Back to Blogging in 2010

Blogging is a challenge, but determined to get back into it in 2010.

What's been great since my last post five years ago...

This, which my wife saw. Holy shit. Love that he commemorates the 41 shots on such an occasion. Plus, this is even better. Obama may not have earned it, but he's got potential and loved his this speech. Worth watching many times.

And this, which I highly recommend. No shows yet for 2010, but watch this space.

And a lot of this, even if I am embarrassed to admit that.

Mostly just this and this, however. Both have enhanced my life greatly.

Dying to see this in 2010.

An Ode to Wodka!

Lovely little piece in the paper the other day: Country, Vodka and Sour Cream. Includes some impressions of Brighton Beach as well as a general tutorial excerpt from A History of Vodka by William Pokhlebkin, which I need to get...clearly.

There are no bars for us to visit in Brighton because they are anathema to the Russian manner of drinking. Pokhlebkin, perhaps the most passionate and erudite defender of vodka consumption in recorded history, notes that "the correct role of vodka at a table drink is to accompany and to highlight exclusively Russian national dishes. Above all, vodka is the appropriate drink with meat and meat-cereal dishes, with salty and sharp-tasting dishes, and with fish." No less than the Italians or French, Russians treat drinking as part of a complete gastronomic experience, and divorcing the two would be unthinkable for anyone with a modicum of taste. But perhaps because our foods are less sensuous or readily appealing than Mediterranean cuisine ― sour cream is not so sexy, it turns out ― only the bottle lingers in the imagination.

My last jaunt to Brighton Beach had more sharp-tasting dishes than I could name!

Yes... The First Chocolate President!

I am sure these are made on a sustainable farm in Africa! I am buying loads just 'cause I like chocolate!

Support Max in the best business idea since... well, frankly, this is the best business idea ever!

Not a meat eater

February was an experiment in eating lamb, chicken and even pigs and cows. The hypothesis was that I might feel differently with a bit of flesh now and again. The conclusion was that it didn't feel any different. So, while my vegetarianism has never been too extreme, my flirtation with embracing omnivorism is over. Come out and play, my bovine friend. I won't eat you (very often)!

What can I experiment with in March?