Friday, June 30, 2006
celebrate good times. c'mon.
Went to a presentation yesterday at this historic theatre. Lots of helpful information, lots of energy, blah, blah... good time had by all.
Then the confetti bombs went off.
You know, those things they show on the American Idol finale -- where bits of Mylar explode all over, so you look like you're inside a giant, silvery snowglobe? Festive, huh?
When you're in the middle of it -- not so much.
There's something very self-indulgent and hubristic about it. It's almost like saying, "We're so great that we can make life hell for the cleaning crew." Or, "People labored over restoring this theatre to its former glory. Let's make it look like a four-story disco ball."
And I learned not to wear a V-neck top at these events. Two hours later, I was still picking confetti out of my bra.
Then the confetti bombs went off.
You know, those things they show on the American Idol finale -- where bits of Mylar explode all over, so you look like you're inside a giant, silvery snowglobe? Festive, huh?
When you're in the middle of it -- not so much.
There's something very self-indulgent and hubristic about it. It's almost like saying, "We're so great that we can make life hell for the cleaning crew." Or, "People labored over restoring this theatre to its former glory. Let's make it look like a four-story disco ball."
And I learned not to wear a V-neck top at these events. Two hours later, I was still picking confetti out of my bra.
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Diversions
A few fun time-wasters:
1. This line of slowly crisping sunbathers is actually a keyboard. Click each girl to play a note. Like everyone else, I can knock out a decent version of "Heart & Soul," but I'm still working on "Touch Me in the Morning."
2. Remember that picture that was making the rounds a few months ago -- find all the band names in the image? Here's a new one: Find 100 film names hidden in this picture.
3. Ah, the good ol' days, when MTV actually played music. I wasted so much time on this site that the wonderful Laurie posted the link before I could get to it!
4. I love this commercial for Folger's Coffee, but the @#?!! tune is going to be stuck in my head all day.
1. This line of slowly crisping sunbathers is actually a keyboard. Click each girl to play a note. Like everyone else, I can knock out a decent version of "Heart & Soul," but I'm still working on "Touch Me in the Morning."
2. Remember that picture that was making the rounds a few months ago -- find all the band names in the image? Here's a new one: Find 100 film names hidden in this picture.
3. Ah, the good ol' days, when MTV actually played music. I wasted so much time on this site that the wonderful Laurie posted the link before I could get to it!
4. I love this commercial for Folger's Coffee, but the @#?!! tune is going to be stuck in my head all day.
Monday, June 19, 2006
"Thenk Yeeeeew!"
My mother received an unusual piece of mail last week, addressed to "Marian Johnson" (yep, that's her) from "The Johnson Family Reunion Committee." It was a cutesy, chatty letter from a long lost cousin, Brenda Leigh, telling us all about her adventures in Los Angeles, and how we could catch up with her each week... on The Closer. Kudos to TNT for a very clever marketing tactic.
Sunday, June 18, 2006
Venus in Orange Polyester
My favorite video of the week: Lawrence Welk Meets Velvet Underground.
Monday, June 12, 2006
Funny Cars
I need to be quicker on the draw with my camera. On my way to work this morning, I saw an SUV hearse. An SUV hearse. OK, I get the "utility vehicle" part; it's the sport aspect I'm having trouble with. What, the deceased wants to go off-roading to push up daisies?
And on the way home, I passed an 1950s-era Chevy pickup, coverted to a lowrider, painted with matte black paint (supposedly to avoid radar detection), with lime green hubcaps. I'm sure the driver thought he was cool, but I've never seen a more cartoony car in my life. Not even an AMC Pacer.
And on the way home, I passed an 1950s-era Chevy pickup, coverted to a lowrider, painted with matte black paint (supposedly to avoid radar detection), with lime green hubcaps. I'm sure the driver thought he was cool, but I've never seen a more cartoony car in my life. Not even an AMC Pacer.
Saturday, June 10, 2006
Groundhog Day
I get deja vu every time I pull into the parking lot of the grocery store. Granted, I am a creature of routine. I get my groceries at 6 a.m. on Saturdays (Yes, 6 a.m. I'm an early riser, even on the weekends.)
But it's not my routine that does it; it's the radio station I'm listening to. (Don't ask me to tune away; there's nothing else on.) The local college station plays a wonderful variety of music -- except at 6 on Saturdays. At that time -- and that time only -- they play the same song for weeks on end. Lately, it's been Pavement's Bring on the Major Leagues. Before that, it was a really creepy, Pink-Floydish version of Moonlight Sonata, and before that, it was an alternately hilarious and terrifying monologue by a woman discussing her single status. (If you can make it through the whole thing, you know why she's single -- she's batshit crazy.) It's tiresome. I used to love Moonlight Sonata. And Pavement? I Really. Don't. Care. that Magic Christians chew the rind.
But it's not my routine that does it; it's the radio station I'm listening to. (Don't ask me to tune away; there's nothing else on.) The local college station plays a wonderful variety of music -- except at 6 on Saturdays. At that time -- and that time only -- they play the same song for weeks on end. Lately, it's been Pavement's Bring on the Major Leagues. Before that, it was a really creepy, Pink-Floydish version of Moonlight Sonata, and before that, it was an alternately hilarious and terrifying monologue by a woman discussing her single status. (If you can make it through the whole thing, you know why she's single -- she's batshit crazy.) It's tiresome. I used to love Moonlight Sonata. And Pavement? I Really. Don't. Care. that Magic Christians chew the rind.
Sunday, June 04, 2006
Put a Cork in It
My sister describes my decorating taste the best: "Y'know, Peg, you've got a lot of weird stuff. But for you, it works."
The sourpuss who used to live downstairs also described it. She once stopped by to complain that the mold on her walls was my fault (disputed by not one, but two contractors). She took a look at my entryway and sniffed, "Well, we're not afraid of color, are we?" (If it were fuchsia or orange, I'd understand. But it's chocolate brown, practically a neutral! Bitch.)
OK, I'll admit -- not everyone has a gallery of weird newspaper headlines (Mom-in-law Slain; Hatchet Killer Thought She was Large Raccoon)or a bouquet of maracas from around the world (I've traveled a lot, and I have a brown thumb, so sue me). My tastes are eclectic. But now sales reps are bringing it up. Isn't that against the sales rep code?
Here's the deal: I need a new kitchen floor. I had no idea what I wanted until I went to a flooring place yesterday. Cork. I want cork. I want cork that looks like a burled-wood version of my antique dining room table.
And I found it.
And every single sales rep I've talked to about it agrees that it's wonderful flooring, but...
"It's not for everyone."
"You must have bold tastes."
"Really? Well... that's... unusual."
I'm ready to tie a sweater around my head and pretend I'm Edie Beale.
The sourpuss who used to live downstairs also described it. She once stopped by to complain that the mold on her walls was my fault (disputed by not one, but two contractors). She took a look at my entryway and sniffed, "Well, we're not afraid of color, are we?" (If it were fuchsia or orange, I'd understand. But it's chocolate brown, practically a neutral! Bitch.)
OK, I'll admit -- not everyone has a gallery of weird newspaper headlines (Mom-in-law Slain; Hatchet Killer Thought She was Large Raccoon)or a bouquet of maracas from around the world (I've traveled a lot, and I have a brown thumb, so sue me). My tastes are eclectic. But now sales reps are bringing it up. Isn't that against the sales rep code?
Here's the deal: I need a new kitchen floor. I had no idea what I wanted until I went to a flooring place yesterday. Cork. I want cork. I want cork that looks like a burled-wood version of my antique dining room table.
And I found it.
And every single sales rep I've talked to about it agrees that it's wonderful flooring, but...
"It's not for everyone."
"You must have bold tastes."
"Really? Well... that's... unusual."
I'm ready to tie a sweater around my head and pretend I'm Edie Beale.
