Random Acts of Adventure
Dear Ellen
September 16, 2009
Dear Ellen,Is it ok to wear spandex after Labor Day?
Curious
Dear Curious,
The general traditional rule is that white and spandex should only be worn between Easter and Labor Day. This rule stems from the early 20th century, when more people were entering the middle classes. These nouveau-riche ragamuffins were often unaware of the standards of society dress, running amuck in white leotards in the dead of winter. It quickly became apparent that specific codified rules of dress, such as this one, were necessary.
Over time, many exceptions to this rule have been accepted. "Winter white", such as cream colored wool, is ok if you are getting crunk on hot toddies in Vail. White boots are acceptable if they have faux fur balls hanging off strings at the top. Spandex shorts are fine as long as there is a thick diaper sewn inside and you are on a bicycle. And the list goes on, but the important point is that if you are thoughtful and very very careful, you just might be able to pull off that white spandex unitard on Thanksgiving. Just be sure to accessorize.
Ellen
Rock, Paper, Scissors - Here's to Patrick
September 15, 2009
Okay ... okay ... it's true that the 80's had a lot of things that we really don't need to repeat - big hair, neon, padded shoulders, and the list goes on. But, we thought that these dance moves were really worth repeating from this classic and iconic film. The cult classic Dirty Dancing permanently embedded Patrick Swayze in the anthology of American pop culture. The toadettes wish more men could dance like this. We're not sure that is even possible?! Here's to Patrick and to his famous dance moves.
Lessons For An Optimist - Adventures in NYC
September 14, 2009
I had to share two highlights from my recent NYC adventure to set up our Nau pop event for November (stay tuned for details!) … not exactly an insiders guide but certainly on the front side of the curve.
First, our friends at the Ace Hotel in Seattle and Portland have brought their unique style to the Big Apple. Their new 260 room masterpiece on 29th Street and Broadway is everything you want in a hip NYC experience. The vintage “HOTEL” marquee, the perfectly curated lobby and the old fashioned service at the curb and front desk provide that warm, welcoming Portland feel. And yes, Stumptown coffee is waiting for you when you come downstairs … they just opened the day before I arrived.
”PDT” or Please Don’t Tell may not be subtle about its marketing approach but it still has that authentic NYC 20's speakeasy vibe as you enter through a phone booth in a non-descript hot dog joint on St. Marks. The Jackalope on the wall gives away the fact that it has only been open a few years but it is still worth the visit for the drink list, the atmosphere and the House Rules hanging on the wall of the in the bathroom. #5 – No PDA in the PTD … keep your tongue in your mouth and your hands to yourself.
Make sure you stay clear of the Smoked Beer … it tastes more like an ashtray than a drink.
Photo from www.eater.com.
Dear Ellen
September 11, 2009
Dear Ellen,
Why do we celebrate Labor Day?
Curious
Dear Curious,
Labor Day was established in the grand tradition of U.S. federal holidays back in the late 1800's. It's a classic story in the history of a budding America. Peter J. McGuire, an American Labor leader, went up to Toronto for vacation in 1882. During his stay he was delighted by a parade and festivities, which were part of an annual celebration in support of labor union legislation in Canada. After his trip, he returned to America and said to his friends "You guys missed a killer party! We've gotta throw one too." And so they did. The parade became an annual event. Peter's good friend, Bob, played a major role with his famed 'Labor Parade BBQ Shrimp Skewers.' Another friend, Joe, excelled in his role as Logo Baseball Cap Coordinator. The tradition continued unofficially for many years.
In 1894, Grover Cleveland was President of the United States, with a challenging political priority of 'reconciliation with Labor.' Cleveland already sensed that he was the kind of President who would not live in political infamy, and that 100 years later no one in America would know anything about him or his administration. In essense, he knew he was boring. So he pulled together the finest and brightest of popularity experts within his cabinet, and after considerable deliberation was encouraged to attend the Labor shindig. So Grover threw on his Levi's, picked up a pony keg, and rolled down to the party. By the end of the day, Grover was wearing one of Joe's hats, talking BBQ with Bob, and shotgunning brewskies with Peter. He was able to glean information to help him find the root of union disputes with the government, which all boiled down to the fact that it really sucked to have to use a vacation day to get off work for the Labor Parade. As soon as Grover got back to Washington D.C., he rushed over to Congress with the glee of his newfound popularity and dispute solution. Within six days, Labor Day was unanimously signed into law as a Federal Holiday, and the rest is history.
Obama thinks he has his legacy made in the shade, between health care, the economy, and a war. But I haven't heard anything about a new three-day weekend.
Ellen
Binary Chef - Beer + Bread = Awesome
September 10, 2009
While I was perusing one of those "list-what's-in-your-fridge-and-we'll-find-you-a-recipe" sites (like www.myfridgefood.com) the other day I entered the meager supplies I had on hand and didn't get past the first response: Beer Bread. A) I had all the ingredients and B) it was a recipe title that described two of my all-time favorite things (favorite foods, yes, favorite things, yes).
Super-duper easy and deliciouso!
Cook time: 45 minutes
Ingredients:
3 cups flour
3 teaspoons of baking powder
2 1/4 teaspoons of salt
1 can of beer/16 oz.
1 tablespoon of honey (I used sage flavored honey, but any will do)
Actions:
Grease a loaf pan and preheat the oven to 350˚F
Combine the flour, baking powder, salt and beer in a large bowl and mix until smooth.
Fold in the honey (room temperature or slightly warm honey makes this easier).
Bake at 350˚F for 45 minutes.
Serve with butter, honey and your favorite ale - enjoy!
Rock, Paper, Scissors - Street Art
September 9, 2009
We're big fans of trash, that is to say, the reuse of "trash" into something creative. We do it a lot for our tradeshow booth and people are always amazed when we tell them we pulled the stuff off the side of the road or from a dumpster. Trash to treasure - artfully recycled.
Urban Truck Farming
September 4, 2009
When you think garden bed, I bet you don’t think of a ’86 Dodge pickup. Urban-truck farmer and filmmaker Ian Cheney, inherited this truck from his grandfather and thought to make it into a mobile patch of green goodness in the middle of the Big Apple. Brilliance! A solar powered camera was mounted on the truck to catch glimpses of the growing. We think this is a pretty neat commentary on the use of even the smallest spaces in urban settings to do something good – garden good.
Be sure to check out other Wicked Delicate films here.
Binary Chef - Whole Roasted Chicken
September 3, 2009
I've wrestled with roasting whole chicken on the grill for some time now. Whole roasted chicken on the grill is my dad's go to. He puts it on, leaves it for an hour and goes for a walk with my mom, and comes back to poultry perfection. Meanwhile, if I put on a whole chicken and as much as turn my back on it, I end up with a charred mess. This weekend I decided I'd give it one more go, and for the first time I wasn't disappointed. This is a dish that's definitely going into my rotation.
Whole Roasted Chicken
Rinse and pat dry your chicken (about 3-4 pounds, obviously cooking time will be adjusted for a bigger or smaller bird). Rub down the chicken with olive oil, and be sure to get under the skin. Season liberally with your favorite spice mixture. There's nothing wrong with the simple salt and pepper. I used a play out of my dad's cookbook and used Herbes de Provence, plus fresh cracked pepper, kosher salt and a few cloves of chopped garlic under the skin and thrown in the cavity. My chicken came out perfect after 1 hour and 15 minutes over indirect heat at 425 degrees.
I know everyone will have their grills fired up for the long weekend, give this one a shot, and let us know how it goes.
Dear Ellen - Lions and Tigers and Bears
September 2, 2009
Dear Ellen,
Which bear is the best bear?
Curious
Dear Curious,
Gosh, it's hard to single out one top ranking bear. I, like most people, have always just kept a Top 3 list of bears: polar bear, koala bear, and Teddy Ruxpin. Polar Bear PROS: black skin, largest carnivore on land, loves to drink Coca-Cola CONS: vulnerable species in population decline, might eat you alive Koala Bear PROS: cute ears, opposable thumbs, not big enough to maul you CONS: disproportionately large nose, not actually a bear Teddy Ruxpin: PROS: good conversationalist, doesn't bite, has a stylish hairdo CONS: hard plastic innards, doesn't hibernate, requires cassette tapes It's just too hard for me to choose, you'll have to bear with me (hyuck hyuck). Maybe you can help me out: we'd like to know which bear YOU think is the best bear!
Ellen
Rock, Paper, Scissors - Dutch Tub
September 1, 2009
The Dutch have done it again.
For whatever reason the Dutch have the design market cornered, and this only reconfirms that fact. These are the best looking hot tubs around, plus they are portable and don’t require much more energy than a campfire. Plus you get to feel like you’re the cocoa in a giant coffee cup. I wonder if they’ll let us borrow one for our next winter photo shoot?
Crusade Against the Mundane
