Books »Mothers and Other Monsters

by Maureen McHugh (2005)

I’m on a bit of a Maureen McHugh kick, finding her one of the most compelling and innovative writers today. With Mothers and Other Monsters I continued to be awed.

The collection includes genre defying stories that are often truly brilliant: the off world saga The Cost to be Wise left me stunned and Interview: On Any Given Day which takes place in a future where the aging are reversing the process and partying with actual young people – which leads to unexpected complications.

She is a fresh, amazing voice in science fiction but, defying categorization, most of the other stories barely dabble in the genre, like Eight-Legged Story and Presence which take on the very real dramas of being a step parent and watching a loved one struggling with alzheimer’s.

The latter is particularly depressing, though no less brilliantly written. (I just needed a breather and a dose of something happy after finishing it.)

I look forward to reading her novel Nekropolis soon (and refrained from reading the short story that lead to it in this collection).

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Posted on March 9, 2012

Spend a Couple Hours »Talisman

The Magical Quest Game

We used to be pretty avid D&D players but over the years, as adulthood has taken over, avid turned to occasional, which turned to rarely.

We were excited then, to find out about Talisman, a D&D like board game, recommend by a former gamer himself in a similar situation (thanks Chris!).

It’s perfect. In theory it can be played in one night/afternoon. (Though we’ve yet to finish a game in the three hours we’ve aloted for play.)

While there’s not the same customization and open endlessness of a real D&D game, (let’s face it there’s no substitute for a good D&D game) it is satisfying for that particular nerd itch and it’s even made gamers out of friends that use to refuse up and down that they’d ever get involved with such foolishness.

Plus it’s far more social that WoW (another abandoned but well loved past time of ours). We like to combine the evening with a special home cooked meal – like my recently recommended pork ssam for example.

Rumor has it that expansion packs are also pretty great but we’ve only tried the original.

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Posted on March 8, 2012

Songs »It’s A Big World

by Renee and Jeremy

I am not a fan, usually, of most children’s music. Having a child hasn’t made me any more accepting.

But, music geared towards kids doesn’t have to be grating – and really why should it? Van enjoys all sorts of songs, not just ones that are annoying.

Enter Renee and Jeremy and their lovely lullaby It’s a Big World.

The lyrics are simple and touching:

“It’s a big world, baby
And you’re little
For a Little While”

and the colorful animation, which we found on youtube (and totally mellows Van out) is charming.

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Posted on March 7, 2012

Recipes »Pork Ssam

Momofuku Specialty

This pork ssam may very well be the best meal I’ve ever made.

Easy too, you just need to set aside 12 hours (only 6 of which you even need to be awake for).

Chang might be a culinary great but I prefer myself as chef. I won’t get all dicky about taking photos of the food and the cost was a fraction of what I’d spend in the restaurant.

Thanks to Mike for the special sauce ingredients and buns.

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Posted on March 5, 2012

Style Icons: Male »Ralph McQuarrie

Conceptual Designer

Ralph McQuarrie was largely responsible for the awesome phenomena of the Star Wars world.

A gifted artist and visionary designer, his conceptual drawings gave life to the beloved universe.

A few of my favorite designs by him were the sand raiders, snow walkers, and Darth Vader.

He was also part of the design for Raiders of the Lost Ark, E.T., Back to the Future, and Total Recall.

He passed away at age 82.

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Posted on March 4, 2012

Spend a Couple Hours »AMNH (and Shake Shack)

200 Central Park West

Going to the American Museum of Natural History on a crowded Sunday with a toddler doesn’t exactly allow for casual, relaxed browsing, but as we rushed through some areas, I noticed the museum, which I’ve always loved, has benefited from some lovely make overs (Hall of Asian Peoples for one).

While we only saw some exhibits in passing, we did thoroughly enjoy the updated and fantastic Hall of Ocean Life. The familiar giant whale is still here, but there are new additions like a life size collage of ocean life and Van pleasing dioramas of seals, manatees, walruses, dolphins and polar bears.

The classic animal halls are still as awesome as ever, and made even more so when Van would “roar” at the lions and snort at the rhinos.

Crowds are unavoidable on the weekends, we even skipped dinosaurs completely because of them, but the museum is still a thrilling experience, any time.

And of course, we had to finish the afternoon off with Shake Shack burgers from across the street which surprisingly took a fraction of the time to get versus the original stand in Madison Square Park. There we discovered we might not be perfect parents after all (ha) after getting Van hooked on their cheese fries.

 

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Posted on March 4, 2012

Hunks »Jeremy Irons

Classy and Often Creepy Actor

Claus von Bulow, pervy twin gynocolegists, Humbert Humbert, a Die Hard villian, the voice of Scar, and Dungeons and Dragon’s Profion… Jeremy Irons hasn’t exactly made his stunning career playing heartthrobs, but it doesn’t make his any less one.

There’s more undefinable charisma in his sly smile than most young Hollywood put together.

He seems like someone who could talk high minded chit chat over wine, maybe about the Renaissance or  Quantum mechanics then surprise you with a wry low brow joke. He’d probably be blowing his cigarette smoke my way, and be about the only person in the world to get away with it. (Just bare with me on this wine drinking on a veranda with Jeremy Irons fantasy ok?)

I am currently loving him in Borgias (which starts again soon) and look forward to what it is rumored to be an amazing performance in Margin Call, but his back catalog could make for one awesome film festival (don’t forget Brideshead Revisited!).

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Posted on March 2, 2012

Movies »Bridesmaids

directed by Paul Feig (2011)

Call me Katherine Hegel but with a couple exceptions (Anchorman and Step Brothers) I’ve never been fully satisfied with a Judd Apato film… but sometimes magic happens when he works with Paul Feig.

Now, there’s no way I’m going to compare Bridesmaids to Freaks and Geeks, one of life’s most perfect pleasures, but I was pleasantly surprised by what was touted as a raunchy chic comedy.

There is vomit, pooping, and farting none of which is my go to for laughs, but there’s also some really smart writing, female characters who feel genuine, a sweet romance, and Jon Hamm at his dickish best.

I don’t get the chance to watch movies as much as in my freewheeling days, but I’m glad we chose one that was so enjoyable.

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Posted on March 2, 2012

Songs,Style Icons: Male »Davy Jones. Daydream Believer

RIP

Davy Jones was the biggest heartthrob to come out of the Monkees (though I was always fond of Nesmith) with his charming goofiness.

I grew up with Monkee reruns and still, with no irony or embarrassment can call Daydream Believer a favorite song (and one that’s great for karaoke too).

Jones passed away today leaving behind a generation (or two) of ardent fans.

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Posted on February 29, 2012

Style Icons: Female,Style Icons: Male »Best of Couture

Long before pre fall and fall there was Couture and these were my favorite looks:

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Posted on February 29, 2012