Yearly Archives: 2011

Hello Watson!

Posted in Media, The Telly, Thoughts by

IBM succeeded in building a computer that was able to beat two top Jeopardy players, Ken Jennings and Brad Rutter.

I saw this comic from Abstruse Goose in my RSS reader and smiled.

I think that many humans, at one point or the other, wonder about the advances in technology and if one day technology will take over the world. I know I’ve often marveled at how far we’ve come, from the 90s where the internet was just beginning to pick up pace, to 2011 where a computer wins Jeopardy.

However, the thing that marvels me the most is that these contraptions exist, not on their own, but from the thoughts, tinkering and hard work of people just like you and me. Once my mind heads down that road, I take a second, say a prayer of praise, smile and get on with my day.

The human mind is an amazing thing with great potential to create.

Late Night with Jimmy Fallon

Posted in Media, The Telly by

I’ve recently started watching Jimmy Fallon on Hulu (because I’m in bed by the time he’s on TV. Yeah, that’s how I roll). I like watching him because he’s so dorky, but in a funny and endearing way. I especially love his Thank You Notes segment and his crazy games. So when I got the opportunity to go to a taping of his show I jumped on the opportunity quicker than fleas on a dog (or, nicer analogy, it’s late, I don’t want to be creative).

We got to 30 Rock around 2:30pm to get in line for our tickets, once we had those in hand we waited around until 4:15pm where we were then allowed to line up to be taken in. Around 5pm we were in the studio and ready to see Jimmy. He had a great show with some lovely audience shots during the game – we threw balls at guys with cones on their heads.

Jimmy was just as wonderful in person as he is on the telly, I would definitely try to go again (and sit on the aisle again, but this time closer to the back. And armed with a magazine and a pen for him to sign – and that’s your tip of the day).

 

what I got after the show

Meeting The Pioneer Woman

Posted in Bookish by

Ree Introduced

I’ve recently started reading Ree Drummond’s blog → The Pioneer Woman. I have crossed it a few times in thepast, one post was about her daughter and their love for each other, which I found endearing, and a few of her recipes. However, I didn’t get pulled in by her charm until I decided to make Chocolate Truffles for Christmas. After a successful run with the Truffles, I decided to check out some more recipes, which lead to me checking out her confessions section, which lead to me reading about her lodge renovations which ultimately lead to Pioneer Woman joining my RSS feed.

Ree speaks

After Christmas she mentioned the release of her book, From Black Heels to Tractor Wheels. I saw that herbook was being released Feb 1st and that Barnes and Noble in Union Square was hosting her for a book signing, so I just had to go!

Ree and I

Ree was very pleasant, witty and even though she seemed somewhat nervous she still manage to answer a few of our questions with the same charm that you canfind on her blog. You can read the first two parts of Black Heels to Tractor Wheels on her website, I’ve read it and it’s a great story of how she met and married her husband.

Definitely looking forward to reading this book! I’m happy I got to go to the signing.

Two for Tea

Posted in My New York, Plateful by

Entrance for Tea

One chilly Sunday in December, Mary and I decided to head to Lady Mendl’s for Afternoon Tea. Inside, Lady Mendl’s Tea Salon was decorated for Christmas with a lovely tree and teacups as ornaments which was a beautiful addition to the waiting room.

We were seated in one of their small dining rooms at a small table, it was intimate and cute. The staff served us everything, putting our teapots on a tea table to the side of our table. Mary had a chai tea while I tried something a little fruity. I don’t know what it is about warm fruit infused teas, but those are my favourites.

We were served a small appetizer, some tea sandwiches – loved the smoked salmon – and then scones with clotted cream. While not the best scones I’ve tasted in New York, their scones were bite sized and tasty. Everything was bite sized, and while initially it looked as though we might want to have second tea, by the time dessert came around both of us were quite full.

The cake was yummy and the strawberries were delicious, even though I was fighting to finish the last bite. After our 5 courses we finished our tea and took our leave. Looking back, it might have been a bit on the expensive side, but I enjoyed the atmosphere, the food and the company and I’d definitely go there again. It’s a wonderful place for a tea party!

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