nonstick weblog

What kind of fuckwaddery is this new Arizona law? It allows the police to arrest and check immigration statuses of anyone who looks “suspicious” to them. Which means police can harrass anyone they don’t like. And if citizens feel the police are NOT enforcing the new law (because the police have a shred of humanity and decency), they can sue the city and state. Now, states bordering Arizona want to pass similar laws to discourage “illegals” from fleeing Arizona and entering their borders. (I’m looking at you, Utah. Reason #4,894,562 why I won’t raise my kids here.)

This law scares the crap out of me. Firstly, because we are returning to state sanctioning racism. Secondly, because I am Chinese. My kids are Chinese. My parents are Chinese. We don’t look like the people who supported and passed this law. This is no different than the rampant racism during WWII that put any person of Japanese descent, citizen or not, in internment camps. No different than in the 50′s when any person of Chinese descent, citizen or not, could be suspected of being a communist and interrogated. Arizona is hiding behind “national security” as the excuse to strip people of their rights as citizens and, worse, human beings. Arizona is legalizing racism. Russell Pearce and Jan Brewer might as well pass anti-miscegenation laws to keep their people’s race pure. It’s about as progressive and constitutional as this Immigration Law.

Or it seems that way.

I received an iTouch a couple of weeks ago. I was still figuring stuff out when my 3 year old picks it up and starts navigating the screens like a pro, finds pictures of herself and starts paging through them. I was awestruck.

It turns out that she had played with my brother’s iPhone a couple of times before, but still. Apple has designed the user interface for the iPhone/iTouch that is completely intuitive. So intuitive that my kid is a pro at navigating the screens and finding movies, songs, pictures and games.

I have always been impressed with the thought Apple puts into usability. But this really takes the cake.

The latest in China trying to make Olympic travelers feel more at home involves what Beijing residents should wear (or not wear). 1) No more than 3 colors in one outfit, 2) No pajamas when out visiting neighbors and my favorite, 3) No white socks with black leather shoes.

What started out making sense, Don’t spit everywhere, because it’s just common sense hygiene, has become ridiculous of late. I thought the whole point of have the Olympics in different countries is for people to visit countries they otherwise would not have. Can you call the experience genuine when exotic menu items are removed or people don’t dress like they normally would? I say no.

So, if you are traveling to China for the Olympics, be sure to venture outside Beijing. You can’t say you saw China, unless you see China. There are things that make your heart skip a beat, because it is beautiful (view from Northern section of Great Wall) or because it freaks you out (cars going wrong way, toward you, on highway). There are things that make you sad (a lot of poor people) and things that make you smile (Grandpas and Grandmas playing with their grandkids).

I know that the Chinese government wants to show China’s best side and I can’t help but feel that the experience will be less than Chinese.

I was really excited as more retailers went online to hawk their wares. It allows folks like me, over-scheduled while trying to maintain a family life, to purchase what I need at anytime of day or night, all without having to leave my desk.

One thing I lamented was the loss of the shopping experience (looks cute on hanger, try it on, not so cute on me). But now, retailers offer free shipping and returns so you can try things on and, usually, keep more than you intended.

The other thing I lamented was the loss of person-to-person contact. It was bad enough with the big box stores, gone were the friendly chats with the proprietor of the neighborhood store; it is worse with online retailers.

Well, Zappos.com has found a way to be an online retailer AND a neighborhood store by using online social networking.

Tony Hsieh, CEO, and Alfred Lin, CFO/COO both blog and tweet. They update us with who they are meeting, what they are doing and conduct contests, among other things. Zappos also has a Facebook profile.

It’s brilliant that they leverage online networks to build relationships with their customers and constituents. I can honestly say that I am more inclinded to shop at Zappos.com because I know that @zappos loves Red Bull with Slim Jims but not pretzels. I am buying from friends, not just some faceless, soul-less corporation.

I just got a Blackberry Curve from AT&T to tie me over until the 3G iPhone comes out. $25 for the phone if I sign up for at least a $40 plan.

I don’t know how I survived so long without carrying the internet in my pocket. But it’s awesome. Kid in Little Gym? Check my email, follow up on tweeters, expand my mind with NPR news…

As I was sitting there, catching up on the Sun blogs, I realized that as I was connecting to the world, I was disconnecting from the people around me. I typically strike up a conversation with the Little Gym parents, usually about our kids or apologizing for my kid running over their kid. But today, I was glued to my Blackberry.

So, I don’t know if having the internet in my pocket is such a great thing. I love the fact that I can connect when and where I want. I guess I have to temper the wanting (i.e. not at the dinner table). As they say, Blackberries don’t alienate people, people alienate people.

Kaba Modern was robbed and subsequently, we, the audience, are robbed. Kaba Modern and Jabbawockees should have been the two finalists. Already voted for Jabbawockees 23 times to help ensure there is no “close margin.”

My husband and I dropped off our kid at Little Gym last Friday night so we could have a date night. We decided on Aristo’s for dinner. My husband had been there several times for lunch and wanted to try their dinner.

The Food

Hummus – I am not always a fan of hummus, but Aristo’s was really good. Right texture and the presentation was great. Unfortunately, I have no pictures to share as 1) we were 1/4 way through the hummus when I thought of it and 2) the owner and his family was sitting right next to us.

Chicken a la Aristo – I ordered this when I saw that it included spinach and feta. I’m a big fan of both. The chicken was roasted to perfection. The skin was light and crispy, while the meat was moist and flavorful. The meat was so tender that at one point I had my knife flipped the wrong way and it still sliced right through like it was butter. The chicken was stuffed with a spinach and feta concoction that was smooth, yet slightly gritty; nice combination of textures. The chicken lay on a bed of rice smothered with the same spinach/feta concoction in sauce form.

Lamb Shank (Day’s Special) – My husband ordered this one. He’s a big fan of lamb. The lamb lay on a bed of Orzo. The meat was so tender it barely hung to the bone, falling off with minimal prodding. The lamb and orzo were coated in a red sauce that my husband liked, but I thought was little plain. It had good texture, but that little kick was missing, it left me wanting.

Baklava – My husband ordered this and liked it so much, he would not share. So I can’t tell you how it was.

Egg Custard – It was between this and the rice pudding. The egg custard was really creamy and subtly sweet, but nothing special. The flaky crust was good, but, again, nothing special. Should have gotten the rice pudding. The kid at the next table seemed to really enjoy it.

Latte – I don’t know why I order espresso drinks at restaurants, especially lattes. It was okay. The foam was stiff and I forgotten to request no foam.

The Atmosphere

As soon as I walked in, I suspected whether the food or the service was going to be good. Clean lines and dark, rich colors. The kind of place that does not welcome children. But as we walked to the table, I noticed a couple of tables with kids as young as 18 months. The tables were covered with a sheet of paper, perfect for coloring on. Ok. May be this place was not going to be snooty like Trio Cafe.

The wait staff was very friendly. Although our waitress was a little nervous, probably because the owner, Aristo, was sitting at the table right next to us.

Bottom Line

Would totally go back to this place and bring our kid. The food is based on greek classics with a 5-star twist. If you are ever in town and have a chance, definitely check this place out.

My new favorite show is America’s Best Dance Crew on MTV. I discovered it while channel surfing during one of my trips. The dancing is so amazing and the moves so intricate, I can’t help but be awed.

I am rooting for Kaba Modern, although I think the Jabbawockeez are better; mainly because Kaba Modern reminds me of the folks I went to college with and there are girls in Kaba Modern.

I have been trying to watch my caloric intake, thanks to @ThinGuy. The easiest thing is for me to reduce variety for breakfast and lunch. Breakfast is oatmeal and a latte. Lunch is soup.

I try to figure out which cans of soup to get based on the calories per serving. Not all soups are created equal. Chicken and dumplings, 110 cal/serving. Mexican fiesta? 240cal/serving.

So I am trying to figure out how many calories are in a whole can:

We were at the Porcupine Grille again. This time for Dinner.

The Food

Chicken Nachos – Best thing on the menu (next to beer). A half order is enough for a full meal. The cheese and jalapenos are in two layers. Keeps the chips from getting too soggy, but ensures that every bite includes cheesy goodness.

Cottonwood Burger – Can’t get them (or any restaurant in Salt Lake City aside from Citrus Grill) to make the burger medium rare, so a little over cooked. Cheese was not even melted, like it was an after thought. Bonus @ThinGuy points for including bacon, but probably won’t have this again.

The Atmosphere

We really like this place. Especially as we eat at old-folk o’clock and there are always kids my daughter’s age for her to socialize with. She and a little girl turned the adjacent open space as a disco and allowed my husband and I and the little girl’s parents to have a peaceful meal.

Bottom Line

Love this place. Especially as they have all the local brews on tap.