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Sunday, December 18, 2011
To me, fashion is a mistur-ee
I recently saw this image online at the NY Times Magazines tumblr. This is the latest collection from designer Thakoon Panichugal.
This picture is the worst thing I have ever seen.
Call me kooky, but this outfit is a mishmash of clothes randomly pulled off the shelf from a box store and put on a really dumb person suffering from malnutrition. I am led to believe that this poor, sick girl has gotten lost on a tour of the house where James K. Polk spent his post-presidency golden years. She cannot see to the end of the room.
I do not understand fashion.
This picture is the worst thing I have ever seen.
Call me kooky, but this outfit is a mishmash of clothes randomly pulled off the shelf from a box store and put on a really dumb person suffering from malnutrition. I am led to believe that this poor, sick girl has gotten lost on a tour of the house where James K. Polk spent his post-presidency golden years. She cannot see to the end of the room.
I do not understand fashion.
San Fran in Jan(uary)
Heads up, Bay Area folks.
So, in January I'm headed for San Francisco.
I arrive on the 19th. I had originally planned to run around the city and whatnot the first night, but it turns out that its the first night of the San Francisco SketchFest. As part of the Sketchfest, the crew from RiffTrax is performing on night 1 of the SketchFest. So, while this means I may have a problem with the Alpha Plan of @#$%in' &%#@ up in San Francisco on the 19th, it does mean I get to go to SketchFest see the guys from RiffTrax do a bunch of shorts. And that is awesome! (and, no doubt, means extra time hangin' with The Dug and a more likely scenario of seeing MikeF and others)
Oddly, the event is at the Castro, where I will also be the following few days.
The schedule and tickets are now available for Noir City X, the tenth installment of the Eddie Muller-helmed Film Noir Fest.
I'm in and out of town fairly quickly as a man can only afford to stay in one place too long, and the fact that every time I leave work for a few days, some disaster is awaiting me on the other side.
I'm pretty darned excited. The line-up for both before and after I'm there features some great films I've seen and a long list of films I haven't seen. If you live in the area, take advantage.
I am a bit down that I'll miss Naked Alibi on Thursday, which features both Sterling Hayden and Gloria Grahame (and I've been trying to track it down for a while), and it seems this year they've moved the party to the second weekend, so I'm missing that. But they did add Angie Dickinson to talk Point Blank, which is a great movie, so I'll get to see her in person.
But I also will be looking to fill days while I'm around, so if you have helpful touristy hints for me that don't involve wandering The Tenderloin in a Batman costume, I'd like to hear them.
So, in January I'm headed for San Francisco.
I arrive on the 19th. I had originally planned to run around the city and whatnot the first night, but it turns out that its the first night of the San Francisco SketchFest. As part of the Sketchfest, the crew from RiffTrax is performing on night 1 of the SketchFest. So, while this means I may have a problem with the Alpha Plan of @#$%in' &%#@ up in San Francisco on the 19th, it does mean I get to go to SketchFest see the guys from RiffTrax do a bunch of shorts. And that is awesome! (and, no doubt, means extra time hangin' with The Dug and a more likely scenario of seeing MikeF and others)
Oddly, the event is at the Castro, where I will also be the following few days.
The schedule and tickets are now available for Noir City X, the tenth installment of the Eddie Muller-helmed Film Noir Fest.
I'm in and out of town fairly quickly as a man can only afford to stay in one place too long, and the fact that every time I leave work for a few days, some disaster is awaiting me on the other side.
I'm pretty darned excited. The line-up for both before and after I'm there features some great films I've seen and a long list of films I haven't seen. If you live in the area, take advantage.
I am a bit down that I'll miss Naked Alibi on Thursday, which features both Sterling Hayden and Gloria Grahame (and I've been trying to track it down for a while), and it seems this year they've moved the party to the second weekend, so I'm missing that. But they did add Angie Dickinson to talk Point Blank, which is a great movie, so I'll get to see her in person.
But I also will be looking to fill days while I'm around, so if you have helpful touristy hints for me that don't involve wandering The Tenderloin in a Batman costume, I'd like to hear them.
Happy Birthday, JimD
edit. Oh, hell. Apparently tomorrow is Jim's birthday. Just consider this an early present on Jim's B-Day Eve
we don't do birthdays around here much anymore. But it's Jim D's B-Day, and I remembered.
we don't do birthdays around here much anymore. But it's Jim D's B-Day, and I remembered.
Saturday, December 17, 2011
SW Advent Calendar December 17
You know, I just don't see this happening in a current issue of Batman or Detective Comics. But its nice to know that Batman and Robin, once upon a time, totally got into the Christmas spirit.
Kickstarter Project - Folk Documentary
Hey! I've known Hilary since the 4th grade, and now she's one of the subjects of an upcoming documentary on the hard-traveling heroes of Americana/ Folk Music.
Hilary and Stuart are The Flyin' A's (who I went to go see just last night). I've known a lot of musicians at this point, and some have been successful, some less so, but I haven't seen anyone who has worked as hard at keeping their music going as these two. And they're actually very good, too.*
A while back Stuart and Hilary were noticed by a documentary crew and were approached to take part in the film. You can see Hil (not really the shyest of daffodils) gets a lot of coverage.
1. You can see a trailer for their documentary here.
2. You can help fund the documentary by contributing to the Kickstarter at this link.
They only have a couple of weeks left, so if you can kick in a few bucks, it would get the documentary a really long way and get Hilary and Stuart in front of more eyes and ears than a summer's worth of touring.
*I think we've all known that band or musician we really didn't want to encourage
Hilary and Stuart are The Flyin' A's (who I went to go see just last night). I've known a lot of musicians at this point, and some have been successful, some less so, but I haven't seen anyone who has worked as hard at keeping their music going as these two. And they're actually very good, too.*
A while back Stuart and Hilary were noticed by a documentary crew and were approached to take part in the film. You can see Hil (not really the shyest of daffodils) gets a lot of coverage.
1. You can see a trailer for their documentary here.
2. You can help fund the documentary by contributing to the Kickstarter at this link.
They only have a couple of weeks left, so if you can kick in a few bucks, it would get the documentary a really long way and get Hilary and Stuart in front of more eyes and ears than a summer's worth of touring.
*I think we've all known that band or musician we really didn't want to encourage
Friday, December 16, 2011
SW Advent Calendar December 16
Provided by our own AmyD.
This was my response to her email:
I doubt you guys listen to much Magic 95.5 for their magical month of Christmas, but I think they play this song every hour on the hour. Its insane.
Sometimes... this is the song that gets stuck in my head, and even a power drill and a tire iron cannot get it out.
And now I share with you. Merry Christmas.
Marvel finally starts working on Disney comics
It seems Marvel is going to release a Toy Story limited series later this year. Toy Story, while more Pixar than traditional Disney (although the Disney Store would beg to differ), was also one of the first titles launched by Boom! when they began rolling out Disney properties under their license.
I thought Boom! did a phenomenal job handling the Disney properties. Maybe TOO phenomenal as I spent a lot of money on Disney comics for a spot there as Boom! flooded the kids' section with Pixar and Disney properties, both new and licensed from the European and classic American Disney comics.
They also wisely repacked their comics in inexpensive, kid friendly collections.
Really, it was a lot of fun. And so when Disney purchased Marvel, I knew that a wrench would get thrown in the works.
Now, this is one comic of a four-issue limited series of one property. I am still not able to buy new issues of Mickey, Scrooge or Donald. But I will be watching Marvel in 2012 to see what they try. And, hopefully, it won't mess with the great work Fantagraphics is doing collecting the really old school Disney strips and comics.
I thought Boom! did a phenomenal job handling the Disney properties. Maybe TOO phenomenal as I spent a lot of money on Disney comics for a spot there as Boom! flooded the kids' section with Pixar and Disney properties, both new and licensed from the European and classic American Disney comics.
They also wisely repacked their comics in inexpensive, kid friendly collections.
Really, it was a lot of fun. And so when Disney purchased Marvel, I knew that a wrench would get thrown in the works.
Now, this is one comic of a four-issue limited series of one property. I am still not able to buy new issues of Mickey, Scrooge or Donald. But I will be watching Marvel in 2012 to see what they try. And, hopefully, it won't mess with the great work Fantagraphics is doing collecting the really old school Disney strips and comics.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
End of the Year List?
You know, I don't want to do a "best of" list, because, seriously, I didn't watch that many movies or TV shows, read that many books, etc...
So, instead, here's sort of a list of stuff I liked this year.
TV
Friday Night Lights - final season. The show nobody watched while it was on, but everyone seems to be finding now. The show wound up on a great note, bringing together years of storylines.
Louis - Louis CK's odd non-sitcom. Its on FX, its critically acclaimed and lightly watched, but its maybe the closest to a singular vision you're going to find on TV.
Game of Thrones - I wasn't expecting much, and instead I got totally wrapped up in the show. And started rationalizing reasons why it was okay to like the really pretty bad bad-guys. Peter Dinklage was terrific.
American Horror Story - gets a mention because so many people didn't give it a chance, and until the penultimate episode, it was one seriously messed up show that was way more entertaining than I was guessing (your mileage will vary). Also, its show #2 on the list featuring Connie Britton.
The League - I don't even think this show is terribly good, but it is funny in a misanthropic, semi-nihilistic sort of way.
Park and Rec - This show has always been pretty solid, but this year it hit a particular stride, even with the tragic loss of Lil' Sebastian (RIP).
Adventure Time - I would try to explain this show, but the only way you're going to find out about it is if your kids tune in. You'll enjoy it/ get it more than they will.
Batman: The Brave and the Bold - Probably my favorite show on TV this year, and it went out with a bang.
There were a lot of good shows. I didn't talk about my perennial favorite Mythbusters, for example. What else can you say in season 8 or whatever they're on?
Movies (first run at the theater)
Drive - This one hit so many of my personal buttons for a movie, they might as well have asked me what I thought I'd like to see in a crime flick.
Hugo - Likely the best bit of direction I've seen in a couple of years, and a true piece of art talking about art. And, of course, its flopping.
Rise of the Planet of the Apes - APES.
Attack the Block - this one was such a pleasant surprise, I likely overhyped it. But it was a nice contrast to the nostalgic Super 8.
Captain America - My favorite superhero movie in a while
Movies (on my TV or elsewhere)
The Glass Key - just a kick-ass bit of crime cinema
The Hustler - I am kicking myself for waiting so long to see this movie. Absolutely brilliant.
Gun Crazy - Those crazy kids. They almost made it work. Except for all the gunplay and murder.
Night of the Hunter - Hey! Its also sort of a Christmas movie!
Books
Oh, I don't know. They've all been fine.
Music
Ha ha ha. No.
So, instead, here's sort of a list of stuff I liked this year.
TV
Friday Night Lights - final season. The show nobody watched while it was on, but everyone seems to be finding now. The show wound up on a great note, bringing together years of storylines.
Louis - Louis CK's odd non-sitcom. Its on FX, its critically acclaimed and lightly watched, but its maybe the closest to a singular vision you're going to find on TV.
Game of Thrones - I wasn't expecting much, and instead I got totally wrapped up in the show. And started rationalizing reasons why it was okay to like the really pretty bad bad-guys. Peter Dinklage was terrific.
American Horror Story - gets a mention because so many people didn't give it a chance, and until the penultimate episode, it was one seriously messed up show that was way more entertaining than I was guessing (your mileage will vary). Also, its show #2 on the list featuring Connie Britton.
The League - I don't even think this show is terribly good, but it is funny in a misanthropic, semi-nihilistic sort of way.
Park and Rec - This show has always been pretty solid, but this year it hit a particular stride, even with the tragic loss of Lil' Sebastian (RIP).
Adventure Time - I would try to explain this show, but the only way you're going to find out about it is if your kids tune in. You'll enjoy it/ get it more than they will.
Batman: The Brave and the Bold - Probably my favorite show on TV this year, and it went out with a bang.
There were a lot of good shows. I didn't talk about my perennial favorite Mythbusters, for example. What else can you say in season 8 or whatever they're on?
Movies (first run at the theater)
Drive - This one hit so many of my personal buttons for a movie, they might as well have asked me what I thought I'd like to see in a crime flick.
Hugo - Likely the best bit of direction I've seen in a couple of years, and a true piece of art talking about art. And, of course, its flopping.
Rise of the Planet of the Apes - APES.
Attack the Block - this one was such a pleasant surprise, I likely overhyped it. But it was a nice contrast to the nostalgic Super 8.
Captain America - My favorite superhero movie in a while
Movies (on my TV or elsewhere)
The Glass Key - just a kick-ass bit of crime cinema
The Hustler - I am kicking myself for waiting so long to see this movie. Absolutely brilliant.
Gun Crazy - Those crazy kids. They almost made it work. Except for all the gunplay and murder.
Night of the Hunter - Hey! Its also sort of a Christmas movie!
Books
Oh, I don't know. They've all been fine.
Music
Ha ha ha. No.
SW Advent Calendar December 15
Every year, right around Christmas, Ms. Darlene Love appears on the Late Show with David Letterman to perform "Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home)", not just the best modern era Christmas song (in my opinion), but one of Phil Spector's best, no matter what Holiday or day we're talking about.
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