information deluge

MilkMade Ice Cream - The Making Of

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 01:21:48 -0500

A behind the scenes, hands on, evening with Diana and Michelle in the MilkMade kitchen. Preparing February flavors of the month - Red Velvet Cake and Salted Caramel.

MilkMade is a membership-based ice cream company that hand-delivers fresh, homemade ice cream to New York City residents. Each month, members choose from a menu of two uniquely handcrafted flavors made with the highest quality of locally sourced ingredients. MilkMade creates each batch with care and creativity to bring unique, seasonal, and darn tasty ice cream straight to our members’ front doors.

milkmadeicecream: We’re featured in Israel’s business magazine,...

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 11:29:00 -0500

milkmadeicecream:

We’re featured in Israel’s business magazine, The Marker, in its piece on “New Ideas around the World.”

does that main image look familiar? :)

Donkeys can be really cute. But beware, apparently they bite.

Sun, 31 Jan 2010 22:32:00 -0500

Donkeys can be really cute. But beware, apparently they bite.

"How can this apparent conflict between short-run needs and long-run responsibilities be resolved?..."

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 09:10:51 -0500

“

How can this apparent conflict between short-run needs and long-run responsibilities be resolved? Intellectually, it’s not hard at all. We should combine actions that create jobs now with other actions that will reduce deficits later. And economic officials in the Obama administration understand that logic: for the past year they have been very clear that their vision involves combining fiscal stimulus to help the economy now with health care reform to help the budget later.

The sad truth, however, is that our political system doesn’t seem capable of doing what’s necessary.

”

- Op-Ed Columnist - March of the Peacocks - NYTimes.com

This is a depressing read. *sigh*

I’m a little late on posting this, but I went all out on...

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 12:23:00 -0500

I’m a little late on posting this, but I went all out on the pork this past Sunday. I decided to be aspirational and went for David Chang’s Bo Ssam, with all its fixings. An overnight sugar and salt brine, followed by 6h45 min in the even led an amazingly tender 8 lbs of tender, flavorful pork butt. (And I have to thank Moe for providing the butt). This might be one of the easiest, and rewarding, ways to feed a party of 12.

Sunday Night Menu
Bo Ssam (8 lb pork butt)
Oysters on the half shell
Cabbage kim chee
Ginger scallion sauce
Jalapeno garlic sauce
Sagyegeol ssam jang
Boston bibb lettuce
Steamed rice
Side: brussel sprouts with bacon
Dessert: grapefruit yogurt pound cake
Dessert: Milk Bar’s Crack Pie

"The nascent helpster movement might be gaining followers, but it’s not necessarily easy to..."

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 12:15:00 -0500

“The nascent helpster movement might be gaining followers, but it’s not necessarily easy to convert hipsters to their activist ways. “We have a really hard time at NAG [Neighbors Allied for Good Growth] to find people who genuinely want to volunteer if there’s not beer involved,” said volunteer Emily Gallagher. “Seriously everything has to be like a singles event.””

- “Helpsters” Are the New “Hipsters”

“helpsters” — socially conscious cool kids who have stopped acting like “disaffected aesthetes with nihilistic tendencies” and started becoming “motivated and committed Samaritans.”

NGM Blog Central - The Cost of Care - National Geographic Magazine - NGM.com

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 15:23:54 -0500

NGM Blog Central - The Cost of Care - National Geographic Magazine - NGM.com:

I looked at this for awhile and kept looking for US. I even reread the chart title and almost convinced myself that this wasn’t supposed to include US. Then I scrolled FAR up and saw US. *sigh*

Men's Health Nutrition Awards - Foods + Features - 13 Places to Eat Before You Die

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 22:05:03 -0500

Men's Health Nutrition Awards - Foods + Features - 13 Places to Eat Before You Die:

2 down, 11 to go.

Two Weeks Notice

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 13:47:08 -0500

This week at work, I gave my two weeks notice. It’s been a long time coming, but the timing is especially interesting since there’s a lot of organizational changes going on over here. I probably couldn’t have timed it any better, had I tried.

It’s now been 3 days since I gave notice and I’m having a terribly difficult time motivating through the days.

Burton Escapade Bindings

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 12:34:11 -0500

I’ve realized I can be really nerdy about certain things. Earlier this season, I purchased a new pair of Burton Escapade bindings to go with my relatively new Burton Feelgood ES snowboard. Last night, I finally attached the bindings to the board. I had to admit, it took me awhile to realize how to detach the baseplate cushioning (a step they failed to note in the one sheet installation manual).

Anyhow, as of now, I’m very happy with my purchase and eager to get on the slopes tomorrow to test them out. A girl friend just asked me why I like these new bindings. I responded with:

well what’s odd is that it’s reverted from the cap strap (which I liked). but i like these bc i bought a M instead of S. one pain point was that i felt like i was forcing/squeezing the straps with exceptional effort each time i strapped in. since it’s M now, it should be easier. also, the straps are super thick and soft with air filling, so i think it will have less of that cutting off circulation sensation. also, i like the feel of the rachets, seems softer and smoother with a sturdier click. also, i don’t need to lock in my back plates so i can just fold them down easily, one less step. and finally, the full bed cushioning on the baseplate is exceptionally thick and bouncy.

I never knew I could be so nerdy about something like snowboard bindings.

Horoscope App

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 11:00:52 -0500

My roommate has convinced me to download the free Horoscope app for my iPhone. I know it’s stupid, but I kind of get a kick out of seeing my daily horoscope, “lovescope” and tart reading.

I cooked Sunday night - cider braised pork shoulder...

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 21:51:00 -0500

I cooked Sunday night - cider braised pork shoulder with caramelized onions over a bed of egg noodles, green beans on the side. It was so easy to make, and fed 6 of us with leftovers. It really IS cheaper to eat at home.

Moe the Butcher

Sat, 09 Jan 2010 15:14:00 -0500

I feel really dirty right now. Let me explain.

As I was walking through the neighborhood this morning, I noticed a particular store front that I’ve never before seen open, but was in fact open at that moment. In the middle of the east side of Elizabeth, between Houston and Prince, sits a storefront much different from its neighbors - Albanese Meats and Poultry. If you’re familiar with the neighborhood, then you know the streets are littered with fashionable clothing boutiques and trendy restaurants. But Albanese Meats and Poultry is significantly different. Not only does it seem shuttered most of the time, but it also looks as if it hasn’t had a facelift since the ’50s.

So when I noticed two customers inside the butcher shop, I had to stop and look in the window. Sure enough, one patron was waiting for his cuts of meat while the other sat patiently waiting for his turn. I walked in and peered around to observe the sparse decor of the shop. There is nothing electronic, digital or even what one might consider current. Equipment included a large butcher block, one extremely long knife, heavy cleavers, two saws and a very large, old scale. The cases were haphazardly stocked with various unlabeled meats and without really knowing what cut is what, other than being able to distinguish between the different animals, I sat down and patiently waited my turn.

Albanese Meats and Poultry is the last remaining old-time butcher shop in what was once Little Italy, and is run by none other than Moe Albanese, an adorable 85 year old man who’s been in the family business since he was young (you can learn all the historic Italian details on his website). I patiently watched as he selected prime dry-aged steaks for his customer, then proceeded to expertly trim and prepare the steaks. I even watched him trim and prepare a bone for the customer’s Yorkie. The two chatted as if they had a regular butcher-customer relationship and Moe was in no rush for speedy service, and you can’t be either.

When it was my turn, I asked if he had a pork shoulder. Unfortunately, I was too late in the day. He had already given 2 picnics to the restaurant down the street. As I prepared to brave the cold outside, I told Moe that I had lived in the neighborhood for 4 years and that this was the first time I’d seen the store open and was able to come in. A little more chatting continued, then Moe said to give him a minute and he’d call the restaurant to see if they could spare one of the picnics. I waited while he called and gave the manager a story about how he forgot his customer had ordered a picnic. I learned that if available, Moe wasn’t willing to cut the picnic to accommodate my meager order, but I would have to take the entire shoulder (~7lbs at $1.50/lb). Uh, sure why not. Unfortunately the restaurant wasn’t willing to give up their picnics.

Before I was off on my way, Moe made sure to hand over one of his business cards and suggested I call the night before to place my order. He’d be able to get me anything, he just needed to know in advance. Apparently old school Italian butchers with tiny storefronts can’t rely on volume in this neighborhood and day. I left with a smile on my face.

Since I’ve made plans to attempt a braised pork shoulder for my friends tomorrow, I stilled needed a picnic. I walked a block east over to the Whole Foods and sure enough, there were 3 picnics in the meat case. And sure enough, there was a 4lb one perfect for me. Unfortunately it was also $2.99/lb, double what Moe was offering.

I feel like I’ve sold out by going to Whole Foods and getting my cut of meat. Not only did I further the mega-corporation, but I also paid double the price. This is why I feel dirty.

I’m determined to buy meat from Moe in the future. I’ve added his butcher shop to my iPhone and I plan to put some orders in over the next few weeks, even though I rarely cook meat other than chicken. I also plan on trying some of his prime dry-aged steaks later this week. I’ll keep you posted.

I got my pint of Frozen Hot Toddy the other night and I think I...

Sat, 09 Jan 2010 00:49:00 -0500

I got my pint of Frozen Hot Toddy the other night and I think I have to say… I like it even better than the Ris a la Mande. Diana said it was uber fresh so it hadn’t fully set yet. And to my surprise, I LOOOOOVE how creamy and soft it was. It’s evil though. When the ice cream is that soft, it just makes it easier to eat big gobs of it all that much quicker!

Loving the Frozen Hot Toddy. Too bad (thank God for my scale) that I only have a pint. Can’t wait to get my hands on a pint of the Coffee & Donuts flavor soon!

Eater NY: The 38 Essential New York Restaurants, Jan. '10

Fri, 08 Jan 2010 09:40:27 -0500

Eater NY: The 38 Essential New York Restaurants, Jan. '10:

12 down and 26 to go.

High on my list to try next: Locanda Verde, Peasant, Raoul’s and Marea.

thedailywhat: Cyanide and Happiness.

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 09:52:44 -0500

thedailywhat:

Cyanide and Happiness.

This makes me laugh so hard. ”Like ohmagod. You are...

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 00:23:19 -0500

This makes me laugh so hard. ”Like ohmagod. You are like, so like so sexual seduction right now. Ohmagod.”

K-Town Hotties (via arowanafilms)

Facebook | 2012 OLYMPICS LOGO LOOKS LIKE LISA SIMPSON GIVING HEAD

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 09:27:28 -0500

Facebook | 2012 OLYMPICS LOGO LOOKS LIKE LISA SIMPSON GIVING HEAD:

Too funny.

Serious Eats Finds New York's Best Bagel | Serious Eats : New York

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 14:04:15 -0500

Serious Eats Finds New York's Best Bagel | Serious Eats : New York:

If there was ever someone that loved bagels, it would be me. But, I’m not about to travel to Brooklyn to pick up a hot bagel. So instead, I am grateful that Bagel Oasis is on the service road of the LIE and that I drive past it every day. No I do not stop and buy a bagel each morning, but I do like having the option. Now after reading this round-up, I think I’ll definitely have to get one this week.

Apparently this is the QR code for this website. I entered this...

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 09:51:00 -0500

Apparently this is the QR code for this website. I entered this URL into Kaywa’s code generator and got this in return. Unfortunately, I’m not exactly sure what happens if you take a photo of this code. Probably nothing.

Update: Since I generated the above QR code, I have gone ahead and installed QuickMark, a code reader, on my iPhone. Apparently all you have to do is open the app and put the iPhone up to the QR code so it can automatically scan. The URL then pops up and takes you to the website!

I doubt this is really that useful in this particular application, but I look forward to running into one the 100,000 window decals for Google’s Favorite Places.