Dane Cook. Kills me. :o)
His humor is so dam funny....just kills me. I could watch Dane Cook for hours....
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Gracie hates Thunderstorms
It rained some this afternoon, odd. It thundered and lightning-ed A LOT this afternoon.
Gracie was nowhere to be found....except trembling in either the laundry room or bathroom. Poor pup.
Gracie was nowhere to be found....except trembling in either the laundry room or bathroom. Poor pup.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Bookends & Beans
I was sitting at my favorite coffee shop in town this afternoon after work, ironically doing more work. In walked this young girl.... She had on a puffy winter coat, an over sized stocking cap that slid beyond her eyebrows allowing her eyes only half of their normal window of vision. Her arms kind of just floated at her sides partially extended (puffy jacket restricting gravity), and judging by the backpack I'd say she was about 3rd or 4th grade material.
She clip-clopped right up to the counter (to place her order), cocked her neck straight backward (the counter literally at her eye level), her lower jaw dropping as if she were staring at an angel, and after being greeted by the barista, boldly replied, "I'd like a caramel cappuccino with whipped cream and skim milk."
*I had to cover my mouth with both hands,and literally duck and hide behind my computer screen to stifle my urge to burst out laughing in sheer astonishment. It was such a confident request, and it was clear to me she was a "caffeine newb," yet she fronted like she'd been drinking it since she came out of the womb!
And I thought to myself, "ohhhh! SO CLOSE!...you forgot to tell her what size..." And sure enough, the barista proceded to inquire, how large or small a cappuccino she wanted. This second question forced a brief pause of uncertainty from the young girl. She reached into her left coat pocket pulled out a wad of crinkled up $1 bills. She quietly counted to herself how much she had, then looked back up at the barista and shoved her left hand back into the pocket. Recognizing that the girl needed some options to choose from [and who the hell doesn't need options when ordering the size coffee they want---> there are a million different terms in the coffee shop vocabulary associated with size of drinks] the barista suggested "a Medium," to which the girl nodded her head in approval.
"Okay, that wil be $3 please."
The young girl pulled the correct amount of bills from her pocket, got up on her tip-toes and reached above her head extending them toward the barista. A minute later, she was handed her cappuccino, and grabbing it with both hands, held it up to her nose, inhaled the warm steamy goodness within, paused, smiled to herself, and with that walked out of the store.
Priceless. Anyone could have seen how proud she was of herself. I can only imagine how long she must have rehearsed those few lines to herself while methodically trudging the sidewalks to Bookends after school had gotten out.
So "Cheers to you," Young-Caffeine-Addict-In-The-Making...Cheers.
She clip-clopped right up to the counter (to place her order), cocked her neck straight backward (the counter literally at her eye level), her lower jaw dropping as if she were staring at an angel, and after being greeted by the barista, boldly replied, "I'd like a caramel cappuccino with whipped cream and skim milk."
*I had to cover my mouth with both hands,and literally duck and hide behind my computer screen to stifle my urge to burst out laughing in sheer astonishment. It was such a confident request, and it was clear to me she was a "caffeine newb," yet she fronted like she'd been drinking it since she came out of the womb!
And I thought to myself, "ohhhh! SO CLOSE!...you forgot to tell her what size..." And sure enough, the barista proceded to inquire, how large or small a cappuccino she wanted. This second question forced a brief pause of uncertainty from the young girl. She reached into her left coat pocket pulled out a wad of crinkled up $1 bills. She quietly counted to herself how much she had, then looked back up at the barista and shoved her left hand back into the pocket. Recognizing that the girl needed some options to choose from [and who the hell doesn't need options when ordering the size coffee they want---> there are a million different terms in the coffee shop vocabulary associated with size of drinks] the barista suggested "a Medium," to which the girl nodded her head in approval.
"Okay, that wil be $3 please."
The young girl pulled the correct amount of bills from her pocket, got up on her tip-toes and reached above her head extending them toward the barista. A minute later, she was handed her cappuccino, and grabbing it with both hands, held it up to her nose, inhaled the warm steamy goodness within, paused, smiled to herself, and with that walked out of the store.
Priceless. Anyone could have seen how proud she was of herself. I can only imagine how long she must have rehearsed those few lines to herself while methodically trudging the sidewalks to Bookends after school had gotten out.
So "Cheers to you," Young-Caffeine-Addict-In-The-Making...Cheers.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Story Telling
After a long....very long, tiresome weekend of work---which was handsomely profitable....I plopped into the chair in my basement, curled underneath a blanket and crashed for 2 wonderful hours tonight. When I awoke, my dog was curled on top of my feet and the smell of pizza from upstairs brought me to my senses. A few minutes later I'd realized I was missing out on the Academy Awards.
Enter Subject: Story Telling.
The Academies acknowledge, celebrate, and highlight the people who bring us and share with us, in simplest form, STORIES. Whether real, historical, or fictional, the stories are what leave impressions on our memories. Granted the world of the Cinematography and film differentiates greatly from genre to genre, but even things like special effects and genre specific details are merely components to the essence of the movies; the stories. In words they are:
-- Informative
-- Imaginative
-- Educational
-- Valuable
Our outlet:
Pictures. Words. Music. Film. Theater. Food. Photography. -----> symbolism which we relate to, learn from, disagree with, advocate, protest, and ultimately an avenue by which we become connected to one another. I really think story telling is important, there are so many people, so many places and incredible real life dramas that are out there. So many voices, and minds, and talents that are covered up and hidden to us by circumstance.
The people who expose us, introduce us and provide us the knowledge, the vision, and the seeds for imagination and creativity: Artists: writers, photographers, chefs, musicians. I want my life to constantly entwine itself with these people and the subjects of their talents....stories. I hope I always have a hunger to expose more stories, to provide a voice and opportunity to those who are covered up and hidden from the public sphere, to give to the world, the incredible stories that deserve to be shared. Stories that people need to hear and know of, to gain inspiration, to gain perspective, to gain the opportunity to trust in one another, to communicate, and co-exist with one another. And for myself, food will undoubtedly be an avenue for achievement.
Chew on This:
Think about this, "How much do you know?" ---> How much of those things, those people, that knowledge involves a story? What stories have you told? What stories should we tell? Why is story telling important? What stories are told frequently, what stories are covered up, what stories are "altered" (and why does that happen, what are the causes...what motivations..), what stories are forgotten? ------> modified
"What stories do we tell frequently, what stories do we cover up, what stories do we "alter" (and why do we do that, what are our influences and motivations), what stories do we we forget/have we forgotten?"
*"hello authenticity"
Who/which people are over-acknowledged? Where are the good people? Where are their stories? Heroism. Guardians. Protectors. Believers. Risk Takers.
WHO are these people? How do we describe, define, categorize them...
Enter Subject: Story Telling.
The Academies acknowledge, celebrate, and highlight the people who bring us and share with us, in simplest form, STORIES. Whether real, historical, or fictional, the stories are what leave impressions on our memories. Granted the world of the Cinematography and film differentiates greatly from genre to genre, but even things like special effects and genre specific details are merely components to the essence of the movies; the stories. In words they are:
-- Informative
-- Imaginative
-- Educational
-- Valuable
Our outlet:
Pictures. Words. Music. Film. Theater. Food. Photography. -----> symbolism which we relate to, learn from, disagree with, advocate, protest, and ultimately an avenue by which we become connected to one another. I really think story telling is important, there are so many people, so many places and incredible real life dramas that are out there. So many voices, and minds, and talents that are covered up and hidden to us by circumstance.
The people who expose us, introduce us and provide us the knowledge, the vision, and the seeds for imagination and creativity: Artists: writers, photographers, chefs, musicians. I want my life to constantly entwine itself with these people and the subjects of their talents....stories. I hope I always have a hunger to expose more stories, to provide a voice and opportunity to those who are covered up and hidden from the public sphere, to give to the world, the incredible stories that deserve to be shared. Stories that people need to hear and know of, to gain inspiration, to gain perspective, to gain the opportunity to trust in one another, to communicate, and co-exist with one another. And for myself, food will undoubtedly be an avenue for achievement.
Chew on This:
Think about this, "How much do you know?" ---> How much of those things, those people, that knowledge involves a story? What stories have you told? What stories should we tell? Why is story telling important? What stories are told frequently, what stories are covered up, what stories are "altered" (and why does that happen, what are the causes...what motivations..), what stories are forgotten? ------> modified
"What stories do we tell frequently, what stories do we cover up, what stories do we "alter" (and why do we do that, what are our influences and motivations), what stories do we we forget/have we forgotten?"
*"hello authenticity"
Who/which people are over-acknowledged? Where are the good people? Where are their stories? Heroism. Guardians. Protectors. Believers. Risk Takers.
WHO are these people? How do we describe, define, categorize them...
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Chocolate
When I was 8, my mom threw a birthday party for me. We invited all my friends and their moms over.
I was huge into Dinosaurs----like freakishly into Dinosaurs. I had a gigantic dino-covered comforter on my bed, and sheets. I collected little plastic toys, made "homes" and environments for them out of arts and crafts....I read all of the books the local public library had on them...ALL of them. I of course had a Dinosaur themed birthday cake. It was chocolate cake with a double layered chocolate and white frosting. Long story short, I had likely already eaten too much pop & chips, and the birthday cake put my little tummy over the top in embarrassing fashion....
Ever since throwing up my own birthday cake in front of all my friends [and their horrified mothers] I've always been a bit cautious toward eating chocolate. It's not an allergy, well--maybe it is--but I think it's mostly the quantity I have issues with. I'll eat it, and I can eat it...and I actually enjoy it every now and then; just in small portions.
Well February is like the pinnacle of Chocolate-month (and December is close behind). Those darn holidays, Christmas, and Valentines Day, and what not. So lately I've had chocolate on my mind. Last Saturday I made 3 dozen Chocolate Covered Strawberries to take for my co-workers at the restaurant. They were bombtastically luxurious. pictures to come shortly...
And in that vein, here are a few incredible Chocolate retailers/distributors' websites. I like to browse them and just get lost in their dreamy pictures and color schemes.... it's almost as good as eating their product. Everything from solid bars, box sets, truffles, chocolate covered fruits, and cocoa powders.... indulge:
http://www.franschocolates.com/home.php
http://www.kekau.com/
http://www.recchiuti.com/index.html
http://www.moonstruckchocolate.com/
http://www.mariebelle.com/
I was huge into Dinosaurs----like freakishly into Dinosaurs. I had a gigantic dino-covered comforter on my bed, and sheets. I collected little plastic toys, made "homes" and environments for them out of arts and crafts....I read all of the books the local public library had on them...ALL of them. I of course had a Dinosaur themed birthday cake. It was chocolate cake with a double layered chocolate and white frosting. Long story short, I had likely already eaten too much pop & chips, and the birthday cake put my little tummy over the top in embarrassing fashion....
Ever since throwing up my own birthday cake in front of all my friends [and their horrified mothers] I've always been a bit cautious toward eating chocolate. It's not an allergy, well--maybe it is--but I think it's mostly the quantity I have issues with. I'll eat it, and I can eat it...and I actually enjoy it every now and then; just in small portions.
Well February is like the pinnacle of Chocolate-month (and December is close behind). Those darn holidays, Christmas, and Valentines Day, and what not. So lately I've had chocolate on my mind. Last Saturday I made 3 dozen Chocolate Covered Strawberries to take for my co-workers at the restaurant. They were bombtastically luxurious. pictures to come shortly...
And in that vein, here are a few incredible Chocolate retailers/distributors' websites. I like to browse them and just get lost in their dreamy pictures and color schemes.... it's almost as good as eating their product. Everything from solid bars, box sets, truffles, chocolate covered fruits, and cocoa powders.... indulge:
http://www.franschocolates.com/home.php
http://www.kekau.com/
http://www.recchiuti.com/index.html
http://www.moonstruckchocolate.com/
http://www.mariebelle.com/
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Sensory Memory: Memories
Taste. Smell. ----> Two of my strongest perceptions linked to my memory bank. Sound being a close third... regardless of the order:
I ate a peach the other day and had a flashback to when I was 6. I remember it was a pleasant July night. I was on our deck watching a neighborhood baseball game going on at the park down the street. Dad had grilled corn on the cob that night. I could still smell the sweet, wet husks on my hands from my job shucking the corn earlier. It melded with the gentle aroma of honey and well, what else but--PEACH-- juices just dripping down my chin and hands after 2 big bites. The sky was slowly turning from its warm amber glow to a soft plum, the lightning bugs gradually appearing in flashes amongst the tall grasses in my backyard by the gardens.
I don't recall where my mom had gotten the peaches from, but the fleshy interior was unbelievably soft, the texture like-out-of-this-world-velvet...and I can remember sitting in the big wire thatched deck chairs, my legs barely dangling over the seat, but swinging them in content--- a juicy peach, corn on the cob, and the relaxing sounds of summer under a quiet sky. Everytime I think of "The High Life" or Luxury..... or blissful indulgence, I always think of that peach. Dam it was SO good!
I ate a peach the other day and had a flashback to when I was 6. I remember it was a pleasant July night. I was on our deck watching a neighborhood baseball game going on at the park down the street. Dad had grilled corn on the cob that night. I could still smell the sweet, wet husks on my hands from my job shucking the corn earlier. It melded with the gentle aroma of honey and well, what else but--PEACH-- juices just dripping down my chin and hands after 2 big bites. The sky was slowly turning from its warm amber glow to a soft plum, the lightning bugs gradually appearing in flashes amongst the tall grasses in my backyard by the gardens.
I don't recall where my mom had gotten the peaches from, but the fleshy interior was unbelievably soft, the texture like-out-of-this-world-velvet...and I can remember sitting in the big wire thatched deck chairs, my legs barely dangling over the seat, but swinging them in content--- a juicy peach, corn on the cob, and the relaxing sounds of summer under a quiet sky. Everytime I think of "The High Life" or Luxury..... or blissful indulgence, I always think of that peach. Dam it was SO good!
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Shameless Confessional
I've always liked Julia Stiles. I think she's a good actor. And she's got really good cheek bones. And her eyes are...well. Perfectly spaced and shaped. And she has good skin. And hair. (Hair is an important feature)Noteable movies:
-Bourne x Three
-Mona Lisa Smile (with Julia Roberts)
-Down to You (with Freddie Prince Jr.)
-The Prince & Me (with Luke Mably)
-10 Things I Hate About You (with Heath Ledger)
-Save The Last Dance (with Sean Patrick)
Also:
- was PUNK'd on Ashton Kutcher's MTV show
-Hosted SNL
-Awarded the Golden Popcorn at the 2001 MTV Movie Awards for "Best Kiss" with Sean Patrick in Save the Last Dance. *** Who DOESN'T remember this?!
And. Did I mention. She wants to be my Valentine this year. Sweet huh? :o)
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