What Would Jane Austen Do?

The Valentines Dance

2012-02-12T01:28:00.000-06:00

The PTA had a Valentine Dance fundraiser on Friday night. Emmet's "date" was another fifth grader, Sarah. She was on the t-ball team I coached years ago. She's also a member of the junior geological society. But here's the killer: she was so excited when she told me that she was wearing the lip gloss and the perfume she got for Christmas. OMG HOW CUTE IS SHE?!

Speaking of cute...Becca went solo, but she looked adorable, and I think she had fun. At dinner, after the dance, she showed us her new moves--the Chicken Dance and the Electric Slide.

Best Facebooks Statuses I've Read Today

2012-02-09T10:33:00.000-06:00

Because I can't make fun of these people on Facebook...

Angela F_____
I'll be glad when this rash is completely gone.

Mitch H______
A Communist, a Muslim, and an Illegal Immigrant walk into a bar.
The Bartender says.....
"What are you drinking, Mr. President?"
lol!!!!

Spoiler Alert: It's Superglue

2012-02-07T10:10:00.000-06:00

I tried this new nail stuff: NutraNail Gel Perfect UV-Free Gel-Color. I honestly think it's superglue. At least, that's what it smelled like. And the results?

Not good! I followed the package instructions on my right hand, and these instructions on the left. The polish looked okay, though it was a bit streaky, and maybe not as shiny as a salon manicure.

Unfortunately, immediately after I washed my hair two days later, all the polish started chipping off. It was obvious that water got underneath the polish. Also, in spite of already being perhaps 50% chipped off, it was still a bit of work to get the rest of it off.

Pros: at $12, it's cheaper than a Shellac manicure
Cons: at $12, it's still a waste of money.

Soup Swap 2012

2012-02-01T12:28:00.000-06:00

Finally had a second Soup Swap on Sunday. The last one was a couple of years ago. I thought there was some demand for a second one, but the turnout was kind of disappointing. HOWEVAH, here is the email I sent to everyone with recipes--thought you might be interested:

Hi everyone! Thanks to all of you who came to the soup swap. I had a great time, and I can't wait to try your soups.

We talked at the party about having other kinds of swaps--casserole, desserts, etc. Later last night I had an idea: since it's hard for everyone to get together, maybe we could share a monthly email with everyone's favorite new recipe in it. So let's say on February 20th or so, I would send an email to all of you requesting recipes. You would then respond directly to me with your new favorite recipe--send me a link to the recipe, or send the text of the recipe. [Just don't "reply all"--we would quickly be drowning in email.] On the first of the month, I can send the compilation of recipes to everyone subscribed.

The recipes could be for anything--a new drink, snack, casserole, soup, entree, vegetable--whatever you got especially excited about in the previous month. Anything that was so good it made you want to shout from the rooftops and tell everyone how awesome it was. It could also be a family favorite for an upcoming holiday; for example, at the end of February you could send your favorite St. Patrick's Day recipe, or something like that.

Anyway, think about that idea and whether or not you'd want to be on the email list. In the meantime, as promised, the recipes we collected yesterday are listed below.

See you soon,
Kara

Simply Recipes' Chipotle Pumpkin Soup (from Annie

Creamy Tomato Basil Soup (from Annie)

The Homesick Texan's Red Posole (from Letitia)

Letitia made a couple of changes to that recipe: "She has a smoked hamhock and ground cloves in hers, but I can't find the ground cloves and think a ham hock might make it taste like an ashtray."

Pam Anderson's Creamy Chili-Corn Soup with Chicken and Black Beans (from Terri)

PS--You should be reading Terri's blog--she's always making something good.

Cook's Illustrated Artichoke Soup a la Barigoule (aka Artichoke Fancy Soup) (from Jamie)

Ingredients
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 (9-ounce) boxes frozen artichokes, thawed and patted dry
• 12 ounces white mushrooms, wiped clean, trimmed and sliced thin
• 1 medium leek, white and light green parts only, halved lengthwise, sliced 1/4 inch thick, and rinsed thoroughly
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 4 medium garlic cloves, minced or pressed through a garlic press (about 4 teaspoons)
• 2 anchovy fillets, rinsed and minced
• 1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme leaves or 1/4 teaspoon dried
• 3 tablespoons unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup dry white wine
• 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 3 cups vegetable broth
• 2 parsnips, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 2 bay leaves
• 1/3 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh tarragon or basil leaves
• Salt and ground black pepper

Directions

Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat until shimmering. Lightly brown the artichokes, 8 to 10 minutes, then transfer to a plate.
Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil over medium heat until shimmering. Add the mushrooms, cover, and cook until they have released their liquid, about 5 minutes. Uncover and cook until the mushrooms are dry and browned, about 5 minutes longer.
Stir in the leek and butter and cook until the leek is softened, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in the garlic, anchovies, and thyme and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Stir in the wine, scraping up any browned bits, and cook until nearly evaporated, about 1 minute.
Gradually whisk in the chicken broth and vegetable broth, smoothing out any lumps. Stir in the parsnips, bay leaves, and half of the browned artichokes and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce to a gentle simmer, and cook until the parsnips are tender, 30 to 40 minutes.
Off the heat, remove the bay leaves. Stir in the remaining browned artichokes, cream, and tarragon, and let stand off the heat until the artichokes are heated through, about 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve. Serves 6.

Baked Potato Soup (from Biz)

Ingredients (Please note that I tend to cook more by eye than by actual measurements, so you may need to make some slight adjustments. Sorry)

1 pound Russet baking potatoes (if your potatoes weigh more than a pound, use itI)
1/2 C chopped white onion
1/4 C finely diced celery
3 TBSP butter (sometimes I use less butter and supplement with olive oil)
3 TBSP all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp dried dill (fresh dill is better if you have it. Note: you'll use more fresh than dried. yummy alternative: fresh chives. I just always use dill)
1/2 tsp kosher salt (or 1/4 tsp table salt)
1/4 tsp black pepper
3 1/4 C milk
3/4 C chicken stock
1 1/4 C shredded cheddar cheese
Bacon (crisp-cooked, drained, and crumbled) for garnish
Sliced green onion for garnish

Directions

1. Scrub potatoes with a vegetable brush; pat dry. Prick potatoes with a fork. Bake in a 425 degree F oven for 40 to 60 minutes or until tender; cool (Cooking them in the microwave works fine, too. In fact, the flesh scoops out more easily after being microwaved). Cut each potato lengthwise. Scoop out white portion of each potato. Break up any large pieces of potato, mashing with a fork. Discard potato skins (or do what I do and eat them with a bit of sour cream. Yum!)

2. In a large saucepan cook the white onion and celery in butter over medium heat until tender. Stir in flour, dill, salt, and pepper. Add milk and chicken stock all at once. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly (usually 12 to 15 minutes). Add the potato and 1 cup of the cheese; stir until cheese melts.

3. Top each serving with the remaining cheese and garnish with bacon and green onion.

4. Makes approx. 5 to 6 servings of 1/2 cup portions (but come on, who really only eats a half cup?)

Chicken Corn Chowder (from Angela P.)

Fry 2 slices of bacon in a large soup pot until crunchy. Take the bacon out (reserve for garnish if you wish). Sautee 1 onion, chopped until soft. Add 1 chopped red pepper, 1 jalapeno, and salt and pepper to taste. Sautee for a few minutes. Add 1 bag frozen corn and 1 potato diced (I use frozen hashbrown potatoes). Add 3 cups chicken stock and simmer until the potatoes are soft. Blend about half of the soup in the blender and return to the pot. Add 2 cups milk and 2 cups chopped cooked chicken. Garnish with the bacon and some cilantro.

**I play with the seasoning…I usually add cumin and cayenne pepper.

Chicken and Sausage Gumbo (Mamacita)

Ingredients:
chicken thighs, bone-in and skin-on
andouille sausage, sliced
3 big handsful of flour (enough to cover bottom of pan 1” thick)
vegetable oil
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 small green pepper, chopped
1 onion, chopped
1 clove of garlic, chopped
1 bunch green onions, chopped

Directions:
1. Brown the regular onions and remove them to another plate. In the same pan, brown sausage, then remove to a second plate. Brown chicken in same pan and remove it to plate with sausage.

2. Using pan drippings and additional vegetable oil as necessary, use flour to make roux. Brown roux, stirring constantly, until it's the color of a Hershey bar.

3. In the meantime, make the stock using chicken broth or water, plus bay leaves, salt, pepper, cayenne and Louisiana Hot Sauce (or Tabasco) and the browned chicken. Bring all of that to a boil, then add green peppers, onions, celery, and garlic.

4. Just before the roux is ready, remove all chicken from broth. Add the roux into boiling chicken broth and let that go until it's sufficiently thick and dark. Pick the chicken from the bones and return it to the broth; then add the sausage. Remove the gumbo from heat and add chopped green onions.

If You're a Good American Don't Read This

2012-01-18T09:45:00.000-06:00

I'm shamelessly copying this from my friend Terri at A Girl in the South. SOPA is bad, m'kay? However, I'm not going on strike, because ... who suffers from that besides me? It seems to me that we would only be striking against ourselves, which is kinda nuts. Also, I don't know if I can get through a day without the Internet.

Because Censorship Is Never Okay

No recipes for Wednesday.

In solidarity and protest against SOPA and PIPA, A Girl in the South is joining the big wigs of the internets like Reddit, Wikipedia, Boing Boing and hundreds (if not thousands) of other sites and blogs by going on strike tomorrow, January 18th from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm.

SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act) could have a devastating effect on numerous websites, even little ones like ourselves. We are taking a stand against Censorship and urging everyone to educate themselves on this bill and contact your representatives if you agree that SOPA is a really bad fucking idea.

Why is it so bad? (Excerpt taken from here)

The broad definitions in the bill create tremendous uncertainty for nearly every site online. This sounds like hyperbole, but it is not. Defenders of the bill like to claim that it is “narrowly focused” on foreign rogue infringing sites. Nothing could be further from the truth. While PIPA targets only foreign sites, the mechanism by which it does so is to put tremendous compliance and liability on third party service providers in the US. SOPA goes even further in expanding the private right of action to domestic sites as well. We’ve already seen how such laws can be abused by looking at how frequently false takedown claims are made under the existing DMCA. Of course, under the DMCA, just the content is blocked. Under SOPA all money to a site can be cut off. Under PIPA sites will just end up in court. Or, with both laws, an Attorney General can take action leading US companies to have to effectively act as network nannies trying to keep infringement from being accessible. None of this is good for anyone building a startup company these days. The massive uncertainty around this, combined with the need for a huge legal department sitting in “the garage” as a startup begins, will certainly slow down the pace of innovation in the US, while likely driving it elsewhere.
While it’s true that our President has said he will not allow the SOPA bill to pass (but PIPA is still alive and kicking), it’s important that our government realize that we will not tolerate their efforts to take away our freedom of speech. Copyright infringement is a shitty thing, without a doubt, but these two bills are the absolutely dead wrong way to handle this.

List of sites joining the strike - here
Joining in the blackout? Register here We encourage anyone who wishes to participate to join in the blackout.
Find more information about SOPA here, here and here. Oh, and even though this is Cracked.com and not meant to be taken seriously, here is a very funny and alarmingly true possibility with PIPA/SOPA.

My Own Best-of 2011

2012-01-07T13:35:00.046-06:00

And now, a personal list:

Favorite New Book: Bossypants
Favorite New-to-Me Book: the Canal House Cooking series
Biggest Disappointment: Cooking 1-2-3 by Rozanne Gold

Favorite Current Show: Community
Favorite New-to-me Show: Party Down
Biggest Disappointment: It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. It was never highbrow, but it's gotten so disgusting I can't even watch it anymore. Runner-up: The Norm McDonald Show.

Favorite New Movie: I Am Love, though admittedly it's mostly for the sets and the clothes.
Biggest Disappointment: TIE! Bridesmaids--I probably shouldn't have built it up so much in my mind beforehand. The scene in the wedding dress shop was unwatchable, and the rest was pretty uneven. Midnight in Paris--Straight out of the disappointing Woody Allen cannon of misogyny and white people problems. You have to keep reminding yourself of the good times...

Favorite New Documentary: Bill Cunningham New York. [Was this the only new documentary I saw? I mean, it was fine, but not really thrilling.]

Favorite New-to-Me Documentary: Exit Through the Gift Shop
Biggest Disappointment: Art 21. Big snoozer.

Favorite New-to-Me Record: Jeff Weiss' Passion of the Weiss: Candy Cane Children mix of White Stripes B-sides, live performances and other "rarities."

Favorite New-to-Me Drink: Torrontes wine (from Argentina)
Favorite New-to-Me Food: The Fine Cheese Co.'s Charcoal Crackers

Favorite New-to-Me Beauty Thing: Maybelline Define-a-Brow pencil in Dark Blonde.
Biggest Disappointment: Avene Retrinal .05 joined a long line of products that have failed to change my life.

Favorite New-to-Me Shoes: I tried Birkenstocks this year and haven't looked back.

Favorite Like-New Magazine: Martha Stewart Living with Pilar Guzman as editor.

Favorite New Website: Pinterest
Favorite New-to-Me Website: The Last Psychiatrist. I don't always agree with him, but his posts on mental hygiene, in particular, are absolutely fascinating.
Biggest Disappointment: Google+. A huge waste of time that broke up my sharefam on Google Reader. G+ will be dead within a year, but things will never go back to the way they were; an object lesson in leaving well enough alone.

Favorite New-to-Me Parenting Thing, Part I: Listening to Disney Radio. I am alarmed and ashamed at how much I enjoy this. The music is garbage, but I love watching the kids get excited about it, and watching them dance.
Favorite New-to-Me Parenting Thing, Part II: Ms. Twixt: Positive Experiences for Tween Girls has me actually looking forward to the next few years instead of dreading them
Biggest Disappointment: Family Therapy. Not moving the ball forward.

Favorite New Kid Movie: The Muppets, obvs. If I asked my kids they might vote for Chipwrecked (which I, mercifully, did not see); then I would have to disown them.
Favorite New-to-Us Kid Thing: The Muppet Christmas Carol-- I guess I watched it 100 years ago, but I was surprised at how good it was when we watched it last month (six or eight times).
Biggest Disappointment: I'm putting The Secret of the Kells here because while I loved it, it scared the shit out of Emmet; he barely watched any of it and he still had nightmares about it.

On Not Letting Go Too Soon

2012-01-06T13:19:00.000-06:00

I think the entire month of January should be given over to end-of-year lists from December. I never have time to enjoy all of those during Christmas. [Also, in case I haven't mentioned it lately, it's a PET PEEVE that people take down Christmas on New Year's Day, or worse, December 26. The last day of Christmas is Epiphany, which is today. So what I'm saying is, slow down people. You're missing some of the good stuff.]

Some I've been enjoying:

Washington Post's In/Out List for 2012--Couldn't care less about Ryan Gosling, but white whiskey came up three times in one week of conversations; also I love Elizabeth Warren, but I'll need a place to hide through the wide-leg pants resurgence. And holy hell am I glad to know about Gary Clark, Jr.

The AV Club's Best Non-2011 Pop Culture We Discovered This Year--But have I ever mentioned that another PET PEEVE is the phrase pop culture? I absolutely loathe those words together.

Read It Later's 'Most-Read' Authors List

Roger Ebert's Best Films of 2011-- I usually agree with Roger Ebert, but the only film on the list that I saw (Midnight in Paris) was a piece of shit.

Roger Ebert's Best Documentaries of 2012-- I've only seen one of these, but I think he's on a much better track here.

Time magazine's 50 Best Websites of 2011--Click bait of the lowest sort, but I was glad I looked through it because there were a few I hadn't heard of, and Lord knows I hate being scooped by f'ing Time.

Hey, Baby, Que Paso?

2011-12-21T20:26:00.000-06:00

Holy shit, time goes by fast. I do owe you a follow-up: for the starter smackdown/ cookie contest, I made sausage balls and the Tartine gingerbread cookies. I really hesitated on the cookies, because I hatehatehatehate rolling out dough, but I was pretty happy with the way they turned out, so I guess you can say it was worth it. The cookies took third place, in spite of my FORMER BFF's not voting for me because she doesn't like "those old-fashioned, cake-like cookies." You are dead to me LVC. See if you get any maxi-pad crafted Christmas gift from me this year.

Another awesome party we went to was the East End Christmas Toy Drive and Freddy Fender Tribute Concert. Los Skarnales and Umbrella Man played, and they were fucking fantastic. I'm still amazed that Umbrella Man hasn't broken out more--I expect they will be any day. [They're supposed to have a new album almost ready.] You can check them out on YouTube; my favorite live performance is "Cumbia del Sol."

The party also featured a side-show by the Latin Fantasy Lowrider Club. My favorite car had these murals of absurdly voluptuous Aztec goddesses. You think I'd be used to it, but it's still so embarrassing to see my image airbrushed on cars.

party poster via Orange Show

car photo via Dipity

Holidays on the TeeVee

2011-11-30T20:17:00.002-06:00

Here is an amazing guide that not only includes movies, but also Christmas episodes of shows in re-runs. In case you missed Coach, "My True Love Gave to Me," back when it first aired.

I will be setting the DVR for:

Scrooged, Wednesday 11/30 at 9 pm (CST) on AMC.
Santa Buddies, Thursday 12/1 at 7 pm on Disney Channel.
Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Friday 12/2 at 7 pm on ABC Family.
Home Alone, Saturday 12/3 at 5:10 pm on Encore.
Crazy Christmas Lights (special), Saturday 12/3 at 6 pm on TLC.
The Nightmare Before Christmas, Saturday 12/3 at 11 pm on ABC Family.
A Charlie Brown Christmas, Monday 12/5 at 7 pm on ABC.
Disney's Prep and Landing 2, Monday 12/5 at 7:30 pm on ABC.
The Pink Panther in: A Pink Christmas, Wednesday 12/7 at 5 pm on ABC Family.
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, Wednesday 12/7 at 8 pm on ABC Family.
The Muppet Christmas Carol, Friday 12/09 at 12 noon on Discovery Kids (HUB).
Frosty the Snowman, Friday 12/09 at 7 pm on CBS.
Elf, Saturday 12/10 at 12:00 noon on USA.

In It to Win It

2011-11-30T18:11:00.000-06:00

So I'm invited to this cookie swap/contest again this year, and this year it also includes a "starter smackdown." So I have TWO CHANCES to win this thing. Come on people; help me out. Your best cookie recipe and your best appetizer recipe. Or even just tell me what you would most want to see in the competition.

What mamacita is...

2011-11-26T12:44:00.000-06:00

Thanksgiving edition

Reading

I have to agree with my friend Mike that this isn't my favorite of Sarah Vowell's books, but it's still a good read.

Watching

Listening to

And now back to bed with that bottle of Nyquil.

How Married People Fight

2011-11-18T00:21:00.002-06:00

"Don't fuck with me, son, I'll make you watch Wendy Williams."

Ren Fest Best Practices

2011-11-14T21:17:00.000-06:00

Papi had to hurry and finish his turkey leg before the Birds of Prey show started.

Man, I love the Texas Renaissance Festival. We go every year with the kids. In the interest of public service, here's my list of Best Practices for the festival.

[1:21 video from School of Sword]

Buying a ticket:

This year there was a pretty good offer at Urban Dealight (sic)--something to keep in mind for next year.
If you try to buy on Craigslist, you won't get much of a discount, and it's usually people selling free passes they got in a pack. I used those one year, and they worked, but they made me awfully nervous.
If you've missed getting another deal, try to buy the tickets from one of the retail outlets (HEB, Woodforest Bank) or buy them from the website (where there is a "convenience charge." GRRR.) They are more expensive at the gate.
This past weekend set attendance records--something like 42,000 on Saturday and 27,000 on Sunday. The lesson here is go on Sunday.

Click to enlarge.

The Night Before:

Print out your tickets (if you bought them online) as well as directions to the festival.
Check out the acts listed on the website and get an idea of what you might want to see. Most shows repeat every 1-2 hours, but it's good to know the times in advance.
We would never miss the Joust, the School of Sword, the Family Jewels (an ersatz gem mine) or the Falconer's show. There are also mud wrestlers, belly dancers, jugglers, musicians and just all kinds of other acts on EIGHTEEN stages. A few acts are PG-13, but these are clearly marked in the program, online and in person.
Also check out the map online and maybe even draw a rough sketch of it, noting the places you definitely want to see. [That's mine above.] You can get a real map at the festival, but this will help you get started.
Charge your cell phone.
Pack a tailgate! I'm always surprised that more people don't do this. I packed salami, cheese and crackers and some bottles of water in an insulated bag. You could go all out and bring wine, beer, etc.
We even brought an electric kettle (the car has an outlet) and packets of hot chocolate to drink at the end of the day, but it was way too warm for that. Don't forget the lawn chairs, napkins, cups knives, cutting board, etc.
Get some cash. Some places take plastic, but many of the food and drink vendors don't. His Majesty's ATMs levy a hefty charge. [Prices are pretty typical for a festival--bottles of coke for $2.50, etc.]

King Henry VIII giving Becca & our buddy Toby a chopping tutorial.

The Day of the Festival:

Wear light layers and your most comfortable walking shoes. There is period-appropriate mud all over the place, so be warned.
Leave reasonably early. Traffic gets bad within 10-15 miles of the festival. It took us about an hour and a half to get there from Oak Forest.
I always carry a small backpack to carry the crap the kids get, as well as Aleve and Icy Hot patches (because I'm 100 years old).
When you get inside you can buy a program with a map inside. [It will be mostly the same year-to-year, so you could hold on to it and reuse it.]
If you're traveling in a group, set meet-up times. I was there with a couple of teenagers, and we had them meet us at the performances we had planned to see, but walk around independently between those times.
You're supposed to tip the performers at the "free" shows. Make sure you keep some small bills on hand. You should also tip any of the people in elaborate costumes who stop to take photos with you. [Try to be subtle about it, though--it kinda takes everyone out of the moment to see Robin Hood taking a fiver.]
Take photos. The light is usually good, and everyone is having a good time.

Emmet showing off his sword skills to the King and Queen

I dare you to go into Neiman's and pay with folded-up singles.

2011-11-12T23:00:00.000-06:00

I was going to say this must be a sign of the economic times, but it may in fact be a sign of the apocalypse.

Let's Get Excited for November

2011-11-01T09:45:00.000-05:00

October went out with a bang: two kids with gastrointestinal distress for Halloween. Onward and upward:

Movember--I love it when people come together to do stupid shit like that
Renaissance Festival
Nonnie's birthday
My mom's birthday
Thanksgiving--hellz yeah, it's pie time, y'all. Nonnie and I will be cooking again. I've already been planning it for a month.

Photo via Surviving Oz

What mamacita is...

2011-10-29T01:09:00.000-05:00

Listening to

Happy Halloween, y'all. Our party is tonight. I hope to have pics later this weekend.

Rocking the Richie Tennenbaum Today

2011-10-26T11:08:00.000-05:00

I Get Email

2011-10-19T09:40:00.000-05:00

from Daddy:

Well, I went and bought some Rye and Sweet Vermouth in anticipation of creating the perfect Manhattan. Results: Let's say I'm not a big fan of rye, but I can see acquiring the taste for it. However, that vermouth crap is just NASTY! Who can drink that shit and say they like the taste? I had to catch the cat and lick his ass just to get that vermouth taste out of my mouth. YUCK! Pass the raw oysters and broccoli please.

What mamacita is...

2011-10-12T01:53:00.001-05:00

Reading

This is a fine book. I like the chatty introductory bits before each recipe. The recipe for Figgy Piggy Drumsticks looks good, and it's hard to find fault with a chapter called "Things With Cheese." Really, though, I find that my cooking really always comes back to two places:

1. Ina Garten, The Barefoot Contessa, for those times when I'm having my fabulous Hamptons friends over in their matching pastel cashmere sweaters, and

2. Pam Anderson's How to Cook Without a Book, for those times I have to face the people who show up to my table every day and be told that according to Momma's Ridiculous Rules of Etiquette, one is required to wear a shirt to dinner.

Watching

If you ever get one of those free Redbox codes, use it on this. Just don't keep the movie for four days, because regret will set in.

Listening to

It's sometimes hard to listen to tribute albums, because you can't help but compare the remake to the original, all the while thinking "that's not how it goes!" But this record turned out better than I thought. I don't mean to go all Pitchfork on you, but I think that Buddy Holly's songs were so elemental--just bare sketches of songs, ready for any embellishment--that lots of other people can actually do them well, too. There are a few irritating songs on the record (Paul McCartney--WTF was that about, sir?) but there are also some great ones (The Black Keys and, surprisingly enough, Fiona Apple).

You can stream the record here.

Work Woes

2011-10-11T01:56:00.001-05:00

1. THIS ^.

2a. My desk is essentially in the office lunchroom. That means I get to smell everything that everyone in the office eats. Most people are considerate of this, but one person is not. Last week for lunch she had garlic-dipped garlic sticks in garlic sauce. I had to leave the building.

2b. People keep leaving shit to rot in the refrigerator that sits 2 feet from my elbow.

2c. There are also numerous discussions of the condiment that dare not speak its name.

3. Sometimes the effort to avoid f-bombs is so great, I think I might sprain something.

I know I shouldn't bitch, because I'm lucky to have a job. BUT BITCH I WILL.

On the plus side:

1. I get adorable art projects from preschoolers all the time.

2. I get to see my friend Cayce all the time.

3. Old ladies bring us brownies all the time.

The Coolest Thing This Weekend

2011-09-27T12:26:00.000-05:00

I was walking into Spec's (world's greatest liquor store) on Saturday afternoon and there was a band playing outside on the patio. I stopped and listened for a while...and they were fantastic. There is nothing quite like live music, is there? Even though jazz isn't my thing, I loved them.

But it seemed like an odd place for a gig; there were 16 musicians, plus a director--most were horns, plus a percussionist, a standing bass, and an electric guitar. It must have taken a while to set up. The only clue I had about who they were and what they were doing at Spec's was the name on the speakers: Conrad Johnson.

WELL. It turns out that Conrad Johnson was the band director at Kashmere High School for many years. His band (of teenagers!) played original music he wrote; they had a recording contract and were sought-after all over town for parties. The Conrad Johnson Orchestra is a group of his former students who play semi-professionally now.

Their appearance at Spec's coincides with last Friday's release of Thunder Soul, a movie about Conrad Johnson produced by Jamie Foxx that won a bunch of festival awards this year. On Monday, a Kashmere Stage Band anthology was released on CD. [iTunes.] I cannot even tell you how awesome this record is, and how happy it will make you.

P.S. If you book the Conrad Johnson orchestra to play your party, it would be the best party EVER, and I would absolutely crash it.

Snack of the Week

2011-09-21T23:35:00.000-05:00

Suddenly everyone in the house has gone crazy for Chessmen cookies and Lady Grey tea. Awfully civilized for this bunch of cretins.

Advice Needed

2011-09-20T11:22:00.000-05:00

Have any of you ever made salt cod--as in, cod baked in a salt dome? I have a ton of egg whites leftover from making ice cream*, and cod is on sale, so it seemed like a possibility. I was wondering how difficult it is; if it results in black smoke coming from the oven; and, most importantly, is it worth it?

*So you wanna hear about that ice cream? 'Twas Pumpkin ice cream, and I thought it was delicious with gingersnaps.

Score!

2011-09-13T15:46:00.000-05:00

I was the first one in line this morning. Most of it is going up on eBay, but holla at your girl if there is something you desperately want.

LOL

2011-09-12T10:43:00.000-05:00

via Flubmaster Grand Flubby

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A Communist, a Muslim, and an Illegal Immigrant walk into a bar. The Bartender says..... "What are you drinking, Mr. President?" lol!!!!

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LOL

A Communist, a Muslim, and an Illegal Immigrant walk into a bar.
The Bartender says.....
"What are you drinking, Mr. President?"
lol!!!!