July 30
Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger's Birthday
 

Some of his film fans know him as"' The Terminator." Most Californians know him as "The Governator." But Maria and the kids now know him as "The Adulterator." When the news of Arnold Schwarzenegger's love child with his housekeeper, Mildred Patricia Baena, hit the press, it was the lead story in the cable and network news for weeks. Baena conceived the child almost at the same time that Maria conceived their son, Christopher. After the news broke, Arnold told the press, “I understand and deserve the feelings of anger and disappointment among my friends and family. There are no excuses and I take full responsibility for the hurt I have caused. I have apologized to Maria, my children and my family. I am truly sorry.” Within weeks of the announcement, Maria Shriver and Arnold announced that they were separating after 25 years of marriage. Ian Halperin, who wrote The Governator, an unauthorized biography of Schwarzenegger, told Extra there are more women -- and more love children -- in the former governor's life. "I interviewed for my book at least six women who claim to have mothered children for Arnold Schwarzenegger." Apparently all that extra testosterone that accompanies body building had to be deposited in any and all available receptacles. Arnold's ambitions for success have been always been part of his DNA.  His rags to riches story of the penniless immigrant bodybuilder coming to California to become a major movie star and political leader sounds like a bad film script. According to Wendy Leigh, who wrote Arnold: An Unauthorized Biography,  he plotted his political rise from an early age using the movie business and bodybuilding as building blocks to escape a depressing home in Austria. But after conquering the world as the greatest bodybuilder  Arnold came America to make his name in motion pictures. No one thought that he had a chance in hell, primarily because of his almost unpronounceable name and thick Austrian accent. After a near--comical failed film debit as "Arnold Strong" in the low budget Hercules in New York (1969), he received great reviews and won a  Golden Globe Award for "Best Acting Debut in a Motion Picture" for his role in  Stay Hungry (1976) .Then came the documentary Pumping Iron (1977) covering the 1975 Mr. Olympia contest in South Africa  which eventually led to his breakout role as Conan the Barbarian (1982), and the rest, as ther adage goes, is history, So for his still loyal male fans, there is only one way to celebrate Arnold's birthday. Rent a copy of Pumping Iron  which is a great sport documentary - especially for couch potatoes who have never seen the inside of a gym, Skip reading Total Recall: My Unbelievably True Life Story, reflecting his sexual and political addictions which is essentially a narcissistic reflection that has more shades of gray than an E. L. James novel. He recalls his "hot affair" with Brigitte Nielsen during the filming of the 1985 film Red Sonja, at a time when he was already living with Maria Shriver, confirming Brigitte's earlier report of the affair. Too bad Brigitte never compared Arnold in the sack with Flavor Flav. Even though Arnold has a flawed life like so many of us, his physical discipline is inspiring. If you can't do 500 sit-ups a day which Arnold still claims to do, enjoy the perfect weightlifters celebratory meal,shaking beef, a signature dish from the great San Francisco restaurant The Slanted Door  which, in San Francisco. is a bigger star than Arnold ever was.

1. In large bowl, place meat, garlic, 1 TB sugar, 2 tsp salt, 1 te0epper, and 1 TB oil. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 2 hours and no more than 12 hours.
2. Whisk together rice-wine vinegar, wine, soy sauce, fish sauce, and 1 TB sugar.
3. In small ramekin, whisk together lime juice, remaining 1/4 tsp salt, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
4. Arrange watercress or lettuce on four plates.
5. Divide meat into 2 portions and place in two medium bowls.
6. In wok or large skillet over high heat, heat 2 TB oil until smoking, then add 1 portion meat in one layer. Sear until brown crust forms, about 3 to 4 minutes, then flip to brown other side, another 3 to 4 minutes. Add half of red onion slices and half scallions, and sauté, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add 1/3 cup vinegar mixture and shake pan to release beef, stirring if necessary. Add 1 TB butter, shaking pan until butter melts. Remove meat, and repeat with remaining portion of meat and remaining onions, scallions, vinegar mixture, and butter.
7. Arrange beef on top of lettuce and serve with lime dipping sauce.