On Saturday, I drove to Washington for my friend Andrew’s talent show birthday extravaganza. The party began with his sister Caroline’s parody card, and Andrew opened the night’s slate of featured performers with an original song he composed for Annie, who is in library school, called “I Want You to Check Me Out”: Highly referential [...]

Sometimes you see people training for their next jobs while walking through parks in Washington, D.C. Late yesterday afternoon, I met with Justin, Jon, and Brad of the Aten Design Group (they are building the next phase of Knight Pulse) over paninis at Busboys and Poets (Brad Jon, a fellow foodie, also chose a peanut [...]

I will always let my friend Nina kidnap me. Last night’s adventure was eating Taw in Shaw: A DJ and owner of the alternative record label Hoss, Nina has been a purveyor of knowledge for me since I worked with her at PBS. I miss being down the hall from her and sitting next to [...]

I think chestnuts look tribal in their protective cupule. Walking the Chicago Green City Market on Saturday, I saw chestnuts, striped turkish eggplants, and the elusive famed yellow beets. Passing up crêpes (skillyfully made below), I opted for plummy bread pudding and butternut squash pie (both good Thanksgiving dessert ideas). The fractal cauliflower seemed to [...]

Yesterday morning, I went to the Charlottesville farmers’ market and almost bought beautiful figs. It was too difficult to choose between the tomatoes that stretched out in breathtaking rows at Waterpenny Farms and Radical Roots. I reluctantly left this place of thoughtful people and food, and drove to the District, where I came upon a [...]