McCartney: Comedian

too funny

And Fallon's not too shabby on the vocals, either.

Good Grief, What a Groove!

Big thanks to Quinn the miracle man and Nadia (whoever she may be) for elevating my mood and jump starting my mojo by posting some James Brown. I'll pass on the favor to you. WARNING: Only click through if you've cleared the decks and are prepared for this seven-minute dominating, mesmerizing solid gold groove that Brown and his band laid down in 1973 on Soul Train. I give you "Get On the Good Foot"/"Soul Power"/"Make It Funky."

Ella Fitzgerald and Tom Jones - Sunny (Live 1970)

As the sun sets and I head back to the grind, I just wanted to offer a thankful shoutout to all of you who make my life so much brighter. Besos, particularmente, a Mama B y Pete.

Elvis Costello 1983 Everyday I Write the Book

Cheeky video commentary rolls behind one of snarkmeister Elvis Costello's poppiest harangues. Many thanks to K. Merrick for reminding me of the good old days when MTV was like radio only rounder -- and we all walked uphill to school and from it. Good times.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like ...

... someone who buys for me asked me to post a list online.
Can you imagine?

It's going to be close to a homemade Christmas here for me, but I was surprised and, yes, pleased to get two lists and some good hints already. Please, people, keep the good ideas coming. I'm a little embarrassed to put this up publicly, but but it's great to know I've got significant annual readership;) Until we have a Bateman intranet, I'll just be bold enough ask my colleagues and male friends not to get me anything inappropriate -- or anything large -- and please forgive the oversharing.

THINGS I NEED VERY MUCH

toothpaste -- (crest & colgate are both good: the one Jackie gave me last year is wonderful); shampoo -- any kind of decent to very good moisturizing or clarifying ones; citrashine's good, too; crabtree & evelyn soap -- there's a store at the court + good hallmark stores often carry it; rose water; any decent lavender products; tom's of maine deoderant

aspercreme
heartguard for grace goo: prescription's on file with Steinbach Vet in Blue Bell

as many canned green veggies and legumes as you care to give!; dried fruit of all types, fresh fruit, fresh (or even frozen) berries, too; room-temp containers of rice, almond and soy milk -- vitamin & calcium enriched if they have it; (I don't know if there's such a thing as UHT Lactaid milk, but that would be good, too.)

b&n gift cards; wawa ones are great, too

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THINGS I DON'T NEED QUITE AS MUCH

a winter skirt -- conservative colors: appropriate for work, school, church & going out; comfortable, neat, sturdy walking shorts -- appropriate for school; turtle necks of any description (good ones can be found at landsend.com, but stay away from bright colors, please); cotton skivvies in beige; cotton and flannel nightgowns

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SMALL LUXURIES THAT WOULD BE VERY HELPFUL

a coupon wallet

music: printed scores + music on cd or mp3 -- see amazon for ideas, or just get something you like & think I might, too
duplexer for hp deskjet 6988 printer
****sperry topsiders -- plain, no light colors -- just brown is best, size 7 (style #9294190 -- $70 -- available online: you might be able to find them in a store around here, too.)****

beads: glass, wooden, crystal, clay or china -- maybe semiprecious if you get a wonderful deal on 'em (say, under $5 or $10 for a strand); sterling lobster clasps (should be no more than $6 or $7)

THREE THINGS THAT DON'T COST A CENT

Coke(tm) rewards codes, from soda pop bottle tops and cartons; Boxtops for Education coupons, unless you're already giving them to a school you love; your continued friendship, love, loyalty, devotion and understanding

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I have less than no idea what Mom wants, but I know she wouldn't turn down a ginormo container of Cremora(R) or six!

That's Right, I'm Not From Texas

But Ann Richards was, despite the potential to misinterpret Lyle Lovett's dedication. I just heard this tune on XPN and had to share it.

Oh, and for what it's worth I understand I was made there but imported to the North.

A Request for Your Consideration

I would like to ask for your vote – well, if you go to school with me I do.

Montgomery County Community College student government elections begin today (Thursday) and end tomorrow (Friday). I have offered myself as a candidate for vice president of the Student Government Association. To vote, go online at the above url, and log in with your student ID. In your email you'll find simple instructions for online voting.

I am proud to say I am, without a doubt, the oldest of the four very impressive executive board candidates who joined in a candidates' forum earlier today. I think my age and maturity, my background in communications (as a former print and electronic reporter, an editor and editorialist) and my focus on government and elections make me uniquely qualified to listen to and act on the concerns of all my fellow students.

My competitor and I agree on many things, but most of all this: We each have the school's best interests at heart, and each of us intend to be active in student government whether we're elected as executive officers or not. For those who weren't able to hear the discussion at school today, here is a quick look at the reasons for running I filed with the school in my election packet.

Please feel free to contact me via email at barbra.bateman (at) comcast.net if you have any questions. Thanks for taking the time to have a read, and thanks for your consideration.

As I said earlier today, I want to help continue to build on successes: to help make the college an even better place to learn, and an even better place to be. If you elect me I promise I will work as hard as I can to look after your interests and the interests of our school.

GOALS AND PRINCIPLES

I am running to give back to a school that has given so much opportunity to me, to other students and to the community and region. I want to help it fulfill its enormous promise – and to strengthen itself as a welcoming, safe, supportive and well-structured place for all who come here to learn.

We should build on successes: continued polling of students to determine their priorities and presentation of “Top Ten” lists to the administration. I think we should continue to use both electronic and traditional communication to try to reach the student body. In addition, we should offer at least one or two well-advertised open meetings each semester, so students can be even better informed about projects on campus and have a chance to bring concerns and success stories to the student government, staff and administration.

Members of student government must continue to be active and to engage both the student body and the administration to see student concerns – and the administration’s priorities – addressed. We must also continue to facilitate increased cooperation among clubs and other student organizations to make sure the money we all pay in student activity fees and the time students devote to their pursuits benefits the college and community at large.

Time For Reflection at the WTC

Hi there, y'all. I found myself a little overwhelmed -- in a good way -- when I clicked through on the link in the following short email the Port Authority sent to its World Trade Center update mailing list:

"Acre-sized signature reflecting pools for 9/11 Memorial fully framed in steel. To view images, visit www.wtcprogress.com."

As always, feel free to share your thoughts, but if you click through I hope you enjoy. I cried a little, and I'm very glad I clicked on it. Thanks, Port Authority folks.

The Beatles Help! You Understand Curling

Or not. Thanks, Rich.

"Carol Brown" (Choir of Ex Girlfriends) - Flight of the Conchords

classic!

Christina's World

Thanks, Peter, for reminding me of this lady's chops.

Making Each Little Move Count

Here's a great Supremes clip, courtesy of Pags. I find I want to learn more and more about the movement that was midcentury Motown. We grew up with these sounds, and I'm fascinated by both the hit machine that was Hitsville and the "refinement" of soul. Great video, love the tune.

Worth the Click

Thanks, Cormac, for this German link to Simon and Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water." The aspect ratio is a little funky on my machine, but it's refreshing to hear this song and see the performance again. If you click, enjoy!

Christmastime Is Here Again

Christmas ain't about the presents, but here goes. I think I finally have my shopping LIST done, anyway, and I'll be ready for Christmas. Here are a few ideas for Mom and for me:

for Mom

• anything apricot -- jam, dried fruit, even toiletries!
• great country or easy listening tunes, CD format
• anything Christmas -- tunes, eats, ornaments -- you name it
• anything shiny
• COAL (just kidding!)

Oh, and I'm sure she'd crown anybody who bought her laundry soap or coffee, but she sure does go through a lot of both!

for me

• Barnes & Nobles gift cards = fun AND textbooks
• pretty beads of any kind
• love and devotion from my friends and family
• somebody to spot for me while I finish painting the bathroom

And, yes, this simple shiny woman likes simple shiny things, too -- but only from the family and the sweetie. If there's anything else I need, I'm sure Amazon has it!

Just Rattle Your Jewelry

John Lennon, you are missed.

... And Give!

Here's another great opportunity to give, this one centered on a program right in Norristown.

It's Great To Give

With December comes the official season of giving. Please consider starting it off by giving a hand to those who need your help the most.

One easy way to do that is to support WMMR's Camp Out For Hunger. Despite the name, I gather these folks are actually pretty serious about working to end hunger (couldn't resist!) -- and you can help. You can bring nonperishable food items to the Metroplex Shopping Center on Chemical Road in Plymouth Meeeting, buy a prepackaged bag of food from the Giant in that shopping center to donate -- or just point and click to donate on the 'MMR web site. The camp out goes on 'til mid-morning Friday for those who like to do their donating in person.

Whatever you decide to do, please enjoy playing Santa in your own community, and enjoy the impending holidays.

The Muppets -- Bohemian Rhapsody

Thanks, Janine, for just the smile I needed today.

David Byrne: Playing the Building (BBtv)

Just in from Cousin Jeff. Interesting concept, creepy sounds.

Rub-a-Dub-Dub, Thanks for the Grub

Word from Bottlebee, and a gift, too!

Many thanks for the cooking spice he sent along from one of his favorite Manhattan shops!! Apparently, that busy man has been thinking about recipes for the blog and dreaming up a few new ideas. I told him I may try to help him along if he can jot down an idea or two.

In the meantime, here's a non-turkey gift for you on Thanksgiving Day, just in case you missed it the first time.

x-x-x

OSSO BUCCO

This stew of marrowbones is a family favorite, made for guests or just us two. It serves 3-4, or 2 with plenty left over. Find yourself a good butcher and take it slowly, and it may well become one of your favorites, too.

Ingredients:

4 2-inch thick cuts of veal shank

Balsamic vinegar

Flour, salt, pepper

1 tablespoon butter

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 large onion, chopped

1 rib of celery, chopped

1 carrot, chopped

1 parsnip, chopped

1 turnip, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 cup low-salt chicken broth

1 cup white wine

1 bay leaf

1 tablespoon fresh thyme, or 1 teaspoon dried

I bought the meat at the Pennington Market for $9.99/lb. Many recipes call for using tomatoes, but my wife prefers not to -- she dislikes the way the tomato flavor dominates. Instead, we add winter vegetables (parsnip and turnip, both $1.99/lb), and sometimes mushrooms. She also insists, as she always does with any meat, that the veal be marinated in balsamic vinegar, even if only for a few minutes.

Sometimes I use a cast-iron Dutch oven for this recipe, as it can be used on the stove top for browning and in the oven for baking. If I’m making too much to fit in my Dutch oven, I’ll do the browning in a cast-iron skillet and the baking in a ceramic dish with a lid. It is important that the shanks fit in the vessel in one layer.

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Tie the shank pieces with butcher’s string to keep the meat on the bone. Marinate the meat in balsamic vinegar, and sprinkle it with salt, pepper, and flour. Brown the shanks in batches in the butter & olive oil over medium-high heat; this should take about 10 minutes. Remove the meat to a plate. Cook the vegetables in the fat until the onions start to turn color. Add the garlic to the vegetables. Pour in the can of chicken broth and the wine. Add the bay leaf and thyme. Bring the mixture to a boil, then turn off the heat. (Transfer the mixture to the oven-proof vessel, if what you’re using on the stove top is not oven-proof.) Arrange the veal shanks in one layer on top of the vegetables. The liquid should cover the bottom 1/3 to 1/2 of the shanks. Bake in the oven, covered, for 1-1/2 to 2 hours. Done properly, the meat will be very tender, falling off the bone. Remove the bay leaf and carefully cut off the twine with scissors; try to keep the shanks intact. We like to serve it over couscous, with a gremolata topping.

Gremolata Topping: 3 tablespoons parsley, minced 1 clove garlic, minced 1 teaspoon lemon zest 2 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted

Mix ingredients in a serving bowl and place it on the dinner table to spoon on top of the osso buco.

This recipe can be scaled up to serve larger groups, as long as you have enough covered baking dishes. Make one veal shank piece for every diner, plus a few spares: You don’t want to run short. It yields delicious leftovers, too.