Photo taken by Adrian Mendoza in Modesto, California.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Asparagus Festival 2008-212
Booth for an asparagus-based margarita at the 2008 Asparagus Festival in Stockton, California.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Sunday, April 06, 2008
Russian Jazz Octet-18
Here's another example of culture clash in Jazz. This is American saxophonist Bob Mintzer playing with several members of the Russian-based Open World Jazz Octet. While they play straight jazz for the most part, only one of the members of the Octet speaks English with any proficiency. But they could all play nearly flawless jazz together. It's amazing how jazz has become a language of its own. Great concert, by the way.
April 2 2008 Deepak Ram
Jazz artist Deepak Ram played for the Brubeck Festival. It's another example of the cultural mix that we call Jazz. He plays straight-on jazz, but uses a mix of Indian and Western instruments to do so. It was interesting to hear. I know this isn't new. John McLaughlin experimented with the same styles in the' '70s. So did Miles Davis. And of course The Beatles mixed rock and Indian sounds in the same way. But it still is an interesting cultural clash.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Celtic Faire 2008-122
Shot from the Sonora Celtic Fair (previously the Calaveras Celtic Faire). This is the group "The Wicked Tinkers." Very high energy. Also, in my mind, a Teriyaki Donut? Why. Besides playing Celtic music and originals, they play Celtic music with a didgeridoo. That's what the guy with the blue handprint on his face is playing.
For those who don't know, a didgeridoo is an instrument invented and used mostly by the Indigenous people of Australia, folks who are most definitely not Celtic. So how does a didgeridoo get introduced into a Celtic band? In this case, it's probably because it just sounds cool, but it's possible it was adopted by the early settlers of Australia, most of whom were Irish and Scottish.
You have to remember that Australia originally was a British Penal colony. In fact, there's a really old joke about it. "Q: What's another name for an Australian? A: An Irishman who got caught." That's the joke. Anyway, it's possible that the Irish who were sent to the island and then settled there after being released from prison adopted the didgeridoo as a substitute for the bagpipes in Celtic music.
This group, of course, also has added a very distinct American rock tone to its music as well, thus further adding to its Teriyaki Donut status in my mind.
For those who don't know, a didgeridoo is an instrument invented and used mostly by the Indigenous people of Australia, folks who are most definitely not Celtic. So how does a didgeridoo get introduced into a Celtic band? In this case, it's probably because it just sounds cool, but it's possible it was adopted by the early settlers of Australia, most of whom were Irish and Scottish.
You have to remember that Australia originally was a British Penal colony. In fact, there's a really old joke about it. "Q: What's another name for an Australian? A: An Irishman who got caught." That's the joke. Anyway, it's possible that the Irish who were sent to the island and then settled there after being released from prison adopted the didgeridoo as a substitute for the bagpipes in Celtic music.
This group, of course, also has added a very distinct American rock tone to its music as well, thus further adding to its Teriyaki Donut status in my mind.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Teriyaki Donuts
Another Teriyaki Donut joint in Modesto, California. But wait, there's more. It's also a gas station! And better yet, it also has a Mexican restaurant too (not pictured, but take my word for it)
Teriyaki Donuts
Another Teriyaki Donut joint in Modesto, California. But wait, there's more. It's also a gas station! And better yet, it also has a Mexican restaurant too (not pictured, but take my word for it)
Monday, January 21, 2008
Jan 20 2008 Molinari
Found in north beach - a long-established Italian deli that serves enchiladas. We have to remember that the fastest growing "minority" group in California is the Hispanic/Latino group, and they are obviously creating influence on all other ethnic groups in the state. It will be interesting to see how much tastes and cultures will change in the next 20 years because of this shift.
Jan 20 2008 Happy New Year
This was in the door to a private residence in San Francisco. It's Mickey and Minnie Mouse wishing everyone a Happy New Year in both English and Chinese. While not surprising since Disney is such a world-wide venture, it's a nice reminder that the American culture has really spread round the globe in obvious and not-so-obvious ways. For some reason, I couldn't help but think of the movie "Blade Runner" which so brilliantly mixed American, Chinese, Japanese and Arab cultures seamlessly throughout the film, including inventing a language that was a mix of all four cultures.
Jan 20 2008 Bagels and Vietnamese Sandwiches
Found a restaurant that sells both Bagels and Vietnamese sandwiches in San Francisco. Oh, and English tea too.
Friday, December 07, 2007
Monday, August 27, 2007
Teriyaki Donut from Quentin Tarantino's "Jackie Brown"
This was sent to me from a reader of this blog. It's the Teriyaki Donut shop that Quentin Tarantion used in "Jackie Brown." Courtesy of Todd Mecklem.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Greek Nachos
I know, I know. This was the same booth I photographed last year. I just can't resist. I have a weakness for curly Greek nachos.
Cajun Sausage burgers
Another favorite at the Stanislaus County Fair in Turlock, California. These are such easy targets for this blog.
Fried Vegetable cajun corndog Polish sausage
An oldie but a goodie. Taken at this year's Stanislaus County Fair in Turlock, California.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Greek Pizza or Italian Gyros?
Found this just off of Fillmore in San Francisco, about a block down from the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry. While it would make sense, in a way, to mix Greek and Italian food - after all the two countries are close to the same neighborhood on the globe - there is so much that could be said about this combination.
For example, is it a pizza with lamb meat or is it a Greek sandwich smothered in cheese and tomato sauce?
There's also the issue of the origin of the pizza. Some historians claim the pizza is firmly American. Others say that the pizza we normally buy in the states has a distinct flavor, but that there is in fact an Italian pizza, or "pissa" meaning flat bread (the derivative pita is believed to have come from pissa). I've heard arguments that Focaccia bread is actually the Italian version of pizza, as that bread also comes smothered in tomatoes and cheese in some varieties. Recently, the Italian legislature debated a law that would set limitations on what ingredients and style of pizza could actually be called "authentic Italian." So even they recognize a large variation in what is served elsewhere - especially in the United States.
Either way, I think this place firmly can take its place as a Teriyaki Donut.
For example, is it a pizza with lamb meat or is it a Greek sandwich smothered in cheese and tomato sauce?
There's also the issue of the origin of the pizza. Some historians claim the pizza is firmly American. Others say that the pizza we normally buy in the states has a distinct flavor, but that there is in fact an Italian pizza, or "pissa" meaning flat bread (the derivative pita is believed to have come from pissa). I've heard arguments that Focaccia bread is actually the Italian version of pizza, as that bread also comes smothered in tomatoes and cheese in some varieties. Recently, the Italian legislature debated a law that would set limitations on what ingredients and style of pizza could actually be called "authentic Italian." So even they recognize a large variation in what is served elsewhere - especially in the United States.
Either way, I think this place firmly can take its place as a Teriyaki Donut.
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