Reform Wrap-up

Here is the printed version (front and back) of my ten government procedural reforms per challenge no. 4. I've been handing these out to coworkers, strangers, food truck workers, airport agents, dog walkers, fellow bikers, that one guy at FedEx who printed them for me, and kindergarteners (their tiny minds are easily influenced).

Also, there is a certain challenge issuer who will be receiving one in the mail...

(Click to enlarge)

 

Sew Close

I've started making the shirt that will go with my shorts for challenge no. 28 (learn to sew, design an outfit, make it, do a self portrait in it). This endeavor was much more simple and sane than the bottom half of the outfit, mostly because I could just cut out two pieces and sew them together. In fact, I'm nearly done.

Once again I enlisted the help of Sara from The Sewing Studio in NYC. I told her what I had in mind, and she helped me create/cut out my very own pattern and then get to work. I learned how to finish sleeves and measure a bust and create the neckline I wanted. This is definitely something I'm confident I could do again and again. A priceless skill to have. I just feel sorry for my future children who will be forced to wear the same shirt for the first 18 years of their lives.

Here is a little sneak peek:

Kale Salad, Battersby Style

Earlier this year my Uncle Richard and I dined at Battersby in Brooklyn, per his keen pulse on the NYC restaurant scene. Not only did it meet our expectations, but the kale salad in particular blew us away. So my excitement was palpable when he informed me that this month's Bon Appetit magazine featured the recipe, as the "dish of the year" no less. Perfect lunch recipe for challenge no. 20:

I collected the majority of my ingredients at the Union Square Green Market and then went to work:

 Crispy Tuscan kale.

 Dressing of lime juice, red Thai chili, minced garlic, fish sauce and sugar.

Finished product!

Obviously it wasn't as perfect as the original, but it was one of the better/more interesting salads I've ever made at home. The dressing has that perfect sweet/hot balance, and the crispy kale brings a delightful texture to an otherwise "regular" salad. I kept all of the ingredients separate so that I could build it at work today for lunch.

Enjoy!

Smashing Books, Records

A peek into my Smash Book (challenge no. 26) as of late:

 Good writing. One of my favorite claps.

 Cool illustration.

 Congrats!

 Chicago Half Marathon. New personal best.

A few of my favorite things: Ace Hotel, healthy food find.

Discarted

No, that's not a typo. Here are four photos to add to my photo series (challenge no. 12), which I haven't officially developed a name for yet (although I have grown fond of "Discarted"). In this series I take pictures of paper towels used (and eventually discarded) in art projects. They are not the things that are meant to be beautiful or meant to be showcased afterward. But they can be beautiful and I wanted to see if I could capture that. The larger they are, the more striking they become, so I urge you to click on each image.

Standard Shipping from Japan

I have almost purchased everything I need to perform my authentic(ish) Japanese tea ceremony (challenge no 17). Here is my latest haul, courtesy of the Internet. The ceremony will take place some time in October.

 Fukusa (square silk cloth)

 Kakemono (hanging scroll). On it is a drawing of the poet Matsuo Basho (1644-1694) and a poem that translates into: "An old pond, a splashing sound of a frog jumping in."

Futa-oki (ladle rest)

Kensui (water basin)

Mizusashi (cold water container)

Challenge No. 7 Update