IT'S A MAD WORLD

Netflix for Books!

2007-08-27T18:07:00.000-05:00

Bookswim beta. Netflix for Books!

Ray & Damien

2007-08-16T17:21:00.000-05:00

Dance Lessons With Fiona - 2:15

2007-08-16T16:40:00.000-05:00

That Big Shiny Thing in Millennium Park

2007-08-02T17:16:00.000-05:00

I finally saw it and it was beautiful.

Fun For The Big City Kids

2007-08-01T16:05:00.001-05:00

If you live in a metropolitan area (or you are thinking about living in one), it’s time you met walkscore.com. Walk Score calculates the walkability of an address by locating nearby stores, restaurants, schools, parks, etc. and allows for a whole lot of friendly competition between friends and co-workers. (Thanks Swissmiss)

Just Wondering

2007-08-01T15:39:00.000-05:00

If a guy on the street in Chicago wants to hand me a flyer about a new gym that is opening, is he telling me I am fat and need to work out or that I look like I might join because I have clearly been working the ba-jezus out of my delts?

I Hope It Comes In Kelly Green

2007-07-30T19:27:00.000-05:00

MINI Clubman
The MINI family is getting a new big brother. The MINI Clubman ($TBA) retains the trademark styling and agile handling, but gains new proportions, split-rear doors and a passenger-side suicide door. The 5-door Clubman has 9.45 more inches of body length and a wheelbase that's extended by 3.15 inches, offering more leg and storage room. The Clubman will go on sale in the U.S. early next year with two models — the MINI Cooper Clubman (120-hp, 1.6-litre 4-cylinder) and the MINI Cooper S Clubman (175-hp, 1.6-litre 4-cylinder with twin-scroll turbocharger). (Uncrate)

The Movie Michael Moore Wishes He Had Made

2007-07-27T14:25:00.000-05:00

The title above reflects the title of an email that a friend sent to me. He is exactly right.

You can see more about this amazing film from the New York Times Co-Chief Movie Critic A. O. Scott as he reviews "No End in Sight," a documentary about the United States' early involvement in Iraq.

If Alex Were A Girl

2007-07-27T13:53:00.000-05:00

This is the birthday cake I would be making for him. Instead, we will all be enjoying a vanilla Transformer's cake. Our little man turns twelve tomorrow. I have a feeling it's all downhill from here (at least until his twenty-seventh birthday).

You can find the giant cupcake mold here.

2007-07-25T16:27:00.000-05:00

Trailer for No Country For Old Men
The new Coen Brothers movie based the novel by Cormac McCarthy.

Oh My Goshness

2007-07-20T15:20:00.000-05:00

How have I forgotten to tell you about Pandora. Pandora radio is the personalized internet radio service that helps you find new music based on your old and current favorites. It was created after The Music Genome Project.

The Music Genome Project©
On January 6, 2000 a group of musicians and music-loving technologists came together with the idea of creating the most comprehensive analysis of music ever.

Together we set out to capture the essence of music at the most fundamental level. We ended up assembling literally hundreds of musical attributes or "genes" into a very large Music Genome. Taken together these genes capture the unique and magical musical identity of a song - everything from melody, harmony and rhythm, to instrumentation, orchestration, arrangement, lyrics, and of course the rich world of singing and vocal harmony. It's not about what a band looks like, or what genre they supposedly belong to, or about who buys their records - it's about what each individual song sounds like.

Since we started back in 2000, we've carefully listened to the songs of tens of thousands of different artists - ranging from popular to obscure - and analyzed the musical qualities of each song one attribute at a time. This work continues each and every day as we endeavor to include all the great new stuff coming out of studios, clubs and garages around the world.
It has been quite an adventure, you could say a little crazy - but now that we've created this extraordinary collection of music analysis, we think we can help be your guide as you explore your favorite parts of the music universe.

We hope you enjoy the journey.
Tim WestergrenFounderThe Music Genome Project

Corn Does Indeed Kick Ass

2007-06-26T09:41:00.000-05:00

Awesome find Laura. Thanks!

FYI - Icky Thump Is Amazing

2007-06-25T14:40:00.000-05:00

Icky Thump was released earlier this month. I highly recommend it.

Property of Jolene

2007-06-25T14:12:00.000-05:00

Meet Curtis Allgier, a 27-year-old murderer who is affiliated with the Aryan Brotherhood. If that isn't enough, he is also "Property of Jolene".

2007-06-25T13:47:00.000-05:00

As If I Wasn't Apprehensive Enough

2007-06-25T13:04:00.000-05:00

While I totally love chugging Mountain Dew and Root Beer from the same collector cup as everyone else and I may miss the smell of funnel cake they pump through the entire park... planning for the annual trip to Six Flags Great America has officially been put on hold!

Girl Loses Feet In Amusement Park Accident
Witness: Cable on thrill ride 'snapped' The Associated PressPublished on: 06/22/07
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A witness said an amusement park accident in Kentucky occurred when a cable on a thrill ride snapped. A 13-year-old girl's feet were severed in Thursday's accident on the Superman Tower of Power ride at Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom in Louisville. Chris Dinnette was riding one car over from the girl who was hurt. He told WAVE television he heard what he thought were screams of excitement. But then he saw a cable "come back and hit a lot of people" and realized he was hearing screams of horror. The ride lifts passengers 177 feet straight up, then drops 154 feet, reaching a speed of 54 miles per hour, according to the park's Web site.
The ride has been closed indefinitely.

There's Always Dr. Who

2007-06-25T12:47:00.000-05:00

While I wait for Smallville Season 6, I can watch Season 1 and Season 2 of Dr. Who.

2007-06-14T19:47:00.001-05:00

After years of paying top dollar for low quality bootlegs, Tori Amos diehards now have an alternative. Six live bootleg recordings were released in the fall of 2005. Each bootleg is a double-disc package brimming with live rarities, fan favorites and stunning cover versions. Each set was recorded live during her "Original Sinsuality Tour". All six are available on iTunes.

click the cookie... save the cookie

2007-06-13T20:08:00.001-05:00

Woody Allen Interviews Billy Graham

2007-06-12T10:57:00.000-05:00

2007-06-12T10:47:00.000-05:00

Jim Erickson, Artificial Eye Maker. A fascinating video portrait of a man who makes prosthetic eyeballs for a living. (via your daily awesome)

Recently On Kottke.org

2007-06-12T08:59:00.000-05:00

A bunch of writers pick their favorite novel -> movie adaptations.

Unforgettable photos, some of the most striking and disturbing photographs ever taken.

Hot 100 women chosen by lesbians. A nice counterpoint to similar lists from Maxim and People.

Photos of people from around the world and the food that they eat during the course of a week.

100 words every high school graduate should know. Alternate title: 100 mostly useless words.

Popular names for twins born in 2006. Almost all of the top name pairs start with the same letter: Jacob/Joshua, Landon/Logan, Ella/Emma, and the stunningly confusing Taylor/Tyler.

Play dress-up with the Gucci spring 2007 collection. Drag and drop dresses, shoes, and handbags onto the model. Many other collections are available as well.

Slang of the 90s.

List of the seven most overrated Hollywood actors, including Ben Kingsley, Kate Hudson, and Ben Stiller, a personal unfavorite of mine.

Comparison between food pictured in fast food advertising and how the food looks when you actually get it from the restaurant. The Whopper is particularly beauty and the beast.

Coincidence?

2007-06-11T16:15:00.000-05:00

Apple iPhone -

Release Date, June 29, 2007 - My Birthday, June 29, 2007
Ho-ly shit. The Apple iPhone ($499-$599 w/contract; June 2007) is one of the most awesome pieces of technology we've ever seen. Coming in 4GB and 8GB varieties, the iPhone will use GSM/EDGE technology through Cingular and also sports a 2-megapixel camera, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 2.0 EDR. But the big deal is the touchscreen interface that runs a lite version of Apple's Mac OS X. With OS X as the underpinnings, Apple has created fantastic interfaces for phone functions, music (think iPod 2.0) and photos, as well as for mobile email (with push service provided by Yahoo! Mail) and web browsing. Long story short? It's going to be the must-have device for a long, long time. (Uncrate)

It Was Me, It Was Totally Me

2007-05-29T13:48:00.000-05:00

Email from fellow co-worker 5/29/07:
This is going to seem like a strange question, but I accidentally left my red lunch cooler in the lunch room this morning. I swear I packed a frosted lemon cake but can't seem to find it. Could someone please let me know if you ate it so I know I'm not crazy and I can stop looking for it!

How Can I Meet This Woman

2007-05-24T16:56:00.000-05:00

2007-05-20T20:01:00.000-05:00

My first experience at Sundance was a success. I saw the movie Waitress with a couple of friends and it was great. I am also very excited about some of the upcoming movies that will be playing at the theatre. I think I am looking forward to this one the most:

Paris, je t’aime(Paris, I love you) is a 2006 film starring several famous (and less famous) American, British and French movie actors, including Nick Nolte, Elijah Wood, Bob Hoskins, Natalie Portman, Gérard Depardieu, Juliette Binoche, Willem Dafoe, Steve Buscemi and Gena Rowlands. The two-hour film consists of eighteen five-minute arrondissements (all twenty were planned, but two fell through). Each arrondissement is written and directed by a different person. This list of directors also consists of many famous and less famous names including Walter Salles, Alfonso Cuarón, Tom Tykwer, Gus Van Sant, Wes Craven, Alexander Payne, Gurinder Chadha and Joel and Ethan Coen.

The film had its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival on May 18 opening the Un Certain Regard selection. It had its Canadian premiere at the Toronto Film Festival on September 10 and United States premiere in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on 9 April 2007.[1] First Look Pictures has acquired the North American rights, and the film is set to open in the US on May 4, 2007 (limited release). (Wikipedia)

2007-05-19T13:17:00.000-05:00

SomeEcards.com: For when you want to say what you really mean.

2007-05-17T15:20:00.000-05:00

Finally, the book that us Achievers have been waiting for. I'm a Lebowski, You're a Lebowski: Life, The Big Lebowski, and What Have You ($11; Aug. 21) is the definitive guide to all things Dude. Put together by the bums who started Lebowski Fest, the book features history, trivia, commentary, a guide to the film's locations, and a foreword by Jeff Bridges, along with tons of photos taken by him on set. The book also includes interviews with nearly every cast member, as well as the real-life folks who inspired the characters in the movie. Plus, there's a section with tips on how to Dude-ify your car, office and home. (Uncrate)

2007-05-17T08:49:00.000-05:00

A list of film's most impressive and famous long takes, including those from Boogie Nights, Touch of Evil, Children of Men, and The Player. Featuring the now-standard YouTube clips of each long take. 05/16/07 (Thanks Kottke)

2007-05-16T17:11:00.000-05:00

Anthropologist Helen Fisher studies love: its evolution, its biochemical foundations and its vital importance to human society. She outlines the three stages of love (lust, infatuation and long-term attachment), shedding light on eternal questions like why we love, and why we cheat. She also discusses the natural talents of women, and their new significance in the modern world. She ends with a warning about the widespread use of antidepressants -- and a truly hilarious story of romantic pursuit. You can also watch the video if you click on this link.

2007-05-16T16:31:00.000-05:00

This is how we spend most of our weekends in the fall and spring and I can't think of anything I would rather do.

2007-05-15T20:59:00.001-05:00

I LOVE THIS

2007-05-15T20:45:00.001-05:00

Beth Hart is amazing. You might be more familiar with LA Song and might enjoy Monkeyback.

Someone Is Having A Birf-Day

2007-05-15T20:33:00.000-05:00

Happy 5th birthday to my niece Miss Lindsey Marie-Francis. God I love this kid.

FU Meter Police & Big Mike's Towing

2007-05-15T14:25:00.000-05:00

No more tickets! This handy key-chain counts down the meter time.The alarm lets you know when you need to feed the meter. It holds 10 quarters so you'll always have several handy.

Secret Shame Of The Week

2007-05-15T13:57:00.001-05:00

Now Who Is Going To Blame The Gays?

2007-05-15T13:18:00.000-05:00

FALWELL DEAD

Summertime In Madison - Nothing Better

2007-05-15T11:48:00.000-05:00

2007-05-11T22:12:00.001-05:00

Who's A Girl Gotta Fuck To Get Some Closure On Her Relationship With Her Father?

Well, if that doesn't take the cake. Here I am, giving it my all, but it seems like no matter what I do, I can't sleep my way out of this...

Wondering What To Do With That Extra $2K?

2007-05-11T22:06:00.000-05:00

Terra Cotta Oven
Impress your backyard BBQ buddies this summer as you wheel out this Handcrafted Terra Cotta Oven ($2,000). This European wood-fired oven makes use of hard- and fruit-woods to heat up and cook all of your favorite meats, pizzas and vegetables. The oven ships with a stand, door, rack and other tools you'll need to make your warm nights that much hotter. (Uncrate)

2007-05-11T22:00:00.000-05:00

I'm sure you won't be able to pass up the awesome posters at Redbird.

Moving On To The Guest Room

2007-05-09T14:55:00.000-05:00

I just bought these things at Urban Outfitters to get started on re-decorating the guest room. I just love the quilt.

2007-05-09T13:58:00.000-05:00

Cheers!

You Will Be Safe - You Will Be Asleep

2007-05-08T18:02:00.000-05:00

I’m Smitten will mess with your head just a tiny bit. Make sure you have your sound on.

"In children’s stories, animals always mean magic. They are wonderful and ordinary. They talk and wear clothes and sometimes they go to school, and so, growing up, surrounded by these sorts of friends, you have the sense that almost anything can happen to you. The older you get, though, the more it seems that all of that magic has gone off, somewhere else maybe. I decided to take my artwork off the wall and out of the frame, and to put these images of everyday mysteries onto cards, and handbags, and t-shirts, so that everyone could have something a little bit pretty and a little bit strange to add to their day."

Cew-Ul

2007-05-08T16:27:00.000-05:00

I recently found a website called Solutions. It is amazing! Here are just a few of the things I found:

If you lack a greenhouse (and most of us do), you probably make your kitchen area messy as you pot plants. You can take this work where it belongs — outdoors — with this durable plastic Outdoor Sink. It mounts near an outdoor spigot and has an attached 40' garden hose. A slide-open design reveals a traditional looking sink complete with soap dish.

Instant storage holds up to 15 pounds! Create storage anywhere there’s a metal surface—fridge, freezer, dryer or filing cabinet. Super-strong magnets hold really tight so you can keep the things you use often within arm’s reach.

Space-saving shower rod and towel bar. 2 in 1! This shower curtain rod and towel bar in one makes it easy to hang towels where you need them— you'll want one for every bathtub! Installs with a tension bar so there's no damage to walls.

A baker’s dream: deliciously chewy edges for every piece! If you love the crunchy, caramelized, toasty edges of a brownie, this pan is for you. No more gooey centers—every serving has two edges, thanks to the patented interior sidewalls on this pan.

Your healthy meals from home stay chilled for up to 6 hours. Make fast-food lunches a thing of the past for you and your family. Pack healthy meals in these convenient kits—they fit in a backpack or tote and keep food chilled for hours.

Solar power keeps these lights glowing. Enjoy all the benefits of solar lighting: no wiring, free power, easy "installation" and no bulbs to replace. Just stake these lights in a sunny spot for year-round illumination.

Instant paint touch-ups without the hassle. Keep walls, trim and other painted surfaces looking like new with super-convenient Qwikie™ paint cups. Just unscrew brushcap, paint and replace—no messy cleanup! My favorite part is the label.

Crazy for Sudoku? this game uses colors instead of numbers! Think you’re ready for the challenge? ColorKu is played like Sudoku, only instead of solving the puzzle by arranging nine different numbers in columns and rows, you solve it using nine different colors!

2007-05-08T15:59:00.000-05:00

I got my hair cut and colored today and the new issue of Madison Magazine was a great way to kill the time. I suggest picking up a copy. A great section called - The Ultimate Guide Our Whirlwind Tour Of What Makes Madison... Madison.

Hometown Heartbreak - Aberdeen, SD

2007-05-07T15:26:00.000-05:00

A Few Things I Love That Are Way Out Of My Price Range:

2007-05-02T21:25:00.000-05:00

How cute is this egg birdfeeder from Design Within Reach.

The Fatboy Original from Design Public.

This Fatboy Doggy Boy Bed from Design Public.

And I also love the Fatboy Headdemock Hammock from Design Public.

I love this tablecloth from Anthropologie. Perfect for the table in the screen porch.

Mother's Day Wish List - Part 1

2007-05-02T21:04:00.000-05:00

"Have patience with everything unresolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves,as if they were locked rooms or books written in a very foreign language. Don't search for the answers, which could not be given to you now, because you would not be able to live them. And the point is to live everything. Live the question now. Perhaps then, some day far in the future, you will gradually, without even noticing it, live your way into the answer." - Rainer Maria Rilke, trans. by Stephen Mitchell

Just a few of the new items and a new quote from Jeanine Payer.

2007-05-02T15:47:00.000-05:00

Imus Plans Lawsuit

The Anticipation Is Killing Me

2007-05-01T18:09:00.000-05:00

I took these pictures of the finished product yesterday. The Sundance 608 is opening in Madison on May 11, 2007.

Happy Mission Accomplished Day

2007-05-01T17:25:00.000-05:00

Hard to believe it's been four years. By the way, he totally stuffed his crotch for that picture.

Bill Shit His Pants Over This

2007-05-01T17:20:00.000-05:00

So you think your Jeep is tough? Behold the TLC Icon ($88,000). Based on the FJ40 Toyota Land Cruiser, the grandaddy of SUVs, the Icon is a rugged and powerful vehicle that'll laugh at any off-road punishment you can throw at it. The Icon boasts a 5.7-liter Chevy Ram Jet 8-cylinder engine with 350 horsepower — good for a 0-60 time of of 6.5 seconds and a top speed of 115 mph. In addition to an ultra-minimal interior, the Icon sports a removable top, crazy front grille guards, and a marine grade epoxy polymer, powder coat finish. (Uncrate)

2007-04-30T15:51:00.000-05:00

Bruce Willis tells Vanity Fair that he still loves Demi Moore. They are so close in fact that they go on vacations together along with Demi's eldest son, Ashton Kutcher. How picture perfect.

He said, "It's hard for people to understand, but we go on holidays together. We still raise our kids together – we still have that bond. Demi is the mother of my children and Ashton is the stepfather of my children. I'm thrilled that Ashton turned out to be such a great guy. I love Demi, and I know she loves me."

In Hollywood talk that means they have threesomes.

Bruce is waaaay hotter than Ashton.

(DListed)

PS: This post dedicated to Kris in lawless Columbus.

Yum-O

2007-04-30T14:43:00.000-05:00

The new McDonald's Southwest Chicken Salad is so good I ate three of them this weekend. I recommend the grilled chicken and no dressing - the chicken marinade and the corn salsa have enough flavor for the entire salad.

150?

2007-04-30T14:01:00.000-05:00

I Don't Think I'll Tell My Mom I'm Reading This

2007-04-29T16:49:00.000-05:00

I just picked up a copy of God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything by Christopher Hitchens. It is the first book I have purchased without knowing anything about it or having someone recommend it. I hope I made a wise choice.

I Love This - Would It Really Count As Camping?

2007-04-29T16:28:00.000-05:00

DWR and Airstream are partnering to make "a modern traveling experience", it's a CCD (the Chris Deam special edition) with items such as the Nelson clock, the wire coat rack by Tom Dixon and Maharam fabric on cushions designed by Paul Smith. The DWR edition joins a growing list of Airstream mods; LIMN's Ceccotti Collezioni version, Powell & Bonnell's, and the Mobile Office.

Mommy's Little Dirt Bag

2007-04-29T12:55:00.001-05:00

Weekend Project

2007-04-29T12:39:00.000-05:00

June 2007

2007-04-29T08:28:00.000-05:00

You can buy the first single "Icky Thump" on iTunes right now. Good cover, good stuff.

2007-04-27T11:52:00.000-05:00

There's Even A White Russian - I Mean Really

2007-04-27T09:06:00.000-05:00

Check it out - The Big Lebowski Urban Achiever 8-Inch Action Figure Set ($34; Oct. 2007) features The Dude and Walter, along with extras like their bowling balls and bags, Cynthia's Pomeranian, the famous White Russian, and Donny's ashes in the coffee can. Too bad The Dude's rug isn't included. That rug really tied the room together, did it not? (Uncrate)

My Heart Just Exploded

2007-04-26T11:00:00.001-05:00

These Things Have Camel Toe Written All Over Them

2007-04-25T21:33:00.000-05:00

I mean really, does ALL the 80's fashion need to come back.

Judi Dench Is One Crazy Bitch

2007-04-25T20:43:00.000-05:00

Look what came in the mail yesterday. Great, great movie. Thanks Netflix.

Meta-Free-Phor-All

2007-04-25T20:21:00.000-05:00

You Can Take The Girl Out Of South Dakota...

2007-04-25T15:41:00.000-05:00

I recently discovered Confessions of a Pioneer Woman and find myself strangely fascinated by her lifestyle. Have a look around her site and I think you might agree.

Here is part of what she has to say about herself: I'm a thirty-something ranch wife, mother of four, and moderately-agoraphobic middle child who grew up on a golf course in the city. I attended college in Los Angeles and wore black pumps to work every day. I ate sushi and treated myself to pedicures on a semi-regular basis. I even kissed James Garner in an elevator once. Now I live in the middle of nowhere on a working cattle ranch. My days are spent changing diapers, chipping dried manure from boots, washing jeans, and frying calf nuts. I have no idea how I got here, but you know what? I love it. Don't tell anyone. You can read more about her right here.

She posts on everything from Calf Nuts to Juice Bags and Her Retarded Brother Mike. She also cooks and shares each step in the process through photos. Take a look at her Chocolate Sheet Cake, her Lasagna, and lots of other yummy stuff.

You will also love her amazing photos. Here are a few of them:

Derby Madness Baby

2007-04-24T18:36:00.000-05:00

Madison Roller Derby is on the top of my list for weekend options. MRD is made up of 4 regular season bouting teams - the Quad Squad, the Reservoir Dolls, the Unholy Rollers, and the Vaudeville Vixens. The MRD all-star team is the Dairyland Dolls - they're the ones who are hitting the road to show the world what Madison is made of! Visit their site for more information about the Dairyland Dolls (and their tournament, the Dust Devil)

That's What I Am Doing Wrong - I Tend To Dance For The Flesh And Not For The Lord

2007-04-23T15:12:00.000-05:00

A scene from my favorite comedy of 2006 - Jesus Camp. I love the idea of break dancing to Christian Hard Rock/Heavy Metal.

Madison At Its Best

2007-04-20T13:11:00.000-05:00

Madison Farmer’s Market starts tomorrow and I can't hardly wait. It is going to be a beautiful morning to be downtown. Their site even tells you what is fresh each month.

April & May

asparagus, dry beans, greenhouse cucumbers & tomatoes, lettuce, maple syrup, rhubarb, spinach, bunch onions, hanging baskets, bedding plants, perennial plants, cut flowers, morel mushrooms, bakery goods, meat, cheese, other specialty items

Mr. Duplicity

2007-04-20T12:59:00.000-05:00

Thanks again to Dooce for her amazing taste in music. Most recently she introduced me to Jonathan Coulton’s cover of Alanis Morissett's "You Oughta Know". I love this guy - I will be checking out his other stuff this weekend. In the mean time, have a listen. By the way, I hope he's not singing about Dave Coulier.

2007-04-19T13:46:00.000-05:00

My favorite new place in Madison to meet people for work or to catch up with friends is Barriques downtown location. You might not know it from the outside but it is such a beautiful place. There are two floors of seating and a lot of fun stuff to look at plus they have amazing food and great coffee. There is even outdoor seating now that the temperature is warming up. I recommend any of the Barriques locations (the Market, Coffee Trader or Wine Cave) but the downtown setting is in my opinion the most fun.

2007-04-19T13:32:00.000-05:00

Here’s a spring/summer salad recipe that I found at Your Heart Out today. It’s full of berries and sour citruses, and topped with candied nuts and crumbly blue cheese.

Here are the instructions, but you should download the Your Heart Out recipe card here.
Ingredients:
1 package Spring Mix or Continental MIx, mixed with Romaine lettuce.
Strawberries, halved
Blueberries
Avocado, sliced
Pear, sliced–but not until right before serving
Grapefruit, peeled and sliced like a pinwheel
Oranges, peeled and sliced like a pinwheel
Crumbled blue cheese
Sugared pecans, whole or halved
Dressing:
1 package Good Seasons Italian dressing
1 T. sugar (or just a little less)
1 T. poppy seeds (or just a little less)
3 T. Water
1/4 C. Vinegar
1/2 C. Oil
Directions:
Mix all dressing ingredients before adding the oil. It’s best to first toss the lettuce with dressing, then add the fruit and toss with dressing, and put the cheese in at the very end. Don’t overmix.
Enjoy!

I Can't Wait Until Alex Starts Dating!

2007-04-19T13:23:00.000-05:00

Thank god she has three extra pacifiers.

WWHHDLD

2007-04-19T10:10:00.000-05:00

His Holiness the Dalai Lama is coming to Madison May 2 - 4. I was just offered a ticket to attend his public speech on Friday, May 4th. Holy Toledo, I have no idea what to wear.

Indeed

2007-04-18T08:53:00.000-05:00

Oh Happy Day is my favorite new shopping, snooping, cooking and pop culture blog. She posts things like this:

no one belongs here more than you
My brother Josh sent me the link to this awesome site by Miranda July. {I wish that was my name.} Just click on the arrow in the right hand corner. You can pre-order her book here. (Miranda July = Me and You and Everyone We Know)

And this:
Jon Stewart
I love Jon Stewart. This interview he did on TV LAND {who knew?} is so great. The whole thing is fantastic but my favorite part is part 3 where he talks about being a father.

Office Envy
I wish my office looked like this. I love how she puts yellow tape on her little books. I want to steal that idea.

For Like Ever
Remember the "For Like Ever" poster from the cover of September Domino? They reprinted them because of high demand. I love this poster...I might just buy it. It looks grown up if you frame it nicely. {It also comes in gold.}

Great chair selections from the NYT Home and Garden section. I love the red CB2 chair.

Agatha Katzensprung Photography
Agatha Katzensprung's portfolio is just beautiful.

One Last Thing...

2007-04-17T10:27:00.000-05:00

A tale of two hos (Kottke)
Snoop Dogg recently explained the difference between the language used by old, white radio announcers and rappers:

It's a completely different scenario. [Rappers] are not talking about no collegiate basketball girls who have made it to the next level in education and sports. We're talking about hos that's in the 'hood that ain't doing shit, that's trying to get a nigga for his money. These are two separate things. First of all, we ain't no old-ass white men that sit up on MSNBC going hard on black girls. We are rappers that have these songs coming from our minds and our souls that are relevant to what we feel. I will not let them muthafuckas say we in the same league as him.

What Mr. Dogg is arguing here is that it's ok to refer to actual hos as hos in the service of artistic expression but it is not ok to refer to college basketball players as such for the purpose of demeaning people. As we're currently engaged in another go-round on the issue of speech, political correctness, and its potential enforcement, it's not hard to imagine that someday an argument like Snoop Dogg's will be deployed in a court of law. I wonder if anyone will buy it?

How Sweet

2007-04-12T22:02:00.000-05:00

I would get one in every color.

PUKING BLOOD BECAUSE OF THE HYPOCRICY

2007-04-12T09:14:00.000-05:00

Imus: 'When will Sharpton apologize to the Duke LaCrosse players?'

Imus Fights Back!: 'These bastards went after me. They got me. But they didn't catch me asleep'... Says MSNBC 'unethical'... (Drudge Report)

2007-04-12T06:44:00.000-05:00

Kurt Vonnegut, RIP

This Guy Makes Me Wish I Was Available

2007-04-11T19:46:00.000-05:00

My friend and I were recently searching Craig's List. I think we found the perfect guy for her. Here is a list of 100 qualities in a woman/girl this particular guy is looking for (misspellings included). My personal favorites are #6, 13, 46, 63, 70 and 93.

So my friends and I decided to come up with lists of qualities we were looking for in someone of the opposite sex. Here's mine.
1. No kids
2. Educated
3. Able to support herself finacially
4. Independent
5. Can make her own decisions
6. Doesn't have to talk to her mom everyday
7. Must like dogs
8. Be at least 23
9. Likes to have sex
10. Committed to being fit
11. Reads books
12. Not anorexic
13. Comfortble with me being short
14. Has a sense of humor
15. Doesn't take everything I say personally
16. Doesn't cry easily
17. Not easily offended
18. Willing to play X-Box
19. Gets high or is comfortable with me getting high
20. Doesnt' get totally wasted every time they go out
21. Trustworthy and loyal
22. Can handle watching an action or comic book movie
23. Comfortable with own sexuality
24. Mentally stable
25. Accepts my passion for Star Wars
26. Action figures do not have to have their own room
27. No vegitarians or vegans
28. Like people I respect
29. Must be well groomed
30. Doesn't live with her parents
31. Likes concerts
32. Dependable
33. Doesn't gross out easily
34. Swallows
35. Good teeth
36. No V.D.
37. Assertive
38. Confident
39. Doesn't like to go clubbing
40. No handicapped signs
41. Monogomus
42. No uggs
43. Not trendy
44. No drama
45. All natural
46. No extra beef, not beat up (in the vaginal area)
47. No "drug" problems
48. No gambling freaks
49. Showers regularly
50. Doesn't wear so much make up that it has to be washed off with a fire hose
51. No continuous P.D.A.s
52. Not the jealous type
53. Likes to watch movies
54. Not extremely messy
55. Doesn't wear spandex
56. Affectionate
57. No hippies
58. Eats more meat thatn just chicken
59. Not overly materialistic
60. Doesn't push me to be religious
61. No shaved heads
62. Must be able to watch hockey and football
63. Won't expect me to wear a belt
64. No nagging
65. No constant whining
66. Not bitchy
67. Values my opinion
68. Supportive
69. Can't be an extremely girly girl
70. Has friends
71. Doesn't count calories
72. Wears clothes that fit her body type
73. Good personal hygiene
74. Capable of sharing thoughts, feelings, and emotions
75. Knows what she wants
76. Will make the first move
77. Will let me know how she feels about me
78. Romantic at heart
79. Can keep confidences
80. Good kisser
81. Appreciates when I do nice things
82. Doesnt' like to fight
83. Accepts that gym time is a non-negotiable quantity (preferably works out with me)
84. Has some weirdness
85. Makes me laugh
86. Plays board, card, or trivia games
87. Always says good game after slapping someone on the ass
88. Doesn't go to bed angry
89. Wouldn't go on a reality show
90. Drinks beer
91. Likes grilled food
92. Can have fun not going out
93. Thinks about things logically a majority of the time
94. Not obsessed with celebrities
95. Not a hypochondriac
96. Likes to go on field trips
97. Likes my wardrobe or at least doesn't want to change it
98. Not selfish
99. Will do nice things for me
100. No high fives

You can see his full profile with picture right here.

The Head Tilt Just Kills Me

2007-04-08T10:07:00.000-05:00

Kaiser does this head tilt when he hears animals on TV.

Baby's Got Blood

2007-04-08T06:40:00.000-05:00

This kid is so right. Blood is not funny. (Thanks Dooce)

2007-04-05T20:09:00.000-05:00

AFI's website has some great lists from its 100 years 100 movies section. Here are a few:
100 Most Inspiring
100 Greatest Movie Quotes
100 Greatest Songs
100 Greatest Heroes & Villains

Other lists of 100 greatest:
Love Stories
Thrillers
Comedies
Screen Legends

Downward Facing Dog – Literally

2007-04-03T09:38:00.000-05:00

This is really funny and yet surprisingly sweet.

2007-03-29T15:09:00.000-05:00

Here is my latest find for Bill from Zappos. They have free overnight shipping right now. I also love this pair.

Can You Guess Which Two

2007-03-29T13:56:00.000-05:00

Target has some really cute casual dresses for summer. I picked up two of them last night. If it would just warm up I could wear one. Also, a little color would be nice as well.

Not Better Than Cookie Dough Egg Rolls - But Close

2007-03-28T19:13:00.000-05:00

I made these brownies from Trader Joe's tonight. Holy crap, they are so delicious. The mix is made with dutch coco and the brownies taste more like dark chocolate than milk chocolate. They are amazing.

Definition Of Displaced Embarrassment

2007-03-28T10:28:00.000-05:00

This might be the worst case I have ever had. And I don't even watch him sing, just looking at him makes me uncomfortable.

It's My Flor-in-a-Box

2007-03-27T20:07:00.000-05:00

From shelterrific: Look what’s landed in Target’s home department: Flor! It’s called Flor-in-a-Box and you get six carpet tiles for $60. That’s enough for a pretty good sized area rug or a hallway runner. Nice price

Just The Boys

2007-03-27T19:43:00.000-05:00

I was going through some of our archived photos today and came across this one of Bill and Alex from last summer.

For The Daring Young Lady

2007-03-22T16:46:00.000-05:00

I found these tops at oh my that’s awesome. LOOK CLOSELY. When you want to be pretty but keep your tongue sharp, just go get this shirt, or this one, or this awesome one and let the delicate embroidery say it for you.

Sending Good Thoughts

2007-03-22T10:21:00.000-05:00

UPDATE: Ben Smith Got It Wrong. Click to read. Edwards campaign going strong. Unfortunately, Elizabeth's cancer has returned.

El-Li-Et

2007-03-20T19:12:00.000-05:00

Remember Elliott Yamin from the last season of American Idol? He was and is my favorite. Check out Elliott’s My Space Page. His album was released today. I think he sounds amazing and looks great with long hair.

Problem Solved

2007-03-19T22:44:00.000-05:00

Thanks to Outblush for posting this. If you click on the site below you can watch a demonstration on how they work. You will be amazed at this simple little invention that helps you say goodbye to those embarrassing gaps on your favorite blouse or sweater with the No See 'ems ($13) by Bug Catcherz. These simple reinforced closures eliminates the gap with a reinforced double-sided stick that easily fits around and behind a button, giving you a smooth tailored fit.

ATTENTION - I JUST FOUND AN ENTIRE COLLECTION OF THESE TYPES OF PRODUCTS AT Bug Catcherz.

Today's Delight

2007-03-19T22:15:00.000-05:00

I just found these cards at Delight. I have seen box sets before but none were this cute. It's a set of 40 cards designed for every occasion you most certainly need to send - or give - a card. Frantic trips to the card store not included.40 cards and 42 envelopes in a sturdy white box; 100% post consumer paper; $5 FLAT RATE SHIPPING

"I Want To Remember Who These People Are And What They Meant To Me, What They Mean To Me. They're Real."

2007-03-18T17:12:00.000-05:00

So I am about five minutes into A Guide To Recognizing Your Saints and I had to stop the movie. I started to search for reviews because I had only briefly heard of it. I found this from MiraJeff at Ain’t It Cool:

Greetings AICN, MiraJeff here with A Guide To Recognizing Your Saints, the impressive feature debut from writer-director Dito Montiel who gives his own memoir the big screen treatment. The film won Montiel the Best Director award at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, and as far as I’m concerned Sundance knows what it’s doing when anointing the next director to watch. Remember the previous year’s winner was Jeff Feurzeig who crafted the superb documentary The Devil and Daniel Johnston, which joins AGTRYS as one of the top ten films released so far this year.

So the lights went down, the screen lit up, and the camera slowly focused on Dianne Wiest, making an emotional phone call to her adult son, pleading with him to come home and take his stubborn father, Monty (Chazz Palmintieri), to the hospital. I swear to God, right then and there, I turned to my roommate and said “I am going to love this movie.” It literally took 30 seconds to hit me, 30 seconds to leave its mark on me forever. Honestly, it was the same knowing feeling I felt when I walked out of Crash last April.

I TOTALLY AGREE - something about Dianne Wiest and something even more about Robert Downey Jr. in the first five minutes of this movie just hits you.

John Kerry and Bruce - Madison 2004

2007-03-18T09:09:00.000-05:00

Angie, Alex and I are in this picture.

You Can Even Choose By Soda "Pop" Served

2007-03-18T08:39:00.000-05:00

Check out Eating In Madison A to Z. There are so many ways to discover the best place to get some good eats in Madison. Among them:

1. A section to choose by letter grade with an honor roll.
2. You can even search by who serves Coke and who serves Pepsi. Very important distinction.
3. There is even a map of where they have been. Useful if you are in a hurry.
4. But my all time favorite part of this site is the link to reviews of local Chicago Style Hot Dogs.