Signal boost for a request from a friend.

The subject of made-to-order bras has come up among my friends a couple of times over the last few years. I promised to let people know if I heard anything. So here's something:

thespian has posted asking if any of you have tried Zyrra's bras. She says:

they're today's side deal in Boston on Groupon - $50 for a custom $95 bra (and I have $150 in credit yet). It might be really nice to have a *really* well fitted bra, but it looks like they're a newish company, and the reviews I've found are of the company and the business model, but not of the bras.

It does interest me that they are essentially combining bespoke tailoring and mass production methods in a way that has caught the attention of a few business journalists. I'm curious.

Also be nice to have a really well fitted bra. But I would like to find a person or two who have worn them (even an online review, I just couldn't seem to find one).

Groupon's side deal link is at http://www.groupon.com/deals/zyrra, and is only good for today, Tuesday, 12 January 2010.

Note: I have no connection with either Zyrra or Groupon. I do definitely have an interest in my friends being less cranky.

Xinjiang BBQ kebab stand, Flushing

On New Year's Eve I went down to New York on a visa run, which was a total success. But during the time I was there I had a whole business day to kill, which I did by riding transit and trying to eat my way across the city. In the latter I was less successful, in that one of my intended stops, Ippudo, was closed. So I went to Flushing, instead.

eclectician and I had talked about going down to Flushing, as he'd never been there and wanted to try some of the food. bedfull_o_books said how it was a shame that the kebab guys probably wouldn't be there. I disagreed--these guys are from Xinjiang; a little New York snow isn't going to stop them--but I promised I'd check.

They were there, in the cold, wet drizzle. I'm guessing they're there 365 days a year. They might stay home for Chinese New Year, but I doubt it.

Xinjiang BBQ kebab
41st Ave. at Main St., near the corner of Kissena Blvd.
New York, NY 11355
Subway: Main St. Flushing [7]
LIRR: Flushing [Port Washington Branch]

The Xinjiang kebab cart has been written up by bloggers and the NYTimes in better style and greater length than me. You can follow the links to see photos and read what they say. I'll stick to the basics.

The guy sells kebabs, on thin bamboo skewers, for a buck apiece. They're small, but this means you can sample a variety. He does lamb, beef, and chicken, all spiced with cumin and chili. Try them all.

The only variation is that he'll ask how hot you want it. Medium is a good place to start. The spicing is complex and subtle as the meat is marinaded before cooking, so you don't want to overpower everything with chili heat. Speaking of heat, they're cooked to order so they come right off the coals. Don't burn your mouth, even though their wonderful aroma will make you want to start eating them before they're cool enough.

All of the skewers are $1 each. He's been there every time I've gone by, but I imagine he probably closes up after foot traffic dies down at night. Lunch to dinner is a safe bet for hours. Finding him is easy; the corner of Kissena and Main is just south of the LIRR tracks. If you're on Main St. you can't miss the smoke.

He has a bunch of competitors on nearby street corners, some north on Main. Accept no substitutes. This guy is the best.

She's never going to leave me alone again.

After resisting for eighteen years--Ember the Wonder Cat's entire life--I finally gave in to her persistence and hand-fed her some of my breakfast cereal.

She's going to pester me from now on, isn't she?

(no subject)

http://www.kitco.com/ind/nadler/jan122010.html, perhaps quoting http://www.chinesezodiachoroscope.com/chinese_zodiac_tiger_finance.php:

The Chinese horoscope says about The Year of The Tiger: “Tigers depend on luck. They like to spend money, and also to share it. They can be quite impulsive spenders because they know they can always make more. Somehow, as luck would have it, they discover the end of the rainbow just before complete bankruptcy. They are willing to lose a fortune in their lifetime, if it means they will wind up with two.”