THE REVOLUTION WILL BE TELEVISED

I was pretty disturbed when I saw on television that school children in a West Virginia town were being served Pizza for breakfast. What was more disturbing was that NO ONE thought it was a big deal.

I hope they're going to heed Jamie Oliver's lessons on healthy eating.

My copy of "Jamie's Food Revolution" arrived today and I'm looking forward to trying out some of the recipes. I might even take a few pics and post them here, but don't worry. This blog will NOT be turning into the second coming of "Julie and Julia".

Although, if they do make a movie of my blog entries, I'd like to suggest Esai Morales in the role of me.

YO SOY BORICUA

A few months ago, I spent the afternoon at my cousin Margaret's house learning to make Posteles. Posteles are the Puerto Rican version of the Tamale, except that the masa is made from green bananas. It's what I had for dinner tonight, along with steamed Asparagus.

The recipe used was my great-grandmother Mela's (my maternal grandfather's mother), so I was especially proud to have learned to make them from her recipe and then have it handed down to me.

She died shortly after I was born and I only met her once, but having my dinner come from her recipe is almost like having her here cooking for me.

So cool.

SPANK ME, I'M A REPUBLICAN

It's so amusing when political parties get caught in sex scandals, especially when the Republican Party is involved.

Now before you get your panties in a big wad, the Democrats have had their share of scandals and are in no position to judge. Well, actually, this time they can.

Republicans like to paint themselves as the party of "Traditional Family Values" and "Christianity," but they have just been caught using donor money to pay for private jets, limousines, fancy dinners, and (my personal favourite) strip clubs.

Orange County (California) GOP operative Erik Brown was reimbursed by the Republican National Committee for the $2000 he spent on a visit to strip club "Voyeurs." Located in West Hollywood, "Voyeurs" specializes in topless dancing, S&M shows, and dancers that simulate lesbian sex.

So, Republicans don't want lesbians to marry (because it's against the bible), but it's OK to pay women to have (or pretend to have) sex with each other on stage?

Hmm, I wonder what the bible says about that?

BECAUSE WE'RE ameriCAN'TS, NOT ameriCANS

The first picture of New York City's World Trade Center was taken by me on September 16, 1996. The second is how it looks today.

It's kind of sad that nearly nine years after the attacks, this sixteen acre site where the iconic buildings once stood is still just a hole in the ground. Last week, however, a deal was finally reached on the redevelopment of the area.

Seriously, nine years?

First, everyone was so concerned about rebuilding on "hallowed ground" and whether we should even rebuild at all. Then, it was the families of those killed who demanded that it be treated as a cemetery since so many victims were never recovered. THEN, it was about making a statement and how America should stand tall in the face of adversity and not give in to the terrorists (because that would mean that they won). This was supposed to be accomplished by the building of the so-called "Freedom Tower" which was supposed to stand at 1,776 feet tall.

Wow, that's some statement. A pretty stupid statement, if you ask me.

If it was REALLY about making a statement and showing how America stands tall in the face of adversity, then they should have just put those towers right back up as soon as possible.

Instead here we sit, nearly nine years later, staring at a hole in the ground.

There's your real statement.

BOOMERANG

If you had put a blindfold on me and then played this album, I would think I was listening to some roller derby movie soundtrack from 1982 (and I mean that in a good way).

"Head First" is another terrific collection of music from Goldfrapp.

FEED ME, SEYMOUR

After spending a few hours in Golden Gate Park, Cookie and Irving found themselves at Gordo Burrito, on 9th Avenue between Lincoln and Irving Streets. This place has come highly recommended by many but I did walk away feeling a bit disappointed.

As you can see, the tacos (I had the carne asada) were nicely presented and amply filled. Unfortunately, it's the beans (I chose Pinto) that gave them a bland taste. Cookie had the Quesadilla de Pollo, which turned out to be a nicer choice. It was light, low on the cheese, high on the chicken, and a bit tastier than what Irv had.

As Irv continues his taco samplings around town, He's finding more and more that his beloved taco truck (Los Compadres) really does do tacos right.

PICTURE THIS

Taken in Golden Gate Park, just outside the Conservatory of Flowers, this afternoon.

LIVE LONG AND PROSPER

Happy 79th birthday to Leonard "Mr. Spock" Nimoy.

GIRL CRUSH

Big hair, big boobs and big brown eyes.

I love Cynthia Myers.

FACTORY GIRL

One of my favourite Warhol "Superstars" Edie Sedgwick.

Just because.

WAL-MART: THE FOODIE'S CHOICE???

I read a VERY interesting article on MSNBC regarding Wal-Mart's foray into the organic food market and it's victorious taste-test against Whole Foods. It also presents a case that Wal-Mart may have a positive effect on the expanding organic food and localvore movement.

However, the few times I've been inside a Wal-Mart, I felt like I was in the visitor's room at the local state penitentiary.

I'll stick with Whole Foods, thank you.

PAPA'S GOT A BRAND NEW BAG

I have to admit that it was a bit extravagant, but I just couldn't help myself. It didn't hurt that I had a friends and family discount card.

Jack Spade Warren Street Canvas Duffel

UP IN THE AIR

Not sure if this was SFO to NYC or vice-versa, but this was the view at 35,000 feet.

MAN CRUSH

Steve McQueen, laying down the law.

PICTURE THIS

Just another day in Golden Gate Park.

CANARY IN A COALMINE

For over thirty years, India and Bangladesh fought over New Moore Island, a small land mass in the Bay of Bengal. The fighting recently came to an end, but neither country can claim victory.

Satellite photos have confirmed that rising sea levels have caused the island to disappear.

THE SWARM

For the last several years, Honey Bees, have been disappearing at an alarming rate. We should ALL be concerned about this issue. Science has not been able to duplicate the pollination process and without the bees, we're as good as dead.

. . . AND DON'T COME BACK!

Rush Limbaugh claimed that if the health care reform bill was passed, he would leave the country. I haven't heard whether or not he's started packing yet, but a couple of guys in Brooklyn (once again New York leads the way) are spearheading a fundraising effort to help defray the cost of his unexpected relocation. They have said if they don't raise enough money for his one-way ticket or if Rush declines the offer, all money raised will be donated to Planned Parenthood.

Sounds like a win/win situation to me.

Personally, Costa Rica is too good of a location for this treasonous prick. I'd actually like to see someone staple the American flag to his fat ass and ship him to Iran . . .

. . . but I'm just saying, is all.

http://www.aticketforrush.com/

私(シーモア)に食べさせてください

One of my favourite dining out treats is sushi. It's the most social of all dining experiences (personal opinion, of course) because everyone orders a couple of items they like, and then everything is shared. It's what dining out is really supposed to be about (or should be).

I had a Facebook reunion this weekend with Heidi, Kim, and Noel (25 years later) at Moki in the Bernal Heights area of San Francisco. It's a little embarrassing, but I had never been to Bernal Heights before and I found it to be very charming. Cortland Street, where Moki is located, is reminiscent of a small town Main street with a local supermarket, various restaurants, a library and YES, a nice, little lesbian bar.

Our order consisted of the standard Sake (salmon), Yellowfin tuna and Eel rolls. Also ordered was the Ahi Mango wrap that was quite nice, but my fav was the Tuna Tartar, which was screamed for twice, so good.

Moki is located at 615 Cortland.

DEATH APP

A chemical used in the final stages of the iPhone production has been linked to 4 deaths and has sickened over 100 workers in China.

N-Hexane, a chemical found in gasoline, textiles and furniture, is used to clean the the touch screens of the popular device. Inhaled in large doses, it has been linked to many ailments, including nerve damage, muscle weakness and paralysis.

Another reason to feel good about having a BlackBerry.

STUPID STUFF STUPID WHITE PEOPLE LIKE

Waiting in lines (still).

While walking to meet friends yesterday, I passed this long line on 16th Street and wondered what would cause so many people wait in such a long line. The answer is:

SANDWICHES.

Apparently, Ikes Place is the only place in San Francisco where one can buy a sandwich.

(sigh)

PICTURE THIS

This is the old Keezar Stadium in Golden Gate Park. Torn down in 1989, it was the original home of the San Francisco 49er's. I climbed the fence and snuck around with my old Pentax SE 1000 (my big Christmas gift from 1985), which I still have.

ALIMENTEME, SEYMOUR (OTRA VEZ)

Since I had Tacos on Thursday night and on Friday, you would think I could move on to something new.

However, Joe introduced me to a favourite Mexican joint of his, PAPALOTE, located at 24th and Valencia last night. Don't let their weak website site throw you off, though. It's a pretty damn good place to eat.

I stuck with the tried and true Tacos de Carne Asada, while Joe noshed on a Prawn Burrito. As you can see, the taco stuffings are ample, filling, delicious, and are served on soft corn tortillas. Did you hear that, Ryan? Soft corn tortillas!

Muy, muy bien.

PICTURE THIS

Just a picture I took while hiking through Tilden Park today with Joe.

I MISS YOU, OLD FRIEND

You're going to have to indulge me for a moment. I came across this picture and it represents something a lot different for me than to most people.

I'm alright, but it just hasn't been quite the same for me since.

THE RAY-BAN TWINS

Looks are deceiving, so don't get it twisted. Scott and Junna will cut a bitch (well, Scott will)!

IT'S GOT A GOOD BEAT AND YOU CAN DANCE TO IT

One great band, two great albums!

ALIMENTEME, SEYMOUR

Cookie and Irving's big night out at Chilango included this week's special guest, Fannie.

Located at 225 Church St, this nice little cocina knows how to serve up some good designer mexican food at an UN-designer price.

They enjoyed Chips and Guacamole (a seemingly minimalist recipe - avocados and lime - so choice), Chicken Enchilladas and Tacos de Filet Mignon. This place could almost give my beloved taco truck a run for it's money . . .

Almost!

YOU NEVER FORGET YOUR FIRST TIME

Ryan's VERY first serving of Corned Beef and Cabbage.

FEED ME, SEYMOUR

An empty plate is the sure sign of a good meal and the first picture confirms that.

I reconnected with a long-lost friend Frank last night over dinner at my favourite local diner, Chow (Church St). My order was the burger sans bun, side salad and a glass of water. I'm still doing so damn good on my diet (down 34lbs, going for 6 more).

For dessert, because I was so good with dinner, I allowed myself to enjoy a vegan oatmeal raisin cookie at Peets.

ANOTHER REASON I SHOP AT TARGET

Officials from Washington Township, NJ, the Gloucester County prosecutors office and Walmart are investigating a very disturbing incident in that area's local Walmart store.

Last Sunday evening, shoppers were stunned when an annoucement was made over the public address system:

"Attention Walmart shoppers - all black people leave the store now."

What, they couldn't even say "please?"

THE ACCIDENTAL LOCALVORE

I noticed that I was going through eggs pretty fast recently, and wondered if you could get a flat of eggs somewhere in SF. Of course you can, but they're gonna cost you an arm and a leg at any one of the farmer's markets around town. That got me thinking about the food I ate when I was a kid and where it came from, and growing up in Petaluma, it all was raised no more than ten miles from home.

The eggs we ate came from Miller Egg Ranch on Cavanaugh Lane, about a mile and a half from our home. My mom would buy 2 or 3 flats at a time since they were only $1.25 a flat. The woman who always rang up our order used to wear this HUGE blond beehive wig and would give me or my brother DumDum suckers for coming in. If I went in alone, she would tell me to take one for my brother and when I got back into the car, sometimes I would tell him "they were out of suckers" and then eat them both when I got back into my room.

Sorry, Todd.

The meat we were served came from Batemon's Meats on Petaluma Blvd. North, and that meat came from cows raised not far from where me, my brother and the rest of our friends ran around. My mom was such a regular that they would sometimes go into the back and bring out a fresher cut of whatever she was buying.

Our milk came from dairies that were no more that a couple of miles away from our home and as if that wasn't enough, we had, along with everyone else in the area, a fruit and vegetable garden.

Thinking about it today, it's sounds so quaint and so cool.

THE (ROTTEN) APPLE DOESN'T FALL TOO FAR FROM THE TREE

I doubt very much you'd have the same opinion if your father were on trial (as he should be) for war crimes.

Regardless of whatever crime a suspect is accused of, EVERYONE is entitled to legal representation and that should NOT reflect on his/her legal representative.

Shame on you, Liz Cheney.

MAMA MIA

Abba was inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame last evening.

Hmmm, ok.

DOUBLE FEATURE, PICTURE SHOW

There are few things I like more than a good bad-ass chick flick, and nobody does them better than Quentin Tarantino. Although a flop when originally released (as part of the GRINDHOUSE double-feature tribute with Robert Rodriguez), Death Proof is one of Tarantino's best bad-ass chick flicks.

I'm not sure whether or not Summertime is the most romantic movie ever made, but I'm willing to debate it. Directed by David Lean, this 1955 release stars Katharine Hepburn (looking a little like Lucy Ricardo, here) as a secretary on vacation, and sexy Rossano Brazzi as the antique shopkeeper she enjoys a Summer vacation fling with while visiting Venice, Italy.

Both are highly recommended rentals (or purchases) and both were in my DVD player this weekend.

STUPID STUFF STUPID WHITE PEOPLE DO

The annual "Bride March" in San Francisco.

Men and women walking around Union Square in wedding dresses. It explains the guy in the wedding dress and wig I saw in my neighborhood yesterday.

Seeing stuff like this makes me want to use my mother's (latin) maiden name.

JEEPERS, CREEPERS, WHERE'D YOU GET THOSE PEEPERS

Thanks to Meg's fine blog HEYREDHEY, I found my new glasses. I've narrowed it down to three frames, The Roosevelt, The Fillmore and The Huxley (pictured above).

They're made by Warby Parker and will only set me back $95. They're great glasses at a great price yet the best part is that for every pair they sell, they turn right around and donate a pair to someone in need. They work in tandem with restoringvision.org.

So cool. Thanks, Meg.

ONLY THE LITTLE PEOPLE VOTE

Carly Fiorina, former CEO of Hewlett/Packard, is currently planning to unseat longtime California Senator Barbara Boxer. She is running on the Republican ticket and claims to be a life-long Republican.

Unfortunately, her voter registration doesn't back that claim up.

Turns out Fiorina is yet another Republican candidate running for office in California who has either never voted or hadn't even bothered to register to vote until it was time to run for office.

At least she's still got her flag penndant (sigh).

Check out Carla Marinucci's fine political column on SFGATE for the backstory on this one.