Quote of the Day - July 31, 2007

“The man who can read and doesn’t is indistinguishable from the man who can’t.”

I am trying to find out who this can be attributed to. When I do, I will update this post.

New Crepe Place on Amsterdam and 114th Street

I found a new lunch place on Amsterdam around 114th street. I didn't catch the name of it but they specialize in crepes (both sweet and savory) pastries, and gelati. The crepe shown in the photo is made with smoked turkey and cheddar cheese and comes with the salad. The crepe was quite good and this presents an alternative to the pita sandwich or wrap that has become too familiar. The crepe wrapping was very light and fluffy and was definitely not too much bread.

The place uses the crepe cookers which are the convex heating elements and they used the authentic spreader/flipper. Well, authentic from my perspective in that they did not use an omelet pan and spatula.

I recommend the crepes and may have to try the sweet ones for breakfast. Next time I will take a photo of the exterior with the name and also the menu board. It still feels funny to aim my cell phone camera at things and snap pictures. It reminds me of the tricorder in the old Star Trek series. I'll try to get beyond that since it provides a good method of capturing these important daily images.

The Trouble with Problem-solvers Is...

Has anyone else had occasional trouble interacting with those people let's call
them "problem-solvers?" You know the type, the ones who will be offering
up solutions to things even before listening to the remainder of what
you are trying to share with them. I ran across this excerpt from the
book "Leadership Presence" and I feel it captures the issue very well.

>Here's the trouble: problem-solving alone not only fails to create good
relationships, it's anathema to them. It creates a me-you orientation
and implies "I'm going to fix your problem, which obviously you haven't
been able to fix." It does nothing to create a sense of "us."<

The authors offer a suggestion for people who have a strong
problem-solving tendency to "listen for the subtext, the meaning and
especially the emotion communicated beneath the spoken words."

Very interesting...

Tales from the Train - Unable to Breathe

So here it is, the first real occasion of an overly packed train on my
morning commute that is causing major respiratory discomfort. Well,
there was the incident in winter when I ditched my choice seat so as not
to endure a blabby commuter with a bad case of rightious indignation and
so I spent 20 minutes in sub-zero temperature in the vestibule between
rail cars.

This time is different. Now it is summer, albeit not a particularly hot
day in July. This crowd condition involves a big commuter who rides a
bicycle to the station and then gets on a train for a one hour commute.
What is he thinking? There is not enough Tag or whatever heavy duty
deoderant in existence to keep that odor in check.

The question is, can I hold my breath for an hour. I hesitate typing
more as the physical activity of pressing buttons may drive up my
metabolism.

The really difficult thing is the other commuter that wedged into the
seat for four that truly only accomodates two. That person sighs and
shifts and does this irritating sotto voce commentary. I just continue
to hold my breath.

Wish me luck.

Rough Hewn Logs Travelling to Princeton

I caught this view while driving from Lawrenceville to Princeton along Route 206 on Sunday.








I was finally able to get the side view as the truck turned north on 206 at the intersection with Nassau Street. I would like to see where this load is going, most likely to one of the Princeton mansions that there seems to be more and more.

A Strange Congruence on Broadway

I was walking up Broadway during lunch yesterday and came across this interesting sign. Nothing about the sign was all that interesting as there are many eating places on Broadway around 116th street. The unusual aspect of this sign that caught my attention was the building it was leaning against and that which houses the Burrito shoppe.

And sweeping up from the ornate cornerstone that the sign leans against is this formidable edifice. I will have to ask around to find out more about how this grand monument became a Burrito shoppe. I hope others than me are amused by the juxtaposition.

The real question is, am I brave enough to try the burritos?

The Best Blintz I Ever Tasted

Being ever ready to take photos of remarkable things, I had to capture this artistic and tasty treat. Blueberry blintz with cottage cheese filling. Or is it a crepe with filling with blueberry compote topping? Regardless, it was the best I ever tasted. Congratulations, Chef Lida, Breakfast in Bed will be a huge success!

Sunday at the Ball Park

Sunday afternoon at the PGE ball park in Portland, Oregon. This is the home field for the Portland Beavers, a AAA team for the San Diego Padres playing in the Pacific Coast League.

The Beavers lost the game 6-1 to the Tacoma Raniers, an affiliate of the Seattle Mariners.

Hotel Room in Portland, Oregon

Room in Portland. Love that bed. I wonder if I can take it back to New Jersey.

Arrival to Portland

Arrival in Portland, Oregon for the CollegeNET User Conference. This is the view from across the Willametter River to the downtown area. A beautiful city!

FW:

FW: Photo

Battlefield Park in Princeton, NJ

This is a view on a sunny day at Battlefield Park in Princeton, New Jersey. This view is looking northward toward Princeton Pike.

Sign

Philo hall

The Thinker

A very nice Sunday in Central NJ

This is one of my favorite things about living in New Jersey, the blue summer sky with puffy clouds. This view is from Hilltop Park in Princeton, New Jersey.