#Supernatural 5.10: Abandon All Hope ...

Zut alors! It's the last new episode of 2009! Sam, Dean, and Castiel square off against Lucifer. I doubt things go as planned, considering we're only at the midpoint of the season.

Written by Ben Edlund, directed by Phil Sgriccia.

If you're looking for a way to while away the next two months, catching up with all the Chicon reports is a good start. Maureen Ryan at the Chicago Tribune offers her take on the event, as well as interviews with Misha Collins and Jim Beaver.

Misha revealed the intriguing information that news footage exists of him and his University of Chicago roommates running around mostly naked on the coldest day on record. IN THE NAME OF ALL THAT IS HOLY WHY IS THIS NOT ON THE YOUTUBES ALREADY??? Really, fandom. I'm disappointed. I expected more from you.

The always awesome SuperWiki has the full roundup of reports, photos, and vids. So that should take care of 3 or 4 days.

I'm also planning to do a count down of the top 12 Supernatural moments for the recap on Tubular. What are your faves? Let me know in the comments here or over at the Chron.

And now, promos and clips below! EW's Ausiello also has an exclusive clip, but beware - headline is spoilery for character casting. But then, if you're watching it, you're probably not concerned about such things.

Supernatural returns on January 14, 2010. Stay strong, people.

Passings: John Hughes

UPDATED AGAIN!: NPR has a brief interview with Alison, talking about her relationship with John Hughes.

UPDATE: You need to read this tribute to John Hughes RIGHT NOW.  For two years, 1985 - 1987, he and Alison Byrne Fields were pen pals.  Her story reads like something out of one of his movies, only so much better.

News comes that  John Hughes has died of a heart attack at 59.

Prolific as a writer and producer, he directed his last film in 1991.  But he ruled the 80's.  He defined that decade's (okay, my) teenage experience in a way that was funny, smart, and thoughtful.  I'd go so far as to say that Buffy Summers and Veronica Mars wouldn't have been possible without him.

Somewhere in heaven the angels are saying, "Hey sexy girrrrrlfriend!"

Life moves pretty fast.  If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.

Andi totes should have been with Duckie.   I never quite understood why she was the outcast.  I would have killed for her clothes.  The prom dress not so much, but still.  Also, I had her hair.  I gave myself the home perm.



Does Barry Manilow know you raid his closet?



My best friend Becca and I were obsessed with this movie.   I think I still have the soundtrack on cassette somewhere ...

And he actually ended up with the right girl! 

But the ultimate, ZOMG, is 16 Candles.  Not only is it chock full of classic lines and moments, but it's like, about my life.

Although sadly, I did not end up with the hot senior I was in lurve with when I was a sophomore.


Sixteen Candles - Final Scene - Movie Ending - The best video clips are right here

Passings - Koko Taylor

The Chicago Sun-Times is reporting that music legend Koko Taylor has passed away at the age of 80, apparently due to complications following a recent surgery.

Farewell sweet Queen.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

First round is on me.

Oh, how I miss Chicago ...

credit: Tribune photo by Abel Uribe / March 14, 2009

Express Lane - 15 items or less

I posted on Friday about the Jedi Chefs.  io9 came upon that link via my new favorite blog, Eat Me Daily.  EMD started serving up deliciousness in October, and they hit that perfect sweet spot of food and pop culture.

Plus, they love bacon and have no patience for Gwyneth "GOOP" Paltrow's food fuckwittery.  That's a win in the wax|wendy book.

These look good don't they?  Raspberry macarons, maybe with a hint of mint?  Nope.  Try ketchup with a hint of cornichon.

Lamb and mint jelly is one thing, but Cajun Squirrel?  Seriously?

Anthony Bourdain, washing down his heart attack with a PBR.  Not for nothing is Chicago the City of Big Shoulders and Hog Butcher to the World.

Marian Burros can bite my shiny D.C. ass

From the vaults, vintage celebrity cookbooks.  Also, that is totally my new FB profile picture.

Temporary tattoos for food lovers.  I'm buying a set of these for everyone I know.

Make your own Lego gummy candy.   Delectable!  Plus, they squish when you step on them.  Parents, you know what I'm talking about.

Dan Coudreaut, the man who put apples in Happy Meals (tm)

Cham-pag-nee of Beers

My very most favorite bar in Chicago is a place called Nick's Beer Garden. Partly because it was in crawling distance to my flat, and partly because they served $2 pints of the Miller High Life every day. Now that's common sense.

27 Feet of Nonsense



Chubblie Bubblie!



Tito's here!

Do Not Step to Etta James

Because she will cut a bitch.  Cut you HARD

Also, apparently not an Obama supporter.  But she reserves the bulk of her ire for Miss Sasha Fierce.

Holy Cow! The Winter Classic at Wrigley Field

credit: Getty Images photo by Jamie Squire

Sadly, the Blackhawks lost to Detroit 6-4.  Damn goat.

The Chicago Tribune has complete coverage, for the hockey minded among you.