This is a Cooking Comp., Not The World's Strongest Man Comp.

Clearly this years Top Chef auditions didn't have a weight lifting pre-req..  I mean...should it REALLY be THIS hard for Fabio to open up a refrigerator door? Click HERE to watch this unfold for yourself.  (This isn't a clever screencap, he actually cannot open the door.  The same door, mind you, that he had just previously opened about 3 seconds before.)

The Real World: Brooooook-LIN!

Just in case there is anyone in the world still watching The Real World (if you are, be ashamed of yourself, very ashamed!  I'm not, I am purely watching it to see where they eat...this is also my reason for watching The City...I swear) this season is taking place in Brooklyn (I'm sorry, but can anyone else that knows Kenneth ever hear the name of that beloved borough without hearing his wonderful and missed "Brooook-LIN"?)  

I digress, anyways, if anyone is still watching The Real World I think that this weeks episode needs to be mentioned.  I can do it in about three sentences.  Dare me?  Here I go.

1.  Scott is shady.  Why say he is single and then pop a mysterious gf on everyone? (can someone say production crew?)

2.  Ryan is an idiot...really Ryan, you decided to let "I pop my collar on purpose" Chet decide which song you should play?  UGH!!

3.  Ryan is not as "nice" as Baya thinks.  I think the only words he left out of his email to Baya were "back burner".  Oh...he left it out...maybe he's nicer than I think.

That's it...three sentences...The Real Housewives have SO stolen TRW's thunder!

Wikipedia

Have you ever tried to convince a 12 year old that Wikipedia is not a good source for research?  Take it from me, it's not too easy.  Kid's believe anything that is on the Internet, so telling them that websites like wikipedia, which unfortunately looks a like like an encyclopedia entry, is no easy task.  I mean...really who invented Wikipedia?  Some one who wanted to screw with kids or someone who wanted to screw with teachers?!  If it was to screw with kids, than I am on board, but if it was to screw with teachers, which I am starting to think it might be, than I'm not only not on board, but I am building a gang plank and walking these "creators" off.  Why do I think that the person that created wanted to screw with teachers?  If you would be so kind, I will list:

1.  There is NO REASON to make this look like an encyclopedia.  If you wanted to make it an ACTUAL encyclopedia, than why not make it...hmmm...AN ACTUAL ENCYCLOPEDIA?!!  Don't let people like my students add to entries.  9 times out of 10 they will post something incorrect and 10 times out of 10 they will post something inappropriate. (One of my classes has made an art form of inappropriateness.  It's disturbing, yet I am impressed all at the same time.  I am left feeling very confused by this.  I do not like confusion when it comes to 12 year olds!)

2.  There is NO REASON to let EVERYONE IN THE WORLD ADD TO AN ENTRY!!!!  Let's be honest, 90 percent of the population of the world is not equipped to write research, that's why we don't have a "best seller" section for encyclopedias.

3.  Their disclaimer that sometimes says "warning this page may contain information that is inaccurate".  Um, if you tell my kids the information MAY be incorrect that are going to see that glass as half full and go for it.  "Shark's wear dresses in May? Really?  Oh this MAY be incorrect, eh, I bet it is!"  Yeah, not strong enough Wikipedia!!  This is the strongest evidence that Wikipedia WAS in fact created to drive teachers insane.  MAY be incorrect, give a kid and inch and he will DESTROY A MILE OF HIGHWAY!!  

Then couple that with the fact that you then have to convince a kid that a) even though Wikipedia comes up first in your google search please keep searching and then b) if you do look at Wikipedia you need to research further to make sure the information is in fact correct.  I mean these are the same kids that asked me today during a test if they could chose the questions that they wanted to answer instead of just taking the entire test.  (Here comes my inner voice, "WHAT?!  I would never even think that when I was in school?  WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM!?!!  (laughs hysterically, border-lining on losing it)

So in conclusion, I hate school and I hate all of you!  I'm never coming back to school, NEVER!  

(Useless Wikipedia-like Disclaimer:  If you think I am serious, and you don't know what movie that is from, don't read my blog.)

The Wonderful World of New York City Real Estate Part II

Recently, I tried to move once again in New York City, but this time I tried to move within my building. For anyone that lives in NYC, or any other city as equally as annoying to move in (although to be quite honest, I am not sure that one exists) you know that once you find a good apartment, in a good building you never want to move again. Well, I mean, I think that moving was such a horrendous experience that I would never want to move again even if I hated my apartment and building, but luckily I do not. So when I was home sick one day and I stumbled upon a bigger apartment in my building for only 50 dollars more I thought, "Wow, how could I not jump on this?!" Actually what I thought was, "Is this doctor's office ever taking me off hold?! It's been an hour now...Ooooh look an apartment in my building."

One good thing about this economic crisis is that apartments in NYC are becoming more affordable (still not affordable in any normal sense of the word, but affordable NYC style). The bad thing about this economic crisis is that those in the real estate business still do not want to help you out in the least bit. Usually, when you live in a building for a long time, always pay your rent on time and you are well liked the building wants to keep you in there. But, not my building, the management company actually told me that they only way I could move into the empty apartment was if I paid more than it was listed for. So basically, if I were so stranger, who could be that axe murderer that I asked not to apply to be my roommate before, I could rent this apartment for the listed amount, but instead since I am a good tenant, and I have an allegiance to this building, I could rent the apartment for 100 dollars more a month. Gee, thanks management company that's such a sweet deal! What is that about? So I called and called and emailed and emailed, but I was met with the same response each time. AWWWWWWWWWWESOME! I totally can't wait to give my money away to my management company this month, because I know when it comes down to the nitty gritty they are always there for me...or not.

So my attempt to move to a bigger apartment was unsuccessful. I, like most of America, will not be taking advantage of this economic crisis...but that's not going to stop me from trying!

The Wonderful World of New York City Real Estate

Before finding my apartment I posted this on my website www.tresfetch.com. In order to keep everyone up to speed I decided to post this again so that there is no confusion when reading part II.

Thursday, April 21, 2005

DISCLAIMER: IF YOUR NAME IS BECCA AND I AM TRYING TO CONVINCE YOU TO MOVE TO NYC...DO NOT READ ON! (OK you can its amusing!)

Who wants to help me search for Osama? Or that bracelet I lost last year in the Hall of Languages? Impossible you say? You're right, however, I would probably have a better shot at finding my long lost bracelet then finding a place to live in New York City. Not to mention the wonderful soul searching one has to do when deciding if they want to either live with someone that could turn out to be an axe murderer, or just live on their own. When choosing living on your own, however, one has to consider whether the word "living" is really applicable in this situation. Because really, is it living when you are in an apartment the size of a closet...with no closets? Is it really living when you have to decide if food or cable would be more important for you to spend your money on?

Now seeing as I love looking at houses and apartments and imagining what I can do with them, you would think that searching for an apartment was right up my alley. However, the sheer amount of SHIT that these brokers have to show you is overwhelming. It's sort of like going into a discount clothing store that boasts to have "name brand for less". You get so excited that you are going to get a really good deal, but then you realize that the only good deals, are the good deals on the jeans from two seasons ago, or the shirts that are so irregular they wouldn't fit even the "skinniest, weirdest shaped body" girls. So basically, all the good deals happen to be in either the shadiest neighborhoods, the shadiest buildings, or the SMALLEST apartments.

Then there is the OTHER side to the wonderful world of New York City Real Estate. You find an amazing building with all the amenities you would want, and the apartment is just an okay size...and you are all ready to take it when you hear the price. 2,600 Dollars? But we saw THREE places that were ten times the size of this one...I just couldn't bring myself to do it! Then there is the stress, if you don't take a place you "semi" like within one hour its gone! The feeling of finding a place that you "kind of" like is much worse than not finding anything at all, because then you have the age old question...but what if tomorrow I find something I like better? Do I want to be out 300 bucks? Or do I just settle, I mean I do have to live here for an entire year. Its sheer craziness.

So I stopped looking for a while. I have now come to the conclusion that I will look for a new pair of seven jeans instead and when I find the perfect pair I will set down way too much money on them than ANYONE should pay on jeans and I won't think twice and I wont look back. After I do that, I think I will apply that theory to apartment hunting in NYC, I will find the perfect fit, put down an exorbitant amount of money on something the size of my bedroom closet and I won't think twice and I won't look back...until next year...when I do it ALL OVER AGAIN!

P.S.: I'm looking for a new roommate anyone know anyone? Axe murderers need not apply!

Favorite Purchase of the Week

This won't be a regular post, because if I buy enough stuff to have a "Favorite Purchase of the Week", I wont be paying my bills...and I like living in my apartment...with electricity. But, you will see it often enough.

Recently I have been cooking and baking a lot. In college I took a cooking class with my friend Evan, but due to my extensive food allergies I wasn't able to each many of our creations. (I still hate that Evan go to eat the peppermint ice cream while I watched on with envy, and very likely I still hold it against him.) I found in the last two years that if I cook my own food I can eat all of the food that I am allergic or intolerant to but desperately want to eat by making modifications.

Soup is one of my favorites that I had to cut back on once I found out I was lactose intolerant and allergic to shellfish. Bye bye lobster bisque, hello chicken noodle. I hate brothy soups and I always want the "cream of", but when it comes to my favorite soup places in NYC they are more than likely not dairy free. So when I saw "The Daily Soup Cook Book" from one of my favorite soup places in NYC (thank you Matt for introducing us!) I knew that I had to snatch it up. I read through the entire book in about an hour and I have bookmarked almost every page.

If you like soup and you love to cook, pick it up, it seems like I could make a soup everyday and not repeat...hmmmm...is that why they call it "The Daily Soup"?

What's This All About?

First of all: Do I really find myself to be so self-important that I insist myself and taxes are the only two definite things in the world?

No. I am no Kanye, but...I mean, I know I exist, I am with myself everyday, and to be quite honest I am not too certain that the people at Duane Reade exist. If they did really exist there is NO WAY it would take them that long to ring up a purchase.

Basically...I just have a lot of thoughts in my head that I would love to share with people. Funny things, interesting things, and things I am not so certain about.

So, yes I am certain I exist and I am certain that taxes exist and I am also certain I do not know how to do my taxes on my own and probably never will. So if it's advice on how to fill out that W2 form...Google it. If you want to know what up today...Google me!