Liar, Liar (your pants are on fire, but I'm not going to tell you)

The line between lying and not telling the truth is blurry anywhere you go around the world. But it seems that so many people here don't tell you the truth, that I can't help feeling as though they are all a bunch of liars.

One example is the weight issue - this is something that I contemplated before coming her: So there are a lot of "large" people here. And I often think: Do they not feel socially uncomfortable with it? And initially I answered my self: "Well, since it's so common, it's sort of a norm, and people don't judge it so harshly. But the truth is that fat people are used for comedic purposes in plenty of TV shows and movies. And why would people find it funny if it was so acceptable?

Here is another example: At the beginning of the year, a Professor gave a lecture ad the price tag was still hanging from her shirt. I'm sure I wasn't the only one to see it, but nobody (including the 2 sessions she had taught before mine bothered to go up and tell her). Obviously no-one (as far as I know) only mocked her. But inside? So why not tell her? Is it better to let her go on like that, and have other people think bad things of her?

Here is another example: It turns out, that my hat leaves a little red line across my forehead when I wear it for too long. The other day I came to school, as I entered (after taking off my hat) I met a classmate. We talked for 5-10 minutes. She did not say a thing. Why not say something? Why not allow me to do some damage control? Why allow me to look like a bit of a clown before other people too? Maybe having a red line across your forehead isn't seen in such a negative way here? Yea right - That's why comic writers are able to get a laugh when they have a character walking around with grill marks or drool marks somewhere on their heads.

Here is another example: Uri cooked for someone. Before, he sat down and suggested the menu, then proceeded to cook exactly what was agreed upon. The feedback he got: There was too much meat, we eat more tofu. So why OK the menu? Why not say - Don't cook 2 kinds of poultry, and cook some tofu instead?

This is the sound of me letting off steam. :)

Mornings in Ithaca

Ithaca's Chef at Home

To those of you who haven’t seen it, Uri has his own website now: http://www.ithacaschefathome.blogspot.com 

So now that he's a professional - we decided to invest in some equipment (it's deductable - no?)

Thus we present: The Knife

Here presented in it's natural form (ie, in the midst of Uri cooking), the Shun Onion is the latest addition to our house.  Its Kligon-like nature is a homage to Uri's fondness of Sci-Fi and my slight Trekkie tendencies. Uri claims it's the most comfortable knife he has.  Personally, I can't cut with it.  I guess it really a knife for pros.

Oh - and the real reason we got it was Uri's 30th birthday :)