Off the topic: Arms for Saudi Arabia

I am trying to spend some time on non-food, non-music items because I am personally getting boring. This caught my eye the other day… US to give Saudi Arabia $20 billion in arms. *Edit: sell weapons not give

Aside from the obvious problem that we’re arming people with some pretty sophisticated weaponry, there are numerous other reasons that this is bad.

1. In case everyone forgot, Osama bin Laden is from Saudi Arabia. By providing the Saudis with arms you are further securing the monarchy in Saudi Arabia, which is part of the reason bin Laden is against the US, not to mention a number of terrorists from Saudi Arabia and other countries who will be receiving arms in this deal.

Sometimes I really hate this city

When I read something like this story about Wingmasters or about Reeves Bakery. Gentrification makes me mad. Seriously, move to the suburbs.

Edit: Let me clarify this statement. This city is quickly increasingly full of mediocre chain food. I feel pretty positive this place is going to be replaced by some crummy steakhouse or Johnny Rockets-alike. This is how a city begins to lose its character. What separates the city from the suburbs anymore? I might as well move back to my small town. At least the small shops can still afford their rent and provide above average foods. I can’t believe that Wingmasters pay $19,000 in rent a month!

A photo worth posting

Mmm… cheese… offerings to the tree gods…

The Flight of the Conchords

A song from my favorite new show…

Sad news from Chicago

I was sad to read that Grant Achatz is battling oral cancer today via NYT. I really wish him the best, and hope that he has many amazing years to come.

From reading interviews with him, I truly respect Achatz both in and outside of the kitchen. He is a class act, seems exceedingly intelligent, and from his work demonstrates an understanding of the world around him. Refined rather than rough, like so many of the star chefs seem to be nowadays. He seems dedicated to perfection rather than empire building. In his interview with Chicagoist he discusses how he reads blogs to get a pulse on the things that he is doing right and wrong. Rather than taking offense, he gracefully tries to learn from what he reads rather than overreacting like some in the industry (a-hem Chodorow and Donna).

Get well soon!