Month: November 2007

Earliest Christmas carol: I heard the Christmas Song (Chestnuts roasting on an open fire…) on Veteran’s Day. That’s really lame, it’s almost like, let’s just get through Turkey Day to get to massive shopping the next. Kind of the same for my birthday – it was one of those, not a milestone, nothing to see, moving on type of days.

Jade Asian Restaurant, Flushing: Dimsum in the old Gum Fong. New decor is one part Shanghai Tang, one part Blue Ribbon. Ha gow and ha chern both excellent, as well as their other dumplings and buns. Jook (congee) was average, obviously using a boat motor blender as a shortcut. Check it out. Average tab: $15-20.

Downtown Atlantic: 10 minutes in this place, and you will be dying of hunger, as the scent of baking cupcakes will whet your appetite. Tried the Grandma’s Sunday Gravy (Spaghetti with tomato sauce with stewed meatballs and sausage, for those not having the privilege of having an Italian Sunday dinner). It was passable, but obviously they had to cut out significant trans-fat, which I had to supplement with dollops of butter. The other brunch options looked quite nice, topped off with your favorite baked good and a strong coffee.

Beltway elite now shopping at Costco. It’s rediscovering the Protestant work ethic for Thanksgiving – still feed everyone well, but at least you can say that you were frugal. I suppose that FreshDirect performs a similar function in New York City, although Fairway and Costco are serious competition here.

And the hunt is on for Christmas shopping – Black Friday loss leaders not worth it (and I’m not waking up at 5:30 to get them), but P and I bought snow boots at 20% off at EMS.  Anyone know where you can find a Wii? Happy Holidays!

In this Sunday’s NY Times:

In the NY Times’ Sunday Magazine, former US Poet Laureate Billy Collins reads his poem, “The Fish,” with accompanying seafood recipes (although I’m not sure that the recipes are from him).

The G subway line leaves so much to be desired, as this article on the upcoming subway lines report card notes.

A lengthy profile on Ang Lee, director, who lives in Larchmont, NY – and seems to enjoy it very much.

NY Times’ Motoko Rich on “A Good Mystery: Why We Read.”

Slate managing editor Jill Hunter Pellettieri suggests we move on from turkey leftovers. Are turkey leftovers that bad? But, it’s the American way! Well, okay, maybe it’s unnecessary, but so is the current hype on Black Friday – totally insane!

Slate’s found Michael Kinsley discusses how life experience is relevant to becoming, say, president.

Can I pull off my so-called novel before National Novel Writing Month ends? Will the writers’ strike continues? Stay tuned!