Monday, July 24, 2006
Accidental Voyeur
Fred's birthday is January 30. Mom's is March 13. Sue Biggar's birthday is March 16.
I don't know who any of these people are, but I have to say that I'm becoming more curious by the moment. You see, I'm peeking into someone else's life.
I'm not doing it on purpose, though. Really! I just bought a used PDA on Ebay to replace the dead one that I've been carrying around for the past month. Before buying the new one, I decided I'd see if I REALLY needed one. Well, after a month I still don't know if NEED is the correct term, but I still WANTED one, and after all I AM more organized when I use one.
The truth is, I love the chase. I enjoyed reading up on PDAs and searching for the best deal. After several nights of staying up late reading about them and sharing important bits of information with my husband, he started to look pretty frustrated. I knew it was time to buy. (I wonder how many purchase decisions I've made because my husband reaches the point where he can't stomach hearing one more word about the items I'm considering?) I ended up getting a Palm Vx on ebay, and getting a right good deal, if I do say so myself.
The kids went to sleep at a decent hour tonight, giving me a little time to play with the new (used) toy. It's colorful and fast -- it even connects to my wireless internet connection! I wasn't able to synch to my laptop until I returned to work the following Monday, so I was setting it up manually when I noticed someone else's memos. There are always some risks in buying a used item (this one did not come with a manual), but I've been pretty fortunate in my Ebay purchases so far. Not knowing how to delete more than one memo at a time, I found myself looking at each title as it passed -- tips on healthy eating, notes to a contractor, directions. I know that this person keeps up with birthdays and Valentine's Day, works out regularly, and does charity work. Calendar items were even more cumbersome to delete, because some had been programmed to repeat, which requires one extra step to clear them.
Let's delete several together, shall we? OK: March has four remaining items: I'll keep St. Patrick's Day (the 17th) -- it's always good to be reminded. But I'm deleting Helen Cooper's birthday on the 18th, although I wish her the best, wherever she may be. I'll do the same with Patricia O'Connor's (the 20th) and Michael Coso's (the 22nd). Victoria Angier's birthday is May 2 (the word God Father is noted here -- The Sopranos comes to mind). And on May 5, the owner of this device planned (plans?) to send off the NY State AIA Competition Packages. I'm curious about AIA, so I google it and find that it has something to do with building interesting figures out of sand... On May 29, the entry exclaims, DAY OFF -OFFICE CLOSED - MEMORIAL DAY.
I'm curious what the previous owner of this PDA will do to celebrate Memorial Day. Will he or she meet up with Michael Coso and Patricia O'Connor at, say, a place in the Hamptons? Or are they more Jersey Shore types?
I realize that this could easily become an obsession. I know that he/she pays his/her Expo account by the fist to avoid "interst", and that he participated in a "Poonam Sharma Interview." On June 2 at 11:30, he had something to do with "Starr Review of Bid Documents" -- Could that be KEN STARR????
As I delete each of these items (I know there must be an easier way to do this, but would it really be this interesting?) I think about how much of MY (less busy, less interesting) life will take their place. If a stranger looked at my PDA, he or she would certainly notice the Saturday riding lesson that overlaps with the toddler ballet class -- how does she swing that? they'd wonder (sometimes I wonder that myself). They'd find a file marked grocery list that might prompt them to suggest that I could really save some money if I just didn't worry about ORGANIC. But I don't think they could've helped me to remember my nephew Will's birthday, which I plain forgot to enter into the calendar -- darn!
I don't know who any of these people are, but I have to say that I'm becoming more curious by the moment. You see, I'm peeking into someone else's life.
I'm not doing it on purpose, though. Really! I just bought a used PDA on Ebay to replace the dead one that I've been carrying around for the past month. Before buying the new one, I decided I'd see if I REALLY needed one. Well, after a month I still don't know if NEED is the correct term, but I still WANTED one, and after all I AM more organized when I use one.
The truth is, I love the chase. I enjoyed reading up on PDAs and searching for the best deal. After several nights of staying up late reading about them and sharing important bits of information with my husband, he started to look pretty frustrated. I knew it was time to buy. (I wonder how many purchase decisions I've made because my husband reaches the point where he can't stomach hearing one more word about the items I'm considering?) I ended up getting a Palm Vx on ebay, and getting a right good deal, if I do say so myself.
The kids went to sleep at a decent hour tonight, giving me a little time to play with the new (used) toy. It's colorful and fast -- it even connects to my wireless internet connection! I wasn't able to synch to my laptop until I returned to work the following Monday, so I was setting it up manually when I noticed someone else's memos. There are always some risks in buying a used item (this one did not come with a manual), but I've been pretty fortunate in my Ebay purchases so far. Not knowing how to delete more than one memo at a time, I found myself looking at each title as it passed -- tips on healthy eating, notes to a contractor, directions. I know that this person keeps up with birthdays and Valentine's Day, works out regularly, and does charity work. Calendar items were even more cumbersome to delete, because some had been programmed to repeat, which requires one extra step to clear them.
Let's delete several together, shall we? OK: March has four remaining items: I'll keep St. Patrick's Day (the 17th) -- it's always good to be reminded. But I'm deleting Helen Cooper's birthday on the 18th, although I wish her the best, wherever she may be. I'll do the same with Patricia O'Connor's (the 20th) and Michael Coso's (the 22nd). Victoria Angier's birthday is May 2 (the word God Father is noted here -- The Sopranos comes to mind). And on May 5, the owner of this device planned (plans?) to send off the NY State AIA Competition Packages. I'm curious about AIA, so I google it and find that it has something to do with building interesting figures out of sand... On May 29, the entry exclaims, DAY OFF -OFFICE CLOSED - MEMORIAL DAY.
I'm curious what the previous owner of this PDA will do to celebrate Memorial Day. Will he or she meet up with Michael Coso and Patricia O'Connor at, say, a place in the Hamptons? Or are they more Jersey Shore types?
I realize that this could easily become an obsession. I know that he/she pays his/her Expo account by the fist to avoid "interst", and that he participated in a "Poonam Sharma Interview." On June 2 at 11:30, he had something to do with "Starr Review of Bid Documents" -- Could that be KEN STARR????
As I delete each of these items (I know there must be an easier way to do this, but would it really be this interesting?) I think about how much of MY (less busy, less interesting) life will take their place. If a stranger looked at my PDA, he or she would certainly notice the Saturday riding lesson that overlaps with the toddler ballet class -- how does she swing that? they'd wonder (sometimes I wonder that myself). They'd find a file marked grocery list that might prompt them to suggest that I could really save some money if I just didn't worry about ORGANIC. But I don't think they could've helped me to remember my nephew Will's birthday, which I plain forgot to enter into the calendar -- darn!
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
Tapas
Recently we hosted a get-together for friends on our block, something that my friend Beth makes look really easy, but for me is always somewhat stressful. I enjoy the company -- we're blessed to live on a block full of interesting people with children of a similar age. What gets me is that lately, when I host a get-together, no matter how well I plan or how much cooking I try to get done in advance, I'm always running around like a crazywoman and don't get to sit down and enjoy my guests.
Until tapas night. The inspiration came admittedly late. Two nights before the party my husband and I were dreaming of planning a family trip to Spain in a couple of years, and memories of Barcelona tapas bars ushered in the idea. The Spanish eat dinner ridiculously late by my husband's standards, so during our summer there six years ago, we frequently joined the Spaniards in tapas bars, drinking a fino or sangría and eating small plates of potato and onion omelet, grilled shrimp, huge, delicious olives and countless other meditteranean goodies designed to get you through until the 10 p.m. evening meal. From time to time, we enjoy a potato omelet, green salad and glass of red wine for dinner and think about those wonderful weeks in Spain.
When the idea hit, I remembered my favorite tapas cookbook, Penelope Casas, and I turned to a couple of favorites (tortilla a la española, thyme-scented green olives) and a couple of new dishes (white bean salad, swiss chard omelet). The result was delicious, AND I found myself sitting with my friends, enjoying a glass of Rioja, watching the kids play. It was a great evening.
Tortilla a la Española (Spanish Potato Omelet)
1 c. olive oil
3-4 large potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/8 inch slices
1 large onion, thinly sliced
Coarse salt
4 large eggs
Heat the oil in an 8- or 9-inch skillet and add the potato slices one at a time so they don't stick together. Alternate layers of potato with the onion slices and salt the layers lightly. Cook slowly over medium heat (the potatoes will really "boil" in the oil rather than fry), lifting and turning the potatoes occasionally, until they are tender but not brown.
Drain the potatoes in a colander, reserving about 3 T. of the oil. Wipe out the skillet, scraping off any stuck particles. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, beat the eggs with a fork until they're slightly foamy. Salt to taste. Add the potatoes to the beaten egg, pressing them down with a spatula so that they are completely covered by the egg. Let the mixture sit for 15 minutes.
Heat 2 T. of the reserved oil in the skillet until it reaches the smoking point. Add the potato and egg mixture, spreading it out rapidly in the skillet with the help of the spatula. Lower the heat to medium-high and shake the pan often to prevent sticking. When the eggs begin to brown underneath, invert a plate of the same size over the skillet and flip the omelet onto the plate. Add about 1 T. more oil to the pan, then slide the omelet back into the skillet to brown on the other side.
Lower the heat to medium and flip the omelet two or three more times (this helps give it a good shape while it continues to cook), cooking briefly on each side. It should be juicy within. Transfer to a platter and cool, then cut in thin wedges or into 1-1 1/2 inch squares that can be picked up with toothpicks.
This omelet tastes better and can be cut more easily when left awhile at room temperature (score!)
White Bean Salad (Ensalada de Judías Blancas)
3/4 lb. cooked white beans or chickpeas (I used canned)
1 med. tomato, cubed
1 hardboiled egg, sliced, each slice cut in half
4 pitted cured black olives, each cut into 4 pieces
1 T. minced parsley
2 T. fruity olive oil
1 T. wine vinegar, preferably white
Salt
1 clove garlic, mashed to a paste or put through a garlic press
In a bowl, gently combine the beans, tomato, egg, olives and parsley. In a separate bowl, whisk the oil, vinegar, salt and garlic. Fold into the bean mixture and marinate in the refrigerator for several hours.
Until tapas night. The inspiration came admittedly late. Two nights before the party my husband and I were dreaming of planning a family trip to Spain in a couple of years, and memories of Barcelona tapas bars ushered in the idea. The Spanish eat dinner ridiculously late by my husband's standards, so during our summer there six years ago, we frequently joined the Spaniards in tapas bars, drinking a fino or sangría and eating small plates of potato and onion omelet, grilled shrimp, huge, delicious olives and countless other meditteranean goodies designed to get you through until the 10 p.m. evening meal. From time to time, we enjoy a potato omelet, green salad and glass of red wine for dinner and think about those wonderful weeks in Spain.
When the idea hit, I remembered my favorite tapas cookbook, Penelope Casas, and I turned to a couple of favorites (tortilla a la española, thyme-scented green olives) and a couple of new dishes (white bean salad, swiss chard omelet). The result was delicious, AND I found myself sitting with my friends, enjoying a glass of Rioja, watching the kids play. It was a great evening.
Tortilla a la Española (Spanish Potato Omelet)
1 c. olive oil
3-4 large potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/8 inch slices
1 large onion, thinly sliced
Coarse salt
4 large eggs
Heat the oil in an 8- or 9-inch skillet and add the potato slices one at a time so they don't stick together. Alternate layers of potato with the onion slices and salt the layers lightly. Cook slowly over medium heat (the potatoes will really "boil" in the oil rather than fry), lifting and turning the potatoes occasionally, until they are tender but not brown.
Drain the potatoes in a colander, reserving about 3 T. of the oil. Wipe out the skillet, scraping off any stuck particles. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, beat the eggs with a fork until they're slightly foamy. Salt to taste. Add the potatoes to the beaten egg, pressing them down with a spatula so that they are completely covered by the egg. Let the mixture sit for 15 minutes.
Heat 2 T. of the reserved oil in the skillet until it reaches the smoking point. Add the potato and egg mixture, spreading it out rapidly in the skillet with the help of the spatula. Lower the heat to medium-high and shake the pan often to prevent sticking. When the eggs begin to brown underneath, invert a plate of the same size over the skillet and flip the omelet onto the plate. Add about 1 T. more oil to the pan, then slide the omelet back into the skillet to brown on the other side.
Lower the heat to medium and flip the omelet two or three more times (this helps give it a good shape while it continues to cook), cooking briefly on each side. It should be juicy within. Transfer to a platter and cool, then cut in thin wedges or into 1-1 1/2 inch squares that can be picked up with toothpicks.
This omelet tastes better and can be cut more easily when left awhile at room temperature (score!)
White Bean Salad (Ensalada de Judías Blancas)
3/4 lb. cooked white beans or chickpeas (I used canned)
1 med. tomato, cubed
1 hardboiled egg, sliced, each slice cut in half
4 pitted cured black olives, each cut into 4 pieces
1 T. minced parsley
2 T. fruity olive oil
1 T. wine vinegar, preferably white
Salt
1 clove garlic, mashed to a paste or put through a garlic press
In a bowl, gently combine the beans, tomato, egg, olives and parsley. In a separate bowl, whisk the oil, vinegar, salt and garlic. Fold into the bean mixture and marinate in the refrigerator for several hours.
