Stinky flower webcam - watch the blooming of Amorphophallus titanum (Corpse flower) from the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens live!

If only we could watch it in Smell-O-Vision.

OK, in this case, maybe not....

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I don't know about other nations, but U.S. security regulations are insane both in what they do, and in what they don't do. For example my 84 years mother who traveled recently was subject to searches coming and going. Coming was actually understandable - her back brace set up of the metal detector, and she did not not know to notify them, so they had to figure out that is what it was. But coming back she was selected for the intensive search because her flight was canceled and they had to give her another. Wouldn't you think that if they were profiling on the basis of last minute changes they would distinguish between passenger instituted changes and airline instituted changes?

In terms of what is not being done - there are machines that can dectect explosives. And those still are not installed in every airport in the U.S. at least cause it would cost too much. I think the basis of a lot of the U.S. rules are "cause minor inconveniences for passengers so they know we are doing stuff, but don't take real precautions that would cost the biggest bucks". None of this is the fault of the employees who execute the policy. But respect for them does not require me to pretend the policy is not stupid. In point of fact while searching my Mom, she was told that they knew it was idiotic, but they have to follow policy if they want to keep their jobs.

I'm also suspicious of the "plot" they thwarted. Not that it is impossible or anything. But the Blair government lying or exaggerating is not unknown either; does not seem on foreign policy, security and civil liberties to be distinguisable from Bush.

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My initial reaction was "oooooooooooooh, nummy" but looking more closely, almost every dish has one ingredient I'm not wild about. (Hazelnuts in the gnocchi, shitake mushrooms in the mac'n'cheese...I'd be the annoying picky customer no matter what I ordered! Their brunch looks fab, though.)

The brunch is good. The menu on the website isn't the most up-to-date one, but I'm pretty sure the gnocchi still has hazelnuts.

There isn't anything on the Crave menu I would put in my mouth unless it would prevent someone from dying.

So when we finally lure you to Seattle for a visit, we won't go there. Hmm, maybe Rosebud?

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organic mixed greens
fennel, spicy pistachio brittle, roasted grapes

Oooooooooooooooohyumyumyumyumyum.

I want some spicy pistachio brittle right now.

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They asked one of our folks if he had any weapons. "Why yes," he replied (touched in the head, remember). They got all freaked out, as you might imagine. Turns out, he was talking about his Bible. In retrospect, I'm surprised they let any of us on after that.

libkitty, want to write an adult Sunday School curriculum with me? I'm thinking we could call it: In the Name of All That's Holy, Shut Up! — A Guide for Those Not of the World, While Living in It

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I would buy that book.

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I would give you a copy. Autographed, even.

Maybe I'll write is as a wise-ass book, instead of Sunday School curriculum. I'm a better wise ass than Sunday School teacher, anyhow. In fact, I'm kind of a wise ass Sunday School teacher.

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I can't come up with a favorite restaurant. I seem to be too sleepy to think of food (I've been falling asleep most of the day). I'd probably be less sleepy if I ate something.

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I like 'inoteca in NYC.

SF, Helmand's or Sodini's or Firenze By Night.

MSP - Ike's Food And Cocktails.

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There need to be more wise-ass Sunday School Curricula.

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