Steak or Something Like it

"The Original Master of Blood and Butter" by Frank Bruni
(An article from the Dining Out section of the New York Times Sept 11. edition)
Who better then the New York Times to write an article on one of New York’s most influential and popular Steakhouses, Peter Luger? There is no one that I could think of. New York is full of restaurants of all different cultures, sizes, and standings. Although there are not many restaurants with the reputation that Peter Luger has. It has been around for 120 years. Like the steak that the restaurant serves, those 120 years has seasoned the restaurant to the perfection it is today.
Peter Luger prides itself on most importantly its steak, then its service, but not to forget the freshest thick cut tomatoes and onions everyone raves about. These are just a few things that keep customers coming back for more. There are hundreds of steakhouses in New York City, who could probably give Peter Luger a run for its money and would probably be more convenient, in the sense that you could pay for your meal by credit card. Which most people know are not accepted at Peter Luger, just another set back or is it what adds to the restaurants charm? But customers do not see the need for change, if something is not broke, why fix it? At Luger’s, steak is no ordinary food, it is a religion. If your good to it and praise it, in the end it will always put a smile on your face. Tradition is major at this steakhouse, to the waiters and waitresses here; this is no ordinary trying to get by college waiter gig. This is a full time dedication to all things steak. From the plating of the steak to the serving of the signature chocolate coins with your check, the service is unique.
While this restaurant holds high expectations to its guest, like anything else, there is always room for error and off days, but there are slim to none at Peter Luger. 120 years is just practice, this steakhouses’ claim to fame will not stop soon. It will always strive to be the best. So even though the people come for the steak, they will come back not only for the steak, but for the fries too.
This article stands out because it writes about one of the greatest landmarks in New York. To everyone’s surprise it is not in the city. It is in the heart of Brooklyn, where many of New York’s secrets lie. Only in New York can steak be held with such honor and fries are not considered a side dish, but an accomplice. The reputation of this restaurant has people coming from near and far, looking for the holy grail of all steaks.
Although the article almost criticizes the service as being too serious, but the greatness of the service comes from the fawn over the steak, it is no joking matter. They also point out the lack of sweetness in sides such as the tomatoes, onions, or even the shrimp cocktail, with steak so good, who cares? The author was over judgmental and with so little wrong with the restaurant, he nitpicked at any flaw he could think of. All and all the article gives Peter Luger most of the credit it deserves, but whatever was left out the reader will simply have to experience on their own.

The Nazis ruined it for all of us.....

Swastika, when a person hears that word, what does one think of? Usually, hate, the holocaust, Hitler, skin-heads, racial supremacy, are what most people think of. But in fact that should not be the case. Swastika is derived from the word svasti from Sanskrit meaning well being. The swastika is an ancient religious symbol for Hindus and Buddhists, and has represented the sun, strength and good luck to many groups around the world. Archaeological evidence of the shape of the swastika dates back to the Neolithic period. Since its adoption by the Nazi Party in 1920, people in the West have associated the swastika with Nazi dictator Hitler.

The symbol is often imprinted on religious texts, flags and even wedding invitations. What kind of sick and twisted mind would look at such a positive figure and doom it to evil. O right, Hitler! Whether it was meant to be controversial and hypocritical or just plain wrong, it has done its damage. Western culture will never be able to look a Swastika with the warmth and love of a person from one of the Dharmic religions. So basically Hitler and the Nazi party have took it upon themselves to once again take something that is happy and good in the world and crush it.

Smile, but you don't know whoz watching :)

http://www.fotothing.com/, http://www.smugmug.com/, http://www.shutterfly.com/, http://www.photobucket.com/, http://www.flikr.com/, have you posted any pictures on these sites lately? If you have, before you posted your pics did you question yourself as to whether your face is safe on this site? Probably not. You assume that since you need a user name and password for the site that your photography is safe, but think again.
Just ask Allison Chang from Bedford, Texas. A friend of hers innocently posted a picture of her from a church barbecue on flikr.com. While browsing the pages of flikr Allison came across a picture of the picture of herself on a bus stop in Australia. Allison thought, just like I would, what the hell am I doing on a billboard in Australia?
So apparently the Australian Virgin mobile company decided to use Allison in one of their ad campaigns without her permission. Not only was her picture used, but she was extremely offended by what the advertisement said. On the top of the photo it said, "Dump you pen friend." Allison is a young girl of Asian persuasion, with shorts and a t-shirt with a hat on, holding up a peace sign with her hand. Take the saying as you will, but to me that is just a bad stereotype.
Underneath the picture it states, "Text free Virgin to Virgin." Now one person could take that literally and another could take that the way it is probably meant, which is Virgin mobile customer to Virgin mobile customer. But Allison is an innocent minor, who took this all very offensively.
Allison and her parents decided to take legal action and sue the Australian Virgin mobile company. They did not decide to sue for money, but for privacy issues. Even though her picture was posted on a website which is open for public viewing I don't think many people would post their photos if they knew they would become public advertisements on other continents. So Allison simple wants her ads took down off billboards and bus stops and simply wants her dignity back. She was shamed by those ads and is not looking to become a celebrity.
Although if you ask me, your dealing with a multi-million dollar company, so to get a pretty penny out of the situation would not be such a bad thing ;).
So my message is this, photo posters beware, you could be the next victim!

"Why I Write?"

Writing could be a job or writing could be a leisurely activity. Every time I write there is a different purpose. SometimesI write for myself and other times I write for someone else. Writing could also come in many forms. I could write poetry or I could write a short story. I write when I do not want to speak. I write when I am not allowed to speak. Sometimes it is difficult to write, your mind can draw a blank and you won’t have anything to write. But other times I want to write faster then my fingers or my pen could move. Sometime I write because my thoughts cannot gather fast enough and it is like word vomit on a paper.
I write because it helps express my feelings. I write because my mouth cannot come out with the words I want to utter. I write to convey passion in ways that no one can articulate. Writing is a method of organization, to create lists, to take notes. I write as a form of exercise for my brain. My pen meeting a paper is a daily ritual that speaks my imagination through words of creativity and originality. I write to inspire people with visions of ingenuity and cleverness.
Sometimes I write to remember sweet memories. Other times I write to forget bitter ones. At times I write for amusement, whether it is for myself or for others. I write to prepare. I write to criticize or assess others. I write to praise or pay tribute to people and things. I write for and every reason. I write because I have to, I write because I want to.