Guiding Light at the Paley Center: First thoughts

ZOMG IT WAS AWESOME REVA SQUEE!!!!

Onward to Adventure! NYC with Mom

Mom retired on Friday (YAY!) and to celebrate, we hit the city.

First, the train ...


... and then some more trains. Escalators and baggage friendly turnstiles. That's all I'm saying New York.  All I'm saying.


After we settled into our hotel - big ups to the Helmsley Middletowne for the free suite upgrade, btw, we struck off for Central Park.


Where we decided to flaunt the local rules and regs

Afterwards we went in search of dinner.  In general, it's a bad idea to make a choice based purely on the fact that they have air con and you're too hot to walk any further, but we got lucky.

We ended up at Opal on 2nd Avenue.  It's a locals place with a nice afterwork crowd.  The DJ seemed a bit much for a Tuesday evening, but the duck spring rolls were well worth the price of admission.

There is no picture of the duck spring rolls because I was too busy eating them.  I eated them all up.  They were guuuud.

Tomorrow - NBC Studios, Rockefeller Center, and the real purpose of our trip ...

GUIDING LIGHT PANEL AT PALEY CENTER!!!!

Toon Tuesday: Dixieland Droopy

For you see he - that flea - Pee Wee, was me!  See?

#musicmonday: Chris Isaak

Tip o'the hat to T!

Your Monday morning moment of Zen

via Neatorama

In my next life, I want to be a set decorator for a genre show

Amy Wells has one of the coolest jobs EVER.

She's the set decorator for Mad Men (Season 3 premieres tonight on AMC).  It's her job to make sure the background details are true and authentic, from the upholstery and appliances to the gum under the desks.

The detail that people went through in those days was just so well worth it. I mean, when I look at it, I just - I really appreciate it ... I think it's those details in life that make life more interesting. It seems like everything is so homogenized and bland compared to how it used to be.

I don't envy her production schedule, or the resulting stress, but the idea of spending my days scouring thrift stores or pouring over old catalogs for inspiration?  Sign me up!

A Mad Dash To Decorate 'Mad Men' : NPR

Passings: Les Paul, 1915-2009

Musician and inventor Les Paul passed away on Thursday. A hit maker in his own right, with 36 gold records and a string of #1's, he will best be remembered as the father of the solid-body electric guitar that bears his name.

He's the man who gave the gods their hammers.

If you find yourself in Memphis, do not miss the tour at the Gibson factory.  It's like you died and went to guitar heaven.



Les Paul (1915-2009) : Rolling Stone

Tributes pour in for guitar player and rock innovator Les Paul after death at age 94 -- chicagotribune.com

Les Paul, 1915-2009 - Music - Gawker

Happy 25th Birthday, Buckaroo Banzai

Wow, this is one of those cult classics you kind of forget about, but I'd say I'm definitely overdue for a re-visit. I remember seeing this at the Naro Theatre back in the day and not really knowing what was going on, and then reading the novelization and feeling even more lost.  But hearing the closing credits song again just makes me happy.  

The Hong Kong Cavaliers are looking out for us.



Tell him yes on 1, no on 2.



Happy 25th Birthday, Buckaroo Banzai - Adventures of buckaroo banzai in the 8th dimension - io9

It's British Friday! It's British Friday!

It's the Final Countdown: Supernatural Season 5

Only a month to go ... 

io9 has a super spoilery recap of the Supernatural panel from last month's Comic Con.

ZOMGTHISSEASONISGOINGTOBESOGOODYOUGUYSSQUEE!!!!

The CW, miracle of miracles, is actually promoting the show, and seems to want people to watch it.   They've even put out a rather well done catch up vid to get everyone up to speed before September 10.  

And the zeitgeist has clearly decided that we're on our own.   I love, love, love that Paul Bettany cuts off his wings (grace?  What grace?) and that halos are actually God's dog collars.   How meta is it that Jess is the mother of humanity's savior?

YES TO THIS!! 

I hope Dennis Quaid has salt in that shot gun

Toon Tuesday: Mice Follies

Starting things off with one of my all time favorites.  When I was a kid I was certain you could really do this.  I'm still not convinced that you couldn't.

Handcraft of the Week: d20 Handbag of Holding

When I was in 7th grade a couple of my guy friends tried to teach me how to play D+D. It didn't appeal to me, and I never got into it, which is weird because I generally love all things fantasy. Clearly I needed to have the game presented in a way that better spoke to me, because if they had broken this out? Oh, I would have been all over me some D+D!

credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lenore-m/ / CC BY 2.0

Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories has detailed instructions for d20 and d12 bags, with patterns and pre-cut kits in the works. 

d20 Handbag of Holding: How to build it - Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories

via Neatorama

#musicmonday: You've been Teen Roll'd

via cupcakes and mace

Your Monday morning moment of philosophical dirty politics

And a response. Mmm ... Danish.



Clearly they need to settle this one the pitch



via via Neatorama

Happy Birthday Kurtis Blow!

He just wants you to know these are the breaks!



Rapper Turned Minister Kurtis Blow Is 50 : NPR

Eventually I became a librarian instead

I saw Raiders of the Lost Ark when I was 10. By the time we got home from the theatre I had decided I wanted to be an archaeologist when I grew up. I held on to that dream right up until college, and Archaeology 101. Do you know how much math is involved in the field? Probability, statistics ... I never saw the first bull whip.   

I switched to the museum track instead.

Now, don't get me wrong.  I have nothing but respect for those who do pursue the discipline, and for the work they do.  I offer this simply as a friendly FYI.

via

Click Click Bloody Click YES TO THIS!!

BEHOLD! The ChefStack Automatic Pancake Machine, generating flapjacky goodness as a rate of 200 pancakes per minute.

Automatic buttering and syruping machines sold separately.

Mmm ... technology. The cause of, and answer to, all life's problems.

via Neatorama

I want to go to there

Credit & Copyright: Wally Pacholka (TWAN)

Astronomy Picture of the Day via io9

No frogs were harmed in the making of this confection

The evil geniuses at Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories have been hard at work in the kitchen, and the fruits of their labors is this.  BEHOLD!  An actual crunchy frog.

credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lenore-m/ / CC BY 2.0

Clickie on the linkie for the complete recipe.  I think they're still working out the kinks in the ram's bladder cup.  It's a fair cop.

But if we took the bones out... - Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories

via Neatorama

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

It's only teenage wasteland

British Friday, Part of the Second: Swing Low Sweet Posh

It's British Friday! It's British Friday!

O'Keefe center, Toronto 02/28/1976 

credit:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jlacpo/ / CC BY-SA 2.0

Come on Judy, let's put on a show!

The new school year is right around the corner, so it's not too early to start planning for the drama club's big production.  You want something that's challenging for the young actors and accessible for the audience.  Why rely on those hoary old chestnuts like "Our Town" and "Guys and Dolls" when you can put on a show with modern appeal.

Amazon makes it easy with these handy lists that will help you stage Pulp Fiction, Boogie Nights, or Scarface.

Timex Men's Easy Reader Brown Leather Watch: 

"Get the scary kid to nail the awkward pauses and minute of Christoper Walken's epic monologue."

Tubbs Costume (Miami Vice):

"I don't treat you gently ... That's right: I'm Brock Landers. So I'm gonna be nice and I'm gonna ask you one more time ... 

Where the fuck is Ringo?"

Bratz Large Baybz Spa/Bathtub:

"Yell at your trophy wife from the tub while watching a bird show on TV. 

'Money, money, money, money, money; that's all I ever hear in this house.  Manny, look at the pelican fly. Come on, pelican!' "

Tip o'the hat to T. Thanks T!

This one goes to one hundred

Musician Brodie Cumming has put together a pretty amazing medley of 100 well known and influential guitar riffs. I am appalled - appalled - to say that I could only positively identify 41 of them. There were another 13 that I recognized but couldn't name, and then 46 that I just had no clue. You will be shocked, I'm sure, to discover that I'm not very well versed in the works of Pantera, Motorhead, Judas Priest, or Dokken.  I also whiffed on the Joe Satriani and Yngwie Malmsteen.  Brian L., wherever you are, I am deeply, deeply sorry.  

I also discovered that I don't know the actual names of any Led Zeppelin songs, although I instantly knew that's what they were.  

Check out Brodie's website for a list of all the songs.  He loves him some Van Halen and Zeppelin, but you know, who doesn't?   Jimmy Page and Eddie Van Halen are geniuses.  Geniuii?  I was a little disappointed that Heart's "Barracuda", ZZ's "La Grange", and "Satisfaction" weren't included.  But props for including Living Colour.  

Previously on wax|wendy: Meet the Hera to all these gods.

Fabulous Etsy Find: cupcakesandmace

Ms. Constantine of Cupcakes and Mace is the creator of "laser cut acrylic jewellery for ass kicking girls".

I'd been thinking about ordering a name plate for a while, and then finally did.

First, the packaging. Ooh, pretteh!

Then, the necklace.  Woot!  Sweet!

Well,  let's see what she looks like ...

Kick ass!  An added bonus was the unsolicited compliment I got from a total stranger the first time I wore it.  

Check our her etsy shop for pre made pendants, rings, bracelets, and earrings.  Custom pieces (like mine) are also available upon request.

Your Monday morning moment of WTF??

My tv boyfriend Anthony Bourdain has said some pretty harsh things about tablescape maven Sandra Lee.  Such as:

The most terrifying thing I've seen is her making a Kwanzaa cake. Watch that clip and tell me your eyeballs don't burst into flames. It's a war crime on television. You'll scream.

To be fair, he's not wrong.  Seriously, what is going on there?  Corn nuts?  Corn nuts??

But you can only talk smack for so long until your words ... and the object of derision ... catch up with you.

I'm pretty sure, judging by the vestigial ectoplasm on my jacket that I was sideswiped by pure evil.

An icy, tendril of fear runs down my spine. I turn and find myself looking straight into the deceptively attractive and reasonable looking face of Sandra Lee.

Now, I've said some unkind things over the years about Sandra. Far too many and far too terrible things to ever apologize for. Plus, I pretty much meant every word. Once you've seen Sandra making Kwanzaa Cake on YouTube, there's no backing down.  Sandra is talking. I know this cause her lips are moving and she's saying--overtly anyway, nice things. Like "You're a very naughty man," and she's chatting amiably with my wife. But one hand is picking over me like the meat buyer at Peter Luger selecting a rib section--like some demonic bird of prey is poking and prodding, deciding where the weakest, most tender point of entry is, giving, as I recall, a point by point review of her investigations to my wife--who ordinarily, I have to say, would have been across the table with a tomahawk chop elbow to the top of the skull by now, but who, like me, sits mesmerized and grinning insanely, frozen by the ..bizarrenessof the moment which seems to go on forever as Sandra's hand wanders upward, tugs an ear lobe and asks if my ears are red yet. (They were.) Having had her way with me, she leaves the emptied husk of my carcass teetering at the table and moves on.

I felt like the victim of a drive-by shooting. "What just..happened?" I said with a weak, trembly voice. I looked around to see if anyone else had noticed the quiet but very thorough disembowelment that had just occurred. Nothing. It had looked, to anyone who'd care to notice, like any other cocktail party conversation--but I knew better. I had looked into those eyes. I'd seen. Oh, she was smiling all right, but I'm pretty damn sure you could have dragged a rusty butterknife across my carotid artery right there at the table and her expression would not have changed, maybe only the eyes, they'd roll over white as I geysered onto the chafing dishes.

All things considered, I think their encounter went pretty well.  Team Tony!

via via via Eat Me Daily

It's British Friday! It's British Friday!

I can't decide if I'm horrified or hungry

Oh, who am I kidding.  I could totally go for a krab salad sandwich right about now.

Even after reading this:

Frozen slabs of Surimi... are mixed with starch, egg whites, and crab flavorings. Without the flavoring, mild Surimi has almost no taste at all... Next Surimi paste pumps over to the cook lines, where it extrudes out into thin ribbons...

I love the word "extrude".  I most often associate it with play-doh.  Actually, there's quite a bit of similarity between the two ... 

Clickie on the linkie for the video, and tell me I'm not right.

Traumatizing Imitation Krab Manufacturing Video - Eat Me Daily

Come on ride it, Woo-Woo!

I loves me some conveyor belt sushi, so clearly YES TO THIS!  toy sushi train.  Although sadly, the chef is sold separately. 

Gizmodo via Eat Me Daily

The hog had stopped squealing. After that, butchering time was great fun.

Offal of the Week: Hog’s Head - Eat Me Daily

Ma scraped and cleaned the head carefully, and then she boiled it till all the meat fell off the bones.  She chopped the meat fine with her chopping knife in the wooden bowl, she seasoned it with pepper and salt and spices.  Then she mixed the pot-liquor with it, and set it away in a pan to cool.  When it was cool it would cut in slices, and that was headcheese.

Little House in the Big Woods, Laura Ingalls Wilder

How, how I longed to kick the pig's bladder around with her!

Your Monday morning moment of WOO!

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.

My favorite place in the Outer Banks

Oceana's Bistro in Avon

Family friendly

Daily specials, including 20 cent steamed shrimp on Thursdays and $1.50 PBR every day.  Just put a $20 on the bar, and ask Laura or Christy to keep the goodness coming.

If you don't dig on the shellfish, try the pistachio encrusted goat cheese salad.  Big enough for two, but you won't want to share because it is guuuuuuuuud.

British Friday - a kidney is a small price to pay edition

Lost is - sadly - heading into it's final season. And producers plan to auction off props and set pieces from the show.   The precious items are currently available for sneak peek at ComicCon, should you actually be fortunate enough to hold a ticket. 

For the right price, you can take home Hurley's lotto ticket, Kate's stupid toy airplane, Jack's tears, Locke's knife, or ... OR! Mr. Eko's Jesus stick.

Therese at Tubular is starting a collection. I've pledged a kidney. Not that it did me any good last time. BOO!

'Lost' yard sale will auction iconic props--The Live Feed

via Tubular

ch-TANG!

I got some ice cream! I got some ice cream!

I kicked it old school and went with the rocket pop.

Jesus, I'm Special

Your Monday morning moment of Zen: Now Shut Up and Eat Your Awesome edition

It's Garrison Dean's world. We're just lucky enough to live in it.



io9 - The Following Preview Has Been Rated D... For Disaster - Moon

wax|wendy on vacation: Easy like a Sunday morning edition

British Friday - wax|wendy is on vacation edition

Oh cabana boy? Could you bring me another daquiri?

Your Monday morning moment of Zen

A two fer!

It's British Friday! It's British Friday!

Ron grew up hot.

This kid's over 18, right?

I'm just saying

via Cupcakes and Mace

Your Monday morning moment of Zen

What lies in the shadow of the statue?



via Neatorama

I Heart My City: Washington, D.C.

National Geographic Traveler is celebrating the magic of the city, and they want to hear from you.  Visit Intelligent Travel and fill in the blanks.  What do you heart about your city?

In honor of July 4th, I give you our nation's capitol.

Washington, D.C. is My City

The first place I take a visitor from out of town is the Spy Museum.  

When I crave gelato I always go to Dolcezza on Wisconsin Ave. The strawberry basil and blood orange flavors are amazing.

To escape the crowds, I avoid the Mall in the summer. 

If I want to see a summer blockbuster on the big screen I go the Uptown.

For complete quiet, I can hide away in the National Cathedral.

If you have to order one thing off the menu from 2 Amys it has to be the Neapolitan guild certified pizza margherita.

Locals know to skip Georgetown on the weekends and check out U St. and H St. instead.

Photo ops in my city include the Washington monument and Lincoln Memorial and the best vantage points are from a Potomac River water taxi.

If my city were a celebrity it'd be Barack Obama.

The most random thing about my city is our lack of voting rights in Congress.

My city has the most short men.

My city has the most badass women.  Two words - Michelle Obama.

In my city, an active day outdoors involves the National Zoo, B+O Canal tow path, Rock Creek Park, or hanging out at the Dupont Circle fountain.

My city's best museum is the Smithsonian Museum of American History.  Where else can you see the Star Spangled Banner, Julia Child's kitchen, a Greensboro lunch counter, and the first ladies' dresses?  For free.

My favorite walking route is Q Street between Wisconsin and DuPont.

For a night of live music, check out 9:30 Club, Blues Alley, Bohemian Caverns, DC9, or Black Cat.

Ben's Chili Bowl is the spot for late-night eats.

To find out what's going on at night and on the weekends, read DCist.com, Washington City Paper, or the WaPo.

You can tell if someone is from my city if they stand right / walk left on escalators.

In the spring you should see the cherry blossoms from the steps of the Jefferson Memorial.

In the summer you should enjoy the live jazz at the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden.

In the fall you should cheers for the Redskins.

In the winter you should take to the ice at the Sculpture Garden's ice rink.

A hidden gem in my city is the newly rebuilt and refurbished Eastern Market.

Don't miss the Smithsonian Folklife festival in July on the Mall.

Just outside my city, you can visit Charm City, Annapolis, Manassas Battlefield, Mount Vernon, and fabulous Virginia wineries

The best way to see my city is on foot.

If my city were a pet it would be a Portuguese water dog.

When I think about my city, the song that comes to mind is Bustin Loose by Chuck Brown, the Godfather of Go Go.

Happy Independence Day, part of the second

Be safe out there friends. It's all fun and games until somebody blows a hand off.

via Neatorama

Happy Independence Day!

British Friday, part of the Third: Bingo edition

I have very fond memories of going to bingo at the rescue squad with my grandmother.   I guarantee you, mess with her bingo and Granny was down to cut a bitch.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 01: Two women wearing Alistair Darling masks on their heads play a game of bingo during a protest in front of the Houses of Parliament against the Government's increase in bingo taxation from 15% to 22% on July 1, 2009 in London, England. The Bingo Association has criticized the increased taxation in a difficult time for the industry with over 90 bingo clubs closing in the last three years. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)

via Jezebel

The beer to have when you're having more than one

Just in time for the holiday weekend the Washington Post offers their guide to the best of $6 6-packs. Charm City's own Natty Boh came out on top, with my personal favorite, Miller High Life placing second.

Although it came in last, Schlitz wins for best taster comment: 

"Tasteless and slightly reminiscent of saliva."

I'm going to embroider that on a pillow.

Going Out Gurus
- Taste Test: Cheap, Domestic Cans of Beer

Although I think Frank might have something to say about PBR's third place finish.

British Friday, Part of the Second: Posh and Becks edition

British Friday, Part of the First: I'm Chuck Bass

I review it : Public Enemies

Actually, I'm going to let TortieGirl guest review it:  It felt like a cheap fabric [or a $3 dress - w|w] , and I wanted to be enveloped in velvet.  Also, just moving the camera around is not a style.

Thanks TortieGirl!  Johnny Depp is of course wonderful.  I'd take that ride with his Dillinger.

3 tommy guns out of 5.

Passings - Mollie Sugden

Farewell Mrs. Slocombe.  You will be missed.  And I am unanimous in that.

UK comedy actress Mollie Sugden dies at 86 - Yahoo! News