ridaily

2009-11-20

The Twilight Obsession

When I first heard about the Twilight saga a  year and a half ago, I at first felt a little squeamish. The idea of a vampire love story sounded childish , so I deflected the novel’s enticing advances. However, in the fall of 2008, my friends convinced me to see the film version of the first novel. While watching the amateurish special effects, I was lured into the story of a curious young girl who is swept off her feet by an introverted classmate...who may or may not be human. Fascinated by the story, I picked up a Twilight book, opened to page 1 and did not put it down. I begged people to read along to share my experience. Then, I soon began to understand that Twilight and its sequels are not really books about vampires, so much as about obsessive yet chaste love. No wonder they're a sensation, echoing as they do other romances in our theatrical history: Romeo & Juliet and Jack & Rose come to mind.
So here I am, a year later, a Twilight fanatic. I'm not the only one. The just-released Twilight sequel New Moon has smashed Fandango’s advanced ticket selling history, beating out Stars Wars Episode III,Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and The Dark Knight, respectively. Romance beating out blockbusters...somewhere, my high school films teacher is having a laugh about this one. Love does conquer all.
I'm going to see it this weekend, so stay tuned for an update early next week!

 
 

Posted at 01:10 PM in What's On | Permalink | Comments

2009-11-18

Carcieri's 15 Minutes

Yesterday, we were too busy hiding under a rock (out of embarrassment) to post a link to this -- Governor Carcieri's skewering by Comedy Central's Stephen Colbert for his views on burial rights for gay partners. But it's still good for a laugh (or cry) this a.m. The title of the piece -- "Skeletons in the Closet" -- is brilliant and so is the tag line: "How is the governor of Rhode Island supposed to rest in peace knowing that a couple of plots over two dudes are being gay dead?"

Good question. Another good question -- where is Keith Olbermann in all this? Reads like perfect fodder for his "Worst Persons in the World" nightly segment. Then we could really be proud.

Posted at 10:00 AM in State of Mine | Permalink | Comments

2009-11-17

The Miraculous Homemade Seltzer

I’ve become kind of obsessed with these seltzer-water gadgets.

I’m really late to the bandwagon on these, which have been out in the world for years. I just saw one for the first time two weeks ago at my friend Jen’s house when she offered me sparkling water and proceeded to make it. I don’t think I would have been as stunned if she'd pushed a button and made a banana.

While I sipped my homemade seltzer, she enthused about its money-and earth-saving qualities. I am always equally frightened and thrilled by money-saving advice that involves buying something. On one hand, you hate to be that person who buys the kitchen gadget that “pays for itself in no time.” (Although I am oddly fascinated by this GT Express machine that turns any food into a…horrible pouch.) On the other hand, it is so seductive to think you can save money without being depressing. I admit that when I color the scuffed toes of my old boots with a Magic Marker, I feel a little depressed.

The seltzer water makers come basic or fancy (normal or ridiculous). You can also get flavors (homemade Coke, anyone?), but I only care about sparkling water, which is, really, another way to make the best of dreary advice -- you know you have to drink more water, but it’s so bleccch.

So I’m thinking about this one. Do you own any gadget that you swear saves you money? (While I'm at it, and working on our February money management story, what money-saving tips have you found helpful or depressing?)

Posted at 11:20 AM in Eating In | Permalink | Comments

2009-11-16

Shooting Star

This is the last week for Trinity Rep's current production, a short, two-person play clumsily titled Shooting Star. Don't hold the name against it. If you're at all interested in theater - even if you're not -  this is the one to see. It's the kind of production that proves the whole point of theater - that a good play, done well, makes for a much richer experience than any movie, even 3-D IMAX.
Set in Trinity's smaller downstairs theater, with a sparse set that evokes a deserted, snow-bound airport terminal, the intimate production tells the story of former college sweethearts who collide back into each other's lives while trapped at stopovers during a winter storm. A slightly shaky start soon revs up into a play so involving that I could have sat on those folding chairs all night. When it ended, my companion - not exactly a theater buff - immediately declared his willingness to see it again. I would, but with only eight peformances left, it seems greedy. Everyone should get to see this play. Or at least, everyone older than 30 or so - the play is full of references to the 70s, as well as the poignancy of change and broken connections to the ones we love, all of which might fall flat for younger viewers.
The play is by Steven Dietz, whom I'd never heard of before but is apparently a prolific modern playwright, and the two actors who comfortably command the stage for the 80-minute production are a real-life married couple, Kurt Rhoads and Nance Williamson. The show's directed by Fred Sullivan Jr, whose productions are ones to watch. (For instance, he directed Much Ado About Nothing, about to return to the Gamm, which far outshines its companion Shakespearean production, Romeo and Juliet, also staged at the Gamm and directed by Tony Estrella.) Sullivan's pacing and the two actors' chemistry make for belly laughs and tears, while Williamson, in particular, is captivating. From the moment her character takes the stage, we were completely engrossed in getting to know her. It was well worth the time.
 

Posted at 10:30 AM in What's On | Permalink | Comments

2009-11-12

(Farmers') Market Watch

The Wintertime Farmers’ Market in Pawtucket started last weekend. I didn’t make it over there –– did you? –– but I plan on stopping by this weekend. According to the website, apples, squash, greens and root vegetables are all ripe for the picking, along with the usual locally made cheeses, eggs, maple syrup and baked goods. And with Thanksgiving just around the corner, it’s the perfect excuse to go and start stocking up for the big feast.

For a complete list of vendors, click here.  

Wintertime Farmers’ Market, Hope Artiste Village, 1005 Main Street, Pawtucket. Market open Saturdays 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. through May 29.
 

Posted at 10:30 AM in What's On | Permalink | Comments

2009-11-11

How to Be a Good Customer

Yesterday, Nicole posted a response to a piece that's been the talk of the blogosphere (and twittosphere and facebookosphere): Times blogger Bruce Buschel’s list of “100 Things a Restaurant Staffer Should Never Do.” It's a good list, and I agree with most of Buschel's points. But, having waited many a table and having catered more parties than I care to remember during my college days (and having once been directed to the nasty "servants' bathroom" in the even nastier basement of a prominent East Sider's home.... Really, you don't want the wait staff to have access to hand soap. Really?!), I thought it would be fun to create another list: Things a Customer Should Never Do.

After jotting down a few, from the basic, "a simple hello goes a long way" to the absurd, "don't insist your server has a kid when she is telling you otherwise" (yes, this happened to me), I realized a list like this already exists. And it's a pretty damn fun list. (I have to tip my hat to anyone who uses the phrase "amuse douche" in a sentence.)

Here it is: "64 Suggestions for Restaurant Customers." Appropriately enough, it's from the blog "I'm Your Server, Not Your Servant," by Patrick Maguire. Enjoy! (Though servers aren't supposed to say that, right?)

PS Feel free to add your own suggestions in the comments section below.

Posted at 12:00 PM in Eating Out | Permalink | Comments

2009-11-10

Rules for the Fragile Diner

Back in September, Lisa posted tips from departing New York Times critic Frank Bruni on what to order in restaurants. I read it with great interest because I am a terrible orderer. I've never in my life ordered anything that made a server compliment my choice. I'll sit there as the server praises the selections of my dinner companions: “An excellent choice.” "Fantastic." “Superb!”  Then it is my turn. “All right,” nods the server, unmoved. The shame!

You might say, “So what? Who cares?” But I am a worrier. While my dinner mates dive into the bread basket, my mind will be full of ideas. Did the server know something? What happened to the last person who ate what I ordered?

So. I was entertained by Times blogger Bruce Buschel’s list of “100 Things a Restaurant Staffer Should Never Do,” which has been making the rounds all over the Internet. Number forty on the list: “Never say, ‘Good choice,’ implying other choices are bad.” Aha! I am not the only one. Perhaps Buschel has been shamed too.

Check out parts one and two of the list here and see what your own favorites are. An informal discussion in the office this morning led Lisa to opine that there should be a list for how customers should behave. Definitely. #1: Do not hold the server responsible for your neuroses, maybe? I will work on that one. ;)

Posted at 11:00 AM in Eating Out | Permalink | Comments

2009-11-09

Saving Me From Myself

I know it's stupid, but I can't stop. At traffic lights, stop lights, even intermittently during stop-and-go traffic... I text.
For at least a year I've been telling people I hope it becomes illegal to text and drive, because then I wouldn't do it. And, thanks to a chock-a-block special session of the legislature, it finally is.
So no more sneaking in quick "I'm running 10 mins late" messages on the straightaway for me. I'm a law-abiding kinda person. I'm going to blithely leave unexamined the fact that I used to do something stupid and dangerous, fully aware that it was stupid and dangerous, just because I could. The important thing, tra la la, is that I don't do it any more.

Posted at 09:30 AM in State of Mine | Permalink | Comments

2009-11-06

The Restaurant at AS220

The Restaurant at AS220 opened today at 11 a.m. and is likely serving its very first customers as I type. Regardless of where you stand on the whole AS220/Taqueria Pacifica controversy (the beloved burrito joint housed within the art space closed a few months back after a rent dispute with AS220), its tough not to be intrigued by the new incarnation's delicious-sounding, super affordable menu.

The most expensive item is just $8. Options include roasted pumpkin and squash soup with toasted pumpkin seeds ($4 a bowl); pulled pork empanadas ($4); and grilled chicken with sweet potato mash and collards ($8). No surprise, there are a ton of vegan and vegetarian friendly dishes, such as tandori tofu ($5); whole wheat pasta with spicy pomodoro and local kale ($7); and crispy chickpeas with garlic, basil and paprika ($1.50) (view the full menu here).

The restaurant's even got a do-gooder bent, providing six month work positions for youth involved in the RI Training School's culinary arts program and AS220's own Broad Street Studio program for teens in or recently released from state care. And like Taqueria, it sources seasonal ingredients from local farmers and food artisans. Kinda makes you want to celebrate, doesn't it? You can at next Friday's "Hail Seitan" grand opening featuring a $6.66 buffet from 6 to 11 p.m.

Posted at 11:08 AM in Eating Out | Permalink | Comments

2009-11-05

I Heart Portland

P.S. I’ve written about Portland before, so read that for more info.

Posted at 12:00 PM in Travel | Permalink | Comments