by Christina Waters | Apr 23, 2009 | Home |
“A perfect storm” (ridiculous cable news addiction)
“Due diligence” (are we a nation of accountants?)
“24/7” (Lose this fast!)
“Worldclass” (puleeze!)
“We’re on it.” (of course you are)
“Well, good for you!” (said about anything – this is a mindless phrase!)
“I’m all about ——-” (lazy use of the English language)
“Have a good one!” (I loathe this one – lazy beyond belief)
“It’s all good.” (mindless pothead jargon)
“Totally!” (on the other hand, I can’t live without “Whatever!,” said ironically.)
That’s my short list. Have I missed any?
by Christina Waters | Apr 22, 2009 | Home |
So many terrific clichés submitted by readers. You all have media-driven phrases you hate, despise and loathe. How could I have overlooked . . .
“At the end of the day†(thanks Dee)
“Power down†(gracias Wally)
“In harm’s way†(courtesy of Facman)
“How goes it?†(care of db)
“Have a nice day!†(from Kate)
“I’m a —– person.†(Angie)
“Sea change†(Eleanor H.)
“That said,…†(ditto)
“Entitlement†(from Dr. H)
“The best of the rest…..†(language in a coma)
To all of you who submitted these hackneyed phrases, and so many more: Thank you for sharing. (At least we don’t have to listen to that cliché anymore.)
by Christina Waters | Apr 22, 2009 | Home |
Help keep those path-breaking apprentices down on the Farm — by sharing in the many local and Bay Area Grow a Farmer events all focused on building residential cottages for those who come to study at the UCSC Center for Agroecology.
The romantic tents nestling along the tree-lined fence are about to become things of the past. (more…)
by Christina Waters | Apr 21, 2009 | Art, Home |
Tandy Beal joins her old friend, Bobby “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” McFerrin in Abu Dhabi late April/May– thirteen time zones away! She will dance with him in performances at Al Ain and the Emirates Palace. She will also stage several local dance groups for the performances. What an adventure in cross-cultural art-making with Arabic singers and dancers-and Bobby’s American magic!
And kudos to Beal & Company awarded $15,000 by the National Endowment for the Arts for an upcoming full-length production with dancers, actors and video.
Especially in this fiscal climate, making art is always the best revenge!
by Christina Waters | Apr 19, 2009 | Art, Home |
Armed with a hefty Zagat rating – 24 no less – and a streamlined lunch concept, Tues-Sat Zuni-style non-gooey pizzas and salads – Gabriella continues to showcase the skills of chef Brad Briske in an effort to conquer the culinary world.
Former UCSC Chancellor Bob Sinsheimer has recently been seen grinning broadly after polishing off one of Gabriella’s new pizzas. And if you need more nudging, the delicious plein air paintings of Charles Prentiss go on display inside the dining rooms starting July 1. (This one’s titled Highway 129.)
by Christina Waters | Apr 16, 2009 | Home, Wine |
Bradley Brown, winemaker up at Big Basin Vineyards, covered himself in media glory not too long ago with his wild-at-heart, terroir-driven Syrah from Rattlesnake Ridge. And now I know why.
This supple 2006 New World Rhônesque beauty unfolds for miles. From a spice and plum opening, it slides into a meaty center filled with tart and savory mysteries. Bay leaves, cardamom, huckleberries, cassis. The mineral foundation works almost invisibly to support this wine’s rich, smoky center. An Easter meal involving rack of lamb provided the perfect occasion to take this robust, almost feral creature out for a spin.
Soft where you don’t expect it, dynamic through and through. (more…)
