How Cute Is This?

Wind Turbines

Driving to Coachella in the middle of the night we passed a lot of wind turbines in the Californian desert. Frankly, they creeped me out. They looked quite menacing in the dark, some completely still while others moving at various speeds. It reminded me of a ghost town or a deserted cemetery - something that belonged in the past, not the future. Just spooky all around. I guess I'm not the only one who finds them a bit alarming.

Yup, had it a few days ago

Random Music Thought

For some reason I've been on a Scottish band kick. There's something about the accents that is vulnerable, rough, and sexy at the same time. The music is getting me through the day.

Perfect Description of Gaza

via Solomonia

This Is Such a Sweet, Simple, and Cool Idea

via Flickr

60 Democrats In The Senate

Thanks to Arlen Specter switching officially to Democrat. DrewM at ace's puts it best:

Let's not forget something very important....Arlen Specter is a hack. Not because he's not conservative enough for me, that's his choice. It's that he claims to be a paragon of virtue, the man who will do the right thing ideology be damned. Well, at the first chance he might lose his precious Senate seat he bolts to save his wrinkly old ass.

Specter is simply a morally bankrupt and cowardly man.

If you want to switch parties, that's fine but there's an honorable way to do that. Phil Gramm did it in the early 80's when he resigned so he could run as a Republican.

If Specter can't stand the idea of being a Republican, why not resign and let Rendell reappoint him? Or simply run for the seat against whoever did get the appointment?

Obviously the idea of not being a Senator is a fate worse than death for this coward. No matter how Specter tries to spin this, it's simply an ass saving and cowardly maneuver.

Here's his statement. As far as I can tell it says something like, "blah...blah...blah...moral coward...blah...Specter uber alles...blah...fuck the GOP..."

Toomey 2010!

Who's Controlling the Media?

I remember laughing at a German guy who told the press in America is controlled by the "government" - this was back in the day when evil G.W. Bush was President. Sure doesn't sound as funny when I read that the Obama administration actually produced talking points for the press on the anniversary of his 100 days in office.

Reminder of the Past Weekend

The caption underneath this photo is making me laugh, cause it's true. The photo in the link was basically how I spent this Saturday afternoon in Central Park - surrounded by many, many, many people. I also saw a hawk devouring a pigeon in a tree. Kind of a startling site in the middle of Manhattan, I guess New York has nature and not only of the pigeon/squirrel/rat variety.

Also this photo made giggle. I love the caption! "Phantom hooters" indeed. I wonder if it was photoshopped?

Another Example

of why government sucks. Have I mentioned I hate fluorescent lights? Ugh.

Why Scotland?

Why Scotland?, originally uploaded by approachingchaos.

This is an advertisement I noticed a few weeks ago in the Brooklyn subway. It makes no sense to me. Supposedly it's for the beautiful beaches of St. Petersburg, FL. But why is there a man in a kilt swinging a ball and what's up with the theme of Scotland. I seriously have no clue how this image is supposed to lure cold New Yorkers to book a trip to Florida.

Getting Off The High Horse

I don't like Macs, they feel foreign to me. For years friends and strangers have been urging me to get a Mac, touting it's security and art friendly software. Well, now it seems Mac isn't as safe as it used to be, the first Trojan designed for a Mac has been discovered.

Until recently, the big target always was Microsoft Windows, and Apple computers were protected by "relative obscurity," [Kevin Haley, a director of security response at Symantec] said.

But blogs are buzzing this week about what two Symantec researchers have called the first harmful computer program to strike specifically at Mac.

This Trojan horse program, dubbed the "iBotnet," has infected only a few thousand Mac machines, but it represents a step in the evolution of malicious computer software, Haley said.

Heh

Bright, beautiful, and funny venn diagrams from Frank-c.
This one is my favorite:

Memory

It was my third or fourth time in New York alone. I had been there as a kid with my parents, once to meet up with a man who was much too old for me, and the other time was the first visit to your apartment. You had been a gracious host - welcoming and warm without letting me feel like I was intruding, over the years of knowing you I would come to admire this quality of yours - the readiness with which you provided shelter for friends and sometimes strangers alike. I didn't know then, but I would come to count on this quality over and over again, without worry or hesitation on my part that I was intruding. You never seemed to mind, instead welcoming me each time I would confirm (via phone or email) I was taking yet another Chinatown bus to see you and to fall in love with the streets of New York.
That night, hungry from the long ride on the hot and smelly bus, you took me to Teany and I was still naive enough to like that it was owned by a celebrity, the faint association with fame excited me. It was crowded and dark, we managed to wrangle a table and we got the sandwich special. It was a perfect night - I felt light, elated, excited for the fun we were about to embark that weekend. We hadn't known each other for long, but I sensed a strange kinship, a feeling that we saw the world in the same light. You impressed me and I wanted to impress you right back.
Five years later and so many things have changed - and yet remained the same. I no longer crash on your couch, instead I am a permanent guest at your best friend's apartment. Our designated cafe is Aroma (as I write this I'm drooling for their Breakfast special), I don't think we ever went back to Teany. And yet that sense of kinship has not wavered but remained strong, my excitement of seeing you and spending time in New York is different yet remains steady. I look back on that night, not remembering a word we said to each other, yet knowing it was a start of something very special that has endured.

Dirt Off Your Shoulder

Because it's been that kind of day. I'm trying to stay positive.

Finally An English Course For Computer Generation

Finally there is a class that takes into account the dying art of print media:

Instant messaging. Twittering. Facebook updates. These 21st-century literary genres are defining a new "Lost Generation" of minimalists who would much rather watch Lost on their iPhones than toil over long-winded articles and short stories. Students will acquire the tools needed to make their tweets glimmer with a complete lack of forethought, their Facebook updates ring with self-importance, and their blog entries shimmer with literary pithiness. All without the restraints of writing in complete sentences.

I love the prerequisites, especially the last one:

ENG: 232WR—Advanced Tweeting: The Elements of Droll
LIT: 223—Early-21st-Century Literature: 140 Characters or Less
ENG: 102—Staring Blankly at Handheld Devices While Others Are Talking
ENG: 301—Advanced Blog and Book Skimming
ENG: 231WR—Facebook Wall Alliteration and Assonance
LIT: 202—The Literary Merits of Lolcats
LIT: 209—Internet-Age Surrealistic Narcissism and Self-Absorption

I also love this part of the course:

Week 6:
140 Characters or Less

Students will acquire the tools needed to make their tweets come alive with shallow wit. They'll learn how to construct Facebook status updates that glitter with irony, absurdity, and dramatic glibness. When tweeting, for instance, that "John is enjoying a buttery English muffin," why not add a link to an image of a muffin with butter oozing from its nooks and crannies? Or why not exaggerate a tad and say that there's bacon on that muffin, even if there's not? It's called poetic license when writers do it! Students will be encouraged to show honesty and vulnerability in their tweets: "Lydia is lounging about in her underwear at 401 Park Street apartment #2, feeling guilty about telling her boss that her uncle died but enjoying the day off." There's no such thing as oversharing when you're a writer.

The best part is the grading system: "Raised by Boomers, Everyone's a Winner."
Sometimes McSweeney's is brilliant. Pure genius.

I Love Amy Faris

I read that she only tried out for serious stuff before breaking out in Scary Movie franchise.

Other than the obvious (and recurring) allure of vomit gags, Faris has no idea why she’s funny. If she has a method, it’s to approach drama and comedy in the same way. “I think there has to be an earnestness in any character,” she says. “A sincerity for whatever their belief system is. I asked Keenen Wayans a few times, kind of indulgently, ‘Why would you cast me?’ He finally said, ‘Because you had no idea what you were doing.’ I knew that part! I used to feel a tremendous pressure to do drama, especially when I couldn’t even get auditions because I was known as the spoof girl,” adds Faris, who was rejected for sexy roles on shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Six Feet Under. “But I’ve come to embrace my love of comedy.”

Susan Boyle's New Look

Even NPR covered if Susan Boyle should get a make over. I guess she realizes herself that as a performer you must look the part.

Completely Unrelated To This Weekend

Abba has been stuck in my head all day.

I Was There

and it was awesome. Peter and I were very close to the stage when The Cure played, it was amazing to see them so close by and to hear them without a freakin microphone. I'm a recent fan of the group, unlike Peter, but even I, a newbie, was blown away. And although my feet hurt (so much), it was a once in a lifetime moment.

Walk on the Wire Live!

Philippe Petit the star of the documentary Man on Wire, is at it again. He will perform in New York, in an undisclosed location.

Mr. Petit says he will perform a high-wire walk in the fall in Midtown Manhattan. It will be high, it will be long, and it will be outdoors in a very recognizable location that he does not want revealed quite yet — arrangements are not final.

FYI - PAMA Liquor

I was at family friends house last night where I got sufficiently tipsy and drank the most amazing liquor, PAMA. It wasn't overpoweringly sweet, like a lot of liquors, and the pomegranate flavor made it taste refreshing not heavy.

Cat Has Got My Tongue

Between all the holidays, trying to do taxes, and planning for Coachella...I don't think I will have motivation or time to blog. However, I did want to mention the wonderful news that I'm officially cancer free for three months! So that's very exciting and overwhelming at the same time. I think once I have time to digest the news more I will write a reflection on it. There so many things I wanted to write but just didn't, I hope this changes. Till then, over and out.

Quote of the Day

"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage." - Lao Tzu
So true.
via Dawn

The Past Four Days I Have

- Traveled over 800 miles in my car.
- Visited four different states (Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey).
- Have spent time with loved ones from as far away as Vancouver and San Antonio and as close as NYC.
- Munched on my nieces delicious, delicious, delicious, (have I mentioned delicious?) cheeks.
- Realized how bitter I am about the whole "cancer" thing. Kind of got over it.
- Ate a lot of meat, potatoes, and matzos.
- Watched three very well performed plays by my nephews and niece.
- Became a police officer and hair stylist and made my doctor boyfriend share the wealth in the game of LIFE.
- Forgot my camera to the great regret of boyfriend and all the children I encountered.
- Fell in love with beautiful (yet frigid) Manhattan, Central Park is gorgeous.
- Visited my first Wawa, with great fanfare.
- Played some darts and watched Coming to America with PN. How funny is the Macdowell bit? Love that movie. What ever happened to Arsenio Hall?
- Got stuck in multiple traffic jams.
- Ate my first mallomars for Passover c/o my bf.
- While driving to CT I saw the same car I blogged about months ago, on the streets of NYC. The dudes looked pretty much how I expected.
- Oh and Dawn Summers started blogging, and although I haven't read a word of her blog yet, I am very excited.

Happy Easter!

I found this pretty amusing.

To My Fellow Jews

Happy Pesach! May Passover be meaningful and spent with the ones you love. Freedom rocks.

You Say It's Your Birthday

I got the best birthday card from one my best friends today:


I usually get very excited about my birthday, this year not so much. However, seeing all the wonderful well wishes from everyone I love has been awesome. I'm starting to feel like it's my birthday.

they're people I work with, and our job is being popular and shit

I love the movie Heathers, I thought this was really neat behind the scenes type of stuff. Now the whole part of Veronica carrying around "Moby Dick" makes sense.

Cause I'm the Boss (NSFW)

I especially like the fish at the very end.

Reminds me of one of my favorite songs on the topic.

A Open Letter to Virginia's Dept. of Transportation

Dear VDT,
When closing a road, it might be helpful to post more than one, partially inelligible, electronic sign which makes little sense. Since most people travelling to Virginia in the middle of the night, might mind standing in hour long traffic jams. Fuckers. A monkey could do a better job
Sincerely,
Petitedov

I want to see Adventureland

Everything associated with Superbad - I want to see.

Mad World

Like Karol, I'm a big fan of the show Mad Men. I love the dialogue, the sets, the characters, the smoking, and the sex. Besides being an incredibly well written and meticulously executed show, it holds the distinction of being a guilty pleasure for those who typical chastise others for smoking in public or applaud Bloomberg's ban of trans-fats in New York City's restaurants. Never mind that second hand smoke has never been conclusively proven to be harmful or that adults have the capacity to decide what they should or shouldn't eat without the government getting involved. I think one of the draws of the show is that we live in a society where we have a lot of guilt about our bad behaviors, we are keenly aware how our behaviors shorten our live spans and cause harm to others, heck some people would argue that food is the new sex when it comes our morals.

Mad Men lets us escape our modern world of talking heads on television telling us how to eat, drink, or breath. One of the things I love about the show is that although the period is researched to a fault, the characters are incredibly accessible and human, they are never caricatures of what they should be. Betty the quintessentially fifties housewife is incredibly powerful character in her own right, even if she does not work and "just" stays home with the kids.
So I was surprised to see a British author taking on the "challenge" of being a fifties housewife, and actually having something positive to say about the experience.

On Wednesday, while carrying out my chores, the man at the drycleaners commented on how nice I looked in a somewhat surprised tone of voice.

'Where are you off to?' he asked. I wasn't going anywhere. It was because I'd bothered to put some make-up on.

I work from home, and it's all too easy to adopt the woman-in-a-shellsuit look when I'm at home, but his comments gave me a boost.

One of the things this exercise showed me is that even if one doesn't want to spend all one's time cooking and cleaning, there are principles worth adhering to - like making sure you look well turned-out, eat healthily and are considerate to others.

Looking at the recipes in my mother's Fifties cookbooks, I was struck not only by the blandness of most of the recipes, but also by the modesty of the portions. It makes me realise that in addition to owning too much stuff, we also eat far too much.

One thing I think Ms.Lichenstein does wrong is that she takes her cues from rules found in "how to be a good wife", from a home economics high school textbook published in 1954. The rules enumerate highly idealistic conduct, that I don't think were actually strictly adhered to at the time. Maybe I am naive, but a generation that produced the Beat movement and who had just experienced WWII the quoted rules seem more like idealized goals than a description of how most women behaved at the time. I mean I don't look at magazines like Cosmopolitan as a real reflection of how I live my life.

I don't understand why the values of the fifties, seem to many, at odds with modern ideas of what is a good life. What the show has shown, in the very least, is the ideas we have of the fifties or at least pre-hippie America is not what the 1954 textbook described. I guess this is a long way of saying, watch the show you won't regret it and that maybe a more conservative way of life - is not so horrible after all.

True Dat

Three Things I'd Take to a Desert Island. Made me softly chuckle to myself, as most of their lists do.

Wow, another ridiculous gift to the Queen this time

Obama sure is the ambassador to the world that we prayed and hoped for after suffering the oafish Bush. He sure is "smooth." First there were the wrong region dvds given to Brown. Now the Queen gets a friggin ipod? I think a student taking Diplomacy 101 would have come up with a better gift idea. She's the Queen I think she could afford an ipod - even if includes highlights of her visit to the States in 2005, what is he trying to say - that she is old and can't remember?
Oh and Rachel Lucas points out another huge faux-pas by Obama while visiting the United Kingdom, not "England" as he termed it. He is off to a great start....

My Favorite Website At The Moment

I love the website Old Jews Telling Jokes. Part of my work involves customer service, the job has made me loathe talking to people on the phone (at least at work). I used to be fine explaining things to people, but you get enough people who just.don't.listen or who think you owe them something - and you start ripping your hair out (if you have it). I find the following specific joke applies to a lot of people I deal with (NSFW)

via Karol who I'll be guest blogging for starting Thursday while she's away getting hitched.