Oll right!
My friend Jessica clued me in to this awesome viral video in which “an Italian singer performs a rock piece whose lyrics are gibberish intended to sound like English”. And guess what? We sound freaking funky. Oll right!
Laughs »What English Sounds Like to Foreigners
Be the first to leave a comment →
Movies »The Red Balloon
directed by Albert Lamorisse (1956)
The Red Balloon is a beloved daydream-like classic. It plays daily at the Museum of Moving Image and was perfect Christmas weekend viewing on my laptop. The simple yet stunning little movie celebrates imagination, childhood and France and makes you joyful to have memories of any of those things. With its wordless story of a boy’s friendship with a big red balloon, a delightful score by Maurice Leroux, and beautiful images by Edmond Séchan, The Red Balloon has been charming audiences of all ages for decades.
Producer, writer director Albert Lamorisse cast his own son as the little boy who, along with the neighborhood kids (bullies included) is dressed impeccably stylishly French (rollneck grey sweaters and small school boy briefcases).
If you’ve missed this tiny masterpiece, watch it now on Netflix instant.
Click here for the rest of The Red Balloon
See more: Movies 1950s Children’s French
Be the first to leave a comment →
Posted on December 26, 2009
Hunks »Roy Lichtenstein
Pop Artist
Based on his incredible body of work, one might not expect Roy Lichtenstein to be such an aristocratic looking silver fox, but a fox he was! Those deep eyes that tell you he reads more intelligent newspapers than you, that jawbone that lets you know that he’s tasted finer wine than you could dream of, and those cable knit sweaters that prove that he’s not afraid to indulge his good taste. Of course, this is all speculative, he was also known to have a grand sense of humor telling interviewers, “that he wanted to make an art so despicable that no one would hang it” and ”I wouldn’t believe anything I tell you.” A lovely man.
Click here for the rest of Roy Lichtenstein
See more: Hunks Artists
Be the first to leave a comment →
Posted on December 26, 2009
Style Icons: Male »Boris Vallejo
Spank Bank Fantasy Art
Fantasy art with a sexual bent (flying centaurs copulating mid air; mermaids doing it underwater): there’s lots to love about Boris Vallejo. I’ve been sharing some of his art with the world over at Rotating Corpse with “Your Daily Boris” which I believe may have single handedly flagged my site as not safe for work, getting it blocked by my office servers. But man, is it worth it. His own site also has an extensive image gallery along with the work of his wife Julie Bell. If you’re already a fan or especially if you’re not aware of his work, make sure to head over there or check in with RC for my on going series.
See more: Style Icons: Male Artists
Be the first to leave a comment →
Posted on December 26, 2009
Books »Home Land
by Sam Lipsyte (2005)
Home Land is a bitter and acidically funny book about a smart-assed failure named Lewis (also known, after an unfortunate high school incident, as “Teabag”), who, via his high school’s alumni newsletter, decides to tell his former classmates (many of whom seem to personify success and adult contentedness while Lewis spends his time doing little more than loafing around with his friend Gary, a guy who has got some issues of his own – to put it lightly), exactly what is on his mind: to broadcast the inner life of someone who “did not pan out”.
As an anti-hero, Lewis isn’t particularly likable – but then again, no one in this novel is likable. But likability was not a hindrance in my enjoyment of the book, though its cleverness almost was. Home Land nearly suffers from ultra quick witted writing (think Juno) that, while fun to read, sometimes left me wondering how it was possible that everyone in the book’s universe could be so quirky.
Author Sam Lipsyte won a Believer Book Award for Home Land and it earned a spot on the Times Notable Books of 2005.
Click here for the rest of Home Land
See more: Books 2000s Comedy Fiction
Be the first to leave a comment →
Posted on December 26, 2009
Restaurants »JoJo
160 East 64th Street
In Jean Georges’s mini gourmet empire, Jojo is perhaps the coziest spot, nestled in a narrow brownstone in the east sixties. While a nice meal out above 14th street can occasionally be quite treacherous for a long-haired couple that, through rich people glasses, look like a pair of dangerous hipster hillbillies hell-bent on taking the family jewels, if fellow diners made side comments and gave us horrified looks, we were so engrossed in great company and good food, we certainly didn’t notice.
If you recall my raving about at the namesake restaurant, you’ll understand that it was simply impossible for us to pass up the heavenly foie gras brulee, which, served with a spiced fig compote, was every bit as amazing as I remembered. For entrees Jim and I split a venison special with pomegranate seeds and pears topped with a flavorful reduction sauce and the truffle-tastic salmon featuring brussel sprouts so good even Jim finished his, truffle mashed potatoes (with real, honest to goodness chunks of black truffle) and an incredible truffle vinaigrette… both were the kind of dishes that induce people to roll their eyes in incredulity. A lovely spritzer passion fruit and chili bourbon drink was the perfect accompaniment. For dessert, there’s nothing better than high class pavlova, one of my favorite and one of the most hard to find desserts.
Jojo was the famous Vongerichten’s first venture on his own and when it opened 18 years ago it stunned restaurant goers and critics. It’s been gussied up with a makeover since then (including velvet and candle sconces) but it’s still a go-to bistro for reliably awe inspiring dishes without too much fussiness.
Click here for the rest of JoJo
See more: Restaurants French Upper East Side
Be the first to leave a comment →
Posted on December 26, 2009
Desserts »Magnolia Coconut Cake
401 Bleeker St
My brother-in-law was unable to find my sister’s favorite cake for her birthday (black forest), so he did the next best thing: he bought his own favorite cake. Fortunately, my family all agreed that he’s got pretty good taste: this fluffy coconut vanilla from Magnolia is pretty amazing. The frosting has that wondrous meringue, marshmallowy consistency and looks like a sugar cloud dream. It’s even worth braving the Sex and the City tours to pick one up.
Click here for the rest of Magnolia Coconut Cake
See more: Desserts Bakeries Cakes West Village
Be the first to leave a comment →
Posted on December 26, 2009
Desserts »Young’s Double Chocolate Stout
Made with Real Chocolate
You imagine a chocolate stout and you think thick, creamy, rich and strong. Young’s version manages to be all that but really quite drinkable as well. I first tried the brew at Berry Park as the snow fell outside, but was happy to find the British import at out local grocer as well. Young’s is a family brewery that’s been around (impressively) since 1831.
That chocolate flavor by the way, comes from real chocolate, added into the brewing process before bottling making it a great after dinner beer in lieu of dessert.
See more: Desserts Beer Chocolate
Be the first to leave a comment →
Posted on December 26, 2009
Spend a Couple Hours »Tim Burton Exhibit
at the MoMA, 11 West 53rd Street
In what must be the museum’s most talked about exhibit of 2009, the life’s work of the darkly comic and inventive Tim Burton is on vibrant and thrilling display now through April 26th. The scope of the work, from his teenage short stories about evil doctors to his latest sketches for the yet to be released Alice in Wonderland, is impressive and truly inspiring.
The exhibit opens with a kooky black and white walkway playing some of his Stain Boy cartoons, which makes you feel like you’ve walked onto one of his sets (you’ll also feel a strong urge to re-watch Beetlejuice). Next comes the circusy black-light room with a moving carousel Burton made especially for the exhibit – all of the sculptures, including this one are fantastic (I especially love the crazed Campbell soup kids singed by fire) and be sure to look up as some are hung quite high. Many of the sculptures were created by Rick Heinrichs and Neal Scanlan Studios.
Just as cool as the huge 3-dimensional works are the simple and whimsical sketches. Among my favorite are The Teenager, Little Dead Riding Hood, and the monster drawings. It’s also very awesome to see some of the iconic costumes and props from his films, including the Ed Wood’s angora sweater, Cat Woman’s get up, the Edward Scissorhands costume, and a crazy-in-person textured headless horseman cape.
As a fan of Burton for years, I was particularly tickled, but even coworkers who were not familiar with his work became enamored of his amazing imagination.
Click here for the rest of Tim Burton Exhibit
See more: Spend a Couple Hours Artists Galleries/Museums Midtown East
Be the first to leave a comment →
Posted on December 26, 2009
Spend a Couple Minutes »Lumix Panasonic DMC LX3
A Great Little Camera
I cannot sing the praises of my new little Lumix Panasonic DMC LX3 loud enough. You may have noticed the difference it makes in my photography – particularly food shots in dimly lit restaurants (compare if you will, the images I struggled to eek out at Miranda versus the stunning shots of Atlanta’s fine dining). The camera is perfect for low light and macro, so I adore it completely. The only drawback is that the lens cap can be a bit finicky and fall off and the lens (albeit a fab lens from Leica) sticks out farther than most portable cameras. Otherwise, it’s the best!