The Reign of Tara
I had a history professor that would say the Reign of "Terror" like my name, Tara, and I would look up in the lecture hall, startled out of my daydreaming because I thought he just called on me. I wasn't the only one who thought it sounded like my name though, because a couple of people would look back towards me and smile. Anyway, I digress.

Today is my one year blogaversary!

My first post consisted of a poll asking visitors to help me pick a name for my blog from a list of choices. The other contenders were Tara's Tantrums, The Blog With No Name, and Tiki Tara. When Tara Met Blog won by two more votes. Since When Harry Met Sally is my favorite film, I was excited :)

I also went from 20 visitors a day, mostly my friends to 250-500 a day! You like me, you really really like me! Yes, if you were near by you could throw a pillow at me.

I've also received 8,500 hits soley through

With or without you
The U2 concert at Madison Square Garden last night was amazing. There were soo many people, it was really electrifying as were the light effects accompanying the music.

At one point the lights went off and Bono asked everyone to get out their cell phones and make a milky way inside. It looked like we were all in a planetarium time everyone raised their phones in the air, the LCD screens glowing.

The opening band Keane, was also really good. I like there song Everybody is Changing

Below are some photos:



Getting txt messages of how the Yankees were losing, really put a damper on the night though. Hey, at least we put up a good fight and got further than the Red Sox did.

What would you do?
You are driving down the road in your car on a wild, stormy night, when you pass by a bus stop and you see three people waiting for the bus:

1. An old lady who looks as if she is about to die.
2. An old friend who once saved your life.
3. The perfect partner you have been dreaming about.

Which one would you choose to offer a ride to, knowing that there could only be one passenger in your small car? Think before you continue reading.
This is a moral/ethical dilemma that was once actually used as part of a job application.

You could pick up the old lady, because she is going to die, and thus you should save her first. Or you could take the old friend because they once saved your life and this would be the perfect chance to pay them back. However, you may never be able to find your perfect mate again.

The candidate who was hired (out of 200 applicants) had no trouble coming up with his answer. She simply answered, "I would give the car keys to my old friend and let him take the lady to the hospital. I would stay behind and wait for the bus with the partner of my dreams." Sometimes, we gain more if we are able to give up our stubborn thought limitations.

Here I was thinking I'd pick up my friend and call an ambulance for the old lady, but then felt guilty for leaving her, so the above solution makes much more sense. Must remember to think outside the box more!
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How funny is this book spoof? And how true, lol



PS: Was on pins and needles last night watching the Yankees game. Staying alive baby! Got teary when the crowd kept chanting Bernie Williams, Bernie Williams and then he came out and waved. He's been a Yankee for so long, I don't want him to leave. I'm missing part of the game tonight though, since I'm going to the U2 concert at Madison Square Garden. I'm of course looking forward to that too.

A Ratty Day
I tripped over a small squishy dead rat in Washington Square Park today on my way to my morning NYU grad class. Ironically, I wasn't looking at my feet because I was reading a florescent pink sign taped to a tree that read Caution: Rat Poison has been sprayed in the area. Well, the stuff works because besides the mushy lifeless one that I tripped on, I saw another dead rat body when exiting the park too. Speaking of rodents, the sonic mouse repeller is now on in my apartment, I'm not sure if it's working or just a placebo, but no sign of mice since the first spotting.

Then my day got even more annoying, when I spilled my tea down the long table in my photojournalism class. The very HOT tea scalded my hand as I ineffectively tried to catch the falling cup and splashed Sarah's folder containing her weekly photo assignment. Luckily only her folder's edge got soggy and she had plastic covers protecting her photos. Everyone jumped to hand me napkins but my professor and NYT photographer was lecturing so I felt like a tool. I also didn't want to disturb the class further by running to the bathroom to put my hand under cold water. Instead, I just squeezed my red hands in my lap as I hurried to contain the liquid. It was a solid 15 minutes until I attempted to reach for my tea again and take a cautious sip.

PS: Let's go Yankees!! I have my cap on even in the office, thankfully it's casual Friday. I'm watching the game in Westchester tonight with some family friends who are also die hard fans, including my 86-year-old Nanny who was at Yankee Stadium when Lou Gehrig gave his famous speech. She says there wasn't a dry eye in the house.

PPS: Yes, I'm still riding the subways, no choice really.

Study: Half of All Teens Have Had Oral Sex.

Mac Attack
It is not always easy to receive comfort, just when you need it. But comfort foods like Macaroni and Cheese have been soothing troubles since childhood.

When you are feeling down and need the instant gratification that can only be found in the warm creamy pasta, you don’t have to turn to Kraft’s blue cardboard box or travel to the 24 hour dinner to satisfy your craving. Many bars and restaurants like Cafeteria (119 Seventh Ave) have tapped into the carb-comfort racket and serve childhood consolation meals like Macaroni and Cheese. However, in almost the same amount of time it takes to fix the packaged version or travel and order a side dish version, you can make your own cheesy baked ambrosia that is richer and more fulfilling.

Growing up I preferred cut up hot dogs in my Velveeta, while my friend likes to add a can of cream of mushroom soup to give extra flavor and texture. Instead of bread crumbs I once crumbled up some potato chips, tossed them with a small amount of melted butter and garlic powder, basil, oregano and black pepper. Yummy!

My Mom's Easy Cheese Macaroni
Called “Cheese Macaroni,” this recipe includes mozzarella; an 8 oz can of tomato sauce and no bread crumbs or paprika. (30 minutes).
Boil pasta until al dente, since the pasta will cook some more while microwaving, yes you heard me, we cheat. Once pasta is ready but firm, put in deep microwaveable container. Melt in 2 tablespoons of butter. Add 1/2 pound of sliced yellow American Land O'Lakes cheese available at the meat counter. Line the slices of cheese underneath the pasta, along the sides of the container and on top. Then stir in ? pound of shredded mozzarella and 8 oz of plain tomato sauce. Stir and then microwave for 5 minutes, stir again and heat for 10 more or until cheese is melted and gooey. You can of course also bake this recipe but the microwave actually combines the cheese well keeping the pasta very moist. Add salt and pepper as desired and mangia!

The Ultimate Macaroni and Cheese
Make sure you have some extra time on your hands for this recipe. Bake time alone is 30 minutes, plus boiling pasta and mixing ingredients.

Ingredients:
1/2 pound penne pasta; 1/2 cup butter; 3 tbsp. minced fresh onion; 1/2 tsp white pepper; 1 1/2 tbsps flour; 1 tbsp Dijon mustard; 1 1/2 cups milk; 1 cup grated Gruyere cheese; 1 cup grated cheddar cheese; 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1/3 cup bread crumbs.

Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Boil the pasta in plenty of salted boiling water. Drain and reserve when ready. Meanwhile, melt 1/3 cup of the butter in a saucepan over medium heat and add the onion. Cook for two minutes. Add the white pepper and flour. Cook, stirring constantly, for three to four minutes. Don't let the flour brown; lower the heat if it does. Add the mustard and milk and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 10-15 minutes. The sauce will thicken. It should be very thick but not gluey. Add more milk if it thickens too much. Once the sauce has simmered for at least 10 minutes, add the cheddar and gruyere cheeses and half the parmesan. Shut off heat and stir them in. Stir the cheeses in as they melt. Return the pan to low heat if necessary. Working quickly, toss the pasta in the cheese sauce. Toss it well so the sauce gets inside the pasta tubes. Place the pasta in an 11- by 14-inch glass or ceramic baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining parmesan cheese over the top. Melt the remaining butter, stir it into the breadcrumbs and sprinkle this mixture over the top of the pasta. Bake for about 30 minutes or until the top is golden and toasted.
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Question: Why do people swing their arms while walking up stairs?

Apparently to smack me on the nose while on the step below them, making my commute that much brighter.