Loving the look of this

North By Northwest

 Brideshead Revisited

Breakfast At Tiffany's

Paper Moon

"What You Resist Persists"

The very nature of our constitution gives us certain inalienable rights and I love my country for all of its faults and diversities because it is proof of how well it works.
But i am becoming more and more disappointed in how we communicate our ideas.

Sarah Palin's PAC Facebook page shows a map of the US and crosshairs (that you see when looking through a rifle) that represents Congressmen/women that voted for the healthcare reform bill.
Despicable.
Every person on that list is a mother, father, sister or brother. They are people, just like you and me. Here stands a civic duty to stop this kind of hate.
Violence begets violence.
Mother Theresa once said she would not attend a war rally during the Vietnam war because it was just that a "war rally". She said she would attend if it was a "peace" rally. Mother Theresa knew that even though the idea was to promote peace at the war rally, the mere fact that the event was called a "war" rally discouraged peace.
In The Secret it is explained.
"So if you are anti-war be pro-peace instead. If you're anti-hunger, be pro-people having more than enough to eat. If you are anti-a particular politician, be pro-his opponent. Often elections are tipped in favor of the person that the people are really against, because he's getting all the energy and all the focus.
So now that its said and done Im moving on.
Concentrating on the solution.
Life is meant to be abundant and so the answer lies in compromise.
The health care reform bill is not the solution. History has shown that competition drives down cost not government interference. Affordability is the issue. If a person with a pre-existing condition has enough money, he gets coverage. Quality healthcare should not be determined by wealth. As Americans we should measure our success on the conditions of our poorest.
The best indication of a person's character is how she/he treats people who can't do her/him any good and how she/he treats people who can't fight back.
A deep sense of self respect is what is required now from all of our leaders.
Evolve to higher thinking or re-read  "Everything I need to know I learned in kindergarten".

macarons

a delicate eggshell crust+
an airy creamy center+
sweet and savory fillings=
a perfect french macaron

payard chocolate bar
francois payard

paulette macarons
paulette macarons

madeleine's adeline patisserie
la mason du macaron

melange sucre

A Nose Is A Nose

(this post is the second in a series-see post Saturday, Feb 13, 2010 titled "Wine Tasting At First Sight. The third in this series will discuss taste and will be posted in the first week of April)
flavor (n); "the element in the taste of a substance which depends greatly on the cooperation of the sense of smell." (Oxford English Dictionary)
In wine tasting and evaluation, the sense of smell is a crucial aspect in determining the overall quality of a wine as well as it's taste.
When describing aromas, there are two key points to remember. The first aspect described should be the intensity of the aroma. Is it highly aromatic? powerful and inviting? or subtle and subdued? The second aspect should be the description of what did the wine's aroma remind you of? The character.
Varietals are recognized by specific aromas. The better the wine quality, the more apparent are the scents to the taster.  Aroma is the smell of the grapes used to make the wine.  Malolactic fermentation produces a butterscotch aroma (natural or added bacteria converts crisp malic acid (as in apples) into softer lactic acid (as in milk)-while aging in oak barrels contributes vanilla and clove notes to Chardonnay and most reds.
In contrast, Savignon Blanc is recognizable by its varietal herbaceousness (grass, bell pepper, eucalyptus).

Characteristic Wine Aromas 

Caramel
Butterscotch, Honey, Chocolate, Molasses
As found in Sauternes, Cali Chardonnay, and French Puligny-Montrachet.


Earthy
Moldy, Mushroom, Dusty, Chalky, Mineral
Used to describe Red Burgundy, Zinfandel or some fine examples of California Pinot Noir.

Floral
Violet, Rose, Orange Blossom
Some examples are Chenin Blanc, Vouvray and Sancerre.

Fruity
Tree Fruit (Apple, Pear, Peach)
Tropical Fruit (Pineapple, Melon, Banana)
Citrus Fruit (Grapefruit, Orange, Lemon, Lime)
Red Fruit (Cherry, Strawberry, Raspberry, Currant)
Dark Fruit (Blackberry, Blueberry, Plum, Raisin)
Found in reds such as Beaujolais, Merlot and Pinot Noir

Herbaceous or Vegetative
Fresh (Cut Green Grass, Bell Pepper, Eucalyptus)
Canned/Cooked (Green beans, Asparagus, Green or Black Olive, Artichoke)
Dried (Tea, Tobacco)
As in Savignon Blanc, Riesling and Gewirztraminer.

Nutty
Walnut, Hazelnut, Almond
Sherries, Maursault and a few Madeiras.

Spicy
Licorice, Anise, Black Pepper, Cloves
Shiraz, Cali Zinfandels, Rhone wines.

Woody
Burnt (Smoky, Coffee)
Woody (Oak, Cedar, Vanilla)
Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon   

Louie Louie Louie Avec Moi

Moonlight & Magnolia

I love Savannah, Ga.
  
Stay Here
Glitz and four-diamond rated 
Mansion On Forsyth

Carpetbagger luxe on the riverfront
Bohemian Hotel

Modern, cool minimal
Avia Hotel on Ellis Square


Shop Here

Marc by Marc Jacobs
marcjacobs

The Paris Market
theparismarket

Eat Here

Paula Deen's
The Lady and Sons

Local 11 Ten

local11ten

Cha Bella
chabella

700 Drayton at The Mansion
700drayton

Like you need a reason

Savannah Music Festival
savannahmusicfestival

Understanding McDonald vs. Chicago

The basic argument involves "incorporation". If the US Supreme Court rules in favor of McDonald it would restore the full meaning of the Privileges and Immunities clause in the 14th Amendment of the US Constitution. The clause states, " No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the US". It is important because this clause could then be used, with one broad stroke, to incorporate the entirety of the first eight amendments of the Bill of Rights (aka fundamental rights). As the law currently stands, cases on individual rights are decided upon on a case by case basis in the Supreme Court. Selective incorporation would become obsolete. There would be no more "qualifying" fundamental rights on a case by case basis.

Sweet

Chanel Rouge Coco lip color
30 fabulous shades
Chanel Rouge Coco
and don't forget 

Signs

There was a man who lived by the river.
He was a good man.
He prayed and worshipped g-d daily.
One day he walks down to the river bank just steps from his house to sit and speak to g-d.
He prays a little and then goes inside of his house.
He sits down for his meal and switches on the radio.
A radio report interrupts warning of a flash flood and anyone living by the river should evacuate.
The man prays. He knows g-d will save him.
The river rises and keeps on rising.
The man prays and prays some more.
He says ,"G-d will save me.".
While he prays, the waters rise to reach his home. Water is rushing through the bottom of his front door.
The man hears a loud noise and looks out his window.
A helicopter is above and a rescuer shouts down to him, "Sir! We are here to help you. Grab on and we will pull you out of there."
The man shouts back to them, "I am a man of g-d. My g-d will help me."
The helicopter pilot has no choice but to leave.
The waters have overtaken the man's house and he is barely holding onto a scrap of wood from his belongings. Water is rushing all around him. He continues to pray.
A man in a rowboat calls out to him, "Let me help you! Here, climb in this boat with me."
The pious man replies, "My g-d is a merciful g-d. I put my trust in him. He will save me."
The man in the rowboat makes one last attempt and then must continue on.
The man in the water is overcome by the raging waters and dies.
He stands at the pearly gates standing before the gates of St. Peter and asks," I am a good man. A holy man. I pray. Why did you not hear me?"
G-d replies. "I sent you a radio report, a helicopter and a man in a rowboat."
"What in the hell are you doing here?"

The American Era

hegemony–(n)

leadership or predominant influence exercised by one nation over others, as in a confederation.

This recent media phenomenon is characterized by stories of "the rise of the rest", namely rising powers such as China and India. How does anyone forecast a shift in power such as this? Pretty close to impossible. What then is leadership? Is it the power to resolve any global dilemma? It seems as though the more powerful  the United States becomes, the greater the number of problems we are expected to solve-an elevating standard for what it takes to be a dominant power.  The US did not fare well in Vietnam and failed to overthrow Fidel Castro yet we have maintained our leadership in spite of these events. Failure in Iraq or Afghanistan does not forecast complete doom.

What makes the odds even better are that the US spends close to four percent  of its GDP on the military and invests large sums of capital in military research and development. Additionally, we have established military presence in all regions of the globe-cementing US influence everywhere. 

China and Japan hold a large portion of the debt of the US and are dependent on exports to the United States. They must continue purchasing American dollars to ensure their currencies are weak against it, so they maintain competitive export potential. 

Globalization strengthens not weakens US power. American universities attract the best minds from all over the world, creating an innovative and highly adaptive society. We are the head of the world's most popular political philosophy-democracy-as reinforced by His Holiness The Dalai Lama on his recent meeting with President Obama.

Things will go wrong as they sometimes do. But no one failure internationally is enough to topple the gigantic lead in power that the United States possesses both militarily and economically. 

Even powerful autocratic nations must at least pay lip service to our democratic ideals such as voting and human rights.
If the US can convince other nations to comply with our wishes, we can lower the costs of shaping the global stage to reflect our interests. 

 

REITS

Real Estate Investment Trusts

REITs pay out nearly all of their rental income to shareholders and they share hefty dividends.
Average yield runs 3.9% verses 2.4% for dividend paying companies in the S&P 500 and 1.7% overall.
REITs are taxed on dividends and paid at the regular income tax bracket so it's best to hold onto REITs and it's funds in a tax advantaged account like a 401k or IRA. You can purchase REITs in a brokerage account if you have that kind of a plan.

Atlanta's Largest REITs

(ranked by sq ft owned)

Office

1. Cousins Properties Inc.                    
    191 Peachtree Street Ste. 3600
    Atlanta, Ga 30303
   www.cousinsproperties.com

2. Duke Realty Corp.
    3950 Shackleford Road Suite 300
    Duluth, Ga 30096
    www.dukerealty.com

3. Highwoods Properties Inc.
    2200 Century Parkway Suite 800
    Atlanta, Ga 30345
    www.highwoods.com

4. Wells REIT II
    6200 The Corners Parkway
    Norcross, Ga 30092
   www.wellsreitII.com

5. Colonial Properties Trust
    300 Colonial Center Parkway Suite 200
    Roswell, Ga 30076
    www.colonialprop.com

Industrial

1. ProLogis

    2791 Peterson Place

    Norcross, Ga 30071

    www.prologis.com

2.  First Industrial Realty Trust Inc.

     5 Concourse Parkway

     Atlanta, Ga 30328

    www.firstindustrial.com

3. Duke Realty Corp.

    3950  Shackleford Road Suite 300

    Duluth, Ga 30096

    www.dukerealty.com

4. DCT Industrial Trust Inc.

     3340 Peachtree Road NE 

     Tower 100 Suite 1950

     Atlanta, Ga 30326

    www.dctindustrial.com

5. AMB Property Corp.

    3424 Peachtree Road NE Suite 125

    Atlanta, Ga 30326

    www.amb.com

Retail

1. Developers Diversified Realty Corp.

    3500 Piedmont Road Suite 730

    Atlanta, Ga 30305

    www.ddr.com

2. Simon Property Group Inc.

     3393 Peachtree Road Suite 2005

     Atlanta, Ga 30326

     www.simon.com

3. General Growth Properties, Inc.

    1000 Parkwood Circle Suite 400

     Atlanta, Ga 30339

    www.ggp.com

4. Centro Properties Group

     3440 Preston Ridge Road bldg IV ste. 425

     Alpharetta, Ga 30005

     www.centroprop.com

5. Equity One Inc.

    1275 Powers Ferry Road  Ste. 100

     Marietta, Ga 30067

     www.equityone.net

Sicilian Pasta with Shrimp & Almond Cream

6 Tbs. slivered almonds
1 1/4 lb. ripe roma tomatoes quartered
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tsp salt, plus more to taste
1 lb short wide tubular pasta like rigatoni or ziti
2 garlic cloves
2 Tbs. unsalted butter
1/4 cup white wine
1 lb shrimp peeled and deveined with tails intact
2 Tbs chopped fresh flat leaf parsley
 

In a mortar, using a pestle, finely grind the almonds. Transfer to a bowl.

Using the mortar and pestle, grind 2 or 3 tomatoes at a time until the skins are broken and the pulp is pureed. Add the tomato puree to the bowl with the almonds. Add the olive oil and 1 tsp. salt and stir until well combined. Set aside.

Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving 3/4 cup of the cooking water. Set aside.

Using the mortar and pestle, grind the garlic to a paste.

In a large deep saute pan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the garlic and cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Add the wine and cook until slightly reduced, about 1 minute. Add the almond mixture, stir until well combined and cook until the sauce has thickened, about 3 minutes. Add 1/2 to 3/4 cup of the cooking water to the shrimp. Cook until the shrimp are pink and cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the pasta and stir to coat with the sauce. Garnish with the parsley and serve immediately. Serves 4.

Pour a pinot noir with this dish.
I recommend Soter ('07) from the Williamette Valley region.


Bon Appetit.