I just read the Times cooking section on perfect pie crusts, and am wondering, "Where in the world would I find a real live butcher?" Because when the writer says he asked his butcher for beef suet, I am pretty sure he did not just walk up to the counter at Stop & Shop, you know? Maybe at Whole Foods, I suppose.

I think you could get in touch with a Butcher at Stop and Shop. But, are their any Kosher Butchers in Somerville or Cambridge? If not, there is (or at least, used to be) a butcher shop in Everett, on Broadway (rte. 99), called McKinnon's.

Shrift, if the Argyle or Chinatown markets don't have what you need, come on out to the NW suburbs--there are some very large Asian markets in the Arlington Heights region, including one just down the street from my apartment.

Speaking of markets, are supermarkets that deliver more prevelant in other parts of the country? Because, AFAIK, in the Chicago area, we just have the Peapod service that you have to arrange delivery from a week or so in advance.

You know, maybe we can have world peace if we all try to have an orgasm at the same time while we concentrate on peace.

Global Orgasm, a winter solstice event conceived to "effect change in the energy field of the Earth through input of the largest possible surge of human energy," takes place on December 22.

This is one of those projects that can only have global impact because of the internet. You just couldn't get the word out to all the people open to this sort of thing without the technology -- and without the culture that has shaped around this technology.

The intent is that the participants concentrate any thoughts during and after orgasm on peace. The combination of high-energy orgasmic energy combined with mindful intention may have a much greater effect than previous mass meditations and prayers.

The goal is to add so much concentrated and high-energy positive input into the energy field of the Earth that it will reduce the current dangerous levels of aggression and violence throughout the world.

Gawd, I'd make fun of this, but it would be like shooting fish in a barrel. But you know, I think I'll just protest the whole thing by not having an orgasm that day.

[link]

There's also a new Japanese market on Broadway, a couple of blocks south of the Treasure Island.

in the Chicago area, we just have the Peapod service that you have to arrange delivery from a week or so in advance.

You can do Peapod up to about 8 pm the night before delivery.

Gawd, I'd make fun of this, but it would be like shooting fish in a barrel. But you know, I think I'll just protest the whole thing by not having an orgasm that day.

Whereas I'm thinking this may make for a pick-up line that's just crazy enough to work. circles December 22 on the calendar...

I'm about to go cheese shopping with a co-worker, and we'll see how that goes. I may have to stand outside the shop and point.

Choose Roaring Forties blue cheese. All the nummy taste of Cabrales, none of the wet dirty sock odor!

Whereas I'm thinking this may make for a pick-up line that's just crazy enough to work. circles December 22 on the calendar...

I can't think of any pick-up line related to this that I could say with a straight face.

You know, maybe we can have world peace if we all try to have an orgasm at the same time while we concentrate on peace.

Talk about performance anxiety! "Honey, it's okay if you don't come. I just hope you can live with the knowledge that, were it not for you, there would have been an end to war, famine, and pestilance."

"...."

"Wanna try again?"

Speaking of markets, are supermarkets that deliver more prevelant in other parts of the country? Because, AFAIK, in the Chicago area, we just have the Peapod service that you have to arrange delivery from a week or so in advance.

I bet a lot of places deliver for a fee around the country, but I suspect a pure-delivery business like FreshDirect can only be viable in a city like NY, where high-density means you can make a lot of deliveries in an hour and grocery store shopping is difficult for a large number of residents.

Choose Roaring Forties blue cheese. All the nummy taste of Cabrales, none of the wet dirty sock odor!

Alas, I cannot eat the blues -- mold is forbidden to me. We ended up with a triple-creme brie, Ms Quicke's Cheddar, and a delicious sheepsmilk blue that I can only look longingly at.

Whereas I'm thinking this may make for a pick-up line that's just crazy enough to work. circles December 22 on the calendar...

So, you'll go with the standard, "I come in peace"?