"I am so surprised that you're still alive!Nice!
[pause]
No, really. I just can't believe that you're still alive!"
Another Holiday Excerpt
Overheard telephone conversation between Liv and her Great-Grandmother yesterday:
Step Away From The Cookies
This is what happens when you make way too many sugar cookies and then feel compelled to frost them all. I got bored with the usual holiday color scheme and shapes and instead started making breakfast food. (Like, duh, isn't that what anyone would do?) So here you have an order of cookies in the shape of two eggs, sunny side up, along with toast:
Toys - Part 2 of 3
Theme: Ugly
I think the Steve Irwin doll speaks for itself.
Poor, poor MJ. I know this figurine is circa Thriller but it's really not doing him, or the person who's paying way too much money for it, any favors. (What's going on with his feet?)
And can anyone guess what this is right off the bat? I have to admit that it took me a minute. UPDATE: I know it's not really a toy but it is ugly. And so it stays on the list.
I think the Steve Irwin doll speaks for itself.
Poor, poor MJ. I know this figurine is circa Thriller but it's really not doing him, or the person who's paying way too much money for it, any favors. (What's going on with his feet?)
And can anyone guess what this is right off the bat? I have to admit that it took me a minute. UPDATE: I know it's not really a toy but it is ugly. And so it stays on the list.
Random Order
Typically Liv's room is a mess but sometimes you'll find random order such as the conga line of animals I discovered yesterday morning:
Later that afternoon the animals reappeared in a different formation and location:
I absolutely love it.
Later that afternoon the animals reappeared in a different formation and location:
I absolutely love it.
Like a Big Pizza Pie
Definitely make a point of catching the moon rising tonight – it’s going to be the largest full moon of 2008!
The moon will rise right around sunset which, if you’re on the East Coast, will be 4:15 pm.
Here are a couple of jokes to help get you in the right head”space” for moongazing:
What did the metric alien say?
Take me to your litre!
How does a man on the moon get his haircut?
Eclipse it.
Click Here to be mooned (totally SFW).
Random Goodness
The guy in the black suit's dance and the surprise at the end totally crack me up.
Anyone know what kind of musical instrument that guy is playing? It sounds like a kazoo but looks like a cowbell.
Anyone know what kind of musical instrument that guy is playing? It sounds like a kazoo but looks like a cowbell.
Holiday Excerpt
MY DAD
So what have you been listening to lately?
ME
Oh, this and that. Some ABBA…some..
MY DAD
ABBA?!
A look of disbelief followed by a big rolling of the eyes.
MY DAD (CONT’D)
There’s a 12-step program for that you know.
Trip Music
With the exception of Michael, I'm thinking Spector won't be too happy with some of my playlist choices.
So True
Too freakin funny. It totally reminds me of when Megan and I would "escape" to the Orange Lantern where we would run into every person imaginable. Cue the Bon Jovi cover band.
-
NEW YORK—Although Jordan McCabe intends to stay at home, he will inevitably grow antsy, drive to a nearby pub and bump into at least five insufferable pricks.
18 lbs
So what do you think he's thinking here?
F' you, now feed me.
F' you, please help me.
or
F' you, please help feed me...NOW!
I'm thinking the last one.
F' you, now feed me.
F' you, please help me.
or
F' you, please help feed me...NOW!
I'm thinking the last one.
Hey, Go Stew!
I don't usually share recipes but if it's something that tastes really good and makes your life easier than why the hell not. The prep-time for this recipe is virtually non-existent yet the hang-time seems endless. I made this on Sunday and there's still enough left for us to have it for dinner tonight. Granted, I'm getting a lil' bit 'stewed' out at this point but it's just so yummy and the longer it has to just sit, the better. Enjoy!
5-Hr Beef Stew
2 lb chuck stew meat (don't get round - it's too lean)
3 - 4 med. onions, quartered
6 - 8 carrots, cut in 1" rounds
3 stalks celery, cut in 1" rounds
1 lb. can tomatoes
3 T Minute Tapioca
1 T sugar
1/2 c bread crumbs (can be seasoned or plain, doesn't matter)
3 - 4 potatoes, quartered (but don't quarter them right away, as they are added later)
Combine everything but the potatoes in a heavy pan. Cover & bake for 3.5 hours @ 250 degrees. Add the potatoes and continue baking for 1.5 hours.
5-Hr Beef Stew
2 lb chuck stew meat (don't get round - it's too lean)
3 - 4 med. onions, quartered
6 - 8 carrots, cut in 1" rounds
3 stalks celery, cut in 1" rounds
1 lb. can tomatoes
3 T Minute Tapioca
1 T sugar
1/2 c bread crumbs (can be seasoned or plain, doesn't matter)
3 - 4 potatoes, quartered (but don't quarter them right away, as they are added later)
Combine everything but the potatoes in a heavy pan. Cover & bake for 3.5 hours @ 250 degrees. Add the potatoes and continue baking for 1.5 hours.
Pillows and Such
I love this video (and the song for that matter - I love the combination of her smooth, buttery voice with his). Skip to 1:20 of the video to see what it's like to live with me and my pillow system.
Redeem Yourself Locally
November is American Diabetes Month. (Don't worry - I just found this out myself.)
To do my bit in helping to spread awareness I thought I'd share with you several things:
To do my bit in helping to spread awareness I thought I'd share with you several things:
- In case you were wondering, Wilfred Brimley does not speak for the entire diabetic population. Go ahead, Type 2’s, take him, he’s yours. Us Type 1’s will get our own spokesperson. I'm not sure who but it will be someone other than Brett Michaels.
- The Bible does not have a cure.
- After you’re done saving your Eastside Marketplace register receipts for that free turkey make sure you send your receipts to the ADA’s Providence office. Once they have amassed receipts totaling $2500 the Eastside Marketplace will donate 1% of the total to the ADA. What could be easier? Here’s their address:
American Diabetes Association
222 Richmond St.
Suite 204
Providence, RI, 02903
And if you're not from RI but are still interested in helping out you can always go here for more information on local activities, etc.
(Note: I have no idea what the deal is with the font style/size variation going on here.)
Damn Yourself Locally
I recently learned that you can see live simulcasts of certain Metropolitan Opera productions at your local movie theatre. Albeit a novel idea, I never really entertained the thought of going since how could a movie theatre replace the experience of being at The Met? But after reading this review of Robert Lepage’s production of La Damnation de Faust (premiering tonight at the Met) I think I’m actually going to get out and see this.
Here are the details if anyone is interested:
La Damnation de Faust - BerliozSaturday, November 22 @ 1 PMShowcase Cinemas Warwick1200 Quaker LaneWarwick, RI 02886(401) 885-1621
Just be warned – I don’t share my popcorn.
Ugly Clothes, New Sound and Cool Photos
I hate going clothes shopping under duress. Especially when my trusted haunts have nothing to offer but absolute ridiculousness. Last night I saw lots of gold, ruffles and blouses with big bows. And what about those ankle boots? For some reason they just skeeve me out. They give off a Stevie Nicks vibe. Also, when will low-rise pants just go away? Seriously.
And to add to my post-shopping annoyance this morning, my office rumbler has now added the sound of cutting his nails to his repertoire. Absolutely disgusting. You only have ten fingers - how many clip-clip-clip-clip's does it take?!
In other more interesting news, Boston’s MFA is currently exhibiting photographs by Yousuf Karsh: Museum of Fine Arts, Boston: Exhibition: Karsh 100: A Biography in Images
Check out his portratis of Peter Lorre and Ernest Hemingway. They're pretty amazing and they’re included in the exhibit. Definitely something better to do than going back to the mall!
Ben-Gay and Chocolate
The East Providence Reporter was so kind in informing me that ApologetiX, the Christian parody band, will be in concert on 11/22 at Barrington Baptist Church.
Be afraid. Be very afraid.
Be afraid. Be very afraid.
Can I just say...
...how good it feels to just sit at my desk and just do my thang? We instituted a "studio night" for me a while back (a night where I am completely undisturbed by the wee one and the domestic tasks associated therewith) but for some reason I let it slide. I didn't create anything tonight that I'm ready to post right now but I was able to play around with some ideas at my own pace while listening to new music.
What could be cooler than that?
What could be cooler than that?
Family Dynamics via Batman Lego
When X. and o. play:
X. = Batman
o. = Robin
Robin always defers to Batman.
When me and o. play:
me = Batman
o. = Robin
Prior to playing, Robin states that he is the leader. Period. Robin is always telling Batman where to go and what to do. X. walks in the room and starts telling Batman and Robin what to do. Batman invariably gets annoyed and drops out. X. picks up the controller. Robin assumes his line in the pecking order.
The Camp Horror...The Camp Horror...
And then there's the rest of the movies being shown at the film fest that seem more ridiculous then anything else (which is not to say that I wouldn't see these). Undead trailer trash...killer hair extensions...Pawtucket being taken over by Vampires for Jesus? Classic.
“Death in Charge” (2008, 15 min., USA) dir. by Devi Snively
"Nightlife" (2008, 82 min. USA) dir. by Tim Sanderson
"Trailer Park of Terror" (2008, 85 min., USA) dir. by Steven Goldmann
“Death in Charge” (2008, 15 min., USA) dir. by Devi Snively
The Grim Reaper is mistaken for a babysitter and learns a thing or two about life.
"Nightlife" (2008, 82 min. USA) dir. by Tim Sanderson
Being a vampire kinda sucks. At least that's the premise of this mockumentary comedy in which a small film crew follows six of the undead in their night-to-night lives. Forget about capes, they dress just like us. They watch a lot of bad TV. They're more concerned with paying the rent on time than they are with crossing Van Helsing. However, everyone has enemies, and our subjects are no exception. Enter the vampire hunters; comic book loving geeks who have made it their mission to vanquish these demons of the night with signature homemade weapons. When these two sides come fang to face things get pretty ugly, but for all concerned parties it's just another day in the everlasting battle between good and evil.
"Trailer Park of Terror" (2008, 85 min., USA) dir. by Steven Goldmann
Based on the Imperium Comics series, Trailer Park of Terror. Six troubled high school students and their chaperon, an optimistic youth ministries Pastor, return from an outdoor character building retreat in the mountains. During a raging storm, their bus crashes, hopelessly stranding them in the middle of the Trucker's Triangle, a forgotten locus of consummate evil in the middle of nowhere. The hapless group seeks shelter for the night in a seemingly abandoned trailer park they find down the road. However, when the sun sets, it's not refuge they find. Instead, terror finds them in the form of Norma, a damned redneck reaper with a killer body who dispenses vengeance and death aided by her cursed companions, a bloodthirsty brood of Undead trailer trash."Christian Vampires from Beyond Suburbia" (2008, 86 min., USA) dir. by Jacquie Schnabel
Christian Vampires from Beyond Suburbia is a feature length comedy horror flick about an ominous big box store, called “VampMart,” run by the Vampires for Jesus that try to take over the post industrial mill town of Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Their blood drinking, soul saving, bargain discount ways almost literally suck this town dry.
The Horror...The Horror...
The RI Horror Film Festival begins this Thursday. Of all the movies being shown I really wish I could see these two:
“The Living and the Dead” (2006, 84 min., UK) dir. by Simon Rumley
“EXTE: HAIR EXTENSIONS” (2007, 108 min., Japan) dir. by Sion Sono (aka "EKUSUTE") ---
“The Living and the Dead” (2006, 84 min., UK) dir. by Simon Rumley
A furiously original meld of madness and pathos, The Living and the Dead is family dysfunction at its most shocking and grotesque. With bankruptcy looming, desperate Donald Brocklebank (Roger Lloyd Pack, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire) must leave his bedridden wife alone with their son James - a schizophrenic man-child. In a horrific fit of dementia James abandons his medication, locks the doors, and plays nurse. As his ability to distinguish morbid fantasy from reality decays, he plunges into a mental labyrinth so violent and deranged none of them may survive it.
Click here to view the super creepy trailer. It's seriously freaky. Like Session 9 freaky.and
“EXTE: HAIR EXTENSIONS” (2007, 108 min., Japan) dir. by Sion Sono (aka "EKUSUTE") ---
This latest fright film from master J-Horror director Sion Sono (STRANGE CIRCUS, SUICIDE CLUB) shows what happens to vain girls who make extensions out of a murder victim's revenge-seeking hair.
Click here for the ultra bizarre trailer.
Meet My Manga
I decided I needed another me to do all the stuff I can't do while I'm at work. I've assigned her alot of tasks so I hope she's not slacking. First, she'll need to start a new playlist for me. Next up is her sketching some designs that have been living in my head for far too long. She'll then need to do some major cleaning to prepare for my Mom's visit this weekend. She'll hit the grocery store, play PS2 and then watch the Project Runway Finale (and yes, this season has been sub-sub-sub par as there are no Wendy Peppers or Kaynes but for some reaon I just cannot resist).
10 years = PS2
X. and I just gave ourselves the best anniversary gift ever - a PS2 console. I am SO excited. The wii totally interests us too but the availability, cost and the fact that we would actually have to get off the couch and, dare I say, be active just squashed it for us.
Carnage and silliness while sitting on our asses suits us just fine, thank you very much.
Carnage and silliness while sitting on our asses suits us just fine, thank you very much.
Surge
No no no, not the General Petraeus surge. But rather the Amish built electric fireplace heat surge!
I've talked about the bearded amish men working in their barn in an earlier post and for those who are missing out on that coupon section I thought I'd share with you what you've been missing. Now, that's Photoshop being used to its potential (or actors - I mean, those couldn't possibly be real Amish, could it?).
And for anyone interested, they also make the Amish Grill .
I've talked about the bearded amish men working in their barn in an earlier post and for those who are missing out on that coupon section I thought I'd share with you what you've been missing. Now, that's Photoshop being used to its potential (or actors - I mean, those couldn't possibly be real Amish, could it?).
And for anyone interested, they also make the Amish Grill .
head
Liv did this a couple months ago for me but it's too damn awesome not to post now. Click on the picture for the Artist's Statement and a sound byte.
Cubicle Smell Hell
As some of you know, I get in to work early. Like 7 – 7:15ish. Usually I’m alone until 8:30 but this morning the person who sits kitty corner from me came in about 5 minutes after me. Apparently he thought he was alone as he started letting them rip.
I’m serious. Letting. Them. Rip.
EWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!
Proud Parent Moment #137
Last night:
After watching the debates X. and I decided to put on Tenebre (1982) . It was late and we were tired. We both started falling asleep at the very end. We tried to rally but just couldn't so we paused the movie and went upstairs to bed.
Early this morning:
Liv comes upstairs and asks if she can put on the t.v. downstairs. Within minutes she comes racing upstairs. Instead of her Saturday morning cartoons coming on our movie started playing from where we had paused it last night.
The dénouement of a Dario Argento film is so not the Disney channel.
After watching the debates X. and I decided to put on Tenebre (1982) . It was late and we were tired. We both started falling asleep at the very end. We tried to rally but just couldn't so we paused the movie and went upstairs to bed.
Early this morning:
Liv comes upstairs and asks if she can put on the t.v. downstairs. Within minutes she comes racing upstairs. Instead of her Saturday morning cartoons coming on our movie started playing from where we had paused it last night.
The dénouement of a Dario Argento film is so not the Disney channel.
No Cash Here
This must be the week for strange emails as I got this the other night. I mean, really?!! I thought this gimmick was already played out like 6 years ago. Come on, what schmucks out there really fall for this? Maybe it's the same people who buy the amish-made instant fireplace you see advertised in the coupon section of the Sunday paper. Forget the money saving coupons, I just look through that section for the comic relief. The group photo of the bearded amish men working in their barn on all these fireplaces just kills me.
Take Action Now!
Got this today at work.
I'm thinking The Schmuck and The Idiot should be included in this list not to mention some other lovely types of people that I always seem to encounter.
This Ain't No Zoopsia
Yes, he's really using Liv's pillow to rest his head. Wanker. A complete takeover of our house is imminent.
Reid Miles
These days I’m all about Reid Miles' album cover designs.
From 1956 to the late Sixties, he designed and photographed nearly 500 album covers for Blue Note Records. Take a look at his dynamic use of space, color, shape and type:
My favorite is the Unity cover (top). I'm mulling over creating a paper sculpture based on this design. Luckily, Spector Gant has this album and so I'll be able to have a tangible reference at my disposal. Unluckily, the album is currently propped on my desk and is taunting me every single time I walk into the room. Oy!
From 1956 to the late Sixties, he designed and photographed nearly 500 album covers for Blue Note Records. Take a look at his dynamic use of space, color, shape and type:
My favorite is the Unity cover (top). I'm mulling over creating a paper sculpture based on this design. Luckily, Spector Gant has this album and so I'll be able to have a tangible reference at my disposal. Unluckily, the album is currently propped on my desk and is taunting me every single time I walk into the room. Oy!
dummy dust
I came across the stupidest show last night and Gina Bellafante from The New York Times couldn't have given it a better review:
"Given that Ms. Zoe is already a pox on humanity — exploiting an aesthetic of dissipation, invading our collective consciousness and spraying it with dummy dust — it is amazing that “The Rachel Zoe Project,” which focuses on her career, manages to send its audience deeper into the territory of smug NPR obsessives who won’t stop ranting about triviality’s conquest of the American soul." (link to full review)
Honk if You See Me on the Road
(I'm kidding BUT I do have to admit that I secretly want a vanity plate.)
You too can make your own here: ACME License Maker The retro plate designs were pretty cool.
Gotham Knight
Last night we watched Batman: Gotham Knight (2008) (thanks paperfetish!) and it was really, really good. All the 6 segments were excellent but I particularly loved #'s 2 and 4 as a whole. The girl watched it with us and it was funny to see and hear her reaction to the different segments, particularly #1. She was almost angry about the different versions of Batman being portrayed there. She felt much better about things when it got to segment #2 (but then the "colorful" #5 didn't help). Definitely catch this if you haven't done so already!
The Bridge
This past weekend we happened to stumble upon the documentary THE BRIDGE on IFC. Has anyone seen this? It was fascinating and disturbing all rolled into one.
The synopsis is this: The director and crew spent all of 2004, an entire year, looking very carefully at the Golden Gate Bridge, running cameras for almost every daylight minute, and filming most of the two dozen suicides and a great many of the unrealized attempts.
Like I said, fascinating and disturbing. It still gives me the shivers just thinking about it.
The synopsis is this: The director and crew spent all of 2004, an entire year, looking very carefully at the Golden Gate Bridge, running cameras for almost every daylight minute, and filming most of the two dozen suicides and a great many of the unrealized attempts. Like I said, fascinating and disturbing. It still gives me the shivers just thinking about it.
Hard Candy
Last night we watched Hard Candy (2005) Definitely a provocative film. Not fantastic but certainly worth watching. The heroine was seeking truth and justice but I found her prolonged torture tactics to be more annoying than anything else. Just get it over with already!! And although "victorious" at the end I felt that she ended up being no better than them. And was that character truly a 14 year old? I didn't know what to believe by the end of that movie. As you can tell the movie certainly struck a chord with me since I'm still thinking about it today.
Maybe we should continue the 'candy' theme by watching Brain Candy. Nothing lightens the mood like cancer boy.
I Want a Dawg
In looking at the action figures available at Comic-Con 2008 I caught this one of Lobo and his bulldog, Dawg. I don't like this because of Lobo (sorry Lobo fans) but because of Dawg. It's such an awesome depiction of a bulldog. Cute and disgusting all rolled into one. The snaggle tooth and those stubby, lil' legs kill me!
Separated at Birth
Totally Looks Like... is awesome. Any site that joins me in mocking how Wilford Brimass says the word 'Diabetes' is an instant fave. The Christine Marinoni one is spot on too.
Ikea *and* a Museum: woah
Tonight I hit the Nishimura Yuko exhibit at The Fuller Craft Museum. It's been on my list of things to do for a while now and, as always, my visit was precipitated by the fact that the closing date is just in a couple of days. The museum isn't exactly in my backyard and it would've been easy enough to say to hell with it but I'm really glad that I pushed myself to go because her show was amazing. Absolutely rhythmic and hypnotic. The fact that she is able to produce such works from just hand folding one single piece of paper is astonishing.
Interestingly enough, my mom's friend's sister also had an exhibit at the museum which I was able to catch.
Another reason why I hit the museum today was the fact that I would be able to stop in Ikea on a week night. I refuse to go there, or anywhere near there, during the weekend. Here's what I got.
Interestingly enough, my mom's friend's sister also had an exhibit at the museum which I was able to catch.
Another reason why I hit the museum today was the fact that I would be able to stop in Ikea on a week night. I refuse to go there, or anywhere near there, during the weekend. Here's what I got.
When you get caught between the Moon and New York City
Actually this doesn't even involve the moon but reading about Manhattanhenge instantly brought that evil Christopher Cross song to mind.
So...if you're in NYC at 8:24 p.m. tonight (and 8:25 p.m. tomorrow) you'll be able to see the sun totally aligned with Manhattan's street grid, fully illuminating every single cross-street for the last fifteen minutes of daylight. That's pretty neat!
Fireworks, Baseball and a Book
First let me tell you that it took all my strength to not name this entry "Read, White & Blue". Must..resist...the power of the pun.
Anyway, in between fireworks and baseball games I was able to read Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close this weekend. It's been on my TBR list for way too long. It was very very good. Definitely read it if you get the chance.
Bunny Wabbits and Such
Lately, Spector Gant and I have been discussing all that inspires us to create (and how to maintain that momentum).
I thought Billy Collins' Inspired by a Bunny Wabbit was an appropriate, and funny, article on the subject.
Hubba Bubba, My New Friend
Well, I know you've all been waiting with bated breath for the results of my bidding war :
I lost.
Can you believe it actually went for $21.55 + $7 S&H!? My maximum bid never even came that close.
I think Spector Gant will be the most affected by my loss since I'm sure he'll miss my “timely” updates on the topic.
FADE IN:
INT. BEDROOM. –NIGHT
Lights are off. The air is humid. The fan is on. Spector Gant is already in bed, head on pillow and eyes closed. Moxiemilo enters the room. Moxiemilo first fixes her pillows and then climbs into bed. Silence.
MM: So I’ve been outbid again.
SG: Yeah?
MM: Yeah!
FADE OUT.
Or
FADE IN:
INT. LIVING ROOM – NIGHT
Spector Gant is sitting on the couch watching the Red Sox game. Moxiemilo enters the room. Moxiemilo first complains about the heat and then sits down on the couch.
MM: So I’ve been outbid again.
SG: Yeah?
MM: Yeah!
FADE OUT.
Deconstructing Hallmark
Check out these wacky and expensive yet totally cool cards.
Is Hallmark trying to be all steampunk-ish? I just want to buy one so that I can take it apart to see how it was made.
Is Hallmark trying to be all steampunk-ish? I just want to buy one so that I can take it apart to see how it was made.
...And Hello Red Brick
Finally - it's done and in record time! I think I heard the neighbors cheering at the removal of this eyesore.
Next up: the roof.
Goodbye Gross White Bricks
Highlight of my day was coming home to this:
New chimney should be up by tomorrow afternoon!
New chimney should be up by tomorrow afternoon!
