SCALLOPS

It’s hard for me to imagine what dish it’s my favorite, in particular. Nevertheless, in the last days I had the privilege to eat a very exquisite food.

Scallops (not to be mistaken with the seafood) or called in some countries Scaloppine consists of beef loin cuts (chicken is used to), eggs, a cup of wheat flour (breadcrumbs are more common), salt and/ or pepper, oil, and sometimes sauces of tomato, wine or lemon are used, but it is a matter of choice. Condiment is used first at applying it to the meat. Eggs are beaten on a bowl until you have froth. The meat is submerged on the shake and then put on flour for at least a minute. Later on, oil it is heated on a pan where the meat goes to get brown. After a few flippings it gets solid and it has to be put on absorbent paper and finally we got some tasty scallops.

This is a meal usually prepared on lunches and special occasions. You can use salad, French fries or even cheese for company. As I said before, it is a very delicious food. I am not sure about its particular origin. I mean, now I know but I have never occurred that it has an Italian origin (I also discovered that it’s a very common dish in Italian-American cuisine). Oh, and about the use of lemon, it has a different name when you use it: Piccata. I’ve never eaten scallops with lemon, but now that I think it well, it is a good idea. I might try it sometime. But I’m not very good at cooking. I don’t have the habit, and if I want to learn it I do not know if I would be able to make such delicious meals.

AL PACINO

Since people started to look professionalism in actors, there has been one that really stands out as, for me, one of the most talented and experienced performers in our times.

Alfredo James Pacino was born on April, 25^th in 1940 at New York City, USA. He grew up in places like East Harlem and the South Bronx. Pacino had a long distance to walk before he could get known by his passion. He had difficulties to be a good student and dropped out school at the age of seventeen. In the late sixties, he was arrested for carrying an unlicensed gun. Before dreaming about being an actor, he had several other jobs such as projectionist in a film theater or even as a stand-up comedian. Nevertheless, he got interest in Shakespeare’s plays as Richard III, The Merchant of Venice, King Lear and many others. This would be eventually an important reason for Pacino’s passion for acting. I guess we all know pretty much what followed after that: roles in films like Serpico, Dog Day Afternoon, Scarface and The Godfather Trilogy leaded him as one of the top performers in cinema today, to such a point that he turned down parts in films like Star Wars, Kramer vs. Kramer, Apocalypse Now, Born on the 4^th of July, Pretty Woman and Crimson Tide. But a good project that he chose was Scent of a Woman, which gave him an Oscar.

It’s known that he had chronic insomnia, he was a smoker, and he has never been married. But he’s truly and incredible actor. He portrays characters like no one else, and I’m sure he will do it for a long time.

ABOUT MUSIC...

Really a tough call. First of all, I’m a great music fan. I like it so much that I consider myself as a total consumerist of music (in a similar way like films, but not that similar).


Having said that, it’s quite difficult for me to tell you some specific information about music. I don’t have any favorite album or concerts (maybe a couple, like Chancho en Piedra’s or La Cumbre del Rock Chileno sort of thing). At least I have some defined musical genres like rock mostly, folk (national or foreign) and, it’s to be expected, film soundtracks. I have a some artists that I like from these genres too: for example, I have listened chilean rock for a very long time, but I’ve recently discovered some new tastes, more internationals (The Rolling Stones, Faith No More, Radiohead, Nine Inch Nails, Tool, Rage Against the Machine, Sigur Rós, etc...). In folk we have names like Parra, Jara, Inti-Illimani, Cash, Dylan, among others. What about film scores? Well, composers like Herrmann, Morricone, Williams, Shore, Elfman, Zimmer and Santaolalla are a few of many.


I’m sorry if I can’t tell you more about this (considering that I’m more into films) but, you know, music it’s listening, paying attention, and feel. It’s universal. Not matter what origin, time, or anything else, there’s music for everyone.

-add celebration here-

Here I have some plans for this September, 18^th. I think I’ll celebrate this Holiday at home. I’m considering the possibility of going to a fonda, but I haven’t confirmed anything yet. If it doesn’t happen this let me tell you, it wouldn’t definitely be the first time. I would be with my family I guess.

I’m not a very consumerist guy, but at this time of the year one thing, just one thing comes to my mind: typical Chilean cuisine (you know; asados, empanadas, choripanes, churrascos, pastel de choclo, chicha, etc…). With prices of the food rising it’s important to buy as much as you can, before everything disappears.

I think I’ll also watch the military parade again, I don’t like it but, you know, what else can I do? In my opinion, my plans are not very interesting either, but seriously, the patriotic feeling it isn’t my stuff. You can call me “deserter to the homeland” if you want (it would be the most expected thing to happen) but I have some questions: do I have to drink chicha just on September, 18^th? Where is it said that empanadas can’t be eaten in the rest of the year?