Happy Pasover!!!

I'm still trying to restructure this blog and have come across a few obstacle: 1) I read slowly 2) I don't buy new music every week 3) I'm lazy. I feel that in general my posts are reliant on my consumption of something: a song, a book, a news story, a meat loaf (see below), etc. Only through consumption can I produce a post. Well, here are some ramblings to get me started, anyway:

I made the best meatloaf that I have ever tasted. Here is the recipe:
1. Put three slices of fresh white bread (crusts removed) in the food processor and blend until all is crumbs. Put aside in bowl.
2. Put one carrot (roughly chopped), one celery stalk (strings removed, roughly chopped), one-half yellow onion (roughly chopped), two crushed garlic cloves, and one-half cup fresh chopped parsley. Blend until finely minced. Place in bowl with crumbs.
3. Add to the bowl 1/2 lb of veal, 1/2 lb of beef, 1/2 pork, 1/2 cup ketchup, salt, pepper, 2 eggs, and several teaspoons of dry mustard. Blend with hands for one minute until mixed.
4. Form a free-standing loaf on a cookie sheet (or wire rack, covered with foil or parchment, above cookie sheet).
5. Brush a glaze of brown sugar, dry mustard, and ketchup over the loaf, thinly covering.
6. Saute a sliced red onion in a little olive oil until soft. Drape onion rings on loaf.
7. Bake loaf at 400 F for 30 minutes. Sprinkle with fresh rosemary twigs, bake for 25 more minutes. Remove from oven and let sit for 15 minutes.
8. Enjoy!

It was so good. Every bite is so full of flavor that you can feel it tingle for minutes afterward. I'm definitely going to make this again when a group comes over for dinner. No photos, unfortunately.

I've started to work out regularly:
I can't wait to finish my classes so that I can go to the gym on a regular basis. I would love to go 3-4 times a week, but I usually end up going 2-3. I bought a heart rate monitor that transmits my heart rate to all the machines at the gym and also to a watch on my wrist. In the past I've always had trouble burning out too quickly while running, but now I can keep myself in a healthy range and run longer. I also love taking a shower after running and emerging onto the streets of New York after a long day of work feeling completely refreshed and pleased with myself. Even now, after I've undone my work with hot dogs for dinner, my body feels better.

I've realized another long-term goal:
I would really love to start and own my own business. I know that this is a romantic idea, and that in reality owning a business is a risky and stressful endeavor that often fails, but I'm so enamored of the image of myself orchestrating a machine that works, that makes something valuable and engages the talents of a staff. It is too bad that publishing isn't quite conducive to the small-business model.

I'll keep thinking it over.

John David just made us dinner and is now washing our clothes in the bathtub (long story). I'm lying in bed, thinking about this weekend and about the day I had.

Here's another review to get this blog kicking:

Title: Identical Strangers
Authors: Elyse Schein and Paula Bernstein
Imprint: Random House
Pub Date: Fall 2007
Rating: 5 of 10

Elyse and Paula were adopted separately, grew up in separate loving families, went to separate colleges, and traveled the world on separate trips. Then in their mid 30s they met each other, and "separate" went away. They had the same full, dark hair, the same smile, the same mannerisms, and the same DNA. They were twins.

The book begins at their discovery and follows their paths as they criss-cross, collide, swerve, and steady, trying to make room for each other and their now inseparable baggage. Each woman takes a turn in the narration, presenting an anecdote or key point in the plot and then letting her twin take over. Well done, I felt, and worth a read if you like this sort of human interest story. I also liked that neither strayed too far from the their shared story. There was a balance of voices that worked well, that built a worthwhile story; they maintained an even tone despite their emotional voyage and allowed each other to speak and address their issues with an honored space. In a way, their narrative voices paralleled their developing relationship. At first speaking almost at cross purposes, the two voices later align as the book closes (while still maintaining their distinct character). Though the end isn't set off with fireworks (and thank god), I left the book satisfied and settled. In general, a solid read.

John David has been bugging me to post more regularly, so I have decided to write more reviews and reports. So, here is to new attempts at keeping this blog running.

Today I will be reviewing a new album.

Title: Teraphonic Overdubs
Artist: Chris Joss
Release Date: Sept. 2007
Label: ELS
Rating: 6.5 of 10

Author info (from allmusic.com):
"Frenchman/producer/multi-instrumentalist Chris Joss constructs funky downtempo music that's heavily influenced by the film music of Lalo Schifrin, John Barry, and Quincy Jones. Joss made his debut in 1996 with The Man With a Suitcase. Dr. Rhythm appeared in 2002 and was followed two years later by the soulful You've Been Spiked. That same year, You've Been Spiked was picked-up for an American re-release by the ESL label, home of the like-minded Thievery Corporation."

Review:
Fabulous percussion and unique melodies (a bouncing mix of guitars and loops, light "la-la-la" vocals, and an array of world instruments) make this a wonderful album to hear in the store and on the stereo the first couple of times. Lack of strong, concise song structure makes this a less satisfying listen afterward (but maybe that is my downfall when it comes to instrumental music). In general it reminds me of a really great instrumental remix of Broadcast and Blaxploitation artists. Every song is good, but none hits the mark completely. Some songs come close: "I Want Freedom," "Count the Daisies," "Summer Springs," and "Luna Rides Back." All good, but I wouldn't play them at my wedding or anything.