wonderWood

Old Stuff, New Stuff

Just posted two old entries from 2010. Has two years already gone by? Am i seriously ALREADY less engaged and inspired and…intelligent?! lol…Maybe. But anyhow, I’m all about starting up a more regular sched. and hopefully this is not the first entry of the night.

according to the economist and pew research center, the global middle class (GMC) is different from lower economic classes. GMC’s desire democracy more keenly than their less wealthy counterparts, value free speech more highly than freedom from hunger and put more effort into thinking and worrying about the environment. the GMC’s of the world are also markedly less religious than weaker economic sections (http://pewglobal.org/commentary/display.php?AnalysisID=1051)

In addition to the above, in a essay written for Economic and Political Weekly, John Harriss posits the middle class in India, and Chennai in particular, are more likely to participate in an associational activity than are the poor. Associational activity, what I understand it to be, is participation in community activities in order to capture certain political gains. Harriss, in fact, relates associational activity with the notion of ‘new politics’.

New Politics is a post-globalization phenomena wherein traditional political groups (such as labor unions) are no longer the most expedient vehicles for change. People now organize themselves according to non-workplace related groups. Some examples include woman’s rights organizations, LGBTQ organizations, housing rights etc. (Harriss, p. 2717)

tumb’crastination

ahhhh…..i have nothing good to say. not good, just nothing interesting. am putting together my deliverable for CAG and blahhh….demographics and land use are SO dry. so dry…

the amount of reading i have to not only read, but first compile is totally daunting. the changes that velachery is seeing are just immense - but not even. it’s a neighborhood that has see big changes becuase of the development of an IT Corridor (2 km’s away) and is consolidating and gentrifying in way no different from what we see in nyc or most any other city. but…choosing which lit. to back this phenomena up - how far do i go? globalization, government, governance, local impact? probably. but what’s new and exciting about that?!

anyway, and actually, time is running out - i have just one measly month left. all kinds of work and haven’t even traveled in any real way! so, i’m in the process of booking tix to kerala, karnataka…and maybe a couple weekends from now i’ll do a train tour of south india. sorry north, i will not know you this trip! though i did find an absolutely alluring little tour package to the north - himachel pradesh. delhi to chandigar to kalka to shimla. the absolute most amazing hook is that from kalka to shimla i would take…. A TOY TRAIN! yes yes, how can you say no to that? so, i’ll see if i can take 5 days and do that - deciding factor will be the cost of all the tixs (train cost are negligible) … would be nice to get away.

Mustard - Round Two

Attempt number two at mustard making. And this time, I have much higher hopes as I’ve avoided making the same mistakes I did during a completely disastrous round one. Note to mustard making novices, soaking yellow seeds in vinegared red Bordeaux and red wine vinegar is a terrible idea.

Anyhow, i followed (modified) this recipe:

3 tablespoons black mustard seeds
2 tbsp mustard powder
2 tbsp mango powder
1 1/2 tbsp champagne vinegar
1/4 cup very cold, filtered water
1 tsp salt

Grind the whole mustard seeds for a few seconds in a spice or coffee grinder, or by hand with a mortar and pestle. You want them mostly whole because you are using mustard powder, too.
Pour the semi-ground seeds into a bowl and add the salt and mustard powder. If using, add one of the optional ingredients, too.
Pour in the vinegar and wine or water, then stir well. When everything is incorporated, pour into a glass jar and store in the fridge. Wait at least 12 hours before using. Mustard made this way will last several months in the fridge.

So far, it looks pretty good. I had hoped to add chillies before realizing that i’m out, bummerrrr. But this should still make a pretty awesome addition to a grilled cheese or, with oil and more vinegar, a salad dressing. Hoping to build up a good arsenal of mustards to give away to family as Christmas gifts this year. Mustard, infused olive oils, and infused holiday drinks…mmmm….!