If you're like me and lots of people I talk to, work has just been wearing you down to the bone right theses past couple of months. I think if we can ever find the time, we could all just a cue from our cats and those countries smart enough to believe in Siestas and take an afternoon nap.

There are some real health benefits too, just listen to the beginning of this article:

“Many people feel a mid-afternoon slump in mood and alertness, especially after a poor night of sleep. Many believe that this slump is caused by eating a heavy lunch. However, in reality, this occurs because we were meant to have a mid-afternoon nap.”

?

See more: Spend a Couple Hours Health/Beauty

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Posted on April 6, 2009

With all the adventurous eating I've done in the last couple of years (sweetbreads, brains, hearts, tongues and testicles) you'd think that by now I'd have had some goat but, until last night, you'd have been wrong. It's not really a strange food at all – in fact, it's quite popular in most of the world (sometimes it's referred to as mutton and is frequently interchangeable with lamb) but in my mind it calls to mind hole-in-the-wall ethnic spots here in the city that always reinforce the phrase, “you can't judge a book by it's cover” (though I've actually found that you can more often than you can not).

Tacos and More is a florescent-lit but very clean new Greenpoint spot with tacky flags outside to mark its not too recent grand opening and a tiny kitchen where all sorts great Mexican food is made. We ordered goat and chicken which were both thankfully mild but still flavorful with just a touch of oaxaca cheese and green salsa. It seems the thing to order next is the chorizo and fish because that's what the staff was cooking up for themselves. And I do mean cooking. No heat-lamped pre-prepared meats here, all the tacos are made fresh from scratch which make the process a little but longer, but is totally worth it.

Tacos and More may not be a prime destination for those who live outside the neighborhood, but for those of us who are local, it offers fresh Mexican made with care and a great menu that won't have your tummy feeling the way most heavy tacos do – and it's open till 11pm, which is rare for local eateries.

See more: Restaurants Greenpoint Mexican

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Posted on April 6, 2009

I doubt there's many familiar with the work of Ennio Morricone who would argue his genius but, for those of you still unconvinced – or unfamiliar – there couldn't be a more compelling argument than the recent Crime and Dissonance collection. Compiled from several scores Morricone authored throughout the '60s and '70s by “What is it?” querying singer Mike Patton and friends, the films selected include Verushka, L'Uccello Dalle Piume Di Cristallo, and (in a rare instance of breaking my and repeating recommendations) Una Lucertola Con La Pelle Di Donna.

It's a truly transportative collection that jumps from emotional landscapes and inventive musical techniques. In one sitting I took notes of the images the music conjured in my head as it washed over me and they include: the ethereal calls of a siren (Ninna Nanna Per Adulteri), sitting atop a lonely Himalayan mountain (Ric Happening), the flight of an insane bumble bee that grows melancholy (Il Buio), the lair of the phantom of the opera (Postludio Alla Terza Moglie), and being trapped in a German clock with wooden kids who then go on a groovy trip before being drafted into the army and getting married – just listen to Ricreazione Divertita and see if you still think my interpretation is crazy. The composer is also an expert heavy breather, which is highlighted in L'Uccello Con Le Piume Di Cristallo and Forza G (Quella Donna).

My absolute favorite number is the Jew's Harp-heavy Rapimento In Campo Aperto which, my friend (who used to work at Ipecac, the label that released the compilation) informed me, was the track selected as the radio friendly single. I know it's hard to imagine, but it seems that most stations just couldn't find a spot for it?

See more: Albums Compilations Instrumental Italian Soundtracks

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Posted on April 6, 2009

The Chuckling Whatsit is one of those books that I revisit regularly because it's just so fun to read. Published by the leaders in bringing inventive comics to the masses, Fantagraphics, in the late '90s, the book features the signature genre blending (part horror, part noir, part goth, part melodrama, and part comedy) of artist and author Richard Sala – who you may already be familiar if you happen to recall the spectacular Invisible Hands from Liquid Television.

The plot jumps from mystery to mystery, bizarre and engimatic character to bizarre and enigmatic character at whiplash speed and leaves you a little dizzy at first, wondering just what's going on with all these secret societies, dead outsider artists, murderers and babalicious spies. Just go with it and you'll find yourself satisfied at the end of the last page in no time.

Sala's latest project is a re-imagining of Snow White called Delphine.

See more: Books 1990s Graphic Novels Noir

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Posted on April 6, 2009

Michelle’s house was always to funnest to stay for sleepovers in junior high and high school, her little terrier Mikey coming down to smell our breathe in the morning aside, it was a teenage dream. The basement was all ours and it had a pool table and sleeping bags, the boys we allowed to occasionally hang out with us lived nearby and we always ate at least one bowl of cake batter a night.

The icing on the cake, almost literally was in the morning when we were allowed to prepare waffles with mint chocolate chip ice cream for breakfast.

Jim and I indulged in this decadent breakfast today and it made me feel less of an adult, ready to go to the mall and check out boys.

See more: Recipes Baked Goods Ice Cream/Frozen Yogurt

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Posted on March 30, 2009