Tim and Sam's Tim And Sam Band

Emotive, folk-drenched instrumental pop that resonates with flutters of Sigur Ros, Grizzly Bear and Gonzales – all summer skies and tiny crescendos – Tim and Sam’s Tim And Sam Band tremble and tickle with equal measure. Music made for goosebumps.

Debut single Summer Solstice is a wondrous post-folk marvel, a breezy effervescent ride of glockenspiel and banjo with a gorgeous lo-fi cover of Elbow’s One Day Like This on the flipside.

Tim and Sam are joined by Lucky Soul, Leisure Society and the Pipettes. Girl-pop made for daydreams; if the Pipettes buried a time capsule it would contains records by Burt Bacharach and the Chordettes, copies of Jackie and Smash Hits and be covered with polka dots.

Also playing this excellent all-dayer from Cardiff’s delicious Loose are Chris TT, Mitchell Museum, Zissou, All Darlin’, Cat Mouse Cat and the penultimate final ever show from Broken Family Band.

Things kick off at 2.30pm at Chapter while there will also be SWN Mo Wrestling (in the car park 12.00pm-4.00pm), Oxjam Second Hand Record Fayre (in the bar 2.00pm-8.00pm) and Parents + Toddlers DJ Sets (in the bar 12.00pm-6.00pm).

Loose Alldayer with Pipettes, Leisure Society, Lucky Soul et al is at Chapter Arts Centre today.

Broken Family Band – Love Your Man, Love Your Woman

Swn Festival site and information on tickets

List of the customers of Socorex include virtually all private, industrial, academic, and governmental laboratories. These customers belong to diverse fields such as life sciences (biotechnology and molecular biology), medicine, chemistry, pharmacology, environment, agriculture, etc. Requirements of scientific community are efficiently taken care by the dedicated network of Socorex distributors. They carry an inventory of Socorex’s products and provide technical support, repair and calibration services.

For sustained accuracy and consistent and repeatable operation, pipettes should be calibrated at periodic intervals. These intervals vary depending on several factors:

The skill and training of the operators, skilled operators tend to operate the instrument more correctly and make fewer accuracy-robbing mistakes.

The liquid dispensed by the pipette. Corrosive and volatile liquids tend to emit vapors, which ascend into the pipette shaft even under proper operating conditions and may corrode the metal piston and springs, or the seals and o-rings that provide an air-tight seal between the piston and the surrounding sleeve.

Pipettes that are frequently dropped, are subjected to careless handling or horseplay, or that are not properly stored in a vertical position, will tend to degrade in accuracy over time.

Applications requiring maximum accuracy also demand more frequent calibration. Instruments used for purely research applications or in educational settings generally require less frequent calibration.

Under average conditions, most pipettes can be calibrated semi-annually (every six months) and provide satisfactory performance. Institutions that are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration’s GMP/GLP regulations generally benefit from quarterly calibration, or every three months. Critical applications may require monthly service, while research and educational institutions may need only annual service. These are general guidelines and any decision on the appropriate calibration interval should be made carefully and include considerations of the pipette in question (some are more reliable than others), the conditions under which the pipette is used, and the operators who use it.

Socorex has established an all-time tradition by dedicating itself to precision and quality. Obtaining of ISO 9001 and ISO 13485; Quality Management System certifications speak of their commitment to manufacturing the most reliable instruments and in providing best services. A 3-year warranty cover is provided for all manual pipettes. Socorex product lines are designed to operate under national and international standards such as ISO 8655, GLP, GMP and NCCLS.

Pipettes and tips are used for accurate liquid handling in many lab applications. This area includes both pipettors, which are complete devices used to deliver a known quantity of solution to a vessel; and pipette tips, through which fluids are dispensed, which are often sold separately from the pipette or pipettor. Pipettes and tips are either of the classical style (glass) or digital.

There are three main types of pipettes and tips: positive displacement, air displacement, and Pasteur styles. Pasteur pipettes are small glass tubes with a bulb at the end used for dispensing small amounts of fluids. Positive displacement pipettes are used for high viscosity and volatile liquids. Both types of pipettes have a piston that moves in a cylinder, or capillary. In air displacement pipetting, a specified volume of air remains between the piston and the liquid. In positive displacement pipetting, the piston is in direct contact with the liquid.

Selecting air displacement pipettes and tips require special consideration. Air displacement pipetting, which is used for standard pipetting applications, is highly accurate. Even so, conditions such as atmospheric pressure, and the specific gravity and viscosity of the solution can have an effect on the performance of air displacement pipettes. Typically, air displacement pipettes are meant for general use with aqueous solutions.

Positive displacement pipettes and tips are used in applications that require extreme accuracy. These pipettes and tips are also recommended for specialized procedures such as DNA amplification. The microsyringe tips used in positive displacement pipettes are disposable, which helps avoid sample-to-sample and cross-contamination, and contamination due to the aerosol effect.  Positive displacement pipettes and tips are also used for high viscosity and volatile liquids.

Currently wide variety of high precision instruments are manufactured which are used for measuring, dosing, transferring, dispensing, and injecting liquids in a wide number of applications. The products list comprises of Electronic pipettes, Digital reading pipettes, Digital adjustment pipettes, Positive displacement pipettes, Repeater pipettes, Microdispenser pipettes, Bottle top dispensers, Low profile dispensers, Laboratory syringes, Pipette controllers, Pipette tips and consumables, Instrument stands, Laboratory detergent/disinfectant, and Scalpels and blades. Every instrument undergoes strict performance control test and attested by an individual QC certificate. Socorex Service Center offers a global repair and calibration programme. “One stop does all” is the motto of the Socorex Service Center. The service ranges from basic maintenance to accredited calibrations of all micropipettes and dispensers (according to ISO 17025).

Socorex was founded in late 1940s. It was established in order to fulfill the need for new types of quality syringes for medical applications. In due course of time the products gained international recognition. Socorex is a Swiss expert of precision liquid handling instruments such as electronic or manual micropipettes, repeaters, dispensers, pipette controller, syringes and accessories.

Anomaly: noun something that deviates from what is standard or normal.

She got to know his mind (x2)

Intimately

She was surprised to find (x2)

Something of an anomaly

(The Pipettes, ‘Dirty Mind’)

The Brighton girl-group The Pipettes, formed to tap into a modern fascination for Phil Spector-style pop, have had a core membership with about as many changes as the serially revolving door-style Sugababes.  But their debut album, 2006’s We Are The Pipettes, contains a batch of singles of particular interest to listeners with a penchant for quality pop.  On Dirty Mind, the girls lament a liaison with a fellow with a pretty face, but whose behaviour left a lot to be desired: ‘You see this perfect boy wasn’t quite so pristine / He had ideas that would make the devil scream’.  Carried off with the band’s characteristic whimsical humour, and benefitting from deftly interwoven female harmonies, Dirty Mind only reached number 63 in the UK charts when it was released in 2005, but it paved the way for two stronger performances in 2006, when Your Kisses Are Wasted On Me and Pull Shapes both entered the top 40.  Here they are in the official video, singing a bit and messing about with some balloons.

It was another stomper of a night last Friday with our new regulars Noel Fielding and Pixie Geldof joining us for the 2nd time this month… we must be doing something right. Trash Fashion also smashed it on the decks, which proves that bands can actually dj, and very well!

This Friday 26th, we’re saying who needs Glastonbury. Why would anyone want to spend 3 days in the mud with lack of sanitation when you can spend your night witnessing brilliant bands and djs in the heart of Camden!? North London’s very own Illegitimate Sons of the King are back for their 3rd set for B&M – these guys are hot & are sure to be one of the UK’s big sellers by this time next year www.myspace.com/iskmusic. Captain Strange who describe their sound as ‘Goulish Funk’ are also live www.myspace.com/musicofcaptainstrange – watch out for these guys, big me thinks. The gorgeous Eliza Doolittle and everyone’s favourite resident Jimmy Napes are on the decks alongside a very special guest dj - watch this space. If this isn’t enough to entice you, we also have our totally free, fun and fabulous entertainment from our caricaturists & face artists and the South Gallery is hosted by ‘A Mixtape Affair’ who always throw a spiffing party!

As a very special offer, and for this Friday only, the first 50 names emailed to me will get FREE ENTRY – emily@bangersandmashme.com, max of 5 free names per email. Otherwise concessions is £5 before 9pm / £8 after. Advance tickets are £5 for priority entry from www.bangersandmashme.com. Coming up in July; Mr Hudson 3rd, Pipettes 10th, Filthy Dukes 17th, The Rifles 24th & Heartbreak 31st. Remember stables are available to book with no minimum spend for groups of 20+.

I forgot to mention the absolutely wonderful new single by former-Pipette, Rose Elinor Dougall, ‘Start/Stop/Synchro’, which is available for a limited time only on white 7″ vinyl. It’s a little steep at around £4, but it’s splendid, summery pop. The good folk at Norm still have stock here. I wouldn’t hang around, as her last 7″, ‘Another Version Of Pop Song’ sold out pronto. Hear it here, if you need convincing.

Tired of staying in the lab pipetting endlessly? Want to do something more productive? We have a solution.

It’s called epMotion.

So say no to repetitive pipetting!

This video has been brought to you by Megumi and Tsuki. And Eppendorf.

“DNA! RNA! Protein! Cell cultures!”

Make sure if your in London this Friday you all head down to Wonky Pop at Matter, O2 Arena. I’m playing alongside a great line up including Gary Numan, The Pipettes, Patrick Wolf and William Orbit!! Save as a pic and print off the voucher below for discount!!! Whos coming down???

Thomas White will be at Stuart Flynn’s Birthday Extravaganza at The West Hill Hall Brighton, this coming Saturday (21st March). Proceedings will begin around 7.30pm.

Restlesslist have a show on 22nd March at The Clockwork Archipelago, The Arches, Under Brighton Station, Opposite The Albert, Brighton. Cost: £6/7 Facebook event page (log in required) More info on both shows below.

Alex White is currently stand in drummer for The Official Secrets Act and they have mentioned him a few times in their Myspace Tour Blog

18th March: We’re now back in the flat (flats in berlin are absolutely awesome, Peaches used to live in the flat below the one we’re in) listening to Jay Zs Glastonbury set with our stand in drummer Alex White of Electric Soft Parade/Brakes fame.

13th March: We are standing at the top of the tower of the Dom, Cologne’s super famous, super impressive, gothic cathedral. Alex, our stand in drummer, surveys the bell towers and suggests that religion seems to inspire the most noble and the most foul of human achievements.

Thomas writes: Firstly, may I say what a fab time I had touring with Mr. Patrick Wolf (myspace) An absolute pleasure from beginning to end. You can get the gist from the many videos of the shows posted up on YouTube. Personally, my favourite was most definitely the Heaven show – by that point the band had really started to gel, and everyone properly leaned into it. Big shouts to the whole team for making it special – Patrick, William, Jon, Nick, Vicky, Marcello, Laura and Nick – legends in their own lunchtimes, as they say.

Link: Patrick Wolf at Heaven on youtube

In other news, I must give a quick heads-up to you folk regarding a couple of Brighton-based happenings this coming week. Firstly, we have Stuart Flynn’s Birthday Extravaganza at The West Hill Hall (myspace) this coming Saturday (the 21st). Proceedings will begin around 7.30 and will invariably involve the usual reprobates. Job’s a good ‘un.

Stuart Flynn writes: The Dirty Cakes long awaited CD release gig + extra special support, like a musical truss. ps The lie gets bigger by another year at this, as it is also a birthday show! Join me and my friends, an array of songs and devilry as we fluctuate between celebration and commiseration. Heaven knows there’ll be surprises! (show is free)

Then we have a Restlesslist show the next day (the 22nd). This one could be a little strange – for anyone who knows Brighton well, the venue is somewhere next to the Majestic wine shop, in the arches underneath Brighton Station. Not directly under the bridge, but ’round the corner, if that makes sense! Also appearing will be The Bobby McGees (myspace) and Mr. Jack Cooper (myspace) The whole she-bang should be starting around 8.

Restlesslist write: Matt here with some news. Having returned from Coral Island, the band formerly and currently known as Restlesslist are back in/on the ether with a whole load of new material and our itchy eyes are looking to be in a town soon. This month, there will be a couple of London Shows (to be confirmed), a gig in the arches under Brighton station (22nd March) and another session with our friend and chief plugger, Marc Riley on BBC 6Music (30th March). We will also hopefully be planning more gigs throughout April and May and a new single sometime soon. Also, I (Matt) have been recording Brighton trio Foxes! debut album, which is out soon. They are touring in April joined by me on extras. Check out the dates on their myspace and come down and see us. Very good stuff! More vagueness soon. Happy happy joy joy. Matt x and Restlesslist

Thomas White writes: I will leave you with the news that my forthcoming second solo record has finally found a home. At present I can’t disclose any other information, other than that it is finished, and when I get a minute to myself, I shall put the darn thing out and do the right thing and come to your town and quite possibly play some of it. Good times. TWX

Even more news to fit in before the next update…

Clowns (Thomas and Matt’s other band) have a new song at their Myspace.

The Pipettes (with Alex White) have a show on March 20th: Wonky Pop Night at Matter, The O2. Tickets on their Myspace.

Brakes upcoming shows at their Myspace – click on a date for more info. Street Teamers still needed for Lincoln, Hull, Oxford, Wrexham on their April Tour, in return for 2 free tickets. More info in the ESP Myspace blog.

myspace.com/electricsoftparade
electricsoftparade.co.uk

serological-pipette

They can be charged, have a button to move liquids up and one for release the aspirated liquids.

We use sterile, single packed pipettes in three different ranges: up to 5ml, to 10ml and to 25ml. They have different color codes:

sterile-serological-pipettes

The same from their back:

Please have a look to my demo of how to use them:

Settings of a typical serological pipette can be seen below. You can adjust the power of the pump that enables you to move volumes as small as 1/10 of ml. And you can switch between “drop wise” and “blow out” mode. You use “drop wise” mode when you do not want to disturb the cells on the bottom of a culturing dish.

head-of-serological-pipette

A detailed demo about serological and other similar type of pipettes:

What about using Gilson type pipettes in the cell culture lab? We have sterile, pyrogenic free tips for the cell culture lab. This box contains for example certified DNAse, RNase and Pyrogen free tips. Each tip has an individual filter insert! You can use them for probably any protocoll in a standard molecular biology lab. Don’t forget, they are not cheap at all…

barrier-tip-box-1ml

barrier-tip-1ml

Smaller volumes can be measured with smaller barrier tips:

barrier-tip-10ul

I think we should go to the cell culture lab in one of our next post!

That’s all for today, and let me have your feedback!

Cheers,

Balint.

Hi,

Today I would like to speak with you about liquid handling in the lab. Majority of our reactions are performed in liquids. From culturing of the cells to the specific enzymatic reactions performed, all are done in liquids. This is why we need an accurate and easy liquid handling device. We ususally perform liquid handling with pipettes.

So what is a pipette? I am sure almost everyone saw a pipette. A pipette is a device that aspirates liquids in order to transfer it from one vessel to the other. You can have a good description about general topics here.

You can have a very-very good introduction in the history of the modern molecular biology pipettes from a video by Lim Leng Hiong.

So, let’s see what “Freshbrainz” tell us about pipets:

But what kind of pipettes do we use?

The most basic pipette is a single use plastic pipette. It is not very accurate, but you can transfer liquids from one tube to a different one.

You can use it like this:

We have a simillar pipette, a glas pipette that we use less for liquid transfer, but for removal of liquids from tubes. Usually after centrifugation steps we have a pellet and a liquid supernatant. If we want to discard the supernatant in a carefull and accurate way we use these “Pasteur” pipets. More details about Louis Pasteur here and please see a video about his work here.

So here is one of our Pasteur type, glas pipettes:

And here is how we use a Pasteur pipette:

Of course the majority of our work is done with the so called Gilson pipettes. As our friend Lim Leng Hiong explained you these were specially designed for molecular biology work.

Below is video you can see how we handle liquids with a Gilson pipette. Please pay attention to the two stops made with my thumb. The first stop is reached when we aspirate the desired volume, while the second stop when we dispense the liquid. There is a button which is used to remove the single use tip of the pipette. So, please watch carefully the demonstration:

We have traditionally three type of pipette tips and these are differntiated by their color.

The smallest volumes can be measured with the 2 ul (2 microliter) pipette. This pipette is considered accurate between 0.5 and 2 ul-s.  The same tip is used for the 10ul pipette. We use this for volumes between 2ul-s and 10 ul-s. These pipettes are marked with gray, as shown below.

The tip used with this pipetes is here:

The next type of tip has yellow color traditionaly so the pipetes are marked with yellow:

The same rule: P20 should be used between 10-20uls P100 between 20-100uls and P200 between 100 and 200uls.

The same tip can be used for these three Gilson pipetes, namelly these ones:

The third type of this pipete is traditionally marked with blue. This is the one ml pipete. We call it P1000 and use it between 200 and 1000uls. Below is the head and the tip used for it.

With this set of pipettes you can perfom majority of molecular biology reactions in the lab in an accurate way. They are not cheap, the price of one pipete is in the range of hundered dollars. They are precision instruments, so usually each researcher has his own set to use. Please pay attention to this and never use someone else’s pipete set only she or he specifically alowed it to you.

You can have a look on the usage of these pipettes on the best tutorial I have ever seen, produced by the University of Leicester here:

OK but what other alternatives so we have?

We have two very usefull type of additional pipettes. One is called the multichanell pipete, you saw it on Lim Leng Hiong’s video, and the other is the repeater pipete.

The multichanel pipet we use can have 12 or 8 chanells and you can have a look on it here:

The range of volumes you can dispense with it can be seen here:

With these pipettes the volumes can dispensed can be adjusted in steps and not in a linear way. You can see the adjustment volumes for both type of multichanell pipettes here:

And here you have two videos about their usage:

The second type of very important help in the lab is the so called repeater pipete.
This pipete is able to dispense the same volume from a reservoir in a serial way.

Here is how it looks like:

The good stuff about these pipettes is that it can be used with different type of tips and it automatically recognizes the type of the tip you are using.

Here are the tips we use in general:

You can see on the next figure, that depending on the tip used the pipete is showing eighter 20 or 100 uls in the same position 1.

Here is a short video about how to use it:

With these pipets you can work easily in the lab. The master, the queen of lab pipettes is for sure the pipeting robot. We use a Tecan Genesis for pipeting smal volumes (5uls) in a serial way (e.g on a 384 well plate).

Have a look on this pipeting device:

In my next post I will come up with serological pipettes and the price of the water in the lab!

Stay tuned, and lat me know if you have any questions!

Today started out bad, I overslept and couldn’t make it to my 8AM class on time.  It was just too bad because I wanted to be a good student.  On another note, I took a sip of the love potion drink gift I received yesterday and it was icky.  The label is full of lies.

Now I still have candy waiting for me… ah.

So, I spent 7 grueling hours in research today…. aaaaaaah.

3 hours was spent in the cricket lab sorting vials and eggs~ it was sort of fun.  I spend most of my time chatting with the lab tech about her moving back to the east coast and quietly, she was also giving me pointers on how to kiss-up to the professor to get a super letter of rec from him lol.  That was sweet of her .  Oh, I also found out my grant is from the National Science Foundation (NSF)!  Scored!  Big time hehehehe.   It’s sooo going on my CV that I plan to start on… soon… someday…

… and if you read my last blog about washing goodness knows how many buckets, I won the lab challenge haha.  Apparently no one else was crazy enough to do that… now I wait for my prize….

My 4 other hours was spent in the toxicology lab.  The grad student was happy someone came, he was left alone with 3 different projects to finish data collecting today.  I spent the first hour on my research assignment extracting stuff from carpet, inhaling lots of ethyl acetate and sharpies.  The last hours were spend helping with the orange project.  I learned how to find an exact measurement of a leaf using a specialized machine just for that lol.  Um… also did some more extracting, weighing and I did a lot of pipette work!  Hahahahaha,  I have my own automatic pipette!  Jealous?  I still don’t see the fun in pipettes, it’s boring.  I left before we could do the 3rd project because I got a phone call from housing with bad news.  Always bad news from them.  They said something about me having to get to a computer and fix my lease pronto.  To my surprise (or not), I tried to log into my account on housing and there’s an error… so I was told to try back on Tuesday.

Now I’m sleepy, but I might clean the apartment in a bit… it’s dirty.  A.H. left a couple of hours earlier and KT is still in lab I think…

I will start filming my pika army this weekend with hopes of finishing it by Sunday or so to study for more midterms.

Cheers and overthrow UCR housing for messing up again,

C.K.

EDIT: WOW. EPIC FAIL. Contraception –> Contraption

Anyone whose in Biology and has used an Eppendorf pipette can seriously relate.

***MUST WATCH***

Can’t describe this any way but

PURE BLOODY GENIUS.

Lady, you better prop that pipette on a stand!

Shit could hit the fan if your instructor found out that the substance you were pipetting seeped into the barrel…

Eppendorf’s epMotion Commercial

Pipetting all those well-plates, baby, sends your thumbs into overdrive

And spending long nights in the lab makes it hard for your love to thrive

What you need is automation, girl, something easy as 1 2 3

So put down that pipette, honey, I got something that will set you free

And it’s called epMotion (whisper: ‘cause you deserve something really great)

Girl you need epMotion (whisper: yeah girl it’s time to automate)

It’s got to be epMotion (whisper: no more pipetting late at night)

Only for you epMotion (whisper: girl this time we got it right)

DNA
RNA
Proteins
Cell Cultures
Less reagents
Faster workflow
Saves you money
Well, well, well

And it’s called epMotion (whisper: ‘cause you deserve something really great)

Girl you need epMotion (whisper: yeah girl it’s time to automate)

It’s got to be epMotion (whisper: no more pipetting late at night)

Only for you epMotion (whisper: girl this time we got it right)

I love how the lyrics from the website actually typed out what the guy whispered and wanted to let you know it was in a ‘whisper’.

Download the whole song here.

Now this is a true love story. If only DBSK sang this, with a little vibration this could be a hit amongst us nerds. ^^

As a UW student, this epMotion contraception contraption looks far too expensive for our budgets. Maybe WATSEF will invest in this sometime down the road.

Credits: eppendorfvideo

Latest news from the Electric Soft Parade Myspace Just a quick round-robin to draw your attentions to some White Brothers-related releases coming your way in 2009:

As you may already know, a new Brakes record is now finished and ready for an April release. The album, entitled ‘Touchdown’, was recorded in Glasgow with former Delgados drummer Paul Savage, and will be in all good (and some shit) record stores on the 20th of that month. Yowza. The band head out for a short UK tour in support of first single ‘Hey Hey’ at the end of January. Check their Myspace for dates and deets.

On a solo note, Thomas has now completed two (yes, two) new albums, the first of which he is currently mastering/sequencing and sorting a label for. What with schedules being what they are, it’s unlikely they’ll see the light of day this side of summer, so in the meantime, head down to his Myspace for a taster. Why not ask to be his mate, too – he might even accept!

In other Brighton news, we have new Restlesslist and Pipettes albums in the, er, pipeline (check both bands’ myspaces/webpages for up-to-date information), not to mention the solo debut album from Rose Elinor Dougall. If her recent shows were anything to go by, it should be lushness in the extreme. With bells on.

Myspaces: Restlesslist – Pipettes – Rose Elinor Dougall

And finally we come to the news of a forthcoming (fourth) ESP longplayer. Tentatively titled ‘Blue Music’, the (20-track double) album will include live favourites of the past year ‘Things Snowball’ and ‘We Don’t Need To Fight Anymore’, both previously heard here on Myspace More details on that later.

Oh, and a Happy New Year to one and all!!!!!! luv, ESP X

Also, Clowns have some shows in January: myspace.com/shesaysimaclown

Foie Gras Cotton Candy?

Another outstanding dinner at The Bazaar by José Andrés last night. This time celebrating my friend Laur’s birthday in the “Rojo” dining room, which was warmer and had a more seductive vibe than the “Blanco” we dined in last time.

New dishes we tried this visit included three pretty little “cans” of seafood filled with delicious mussels, oysters and crab called ”Latas Y Conservas”.

From the Rojo menu: “Canning was invented in 1810 in France by Mr. Nicolas Appert. Spain adopted this technique and today is known for producing the best canned products in the world. Here at the Bazaar by Jose Andres, we make them in house daily.”

Mussels Escabeche, marinated in olive oil, vinegar and smoked paprika $7

Kumamoto Oysters with lemon and black pepper $12

King Crab with raspberry vinegar $16

Organized Arugula Salad with raspberries, corn and Cabrales blue cheese $9

Dashi “Linguini” with tomato seeds, lemon and caviar $9

Traditional Ottoman Carrot Fritters with pistachio sauce (Peter loved these), $7

 
Caviar Cone with crème fraîche

My very favorite bite of the night (so much so that I ordered extra!) was YES … the Foie Gras Cotton Candy! Bites of foie gras rolled in crushed CORN NUTS then wrapped in cotton candy. The salty, sweet and super rich flavor was simply incredible.

Dishes we had on our first visit and enjoyed again:

Tortilla de patatas ‘new way’: Warm potato foam with a slow cooked egg at 63 degrees, and caramelized onions $9

 ‘Philly Cheesesteak’: Air bread stuffed with cheese and topped with Kobe beef $7  

‘Rossejat’ de fideos: Traditional fried pasta, paella-style with monkfish and shrimp, cooked in a seafood broth $10

Mozzarella-tomato pipettes with micro basil $8

The Bazaar restaurant is so much fun, especially when you look around and notice that people are smiling at every table. It’s all about jumping in and sharing an exciting new experience together. Whether it’s Ferran Adria’s Liquid Olive (we each had two), potato “foam”, or succulent bites of Kumamoto oysters. I personally feel incredibly grateful that we have our own little bit of “el bulli” right here in L.A.

Thank you José!

Hanging out after dinner…

Bazaar Visit #1

Bazaar Visit #3

Bazaar visit #4

The Bazaar by José Andrés, SLS Hotel
465 South La Cienega Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90048
(310) 246-5555
http://www.thebazaar.com

Jackson Free Press

January 2, 2008

With former “American Idol” contestants—and bands fronted by former “American Idol” contestants—dominating Top 40 radio in 2007, it can be a depressing task to sort through the year that was pop. Digging through the ruins, though, we do find a few songs that were willing to fight the banality of what radio offered us. These are all five.

Future Classic Masquerading as Disposable Pop Award: “Umbrella” by Rihanna
Every year it’s easy to disregard the most played songs on radio as garbage because, by and large, they are. “Umbrella” was the exception that disproved the rule this year. Few songs were played deeper into the ground than “Umbrella,” but unlike those other overplayed songs, this one is destined to be a fixture at weddings in 20 years in a non-ironic fashion. It is an intelligently written song featuring the hook of the year and great production. Final evidence of this song’s greatness: Any song that can make Jay-Z’s verse the weakest aspect is bound for great things.

P. Diddy Production Award: “Stronger” by Kanye West
In his heyday, Diddy made a name for himself by taking mediocre pop songs from years past and not only turning them into classic hip-hip songs, but also elevating the source material to greatness in the process. “Stronger” was one of the best songs of the year and at the same time spurred a whole lot of people to dust off their old Daft Punk records and claim they never stopped liking them.

Best Song Introduced by a Commercial: “1,2,3,4” by Feist
We could have a discussion here about how sad it is that many indie artists have to rely on iPod ads to make a commercial breakthrough nowadays. However, using this space for that would overshadow the fact that “1,2,3,4” is a song that makes you want to listen to the rest of it after the 30-second commercial is over.

Best Song Prominently Featured on a Mixtape to Your Girlfriend: “No One” by Alicia Keys
With no release from Mary J. Blige in 2007, Keys was already winner of this award by default. But “No One” is a great song that convinces you to not give up on mainstream R&B just yet. In 10 years, when you think of your girlfriend at the end of 2007, for better or for worse, this is the song you’ll think of.

Best Throwback Song: “Pull Shapes” by The Pipettes
My vote for best pop song of the year, this song dwarfs anything commercial-throwback-darling Amy Winehouse has put out. It is a reinvention of Phil Spector’s Wall of Sound production for three British girls fashioned to look like a 1950s girl group. The sound is updated and modern, yet so right-on with the strings, powerful instruments and vocal harmonies, that they should have paid Spector royalties, which he certainly could have used this year.

http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/music/comments.php?id=15876_0_28_10_C35

Hm, ich bin kein Pipettes-Neuigkeiten-Blog … aber nun habe ich schon wieder etwas gelesen. Ich mochte die Pipettes ja schon echt gern – bis ausgerechnet meine Lieblings~ die Band verließen, nämlich Becki und Rosay. Naja, und dann wurden mit Spannung Ersatz erwartet, der schließlich kam: Ani (links) und Anna (Mitte) neben Gwenno (rechts), die vorher schon dabei war. Nun wartete man nach geschlagenen zwei Jahren auf ein neues Album; Konzerte haben die drei in England schon einige in der neuen Besetzung gegeben. Es klingt ein bißchen mehr nach achtziger Jahren. Sieht man auch der neuen Garderobe irgendwie an. Gerade eine neue Remix-CD draußen, die ich nicht haben will.

Nun, und jetzt ist jene Anna (Mitte) offenbar schon wieder gegangen. Andere Interessen verfolgen. Nur noch zwei Pipettes übrig. Wenn sie eine neue brauchen, ich würde mich ja bereiterklären =)