I've always loved oats. In fact, I just finished a heaping bowl of oatmeal and I feel toasty, cozy, and good. Since I was a child my mother would cook oatmeal and cream of wheat for me. A bit of sugar, cream, and butter and before you is steamy goodness. I know many people who do not like oats, but I don't get it. But my most recent bowl (about 2 minutes ago) sent me on a quest to answer the following question: what is the difference between traditional and instant oats? My oaty friends tend to gravitate toward the instant variety, but I've always been a traditional kind of guy, nothing too fancy for me. It turns out that instant oats are better for cookies because they do not take as long to cook, but otherwise are inferior. They are cut up, thin, and not as chewy as the traditional oats. I don't believe they are any less nutritious (especially if prepared without the additives I mentioned above), but you are cheating yourself by gulping down a mushy mash. Non-instant, rolled oats are much more flavorful than instant oats and they have a delightful texture. Instant oats do take about 30 seconds to make (just add microwaved or boiling water) while traditional oats take about 5 minutes to prepare. But trust me, that additional 4 and a half minutes is worth every second when it comes time to chow down.
Up Oats!
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Sunday, January 28, 2007
A New Bloomington Bus Driver
I have given up on understanding the bus system in Bloomington, IN. On Thursday I was returning home from my dissertation meeting on the #4 bus. The bus driver is a recent addition to this route. I've seen him but once prior to this occasion. The bus comes to a halt at the stop sign (before which I am not allowed to pull the wire unless I want to be dropped off at the stop sign (not a bus stop)). The bus accelerates through the turn and I signal the alert to stop at the intersection of Mitchell and Maxwell (where there is a bus stop). I watch as the bus continues to accelerate past my stop. Readers will know that this is not an unusual thing (though it is completely inexplicable). What does make this a bit odd is that this bus driver has managed to stop at my stop before. Confused, when the bus does stop at the next stop (Maxwell Terrace), I approach the driver and ask him if my stop is not a legitimate stop. He apologizes and remarks that he thought I wanted off at Maxwell Terrace. I responded that I had rung for my stop. He then advises me to tell him beforehand the next time I want to be dropped at that stop. My mind nearly explodes in a big bang of bewilderment. How else does one alert the bus driver ahead of time to stop at a certain stop if not by the preordained protocol that is pulling the wire? Why must I have to not only pull the wire but employ some auxiliary signal? This renders the wire epiphenomenal. Can you imagine the chaos into which a bus ride would devolve if everyone alerted the drivers to stop by some means other than that provided by Bloomington Transit? Follow protocol! Don't drop passengers off at stop signs, assume all requests for a stop are for the next stop after the alert, and do stop at said stops! Your job is a simple one, bus man. If I wanted to walk home, I would not ride the bus.
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Diamonds in the Rough, and the Rough
For no particular reason I thought I would list some of what I consider to be culinary gems of Bloomington. All are tasty, though some are included because of the value in addition to the taste. So here they are in no particular order:
1. 3 dollar pints of Upland Winter Warmer at the Alley Bar (versus over $4 per 12oz at Upland).
2. Cheese sticks at the Crazy Horse.
3. Fish and chips at Coaches (Coach's?) (NB: it is half price on Friday).
4. Chili at Lennie's.
5. #40 at Esan Thai with chicken (medium hotness).
6. Mongolian Chicken at Dragon Express ($4.35) (one of the few things there with its own distinct flavor).
7. French pressed coffee at Cafe Ami on 4th St.
8. (Attempted) Eggs Benedict at Runcible Spoon (unfortunately the egg is not poached, it is fried).
9. Rockit's Pizza.
10. Falafel sandwiches at Falafel's (for some reason, if you get it to go, it is not only cheaper, but the price of the sandwich includes a soft drink or bottled water).
Though not consumable, I feel obligated to add:
11. The interior design at the Copper Cup across from the big Big Red.
12. The atmosphere at Tutto Bene.
Now, I suppose for the sake of being thorough, I should include a list of what I consider to be some of the most offensive pieces of crap littering the culinary scene in Bloomington.
1. Fries at Hinkle's.
2. "Bananas Foster" at Scholar's Inn (overall a piece of garbage).
3. Dinner rolls at Truffles (the quality of service matches that of the rolls).
4. Irish Lion prices for beer and scotch.
5. Grazie (overpriced, mediocre food and deplorable atmosphere).
6. Anything from Bear's Place, especially their cheese sticks and guac.
7. The Tudor Room at the IMU (glorified cafeteria food, I'm always embarrassed when I have to take a guest speaker there for lunch).
8. Since when was a stromboli a sandwich?
9. The service at Tutto Bene.
10. The atmosphere upstairs at the Irish Lion.
1. 3 dollar pints of Upland Winter Warmer at the Alley Bar (versus over $4 per 12oz at Upland).
2. Cheese sticks at the Crazy Horse.
3. Fish and chips at Coaches (Coach's?) (NB: it is half price on Friday).
4. Chili at Lennie's.
5. #40 at Esan Thai with chicken (medium hotness).
6. Mongolian Chicken at Dragon Express ($4.35) (one of the few things there with its own distinct flavor).
7. French pressed coffee at Cafe Ami on 4th St.
8. (Attempted) Eggs Benedict at Runcible Spoon (unfortunately the egg is not poached, it is fried).
9. Rockit's Pizza.
10. Falafel sandwiches at Falafel's (for some reason, if you get it to go, it is not only cheaper, but the price of the sandwich includes a soft drink or bottled water).
Though not consumable, I feel obligated to add:
11. The interior design at the Copper Cup across from the big Big Red.
12. The atmosphere at Tutto Bene.
Now, I suppose for the sake of being thorough, I should include a list of what I consider to be some of the most offensive pieces of crap littering the culinary scene in Bloomington.
1. Fries at Hinkle's.
2. "Bananas Foster" at Scholar's Inn (overall a piece of garbage).
3. Dinner rolls at Truffles (the quality of service matches that of the rolls).
4. Irish Lion prices for beer and scotch.
5. Grazie (overpriced, mediocre food and deplorable atmosphere).
6. Anything from Bear's Place, especially their cheese sticks and guac.
7. The Tudor Room at the IMU (glorified cafeteria food, I'm always embarrassed when I have to take a guest speaker there for lunch).
8. Since when was a stromboli a sandwich?
9. The service at Tutto Bene.
10. The atmosphere upstairs at the Irish Lion.
Monday, January 15, 2007
Difficult to see, the future is
Anyone who knows me knows that I need to have a plan. I put everything in my iCal, and I am unfailingly punctual. It should come as no surprise that these days I am quite anxious, for my not too distant future is more uncertain that I'd normally allow it to be. Anyone who knows me also knows that I like to maintain pretty tight control over my immediate environment. It should come as no surprise that these days I am quite anxious, for my not too distant future is, as a result of its resistance to my iCal, more out of my control that I'd normally allow it to be. Let me count the ways:
1. Anyone who knows me knows that I live with Matt Dunn. Well, the honeymoon is over and we must go our separate ways. Have either of us started looking for a new place? No. The only certainty is that we will not continue to live in our current home.
2. My uncertain domestic future is a result of my uncertain vocational future. My department, barring some act of a flying spaghetti monster, will not be offering me funding next year. It is time to kick this bird out of the nest. This situation invites a host of uncertainties. For example, will I stay in Bloomington? If so, where will I live? Where will I work? I've considered staying here, even though it means that I'll probably end up waiting tables somewhere. I've also considered moving to Amherst, MA to live with my friend Kelly Trogdon. I'm not really sure what all my options are. Moving is expensive, so I can't really afford any arbitrariness in my selection procedure.
3. Anyone who knows me knows that in the summers I usually work for a program dedicated to educating precocious youths. Last summer I did not. I took Georgian here at IU. This summer will I go back to the nerd camp or will I take Georgian level 2 or Arabic? No one knows. I have, however, alerted the summer program that I intend to return.
4. In the more distant future is a fairly significant uncertainty. It has occurred to me that I might have options other than an academic career (which might not actually be an option).
Anyway, in case I end up staying here, I am accepting self-nominations for roommates.
1. Anyone who knows me knows that I live with Matt Dunn. Well, the honeymoon is over and we must go our separate ways. Have either of us started looking for a new place? No. The only certainty is that we will not continue to live in our current home.
2. My uncertain domestic future is a result of my uncertain vocational future. My department, barring some act of a flying spaghetti monster, will not be offering me funding next year. It is time to kick this bird out of the nest. This situation invites a host of uncertainties. For example, will I stay in Bloomington? If so, where will I live? Where will I work? I've considered staying here, even though it means that I'll probably end up waiting tables somewhere. I've also considered moving to Amherst, MA to live with my friend Kelly Trogdon. I'm not really sure what all my options are. Moving is expensive, so I can't really afford any arbitrariness in my selection procedure.
3. Anyone who knows me knows that in the summers I usually work for a program dedicated to educating precocious youths. Last summer I did not. I took Georgian here at IU. This summer will I go back to the nerd camp or will I take Georgian level 2 or Arabic? No one knows. I have, however, alerted the summer program that I intend to return.
4. In the more distant future is a fairly significant uncertainty. It has occurred to me that I might have options other than an academic career (which might not actually be an option).
Anyway, in case I end up staying here, I am accepting self-nominations for roommates.
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Biting the Hand that Feeds Me
Last night I had dinner at one of my favorite local restaurants, Truffles. The fare at Truffles is not particularly exciting, though it rates highly in the company of its Bloomingtonian culinary companions. For several years I have been a regular at Truffles, though usually I go on Thursday nights for half priced martinis and a small bite. Last night, however, I opted to go all out and have a full meal (not off the less expensive bar menu) and a very pricey bottle of wine. My dining companions, too, ordered a very nice (albeit inferior) bottle of wine and two main courses and an appetizer. So, and not that how much we were spending should matter, our table should have received impeccable service. Our server was a young man, dishevelled in appearance, who knew nothing about fine dining table service. Let me count the ways:
1. Only once did he appear to fill the wine glasses. All other times we were left to serve ourselves.
2. The "tasting" portion of the wine was barely enough to wet my tongue, much less evaluate the quality of the wine I ordered.
3. Plates were not removed at the same time. Even worse, at one point all plates were removed except one belonging to a female in our party.
4. Knives used for appetizers were not replaced with clean ones, but were merely repositioned in the setting (this isn't denny's).
5. Bread was not brought at the beginning of the meal, but rather as what seemed to be a separate course between appetizers and main courses.
6. After telling the boy that we were *not* interested in dessert, he brought out dessert menus anyway.
7. Niether he nor the hostess offered to take our coats.
8. I was made to hand the boy my dirty plates when he could have cleared the table himself (and, in fact, that is his job).
This does not exhaust the ways in which we were given bad service last night, but it is all I care to list. I'll omit what was the worst infraction (committed by the hostess). Let's just say this: never become friends with the service at a fine dining establishment unless you want to witness egregious breaches of the implicit contract between diner and restaurant. Being my friend does not grant license to embarrass me in front of my friends by making me look like a niggard. Lest my reader consider me a snob for my complaints, let me remind you that this is a place that proclaims to be one of Bloomington's "fine dining" establishments. That means more than that the food is good or expensive; it means that service should be on a par with the image of the restaurant (so at Denny's I would never bitch about having to use the same spoon for my chili and my, I don't know, grits or something; nor would I balk one bit at helping out the server by handing him my plates). But when you are spending 30-40 dollars per person, a certain level of service and professionalism is reasonable to expect. Truffles is a disappointment in this respect, and, hence, Tallent remains my favorite restaurant in Bloomington (and in my nationwide Top 10).
Addendum: There is not so much as a sliver of truffle, black or white, to be found in any dish on the menu at "Truffles".
1. Only once did he appear to fill the wine glasses. All other times we were left to serve ourselves.
2. The "tasting" portion of the wine was barely enough to wet my tongue, much less evaluate the quality of the wine I ordered.
3. Plates were not removed at the same time. Even worse, at one point all plates were removed except one belonging to a female in our party.
4. Knives used for appetizers were not replaced with clean ones, but were merely repositioned in the setting (this isn't denny's).
5. Bread was not brought at the beginning of the meal, but rather as what seemed to be a separate course between appetizers and main courses.
6. After telling the boy that we were *not* interested in dessert, he brought out dessert menus anyway.
7. Niether he nor the hostess offered to take our coats.
8. I was made to hand the boy my dirty plates when he could have cleared the table himself (and, in fact, that is his job).
This does not exhaust the ways in which we were given bad service last night, but it is all I care to list. I'll omit what was the worst infraction (committed by the hostess). Let's just say this: never become friends with the service at a fine dining establishment unless you want to witness egregious breaches of the implicit contract between diner and restaurant. Being my friend does not grant license to embarrass me in front of my friends by making me look like a niggard. Lest my reader consider me a snob for my complaints, let me remind you that this is a place that proclaims to be one of Bloomington's "fine dining" establishments. That means more than that the food is good or expensive; it means that service should be on a par with the image of the restaurant (so at Denny's I would never bitch about having to use the same spoon for my chili and my, I don't know, grits or something; nor would I balk one bit at helping out the server by handing him my plates). But when you are spending 30-40 dollars per person, a certain level of service and professionalism is reasonable to expect. Truffles is a disappointment in this respect, and, hence, Tallent remains my favorite restaurant in Bloomington (and in my nationwide Top 10).
Addendum: There is not so much as a sliver of truffle, black or white, to be found in any dish on the menu at "Truffles".
Sunday, December 10, 2006
How Verizon Screwed Me
The wound is still fresh, so I'm going to try to make this a short post, long enough to convince you not use use Verizon's wireless service. I apologize in advance to casting aspersions on the company that helped to create my roommate, Matt Dunn.
First some terminology:
1. rerate: this refers to a counterfactual retroactive re-evaluation of charges. For example, you may rerate last month's bill *as if* you had a different plan, even though you did not. A rerate does not entail an extension of one's contractual obligations to Verizon, nor does it involve changing one's plan. You remain on the same plan, but a past bill is adjusted as though you had a different plan.
2. retroactive plan adjustment: I use this cumbersome terminology because I forget the jargon. Let's call it 'RPA'. RPA is like a rerate except that it does involve a plan change (albeit retroactively) and it typically accompanies a one-year extention of one's contract. So, if you opt for the RPA, you can, in effect, go back in time to change your monthly minute allocation, but it comes at the cost of an extension of contract.
Here's the story:
In August I had a $270 cell phone bill. I was shocked, so I called Verizon to see what I could do. They offered me an RPA, which I took (having not known about the rerate option (a special favor they do for some, but not others)). So, I retroactively signed up for 900 minutes per month and sold my soul for another year. I had assumed, commensurate with the RPA, that I remained on the 900 minute plan, and the customer rep. told me that I would need to call to be put back on my original 400 minute plan. I never called to change the plan back.
Fast forward to November. I get a cell phone bill for over 80 dollars. This makes me wonder how I could have possibly talked for more than 900 minutes. I call Verizon and the customer rep. tells me that I never had a 900 minute plan, that in fact what took place in August was a rerate. This frustrates me for the following reasons:
1. I had hoped, in August, to switch to a different carrier, but did not because I thought that I was bound by contract as a consequence of the RPA.
2. I now cannot switch companies since I do not want to enter into a contract in December, for I may not even be living in the country come September.
3. I was lied to in August about the action taken on my account.
The rep. talks to her boss and offers me two options:
1. Accept an RPA and, therefore, extend my contract by a year from that day.
2. Maintain my plan and pay the overcharges on a 400 minute plan.
I maintain my cool because, as mother says, you catch more bees (or flies) with honey than with vinegar. I tell her "I do not want the RPA because I may not be here in a year," (at which point she offers the second option). I respond to her offer thus, "So are you telling me that I will have to pay the overcharges because your company misinformed me about my plan, therefore leading me to believe not only that I had a 900 minute plan but that I also am bound to stay with Verizon?" She responds in the affirmative and apologizes. So here we have an odd case where the company admits that it is not my fault that I was charge overage fees, admits fault, and yet does nothing to rectify the mistake short of offering me a deal (RPA) that essentially screws me. I hate Verizon and will certainly find another service provider once I am in a position to sign my soul away to another company. Do not use Verizon. Cingular's phones are cooler anyway.
First some terminology:
1. rerate: this refers to a counterfactual retroactive re-evaluation of charges. For example, you may rerate last month's bill *as if* you had a different plan, even though you did not. A rerate does not entail an extension of one's contractual obligations to Verizon, nor does it involve changing one's plan. You remain on the same plan, but a past bill is adjusted as though you had a different plan.
2. retroactive plan adjustment: I use this cumbersome terminology because I forget the jargon. Let's call it 'RPA'. RPA is like a rerate except that it does involve a plan change (albeit retroactively) and it typically accompanies a one-year extention of one's contract. So, if you opt for the RPA, you can, in effect, go back in time to change your monthly minute allocation, but it comes at the cost of an extension of contract.
Here's the story:
In August I had a $270 cell phone bill. I was shocked, so I called Verizon to see what I could do. They offered me an RPA, which I took (having not known about the rerate option (a special favor they do for some, but not others)). So, I retroactively signed up for 900 minutes per month and sold my soul for another year. I had assumed, commensurate with the RPA, that I remained on the 900 minute plan, and the customer rep. told me that I would need to call to be put back on my original 400 minute plan. I never called to change the plan back.
Fast forward to November. I get a cell phone bill for over 80 dollars. This makes me wonder how I could have possibly talked for more than 900 minutes. I call Verizon and the customer rep. tells me that I never had a 900 minute plan, that in fact what took place in August was a rerate. This frustrates me for the following reasons:
1. I had hoped, in August, to switch to a different carrier, but did not because I thought that I was bound by contract as a consequence of the RPA.
2. I now cannot switch companies since I do not want to enter into a contract in December, for I may not even be living in the country come September.
3. I was lied to in August about the action taken on my account.
The rep. talks to her boss and offers me two options:
1. Accept an RPA and, therefore, extend my contract by a year from that day.
2. Maintain my plan and pay the overcharges on a 400 minute plan.
I maintain my cool because, as mother says, you catch more bees (or flies) with honey than with vinegar. I tell her "I do not want the RPA because I may not be here in a year," (at which point she offers the second option). I respond to her offer thus, "So are you telling me that I will have to pay the overcharges because your company misinformed me about my plan, therefore leading me to believe not only that I had a 900 minute plan but that I also am bound to stay with Verizon?" She responds in the affirmative and apologizes. So here we have an odd case where the company admits that it is not my fault that I was charge overage fees, admits fault, and yet does nothing to rectify the mistake short of offering me a deal (RPA) that essentially screws me. I hate Verizon and will certainly find another service provider once I am in a position to sign my soul away to another company. Do not use Verizon. Cingular's phones are cooler anyway.
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Christmas Blog
I've been pretty good all year. Allow me to list some of the highlights:
1. I won the Samuel Westfall Graduate Student Travel Fellowship
2. I got all 'A's
3. My summer was productive: I maintained a garden and started learning a new language
4. I forfeited my spring break to dogsit for a friend
5. I volunteered my time to become Co-director of IU's Human Intelligence Website
6. I made several gestures of goodwill, though not all were appreciated
7. I did my roommate's dishes when he was too hung over to do them himself
8. I never missed a day of work
9. I more or less donated my bed to two young ladies who did not have one
10. I vowed not to download music or movies illegally (and I haven't since then)
11. I housed a homeless person for the better part of 3 weeks.
Anyway, I guess what I am saying is that the christmas season is upon us and it is a time not only for self-reflection, but it is a time to think about others. Therefore, I provide a link to my Amazon Wishlist.
My Amazon Wishlist
1. I won the Samuel Westfall Graduate Student Travel Fellowship
2. I got all 'A's
3. My summer was productive: I maintained a garden and started learning a new language
4. I forfeited my spring break to dogsit for a friend
5. I volunteered my time to become Co-director of IU's Human Intelligence Website
6. I made several gestures of goodwill, though not all were appreciated
7. I did my roommate's dishes when he was too hung over to do them himself
8. I never missed a day of work
9. I more or less donated my bed to two young ladies who did not have one
10. I vowed not to download music or movies illegally (and I haven't since then)
11. I housed a homeless person for the better part of 3 weeks.
Anyway, I guess what I am saying is that the christmas season is upon us and it is a time not only for self-reflection, but it is a time to think about others. Therefore, I provide a link to my Amazon Wishlist.
My Amazon Wishlist
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