Barcelona

I put up a post on the new blog, but I was unable to add photos. I thought I'd throw them up here.
Good luck on finals, and have a great summer!

Jabugo at La Boqueria

Sagrada Famila

Monument to Columbus

Casa Batlo

View from Parque Guell

"Barcelona Head" by Lichtenstein 

New Blog!

Here is the link to the new blog, I sure hope it works...it's almost 2 AM...

Coming Soon!

I've been at work revamping my blog. I have the page almost done, and will have an article up Wednesday. I think it looks pretty cool so far. Let me know if you have any suggestions. Thanks!

http://keithstestblogthisisjustatest.blogspot.com/

Reverse Vandalism

My post about food network reviews was vandalized a few weeks ago. I decided to leave it, thinking it was some form of blogger karma. I recorded this gem, which I was going to add to the defaced post.  When I logged in to add the new video clip, I discovered the posting had been restored. Thankfully it didn't resemble the monkey saint! 

I should leave well enough alone but she makes it so easy...

These two things are not like the other:

Sandra is at it again, this time with Cherry Pie Filling from a can, (see HFCS post) and whipped cream cheese. Our hostess mixes these two ingredients to fill her "pancrepes" while explaining that she prefers her homemade creation over a store-bought version of same.       

Wha?? 

Two store bought items combined together at home does not constitute home-made. I know, I need a more productive outlet for my sharp tongue, but her use of mayonnaise in a recipe for Shrimp & Grits put me over the edge, and I have been on the offensive ever since.     

Here is the clip of her making crepes...for some reason she calls them pancakes. 

Coming soon:  A new look & fresh design!

Think High Fructose Corn Syrup is just a no-no? You better sit down...

HFCS            

You probably don’t want to read this post. Why would you, you’re aware it’s bad for you. You promise to make more of an effort to read labels-whatever, leave you alone and go away…
But do you really know just how bad it is? I’m guessing a majority of people think it’s bad,
like French fries, or ice cream, but it’s not.  It’s much worse.  I hope you’ll take a minute
to read this post, I think it's important, and I promise to make it quick and painless. 

Do you know what ATP is? I didn’t either; Adenosine triphosphate is a chemical compound present in 
all living cells in your body.  It functions as the primary energy source for cellular function.  

Remember mitochondria from high school biology?  Mitochondria are the tiny power plants that keep everything running inside the individual cell, ATP is their energy source.    

Not all sugars are the same, and they are not metabolized in the same way. Fructose is referred to as just another type of sugar; this is where controversy and confusion begin. 

This is done on purpose. 

There are further distinctions about sugars; for more

 info check the sources under biology tab, or wikipedia. 

High Fructose Corn Syrup is made from cornstarch that has been converted to corn syrup. The syrup is then enzymatically altered into fructose, which amplifies sweetness.

Sucrose (common sugar) is composed of equal parts glucose and fructose.

Fructose is derived from fruit and fruit juice, it usually contains nutrients and fiber.

Food Glucose is sugar derived from food starches.

Blood Glucose refers to a combination of sugars in the bloodstream used by the body.     

The important difference is how the sugars are metabolized. 
This study in The European Journal of Clinical nutrition found an important distinction between fructose and glucose.  They discovered when fructose is being metabolized, it causes depletion of ATP levels in the liver, kidney and intestines, which in turn, triggers an inflammatory response in epithelial tissue.  

More troubling is that HFCS causes insulin resistance, which can lead to type 2Diabetes.  The study also points to a distinction between the glycemic index, and the fructose index. Glycemic (glucose) stimulates insulin, whereas fructose (HFCS) inhibits insulin production.

In Summary:   High Fructose Corn Syrup robs you of energy, can give                                                         you diabetes, and makes you obese.  

Below are a few extra facts, links, and charts I used as references.  My hope is that the average person will become more vigilant when it comes to the products they buy.  
Sadly, being on a shelf at your local market is no guarantee 
of product safety.   

Courtesy Cycling Hall of Fame

This chart is similar to one listed on the CDC website a few years ago, but I was unable to locate it. The chart suggests a relationship to the rise in use of HFCS with the rise in rates of obesity in the United States. 

    

Obesity in the United States had reached staggering proportions by 2004; 66% of the adult population in our country was overweight or obese, according to the National Center for Health Statistics and the CDC.

Fun fact!   HFCS had a small role in the Watergate Scandal. 

Not convinced? 

Put on your foil hat and click here.

The Daily Kos ran a comprehensive article

detailing the adverse health effects directly attributed to HFCS, in addition to the 

billions spent in healthcare. 

I hope they remembered to include taxpayer subsidies to GMO corn. 

There is a ton of information on this subject available. I chose the journal 
article for the reason that it highlights information being studied outside of the United States, 
and presumably less subject to influence. 

    

There Be Dragons in Yer Grog!

Arrrgh!
There's too much ballast to make port by Tuesday, so here be a preview.

Amy Winehouse Poem + creative commons license

I wrote a free form poem for poetry class about 

Amy Winehouse. I thought I would post it 

and add a creative commons license as well.

Lioness

A raspy, baleful voice

lonely and vulnerable

   exposed

Sonorous and sensual

yet, tortured

Nicotine stained words born from injury and kissed with beauty,

a whiskey scented melody escapes the darkness                            to fill the air

only to be replenished                                         and escape again

Diamonds flowing out of agony    exposed

The raspy voice of a little girl cries out in need

someone to watch over her, for Daddy to comfort her

an injured soul loudly wails. Transformed, a Jezebel unleashed

against the silent reply

Her beautiful pain, an inner darkness

projected onto faces in a crowd

Faces reflecting the darkness and pain

bear witness to the executioner, as she

slowly, exquisitely, carries out the sentence   

Tragedy and Irony threw her a party,

Cliché chose the theme.  Ecstasy arrived

with Cocaine and Vodka, then Heroin..

floating behind the blurry

membrane, safely ensconced in a womb,

protected from her torments she is embraced

by the numbing hazy warmth of Cruel friends

and cold comfort unaware, she drifts

away, peaceful at last 

New Friends & Iced Coffee

The man seated next to us had just finished eating his dinner then moved a few plates forward to make room for a laptop computer.  When the waiter arrived to clear away the plates, the man made a request we were unable to hear. Minutes later, the waiter returned with a steaming café cortado, and glass containing a few large ice cubes. We watched as he added sugar to the cortado and stirred it briskly with the tiny spoon. He dumped the cortado onto the ice without spilling a drop, and began to enjoy his iced drink. We had been to this restaurant several times, and had visited Spain before, but we had not seen this familiar combination outside of New England.  When we asked for iced coffee before, and in Spanish, we were presented with such a sense of bewilderment, that we just gave up trying. The man noticed our fascination with his ritual and smiled, he asked in perfect English if we thought his was a strange custom.  We became fast friends over discussions of food, and various customs of the Catalans and the Spanish, politics and travel.

We made new friends that evening in Barcelona through the simple act of sharing a love of food.  This past summer we were been able to visit, and rekindled our friendship over

food. Jordi and Cristina (our new friends) treated us to a home cooked Catalan meal served on a Saturday afternoon. It was a four hour marathon of tapas, cheeses, seafood, ham, vegetables, white wine, red wine, gintonics and single malt scotch. It was so much food that we took a break and went for a walk at one point. A few days later we traveled up the coast and enjoyed a seaside paella in Cadaqués, which traditionally takes two hours.  I have long thought that sharing food with others is the best way to get to know people, possibly make new friends, and break down barriers.  

I opened a Yelp account and posted a review for Quan's Kitchen this morning, here is the link.

 Link to This Review

Hilarious Recipe Reviews from Food Network

This is a screenshot from Food Network Humor I found recently. It proves (I guess) that legitimate reviews-even the bad ones-are not expunged off the real Food Network website.  There are some really funny reviews here. True story: I got the evil eye from a Barnes & Noble employee for laughing too loudly in the store after reading her recipe for Calzones, which is to take Pillsbury Dough and fill it with leftover spaghetti. Gross!                                                   

Spring Break!

I wasn't planning anything special, just a trip to the cape to see a friend. My intention was to post a few reviews on Trip Advisor and link them to my blog, but my gallbladder had other plans. Since January, I have been awakened in the middle of night with excruciating pain in my abdomen and back. After an ultrasound and a second opinion from a gastroenterologist, it was clear I needed surgery. The original plan was to have the surgery the week of spring break, however the surgeon decided it was best to get it done ASAP, so I went into the hospital on Friday morning before spring break started. There were complications, so I had to spend the night.  Trip Advisor doesn't have a section where one can review a hospital stay, so you get the exclusive here!

Miriam hospital provided me with outstanding medical attention during my recent gallbladder surgery. Upon arriving at the hospital, I was warmly greeted by an intake specialist who confirmed my information and checked me into the hospital. Upstairs I was greeted by two very friendly ladies who went over a few more basics in preparation for my procedure.  I was led into the pre op area and greeted by my nurse. I was given a stylish plastic bag to place my belongings in, and a Johnny to wear in a festive blue green color, that matched the curtain surrounding my gurney. My surgeon appeared with his surgical team to go over the specifics. The anesthesiologist did the same a few minutes later. I was wheeled into the operating room on a very comfortable hospital gurney.  I was overwhelmed by the dizzying array of medical equipment and the cleanliness of the room. I was given a sedative and have no further recollection of the procedure itself. 

I awoke in the post op area groggy, and disoriented a few hours later. The surgeon appeared to tell me that I would need to spend the night, as they wanted to monitor me as a precaution. I was wheeled into a room that was spacious, and well lit by two very friendly staff members. (I hope I remembered to leave them a tip).  The bed was adjustable and very comfortable; I was able to doze off quickly.  What a surprise- I was given dinner in bed! They had prepared a roast beef that was succulent and juicy, cooked to a medium temperature. It was served with vegetables and orange jello. I guess the chef has a sense of humor. I shared a room with a man who was also recuperating from surgery. He was equally impressed with the care received at Miriam hospital. I was able to get good nights sleep, with minimal discomfort from pain and swelling related to the operation.

Breakfast in bed! Nice touch, although the eggs tasted like tofu scramble, not something I care for. More kitsch from the kitchen in the form of Cream of Wheat, which was served with an appalling butter spread containing hydrogenated fats. Breakfast aside, it was a pleasant stay. I was relived to learn from the surgeon that all was well, and I could go home. The bathroom was a bit spartan, but I was given a selection of toiletries in case I forgotten to bring anything. Over all, my stay at Miriam hospital was pleasant. I would return should the need arrive, and recommend them to anyone seeking medical care.   

Miriam Hospital  

While writing the essay for class on my so called e-life, I went back found a few websites that are still around. This video was one of many on a parody website called Icebox.com where they had spoof videos of hidden celebrity webcams. I still giggle at this one.

Hidden Celebrity Webcam: Cher's Icebox

Twitter linked to Blog

This takes more effort than I thought, but I finally (think) I have it linked. I will try to link all the class blogs after I've had a stiff drink. Or maybe tomorrow, as that will probably add to my handicap. I bought a bottle of Plungerhead Zinfandel to go with dinner tonight. Whether you're an amateur or advanced oenophile, I highly recommend it. It's a good value at Yankee Spirits too.

I'm going to attempt to add a photo to the blog. While at Yankee Spirits I came across this box wine in the shape of a purse. I wonder if they make the shoes to match...

Blogging about a Blog

Blogging about a Blog. Meta-blog. Bloggity. 
 
Self-aware weirdo with way more technology available to him than should be 
allowed:  Picture an unbalanced, xenophobic middle-aged white guy in basement 
ranting about stuff. Well there is one success story, financially any way. He 
used to be on a cable network, scribbling on a chalkboard and twitching 
nervously while describing constant various threats to anyone within the sound 
of his oft-quivering voice. With tears streaming down his face he would then 
implore the viewer to rush to the phone and buy gold from his sponsor for the 
post-apocalyptic hellscape that was to come. 

Not from my basement. Luckily I have a nice view out a blurry window to the 
suburban street I call home. The window has a leak, which causes fog to form 
inside the double panes of glass and distort the view. I suppose a suburban 
landscape outside of a blurry window is an improvement over a myopic view from 
an underground bunker. I’m not that unhinged, I hope. Although I do tell people 
jokingly that I have a foil hat I occasionally wear around the house. I get a 
lot of funny looks. 

This new medium (for me anyway) called the blogosphere is way more than a 
novelty. It’s an amazing way to connect with other people and share ideas, and 
just about everything else. The idea of being able to call up information at the 
click of a mouse is really incredible. The magic of having access to mountains 
of information and resources through a humble internet connection has become a 
great equalizer. Internet connectivity has enabled those with the means to make 
use of information previously reserved only to those with close proximity to a 
college or municipal library, providing it was adequate. 

Of course there is a dark side to having scads of information. As mentioned 
before, there are those who have yet to identify the means with which to filter 
and gage some of the information available on the internets. This is 
unfortunate, but this problem predates computer access, as evidenced in the 
existence of tabloid, yellow, muckraking, and sensationalist journalism. Sadly, 
those monikers no longer have the significance they once had. 

I am fascinated by all the technology, and intimidated by the speed with 
which advances take place. We’re all plugged in in one way or another, like it 
or not, it’s here to stay. That’s why the simple act of opening a book has 
become more important to me as a way to relax and unplug from the busy world. 

There’s no disputing that technology has a great many advantages. Less paper 
means cleaner air and a hope for a greener future. The digitization of all types 
of information has to be seen as a having huge advantages over almost all 
aspects of our lives. If someone living in a remote place doesn’t have access to 
a library, is an e-book better than no book? Of course it is.  If the only 
chance to hear a symphony by Mozart is through a set of headphones from an mp3 
player, is it not a bad thing? 

A Scholar of the World

The travel bug bit me in my late teens.  Over the years, the infection has led to chronic issues that cause me to experience frequent bouts of restlessness, insatiable curiosity, a persistent need to explore different cultures and experiment with exotic cuisines, and a relentless longing to traverse the globe in order to satiate my unyielding desire. To the outsider, being a full-time college student would seem like an ideal opportunity to satisfy one’s itchy feet. But since no one at Lonely Planet has been inspired to finance my obsession, I have to work within the budget of a full-time college student, which means relying on the other half of a one-income household. 

During the break between semesters, I had it in my head to visit MOMA in New York City. I say in my head because the idea of going had become like the tinnitus I experience every waking hour of every day, persistent and high-pitched like the noise a television set makes.   Finally, after some admittedly passive aggressive behavior, (skillfully played if I do say so myself) we decided on a day to visit the museum. I do lots of research before a trip in order to familiarize myself with everything a destination has to offer, and for this trip I was well prepared. I had train schedules printed up, two guidebooks from the library, two maps, and I had read up on what was currently on view at MOMA. It’s good to be obsessive-compulsive in some areas: I had researched where to check our bags, as the museum wouldn’t allow for anything larger than a backpack, and it’s no longer an option at the train station either.

We fit in perfectly with all the other tourists craning our necks and ogling the sights and sounds along the Avenue of the Americas as we made our way to visit the Museum of Modern Art. Lonely Planet, if you’re reading this, I have a tip for travelers who visit the museum on a Sunday.  For many, Van Gogh’s Starry Night is the must see painting in the museum.  It is breathtaking, vivid colors, more so than you would think, leap off the painting. It’s smaller than I imagined, but not disappointing in any way at all.  Edvard Munch’s The Scream was on display as well. One of three exhibited versions of his famous work, this was not the more famous painting that was stolen a few years ago, and I noticed that causes confusion, because not many people are aware that there is more than one version of the painting. 

The permanent exhibition space features sculpture and paintings from the modern era dating from (I believe) 1900 forward.  Even the most uninterested person can find something recognizable at MOMA.  I was humbled and moved by so many paintings that I am unable to articulate my impressions on a blog, so I’ll keep it to the two I most enjoyed. AnnaZborowska by Modigliani, and LesDemoiselles d'Avignon by Picasso. These paintings, to steal a quote, feed my soul. I’ll leave you to your own interpretations, as that’s how I prefer it myself. Check out the website on the links, hopefully I’ll be able to correctly code the titles so the images link.

We were lucky to have a good friend accompany us, and very grateful for her friend, who has an apartment in the city where we were all offered to stay. After the museum, we met up with our host at his apartment in Harlem, dropped our bags and walked around the corner to a wonderful Italian restaurant named Lido. We were famished after our long day and were blown away by the excellent food, friendly service, and generosity of our host. I was really surprised that everyone we encountered in New York was so friendly.

Our January trip serves as a reminder that year round traveling is a great way to quench the thirst for adventure. There are certainly fewer people, more discounts on everything, and getting away even for a day helps to change perspective and serve as inspiration for the next destination. 

Thoughts from Hillary

Links to a few websites I enjoy.

I am posting (for the first time) some links to website I enjoy. I hope it works. The link to The Believer Magazine is in reference to Thursday's discussion. It's an interview with Maurice Sendak, one of his last.
I'll put up a few more links and see how that works.

Here we go...

"Mr. Watson, come here, I want to see you." Okay not original, but why not aim high? My first blog.