July 31, 2006
I’m not going to tell you that this is the best Chinese food in the world, or even the best Americanized Chinese food in the world. In fact, I’m a little put off by the “national chain” aspect of the place.
But if you do go there, and you order Beef with Broccoli, get a side of the sauce for their Mandarin Beef. It transforms the dish from quite tasty to really delicious. And the broccoli is excellent.
July 28, 2006
Think about it. It’s L.A. Why are you driving? The cult of the car is so enormous here that it’s impossible to get around. The bus, on the other hand, is cheaper than gas and much cheaper than parking. So check out the bus lines in town and ride.
Another thing I love about the bus: I get to read. I love to read, and it’s tough to find time. But on the bus, there’s nothing else to do.
Reading:
Banker, by Dick Francis
The Ghost in the Little House, by William Holtz
Weather:
Hot. Where’s that break in the heat they were promising?
July 24, 2006
The Cone. It is a marvel, and it is delicious. And for Ben & Jerry’s, it’s relatively not bad for you. Eat with discretion, but enjoy
July 18, 2006
| You Are Jean Grey |
 Although your fate is often unknown, you always seem to survive (even after death). Your mind is your greatest weapon, literally! Powers: telepathy and telekinesis, the ability to project thoughts into the mind of others, communication with animals |
July 18, 2006
Last night we made one of our easiest summer meals. Take a salmon fillet and marinate it in something (yesterday I used Newman’s Own Sesame-Ginger salad dressing; Worcestershire sauce also works). Then grill it for four minutes and 20 seconds. Goes great with garlic mashed potatoes, but what doesn’t?
Also, Costco salmon fillets are individually packaged and easy to use.
July 12, 2006
Someone brought in a sampler of desserts from Corner Bakery Cafe. While the cheesecake was a bit blah, the pecan pie bar was luscious. And as someone who has lived in Virginia and Texas, I’ve eaten my share of good and bad pecan pie. (Chocolate pecan pie? Overkill, and unnecessary.)
This was sweet without being cloying, and full of pecans. I’d have it again. Too bad, because I’m always relieved to find desserts I don’t like.
Another good dessert is the strawberry shortcake at Ford’s Filling Station, in Culver City, CA. I’d go there again for a glass of wine and dessert, but not for dinner. The entrees were okay, but too pricey for the quality of the meal and for the mediocre service.
July 11, 2006
This weekend we finally saw Munich on DVD. Just to start off, let me say that this movie was far superior to the one-dimensional and didactic Crash.
The performances were excellent, and the script framed both the situation and the resultant dilemmas very well. This movie was actually thought-provoking in a way that the Oscar winner was not.
I will say this: I have no idea what was contained in Spielberg’s comments that appeared before the movie, because we skipped them. The movie stands on its own, and while he may have had something interesting to say, I know how to watch a movie. Better to have it as an “extra,” IMO.
Still, I’d recommend this. It’s not at all happy, but it is a thoughtful look at how violence begets violence.
