BEST new show on TV: Anthony Bourdain's Parts Unknown on CNN

I always thought that restaurateur, author, chef, Anthony Bourdain, was a bit of a prick, although I like that sometimes.   Especially his very personal attack on Food Network's chef Paula Deen (didn't disagree with his issue about her diabetes, but the rather nasty way he treated her.

I was totally shocked when I watched one of the first shows of his new show, Parts Unknown, on CNN and was completely enthralled.   The first episode that I saw was the Korea Town in LA.   I became addicted immediately.  I've watch every episode since.

Bourdain, a dude who captures my heart with his profanity

First of all, the dude has a sailor vocabulary that he shares unabashedly on the show.   He said 'fuck' several times.  He said 'shit'.   He said 'god damned'.   I relish others who swear the way I do.  I fell in love with the show instantly with the first 'fuck' that was uttered.

Myanamar episode

But more importantly, Parts Unknown, is a very intelligent sociological, journalistic show in addition to being a "foodie"-oriented show.   The essence of the show is about discovering food in all sorts of exotic far flung places.  But like I said, the show transcends a food discovery show.

Last week's show from Libya, was perhaps some of the most impactful reporting I've seen since Gaddafi's death.  And yet, it ultimately made my mouth water.

Libya episode

One example, a breakfast item, which is sort of a flattened "donut" fried with an egg or to in it.  Another segment at a seafood shop made Seattle's Fisherman's Wharf's vendor offerings pale in comparison.

Dish from the Los Angeles Korea Town episode

Since the first LA Korea Town episode I've watched with more and more obsessiveness shows profiling:  Colombia, Canada (Quebec), Morocco (Tangier), Libya.   In fact, I've viewed each episode multiple times.

A Tangine from the Morocco episode

Canada (Quebec episode)

Libya episode

I'm bored with television for the most part.  I've lost any interest in the faux reality shows (Housewives, etc).   But this show is as real as it gets.   And Bourdain, who often looks haggard in a dashing way, is so very erudite, humorous, and ballsy, that you must check out this show.

After only a half a dozen episodes CNN has renewed the series for a second season.  I'm not the only viewer impressed with Parts Unknown.

Bordain in the Morocco episode

The show is on at 9pm Eastern on Sunday.   Please go to the website to learn more (click here).  But more importantly, give yourself a gift, and became a viewer of this show.  You'll become a more educated foodie, but more importantly, you'll be eminently aware of the diverse world in which we live.

Food from the LA Korea Town episode

Proposed Mumbai Skyscraper Will Be Its Tallest and Greenest

 Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture‘s proposal for Mumbai’s tallest building, the Imperial Tower, which will be a slender 116-story, 400-meter residential skyscraper. According to AS+GG, the svelte structure the extremely tall and thin tower is designed (two adjectives you don’t normally associate with sturdiness). 

All images courtesy of AS+GG

The tower, if built, will include "sky gardens," which have been designed to "dampen" wind eddying about the tower helping the structure to stand strong against a sudden gale. 

AS+GG designed the skyscraper to minimize its effects on climate change. Environmentally friendly features include rainwater harvesting, gray water recycling, and exterior cladding to limit solar heat gain. A fascinating aspect of the design is the possibility that the apartments’ kitchens and bathrooms could be prefabricated by a local factory.

It's beautiful.......wonder if it will be built.

All images courtesy of AS+GG

All images courtesy of AS+GG

All images courtesy of AS+GG

All images courtesy of AS+GG

http://www.theatlanticcities.com/design/2013/05/will-mumbais-tallest-skyscraper-be-its-greenest-too/5500/

ME WANT! Coming soon--FLYING CAR

Terrafugia, a Massachusetts based firm, has announced they are developing a vertical takeoff and landing vehicle called the TF-X which could, in theory, hop over traffic and fly for 500 miles. The vehicle would cost approximately $300,000.

The TF-X will travel at 200mph powered by a 300 hp jet engine.  On the ground, the TF-X is a plug-in hybrid and drives like any other automobile.  I'd love tooling around in this and all of the stares and gapes it would garner.

It also can take off vertically.

The car on the street and highway with the wings folded.

Here's a video:


The company also offers a propellor version of this car/aircraft know as the Transition®.
This version is in a more advance stage and is a more economical version.

The MOST beautiful actress of all time: AUDREY HEPBURN

It's really hard to narrow down the most beautiful screen actress of all time......there have been so many stunningly beautiful women.   But one, Audrey Hepburn, had a presence, a serenity, a magnetism, that the others were only second too.

I have always been obsessed with Audrey Hepburn, since I was a little kid.  I watch Breakfast At Tiffany's every six months or so.   This is the most quintessential Hepburn film of all.  It evoked the sophistication and uniqueness of the actress.

 

Today is the actress' birthday.  She would have been 84 years old.

Vanity Fair has a great article about the actress with great photos.  The article is titled:  "Audrey Hepburn’s Roman Street Style:  from outdoor cafés to sporty convertibles, the Roman sites and scenes frequented by Audrey Hepburn, resident of the Eternal City." (see the cover article, click here)

Please see an earlier blog posting on Breakfast At Tiffany's: click here.

OMG.......where the pho-ck has PHO been all my life.

A friend just recently introduced me to the Vietnamese soup, named 
pho (phở pronounced [fəː˧˩˧] (  listen)).

It is the most heavenly dish ever.

I think it is the broth.  Or, maybe it's the rice noodles.....or maybe it's the beef tendons.  No, maybe it's the garnishes.  All of these things together create the most amazing culinary experience.

Pho is served in a bowl with a specific cut of white rice noodles in clear beef broth, with slim cuts of beef (steak, fatty flank, lean flank, brisket). Variations feature tendon, tripe, or meatballs in southern Vietnam. Chicken pho is made using the same spices as beef, but the broth is made using only chicken bones and meat, as well as some internal organs of the chicken, such as the heart, the undeveloped eggs and the gizzard.

Broth

The broth for beef pho is generally made by simmering beef bones, oxtails, flank steak, charred onion, charred ginger and spices. For a more intense flavor, the bones may still have beef on them. Chicken bones also work and produce a similar broth. Seasonings can include Saigon cinnamon or other kinds of cinnamon as alternatives (may use stick or powder), star anise, roasted ginger, roasted onion, black cardamom, coriander seed, fennel seed, and clove. The broth takes several hours to make.[14][15] For chicken pho, only the meat and bones of the chicken are used in place of beef and beef bone. The remaining spices remain the same, but the charred ginger can be omitted, since its function in beef pho is to get rid of the "cow's smell".

The spices, often wrapped in cheesecloth or soaking bag to prevent them from floating all over the pot, usually contain: clove, star anise, coriander seed, fennel, cinnamon, black cardamom, ginger and onion.

Careful cooks often roast ginger and onion over an open fire for about a minute before adding them to the stock, to bring out their full flavor. They also skim off all the impurities that float to the top while cooking; this is the key to a clear broth. Salt, or preferably nước mắm (fish sauce) is added toward the end.

Garnishes

Typical garnishes for phở Sài Gòn, clockwise from top left are: onions, chili peppers, culantro, lime, bean sprouts, and Thai basil.

Vietnamese dishes are meals typically served with lots of greens, herbs, vegetables, and various other accompaniments, such as dipping sauces, hot and spicy pastes, and a squeeze of lime or lemon juice; it may also be served with hoisin sauce. The dish is garnished with ingredients such as green onions, white onions, Thai basil (not to be confused with sweet basil), fresh Thai chili peppers, lemon or lime wedges, bean sprouts and coriander or culantro. Fish sauce, hoisin sauce and chili sauce may be added to taste as accompaniments.

Several ingredients not generally served with pho may be ordered by request. Extra-fatty broth (nước béo) can be ordered and comes with scallions to sweeten it. A popular side dish ordered upon request is hành dấm, or vinegared white onions.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pho

I have to thank my friend Zack for introducing me to this culinary experience. Where the phock have you been my entire life, Pho?

A SWEET baby elephant is SAVED

I LOVE elephants.  This article is the best medicine from my last blog post. It is from DailyMail online.  To read more, click here.

Excerpt from the article:

"A baby elephant who was almost hacked to death by ivory poachers is walking again thanks to an ingenious new boot and lots of TLC.  The 17-month-old calf called Suni was found in Zambia almost a year ago dragging herself along by her front legs, weak and dehydrated, after suffering severe axe wounds."

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2311547/Orphaned-baby-elephant-nearly-hacked-death-left-paralysed-ivory-poachers-walks-thanks-special-boot.html#ixzz2QxfIMbZD
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

This gruesome story is happening in the few locations on the planet where elephants still live.  According to DailyMail Online, this and other violence to elephants continues, because:

"Elephant poaching across Africa is now at its highest level for more than 20 years, which campaigners say is due to increased demand for ivory from newly affluent Chinese consumers."

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2311547/Orphaned-baby-elephant-nearly-hacked-death-left-paralysed-ivory-poachers-walks-thanks-special-boot.html#ixzz2QxgDE5kU
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

So basically we are wiping out the entire population of pachyderms that still exists on our planet (approximately 200,000 to 300,000), with great brutality I might add, simply to provide another trophy in the hobby/collection for/of a rich person.   I quote DailyMail article:

'The sale of any ivory - legal or not - is creating demand. No one needs ivory. It is a beautiful substance, but the only ones who need it are elephants'

 Cynthia Moss of the Amboseli Elephant Research Project in Kenya

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2311547/Orphaned-baby-elephant-nearly-hacked-death-left-paralysed-ivory-poachers-walks-thanks-special-boot.html#ixzz2QxkmRZQx
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

There are so many organizations that you can support to eliminate the descimation of this noble species by our pathetic, ignoble species.  Please support them in any way you can.

Vets preparing Suni for her operation: Specialist flew in from Norway and the U.S. operate on the orphaned youngster and fit her with the aluminium leg support which has put her back on her feet


• Elephant Orphanage Project     http://www.davidshepherd.org/project/zambia-park-protection-programme-incorporating-the-elephant-orphanage-project/

• Amboseli:  Africa's Elephant Park

http://www.amboseli.com

• Elephant Orphanage Project http://worldwildlife.org/species/elephant

R.I.P. to my beloved dog "Chips"

My life will never be the same without you, buddy.  I will never forget you.  Yesterday marks an end of my life in so many ways, now that I am without you, sweet pea.

A New MUSICAL with JEFF BUCKLEY's music

A new musical inspired by the work of Jeff Buckley will open in San Diego at the Old Globe Theater and may end up on Broadway.

The Last Goodbye sets Buckley's haunting music to the script of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.

Read more of this story at the Telegraph or The Hollywood Reporter.

See another blog entry from this site about Buckley, who is one of my favorite singers ever.

I LOVE Elephants

A protective elephant charges at a pack of hyenas to protect its injured calf

Add caption

These amazing pictures were captured by American photographer Jayesh Mehta, 47, in the Savuti region of the Chobe National Park in Botswana

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2303350/Heart-stopping-moment-protective-elephant-charges-pack-hyenas-protect-injured-calf.html#ixzz2QGgCKQo2 
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

I'm totally TEAM JUAN MARTINEZ in the TRAVIS ALEXANDER murder case

I cannot listen one more second to the alleged defense expert, Alyce LaViolette.  I would hope that a true "expert" (as in a PhD or MD, please) with more than a master's degree would analyze the psychological behavior and brutal murder of this man.  The "big picture" as Ms. LaViolette keeps referring to that she professionally focuses on and has captured......only one perspective.  The Jodie Arias perception.  Her professional analysis has been based simply upon this defense witness's visits in jail for 44 hours.  She also read the voluminous amount of written and other material between Mr. Alexander and Ms. Arias.  She didn't, because of her own rules, interview anyone to investigate that Mr. Alexander wrote.  She has based her narrow professional decision on two things:   the verbal story according to the murderer, Jodie Arias, and the written/audio evidence in the case.  She is not even aware of some of the things that we have all watched in testimony by other witnesses.  I am angry that she was paid for this charade.

Juan Martinez (see photo above), the prosecuting attorney in Arizona, is a shining example of someone who takes their job seriously and devotedly, but not necessarily personally (unlike the supposed defense experts).   And given his job, in this case, someone with balls to try this crazy admitted-murdering monster, deserves an hourly rate far beyond this defense expert witnesses.  I think all of the hours that both of the last "expert defense witnesses" should be retrieved from them and given to Mr. Martinez and the defense attorney's.  

If you are unfamiliar with this case which has gone on now for 45 days and been televised 24/7 by HLN (with commentary and followup) it is the most bizarre thing I've ever seen. If you don't know about this case, then you can start at the links below.  I'd then suggest that you go to youtube and watch all of the live footage of the trial from the last forty-five days.   Here are some suggested links:

wikinpedia's listing about this case
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killing_of_Travis_Alexander

Travis Alexander's obituary
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/pe/obituary.aspx?n=Travis-Alexander&pid=111722519#fbLoggedOut

Most current release of crime scene photos (warning:  very graphic)Jodi Arias Signed Manifesto 'In Case She Became Famous', Prosecutor Says
http://radaronline.com/photos/new-photos-travis-alexander-crimes-scene-warning-graphic-images/photo/514092/

Jodi Arias Signed Manifesto 'In Case She Became Famous', Prosecutor Says
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/08/jodi-arias-manifesto-day-42_n_3041141.html

I am not a proponent for capital punishment.

Since the defendant in this case admitted (after several years of lying) that she killed Mr. Alexander, the victim who Mr. Martinez is valiantly representing, this isn't really much of a who-done-it trial.   I just hope that this jury doesn't have some sympathy toward this woman who stabbed her boyfriend, Mr. Alexander, 29 times, almost cut off his head and then shot him in the head.  That is a savageness and rage that indicates that the defendant has extreme psychological problems.  The fact that she has told so many lies is yet again another indication of her very savage, psychotic nature.   And now, she has allowed her defense to paint Mr. Alexander as the monster.  It seems to add insult to inure, pardon the very bad pun (albeit relevant).

I have been riveted with this entire trial, I am embarrassed to say.  I think, as fierce as he's been, the case prosecute Juan Martinez, has shown what excellence and commitment to performing one's job the best you can, is really admirable and I am inspired.

If the defense's "experts" had equal amount of conviction and
gravitas, then maybe you could buy into their expertise (which they are earning at $200-$300 an hour).

But back to capital punishment....in my opinion, if anyone deserved a death sentence, it is this person who killed Travis Alexander.  Unfortunately, I can't logically find a comfortable place where a society/civilization says ending another person's life against their wishes is the worst criminal act and therefore punishable in a other death.   We must evolve as a species to a more sophisticated, educated place.  If we can't, we'll still be having wars in the middle east and Muslims, Jews, Christians, etc fighting each other 2000 years from now.  It's pathetic now.  But how much more pathetic would it be then?

As much as I think that Travis Alexander's confessed-killer, the self-defendant in this case, should have her head chopped off.  And yet, I hope that doesn't happen.

Give her a life sentence.   IF that jury lets her off with anything less than that punishment, considering the brutality of Mr. Alexander's murder and what we now know about how deranged the defendant is, then it will truly be a travesty of justice.   But more than that, it will be one more example of how we simply can't move beyond our barbarian ancestry.

I feel horrible for Travis Alexander's family who have bravely been at this trail daily, watching him portrayed as a monster by the monster who hacked him up.

The only monster is the defendant.  Not only did she hideously, barbarically murder their loved one but she continues to do so metaphorically in the courtroom.   All so that she doesn't receive the death sentence?  That seems like further evidence of her psychopathy/sociapathy.   It is admirable that Mr. Alexander's family continue to be in the court daily despite this salacious and slanderous trail.  His family really have now been twice assaulted by this insane woman.

Rest in peace, Travis Alexander.    And I hope his family will in ten years not have to suffer this nightmare that is going on day by day.

And to the admitted killer who is on trial.  I don't know what happened to you in your life that brought you to this psychopathy and consequence.   Do you?

  

CURIOUS and revolutionary new DESIGN for ORIGAMI CONDOMS

This is quite beautiful to look at.   At first glance one thinks its a device to pleasure oneself sexually, i.e. vibrator/dildo.   It is neither:  it's a revolutionary new design for a male condom.  And, it's designed to enhance pleasure and to facilitate user ease.

I'm intrigued by its design and use/performance/mechanics possibilities.  Maybe it will improve the experience for user and receiver?     It's very accordion.   I mean, Freudian.  No, I mean accordion.......That just sparks all sorts of thoughts.

It really is a beautiful product design.  In both its approach to form and function.  And it is a complete reinvention of one of the most commonplace of human tools.  Apparently, it is Origami-inspired.   Read more at Huntington-Post article, click here.   I very much enjoyed hearing the experiences of Danny Resnic, creator and co-owner of Origami Condoms.

Hallelujah!  Mankind takes another small step forward in the midst of a thousands of evolutionary steps backward.  But this website is here to focus on the "half-full" perception of life.   Well, I guess this wasn't the best example if you're a Catholic (and I'm not) for half full of life.  But one could equally argue that it is the most inspirational and interesting of current product designs, condoms or not.    And if you aren't in support of birth control or abortion, then I suggest, politely, this isn't the right blogsite for you.  Not disprespectin' your beliefs, in any way.

I'LL EAT YOU LAST: New Play on Broadway with DIVINE MISS M

Photo by Ellen von Unwerth from http://www.illeatyoulast.com

http://www.bettemidler.com

Bette Midler begins previews Broadway tonight on for new Broadway play, I'll Eat You Last:  A Chat With Sue Mengers, the iconic Hollywood agent from the seventies and eighties.

The play is written by Tony winner John Logan and directed by Tony winner Joe Mantello with an official opening expected for April 24.

This interesting play and casting of one of the world's most prima diva splaying the character of one of Hollywood's ultimate divas and biggest power brokers.   Ms. Menger's was the first female agent in Hollywood.  Not only that, was she a Hollywood pioneer would wielded a great deal of power for a great deal of time (almost a miracle in that industry).

Somehow I think Miss M, who has always been one of my favorite performers (with her first album shown to the left), also has the empath as well as SYMPATH, to perhaps make the character more than one-dimensional.  They certainly burned with their own luminosity in their own distinct ways.  Do you think this is what drew Miss M to the role?

If anyone sees this, please let me know what you think.

photo via www.articles.com

Here's a photograph of Sue Mengers  in her hey-day.

Since many of you may not be aware of both these talented ladies, here's more information to learn from.  Ms. Midler.  Ms. Mengers has passed to the better side in 2011.  Read the Vanity Fair article by Graydon Carter in October 2011, Remembering Sue Mengers:  Everyone Came to Sue's

Visit Bette Midler's website at http://www.bettemidler.com.

But better than than all of that, go see the fucking play and tell us about it.  For more information:

I'll Eat You Last: A New Play by Hollywood's most outrageous superagent, Sue Mengers.

Despite the success or lack thereof of this endeavor, a learned person should be aware of these two goddesses.