Thursday, February 26, 2009

I rant, I rave

My cell phone is supposed to be set up so that calls I make come up with my phone number blocked. So why can big companies like Dell, Amex and Boston Globe see my phone number when I call? I guess this is a rhetorical question since we know the answer. Money. Money. Money. That's the answer. In case you didn't get that the answer is money. They have money and I don't have enough. Sprint tells me my number is blocked but then somehow my number isn't blocked. I can see why police and fire should be able to see my number. If my house is burning and I dial 911 and then collapse in a heap of smoke, I want them to be able to find me via the GPS tracking device that is in all phones. But why does Dell need to know it's me calling? I hung up with them in disgust the other day after not being able to get a simple question about an advertisement they placed without "verifying" my address. Bad enough they have my phone number, they want me to "verify" my address. So give me the address and I'll verify it. No, I have to give them the address. Can't you just answer a question? No, they can't even log into their system unless they start a whole new profile...presumably resulting in twice as much junk mail from them.

After I got transfered to India and back, I finally hung up. Then I immediately get a call back from Dell (just what I wanted to avoid, junk mail and phone calls, right?). The guy asks if I just called Dell. Duh, I think you know I did.

Sprint tells me I have ID blocked. But obviously, I don't. When I call my penniless friends, my number is blocked. When I call Dell, etc., it's not blocked.

False advertising on Sprint's part? Absolutely. Payoffs to Sprint from big business? Probably.

What to do? Call your congressman?

Saturday, February 21, 2009

How cool are these?


I am crazy about all things flamingo (yes, I do have a plastic one that is now my dining room).

Soup, mmm (part 6)

This is butternut squash soup with granny smith apples. The apples gave it a nice subtle tartness. The weird ingredient was 2 slices of white bread which I think was supposed to help with the consistency (but didn't). Next time I will decrease the amount of water and increase the amount of squash to see if that gets it any thicker. This is just a close up to show the detail on the plate. I found these soup bowls in an antique store and then years later found the exact same pattern in a gravy bowl and serving platter.


Stuff from the 'hood

This was just a close up of the only plant with any color on it so I decided to take the picture. Not sure how I did this or if it just happened by accident but I like the way the left side of the photo seems a little out of focus. I would really like to know how to accomplish this because I see a lot of food photos like that and really like them. So if you know...pass it on please.






You can't really tell from this photo but the arch portion of this window has stained glass. I live in a place that doesn't have many or great windows and am always looking for ways to improve my condo - besides knocking out all the walls which I am somewhat obsessed with.






Soup, mmm (Part 5)

This is your basic cream of ... soup. This particular version is cream of asparagus. I grilled the asparagus tips and placed them right on top.


This is the same soup with a bit of gruyere cheese on top.





Thursday, February 19, 2009

Nestegg

I got to thinking about my nestegg the other day...really trying hard not to think of it but that's the surest way to being unable to get it out of your head, right.

So I'm at the dvd section of the library and low and behold, there's Lost in America. If you haven't seen this, you should. It was written, directed and stars Albert Brooks as David; Julie Haggerty is his wife Linda. He has a meltdown after not getting a promotion at work and quits. They decide to sell everything and buy an RV and just travel across the country like Easy Rider (this is one of the running jokes of the movie). First night out, they stop in Las Vegas to renew their vows and have one last extravagent night in a hotel. Linda ends up going to the casino in the middle of the night and loses almost everything. They have some paltry sum left.

David is sullen and subdued the next morning as they head out of town until he finally lets loose about the nestegg with the following.

"If you understood the nest egg principal as we now call it...do me a favor, don't use that word. It's off limits to you. Only those in this house who understand the nestegg may use it. And don't use any part of it either. Don't use nest. Don't use egg. If you're out in the forest, you can point. That bird lives in a round stick. And you have things over easy with toast."

So, no, I'm not going to cash in my nestegg (too late for that at this point anyway) but I did enjoy rewatching this movie. It's is one of those that I can just pick any spot in the movie, what for a bit, be happy, and go on to something else. Or I can watch the whole thing in its entirety and have an even better time.

Good stuff.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Manhattan #3

This manhattan was procured at Olivadi in Norwood Center. I took the commuter rail down to Norwood to meet a friend. Olivadi was right near the train station. The bartender, Brian, was very efficient. This perfect manhattan was made with Sazerac and it was delicious. The bar was busy for a Wednesday night but still what I'd consider quiet. No pictures of the cheese and italian meat plate or the light fixtures - both were fantastic. Yeah, I admit it...I get the drink in front of me and all else goes out the window. Nice bar menu for food and we were told that we could order off the full menu if we wanted to. The restaurant was pretty empty but as I was tryng to find the bathroom, I started to walk into the private dining room. Yes, it was occupied but I don't think they noticed me. Probably seats 12 if anyone cares to know.