You might remember Leigh Ledare from his book, Pretend You're Actually Alive, recommended right here on Brix Picks. Now you can see his solo show of new work at Rivington Arms.

A continuation of his complex (to say the least) relationship with his mother, Tina, his work is still unnerving, risque, and even funny at times. In the back room runs a video of his mother's home made, unedited spanking movie she made with friends. People generally seemed squeamish in the face of the pornish goings on, but there are some priceless and funny moments too. His photos also seem to have more whimsy than before.

We went, braving a “scene” for the opening night and it was absolutely packed, so yay Leigh! But the space is small, so it made it difficult to looks at most of the work with any inspection. The gallery doesn't have hours posted on their site, but common gallery hours probably apply, so head over during the day when things are likely to be much less intensely crowded.

And since you only have one more day to shop there, I am including the Target Bodega pop up shops with this entry. In fact, you can make a day of it and go to Leigh's show then head right next door to the Target Bowery location.

Cute Sigerson Morrison shoes, some decent clothes (though nothing swayed me to buy) and a really tempting plethora of beauty products, there's a lot for the ladies here, but don't expect a mirror (the one major complaint I kept hearing) and the dressing room lines can be a headache. Don't totally overlook the home goods either. The ten dollar towels are really plush and soft.

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Posted on September 15, 2008

Tangy and hearty, this Pork Chops with Sage and Lemon Breadcrumbs from Real Simple is one of the best pork recipes I've tried in a while. The pork chop is basically universally known as a difficult thing to prepare. They can often be dry and bland, but the rich sauce and cheese solve that problem.

Good Eats devoted an entire show to the notoriously difficult cut, which once according to Alton Brown pork once was “king of meat in this country and the richer you were the higher off the animal you ate. And since that pork chop came from the loin or back, you're technically eating high on the hog. Of course, firing up a pork chop today is kind of risky business, you know. That's because the modern American hog is like a supermodel—it's lean and clean and potentially as dry as a James Bond martini”.

I suggest if you're interested in the episode and more pork chop facts, see this site which has the transcripts and photos but you don't have to hear his annoying?voice!

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Posted on September 15, 2008

By the side of the road a mother and her two kids stop to get flowers from a truck. In a blink of the eye, the mother disappears and the children wander off on their own. This is the chilling premise of Five Days, an HBO/BBC collaboration mini series. The following days follow not only the investigation into what happened but the personal lives of each and every person affected by the tragedy.

While Jim and I could have forgone the weepy Enya type music by Magnus Fiennes and Heidrun Bjornsdottir which is almost always played during scenes of someone sobbing (such obvious heart string pulling scenes just aren't necessary with writing and acting this good) there's little else to complain about in this somber story.

At five hours, it's a commitment to watch, but if you are interested in elevating from the cursory and repetitive crime procedurals of Law and Order, Criminal Intent, etc, etc but still find the genre interesting, it's worth your time.

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Posted on September 15, 2008

Nearly hidden from view, down a steep and narrow flight of steps lurks Decibel Sake Bar, a low lit sake destination. The space is small with few tables, so groups of six or more could get a bit crowded here. There is no standing room once inside, so you must make it past the keeper of the rope before you're admitted. Thankfully our group got there early enough to be allowed in an managed to grab a much coveted table. By the time we left, hours and hours later, the line went out the door.

The space is filled with dark corners and odd details. For example, our table had a pit in the middle of it with a huge metal fish and dull spike hanging that would sometimes twirl around and get near our eyes (until a kind waiter fixed it). I am sure there is a functional reason for this table decoration but we were having such a fun time gabbing that we really didn't even question it. With the graffiti walls, dark shadows, and constant murmur – it feels like a secret meeting spot. And in some ways it is. Despite the line, Decibel's popularity is due to word of mouth more than hype.

Renowned for an extensive sake menu, which is a pretty intimidating two page tome of unknown wonders. Happily Jim and I went with that new old standby for us, the excellent Wakatake. We also branched out an each tried a glass of other kinds, but because a bottle had already been consumed, I'm afraid I can't recall what their names. If you were more serious minded about it though, an intensive crash course in sake could be acquired here.

Don't fear if you end up here and are not a huge sake fan. There are a few beers to choose from and cocktails too. My friends can recommend the sake-tini and the kamikaze. There is also a great lineup if foods for nourishment. We shared some edamame, rice crackers, Okonomiyaki (vegetable pancake with bonito flakes) – I've had this dish before at the nearby and delicious Otafuku), but this experience was unique. The heat of the pancake was making the bonito flakes move around, giving the thrilling illusion that it was alive? Spooky! Wasabi Shumai were our last and best dish, piping hot and full of that wasabi kick, this is one I'd repeat indefinitely on future visits. I have been wanting to go here for years and the experience was all I could ask for.
And thanks, Sarah for the lovely photos!

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Posted on September 15, 2008

Deadly Innocence is my first non-publicly accepted foray into reading true crime. Sure I've done In Cold Blood, but that's a masterwork by Capote and I plowed through Helter Skelter, but really, who hasn't. Deadly Innocence one is more mass market paperback and the crime it documents is truly, truly heinous. Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka murdered several young girls after days of torture. One of their victims was Karla's younger sister, Tammy. It was a crime that horrified Ontario, Canada and the world. It was most disturbing because the monsters looked to be like any other young newlywed couple.

This book, for the most part is riveting because instead of focusing on the details of the crimes themselves, the story of Karla and Paul is told in fascinating detail by those that were close to them. Their friends reveal what it was like to know someone teetering on the edge, but still not know exactly what was going on. To read their friend's recounting of the darker and more normal side: eerie conversations, shocking party behavior, strange arguments, and less unusual side?like obsessions with Gordon Gekko and the pathetic attempts by Paul to start a rap career, are like reading the most spellbinding gossip. To say it's an enjoyable read is not quite accurate and a bit tasteless, but it is impossible to put down?for the first few hundred pages.

I want emphatically recommend that once the court case happens and the details of the crimes are brought to light, you stop reading. These two horrid people recorded their actions and reading about it is really disturbing and sickening. It really shook me up and messed up my day and I feel I would have been better off not having read it. So, seriously, once the video tapes come out as evidence, you read at your own risk. Until that point, seriously compelling stuff.

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Posted on September 15, 2008