Ignorance...

You know we live in a sad, ignorant world, when stuff like this happens:

Confusion over Jewish prayer ritual leads pilot to divert Kentucky flight to Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA - A teenage airplane passenger using a Jewish prayer object caused a misunderstanding that led the captain to divert the Kentucky-bound plane to Philadelphia and prompted a visit from a bomb squad.

A 17-year-old boy on US Airways Express Flight 3079 traveling from New York to Louisville was using tefillin, a set of black boxes attached to leather straps and containing biblical passages, said Philadelphia police Lt. Frank Vanore.

When used in prayer, one box is strapped to the arm while the other box is placed on the head.

"It's something that the average person is not going to see very often, if ever," FBI spokesman J.J. Klaver said.

The teen explained the ritual after being questioned by crew members, but the captain decided to land in Philadelphia anyway, authorities said.

The flight left LaGuardia Airport in New York around 7:30 a.m.; it landed without incident in Philadelphia about 90 minutes later and was met by police and officials from the FBI and Transportation Security Administration.

Authorities said the plane was searched and passengers were questioned. The teen, who is from White Plains, N.Y., and was traveling with his 16-year-old sister, was very cooperative, Vanore said.

"They were more alarmed than we were," Vanore said.

Klaver said the teen and his sister were never in custody, and have been cleared to continue their travels.

Passengers on 50-seat regional jet, which was operated by Chautauqua Airlines, were rebooked on other flights, US Airways spokesman Morgan Durrant said.

Song Lyrics of the Day

"El Scorcho" - Weezer

I'm a lot like you so please
Hello, I'm here, I'm waiting
I think I'd be good for you
And you'd be good for me

Monday Morning Emails...

Sometimes there are the emails that remind you why you come to work every day...

"Damn girl. You're undeniably good. Thank you."

Makes Monday morning not hurt so badly...

Song Lyrics of the Day

"I Hear the Bells" - Mike Doughty

I'm seeking girls
In sales and marketing
Let's go make out
Up in the balcony
Your business dress
So businesslike and I'm
Tossing the blouse
Over a chairback and

I can
Hear the bells are
Ringing joyful and triumphant and I can
Hear the bells are
Ringing joyful and triumphant

Worth writing home about...

While Molly and I had a fantastic day at the Fair yesterday (which deserves a post of its own, to come), tonight I had a meal I will be dreaming of for nights to come until I can finally have it again (and that, folks, might be quite a while).

Tonight Tristan and I went to what I will undoubtedly call my favorite restaurant in the Twin Cities: Muffuletta. A small little place in a little St Paul neighborhood. Cute, quaint, quiet, a perfect date spot, great service, and above all, locally produced amazing food. Not to mention Abi, a great friend, works there! A must dine. Sit in Abi's section, she's amazing.

Anyway... tonight Tristan and I went, as I only have two weeks left in the Cities and we had to get there once more before I left. And tonight I had a dish that undoubtedly will become one of my favorite dishes of all time: roasted eggplant, mushrooms, caramelized onions, and toasty brown gnocchi, sauteed with butter, parmesan, and lemon, drizzled with lemon olive oil. It was so amazing. I will honestly be anxiously awaiting the next time I am back in the Cities and can get my fix. It was that good. That's not to say the beer cheese soup with fresh popcorn, garlic "paste" and bread, and wine weren't amazing... it's just that this gnocchi was melt-in-your-mouth-good.

To Abi and the folks at Muffuletta -- thank you for what is not only my favorite restaurant in the Twin Cities, but the best dish I've had outside my mom's kitchen.

To all you Muffuletta virgins -- go. If you miss out on this place it will be detrimental to your Twin Cities experience.


Now, it's off to bed in preparation for Rabbi-ing Annie's Bat Mitzvah tomorrow. Shabbat Shalom -- and don't forget... Muffuletta.

Second time, still no charm...

I don't often find a restaurant where I am disappointed, I really don't.

A couple years ago, maybe two or three, Harry and I tried out a new place that went into what was Betty's Bikes and Buns, on the corner around the block from my Northeast apartment.

Brasa, a new southern-style rotisserie joint, had just moved in and we thought we'd best try it out. Who doesn't love the idea of rotisserie meats and southern side dishes. I forget what Harry had... I know it included the cheesy grits and fried plantains. I had chicken and a side or two. Harry loved it.. I wasn't overly impressed and was in no rush to go back.

Tonight, some friends and I went to the newer St Paul location to celebrate a birthday. Again, not overly excited to go back, I went anyway, of course, to see everyone and celebrate. I opted for the black beans and yellow rice, with a corn muffin and honey butter. I wans't going to spend the extra money on the unimpressive chicken I had before. And again this time, I was not overly impressed. It's rare I slam a restaurant, but there was nothing special about anything at the table. I could have easily made these dishes... and better. Though the sweet tea was amazing, no reason to go back.

So that's the scoop. Try it if you want... and let me know what you think... but twice was more than enough for me.

Give me a minute...

I think one of my biggest office pet peeves is when I walk into the office in the morning, sit down at my desk, and barely open my Outlook to let all the overnight emails come piling in, when my lovely coworker starts pinging off question after question about things she has already seen in her inbox. Give me 20 minutes to at least let all the new messages load before you start asking me questions and telling me you will follow up. I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about or how to respond without having seen the emails already. Chill the eff out -- I just got here!

(That was already this morning after the coffee I got smelled like rotten garbage and the pharmacy told me I didn't have enough info on my new health insurance plan to get my prescription without paying the full price. ... and it's only 7:20a...)

Happy Thursday, everyone.