Not Just Any Baby

Other people's babies are cute, sure. But your own nephew – is cute. Isaac, named after his paternal great-grandfather Ira, will be one month on Monday.

Isaac arrived early in the morning on October 16, 2009, weighing in at 6 lbs. 9 oz. According to his mother, "He already cries fluently in English, French, Flemish and Mandarin. He says he is eager to meet you all, and that the food in Belgium makes up for the weather - which is not so bad after all."

I wouldn't mind having an Obama baby myself (as in, having a baby under Obama's administration, not having a baby with the president), but in case I don't (I have seven years), I'll at least have an Obama nephew.

My sister is doing well and looks great on Skype. While it's apparent a lot has changed in my sister and brother-in-law's life, not much has changed for me since becoming an aunt (they call me Aunt Ann). Except for the wallpaper on my BlackBerry (Isaac) and an increased interest in tiny clothes. And, if in a blue funk, I am cheered up by the mere thought of the little man.

We will finally meet in December – at his paternal great-grandparents' in Boston – after his first transatlantic flight. Needless to say, I cannot wait.

Our Pies Are Out Of This World

Here is a photo of my colleague Quyen and me holding our respective pies. School numbs my buns!

What Twin Peaks will do to you

Sadly, I am fast approaching the last disc of the second and final season of Twin Peaks. This week my craving for cherry pie came to a head (huckleberry is too obscure). Until this morning, my search had only yielded a $14.99 pie at Whole Foods and nary a parking space at House of Pies. I am happy to share that, thanks to my colleague, I have found a pie – the Flying Saucer Pie Company’s cherry pie.

If you also find yourself in Houston with a craving for pie, I recommend going to the aforementioned Flying Saucer, where the pies “are out of this world.” The pies range in price from $8.75 to $10.75. They use only fresh eggs, all vegetable shortening, whipped topping (not on my cherry pie) and fresh fruit whenever possible; the pies contain no preservatives. And they claim to be the oldest pie shop in Houston operating out of the same location since 1975. I can only hope it’s as good as that of the Double R Diner.

The Middle East Fits My Mood

Look for The Recordings of The Middle East by the Australian band The Middle East. If you're a sucker for soft haunting melodies (and beautiful album covers and simple album and band names), you should listen to "Blood" and "The Darkest Side" and probably the rest of the band's oeuvre when it is released (10/27/2009, according to the Lala). The band's appeal has more to do with their sound that is reminiscent of Bon Iver, Fleet Foxes (and Arcade Fire, when the girls chime in) than their vampiric song titles. As for ever seeing The Middle East live, KEXP makes a good point, "The problem with falling for an Australian band: they are always playing Australia."

Stimulus Brownie

HOUSTON – In my last post I failed to mention that I was at both coffeeshops in one day, hence the “hop.” So is the Wireless-less life. After a weekend of hanging out with a small white dog, I'm back at Antidote to share some great news with dessert lovers, chocoholics, et al. While I prefer savory to sweet, Barnaby’s brownie is one thing I generally don’t pass on.

The great news is that until the Dow hits 11,000, Barnaby’s in Houston is offering the Stimulus Brownie for $1. This bite-size delight is approximately a quarter of the size of the usual brownie à la mode – with an equally recession-sized scoop of that thick buttery Mexican vanilla ice cream that a even salt-lover like me can’t resist.

Coffee Shop Hop

This time last month I was in Brussels visiting my sister and her husband. My ten days in Europe are worth a separate post. Today I'm writing about coffee shops in Houston. In this post I'm not so much interested in the coffee as I am in its usefulness. When it comes to coffee shops, besides the obvious things, I only need two things: outlets, and free Wi-Fi. Agora and Antidote fit the bill.

Agora (1712 Westheimer Rd) is a Greek-owned shop as hidden as a building can be on busy Westheimer. The ground floor of this former house is furnished with large tables surrounded by director's chairs and a couple of couches. The upper level, accessible only by a set of seriously steep stairs, is packed with a motley assortment of small tables and chairs. There is outdoor seating both downstairs and upstairs – a haven for smokers. There's almost always something playing on the jukebox, and it is surprisingly good for the most part. Right now, Jeff Buckley. The clientele is mixed. All different types of people – possibly a decent cross section of Houston. Parking isn't great, but I live in walking distance, so. I personally avoid Wednesday nights like the plague; it is (or at least used to be) belly dancing night.

Antidote (729 Studewood St) is further north in the Heights. Parking is in front of the shop or on E 8th St. It is much smaller than Agora but I have generally found a place to sit, whether it's at one of the small lacquered wood tables, the colorful round tables outside, or on one of their vintage-looking couches. There's less world music here compared to Agora, so think The Rolling Stones, a classical track, followed by your favorite Belle and Sebastian song…you know, if you have one. Which brings us to the clientele. It's younger, hipper, and teeming with young parents and their newborns on weekend mornings. If you like Antidote too, you can vote for them here.

Both coffee shops serve beer and wine, and food that I rarely ever feel compelled to eat. What I love about both of these places is that you could sit there all day doing what it is you do on your laptop, and they won't bat an eye. Which is nice.

Scary Skype

Was this upgrade inspired by The Ring?