Gym Fag

So, it seems I've turned into a total douche muffin since I've been going to the gym. (A whole week, WOOHOO!!)
See below to understand what I mean.

Scene: I yell at my Mom in what seems like a ‘roid-fueled fury.   She hasn’t eaten dinner yet and is ready to leave Planet Fitness after a healthy forty-minute workout. 

“Are you KIDDING ME?” I sputter, eyeball popping out of my head, utilizing thigh trainer. 

 “But we just got here—I haven’t even done my back, the second ab machine, my glutes...”

She glares at me. “I haven’t even eaten dinner yet, Jess.  I’m starving.” 

The teeny-boppers at the next machine over start to stare at us.

“Mom, how the fuck do you ever expect to lose weight if you’re just going to work one body part like...once a week?! I bellow. “This is fucking bullshit--I don’t ever want to hear you say that you’re fat again.”  I notice more people are looking at us. My mom shifts her weight from one leg to the other, pivots around and starts toward the back strengthening machine.

“OK FINE, I murmur.  "Just let me do glutes and then we’ll go.” I roll my eyes, spraying down the seat.

Exhibit B)

Scene: I got home from the gym and—naturally—felt that I needed a little snack after all that hard work.  (I definitely just imagined myself saying that in Garfield the Cat’s voice, with my head on his body.) So, I reached into the freezer for the Stewart’s Piece of Cake Ice Cream Box.  (Were you all aware they carry that shit in half gallons now?!)

I feel a pang of guilt and glance at the nutritional information on the side of the box. 

“170 calories for half a cup,” I whine to Tommy, chucking the ice cream back into the freezer. 

 “I guess I shouldn’t eat this.” 

Then, I open the fridge and took a look at the yogurt container.  It perks me up a bit.

“This isn’t so bad,” I say.  “130 calories, and you get a whole cup!” 

 I imagined myself choking down plain, fat-free yogurt, and referring to it later as, “my dessert.” The thought kind of make me want to hang myself from the bathroom showerhead. 

“Jesus F. Christ,” I mutter, grabbing a jar of Nutella and a banana.  “Two tablespoons, TWO HUNDRED CALORIES?!” I leave the Nutella on the counter to flop on the couch and sulk.

Yes folks, this is what my life's been reduced to.

FIN.

Awesome Person of the Day

I would just like to take a little time out to pay tribute, in a new category of blogging I've created that I will entitle, "Awesome Person of the Day." 

Today, Awesome Person of the Day is a Stewart's Customer...Well, maybe not a "customer," but a "frequenter."  She is a middle aged lady with designer glasses, an expensive-looking long winter coat and sensible square-heeled pumps.  This woman looked like a typical upper-middle aged woman.  She pulled into the parking lot in a new Chevrolet sedan which was pretty nice, but not flashy.  Tommy got out of the car to put air in his tires and tried to let her pass by him, but instead of walking toward the entrance, she hung a "louie" and scurried behind the store. 

Completely intrigued, I kept my eyes on her, under the covert guise of shades.  She proceeded to kneel down by a huge pile of trash bags and deftly sift through the discards.  In a matter of a ninety seconds, Sensible Square Heels had nabbed herself a package of English muffins, what appeared to be a box of donuts, and a few loaves of bread.  Then, she hurried back to her car and took off. 

I have to admit, my first reaction was "Whoa, crazy lady...What the fuck is you doin'?" But then, when I saw the treasures she exhumed from a trash-destined grave, I was in complete awe of her chutzpah.  Sensible Square Heels, with her new jacket and expensive accessories, really didn't give a shit! She knew that there were tasty treats in the garbage behind Stewarts, and with witnesses, she just went balls to the wall and tore those shits apart.  I have to respect someone who; 1) Thwarts stereotypes. 2) Picks through the trash (which I would do way more, if I wasn't so 'tardedly self-conscious and worried about what others think of me!) 3) Strategically locates awesome stuff in the trash that dumb asses are paying for, only a mere 20 yards away!(By the way, I love that the spell check just highlighted that and suggested other grammatically correct ways of typing "dumb asses.")

So anyway, Sensible Square Heels, I salute you! And anyone else that gives so little of a shit of what people think of them that they will plumb the depths of garbage-bound goodness.  YOU ROCK!

Post Script: Suggestion for "Awesome Person of the Day" of yesterday.  

I was in Capital Costumes yet again (I can't keep away!) and ran into this skinny black guy that reeked of pee-pee.  I mean, he REALLY reeked--the entire store smelled, and it is a giant store.  Even after he left, eau de piss was still detectable.  That in and of itself wouldn't have been enough to make him Awesome Person of the Day.  What really did it for me was his wardrobe.  He was wearing the most kickass black sequined blazer with puffy sleeves. It looked pretty Michael Jackson-esque.  He had a really sweet, colorful t-shirt on underneath, and maybe a hooded sweatshirt over that. My memory is failing, but I think he had on some really amazing sneakers and black 80's jeans. (You know, the ones with the flat butt and puffy thighs?) Oh, and some cool sunglasses. Without a hint of sarcasm,  it is my belief that he looked seriously awesome in this outfit.  

Homeless M.J. sauntered over to the $5/Buy One Get One Free rack, (great deal, right?!)  and picked out a ton of radical clothes.  He was carrying scads of plastic bags with him, and it kind of hit me that this guy probably didn't have a lot of disposable income.  But here he was, spending the last $5 he could muster on FASHION!  He couldn't get a proper shower, but by god, he was going to stay hip.  Truly, Homeless M.J. is a man after my own heart.

Gypsies

Ever since I was small, I have been obsessed with gypsies and their culture.  I have always felt a kinship with Roma (gypsy) people; maybe due in part to some of the myths or half-truths the mention of gypsies seem to conjure up. Either way, the books that I have read, movies that I have seen and especially the photographs I've enjoyed have always inspired me in a profound way.

Things I like about gypsies/gypsy myth:

1) I find that I have a hard time staying in one place for long, so I guess I identify with any sort of nomadic people.  The idea of having your friends/family and home with you, whether it be a traditional caravan or portable tent-like set-up, appeals to me.  I don't like the idea of having a home that could be foreclosed upon, flooded or destroyed in some way.  The portability of nomadic life seems to remedy this, mostly. 

2) Eschewing traditional employment.  I know that gypsies have often carried a reputation of being thieves and tricksters, but I think that is probably racist and unfair just as any other stereotypes would be.  I have a difficult time with traditional employment, myself, and I sometimes wonder if it is because I'm descended from a culture of tribal peoples who bartered or lived in a communal setting with shared responsibility.  Work like cooking, cleaning, sewing and gardening make me a lot more fulfilled than laboring in a capitalism-based customer service setting. I'm not saying it's right or wrong, just that it doesn't feel right for me. I have a lot of respect for peoples who live tribally/communally still, and survive this way.  I think some variation of this is the natural, healthy way for humans.

3) I love to sing and listen to/make music, and to dance!  Gypsies pretty much rock at all of these things.  I saw a really great documentary called "Gadjo Dilo" that is mostly about the music and cultural traditions of gypsies around the world.  It's basically my favorite documentary ever.

4) Gypsy fashion.  The mismatched patterns, rainbow array of colors, gold and silver jewelry, scarves.  I want to dress like this everyday, and I wish everyone else would, too!  It's not even just the clothes, though--it's the infusion of color and spirit into every part of one's environment, even and especially with access to little money.  I think that there is quite a lot of grace in living this way:  Simply, colorfully, and with whimsy. 

Here is one of my favorite photo collections in the world to show you guys what I mean.  It is all images of the Roma People.  The pictures are by Joakim Eskildsen, an amazing photographer! I hope you love this as much as I do.

Inspirational Photos to Brighten Your Evening

Roasted Butternut Squash & Orzo Soup Recipe

For a change of pace, I thought I would give you guys a tasty recipe.  Originally, I cut the instructions for "Roasted Butternut Squash Soup" from an issue of (now defunct) Jane Magazine. Although I liked the recipe as it was, I felt like it needed something more to make a filling dinner.  Enter sauteed onions + garlic, a handful of Orzo pasta, and you've got yourself some warm winter gourmet shit!

Note: for the vegetarians/vegans out there, feel free to use a milk/cream substitute and vegetable broth instead of chicken broth--please let me know how it comes out! :o)

                   Roasted Butternut Squash & Orzo Soup Recipe


Ingredients:

1 two pound butternut squash, seeded (I like to slice it down the middle, roasting it in two pieces)
4 fresh sage leaves, chopped
1 cup milk (or milk substitute)
2 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
1/2 cup orzo pasta
1 minced garlic clove
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup chopped white onion
Dollop of sour cream (optional)
salt, nutmeg and pepper (optional, as much as you want)


Directions:

At 375 degrees, roast squash for one hour.  Once squash is done (when it's tender and fragrant) remove outside peel.  Set aside.

Cook orzo for 8-10 minutes, or until al dente.  Drain and set aside.

Melt butter in large pot, sauté garlic and onions for about 5 minutes.

Puree cooked squash in blender with the sage, milk and broth.  Add sour cream, salt, nutmeg and pepper to taste.

Pour blended squash mixture into sauté pot, stirring to incorporate with onions/garlic.  Simmer on low for a few minutes, until substantially warmed.  Add orzo.

Enjoy! :o)

Ode to Lawn Guyland

Long Island. 


It's not so much a place as it is a state of mind.  Although it is often reviled for being tasteless, overpopulated and obnoxious, I have to give it credit where credit is due.  Honestly, this little string of shit hanging off New York's asshole has a lot of character.  And I say that with love--I'm not just an ornery Upstater who has only dealt with Long Islanders second hand, in the form of steroid-pumped SUNY going Guidos...No.  I was actually born in this fair land, and both of my parents are of Long Island-ese descent.  
I went with my mom to visit some of her friends from way back in the day, and I have to say I was reminded of some of the downright charming aspects of New York's boner.  


Top Awesome Things About Long Island (as usual, no particular order):


1) The Almost Universal Gaudiness. (Rampant materialism without discriminating taste.)
I mean, seriously--I found a gargantuan oil painting on the side of the road that looked like it was done in imitation of Sear's artwork. Yes, I am serious--it was so bad, it couldn't have even been actual Sears art.  The artist had to be the kind of derranged fuck who psychotically LOVED Sears decor, so much that he or she had to  try and recreate its legendary cheesiness.  To top it off, this gem was four feet by 6 feet, surrounded by a patterned gold frame.  And don't even get me started about the McMansions, omnipresent Baby Phat velour sweatsuits, or the Liberace-esque gold baubles draped over every man, woman, and Catholic child's pierced ears.  It's basically the most amazing thing ever. 


2)  The Italian Specialty Stores and Delis
Although the asthetic taste of some Long Islanders may leave something to be desired (like blindness, for example) their culinary taste is the exact opposite.  The things that come out of Long Island delis and Italian specialty stores are nothing less than magical.  If you've never had the pleasure of setting foot inside one of these fine establishments, just imagine this: A store within a strip mall, packed with fresh, colorful veggies and fruits, rows upon rows of exotic olive oils, and a trillion different kinds of cheese.  And that's just in the first few aisles.  Go to the back for a full deli with trays of fragrant basil, mozzarella and tomato salad, antipasto, and smoked meats lined up as if the food were a Tiffany's diamond showcase.  Throw in the fresh bread and rows of homemade desserts and you may as well throw your Buns of Steel video out of a speeding car on the Long Island Expressway. Which brings us to #3, speak of the devil...


3) The LIE and basically all driving on Long Island
Honestly.  You people who grew up and learned to DRIVE on Long Island, I applaud you.  The only thing that seems scarier than this is learning to drive in Manhattan.  Except for the fact that, oh--if you grew up in Manhattan, you probably never NEEDED TO LEARN HOW TO DRIVE.  Because of subways, taxis, and uh...walking.  Between the numerous exits clustered within 1.67 feet of each other, on-ramps that would give ample space only to merging matchbox car traffic, and the narrow lanes flanked by huge walls--you will certainly perish in a Die Hard-style fire ball if you even THINK about looking down to text while driving.  Not to mention that just about everyone drives a Mercedes SUV as if it were a small, but unnecessarily speedy tank. The only thing that grants a reprieve to L.I. driving is...


4) The H.O.V. Lane.  Aka: "High Occupancy Vehicle."  Basically, there is an extra lane for people who have three or more people in the car.  It's a free pass for carpoolers to go fast.  The H.O.V. lane would be great, except Long Islanders don't seem to understand that driving a BMW Boxster containing only themselves and their Labradoodle does not count as either "carpooling" or "high occupancy."  


5)  The Long Islanders' Family History
Is it just my family and everyone else I know, or did every single Long Island native's life happen as follows: A) Family of immigrants (or 2nd generation immigrants) moved from Bronx/Brooklyn/Queens to Long Island for cheap land and $19,000 ranch-style house in 1950's.  B) Family acclimates to suburbs, children ride bikes and go to school, become obsessed with The Beatles.  C) Children become hippies and rockers, rebelling against the suburban affluence and monotony of parents.  They forgo proms, start bands, and do copious amounts of drugs.  D) Later they have kids (Generations X and Y, namely: me) and brag about how they hid in a broom closet to see both Jethro Tull and Black Sabbath in one night while on acid.  Jesus H. Christ! The teen years just ain't what they were for Long Islanders!


6)  The High Ratio of Cigarette Smokers to Rest of NY population
Is it just me, or did pretty much ALL Long Islanders smoke at one time in their lives?  How many of them do you know that are "cutting down" or " trying to quit?"  Ask them when they started smoking--I find the median age seems to be around 10 1/2.  This vice probably has something to do with the cultivation of...


7) The Unmistakable Long Island Voice
Oh yeah...you KNOW what I'm talking about.  First of all, it's loud.  REALLY loud.  And heavily accented.  If you aren't familiar with this voice (and if you're from New York State, you must live under a rock if you haven't heard it) I will give you a "legend" of sorts to decode the language.  Rule #1: All 'r's at the end of words will be automatically changed to 'a's.  As in: "Rolla Derby," rather than "roller derby." Rule #2:  All a's at the end of words are changed to r's.  For example: If your name is "Jessica" as mine is, your Long Island parents will refer to you as, "Jessiker."  Rule #3: If you have a word that someone would say as an "ahhhh," it will be changed to "aw."  For instance: the word "ball" is pronounced "bawl," and "talk" is spoken like "tawk."  
Have fun practicing with these unique linguistic wonders.


8)  Omnipresence of "The City"


It's only about an hour away from the furthest point of Long Island, and it can be as close as 5 minutes from some Nassau County locales.  Long Islanders constantly talk about The City.  It is a behemoth that rules all life within 50 miles of its boundaries.  Honestly, I still get kind of excited with people constantly discussing it.  Ohhhh, by the way--don't EVER refer to any other metropolis as "The City" in earshot of a Long Islander.  There's a good chance you will be in the center of a brawl within seconds of the unfortunate comment. 


9) The Beaches


Hands down, the best virtue of Long Island.  Robert Moses, Sunken Meadow, Jones Beach, The Hamptons...They are all wonderful in their own way.  The sand is soft, shells are plentiful, and the seawater is very pleasant on a summer day. You can walk down the shore for a long time and find pieces of smooth wampum.  The thought of Northeastern Native Americans using these shells as currency blows my mind!  All you'd have to do is have the patience to collect a sizable cache, and you could trade it for any survival necessities. These are the cosmic things that enter my mind walking along  Long Island beaches.  The beach also conjures up my earliest memories--screaming with glee, hobbling to the sparkling ocean as far as my baby legs would carry me in the sand. 


It's the little things that make a place truly great.  My hat is off to you, Long Island!

Cognitive Therapy

Alright, so I have this really horrible problem--I don't want to share things I discover.  Art, movies, books/magazines, and ESPECIALLY music. When I find something I REALLY like...I hoard it all to myself; stroking it in private, muttering to myself about it incessantly, trying to keep it secret for my own selfish pride.  If someone tries to encroach on the thing, even unknowingly--I become ferocious, pouncing on the poor intruder with totally uncalled for jealousy and greed.

But, sometimes it happens that I feel a serious moral dilemma in not sharing said thing.  If the world would be worse off for my not sharing, then I have to think twice about keeping it to myself.  Could I really do that to humanity?

This is why, after a few days of deliberation, I am telling you guys about Cryptacize.

I went to see The Fiery Furnaces at Revolution Hall the other night, and Cryptacize (whom I had never heard of, prior) was the opening band.  I pretty much fell in love instantly.

They sound like a Zoe Deschanel fronted, Pet Sounds era Beach Boys, crossed with Deerhoof. (which is no surprise, since the guitarist is a former member of that band.) However, I think  Cryptacize is actually more accessible for audiences [than Deerhoof is] due to the fact that they write more relatable lyrics. (No offense, Deerhoof--you guys rock!)

The 1960's surf-y vibe is unmistakable, but it's not cutesy or stale sounding. This is probably due to the gorgeous female vocals, and the aforementioned real-life lyrics.   Every note oozes California nostalgia, in the best possible way. I must admit, I got a little teary-eyed at times...This band reminds me why I love the West Coast so much.

Start off with the impossibly catchy song, "Mane and Tail."  (Probably my favorite so far.) Then, move on to the coy warnings of "New Spell." And, if "Galvanize" doesn't make you want to blubber like an infant, you honestly have no soul.

After you hear these three songs, you might as well just throw your hands up and purchase Mythomania, the band's second album, in its entirety.  I am the kind of person that is...Well, kind of cheap.  We won't get into my heritage or other speculations as to why. The the fact of the matter is that I don't ever buy things unless I find it absolutely necessary.  If there is a song I really like, I will buy just that--one song...If there are no download options available.  (Probably, being broke has something to do with this.) However, this time I sashayed right over to itunes (with my fingers, anyway) and bought all of Mythomania.
It was $10 well spent, and I have no regrets.



I recommend you do the same.

Follow Up Post--"Where the Wild Things Are"

I know I went on a long and naysayer-ish rant about Where the Wild Things Are. I haven't changed my mind about the crappiness of the film.  On the contrary--I found a video that perfectly sums up my stance...With a good dose of humor.  Enjoy!

Sake Cafe in Slingerlands, NY

Tonight, Tommy and I had supper at the Sake Cafe in Slingerlands.  Sake Cafe is located in the Price Chopper Plaza off of Route 85.  Overall, this new eatery offers extremely delicious--but pricey--sushi and Asian fare.

Ambiance:  I didn't expect the restaurant to be as nice as it ended up being.  After all, it is in a strip mall, and it refers to itself as a "cafe."  However, as Tommy points out, I should have known better when it also referred to itself as; Asian "cuisine."  Cuisine usually constitutes a long sleeve shirt and slacks...Or something more presentable than rubber rain boots and a knit cap. The low lighting, long lacquered wood bar and white orchids in vases confirmed our suspicions and prompted us to order takeout. However, if I had showered today and dressed like less of a dirtbag, I would have liked to stay.

Service:  The hosts we dealt with were professional and friendly.  One of them was juggling a constant barrage of phone orders with customers coming in for take out orders, as well as assisting the sushi chef with prep work. I was pretty impressed with his juggling skillz.  Yes, I feel that his "skills" constituted the use of a "z."  The sushi chef probably could have used more help, though, because it took about half an hour for him to make the two small rolls that we ordered.  All good things typically require some time, but this was a little bit too long.

Food:  The menu consists of a nice variety of common soups, some popular Asian salad options, lots and lots of sushi, rounded out with some interesting beef, seafood and duck cold entrees.  Tommy ordered "Monkey Roll," which is described on the menu as: "shrimp tempura...avocado...With three different kind of spicy sauce."  Tommy described it as "Titillizing," which I take to be a combination of "titillating" and "tantalizing."  Either way, he gobbled it up in about 2 minutes.  Which was both good and bad--good because he loved it, and bad because there wasn't nearly enough food.
I ordered the "Spicy Girl Roll."  Spicy girl is a; "spicy crunchy tuna and salmon...With spicy crunchy yellowtail [tuna] and caviar served with special sauce." I LOVED this roll.  It was definitely one of the best sushi picks I've ever eaten.  The three different types of fish were distinguishable (and complimentary!) in taste, and the combination of soft and crunchy textures were delectable.  On top, the caviar was mild and delicate--a perfect finish with the yummy orange sauce.  I didn't even need the accompanying soy sauce.  There were two or three times when, I thought I might soil myself with culinary glee.  I won't specify which kind of "soil" I mean.

Price/Value:  This is where I was a little bit disappointed.  Don't get me wrong, the food was GREAT.  However, our total bill came to $24, and we only got two small rolls.  No appetizers, desserts, drinks, NADA.  Our rolls were very small--six to eight pieces per person.  There weren't any extras like a side order of salad, a few tempura shrimp/sweet potatoes, not even a little pile of edamame to sweeten the deal.

So, in closing--this is great food if you have tons of money to spend, and are looking for a super light dinner.  It's definitely a few steps above Price Chopper's sushi in both taste and selection.  I recommend instead going to Sushi Na-Ra in Clifton Park.  Prices are comparable to Sake Cafe, as is their caliber of taste, but they include the aforementioned soup, salad and a few yummy tempura goodies with most orders.

A Serious Man

I just saw the movie A Serious Man, by Joel and Ethan Coen, and I really enjoyed it.

First of all, the cinematography:  A Kodachrome representation of the cool 1960's hues covering squat houses with neat little lawns, kitsch living rooms and chrome boat-mobiles parked on gray gravel. This really transported me to a different time and place, but it didn't temper the timeless issues at hand in the plot.

 More than the visual alone was the superb juxtaposition of picture with interesting sound elements. The soundtrack consisted of mostly Jefferson Airplane's Surrealistic Pillow.  This is definitely odd set against Bar Mitzvahs, Hebrew school, ancient rabbis, and all the Geekdom that typically seems to accompany those elements. The apex of this arrived during an anecdotal scene about a dentist, set to Jimi Hendrix. Surprisingly, this really worked for me.  This audio-visual combo resulted in a fresh and subversive take on 1960's Surburban Jewish life, but in the understated manner which I've come to expect from the Coen Brothers.  
Of course, without a decent plot, none of this would have meant much.  The storyline was thought-provoking, and I found myself feeling calm and satisfied at the end of the film.  (I couldn't say the same for No Country For Old Men, which infuriated me, although I liked it overall.)
I feel that there were two main themes here:
1) Life is all about perspective, that is what makes it interesting.
2) Nothing is certain, except death...and uncertainty.

I think these are the two guiding themes of almost every movie The Coens have made.  I found it interesting that the two perspectives given were that of the father, Larry, and that of the son, Danny.  Larry worries about everything and thinks about big issues that have to do with God, his duties as a father and husband, the purpose of his existence, etc.  Danny, on the other hand is a 13-year old boy, and his only concerns are immediate ones: When he will repay his pot dealer, How he will get his walkman back from the Hebrew teacher, etc.  The ending (which I won't divulge) shows that whether you worry every minute away or go with the flow, your life's end doesn't justify the means to which you live your life.  The means is all that there is, and all that matters is living.  The manner in which we choose to live our lives is up to us, and anything could happen for good or bad.

If anyone else saw this film, let me know what you thought of it.  I'd like to discuss the final Rabbi who speaks with Danny but not Larry; and the respective resolutions of both Danny's and Larry's stories...

Just a Thought

I understand and even somewhat agree with the usefulness of Twitter in the realm of business and creative ventures.  It's fun and informative to be able to check up on what your favorite bands, artists, publications, and businesses are doing.  I'd add checking up on friends to that list, but Facebook was already created for that purpose, not to mention there is always the telephone.

However, there are some things that I do not need to know about, let alone instantaneously, AS they are going down.  Examples:

"Getting fucked up with Blaze," or "taking a good shit listening to Jay-Z."

This leads me to a proposition for Twitter.com:

If users are posting dumb and useless updates on the site regularly, the name of these posts should be changed from "tweets" to "twits."  I move for a vocabulary shift to go in effect right now.  Any opinions?

Where the Wild Things Are

Although I went to see Where the Wild Things Are when it premiered on Friday afternoon, I have been putting off writing a review about it.

Why?

Because I really, really wanted to like it...But it turned out that I didn't like it at all. I wanted to refrain from going on a huge "anti-hipster" rant, although the obvious bent toward young adults, rather than children, is a big part of why this movie was so disappointing. I didn't want to complain about how the film didn't seem true to the spirit of the Maurice Sendak book, or about how the trendy Karen O. soundtrack was more distracting/annoying than refreshing, or even about how this movie didn't have any real point. However, I think that it's not really about the movie by itself, but rather about the turn that American "Counterculture" has taken in the past five years, which I think is important to consider, debate and change to become more individual again.

I think the reason why the "hipster" movement (and all that it has colored in the media, fashion, music, etc.) bothers me so much is because it has become so void of originality. I was thinking about it on the way home from the movie theater, and wondering if this is how "Hippies" felt in the mid 1970's after the culture and fashion of "hippie" became commodified, and void of the core values that started the movement.

I feel that before hipster was "Hipster," there were some cool stuff going on. I think that the point was kind of a return to the basics; do-it-yourself fashion, indie music, recycling, celebrating intelligence and geekiness, rather than standards of beauty and status that many of us grew up with. These are things that I really got behind and thought to be positive.

Now, however, I feel like this isn't even what "Hipster" means. It seems more synonymous with buying expensive clothing that LOOKS vintage or beat up (which, I believe, leads to the perpetuation of high prices and over-production of retail stores.) It's also about fetishizing everything that has to do with childhood and the unwillingness to grow up (while not being able to honestly emote or be vulnerable.) Essentially, "hipster" is all about an image, without any core beliefs or responsibilities needed to back up an honest movement. It's just an aesthetic façade, and that's disappointing to me.

Instead of going on further about how this relates to Where the Wild Things Are, I will just post an audio clip from NPR that condenses my main ideas about why the movie was so odd and uncuddly.

Sorry about the rant, guys--If you liked the film, all the more reason for you to comment! Let me know what you liked about it, I'm always open to debate.

Vintage Photography

I dream so much of the day away looking at this website. It's a collection of vintage photos that various vintage photography enthusiasts contribute to. Some of the photo selections are scans from personal collections of hard copies, while others are thematic collections found on flickr.com. The time periods span from the dawn of photography to approximately the 1970's, maybe even 1980's. (If you call that vintage, then I guess I am vintage, too!) The topics range from movie stars, to war, to leisure activities, fashion, and family portraits. I love the eerie looks that some of the subjects have, especially from the early and pre-20th century. Some invoke deep emotional responses, but they are all really fun and inspirational.

Moon Harassment.

I know I don't usually do a two post double-whammy in 24 hours, but check it--NASA is going to crash a spaceship into the moon tomorrow morning...ON PURPOSE. Why does this seem like a super costly and, um...Severely RETARDED idea? Oh, wait--yous guys just want to see if the explosion skyrockets ice, or other proof of water, into the air with the force of impact? Ohhhhhh...Of course. Resume your duties.

But seriously, isn't there an easier, SAFER and CHEAPER way to determine whether the moon has or can harbor life? I mean, all of this dick-happy moonplay has been going on for so long, and what has come of it, really? We put a flag on that shit, and floated around doing somersaults for a while. I think we could use that $79,000,000 down here on earth, people...

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Babelgum New Urbanism Website

Last night, Tommy was perusing Digg and happened upon a link to Babelgum.com's New Urbanism section. He sent me links to a couple of cool videos on the site, and I have to say I am pretty impressed. A bunch of kids (young adults, I guess?) our age are farming vegetables on the rooftop of a New York City warehouse...Which I think is just about as cool as it gets. Also, there is a really cool episode on a "Waterpod," which is essentially a completely self-sufficient living/working/growing space made out of a barge.

Not to quibble too much, the affected "hipster" accent in episode 2, "Rooftop Farming" was pretty irritating. Can someone explain to me why, as soon as hipsters start growing a mustache and wearing unnecessary glasses, they have to develop a retarded monotone/accented voice, regardless of where they're from? Just talk normally, por favor...I will respect you more (and listen to what you are saying) more carefully. Also, I was a little irked that Annie in episode 2 said that "highly educated" people were now into farming. Opposed to whom? In-bred illiterate farmers from the backwoods? Not cool, hipster, not cool. But all details aside, I find these projects and ways of thinking to be really positive, and they excite me.

Wolff's Biergarten

I just wanted to brag about the delicious dinner I had tonight, and to shamelessly promote Wolff's Biergarten.

Wolff's is located at 895 Broadway, in downtown Albany, and the ambiance is that of a firehouse garage (which it is, literally) crossed with a backyard pig roast. There are white lights strung up on the ceilings, as well as (real?) trees and wooden picnic tables, which are basically what conjures up the outdoorsy feel. The large piles of peanut shells next to the seating honestly adds to the charm, making me feel like I could probably envision myself getting shit-faced there in an unprecedented way. (As of yet, there doesn't seem to be any heating in place, either, so the heavy drinking would definitely help one keep warm.)

To start with, I had a delicious German riesling wine (I forgot what kind, unfortunately, but there were only two kinds.) Tommy had the Erdinger Weissbier Dunkel (bottled) which was dark, thick, and went down smooth.

For dinner (which is ordered at a separate spot from the bar) I had Shwabische Rindsrouladen, which is essentially really thinly sliced steak wrapped around a combo of onions, pickles and bacon...With brown sauce on top. Let me just say about the brown sauce--HOLY SHIT. I don't know what they put in that stuff, but it's more or less the nectar of God's nut sack. Anyhow...Beneath the rouladen and said brown sauce, there was a very yummy pile of spätzle (chewy noodles made mostly from eggs, flour and water.)

Tommy had the bratwurst plate with sour kraut and German mashed taters. The bratwurst was good, as I expected, but the spuds were particularly top notch: Red potatoes WITH the skins kept on, as well as, I believe, bacon; combined with some sort of magical spice variety.

Sorry, vegetarians--this particular dinner was not for you. However, they do have something on the menu called "vegetarian currywurst" which sounds pretty interesting, and might warrant tasting.

All together our dinners and drinks were $36--pretty reasonable since there was enough leftover rouladen to make two meals. (Which, of course, I did.)

Oh yeah--and Wolff's rocks some pretty kick-ass music, too. I detected a six CD changer loaded with the likes of The Band, Janis Joplin, Van Morrison, Lou Reed, and...One other classic rocker, whose name currently escapes me. Anyway, frequent this place, people! I don't want to see it go the way of many other wonderful establishments in Albany...Straight out of business.

A Fantastic Way to Start the Day

I found this video posted this morning on one of my favorite blogs, "Happy LOL Day." Reading about stuff like this really inspires me--people lending a lasting helping hand in their communities. Not just by giving hand-outs like food (although that can also be nice) but by teaching people to do something, such as giving them seeds and teaching them to grow their own food, or in this case, giving children books and teaching them to read. Seeing things like this really gives me hope that the world is an inherently good place, and can get even better.

Another Little Something

I usually don't do two posts in one day, but this little movie seemed like a good nightcap. The animation is wonderful and I found the music really soothing and pretty. The moral/metaphor that I think the story is hinting at is also universal and comforting. I read about "Hedgehog in the Fog" in an interview with Hope Sandoval, the lead singer of Mazzy Star. She seems like a pretty cool chick, even based on her love of this video alone.

Just go with the flow, Hedgehog.

Buenas Noches, All...XOXO

A Little Morning Muse

I was checking my email this morning and remembered how much I love the Life magazine photo archive. If you are on the mailing list, they send you awesome featured photo sets once a week. Today I saw some really great pictures of burlesque dancers from the 1940's and '50's, Circus sideshows, and a set from the cross-global sailing trip done by the youngest person ever. (Zac Sunderland, who was 16 when he began the trip.) I think I have a new hero candidate in that dude. The circus photos are particularly awesome, though--I've always had a soft spot for any dress-up endeavor:

This Makes Me Happy

I don't know what's better--the fact that whoever posted this gem mused that the cat may have "rode the short bus when it was a kitten," or the fact that there is rich people muzak/molester-y jazz playing softly in the background. Oh, and even if you have to fast forward, watch the last 15 seconds or so for maximum laugh-age.

That is all. :o)

Currently Listening to: The Incessant, Possessed Hum of My Ancient Refrigerator.

Just a Great Day

Today was a pretty awesome day.

Tommy and I went to see Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, in 3-D, which was great. The graphics were mind-boggling, and alone warranted seeing the movie even if it ended up being a steaming pile of poo in all other respects. But it was far from fecal.

The main character, Flint Lockwood, is lovable in his nerdy passion for science and technology. Although, his tuxedo tee-shirts and intentionally mussed up hair hit a little too close to hipster for my taste. It is pretty sweet, though, that he has a pet monkey named "Steve" who's voiced by none other than Doogie Howser. I do have to confess that I felt a short-lived dry heave coming on when Flint encouraged his love interest, Sam Sparks, to put on a pair of long-shunned glasses and to secure her blonde hair with a scrunchie. I don't think this would have bothered me five years ago, but with all of the jaded hipsters I've seen walking around with heinous (non-prescription) glasses, 1980's hair accessories, and mom jeans, I found this a tad offensive. However, the younger kids enjoying this film probably won't come away with that cultural observation, but rather the sense that it's OK to be who you really are, even if that is different and "imperfect"...Which gets two thumbs up.

I think my favorite character was Flint's Dad, Tim Lockwood. A man of few (but great) words, his unibrow made him look to be a distant relative of Bert, only with a bushy mustache. Oh, and by the way--Mr. T. voices one of the characters, and it's HILARIOUS. Overall, the themes were great, the animation was a veritable "feast" for the eyes, and the characters showed some encouraging depth.

After the movie we walked around the mall, which usually depresses me. However, not today, because the awesome costume store was open! The best part is all of the vintage stuff they have. I tried on a blue Sergeant Pepper-style military coat with tails, which was just about the coolest thing ever. It got me to thinking about how great it could be to dress up as a tin soldier for Halloween, but alas, I bought another costume at a rummage sale a few weeks ago.

Next, I spotted the coolest hat ever, hanging on the wall. An orange, close-fitting felt number with a HUGE feather curled over it. I nearly shat myself with excitement! On top of all that, there were lots of colorful ruffled bloomers that would have been great under a little sundresses. Very early 1900's Victorian, which is my time period of weakness.

Of course I tried on a myriad of vintage shoes, masks, and wigs, all of which were quite kick-ass. Tommy tried on a black English military coat with brass buttons, and it couldn't have fit better if a ten year old sweatshop employee sewed it on! I don't think I've ever seen him look that awesome in outerwear.

Oh, and did I mention all of this stuff cost anywhere from $2-$35? My favorite part is that half of the stuff I saw there was selling for at LEAST three times the price downstairs at H&M and Forever 21. Bustiers, little knitted berets, and faux military garb.

Needless to say, I'm probably going to have to go back tomorrow for the hat, coat, and bloomers. Time to post some things on Ebay so I can earn all the money back!

Listening to: "Lights Out" by Santogold

Top Reasons Why I Need to Move to England

I have always had a slight obsession with all things Anglo. Ever since the early days of Alice and Wonderland (both Lewis Carroll and the Disney movie's incarnations) along with the realization that there were still kings and queens in Britain, I have wanted to live there. This desire was only compounded when I visited the country; once, briefly in 2000 (with my grandmother of, I believe, 100% English heritage) and again for a month in 2005 with one of my best friends. Since then, the Anglo-fever has just gotten worse.

Here are some of my reasons why England kicks ass, as well as why I probably belong there:

1) Gardening. The British all seem to love it, as do I. And by the way, have you seen the film "Saving Grace", about an English widow who ends up using her gardening prowess to "weed" herself out of financial ruin? 'Nuff said.

2) English Bands. Radiohead. Led Zeppelin. Eric Clapton. I could say more, but need I?

3) The TV shows. They are always hilarious, the characters/plots actually have DEPTH to them, and the soundtracks usually kick ass. (See above.) If you aren't familiar with any English shows, I recommend you start with "Spaced." If drama is more your style, my absolute favorite English show is "Skins." When you're done watching your first episode of Skins, feel free to gently bang your head against a wall for ever letting yourself watch stinking ass-matter such as "Rock of Love." Go ahead, I'll wait.

4) Lula magazine. The only fashion publication I know of which combines breathtaking photography with articles on things I actually give a shit about (for example, movie stars of substance, artists and designers.) The clothing is interesting and kooky--usually it doesn't match, and looks like something a small child would wear. You aren't going to see richy-bitch articles on liposuction and sex drive supplements in here. Lula only comes out twice a year and it's about $15 a pop, but when it does, you basically get a book-sized volume with thick, glossy pages. It's a treat.

5) BBC news. Years ago in my high school Mass Media class, I was shocked to learn that 99% of world events were not even being broadcast via American news networks, which seemed to have identical coverage regardless of affiliation or biases. In contrast, we watched a news clip on BBC news which had all SORTS of things going on--African civil war, natural disasters in Asia, and a segment about the recent September 11th attacks in America. This world news outlet actually discussed the REST of the WORLD! Yes, maybe it's hard to believe for some Americans, but what happens in our country is not necessarily the only (or most important!) stuff going on in the universe. Disclaimer: I since have discovered NPR, which does a very good job of covering national/international news, and often features BBC correspondents.

6) History. I'm not saying America doesn't have awesome history (it definitely does!) but you can't find castles here. Let alone castles from 500 A.D. Then there's Stonehenge which is ancient, and gives me a tingly feeling when I'm there.

7) Scones with Clotted Cream. I know this may sound absolutely puke-inducing to anyone who has never had them (yeah, I know..."clotted" probably wasn't the best word...) But I assure you, they are pure heaven! If you have fresh baked scones with strawberry jam and clotted cream along with a steaming cup of afternoon tea, try not to poop your pants with glee. It's nearly impossible.

8) English Humo(u)r. It's so much sillier than anyone else's. If you haven't seen Monty Python's "The Holy Grail," you need to do so immediately. Any Monty Python, really, will suffice. Who else makes an entire program(me) out of walking ridiculously and discussing obscure types of cheese? No one. If you don't find this funny, you have absolutely no sense of humo(u)r.

Sure, the English have been reviled for things like tasteless suppers, questionable dental situations and beheading. But that's nothing that a few spices, a good insurance plan, and paying taxes can't fix!

Garbage Warrior

This evening I watched a pretty interesting documentary called Garbage Warrior, by Oliver Hodge. It is about an architect/builder named Michael Reynolds who more or less invented self-sustaining homes he calls Earth Ships.These things are pretty amazing.

First of all, they are made mostly out of trash. For walls and insulation, Reynolds and his building team use old tires, bottles and cans. They fill the tires with dirt. This makes them a really sturdy, dense item to build houses with--they are durable, as well as awesome insulators. The old beer cans, plastic and glass bottles are literally just packed together with cement or similar bonding agents to create walls. Afterward, they plaster over the bottles and tires so that you can't see them. The walls just looks like stucco. The way it turns out, aesthetically, is really beautiful. They use the glass bottles also for decoration, by cutting them and placing them throughout the house almost as little stained-glass portholes letting light inside.

Earth Ships are self-sustainable in that they create their own energy, gather their own water, and process their own waste. Each house has a greenhouse inside, which mimics a tropical atmosphere and grows all of the food needed to survive. I just find it mind boggling that you could basically live in one of these houses for the rest of your life and not have to pay for food, water, electricity or heat ever again. All you'd have to do is be able to pay for the house and have land to put it on, and you'd be set for life.

Oh, not to mention that Michael Reynolds himself is a total character. He looks like a homeless wizard and spouts the kind of hyperbolic, swear-punctuated opinions that would sound right at home coming out of my Jewish grandmother. But don't let his impromptu pull-ups session or the potty-mouth deter you; this guy is a visionary, and a pretty endearing one at that.

New life goal: live in/build (?!) an Earth Ship.