things i love thursday

Another Thursday, another batch of links. Let's not waste time with a bunch of jibber jabber.

How to stop procrastinating: employ the 2-minute rule.

This is so completely bizarre. Women singing about potato salad followed by some borderline disturbing acrobatics.

An easier way to make donuts.

Alien Loves Predator UK. Easily one of the best things I've seen all week; who knew they were such great pals?

In an alternate universe, Samuel L. Jackson would've made a great Walter White.

Five signs you're a crappy tourist.

If you wanted to make your turtle look like a Mario villain, you're in luck! There's a crochet pattern for that.

It's important to feel like a kid every once in awhile--here's 15 ways to revisit your childhood.

Hey guys, what say we all move to this tree house community in Costa Rica?

The pictures over at 3 Coasts really make me want to go back to Scotland.

Like I said, Scotland is awesome.

Cat vs Human, mirroring my life yet again.

I'm definitely guilty of getting overexcited at the grocery store and finding myself throwing food away. Here's some tips for cutting down on food waste.

Here's a depressing story of a woman who spend most of her life institutionalized, even though she had no mental illness.

I'm in a wedding this weekend, so I'll have to be on the look out for the worst offenders at weddings.

Cake Wrecks is always humorous, but this batch is a whole new level of wtf.

Kerry talks about what it's like to be a book blogger.

How to have a fun conversation with anyone.

Alex creates signs to communicate with other drivers. I could really use these...

How to furnish your apartment for free.

Ten creepiest video game urban legends.

A handy guide to tour guide personality types.

Here's an illustrated alphabet of Harry Potter characters. (In case you needed it.)

A great reminder: life is practiced rather than perfected.

Nicole wrote an awesome list of life tips for her 18 year old niece.

And one of my favorite posts this week: make TV your last choice. Let's all do this over the summer, k?

Here's the Evolution of Daft Punk's "Get Lucky". I've seen this a few places already, but it's still worth sharing:



Hope you're all having a great week!

my nerdy obsession

 

 

Last Friday, I mentioned that I had ordered a Nintendo 3DS and that it might take some explaining, so here goes.

 

I've never been much of a video game nerd. Sure, I grew up playing Nintendo and Sega, but I never fully committed and could usually only advance past the first couple levels of any given game. Fast forward to the mid-2000s when I had a summer job as a regular babysitter for a 5 and 8 year old. They had Nintendo Game Cube, and we would spend hours playing through Mario Party and the like. Finally, games I could actually play! I was hooked, and ended up getting the system for myself. Not long after, a friend of mine recommended a game called Animal Crossing and talked about how addicting it was. Curious, I bought the game.

 

For those who are unfamiliar, Animal Crossing is a sort of juvenile Sims-esque game. There's no real objective, you just sort of live your little character life and make money to furnish your house and buy clothes and such. You befriend the other characters in your town, and spend way too much time fishing. It's not exciting. By all measures, you should be able to play it once and say "boring!" and move on.

 

But you know what? I like boring things.

 

The game happens in real time, so it will be day if you're playing during the day and night if you play at night. The seasons change. Periodically there will be special events in your little town and special characters will visit. There's really not much more to it. Somehow, this game has become a huge addiction for me.

 

When a new version came out for the Nintendo DS, I bought a Nintendo DS. I skipped the Wii version, somehow, but now again there's a version out for the 3DS. Two different people let me know that a special edition of the 3DS would be released with the game already loaded on it and I knew I had to make that shit mine. I got it yesterday and am actually excited about the hours I'll waste playing it.

 

I wish I could explain it. I think it has something to do with how oddly relaxing it is to just go into your little game world and mull around. You have a lot of control when it comes to furbishing your town with plants, decorations, etc. You can spend a lot of time just cleaning up; picking weeds that crop up or chopping down trees that are in the way. There's are hundreds of bugs, fish, and fossils to collect. Characters in your town move in and out, so the cast rotates fairly regularly. 

 

Here's the thing: in trying to describe it, I realize it sounds incredibly dull. And it kind of is. But you know what? I've come to terms with the fact that I love this stupid game and will happily waste time on it.

 

Do you guys have any video game addictions? Or recommendations for other games? I do occasionally play other things, and would love suggestions for other 3DS games.

junior

This may be the mother (or should I say father?) of all bad movies. That's right, I recently revisited that mid-90s gem Junior.

Holy crap is this movie terrible (I'm sure this isn't the first time I've said this about a Bad Film Club feature). The whole time I was watching it (all 1hr50min of it) I couldn't help but think, how did this happen? Who greenlit this? Who thought it would be a good idea?

Apparently a lot of people. Not only did this movie cost $60 million to make, but it somehow grossed $108 million at the box office. Siskel and Ebert gave it two thumbs up. Ebert said:

  I know this sounds odd, but Schwarzenegger is perfect for the role. Observe his acting carefully in Junior, and you'll see skills that many serious actors could only envy.

What?

My gripes, issues, and thoughts on the film:
 

1. I can't help but bring it up, even though it's totally unnecessary: the science. Um, how does this work, exactly? A couple times, there are mentions of Arnold having a baby "in his abdomen". Where, exactly? It's not like it's an empty cavity, there's organs and shit in there! The embryo needs a place to implant, and grow. What about the umbilical cord? Where is that attached? Nothing about this makes any sense. Without a womb, this baby has no place to hang out. But it does, via movie magic. Further proving Arnold can do anything, whether it's win Mr. Universe, act, or run California. Also, even though he's taking massive doses of female hormones he doesn't really show any physical signs of doing so other than the pregnancy. He doesn't develop breasts, for instance. A pregnant man an audience can handle--one with boobs? Apparently not so much.
 

2. Although the Mothernator might not show physical signs of taking lady hormones, the other signs are there. He comments regularly on his soft skin, people tell him he's radiant. He also does all those other things that women do...you know, like nag and complain that he never gets to go anywhere anymore, and that his body might be viewed as gross. He also talks about how beautiful everything is. Because speaking poetically = total lady-fication. Obviously.

3. He also says this:

Seriously, I can't tell if this movie is for women or against them.
 

4. Emma Thompson is also in this movie, which makes me a bit sad. C'mon gal. It's 1994. Aren't you still married to Kenneth Brannaugh? (She was.) Surely you can drum up better roles than "frumpy, clutzy scientist".

5. Arnold dressed as a lady, to hideout at the "Ladies' Home for Wayward Pregnant Women" or wherever the hell it's supposed to be.Unable to hide his pregnancy, Danny DeVito checks Arnold into some sort of sanatorium for pregnant women, or perhaps more accurately a sort of gestational resort where they do easy stretches and practice breathing.

This movie is something else. While it does touch on the male-female dynamic and gender roles, it does so in a "safe" way, playing on stereotypes; namely, the "pregnant bitches be crazy" phenomenon. While it was weird and amusing to revisit this better-left-forgotten flick, I'm not sure that I can safely recommend it to anyone.

weekly recap

strawberry heart

 

Things that made my week awesome:

 

*a relaxing sick day, spent with good company...sure, it sucked being so sick. I had to leave work, but my boyfriend came over bearing chicken lemon rice soup and a USB loaded with Bob's Burgers and MST3k.

*pizza

*baking...I rewatched Bridesmaids and after watching Annie baking that solitary cupcake decided I needed to put something sweet in the oven, stat. My favorite sugar cookies were ready for eating not long after.

*the library...the public one, not the ones I work at. I have been going there much more regularly and always leave with more books, even when I'm just going to drop stuff off. It's becoming a bit of a problem. (Not really.)

*meeting new people for Mexican food

*finally getting over my cold

*watching Over the Top for Bad Film Club

*ordering a Nintendo 3DS...there's a story here, but I may just write a whole post on it.

*buying this Admiral Ackbar necklace...way too excited about this.

 

Listening to: The Beatles, Masked Intruder, Deer Tick

 

Reading: Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency by Douglas Adams

 

Watching: Bob's Burgers, MST3k, Bridesmaids, Over the Top, Friday Night Lights, Mad Men

 

How was your week?

things i love thursday

Hey guys, how's your week? Now that I'm finally recovering from the cold that wouldn't die, my week has improved dramatically. Here's some links for ya.

I've seen these in a few places, but if you missed them, check out these founding father pin-ups.

Really digging Glen Brogan's pop culture inspired artwork.

How to avoid jealousy and the comparison trap.

Love this collection of tattoos by Marcin Aleksander Surowiec.

Really excited about the upcoming Feminist Book Club selections. (Psst--you should join up.)

This is pointless, but delightful: photos of smartphones replaced with sandwiches.

Apparently, Key West has a super creepy history. I had no idea.

This short Twin Peaks/Mad Men mash-up is all kinds of necessary.

Gala is pissed off and purposeful.

Ravioli pizza sounds crazy, but is probably delicious.

Love this Mark Twain quote Jennifer shared.

An artist turns her dad into a superhero.

The Writer's Guild of America ranked the 101 Best Written TV Series. I was pleased to see The Twilight Zone so near the top.

A great article on the importance of meta-analysis and whether a mother working outside the home is good or bad for lower income children.

If you're in NYC you should definitely help defend the public libraries.

The Kama Sutra of Sleeping Couples. (Totally safe for work.)

I've said it before, but Alicia's photos really make me want to visit the Pacific Northwest.

How to be good at asking questions.

Nicole says: if you're obsessed, be obsessed.

Caitlin sets the record straight on quoting Marilyn Monroe.

And finally, The Onion tells us why the new movie The Internship is set to become the best comedy of 2005:

favorite sick day movies

 

 

I have been fighting an incredibly annoying cold for a solid week now. So lame! It got so bad yesterday that I ended up leaving work because I felt so weak & run down. Awful. I'm pleased to report that I'm feeling much better today (though still not 100%) and I think that taking a sick day was exactly what I needed. I got some extra sleep and then just laid on the couch all day. I don't take sick days often, but when I do I find myself watching the same things every time. Without further ado, here's five of my favorite sick day movies.

 

1. What About Bob?

 

I've loved this movie since I was a kid. Bill Murray is amazing, and this was back when he was doing screwy comedies instead of the subtler, understated comedies he's been doing more recently. (I love them all, just in different ways.) If you've somehow never seen this movie, it's about a man named Bob Wiley (Murray) who has a number of crippling anxieties & phobias. He's endearing to just about everyone...except his therapist. Hijinks ensue when he follows his therapist's family on vacation. I'm not sure what else to say about this movie; it just makes me happy.

 

 2. My Girl

 

Another favorite from my childhood. I really, really love coming of age stories, and this one's terrific. It's about a girl named Vada, who lives in a funeral home with her funeral director father. Her mother died when she was younger, and she's right at that age where she starts experiencing all those "fun" things about puberty--crushes, periods, etc. The cast is excellent: Vada's bestie Thomas J is played by Macaulay Culkin, her dad is played by Dan Aykroyd, and her dad's love interest is played (adorably) by Jamie Lee Curtis. The movie takes place in the summertime, in the early 70s, and features a fantastic soundtrack.

 

3. Mystery Science Theater 3000

 

Pretty much any episode. In fact, yesterday I found myself watching Final Sacrifice. (Rowsdower!) This is another one I've loved for years, and while some episodes are better than others, they all have their moments. I can definitely thank MST3K for my love of bad movies. I watched this show obsessively when I was in middle school & high school, so it's a lot of fun to rewatch now--especially since I still come across episodes I've never seen, and catch more references every time I watch it.

 

4. Dazed and Confused

 

This could go on any number of movie lists for me, because it's simply one of my favorite movies. It also has a coming of age feel, takes place in the 70s, and features an outstanding soundtrack. I think it sums up a lot of what it's like being a teenager after school lets out for the summer, following different groups of friends on the night after the last day of school. Even though it takes place in the 70s, I feel like there's a lot about being a teenager that goes across generations. Aimlessly driving around with friends, awkward interactions with the person you're interested in, that feeling of freedom that comes with summer, etc. I watch this movie at least once or twice a year, whether I'm sick or not.

 

5. A comedy featuring Paul Rudd

 

I tried to pinpoint one, but realized that I reach for multiple Rudd films when I'm sick or otherwise just feel like laughing. Role Models, I Love You Man, The 40 Year Old Virgin, Forgetting Sarah Marshall (though he's only in it briefly), or even Clueless--I love them all. Even though I've seen them multiple times, I still find myself going for them whenever I'm sick on the couch.

 

Do you have favorites you tend to reserve for sick days?

monthly recap

I feel like I say this every month, but seriously, it's June already? Craziness. May was a good month for me though, so I can't complain too much. Plus, we're coming up on my favorite season of all--summer! Honestly, I feel like I wait all year for summer and then just try to relish it as much as humanly possible.

Here's some of the stuff I got excited about in May:

1. Getting to hang out with my dad. Since he lives out of state, I don't see him often. He came up for a short visit early in May, and it was great getting to see him.

 

2. The farmer's market re-opening! Oh man, I really love the local farmer's market. Our local farmer's market runs from May-October and though it's not terribly large, but I can usually find a bunch of good stuff. My first trip there I got to try ramps for the first time, which are delicious. I also bought some fresh bread and raspberry honey (also delicious).

 

3. Bubblegum! Ok, let me explain. For the last several years (7 or 8 I think) I haven't chewed gum. At all. It seemed like any kind of gum would bother my teeth, as I always had some cavities. Confession: I have bad teeth, even though I take good care of them. Confession 2: I was bad about going to the dentist. However, for the first time in a very long time, multiple dentist visits (and a few hundred dollars) later, I have all of my fillings taken care of! Naturally, the first order of business was to get back in the gum game. I was never an ardent gum devotee, but I still wanted to celebrate my filled teeth by getting the most ridiculous, sugary, bubblegum I could find. (Thus creating future work for my dentist, no doubt.)

 

4. Switching out my cold weather clothes for my warm weather clothes. Few things make me happier.

 

5. Buying my ticket for Riot Fest! It's not until September, but I'm still super excited for this festival.

 

6. Bled Fest! A weird, local music fest that takes places in what I'm fairly certain is a high school, in a small town in Michigan. Stages are set up in classrooms, hallways, and what looks to be a cafeteria. I went once before, and was really excited about going again, particularly to see Masked Intruder, The Swellers (I also realized that I've probably seen this band more than any band ever, around ten times easily), and Andrew WK (so silly & fun), as well as some new to me bands like American Opera and Modern Baseball.

 

7. New Arrested Development. I was really excited about this. My boyfriend and I marathoned the entire new season the Sunday it was released, having bought enough snacks to sustain us the night before. I know a lot of people were iffy about the new season, but I thought it was brilliant. It wasn't meant to operate exactly like the original show because being available in its entirety on Netflix allowed them to do it a little differently. (There's a really excellent article about that on Wired if you're interested.) I've already rewatched some of the episodes and have gotten a lot more out of it the second time around. Much like the earlier seasons, there are a lot of small jokes that you might not catch at first.

 

As fun as May was, there's a lot of things coming up in June that I'm looking forward to already.  Any one else looking forward to summer?