December 2007 Archives

I just had the overwhelming urge to tell the world wide web that I'm obsessed with Heroes. I know, total soap opera, but I've watched about 6 episodes this weekend and I'm enjoying myself. I've only seen season two -- I'm wondering if it's even necessary to watch the first season -- but I'm completely hooked. I feel like now I understand why people went cooky over Lost. It reminds me of when I was in the eighth grade and Brian Brooks (wow, I can't believe I remember his name) told me that, with my new bobbed haircut, I looked like Terry Hatcher (as "Lois Lane" in Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman) and I simultaneously fell in love with him and Dean Cain's "Clark Kent". ::sigh:: No crushes for Heroes, sadly (though the cast as a whole is rather handsome), just solidly love the idea of people with super powers. I need to read X-Men. Other things I'm enjoying this holiday season (in no particular order):

• My new keyboard.
• Playing Guitar Hero III with my nephew. Getting beaten, badly, at Guitar Hero III by my nephew.
• Super Mario Galaxy.
• Jape. Someone Still Loves You, Boris Yeltsin. 10cc.
• Being able to listen to CDs *or* my iPod in my car.
• Talking to Jullian on the phone for the first time in 3 years.
• Making stuff with my hands.
• Making stuff in Garageband.

Happy New Years Eve Eve.

 

Stanley guessed that last one correctly.  Again.  This one is easy, though.  I promise.

RSS feed for Is It Christmas? dot com. Hee, hee.

What is it?

And what was that last week?? The answer.

I just wanted to say that I love Etsy.  I have been able to find several Christmas gifts there that I think won't just be unique, but actually appreciated.  And I'd much rather spend money here than at a BestBuy, Target, J. Crew, etc., etc., etc..

My first time to this eBay of  arts-and-crafts was not to holiday shop, however. This past summer I was over at my pal Vickie's gushing over some of her artwork and she pointed me to Etsy.  Then I found some really great prints including these four by Melissa Moss: From the top left, clockwise: the arrival, I cant breathe, ipo and fruitful. This picture doesn't do them any justice; check out the links.

In terms of holidays/birthdays/whatever, they have some pretty good gift guides, too. And even if you don't really have anything you're looking to consume just yet, it's worth having a look around.  I've been inspired by a lot of the handiwork -- I'm constantly amazed at what cool things people create.  I'm really glad to see a site where, while they may ostensibly be hawking wares, folks are also sharing ideas.  Sometimes they're nerdy ideas (but aWeSomE!), sometimes they're funny and cute and undead ideas (say what?!), and sometimes they're clever.  And sometimes they're even neckties.

And what was that on Monday?!?

December 3, 2007: Answer! Winner - Stanley! December 7, 2007: Answer! Winner - No one. : ( December 11, 2007: Answer! Winner - Stanley! December 28, 2007: Answer! Winner - Baron!

Wow. . . this is hilarious. I think somebody at the New York Times is a little biased. I have a hard time believing that the only stock images available for some of our 2008 presidential hopefuls happily masticating are those that make Hilary Clinton look like a piggy and reveal Rudy Giuliani's secret aspirations to be Steven Tyler. Barack Obama, on the other hand, looks like he stepped out of an L.L. Bean catalogue and the Corn Dog Eating Society of America should certainly consider him for their poster boy. (Oh, if only there was a corn dog-eating society.) But besides all that hilarity, are we really so hard up for news that we have to resort to watching the future leaders of America eat? I'm pretty sure there are more important things to talk about. And besides, eating is already being covered elsewhere. (<-- And look who it is! Giuliani!) I get really frustrated with how voracious the "news" media is about gossiping-up politicos as if who wears boxers or briefs might influence me at the polls. I do not deny that the personal lives of presidential candidates are interesting and even important in supplementing the body of knowledge needed to make a more informed decision (Giuliani's surprise separation announcement from ex-wife Donna Hanover -- catching her unawares -- gives a better indication of his character than perhaps, say, his penchant for extra cheese). Former White House chef Walter Scheib said, “There are few things more personal than eating . . . and if you reject someone’s food, you kind of reject them”. That's exactly right. And I'm 100% guilty of that kind of snap-judgment: on more than one occasion I thought, while walking passed the alfresco diners of Charlottesville's Hardware Store restaurant (a'hem, now closed), I could never be friends with any of you if it would mean we'd have to eat here. I'm totally a food snob! And I also hate corn dogs and love ice cream. Does this mean I should reject Obama and raise my spoon to Hilary? Certainly it means I need more information. While an interesting look at local politics, attempting to appeal to voters on a national scale through food is virtually impossible. You will offend vegans and vegetarians by scarfing southern barbecue and annoy the cattle farmers by patronizing that hip sushi joint in mid-town. Anyway, while the eating habits of the battling Dems and Reps are entertaining, I'm ready for something pertinent (besides, my main gripe is with how ridiculously The Today Show those images and video are). Even if Americans are reading less, this does not mean those in a position to report news should encourage a mindless stall in foodie land. Report something pertinent and newsworthy; make me think, please.

I just wanted to wish Michael Jackson's Thriller -- released on Epic Records December 1, 1982 -- a happy 25th. Given this was the favorite album of my youth*, not to mention possibly one of the best pop records of the 80s (and maybe even of all time??), this is my shout-out. You've turned into one weird dude, Jacko, but you have made some really great music.

Watch (sorry; YouTube user "michaeljackson" has disabled embedding for these vids): Billie Jean Beat It Thriller

*A favorite story of mine is how, when I was about 4 years old, I insisted on listening to Thriller in its entirety before going to bed each night excluding, of course, "Thriller" because it scared the crap out of my toddler self. I would lie in bed and make my brother or sister turn the tape over to Side B.