New mandoline from Shun

You might get sticker shock when you look at the price on this new mandoline from Shun. But, let me tell you, this is the Mercedes-Benz of mandolines. I saw a demo of this mandoline recently and was amazed by three things: safety, results, and styling.

Safety: The clever design team at Shun deduced that the reason many people don't buy mandolines is because they're afraid. Either they've had a bad experience or heard horror stories. I could tell a first-hand--ahem, no pun intended-- story, but I'll spare you the gory details. Anyway, when using the Shun Pro Mandoline, it's nearly impossible to run your fingers or hand across the blade because the carriage features an offset handle. So, your hand never hovers over the super-sharp blade.

Results: I was amazed at how thin you could slice your produce. Think of the thickness of the ginger you get on the side of your sushi order. This mandoline could slice thinner than the thinnest slice of that ginger. So, what's the benefit in this for you? For starters, I'm thinking potato gratin, maple sweet potatoes, etc. And, how could those not be beneficial?

Styling: This is one pretty piece. The mandoline's legs are made of Pakkawood, which is known for its strength and durability. The black finishing on the wood offers a classy look to match other Shun Pro products. And, the sturdy stainless-steel deck matches more modern kitchen appliances. Overall, this piece is heavy, but that's what you'd expect of the Mercedes-Benz of mandolines, right?

Move over stand mixers, there's a new countertop king in town--the Shun Pro Mandoline.

--Sous-Chef on the Run

T-Mobile Launches 3G Network in New York City

Yesterday saw a flurry of blogging over the rumored launch of T-Mobile's long-brewing 3G network today in New York City on May Day, and speculation that the launch would be voice only--neglecting the data capability that is really central to 3G usage. Well, the 3G network did indeed launch today and Electronista is reporting that data is included:

Tests in New York City's Brooklyn borough using phones already capable of supporting the carrier's unique 1,700MHz UMTS Internet service show downloads at 300Kbps or more, pushing past the 200Kbps or less normally available on the EDGE (2G) network. Data can also pass through at the same time as calls -- a feat normally impossible with EDGE, which blocks phone service during heavy use.

T-Mobile's 3G network will be rolled out to at least 20 more markets by the end of the year, and no doubt their selection of 3G-capable phones will increase dramatically. Only a handful are currently offered, including the Nokia 6263 (seen at right) and 3555.

Despite the kleenex-ized generic monicker of 3G, there are actually several flavors of 3G connectivity as defined by the frequency that the cellular network uses. AT&T, T-Mobile's main GSM provider in the United States, offers dual-band connectivity on the 850 and 1900 MHz bands. However, T-Mobile's 3G network runs on the 1700 MHz frequency--thus a 3G-enabled phone that you may have picked up from AT&T won't get past the ropeline at T-Mobile's 3G party should you decide to switch networks.

This also prevents many current unlocked 3G-enabled phones from utilizing 3G on T-Mobile, as those that are geared for the American 3G audience currently offer connectivity to the 850/1900 MHz frequencies like the US network-enabled Nokia N95s. (Most unlocked 3G phones made for the European and Asian markets can't access either AT&T's or T-Mobile's 3G networks as those international networks run on the 2100 MHz spectrum.) But it does look like some new phones coming down the pike--such as the Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1--are integrating 1700 3Gness in order to roll with T-Mobile.

--Agen G.N. Schmitz

from amazondaily

How Well Do You Know Your Own Music Collection?

The other day, I volunteered to pick up some friends from the airport. Their luggage was lost on the tarmac, so I was on hold in the Cell Phone Waiting Lot for over an hour. Not a problem, because I had my 6th-generation iPod classic with me, and it features the coolest game ever: iQuiz, which comes pre-loaded on every 6th-generation iPod classic. I'm a music fanatic (1,200 CDs and 5,500 MP3s), and I keep my iTunes in pristine condition--not just song title, artist, and album, but also composer, lyrics, year, genre, track number, album cover, my rating, and any other information I have about the song. (If I could find a way to determine BPM on songs, I'd include that, too.) So, iQuiz is the best because it's a simulated game show, where I'm the only contestant, and the topic is my music. (I can also play iQuiz with TV and movies, but I haven't even ventured there--yet.) Most of the questions are multiple choice and true/false, but the Lightning Rounds focus on similarities--years, artists, genres, and the like. The game is a ton of fun, and it really encourages OCD-like organization of your music collection. It's just one more fantastic reason to own an iPod. Heck, I was having so much fun, I let the kids wait an extra 5 minutes at Baggage Claim so that I could finish my game. High score: 14,531. What's yours?

--Andi

From amazondaily

cake pans

Just when I thought things couldn't get any cuter over at Norpro, they now have several baking pans I'm eying (and yet have no practical need for, but that's not really the point...). Check out the:

• Cakesicle pan


• Mini donut pan


• Mini cheesecake pan


• Mini popover pan (!!)

As a lover of all things bundt, and the many fantastic shapes those cake pans come in these days, I'm a sucker for these novelty baking items. Plus, my son's first birthday is coming up soon, and I've got to pick a cute and tasty way to commemorate the event. Do I smell cakesicles...? Or, maybe a giant cupcake?!

Readers, do you have a novelty pan you can't get enough of? Or, is there one you've been wishing a manufacturer like Norpro would produce? Add a comment and let us know!

By--KitchenMaus

From amazondaily

Marinated Goat Cheeses

Don’t get flustered by the French title, this salad (which can just be called Marinated Goat Cheese Salad, if you don’t want to sound continental. But why wouldn’t you) is from Ann Willan’s absolutely marvelous new book The Country Cooking of France. As we make the turn into spring and summer, salad becomes more and more a dining staple. To make this delish version, you’ll need to plan ahead a bit to marinate the goat cheese. Remember, on that step, a little hint from the author: “small goat cheeses are best for marinating, and they should be quite dry.” The wait, by the way, is completely worth it.

Serves 4

Marinated Goat Cheeses

Ingredients:
4 small round goat cheeses (about 2-1/2 ounces/75 grams each)
3 dried bay leaves
2 teaspoons peppercorns
3 sprigs fresh thyme
3 to 4 tiny dried hot peppers
1-1/2 cups olive oil or nut oil

Directions:
1. Put 4 small round goat cheeses (about 2-1/2 ounces/75 grams each) in a 1 quart/1 liter/1-3/4 pint covered jar with 3 dried bay leaves, 2 teaspoons peppercorns, 3 sprigs of fresh thyme, and 3 to 4 tiny dried hot peppers.

2. Add 1-1/2 cups/375 milliliters/12 fluid ounces olive or walnut oil, or enough to cover them generously. Cover with the lid and leave at least 2 weeks before using. The cheeses are good for 3 to 4 weeks, but will soften if kept too long. As you use them, more cheeses can be added to the oil.

Salade de Fromages de Chèvre Mariné

Salad Ingredients:
6 ounces/175 grams salad greens
4 Marinated Goat Cheeses (above)
8 slices whole-wheat bread
Oil from marinating the cheese, for brushing

Vinaigrette Ingredients:
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
Salt and pepper
6 tablespoons/90 milliliters/3 fluid ounces oil from marinating the cheese
2- to 3-inch/5- to 7-centimeter round cookie cutter

Directions:

1. Wash and dry the salad greens, discarding any wilted leaves. Slice each cheese in half horizontally. Using a cookie cutter, stamp a round from each slice of bread slightly larger than the rounds of cheese. Brush the bread rounds with oil and set a round of cheese, cut side down, on top.

2. For the vinaigrette, whisk the vinegar with salt and pepper in a small bowl until the salt dissolves. Gradually add the oil, whisking constantly so the dressing emulsifies and thickens slightly. Taste and adjust the seasoning. The greens, cheese, and dressing can be prepared an hour or two ahead.

3. To finish, heat the broiler. Broil the cheeses about 3 inches/7.5 centimeters from the heat until bubbling and browned, 5 to 7 minutes. Meanwhile, toss the greens with the dressing, then taste a leaf and adjust the seasoning. Pile the greens on individual plates. Set two rounds of cheese on each plate and serve while still warm.

--A.J. Rathbun

Article From : amazondaily

Crystle Stewart Wins Miss USA Pageant

Crystle Stewart is the new Miss USA.

The 26-year-old Miss Texas conquered 50 other aspiring beauty queens in the pageant televised live from Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.

Almost immediately, the contestants were narrowed down from 50 to 15. The finalists included Miss Missouri - and sister of Chace Crawford - Candice Crawford. But even her sibling’s star power was not enough to deny Stewart from her destiny.

At the end of the night, Crystle overcame runner-up Leah Laviano and second runner-up Tiffany Andrade to succeed Rachel Smith as Miss USA.

Congratulations to the new Miss USA, Crystle Stewart.

This evening, during one of the year's most exciting live television events, a star-studded panel of judges chose Miss Texas USA, Crystle Stewart, as MISS USA 2008. Donny and Marie Osmond hosted the 57th Annual MISS USA Pageant from the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in one of the world’s most electrifying cities, Las Vegas where the judges crawned Crystle Stewart as Miss USA.

Miss. USA 2008 Crystle Stewart completed her degree in Consumer Science and Merchandising at the University of Houston. She founded and runs her business "Inside/Out" which aids young women in building self-esteem and volunteers with many organizations in the community. She won a silver medal in the relay at Jr. Olympics and is a fourth generation educator.

The judging panel for the 2008 Miss USA® Pageant included: Heather Mills, contestant on season four of "Dancing With the Stars"; Rob Schneider, star of "I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry"; Joey Fatone, host of "The Singing Bee"; Kristian Alfonso, entrepreneur and star of NBC's "Days of our Lives"; Olympic gold-medal swimmer Amanda Beard; Christian Siriano, this season's winner of Bravo's hit show "Project Runway"; San Diego Chargers linebacker Shawne "Lights Out" Merriman; celebrity hairstylist Ken Paves; Kelly Carlson, star of "Nip/Tuck"; founder and CEO of Planet Hollywood International, Inc. Robert Earl and Vanity Fair's celebrity journalist George Wayne.

Throughout the two-hour event, the contestants competed in three categories: swimsuit, evening gown and interview. During these competitions, the "Top Five" finalists were selected before the crowning.

Rachel Smith, MISS USA 2007, crowned her successor at the conclusion of the two-hour primetime telecast, where rock band Finger Eleven performed their hit song "Paralyzer" before an estimated worldwide viewing audience of more than 250 million.

During her reign, Crystle Stewart will work with the official causes of Miss USA, which include breast and ovarian cancer education, research, and legislation. She will travel nationwide as an advocate for organizations such as the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance, the National Breast Cancer Coalition, Susan G. Komen for the Cure and Gilda's Club, among others.

The Miss Universe Organization, producers of the Miss UNIVERSE®, MISS USA® and MISS TEEN USA® Pageants, is a Donald J. Trump and National Broadcasting Company, Inc. (NBC) partnership.

Source: By Miss USA.com

The Third Angel: A Novel (Hardcover)

The Third Angel: A Novel (Hardcover)

This title will be released on April 8, 2008. Pre-order now!

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. In this elegant and stunning novel, veteran heartstring-puller Hoffman (Here on Earth; Seventh Heaven) examines the lives of three women at different crossroads in their lives, tying their London-centered stories together in devastating retrospect. High powered New York attorney Maddy Heller arrives in 1999 London having had an affair with Paul, her sister Allie's fiancé,; she must now cope with the impending marriage, and with Paul's terminal illness—which echoes the girls' mother's cancer during their childhood. Hoffman then shifts to heady 1966 London and to Frieda Lewis, Paul's future mother, who falls for a doomed up-and-coming songwriter knowing he will break her heart. The narrative then shifts further back, to 1952 and to Maddy and Allie's future mother, Lucy Green. A bookish 12-year-old wise beyond her years, Lucy sails with her father and stepmother from New York to London for a wedding. There, she becomes an innocent catalyst to a devastating event involving a love triangle. Hoffman interweaves the three stories, gazing unerringly into forces that cause some people to self-destruct (There was no such thing as too much for a girl who thought she was second best) and others to find inner strength to last a lifetime. (Apr.)

Review

“Alice Hoffman is my favorite writer.” —Jodi Picoult

“A reader is in good hands with Alice Hoffman, able to count on many pleasures. She is one of our quirkiest and most interesting novelists, and her skills increase with every new book.”
—Jane Smiley, USA Today

"In this elegant and stunning novel, veteran heartstring-puller Hoffman (Here on Earth; Seventh Heaven) examines the lives of three women at different crossroads in their lives, tying their London-centered stories together in devastating retrospect. High powered New York attorney Maddy Heller arrives in 1999 London having had an affair with Paul, her sister Allie’s fiancé,; she must now cope with the impending marriage, and with Paul’s terminal illness–which echoes the girls’ mother’s cancer during their childhood. Hoffman then shifts to heady 1966 London and to Frieda Lewis, Paul’s future mother, who falls for a doomed up-and-coming songwriter knowing he will break her heart. The narrative then shifts further back, to 1952 and to Maddy and Allie’s future mother, Lucy Green. A bookish 12-year-old wise beyond her years, Lucy sails with her father and stepmother from New York to London for a wedding. There, she becomes an innocent catalyst to a devastating event involving a love triangle. Hoffman interweaves the three stories, gazing unerringly into forces that cause some people to self-destruct ("There was no such thing as too much for a girl who thought she was second best") and others to find inner strength to last a lifetime."
—Publishers Weekly *starred* review

Over the course of writing more than two dozen works of fiction, Hoffman has created her very own form, the heartbreak fairy tale. Her latest and one of her best is an exceptionally well-structured, beguiling, and affecting triptych of catastrophic love stories, each laced with patterns of three and anchored to a haunted London hotel. In the first and most contemporary tale, Maddy stays at the hotel while visiting her soon-to-be-married sister and falling for her sister’s fiancé. Set in 1966, the middle tale features rebellious young Frieda, a college dropout working as a maid at the hotel who tries to rescue a junkie rock musician. Finally, the tragic story of the hotel’s ghost revolves around precocious young Lucy, whose inadvertent role in a fatal love triangle wounds her very soul. A kind doctor repeats the novel’s mantra when he says that we are accompanied by the Angel of Life, the Angel of Death, and the Third Angel, “the one who walks among us,” and, like us, needs compassion. Not only is Hoffman spellbinding in this incandescent fusion of dark romance and penetrating psychic insight, she also opens diverse and compelling worlds, dramatizes the shocks and revelations that forge the self, and reveals the necessity and toll of empathy and kindness. Hoffman has transcended her own genre.
—Booklist, *starred* review

“The Third Angel is brilliantly crafted, deeply moving, and utterly enchanting. I loved these characters for their complexity, their unpredictability and for the way they showed subtle and shifting nuance in human nature. One of the best things about Alice Hoffman's writing is that she grounds you in detail and also frees your imagination to soar to places it has never been--often simultaneously. Reading her is immensely satisfying--and addictive!”
–Elizabeth Berg, author of The Day I Ate Whatever I Wanted

“With her glorious prose and extraordinary eyes . . . Alice Hoffman seems to know what it means to be a human being.”
—Susan Isaacs, Newsday

“Alice Hoffman takes seemingly ordinary lives and lets us see and feel
extraordinary things.”
—Amy Tan

“Hoffman’s characters, male and female, tend to be defined by the restless, lonely ache of what’s missing in their lives, which becomes clear only when they fill the void with something either unexpectedly right or horribly
wrong. Along the way, Hoffman seems to wriggle into their skin, breathe their air, and think their thoughts.”
—Entertainment Weekly

“A mesmerizing tale of the human condition, this latest novel is sure to please Hoffman's fans and win over new readers. Recommended for all public library fiction collections.”
—Library Journal

“Hoffman makes vivid and new the realization that grace, beauty, and forgiveness can arise out of the most devastating situations.”
—Megan Deem, Elle

“Alice Hoffman’s richly layered novel, The Third Angel, is one of her best.”
—Susan Straight, More

Top 5 ideas for Valentine's Day gifts

If you goofed on the Christmas shopping this year, now's your chance to make amends. Whether you're willing to spend a little or a lot, here are our top five Valentine's Day gift ideas:
5. A weekend away
And you really don't need to go far. Simply book a room at your local hotel. Make sure to leave the kids and ozher "interruptions" behind. Check hotel Web sites and call them directly as many will have special Valentine's Day packages.

4. Diamonds
Yes, this one is tried and true but only minority of women can resist. And here's a simple test to ensure you get the real thing. Hold a piece of newsprint or a page with writing on it behind your supposed diamond. If you can read the print, it's a fake.

3. Flat screen TV
You think it's not romantic enough? Think again! Just envision those cold winter nights snuggled on the couch together enjoying a movie. If you're putting the TV in a bright room, choose an LCD TV over a Plasma TV for better visibility.

2. Lingerie
This is a gift for everyone involved! The best lingerie comes from France so look for that on the label. If you're contemplating something lacy (and racy!) ensure that the lace is smooth, not scratchy to the touch. And guys, this is the time when it's okay to snoop in her lingerie drawer to get to know her sizing. This is not an item that's easily returned.

1. Chocolate
Purchase dark chocolate with a minimum cocoa content of 55%. Dark chocolate contains more anti-oxidants and less sugar than the milk chocolate variety. If you're going with boxed chocolate, ask the retailer about the top sellers. This high turnover will make for fresher chocolate. So fill your gift box with those flavors.

Article from: us top 5

Put Away the Pigskin and Put Out the Pig Candy

OK, the Super Bowl is over so now you have to get back to eating right. Right? Well, I’ll tell you what eating right is: a little delicacy called Bacon Peanut Brittle.

It is absolutely addictive and a great thing to do with any leftover peanuts from Sunday’s game. I created this “pig candy” a few years ago for a “pork-in-every-course” class that I was teaching called Swine and Wine. The brittle was the after-dessert mignardises. It was a whim when I first made it, but one that I have seen catching on lately.

Because it is smoky, sweet, salty and savory all in one bite, it makes a great snack, appetizer or dessert. And because it is so satisfying, you really don’t eat that much of it—I mean, your teeth would be aching and your jaw would be sore if you sat down and ate a whole batch at once. I love making it and bringing it to friends as a hostess gift or setting it out with assorted nibbles and bits when I have people over for drinks. When the brittle is cool, I place the shards in an old-fashioned mason jar, but you could give it away as a party favor in plastic bags and I am sure no one would complain!

The key to making the brittle crystal clear (see picture) instead of cloudy is making sure that the bacon is not over-cooked or burned (dice raw bacon and cook slowly over low heat) and that all the excess fat is drained away from the bacon. I do this by wrapping the drained bacon in a few layers of paper towels and gently wringing it out. Other than this, there is no trick to making the brittle.

If you want to really up the ante, make it with Schaller and Weber’s double-smoked bacon. It is by far the best bacon I have ever tasted and I have tasted them all! If you don’t live in the New York area, you’ll have to order it by web or mail but it is well worth the wait! Click the link to read the recipe.

Bacon Peanut Brittle a.k.a. Pig Candy

2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
1 tablespoon pure ground ancho chili*, or to taste
Pinch of ground Cayenne pepper
1 cup whole salted, roasted peanuts
2 cups cooked, crumbled Applewood bacon, fully rendered and drained well
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
1 teaspoon baking soda

Butter a baking sheet with about ½ tablespoon of the butter and set aside.

Place sugar and corn syrup in a large, heavy 4 or 5 quart saucepan over medium-high heat, stir the sugar and corn syrup until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is bubbly and is pale golden brown. Add the ground chile and cayenne and cook for 2-3 minutes longer or until the sugar mixture has reached the hard-crack stage, about 300ºF if you are using a candy thermometer.

Take off the heat and working very quickly, stir in the remaining 1 ½ tablespoons of butter and then beat in the baking soda. Add the peanuts and bacon and mix well. Immediately pour onto the prepared baking sheet—it should even itself out, but if it doesn’t, smooth with a spatula and let cool.

Break the brittle into pieces by giving the entire tray a sharp slap on the kitchen counter. If it is made right, that’s all it will take! Store Brittle in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.

Makes about 1 lb

Recipe Tip*
The ground ancho chile peppers make a big difference in this recipe so don’t leave them out. If you can’t find them ground in your local store, buy whole dried ancho chiles; they are available every where—I’ve even seen them at convenience stores! I actually prefer grinding them myself and never buy the chile already ground.

~Elizabeth K.
Elizabeth Karmel has been the featured guest on many Food Network programs and specials. She has also appeared on the Today show multiple times, CBS The Early Show, MSNBC in-flight programming and local television stations. Her website is GirlsAtTheGrill.com.

Article From : amazondaily

Yummy Bacon Candy

I'm a lucky girl. For my birthday last week, my lovely coworkers made me bacon pumpkin pie and maple bacon cookies! But what do you do if you're still craving the salty-sweet bacon combo but you haven't got the patience for a complicated recipe? Say hello to my new junk food of choice:

Bacon Candy

Ingredients:
1 lb bacon (not thick-cut)
1/4 cup brown sugar

Directions:
1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Slice bacon into 1/2-inch strips and dredge in brown sugar until thoroughly coated.
3. Crumple aluminum foil to allow for grease drainage and place it on a baking sheet. Lay out the bacon on the foil making sure not to overlap pieces.
4. Bake until crispy. Allow to cool and harden before serving.

By : AndreaLeigh From amazondaily

Valentine Gifts Ideas : For woman

Every year, there're many special occasions when you express your love and appreciation for her - your girlfriend, your wife or your significant other. Valentine's Day is the most romantic day of the year to show your love and appreciation for her. You share the passion and excitement with her that both you and she will remember for many years to come.

A gift is a token of love and affection. She will love the gifts that every woman loves - flowers, perfume, jewelry, jewelry box, chocolates or lingerie gifts.

Scanning these magic words to spark creative gift ideas, you can surprise her with love.

>Flower

>valentine cards

>Valentine Chocolate

>Diamond & jewelry Accessories

>Bubble bath day

>Fitness, Yoga

>Hawaii vacation, Florado vacation

>Erotic massage oils, sensual massage oils

>Personalized romance novel

>Designer perfume

>Romantic gift baskets

GrandmaMaus's Chili

Chili is apparently a big thing on Game Day. I've gotten several emails this week from the major food websites touting their chili recipes. But, let me tell you, they are all wrong. This here is THE great chili recipe, passed down through the generations in my family. I like it best served over rice. GrandmaMaus herself prefers it over egg noodles. And it's not too shabby ladled over a hot dog or served with melted cheese on top and snacked on with tortilla chips. And, oh, the Frito Pie it makes! Go ahead, serve it on Sunday. Watch the crowds cheer!

GrandmaMaus's Chili

Ingredients:
1-1/2 to 2 pounds ground beef (not too lean)
1 large onion, chopped
1 large green pepper, seeded and chopped
2 to 3 cloves garlic, chopped
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 to 4 tablespoons Mexican chili powder
2-1/2 to 3 tablespoons cumin
4 15-ounce cans red kidney beans (do not drain)
1 large can crushed tomatoes in their juice
1 8-ounce can tomato sauce
Salt and pepper to taste
Cheddar cheese, grated (optional garnish)
Sour cream (optional garnish)

Directions:
1. In a large pot, sauté onion, green pepper, and garlic over medium heat until onion is translucent. Add the ground beef, stirring to break up the meat clumps.
2. When the meat is nicely browned add the chili powder and cumin. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Add the red kidney beans in their juice to the pot and stir to mix well. When mixture is bubbling add the crushed tomatoes in their juice and the tomato sauce. Stir well. Add salt and pepper to taste.
3. Bring chili to a simmer and cook on low for 2 hours. Stir occasionally.
4. Ladle into soup bowls and garnish with grated cheddar cheese or sour cream (or both).

Serves a small crowd, about 10 people. Can be doubled for a larger crowd.

Article by : KitchenMaus

Cookie Skates

This is yummy and so cute cookie, the kid will love them and it's good idea for holiday party.


Cookie Skates



INGREDIENTS :
1/2 roll (16.5 oz size) refrigerated sugar cookies
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 container (1 lb) creamy white creamy ready-to-spread frosting
30 small candy canes
Green decorating gel
Red candy sprinkles

DIRECTIONS :
1. In large bowl, break up cookie dough. Stir or knead in flour until well blended. Shape dough into 10-inch log; wrap in plastic wrap. Freeze 30 minutes.
2. Heat oven to 350°F. Remove dough from freezer. Flatten dough down center with handle of wooden spoon. To form boot shape, with fingers, flatten one side of log until about 3/4 inch thick. (See photo.) Cut log into 3/8-inch slices. On ungreased cookie sheets, place slices 2 inches apart. Flatten slightly with fingers.
3. Bake 8 to 11 minutes or until edges are light golden brown. Immediately remove from cookie sheets to cooling racks. Cool completely, about 15 minutes.
4. Spread frosting on cookies. Place small amount of frosting along bottom edge of each cookie; attach candy canes to form "skate blades," breaking off portion of tip of curved end, if necessary. With green gel, pipe laces and outline on skates. Use candy sprinkles to decorate skates.

Article from : pillsbury

The Go Team Vodka

This sporty drink (featured in my drinking-book Good Spirits, but originally picked up from my bartending pal Joel Meister) will make you the winner no matter what the final score of the actual game. Refreshing, but with that little kick that makes it easier to handle your team losing, and more fun to celebrate your team winning, the Go Team is an ideal accompaniment for all the tasty snacks that have been posted this week.

Ingredients:
Ice cubes
1 ounce Stolichnaya Vanil vodka
1 ounce Stolichnaya Ohranj vodka
1/2 ounce Midori melon liqueur
1/2 ounce simple syrup (see note below)
2 lime wedges
5 – 8 leaves fresh mint
Chilled soda water

Directions:
1. Add the lime wedges, mint, and simple syrup to a Collins glass or similarly-sized glass. Using a muddler or wooden spoon, muddle well.

2. Fill the glass three quarters up with ice cubes. Add the vodkas and the Midori. Stir well with a bar spoon.

3. Top off the glass with chilled club soda. Stir one more time. Serve with a game-winning smile.

A Note: Simple syrup is a snap to make (if you didn’t already know). For 4-1/2 cups worth, add 3 cups sugar and 2-1/2 cups water to a medium-sized saucepan. Stirring occasionally, bring the mixture to a boil over a medium-high heat. Lower the heat a bit, keeping the mixture at the low boil for five minutes. Then turn off the heat, and let the syrup completely cool in the pan. It stays good for up to a month in the fridge.

Article by : --A.J. Rathbun

The Best SF and Fantasy of 2007

Recently I contributed ayear's best SF/Fantasy article to Locus Online that I think will interest book-hungry Amazon readers. If you're unfamiliar with Mark Kelly's Locus Online, it is perhaps the best internet source for all things genre, and the electronic presence of the hardcopy magazine.

My article includes several titles familiar to readers from the Amazon Best SF/Fantasy list posted last year. However, it also includes many book not on that list, all of which are linked to Amazon. You'll find novel, first novel, anthology, reprint, and graphic novel recommendations galore. And, for your immediate reading pleasure, I've turned the spotlight on four recommended titles below. (In addition to my article, also take a look at Claude Lalumiere's recommended reading.)

The Stone Gods, Jeanette Winterson - A stunning SF book that's as much satire about our lives today as it is about the future. A new planet is discovered and the narrator and his robotic love are sent to explore it. At times tragic, at times hilarious, The Stone Gods is finally being released in the US in April from Harcourt (UK cover shown above). It's good for you, with its extrapolation about environmental devastation and our consumer culture, but also a fun, quick read.

The Dog Said Bow-Wow by Michael Swanwick - A master of the short form, Swanwick offers up a cornucopia of pleasures in this new volume. From steampunk to magic realism to fantasy, these stories resonate with intelligence and good humor. Not to mention, how can you resist a cover with an upside-down dog muzzle on it? Or an author who has won this many Hugo Awards?

Bright of the Sky by Kay Kenyon - This one's for readers who loved Ringworld by Larry Niven but also for fantasy readers who love great fantasy quests. How can that be, you might ask? It's set primarily in a strange alternative universe but also in the future of our universe. I think the cover, in this case, says it all: the book is exotic, beautiful, and daring. (Book two comes out in March.)

Logorrhea edited by John Klima - Possibly the most overlooked major anthology of 2007, Logorrhea included contributions from writers like Hal Duncan, Jay Lak, Michael Moorcock, and Marly Youmans, as well as yours truly. The premise? Each writer had to take a winning national spelling bee word and write a story around it. The results are wonderful, since this isn't the kind of constraint that straitjackets writers' imaginations--just the opposite. For my part, I wrote a story using all of the spelling bee words chosen by the other contributors. (There's a post on editor John Klima's blog that includes podcasts and other goodies related to the words.)

By : JeffV

Easy Parmesan Cheese Crisps

We've been eating a lot of cheese in the Al Dente HQ lately. (For those of you new to Al Dente, we just conducted a Parmesan cheese taste test, which I'm putting together the finishing touches on this week.) In honor of the mound of Parmesan left over in my refrigerator, I felt inspired to share this simple recipe with you all. When these crisps cool, toss 'em in a Caesar or pasta salad, if they make it that far. (Trust me, you'll be popping these like Pez.) And, you can always sprinkle a little paprika or freshly ground black pepper on these to give them a slight kick.

Ingredients:
4 cups good quality coarsely grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a sheet pan with greased parchment paper. (Tip: using a silicone baking mat works very well.) Sprinkle the coarsely grated Parmesan cheese into small, 5-inch diameter circles onto the pan. The circles should be in a thin layer so that they crisp up nicely. Place sheet pan in the oven and bake for approximately 8 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove the cheese from the sheet pan. If you'd like to shape the crisps, quickly place them over a rolling pin after removing from the oven and allow them to cool. Sprinkle with desired seasonings, and repeat baking step with remaining cheese.

By : Sous-Chef on the Run

French Onion Dip

What good is watching a football game without onion dip? Pointless, I say. This is simple to make, so when it dissappears during the first quarter (and it will), you can whip up another batch during a commercial break.

Ingredients
1 envelope Lipton onion soup mix
8 ounces cream cheese
1 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon fresh parsley and/or chives, chopped
1 teaspoon garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions
1. Put all of the ingredients in a food processor. Process on high for 10 seconds. Stir slightly (making sure to get everything off the sides). Process for another 5 to 10 seconds until completely combined.
2. Spatula the dip into a bowl, cover, and refrigerate up to an hour (or for you impatient types, stick it in the freezer for about ten minutes). Serves 6 to 8 people.

Article by : AndreaLeigh From amazondaily

Swedish Meatballs

I have to admit feeling a little like Duke, the golden retriever who tries to sell the secret family recipe to Bush's Original Baked Beans--that's because I'm going to share my mom's super-secret recipe for Swedish Meatballs. I've used this recipe many times to make a big batch of easy-to-prepare party appetizers. They're always a hit, now friends even RSVP saying, "there'd better be meatballs!" So, whether your favorite spectator sport is the Super Bowl or Project Runway, here's the recipe in time to load up your crock pot.

Swedish Meatballs a la Broadstone's Mom

Ingredients:

1 six-pound bag of frozen meatballs from your favorite food warehouse, such as Costco
1 jar (16 oz) creamy Alfredo sauce
1 jar (16 oz) roasted garlic Alfredo sauce
1.5 cups dry white wine

Directions:

1. Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Arrange the meatballs in a single layer on a foil-covered cookie sheet. Bake uncovered until the meatballs are browned, about 30-40 minutes.
3. Transfer meatballs to a large stockpot and add both jars of Alfredo sauce.
4. Pour 1/4 cup of white wine into each jar and shake to blend with any remaining sauce. Pour the blended wine and sauce over the meatballs and stir well.
5. Simmer uncovered, over medium heat for 20 minutes. Stir occasionally.
6. Pour remaining 1 cup of wine into a glass--that's for you to enjoy while hiding the empty sauce jars.

It's that easy. Delicious, simple, and the sauce won't separate. Oh, and if you see my mom, don't... say... a word.

Article by: Broadstone From amazondaily

Cheeseburger In a Can

If a worldwide apocalypse had forced us to live in underground bunkers just a few months ago, our diet would have consisted of dehydrated foods, canned beans, and vegans. Now, thanks to zee Germans, you can add cheeseburgers to that menu.

And not just any cheeseburger--canned cheeseburger. The web detectives over at Spuch dug up this gem.

I guess if survival came down to a choice between cannibalism and canned cheeseburger, I'd definitely think twice about eating someone.

Article by :Spanno From amazondaily

Mini Beef Crescents

All this week, we're going to focus on food for Sunday's big game. My culinary preference for football cuisine is easy-to-cook, man-sized finger food. And lots of it. This recipe, from Pillsbury.com, fits the bill perfectly because it's versatile and easy to make.

Mini Beef and Cheese Crescents

Ingredients
1 can (8 oz) refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
1 tablespoon Italian salad dressing
2 slices (1/2 to 1 oz each) cheese, each cut into 8 strips
2 tablespoons chopped roasted red bell peppers (from a jar or fresh)
3 oz thinly sliced cooked roast beef (from deli), cut into 16 pieces [feel free to substitute any sliced, chopped, marinated, or pulled meat --Spanno]

Directions
1. Heat oven to 350°F. Spray cookie sheet with cooking spray. Unroll dough and separate into 8 triangles; press out each triangle so shortest side measures 4 inches. Cut each triangle in half lengthwise from tip end to short side to make 16 triangles.
2. Brush each triangle with salad dressing. Top each with 1 cheese strip, scant 1/2 teaspoon roasted peppers and 2 pieces of beef, folding to fit on triangle. Roll up each, starting at shortest side of triangle and rolling to opposite point; place point side down on cookie sheet.
3. Bake 13 to 18 minutes or until golden brown. Immediately remove from cookie sheet. Serve warm.

Makes 16 appetizers.

Article by : Spanno from amazondaily

The Danger of Not Eating Tuna

In recent years, the last word on the dangers of eating mercury-rich fish seemed to be the government's well-publicized 2004 advisory, which recommended against eating too much higher mercury fish like white tuna, but whose warning applied only to pregnant or nursing women, women of childbearing age and young children. Though mercury overload could damage the still-developing nervous system of a baby, the scientific consensus was that for the average Joe taking in the average amount of fish, heavy with metals or not, it posed no undue threat.

But on Wednesday a New York Times investigation of local restaurants and groceries found that tender slices of tuna sushi being served up all over the city were "tainted" with exceedingly high levels of mercury — so high that eating just six pieces a week would send the average-weight adult over the EPA's acceptable weekly level of mercury intake over a period of several months. All this time, it seems, the average Joe may have been ingesting more harmful mercury than he thought.

So, what is a tuna-lover to do? TIME asked the opinion of Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian, assistant professor of medicine and epidemiology at Harvard Medical School and the Harvard School of Public Health, and co-author of one of the most comprehensive studies to date on the impact of fish consumption on human health.

Should we stop eating tuna?

No. Overall, the dangers of not eating fish [including tuna] outweigh the small possible dangers from mercury. The recommended amount for adults is to eat one or two servings of fish per week — but probably only 10% to 20% of the population in the U.S. eats sufficient fish. The real danger in this country, the real concern, is that we're not eating enough fish. That is very likely increasing our rates of death from heart disease.

Read full article

Article from : http://www.time.com/

Miss Michigan crowned Miss America 2008

LAS VEGAS -- Miss Michigan Kirsten Haglund, a 19-year-old aspiring Broadway star, was crowned Miss America 2008 on Saturday in a live show billed as the unveiling of the 87-year-old pageant's new, hipper look.

Haglund, of Farmington Hills, Mich., sang "Over the Rainbow" to clinch the title. She beat Miss Indiana Nicole Elizabeth Rash, the first runner up, and Miss Washington Elyse Umemoto, the second runner up for the $50,000 scholarship and year of travel that comes with the crown.

Haglund, who studies music at the University of Cincinnati, grew up in a pageant family. Her mother is an active volunteer, and her grandmother Iora Hunt, competed for the crown as Miss Michigan 1944. Hunt was in the audience Saturday.

Haglund, a cheery, classic blond, wore a revealing silver sequined dress and black bikini during the evening gown and swimsuit portions of the pageant. As her platform issue, she promised to advocate for awareness of eating disorders, an illness from which she has recovered.

Haglund claimed 2007 Miss Michigan honors last June in Muskegon. She entered that pageant as Miss Oakland County and won a $10,000 scholarship.


Haglund was the second Farmington Hills resident to be crowned Miss Michigan in as many years. Angela Corsi won last year in her fifth and final year of eligibility.

The crowning at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip was aired for the first time on TLC. It capped a four-week reality series, "Miss America: Reality Check," which followed the contestants as they were pushed to shed the dated look of Miss Americas past and adopt a more updated style.

The show was the latest in a series of attempts to find an audience with a younger demographic after more than a decade of declining ratings.

The 52 newly made-over aspiring beauty queens who sought the top tiara sported updated hairdos, sassy attitudes and red carpet-worthy fashion throughout the competition.

Usually tame by modern TV standards, the swimwear competition kicked it up a notch. Most contestants wore black bikinis, and some struck provocative poses and twirled as the audience howled.

Contestants also wore blue jeans and added a bit of humor to the traditional opening number, the parade of states.Producers had hoped a new confident attitude would show through on the catwalks, and Miss Utah, Jill Stevens, an Army medic who served in Afghanistan, didn't disappoint.

"Home of the country's highest birth rate -- as long as the Osmonds don't move," she announced.

Stevens made it to the final 16, selected as "America's Choice," based on voting via text messages from viewers of a reality show that was designed make over the beauty queens and attract a new generation of fans. Judges chose the other finalists.

Miss Utah didn't make it to the final 10, but she took the disappointment with pluck. She dropped and gave the audience push ups before joining the other losers.

Producers added a twist to the interview portion, as well. They asked people on the street to pose questions, and the results were edgier than usual. Contestents were asked about binge drinking, HIV and Britney Spears' pregnant younger sister, Jamie Lynn.

"No I don't think she should be fired," Miss Indiana Nicole Elizabeth Rash said. "They're still people, they're still human beings. We all deserve second chances."

The long-struggling pageant had promised a new look for this year's beauty battle. "Entertainment Tonight" reporter Mark Steines was the master of ceremonies of the show. Clinton Kelly of TLC's hit "What Not to Wear" also helped with the hosting duties. Kelly had instructed the girls on how to update their looks during the reality show.

The pageant sounded different, too. A deejay spun dance music from turntables set up on stage. Contestant danced and waved to the audience during commercials breaks. The losers were seated on risers on one side of the stage, while the parents of the finalists, in black tie, were seated on the other.

The show was the latest in a series of attempts to find a new audience after more than a decade of declining ratings. The fading institution was dropped from network television in 2004. It spent a two-year stint on Country Music Television before being picked up last summer by TLC, a cable channel reaching 93 million homes in the U.S.

TLC added the pageant to its reality-TV stable, and announced plans to reinvent the look of the show and find an "It girl" ready for modern celebrity.

In addition to the $50,000 scholarship, Haglund will embark on a year of promoting the pageant, her platform issue and the Children's Miracle Network, a pageant partner.

Article by : Associated Press

Your KitchenAid Color Horoscope

Over the holidays I went over to my friend Jill's house for the first time. When I entered her kitchen I immediately exclaimed, "You have a GRAPE KitchenAid mixer!" Yes, I may be a little bit insane, but this was one of the highlights of the holiday season for me. You see, other people go to friends' houses and secretly peek in their medicine cabinets. Me, I stroll into the kitchen and check out the color of KitchenAid mixer the person has. This one detail speaks volumes about a person.

Now a grape KitchenAid mixer is truly extraordinary. Not many people can pull this off. Grape says that the owner is bold, daring, and perhaps a little bit quirky. And most of all, cool. Very, very cool.

I personally lust after the grape KitchenAid mixer. I would probably never have it, but I want it. I want to be that cool. Instead, I have a cobalt KitchenAid mixer, and it is a prized possession, if not a little bit basic. Cobalt is like having a black or white one, but with a little bit more charm. A person with a cobalt mixer wants the splash of color, but is afraid of going too far.

People with black or white mixers have classic sensabilities. They are generally not making a style statement with their mixer. It may blend in with the kitchen, or it may fit a somewhat austere black and white d??cor. Or, perhaps they just got it as a gift and the gift giver didn't know what color to get!

People with the newer chrome and other metallic models, probably have modern kitchens, filled with stainless-steel appliances. These people tend to be quite stylish, and often clean-cut.

But, it's those people with actual colors, like grape, that really make a commitment to their sense of style. Grape, tangerine, ice, wasabi (!)--these people have it going on.

What's your KitchenAid color profile?


Shop Cheap Kitchenware >> Click


Article by : KitchenMaus From amazondaily

Programmed to Love Chocolate

A recent study by Swiss and British scientists has determined that preferences for food--specifically chocolate--could be linked to a chemical signature that's programmed into our metabolic systems. The study breaks new ground in metabolic type research, and could help to eventually design healthy diets customized to an individual's needs.

Participants in the study classified themselves as "chocolate desiring" or "chocolate indifferent" and ate chocolate or a placebo, then were analyzed. The chocolate lovers all had a similar metabolic profile, whether they ate the chocolate or not. Studying food preferences and garnering information on metabolic types, according to one of the researchers "could open the door to dietary or nutritional interventions that are customized to your type so that your metabolism can be nudged to a healthier status." Read the full article at Physorg.com.

Article by : AndreaLeigh From amazondaily

Happy Hour : Grey Goose Ginger Peartini

Recently, I've rediscovered an old flame in downtown Seattle--Cutter's Smoked Salmon chowder. While this chowder is rich, creamy, and warms me to my toes on cold days, I have to admit that it's not their chowder alone that brings me into Cutter's--it's their Grey Goose Ginger Peartini.

A few weekends back, Head-Chef and I went to celebrate a special event with some close friends. Despite my desire to save a couple bucks and go with the happy hour scratch margarita, I just couldn't resist Cutter's peartini. Smooth, spicy, and sweet all is one sip! Here's how to make this one at home...

Ingredients:

2 parts Grey Goose La Poire
1/2 part ginger, muddled and mashed
1/4 part triple sec
1/4 part fresh lime juice

Directions:

Fill a martini shaker with ingredients above and shake gently. Stain and serve with a shaving of ice, straight up in a martini glass.


Article by : Sous-Chef on the Run from amazondaily

Better Greenwashing

The happy marketing language states: "Seventh Generation's plant-derived laundry detergents are tough on dirt but gentle on your clothes and the environment. They are non-toxic, biodegradable, and contain no phosphates, artificial fragrances or dyes."

Seventh Generation Laundry Concentrate is formulated to be effective in cold water, and good for use in both High Efficiency and standard washing machines. It is biodegradable and safe for septic and gray water systems. Seventh Generation claims that "if every household in the U.S. replaced one bottle of petroleum-based 2X liquid laundry detergent with one bottle of our plant-based product, we could save 233,000 barrels of oil--enough to heat & cool 13,400 U.S. homes for a year."

Amazon currently sells myriad Seventh Generation products--from dish washing liquid to diapers. The Laundry Concentrate we mention above is a 6-pack. Check their stuff out and write a review or two and tell us how you like it.

Article by: AmazonGreen Scene

Lose Weight, Get Paid in Cold Inedible Cash

I’m not going to lie to you--I could stand to lose a couple pounds. But it’s hard, even though I exercise, and try to resist the delicious amount of snacks around the Al Dente HQ. I mean, doughnuts taste good. Milkshakes taste good. Doughnuts dunked in a milkshake taste really good. If I was paid to lose those pounds though, would that be enough incentive? In the United Kingdom, some politicians think it will be. According to an article in the Times Online, “obese and overweight adults in England could be paid to lose weight under plans being considered by the Government.”

It’s part of a larger 375 million (pounds that is) program to help cut the amount of obese and overweight in the UK (other parts of the program include advertising, classes, and the creation of “healthy towns”). I dunno if, when that scrumptious doughnut’s right there in front of me (or, the scrumptious milkshake, or chocolate truffle, or large hunk of cake, depending of your preference), I would be able to say no, even if I knew I’d get a check down the road. Would you? And how much is enjoying yourself a little less worth?

Article by : A.J. Rathbun From amazondaily

The Three Potentially Offensive Pigs

I'll huff, and I'll puff, and I'll blow down your shoddily constructed...

Shoo-fly publishing's The Three Little Cowboy Builders is circulating the blogosphere as the latest casualty of eager political correctness. The digital pop-up book based on the classic story, The Three Little Pigs, was not shortlisted for the first annual (British government-backed) BETT Awards because, according to the panel of educator-judges, "the use of pigs raises cultural issues."

Today's BBC News report elaborated on the panel's judgment. Apparently, the use of pigs in the story was considered potentially offensive to Muslims. And Asians. And, well, construction workers:

The judges criticised the stereotyping in the story of the unfortunate pigs: "Is it true that all builders are cowboys, builders get their work blown down, and builders are like pigs?"

(Examples of judges' comments must have been released by someone associated with the book, because they are not reflected at all in this vague public statement, which essentially says that the book just wasn't good enough.)

Looking for some kind of response from any of the potentially offended communities, I found this Daily Mail article from March 2007, about a church school that renamed their Three Pigs musical "The Three Little Puppies." It includes a statement from Shaykh Ibrahim Mogra of the Muslim Council of Britain who said, "The vast majority of Muslims have no problem whatsoever with the Three Little Pigs. There's an issue about the eating of pork, which is forbidden, but there is no prohibition about reading stories about pigs."

No comment so far from the builders. Bob?


For the oft-maligned wolf's perspective, you can also check out children's laureate Jon Scieszka's The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs!


Article by : Heidi From www.Omnivoracious.com

Hari Kunzru's Bookshelf: Researching the Revolution

I wrote last week about My Revolutions, Hari Kunzru's new novel, which is my January pick for our Significant Seven. And when poking around to learn more about him and the book, I came across his bare-bones home page, which features a larger version of the lovely bookshelf photo above, filled with what must have been his research materials for My Revolutions. I'm always fascinated by the process of research in writing fiction (how much to do it, when to stop and let imagination take over, etc.), but I nearly always despise those lengthy acknowledgments that often appear these days at the end (or worse, the beginning) of novels, explaining all the research materials used and thanking all those involved. It breaks the spell of the tale. My Revolutions does include such a note at the end, but it's written with some style and manages to still leave a great deal of mystery, so I didn't mind it. But even better is to see this jumbled shelf, raw and unexplained, as a hint of the sourcework that went into the story: the mystery of creation is for me not only retained, but deepened. And so in the spirit of the Omnivoracious annotated bookshelf, a partial listing of the books I can find in the photo (a treasure trove of Leftist theory and Sixties history) appears after the jump. --Tom

• SCUM Manifesto, Valerie Solanis


• Because They're Black, Derek Humphry and Gus John


• Baader Meinhof: Pictures on the Run 67-77, Astrid Proll


• Underground: The London Alternative Press, 1966-74, Nigel Fountain


• People Together, Clem Gorman


• The Squatters, Ron Bailey


• The Politics of Experience and the Bird of Paradise, R.D. Laing


• The Divided Self, R.D. Laing


• Knots, R.D. Laing


• Communes in Britain, Andrew Rigby


• King Mob Echo, Tom Vague


• The Christie File, Stuart Christie


• The Left in Britain, David Widgery


• Bending the Bars: Prison Stories of an Angry Brigade Member, John Barker


• The New Left, Maurice Cranston


• Anarchy in the UK: The Angry Brigade, Tom Vague


• The New Radicals, Saul Jacobs and Paul Landau


• The Carlos Complex: A Study in Terror, Christopher Dobson and Ronald Payne


• Das Capital, Vol. 1, Karl Marx


• Grundrisse, Karl Marx


• Low Intensity Operations, Frank Kitson


• Bringing Down America: An FBI Informer with the Weathermen, Larry Grathwohl


• The Winter Soldier Investigation: An Inquiry into American War Crimes, Vietnam Veterans Against the War


• The Black Panthers Speak, Philip S. Foner, ed.


• Weatherman, Harold Jacobs


• The Tupamaro Guerrillas, Maria Esther Gilio


• I Am Curious (Yellow), Vilgot Sjoman


• I Am Curious (Blue), Vilgot Sjoman


• The Wretched of the Earth, Franz Fanon


• The Angry Brigade, Gordon Carr


• With the Weathermen, Susan Stern


• Diana: The Making of a Terrorist, Thomas Powers


• Strategy for Revolution, Regis Debray


• What Is to Be Done?, V.I. Lenin


• After the Revolution: Authority in a Good Society, Robert A. Dahl


• Memoirs of a Revolutionary, Victor Serge


• Deep Cover: An FBI Agent Infiltrates the Radical Underground, Cril Payne


• Ecrits, Jacques Lacan


• Armed Love, Elia Katz


• Media Manifestos, Regis Debray


• The Mass Psychology of Fascism, Wilhelm Reich


• On Violence, Hannah Arendt

i-cop Article From : Omnivoracious.com

Remembering Heath Ledger

I met Heath Ledger in March 2001 when he was promoting A Knight's Tale during the round of publicity junkets in Los Angeles. The room smelled like smoke, probably because he was putting out one about every half hour, and he was squirming in a chair like a little kid who'd been scolded at daycare. Possibly because he was irritated at the prying questions all day about Heather Graham (whom he was dating at the time). Possibly because he'd been asked for the 100th time what it felt like to be on the cusp of movie stardom, as the giant poster for the movie was filled with his face, and his face only, with a shock of dreamboat-ish wavy blond hair.

The girls dug his wide smile and that Aussie baritone. At this point I knew him as the kid from that short-lived series Roar, co-starring Keri Russell, and later the paired with Julia Stiles in 10 Things I Hate About You and Mel Gibson's roguish son in The Patriot. While I sat uncomfortably through The Patriot in theaters, I did rather like Ledger on-screen, a young headstrong boy who defies his father to go to war.

I asked him first about that large poster that hung near his head like an omen. He, only 22 at the time, shifted and admitted he was intimidated by it. "It's an ensemble cast," he explained. "But at the end of the day, it's your mug up there."

And indeed, A Knight's Tale was a rather curious mix of medieval adventure and WWE, goblets and modern slang ("It's called a lance..... hell-O..."). The dance scene, in which Ledger and Shannyn Sossamon waltz properly, then bust a groove to David Bowie's "Golden Years," was particularly entertaining because Ledger truly appeared to be enjoying himself. He'd also gone balls-out serenading and dancing for Stiles in 10 Things. There'd been rumors he was eager to star in Moulin Rouge, but was ultimately passed over in favor of Ewan McGregor for being too young. Had he lived on, would we have seen Ledger in the next big-screen musical adaptation?

"[You should] have fun. Get up there and dance and sing. Dance as if no one’s watching," he enthused. "The reason that you dance and sing is to make the audience feel like they’re dancing and singing."

The problem was, after Knight's Tale underperformed, Ledger nearly self-destructed his own career, following a small but pivotal part in Monster's Ball with five flops in a row--an attempt, he later said, to stop the teen heartthrob scripts from coming in--before his simmering, subtle performance in Brokeback Mountain earned him all those comparisons to Brando. His relationship with co-star Michelle Williams, which was genuinely adorable, also landed him in a lot of "Stars... They're Just Like Us" spreads in Us Weekly. There was Heath, going grocery shopping. There was Heath, toting his baby daughter around Brooklyn. There was Heath, having a smoke.

While his Oscar-nominated role catapulted him to better selections--most recently the role of a younger Joker in The Dark Knight, due this summer--he was obsessed with the character, telling an interviewer it took such a toll on his him that he couldn't sleep, even when his body was exhausted. Reading that article, I remembered another thing he said during our interview, back when he was on the verge of celebrity."I love acting and I have a lot of fun," he said. "[Yet] as soon as that disappears, the fun and friendship I have just deteriorates... I’ll walk away. It’s not hard."

It sure would have been great to see how many more interesting performances Heath Ledger might've turned in before walking away.

-- Ellen Aticle From : www.amazon.com/daily