Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Final New York Observations

Here are a few differences that I noticed between New York and Washington, DC.
  1. Magazine stores - there's nothing like it in DC
  2. I am admittedly an urban dweller, but even I would miss green
  3. Where else can you find Ess-a-Bagel and La Maison du Chocolat in one city?
  4. The metro is so much cleaner than the subway
  5. But, the subway runs 24 hours
  6. There are as many Jamba Juices as Starbucks; you're right, impossible
  7. New York's Chinatown is really a Chinatown
  8. How much electricity is used in Times Square?
  9. In New York, an entire block can have the same address number
  10. Where do I find soup dumplings in DC?

Monday, May 21, 2007

Soup Dumplings (Xiao Long Bao)

When you find yourself in New York's Chinatown, besides the fun street shopping and knock-off you-name-it, scout out Joe's Shanghai Restaurant for soup dumplings. A friend recommended this culinary experience and we will be back for sure! You will find Joe's at 9 Pell Street between Mott and Bowery. It's a very small, one-way street and it's easy to miss. In this rather compact setting, the seating is sort of family style for smaller parties.

From Joe's Shanghai Restaurant:

Xiao Long Bao or "Little Dumplings from Basket" was originated from Nan Xiang, a suburb of Shanghai. Their perfectly symmetrical shape, resembles a pagoda.

These tender pouches, "little dumplings", are freshly made to order. They arrive at the table in piping hot bamboo steamers. Each plump dumpling contains a little pork meatball surrounded by a delightful meaty broth.

To prevent burning one's mouth and to savor the dumpling, the preferred method of consumption is to bite off a little piece of the doughy wrapper, suck the broth with a "slurp", then eat the rest.

There are two variations available at Joe's Shanghai - crab meat and pork meat. Each basket is freshly made to order, so don't forget to order your Soup Dumpling upon arrival at your table. Otherwise it might be a long wait.

A cartoonist, Robert Zimmerman, had drawn "Soup Dumplings: A Survival Course" comic strip that was once published in the newspapers. It comedically depicts the hazard of eating a fresh, piping hot dumpling. Although a little extreme, the danger of burning one's mouth is no different from the dangers of enjoying a hot cup of coffee.

Sunday, May 20, 2007

Art Appreciation

I admit that I'm not one to appreciate all-things art. To me, a canvas with a single stripe of paint isn't necessarily art with someone's deep, inner spiritual meaning of life. I just have a difficult time with that.

I know it's all about styles and preferences. I suppose my preference is a PICTURE of something . . . anything, as long as it is even a somewhat recognizable object. I say this somewhat in jest, as I do like a few modern artists such as Gregg Robinson and I can even appreciate the abstract work of Salvadore Dalí.

My art appreciation was tested this weekend at the Guggenheim Museum, Metropolitan Museum of Art and the International Center of Photography, which although recognizeable objects, not spectaculorly photographed. However, I'm most spoiled as I believe Brian's photography could easily match most I've seen this weekend.

Friday, May 18, 2007

New York

We're in New York for the weekend. We recommend seeing Frost/Nixon written by Peter Morgan starring Frank Langella and Michael Sheen at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre, which we saw this evening. It was really well done.

The most exciting news so far is that Brian is the new owner of a Sony® α (alpha) DSLR-A100K (digital single-lens reflex camera for non-camera acronym knowing people like me!). His camera buying experience at J&R is captured on the Digital Photography Review discussion forum.

We are staying in the theater district and Times Square is a mere three blocks away. Right next to our hotel is a magazine store, literally a little store with magazine racks surrounding all sides. We both commented on how New York-esque the store is.

Thursday, May 10, 2007

Look-ALike?

Does anyone else think that Brian looks a little like Tony?

Will Tony have a new teammate next year? Brian predicts that Dale Earnhardt Jr will drive for Joe Gibbs Racing in 2008. You heard it here first!

Monday, May 07, 2007

No Drivers Injured in the Taking of this Photo

No worries, Brian had nothing to do with taking this photo. He took the real photos (like the car), check back later.

Tony Stewart made an appearance in the Home Depot suite (I was within an arm's length). Rain was the other appearance of the evening, which postponed the race until Sunday. On the spur of the moment, we decided to drive back down to Richmond. It was a really fun race. Richmond is a short track so you can easily see all of the cars going around the entire track.

Tony had a pretty good race. After starting 22 and a few radical car adjustments, he moved steadily up to fourth. However, several cautions toward the end of the race, and no long green flag stretches to work his way through lapped traffic, he got caught in a late race crash. Despite the damage to the front of the car, he managed to complete the race and take eighth.

Friday, May 04, 2007

A Spot of Tea

We are to Richmond to have a spot of tea with the Queen. (Did you read that with an English accent?)

Okay, Queen Elizabeth is/was in Richmond. And, yes, we are going to Richmond. However, not to have tea with the Queen.

We're going to Saturday's Nextel Cup NASCAR race! We are Tony Stewart fans, or as Brian says when I tease him about that, "we like the drivers that race for Joe Gibbs." Tony is one of them, along with Denny Hamlin #11 and JJ Yeley #18 who race in the Nextel series. But, for tomorrow evening's race, we will definitely be Tony fans as we're guests of The Home Depot! Check back for a few pictures.

Tuesday, May 01, 2007

Nostalgic Weekend

Visiting Luther College feels like coming home. It's a feeling that is hard to explain until you've experienced it. It's the community that is Luther College.

The weekend celebrated the 25th Anniversary of Norsemen and Pike Kor (Valley Singers) Alumni Choirs. (No! I haven't been out of college for 25 years.) It was a fun weekend to re-connect with a few professors and to see how Luther has changed. The highlight was being able to sing with the current Norsemen, Pike Kor and Nordic Choirs.

If you ever find yourself in Decorah, Iowa, I recommend the following:
  • Stay at Hotel Winneshiek
  • Eat at Mabes Pizza
  • Shop at Vanberia
  • Tour the Vesterheim Museum
  • Take a class at Luther College
  • Get dessert at Whippy Dip