GeekSugar

TV Demo Gone Wrong

GiggleSugar — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 10:00:00 PDT

Homeboy in the aquamarine button-down forgets the purpose and function of a microwave during this demonstration. One blooper leads to another. Meanwhile, I'm scratching my head wondering why we're nuking soap in the first place?

Jeff Han Demonstrates The Power Of Touch Screens

GeekSugar — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 00:53:40 PST

One of the amazing new features of the iPhone is it's revolutionary multi-touch display that lets you control everything by without buttons. You can glide through albums with Cover Flow, flip through photos and email them with a touch, or zoom in and out on a section of a web page. Check out this video of Jeff Han as he demonstrates how touch driven computer screens will change the way we work and play. By the way, the background tunes are pretty cool so turn up that volume!

Check out Jeff Han Multi-Touch Interaction Research for more info and videos.

The Best Moments From Sunday's Puppy Bowl VIII

Sara Yoo — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:00:00 PST

Once again, Animal Planet's Puppy Bowl filled the crowd with oohs and awws, but it also spawned some controversy over its MVP (Most Valuable Puppy) selection. While Aberdeen demonstrated greatness with four touchdowns, aptly named Fumble took home the top prize thanks to his athletic prowess and overall hustle. Check out our favorite moments in this recap, and visit Animal Planet for all of the poochtastic moments!

Source: Animal Planet

Know Your Techniques: Mince

Camilla Salem — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:28:45 PST

Mincing garlic is one of those very important kitchen skills that takes some practice to master. The good news is that once you've got the technique down, it's like second nature and it makes throwing together recipes much quicker and more enjoyable. Less precise than a brunoise, a mince is simply a very fine chop, and it can be done to several vegetables. Its purpose is to give flavor to the dish without adding significant texture. I've chosen to demonstrate using garlic, as many recipes call for minced garlic to start.

Start with a whole clove of garlic on a cutting board.

Using the side of a chef's knife, smash the garlic and the peel should easily come off. Cut off the tip and discard.

Keep reading for more!

A Step-by-Step Guide to Handling a Mistake at Work

SavvySugar — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:15:49 PST

The occasional mistake at work is inevitable - what really matters is how you handle it. Deciding how to navigate the aftermath of a misstep gives you an opportunity to demonstrate your integrity, so take the time to manage your mistakes carefully. Follow these four steps to properly solve any work dilemma:

Assess the damage. Take the time to step back and recognize where you may have miscalculated. Target the specific issue, identify who was affected, and find out if your blunder impacted any future projects.
Communicate the problem. Be honest with yourself, your collaborators, and your boss. It's better that your manager hears about the mistake from you rather than someone else, so speak up and take responsibility for your actions.
Ask for help. Once your misstep is out in the open, ask your manager for any suggestions. How might you have avoided the problem? Do they have any advice for tackling the issue? Your manager will appreciate the constructive dialogue and the fact that you value their opinion.
Take precautions for next time. After the issue has been settled, pinpoint different techniques to avoid repeating your mistake. Did you miscalculate a key transaction? Vow to slow down and be more thorough. Forget to check in with a major client? Establish a calendar system that reminds you of important follow-ups.

Bottom line: everyone makes mistakes, so let go of the guilt and resolve to move forward. Consider the lesson learned from each misstep and see it as a chance to improve your working style and boost your professional development.

Car Companies Go Wild With Animal Commercials

Sara Yoo — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 04:00:00 PST

By now, you've undoubtedly watched the brilliant Star Wars-themed "Bark Side" video teasing Volkswagen's Super Bowl commercial. Watching those pups from a galaxy far, far away made me realize that it isn't the first auto ad I have seen this year featuring a bunch of cute animals. Hyundai showcases its environmentally friendly Sonata Hybrid speeding past wide-eyed forest critters, while Subaru demonstrates its dog-approved vehicles with vignettes featuring outdoorsy canines. And let's not forget the party rockin' hamsters who conquer post-apocalyptic robots with their slick dance moves and a lime green Kia Soul.

See more car commercial critters if you read more.

Know Your Techniques: Julienne

Camilla Salem — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 10:56:43 PST

Like the chiffonade, a julienne is a very useful and visually appealing way to cut vegetables. This cut will take many of your dishes to the next level in terms of aesthetics and texture. We're using a zucchini for our demonstration, but this technique works on any number of fruits and vegetables.

Cut a 2 1/2 to 3-inch section of your zucchini so that it stands up straight and square off the round edges.

Slice off 1/8-inch slices of the zucchini, using your knuckles as a guide.

Keep reading for more!

In Aspen, Ming Tsai Opens Up About Clams

Susannah Chen — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 12:36:04 PDT

We spotted Ming Tsai at a late-night party in Aspen for the Food & Wine Classic Friday evening - so it wasn't a surprise to find the chef roughing it a little at his early-morning cooking demo the next day. Still, the Next Iron Chef contestant and Blue Ginger proprietor managed to bring his best when it came to wit and cooking skills.

Ming made a number of dishes from his new cookbook, Simply Ming One-Pot Meals, but my favorite was his demonstration of a dish called Clams, Pork, and Jicama, in which he offered up a number of helpful tips that I wasn't familiar with. Follow these bivalve suggestions next time you cook at home, and you'll be happy as a clam. To see them, keep reading.

Giada Offers Pointers on Everything From Pasta to Parties

YumSugar — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 15:00:41 PDT

Of all the demos I visited at the Food & Wine Classic, the seminar hosted by Giada De Laurentiis surprised me the most. I worried that it'd be too crowded due to the Food Network star's popularity, but it wound up being one of my favorites. Although the Italian bombshell did spill her secrets for looking great, she definitely demonstrated that she isn't just a pretty face. The lady can cook, and has a sense of humor to boot! She invited three audience members to join her on stage to cook specialties such as cherry tomato pasta and cauliflower gratin, offering plenty of party advice and pasta tips along the way.

See what she had to say after the break.

4 Reasons Strong Women Should Watch The Iron Lady

Annie Scudder — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 02:00:00 PST

Love or hate Margaret Thatcher's conservative politics, you can't deny her life story is intriguing. Meryl Streep's performance as the UK's only female prime minister in The Iron Lady has rightfully garnered award season buzz. Through flashbacks and scenes in the present day, Meryl brings to life a woman at the height of power and in the depths of grief. Here are four reasons any strong woman should watch the film about the lady with an iron will.

It's honest about aging. I thought The Iron Lady would spend most of its time back in the 1980s. So I was surprised to see how much of the film focused on modern-day Margaret Thatcher, who is dealing with what appears to be dementia, grief, and irrelevance in modern society. Juxtaposing Margaret at her prime and then in her older age demonstrates that she's lived a full life with many highs. But it also makes you reflect on the inevitability of aging. Our lives can be filled with success and a great romance, but The Iron Lady offers young women an insightful peek at the melancholic chapter of life that comes after that. It gives the audience an elderly woman we can empathize with, not just a grandma caricature.
There's an unusual love story. Unlike the typical relationship dynamic we see in movies or TV, in The Iron Lady the woman is the power player in the relationship. Margaret Thatcher's husband takes backseat to her career, and during her prime minster days we see her struggle to make time for her relationship and give her devoted husband more attention. When the film flashes forward to present day, it deals with Margaret Thatcher's horrifying grief and denial over her husband's passing. Meryl Streep's performance as an older woman longing for her beloved husband will help you relate to a grandparent, parent, or anyone else who has lost a partner.
Femininity is an asset. In The Iron Lady, Margaret Thatcher breaks down gender barriers to become Britain's first woman prime minister. But while she take lessons to make her voice sound more authoritative, she insists that keeping her pearls is non-negotiable. It seems Margaret Thatcher knew women had assets men don't posses. For example, in one scene she uses shared motherhood to connect with mothers who had lost their sons at war. As Margaret writes a letter, she notes she is the only PM in history who is a mother with a son, assuring the grieving mother that she can truly imagine her pain.
It's an important moment in history. Margaret Thatcher witnessed views about a woman's role broaden dramatically in her lifetime and helped changed perceptions, too. Starting with a fresh-faced Maggie eager to go to Oxford, The Iron Lady tells the story of a woman with ambitious goals, and the entrenched and sexiest biases she must overcome to accomplish them. In the film, Margaret says "one's life must matter" - and she means that for both men and women.