Amanda sent the house a very touching holiday card, and so in return I will take her up on her desire to learn how to make a proper risotto. (If Heather has any saffron left over, I may even try to prepare it the Gordon Ramsay way, although that's probably not a good way to teach someone.) Also, apparently she's a brunette now; huh. (The one on the right.)

And that gets me thinking: Punk Rock Kitchen should offer basic culinary instructions in return for gifts. Perhaps you've often wondered how to make a stock. Or asked yourself: why is it I can never slice an onion the way they do it in restaurants? Maybe there's a certain entree you love but fear putting together yourself -- fish, for instance. Well, I'm here to help. Just get me a gift. I want the Jerry Heller memoir about N.W.A. and the new ghetto economy book. Also, I find myself missing a lot of the records I either sold for rent money in college or foolishly gave to a then-girlfriend, especially the first Four Hundred Years LP, The Pist's Ideas Are Bulletproof album, the One Eyed God Prophecy LP, Devoid of Faith's first album, His Hero Is Gone's Monuments To Theives LP and C.R.'s 7-inch and Compassion Revolution LP. Also, if you or a friend are in Zegota, I want the record where you guys cover "Ohio." If you can get me these records or books, I will make a chef out of you.