Red Slice

Wild about Walla Walla: Day Two

2011-05-18T17:27:00.000-07:00

Waking up refreshed, we headed to our continental breakfast buffet in our hotel, The Marcus Whitman. Eh. It was okay. The fresh OJ was delish, but the coffee was dreadful. We promptly headed to Starbucks before heading out for a morning of wine tasting.

On the advice of our Saffron waiter, we headed south to Pepper Bridge Winery. Their vineyards are 100% Estate sustainably farmed. It’s sort of tucked away but once you take the winding road to the tasting room, you are rewarded with an amazing view: hills of vines with snow-capped mountains in the distance. Not a sight we’re used to from our Napa days! Wine tasting on a Monday rocks – no crowds or traffic.

We were cheerfully met by Richard, an English expat who spent time all over before landing in Walla Walla. We never did get the scoop on how he ended up here. Unlike L’Ecole, he eagerly chatted and told us all about the wines. We had a wonderful 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, which was 80% Cab Sav, 10% Merlot, 5% Cab Franc, 4% Malbec, and 1% Petit Verdot. He told us the “odd” years (2005, 2007) had a hotter season so the wines tended to be bolder and lusher, versus the even years having a bit more balance and smoothness. This was a classic Cab: the tasting notes described it as “fully developed, dense flavors of dark fruit. Ripe blackberry, black cherry and black beauty plums layered with cassis.” “Polished tannins and a subtle, lingering finish.” All I know is it was delish.

We also sampled (and bought) a great 2008 Merlot. Merlot’s are hit or miss with me, but I always like to try them. I find I like the Washington ones better than many of the Californias I’ve had in the past. This one was 85% Merlot, 10% Cab Franc and 5% Malbec.

Richard recommended a few other spots so, after dancing between the Oregon and Washington border taking in the scenery, we headed over to Va Piano, a lovely Tuscan-inspired winery. Entering the gorgeous Italian villa, we were greeted by Derri, to whom Richard asked us to say hello. We also popped over to Amavi Cellars where we sampled a gorgeous Cabernet Franc Rose (no, really! It was a nice peach color) and made a last-minute decision to try Basel Cellars. There, we learned about the “lost grape” Carmenere, which disappeared from Bordeaux in the 19th’ century only to re-emerge in Chile 100 years later.

Heading back to town for lunch, I was itching for a meal of antipasto and cheese along with a fresh glass of red wine, so we hit Olive Marketplace and Cafe again. I ordered exactly that, accompanied by a bright Sangiovese. Perfection.

Naps followed (and a cheating work check-in on my part) and we decided a casual dinner was in order. We headed to Backstage Bistro. They boasted steak, seafood, pasta, barbeque, and a large selection of premium wines. I ordered Spaghetti Bolognese, which I should know by now to never do unless I’m in an Italian restaurant: it was fair. The sauce was a bit too sweet, like something out of a jar. Paul ordered the ribs and said they were a bit average as well. Our opening salads were good, as was our wine, but this meal had a disadvantage from the get-go after following Saffron the night before.

Not wanting to wrap up the evening, we headed to Red Monkey for some last drinks. A review somewhere online excitedly claimed this was an “upscale dancing lounge.” Um, where the hell was that reviewer from? While a fun bar, it has a bit of a college feel to it. Margaritas, shooters, various posters and kitchy crap all over the walls everywhere you look. Paul gleefully noted the mix of patrons when we arrived: three blue-collar guys talking about exes at the bar and were on a first name basis with the staff; us (the yuppie urban tourist couple); and two old ladies catching up over drinks. Surprisingly, this odd all-inclusive vibe totally worked and it was a very comfortable place. The bartenders were super friendly: one of them was in training on the night we arrived so it was fun to watch and learn how to make the drinks. And I had a yummy chocolate martini.

Word to the wise, though: vodka tonic + red wine + Bailey’s on ice + whiskey + tequila shot = a bad night. Just sayin’.

We headed out of town the next day. Of course, the sun was finally shining brilliantly, but we didn’t mind too much. We were treated to an amazing drive back through the Cascades towards home. Overall, a lovely little getaway!

Wild about Walla Walla: Day One

2011-05-18T16:47:00.000-07:00

“I’m taking a week off and we’re going somewhere cool.”

My husband’s proclamation last month sparked weeks of research on where we could escape for a few days that would be fairly easy to travel to and might give us some warmer weather. Seattle’s had a brutal spring and we are so over it.

The weather ultimately nixed the Washington Coast and the San Juan Islands, so we decided to do some wine tasting in Walla Walla: an activity one can do rain or shine.

We’ve been wanting to “do” Walla Walla ever since moving to Seattle and hearing about the amazing wine country down there. Tucked into the southeast corner of Washington, we’re in spitting distance of the Oregon border. Most of the grapes used in Washington’s burgeoning wine industry are grown in the AVA’s around there. Keeping it loose, we planned absolutely nothing and said we'd figure it out when we got there. We always like taking crazy adventures!

But we did book lodging in advance. Our hotel choice was the posh and old-school luxury at downtown’s Marcus Whitman Hotel. Full of floral coaches, dark woods and ornate accessories, it’s conveniently located within walking distance to downtown’s restaurants, tasting rooms and art galleries. After a glitch at check-in, we got to enjoy our Spa room, complete with huge whirlpool tub right next to the bed. The check-in snafu aside, the staff is friendly and eager to help.

Our first afternoon, heading into town, we stopped at L’Ecole, a winery who you may know from their cute crayon-drawing of a school on their wine labels. We normally love their reds, so we pulled up to the sweeping brick schoolhouse and sidled up to the crowded bar. I have to say the wine tasting experience was crowded, impersonal and formulaic. They only had 2 guys busting their butts to serve people when they should have had 3. The pourers tried to be hospitable but they would literally just pour you a glass (when they got back around to you) and would recite a rehearsed litany of the wine’s grapes – info we could read for ourselves in the tasting notes. No fun stories, or perspective or chit chat. They had to be all business to handle the crowd. One of them didn’t even make eye contact as he recited the list for maybe the hundredth time that day. We left a bit disappointed.

But we were soon soothed by a latte and creamy delicious strawberry cheesecake at Olive Marketplace and Cafe. Olive is a combination rustic coffee shop, bakery and wine-tasting deli. Coffee and sweets intermix with delightful cheeses, olives, cheese plates and antipasto. You can even enjoy a glass of wine in this two-story loft café. More to come on Olive….

That night, we enjoyed a magical dinner in downtown Walla Walla at Saffron Mediterranean Kitchen. Full of Mediterranean flavors, the food was tasty, interesting and balanced. The staff was so helpful, even though the joint was jumping. We enjoyed a prosciutto salad with arugula, watercress, fresh peas, pickled radish, spring onion, aged local sheep chees and chardonnay vinaigrette ($12) and patatas bravas: fingerling potatoes, garlic aioli, spicy tomato sauce and chili peppers ($8) for our appetizers, along with a recommended wine: Benchgrass Winery’s 2008 Triolet, a red blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Smooth and jammy with a nice mineral finish, it paired perfectly with our amazing meals: Mangalitsa Pork, a rare pork from a pig that lives longer than most, roasted and served with local asparagus, crispy garlic, Italian parsley lovage and tonnato freddo (a type of chees with a ricotta-like consistency: $27)) and Spiced Leg of Lamb “Shawarma”: all natural leg of lamb, fresh herbs, sweet onions, cucumber, sumac served open-faced over grilled flatbread and laced with smoked yogurt. My pork was tender, buttery and herbalicious. Paul’s lamb was flavorful, with the spices and flavors blending effortlessly. He’s always been a sucker for Greek and Turkish flavors.

I love asking locals for their fave spots, so our waiter suggested we go south for wine tasting, to a group of places near the Oregon border (only 10 minutes from downtown!). We geared up for a great Day Two as we went to bed, stuffed from our fabulous dinner. ...

Golden Globes Loses It's Shine

2011-01-18T11:03:00.000-08:00

At least for me, it has.

Sunday's Golden Globe awards show was the typical spectacle of glamour, ego and frivolity I come to expect from any beloved award show. I have a relationship with these shows that mimics a bad boy love affair: I know it's bad for me, but I make excuses saying that he's really an artist at heart- and no matter how pompous he acts, I just can't stay away.

Let's start with host Ricky Gervais. Who I adore. Really. But he's getting slammed for his skewering of Hollywood and perhaps going a bit too far. Watching him the other night, my stomach was in delicious knots, just dreading his next comment but sort of wanting to see the train wreck at the same time. Does he call it like it is? Absolutely. Yes, the SATC women are middle-aged; yes, Mel Gibson went on a drunk anti-semitic tirade; Robert Downey Jr. abused drugs. But here's my issue: that type of unexpected snarkiness is funny only when it's precisely that: unexpected. When you purposely hire a host and promote the show as "Tune in: we don't know what will happen!" then you are calculatingly trying to be snarky and funny. Which is fake. It doesn't work. His past performances were so great in that they really were unexpected surprises. When you try to bottle spontaneity and shock, well, you get left with angry people and a so-so performance. What the heck did the HFPA expect?

Second, the awards. Sounds like I must see The Social Network, which will absolutely not be a hard sell for me since I (heart) Aaron Sorkin. I already watch Glee but even though this past season was not as good at the first and I feel they have gone off the rails a bit, I still enjoy it. I also must see The King's Speech and Black Swan. So excited that two of my favorite actors, Colin Firth and Natalie Portman, were honored as well. I'm a little over everyone fawning over Chris Colfer on Glee just because he plays "the gay kid" (his performance on the episode where he came out to his dad was amazing, but I'm tired of the Kurt lovefest every week). However, it is always nice to see a relative unknown realize a dream like winning such an award so good for him. Hurrah for Jane Lynch on Glee wining Best Supporting Actress - she makes that show and her character is so deliciously complex. Jim Parsons from Big Bang Theory is a genius. Love that he won. Have never seen The Big C but love Laura Linney, so hurrah for her. And never had any desire to watch Sons of Anarchy, but apparently Katey Segal won for that. Finally, I about bawled at the end of Toy Story 3 (from the kid who used to name all of her stuffed animals and even taped countless"interviews" with them for an exclusive variety show audience consisting of my family) so I was thrilled it won best animated film.

Third, the speeches. I love finding the eloquent gem in the sea of crap where winners feign humility and shock and then merely spout a list of names of people I don't know. But I came up empty this year. Even Robert DeNiro's funny lines for his Cecil B. Demille award were written for him, it seemed, and so obviously read off of the teleprompter. And Natalie Portman, one of my fave actresses because she's also so brilliantly intelligent, let me down with her rambling speech. The only standout parts for me was 1) when Ricky jokingly blasted Steve Carell for leaving The Office and "sacrificing their cash cow" - and Carell comes out on stage, pushing Ricky out of the way in mock disdain; and 2) when Michael Douglas, recently fighting a battle with throat cancer, came out on stage to an endless round of applause and quipped, "Thanks, but there's got to be an easier way to get a standing ovation!" That was classy. Overall, though this year's lines were kind of "meh."

Fourth, the fashion. OK, this is really the realm of my expert friend Melanie (who has yet to cover it on her blog yet). Some stunners included Natalie Portman (I don't agree with the critics - I thought she looked great in that pale pink number with the rose - very elegant), JLo (again, disagree with the critics), Claire Danes, Scarlett (hair-do aside), Anne, and - I'm sorry, but it's really hard for Angelina Jolie to look bad in anything.

But what was the bondage number that January Jones had going on? That much beauty should not be packaged in something so dreadful. Heidi Klum: What's with the circus tents draped all over you? You are so better than that, my dear. And the amazing Helena Bonham Carter continues to not give a shite about what people think, which I kind of dig about her. But Harry Potter's wardrobe department called and they want the Beatrix LeStrange costume back. Why, oh why, does she insist on that Bride of Frankenstein hair at every event she attends? She is so beautiful. Maybe she's trying to make a point. I didn't understand Julianne Moore's arm sling, and Olivia Wilde's gown was a bit too Disney for me.

So another year, another Golden Globes show. It'll be a challenge for the producers to figure out how to give the show more punch and increase viewership, as rating were a bit flat this year. Glad that's not my job....I can just sit here and snarkily critique it!

Restaurant mayhem!

2011-01-13T11:51:00.000-08:00

Been exploring some great Seattle spots the last two months and wanted to share our culinary finds!

Book Bindery: This place, tucked into Queen Anne, right near the Fremont Bridge, was supposed to open a while ago and finally made its debut. It's the brainchild of vinter Mike Almquist, who I profiled in an Examiner.com article a while back. The winery, which delightfully is also a "make your own" winery and distillery, is attached to this swanky little update on an actual old book bindery. The decor is sort of "chic 50's library/supper club" with wainscotted white wood walls, frosted glass doors and a long bar. It's small and you are best served getting reservations - even the bar fills up quickly with drinkers and diners.

The menu gloriously presents starters and main that are imaginative, yet feel artisinal, local and somehow a nice balance of casual and gourmet: sweetbreads, local greens, handmade cavatellli,pan-seared stiped bass....you get the idea. Here are some samples off the current manu, as they change is up a bit seasonally:

Duo of Pork: Roasted chop, cripsy belly, lacinato kale, white bean puree, maple-bourbon jus
Foie Gras terrine with poached quince, candied almonds and black cardamom financier
Hamachi crudo with avocado and watermelon radish

Prices range from $10-15 for starters and $24-36 for mains. Everything is a bit sharable as well.

If you go, duck into the wine tasting room next door, and sip Almquist's impressive collection of almost every Red imagineable. As mentioned, you can pay to barrel and bottle your own wine and spirits and I understand from the owner that many folks go in as a group or office activity. They will guide you on which grapes to use, aromas or bodies to seek and even which type of barrel to use to achieve the tastes you want. The reds are some of the most mature and balanced Washington wines we've had so far. We snagged some granache, mourvedre and even some lovely Cab Sav to bring home.

Smash Wine Bar and Bistro: There was some debate about this place, as the ambience is "eh" but the service and wine selections are interesting. They could use some brand help on their decor and music selections, but we gave it a solid 6-7 for taste, selection and experience. You can order flights, which we did - and discovered some lovely reds and even a nice Viognier. small plates ranged from duck and shitake spring rolls with soy sesame and sweet chili for $9, to Yukon Gold "pot tots" with creme fraiche, bacon and chives for $7to decontructed "build your own" crostini for $9. Larger plates, equally well shared, consisted of lamb chops, butternut quash ravioli and wild prawns, ranging from $15 - 25. They offer fabulous themed cheese flights and some lovely sweet treats (a sundae with sea salted caramel? mmmmm). Our expectations were low due to other feedback, but overall it was fairly solid and I have to say, they try very hard to offer a ggood food and wine experience.

Revel: New to Fremont, this is a gem that we lucked into getting dinner reservations with friends on New Years Eve. It's so new, their website is not even fully up yet. Taking over a bland catering space and transforming it into what I can only describe as "urban zen" this is the latest from the couple who runs Joule. Their site says it all: "Urban. Comfort. Asian. Street food. Pancake. Dumpling, Rice. Noodle." Rice bowls, spring rolls, inventive salads and amazing dipping sauces and acoutrements make this a delight to discover and sample. The food was delicious: simple, yet so unique in it's construction. We pretty much tried almost everything on the menu between the seven of us - and they even accomodated our vegan friends with some adjustments, which was awesome service. We had a lovely rioja with our meal that was to die for, as well as a nice barolo. Can't wait to go back here again.

Herbfarm: A ridiculously unique gourmet dining experience

2010-12-14T16:44:00.001-08:00

Thanks to Groupon, I finally got off my rear and booked a dinner seating at Herbfarm in Woodinville, Washington. This place is a little bit indescribable so bear with me.

Think cozy/quaint B&B rustic hunting lodge meets organic sustainable high-end dining meets Michelin-starred culinary expertise. Yeah, I know.

Tucked into a little oasis in Woodinville, The Herbfarm started out literally as a farming couple's random sales of excess herbs they had on the farm. Fast-forward to the couple's son and daughter as proprietors of this fine-dining experience. They have one seating a day, that starts with a garden tour - or in our case, a primer on the herbs we'd be enjoying with our dinner that night. It was way too cold and icky to be tromping around the gardens.

Dinner is about 9 courses, each paired with wine. When you see your table setting, it's like the china department at Macy's - there are literally 9 differently-shaped glasses lined up next to your plate. Shapes I've never even seen before.

The host welcomes you and a big introduction takes place when you sit down. Every single chef, kitchen staffmember and server is introduced, along with their fine pedigrees. We're talking 5 star hotels, top-tier international cooking schools- even "Iron Chef" participants. Each resume becomes more and more impressive than the next. Then the courses are explained in delightful detail, as are the paired wines and why they were chosen.

All the food is either grown at the farm, or obtained withing 100 miles. Even the condiments, like salt. The menu switches out every few weeks.

We experienced "The Hunter's Table." Think game, fowl.Veinson, goose, foie gras, wild mushrooms. I don't even know how they come up with some of the combinations of ingedients that they do, but it's magical. I don't even love duck or venison all that much, and even I found items to savor.

Here's a sample:

Parfait of Matsusake Mushroom & Grilled Duck Breast with Apple Horseradish Froth
Terrine of Bernie Nash's Ephrata Rabbit with Tarragon
Juniper Black Pepper Crusted Venison Loin over Creamed Brussel Sprouts
Seared Foie Gras on Sugar Pumpkin Pie with Pickled Pumpkin, Squash Ribbons and a Foie Gras-Ice Wine Drizzle
Rosemary and Caramel Mousse with Crispy Streusel, Roasted Pear, Warm Carmelized Pear Puree & Bacon-Caramel Sauce

Bacon? With caramel????!!! Oh. my. good. Lord. Genius. Ridiculous, right? In a good way.

We did a communal table which turned out to be really fun - even though we had asked for a private table when we arrived. They said they'd see what they could do after everyone was seated, but then made a very tacky announcement in front of all of the people we just met at our group table, saying they had a private table available if we wanted one. They kind of left us no classy way to take them up on it; It would have been rude to do so at that time so we declined, but again, we had a marvelous time with the folks we were with. We really think this would make a great group dining adventure event for a pack of friends.

The service was a little odd - maybe because you're there for 4 hours. Sort of creepy, "fake nice" in a way, sprinkled with a bit of attitude masked as a passive-aggressive tolerance of idiots. I can't really put my finger on it, but it just felt, well, strained.

It's been about a week and I'm still not sure how I feel about the place. I enjoyed the imaginiative food and phenomenal wines. I loved going out to feed the two Vietnameses potbellied pigs - a treat for diners - who are the Farm's own compost system. And I would love to stay the night at the adorably romantic Willows Lodge right across the driveway from the restaurant. There's even a high-end but much more casual restaurant right next door in the same circular driveway, The Barking Frog, that looks amazing.

It was by far the most unique dining experience I've ever had and I'm glad we went. It costs a forune, though, so save up and maybe do it with a group if you can.

My First Ever Book Signing

2010-09-28T11:21:00.001-07:00

OK, not really my first. I threw a launch party for my new Branding Basics book and have done signings at workshops and such at which I have spoken. But this was my first official book store signing, at the Borders in Downtown Seattle.

Paul suggested I share this experience. As he stated, "Not everyone has gotten to experience a book store signing, so share it!"

It was, in a word, educational.

I solicitied my local bookshops to carry my book with the offer to come in and do a signing. I figured that, like local food, local authors might be pretty trendy right now. I ran into some glitches with the stores being able to carry the book, but Borders downtown was totally down with it and agreed.

Not knowing what the heck to expect, I coerced my intern into attending with me and keeping me company. It was between 11 am and 1 pm on a weekday and we were hoping to get foor traffic from the businesspeople sweeping in on their lunch hour. My mother in law joked, "Will it be like Tony Blair and tons of people there, perhaps throwing things at you?" Um, no. But the "tons of people" part may have been fun.

So we sat at the table with the little sign that said, "Meet Author Maria Ross!" The books took over 40 minutes to get out to us from the back room - something about a pricing sticker that needed to be placed, which ultimately never made it on to the books. So we chatted and twiddled our thumbs.

Then the crazies started coming out. I love doing things downtown during the week.

One guy chatted us up about his Green Libertarian party. He was interested in brand in context of his cause, and I initially engaged with him because I thought he was lookng to create a brand for his movement. He tried to explain how the two ideologies can co-exist but all I remember is something about "not throwing people in jail for marijuana use because it's a waste of resources" or something like that.

Then another guy showed up with his backpack. He hovered for a while then started asking what the book was about. He told me he was a writer, too and chit chatted aimlessly for a bit more. Then he came back later and started critiquing my cover design, my title ("Should have called it Branding Basics for ALL Business and deleted the S-M. Would make it more appealing to a larger market." Wow.) He kept on rambling, and I told him he could make those decisions for his own book when he writes one. To which he got very defensive and said, "How did you know I was writing a book?" I said, "Because you told me you were a writer." Then he smiled and pulled out a poem he'd written on notebook paper, lovingly placed in a protective plastic cover. I didn't read it because I didn't want to encourage him any further, but I did not it each line alternated in blue and red ink and it was something about his passion for being a romantic with women.

As I furtively glanced around for security - which was doubtful since they were so understaffed that day, the Events Manager was making lattes in the cafe - he asked us to watch his backpack so he could get his coat. As he bounded upstairs leaving a dubious looking ratty bag next to our table, I started sweating. He had a coat on already, so was he just leaving us a bomb?! With relief, I saw his toting a trench coat (of course) as he approached to once again retrieve his bag and, mercifully, left.

Other than a very nice father and son visiting from out of town (dad ran a marketing agency and son was a copywriter) who actually bought a copy of the book, we didn't make any other sales that day. I signed 5 more copies that they adorned with an "Signed by Author!" sticker and we said our goodbyes. The manager said we could come back again any time to schedule another signing but I don't think so.

I have another signing set for when I go home to Ohio at Thanksgiving. We'll see. Right now, I'm thinking that unless I have handlers, a promotional blitz for the event and an agent, maybe I'm not really big time enough to draw a bookstore crowd...yet. But it was a fun experience to have and I know, like Paul says, not everyone gets to say they had a book signing!

My faith in Hollywood is restored...for now

2010-08-23T08:24:00.000-07:00

After reading so much ridiculous spin from big studios lately, about how they will only place bets on familiar franchises and less on original works, I was feeling a bit hopeless. Were we really destined for a future of Transformers 23 starring Shia LeBouf's great grandson and Spider Man 64 starring whichever actor is less high-maintenance than Toby Maguire? The fact that one of the studios even said that a lackluster movie franchise is cheaper to keep going than bombing with an original work with which no one is familiar is just sad. Are we really that stupid and boring?

So it was actually quite funny to read all the hype about Inception, the sci-fi thriller starring Leonardo DiCaprio and - in a "WTF?! But it works!" pairing move, Ellen Page of Juno famo (loved her in that). The WSJ had a full spread about how this movie was being closely watched to see how a completely original idea would do at the box office. Again, sad state of affairs when that makes news.

It wasn't until we heard a glowing review on my husband's favorite BBC podcast from film critic Mark Kermode that we decided to venture out. Now that we have Netflix on Demand, this was a big deal indeed.

And we were so glad we did.

This was everything a movie should be. The suspense and tension carried through the entire film, like the best of the Bond movies. Leo was excellent, leading a crew (like Ocean's 11 without the snarkybanter) of misfits who are hired to steal information from people's dreams. Think corporate espionage or the locations of hidden plans - that sort of thing. Then they are hired by an Asian oil magnate to actually plant an idea (inception) into a young scion's head about breaking up his father's global empire - their biggest competition. This is trickier and more risky than just stealing information that is already there, as it required going several layers deep into the subconscious (a dream within a dream within a dream). Things get further complicated by Leo's character's own subconscious demons, that often manifest on these "missions" and put everyone in jeopardy.

I won't give the rest away, but while it might sound really complicated, it's surprisingly easy to follow. I usually get lost with plots like this, having to ask my husband what the hell is going on. But they did a beautiful storytelling job of assuming the audience would buy into some of the more sci-fi elements without overexplaining them. This simplification and faith in our abiltiy to "buy into it" kept the plot nimble and clear. They could have gotten bogged down in explaining how it all works, but thankfully, they didn't insult our intelligence and thus avoided confusing us in the process.

The acting was fantastic. The alternate reality was completely believable and everything tied together nice and neatly to explain everything. For example, the simple explanation for how they get our of the dream is to receive a "kick" that revives them and brings them back into reality - whether their sleeping body is knocked over in a chair or dunked into a bathtub full of water. This device was cleverly used and explained as they had to descend into multiple levels of subconscious and provided the most intense suspense in the film. All without dumbing it down nor overexplaining the concept. You just had to accept this as it was and it worked.

I'm pleased as punch that Hollywood's test for orignality paid off so handsomely at the box office. Maybe this means insightful and smart storytelling and filmmaking is not dead after all. Hurrah!

Stumbling Goat: Rockin' the Local Vibe

2010-08-18T14:02:00.000-07:00

Had an amazing dinner at a Phinney Ridge gem the other night with friends - Stumbling Goat Bistro. Always on the lookout for new finds, we jumped at our friends' suggestion of hitting this place, after a delightful wine tasting downtown. Our friends have embarked on a month-long Eat Local experiment so we let them choose the dinner locale. What a treat...

My husband and I have gotten more savvy - as have many Americans - about where our food comes from. We are blessed on the West Coast, and in the Pacific NW in particular, to have such an abundance of local and fresh treasures. We try to eat organic when we can and, while we're not quite ready to go vegan like some of our friends (we love a juicy well-grilled steak way too much), we have become more aware and concerned with both how the animals are treated, the living conditions in which they are exposed and just what is injected into their bodies. I saw a documentary that talked about how the chicken you buy today might look like Grandma's chicken but it really is anything but, what with all the growth hormones and mass-processing chemicals. Yucko. While you expect some food to be bad for you when you eat it (Big Macs, Cheetos) I never realized what crap lies in my freshly grilled rosemary chicken, just by virtue of its provenance.

So with that in mind, we tucked into the Stumbling Goat. It's a dark (in a cozy way), funky little bistro with cool art adorning the walls and a friendly staff. So many things jumped out at me, I had a hard time deciding between one succulent menu selection to the next. The menu lists every supplier and farm from which they source their food and includes the website. Nice touch. This is also listed on their Purveyors page off their own website.

A bunch of us started with the butter lettuce salad with shaved radish and onion, toasted hazlenuts and sherry vinaigrette. What a perfect balance of nutty goodness with a mellow yet herbalicious dressing. It tasted "just picked." Others chose the heirloom tomato salad with fromage blanc and fresh basil. This was a refreshing summertime treat.

My husband had the appetizer duck liver terrine with cherry wine gelee as his main course, and the rest of us ran the gamut from morel and asparagus risotto (a creamy slice of heaven) to grilled hangar steak to duck breat to heirloom bean cassoulet. Every bite tasted more divine that the next and a few of us traded nibbles to get a full sampling of all the bistro had to offer.

For dessert, we shared cherry chocolate creme pies (which was like an ice cream sandwich) and a homemade ice cream. I enjoyed the creme pies, but they were way too frozen for my taste - they could have done with some thawing out first. Throw in some fun cocktails - I tried a frefreshing pomegranate basil which was vodka, bruised basil, lemon and pomegranate juice - and two bottles of champagne, and the bill still came out to only about $120 per couple. Pretty sweet indeed for such good quality and so many courses.

I can see how, if you have the money and the access, eating local for a month may not be such a bad thing!

Happy "Lifeday"?

2010-08-04T17:38:00.000-07:00

Today marks my two year anniversary of surviving my brain aneurysm. Pretty damn cool. Yes, to answer your question, I probably will remember this day for the rest of my life. Well, the date anyway - I don't recall the day at all, nor most of the ensuing month in ICU.

Tonight, I'll be going to dinner with my hubby to celebrate life, luck, blessings and joy. I was touched that when, while running errands this weekend and enjoying our Seattle summer, I said, "You know, it's been 2 years on Wednesday. I think we should go out to dinner to celebrate," he didn't even hesitate but felt exactly the same way. "Yes," he said, "Let's definitely do that."

What makes this doubly awesome is that I had a follow-up appointment with my retinal surgeon on Tuesday morning. Dr. Kinyoun diagnosed me with Terson Syndrome when I couldn't see for 6 weeks in the hospital, performed the surgery required to "clear out" my left eye and restore at least half my sight, discovered my subsequent torn retina and managed us through the emergency retinal reattachment surgery while we were home in Columbus for Thanksgiving that year - and all the followup visits thereafter. I was seeing him every 6 weeks for almost the first year, and had not seen him in a year when I went in this week. We were genuinely happy to see each other: my hair has grown longer and I'm back to my normal weight and pallor. He gave me the "all clear" on any issues left over from the Tersons - my right eye had completely re-absorbed all the blood that was in the vitreous, levaing no more "rose petals" in my vision. My only issue now is a cataract in my left eye caused by all the surgical traumas, which is being monitored and seems to be holding steady.

Arriving to my appointment early, I went to fetch a much-needed morning coffee - in the building right across from the ER. Now, mind you, I don't remember the ER at all, but every time I walk by it, I shudder. I think about Paul arriving after the ambulance pulled in, the commotion that must have ensued when they rushed me into a scan room and then surgery, the smell of disinfectant and fear, the horror he must have felt at hearing a doctor say, "We've saved her life but we have no idea what she'll be like when she comes out of this." I can't even imagine him going through that alone. I'm his wife: I should be there for him during those times, but I obviously couldn't be. It tears my heart into a thousand pieces. While I am spared that painful trauma, he feels it any time we're near a hospital.

I watched the ER doors. Blessedly, there was not much going on that day. I thought of all the lives that are forever changed by that entrance. I could almost envision the ambulances racing in, the families aimlessly wandering around in shock, the countless people who lose their loved ones through that doorway each and every day. So much pain, so much loss.

But I made it. We made it. I regained my vision, restored my strength, got back to my business - and even wrote a book this year, published in June. Did I come back wiser, more thankful, more "aware"? I'd like to think so. Even when stress takes over and I'm overwhelmed (with my brain injury, this happens a lot more often than it used to - I can't process as much stimuli as I did before), I take at least a second to say, "You're still here. Nothing else matters as much." And I breathe again.

So I went to my appointment and then drove home. I snuggled with my dog, smiled at the sun and thanked God for not being ready for me yet. And then I went back to work.

Friday musings: Last one at the party

2010-04-09T14:53:00.000-07:00

Whoa, it's been a while. With all the writing I do for my business, my own website, my corporate blog, my book edits, the guest blogs I've been posting - not to mention social media - I've been a bit lax about the original Red Slice blog. Kind of like the oldest child you forget about because you're chasing after the little ones. So sorry, bambino.

It's been a good week. I've settled on hiring my promotional consultant and my internet marketing agency for my Branding Basics for Small Business book launch, set for June 2010. I'd put a link to more info about it, but haven't even had time to create the new page off of my website yet. Ugh. Soon, chickens, soon.

But it's Friday. And my husband gets back from a week in South America tomorrow. And I'm off tonight to hear a author Eric Liu talk about applying creativity to your business. I've been in a fairly contemplative mood all week, depsite all the nuttiness.

I was thinking this week about my parents. They are in their early 80's and probably go out more than I do. Just a few weekends ago, my folks went to a bowling tournament in Toledo. My dad has had 2 hips replaced and he's bowling. Now that's committment. But there is a bittersweet side to their life and longevity: they slowly have to say goodbye to their good friends. It seems not a phone call with my mom goes by without her telling me so-and-so just passed away. In some cases, it's shocking and unexpected; other times, it's the result of a long, slow, painful health issue and the passing comes as a sweet blessing. The other day, my mom told me one of her best friends is being operated on for a brain tumor and she said, "I'm praying for her. I don't know what I'd do without my sounding board."

I thought about this in the context of my own wonderful friendships. All the folks who make me laugh, prop me up when I'm down, or just generally hang out with me. The ones who know me better than I know myself at times. The ones who saw the train wrecks of my life coming a mile away and still loved and supported me. The ones I share secrets with, the ones I have kept in touch with despite distance and time. All of them flashed through my mind this week and I thought how terribly, terribly sad it would be to watch them leave me. While I selfishly am so thankful my parents are here, and vibrant and mentally present (and that they live by themselves), my heart aches for them having to slowly say goodbye to those they laughed with, cried with, and shared secrets of their own with.

It reminded me of a party winding down. And I guess that's kind of how life is. It builds and builds as you get to know yourself and your place in the world, and the room fills with people. Some stay while others go and new ones take their place. But in the end, sadly, the party has to end. And if you stay long enough as more people start to clear out, then you are the one who sees the confetti mess on the floor, the empty wine bottles, and the dirty glasses in the sink. Is it better to be one of the first to leave the party at full-swing so you are not surrounded by the emptiness left behind at the end? I'm not sure.

But it is nice to think of it as a party, no matter what happens. Helps you remember to enjoy the fun while it lasts and cherish those who are there with you.

Cozy Italian in Ballard

2009-11-05T10:19:00.000-08:00

I am loving Historic Ballard Avenue. I mean, loving it. Tucked between the more 70's vibe of Market's main drag and the industrial railroad tracks/canal warehouses is a series of tree-lined streets with brownstones, historic buildings, a small park, bistros, upscale boutiques, and unique furniture and gift stores. It kind of reminds me of some neighborhoods in my beloved Chicago. Especially on crisp fall days, with the leaves ablaze in color and the wind nipping at your scarf-covered chin.

Our most recent gem here is Volterra, at Ballard and 22nd. On cuteness and coziness alone, this place stands out: a small outdoor seating area separated from the passerby by a wrought iron fence, glowing lamps on the outside of the door...and then stepping inside, you're met with dimly lit shades of deep red and chocoloate brown. Chandeliers, sconces and light fixtures adorn the walls and were apparently designed by the owner, Michelle (who owns it with her husband Don, after being inspired by the town of Volterra in Tuscany - the site of their wedding) It's one of those places that is warm, inviting and cozy, yet you don't feel like you are on top of your neighbors. Quite a skill to pull off.

The food is an amazing blend of Northwest cuisine and fresh northern Italian favorites. I had the roasted beet and arugula salad, with toasted walnuts and asiago cheese bathed in a light vinaigrette. It was refreshingly sweet, tangy and crunchy. The mussels with italian sausage in a light spicy tomato sauce was amazing as well. The mussels were the perfect size: not too big and not too small.

Our little group (we were taking an out of town business colleague out to dinner) enjoyed some delicious entrees. I had the Dungeness crab ravioli in a tomato cream sauce. Sinful. These fluffy pasta pillows were not just stuffed with a microscopic piece of faux crabmeat, oh no. They were packed full, almost to bursting, with some of the freshest crab around. I could have had 10 more if they had been on the plate (although the portion size was already generous). My husband had the beef tenderloin medallions, topped with chianti and served with mashed potatoes and fresh veggies. He said it was wonderful, although he makes some of the best steak I've ever had at home, so it's often hard to top his creations. And our guest tucked into the wild boar tenderloin with gorgonzola sauce. Sampling wild boar for the first time, I found it was a delightful cross between a really tender pork and perfectly prepared veal. It sort of melted in your mouth.

Dessert was delish as well. My husband and I shared a chocolate/orange cake (not on the online menu) and our guest had a fruit tart special (also not on the online menu) with apples and cranberries, if memory serves me right. Which it may not, due to the amazing wine choice our steward recommended: Pelissero Barbaresco Nubiola 2004. I have to say it was awesome that he came up to our table the minute we sat down and was able to fulfill our request for a "complex red" in our price range. It was wonderful. He even advised what we might order to pair well with it, which is why I opted for the tomato cream sauce and my husband ordered the beef. He thought the wine might be too elegant for the wild boar, but our guest so wanted to try that, that he didn't really care. And honestly, it was still good.

Service was excellent, as noted by the wine steward's helpfulness and careful attention, plus our waiter making some great recommendations. This is a great romantic spot as well as nice business dinner location - which seems odd that it can be both. Warm and inviting, we will be back for sure!

Photo credit: Bob Peterson

Recovering from Brain Injury: Telling my Story

2009-11-03T12:43:00.000-08:00

We all have a story to tell. In my work, I advise businesses on how to tell their stories "to engage, inform and delight." But this mission is also a personal one. I've always been a storyteller, whether it be marketing, writing or acting. I love watching the "a ha" moment happen for people who have just learned something new, or are moved, inspired or delighted.

I've been pitching my story about recovering from brain aneuyrysm/hemorrhage to various media outlets and group to help educate about brain injury and inspire those facing challenges. KUOW here in Seattle loved this bizarre and transformational story and just interviewed me for KUOW Presents, which will air on Saturday November 7, between 12 and 2 pm Pacific time. We talked a lot about what I'd learned, how my goals and such had changed, and even about some of the more humorous and crazy things that my initial brain injury caused me to say and think while in ICU!

As with marketing, you need to ensure you have value to offer your audience when doing something like this. And I really wanted to let people know about the effects of brain injury, that the struggle is ongoing even if you "look" fine and that you have to redefine and accept yourself as a result. So many people know litte about this experience, and especially with the uptick in traumatic brain injuries from those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, you can be sure you or someone you know, work with or hang out with may be touched by it.

Given some folks I met whose families and friends did not understand what was happening to them - often causing disastrous results - I felt I should use my miraculously recovery to help be their voice.

Many of the experiences I documented (when I was able to finally get vision back and type) are here.

Wassup B?

2009-10-26T10:39:00.001-07:00

I have a great T-Shirt that depicts a smiling sushi roll (I'm guessing a Caliornia roll) with a flower in her "hair" greeting a curmudgeonly blob of green wasabi paste. She greets him with "Wassup B?!" I must confess it took me a few times before I understood the joke. Yes, I was an honors student....

But "wassup" is the fab meal we had Saturday night at Wasabi Bistro in Belltown. This hip, bustling joint was just the urban melting pot I've been craving lately. I just wish I had dressed a little more chic. Yes, I know in Seattle anything goes but that doesn't mean it should. The restaurant touts itself as Japanese Fusion so all of you sick of tragically hip bastardizing of simple foods may want to stop reading now. However, you'll be missing out.

First off, they have some of the most creative Sake cocktails I've ever had. I had a Japanese Gypsy which had pear sake, blueberry vodka, lime and I think something with ginger (it is not on their online menu). It was not that sweet, but was definitely smooth.

Paul got the spicy tofu with ginger sauce, which he loved. If we could make tofu with that kind of flavor, we'd have it more often. I opted for the Beef tataki with roasted garlic ponzu and wasabi aioli. It was delish. The meat was tender and perfectly cooked. But having had beef with veggies from our local Chinese restaurant the night before, I advise not have red meat for two nights in a row.

For entrees, I ordered the Volcano roll.which contained spicy tuna & asparagus topped with ahi & avocado, spicy mayo, unagi sauce, sriracha, tobiko, sprinkled w/ toasted macadamia nuts. It's hella spicy, I'm warning you and oh so yummy. This $14 trip to Heaven was one of the best sushi rolls I've ever had. Yes, it beat the rolls at Sushi Ran in Sausalito and the Kit's roll at Marina Sushi in SF - and that is a bold statement, believe me. It was like I got to combine the Kit's roll with a spicy tuna roll all in one. The ahi was so pink, delicate and fresh and the flavors meshed wonderfully in your mouth. I usually need a good balance between the rice and the fish on my rolls (too much raw fish in one bite makes me gag) but this was just a perfect blend. Paul, who hates all seafood (it was my birthday dinner so he graciously took me for sushi. Is he wonderful or what?) ordered the Green Decadence roll - green onion, asparagus tempura, wasabi aoli, topped with avocado. He absolutely raved about it and thought the aioli mixed with the flavors were just stellar.

That seemed to be the theme for us: food with perfectly blended and balanced ingredients. Notes were not too high or too low or too sharp - just a perfect symphony of flavor. For dessert, we dove into the Banana Split Tempura, a banana fried in a sweetened tempura batter split over ice cream. In my mind, more foods should be fried in tempura - it's so light and subtlely crispy. It was great, although they could have let the ice cream thaw a bit more before serving.

Prices were pretty reasonable for the food quality and atmosphere. They were even kind enough to move us when our initial table was next to a woman with the loudest laugh and voice that could have pierced glass. Now, that's good service.

It's a perfect happy hour spot, first date night, or group night out with the girls locale. Definitely a great find and we'll be heading back. So many other delicious rolls to try, so little time.

Happy birthday! Get your note from the universe

2009-10-21T11:44:00.000-07:00

So, today is my birthday. A day that has more meaning after my health issues last year. When it comes to birthdays, I'm like a dual personality: giddy like a 5-year old about presents and being the center of attention; and sad about the reality that I'm getting older. Ah well. The alternative is much worse indeed.

I subscribe to this nifty little email service from Tut, called Notes from The Universe, where you get bite-sized nuggets of inspiration and wisdom direct from the, well, "Universe", right to your email box (beats getting Spam). Thanks to my friend Elisabeth Squires for turning me onto this. You can get it every day, but I only get it on Fridays. However, as today is my bday (and you tell them when you register), I got this little gem that, while I know is automated, for some reason, almost made me cry. This type of affirmation stuff is a little too self-indulgent for me, I know. But sometimes we all just need a flagrant ego-coaxing cheerleading now and again, don't we? And honestly, this could not have come at a better time . I urge you to sign up today!

Happy Birrrrthday to Youuuu,Happy Birrrrthday to Youuuu,Happy Birrrrthday Dear Maria, Happy Birrrrthday to Youuuu!

A few years back, not so long ago, heaven and earth erupted into a major celebration with the news of your impending adventure into this very time and space. You see, someone like Maria Ross doesn't come along all that often. In fact, there's never been a single one like you, nor is there ever ANY possibility that another will come again. You're an Angel among us. Someone, whose eyes see what no others will EVER see, whose ears hear what no others will EVER hear, and whose perspective and feelings will NEVER, ever be duplicated. Without YOU, the Universe, and ALL THAT IS, would be sadly less than it is.

Quite simply:
You're the kind of person, Maria,
Who's hard to forget,
A one-in-a-million
To the people you've met.
Your friends are as varied
As the places you go,
And they all want to tell you
In case you don't know:
That you make a big difference
In the lives that you touch,
By taking so little
And giving so much!

Maria, you are so AWESOME! For your birthday, friends and angels from every corner of the Universe, including buddies you didn't know you had, will be with you to wish you the HAPPIEST of days and an exciting new year in time and space. You won't be alone! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Maria!

Queen Anne Wine Examiner

2009-10-15T15:30:00.000-07:00

Just landed a great writing gig for Examiner.com. I'm the new Queen Anne wine examiner here in Seattle. I'm excited about this new project and seeing if it works for me. Queen Anne is pretty small, but topics will range from wine shops, to new wine finds to what's available in neighborhood eateries.

Salut!

What can you do in 365 days?

2009-08-03T17:52:00.000-07:00

"How do you measure, measure a year?"
- From the musical "Rent"

August 4, tomorrow, will be the one year anniversary of my aneurysm and brain hemmorhage. How does one celebrate (is that the right word?) the day you almost died? Granted, I haven't gotten melodramatic about the whole event for a year, while those around me want to know if I had a life-changing epiphany. I didn't, really. I was trying so hard to get back to "normal" that I couldn't stop to think about any greater cosmic significance.

But only recently - as I get back into my life again, as business picks up, as I start traveling to visit friends and take vacations again - has this quest for significance grown stronger.

Now, those of you who know me know I'm not much into the naval-gazing or psychobabble. While I enjoy self-actualization, goal setting and even my religious faith as much as the next guy, I have a bit more trouble dwelling on my situation when I saw so many people in rehab much, much worse off than I. People who couldn't fully speak, or walk, or get back to work. Those whose family or friends had abandoned them because they could not deal with the new person they had become. It was heartbreaking and humbling all at the same time.

So, after a dinner out and some glasses of wine shared with my husband...I ponder the duality of "Wow! It's been a whole year since it happened" against "Wow! It's only been a year and look at all we've been through!" Amazing how time and space can morph to be as long or as short as you want them to be.

So, my friends, here is a list of what indeed can happen to someone within 1 year, 365 days. And all I can say is, despite everything, I don't know that I would really change a single thing!

In 365 days, you can:

Go from healthy to hospitalized to healthy again
Live through a coiling procedure, an angioplasty, a shunt implementation - and 2 painful eye surgeries.
Realize how much your spouse truly loves you and how seriously he took the "For better or worse, in sickness and health" part of the vows - especially when he has to see you with a shaved head, breathing tubes and a nasty streak when you lash out
Learn to never take health for granted ever again
Take pride in your strength at having stiches put in your head without anesthesia
Appreciate a family who flies across the country to be with you - knowing many others don't have that kind of bond
Realize how amazing your mother-in-law really is when she flies from Scotland to Seattle
Witness firsthand (and be utterly overwhelmed by) the impact you've had on people you've worked with or been friends with over the years - and see just how much you really mean to them
Learn true generosity of spirit when your friends fly from all over the U.S. to be with you - including some you haven't even seen in a few years - especially when you can't remember most of them being here in the first place
Appreciate friends who love you so much, they are still there for you when you've temporarily forgotten who they are
Get used to being pretty much blind for 6 weeks and then have (mostly) full eyesight restored
Sweep away all the extraneous crap that occupies our lives most days - and realize what truly matters
Receive the help of countless strangers who saved your life literally and figuratively and realize you may never see any of them again
Learn to get your strength and stamina back after your body has been through hell
Appreciate the lessons that your wonderful adopted dog can teach you
Take time to celebrate small accomplishments, like being able to walk the dog on your own for 30 minutes with no physical therapist present
See such an outpouring of love, support and well wishes that your heart almost bursts from trying to process it all
Determine how you will make a difference in the time you have left on this Earth (actually, still working on this one!)
Learn to not sweat the small stuff
Learn more about brain injuries and recovery than you would ever possibly care to know
Recognize your fragile limitations as a human and how wonderfully complex our brains really are in determining our talents and interests
Accept patience into your life during a slow but steady recovery
Learn to let go of who you were in exchange for who you have become
Appreciate the value of slowing down and being in the moment
Realize the value of going after your dreams, but balance that with not putting too much pressure on yourself to do everything NOW
Complete an eBook and a book proposal all while recovering from brain injury
See how wonderful human beings can be to each other - especially medical caregivers
Recognize how desperately our health care system needs some kind of reform for people who are not as lucky as us
Appreciate the thrill of driving again when it's been denied to you for 9 months!
Hone in on the causes that are nearest and dearest to your heart and clear away the clutter
Learn to let go of pride
Learn to accept help with an open heart
Accept your limitations while still loving yourself
Learn to appreciate all that you have in your own life
Learn how to give it all back in the end to others who are in need
Get back up on that horse and live to fight another day, since there is so much to fight for!

My love goes to all of you out there, who sent a card, posted a note on my recovery website, made a phone call, sent an email, flew out here, contributed a gift. And here's some great links:

UW Medical Center - if you have to have brain surgery, you can't ask for more.

Info on brain injury recovery - many of the issues people have recovering from brain injury will shock you, even if the person "looks" okay, but those darn frontal lobes control a lot of behavior we think is automatic.

Lumosity - a great place to train your brain that helped me tremendously. These exercises also help keep your brain nimble against aging, even if you're healthy.

Caring Bridge - where my recovery website was posted: websites for those in medical distress

A Realistic Bucket List

2009-07-24T08:47:00.000-07:00

Seems "bucket lists" are all the rage lately. Not sure if this term was around for a while or debuted with the Jack Nicholson/Morgan Freeman film of the same title. Regardless, it kind of irks me that it is swirling around everywhere like so much the latest hot handbag or must-have designer. While I love self-help and goal-setting content as much as the next gal (yes, I read Eckhart Tolle. Back off.), I'm always leary when it takes the form of a blind fad or trend. Shouldn't those themes be much more consistent and ongoing throughout our lives?

As the one year anniversary of my brain hemmorraghe draws closer, however, I'm still trying to figure out what it all means - and if it really means anything anyway. As I distance myself from the immediate needs and recovery of the event - which were all about getting back to daily living - I am entering a second phase of more thoughtful perspectives around the whole thing. Why did I survive? Why is my recovery going so much more miraculously than someone who has 3 children relying on them? If it was not "my time" yet, than what the heck am I meant to do here? What am I not "finished" with?

Answers abound. My husband, who truly understands how lucky we are but is not a spiritual guy, will tell you "This happened because your artery was weak due to genetics and high blood pressure and it burst. You are okay now because we got you to the hospital in time and the doctors were amazingly skilled. End of story." Or maybe it's just as simple as what my friend Melanie, who I had not seen in person in 10 years and just caught up with over dinner, said the other night, "Maybe you are still here so on this night, in this city, we could catch up over dinner and you can entertain me." I like that answer.

Which brings me back to bucket lists. I feel in this "renaissance of enlightenment", we are just putting too much darn pressure on ourselves to "live our best life." I am all about going after you want, not waiting, experiencing all you can experience. But in my life, the adventures have happened pretty organically. Sure, intention and goals are great things. But when they start to consume you, to make you feel like you are less of a person if you don't accomplish them, that's where I have a problem.

My recovery has been all about being gently with myself, setting realistic goals, and not overwhelming myself with too much. I think this is a good way to live, brain injury or not. So rather than some of the more lofty bucket lists out there that seem to taunt and stress out many of us and make us feel like we are not doing, being, seeing enough, here is a simple bucket list. It is doable, achievable and can still enrich your life greatly. You're welcome.

1. Ensure you have at least one person in your life who understands you, accepts you for who you are, and who makes you laugh. Just one will do. Could be a lover, parent, sibling or friend. If you don't have someone like this, make it your mission to find him or her.
2. Spend at least one night of your life falling asleep to, and waking up to, the ocean. Wherever that might be.
3. Next time you are on a plane, bus or train with a rambunctious toddler or fussy baby, try to make them smile. Just once.
4. Call one long-distance friend a week. Not email. PHONE. If you can't call, write a hand-written note.
5. Adopt a pet once in your life and give them a happy, loving home.
6. Say thank you to every bus driver or cabbie when you get off the bus/out of the cab.
7. Once a day, ask one clerk, be it barista or cashier, "How are you doing today?"
8. Have one dinner outside on a warm summer night with friends, wine, candles and great conversation.
9. Each time you talk to a family member or a close friend, say "I love you" at the end of the conversation. You never know if it might be the last time.
10. Every year, make one trip to a place you've never been or somewhere out of your comfort zone. This could be another U.S. city, a foreign country, or it could be based on accomodations: if you are a hotel person, go camping. Try it for perspective.

When Fish Fly

2009-07-22T07:37:00.000-07:00

Got to enjoy the tasty, fresh seafood and hopping atmosphere is Flying Fish here in Seattle the other night. A dear friend who I haven't seen in 10 years was in town on business and I booked us at this spot I've been dying to try. Hubbie is not a seafood fan, so we never made it out to this Seattle hot spot in Belltown.

The place was funky, as per Belltown eatieries, but it had soul. There was a lively, but not too chaotic vibe and I could see making a weekly pilgrmage for Friday cocktails to this place if I lived closeby. Their funky and minimalist neon lettering outside is just the right touch for a place with such a warm but modern feel. Being a warm Seattle summer night, we opted to sit outside and it was well worth it.

The menu changes daily so you are always in for a treat. Mussels, Thai crab cakes and a lovely Ono were our calls for sharing. The mussels were a generous sharing portion, seasoned with Thai herbs and accompanied by a chili lime dipping sauce. My friend said the mussels were the best she's ever had - and this was after raving about the ones at Balthazar in NY.

The crab cakes came with citrus salad, shaved radish, and a lovely lemongrass mayonnaise. They were cooked to perfection - ever so crispy on the outside, and lush and smooth on the inside. The ono was a special and I can't recall exactly what it had in it, but suffice it to say it was a tasty blend of several flavors. The fish was so fresh and thick, a few bites actually filled us up.

I would highly recommend this joint if you are visiting or having friends visit. The service was amazing, the staff friendly and right on top of things. All in all, an enjoyable visit with a good friend who I hadn't seen in ages!

Find your Passion

2009-06-24T15:31:00.000-07:00

I am thrilled that CareerApple has invited me to present two online courses entitled Crafting a Killer Elevator Pitch and Networking 101. CareerApple is a website dedicated to help people discover their passion and these courses are an expression of my passion and experience with Branding and Marketing. I invite you to attend these webinars so I can hopefully bring you one step closer to finding your career passion!

Below is info from the CareerApple launch email from its founder, Sunita Sayana:

Do you wish you were doing work that you loved? Are you going through a career transition and want to explore new options but don’t know where to start? Hi, I’m Sunita Sayana and I am the founder of CareerApple. CareerApple is focused on helping people find passion in their career. Our services can help sharpen your skill set, pave the way for a promotion or provide you with the resources to take your career in an entirely new direction. We can guide you toward your ideal career.

Having gone through this journey myself, I have found that the path to finding the right job can be a long and arduous one. The right job inspires you to get up in the morning. When you are doing what you love, it never feels like work. But take it from my experience and the experience of the hundreds of people whom we have interviewed who have all found their career passion: Finding the right job for you and doing work you love IS possible.

Where do I start? The process of reviewing all your options and discovering your new career path can be overwhelming. Our goal is to bring focus to and simplify the process.

Step 1: Discover what you want to do. Take CareerApple’s flagship course on career discovery. This is a one-of-a-kind course that uncovers the core of who you are, what you are passionate about, and which career options will best utilize your skills and talents.

Step 2: Get inspired and informed by people who have done what you want to do! We have met hundreds of people who have found work that absolutely inspires them. Visit CareerApple online to see the profiles of people who have discovered how finding the right job can lead to both fulfillment and success.

Step 3: Take action on your new goal. Finally, regardless of whether you are interested in expanding your professional options or going down an entirely new career path, CareerApple offers the tools and expertise to help you get there.

Thinking about a career in Cleantech? Take our Cleantech course to get a complete understanding of the space, the market forces impacting the industry, the technology, the economics, the key stakeholders and opportunities within the space.

Want to enhance your personal brand? Take our personal branding course along with our course on creating a killer elevator pitch. Meet with one of our career coaches to work out an action plan.

Learn how to leverage the internet to find your next role by taking our course on using social media to network. Whether you are exploring career options or ready to make a change, CareerApple is committed to helping you find a job you can be passionate about. Now, we need to hear from you! Go to Careerapple.com – tell us what you think of our site and what resources you would like to see in the future.

Dave and Maya

2009-06-18T09:45:00.000-07:00

Last night, my husband and I, tired of the the exploits of political idiots on The Daily Show (most days it's funny, but some days I find the stupidity and hypocrisy downright depressing) caught Sundance Channel's Iconoclasts. This smart show pairs up two unlikely figures and let's them just talk, debate and get to know each other. Pairings have included people like Ashley Judd + Madeline Albright; skater Tony Hawk + director/actor Jon Favreau; activist Desmond Tutu + entrepreneur Richard Branson.

We watched as comedian Dave Chapelle met with poet, activist, and general inspiration Dr. Maya Angelou. What a pairing! It was a poignant meeting of a wise older soul passing life lessons onto a 30-something man who has been through a lot but is still on his journey. As some of you may know, Dave walked away from his hit TV show and $50 million dollar contract at Comedy Central a few years ago just to get away from it all and save his soul. Maya seemed to understand this act, while many others have not.

You could see in Dave's eyes he wanted to just soak up as much knowledge and insight from this woman as was humanly possible. And she was eager to share, teach, praise and comfort. It was just awe-inspiring to watch so much love pass between two souls right in front of your eyes.

I am a huge lover of independent film and adore many of the selections on the Sundance Channel. Having attended the Sundance Film Festival 5 years in a row (2009 was the first year I'd missed it in a while), I love the energy of storytelling and community that permeates Park City for 10 days out of the year. But I often have a hard time with some indie film that is avant-garde for the sake of being avant-garde, rather than in pursuit of the story. Sometimes shocking is just shocking and it doesn't work. I will never forget an interview I saw back when Melanie Griffith was promoting the film Working Girl in 1988 (not that I would ever confuse that film with an arthouse classic, but bear with me on this point...). She was justifying a scene where she is vacumming the house topless because she's in a rush as "central to the story and what my character would do" or something like that. Seriously? That was pivotal to the entire plotline to have you vacuum topless and was not just a shameless attempt to sex up a late 80's film? I love non-cerebral entertainment just as much as the next guy, but let's call a spade and spade, shall we?

But I digress. Often Sundance Channel carries over some of the best films from the festival, ones that never got full distribution in the light of day. And original, smart, compelling, and eye-opening series like Iconoclasts actually help me regain some of my brain cells back from shows like I wrote about last time. True, honest, insightful storytelling is why I love film so much and showcases its potential to change minds, hearts and the world.

Hate, Inc.

2009-06-12T15:07:00.000-07:00

What's with all the shows about people being so horrible to each other?

I am overwhelmed by all the TV series showing women being nasty and fake, men being boorish and rude and generally just celebrating conflict of all kinds. Can't we all just get along, people?

While many people are all about the escapism and drama of reality TV, I've gotta say I think the end of civilization as we know it is finally upon us. Before you judge me, hear me out.

Reality TV can be really fun. I enjoyed the first season of Survivor, before people figured out how it worked and used it to launch their own acting/modeling careers. I even loved The Mole, which used to show people figuring out different challenges in romantic locations like small villages in Italy. It was actually a game of wits, and I dig that. I also love Top Chef and Project Runway because, even though these shows can get a little "meow" at time, they require real skill and talent in order to win. Everyone loves a good competition. And I admit, I really like Millionaire Matchmaker becaue she's so ballsy and speaks her mind without hurting anyone. I've also heard great things about Amazing Race.

But when did shows like The Real Houswives become acceptable? They don't even DO anything. I don't even watch any of the show's incarnations (Orange County, New York, New Jersey) but just from the ads on Bravo, my skin starts crawling. Wealthy women getting upset about not getting invited to a dinner party, or being catty about another "friend" behind her back but sweet as pie to her face. Every teaser ad seems to show some sort of immature remark, backstabbing comment, or whining debutante. I'm really sorry you are pissed that she didn't invite you to her dinner party. But can't you put this much energy into doing something about global warming or animal abuse? Geez....

I seriously just think that entire franchise is disgusting. I won't even eatch it because I don't want to contribute one ratings point to this behavior. I struggle enough with my own inner demons and childish behavior - do I really need to encourage yours? What does this say about us as a culture? Fans tell me, "I love that show! It's like my release to watch all their antics!" And I get that. But it's just people being horrible to other people - and we make these people celebrities as a result. People who are so egocentric, they don't do anything but let cameras follow them around as they whine about whose husband got their wife a bigger diamond for Christmas.

I have to admit I melted some brain cells yesterday: I actually watched 15 minutes of Prais Hilton BFF over lunch. I admit it. I was curious. The entire 15 minutes consisted of these pathetic people vying to become best friends with a woman they don't even know (and when someone figures out what she's famous for, other than being brilliant business woman who has snowed us all into thinking she is a celebrity - which I do kind of admire in a warped way - just give me a call). There was a bachelor party and one young woman obliged the groom-to-be's request for a kiss (and not a peck). Apparently, this gal is the goody-goody in the group so it was not like her at all. The next day, she was forced to confront Paris and the other contestants (who Paris had ordered to "look at her shamefully when she comes out.") as well as the groom -to-be and his fiance. It was horrible. And as fake as Pam Anderson's breasts. The groom actor pretended to be all upset; the bride actress pretended she would call off the wedding and said, "We need to talk." And the poor girl who was goaded into all of this fake drama in the pursuit of being someone's "friend" apologized profusely and looked like she was about to cry.

These are the role models my nieces have to look forward to? They are 3 and 1 years old. God help us. After I saw that show yesterday, I needed a shower. I think we're seriously 2 steps away from Running Man.

I'm not a prude and I'm as pop culture junkie as the next person (probably more so), but this has got to stop. It's not like we have to be highbrow all the time, but seriously. We are influencing a generation of people who want to be known for how awful they are to each other, rather than one working to make this world a little bit better. And God knows, we need some help in that department right now. And I don't even have kids!

I have this awful feeling that when civilized society does implode, people will just stare at each other, dumbfounded, wondering what the hell happened. I'll give you three guesses, my friend.

La Dolce Vita Lives Up to Its Name

2009-06-07T14:58:00.000-07:00

My hubbie and I decided to be a bit adventurous Saturday night. Craving Italian food (maybe it's all the research I'm doing for my new book proposal) we decided to try a new place. We were both in the mood for more traditional Italian cooking, not nouveau/gourmet nonsense. Don't get me wrong, that has its place but I was looking for comfort food and a nice solid glass of wine.

Booking through Open Table (we love getting the points), we came across La Dolce Vita in Lower Queen Anne. There were some lovely reviews and the menu looked right on - lots of pastas, bruschetta, even this amazing pinwheel pork loin stuffed with ricotta and served with green beans and a root beer and stoned ground mustard reduction. Yummers.

Che bella! This place is a true gem. The owner, Chris, waited on us, as it was a slow night. They are a little off the beaten path but so close to Queen Anne Ave, it's ridiculous. The decor is classic Italian bistro, with burgundy banquette seats accented by a simple floral fabric pattern, tasteful Italian landscape art on the walls and just a few faux collonades that stop way short of being cheesy. Chris was friendly, amusing and attentive. We opted for the bruschetta sampler - one of them had roasted garlic galore (My husband made me try some, too, so I couldn't refuse to kiss him for 3 days) - and the Insalta Girasole: mixed greens salad with sunflower seed vinaigrette. Simple. Lovely.

Our mains were tortellini alla'amatriciana and pappardelle alla bolognese. All I can say is "WOW!" This dished were made with love. I'm a huge fan of the pancetta and onion marinara that is Amatriciana, but had never had it with anything but bucatini before. It was lovely with the fluffy, fresh tri-colored tortellini. And Paul's pappardelle was some of the freshest pasta I've ever had, ful of meaty ragu goodness with a little bit of a kick.. I always think it's a good sign when I can see the olive oil residue in the plate after I've had a sauce dish, as it reminds me of my mother's sauce. We cleaned our plates. We both agreed we hadn't had Italian this good since Incanto in SF.

For dessert, we ordered the Dulce de la Torat di Leche: Shortcake soaked in spiced sweet milk, sweet macarpone, raspberries, caramel, and nuts. It was rich, sweet and delicious.

Wines were a Barbera for me (which Chris let me taste first, always a classy move) and a Montepulciano for Paul. I thought the Barbera might be too complex for me, but with my heavy meal, it was perfect.

It was one of those adventurous evenings that works out just perfectly. This is our new neighborhood gem and we're definitelu going back!

Italian Shoes

2009-05-29T10:52:00.000-07:00

Intriguing new book I found by Adriana Trigiani - a fictional tale of an Italian-American woman and her family's shoemaking company. Maybe proof that there really is a market for my humorous essay memoir called Chick Lit-italiano?! Shout out to Elisabeth for that moniker.

A Tale of Two Sauces

2009-05-28T17:58:00.000-07:00

Well, a publisher has decided they would like to learn more about my closet memoir in the making, A Tale of Two Sauces: An Italian American Gal's Quest to Get it Right. Finally, those hilarious childhood anecdotes might see the light of day. I've pitched this as a tamer Sex and the City meets My Big Fat Greek Wedding - with less sex and more sass. My family, after all WILL be reading this. Mostly it's about my growing up sandwiched between Old World Italian values and new world urban "career girl" realities. It will be a book of humorous and poignant essays about growing up Italian in a post-feminist, modern America and how I finally came to peace reconciling this storied past heritage with the woman I am today.

I'm still working on the proposal but wish me luck, as I'm sending it to the piblisher next week if all goes according to plan! Would love to be able to honor my family and heritage in this way. Stay tuned....I'm hoping to chronicle the writing adventures here as I go.

5 Things I Learn from my Dog

2009-04-28T08:31:00.000-07:00

Yes, I've become THAT person: a dog owner. I live for little Eddie, who we adopted from the shelter on a rainy January day in 2008. We had wanted a dog for so long (another part of the rationale to move to Seattle and afford more room than SF) and wished for a dream dog of a Lab, but on the smaller side. And, lo and behold, that day at the shelter we were shown a shy, skittish Black lab mix, about a year old and only 35 lbs., fully grown. I think we conjured him into being.

Since I work from home, I walk him every morning after breakfast and before my shower. I love having this little luxury in my life. And now I can actually relate to women who struggle with going back to work and leaving their baby at home. Yes, I know - he's a dog. But he's our baby. Of course, we don't overspoil him, as we're huge disciples of The Dog Whisperer so we practice "exercise, discipline, then affection" in that all-important order. Eexcept for one guilty excess: we let him curl up on the couch (only on his blanket, naturally). He's just so damn cute, I can't resist.

My walks with him have taken on new meaning after my hospital stay last year. When I first got home from my hemmorraghed brain aneurysm episiode, I was weak, frail and had major vision issues. So for me, the goal was "to be able to walk Eddie again on my own." And I reached that goal. No "I want to visit the Pyramids" or "I have to see the world" near-death comeback goals for me. The whole ordeal actually made me want to get back to the simple pleasures of life and walking the dog by the lovely little canal near our house was one of them.

As I walk Eddie, I realize how much he has taught me on these little 30 minute soul-satisying getaways. Lessons I apparently needed to learn after my high-stress, high blood pressure, non-stop, overcommitted, active lifestyle put me in the hospital in the first place:

1) Live in the moment: Dogs are all about this. They can't remember one minute from the next. When I'm walking and a thousand to-do items are swirling through my head as I charge onward, Eddie will stop short and pull me back to the present to stop and sniff a flower or a shrub. Doesn't matter if we've passed it a million times; he finds something new in it. It's a good reminder to just be in the moment and enjoy the precious 30 minutes outside with him, look around, get out of my head, breathe, and RELAX.

2) There can be beauty in crap - just depends on your perspective: As we trot through the college campus right by my house, cherry blossoms blooming, the spring air thawing winter's chill, I'm assaulted with the smells of newly laid manure in the plantbeds and lawns. It's nasty. Eddie, however, acts like a tween girl at a Miley Cyrus concert. He leaps up and down, tries to romp through the grass (as far as his leash will go) and pretty much goes nuts. To him, it's like catnip (dognip?). So I realize one man's trash is another dog's treasure, so to speak. And it reminds me that from this foul stench, bright green grass, gorgeous tiulips, azaleas, and daffodils are blooming nicely for us to enjoy.

3) Forgive and forget: When we come home and Eddie does not come bounding down the stairs to greet us, we know he's been up to something. So we trudge upstairs to see what horror awaits. Usually it's that he's dug something from the recycling bag and torn it to shreds. He cowers before we've even said anything (which my husband recently said kind of made him respect the little guy). So we do the "Bad Dog!" routine and Time Out. And after 15 minutes, he's back licking our hands or sitting in front of us expectantly, tail wagging. All is forgotten. So we must forget as well. I've never been good at quickly overcoming things when someone hurts or disappoints me, but he makes me realize that you have to move on if you love each other.

4) Find joy in the simple things: Taking Eddie to the dog park and letting him run free, chasing the ball, greeting other dogs gives me more pleasure than I ever would have thought possible. I love that he can run around, off leash, and get his exercise. He's so joyful, it's unreal. Doesn't matter how many times we throw that ball: his ears perk up, his tail wags excessively, you hear the "pant, pant" of his tongue, and he eagerly awaits the ball throw. I can't remember the last time I felt as much joy about something so simple. And then I think: in this moment, my joy comes from watching his joy. Even when he is just laying on the coach, you can look at him. He'll stare back, not moving, and then just his tail will start going like crazy. All because you are just paying attention to him and he loves that. Or while on the coach, he flips over on his back, splaying his legs and all his parts to the world and just lays there, paws in mid-air. And he'll just look at you, upside down, with an expression of, "What?" on his face. This makes me laugh each and every time. Never gets old. Talk about a recession-proof pleasure.

5) Put someone else first: I've never really had to take care of anyone else in my life. I'm the youngest in my family. Yes, I babysat as a kid and have neices and nephews, but it's not the same. We don't know if we will have kids someday, so for us, Eddie is new territory. We have to plan now. That word was never really in our vocab before. We have to make sure he gets walked and fed, and we have to make arrangements when we go out of town (thanks Guy and Barb!). Sometimes, we'll be out in the evening, and we actually feel bad about leaving him alone so we try to get home quickly. With my health issues, we have been on one income and I have sacrificed some little pleasures for myself to make sure Eddie's still gets his high quality food, treats or a new toy. Where I used to spend that pointless money on myself, now I spend it on him - all because I see how much joy he gets from things (see #4). Maybe it's all in my head, but I don't care. It feels good to do something that makes your dog happy - even if he won't remember it in 5 minutes.

Having a dog is wonderful - and really helped in my recovery over these last few months. I don't so much mind becoming "that" person. So much so, that I've fawned recently over a SF photographer I am hoping to work with, Ann Hamilton. Check out her dog portraits on her blog. This gal is good and captures the spirit of these furry little ones perfectly

Encouraging Women and Making Our Daughters Strong

2009-04-16T11:32:00.001-07:00

Man or woman, please sign the petition to get the new bill on creating a Commission for Women passed. The last commission on women was during JFK's term, but would be great to get it going again. I'm not necessarily a radical feminist, but the commission would cover areas such as education/training, domestic violence prevention, pay equality, and encouraging more women to participate in government and corporate leadership positions. This is good for ALL of us, not just women.

View the entire text of the bill here.

Nell Merlino, CEO of Count Me In and general rabble rouser and activist (she coordinated the first Take Our Daughters to Work Day) just wrote an inspiring book called "Stepping Out Of Line: Lessons for Women Who Want it Their Way In Life, In Love and At Work." She's a friend of a friend and I went to her Seattle book signing - just finished the book. It's fabulous. The one thing that stuck with me was that women today - right now - need to be an example to our daughters, nieces and students. We can't just hope "things are better for them" or live quiet, unhappy lives and hope they go on to live their passions. Girls do what we do, say what we say.

After reading her book, I saw this clearly in terms of my own niece, Angelina. She's 3, but I want her to know she can do anything. But to get that message across, I have to live that same life as an example - not just talk the talk. Many moms, aunts, and grandmothers out there really want their daughters to "have it all" but don't go after it themselves. That is a tragedy. Of the genders, females tend to mimic more than males (Merlino references a study in her book about how female babies can mimic adult faces 400 times more than male babies). So we women, here, today, now need to be that example for them.

And women who stay in abusive realtionships but want their daughters to escape that life need to get out of the relationship - they can't just TELL their daughter to not fall into the same trap. They need to live the example. I saw this time and again when volunteering at a domestic violence shelter. We need more education, training, and role models for girls to realize there are other options out there - and to show them what healthy, successful, loving relationships should look like.

Again, I have never been a radical feminist. I believe women should have a choice if they want to work or stay home. Motherhood is just as noble and valued as any other profession - if not more so. I grew up that way and had a fantastic childhood that I treasure. What I am saying is that women can't teach their daughters to go after their dreams if they themselves don't go after them. So ladies, make sure you are living your life deliberately and with purpose and passion to show our girls what is possible.

Let's get this women's commission bill passed!

"House" Shocker

2009-04-07T15:13:00.000-07:00

OK. talk about good TV. Last night's House (FYI: Spoiler alert) focused on the sudden and unexplained suicide of Dr. Kutner, played by Kal Penn. Read info here and on my friend Kate's Buzz Suger report. And if you want to be even more creeped out, check out Fox's memorial page. I know live people who have died and not gotten this much recognition.

The whole experiment is interesting on so many levels:

1) Kal Penn is leaving the show to go work for Obama as Associate Director of the White House Office of Public Liaison.

2) The suicide happened in the first 5 minutes of the show and did not do any sort of melodramatic lead in or come up with some canned explanation - nice. Suicide in real life is never that simple. Also the fact that this was how they got rid of the character was an interesting choice and helped move the story and the development of House's character along.

3) The internet marketing component and buzz is so intriguing. See memorial page and links above, as well as, hey, yours truly is blogging about it! They are treating this like the death of a real person, a friend. The blogosphere is hopping with this story today.

Will be intriguing to see how things pan out. I used to hate this show, but once I started watching, I was hooked. I hate House's character but then that is kind of the point. You tune in to see if he will finally be redeemed or make a change - and he never does. But I will say that I enjoyed Kal Penn on the show so much and am really sad to see him go. He brought a certain levity to the cast that they will either need to make up for or replace. Time will tell.

Oscar Glam

2009-02-24T10:12:00.000-08:00

Did you catch the 81st Annual Academy Awards the other night? I saw most of it - I still can't tell which awards shows are time delayed on the West Coast and which are not. This one did indeed start at 5 or so, Pacific Time so it was live. And I liked it a bit more than the Golden Globes.

My gal pal Melanie has already dissected the fashion on her blog, so won't go too much into that. She puts me to shame with her designer knowledge, so my remarks will be more general and random (as always)

I was apprehensive about Hugh Jackman as host. He's easy on the eyes and a talented actor (and from what I hear from a director who worked with him, as nice as can be) but I was like WTF?! No comedian this year? Where is Jon Stewart? As my husband says, Stewart as host was the only thing that made the show watchable (for him). But I was impressed with Jackman. He was polished, expedient and, yes, easy on the eyes. And I have to admit, I loved the miusical number he did with Beyonce. One, because I think I'm a but of a sucker for musicals in general and two, I just love anything with Beyonce.
The format and staging was very interesting. Firstly, they pushed the front row closer to the stage (or the stage closer to the front row); in either case, it made for a more intimate setting (notwithstanding that theatre-in-the-round thing a few years ago), which I believe helped keep things running on time - maybe they got to see the audience getting fidgety a bit better than before. I also enjoyed the way they handed out the awards, sort of in the order of a film project: pre-production awards first, then production, then post production. And they explained the categories very well this year, for those who might not know what "art direction" really is.
I adored the presentation of the Best Actor and Best Actress awards by 5 past winners, read: legends. What a thrill it would be to receive your award from these folks! And the way each one of them summarized each nominees' performance and were so complimentary - can you imagine being Anne Hathway, being praised by the likes of Shirley MacClaine? Who cares that she didn't win - that was awesome. I hope they keep this tradition for future shows.
And speaking of this, what deal with the devil did Sophia Loren make to look as good as she does at that age? Probably the same one Helen Mirren signed. Damn.
I also loved the way they performed the nominees for Best Song. And I'm not just saying that because I love the Slumdog Millionaire soundstrack and that song, "Jai Ho". Okay, maybe I am. But the Indian dancers, the drummers, etc - it was what stage productions were made for. My hubbie downloaded the soundtrack for me on Oscar night and I’ve been jamming to it ever since.
What was up with Jessica Biel's dress? I was like, did she get TP’d or something? I actually find her quite lovely but she doesn’t really “own” these types of events and show off her beauty. Not sure why.
I loved "Slumdog Millionaire" and was so excited they cleaned up - and that they flew in the kids (who they flund in Mumbai slums) who played the main characters as children. I think I have a bit of a crush on the star, Dev Patel (I still can’t believe he’s only 19) and I adore the way he wears his excitement and awe all over his face, like his head will implode – same expression at all of these shows, as if he’s a kid in a candy store. Love it.
And, I bet Warner Brothers is kicking itself for passing on distribution rights to "Slumdog Millionaire" to Fox. Don't know what the skinny on this is, but I bet someone got fired.
Ben Stiller and Natalie Portman's little comedy routine was just dumb. He looked like an idiot with that beard. I'm just saying.
Hurrah for Kate Winslet! As I've said before, I just think she's the cat's meow and I would kill for her acting career. I'm so glad she finally got her props.
I have asbolutely no desire to see "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button." It seems long and drawn out.
And speaking of Pitt, did anyone else notice the uncomfortable cutting back to the Jolie-Pitts while Jennifer Aniston was presenting? Meow, on the show's director's part. Not cool.
And again speaking of the Jolie-Pitts, Angie should sport emeralds more often. Paired with her simple black dress, they just made her look stunning. As if she couldn't be stunning in flannel pajamas, but still....
Comebacks are great and Mickey Rourke has been (from what I hear) deservingly lauded for his role in "The Wrestler" at so many awards shows, but it was nice to see Sean Penn win Best Actor for "Milk" - if only to avoid Mickey's random, obscenity-laced speeches. We get it, Mickey. You're a tough guy with a foul mouth and you're not afraid to use it. I'm over it.

Overall, I thought it was a good show - AND it ended on time (I think it did, anyway). They even had time at the end to show snippets of movies coming out in 2009.

Old Me, New Me

2009-02-18T10:58:00.000-08:00

When you are recovering from a brain injury, as I am, there is a wide spectrum of therapy, advice and help available depending on your own situation. I have been fortunate enough to have wonderful doctors and overall care through the University of Washington Medical Center network and are continuing to take advantage of their therapy programs for cognitive and psychological help.

What is interesting throughout all of this, is how vague many of the answers can be. Sure, there is a lot they know about the brain - there are common organic and psychological symptoms that hit most brain injury patients and the doctors/therapists are great about providing "strategies' to deal with them. "Strategies" has been a big word in my vocabulary the last 6 months - all the therapists talk about strategies. What are your strategies for remembering information? What are your strategies for managing depression and irritability? What are your strategies for processing information that you don't understand?

Some of these strategies are basic time management and organizational principles, and as a professional, I was already employing many of them - writing notes, keeping a calendar, asking for clarification, rehearsal, etc. But some are more fundamental than that: being okay with asking someone to repeat things, for example, or counting to 10 before reacting, creating something to make you get out of bed in the morning, etc.

The common question I get is "When will you be back to normal?" I ask it of myself many times. Most people think I am "back to my old self" but a lot of what I deal with are things that only I notice as different from before. That is not to say they are "no big deal," as some people try to graciously comfort me with. The other thing people say in an effort to make me feel better is "Oh, I have memory problems too!" I know they mean well, but that sort of belittles my own experience. Plus, I did INDEED have some short term memory problems before this all happened and needed to write things down, but I'm dealing with a delta now that you are not - and I have to test those boundaries every day to know where the line is. I know that before, there were ways I handled things (old me); now, I just have to learn new ways of managing through them (new me). Sometimes this can get very frustrating, if you are used to operating in a certain way. It kind of makes you feel like a different person, which is a bit disconcerting.

I always try to ask the doctors and therapists, "Does it ever 'heal' or 'go away'? Will it ever be like it was?" And I get the quintessential non-descript medical answer: Your conditions can improve over time with practice and healing. So.....does that mean I never get to be the person I was? Well, they can't really say. Only that "you will see progress." To me, that means they are not sure if the brain actually heals to "pre-injury" condition, but that you can find new ways of doing things to balance out the effects.

Sometimes, this answer is good enough; other times, it gets me very fustrated. I can deal with "if you practice these strategies every day, you will be back to your old self in 1 year." Measureable, concrete, I know what I have to do. But no one can give that answer, as the brain is a complex thing.

So my interpretation? I just have to embrace "new me" and let go of "old me." I still am the person I was, but I might not be able to "wing it" in a presentation anymore or remember everyone's name so quickly. Those traits were part of who I was, but not who I will be. And that's okay, I guess, since many people deal with those traits even without a brain injury (although piece of advice: that does not make a brain injury patient feel any better! They have still lost a part of themselves that defined them).

The only way I can think to describe it is if your whole life, you defined yourself as "being a middle child" and all that entailed and then one day, you woke up and now you are told "you are an only child." What are the ramifications of how you see yourself and identify yourself (assuming there was no sibling death; it just one day became fact)? Yes, many people deal with being an only child all the time and from the outside looking in, that seems "normal", but for you, it is a different definition of self than it was before. And you have to cope with that.

So, I still have many of my personality traits from before - except I am overwhelmed a lot more easily and probably cannot live the frenetic, multi-activity life I led before as a) it is hard for me to focus, b) I get fatigued a lot more easily and c) it's not good for my high-blood pressure! So I have to deal with that loss - and it is a loss - and try to embrace the new me. One thing I do know: new me is a very lucky lady and has a lot to be thankful for.

Slumdog Millionaire Pays Off

2009-01-26T10:58:00.000-08:00

It's not often that award buzz automatically equals a good film. But every few years, there is a "little film that could" that is just simple and beautiful and complete - and deserves every award it earns.

That film is "Slumdog Millionaire."

The story itself is a different and intriguing. A young "slumdog" (meaning from the slums, uneducated) named Jamal from India competes on the Indian version of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire." Given Jamal's educational background (and some shifty folks who do not have his best interest at heart), the young man is investigates as a possible fraud for knowing the answers. the story is told running back and forth through time to show where in his life he got the answers to some of the questions being asked. Alongside all of this, is the plot of how the boy and his brother lost their mother long ago, ended up on the streets victimized by various nefarious types - and ultimately how Jamal tracks down his long lost love.

The story could have been so contrived, but for some reason, the directing and subtle acting by these fine Indian actors keeps us rolling along and cheering for Jamal and Latika (his love). The character of Salim, his older brother is, by turns, a sinner and a saint; the fact that they did not make him a cartoon good guy or bad guy makes him one of the most interesting characters in the film.

I adored the subtle acting of Dev Patel as the adult Jamal. His fierce determination coupled with his ability to fade into the background and withdraw made his plight completely believable. Heexpressed his zeal and passion not through overacting or over-reacting, but through his actions. The fact that he's only 18 blows me away. And Fredia Pinto as Latika is just gorgeous and luminous.

This movie stayed with me long after we left the theatre, like a really good Sundance film. It was directed by Danny Boyle, of "Trainspotting" fame and - in an unsual twist - gives co-director credit (unheard of) to Loveleen Tandan - who was the film's casting director primarily. This was a highly unusual and controversial move from an awards standpoint, but she is credited with making some key directing and casting decisions that just made the film. Normally, only one person can hold directing credits for award purposes (see controversy spillover here) but Boyle wanted Loveleen's contributions to be recognized with the film.

I have not seen a film in a long time that was really "good." This film had suspense, romance, hope, justice and all of the ingredients necessary to make a darn good story. Somewhere along the line, filmmakers forgot that really, the story is what it is all about.

Golden Globes 2009

2009-01-12T13:40:00.000-08:00

Just had a chance to check out the Golden Globe awards on DVR. While the show itself was a bit lackluster it beat the news conference they held last year to announce the winners. Check this link for other great moments.

Check here for a list of all the winners. But here are my own observations on this annual starfest.

Kate Winslet was charming and disarming in her "freak out" over winning not one, but two awards. She won for both "The Reader" and for "Revolutionary Road" which paired her once again with Leo DiCaprio. Her first speech she asked everyone to bear with her as she "has a habit of not winning things." And then she completely freaked out at her second win, which saw her coming out on top oiver the likes of Meryl Streep, Emma Thompson and "the other one" Angelina Jolie. She also looked captivating in a great strapless and great hair.
Clint Eastwood is not just an actor, director, and former mayor - but he's a musician too? he got nominated for best original song in "Gran Torino" and for best soundtrack in "The Changeling". I still think he's creepy though and way too old to be "the cool, bad ass old guy" in every film he does.
What was up with Drew Barrymore's hair? It looked like she got caught in a wind tunnel in 1950. And Renee Zellweger, who usually looks flawless in Carolina Herrera, looked like a dark, Goth version of Miss Haversham in that crazy black drapey number with the bare shoulers cut out.
Laura Linney won for "John Adams" and I was psyched. She is awesome and looked radiant in gold. And what a classy lady - no notes needed, she's just well-spoken.
Tracy Morgan was hysterical accepting for "30 Rock". He said he and Tina had a bet that of Obama won, he would accept all awards and be the "face of post racial America - deal with it, Cate Blanchett." Priceless.
Ricky Gervais should have just done a stand up number. He did some off the cuff comic material that was priceless. While expressing his bitterness over not getting nomintated ("That's the last time I sleep with middle aged journalists") he also congratulated Kate Winslet on her win by saying, "See? I told you to do a holocaust movie, didn't I?"
Happy Go Lucky actress Sally Hawkins won for Best Actress in a Comedy Motion Picture. I never heard of this film before. And, she looks entirely too thin.
The underdog "Slumdog Millionaire" seemed to be this year's belle of the ball. I really need to check this one out.
Classy beauties were everywhere: Jessica Lange, Demi Moore, Sigourney Weaver, even Sandra Bullock looked good. I like these older women who still look fantastic dressing in a way that makes them shine. Take a tip, Miley Cyrus.
Heath Ledger won posthumously for "The Dark Knight". While I agree he's a gifted actor, I really don't think his performance in TDK was THAT great. Will I get shot for saying that? But director Christopher Nolan accepted on his behalf and gave a lovely, short, classy speech. Way to go.
Maggie Gyyllenhahl is so cool - but does she really have to scream "vintage" in everything she wears? I know that's her thing, but her dress looked like a thrift store fabric. What do I know? It probably cost thousands of dollars!
What was up with the room setup, and the fact it took people forever and a day to make their way to the stage? Let's plan better, people.
Tina Fey won for Best Actfess in a TV Series -Comedy or Musical. Love it. And love that she said in her speech (paraphrasing here), "There are a lot of people on the Internet who don't like you, so if you ever get too egotistical, you should check it out. And I'd like to address them now." to which she named a few and told them to "suck it". Nice.
"Mad Men" won for best TV Series - Drama. This made me so happy. And plain jane Elisabeth Ross (Peggy) looked stunning in red.
Mickey Rourke won Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama for "The Wrestler". While I'm all about a comeback, he looked like Liberace on a bender. Why is stringy long greasy hair so big in Holloywood among men?
"Wall-E" won Best Animated Film and director Andrew Stanton accepted the award. I thought this film was so poignant. And I met Stanton at Sundance a few years ago, so that was cool!
Hayden Panatierre is just a lovely young girl. She always looks so fresh and polished.
Gabriel Byrne beat Hugh Laurie from House and Jon Hamm from Mad Men? Seriously?
Anna Paquin beat "SVU's" Mariska Hargitay for her role in "True Blood." That just blows.

All in all, it was pretty uneventful and non-cntroversial (except for a few "bleeps" over naughty words.) I was very surprised that Mamma Mia did not win more awards - that was just a visual roller coaster and I thought the Hollywood Foreign Press would eat it up. But honoring "Slumdog Millionaire" was very consistent with the HFP's way of being moved by little movies that could.

Fave Spot

2008-12-15T10:25:00.000-08:00

I'm in love, love, love with my new neighborhood find, 5 Spot. It's not so new, but I only just discovered its charms in the last few months.

5 Spot sepcializes in regional American cooking, and is a great choice for breakfast or lunch. I can't vouch for dinner (or know if they are even open) as I have not been there for that meal. They offer a city theme that rotates every 3 months, and they offer specials that correcpond to it - this month its North Beach and San Francisco. They change out artowrk, decorations, and the menu each time.

They offer lots of scrambles, hash borwns to die for, and french toast made from Briche toast that is so thick and delicious, it will meake you head spin. I recently had their Toad the the Hole special (a French Toast with a hole in the middle, filled with an egg) and their chocolate sauce and almond slivers French Toast (for their North Beach theme) that was so utterly decadent and delicision (ask for the chocolate sauce on the side if it can get too much for you like I did)

The staff is super polite and friendly and, even though they usually have a line outside, if you go at around 9 am or later in the day, you are golden.

We took various visitirs in town to 5 Spot and they all enjoyed it. Check it out!

Down but Not Out!

2008-10-27T10:14:00.000-07:00

Hello friends. Red Slice has been out recovering from a brain aneurysm and subsequent hemorrage for the last few months. But recovery is going well and we are extrememely lucky things were not worse than they were.

I have been touched by how many friends and family members reached out to me during this time. Talk about knowing who your real friends are! I think that was the best part of this whole experience - realizing how loved and valued you really are.

So,Red Slice has not had a chance to really get out wining and dining (and the fact that I need to stay off alcohol for a while does not help!). But I am slowly getting back to normal and hope to resume my dining and drinking adventures very soon.

The one thing that has been really interesting about this whole experience is that, while I'm just trying to get back to the level I was at before all this hoo ha, many of my friends have been so moved by my experience that thay are taking drastic actions on theor own lives: aiming for those goals they always thought they would ":get to:; taking that trip around the world before it;s too late, etc. Everyone keeps asking me if I have a different perspective on life from all of this. While I do know how lucky we are and how precious life is, I guess for me it's all about the little things: I was thrilled to be able to walk my dog again. So my world travels/bestselling novel/higher calling occupation are a little on the back burner these days! But I am so happy to see that others have been inspired to follow their bliss from my experiences.

And i guess, for me, that's the big thing: I always wanted to inspire people in some way. So maybe I was able to achieve my "big dream" through all of this as well!

To my friends and damily, THANK YOU for being so wonderfully supportive! :-)

Hit by an Italian Asteroid

2008-07-22T08:30:00.000-07:00

Following up on a recommendation, my hubbie and I sought out a "hidden" Italian gem in Fremont this weekend, Asteroid. Sure, that immediately conjures up red and white checked tableclothes, jugs of Chianti and mounds of fettucine, doesn't it? Well, technically their name is Asteroid Ristorante e Bar Italiani and believe me, this Italian was more than satisfied and happy with the goods.

First off, they offer a stunning array of innovative and traditional Italian cocktails, ranging from Negroni to Bellini to a lovely peach concoction my husband ordered called a Fellini. Campari flows from this bar like water at the Fontain of Trevi. I tried to be adventurous and sample the Negroni, a mix of Campari, gin and other treats, but that bitter taste knocks me over each time, so the waitress graciously traded it for a refreshing Pear Martini.

The place is in an odd location: it looks like the bottom floor retail space of a 2 or 3 story office plex in downtown Fremont. There is a lovely sculptured fountain in front and Asteroid places bistro tables there for al fresco dining. After you get used to it, it's quite peaceful and lovely. Inside, the restaurants and bar looks like it'd be a fun time for meeting friends and even dining indoors.

We started with salads. I was not overly nuts about my dinner salad of mixed greens (way too much arugula made it oh so bitter) but the vinaigrette was lovely. My husbands spinach salad with goat cheese was a better choice. Complimentary bruschetta was served up and it was delicious with a bean/red pepper puree on crostini.

Boasting tons of things we would enjoy, the menu will keep up coming back to try more delectables. We opted for this Spaghetti alla'Amatriciana and a Ravioli made with marscapone and artichokes dressed in a butter/white wine sauce. Both dishes were delicious. The ravioli was just pure joy going down your throat. My only beef was that the Amatriciana did not taste like the ones I am used to (although it was great) and they used a very thin, almost Ramen-type noodle - this sauce begs a thicker noodle like bucatini, which it is traditionally served with in Rome, or a fettucine. This way, the noodle can hold the thick sauce better with each bite. But overall, the dishes were wonderful.

Too carbo-loaded for dessert (until we walked down the street to Simply Desserts, more on this below), we left Asteroid full and happy. The service was excellent, they have not one but TOW happy hours a night, and they showcase jazz and wine tastings. I managed to find out why the heck they call it Asteroid. Seems the owner had another spot in Ballard, which he named after the large prop "asteroid" on the roof of the building they occupied (according to the maitre'd, this was a real prop from "Armageddon"). And then they opened up the Fremont location and christened it the same thing. Interesting.

As for Simply Desserts, all I can say is the Truffle Cake was to die for, and we felt better about it since we packed it to go and walked home before gorging ourselves. They bave a variety of scrumptious cake slices or you can order the whole damn thing, which I'm pretty sure would fill you up for a month. Mmmmmmm is all I can add to that.

So now we have not one but two yummy Italian joints in the Hood. Ah, all is right with the world.

Feed Your Marketing Head

2008-07-15T10:50:00.000-07:00

For those of you Red Slicers who wanna hear more about marketing, branding or business, don't forget to tap into the Brand Slice blog. Would love if you'd set up a feed to this newly christened site and lend me your feedback.

More Red Slice urban musings coming - I know I have been lax!

Introducing Red Slice Brand Slice

2008-06-23T13:12:00.001-07:00

Programming note to all the fans: the Red Slice blog will continue to deliver fun, sassy content around food, wine, film and trash talk. But I've launched a new blog to focus on marketing and branding.

Introducing Red Slice Brand Slice!

Here you'll find the same sassy attitude focused on the world of marketing. Musings and observations on what companies are doing, great ideas being implemented and general Seinfeld-esque discussions ("What is the deal with Pay per Clicks?"). This new blog can also be found from the new Red Slice LLC company website set to launch on June 27th - that's Friday, baby, yeah!!

So remember: Red Slice blog for urban life fun and frolic; Red Slice Brand Slice for marketing-based fun and frolic.

Feedback welcome.....

Chicks Rule

2008-06-20T10:38:00.000-07:00

I had the rare opportunity to go to two very special women-oriented events in the last two weeks. And overall, I am amazed at how many smart, sassy, creative women exist in this world - and how over the past few months, I have been blessed to have them in my world.

First up: Make Mine a Million $ Business - Seattle event

This organization out of NY has a nationwide network and events in many cities where they bring speakers and content to women entrepreneurs. But the piece de resistance is the contest they run in each city where 16 women business owners must deliver an elevator pitch on why they deserve to win the Make Mine a Million $ Business 2008 Award, which offers them mentors, free advice, technical and other support by big sponsors like Dell, Cisco and Amex and overall a huge wealth of resources to help them grow to a million in revenue.

Sixteen local women took the stage to pitch their business and why they should win in only 3 minutes. The businesses ranged from marketing agencies to affirmation blankets to promotional items to a school for animal massage. Not sure when they entered the contest, but it was prior to the event and so they had received coaching on presentation skills and content prior to the big day. It was electric to be in an audience of 400 supportive, proud, successful women and want to root for them, and not be pitted against then as women often are in life.

We heard from WA state governor Christine Gregoire; Anne Levinson, one of the 4 women who now own the Seattle Storm WNBA Basketball team; Valerie Morris, an award winning journalist from CNN who moderated a lot of the events; and we even had an emcee known as a "journey agent" named Isasara Bay who used to be the VP of Corp Affairs of Sony Music and is now a consultant. Other highlights included past award winners; a consultant named Simon Sinek who did a wonderful presentation on being a "Why?" organization and not a "What?" organization to better create customer loyalty and be a cause rather than a company (a la Apple); and Nely Galan, Latina media dynamo, founder of Galavision, and recent contestant on Celebrity Apprentice. This chick is full of spicy advice for how to be innovative, jump on opportunity and get ahead in life.

Overall, I was left empowered by what women can do when we put our minds to things. The sky really is the limit.

Second, my client The Broader View held their inaugural workshop for women at the top who are looking for what's next.

Over 40 of Seattle's top women - CEOs, philanthropists, business owners, etc gathered in the beautiful Columbia Club high atop Seattle with a view to die for and heard inspiration and thought-provoking soul food. We heard from Catherine Meeks, an electric, strong, African American professor, scholar, author and motivational speaker talk about celebrating how far we've come and acknowledging our own inner voice as we move forward into whatever is next in our lives. She used Maya Angelou's poem "Still I Rise" as the foundation of her talk. Some of her gems:

Your mind gets in the way. Listen to your heart.
Negative voices – we all have them, but we need to make choices about what to do with them
We live in a world where no one knows what women are all about so they put us in our place and if we “forget” our place they jump on us
Rheumatoid Arthritis (what Catherine has at age 62 and has had for 20 years) could have defined me, or made me a “cripple”. Instead, I choose to see it as my best teacher. It taught me to say “no” to things that would drain my energy and to take care of myself, to treasure taking care of ME before I could do anything for others
People don’t really want to listen to what’s in their heart – especially if they are successful. They think they have no right to this, that they are being selfish. When really everyone just has a fractured person inside of them looking for a warm blanket. No amount of success or blessings shields us from those feelings sometimes. Material things do not speak to the hunger of the heart, so no one is immune. We need to be sisters to each other so we have a place to fall apart
It's okay to have nervous breakdowns on the weekends. I find I’m in a much better place on Monday if I let myself cry in a ball sometimes!
Carl Jung talked about “individuation” – which is the process of separating the particular from the general. We are not “everywoman” but our own woman. We need to know where others stop and we begin.
We put on a persona of ourselves to the world, but behind that is a “shadow” – these are things we haven’t encountered yet (our unconscious). But there is untapped wealth there if we pay attention and do not ignore it or try to hide it. Fragmented people are those who are indecisive and don’t know who they are – they try to ignore or bury their Shadows. If you do this, you’ll live as half of a person, you won’t allow new things to come up.
You must let things die in order to give birth to new things. This is the cycle of change and growth. All change is a death in a way. Before you allow rebirth, you have to make space for it. So let things die. New things will be born.
What message do I need to get from the people in my life that I think I don’t want there? What is in my energy system that attracts these people and thoughts?
Listen to your inner voice and respond to the repetitive messages – they are trying to tell you something!
“Energy vampires” they take without you knowing (not necessarily bad people). So be careful who you tell your dreams to. Tell them to people who get it, and choose not to discuss with people who don’t – doesn’t mean you have to cut them out of your life if you don’t want to.
Figure out how to replenish. Where is your energy going? What is the clutter in your soul weighing you down? What is the baggage holding you down?
Journal, journal, journal and reflect
We live in a culture that doesn’t want us to pay attention, to be still, to reflect. We must ignore that pressure and take the time we need.
What does your heart require? What brings you joy and peace? YOU DECIDE, not the culture, not your parents, not your co-workers, but YOU.
Gratitude and generosity creates space and open up energy.

Then, Carrie & Danielle, who I've blogged about before, talked about Style Statement and living your authentic life. Defining who you are on your own terms and not letting all the noise or other distraction prevent you from being who you really are. They asked some very thought-provoking questions that are often the key to understanding who we are and what makes us happy - and that leads to us knowing how to best give back to the world in which we live.

I met some amazing women in the last two weeks that I hope to help and who I hope will help me on my next journey. The possibilities are endless when you open yourself up to them and quiet the voices in your head enough to listen to their call.

Sex, The City, and Product Placement

2008-06-12T09:12:00.000-07:00

OK, I've had a few days to digest the new SATC movie. First off, I was against this film from the first whiffs of a rumor that it might come to pass. The girls went out on top. The last episode left us hopeful for the future, but provided some closure and happy endings at the same time. The Cosmos, high fashion, countless bad dates and - most importantly to those males out there who just don't get it - the amazing friendships single older women can have with each other, were all tucked nicely in my "fond memory" vault, as I myself moved on from my urban diva single gal days.

But no. Like Michael Jordan or Dennis Quaid's pathetic character in "Everybody's All American", they just couldn't leave well enough alone.

I admit I got sucked in. The movie was out and I WAS curious as to what happened to my girls. Especially after hearing SJP on In the Actor's Studio talk about making a movie that was true to the characters and that had to address that four years had passed and lives had changed. Hmmmm, I thought, what does become of them? And is their transition going along as mine is?

So, I rounded up some gal pals and Fandangoed last Saturday night.

Observation #1: The previews for several romantic comedies (some smart, some sappy) along with about 100 women and 2 hapless chaps giggling at the trailers' predictable moments would have been my husband's idea of his own personal Dante-esque hell. But I have to admit, I loved it!

Observation #2: Kudos to the writers and everyone involved with SATC. They really did present a realistic portrait of the evolutionary yet grounded friendship of these women and did not attempt to show them stuck at the same crossroads as four years ago. Samantha had moved to LA, Charlotte's daughter actually aged in real-time, not film time, and Miranda was feeling the pressures of sacrificing for her marriage. And Carrie's career had moved forward in the ensuing period, as did her relationship with Big.

Observation #3: Thumbs down for the "you're hurting my eyes" product placement and overemphasis on the materialism. This played into every stereotype men have about this show. Now I'm not getting all sanctimonious. I LOVED the urban landscape of this series, the fantastic shoes, the clothes, the swanky lifestyle. But in my opinion, it was merely a backdrop to the strong bond between these women and their seach for love as a mature adult. That is what this show was about for me. Identifying with these women who had careers, were self-sufficient, and who were still looking for love in their 30's and 40's. Every image of female friendships on TV and film seems to suggest we're all either single and miserable or married with kids and friends with other women who are married with kids. This is not reality. I can't identify with "According to Jim's" beautiful wife who puts up with his slovenly behavior, has 3 kids by the time she's 35, and her best friend is her sister. Not judging here, just saying this is not my life. But the film was over the top with the shopping and the designers and the whatnot. Vivienne Westwood, Manolo, Louis Vuitton, yada yada. Maybe I'm just jealous, I don't know, but I was like, "Stop it this instant!"

Observation #4: Another kudos for the beautiful "Circle of Life" subtlety that was represented by Jennifer Hudson's character, Louise. Carrie's new assistant was a smart, hopeful, excited girl from St. Louis who admits she moved to NY to "find love." Rather than trying to box the four friends into the same people they were "back then" the writers deftly showed how some women grow up and leave and the next crop shows up at the door. There's even a cute moment in the opening sequence showing Carrie walking down a NY street, and she passes a group of gals in their 20's or 30's, doing what she used to do with her friends, and she smiles to herself. It's lovely. When I left San Francisco's Marina district, I felt the same way. I would pass the gaggle of ladies heading off to Balboa for the evening in their sparkly tops and their fabulous clutches, all excitement and happiness as they had no idea what the evening had in store for them. And I would laugh as I saw this proverbial changing of the guard. I'm sure, like me, Carrie had an impulse to try to impart years of advice into the 30 seconds those girls might grant her! But we all have to learn those lessons on our own, for better or worse, don't we?

SATC as a movie did not change lives or push any boundaries. But it was like catching up with old friends and seeing how they are doing. Minus the fact that most (not all) of my friends don't own that many $500 shoes or $2000 handbags. But that was never really the point.

Holographic Madness

2008-06-12T09:08:00.000-07:00

Star Trek really was ahead of its time.

Click here to see how people like my husband will not have to fly over 2000 miles (with a Denver connection) just to give a 45 minute presentation is sticky-hot Orlando.

I'm all about the personal touch and being able to interact with attendees, but sometimes this will do.

Urban Growth and Mobile Societies

2008-06-08T18:33:00.000-07:00

Interesting post from my friend Christine on Richard Florida's recent lecture here in Seattle. He discusses urban trends and growth based on his new book: book: Who’s Your City?: How the Creative Economy Is Making Where to Live the Most Important Decision of Your Life.

I read about this guy a few year's ago in the context of how certain cities were trying to do something to combat the "brain drain" of college grads leaving for the bright lights and better restaurants of the New York's, San Francisco's and even Austin's of our great nation. At that time, he was serving as a consultant to cities trying to improve their situation and become, at most shallow, "hip and cool", and at best, thriving centers that serve a diverse and well-educated population more effectively.

Florida seems to have expanded into the migration of people globally, not just here in the states, and which places are defined as "super cities." This includes the likes of Seoul and Sydney.

I did not get the chance to attend this lecture, but Christine did a great summary. Check it out. Poses some interesting questions not just about the macro consequences of such growth concentrated in certain urban centers, but also at a more personal level, why do we choose the cities we choose to live in - and more importantly, why do some of us remain stuck in cities that do not make us happy always wishing we lived somewhere else? Discuss.

Know Thy Audience

2008-05-22T08:59:00.000-07:00

Think all chocolate is created equal? Think again.

In a very enlightening snippet from the Champion Assistants newsletter, principal Heather Nelson talks about the different between Hershey Kisses and Godiva. Studies (don't ask me which ones) have shown people prefer the taste of the cheaper chocolate brand over the elegant well-branded version. Why? Seems to be perceived value. People who like to eat chocolate prefer Hershey Kisses, while those who like to give chocolate prefer the brand and experience of Godiva. Seriously, single ladies out there, would you be more impressed if the date of the month presented you with an exquisitely wrapped, decadent Godiva or threw a bag of Hershey Kisses at you that he picked up at Walgreen's, along with razor blades and mouthwash?

Herein lies an important lesson about target audience. Your value propositions to the gift giver are much different than those to end consumer. Not saying taste doesn't factor in, but you could think of it in this very cursory way:

Gift Giver needs:

Nice packaging
Cache brand/quality
Higher price point to be perceived as acceptable gift
Delicious Taste

Chocolate consumer needs:

Taste
Value for money

"Give a gift that makes her feel special" is a very different positioning than "The most delicious chocolate." But too often marketers try to lump everyone into one category and forget about the different needs of different audiences. Tech companies do this constantly with "Our audience is line of business users and technical buyers." Yeah, right. Those two groups are discussing politics over the lunch table. One group needs usability and ease at any price; the other needs technical integrity, security and ROI. Not saying one group might not also care about what the other needs (ie, an IT department who is measured on user adoption and usage) but the lead is different.

As for me, I have to admit: I'd prefer popping some Hershey's Kisses but I'd prefer the pretty Godiva box come Valentine's Day.

PS: Champion Assistants is a virtual assistance company that can help you with anything that takes up your time in an unproductive way and hinders your ability to work on your core business: bookeeping, translation, graphic design, website programming, newsletters, contact database management, Internet research - you name it, they'll help you get it done. They are actually helping me with my bookeeping so I can focus on my clients. Tell Heather I sent you!

Making Microsoft Cool

2008-05-19T09:32:00.000-07:00

If you get the chance, pick up the latest issue of Fast Company and read about advertising guru Alex Bogusky and his firm's quest to help Microsoft connect with its market and become "cool." It's a fascinating read into a monolith trying to steer clear of the iceberg and change its image. I don't agree, however, with the controversial F.C. website comment of "All Microsoft needs to make products like Vista and Zune cool is better advertising" (Hello? Have you used Vista? Maybe if it didn't freeze up every 5 seconds, I might think it's, like totally hellacool, without needing any ads featuring funny Daily Show comedians, thank you). The print article is a voyeuristic journey into a company's high school insecurities and how they are taking on the bullies with their checkbooks:

MSFT: Mom, all the kids want to play with Apple and they picked me last for dodgeball again.

MOM: Well, dear, let's go to store and buy you some new clothes and pricey sneakers because I hear that's what all the cool kids are doing.

MSFT: You mean, all I have to do is change my clothes? Don't I need to be more user-friendly, less prone to viruses and hacking, not need to be restarted so often, and play obscure European indie musicians in my ads to get attention?

MOM: (laughs) Don't be stupid, dear. This is America. Just look the part.

In all seriousness, I am proud of MSFT for taking this $300 million look at their reputation and attempting to finally get their branding house in order. For too long, each group within MSFT has acted like a completely different company, even those targeting the same audience groups (One of the article's treats is it's timeline through MSFT's bad advertising). Now, stepping across the aisle, I don't think any company can "buy" their way to cool with sexy advertising. And part of what makes Apple great is what is at it's core (pardon the pun) - the advertising is just a representation, an extension of that inner soul. You can't glam up even the worst products - what is that famous quote that good advertising will just make a bad product fail faster?

But again stepping back over the aisle, bad product is not all together MSFT's problem. This company has a lot of smart people making amazing products. Indeed, companies have been built and serve the masses based on MSFT products, and even this blogger runs her life on Outlook and Vista. But the company's problems to date can be summarized as follows:

1) lack of cohesive brand
2) lack of cohesive messaging
3) lack of thinking that any of that is important for growth

It's like the smart kid in class who stubbornly scoffs at others, saying, "I'm smarter than all of you so that should be enough to bag the prettiest girl in school" and yet, the Homecoming Queen will settle for a guy of average intellect is he takes a shower and smells nice. Sometimes, you just have to try a little bit, you know? I'm also haunted by visions of Dr. Evil in the Austin Powers movies. While trying to endear himself to his son, Scott, he says, "Look, I'm cool" and proceeds to do a robotic version of the Macarena. Scott rolls his eyes and storms out. Most likely to pour out his angst onto his iBook.

MSFT does has glimmers of genius in the branding world. Just ask any gamer about the marekting blitz for Halo 3. It included mockumentaries with "interviews" of the war "veterans" and the story of a monument to those killed to create an even more realistic and intricate world for fans. You can't fake that kind of cool. Unfortunately, I think it was a purposeful decision to create an "XBOX" brand that separated itself from the MSFT brand for a reason. I mean, that rebellious Goth kid doesn't want you to know his dad's really a preacher and a pretty boring, stable guy.

Even as a branding and marketing consultant, I would never advocate that "all it takes" is good advertising. I'm just saying branding in general (which BTW goes beyond just advertising) can and will make a difference if you get the core of your house in order. You can't just buy cool - you have to walk the talk. Otherwise, everyone would be doing it. And I'm thinking MSFT's own worst enemy in the branding war is itself; when asked for a comment for the article on this exciting effort to really connect with its market, all MSFT would say, from an undisclosed spokesperson, was "They understand our company and where we want to take it." Seriously? A whole article on how MSFT is trying to overcome it's "out of touch", nerdish, self-conscious and self-absorbed image and one bland sentence of ink is all you can spare for the reporter? Ladies and gents, actions speak louder than words. MSFT has a ways to go to creating a rabid fan base - and understanding how brand needs to permeate everything you do.

The new branding efforts are due to arive in July. I can't wait as I really do want them to finally get it. The most humorous quote in the article was from Rob Enderle, an influential advisory analyst for tech companies. He said, "Nobody messes with anyone in the tech industry the way Apple messes with Microsoft. It's the first time I've seen a major national campaign that disparages a competitor, and the competitor just sits back and takes it. If somebody tried to do that to Oracle, you wouldn't be able to find the body."

Let the games begin.

**In full disclosure, I am a consultant on a MSFT project - unfortunately, not the branding one.

Wild About Wildwood

2008-05-12T11:31:00.000-07:00

Mon dieu! It's been a bit since last I wrote. There was travel galore and catching up, while also prepping for a parental visit in a few weeks.

Excuses aside, I must tell you about the amazing B&B adventure we had in Oak Harbor, WA - on the north side of Whidbey Island. A recent new friend, Heather Carder, and her boyfriend Gregg Lanza own a spectacular working horse farm called Wildwood Farm. Acres of rolling hills, horses quietly munching on grass in the early morning mist, the pounding of hooves and the whinnies of playful comrades sparring in the pasture - this is what awaits you if you stay in this "get away from it all" paradise.

Heather breeds horses, as well as boards them for others. The main house contains some B&B guest rooms, but we opted for The Mustang Bunkhouse, a tricked-out 1914 shed with lovely warm wood walls, ceilings and floor that couldn't have been more than 200 sq feet. With just a queen size bed (with single bunk on top), a nightstand, closet and a charming heater, this was the perfect rustic respite from city life. We even got to take Eddie the Wonder Dog, as Heather allows pups in the bunkhouse only.

Oak Harbor didn't have too much going on (there is an army base in town and lots of government houses) but we did find a gem of a gourmet restaurant in Frasers Gourment Hideaway. Lovely goat cheese salads, fresh local mussels, and steak cooked to perfection were the order of the meal, served in a clean, open, chic setting. We nestled into our leather chairs and enjoyed every moment of our "spare no detail" meal.

And even thought it rained on us, we ventured out to see the sights and landed in breathtaking Deception Pass. This is what your image of the Pacific Northwest is in your dreams. As we braved the drizzle, we were rewarded with a sweeping vista from the tall bridge of green trees, stone-lined shoreline and little islands. Just gorgeous.

If you're thinking about camping for all it's peace and stripped down serenity, but the thought of laying your head on cold, wet ground leave you yearning for a warm blankie, then Wildwood is just the antidote for the gray city blues. Remember, chickens: summer is just around the corner. Get those feet pedicured.

Images: A Mental Photo Album

2008-04-29T10:47:00.000-07:00

I've been fascinated with images lately - little snippets of a moment that just resonate with me somehow. Part of it is going through the book Style Statement, written by my new faves Carrie and Danielle (who I adore - a group of us are working with them on a Seattle event and they are deliciously inspirational). The book helps you "know yourself" and what makes you tick - things we don't often spend time doing. The goal of it is to simplify your life by coming up with a two-word statement that defines your style, essence, preferences - and not just for fashion, but applied to relationships, career, outlook, etc. In doing so, you define your "brand" and often can make better decisions. I'm stuck on mine right now towards the end (too many words to choose from!) but it's a wonderful process. "Hello, self, nice to meet you! What are your likes and dislikes? What is your favorite flower? What moves you?" It's like a really nice first date with your soul.

Anyway, I spent the weekend in NY at a wedding of a dear childhood friend and also got to catch up with one of my best friends and her 17-month old. It was lovely to talk and laugh and be myself with those who know me best. I carried the following images and snippets home with me from this trip:

Slowly strolling through an Upper West Side street fair with my gal pal, with baby in tow, and talking about life as NY bustles around us.
Relaxing on a brown fluffy cushion in a wine bar at 4 in the afternoon
A simply beautiful new church built in the classic style, surrounded by lawns of bright green with a lighly clouded sky framing the steeple.
Casually sipping a latte in a rustically tan and brown cafe, complete with exposed brick walls and French country bric-a-brac (I love that word)
A gorgeous bride silhouetted by the sun through the doorway as she makes her walk down the aisle

Take some time this week and capture these "mental photos" in your own life. Simplify and pare it down so you can carry it with you. You'll be amazed at how it helps you not only enjoy the moment, but enables you to keep a piece of that joy with you after you leave.

Rant Rattle and Roll: Global (not) Warming

2008-04-21T13:29:00.000-07:00

Seattle apparently is experiencing its worst "coming out of winter" weather in years. So I'm told. It's been raining, it's been cold, and this past weekend, we actually had hail. HAIL.

This, after the tease of 70 degree weather the Saturday before. Gather ye rosebuds while ye may or they might freeze on the bush tomorrow.

Before I lived here, I visited here. Many times. And it can be utterly gorgeous in this city when the sun deems us worthy to shine upon. But no, our first winter/spring living here and it blows.

Well, Mother Nature is kicking my ass and I'm not gonna take it anymore. Last week, I got a pedicure, closed toe shoes be damned. And this weekend I wore a tank top. That's right, I said it. It's hailing outside and I wore a tank top (well, and a coat of course, but that's beside the point). The point is, I have rows of open-toed strappy sandals and sassy platforms dying of neglect. Bitter and confused, they stare at me from the dark depths of my closet like ex-lovers wantonly discarded for something better. "But didn't we have such a great time at that new restaurant in the Mission? Didn't you feel proud when someone complimented you because of us camel-colored 60's hoochie mama sandals at the cast party last fall? What have we done to deserve this? We give and give....." And little do they know I am so over wearing boots.

Spring will be here soon - the sun is out today and most likely, it will be a gorgeous weekend since we'll be elsewhere. But soon, soon, the clouds will part and the sunny Seattle I know exists will shine down on us once again. So just hang in there, lovely stilletos. Mama's coming......

Italy in Fremont - and Wine in Woodinville

2008-04-15T09:53:00.001-07:00

I found it.

Long in search of a neighborhood Italian joint where I could savor my garlic-laden, carb-chocked, straight-talkin' favorites from the Mother Land, I stumbled on Pontevecchio. And I did not want to get up and leave.

With a decor leaving something to be desired but reminding me of some of the best random European cafes, this place dishes out hard-core Italian specialties, friendly service, and ample wine pours. I devoured a garlic spinach ravioli special (homemade, duh) filled with ricotta and topped with a Pinot Grigio, olive oil, butter and garlic heart-attack-in a gravy boat sauce. Freshly grated cheese blanketed the puffy pillows in motherly goodness. Hubbie ordered a Penne Alla'Amatriciana that was a wonderful kaleidoscope of green and red fantasy. Piping hot, full of herbs and flavor, and a lingering smell of garlic that I think is still with us 2 days later. But I don't give a crap. This place absolutely rocked and I am going back again and again and again.

The colorful spot right past the Fremont Bridge borders in cheesy kitsch (there's even Italian soccer posters from what looks like the 80's in the window) but chalk it up to authenticity and treat yourself to some of the best Italian food I've had in the US. Period. It's dubbed the "Place for Lovers" and I understand they even have opera nights each month.

This place is living proof that swanky Pottery Barn votives, fussy waiters and small portions do not a great dining experience make. I felt like I was in someone's house and we enjoyed the glimpse of Summer that God gave us on Saturday as we ate and sipped in the window of this joyful little find.

Sunday brought us to the Woodinville Wine Passport 2008, a festival of open winery's and lots of smiles in nearby Woodinville Wine Country. Skipping the typical pretty winery tasting rooms, we headed straight to the office parks that house many of the region's budding wineries. Tents were set up in parking lots, and office suites flung open their doors, revealing modest but lovely tasting room set-ups and barrels of wine being stored it what would pass for temp agency offices or something. Given the close proximity of most of the place in the office parks, you could gleefully hop from one to another in minutes. This was how we managed to hit about 12 wineries in 2 hours.

Top picks: Des Voigne's lovely Untitled (a happy accident) and Solea Cab; Covington Cellars Sangiovese and Viognier; and Arlington Road Cellars' Monolith. More to come on the wines and how to handle a tasting festival in my www.intowine.com monthly column.

We stopped in at some traditional wineries with full property and tasting rooms before we left Columbia nd Januik. Januik, while voted Winemaker of the Year or something from Seattle Magazine, was the worst, most commercial, "cattle-driving" wine tasting I've ever been to and not the greatest wine I've ever had - will not be back. Gray concrete, steel everywhere, and pourers who just poured and didn't share any knowledge or passion about the wine. Horrible.

I will take the passionate, friendly, talkative folks at the office parks any day. This was the true spirit of winemaking and wine culture full of passion, warmth and accessibility for anyone. Loved it.

Serious Pie and Quirky Qube

2008-04-03T11:22:00.000-07:00

Last weekend was about celebrating a big account I just landed - and diving back into our culinary exploration of Seattle. Much like getting back on the horse with a lapsed exercise routine: you tend to go big your first time back and spend the next day or so nursing sore muscles, or in this case, eating light because you're still so damn full.

Friday night brought us to Qube, a Asian-French fusion of savory bites and hip decor. Running in to escape the drizzle and cold, we were greeted with an industrial space of soft lighting, quirky fixtures and accents of orange, steel gray and lime green. The adjacent bar with its wide couches and votives was nicely offset from the eating area. And in the center of the place lived a long, high communal dining table a la Asia de Cuba.

For the adventurous diner who wants to try a bit of everything, Qube offers 3-course "Qube sets" - each course consists of 3 sample dishes and each course stars a main ingredient. A vegetarian set, surf set and turf set is yours for the asking. Or you can mix and match among them to form your own masterpiece, which was our cup of tea. For me: the cauliflower, Pacific halibut and chocolate trios. Hubbie had artisan duck, organic squash and banana for his selections.

Artfully displayed, the dishes boasted ample-sized portions that left me sated and happy. My starter cauliflower trio featured creamy soup served over chanterelle and carmelized floret and truffle oil (like silk, only more fattening); fennel and nicoise salad; and Madras curry vinaigrette gratin with yucca root, fontina and toasted almonds. I would have eaten cauliflower every day of the week if I knew it could be this delicious. The gratin in particular was like a healthier play on mac and cheese.

Aside from a glitch where they got my husband's first course trio wrong and had to quickly whip up another one (which, due the dish complexities was not so quick) I was already a fan.

The halibut trio I ordered for my main surprised me with how generous the portions were. One came dressed in whit soy consomme, edamame and trumpet mushroom for a real Asian flair. Another was crusted in hazelnut and served over a roasted fennel puree and mission fig butter delight. And the third was paoched with citrusy goodness of tangelo and a dash of tarragon.

Saving a little room for my decadent dessert, I dived gleefully into my last trio: the dark chocolate. I salivate as I type what was included: a Qube 'Peanut Butter Cup', Gianduja Cake, with star anise caramel, toasted hazelnuts, and a unique Hot Chocolate "dipper" for a Lychee & cinnamon marshmallow (not your childhood s'mores, my friends).

My husband's dishes were equally delicious, although he found the ample portion of foie gras almost too much for one person. I have a girlfriend who would say there can never be too much foie gras, but there might be congressmen in Illinois who disagree.

Overall, I really enjoyed the taste, texture and smell of the whoe experience - simple unique ingredients in varying combinations without overdoing each individual dish with ego. Gordon Ramsay would be proud.

Our second treat last weekend was getting a taste of Tom Douglas' classic, Serious Pie. No, it's not dessert pie, it's pizza pie and it's fabulous. Wood-fired with the perfect melted blend of cheese, fresh mozzarelly and seasoned just right with basil and herbs. Mmmmmm.....the charming, casual wood tables and wine racks felt like a little European wine cellar was was perfect for an easy lunch. There are many varieties of pie and they cook them with perfect crunchy thin bliss of a crust. And the tomato sauce - the most difficult element for any pizza place to get right for this ex-New Yorker who knows from good pizza-- was delightfully sweet and thick with the right touch of spices. I'm sold.

Less exciting was our foray with friends on Sunday night to Ten Mercer. Great space and would love to go back for drinks or apps to this upscale eatery - the layout was similar to Jardiniere in SF if you've ever been. The food was good, but not great. I had a very heavy lobster risotto that was just too many flavors vying for attention. That seemed the theme - each dish was trying to hard and it just created an overcomplicated mess with all those fresh wonderful ingredients. Gordon Ramsay would NOT be proud of this one. If they pared down some of the dishes to let them shine naturally, they'd be much better off. But the company was great and the wine was yummy.

The weekend is almost upon us once again and we are significantly downshifting from last week's fall off the budget wagon. But another lunch trip to Serious Pie just might be in order. So sue me.

Rant, Rattle and Roll: Stop Sign Chaos

2008-03-27T18:39:00.000-07:00

Brace yourself. This might be unexpected news for many of you who know me well. I am pretty sure that, from a very early age - from the time I was 6 and grabbed the mike at my brother's confirmation party to belt out "Rhinestone Cowboy (twang, twang) - and up to and including the present, people may have briefly flirted with the idea that...well...I might be a drama queen.

I'm in my mid 30's now, so instead of being offended, I think I'm just going to embrace it.

In that spirit, I present a new little snippet on the Red Slice blog: Rant, Rattle and Roll. It's my way of offering a light sample of the "woe is me", put upon vibe my poor husband endures (and luckily, laughs at) on a daily basis. These episodes are often extinguished rather rapidly when I turn on the World News and realize my life is pretty damn good and I should shut up and count my blessings. Still, ya gotta admit: it IS fun to rant a little.

Today's rant: People who can't figure out 4-way stop signs.

I seem to recall this being a very important lesson when I took Driver's Ed. Whoever is at the stop sign goes first. If two of you get there at the exact same moment, you yield to the driver on the right. Simple. Done. Boom, Right?

Wrong. Put aside the "But what if all FOUR people get to the sign at the same time?" Slow down, Sparky: A) that ain't ever gonna happen and B) let's get the 2-car yielding down right first before we tackle the next level, shall we?

Did they take this question off the test? Is this a rule that was suddenly abolished during the dot.com boom? Why can't people get it right?!?! And I've got news for you, especially Mr. Schlobbo in the Hyundai in Queen Anne the other day: it's who gets to the sign first, not the fact that you were behind the first turning car before I got to my corner. You don't get to go right behind the guy in front of you just because he took so long. Sheesh. I bet you don't use turn signals either, but that's for another bedtime story.

Rant accomplished. Ok, now back to more important things like life, liberty and vodka tonics.

Cravin' That Mac and Cheese Action

2008-03-26T12:05:00.000-07:00

My foodie friends from Indy came for a happy visit this weekend due to some work stuff so we hit the dining scene. They discovered some great spots we have yet to try on their own, but we did manage to take them to our neighborhood fave, Betty, which once again did not disappoint. And then Carrie and I bopped to lunch at Crave in Capitol Hill the day before she left. This is a spot about which I've read fab reviews, in the much beloved "gourmet comfort food" category. While I had been planning to dive into dinner there on my first visit, it was open and the menu looked amazing so we tried it out.

Nestled in a smal nook of a building that also houses an arts center and a pilates studio, Crave is like a mad chef's delighful playpen. It is grounded and earthy: no fluff, just yum. If you didn't know about the culinary delights tucked inside this itty bitty spot, you'd be tempted to write it off as a artsy Capitol Hill sandwich shop. But nooooooooo......trust me.

Aside from serving up brunches to die for (an omelette with duck confit and shitake mushrooms?!) Good Lord...), Crave delivers with the lunch crowd as well. We started with salads. Hers: the organic beet and arugula salad. Mine: the amazing spinach salad with red onions, pears, Cabrales bleu cheese and warm bacon vinaigrette. Heaven.

Speaking of bacon bliss, Carrie's main was a unique take on a grilled cheese sandwich; this one served with thick-cut bacon and Braeburn apples. Not your Mom's Wonder Bread and Kraft singles, that's for damn sure. I surrendered to the siren call of the Shiitake Mac & Cheese with New York sharp cheddar and fontina, parmesan, shiitakes, pasta shells & toppped with seasoned bread crumbs. The smaller of the two portions offered was just right with my glass of Sauvignon Blanc. I am really starting to wonder if my "last meal" will indeed be filet mignon cooked in butter and Roquefort or a mac and cheese like this. Maybe both. Why not.

Enough writing about this place. Get thee yonder hither with much haste. Or whatever. Just go!

Gourmet Comfort Food

2008-03-18T07:57:00.000-07:00

Having fallen prey to the charms of Seattle's Restaurant Zoe long before being a resident, I couldn't resist checking out its sister joint, Quinn's Pub, in roughly hip Capitol Hill. Actually, that should be "brother" restaurant, since Zoe and Quinn are nods to owners Scott and Heather Staples' two children. Lucky kids. I bet they actually like eating their veggies.

With simple dark wood tables and chairs, a modern, warehouse space feel and a European gastropub menu, Quinn's is a great spot for a casually upscale Saturday date with your spouse. The open lively atmosphere still manages a cozy edge and is also perfect for a girls night out or first live meeting with your Match.com wink.

Lithe, tall 20-something waiters breeze by in jeans and t-shirts, lending a relaxed "not trying too hard" hipness to the place. But don't let the slacker vibe fool you. These guys know the ins and outs of the unique menu. Items like pear salad, rabbit pate, duck, house made sausage and Wagyu beef burgers adorn the simple yet innovative menu. Quinn's also features some interesting specialty cocktails as well as a cornucopia of domestic and some very unique world beers. Their wine list is yummilicious as well.

Hubbie and I opted for pear salads to start. served with frissee, endive and stilton. You gotta love the sharp bite of a bleu cheese with the sweet nectar of a soft pear. Drizzled with some sort of vinaigrette that neutralized the sharp contrasts, this salad was wiped clean off our plates.

For our mains, I was torn between the Spanish-style smoked hangar steak served with romesco cabarales (like a bleu cheese) and frites or the pork roulades served with squash risotto and mango. When in doubt, always ask the waiter which he recommends. Without hesitation, he gleefully suggested the pork. Hubbie ordered the 8 oz. Wagyu beef burger, served with cheddar, bacon and fries.

My pork was yumminess wrapped in yumminess served on a bed of squash risotto yumminess. The moist meat melted in my mouth and the sweet aspects of the squash and mango paired divinely. I am a huge fan of pork with any sort of fruit compote (the most notable being Peter Brady's favorite, pork chops and apple sauce) and this blend hit all the right notes. The burger was juicy and robust with a very large fresh bun and the fries were crisp and piping hot.

Pre-dinner cocktails included one whose name escapes me and is not on the website, but it had Vodka and some sort of lime kir. It was a subtle, lighter alternative to our traditional vodka tonics. I also had a glass of Sangiovese (again, recommended by our Abercrombie and Fitch model waiter) that was a classic companion to the pork dish.

Quinn's rocked as both a casual gourmet hangout or even a night out for two. It's not often you can find a place that does both extremely well. Do Scott and Heather have any more kids? If so, I can't wait to see what divine deliciousness pops up next.

Wine Pick: Hey Walla Walla

2008-03-12T11:20:00.001-07:00

Sunday, I used my wino skills for good rather than evil at the 2nd Annual Bags and Bottles Event at the W Hotel Seattle, benefitting Gilda's Club. Gilda's Club is the charity started in honor of comedienne Gilda Radnor, who fought a long battle with cancer. They help cancer patients and their families during a very difficult time.

Bags and Bottles was a designer purse auction and wine tasting. Hundreds of gorgeous Prada's, Kate Spade's, and Gucci's lined tables like so many dead carcasses, circled by lusty fashionistas drunk on the thrill of landing one of them for $10. Attendees were asked to bring a gently used designer bag to the auction, and they also had new bags filled with goodies in the live auction as well.

Around the perimeter of the purse extravaganza were wine tasting stations from multiple Washington wineries. It was heaven. Highlights included Covington Cellars, DaMa Wines, Flying Trout, Animale, Airfield Estates and oh so many others.

And right before I left the event, I fell in love.

My girlfriend insisted I not leave before trying the Stella Maris. It was lovely, lush and creamy vanilla smooth on the finish for a Merlot/Cab blend (with just a hint of Petit Verdot). I find some of the WA wines need time to open up but this was just lovely. I could see hunkering down for a Law & Order marathon and Beecher's mac and cheese with this baby.

I'm still unclear which winery this is. The website leads me to Northstar Winery in Walla Walla, but the Stella is kind of hidden. Also, the card I got from the tasting table was from Chateau Ste. Michelle, so I think this might be an offshoot. Whatev. Just get me some more.

More Washington wine finds to come as I gear up for Woodinville Passport Weekend on April 12 and 13th. Oh, and I've covered some WA wines for those interested in past articles of my wine column, Red on Reds for IntoWine.com. Saluti!

Logos Gone Wild

2008-03-07T16:33:00.000-08:00

Check out this great site that critiques reinvented logos for companies small and large. Very good insight into why and how certain brands are reinventing themselves or delving into new markets. Of particular note is the Rossignol brand shift and the horror show that is the new Animal Planet log (as a former employee of Discovery when they launched Animal Planet, this makes me feel like I've lost a favorite cousin to a cult or something). And don't miss the "How Not to Logo" ridiculousness that is the South Dakota State University logo redesign project. Let's just say never let too many cooks (or jackrabbits) into the kitchen - regardless of the fact that the end logo turned out pretty damn good. The lesson here is that this result happens in 1 out of 10 billion cases of logo by committee or contest.

PS: Did you know Discovery initally had the old logo design with the elephant's trunk facing down, but changed it when they found out that this meant bad luck in a particular culture (which one escapes me right now). Also the globe was part of that logo to associate it with the parent network, Discovery Channel and bring new viewers over.

"Law and Order" is Laced with Crack

2008-03-05T14:04:00.000-08:00

Can someone please explain to me how the hell "L&O" lures you into it's greedy clutches, hypnotizes you for an hour, and renders your legs paralyzed, leaving you physically unable to divert your attention and get up from your coach for hours on end - even if you have babies crying or water boiling over on the stove?

When the natural disaster strikes, screw canned goods and jugs of water: I want an endless supply of "Law and Order" episodes - and that includes all said franchises of Criminal Intent, SVU or just the good ole' fashioned original (which BTW debuted in 1990 - that's eighteen years ago! Kids born when this baby hit the screen are now eligible to vote.) And I bet they're learned more about police procedure and constitutional law from this show than in any classroom.

Nothing is as powerful as a story, well-told and this hit factory is a testament to that fact. The show's original tagline was "The Story is Everything" and man, is that true. Through countless cast changes, save for the lovely and talented S. Epatha Merkerson as the hard-hitting, calm in the face of insanity Lt. Van Buren, this show is all about story. It subscribes to the fundamentals of strong plot development and follows the same formula in each show: Strong, surprising start reveals the crime and sucks you in immediately; police investigation leads them from one clue to the other until the criminal is (sometimes seemingly) caught and an arrest is made; DA's office readies their case and uncovers more clues and plot twists; and we end in court where justice is sometimes served, something not, or something extraordinary happens to twist things up.

The rotating bevy of beauties that have played ADA's over the years has had hits and misses. Hits: Angie Harmon, Jill Hennessey, current hottie-smartie Alana de la Garza. Misses: Elisabeth Rohm (My 7-year old nephew reads lines from a script with more believability.) And the police detectives have had their share of home runs and strike outs in their rotation as well: Jesse Martin, newcomer Jeremy Sisto, Mr. Big Chris Noth (who I'm so glad to see back on CI) lethal duo Mariska Hargitay and Chis Meloni from SVU, and the irreplaceable Jerry Orbach. But hopefully someone got fired (or is getting fired) over casting the wooden Milena Govich or the current talented but unbelievably miscast CI chick Alicia Witt. And my most recent twist of a surprise: Linus Roache as ADA Michael Cutter on the regular L&O - I HATED him on his first episode and thought his character (and, I have to admit, he as an actor) was tight, unemotional and arrogant. But I have come to just love his multi-faceted performance that reveals more of his personality in each episode we see.

The other amusing part of viewing hours upon hours of old L&O's? The shows are a veritable rite of passage for now more famous actors. I'm always amazed at who has passed through the police station or court on these shows - and I love it when I see the ones that do the rounds of ALL the shows in the franchise. One guy was a murderer in one episode and a recuring CSU technician in another. Neat! He gets to be on both sides of the law.

Oh, and for fun - shout out to the unsung hero of the franchise: The voice that brings us the iconic, "In the criminal justice system....." opening narration: a guy named Steven Zirnkilton. Is there anything more delicious than rain falling outside while you snuggle by the fire in a handmade quilt and hear that sultry voice that ends with: "These are there stories. (thonk thonk)" Mmmmmm.....24-hour marathon, here I come!

In my dreams of a parallel life as an actress, I would give my right arm to have a career that spanned 18 years on a brilliantly written, high-quality, expertly acted show and stay under the paparazzi radar. Thank you, Dick Wolf, for creating such a masterpiece that never panders and never forgets that the story is indeed everything.

SHOP '08: Inspiration on a Rainy Day

2008-03-04T13:48:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I had the good fortune to be in a room with over 100 women for 8 hours - and I wanted to hear every one of their zany and inspirational stories. How often do you get to attend a conference where everyone in the room is an interesting person? Exactly.

I'm talking about SHOP '08, a conference for independent women business owners here in Seattle. Networking diva and my new best friend Melody Biringer brought together women who have launched everything from eco-boutiques to consulting businesses to crafts shops to catered meals on the go to production companies to design firms to spas to you name it. The day featured panels for each session, not just one speaker, which offered a triple play of content for each hour. I even got to moderate a panel in a pinch when the fabulous Kelley L. Moore, lifestyle editor, could not make it due to illness (I'm not one for questioning opportunities when they land at my feet - I just snatch them up). My panel was "How to Turn Your Passion into Profit" featuring gorgeous smarties Anne-Marie Faiola of Bramble Berry, Larisa Goldin of DreamClinic and Rachel Brandzel of Real Card Company. Other panel topics ranged from to "Capital with Confidence - Decreasing your costs and improving your bottom line to "Be True to Your Brand - Do you have a business soul?" to Building Your Brand" to HELP! Can you build me a website?" All of the panels were chock full of sage wisdom from women who bear the scars and want to save you the hassle.

I thoroughly enjoyed the branding discussion (brand diva that I like to think I am) and the focused point that "Brand is not just a logo." Amen, sisters. Founder Sharelle Klaus of Dry Soda has created a lifestyle brand that is elegant and cool - all from her dilemma of not being able to drink wine when she was pregnant. They are so fanatical about their luxury, sophisticated brand, they carefully choose the types of paper clips used in the office. I think I've totally found my people. Oh, and their Rhubarb soda zips along your tongue like a firefly on a hot summer night in Eastern Long Island. Now I know why the French Laundry serves Dry Soda (and why they won't let discount blue box chains of which we will not speak sell them and spoil the brand image - at least not yet.)

Overall, it was a great day of inspiration and wisdom that I will not soon forget - both for the content and the lively connections I made. This beats my old IT/Application Development/Data Warehousing trade shows I was forced to endure for so many years where attendees care more about which booth has better free giveaways than the actual content presented. Thanks Ladies!

Geeked out on the WSJ

2008-02-28T15:47:00.001-08:00

As a writer, I've always been a sucker for a good news story, well told. I never subscribed to the paper, because I was either a) traveling and preferred the USA Today soundbites and colorful graphs on important topics like Most Popular Pickle Varieties Around the World; b) stealing reads of abandoned papers or magazines in doctor's waiting rooms; c) catching Good Morning America each morning - when they actually had more real news on then they do now; d) listening to NPR which my husband got me hooked on during our former 1 and a 1/2 hour one way commutes/death marches down 101 in San Francisco; or e) Trying to read news sites online.

With the recent move and job changes in my life, I got out of my news-thirsty habits and was feeling a bit adrift. So we recently got a subscription to the Wall Street Journal (after chucking the poorly written Seattle Times) and I gotta tell ya, I'm hooked. I've never devoured a paper like I do this one - there are so many enticing stories, brilliantly written that I often jump from one to the other like a fat kid in a candy factory.

I get a good view of political and world news that is interesting, informative and seemingly unbiased - at least to me. But I also get fascinating marketplace coverage and even the lifestyle articles seem more evolved and make me see things - and people - in a new way. For example:

Today I learned that there's more to Ryan Seacrest than bleached teeth and Paula Abdul wrangling. He's a savvy businessman, this one. This 33-year old not only hosts "Idol", he co-anchors E! News, hosts American Top 40, does something with Dick Clark Productions, does a 5 hour morning radio show in LA and produces one show for E! and has another in the works. Now, in partnership with Clear Channel, he's syndicating his talk show in a mini-format of 3 hours for markets all across the nation. But here's the kicker: he's keeping a percentage of the ad space to sell to sponsors he's already personally affiliated with through TV. Most radio personalities own their show but let the network deal with selling ads. But Ryan has found a way to keep his sugar daddies coming back for more and imbedding promos in his content. He recently hosted a VIP dinner at his house (Wolfgang Puck prepared Kobe steaks and mac and cheese with truffles - oh yeah) for top execs and clients of Coca Cola to pitch his proposal and get their support for rejuvenating radio advertising. They were ga ga for it. Ryan, from a brand standpoint, is a squeaky clean, perfect pitchman with his finger on the pulse of the youth market. I like the way he rolls. What raised him up a few notches in my book was that he learned from one of the best personalites/deal makers in TV: Merv Griffith. Nice.

Kind of makes you wonder whatever happened to that other guy from Season 1 of "Idol", Brian Dunkleman. Do you think he sits on his shabby couch in his boxers, torturing himself by watching new episodes of "Idol" while downing Jack Daniels, screaming "Curse you, Seacrest! I shall have my blood!" Or maybe that's just me.

Oscar 2008: A Whole Lot of Yawn....and Red

2008-02-25T16:14:00.000-08:00

Only 3 blog posts this month? Egad! Sorry dear readers (reader) but starting a business requires much more time than anticipated. But last night brought us the star-studded bonanza that is Oscar Night. And with the writer's strike becoming a memory, Hollywood came out in full frontal glamour.

First, the event itself. You really can't go wrong in my book having Jon Stewart host anything from the Academy Awards to a Junior High Spelling Bee. His monologue was witty with just the right balance of political and entertainment references and thankfully, he didn't beat us over the head with Writer's Strike jokes, which I had feared. One of his greatest moments was quipping about the historic Democratic race for the White House: "Normally when you see a black man or woman president, an asteroid is about to hit the Statue of Liberty. It's the future!" which cracked me up since it was so dead on. Stewart's stock also rose in my book when he allowed the co-winner of best original song to come out after the break and give her Thank You speech after her partner ate up all the time before the Speech Nazi's in the orchestra pit drowned them out. It has to be said that on more occasions than not, the orchestra does a service to helpless viewers everywhere by cutting short the likes of rambling or annoying winners, but sometimes have a heart, man. As my friend Melanie so eloquently put it: "Not that I needed any other reasons to love Jon Stewart but that was quite nice of him to bring her back on stage to say her thank you after stupid Bill Conti and his band of egotists played her off. " Oh, and sassy Mel has started her own blog - finally - to regale the world with her post-Awards show musings. Hurrah!

Secondly, random commentary on the awards and people themselves:

1) Great crop of good movies this year, from what I hear as I have not seen them all and hats off to the Coen Brothers for No Country for Old Men. These guys are geniuses and men of few words. Or at least one of them is. My husband commented they were like Penn and Teller, when one of them talks all the time. The other just said, "Thank you." Given their roster of amazingly unique films over the years, I have no doubt this one delivers. Juno was excellent and I was so happy to see Diablo Cody win for Best Original Screenplay. Her FIRST screenplay. After a career as a stripper. You go girl. Jon Stewart made a great joke about her going from an exotic dancer to a Hollywood writer: "How's that pay cut treating you?" Love Diablo. Loved her lack of a designer gown. Loved the fact the she wore sleeveless so her tattoo was boldly exhibited to the world. I'm all for Hollywood glamour, as we'll discuss later, but I'm also a fan of a woman with chops.

2) This year, the theme was "Actors from Abroad" as Europeans swept the four main acting categories. Nice to see globalization hitting Hollywood. And ya just gotta love acceptance speeches that begin with hesitant broken English and then break into rapid-fire native tongues just because they are short on time and just so damn happy.

3) We had an Oscar competition during the telecast and I won by virtue of every sound and editing award going to "The Bourne Identity." If you want suspense that moves you and a story that never lets you take a breath, but that doesn't require a lot of brain cells, rent it today. It's excellent.

4) We will not see the last of Ellen Page, even though that Marion chick from France won for playing Edith Piaf. Whatever. Juno Rules. And I have a rule to try to see anything that Laura Linney is in. I love her, I want to be her and I hope she wins someday.

5) Tilda Swinton may have looked like death warmed over wrapped in a Hefty bag, but she is a sarcastic chick and I dig that about her. Her speech referencing her admiration for George Clooney donning his Batsuit for the Batman movies "nipples and all" was bizarre but very dry and fun. I could see doing shots in a pub with this one. I have not yet seen "Michael Clayton" but hear it's great and this woman has had a long career of great work going back to "Orlando" so good for her. I saw her at Sundance a few years ago and she's as skinny as my pinky and has twins. I'll have what she's having.

6) Miley Cyrus? Seriously? SERIOUSLY? God, who the heck invited her to present and why and when will her 15 minutes be up? Oh yeah, probably a second after the cast of "High School Musical." Please.

7) In the MIA department: Keira Knightly, the makers of "Atonement" called and thank you for your support even though you weren't nominated and decided to bag it as a "non-event". I hope she was filming or had the flu to excuse not showing up. But James McAvoy, her co-star made it and presented and he's delicious (my husband will only let me say this since he's Scottish as well). Ben Affleck, your brother gets nominated, your wife is presenting, and - for anyone who saw it - was neck-licked by Gary Busey on the Red Carpet to her shock and embarassment. Where the heck were you?

8) In the "Why" department, aside from Miley Cyrus who everyone was confused about: Cameron Diaz presenting? Why? Does she have a new movie coming out or something? And The Rock? I do not get it.

9) Please do not hold the "Enchanted" musical number against Amy Adams. Please. She's better than that and a luminously gifted actress who I adored in "Junebug" a few years ago. She had a film at Sundance this year with Emily Blunt called "Sunshine Cleaning" about two sisters who form a bio-hazard cleaning service (ya know, like to clean up murder scenes and stuff) and I can't wait to see it. It sounds dark and funny and fabulous.

10) Speaking of which....will the Senate be voting on if being exposed to not one, not two, but THREE musical numbers from "Enchanted" counts as torture? I think I know a few folks who might want to opt for waterboarding.

11) Nicole Kidman Urban (Kurdman?) is pregnant but where the heck is she hiding the little thing? It is simply against natural law to be blessed with beauty, height, flawless skin AND the ability to look stunning pregnant.

Thirdly, THE FASHION!

The Carpet was ablaze in red this year and, while not consistently popular, I thought it looked great on so many. Overall, old Hollywood glamour is making a comeback and my Audrey Hepburn-idolizing heart can't get enough of it. Long dresses that fit like gloves, slicked back men's hair, temperate jewels.....it was so dreamy.

Penelope Cruz, Jennifer Garner (I don't care about the haters, I thought she looked great in black), Jessica Alba, Renee Zellweger (the dress - she herself has seen better days), Katherine Heigl (a vision), and Anne Hathaway just wowed. I also would like to know what I need to sacrifice to which God to look like Helen Mirren when I'm 60. How does this woman have a better waist than most women half her age? Sigh....

What I was not so in love with was the HAIR. What happened here? All this time and money spent on fabulous dresses and everyone either went for one of two looks: the "throw your hair in a ponytail after running from the gym" look of Cameron Diaz, Ellen Page, and others; or the "I tried to channel Veronica Lake but just have a chunk of hair in my eye" look of - everyone else except Anne and Penelope. Jennifer Garner, Marion what's her name, even Johnny Depp got a piece of the action. I'm all for escaping romantic tendrils, but there's a line, people.

As for men, I really don't have much to say as they can wear what they want and then people forget it. But George Clooney was classic debonair and handsome, Daniel Day-Lewis looked like he beat up an AMC Theatres movie usher in the bathroom and stole his jacket, and I was happy to see Javiar Bardem has better hair (and is clearly more good looking) than in the trailers for his film. And Jack, we'll keep telling you this and you'll keep not listening but..."Sunglasses in a dark auditorium are not cool. Despite what you've been told, the 'young people' are not wearing them inside. Leave them in the car."

Overall, the show was not racy, unexpected, trashy or emotional. It just WAS. I, unlike many others, love when they show old clips from Oscar's past and you get to see the movie stars of yesteryear. I also like the In Memoriam tribute, or as my husband says, The Parade of Dead People, because we get reminded one more time of many great movie folks who have long been forgotten and who in many cases, blazed a trail. Call me a sentimental old fool, or a morbid voyeur. In any event, dreams were realized last night and as I always say for those who won, its a feeling of achievement in their chosen career that not many people get to experience, so kudos to you. Party hard.

Wine 101

2008-02-08T09:40:00.000-08:00

Check out this great "Wine Tasting Basics" primer on the WA State Wine Commission's website. As I've always advocated, you don't need to be an expert to enjoy wine - the joy of it is in the discovery and experimentation. This little basic primer is useful instruction for how to make the most of wine tasting. Saluti!

Ladies Who Launch: Who Knew?

2008-02-07T15:04:00.000-08:00

Stepping into the foray of entrepreneursip with the birth of my consultancy, Red Slice, has opened up a whole new world to me. A world of LLC documentation, checks to the Secretary of State, business bank accounts, and more than a weekly need to speak to an accountant or lawyer. Who knew this land existed? Well, apparently lots of people.

While my grandparents all came to this country and managed to open their own businesses with little English skills and lots of gumption, my immediate family has always been a "Do one thing and retire with the gold watch" kind of gang. My dad worked for over 25 years at the same company, doing the work he loved best: engineering. We may have felt more comfortable with the establishment-type jobs, but not at the expense of doing something you hated. And come to think of it, my Uncle owned his own business and so did one of my brothers for a time - so maybe it's in our genes somewhere.

I always envied those people who were like, "I have this kooky idea..." and then 3 months later, there's a storefront on Union Street and a shout out in Daily Candy. I felt like they were inducted into some mystical world; a place I would never understand, navigate or see. "I like security, paying my rent and buying expensive wine," I told myself comfortingly.

Ha.

A whole new world has opened up for me since hanging out my shingle. A world where ideas become reality just because someone can show you the steps you need to take. And those steps are reasonable and possible in and of themselves - you just need to break things down. A world where people come up with ideas and do something with them, not just talk and talk. A world where there are experts to turn to, sites to visit for advice, and never a shortage of folks who are more than happy to show you their scars and help you avoid your own.

I'm talking the world of entrepreneurship.

I had the divine pleasure of freshly completing a 4-week session called The Incubator, thrown by Ladies Who Launch. Ladies Who Launch is a nationwide resource and connection network for women who want to "start" anything: a business, a book, a new travel venture. Basically women who want to make a positive change in their life and build their career or personal life in the way that best suits them, rather than forcing themselves into a life that doesn't fit. Their motto: Creativity and Entrepreneurship as a Lifestyle.

For 4 weeks, women in your city come together (small groups) to gather support, find energy, gain encouragement, network and share resources on whatever initiative they want to launch. We work through our ideas, verbalize them, and paint a vision for others. I had low expectations, ranging from "This will be a business plan course" to "This will be a female whine-fest" to "This will be like therapy or a really painful episode of Dr. Phil."

Surprisingly, I was wrong, wrong, wrong - and a little bit right in a good way. I found a group of women sharing their career (and often personal) dreams, fleshing out their business ideas, offering advice and feedback, sharing resources and ultimately, cheering each other on. It often felt so bizarre, like something unreal. And then I figured out why: I had never in my entire career been in a group of women who encouraged each other to brag, who did not judge when others celebrated success, who had no ulterior motives for helping each other. No one thought Susie talked too much about herself or Sally thought she was "all that" - this behavior was encouraged and celebrated. And how sad that this positive experience is not what we women in the workplace have created for ourselves. The Glass Ceiling be damned - 9 times out of 10, I have seen women be the saboteurs of other women, whether through talking behind their back, being cruel just to show they were tough, gossiping or holding a gal's own success against her lest she think "she's better than everyone else." This negativity has nothing to do with men, ladies.

The 8 women in my group ranged from current business owners looking to branch out, corporate types wanting to make a change but not sure how, women who were trying to find a way to build a business out of their passionate talents, and those who had a vision of a business venture but had never been encouraged or assisted in pursuing it. Most of all, women who are tired of being scared, or bored, or concerned with "what other people thought" and who want to start living their lives for the only human that will judge them on their death bed: themselves.

In just 4 weeks, I bonded with these women in a way I often do not with gal pals. I now consider them all close confidantes, my own personal and professional Board of Directors, who I will consult and give back to as long as they will let me. Because of them, I now have more clarity around what I want Red Slice to be, what clients I want to pursue, and more importantly, I feel more than ever that some of my crazy ideas and schemes (opening a wine bar someday) are POSSIBLE. People open businesses every day and, damn it, I can figure it out, too!

Ladies out there, if you have the opportunity to make a change or have an idea to build a business, I highly encourage you to sign up for the Incubator in your city. You will be oh so surprised at what you find in these other women - and in yourself.

PS - and by the way, starting up my own thing means living on a budget for a while. So I'm halting the expensive wines - but only for a bit. Paring back in and of itself is cathartic and eye-opening so it's just another unexpected blessing from this new phase.

Hollywood and the Web

2008-01-28T10:11:00.000-08:00

Sorry, dear readers, for the way overdue promised summary of "Webolution! Hollywood Adapts to the Web" panel from the Sundance Film Festival '08. As mentioned, Kara Swisher did a great job filming and summarizing this panel on All Things D. But here are my notes and thoughts on this hot topic.

Let me preface by saying I have never understood why the monolithic music and production companies get their panties in a bunch about their trailers or song snippets circling the web. Yes, yes, I am not so stupid as to overlook the copyright and piracy issues where millions of dollars are at stake. I'm talking about folks like Viacom who take down clips from YouTube in the name of copyright protection. As a marketer, I want to hit them over the head with a frying pan, "Don't you know how much this branding and press is worth in the long run? It will help drive viewership, paid downloads, album sales, etc. if you give people a taste and a tease." It is SO frustrating to me. I did ask this question and the panel basically said, "Those that get it, will win. Those that don't will fall behind." OK...I guess. But a young filmmaker in the audience did say that her trailer on YouTube kept up steady DVD sales - until she got into the Tribeca Film Festival who made her take the trailer down for the duration of their festival. Her DVD sales ground to a halt. I'm not saying....I'm just saying.

But I digress. The panel:

Ted Sarandos, Netflix (in charge of a lot of their subscription service for original content, as well as DVD's)
Dmitry Shaprio, Veoh.com (a site that offers a one stop shop portal for content. The content is still streamed from Veoh, no matter where it's linked, so viewership can be tracked)
Dan Glickman, CEO of the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA)
Jason Kilar, Hulu.com (another content network; a News Corp and NBC Universal joint venture)
Mike Volpi, Joost.com
Erik Flanagan, Digital Media, MTV Networks/Comedy Central/Southpark Studios (he is helping the South Park guys with their digital strategy - they are one of the view content providers in tradition media actually putting thought into giving access and monetizing this new media)
Phil Lelyveld, Entertainment Technology Strategic Advisor (read: consultant. Also was a big wig at Disney)

If I could sum up the main theme of how Hollywood is embracing the web it would be "trial and error." Studios and traditional media do get that they need to embrace all these new distribution channels, but they are just not sure how to do it responsibly and quite frankly, in the way that makes them the most money. Fair enough. The monetization issue came up in question after question. Some of the panelists see people trying different things in this new Wild West. They all had various opinions about which model will win out: ad supported (the most popular one that they feel Google is making more efficient), premium subscription based (a la Netflix). There was no argument among the panelists that any model needs good, relevant content to succeed no matter what. Nice to see they are keeping their eyes on the ball here.

What are the major challenges with video over the Web today? Answers ranged from "availability of good content" to "finding the right niche" to "protecting intellectual property" (care of the MPAA) to "monetizing the new viewing habits" as mentioned above. The interesting note on this discussion was that much of the uncertainty has been justified in the name of "artist protection" but the panel got to the heart of it and said monetization was more of a real concern that the altruistic positions. That was refreshing.

Many felt access to the good content is the main issue in consumer choice, whether it's through poorly regulated broadband access (a side discussion ensued about how the US lags behind other countries like Japan in universal high-speed Internet from the government vs. what competition has done in this country to slow us down) or finding a single place to aggregate relevant content. Think beyond YouTube, which shows actual short films with videos of Johnny's cat playing poker. That's like having one TV channel and expecting to appeal to the History Channel and G4 audiences all at the same time. How can advertisiers expect to get behind that kind of scattershot ad model? They can't, so until there are niche avenues for content, the advertisers might wait.

The other tangent this took us down was advertising on the web in general. Interestingly enough, these new media are showing actual viewers, length of time viewed, traffic sources - basically data that is not available in traditional media. The old guard has often priced advertising based on algorithmic extrapolations and padded assumptions (for example, the pass along statistics magazines cite to pump up their ad costs) and they were never questioned. Now the Web comes along with trackable metrics and the numbers are appalling in some cases, but usually REAL. So maybe it's not that web advertising doesn't work, but that advertising measurement in general was always flawed and now the curtain has been pulled back. Discuss.

Most talent is not really thinking about their digital distribution strategy, except for the South Park guys. They have created a whole web property where users can take parts of their content and then augment it and virally distribute it. This is a bold move with all the piracy concerns, but as we see from You Tube and social sites like Facebook and MySpace, user-generated and customized content is the name of the game. You have to give a little to get a little and very few artists embrace this philosophy because it requires a lot of trust and connection with your audience.

Everyone generally felt "movie screens would never die out" but the new media has indeed impacted the traditional distribution windows by which the film industry has lived and died. "Windows" are like when a movie is released and only in theatres for a while; then it goes to cable; then to DVD and never the windows shall overlap. Until now. 2929 Entertainment did some experimentation with concurrent windows on some of their films ("Syriana", I believe). And HBO and Netflix did a deal with "Pan's Labrynth" to have the DVD window open the same time as the cable window - as the Netflix guy so aptly stated, "And the sky didn't fall and we all got paid well." So seems those willing to structure win-win deals and take the chance can meet their objectives.

Finally, the other main point was that content producers need to not just see the Web as another distribution channel, where they simply take their content from one media and port it directly to your browser. Thought needs to go up the value chain so that content can be created distinctly for these multiple channels. Anything that succeeds on the web is highly specialized, and soon specific skills for Internet or Cell Phone fimmakers will be in demand from a creative perspective. For example, panoramic shots may work well in a movie theatre or on your 62" Flat Screen but not on small square of video on your laptop or on your iPhone. Also, to the point made earlier, viewers may want to interact with that content in a new way and add self-generated content, recommend to friends and a whole host of other personalization options. One panelist noted, "If there is a free flow of content, piracy goes away because you have eliminated the friction."

Some companies to watch that may help push this digital envelope are Facebook, Google, and ironically some of the folks on this panel.

The panel was great. I was concerned at how they'd balance all the speakers, but they were all to the point and brief, and the conversation was lively. Kara pulls no punches and inserts her own opinions, often challening panelists on their answers to go beyond the PR-approved sound bit. Well done.

The overall relevance for Indie film makers is clear: the distribution opportunities are increasing and this is good news. Especially for short films. For example, in the old world, short films could only aspire to film festivals like Sundance and then there was no mass market for them. Now they can get picked up for distribution on Netflix, iTunes and......wait for it.....XBOX Live. Yes the same evil box that sucks your spouse into Halo 3 has a service to offer short films for download. And bingo, there's a whole new market and channel for the filmmaker's voice.

The next few years should be very exciting on this front. And it also inspired me to maybe produce my short film idea this year after all. But of course, that is always the effect Sundance has on me. Hey, does anyone have stats showing a spike in sales of HD cameras and Final Cut software right after the festival? Hmmmmm.....

Celeb Spotting Update

2008-01-22T10:33:00.000-08:00

I was informed by my partner in crime, Carrie, that the good looking guy at Bar Boheme was indeed Tom Welling from "Smallville." Sometimes, there are just really pretty people at Sundance who look like they SHOULD be famous or something, so it's hard to tell. Of course, this was the guy who I think was wondering why I was the only one not hitting on him as I stood next to him waiting for Carrie to come back from the Ladies Room!

Sundance '08: "I totally admire, like, musicians, and stuff."

2008-01-21T15:29:00.000-08:00

Sundance '08 brought me home with the memory of Quentin Tarantino bumping into me (literally) in my hotel lobby and a stomach bug. Enjoying a shorter stay than in years past, I ate, drank, and celeb-spotted by way up and down Main Street for only 2 days and 3 nights.

This year, the festival tipped the scales at about 50,000 - up about 10k from last year according to the word on the street. I only started going 5 years ago, but I have never seen it this crowded or crazy. Time was, you could easily get individual film tickets online beforehand (even though that system is as painful as a sharp stick in the eye - Silicon Valley, please hook these guys up....) or just wait a bit in the Wait List line and 4 out of 5 times you were golden. Not the case this year. First off, not everyone registered even received an online ticket buying window (my partner in crime being one of them) and us "lucky" few who did were met with most everything being already sold on when we logged in, leaving the scraps - to which you couldn't even get THOSE tickets. Once you clicked to buy, you got an error message that it was indeed not available. Headache.

We managed to get into 2 films on the waitlist, and a panel so all was not lost. First up was "Good Dick" written, directed by and starring Marianna Palka, an adorable Scottish lass with some weighty ties in Hollywood. While this was her first script, she got her friend Jason Ritter on board, who in turn got Charles Durning in for a cameo (not too shabby) and she also snagged Tom Arnold for the role of her abusive father. I totally admire that she pretty much did this film as a resume piece - she admitted to writing it with all intents of starring in it - and that is good, since the odd dysfunctional and provocative premise of the film leaves little room for mass distribution. But the art is the thing, right? The movie centers around a sexually damaged woman who rents erotica every day from her local video store. Jason Ritter is the adorable puppy dog/whipping post who decides to reach out (in almost stalker like proportions) to this girl, thus creating one of the most disturbing and dysfunctional relationships since Brian the Dog's infatuation with Lois on "The Family Guy." Not sure the characters were likeable enough for me, but I appreciated the moments of black humor and the idea that humans can and must find love in the most unorthodox ways. Palka stated the film cost about $1M to make, which surprised me based on what I saw, but she also chose to film in L.A. which never helps.

We tried to get into some other films, but ended up lucking into "Chronic Town" instead. This isolated tale of a flawed cab driver in Fairbanks, Alaska follows his quest to find friendship and connection after he is dumped by his girlfriend. The desolate, "nothing changes here" locale was perfect for the film's mood and the director, Tom Hines, thanked his producers (which include his now wife) profusely for supporting his desire that they could not film anywhere else. The film starts JR Bourne, a very attractive model-type who they tried to "scruff up" for the role of Truman, an alcoholic, pot smoking mess of a guy. Watch for this guy, I think he'll go far. He managed to make his character wholly likeable while being a complete loser. The acting and production of this film was stellar, but again as with "Good Dick" I felt like the character arc was little plodding.

We wanted to see such films as "The Last Word" about a guy who writes suicide notes for a living; and"Sunshine Cleaning" starring Amy Adams and Emily Blunt, two of my fave actresses, as sisters who start a bioharzard crime scene clean up service. But alas, we took what we could.

For more info on other Sundance films, click here for an alphabetical list.

The panel was called "Webolution! Hollywood Adapts to the Web" and was moderated by Kara Swisher of All Things D. This killer panel was small (we were lucky to get in) and had a great group of industry heavies, ranging from the CEO of the Motion Picture Association of America, to the heads of Joost, Vioh and HuLu to the guy who does emerging media content distribution for Comedy Central, Spike and other MTV properties. Check out Kara's site for her video of the panel (and her celeb/friend guide Jane Lynch who I also saw - loved her in Best in Show and 40 Year Old Virgin) and I'll write more on another post. This panel was the perfect blend of my high-tech experience and love for the entertainment industry. Hmmmm, maybe I need to make that leap after all......

Celebs spotted this year: Marcia Gay Harden (who looks about a size 0 and 10 years younger than she does on screen), Colin Farrell, ("He's very short and has a big head" says Carrie) David Boreanaz (from Angel and Bones - sat drinking next to him at Bar Boheme), Stanley Tucci (as he impressively naivigated the Main Street sidewalk while doing an interview), Dylan Walsh of "Nip/Tuck" (dining a few tables over at Cafe Terigo), Tom Arnold, Jason Ritter, Rachel Hunter (who doesn't really look all that tall but is still stunning), Dennis Quaid (with a posse he was having as much luck getting into the Queer Lounge party as me and Carrie had, which made us not feel so bad), Marc Jacobs (I have to give this one to Carrie, since I had no clue), Jane Lynch (once on the street, graciously having fun taking pics with people and then again at the Web panel), Harvey Weinstein (with a bevy of blond assistants - they looked like duckings, all huddled around him as they walked). And as mentioned at this post's start, Quentin Tarantino in the lobby of my hotel. We smiled and said hello, but I just didn't have it in me to be "that girl" and say "I love your work. Here's my card. Call me if Uma is not available." Damn it! Then he ran into me when he came back in to the lobby. He's kind of like that clumsy lovable friend you had in High School who is scared of girls. I love that the man who can dream up Lucy Liu's character in Kill Bill is really just a goofy guy. Classic.

I also met a key fundraiser for the Seattle Film Festival in my airport shuttle, so watch this space on how I might get involved with that this year.

So overall: more crowds, less films for me to get into, more celebs spotted (this happens when you go towards the beginning of the festival rather than towards the end), typical inane artistic conversations and loud cell phone conversations about deals and PR. "We need to go through him to get her and I think that would be a win, so let's just offer her what she wants."

Viva la independent film.

This Just In....Golden Globes Winners

2008-01-14T09:27:00.001-08:00

Well, the Golden Globes "Winners Special" aired last night on NBC. One nice neat hour of award categories and winner announcments wrapped up in a sweet little bow. I predicted that maybe people would like this format better then the painful 3+ hour spectacle that we are used to. But I have to admit, I missed the emotion, the tension, and the glamour.

Note: I found out later there was some other telecast/press conference with Mary Hart and some people, as well as Larry King coverage? I am so confused - I just thought this was aired on NBC)

And I can say that I have found something even more grating than the stupid teleprompter banter between award presenters. It's the stupid banter between cheesy Nancy O'Dell of Access Hollywood and Billy Bush. It was like watching two work colleagues who don't really like each other too much passively aggressively trying to act like they are chummy and charming. Nancy is actually not half bad as an entertainment reporter and host, but Billy has GOT to go.

What was more painful then a Turkish prison was the random cutaways to Shaun Robinson and Shaun Robinson and Dave Karger, Sr. Writer Entertainment Weekly. He was decent, she was dreadful. Where did they find this woman? She actually made you appreciate experienced entertainment hosts for the skills you never realized they possess, because she just could not comment or interview worth a damn. Maybe this quote will illustrate: Dave was making some pretty intelligent commentary as the award winners were announced, talking about the work, surprises, etc. Shaun pipes in as they lead to a break, "Ok, More assessment to come . This is fun!" Did someone hire their little sister for this or what?

The evening started out with Nancy and Billy basically saying there would be no big awards show this year because the writers are on strike and wow, that sucks. Backed by a glitzy golden-themed podium set that looked like leftover props from about 10 different past Globes telecasts, the conservatively dressed hosts could have at leats worn a gown and tux to jazz it up a bit. Instead it looked like a typical Entertainment Tonight episode or something.

Now we all know these awards would lose the dramatic tension by not panning the audience and zooming in on the hopeful faces of the nominees, as the presenters gleefully rip open the envelope. That 2-3 second moment is full of promise and anticipation. Sweat beads, smiles freeze and everyone holds their breath. "And the Golden Globe goes to...." Sweet, sweet words. But as with the choice of clothing, did they have to make it SO anti-climactic? Not even for us viewers but for the hardworking people who, for the first time, were being recognized for their work for maybe the very first time. What a gyp. A factory-installed synthesizer beat played as they announced the winner like the 10-day weather forecast. It was like watching a corporate video. Did the music composers go on strike too or something?

NBC tried to sprinkle in some online trivia and prediction tie ins to NBC.com, which was a nice attempt to make things a little different. But overall, I've seen better awards presentation at a corporate Sales Kick Off. The devil is in the details, my friends.

So now the nitty gritty: The Globes! Some highlights and surprises:

Best Supporting Actress - Film: Cate Blanchett won for playing a man, Bob Dylan, in "I'm Not There" which just goes to show cross-dressing is always a big awards show hit. Tilda Swinton was nominated for "Michael Clayton" which I did not yet see (I know George, I'm sorry sweetie) but she is always deliciously deep in her roles. And since I did catch "Atonement" I'd like to give a shout out to Saoirse Ronan, the little girl who played Briony at age 13. This talented, intense girl will surely be seen again. She was wonderfully solemn and chilling.

Best supporting TV actor: Jeremy Piven for "Entourage." He is brilliant in this role of the agent you love to hate. But I think he keeps winning because Hollywood can identify with this tenacious character a little TOO closely.

Best Actress - TV Drama: Edie Falco had one last hurrah for "The Sopranos" but the winner was Glenn Close for "Damages" I have not seen the show, but even just the clips were powerful. This woman gets better and better (and more beautiful) with age. Thumbs down to the team responsible for submittimg Holly Hunter's clip for "Saving Grace" - you could not even hear her dialogue with all the background noise in the scene - that was their best example? Someone should get fired.

Best Supporting TV Actress: While my faves Rachel Griffiths and "My Name is Earl"'sJamie Pressley were nominated talented Samantha Morton took it for "Longford." She was brilliant as a killer with a soft side. She's done amazing work over the years and I'm glad to see her have her day in the sun.

Best Actor TV Drama - Huge upset here. The winner was John Hamm for "Mad Men" - the AMC series about the advertising industry in the 60's. I had been wanting to catch this show and now I think I'll seek it out. This is the first major series for AMC. Hamm beat out Hugh Laurie, Michael C. Hall, and Bill Paxton for this one. Consistent with the M.O. of the Globes, they once again crowned a talented new underdog the winner. This is why I love the Globes - they really take to new work and new faces.

Best Animated Film: Ratatouille take the cake (tee hee hee). A Disney film for foodies? It was very enjoyable so catch it if you haven't. Other nominees; The Bee Movie (please just go away) and The Simpsons's Movie - why? Oh, Ratatouille brought in $616M worldwide - I guess rats are nothing to laugh at.

Best Actress Motion Picture Comedy or Musical - Another surprise here. Marion Cotillard beat out Ellen Page, Amy Adams, Nikki Blonsky, Helena Bonham Carter. Cotillard played Edith Piaf in "La Vie en Rose." Having seen Ellen Page in "Juno" I was sad she didn't win - she was just a delight. But I'm sure we'll see more of her.

Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture: Javier Bardem as the creepy villain in the Coen Brothers' "No Country for Old Men." From what I've read, this was not much of a surprise. What WAS a surprise was finding out his girlfriend is Penelope Cruz??! Go Javier!

Best Actress Minseries or TV Movie: Queen Latifah for "Life Support" which was a Sundance pick. She beat out Debra Messing and Sissy Spacek. Debra has not won after 7 nominations. I'm seeing shades of Susan Lucci forming.

Best Actor TV Series-Comedy: In the "Maybe I don't watch as much TV as I feared becasue I have no idea about this show"category, David Duchovny won for "Californication". He beat out Steve Carell ("The Office") Ricky Gervais ("Extras"), and "Pushing Daisies" guy Lee Paisley. All the other actors except newcomer Paisely has won a Globe before, so the Hollywood Foreign Press seems to be spreading the love.

Best TV Comedy: HBO's "Extras" wins over 30 Rock and some others. Is HBO a hit factory or what? This show is deliciously painful to watch, as we come to expect from the BBC's "The Office" creator Gervais.

Best Actress TV Comedy: Yay Tina Fey for "30 Rock" - hurrah!!!

BTW: Steven Speilberg was supposed to get the Cecil B. DeMille award for life's work but this was postponed to next year. What a bummer for him.

Best Director: Huge upset here. Julian Schnabel wins for "The Diving Bell and The Butterfly" over Tim Burton, Ethan and Joel Coen, Ridley Scott, and Joe Wright. Quite a coup. I think this is the movie about the guy who writes his life story by only communicating through blinking one eye or something? (OK, so maybe I don't have a career writing movie trailers.....)

Best Actor in a Motion Picture Comedy or Musical: Johnny Depp for "Sweeney Todd". 7 time nominee and this is his first win. Although from the clip, it looked like he was phoning it in and I would never say that about him under normal circumstances. Maybe it was just a bad clip from the movie. But hats off to the Hollywood Foreign Press for nominating goofiness guru John C Reilly for the Johnny Cash spoof, "Walk Hard". Glad to see they have sense of humor.

Best Motion Picture Comedy or Musical: Nominees include "Across the Universe" (WTF?), "Charlie Wilson's War", "Hairspray", "Juno", "Sweeney Todd". And the winner is "Sweeney Todd". This was the 5th time Johnny collaborated with Tim Burton and I advise him to continue to do so!

Best TV Drama Series: Another surprise here: Winner is AMC's "Mad Men". They gave an award to John Hamm from the show and here it beats out "Big Love", "Damages", "Grey's Anatomy", "House" and "The Tudors". Wow. The HFP must really love this show, but then again they are known for picking that talented underdog and standing by it.

Best Actress Motion Pic: Julie Christie wins it for portraing a woman debilitated by Alzheimer's in "Away From Her" (a Sundance pick) after last beng nominated 33 years ago for Shampoo. Wow. What an upset. I thought for sure it was to be a neck and neck between Angelina and Keira.

Best Actor Motion Picture Drama: Daniel Day-Lewis for "There Will Be Blood" about oil barons based on Upton Sinclair's novel, "Oil!" Nods went to James McAvoy for "Atonement", Viggo Mortenson "Eastern Promises", Denzel "American Gangster".

Best Picture - Drama: "Atonment" wins. The movie is beaufifully shot and just a sweeping epic romance if you're into that.

So nada for "Juno" or "Michael Clayton". On a side note, Juno was quirky, funny and sweet. It reminded me of a Wes Anderson flick, a la "Rushmore" or "Life Aquatic" but not quite as out there. The dialogue was snappy and the acting on point. Highly recommend.

Well, we'll see what happens at Oscar time. I hope the strike is over not just for the excessive awards show, but to bring back talented stories. Onward!

Stop Touching that Sick Monkey!

2008-01-11T11:55:00.000-08:00

A little Flight of the Conchords to usher in the weekend - these guys are classic and this song is a good one.

Bon Weekend!

Golden Globes, Elections, and The Colbert Report

2008-01-09T11:02:00.000-08:00

Sense the randomness? Lots going on in my world this week and since I had little time to get back on my culinary tour bus through Seattle - bar food and beer was the great call last Friday night - I'd like to comment on a few things going on in our world.

First of all, the Golden Globes have been cancelled. With all the hullabaloo over crossing the picket line, many actors were not even going to show up anyway. I'm not sure how it all works, but also, who would write the pithy banter and musical sendups? So word on the street is that the awards will be annonced via an hour-long news conference (which the writers union is skeptical about as a wolf in sheep's clothing - there's also a whole other drama unfolding about whether dick clark productions is involved or not. I can't keep up with this "All My Children" incestuousness).

They'd better be careful: people may like this more no-nonsense format better if it means we get a reprieve from watching Jack Nicholson chew gum like a cow munching hay and from inarticulate acceptance speeches from people who speak for a living. We'll see.

The Hollywood Foreign Press is sad, the networks and advertisers are sad, and of course, imagine being Nikki Blonsky or Ellen Page as your dream of being nominated and possibily accepting a prestigious award has been dashed against the silent Mac keyboards and cobwebbed printers laying like ancient relics in writers' offices all over Hollywood.

My entertainment guru friend, Melanie, even brought up the point of all the money and promotion being lost by as-of-yet-undiscovered clothing and jewelry designers who get their chops by adorning young starlets. Don't cry too much, kids, you'll stain the silk chiffon.

In the grand scheme of all that is going on in the world, this is nothing, really. But it is a bit of fun, glitz and glamour that I am sad to miss out on. And who knows what this bodes for the Oscars come February?

On my second topic, did you guys know there are elections going on? No? Well, let me kindly remove that rock from your head and hose all that mud out of your hair. Maybe I'm more aware or go out partying less, but it seems I've never seen such pervasive primary coverage before. I don't remember ever being this involved and informed on what was going on at the caucases. Not sure if it's a good thing or a bad thing. But I get hopeful when I see seas of people, smiling and energetic ,ready to rally around their candidate to see change in this country. Makes me forget all the comparisons to the downfall of the Roman Empire I keep hearing about. And no matter what side of the aisle you lay your hat, it is very exciting to see an African American and a woman be able to win presidential primaries. I'm so glad I'm seeing this in my lifetime, and quite frankly, it's about freaking time. One adorable old coot in Iowa even told a reporter, "Well, men have been screwing things up for 200 years. May as well give a woman a chance to fix everything." Classic.

One amusing note if you were listening to NBC's (or MSNBC's - honestly, I can never tell which of my 932 channels I'm watching half the time) coverage of the New Hampshire results. BTW, in case you seriously had not heard, Clinton won the Democratic vote and McCain won the Republican. Chris Matthews and Tom Brokaw were having some filler conversation as they awaited Clinton's victory speech. Matthews kept commenting on the surprise Clinton victory there, given all the polls and whatnot. And Brokaw smacked him down with a "That's the problem with this culture. We need to, as journalists, wait for the results to be in before reporting and speculating - and perhaps impacting - on what WILL happen. We need to report what DOES happen, since polls and guesses and such just do not factor in that humans will change their minds multiple times before making a final decision." Not an exact quote, mind you, but it was a total old school "booya" moment, as Brokaw schooled Matthews in the ways of being an actual journalist. You could almost hear Matthews whimpering as he slinked down under his desk. Felt like watching someone get lectured in the principal's office. Luckily, he was saved by the bell with a "Oh, look! Clinton's taking the stage. Let's listen." Brokaw's stock just tripled in my eyes after this exchange and I fear he is a dying breed.

Lastly, to come full circle back to the day to day impact of the writer's strike, I sadly lament not hearing the golden barbs of Jon Stewart and Steven Colbert during this key political moshpit. But I saw that both TDS and TCR were on air with new episodes on Monday night. Not sure how they did it, but Colbert's show was about 80% past clips which might explain it. And lots of references to the strike itself. Amusing, but not the caliber we come to expect from these mad geniuses.

Writers, we miss you. You don't know what you've got until it's gone. Come back......please!

Happy Birthday Red Slice!

2008-01-04T12:12:00.000-08:00

Yes, yes, happy new year as well.

2008 is shaping up to be the year of change and growth. I have foregone my usual bulleted lists of New Year's resolutions (goals, really) for a more organic, balanced mission this year: to seek out new opportunities, follow my passion, and balance my life.

(Side note: pretty vague, so the Type-A in me still has a bulleted to-do list. Damn, I tried.)

In that vein, finally having some closure I needed, I have cleared off my desk, fastened a shiny new logo to my website and hung out my shingle: Red Slice, LLC is open for business! With all the talk of managing your career and the brand of "you", I settled on Red Slice as my umbrella brand for all my creative and professional pursuits. Part of that is my marketing consultancy, where I can assist clients and agencies with strategic or tactical work around branding, marketing planning, programs, and writing. If you have a need for an extra brain and pair of hands to make your marketing pop, give me a shout.

I am excited about this new chapter. I've been needing a change for some time as well as flexibility for my writing and acting passions and this provides an outlet for both. You often hear of this wall that people hit some time in their 30's (cough, cough) where they start to value the work they do and the life they lead more than the title and paycheck. I would have scoffed at this notion a few years ago; now, I get it. I found myself running the Rat Race, doggedly gazing only ahead when out of the periphery, I caught sight of all the other intense faces and wondering how the hell I got here. So I dropped back, quietly veered off course to the next Gatorade stop and now I'm calling the shots.

At least until the next opportunity presents itself. Never say never. I used to beat myself up for having so many interests and taking so many paths. Now I revel in it. For Christmas, I picked up the children's book "Frederick" by Leo Leonni for my nephew. Upon reading the author's bio on the book jacket, this author born in 1910 and who passed away in 1999, was by turns an artist, architectural critic, photographer, businessman, art director, and children's book author. Love it! Sounds to me like he was a well-rounded human being, rather than a job hopper. At the end of the day, who are you trying to please? You still have to go to bed at night alone with yourself and your thoughts - you live in no one else's shoes and they don't live in yours.

Leo was once quoted as saying, "I have the feeling that if you are very thorough and put love and care into a thing it will come out well somehow." You go, Leo.

My hope for all of you this year is that you do what you enjoy and can make a living doing it, or you at least make a living that enables you to do what you enjoy.

The Queen Anne Shuffle

2007-12-18T14:16:00.000-08:00

This weekend kept us close to the hood to try two spots we've been passing on our way to and from home.

Portage is an adorable little nook with no more than about 10 tables right at the top of Queen Anne Avenue. They specialize in classic French and the menu is small but mighty. With crisp white linen cloths and tiny votives, it is very cozy and very romantic. The bar carried Hendrick's Gin so that is always a good sign.

Warning: we did a poor job of writing things down on these excursions, so I will try to find what I can.

We were greeted warmly and got some fantastic wine by the glass recommendations. I'm not sure if the manager or the owner came out to pour our wine, but he took the time to tell us a little bit about each winery and the tastiness we were about to consume. Hankering a nice Chateauneuf-du-pape but with no by-the-glass option, I was steered to a lovely Cotes du Roussillon instead. It held grenache and other goodness in it's light berry color. And it warmed my throat and stomach as it meandered down, silky smooth to my tummy on this cold, rainy night. I cannot recall the winemaker, but it was round and full and smooth. Perfect. My husband has a lovely Oregon wine that was Pinot Noir with a touch of what we thought was Cab Franc kick at the finish. The manager/owner gentleman could not recall what the second grape was.

For starters, I opted for the Caramelized delicata squash, frisee, toasted almonds, ashed goat cheese for $8. The flavor packed a smooth punch and the squash melted in my mouth. My husband had the local roots baby greens with a splash of red wine vinaigrette for $7. He said the dressing was a bit overpowering but it looked crisp and fresh.

I tried the Diver scallops with oasted squash puree and foraged mushroom fricassee for my entree. The scallops were big and hearty and the earthy-nuttiness of the rest of the dish balanced out the creamy tang of them. But we also tried the best chicken dish we've ever had in a restaurant, hands down: Roasted chicken, cipollini onions, lardons, baby tomato confit . Most restaurants put on chicken as an afterthought and never quite do it justice, but this was juicy and perfectly roasted - a delectable balance with the sweet kick of the cipollinis.

We rounded it all out with 3 scoops of Chocolate-Grand Marnier ice cream. Overall, it was a good, sturdy meal, but not sure we need to go running back to try anything else. Maybe if they change the menu, as it is right by our house. But there was an odd vibe where I never felt quite "comfortable" - and the entrees took WAY too long with such a small amount of tables. We waited what seemed like a half hour from the time they took our salads away.

Saturday night brought us to modern, funky Betty, a little further up the hill. We had been here for drinks before and it combines a sleek modern sensibility of steel tables, concrete floor, and straight lines with a little bit of warmth - earthy toned canvas painting on the walls, two small stained glass creations flanking the bar. They make killer drinks at the bar (one of the best Grey Goose and Tonic's I ever had and their speciality cocktails are to die for). We decided to eat at the bar since we couldn't get a table anyway - but there is the option of sitting at the chef's counter and watch all the magic happen.

We went for the Mozarella Risotto Balls, fried and gently embraced by a sweet tomato sauce and garnished with kale. I could have eaten ten of these bad boys, they were so flavorful and crispy. I opted for the mussels as my entree and they did not disappoint. Swimming in a light wine broth, they were just the right size. And the bread rocked for dipping! Hubby tried the Steak Frittes and I ended up eating off his plate. The salty, zingy ribeye was cooked to perfection (my mouth waters just thinking about it now) and the fries were perfectly crisped (again, good for dipping in my mussel broth.)

Our bartender/server was great - busy but always attentive and really friendly. Coming from SF, this is a hip spot, sans the hip attitude. Love it and want to go back for more.

Overall, a nice little Queen Anne sampler. Next on the list is the best named restaurant in a while, "How to Cook a Wolf." Yowsa.

For Your Consideration

2007-12-13T10:07:00.000-08:00

Call them what you like: petty, vapid, meaningless in the fabric of human time and existence. They are out. The 2008 Golden Globe nominations. A little bit of sparkle and glamour to cheer our winter doldrums. For the complete listing, check out my friend BuzzSugar.

Not a lot of huge surprises in my book. Philip Seymour Hoffman, Mary-Louise Parker, Sally Field, Keira Knightly, Kyra Sedgwick, Johnny Depp, Denzel, George, Cate...but some unknown performances that really did deserve kudos (as far as I've seen in review, as I have not seen some of these films yet) also got recognized: Ellen Page in "Juno", Javier Bardem in "No Country for Old Men" (he looks totally creepy and cool), Amy Adams in "Enchanted" (I adored her in "Junebug" but this Disney rom-com needs a bit more to get me to the theatre).

The just released epic romance, "Atonement" based on the novel of the same name (which I indidentally just picked up from Barnes & Noble - talk about timing) got seven nominations across various categories, including acting nods to Knightly and her co-star, James McAvoy. I envy Miss Keira. She has had a charmed acting career, nabbing tons of juicy roles from period pieces to action-adventures. And she's like 20. I hate her. And as for McAvoy, I've seen his work before at Sundance in the moving and beautiful "Rory O'Shea Was Here" and loved his turn as a faun in "The Chronicles of Narnia". I did not get the chance to check him out in "The Last King of Scotland" but I just adore him. I really do. Good for him.

Other random musings:

Angelina Jolie got a nod for her portrayal of Marianne Pearl in "A Mighty Heart." Shocking.

Clint Eastwood got a nod in the - wait for it - Best Original Score category for a song he did for the Iraq widower drama, "Grace is Gone" starring John Cusack. I mentioned I saw this at Sundance, since my friend Rebecca Friese was in the film as well. Yeah!

I have not seen "Juno" yet but the trailers crack me up. Ellen Page is sarcastic, lovable and smart without being cloying all at the same time. Already love her.

Hurrah for Bill Paxton's nod for "Big Love." Not normally his fan, but he's perfect for the role of Bill, a man trying to live his public and polygamous life separately without having a mental breakdown. Talk about stress. Makes you wanna go home and hug your spouse after you see what his typical day is like.
I'm sad there were not any shoutouts to Judd Apatow for "Knocked Up" or "Superbad."

Why does "Hairspray" get nominated for anything? I still think that making a movie based on a musical that was based on a movie in the first place is just overkill. I admit, I didn't see it, but how can you turn a John Water's film into a fluffy Hollywood, light-hearted, musical romp? But shout out to Nikki Blonsky who got a best actress nod. I am all for the unknown who sees her star on the rise. You go, girl.

Does anyone else think Johnny Depp recycled his costume from "Edward Scissorhands" for his "Sweeney Todd" role? And haven't I seen that makeup on Helena Bonham Carter on the red carpet? Meow. I kid because I love HBC. She's a freak and I love that about her.

"Bee Movie" should be banned on the basis of cruel and unusual overpromotion on an unsuspecting public. I haven't seen anything hawked like that since Ginzu knives. You couldn't run, you couldn't hide. E tu, Jerry?

Yeah, Tina Fey for "30 Rock." Yeah, Alec Baldwin for the same (he is hilarious, people. I've almost forgotten he married Kim Basinger.) Yeah, Jamie Pressly for "My Name is Earl". She is the most hysterical, sarcastic, fast-talkin' piece of White Trash I would ever want on my side in a bar fight at Hooter's in Arkansas. How much can I pay to watch her in the ring for just 1 hour with both Paris and Brittany? Ah, sweet justice.

Hugh Laurie is British. I'm tired of people not knowing this. And I think his accent is bad and sounds like Smith from the Matrix movies. My husband says he is actually a really funny and famous comedian back in the UK and I think I'd enjoy him more in that vein than in the "Oh look at me, I'm so acerbic and witty and full of one liners to act like I'm masking a warm heart behind this cold exterior but really I truly am an egomaniacal jerk who knows the answers but likes to make you feel stupid and small and yet you keep thinking I'm such a great doctor" role he plays on "House." Maybe it's just me. "Nuff said.

No love from the Hollywood Foreign Press for "Heroes"? This is a bit of a surprise.

My parting thought on all of this: Some movies and performances the critics loved got no love, while others they hated got nominations. Just goes to show beauty is in the eye of the beholder and this is all just a bit of fun. But my congrats to all the nominees. I envy the wonderful feeling you must have right now as you get rewarded for work you enjoy doing in the first place. Enjoy your time as belles of the ball!

I Hate When Meg Ryan Has a Point

2007-12-10T14:20:00.000-08:00

Do you remember the scene in "You've Got Mail" where Meg Ryan laments to her email-lover (unknown to her to be Tom Hanks) that she hates rude confrontations where she is left speechless and then, hours later, tries to think up some perfect comeback "zinger" she should have used? I had two such moments this weekend. One with my home builder (who, until I get the issue resolved, I will refrain from mentioning) and one from some crazy chick in the movie theatre.

Those who know me know I am not usually at a loss for words. Comes from years of honing my Ninja-like responses to my older brothers' teasing and sarcasm. But sometimes I act so accomodating in the moment, revert subconsciously to a good little Catholic girl - and then get pissed at myself for not saying something meant to put someone in their place.

Forget about the specifics of both cases. One was just someone who tried to guilt me into feeling badly for calling when his personal issue had absolutely no bearing on his responsibility to me. He completely tried to blur the issue by making me feel I was inconveniencing him and I thought, "Don't be heartless, be understanding" so I fell for it hook, line and sinker. Only later I realized the manipulation that had taken place- and I was pissed I wasn't more direct and demanding with him. I SHOULD have calmly said, "With all due respect, that has nothing to do with me. If you had called me back 2 weeks ago when you were supposed to, or if you had already fixed the problem, I wouldn't be calling right now, so let's not act like this is the reason you can't honor your responsibility, shall we? Now, when are you coming to fix the door?" Some people are so good at not only turning the situation around to avoid the real issue, but have a knack for making the other person apologize for it in the end. Wow, what a skill. Not only do I make you feel bad for my breaking into your home, I'm actually going to have you apologize for not leaving the doors unlocked, thus causing me pain and suffering at having to break the window. While the situation was not quite this tragic, it does make you feel like a naive sap.

The second case was just of someone who, as my husband likes to put it, is not self-aware. Not everyone in the world is doing something that annoys you on purpose. You are not that important, relax. And why did I act all apologetic , as if she acted appropriately? To the lady at "The Golden Compass" this weekend who practically hit me and annoyingly told me to sit down or move (at the end of the movie, lights up. trying to leave our row with everyone else - yeah, I know...) because she was desperately trying to read the credits, here's what I SHOULD have said: "Miss, a) no need to hit me, just ask politely, b) you are not so significant in my life that I planned throughout the entire 2 hours to think of ways to piss you off, and c) if knowing that Ian McKellan was the voice of the ice bear who has a whisky problem was THAT important, here's 4 letters for you: I. M. D. B. (.com)."

I guess sometimes it feels like you are the one being taken advantage of, and other times it feels like people are oversensitive about you taking advantage of them. I guess overall it is better to be nice and regret not being mean, then to be mean and regret not being nice (peace on earth, good will towards men, and all of that.) Ay yay yay. I think I'm as guilty as anyone in the end but really....can we hope to stop wars abroad when we can't even get along at a Disney picture? Sheesh. Let's all go get a drink already and calm the heck down.

Mission Accomplished? I Have No Idea...

2007-12-07T09:35:00.001-08:00

Until technology and B2B companies learn that their customers are "people", they need to speak in ways people understand, and they do not have to use words their competitors do just to keep up with the Jones', here is an amusing take from Dilbert on creating your Company Mission Statement.

And I raise my hand at being guilty of this sin in the past. What can I say except one of my favorite quips: Sometimes when the bear attacks, you just need to go limp.

Ask "What" Not "Why"

2007-12-04T10:31:00.000-08:00

Let me digress from general sassyness, gluttony, and alcohol for a moment and talk about something bigger: living your best life.

I begin with the caveat that I am not a huge fan of most self-help books, but some occasionally provide great nuggets from kick-ass people - like Cathie Black, CEO of Hearst Magazines' "Basic Black The Essential Guide for Getting Ahead at Work (and in Life)" This is just an interesting and entertaining read if anything else, as she gives you career and life advice with anecdotes from her own amazing journey. This woman has seen and done it all and she is just generally a cool chick. Pick it up if you get a chance to see how people get things done, especially women in the business world.

A more psychological self-help book I've come across is called "Living Your Best Life" by Laura Berman Fortgang. Again, not to say I do not proceed with caution with most books that try to tell people how to live their lives (don't get me started on some professed "experts"), but a few have been interesting and I take away what I subscribe to or that which makes sense to me, and ignore the rest. One self-help book in particular did pave the way for getting out of an unhealthy relationship long ago, but I didn't realize this until much later as the effect took place over time; as a nod to my CEO, some things "influence" the deal, even if you can't prove the deal came directly out of that one particular action. I'm not saying, I'm just saying....

Laura is what seems to be the most unbiquitous profession today: a life coach. Her focus is both on career and aspirational guidance to help people achieve goals both small and lofty. A good friend of mine, Rebecca Rodskog, is also embarking on this journey, but she has an arsenal of change management experience with large and small companies to really make a difference. One of the biggest benefits of coaching, like in personal training for fitness, is that you have the power within you, you have to do all the work; the coach is just a guide that ask the right questions, keeps you on track, and most importantly, keeps you accountable. I think in that light, everyone could use a little personal coaching now and then.

Anyway, Laura has some wonderful insights and personal experiences on the topic. She divides up going after your "best" life (which, funnily enough, Cathie Black also references as the life YOU want to lead, not preconceived or societal notions of success or happiness, but choosing what works best for YOU as an individual) into three phases: The Reckoning, The Doing and The Being. Mumbo jumbo aside, I am only starting out with this book and am smack dab in the middle of The Reckoning. Which sounds like a Stephen King novel, but anyway.....this is where you "get over yourself", accept what you have to work with, and uncover your true life blueprint to get what you really want. It's a lot of reflection and asking questions.

And in this task is this concept called Wisdom Access Questions. Oftentimes, when we are stuck or do not know how to get to where we want to be (or even don't know where that destination is located) we seek causal information: Why did this happen? Why can't I make this successful? Why did they treat me like? Whose fault is it? Why is this so unfair? These tend to be the "Why" questions in our lives. And if you look at how you answer them, they all reflect the past, things that have happened, causes that got you to this point, asessments and opinions on others' behavior. While useful information, at some point, it doesn't help you answer "Where do I go from here?"

Fortgang suggests asking "Wisdom Access Questions" or WAQ's (cheesy, but hear me out) to move forward. What will get me what I want from this situation? What would make a difference? What can be learned? What is the solution? What can I do to improve?. "Why" questions focus on the problem;" What" questions focus on the solution and unleash brainstorming to how to get moving again.

If you're skeptical, as I was, try it for yourself. Write down a situation you are wrestling with and then pose all the information-seeking questions for it. Look at your answers to those questions. Then turn those into WAQ's, the "What's" and see how your answers differ. It was when I did this exercise of Fortgang's that I saw, in black and white, how my What answers were all about solutions rather than general whining and laying blame. And while such childlike-tantrums of blame and shouts of unfairness can feel good and cathartic, at some point you have to wipe away your tears and come out of your room to face the music.

Information-oriented questions often seek to react, uncover evidence of wrongdoing, justify points of view, and stay self-centered and problem-oriented. But switching the questions to Wisdom-oriented enables you to get out of the blame (Why is this person so mean to me at work?) and talk about how to change the situation (What do I want this relationship with this person to be like? What can I do to change it?)

Sounds abstract and psycho-babbley (is that a word?) but I think it really works. I beleive there's an application for this in the workplace especially, as companies dig through data and metrics to determine what went wrong the year before. At some point, they need to stop looking backwards and asking "why" and look forward to say "with that learning, what do we want to do now?"

Again, one person's self-help breakthrough is another person's "Well, duh!" reaction. So whatever works for you and yours. As 2008 approaches, give it a shot and try it for yourself. You may find your mind generates new ideas just by virtue of the questions you pose.

My Mexi-French-Italia Food Fest

2007-11-25T15:45:00.000-08:00

Has everyone recovered from turkey and stuffing overload? More imporantly, from "lots of family in close quarters" overload? This year, we did not venture to the wild Midwest but stayed close to home and avoided the airports - talk about being thankful. But I hope everyone enjoyed dining, dishing and debating with family and friends on this lovely pit-stop on the road to Christmas (which is what most retail outlets would have you think is the true meaning of this Autumn holiday) Now Thanksgiving is behind us and advertisers have unabashedly gone full throttle to holiday shopping.

But, oh, what a lovely gastronomic tour de force we had the last 4 days! Before I get to the best which I save for last, let's begin with our quest for some mid-week Mexican love last Tuesday - we found it in La Carta de Oaxaca, a casual joint in Ballard that makes clever use of corn, chiles and chocolate in its homestyle cooking. The restaurant was a plain space, crammed with tables and patrons, but artfully decorated not in pinatas or garish colors, but what seemed like hundreds of poignant and interesting photographs. Varying in size, they seemed to capture the people and architecture of what I have to assume to be Mexico or other South American villages. You couldn't stop staring at the depictions of life gracing the walls.

And I couldn't stop eating my silky smooth chicken mole. This place is known for it's mole (choose pork or chicken), and it delivers. Like a chocolate massage down the throat, the chicken slid off the bone and the mole meandered down to my tummy and settled there warm and wonderful on this chilly fall evening. The portions were sane and satisfying. And the chips and guac were muy delicioso. Definitely on the list of weeknight stops for future Mexican bliss.

Not on the itinerary for the future is Le Pichet. Craving mussels and pommes frites, we ventured to this French bistro in Belltown. While definitely displaying all the accoutrements of the classic bar/cafe - wooden wine label signs, mismatched champagne buckets, bistro tables, small-tiled floors and the Fromage chalkboard displaying featured daily cheeses - the vibe was a bit cold and way too bright in the lighting department. I felt like I was being interrogated in the witness room on Law & Order. Service was spotty - they seemed to act like we were lucky to get a seat without a reservation, even though the place was a ghost town (one amusing note was that they have chalkboard-topped tables so they write "Reserved" on the actual table. As we dined, none of the tables marked "Reserved" ever filled, and even some walk-ins got the supposed "reserved" table next to ours. Methinks this is akin to sending yourself flowers to make the boy you really like jealous, hmmm?)

Boasting a rather long by-the-glass wine selection, you would think they could provide some guidance. But when I asked the waitress which white would go best with my mussels (I was feeling adventurous) I got a very lame, "Well, it depends on what you like" as she listed off about 8 possibilities. No, no, no, people. If you have an extensive wine list AND you masquerade as a French bistro, then get educated and have an opinion. I don't want to be "yessed" to death: I am seeking your expertise. Sigh...

It was not all bad. The bread was crusty, warm and wonderful. My mixed greens with hazelnuts and mustard vinaigrette was fresh and yummy. And my hubbie enjoyed the country-style pork pate, even though that type of pate is a bit more hearty than he prefers. But my mussels were just okay (they seemed a bit understeamed if that is possible) since I am more a fan of the clear wine broths vs. creamy thick mollosk marinades like th bacon, leek and saffron cream in which mine bathed. This is a personal preference, so I would give it a go if I were you. Overall, the bright lights and the sub-par service made me want to get out of there fast. I was saddened by this, since a local French bistro you can count on is a staple for me. The search continues....

And then - joy of joys - we ventured to La Spiga in Capitol Hill on Saturday night. I have been dying to try this spot since our realtor Ron recommended it. And it did not let me down! Stylish ironworks around the bar, high ceilings slatted with pine, and a large front window that upon closer inspection, was revealed to be a glass garage door made this industrial and funky osteria a chic local hotspot for groups, dates and even on our night, a sophisticated bachelor party. According to their site, "in Italy, the osteria is an inviting neighborhood spot where locals savor fresh, seasonal food while enjoying the company of good friends. a sophisticated dining spot." I concur. I enjoyed a tickly and bubbly Kir Royale at the bar. Then we were seated and our dinner fest began: insalata mista with a slightly salty vinagrette was fresh and crisp, and Pere con Pesto di Rucola e Fossa (Bartlette pears topped lightly with arugula walnut and Formaggio di Fossa sheep cheese) was nutty and Fall and wonderful. There is so much on the menu I want to go back and try, but I started with the traditional Tagliatelle al Ragu: a lovely homemade pasta made with rich meat and tomato Bolognese sauce with the right balance (for this Italian gal) of detectable Parmesan. My husband tried the Passatelli al Formaggio di Fossa in Brodo di Carne, which is a free-range chicken and natural beef broth cradling Passatelli dumplings with Fossa aged sheep cheese - the entire dish topped with truffle oil. The prices were reasonable for such a chic spot - entrees ranged from $10 to $15. We also indulged in a side of the most perfectly roasted Yukon potatoes with rosemary that I've ever enjoyed for a mere $6.

Other little treats they offer are specialty condiments of rich oils, vinegars and premiere salts. We tried the Peperoncini nell’Olio - Crushed Arbol Chiles in extra virgin olive oil - and enjoyed the kick in the pants our flatbread received with each dipping.

The wine list offered lots of by the glass options and I partook of a lovely Primitivo (the Italian style of Zinfandel). It was like the good Zinfandels of yesteryear - before they started upping the sugar (and thus, alchohol) percentages. Mmmmm. I had two (hiccup.)

La Spiga rocked. I want to go back weekly to try all the seasonal goodies before the menu changes and also to become a regular. Yes, my dream is to become the "Norm from Cheers" of an Italian trattoria. Call me kooky.

A Scot-Italia Pub Fest

2007-11-19T10:17:00.000-08:00

Scotland may indeed be brave, but viva Italia!

Saturday might have been a hangover recovery morning for those attending our housewarming party the night before, but for our Scot-Italia household, it was the Scotland-Italy football (soccer) match for advancement in the European Cup race. Or something. Apparently it has been a big deal that Scotland has advanced this far into the qualifying. All I know is my husband was like a kid in a candy store, bolted out of bed early, forced me to don my Italy jersey while he modeled his Ross County jersey, and ushered me out at 8:00 am to go watch the game.

Married to a Scotsman, I have uncovered a whole other subculture in this country. Like a secret society, this ex-pat or just general fan group graces pubs big and small to watch DirectTV feeds of international soccer games - often at ridiculous morning hours since the games are televised live. This one happily was at a more decent hour.

Tromping through the rain along the silent early morning streets, we hit The George and Dragon, which hails itself as Seattle "only authentic English pub." It seemed deserted - until we stepped inside. We were greeted by a heaving crowd of rowdy Scotsmen and Scotland supporters who has taken over the "English" pub by hanging the Lion Rampart and the Scottish flag strategically throughout the place. The Russia game was on, too, but in a back corner somewhere. Scottish accents, laughter, blue and white jerseys, and kilts filled the room. Yes, my husband must hate me, I thought, as I walked in with my lone Italy jersey. I felt like the stranger walking into a Wild West bar as the saloon goes silent. Now I'm all for rooting for my home country, but talk about stepping into the lion's den. My husband had happily scored a small table and waved me over (someone had to go get the lattes). Glowing and smiling, I think he found his people. Our good friend, Guy, also joined into the fun by meeting us there as well.

The room crackled with excitement and progressively got louder close to 9 am kickoff (or whatever the hell they call it in soccer). A quiet looking man arrived with an odd little suitcase which he opened and pulled out a set of bagpipes. The crowd went nuts as he blasted "Scotland the Brave." Caught up in the super fun excitement, I looked around at all the hopeful happy faces and thought "This is really cool!" I felt like we were back in my in-laws village pub in Evanton or something. We even ordered a Scottish Breakfast of egg, tomato, beans, bacon and sausage. Wasn't great, but it definitely added to the ambiance.

Italy scored first, dampening the spirits a bit, but Scotland rallied and scored as well. Then with about a minute or two to go, a penalty was called and Italy got a corner kick that turned into a goal. And with that, the flame went out, folks finished up their Guinesses, shook hands, and started trickling out into the pouring rain. Piper Guy did one more round for the troops before packing it in as well.

I love examples of the fun little subcultures that abound in our country: groups formed via a shared interest for film or chess or their faraway homeland. It's like there's this undercurrent you never really know about until you tap into the vein and find yourself carried along. My husband was very sad at Scotland's loss, but we are looking forward to spending many more rainy Saturday mornings at The George and Dragon with "his people."

Food and Storytelling

2007-11-14T16:12:00.000-08:00

What is it about food that makes it such a great catalyst for storytelling? I have recently dusted off a long-buried memoir idea - a collection of stories about growing up Italian (and not being in the Mob) and I have a whole chapter devoted to food as tradition. But many people can weave an entire night's tale by the fire around a butternut squash recipe.

I wonder why this is. Can it be that food is so universal and representative of different times in our lives? That the aromas and tastes can instantly transport us to another time and place? Maybe it's because food makes use of most of our senses - touch being used most infrequently, but still.....so when we file away a memory of that perfect dinner party or family gathering, it includes the buttery taste on our tongue, the sweet aroma of cumin, the tender meat morsel that melts in your mouth, or the fabulous array of spices and garnish served on the platter.

Of course, food can also be associated with some not-so-fabulous memories. Don't even show me a frozen bag of mixed veggies that include lima beans. I TOLD Mom it would make me sick, but noooooo....she thought I was just whining. I won't go into more detail on that one, gentle readers.

A friend of mine wrote a book that has yet to be published which I just ripped through in less than a day (that's how good it is) and it talks about the European custom of savoring your food, savoring the companionship and enjoying the "event" with all of your senses - from the food itself, to how it is presented to what the table settings look like. I guess my Mediterranean heritage shines through once again, for I love dining in this way. It is an experience meant to be savored and enjoyed.

Too often we look to our meals as "fueling stations" on the highway of life. Something to remember to do when things get crazy. That's sad. Some of the best moments in my life have involved gathering around a table with friends and family to celebrate a holiday, a promotion, or just the fact that we are in each other's lives on a cold Friday evening.

Rather than waiting to sit down to a nice dinner when you have stories to tell and time to tell them, we have to make time for the food - and the memories of that evening will lead to the stories that follow for years to come.

Yum and Ick

2007-11-12T16:35:00.000-08:00

We spent the weekend entertaining friends from out of town (as well as friends from in.) This naturally involved lots of eating and drinking, most of it done at sports bars. In summary, we had a wide variety and sucky and good food this weekend, which leaves me feeling a bit bipolar on this rainy Monday.

As for sports bars, thumbs up on Sport by the Seattle Space Needle. They served a Kobe beef burger (what is up with me and the Kobe these days? Must be all the rain driving me to seek comfort in beef) weighing in at 10 ounces, so I smartly shared this with my husband. It was delish, juicy and wonderful. Top it off with perfectly golden crispy onion rings and HDTV screens everywhere you look to watch both the Cowboys and Bears' game, and we were set. Quite a bit more swanky, but less yummy was Fox Grill in downtown Seattle. Large plasma screens, a plush lobby with cushy chairs and panes of glass awash in waterfalls made for nice ambiance but the food was bland and boring. Can everyone just supply their spicy buffalo wings from Bw3 and be done with it, please? Life would taste so much zestier. Although redeeming itself with a Build Your Own Bloody Mary bar sponsored by Pearl Vodka did soften the disappointment a tad. Can't say that simple solution can soothe the broken heart of the Buckeye State, however.

Evening adventures brought us to Wild Ginger, a favorite of one of our guests, a former Tacoma resident. The Pacific Rim meets Northwest inspired menu was full of diverse selections and the decor and service were very upscale. I enjoyed everything I ate, from the Mongolian Noodles to the Princess Prawns (my pick, naturally) to the Seven Flavors Beef to the potstickers. Their signature duck with sticky buns was our guest's favorite, but I'm not a duck fan so I opted out. We also had an excellent Pinot Noir from Dundee Hills, an appellation of Oregon's Willamette Valley.

And then there was Sunday, which was one of the saddest disappointments of my dining experience in a long time. I had been dying to try a local neigborhood trattoria and being Italian, long for good "old country" food within walking distance when I'm too lazy to cook it myself. We took our guests to Sorrentino at the top of Queen Anne. Oh, but how I wanted to love this restaurant. It was festively decorated, we were greeted warmly at the door and they could seat us immediately. This should have been our first sign. The place was deserted. But hey, everyone has bad days. They were even chatting in Italian at the bar! I found my people! But net-net: the Caesar salad was drenched in dressing, the Bufalo Mozzarella pizza was soggy and wet (yes, as the waiter pointed out this is the finest mozzarella and holds more water. But last time I checked, pizza is not supposed to be wet, so here's a hint: USE LESS!) and my friend's ravioli was so much an overly salty, slathering sauce mess that she couldn't eat it. And she had skipped lunch so she was very hungry. Yikes. I have to say my prawn and fettucine entree was very good, but when all your dining companions are unhappy, it is hard to love a place. I was so, so sad this place turned out to be so bad. I hope they can turn things around, I really do. One way they could do this: when a guest takes the care and time to tell you they didn't like something, don't try to justify it. Learn from it. Sigh.....oh, and lose the Italian hip-hop you have playing: it ruins the ambience you've worked so hard to create with the decor. Sigh again.....is Gordon Ramsay free for some tough love? The UK not the US version, FYI.

A Night to Remember

2007-11-05T14:49:00.000-08:00

I had a night on Saturday that changes your life. A night so charming, sophisticated and close to perfection as to make you just appreciate being alive, healthy and surrounded by friends and the one you love.

Saturday night, my husband and our friends had dinner at Canlis.

I must admit, I had never heard of the spot and when passing by it in recent weeks, saw the abstract stone signage and thought it was the entrance to a "lifestyle" condo complex. Shame on me. Canlis is well-known in bon vivant circles and has had no shortage of distinctions bestowed on it: Gourmet Magazine Top 50 Restaurants in America - #19; 2006 The Wine Spectator “Grand Award” 1997; 2007 James Beard Foundation “Nomination for Outstanding Service” 2003, 2007....the list goes on and can be found on their site. It's also a haven for celebrities and dignitaries as they breeze through town.

My favorite hotel chain is the Ritz Carlton because when I walk in, I feel equally at home and treated like royalty. And Canlis delivered a similar experience. No detail was spared - each and every staff member worked in concert in a glorious symphony to make your dining experience unforgettable. We were greeted upon entering with stunning views of Seattle at night, over the darkness of Lake Union. It felt a bit like a high-end, sophisticated mountain retreat- only the most urbanly sophisticated touches of wood, rustic decor, and artwork made the place feel like a Northwest hidden getaway of the highest caliber. I hear tale that they have a unique ticketless valet service headed by someone who has worked there for years. They just escort you in and take your car and it miraculously greets you on the way out. And they've never lost a vehicle. Talk about feeling like a regular.

There is way too much perfection on the menu to even attempt to do it justice. I had lamb chops served with Israeli couscous which was "wrapped" in Swiss chard, Oregon blue cheese and bathed in pancetta lamb jus that was done to perfection, the bold flavors coming together as one balanced piece; one of our party dove into the Muscovy Duck Breast served with butternut squash ragout, sage brown butter and aged balsamic and savored every bite, and even the Alaskan Halibut was exquisite. But the tenderloin.....ooooooh, the tenderloin......

Friends....the lot of us have eaten at our share of 5-star restaurants all over the world. One of our companions had just dined at Chicago's Tru a few days before. But this was different. We all concurred this was the BEST piece of meat ever to pass our lips...I mean, EVER....I mean, no, really, "Ever." When we saw it on the menu, I told my husband to go big and order this $70 ticket to paradise. We were out celebrating both my and my friend's birthdays so why not go big?

Here is the description from the menu: "Wagyu Tenderloin - Seattle's most exclusive steak, Kobe-style beef, naturally raised from Japanese sires and Angus cows, a higher quality than prime Tenderloin." It is often said that perfection is simply stated and true regality is carried forth effortlessly. This somewhat effortless description fits that bill. If you ever in your life get the chance to taste true (not imitation) Kobe-style Wagyu, don't ask questions - just do it.

We washed all of these morsels down with a Waters Syrah from Walla Walla, Washington. On a wine list full of delights, this was not only a featured recommendation but insanely reasonably priced. Reason? They had just started carrying it and were trying it out. Next year, we were warned, the prices would most likely increase since it was so good. Versatile and berrylicious, it went with all our different cuts of meat and the seafood entree.

The boys rounded out our gastronomic joy ride with a Whisky club tasting served by none other than Mark Canlis himself. This private club is members only and through some charm and moxie (and the fact that my husband is Scottish) we were allowed to look at the secret club Whisky menu. They chose the Highland Park Lunar Bottling 18 1/2 year old. Mark Canlis graciously chatted at length with us about their Scotches and how his brother is a minister in the Church of Scotland and has lived over there for years. To cap off the evening, we were invited to take a tour of the restaurant and saw their wonderful private party rooms, old photographs and other goodies. By the time we got back to the foyer, our coats were waiting as well as our taxi. Not much more I can say except nights like this are wonderful opportunities to savor all the blessing you have - and the fact that you have the means to enjoy such a wonderful meal, with such a dramatic view, with such laughter and good conversation. When can I go back?!