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| 2010 |
February 28, 2011
059: Lily
February 27, 2011
058: The Kid is All Right
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| From across time, Teenage Me approves of these shoes. |
She's a long shot to win the supporting-actress Oscar tonight (Melissa Leo being the presumed winner for The Fighter), but I'll still be rooting for her, not just because I thought she was fantastic in True Grit, but because she seems to have her head on straight -- a rarity for teen stars -- and seems to be taking the whole celebrity experience one step at a time (the Parade feature is a good read, by the by). My opinion is this: if more of the famous young folks in Hollywood were this down-to-earth, we wouldn't have to put up with thing like Lindsay Lohan's continual legal drama.
(Also? I'm joining the internet chorus championing Steinfeld for Katniss Everdeen in the inevitable Hunger Games movie. Cast a teenager to play a teenager, Hollywood, please!)
February 26, 2011
057: Favorite Things VI
This week's favorites:
21
Adele's sophomore album has been on repeat for three days. It's the perfect blend of blues and pop, and I just love listening to her voice. Amongst the Ke$has and the Britneys on the radio, Adele is such a breath of fresh air. "Rolling in the Deep" was released as a single late last year, and the rest of the album is just as good, if not better.
Leaving the house
It's really not healthy to stay in all the time. I managed to get out into the world every day this week, and apart from the snowy grossness today, it was pretty nice.
The Academy Awards
I still haven't seen all the nominated movies -- and at this point, I'm not planning to -- but there's something fun about the glitz and glamour of Oscar weekend, even from halfway across the country. Who's going to wear what, how will Hathaway and Franco do as hosts, what kind of trainwreck will Helena Bonham Carter be on Sunday? It's a nice bit of escapism for those of us who don't have to get gussied up for the show. I, for one, will be watching in my pajamas and knitting.
Vintage Photobooth
Another delightful tumblr blog that does what it says on the label. It's a shame photobooths have been updated -- the last one I saw had a screen on the outside to let passersby see what's going on inside the booth. Creepy. But we can enjoy the way things used to be via the internet. Thanks, Internet!
21
Adele's sophomore album has been on repeat for three days. It's the perfect blend of blues and pop, and I just love listening to her voice. Amongst the Ke$has and the Britneys on the radio, Adele is such a breath of fresh air. "Rolling in the Deep" was released as a single late last year, and the rest of the album is just as good, if not better.
Leaving the house
It's really not healthy to stay in all the time. I managed to get out into the world every day this week, and apart from the snowy grossness today, it was pretty nice.
I still haven't seen all the nominated movies -- and at this point, I'm not planning to -- but there's something fun about the glitz and glamour of Oscar weekend, even from halfway across the country. Who's going to wear what, how will Hathaway and Franco do as hosts, what kind of trainwreck will Helena Bonham Carter be on Sunday? It's a nice bit of escapism for those of us who don't have to get gussied up for the show. I, for one, will be watching in my pajamas and knitting.
 |
| via Vintage Photobooth |
Another delightful tumblr blog that does what it says on the label. It's a shame photobooths have been updated -- the last one I saw had a screen on the outside to let passersby see what's going on inside the booth. Creepy. But we can enjoy the way things used to be via the internet. Thanks, Internet!
February 25, 2011
056: Blocked, or the Writer's Steady Breakdown
Faced with a blank page, utter terror comes first. The page must be filled, the word counts reached. Something, something, must be written. The cursor blinks innocently, both beckoning and taunting, a reminder of all the fine phrases and sentences -- even whole paragraphs -- of the past. Once, there were stories. Now, there is anxiety and avoidance tactics.
Then, rationalization. It's not such a big deal, right? Deadlines? Who cares! I've got plenty of time! I'll work on it tomorrow. The ideas are there, which is important. Without ideas, there is no story, so half the battle is already won. The words can wait; the page can stay blank for another day, week, or month. There is no cause for concern.
Self-loathing. I HAVE NO TALENT WHY DO I BOTHER NOBODY CARES MOM'S RIGHT I SHOULD BE AN ACCOUNTANT SCREW YOU LIBERAL ARTS WHYYYY
Avoidance (and delusion). The past is past. Forget the old project. The old project isn't worth the computer document it's typed on. This idea, this new idea, is the idea. Shiny and new, full of promise, this is the story I was born to write! That other one is a path trodden by too many writers before me; why should I trample the same ground when I could forge my own trail...to glory.
A false sense of security. It's going so well! I'll be finished by the time the snow melts!
A blank page and utter terror. CURSE THIS NEVER-ENDING CYCLE.
Then, rationalization. It's not such a big deal, right? Deadlines? Who cares! I've got plenty of time! I'll work on it tomorrow. The ideas are there, which is important. Without ideas, there is no story, so half the battle is already won. The words can wait; the page can stay blank for another day, week, or month. There is no cause for concern.
Self-loathing. I HAVE NO TALENT WHY DO I BOTHER NOBODY CARES MOM'S RIGHT I SHOULD BE AN ACCOUNTANT SCREW YOU LIBERAL ARTS WHYYYY
Avoidance (and delusion). The past is past. Forget the old project. The old project isn't worth the computer document it's typed on. This idea, this new idea, is the idea. Shiny and new, full of promise, this is the story I was born to write! That other one is a path trodden by too many writers before me; why should I trample the same ground when I could forge my own trail...to glory.
A false sense of security. It's going so well! I'll be finished by the time the snow melts!
A blank page and utter terror. CURSE THIS NEVER-ENDING CYCLE.
February 24, 2011
February 23, 2011
054: Hermits United
My fellow homebody Lucia and I went for lunch today. (Her site always makes me hungry.) Twin Citians, if you ever go to the Modern Cafe in Northeast, I recommend the Macaroni and Cheese with broccolini and truffle oil.
This being the first time in a while that either of us has gotten out of the house, I couldn't help thinking of this Doctor Who moment from "Utopia":
This being the first time in a while that either of us has gotten out of the house, I couldn't help thinking of this Doctor Who moment from "Utopia":
February 22, 2011
053: Globetrekking
Based on the emails they send me, I think Delta is operating under the mistaken assumption that I'm some cosmopolitan jetsetter.
Okay, true, I did go on three trips in 2010: Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York. But this is unusual. For most of my life, the only time I flew was to go to France about every four years (because I have a parent there, not because I'm one of those people). The Chicago trip was my Jeopardy! audition, and Los Angeles was when I was actually on the show; New York was to visit my college roommate. That's six flights on two airlines over four months. (I only really remember one, which is the flight from Minneapolis/St. Paul to LaGuardia, because the woman sitting next to me kept breastfeeding her toddler to keep him amused. Meanwhile, I was reading a Marie Claire that happened to have an editorial about sex aids, complete with photos. So it was an uncomfortable couple of hours for everyone.) After all that flying, I'm sick of air travel.
I'm going to Canada for the first time this year (hooray!) to visit another college roommate in Vancouver. Do you know how much it costs to fly from Minneapolis to Vancouver? Suffice to say the pricetag was enough to send me running to the Amtrak website. And since then, I've been thinking, hey, trains! How retro! It could be fun! Sure, it takes five times longer, someone might get murdered, and you might end up in a car with Dr. Sheldon Cooper, but you might also end up at Hogwarts.
But seriously: has anyone reading this ever taken a long train journey? Ever done a border crossing on a train? I've been on the TGV in France, but being a train à grande vitesse (loosely translated: Very Fast Train), it didn't take that long. Does the inconvenience outweigh the money saved? Please advise.
Okay, true, I did go on three trips in 2010: Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York. But this is unusual. For most of my life, the only time I flew was to go to France about every four years (because I have a parent there, not because I'm one of those people). The Chicago trip was my Jeopardy! audition, and Los Angeles was when I was actually on the show; New York was to visit my college roommate. That's six flights on two airlines over four months. (I only really remember one, which is the flight from Minneapolis/St. Paul to LaGuardia, because the woman sitting next to me kept breastfeeding her toddler to keep him amused. Meanwhile, I was reading a Marie Claire that happened to have an editorial about sex aids, complete with photos. So it was an uncomfortable couple of hours for everyone.) After all that flying, I'm sick of air travel.
I'm going to Canada for the first time this year (hooray!) to visit another college roommate in Vancouver. Do you know how much it costs to fly from Minneapolis to Vancouver? Suffice to say the pricetag was enough to send me running to the Amtrak website. And since then, I've been thinking, hey, trains! How retro! It could be fun! Sure, it takes five times longer, someone might get murdered, and you might end up in a car with Dr. Sheldon Cooper, but you might also end up at Hogwarts.
But seriously: has anyone reading this ever taken a long train journey? Ever done a border crossing on a train? I've been on the TGV in France, but being a train à grande vitesse (loosely translated: Very Fast Train), it didn't take that long. Does the inconvenience outweigh the money saved? Please advise.
February 21, 2011
February 20, 2011
051: Typo
Nothing drives me nuts like typos. (I'm sure there will be at least one in this blog, now that I've said that.) It's baffling to me how often there are spelling errors in newspaper articles, news graphics, even books. Yesterday, I saw a local TV show doing a "Trvia" (trivia) segment. A while back, I tweeted at Sun Country Airlines about a typo in their banner ad (which they have since fixed):
Below is the worst newspaper typo I've ever seen, where the Star Tribune misspelled "President" two different ways in one very short story. A whole raft of people complained almost immediately and they fixed it quickly, but not quickly enough. (click to enlarge)
Typos do not make you look good, especially if you're running a newspaper. It's not hard to hit "spellcheck" before you hit "submit," and both the pictured errors would be caught by the computer and most casual readers. Please try harder, professional organizations. Thank you.
 |
| Before: "Febuary," really, guys? |
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| After: Much better. |
Below is the worst newspaper typo I've ever seen, where the Star Tribune misspelled "President" two different ways in one very short story. A whole raft of people complained almost immediately and they fixed it quickly, but not quickly enough. (click to enlarge)
 |
| President is not spelled "Presidient" or "Presdient" |
Typos do not make you look good, especially if you're running a newspaper. It's not hard to hit "spellcheck" before you hit "submit," and both the pictured errors would be caught by the computer and most casual readers. Please try harder, professional organizations. Thank you.
February 19, 2011
050: Favorite Things V
This week, I'm into...
Spring
We had a few precious warm(ish) days this week, up into the forty-degree range, before winter came back with a vengeance. But you were TOO LATE, Winter! I bought open-toed shoes yesterday. I'm starting to think about which bike trails I'm going to frequent this year. I'm on the lookout for cheap carwashes (which are pointless in winter, since the sand and road salt are just going to grime up the car by the time you get home) and taking the lawn mower in for a tune-up. It doesn't matter that we're getting another couple inches of snow this weekend -- Spring is on the way, and we all know it.
Breakfast
I love all things breakfast. Eggs, bacon, sausage links, hash browns, cheesy grits -- if it'll clog my arteries, I adore it. And breakfast has gotten even better since they started making strawberry cheesecake-flavored fruit-on-the-bottom yogurt. Some combination of all the aforementioned and my cup of coffee? Bliss.
Public libraries
It's horrifying that underfunded public libraries are having to shut down, both here and abroad. I practically grew up at the library; what's not to love? You can get all kinds of books, movies, music, and magazines for free at the library. They have all the encyclopedias and research books you would never want to buy, but occasionally need. What would we do if they went away?
Who Do You Think You Are?
I've only seen a couple episodes of the original British series, but NBC's version of Who Do You Think You Are is oddly entertaining. Celebrities researching their genealogy is mildly interesting, but the history lessons and the peeks into people's lives in the past is fascinating. There are some fun surprises, too, like Brooke Shields being related to French royalty and when Lisa Kudrow met some newly-discovered relatives who couldn't believe Phoebe from Friends was at their kitchen table. It's my family's go-to Friday night entertainment.
(Only four things instead of five this week...it's been that kind of slog.)
Spring
 |
| via We Heart It |
Breakfast
I love all things breakfast. Eggs, bacon, sausage links, hash browns, cheesy grits -- if it'll clog my arteries, I adore it. And breakfast has gotten even better since they started making strawberry cheesecake-flavored fruit-on-the-bottom yogurt. Some combination of all the aforementioned and my cup of coffee? Bliss.
 |
| via We Heart It |
It's horrifying that underfunded public libraries are having to shut down, both here and abroad. I practically grew up at the library; what's not to love? You can get all kinds of books, movies, music, and magazines for free at the library. They have all the encyclopedias and research books you would never want to buy, but occasionally need. What would we do if they went away?
Who Do You Think You Are?
I've only seen a couple episodes of the original British series, but NBC's version of Who Do You Think You Are is oddly entertaining. Celebrities researching their genealogy is mildly interesting, but the history lessons and the peeks into people's lives in the past is fascinating. There are some fun surprises, too, like Brooke Shields being related to French royalty and when Lisa Kudrow met some newly-discovered relatives who couldn't believe Phoebe from Friends was at their kitchen table. It's my family's go-to Friday night entertainment.
(Only four things instead of five this week...it's been that kind of slog.)
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