This year a large number of couples and families intend to take a summer vacation. Summer vacations are popular. In fact, they are so popular that it is likely that you are interested in taking one. When it comes to booking a summer vacation, there are a number of ways that you can make your reservations.

Before making summer vacation reservations, you will have to select a summer vacation destination. Without a destination in mind, it is impossible to make reservations. When selecting a summer vacation destination, it is important that you consider a number of factors. These factors should include whether you are traveling with children, the age of your children, and the cost of travel. Keeping these factors in mind will enable you to select the summer vacation destination that will best fit your needs.

After you have selected a summer vacation destination, you can begin to make reservations. A large number of amusement parks, campgrounds, and hotels in the United States do not require reservations. Despite the fact that reservations may not be required, it is still advised that you make them. Popular summer vacation hotspots, quickly fill up with vacationing tourists. Without the proper reservations, you may be left without the necessary accommodations.

When it comes to booking a summer vacation, a large number of travelers use the assistance of a travel agent. Travel agents are individuals who specialize in researching and arranging vacations for their clients. Travel agents are popular because they allow clients to spend more time completing their daily activities, instead of having to research and plan a summer vacation.

If given the opportunity most families would prefer to use the services of a travel agent. Unfortunately, services of a travel agent do not come free. If you are interested in planning a summer vacation, on a budget, you may want to consider making your own reservations. In a few simple minutes, you could easily make reservations online or over the phone. Not only should your reservations include hotel accommodations, but travel accommodations as well.

Aside from car travel, air travel is one of the most preferred methods of travel for arriving at summer vacation destinations. If you are interested in booking your airline reservations online, you need to find the online website of the airline you wish to fly with. Popular airlines include, but are not limited to, Delta, United Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and Northwest Airlines. Each of these airlines has an online website that should allow the online booking of reservations.

Unless you are camping outdoors, it is likely that you will need to reserve a hotel room. Unless you plan on staying at smaller resort, you should be able to make online reservations. Most of the well known hotel chains, including Holiday Inn, Hampton Inns, Super 8, and Motel 6, have online websites. Specialty resorts that are located in popular summer vacation destinations, including California or Florida, are likely to also allow online booking.

When it comes to overnight stays, most individuals would prefer to stay at a hotel, but not everyone. A large number of families enjoy vacations that are centered on the outdoors. These vacations often involve camping outdoors. Even if you plan on vacationing at a state park or a public campground, you are still urged to make a reservation. Public campgrounds and state parks are often limited on the amount of camping space they have. Making a reservation will ensure that you are guaranteed a place to set up your tent or park your RV trailer.

To book a popular vacation destination, but at a discount, you may want to looking the services offered by online travel websites. These websites tend to offer discounts on popular hotels, airlines, and restaurants all around the world. The only downside to using the services offered by an online discount travel website is that they tend to focus only on popular summer vacation destinations. If you are looking to vacation at an unknown resort, you may be unable to use the services of a discount travel website.

Whether you choose to use the services of a discount travel website, a professional travel agent, or you intend you make your own vacation reservations, you are encouraged to take the appropriate steps. Anticipating room at the hottest summer vacation destinations is a costly mistake that could possibly ruin your vacation. Dont make that mistake; book your reservations ahead of time.

Yesterday Princess Leia checked in for her day at doggy daycare.  Princess enjoys playing in our “Waggers Way” play room and lives to have her butt rubbed.  If you rub it the right way, she will do a little dance   Princess is a cold weather dog and loves to go “logging” at the dog park.  She will jump in the river and fetch a log.

With this extreme cold weather, I can’t stress enough the importance of making advance reservations.  We only have a few spaces open for Thursday, so if you need daycare this week, make your reservation now.

Firstly, HAPPY NEW YEAR all:) I’ve been a little bit on the quiet side over the holiday season; we’ve had a great old time drinking, eating and being merry!

For this years new years eve, we were at a bit of a loose end… we generally don’t really like NYE that much. I’m usually melancholy before midnight and it’s all a big mess! This year we went for a lovely meal on Upper Street in Islington and then headed back to our local, The Island Queen, as we couldn’t be chewed with the hassle and bustle of Upper Street.

We got seated at the bar and got the Aspalls-a-flowing. But then, James went to the bar at about 10:15 and was refused to be served because we didn’t have a ‘booking’. I was fuming to say the very least! The bar staff said that we had to have a reservation of a table to be able to stay and be served…there were no signs ANYWHERE in the pub stating you would need a reservation ANYWHERE! We had been in the Island Queen only on Boxing Day and there were no signs, nothing on their ‘website’ and the staff certainly didn’t mention anything. I wanted to place a complaint. But I think them losing our custom is more than adequate thanks.

So hey-ho and off we went, straight back to Upper Street… We ended up in Slim Jims at the top end of Upper Street – it’s an excellent bar… if you like New York “dive bars” you will LOVE Slim Jims! And we do, so we do! We ended up seeing the New Year in at Slim Jims in the end and had an absolutely brilliant time.

If your ever in about Islington, give Slim Jims’s a quick detour, you won’t regret it ;o

Wishing you all health, wealth and happiness in 2010!

Cxx

God is so good and merciful! He gives all of His children what we need at the appointed time.

I have been going through a very turbulent storm for some time now. To be very honest, it is by the grace of God that I am still standing today. I owe it all to the supernatural grace, supernatural faith and supernatural strength that God has equipped me with. I know that every storm and trial in our lives are never wasted. God has personally promised to work everything out for the good of those who love the Lord.I should feel encouraged and not experience life with any fear. Right? Well, yes and no…

I am personally standing on several promises from God regarding my marriage, my home, my family and my life. I have been waiting on God for several years now and I have recently grown anxious because of several unexpected developments. Lately I have noticed a small knock on my door and an unwanted enemy named ‘fear’ trying to creep in and steal my peace and joy. I still have faith that God will deliver, but due to the fact that everything around me is contradicting what God has promised, I cannot help but waiver in my faith sometimes.

But, thus says the Lord! Let me show you how good God is! My church had a women’s summit in September of this year, and during praise and worship I heard the Lord say “Come” in my spirit. I made note of it and placed it aside. Well, I felt troubled earlier today and I knew that I needed a specific word to renew my faith, but I couldn’t put my finger on it. My spirit recalled “Come” and I took out my Concordance and Bible and began to search frantically for “Come” in the scriptures. The only problem was I found so many pages filled with scriptures highlighting “Come” that the effort began to feel hopeless.

I reluctantly laid my head on the sofa with my eyes closed and immediately felt a nudge in my spirit to give up. I knew that was Satan and I refused to give up. I needed a word from the Lord and I was determined to find it. Suddenly the image of Peter walking on water towards Jesus came to mind. I immediately got up and began to look through the Concordance for that scripture. And I found it…

Matthew 14:27-32 says, ‘But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.” And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.’

I realized that God is calling me to “Come” to a deeper level with Him. He wants me to step out in faith and walk on water. God wants to guide me, but I am growing hesitant because of what the world is saying about my situation. The world is wind and it is blowing every negative word, result, situation, thought, vision, and dream my way. I am so busy focusing on the cares and thoughts of the world that I am losing grip of God’s strong hand.

But satan is a liar! I need to ignore the wind and focus on God. The only way He can guide me is if I let go of my fears, inhibitions and the cares of the world. He is holding out His hand for me to take hold, just like He did for Peter. I simply have to believe Him completely and continue to walk on water. I cannot look to the left or to the right. I can’t even look at the water as I walk across. I need to focus on Him and continue to hold His hand. He will not drop me. He will not let me fall. He is my Daddy and He cares for me intimately.

The world will say what it wants to say and believe what it wants to believe. God, on the other hand, has all power in His hand and He can personally work out a miracle in the blink of an eye simply by saying it into existence. He is that powerful and mighty!

So, after thinking it all through, I have personally decided to go ahead and walk on water. I have nothing to lose but everything to gain. I can’t go back because there isn’t anything worth going back to. But boy! Just imagine! If I simply continue to walk on water and live from faith to faith; the things that I can gain from God are limitless! My mind can’t even comprehend all of it!

Yes, Lord, I will follow you completely and without reservations. I will walk on water. Guide me, Lord, as I follow You. Take my hand and lead the way. I trust You with all my heart.

First, the financial aspects of your life a large part is to know your FICO score. This assessment is important, especially if you want to be accepted loans and mortgages. There are many things that can be points, such as the hands, or other outdated information and these types of opportunities, may not for your FICO, to contain factor, you have to keep your credit information the eye all the time.

Her past is really important whenComing to your FICO score calculation, because of your bills, credit card number, the way you buy, as well as manage your debt payments are one of them. To better your past and present risk management is to give you a better financial situation, you are more serious.

In the general field values FICO of 300 to 850, and 850 of the best result, 350 means that the worst of the badEvaluation of the average American has about 720-740, which is an ideal location to see the value, and with low interest rates and more favorable terms shall be rewarded.

You should know that you are in the area is to determine how much credit, you can, and you have the amount of interest is possible. More education you have for your money, you can better manage your money.Do Do not let your credit card, because if you put it will be difficult. To better trackYour FICO score of high finance. Always remember that a high value means that you have a lender is credible.

Well, New Years Eve. It’s so nice to see you again. How long has it been?

Every New Year, bloggers, hipsters and music critics climb out of their holes to post year-end lists. Best Albums. Best Songs. Best Debuts. This year is no exception–only multiply the activity by 10, as we’ve reached the end of a decade: The, uh.. um.. well, no one’s really quite sure–except for this guy. While no one’s rushing to name the decade, everyone’s rushing to define it. So as we wish the 00’s goodbye (the decade, clearly not our 00 skinny jeans, we are hipsters, after all), it’s finally time for every music site, magazine, critic and aficionado to take a stand on the best albums of the decade.

As for me, I’m far too apathetic to actually compile a list. And I’m far too biased to make it sound like I’m being objective. So here it is, the album that defined my decade (and thus should define yours, too):

Paul A. Ab-Dul’s Entirely Biased Opinion on the Best Album of the Unnamed Decade:

Yankee Hotel Foxtrot - Wilco, 2002 (leaked 2001)

Everyone’s heard it: The myth. The lure. The drama. A musical David versus Goliath. The break with Reprise Records. The internet sensation. The final release on Nonesuch Records. But even behind the media hype, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot is an album good enough to stand on its own musically and lyrically.

The masterpiece is branded Wilco’s most “experimental” album. At times, sonic soundscapes, and occasionally full-on walls of noise, disguise the songs underneath. It rewards multiple listens, after which the melodies begin to reveal themselves under the masterfully created cacophonies that complement them perfectly. Underneath it’s jagged edges and fragments, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot is actually very simple; it’s beautiful and at times vulnerable, exploring a great range of emotional depth: the regret of “I Am Trying to Break Your Heart,” the nostalgia of “Heavy Metal Drummer,” the self-assuredness of “I’m the Man Who Loves You,” the longing of “Ashes of American Flags.” Some of Tweedy’s best songwriting coheres the album lyrically. Although the album was written and recorded before September 11th, it eerily invokes the spirit of post-9/11 America. It’s difficult to divorce the imagery of songs like Jesus, Etc. and Ashes of American Flags from the immediate context of its release, though unintended.

Jeff Tweedy himself sums up the spirit of Yankee Hotel Foxtrot best in Greg Kot’s Wilco: Learning How to Die:
“I started writing from the viewpoint of America as this imagined space, the America that exists in everyone. There is nothing more abstract to me than the idea of a country. These solitudes exist so apart from each other in the sea of white noise and information. And the beautiful thing is they keep transmitting to each other in the hope that somebody is going to find them. And the beauty is that people still do, still find some meaning in another person, in a relationship, find some way to communicate, even though more often than not it’s in a way that’s not what they intended. Because some communication is better than giving up or not communicating at all.”

Yankee Hotel Foxtrot is shaken, but slightly hopeful; a little lost, but reaching out to find meaning and comfort in things–not the least of which is in each other. Between the fragments of noise, Tweedy’s voice and images capture a universal zeitgeist of this past decade.

————————

Though I value my opinion over all others, I’d like to extend this question to everyone*: what album defined your decade? I’m interested to know. Maybe when Bobcat gets her shit together, she’ll grace us with a post on her pick, too.

Until then, I wish all you hipsters a safe and happy New Year.
See you in the.. ’10s?

*everyone but the staff writers of Pitchfork.

Restaurants are like airliners: either they are similar to 99% of every airline company, or they are Southwest. They either take reservations or they don’t. Personally, I find restaurants that would prefer the cattle-call system that Southwest uses to be rather primitive, and usually employed by corporate restaurants. They would just rather open the doors and let the stampede of hungry bovine swarm the prime real estate that most in the industry would call “the good section”. If they’re going to do this, why not just set up a trough and let them eat at their leisure? Oh yeah, they have that – it’s called a buffet.

Reservations are crucial in a restaurant for many reasons. I wouldn’t even dare to bring my family out to a restaurant that didn’t have reservations. Walking in and trying to find two or three tables to push together to make a table large enough for eight can be a major chore. A group that size will end up waiting 30-40 minutes at 7:30 just on principle alone. Of course, some restaurants have tables that size that are saved for parties that large, but should a party that size not come in that shift, the server ends up getting the short end of the stick.

Also, reservations generally will let the rest of the restaurant know just how busy the restaurant floor is going to be that night. In a restaurant that has 40 tables and averages 120 covers a night, 15 reservations means that there are that fewer tables in the restaurant, leaving only 25 for walk-ins – the majority of the business a restaurant takes in. To the restaurant, 15 reservations means that the night is going to be rather busy. However, should there only be one or two reservations, the manager can make a decision of whether or not to keep a full staff and perhaps let some of his employees leave early to enjoy SIN night and get hammered by 8 pm.

Reservations are always a good idea and they can affect the customer, even if the customer is a walk-in. There was a recent TV show that paid a restaurant to let them pull a prank on the customers, telling them that every table in the restaurant was reserved, so they had to wait 45 minutes to an hour to be seated. The kicker was that every table in the restaurant was empty. Hilarity ensued as those customers threw a fit. One could take away something important from this situation, other than just a giggle: just because a table is empty doesn’t mean that it’s available.  Many times have customers argued with a hostess or manager because they see an open table that’s meant to be reserved for someone arriving 30 minutes later. The hostess isn’t going to change that reservation to please an angry customer. We’d much rather have one angry customer who had to wait 15 minutes, than having two angry customers, including the person who was smart enough to call ahead a reservation.

Think of it this way: a reservation is a way that a customer can say “I’ve decided when and where I’m eating tonight, so I don’t want to have to wait for a table when I get there even if it’s busy”. How great is that? It’s like being pushed through the velvet rope at a trendy Hollywood Club without sacrificing $100 to the bouncer, or performing some other dispicable act. Even the guy who looks like Bill Gates’ college-day mugshot can get a reservation.

This new figure of “Figma Tsuchimiya Kagura” from Ga-Rei: Zero, will be available next year in April 2010 by Max Factory for 2,800 Yen retail price. Hobby Search is taking reservations for her as of today.

Instant get~ ( ^ _ ^ )

This new 1/8 scale figure of “Black Rock Shooter Black Blade Ver.” will be available next year in April 2010 by Good Smile Company for 6,800 Yen retail Price. Hobby Search is taking reservations for her as of today with 20% off at 5,200 Yen ^^

Much cheaper than the Rock Cannon Ver. because of her compact base. Better be fast if you want to pre-order if you know what I mean. Instant get no doubt~ ( ^ _ ^ )

Revere Beach Reservation

Revere Beach Bathhouse, Courtesy: Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Conservation and Recreation Archives

In a review of Italian Gardens by Charles A. Platt, Landscape Architect Charles Eliot writes that “our public has still to learn that only by designing buildings and their surroundings as one harmonious composition can a happy result be secured in either the formal or the picturesque style [of landscape design].[1]” The review best captures and reflects the ideals of Charles Eliot and his interest in architecture enhancing and complementing the natural environment. Eliot believed that ordinary citizens were the guardians of natural scenery and that they should consider themselves true trustees of nature.[2] As a fierce advocate for open spaces for the enjoyment of everyone, Eliot believed that his work with a public commission should and would benefit all levels of society including ‘the common people’, ‘the ordinary people’, and the ‘crowded populations.’[3]  In 1893, as a result of his tremendous vision, the Metropolitan Park Commission was established, launching in local stardom the careers of two extraordinary architects, Frederick W. Stickney and William D. Austin.

The scholarship on the work of Stickney and Austin for the Metropolitan Park Commission is lacking. Their work in designing facilities for recreation in the metropolitan areas of Boston played a role in reflecting the ideals and social classes of the time. Through the examination of the possible driving influences behind the work of Stickney and Austin for Revere Beach Reservation, much light can be shed into the men behind the architecture and the people who sought leisure in these places.

The Metropolitan Park Commission originally consisted of 12 cities and 24 towns which comprised the metropolitan area of Boston.[4] In a letter written to Governor Russell in 1890, indicating a pressing need for open spaces and of the possibility of a metropolitan system of parks, Charles Eliot urged the governor to include remarks on metropolitan parks in his forthcoming address to the 1891 session of the General Court[5]. The eloquence and persuasiveness of Eliot led to the creation of the first metropolitan system of parks in America.[6]

As a landscape architect and consultant to the Commission, Eliot believed that one of the first goals of the Commission was to make the acquisition of ocean areas a priority.[7]Revere Beach, just north of Boston, became one of Eliot’s first successes with the Commission of which he commented “the present condition of this beach is a disgrace.”[8] The Metropolitan Park Commission not only did manage to protect and preserve the natural scenery of Boston, but also commission Stickney and Austin to design facilities which further enhanced and harmonized with the surroundings, reflecting the social classes of Boston for whom these public lands were set aside for.

For the architecture of Revere Beach, Eliot envisioned “a row of buildings which most eventually face the public beach throughout its whole length and should compelled to conform with exactness to this long and grand sweep.”[9]

Revere Beach Police Station, Stickney and Austin. Courtesy of Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Conservation and Recreation Archives

Stickney and Austin designed eight bathing pavilions, a Bandstand, a Bathhouse, a Police Station, and the Superintendent’s House. The architecture of Revere Beach reflects the influence of the Italian Renaissance Revival which evokes “a Mediterranean flavor for this seaside reservation.”[10] One of the first buildings to be completed at Revere Beach was the Bathhouse which opened in time for the summer season.[11]  “The gigantic bathhouse to be put up for the accommodation of the bathers at Crescent Beach” soon became one of the grandest and most celebrated buildings on the reservation.[12] The first of three buildings planned by the commissioners for Revere Beach, it was constructed of brick with terracotta trim and terracotta tile roof topped with an elaborate, multistoried windowed cupola. It contained a central administration building, an office, a laundry, a steam plant, a toilet room, and a detention area. Unfortunately, the bathhouse was demolished in 1962 to make way for a more “modern” facility which was in turn demolished a few years later for a highway.

Superintendent's House, 1905, Revere Beach. Courtesy of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Conservation and Recreation Archives

The Police Station at Revere Beach, completed in 1899, follows the Italian Renaissance Revival influence observed in the Bathhouse. Designed with an imposing 62-foot campanile bell tower used to survey the beach, the Station also featured an arcaded brick façade, a granite base course and molded terracotta tile caps for the roof.[13] The development of Revere Beach as a reservation for the people represents a change in America in the beginning of the 20^th century which is reflected not only in the social class that frequented the Beach, but also in the buildings of Stickney and Austin. The result of “developing the public property for the advantage and comfort largely of the poorer classes” is in recorded in the large number of the working class who resorted to Revere Beach to enjoy the outdoors.[14]

The architecture of Stickney and Austin is best summarized in an article published in the Boston Daily Globe in 1895 in which the newspaper praises and refers to The Norman School Building in Lowell, designed by the firm as the “envy of all of Massachusetts.” The Globe writes that “Lowell will have one of the best equipped normal school buildings in the State.”[15] It is clear that the author was praising the school building as one of the finest in the state, even at its initial stages of design, but the artistic skills of the architects behind the building place Frederick Stickney and William Austin among the finest architects in the state of Massachusetts in the first part of the 20^th century.

Both of these architects were graduates of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s School of Architecture and had been exposed to the works of Stanford White, Peabody and Stearns, Hartwell and Richardson, and Carrere and Hastings as well H.H. Richardson. As architects, Stickney and Austin not only managed to designed most of the structures for the Metropolitan Park Commission, but also for the City of Boston, shingle style houses in Maine and mansions for the wealthy in Long Island. They proved with their work for the Metropolitan Park Commission that they could design in a variety of architectural styles capturing the vision of Charles Eliot of designing buildings and their surroundings as one harmonious composition. Their architecture reflected the social classes of the time and at Revere Beach this is captured in the massing of the structures and the grounded “feeling” projected in the Police Station and Bathhouse. Revere Beach was the ultimate destination for the working and poor classes of Boston while Nahant Beach, another reservation acquired by the Commission became the destination of Boston’s upper class.

(Nahant Beach will be discussed in the next post)

This post was adapted from a research paper I wrote on the architecture of Stickney and Austin for the Metropolitan Park Commission. The seminar which inspired the topic was on the architecture and planning of Boston taught by Professor Keith Morgan at Boston University.

[1] Charles W. Eliot, Charles Eliot: Landscape Architect (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1999), 549.

[2] Leah A. Schmidt, Images of America: Revere Beach (Portsmouth, NH: Arcadia Publishing, 2002), 11.

[3] Keith N. Morgan, Introduction to Charles Eliot: Landscape Architect, by Charles W. Eliot (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1999), xxxvi.

[4] Norman T. Newton, Design on the Land: The Development of Landscape Architecture (Cambridge, MA: Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 1971), 330.

[5] Ibid, 323.

[6] Ibid, 323.

[7] Leah A. Schmidt, Images of America: Revere Beach (Portsmouth, NH: Arcadia Publishing, 2002), 11.

 [8] Charles W. Eliot, Charles Eliot: Landscape Architect (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1999)

 [9]Ibid, 535.

[10] Keith N. Morgan, “National Register of Historic Landmark Nomination Form Revere Beach Reservation,” (National Park Service and the Massachusetts Historical Commission, December 18, 2000), 19.

[11] Ibid., 19.

[12] “To Accommodate 1000,” Boston Daily Globe, March 12, 1897, 2.

[13] Leah A. Schmidt, Images of America: Revere Beach (Portsmouth, NH: Arcadia Publishing, 2002), 11.

[14] “Boston’s Park System,” Boston Daily Globe, June 4, 1895, 8.

 [15] “Finest in the State,” Boston Daily Globe, June 30, 1895, 24.

Fork and Filet Knife have not sat down for a meal in a very long time. There was a time when culinary adventures were our favorite thing in the world – but, as John Lennon said ‘Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans’.  The thing Fork likes best about old cutlery is the way things just pick up seamlessly and continue as though no time nor tarnish has gone by.

This is what brought us to Odeon.  In it’s hayday Odeon was the coolest place in Tribeca, and while it is now a little long in the tooth, Odeon is still a wonderful restaurant – is it a restaurant, a bistro, a grill, perhaps a tavern? What it definitely is is casual and still attracts a hip clientele. It has a very old-fashioned feel to it – the swinging doors to the kitchen and the wooden phone booths down near the rest rooms are great.

When we were first shown to our table the restaurant was empty so the table was fine. As the restaurant became more crowded every waiter and busboy that walked past our table banged into Fork’s chair. Every bang got Fork’s tines a little more twisted. A quick word with the lovely manager and our table was moved.

In between the laughing and talking we managed to order an appetizer.  We ordered Spicy Chicken Dumplings.  Fork wasn’t too sure what this was going to be. Spicy chicken dumplings with a Maytag blue cheese dipping sauce. But what arrived was amazing. They were little dumplings filled with what amounted to boneless buffalo chicken. They had a great spicy kick and the blue cheese dipping sauce turned out to be absolutely perfect. Sitting next to the dumplings was a little cool pile of vinegary slaw. Just the right bit of coolness to soothe the bote of the dumplings. Each dumpling was about a bite and half, Fork and Filet Knife thought they were a bit on the small side.

For a main course, Filet Knife ordered the House Made Rigatoni with braised short rib ragout and asiago cheese. The ragout itself was fantastic. Very smokey and flavorful. The asiago cheese, which can be overpowering, was a good compliment to the rich, heartiness o the braised short ribs. The only real problem with this dish was the pasta! It was a little too mushy. Yes, it was fresh pasta, and yes it is naturally softer, but this was too mushy.

Fork ordered the All Natural Angus Hangar Steak  served with confit potato, asparagus and béarnaise sauce.  The steak was beautiful. Beautifully cooked, beautifully presented and delicious. The béarnaise sauce was divine. The potato confit was very good (if you could find the two or three thin slices of potato), as were the asparagus. But somewhere on that plate, Fork is not sure where it came from, there was the saltiest thing ever. It was under everything. It was like opening a salt shaker and dumping it your mouth. Terribly off putting!

Now dessert. If dessert is good then your meal is good – usually. And this dessert was very good. It was a sophisticated Smore. A round disk of graham cracker crust, about 3″ wide and 1/2″ high, with a pool of chocolate on top, then a thick layer of marshmallow that’s been torched. Wowzer was it good! But, wait,  that’s not it! There was a scoop of hazelnut icecream with toasted hazelnuts underneath and another burnished marshmallow on the side. Do I wish I had the camera and a picture, you would all be drooling!

All in all a pretty terrific place. A little noisy and our waiter a little obnoxious. I suppose he thought we were the type of cutlery that were supposed to be impressed with Odeon and the fact that he works there. Yes, you work there. Do your job and keep the attitude in check, remember you work for tips.

Odeon ~ 145 West Broadway ~ NYC, NY ~ 212.233.0507

The following 2 new entries from Kotobukiya are now ready for reservations ^^

Name: Minase Akiko
Scale: 1/8 (21cm)
Series: Kanon
Release Date: April 2010
Retail Price: 6,800 Yen

Name: Ayane
Scale: 1/7 (21.5cm)
Series: Dead or Alive 4
Release Date: April 2010
Retail Price: 7,800 Yen

Hobby Search is taking reservations for both of them as of today.

One of the better looking Ayane out there ( ^ _ ^ )

The following 2 new entries from Alter are now ready for reservations ^^

Name: Maso Shizuka
Scale: 1/8 (21cm)
Series: Rance VI ~Collapse of Zeth~
Release Date: May 2010
Retail Price: 6,800 Yen

Name: Kataoka Yuki
Scale: 1/8 (18cm)
Series: Saki
Release Date: May 2010
Retail Price: 6,800 Yen

Hobby Search is taking reservations for both of them as of today.

Looking good~ ( ^ _ ^ )

We are all aware of the recent incidents that happened at Kandhamal. The communal clashes that took place saw many lives lost, a lot of property destroyed and many sacred chruches vandalised. At the onset of this blog, I would like to condemn the attacks that happened. The incidents in Karnataka and Orissa, though highlight a deeper problem which has been brewing for sometime now.

The debate on conversions is very rare in a “secular” country like ours. The lack of political will and minority appeasement for vote bank politics are main reasons for this. But leaving the politics apart, the discussion brings to the forefront, some very important questions.

To start with the most basic question, do conversions really happen? The most basic fact put forth is that christians totally account for only 3% of India’s population, so isnt it a small number anyway? Demographic surveys for various states based on religion show that (regardless of the percentage of people to the actual population) the numbers in some states are very high. There are many villages, which till decades back did not have a single christian family, today have totally converted to christianity. This sort of increase is numbers is not possible if the mass conversions do not take place. Even if conversions do take place, what has upset many hindus is that material has been printed depicting the Hindu religion in bad light. The fact many of these missionaries are funded by foreign agencies (see Surendhra Kulkarni’s latest article in the Indian Express) just adds fuel to the fire.

Let us leave for now, the topic of these conversions aside and have a look at the larger picture. There are states today like Karnataka contemplating putting a law together banning forceful conversions. The only state to have implemented such a law is Tamil Nadu. Many readers at this point must be thinking, how can we accept putting laws in place for conversions when we pride ourselves on being a secular country. How can the law stand against our fundamental right to practice any religion which is enshrined in the constitution? How can we ever prove in court that a conversion which was done was forceful or done by paying a “bribe”. If religion is a matter of personal belief then how can we force a person to accept a certain faith? Even if we consider that the person coerced to do so because he needed money or medical help etc, whats stops him from switching back to his “original” religion, once the assistance has been provided?

The second question requires us to debate the topic openly without any prejudices. (Its not just about Hindus converting to Christians, what happens when its vica – versa ? would we look at the problem in the same way?). To answer the first question as to why a debate required at all, the answer simply is freedom of religion in a country like India is an ideal situation. In a country where the religion you belong to brings you certain kinds of benefits (apart from what the faith provides) such as reservations, how can we have complete freedom of religion? To give an example, how would people feel if I became a Dalit because I believe in being a part of the lower strata of society? People would clearly see that the only reason I would do such a thing is because I want access to the reservations provided to them. The same goes for minorities.

The final question, I would like to delve over here with is, why does it happen in the first place? Conversion is seen more among poor people or in tribal and remote, inaccessible areas. In many of these places, the only people providing some sort of facilities like medical aid and education, we must accept, are missionaries. The problem lies with successive governments at the state and the centre consistently neglecting them. The caste related problem have not been alleviated nor have they been provided any protection. Moreover, these areas have never been developed properly (I mean proper roads may not exist in some areas), no facilities been provided which left these people with only one option.

In the end, all I would like to mention is trying to stop conversions by bringing in a law is only a short term solution to the problem. The long term solution is to bring economic development to the areas. But do our leaders have the strength to debate it?

The following 2 new entries from Max Factory are now ready for reservations ^^

Name: Figma Subaru Nakajima Barrier Jacket Ver.
Scale: Non
Series: Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha StrikerS
Release Date: March 2010
Retail Price: 2,800 Yen

Name: Figma Lum
Scale: Non
Series: Urusei Yatsura
Release Date: March 2010
Retail Price: 2,500 Yen

Hobby Search is taking reservations for both of them as of today.

Instant get for both ( ^ _ ^ )

This new 1/8 scale figure of “Sousou (Karin)” from Shin Koihime Musou, will be available next year in May 2010 by Penguin Parade for 7,800 Yen retail price. Hobby Search is taking reservations for her as of today.

Another company that I’m not really familiar with, but looks nice. Now shown here, but the figure have cast off features ( ^ _ ^ )

This new figure of “Nendoroid Kotobuki Tsumugi” from K-ON!, will be available next year in April 2010 by Good Smile Company for 3,500 Yen retail price. Hobby Search is taking reservations for her as of today.

Instant get~ ( ^ _ ^ )

The following 3 new entries from Kotobukiya are now ready for reservations ^^

Name: ~Goddess of Forest~ Elwing
Scale: 1/6 (32cm)
Series: Shining Wind
Release date: April 2010
Retail Price: 8,800 Yen

Name: Kagura Swimsuit Ver.
Scale: 1/7 (10.5cm)
Series: Azumanga Daioh
Release Date: April 2010
Retail Price: 5,800 Yen

Name: Saionji Sekai
Scale: 1/8 (19cm)
Series: School Days
Release Date: March 2010
Retail Price: 6,800 Yen

Hobby Search is taking reservations for all of them as of today.

Well, Elwing is cheaper than we thought it would be. Atleast it’s below 10,000 Yen ( ^ _ ^ )

We apologise in advance for the lack of pictures. This was a last minute adventure. We’ll just have to go back again!

No fuss. No muss. No frills. Fabulous food. That’s what you get from Hill Country.  Hill Country is a mostly self serve restaurant in the Chelsea/Flatiron section of Manhattan. Texas BBQ in the heart of Manhattan. Fork and Spoon have been here a number of times, and will be back many, many times. This is the first time since we began chronicling our adventures.

As you first walk in there is a small bar area that is usually so crowded that you can barely walk up to the hostess station. The entire space is open, lots of tables. You are shown to your table and handed a card that sort of looks like miniature golf score card. You can order drinks from the waitress, everything else is cafeteria style.  The iced tea is not only bottomless, but it’s served in Ball mason jars. Not small Ball jars, mind you, but quart Ball jars!

One station has all the meats. There are pork and beef ribs, boneless prime rib, beef shoulder, pork chops, sausage, chicken, lean brisket and – what Fork and Spoon consider perfection on a fork – moist brisket. The meats are all fantastic. Everything is fresh. Because of the high turnover, nothing has a chance to sit around and dry out. All the meats are smoked low and slow over Texas post oak which is stacked against the walls all over the back of the restaurant. All the meats are sold by the pound and served on butcher paper.

Fork and Spoon have tried most of the meats, but the moist brisket is what we dream about, what makes us come back again and again. This past trip we ordered a pound – to start. It was gone in minutes. If you ask the fellows who slice the moist brisket to order for the end pieces they are more than happy to oblige. (And ladies, if you smile at them, they usually add a few extra pieces onto the paper AFTER it’s been weighed!)  You order, they slice and wrap, you hand them your card and they mark down what you ordered. There is white bread and crackers at the counter for those who feel the need, but Spoon and Fork don’t want to waste a single bit of appetite on anything but moist brisket.

Well, except, perhaps for sides. There is a separate station for sides. There are a number of sides, both hot and cold and all good. There are also some raw produce too – avocados, jalapenos, tomatoes, pickles, and onions. Fork and Spoon have a number of sides that have become favorites. Campfire Baked Beans made with burnt ends. First, anything made with burnt ends is just yummy. The baked beans are thick and rich. They are so flavorful and rich that it eats more like a chili than baked beans. The other side we always order is White Shoepeg Corn Pudding. Fork never liked corn pudding before coming to Hill Country. This is not to mushy. The corn is still crisp. The filling creamy. The top slightly crunchy. Oh, and definitely order the Skillet Corn Bread with Ancho Honey Butter – this last visit the butter was very sweet and not a hint of ancho anywhere.

We would try to describe the rest of the sides but there are so many to choose from, we’d be typing ’til our silver tarnished.

Dessert! How can we have an adventure without dessert. As with meats and sides, there is a separate section for dessert. There are 9 different desserts to choose from – all made on premises – well, except the Blue Bell Ice Cream which is a product straight from Texas. We decided this trip to share a dessert – might have had something to do with the SECOND pound of moist brisket. It was suggested to Spoon that the pecan pie was the best around. Ok, twist our arms. The Bourbon Pecan Pie was great. Slight background taste of bourbon. Very caramelly and sticky. The filling which can at times be too sweet and goopy was more like caramel in consistency.

Because the space is cavernous, the din as it fills up can be a bit much.

Only one downside to this visit, we flagged down one of the usually very attentive servers to ask for hot tea only to be told ‘I wear an apron, I can’t get it for you’ and he walked away. Huh?

Once you’re done eating – or gorging as the case may be -  you take your score card to the cashier and pay. They have jars at the counter for tips for the wait staff.

There are special menus for football days that include wings, quesadillas and nachos. There are now recession specials – Monday all you can eat for $25 – 5:00 to 10:00 and live music; Two for Tuesdays, 2 for 1 drink specials and live music; Thursday night is Ladies’ Night, light beer and mixed drinks discounted; and Fork’s personal favorite – Feed Yer Family Sundays – from 4:00 to 10:00, they have trivia and name that tune, for $20 they serve you brisket, a pork rib and a beef rib, 1/4 chicken, 2 sides and dessert!

Just typing this Fork can hear singing  - brisketbrisketbrisketbrisket – must be Spoon letting Fork know it’s already time to go back!

Hill Country ~ 30 West 26th Street ~ New York, NY ~ 212.255.4544

This new 1/8 scale figure of “Oui” from Sangokushi Taisen 3, will be available next year in March 2010 by Cafe Reo for 6,800 Yen retail price. There will be 2 different version; Normal (Blue) and Limited (White). Hobby Search is taking reservations for both of them as of today.

I personally prefer the limited version, although I’m not really familiar with the maker. I’m passing though ( ^ _ ^ );

I have a ton of good liberal and conservative friends who like me believe all of the stereotypes of Native Americans…this one being that Indians pay NO taxes…Not intending to call anyone out…it is just what Americas school system and news media teach us. Its hard to question those who taught us…those whose job it is to report. While this is from the Associated Press I wonder how many mainstream newspapers ran the story? I read this on REZNET.

IRS SELLS TRIBES LAND TO SETTLE DEBT

by Chet Brokaw

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — The Internal Revenue Service on Thursday auctioned off a large swath of land owned by an impoverished Indian tribe to help pay off more than $3 million in back taxes, penalties and interest — a sale the tribe says is illegal under federal laws protecting Indian land.

The 7,100 acres, or 11 square miles, of Crow Creek Sioux tribal land in central South Dakota ranch sold for almost $2.6 million, less than the $4.6 million it was appraised at, said IRS spokeswoman Carrie Resch. She did not say who bought the land.

The tribe filed a lawsuit Monday in U.S. District court in Pierre seeking to block the sale. Judge Roberto A. Lange declined their request but promised to schedule a trial to hear the tribe’s arguments.

The land in question was part of the tribe’s original reservation established in an 1868 treaty, and was held by the federal government in a trust for the tribe. But it was eventually allotted to individual tribal members, who then sold it to non-Indians, putting it outside the tribe’s legal jurisdiction.

The tribe bought the ranch back in 1998 but the Bureau of Indian Affairs did not put the land back into trust, which would have protected it from seizure, Tribal Secretary Tommy Thompson said.

‘Our Land is Never for Sale’

Tribal Chairman Brandon Sazue said he hopes the tax dispute can still be resolved in a way that allows the tribe to keep the land.

“It’s very disgraceful, very shameful. It’s devastating to us,” Sazue said after the auction. “Our land is never for sale.”

Lawyers said the tribe can purchase the land back during a 180-day redemption period, and the land will not change possession during that time. A trial is tentatively set for March 29-30, which is within the redemption period.

According to the lawsuit, the IRS was auctioning the land to recover more than $3.1 million in federal employment taxes owed by the tribe. The tribe didn’t pay the taxes because it was told, erroneously, by an official connected to the BIA that federally recognized tribes do not have to pay the taxes, according to the lawsuit.

The auction was unnecessary because the tribe is seeking a loan to pay off its tax bill, the lawsuit said.

Read the rest of the story here

Funny (not as in ha ha) that certain banking firms can cause the taxpayers billions with their illegal and immoral activities and the government jumps to print more money to help them out…hmmmmm.

The Crow Creek Band of Sioux are asking for your prayers and blessings in this matter read more here.

Just for the sake of comparison here is a Youtube video of the poverty on the Crow Creek Band of Sioux reservation,

Here is the Chicago house of  J.P.Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon who received 25 BILLION in TARP money from taxpayers.

In 2009 he put this house on the market for 13.5 million dollars…

View the entire gallery at LUXIST

Now just to be fair I have no idea if Mr. Dimon is the one who purchased the ranch and is planning to gift it back to the Crow Creek Band of Indians! Oh wouldn’t that be wonderful!!!

This new figure of “Figma Prince Shotoku” from Gag Manga Biyori, will be available next year in July 23rd, 2010 by Max Factory for 5,980 Yen retail price. Hobby Search is taking reservations for him as of today.

Keep in mind that he’ll be bundled with the special edition release of Jump Square magazine, which explains the high price ( ^ _ ^ )