The Mystery of the Fortune Cookie


The other night I ordered Chinese food. I don’t necessarily enjoy the accompanying fortune cookies, but I always enjoy (or look forward to) what the wise saying or proverb will be that is tucked inside. They’re often inspiring or cryptic messages such as, “you will live long and prosper,” or “you are going to meet a mysterious stranger,” or even “the path of life is unknown.” But this is the one I received the other day…”you are going to have some new clothes.” Huh? That’s it…new clothes? Maybe the fortune cookie shamanic scribe had the night off or something when this was printed. At first I felt ripped of (self-centered as I am I wanted my mystical bit of inspiration…some faux prophetic wisdom…a new and mysterious stranger). But the more I thought about it the more it actually made sense…I could use (and need) some new clothes. Maybe it is the little things.

To read more about fortune cookies, click here.

>The Mystery of the Fortune Cookie

>
The other night I ordered Chinese food. I don’t necessarily enjoy the accompanying fortune cookies, but I always enjoy (or look forward to) what the wise saying or proverb will be that is tucked inside. They’re often inspiring or cryptic messages such as, “you will live long and prosper,” or “you are going to meet a mysterious stranger,” or even “the path of life is unknown.” But this is the one I received the other day…”you are going to have some new clothes.” Huh? That’s it…new clothes? Maybe the fortune cookie shamanic scribe had the night off or something when this was printed. At first I felt ripped of (self-centered as I am I wanted my mystical bit of inspiration…some faux prophetic wisdom…a new and mysterious stranger). But the more I thought about it the more it actually made sense…I could use (and need) some new clothes. Maybe it is the little things.

To read more about fortune cookies, click here.

Bicycling As An Everyday Activity

This is a pretty good video about bicycle commuting that I found at Commute By Bike. I suppose it’s a needed video…but I don’t necessarily agree with everything it says. Like many articles and videos about bicycling they make it seem novel or like something out of the norm, when it doesn’t have to be. But I suppose if the year was 1910 instead of 2010 (and the Internet existed) there would be YouTube clips of how to commute by car (or the horseless carriage, as it was originally called). The true irony is that the bicycle predates the car by many decades. And when they (in this video) offer suggestions on storing your bike none of the suggestions are to keep your bike(s) in your house, such as your front hall or even your living room (such as I do), making it easily accessible and as natural as reaching for your car keys when leaving the house. Nonetheless, if this gets more people on bikes then it’s a good thing.

>Bicycling As An Everyday Activity

>This is a pretty good video about bicycle commuting that I found at Commute By Bike. I suppose it’s a needed video…but I don’t necessarily agree with everything it says. Like many articles and videos about bicycling they make it seem novel or like something out of the norm, when it doesn’t have to be. But I suppose if the year was 1910 instead of 2010 (and the Internet existed) there would be YouTube clips of how to commute by car (or the horseless carriage, as it was originally called). The true irony is that the bicycle predates the car by many decades. And when they (in this video) offer suggestions on storing your bike none of the suggestions are to keep your bike(s) in your house, such as your front hall or even your living room (such as I do), making it easily accessible and as natural as reaching for your car keys when leaving the house. Nonetheless, if this gets more people on bikes then it’s a good thing.

When I Grow Up…

Today I was talking with someone about mid-life crises, how I keep waiting for mine to kick in. They asked if I were going to buy a red sports car when it happens…nope, I said, I want a new cargo bike. Anyhow it got me to thinking about age and my own mortality…the next stage behind middle-age, I suppose, is old-age, an age I hope to approach with grace and dignity. Riding a bicycle, I believe, offers a dignity that sitting in a car seat cannot…but that’s just my opinion. When I grow up I want to be an old man…and I should be so fortunate to have as much grace as this fellow. Twenty years from now maybe I’ll finally publish my own photo…to mirror this one.

Image credit: Sustrans

>When I Grow Up…

>Today I was talking with someone about mid-life crises, how I keep waiting for mine to kick in. They asked if I were going to buy a red sports car when it happens…nope, I said, I want a new cargo bike. Anyhow it got me to thinking about age and my own mortality…the next stage behind middle-age, I suppose, is old-age, an age I hope to approach with grace and dignity. Riding a bicycle, I believe, offers a dignity that sitting in a car seat cannot…but that’s just my opinion. When I grow up I want to be an old man…and I should be so fortunate to have as much grace as this fellow. Twenty years from now maybe I’ll finally publish my own photo…to mirror this one.

Image credit: Sustrans

Curried Fish Chowder

Firstly I want to say that I called this a “chowder” but technically it is not; in order for a recipe to be a chowder–curried or not–it should include both a salted pork product (salt pork, bacon, or ham) and potatoes, this recipes has neither. Thus this is really a chunky version of a curried fish soup. Having that off my chest I’ll also add that this is another example of how to make a really flavorful and nutritious meal out of what is at hand, which is how I most often cook at home. After looking in my teeny apartment-sized freezer, fridge, and pantry, I came up with the ingredients for this dish (I did have to walk to the corner store for a lemon…but it was such a beautiful evening).

The recipe for this dish follows the same basic premise of most soup/stew recipes: sweat the vegetables, then add the liquid and other ingredients. What sets this recipe apart from most soups is the addition of a spice mix; I called it curry but it is really a blending of spices I had on my spice rack (including curry powder). I also included loads of garlic and ginger. The one thing I wish I had (to finish the recipe) was cilantro, which would have been added right before I removed the pot from the heat.

Curry seems to be one of those flavorings where there is no in between, meaning you either love it or you hate it; thankfully I fall into the former category. But remember, as with most recipes, the flavorings and ingredients in this one are really up to you. This would, for example, be delicious without the spices and with the addition of a little ham or bacon…or just as a vegetable soup for that matter. The options are limitless and the choices are up to you. Anyhow, this is how I made mine (in photos); if you need an actual printed recipe (not mine), click here.






>Curried Fish Chowder

>Firstly I want to say that I called this a “chowder” but technically it is not; in order for a recipe to be a chowder–curried or not–it should include both a salted pork product (salt pork, bacon, or ham) and potatoes, this recipes has neither. Thus this is really a chunky version of a curried fish soup. Having that off my chest I’ll also add that this is another example of how to make a really flavorful and nutritious meal out of what is at hand, which is how I most often cook at home. After looking in my teeny apartment-sized freezer, fridge, and pantry, I came up with the ingredients for this dish (I did have to walk to the corner store for a lemon…but it was such a beautiful evening).

The recipe for this dish follows the same basic premise of most soup/stew recipes: sweat the vegetables, then add the liquid and other ingredients. What sets this recipe apart from most soups is the addition of a spice mix; I called it curry but it is really a blending of spices I had on my spice rack (including curry powder). I also included loads of garlic and ginger. The one thing I wish I had (to finish the recipe) was cilantro, which would have been added right before I removed the pot from the heat.

Curry seems to be one of those flavorings where there is no in between, meaning you either love it or you hate it; thankfully I fall into the former category. But remember, as with most recipes, the flavorings and ingredients in this one are really up to you. This would, for example, be delicious without the spices and with the addition of a little ham or bacon…or just as a vegetable soup for that matter. The options are limitless and the choices are up to you. Anyhow, this is how I made mine (in photos); if you need an actual printed recipe (not mine), click here.






A Good Read


I finished reading this book last night and found it so good that I thought I’d pass it along, virtually speaking of course. The book is very moving and literally brought tears to my eyes at certain points. Mr. Albom is a prolific author but this is only his second work of non-fiction (Tuesday’s with Morrie is the other…and another equally good book). Click here for a link to it on Amazon; click here to go to Mitch Albom’s website.

>A Good Read

>
I finished reading this book last night and found it so good that I thought I’d pass it along, virtually speaking of course. The book is very moving and literally brought tears to my eyes at certain points. Mr. Albom is a prolific author but this is only his second work of non-fiction (Tuesday’s with Morrie is the other…and another equally good book). Click here for a link to it on Amazon; click here to go to Mitch Albom’s website.

I Can See Clearly Now

Ok, this may seem silly, but for as long as I have been riding through bone-chilling Buffalo winters I have not worn any sort of eye protection…I can’t tell you how many snow showers I’ve squinted through. I’ve seen other people biking with ski goggles and thought about that, but then the other day I was handed these simple clear safety glasses…all I can say is it was an eye-opening (yes I am aware of the pun) revelation. Riding home the day I received them I’m sure I was singing the old Johnny Nash song, I Can See Clearly Now. These simple glasses have changed the way I view winter cycling, literally and figuratively. Today when I left work (wearing the glasses) it was snowing out and I found myself instinctively squinting, trying to keep the snow out of my eyes…then I remembered and opened them wide. I truly can see clearly now; I recommend glasses/goggles to anyone who rides year-round.

Though the song has nothing to do with Urban Simplicity I thought it was appropriate to include it in this post for your listening/viewing pleasure. Here’s Johnny Nash on the Midnight Special back in 1973…sometimes you forget who good those old songs are (what a voice!).