InfoTart

Last night, my boyfriend and I went to go see One Happy Island at Razzy’s, a divey bar in Somerville near Porter Square. This was our second time seeing the band, and thankfully, they had more stage time last night than before. And what a great show!

We’d first seen One Happy Island a couple of months ago at the Middle East. They were on the docket with Shonen Knife (a Japanese girl-punk band) and The Juliet Dagger (a Buffalo, NY, girl-led punk band). I have no idea how One Happy Island, small Boston alterna-pop band got mixed up with them, but I’m glad they did. OHI only did like 4 songs that night, but they made quite an impression on us and we vowed to see them again.

So check out their MySpace web page and listen to a few of their songs. I especially recommend Potential and Anita. They just published a totally cute little mini-CD called Pulaski Park from WeePop Records in the UK. It’s just $5! Order it online today since OHI isn’t available on iTunes yet. (But hopefully soon!)

I had tried Google’s online RSS news feed reader a couple of years ago, and wasn’t too impressed with it. So in the meantime, I’ve been using the free Sharp Reader client on my work computer. It’s a nice client, though it may be a bit of a memory hog and I think it could use some serious usability enhancements. But hey, it’s free and it does a decent job, so I shouldn’t complain (too much).
Well, I find myself wanting to check up on my news feeds while at home, also — but I usually leave my work laptop at work. So what to do? Put Sharp Reader on my home laptop as well and try to keep the feed lists synchronized between the two computers? Ugh — that would be a nightmare.

So a few days ago I decided to give Google Reader another look. And I’m glad I did! Here is a brief list of what I like about the new Google Reader:

• The user interface has been greatly improved.
• You can type in a web URL and it will automatically and very intelligently figure out the feed address.
• It has dynamic folders so that one feed can be listed in multiple folders.
• It’s really smart about suggesting other news feeds that you might like.
• It’s easy to manage news feeds.
• It has cool buttons for navigating up and down a list to the next and previous posts, which helps for speed reading a feed.
• And probably the coolest feature is that you can share favorite news posts with your friends who also use Google Reader.

No big complaints yet either, which is cool.

If I could wish for one feature, what would it be?

I wish that I could install a native Google Reader client for my Nokia E65 and Sony-Ericsson W960i (that is, programmed specifically for S60 and UIQ rather than in crappy mobile Java). After logging into the client, it could automatically update its list and let me read posts offline — like when I’m commuting to work in the Boston subway (or in the bathroom!). No phone reception there!

My buddy JP must have a lot of free time, because he finds the most amazing jewels online. Over the Easter holiday weekend, he told me about this series called God, Inc. It envisions life (or, the afterlife) working in God’s highly bureaucratic organization. Think The Office meets The Afterlife. Not only are the 3 - 5 minute episodes brilliantly funny, they’re also well acted and well produced.
Watch the entire series and a couple of on the creator’s web site, FrancisStokes.com:

http://francisstokes.blogspot.com/2007/01/my-videos_29.html

Before heading to Diesel Cafe last night to get some work done, Bruce and I had dinner at this amazingly good little Tibetan restaurant just a few doors down.

The place is called Martsa on Elm and appears to be run by a Tibetan family. Considering how tasty our dinner was, it seems that after Junior took our order, Grandma was in the kitchen whipping it up. Fantastic! I love small, family-run places like this that make genuine, good food.

I ordered the Shamday, which was little chunks of beef with potato, carrots, peas, and spinish in a mild Tibetan curry sauce. Served with rice, it was brilliant! I ordered a steamed bun (no filling) and mopped up every drop of the sauce with it.

Bruce ordered the Chicken Chili dish which was crispy fried chicken pieces sauteed inn onions and tomatoes, and served with lots of green, red and yellow peppers. Bruce loved it. I’m not a fan of peppers, but the chicken and its sauce was really good, I have to admit.

Bruce and I both ordered a traditional Tibetan tea which is blended with butter, milk and lightly salted. It was different… but still quite good. It’s definitely worth a try.

Overall, the dishes reminded me of an interesting mix of (American style) Chinese and Indian, which is probably not fair for a comparison. This was the first Tibetan restaurant I think I’ve ever been to, and I have to say that both Bruce and I were raving about our inexpensive meal. (Most entrees are under $10.)

Our server was Tibetan and provided helpful answers to our questions when we asked for advice on dishes and a bread side dish.

I loved this place and look forward to going again soon. And from the way the place filled up as we were finishing our delicious meal, it seems that it’s quite popular.

Martsa on Elm
233-A Elm Street
Davis Square in Somerville (Near Diesel Cafe)
617-666-0660