Today’s Reading – 11/01/07

● An Extra Hour of Halloween Daylight? Thank Politics

This would’ve been more appropriate yesterday, but since back spasms had me laid out as flat as a coffin for most of the day, I couldn’t get around to it.  (No, that didn’t stop me from posting on my Detroit Tigers blog.  The painkillers were working then.  And they’re working at this moment, along with heat pads.)

Anyway, is it true that Daylight Savings Time was moved back a week to sell more candy?  Apparently, the candy lobbyists are quite powerful.  Next, we’ll be hearing how a candy bar a day will help regulate your cholesterol or whatever.

● In short: 49855

My fellow Detroit Tigers blogger, Kurt Mensching, has a neat new gig blogging for his newspaper, the Mining Journal of Marquette, MI, and his first post went up on Tuesday.  I’m eager to see what he’ll choose to write about.  (Yesterday, he profiled a local high school volleyball player.)  Anybody that references Richard Ford has to be pretty interesting.

● Two Pigs

So are you a better, more morally upright carnivore if you know exactly where your meat is coming from?  If you helped raise the pig or cow that will yield the pork or meat you’ll be eating for dinner?  Does that make you more in tune with nature or give you a healthier respect for the meat?  I don’t know the answer to those questions, but some people feel that way.  I think buddying up to my swine would make me a vegetarian.

● Vegans vs. Vegetarians: What kind of diet is best for the environment?

Speaking of vegetarians, would they be helping the environment if they pushed a little further and became vegans?  (So asks the meat-eater.)  It seems like a no-brainer, but as is often the case, the truth is a little more complicated.  For instance, certain types of land aren’t suited to growing particular kinds of vegetables.

● The Worst Football Coach in the Universe

Maybe the greatest fraud perpetrated on sports fans in the 2000s was the idea that Notre Dame head coach Charlie Weis is some kind of genius football coach.  Weis should be sending checks to his old boss, Bill Belichick, and quarterback, Tom Brady, for creating the impression that he was some kind of strategic mastermind.  Meanwhile, the Fighting Irish are likely stuck with this guy after giving him a 10-year (!!!) contract extension last year.

Today’s Reading – 10/25/07

● Bruckheimer and ‘Pirates’ Writers Eye ‘The Lone Ranger’

To quote Mars Blackmon, “Please, baby, baby, baby.  Please.”  A Lone Ranger movie is so damn overdue.  My friends are tired of hearing me say it (along with saying “I should write a Lone Ranger screenplay”).  Westerns are trendy again.  Superheroes are hot.  Bring on the Western superhero, Kemo Sabe!  

(via The Movie Blog)

● Indie films could use a little ‘Sunshine’

Are independent films suffering because too many of them are being released in theaters?  Even movies with big names like George Clooney (Michael Clayton) and Brad Pitt (The Assassination of Jesse James) are drawing squadoosh (totally an industry term) at the box office.  In Ian’s world, no one’s going to see independent films because far fewer of them make it out this way these days.  But maybe that’s because the market is over-saturated.

● Mario Unclogged: How to Sauce Pasta

According to Mario Batali, we put too much sauce on our pasta.  ”It should be noodles, with a little stuff.”  Guilty as charged.  (That is, if I were eating pasta nowadays, which I’m not.  I am currently hating life.)

● Farewell to Arms

This article is more than a week old now, and probably has the faint whiff of “Pervy Old Man” to it, but Stephen Hunter’s lament for all the (female) flesh that will now be covered due to the chillier fall weather is a beautifully written ode to… flesh.

● Scranton Embraces the ‘Office’ Infamy

Next week is the first annual The Office Convention in Scranton, PA.  And my former podcast partner, Matt Sommer, will be in attendance with press pass in hand (as he should be).  The whole thing seemed to come together pretty late, but sounds like it’ll be fun for all involved.

Today’s Reading – 10/04/07

● Curbside, We’ll Never Have Paris

During the summer, I found myself wondering several times what the big deal was about eating outside, on the sidewalk.  And it drew some crooked looks from friends.  So this article by Frank Bruni seems exceptionally well-timed to me.  I don’t get it, man.  We’re not in Europe, okay?  I don’t get the appeal of eating with cars blowing fumes into your face, with pedestrians leaning over barriers to see what you’re eating, with insects landing onto your food, and most of all, while you’re sweating your ass off in the humidity of July and August.  Yes, I was indoors all day, but if I want to go outside, I’ll take a walk.

On the other hand, all those people eating on the sidewalk does make a city seem more alive during the summer.  I just don’t want to join them.

(By the way, this isn’t to be confused with drinking outdoors on a summer night.  That’s different.  You’re not eating; you’re people watching.  You’re kicking back with a beer or cocktail.  The sun’s down.  It’s more relaxing than standing shoulder-to-shoulder in a crowded bar.)

● A Cult Classic Restored, Again

Is it hypocritical of me to roll my eyes whenever I hear about George Lucas or Steven Spielberg wanting to tweak or alter one of their old films, yet get kind of excited when Ridley Scott is doing the same thing to Blade Runner?  If there’s something that Scott feels he didn’t get right before, but can fix now, I guess I’m all for it.  However, there’s one story change he apparently feels quite strongly about that I don’t agree with.  But if that’s something he originally wanted to include, who am I to tell him he’s wrong?

● ‘Blade Runner,’ Take 3

Here’s a different version of the story, from the Los Angeles Times, focusing more on the historical influence of Blade Runner and the process of getting it made, rather than the changes that have been made to the new cut.

● Is the ‘Mom Job’ Really Necessary?

I’m not sure this is something I should have an opinion on, given that I’ll never experience anything like this.  It seems like kind of a disturbing, superficial trend, though.  But if you’re a mother reading this, I’d be very curious to hear what you think about the “Mommy Makeover.”

● The Night The TVs Go Out

If you still get your TV through an antenna, you might want to consider an upgrade.  You have a year-and-a-half.  After February 2009, you’ll be analog in a digital world.

Hey, I’m Eating: Asheville, NC

Most of the weekend in Asheville, NC was about getting to know my sister’s fiancé, Brian, better and getting a feel for the town where Dr. Lil’ Sis will be living after she gets married. The terrain lets you know pretty quickly that you’re tucked away in the mountains, as there are a lot of hills to navigate. Bring your Dramamine if you’re driving a stick shift.

In a crazy coincidence, Asheville happens to be the hometown of Cameron Maybin, a 20-year-old outfielder who’s expected to be the Detroit Tigers’ superstar of the future. He was called up to the major leagues just as I hit the road for vacation, and it was interesting to see what the locals thought of a hometown kid making it big. Of course, sitting in front of a TV watching the newest Tiger take the field wasn’t much of an option while hanging out with family. But hey, we all had to eat.

Our last morning in Asheville, Brian took us downtown for breakfast at the Early Girl Eatery, which features southern cuisine made with local produce.

I was leaning toward the homemade granola and yogurt (just trying to fit in with the hippie surroundings) until Lil’ Sis pointed out one of the daily specials, a sausage and sweet potato scramble.

My picture probably doesn’t do the dish justice, but it didn’t stay on the plate very long. The sweet potatoes provided a nice contrast with the smoky flavor of the sausage, and the saltiness from the bacon. And the eggs were still on the wet side, without being runny, which made them great to eat with toast. (One little nitpick: I wish there would’ve been more bread options than white or wheat. Some good rye or sourdough would’ve been an awesome compliment.)

We didn’t really have time to lounge around with the morning paper, as Brian had to get to work, but the dining room – with all the natural light streaming in – was a pleasant enough place to stir away the morning cobwebs. (Although I think I was the only one still sleepy by the time we sat down.)

Here’s the rest of the Early Girl’s menu. I would’ve loved to try the turkey hoagie or fried green tomato BLT for lunch. Maybe next time.

There were plenty of more dining options in downtown Asheville, but we were a bit short on time, as we had to head back to Charleston for Lil’ Sis’ certification exam. But if there’s any place where a camera will get a workout taking pictures of food, it’s Charleston, SC.

Hey, I’m Eating: The FRT 2007 Southern Tour

As much as I’m hesitant to admit that most of my vacations are entirely planned around food, it’s a truth I should probably own up to. (Hawaii was an exception because, well, it was Hawaii. And because I’d rather eat my own hair than try poi again.) Watching too much Food Network and Travel Channel lately, along with reading a bunch of food blogs, has increased my subconscious desire for my own “Hey, I’m eating!” show.

One of my first stops was tucked away in the Great Smoky Mountains, near the Tennessee-North Carolina border. Frankly, this was just supposed to be a bathroom stop, but when I saw signs for the Pigeon River Smokehouse, I had to check it out. My curiosity waned when I saw it was a BBQ joint connected to a gas station. But, you know, I still had to make a pit stop.

I didn’t really have high hopes, given the setting, but the place had its own parking lot, which surely meant it got plenty of customers. And the place was packed at lunchtime. Unfortunately, there’s no evidence of that in my photos, since I didn’t fetch my camera until long after making the decision to stick around and eat.

But the dining area was literally tucked right into the rest of the convenience store. The tables are surrounded by beverage coolers and snack aisles.

So how was the food? Again, I didn’t think to get my camera until after I already shoveled down my pulled pork sandwich. But it was damn good. Tender, with plenty of smoky flavor. And the barbeque sauce had a zip to it, too. (It wasn’t a vinegar-based, Carolina-style sauce, however. This was more of a sweet sauce.)

If I hit this area at the right time (i.e., when I’m hungry) while driving back up to Michigan, I definitely plan on stopping in again. And next time, I’ll make sure to get a photo of a full plate. That picture up there looks kind of gross, doesn’t it?

More later. I’ve been remembering to bring my camera with me.

The Fried Rice Thoughts Wine Guide?

I’m probably about to expose myself as a complete fraud and wanna-be regarding the consumption and appreciation of wine. Miles from Sideways, I am most certainly not.

But, um, when you take a sip of wine and it tastes like you just put pure gasoline into your mouth, the wine is probably bad, right?

I’m just checking – because I’m hardly a connoisseur. I don’t even own a wine guide or dictionary. And yes, I like wine, but honestly, I probably drink the red stuff more for the supposed health benefits. Or at least that’s what I tell myself.

Maybe I didn’t leave the bottle open long enough and let the tannins breathe, or do whatever else they’re supposed to do. I just wanted something to drink with dinner, and I was getting kind of thirsty, okay?

What kind of wine was it? Well, I’d prefer not to say – mostly because I can’t find a link to it on the internet. But it was a Cabernet Sauvignon, and… I didn’t spend very much money on it at Trader Joe’s. Hey, it was on an end-cap, okay? The sign caught my eye! (And I’ve had some very good fortune with stuff I’ve purchased there over the last couple of years. I also like to think I’ve come to know a little bit about wine. But I might be a fraud.)

Maybe I should just stick to beer, eh? I know what I’m getting into there.

On the bright side, I might try to see if my car can run on this swill…

Hey man, does this taste funny to you?

Thanks to Mis Hooz for this one. Next time you’re eating at Wendy’s, you might want to inspect that chili a bit more closely. A San Jose woman found a finger in her cup.

From the Associated Press article:

“Initially she did put this object in her mouth and did bite down on it and wasn’t sure exactly what it was,” Santa Clara County Health Officer Dr. Martin Fenstersheib said at a news conference. “She’s doing OK. Initially she was a bit grossed out it was described to me, and vomited a number of times.”

Fenstersheib said the finger had been cooked at a high enough temperature to kill any viruses.

Ma’am, we’re sorry that there was a finger in your chili. But look at the bright side – that was a healthy finger. No disease whatsoever. No dirt under the fingernail.

Here’s some more:

“We have no evidence of any accident within the employees at the facility itself,” said Ben Gale of the Santa Clara County Health Department. “We asked everybody to show us they have 10 fingers and everything is OK there.”

Although we wondered why everyone had been calling Jim “Lefty” over the past couple of weeks.

You know who we need in times like these? Dave Thomas.

Now that guy could make a finger in your chili seem okay, even wholesome. Hey, that was a fresh finger in your chili, ma’am. Other places would give you a frozen finger. No, those are actually french fries. Go ahead, have some more.