After Five

Henri Cartier Bresson in SF

2011-03-21T12:46:00.000-07:00

Few months ago SFMOMA held an exhibition of one of my favorite photo journalist Henri Cartier Bresson. I visited exhibition twice, and in love with every photograph staring with his early work in France finishing photographs in Soviet Union. His album The Decisive Moment one of the expensive photo albums of last century. It was published in 1952 and its current price $750 - $800. I bought the print of beloved Behind the Gare St. Lazare

As Bresson said, “The photograph itself doesn't interest me. I want only to capture a minute part of reality.” We can review history of his time by witnessing his work.

Big Change

2010-09-21T03:42:00.000-07:00

I would never picture myself as a vegetarian, but it happened over the weekend - change as quick as a "heart beat". New world of vegetarian cuisine is in front of me to explore. Blender becomes one of the essential gadgets in the kitchen when just starting a day. Smoothie with variety of fruits is a perfect breakfast. Rest of the day fresh salad, and tofu based dinner. Imagination has no limits - new home-made dressings, different combination of fruits and vegetables for salad.
Dramatic changes in my food preferences were caused by UPW and reference to Dr. Colin Campbell's work described in "China Study". Some information is well known but ignored, when other has to be rediscovered. That book can change your view of eating habits, and if not to change, then at least raise awareness what we feed our body, and how it effects us.

First Time Experience: Firewalk

2010-08-06T13:09:00.000-07:00

Last week.... Amazing, unbelievable experience at UPW. Seminar was for four days. First day was the most shocking - simply because you do not know what to expect, and you feel wild hunger inside to explore, change, love, live ... be! Climax of the first day was at the end of the day, 10:30 - 11 pm! Firewalking! Coals were 1,200 - 2000 degrees. Unforgettable feeling of enormous power within, and desire to celebrate everything that comes to life.

Recommendation: sing up for event, or I can refer you to UPW team. Meanwhile some reading can get you idea in which direction to evolve.

Love is My Religion

2010-07-20T15:19:00.000-07:00

We attended Ziggy Marley concert in Mountain Winery, Saratoga CA. The beautiful place, perfect seats, mood and spirit of Jamaica. Unforgettable experience that i will recall over and over again. "Love is my Religion" supposed to be everybody's motto. Likeness with his dad's voice is amazing.

Foreign Transation Fee

2010-07-20T12:37:00.000-07:00

I am first timer for "unauthorized" fees on credit card. But Customer Support for my card wasn't painful at all. The call took me 5 minutes in total - with listening all menu option, entering numbers for verification, transferring to a person, explaining problem, and closing compromised account.
How I found out about fees: I signed up for Mint account while ago, and since then they send financial statements on my weekly activities, notifications about payments and charges. Last night I got email about "Foreign Transaction Fee" on my credit card. Of course, I went online to check how that fee is applicable to me. I found it strange, and called to credit card. "Fees" were applied to airline tickets somebody bought from oversee (Slovenia!) not for me, apparently.
I am glad that all resolved, but credit card statement scanning is one of my weekly priorities now. I'm pro-creadit card usage, but as consumer, I need to know what to expect, what to do, and where to go if something. And there are some not-well-known benefits of using it.

Guilty Pleasure

2010-06-10T10:47:00.000-07:00

Lately, I lost in "Lost: Season 5". I watched first three seasons and then said to myself that's it, I'd done with it! And then new wave of rumors and spoilers about Season 6, so I needed to catch up with "lost" heroes and follow them back to The Island, yes... they are returning to The Island in Season 5. I must say, twists and turns are in every episode. Creators are trying navigate in different genre, switching from episode to episode. A lot of bloopers through, noticeable for detail oriented person. I'm sticking with "Lost" for while After Five.

Giada at Home

2010-06-09T15:35:00.000-07:00

Italian cuisine always attracted me with its garlic-basil smell, olives, melty cheese, seafood, and wine. Also, Italian food has association with comfort food - Pasta!?!

I always watch with adoration Giada De Laurentiis's programs on Food Network, amazed with simplicity of preparation, at least she presented in that way, and variety of taste, for some that I prepared, and richness of nutrients.

Preparing Spaghetti with Red and Yellow Peppers for dinner came up the other day after searching pantry and finding whole wheat spaghetti. It was delicious, when most of the time I am very critical about my creations.

Spaghetti is allowed in my menu since used "in moderation". It's something to enjoy even after five.

"Hello, World!"

2010-06-09T11:06:00.000-07:00

It's my "Hello, World!" in blogging. Why "After Five"? Because it's my time when done with work and have time for creativity, innovation, and expression of myself. Creativity mood kicks in as soon as I leave my office. It flows in different directions as from culinary experiments to exploring local galleries and small movie theaters. I'm in San Francisco area and refer to places in and around the city.
Since most of the time after work I need to prepare meal for my family, I will share fun of cooking in my "After Five". I enjoy that time and try to get most of it. And also here will be postings about movies, books or outings that followed or substitute dinner and worth sharing.

After Five is time for comfort, warmth, joy, fun, and experiments.