Tableau Vivante

I took hundreds of photos in France. Hundreds. I’m still sorting through the first batch - selecting the best, tweaking the ones that can be tweaked, labeling them, and then storing the ‘finals’ in special folders for later printing.

I was hoping to do a series of market posts, but I think that will take too long. So I’m going to do random shots with brief explanations here and there with the eventual goal of doing a big wrap up post when I have a clearer idea of exactly what I have. Food. Is. Everywhere. In France. It’s displayed in beautiful ways, set out on cushions, and lit just so. We know it’s a foodie paradise. If I may specialize the beauty even more - it’s a food photographer’s paradise. You don’t even have to go in to markets or restaurants to enjoy the view - it’s all set out on the sidewalks, luring you in with big, bold colors and smells.

Read the rest of this entry »

Two weeks out of your element can put a wrench in keeping up some hard won healthy habits. In this case, making my own lunch. Lunch in France was orchestral - it’s the dominant meal of the day. Here, in my office, it’s more of a ‘thing to remember’, as I’m often too busy to even think about eating. Some balancing is in order. Something between Mozart and a doughnut. Back to bento…

Read the rest of this entry »

JJ came in as I was going over some e-mail to hand me Friday’s edition of The Daily Trojan (he’s a student there). Cover article above the fold says, “USC farmers market debuts.”

Rain apparently forced it on to the EVK patio (bah…markets fear no rain!). BUT you can expect the market to be in McCarthy Quad from noon to 4PM one Thursday a month. Would be nice to know WHICH Thursday it’s being planned for…first?…fourth? Anyone who knows, please chime in.

It’s not your traditional farmer-to-you market. The goods are obtained at the Santa Monica market and then brought to the campus for sale. Part of the reason for this might be how you can pay for the fruits and veggies - they let you use discretionary and dining dollars. Very student friendly. No word on if the pricing fits the usual student budget, but the general consensus is that this fills a giant gaping hole in produce availability for students.

If all goes well, they’ll up the frequency. So far so good, they say. For USCers out there looking for a little more frequency, there are a few downtown market options for you. I need to double-check the schedules though - farmer.net had the Little Tokyo market listed on the wrong day. I may have JJ do a little reconnaissance for me.

Fight on with your bad selves!

Read the rest of this entry »