I scored this year on gift cards - as I mentioned to Amby earlier, I don't think I'll need to spend any cash at Target for all of 2008 - yes!
I was also tickled pink to unwrap my gifts and get the following:
Twin Peaks (the entire series)
Veronica Mars (season 3)
"Lunatico" by Gotan Project
What is the What by Dave Eggers
And the food... oh the food.
We had baked brie as an app, followed by a dinner that included prime rib, spinach gratin, and garlic mashed potatoes. My aunt made a cherry pie, which was especially apropos, given the whole Twin Peaks-cherry pie thing.
Yippee!
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Monday, December 24, 2007
Holiday Survival Strategy: Booze
I figured out that I'm not only old enough to drink, I've hit the age where my parents are no longer concerned that I'm an alcoholic, which means I can hit the booze in front of my parents without any residual guilt.
This means that I could easily get through our Christmas Eve tradition of hanging out with my parents and their friends, and these friends' children and grandchildren, who are at times (often?) puzzlingly annoying.
Tonight wasn't so bad... either because they weren't so bad or because after one healthily-spiked eggnog and 3 glasses of wine, I ended up having a fine time. Yay Christmas!
This means that I could easily get through our Christmas Eve tradition of hanging out with my parents and their friends, and these friends' children and grandchildren, who are at times (often?) puzzlingly annoying.
Tonight wasn't so bad... either because they weren't so bad or because after one healthily-spiked eggnog and 3 glasses of wine, I ended up having a fine time. Yay Christmas!
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Lost
SPOILER ALERT: Here is a trailer for season 4, which begins on January 31!
I can't wait! Thank god the show's still on, despite the writer's strike. If you didn't see season 3, check it out!! It got really good in the second half of the season, and the finale blew my effing mind. Seriously.
I can't wait! Thank god the show's still on, despite the writer's strike. If you didn't see season 3, check it out!! It got really good in the second half of the season, and the finale blew my effing mind. Seriously.
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Juno
I saw Juno on Friday and I loved it! I figured I would, since I've been anticipating it since forever ago...
I got to watch it on my sister's new HD television... her friend is a member of the Writer's Guild and gets screeners of new movies to consider for award nominations. Juno was one of the DVDs she received. It's always nice to save some ducats and watch a movie at home!
I got to watch it on my sister's new HD television... her friend is a member of the Writer's Guild and gets screeners of new movies to consider for award nominations. Juno was one of the DVDs she received. It's always nice to save some ducats and watch a movie at home!
Friday, December 21, 2007
30 Rock
After several friends recommended it, I finally checked out 30 Rock.
Holy F, it is soooo funny and good! Alec Baldwin's character is genius. Good thing I don't have the entire season from Netflix (I'm on the one-disc at a time plan) because if I did, I wouldn't have left the house all day.
Holy F, it is soooo funny and good! Alec Baldwin's character is genius. Good thing I don't have the entire season from Netflix (I'm on the one-disc at a time plan) because if I did, I wouldn't have left the house all day.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
The Corporation
The documentary The Corporation has come up in a couple of conversations recently. This is an amazing film and is one of the main reasons I decided to go to law school.
You can check out the film on YouTube (it's organized by chapter)... even though it's depressing, I think it's important to understand how corporate power is undermining our democracy and leading to less stability in the world.
Here's a clip:
You can check out the film on YouTube (it's organized by chapter)... even though it's depressing, I think it's important to understand how corporate power is undermining our democracy and leading to less stability in the world.
Here's a clip:
Monday, December 17, 2007
The Professor Brothers
Recommended by HH, check out this animated web series - it may make you chuckle.
In the VTA
Franky and I are in Ventura ready to celebrate Christmas!
It's awesome having barely anything to do. Here's how my week is shaping up:
Finish two scholarship applications;
Shop for gifts at K.B. Roberts and/or Casa California;
Hang out with and/or do some work for AC (I want to get some more spending $ for my Portland trip);
See Juno with my sister, possibly at the Arclight;
Sushi with K or L;
Look forward to all the delicious fattening food I will be eating on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Yummmmm.
It's awesome having barely anything to do. Here's how my week is shaping up:
Finish two scholarship applications;
Shop for gifts at K.B. Roberts and/or Casa California;
Hang out with and/or do some work for AC (I want to get some more spending $ for my Portland trip);
See Juno with my sister, possibly at the Arclight;
Sushi with K or L;
Look forward to all the delicious fattening food I will be eating on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Yummmmm.
Friday, December 14, 2007
Happy Hour Friday (13)
Yes! I finally have a cocktail worth sharing with you! After many months of near sobriety it's nice to take a step back, relax, and enjoy alcohol again. 'Tis the season for celebrating, after all!
At the party I went to last night, the host made Charles Dickens Hot Punch. The recipe is from a letter Charles Dickens wrote in 1847. I love the Victorians.
This punch was delicious! And given that it's served warm we surmised that a lot of the rum's potency wore off. Nonetheless, this tasted like apple cider and was DIVINE. Enjoy, and happy holidays!!
(Recipe from the site linked above)
Zest of lemons, cut into several pieces each
1 packed cup brown sugar
2 cups dark rum
1/2 cup brandy
Juice of 3 lemons
4 cups very hot water
More sugar to taste
In a 4-quart saucepan combine the lemon zest, sugar, rum, and the brandy. Warm over low heat. Be sure there's no exhaust fan running. Stand well back as you light the liquid with a long match. When the flames have gone out, stir in the lemon juice and the water. Taste for sugar. Bring the punch to a very gentle bubble, cover completely and cook 10 minutes. Remove the lemon zest. Set aside up to 3 hours, or refrigerate overnight. Serve warm, ladled into handled cups.
At the party I went to last night, the host made Charles Dickens Hot Punch. The recipe is from a letter Charles Dickens wrote in 1847. I love the Victorians.
This punch was delicious! And given that it's served warm we surmised that a lot of the rum's potency wore off. Nonetheless, this tasted like apple cider and was DIVINE. Enjoy, and happy holidays!!
(Recipe from the site linked above)
Zest of lemons, cut into several pieces each
1 packed cup brown sugar
2 cups dark rum
1/2 cup brandy
Juice of 3 lemons
4 cups very hot water
More sugar to taste
In a 4-quart saucepan combine the lemon zest, sugar, rum, and the brandy. Warm over low heat. Be sure there's no exhaust fan running. Stand well back as you light the liquid with a long match. When the flames have gone out, stir in the lemon juice and the water. Taste for sugar. Bring the punch to a very gentle bubble, cover completely and cook 10 minutes. Remove the lemon zest. Set aside up to 3 hours, or refrigerate overnight. Serve warm, ladled into handled cups.
Get Smart!
I didn't realize they were making a movie based on the TV show, starring Steve Carell!
Here's the trailer.
Here's the trailer.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
New Almodovar film in the works
Exciting news!
Pedro Almodovar is writing a new film which he intends to shoot next spring. According to Cinematical, it's a noir piece starring Penelope Cruz and others called Los Abrazos Rotos, or Broken Hugs.
Cruz is great in his films and I'm sure he'll write another wonderful role for her. If you haven't seen Volver and/or All About My Mother (my two favorites), you should. They are so, so good.
Pedro Almodovar is writing a new film which he intends to shoot next spring. According to Cinematical, it's a noir piece starring Penelope Cruz and others called Los Abrazos Rotos, or Broken Hugs.
Cruz is great in his films and I'm sure he'll write another wonderful role for her. If you haven't seen Volver and/or All About My Mother (my two favorites), you should. They are so, so good.
Julia Margaret Cameron
I just found this lovely video that features some of Cameron's photographs:
I saw a collection of her photographs at the Getty several years ago, and they blew me away. Possibly because I'm a Victorian literature freak, and so her portraits of famous writers and poets, as well as depictions of literary figures really appealed to me.
She often made albumen prints of her photos, which conveyed the same feel as tintype photographs.
On photographing her subjects:
When I have had such men before my camera my whole soul has endeavored to do its duty towards them in recording faithfully the greatness of the inner as well as the features of the outer man.
I saw a collection of her photographs at the Getty several years ago, and they blew me away. Possibly because I'm a Victorian literature freak, and so her portraits of famous writers and poets, as well as depictions of literary figures really appealed to me.
She often made albumen prints of her photos, which conveyed the same feel as tintype photographs.
On photographing her subjects:
When I have had such men before my camera my whole soul has endeavored to do its duty towards them in recording faithfully the greatness of the inner as well as the features of the outer man.
It's chilly
When I first moved to AZ (specifically, the Phoenix area) someone erroneously told me that it never gets under 70 degrees, even in the dead of winter... but from more reliable sources, and the latest weather patterns, I discovered that it gets COLD here, for real.
It's been rainy and cold for the last several days, and today is sunny but will only get up to a high of 61. I guess it's silly to say that 61 is cold, but for one thing, the warmest part of the day is usually 3 or 4 in the afternoon, so for the vast majority of the day it's in the 40s and 50s. And when there's no cloud cover or anything on the ground to hold in the sun's heat, it's chilly. Seriously.
Another way of looking at this (if you are still skeptical that even weather in the 40s and 50s is cold) is that 4 months ago, it was 55 degrees hotter than 61 - yes, that's right. Each day was around 116 degrees. No joke. In 4 months the temperature has dropped 55 degrees. This is astounding to me, given that I was raised in an area that is (for the most part) between 60 and 75 degrees all year long.
By the way, I'm so glad that Arizona doesn't wind its clocks back like the rest of the country. It occurred to me that if we did, "nighttime" would start at 4:30 in the afternoon! (Wait, is that right?)
Anyway, I'm warming up (and nursing my hangover) with some Peet's, and watching (guilt-free) this, this and this, saved on my TiVo. Thank you, winter break!
It's been rainy and cold for the last several days, and today is sunny but will only get up to a high of 61. I guess it's silly to say that 61 is cold, but for one thing, the warmest part of the day is usually 3 or 4 in the afternoon, so for the vast majority of the day it's in the 40s and 50s. And when there's no cloud cover or anything on the ground to hold in the sun's heat, it's chilly. Seriously.
Another way of looking at this (if you are still skeptical that even weather in the 40s and 50s is cold) is that 4 months ago, it was 55 degrees hotter than 61 - yes, that's right. Each day was around 116 degrees. No joke. In 4 months the temperature has dropped 55 degrees. This is astounding to me, given that I was raised in an area that is (for the most part) between 60 and 75 degrees all year long.
By the way, I'm so glad that Arizona doesn't wind its clocks back like the rest of the country. It occurred to me that if we did, "nighttime" would start at 4:30 in the afternoon! (Wait, is that right?)
Anyway, I'm warming up (and nursing my hangover) with some Peet's, and watching (guilt-free) this, this and this, saved on my TiVo. Thank you, winter break!
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Cuban Missile Pig
From Salon:
At a White House press briefing on Oct. 26, a reporter asked Dana Perino about Vladimir Putin's suggestion that a U.S. plan to base parts of a missile shield in Europe was similar to the events that led to the Cuban missile crisis....
Perino's response: "Well, I think that the historical comparison is not -- does not exactly work. What I can say is what President Putin went on to say, which is that the president and President Putin have said that we can work together on this."
...Appearing on NPR's "Wait, Wait ... Don't Tell Me" over the weekend, Perino said she "panicked" when she got the Cuban missile crisis question because she wasn't exactly sure what the Cuban missile crisis was. "I really know nothing about the Cuban missile crisis," Perino said. "It had to do with Cuba and missiles, I'm pretty sure."
At a White House press briefing on Oct. 26, a reporter asked Dana Perino about Vladimir Putin's suggestion that a U.S. plan to base parts of a missile shield in Europe was similar to the events that led to the Cuban missile crisis....
Perino's response: "Well, I think that the historical comparison is not -- does not exactly work. What I can say is what President Putin went on to say, which is that the president and President Putin have said that we can work together on this."
...Appearing on NPR's "Wait, Wait ... Don't Tell Me" over the weekend, Perino said she "panicked" when she got the Cuban missile crisis question because she wasn't exactly sure what the Cuban missile crisis was. "I really know nothing about the Cuban missile crisis," Perino said. "It had to do with Cuba and missiles, I'm pretty sure."
Sunday, December 9, 2007
I want to believe
I pretty much hate both major political parties, since in my opinion they are essentially the same, but Barack Obama has a powerful message.
Is it too late to hope for a better America?
Is it too late to hope for a better America?
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Nice-n-easy
I just got back from checking out Fresh & Easy, which just opened up in Mesa.
I liked it! The produce was really nice, especially in comparison to the other stores here. When I lived in CA, I really took for granted how wonderful the produce was. After moving to AZ I discovered that the produce here was smaller, not as fresh, and sometimes rotting on the shelves. I saw this in Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, and Safeway. Out of all three, Safeway had the best produce.
But Fresh & Easy had cheap, fresh, large, & ripe produce! They also have a ton of pre-packaged foods, I guess something they are known for. I got a salad of spinach, cranberries, feta, and walnuts - really similar to something Trader Joe's offers (around the same price too) and larger than what you get at TJs.
Their cheese section it is not varied as Whole Foods (but few things are). It was a great selection though. When I saw they had drunken goat my heart leapt! I hadn't seen that stuff since my last visit to Andronico's, which was ages ago. They also had fig spread and quince paste - I couldn't believe it. I haven't seen any of those lovely Bay Area grocery store staples in so long.
The experience overall was nice; they just opened up and so staff were waaay helpful, trying to make a good impression (and they did). The space is nicely laid-out and the shelves are not very high - so everything is organized well and easy to access. It's like shopping at an upscale Trader Joe's, but the store brand items are nicer and you can still buy national brand products if you want.
I liked it! The produce was really nice, especially in comparison to the other stores here. When I lived in CA, I really took for granted how wonderful the produce was. After moving to AZ I discovered that the produce here was smaller, not as fresh, and sometimes rotting on the shelves. I saw this in Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, and Safeway. Out of all three, Safeway had the best produce.
But Fresh & Easy had cheap, fresh, large, & ripe produce! They also have a ton of pre-packaged foods, I guess something they are known for. I got a salad of spinach, cranberries, feta, and walnuts - really similar to something Trader Joe's offers (around the same price too) and larger than what you get at TJs.
Their cheese section it is not varied as Whole Foods (but few things are). It was a great selection though. When I saw they had drunken goat my heart leapt! I hadn't seen that stuff since my last visit to Andronico's, which was ages ago. They also had fig spread and quince paste - I couldn't believe it. I haven't seen any of those lovely Bay Area grocery store staples in so long.
The experience overall was nice; they just opened up and so staff were waaay helpful, trying to make a good impression (and they did). The space is nicely laid-out and the shelves are not very high - so everything is organized well and easy to access. It's like shopping at an upscale Trader Joe's, but the store brand items are nicer and you can still buy national brand products if you want.
Friday, December 7, 2007
Defamer's KieferWatch
Hi-larious.
Take a Virtual Tour of Kiefer Sutherland's Jail Cell!
What's Kiefer Eating in Jail?
Bookmark this link to keep up-to-date with "Everyone's Favorite Hollywood Drinking Buddy."
Take a Virtual Tour of Kiefer Sutherland's Jail Cell!
"It was lights out at 10 p.m. for Jack Bauer." The warden is reportedly considering making an exception [to this rule] to accommodate the actor's holiday observances, and may erect a Christmas tree in the prisoners' common area for a brief Christmas Eve tackling ceremony, one which he hopes will help the new inmate bond with other members of the incarcerated community as they celebrate the Yuletide season.
What's Kiefer Eating in Jail?
While Sutherland appears to be adjusting well, we'd caution his fans that he might well emerge from this month-and-a-half-long ordeal a changed man, looking not unlike his hirsute, scarred alter ego after two years in a Chinese political prison.
Bookmark this link to keep up-to-date with "Everyone's Favorite Hollywood Drinking Buddy."
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
In Rainbows - get it before 12/10/07
After mentioning it many moons ago, I finally downloaded In Rainbows, the new Radiohead LP. This is the one the band produced independently and decided to make available for download under a "pay what you want" basis. I was going to pay something, since I love this band and honestly don't feel bad about spending money on their music.
But, I'm a poor student right? I decided not to pay anything... and I feel a little guilty about that. I do take some solace in the fact that I legally purchased all of their other CDs, so that counts for something? Maybe.
Anyway, so far I really like it! If you like Radiohead, check it out! They will stop making it available for free on 10 December 2007.
But, I'm a poor student right? I decided not to pay anything... and I feel a little guilty about that. I do take some solace in the fact that I legally purchased all of their other CDs, so that counts for something? Maybe.
Anyway, so far I really like it! If you like Radiohead, check it out! They will stop making it available for free on 10 December 2007.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Monday, December 3, 2007
Super Fan #99
I was recommending Swingers to a friend and was reminded of how much I love this film. I guess it's a "guy flick" but I think it's hysterical.
If Whole Foods and Trader Joe's had a love child...
... it might be Fresh & Easy. They are opening up a store in Mesa this week, and I might check it out. I guess there's been some controversy when they opened up locations in SoCal, and some customers gave it lukewarm reviews. But, whatevs. I'll check it out and report back.
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Jonesing for Jon
With The Daily Show on hiatus, It's been tough to find my fix... but that's why we have the interwebs!
Old School Pic of the Day (6)
Well, the holiday season is upon us (how it's already December I have no idea) and I've even put up lights on my patio (I'm usually opposed to decorations, mostly because I'm too lazy to deal with putting them up, then taking them down in a month).
But this year, maybe because I get a month off from school and a trip to Portland, I'm looking forward to the holidays!
Here's a pic from probably 1977 or 1978. The expression on my mom's face is priceless. You can take the gal out of New York, but you can't take New York out of the gal. She seems to be thinking: "I have to get up this effing early and you wanna take my picture?" I love it.
But this year, maybe because I get a month off from school and a trip to Portland, I'm looking forward to the holidays!
Here's a pic from probably 1977 or 1978. The expression on my mom's face is priceless. You can take the gal out of New York, but you can't take New York out of the gal. She seems to be thinking: "I have to get up this effing early and you wanna take my picture?" I love it.
Saturday, December 1, 2007
It's the little things.
So, I was having some anxiety today as I kept having to walk past a sink full of dishes. No time to wash them - no time! Then I remembered: I have an effing dishwasher! I loaded that sucka up and problem solved!
I guess I forgot about the dishwasher because I never use it (it seems wasteful to use a dishwasher when you are one person) but let me tell you, when I'm spending 95% of my waking hours in front of my computer, textbooks, and study materials, I don't want to spend the other 5% washing dishes.
Plus, that frees up more time to blog!
I guess I forgot about the dishwasher because I never use it (it seems wasteful to use a dishwasher when you are one person) but let me tell you, when I'm spending 95% of my waking hours in front of my computer, textbooks, and study materials, I don't want to spend the other 5% washing dishes.
Plus, that frees up more time to blog!
Friday, November 30, 2007
Some props for a new blogger!
My sis is blogging! Yes!
She cracks my shit up, man. You gotta check out the rants here.
A preview:
She cracks my shit up, man. You gotta check out the rants here.
A preview:
Snooze Fest
If someone says "Lets, go watch that new movie Into the Wild." Be prepared for the slowest movie in history. You better be in the right mood to watch some hippie discover himself in the woods over a few years in the early nineties. So bring some gronola and wear your birkenstocks, sit back and relax. I think this movie is geared for pot smokers, they would really be into this.
It might just be three hours of your life you can never get back. You'll not be any smarter at the end of it, just sleepy.
Raining today!
It's been really pouring today, which is awesome. There were some sprinkles during the monsoon season, but this is the first time I've seen real rain here in AZ!
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
The Peets Keeps A-Comin'
I forgot to mention that my family brought me a bunch of freshly-ground Peets coffee when they visited!!!
Thank god for simple pleasures. I now have a freezer full of Holiday Blend, Arabian Mocha-Java, and even some Ethiopian Fancy (which the barista ground by accident and gave to my parents for free!).
Perfect timing too - that big bag o' deliciousness that Suzie sent me was just running out!!! Yay!!
Thank god for simple pleasures. I now have a freezer full of Holiday Blend, Arabian Mocha-Java, and even some Ethiopian Fancy (which the barista ground by accident and gave to my parents for free!).
Perfect timing too - that big bag o' deliciousness that Suzie sent me was just running out!!! Yay!!
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
$1 margaritas
I had 3... but they were small, I promise.
I love going to a law school that is part of one of the biggest party schools in the country - cheap drinks everywhere! Almost as good as the Ped Mall near the University of Iowa (that shit was fun).
Still, tho, $1 drinks are not a good studying motivator... but, today was the last day of classes and some celebrating had to happen, what can I say?
Three more exams that separate me from winter break! I can't freakin' wait.
I love going to a law school that is part of one of the biggest party schools in the country - cheap drinks everywhere! Almost as good as the Ped Mall near the University of Iowa (that shit was fun).
Still, tho, $1 drinks are not a good studying motivator... but, today was the last day of classes and some celebrating had to happen, what can I say?
Three more exams that separate me from winter break! I can't freakin' wait.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Don't Look Back
Bob Dylan is in the ether a lot these days... I just noticed that D.A. Pennebaker's documentary Don't Look Back is available on iTunes. The trailer, which is also in the film, is iconic. It was Dylan's idea and Allen Ginsberg is in the background:
Don't Look Back is excellent, but often infuriating. Dylan is insufferable as he smugly roams England in the mid-60s. But you also see him in his Highway 61 Revisited and Bringing It All Back Home heyday, so the film was compelling (at least to me).
One of (apparently) several homages to the scene above:
Don't Look Back is excellent, but often infuriating. Dylan is insufferable as he smugly roams England in the mid-60s. But you also see him in his Highway 61 Revisited and Bringing It All Back Home heyday, so the film was compelling (at least to me).
One of (apparently) several homages to the scene above:
I'm friends with Lawrence Lessig on Facebook
I freakin' love the series of tubes that is the internet. Lessig is awesome!
Sunday, November 25, 2007
No Country for Old Men
I saw this film over the weekend and it was excellent. It is incredibly violent (probably more violent than Fargo) and Javier Bardem is unrelenting in his creepiness.
This film is based on a Cormac McCarthy novel, not an original script by the filmmakers, but if you liked Blood Simple or if you like modern noir thrillers (despite the violence/gore), then you will like this new one from the Coen brothers.
This film is based on a Cormac McCarthy novel, not an original script by the filmmakers, but if you liked Blood Simple or if you like modern noir thrillers (despite the violence/gore), then you will like this new one from the Coen brothers.
Saturday, November 24, 2007
More on Taliesin West...
My camera's charger is M.I.A. or else I would have snapped my own photos yesterday. I came across a lovely set of photos of Taliesin West on Flickr - worth checking out!
I absolutely loved this fountain (imagine it with water in it, as it was when we visited):
I absolutely loved this fountain (imagine it with water in it, as it was when we visited):
Taliesin West
Yesterday the fam and I visited Taliesin West, a Frank Lloyd Wright teaching facility in Scottsdale.
The architect apprentices live here during the six months of winter, and spend the rest of the year at Taliesin in Wisconsin. The apprentices have to construct their own dwellings in the desert and they cook, work and live together during their apprenticeship.
From the 1930s until he died in the 60s, Wright and his wife lived at Taliesin West during the winter and hosted artists, movie stars, and filmmakers. He constructed three screening rooms and two theaters on the property. The buildings and the rooms are not kept in pristine condition - the buildings are kept open (somewhat) to the elements and the rooms had dust, cobwebs, etc. According to our tour guide, that is how Wright would have wanted it.
When Wright first built the facility the buildings had no glass and no roofs - the only coverage was canvas that they strung over the top of the building. When they were in Wisconsin during the summer, they would leave the buildings open and susceptible to the elements. I didn't know this, but apparently Wright was really into nature and natural settings and wanted the elements of the desert to be in the buildings - dust, bugs and all.
This laid-back approach carries over to today. On the tour, you walk through various parts of the buildings (including the bedrooms) and can sit on all of the furniture that he and his apprentices built when they lived there. It was very cool to sit in his "garden room," a large living room he used for entertaining guests:
This was Wright and his wife's bedroom - notice how they had separate beds:
To the left of the photo, there were sliding doors that opened up to a lovely garden. More photos here and here.
We hope to go back after the new year to catch an evening tour. Something tells me this place would be even more magical at night:
The architect apprentices live here during the six months of winter, and spend the rest of the year at Taliesin in Wisconsin. The apprentices have to construct their own dwellings in the desert and they cook, work and live together during their apprenticeship.
From the 1930s until he died in the 60s, Wright and his wife lived at Taliesin West during the winter and hosted artists, movie stars, and filmmakers. He constructed three screening rooms and two theaters on the property. The buildings and the rooms are not kept in pristine condition - the buildings are kept open (somewhat) to the elements and the rooms had dust, cobwebs, etc. According to our tour guide, that is how Wright would have wanted it.
When Wright first built the facility the buildings had no glass and no roofs - the only coverage was canvas that they strung over the top of the building. When they were in Wisconsin during the summer, they would leave the buildings open and susceptible to the elements. I didn't know this, but apparently Wright was really into nature and natural settings and wanted the elements of the desert to be in the buildings - dust, bugs and all.
This laid-back approach carries over to today. On the tour, you walk through various parts of the buildings (including the bedrooms) and can sit on all of the furniture that he and his apprentices built when they lived there. It was very cool to sit in his "garden room," a large living room he used for entertaining guests:
This was Wright and his wife's bedroom - notice how they had separate beds:
To the left of the photo, there were sliding doors that opened up to a lovely garden. More photos here and here.
We hope to go back after the new year to catch an evening tour. Something tells me this place would be even more magical at night:
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Correction re: Thanksgiving
Oops, I just realized that I didn't travel for T-day last year either. That was the first time in 10 years that I hadn't traveled. But it is the first time in decades (literally) that I'll celebrate T-day outside of Ventura!
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Thanksgiving...
For the first time in 11 years I don't have to travel for Thanksgiving! Thank you, sweet baby jesus.
The parents and my sister are driving out to AZ to cook and chow at my place! I can't wait... it will be fun to see them and I know that Franky will be happy to get their love and attention for the weekend!!
The parents and my sister are driving out to AZ to cook and chow at my place! I can't wait... it will be fun to see them and I know that Franky will be happy to get their love and attention for the weekend!!
Monday, November 19, 2007
Sunday, November 18, 2007
More media consolidation on the way
It looks like the FCC is going to lift the long-held ban on newspapers being able to buy tv or radio stations in the same market.
I guess as FCC Chairman, it's hard to protect the public interest when you know you will be working for one of the media conglomerates when you leave your post.
Here's the video clip from Bill Moyers Journal:
I guess as FCC Chairman, it's hard to protect the public interest when you know you will be working for one of the media conglomerates when you leave your post.
Here's the video clip from Bill Moyers Journal:
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Reminder: Project Runway 4!
As I mentioned in a previous post, Project Runway 4 premieres tonight! Yay!
If you want to get an early start on becoming annoyed at the contestants, check out the show's web page and all the lovely info on each and every one of the designers!
If you want to get an early start on becoming annoyed at the contestants, check out the show's web page and all the lovely info on each and every one of the designers!
Monday, November 12, 2007
Friday, November 9, 2007
Ingredients for Salad Dressing Found in 2,400-year-old Shipwreck
I loves me some Mediterranean antiquity. Check out the article here.
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Some Lost news
Just read that starting Monday, ABC.com will be playing some Lost webisodes:
The new season will not begin until the strike is over (jesus let's hope it's over before next February!) to avoid interrupting the schedule (like 24, they want to have new episodes each week with no breaks).
The new season of Lost begins Monday! Kinda. ABC has (quietly) announced that it will begin posting its Lost "mobisodes" (originally intended to debut with Verizon Wireless customers) on Monday, Nov. 12, at abc.com. The series of two- to three-minute vignettes — collectively known as "Missing Pieces" — kicks off with "The Watch," focusing on Matthew Fox's character. The micro-stories aren't deleted scenes — they're newly-shot material that fits into the larger Lost saga; it's up to the fans to figure out where they belong. A new Webisode will post each Monday.
The new season will not begin until the strike is over (jesus let's hope it's over before next February!) to avoid interrupting the schedule (like 24, they want to have new episodes each week with no breaks).
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Sonofa...
I just read that 24 is postponed indefinitely because of the writers' strike.
This is bad, TV-wise, but perhaps good school-wise? Maybe, since the networks plan on filling the dead airspace with - you guessed it - more lame-ass reality shows.
Crap.
This is bad, TV-wise, but perhaps good school-wise? Maybe, since the networks plan on filling the dead airspace with - you guessed it - more lame-ass reality shows.
Crap.
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
WGA strike
Dude, I'm down with the strike, but I realize that unless the media conglomerates cave we will either have to endure shorter seasons or show cancellations.
There is a rumor that Heroes could end in December! What does this mean for 24 and Lost next spring?!
I get heart palpitations just thinking about it.
There is a rumor that Heroes could end in December! What does this mean for 24 and Lost next spring?!
I get heart palpitations just thinking about it.
Monday, November 5, 2007
Old School Pic of the Day (5)
This is tooo funny.
Here is Rypinski, who a certain someone once called "pretty lips," in character at a murder mystery party thrown way back on March 24, 2000.
Here is Rypinski, who a certain someone once called "pretty lips," in character at a murder mystery party thrown way back on March 24, 2000.
Sunday, November 4, 2007
HD filmmaking made easy
By way of Slashdot, I came across a great article about the dropping prices of HD cameras and the number of tools available to budding filmmakers and videographers. One of Peachpit's authors, Stu Maschwitz, even gets a plug.
Below is a short video that was posted along with the article. (Click here to see the video in HD, plus the production specs and more pieces, such as this one by this auteur.) Enjoy!
Time from Fabian Mohr on Vimeo.
Below is a short video that was posted along with the article. (Click here to see the video in HD, plus the production specs and more pieces, such as this one by this auteur.) Enjoy!
Time from Fabian Mohr on Vimeo.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Fire on campus
I've been inside the law school for over two hours and was oblivious to the fact that there's a fire on campus not far from where I am (thanks, Internets!). I heard the sirens of the fire trucks but didn't think much about it. Wowsa.
Here's some video footage.
The building that's on fire is the "Memorial Union" - it's like your standard student union on any campus, except recently remodeled and containing an impressive food court - including a Starbucks. Way nicer than Berkeley's, which seemed to always smell of urine. Bummer!
Here's some video footage.
The building that's on fire is the "Memorial Union" - it's like your standard student union on any campus, except recently remodeled and containing an impressive food court - including a Starbucks. Way nicer than Berkeley's, which seemed to always smell of urine. Bummer!
No End in Sight
This documentary released this week on DVD (it's on Netflix) and I strongly recommend it. No End in Sight is heart-wrenching, as most films about Iraq are.
But what sets this one apart is that it tries to walk the audience through each stage of the war to help understand what went wrong (when, how, and why). The filmmaker clearly despises Donald Rumsfeld, but in a way, who doesn't?
Check out the trailer, which the filmmakers made available for embedding on the blogosphere (very cool of them):
But what sets this one apart is that it tries to walk the audience through each stage of the war to help understand what went wrong (when, how, and why). The filmmaker clearly despises Donald Rumsfeld, but in a way, who doesn't?
Check out the trailer, which the filmmakers made available for embedding on the blogosphere (very cool of them):
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Even more on X-Files 2
Per Variety, the sequel (which still doesn't have an official title) will release on July 25, 2008! That's a crazy short production schedule (they begin filming this December 10) but perhaps they can do it...
A snippet from the article:
A snippet from the article:
Studio is keeping the film's logline under wraps, but stressed the pic is a stand-alone story and supernatural thriller that takes the complicated relationship between Mulder and Scully in new directions.
Happy Halloween
My sister reminded me that little children could be walking up to my door this evening asking for candy.
How was I oblivious to this? I knew Halloween was coming up but somehow it didn't occur to me that all the little kids in my apartment complex could be knocking on my door demanding treats.
I guess I'll have to go to the store at the last minute on my way home from school (I'll be at school from 8:30 to 5:30 today, beautiful!). Sonofabitch.
To get in the spirit of things, here's a picture of one of my Halloweens. Prior to this picture being taken, some little effer ripped off my tail (I'm supposed to be the Pink Panther). I was furious. Ahh, childhood!
How was I oblivious to this? I knew Halloween was coming up but somehow it didn't occur to me that all the little kids in my apartment complex could be knocking on my door demanding treats.
I guess I'll have to go to the store at the last minute on my way home from school (I'll be at school from 8:30 to 5:30 today, beautiful!). Sonofabitch.
To get in the spirit of things, here's a picture of one of my Halloweens. Prior to this picture being taken, some little effer ripped off my tail (I'm supposed to be the Pink Panther). I was furious. Ahh, childhood!
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Twin Peaks full box set released today
As I mentioned in an earlier post, the entire Twin Peaks series (including the pilot) is now available for sale as one box set!
Amazon is selling it at $35 off - and they also have a recipe for cherry pie and a video montage related to coffee on the product page.
Me thinky I need to buy this.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Bizarro
I just discovered something: In one of my books for my Contracts class there is a copy of the release form the producers of Borat asked participants to sign in order to appear in the film. The form describes the film as a "documentary-style film.... that the producer hopes [will] reach a young adult audience by using entertaining content and formats."
You may have heard that some of the participants sued the filmmakers, to no avail.
It was funny to flip through my school book and see a contract titled "Borat Release." Ha!
You may have heard that some of the participants sued the filmmakers, to no avail.
It was funny to flip through my school book and see a contract titled "Borat Release." Ha!
More on X-Files 2
This sequel has an IMDB listing now (moving it closer to legitimacy!), and filming begins in Vancouver on December 10. I'm happy to hear they'll be back in Vancouver. Those sunny days in LA were just not the same.
Chris Carter will direct a script he co-wrote with Frank Spotnitz. I can't wait to find out what Mulder and Scully have been up to since the finale, when we last saw them on a bed in a hotel room together!
Chris Carter will direct a script he co-wrote with Frank Spotnitz. I can't wait to find out what Mulder and Scully have been up to since the finale, when we last saw them on a bed in a hotel room together!
New movies on the horizon
A new documentary about the late Joe Strummer.
A new one from the Coen Brothers (reminds me of Blood Simple).
And from Paul Thomas Anderson: There Will Be Blood.
Michel Gondry's take on video rentals.
Teaser for Francis Ford Coppola's Youth on Youth, starring Tim Roth.
From the guy who brought you Donnie Darko - here is Southland Tales (I'm worried this will suck).
Juno (this looks cute, and has Jason Bateman, Michael Cera, Rainn Wilson and Jennifer Garner).
A new one from the Coen Brothers (reminds me of Blood Simple).
And from Paul Thomas Anderson: There Will Be Blood.
Michel Gondry's take on video rentals.
Teaser for Francis Ford Coppola's Youth on Youth, starring Tim Roth.
From the guy who brought you Donnie Darko - here is Southland Tales (I'm worried this will suck).
Juno (this looks cute, and has Jason Bateman, Michael Cera, Rainn Wilson and Jennifer Garner).
Sunday, October 28, 2007
A gift from Moby
This is really cool - Moby has an area on his site where videographers/filmmakers of any level or purpose can download tracks of his to use in their videos. The only condition is that the music is not used in commercial projects (a Creative Commons type approach).
This is a really amazing gift - some of the tracks are hauntingly beautiful, as fans of the Play LP know.
This is a really amazing gift - some of the tracks are hauntingly beautiful, as fans of the Play LP know.
Funny things I heard on Saturday
I had to share these...
On Saturday morning, I volunteered with a group of law students who painted a disabled man's home (through an organization that helps link volunteers with people in need of this type of assistance).
You know me and physical labor/exertion - by the end of it I wanted to die (it was hot, and the house wasn't prepped by the organization (if only the home were made of stucco. No, the home was made of deteriorating wood and we had to scrape off a good portion of the old paint before we could paint it anew).
Anyway, I shouldn't be bitching so much. I linked up with a few friends from class to work on one section of the house and we had a few laughs. At one point, one of the guys (who cracks my shit up) is debating whether he should go to the alley behind the house to take a leak (lovely). I mention how unfortunate it would be to be arrested for indecent exposure while he's out here volunteering. His response? "It's decent," he says. And by "it" - well, you know what he was referring to.
At another point we had to put some caulking around the edge of a window frame. Well none of us could let it go unnoticed that you pronounce it "cocking." Yes! I love that I'm finding all of my dirty-minded kindred spirits.
After the caulking was done and was drying, my bladdery friend says "it looks like someone [inaudible] all over the window." My ears perked up - "What?" I said. "Oh, you heard that, huh? Skeet, skeet."
Then, later that day I met up with some other friends for a much-needed drink. My classmate was filling me in on the dating history of another person who was there and mentioned that "he dated [name omitted] for a while, in the 'rugburns on the shoulders' kind of way." NICE! I'd like to date someone in that kind of way, too.
On Saturday morning, I volunteered with a group of law students who painted a disabled man's home (through an organization that helps link volunteers with people in need of this type of assistance).
You know me and physical labor/exertion - by the end of it I wanted to die (it was hot, and the house wasn't prepped by the organization (if only the home were made of stucco. No, the home was made of deteriorating wood and we had to scrape off a good portion of the old paint before we could paint it anew).
Anyway, I shouldn't be bitching so much. I linked up with a few friends from class to work on one section of the house and we had a few laughs. At one point, one of the guys (who cracks my shit up) is debating whether he should go to the alley behind the house to take a leak (lovely). I mention how unfortunate it would be to be arrested for indecent exposure while he's out here volunteering. His response? "It's decent," he says. And by "it" - well, you know what he was referring to.
At another point we had to put some caulking around the edge of a window frame. Well none of us could let it go unnoticed that you pronounce it "cocking." Yes! I love that I'm finding all of my dirty-minded kindred spirits.
After the caulking was done and was drying, my bladdery friend says "it looks like someone [inaudible] all over the window." My ears perked up - "What?" I said. "Oh, you heard that, huh? Skeet, skeet."
Then, later that day I met up with some other friends for a much-needed drink. My classmate was filling me in on the dating history of another person who was there and mentioned that "he dated [name omitted] for a while, in the 'rugburns on the shoulders' kind of way." NICE! I'd like to date someone in that kind of way, too.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
24: Day 7 Trailer tomorrow
Hey y'all - the trailer for season 7 hits the interwebs tomorrow at 10am (Pacific)!
I believe we're going to see Jack (of course), Chloe and Soul Patch. I'm going to assume with Zombie Almeida back in the mix, this new season should be better than the last. Can't wait!
I believe we're going to see Jack (of course), Chloe and Soul Patch. I'm going to assume with Zombie Almeida back in the mix, this new season should be better than the last. Can't wait!
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Free Love on the Freelove Freeway
Monday, October 22, 2007
Ventura surrounded by fire
Malibu is getting the most attention, but apparently there are fires east/northeast of Ventura as well. I havent' heard of any evacuations in Ventura county yet, let's hope the find a way to contain these... Here's a satellite pic:
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Cute little Michael Cera...
Some peeps recommended "Clark and Michael" to me but I've only recently had the chance to check it out. I'm loving it of course. If you liked Arrested Development, you'll like Clark and Michael. Enjoy!
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Remember when MTV played videos?
At least we have YouTube and whatnot... Thought I'd share these:
A music video (for Cold War Kids) recast as a trailer for (what could be) a 60s-era French "new wave" film.
The White Stripes & Michel Gondry:
Bjork & Stephane Sednaoui:
Last one... another by Michel Gondry. I heard somewhere that this video was filmed as one continuous shot. If that's true, pretty coolio.
A music video (for Cold War Kids) recast as a trailer for (what could be) a 60s-era French "new wave" film.
The White Stripes & Michel Gondry:
Bjork & Stephane Sednaoui:
Last one... another by Michel Gondry. I heard somewhere that this video was filmed as one continuous shot. If that's true, pretty coolio.
Friday, October 19, 2007
Hipster Olympics
This is hilarious. Hipster Olympics in Brooklyn, sponsored by Pabst Blue Ribbon of course. I laughed out loud at the "First to the ATM to see if the check your parents sent has cleared yet" section of the race...
More from Comedy Central
Check out this post about The Daily Show's efforts to put all of its episodes online. A few old school samples are embedded in the post - including the first show Jon Stewart did after 9/11.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Colbert throws his hat in the ring.
Stephen Colbert has announced his plans to run for President. Here are some snippets from the article:
Lastly, did you see Colbert's attack on Powell's Books?
Shortly before making the announcement, Colbert appeared on "The Daily Show" (the show which spawned Colbert's spin-off) and played cagy, claiming he was only ready to consider a White House bid.
He entered the studio set pulled by a bicycle pedaled by Uncle Sam and quickly pulled out a bale of hay and a bottle of beer to show that he was "an Average Joe."
Colbert said his final decision would be announced on a "more prestigious show," which turned out to be his own.
The comedian said he would run as both a Democrat and Republican. He earlier explained the strategy: "I can lose twice." He claimed three running mate possibilities: Colbert-Huckabee, Colbert-Putin or Colbert-Colbert.
Lastly, did you see Colbert's attack on Powell's Books?
Sunday, October 14, 2007
On women.
There have been some things mulling around in my brain for a while now, and I figured it was time to get them down in writing.
Part One.
When I embarked on law school, I thought a lot about my great-grandmother. She is an inspiration to me; she faced incredibly difficult times in her life, but always remained a warm, loving, generous and happy person. I always think of her when I get down on myself, or angry, or disappointed with people. I think, what would Cha-Cha do? (I gave her this nickname as a toddler, because she used to dance with me and say "cha-cha-cha.") She inspires me to be a kind person, no matter what comes my way. (Not that I always succeed, of course.)
Rosalie at 16, circa 1914.
Rosalie spent the first 8 years of her life in Nova Scotia, before being sent to live with her aunt in a town near Boston. The aunt promised to educate my great-grandmother, but instead turned her into essentially a house servant.
As soon as she could (and possibly not too long after the picture above was taken), Rosalie married my great-grandfather and they moved to Los Angeles in the early 1920s. In the late 20s, or perhaps during the depression, they moved to Ventura (my hometown). I'm not sure on the timeline, though.
My great-grandfather turned out to be a drunk, but he could hold at least hold a job. During the depression they lived on the outskirts of Ventura, near the oil fields (for you VTAers, this is off the avenue near the end of the avenue. If you go there now the housing is essentially shanties (sp?)). Things turned a corner financially in the early 40s, when they bought a house in downtown Ventura (which is still owned by my grandmother).
My great-grandparents had four children: Robert, Margaret, Jeremiah, and Catherine (my grandma).
Bob and Jerry each volunteered for the army during WWII. Bob went first and was sent to recently-liberated France. There are letters that he sent home detailing his days of boredom, which he spent drinking and gambling with soldiers and French locals. I'll be reproducing those on this blog at some point.
Jerry was sent to Asia, and was captured in the Phillipines by the Japanese. He was a prisoner of war for three years and just missed the Bataan death march. He was allowed to send some correspondence back home, but it was clearly censored (I'll blog about that too, at a later point). He was liberated once Japan surrendered.
Margaret got married when Bob was in Europe and Jerry was missing in action. She became pregnant, but during childbirth she and her baby girl died. It's really heartbreaking I could never have met her. She seemed fun, beautiful, and radiant.
My great-grandmother survived all of this tragedy, and still somehow remained a loving, warm, kind person throughout her life. She was my best friend when I was little. She was the cutest little thing.
Cha-Cha and me, late 1970s.
Cha-Cha, 1980s.
Part Two.
Last week, a woman I worked with at Peachpit passed away. She had been diagnosed with brain cancer the year prior. It was aggressive and it acted fast. She was about 50 when she passed away; much too young to lose one's life.
There have been some lovely sentiments expressed here and here, and I encourage you to read about Marjorie.
One thing Marjorie loved were well-written obituaries. When I still worked at Peachpit, I remember she cut out some of the obits she found (often in the NY Times) and tacked them up on the outside of her cubicle. She loved to read them. So in her honor, here's my stab at an obituary that I hope, if she were to come across it in the paper, she would cut out and put up in her cubicle.
Marjorie Baer, "the editor's editor" to colleagues, passes too soon.
Marjorie Baer was the editorial ambassador to Peachpit's author community. She relished in those early stages of the book process - learning something new from a passionate expert; putting a sparkle in their eye by asking them to write a book about it; and understanding how to turn that great idea into a fabulous book.
It was not only her ability, but her style: Marjorie instilled confidence in her authors and colleagues not through direct statements, but by gently intimating and demonstrating the way to success. She cared deeply that those around her were successful in their endeavors.
Marjorie epitomized Berkeley elegance. Always graceful but never stuffy. She took time to brew loose tea in a lovely ceramic teapot - I envied that lavendar teapot. She was forever peeling the fresh fruit she bought from Monterey Market or Berkeley Bowl in meetings. Sensing you needed a little afternoon pick-me-up, she would casually pass you a few wedges of grapefruit or tangerine across the conference table. I can still remember how good those citrus fruits would smell after she peeled them.
Marjorie loved movies, watercolor, photography, and fall leaves. The next time you notice the leaves have changed color and are gracefully falling to the ground, think of Marjorie. She would have wanted to share that beauty with you, too.
Part One.
When I embarked on law school, I thought a lot about my great-grandmother. She is an inspiration to me; she faced incredibly difficult times in her life, but always remained a warm, loving, generous and happy person. I always think of her when I get down on myself, or angry, or disappointed with people. I think, what would Cha-Cha do? (I gave her this nickname as a toddler, because she used to dance with me and say "cha-cha-cha.") She inspires me to be a kind person, no matter what comes my way. (Not that I always succeed, of course.)
Rosalie at 16, circa 1914.
Rosalie spent the first 8 years of her life in Nova Scotia, before being sent to live with her aunt in a town near Boston. The aunt promised to educate my great-grandmother, but instead turned her into essentially a house servant.
As soon as she could (and possibly not too long after the picture above was taken), Rosalie married my great-grandfather and they moved to Los Angeles in the early 1920s. In the late 20s, or perhaps during the depression, they moved to Ventura (my hometown). I'm not sure on the timeline, though.
My great-grandfather turned out to be a drunk, but he could hold at least hold a job. During the depression they lived on the outskirts of Ventura, near the oil fields (for you VTAers, this is off the avenue near the end of the avenue. If you go there now the housing is essentially shanties (sp?)). Things turned a corner financially in the early 40s, when they bought a house in downtown Ventura (which is still owned by my grandmother).
My great-grandparents had four children: Robert, Margaret, Jeremiah, and Catherine (my grandma).
Bob and Jerry each volunteered for the army during WWII. Bob went first and was sent to recently-liberated France. There are letters that he sent home detailing his days of boredom, which he spent drinking and gambling with soldiers and French locals. I'll be reproducing those on this blog at some point.
Jerry was sent to Asia, and was captured in the Phillipines by the Japanese. He was a prisoner of war for three years and just missed the Bataan death march. He was allowed to send some correspondence back home, but it was clearly censored (I'll blog about that too, at a later point). He was liberated once Japan surrendered.
Margaret got married when Bob was in Europe and Jerry was missing in action. She became pregnant, but during childbirth she and her baby girl died. It's really heartbreaking I could never have met her. She seemed fun, beautiful, and radiant.
My great-grandmother survived all of this tragedy, and still somehow remained a loving, warm, kind person throughout her life. She was my best friend when I was little. She was the cutest little thing.
Cha-Cha and me, late 1970s.
Cha-Cha, 1980s.
Part Two.
Last week, a woman I worked with at Peachpit passed away. She had been diagnosed with brain cancer the year prior. It was aggressive and it acted fast. She was about 50 when she passed away; much too young to lose one's life.
There have been some lovely sentiments expressed here and here, and I encourage you to read about Marjorie.
One thing Marjorie loved were well-written obituaries. When I still worked at Peachpit, I remember she cut out some of the obits she found (often in the NY Times) and tacked them up on the outside of her cubicle. She loved to read them. So in her honor, here's my stab at an obituary that I hope, if she were to come across it in the paper, she would cut out and put up in her cubicle.
Marjorie Baer, "the editor's editor" to colleagues, passes too soon.
Marjorie Baer was the editorial ambassador to Peachpit's author community. She relished in those early stages of the book process - learning something new from a passionate expert; putting a sparkle in their eye by asking them to write a book about it; and understanding how to turn that great idea into a fabulous book.
It was not only her ability, but her style: Marjorie instilled confidence in her authors and colleagues not through direct statements, but by gently intimating and demonstrating the way to success. She cared deeply that those around her were successful in their endeavors.
Marjorie epitomized Berkeley elegance. Always graceful but never stuffy. She took time to brew loose tea in a lovely ceramic teapot - I envied that lavendar teapot. She was forever peeling the fresh fruit she bought from Monterey Market or Berkeley Bowl in meetings. Sensing you needed a little afternoon pick-me-up, she would casually pass you a few wedges of grapefruit or tangerine across the conference table. I can still remember how good those citrus fruits would smell after she peeled them.
Marjorie loved movies, watercolor, photography, and fall leaves. The next time you notice the leaves have changed color and are gracefully falling to the ground, think of Marjorie. She would have wanted to share that beauty with you, too.
Saturday, October 13, 2007
It's been a week.
I got into a heated discussion (read: argument) with a fellow 1L yesterday. Oopsie, there went my plan for staying under the radar!
My approach to law school has been to stay focused, limit who I talked to so that I could be sure to maintain a positive mindset, and overall try to enjoy this crazy experience.
Living in a red state for the first time, I did not want to be dismissed as the liberal nutjob by my more conservative peers. But, a girl has limits, and in the immortal words of Patrick Swayze, "nobody puts baby in a corner."
So, here's what happened:
I'm in the hallway outside my professor's office, waiting for the professor to end her student meeting so that I can pick something up from her.
Then, a friend walks up and we start chatting. This friend is native american, and the conversation turns to whether she might want to practice indian law, and some of the lobbying work she did prior to school to help a case against an organization they believe was funding racist groups.
While this is going on, another student walks up and waits (he was also waiting for the professor). He doesn't say anything, but just listens to what we're talking about. I've never talked to this person before but he is in a few of my classes.
Then my friend needs to leave, and as soon as she is out of earshot, the exchange with him begins:
Him: It's always interesting when they want their rights considered, but they never consider the other side.
[His tone suggested that as a fellow white person, I would understand his statement.]
Me: I don't know what you mean.
Him: They always put things in their perspective and expect their side to be heard, but they are not willing to consider whites' rights.
Me (thinking, "oh jesus, here we go."): I don't think she was saying that at all (then I went through the things we were talking about - most of which he had missed because he wasn't even there - including problems relating to prosecuting crimes committed by non-indians on tribal lands, and the litigation thing she worked on).
Him: [The organization mentioned above] is not racist.
[At this point, another student was present and thankfully he was interjecting.]
Other Student: But most nationalist groups are.
Him: That's true, and I'm not saying I support [that organization]. But they just generalize and try to say that all white people are racist.
Me: She wasn't saying that at all. I mean, I'm white, so if she was trying to say that all white people are racist why would she say that to me?
Other Student: Right.
Him: Do you have kids, or do you want kids?
Me (thinking this was a weird tangent): I don't have kids, and I don't know if I will.
Him: Well, when you have a son, and he's white, and he can't get in to the school he wants, you'll understand (he ended this with a slight wink, giving off the impression that I was naive, and once I popped out a kid and had some epiphany I would wisen up and understand his perspective.)
Me (heat rising up the back of my neck): I'm 32 years old. I know what my beliefs are. There have been barriers in my life and I worked around them.
[At this point he rolls his eyes which I interpret to mean that I had breaks because I'm a woman.]
Me: You think that I got in to law school because I'm a woman? (I know I was making a leap here, but if there was a chance this was his point I had to say something.) The majority of our class is men!
At this point my professor opened the door, and I ended the convo with the student and picked up what I needed from the professor. He then went in to meet with her and I continued talking to the Other Student outside her office before heading off the library to badmouth him to some people.
I was really worked up from this exchange with him. I was offended that because I was white, he assumed I would join in on a racist exchage (this has happened to me before and it's sick) - and that he said it after my friend was out of earshot. Then, even though he's probably 10 years younger than me, he has the effing gaul to tell me that because I don't have children I really don't understand how the world works. Then (if I interpreted him correctly) my presence at the law school means I stole a spot from another white male who was more deserving.
I just kept thinking: who the f*** does he think he is?
The majority of our class is men (60%) when the national average for law schools is 50:50 or 51% women. Further, the majority of men in my class are white. So I'm sorry, how are they at a disadvantage? Because it's not 100% male and white? Umm, maybe my ovaries were not the deciding factor when it came to admitting me. Perhaps I'm just smarter or more accomplished than other white, male candidates. What a frickin' concept.
But, I had a good chat about it with some friends and I feel better about the whole thing now. In fact (and this is switching gears), I'm hoping you can meet some of my friends if you ever come visit! There's one friend I've nicknamed "Resident Polish Sexpot" (she's polish, married but hot for all the young guys - and she's 34). She gave herself the nickname "Mormon Schicksa" because all the young mormon boys are nice to her. She was a sympathetic ear yesterday. I think we talked for three hours in the library about the people at school we are currently hating. It was a lovely way to work out the anger!
PS: Happy Birthday Chris Carter, a fellow 13'er.
My approach to law school has been to stay focused, limit who I talked to so that I could be sure to maintain a positive mindset, and overall try to enjoy this crazy experience.
Living in a red state for the first time, I did not want to be dismissed as the liberal nutjob by my more conservative peers. But, a girl has limits, and in the immortal words of Patrick Swayze, "nobody puts baby in a corner."
So, here's what happened:
I'm in the hallway outside my professor's office, waiting for the professor to end her student meeting so that I can pick something up from her.
Then, a friend walks up and we start chatting. This friend is native american, and the conversation turns to whether she might want to practice indian law, and some of the lobbying work she did prior to school to help a case against an organization they believe was funding racist groups.
While this is going on, another student walks up and waits (he was also waiting for the professor). He doesn't say anything, but just listens to what we're talking about. I've never talked to this person before but he is in a few of my classes.
Then my friend needs to leave, and as soon as she is out of earshot, the exchange with him begins:
Him: It's always interesting when they want their rights considered, but they never consider the other side.
[His tone suggested that as a fellow white person, I would understand his statement.]
Me: I don't know what you mean.
Him: They always put things in their perspective and expect their side to be heard, but they are not willing to consider whites' rights.
Me (thinking, "oh jesus, here we go."): I don't think she was saying that at all (then I went through the things we were talking about - most of which he had missed because he wasn't even there - including problems relating to prosecuting crimes committed by non-indians on tribal lands, and the litigation thing she worked on).
Him: [The organization mentioned above] is not racist.
[At this point, another student was present and thankfully he was interjecting.]
Other Student: But most nationalist groups are.
Him: That's true, and I'm not saying I support [that organization]. But they just generalize and try to say that all white people are racist.
Me: She wasn't saying that at all. I mean, I'm white, so if she was trying to say that all white people are racist why would she say that to me?
Other Student: Right.
Him: Do you have kids, or do you want kids?
Me (thinking this was a weird tangent): I don't have kids, and I don't know if I will.
Him: Well, when you have a son, and he's white, and he can't get in to the school he wants, you'll understand (he ended this with a slight wink, giving off the impression that I was naive, and once I popped out a kid and had some epiphany I would wisen up and understand his perspective.)
Me (heat rising up the back of my neck): I'm 32 years old. I know what my beliefs are. There have been barriers in my life and I worked around them.
[At this point he rolls his eyes which I interpret to mean that I had breaks because I'm a woman.]
Me: You think that I got in to law school because I'm a woman? (I know I was making a leap here, but if there was a chance this was his point I had to say something.) The majority of our class is men!
At this point my professor opened the door, and I ended the convo with the student and picked up what I needed from the professor. He then went in to meet with her and I continued talking to the Other Student outside her office before heading off the library to badmouth him to some people.
I was really worked up from this exchange with him. I was offended that because I was white, he assumed I would join in on a racist exchage (this has happened to me before and it's sick) - and that he said it after my friend was out of earshot. Then, even though he's probably 10 years younger than me, he has the effing gaul to tell me that because I don't have children I really don't understand how the world works. Then (if I interpreted him correctly) my presence at the law school means I stole a spot from another white male who was more deserving.
I just kept thinking: who the f*** does he think he is?
The majority of our class is men (60%) when the national average for law schools is 50:50 or 51% women. Further, the majority of men in my class are white. So I'm sorry, how are they at a disadvantage? Because it's not 100% male and white? Umm, maybe my ovaries were not the deciding factor when it came to admitting me. Perhaps I'm just smarter or more accomplished than other white, male candidates. What a frickin' concept.
But, I had a good chat about it with some friends and I feel better about the whole thing now. In fact (and this is switching gears), I'm hoping you can meet some of my friends if you ever come visit! There's one friend I've nicknamed "Resident Polish Sexpot" (she's polish, married but hot for all the young guys - and she's 34). She gave herself the nickname "Mormon Schicksa" because all the young mormon boys are nice to her. She was a sympathetic ear yesterday. I think we talked for three hours in the library about the people at school we are currently hating. It was a lovely way to work out the anger!
PS: Happy Birthday Chris Carter, a fellow 13'er.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
TiVo continues to surprise me
According to my TiVo thingie, Lynne Cheney will be on The Daily Show tonight. WTF?
My professor dropped the f-bomb today.
It's nice when you hope for something and then it happens!
Today in class, when discussing whether courts should create law or wait for Congress to pass legislation, my professor seemed to favor the former when he said that Congress "doesn't know what the f*** it's doing."
I f***ing love this guy.
Today in class, when discussing whether courts should create law or wait for Congress to pass legislation, my professor seemed to favor the former when he said that Congress "doesn't know what the f*** it's doing."
I f***ing love this guy.
Friday, October 5, 2007
Dinner and a movie
Fall break is awesome!
I started off the week being very studious, but it seems I caught the slacker bug at Pepperdine and since then haven't been as good. It's Friday now and I still haven't cracked open the Civil Procedure books. Well, there still is today so I shouldn't fret.
I meant to be very well-behaved (school-wise) each day so that I could have guilt-free, fun evenings. But yesterday, I got my haircut at Yamaguchi's which was divine (even saw Billy and he said hello!). So after sitting in a lovely salon for a couple of hours getting pampered and sipping on green tea (out of a real ceramic mug, too) it was hard to face Torts.
Plus, a friend and I had a matinee to catch! We saw Eastern Promises and it was great. I get the Viggo thing, big time now. He was smoldering, tattoos and all. And it wouldn't be a Cronenberg film without a scene where Viggo has to ward off two assassins whilst in the buff. And by that I mean full frontal, kiddies.
We then had an amazing dinner at Brooks, a newish place in Ventura. Yummo! This place was awesome. The design was simple and elegant and it seemed like all the handsome men in Ventura were working there (where do they come from?).
They started the meal with an amuse bouche (having only learned what the hell that is from Top Chef, I will admit to you) of tomato in a citrus vinaigrette. Lovely!
We shared a bottle of their private label pinot noir (we later learned that it was from a winery in Summerland). It was perfectly smooth and light and complimented our entire meal.
The menu was awesome. I tried the limoncello-steamed blue hill mussells to start, and they were very good. They added cream to the broth which was delicious and different, but rich as well.
I had the scallops for my main entree and they were perfectly cooked. It was served with a cactus relish, which I had to try since I have never eaten cactus before (Arizona is really getting in my veins, yeah?). I'm not sure what's it's supposed to taste like, so I'm hesitant to criticize it - but I was hoping the relish would be a little spicier. Also, the cactus was a little viscousy (is this a word?). However, despite these things, the relish and scallops worked well together and the mole vinaigrette that was drizzled on the plate helped to round out the flavor.
Then, I had the most decadent dessert known to man: maytag blue cheese cheesecake with a balsamic vinegar reduction. Sounds weird, right? No - it was delicious! It was mostly savory but there were a few hints of sweetness in it and it was incredible. I had to keep myself from licking the plate.
So, now I'm sipping coffee and have daytime plans again (beginning yoga class (!) and lunch with a friend). I'm sure I'll be able to justify the slacking today, as well. This is why we have a break I suppose - to have some fun and "recharge the batteries"? Well, that's what I'm telling myself.
I started off the week being very studious, but it seems I caught the slacker bug at Pepperdine and since then haven't been as good. It's Friday now and I still haven't cracked open the Civil Procedure books. Well, there still is today so I shouldn't fret.
I meant to be very well-behaved (school-wise) each day so that I could have guilt-free, fun evenings. But yesterday, I got my haircut at Yamaguchi's which was divine (even saw Billy and he said hello!). So after sitting in a lovely salon for a couple of hours getting pampered and sipping on green tea (out of a real ceramic mug, too) it was hard to face Torts.
Plus, a friend and I had a matinee to catch! We saw Eastern Promises and it was great. I get the Viggo thing, big time now. He was smoldering, tattoos and all. And it wouldn't be a Cronenberg film without a scene where Viggo has to ward off two assassins whilst in the buff. And by that I mean full frontal, kiddies.
We then had an amazing dinner at Brooks, a newish place in Ventura. Yummo! This place was awesome. The design was simple and elegant and it seemed like all the handsome men in Ventura were working there (where do they come from?).
They started the meal with an amuse bouche (having only learned what the hell that is from Top Chef, I will admit to you) of tomato in a citrus vinaigrette. Lovely!
We shared a bottle of their private label pinot noir (we later learned that it was from a winery in Summerland). It was perfectly smooth and light and complimented our entire meal.
The menu was awesome. I tried the limoncello-steamed blue hill mussells to start, and they were very good. They added cream to the broth which was delicious and different, but rich as well.
I had the scallops for my main entree and they were perfectly cooked. It was served with a cactus relish, which I had to try since I have never eaten cactus before (Arizona is really getting in my veins, yeah?). I'm not sure what's it's supposed to taste like, so I'm hesitant to criticize it - but I was hoping the relish would be a little spicier. Also, the cactus was a little viscousy (is this a word?). However, despite these things, the relish and scallops worked well together and the mole vinaigrette that was drizzled on the plate helped to round out the flavor.
Then, I had the most decadent dessert known to man: maytag blue cheese cheesecake with a balsamic vinegar reduction. Sounds weird, right? No - it was delicious! It was mostly savory but there were a few hints of sweetness in it and it was incredible. I had to keep myself from licking the plate.
So, now I'm sipping coffee and have daytime plans again (beginning yoga class (!) and lunch with a friend). I'm sure I'll be able to justify the slacking today, as well. This is why we have a break I suppose - to have some fun and "recharge the batteries"? Well, that's what I'm telling myself.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Pepperdine law library
Sooo, I went down to Malibu yesterday to do some research at Pepperdine's law library.
First off, it's beautiful in Malibu and the campus is lovely - it's on a bluff overlooking the ocean. How people study in such an environment is baffling to me.
The parking was free, which was a nice perk. The law library was kind of empty, I thought, given that it was a mid-week afternoon. I noticed that a lot of books were strewn across a lot of different tables. I don't know if they are short on staff to re-shelve them? I thought that was weird, and would suck if you were a student and needed to find those books!
And, not to be bitchy but: the library was so effing depressing! It was a brown palace (brown paneling, brown tables, brown booksheves, brown chairs) and had very few windows. I now really appreciate the law library at ASU!
Luckily I was looking for things that no one else needed, although as I roamed the stacks of old ALRs I did come across some roaming 1Ls who were working on a research assignment out of the Sloan Research Workbook, which is just this little paperback volume that gives you mini-research projects to help you navigate through the library.
I don't know if all the students were like the ones I saw, but I noticed some serious slack-a-liciousness. I mean, I know that if you are not a stellar student but have lots of ducats at your disposal, Pepperdine is your school, but I was still surprised to see what looked like characters straight of out of Superbad or Knocked Up roaming the aisles.
First off, it's beautiful in Malibu and the campus is lovely - it's on a bluff overlooking the ocean. How people study in such an environment is baffling to me.
The parking was free, which was a nice perk. The law library was kind of empty, I thought, given that it was a mid-week afternoon. I noticed that a lot of books were strewn across a lot of different tables. I don't know if they are short on staff to re-shelve them? I thought that was weird, and would suck if you were a student and needed to find those books!
And, not to be bitchy but: the library was so effing depressing! It was a brown palace (brown paneling, brown tables, brown booksheves, brown chairs) and had very few windows. I now really appreciate the law library at ASU!
Luckily I was looking for things that no one else needed, although as I roamed the stacks of old ALRs I did come across some roaming 1Ls who were working on a research assignment out of the Sloan Research Workbook, which is just this little paperback volume that gives you mini-research projects to help you navigate through the library.
I don't know if all the students were like the ones I saw, but I noticed some serious slack-a-liciousness. I mean, I know that if you are not a stellar student but have lots of ducats at your disposal, Pepperdine is your school, but I was still surprised to see what looked like characters straight of out of Superbad or Knocked Up roaming the aisles.
Old School Pic of the Day (4)
I think this is from 1999.
Notice all the short hair cuts on the gals! I think we were inspired by Scully.
And Winter (the boy pictured) is our "Huckleberry Finn" type friend. Not that that explains his hair in this pic.
Monday, October 1, 2007
Radiohead: Pay what you want
The interwebs have been a-buzz about Radiohead's latest experiment: you can download their new LP on October 10 and it's up to you to decide how much you want to pay for it. In Rainbows is the first LP they will have released on their own, with no record label involvement.
It's great to see more artists (including those I love, like Radiohead) try new ways to distribute music in these modern times. Who knows what will work, but I'm glad they are resisting the criticism by the retailers or other purveyors of the old system (just like Steven Soderbergh did when he released Bubble on DVD on the same day it opened in theaters).
Don't get me wrong, I loves me a great record store or a great movie theater, but I also recognize that something has to give when it comes to copyright in the digital universe.
It's great to see more artists (including those I love, like Radiohead) try new ways to distribute music in these modern times. Who knows what will work, but I'm glad they are resisting the criticism by the retailers or other purveyors of the old system (just like Steven Soderbergh did when he released Bubble on DVD on the same day it opened in theaters).
Don't get me wrong, I loves me a great record store or a great movie theater, but I also recognize that something has to give when it comes to copyright in the digital universe.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Spoiler Alert: 24: Day 7
I don't want to ruin anything for those 24 fans out there, but if you want a clue about what's in store next season, check out the sentiment I quoted in an older blog post.
I'm bummed this surprise was ruined for me by the interwebs (totally by accident, I did not seek out the info), so I don't want to spoil it for anyone else.
But let's just say the writers on the show are pushing the limits of plausibility, more so than they have before. Let's just hope they don't take the same bad turn the X-Files did toward the end there.
I'm bummed this surprise was ruined for me by the interwebs (totally by accident, I did not seek out the info), so I don't want to spoil it for anyone else.
But let's just say the writers on the show are pushing the limits of plausibility, more so than they have before. Let's just hope they don't take the same bad turn the X-Files did toward the end there.
Old School Pic of the Day (3)
It's a two-fer, since I gots to represent both of these dolls!
Here's Jess, doing what she can to get impregnated by Ben Harper in 1998. Oww!
Here's Mark in 1996. The inspiration behind this photo (and there's a series of them somewhere) was "poses with ice blendeds in the style of graduation photos."
Here's Jess, doing what she can to get impregnated by Ben Harper in 1998. Oww!
Here's Mark in 1996. The inspiration behind this photo (and there's a series of them somewhere) was "poses with ice blendeds in the style of graduation photos."
Friday, September 28, 2007
I've been saying "woo hoo" a lot.
I will try to think of a clever alternative for future posts. Thanks for reading!
Score!
Soooo, a very happy thing happened this afternoon:
I've mentioned before how I take the bus from school, on occasion... I also carpool with a friend from class (bless her heart), which usually saves me from driving and parking in a visitor lot that costs $8/day. The bus is free, but you do have to deal with "The Great Unwashed." I like to think of myself as "one of the people," but I will confess that a girl has to have limits.
Before school started, there was a lottery for the option to purchase parking permits for a parking lot right near school. There's not enough space to accomodate everyone so they had to limit the number of people who could buy spots to about 50 (out of 160 in our class).
Sadly, I was not picked in the lottery (hence the bus and carpooling). But, I heard through the grapevine that at some point during the semester they would sell more decals - I think they didn't want to oversell the spots in the beginning and then have a parking morass. So, I remembered today that it was supposed to be "around the end of September, beginning of October" when they might make more passes available.
I called them up, and sho nuff they had some passes for sale, and I went down there and bought one. WOO HOO! Now when I need to stay at the library until 2am I don't have to worry about taking a bus (just kidding, not sure that I ever want to stay that late). But no more $8/day to park! In the interest of full disclosure, I should let y'all know how awesome my parents are: they gave me a check that I could use in the event the pass became available!! I'm so spoiled, in so many ways.
I've mentioned before how I take the bus from school, on occasion... I also carpool with a friend from class (bless her heart), which usually saves me from driving and parking in a visitor lot that costs $8/day. The bus is free, but you do have to deal with "The Great Unwashed." I like to think of myself as "one of the people," but I will confess that a girl has to have limits.
Before school started, there was a lottery for the option to purchase parking permits for a parking lot right near school. There's not enough space to accomodate everyone so they had to limit the number of people who could buy spots to about 50 (out of 160 in our class).
Sadly, I was not picked in the lottery (hence the bus and carpooling). But, I heard through the grapevine that at some point during the semester they would sell more decals - I think they didn't want to oversell the spots in the beginning and then have a parking morass. So, I remembered today that it was supposed to be "around the end of September, beginning of October" when they might make more passes available.
I called them up, and sho nuff they had some passes for sale, and I went down there and bought one. WOO HOO! Now when I need to stay at the library until 2am I don't have to worry about taking a bus (just kidding, not sure that I ever want to stay that late). But no more $8/day to park! In the interest of full disclosure, I should let y'all know how awesome my parents are: they gave me a check that I could use in the event the pass became available!! I'm so spoiled, in so many ways.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Bush signed the school loan legislation bill
Good news for once!
Read the full story here.
The legislation boosts the maximum Pell grant, which goes to the poorest college students, from $4,310 a year to $5,400 a year by 2012.
It also cuts in half the interest rates on federally backed student loans — from 6.8 percent to 3.4 percent — over the next four years.
Read the full story here.
"This will blow your effing mind."
That's the little gem my crazy professor said yesterday, which was in reference to "choice of law" provisions in state laws.
My professor explained "choice of law" provisions thusly: let's say you get in a car accident in AZ but want to sue the person in CA. The laws in CA might allow you to sue someone for an accident that occurred out of state, but under the condition that the Arizona laws that apply to car accidents are those that are used in the suit, since that's where the accident occurred. This could be a good thing if you are the defendant and you know AZ law will be better for you. (BTW, I have no idea if this is how it works in CA - I'm just making it up to explain it.)
So, mind blown? I totally love his enthusiasm but sometimes I wonder, wtf? And, I'm relishing the day when he drops the F-bomb for real! It's bound to happen at some point!
My professor explained "choice of law" provisions thusly: let's say you get in a car accident in AZ but want to sue the person in CA. The laws in CA might allow you to sue someone for an accident that occurred out of state, but under the condition that the Arizona laws that apply to car accidents are those that are used in the suit, since that's where the accident occurred. This could be a good thing if you are the defendant and you know AZ law will be better for you. (BTW, I have no idea if this is how it works in CA - I'm just making it up to explain it.)
So, mind blown? I totally love his enthusiasm but sometimes I wonder, wtf? And, I'm relishing the day when he drops the F-bomb for real! It's bound to happen at some point!
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Finally!
I'm here at school and sitting near the HOTTEST guy ever. He's a law student and I'm not sure what year he is. He just said he does yoga. I think he's a second year student from what he's saying. Wowsa. He looks like a cross between Joaquin and Keanu. Sweet baby jesus.
Clarification: He has Joaquin's eyes and Keanu's face. He brought his own home-made lunch to school. He just left. Sigh.
Clarification: He has Joaquin's eyes and Keanu's face. He brought his own home-made lunch to school. He just left. Sigh.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Google's answer to Second Life?
There's a rumor on the interwebs about a new project Google is testing - something called "My World".
Based on the rumor mill, it sounds like it might be an interactive tool - something like a virtual version of your "first" life.
On a side note, I didn't know there was so much collaboration between Google and ASU (that surprised me)... but our school email is served up through Gmail, which I thought was cool.
Anyhoo, there you go.
Based on the rumor mill, it sounds like it might be an interactive tool - something like a virtual version of your "first" life.
On a side note, I didn't know there was so much collaboration between Google and ASU (that surprised me)... but our school email is served up through Gmail, which I thought was cool.
Anyhoo, there you go.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Old School Pic of the Day (2)
Seth. 1995. I think he was 19 here. Hot, yeah?
BTW, what happened to those nice days when the boys wore funky shirts from thrift stores and rocked the side burns? I miss those days.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
I turned the A/C off for a bit.
I'm happy to report that it's only 84 degrees here and I was able to turn off the A/C and open the sliding glass window.
Little bubba is enjoying the fresh air and the sounds of the birdies!
Little bubba is enjoying the fresh air and the sounds of the birdies!
Lemon Grass Thai Cafe
I just found my first yummy thai restaurant! Woo-hoo!
My Legal Writing professor recommend Lemon Grass as a good place to get a delicious and cheap thai meal. So, a friend from class and I checked it out last night and both really liked it!
We split yellow curry with chicken (I order this at every thai restaurant I go to. I should branch out but me likey too much) and a chicken with cashews dish, which even made with mild seasonings still had a nice kick.
The thai iced tea was yummo too, but really it takes some effort to make coconut milk and sweet tea taste bad, yes?
Here is a detailed review from Chowhound. Sooo for you out-of-towners, when you come visit me, I can take you to a yummy thai place! Yay!
My Legal Writing professor recommend Lemon Grass as a good place to get a delicious and cheap thai meal. So, a friend from class and I checked it out last night and both really liked it!
We split yellow curry with chicken (I order this at every thai restaurant I go to. I should branch out but me likey too much) and a chicken with cashews dish, which even made with mild seasonings still had a nice kick.
The thai iced tea was yummo too, but really it takes some effort to make coconut milk and sweet tea taste bad, yes?
Here is a detailed review from Chowhound. Sooo for you out-of-towners, when you come visit me, I can take you to a yummy thai place! Yay!
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Old School Pic of the Day
The list of ways I can procrastinate grows!
Fun with scanning: here's a pic from nearly 10 years ago. I can't believe it's been close to 10 years since we took this photo.
I envied K's blue peacoat so much back then. Still do.
More to come!
Fun with scanning: here's a pic from nearly 10 years ago. I can't believe it's been close to 10 years since we took this photo.
I envied K's blue peacoat so much back then. Still do.
More to come!
Friday, September 21, 2007
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Baseball game's off!
Well, because of a double-whammy in the form of a midterm exam in Contracts on Monday coinciding with our research paper being due on the same day, our outing to the baseball game is off! Too many people backed out at the last minute which means that we don't qualify for those cheap $10 tix. I was actually getting excited about going!
It's probably a good thing that I won't have a major distraction over the weekend. It looks like it will be a busy one full of studying and editing. I'll have to be very studious on Saturday so that I can go to a movie/drink at home alone on Sunday. Ha!
PS: A few friends from school discovered my nickname "Bexy," and its origin. Here's another clip.
It's probably a good thing that I won't have a major distraction over the weekend. It looks like it will be a busy one full of studying and editing. I'll have to be very studious on Saturday so that I can go to a movie/drink at home alone on Sunday. Ha!
PS: A few friends from school discovered my nickname "Bexy," and its origin. Here's another clip.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
I'm going to a baseball game on Saturday.
As most of you know, I am not a sports fan, don't know anything about professional sports, and typically do not participate in any sports (why sweat when you don't have to?).
But, a classmate has secured discount tix to this Saturday's baseball game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the L.A. Dodgers so I decided to check it out. It's only $10, some friends from class will be there, and I like spending $6 for a plastic cup full of Budweiser (kidding).
Ramon, I'll be secretly cheering for your boys from L.A.
But, a classmate has secured discount tix to this Saturday's baseball game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the L.A. Dodgers so I decided to check it out. It's only $10, some friends from class will be there, and I like spending $6 for a plastic cup full of Budweiser (kidding).
Ramon, I'll be secretly cheering for your boys from L.A.
Monday, September 17, 2007
New Wes Anderson commercials
If you haven't seen the spot he did for American Express, why not? It's lovely.
I just came across a new trio of ads he's made for AT&T, which you can view here.
His new film, The Darjeeling Limited opens in a few weeks. I'm happy to report that I found a Wes Anderson fan at law school and we are planning to check this out if/when it comes to the PHX area!
I just came across a new trio of ads he's made for AT&T, which you can view here.
His new film, The Darjeeling Limited opens in a few weeks. I'm happy to report that I found a Wes Anderson fan at law school and we are planning to check this out if/when it comes to the PHX area!
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Project Phin: Saving the environment in 6 webisodes
The Bakkens told me their friend Marcus Dunstan filmed a series of eco-friendly (and pretty funny) shorts for the site Clean My Ride. Apparently, he got the gig through Chris Moore, who produced the show Project Greenlight (that's why you might see Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, etc. in these).
Here's the first installment... and I highly recommend checking out the rest!
Here's the first installment... and I highly recommend checking out the rest!
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Practicing law in Second Life
This week the law school hosted a lecture by Connie Mableson, an intellectual property attorney with the Phoenix law firm Dodge Anderson. Ms. Mableson was rated "the best IP attorney in Arizona in 2005" - and she is the first lawyer to have an IP practice inside Second Life.
Her lecture was called "Legal Issues in Virtual Worlds" and it was fascinating! She mostly spoke about Second Life and how, given the nature of the site, there are a number of very real-world lawsuits arising from these virtual interactions.
Did you know that millions of dollars change hands in Second Life? You can buy and sell lots of things - from the mundane (clothes, drinks) to the taboo (slave labor). As pointed out in this blog, Second Life can provide a way to commit crimes against other users (theft, fraud, copyright infringement) and because real money is changing hands, there are real-life implications to these "virtual" exchanges. How the law will be applied, used, and possibly adapted to these lawsuits are open questions. For example, can a user who lives in California sue a user in Japan? They both met in the Second Life platform, but they were physically in different areas of the world when the dispute arose.
Another example: say you meet a virtual partner in Second Life and you decide to buy some land together. You decide to have a baby together, an avatar baby (seriously, check it out). Then one day you and your partner have a fight and want to split up. How is the property split? Who "owns" the baby? Would you "share custody" of the avatar?
Because Linden Labs allows users to retain the copyright to the items they create "in-world," the result is that the user owns the items they create and can protect that ownership in the real world (for example, you can register the copyright to these virtual items). Ms. Mableson said there is no "in-world" forum for settling legal disputes but people are talking about it and trying to figure out how to set one up.
The law school's Lodestar Dispute Resolution Program plans to collaborate with the Center for Law, Science and Technology to open up a mediation/arbitration clinic in Second Life. Not sure when that might happen but I hope to learn more about it soon! (By the way, a "clinic" is like a law office but it offers free services to the community and is run by students who are supervised by attorneys.)
Her lecture definitely got me more excited about working in the area of copyright and the web... lots of interesting things are on the horizon, which I hope will lead to lots of interesting job opportunities!
Her lecture was called "Legal Issues in Virtual Worlds" and it was fascinating! She mostly spoke about Second Life and how, given the nature of the site, there are a number of very real-world lawsuits arising from these virtual interactions.
Did you know that millions of dollars change hands in Second Life? You can buy and sell lots of things - from the mundane (clothes, drinks) to the taboo (slave labor). As pointed out in this blog, Second Life can provide a way to commit crimes against other users (theft, fraud, copyright infringement) and because real money is changing hands, there are real-life implications to these "virtual" exchanges. How the law will be applied, used, and possibly adapted to these lawsuits are open questions. For example, can a user who lives in California sue a user in Japan? They both met in the Second Life platform, but they were physically in different areas of the world when the dispute arose.
Another example: say you meet a virtual partner in Second Life and you decide to buy some land together. You decide to have a baby together, an avatar baby (seriously, check it out). Then one day you and your partner have a fight and want to split up. How is the property split? Who "owns" the baby? Would you "share custody" of the avatar?
Because Linden Labs allows users to retain the copyright to the items they create "in-world," the result is that the user owns the items they create and can protect that ownership in the real world (for example, you can register the copyright to these virtual items). Ms. Mableson said there is no "in-world" forum for settling legal disputes but people are talking about it and trying to figure out how to set one up.
The law school's Lodestar Dispute Resolution Program plans to collaborate with the Center for Law, Science and Technology to open up a mediation/arbitration clinic in Second Life. Not sure when that might happen but I hope to learn more about it soon! (By the way, a "clinic" is like a law office but it offers free services to the community and is run by students who are supervised by attorneys.)
Her lecture definitely got me more excited about working in the area of copyright and the web... lots of interesting things are on the horizon, which I hope will lead to lots of interesting job opportunities!
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