How to Make Persian Rice (thanks @roohirad )

1. Rinse out basmati rice twice, then let it soak for 20 minutes
   
2. Add Rice and salt to boiling water (water should be 1/2 in above rice)
   
3. add 2 table spoons of rice vinegar
4. boil until rice is chewy
5. Remove rice and drain water from pot
6. mix canola, tumeric,  saffron and several table spoons of water in the empty pot
   
7. put rice back in pot, while making a pyramid
8. keep heat on medium, as it steams drizzle in water and canola oil
   

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Spiderman takes the L train!!

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a fundamental change for business

This country and many others are experiencing a great deal of pain right now.. they say we are in a ‘recession’ or heading into a depression.  Something much more significant is going on- and Im not the only one that thinks so.

As Fred Wilson astutely suggested

..This economic crisis is not limited to banks and housing. We are witnessing a “sea change” as my father in law called it today. Businesses that were built in the 19th and the first half of the 20th century are finding their underlying fundamentals challenged by a new economy that is global and driven by information and technology. Businesses that were built at the tail end of the 20th century and even in the 21st century are faring much better.A VC, Feb 2009

I think he (or his father in law..) is spot on.  There is a fundamental change in the business landscape happening right now.  We are all witnessing it, we are all participating in it.  I would take it even one step further, and say that the big business structure we have all come to know may not sustainable for the direction we are heading.  As barriers are trampled, the benefiets of being an enormous business are withering.

I believe we are entering a new era where small, dynamic business will gradually out manuever innefficient big businesses who bound up in red tape and hesitation.  Smaller networks of people/ companies that can quickly scale up or down will become the norm.  People wil become so connected they will no longer need to rely on a 9-5 job.. but will be able to leverage their skills to take on 1 of millions of ‘free-lance’ type opportunities available, anywhere .. from anywhere.  I am sure there are sectors where being big will continue to be a strength, but I am unconvinced these sectors will be among the majority.

Incubaker is currently using a formula like this very effectively.  In the past several months I have connected with more than a dozen organizations in the begining stages of creating a similar structure.  It will be a painful ride, but the direction is positive and a much better recipe for innovation.

Thats enough predictions for 1 post.

fred wilson, prediction incubaker innovation

Adding Disqus Comments to Tumblr

Just added a comment function to this tumblr..

Disqus is a great platform, and makes this addition quite easy!

disqus tumblr

perfect trip to california

Though it was only a week long, I had a great trip to california.  David (my brother) and I flew in from NYC last friday to surprise our parents for their 30th anniversary party, which was also a suprise [our family is big on surprises- starting when I was 8, my parents decided to plan ‘surprise birthday parties’ for me back to back… for 4 years].

The party was incredible, family from all sides was there in full effect.  The (persian) food was amazing- fish, steak and chicken kabobs, salad shirazi, rotating shwarma 3 types of rice and koresh etc and an open bar :-)

Tunes of both the live and digital variety were provided by my very talented cousins Omead and Ramin Kohanteb.  It was awesome.

Later in the week, we spent some time in LA at Ramesh and Matt’s new diggs.  Dave and I also got a chance to stop by the GOOD Magazine HQ/ public space and Tom’s Shoes HQ- both currently among my favorite orgs.  The type of people these companies draw, and as result, the culture they create, embodies what I hope to be the next generation of business.  What ties them together for me, is more than their noble causes and sustainable business practices is the fact they have chosen to be for profit.  This sets a great example to future entrepreneurs of how making a living and positive impact can (and should) happen at the same time.

family anniversary GOOD Magazine Toms Shoes