NYT reader comments on restaurant closing
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Comments (42)Literature says nothing to those human beings who are satisfied with their lot, who are content with life as they now live it. Literature is the food of the rebellious spirit, the promulgator of non-conformities, the refuge for those who have too much or too little in life. One seeks sanctuary in literature so as not to be unhappy and so as not to be incomplete. To ride alongside the scrawny Rocinante and the confused Knight on the fields of La Mancha, to sail the seas on the back of a whale with Captain Ahab, to drink arsenic with Emma Bovary, to become an insect with Gregor Samsa: these are all ways that we have invented to divest ourselves of the wrongs and the impositions of this unjust life, a life that forces us always to be the same person when we wish to be many different people, so as to satisfy the many desires that possess us. Mario Vargas Llosa Even when reading is impossible, the presence of books acquired produces such an ecstasy that the buying of more books than one can read is nothing less than the soul reaching towards infinity . . . we cherish books even if unread; their mere presence exudes comfort; their ready access, reassurance. A.E. Newton...See MoreOK RP Readers,What will we read in 2106?
Comments (21)I wonder if late 21st-century and early 22nd-century readers/writers will rebel against what they might perceive as the "fantasyheads" of the late 20th and early 21st centuries. It's happened before: The romanticists of the early 19th century rebelled against the classicists of the 18th century. The realists of the late 19th century and early 20th century rebelled against the romanticists. The moderns of the post-WWI era rejected the "sentimental glop" of the Victorians. The postmoderns of the last four(?) decades of the 20th century turned everything upside down, inside out, and crosswise. Yet the classics of all those movements (except the last mentioned, but only because it really hasn't had time) have continued to shine through. What will the next movement be? Post-postmodern, maybe. Is it already in the works? Gee, I hope so because I haven't been very fond of the popular literature of the last few decades, and it saddens me to think that the era of my life will be represented by a lot of incomprehensible, impenetrable (to future readers) experiments. But I guess it's always been thus. Well, no, that can't be true, because we can read the literature of earlier eras and get things out of it that will give us some insight into their times and what made them tick. Can you imagine interpreting our own age with only the fantasy that has been written during it, if the fantasy is what survives? Yikes! And it will probably be the fantasy because historically that's been true -- look at the Arthur legends, mythology, fairy tales and such. So, yes, the Harry Potter and Dr. Seuss books do have a good chance of lasting to 2106. Alice in Wonderland and Peter Pan and all those Oz books have survived the changing tastes of "movements." I haven't read Potter, but I have actively loathed the other childhood fantasies I mentioned (I didn't even like them when I was a kid), but that only means that they are bound to be beloved for a long, long time because my reading taste has never been a good predictor of what will be popular or classic. Personally, I like Mummsie's list of books -- that era of realism is the one I seem to find most congenial....See MoreGoing to SoCal in May: Recs for Restaurants/Places to See/Go
Comments (24)How could I forget wine tasting? There are some good spots downtown, but I prefer Los Olivos and Santa Ynez, where many excellent central coast wines are made. It's also quite beautiful. If you're there in late May, you may also be able to do some early blueberry picking while in Los Olivos. Nojoqui Falls is a wonderful relaxing spot for hiking and seeing a waterfall. Nearby is a little farm where you can pick your own veggies and berries and pay by the honor system. The experience is sure to be a wonderful memory. This is all in north county, about 40 or so minutes north of SB, but in my opinion well worth a day of your time if you'll be in the area for a week. for boutiques and leisurely walking, coast village road in Montecito is great. Some of the restaurants I recommended are within walking distance or actually on CV road. Butterfly beach is also within walking distance. Very nice beach. One of my favorite spots in Montecito is the San ysidro ranch where you can go to the stonehouse upstairs for lunch or dinner, or the plow and Angel downstairs for dinner(try to request a table near the fire). Beautiful grounds and gardens. I've seen the chef walk out to pick fresh produce. Have a wonderful time!...See MoreRestaurant Problems
Comments (91)Gardengal, I live in a large metro area an this was in a higher end restaurant. Nearly all of their sales are on credit card -- it was the owner or manager's choice. And I would never have expected that if I had not heard it from the inside. Not even the bar had sufficient change. From some reason, the owner or manager had made the choice not to have much cash and any coins. It's not a lame excuse when several servers stop what they are doing, the bartender has to stop and they are all trying to scramble for change so one woman can have her few coins -- and then not leave a tip. But my point is -- don't take it out on your server. If they are digging into their pockets to make change, that should tell you something -- that isn't the house cash drawer. They may be able to handle the situation better, but it may be a situation they don't have a lot of control over. You don't have to like it or approve of it -- but it is a reality for others and if you aren't aware of it it is probably because your servers have gone out of their way to make it seamless for you -- probably after having problems and paying for them out of their own pockets....See Moremtnrdredux_gw
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