life:and:lim http://stephanie.posterous.com create. and. consume. posterous.com Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:38:53 -0800 Most people probably won't care, but I am super excited that my alma mater is finally recognizing Ethnic Studies as a legitimate secondary concentration (major). http://stephanie.posterous.com/most-people-probably-wont-care-but-i-am-super http://stephanie.posterous.com/most-people-probably-wont-care-but-i-am-super This is the result of over 30 years of activism and fighting the good fight.  I was involved in the push for Ethnic Studies during my college years and I never thought I'd see the day it finally came to pass.  This is awesome news and I'm so excited!
_______________________

From: A***** L**
Date: Thu, Nov 19, 2009 at 11:07 AM
Subject: Ethnic Studies Secondary has passed!

Hello everyone,

Harvard's Educational Policy Committee has officially approved the Ethnic Studies Secondary Field! Beginning in Fall 2010, students will receive official recognition from the college for completing coursework in (as the official title calls it) "Studies of Ethnicity, Indigeneity, Migration, and Human Rights." 

THIS IS A HUGE VICTORY FOR ETHNIC STUDIES AT HARVARD!  Current freshmen, sophomores, and juniors will be able to apply for retroactive secondary credit (meaning - if you are taking "Ethnic Studies"-related courses this year or have in past years) next fall.

Other developments in the Ethnic Studies program at Harvard:
  • First Harvard Ethnic Studies Conference to take place on Apr. 9, 2010. We hope this is the beginning of a yearly or at least biennial event.
  • Active faculty on Standing Committee on Ethnic Studies, which oversees development of courses, course credit, Ethnic Studies events, prizes, etc.
  • Development of several Gen Ed "portal courses" which can double-count for Gen Ed and Ethnic Studies
  • Current development of praxis courses
  • Creation of Ethnic Studies Prize for the best senior thesis/theses in Ethnic Studies
  • Academic advising
  • Office with 1 staff member
Harvard students have had an extensive history fighting for Ethnic Studies (see Crimson archives here), and our success this year could not have been possible without all the efforts of the students, faculty, and alumni who came before us! 

We're honored that we could be here to witness the results of those efforts. Many thanks to the Faculty Committee on ES (which has been VERY open to working with students), the student organizations that have been involved, and individual undergraduate and graduate students alike who have supported and been involved this year and in years past.

Will keep you updated,

The Ethnic Studies Coalition

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/21733/Profile_Pic.jpg http://posterous.com/people/F1CfDR Stephanie Lim stephanie Stephanie Lim Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:45:00 -0800 Want to see something bizarre? Watch all the clips of Dakota Fanning on the Ellen Degeneres show. In chronological order. http://stephanie.posterous.com/want-to-see-something-bizarre-watch-all-the-c http://stephanie.posterous.com/want-to-see-something-bizarre-watch-all-the-c

At 15 years old, 11/1609 (yesterday).  Talking about playing the villain in New Moon.

Yesterday, Dakota Fanning appeared on Ellen Degeneres' talk show for something like the fifth time in the last 8 years.  She was there to talk about her role in Twilight: New Moon, as villainous vampire Jane.  It's the most grown-up any of us have seen her yet, but us old fogies might remember when she was nothing but a pocket-sized tot, albeit an extraordinarily talented and preternaturally mature one.

Watching the clip made me curious about watching some of her other appearances, and seeing the clip of Dakota on The Ellen Show at 9 years old in early 2004, with so much infectious giggly energy and an incredible vocabulary, I was struck by how mind-boggling it is to watch someone grow up before your very eyes.  

Not to mention how bizarre it is that at 9, she behaves EXACTLY like some grown women I've seen, from the perfect half-hug-kiss-on-the-cheek she gives Ellen to her amazing story-telling abilities. I'm really impressed with what a graceful 15-year-old she's grown up to be--much calmer but you can still see that spark, the way she says "thank you SO much!" as a proper response to compliments, and, of course, that impressive vocabulary.

I'm still a little sad they never got the Ender's Game movie together in time for her to play Petra Arkanian, because she would have been perfect for it.

1) At 7 years old, in an episode of The Ellen Show called "Missing the Bus."  She appears at 1:20 if you want to skip forward.

2) At 9 years old, her most adorable ever.  She is like a miniature-sized adult.  Bizarre.

3) At 11 years old.  Still giggly but a little more subdued.

4) At 14 years old.  No longer a child, not yet a woman.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/21733/Profile_Pic.jpg http://posterous.com/people/F1CfDR Stephanie Lim stephanie Stephanie Lim Sat, 14 Nov 2009 13:14:00 -0800 I just converted on a FB ad for One Kings Lane. Somehow Facebook knows me enough to target me pretty darn well. O_o http://stephanie.posterous.com/i-just-converted-on-a-fb-ad-for-one-kings-lan http://stephanie.posterous.com/i-just-converted-on-a-fb-ad-for-one-kings-lan


I suppose it's not that big of a mystery, seeing as I've listed myself as a fan of Gilt Groupe on Facebook and this new service, One King's Lane, is a down-to-the-letter copycat of the original "exclusive online sample sales" site, except it's for home decor rather than designer fashion.  But it is so weird, as someone who works on online ads but who never clicked on ads before going to Google, to 1) see an ad, 2) realize it was targeted to me with laser precision, 3) click on it knowing that I was making Facebook money (I even bought that call-to-action!), 4) like the landing page and see that it was relevant to me, and 5) actually fill out the form and become a member.  

The only thing left is for me to actually buy something on One King's Lane with my new $25 credit, thus becoming a backend conversion success story.  Somewhere, there is a freshly graduated marketing strategist is looking at his/her numbers and celebrating the number of conversions in his FB ads account.

I mean, in my job I manipulate people all the time into this very conversion process.  I know that's the nature of the beast, that this whole online ads ecosystem exists to bring value to both sellers and users.  And to be sure, if I wind up using my $25 credit to buy some beautiful home stuff that I love, then both parties have come out ahead.  It's just that, as an educated user, I can't help but feel a bit manipulated myself right now.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/21733/Profile_Pic.jpg http://posterous.com/people/F1CfDR Stephanie Lim stephanie Stephanie Lim Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:15:00 -0800 I am most definitely dating a 'nerd.' Now it all makes sense! http://stephanie.posterous.com/i-am-most-definitely-dating-a-nerd-now-it-all http://stephanie.posterous.com/i-am-most-definitely-dating-a-nerd-now-it-all

Garry sent me The Nerd Handbook via Rands in Repose, quite possibly one of the best blog posts of the year, so I could better understand where he's coming from.  Having grown up with my brother as a role model (such that my definition of 'manhood' involves being able to fix my computer rather than carry heavy stuff or play sports etc.), and having some nerd tendencies myself, I can definitely relate, but this guide spells it out so much clearer than anything I've encountered before. 

This article comes at a particularly pithy and relevant time for me.  Despite my adolescent fantasies of romancing tortured writers, wiry athletes, warrior princes, revolutionaries, asian-american christian worship leaders, and shyly passionate high school history teachers, deep down I always knew I'd wind up with a crusty engineer.  My parents are both physics majors and my brother is a classic CS videogame ENTJ, so it's...how you say... in my blood.

I'm amazed at how accurately the guide describes the inner workings of a nerd's mind!  I'm at the same time fascinated and bemused by these odd creatures and I'm sure it will come in handy the next time I want to tear my hair out.  Some quotes that struck a particular chord in me:
  • "A nerd needs a project because a nerd builds stuff. All the time."
  • "At some point, you, the nerd’s companion, were the project. You were showered with the fire hose of attention because you were the bright and shiny new development in your nerd’s life."
  • "It’s clichéd, but a nerd is defined by his computer...He sees the world as a system which, given enough time and effort, is completely knowable."
  • "System-redefining events force your nerd to recognize that the world is not always or entirely a knowable place, and until he reconstructs this illusion, he’s going to be frustrated and he’s going to act erratically."
  • "Your nerd has built himself a cave."
  • "As each part of the project is completed, your nerd receives an adrenaline rush that we’re going to call The High."
  • "Your nerd listens hard to recognize humor potential and when he hears it, he furiously scours his mind to find relevant content from his experience so he can get the funny out as quickly as possible."
  • "Your nerd has an amazing appetite for information."
  • "You love to travel, but your nerd would prefer to hide in his cave for hours on end chasing The High."
  • "You want your nerd to eat healthily so that he’s here in another thirty years, so how do you change this behavior? You make diet and exercise the project."
  • "It’s just as much a nerd’s job to figure you out and maybe someone somewhere is writing an article about your particular quirks. Good news, he’s probably reading it right now."

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/21733/Profile_Pic.jpg http://posterous.com/people/F1CfDR Stephanie Lim stephanie Stephanie Lim Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:50:00 -0800 Foodie Tuesday, 1 day late: Blue Corn Pancakes http://stephanie.posterous.com/foodie-tuesday-blue-corn-pancakes http://stephanie.posterous.com/foodie-tuesday-blue-corn-pancakes

In keeping with my growing love for purple things, I thought it appropriate to share this discovery I made at Rainbow Produce about a month ago: blue cornmeal.  As soon as I saw it, my mind started racing, thinking of all the great things I could do with blue cornmeal.  Blue corn tamales. Blue cornbread and blue corn muffins.  Blue corn pizza dough!

But the first and most obvious thing to do with the cornmeal was this: blue corn pancakes.  Because they are AWESOME.
I adapted a couple different recipes that I found online (weeks ago... I can no longer find them because of the f-ing Google search algorithm change).  They are all more or less the same: varying portions of blue cornmeal, white flour, egg, melted butter, sugar, baking powder, salt.  I put it together and was mildly alarmed at how thin the batter was.  I had to keep whisking it so the ingredients would stay incorporated, and they made for some really flat, thin pancakes (you can even see holes through them, below).

But what I really love about these pancakes is that they are so versatile.  They have a hearty texture and nuanced flavor, and they can go either salty or sweet, opening up a world of possible accompaniments.  Here are some of my favorites:
  • Wildflower honey: the deep, nuanced flavor of really good honey plays beautifully against the rich nuttiness of the pancakes.
  • Avocados
  • Creme fraiche
  • Honey butter
  • Eggs
  • Any number of fruit preserves and jams
  • Smoked salmon
  • BACON!

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/21733/Profile_Pic.jpg http://posterous.com/people/F1CfDR Stephanie Lim stephanie Stephanie Lim Wed, 11 Nov 2009 23:20:40 -0800 via @modelenvious - A true statement made with some really interesting visual design http://stephanie.posterous.com/via-modelenvious-a-true-statement-made-with-s http://stephanie.posterous.com/via-modelenvious-a-true-statement-made-with-s
via modelenvious.posterous.com

This saying made me laugh out loud, seriously. I used to be very bad at this and resisted flirting with all my might. Now it's too late to flirt. Go figure.

I really like the font and the way this image plays with different shades of color to create the illusion of depth. Interesting no?

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/21733/Profile_Pic.jpg http://posterous.com/people/F1CfDR Stephanie Lim stephanie Stephanie Lim Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:37:00 -0800 I just have one question for ya'll... http://stephanie.posterous.com/i-just-have-one-question-for-yall http://stephanie.posterous.com/i-just-have-one-question-for-yall

WHO IN THE BAY AREA WANTS TO SEE NEW MOON NEXT WEEKEND??  Leave a comment and we'll coordinate!  Eileen, this meens YOU!

Go team wolfpack!

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/21733/Profile_Pic.jpg http://posterous.com/people/F1CfDR Stephanie Lim stephanie Stephanie Lim Sun, 08 Nov 2009 21:40:26 -0800 8:30pm dinner for one http://stephanie.posterous.com/830pm-dinner-for-one http://stephanie.posterous.com/830pm-dinner-for-one

Chicken drumstick pan-fried with garlic and parsley, and leftover braised salted-fish eggplant from R&G Lounge (my favorite dish there!) reinvented with some zucchini and chili flakes.  All over coconut rice.

Normally not terribly noteworthy except that--after more than two weeks without cooking at all, smelling garlic sizzling throughout my apartment was amazing.  As was biting into a flavorful, juicy and homemade chicken drumstick as I settled down to watch a cheesy romantic comedy (27 Dresses with Katherine Heigl), washed down with some Mango-Tango Odwalla mixed with sparkling water.  

I think I'm going to finish it off with a small square of Bhumi's birthday cake (homemade German chocolate cake with toasted almonds and coconut, which Candace made from scratch).  This, my friends, is the life.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/21733/Profile_Pic.jpg http://posterous.com/people/F1CfDR Stephanie Lim stephanie Stephanie Lim Sun, 08 Nov 2009 02:09:00 -0800 Subtle romance: my favorite clip from Fallen Angels http://stephanie.posterous.com/subtle-romance-my-favorite-clip-from-fallen-a http://stephanie.posterous.com/subtle-romance-my-favorite-clip-from-fallen-a
I can't believe this movie is 15 years old, and that I first watched it almost five years ago.  I was reminded of it today when we were watching Chungking Express and I thought to myself, sure, I kind of like this movie but there was something about Fallen Angels, the sequel/companion film by Wong Kar Wai, that spoke to me.  Maybe because the characters are much more shockingly odd, and the film itself that much murkier, sad and ardent.

I don't remember a whole lot about the film (you can find an analysis of it here) except this one scene where Cherry and the Mute are sitting in a cafe after they've been chasing down her ex-boyfriend and Mute realizes he's falling in love with her.  I love the way the shot is set up, with hapless Cherry gazing obliviously in the other direction while Mute, whom we have come to know as someone unworthy of respect, yet whom we want to indulge despite ourselves, leans towards her and breathes her in with such dreamy enjoyment that you really wish she'd come to her senses already.  Meanwhile, the world behind them buzzes with activity, but you can't take your eyes off this quiet moment of stolen intimacy.

I don't think this scene is supposed to be taken literally, but I think it captures an element of misappropriate longing that anyone with a little wistful strangeness in them will recognize right away.  There's something about the bold, unrequited movement in this scene that I like very much. I screen-capped it for your viewing pleasure, followed by a very excellent fan-made vide o that centers on the weird but beautiful Takeshi Kaneshiro's character, the Mute.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/21733/Profile_Pic.jpg http://posterous.com/people/F1CfDR Stephanie Lim stephanie Stephanie Lim Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:38:00 -0800 Enjoying some really terrible contemporary R&B on Pandora courtesy of Jason Derulo. http://stephanie.posterous.com/enjoying-some-really-terrible-contemporary-ra http://stephanie.posterous.com/enjoying-some-really-terrible-contemporary-ra

So here's a dirty secret: one of my longest-standing Pandora stations started with Mandy Moore's "Candy."  It spews the most saccharine sugar-coated bubble-gum pop ever, and after 3 years of careful tweaking, it does exactly what I want it to.  

Every once in a while I get fatigued listening to it so much, and try my hand at creating new stations.  Some of the ones I've created and abandoned: Tori Amos radio, Norah Jones radio, Sheryl Crow radio, Vienna Teng radio, Black Eyed Peas radio, Zero 7 radio, Buena Vista Social Club radio, Counting Crows radio, Explosions in the Sky radio.  Et cetera.  The problem with Pandora is that when they try to expand the variety on a given station, the stations start bleeding together.  Also, when I'm trying to focus on work, I have to listen to something upbeat -- because jazz, folk, and anything smacking of angsty indie rock-band, will put me right to sleep.  It's best saved for lazy weekday evenings at home.  Or yupster cocktail parties.

A couple weeks I tried a variation on my Candy radio station: Lada Gaga.  It's been pretty good - nothing like electronic dance pop to keep me going.  But this morning, I had a flash of brilliance and created a station using that terrible song "Whatcha Say" by Jason Derulo (I literally had to google "mmm whatchu say" because I had no f-ing clue what it was called or who sang it).  
BINGO.  Pandora immediately obliged me by offering a steady stream of truly insipid and repetitive lyrics, smooth young black male vocals, thick with synthesizers and softly driving beats.  It totally amazes me that there exist so many songs that sound so alike in their stupidity, with such varied themes as 1) cheating on your 'shawty', 2) making love, 3) dancing in a club, 4) cheating on your 'shawty' by making love in a club with some other girl.  So terrible but so great.
  • Chris Brown, "Forever"
  • Jay Sean, "Down"
  • Jay-Z & Linkin Park, "Numb/Encore"
  • Jesse McCartney, "Leavin'"
  • Kanye West, "Stronger"
  • Mario, "Let Me Love You"
  • Ne-Yo, "Mad"
  • T-Pain, "Buy U a Drank (Shawty Snappin')"
  • Akon, "Beautiful
  • Usher, "Love in This Club"
  • Drake, "Best I Ever Had"
  • ...and on
The only way this station could get more awesome is if I could design a station around early-90s R&B groups, when R&B was actually good.  Zapp & Roger anyone?

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/21733/Profile_Pic.jpg http://posterous.com/people/F1CfDR Stephanie Lim stephanie Stephanie Lim Fri, 06 Nov 2009 01:49:00 -0800 Foodie Tuesday, 3 days late: Wouldn't you like to be a pepper, too? http://stephanie.posterous.com/foodie-tuesday-3-days-late-wouldnt-you-like-t http://stephanie.posterous.com/foodie-tuesday-3-days-late-wouldnt-you-like-t

I am quickly developing a penchant for purple and blue food items that are supposed to be another color.  What do I mean?  I'm thinking purple potatoes, purple cauliflower, purple carrots.  Besides being extraordinarily high in anti-oxidants (much like blueberries, the so-called "brain food"), I think they're more delicious than their conventionally colored counterparts.  They're nuttier, earthier, and generally richer in flavor.

Plus, I don't think I'll ever get tired of the novelty of eating something purple that is not grapes or eggplants.

So the other day I was wandering the produce section at Berkeley Bowl when I came across this strange thing next to the green, red, orange, and yellow bell peppers.  A purple pepper!  I'd never seen anything like it before.  Of course I grabbed one just so I could take it home, cut it up, see what's inside, and know what it tasted like.
And whaddya know, inside it wasn't purple at all, but white.  Maybe a tinge of green, but I was delighted to see the beautiful contrast of colors.  I turned to Google for some purple pepper recipes, but came up rather short.  Apparently it's a shame to cook the peppers because that kills the gorgeous color, and anyway purple peppers are actually the least ripe of all peppers and the least sweet (left on the vine, purple peppers will eventually turn green, then yellow/orange/red).

So I just sliced it up and stuck it in a salad.  Can't say it had a ton of flavor but it added a nice crispy texture.  I'll definitely be getting them again.

P.S. The title of this post refers to the old Dr. Pepper slogan, which I first heard in the movie Short Circuit (I know, I'm dating myself now).
P.P.S. Yes, I created a new tag called "Purple Things"!  Stay tuned for blue corn pancakes!

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/21733/Profile_Pic.jpg http://posterous.com/people/F1CfDR Stephanie Lim stephanie Stephanie Lim Mon, 02 Nov 2009 20:02:00 -0800 Eat a Chicken Wing with Little to No Mess - from Food Wishes http://stephanie.posterous.com/eat-a-chicken-wing-with-little-to-no-mess-fro http://stephanie.posterous.com/eat-a-chicken-wing-with-little-to-no-mess-fro
via lifehacker.com

Where o where have these instructions been all my life? Thanks to Grant for the tip - though it doesn't have any instructions for those of us who like to avoid the fat as well. I guess there isn't much point to eating chicken wings if you're not going to eat the fat.

My favorite lines: 

“If any meat comes out with it, just, you know, suck it off the bone.”
“You dip it, you eat it, it’s fantastic.”

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/21733/Profile_Pic.jpg http://posterous.com/people/F1CfDR Stephanie Lim stephanie Stephanie Lim Sun, 01 Nov 2009 20:44:00 -0800 Angel Island Hike http://stephanie.posterous.com/angel-island-hike http://stephanie.posterous.com/angel-island-hike

I've looked forward to visiting Angel Island since I took a class on Chinatowns in college and learned about the Chinese poetry carved into the walls of the detention hall at the US Immigration Station.  Finally, last weekend, we went in honor of Sushmita's birthday and it could not have been a more perfect day for the 5-mile, 3-hour hike up to the summit of Mt. Livermore.  Beautifully sunny and clear, except for a foggy portion of the ferry ride over.

The island has several microclimates ranging from what looks like rolling grassland to chaparral to dense forest.  When we turned the corner into the area where our ferry docked, it looked like something out of LOST, with the fog rolling up and over the mountain and dissipating into the bright October air, with greenery embracing the little jewel of a cove that housed several sailboats and a visitor center.
The hike itself wasn't too strenuous--Sushmita and I joke about how our style of hiking should really be called a "leisurely stroll through the woods," and we always take plenty of snacks and a picnic to have as a reward at the top.  Most of the trail led us through shaded forest on the east side of the island, and only the last bit took us to the area that suffered a fire not too long ago.

From the top, we could see a 360-degree view of the entire bay area, from the City, to the Golden Gate Bridge and Bay Bridge, Marin headlands, Tiburon, Richmond, and all of the east bay.  We had turkey sandwiches, cherry tomatoes, two kinds of cheese, fruit, brownies and--the best part--apple juice in the same juice boxes we had as kids.

On the way down, I was very careful and picked my way around rocks and things to avoid having my knee sublux like it does every once in a while.  From the bottom of the mountain, it was still quite a ways to the immigration station, but it was worth it because I finally got my picture of the poetry in the walls, barely visible after years and layers of paint.  All in all, a great day.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/21733/Profile_Pic.jpg http://posterous.com/people/F1CfDR Stephanie Lim stephanie Stephanie Lim Sun, 01 Nov 2009 18:39:00 -0800 Mastering chowders http://stephanie.posterous.com/mastering-chowders http://stephanie.posterous.com/mastering-chowders

There are plenty of foods I have trouble denying myself.  A good chili.  Corned beef hash and eggs.  Fries dipped in ranch sauce (my east coast friends balk, but trust me, it's a match made in heaven).  Spam musubi.  Biscuits and gravy.  And, of course, clam chowder.

My love for chowder began early, even though it was usually out of a can.  Back then, I didn't know mashed potatoes could be made with real potatoes (hey, I thought they came out of Betty Crocker box, in freeze-dried flakes, such a sad childhood I had).  So it's no surprise that the first time I suspected that clam chowder could be made at home was well into my college years, when my uncle, who used to work in a restaurant, told my dad how to make it.

I never actually tried it myself, until now.

About a year ago, when I was still working at Google, I gave active feedback to the culinary team there, both positive and constructive, to the point that they knew me well by name, if not by face.  When one day they made clam chowder that blew my mind, I made sure they knew it.  It was just the right consistency - thickish and creamy, not chalky, with perfectly tender potatoes and juicy, flavorful bits of clam in every bite.

The sous chef at the time, Jef, was so pleased that he told me to swing by the kitchen one afternoon so he could show me how to make it.  I'd never been behind the scenes at a Google kitchen before (though if you work there, you can do culinary internships and all kinds of good stuff).  He already had a big pile of diced mirepoix simmering in about a pound of butter in an enormous stockpot.  He told me he'd cheated a bit and pre-roasted the yukon gold potatoes in the oven, but that if you really wanted to thicken the chowder naturally you'd let the potatoes cook together with the stock and let the starch do its work.
This time, I decided to make a smoked salmon chowder using the lessons I learned in the Google kitchen and loosely based on this recipe, and I already had some very nice Norwegian smoked salmon waiting to be used up in my freezer.  I also started with mirepoix, but used a lot less butter - just about 3 tablespoons or so.  Let it render down, then added an equal amount of flour to make the roux.  I then added water, and it was already starting to look like a chowder even though I hadn't added one lick of cream yet.  I added dill weed, several healthy sprinkles of smoked salt, pepper, and vegetables (frozen white corn and fresh asparagus).

I let the vegetables cook down to tenderness and then started to add the half-and-half, little by little (the Google chef had used just milk but I guess it didn't matter).  It really didn't need that much cream, and as soon as it reached my desired creaminess I threw in the salmon, which I had hand-flaked, along with the cheese.  Oh, and I forgot the garlic.

In the end, the chowder had a nice consistency but I felt it was just a tad too fishy.  It probably would have been better to use fresh, not frozen, smoked salmon.  Duly noted.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/21733/Profile_Pic.jpg http://posterous.com/people/F1CfDR Stephanie Lim stephanie Stephanie Lim Sat, 31 Oct 2009 15:52:00 -0700 Discovering Rodrigo y Gabriela http://stephanie.posterous.com/discovering-rodrigo-y-gabriela http://stephanie.posterous.com/discovering-rodrigo-y-gabriela

After more than a week-long hiatus (I was in Half Moon Bay at a work retreat), I'm back!  And the first thing I want to tell you about is this amazing guitar duo, Rodrigo y Gabriela.  Thanks to my coworker Nate for the recco.  They started as a thrash metal band from Mexico City and earned money playing background music at seaside resorts.  Finally they decided to move to Dublin because they heard about the city's thriving indie music scene.

Now they are more of a flamenco band, but influenced by all kinds of music. Their first album debuted at number one in Ireland, and they've been slowly making their way back to the new world ever since.  I never really thought I was a fan of flamenco until I went to Beijing two years ago and fell in love with the Xinjiang Boys, a Uigher flamenco band who played Gypsy Kings covers every weekend at Cheers in the Sanlitun district.  I've been missing their masterful sound ever since, and R&G are promising to fill that gaping hole in my heart.

Here's an excellent cover of Metallica's "Orion."

And here's a more extended clip of Rodrigo y Gabriela playing their rendition of "Diablo Rojo" at the studio of Indie 103.1 in LA (how I miss that radio station!) and talking a little more about how they rose to stardom.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/21733/Profile_Pic.jpg http://posterous.com/people/F1CfDR Stephanie Lim stephanie Stephanie Lim Wed, 21 Oct 2009 10:29:00 -0700 Brown Sugar Kitchen http://stephanie.posterous.com/brown-sugar-kitchen http://stephanie.posterous.com/brown-sugar-kitchen

I've been wanting to get brunch at Brown Sugar Kitchen in Oakland for like, ever.  My brother was the first to tell me about this amazing place that serves "upscale soul food" - that is, down-home eats from a classically trained chef.

I thought I was over the concept of chicken and waffles years ago, in LA, when any friend who visited inexplicably wanted to go to Roscoe's.  Eggo waffles + mediocre fried chicken = less-than-transcendent taste experience.  I got tired of it fast.  But enter BSK - delicate "home" made cornmeal waffles sidled up next to masterfully crisp-fried chicken.  A match made in heaven.
Beyond the chicken and waffles though, BSK has an impressive offering of other delicious down-home southern treats.  We got the smoked chicken and shrimp gumbo (with okra!) and the beignets as well.  But I was so tempted to order at least 5 other things including the buttermilk biscuits, cornbread, shrimp and grits, dirty rice and oyster po'boy.  Guess I'll be making my way back to Oakland in the near future.

Note: The best time to go to BSK seems to be soon before it closes, like 2:30pm.  Otherwise you can expect at 45 min. wait on weekend mornings.  Also allow 30 min. for your order of chicken and waffles!

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/21733/Profile_Pic.jpg http://posterous.com/people/F1CfDR Stephanie Lim stephanie Stephanie Lim Sun, 18 Oct 2009 21:55:00 -0700 The Donkey Attitude http://stephanie.posterous.com/the-donkey-attitude http://stephanie.posterous.com/the-donkey-attitude

Ok so this came as one of those forwards from one of Garry's aunts and I usually don't pay much attention to these things and it's sure to upset anyone who cares about animal rights, but I kind of liked the takeaway message here =)  Enjoy.

The Donkey

One day a farmer's donkey fell into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do. Finally, he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway; it just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey. 

He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well. At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone's amazement he quieted down. 

A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well. He was astonished at what he saw. With each shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up. 

As the farmer's neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and happily trotted off.

Moral of the story: Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick to getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/21733/Profile_Pic.jpg http://posterous.com/people/F1CfDR Stephanie Lim stephanie Stephanie Lim Sun, 18 Oct 2009 12:49:22 -0700 Macho nacho burger @ Urbun Burger http://stephanie.posterous.com/macho-nacho-burger-urbun-burger http://stephanie.posterous.com/macho-nacho-burger-urbun-burger

1/2 lb. of juicy ground beef smothered in nacho cheese sauce topped with blue corn chips, jalapenos, lettuce, onion and tomato.  There is nothing about this burger that isn't f-ing awesome.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/21733/Profile_Pic.jpg http://posterous.com/people/F1CfDR Stephanie Lim stephanie Stephanie Lim Thu, 15 Oct 2009 10:22:59 -0700 Peanut butter + Nutella + Bananas on toast. With coffee. http://stephanie.posterous.com/peanut-butter-nutella-bananas-on-toast-with-c http://stephanie.posterous.com/peanut-butter-nutella-bananas-on-toast-with-c

Mmmyeah, this is pretty much the awesomest breakfast evar.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/21733/Profile_Pic.jpg http://posterous.com/people/F1CfDR Stephanie Lim stephanie Stephanie Lim Sun, 11 Oct 2009 22:54:00 -0700 The lack of good movies to queue up in Netflix is f-ing depressing me. http://stephanie.posterous.com/the-lack-of-good-movies-to-queue-up-in-netfli http://stephanie.posterous.com/the-lack-of-good-movies-to-queue-up-in-netfli

Okay, so I do have 499 movies in my queue currently (the limit is 500), but still.  Once upon a time there was no end to the number of good movies I wanted to watch.  I mean, obviously, otherwise I wouldn't have so many in my queue.

But I was just browsing the "popular new releases" section of Netflix and came across this page where there were exactly two movies that were rated above 3 stars, one of which I'd already seen (Slumdog Millionaire...and that wasn't even as good as City of God).  Maybe because I used to dream about making 4- and 5-star movies...but this is really f-ing depressing, man.

At least I can somewhat get my fix through TV on DVD--there are so many amazing shows from the last few years.  And I just bought both seasons of Carnivale on Amazon for like $40, a steal!

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/21733/Profile_Pic.jpg http://posterous.com/people/F1CfDR Stephanie Lim stephanie Stephanie Lim