The show opens with a recap of last week...reminding us of just how mismatched the "competition" was...how everyone elses is to blame for Lisa's inability to make rice (maybe she should try the frozen pre-made microwave kind from Trader Joe's...that always works in a pinch for me!), how much of a weasel Spike is, and finally, that Dale was sent packin' for reasons that are still unclear when compared to Lisa's shortcomings that don't stop at rice.
The sun rises, the chefs are getting ready, everyone is sleep deprived. Antonia talks about being one more week away from the finale. Stephanie chimes in reminding us that there have never been this many women still competing at this point in the race. The team takes off and heads out for the Quickfire. They head to Alan Brothers, purveyors of dry aged beef, and put on all the protective clothing. Antonia mentions she's not good at cutting meat...in a pinch she can figure it out. Spike says both of his grandfathers were butchers and he can cut meat with the best of them. We're shown a big slab of meat, and the contestants are told they have to cut it into individual chops from the racks, making sure the bone is Frenched...Lisa immediately tells us just how difficult this is. The competition begins...they're given 20 minutes. Already I'm missing Dale and the catastrophe of slaughter he would have been sure to create...remember him mutilating that monk fish in the quickfire challenge?
The chefs go at it. They all complain about the level of difficulty. Only Spike has what seems to be a good strategy of removing the tough aged part first, and then going at dividing the steaks into chops, finally cleaning them up at the end. It's so easy it's not even funny, he says. Well, goody for you Spike, not everyone agrees. Lisa mentions it'll suck to go home before the final four. Again, is this foreshadowing already? Already she's mentioned the finale twice in the first 5 minutes of the show...so maybe she's going home!!! A girl can only hope. They call times-up, and Spike tells all the disappointed losers that he "rocked it"...what a nice guy.
They head back tot he Top Chef kitchen with their steaks that they've just mutilated. Padma and Rick Tramonto, a Chicago chef, is waiting for them. They're told now they'll do the second part of the quickfire challenge....huh? A two part quickfire? The steaks are definitely getting higher!!! This part of the of the challenge requires the contestants to make a tomahawk steak for Rick from the carcases that they just created back at Alan Brothers. Rick says making a steak is all about the cut and temperature...and he'll take his medium rare, please.
All the chefs use different strategies, and Spike once again boasts and brags about his expertise in this arena. The grill over open flames, oven roast, pan fry. And when time's up, Rick and Padma go through and cut into all the steaks...they don't even taste them. Rick is actually only looking for cut and temperature, just like he said. After inspecting all of them, he tells Steph she loses....the butchery was bad and the steak undercooked. She agreed. Richard's bad butchery was also called out, and it was also undercooked. Lisa and Spike and Antonia were given kudos for the challenge, and Spike ultimately won...as if we're surprised.
They announce the next challenge is to take over Rick's restaurant. He reminds them what a great restaurant it is and begs them not to be idiots and screw it up. Padma goes on to explain that each are responsible for an appetizer and an entree. And you have to create the menu based on what Rick has in his kitchen; Spike gets to pick his first because he "rocked" the challenge. Lisa as always reminds us why that wouldn't necessarily be a good thing to have that advantage...that's our little rain cloud, always looking for the rainy side of things! Oh yeah, and they restaurant is fully booked.
Oh wait a minute...no he didn't...no she didn't. Back at the house, Spike and Antonia are discussing Spike's excellence, and they talk about his grandfather's spirit butchering the meat through Spike...gimme a break...eye roll....whatever you say, freak. Spike says Stephanie is the best of the girl-chefs, and he would like to see Antonia go home. Richard tells us he has a lot to prove to his girlfriend Padma...not sure why he divulges this.
Meanwhile they arrive at the restaurant. Spike chooses his ingredients first...the tomahawk steaks and frozen scallops. Because with the "high steaks", why not cook the same exact thing for the judges that you just cooked this morning? That's totally a good idea. All the other chefs think he's nuts to chose a frozen seafood as his advantage ingredient. No one is in the least threatened by his "advantage" since no one knew how to cook a tomahawk in the first place, and no one cares to deal with frozen fish. This is totally opposite of his botched box lunch selection of yester-week when he chose his ingredients solely based on what would screw the other up. Might I suggest something in the middle, Spike? Perhaps a little bit of strategy coupled with a little bit of cooking what you want to cook?
The other chefs choose their ingredients. They're given 3 hours to prepare their menu and begin their prep. Lisa announces she's going to make peanut butter mashed potatoes. Okay, is a cartoon character cooking for 2 year olds? How disgusting does that sound?
Spike waits awhile to unwrap his scallops, and finds them really wet. Why the surprise? Isn't all previously frozen seafood a little wet? But Spike is freaking...how can you sear a wet scallop!? You can't!!! Oh no! He uses a rain forest worth of paper towels to try to dry them off, but we're left feeling very skeptical about how those little slimy balls of the sea will turn out.
Tom C. shows up to check in with the gang. Antonia tells him she's offering a warm mushroom salad with artichokes. poached egg and vinaigrette. In addition, she'll offer a bone-in rib eye with a caramelized gratin for her entree. Stephanie tells Tom C. the challenge is a good one. Richard tells him he's doing Hamachi as a starter and a beef tenderloin (to prove himself to his raven haired beauty, Padma, no doubt) with potatoes, turnips in red wine...Tom C. looks a little surprised at this choice because it's very simple for Richard. Lisa tells Tom C. she's doing grilled & chilled shrimp to start and a new york strip with spicy apple caramel and don't forget the peanut butter mashers...seriously...is she cooking for toddlers? Tom C. seems interested and scared at the same time. Spike shakes Tom's hand with gloved scallop-sodden hands and goes back to handling the scallops without changing the gloves. I'm sure Tom was happy to shake that fishy hand, as I'm sure the people who order the dish will be happy to know that he didn't change the glove after shaking hands. Call me crazy, but do we know what Tom was doing with those hands before coming to the kitchen? Sure he looks like a clean guy but do we know this? Anyway, Tom challenges Spike's choice of frozen seafood for his appetizer, and Spike tells him if he can make these things good, he can do anything. Doesn't sound like he's utilized his "advantage" to the fullest, does it?
The group is told Tom will be expediting the orders...this I'm sure is their attempt to not completely sink poor Rick's restaurant. Tom C. lays down the law of his kitchen. The chefs are excited to work with him hands on.
With 15 minutes to go, Spike begins second guessing himself...based on Tom's feedback. How could his advantage become a disadvantage!!!! Tom brings in the 3 guest judges...all prior season Top Chefs...they give solid words of advice, and dinner begins.
The judges immediately throw a wrench into everything by ordering a tasting menu, which isn't on the menu...basically they have to pull together six servings at 1/3 of the size. Lisa's unhappy about this...as usual. They start service...they start with Lisa's grilled & chilled shrimp....the verdict...it's not bad! Next up is Richard's play on veal and tuna....the verdict...delicious!!! Next up are Spike's slimy scallops...the verdict...ho hum....not terrible...not interesting. Stephanie's up and offers her sweetbreads with golden raisins and pine nuts and bacon....the verdict...yummy and better than Spike's. Finally they serve Antonia's mushroom and artichoke salad with a poached egg...looks good....but what's the verdict? Not the best appetizer...the lettuce got really soggy by the end of the dish due to the yolk running everywhere.
Next, Tom C. asks for their main dishes. Again, the judges wonder why Richard has deconstructed everything when the flavors work much better together...it creates too much work for the diner to put the perfect bites together. Okay, is it just me, or is that a pretty lame criticism? It's too much work? I actually enjoy making different bites with different components. Whatever...I guess I'm not the judge. Next up is Lisa "Sunshine" with her steak and those peanut butter mashers...and surprisingly Rick likes it...the others are not so impressed. Next is Spike's tomahawk steak...it's good but not a blow-away dish. Stephanie is up next with her tenderloin...the judges love it. Antonia is up next offering her rib eye. The judge's love it.
Back in the Glad storage room, Lisa proposes a fucking toast to all of the fucking contestants and they fucking rocked all the challenges and no matter fucking what, blah blah blah...whatever Lisa. Go spread your sunshine elsewhere. My prediction at this point is Spike is going home...but we'll see. Padma enters and asks for everyone. At the judge's table, Padma reminds them this is the last time at the table before the finale.
The judge's offer feedback to all of them...then we come to Spike and those slimy scallops. Spike blames Rick T. for having substandard ingredients in his restaurant...Rick T. will "take the shot" but seriously, is that the smartest thing to do? Insult the guest judge? I predict again Spike is goin' home! Let's see The Weasel get out of this one!
The judges deliberate...high marks for Stephanie and Antonia. Split remarks for Richard's food...good for the appetizer, mediocre for the main. Spike gets bad marks for scallops, and medium marks for the steak. Lisa is also in the bottom for the grilled & chilled shrimp and the overall nastiness of her being. They debate between the two of them...who will it be??? Thank God we're down to the Weasel and the Sunshine Spreader!
The chefs come back in the judges room to hear the verdict. They join hands...ewwwww. They announce the winner...as we thought...Stephanie wins based on both her appetizer and entree being judge favorites! Her prize...a cookbook from Rick T. and a suite of GE kitchen equipment...how awesome is that???
They tell Richard he's made it into the finale based on his appetizer, and Antonia also gets a pass to the finale based on her main dish. Now it's down to Spike and Lisa. Who's it going to be???? Lisa stands with a shitty glare on her face and arms crossed. Tom tells her she's been in the bottom 5 times, and Spike's been there 7 times. Spike is criticized that he chose bad scallops. The verdict.....Spike, pack your knives, buddy, you're going home, dude.
How is Lisa still here? is it her sunny disposition or warm personality?
Next week, Lisa's excited and predicts she will "shock the shit out of the judge's" in Puerto Rico...next stop...the finale. And a new even more butch haircut for Lisa...did she go to Richard's barber during the break??? Oh, and as always, here's a better blog than mine about Top Chef.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Our Babymoon
Somebody had to explain the term to me...Babymoon. You know, like honeymoon, only it's the trip you take with your spouse before the new person arrives in your family. So anyway, now that we're clear on the title, I'll tell you about it!
Awhile back, Ajay and I decided to take a small trip...driving distance...before the baby comes. I didn't want to fly because after all we've been through in this crazy pregnancy, and I didn't want to take any chances with anything other than the occasional bad dietary decision...but that's not what we're talking about here, is it?
We decided May/June would be good because I'd still be mobile, and the weather should be good in the general L.A. area. Since we've taken many trips into L.A. for weekend culinary adventures, we thought it would be a good idea to change it up a bit. We went to San Diego last spring, so we ruled that out too. In the end, we chose to spend the Memorial Day weekend in Palm Springs at the Viceroy hotel. We are also going to incorporate the Police reunion concert that I wrote about way back when...at the Hollywood bowl into our Babymoon, meaning that we'll be in Palm Springs for awhile, then home for a night, then up to L.A. for the concert. Fun!!!
Leading up the the little holiday, Ajay and I scoured the Internet and Gourmet magazine for ideas on where to dine. Let's just say that a bad meal wasn't to be found anywhere. Every morning, I started the day with my typical half caff cup of coffee, and the world's best french toast ever known to man from Citron, the restaurant at the hotel. See, this wasn't just any french toast. Rather than plain ol' bread, they make their french toast out of panettone, the Italian holiday cake-like bread. Then they french it up with batter like normal french toast, and then from here is where it gets crazy insane....they top the french toast with Nutella, then sliced bananas, then top that with a blackberry compote, powdered sugar and here's the kicker...the icing on the cake if you will...they serve it with a side of syrup just in case they hadn't made it decadent enough. Crazy. I would drive 2 hours for that breakfast every day of my life if it were, well, more reasonable to do such a thing. After the french toast breakfast, it was straight to my chaise lounge by the pool for reading and relaxation....which looked something like this...
Awhile back, Ajay and I decided to take a small trip...driving distance...before the baby comes. I didn't want to fly because after all we've been through in this crazy pregnancy, and I didn't want to take any chances with anything other than the occasional bad dietary decision...but that's not what we're talking about here, is it?
We decided May/June would be good because I'd still be mobile, and the weather should be good in the general L.A. area. Since we've taken many trips into L.A. for weekend culinary adventures, we thought it would be a good idea to change it up a bit. We went to San Diego last spring, so we ruled that out too. In the end, we chose to spend the Memorial Day weekend in Palm Springs at the Viceroy hotel. We are also going to incorporate the Police reunion concert that I wrote about way back when...at the Hollywood bowl into our Babymoon, meaning that we'll be in Palm Springs for awhile, then home for a night, then up to L.A. for the concert. Fun!!!
Leading up the the little holiday, Ajay and I scoured the Internet and Gourmet magazine for ideas on where to dine. Let's just say that a bad meal wasn't to be found anywhere. Every morning, I started the day with my typical half caff cup of coffee, and the world's best french toast ever known to man from Citron, the restaurant at the hotel. See, this wasn't just any french toast. Rather than plain ol' bread, they make their french toast out of panettone, the Italian holiday cake-like bread. Then they french it up with batter like normal french toast, and then from here is where it gets crazy insane....they top the french toast with Nutella, then sliced bananas, then top that with a blackberry compote, powdered sugar and here's the kicker...the icing on the cake if you will...they serve it with a side of syrup just in case they hadn't made it decadent enough. Crazy. I would drive 2 hours for that breakfast every day of my life if it were, well, more reasonable to do such a thing. After the french toast breakfast, it was straight to my chaise lounge by the pool for reading and relaxation....which looked something like this...
Don't worry, there are bathing suit bottoms somewhere under my 32 week pregnant belly...I know because I asked Ajay and he wouldn't lie.
After several days of this lifestyle, filled in with short walks into town on some days, naps on other days, and massages filling in the rest of time, we headed back home for a quick unpack/re-pack. We headed up to Los Angeles the following afternoon for The Police Reunion concert and stayed at the Roosevelt. Upon check-in, we were told that they had over-sold their standard king rooms, and since I looked like I could use the extra space, they were going to upgrade us to a Jr. Suite. Helllloooo pregnancy perks! Sure, none of my shoes fit my chubby feet, but we get to stay in style thanks to my baby bump!
A shot of the suite from the living room area
And the cute funky bathroom
After hanging at the pool and witnessing a 20-something drunken poolside Tuesday afternoon disagreement that required the big bouncers in black suits to "fix", we got ready and headed to the bus stop for the shuttle to the Hollywood Bowl for the concert. Again, after waiting in a really long line for the most unorganized shuttle service ever known to man, I was reminded just how nice people are to the pregnant girl. Upon getting on the standing-room-only bus, immediately a nice man stood up and insisted I take his seat. How nice, right? And he wouldn't take no for an answer.
We arrived at the concert, and had to do some serious hiking to get to our seats. We were seated next to a really nice couple our age...they have a five year old and were very inquisitive about our new addition. They told us that the stadium rented seat cushions, and would make it much more comfortable for me. Being a little tired of the hike, I told them I'd be okay, but thanks. That's when the husband stood up and slid his own cushion under me. How nice is that? Like seriously, chivalry is still alive? Why did it take me being 8 months pregnant at a rock concert to really experience such kindness from total strangers? And will the chivalry stop after the baby comes out? Because I'm very tempted to keep her in there just for the experience of everyone being so nice all the time!
The following morning, we awoke late in the morning and reflecting on such a nice week with such nice people, I headed across the street to the Coffee Bean to get my single small cup of half caff...which by the way, has been not only okayed by my doctor, but also recommended for the migraines that have plagued my pregnancy. While adding cream to my coffee, a blue-haired tweaker approached me and asked me if my coffee was decaf. "Umm, what?" I replied with a feeling he was being sarcastic and giving me a little lip. He said, "caffeine...does your coffee contain it? Because you'll really fuck up your baby if it does." I didn't respond...I couldn't respond...for oh, so many reasons.
Did I ask for his opinion? Is he in charge of me? Why does he think it's his business? Where did he go to medical school? Is he so screwed up (with track marks going up his arm) because his mom drank a cup of half caff during her pregnancy? Does he even know if this coffee is for me? And does he realize that decaffeinated coffee contains more harmful chemicals than the caffeine itself, unless you know it's steam decaffeinated? Or is he just socially retarded? Talk about irritating. I mean, seriously...after such a nice week with nice people I have to end the Babymoon with this asshole? Maybe the baby Jesus is reminding me that although the world is indeed filled with tons of nice people, there are idiots, too.
So with this interaction behind me, we headed for Pizzeria Mozza, Mario Batali's place on Highland and Melrose, and celebrated the end of the Babymoon with the world's best pizza.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Roasted Shrimp and Orzo
Roasted Shrimp and Orzo
Copyright 2006, Barefoot Contessa at Home,
All Rights Reserved
Recipe Summary
Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Inactive Prep Time: 1 hour
Cook Time: 15 minutes Yield: 6 servings
Kosher salt
Good olive oil
3/4 pound orzo pasta (rice-shaped pasta)
1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (3 lemons)
Freshly ground black pepper 2 pounds (16 to 18 count) shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 cup minced scallions, white and green parts
1 cup chopped fresh dill
1 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 hothouse cucumber, unpeeled, seeded, and medium-diced
1/2 cup small-diced red onion
3/4 pound good feta cheese, large diced
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Fill a large pot with water, add 1 tablespoon of salt and a splash of oil, and bring the water to a boil. Add the orzo and simmer for 9 to 11 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it's cooked al dente. Drain and pour into a large bowl. Whisk together the lemon juice, 1/2 cup olive oil, 2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon of pepper. Pour over the hot pasta and stir well.
Meanwhile, place the shrimp on a sheet pan, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Toss to combine and spread out in a single layer. Roast for 5 to 6 minutes, until the shrimp are cooked through. Don't overcook!
Add the shrimp to the orzo and then add the scallions, dill, parsley, cucumber, onion, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper. Toss well. Add the feta and stir carefully. Set aside at room temperature for 1 hour to allow the flavors to blend, or refrigerate overnight. If refrigerated, taste again for seasonings and bring back to room temperature before serving.
Copyright 2006, Barefoot Contessa at Home,
All Rights Reserved
Recipe Summary
Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Inactive Prep Time: 1 hour
Cook Time: 15 minutes Yield: 6 servings
Kosher salt
Good olive oil
3/4 pound orzo pasta (rice-shaped pasta)
1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (3 lemons)
Freshly ground black pepper 2 pounds (16 to 18 count) shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 cup minced scallions, white and green parts
1 cup chopped fresh dill
1 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 hothouse cucumber, unpeeled, seeded, and medium-diced
1/2 cup small-diced red onion
3/4 pound good feta cheese, large diced
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Fill a large pot with water, add 1 tablespoon of salt and a splash of oil, and bring the water to a boil. Add the orzo and simmer for 9 to 11 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it's cooked al dente. Drain and pour into a large bowl. Whisk together the lemon juice, 1/2 cup olive oil, 2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon of pepper. Pour over the hot pasta and stir well.
Meanwhile, place the shrimp on a sheet pan, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Toss to combine and spread out in a single layer. Roast for 5 to 6 minutes, until the shrimp are cooked through. Don't overcook!
Add the shrimp to the orzo and then add the scallions, dill, parsley, cucumber, onion, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper. Toss well. Add the feta and stir carefully. Set aside at room temperature for 1 hour to allow the flavors to blend, or refrigerate overnight. If refrigerated, taste again for seasonings and bring back to room temperature before serving.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
The nursery...just about all done...
It occurred to me that I never posted photos of the nursery now that it's as done as it has ever been.
Here's what you see when you walk in the room...the french doors out to the balcony, the changing table on the left, and the rocker and crib on the right. 
Detail of rocking chair... 
This shot shows the circles that I applied to the wall above sleeper/couch, as well as the chicken mobile in the corner, which we got in Bilbao, Spain on our honeymoon.
And finally, a shot of what's inside the crib these days!
Friday, May 23, 2008
Baby Care Basics
Last night, Ajay and I went to our first class at the hospital in preparation of Alia arriving. The class was all about the basics in baby care. Diapering, (also knowing as changing diapers--not sure about when the terminology changed, just glad to know they've invented a less negative verb for such a stinky job), learning how to bathe those slippery little uncooperative people, how often you should find something in their diapers (wet or poopy), how to properly change a diaper, what products to use on newborn skin, how to clean genitals, how to swaddle them, how to care for a circumcised penis, how often their tiny little stomachs need to be fed, how to avoid shaking your baby...yep, you heard me! That was an actual topic.
It was at that point that I heard the imaginary record player needle rip across a record. You mean she might cry and cry and cry and cry and nothing I do will stop it? How is this possible? This isn't what I imagined at all! Who are these people and why are they ruining my sweet smelling pink baby delusion? Oooooh, yeah! This is why I signed up for the class...to prepare for the actual reality of taking care of a baby.
Okay, that's all fine...I can deal with that "reality"...especially since I was able to spend two and a half hours in a room filled with girls like me...girls about my same time along in pregnancy with big bellies and big boobs and big butts...well, all except the one girl who didn't look at all pregnant from behind and turned to reveal a petite perfect little baby bump...in her 38th week. I didn't like that one on principle, but all the other "normal" girls were a very welcoming site. I was happy to be amongst my fellow bed sheet wearing, constant snacking, bottled water carrying, waddling, broad shoe wearing sisterhood, if only to remind me that the one really cute 38th-weeker is a total abnormality and she doesn't count.
It was at that point that I heard the imaginary record player needle rip across a record. You mean she might cry and cry and cry and cry and nothing I do will stop it? How is this possible? This isn't what I imagined at all! Who are these people and why are they ruining my sweet smelling pink baby delusion? Oooooh, yeah! This is why I signed up for the class...to prepare for the actual reality of taking care of a baby.
Okay, that's all fine...I can deal with that "reality"...especially since I was able to spend two and a half hours in a room filled with girls like me...girls about my same time along in pregnancy with big bellies and big boobs and big butts...well, all except the one girl who didn't look at all pregnant from behind and turned to reveal a petite perfect little baby bump...in her 38th week. I didn't like that one on principle, but all the other "normal" girls were a very welcoming site. I was happy to be amongst my fellow bed sheet wearing, constant snacking, bottled water carrying, waddling, broad shoe wearing sisterhood, if only to remind me that the one really cute 38th-weeker is a total abnormality and she doesn't count.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Top Chef Restaurant Wars
Previously on Top Chef...we're reminded just how annoying Andrew is, and just how negative Lisa is. We're reminded that we're glad that Andrew is gone.
The quickfire challenge...Tom C. shows up 5:45 a.m. He turns on lights, gets people out of bed, and picks them up to go Lou Mitchell's Restaurant to work an egg station during breakfast. They're going to take turns at the egg station. As the chefs are introduced to the egg station and how things work, I notice with horror that Richard has adopted Dale's use of a headband. Richard is wearing a headband. Thinking back, I remember the kiwi Mark wearing his fuzzy 'fro in a headband, and I know that I've seen Dale with a headband on before...but Richard? Is this the ultimate "me, too, guys, me, too!" or what?
Anotonia goes first...she tells us she loves to test her abilities and jump into the middle of the line...as if this is her favorite daily activity. Whatever. Two eggs over hard. Two singles over easy sandwiches. Martin (the regular egg station chef) tells her to flip the eggs again. The owner lady asks if the potatoes are done. Times up. Next up is Stephanie, Dale then Richard then Spike, who tells us the key to working well in this type of environment is to be very methodical in your movements. He shows Martin that he's down with his peeps by speaking Spanish to him...Meanwhile we see flashbacks of Stephanie's poached egg disaster, her breaking yolks and starting over. Richard tells us he's not familiar with some of the breakfast lingo audibles...huh? Lisa sets a Styrofoam box almost on fire...she's "so fuckin' done". Waiters keep on comin'...barking orders...two eggs over easy, an egg over hard with sausage, what a stressful j-o-b!!! The owner decides the top two are Antonia and Dale, and Antonia ultimately wins. Once again, the only contestant that made a comment about how great they are for this challenge is the winner...couldn't have seen that coming! Sidenote: the woman who crowned Antonia has just forever changed the course of the show...if she had chosen Dale as the winner, the whole show would have been dramatically different. However, we at home could not have possibly known her power at this point.
Tom C. gives them an address...hello product placement! The chefs have to use their GPS mobile phone to figure out where to go next. Does anyone else need a nap by this point? I mean, Tom. C. woke them up before 6 a.m. and the already had to do a quickfire challenge...can't they take a nap yet?
They arrive at an unfamiliar building with Padma awaiting, and she announces Restaurant Wars is back. Lisa is "really fucking excited" about this...this is what she's "been fucking waiting for". They divide into two teams. Each restaurant will serve 35 dinner guests and have $1500 to spend on food and $5000 from Pier One for decor. As the winner of the Quickfire Challenge, Antonia's advantage is that she gets to choose her team! Okay, why not hand her immunity? Because with this group, there's only one obvious choice...She chooses Stephanie and Richard. Dale tells us he would've chose the same people if he were in Antonia's shoes...but in the end, it's a rematch of wedding wars..the dream team versus the dysfunctional ragers. Lisa, Dale and Spike...what a gaggle of freaks. What a team. Dale tells us he's not as upset as wedding wars because at least Nikki is gone and that's one less person to deal with. Poor Dale...always looking on the bright side of things.
At this point I'd like to predict that Team Antonia wins, and Lisa goes home. After all, she told us that her goal was to make it through (not to) Restaurant Wars.
Team Antonia sits down to plan...they're thinking gastric pub. Sounds great. Team Dale talks about family style Asian food with a good feel. How many things are wrong with this picture??? My idea of family-style is big bowls being passed from person to person...on Top Chef??? And Lisa talking about having a "good feel" restaurant is also a contradiction. Could she be the least self-aware person on the planet? Everything about Lisa screams angry lesbian with a chip on her shoulder. Both Lisa and Dale want to do executive chef, and ultimately Dale wins the coin toss. Spike reminds us that Lisa, Dale, and he all have Asian backgrounds, and they need to win in order to send one of the top contenders home.
They do their shopping at Whole Foods, then head off in the Highlander to Pier One. Boy that's a whole lot of product placement in one minute!! At Pier One the two teams set out to create a feel for their restaurants.
Back in the kitchen, Lisa is already fighting Dale about where in the kitchen she'll be working. They're off to a great start. Spike is in charge of decor. Their menu will consist of Shrimp Laksa and Pork & Pickled Plum Pot Stickers for the first course. For the second course, they'll serve Butterscotch Miso Scallops, and Braised Short Ribs. Finally, for dessert they're making Halo-Halo (flavored ice) and Mango Sticky Rice. Spike claims responsibility for the braised short ribs, which he points out he won't have to babysit...they cook for three and a half hours and you just let them go...okay, I get that he's also the general manager and in charge of the front of the house, but taking on only the short ribs seems to predict a disastrous frenzy of Dale getting angry for having to do all the work while Lisa scowls at the camera and talks smack about Dale. Oh, sorry, that was Wedding Wars. Or...nevermind...is this a total deja-vu?
On Team Antonia, Antonia will be Exec Chef, Richard will be in the kitchen and Stephanie will run the front of the house. The first course will be Beet and Goat Cheese Salad, and Linguine and Clams. Their second course will be Trout with Cauliflower & hazelnut brown butter and Lamb Leg & Loin. For dessert, they're offering Gorgonzola Cheesecake and Banana "Scallops". Stephanie is making the home made pasta (and Antonia didn't buy a backup pre-made, so you just know it's likely to be a problem...especially since they're already talking about how this pasta has to work.)
In walks Anthony Bourdain, who announces he's filling in for Tom C. today. I love Anthony B!!! He talks with both teams, and identifies the differences in the teams...Team Antonia are setting modest expectations, which makes it easier to really go above and beyond. However, they're not taking risks. On Team Dale, Tony thinks it could go really really well or really really badly...Asia's big! How well can you do at all those things??? Already his expectations are higher for Team Dale.
Tony B. announces they'll have an extra set of hands for each team, and in walks the fallen soldiers of yester-weeks. Nikki, Mark, tweaker boy Andrew, "I'm doing it for Zoi" Jen. Can I predict something? That team Antonia picks Nikki to do their pasta? And Team Dale? Who would want to work in that disaster of a kitchen? They choose Jen. Antonia takes Nikki, as predicted. Mark and Andrew aren't chosen....surprise.
Dale's avocado stuff is brown and unappealing looking, but apparently it tastes okay. In an attempt to save the dish, Dale works himself into a deeper hole, and Lisa begins bashing him for being on edge and losing it. Again, Lisa starts screaming that some one pulled her rice off. Sabotage!!!!! She blames Dale for setting a bad tone on the team, and Lisa can't be held responsible for her bad attitude when it's all Dale's fault...........huh??? Again with the self awareness. This lady needs some serious couch time with a shrink.
Nikki tells Richard that his clams are gritty. He claims he cleaned them well. Again, deja-vu? Didn't Richard leave mouthfuls of scales on his salmon earlier in the season? Maybe this guy shouldn't be trusted with seafood cleaning! They wash them again. No sweat. Team Antonia is all on board with all the dishes...not every man for himself and his dish like on Team Dale. Dale and Spike take turns tasting Lisa's soup, which is all smoke, no heat, and has a funky sour taste. Immediately Spike is staying clear of this ready-to-explode grenade...he won't be going down for her mistakes. In the meantime, Lisa's sticky rice isn't sticky. It's Dale's fault. She didn't want to make sticky rice. Dale should have made it...but he's working on something else. Dale tells Lisa to mix up a pastry filling to mix with the rice just to salvage some sort of dessert. It looks awful. The clock is ticking down, the stress is rising. It's almost time....it's on!!!
Antonia remains calm in her camera conversations. She knows something. Did they already win or what? Did her team win the prize? Talk about predictable.
Padma introduces Jose Andres from Spain...and everybody knows that the Spaniards are the leading front of gastronomic societies in the world. He's the host of Made in Spain, a great show on PBS. The judges sit down and begin the first course at Team Antonia's gastro-pub.
The decor is nice, conservative, and comfortable. The menus are simply printed. And most importantly, everything tastes good...the linguine with clams has great flavor and texture, and the beet salad gets compliments on the goat cheese they selected. Stephanie does a good job interacting with the judges and is well informed about the menu. The next course is the trout or lamb. The judges love the lamb and trout. They're flying through this competition. Again, Stephanie presents the final course with grace. Anthony B. mentions he is not a fan of the brown smear of chocolate beneath the banana...but all in all, they judges are impressed.
Now it's time to taste Team Dale's Disastrous Dinner. Okay, first of all, the decor...Spike went crazy mad with Buddhas...all different kinds of Buddhas...Zen Buddhist Buddhas, Hindu Buddhas....umm, maybe he doesn't realize they're different? Is this a Chinese restaurant? Or an Indian restaurant? Anyway...let's move on. Spike greets the judges, who are busy commenting on the purple napkins...are they circa Prince and Purple Rain or Aerosmith? Not a good way to start off. I mean, could it be worse? Oh, yes, it could, perhaps if the first course is Lisa's only HUGE mistake of a soup...offered to none other than Anthony "King of Laksa" Bourdain. But let's not focus on Lisa's bad food...let's focus on how she immediately shifts to Dale's attitude and how bad his delivery is with the wait staff. At this point, I'm uncertain if she could point any more fingers without growing another hand...
So the first course is served...the spicy shrimp laksa and home made pot stickers. They love the dumplings, but the soup is too smoky as we know. Next up is the scallop or short rib course. Spike points out that the portions aren't really right. Dale says serve the food and calls Spike a bleeping idiot after he leaves the room. Go team bad energy!!! The judges totally diss the scallops; who thought of butterscotch anyway??? Meanwhile back in the kitchen, Spike attempts to communicate with the waiters, but no one can hear a thing over Dale's shouting "let's go let's go let's go!" at the top of his lungs...Lisa yells back at him "Jesus!" Dale says she's just jealous that he's the Exec Chef, and by the way, she's also negative, doesn't take criticism well, etc. Okay...umm, and your behavior is stellar, Dale??? Spike brings in beers, attempts to diminish the tension, Dale says focus on getting dessert out, Lisa screams "we're not drinking!!!" and again, blames Dale as Exec Chef for her shortcomings in this challenge. I'm already salivating at what's bound to happen at the judges table...will they come to blows???
They serve the Halo-Halo, which looks disgusting and brown, but shines in comparison to what Anthony B. calls Lisa's baby vomit with wood chips sticky rice dessert. Ahhh, the foreshadowing. Lisa's dishes both sucked tonight, she's blaming Dale's lack of leadership and style throughout...could my dreams be coming true before my eyes? Is the Queen of Rage about to be sent packing? Meanwhile, again in the kitchen, Spike says all the diners loved everything...is he smoking the wacky tobaccy? Is this his attempt to call himself successful, as the guy in the front of the house? That way he can claim that people gave him great feedback?
So now it's time to hit the Glad storage room...the teams open beers...I half expect Lisa to break her bottle over Dale's head. Padma enters and asks for Team Antonia...big surprise. The team talks about their responsibilities, and Antonia doesn't look happy when the judges reveal that they love the pasta and the Gorgonzola...it appears Stephanie is going to steal her victory...can it be true?? Yes! Stephanie wins the challenge! She wins a culinary tour trip for two to Barcelona and a guided wine tasting, all with luxury accommodations. Go Stephanie!!!
Team Dale is called before the judges. The judges begin by ripping on the tablecloths and napkins, which Spike calls a group decision, but Lisa's rage-filled face says otherwise. They also ripped on the decor as being too formal for the food. Butterscotch scallops...Dale's baby...nothing seemed to work. The Laksa...it was awful...way too smoky. Lisa executed it poorly but it was Spike's idea, who tells the judges his Laksa is much different than Lisa's...the implications are not lost. It becomes a finger pointing free-for-all, with everyone wanting credit of the only good thing that was served, and everyone scattering like alley cats away from the awful ideas and outcomes. The Spaniard comes down on them for their lack of teamwork. Dale calls Lisa the weakest link. She pulls a knife and says you're only as good as your leader, and guts Dale to the bone. Okay, maybe there wasn't a knife fight, but there might as well have been. The room clears, the judges discuss. Bourdain brings up Lisa's body language and inability to take criticism from them or anyone else..which makes me ask..why is she there? Isn't she hoping to better herself and her skills by having access to some of the world's great chefs? No? She's just there for the cash prize? Oh, then that makes sense now! And Dale...those may be the last yucky sugary scallops that home boy makes for the judges of Top Chef.
It's go time...they call them back in and get a lecture from the judges...Dale is told he fell down hard from a leadership standpoint. Lisa's dishes were awful. Spike lucked out by choosing to be out of the kitchen on this one. And daaaaaaaaaaamn! It's Dale! I was wrong! Dale heads out. But Lisa gets to stay? How is this girl hanging on??????? Dale bares his soul and weeps in his last interview...poor Dale.
Oh yeah, if you want an even better blog on Top Chef, click here....
The quickfire challenge...Tom C. shows up 5:45 a.m. He turns on lights, gets people out of bed, and picks them up to go Lou Mitchell's Restaurant to work an egg station during breakfast. They're going to take turns at the egg station. As the chefs are introduced to the egg station and how things work, I notice with horror that Richard has adopted Dale's use of a headband. Richard is wearing a headband. Thinking back, I remember the kiwi Mark wearing his fuzzy 'fro in a headband, and I know that I've seen Dale with a headband on before...but Richard? Is this the ultimate "me, too, guys, me, too!" or what?
Anotonia goes first...she tells us she loves to test her abilities and jump into the middle of the line...as if this is her favorite daily activity. Whatever. Two eggs over hard. Two singles over easy sandwiches. Martin (the regular egg station chef) tells her to flip the eggs again. The owner lady asks if the potatoes are done. Times up. Next up is Stephanie, Dale then Richard then Spike, who tells us the key to working well in this type of environment is to be very methodical in your movements. He shows Martin that he's down with his peeps by speaking Spanish to him...Meanwhile we see flashbacks of Stephanie's poached egg disaster, her breaking yolks and starting over. Richard tells us he's not familiar with some of the breakfast lingo audibles...huh? Lisa sets a Styrofoam box almost on fire...she's "so fuckin' done". Waiters keep on comin'...barking orders...two eggs over easy, an egg over hard with sausage, what a stressful j-o-b!!! The owner decides the top two are Antonia and Dale, and Antonia ultimately wins. Once again, the only contestant that made a comment about how great they are for this challenge is the winner...couldn't have seen that coming! Sidenote: the woman who crowned Antonia has just forever changed the course of the show...if she had chosen Dale as the winner, the whole show would have been dramatically different. However, we at home could not have possibly known her power at this point.
Tom C. gives them an address...hello product placement! The chefs have to use their GPS mobile phone to figure out where to go next. Does anyone else need a nap by this point? I mean, Tom. C. woke them up before 6 a.m. and the already had to do a quickfire challenge...can't they take a nap yet?
They arrive at an unfamiliar building with Padma awaiting, and she announces Restaurant Wars is back. Lisa is "really fucking excited" about this...this is what she's "been fucking waiting for". They divide into two teams. Each restaurant will serve 35 dinner guests and have $1500 to spend on food and $5000 from Pier One for decor. As the winner of the Quickfire Challenge, Antonia's advantage is that she gets to choose her team! Okay, why not hand her immunity? Because with this group, there's only one obvious choice...She chooses Stephanie and Richard. Dale tells us he would've chose the same people if he were in Antonia's shoes...but in the end, it's a rematch of wedding wars..the dream team versus the dysfunctional ragers. Lisa, Dale and Spike...what a gaggle of freaks. What a team. Dale tells us he's not as upset as wedding wars because at least Nikki is gone and that's one less person to deal with. Poor Dale...always looking on the bright side of things.
At this point I'd like to predict that Team Antonia wins, and Lisa goes home. After all, she told us that her goal was to make it through (not to) Restaurant Wars.
Team Antonia sits down to plan...they're thinking gastric pub. Sounds great. Team Dale talks about family style Asian food with a good feel. How many things are wrong with this picture??? My idea of family-style is big bowls being passed from person to person...on Top Chef??? And Lisa talking about having a "good feel" restaurant is also a contradiction. Could she be the least self-aware person on the planet? Everything about Lisa screams angry lesbian with a chip on her shoulder. Both Lisa and Dale want to do executive chef, and ultimately Dale wins the coin toss. Spike reminds us that Lisa, Dale, and he all have Asian backgrounds, and they need to win in order to send one of the top contenders home.
They do their shopping at Whole Foods, then head off in the Highlander to Pier One. Boy that's a whole lot of product placement in one minute!! At Pier One the two teams set out to create a feel for their restaurants.
Back in the kitchen, Lisa is already fighting Dale about where in the kitchen she'll be working. They're off to a great start. Spike is in charge of decor. Their menu will consist of Shrimp Laksa and Pork & Pickled Plum Pot Stickers for the first course. For the second course, they'll serve Butterscotch Miso Scallops, and Braised Short Ribs. Finally, for dessert they're making Halo-Halo (flavored ice) and Mango Sticky Rice. Spike claims responsibility for the braised short ribs, which he points out he won't have to babysit...they cook for three and a half hours and you just let them go...okay, I get that he's also the general manager and in charge of the front of the house, but taking on only the short ribs seems to predict a disastrous frenzy of Dale getting angry for having to do all the work while Lisa scowls at the camera and talks smack about Dale. Oh, sorry, that was Wedding Wars. Or...nevermind...is this a total deja-vu?
On Team Antonia, Antonia will be Exec Chef, Richard will be in the kitchen and Stephanie will run the front of the house. The first course will be Beet and Goat Cheese Salad, and Linguine and Clams. Their second course will be Trout with Cauliflower & hazelnut brown butter and Lamb Leg & Loin. For dessert, they're offering Gorgonzola Cheesecake and Banana "Scallops". Stephanie is making the home made pasta (and Antonia didn't buy a backup pre-made, so you just know it's likely to be a problem...especially since they're already talking about how this pasta has to work.)
In walks Anthony Bourdain, who announces he's filling in for Tom C. today. I love Anthony B!!! He talks with both teams, and identifies the differences in the teams...Team Antonia are setting modest expectations, which makes it easier to really go above and beyond. However, they're not taking risks. On Team Dale, Tony thinks it could go really really well or really really badly...Asia's big! How well can you do at all those things??? Already his expectations are higher for Team Dale.
Tony B. announces they'll have an extra set of hands for each team, and in walks the fallen soldiers of yester-weeks. Nikki, Mark, tweaker boy Andrew, "I'm doing it for Zoi" Jen. Can I predict something? That team Antonia picks Nikki to do their pasta? And Team Dale? Who would want to work in that disaster of a kitchen? They choose Jen. Antonia takes Nikki, as predicted. Mark and Andrew aren't chosen....surprise.
Dale's avocado stuff is brown and unappealing looking, but apparently it tastes okay. In an attempt to save the dish, Dale works himself into a deeper hole, and Lisa begins bashing him for being on edge and losing it. Again, Lisa starts screaming that some one pulled her rice off. Sabotage!!!!! She blames Dale for setting a bad tone on the team, and Lisa can't be held responsible for her bad attitude when it's all Dale's fault...........huh??? Again with the self awareness. This lady needs some serious couch time with a shrink.
Nikki tells Richard that his clams are gritty. He claims he cleaned them well. Again, deja-vu? Didn't Richard leave mouthfuls of scales on his salmon earlier in the season? Maybe this guy shouldn't be trusted with seafood cleaning! They wash them again. No sweat. Team Antonia is all on board with all the dishes...not every man for himself and his dish like on Team Dale. Dale and Spike take turns tasting Lisa's soup, which is all smoke, no heat, and has a funky sour taste. Immediately Spike is staying clear of this ready-to-explode grenade...he won't be going down for her mistakes. In the meantime, Lisa's sticky rice isn't sticky. It's Dale's fault. She didn't want to make sticky rice. Dale should have made it...but he's working on something else. Dale tells Lisa to mix up a pastry filling to mix with the rice just to salvage some sort of dessert. It looks awful. The clock is ticking down, the stress is rising. It's almost time....it's on!!!
Antonia remains calm in her camera conversations. She knows something. Did they already win or what? Did her team win the prize? Talk about predictable.
Padma introduces Jose Andres from Spain...and everybody knows that the Spaniards are the leading front of gastronomic societies in the world. He's the host of Made in Spain, a great show on PBS. The judges sit down and begin the first course at Team Antonia's gastro-pub.
The decor is nice, conservative, and comfortable. The menus are simply printed. And most importantly, everything tastes good...the linguine with clams has great flavor and texture, and the beet salad gets compliments on the goat cheese they selected. Stephanie does a good job interacting with the judges and is well informed about the menu. The next course is the trout or lamb. The judges love the lamb and trout. They're flying through this competition. Again, Stephanie presents the final course with grace. Anthony B. mentions he is not a fan of the brown smear of chocolate beneath the banana...but all in all, they judges are impressed.
Now it's time to taste Team Dale's Disastrous Dinner. Okay, first of all, the decor...Spike went crazy mad with Buddhas...all different kinds of Buddhas...Zen Buddhist Buddhas, Hindu Buddhas....umm, maybe he doesn't realize they're different? Is this a Chinese restaurant? Or an Indian restaurant? Anyway...let's move on. Spike greets the judges, who are busy commenting on the purple napkins...are they circa Prince and Purple Rain or Aerosmith? Not a good way to start off. I mean, could it be worse? Oh, yes, it could, perhaps if the first course is Lisa's only HUGE mistake of a soup...offered to none other than Anthony "King of Laksa" Bourdain. But let's not focus on Lisa's bad food...let's focus on how she immediately shifts to Dale's attitude and how bad his delivery is with the wait staff. At this point, I'm uncertain if she could point any more fingers without growing another hand...
So the first course is served...the spicy shrimp laksa and home made pot stickers. They love the dumplings, but the soup is too smoky as we know. Next up is the scallop or short rib course. Spike points out that the portions aren't really right. Dale says serve the food and calls Spike a bleeping idiot after he leaves the room. Go team bad energy!!! The judges totally diss the scallops; who thought of butterscotch anyway??? Meanwhile back in the kitchen, Spike attempts to communicate with the waiters, but no one can hear a thing over Dale's shouting "let's go let's go let's go!" at the top of his lungs...Lisa yells back at him "Jesus!" Dale says she's just jealous that he's the Exec Chef, and by the way, she's also negative, doesn't take criticism well, etc. Okay...umm, and your behavior is stellar, Dale??? Spike brings in beers, attempts to diminish the tension, Dale says focus on getting dessert out, Lisa screams "we're not drinking!!!" and again, blames Dale as Exec Chef for her shortcomings in this challenge. I'm already salivating at what's bound to happen at the judges table...will they come to blows???
They serve the Halo-Halo, which looks disgusting and brown, but shines in comparison to what Anthony B. calls Lisa's baby vomit with wood chips sticky rice dessert. Ahhh, the foreshadowing. Lisa's dishes both sucked tonight, she's blaming Dale's lack of leadership and style throughout...could my dreams be coming true before my eyes? Is the Queen of Rage about to be sent packing? Meanwhile, again in the kitchen, Spike says all the diners loved everything...is he smoking the wacky tobaccy? Is this his attempt to call himself successful, as the guy in the front of the house? That way he can claim that people gave him great feedback?
So now it's time to hit the Glad storage room...the teams open beers...I half expect Lisa to break her bottle over Dale's head. Padma enters and asks for Team Antonia...big surprise. The team talks about their responsibilities, and Antonia doesn't look happy when the judges reveal that they love the pasta and the Gorgonzola...it appears Stephanie is going to steal her victory...can it be true?? Yes! Stephanie wins the challenge! She wins a culinary tour trip for two to Barcelona and a guided wine tasting, all with luxury accommodations. Go Stephanie!!!
Team Dale is called before the judges. The judges begin by ripping on the tablecloths and napkins, which Spike calls a group decision, but Lisa's rage-filled face says otherwise. They also ripped on the decor as being too formal for the food. Butterscotch scallops...Dale's baby...nothing seemed to work. The Laksa...it was awful...way too smoky. Lisa executed it poorly but it was Spike's idea, who tells the judges his Laksa is much different than Lisa's...the implications are not lost. It becomes a finger pointing free-for-all, with everyone wanting credit of the only good thing that was served, and everyone scattering like alley cats away from the awful ideas and outcomes. The Spaniard comes down on them for their lack of teamwork. Dale calls Lisa the weakest link. She pulls a knife and says you're only as good as your leader, and guts Dale to the bone. Okay, maybe there wasn't a knife fight, but there might as well have been. The room clears, the judges discuss. Bourdain brings up Lisa's body language and inability to take criticism from them or anyone else..which makes me ask..why is she there? Isn't she hoping to better herself and her skills by having access to some of the world's great chefs? No? She's just there for the cash prize? Oh, then that makes sense now! And Dale...those may be the last yucky sugary scallops that home boy makes for the judges of Top Chef.
It's go time...they call them back in and get a lecture from the judges...Dale is told he fell down hard from a leadership standpoint. Lisa's dishes were awful. Spike lucked out by choosing to be out of the kitchen on this one. And daaaaaaaaaaamn! It's Dale! I was wrong! Dale heads out. But Lisa gets to stay? How is this girl hanging on??????? Dale bares his soul and weeps in his last interview...poor Dale.
Oh yeah, if you want an even better blog on Top Chef, click here....
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
The Fix It Ticket
A couple of weeks ago, my car was in the shop so I rode to work with Ajay, dropped him off, and took his car for the day. Within 5 minutes of leaving him at work, I was pulled over. It seems Sweetie Pie didn't have the front plate mounted to his car. And given that there are cameras at every intersection, it's now the law that you have to have the front plate attached so they can adequately ticket you.
Struggling to reach the registration in the glove box over my big belly, the cop began taking pity on me, and issued a fix-it ticket, meaning, once the plate was attached, take it to the station and some one will sign off on it...it won't cost a thing. Oh, and he'll need to see proof of insurance, too. Leaning for the glove box, I find Ajay's expired insurance card with his registration. I know the policy is up to date...I pay the bill every year...and I always give him the new cards they send. I know this because I have a separate policy on my car, so I don't need proof of his insurance.
So within 7 minutes of dropping Ajay off at work, I've managed to secure two tickets...one for no valid proof of insurance, and another for the missing front plate. I asked the policeman about the plate...how do I get a new one? He told me in his most condescending voice that my husband probably has it somewhere in the garage, and to just ask him. Blink blink. Is that what I asked? No, that wasn't what I asked. I asked how to get a new one, not where does my husband keep the extra plate. Asshole.
Now...to be fair, a couple of years ago when I decided to clean out the garage, I saw the extra plate on a shelf. I asked Ajay, "do we need this?" Ajay said yes, we did. I looked at the front of his car, noticed there was no mounting bracket for the extra plate, and flagrantly tossed the plate in the garbage and said "I don't think so". Again, to be fair, it was a question in my mind...do we need this...now I know...yes, we needed that.
So I headed to the DMV's website...and found that I would have to go into the office...this would not and could not be handled online...because that would make too much sense. So I scheduled an appointment...two weeks away. I looked at the ticket, which only gave me three weeks to fix the problem. Not wanting to take any chances (I didn't know if they mail the replacement plate, if it would be a custom order, etc.), I called the number on the ticket for extensions. I waited 47 minutes with music playing on the line, interrupted every two and a half minutes with "thank you for holding, blah blah blah" in both English and Spanish. When a nice live person finally answered, I explained my issue of not being able to get into the DMV for two weeks, and needed to file for an extension. He asked for my ticket number and looked it up, only to find it wasn't in the system yet. Call back in a week. Shit.
I called back in a week...and waited on hold for a mere 24 minutes this time, when a recorded voice told me that extensions could be handled online. Okay...hello? Why???? Why did they wait for 24 minutes to divulge this information? Was the "thank you for holding, blah blah blah" part always telling me this? And I just now managed to hear it???? I'd been listening to Muzak on the speaker phone interrupted with "Thank you for holding, blah blah blah" (in English and Spanish) for what seemed like an eternity, and now they tell me??? Damn it.
So online I go, where I secure myself a one-time-only extension to handle the matter. Meanwhile, my appointment at the DMV comes. I mapquest the location since I've never been to this branch...only 25 minutes away! I gather my ticket, my proof of insurance, my print out with the confirmation for my appointment. I'm all set...I even bring a "how to take care of a baby" book to use my time wisely while waiting, because I'm sure that just because I have an appointment, doesn't mean a government agency will actually be timely.
The nice lady at the window takes my confirmation page, and hands me a form. I fill it out, give it back, and she hands me another form. Then I paid the $18 fee for a replacement plate. Then I wait. Finally my number is called. And what's this? I'm not the registered owner of the car? Umm, well, no. But I was driving his car and this is my ticket...see? My name is on it? Oh? really? I can't get a new plate without Ajay applying for it? Oh, that's great news...the DMV is open tomorrow, Saturday, from 8-12 (normally they're closed on Saturday, so tomorrow is likely to be a madhouse). So just come back then? And can I get an appointment? No? So I'll have to wait? Again? Fuck. So the nice lady gives me another application for a new plate to fill out...she tells me this time that Ajay should sign it. I ask if he has to come in. Nope...just his signature.
So the following day, Ajay happily gets ready for his yoga class as I not-so-happily get ready for another trip to the DMV. I arrive, and decide to try my luck...after all, I am the sweet waddley pregnant girl...I did behave myself and control my rage throughout the whole process yesterday. Maybe they'll cut me a break. I wait in the line for "appointments" and remind the lady that I was in yesterday and didn't have my husband's signature and showed her that I'd already paid for it and handled everything except the signature...I just need to turn this form into some one...where should I go. She printed out a number, and told me to take a seat. No special treatment for being cute in my pink pregnant lady outfit. I had to wait with the riff raff. Serves me right. Fuck.
Finally the number is called. I get called up to the same lady as yesterday, tell her I have the application with the right signature on it. With two shakes of a lamb's tail, she sends me over to window #2 to get my new plate. What? They issue it right here? I won't have to wait for it to arrive through the mail? I didn't have to call for the extension twice, only to finally achieve the extension on the world's least-user-friendly website? Fuck!
So now I have the plate. I leave the DMV behind. I head home. Monday morning I call the dealership to set up an appointment to have a mounting bracket installed. They say it'll only take 10 minutes and to bring it in whenever...tomorrow looks good and empty. Fantastic. So Tuesday morning, I take the car in to the dealership...30 minutes away. They're packed. I wait in line. A nice fellow comes over and I tell him what I need. Okay, he says, where is the mounting bracket? I don't know...I thought you had it? He tells me no, it would be a special order. Fuck!! Unless it happened to be stashed under the spare tire. Ahh, yes! It is there! Finally I get a break!!!
About 40 minutes later, I'm driving out of the dealership, front plate attached. So let's see what this all cost me in time...two trips to and from the DMV...that's about an hour and a half in the car. At least an hour on hold trying to get an extension for the ticket that I didn't end up needing. At least an hour wait time at the DMV. An hour in the car to and from the dealership, and another 30 minutes to install the plate once they found it. And let's not forget...the best is yet to come...I still have to go to the police station with my proof of insurance and the new plate attached for them to sign off on the ticket...and the police station? That's at least 30 minutes away! Fuck!!!
Struggling to reach the registration in the glove box over my big belly, the cop began taking pity on me, and issued a fix-it ticket, meaning, once the plate was attached, take it to the station and some one will sign off on it...it won't cost a thing. Oh, and he'll need to see proof of insurance, too. Leaning for the glove box, I find Ajay's expired insurance card with his registration. I know the policy is up to date...I pay the bill every year...and I always give him the new cards they send. I know this because I have a separate policy on my car, so I don't need proof of his insurance.
So within 7 minutes of dropping Ajay off at work, I've managed to secure two tickets...one for no valid proof of insurance, and another for the missing front plate. I asked the policeman about the plate...how do I get a new one? He told me in his most condescending voice that my husband probably has it somewhere in the garage, and to just ask him. Blink blink. Is that what I asked? No, that wasn't what I asked. I asked how to get a new one, not where does my husband keep the extra plate. Asshole.
Now...to be fair, a couple of years ago when I decided to clean out the garage, I saw the extra plate on a shelf. I asked Ajay, "do we need this?" Ajay said yes, we did. I looked at the front of his car, noticed there was no mounting bracket for the extra plate, and flagrantly tossed the plate in the garbage and said "I don't think so". Again, to be fair, it was a question in my mind...do we need this...now I know...yes, we needed that.
So I headed to the DMV's website...and found that I would have to go into the office...this would not and could not be handled online...because that would make too much sense. So I scheduled an appointment...two weeks away. I looked at the ticket, which only gave me three weeks to fix the problem. Not wanting to take any chances (I didn't know if they mail the replacement plate, if it would be a custom order, etc.), I called the number on the ticket for extensions. I waited 47 minutes with music playing on the line, interrupted every two and a half minutes with "thank you for holding, blah blah blah" in both English and Spanish. When a nice live person finally answered, I explained my issue of not being able to get into the DMV for two weeks, and needed to file for an extension. He asked for my ticket number and looked it up, only to find it wasn't in the system yet. Call back in a week. Shit.
I called back in a week...and waited on hold for a mere 24 minutes this time, when a recorded voice told me that extensions could be handled online. Okay...hello? Why???? Why did they wait for 24 minutes to divulge this information? Was the "thank you for holding, blah blah blah" part always telling me this? And I just now managed to hear it???? I'd been listening to Muzak on the speaker phone interrupted with "Thank you for holding, blah blah blah" (in English and Spanish) for what seemed like an eternity, and now they tell me??? Damn it.
So online I go, where I secure myself a one-time-only extension to handle the matter. Meanwhile, my appointment at the DMV comes. I mapquest the location since I've never been to this branch...only 25 minutes away! I gather my ticket, my proof of insurance, my print out with the confirmation for my appointment. I'm all set...I even bring a "how to take care of a baby" book to use my time wisely while waiting, because I'm sure that just because I have an appointment, doesn't mean a government agency will actually be timely.
The nice lady at the window takes my confirmation page, and hands me a form. I fill it out, give it back, and she hands me another form. Then I paid the $18 fee for a replacement plate. Then I wait. Finally my number is called. And what's this? I'm not the registered owner of the car? Umm, well, no. But I was driving his car and this is my ticket...see? My name is on it? Oh? really? I can't get a new plate without Ajay applying for it? Oh, that's great news...the DMV is open tomorrow, Saturday, from 8-12 (normally they're closed on Saturday, so tomorrow is likely to be a madhouse). So just come back then? And can I get an appointment? No? So I'll have to wait? Again? Fuck. So the nice lady gives me another application for a new plate to fill out...she tells me this time that Ajay should sign it. I ask if he has to come in. Nope...just his signature.
So the following day, Ajay happily gets ready for his yoga class as I not-so-happily get ready for another trip to the DMV. I arrive, and decide to try my luck...after all, I am the sweet waddley pregnant girl...I did behave myself and control my rage throughout the whole process yesterday. Maybe they'll cut me a break. I wait in the line for "appointments" and remind the lady that I was in yesterday and didn't have my husband's signature and showed her that I'd already paid for it and handled everything except the signature...I just need to turn this form into some one...where should I go. She printed out a number, and told me to take a seat. No special treatment for being cute in my pink pregnant lady outfit. I had to wait with the riff raff. Serves me right. Fuck.
Finally the number is called. I get called up to the same lady as yesterday, tell her I have the application with the right signature on it. With two shakes of a lamb's tail, she sends me over to window #2 to get my new plate. What? They issue it right here? I won't have to wait for it to arrive through the mail? I didn't have to call for the extension twice, only to finally achieve the extension on the world's least-user-friendly website? Fuck!
So now I have the plate. I leave the DMV behind. I head home. Monday morning I call the dealership to set up an appointment to have a mounting bracket installed. They say it'll only take 10 minutes and to bring it in whenever...tomorrow looks good and empty. Fantastic. So Tuesday morning, I take the car in to the dealership...30 minutes away. They're packed. I wait in line. A nice fellow comes over and I tell him what I need. Okay, he says, where is the mounting bracket? I don't know...I thought you had it? He tells me no, it would be a special order. Fuck!! Unless it happened to be stashed under the spare tire. Ahh, yes! It is there! Finally I get a break!!!
About 40 minutes later, I'm driving out of the dealership, front plate attached. So let's see what this all cost me in time...two trips to and from the DMV...that's about an hour and a half in the car. At least an hour on hold trying to get an extension for the ticket that I didn't end up needing. At least an hour wait time at the DMV. An hour in the car to and from the dealership, and another 30 minutes to install the plate once they found it. And let's not forget...the best is yet to come...I still have to go to the police station with my proof of insurance and the new plate attached for them to sign off on the ticket...and the police station? That's at least 30 minutes away! Fuck!!!
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Because they just weren't cute enough in their original state
I have a lot of onesies...one might say that I have over-bought plain white onesies in preparation for the new little one. So last week I set out on yet another "can't wait for baby to get here" project. Enter the tie dye.
I bought a little teeny-bopper tie dye kit at Michael's, thinking that it might be fun to tie dye a few things for Alia. Well, let's just say that it didn't stop at a few things...this girl has many-an-original-Mommy-made-onesie!
Here they are drying on the line after being dyed and soaked overnight.
And here they are all dry and washed and ready to be worn by the new little one...
The basic pink and white
The little bohemian...
Green and purple...
All yellow...the white tie dye markings didn't come through very well...
Ajay's favorite...the baby pink and purple...
Turquoise and purple...
The back of the turquoise and purple...
Another pink and white...the white circle is targeted for little one's belly button...
The long sleeve purple, red and white...
The back of the purple, red and white...
I bought a little teeny-bopper tie dye kit at Michael's, thinking that it might be fun to tie dye a few things for Alia. Well, let's just say that it didn't stop at a few things...this girl has many-an-original-Mommy-made-onesie!
Here they are drying on the line after being dyed and soaked overnight.
And here they are all dry and washed and ready to be worn by the new little one...
The basic pink and white
The little bohemian...
Green and purple...
All yellow...the white tie dye markings didn't come through very well...
Ajay's favorite...the baby pink and purple...
Turquoise and purple...
The back of the turquoise and purple...
Another pink and white...the white circle is targeted for little one's belly button...
The long sleeve purple, red and white...
The back of the purple, red and white...
Monday, May 19, 2008
30 week development
Here's what Babycenter.com has to say about this week...
How your baby's growing
Your baby's about 15.7 inches long now, and she weighs almost 3 pounds (like a head of cabbage). A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds her, but that volume will decrease as she gets bigger and takes up more room in your uterus. Her eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after she's born, she'll keep her eyes closed for a good part of the day. When she does open them, she'll respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision — which means she can only make out objects a few inches from her face. (Normal adult vision is 20/20.)
How your life's changing
You may be feeling a little tired these days, especially if you're having trouble sleeping. You might also feel clumsier than normal, which is perfectly understandable. Not only are you heavier, but the concentration of weight in your pregnant belly causes a shift in your center of gravity. Plus, thanks to hormonal changes, your ligaments are more lax, so your joints are looser, which may also contribute to your balance being a bit off. Also, this relaxation of your ligaments can actually cause your feet to spread permanently, so you may have to invest in some new shoes in a bigger size.
Remember those mood swings you had earlier in pregnancy? The combination of uncomfortable symptoms and hormonal changes can result in a return of those emotional ups and downs. It's normal to worry about what your labor will be like or whether you'll be a good parent. But if you can't shake the blues or feel increasingly irritable or agitated, talk to your doctor or midwife. You may be among the 1 in 10 expectant women who battle depression during pregnancy. Also let your caregiver know if you're frequently nervous or anxious.
How your baby's growing
Your baby's about 15.7 inches long now, and she weighs almost 3 pounds (like a head of cabbage). A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds her, but that volume will decrease as she gets bigger and takes up more room in your uterus. Her eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after she's born, she'll keep her eyes closed for a good part of the day. When she does open them, she'll respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision — which means she can only make out objects a few inches from her face. (Normal adult vision is 20/20.)
How your life's changing
You may be feeling a little tired these days, especially if you're having trouble sleeping. You might also feel clumsier than normal, which is perfectly understandable. Not only are you heavier, but the concentration of weight in your pregnant belly causes a shift in your center of gravity. Plus, thanks to hormonal changes, your ligaments are more lax, so your joints are looser, which may also contribute to your balance being a bit off. Also, this relaxation of your ligaments can actually cause your feet to spread permanently, so you may have to invest in some new shoes in a bigger size.
Remember those mood swings you had earlier in pregnancy? The combination of uncomfortable symptoms and hormonal changes can result in a return of those emotional ups and downs. It's normal to worry about what your labor will be like or whether you'll be a good parent. But if you can't shake the blues or feel increasingly irritable or agitated, talk to your doctor or midwife. You may be among the 1 in 10 expectant women who battle depression during pregnancy. Also let your caregiver know if you're frequently nervous or anxious.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Classic Lemon Squares
INGREDIENTS
Crust:
1 cup flour
½ cup butter
¼ cup powdered sugar
Filling:
2 Eggs
1 cup granulated sugar
½ tsp. baking powder
2 ½ TBS. lemon juice
Dash salt
1. Blend crust ingredients together with fingertips until well blended
2. Pat evenly into an 8x8 baking pan.
3. Bake for 20 minutes at 350°.
Meanwhile:
1. Beat together filling ingredients.
2. Pour over baked crust.
3. Return to oven for 20-25 minutes at same temperature.
4. Let Cool.
5. Cut into 16 even squares.
6. Sprinkle with powdered sugar.
7. Put them on a pretty plate and serve.
Crust:
1 cup flour
½ cup butter
¼ cup powdered sugar
Filling:
2 Eggs
1 cup granulated sugar
½ tsp. baking powder
2 ½ TBS. lemon juice
Dash salt
1. Blend crust ingredients together with fingertips until well blended
2. Pat evenly into an 8x8 baking pan.
3. Bake for 20 minutes at 350°.
Meanwhile:
1. Beat together filling ingredients.
2. Pour over baked crust.
3. Return to oven for 20-25 minutes at same temperature.
4. Let Cool.
5. Cut into 16 even squares.
6. Sprinkle with powdered sugar.
7. Put them on a pretty plate and serve.
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Friday, May 16, 2008
Counting Kicks
Thump. Thump. Thump thump.
At my OB appointment a couple of weeks ago, Dr. K sent me home with a new worksheet explaining what kick-counting is, and how to do it.
Basically, you choose the same time every day when you know you're baby is usually active and keep track of the amount of time it takes to count 10 kicks. For me, that time is in the evening after I've eaten dinner, or whatever I'm calling dinner these days...last night it was waffles, go figure.
So the form that Dr. K sent home...it has lots of little boxes...week number 28, day 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. Week 29, day 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 all the way to week 42. For each day, there's a box with time intervals..10 minutes, 20 minutes...all the way up to 2 hours. So the whole idea is that by keeping track of how active she is on a given day, you can monitor your baby's typical activity level, and if something changes from the ordinary, like no kicks or slower kicks, you call the doc and go to the hospital for a work up.
The first night, we just waited to see what time Alia's night time activities started, and chose that as our time to count...I think around 7:15. Within about 4 minutes, she had kicked and wiggled 10 times. Proudly I checked the 10 minute box because there wasn't anything less. In my mind she must be an over-achiever. The next night, again, I just waited for Alia's cue to start the counts....this time I think it was around 7:30. Once again, I counted 10 kicks in about 4 minutes, and proudly checked the box. The following night it was the same thing...around 8:00 PM she started kicking, I started counting, and checked off the 10 minute box. This pattern continued all week. I was very proud of my high-achieving daughter.
Then I realized that I wasn't really following directions. The instructions told me to "pick a time every day to count". Well, I've been picking "after dinner" as my time. And we don't have much of a schedule around here...that could be 5 PM or 9 PM depending on the night. So, if 7:15 were "the time" every night, does that mean that day 2, when I started counting at 7:30 would have really been about 20 minutes to accomplish the kicks? Because 7:30 is 15 minutes after the "start time", and it took her 5 minutes to do all her little kicks. But then, the more I thought about it, I felt that the whole goal was to monitor her patterned activity...and her patterned activity is that she is really active after dinner. Sounds like it's time to clarify with Dr. K. I mean, is this a sign of what's to come? Me changing the rules just slightly to make sure my sweet angel baby gets the highest marks? Am I already that Mom????
At my OB appointment a couple of weeks ago, Dr. K sent me home with a new worksheet explaining what kick-counting is, and how to do it.
Basically, you choose the same time every day when you know you're baby is usually active and keep track of the amount of time it takes to count 10 kicks. For me, that time is in the evening after I've eaten dinner, or whatever I'm calling dinner these days...last night it was waffles, go figure.
So the form that Dr. K sent home...it has lots of little boxes...week number 28, day 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. Week 29, day 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 all the way to week 42. For each day, there's a box with time intervals..10 minutes, 20 minutes...all the way up to 2 hours. So the whole idea is that by keeping track of how active she is on a given day, you can monitor your baby's typical activity level, and if something changes from the ordinary, like no kicks or slower kicks, you call the doc and go to the hospital for a work up.
The first night, we just waited to see what time Alia's night time activities started, and chose that as our time to count...I think around 7:15. Within about 4 minutes, she had kicked and wiggled 10 times. Proudly I checked the 10 minute box because there wasn't anything less. In my mind she must be an over-achiever. The next night, again, I just waited for Alia's cue to start the counts....this time I think it was around 7:30. Once again, I counted 10 kicks in about 4 minutes, and proudly checked the box. The following night it was the same thing...around 8:00 PM she started kicking, I started counting, and checked off the 10 minute box. This pattern continued all week. I was very proud of my high-achieving daughter.
Then I realized that I wasn't really following directions. The instructions told me to "pick a time every day to count". Well, I've been picking "after dinner" as my time. And we don't have much of a schedule around here...that could be 5 PM or 9 PM depending on the night. So, if 7:15 were "the time" every night, does that mean that day 2, when I started counting at 7:30 would have really been about 20 minutes to accomplish the kicks? Because 7:30 is 15 minutes after the "start time", and it took her 5 minutes to do all her little kicks. But then, the more I thought about it, I felt that the whole goal was to monitor her patterned activity...and her patterned activity is that she is really active after dinner. Sounds like it's time to clarify with Dr. K. I mean, is this a sign of what's to come? Me changing the rules just slightly to make sure my sweet angel baby gets the highest marks? Am I already that Mom????
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Top Chef...Serve and Protect
The contestants were up for 40 hours during the last challenge, and after a quick cat nap, they're summoned back to the Top Chef Kitchen for a Quickfire Challenge.
As they're getting ready, the contenders say a few words to the camera...mostly about how they all hate Dale. Spike, once again, calls him a little bitch and hands out karmic predictions of Dale's demise in life because he's just a big meanie.
Andrew is super charged...to either kill or cook. What a freak.
Now the Quickfire Challenge...Bring Salad Sexy Back...in other words, come up with the next great salad of the millennium...a new Caesar, a new Waldorf... in 45 minutes. Ready, set, GO!!!!
Lisa, the Queen of Rage, looks around and sees people who don't deserve to be there..."they're not good chef's and their personalities suck". Umm, Lisa, I've got news for you...that was a Freudian self-assessment if I've ever heard one. This, by the way, was all said with her classic sour-puss face turned up to high.
Andrew the Freak decides on a Thai fruit salad. Judges say it's good. Spike makes a "sensual beef salad". Again, they like it. Lisa grills some squid and lobster and claims it's "spiced"....and the judges, once again, tell her they don't taste the spice at all and only taste the bananas. Stephanie makes a Fall Duet w/ pear vinaigrette, but doesn't finish plating it...bummer. Antonia makes a poached egg and bacon salad. Richard offered a "fresh and clean" salad...whatever that is...I don't see it taking the place of a Caesar. And finally, Dale makes a poached chicken salad with mirin and sake.
In the bottom, we find Richard (not acidic enough), Stephanie (didn't finish hers), and Lisa (no spice and all bananas). This leaves Spike, Anotonia, and Dale in the top, and Spike wins his first Quickfire Challenge. And if you think about it, putting steak in a salad almost guarantees high marks on flavor...smart! Andrew the Freak is the only one that's unmentionable.
So now comes the big elimination challenge...gourmet boxed lunch for Chicago Cops. The whole idea is to offer a healthful, hearty alternative to cheeseburgers and chili dogs. The rules are to include whole grains, lean proteins, fruits, and vegetables in one box lunch. For winning the Q.F.C., Spike is allowed to shop for 10 minutes before the others, and one food from each group that he chooses is off limits to all the other chefs.
Andrew the Freak is super pumped about the challenge. He takes the opportunity to remind us all that he used to be a big fatty and that he studied nutrition. He's the one to beat in this competition...he thinks his creative and nutritional excellence provides him with more of an advantage than Spike's measly 10 minutes of extra shopping time and ingredient exclusions...which tells me he's already over-estimating himself.
Meanwhile, Spike is being a prick to the others by waving at them as he walks by shopping. Antonia points out that he chooses his ingredients based on what will throw the biggest monkey wrench in the other's menus rather than choosing things that will make a terrific lunch...and I for once agree with Antonia. Spike chooses whole grain bread, tomatoes, lettuce, and chicken...hardly seems "out of the box" thinking.
Andrew the Freak continues to go on and on and on about how creative he is, how much he knows about nutrition, and what Spike chose doesn't affect him at all. Foreshadowing his demise, perhaps?
In the end, Antonia makes a curried beef with Jasmine and brown rice and a fruit salad. Andrew makes parsnip and pine nut "rice" around a sushi roll with salmon tartar and veggies. Stephanie offers a mushroom and leek soup with meatballs. Dale brings up the Asian end with lettuce cups (made of cabbage, thanks to Spike) filled with marinated Bison and Vietnamese herbs. Antonia predicts Dale's going down because he only cooks Asian food. Meanwhile, Lisa works on her shrimp and veggies with brown rice and herb stir fry.
Tom C. enters...he approaches Lisa, who offers him some of her home made hot sauce to try...it's as if she's thinking "my dishes are under-spiced? Try this, a-hole!". Trusting Tom tries the hot sauce and it looks like his eyes might start bleeding...not sure he's too impressed with Lisa. Tom C. then approaches Spike and wants to see how he's using his advantage..."are you even using the tomatoes???" Spike says he may use them as a garnish...to show the other contestants what they are missing..." Tom C. isn't impressed. Richard shows Tom his quintessential health food burrito, saying "do you like burritos?" over and over...Tom C. answers, sure, if they're good, and looks at Richard's ingredients skeptically. See, Richard's burrito contains quinoa, lentils, rice, and tuna, wrapped in rice paper...doesn't sound too terribly tasty to me.
Later, Lisa realizes there's been a terrible sabotage in the Top Chef kitchen!!! Some one turned up her rice! It's burned on the outside and not done on the inside!!! Who has done this to her????!!! And even more entertaining than her "push the blame on other people" is that fact that no one is buying her story...accidents happen.
Now it's time to transport the food and write up their heating instructions. Richard is working his crowd with his question of the day "do you like burritos?" Spike comments to the camera just how old it's getting and just how many times Richard has asked that idiotic question. Meanwhile, Spike relies on scarcity to do his marketing for him and only puts out two lunch boxes at a time...again he focuses on everything but the food.
The judges show up. They comment that Andrew the Freak didn't use a whole grain. His "rice" was parsnips and pine nuts blended in a food processor...and it tasted funny! They talk about everybody else's food, leading us to the conclusion that Spike, Andrew the Freak, and Lisa are in the bottom. Again. I mean, seriously, how many times can Lisa be in the bottom and yet her sourpuss face keeps showing up week after week!?
The top 2 are....Stephanie and Dale. Say what you will about Dale (he's arrogant, doesn't play well with others, etc.) but he seems to be on top quite a bit! Stephanie, too has been a strong contender. I like her style...no boasting, no drama...she just cooks good stuff. In the end, Dale wins because his dish embodies the challenge...his bison wraps gave the diner the illusion of beef but in a much healthier way. They award him with a magnum of 2002 Rutherford Hill and a trip to Napa. And he smiles...like a real smile! He warmly thanks the judges. Who is this smiling guy? Dale is 5 for 20 wins. Not bad.
The losers, totally predictably, were Spike, Lisa, and Andrew the Freak. The judges tell Lisa her shrimp was yucky. She blames the uncooked rice sabotage for ruining her dish...they tell her it's not really about the rice. Her long beans weren't cooked, either... Her nostrils flare. She's full of rage, just as she is every other week.
Now Spike...what happened? You had so much time and you totally didn't use your advantage to it's fullest potential. The judges rag on him for serving a piece of lettuce, a sliced tomato, and a slice of bread...all of which required no creativity or prep. Oh yeah, and the chicken salad? It was nasty! Spike is angry. He doesn't take they're criticism well, and wisely insults the judges.
Now it's Andrew the Freak's turn. Again with the "I'm a nutrition guy"!!! The judges come down on him for serving a singular sushi roll or lunch and tell him it is not hearty or satisfying. And if that wasn't enough, it tasted disgusting. Lisa chimes in and throws Andrew the Freak under the bus for not meeting the criteria of the contest---his lunch didn't contain a whole grain. The judges look annoyed with the drama and Tom C. lets her know that they're aware of this. Andrew the Freaky Nutritional Guru didn't like that. His rage...trapped just beneath the surface begins to bubble out his ears. He fires back that people should eat every 3 hours...small meals! He's spitting venom! Tom C. asks him if he ever thought about who his audience was during the challenge...and what are the Cops going to eat after they're starving in another 3 hours....a candy bar? another sushi roll? And where is their next portion, and how would you keep it in their police car?
In the end, and very predictably, Andrew the Freak is asked to pack his knives. Spike tells Andrew "you're the man" and hugs him fiercely while glaring at the judges...what's with Spike and "his boys"? Seriously, the guy has some issues! Andrew tells the judges no security will be necessary, and asks to shake their hands...I don't know about them, but I would have been a little frightened of this dude approaching me!
Oh, and also, here's a link to a fantastic Top Chef review. Enjoy!
As they're getting ready, the contenders say a few words to the camera...mostly about how they all hate Dale. Spike, once again, calls him a little bitch and hands out karmic predictions of Dale's demise in life because he's just a big meanie.
Andrew is super charged...to either kill or cook. What a freak.
Now the Quickfire Challenge...Bring Salad Sexy Back...in other words, come up with the next great salad of the millennium...a new Caesar, a new Waldorf... in 45 minutes. Ready, set, GO!!!!
Lisa, the Queen of Rage, looks around and sees people who don't deserve to be there..."they're not good chef's and their personalities suck". Umm, Lisa, I've got news for you...that was a Freudian self-assessment if I've ever heard one. This, by the way, was all said with her classic sour-puss face turned up to high.
Andrew the Freak decides on a Thai fruit salad. Judges say it's good. Spike makes a "sensual beef salad". Again, they like it. Lisa grills some squid and lobster and claims it's "spiced"....and the judges, once again, tell her they don't taste the spice at all and only taste the bananas. Stephanie makes a Fall Duet w/ pear vinaigrette, but doesn't finish plating it...bummer. Antonia makes a poached egg and bacon salad. Richard offered a "fresh and clean" salad...whatever that is...I don't see it taking the place of a Caesar. And finally, Dale makes a poached chicken salad with mirin and sake.
In the bottom, we find Richard (not acidic enough), Stephanie (didn't finish hers), and Lisa (no spice and all bananas). This leaves Spike, Anotonia, and Dale in the top, and Spike wins his first Quickfire Challenge. And if you think about it, putting steak in a salad almost guarantees high marks on flavor...smart! Andrew the Freak is the only one that's unmentionable.
So now comes the big elimination challenge...gourmet boxed lunch for Chicago Cops. The whole idea is to offer a healthful, hearty alternative to cheeseburgers and chili dogs. The rules are to include whole grains, lean proteins, fruits, and vegetables in one box lunch. For winning the Q.F.C., Spike is allowed to shop for 10 minutes before the others, and one food from each group that he chooses is off limits to all the other chefs.
Andrew the Freak is super pumped about the challenge. He takes the opportunity to remind us all that he used to be a big fatty and that he studied nutrition. He's the one to beat in this competition...he thinks his creative and nutritional excellence provides him with more of an advantage than Spike's measly 10 minutes of extra shopping time and ingredient exclusions...which tells me he's already over-estimating himself.
Meanwhile, Spike is being a prick to the others by waving at them as he walks by shopping. Antonia points out that he chooses his ingredients based on what will throw the biggest monkey wrench in the other's menus rather than choosing things that will make a terrific lunch...and I for once agree with Antonia. Spike chooses whole grain bread, tomatoes, lettuce, and chicken...hardly seems "out of the box" thinking.
Andrew the Freak continues to go on and on and on about how creative he is, how much he knows about nutrition, and what Spike chose doesn't affect him at all. Foreshadowing his demise, perhaps?
In the end, Antonia makes a curried beef with Jasmine and brown rice and a fruit salad. Andrew makes parsnip and pine nut "rice" around a sushi roll with salmon tartar and veggies. Stephanie offers a mushroom and leek soup with meatballs. Dale brings up the Asian end with lettuce cups (made of cabbage, thanks to Spike) filled with marinated Bison and Vietnamese herbs. Antonia predicts Dale's going down because he only cooks Asian food. Meanwhile, Lisa works on her shrimp and veggies with brown rice and herb stir fry.
Tom C. enters...he approaches Lisa, who offers him some of her home made hot sauce to try...it's as if she's thinking "my dishes are under-spiced? Try this, a-hole!". Trusting Tom tries the hot sauce and it looks like his eyes might start bleeding...not sure he's too impressed with Lisa. Tom C. then approaches Spike and wants to see how he's using his advantage..."are you even using the tomatoes???" Spike says he may use them as a garnish...to show the other contestants what they are missing..." Tom C. isn't impressed. Richard shows Tom his quintessential health food burrito, saying "do you like burritos?" over and over...Tom C. answers, sure, if they're good, and looks at Richard's ingredients skeptically. See, Richard's burrito contains quinoa, lentils, rice, and tuna, wrapped in rice paper...doesn't sound too terribly tasty to me.
Later, Lisa realizes there's been a terrible sabotage in the Top Chef kitchen!!! Some one turned up her rice! It's burned on the outside and not done on the inside!!! Who has done this to her????!!! And even more entertaining than her "push the blame on other people" is that fact that no one is buying her story...accidents happen.
Now it's time to transport the food and write up their heating instructions. Richard is working his crowd with his question of the day "do you like burritos?" Spike comments to the camera just how old it's getting and just how many times Richard has asked that idiotic question. Meanwhile, Spike relies on scarcity to do his marketing for him and only puts out two lunch boxes at a time...again he focuses on everything but the food.
The judges show up. They comment that Andrew the Freak didn't use a whole grain. His "rice" was parsnips and pine nuts blended in a food processor...and it tasted funny! They talk about everybody else's food, leading us to the conclusion that Spike, Andrew the Freak, and Lisa are in the bottom. Again. I mean, seriously, how many times can Lisa be in the bottom and yet her sourpuss face keeps showing up week after week!?
The top 2 are....Stephanie and Dale. Say what you will about Dale (he's arrogant, doesn't play well with others, etc.) but he seems to be on top quite a bit! Stephanie, too has been a strong contender. I like her style...no boasting, no drama...she just cooks good stuff. In the end, Dale wins because his dish embodies the challenge...his bison wraps gave the diner the illusion of beef but in a much healthier way. They award him with a magnum of 2002 Rutherford Hill and a trip to Napa. And he smiles...like a real smile! He warmly thanks the judges. Who is this smiling guy? Dale is 5 for 20 wins. Not bad.
The losers, totally predictably, were Spike, Lisa, and Andrew the Freak. The judges tell Lisa her shrimp was yucky. She blames the uncooked rice sabotage for ruining her dish...they tell her it's not really about the rice. Her long beans weren't cooked, either... Her nostrils flare. She's full of rage, just as she is every other week.
Now Spike...what happened? You had so much time and you totally didn't use your advantage to it's fullest potential. The judges rag on him for serving a piece of lettuce, a sliced tomato, and a slice of bread...all of which required no creativity or prep. Oh yeah, and the chicken salad? It was nasty! Spike is angry. He doesn't take they're criticism well, and wisely insults the judges.
Now it's Andrew the Freak's turn. Again with the "I'm a nutrition guy"!!! The judges come down on him for serving a singular sushi roll or lunch and tell him it is not hearty or satisfying. And if that wasn't enough, it tasted disgusting. Lisa chimes in and throws Andrew the Freak under the bus for not meeting the criteria of the contest---his lunch didn't contain a whole grain. The judges look annoyed with the drama and Tom C. lets her know that they're aware of this. Andrew the Freaky Nutritional Guru didn't like that. His rage...trapped just beneath the surface begins to bubble out his ears. He fires back that people should eat every 3 hours...small meals! He's spitting venom! Tom C. asks him if he ever thought about who his audience was during the challenge...and what are the Cops going to eat after they're starving in another 3 hours....a candy bar? another sushi roll? And where is their next portion, and how would you keep it in their police car?
In the end, and very predictably, Andrew the Freak is asked to pack his knives. Spike tells Andrew "you're the man" and hugs him fiercely while glaring at the judges...what's with Spike and "his boys"? Seriously, the guy has some issues! Andrew tells the judges no security will be necessary, and asks to shake their hands...I don't know about them, but I would have been a little frightened of this dude approaching me!
Oh, and also, here's a link to a fantastic Top Chef review. Enjoy!
Pediatrician screening
One of the books I am reading, The Modern Girl's Guide to Motherhood, talks about needing to choose your pediatrician before your baby comes. That makes sense. Great idea...I imagine it's kind of hard to choose after your baby has her first cold.
In the book, the author provides all sorts of questions you should consider asking said pediatrician...from do they accept our insurance to are they available on weekends.
Since we love my OB, and Ajay has worked with her for years at the hospital, we thought we'd just pre-screen whoever she recommended. She recommended, we set up the appointment.
Upon entering the office, I was overwhelmed at the instant increase in noise level...there were little people running everywhere. Screaming. Shouting. Crying. Shrieking. Jumping. Hitting. Biting. Digging. They were everywhere.
I must have looked like a deer in the headlights, because the lady in the window asked "are you Andrea?" Why? Do I look like a "New Mom Consult"? Considering I've got my child on the inside and I'm holding hands with my husband and looking around with an "oh, shit!" look on my face, it was probably a pretty safe guess.
So we filled out the form, received a brochure about this pediatric group, and began to read up on the doc we were referred to. She's a Mom. Excellent. She works part-time. Fine by me. She specializes in teen issues and eating disorders. Ahhh, this is where my evil brain begins to play. It constructed a whole different list of questions to ask just for kicks.
In the book, the author provides all sorts of questions you should consider asking said pediatrician...from do they accept our insurance to are they available on weekends.
Since we love my OB, and Ajay has worked with her for years at the hospital, we thought we'd just pre-screen whoever she recommended. She recommended, we set up the appointment.
Upon entering the office, I was overwhelmed at the instant increase in noise level...there were little people running everywhere. Screaming. Shouting. Crying. Shrieking. Jumping. Hitting. Biting. Digging. They were everywhere.
I must have looked like a deer in the headlights, because the lady in the window asked "are you Andrea?" Why? Do I look like a "New Mom Consult"? Considering I've got my child on the inside and I'm holding hands with my husband and looking around with an "oh, shit!" look on my face, it was probably a pretty safe guess.
So we filled out the form, received a brochure about this pediatric group, and began to read up on the doc we were referred to. She's a Mom. Excellent. She works part-time. Fine by me. She specializes in teen issues and eating disorders. Ahhh, this is where my evil brain begins to play. It constructed a whole different list of questions to ask just for kicks.
- When will the baby lose it's baby fat?
- Do you think this baby makes me look fat?
- The baby...what if she eats too much?
- How do you feel about pageants?
- Do you really think that eating disorders are a problem?
- Where do you think I can get the most slimming clothes for the baby?
- Are you against babies working out?
- I guess you're against smoking for weight control? For babies, too?
In the end, she was great. We liked her. Sign us up. Pediatrician found. One more check in the box in the preparing for baby list.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Seriously...could I be more of a loser?
It's Wednesday!
Hump Day!
Top Chef is on tonight!
I can't wait!!!!
Woooopeeeee!
Hump Day!
Top Chef is on tonight!
I can't wait!!!!
Woooopeeeee!
Rocking Chairs....comparative shopping and selection!
Okay, let the nesting begin. The past few weeks I've been focusing in on the final touches of Alia's room. My sister in law, Lena, highly recommended having a nice comfortable rocking chair with an ottoman for the late night feedings in the nursery. And since I'm a new-Mom-to-be and have a burning desire at a genetic level to nest, I have taken to the streets...well, malls actually, trying to find that perfect piece that will serve the purpose and look great in Alia's room.
First, I thought about what we have already...and would it work for the new purpose? In our TV room, we have this cool wooden rocking chair. Maybe I could paint it white? But...no cushions...no ottoman...not super-inviting to curl up in. Maybe this should stay in the TV room.
Then, I began my search outside of my home, and nearly finished my search, at Pottery Barn Kids. I saw this rocker online (click for a bigger picture).
It's hard to tell in this photo, but it's tangerine with white circles throughout the fabric. And it comes with an ottoman. Circles! To match Alia's circle-theme rug!
And Alia's circle-theme bedding!
And her circle-theme wall decor!
I mean, how perfect, right?
I had read somewhere to never buy a nursery rocking chair without sitting in it first, so I thought I'd test drive it the next time I went to the mall. Strangely, when I tried to pull up the price online, it kept saying inquire within, different fabrics cost different amounts, etc. Even though I had selected the fabric, the website still wouldn't cooperate. Flash forward a few days. I went into the store, I sat in this dream of a chair, and fell in love. It was cushy. It was supportive. And after walking all the way from the parking lot, the ottoman was right there to take a big load off my poor swollen feet. I sat in the chair, loved the chair, rocked in the chair, and said "this is the one" in my mind.
The smiling sales associate approached, observing my maternal bliss...I might as well have been trying to breast feed the nearby teddy bear. I asked her to please write up this chair with that fabric and the matching ottoman and let me know what it costs. She happily told me she has the same chair at home, and now that her babies are toddlers, they've moved the chair to the living room and bought a new slip cover for it. Great idea. This chair could possibly grow old with me!
After a bit the happy salesperson came back with an invoice. She hadn't worked out the total at the bottom, or the tax, or the delivery fee. She had written up the prices next to the item numbers, and I suppose was praying I couldn't add. The chair...get this...was $1999. The ottoman was $899. For a total of $2898 before tax, shipping and handling. I think I said something about ordering it after I talked to Ajay or some sort of b.s. but I basically fled from the store.
Now here's the disclaimer part...we have nice furniture in our home. We have some very high end designer furniture. I don't mind paying a premium for high quality, high style things. But three grand for a freaking Pottery Barn rocker made from pine? Are you kidding? I mean, seriously, are they joking? The fabric wasn't linen or silk. The frame wasn't hard wood. The design certainly wasn't too inspired. It was a basic nursery chair that will end up with excrement on it eventually.
So I headed across to Crate and Barrel, where I located their one single upholstered glider...the Bayside glider with ottoman.
Nice, right? Simple. Comfy. I began to think about this option. The chair's price tag was available for all to see...$899 and the ottoman was $399...so we're talking less than half of what the same quality chair costs at Pottery Barn Kids. Okay, now maybe we're talking. Then I sat in it.
For a living room, this would be an awesome chair to curl up in. However, for nursing, the back was too reclined, like at a 30 degree angle, and didn't really offer the option of sitting up straight with good posture like breast feeding requires. It really didn't offer a lot of support. Too soft...too squishy. Not quite right. And the colors...aside from the off-white canvas chair shown in the photo, the colors options are somewhat muddy and muted for my insanely bright nursery. And even I know better than white fabric on the "nursing chair".
Now what?! Frustrated I headed home. I googled rocking chairs. I came up with a lot of hideous options like this one...(sorry if I offend...just not this girl's style)
Finally, I ended up at the Babies R Us website, scouring for anything that might work stylistically as well as support-wise. At the very bottom of the page, and after going over what seemed like a million of the ugly chairs above, I saw this one...
And look! There's storage in the ottoman. I could put my cat in there just for fun! Or I could hide candy bar wrappers in it! (ask my sister about this old habit of mine...I used to put wrappers in between her water bed mattress and the frame when I was little. I know it's gross! I don't know why I did it. What do you want from me?)
Okay, the next day I headed to the store to check this bad boy out. I sat in it. Nice. Comfy, but still supportive. High-backed to support my weary head. Both the chair and the ottoman rock...don't know that I need this feature but I don't dislike it. Stylish? Not terribly stylish, but definitely neutral, and with all the other crazy colors that are going on in the nursery, I figure a little neutral isn't a bad thing. And the price? I was sitting on the tag...what's this? $499? What about the ottoman? Oh, that includes the ottoman???? Wrap it up Skippy! It's time to celebrate with some cake!
Here's the chair in it's new environment, just waiting to make itself useful
First, I thought about what we have already...and would it work for the new purpose? In our TV room, we have this cool wooden rocking chair. Maybe I could paint it white? But...no cushions...no ottoman...not super-inviting to curl up in. Maybe this should stay in the TV room.
Then, I began my search outside of my home, and nearly finished my search, at Pottery Barn Kids. I saw this rocker online (click for a bigger picture).
It's hard to tell in this photo, but it's tangerine with white circles throughout the fabric. And it comes with an ottoman. Circles! To match Alia's circle-theme rug!
And Alia's circle-theme bedding!
And her circle-theme wall decor!
I mean, how perfect, right?
I had read somewhere to never buy a nursery rocking chair without sitting in it first, so I thought I'd test drive it the next time I went to the mall. Strangely, when I tried to pull up the price online, it kept saying inquire within, different fabrics cost different amounts, etc. Even though I had selected the fabric, the website still wouldn't cooperate. Flash forward a few days. I went into the store, I sat in this dream of a chair, and fell in love. It was cushy. It was supportive. And after walking all the way from the parking lot, the ottoman was right there to take a big load off my poor swollen feet. I sat in the chair, loved the chair, rocked in the chair, and said "this is the one" in my mind.
The smiling sales associate approached, observing my maternal bliss...I might as well have been trying to breast feed the nearby teddy bear. I asked her to please write up this chair with that fabric and the matching ottoman and let me know what it costs. She happily told me she has the same chair at home, and now that her babies are toddlers, they've moved the chair to the living room and bought a new slip cover for it. Great idea. This chair could possibly grow old with me!
After a bit the happy salesperson came back with an invoice. She hadn't worked out the total at the bottom, or the tax, or the delivery fee. She had written up the prices next to the item numbers, and I suppose was praying I couldn't add. The chair...get this...was $1999. The ottoman was $899. For a total of $2898 before tax, shipping and handling. I think I said something about ordering it after I talked to Ajay or some sort of b.s. but I basically fled from the store.
Now here's the disclaimer part...we have nice furniture in our home. We have some very high end designer furniture. I don't mind paying a premium for high quality, high style things. But three grand for a freaking Pottery Barn rocker made from pine? Are you kidding? I mean, seriously, are they joking? The fabric wasn't linen or silk. The frame wasn't hard wood. The design certainly wasn't too inspired. It was a basic nursery chair that will end up with excrement on it eventually.
So I headed across to Crate and Barrel, where I located their one single upholstered glider...the Bayside glider with ottoman.
Nice, right? Simple. Comfy. I began to think about this option. The chair's price tag was available for all to see...$899 and the ottoman was $399...so we're talking less than half of what the same quality chair costs at Pottery Barn Kids. Okay, now maybe we're talking. Then I sat in it.
For a living room, this would be an awesome chair to curl up in. However, for nursing, the back was too reclined, like at a 30 degree angle, and didn't really offer the option of sitting up straight with good posture like breast feeding requires. It really didn't offer a lot of support. Too soft...too squishy. Not quite right. And the colors...aside from the off-white canvas chair shown in the photo, the colors options are somewhat muddy and muted for my insanely bright nursery. And even I know better than white fabric on the "nursing chair".
Now what?! Frustrated I headed home. I googled rocking chairs. I came up with a lot of hideous options like this one...(sorry if I offend...just not this girl's style)
Finally, I ended up at the Babies R Us website, scouring for anything that might work stylistically as well as support-wise. At the very bottom of the page, and after going over what seemed like a million of the ugly chairs above, I saw this one...
And look! There's storage in the ottoman. I could put my cat in there just for fun! Or I could hide candy bar wrappers in it! (ask my sister about this old habit of mine...I used to put wrappers in between her water bed mattress and the frame when I was little. I know it's gross! I don't know why I did it. What do you want from me?)
Okay, the next day I headed to the store to check this bad boy out. I sat in it. Nice. Comfy, but still supportive. High-backed to support my weary head. Both the chair and the ottoman rock...don't know that I need this feature but I don't dislike it. Stylish? Not terribly stylish, but definitely neutral, and with all the other crazy colors that are going on in the nursery, I figure a little neutral isn't a bad thing. And the price? I was sitting on the tag...what's this? $499? What about the ottoman? Oh, that includes the ottoman???? Wrap it up Skippy! It's time to celebrate with some cake!
Here's the chair in it's new environment, just waiting to make itself useful
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
And the winner is....(Stroller comparison shopping)
Finally, I've made my choice. I have handed my American Express card to the clerk and have said "place the order". I have decided on my stroller after researching and researching, test-driving and test-driving. I've looked online. I've gone from store to store. I have thought long and hard about what my lifestyle is and how my stroller needs to perform to meet my needs in the best way.
Since I took a lot of time with this evaluation process, I thought I'd break down my thought process and share it.
First, I wanted to buy a single stroller that I could use from birth to the toddler years. I hoped to have car-seat capability. I needed a stroller that was lighter weight, because I have a more suburban lifestyle...in and out of the trunk, ease of break-down to put in said trunk, etc. If we lived in the city and had a "walk out the door to the sidewalk" lifestyle, my criteria would be quite different, I'm sure. Furthermore, I wanted something stylish and high quality. I wanted a smooth ride for little Alia. I love the modern style, and there are so many fantastic looking strollers out there, so I'd be lying if I said "looks don't matter...it's all about safety"!
In my quest for the perfect stroller, I looked at the Bugaboo line, the Mutsy 4 Rider Light, the Quinny Buzz, Stokke, and Mountain Buggy.
I don't claim to be an expert, and I certainly don't know how valid any of my selection criteria is since I do not yet have either the stroller or the baby that goes into the stroller. I'll probably be better equipped to comment on those types of things after the stroller comes and after the baby comes, and after I've taken the baby out in the stroller for a stroll. Like I said...being an American raised in a litigious society, I feel the need to place that major disclaimer. This is only a breakdown of my thought process.
So, that said, where was I? Oh, yes....the contenders.
First, and obviously, is the Bugaboo line. My sister in law Lena has had a Bugaboo for years and loves it...I think hers is the Cameleon. She bought it while they lived in Brussels, and now they live in Manhattan. My experience with this stroller and my niece riding in it was a fairly thorough test drive. We traveled half way around the world with them when my niece was 3 months old, and have utilized this stroller with them countless times since then. On the positive side, it's a very smooth ride, and it's obviously a high quality stroller. It's great looking, and Madonna had one (hello? could it be more stylish???). It has carseat capability and has different options for seating as your child grows. However, it's the cons of the Bugaboo for my lifestyle that eliminated it from my criteria before even giving it a real chance. My sister in law has always had the big city lifestyle where you walk out the door and hit the sidewalk...they walk everywhere. This is not my lifestyle. In Los Angeles, we like to drive to the mailbox. That said, fitting the stroller in the car, and the process of accomplishing this is paramount. This is not an easily collapsible stroller. It's kind of heavy. And it's big. Really big. Which isn't a problem for sidewalk strolls, but I honestly don't know that it would fit in my trunk with all the other crap I keep in there! Finally, I should also mention that during another trip with the before mentioned Bugaboo, the carseat adapters were accidentally left on the airplane, rendering the whole stroller frame useless until the adapters were replaced. From the point that the adapters were lost, my sister in law's trip became adapter-finding focused. And heck, who could keep track of adapters and a baby and baby's belongings, and your own belongings while traveling on a plane? I mean, my sister in law is the single most organized person in the universe, so if she managed to leave them behind on a plane, I estimate that I could hold on to the adapters for about 37 seconds...or the amount of time it takes to purchase them and get to the car. And they did find the adapters...a couple of days later...after scouring the local stroller/baby stores. But like I said, if this can happen to Lena, I can't be trusted with that kind of responsibility.
Another thing I should mention is that Bugaboo also now offers the Frog and the Bee, which are dramatically different from the Bugaboo Cameleon stroller that I'm familiar with. But I didn't evaluate either of them beyond spinning them around the store and trying and failing to collapse them.
Next up is the Quinny Buzz. I saw this great looking stroller out and about at the mall. I thought it might just be the one for me. I visited the Quinny Buzz at our local Babystyle store...the clerk enthusiastically demonstrated the stroller for us. Throughout her demo, she told us over and over that this is the stroller she has at home and she couldn't love it more. On the pro side, I love the clean lines, I love the fun and funky colors it comes in. I like that it's narrow in the front, so it'll fit through store aisles relatively easily. It's easy to handle, and it seems that it would be a smooth and comfortable ride for Alia. It collapses fairly easily. It re-opens like a dream...it practically opens itself back up! It has a bassinet option for newborns. It allows you to use the Maxi Cosi carseat with it, too. On the cons side, for me, I felt that weighing in at over 35 pounds, it was just too heavy for lugging in and out of my trunk. I also felt that the under-stroller storage (not shown in this photo) was small and impossible to reach from the rear...I'd have to go to the side of the stroller to access the small pouch due to the main hardware of the stroller being along the backside of the stroller and blocking the access. And given that I have already purchased my carseat, and it is not a Maxi Cosi, I would have to double-buy another car seat for this option to work...see, I've already had my carseat past the 90-day store return policy. And we really don't need a second carseat for Ajay's car because his car is nearly impossible to fit a car seat in. So in the end, I ruled out the Quinny based on how heavy the base was and the lack of good underneath storage for Mommy to put her cigarettes and beer in. Just kidding, I don't do those things anymore.
Let's talk about the Stokke. This I'll give brief mention to. For a city dweller, it would be near the top of my list. As a suburbanite, it's not for my lifestyle.
I went to The Right Start and saw this beauty gleaming in the front window. I've also seen it around town and have always thought with particular reverence "ooooh, ahhh, the Stokke" every time I see it. It's lovely.
Okay, now let's roll on down to the Mutsy 4-Rider Light. This was my runner up. I first saw this online, and then went to visit in person. It, too, is great looking, versatile, offers two infant options, either the bassinet and/or a Peg Perego car seat. This stroller also drives nicely, has a nice, large and easily accessible under-stroller basket. It's fairly easy to collapse, and is pretty easy to set back up. It's around 25 pounds if I recall correctly, so it's definitely lighter than the Quinny Buzz. It also comes in a wide variety of colors. And accessories? My goodness...can we talk?
This is the "Fun Seat" that provides a toddler with the capability to "drive" his/her stroller...what could be better?
This is the little rocker adapter to convert your stroller to a nice spot to sit in the living room in front of the TV...not that you would do that. They also have something like this for the bassinet...can we say dual purpose delights?
And this is a meal tray...I can
In the end, I chose the Mountain Buggy Urban.
The Mountain Buggy Elite
Since I took a lot of time with this evaluation process, I thought I'd break down my thought process and share it.
First, I wanted to buy a single stroller that I could use from birth to the toddler years. I hoped to have car-seat capability. I needed a stroller that was lighter weight, because I have a more suburban lifestyle...in and out of the trunk, ease of break-down to put in said trunk, etc. If we lived in the city and had a "walk out the door to the sidewalk" lifestyle, my criteria would be quite different, I'm sure. Furthermore, I wanted something stylish and high quality. I wanted a smooth ride for little Alia. I love the modern style, and there are so many fantastic looking strollers out there, so I'd be lying if I said "looks don't matter...it's all about safety"!
In my quest for the perfect stroller, I looked at the Bugaboo line, the Mutsy 4 Rider Light, the Quinny Buzz, Stokke, and Mountain Buggy.
I don't claim to be an expert, and I certainly don't know how valid any of my selection criteria is since I do not yet have either the stroller or the baby that goes into the stroller. I'll probably be better equipped to comment on those types of things after the stroller comes and after the baby comes, and after I've taken the baby out in the stroller for a stroll. Like I said...being an American raised in a litigious society, I feel the need to place that major disclaimer. This is only a breakdown of my thought process.
So, that said, where was I? Oh, yes....the contenders.
First, and obviously, is the Bugaboo line. My sister in law Lena has had a Bugaboo for years and loves it...I think hers is the Cameleon. She bought it while they lived in Brussels, and now they live in Manhattan. My experience with this stroller and my niece riding in it was a fairly thorough test drive. We traveled half way around the world with them when my niece was 3 months old, and have utilized this stroller with them countless times since then. On the positive side, it's a very smooth ride, and it's obviously a high quality stroller. It's great looking, and Madonna had one (hello? could it be more stylish???). It has carseat capability and has different options for seating as your child grows. However, it's the cons of the Bugaboo for my lifestyle that eliminated it from my criteria before even giving it a real chance. My sister in law has always had the big city lifestyle where you walk out the door and hit the sidewalk...they walk everywhere. This is not my lifestyle. In Los Angeles, we like to drive to the mailbox. That said, fitting the stroller in the car, and the process of accomplishing this is paramount. This is not an easily collapsible stroller. It's kind of heavy. And it's big. Really big. Which isn't a problem for sidewalk strolls, but I honestly don't know that it would fit in my trunk with all the other crap I keep in there! Finally, I should also mention that during another trip with the before mentioned Bugaboo, the carseat adapters were accidentally left on the airplane, rendering the whole stroller frame useless until the adapters were replaced. From the point that the adapters were lost, my sister in law's trip became adapter-finding focused. And heck, who could keep track of adapters and a baby and baby's belongings, and your own belongings while traveling on a plane? I mean, my sister in law is the single most organized person in the universe, so if she managed to leave them behind on a plane, I estimate that I could hold on to the adapters for about 37 seconds...or the amount of time it takes to purchase them and get to the car. And they did find the adapters...a couple of days later...after scouring the local stroller/baby stores. But like I said, if this can happen to Lena, I can't be trusted with that kind of responsibility.
Another thing I should mention is that Bugaboo also now offers the Frog and the Bee, which are dramatically different from the Bugaboo Cameleon stroller that I'm familiar with. But I didn't evaluate either of them beyond spinning them around the store and trying and failing to collapse them.
Next up is the Quinny Buzz. I saw this great looking stroller out and about at the mall. I thought it might just be the one for me. I visited the Quinny Buzz at our local Babystyle store...the clerk enthusiastically demonstrated the stroller for us. Throughout her demo, she told us over and over that this is the stroller she has at home and she couldn't love it more. On the pro side, I love the clean lines, I love the fun and funky colors it comes in. I like that it's narrow in the front, so it'll fit through store aisles relatively easily. It's easy to handle, and it seems that it would be a smooth and comfortable ride for Alia. It collapses fairly easily. It re-opens like a dream...it practically opens itself back up! It has a bassinet option for newborns. It allows you to use the Maxi Cosi carseat with it, too. On the cons side, for me, I felt that weighing in at over 35 pounds, it was just too heavy for lugging in and out of my trunk. I also felt that the under-stroller storage (not shown in this photo) was small and impossible to reach from the rear...I'd have to go to the side of the stroller to access the small pouch due to the main hardware of the stroller being along the backside of the stroller and blocking the access. And given that I have already purchased my carseat, and it is not a Maxi Cosi, I would have to double-buy another car seat for this option to work...see, I've already had my carseat past the 90-day store return policy. And we really don't need a second carseat for Ajay's car because his car is nearly impossible to fit a car seat in. So in the end, I ruled out the Quinny based on how heavy the base was and the lack of good underneath storage for Mommy to put her cigarettes and beer in. Just kidding, I don't do those things anymore.
Let's talk about the Stokke. This I'll give brief mention to. For a city dweller, it would be near the top of my list. As a suburbanite, it's not for my lifestyle.I went to The Right Start and saw this beauty gleaming in the front window. I've also seen it around town and have always thought with particular reverence "ooooh, ahhh, the Stokke" every time I see it. It's lovely.
So back to the demo. The girl at the store was happy to show it to me. Cough cough, sniff sniff. As she pulled the demo out of the window, she sneezed. She covered her mouth with her hand and then grabbed the stroller with said germy hand and wheeled it to me. I didn't want to touch the snotty handle, but felt obligated...so I kind of took the handle where I best estimated her germs hadn't reached, making for a difficult push around the store. Then she demonstrated with a leaky nose how easily you can raise the bassinet, switch from bassinet to the toddler seat, sniff sniff, sneeze, and demonstrated with difficulty raising and lower the toddler seat, as well as showing how it not so easily converted from a forward facing to a rear facing position. For me, the pros are the Stokke is a beautiful, stylish, modernist, versatile stroller. It is capable from birth, and is versatile. Did I mention how stylish this one is? The cons, for me, were the difficulty of collapsing the thing, and once it's collapsed, you still need a full size something to put it in because it doesn't really collapse too much...it's big! And heavy. I couldn't imagine lifting this bad boy in and out of my car every day. And as the most expensive option in my selection process, and let me tell ya, it's expensive...I thought it'd be made out of titanium rather than plastic. And the storage....it's bag is definitely big enough for whatever you want to put in it, but it's a soft sided bag located in the front of the stroller, so you can't just wing something into the space below...you have to stop, open the bag, place the stuff in, then close the bag with the drawstring. And finally, there is no car seat option...but the sneezey salesperson did point out that you don't necessarily want to leave your sleeping baby in the same car seat all day...it's good for them to change positions from time to time. But still, I'd like the option of letting my kid rot in the car seat if I so choose. And did I mention that I still feel this stroller has cold germs on it?
Okay, now let's roll on down to the Mutsy 4-Rider Light. This was my runner up. I first saw this online, and then went to visit in person. It, too, is great looking, versatile, offers two infant options, either the bassinet and/or a Peg Perego car seat. This stroller also drives nicely, has a nice, large and easily accessible under-stroller basket. It's fairly easy to collapse, and is pretty easy to set back up. It's around 25 pounds if I recall correctly, so it's definitely lighter than the Quinny Buzz. It also comes in a wide variety of colors. And accessories? My goodness...can we talk?
This is the "Fun Seat" that provides a toddler with the capability to "drive" his/her stroller...what could be better?
This is the little rocker adapter to convert your stroller to a nice spot to sit in the living room in front of the TV...not that you would do that. They also have something like this for the bassinet...can we say dual purpose delights?
And this is a meal tray...I can already see Cheerios spread out on that bad boy!
And finally, here's the good looking tiger well equipped for those blustery Laguna Beach winters...the rain, the sleet, the snow...well, okay, for me, this may be an accessory I would pass on, but you never know!
Finally, we come to my purchase's downfall. Collapsibility. Sure, it's easy enough to get it to collapse, but it's still big. And sure, the wheels do come off, but what a pain to have to take off all 4 wheels just to get the thing to fold flat enough to fit in between the beer bottles and empty kegs in my trunk. And while it weighs almost 10 pounds less than the Quinny Breeze, it's still heavy and bulky.
In the end, I chose the Mountain Buggy Urban.
The Mountain Buggy Elite
It's usable with the bassinet from infancy. It collapses very easily. It's lightweight and collapses flat meaning less bulky for easy in-and-out of my trunk. It's narrow in the front for maximum maneuverability through the sale aisles at Bloomies. It's also quite rugged if I ever want to take it to the beach, on trails around my house, or even a leisurely jog (but who are we kidding?). The under-stroller basket is both large and very accessible. And yes, it has universal car seat capability! I don't have to buy a different car seat if I ever get it together enough to have the car seat adapters and the car seat and the stroller in the same place at the same time! Did I mention that it glides like a dream? No, there's no "Fun Seat"...and my poor baby won't be able to spread her Cheerios on her non-existent meal tray, but hey, do I really want to be that Mom with the Cheerios trailing behind her? And no, there's no rocking chair or bassinet adapter, but you know, we have furniture in our house...and if we find we're lacking, what a great excuse to do a little shopping. There. Done. I did it. And I only woke up 19 times the night of the purchase thinking "but the "Fun Seat"! Do I need the "Fun Seat"?"
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