Friday, December 19, 2008
Human Being Doings
"A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects."
~Robert A. Heinlein
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
The Star Spangled Banner sung in Chinese
http://chriswip.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2008-11-17T07%3A54%3A00%2B08%3A00&feature=player_embedded
By Chris Pereira, a Canadian living and working in Shanghai. Posted on the eve of the 2008 U.S. Elections.
Follow Chris on his blog: http://chriswip.blogspot.com/
The Mechanics of the Man Hug
Found this March 7, 2008 post on The Art of Manliness http://artofmanliness.com/, but oh so absolutely appropriate for this time of year when holiday gatherings demand the meet and greet:
“A firm, hearty handshake is always an appropriate way for men to greet each other. But when men achieve a greater familiarity, a man hug becomes appropriate. Some men fear male on male hugging of any kind. But done in an appropriate way, men can still hug while remaining secure in their manhood. Here’s how:”
http://artofmanliness.com/2008/03/07/the-mechanics-of-the-man-hug/&feature=player_embedded
“As a final note, some men, especially here in America, are not quite comfortable with the fully embracing style of hugging even when done correctly. Thankfully there is a bridge between the handshake and the bear hug: the American man hug. With the American man hug comes certain protocol and procedure that men haven’t articulated, but nonetheless follow. These unspoken rules allow men to hug each other without feeling like they’re being wussy.
The How of the American Man Hug
1. Begin with a traditional firm handshake
2. Keeping your hand clasped with your buddy, wrap the left arm around the shoulder of your friend.
3. Slap your friend’s back two times. The back slap is key. Somehow hitting your fellow man makes the hug more manly.
4. Release embrace.
When to American Man Hug
Man hugging is not appropriate with every man you come in contact with. It carries with it a certain intimacy that should be reserved for close friends and family. If you were to try to man hug a new acquaintance, you would probably be greeted with stiff awkwardness. However, if you’ve developed a bond after your initial introduction, a goodbye hug may be appropriate upon parting.”
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Thursday, December 11, 2008
25 Days of Christmas Cookies
From Epicurious http://www.epicurious.com/articlesguides/holidays/christmas/christmascookies.
I don’t bake cookies anymore because I’ve gotten lazy (wiser) and am no longer a stay-at-home mom. Pretty labor intensive to make those pretty cookies. However, Epicurious’s 25 Days of Christmas Cookies http://www.epicurious.com/articlesguides/holidays/christmas/christmascookies.
is pretty enticing. One recipe for every day – kind of like a cookie Advent calendar.
Let me know if you try any of the recipes and how they come out. Or be like me and just admire.
tips for perfect cookies:
* Release with Ease
Delicate sugar cookies or jam-filled ones like rugalach can sometimes stick to the baking sheet, making them tough to remove without cracking. In the past few years, many bakers have begun using silicone baking sheet liners to solve this problem. Silicone conducts heat, so it gets just as hot as the metal sheet underneath it, but its rubbery surface prevents sticking. Silicone liners are available at housewares stores. Silpat is one popular brand.
* Chill Before Shaping
Most types of cookie dough or batter can benefit from a stop in the fridge before they're formed. For rolled or slice-and-bake cookies, this firms up the dough, which makes it easier to roll out or slice. For drop cookies, the resting time allows the ingredients to fully meld, which creates better flavor and texture. Dough and batter can be refrigerated for as little as 30 minutes but can also be chilled, tightly wrapped, for several days.
* Store Snugly
Once cookies are baked and cooled, they should be stored, layered between sheets of wax paper, in a covered container. In general, cookies do not need to be refrigerated, but if you plan on keeping them for longer than a few days, you might want to consider freezing them. Most cookies will hold up well during freezing as long as they're tightly wrapped to prevent freezer burn. Let them thaw at room temperature before serving.
Alan Paul/WSJ: The Art of Jiaozi Making
http://shanghaiist.com/2008/12/11/the_wsjs_alan_paul_attempts.php&feature=player_embedded
The WSJ's Alan Paul attempts to learn the art of making jiaozi from his ayi before leaving China.
Wish I could learn!
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Shanghai's Dongtai lu Antique Market
Shanghai's Dongtai lu Antique Market
<iframe src='http://video.concierge.com/linking/index.jsp?skin=embed&fr_story=577909e6ef61a2b15e4346aa8fc1e5e3d138a059&rf=ev&hl=true' width=424 height=463 scrolling='no' frameborder=0 marginwidth=0 marginheight=0></iframe>
Authentic Shanghai from Concierge.com
"Probably the weirdest music video ever shot in Shanghai"
This is such a strange video, I had to post it – not that I like it. It’s just weird! Yup, agreeing with Shanghaiist's original post that it is probably the weirdest music video ever shot in Shanghai! Music is by Empire of the Sun.
More from Shanghaiist:
Lest you get too distracted by the catchy 80s pop embalmed in shiny over-the-top sci-fi getup, look out for familiar Shanghai landmarks. Also, not to be missed, the minority headdress, Monkey King cudgel, Zhuge Liang fan, foldable bike, turquoise Tibetan beaded necklace and taxi driver gloves. Who knows, white leather shoes may make a comeback next year.
We're sure fans will also be more than pleased to know Dongtai Lu Antique Market should be the place to head to for all of the above articles, other than the foldable bike and taxi driver gloves, which should be well-stocked at your nearest Carrefour.
Fufilled: Imagawa-Yaki Japanese Pastries in Beverly Hills
Fulfilled in Beverly Hills is a contemporary pastry shop serving sweet and savory versions of the traditional Japanese treat known as imagawa-yaki. These waffle-like pastries are normally filled with sweet azuki bean and are Japan’s version of comfort food. Still very popular today, imagawa-yaki originated in Tokyo in the early 1800s and are often enjoyed at various festivals throughout the year in Japan.
Owner Susumu Tsuchihashi, grew up in Los Angeles. He has traveled to Japan more than forty times and has also attended cooking school there. With his new shop Fufilled, Tsuchihashi's is modernizing this nostalgic comfort food by creating new flavor combinations.
Fulfilled Japanese Pastries is located at 9405 S. Santa Monica Blvd in Beverly Hills.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Just in time for Christmas - furoshiki wrapping, beautiful and eco-friendly!
Furoshiki http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Furoshiki are traditional Japanese wrapping cloths, a practice dating back as far as Japan’s 8th Century Nara period. Furoshiki literally means “bath spreads” from their original use in bundling items to take to the sento Japan’s public baths. Furoshiki then developed into aestheti means for merchants to transport their wares as well as protection and décor for gifts.
Tweeter extraordinaire (among other things) Guy Kawasaki http://twitter.com/guykawasaki twittered the video below. But check out this furushiki http://furoshiki.com/home.php website dedicated to furushike for even more – inluding techniques, videos, and furushiki cloths.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Saturday, December 6, 2008
70 Amazing Houses from Around the World | WebUrbanist
http://weburbanist.com/2008/09/09/70-amazing-houses-from-around-the-world/
I've had an unexplainable fascination with architecture ever since a child.
Maybe it started with famed Hawaii architect Vladmir Ossipoff
[http://www.honoluluacademy.org/cmshaa/academy/index.aspx?id=1868], whom I
observed designing my parents' home from the time I was in the 3rd grade.
Or maybe it's simply that I'm drawn to the concept of space - how to fill it
or not fill it while making keeping it useful and aesthetic. I used to spend
hours staring at the ceiling of our family home and imagining what it would
be like living upside down with the ceiling the floor and vice versa. Weird,
yes.
Check these out and see how you'd like to live.
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