Optimism v. Defeatism

Rachael Yamagata - Elephants

I’ve really been loving the most recent Rachael Yamagata double album, Elephants… Sinking Teeth into Heart. I was a huge fan of Happenstance, and her voices conveys heartache so beautifully. When I first listened to parts of Elephants, I wasn’t too ecstatic, because I yearned for her piano-accompanied songs from Happenstance. But I still decided to go see her in the Hotel Cafe Tour.

She started off her set with the most amazing un-cued acapella rendition of Elephants. It was so strikingly beautiful that I wish I could relive that moment repeatedly. (This also happened to be the first night of the tour, and the second time she came out she was really drunk, and did a rather piece-y “Reasons Why.” It was very cute.) I got over my preferences for her piano playing and have learned to like the more guitar-based Elephants.

I love what she has written on her website, “My mother said recently that Happenstance is the beauty of your ’20s, this one is the richness of your ’30s – of someone who’s been through the mill and is trying to make the choice between optimism and defeatism.”

Be sure to listen to her song Duet with Ray LeMontagne. He is the perfect contrast – a male version of her voice.

Five Alive and Tony Bourdain

My DCist interview with Tony Bourdain posted today! He was a pretty nice guy when I spoke to him over the phone. I think that even though his comments can be acerbic, there’s a reason behind and he seemed to be just a decent guy with a certain set of ideals. It was cute when I was on the phone with him and he said goodbye to his daughter who was on her way to her first ballet class in a pink tutu.

From the Brit Superstore

Also… found cartons of Five Alive at the Klein’s Supermarket back home. I LOVE this stuff. How can you go wrong with a delicious blend of five citrus fruits – orange, mandarin orange, lemon, lime, and grapefruit. It could be a teensy bit more tart, but it is still DELICIOUS. I used to buy 1-liter tetrapaks of these in England all the time, as well as the other Five Alive flavor variations. They were cheaper than the other juices for some reason, but tasted much better. I guess given the lack of proximity to citrus, apple juice was a lot more popular. (I also drank a lot of apple-elderflower juice when I was there.)

A new food nerd crush: Dan Barber

Image from NY Mag, Patrick McMullen

After watching last week’s Top Chef, I gotta say I have a big nerdy crush on Dan Barber. Yes, his voice sounds a lot like a woman’s and he’s not all that attractive, but the man can really pen a good op-ed on farming subsidies. Amber Fields of Bland He was an English major at Tufts. Nothing like an articulate chef.

Musings

The cashew raisin granola bars from New Morning Farms are awesome – granola, peanut butter, coconut, honey, etc. As is their bagged granola – so tender.
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“Taking a few classes at L’Academie de Cuisine” doesn’t seem so far off from, “I watch a LOT of Food Network.” Watching a lot of Food Network (depending on the show) may be far more effective.
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I am not a robot, but a ghost.
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There’s nothing like a bartender who wants to get you so drunk you go over to your ex’s and pee all over his stuff.
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I hate platitudes.
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Inauguration-related press releases — DO NOT WANT!
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I’m not sure how I feel about coconut milk-cultured yogurt.
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If you hand me a bottle of Bell’s Two-Hearted Ale it is only appropriate that I be handed a cup or glass. Just saying.

It is also to your benefit to run out and get a sixer of Bell’s Third Coast Ale, drink one and put the rest at 40 degrees to age for a few years. Trust me.
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In a moment of pure snobbery, I HATE watching someone give their maki a soy sauce bath. Those people don’t like sushi, just sodium and sugar.
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“Maybe I’m too young to keep good love from going wrong.” “Kiss me, please kiss me, baby, out of desire, and not consolation.” “She’s a tear that hang inside my soul forever.” Oh Jeff Buckley, why did you have to wade out into that river?

Song to the Siren

Tim Buckley – Song to the Siren
Thao Nguyen – Fear and Convenience
Rachael Yamagata – Worn Me Down
Death Cab for Cutie – Your Heart is an Empty Room