Poem of the Night

Well I was contemplating why I have never posted here, and I realized, my interests in what I would theoretically write about are too many. It is hard to be focused when I would like to sound off on so many issues.

Now that I have said that, I feel that maybe I should explain my interests and what I would like to write about (remember this is not a ranking, just a list. Similar to yesterday’s list it is not exhaustive. Exhausting maybe, but not exhaustive).

Sport: indeed it is one of my passions. I enjoy rugby (both League and Union), cricket, tennis, baseball, football, boxing, cycling, sailing, and I’ve been known to watch a little basketball. I do enjoy collegiate basketball however. Teams I support are almost always Australia in international competitions, FSU, and not France.

Food: cooking is perhaps my other great passion. I fancy myself as a good cook and enjoy doing it. I enjoy food most of all and that includes a passion for fine spirits.

Politics: I enjoy Georgia politics most of all I think. The characters in the Peach State’s history are some of the most colorful around. Australia’s aren’t to bad either. Foreign policy often piques my interest too.

Music: Jazz and Classical are two of my other passions. I would also think of myself as being fairly cultured. I also don’t think I have pretension and hope that my Catholic upbringing has taught me some humility. Really I like all genres of music. I figure I will listen to anything, it won’t hurt me.

Literature: I enjoy reading but have not found enough tome for it lately. I have the first three volumes of the Khalil Gibran poetry anthology that are screaming to be read. In due time.

I guess this is a bit of a cop out in terms of a post for the day. Let’s hope that tomorrow will bring something more meaty.

Oh, and getting back to my title, we are in a rather serious drought. Maybe Gibran’s “Song of the Rain” will provide relief.

I am dotted silver threads dropped from heaven by the gods.
Nature then takes me, to adorn her fields and valleys.

I am beautiful pearls,
Plucked from the crown of Ishtar by the daughter of Dawn to embellish the gardens.

When I cry the hills laugh;
When I humble myself the flowers rejoice;
When I bow, all things are elated.

The field and the cloud are lovers
And between them I am a messenger of mercy.
I quench the thirst of one;
I cure the ailment of the other.

The voice of thunder declares my arrival;
The rainbow announces my departure.
I am like earthly life,
Which begins at the feet of the mad elements
And ends under the upraised wings of death.

I emerge from the heard of the sea
Soar with the breeze.
When I see a field in need,
I descend and embrace the flowers and the trees in a million little ways.

I touch gently at the windows with my soft fingers,
And my announcement is a welcome song all can hear
But only the sensitive can understand.

The heat in the air gives birth to me,
But in turn I kill it,
As woman overcomes man with the strength she takes from him.

I am the sigh of the sea;
The laughter of the field;
The tears of heaven.

So with love –
Sighs from the deep sea of affection;
Laughter from the colourful field of the spirit;
Tears from the endless heaven of memories.

Poem found at Khalil Gibran Online.

NaBloPoMo

NaBloPoMo, what is it? One is supposed to write a blog post everyday for November. Well, I just found out about it today.

Who knows what will come of this, maybe it will be the genesis of regular posting, perhaps just a cathartic release.

I guess a decent point to begin, if there is one, is to navel gaze and wonder why I haven’t blogged regularly.

My detractors would no doubt owe it to the fact that my ideas are not worth listening to.

And to an extent I would agree. Well, I will say that I have wanted to write about several things. But most of what I have started to write has been too short, if one were to ask me, to warrant a full post.

What has been on my mind?

Some sporting event in France wrapped up. I wish to not discuss what happened actually.

The Parrot wants to take the helm of the Wallabies. What an unmitigated disaster that would be. Granted he had some–fine, great success–coaching the Aussies in the ’80s, but I think he is just too far removed from the game to be any good.

While we are on the subject, John Connoly was not a bad coach. I mean, coming in after Eddie Jones, who wouldn’t look spectacular. But the way he helped guide Berrick Barnes shows that he was an exceptional coach for the green and gold.

The Baggy Green continue to look amazing and with no sign of letting up in the future. Lee and MacGill will at least get to a similar level of McGrath and Warnie. Maybe not as good, but at least they will be mentioned in the same breath, mark my words.

Who will stop the Patriots? No one.

I recently began watching onto Law and Order, I see why it is so popular.

I Can Has Cheezburger is amazingly addictive, and surprisingly it never fails to leave me laughing.

On a recent trip outside of Georgia, I acquired some Three Floyd’s. I am giddy with anticipation.

The latest edition of Utopias was released. Any reactions?

Oh the food blogs I have discovered recently. So Good, Amateur Gourmet, Apartment Therapy:Kitchen (my personal favorite).

I’ve made several wonderful dishes lately. Many courtesy of Mark Bittman who, if one were to ask me, can do no wrong (remember the no knead bread?).

Adesnik is making sure everyone knows who he supports for President. Hint: It’s not Giuliani.

We had some elections. Who says your vote doesn’t count? My sympathies to both Bull Moose and drjay. Of all the regular commentors on Peach Pundit, you are two of my favorites.

Speaker Richardson’s plan does not appear to be as popular as we were told to believe. If anyone wishes to challenge him for re-election, I would gladly donate money to his or her campaign. Likewise to the Republican who dares to remove him from the role of Speaker of the House.

Of course, most egregiously in the world of Georgia politics, Paul Broun, still not sworn in.

I am of the belief that it does not matter how much a country supports us in the War on Terror, if said country is doing plenty to promote unrest and the creation of terrorists within its borders.

What has been quite disturbing for me recently, is that I have not read many books lately. I picked up a Man in Full a few months ago and found it entertaining and enjoyable but I can’t seem to stick with it. Could it be that Tom Wolfe might change his characters names’ and stories, but essentially writes the same book every time?

Speaking of reading, the New York Times ended their $elect service. I enjoyed it but clearly not enough other people did. Does this show how newspapers will have to adapt business models on the web?

Too much classical music news to begin, too many jazz musicians dying including one of my favorites.  I will be going to watch this and I am quite excited. Oh, and Jazz in 3/4 Time is an album no household should be without. I say that with only minimal hyperbole.

All this without going into (too much depth) what I’ve read on blogs.

These next few days shall be interesting to say the least. I believe “interesting” is the correct word.

Chinese Hot Pot Review

In the mood for Shabu–Shabu (which is one of the many foods I am rarely not in the mood for), I ventured up to Buford Highway to a recommended restaurant called, “Chinese Hot Pot” (which although not Shabu–Shabu, was enough in the style to satisfy me).

Entering confirmed my belief that the decor would be as inspiring as the name. The menu though, was about as authentic as you could get, without of course actually being in China.  Offerings included Sea Cucumber and tripe, in addition to several varieties of crab. Side items were your typical Chinese restaurant fare of dumplings, intestines, liver,  and “Pork Ball” (note the sarcasm).

The process of cooking the food makes critiquing a little difficult. Before the arrival of your water soon to be broth, you go to a small corner table displaying an assortment of sauces and flavorings–including MSG–and put them in small bowls to make your own seasoning. After a few minutes, you put in the food brought to you and take it out of the soup when desired level of doneness is reached.

Because of this, the best thing to do is note the ingredients. My pork was exceptionally cut and full of flavor.  A delicious and buttery root of some sort was a lovely surprise. The Shitake could have been bigger and more Enoki would have been preferred. But those are minor complaints against an all round fantastic meal. The only serious complaint is that I couldn’t take my soup home with me. And how wonderful it would have been too.

If I could offer one suggestion when making your broth; be careful, very careful with their chilies. Also be prepared for a cramped restaurant as there is room only for about 20 patrons.

Highly recommended.