An Oscar for Mutombo?

I think Dikembe Mutombo deserves an Oscar for his performance in this ad ... makes me laugh every bloody time!

Who was Hiram Bingham and why did he get a US stamp?

This is an interesting story I recently came across. These words are not my own but that of Jack Siegel from his original post ...

Just an interesting piece of evidence of the 

curious behavior of the Roosevelt administration toward the Jews during WWII. Former Secretary of State Colin Powell gave a posthumous award for "constructive dissent" to Hiram (or Harry) Bingham, IV. For over fifty years, the State Department resisted any attempt to honor Bingham. For them he was an insubordinate member of the US diplomatic service, a dangerous maverick who was eventually demoted. Now, after his death, he has been officially recognized as a hero.

Bingham came from an illustrious family. His father (whom the fictional character Indiana Jones was based) was the archeologist who unearthed the Inca City of Machu Picchu, Peru, in 1911. Harry entered the US diplomatic service and, in 1939, was posted to Marseilles , France , as American Vice-Consul.The USA was then neutral and, not wishing to annoy Marshal Petain's puppet Vichy regime and because of rampant anti-semitism of certain State Department officials, including Assistant Secretary of State Breckenridge Long, illegally (and without the knowledge of President Roosevelt) ordered its representatives and consuls in Europe, including Marseilles, Lisbon, Zurich et al, not to grant visas to any Jews. Bingham found this policy immoral and, risking his career, did all in his power to undermine it.

In defiance of his bosses in Washington , he granted over 2,500 USA visas to Jewish and other refugees, including the artists Marc Chagall and Max Ernst and the family of the writer Thomas Mann. He also sheltered Jews in his Marseilles home, and obtained forged identity papers to help Jews in their dangerous journeys across Europe . He worked with the French underground to smuggle Jews out of France into Franco's Spain or across the Mediterranean and even contributed to their expenses out of his own pocket. In 1941, Washingt2on lost patience with him. He was sent to Argentina , where later he continued to annoy his superiors by reporting on the movements of Nazi war criminals.Eventually, he was forced out of the American diplomatic service completely.Bingham died almost penniless in 1988. Little was known of his extraordinary activities until his son found some letters in his belongings after his death. He has now been honored by many groups and organizations including the United Nations and the State of Israel.

For photos and additional reading on his rise and controversial career, check out this piece in the Smithsonian Mag: Saving the Jews of Nazi France

An ALL-CHEESE grilled cheese

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, dairy lovers of all ages - Nick from Dude Foods has developed a recipe for a breadless, all-cheese grilled cheese 'sandwich'.  My mouth is watering just thinking about it!  

Read on for more details, the recipe and photos at:  http://ow.ly/hVTcn

Now when was the last time you tried something that was gluten-free, addictively tasty, and horrible for your health?

 

Star Tours - Bryan Fett

Enjoying some of the classic head gear at WDW's Star Tour's simulator ...

Pancakes in Miami Beach

Every time I visit a place I try to find at least one memorable dish so delicious that it alone would be enough for me to want to return. In Miami Beach, I serendipitously stumbled upon it when an infectiously charming server at 1500° in the Eden Roc Renaissance convinced two of us foodies to give the Tres Leches Pancakes a taste (pictured below). Forever thankful, I was wowed before swallowing my first bite.

With caramelized bananas topping a stack of fluffy buttery pancakes all set in a vanilla rum cream sauce - it is utterly indulgent.  Not for the thrifty, calorie conscious or anyone needing to be alert for a day of meetings, it could not be more perfectly suited to a lazy day by the pool or beach or to sustain you for a long time before your next meal.  In a city known for big beaches, sports teams, fashion and music - this is the one thing I tell everybody I know that they gotta try when they arrive in Miami Beach. 

Not only did Executive Chef Paula DaSilva create some special here, but the best part is that it's not an item that's ridiculously intimating to try to recreate at home.  Check her out as she makes it in the vid below ...

A new year, a new blog

Hola World ...

This blog has been dormant for sometime and resurrecting it has been on my mind for a good while now.  Since there is no better time to start reaching a goal than right now, let this be the first of an ongoing and more frequent string of new thoughts, pictures, posts and favourite curated content from things before my eyes.

Oh, and I've launched the start of my new website at www.bryanheal.com ... with seemingly endless social networks, sites visited, profiles, resumes and media items in all sorts of places around the web - I felt it important to take more control over my web content and develop a more simple, centralized home for me, my interests, profesional and volunteer experiences.  Check it out from time to time for updates on new things I'm working towards and for a more consolidated place where my blogger posts, twitter feeds, LinkedIN, Facebook & Google+ updates can connect.

-Bryan