Wednesday, April 28, 2004

Here's a pretty cool article about the revamped NYPD and how their new approach to management is cracking down on crime, and spreading across the nation. It's really working in some cities, maybe not so well in small towns though. From the NYTimes.

Tuesday, April 27, 2004

Correction: Gypsy Cafe is by the corner of 14th and Bingham, not 14th and Sydney

I had lunch today with Bucket, Marto, Stuch, Madge and some other Printcafe folk at the Gypsy Cafe.
We're talking good food for a reasonable price, and casual comfrotable atmosphere. I had the Curry Chicken Sald Sandwich, a Spinach Orzo salad, and some minted fruit salad. Tres Bien. is that French for quite nice? very good?

Gypsy Cafe is on the 1400 block of Sydney Street in the South Side, right up from the City Theater.

Anyone care for a muffin? #4, 6, & 9 are particularly delicious.
Spatula vs. the Burger

I've decided that I like being the spatula, and not the burger. I think I prefer being the one to flip the cooking stuff, as opposed to being cooked. Does this mean I want to work in fast food? No. Does this mean I'm carrying a spatula with me now to whack people with? No, although that's a tempting idea. I'm saying that I'm trying a new approach. It may have been prompted by any number of things, but I'm feeling a strong urge to opine. I'm not trying to pick a fight, but I may step on some toes. Pardon me . . .

Some do this a lot . Some do this a little. Some do it like never, but say they always want to do it more. Some I understand but don't, but I'm glad to see them go for it (nice to have you back, I had stopped checking).

Well here's three beefs I've got:

Giant Eagle's self-checkout gig;
Anti-Abortion advertising in the sky;
Dan Brown v. Christianity

Giant Eagle's self-checkout gig: Let me begin by saying the machines are rude. "Move your Braeburn Apples . . . " Sounds like the angry woman in produce who's trying to get by you, but your too busy squeezing fruit to notice her. It's an impatient machine, with its frightfully slow process. Maybe you regular users of the self-checkout love it. I used to think it was great, until last night when my ginger ale fridge pack jettisons cans all over the aisle. Until the machine stops to demand that I wait for someone to bag my groceries (and they're not coming, but the light above the register is blinking like there's a problem at this machine) because the cargo area is full. Until it stops asking me, like an unsatisfied wife, if I'm finished yet. Until it jams up when a toothbrush passes through the belt way. Until it seems apparent that the days of the clerk and bagger are numbered.

Anti-Abortion Advertising in the Sky: Ok, the concept of an aborted fetus flying here in Oakland and presumably elsewhere. Have your beliefs, ok . . . but do you really need flying aborted fetuses?

Dan Brown v. Christianity: The fundamental tenet of Christianity is that Christ came to earth as God incarnate to die for man's sins, and then rose from the grave. It's simple: You buy it or you don't. Without delving too far into Nietzsche or Hegel or other dialogues of truth and reality, suffice to say that anyone can claim any authority for any reason. The proof or disproof is often difficult. That's why it's called a faith. Faith in your friends, family, deity, whatever . . .

Monday, April 26, 2004

"so if trees could scream, would we still cut them down? probably, if they screamed all the time for now reason . . . " obligatory deep thought and its related article

Flexitarian: a person who is usually a vegetarian, but is known to eat meat on occasion.

Jim Dietz and Mel have opened the Gypsy Cafe on the South Side. It's off 14th and Sydney. Their black bean hummous is pretty killer, as is the pesto pizza. thanks guys, fo rhaving us all out to your opening!