Sweetie, let's just have some bolly and a bitch through Vogue

Wendy Felton at glossed over undertook the formidable task of reading Vogue's September issue cover-to-cover in one go for her sixth annual Vogue live blog.  It's well worth a read and far more delightful, charming, and entertaining than the magazine issue itself.

It is in this spirit that it seemed an opportune time to recycle revisit my own sizing up of the 2009 September behemoth:

Girl, you better werq!  Fashion Week (originally posted September 11, 2009)


I cancelled my Vogue subscription a while ago, but they keep sending me magazines.  I recently received the September issue, and while thinner than last year's, it's still not something you want to drop on anything wee or delicate.  Let's take a look at the issue, and how it measures up to various things in my apartment ...


It's   definitely smaller than a 14 oz. box of Cheerios.  Also, it will not help you lower your cholesterol.

Advantage: Cheerios

It takes 2 seasons of Supernatural on DVD to stack up to the September Vogue; however, Jensen Ackles may be prettier than Charlize Theron.

Advantage: Supernatural

You need almost three copies of Frank Herbert's Dune series to equal one Vogue.    You might think Vogue has the edge here, but I'll actually read the Dune books more than once.

Advantage: Dune   

Vogue is almost as large as the cast iron ebelskiever pan, and certainly as heavy.  But if you pour batter onto Vogue and place it on a gas stove, all you will succeed in doing is burning the kitchen down.

Sadly, while Vogue may offer 584 stylish steals and smart splurges, it will not offer me delicious pancake balls.

Advantage: ebelskiever pan

Sorry Vogue.   Better luck next year.

Oh pile of books, oh pile of books, how lovely are your pages

Consider this the Orthodox Christmas coda to my ongoing discussion with ItsJustMo and BethLamPen.

Credit: Mandaleigh-Geek

Check out The Mary Sue for 11 more book trees.

You can't live in a jacket, but you can live in a book

Or a collection of books, if they're used to build a child sized reading cottage.  I think we just put a period on this conversation.

@BethLamPen, you've got some work to do, sister.

book shelter by e.kristina on Flickr

A beginning is the time for taking the most delicate care

Caldwell Tanner created covers for four classic childrens books reimagined as sci-fi.  Artist Julia Yu took one of those covers and filled it with AWESOME!

Goodnight Dune ...

Her version of Dune is perhaps a better introduction to the story than the coloring and activity books that were published as tie-ins to David Lynch's 1984 movie version.

Duke Leto and Piter die.

 You CAN color THEM!

What better way to teach 4th and 5th graders about political intrigue, messianic breeding programs, assassination, revenge, walking without rhythm, and drugs!  Don't forget the drugs!

The no bake spice cookies must flow!  Paul eats delicious spice cookies. They allow him to shorten the way, be many places at once, and see all possible futures. You can make some cookies that will show you the Golden Path too ... if you survive.

Be sure to ask a grown-up to melt the butter for you.

The Dune activity books also have an important Green message. Water is life.  Conserve.  Recycle. Reuse.

Coilhouse has a spice blows worth of scans from the activity books.  Perfect for the whole gom jabbar family.

io9: Goodnight Dune, a children's book straight from Arrakis

Dune Coloring Books | The Mary Sue

Coilhouse Blog Archiveb | Franchised Goodies for the Children of Dune

These are not the books you're looking for

Libreaction's Andy Priestner has managed to ping two of my nerd sweet spots with his thoughtful review of the Jedi Archives.  He takes issue in particular with their access policy, which could be the greatest comprehensive exam question ever written.

"Create an access policy for an archive containing all of the known information in the galaxy, held in a variety of print and digital formats, and serving a diverse user population.  Special attention should be paid to the competing needs to provide critical information while guarding against data corruption at the hands of the Dark Side.  Cite the professional literature and provide specific examples."

And while I won't go so far as to call head librarian Jocasta Nu the worst librarian in the galaxy, I will say that if your client is having trouble finding something, the answer is not, "If an item doesn't appear in our records, it doesn't exist".





Jedi Librarian: Libreaction via Neatorama

Happy Kwanzaa! Pass the corn nuts.

You've seen it. You're mocked it. You've thrown up in your mouth a little at the sight of it ... but have you ever wondered how it came to be?

While semi-homemade Sandra Lee may have unleashed the Kwanzaa cake upon the world, she didn't actually write the recipe. That blame credit goes to cookbook author Denise Vivaldo. Her mea culpa has been taken down from the Huffington Post where it originally appeared, but nothing ever truly disappears from the interwebs ...

In my defense, I must start at the beginning. I've been developing recipes for cookbook authors and food companies for over twenty years ... I sell recipes from $100-$400 dollars apiece plus the cost of groceries. I love it. Not only is it fun, creative and challenging, I get to study all kinds of food. Most projects are just plain terrific. I'm humbled by the amazing people I've gotten to write and work for.

But (isn't there always a but?)...wait for it...wait for it. 

One night in my office, at least 10 years ago, my phone rang. I answered it. If only I had noticed that my dogs started to howl and blood mysteriously started seeping from the walls. Alas, I did not. So excited to close the sale, I made an appointment with a personal assistant to meet "the next Martha Stewart, only bigger." I was happy to think about this latest project that would help feed my assistants.

It turned out that the premise of this cookbook would be "delicious desserts with nothing made from scratch." This book would be the second in a series. The first book was almost done, but apparently the writer, food stylist and recipe tester from that first book had all gone sailing in the Bermuda Triangle to celebrate and had disappeared. The books were being self-published by Ms. Lee, unless she could find a publisher, ASAP. She really, really wanted a publishing partner.

I 'm not sure if it was because my head was spinning 360 degrees and my retinas had become burned by some horrible smoke that seemed to fill the room whenever she moved, but I wasn't grasping the concept. "No fresh food. Just canned food. Nothing fresh, do you understand me? All food out of cans or boxes, so it's easy for the homemaker ...and write the brand name of the cans or boxes right in the recipe."

I assumed it was the ten years of smoking dope in my formative years that was making me stupid. Then I thought, okay, this is another slant on The Cake Mix Doctor, by Anne Byrn. A book that had been wildly successful. I can do this.

Before you say a word, let me say one more thing in my defense.

I have people that depend on me for their livelihood. Assistants, designers, photographers, and especially my American Express Platinum card. I sign the checks, so I have to bring in the money. To make my small business work, I took the job. First time I ever signed a contract. Of all the truly big stars and real celebrities I've worked with, it was always just a handshake and my reputation for getting the job done that created the deal. To put it simply, I deliver what I say I will.

Thirteen months past and after exactly 151 recipes, I tried to fake my death.

Ms. Lee called and though we were done with the book, she needed at least ten extra angel food cakes for "fun" sugary holiday times to sell to a magazine ... Please ask yourself, what would you have done in my place? See how that Kwanzaa cake is looking better from my perspective? I will tell you truly, the candles were her idea.

I guess I imagined something more refined. And I know the Corn Nuts were disgusting, but she didn't. As a matter of fact, the more tasteless the recipes got the more she liked them, the faster she approved them, and I could get home and drink some medium-priced wine after our meetings. She's not a good role model for abstinence.

I've never watched any of the videos on YouTube. My priest says, "Never call the devil."

And to think, Anthony Bourdain was afraid of her. Crap, he was never even close.

Woman behind ‘Sandra Lee Kwanzaa Cake’ Explains Debacle | EURweb

What would Melvil Dewey have to say?

I've been having an ongoing discussion with NoShowMo and Duchess Jane about organizing books by color.

It started with this, which Jane and I agreed we did not like.

I'm also not a fan of this, although sweet fancy do I covet the apartment.

I found this arrangement strangely appealing.  I think it has to do with the soothing symmetry of books of similar size and binding grouped together.  Also, effing hipsters.

But then Mo hit on something that just turned the whole discussion inside out.

I quote:

Not organizing books by color.  Organizing them by SURPRISE!  Spines facing in.  What shall we read today? 

I have NO IDEA!

Yes.  Brilliant.  Love it.

#Supernatural 5.20: The Devil You Know

That's two weeks in a row Show has given a shout out to one of my favorite books.  This week, the boys are presumably hunting down Death and Pestilence for their bling, with some (probably) ill advised help from an unlikely ally.  

Promo and clip, after the jump ...

It's a Stampede! Link Roundup - 1/17

During the real Lost experience, we all came home with matching beach frocks.  The tags promised "one size fits all", and shockingly, they actually did.  Thus did we fellowship of four come to own matching sisterhood of the traveling muu-muus.

I think Nicki summed it up perfectly when she said "they look equally 'attractive' on all of us".

Will I be wearing mine come February 2?  Oh, yes.  I will be.

via Natalie Dee with a tip o'the hat to T!

I remember very little about Space: 1999 other than the fact that I loved it, and Maya was my favorite character.  I hesitate to revisit the show now on DVD.  I think we all know that's not going to end well.

Instead, I'll just enjoy fan Eric Bernard's re-imagined and recut videos he's calling Space: 2099.

Fan Reboot "Space 2099" via io9

Bless the Maker (of this font), and all his water.

Orthodox Herbertarian is a new font painstakingly traced from scans of the typeface that was used on the American Ace Editions (Published by The Berkley Publishing Group) of Dune and many other Frank Herbert books for around a decade, from the early 70s through to the early 80s.

The Sex Pistols’ “Never Mind the Bollocks” (1977) is closer to the second world war than it is to the present. The Beatles’ release of “Love Me Do” (1962) is closer to the first world war than to us.

Now get off my lawn!  And pull up your pants.

Hey,  remember that New Years resolution to start going to the gym and eating right?  Yeah, eff that noise.  Gourmet presents 68 years worth of their favorite cookie recipes.

via Dinosaurs and Robots

SyFy is planning an American version of the British series Being Human.  The one where a vampire, a werewolf, and a ghost walk into a flat and become roommates.

Normally I would roll my eyes at this news, or wonder why they don't just air the original, but I'm cautiously optimistic, given that Supernatural's Jeremy "Changing Channels / Supernatural Christmas" Carver is the co-writer.  So, yes to this!





Say what again.  SAY WHAT AGAIN.  via The Oatmeal



Adidas is pulling out all the stops to promote their new Star Wars inspired sneaks.  I know I shouldn't like this, what with the crass commercialism and all, but I'm not made of stone people!

Frankly, this is the shiz for reals.



via io9

Be it resolved: H.Res 2010.01

On the advice of counsel, my usual New Year's resolution is to drink more champagne.  This year, I'm adding "read more books" to the list - despite what Gawker has to say on the topic.  And anyway, I've started a conversation with "I've been rereading Dune recently, and ..." so I'm not really concerned.

With so many titles floating around, it's hard to know where to start.  Fortunately, I have some guidance courtesy of io9 and the librarians of National Geographic.  Their lists, after the jump ...

Happy Birthday Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy! DON'T PANIC!

Today marks the 30th anniversary of the publication of the classic Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Grab your towel and a pan galactic gargle blaster, and pour one out for Douglas Adams.

io9 has several excerpts from the revised and expanded edition of his biography written by Neil Gaiman.

Fascinating fact: Neil Gaiman wrote a fan companion book called Don't Panic: The Officie Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Companion (1988), and also coined the H2G2 abbreviation. As though I couldn't possibly love the man more.

This, the theme from Doctor Who, and the Star Wars fanfare theme are three pieces of music that make me happy on a primal reptile brain level.

And don't hate, but I love the movie too.

The Stage Play That Almost Made Douglas Adams Panic - douglas adams - io9

Does the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy still answer the ultimate question? | Books | The Guardian

Closing the book on another beach week

We had an unprecedented sunset last night on the sound. Usually there's a cloud cover right on the water that obscures the sun, but not this night.

It's not a stretch to say that in 8 years, this was the best trip ever.  Although it goes into the books with an asterix, for dear friends no longer with us.  We missed you Rita and Heather.

See full photo set on flickr.

Supernatural 4.18 "The Monster at the End of this Book"

This week's episode sounds a little Heroes-ish ... except, you know.  Good.  Extra special love for referencing my #2 very most favorite book from childhood.

Sam and Dean are shocked to discover a series of comic books titled "Supernatural" that accurately detail their lives as demon hunters. They track down the writer, Carver Edlund [hee] (guest star Rob Benedict), who explains he has visions of the brothers that he then turns into comic books.

Mike Rohl directed the episode written by Julie Siege.

"I'm full frontal in here dude."

And once again, the writers have been reading fanfic.

The best parts are when they cry. Heh.  When Dean cries maybe, with his single perfect manly tear of pain.   Sammy on the other hand?  To say that he is a sloppy crier is an understatement. *cough* "No Rest for the Wicked" *cough*

In Castiel news, we already know Misha Collins has been upped to regular status for Season 5 (YAY!).  io9 has some additional tidbits for this season:

We're most likely going to see Castiel flirting with the possibility of developing human emotion. In the meantime, towards the end of this season, we'll see Castiel get in a couple of fights where he either wins or holds his own. And we're going to meet the guy whose body Castiel possesses.

Heavenly tax accountant for the win!

Supernatural airs Thursday at 9:00 pm (eastern) on the CW.

I'm a Marvel. And I'm a DC.

I don't actually read comic books, but I loves me some movies based on comic book super heroes. I also love ItsJustSomeRandomGuy 's videos. Action figures commenting on their own movies. This meta tastes delicious!

Suck it Dark Knight!



Jerk. Emo.



via io9

You know what? Do not like.

I know.  I'm as surprised as you are.

ADD OCD DIY? Organize and Shelve Books by Color | dornob

via Neatorama

Does anyone have change for a button

I saw a trailer for Coraline at the cinema last night, and I think this could be one I'm excited for. Just on paper, its already got two big checks in the must see column - from the director of Nightmare Before Christmas and written by Neil Gaiman.  American Gods is one of my favorite books, and Good Omens not only made me laugh out loud on the bus, but it's got one of my all time favorite exchanges in it:

Aziraphale:  I'd just like to say, if we don't get out of this, that ... I'll have known, deep down inside, that there was a spark of goodness in you.

Crowley:  Just remember I'll have known that, deep down inside, you were just enough of a bastard to be worth liking.

io9 also has a nice little behind the scenes vid featuring Gaiman - apparently, my overlords on the homeworld find him a little creepy. 

Coraline: Coraline's Neil Gaiman Scares The Crap Out Of Me

On the big screen, the movie looks absolutely gorgeous. And the 3-D element is actually quite good, and should heighten the sense of otherworldliness. It's also not as headache inducing as I feared it might be. How do I know this? I'll have more to say about that in another post.

Also, that little door she finds?   I've got something that looks almost exactly like it in my closet.  All the flats in my building do.  I won't lie to you - I'm a little freaked out right now ...