Project Read: No reservations by Anthony Bourdain

Another cleverly written treasure by Bourdain. The book is doubly good because it is filled with snapshots of his travels to Iceland, Vietnam, Malaysia, Sicily, Uzbekistan, and other bad-ass places. I enjoyed reading the snippets about his tiny traveling crew; they appear to be a fun bunch.

The latter portion of the book offers his top restaurant/hole-in-the-wall choices as well as an array of bathroom images of his visits.

A wonderful, two-hour-tops read.

Yay, it's almost another year to read! Resolution: watch 50% less TV and read at least four books per month. Yeah, I'll let you know how that goes.

My siblings and I wish you a very Merry Christmas!

Two words.

Funny.


(Sister Zina and yours truly)

Funnier.


(Brother Tyrone and Sister Carla)

Dear Santa,

I've been good all year long. Please send me Anthony Bourdain for Christmas. No bows needed.

Thanks,
Raquel

Edit: Actually, send Paul Walker first. If he's busy, Bourdain. Peace.

Library Power Rangers!

Hey, I bet you never met the Library Power Rangers!

Orange Jun-san just drop-kicked a non-reader. Green Yoshiko-san is keeping the evil forces away. Red Fumie-san encompasses all powers and negotiates nothing with the bad guys. That's me in blue; I'm going to double-wha-bam your face if you cause trouble with my library team. And Yellow Taizo-san just roundhoused some lady with 10 overdues.



Library Power Rangers. U better not mess with us.

Which superhero are you?

Click here to take the "Which Superhero am I?" quiz...

I must've lied on some questions to result resembling Robin. I think I identify more with Hulk because I've good upper body strength and turn green only when I'm solo. Plus I could probably bust the seams of my shirt when I flex my back.

Your turn. Who's you?

HBM

Happy Birthday, Mom.

Tulips in Holland 2006

Oh, may I call you Tony?

I am finding Anthony Bourdain very sexy. Not because he can cook. Not because he can write. Not because he's tall. Not because he is articulate. Not even because of his intellect.

What's absolutely sexy about him is the way he looks at people and listens while they speak. It's genuine. Watch him on his travel show No Reservations.

And look! It's like he's from Guam; jeans shorts in the water. Done deal for me!

*<* This is me starry-eyed over the guy.

Project Read: The New Yorkers by Cathleen Schine

When there are multiple characters in a novel, I keep notes on an index card. My index card for this book lists 16 characters, some of which are dogs. I know there are more than 16, but maybe I didn't have a pencil nearby to jot it down when a new character surfaced.

I'm pulling my lazy card on summarizing this one because it's Sunday night, and well, I have split ends to snip and eyebrows to tweeze gosh-darn-it. You got me?

Just click on the cover if you really want to know. A review in Library Journal says it was a joy to read. Eh, so-so.

Sense

For exercise today, I walked around Akihabara and Asakusa. Then on my way home I bought curry (a girl's gostah eat). It was the perfect ending to celebrate eyesight. (And taste.)

Akihabara







Asakusa

Say Chineeeeeeese!

I've been back home since last week, but these are my favorite people-pictures of my trip.

Shopping at the market was stressful, but quite the experience.


Toys, purses, clothes, electronics, shoes, jewelry--you'll find it all at the markets.


I waited for another tourist to negotiate the price of $1.40 per tee, then swooped in without dealing with the haggling. The two vendors were very cool about it, and it saved me some time and stress!


"Ah, you are good bargainer," she told me.


Surrounding The Temple of Heaven grounds, there are multiple gatherings of cardplayers, dancers, singers, and group sports.


And silly posers.


And serious posers.


Are Chinese people known to show the peace sign for pictures? They could be Japanese, and I admit ignorance.


He caught tennis balls with that gadget on his head. His facial expression never changed.


Bundled up.


Tian'anmen Square


Go fly a kite.


Hey, I'm at the Forbidden City.


Hey, I'm at the Forbidden City. (The obligatory tourist shot.)


The young and friendly video guy kept creeping up on me, so I scared him with my jumbo camera.

Project Read: Kitchen confidential by Anthony Bourdain

I think I first heard about Anthony Bourdain through my sister and decided to read his biography, Kitchen Confidential. I am so glad I did because this chef writes in a cleverly raw and witty style, shocking you with the goings-on of The Kitchen.

I especially admire how he praises the backbone of the restaurant business--busboys, waiters, dishwashers. He offers uncomplicated advice on the type and race of people that are the easiest, dependable, and most committed to work with. Let's just say that some, rather a lot of his recommendations prove he has a pair.

I especially love his honesty about how he knew, just knew he wanted in on cookery. Just read page 24.

Be careful while reading--not only will you guffaw, but your hungry switch turns on and you find yourself pledging to read the rest of his books. He's that good.

Blame it on the sugar

I can't fall asleep because three ex-boyfriends are on my mind. I suppose I can blame the cookie-sugar rush today. Anyway.

One ex-boyfriend is ... ugh, excuse me, I threw up in my mouth a little.

The other. I giggle aloud when I think about how I would lie on his back, and he'd think it was the best massage EVER. Just lay.

The other. His first flag was probably when I would roll the window down to smell the fumes as he filled his truck with gasoline. The other flag was probably when I admitted that I like the metal taste of some orange juice drinks.

Am I special or what.

Flex able

While in Beijing I took in a show. Ai, ya, yai, it hurts just watching them.