My Grandma first taught me the trick of freezing grapes (usually green) when I was a kid visiting her house on hot summer days in California. Now that we're (finally) experiencing our own hot summer days, and grapes are in season, there's no better time for this healthy sweet.
Desserts »Frozen Grapes
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Hunks »Spicoli
I know, it's crazy that given the amount of times this thing has played on TBS, I had never seen Fast Times at Ridgemont High until just last week. It was pretty good, as expected, and like all the teens before me, I was most smitten with pothead surfer dude Jeff Spicoli – Rat and Damone, not so much.
Not only does Penn look great all young, wiry, and framed by flowing blond locks, but the outfits are to die for. Seriously, he puts drug rugs and Umbros on another plane of awesome.
Plus, the character made me love Sean Penn again, which is something I really just haven't been able to since (at least) I am Sam.
Did you know that Fast Times was adapted into a short-lived TV serie?. Ray Walston proudly reprised his role as Mr. Hand, but the fake Spicoli… not so good.?
The 'Real' Spicoli in Fast Times (the movie)
See more: Hunks Fictional Characters
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Posted on August 17, 2009
Albums »Tubular Bells
It was great going into Tubular Bells knowing very little. Like many of you, I was aware of Mike Oldfield's masterpiece for the beginning of the piece that was used to evoke dread in The Exorcist. If you think you're in for an hour long horror movie soundtrack, though, you are in for a surprise. Tubular Bells changes tones every few minutes and takes you from mountain top jamming, to spoken word, to folksiness to the sailors horn pipe and more.
It's one wild ride that I've had a hard time describing to people for it's sheer variety and uniqueness. I found out after a week of listening to it that the artist was a totally hip and handsome musician, friends with personal favorites John Cale and Kevin Ayers. This composition broke new ground?with what allmusic calls “arguably the finest conglomeration of off-centered instruments concerted together to form a single unique piece”.
Tubular Bells, which prompted Richard Branson to begin his own label, Virgin, after established companies dubbed the music unmarketable. It was a global success and began the whole new age music genre.
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See more: Albums 1970s Electronic Instrumental
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Posted on August 17, 2009
Movies »Strangers on a Train
For a long time I kind of felt less than inclined to actually watch Strangers on a Train, having been so clued in on the plot from the many films that are inspired by and reference it, but there's real joy to be had, even if you know what's going to happen, in watching a Hitchcock film that's so perfectly on; there are some ingenious visual sequences here that prove again (as if it were ever disputed) that he can be an amazing master of film making with clever simplicity.
Aside from the iconic directing, the dandyish performance by Robert Walker as crazy Bruno is spectacular. In a favorite scene, he claims to be late for an appointment fully dressed in slippers and a robe, and saunters off with a smirk upstairs. There are few villains more fun to watch on screen while still maintaining a genuine feel of insanity and danger under behind their pearly whites.
Bruno's foil, the male lead (played by Farley Granger), is perfectly fine as a dumb tennis player with a reasonably pretty and politically connected new girlfriend. But again, it's the villainy role that's the juiciest: the slutty, mean-spirited and, critically, bespectacled Kasey Rogers (billed as Laura Elliott) is great as a woman that you can actually imagine yourself wanting to kill.
The film is based on a novel by Patricia Highsmith, whose work is always prime for great adaptations (see the Talented Mr Ripley), though there is one major difference in the book's plot?
See more: Movies 1950s Thrillers
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Posted on August 17, 2009
Places to Visit »Th??tre Royal de Toone
Written by friend, Mike:
Perhaps its from my recent trip to Venice and my obsession with one craftsman's marionettes there (Roberto Comin), but right now, I'd really like to be in the “house of toone” in Belgium, drinking a beer and taking in a puppet show. The place is this really old puppet theater/bar (a concept I think is ingenious) in a small alleyway in the heart of Brussels. like many European bars, they also have an awesome cat that just walks around, and an amazing selection of beer. I was gonna paste a wikipedia link to it, but I just noticed the only one anyone has written is in french (fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toone) so i might have to go make the English entry myself.
I should note I took this above photo from a flickr stream of a user's 2008 trip to Belgium. Sadly I only took 3 photos in the place myself when I was there, so I must give credit where credit is due.
See more: Places to Visit Belgium Europe Theater
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Posted on August 17, 2009
Restaurants »Anella
While our little neighborhood is by no means a restaurant wasteland – we boast great coffee, sandwiches and donuts – Annella is still a great and much needed addition to the area. Reasonably priced and delicious, the mainly strictly Italian menu is best for days when you have a heartier appetite, but does offer a few lighter options.
On the heavy side, you can't go wrong with the amazing meatballs that were a candidate for the New York Wine and Food Festival Meatball Madness competition. Once a special and now a beloved permanent fixture on the menu, they're a gut busting combination of flavorful meats including prosciutto. If you crave a less hulking plate of food, I'm a huge fan of the clam pizza: a crisp and garlicky white pie with a touch of cheese and plenty of briny little ones.
My friends and I find ourselves dining here a lot because they've got the perfect blend of ambiance (dark with warm lighting, lots of antiquey touches), service (always really kind and efficient), price (which is made even nicer with their waning – but still current — BYOB policy), and menu of delightful food. It's not easy to get everything so right, but Annella seems to do so quite effortlessly.
And now they're open for an equally impressive brunch; you can enjoy massive benedicts and steak and eggs in their lovely back yard.
See more: Restaurants Greenpoint Italian
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Posted on August 17, 2009
Places to Visit »Camping in the Sahara
A few months ago my sister embarked on the adventure honeymoon of a life time to Morocco. She are her husband shared the ritzier images of their stay in Marrakesh, but there was also a more adventurous side. Camping and traveling sometimes on camel back through the rugged, other worldly Sahara desert. The photos are stunning and I'd like to share them with you here.
See more: Places to Visit Africa Outdoor Activities
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Posted on August 10, 2009
Restaurants »Al Di La
Thank goodness for summer Fridays. Al Di La, one of Brooklyn's most beloved and highly praised restaurants has always been on my list, but with reported epic (as in up to over two hours) waits for dinner, it never seemed like a culinary outing that was going to happen for me and my impatience. During a weekday lunchtime, however,?the antiquey, sunshiny corner spot is pretty quite and the food is still noteworthy.
I loved my mushrooms with polenta and a poached egg (pictured) and my companions' grilled cheese and short rib sandwiches were so tasty we all barreled through our dishes without thinking to offer each other a taste. We did split the irresistible fig and ricotta gelato though, a heavenly little sweet to cap off a great meal.
The beer list is short, but the choices (both from an obscure Italian brewery) were good and the wine list is long. Thankfully the kindly and cute waitress was able to help me pick a dry rose.
The atmosphere was beautiful for a lazy afternoon meal and catching up with an old friend. If the buzz of more popular dining hours leaves you spinning, stop by at an off hour to enjoy the excellent menu in peace.
See more: Restaurants Eclectic Park Slope
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Posted on August 10, 2009
Recipes »Pasta with Roasted Cauliflower and Prosciutto
If I am at a loss for what to cook, I love to revisit the lovely little recipe site and former Brix Pick, Simply Recipes. Pasta with Roasted Cauliflower and Prosciutto sounded amazing and I rarely use cauliflower, which I like so much.
Jim actually prepared this for me and says it pretty easy if you're not distracted and make sure your pasta is al dente. It's a great combination of flavors and a must for cauliflower lovers.
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I told you guys