Sunday, September 28, 2008

My lovely ladies


I have never really put anything too personal on this blog. No pictures or stories. But I just had to say something about my two best friends. We had a dinner at Athena's house last night (the one in the middle) and the normal crowd was there. It's just so nice to have people in your life that know you so well and are so easy to "be" with... just "be"... I never have to worry about how I am gonna look or what I am gonna say. We are all way passed that stage. It's these laid back gatherings that make me sane. The daily grind of life can get to be a bit much sometimes so when we have these little dinner parties where we all just get together and relax, it reminds of how important it is to have fun and keep those people who mean so much to you close. I don't know what I would do without these ladies. I love you Sofia and Athena.. "your friendship means the world to me" -that one's for you Sof ;)

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Political Design

The American Institute of Graphic Arts has designed 24 posters with a "vote" theme. In an effort to get more people to vote in November, they have made it possible to download the files so you can print them out and put them up in your offices, stores, schools, etc... Check it out here

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

David is coming


I was so excited when I saw that David Sedaris was coming to Miami in October. Nancy, Chris, and I went to see him about 5 years ago and he was sooo funny. I haven't had the chance to read his last book, but that only makes me want to see him more. Maybe he will read from it and it will be like hearing it for the first time.... because I would.... be hearing it for the first time. So I went online to find out how much the tickets would be and I was sorely disappointed. The nosebleeds were $45 before taxes and astronomical fees. And then you had to pay an additional $15 to reserve parking. I know it probably wasn't any cheaper the last time we went, but the last time we went we didn't have a baby or a budget. Those two circumstances make a big difference when things like this come around. So it seems like I will just have to read the book myself or maybe I will get the audio book and close my eyes and imagine that he was standing on a stage in front of me.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Nothingbutnets.net

The founder of www.nothingbutnets.net appeared on the Colbert Report last night and talked about how little it takes to prevent families in Africa from getting malaria. All they need to dramatically reduce the risk of malaria is a mosquito net- that's it. I had heard of this in the past, but never knew of a tangible way that I could make a contribution.

The entire process of purchasing and distributing insecticide-treated bed nets to children under the age of five, as well as providing education and follow-up surveying on their use, is accomplished at the cost of just $10 per bed net.
Studies show that use of insecticide-treated bed nets can reduce transmission as much as 90% in areas with high coverage rates. Bed nets prevent malaria transmission by creating a protective barrier against mosquitoes at night, when the vast majority of transmissions occur.

Can you believe that? How often do we hear about the awful conditions in third world countries just to shrug it off because there is nothing we can do to help. I don't want to to start sounding like Sally Struthers or anything so I will stop here. But just think how little $10 is to you and how much it could mean to someone else... that's all I am gonna say about that.... www.nothingbutnets.net...

Sunday, September 14, 2008

For those of you who missed it.

Tina Fey is one of my most favorite people in the world. She did a special cameo for the opening of the season premiere of SNL as Sarah Palin and it was scary to see how much they look alike. Barack Obama was supposed to be in this sketch too, but canceled because he thought it would be inapproriate to do while Ike was going on. Honestly, I love you Mr Obama but I can't see how this sketch could have possibly been any funnier. Nancy and I were laughing so hard we woke Liam up from his nap.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

New iPod Touch

The new iPod Touch was released yesterday. It is a sleeker design, has built in speakers, and a longer battery life. While I love everything apple, this information would not usually warrant a blog post. Except to say that Chris bought one 16 days ago and you can only exchange the old one for the new one within 14 days. Of course, he has no complaints about his Touch. He adores it. But knowing that if you waited just a couple of more days, you could have gotten the new and improved version is kinda annoying. A day late and a dollar short! Well, actually it was $70 more, but whatever...

On a side note, one thing I really like about the new iPod is that they
are more environmentally-friendly, and are constructed with arsenic-free glass and BFR-free, mercury-free, PVC-free, and highly-recyclable components.

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

If you are ever homesick...

... go here and make sure you have the sound on

http://www.helpineedhelp.com/help-i-am-home-sick/

Monday, September 8, 2008

Nick and Norah


A new Michael Cera movie is coming out in October called "Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist". We don't make it to the movies too often, but I think this may warrant a special date night. Not only am I a huge Michael Cera fan, but Mark Mothersbaugh is doing the music. He did the soundtracks for all of the Wes Anderson films (not too mention a million other movies and kids' shows... and Devo songs). You can see a preview for the film here... www.nickandnorah.com

I am soooo gonna try this


I found this recipe online at eatingoutloud.com and it seems like it would be fantastic. I love figs, but I never know what to do with them so I never buy them. I am gonna post the recipe here and if there is anyone who would like to try it with me- feel free and I can post your pics on here with mine...

Cinnamon Fig Jam
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1 lb. mission figs (about 10-12 figs)
1 3″ strip lemon zest
1 cinnamon stick
1/2 lemon juiced

Add water and sugar to a pan and place on a medium heat to dissolve.

Remove the stems from the figs and cut into quarters. Add to the sugar mixture along with lemon zest, cinnamon stick, and lemon juice. Bring the mix to a light simmer and leave the pan uncovered. Cook for about 1 hour or until the mix thickens. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

They try to make me go to rehab...

... but I say no, no, no... Does anyone have any ideas on how do get this song out of my head? Going on 3 days now and I can't take it much longer....

Thursday, September 4, 2008

NKOTB


I couldn't help, but start to reminisce about my elementary school years when I heard that New Kids On The Block was back on tour and apparently a pretty big tour. They were the Hannah Montana of my youth. I can just picture the pins with Jordan's face and the book cover with the whole band posing nonchalantly on the street. I went to a Christian school so we weren't really allowed to display our love of the band so openly, but that just made it cooler to love them. Although, I have to say that I never really did love the band. This is extremely embarrassing to admit, but I
pretended to like NKOTB. I was actually the only person my age in America that reverted to listening to records of The Beatles. Although now I think that I was actually very cool, I doubt the 12 year old me would agree. I would actually bring home the tape and listen to it like I was studying a test so that when I went back to school the next day I would be able to sing along to "The Right Stuff" with my friends in the bathroom. Oh the humility! In spite of all that, I still think fondly of NKOTB and remember all of the words... uh uh ooooh uh uh ooh uh uh ooooh... The Right Stuff (you know you are singing along in your head).

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Memory Revisited



I love being a designer, but sometimes it is bittersweet. While I can appreciate good design, I can't afford it. Just look at this too cute memory set. I love, love, love it, but it costs $40. Are you kidding me? I know I am a cheapskate, but I think we can all agree that $40 for a memory game (no matter how cute) is a bit ridiculous! So for now I will love it from afar.