Tuesday, Wednesday

A few weeks ago, on route to Taconic State Park for our camping trip, I devoured the food article in that weekend's Sunday Times, since my current idol, Suzanne Goin, received a mention in it. And then I was eager to devour the recipes presented in it: Restaurant-syle Pork Chops with a maple glaze atop broiled apples alongside a Rosemary Goat Cheese Polenta. After picking up chops at TJ's last week, I was busting at the seams waiting to make this meal. With no dinner time available, Billy and I decided to feast this afternoon. Check it out, easy and delicious:



Also, a few photos from my early morning job on Tuesday on the Ogilvy roof.

Job

photo via flickr

Dear Friends and Readers,

I am looking for a part-time job. And I'm desperate. Desperate enough to reach out to people I may not know, but whom I like already for reading my blog.

Craigslist has been playing games with my heart for too long now. I spend late nights and long hours typing up involved e-mails in response to ads I see, then my heart leaps a little when I see a response pop up on my phone, only to be destroyed by another scam artist who can't meet me in person, but will wire me money if I give them my address in order to receive and send packages for them (nothing illegal, of course.)

The odd jobs I have been relying on have fallen through. I was really excited to work with this awesome Brooklyn former chef/restaurant owner, spent a great day with him, thought we would proceed, and then he never got back to me. Went into his restaurant for an interview with two managers who promised to call me in for training, and never did. My most recent boss, whom I have been assisting for a year and a half and get along very well with, has quit her job and, in doing so, has taken over my position unintentionally.

Now I have to resort to taking every catering job that comes my way and, even worse, calling the office to beg for more work even though I don't want it (but I need it.) Like tomorrow, I have to be at work at 5:30 am. Meaning I have to wake up at 4:30 am. Meaning I have to be in bed by, well, now. I wanted to reject the job so terribly, but have little paying work trickling in.

So, I'm attacking the internet, hoping it will work out in my favor. Does anyone have any job suggestions or leads? I am a very capable, intuitive, sharp, stylish, resourceful, and intelligent young lady. I would like to work as an assistant. I have experience as a personal assistant, a casting assistant, a production assistant, an editorial assistant. You catch my drift. I would also gladly work as a server or bartender. Anything part-time. I'm flexible.

If you have any ideas, shoot me an e-mail: Marina824@gmail.com.

And once I get a new job and no longer spend my time at home scouring craigslist for money-making opportunities, I may just surprise all of you with a little treat I've been wanting to post here but haven't had the time to. Maybe something like...a cooking show?

With love and sleepy thanks,
Marina

P.S. At my catering job this afternoon, I had the following interaction.

Me: Hey, I think that's Justice Clarence Thomas, from the Supreme Court.
Colleague: What's that?
Me: The Supreme Court? It's like the highest court in America!
Colleague: Oh. Is that a T.V. show?

At the Puppy Store

Tailbone worthy

Did some lovely things things this weekend.

+Saw The Invention of Lying
+Lost $1,700 in Monopoly (sheer case of bad luck; I landed in jail 3 times in the first 10 minutes, couldn't pass GO to collect my moneys)
+Made what is and will always be my best pie creation ever, Concord Grape Pie (was too lazy to take a better picture)

+Saw an awesome play called Our Farm, a kind of adaptation of Animal Farm
+Rode my bike to Red Hook to meet up with Fanny
We had lunch, goodies from baked, and a mini key lime pie.

+Went to saipua for the first time (sorry Jess! I just happened to be in the neighborhood, I couldn't resist!)
The store is lovely and one of the owners whom we met, Eric, was very kind as he tended to me and my eager friend. He gave us a great deal on our little arrangements. As it gets colder, I'm going to ride the B61 down there just for the flowers!
+All in all, rode about 15 miles today on my bike. My tailbone is aching and my legs are like jello. This reminds me of when I tried to eat an imaginary potato chip on the couch last night as I was falling asleep, hunger pains dominating my stomach. I woke up as my mouth was unwittingly taking a bite of thin air. Don't know why I'm reminded of that. Maybe it's my brain that's like jello. Later I rode around to Prospect Heights and then Park Slope then home. Saw friends everywhere. It was nice. I'm sleepy.

Workin Only in the Kitchen

My cash flow is low nowadays, so when I'm not out trying to earn a buck, I'm cooking up a storm.

Brunch:

Poached Eggs over Scalloped Pan-Fried Potatoes, topped with chives and Hollandaise sauce

Scallops and Corn, plus Le Fooding

Step 1

This evening, my roomie and I made pan-seared scallops with a corn coulis for dinner, based on this Martha Stewart recipe. It was very simple to make and took less than half an hour. I added jalapenos and we mopped up the delicious sauce with French bread.

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5 (served with a Jack Rose cocktail)

Also, a few photos from last week's outing to Le Fooding at P.S. 1. Billy and I went on Saturday night. We managed to taste 5 out of the 6 restaurant dishes (although we were full after 2), plus both of the cocktails, and two flavors of the General Greene ice cream. My favorite dishes were the Black Label burger from Minetta Tavern, Daniel Boulud's Moroccan Couscous topped with grilled lamb, sausage, and chicken, and Steak with Charred Aubergine from Le Chateaubriand from Paris.

Ida Sjostedt

via Ida Sjostedt