in the first half of the movie? Also, the musical sequences seemed really awkwardly placed and the English lyrics were really awkward with the music (much moreso than in Bombay Dreams). Still, things started hitting stride when the Koli/Collins character showed up and I even warmed up to the young & gorgeous leads (Martin Henderson and Aishwarya Rai) as they romped playfully through the plot. So maybe it was all intentional after all. Surprisingly, up until the true-to-Bollywood ending, it was a pretty tight adaptation of Pride & Prejudice too — imagine that!

Also, you get to see Naveen Andrews (from Lost and The English Patient) dance!

After we left the theater I showed off my “No Life / Without Wife” song & dance bit, which was fun, but I don’t think I’ve got much of a future in the industry…

IMDB says that Chadha’s working on the adaptation of My Sassy Girl! I can’t wait to see what she does with that material (can you imagine that done as masala? Sigh, one can only hope!).



2005.02.23

Wanting needing hoping waiting

Oh my god, I’m so in love with the Canon Digital Rebel XT. I wish camera companies would stop announcing pretty new DSLR models so I that I can settle on one and start shooting like fubuki!

Oh, and did you see these?


2005.02.24

St. James Cathedral


 
Photoset: St. James Cathedral
 
Seat of the Catholic Archdiocese of Seattle.
[Completed 1907, Architects: Heins & LaFarge]

I’ll probably add more over the next few days — a beautiful building with lots worth capturing!


2005.02.27

Pre-snark

The awards ceremony hasn’t even started yet, but I think I can already proclaim Renee Zellweger’s hair to be the fashion disaster of the night. Cate Blanchett looks gorgeous (as always)! And Leo DiCaprio appears to have arrived fully at adulthood.

Kate Winslet is wearing what I can only describe as a diagram of a bathtub drain.

The last word you’ll hear from me on the festivities. Promise.


2005.02.28

Duplicate layer effect

Just a note: redesign currently (and finally!) underway. Objects in mirror may be closer than they appear.



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