Saturday, April 15, 2023
I got a copy of Mimi Sheraton’s book “1,000 Foods to Eat Before You Die" from the library. It is much less of a guidebook than an encyclopedia. While it tells you where to find exceptional Sicilian Blood Orange Sorbet (in New York no less), it also includes detailed recipes (Waterzooi à la Gantoise -- Belgian chicken stew) and basic definitions (the difference between chocolate mousse and pots de crème au chocolat is the latter only will keep a spoon standing upright unassisted).
It’s not a book to borrow from the library, able to keep for only three weeks, but one to own and keep close at hand -- hint, hint.
. . .
So this guy gets a job as school superintendent and sends a thank you e-mail to the school board. He addresses the all-female group as "Dear Ladies" and now he's looking for a job.
. . .
June 29, 2022 - Miles Bridges, a National Basketball Association player, arrested on felony domestic violence and child abuse charges.
November 3, 2022 - He pleads no contest to the charges.
April 1, 2023 - The league suspended him for 30 games.
. . .
While time seemed to move slowly for Miles Bridges, consider the accelerated pace experienced by South Dakota's Republican governor's two-year-old grandchild. "Kristi Noem tells audience at NRA forum toddler has a shotgun, a rifle and a pony." https://www.
Sunday, April 16, 2023
If I ruled the world, no one would have $400 million available under the mattress to get their name chiseled onto the halls of Ivy.
But, that regime seems to be permanently forestalled and, instead, we have Ken Griffin, billionaire reactionary or simply cynic, buying his way onto a facade at Harvard University. Should we deny him the pleasure of this massive ego stroke, because he is no more likable than the average billionaire thereby giving him the opportunity to use this money instead to further pollute our political processes?
. . .
An article about apartment renovations featured a young woman who is “a content creator and a lifestyle blogger.” I wonder, is Grandpa Alan a content creator and a lifestyle blogger?
Monday, April 17, 2023
Are you happy? Do you want to be happier? Is it worth moving to Fremont, California?
. . .
The headline reads “Are Crumbl Cookies the Best or the Worst? It Doesn’t Matter.” https://www.nytimes.
That was sufficient to arouse the curiosity of Ken Klein and me out on our stroll, which happened to place us on Columbus Avenue opposite the new Crumbl cookie store at the corner of West 74th Street. We knew nothing of this business before seeing this article. While there are only two stores newly opened in the Holy Land, we learned that there are hundreds of Crumbls all over the country.
They feature a changing menu of large cookies, mostly thickly iced or decorated, selling for $5 each. Only the chocolate chip is constantly available. In fact, Ken bought this one for me. 
Verdict: A very large cookie, generously loaded with milk chocolate chips. Slightly underbaked, leaving the center a bit soft. I might choose it over a Levain cookie, because it is less greasy, but it does not displace Jacques Torres in my affection.
Tuesday, April 18, 2023
I navigated the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law far more successfully than any other educational institution that I attended, even including grades 1-6 at P.S. 159 Brooklyn. Therefore, I am pleased to donate to the school periodically. That’s what got me invited to a reception at the school tonight.
It was a serious affair -- they served meat. You see, as a division of Yeshiva University, Cardozo strictly obeys Jewish dietary laws, making it easier to serve vegetarian meals on a large scale. Tonight, though, expecting a roomful of benefactors, they served meat. Without being too critical, I will just say that next time I am going to recommend that Aunt Judi be in charge of the food. She has repeatedly demonstrated the ability to offer delicious Kosher fleischig food to large numbers of people.
While many of my favorites are missing from the list of the best New York City restaurants compiled by Pete Wells, restaurant critic of the New York Times, I respect his choices.
His tastes range far and wide, geographically, economically and ethnically. Of course, attempting such a compilation in the Land of the Gourmets, Gourmands, Fressers and Foodies puts a target on your back. I will not fault Pete even for his notorious oversights.
. . .
Billy S. is a good guy. He resells me hockey tickets from his subscription at face value. His seats in Madison Square Garden (MSG) during the regular season are in section 224, row 20, at $89 each.
The New York Rangers, in a fit of optimism after winning the first game of the first round of the playoffs, have put tickets on sale for the second round. Billy forwarded me the notice from MSG asking $495 to sit in section 225, row 22.
. . .
Tonight, Temple Emanu-El Streicker Center presented Daniel Gordis discussing the ideas in his latest book "Impossible Takes Longer: 75 Years After Its Creation, Has Israel Fulfilled Its Founders' Dreams?" Gordis, an observant Jew with centrist politics, moved from the United States to Israel 25 years ago. He was articulate and thoughtful and I encourage you to access the recording at: https://streicker.nyc/past-
Thursday April 20, 2023
Today’s euphemism? This week’s euphemism? This year’s euphemism? Starship, the tallest and most powerful rocket ever built, and the first intended to be fully reusable, experienced “rapid unscheduled disassembly.”
. . .
For the second night in a row, Temple Emanu-El Streicker Center had an excellent program,
"The Devil’s Confession - The Lost Eichmann Tapes." This new documentary covers the trial of Adolf Eichmann and its domestic and international implications. Most significantly, the film contrasts Eichmann's trial testimony with the recorded conversations he had had with a Dutch Nazi who had also fled to Argentina. While the tapes were known to exist, they were never produced for the trial and a transcript was rejected as lacking authentication. Make every effort to watch this documentary. It is available on Prime Video and possibly some other platforms.
"The Devil’s Confession - The Lost Eichmann Tapes." This new documentary covers the trial of Adolf Eichmann and its domestic and international implications. Most significantly, the film contrasts Eichmann's trial testimony with the recorded conversations he had had with a Dutch Nazi who had also fled to Argentina. While the tapes were known to exist, they were never produced for the trial and a transcript was rejected as lacking authentication. Make every effort to watch this documentary. It is available on Prime Video and possibly some other platforms.
Friday, April 21, 2023
Wonder, 2030 Broadway, is a new and risky
venture, in my eyes. It is a small store with wide horizons. It has
the abbreviated menus and recipes of 10 restaurants from all over the
country -- Middle Eastern, BBQ, Mexican, Italian, Greek, Indian, steaks.
You order on a tablet or, more likely, the nice guy behind the counter
keys in your choices and brings your meal to one of the half dozen small
tables. In fact, most of Wonder's business is delivery or takeout.
Eating in is marginally comfortable.
I
ordered a pastrami sandwich from the menu of Tejas Barbecue, Tomball,
Texas ($18). I was not being disloyal. This was different pastrami, spicy brisket,
cured with black pepper, Kosher salt, white sugar, garlic, rice wine
vinegar, curing salt, yellow mustard seeds, coriander seeds, honey,
ground coriander, allspice, crushed red pepper flakes, cinnamon, ground
ginger and dried bay leaf. It was carved thick and piled high on marble
rye, which I favor less than Seinfeld does. East/west, the good
sandwich could have been bigger.
. . .
Another Holocaust related program is "Transatlantic," seven episodes on Netflix. The subject matter is fascinating and important, the rescue of Jewish intellectual and cultural figures from Europe by Varian Fry and the Emergency Rescue Committee in 1940-41, a completely private enterprise at odds with official American policy. The series is true to life in most regards, using the real identities of key figures.
So? The acting stinks.
I am going to treat myself to one of the hundred once a month
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