Our SmartFarm has transformed from hand-drawn cartoon to a real plan!!!! <-larger image
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Before I even get to The Plans! The Plans! Can I just do a 20-second drive by of my NYC trip?
I’ve been to New York City so many times these past couple of years that if Mayor Bloomberg handed out frequent visitor points, I probably would have won a sizeable prize, possibly a brand new condo in downtown. Or maybe just the parking space for said condo. Okay, probably just a 4-inch plastic replica of the Statue of Liberty. Heck, I’d even settle for bus pass.
NYC is a big place, especially since I’ve lived almost 8 years in a little town in Florida, and there’s not much in the city that intimidates me – except for ONE thing.
It’s not the tall tall buildings…
Not the nutty street vendors…
Not even a 4-foot iPhone…
This comes close though — bad clipart…
A presentation during CM Summit by Vice President of Product Management at Google, who was giving us a presentation on how Google Buzz did during its first year.
::shudder:: Maybe they need to start Google ClipArt…
What scares me the most about NYC is this dude right here scares the bejeebers outta me. The famous naked cowboy, well, not completely naked but a cowboy hat, cowboy shoes and tighy whiteys.
People pay him money to take a photo with him and touch his toosh. Like a good tourist, I had my wad of dollar bills out, eagerly waiting in line for my turn. That is, until I shook my head, snapped out of the tourist-zombieness and asked myself:
WHY?
WHY DO I WANT TO TOUCH THIS DIRTY ASS?
Hell-to-the-NO.
Next stop: chocolate!
Can you guess who’s chocolate store this is?
An angel made of chocolate…oh yes please!
It just so happens that Todd and Diane were doing some work for this very famous chocolatier and pastry chef and his wife. Introductions were made, timing was right and we met up with this man….can you guess?
I used to watch him on television religiously. I had a massive crush on him. Thought he was the sexiest thing.
He’s a master of sweetness…
Do you remember Dessert Circus?
It’s Jacques Torres!
After a tour of his shop, Jacques to me and my good friend, Mark Tafoya to eat at one of his favorite restuarants, Socarrat Paella Bar
Jacques likes to drizzle a bit of olive oil over the paella before digging in.
He’s a lovely. And I want you all to meet his wife, Hasty of Madame Chocolate – remember I said Todd and Diane were working with them? Well I get to show off their work!!
The real reason for the trip was 2 things – a meeting with Planet Green/Discovery Health to discuss the SmartFarm plans and to also come here
And be on the Martha Stewart Radio Show to talk about the SmartFarm.
Big microphone! Hello? Is this thing on?!
Terri Trespicio, host of Whole Living on Martha Stewart Radio Show and also editor of Whole Living Magazine (formerly named Body+Soul)
And I finally, finally got to meet happy cheerful Sandy Gluck of Everyday Food show!
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Clicked on your little pic of your smart farm plans, then by clicking on the page that came up, it went full size. I wonder how many people tried that…? Well, you certainly have things well in hand and looking really great. But…. No, no no…. Nope, it’s just not BIG enough!
Like, it is gonna be such an ab-so-lute smash hit, you’re gonna have to EXPAND like right away!! NOW!! It is just sooo intriguing! Wah-han-han, sniffle sniffle… I want one, too! I know, my hubby and I can come down from Illinois (he’s retiring at the end of November, so that’ll give you some time to manage your first little farm), and then you guys can just build another like HUGE-ER farm right away! How’s that??!! You could take over all over the place!!
WOW!! I had such a crush on that Jacque Torres! Still do, and
it’s not just “all about the chocolate” (although has a huge impact on my feelings). Really!
That almost-naked cowboy? Who knows the last time he washed them jockeys,’eh? YUCK!! You were smart not to go near him! ICK!!
Kale – love it, but so hard to find in our area. Definitely NOT anyone’s fav!!
YOU had lunch with Jacque!!! How incredibly lucky are you!!! OMG!!!! AUGH!!!
xoxoxo
Manda
Jaden, I’ve been back home (korea) visiting for merely a month or so and haven’t been keeping track of your blog….
and THIS is what you come up with???? (in a month’s time???)
I went back to all the links to actually read the story from the start, and I think it is BRILLIANT!!
While reading the earlier posts, I thought the farm wouldn’t really happen for a while, but this October??
Wow, that is really fast and you guys are really making it happen!!
I’ve already visited the website and “liked” it on facebook. 🙂
Will people be allowed to participate when the farm is coming together in October??
I’d so like to come!!
I think it’d be an awesome experience.
Kudos to you Jaden!! You’re the (wo)man!! 😉
Wow! That looks like it was some trip. Those farm plans look amazing! I’ll be excited to see it come to fruition. Love the big microphone.
Another awesome trip to NYC and how cool you got to meet Jacques! Way to go, Jaden!
And the farm project is absolutely mesmerizing! Can i quit my job and become a farmer? (i’ll save the best carrots and broccoli for you Jaden 😉
awww I have had my photo taken with the Naked Cowboy. Really… you want to take a photo with him because he is rock hard. ROCK HARD. he must live at the gym when he is not in times square!
I listened to your MSR interview. So exciting to hear about the smart farm coming together
Jaden, I can barely keep up with READING about all the incredible things you’re doing, much less imagine actually doing all of them. Even from afar though it’s very exciting to see all your plans progress for the Smart Farm. I love it.
Looks like you had a fabulous time in the city, too =)
Oh, HA! HA! I’ve met the Naked Cowboy! He was in New Orleans for Mardi Gras two years ago. He had two equally scary chicks with him who were topless and had their naughty bits strategically covered with paint. My friend naively ran up to him and had her picture taken and then balked when she realized he wanted her to give him a dollar.
Awesomeness! Can’t wait for the unfolding of your plans 🙂
Yes, Jaden, you are a rock star! I watched Jacques Torres on FN and have eaten his chocolate more times than I can count. I agree with Lana – that farm looks better than Martha’s – congrats!
You are meeting the most amazing people! How fun! But that future farm of yours might even meat Martha Stewart’s. And hers is just perfect. Good luck with the plans!
I liked the big microphone … hehehe 🙂
What a fun trip. I’m glad that you decided to avoid the tighty whiteys.
Wow! That sounds like one excitement-packed trip.
Wow! This is the first I’ve read about your plan. It’s huge and I don’t mean the size. To have that vision and make it happen is amazing! Good for you and the rest of the team. I can’t wait to see the progress.
I don’t remember Dessert Circus, but I do remember watching Jacques on Food Network make a chocolate mold shaped like a champagne bottle, out of gelatin. I was enormously impressed and have been a fan ever since. Lucky you to have lunch with him.
Are there going to be beehives at the farm?
yes, but in the waaaay back, fenced in. but we’ll be selling honey!
Sounds like a great trip. I am excited about your farm plan.
How exciting! I love Jacques Torres! I can’t to hear more about the garden…
P.S. I don’t blame you for not wanting to pay to touch that guys dirty butt! You are too funny! 🙂
What a fabulous trip! Jacques Torres’ work is absolutely amazing, but I had no idea his lovely wife was also a chocolatier.
The plans for the garden look so exciting. I’ll be following your posts to watch how the project comes to life.
Very cool for everyone. Children and families will love it!
Very exciting! I am sure it will be incredible when it’s finished.
That is so cool, Jaden!!
so exciting!