srhcb

The New Yorker used to publish MFK Fisher, so that tells you something.

Anyway, as for the question about when two people are seated across from each other, which side is the left or right; you put the left-handed person on the other side! SB (works about 9% of the time anyway)

What the hell is the "toggle multiquote addition"?

I wonder if the New Yorker food issue was the inspiration for Gastronomica? The eclectic blend of content seems similar. Of course the New Yorker has the advantage in only having to publish one such issue per year, and it probably pays a lot better besides. SB (has read the New Yorker since before he could)

"Interstate Bakeries Corp. (IBC), the nation's largest wholesaler baker whose products include Twinkies and Wonder Bread, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection early Wednesday." It's even sad to see an icon of poor nutrition vanish?

Martha Stewart made homemade fig "newtons" on her show: http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/re...6_21966,00.html SB (I always meant to try it)

A friend of mine was born without any sense of smell, and was 10-12 years old before it was diagnosed. He says he can recall wondering what people were talking about when they mentioned aromas and smelling. His sense of taste is obviously altered too, but he became a pretty good cook by relying a lot on feedback.

I once worked at a very successful restaurant where the waitresses made more money than the owners. We asked them to just remember and give the kitchen staff a few bucks after every shift, or else leave some money at the to buy then a 12-pack of beer. We found the kitchen workers appreciated the gesture, and everyone got along pretty well. The waitresses who were most generous got the special favors from the kitchen, and those who didn't hold up their end of the bargain got worse service, resulting in fewer tips for them to not share.

Talk to the service people, or better yet, the cleaning staff, who have worked at the sites of political events. At least in my experience, a clear pattern emerged. SB (Libertarian myself, thank you)

One tech with a handheld and a good conversationalist go and eat lunch with people. Factory workers in a lunchroom Truckers at a truck stop Lawyers in a trendy bistro Kids in the school cafeteria A celebrityin the hospital Whatever Just eat and talk about work, lunch life ....

I went back and re-read "Haunted Kitchens" myself. While the article contains several interesting anecdotes and many insightful comments, I still fail to grasp any unifying theme or codifying point. Perhaps Gasto's editors just took Ms. Duruz's word that there was one? BTW, I recieved my Summer 04 issue today, so "we're" officially two behand again. SB (was it really spelled "Froot" Loops?)

Permit me then? Although I have nothing against food or sex, or the intermingling of the two, I'm growing a bit weary of some aspect of innuendo being almost a prerequisite for publication in Gastronomica, or many other journals devoted to either of the two topics, especially when the treatment takes on quasi-intellectual tones. The offending articles in this issue have already been pointed out in Carolyn's review, so I'll concentrate on parts I enjoyed. First, since it's already been mentioned, I note that I lalso liked Raghavan Iyer's story. Food, family and culture always make for an interesting combination, especially when presented in a thougth provoking fashion. I enjoyed the two sumo related articles, and the historical pieces on ice, Father Divine, the Roasting Jack and lunch rooms. I was also unaware of the films, ”A Love Supreme” and “Dim Sum”, reviewed by Sukhdev Sandhu, but found the subjects intriquing. The center piece of this issue, "Haunted Kitchens – Cooking and Remembering" by Jean Duruz, was, shall I say, overbearing? I'm not saying it was right, wrong, or unprofessionally rendered, but let's say the pictures that accompanied it were "appropriate" in being ther being impossible to describe with words. At least I was able to pick a good Ruth Reichel quote from this article, where she says, in referring to her biography, "Everything here is true but it may not be entirely factual." I've quoted this several times to counter overly journalisitc type arguments on both food and other subjects. The fact that this article takes up twelve pages of the magazine I believe makes it the longest piece published in Gastro to date? This can't be a good sign. RE: "It Must've Been Something I Ate: The Return of the Man Who Ate Everything", by Jeffrey Steingarten. I am reminded (again!), that I still have to obtain and read this book. (note to self....... And, once again, my thanks to Carolyn for undertaking this project. Since I still haven't recieved my copy of Summer 04, you're technically only one issue away from being caught up!

Not only is it not online, I didn't even get my copy yet?

The worst tippers tend to be celebrities and politicians (oddly enough, the liberal ones moreso). The best tippers are service workers from other establishments. That should tell you something. SB (15% +)

In honor of what would have been her birthday, how about preparing an "All Julia" dinner for family and friends? SB (with lots of butter!)

Worst meal I ever had; blubber and okra. SB (Gaaaaaak!)

Of course the first thing a redneck woukd want to know about your Nova is "what she had inner?" In 1969 the size of the engine in cubic inches was displayed in a rectangle that was incorporated into the front fender side market lights. In 1970 the engine size was in chrome numerals above the light. SB (pulling up his collar to cover his neck) BTW: I can tell you whether it was a 325/350 hp 396 or a 375 hp version .... from underneath the car.

For the landlord's sake, I just hope a disabled veteran, meat-eating, mixed-race, same-sex couple don't try and rent an apartment from him. He'll be in for a lot of legal trouble, unless, of course, one of them smokes. SB (I guess a recent court ruling let's us also add "obese" to the list)

There are lots of ethnic and racial groups you wouldn't dare point out "the facts" about though. The fact that Southerners can be good natured anbout poking fun of themselves is certainly to their credit. Having been born and raised in Northern Minnesota about all I ever learned about the South in school was that "we beat them in the Civil War". Faulkner's books were my introduction to Southern ways. My first year in college I read every one on the shelves. How about a Southern Redneck joke then? (Yes, there are Northern Rednecks too) RE: "you can tell (re: the seat on the porch) it's out of a '70 Nova because the remains of the car is sitting on 3 cinderblocks and a chunk of firewood out in the side yard)" You know you're a Redneck .... If you can tell the difference between a '69 and '70 Chevy Nova. SB (The differences are very minute in a visual sense, but of utmost import to a real "Good Ole Boy")

I enjoyed the piece too, and of course we should be able to make light of our own (group's) stereotypical foibles, but even inadvertently crossing the line into disrespect is just too easy. How many other ethnic or racial groups would a publisher dare expect this of? SB (as guilty as anyone)

My point is, "who conspicuously didn't say it". Although every writer has to cater to the reading publics' tastes, I think it's sad when Mr. Davis adopts a self-degrating attitude towards his heritage, even when it's done in a humorous fashion, in order to satisfy publishers sereotypes of Southerners. SB (not a Southerner himself)

We are made of meat.

OMG! Redneck Effete!

For Baking - Butter For Sautee - Butter or Olive Oil (save the EV for salads) For Frying - Canola or Peanut Oil, or Crisco BTW, how many food substances vary in taste according to their temperature as butter does?

It's a pretty big leap from trial consumption to avoid starvation to "decimate species for a profit"! Anyway, what's the big deal. How do other animals know what to eat or aviod?