Chicken liver

"It's not 15.8" inches, the record set in 1889, "but it's not chicken liver either."

It has been raining a lot, indeed.

Awkward Pregnancy Photos

There are no words. Thank you Daryn.

Breakfast of Champions

Missing a michelada. Other than that, no complaints.

Mean Girls in the White House

Thanks for the find, Jenny. I would like to see a Clueless variation.

Pot smoking makes a comeback among teenagers

Did it ever go away?

Support and Guidance

Sometimes, when I am sad and missing my dad, I think about how lucky I am that I have so much to miss about him. Other people have lunatic dads who are probably better off gone. For example, actress Thora Birch, who was recently fired due to her dad's behavior:

"Mr. Birch, formerly an actor in pornographic films who is now Ms. Birch’s manager, had attended most rehearsals to provide support and guidance for his daughter. At one point during Thursday’s rehearsal, Mr. Birch confronted an actor who had been working on a scene with Ms. Birch."

Formerly a porn star! NBD.

If there were decent Hannukah songs I would post them

But there aren't!



Ray Charles version of That Spirit of Christmas


Ray LaMontagne version

Tear Town: Other people must go there too

I don't like reading sad articles at my desk and crying over them, but I do it anyway. I must not be the only person with this problem; otherwise, there would be fewer articles like this about a young mother's death as chronicled by Facebook, or maybe less pieces written by recent widows about their husband's final days.

Related: Are Joyce Carol Oates and Joan Didion friends? Did JCO go to JD with questions about how to write about a dead husband?

If you want to learn more about being a widow, or you just want to cry for a while, please listen to this Talk of the Nation interview.

I tried to find a nice cat picture to lighten the mood, but it is a futile task.

Best Day in Jenny Crapser's Life

That honor goes to Dec. 13, 2010, as that is the day both Zac Efron and Michael C. Hall announce they are newly single and ready to mingle (with Jenny, I hope).

P.S. Please let the record show that I find them both to be unattractive, approaching creepy.

Judicial Activism

QUESTION FROM BARRY LOGERSON: Sometimes i just wanna grab a hold of Roberts’s smug, arrogant, ass and punch him right in the puss! How’s that for judicial activism?

Stupid last minute meetheads!

Damn You Auto Correct is pretty funny. Add that to this list of websites or tumblrs I wish I had started, Whitegirlproblems is at the top of that list.

Hey Girl (again)

Movie Trailers - Movies Blog

So dreamy.

We don't even know what 'sex by surprise' even means

Me neither.

Lena Dunham on Fresh Air

Lena, hire me please, or give me a reason to not be so jealous. Thanks.

Elizabeth Edwards

If Game Change was honest, she may have been a crazy b, but given her life circumstances I don't begrudge her that. Goodbye Elizabeth Edwards. This obit is nice.

Westward Ho!

I hope this LAT piece about the increase in bedbugs cases in LA is media hype. I really hope so.

Dexter Filkins moves to the New Yorker

Wartime reporting stallion Dex has moved to the New Yorker. I have no idea why, or what this means for the future of journalism, but I do know that I will continue to refuse to read The Forever War. Too scary!

Related: Why can't I find the piece his ex-wife wrote for Vogue online anywhere? It strongly informs the plot of her new book.

Black Swan

Because I like creepy movies, I was really looking forward to seeing Black Swan. If I had read any of the reviews (LAT, NYer, etc.) my enthusiasm would have been tampered. Even though I don't think it stands up as a masterpiece of the medium (that bar is high), I liked watching it. The film moved quickly, was nice to look at, and remained suspenseful until the end when some of the imagery became overblown and a little silly.

Discussion questions: Was Winona Ryder happy to play her role or did she cry inside and wear this heinous outfit to the premiere as a result?

Is Vincent Kassel attractive or repulsive?

Is Sebastian Stan still dating Leighton Meister, and if not, is he still interested in brunettes??

Essie Geranium

A fun but still work-appropriate reddish orange that received a lot of compliments.

2011 Sundance Documentary Selections

So much about the inadequacy of our criminal justice system! And a little bit about Tribe.

Paging Steinbeck

The first leg of California's high speed rail will be built in a no man's land in the Central Valley, with stops in Fresno and Hanford. This area is called "New Appalachia" by the LAT. Ouch! I guess they have to start somewhere. Also, I think it is more appropriate to call the area a new Dust Bowl or something that reflects issues of environmental and economic collapse, but they didn't ask me.

Engagement on Ice

I think it is wasted energy and poor form to criticize a source of joy and happiness for others, but I may not be able to think of something less appealing than paying at least $200 to propose to someone in an ice rink, surrounded by tourists.

The gesture could be considered special and heartfelt if it weren't arranged by the box office and so commonplace that there is an online pdf brochure and application!

What about Just Dance?

I think it is obvious that poor Wii sales can be traced to insufficient Just Dance promotion.

Related: Just Dance could boost its own sales with a Robyn infusion. You're welcome, Ubisoft!

Krapdashian!

Good one!

Lena Dunham: Inspiration or source of raging jealousy?

Lena Dunham has received a ton of press for Tiny Furniture (see: New Yorker profile, Vanity Fair blurb, NY Mag, etc.). I can't tell if I am supposed to be inspired by her success, jealous of her from-day-one artistic leanings, or pissed that she is making a pilot about post-collegiate life in New York. Mostly I am incredulous of her downtown wardrobe mentioned in the New Yorker profile: Alexander Wang and Comme de Garcons on a 24-year-old!

My hair idol gets new TV show

Well, I never watched her first US show on MTV; maybe that's why it failed? Now Alexa Chung and her glorious mane bring us a thrift store shopping tutorial on PBS. I don't feel compelled to watch that either. Alexa, please just make a show about your hair.

And we linger on

C is for Cookie

This is silly!


Childhood:

Nicholas - Never

So, occasionally I like some deep house I hear on BIS. Sue me.



Available only on vinyl???

Robyn at Club Nokia Nov. 17 2010

The Robyn show was fun despite a poor performance by the Club Nokia staff. Robyn was wearing what appeared to be platform Timberlands and Haruki Murakami leggings. Those wacky Swedes!

I can't find any video from her show, but this is footage from her surprise guest appearance at Royksopp last year.



If Robyn made an exercise video I would buy 10.

Plantz on Pizza

Silly!

Every aspiring comedian should go to Burning Man

Material goldmine.

Ginni Thomas finally reads my blog!

Thank you Ginni for finally deciding to GTFO. See ya never, I hope.

Some Strange Black Lady

With a knife?!?

Spaghetti with chickpeas, Spicy squash salad with lentils and goat cheese

I made this and this last week. The pasta was surprisingly good! I may just make it again this Friday. The squash/lentil dish wasn't that spicy but maybe that is my bad. Also: lentils, why are they always so boring???

Kim France on beauty products worth buying

This is a fine, short essay and thought-provoking slide show (e.g. is any shampoo worth $140 per bottle/jar?) from the former editor of Lucky magazine, detailing what beauty products she will spend money on now that she doesn't get them for free.

Biggest surprise: she espouses the efficacy of Givenchy Mister Light over YSL Touche Eclat!

New LCD Release: London Sessions

I'm in.

Pow Pow music video

MTV is financing cool videos now as part of a new project called Supervideo. The first release is for Pow Pow. MTV doesn't allow embedded content. Thanks!

www.secretregrets.com

I truly cannot go here.

Preemptive Strike

I thought California had all the good propositions this year, but I totally underestimated the wackos in Kansas and Oklahoma.

Oklahoma, at the urging of Newt Gingrich, passed a "measure blocking judges from considering Islamic or international law when making a ruling." Note: read the comments on that post at your own risk.

Kansas, following the adage better safe than sorry, changed their state constitution to remind themselves that they have the right to bear arms.

Karl Rove must be proud!

6ixtynin9

The Awl in the NYT

Here.

Am I dumb for not knowing that The Awl has related sites (Hairpin.com and Splitsider.com)?

Trance, Stilts, Throw up Music, Teddy Graham People

Not bad for SNL.

You know that lobster tail is three fingers up the butthole, minimum?

Oh Tracy Morgan.

Virginia Thomas!!!

I have said it before and I will say it again: Clarence Thomas can go jump in a lake, and his wife should hop in right after him.

Real Hip Hop

According to Mike, this costume is "hip hop"

TheCrapser 1:27 pm
(1:27:55 PM): hip hop?

RipbergerMike 1:29 pm
(1:29:00 PM): yeah, thats hip hop

Mushroom lasagne and roasted eggplant and tomato soup

On Sunday I made this and this. I felt the lasagne was just ok, but I prefer a red sauce to bechamel. The soup was tasty and I would make it again (with my trusty immersion blender).

For dessert, Lizzy made brownies from a Ghiradelli mix and they were good.

Emmanuel Jal - Kuar (Henrik Schwarz Remix)

Crazy Cat People

This sweet NYT essay defending cat ownership is a fun read, but the comments section refutes the author's thesis that cat people are not wackadoodles who should be tracked like sex offenders.

I haven't read all of the posts yet but this one jumped out as an early favorite (and, strengthens the case for Cherry):

You should never own just one cat. The need for same-species friendship is universal. My two cats never tire of playing or napping together, even though both were adoped separately as adults. They are named after two iconic Americans. My large and gangly orange tabby tom is named Duke after John Wayne. My elegant all-black female is named Condoleezza after a favorite political star and hopefully future President.

Riddle of the Sphincter

Oh Slate, thanks for the unexpected comic relief.

New CA Drivers' License

Hey!


Now we're just like Georgia!

Hey Girl

I recently rediscovered this gem.

I find Ryan Gosling attractive, but also creepy, like he has an opium problem?

On a related note, I tried to buy those shoes. They look better on him.

Moustache cat!

Thanks Jenny.

Cherry

I think Lewis wants a catfriend.

I nominate Cherry:

LAPD Crime Map

Do you know that the LAPD has a Crime Maps feature that allows you to search around a certain address for crimes including rape, theft from vehicle, and personal theft?

This is like the sex offender map; it is frightening to see the types of criminal activity that takes place everywhere.

My neighborhood is bad for stealing stuff from cars (purple dots are theft from vehicle):
Mike's neighborhood is different; that green dot is rape, and the orange is violent robbery.
Lewis, sharpen your claws!

First Whitman v. Brown Debate

I have a hard time taking Meg Whitman seriously because I feel like she is wearing one of George Washington's wigs.





But, I have to take her seriously because she has a fighting chance of winning the November gubernatorial race against old kook Jerry Brown.

Last night was their first debate, and I think it was more informative than these events typically are. Though, as Steve Lopez points out here, we don't have any concrete plans for how to prevent California from becoming one large privately-run prison.

Handicap Placard Abuse

This month saw a few pieces about handicap placard abuse (Washington Post and NPR are the largest outlets that covered the topic). This is of special interest to anyone in Venice who knows that one of the reasons RVs are able to stay on the street is their use of handicap placards, which exempt you from many parking rules.

In related news, I will sell my Mom's for a nice profit. Bidding starts at $1,000.

Suicide, Academia, and Workplace Bullying

This is an interesting article about the July suicide of the managing editor of the Virginia Quarterly Review. It is compelling because it is sad, but also because it asks questions about what kind of behavior is acceptable of a boss. Additionally, I knew one of the key figures involved, and I am frankly not surprised that she had a role in this kind of incident!

Bilal on Jonsi

My friend Bilal did a piece for NPR about Jonsi (lead singer of Sigur Ros) and the visuals that accompany his live shows. You can read it or listen to it here.

Weary Working Women

Is "Weary Working Women" a bonafide voting block now? God, it is depressing to be an adult female these days.

Burning Man 2010

There's a lot that has been written about Burning Man, but I will stick with a few photos.

Courtney and me looking typical with the Man in the background.


Good point.


Out favorite art car cum whiskey bar.

Installation with participation.


Don't worry Mom; I was keeping it real.

Hair Envy

I know I am way late to the party for people jealous of Alexa Chung, but right now it's just her hair that's getting to me.

Lara Stone on cover of French Vogue

NBD.

Cats eating flowers

PB has been eating a lot of the flowers at our house, and promptly barfs them up. PB when will you learn?

Express train to fat town

The study serves as a warning that even brief periods of increased food consumption -- the first few weeks of college dorm life, a three-week cruise with its all-you-can-eat buffet, the string of parties from Thanksgiving through New Year's -- should be avoided.

Too late!

Free your breasts! Free your mind!

Only in Venice.


Pic via.

LAT hates smokers

If they didn't, they surely could have found a less heinous picture to accompany this article about the hazards of cigs. Is she a mail order bride from the former USSR?

Vintage Mens' Watch

I have decided I want a vintage mens' watch. Preferably round, gold face. I can be in charge of finding the right band.

I have been looking at this store's website; maybe one day I will go in. There is a lot out there on eBay but I am afraid of fakes and Meg Whitman.

Worst Trader Joe's parking lots

Blogging LA posted an item about the worst Trader Joe's parking lots. That is a an impossible ranking. The solution has no limit. They are all terrible, with the exception of Culver City and maybe the new one near my office at Vine and Selma.

Similarly, I would not fault anyone who commits manslaughter at a Whole Foods parking lot. Fairfax and 3rd, specifically.

Sidenote: terrific commenting in the Blogging LA item. Unions, domestic partnerships, transportation issues are all covered.

The Big One

Maybe I should stop wasting so much time at the gym and quit my job already. The next major rupture is right around the corner!

Modern Love and a fondness for kitties

I don't usually read the Modern Love column in the NYT because it freaks me out, bores me, or both. This week's was very nice I think; it offers a somewhat uplifting trip to tear town, and touches on what it means to be a friend, a family, and do for others (things I have been thinking a lot about lately).

This Related Searches list at the bottom of the screen cracked me up:


Who wants to search for grief, and why does it need to be categorized as emotion?

My Morning Jacket at the Greek, August 12, 2010

Just Dance 2 track list revealed!!!

Thank you Laura.

Highlights:

2. Bangles – "Walk Like An Egyptian"

12. Elvis Presley – "Viva Las Vegas"

38. The Jackson 5 – "I Want You Back"

44. Wham! – "Wake Me Up Before You Go Go"

Worst track:

39. The Pussycat Dolls – "When I Grow Up"

The dog had grown fat from a steady diet of cheeseburgers

That is the only funny line in this sad story about a homeless guy who won $350,000 in a legal decision and died surrounded by King Cobra malt liquor bottles.

Oh Patti

The Millionaire Matchmaker and Andy broke up!

Vince Scuba

Do want. Do not want to look like Morticia Addams while wearing.

Cold-brewed iced coffee

File this easy recipe under: information that would have been useful to me 3 years ago prior to spending hundreds of dollars on iced coffee from Kings Road.

ORDER STARBUCKS PAY IN MIXTAPES

This is silly

Bellini

I never cared much about champagne cocktails, but reading this piece about the origin of the Bellini is making me thirsty!

Moustache Mugs

Via, from Lucy.

Prop 8 Overturned (for now)

Great news! Now, I am waiting or backlash and further appeals.

Wrinkly Hands

I have paranoia about premature signs of aging. I often wonder if my hands will be saggy and weird before the rest of me, because I often forget to put sunscreen there, and my hands are always exposed. I have long been suspicious of those UV lamps at nail salons, and now I know I am not far off!

But hey at least I don't have a hobby with a high rate of MRSA.

Eat Pizza for my Dad!

Fundraiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma society!

And because my Dad will no be there I don't have to look at any sausage and mushroom slices.

How Rude!

Why not?

Tranny who looks like a damn catcher's mitt

Kenny Powers Gets Signed By K-Swiss - watch more funny videos

Peach and nectarine desserts

Last night I made this peach pie. It was easy and good even though I used THE WRONG PIE CRUST. I don't looove peaches but I still enjoyed it.

What do I really love? NECTARINES. Also I apparently love creme fraiche? Anyway, this is also easy and good. And, doubles as breakfast if you are me.

Smitten also featured a delicious sounding tomato dish last week; the flavors were good but the croutons were soggy. Next time I will ditch the bread.

Visiting Teartown at your desk

Sometimes, people cry at work. Maybe they read sad articles, maybe they had a sad thought, maybe they had a terrible conversation with an authority figure.

I think crying at work is ok (real talk: I do it all the time!). Some people disagree with me.

Eg. Kelly Cutrone:

And Joan:


3-joan
Uploaded by nervemedia. - Check out other Film & TV videos.


also

Otterlols

Why is this so funny to me?

Immigration Chat

I found this Q&A about immigration issues in the US very interesting; it even mentions California's tragic Prop 13.

Bang vs. Blast

I die.

Admiral Pancake

From ICHC:

According to Veterinary Pet Insurance, these are the top 10 wackiest cat names from the 485,000 cat names in their database:

1. Purr Diem
2. Bing Clawsby
3. Cleocatra
4. Admiral Pancake
5. Optimus Pants
6. Chairman Meow
7. Boo Manchu
8. Watts in a Name
9. Chenoa Azure Marshmellow-Puff
10. Senor Nachos

The Girl in the Window

I may have linked to this amazing article about a girl locked in a closet til age 7, found by authorities, and adopted. The author Lane DeGregory (a UVA alum!) just won a Pulitzer. It goes without saying that this piece is a one way ticket to tear town.

If you aren't crying yet, you can listen to this segment on Talk of the Nation about becoming a widow.

Body Scanners at LAX

My high school graduation trip to Cabo would have been a lot different if I had to go through one of these. This example is every kid's worst nightmare:

"An 18-year-old flying with his mother was stopped before boarding a plane in Phoenix when the scanned images suggested that something was hidden in his groin area. Although officials asked him what was in his pants, the teen didn’t tell them, according to Trevino. Finally, police were called, searched the teen and found a pipe and foil-wrapped marijuana in his underwear."

Also, why are we spending a zillion dollars to prevent dumb 18 year olds from taking a nug on the plane? The TSA is silly.

http://icanhascheezburger.com/tag/ginger/

Best tag ever, on the ICHC homepage!



Lewis Catberger needs to get it on that ASAP.

They’re also working on starting a tractor fund

I don't often read the NYT wedding announcements, because they are usually boring or make me feel poor, but this one about some goat cheese farmers made me laugh.

Gawker liked them too.

Who goes to Guys and Dolls anymore?

Used to be Lohan, now it's murderers?

Night by Night

Some say my dancing is more along these lines:

Countdown to Zero

If you are feeling overly optimistic today, I suggest you check out Countdown to Zero, a documentary film about impending nuclear disaster due to terrorism or human error. There is also an interview with the film's writer and director, Lucy Walker, here.