Thursday, October 31, 2013
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Peanut Butter Banana Bars
So I didn't really anticipate doing any baking, but I had one banana that had gone black. Alas, while there are one banana banana-bread recipes out there, I thought, why not try something new? And voila! This came out. So here's a random recipe. I originally wanted to do cookies- if you want to do that, try adding chocolate chips! For a stronger peanut butter flavor, replace the butter with peanut butter.
Peanut Butter Banana Bars
Ingredients:
For the Batter:
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup melted butter
1/4 cup peanut butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 egg
1 1/8 cups flour
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1 over-ripe banana, mashed
For the Topping:
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup walnuts
1/2 tsp cinnamon
Directions: Preheat the oven to 375 Degrees. Mix the first five ingredients together well. Then add in the remaining ingredients and fold together. Pour into an 8x8 baking dish sprayed with Pam and sprinkle with the topping evenly. Bake for 30-35 minutes and let cool before cutting.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
IMPROVement?
By Leigh Dale
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXowYIZpYpo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXowYIZpYpo
First of all, you probably noticed the color of this girl's tights. I can't believe that we still haven't figured out that there is no such thing as one-skintone-fits-all.
Second, UM this is hilarious. Yeah, she's disruptive to the other girls who actually tried to follow the routine. But hey, I'm no one's parent. I was entertained.
Hands Off My Hands-On Museums
By Leigh Dale
Traditionally, museums have a super intimidating aura, built with marble columns to look like huge temples worshipping the Gods of Smarter-than-Thou, and are not known for welcoming passersby into their warm and nurturing arms. (Well, maybe you and I weren't scared off because we're all cultured and shit.) So there's been a movement in the last few years to invite more interaction between exhibitions and visitors -- not just moving and manipulating parts of the exhibition, but doing related activities, making your own artwork, offering your own thoughts. Personally, I think this democratization of a historically-supremacist institution is fantastic. Also, it's fun to touch stuff.
But in August, journalist / professional crankypants Judith Dobryznski complained in the New York Times about how museums are no longer contemplative spaces, and instead look desperate by turning to hands-on experiences.
Then, on Slate, the director of the DeCordova Sculpture Park and Museum offered this rebuttal, defending the movement toward more joyful experiences with art.
Since then, in the world of museum nerdery, there’s been an epic battle of the blogs, often devolving into childlike name-calling. But I think what’s important to remember here is that there is no one type of audience; certainly some will prefer more reflective experiences in a museum, and some will prefer to be stimulated. But I suspect there’s enough room in this world for more than one type of museum.
NYC Coffee Shop, Bar, and Restaurant (CBR) of the Week
Coffee Shop: CaféPanino Mucho Gusto
Atmosehere: Worn,
cozy, and adorable. Has an international feel, a communal table, and it always
smells fantastic. Music ranges from Arabic to classical to nothing.
Offerings:
Bathroom, seating, lunch food, wine and beer, coffee, pastries, wifi.
Perks: Charming,
friendly staff, sit and stay.
Downsides:
Sometimes really hot, average prices (a la NYC), wifi signal weak.
Favorite:
Atmosphere- cozy, the baristas pour my coffee before I’ve ordered, and I can
sit for as long as I like.
Pricing (Penny Saver, Average
Joe, New York City Slicker, Indulger, Money Flinger): New York City
Slicker- these prices are pretty average- you’re looking at about $3 for a
large coffee and $5 plus tax for a mocha or fancy drink.
Bar: Boots andSaddles
Atmosphere: Grimy,
entertainment oriented, gay.
Offerings:
Bathroom, full bar, karaoke (Wednesday and Sunday), drag show (nightly),
friendship (always), some food.
Perks: Amazing
staff, amazing clientele. Open to everyone, entertainment, cheap drinks.
Downsides: Can be
loud, sometimes crude.
Favorite: The
PEOPLE.
Pricing (Penny Saver,
Average Joe, New York City Slicker, Indulger, Money Flinger): Penny Saver-
cocktails cost about $6, happy hour until 10 with $5 drinks. $1 shots.
Atmosphere: Intimate,
charming, great window seat. Small bar.
Available:
Bathroom, full bar, great wine, great food.
Perks: Friendly
staff, great wine, fantastic food. Not one thing on the menu is bad. The
hummus, scallops, and mezze are all outrageous.
Downsides: Not
very large, but they are usually accommodating. On the pricey side.
Favorite: Hummus.
Gooey with a glob of tahini in the middle, four delicious falafel balls, and warm pita.
Pricing (Penny Saver,
Average Joe, New York City Slicker, Indulger, Money Flinger): New York City
Slicker/Indulger- these prices are pretty NYC standard, but the quality is not
normal, it’s above par. Count on an entrée costing $15-$30, a glass of wine
$9-12, and mezze $8-16.
Friday, October 25, 2013
5 Reasons Why Scandal is the Best Show EVER


3.
Did I mention DRAMA? It’s so emotional, you think you know these people. Tony
Goldwyn (Fitzgerald Grant) has
mentioned in interviews that very “sane” people come up to him and try to
convince him to realize how much Olivia loves him. SOUND FAMILIAR??
4.
And the characters… oh the lovely characters.
Huck is a killer with a conscience, Olivia, arguably the most powerful/notorious
woman in the world, yet scared, alone, and afraid.
Quinn, wrongfully accused of murder and curious about killing people. We have an All-American First
Lady whose dangerous and evil and a slutty President whose affair we root for. No wonder everyone’s in
love, yeesh.
5. The biggest reason we all love Scandal is the love. Olivia and the President’s love story is so forbidden, so wrong, and SO beautiful. And hot… did I mention hot? For more information on that, see:
Quinn, wrongfully accused of murder and curious about killing people. We have an All-American First
Lady whose dangerous and evil and a slutty President whose affair we root for. No wonder everyone’s in
love, yeesh.
5. The biggest reason we all love Scandal is the love. Olivia and the President’s love story is so forbidden, so wrong, and SO beautiful. And hot… did I mention hot? For more information on that, see:

Did I mention they are positively BEAUTIFUL together?? (http://www.buzzfeed.com/louispeitzman/reasons-olivia-and-fitz-are-the-hottest-couple-on-tv) Get on board.
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