11 Temmuz 2012 Çarşamba
10 Temmuz 2012 Salı
9 Temmuz 2012 Pazartesi
Valentine's Day Songs List: Cheesy Love Songs
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I have been surfing the net these past few days in search of love songs expressed in various ways. After going through various lists and playing the tunes on youtube, I have made my own short Valentine's Day Songs List: Sad Love Songs Part 1, Sad Love Songs Part 2 and Cheesy Love Songs.After two hubs about Sad Love Songs, I thought I will make up for all the desolation it caused. This time, I will highlight the brighter side of love. Those love songs that will make you fall in love even more. Some of the songs are actually dated, and not internationally released. But these are the songs I grew up with and are very close to my heart. Play on!To read more, please click Valentine's Day Songs List: Cheesy Love Songs
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I have been surfing the net these past few days in search of love songs expressed in various ways. After going through various lists and playing the tunes on youtube, I have made my own short Valentine's Day Songs List: Sad Love Songs Part 1, Sad Love Songs Part 2 and Cheesy Love Songs.After two hubs about Sad Love Songs, I thought I will make up for all the desolation it caused. This time, I will highlight the brighter side of love. Those love songs that will make you fall in love even more. Some of the songs are actually dated, and not internationally released. But these are the songs I grew up with and are very close to my heart. Play on!To read more, please click Valentine's Day Songs List: Cheesy Love Songs
KEXP's Christmas Song of the Day
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My colleagues at the KEXP blog always do an excellent job curating the Song of the Day podcast, bringing fresh new music to listeners' in boxes five days a week. But they outdid themselves this past week, offering five brand new Christmas recordings by up-and-coming artists. I was especially excited to see Black Keys associate Jessica Lee Mayfield putting her own stamp on Glen Campbell's "Little Toy Trains." You can download each of them—and learn more about the recording artists—by clicking on the links below. (And while you're at it, please consider making a year-end gift of support to KEXP.)
Diamond Rugs - Christmas In A Chinese Restaurant
The Barr Brothers - Dear Mrs. Claus
Breathe Owl Breathe - Snow Blow
Jessica Lea Mayfield - Little Toy Trains
Brite Futures - Last Christmas
KEXP blog master Jim Beckman also compiled a comprehensive list of recent seasonal favorites by KEXP anchor artists like Damien Jurado, Fitz and the Tantrums, the Raveonettes, and more, under the banner "A Sleighfull of Holiday Songs." Don't miss local heroes STAG tearing it up on the Kinks' "Father Christmas."
Speaking of KEXP, I'll be broadcasting my annual Christmas music spectacular live on-air from 9PM to noon Pacific Time tomorrow. You can tune in via 90.3 FM Seattle or on the Internet at kexp.org.
My colleagues at the KEXP blog always do an excellent job curating the Song of the Day podcast, bringing fresh new music to listeners' in boxes five days a week. But they outdid themselves this past week, offering five brand new Christmas recordings by up-and-coming artists. I was especially excited to see Black Keys associate Jessica Lee Mayfield putting her own stamp on Glen Campbell's "Little Toy Trains." You can download each of them—and learn more about the recording artists—by clicking on the links below. (And while you're at it, please consider making a year-end gift of support to KEXP.)
Diamond Rugs - Christmas In A Chinese Restaurant
The Barr Brothers - Dear Mrs. Claus
Breathe Owl Breathe - Snow Blow
Jessica Lea Mayfield - Little Toy Trains
Brite Futures - Last Christmas
KEXP blog master Jim Beckman also compiled a comprehensive list of recent seasonal favorites by KEXP anchor artists like Damien Jurado, Fitz and the Tantrums, the Raveonettes, and more, under the banner "A Sleighfull of Holiday Songs." Don't miss local heroes STAG tearing it up on the Kinks' "Father Christmas."
Speaking of KEXP, I'll be broadcasting my annual Christmas music spectacular live on-air from 9PM to noon Pacific Time tomorrow. You can tune in via 90.3 FM Seattle or on the Internet at kexp.org.
Special Makover from Carnellin and L'Oreal Professionnel
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Calling all bloggers who want their hair look fabulous. Carnellin from While You on Earth blog and L'Oreal Professionnel are looking for 3 bloggers to have a hair makeover. YEYY!!You can choose style or texture you want. These are the choices:
1. INOA hair color
2. Korean Wave by Dulcia Advanced
3. Japanese Smoothing by X-Tenso Moisturist 
PLUS each winners will be given L'Oreal Professionnel products worth Rp. 500K from Shampoo, conditioner/treatment masque and styling products! How cool is that???xDDD***Carnellin says:1."The winners will be notified after 12 of Oct 2011 by email."2. "Makeover will be done in Jakarta, all of you around the world may join as long as you're in Jakarta at the time being, sorry, the free makeover doesn't include your flight tickets.So, go join in! for more info head to her blog here
How My Wife's Car Met 200,000 Miles
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On the 2007 How I Met Your Mother episode "Arrivederci, Fiero" the plot revolves around how Marshall's car is about to hit 200,000 miles on the odometer. Anticipating the milestone he had celebratory cigars in the glove compartment. As the odometer is on 199,999 he directs passenger Ted to get the cigars, but at that moment the car hits a pothole and stalls before the numbers roll over on the dash. With the car at the mechanic the episode explores the car's history through flashbacks, with the first one involving a cross-country trip Marshall and Ted took back in college wherein it's revealed that the only music they can listen to is a cassette-single of the Proclaimers' one hit, "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)," which is permanently stuck in the car's tape deck (and which they go through phases of loving and hating and loving again).
I mention all that as a preface for the story of the last Sunday in April. As we were driving back from a birthday party for our nephew, my wife's '98 Volvo was bearing down on 200K. However, with maybe 15 miles until we got home it was only at 199,960; at that pace the momentous moment would occur on Monday as she was driving to work—a less-than-momentous scenario. She wanted us to be together when the odometer's first digit rolled from 1 to 2, not sitting in traffic alone on the 405, so we exited the freeway and headed down to the ocean around Palos Verdes (a peninsula jutting out from the line of the coast). However, even with that detour, when eventually we were close to home we still had 8 miles to go, so we proceeded past home and farther along the coast to the eastern part of Long Beach.
Finally we had put enough miles of distance on the car so the odometer was on the verge of rolling over to the magic number and she pulled up the Proclaimers' song on her phone, replicating the HIMYM scenario (somewhat). However, she'd started it a little too soon and it finished playing when the number still read 199,999 and as she tried replaying it the internet connection on her phone kept cutting in and out—stalling, if you will. So as the car's odometer hit that threshold and the numbers were a 2 followed by five 0's we had to sing "And I would walk 500 miles, and I would walk 500 more…" a capella (and off-key). Then, yes, we pulled over and took a picture (above) of the odometer to document it for posterity. (She had no cigars in the glove box.)
Then, after killing close to an hour to achieve it, we could go back home missing accomplished. I pulled out and made a U-turn to head us back toward the house… and immediately the car bounced as we ran over a pothole I hadn't seen in the dusk light. (I am not making that up.) The car didn't stall, thank goodness.
However, as we proceeded farther and it got a bit darker I noticed the dashboard lights were out, and then we realized the headlights too were not illuminated. (The car has daytime running headlights so they should have been on already.) For a moment it seemed like the 200,000-mile mark carried with it some curse. Luckily it proved only to require pulling over again and restarting the car to get the lights working again. We didn't have time for a trip to the mechanic and a series of reminiscing flashbacks. Our fidelity to the HIMYM episode could only go so far.
(It's a given that we watch the syndicated HIMYM episodes too much.)
On the 2007 How I Met Your Mother episode "Arrivederci, Fiero" the plot revolves around how Marshall's car is about to hit 200,000 miles on the odometer. Anticipating the milestone he had celebratory cigars in the glove compartment. As the odometer is on 199,999 he directs passenger Ted to get the cigars, but at that moment the car hits a pothole and stalls before the numbers roll over on the dash. With the car at the mechanic the episode explores the car's history through flashbacks, with the first one involving a cross-country trip Marshall and Ted took back in college wherein it's revealed that the only music they can listen to is a cassette-single of the Proclaimers' one hit, "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)," which is permanently stuck in the car's tape deck (and which they go through phases of loving and hating and loving again).I mention all that as a preface for the story of the last Sunday in April. As we were driving back from a birthday party for our nephew, my wife's '98 Volvo was bearing down on 200K. However, with maybe 15 miles until we got home it was only at 199,960; at that pace the momentous moment would occur on Monday as she was driving to work—a less-than-momentous scenario. She wanted us to be together when the odometer's first digit rolled from 1 to 2, not sitting in traffic alone on the 405, so we exited the freeway and headed down to the ocean around Palos Verdes (a peninsula jutting out from the line of the coast). However, even with that detour, when eventually we were close to home we still had 8 miles to go, so we proceeded past home and farther along the coast to the eastern part of Long Beach.
Finally we had put enough miles of distance on the car so the odometer was on the verge of rolling over to the magic number and she pulled up the Proclaimers' song on her phone, replicating the HIMYM scenario (somewhat). However, she'd started it a little too soon and it finished playing when the number still read 199,999 and as she tried replaying it the internet connection on her phone kept cutting in and out—stalling, if you will. So as the car's odometer hit that threshold and the numbers were a 2 followed by five 0's we had to sing "And I would walk 500 miles, and I would walk 500 more…" a capella (and off-key). Then, yes, we pulled over and took a picture (above) of the odometer to document it for posterity. (She had no cigars in the glove box.)
Then, after killing close to an hour to achieve it, we could go back home missing accomplished. I pulled out and made a U-turn to head us back toward the house… and immediately the car bounced as we ran over a pothole I hadn't seen in the dusk light. (I am not making that up.) The car didn't stall, thank goodness.
However, as we proceeded farther and it got a bit darker I noticed the dashboard lights were out, and then we realized the headlights too were not illuminated. (The car has daytime running headlights so they should have been on already.) For a moment it seemed like the 200,000-mile mark carried with it some curse. Luckily it proved only to require pulling over again and restarting the car to get the lights working again. We didn't have time for a trip to the mechanic and a series of reminiscing flashbacks. Our fidelity to the HIMYM episode could only go so far.
(It's a given that we watch the syndicated HIMYM episodes too much.)
When it's too late for the Avengers
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The Avengers has dominated the box office since its opening three weekends past. It was also the dominant pop culture topic back during that week it premiered, and I even wrote about that at the time (mostly in response to the Culture Gabfest discussion) where I had to more or less reflexively defend the comic book medium (despite not having been part of it for 18 years). It wasn't so much that I thought Avengers looked all that phenomenal but there's something about people who go in with a condescending attitude about "comic book" movies jumping on the bandwagon of what's the hot subject only because it's the hot subject rather than having a worthwhile opinion about the subject.
(I'm not pretending I have a worthwhile opinion, but I choose on what I comment rather than pretending I'm keeping up with all the big topics.)
I don't consider comic books to be something one outgrows, but fighting the crowds at the multiplex is something I have outgrown, so we didn't go that opening weekend. And last weekend my wife had to work on a project so we couldn't get to it then either. So although the pop culture world has moved on from actively discussing the movie, it is only now that I can speak to that specifically, as we finally saw it over the weekend.
Was that jumping on the bandwagon? I don't think so. My wife wanted to see it because she's a fan of Joss Whedon (I have enjoyed his work but am not as much of devotee), and we have liked at least some of the prior Marvel superhero films. I was interested to see what the man behind Buffy and Firefly would do with those characters. And, yeah, okay, there's an extent to which I had to actually see it so I couldn't be accused of defending the genre without having a basis for whether I should be.
We went to a 3:00 matinee at our local theater (it was 3D but not IMAX) which was not remotely close to full. There were a few kids down the row from us and a family with some behind us, but none that were too young for the movie. Still, there were way more empty seats than filled ones for that particular showing.
And that, I came to realize when the movie was over, proved to be a problem.
While we were able to roll in 15 minutes prior to the start time and get seats at the center of the row with no difficulty—which is precisely the reason why we'd wait until the third weekend to see a movie and avoid the lines—the not-even-half-full theater didn't serve that sort of movie.
Sure, there were some elements of the Whedon cleverness, but ultimately it's about beings who can fly and shoot and smash fighting big evil forces. There's wit in the bombast, sure, but as I watched I couldn't help but feel that without the cheering of an enthusiastic crowd there was something… I won't say missing, but certainly not quite what it needed to be to get the optimal experience. It's probably not unlike the difference between going to a concert and merely listening to a CD of a live concert; it's the same songs being played but the distance in the latter lacks the key to the element of the former—being with all the other people who are into the experience together.
The plot is not the epitome of an intellectual exercise: a villain aims to take over the world with an unimaginable power and must be stopped by those who have the powers to defeat him. So what puts that above the rudiments of how it sounds like is, yes, the writing and acting and execution, but also the response of a bunch of others who explode in applause when [spoiler alert] the villain gets his. (Like you thought they didn't win in the end.)
All we had were a few kids to provide that, but they weren't that loud or enthusiastic.
Again, I was not going in as one who was likely to be that rouser of the crowd; I fully concede I'm one who can get caught up in that but not the one generating it.
Of course, being the #1 movie for weeks and hearing all about it when it came out, there's also some aspect of raised expectations it had to overcome. And as I admitted in that entry some weeks ago I admitted that I kind of got over the standard super hero tales back when I was a teen, and this movie didn't tilt the genre on its ear or anything. I'd certainly say it was good, and I didn't regret seeing it, but I suspect I'd have had a different reaction had we seen it a couple weekends ago.
Would I have preferred a movie where Joss Whedon really got to turn the genre to his style? Probably. Would it have made the ungodly amount of money the film already has? I'd say that's far less likely. But it would have been just as good in a half-empty theater (or even on DVD in a few months).
Ultimately I must say I preferred the first Iron Man (of the few preceding movies I actually saw).
And although it's really more of an apples and oranges comparison, because it involves characters from the pages of comics it's considered the same sort of thing, but I'll admit: I'm still more looking forward to The Dark Knight Rises (and my wife turned to me during the previews before Avengers and whispered "That we're seeing in IMAX"—although still probably not opening weekend). I'm a dour person, I know.
(I'm not pretending I have a worthwhile opinion, but I choose on what I comment rather than pretending I'm keeping up with all the big topics.)
I don't consider comic books to be something one outgrows, but fighting the crowds at the multiplex is something I have outgrown, so we didn't go that opening weekend. And last weekend my wife had to work on a project so we couldn't get to it then either. So although the pop culture world has moved on from actively discussing the movie, it is only now that I can speak to that specifically, as we finally saw it over the weekend.
Was that jumping on the bandwagon? I don't think so. My wife wanted to see it because she's a fan of Joss Whedon (I have enjoyed his work but am not as much of devotee), and we have liked at least some of the prior Marvel superhero films. I was interested to see what the man behind Buffy and Firefly would do with those characters. And, yeah, okay, there's an extent to which I had to actually see it so I couldn't be accused of defending the genre without having a basis for whether I should be.
We went to a 3:00 matinee at our local theater (it was 3D but not IMAX) which was not remotely close to full. There were a few kids down the row from us and a family with some behind us, but none that were too young for the movie. Still, there were way more empty seats than filled ones for that particular showing.
And that, I came to realize when the movie was over, proved to be a problem.
While we were able to roll in 15 minutes prior to the start time and get seats at the center of the row with no difficulty—which is precisely the reason why we'd wait until the third weekend to see a movie and avoid the lines—the not-even-half-full theater didn't serve that sort of movie.
Sure, there were some elements of the Whedon cleverness, but ultimately it's about beings who can fly and shoot and smash fighting big evil forces. There's wit in the bombast, sure, but as I watched I couldn't help but feel that without the cheering of an enthusiastic crowd there was something… I won't say missing, but certainly not quite what it needed to be to get the optimal experience. It's probably not unlike the difference between going to a concert and merely listening to a CD of a live concert; it's the same songs being played but the distance in the latter lacks the key to the element of the former—being with all the other people who are into the experience together.
The plot is not the epitome of an intellectual exercise: a villain aims to take over the world with an unimaginable power and must be stopped by those who have the powers to defeat him. So what puts that above the rudiments of how it sounds like is, yes, the writing and acting and execution, but also the response of a bunch of others who explode in applause when [spoiler alert] the villain gets his. (Like you thought they didn't win in the end.)
All we had were a few kids to provide that, but they weren't that loud or enthusiastic.
Again, I was not going in as one who was likely to be that rouser of the crowd; I fully concede I'm one who can get caught up in that but not the one generating it.
Of course, being the #1 movie for weeks and hearing all about it when it came out, there's also some aspect of raised expectations it had to overcome. And as I admitted in that entry some weeks ago I admitted that I kind of got over the standard super hero tales back when I was a teen, and this movie didn't tilt the genre on its ear or anything. I'd certainly say it was good, and I didn't regret seeing it, but I suspect I'd have had a different reaction had we seen it a couple weekends ago.
Would I have preferred a movie where Joss Whedon really got to turn the genre to his style? Probably. Would it have made the ungodly amount of money the film already has? I'd say that's far less likely. But it would have been just as good in a half-empty theater (or even on DVD in a few months).
Ultimately I must say I preferred the first Iron Man (of the few preceding movies I actually saw).
And although it's really more of an apples and oranges comparison, because it involves characters from the pages of comics it's considered the same sort of thing, but I'll admit: I'm still more looking forward to The Dark Knight Rises (and my wife turned to me during the previews before Avengers and whispered "That we're seeing in IMAX"—although still probably not opening weekend). I'm a dour person, I know.
8 Temmuz 2012 Pazar
christmas jobs 2011 ideas for part time xmas work
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christmas jobs 2011, with xmas being one of the most busy times of the year it is also one of the best times of the year to get part time work and also full time work, if you have been out of work for a period of time then you stand your best chance of finding a new job around christmas time, though most will be part time.
you can sometimes though get a part time christmas job, and with effort turn it into a full time job by the time 2012 comes around, if you can manage to impress enough and know there are chances of full time employment for some of the part time staff.
a lot of different groups of people look for jobs around xmas time anything from students to people just looking for extra cash who already have full time jobs as well, sometimes look for a part time job around christmas to earn a bit extra cash.
you will probably find that the retail sector is one of the biggest employers of part time staff at christmas times, with big supermarkets like asda, tesco, sainsbury's and morrisons taking on christmas 2011 staff.
also places like argos, boots and curry's which are popular for presents have lots of christmas jobs in 2011 going, but this is still only a tiny fraction of the potential christmas 2011 jobs out there, as everywhere is busier at christmas time, and not just in the big cities like london or manchester you can find xmas jobs anywhere in the country really.
so if you are looking for xmas jobs in 2011, there are a wide variety of areas you will find potential in when looking for that elusive xmas job, for example another very busy place at christmas is the royal mail, this is obvious due to all the christmas cards and christmas present parcels being sent through the post at that time of year, so the list of places where you can find xmas jobs in 2011 is near endless.
christmas jobs 2011, with xmas being one of the most busy times of the year it is also one of the best times of the year to get part time work and also full time work, if you have been out of work for a period of time then you stand your best chance of finding a new job around christmas time, though most will be part time.
you can sometimes though get a part time christmas job, and with effort turn it into a full time job by the time 2012 comes around, if you can manage to impress enough and know there are chances of full time employment for some of the part time staff.
a lot of different groups of people look for jobs around xmas time anything from students to people just looking for extra cash who already have full time jobs as well, sometimes look for a part time job around christmas to earn a bit extra cash.
you will probably find that the retail sector is one of the biggest employers of part time staff at christmas times, with big supermarkets like asda, tesco, sainsbury's and morrisons taking on christmas 2011 staff.
also places like argos, boots and curry's which are popular for presents have lots of christmas jobs in 2011 going, but this is still only a tiny fraction of the potential christmas 2011 jobs out there, as everywhere is busier at christmas time, and not just in the big cities like london or manchester you can find xmas jobs anywhere in the country really.
so if you are looking for xmas jobs in 2011, there are a wide variety of areas you will find potential in when looking for that elusive xmas job, for example another very busy place at christmas is the royal mail, this is obvious due to all the christmas cards and christmas present parcels being sent through the post at that time of year, so the list of places where you can find xmas jobs in 2011 is near endless.
decorated christmas trees for 2011 trends artificial or real with decorations
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decorated christmas trees for 2011 decorations artificial or real, what kind of christmas tree trends are you going to choose this year, there are lots of options and styles of xmas trees nowadays, whether it be a real tree pines and all or a artificial plastic christmas tree the options are quite endless.
you also have a the option to get a all in one christmas tree that is already decorated and ready to go, which is a good option if you are short of time around christmas 2011 and do not have the time to decorate your tree.
i wonder what are more eco friendly the artificial trees, probably not to begin with, due to manufacturing, but if you get a artificial tree that you can use year after year then it should be more eco friendly that way.
or would a real naturaly and responsible grown christmas tree be more eco friendly, though it can only be used once, especially if it is not in a pot, so it is kind of a throw away item, though it was grown in nature though to begin with.
so it is quite debatable which are more eco friendly the real christmas trees or the plastic artificial trees, one of those both sides of the debate would have a good reason type of questions.
i think the already decorated trees take away some of the fun of putting up a tree and doing your own decorations, the fun of christmas, but if you just do not have the time then buying a all in one artificial and already decorated christmas tree is probably your only option.
i think at the moment it comes down to what your needs are when deciding what type of christmas tree to buy for this xmas 2011, there is probably a tree for everyones individual needs, like if you live in a little flat or house or do not have much room you can buy those little mini artificial trees, or even a mini evergreen conifer tree.
decorating artificial christmas trees 2011.
what kind of decorations are you going to buy for your christmas tree 2011?
artificial trends for christmas trees 2011
this tree in the picture below has really good flashing christmas tree lights on it makes a amazing effect
in the picture below it is a real christmas tree with a really nice rustic style to its decorations, i do not have a picture of the whole tree but you can get a idea of the decorations style used on this real christmas tree by the gold leaf on the picture
another nice real christmas tree with traditional christmas decorations
this kind of tree in the next picture is what i would call a more traditional christmas tree which i think is a nice look for christmas trees and decorations for 2011
decorated christmas trees for 2011 decorations artificial or real, what kind of christmas tree trends are you going to choose this year, there are lots of options and styles of xmas trees nowadays, whether it be a real tree pines and all or a artificial plastic christmas tree the options are quite endless.
you also have a the option to get a all in one christmas tree that is already decorated and ready to go, which is a good option if you are short of time around christmas 2011 and do not have the time to decorate your tree.
i wonder what are more eco friendly the artificial trees, probably not to begin with, due to manufacturing, but if you get a artificial tree that you can use year after year then it should be more eco friendly that way.
or would a real naturaly and responsible grown christmas tree be more eco friendly, though it can only be used once, especially if it is not in a pot, so it is kind of a throw away item, though it was grown in nature though to begin with.
so it is quite debatable which are more eco friendly the real christmas trees or the plastic artificial trees, one of those both sides of the debate would have a good reason type of questions.
i think the already decorated trees take away some of the fun of putting up a tree and doing your own decorations, the fun of christmas, but if you just do not have the time then buying a all in one artificial and already decorated christmas tree is probably your only option.
i think at the moment it comes down to what your needs are when deciding what type of christmas tree to buy for this xmas 2011, there is probably a tree for everyones individual needs, like if you live in a little flat or house or do not have much room you can buy those little mini artificial trees, or even a mini evergreen conifer tree.
decorating artificial christmas trees 2011.
what kind of decorations are you going to buy for your christmas tree 2011?
artificial trends for christmas trees 2011
this tree in the picture below has really good flashing christmas tree lights on it makes a amazing effect
in the picture below it is a real christmas tree with a really nice rustic style to its decorations, i do not have a picture of the whole tree but you can get a idea of the decorations style used on this real christmas tree by the gold leaf on the picture
another nice real christmas tree with traditional christmas decorations
this kind of tree in the next picture is what i would call a more traditional christmas tree which i think is a nice look for christmas trees and decorations for 2011
How My Wife's Car Met 200,000 Miles
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On the 2007 How I Met Your Mother episode "Arrivederci, Fiero" the plot revolves around how Marshall's car is about to hit 200,000 miles on the odometer. Anticipating the milestone he had celebratory cigars in the glove compartment. As the odometer is on 199,999 he directs passenger Ted to get the cigars, but at that moment the car hits a pothole and stalls before the numbers roll over on the dash. With the car at the mechanic the episode explores the car's history through flashbacks, with the first one involving a cross-country trip Marshall and Ted took back in college wherein it's revealed that the only music they can listen to is a cassette-single of the Proclaimers' one hit, "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)," which is permanently stuck in the car's tape deck (and which they go through phases of loving and hating and loving again).
I mention all that as a preface for the story of the last Sunday in April. As we were driving back from a birthday party for our nephew, my wife's '98 Volvo was bearing down on 200K. However, with maybe 15 miles until we got home it was only at 199,960; at that pace the momentous moment would occur on Monday as she was driving to work—a less-than-momentous scenario. She wanted us to be together when the odometer's first digit rolled from 1 to 2, not sitting in traffic alone on the 405, so we exited the freeway and headed down to the ocean around Palos Verdes (a peninsula jutting out from the line of the coast). However, even with that detour, when eventually we were close to home we still had 8 miles to go, so we proceeded past home and farther along the coast to the eastern part of Long Beach.
Finally we had put enough miles of distance on the car so the odometer was on the verge of rolling over to the magic number and she pulled up the Proclaimers' song on her phone, replicating the HIMYM scenario (somewhat). However, she'd started it a little too soon and it finished playing when the number still read 199,999 and as she tried replaying it the internet connection on her phone kept cutting in and out—stalling, if you will. So as the car's odometer hit that threshold and the numbers were a 2 followed by five 0's we had to sing "And I would walk 500 miles, and I would walk 500 more…" a capella (and off-key). Then, yes, we pulled over and took a picture (above) of the odometer to document it for posterity. (She had no cigars in the glove box.)
Then, after killing close to an hour to achieve it, we could go back home missing accomplished. I pulled out and made a U-turn to head us back toward the house… and immediately the car bounced as we ran over a pothole I hadn't seen in the dusk light. (I am not making that up.) The car didn't stall, thank goodness.
However, as we proceeded farther and it got a bit darker I noticed the dashboard lights were out, and then we realized the headlights too were not illuminated. (The car has daytime running headlights so they should have been on already.) For a moment it seemed like the 200,000-mile mark carried with it some curse. Luckily it proved only to require pulling over again and restarting the car to get the lights working again. We didn't have time for a trip to the mechanic and a series of reminiscing flashbacks. Our fidelity to the HIMYM episode could only go so far.
(It's a given that we watch the syndicated HIMYM episodes too much.)
On the 2007 How I Met Your Mother episode "Arrivederci, Fiero" the plot revolves around how Marshall's car is about to hit 200,000 miles on the odometer. Anticipating the milestone he had celebratory cigars in the glove compartment. As the odometer is on 199,999 he directs passenger Ted to get the cigars, but at that moment the car hits a pothole and stalls before the numbers roll over on the dash. With the car at the mechanic the episode explores the car's history through flashbacks, with the first one involving a cross-country trip Marshall and Ted took back in college wherein it's revealed that the only music they can listen to is a cassette-single of the Proclaimers' one hit, "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)," which is permanently stuck in the car's tape deck (and which they go through phases of loving and hating and loving again).I mention all that as a preface for the story of the last Sunday in April. As we were driving back from a birthday party for our nephew, my wife's '98 Volvo was bearing down on 200K. However, with maybe 15 miles until we got home it was only at 199,960; at that pace the momentous moment would occur on Monday as she was driving to work—a less-than-momentous scenario. She wanted us to be together when the odometer's first digit rolled from 1 to 2, not sitting in traffic alone on the 405, so we exited the freeway and headed down to the ocean around Palos Verdes (a peninsula jutting out from the line of the coast). However, even with that detour, when eventually we were close to home we still had 8 miles to go, so we proceeded past home and farther along the coast to the eastern part of Long Beach.
Finally we had put enough miles of distance on the car so the odometer was on the verge of rolling over to the magic number and she pulled up the Proclaimers' song on her phone, replicating the HIMYM scenario (somewhat). However, she'd started it a little too soon and it finished playing when the number still read 199,999 and as she tried replaying it the internet connection on her phone kept cutting in and out—stalling, if you will. So as the car's odometer hit that threshold and the numbers were a 2 followed by five 0's we had to sing "And I would walk 500 miles, and I would walk 500 more…" a capella (and off-key). Then, yes, we pulled over and took a picture (above) of the odometer to document it for posterity. (She had no cigars in the glove box.)
Then, after killing close to an hour to achieve it, we could go back home missing accomplished. I pulled out and made a U-turn to head us back toward the house… and immediately the car bounced as we ran over a pothole I hadn't seen in the dusk light. (I am not making that up.) The car didn't stall, thank goodness.
However, as we proceeded farther and it got a bit darker I noticed the dashboard lights were out, and then we realized the headlights too were not illuminated. (The car has daytime running headlights so they should have been on already.) For a moment it seemed like the 200,000-mile mark carried with it some curse. Luckily it proved only to require pulling over again and restarting the car to get the lights working again. We didn't have time for a trip to the mechanic and a series of reminiscing flashbacks. Our fidelity to the HIMYM episode could only go so far.
(It's a given that we watch the syndicated HIMYM episodes too much.)
When it's too late for the Avengers
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The Avengers has dominated the box office since its opening three weekends past. It was also the dominant pop culture topic back during that week it premiered, and I even wrote about that at the time (mostly in response to the Culture Gabfest discussion) where I had to more or less reflexively defend the comic book medium (despite not having been part of it for 18 years). It wasn't so much that I thought Avengers looked all that phenomenal but there's something about people who go in with a condescending attitude about "comic book" movies jumping on the bandwagon of what's the hot subject only because it's the hot subject rather than having a worthwhile opinion about the subject.
(I'm not pretending I have a worthwhile opinion, but I choose on what I comment rather than pretending I'm keeping up with all the big topics.)
I don't consider comic books to be something one outgrows, but fighting the crowds at the multiplex is something I have outgrown, so we didn't go that opening weekend. And last weekend my wife had to work on a project so we couldn't get to it then either. So although the pop culture world has moved on from actively discussing the movie, it is only now that I can speak to that specifically, as we finally saw it over the weekend.
Was that jumping on the bandwagon? I don't think so. My wife wanted to see it because she's a fan of Joss Whedon (I have enjoyed his work but am not as much of devotee), and we have liked at least some of the prior Marvel superhero films. I was interested to see what the man behind Buffy and Firefly would do with those characters. And, yeah, okay, there's an extent to which I had to actually see it so I couldn't be accused of defending the genre without having a basis for whether I should be.
We went to a 3:00 matinee at our local theater (it was 3D but not IMAX) which was not remotely close to full. There were a few kids down the row from us and a family with some behind us, but none that were too young for the movie. Still, there were way more empty seats than filled ones for that particular showing.
And that, I came to realize when the movie was over, proved to be a problem.
While we were able to roll in 15 minutes prior to the start time and get seats at the center of the row with no difficulty—which is precisely the reason why we'd wait until the third weekend to see a movie and avoid the lines—the not-even-half-full theater didn't serve that sort of movie.
Sure, there were some elements of the Whedon cleverness, but ultimately it's about beings who can fly and shoot and smash fighting big evil forces. There's wit in the bombast, sure, but as I watched I couldn't help but feel that without the cheering of an enthusiastic crowd there was something… I won't say missing, but certainly not quite what it needed to be to get the optimal experience. It's probably not unlike the difference between going to a concert and merely listening to a CD of a live concert; it's the same songs being played but the distance in the latter lacks the key to the element of the former—being with all the other people who are into the experience together.
The plot is not the epitome of an intellectual exercise: a villain aims to take over the world with an unimaginable power and must be stopped by those who have the powers to defeat him. So what puts that above the rudiments of how it sounds like is, yes, the writing and acting and execution, but also the response of a bunch of others who explode in applause when [spoiler alert] the villain gets his. (Like you thought they didn't win in the end.)
All we had were a few kids to provide that, but they weren't that loud or enthusiastic.
Again, I was not going in as one who was likely to be that rouser of the crowd; I fully concede I'm one who can get caught up in that but not the one generating it.
Of course, being the #1 movie for weeks and hearing all about it when it came out, there's also some aspect of raised expectations it had to overcome. And as I admitted in that entry some weeks ago I admitted that I kind of got over the standard super hero tales back when I was a teen, and this movie didn't tilt the genre on its ear or anything. I'd certainly say it was good, and I didn't regret seeing it, but I suspect I'd have had a different reaction had we seen it a couple weekends ago.
Would I have preferred a movie where Joss Whedon really got to turn the genre to his style? Probably. Would it have made the ungodly amount of money the film already has? I'd say that's far less likely. But it would have been just as good in a half-empty theater (or even on DVD in a few months).
Ultimately I must say I preferred the first Iron Man (of the few preceding movies I actually saw).
And although it's really more of an apples and oranges comparison, because it involves characters from the pages of comics it's considered the same sort of thing, but I'll admit: I'm still more looking forward to The Dark Knight Rises (and my wife turned to me during the previews before Avengers and whispered "That we're seeing in IMAX"—although still probably not opening weekend). I'm a dour person, I know.
(I'm not pretending I have a worthwhile opinion, but I choose on what I comment rather than pretending I'm keeping up with all the big topics.)
I don't consider comic books to be something one outgrows, but fighting the crowds at the multiplex is something I have outgrown, so we didn't go that opening weekend. And last weekend my wife had to work on a project so we couldn't get to it then either. So although the pop culture world has moved on from actively discussing the movie, it is only now that I can speak to that specifically, as we finally saw it over the weekend.
Was that jumping on the bandwagon? I don't think so. My wife wanted to see it because she's a fan of Joss Whedon (I have enjoyed his work but am not as much of devotee), and we have liked at least some of the prior Marvel superhero films. I was interested to see what the man behind Buffy and Firefly would do with those characters. And, yeah, okay, there's an extent to which I had to actually see it so I couldn't be accused of defending the genre without having a basis for whether I should be.
We went to a 3:00 matinee at our local theater (it was 3D but not IMAX) which was not remotely close to full. There were a few kids down the row from us and a family with some behind us, but none that were too young for the movie. Still, there were way more empty seats than filled ones for that particular showing.
And that, I came to realize when the movie was over, proved to be a problem.
While we were able to roll in 15 minutes prior to the start time and get seats at the center of the row with no difficulty—which is precisely the reason why we'd wait until the third weekend to see a movie and avoid the lines—the not-even-half-full theater didn't serve that sort of movie.
Sure, there were some elements of the Whedon cleverness, but ultimately it's about beings who can fly and shoot and smash fighting big evil forces. There's wit in the bombast, sure, but as I watched I couldn't help but feel that without the cheering of an enthusiastic crowd there was something… I won't say missing, but certainly not quite what it needed to be to get the optimal experience. It's probably not unlike the difference between going to a concert and merely listening to a CD of a live concert; it's the same songs being played but the distance in the latter lacks the key to the element of the former—being with all the other people who are into the experience together.
The plot is not the epitome of an intellectual exercise: a villain aims to take over the world with an unimaginable power and must be stopped by those who have the powers to defeat him. So what puts that above the rudiments of how it sounds like is, yes, the writing and acting and execution, but also the response of a bunch of others who explode in applause when [spoiler alert] the villain gets his. (Like you thought they didn't win in the end.)
All we had were a few kids to provide that, but they weren't that loud or enthusiastic.
Again, I was not going in as one who was likely to be that rouser of the crowd; I fully concede I'm one who can get caught up in that but not the one generating it.
Of course, being the #1 movie for weeks and hearing all about it when it came out, there's also some aspect of raised expectations it had to overcome. And as I admitted in that entry some weeks ago I admitted that I kind of got over the standard super hero tales back when I was a teen, and this movie didn't tilt the genre on its ear or anything. I'd certainly say it was good, and I didn't regret seeing it, but I suspect I'd have had a different reaction had we seen it a couple weekends ago.
Would I have preferred a movie where Joss Whedon really got to turn the genre to his style? Probably. Would it have made the ungodly amount of money the film already has? I'd say that's far less likely. But it would have been just as good in a half-empty theater (or even on DVD in a few months).
Ultimately I must say I preferred the first Iron Man (of the few preceding movies I actually saw).
And although it's really more of an apples and oranges comparison, because it involves characters from the pages of comics it's considered the same sort of thing, but I'll admit: I'm still more looking forward to The Dark Knight Rises (and my wife turned to me during the previews before Avengers and whispered "That we're seeing in IMAX"—although still probably not opening weekend). I'm a dour person, I know.
Broken news
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About CNN's rush yesterday to be the first to report the Supreme Court's ruling about the Affordable Care Act, declaring the individual mandate initially unconstitutional and not getting around to revealing that the justices actually voted to allow it as a tax for seven minutes:
That's the kind of crackerjack reportage that will keep me not watching CNN.
Or Fox News. Or MSNBC.
And the way journalists on NPR kept talking about how they themselves did not see this result coming rather than about the story itself show why I don't support my local public radio station either.
Attention media: You don't have to make it so easy for The Daily Show to make fun of you.
That's the kind of crackerjack reportage that will keep me not watching CNN.
Or Fox News. Or MSNBC.
And the way journalists on NPR kept talking about how they themselves did not see this result coming rather than about the story itself show why I don't support my local public radio station either.
Attention media: You don't have to make it so easy for The Daily Show to make fun of you.
7 Temmuz 2012 Cumartesi
Valentine's Day Songs List: Cheesy Love Songs
To contact us Click HERE
I have been surfing the net these past few days in search of love songs expressed in various ways. After going through various lists and playing the tunes on youtube, I have made my own short Valentine's Day Songs List: Sad Love Songs Part 1, Sad Love Songs Part 2 and Cheesy Love Songs.After two hubs about Sad Love Songs, I thought I will make up for all the desolation it caused. This time, I will highlight the brighter side of love. Those love songs that will make you fall in love even more. Some of the songs are actually dated, and not internationally released. But these are the songs I grew up with and are very close to my heart. Play on!To read more, please click Valentine's Day Songs List: Cheesy Love Songs
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| digitalart |
I have been surfing the net these past few days in search of love songs expressed in various ways. After going through various lists and playing the tunes on youtube, I have made my own short Valentine's Day Songs List: Sad Love Songs Part 1, Sad Love Songs Part 2 and Cheesy Love Songs.After two hubs about Sad Love Songs, I thought I will make up for all the desolation it caused. This time, I will highlight the brighter side of love. Those love songs that will make you fall in love even more. Some of the songs are actually dated, and not internationally released. But these are the songs I grew up with and are very close to my heart. Play on!To read more, please click Valentine's Day Songs List: Cheesy Love Songs
Mary Gauthier's "Christmas In Paradise"
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I've been a fan of Mary Gauthier since she released Mercy Now in 2005, and charmed the heck out of me during our interview for The Advocate (which can read here). Mary's former label, Lost Highway, put out a little holiday promo back then that included "Thanksgiving at the Prison" and "Christmas In Paradise" (the latter was originally included on her 2002 indie release Filth & Fire). This year, Mary is making the song available as a free download, and has also posted a video of a live performance from earlier this year.
Shelby Earl's "This Christmas Is For Us"
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Shelby Earl's full-length debut, Burn the Boats, was one of my favorite local albums of 2011, and she's also a delight to follow on Twitter. Her ascent in my pantheon continues with the release of "This Christmas Is For Us," an original song now available on her Soundcloud page and from better online music retailers. We asked Shelby to tell us a little more about this tune, and here's what she had to say.
Shelby Earl's full-length debut, Burn the Boats, was one of my favorite local albums of 2011, and she's also a delight to follow on Twitter. Her ascent in my pantheon continues with the release of "This Christmas Is For Us," an original song now available on her Soundcloud page and from better online music retailers. We asked Shelby to tell us a little more about this tune, and here's what she had to say.
First let me start by saying, I LOVE CHRISTMAS. The holiday was a huge deal in my family when I was young, and has remained so my entire life. To this day, no matter where my extended family members reside in the world, they will drop what they're doing, put work on hold, and travel to a chosen location (usually in Cali) to spend Christmas week together. It's SUCH an epic deal to me that in this, my 35th year, I've never missed a Christmas with my mom - not one. UNTIL NOW! It's been a wildly exciting year of music-making in Earl-land and in crafting my plans for end-of-year shows, tour, recording, etc. I realized that a week-long trip to California wasn't going to be viable (the list of reasons is long). Delivering the news to my family was tough, but everyone understood.
Then jump ahead to me sitting in my living room just a few short weeks ago, when first snowflakes were hitting the ground in Seattle. I was sipping a cup of tea, pondering how much I love my cozy apartment, how deeply I love and appreciate my community in Seattle, and it hit me: I AM ALREADY HOME. My parents and siblings might be in California for the week, but my PEOPLE are right here! I picked up my guitar and this song poured out of me. I'm not always lucky enough to write that way - other songs take a LOT longer to come around - but this one just flowed. It's because it came out of a genuine excitement to be with my Seattle friends and loved ones this year for Christmas. I wanted to tell them as much.
My bandmates were awesome about quickly rallying to learn and record the tune so we could get to sharing it. Then last weekend (the 2nd week of Dec.) a crew including: Barb Hunter (cello), Faustine Hudson (drums), Anna-Lisa Notter (vocals), Mike Notter (guitar), Ben Obee (bass), Fidelia Schoolcraft (vocals) and myself all got together for a few hours in Gabriel Mintz' living room to lay it down. We knew it would be a wee bit lo-fi, but it ended up having the EXACT right spirit about it. Gabe did a spectacular job recording and mixing it - and it gave him a giggle to be the "bad jew" who spent hours working on a Christmas tune. I told him he was lucky it wasn't all about wise men and angels and infant kings. :)
So here it is, my offering of love to my Seattle people this Christmas. It's my "thank you" for the AMAZING year you've given me.
Why Can't I Follow Blogs?
To contact us Click HERE
If GFC has limit numbers for following, What can I do to stop following few blogs (I realized that few blogs weren't being activated anymore)
If someone knows what the hell is going on, please please tell me how to fix it. Thanks!
*****UPDATE******
The problem has been solved! Thanks to Bibi((:
Special Makover from Carnellin and L'Oreal Professionnel
To contact us Click HERE
Calling all bloggers who want their hair look fabulous. Carnellin from While You on Earth blog and L'Oreal Professionnel are looking for 3 bloggers to have a hair makeover. YEYY!!You can choose style or texture you want. These are the choices:
1. INOA hair color2. Korean Wave by Dulcia Advanced3. Japanese Smoothing by X-Tenso Moisturist PLUS each winners will be given L'Oreal Professionnel products worth Rp. 500K from Shampoo, conditioner/treatment masque and styling products! How cool is that???xDDD***Carnellin says:1."The winners will be notified after 12 of Oct 2011 by email."2. "Makeover will be done in Jakarta, all of you around the world may join as long as you're in Jakarta at the time being, sorry, the free makeover doesn't include your flight tickets.So, go join in! for more info head to her blog here
5 Temmuz 2012 Perşembe
Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve Song List: HED KANDI Best Club Compilation
To contact us Click HERE
I am not sure if you were one of those people who at the last minute before the midnight struck on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, the only thing you were doing was sitting in front of your computer and searching for List of Christmas Songs or New Year's Eve Song List. Well, I was. I was searching youtube videos and streaming at the same time for the songs I will play on Christmas and New Year's Eve.
To read more, click Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve Song List: HED KANDI Best Club Compilation.
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| Charisma |
To read more, click Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve Song List: HED KANDI Best Club Compilation.
List Of Best Sad Love Songs To Listen To On Valentine's Day (Part 2)
To contact us Click HERE
Can't we find a better way to spend Valentine's Day than playing theValentine's Day Songs List: Best Sad Love Songs? Well, if you are reading this, you got no other option. Me neither. Because I am spending the day like any normal day. But instead of sulking you in to that glorious love feeling (which is by far unattainable), we explore into the crazy destructive force of people caught up in that thing called love.To read more, click on List Of Best Sad Love Songs To Listen To On Valentine's Day (Part 2).
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| graur codrin |
Can't we find a better way to spend Valentine's Day than playing theValentine's Day Songs List: Best Sad Love Songs? Well, if you are reading this, you got no other option. Me neither. Because I am spending the day like any normal day. But instead of sulking you in to that glorious love feeling (which is by far unattainable), we explore into the crazy destructive force of people caught up in that thing called love.To read more, click on List Of Best Sad Love Songs To Listen To On Valentine's Day (Part 2).
Valentine's Day Songs List: Cheesy Love Songs
To contact us Click HERE
I have been surfing the net these past few days in search of love songs expressed in various ways. After going through various lists and playing the tunes on youtube, I have made my own short Valentine's Day Songs List: Sad Love Songs Part 1, Sad Love Songs Part 2 and Cheesy Love Songs.After two hubs about Sad Love Songs, I thought I will make up for all the desolation it caused. This time, I will highlight the brighter side of love. Those love songs that will make you fall in love even more. Some of the songs are actually dated, and not internationally released. But these are the songs I grew up with and are very close to my heart. Play on!To read more, please click Valentine's Day Songs List: Cheesy Love Songs
|
| digitalart |
I have been surfing the net these past few days in search of love songs expressed in various ways. After going through various lists and playing the tunes on youtube, I have made my own short Valentine's Day Songs List: Sad Love Songs Part 1, Sad Love Songs Part 2 and Cheesy Love Songs.After two hubs about Sad Love Songs, I thought I will make up for all the desolation it caused. This time, I will highlight the brighter side of love. Those love songs that will make you fall in love even more. Some of the songs are actually dated, and not internationally released. But these are the songs I grew up with and are very close to my heart. Play on!To read more, please click Valentine's Day Songs List: Cheesy Love Songs
Why Can't I Follow Blogs?
To contact us Click HERE
If GFC has limit numbers for following, What can I do to stop following few blogs (I realized that few blogs weren't being activated anymore)
If someone knows what the hell is going on, please please tell me how to fix it. Thanks!
*****UPDATE******
The problem has been solved! Thanks to Bibi((:
Special Makover from Carnellin and L'Oreal Professionnel
To contact us Click HERE
Calling all bloggers who want their hair look fabulous. Carnellin from While You on Earth blog and L'Oreal Professionnel are looking for 3 bloggers to have a hair makeover. YEYY!!You can choose style or texture you want. These are the choices:
1. INOA hair color2. Korean Wave by Dulcia Advanced3. Japanese Smoothing by X-Tenso Moisturist PLUS each winners will be given L'Oreal Professionnel products worth Rp. 500K from Shampoo, conditioner/treatment masque and styling products! How cool is that???xDDD***Carnellin says:1."The winners will be notified after 12 of Oct 2011 by email."2. "Makeover will be done in Jakarta, all of you around the world may join as long as you're in Jakarta at the time being, sorry, the free makeover doesn't include your flight tickets.So, go join in! for more info head to her blog here
4 Temmuz 2012 Çarşamba
Eating or cheating
To contact us Click HERE
For months (possibly a year) my wife and I had gone out to breakfast at a particular little restaurant. Typically at least two (sometimes three) weekends a month we'd go to this coffee shop, either Saturday or Sunday morning. Prior to that we'd sampled other places around town but not found any worthy of frequenting, but then I think she saw this one get good reviews on Yelp so we tried it. The food was pretty good, the prices reasonable, and the service very friendly. Part of what I liked was the pancakes, while not spectacular, were a consumable size, not behemoths that eclipsed the plate; I don't order pancakes with some implicit dare to the cook. The other dish I'd order was enchilada eggs (which, as it sounds, is scrambled eggs rolled in tortillas with a Spanish sauce). My wife often went for the Eggs Benedict. But from her perspective the best thing about the place was the coffee, which while waiting one could pour for oneself from a container up front.
As we became regulars all the servers recognized us, and it was the service that surpassed the food or the coffee as what drew us there. However, if we didn't get there early the wait could get pretty long—which was fine if we didn't mind a bit of time standing outside to chat, but if we were really hungry we'd often just figure it was better to fix breakfast at home.
The thing about the restaurant is it was about a ten-minute drive across town, in a residential neighborhood where finding street parking could be a little tricky. After driving hours and hours during the week, sometimes getting in the car again on the weekend was less than desirable. But we'd developed a relationship with the restaurant, so it was worth it.
Then a few weeks ago we were at home on a Sunday morning, and it was past the point of avoiding the lines at that restaurant. So my wife looked on Yelp and found a small number of positive reviews for a restaurant only a few blocks away. It was a location that had been a number of different restaurants over the years I'd lived nearby and none ever lasted, but now it was a secondary location to a restaurant across town (which we'd never visited). Still, being within walking distance made it worth a try.
We got there around 8:30 on a Sunday, and it was not even close to full. This seemed a bad sign; any breakfast place worth a damn should have a good crowd by that time on a weekend. Still, we were seated, and the server asked if it was our first time, which we admitted it was. She explained the specials and was very helpful with the menu. Later, from a short conversation with her, we learned this location had only been open about a month and a half, and it seemed people hadn't gotten into the habit of going there; many patrons of the first location kept going there. The place was just down the block from a church, and she noted after that got out, between 10 to 11, it got much busier.
The menu had many omelettes and egg dishes, and an 18-inch pancake (served on a pizza pan). But I noticed it included waffles, and me and waffles go way back. Ordering waffles is how I judge a breakfast place that has them; although it seems simple, a good waffle is harder to find than one might think. And as our regular place did not have that available, my selection was easy (and the waffles were only $2.75). My wife ordered the Eggs with hollandaise dish which came with potatoes.
I took some bites and… the waffle was really good. My wife's dish was good, too, particularly the potatoes. That was the one thing about the breakfast potatoes at our regular place: they were just… there. They probably were frozen, and sometimes they'd get a little burnt—not inedibly so, but more than just crunchy. The potatoes here clearly were fresh, and seasoned well. She took a bite of my waffle and liked it so much she wished she'd ordered it.
And before we finished we realized… we may have found a new regular breakfast spot. (In fact, we went back this most recent weekend as well.) And as silly as it sounds, it sort of felt like we were cheating on that previous restaurant. It's not that sampling another place was so bad, but once we grasped that we kind of liked the food better, and the prices were comparable (at worst only slightly higher), and the service was good, it was close enough to walk to, and it was not busy until later in the morning (so no waiting), it seemed like we were breaking up with the other place even though it had done nothing wrong, per se. We'd been very happy together for so long, but then we had a little dalliance… and now the old standby seemed not as good. And we felt a bit guilty about that, even though, intellectually, there's little reason we should.
We'll probably still eat at the old place when we will be running errands on that side of town, but I imagine it won't be quite the same.
It's said we eat with our eyes first, but before that we choose with our hearts.
As we became regulars all the servers recognized us, and it was the service that surpassed the food or the coffee as what drew us there. However, if we didn't get there early the wait could get pretty long—which was fine if we didn't mind a bit of time standing outside to chat, but if we were really hungry we'd often just figure it was better to fix breakfast at home.
The thing about the restaurant is it was about a ten-minute drive across town, in a residential neighborhood where finding street parking could be a little tricky. After driving hours and hours during the week, sometimes getting in the car again on the weekend was less than desirable. But we'd developed a relationship with the restaurant, so it was worth it.
Then a few weeks ago we were at home on a Sunday morning, and it was past the point of avoiding the lines at that restaurant. So my wife looked on Yelp and found a small number of positive reviews for a restaurant only a few blocks away. It was a location that had been a number of different restaurants over the years I'd lived nearby and none ever lasted, but now it was a secondary location to a restaurant across town (which we'd never visited). Still, being within walking distance made it worth a try.
We got there around 8:30 on a Sunday, and it was not even close to full. This seemed a bad sign; any breakfast place worth a damn should have a good crowd by that time on a weekend. Still, we were seated, and the server asked if it was our first time, which we admitted it was. She explained the specials and was very helpful with the menu. Later, from a short conversation with her, we learned this location had only been open about a month and a half, and it seemed people hadn't gotten into the habit of going there; many patrons of the first location kept going there. The place was just down the block from a church, and she noted after that got out, between 10 to 11, it got much busier.
The menu had many omelettes and egg dishes, and an 18-inch pancake (served on a pizza pan). But I noticed it included waffles, and me and waffles go way back. Ordering waffles is how I judge a breakfast place that has them; although it seems simple, a good waffle is harder to find than one might think. And as our regular place did not have that available, my selection was easy (and the waffles were only $2.75). My wife ordered the Eggs with hollandaise dish which came with potatoes.
I took some bites and… the waffle was really good. My wife's dish was good, too, particularly the potatoes. That was the one thing about the breakfast potatoes at our regular place: they were just… there. They probably were frozen, and sometimes they'd get a little burnt—not inedibly so, but more than just crunchy. The potatoes here clearly were fresh, and seasoned well. She took a bite of my waffle and liked it so much she wished she'd ordered it.
And before we finished we realized… we may have found a new regular breakfast spot. (In fact, we went back this most recent weekend as well.) And as silly as it sounds, it sort of felt like we were cheating on that previous restaurant. It's not that sampling another place was so bad, but once we grasped that we kind of liked the food better, and the prices were comparable (at worst only slightly higher), and the service was good, it was close enough to walk to, and it was not busy until later in the morning (so no waiting), it seemed like we were breaking up with the other place even though it had done nothing wrong, per se. We'd been very happy together for so long, but then we had a little dalliance… and now the old standby seemed not as good. And we felt a bit guilty about that, even though, intellectually, there's little reason we should.
We'll probably still eat at the old place when we will be running errands on that side of town, but I imagine it won't be quite the same.
It's said we eat with our eyes first, but before that we choose with our hearts.
"Pianist Recommends Using Christmas Music as Drug"
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This is an actual press release I received this morning. I can't make this s**t up, people. I can only add bold face type to highlight the bit that made coffee stream out my nose.
Research shows mellow piano music triggers soothing emotions and counters road rage
LOS ANGELES, Dec. 9, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- With the holidays approaching, and as short-tempered shoppers and drivers start amassing in numbers, the addition of talk radio, heated political debates, and more bad news of unemployment, the economy and sex scandals can take a toll on even the most light-hearted.
For many, a responsible alternative to "alcohol consumption," and holiday depression, is Christmas music.
Research has shown music to have a great impact on us, with the ability to change and enhance an individual's mood. Major lawsuits against bands and record companies have "proven" through the legal system that music and lyrics can be responsible for all sorts of behaviors. Other studies have shown that music may even raise an individual's IQ.
But much of the Christmas music can sound the same. A walk through the mall reveals a typical sampling of pumped-up, pounding pop covers of Christmas Carols, designed to generate more frenzy, more shopping and more sales.
A refreshing alternative can be found in the solo acoustic piano album "Christmas Time At The Piano," available on iTunes. Pianist/composer Sam Sorensen has created an intimate, live performance, using state-of-the-art equipment. His interpretations of Mannheim Steamroller and Vince Guaraldi Christmas arrangements have been refined to perfection. In these tender renditions he captures a euphoric vibe similar to artists such as Enya and Loreena McKennitt. His pianistic skills are honed to impart the simple beauty of the arrangements, and lead one to transcend the mundane. A real remedy to the rush of Christmas traffic and easier on the nerves than inflammatory talk radio.
Enjoy the talents of Sam Sorensen, a world-class pianist, while driving in your car, or in the privacy of your home - a little ambience for your holiday festivities.
Share the gift of Christmas cheer. Pass along an antidote to "mellow out" holiday stress.
Slow down and smell the mistletoe.
The Bandana Splits' "Wonderful Christmas Time"
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Despite my love of all things girl group-related, and a perverse affection for the white bread pop music of the 1940s and '50s, I've not completely embraced the Bandana Splits. Why the reluctance? For one thing, I hate their punning band name.* And the concept isn't quite working for me either. What, exactly, are they offering that hasn't been done better by the Pipettes and/or the Puppini Sisters?
Well, here's something they've done quite nicely: updating Paul McCartney's "Wonderful Christmas Time." I've never been a big fan of the original, though with the passing of years I've softened a wee bit. The ladies had the good sense to ditch the annoying synthesizer that dates McCartney's version, and abbreviate the song significantly, so its scant charms don't wear thin. If you enjoy the video below, you can download the track here for a short time.
* Besides, Bananarama already nicked their moniker from the Banana Splits, and they're the zenith of modern girl groups, so as far as I'm concerned, the topic has been exhausted.
Well, here's something they've done quite nicely: updating Paul McCartney's "Wonderful Christmas Time." I've never been a big fan of the original, though with the passing of years I've softened a wee bit. The ladies had the good sense to ditch the annoying synthesizer that dates McCartney's version, and abbreviate the song significantly, so its scant charms don't wear thin. If you enjoy the video below, you can download the track here for a short time.
* Besides, Bananarama already nicked their moniker from the Banana Splits, and they're the zenith of modern girl groups, so as far as I'm concerned, the topic has been exhausted.
Mary Gauthier's "Christmas In Paradise"
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I've been a fan of Mary Gauthier since she released Mercy Now in 2005, and charmed the heck out of me during our interview for The Advocate (which can read here). Mary's former label, Lost Highway, put out a little holiday promo back then that included "Thanksgiving at the Prison" and "Christmas In Paradise" (the latter was originally included on her 2002 indie release Filth & Fire). This year, Mary is making the song available as a free download, and has also posted a video of a live performance from earlier this year.
Shelby Earl's "This Christmas Is For Us"
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Shelby Earl's full-length debut, Burn the Boats, was one of my favorite local albums of 2011, and she's also a delight to follow on Twitter. Her ascent in my pantheon continues with the release of "This Christmas Is For Us," an original song now available on her Soundcloud page and from better online music retailers. We asked Shelby to tell us a little more about this tune, and here's what she had to say.
Shelby Earl's full-length debut, Burn the Boats, was one of my favorite local albums of 2011, and she's also a delight to follow on Twitter. Her ascent in my pantheon continues with the release of "This Christmas Is For Us," an original song now available on her Soundcloud page and from better online music retailers. We asked Shelby to tell us a little more about this tune, and here's what she had to say.
First let me start by saying, I LOVE CHRISTMAS. The holiday was a huge deal in my family when I was young, and has remained so my entire life. To this day, no matter where my extended family members reside in the world, they will drop what they're doing, put work on hold, and travel to a chosen location (usually in Cali) to spend Christmas week together. It's SUCH an epic deal to me that in this, my 35th year, I've never missed a Christmas with my mom - not one. UNTIL NOW! It's been a wildly exciting year of music-making in Earl-land and in crafting my plans for end-of-year shows, tour, recording, etc. I realized that a week-long trip to California wasn't going to be viable (the list of reasons is long). Delivering the news to my family was tough, but everyone understood.
Then jump ahead to me sitting in my living room just a few short weeks ago, when first snowflakes were hitting the ground in Seattle. I was sipping a cup of tea, pondering how much I love my cozy apartment, how deeply I love and appreciate my community in Seattle, and it hit me: I AM ALREADY HOME. My parents and siblings might be in California for the week, but my PEOPLE are right here! I picked up my guitar and this song poured out of me. I'm not always lucky enough to write that way - other songs take a LOT longer to come around - but this one just flowed. It's because it came out of a genuine excitement to be with my Seattle friends and loved ones this year for Christmas. I wanted to tell them as much.
My bandmates were awesome about quickly rallying to learn and record the tune so we could get to sharing it. Then last weekend (the 2nd week of Dec.) a crew including: Barb Hunter (cello), Faustine Hudson (drums), Anna-Lisa Notter (vocals), Mike Notter (guitar), Ben Obee (bass), Fidelia Schoolcraft (vocals) and myself all got together for a few hours in Gabriel Mintz' living room to lay it down. We knew it would be a wee bit lo-fi, but it ended up having the EXACT right spirit about it. Gabe did a spectacular job recording and mixing it - and it gave him a giggle to be the "bad jew" who spent hours working on a Christmas tune. I told him he was lucky it wasn't all about wise men and angels and infant kings. :)
So here it is, my offering of love to my Seattle people this Christmas. It's my "thank you" for the AMAZING year you've given me.
KEXP's Christmas Song of the Day
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My colleagues at the KEXP blog always do an excellent job curating the Song of the Day podcast, bringing fresh new music to listeners' in boxes five days a week. But they outdid themselves this past week, offering five brand new Christmas recordings by up-and-coming artists. I was especially excited to see Black Keys associate Jessica Lee Mayfield putting her own stamp on Glen Campbell's "Little Toy Trains." You can download each of them—and learn more about the recording artists—by clicking on the links below. (And while you're at it, please consider making a year-end gift of support to KEXP.)
Diamond Rugs - Christmas In A Chinese Restaurant
The Barr Brothers - Dear Mrs. Claus
Breathe Owl Breathe - Snow Blow
Jessica Lea Mayfield - Little Toy Trains
Brite Futures - Last Christmas
KEXP blog master Jim Beckman also compiled a comprehensive list of recent seasonal favorites by KEXP anchor artists like Damien Jurado, Fitz and the Tantrums, the Raveonettes, and more, under the banner "A Sleighfull of Holiday Songs." Don't miss local heroes STAG tearing it up on the Kinks' "Father Christmas."
Speaking of KEXP, I'll be broadcasting my annual Christmas music spectacular live on-air from 9PM to noon Pacific Time tomorrow. You can tune in via 90.3 FM Seattle or on the Internet at kexp.org.
My colleagues at the KEXP blog always do an excellent job curating the Song of the Day podcast, bringing fresh new music to listeners' in boxes five days a week. But they outdid themselves this past week, offering five brand new Christmas recordings by up-and-coming artists. I was especially excited to see Black Keys associate Jessica Lee Mayfield putting her own stamp on Glen Campbell's "Little Toy Trains." You can download each of them—and learn more about the recording artists—by clicking on the links below. (And while you're at it, please consider making a year-end gift of support to KEXP.)
Diamond Rugs - Christmas In A Chinese Restaurant
The Barr Brothers - Dear Mrs. Claus
Breathe Owl Breathe - Snow Blow
Jessica Lea Mayfield - Little Toy Trains
Brite Futures - Last Christmas
KEXP blog master Jim Beckman also compiled a comprehensive list of recent seasonal favorites by KEXP anchor artists like Damien Jurado, Fitz and the Tantrums, the Raveonettes, and more, under the banner "A Sleighfull of Holiday Songs." Don't miss local heroes STAG tearing it up on the Kinks' "Father Christmas."
Speaking of KEXP, I'll be broadcasting my annual Christmas music spectacular live on-air from 9PM to noon Pacific Time tomorrow. You can tune in via 90.3 FM Seattle or on the Internet at kexp.org.
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