find all the mistakes:)

NJ - this probably fits better on your blog - Dekha Hai Aise Bhi!

an assorted p.m mind!

Holiday lights have adorned the street - its all pretty and shimmery outside! 

The red holiday cups have brought back the delicious Eggnog lattes! 

With that the need to work out more! 

Was too cold to go to the gym today - so just did  a 30 min Bollywood routine at home instead! The last quarter has been filled with traveling 

Sometimes I feel I would love a job that has primarily to do with travel - cultural interpretations - dining- wining - the whole package! 

Something like Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations - not just about food though - its always about the holistic experience in my realm!!!

 Not the Rachel Ray/ Andrew Zimmern type of show - the biatch in me cannot be that sweet all the time - there are somethings (ok many things!) that I don't like and I am very vocal about it! I don't dislike them - but they just seem to like everything they see, experience and eat! 

 I'll go for Anthony Bourdain - like how he is MEAN and TRUTHFUL!!! 

Certainly not a show like Guy Fieri- I like his show - but the amount of red meat he has to eat ! or let alone be exposed too - too unhealthy for the eyes, let alone the stomach! 

Aspen was gorgeous - was a relaxing- indulgent weekend! 

Phoenix was such a let down - one of the fastest growing cities in America????

Sprawling paradise it is if you ask me

Ironically I went there for Greenbuild - was good but not great- was hoping to come back much more inspired! 

For those unfamiliar - Greenbuild is an international conference on Sustainability - involves issues related to the topic in the built environment - buildings, cities, engineering, policies etc and everything that goes with it!

Oh - thanks to that though I got to hear Al Gore live ( second time now!) and attend a Sheryl Crow concert! 

The year end is close-  holidays even closer

Beginning to feel the pinch - so much to do! so little time!!! 

thats ALWAYS the STORY! 

Ethics out the door...

People of Walmart


have your headphones/speakers on!!!

I really hope  Wal-Mart does NOT pick up any steam in India! 

- from a happy NON Walmart shopper! 

for the love of FOOD

Our last book club read was in Defense of Food: An eater's manifesto - by Michael Pollan

(this time I was guilty of not reading the book- but as a means to encourage a bigger group to attend we always are happy when people show up and contribute to the conversation  even if you haven't read the book- we all know how much we talk about the actual books in a book club session right ?)
So now its lined up as my next reading - after I finish 'the geography of bliss' (another post on that someday)

This one pager that someone brought to the discussion comes from the book- In Defense of Food below and I believe is valuable to all us! Enjoy! its a useful reminder to have on our refrigerators or office desk displays!

of October snow and BLOG friends

If you follow me on twitter, are friends with me on facebook or happen to be on my g-chat list ( the whole world seems to land there - wonder how- anyway, lets leave that for another post) you have probably read my little statements like ' snow storm'; 'loving the orange sky', 'beautiful snow' and 'commute to work this morning wasn't fun'.... however since it's considered to be an 'epic' snowstorm - first in 10 yrs to have hit Denver so hard in the month of October I think it calls for a post on my Blog...

Yes - my Blog - its my oldest outlet on the 'social media' circle - now there is facebook, twitter, linked in - and what not (and you can find me on all!) - but my blog happens to be my oldest and also clique'iest' of the lot - a place known to my few loyal readers who have been with me through the past five years - through thick and thin...through my happy posts- grumpy posts - opinionated posts - green posts - intangible posts - cryptic posts-  random posts- grammatically incorrect posts and on days like these - posts which start with one topic and move on to another .... thank you dear blog 'clique'  for sticking with me-  a unique group of friends - my BLOG friends!

Now back to the October snow storm - the snow started as a heavy consistent downpour on Tuesday evening - went on all day Wednesday and Thursday - spiced up at intervals with gusty winds and COLD temperatures on Thursday- very different from the storms I have seen in Denver before - this one wasn't as dramatic or as Blizzardy ( yumm- the word makes me think of dairy queen bliazzards:) ) as the ones in the past years but was Consistent - kept pouring - 4"-6"-8"-12"-18"- almost a couple of feet - it didnt cause disruption as the ones before - but has piled up a TON of snow....  the white stuff that's the beautiful powder when it is fresh and either deadly ice or slushy slippery mess the next day! Here's to a White October!
Happy Halloween

experiences

its been pretty busy on this side of the world of late - hence the lack of new posts at my end here! 

between busy work schedules we also managed two mini vacations to two DIVERSE cities that share a few core values! In my mind they are both... 

Culturally unique

Culinarily marvelous
Soulfully rich

Artistically inclined

... in very different ways...while San Francisco pretty much defines what a contemporary cultural experience should be like for this side of the continent, New Orleans is rich in its the historic charm! 

First time in New Orleans - loved it! looking forward to going back

Not first time in SFO and around - as always - loved it! looking forward to going back

Date Nights...

.... at home are always so fun!

Last night's menu :

- Mixed herb salad with black grapes, walnuts and olive oil, peach-apricot, chili flakes dressing!
- Tilapia Fish Fry
- Sol Kadhi
- Lemon scented basmati rice

a mangotini for the lady and dirty martini for the husband :)

Nutella update!

now that the chocolate hazelnut goodness has been finger licked to emptiness there will be guilt free evenings....

.... till we get another jar!

Happy Ganesh Chaturthi All

We made some Modaks!

and the verdict...

Taste: 10/10

Texture of filling : 10/ 10

Consistency of outer layer : 9 /10

Looks/Presentation: 6/10

As you can see while we believe we nailed the taste, texture, consistency we still have a lot of work to do on perfecting the shaping of these yummy favorites of Ganpati Bappa and us!

TOP CHEF

the new season started tonight and shows a lot of promise - one of the contestants is a James Beard award nominee - another has received a Michelin star - many others seem talented too - looking forward to the season

also....

Top Chef masters finale happened tonight - all three - Chef Hubert Keller, Chef Rick Bayless and Chef Michael Chiarello are all rock stars - the finale dinner looked and sounded heavenly

-kept wishing we were there to eat it! ha ha

I am glad Rick Bayless won - he was my favorite -he is so charming! Added two new

restaurants to our must eat at list :)

TOI b***wood shit

so... what happened to Swine flu? oh - didn't you hear? Shahrukh took it on himself to reduce media hype about it ? In the process got some publicity for himself and satisfied his craving for some attention. Also at first glance on the TOI website I learnt today ' Ash unwell, Big B worried' BIG news man! oh another big news- alls well between Shahrukh and Vishal ( apologize my ignorance- who is Vishal?) and then I learnt about ' bollywood's kiss controversies and Irfan gives kiss a miss.

thanks TOI for all of this!

and that too in less than a minute of reading.

p.s - SRK found a spot for himself on Anderson Cooper 360 tonight!!!!

Of Pride and Love

Pride for everything you achieved... and who you are!
Love inspite of all that you are not and aspiring to be!

Happy Independence Day dear Motherland.

this KOKOnut likes...

...Macaroons
...Malibu rum
...any well made coconut based curry in this world
...tender coconut icecream
... Pina Colada
... Koprapak /coconut barfi
... Coconut rice
... Coconut water
... Bounty chocolate
... toasted coconut cupcakes
... Coconut
... the Sun, the sand and the sea!

an assorted AM mind

The media collectively is one evil soul!
It wasn't as hot as I thought it would be as I walked to work this morning.
I can't make up my mind - which one is the bigger evil - politicians or media?
Thinking about the chicken saguti recipe mom just shared with me!
People who are extremely opinionated should be able to take extreme criticism well?
The entire world should start using Macs instead of PCs
I had HBOO cereal for breakfast
I want to 'Design like you give a Damn'
My mind never stops talking to me!

When I look around...

... I am so glad that I am part of a profession directly involved in enhancing lives... in different ways, at different scales... if done right the bottom line still stays the same!

Sunday night gupshup with U

- Now that the Next Food Network Star Show is over with its finale last weekend the husband is having his way this evening with Sunday night baseball - little does he know that Next Iron Chef and ofcourse next season of Top Chef are going to premiere soon.

- While on the topic of Top Chef - is anyone else sad to see project runway go from Bravo -i think that new ' Fashion Show' sucks - the hosts, contestants and judges are all so bad. I think i read somewhere Project Runway is starting soon on Lifetime? Does anyone know when?

- Since I have pretty much given up on big banner Bollywood movies off late, Love Aaj Kal was a pleasant surprise. The story is good and well presented. the back and forth between yesterday and today seems seamless and nicely done. Love doesnt really follow any logic, decision making, discussion or any thoughtful process - its above all that!
Cast wise- Though this is a complete 'Shahrukh' role, I think Saif is good and convincing - in both the roles. I am so glad that Deepika Padukone plays the part of Meera and not Kareena Kapoor- she seems perfect for the 'practical' girl that she plays -and fresh too!

Off to dinner - the smell of our Kerala style ground and roasted coconut Chicken curry made yesterday is calling!

humpty dumpty had a great fall!!!

Oops!

check the above video out for a little peak at Steven Tyler's fall off the stage while performing at Sturgis, SD (talk about tough crowd!)

well - i am glad we could catch the Aerosmith concert in Denver last Saturday before his fall! - sure hope he feels better soon and is up and runnning/jumping/dancing/going crazy - and being himself!
the man is old - but still so H*T

a delicious addiction?

while we are on the subject of 'bad habits' here, I have a confession to make...
... lately I have been developing this habit that I am finding hard to get out of... I don't know if I can completely coin it as a bad habit yet - just because it is SO GOOD!

the habit takes place almost every weekday evening or night ' starts with quarter of a teaspoon of nutella; close the jar- open it again - another quarter of a teaspoon; guilt creeps up-so I close the jar- oh no- open it again and another quarter of a teaspoon'

all along growing up and even now Nutella surely has been one of my most favorite things to eat in this world - i mean seriously - how can someone come up with something so delicious and simple at the same time - cocoa and hazelnuts -can never go wrong for me (except of course if its in my coffee!)

so anyway -growing up nutella sandwiches were an integral part of my life - strawberry nutella crepes make for a delicious dessert anywhere anytime! nutella cupcakes are only divine! nutella with any fruit make a good snack! finger licking goodness of nutella is just getting me more and more addicted to it!

Here is what mainly goes into this delicious goodness - sugar, modified vegetable oils, hazelnut, cocoa and skimmed milk!
See - its not all bad for me :)

besides the fact that...

... its bad for you ...
It is so yesterday - Its like an 80s or 90s thing!
the other day after a long long time an acquaintance started to tell me how maybe the good thing about smoking is he has met some great and interesting people on his smoking breaks at work- outside bars etc.
i am surprised that 1. people of our generation smoke and 2. they think its cool!

Sometimes...

...the question is 'do you really like your job?'
and other times its a bigger question ' do you really like the profession you are in?'

Of school uniforms

i am so glad I grew up in a world where it was and still is a norm to wear Uniforms to school - maybe I didn't like it back then ( or maybe I did- i don't remember!) but whenever i see the back-to-school ads on TV here these days it seems like one big part of back to school shopping is clothes - oh man - as a kid i cant even imagine how much pressure there would be to wake up each morning and think what to wear - to dress well - to dress cool- to not repeat clothes and what not!

looking back - i loved my blue tunic and white shirt and especially loved the occasional white Fridays - white shirt and white skirt :) and it even made the 'party dress' days all the more fun.

Ah! the memories of a simple life!

FYI

Someone is back from their Nth hiatus .... 'random' reading on the web is going to be interesting again! :) I hope we dont have to see another 'writers block' anytime soon though.
http://chinaclay.blogspot.com/

each time...

.. keeps hitting another wall!!!!!

no matter what...

... the damn clock keeps ticking!

in FB style.. Komal is...

... wondering what news channels would make 'breaking news' out of if MJ wouldn't have left the world. Suddenly Iran, the economy, Obama, Yemen and everything else seems to be not as 'breaking news' for them as MJ's life has been in the last week.

... wondering what's wrong with Bollywood. Another movie we started and shut after 20 min - Oye Lucky Oye or whatever. Why in the world do people cast abhay deol in their movies - guess cheap availability?

... wondering how almost all Desis i know in the US like their water 'no ice' - the list includes yours truly too

... liking a not so much of an 'agenda' long weekend!

should have just been one person...

sunny deol and nicholas cage - they could really be the same person... with expressionless droopy eyes (leaving screaming their heart out the only way to emote), the perpetual frown, bad acting and starring in movies that normally i wouldn't care to watch... (read -bad movies)

p.s - my first post from my MAC - its such a treat - love it ... makes me happy :)

missing home

Happy 3rd Denver -

Yes...you and i have spent three years together - many great moments with loved ones and family... shared experiences I havent shared with anyone before... yet you shall never be home... I MISS HOME!

little moments in a day - big inspirations they make

A good take away from Cameron Sinclair’s (of Arch. for humanity) talk when he was in Denver a few weeks ago - ‘Design is the biggest renewable resource’
‘A solution needs to be beautiful both aesthetically and ethically’

Another great take away from a recent speech by an individual who I believe is one of the greatest public speakers of our time said something like – ‘empower yourself – such that you can be of help to others… beyond yourself’
He referenced the disaster at wall street as part of this statement ( and obviously so – to my mind wall street and anyone associated with it is just the biggest group of self centered individuals one can ever come across…BOO!)

I presented my India thing (from the AIA 10 x 10 event) to the architecture studio at work a few days ago. that was that! Yesterday – while climbing up the internal office stair I ran into this colleague who was like ‘I liked your talk -I could relate to it a lot’ and just like that, out of the blue he pulls out a little bronze Ganesh murti from his pocket and tells me he always carries it with him – apparently he is totally into it!!!! How cool :)
Go Ganpati Bappa!!!

easy to do... Critique - complain - have a problem with every one's ways and doings!
hard to do... walk the talk!

hear me out!

The husband and I often have many discussions on sustainability- in the context of design, lifestyles, energy consumption so on and so forth. Amidst our stimulating conversations, I always tell the husband how we are at the tipping point of the world changing and people are at a point that they have already accepted or will soon accept a sustainable responsible lifestyle, design attitude and energy consumption at the least.
He always points out to me that I live in a bubble that is so committed to the subject that its only in that bubble that this seems to be happening – and always I deny. Unfortunately on a recent visit to what could be called a traditional upper middle class family I realized how far form even knowing what needs to be done to live on the earth responsibly are we. Not only that – my heart aches to see how proud we are of our wasteful ways. I have to agree with the husband for now but pledge only to work harder in maybe my own small way and hopefully be able to change atleast a small part of the world we live in. I feel hurt at one level – but more motivated at another that there is still so much that needs to be done – not only in terms of problem solving but also awareness and I shall be happy to help.

We live in a world that is either about ‘rich and wasteful’ or 'poor and frugal’.
Is it so hard to strive for a world where the motto is ‘rich and frugal?’

conversations...

with a Two and Half Year old...

Everytime I talk to Chari she has an interesting tale to tell me about my little niece (her daughter) Tia. here are three of the comments that Tia made to her that I just cant get over. the little girl is 2 and half - i just don't get how can she say all that... these days are growing up fast- but so fast.
so ...
Statement 1 - Tia tells Charita after coming back from her day care " Mom, Rick is my boy!"
Charita is like WHAT??? - i thought i have to hear this after like 10-15 years - not now!!!

Statement 2- Tia says " Mom, I think I am absolutely gorgeous"

Statement 3 - Tia is not listening- Charita tries hard and then just screams at her - so Tia says "Don't scream at me Momma - just tell me - I will listen"

I mean i get it that she must have picked up the first and maybe second statement at her daycare... but the third one requires some thought and understanding doesn't it. there are many such things that she says that intrigue me a lot - i shall update if there is something more

Cafe Options...

... is a new cafe opened just across the street from my desk - a month ago or so i saw the sign go up - then some furniture - then saw that it had opened...
there are a couple of reasons i am writing this post - i was very excited to see a new 'local' cafe coming up - i am always a proponent of those and if i have a choice- then will NOT go to the evil empire of Starbucks!(there are like 6 Starbucks within one block radius of my workplace- and many other cafes too though-so i have nothing to complain really)
Anyway in the last two days i have been to Cafe Options 4 times - twice for lunch (they have excellent soups, salads n sandwiches) and twice for coffee (its not yet the best cappuccino but they are learning) . I told the husband how it was a little weird that I keep on going there... either alone or with some colleague... but I am very glad that even though unknowingly, I have gone there four times already... here is the reason why : I found out today that Cafe Options is a place that benefits Work Options for Women, a local non-profit that helps impoverished women acquire culinary skills and places them in a job.

there are very few noble causes than that in my mind!

and trust me it is anything but your ordinary, everyday pick up and go place- the service may still be slow but the food and ambiance is great; it employs several women who have graduated -- or will graduate -- from a 16-week food service training program.

feeling like...

... badly in need of a divine intervention!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Me the Desi

-chestnut brown or gray eyeliner doesn't work - Me the Desi needs a black brown or black kajalesque eyeliner for it to show and work...

- just remembered Junglee Toofan Tire Puncture when I was driving and thought maybe I had a flat tire(luckily i did not) Me the Desi spent several childhood evenings watching the show

- i love coffee but there is no other way to start the day for Me the Desi other than a hot cup of tea a.k.a. chai (no not your starbucks chai latte)

- i have never been a great fan or proponent of spicy food - but Me the Desi is always satisfied after a delicious- hit all the taste buds and senses kind of Indian dish/meal (thought of this as I craved kababs all evening - well settled for a spicy pad thai!)

a few random thoughts all come together!

isn't Avacado like a person who is popular but we dont know why - as in we see no real substance - every now and then one wonders why they are where they are... though occasionally we like guacamole! :)

it just bugs me more and more each passing day how the news 'reporting' media is becoming more and more about expressing opinions of individuals or groups they believe in and less neutral news reporting - and unfortunately this is becoming a universal trend!

So CNN delivers their news in a certain way and FOX an another - even if we didn't know what they each sort of stand for we would make our choices and watch the channel we want-- often its the same news presented in different ways - we choose the channel that best presents it in a way we would like to hear it!

We tried the new cupcake store - Lovely confections( ya - they need to work on a better name i think) in Denver - its organic and local - a good cupcake -with simple rich flavors great compostable packaging - i think i will have to try it a few more times before i call it my favorite - for now i shall stick to 'The Shoppe' being a favorite in Denver and ' Crave' in Houston!

I 'AM'sterdam

...cosmopolitan and diverse
... a culinary treat
... culturally splendid
...as walkable as walkable can be
... not on four wheelers - but on two - the bicycle rules
...cafes there are plenty - just make sure you know what you are going in there for :)
...embracing the vices of society - seamlessly blending into the city
... architecturally modern - the best i have seen ever before
... tasteful- elegant - artistically driven
... water there is the highlight - be it the harbor, the canal or the private boat parking outside the house
... tulips there are plenty
... colors there are a zillion
... party how to - they know
... refinement even in the crass there is ... art there is in the ordinary
... a place i am in love with - the jewel in the lowlands.... Amsterdam

more co-curricular stuff !

Yesterday I spoke at the AIA Denver- Art, Architecture, Appetizers 10 x 10 event as part of the Colorado Architecture month - its a fun event where 10 speakers speak for 10 minutes on 10 slides on topics of their choice . As some of you know I spoke on the topic of -Defining the contemporary in an evolved old world culture - the culture that I tested (obviously) was that of India. the goal was to demonstrate through my hypothesis the different representations of the contemporary ( wrt fashion, art, architecture, product design and music) in India and connecting it to an overarching theme. I got good feedback and may actually consider developing this further into a research topic. I would love to share the talk with anyone who is interested

thanks Maithili, Niki, Chips, Namu, Vanali and Chari for contributing to my presentation. your information was really valuable and helped my talk be much more robust. and of course 'the husband' - my biggest contributor and best critic :)

you can now follow me on twitter - its going to be my place for more 'professionally' appropriate posts though!

one of my recent 'co-curricular' activities

For your viewing pleasure...

... our latesy entry for Denver Art Musuem's fund raising event - Design After Dark - feb 2009.

I lead the effort on behalf of the office. feel free to point all the criticism towards me!

Three eggs represent ‘SEEDS of LIFE’ through the action of protest – the non-coward act of see­ing no evil, hearing no evil, and speaking no evil opens passage to growth. Green grass is the metaphor to life – the silence is broken, protest has taken place – Green has begun to find its voice. The object derives inspiration from the Museum Series of Eva Zeisel in fluid form and representation of three separate pieces that are part of a set, forming the whole. But in here lies a VS – the three eggs– ‘Stand’ but not in ‘Silence’… in ‘Protest’! Their fluid edgeless form contradicted by the action of protest that they perform.

in the spirit of ...

... April fools day ... this one is my favorite pranks from yesterday - i wish it was true though ... i could say then that I became a LEED AP before him - hehehe

"The White House announced today that President Obama passed the U.S. Green Building Council's (USGBC) LEED NC v2.2 accreditation examination, and is now a LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP). White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said that the President got his AP because he strongly believes that green building and the LEED system are critical to stimulating a green economic recovery, reducing the country's dependence on foreign oil, and mobilizing the international community to meet the challenge of global climate change.
"Becoming a LEED AP is one of the proudest accomplishments of my life" said President Obama. "I decided that now was the time to get my AP, especially in light of the upcoming changes to USGBC's credentialing system... Green building is right for our economy, right for our health care system, and right for our future. LEED points the way towards the development of truly regenerative and sustainable communities, and now that I have my AP, I'm confident that I'm prepared for the job of rebuilding our country", the President added. "I learned all about LEED from my daughters Sasha and Malia, who attend the Sidwell School, the first LEED Platinum certified school. Malia persuaded me to become a LEED AP; she even registered me for the exam herself

Happy april fools day!

before i forget...

... I had some FYI to share!

the grocery store by my place ( Vitamin Cottage Natural Grocers) has now gone BYOB

BYOB = bring your own bag!
no plastic or paper bags are available at the store - if need be there are recycled cardboard boxes that you can take as your bag... also if super need be they sell their cloth bags for 99c... but don't advertise those unless you ask :)

YAAAY!!!

p.s. have a post in the making on our recent vacation...

there is so much joy...

...in unexpected gifts...

Fodnicha paav

My apologies for the non-maharshtrian readers- but last evening as I was making this simple delicacy from stale bread I remembered an interesting story… I was about 7 – mom dad were taking charita- me and a friend of mine to the Circus. So we all decided to pack some snacks for ourselves- my friend mentioned she will be bringing ‘russian bread’ . I was extremely excited- to see what this exotic thing looked and tasted like. We sat in our chairs and opened our little ‘dabbas’ – to my surprise the Russian bread – was fodnicha paav…

I thought ‘russian bread’ sounded so exotic way back then – and today ‘fodni cha paav’ does…

p.s - I dont know if my friend came up with the term herself or her mommy did so that she'd eat it ... :)

Smart is the new Cool

in the past week I have been thinking... smart cars- smart cities - smart grids- smart buildings- smart phones...

So is smart the new cool?
Is the common man 'smart' enough to be part of this 'smart' world!!!

So....

... I thought you 'all ( all - hmmm don't know if I have any visitors even left due to my long absence) must be bored of seeing Ms. Dixit on my blog so I'll get back to some ranting on this page...

... and again the mantra is to keep it 'quick and painless'

so stop by for short scribbles - posts that wont make you scratch your head - and ofcourse just another webpage to while away some precious time in a day...

K'space...

... is alive...