The Column of Life

[NY Times, March 24, 2003] To see why Chicago became the movie of the year in a year when America sleepwalked into war, you do not have to believe it is the best picture of 2002 (mine would be Almodóvar's Talk to Her ). Nor must you believe that musical comedy is making a comeback in Hollywood (it's barely holding its own on Broadway, where even Hairspray has empty seats). All you have to do is watch a single scene. That scene is a press conference in 1920's Chicago. A star defense attorney, Billy Flynn (Richard Gere), wants to browbeat a mob of reporters into believing that his client, Roxie Hart (Renée Zellweger), did not murder her lover when in fact she did. "Now remember," Billy coaches Roxie, "we can only sell them one idea at a time." The idea: Roxie acted in self-defense. "We both reached for the gun," Roxie sings to the reporters, who obediently turn her lie into a rousing chorus, repeating it over and over in a production number that...

This Dusty Springfield single was released on June 25, 1990 in the United Kingdom one day prior to the 21st anniversary of Stonewall. It was during her Pet Shop Boys phase and about four years before she was to have another rebirth via Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction 's use of "Son of A Preacher Man." By this time, it was well known that the British pop star and perennial blue eyed soul favourite was a daughter of Sappho. She has been featured often in the posts of this web log . Dusty is one of those gay personalities that has entered the movement's martyrology not because she was by any means an activist, but because she struggled with her sexuality for most of her adult life. Still she made no attempt to have a merkin and was not once remotely publicly connected to a man. She was also well known for her gay male following and because of their presence at her Royal Albert Hall concert in 1979, she declared, "Glad to see that the royalty wasn't confined...

So sweet

This recipe was adapted from Sunny Anderson's terrific stuffed pork chops. However, if pork is not your thing, there's always veal. Veal Cutlets, four Flour, for dredging Pancetta, small cubes, half pound Sweet Onion, half chopped and half in wedges Fresh Thyme, four sprigs stripped Fresh Sage leaves, two teaspoons chopped Granny Smith Apple, peeled, cored and sliced thin Butter, unsalted, room temperature, two tablespoons Lemon/Lime, fresh, one and a half cups Dry White Wine, two tablespoons Nutmeg, one quarter teaspoon ground Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste Olive Oil Orange Zest, from one orange Flat-leaf Parsley, two teaspoons, chopped Preheated oven 350F. 1. In a medium oven-proof skillet over medium heat, sauté the pancetta, chopped onions, thyme, and sage until the onions are beginning to caramelize around the edges, about 10 minutes. 2. Pour mixture into a bowl. Add apples, butter, 2 tablespoons of juice and nutmeg. Season with salt and pepper. 3. Dredge...

Mr. Michael Chiarello is one of the brighter and more palatable presenters on the Food Network. It's no wonder that Progresso exploited his talent and charm last year to help sell their products. To embellish this recipe, accompanying this recipe are a few images of a juicy beefy tomato homo sapiens. Indicative of the truth that tomatoes are one of God's finest gifts. Tomato Steak with Baked Goat Cheese and Herb Salad Recipe by Michael Chiarello for Progresso Foods Ingredients: Progresso Parmesan Bread Crumbs, one quarter cup Coarse sea salt (gray salt) Freshly Ground Black Pepper Water, one half teaspoon Egg Fresh Goat Cheese, four rounds, two ounces each Beefsteak Tomato, four thick slices, ripe Extra Virgin Olive Oil, two teaspoons Fresh herb leaves (such as basil, chervil, tarragon, flat-leaf parsley, chives (1-inch lengths) or young watercress), two cups Progresso Red Wine Vinegar Extra Virgin Olive Oil 1.In small shallow bowl, mix bread crumbs, dash salt and pepper. Add ...

How about we start the day with something uniquely delicious. The use of the word scrumptious was somewhat confusing. However, these young men, among whom is a young Spaniard named Pedro provides new impetus for the use of the word. Main Entry: scrump·tious Pronunciation: \ˈskrəm(p)-shəs\ Function: adjective Etymology: perhaps alteration of sumptuous Date: 1830 : delightful, excellent; especially : delicious — scrump·tious·ly adverb Main Entry: sump·tu·ous Pronunciation: \ˈsəm(p)(t)-shə-wəs, -shəs, -shwəs\ Function: adjective Etymology: Middle English, from Latin sumptuosus, from sumptus Date: 15th century : extremely costly, rich, luxurious, or magnificent ; also : magnificent 4 — sump·tu·ous·ly adverb — sump·tu·ous·ness noun It's berry season. Why not start the day as well with something that is high in anti-oxidants and is quite delicious. Blueberries.

Saturday June 28, 2008 South Carolina HIV/AIDS Council Block Party & Health Fair 1115 Calhoun St., Columbia, SC 29201 12:00 noon-5:00 pm www.schivaidscouncil.org/2008-NatlTesting.html FREE Admission FREE Confidential Rapid HIV Testing Go here .

In June of 1993, Chris Isaak performed at the newly revitalized TLA on South Street in Philadelphia. Tower Records just down the street was the focal point for his venture and the employees, especially the young females, were, all of them, titillated at the proximity of the heart throb. Chris Isaak embodies the ideal of the strong, sensitive and handsome man who seems somewhat sincere, to coin a musical phrase, let alone he can sing and write songs. Perhaps in an attempt to cut through all the excitement the sales representative from WEA, the company distributing Isaak's label, announced that he was gay. Perhaps it was someone simply embellishing a persistent rumour, although there was insistence on visual evidence. Be that as it may, it may have diluted the female excitement, or not as the case may be, but the possibility that someone of the sex symbol status of Chris Isaak might be gay, put simply and equivocally, fanned the flames. Mr. Isaak, ever the accessible and gracious roc...

Main Entry: cow·er Pronunciation: \ˈkau̇(-ə)r\ Function: intransitive verb Etymology: Middle English couren, probably from Middle Low German kūren Date: 14th century : to shrink away or crouch especially for shelter from something that menaces, domineers, or dismays From the New York Times: Here is something you might not know about Senator Barack Obama: His musical tastes are pretty mainstream. His reading list is, well, a little dark. In an interview with Rolling Stone magazine to be published on Wednesday, Mr. Obama revealed that his iPod was full of dozens of selections from, top to bottom, Bob Dylan, Sheryl Crow, Jay-Z and Yo-Yo Ma. (Joining perhaps every other Democratic politician alive, he also confessed a deep love for Bruce Springsteen.) When asked what books have most inspired him, Mr. Obama named “the tragedies of William Shakespeare” and Hemingway’s novel of the Spanish Civil War For Whom the Bell Tolls — incidentally, a favorite of Senator John McCain, who is known to ...

Watching Jeremy Davidson as Chase Moran in the last two episodes of Army Wives can only solidify the dedicated viewer as a fan. He was showcased as the prerequisite army husband: desired, sexy and somewhat inaccessible, much like the object of a fan's obsession. It is even more visceral given that Mr. Davidson has that je ne sais quoi which encouraged BGR Design to set up a web site dedicated to this very fine actor. Here are snippets from his recent portrayals: Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (2004) “As Brick, the former athlete stuck in an alcoholic stupor ever since the death of his best friend, Jeremy Davidson delivers just the right aggressive nonchalance for the role. It was one of Williams' contributions to American culture to require of male actors raw and exposed sensuality, and Davidson's got it. As he stumbles around the stage with his crutch -- Brick has just broken his ankle in a failed attempt to relive past glories -- we believe that even the fogginess of the liquo...

"Gee, if only they'd attack us again, say around October 15th." From www.polticallore.com (5 May 2008): [Charles] Black has been a key player in the Washington scene for close to three decades, holding his first high level position as a senior advisor in the Reagan administration. Black then went on to be a senior advisor to Bush (41) and played a key role in the Bush (43) 2000 Presidential election campaign. He also has been heavily involved in a large number of Republican Congressional election campaigns. However the interesting connections in Black’s past relating to McCain’s campaign effort come from his extremely lucrative lobbying career. Black held the chair position at BKSH & Associates until March of this year, when he finally made the decision to publicly step down as chairman and shift all of his energy to working in McCain’s Presidential campaign. (It was Charlie Black whom Obama referred to when stating that McCain had lobbyist running their firms from t...

"Higher Love" (Steve Winwood) Think about it, there must be higher love Down in the heart or hidden in the stars above Without it, life is a wasted time Look inside your heart, Ill look inside mine Things look so bad everywhere In this whole world, what is fair? We walk blind and we try to see Falling behind in what could be Bring me a higher love Bring me a higher love Bring me a higher love Wheres that higher love I keep thinking of? Worlds are turning and were just hanging on Facing our fear and standing out there alone A yearning, and it's real to me There must be someone who is feeling for me Things look so bad everywhere In this whole world, what is fair? We walk blind and we try to see Falling behind in what could be Bring me a higher love Bring me a higher love Bring me a higher love Where's that higher love I keep thinking of? Bring me a higher love Bring me a higher love Bring be a higher love I could rise above on a higher love I will wait for it I'm no...

Some choices are just too difficult

Pancetta, diced, about one cup Garlic, one clove, chopped Onion, one half chopped Dry White Wine, about a cup Chicken Broth, one half cup Olive Oil Tomatoes, about one cup, chopped Salt, Pepper Farmer's Cream, half cup Peas, one cup, cooked Fresh Oregano Green Tagliatelle, half pound, cooked White Tagliatelle, half pound, cooked Pecorino al Primo Salato, grated 1. Saute the pancetta in the olive oil. Add the white wine and saute until the wine is reduced about half. Add the broth. 2. Add the garlic and onion. Cook for about three minutes more. 3. Add the tomatoes, lower the heat and simmer for about fifteen minutes. Salt and Pepper to taste. 4. When the mixture has reached the desired texture, add the cream. Stir for a minute or two. add the peas. 5. Add the fresh oregano to taste right before you toss the sauce with the pasta. 6. heat the pasta again in a very large skillet with the sauce. 7. Serve lightly sprinkled with the pecorino. Paglia e Fieno is easily one of the best past...