December 2010
27 posts
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Quotes of Note
Kevin: “Look, I’m just gonna go home and kill myself. You wanna share a cab?” Lucy: “So I can pass out and wake up alone on New Year’s Day?” -200 Cigarettes
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Food & Family: Recipes
Reuben Dip
Alright. So you’re having a ton of people over tonight…you’ll need a substantial hors d’œuvre {cuz I think we both know that your crudités platter isn’t gonna be enough to maintain the integrity of that guy from the office who brings his own bottle of Jack Daniel’s}.
8 oz cream cheese
1 cup sour cream
1 cup mayo
4 oz mozzarella
4 oz swiss
...
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Libations & Vices: Cocktails
A Modern Mimosa
On a recommendation, we purchased a bottle of Fragoli {a sweet liqueur loaded with itty bitty wild strawberries (about $40)} to add to our holiday armory. Splashed into a standard mimosa {one part champagne (I prefer a blanc de noirs) to one part chilled orange juice}, the stuff was pure heaven. It cut the acidity of the OJ and added a touch of festive colour. Procure a phial...
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The Columnist: Post #100
The Gentle Art of Domesticity
Women’s Rights activists are going to have a field day with this post. But I think I had better write it, regardless, because it’s such an enormous part of who I am. Don’t get me wrong, dames have come a long way… In 1848 a Declaration of Sentiments was signed by 68 women and 32 men, outlining “grievances” which really set...
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Music & Culture: Artists
Ben Gibbard
Our parents had The Beatles…and I have Ben Gibbard. Washington-born, in 1976, BG was actualized during the grunge era. Influenced by Elliot Smith, Nirvana and the Pixies, he went on to invade music with his unique melodies and poetic lyrics. You may already know him from Death Cab for Cutie and The Postal Service {which only recently have become more mainstream}, but I...
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Quotes of Note
“Really great people make you feel that you, too, can become great.” -Mark Twain
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Shopping & Gift Guide: Art
Ork Posters by Jennifer Beorkrem
I really wanted to write this post before the holidays {as they make for perfect gifts}…but because I had ordered different prints for nearly everyone I know, I didn’t want it spoiling some of their Christmas surprises. Jenny designed the original Chicago neighbourhoods poster for herself in 2007, and her creative genius erupted into what it is...
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Personal Ads: Joseph Michael Linsner
In highschool I dated a boy far older than I {much to the enthusiasm of my parents, as you can imagine}. But to his credit, he introduced me to the world of Japanese horror cinema, the guitarwork of John Petrucci, and Dawn {the voluptuous vixen created by Joseph Michael Linsner}. Breaking into the scene in 1989, JML has acquired a cult following of want-hers and want-to-be-hers, similar to...
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Food & Family: Tips
Learning to Cheat
Who is kidding who here?, you and I both know that the next few weeks are going to get a wee hairy. And I would be a dirty liar if I didn’t say that I enjoy a kitchen shortcut as much as the next damsel in distress…so below are the biggest cheats I use to save a little time {and sanity}.
Bagged Veggies I don’t always have the inclination to wash and trim...
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Quotes of Note
“If I want to fly, I’ll find a way to fly. You do what you love, and f*ck the rest.” -Little Miss Sunshine
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Shopping & Gift Guide: Paper
Papaya Art
Yes, Christmas is rapidly approaching…but it is not too late to buy something magnificent for a worthy someone. Founded in 2003 by a west coast mother-daughter duo, Papaya offers miles of paper goods {greeting cards, stationary, journals, and calendars} …as well as wall art, bags, water bottles, and jewelry. The bewitching designs are endless! Order before 11:59PST...
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Arts & Entertainment: Literature
Vera & Linus by Jesse Ball
Last night I laid in the dark alongside a snoring man, and read The Disastrous Tale of Vera & Linus, cover-to-cover, with a flashlight tucked under my chin. Described as “prose poetry”- I pictured the main characters as an Edwardian Sid & Nancy, living in Alice’s Wonderland, their life narrated by Charles Baudelaire. Oh how I loved this...
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Music & Culture: Covers
Remakes that were {sometimes} better than the original:
Cake “I Will Survive”
311 “Love Song”
Eddie Vedder “You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away”
HIM “Wicked Game”
Rusted Root “You Can’t Always Get What You Want”
The Postal Service “Against All Odds”
Marilyn Manson “Sweet Dreams”
Me First and the...
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Arts & Entertainment: Television
Boardwalk Empire HBO Original Series
Santa came early this year, and brought me the first season of Boardwalk Empire…a Sunday night series depicting the criminal relationships that shaped Atlantic City during Prohibition. As an enormous fan of Steve Buscemi {The Big Lebowski, Reservoir Dogs, & Fargo} and Michael Pitt {Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Silk, & Funny Games}, I was excited to...
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Quotes of Note
“There is another kind of evil which we must fear most, and that is the indifference of good men” -The Boondock Saints
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Food & Family: Recipes
Mashed Potatoes
An Irishman married me. Which of course means I’d like to have my house full of children someday, and I know how to cook a spud. And judging by the size of the ring on my finger, they’re pretty darn tasty {the potatoes, not the kids}. Below, you’ll find the recipe for my mashies- but like a moth to a flame, they will flock…so please cook responsibly.
...
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Music & Culture: Seasonal
Classic Albums:
Bing Crosby: White Christmas the best collection for feeling nostalgic, listen to with family gathered ‘round the fire
Mariah Carey: Merry Christmas remember when she was cute? listen to with your girlfriend(s) whilst you wrap
Harry Connick Jr: When My Heart Finds Christmas my favourite Christmas CD. listen to with the boys, good whiskey in hand
Modern Jams:
...
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Technology & Gadgets: Conventions
TED
I can finally say, at 27years old, that I have carefully narrowed the people in my life to an amazing few. As you mature, it becomes less about how many mates call you on a Friday night, and more about the imprint you’re going to leave on the world when you depart. I truly believe that. That is how we live on…we bequeath our fingerprints to people, on places, in memories. TED...
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Food & Family: Restaurants
Dixie Kitchen & Bait Shop Chicago, Illinois
I’ve had a hankering for some southern hospitality…and some fried green tomatoes. Lucky for me, I can get both without subjecting myself to an unconstitutionally invasive flight to Louisiana. {See what I did there?} I’ve got catfish and cornbread and battered goodness a-plenty right in my backyard! A few years ago, I had my...
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Quotes of Note
“Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it’s better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.” -Marilyn Monroe
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Health & Fitness: Food
You Are What You Eat
Monsanto is about the closest thing you’ll find to pure evil. This company has their greedy fingers in nearly every non-organic food product. For example, they manufacture pesticides. On top of that, they engineer seeds that are resistant to the very pesticides they produce. And {as to secure their own private fire pit in Hell, I’d imagine} if you replant...
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Shopping & Gift Guide: Certificates
Holiday shopping for a teenager is a terrifying task. But did you know that you can buy Ticketmaster Gift Cards? Denominations range from $25 to $250, which can be used for concerts, sports, or theatre performances. This year, give that rotten nephew of yours something he won’t immediately throw into the rubbish bin {after you leave, of course….because he’s a gentleman}.
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Style & Beauty: Grooming
Yes To, Inc.
I woke to the first snow of the season, and some pretty dry elbows…but big girls don’t cry, they moisturize. One of my favourite lines of lotions, salves, and balms has to be Yes To Carrots. Yes To, Inc. {headquarters located in San Francisco} was founded in 2006 and sister lines Yes To Cucumbers, Yes To Tomatoes, Yes To Blueberries, and Yes To Baby Carrots {for the...
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Real Estate: New York
190 Bowery
Ahhh…New York. The land of coulda woulda shoulda. This link was passed to me, and I shall generously pass it along to you…because everyone deserves to feel the pangs of jealousy. View the slideshow and discover how a little patience and imagination can turn any frog {dilapidated dump} into a prince {palace}.
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Arts & Entertainment: Film
Mary & Max Written & Directed by Adam Elliot
Typically, when you tell someone “I should get going”, they don’t respond with “hang on, I have this full-length feature film I’d like to show you”…but the people in my life are strange and wonderful. AND, as it turns out, make fantastic recommendations. Yesterday I was forced…nay,...
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