july 4

One more reason to love Roberta's, seriously. As if their awesome pizzas weren't enough.

tiki promo f ck from Falco Productions on Vimeo.

I'm off to a July 4th bbq party with some work peeps. Eating and drinking with people who do it for a living. Happy 4th to all!

Goooooaaaallll

I've been watching every game of the World Cup for the last week. USA just scored, so to celebrate here's a beautiful diagram from the NY Times.

This year's ball is supposed to be more aerodynamic and "wobble resistant". I, personally, would trade this year's ball for the 1970 Mexico ball, no doubt.

Holy Rollers

I first heard of the film "Holy Rollers" about a month ago, when it debuted as a part of this season's Rooftop Film Series. I was immediately intrigued. Living in South Williamsburg, I've long since marveled at my community, where a strange co-existence of die-hard borinquens, stereotypical "hipsters", and Orthodox Jews collide. On sweltering summer sundays, it's not atypical to step out of my house and see little brown boys playing in the street under a spewing fire hydrant, 20-somethings in jean shorts and tiny tank tops whizzing by on their bikes, all while a gaggle of men dressed head to toe in black walk by on their way from Service. By far I am the most spellbound by the men in black, and the secret lives I imagine them hiding from me.

It's the same voyeuristic tendencies of mine that make waiting at the platform of JMZ train's Marcy stop in my neighborhood (specifically, around 10 in the mornings on weekdays) a fulfilling dose of anthropological self-education. Opting against my usual subway reads, I find it to be prime time to conduct my personal analyses of what it means to be a Hasidic Jewish woman. Almost always in duos, I note their identical brown hair-dos cropped to their shoulders, wearing neutral palettes of blacks, browns, and whites, faint traces of makeup and shiny lip gloss that are the only indications they are indeed from the 21st century. They are never without a brood of children, and always pushing one stroller, all while they speak to each other with hushed voices in their heavy accents that impart a large Hebrew and simultaneously Brooklyn influence. I yearn to hear everything they are saying, but they've seemed to have mastered the art of speaking in hushed voices.

This insulation, the things that I can't hear, is what keeps me amazed. Especially amidst today's ever-permeating world of information technology and mass consumption and flamboyantly displayed identities. I can barely resist a taco when I'm walking past the taco truck, how are these women and men resistant to modern American culture?!

Holy Rollers, to me, is a movie which is able to address these mysteries, the very same ones I see cloaked underneath a sea of browns and blacks. Taking a slice of the rich Jewish culture (or, is it religion? how can culture and religion be so intertwined as it is?) found in Brooklyn and like any good film, creating a twisted story of what lies beneath the surface of an otherwise modest appearance. Judging from the trailer and its synopses, Holy Rollers reveals the impurities and imperfections and corruptions that we know lie in the heart of every community, every culture, every religion. You know, the stuff we can actually relate to.



I wonder how many people this offends. And how many people it educates.

A Little Slice of Paradise

Doing my usual round of facebook stalking this afternoon, I came across a few pictures that an old co-worker posted of her backyard. It's not the perfectly manicured backyard oasis' we see in Home & Garden, but for some reason it's so perfect in a little Brooklyn backyard.

(if only people knew I stole from their facebook albums and blogged about them.)

I wish I were so lucky!

Color Collective

I love this blog! It's so simple, but so visually appealing. It makes me wish I were a design rockstar. Here are a few of my favorites:

Thinking of colors a lot lately, since the room I'm about to move into looks, at the moment, like it belongs in the low-security ward of a mental institution. A fresh coat of paint should do the job just fine. I'm thinking along the lines of maybe a dusty grey, shades of green, taupes, and maybe...just maybe....a bright pop of orange or fuschia??

On a separate note, when I googled for the exact address of this blog, I googled "Coller collective" and couldn't figure out why it didn't pop up right away. Sheesh! I swear, my brain is turning into mush.

Change, part II

speaking of changes, I cut my hair today.

The story of Jessie's hair is now like this: long, short, really long, short, long, really short! short, medium length, short!!

I found High Horse Salon just walking down the street. I am pretty sure I walked by for two months without ever noticing it, and finally, about a month ago, saw the new little sandwichboard which drew me in. From then on, each time I walked by (it's on my way to the L train) I wanted to peek my head in, but just kept walking. But with last week's dreadfully hot and humid weather, coupled by the urging of the Boy to chop it all off, I decided it was time to cut the hair again. When I first moved around here I went to Woodley and Bunny, but have been tossed around from stylist to stylist there and never really loved any of them. Plus, they gave me good enough haircuts, but for more than it was worth. I decided that I'd finally check my neighbors at High Horse out...With only two chairs and (I presume) two stylists, and charging a cash-only amount of $60 a cut, clean, vintage-feeling, and airy, it was perfect for me. My hair is so easy to cut, what could possibly go wrong, I figured.

I know that this is when stories typically take a turn for the worse, and I am glad to report that they did not. I am excited my foolishness to spring on a new salon, without knowing too much about it, paid off. It makes the thrill of the new cut even better! I loved Kristie, who cut my hair. She gave me exactly what I wanted, without me even knowing it. I could see my face change as my hair was snipped off, and my smile grew wider and wider as my hair grew (metaphorically speaking) shorter and shorter. I felt so silly, beaming in the chair like that, but you know- that's exactly why I grow out my hair only to cut it again.

Because it's really the best feeling in the world.

Lessons in Domestic Science

I have been visiting DC every couple of weeks now since that's where the Boy lives, that is perhaps in part why the radio silence has persisted on this blog. I've since made DC almost a second home, where I build the same sort of routines that I cherish here in Brooklyn. Boy lives in Dupont Circle, where there's certainly no lack of things to do and a New Yorkishly accessibility to get things done. While most stores in dc close by the depressing hour of 1-pm, the 24-hour CVS pharmacy keeps the circle pumping with nightlife. Unfortunately, I'm only partially kidding.

But getting on, One thing that I almost always do when I am in DC is stop into Second Story Books. Located on the increasingly-posh strip of P Street that cuts across the circle, it's the Beacon's Closet of Bookstore. No, wait, it's slightly classier than Beacon's Closet, it's like... the Edith Machinist of Bookstores. With quite an eccentric group of personalities that work behind the desk- One day, it's a heaving 500 pound man with his butt glued to the rolling office chair, the next a elfish 20-something girl wearing a onesie, and once again, a studious rail-thin and stretched out carbon copy of Dwayne Wayne (from A Different World!). It's seriously bizarre, but somehow fitting in the bookstore. The bookstore carries the rarest of hard-to-find gems, copies of Goodnight, Moon seemingly teleported from their original publication date. Divided into sections (History: World War I. Cultural: Armenia. Cultural: Pre-colonail British), the bookstore is mostly a collection of non-fiction works, a place where you can get lost in any land, any culture, any story that's every been written.

I go for their lone food shelf. well, one-and-a-half shelves, technically. One full of cookbooks, the other half of food and cultural writings. I hit that, and have managed to find such jewels as Frank Bruni's recent memoir Born Round (didn't like it, more on that later I suppose), Harold McGee's essential On Food and Cooking, the James Beard on Pasta (check out those illustrations, for reals) book- not as seminole as Beard on Bread, but I'm on the lookout!) - and most recently, Ruth Reichl's Comfort Me With Apples. But my FAVORITE find has been this, Twenty Lessons in Domestic Science, originally published in 1916by Marian Cole Fisher.

A lady in a petticoat, punching on a typewriter with her glasses falling to her nose to pen this "lesson book" is exactly the image that is conjured when I flip through its contents. To get a full scope of its contents you need not turn further than the table of contents, where, rather than chapters, the book is divided into "Lessons". Lesson II is entirely devoted to "LEAVENING AGENTS", among them (in order listed) - Baking Powder, Acid Phosphate, Cost of Baking Powder, How to Measure, Leavening Agents....(and more!). Mostly an almanac of cooking rather than a recipe book, this small, 108-page hardcover pretty thoroughly = covers every food group, why we should eat, what we should eat, and where we should get our raw materials from. It's, I imagine, everything the traditional housewife should have known. The book also references the Department of Agriculture in Washington, D.C. more than once through the course of the book- leading me to imagine what sort of campaigns our government was trying to enact in the 40s, and the 50s, perhaps when this book may have been its most popular.

I don't think I'll be taking this book too seriously, but it does provide such an interesting peek into the history of our culture. Plus, the diagrams are pretty f'ing amazing.

Change.

I'm a huge believer that every 3-6 months, everyone experiences a good amount of change. It's like our version of shedding skin. But it certainly ebbs an flows, lots of things happen at once and the they draw back into hiding for another several months.

For me, it's my time of change, I can feel it in my bones! So friends and family, I'm moving. Just a little further into Brooklyn is all, but in New York especially, any move is a monumental one. It's like, how can I pack up all my things which are jammed into this little space, and figure out how to get them into that other little space less than a mile away? It doesn't sound hard, but if you lived here you'd definitely understand where the head scratching commences.

It's a bittersweet deal for me, since my current roommates have been nothing but butter and baconfat to me. (In my world, that's close to godliness). I've spent more time here than any place since I've moved out of my parents house to go to college, so I know that I'll leave with a slightly heavy heart. Then again, I'll be living in the perfectly befitting (for me) area of Carroll Gardens, surrounded by friends and brownstones and the Frankie's empire and ice cream parlors. So, I don't think I'll be sad for too long.

Quote Bags

And now, I bring to you yet another completely superflous post.

How great are these bags, from a small, Bankok-based couple making individually-crafted totes. Perfect for summer! I am itching to get my hands on one.

Check out their past designs, inspirations, processes, all on their blogger website, here.

And while we're on the subject of handmade etsy finds, if you're in a rather spunky mood check out these Etsy FAILS, on regretsy.com!

Anita Tijoux

Check her out.

Because she's beautiful, kicks ass, and is the epitome of the rapping chilean rockstaress that I wish I could be.

spoiled rotten

Last night I was treated to the most magnificent birthday dinner, ever. Here is what I had- at least, what I remember of it. A ten-course food extravaganza!!!

Ko menu, 4/20/10:

Octopus salad, xo sauce (amuse)

Seared diver scallop, meyer lemon curd, fennel (amuse)

pepper biscuit and chicharrones

Carpaccio, __cheese,

Brioche w/ marrow, lemon confit, sorrel in gruyere and comte broth

Soft boiled egg, caviar, potato chips, onion confit

Hand torn pasta, chicken and snail sausage

Almond crusted skate wing

Lychee, riesling gelee, peanut brittle, SHAVED FOIE

Duck breast, mustard greens, honey braised turnips, pumpernickel

Spiced wine sorbet, asian pear

Pretzel flan, mustard gummies, root beer sorbet, caraway

I'm on my way out the door to have dinner at Blue Hill. Il Buco on Saturday, Ko on Tuesday, and Blue Hill on Wednesday? My stomach is never going to be the same again.

ko tonight!

I am going to Ko tonight. Will tell you all about it tomorrow; if I talk any more about it today I will spontaenoulsy combust with anticipation.

Thanks, DC, for the best bday dinner invite EVER!

(excuse the ghetto graphic. it's the only image of ko that i could find/steal)

JF and Son

I pass by the JF & Son storefront everyday as I'm walking home from the gym. (And when I say everyday, I mean every day that I decide to get my arse to the gym...) NoLita is side-by-side packed with cute little boutiques, so many that my head spins with an exhilarating consumer glee. But this little boutique, slightly out of the way on the border of Chinatown on the corner of Elizabeth and Kenmare, always stands out to me. Their menswear-inspired cuts and abundance of blues, whites, and stripes are super hip right now, and it's those are two trends I'm hoping will last.

Those bucket totes would make cute summer packs, no? Check out the JF & Son blog, here!

Bario-Neal

This is yet another swooning entry about beautiful gold ring. I found Philly-based Bario-Neal's work via a post on Snippet & Ink (yes, another wedding blog. doh!) They do a load of one-of-a-kind pieces (almost all their stuff, in fact, looks to be custom) that is not only blingin'-gorgeous, but ethically and environmentally sound. How awesome is that?

Check out their blog, here.

How to get on The Selby

Remember me talking about the Selby awhile back? As I was doing my blog-browsing (for which I, once again, wistfully dream to get paid for) I came across this fun, quirky, Selb-ish illustration for a 'how to' guide on how to get on the Selby. I love things that poke fun at itself and are uber-ironic, and this is perfectly those two things.

ok. I know this image is totally lame, but I'm unable to figure out how to enlarge it- so click on the link below to actually see it.

via Refinery 29

Baja style

I am craving a good fish taco. A perfectly battered, wonderfully dressed Baja style fish taco. Only perfect with some sort of tangy tartar-ish sauce, shredded cabbage and lime. I haven't had a good one in YEARS! Maybe this recipe from Saveur is worth a try? Anyone know where I can get a good one in NY?

{update! 4/14/10: I heard last night that the taco truck at Union pool serves up the best tacos in the city! Can't wait to try them!}

Justin Anderson

Justin makes beautiful work- he can do things with polaroids that I've never seen anyone do before. His stuff is exquisite in scale, subject matter, and simplicity- and that description ain't just for alliterative purposes, it's the truth. Going tomorrow night to check out his show in the 'burg, won't you come with! There's music too (although, DC and I might skip out on go to Diner instead, why does that not surprise you?)

Cameo Gallery

93 N. 6th Street

Art opening 6-8

Music performance @ 9

The Baker's Dozen

I'm back, and for my not-quite-inaugural post, I'm offering a link to the James Beard Foundation's top thirteen baking cookbooks. I've recently come into acquisition of a few new books, and though have none of these, would like all of these.

1. “Baking: From My Home to Yours,” by Dorie Greenspan (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2006).
2. “Beard on Bread,” by James Beard (originally published 1973; reprinted by Knopf, 1995).
3. “The Book of Great Desserts,” by Maida Heatter (Andrews McMeel, 1999).
4. “The Bread Baker’s Apprentice,” by Peter Reinhart (Ten Speed, 2001).
5. “The Cake Bible,” by Rose Levy Beranbaum (William Morrow, 1988).
6. “Classic Home Desserts,” by Richard Sax (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2000).
7. “Cocolat,” by Alice Medrich (Warner Books, 1990).
8. “The Fannie Farmer Baking Book,” by Marion Cunningham (Gramercy, 1996).
9. “Great Pies and Tarts,” by Carole Walter (Clarkson Potter, 1998).
10. “The Italian Baker,” by Carol Field (William Morrow, 1985).
11. “Martha Stewart’s Cookies,” by Martha Stewart (Clarkson Potter, 2008).
12. “My Bread,” by Jim Lahey (W.W. Norton, 2009).

13. “The Simple Art of Perfect Baking,” by Flo Braker (Chronicle, 2003).

via NY Mag.

Spring

Spring has officially sprung inside my home. It's amazing how April affects even the poorest-lit, least-watered life forms.

And, for all you green-thumbs out there with a decent amount of window-sill space, check this tutorial out on how to start your own seedlings!

Heritage Radio

Broadcast five days a week out of the little shack in Roberta's backyard, Brooklyn's pirate radio station, Heritage Radio, focuses on all sorts aspects of the food industry- my kind of radio station.

One broadcast that really stuck with me was a panel discussion on the Future of Food Writing, hosted by Edible editor Rachel Wharton. It's a breezy half-hour easy listen on food publications, blogging, new strategies in food writing, and what's happening in the industry as a whole (and how it's made public).

Go here for a listen.

It wasn't the best day.

But I can find solace in the fact that, at least, there are others out there, as there always are.

Today is a Good Day. Officially.

One way to identify a New York woman is to look at her computer history. Other than 10am visits to the Momofuku website and noon visits to Gilt Groupe's homepage, one can undoubtedly find the first-of-the-month visits to Susan Miller's monthly predictions. Despite our multicultural differences and religious disbeliefs (as well as blatant intolerance for fluff), New Yorkers have somehow enabled astrology to explain the unexplainable, legitimize the illogical, and create a world of candy where concrete once stood. Somehow, silently and unanimously, New York women have bowed to the mercy of Susan Miller's predictions.

I am one of those women. 2010 looks to be a positive year for me. Mercury is going to spin out of retrograde (finally!) and it looks like my luck just might turn in terms of career, love, money..... (shit, that's the trifecta of life, right? yesssss) More specifically, Feb. 27th is supposed to be the best darned day of my year. And guess what, it's good for you, too. And you. And you. And you, over there. By my calculations, if 2010 is a good year, and the 27th is the best day out of the year, then shoot- isn't today supposed to be like, the best day of our lives?! That's a lot of pressure.

I'm not going to buy myself an entire bodega's worth of lotto tickets or anything. In fact, I think I'm going to wake up late, have some oatmeal, stick with my original plans for the afternoon, and then tag along with LF at night to a party in Red Hook. Astrology, like love and like bowling, is one of those things where in order for the situation to turn out good- to turn out as "planned"- one can't possibly focus on the end. The more you think about bowling a strike, the more you're gonna gutter that big ol' ball of yours.

So, drink a beer, loosen up, and granny-chuck your way to a ten pin victory. Cheers to the day!

White Air

I know I'm about a week too late with this news- and with a sport as fast-changing as snowboarding, it may mean I'm ages behind- but I just saw the clip of Shaun White's gold medal halfpipe runs. Upon very first glance, all I could think was how much air this kid gets under his board. He must be 20 feet up above the ground! And his Supersize Megameal Combo Deluxe McTwisty trick that he does- the one that's got all the mountain tops apraise- is anti-gravity, I just can't grasp how he does it.

Above all else, what struck me as truly deserving of a medal, was his interview following his runs. Not your average boarding brosef, White defied all my traditionally held stereotypes by carrying himself with such poise and eloquence and big-time sincerity. For reals. Plus, it warmed my heart that he gave a shout-out to his pups, who apparently was watching him alongside the rest of the clan.

Edible: The Book

I'm so excited. I love the Edible Communities; it's without a doubt one of my favorite publications (In fact, I've been daydreaming about writing for them....living the life of a food-obsessed community-oriented rogue....but that's another story). After reading about the release of their new book today- chock full I'm sure with recipes, heartwarming stories, local heroes, and juicy pictures, I absolutely cannot wait until May arrives.

FoodPrint

I am going to food geek out this weekend and go to these lectures about the Culture of food in the city, and where it stands looking into the future. Join me?

avatars on ice

So, um, there was an avatar on the ice last night in the ice dancing competition in Vancouver.

Does anyone else see this?

Snowmageddon...

Snowpocalypse, snownami....

The list of cheeky names is endless for the blizzard that hit DC and the east coast about a week back. It covered the city in a blanket of snow that is now, sadly, only puddles and ugly mounds of brown ice.

Since moving to the East Coast, I have realized that scarves and hats aren't just for flair, they are actually an important part of winter wear. As are a pair of waterproof boots. I stumbled upon these THESE recently, and have (yet again) fallen in love:

Can't you see yourself winning a snowball fight wearing a pair of these?

Three Philosophers

If you haven't tried this beer, I HIGHLY recommend it. I have been obsessed with this beer lately, and can't stop drinking it. Er, maybe that's a problem?

I first heard of this beer at work, and ever since have seen it (thankfully) just about everywhere- from restaurants in DC to my local grocery store. Ommegang Brewery is located in upstate New York, where it seems like many a great alcohol is being produced. From what I've learned in some basic internet research, the Belgian-style based brews are the Brewery's specialty, and just based on their website alone, they seem to infuse so much care and attention to each batch that is produced.

Back to the star of this blog post- the drink is so rich, so complex, so luscious. Chocolaty, Cherry infused, malty and smooth, I can picture it served both extra cold or, as I prefer, closer to room temperature, and perfect with cheeses, red meats, and by itself as a digestif. I don't know if my Cali homies will have the pleasure of finding this beer around, and I'm not for the cross-country transportation (and the fossil fuel consumption that it requires) of foodstuff, but for Three Philosophers I might make an exception. It's just that damn good.

Weck

I read about these Chicago-based canning jars in a subscription of Martha Stewart Living. Yes, I get Martha Stewart Living. So what.

They're not only gorgeous, but definitely live up to the hype that has become the home canning revolution. Can't wait to get my hands on a case of these.

iPhreak

After two cracked screens and a couple of Russians (to be brief), a beloved boy I know gave me his iPhone. The wonders of unlocking phones still seems to perplex me- but like many things, I'd rather play dumb on that whole front.

After spending far too long on the phone with a TMobile customer representative who spoke to me like I was a 5-year-old (he attempted to describe what Apple was, and spelled out h-t-t-p-:-/-/, as if there is anyone in America who can't readily assume when someone says http://), I happily began customizing my phone. I spent almost all day Sunday getting a little app-happy. Any recommendations....?

Lapenne Grey Diamond

Isn't she beautiful? And not out of my price range, either. (that's sarcasm, friends)

Mast on the Selby

The title of this post will probably make absolutely no sense to most of you.

The Mast Brothers are an ultra-hip sensation based in Brooklyn (natch, Williamsburg. Woot.) who have been cultivating a strong following within the rising artisanal movement of bringing back trade work in the food production industry. I mean things like small farm milk and butter, local pickling productions, the return of the art of butchering, and in this case, bean to bar chocolate production.

The Selby is an online photo journalist (is it all right to call him that?) who, in my opinion, takes photos with an eye reminiscent of a love child of The Cobra Snake and Annie Leibovitz. Mostly pulled from the homes and spaces of rocks stars, artists, stylists (basically party all night, rock all day type of people) and cool young businesses, Tom Selby has capitalized on the art of photojournalism by indulging in our developed social stalking tendencies. Awesome. I love his website, get a kick out of the written interviews at the end of each entries, and pretty much fall in love with all the Australians on the website.

Check out the Mast Brothers on The Selby here.

Mohawk Online

Excuse me, while I wipe the drool off this keyboard.

Mohawk Online

Also, I feel like I've been so removed lately. I got a job! More on that on a later date.....And don't fret. My job doesn't mean that funemployment is coming to an end....

Viktor & Rolf

The 1% surrealist fairy nymph inside of me is fuh-reaking out over Viktor and Rolf's new designs. Whaaaa?

Read a little more about this on Refinery

New York Doormen

NY Times has a cute (albeit, short) little photo piece on New York Doormen and their uniforms. I wish they had the time (or budget) to scout out more!

Interesting tidbit: Starting wage for these guys are $30,000-$40,000. Plus another $10k after overtime and bonuses!!!

Moleskine Recipe Books

I hate referring to a computer when I'm cooking. So, even though my recipes usually sourced from various blogs or, almost ultimately, referenced from Epicurious, I like to write them down so when I spill half a box of baking soda, it will be my piece of paper that's going into the trash, not my keyboard that's going into the Apple store.

I just read that Moleskine is coming out with a new line of nifty notebooks in March- a lifestyle line, if you will, focusing on areas such as wine, fashion, film, books....and the one I'm keeping my eye on, recipes. Unfortunately, this new line that Moleskine has come up with bears the cheesy name Passions. Oh Moleskine, how can you disappoint me with such!

I'll have to see it in person to really be sold, for I'm a little hesitant in how they've pre-organized sections as well as spacing. But for the Amazon low price of $13.57, this might be a springtime splurge....especially if all is promising on the job front.

my sister rocks

I wish I had enough sense to identity what I love to do in life, and actually do it. My little sister, graduating from the University of Michigan with a degree in Sport Management, is now living in Nashville working for the Predators. Check out some of her production reels. A modest start, yes, but that's really all it takes.

I'm so proud of her! I see a future filled with free sports gear and guest passes on the horizon....

Kogi article

WSJ joins the Kogi craze, profiles the West Coast David Chang, calculates earnings of $2mil with a $90,000 take-home salary, and reports of a rice bowl restaurant for the masses.

Perfect Picnic Tote

What a perfect picnic tote from Canvas. Dreaming of Summer beach picnics already....

Jobs in the next decade

NPR Makes the best interactive graphs.

Jobs are bound to go up...eventually. Though economists predict it might take at least another decade, this NPR article claims that the U.S. will eventually create up to 15million jobs in the next ten years, with the Unemployment Rate dropping to 5%. A pretty big claim, I don't completely doubt that. What is interesting are the predictions of the markets where these jobs will open up. I guess, in a re-shaping economy, jobs bloom first in the lower paying, lesser qualified, least desirable sectors of the workforce.

Apparently, I should look into truck driving.

Another Bachelor?

I can't believe this show has been on for 13 seasons! I must admit, I was sucked into last season of The Bachelorette... but I swear, it was mostly because I wanted to see how silly people can be, and because abc really does a fantastic job creating villains.

Here is a brilliantly written, super wry article on the upcoming season, titled "On the Wings of Love" (HA!) which premiers tonight. Oh goody, two hours of tv time featuring desperate 23 year old women with perfect hair and manicures (but who's judging?)

'The Bachelor' Puts Last Season's Really Big Cheeseball In The Line Of Fire
January 4, 2010

Bachelor Jake Pavelka takes his mission very seriously. (ABC)
by Linda Holmes

The Bachelor is one of the goofiest shows on television, it really must be said. Unlike shows that could be goofy or interesting depending on the execution -- Project Runway, for instance -- this show will always be goofy. It has goofiness embedded in its creative (well, "creative") DNA, and oddly, it has actually grown in popularity again recently.

It returns tonight, in what could be its most uncomfortable season ever.

The new Bachelor is Jake Pavelka, better known as "Jake The Pilot" from the most recent season of The Bachelorette. Jake -- in addition to being a one-time actor who has managed to play a young Chuck Norris twice -- is one of the corniest cornballs the show has ever husked.

Despite having the flat good looks of a guy you might find in any good collection of stock photography, and despite having a good job (pilot!) and a defiantly unobjectionable personality, Jake was dumped last season by Bachelorette Jillian Harris, who had been dumped in the previous season by Jason Mesnick, who had been dumped in the previous season by DeAnna Pappas, who had been dumped in the previous season by Brad Womack, who wound up on this show for unknown reasons that he almost surely curses daily. It's the ciiiiiiiircle of liiiife!

For the rest of the article, head over to NPR.

US output.

The Indians put out way more than anyone else.

For commentary, go here.