World Cup 2006

Is anyone following the World Cup this year? I have been following it since the beginning last week and I am really enjoying watching the games. I have always been a fan of the Brazilian National team (the US team isn't so good), even though it seems that Croatia might be a dark horse this tournament.

For those not familiar with the World Cup, it is a soccer tournament held every four years, and this time it is hosted by Germany. Soccer is the world's sport (ok, in every country except USA) and the fans are very fanatical.

Soccer (or football) is like a religion in Brazil--they even delayed the national mass for an hour so people could watch Brazil in the finals in 2002. England and Germany also have strong teams this year.

Saturday the USA is playing Italy, also a very strong team, but it is a crucial game because if the US loses, they get eliminated from the tournament. The game will be televised on ABC at 3pm EST.

Comfort foods?

When I was contemplating my dinner for tonight, I decided on Indian--in fact it is sort of a ritual that I go to an Indian restaurant in every city I visit. And I must say that I had the best Indian meal I have ever had. I went to the Tamba Restaurant in Las Vegas for dinner and tried the Murgh Makhni, and it was the most delicious I have ever tasted.

Which brought up an interesting thought: Indian food is my favorite type of cuisine, one that traces back to the trips to Oman. In fact, it has almost become a comfort food to me.

Indian isn't the only one of course--I like the usual suspects too in chocolate and caramel. And coffee is a comfort smell.

But I think it is interesting because I think comfort foods and smells are some of the things rooted in our history.

Sooo... let's sound off. Does anyone else have comfort foods or guilty pleasures?

Oh yeah, and if anyone is interested, I found the recipe for Murgh Makhni here. I know the title sounds a little unappetizing, but you should give it a try!

Vegas baby!

Hello from Las Vegas! I am currently in Vegas at a design conference called HOW being held at Mandalay Bay. I am staying at the Luxor (the hotel shaped like a pyramid), and have been here since Sunday night. I don't leave until Friday evening... but I am only here for work...

Tried to gamble on the nickle slots but I lost my $8.50 in nickles in about a half hour... the house always has the advantage it seems.

I have been most impressed with the New York-New York hotel and the Bellagio. The fountains at the Bellagio are amazing to watch and the interior is almost indescribable.

Tomorrow evening I plan on doing the old school Vegas tour--see the Elvis Chapel, the Stardust--get the real Vegas experience.

If anyone who has been to Vegas has any suggestions of must see, let me know! Otherwise, I will play a nickle slot for you all...

Welcome to our virtual Waltons Mountain

Hello everyone! I think this was a great idea, and definitely a way to keep everyone updated now that we are scattered far and wide. Please share this address with all the family as I don't have a complete database. Happy blogging!