Celebrity Spotting

So I think my celebrity-spotting luck has officially taken a turn for the better. I ran into Terrence Howard at the Starbucks in the Sony store on Madison and 55th today. He was standing right next to me in line, and I wouldn't have even noticed him, but for the giggles of the Starbucks staff. Seems that he had been having a conversation with them when I walked in, and that he's a regular there. He was very nice and waved good-bye to everyone and told the staff he'd see them tomorrow. He looked exactly as he does in his films...perhaps even better in person. I then confirmed with the Starbucks cashier that it was, indeed, Terrence Howard. I guess that's just another perk of working for (and drinking) Starbucks.

This is so fab!

I found this online - It's from a 1955 edition of Housekeeping Monthly - I have to say, I do love some of these - although perhaps not the ones about staying out all night and not asking questions :)

-Have dinner ready. Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal ready on time for his return. This is a way of letting him know that you have be thinking about him and are concerned about his needs. Most men are hungry when they get home and the prospect of a good meal is part of the warm welcome needed.

-Prepare yourself. Take 15 minutes to rest so you'll be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your make-up, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh-looking. He has just been with a lot of work-weary people.

-Be a little gay and a little more interesting for him. His boring day may need a lift and one of your duties is to provide it.

-Clear away the clutter. Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives. Run a dustcloth over the tables.

-During the cooler months of the year you should prepare and light a fire for him to unwind by. Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order, and it will give you a lift too. After all, catering to his comfort will provide you with immense personal satisfaction.

-Minimize all noise. At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise of the washer, dryer or vacuum. Encourage the children to be quiet.

-Be happy to see him.

-Greet him with a warm smile and show sincerity in your desire to please him.

-Listen to him. You may have a dozen important things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first - remember, his topics of conversation are more important than yours.

-Don't greet him with complaints and problems.

-Don't complain if he's late for dinner or even if he stays out all night. Count this as minor compared to what he might have gone through at work.

-Make him comfortable. Have him lean back in a comfortable chair or lie him down in the bedroom. Have a cool or warm drink ready for him.

-Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes. Speak in a low, soothing and pleasant voice.

-Don't ask him questions about his actions or question his judgment or integrity. Remember, he is the master of the house and as such will always exercise his will with fairness and truthfulness. You have no right to question him.

-A good wife always knows her place.

Royal Pains - Dirty Sexy Money ripoff?

So I tuned in this week to the new show Royal Pains on USA. Basically, the show is about a doctor who loses his job, goes to the Hamptons with his brother, and "happens" to save a life at a party (convenient, huh?). The next day, people "happen" to have his number, and, much to his chagrin, the rich and bratty begin calling him for random jobs (Including a 16 year old who crashes Daddy's car, and a boob job gone flat)
Sound familiar?

Instead of a Lawyer who feels obliged to work with a rich family, we now have a doctor in the house.

Lucky for them, there's not much on in the summer, so I will probably keep watching!

I miss you DSM....

...Grrrowl!

Has anyone been watching The Cougar? If not, here's the awkward final episode, recapping the journey that 20-somethings Colt and Jimmy took to try to win over 40-year-old Stacy's heart, pants, and wallet. Some highlights? Colt singing his "So You Like 'Em Under Thirty" song to the tune of his guitar, and 23-year-old Jimmy bromancing Stacy's 15-year-old son.

A Real (Kinda) Celebrity Sighting!

If you read this blog, you know that I'm constantly on the lookout for celebrity sightings, but I have a real knack for never spotting any celebrities. Well, I totally forgot to inform everyone that I finally ran into a real celebrity about a month ago, just strolling the streets of New York (Chelsea, on a Saturday night, to be exact). It's this guy:
...You know, he's that guy from 30 Rock...the one whose name no one knows. So, alright, he's not much of a celebrity, but he's better than a reality show pseudoceleb. I'm moving on up.

Chapter one.....

And so my journey begins in the world of blogger. I feel very much like Carrie Bradshaw only without the voice over...
Much thanks to I am a Miranda for adding me as the voice of the suburbs! That's right folks. Now you get two voices for the price of one! Still working on my angle though - Miranda has the whole city vibe thing going so I think I might just embrace my "quaint" suburban existence and run with it.

And what's more suburban than a home cooked meal?

Recently, I am a Miranda asked me how to poach an egg, so here is poaching 101 along with my favorite recipe for eggs benedict. Enjoy!

Ok, here is the 411 on the poached egg:

Step 1: Fill a medium to large sized pan (a pot is too deep) with about 3 inches of water.
Step 2: As the water is heating up, crack your egg into a small bowl or coffee cup. This step is important as it ensures that you don't break the yolk!
Step 3: Add a little vinigar to the water and turn down the heat when the water is about to boil. The water should be simmering but NOT boiling.
Step 4: Carefully slide the egg into the water. Let it cook 2 min for a runny yolk and up to 4 for a firm one.
Step 5: Take out egg with a slotted spoon and lay on paper towel to absorb water.
Step 6: EAT! or use in my Eggs Benedict :)


Mrs. Van de G's Eggs Benedict
(serves 2)

toast an english muffin split in half
while the muffin is toasting:
blend together 1/2 reduced (or full if you prefer) fat mayo with 1 garlic clove, a squeeze of fresh lemon, a spash of water, salt and pepper. You can also add a few sprigs of parsley.
when muffins are done, top each half with 2 slices of smoked salmon and some chopped chives
top each half with 1 poached egg
top with sauce

Voila! Tasty and delicious!!

This sauce is also really good over steamed asparagus :)

The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien

On Monday night, Conan premiered his run on the Tonight Show, and the baton was officially passed. Overall, I was pleased to see a new generation of comedy in an earlier time slot, and I was particularly happy to see Andy Richter reunite with Conan. However, I was somewhat disappointed with the writing, and I was especially disappointed with the limited use of Andy as comic relief. And the same goes for the second episode that aired on Tuesday night. In fact, the funniest part of the second episode was Tom Hanks. (You can check out clips or full episodes here.)

I was hoping to see a new era of the Tonight Show with bits as funny as "In the Year 2000" and "Masturbating Bear," and with Conan and Andy consistently playing off each other. Unfortunately, all I saw were pre-taped skits that were just ... well, okay, with a tamed Andy standing behind a podium, barely contributing to the show.

Ultimately, I have a lot of confidence in Conan, and I'm sure the show will get better. But I feel compelled to say (in case one of Conan's interns is reading): Conan, please think back to your early days and what made your show special among the Lenos and the Lettermans. Channel that, and I'm sure you'll do great. And, please, use Andy more! ...At least give him a seat.