tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60173458589829581582024-03-12T23:02:10.692-07:00Matt's BlogThe Pissed and (possibly) Confused Ramblings of a Bostonian with a Black Belt in One Hand and A Law Degree in the other.origami fabregehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07215744355139206395noreply@blogger.comBlogger637125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017345858982958158.post-80310920391405819822008-12-01T16:56:00.000-08:002008-12-07T16:58:49.244-08:00Brittney Spears' New Song: Circus<object width="450" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.megavideo.com/v/N6JKRUJR29c3a4b5600db854311802e74ba67dfa"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.megavideo.com/v/N6JKRUJR29c3a4b5600db854311802e74ba67dfa" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="450" height="350"></embed></object>origami fabregehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07215744355139206395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017345858982958158.post-64773412208135688102008-11-11T14:32:00.000-08:002008-11-18T14:40:19.729-08:00Useful Words & Phrases in Swedish<strong>First, some pronunciation tips for Swedish phrases:</strong><br /><br /><strong>Most consonants are exactly the same in Swedish as they are in English. Some exceptions:</strong> <br /><br />j: pronounced like the "y" in "yellow" <br />g: pronounced like the American "g" if it is followed by an a, o, or å; pronounced like the "y" in "yellow" if followed by an e, i, ä, or ö<br />k: pronounced like the American "k" if it is followed by an a, o, or å; pronounced like "sh" if followed by an e, i, ä, or ö <br />rs: r followed by s is pronounced as "sh" <br /><br /><br /><strong>This provides a basic idea of the pronunciation of vowels:</strong> <br /><br />a: pronounced like the "aw" in "claw" <br />e: pronounced like the "e" in "fell" <br />i: pronounced like the "ee" in "fleece" <br />o: the pronunciation falls between that of "o" in "close" and "oo" in "moose" <br />u: pronounced like the "oo" in "moose" <br />y: the pronunciation falls between that of "oo" in "moose" and "y" in "any" (the trick: shape your mouth as if you were going to say "y" but then try to say "oo") <br />å: the pronunciation falls between that of "o" in "close" and "o" in "pot" <br />ä: pronounced like the "a" in "apple"<br />ö: pronounced like the "u" in "full" <br /><br /><strong>Greetings</strong><br />Hello: Hej.<br />Goodbye: Adjö/Hej då.<br />Yes: Ja.<br />No: Nej.<br />Please: Snälla/Vänligen.<br />Thank you: Tack.<br />That's fine: Det är bra.<br />You are welcome: Varsågod<br />Excuse me (sorry): Ursäkta mig/Förlåt<br />Do you speak English?: Talar du engelska?<br />I don't understand: Jog förstår inte.<br />How much is it?: Hur mycket kostar den?<br />What's your name?: Vad heter du?<br />My name is …: Jag heter …<br /><br /><strong>Small Talk</strong><br />Where is the …?: Var finns …?<br />Bus stop: busshållplatsen<br />Train station: tågstationen<br />Tramstop: spårvagnshållplatsen<br />What time does the …leave/arrive?: Nar avgar/kommer?<br />Boat: båten<br />Bus (city): bussen<br />Tram: spårvagnen<br />Train: tåget<br /><br /><strong>Signs</strong><br />Entrance: ingång<br />Exit: utgång<br />No vacancies: fullt<br />Information: information<br />Open: öppen<br />Closed: stängd<br />Police station: polisstation<br />Rooms available: lediga rum<br />Toilets: toalett<br />Men: herrar<br />Women: damer<br /><br /><strong>Around town</strong><br />Bank: bank<br />City centre: centrum<br />… embassy: … ambassaden<br />my hotel: mitt hotell<br />market: marknaden<br />newsagency: nyhetsbyrå<br />post office: postkontoret<br />public telephone: offentlig telefon<br />public toilet: offentlig toalett<br />tourist office: turistinformation<br />what time does it open/close?: när öppnar/stänger de?<br /><br /><strong>Times & Dates</strong><br />What time is it?: Vad ar klockan?<br />Today: idag<br />Tomorrow: imorgon<br />Yesterday: igår<br />Morning: morgonen<br />Afternoon: eftermiddagen<br />Night: natt<br />Monday: måndag<br />Tuesday: tisdag<br />Wednesday: onsdag<br />Thursday: torsdag<br />Friday: fredag<br />Saturday: lördag<br />Sunday: söndag<br /><br /><strong>Numbers</strong><br />Zero: noll<br />One: ett<br />Two: två<br />Three: tre<br />Four: fyra<br />Five: fem<br />Six: sex<br />Seven: sju<br />Eight: åtta<br />Nine: nio<br />Ten: tioorigami fabregehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07215744355139206395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017345858982958158.post-25102551822358404652008-11-10T15:31:00.000-08:002008-11-10T15:32:29.839-08:00Zietgeist I & II<embed id="VideoPlayback" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docid=5547481422995115331&hl=en&fs=true" style="width:400px;height:326px" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"> </embed><br /><embed id="VideoPlayback" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docid=7065205277695921912&hl=en&fs=true" style="width:400px;height:326px" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"> </embed>origami fabregehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07215744355139206395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017345858982958158.post-27771430799572019202008-11-09T15:32:00.000-08:002008-11-10T15:33:35.930-08:00SrryI've kinda been on a brief hiatus. :P :P But I'm back now!! XD XDorigami fabregehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07215744355139206395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017345858982958158.post-71194101065937400562008-10-23T19:51:00.000-07:002008-10-23T19:55:27.475-07:00Is there a door in St. Peter's basilica that's opened once every 100 years?Yes but this is not exactly a secret back door to the Vatican. It is an odd tradition at St. Peter's involving the Porta Santa, or Holy Door. This door is in the front of the basilica to the right of the main entrance. Most of the time it's kept not merely locked but walled up. It's opened only during Holy Years, also known as Jubilee Years. Massive numbers of pilgrims descend on St. Peter's at these times, and I gather the door functions as a sort of Holy Fire Exit.<br /><br />Holy Years are an odd tradition in their own right. The first was proclaimed in AD 1300 by Pope Boniface VIII, not entirely voluntarily. The faithful somehow got the idea that centenary years were the occasion of a Great Pardon. Tens of thousands of them spontaneously embarked on a pilgrimage to Rome with the view of getting one.<br /><br />So here's Boniface looking out the window, and he sees vast crowds of people who'd evidently done something bad enough that they figured it was worth going to Rome to get a pardon for. Whoa, says Boniface, time to think fast.<br /><br />He worked up a system whereby participants could gain a special indulgence (pardon from punishment for sins) in return for fulfilling various conditions, notably visiting certain Roman churches, St. Peter's being the most important.<br /><br />The original plan was that Holy Years would occur every 100 years, but the interval was soon reduced to 25 years. Additional Holy Years are sometimes proclaimed for special occasions, e.g., in 1983-'84, which marked the 1,950th anniversary of the Crucifixion and Resurrection.<br /><br />A Holy Year starts on Christmas Eve, at one time considered the last day of the year. There's an elaborate ritual in which the pope strikes the Holy Door three times with a silver hammer. The door promptly collapses, no doubt inspiring at least one or two spectators to hope that the rest of St. Peter's was built by a different contractor. In fact, however, workers with ropes and pulleys nudge things along.<br /><br />Considering all the buildup, one would suppose the Holy Door provided admittance to a garden of forbidden delights. But in fact it gets you into the back of the church just as the other entrances do. The door remains open until the following Christmas Eve, when it's again walled up.<br /><br />One can appreciate that having a special door heightens the drama of the Holy Year, provides instructive symbolism, etc. But why the pope feels he has to wall it up as opposed to using a good dead bolt is a matter that remains obscure. Cynics will of course suggest that some cardinal's nephew probably has the plaster contract.origami fabregehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07215744355139206395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017345858982958158.post-50785739149248283602008-10-11T21:03:00.001-07:002008-10-11T21:03:52.271-07:00TaeKwonDo Times Excerpt"The Korean word for uniform is dobok. Do means "way of life" and bok means "a spiritual protector or shield against the elements". So, wearing your uniform has great symbolic value. When you wear it, you also "wear" your commitment to follow the spiritual path leading you your Silent Master. Your commitment is assuredly your protection against the elements. The belt wrapped around your waist symbolizes the unity of spirit you share with others on the path, and it's color proudly proclaims your level of achievement. When you honor you uniform, your honor your real self". Quote from Tae Yun Kim/TKD Times Mar. 2008.origami fabregehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07215744355139206395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017345858982958158.post-71873152921945250242008-10-11T01:17:00.000-07:002008-10-11T01:18:16.654-07:00Pixar Tennis Short<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/4Zv9vRz4QYM&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/4Zv9vRz4QYM&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>origami fabregehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07215744355139206395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017345858982958158.post-34034090741249585112008-10-09T15:35:00.000-07:002008-11-10T15:36:09.939-08:00Two Quotes by Goethe"Some of our weakness is born in us, some of it comes through education; it is a big question as to which gives us the most trouble."<br />"If the mass of people hesitate to act, strike with swiftly and with boldness, the brave heart that understands and seizes opportunity can everything."origami fabregehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07215744355139206395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017345858982958158.post-86128783407403056632008-10-05T20:52:00.000-07:002008-10-11T00:16:09.249-07:00The Onion: This Could Be The Worst Autumn Ever<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/siM6CPniUgU&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/siM6CPniUgU&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>origami fabregehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07215744355139206395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017345858982958158.post-30388412309889165362008-10-03T19:35:00.000-07:002008-10-03T19:36:59.742-07:00World's Shortest Man meets Woman With the Longest Legs<div><object width="420" height="336"><param name="movie" value="http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/k2O73KEMckbYeRLMw4&related=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/k2O73KEMckbYeRLMw4&related=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="420" height="336" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always"></embed></object><br /><b><a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6s2z0_worlds-smallest-man-meets-the-woman_news">World's smallest man meets the woman with the longest legs</a></b><br /><i>Uploaded by <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/ITN">ITN</a></i></div>origami fabregehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07215744355139206395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017345858982958158.post-57750117195115317502008-09-24T21:27:00.000-07:002008-09-24T21:55:34.191-07:00Great Canadian MusicMusic from the artist of my homeland. The true North, Strong and Free.<br />Featuring artists such as Jann Aden, Avril Lavigne, Chantal Kreviazuk, Fiest, Nelly Furtado, Cory Lee, Celine Dion, Kardinal Offishall, Chad Kroeger, The Barenaked Ladies, Kreesha Turner, and Hedley<br /> <br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/gFBDnvGgDW8&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/gFBDnvGgDW8&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/e3iWFjMGQ4Q&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/e3iWFjMGQ4Q&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZurqTPHvyzQ&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZurqTPHvyzQ&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/6gqSk1UBFyo&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/6gqSk1UBFyo&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/F0_Yebk-JtU&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/F0_Yebk-JtU&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/vELmRcVuDEg&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/vELmRcVuDEg&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/is6FcR_exFs&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/is6FcR_exFs&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/SIM4DCn7AlE&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/SIM4DCn7AlE&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/p8Z-DIAthbM&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/p8Z-DIAthbM&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/xWhiMjmxVbY&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xWhiMjmxVbY&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/826MQMlmtJc&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/826MQMlmtJc&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/A0yd4UMKsmk&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/A0yd4UMKsmk&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/z_58B6yxyTU&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/z_58B6yxyTU&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/LD7TVMCeWzw&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/LD7TVMCeWzw&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>origami fabregehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07215744355139206395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017345858982958158.post-9168421332443952222008-09-22T14:16:00.000-07:002008-10-22T14:19:06.716-07:00Great Quote from Richard Taylor, beekeeper and writer"There are a few rules of thumb that are useful guides. One is that when you are confronted with some problem in the apiary and you do not know what to do, then do nothing. Matters are seldom made worse by doing nothing and are often made much worse by inept intervention." --The How-To-Do-It book of Beekeeping, Richard Taylororigami fabregehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07215744355139206395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017345858982958158.post-14985463042638261662008-09-21T01:23:00.000-07:002008-10-20T01:25:24.019-07:00Birthday CakeEvidence of birthday observances dates back before the rise of Christianity. In pagan cultures, people feared evil spirits - especially on their birthdays. It was a common belief that evil spirits were more dangerous to a person when he or she experienced a change in their daily life, such as turning a year older. As a result, birthdays were merry occasions celebrated with family and friends, who surrounded the person of honor with laughter and joy in order to protect them from evil. Instead of gifts, most guests brought positive thoughts and happy wishes for the upcoming year. However, if well-wishers did bring gifts, it was considered an especially good influence for the birthday person. <br /><br />The world's largest birthday cake was created in 1989 for the 100th Birthday of the city of Fort Payne, Alabama. The cake weighed 128,238 pounds, 8 oz. and used 16,209 pounds of icing.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif1sD8dbmdflcU3qsH-i4QzzbNKSOQyCYgUQ-vzJTyeADZpaeYDM1p0HX-SStYGbmWkJ59xhoqmQaYWRrxbrK5qHl6C1FtpUeiLmHRKRxDsBw-DbKlhCu_fASS83OSlDaJ8c_XLM80WiF4/s1600-h/birthday-cake.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif1sD8dbmdflcU3qsH-i4QzzbNKSOQyCYgUQ-vzJTyeADZpaeYDM1p0HX-SStYGbmWkJ59xhoqmQaYWRrxbrK5qHl6C1FtpUeiLmHRKRxDsBw-DbKlhCu_fASS83OSlDaJ8c_XLM80WiF4/s320/birthday-cake.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259149176634444530" /></a>origami fabregehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07215744355139206395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017345858982958158.post-13179817510596086232008-09-19T01:08:00.000-07:002008-10-20T01:14:08.807-07:00Between The SheetsThe Between the Sheets Cocktail was born during Prohibition in the 1920’s. A speakeasy was the only place to get a decent drink, and no respectable Flapper would be seen without her flask neatly tied to her leg. Most cocktails only masked the taste of inferior booze, so fruit juices became the standard mixers for just this purpose.<br /><br /><strong>Ingredients:</strong><br />1 oz brandy<br />1/2 oz light rum<br />3/4 oz orange liquor<br />1 oz. guava juice<br />1 oz. mango juice<br />1 oz. passion fruit<br />1/2 oz. lemon juiceorigami fabregehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07215744355139206395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017345858982958158.post-36168522075662224962008-09-18T01:06:00.000-07:002008-10-20T01:08:05.039-07:00Beet RootBeet Root is one of our favorite scents to wear. On the skin it gives the wearer a sense of the dirt it just came from, and the beautiful rouge-sweet juice within. <br /><br />Red beets as we now know them probably didn't develop until the 17th century--but they have been eaten as wild, slender-rooted plant species with edible leaves over a broad sweep of land, from Britain to Indian, since prehistoric times. Early Russian homeopaths claimed it could cure tuberculosis, scurvy, and toothache--while Russian peasants believed it worked as an insecticide. During "babye leto" (Indian summer), they would bury beets imbedded with mosquitoes and flies in a ceremony meant to relieve them of insect bites. Ironically, Russian beauties--both peasants and ladies in high society--used the beet as rouge for their cheeks...to keep away mosquitoes and attract the opposite sex.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg2lMEf0yI7TEjcfttIJg7gXRnyq1ByzsYwqaDUlx04rO4_9M_K3MLcz4rdN3X2c9B5yOtJwQIaSeAPId0egxupWv-2e5rt5kwts92v0J2IVKP9PV5_Y-5IpfqJFI9f0Azn80s1XfxY5C-/s1600-h/beetroot.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg2lMEf0yI7TEjcfttIJg7gXRnyq1ByzsYwqaDUlx04rO4_9M_K3MLcz4rdN3X2c9B5yOtJwQIaSeAPId0egxupWv-2e5rt5kwts92v0J2IVKP9PV5_Y-5IpfqJFI9f0Azn80s1XfxY5C-/s320/beetroot.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259144700049488242" /></a>origami fabregehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07215744355139206395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017345858982958158.post-17414133502493502942008-09-17T19:25:00.000-07:002008-10-03T19:29:15.653-07:00Robot Chicken: If You Give A Mouse A Cookie<style>div#main{overflow:visible;}</style><div style="background-color: #d53000; text-align:center;vertical-align: middle;width:425px;z-index:500;overflow:visible"><a href="http://www.adultswim.com/video/index.html" style="display:block;"><img src="http://www.adultswim.com/video/embeded_header.jpg" alt="" width="425" height="30" border="0"></a><object width="425" height="350" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://www.adultswim.com/video/vplayer/index.html"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="movie" value="http://www.adultswim.com/video/vplayer/index.html"/><param name="FlashVars" value="id=8a25c392146def190114703e04d000f4" /><embed src="http://www.adultswim.com/video/vplayer/index.html" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" FlashVars="id=8a25c392146def190114703e04d000f4" allowFullScreen="true" width="425" height="350"></embed></object></div>origami fabregehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07215744355139206395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017345858982958158.post-32228662757073663532008-09-16T01:03:00.000-07:002008-10-20T01:04:28.961-07:00A Brief History of BasilIt's not commonly known that basil originated in India. It was brought to the Mediterranean via the spice routes in ancient times. Basil spread to other parts of Asia, and became popular in the use of curries in Thailand, and in Italian cuisine. <br /><br />In Romania, basil took a more romantic turn; when a man accepts a sprig of basil from a woman, he is officially engaged. The Greek word for basil means royal or kingly. It was believed that only the king himself should harvest this herb, and only with the use of a golden sickle. No matter what the country the consensus is that basil is Royalty amongst the herb family.origami fabregehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07215744355139206395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017345858982958158.post-54534619633577896282008-09-16T00:56:00.000-07:002008-10-20T00:59:04.361-07:00BANANA FLAMBE!!! OH YEAH!!!!6 firm bananas<br />1 c. orange juice<br />1/2 c. brown sugar<br />1/2 c. butter<br />1/2 c. rum<br /><br />Peel bananas and slice in half lengthwise. Arrange in layers in buttered baking dish. Sprinkle each layer with orange juice and brown sugar. Dot with butter. Bake in 400 degree oven until fruit is softened, not too soft, about 15 minutes. Warm rum. Place bananas in chafing dish, bring to table and add heated rum. Ignite and serve when flames die down. Serve over vanilla ice cream. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEher012dpNxnYmePV85EXDanoo36OzssMsNf6RJCAHwQjR3XTIWExWbJXSry4vqloijUlQ-AnuhlDZpVNVbn078JRW5aeqKKJM9qhavxIZcblKWBGBx1VVURMDt46HY_fSNC7yUIAoeJR0v/s1600-h/banana.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEher012dpNxnYmePV85EXDanoo36OzssMsNf6RJCAHwQjR3XTIWExWbJXSry4vqloijUlQ-AnuhlDZpVNVbn078JRW5aeqKKJM9qhavxIZcblKWBGBx1VVURMDt46HY_fSNC7yUIAoeJR0v/s320/banana.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259142381062995442" /></a>origami fabregehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07215744355139206395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017345858982958158.post-90431556142064994412008-09-15T00:51:00.000-07:002008-10-20T01:00:03.354-07:00BambooBamboo regenerates itself eternally. The life span of a single bamboo is not very long-about 20 years-but the grove stands forever. The fully mature bamboo sends most of the organic nutrients prepared by its leaves down through paths in the vascular bundles, which run vertically down the culms, to its rhizomes, which form the vast, complicated underground network that creates its progeny. New bamboo shoots are produced every year from these rhizomes, ensuring the survival of the bamboo grove.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwFKkKBK3jqt_FapPKtsliZkChtjb3oWsxe25ZfNDmQ88ram5GKCN5jAzA9WeHmgK_WWqOLWsvksdrDj23RoarYRZ4HhwJDUXxqqgaUZIizp-19JQaq7-0PspfbPJMfSA6Z-xPBbCib5X7/s1600-h/bamboo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwFKkKBK3jqt_FapPKtsliZkChtjb3oWsxe25ZfNDmQ88ram5GKCN5jAzA9WeHmgK_WWqOLWsvksdrDj23RoarYRZ4HhwJDUXxqqgaUZIizp-19JQaq7-0PspfbPJMfSA6Z-xPBbCib5X7/s320/bamboo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259141218344964066" /></a>origami fabregehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07215744355139206395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017345858982958158.post-4737377121290418852008-09-14T00:38:00.000-07:002008-10-20T01:00:07.443-07:00Mmmmm....Apple Pie“As American as Apple Pie!” How many times has that phrase been uttered over the years? But is it true? Well, yes and no. Not to upset the Founding Fathers, but Apple Pie, like most American customs and traditions, is European in origin. Indeed, pies were especially popular during the reign of Elizabeth I. <br /><br />No one knows who ate the first slice, but pie in one form or another has existed since the ancient Egyptians made the first pastry-like crusts. The early Romans, who probably learned about it from the Greeks, probably made the first pies we would recognize as pies. The Roman, Cato the Censor, published the first written recipe: a rye-crusted goat cheese and honey pie. The Romans then spread the word around Europe, including England. <br /><br />Evan Jones, in American Food the Gastronomic Story, writes: Some social chroniclers seem convinced that fruit pies as Americans now view them originated with the Pennsylvania Dutch. Potters in the southeastern counties of that state were making pie plates in the early 18th century and cooks began to envelop in crispy crusts every fruit that grew I the region. “It may be,” Fredrick Klee asserts, “that during the revolution men from other colonies came to know this dish in Pennsylvania and carried this knowledge back home to establish pie as the great American dessert.” <br /><br />Thus, Apple Pie, while not originally American, was “assimilated” and transformed into a distinctly American experience. If the food loving Pennsylvania Dutch didn’t invent pie, they certainly perfected it.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfa8C11aTP3AXVGQzWeU67gw0ZYJW9jB9UsOyWWi5CBecvEGca0oKzgjRAyy4r45ElI12Z65W-1DeYAQ7L1AhLWMAnmgxb-aSmsLtjNDRg0nByusukgOZeRPWB-T_7UmPiA14ft80wLwCP/s1600-h/slice.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfa8C11aTP3AXVGQzWeU67gw0ZYJW9jB9UsOyWWi5CBecvEGca0oKzgjRAyy4r45ElI12Z65W-1DeYAQ7L1AhLWMAnmgxb-aSmsLtjNDRg0nByusukgOZeRPWB-T_7UmPiA14ft80wLwCP/s320/slice.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259138400908281858" /></a>origami fabregehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07215744355139206395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017345858982958158.post-10424916895685172702008-09-13T00:34:00.000-07:002008-10-20T01:00:18.487-07:00Mmmmm...Angel Food CakeNo one is completely sure of the origin of Angel Food or “angel cake”, although we know it surfaces first in America, and in the 1880’s. Most culinary historians think Angel Food is a takeoff of the sponge cake and the cornstarch cake, and that it originated in southeastern Pennsylvania. Critical ingredients in Angel Food are egg whites, sugar, vanilla and coconut.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjbd0y7G5Vhk4B7nkyKtnU8XQUW1RG2lWcg1HSqiYt9Y-AI2UV8b37cIT6b3IY4_Q4XZBHhS4Zpn6L_pY2quyLxyJlEDzla820WnlfPyPDXyHbyYMEb07fJ4L3F3Wx-UsLY5JmLtpCCTY0/s1600-h/angel-food-cake.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjbd0y7G5Vhk4B7nkyKtnU8XQUW1RG2lWcg1HSqiYt9Y-AI2UV8b37cIT6b3IY4_Q4XZBHhS4Zpn6L_pY2quyLxyJlEDzla820WnlfPyPDXyHbyYMEb07fJ4L3F3Wx-UsLY5JmLtpCCTY0/s320/angel-food-cake.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259136771628585362" /></a>origami fabregehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07215744355139206395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017345858982958158.post-50640170097660981402008-09-12T00:28:00.000-07:002008-10-20T01:00:24.499-07:00AlmondsMore than just foods, throughout history, almonds have maintained religious, ethnic and social significance. The Bible's "Book of Numbers" tells the story of Aaron's rod that blossomed and bore almonds, giving the almond the symbolism of divine approval. They were used as a prized ingredient in breads served to Egypt's pharos. The Romans showered newlyweds with almonds as a fertility charm. Today, Americans give guests at weddings a bag of sugared almonds, those wonderful Jordan Almonds. In Sweden, cinnamon-flavored rice pudding with an almond hidden inside is a Christmas custom. Find it, and good fortune is yours for a year. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqHyHe1QAUk-AmE0olRGN0dVLKaiNZCLz-E8oYi7ltEmYXCooRU4cLl_peOqQk_i03DgcpGgjl_rmDrO5ohvMRuja5Hwj1I0RTtZXtRzrlpSbutfwvb-NoXSgv6XNQzEHIq6bC-gRhtPbC/s1600-h/almond.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqHyHe1QAUk-AmE0olRGN0dVLKaiNZCLz-E8oYi7ltEmYXCooRU4cLl_peOqQk_i03DgcpGgjl_rmDrO5ohvMRuja5Hwj1I0RTtZXtRzrlpSbutfwvb-NoXSgv6XNQzEHIq6bC-gRhtPbC/s320/almond.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259135473416583218" /></a>origami fabregehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07215744355139206395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017345858982958158.post-33945301488704290982008-09-11T21:41:00.001-07:002008-09-11T21:41:43.001-07:00The Cavalcade of Comedy<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/xGE34VAqYTk&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xGE34VAqYTk&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>origami fabregehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07215744355139206395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017345858982958158.post-28901086030866938542008-09-10T00:34:00.000-07:002008-10-13T00:38:21.832-07:00Michael Phelps on Saturday Night Live<object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://widgets.nbc.com/o/4727a250e66f9723/48f2fabf248eb87b/4741e3c5156499a7/79f59ce8/-cpid/483d4d97c1b05b81" id="W4727a250e66f972348f2fabf248eb87b" width="384" height="283"><param name="movie" value="http://widgets.nbc.com/o/4727a250e66f9723/48f2fabf248eb87b/4741e3c5156499a7/79f59ce8/-cpid/483d4d97c1b05b81" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /><param name="allowNetworking" value="all" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /></object><br /><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://widgets.nbc.com/o/4727a250e66f9723/48f2f906fe88396c/4741e3c5156499a7/886c83b4/-cpid/95219d2713eda3a3" id="W4727a250e66f972348f2f906fe88396c" width="384" height="283"><param name="movie" value="http://widgets.nbc.com/o/4727a250e66f9723/48f2f906fe88396c/4741e3c5156499a7/886c83b4/-cpid/95219d2713eda3a3" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /><param name="allowNetworking" value="all" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /></object><br /><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://widgets.nbc.com/o/4727a250e66f9723/48f2fa3e6b6cc8dc/4741e3c5156499a7/621d0219/-cpid/6d847729825477da" id="W4727a250e66f972348f2fa3e6b6cc8dc" width="384" height="283"><param name="movie" value="http://widgets.nbc.com/o/4727a250e66f9723/48f2fa3e6b6cc8dc/4741e3c5156499a7/621d0219/-cpid/6d847729825477da" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /><param name="allowNetworking" value="all" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /></object><br /><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://widgets.nbc.com/o/4727a250e66f9723/48f2faa804af3e42/4741e3c5156499a7/71eba271/-cpid/51d35a6ddf9984d9" id="W4727a250e66f972348f2faa804af3e42" width="384" height="283"><param name="movie" value="http://widgets.nbc.com/o/4727a250e66f9723/48f2faa804af3e42/4741e3c5156499a7/71eba271/-cpid/51d35a6ddf9984d9" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /><param name="allowNetworking" value="all" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /></object>origami fabregehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07215744355139206395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6017345858982958158.post-4726005964959759462008-09-09T00:06:00.000-07:002008-10-20T01:00:37.540-07:00A Short History of the PopsicleThe Popsicle was created by accident in 1905. One afternoon, Frank Epperson, then 11, left a mixture of powdered soda and water and a stirring stick on his porch. That night, San Francisco experienced record low temperatures, and he woke the next morning to find the flavored water had frozen solid to the stick. <br /><br />Epperson dubbed his invention "Epsicle," a combination of the first two letters of his surname and "icicle." He experimented with "Epsicle" variations for friends and eventually created the Epsicle Company of California. Epperson sold his product at amusement park concessions in California before applying for a patent. Sometime after receiving a patent in 1924, Epperson changed the name from "Epsicle" to "Popsicle." According to legend, the name evolved from his children's frequent requests for "Pop's sicle." <br /><br />The Creamsicle, the ice cream variation on the Popsicle, came in 1938<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_zkr7vtME1BkJtXhrL7yO-GFq6UP8XBjlS5t66NkarJjibVA_8qIINpp96tD474BG18sz9yhztnRne8tvBqdhndlcm6hJ4FwONcJeNcARi8wfWvNdj8SoktNVgBHVnNKYqvEitZjI79OB/s1600-h/popsicle.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_zkr7vtME1BkJtXhrL7yO-GFq6UP8XBjlS5t66NkarJjibVA_8qIINpp96tD474BG18sz9yhztnRne8tvBqdhndlcm6hJ4FwONcJeNcARi8wfWvNdj8SoktNVgBHVnNKYqvEitZjI79OB/s320/popsicle.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259130073188690466" /></a>origami fabregehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07215744355139206395noreply@blogger.com0