Yearly Archives: 2011

The 5:32 Train Gang

Posted in The Observer, Thoughts by

I don’t usually take the 5:32 train home, however, on occasion I do, and I have observed a thing or two. Well, mostly one thing. There is a gang of about 7 people – men and women – who take that train home together. Also, if I was being honest in my observation, they are jerks.

I noticed the 5:32 train gang the second time I rode that train. I was one of the first persons into the car and sat in the section with the seats facing each other. Unbeknownst to me, I was sitting the the gang’s “territory”. With book in hand, I started reading, but couldn’t help but feel a little strange when the man sitting opposite me started giving me weird looks. Was there something on my face? Is a button open? Why does he keep glancing at me and smirking? Then, I figured it out, his friend walks in and apparently I was sitting in his friend’s seat, so his friend had to sit in the seat behind him. They then proceeded to have a loud conversation with each other and the other five people in their gang.

Unfortunately for the gang, the train is a public ride and I got there first, so they couldn’t tell me to move. However, a woman with her suitcase came in, and there was a seat available in our section, but the men refused to move over to let her sit. Then they all proceeded to mock her and the size of her suitcase when she went to find another seat. Appalling.

The gang seems to be equal opportunity though, not only are they jerks to other passengers, they are jerks to each other. For example, yesterday I sat in their section – though not their seats – and I noticed one of their members try to sit with them, but apparently one of the men was saving those seats for two other men, so he told her no (even though four people could fit in that section). So, she came to sit next to me, then proceeded to have a conversation with the woman in front of her. Afterwards, she proceeded to pull out her mobile and have an animated conversation.

Let’s just say, I’m thankful for my ipod.

Dinner at Tea and Sympathy

Posted in My New York, Plateful by

Yesterday I went to Tea and Sympathy to have dinner with my friend, Juyon. I love Tea and Sympathy, partly because it’s so small and quaint, and as J pointed out, it’s reminiscent of eating in someone’s kitchen, and partly because the staff have lovely english accents and are super friendly.

We had scones with jam and clotted cream. I wanted to try the crumpets, but the waitress said that the website was outdated and they haven’t served crumpets in a year, due to the fact that they kept eating the crumpets all day long.

We shared the Sussex Chicken – cornish hen, mash and peas.

And a side of macaroni and cheese. I had the best tea that I’ve tasted there yet, the Chocolate and Mint Rooibos, it was so good I picked 1/4 pound up to take home.
For dessert we shared the Treacle pudding (with custard), but alas, it was so good I got distracted, and only remembered to take a picture once it was all finished – and in record time.
I absolutely love Tea and Sympathy, and I’d really love to try their Sunday brunch!

The Happiest/Saddest person in America

Posted in Thoughts by

I know the article title says “on earth” but I doubt that they have data to cover the earth, however, there were two interesting articles last week – what the happiest person would look like and what the most miserable person would look like.

I found a few things interesting:

  1. Males were happier than females
  2. Tall folks were happier than shorter
  3. Youth was not mentioned as a factor for happiness/sadness
  4. Marriage brings happiness, but divorce sadness.
  5. Children bring happiness not sadness.

Further interesting thought was they found a person who fits the bill of happiest person, and yes, he is happy.

He said that perhaps he manages to be the happiest man in America because “my life philosophy is, if you can’t laugh at yourself, life is going to be pretty terrible for you.”

Of course, there are exceptions to these, I’m female with no children and I’m quite content. However, I think there is some salt to the validity of this research. Thoughts?

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Image: worradmu / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

How do you like your crumpets?

Posted in Plateful by

When I was younger, I read about crumpets at tea time in books. Since it was tea time and you had cakes with your tea, I always assumed that crumpets were sweet. I was wrong.

Crumpets are savoury little breads that you can have with butter, jam, marmite or whatever you imagine. So how do I eat my crumpets?

I like to pull out the toaster (which I hardly use). Then when it pops up …

I like to spread some of this …

YUMMY!

Making Crumpets

Posted in Plateful by

I didn’t try crumpets when I was visiting England, so I only have the pictures to go by, however, that didn’t stop me from trying to make crumpets.

I found a recipe online and a video on youtube, and with some mathematics and google I was able to convert the recipe so I can make some crumpets!

You start out with some flour, I used only bread flour (strong white flour) since we didn’t have any other kind at home. I made it once before and used the correct mixture, and the dough came out better, so be sure to use plain (all-purpose) flour as well.

Add some salt, sugar and yeast. mmmm yeast ….

Mix it all together and pour in some warm (not hot!) milk. It’s suppose to have an elastic like finish, not stiff.

Let it rise for about an hour, you’ll notice this isn’t as elastic-y as it should be, this is due to only using bread flour, so make sure you use all-purpose as well.

Add some baking soda to some water, then mix that in with the dough.

The mixture should be pancake like. I put a bit more milk in because of the lack of proper flour. Let it sit for a little while longer.

In a buttered pan, using cooking rings (I used cookie cutters instead) cook your crumpets.

Then —- TADA! A lovely savoury treat!