You know they all pretend

The new, very cool video from the Foo Fighters

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle The Whole Earth Center Way

Princeton's Whole Earth Center organic grocery store is undergoing a huge expansion. In keeping with their main philosophy, they set a goal for themselves to divert 75% of the project's waste from landfills. So, now that they're almost done, did they make that goal?

They've beat it, and by far. As of now, they've recycled or reused more than 93% of the constrution waste and byproduct.

It's a great little (soon to be bigger) store. I first found out about it as a way to buy local grass-fed beef from Simply Grazin' farms, and now I can't walk out of the store with fewer than three grocery bags full. They have signs over some of their organic produce telling where it's from and miles to market. They have a bakery and a big bulk foods section- bring your own containers and bags, please!

Princeton Business Journal did a big article on them and the expansion this week. Check it out, then check them out: 360 Nassau St. (near the corner of Harrison St.) Princeton.

(Cross-posted at sfoodblog)

Arr!

Ahoy, mateys! It's International Talk Like A Pirate Day.

Avast, if ye need some help, there be a book fer ya:

I would look awesome as an anime monkey

I was bartending at a catered function recently, when two young-teenage girls came up to me and handed me this drawing. "We thing you would look awesome as this animal," said the artist.

"Thank you, I think." I said, then thanked them profusely for the drawing, telling them how good it is.

Later in the evening, when we were cleaning up, I discovered that a coworker of mine had also been presented with a drawing in the same way- hers looked like an anime giraffe.

That was proof positive to me that the girls were right about this being a cool animal for me to be, because my tall, thin coworker really did resemble an anime giraffe.

Six years ago today

It was a clear, sunny, beautiful day. I was taking my oldest to the second day of preschool when I heard the news of a plane hitting the first tower on the radio. I went home and turned on the TV, just in time to see the second plane hit.

I remember having to explain to my three-year-old, walking that fine line between truth and too much information. When she asked if we were going to be ok, her father and I reasured her over and over that we would be fine- the whole time having no idea if we would be fine, or if the country would ever be "ok" again.

That whole, awful day, I wondered what the survivors told the three-year-old kids of the victims. They would never be fine again.

Every time George Bush whips out his 9/11 card for partisan political gain, I think of three thousand people who he dishonors... and their now nine-year-old kids.

Michael Jackson has died

No, not that Michael Jackson, the other one:

Mr. Jackson especially loved Belgian brews, which his books “The Great Beers of Belgium” and “The World Guide to Beer” introduced to many export markets, including the United States.
By identifying beers by their flavors and styles, and by pairing them with particular foods and dishes, he also gave impetus to the North American microbrewery movement.
His television documentary series, “The Beer Hunter,” a title that popularized his nickname, was filmed around the world and shown in 15 countries.
Mr. Jackson was a beer critic for more than 30 years, writing in newspapers and gastronomic magazines, holding seminars, giving speeches and appearing on talk shows. His many books about beer and whiskeys were published in 18 languages.

We have his book Complete Guide to Single Malt Scotch, and it has always been a useful reference for us. His work in promoting and writing about good beer and whiskies was a strong voice for quality. He will be missed.

(cross-posted at sfoodblog)

Back from vacation

Thanks to folks who stopped by during my long hiatus from posting. We were gone quite a while.

Excellent vacation. Hiked, tie-dyed, waded in waterfalls, watched sunsets, drank a lot, laughed a lot, laughed some more, won some poker and played a lot of games.

Now, I'm completely off the anti-caffeine wagon. Gotta get back up there.

Starting, um, tomorrow I think. Or maybe Wednesday. Possibly Thursday.