Reasons the New Pornographers are great

see nos. 3, 4, 6, 9 and 11

1. they're Canadian

2. they used an instrument I couldn't identify

3. the lead guitarist plays a pointy guitar

4. each of the band members had a microphone (except for the bass player, who resembled Will Ferrell as depressed, unemployed Ron Burgundy and was busy drinking anyway, so that's OK) -- and used it

5. there are at least nine people in the band

6. the drummer, who is now on my list of favorite drummers

7. they're lo-tech -- they wore black earpieces and had their mic/monitor packs clipped visibly to their pants

8. they love what they do, and you can tell

9. Neko Case: not only a beautiful, earnest singer, but a heck of a tambourine player!

10. the other girl (Kathryn Calder) plays the accordion, among other things

11. harmony! lots of it!

see nos. 2, 4, 5 and 8

We've got a lunch (that's what I think of it)

One of the perks of employment is that it sometimes includes lunch out. Better still, the company will often pay for said lunch, under the guise that "work" is being accomplished at the "offsite meeting." I had one such meal today at Tamarind Seed Thai Bistro, recently relocated to Colony Square from somewhere on 14th Street. I had heard raves from my sister and coworkers about this place, so I was excited to check it out.

I had a delicious dish of Pla-Lad-Prik -- baked grouper with a sweet-spicy sauce of minced shrimp and garlic. I think this snapshot of my side dish says a lot about the restaurant's attention to detail and quality, so I'll let it the food speak for itself. Beyond that, all I can say is that I will definitely be going back...

Seriously? They cut the carrots out into tiny bird-shapes? This place RULES.