I think my dad is running for President, and forgot to tell me! Or else he must have a twin...
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
review: Home (revisited)
Home
date of visit: 6/26/08
kiwis:
service: 4
taste: 4
ambience: 4
So we went back to home when my sister was in town...
I have to say I was a little disappointed. Don't get me wrong, I was still wowed by most of the food, and will most likely eat at Home again in the future. I just might not be as excited about going.
It was definitely more crowded this time, now that the word is out that this is where Richard Blais can be found. It took a while for service to start. This time there was no tasting menu. So for Snacks, we had Deviled Duck Eggs and Fried Green Tomatoes. Both were superb! I really enjoyed the tomatoes - they were cut vertically instead of horizontally and the fry on them was perfect.
For appetizers we had the Crab Cake and the Chicken Fried Sweetbread. The crab cake was pretty good, had a nice spice to it. None of our party had ever tried sweetbreads before, so we figured now would be a good time to do so. They are very...interesting. This will probably make me sound so pedestrian, but I have to admit, I didn't like them too much. They were so squishy in texture and tasted like a big piece of fat to me. I ate a couple bites, trying so hard to like them and have an open mind. Since every gourmet thinks the world of them. But honestly...I just didn't like them that much. Oh well.
For main course I definitely lucked out with the best entree - swordfish. I was expecting a modestly sized steak, but instead got 2 pretty big pieces of fish. It was cooked perfectly, with a nice spicy rub. You know how swordfish is very steaky and can be very dry? Well this was just about the juiciest swordfish I've ever had. It was great! Ryan had a steak that was just a steak. Nothing too spectacular about it. And Holly had fried chicken. Again, nothing too spectacular about it. Good, but not great. The side dish of mac n cheese was actually more enjoyable to me than the chicken was. Along with our entress came some vegetables, served family style. They too were nothing to write home about. In fact, I can't even really remember what they were...mashed potatoes, carrots...2 others...hmmm
Dessert was cool. I got the Moon Pie with Coke float. The dry ice used to make the float made cold vapors billow all over my plate. Pretty neat! Holly got red velvet cake with cream cheese ice cream, and Ryan got pecan cake with sweet tea ice cream. Both were yummy.
So overall, it was a good experience, just not as great as it was the first time. But upside was that we saw Dale, also from Top Chef season 4, and our server told us that he was being courted to open an Asian restaurant here in Atlanta. It was pretty cool to see him & Richard together talking. I almost felt like I was on the TV show! haha :) I always had a soft spot for Dale and his filipino cooking (Dale thinks it's the next big thing)! I hope he brings it here.
date of visit: 6/26/08
kiwis:
service: 4
taste: 4
ambience: 4
So we went back to home when my sister was in town...
I have to say I was a little disappointed. Don't get me wrong, I was still wowed by most of the food, and will most likely eat at Home again in the future. I just might not be as excited about going.
It was definitely more crowded this time, now that the word is out that this is where Richard Blais can be found. It took a while for service to start. This time there was no tasting menu. So for Snacks, we had Deviled Duck Eggs and Fried Green Tomatoes. Both were superb! I really enjoyed the tomatoes - they were cut vertically instead of horizontally and the fry on them was perfect.
For appetizers we had the Crab Cake and the Chicken Fried Sweetbread. The crab cake was pretty good, had a nice spice to it. None of our party had ever tried sweetbreads before, so we figured now would be a good time to do so. They are very...interesting. This will probably make me sound so pedestrian, but I have to admit, I didn't like them too much. They were so squishy in texture and tasted like a big piece of fat to me. I ate a couple bites, trying so hard to like them and have an open mind. Since every gourmet thinks the world of them. But honestly...I just didn't like them that much. Oh well.
For main course I definitely lucked out with the best entree - swordfish. I was expecting a modestly sized steak, but instead got 2 pretty big pieces of fish. It was cooked perfectly, with a nice spicy rub. You know how swordfish is very steaky and can be very dry? Well this was just about the juiciest swordfish I've ever had. It was great! Ryan had a steak that was just a steak. Nothing too spectacular about it. And Holly had fried chicken. Again, nothing too spectacular about it. Good, but not great. The side dish of mac n cheese was actually more enjoyable to me than the chicken was. Along with our entress came some vegetables, served family style. They too were nothing to write home about. In fact, I can't even really remember what they were...mashed potatoes, carrots...2 others...hmmm
Dessert was cool. I got the Moon Pie with Coke float. The dry ice used to make the float made cold vapors billow all over my plate. Pretty neat! Holly got red velvet cake with cream cheese ice cream, and Ryan got pecan cake with sweet tea ice cream. Both were yummy.
So overall, it was a good experience, just not as great as it was the first time. But upside was that we saw Dale, also from Top Chef season 4, and our server told us that he was being courted to open an Asian restaurant here in Atlanta. It was pretty cool to see him & Richard together talking. I almost felt like I was on the TV show! haha :) I always had a soft spot for Dale and his filipino cooking (Dale thinks it's the next big thing)! I hope he brings it here.
hang together
Here is a "funny" quote, to break up the seriousness of my recent posts.
The story goes that Ben Franklin said this when everyone was signing the Declaration of Independence. The room was so silent and somber, and then he's so clever and says this. It's funny now, and was then, but at the same time, it really makes you shudder. When they signed the Declaration, they were signing their lives away.
We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately.
Benjamin Franklin
at the signing of the Declaration of Independence
July 4, 1776
The story goes that Ben Franklin said this when everyone was signing the Declaration of Independence. The room was so silent and somber, and then he's so clever and says this. It's funny now, and was then, but at the same time, it really makes you shudder. When they signed the Declaration, they were signing their lives away.
We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately.
Benjamin Franklin
at the signing of the Declaration of Independence
July 4, 1776
Monday, July 14, 2008
loves liberty
Every man who loves peace, every man who loves his country, every man who loves liberty ought to have it ever before his eyes that he may cherish in his heart a due attachment to the Union of America and be able to set a due value on the means of preserving it.
James Madison
Federalist No. 41: General View of the Powers Conferred by The Constitution
Jan 19, 1788
James Madison
Federalist No. 41: General View of the Powers Conferred by The Constitution
Jan 19, 1788
Friday, July 11, 2008
we the PEOPLE
Happy weekend! 3 quotes for you today :)
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
The Constitution of the United States, Preamble
1787
What do we mean by the American Revolution? Do we mean the American war? The Revolution was effected before the war commenced. The Revolution was in the minds and hearts of the people; a change in their religious sentiments, of their duties and obligations... This radical change in the principles, opinions, sentiments, and affections of the people was the real American Revolution.
John Adams
Letter to H. Niles
Feb 13, 1818
If it be asked, What is the most sacred duty and the greatest source of our security in a Republic? The answer would be, An inviolable respect for the Constitution and Laws — the first growing out of the last... A sacred respect for the constitutional law is the vital principle, the sustaining energy of a free government.
Alexander Hamilton
Aug 28, 1794
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
The Constitution of the United States, Preamble
1787
What do we mean by the American Revolution? Do we mean the American war? The Revolution was effected before the war commenced. The Revolution was in the minds and hearts of the people; a change in their religious sentiments, of their duties and obligations... This radical change in the principles, opinions, sentiments, and affections of the people was the real American Revolution.
John Adams
Letter to H. Niles
Feb 13, 1818
If it be asked, What is the most sacred duty and the greatest source of our security in a Republic? The answer would be, An inviolable respect for the Constitution and Laws — the first growing out of the last... A sacred respect for the constitutional law is the vital principle, the sustaining energy of a free government.
Alexander Hamilton
Aug 28, 1794
the difference between here & there
Thursday, July 10, 2008
the experiment
I dwell on this prospect with every satisfaction which an ardent love for my country can inspire, since there is no truth more thoroughly established than that there exists in the economy and course of nature an indissoluble union between virtue and happiness; between duty and advantage; between the genuine maxims of an honest and magnanimous policy and the solid rewards of public prosperity and felicity; since we ought to be no less persuaded that the propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right which Heaven itself has ordained; and since the preservation of the sacred fire of liberty and the destiny of the republican model of government are justly considered, perhaps, as deeply, as finally, staked on the experiment entrusted to the hands of the American people.
George Washington
1st Inaugural Address
April 30, 1789
George Washington
1st Inaugural Address
April 30, 1789
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
made for each other
With equal pleasure I have as often taken notice that Providence has been pleased to give this one connected country to one united people--a people descended from the same ancestors, speaking the same language, professing the same religion, attached to the same principles of government, very similar in their manners and customs, and who, by their joint counsels, arms, and efforts, fighting side by side throughout a long and bloody war, have nobly established general liberty and independence.
This country and this people seem to have been made for each other, and it appears as if it was the design of Providence, that an inheritance so proper and convenient for a band of brethren, united to each other by the strongest ties, should never be split into a number of unsocial, jealous, and alien sovereignties.
John Jay
Federalist No. 2: Concerning Dangers from Foreign Force and Influence
1787
This country and this people seem to have been made for each other, and it appears as if it was the design of Providence, that an inheritance so proper and convenient for a band of brethren, united to each other by the strongest ties, should never be split into a number of unsocial, jealous, and alien sovereignties.
John Jay
Federalist No. 2: Concerning Dangers from Foreign Force and Influence
1787
so close but yet so far
I'm closing in on the marathon! 5 races down, 3 to go! Crazy to think I'm almost halfway there. Ran between 10 and 11 miles yesterday, not sure exactly how much because the rain & darkness cut it a bit short.
But here's the schedule for the rest of the year 2008, if you want to come out and cheer me on! I would love that :)
10/18
Peachtree City Classic 15K
10/26
Augusta Half Marathon
11/27 (turkey day!)
Atlanta Half Marathon
But here's the schedule for the rest of the year 2008, if you want to come out and cheer me on! I would love that :)
10/18
Peachtree City Classic 15K
10/26
Augusta Half Marathon
11/27 (turkey day!)
Atlanta Half Marathon
off topic
This has nothing to do with food, running, spirituality, or politics. But it's just so darn cool I had to post it!
If you haven't seen Wall-e yet, you need to go. It is a great film! And if this cute clip doesn't convince you further, I don't know what will!
Thanks for the link Ryan :)
If you haven't seen Wall-e yet, you need to go. It is a great film! And if this cute clip doesn't convince you further, I don't know what will!
Thanks for the link Ryan :)
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
I tremble for my country
And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are the gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with his wrath? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just: that his justice cannot sleep for ever.
Thomas Jefferson
Notes on the State of Virginia, Query 18
1781
I love that - "I tremble for my country." Does anyone tremble for our country today, when we see how far we've strayed from our founding principles? And the second part "when I reflect that God is just." What are we doing with the gift of liberty? How do we appreciate it on a daily basis?
To whom much is given, much is expected!
Luke 12:48
Thomas Jefferson
Notes on the State of Virginia, Query 18
1781
I love that - "I tremble for my country." Does anyone tremble for our country today, when we see how far we've strayed from our founding principles? And the second part "when I reflect that God is just." What are we doing with the gift of liberty? How do we appreciate it on a daily basis?
To whom much is given, much is expected!
Luke 12:48
Monday, July 7, 2008
27 ways...
to run better! love this article
my favorites:
#14 Use the fridge - stock it with good food on the inside and put motivational pictures all over the outside
#18 Run on different surfaces - funny because one of my favorite runs is up W. Paces Ferry to Buckhead, and I always like looking at the different surfaces people use for their fancy driveways
#19 Take a trip - aka travel to exotic places for races! Disney in january...then the rest of the world! mwahahaha!
#24 Start a running streak - pick a race to do every year...maybe the Peachtree?
my favorites:
#14 Use the fridge - stock it with good food on the inside and put motivational pictures all over the outside
#18 Run on different surfaces - funny because one of my favorite runs is up W. Paces Ferry to Buckhead, and I always like looking at the different surfaces people use for their fancy driveways
#19 Take a trip - aka travel to exotic places for races! Disney in january...then the rest of the world! mwahahaha!
#24 Start a running streak - pick a race to do every year...maybe the Peachtree?
peachtree road race
The most fun race I've ever run. I can't wait to do it again next year! I told Ryan that right after he found me in the Reunion area, and he said "That's really sick." haha! I think everyone needs to do it, run or walk it, at least once. It's such a fun experience!
Five Points MARTA station around 6 am - all runners here!
Everyone getting off the trains at Lenox station
Ready to walk toward the start
Check out where 80000-99999 had to go! My line-up was with numbers 1-29999 - couldn't really ask for a better start. We started 7 minutes after the first wave.
I got to warm-up in the Lenox Mall parking lot and I lined up right at the intersection of Lenox Rd and Peachtree Road, under a stop light. There were several helicopters hovering at the start, Gov. Perdue did a little intro, and there was a huge flyover - not sure what kind of plane. But I was wowed.
Once the 2nd wave started, I have to say I got really emotional running under the giant American flag. I let out a cheer and raised my arms Rocky style. Then jockeyed for a good position middle to left on the road.
Ryan found a good spot at the finish line. Right around sunrise, the wheelchair racers approached the finish. See the wheels?
Some patriotic runners - I cannot imagine running with heavy flags for 6.2 miles! These guys are troopers. Some other funny runners that I saw included:
Swimmers - guys wearing speedos, swim caps, and goggles
American flag capes - guys with flag capes & red/white/blue wigs
A man answered his cell phone around mile 5 "Hey Sweetheart, I'm runnin the Peachtree! Let me do this thing! I'll call ya back!"
Mohawk boy - guy with mohawk and checkered pattern in his hair
Can you see me?
There I go, on to the finish! I finished with a time of 1:04:40, almost 1 whole minute less than my 10k in February (Charles Harris).
I really enjoyed the race, the atomsphere was just so fun. I couldn't help but smile the whole time I was running. Every mile there were musical acts (DJs, bands, trombone players, drummers), free stuff being thrown out (tshirts, bracelets, bumper stickers), and all kinds of nourishment (yogurt, beer, athletic drinks, donuts, cupcakes). I think it would be fun to walk it next year just to enjoy all the free stuff! I always had a laugh when I saw people stopping for a donut (how can you eat a donut and keep running? I would totally hurl), or people stopping at a band's stage to sing along and cheer.
I really wanted to stay focused on the run for my first Peachtree, so I ran the whole thing, even all the way up Cardiac Hill. This is definitely the hardest hill I've ever run in my life. It's so long! Runners were dropping like flies all around me, stopping, walking, slowing down. But I just kept chugging along, all the way to the end!
What a great time :)
Five Points MARTA station around 6 am - all runners here!
Everyone getting off the trains at Lenox station
Ready to walk toward the start
Check out where 80000-99999 had to go! My line-up was with numbers 1-29999 - couldn't really ask for a better start. We started 7 minutes after the first wave.
I got to warm-up in the Lenox Mall parking lot and I lined up right at the intersection of Lenox Rd and Peachtree Road, under a stop light. There were several helicopters hovering at the start, Gov. Perdue did a little intro, and there was a huge flyover - not sure what kind of plane. But I was wowed.
Once the 2nd wave started, I have to say I got really emotional running under the giant American flag. I let out a cheer and raised my arms Rocky style. Then jockeyed for a good position middle to left on the road.
Ryan found a good spot at the finish line. Right around sunrise, the wheelchair racers approached the finish. See the wheels?
Some patriotic runners - I cannot imagine running with heavy flags for 6.2 miles! These guys are troopers. Some other funny runners that I saw included:
Swimmers - guys wearing speedos, swim caps, and goggles
American flag capes - guys with flag capes & red/white/blue wigs
A man answered his cell phone around mile 5 "Hey Sweetheart, I'm runnin the Peachtree! Let me do this thing! I'll call ya back!"
Mohawk boy - guy with mohawk and checkered pattern in his hair
Can you see me?
There I go, on to the finish! I finished with a time of 1:04:40, almost 1 whole minute less than my 10k in February (Charles Harris).
I really enjoyed the race, the atomsphere was just so fun. I couldn't help but smile the whole time I was running. Every mile there were musical acts (DJs, bands, trombone players, drummers), free stuff being thrown out (tshirts, bracelets, bumper stickers), and all kinds of nourishment (yogurt, beer, athletic drinks, donuts, cupcakes). I think it would be fun to walk it next year just to enjoy all the free stuff! I always had a laugh when I saw people stopping for a donut (how can you eat a donut and keep running? I would totally hurl), or people stopping at a band's stage to sing along and cheer.
I really wanted to stay focused on the run for my first Peachtree, so I ran the whole thing, even all the way up Cardiac Hill. This is definitely the hardest hill I've ever run in my life. It's so long! Runners were dropping like flies all around me, stopping, walking, slowing down. But I just kept chugging along, all the way to the end!
What a great time :)
essential liberty
They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.
Benjamin Franklin
February 1755
Benjamin Franklin
February 1755
Thursday, July 3, 2008
independence day
I probably won't be around a computer much this weekend, so today you get 4 quotes! One for today and three for the weekend. What a treat =)
Our obligations to our country never cease but with our lives.
John Adams to Benjamin Rush
April 18, 1808
And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.
Declaration of Independence
July 4, 1776
There is no longer any room for hope. If we wish to be free--if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable pirvileges for which we have been so long contending--if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged ourselves nver to abandon, until the glorious object of our contest shall be obtained--we must fight!!
Give me liberty, or give me death!
both quotes from Patrick Henry - Speech at St. Johns Church
March 25, 1775
Our obligations to our country never cease but with our lives.
John Adams to Benjamin Rush
April 18, 1808
And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.
Declaration of Independence
July 4, 1776
There is no longer any room for hope. If we wish to be free--if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable pirvileges for which we have been so long contending--if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged ourselves nver to abandon, until the glorious object of our contest shall be obtained--we must fight!!
Give me liberty, or give me death!
both quotes from Patrick Henry - Speech at St. Johns Church
March 25, 1775
almost july 4th
Tomorrow I run the Peachtree!
Check out the course here.
Excited but scared! Running it by myself, so I hope I make some friends out of the other 55,000 people running it with me!
Check out the course here.
Excited but scared! Running it by myself, so I hope I make some friends out of the other 55,000 people running it with me!
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
these are the times that try men's souls
Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: 'tis dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed, if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated.
Thomas Paine (that's for you Lauren!)
The American Crisis
Dec 19, 1776
Thomas Paine (that's for you Lauren!)
The American Crisis
Dec 19, 1776
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
happy birthday america
To celebrate July 4th, Independence Day, I decided it would be cool to have a patriotic quote or the like each day this month. Nothing big! Just to remind us daily of what we have here in America, and maybe get you in the patriotic spirit! Most of the quotes will probably be from what I've read in Our Sacred Honor, which I think is a must-read/must-have for any American family. It's a great compilation of letters, documents, poetry, stories, etc from our founding fathers on different themes. I think I may have mentioned it in a previous post. Thank you Bill Bennett.
What better way to start than with the Declaration of Independence...
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
from the Declaration of Independence, Preamble
July 4 1776
What better way to start than with the Declaration of Independence...
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
from the Declaration of Independence, Preamble
July 4 1776
something new
Today I did the unthinkable! I woke up at 6 am (1.5 hours earlier than usual) and...gasp...went for a run!
After my glorious 10 mile run, I went a whole week without running. Not entirely by choice. I was really busy last week! But I definitely slacked off the weekend, which was also busy, but I could have fit some runs in there if I really wanted to. But today rolls around, and I can't not run another day.
I like the morning. It leaves my evenings clear, which were the source of my running frustration last week. It's also much cooler (I wore pants! for the first time since...March? February?) and quieter. Less cars on the road, more runners out. And it sets the conditions for every race I've run - early morning.
But there were definite cons. I felt rushed because I had a time limit, had to be back in time to shower & get ready for work. It was also harder to get warmed up, I felt pretty stiff, even after stretching, until after the 2 mile mark. I ran 4 miles today, but could I run 5 tomorrow and still be back in time to get ready for work? Will I have to wake up even earlier? And believe it or not, sometimes the frustration through the work day makes me have really good runs, because I'm running off steam. But in the morning, I just feel kinda groggy.
I have to admit though, it's nice to be sitting at work now and not have to worry about running in about 10 min. I can just go along my merry way!
After my glorious 10 mile run, I went a whole week without running. Not entirely by choice. I was really busy last week! But I definitely slacked off the weekend, which was also busy, but I could have fit some runs in there if I really wanted to. But today rolls around, and I can't not run another day.
I like the morning. It leaves my evenings clear, which were the source of my running frustration last week. It's also much cooler (I wore pants! for the first time since...March? February?) and quieter. Less cars on the road, more runners out. And it sets the conditions for every race I've run - early morning.
But there were definite cons. I felt rushed because I had a time limit, had to be back in time to shower & get ready for work. It was also harder to get warmed up, I felt pretty stiff, even after stretching, until after the 2 mile mark. I ran 4 miles today, but could I run 5 tomorrow and still be back in time to get ready for work? Will I have to wake up even earlier? And believe it or not, sometimes the frustration through the work day makes me have really good runs, because I'm running off steam. But in the morning, I just feel kinda groggy.
I have to admit though, it's nice to be sitting at work now and not have to worry about running in about 10 min. I can just go along my merry way!
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