Selection of Belgian pralines we ate today. |
A look at nothing really, this is just some random interests thrown together for someone's enjoyment
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Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Belgian Delicacies
Monday, June 13, 2011
Google Sketchup
Google Sketchup high power bicycle light. |
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Church's Footwear Service
Casual suede Church's brand shoes - The culprit |
Church's Footwear began as a family shoe making business in 1873 and built up a remarkable reputation as some of the finest men's shoes coming out of England. They received such wide acclaim that they became James Bond's (Pierce Bronsan era 1995-2002) go to shoe. Know for their extraordinarily high quality, and classic men's styling they became a well known gentleman's shoe.
Monday, June 6, 2011
The Holiest of Beers
I'm not much of a drinker, but I do enjoy trying new beers from time to time. My most recent tasting was of a very unique beer brewed by Belgian Trappist monks called Achel 8° Blonde. The beer was served in a Trappist style glass (similar in shape to a goblet) and had a huge foamy head that looks like a french vanilla float. Underneath all that foam was a nice dark blonde beer with a wonderfully pleasant rich fruit and floral yeast aroma. The taste is of sweet malt with some hop bitterness, light bodied with creamy texture, just amazing.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Moving Picture
I just had the pleasure of watching a wonderful Japanese movie called Love Exposure. It's a 4 hour long epic about 3 emotionally damaged teens in Japan locked in a love triangle. Yu, the main character, is a misguided son of a priest who is doing anything to find his Mary (read Virgin Mary). The other parts of the love triangle are Yoko; abused by her father runs away with one of her father's many girlfriends, and finally Koike who was brought up by an over bearing father and is now the leader of a brainwashing cult.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Luxury Elven Heels
Frontal view; goat suede on the sides, sheep leather for the upper and tongue and rawhide lacing. |
Thursday, June 2, 2011
豆苗, Dau Miu, Snow Pea Sprouts, A Vegetable By Many Names
Dau miu: snow pea shoots stir fried with garlic |
These are one of the most delicious vegetables that can be stir fried and are considered a Chinese delicacy. If you haven't tried this it's a must. I don't remember seeing this on the menu in any Chinese restaurants I've been to in the US, although surely it's available in the Chinatowns of larger cities such as New York and probably available in quite a few places in California. So rather than search through all of the Chinese style restaurants here's a quick little recipe for it.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Cycling in Belgium
Belgium cycling map courtesy of fietsroute.org |
While researching how to get around northern Belgium I found that they have an extensive cycling network with more then 2500 miles of cycling paths criss-crossing throughout just the northern half of the country. Most of these are long distance routes cutting through most of the major towns and cities, and even crossing borders into Amsterdam and the Netherlands. This is a great contrast to what is seen in the US where you're lucky to have a narrow bicycle lane in a city. Admittedly some cities have nice networks for cyclists such a Denver/Boulder and Portland Oregon, but they pale in comparison to a country wide paved network of paths set apart from the larger vehicles like cars and trucks.
I'll be sure to post a few pictures if I see anything of interest. I'm not entirely sure what to expect from this country other than cycling, chocolate, and beer. Actually those 3 things should make for an exciting trip.