I don't like quotes that gives life lessons... I have my own lessons... Well, I don't know if I could make use of them... But it is not the point now... The point is I don't like them... Probably because I believe every incident has its own conditions and it depends on various consequences... So, sometimes the lesson works, sometimes not... Even the right and wrong depends on which angle you are looking from...
Well, this is not different, I know... But...
"She reminded me that the world was really one big bee yard, and the same rules worked fine in both places: Don't be afraid, as no life-loving bee wants to sting you. Still, don't be an idiot; wear long sleeves and long pants. Don't swat. Don't even think about swatting. If you feel angry, whistle. Anger agitates, while whistling melts a bee's temper. Act like you know what you are doing, even if you don't. Above all, send the bees love. Every little thing wants to be loved."
-The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd-
Maybe I should better start liking and reading them more since learning never ends in this short life...
Monday, May 21, 2007
Thursday, May 17, 2007
What's With 24?
"It is a brilliant idea" I thought when I first saw "24"... I watched it with excitement... Everything was happening in 24 hours with suspense and action... I watched all season with very big interest... Well, for the -I think- 6th season have you realized the plot is the same as in the first one.... Here are some headlines that every season has:
1- Jack is the only person who can save the U.S.
2- Yet CTU arrests Jack but Jack manages to flee and does whatever it takes to save the country.
3- There is several nuclear bombs which one of them always explodes.
4- The U.S.'s security is in CTU's hands. There is no other intelligence agency that can help them.
5- However CTU has only 6 personnel.
6- Some of these people at CTU are having an affair.
7- Even though whole country's safety depend on those people, they act foolishly and makes decisions depending on their emotional influences..
8- There is always one person, a treater at CTU. (Shockingly - It is the biggest and the most important intelligence agency in the US however, it cannot even have enough information about its own personnel. Yet it is expected to be the saver of the country.)
9- There is some people who has plans against the president.
10- Terrorists make attack on CTU (Shockingly again - This agency cannot even defend itself.)
11- There is always someone from Jack's family in the middle of the action...
I can go on like that... The plot is the same, the action is the same, the lead actor is the same, acting is getting worse, the cast is getting smaller, the original ideas already died... And people still watches it... I am amazed!!! I quited as soon as I saw the second seasons beginning... I see some bits and pieces while I am zapping... I am bored even when I am zapping through... Thank god I don't watch it!
Hehhe.. A funny anecdote... One of my friend who has watched every and each season said that he is going to put a post-it over his TV to remind him not to watch 24 next season.
1- Jack is the only person who can save the U.S.
2- Yet CTU arrests Jack but Jack manages to flee and does whatever it takes to save the country.
3- There is several nuclear bombs which one of them always explodes.
4- The U.S.'s security is in CTU's hands. There is no other intelligence agency that can help them.
5- However CTU has only 6 personnel.
6- Some of these people at CTU are having an affair.
7- Even though whole country's safety depend on those people, they act foolishly and makes decisions depending on their emotional influences..
8- There is always one person, a treater at CTU. (Shockingly - It is the biggest and the most important intelligence agency in the US however, it cannot even have enough information about its own personnel. Yet it is expected to be the saver of the country.)
9- There is some people who has plans against the president.
10- Terrorists make attack on CTU (Shockingly again - This agency cannot even defend itself.)
11- There is always someone from Jack's family in the middle of the action...
I can go on like that... The plot is the same, the action is the same, the lead actor is the same, acting is getting worse, the cast is getting smaller, the original ideas already died... And people still watches it... I am amazed!!! I quited as soon as I saw the second seasons beginning... I see some bits and pieces while I am zapping... I am bored even when I am zapping through... Thank god I don't watch it!
Hehhe.. A funny anecdote... One of my friend who has watched every and each season said that he is going to put a post-it over his TV to remind him not to watch 24 next season.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Friday, May 11, 2007
Cool Photos by CoolSeker
Take a look at them... These are my favorites...
a glass of wine fun :)
Sky Lion cooooool...
where did the ghost go? spooky!
a glass of wine fun :)
Sky Lion cooooool...
where did the ghost go? spooky!
Saturday, April 28, 2007
It is not Turkish Kitchen!
And it is not a Turkish kitchen... Turkish Kitchen is the most famous, positively rated and expensive Turkish restaurant in New York City.
We went there for a company dinner about 8 people... On the way my boss said that he was about to cancel the reservation when the restaurant representative asked him to leave at 9pm with his guesses if he scheduled the dinner at 7:30pm... He decided to change the dinner time to 6:30pm... This restaurant was utilizing double seating policy on Friday nights... My boss said it was unacceptable for as if it is a first class restaurant... And I said, "Well, then maybe it is now"... And then he joined me and said "Yeah, its service and meal quality had been consistent for many years, so it is a good restaurant." We agreed to applaud it and its owners...
I really hate to do this to this... I resent to hurt any Turkish business... Because I know how hard it is for them to be really good in any field they are operating, especially in the U.S. ... I really do... I am one of them... But there are certain rules that you have to keep up with either to become a leader in your field or to maintain leadership... You stay committed, consistent and always value your patrons sincerely no matter how big you become... And I believe competency brings better quality...
First of all, its walls are bold red with minimal blue lightings, and nothing else... It has orchids here and there... That's it... I am not an architect, however I know this isn't Turkish.... I believe it is Far Eastern... I haven't seen a Turkish kitchen like that; let alone any establishment back in the country; it feels more like a Japanese restaurant (I would understand a modern style decoration but this is far away)... It doesn't have any authenticity at all despite its name... So, this was my first impression. Oh, no wait, my first impression was "Uh-oh, are we just welcomed without a smile by a crowded men group at the door?" Very serious looking, suited men, about 4 of them (They must be taking their job very seriously, good for them :) )... However, as I recall the greeting job requires one, maybe two people, but a smile is a prerequisite without a doubt... Which has a very important place in Turkish hospitality... Otherwise how I could feel welcomed?.. Of course, I did forget about it while we were escorted to our table... But...
Second, I've never seen mezes served separately in a Turkish restaurant, in Turkey or in New York, or somewhere else in the world, in my life - I am almost half way... Yes, sometimes cold mezes can be served first then warm ones later but not, as Turkish Kitchen did, one by one... The waiter did not take our order completely... Well, I actually realized that after when we finished our mezes in about one hour because of the service style that he did not and he asked about what we are going to eat for the main course... I thought I already gave my order at the beginning... And Turkish cuisine has dishes that take time to prepare... They were supposed to prepare our meals while we were eating appetizers... This wasn't that important!.. Please, don't let me make a big deal out of it...
Anyway... I was afraid to wait another hour to get my meal, fortunately it didn't take that long... Even though, there wasn't that much time to prepare it and they made it possible to serve it cold... My dish was in a traditional brass plate which also should be hot, but nope, iskender kebab was served cold... Well, again, don't make me big deal out of it... Don't count on me, either...
Then I started to eat with my mouth was watering since I hadn't had a good Iskender Kebab for a long time... (Frankly, I had sworn not to eat Iskender outside of Turkey after my first couple of attemps which ended with regrets... None of the places had the authentic Iskender... That's 2+2 equals 4... Heh he... But not that 4 at the door :)) Waiter didn't even ask about whether I'd like to have melted butter on it or not, and there wasn't any on it... Yogurt supposed to be plain, not with garlic and a lot of salt... Pita bread wasn't toasted so it had melted under yogurt (yoghurt) and turn into dough... I gave up on my kebab after a couple of bites... Then again, don't let me make a big deal out of it... I've never said that I am a low maintenance person, or I have low expectancies... I always expected to get what I paid for... It is that simple for me... If it is too much to ask or too complex for you, then go ahead try that kitchen or whatever that is... You might enjoy it probably under those circumstances...
At the end of our meal, we ordered Turkish Coffee and Tea... Coffee drinkers complained about their sugar level, which was higher than what they had ordered... My tea was tasteless and came in a cup instead of a traditional tea glass... This is again might be considered a small detail...
Oh, I forgot... They added an extra martini that nobody drank to the check... What a first class restaurant, right... (Aw pinaroma, shut up already!.. ) Hey, this restaurant was supposed to be the best...
There is a saying in Turkey that says "You ate what you ate, bon appetite, tell us about what you saw". So, I told you what I saw which is "if you want to try delicious Turkish dishes the place is not Turkish Kitchen"... I do not know why there is such a buzz about that place... Maybe they were good once upon a time... But not nowadays... Go try some other Turkish places...
This is my opinion... I am sure there are tons of people who will say that I am wrong... Try and see for yourself... Or go try Taksim on Second Avenue (Between 54th & 55th Str.), or Ali Baba which is my favorite on East 34th Street (Between 2nd & 3rd Ave.)... They are both better and cheaper...
One last word... I am awake since 2:30 am EST and I drank bunch of alka seltzers and still waiting my stomach to settle (Just to clear that: I don't have regular stomach aches after my meals)...
We went there for a company dinner about 8 people... On the way my boss said that he was about to cancel the reservation when the restaurant representative asked him to leave at 9pm with his guesses if he scheduled the dinner at 7:30pm... He decided to change the dinner time to 6:30pm... This restaurant was utilizing double seating policy on Friday nights... My boss said it was unacceptable for as if it is a first class restaurant... And I said, "Well, then maybe it is now"... And then he joined me and said "Yeah, its service and meal quality had been consistent for many years, so it is a good restaurant." We agreed to applaud it and its owners...
I really hate to do this to this... I resent to hurt any Turkish business... Because I know how hard it is for them to be really good in any field they are operating, especially in the U.S. ... I really do... I am one of them... But there are certain rules that you have to keep up with either to become a leader in your field or to maintain leadership... You stay committed, consistent and always value your patrons sincerely no matter how big you become... And I believe competency brings better quality...
First of all, its walls are bold red with minimal blue lightings, and nothing else... It has orchids here and there... That's it... I am not an architect, however I know this isn't Turkish.... I believe it is Far Eastern... I haven't seen a Turkish kitchen like that; let alone any establishment back in the country; it feels more like a Japanese restaurant (I would understand a modern style decoration but this is far away)... It doesn't have any authenticity at all despite its name... So, this was my first impression. Oh, no wait, my first impression was "Uh-oh, are we just welcomed without a smile by a crowded men group at the door?" Very serious looking, suited men, about 4 of them (They must be taking their job very seriously, good for them :) )... However, as I recall the greeting job requires one, maybe two people, but a smile is a prerequisite without a doubt... Which has a very important place in Turkish hospitality... Otherwise how I could feel welcomed?.. Of course, I did forget about it while we were escorted to our table... But...
Second, I've never seen mezes served separately in a Turkish restaurant, in Turkey or in New York, or somewhere else in the world, in my life - I am almost half way... Yes, sometimes cold mezes can be served first then warm ones later but not, as Turkish Kitchen did, one by one... The waiter did not take our order completely... Well, I actually realized that after when we finished our mezes in about one hour because of the service style that he did not and he asked about what we are going to eat for the main course... I thought I already gave my order at the beginning... And Turkish cuisine has dishes that take time to prepare... They were supposed to prepare our meals while we were eating appetizers... This wasn't that important!.. Please, don't let me make a big deal out of it...
Anyway... I was afraid to wait another hour to get my meal, fortunately it didn't take that long... Even though, there wasn't that much time to prepare it and they made it possible to serve it cold... My dish was in a traditional brass plate which also should be hot, but nope, iskender kebab was served cold... Well, again, don't make me big deal out of it... Don't count on me, either...
Then I started to eat with my mouth was watering since I hadn't had a good Iskender Kebab for a long time... (Frankly, I had sworn not to eat Iskender outside of Turkey after my first couple of attemps which ended with regrets... None of the places had the authentic Iskender... That's 2+2 equals 4... Heh he... But not that 4 at the door :)) Waiter didn't even ask about whether I'd like to have melted butter on it or not, and there wasn't any on it... Yogurt supposed to be plain, not with garlic and a lot of salt... Pita bread wasn't toasted so it had melted under yogurt (yoghurt) and turn into dough... I gave up on my kebab after a couple of bites... Then again, don't let me make a big deal out of it... I've never said that I am a low maintenance person, or I have low expectancies... I always expected to get what I paid for... It is that simple for me... If it is too much to ask or too complex for you, then go ahead try that kitchen or whatever that is... You might enjoy it probably under those circumstances...
At the end of our meal, we ordered Turkish Coffee and Tea... Coffee drinkers complained about their sugar level, which was higher than what they had ordered... My tea was tasteless and came in a cup instead of a traditional tea glass... This is again might be considered a small detail...
Oh, I forgot... They added an extra martini that nobody drank to the check... What a first class restaurant, right... (Aw pinaroma, shut up already!.. ) Hey, this restaurant was supposed to be the best...
There is a saying in Turkey that says "You ate what you ate, bon appetite, tell us about what you saw". So, I told you what I saw which is "if you want to try delicious Turkish dishes the place is not Turkish Kitchen"... I do not know why there is such a buzz about that place... Maybe they were good once upon a time... But not nowadays... Go try some other Turkish places...
This is my opinion... I am sure there are tons of people who will say that I am wrong... Try and see for yourself... Or go try Taksim on Second Avenue (Between 54th & 55th Str.), or Ali Baba which is my favorite on East 34th Street (Between 2nd & 3rd Ave.)... They are both better and cheaper...
One last word... I am awake since 2:30 am EST and I drank bunch of alka seltzers and still waiting my stomach to settle (Just to clear that: I don't have regular stomach aches after my meals)...
Friday, April 27, 2007
What's going on in Turkey?
Nothing!.. Absolutely nothing but manipulation... That's all...
People has panicked, saying "AKP will bring 'Sharia' to Turkey if the current Prime Minister Tayyib Erdogan becomes the President of Turkey"... What a bogus... When an Islamic party in Turkey did make it before?.. Could Erbakan, who was the most radical one, make it when he was the Prime Minister?..
Secular ones say "Oh, they will change the Constitutional law and turn Turkey into an fundemantalist Islamic country"... It is not that easy, trust me... There are some elements that are not going to let it happen, both local and foreign... Turkey is in this vicious circle for decades now... I believe, unfortunately, DSP and CHP (still) are the parties that harmed Turkey more than any other party in Turkey.... Their useless, meaningless persistency about staying separate just brought chaos to Turkey...
I am very sad to see that people is not seeing what is really hurting Turkey... Turkey is an emerging market which is trying to grow and settle, to get some foreign investments, funds... Can you see what happened next week? Turkey's financial markets got volatile and some foreign investors got scared and sold their bonds and stocks... Who did loose because of that unnecessary panic? Turkey... Who won? The ones who want to harm Turkey... So, please think before you act like a fool, and try to stay calm... These are just political games...
People has panicked, saying "AKP will bring 'Sharia' to Turkey if the current Prime Minister Tayyib Erdogan becomes the President of Turkey"... What a bogus... When an Islamic party in Turkey did make it before?.. Could Erbakan, who was the most radical one, make it when he was the Prime Minister?..
Secular ones say "Oh, they will change the Constitutional law and turn Turkey into an fundemantalist Islamic country"... It is not that easy, trust me... There are some elements that are not going to let it happen, both local and foreign... Turkey is in this vicious circle for decades now... I believe, unfortunately, DSP and CHP (still) are the parties that harmed Turkey more than any other party in Turkey.... Their useless, meaningless persistency about staying separate just brought chaos to Turkey...
I am very sad to see that people is not seeing what is really hurting Turkey... Turkey is an emerging market which is trying to grow and settle, to get some foreign investments, funds... Can you see what happened next week? Turkey's financial markets got volatile and some foreign investors got scared and sold their bonds and stocks... Who did loose because of that unnecessary panic? Turkey... Who won? The ones who want to harm Turkey... So, please think before you act like a fool, and try to stay calm... These are just political games...
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Coffee in NY, Tea by the Bosphorus
Coffee is an important drink for Americans as it is tea for Turks... It is one of the signatures of New York, people with a cup of coffee and muffin bag in their hands in the morning... New York likes to have a breakfast on the way of work... Every corner has a coffee house or a 'deli' (delicatessen) to stop by and get those vital substances... Starbucks is the most common and well-known one...It is unforgettable drinking a glass of tea by the Bosphorus... Having a traditional morning tea with cheese, olive, 'simit' or afternoon tea with sandwiches, scones, cream and sweets that makes you feel like royalty... Enjoying a relaxing tea with a view of the Bosphorus Sea in Istanbul: priceless... At least for most of us... I've heard Starbucks is conquering Istanbul, too; converting young generation from tea to coffee... I wonder if we are going to see the same scenes in the street of Istanbul in several years as in New York now... May it be the Starbucks that force to surrender Turkish tea reign and leave its place to coffee?.. It may or not... However, I don't think it can dare to wrestle with Turkish coffee, though...
"I don't drink coffee I take tea my dear
I like my toast done on one side
And you can hear it in my accent when I talk
I'm a Turkish girl in New York"
- Englishman In New York by Sting
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