I'm addicted

Sunday, October 30, 2005

to the candy corn bowl on my mantle. I look forward to them being released in supermarkets every year and I'm already on sugar overload. They are just so colorful, small and yummy. I'm popping them like, well candy. The trick is you have to go for the good kind, Brachs, not the waxy immitations.

Did You Know? Candy Corn Facts:
• October 30th is National Candy Corn Day

• One serving of candy corn contains only about 140 calories, 3.57 calories per kernel. Yikes, that's like 15 mins on the eliptical bike at the gym.

• Candy corn has been around for more than 100 years.

• Halloween accounts for 75% of the annual candy corn production.

• In its early days, candy corn was revolutionary because it was tricolored. The Wunderle Candy Co. of Philadelphia is believed to have been the first to make the little kernels, in the 1880s.

• America was primarily agricultural in those days, thus the idea of candy corn was a novelty to the public.

• Candy corn is made of sugar, corn syrup, water, marshmallow, confectioners glaze, flavorings, food coloring and preservatives. The recipe has stayed the same since 1898.

For more nuggets of trivia go to: The History of Candy Corn

Found this at incogblogo

My Scrabble? Score is: 16.
What is your score?
Today, I'm off curing my hangover from last night's cupcakes and coctails party by chilling and doing a Godfather marathon at Cindy's apt uptown. We're ordering pizza. It's an offer I couldn't refuse ;)

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Attack of the Maple Syrup

Friday, October 28, 2005

So last night I'm sitting at my desk in my apt, my window is open, but all I can smell is maple syrup. The Aunt Jemima sugary kind. I figure maybe I spilled some on my desk or something, but I couldn't think of the last time I had pancakes or anything that would require syrup, but the smell was definitely there. My window overlooks the building's garbage bins, but that would mean someone must have thrown out a ton of syrup in order for me to smell it through the garbage lids and up to my window, one flight up. So, I figure I'm just nuts and forget all about it.
Until in the morning while I'm getting ready, I hear the anchor on NY1 say "Last night, hundreds of New Yorkers reported a strange smell." I was not really listening figuring he was just talking about some sewage problem in the city, but then he says "people called authorities saying they could smell maple syrup. The source has not yet been identified."
How weird is that? The sweet smell apparently filled the Midtown area and apparently even downtown by me. I'm glad I am not crazy or my senses are out of whack, but I do not know why no one is worried about this? Where did the smell come from? What was it?

When I arrived at work, my coworker said her clothes reeked of syrup last night but changing her clothes couldn't rid her of the smell. But like me she also thought it was just her and not something widespread.
For the real news story about it go to:
Strong, Sweet Smell Reported in Manhattan

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Relationships and Text Messaging

Today another reporter sent out a request looking for people who use text messaging to flirt with someone who they are romantically interested in; to ask someone out on a date via text message; to accept a marriage proposal via text message (are they still married?); to break up with someone via text message.

Now, I know friends who were dumped over the phone and heard that others had it happen in a voicemail, which I think is pretty low, but a text message? That's just spineless.

Although, when I was living in London I was asked out on a date via a text message, which I thought was pretty cute, and have sent flirty messages to people too. Have you experienced any of the reporters criteria? Come on, dish!

I wrote a similar post before called TXT Messaging the New Love Letter.

PS: The new movie Prime with Uma Thurman and Meryl Streep filmed on my block at the begining of the year.

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My first football game ever

Sunday, October 23, 2005

Saturday I went to my first football game EVER. My college didn't have a team, but I watched football on TV of course but no, I never went to a live college or pro game before and was finally able to get the full tailgating experience.

My friend's and recent newlyweds, Divina and Eddy, arranged for me to go with them to the UCONN homecoming game with their alumni frat/sorority group. I had met a bunch of their friends before at previous parties and of course at their wedding this summer, so although I wasn't an alum I already knew some fun people and met more. There had to be about 30 people at least.

9:33 a.m. started drinking OJ, Vodka, Rum & Bacardi Limon (It's the evening somewhere right?) in the yellow school bus they rented to drive us to the stadium in Hartford. The problem with drinking so early though is that the hangover kicks in around 9 o'clock at night.



11:00 a.m. In runway C next to the RVs and other buses, they set up a tent and cooked burgers and hot dogs, yum. There were some drinking races, tossed footballs, smelly portapottys, lots of soaked clothing from the rain and cold limbs. I had to borrow a pair of ski socks and the red rain jacket I'm wearing in the photos. I drank two quarts worth of my mix, although others helped me by taking a sip or two here and there.

4:00 p.m. The game vs Rutgers started at 3 p.m. but time we drunkenly walked to the stadium it was the second quarter and the rain just started to pick up. Thanks for the quick piggy back ride Divina!



The seats we had were right behind the goal post, I bought some hot chocolate and popcorn. You know you're cold when you go into the heated bathrooms and you don't want to leave the warm stall. I eventually did of course and watched the rest of the game. UCONN was ahead but then Rutgers tied 17-17 and eventually picked up two more points. By this point, 4th quarter, most of us were huddled underneath an overhang and started back to the bus. Sadly UCONN Huskies lost :( And despite the rain and cold toes and other anatomy I had a great day, even wish I had went to a school where I could have done that on a regular basis.


DVD Review: My latest DVD review, Bewitched, is now up at DVD Fanatic.

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Failure to communicate

Wednesday, October 19, 2005

I'm sure most of you have probably received this forward already but it's still interesting:

1. Go to www.google.com

2. Type in "Failure" without the quotes

3. Instead of hitting "Search" hit "I'm feeling Lucky"

4. Look at where the search engine takes you

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Call me, call me any, anytime?

Saturday, October 15, 2005

A friend of mine says it's disrespectful if a guy calls you while driving. She says it's just an afterthought and that they are simply fitting you into their schedule when it's convenient for them. Calling while walking or driving also gives them the excuse not to give you their full attention. She thinks they are simply bored while in transit and that it shows that you are not worthy of a call from their home, during their personal time.

I get what she's saying and it makes some sense. I personally save my important calls for when I'm alone in my apt and won't be disturbed, and make the calls that I'm obligated to make while walking to and from the subway. Then again, maybe returning calls while commuting can make you seem like you're on the go and cooler than you are? Maybe, she's got me over analyzing!

Either way, she got me thinking of my recent relationships and the phone calls that I received. And most are usually while my guys were driving. The engine and the turned down radio could be heard in the background of their voice mails. Even during a live call, they'd sometimes stop the conversation to mention traffic, or some jerk that is tailgating them or just cut them off. I know my mother always calls me when she's on the road, because she doesn't like the isolation and uses me as her phone whore.

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Jersey Boys

Friday, October 14, 2005

I'm not writing about some drunken trip to Hoboken again, but about the new Broadway musical that's still in previews, Jersey Boys.

Going with the new trend of featuring a score from just one musical group (All Shook Up, Good Vibrations, Mamma Mia, Moving Out, etc.) this show has music only from Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. Unlike the other shows I mentioned, which try to come up with a plot that weaves in the story from the different songs (Mamma Mia does this well though) this musical is about the creation of the songs and the band itself. How they met in Jersey, their struggle to make it big and escape jail, the mob and to balance family. Because the singers are Italian and from Jersey there is a lot of cursing, but I found it amusing and given the fact that my Italian family uses the F word in almost every sentence, I felt at home ;) Overall, It was like watching That Thing You Do meets The Sopranos but in concert form.

I really liked each actor playing the four musicians, I can't pick which one I liked the most, because they each added a different element and had their own story to tell. Usually there is that one actor that outshines the others, but my friend K said the same thing, they were all good in the roles.

However, the show is too long. They could have cut out a scene or two, but then it would have meant losing one of their songs like Sherry, Big Girls Don't Cry, Walk Like a Man, Oh What A Night, Rag Doll or Can't Take My Eyes Off of You, which would have been unfortunate. Since The Four Seasons had so many hits the show at times rushed through the songs and tried cramming them all in and it was definitely noticeable. The crowd the night that we went though was clapping and screaming out Bravo so enthusiastically it felt like we were really watching a live Four Seasons concert with the Biography channel playing their life story in the background. Warning, if you're not a fan of cursing or get annoyed by the high pitched songs, definitely avoid this show. But I found it fun despite being a little too long and am still singing the different songs at work...not out loud though.

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The Reign of Tara

Wednesday, October 12, 2005

I had a history professor that would say the Reign of "Terror" like my name, Tara, and I would look up in the lecture hall, startled out of my daydreaming because I thought he just called on me. I wasn't the only one who thought it sounded like my name though, because a couple of people would look back towards me and smile. Anyway, I digress.

Today is my one year blogaversary!

My first post consisted of a poll asking visitors to help me pick a name for my blog from a list of choices. The other contenders were Tara's Tantrums, The Blog With No Name, and Tiki Tara. When Tara Met Blog won by two more votes. Since When Harry Met Sally is my favorite film, I was excited :)
I also went from 20 visitors a day, mostly my friends to 250-500 a day! You like me, you really really like me! Yes, if you were near by you could throw a pillow at me.
I've also received 8,500 hits soley through

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With or without you

Tuesday, October 11, 2005

The U2 concert at Madison Square Garden last night was amazing. There were soo many people, it was really electrifying as were the light effects accompanying the music.

At one point the lights went off and Bono asked everyone to get out their cell phones and make a milky way inside. It looked like we were all in a planetarium time everyone raised their phones in the air, the LCD screens glowing.
The opening band Keane, was also really good. I like there song Everybody is Changing

Below are some photos:



Getting txt messages of how the Yankees were losing, really put a damper on the night though. Hey, at least we put up a good fight and got further than the Red Sox did.

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What would you do?

Monday, October 10, 2005

You are driving down the road in your car on a wild, stormy night, when you pass by a bus stop and you see three people waiting for the bus:

1. An old lady who looks as if she is about to die.
2. An old friend who once saved your life.
3. The perfect partner you have been dreaming about.
Which one would you choose to offer a ride to, knowing that there could only be one passenger in your small car? Think before you continue reading.
This is a moral/ethical dilemma that was once actually used as part of a job application.
You could pick up the old lady, because she is going to die, and thus you should save her first. Or you could take the old friend because they once saved your life and this would be the perfect chance to pay them back. However, you may never be able to find your perfect mate again.
The candidate who was hired (out of 200 applicants) had no trouble coming up with his answer. She simply answered, "I would give the car keys to my old friend and let him take the lady to the hospital. I would stay behind and wait for the bus with the partner of my dreams." Sometimes, we gain more if we are able to give up our stubborn thought limitations.

Here I was thinking I'd pick up my friend and call an ambulance for the old lady, but then felt guilty for leaving her, so the above solution makes much more sense. Must remember to think outside the box more!
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How funny is this book spoof? And how true, lol



PS: Was on pins and needles last night watching the Yankees game. Staying alive baby! Got teary when the crowd kept chanting Bernie Williams, Bernie Williams and then he came out and waved. He's been a Yankee for so long, I don't want him to leave. I'm missing part of the game tonight though, since I'm going to the U2 concert at Madison Square Garden. I'm of course looking forward to that too.

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A Ratty Day

Friday, October 7, 2005

I tripped over a small squishy dead rat in Washington Square Park today on my way to my morning NYU grad class. Ironically, I wasn't looking at my feet because I was reading a florescent pink sign taped to a tree that read Caution: Rat Poison has been sprayed in the area. Well, the stuff works because besides the mushy lifeless one that I tripped on, I saw another dead rat body when exiting the park too. Speaking of rodents, the sonic mouse repeller is now on in my apartment, I'm not sure if it's working or just a placebo, but no sign of mice since the first spotting.
Then my day got even more annoying, when I spilled my tea down the long table in my photojournalism class. The very HOT tea scalded my hand as I ineffectively tried to catch the falling cup and splashed Sarah's folder containing her weekly photo assignment. Luckily only her folder's edge got soggy and she had plastic covers protecting her photos. Everyone jumped to hand me napkins but my professor and NYT photographer was lecturing so I felt like a tool. I also didn't want to disturb the class further by running to the bathroom to put my hand under cold water. Instead, I just squeezed my red hands in my lap as I hurried to contain the liquid. It was a solid 15 minutes until I attempted to reach for my tea again and take a cautious sip.


PS: Let's go Yankees!! I have my cap on even in the office, thankfully it's casual Friday. I'm watching the game in Westchester tonight with some family friends who are also die hard fans, including my 86-year-old Nanny who was at Yankee Stadium when Lou Gehrig gave his famous speech. She says there wasn't a dry eye in the house.


Study: Half of All Teens Have Had Oral Sex.

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Mac Attack

Wednesday, October 5, 2005

It is not always easy to receive comfort, just when you need it. But comfort foods like Macaroni and Cheese have been soothing troubles since childhood.

When you are feeling down and need the instant gratification that can only be found in the warm creamy pasta, you don’t have to turn to Kraft’s blue cardboard box or travel to the 24 hour dinner to satisfy your craving. Many bars and restaurants like Cafeteria (119 Seventh Ave) have tapped into the carb-comfort racket and serve childhood consolation meals like Macaroni and Cheese. However, in almost the same amount of time it takes to fix the packaged version or travel and order a side dish version, you can make your own cheesy baked ambrosia that is richer and more fulfilling.

Growing up I preferred cut up hot dogs in my Velveeta, while my friend likes to add a can of cream of mushroom soup to give extra flavor and texture. Instead of bread crumbs I once crumbled up some potato chips, tossed them with a small amount of melted butter and garlic powder, basil, oregano and black pepper. Yummy!

My Mom's Easy Cheese Macaroni
Called “Cheese Macaroni,” this recipe includes mozzarella; an 8 oz can of tomato sauce and no bread crumbs or paprika. (30 minutes).
Boil pasta until al dente, since the pasta will cook some more while microwaving, yes you heard me, we cheat. Once pasta is ready but firm, put in deep microwaveable container. Melt in 2 tablespoons of butter. Add 1/2 pound of sliced yellow American Land O'Lakes cheese available at the meat counter. Line the slices of cheese underneath the pasta, along the sides of the container and on top. Then stir in ? pound of shredded mozzarella and 8 oz of plain tomato sauce. Stir and then microwave for 5 minutes, stir again and heat for 10 more or until cheese is melted and gooey. You can of course also bake this recipe but the microwave actually combines the cheese well keeping the pasta very moist. Add salt and pepper as desired and mangia!

The Ultimate Macaroni and Cheese
Make sure you have some extra time on your hands for this recipe. Bake time alone is 30 minutes, plus boiling pasta and mixing ingredients.

Ingredients:
1/2 pound penne pasta; 1/2 cup butter; 3 tbsp. minced fresh onion; 1/2 tsp white pepper; 1 1/2 tbsps flour; 1 tbsp Dijon mustard; 1 1/2 cups milk; 1 cup grated Gruyere cheese; 1 cup grated cheddar cheese; 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1/3 cup bread crumbs.

Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Boil the pasta in plenty of salted boiling water. Drain and reserve when ready. Meanwhile, melt 1/3 cup of the butter in a saucepan over medium heat and add the onion. Cook for two minutes. Add the white pepper and flour. Cook, stirring constantly, for three to four minutes. Don't let the flour brown; lower the heat if it does. Add the mustard and milk and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 10-15 minutes. The sauce will thicken. It should be very thick but not gluey. Add more milk if it thickens too much. Once the sauce has simmered for at least 10 minutes, add the cheddar and gruyere cheeses and half the parmesan. Shut off heat and stir them in. Stir the cheeses in as they melt. Return the pan to low heat if necessary. Working quickly, toss the pasta in the cheese sauce. Toss it well so the sauce gets inside the pasta tubes. Place the pasta in an 11- by 14-inch glass or ceramic baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining parmesan cheese over the top. Melt the remaining butter, stir it into the breadcrumbs and sprinkle this mixture over the top of the pasta. Bake for about 30 minutes or until the top is golden and toasted.
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Question: Why do people swing their arms while walking up stairs?

Apparently to smack me on the nose while on the step below them, making my commute that much brighter.

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Reasons why I've stopped seeing some guys

Tuesday, October 4, 2005

• Bad kisser, big time, I mean it was like an octopus' suction cups or something

• Had bad breath

• Didn't know what speak easy's are or about prohibition

• Too short

• Smoked

• Selfish

• Cried at movies while my eyes were dry

• Wouldn't call or meet when they said they would

• They were Red Sox fans. Just kidding, actually unfortunately for me, most guys I date are Sox lovers and give me crap for being a Yankees fan a.k.a. a winner ;) At least they like baseball though, better than no interest in the sport.

Do you have any real interesting ones???
PS: My partially exposed breasts are now in the blogger Boobiethon for breast cancer. Donate or send your photo.


News: My former press ethics graduate professor at NYU wrote the following article Me Against My Students. You'd have to be an idiot to try and plagerize in his class, afterall he's the Forbes reporter who caught Stephen Glass' fabricated articles.

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Always a bridesmaid ... part 2

Monday, October 3, 2005

I'm back from the wedding and it was absolutely beautiful. The inn was amazing, very New England and right on the lake. The setting and classic wedding dress made for a princess fairytale like ceremony.
Thankfully after all the tailoring my bridesmaid dress fit to the T, so no wardrobe malfunctions, phew.

As a gift, the bride's brother made a website for his sister's wedding, which will soon have photos here, but I've uploaded a few myself so you can take a look at how pretty it all was.



News: Nicolas Cage named his son after Superman's birth name Kal-el. I'm a Superman fan but what a freak (read more)

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