OF NOTE:

Only the New York Times Style section would deconstruct Sarah Silverman’s sartorial choices.

On the rise…of fewer civil liberties in the wake of potential terrorist attacks. Increased presence of the military on the streets or on public transportation makes me feel even more frieghtened for my safety than less. I can’t help but think that something must be wrong for such actions to take place. And the loss of civil liberties makes me feel less safe in general. How does taking things away from me help secure my freedom?

A photo essay on Kanellos, the Greek protest dog who has appeared at nearly every major protest in Greece during the past two years.

The newest issue of 01 Magazine includes a short feature on Golden Age, with pictures from the new West Loop location and Marco and Martine’s apartment.

A new Chicago restaurant called Cookie Bar is opening soon. Time Out Chicago recently revealed the menu which includes standards such as “Chocolate Chip” and “Peanut Butter” along with interesting choices such as “Oatmeal with Rum Soaked Raisins” and “Oatmeal Chili Mango Macadamia Nut.” I’m still waiting for an all-macarons store to arrive in Chicago. Until then, my friends and I will continue to use the #macaronsNOW hashtag sporadically on Twitter to voice our desire.

If I had my own home, and an abundance of income, I would immediately create a vertical garden. The images from this article are gorgeous and inspirational.

Michel Gondry’s latest project is not a surreal feast for the eyes and mind but rather a documentary that explores the relationship between his aunt and his cousin.

Can I tell you that I love the Urban Forager column on the NYT? It is maybe one of my favorite things, at least right now. The number of articles is small but each one is charming and although the recipes (like dandelion wine) are often difficult to make, they are certainly inspirational. Despite the constricting confines of living in the city, it is easy to be unresourceful, or at least it was for me. The Urban Forager inspires me to eat better, one weed at a time. The latest column? On sugared violets. The author also recommended violet syrup, which she didn’t make. I need to find a nice recipe for that.

“I have worshiped them and drunk from their mouths; I’ve studied at their feet. Many have saved me; one or two I’ve raised up. They’ve cost me money and made me money. People might say that we’ve “exploited” each other. Some have trusted me; a few have loved me—or at least said so. They’ve healed my loneliness, infected me with diseases and despair.”

“You can hold onto the clothes, and even the heartbeats of many, many people,” he said. “But you can’t keep anybody.”

Learning privacy

“In good times and bad, New Orleans has always had a talent for living for the moment. So with oil from a gushing well in the Gulf of Mexico looming offshore, people here are buying and eating as much seafood as they can as fast as they can. At last Saturday’s farmers’ market, an entire load of 350 pounds of fresh shrimp, at $5 a pound, sold out in an hour.”