The Blog

Okay, I’m just gonna come out and say it…

When I was nine or 10-years-old, I would imagine I was Michael Jackson. I knew all of his lines and riffs from The Wiz. I borrowed, and never returned, a video tape of one of his major concert movies. I owned the “Making of The Thriller” on video tape, which I played so often that it was starting to give out on me. I came out of seeing Captain EO for the very first time at Disneyland wanting to moonwalk and “MJ kick” for the rest of the day.

Michael Jackson was *gasp*, yes, a role model to me. A guy, though really bizarre at times, unafraid to be himself. And unapologetic about it, to boot! He was a weird guy, and I felt like I was a weird kid. I identified with him for that reason.

Michael’s work will always remind me of family: my sister and I dancing and singing the routines of The Wiz. My mother watching us and laughing. Not having a care in the world because Michael’s work just took you there.

Hearing that he’s gone hurts. But the fond memories are too happy to be sad more than a few hours.

Here’s one of many favorite songs that he sang:

So I returned to Lexington Market in downtown Baltimore for lunch on Wednesday…at Faidley’s, where I enjoyed a crab cake last week, there’s a raw oyster bar in the middle of its store. I had about a dozen for the first time in my life. They were good. Felt like I was charting new territory. I was amazed watching the guy at the counter shuck all the oysters like he could do it in his sleep.

This church at 27th and St. Paul in Charles Village has real character. The main sanctuary was gutted and turned into a recreational space. The texture of the walls makes the place look sort of goth. I’m sure someone could easily shoot scene of a movie in their or a music video. I happened to be there because of an arts and craft fair. I bought my mother a birthday gift that I’ve got to send to her. I hope she likes it. I think she will.

It’s been two weeks and I can honestly say I’m amazed by how the Associated Press runs its operation. Hands down, it has the best news research and resource center I’ve ever seen or heard of. Need to know how many crabs President Clinton ate while he was in office? Well, okay, maybe not that specific. But they are damn good!

My first week, third day, was the Holocaust Museum shooting in D.C. I was able to jump in on some of the action and got myself a contributing line on an “A wire” story. At first I was only mildly excited until a family friend said she was reading the Post in print at work and saw my name jump out at her. Sometimes it’s just nice to here people are still reading what we journalists are writing.

I’m pretty busy for the next few weeks. I’ll update about AP again in mid-July.

The pictures below are just a peek at what it’s like at Lexington Market in Baltimore. Never been to a place like this in my life. Easily the largest food market I’ve ever seen. And everyone is there: the working class, the business class and the “ain’t got no class.” I’m going to go back and shoot a photo essay with my Holga. Had the best lump crab cake in my life at Faidley’s. Make sure to have one before you die.

A couple of weeks before I took off for Baltimore, I had dinner with my friend Heidi and her friend. I’d eaten Ethiopian food before, but this time was different. First off, I was starving. Cafe Colucci on Telegraph in Berkeley, CA is by far the best I’ve had. We also tried the honey wine. It was beyond good.

A note about Ethiopian in the Bay Area (and probably anywhere): it’s hard to pick out the good, quality places. If you ask someone local, and especially if they are Ethiopian or Eritrean, they may point you to a friend or relative’s place even if it isn’t the best. So…I hate to say it…use online reviews as your thermometer. There are usually healthy debates

Things I want to see this summer:

Harry Potter

Taking of Pelham 123

Transformers 2

And in November…

Precious

As I’ve mentioned before, I’m in Baltimore, MD for three months this summer, for an internship with the Associated Press. I’ve moved to an apartment in the Charles Village neighborhood of the city. It’s been quite the experience so far…this being my first time living anywhere besides California.

This was my first week, so I’ve spent most of my time getting used to my new home. The red-orange building in the photo is where I’m staying. I’m conveniently located near markets, a neighborhood pub and the Art Museum (to name a few things). The liquor store on the corner is the perfect amenity because it carries laundry supplies and my favorite beer. But on my second day here I was reminded of what city I’m living in.

The corner store is owned by a woman and her son. The woman happened to be standing just outside of the store on Tuesday night, when five teenage boys approached the corner and mugged her. At the time, I was sitting in the living room and I heard a blood-curdling scream (the type of scream that you don’t ignore). I ran to the window and I saw all five boys running up the street. Seconds later I heard a gunshot. The woman’s son had run out of the store and fired a warning shot in the boys’ direction. One of the boys left his bike. Minutes later the police were there to take a report. From what I’ve gathered from neighbors, the woman was not injured. Later, a Charles Village couple I met on my first night brought her a flower to show their concern.

*Faces are not shown on purpose…just being cautious. I’ve seen The Wire, which I’ve already been told, more than once, is eerily real.

Neighborhood Farmer’s Market

Spud and Steff (the couple) are two of the nicest people I’ve met in a while. On Saturday they showed me around the neighborhood farmer’s market, accompanied me (or rather I accompanied them) to the Charles Village Festival (which I’m glad I didn’t miss), and introduced me to several people in the neighborhood. They both “keep it real” with me about Baltimore City and about the neighborhood. Had they not told me anything, reading the City Paper would be convincing enough. Baltimore is a rough city.

There’s a column called Murder Ink that describes, in detail, murders that have occured within the city limits. Last week there were 8 murders. There have been 94 homicides this year…and counting.

Baltimore has its nice parts, just like any other city. There’s fun to be had. During the school year, my apartment is passed down from generation to generation of University of Mannheim (Germany) exchange students. The three who lived here for the last year were still in town when I arrived. I spent my first Saturday night with them. We went to Dizzy Izzy’s (also known as The Dizz). They are famous for burgers/drinks and are right across the street from Charm City Cakes. (Spud and Steff are next door neighbors with Duff. I’m determined to meet him and have my picture taken with him. I digress.) Before we knew it, 2 a.m. rolled around and we all agreed to play some fussball. We did that until about 3 a.m.

The flamencos and Christmas lights in The Dizz.

I suck at fussball!

Some things I’m looking forward to this summer:

Pile of Craft, a DIY art and craft show
Artscape, a gigantic art and music festival
Eating Baltimore crabs and crab cakes (which I can’t afford to do yet)
And making new friends, while keeping in touch with old ones…

This is the second time I cooked dinner for the my parents. I’ve cooked the chicken recipe once before with a fellow food enthusiast. Have any variations on these recipes? Leave them in a comment.

Chile-Lime Crab Salad with Tomato and Avocado

(Recipe)
Ingedient list: Fresh lime juice, extra-virgin olive oil, vegetable oil, jalapeño, cilantro, honey, garlic, black pepper, lump crabmeat, Hass avocados, red onion, and heirloom tomatoes.

Spinach and Bacon Macaroni and Cheese

(Recipe)
Ingredient list: macaroni, fresh baby spinach leave, bacon, flour, milk, shredded cheddar cheese, grated parmesan cheese and salt and pepper.

Chicken Saltimbocca

(Recipe) (You may need to sign up for an America’s Test Kitchen account.)
Ingredients list: unbleached all-purpose flour, ground black pepper, thin-cut boneless skinless chicken cutlets, fresh sage leaves, thin slices prosciutto, olive oil, dry vermouth or white wine, lemon, butter, fresh parsley leaves, table salt

Asparagus

All you need for this is fresh thyme, olive oil, honey, salt and pepper. Spread the asparagus on a baking sheet and rub the all the ingredients evenly on the the asparagus stalks. Bake them in an over at 350 F until they are tender. Serve immediately.

Ever since a friend of mine took this photo of me with her “Holgaroid,” I’ve been itching to get one and try mastering this type of photography.

So, that’s what I asked my parents to get me for my 24th birthday. Now that I’ve got one, I’m afraid I’ll mess it up … so I need some one to teach me a few things about Holga film and polaroid photography.

I looked online and found this video:

Am I on the right track if I follow these instructions?