Big Bang Geeks Out

So in anticipation of HIMYM last night, I started waiting the show that comes on before--The Big Bang Theory. The premise was interesting to me, and during season 1 promos, I realized that I had the same shirt of the Flash that the character Sheldon has. But I thought no way this show will survive and they are just going to make fun of the nerds....

I watched the show last night, and while I am a self admitted geek, I haven't laughed so hard and identified so much... it's a show for a lot of audiences... in-jokes, surface jokes, stereotypical jokes, but fun on a lot of different levels. And as I wrote to someone earlier today... they worked in Catwoman, Batman, X-men and Pasadena City College and much more in one show...

Here are two of my favorite clips...

Never Judge A Book By Its Cover

I am totally and entirely guilty of this habit... I will often decide to read a book based on its cover and blurb on the back of the book jacket. It's not the only way I pick books, but it's certainly a nice way to get variety, since I often stick with authors I like and make my way through all their books and then just kind of float in a vacuum until whacks me with a good book.

But I do judge. And for all intense purposes Burn After Reading had a really good cover and trailer...
1. Coen Brother's
2. John Malkovich
3. Conspiracy
4. Frances McDormand
5. J.K. Simmons (for those of you who like The Closer and the Spiderman movies)
6. George Clooney
7. Brad Pitt

And I know I laughed when I watched it, but I really can't remember it a few, short days later (maybe I was pre-occupied).
I do remember certain scenes:
1. Far and away my fave, Cox doing aerobics, completely priceless
2. George's "secret" hobby reveal
3. Any of Brad's little dances (he's come a long way since Mr. & Mrs. Smith)
4. Frances' trip to the Russian embassy
5. JK's befuddled state of certainty

It must have been OK, since it was #1 this weekend, or I have temporary amnesia.
Oh, I remember one more thing... I positively COVET Tilda Swinton's gold link necklace. To quote Rachel Zoe, "I Die."

Cable Cars & Chowder

Today was supposed to be a San Francisco day, in the morning, JJ and I headed out to the Cable Cars near Ghirardelli Square. We took the cable car past the twisty portion of Lombard, all the way down to Market St. Then we, well more I, did damage to our credit cards.

We strolled to and through the Ferry Building and took the Light Rail up to Pier 39. We decided to have some chowder at Pompei’s Café and sit outside where we had an unobstructed view of Hooter’s. I still have yet to find someone who will go there with me. Sigh.

That night we ventured into the Marina and went to a wine bar, Bin 38. I’ve been wanting to go here for a long time but somehow always missed the opening. The ambiance is great, and I like it better than Nectar. We ordered French Fries, Roast Beef Sandwich, Grilled Squash and Chicken Salad. A few things:

• We had WAY TOO many fries since the RB ‘wich also included fries
• RB was just right, especially paired with my rich, Malbec (that’s right IMC’ers, I’ve struck Malbec)
• Grilled squash was flavored well, but couldn’t compare with the previous night’s Grilled Summer Veggies

· Real surprise was the Chicken Salad. And thank goodness JJ insisted. This was far and away the best chicken salad I’d had in at least 7 eleven years. Yup, it was pre-undergrad that I had a chicken salad I’d go back for more. The romaine hearts were perfectly crisp, just enough chomp. The chicken was prepared perfectly, I don’t even know what to say. That was the point when we just concentrated on eating, no talking.

The other delight of the evening was: Rosenblum Late Harvest Zinfandel 2006 (CA) Ripe rich raspberries, black currants and spicy, jammy essences. Exquisite with chocolate or as the perfect dessert on its own.

I was going to go for my usual Muscat, but thought I’d try something else. The server recommended a Zinfandel (!) as her favorite and told me it wasn’t like ice wine nor port, but something less sweet but a dessert wine. She was right, this is really something special. I liken it to a chocolate chip cookie v. an oatmeal raisin cookie. Both are dessert, both are good. But they are completely different. While this doesn’t replace the Muscato d’Asti, this is definitely a treat I’ll make a return trip for at Bin 38.

Exploration Down Unda

Warning: There’s a lot of post’s about food in the following two posts… I hit a coupla jackpots this weekend. Plus, I am staring at the bridesmaid dress and trying to be good.

SFMOMA Café’s Summer Vegetable Salad is the best salad I’ve had in a long, long time. The crunchiness, crispness, and perfect amount of vinaigrette per bite was sublime. And though it may sound silly, my love of salads played a part in my decision to move to CA and more specifically SF.

Saturday morning, I journeyed to Mission and shopped for button’s at a discount store. Then AC and I headed to Ti Couz, for some of the most amazing crepes, I’ve ever had. I got the Nutella and Banana plus a Fresh Pressed Bowl of Cider to drink. I did get a few bits of AC’s savory seafood crepe, but my dessert for lunch was dreamy and de-lish. I will be headed back there. After a gorgeous lunch on an equally gorgeous day, we headed to Imagin-Nits, to pick up my new knitting materials. That’s right, after year’s of not being able to figure out what to do with my hands, except pick at junk food, I am going to occupy my TV time with wool instead. If all goes well, everyone’s getting some awkwardly knitted items this Holiday season.

This is also the weekend that the dreaded Church & Davis struck again. I’ve been trying to reduce my carbon footprint, so I’ve been trying to take the bus. Well, I got on the right bus but went the wrong way. Which would have normally been a fine adventure, but JJ from Aussie was sitting on my doorstep with no way in, while I was gallivanting my way across the city. After finally arriving 45 minutes late, I asked JJ where he wanted to go “exploring,” which was Castro. That was fine and dandy, ‘cept it was exactly two blocks from where my Church and & Davis moment had been. I could have been on time and relaxed if I’d only have known. Instead, I went to the same place via public transportation 5x in the same day (counting my Far East trip).

Castro was fun too. Everyone was out (literally and figuratively) and about. Rainbow flags everywhere and cute stores. But what struck me was the number of packed café and eateries around. Shall have to find out which ones are worth going back too. I did manage to score the ultimate geek accessory. Star Trek T’s, original, not TNG.

That night I went to dinner at Chiaroscuro, right next to the Transamerica building. This has been on my list of places to visit since Annie brought it up. It was really good. The wait was long, but the host was really nice and gave us a round of drinks. The food was timely and hot and tasty. I ordered the Tagliolini Carbonara. JJ and I split a heavenly plate of grilled vegetables. And while everything was yum, I could have, should have, will just inhale a plate of those instead. If you every have the chance to go, don’t forget to dip your bread in the amazing olive oil and lemon that they provide.

What was pointed out to me that was also really cool was the way the food was ultimately prepped by the kitchen. It was an open set up, meaning we could just look in, but more admirably, there was just a single table and the chef or sous-chef stood behind it. The cooked food was brought out to him, and then he plated it right there, sans any fancy footwork except culinary skill. It really makes you realize that some are in it for the love of food. The chef was also very nice, he came out at varying points of the night to talk to each table. The ambiance was lovely, dark and quiet, lit by candles, and while everyone was talking the sound stayed at each table, so the feeling was still intimate and private. JJ’s High School friends were really cool and made me feel totally part of the group rather than the interloper that I was.

What is Art? Art is a Man's Name

Today, we went to SFMOMA.

Since June I've wanted to see the Frida Kahlo exhibit at the SFMOMA, but for one reason or another, I never made it there until today.

I think the thing with Kahlo's art is as my mother says, she doesn't use words, she uses pictures to tell her story and her thoughts. So while it is beautiful, it's completely exhausting because you "read" a lot with her works. All you have to do is look at her art and feel every bit of her on the canvas, pouring screaming, shouting, crying, pleading out to you. The only painting in the whole collection that exuded peace was one that featured an old lady, not related directly to Kahlo. But her talent is undeniable and every stroke is an exercise in raw power.

What was really surprising was Half-Life of a Dream featuring contemporary Chinese art. These Chinese artists are really impressive, young and passionate. The exhibit I saw reminded me a lot of the work that I saw in the art alley's in Beijing last year. Their work demonstrates a wicked sense of humor and a Eastern sense of beauty, but boiling just below the surface is paramount rage and disenchantment. So no matter how innocent the smiling face, how pretty and delicate the bird, how languid the nude, there is a whole story just simmering and reaching to get out--to get back the lost years, to hold the government accountable, straining to be heard. This is the right showcase for this art--angry and regal.

After a meal for the mind, we looked to feed our stomachs as well. For that, we turned to Yank Sing, by far the best and high-priced Dim Sum, I've had in SF, NY, and possibly LA. It really was a treat to be able to gorge ourselves on great meal fare. It passed my Dad's quality test, which says a lot, so thanks Anne, who recommended the place.