The Dark Knight

You've seen it, right?

Bale continues to be the ultimate "real" Batman, dark and brooding, conflicted, a little off his rocker, yet also a very charming Bruce Wayne. Oldman conveys honor and earns respect and audience cheers for his good guy, Commissioner Gordon. Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman, well, they're Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman.  Maggie Gyllenhaal and Aaron Eckhart are the new kids on the Gotham block, who lend earnest and dependable support.  Director Christopher Nolan (Batman Begins, The Prestige, Memento) creates a foreboding, moody art film which happens to have a huge special effects budget.

And then there's Heath Ledger.  He is terrifying, mesmerizing, unforgettable as The Joker.  Just ridiculously superb.

But you know what I'm taking about, right?

New Blog

I've started a new blog that focuses exclusively on my foodie adventures called Kim's Culinary Diary.

Please visit and enjoy!

Latest Single I Love

I don't listen the radio much any more, but on a roadtrip I happened to hear the new Coldplay single, Viva la Vida. I'm a sucker for the strings. I'm a sucker for the orchestral pop-ness of it all. I'm a sucker for the lyrics of pride and lament. I'm a sucker for Chris Martin's performance, especially "upon of pillars of salt and pillars of sand" and the "ohs" in the last third of the song.

This one's on repeat and played loud.

Summer Break

My, oh my. I am officially on vacation. It took me some time to get rid of my waking-up-at-5 AM body clock. Ugh. I'm happy to say that I am now sleeping in until 7:30 AM.

G & I started off my summer break in a big way by seeing Iron Man on its opening day. What a fantastic way to welcome the blockbuster season. Last summer, almost every big summer film was a big disappointment. Iron Man was pure fun. Robert Downey Jr. is perfect as flawed gazillionaire Tony Stark. And if you see the film, stay through closing credits!

G & I hosted his sister and bro-in-law for a weekend in Ann Arbor. We had a blast and mostly just caught up while we ate and drank. Oh, and we broke out the board games. Yes, we are party animals.

The leaves are finally back on the trees and my garden is in full bloom. But spring just can't seem to fully win yet. Last night we had a frost warning and had to protect our herbs. Jeez, enough already.

Finals Week

It's time for my Breakfast and Pantry practical already. Here's what the test is on:

Eggs--
Sunny side up
Over easy
Poached
Soft scrambled
Omelet
Pancakes
Hash browns

and a wild card dish. I drew a frittata which is an open-faced omelet.

Today, the Chef said that we could make the eggs and then finish up with pancakes, hash browns, and the wild card dish tomorrow. I felt ambitious, so I went ahead and made the frittata as well (filled with bacon bits, red onion, red pepper, and cheddar cheese).

I missed a total of 1/2 point so I was ecstatic. I'd never poached an egg in my life before this class and now I'm a pro. My partners call me the Egg Queen. Who knew?

Three days 'til summer vacation!