“The secret of life is to have a task, something you devote your entire life to, something you bring everything to, every minute of the day for the rest of your life. And the most important thing is, it must be something you cannot possibly do. – Henry Moore, English sculptor Ideas I’ve been playing… Read More More “What’s for Dinner?”

The “Caprotinia”, or feasts of Juno Caprotina, were ancient Roman festivals which were celebrated on July 9, in favour of the female slaves. During this solemnity they ran about, beating themselves with their fists and with rods. None but women assisted in the sacrifices offered at this feast. Had I done my research a bit… Read More Juno in July

“You who after a few days here have called Siena “beautiful but rather dull”, have you not noticed a sudden change in the city? It seems to have come in a single night, and shows itself in a general air of agitation and excitement.” – from “The Palio“ I don’t know what it is about… Read More Horsing Around the Plaza

“One should either be sad or joyful. Contentment is a warm sty for eaters and sleepers.” – Eugene O’Neill While the origin of the Seven Sleepers myth is back in Roman and early Christian times, there is no major festival associated with the myth, with the exception of one country – Germany. Somehow, from a… Read More Sleepers Seven

“[T]he diversity of the people, the landscape and the history — occupied or colonized by the Chinese, the Spanish and the Americans, with Mexican influences from the Acapulco-Manila galleon trade — is reflected in the haphazard etiology of the food. The cuisine can seem a jumble of indigenous fruits and fishes, with calamansi limes and… Read More Pinoy Prandial

On June 6th, 2002, the Eastern Mediterranean Event occurred, a high-energy aerial explosion over the Mediterranean Sea, at around 34°N, 21°E (between Libya and Crete, Greece). This explosion has been related to an asteroid undetected while approaching the Earth. The object disintegrated and no part was recovered. It was detected by satellites and seismographic stations,… Read More The Big Bang

“Surprise is the greatest gift which life can grant us.” – Boris Pasternak, Russian poet A fun little weekend past with both public and private dinners, first the latter. A group in from Chicago who pretty much left things in my hands… “no Scallops(allergy), Mushrooms (dislike immensely), Cheetos, twinkies, egg salads, eel, frog legs, potato… Read More Market Menu Surprise