Report Night, Shake 'n Bake and hot tunes from across the pond

Wednesday I went to the Pantry School of Research in Jamaica Plain for my very first Report Night. My coworker Cody has been telling me about the weekly report sharing event and after months of conflicting commitments, I was finally able to attend this past week. It's wonderful. It's equal parts pot luck, part science fair and book report day and I think everyone ought to start one. The Pantry School is someone's home and on good weeks everyone brings a report and food. Read more about this past week's reports, including my own on bromated flour, here.

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Remember Shake 'n Bake? Yeah. That stuff rules. I was reminded of this fact when Wyatt and I used up some that my former roommate Mary left around.

In case you're not familiar, here's a friendly introduction to the product, made in 1972:


Unfortunately I couldn't find the "It's Shake 'n Bake and I helped!" commercial that Wyatt quoted multiple times throughout our meal. I shake my head.

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And now, for our song of the week, recommended by my good pal Ruth Morrison:

"You Got The Love" by Florence and the Machine, The XX Remix

I've been really into the first and third tracks on the XX's self-titled album. The young Brits aren't even all 21 yet. You can really tell in this photo.


Florence and the Machine also covered my favorite Cold War Kids song, "Hospital Beds." Thanks Florence. I was gonna do that but whatevs. This other hot Brit plays the Paradise April 7th. If I am promised more glitter, I'll totally be there.

Big Questions

Lately I've been asking a lot of questions and the answers to some can't be found via my iPhone.

1. Why isn't there a gigantic music database, like what IMDB is for Movies? Some might argue that All Music is trying to be that but it isn't. If something like this already exists, please tell me.

2. Is there porn for people who aren't stereotypically good looking? or for odd pairs? I'm thinking little people porn, giant porn, giant and midget couple porn, stuff like that. Does that exist? In a way that is not totally exploitative? I think it would be neat to do an art project with high art-style black and white photographs of non-traditional couples, and I don't mean gay or trans.

3. Why does no one know about Joan Armatrading? Despite her epic last name and ridiculous hair cut, Armatrading has made a name for herself with her unique voice and songwriting talent. My roommate brought home a vinyl copy of her 1976 self-titled album and we can't stop listening to it, particulary "Love and Affection." At first listen, she sounds like Tracy Chapman but with more depth and drama in her tone (not to knock Tracy because, really, "Fast Car" is a masterpiece). Armatrading has been nominated for a Grammy three times and was the first female UK artist to receive that honor. And, her song "The Weakness in Me" was featured on the 1999 "10 Things I Hate About You" soundtrack. I can't speak for her new material but the self-titled album is pure gold.

Kale Noodle Stew and My Evil Neighbor Lady

Below I have included a recipe for the stew I threw together last night. I will admit, it tastes much better today after it marinated in its own juices overnight. Keep that in mind when you make it or consider cooking it for an hour rather than 20 min.

I used a dutch oven and frozen turkey stock made from our Thanksgiving leftovers. I'm sure most any pot or type of stock will do. In one night this would probably feed four, maybe 5 people. I'll be eating for half a week 'cause I'm po' like that.

Make it happen:

1. Bring 5 cups stock and carrots to almost a boil. Add a little tomato paste, bay leaf, garlic powder, S&P and about 2.5 TSP Italian seasoning. Simmer 5 min.
2. Add pinto beans, black eyed peas and cut green beans. Simmer 10 min +
3. Add egg noodles.
4. After 5 minutes or nearly right before you want to eat, add as much kale as you desire. It won't take long to get squishy. Cook it too long and it'll be gross.
5. Eat!

This stew is colorful, mostly healthy, super filling and could be vegetarian or meatatarian if you sub veggie stock or add sausage.

In other news, my neighbor across the street, who happens to be the Director of the Boston Health Commission and the world's number 1 hater on 34 Robeson, got the city to try and tow all our cars this week. They towed Claire's car on Tuesday, on the grounds of expired registration. She's in Alaska and I didn't notice it was gone until yesterday- oops! That was after I came home to find two men trying to tow my car and Sam's, for an out of state plate and expired out of state registration respectively.

I get that the expired regostration is illegal but my roommates have been out of town since mid-December, and since when is it the neighbor's problem? I think she hates us, perhaps rightly so, for letting new Green Corps organizers keep their cars on our street for three weeks BUT THAT WAS IN AUGUST. I mean, really lady? A warning note or phone call to the landlord would have been the adult thing to do. Impound lots are expensive, especially when you make $16,000 a year after taxes. AND, she put in a driveway a few months ago so street parking really shouldn't be an issue for her anymore. Holy Hell.
I've been watching her driveway like a hawk, waiting for her to come home so I can walk over and suggest a truce. If that doesn't work, I may just throw a bunch of hot dogs in her yard and invite all the neighborhood dogs over for a shit fest. Or better yet, I'll plant some marijuana in her yard and call the cops on her, see how she likes it. God bless you, City of Boston.

Artist of the Week, 02.02.10

Betty Davis, second wife of jazz legend Miles Davis, was a serious queen of funk in the 1970s, though her 3 kick ass albums have been largely forgotten about. Also a fashion model, Betty divorced Miles after less than a year (he said she was "too wild" for him) and launched her musical career with help from Sly and the Family Stone, the Pointer Sisters, Tower of Power, and other more well known musicians of the era. How she fell through the cracks is somewhat of a mystery, especially considering the progressive nature of her sound, stage attire and live performances. You might call her a funky predecessor to Lady Gaga, minus the tremendous fame. Just check out this outfit from the cover of her 1974 album, They Say I'm Different:


And, Betty hails from Durham, further re-enforcing my hypothesis that many of America's greatest humans have come from North Carolina. Nina Simone was another.

I initially learned about Betty from this October 2009 NPR story. I was reminded of her recently when I saw and later interviewed Boston local Shea Rose who has a similar flair about her.

Here are some tracks:
Betty Davis, You won't see me in the morning, Nasty Girl and Anti-Love Song
Shea Rose, Free Love