XMAS stuff

3 25-word Reviews

The Impossible

McGregor and Watts give extraordinary performances alongside wonderful newcomer Holland. Bayona directs with fierce suspense. The compelling story and visual spectacle are a winning combination. 

4/5 Stars.

This Is 40

Rudd and Mann are not funny or charming enough to keep this repetitive, uninsightful script afloat. Apatow’s focus and story meander to an unfulfilling end. 

2.5/5 Stars.

m. henrietta’s veritable vegan epiphany

Awesomely seasoned scrambled organic tofu with sautéed onions served next to passable veggie sausage and thinly sliced avocado. A completely satisfying and richly flavored dish.

Christmas Catch-Up

So I am working my way towards vegan, guys. It’s going to be a process. I thought I could just decide and do an all plant-based diet overnight, but alas that did not work. I have to do some more research on options, substitutes, and vegan-friendly establishments. I am excited for this venture. I had an amazing vegan peanut butter cookie and m. henrietta which just furthered my resolve to make the transition. The most difficult everyday item to give up will be eggs (or possibly that sneaky milk I don’t realize is in just about everything. But I love having a good cheese every once in a while too so that will be a hard commodity to relinquish.

In other news… we had a WHITE CHRISTMAS in Chicago. Trent and I walked around our neighborhood with our pink wine and champagne concoction. The air was crisp, the dusting fluffy, and the streets practically deserted. It was really nice. For Christmas dinner Trent made a veggie sausage and cream cheese stuffing (inside crescent rolls) and I made two of the Beekman Boys' recipes (maple glazed sweet potatoes and glazed carrots with pine nuts and golden raisins) for our sides. We also had an aromatic mulled wine which was infused with brandy, an orange, honey, cloves, and ginger. Delicious.

I got Ed Sheeran’s album “+” for Christmas and gifted Ellie Goulding’s “Halcyon.” They are two of my favorite musicians from 2012. After I give the albums a few listens, I’ll write some thoughts on them and artists’ contribution to the post-retro British invasion. Also, I’ll post my Chicago Stage Standard review of Trap Door’s The Unveiling and Dozens of Cousins later this week when it’s live on their website.

I am going to attempt to escape the post-Christmas blues with movies (Les Miserables, Django Unchained, Rust and Bone, Anna Karenina, etc), vegan delights, new projects (Pride Films & Plays’ enhanced staged reading of "The Bachelors"), and New Year’s shenanigans planning.

What’re ya’ll up to? 

Loneliest Planet Review, Verdura, and Armageddon

The Loneliest Planet organically meanders with very minimal dialogue and seemingly endless shots of an engaged couple and their guide hiking through rough terrain. Gael Garcia Bernal and Hani Furstenberg’s unadorned performances fit with the overly patient capturing of their trekking and love-making. Yet, when their relationship is challenged, the long, silent shots beg for action. Despite the two charismatic leads, the film pitfalls into moody tone shifts and stretches out what is instantly (and expertly) made clear through stunning visuals. What could have been an excellent, engaging short film became a tedious exploration that lacks the depth to be a character study, the insight to be a meditation on love, and the subtext to classify it as a metaphor of human dependency. The title would suggest that these characters reflect all humanity – wandering the world accompanied but ultimately alone. Yet, Julia Loktev’s direction is strangely content to follow these characters without truly examining, questioning, or presenting the purpose.  Why do these characters need one another? Is it love, need, or habit that binds them? Are each individual’s inscapes so remote that loneliness is the true reality? The isolated landscapes and the uncertain wilderness are the perfect backdrop for these questions to be addressed, but unfortunately the film meanders all the way to its trite, anticlimactic end. 

2/5 Stars.

PS - this whole film could have benefited from 

Gael Garcia Bernal's naked body. That's all. 

Vegetarian Entry

Last night, I attempted to make my mother’s “verdura” recipe. The plate is a combination of yuca, taro root, yautia, and plantains boiled and served with olive oil, roaster yellow onions and garlic, and a glass of milk. I tried to add jicama, but it wouldn't cede to the boiling water. (I was just informed that should be eaten grated like carrots in salad or in slices like apples as a snack… the more you know.) I love this dish. I wish I had added sweet potatoes or found some breadfruit to add, but my first attempt was delicious. Unless you’re name is Ryan (Trent) Jackson Oldham. Trent did not care for the dish. After tasting the taro root, he said, 

TRENT:That taste like dirt.

NELSON: It taste like potato to me.

TRENT: Well, then, it tastes like a dirty potato.

He apologized for not liking the dish and downed his almond milk. It is for sure not a texture or taste that everyone will enjoy. Next time I will try roasting them and see if that improves his opinion. Oh and I’ll make a much smaller batch. Yikes, I am gonna have to freeze the verdura because there’s like four helpings leftover. 

PS – did you know that taro root is the most hypoallergenic food in the world because of its starch grains are the smallest and most easily digested of all complex carbohydrates? I didn't  the more you know. 

The End of the World

So it's the end. Chicago is being battered by a snowstorm tonight apparently and the world is going to end shortly there after. Growing up Jehovah's Witness, I was taught that Armageddon would be conducted through a series of natural disasters orchestrated by our ever loving God. yay. But also, it's confusing because wouldn't the Mayans be considered "false prophets?" Ugh! Anyways, the metaphor states that some (hopefully hunky) men will ride in on (undoubtedly fabulous) horses to signify the end. The illustration in my JW publication was this:

I now understand that it's God's army waging war on unrepentant sinners and that it's a metaphor, but when I was little I thought horses were literally going to be coming from the skies which didn't seem all that likely. Logically though, this metaphor came from a society that battled on horses. So bible verses written today would have WHAT coming from the clouds with God(the sun)'s light shining from behind while strangely not silhouetting it? Tanks? Fighter Aircrafts? Viruses? The Pentagon? But that's how America wars. Oh well, I'm done thinking for today. Adios! 

Vegetarian: Week Three

Vegetarian day #17.

Trent: Do we ever get a cheat day?

Nelson: No. Vegetarians don’t get “cheat days.” It’s not a diet.

Well, day before yesterday, I received my copy of Jonathan Safran Foer’s Eating Animals. I was instantly reminded of how much I love his writing and just moments later horrified and enlightened by some of his insight, logic, and research. If he was a homosexual, he would be perfect. I will not divulge specifics here because Trent is patiently waiting for his turn with Jon (which he could fill by finishing Catching Fire…just a polite reminder/suggestion/plead/leaning-towards-command.)

We are on our 17^th day of being meat-free and going strong. Yesterday, I ate approximately half of a 10 oz. container of hummus with roasted pine nuts on celery for dinner (and a veggie corndog and innumerable bite-sized pieces of candy). 

But this Sunday, Trent and I brunched at our new favorite restaurant called M. Henry which is situated in Andersonville. This. Place. Is. The. Shit. They have vegetarian options galore. I had a roasted poblano pepper stuffed with eggs, soyrizo, mozzarella, topped with red adobo sauce, and served with Mexicali rice, French (fattier) sour cream, masa tortillas, and sweet plantains.

(< that is the  plate. YUM!) 

Words cannot… they just cast cannot.

Then, I indulged in a half serving of their “out of this world breakfast bread pudding” (pictured right >) which is more like flan topped with warm peaches and blackberries. It was very rich and very very good.  I wish I had taken it to go or just had this as my entree because it was very filling. 

However, I have no regrets and hope we go back soon.

On another note:

Last night, I watched The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and found it absolutely delightful. The ensemble performance is just wonderful (especially Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, and the high-energy, high-stakes, full-of-heart Dev Patel.) I thought the script was a little over-long and got a bit tedious towards the end, but it did set-up the conclusion very nicely and benefited from the strong cast and no-fuss direction that allowed them to shine. The film has a lovely message of making the most of your life and learning to roll with the punches. I wonder if it will be able to find any Oscar nominations... Dench has received a Golden Globe nod for her work, Smith is nominated for a SAG award, and the entire ensemble has been recognized by SAG. Yet, will any one of them be able to standout enough  to earn a spot? The film was released in the summer and has been available on dvd since September. What's to become of this little gem? Dench and Smith stand the best chance, but Tom Wilkinson might be able to sneak in or maybe for Best Adapted Screenplay or perhaps the film will be up for the top prize... there are ten slots that can be filled. hmmmmm.
4/5 Stars. 

how cool is 12/12/12??

TRENT: 
12/12/12

Vegetarian day 3,595. Non Smoker Week 3.

Cookies are my drug of choice.

Okay, so honestly vegetarianism hasn't been all that bad. I've actually enjoyed the health benefits of it not to mention it's cheaper for me now at Subway.

I have admittedly been going back and forth on the pesca lifestyle. Not that I eat fish on the regular, but I will feel like such an asshole if I go back to visit Mississippi and say "No I don't eat fried shrimp poboys." I feel like an asshole just for typing it right now. 

I'm doing this veggie thing solely for animals but does this mean I'm a hypocrite if I buy the leather jacket I've been eying at Prada? And what about crawfish boils? Beer is vegetarian, so are potatoes and corn. I don't think crawdads have feelings do they? Ha.

But then I also think about sushi. What do I do now? Just make some rice, slice some avocado, and slather wasabi on it? Sounds like some straight up bullshit to me. 

I know that I cannot if I want to be a true vegetarian, but I'm having a hard time letting go. Unlike Rose did when she told Jack she'd never let go and then whoops, see ya playa I've gotta blow this whistle and get the fuck off this headboard in the freezing Atlantic. 

I have been gorging myself on cookies. It's like I have a problem. I walked into Trader Joe's the other day to get some staples and sitting in front of me was an entire display of butter cookies lightly sprinkled with red and white sugar candies. Yes, I bought a box. Oh, and yes, I have about a quarter of that left. I've also drank almond milk with my cookies. Almond milk is amazing! Not to mention Nelson brings home a cookies from office work functions and I loose my mind on those. Yesterdays was a double chocolate, a peppermint cookie, chocolate chip, and others that I don't remember because I was too busy playing the game of eat it fast before it goes stale. I know you think I'm exaggerating but I don't even think Sally Struthers ate her feelings this much. 

The cookies have to stop because I have no control. I will miss those cookies so much.

The smoking thing is good as in I have not. My life has resumed normal and I've found that I can do all the things I used to do but without smoking i.e coffee drinking, cocktails, or blinking. It tends to creep up on me around the afternoon time at work. That's when I feel it come on and my palms gets sweaty, people look at me funny, and someone always offers "Do you need to take a break and I'll sit at your desk?" I yell at them because I'm a non smoker and non smokers don't need breaks. Yeah, that's right..I'm a veggie non smoker, bitches! I don't need sushi, seafood, or breaks. I'll have a cookie though..

NELSON: 

12/12/12

Vegetarian Day 15. Prohibitionist Day 12. 

Still going strong on both fronts despite the deep dish sausage pizza at work and the Bacardi ads playing every third song on Spotify. 

PS - if I could have Spotify at work my life would be complete. But, alas, corporate America won't allow me the luxury of listening to the new Ke$ha Mumford and Sons album all day. Sigh. Also, I am not permitted to download music from Amazon anymore which is making the music selection on my Android very summer of 2K12 which is not far enough in the distant to be nostalgic or cute.

But back to vegetation and in what forms it goes into my mouth. This portion will be brought to you in elementary school style grading:

SNACKS

Raw Almonds: B+ (I get the raw kind because the flavored ones basically double-dog dare me to eat them all in one sitting. Raw taste just a step above dirt, but that's ok because they are super good for you and filling.)

Pop Chips: C- (I get these when I am starving but know that there's food less than half an hour away. The tortilla chip variety are even worse than the regular ones. Why god why can't Kettle Chips be good for me?!?!?! Did you know they have limited edition Red Chili and Jalapeño Jack flavors available right now?)

Whatever Is Being Sampled At Trader Joe's: B (Not always vegetarian and sample portions make me rage, but I am thankful for the gesture, I guess.) 

Hot Chocolate: A- (This has dangerously become a nightly ritual. The Mexican variety is better than the Puerto Rican which is better than the powdered American kind. May I suggest topping it with light whipped cream and holiday sprinkles? )

Celery & Hummus: A (This. Has. Saved. My. Life. I just love the crunch of the celery with the smooth, flavorful wash of the hummus. Roasted Red Pepper hummus is the way to go.) 

Native Foods Cafe's Chicken Wings: A++ (ALL TIME FAVORITE THING. *mic drop*) 

Now that Bacardi isn't imbibing empty calories into my diet, I can afford to have a little treat here and there. I've even had cheese! However, I am still feeling pretty satisfied with my diet. Trent and I have been cooking up some hearty stuff and trying new places like The Chicago Diner (meat free since '83). Their cajun black bean burger was fanfuckingtastic as are their flautas, but the real winner is their vegan vanilla ice cream... seriously, it's like cows can go extinct now because who needs them would be set free to graze if people would nut-up and try the vegan option. It's that good. Especially when accompanied by a vegan chocolate chip cookie drizzled with vegan melted chocolate. Speaking of vegan... I am contemplating trying it for a week just as a personal experiment. We'll see...