Poetry Corner -- We Should Talk about This Problem

There is a Beautiful Creature
Living in a hole you have dug.

So at night
I set fruit and grains
And little pots of wine and milk
Beside your soft earthen mounds,

And I often sing.

But still, my dear,
You do not come out.

I have fallen in love with Someone
Who hides inside you.

We should talk about this problem---

Otherwise,
I will never leave you alone.

-- Hafiz

Genocide

Check out this site!

http://www.genocideintervention.net/

Here's one of my New Years resolutions-call the White House more often.

Numba: 202-456-1111

Seriously. Just call with your comments. The operator just switches you over to a recording robot.

For some lighter fare:

http://menwholooklikeoldlesbians.blogspot.com/

Review of the only good deep-dish place in Chicago, The Art of Pizza on Ashland

I live to eat pizza

12/31/2007 Posted by thedominator

IMPORTANT: If you don't like this pizza, you're pants are a little too tight in the seat. Loosen up...Relax a bit and enjoy the gearth of the deep dish pie. My first bite took me to a place that I've seldom been. My friends call it, a little place called "pleasure-town". The last time I was seen there, was when I was getting weird knee deep in a snow-drift with nothing more than a trench coat and a slice of stuffed sausage in my mitts. The cops said that I was disorderly, but I was just enjoying the magnificance of the gearth of this Art of PIzza masterpiece. See you in "pleasure-town". --Domo

Pros: pleasure

Cons: leaving "pleasure-town"

(from Citysearch)

Rattlesnake Roundup

Here is an informative site I stumbled across in my search for rattlesnake chaps. The rattlers are thick at my field site (pictured above), and after watching that guy die in an abandoned bus (watched "Into the Wild" tonight), I decided I did not desire a similar fate. Note the recipes with cooked rattlesnake that are labeled "great for formal dinner".

http://www.backwoodsbound.com/ysnake.html

Actually, if the guy had just brushed up on his botanical identification skills, he would have been back on the hippie bus before you could say "poisonous plants".

Microfinance is the Future

I attended a lecture last night by Mohammed Yunus, the man who is credited with starting the Microfinance movement with the Grameen Bank in Bangladesh.

Yunus started the bank in 1976 while visiting the poorest households in the village of Jobra near Chittagong University. He discovered that the Jobra women who made bamboo furniture were taking out loans with very high interest rates from loan sharks. He made his first loan of USD $27.00 from his own pocket to 42 women in the village and the rest is history.

Today the bank provides financial services in the form of small loans to 7.3 million people, ninety-seven percent of which are female. The loan recovery rate for Grameen is very high at 98.35 per cent, proving that the poor are credit-worthy. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1996 for his work as "Banker to the Poor" (also the title of his book). You can read about Yunus on the PBS site in the "New Heroes" series.

Microfinance is alive and well in Chicago, too. ACCION Chicago has been operating locally since 1994 as microfinance organization, lending nearly 14 million dollars to 950 local businesses.

Hot tip: You can make small loans to people in developing countries over the web through Kiva.org

Belmont and Lincoln Ave

King of the Ballad

Richard Marx checked out in line at Blockbuster in front of me today with his three young sons. There was something wrong with his card. How could Richard Marx have something wrong with his card? In any case, he held up the line. I heard him ask his 12-year old son if he had seen Bad Boys. The son said scoffingly, "Yeah..". I would haver never recognized Richard Marx in a check-out line but the employees were having a heyday with the celebrity sighting after he left.

Compelled by the video store sighting, I visited his site. It was there I read his journal containing tips on different car rental companies as well as his thoughts on Barack Obama (he lives in IL).

Winter fun in Chicago...

Product Review: Kombucha

I am a slave to Kombucha. This product is fermented tea (pictured left: vat of fermented kombucha) that contains usnic acid derived from lichens. If you have not tried this delectable drink, follow the gypsies, soccer moms, and men with shoulder length hair to that store. Whole Paycheck, that is. Or any surviving food coop.
Kombucha tastes faintly of rotten apple cider, or maybe fermented urine. Honestly, I have no idea why it is so drinkable. See for yourself. For beginners, try GT's Gingerberry flavor. Or jump right in and grab the one with green flotsam drifting around inside the bottle.
Another admirable quality of Kombucha is the health claims prominently displayed on the label. Maybe they are giving consumers the placebo effect in a bottle. Snake oil, indeed.

Big Burrito

I find the Chipotle vegetarian fajita burrito very difficult to eat and too filling. I am reaching out to you, frequent Chipotle eater, for help. How can I change my burrito?

I asked the staff today to cut the burrito thinking they would have professional grade knives, but instead they used a plastic knife, further mashing the burrito. THIS DOES NOT MAKE THE CHIPOTLE BURRITO EASIER TO CONSUME. All the ingredients of the burrito were exposed and on the brink of falling out.

I thought the problem was too much rice, so I squeezed some of the rice out while eating and it stained my light beige "work" jeans. This seemed to make it easier to eat and I'm not as sickeningly full as usual after a monstrous Chipotle burrito.

Would they make two smaller size burritos upon request? I'll report back with my findings.

Leotards Welcome

Trying to think of activities you can do with those leotards you bought at American Apparel? How about yoga?! If you live in Laramie, Wyoming, you should check out my class. Here is the flyer.

What's Cookin' at KFC?

Check out the latest, greatest menu items from KFC here, as described by Patton Oswalt. Scroll down to "Patton Oswald" to listen.

Barack: Hawk or Dove?

For a few days, I was very excited about the campaign of Barack Obama, but yesterday my co-worker called into question my enthusiasm. Are the Dems much different than Republicans when it comes to foreign policy? Obama has said he won't rule out military force when it comes to Iran and Pakistan. This article in the New York Times "Who's Against the Next War?" casts a dark shadow on our future with a Democratic president (God willing) and examines "national-greatness liberalism" in the Democratic candidates. How do we handle our power? Is it fair that we seek to maintain it? Shouldn't the UN be the ruling body of the world (A's opinion and sometimes mine)?

We are a bully, but we are the best bully out there, some say. If we weren't the most powerful, who would step up? China? Scary prospect. It's all very depressing and unfair--it makes me want to not pay my taxes in an act of civil disobedience.

Wait, don't despair! Today I found some good news on Obama. My sister C sent this email on his domestic policy:

The US Senate recently rejected the Dorgan-Grassley
amendment which would have put limitations on farm
subsidy payments to mega farms.

Even though the amendment failed, 56 senators voted
in the interest of small farms and rural communities.
One of these was Barack Obama.

Better news of Obama's Iran policy appeared in the Times, suggesting that he plans to take merely a more aggressive diplomatic approach which I suppose is okay and a big improvement on our current leader. I don't like his threats of military action BUT if he means that he wants to sit down and really engage with leaders in the Middle East, this is good. I hope he's done his homework.

Museum of Science and Industry is free in January

January 12-31st: Admission to the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago is free! I'll be making a visit. Tickets for the Star Wars exhibit are sold out--don't cry.

Are You Registered to Vote?

Our man lost last night, but we have 48 states to go. You can register here at Rock the Vote. I'm going to start bringing registration forms to parties and other events, propelled by O's loss last night. You have to register 28 days before an election in Illinois, but it's not too early to start registering people for the national election (too late for the primary now in IL).

You can also add a Register to Vote widget to your blog, myspace etc here. I added it on the left.

Letter to the rep

Sent this today:

Dear Mr. Gutierrez,

Thank you for hard work serving my district. I am writing to you today about the war in Iraq. It is very important to me that you vote against any funding of the war in Iraq in 2008 and work to bring the troops home immediately. This issue is the most important issue to me politically and I will cast my vote accordingly in all future elections. I believe this war does not serve our political interests and it is causing great harm to our troops, the Iraqi people, and the image of America abroad. I encourage you to look at the work of Douglas Johnston at the ICRD and his "faith-based diplomacy" as a commendable model for political problem-solving. Thank you for your attention and I trust that you will give great consideration to this issue since many lives are at stake.

Sincerely,

Me

Quinoa and the Easiest Appetizer Ever

New quinoa recipe from epicurious, very tasty and reasonably healthy. The recipe says to steam the quinoa but I got impatient so I just dumped it in the water and boiled. It turned out great. Also a very easy appetizer which was eaten very quickly at our NYE party(from Mark Bittman, NYTimes, 100 simple appetizers).

***
Portable Caprese: Skewer a small ball of mozzarella, a grape tomato and a bit of basil leaf. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, and drizzle with oil.

***

quinoa and black bean salad

Gourmet | July 1994

Serves 4 to 6 as an entrée or 8 as a side dish. ingredients 1 1/2 cups quinoa (small disk-shaped seeds)* 1 1/2 cups cooked black beans, rinsed if canned 1 1/2 tablespoons red-wine vinegar 1 1/2 cups cooked corn (cut from about 2 large ears) 3/4 cup finely chopped green bell pepper 2 pickled jalapeño chilies, seeded and minced (wear rubber gloves) 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh coriander For dressing 5 tablespoons fresh lime juice, or to taste 1 teaspoon salt 1 1/4 teaspoons ground cumin, or to taste 1/3 cup olive oil *available at specialty foods shops and natural foods stores preparation In a bowl wash quinoa in at least 5 changes cold water, rubbing grains and letting them settle before pouring off most of water, until water runs clear and drain in a large fine sieve.In a saucepan of salted boiling water cook quinoa 10 minutes. Drain quinoa in sieve and rinse under cold water. Set sieve over a saucepan of boiling water (quinoa should not touch water) and steam quinoa, covered with a kitchen towel and lid, until fluffy and dry, about 10 minutes (check water level in kettle occasionally, adding water if necessary).While quinoa is cooking, in a small bowl toss beans with vinegar and salt and pepper to taste.Transfer quinoa to a large bowl and cool. Add beans, corn, bell pepper, jalapeños, and coriander and toss well.Make dressing: In a small bowl whisk together lime juice, salt, and cumin and add oil in a stream, whisking.

Drizzle dressing over salad and toss well with salt and pepper to taste. Salad may be made 1 day ahead and chilled, covered. Bring salad to room temperature before serving.

Really tasty. The pickled Jalapenos add a lot to the dish, don't skip

Drizzle dressing over salad and toss well with salt and pepper to taste. Salad may be made 1 day ahead and chilled, covered. Bring salad to room temperature before serving.

Could Religion Be Part of the Solution?

I heard an interview with evangelical minister and veteran Daniel Johnston this weekend discussing the "faith-based diplomacy" he is using to build peace in war-torn areas. Why can't more Americans take his approach? He looks at the things people of faith have in common instead of complacently supporting our foreign wars. The most bad-ass thing Johnston does is visit Madrassas (Muslim schools which are often training centers for terrorists). There he talks with the imams about peaceful solutions to international problems, incorporating elements of his faith and their faith.

Here is the statement from his website:

The most serious threat confronting the world today is the potential marriage of religious extremism with weapons of mass destruction. Billions of dollars have been spent to address the symptoms of this problem, with little targeted at underlying cause. The International Center for Religion & Diplomacy is about "cause" and has as its highest priority the task of preventing conflict rather than dealing with its consequences after the fact

Lemon Gnocchi with Spinach and Peas

I made Lemon Gnocchi with Spinach and Peas on Saturday. Sweet, filling, and with a lemon twist.

Lemon Gnocchi with Spinach and Peas

The zing of fresh lemon enhances both the peas' sweetness and the natural flavor of the spinach. The whole quick, creamy dish is bolstered by soft pillows of potato gnocchi.

Makes 4 servings

Quick Kitchen

Andrea Albin
ingredients

1 cup frozen baby peas (not thawed)
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 teaspoon dried hot red-pepper flakes
1 garlic clove, smashed
3 cups packed baby spinach (3 ounces)
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1 1/2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1 pound dried gnocchi (preferably De Cecco)
1/4 cup grated parmesan
preparation

Simmer peas with cream, red-pepper flakes, garlic, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a 12-inch heavy skillet, covered, until tender, about 5 minutes.

Add spinach and cook over medium-low heat, uncovered, stirring, until wilted. Remove from heat and stir in lemon zest and juice.

Meanwhile, cook gnocchi in a pasta pot of boiling salted water (3 tablespoons salt for 6 quarts water) until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta-cooking water, then drain gnocchi.

Add gnocchi to sauce with cheese and some of reserved cooking water and stir to coat. Thin with additional cooking water if necessary.