If sunspot cycles are new to you, or you are just curious about some interesting social research regarding sunspots, I've blogged quite a bit about them before, the latest being here, with the full blown article here.
Being from Chile, "tacos" were a new treat that became a quick favorite on our family move to California. Fast food or sit-down Mexican restaurants, fancy or plain, they are so yummy. You find them everywhere now, but in the late 70s, a "taco" in NYC was simply dreadful: greasy ground meat in a dried up tortilla with faux liquidy hot sauce. Yech!
The name "taco" intrigues me as in Chilean Spanish, "taco" means "shoe heel". I found an amazing discourse on tacos, which, alas, didn't progress the word origin beyond "sandwich". I suspect it's sort of like "submarine" or "torpedo", which at least look in shape like they sound. Spanish, like English, is not homogenized worldwide; you'll find countless variations throughout Central America, South America, and of course, Spain, not to even mention differences within each country, much like Brooklynese vs. 'bama speak. In Chile we call sandwiches "sanguche", lol, which is "sandwich" with a funny accent.
But, I meander...back to the recipe.
INGREDIENTS
Corn Tortillas
Hummus
Spring Mix (or other greens)
Falafel (heated)
Kalamata olives, sliced
Fresh corn kernels
Chopped tomatoes
Greek-style vinaigrette
1. Heat the falafel and tortillas
2. Crumble the falafel a bit so better fit the tortilla
3. Spread a thin layer of hummus on the tortilla.
4. Follow up with a fistful of greens, the crumbled falafel, and top with bits of corn, tomato, and Kalamata olives.
5. Splash on vinaigrette to taste.
It'll be messy, so have some serviettes at hand and enjoy!
:: a Trillion here...a Trillion there
I say, the earth belongs to each of these generations during its course, fully and in its own right. The second generation receives it clear of the debts and encumbrances of the first, the third of the second, and so on.
For if the first could charge it with a debt, then the earth would belong to the dead and not to the living generation. Then, no generation can contract debts greater than may be paid during the course of its own existence.
Thomas Jefferson, letter to James Madison, 1789
It was a warm and lovely 4th, celebrating with friends in the sunny day, watching the fireworks over the park, and later, watching the flotilla of twinkling boats make their way home across the lake.
And yet, when considering an appropriate quote for the times, I felt a sobering mood, a cautiousness. the country is undergoing changes, rapidly and often without the full consideration, due process and diligence, and support among the citizenry that such grave commitments demand. By many accounts, the debt left to our descendents is ten trillions, over the next ten years. The enormity of "trillion" is lost in the innocuous "ten" that precedes it.
By way of example, a million seconds is 12 days. A billion seconds is 31 years. A trillion seconds is 31,688 years, ten trillion seconds is 310,688 years. OK, perhaps words don't quite do it for you. How about a picture?
prayers for Josh and family brought on high in golden bowls
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
:: The first automobile
The first automobile was not American, it is commonly accepted to be French, although Benz, a German, manufactured the first gasoline powered automobile. The first American automobile would not come about until 1893 with the Duryea.
The Benz Velo pictured below is not the first, but it is charming, isn't it?
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
:: Godspeed, President Barack
What an amazing day it was! President Barack was radiant, a smile so genuine and deep it could not be contained, spilling out, tickling everyone's tears of joy and amazement back to the corridors of history past. Today was a day for Big Things, Profound Things. To those of us who remember water fountains labeled "Black" and "White", of rage spilling red on streets, of darkened hearts and poison words, this day is Big.
And so was Aretha's hat! Oh, I loved it! It captures the utter joy of the day. Tomorrow's tomorrows will be enough time to reorder jubilation into narrow channels of opinion. Today, I'll enjoy The Hat.
I'm still watching as I write. I'm at the pivot point. We've come from meeting the modernists, those passionate about the cleanliness of the font, and are now experiencing the deconstructionist antihelveticist early forerunners of grunge. What playfulness on the part of the film maker...the antagonists and protagonists are their font counterparts! Crisp vs ragged, in clothes and hair, in philosophy and politics, in their art and even in their speech.
Font lovers, you must see this, you will be delighted!
"Someone left the cake out in the rain I don't think that I can take it 'Cause it took so long To bake it And I'll never have that recipe again -- oh no!" MacArthur Park Richard Harris [performer]
Jimmy Webb [lyrics] 1968
That last "oh no!" isn't my comment,...they ARE the lyrics! At the time, it sure was one heck of a sturm und drang song. The Wikipedia entry is interesting and made me give it a bit more thought. I think it may well have been one of the few daringly sentimental songs in a time quickly turning to drugs, sex, and rock and roll. Curiously, it had the legs to weather the transition into Disco. Donna Summer's cover was at least as well received as the Richard Harris version!
But the inspiration for remembering these lyrics wasn't sentimental. No, it is the weather. The once lovely fluffy three-layer-snow-cake turned to slush. The triple ice layers also turned my usual 8-minute walk 'round half the park into 20-minutes of mincing old-lady, nose-down high stepping over lumpen ice blobs. Nevertheless, it was quite a good time, people hello-ing each other and wise-cracking about how nice it was outside. While park-walker chit chat isn't atypical here, there was more of it than usual, and for that I give thanks.
Here is a little "photovideo" I made of the snow-cake.
Merry Christmas to all!
Click for .wmv file [Windows Media]
Monday, March 31, 2008
:: Copper and Gold
A beggar called out for alms as Alexander and his companion walked by. Alexander tossed a few (gold) coins to the beggar. His companion asked, Why did you give him so much? A copper would have been more than enough! Alexander replied, Copper coins suit the beggar's needs; gold coins suit the King's giving.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
:: He's Alive!
Hallelujah Jesus is alive Death has lost its victory And the grave has been denied Jesus lives forever He's alive! He's alive!
He's the alpha and omega The first and last is He The curse of sin is broken And we have perfect liberty The Lamb of God is risen He's alive, He's alive!
