Akemashite Omedeto Gozaimasu

Just click over to the following

http://www.chubbyhubby.net/2006/12/osaka-part-1-of-2.html

and scroll down for the elegance of a "kappo" restaurant in Osaka. Mmm, mmm, good.

El Algore!

Funny weather this winter. So, we're going to miss seeing my sister-in-law because the Albuquerque airport was closed, and my nephew because Interstate 40 was closed. And their friends, too. Oh well.

Happy New Year anyway. 2007 might be good for all, I am predicting.

Construction 2006

Engineering News Record (afftectionately known as "ENR" in the building industry) has published their list of the best construction pix that have run on their pages this year.

Shown above is one of these, a shot at sunrise of the new Eastern span of the Bay Bridge under construction. Old bridge on the right, new one on the left.

Somehow, the new "Blogger" won't let me link, so here's the URL:

http://enr.construction.com/photoContest/2006/archives/2006-1.asp

Celebrate, And Contemplate

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

SOLSTICE!

I'm curious to see how close to 4:22 p.m. I posted this thing.

Anyway, congratulations! It only get more daylighty from here.

Fat Man Swimming

A neat confluence of photography and imagination.


I like that.

(H.T. rickleephotos)

Italy. In December

Ms. Camic is at it again, traipsing all over Eastern and Southern Europe. (School in Madison must be out for Christmas.) Nina started in her home country of Poland. It's winter there, as you can see above.

So, she and boyfriend head for the boot of Italy.

And there they (re) discover the infallible and undeniable charms of Italy. Nina writes very well, and uses her camera appropriately. It's long, but it's colorful, so I recommend that you click on

The Other Side of the Ocean

When The Time Comes. . .

I hope it's worth it!





I shall let you know.

Southpaws Of The World. . .

UNITE! We're quicker and brighter, at least in the Southern Hemisphere.



That's according to this report from Michelle Malkin.

Enjoy

Cool Picture Time

Today's test: Which is the canteloupe (h.t.rickleephotos), and which the bicycle drive (h.t.littlegreenfootballs)?

Where Google Stores All That GMail. . .

H.T. www.geekculture.com/

Speaking of American Art. . .

Try these two. Both from early-20th century USA. Hopper and Sheeler. Good stuff.

There's Always Coffee Shop Food

I've always loved Edward Hopper's views of middle America in the 1920's and 30's.

Bistro Jeanty - French in Napa Valley.

Okay, enough of Berkeley. For contrast, let's try Yountville, home of the infamous French Laundry with its eponimous clothes pin napkin holders.

BUT, don't stop at the Laundry (too $$$), rather go downtown (sic!) to the Bistro Jeanty on the Main Drag. Absolutely wonderful food! Check out the menu!

I had the tomato(e) soup and steak tartare...need I say more?

Hey, it's Berkeley!

Okay, this one is difficult. Interesting restaurant, pan-asian (whatever that means)food. Plusses and minuses (talk to me about spelling later.)

Unicorn is located on Telegraph, just below Dwight. The neighborhood is variously described as "authentic Berkeley" and as "seedy." Whatever. The night we were there, police cars were all over the place, and three sleeping bums were on the sidewalk as we left for home.

I'm stretching, but "adolescent master" is how I would describe the chef and the menu. The food is very good, delightfully presented, and well priced. No complaints at all. But, what is this? American or Singaporean? Do I use Tobasco or Tonkatsu?

But, this is "pan-asian" to the extreme! Ox-tail and spring rolls? That's a winner? Fresh crab/lemon grass salad and lamb chops? Where did that come from? Individually, good! Together, whoa!

I was confused, but you may enjoy it! The wine is good, the service is thoughtful, and the decor is attractive. Please go, and let me know what you think.

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

Yes, I did grow up on the East Coast, and attended Cornell in Ithaca NY for a few years.

And yes, I often did look out the bedroom window onto views like this.

California is better, thank you.

Genius!

May God bless ingenuity. You all have probably heard a Staples ad on radio pushing refills for ink-jet cartridges, and adding to the enticement by promising US$3 for every old cartridge you return to them.

Today, I learned why, when I went to Staples to buy new ink cartridges.

Hoo-Lah! There, on the rack, right next to the genuine HP cartridges, were prominently-displaced STAPLES remanufactured ink cartridges, 15% cheaper! They are making lots of money on these things, even after giving me $3 for my old cartridge and refilling it with 15 cents worth of new ink.

Ain't life wonderful?

More Thanksgiving (for vegetarians)

Starting at the left, garlic, apricot, . . .

Thanksgiving's Four Freedoms

Of Speech

From Fear

From Want

Of Worship


(H.T. Norman Rockwell via mullings.com )

The Mighty Global Hawk

Somewhere out there, close to the Bay Area, lies Beale Air Force Base, about 10 miles East of Marysville (You can find it here. ), whence flies the Northrup Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk. This UAV bird is about the size of a Boeing 737, and it flies at 65,000 feet. The flights are directed by the 9th Reconnaisance Wing at Beale, from on-site console stations (think video games) and the UAVs are flying over Iraq and Afghanistan!

The "pilots" arrive at Beale for 8-hour shifts, 4 hours as co-pilot/observer, then 4 hours as pilot. 24/7. Pilots, through their Hawks can see down at night and through dust and rain storms. The Hawks are guided by Beale in response to requests from the military on the ground in the Middle East.

Wow!