Author Archives: Richard

If You Love Sushi…or Even If You Don’t…

10 Tuesday Apr 2012

Posted by in Escapes and Pleasures

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Jiro Dreams of Shushi ****1/2

I don’t know for sure how long this 81 minute film, documentary, is going to be around in DC (it’s here now), but if you like sushi, then definitely make time to see it.

It’s the story of a sushi restaurant in a Tokyo subway station that has earned a three star Michelin review.

Actually, it more about its owner and chef, 85-year old Jiro Ono. His 10-seat, sushi only restaurant, apparently made famous by a restaurant reviewer(s), is a very expensive, call-a-month-in-advance sushi bar that folks come from far beyond Tokyo to ‘dine.’

This man, this chef, is the definition of a perfectionist, and, even at his current age, apparently continues to work at perfecting his sushi offerings.

It is also the story of his two sons. His elder one will one day succeed him but has ‘apprenticed’ for at least 30 years. His younger son has established his own restaurant elsewhere in Tokyo.

The film is fascinating as a study of Jiro, what he has created, what drives him, and how and why he continues to develop his restaurant. It is also fascinating from the point of view of the father-son(s) relationship(s).

Even if you don’t like sushi, the film will make your mouth water and give you an appreciation for someone who does his craft well.

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Orioles on Top? Nats Next to Last?

05 Thursday Apr 2012

Posted by in Go Sox, The Outer Loop

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Finally those data geeks at The Sunlight Foundation (transparency: that’s where my wife works) have done something I can understand.

They’ve taken a look at how much each baseball team is spending in the political arena. And there are some surprises.

The Yanks are not even in the top five. The Nats, who play in the nation’s capital, are next to last in giving.

And who gives the most?

The Orioles.

What’s that about?

To learn more about how the MLB teams are spending their money and to see a list of where your team stands in political money giving (which no doubt comes out of the money you pay for tickets), see Major League Fundraising.

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Understanding the Importance of the 2012 Elections

05 Thursday Apr 2012

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Again, thanks to a tweet by Jay Rosen, NYU journalism professor, here is another NY Magazine article worth reading.

In this Feb. 26 piece, Jonathan Chait explains why the 2012 elections are of supreme importance to Republicans. Generally, when I hear “this is the most important election of this century,” I just roll my eyes (can one really ‘roll’ one’s eyes?).

But check out 2012 or Never, as Chait explains why the Republicans are fearful.

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The Best Laid Plans…

04 Wednesday Apr 2012

Posted by in Family and Friends

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I was sure I was about to have the material for a brilliantly funny post about two grand parents taking care of the grand kinder over night.

After all, the little prodigies were 3+ and 1+, and as wonderful as they are, sleeping away from Mommy and Aba was not their idea of a good time. And the younger prodigy has been known to prefer her mother to every thing else in the world.

Continue reading »

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The Best Birthday Dinner Ever

02 Monday Apr 2012

Posted by in Escapes and Pleasures, Family and Friends

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So last year for my birthday, Ellen arranged a four-hour cooking lesson with one of DC’s best chefs.**

Pretty special.

This year, she topped that with reservations (HT to Penn S for help in securing said reservation) and an evening at DC’s Minibar, a six person extavaganza of small bites of tastes and combinations you’ve never had but somehow (mostly) work wonderfully.

Continue reading »

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Hunger Games

29 Thursday Mar 2012

Posted by in Escapes and Pleasures

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by Miami Beach resident Elizabeth R. Miller

For those dedicated MillersTime.net readers, you’ll remember that the Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins was featured heavily as a favorite on many people’s lists for the best books read in 2011.

If you read the books and haven’t seen the movie, what are you waiting for?

The Hunger Games made $155 million over its opening day weekend (third only to last year’s Harry Potter finale movie and 2008’s The Dark Knight) and, in my opinion, was worth every penny.

Continue reading »

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“Sucker Punch” – Simply Good Theater

28 Wednesday Mar 2012

Posted by in Escapes and Pleasures

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If you saw and enjoyed the ‘fight’ scene (i.e., canvas preparation) in the play “Red,” then hasten to Studio Theatre to see the current production of “Sucker Punch.”

There is a scene toward the end of the hour and a half, no intermission production that is even better than that wonderful scene in “Red.”

“Sucker Punch” is a play about boxing, and much more , but ultimately it is the boxing that wins the day. You don’t have to like or care about boxing to enjoy it, and you don’t have to worry about any grizzly scenes.

Continue reading »

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Who Is Mitt Romney?

23 Friday Mar 2012

Posted by in The Outer Loop

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“We don’t know who Romney is for the simple reason that he never reveals who he is,” Frank Rich

Photo-illustration by Darrow (Photo: Gabriel Bouys/AFP/Getty Images)

For some time now I’ve been looking for an article that seems to capture who Mitt Romney is.

Thanks to a tweet by NYU journalism professor Jay Rosen, I came across a Frank Rich article in New York Magazine, written in early February, that does a pretty good job of trying to answer that question.

The article is long, could do with some editing, but if you want to try understand who this man is, take a look at “Who in God’s Name is Mitt Romney?”

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Join Me for a Red Sox Preseason Game in DC

21 Wednesday Mar 2012

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I have an extra ticket for a Tuesday, April 3, 3:05 PM preseason Red Sox vs Nats game in DC.

First person to claim the ticket, either by leaving a message in the Comment section or emailing me (samesty84@gmail.com), gets to join me and buy me a hot dog (Kosher).

Also, I am part of three different ticket groups with the last drawing Mar. 31. I will be listing games to join me and also a few games where folks can have two tickets if I cannot attend.

Preference goes to folks who have joined the 2012 MillersTime Baseball Contests, tho that is not a must.

If you have a particular game you are interested in attending with me, let me know now.

If you have a game you know now that you’d like two tickets for, also let me know now, and I’ll put you first on a list (sometimes for free, sometimes hoping for a reimbursement).

Anyway, I will be announcing the games I do have shortly after Mar.31. So check in if you’re interested.

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Not So Mike Daisey?

16 Friday Mar 2012

Posted by in Escapes and Pleasures

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Not long ago I urged MillersTime readers to spend some time reading The Agony and Ecstasy of Steve Jobs, a one person theatrical presentation by Mike Daisey which detailed the working conditions in Chinese factories where Apple products were made.

This play, it now turns out, apparently has numerous fabrications, according to This American Life, the NPR radio program which aired a 39 minute excerpt of the Mike Daisey story.

Much of the criticism leveled at Apple has been spurred on by The Agony and the Ecstasy of Steve Jobs‘ play that has been performed throughout the country since 2010.

Check out the developing story HERE.

Update: 3/17 — This American Life issued a retraction last night of their earlier story and presentation of Mike Daisey’s story. If you Click Here, you can see a full transcript and/or also listen to their four part discussion of what has occurred.

And two others from The Atlantic Monthly. :

The Tragedy Behind Mike Daisey’s Lies

James Fallows: The Sad and Infuriating Mike Daisey Case.

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