A good message but....

his hair seems to be trending toward Tom Bradyville.

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I'm done! sorta!

The ending needs tweaking but I made it to 56,234 words! Yay!

Soooo, are you done Charles?

Last day of November. Can we read your novel??

While on the subject of NG

Can I just say that yesterday I was totally distracted from reading my journal articles by the discovery that Neil Gaiman has a bunch of his short stories up on his website. Am still chuckling over "The Case of the Four and Twenty Blackbirds."

Why did I not realize I had this band's music?

rad music vid

There's nothing mellow about it....

Andy Samberg! Jack Johnson! Violent brawling! Loves it!

Have you read these?

Game of Thrones. I must admit, I had never heard of these books until there was something about the HBO series in EW the other week. How could I have missed them? As a total fantasy/sci fi/historical fiction nerd girl who has been in love with Aragorn since the age of eleven when I first read LOTR, shouldn't I be their target audience?



Will it be any good or will it be a huge disappointment? I'm hoping it will be like The Tudors meets Lloyd Alexander.

From our fave writer over at G (who I am beginning to think is a male version of us): "And who doesn't like Sean Bean! I'll bet you have never met a person who has said to you "You know what? I just don't like Sean Bean." Has never happened to you. Because no one doesn't like Sean Bean. His name could rhyme but doesn't, and he always plays either an angry but noble terrorist or an old-timey dude like he does here and did in LOTR. What's not to love! Throw in Lena Headey from 300 and Sarah Connor Chronicles and you've basically got nerd heaven."

And what about The Hunger Games trilogy, good or Twilight-ish schlock?

Will the similarities never cease?

"When Anderson Cooper recently interviewed Lady Gaga in London, she got him wasted on Irish Whiskey. Cooper told The Insider "We actually ended up that day in a pub in London drinking Jameson, which I don't really drink… So, she got me to drink, like, two of them. And by the end, I was ready to have the interview be over, because I really sort of couldn't ask anymore questions." "

Umm, note her drink of choice....

"I can't believe I just spent twenty dollars to see Dobby die."

As overheard leaving the movie theater last night. (Ummm. Didn't you read the book?)

I knew it was a good audience from the raucous applause and cheers that erupted when they saw this:



I mean, it is a rather brilliant title, but seriously.

Catcalls for poor Harry when stripped to his skivvies to dive in after the sword of Gryffindor and anticipatory mewling as HBC threw the knife at the ill-fated Dobby. All in all, a good time.

L made this amazing butternut squash and hazelnut lasagna and a gingery pumpkin soup. I'll get you the recipes, Charles.

I heart my job

Had a remarkably quiet night at work. Nothing like this list of "highlights" of ED chief complaints over at Deadspin.

A choice selection:

• 56YOF INJURED RIGHT PALM WHILE OPENING CHOPSTICKS PUNCTURE WOUND OF HAND

• REPORTS WAS ANGRY&HIT SELF IN THE HEAD WITH A BEER BOTTLE, DENIES SI/HI >>LAC

• EYEBROW LAC-13YOF-HIT W/A THROWN SIPPY CUP-@ HOME

• 17 YOF PRACTICING "FAKE FALL" AND THEN ACTUALLY FELL HITTING HEAD ON FL OOR SUSTAINING CHI

• PT FELL DURING MARCHING BAND PERFORMANCE & HIT HEAD ON INSTRUMENT (POSS SAXAPHONE), NO LOC, NOW W/HA, CONFUSION & BLURRY VISION; HEAD INJURY

• PT DOING SUMMERSAULTS AT HOME AND STRUCK HER L SHIN ON A PORCELIN DUCK. HAS CUT ON SHIN. DX L LOWER LEG LAC

It is funny because it is true. (Including the complete inability of triage nurses to spell things correctly.)

Promise not to be quite so much like this

Or like this....



He took me to a cheap motel in West Virginia and he takes her on a safari!!!! ARGH.

I will calm down and think of this...

Graham Little

I really like this artist. His work reminds me of Alma-Tadema and Vermeer. More of his work can be seen here.

Thanksgiving avec le pere

So when I entered his apartment, I was, much to my alarm, greeted by this:



Le pere seemed totally unconcerned by the smoke billowing from his oven where "the bird," as he persistently referred to it, was roasting away. I opened some windows so that we wouldn't die of carbon monoxide poisoning and settled down for an afternoon of rather dull football and non-sequiturs from le pere.

Miss you guys!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Alright ladies, it is that time of year again

Christmas wishes?



You know what I want. Books and Don Draper inspired pjs. (Anything by Atul Gawande -- I should really read his stuff. Never got around to it though I love his essays in the New Yorker. The Lonely Planet Guide to East Africa. The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down - another book, I am embarrassed to say I have not yet read.) I think les parents can handle the books, right? I really love those woolly socks you got us last year, Charles, wouldn't mind another set if the Gap is selling them again. And of course, anything from anthropologie would be nice.

As for les parents, la mere wants a Celtics bumper sticker, a white flannel nightgown, and madeleine pans. Le pere, who knows. I'll try to find out when I see him tomorrow.

Sooo, what are you guys wishing for?

Best trailer review. Ever.

The Guardian weighs in on the trailer of Little Slut Riding Hood, I mean Catherine Hardwicke's upcoming Red Riding Hood. You must read the full blow-by-blow commentary here. It is hilarious. Snarktacular.

Just a choice selection:



"Oh, for God's sake, really? Really? Little Red Riding Hood, can't you keep it in your pants for a poxy second? Look – people are being murdered and your grandmother has been eaten by a wolf and now Gary Oldman is in her house rooting through all her stuff, and all you can think about is sex? This is crap. This whole film is crap. And, incidentally, where's the wolf? We haven't even seen him yet. That wolf I showed you before wasn't even a real wolf. It was just a painting of a wolf on a door, and not even a particularly good one at that. In fact, is there even going to be a wolf in this film? Or has he been edited out to make room for all the shagging?"

Glad we advised JE to stay clear of this one.

Art of the Americas Wing

Nice review in the Christian Science Monitor of the new Art of the Americas wing at the MFA. Hopefully, the wing is more than just endless rooms of Revolutionary silver and pre-Columbian pottery shards dug out of storage. (And this is coming from a would-be archeologist who spent an entire day in the Delhi museum looking at poorly labeled Harappan artifacts). According to the CSM, highlights include The Sons of Liberty Bowl paired with Copley's portrait of Revere holding a silver bowl and "The Daughters of Edward Darley Boit" paired with the blue Japanese vases featured in the painting (which is how it was displayed before, so I don't really understand how this is "new"). Anyways, thought we should check it out when everyone is home for Christmas.

How do you happen to have two guns?

"I didn't think one would be enough."

Broke down and bought The Holiday today. Best fake trailer ever....

Off the boat psycho, lives in Brockton with his mother...

First he was on the Tudors and now in Harry Potter. Moving up in the world. (Loved his imitation of Radcliffe's walk)


And of course v v excited to see the amazing Bill Nighy finally get a piece of the Harry Potter action.

A little Sufjan on a roof

Pete Campbell's bitchface is even better in person...

Also?

Gregory Peck:



And his grandson Ethan Peck who was on set today.



Poor kid sat on a bench and read a magazine between takes. But you gotta expect being overshadowed a little when JT is running around.

Thank you Ruby Bridges Hall

"Fifty years ago, a six-year-old Ruby Bridges walked into a Louisiana school and made history as the first African American to attend an all-white elementary school in the American South."

i LOVE this ad

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REdE-YyVmdQ

I'd go with Eisley too

Did you see their tour banner? 'Nuf said. Plus Telescope Eyes is one of my favorite songs ever.

Make these!

Pretty and veg.




Sweet Potato and Crab Apple Clafoutis. Almost too pretty to eat.

What should Es and I make for Thanksgiving dinner?

Other than mini pumpkins of course! (kidding) Dodie do you have any cool suggestions?

No one takes this movie seriously.

his denzel is awesome.

Adorkable

I had a chem 5 TF who would sing this while playing the piano....I feel like CF is about to reach over to him and say,"Mate, you are never going to get laid if you keep doing things like that."

ok this dude is def from boston

which makes the voyage of the mimi reference suddenly make sense...
on defamer today re: unstoppable
I like that this movie got good reviews. And I like that there's no villain. I mean, there is a villain, it's the runaway train, but there's no human villain. It's just a classic story of two men vs. train. A tale as old as time. Since we first discovered trains two hundred years ago or whenever, man has been in constant battle with them, possessed of an insatiable need to either harness their immense power, or kill them. Of course trains have rebelled, occasionally in murderous fashion, but mostly by making us get to Boston a half hour late so our dad is waiting in the car for a while and has to circle around Back Bay Station like ten times and we feel bad. It's a never-ending war between two titans, man and train. And here, finally, is a movie about that most basic and pure of conflicts. None of this nonsense with celebrated playwright Eric Bogosian terrorizing a train full of people like Katherine Heigl only to be thwarted by Steven Seagal. (Though, the train does blow up in the end of that one, so it does get its due.) None of these stuffy Belgians solving mysteries as the train, unmolested, rumbles West from Istanbul. Nope. This here is just bare bones Man v. Train. Just the way it should, and always will, be.

Making plans...

So basically as far as concerts are concerned if you want to go to the El Rey I'd say our best bet is Eisley who are playing Sunday the 21st




and/or OK GO who are playing Club Nokia Saturday the 27th. Let me know if you are interested in either of these things and I will get tickets.

Guess what I'm watching right now??

Only the best movie ever!! whoop whoop!

Crappy video quality I know...

But here's a of video of the Sufjan concert I found on youtube so you can see how much fun we had with the balloons...

Vote! Vote! Vote!

http://popwatch.ew.com/2010/11/11/under-appreciated-entertainer-of-the-year-katey-sagal-tamara-taylor/

also:

http://www.peopleschoice.com/pca/vote/votenow.jsp?category=&pollId=&optionId=

just keep voting for last ex. puhlease!

I had no idea anyone else made this particular reference

Read through to about halfway from this posting on defamer:

"Ron Moore, the guy largely responsible for the Sci-Fi Syfy Stupid Name Channel's brilliant Battlestar Galactica reimagining, has sold a pitch to NBC. The show will be about the Coastguard and is called The McCulloch. Ha. That is a terrible title! That will change. What do you think it will be changed to? Seas of Rage? The Waves? The Voyage of the Mimi 2: Blood Tide? Whatever it is called, it could be very interesting. Oh, I know, ha ha, the Coastguard is lame. But did you know that it's the 12th largest navy in the world? It's true! They have lots of boats and guns. Adventure on the high seas awaits."

Best Wedding Photo Ever

This is the kind of wedding I can get behind. Neil Gaiman and Amanda Palmer continue to be my favorite people ever.

Essential Reading

An interesting list...how many have you guys read?

http://flavorwire.com/128930/10-essential-books-from-the-last-25-years

And here is a helpful (not really) chart

You may wish to print it out for handy reference when watching the movie on a weekly basis until I am home on the 19th.

I am excited about this movie however

if purely because it will get Dodie on board with the MFassbender train that Es and I are on.

http://www.collider.com/2010/11/09/jane-eyre-trailer-mia-wasikowska-michael-fassbender/

I think he is going to be Darcy levels of hotness in this movie.

Although this movie is probably not great

I will probably see it anyway...and I want this dress:

I dare say this holds true in NEW England as well

From The Guardian (complete article here).

"It is fair to say Britain does not do winter glamorously. France has Courchevel and Megève; America has Aspen; we have minor celebrities bumping down Primrose Hill on tea trays. Our premier winter sport is poking droll fun at train companies when the inevitable "leaves on the line" delay announcements come. Why, we ask, are the trains sent into a tailspin by weather conditions that happen every year?

Because they're British, that's why. We are all sent into a tailspin by winter weather. Look around you, if you don't believe me. It is suddenly very cold and very wet, yes. Reader, may I introduce you to the concept of November. This happens every year, people! But do you see a nation looking chic and cosy and snug? No. You see bedraggled hordes, their new-season wardrobes completely obliterated by anoraks and mouldy cardigans, moaning about how wet their feet get when they wear Converse in the rain (duh-huh!)."

I feel a sudden need to start watching Love Actually and The Holiday!



My fashion sense is more about "giving up and hibernating in Gap hoodies from now until April" like they warn in the article and I fear I do end up looking like "a disgruntled maths teacher on wet-weather playground duty." So from now on, going to start taking all of my fashion advice from the Brits where they say things like, "For women: Mittens are jolly and useful, especially with a string." Looking like Blake Lively, never going to happen. Wearing mittens on a string, definitely. And apparently in Britain that could count as being fashionable.

I think Steve Coogan does it better.

Oh hilarity...

1.Go to Google Maps
2) Click Get Directions
3) Type Japan as starting point
4) Type China as ending point
5) Go to # 43 on the directions

Google employees clearly have waaay too much time on their hands, for which we should all be thankful.

The make-up tutorial chick is speaking out on malaria

Random, but sweet of her.

I bet E wishes he could be at the game with him

Wait, no more Sherlock?

What am I going to do? Masterpiece Theatre, you are such a tease.

He's making fun of ER, right?

I think you would like Carson Ellis

I just discovered the blog of the artist, Carson Ellis. She illustrates children's books and does the haunting, intricate covers for the Decemberists (yeah she is married a member of the band). I love how she writes about her life and art and has plenty of interesting images, both her own work (including photos) and the work of other artists.

I am swooning

Over the gorgeous food photos on this blog, cannelle et vanille. Just look at all the beautiful, beautiful food. The presentation, ah, to die for. A new fave along with PD and Orangette.

Oh no Keith Olbermann!

He's been suspended for making political donations to Dems. I guess that will mean no more Special Comments for the time being.

SO I was watching trailers

and I wondered what else the chick in Sucker Punch has been in so I went to the IMDb. And when I was looking at the photo section, suddenly I was like, wait a sec, is that who I think it is at that owl gaga hoole movie that you liked so much, Charles.



and yeah, it was.

Arcade Fire talks PIH, touring with the WSJ

"Yeah, I think PIH has made a really huge difference not just in Haiti but worldwide. Not even just through the work they do but also the model they’ve created of treating poor people like normal human beings. The fact that worked, the fact that they could treat TB that way, I think opens a lot of eyes. We’re definitely helping PIH. The money is important but even without us people were starting to get excited about PIH. I think we’ve helped snowball that a little bit. We’ve definitely added weight to that snowball."

Love Arcade Fire. Full WSJ interview here.

WTF America?

Seriously, America? I mean, seriously?

From TP:

"Here is a snapshot of the GOP Class of 2010’s extremism:

ENVIRONMENT

- 50% deny the existence of manmade climate change
- 86% are opposed to any climate change legislation that increases government revenue

IMMIGRATION

- 39% have already declared their intention to end the 14th Amendment’s guarantee of birthright citizenship
- 32% want to reduce legal immigration

TAXES/SPENDING

- 91% have sworn to never allow an income tax increase on any individual or business – regardless of deficits or war
- 79% have pledged to permanently repeal the estate tax
- 48% are pushing for a balanced budget amendment"

Love that the jez girls are unabashedly liberal. I mean, I should have guessed it with their strong support for choice and LGBT equality, but it was refreshing to see.

PS. Russ Feingold, we'll miss you. Sniff.

3 days 'til close. Ah-ah-ahhh.