Bavarian Erin's Attic Full of Static

Slippery Slope To A Seafaring Life

2012-01-23T23:28:00.000-06:00

It's the 23th of January and I feel like 2012 is slipping away from me. My intentions to blog are always so very good, but intentions are one thing and accomplishments are another.

A few weeks ago I went on a cruise with Superfro, my sister, her husband Steve, my nephew Billy, my Mom and my step-dad Bob. We took the Carnival Paradise from Tampa to Cozumel Mexico and back again. It was so very awesome. I really do love cruising and am looking forward to taking another cruise as soon as humanly possible. Superfro wasn't as keen, mostly because even after we got off the boat his equilibrium refused to equalize, messing with his senses of gravity. Poor guy!

But the cruise! It was so fun! We had dinner every night in the formal dining room, with a great wait staff who remembered what we liked to drink and flirted just enough to make the ladies all feel special and the gents all to feel proud. Billy had wasabi for the first time (on accident) and Mom enjoyed the Melted Chocolate Cake (more than once!)
Cozumel was cloudy but warm. Billy & Bob had signed up for a "Swimming With Stingrays" excursion so the rest of us hired a cab driver to give us a little tour of the town. He showed us the different neighborhoods; one for the hotel workers, one for the cab drivers, one for teachers, one for business owners and another for government workers. Turns out, in Cozumel, what you do for a living determines where you live and who your neighbors are. Also, Cozumel makes almost all its money form tourism. There was a lot of building and re-building going on too. It was hard to tell, kn some areas, which buildings were half built and which were half torn down.

But, some things in Cozumel are the same as they are here; we met our drivers son, who was peeking in the window of a dance studio, watching the local ladies get their Zumba on. Ladies around the world love Zumba.

For our last day at sea Superfro and I signed up for the Behind the Fun tour. We got to see the inner workings of the ship; the galley, the food/drink storage, the laundry, the "environmental" area (garbage), the backstage dressing room for the entertainers, the engine control room and then the bridge, with it's huge windows and tiny steering wheel. It was a 3 hour tour, no photos allowed, but incredibly informative. In each area we met the person "in charge" and they told us about the area, how it works and answered any questions. What to know where the poop goes? Well, it gets treated, just like sewage here at home, and then it gets dumped when the ship is at least 3 miles away from shore. Yes, that's right, three miles. Think about that next time you swim in the ocean.

The same thing happens to the sink and shower water, called "grey water," and all the leftover and discarded food (though that gets pulped up before being dumped.)

In the galley we were taught that the employees that handle the food are very specialized. The person who preps fish only works with fish. Same with beef and chicken. There are different cold storage rooms for each type of meat and each has their own equipment. This helps keep cross-contamination to a minimum. The cleanliness of the storage area, the galley and even the garbage areas was impressive. Shining stainless steel everywhere, no noticeable bad smells.

We learned a lot. A LOT. I've already forgotten most of what we learned. Oh wait, I do remember that they have a brig on the ship, in case anyone get unruly (more likely an employee would be put there, not a guest) and that nobody on board is armed. So, if pirates show up, you might as well just hide in your cabin or give yourself up, you'll be out-gunned.

Oh, and later that day the chef set us a plate of chocolate covered strawberries and other treats to our room, gratis.

Is cruising great fun? Yes! Is it for everyone? Of course not! There are many people to whom I would not suggest a cruise vacation. Do you hate people? Do you fear buffets? Are you easily motion sick or freaked out by large expanses of water with nothing at all in sight? Does seeing people drink at 9:00 in the morning bother you? Are you super-duper overweight or mobility challenged to the point where you can't walk one flight of stairs? Are you incredibly eco-conscious? An affirmative in any of these could make general cruising unpleasant for you I say "general" because there are always speciality cruises available if you're willing to pay a higher price.

Are the cabins and hallways really that small? Well, sort of....

But we were in our cabin mostly to sleep and use the toilet (don't even ask about the ladies rooms in the public areas, I don't have the adjectives for those...) I will say that 3or 4 people can also be booked into a room our size, which will have beds that fold down from the walls. That could pose a problem when trying to pee in the middle of the night, or because of lack of places to set things. The hallways are narrow in the cabin areas, not really in the common areas. The exception to that is the outdoor stairways leading up to the upper pool deck and the sports decks, those are really suitable for one adult at a time.

Of course, I'll be cruising again. Maybe with a different cruise line or a higher class of ship (the Paradise was nearly identical to the Sensation I was on last year) but I will for sure be hitting the high seas again!

Under the Knife Considerations

2011-12-15T17:07:00.000-06:00

You guys! Guess what?!??! Losing weight ISN'T the answer to every problem! I know, I'm shocked as well. It turns out that losing weight can also cause problems!

I've lost just a little over 80 pounds in 16 months but somewhere along the way I gained the legs of an elephant. Or, more accurately, like a balloon elephant made by a clown and then discarded by a child and left to deflate, slowly.

Not all over, mind you, just in the upper thighs. You're welcome for the visual in your mind, and you're also welcome for NOT including actual photos.

Basically, my upper thighs are plagued with excess skin that sort of resembles an elephant skin and deflated balloon hybrid.

Besides being a terrible eyesore, it's awfully uncomfortable and is actually causing more problems than before I lost the weight. Rashes, sores, painful rubbing, all that great stuff. So, I went to my regular doctor and he sent me to a plastic surgeon. My ailments could not be prevented or helped by any modern medicine he could dispense.

It turns out that there are not many surgeons in my immediate area who do that sort of surgery (as opposed to a tummy tuck, which most plastic surgeons will gladly do.) So, I ended up down at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics meeting with Dr. Walter Lawrence. I was terribly nervous about the consultation, I babbled though all the questions and felt like a grade-A doofus. Dr. Lawrence was pleasant and I didn't even feel weird letting him look at or manipulate the skin on my inner thighs.

He agrees that I am a candidate for a "thigh lift" and explained the "medial" method he would use.

A medial thigh lift would involve an incision in the "groin crease" almost circling my entire thigh.
The skin is then pulled up and smoothed out
The skin is then sutured into place using dissolving deep tissue sutures
The excess skin and fat are then removed

That part sounds OK, but it's the recovery that scares the daylight out of me

The stitches used in part of the procedure are in the "vulvular tissue" and in some cases gravity could pull them down, basically ripping my lady parts all over the place.
Drainage tubes could be used.
The incision is in an area quite difficult to keep immobile.
Movement can irritate the incision, any movement that requires my legs to move laterally or spread apart.
Sitting can irritate the incision.
The incision is near my lady parts.
The incision could become infected.
Initial recover could last a few weeks, in the case of no complications.
Bruising and swelling last about a month.
Complete recovery could take up to 6 months or more.
Don't forget about the possibility of my lady parts being hurt.

Dr. Lawrence also had no before and after photos that he could show me of this sort of surgery. It's not quite as common as another type of thigh surgery in which an incision is made on the back of the thigh running from the top to the bottom. That sort of surgery is used for when there is more "skin redundancy" down by the knee, which I do not have. Lucky?

So, basically, the way I imagine it is that the skin is cut all around my leg and is then hoisted up like a pair of panty hose made out if flesh. Then the skin is sewn into place like some sort of weird home-made living dead doll, and then the extra is cut off, probably with those scissors that kids use in school with the green or red handles, and then I'm left to get addicted to pain pills and figure out how to get up and down off the toilet without having my vulva rip a seam down to my knees.*

That's pretty much the way I see it.

But, I'm not ruling it out. Nor am I making an appointment for surgery. There are several other factors that need considering too.

Because of the recovery time involved I would need to have the surgery when I have nothing else planned. Right now I have planned (and paid for) a vacation in March and a vacation in July, neither of which I'm willing to risk. So, that pushes my timeline out to the middle of July.

Dr. Lawrence suggests that I get to my "ideal weight" before the surgery. I put that in quotes because it's basically an imaginary number and concept. I guess I'd like to maybe get down another 20 pounds. That would make my total over 100 pounds lost which is, like, People magazine story worthy.

And, at the end of the day, it's about the money. Had my weight loss been because of a gastric bypass surgery, this plastic surgery would be mostly likely automatically covered by insurance. Because I did all the hard work myself I'm being punished by having to go though a highly annoying approval process. This process involves proving that my condition can't be improved by magical creams and potions that don't exist. Also, begging will be involved. And pleading.

Without the benefit of insurance the surgery will cost just under $8000.00. HOWEVER! If I get any other surgery at the same time the cheaper of the surgeries is half off! I can get my arms done for just $3000.00! And wouldn't that be awesome, having to nurse groin crease incision and 8 inch arm incisions at the same time?! *Sigh*

Here are some before and after photos of thigh lifts. Thigh Lifts
Here is a good example of someone of a similar shape to me but who also had a tummy tuck too. Thigh Lift Example

So, there you have it. I'm now in Step 3 if the Quest for Plastic Surgery (waiting on the insurance company and trying to decide if the risk and recover are worth it.) Stay tuned!

* Of course this isn't an accurate description, just the way my brain was processing the information as the doctor was telling me.

Chronicle Books 2nd Annual Haul-idays Giveaway

2011-11-11T23:12:00.000-06:00

I have a pretty incredible family. I try to remind myself of that whenever one of them is getting on my last nerve. My father is a great storyteller who can start a conversation with any human and learn more about them in 5 minutes that most people could in a lifetime. My mother is sharp, always surprising me with her humor and her intensity in regards to politics and sports. My sister has become incredibly focused and determined, and shockingly mellow considering her only son just turned 18. I'm also blessed to have a husband who can do very little wrong (in my opinion), step parents who parent perfectly and a brother-in-law who can grow the most incredible beard in 6 days flat.
Yes, we may be a motley crew, but we're absolutely suited to one another.

Several years ago we all sort of stopped buying Christmas gifts for one another. We've all gotten to the point in our lives where we buy the things we want, indulging ourselves maybe more than we should.

Unfortunately, this doesn't help with the intense burning love I have for finding the perfect gift. Stumbling across an item that I know instinctively someone will love in intoxicating. Watching a loved ones eyes while they open a gift that I know they will love gives me deep satisfaction.

So, this year, instead of shopping in reality, I'm making an imaginary shopping list. It's full of items picked from the amazing collection from Chronicle Books, one of my favorite publishers. I own dozens of Chronicle Books items and they are my go-to for inspiring gifts. As luck would have it, Chronicle Books is feeling generous and has announced their 2nd Annual Happy Haul-idays. Once again they are giving one blogger $500 worth of books.

Of course they couldn't stop there so in addition, one commenter on the winning blog will also receive the same gift. Yes, that means that just by reading and commenting on this blog you could haul in $500 in beautiful books.

Wait, it gets better. Chronicle Books is also giving the charity of the winners choice $500 in books. FIVE. HUNDRED. DOLLARS. In books!

I spent all week thinking about what books I would put on my list, that was the easy part. The hard part was trying to pick a charity. In the end, I decided on my local Toys For Tots. I have seen first hand the impact that Toys For Tots has here locally, serving hundreds of families every years and giving children something to look forward to on Christmas morning. Books are the perfect gift; they open up new worlds, teach new skills, ignite creativity and imaginations. Books have changed my life in the most positive way possible and to gave that gift to another human, well, that's the meaning of Christmas spirit.

So, here's my gift list, I hope you enjoy it. Don't forget to comment on this post and keep your fingers crossed that I'm the winning blogger!

For my Mom, whose big yellow tome of Shakespeare I tried to read, not understanding a single bit of it. And whose polyester pants and wooden clogs I had once hoped t inherit.

Shakespeare’s Love Sonnets $18.95 : Chronicle Books

My Mom, Style Icon $18.95 : Chronicle Books

For my Dad, who believes that bigger is always better and never met a food that he didn't want to try to grill.

Bird Songs Bible $125.00 : Chronicle Books

Fire It Up $24.95 : Chronicle Books

For my Sister, who needs to take a break from all those textbooks.

The Doorbells of Florence $18.95 : Chronicle Books

Girl in the Kitchen $29.95 : Chronicle Books

For my husband, who has the best taste in art prints and has taken me almost everywhere I want to go.

Saul Bass $75.00 : Chronicle Books

Rude Hand Gestures of the World $12.95 : Chronicle BooksFor my nephew, because he'll need it.

The Complete Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Man Skills $24.95 : Chronicle Books
For my brother-in-law, because a guy needs something to strive for.

Beard $14.95 : Chronicle Books
For my step-father, who always has a joke ready.

Ultimate Book of Jokes $18.95 : Chronicle Books

For my step-mother, who enjoys a good fair, even seeing the hogs.

Iowa State Fair $19.95 : Chronicle Books

I hope you've enjoyed my imaginary Christmas shopping list. Don't forget to leave a comment, you could find $500 worth of books under the tree with your name on them!

Mobile Masterpieces: Lucky 13!

2011-10-29T17:32:00.000-05:00

Oh no! Fall is here already and I have hardly taken any pictures on my cell phone! Good thing I had some old ones to pony up! Enjoy!

This is a photo of a car. The driver ran the car into the back of my building, on my neighbor's side. The impact knocking books off my wall but the lady said she thought she "just tapped it." She got out of her car not knowing that parts of the car were now on the ground.

Oh no, this is going to make me hungry! This was a fantastic fruit mix that I brought to work one day. I have really enjoyed the addition of fruit into my diet, even if cutting pineapple, strawberries and melons can be such a mess. It's very much worth it!

One of my new favorite necklaces! It's a teeny tiny pistol with a teeny tiny holster!

Winning! No, really, we won this! It's a giant Dr. Pepper / Thor cooler. It holds a buncha cans of soda and when you plug it in it lights up and the shelves spin around. When you open the door, the shelves stop spinning so you can grab a soda! Plus, the whole thing looks like a giant soda can!

After a busy Free Comic Book Day back in May we had my favorite dinner, pizza at Tomaso's. They have these yummy oatmeal / peanut butter / M&M dessert bars. I shared it with Superfro but I could have eaten the whole thing myself!

This is my new favorite piece of artwork. It's an original Shelby Lee Adams print called "Sheba Asleep." It's #1 of an edition of 25 and I really, really need to get it framed!

I was so excited for Twix Coconut to arrive in stores! I love coconut and caramel and the caramel in this Twix was supposed to be coconut flavored. It was pretty good, but not all that worth the calories. I still have one in my cupboard. I'm not ready to throw it out, but I'm not ready to eat it either.

There are only one or two days a year where it's comfortable to eat al fresco, and we happen to be at the Starlight Lounge during one of them so we took advantage of their new patio seating. This was also the night of one of the very first hamburgers I had eaten since last summer. It was delicious.

That purple thing is a flower that I stole from and put in my hair. To be fair, the house I stole it from has been vacant since last July. So, really, I was utilizing the abandoned flower.

Superfo really, really, REALLY wanted to buy this shirt but they didn't have it in his size. For shame!

My salads are never as good as the salads you can get at a restaurant, but I do try. To this one I added corn, black beans, sun dried tomatoes and a little bit of cheese. It's so hard to love a salad that is not drenched in dressing!

Well, that's it for today, next time I'll try to fit in some pics of Paxton Rhubarb, I'm sure by now you are missing them!

Return to Sandusky

2011-10-23T23:03:00.000-05:00

It's been five years since I was last in Sandusky , Ohio to ride the roller coasters at Cedar Point. Last time I was there I managed to fit on the Top Thrill Dragster but not my favorite coaster, the Millennium Force. Between my weight gain and the rides new seat belt placement, I was too fat to ride.
Last weekend was my big return to the park, with an ass more able to fit in the seats. Despite the large crowd (we forgot that we usually went on Sunday, not Saturday) and the wicked weather (my face is bright red with wind burn) I had a fantastic time. I even ate a donut, the first donut I have had in about 15 months.

The Millennium Force was just as I remembered it, I lifted my arms up and my butt lifted up off the seat as we sailed down 315 feet at a nearly 88% angle. So good, we had to do it twice!

Here is the pretty park as you drive the causeway towards it. On the far left is the Top Thrill Dragster (420 ft at 120 mph) which we did not get a chance to ride. High winds made for a touch-and-go weekend for the Top Thrill and we were never in the right place at the right time. To the right of that you can see the Millennium Force, the Power Tower, the Raptor and several other rides.

The first thing we rode was the newest coaster, the Maverick. It's got an ejection hill, as opposed to a chain lift hill, so you are shot up it too fast to get nervous. That didn't stop Sommer from getting nervous though. The guy on the left of her was having a good time teasing her while we were waiting in line.

As my first coaster since 2006, I was extra super-duper excited.

Here is a new addition to the park, the "Family Dryer!" it fits 4 people and will get you nice and dry after you get soaked on the water rides (which were not open when we were there!) It sort of looks like the shimmy shack at the end of Grease!

This is me and Sommer. Behind us is the Maverick, which we just rode, yee haw!

One of the exciting things about visiting Cedar Point during October is that the whole park is decorated for Halloween and they have many, MANY themed attractions, including several walk-though areas. This time they had a Steampunk themed area and here is a steampunked swan boat, which I thought was just fantastic. After the sun goes down this whole area turns into a foggy, smoky, spooky playground, full of crazy scientists and Victorian ladies trying to scare you with their fancy death ray-guns and kidnap you in their zeppelins.

This is a picture of Sean taking a picture while in line for the Millennium Force. The end of the track rushes right past you when you're in line.

Superfro's not crabby, the sun was in his eyes! OK, fine, he was a *little* crabby!

The closer to the front of the line we got, the more nervous/excited Sommer got!

Sean & Sommer are posing with the Millennium Force's first lift hill in the background. It's 315 feet tall and uses an elevator cable lift system to take you to the top.

We didn't play any midway games, but it was tempting to try to win one of these stuffed Marvel prizes!

The bakery where I got the dount also sold cinnamon rolls. Really, really big cinnamon rolls. That's a 6 inch sugar cookie on display under them, for size reference. I don't even want to guess the number of calories!

Well, that's it for our quick trip to Sandusky, fun was had by all!

The Great Update of 2011

2011-09-19T20:22:00.001-05:00

You guys! It's been like, FOREVER! I've missed you!
August was AWFUL. For the most part it was a no-good, very bad month. I wasn't in a blogging mood, or in any anything mood. Superfro was forcibly sent away for work, several billion miles away and that put me in a funky funk. That only lasted a few weeks but the month was lost. Work was crazy too (there are some exciting but stressful things going on in the comic book world right now) and I just didn't have time for anything but my own routine; walk, nourish, read.

But now September is here and it's been a really exciting month, ushering in what is sure to bee a super duper sweet autumn.

Today I hit TWO MILLION STEPS on the treadmill! That's 791 miles and 388 days of dedicated walking.

Earlier in the month I snagged a couple of new Swatch Watches. I have a crazy Swatch collection that began with the purchase of the Big Eclipse in 1989 but it's been a while since there was a new release I *had* to have. Until Swatch decided to team up with Kid Robot. And bring in designers. And pair the watches with vinyl figurines. Match made in Bavarian Erin heaven!

So, what I got was the The Eyes Are Watching by Tara McPherson and The So Far Away by Jeremyville.

Beautiful, ethereal, and powerful. Famed Gamma Mutant Space Friends artist Tara McPherson lends her 3-eyed space kitty Carina to the Swatch - The Eyes Are Watching 3-inch Dunny set; innocent and wise, Carina is embodied until the end of time.

Featuring a frosted band and see-through frame in McPherson's signature palette, the eyes wrap around to be seen from all angles.

Be lost and found with Ibbity Pop, the star of Australian artist Jeremyville's newest world.

Featured on the Swatch - The So Far Away 3-inch Dunny set, Ibbity Pop goes everywhere and with everything. Whether this set is traveling from one time zone to the next or displayed on a shelf, the bright colors and strong black lines are as striking as the artist's well-known illustrations.

I'm happy to have both of them in my collection. I almost had another Swatch in August but the store that sells then here locally, Von Maur, while usually be a great place to shop, has assholes that work the jewelry counter. Assholes that don't understand that a Swatch Watch comes with a case, a specific case that has a sticker with the matching watches number on it. They just put the watches in whatever case their asshole hands grab first, whether it's the right one or not. I was trying to buy a limited edition, oversized model and of course they didn't have the correct case for it. Oh well, saved me $70.00, but I still really want that Swatch! Assholes!

On a different topic, I'm looking forward to a whole new batch of television shows to start. I've got a boatload of old favorites starting back up (Community, Modern Family, Parks & Recreation, Sons of Anarchy, Fringe, Raising Hope, Amazing Race, Happy Endings...) plus a whole DVRs worth of new stuff too (New Girl, Terra Nova, Up All Night, Grimm, Homeland, I Hate My Teenage Daughter, 2 Broke Girls, American Horror Story, Mad Fashion...) I'm not sure how many of those new shows I will stick with long term, I'm banking on some of them to suck enough to clear them from my schedule.

Well, now you know what's up with me, now you can go about your business with clear, happy thoughts!

San Diego Comic-Con 2011: NBC Peacock Prayers Answered

2011-08-01T12:41:00.002-05:00

I have so many thoughts about this years San Diego Comic-Con that I want to share. I already put many of my pics up on Facebook but there are stories behind many of them, which I will share here!

Last year I won an invitation to attend an NBC party in San Diego. This year, I begged to be invited again. Actually, I didn't have to beg, I simply asked for an invite and was given one. I had kept in touch with my NBC contact from last year and had also sent him a pitch earlier in the year regarding Comic-Con and an idea I had to send a "Fanbassador" to represent the fans for NBC's Fan It community. I never heard back after my pitch but when I asked for the party invite my contact asked me if I'd be interested in live Tweeting the party for the Fan It account as the "Fanbassador." So, not only did I get an invite, but I also got to utilize the Fanbassador idea.

Once again, the NBC party was full of awesome people, the cast of Community, the cast of Grimm (which will debut this fall) and many other people that make you say "I totally know that guy! What show do I know him from?!?!"

Here are my pics, please enjoy!

This year, the NBC party was at 207, the bar located at the foot of the Hard Rock Hotel. It's prime real estate in the Gaslamp district and a great place for people watching.

Superfro and I had to arrive a little early for the party. I needed to get my final briefing from my NBC contact and get my brain in order. I was nervous about Tweeting for NBC, even though I had studied the suggestions and "rules" that I had received from the NBC community managers. I also wanted to arrive before the other two Fan It members who had won tickets to the party via a contest. It a crazy coincidence, I knew both of the winners, Barb and Mario. Barb is the owner of When Nerds Attack and Mario is another freelance writer for the site.

We all had name tags, and my indicated that I work for NBC. Not exactly true, but a good conversation starter.

The first special guest to arrive was Zachary Levi, best known from the show "Chuck." Zach also spearheaded a giant off-site event venue called NERD HQ during Comic-Con. NERD HQ features panels and "conversations" with television stars, parties, and other events. It was quite popular and a great success. I suspect he'll be doing it again next year.

Because he had been glad handing all weekend (seriously, he was NON-STOP workin' it!) Zach was losing his voice. He was sipping tea to find some relief. Personally, I would suggest that maybe he stop smoking, but what do I know?

One corner of the 207 lounge was dedicated to interviews, which you can now see on NBC's special Comic-Con site. Here, part of the cast of the show Community is being interviewed.

Another corner of the lounge also featured a video camera, but this one was recording 6 second videos which were then printed off as still photos, trimmed in a fancy machine and bound together to make a little flip book! It was a very cool little souvenir. Superfro and I made a book of ourselves, but I would have loved to get a copy of the Community book!

This is Joel McHale, maybe you remember him from last year? My goodness, is he ever tall! Joel was looking at my name tag closely so I told him that I don't work for NBC but I had met him before, and reminded him of how he mocked me at a restaurant. To this he said "I do remember that and now I know you have a boob tattoo." and then very promptly walked away. Superfro hollered out to him "Quit checking out my wife's rack!" A few seconds later when Joel came back and we were saying good-bye he said "Bye! Nice boobs!" And again, promptly walked away.

Oh hey! It's Jim Rash! Jim plays Dean Pelton on Community. He was just recently announced as a "full time cast member" so congratulations were in order.

Gillian Jacobs was there again, looking stunning as always. She's so cute you almost want to hate her but far too sweet to hate. Poor Gillian spent much of her time leaning up against a sofa because her beautiful shoes were killing her feet!

She's doing a pretty good job smiling through the pain!

Clark Griswold! Fletch! Pierce Hawthorne! So many identities for one man, Chevy Chase! I was keeping my fingers crossed that Chevy would be there. I had told my Dad that I might get to meet him and he asked me to deliver a message. "Tell him I really loved the movie Spies Like Us!" Well, I didn't really intend to tell Chevy that, but the moment seemed right so I did, I told him. In a split second Chevy had pulled my name tag off my shirt, put it on the bar, borrowed a pen from someone and asked for my Dad's name. An unsolicited autograph, an incredible act of kindness.

In the past 12 months Donald Glover has blown up. He's a rap artist, an actor, a stand-up, a writer and beloved by nearly everyone. No wonder he's trying to hide under his hood. It must be impossible for this guy to go anywhere without being mobbed. Oh well, I just wanted one photo and then I left him alone (for a while.)

Danny Pudi was a joy to talk to. He asked us where we hail from and when we tolk him "Iowa" he told us that his wife is from Dyersville and that he got married in Dubuque! I hope you come visit Iowa soon Danny!

I've already posted my pic of me with Yvette Nicole Brown, but here she is with Superfro. Gawd, she's so sweet and adorable.

Here is Superfro with Danny, they look like the best of friends!

Well, we gave Donald a little break, not bothering him for a little while, then snapping this quick pic before leaving him back to his hoodie.

Community creator Dan Harmon is *NOT* this creepy looking in person. Also, anyone near him was always in stitches, I'm almost convinced he exhales laughing gas.

I swear this is Judah Friedlander from 30 Rock, it's not a mannequin or a cardboard stand-up.

I swear he was there in person!

This fall David Giuntoli is starring in a new show called Grimm (on NBC of course!)

Detective Nick Burkhardt thought he was ready for the grim reality of working homicide in Portland, Oregon. That is, until he started to see things... things he couldn't quite explain. Like a gorgeous woman suddenly transforming into a hideous hag, or an average Joe turning into a vicious troll. Then, after a panicked visit from his only living relative, Nick discovers the truth about his visions: he's not like everyone else, he's a descendant of an elite group of hunters known as "Grimms" who are charged with stopping the proliferation of supernatural creatures in the world. And so begins his new life journey - albeit a reluctant one at first - as he solves crimes with his partner who knows something about Nick has radically changed but can't quite put his finger on it. Along the way, Nick finds himself unexpectedly getting help on some of the more difficult cases from Monroe, a guy who seems normal at first but is soon revealed to be what you might call a "big bad wolf." Literally!

This is Silas Weir Mitchell who is also in Grimm. He's very intense with an honesty and a frankness that I really appreciated. I hope to meet him again someday.

I hope you will check out the series premiere of Grimm on October 21st, at 9:00/8:00 CST.

This last pic is of Adam Baldwin. He's on the NBC show Chuck but was also on the cult favorites Serenity and Firefly. I had to tell Adam how much, as a young adult, I watched his movie My Bodyguard and how every time it made me cry. He was very sweet about it. I also noticed that Adam was taking a lot of time to talk with any fan who wanted to meet him. He seemed genuinely enjoy talking with fans.

So, that was my Saturday night at Comic-Con. I managed to not make an ass out of myself Tweeting for NBC as the Fanbassador and I scored a great autograph for my Dad. Success!

Flexible Fried Rice - A Recipe!

2011-07-30T23:43:00.000-05:00

Sometimes I gots to have me some fried rice. It's a comfort food favorite of mine and I was excited to find a super easy recipe for it that uses something I always have on hand, Minute Rice!

Fried Minute Rice

Ingredients Assemble!
1 c. veggies of your choice (fresh, or cooked if frozen)
1 c. Minute Rice
1 egg
1/4 c chicken broth or stock
1/2 tsp. minced garlic
1 T. soy sauce
salt to taste
olive oil for pan

Heat up a big skillet, or if you are fancy, a wok. Add a touch of olive oil and let it heat up. Add the Minute Rice and stir it around for about 3 minutes, getting it nice and toasty brown.

Make a little hole in the center of the rice and add the egg. Let it sit there for about 15 seconds before you stir it all around. Stir until egg is fully cooked.

Add your veggies and cook for about 1 minute. Then add your soy sauce and broth. Stir and bring to a boil. Cover and remove from heat, let sit 5 minutes to set up. Salt to taste and enjoy!

This recipe works great with all kinds of veggies. If you must use frozen veggies then take the time to thaw or cook them in advance, especially if they are larger, like pieces of broccoli. 60-90 seconds in a microwave with a little water should be enough to get them ready for the fried rice!

Feets Don't Fail Me Now

2011-07-28T13:34:00.000-05:00

Last week, when I was on vacation at the San Diego Comic-Con, I planned to take a little break from the treadmill. I knew that I was going to be on my feet, walking several miles each day. I took my pedometer with me to keep track of my steps, because, even if I wasn't on the treadmill, I was still going to be logging qualifying steps.

About halfway though vacation Superfro and I decided to hit the fitness room in the hotel and get in some treadmill walking. Honestly, I might have been missing it. The steps that I had been logging were numerous for sure, but they weren't the sort I was used to.

Treadmill walking is a very different kind of walking. When I'm on the treadmill, I have the speed set to push myself, to force myself to keep going at a certain speed for a set amount of time. I'm aiming to get my heart rate up, way, way, up and work up a fast and furious sweat. Treadmill time is cardio time.

When I walk outside, taking the dog for a walk, for walking to work, it's still swiftly paced but nothing like the treadmill. I might break a sweat, depending on the weather, but my heart doesn't get that much of a workout.

San Diego Comic-Con walking is neither of those types of walking. It's more like strolling with bouts of standing, lots of stop and go, weaving in and out of crowds, short steps, shuffling in line and even a little bit of walking on tip toes. Comic-Con must be the only place where you can walk over 10,000 steps and not have a single bit of count as "aerobic." (My pedometer counts aerobic steps as being ones taken non-stop for 10 or more minutes.)

Now that I'm home, I'm trying to ease back into my treadmill walking. It's not going as well as I would hope. The oppressive heat in the non-air conditioned room the treadmill is located in does not help, but neither does the 4 day break I took. I'm amazed at how quickly my body went back to it's lazy self, proving to me that I certainly cannot stop my seven day a week cardio that I had been so proud of before vacation. I thought maybe eventually I could wean myself down to 4 or 5 days a week without much detriment, maybe throw in some strength training and still manage to shed the final 30-40 lbs. that I’d like to lose. Looks (feels) as if I am just not ready. So, time to lube the belt on the treadmill and log some steps! Feets don't fail me now!

What It Was All For

2011-07-25T22:41:00.000-05:00

Last year the San Diego Comic-Con changed my life. To be more specific, one event from the Comic-Con changed my life. Actually, I can narrow it down even more. One photo from one event. This photo:

That is me with Yvette Nicole Brown of NBC's "Community." I had met her at an NBC party that I was invited to and Superfro took the picture (you can read more about the party HERE.)

The party was great, the convention was great, but when I got home and had a chance to look at the photos I was really embarrassed. I didn't recognize myself and had a hard time comprehending that it was indeed me. It was a rude reality check. So, I did something about it. I started my One Million Steps challenge which I chronicled in several blogs (HERE, HERE, and even HERE.)

The photo was the spark that started me walking and has led to the loss of 75 lbs. and a gain of energy and endurance. It was my hope that for San Diego Comic-Con 2011 that I would feel better about myself and that it would be easier for me to enjoy the show. Well, it worked. On one of the days I walked over 25,000 steps. I suffered no swollen ankles, no chaffing, very little fatigue and I got up the next day ready to do it all over again.

Now, to bring it all full circle.....

I was again invited to the NBC party and again got to meet Yvette Nicole Brown. She was just as sweet at last year, and remembered meeting me. I shared my story with her and, of course, broke down like a little baby. I was crying and we were hugging and it was so joyous and so, so, so, soooooooo worth it. It made every single drop of sweat worth it. Totally worth it.

A million thank yous to Yvette, the nicest and most sincere woman I have ever met.

Here's another deja vu shot, just for more comparison.

Mobile Masterpieces XII

2011-06-03T16:03:00.001-05:00

These are some AMAZING nesting dolls that Superfro gave me for Valentine's day. They are decorated with characters from a video game called "Stacking" that, curiously enough, features nesting dolls.

Oh this was a good day! It was the first time I had walked/jogged 2 miles in less than 33 minutes. I was very impressed with myself.

Well hey, it's Paxton! Here she is, at work, and relaxing up against the big soft Bone plush. Cozy!

Now this, this was a good day. It was Valentine's Day and I made a single serving brownie to share with Superfro. It was delicious and I haven't stopped thinking about it since.

Here is the Addy award that Alter Ego won for the commercial we had late last year. Honestly, I had the easiest job, I approved the ideas and I paid the bill. Mediacom did all the hard work.

Here's another outtake from the Gentleman Bunny cake making photo shoot. Look at how big Paxy's eyes are! It's cake batter, can you blame her?

Bon Appetit: Serving Up Some Aggravation

2011-05-28T17:50:00.000-05:00

I'm surprised that I can even see my computer screen with as much as I have been rolling my eyes over Bon Appetit's decision ot have Gwyneth Paltrow on the cover of their May issue. I could have sworn that I sprianed my eyeballs.

Luckily, I was able to vent my aggravation in this exclusive Tree.Com post, Bon Appetit & Gwyneth Paltrow Leaves Sour Aftertaste.

I hope you like it!

One More About the One Million

2011-05-23T17:37:00.000-05:00

I know that I never wrote a proper post on this site about reaching my One Million Steps goal, that is because I was asked by the Tree.Com editors to write one for them. Which I did.

I reached my goal on April 11th. It was a happy day for me not only because of the goal but because it was also my birthday and Superfro brought me cupcakes. I'd walk to the moon for a cupcake.

In any case, if you have not read my story on Tree, you can find it here:

Put One Foot In Front of the Other, Repeat One Million Times

Someone Old, Something New: Episode Two

2011-05-17T16:33:00.003-05:00

I've got more new things that I've been trying out that I'd like to share. Mostly they are food things, because really, it's the most common thing for me to "try out" on a regular basis. Plus, I like to use my blog as an excuse to do "research!"

First up, Thomas' Bagel Thins:

Thomas' Bagel Thin Plain, my new obsession. 110 calories!

Thomas' has been making up tasty English muffins since 1874 and now produces a whole line of "breakfast breads," including their signature English muffins, regular sized bagels, mini bagels, thin bagels, swirled toasting breads and toastable pancakes. A few months ago I got around to trying their Bagels since Superfro and I are working on eating lower calorie snacks. I love bagels but I'm not much of a sliced bread fan. Spongy and soft bread will make me gag even when I just touch it so I tend to steer clear of most breads and even hamburger buns (unless they are well toasted.) Even bagels are touch-and-go. There have been many a time when I've had to spit out a bite of bagel if I get special vomity feeling in my throat while chewing.

To the rescue, Bagel Thins. They are pretty much everything I need in a carb: great chewy consistency, fits nice in the toaster, delicious plain or with assorted toppings, 110 calories per serving and not packaged in loaf form.

For my perfect snack or breakfast I set my toaster on high and brown the bagel nice and crisp before adding a little raspberry jam. I also went back a few decades to one of my childhood favorites, a simple cinnamon and; sugar sprinkling. Superfro and I have also used the Bagel Thins in meals, toasting them under the broiler then using a pizza cutter to make little toasts for soups and pasta. They also make great sandwiches. It would not be hard for me to find a way to eat a Bagel Thin at every meal.

You can find Thomas' Bagel Thins in Plain, Whole Wheat, Everything and; Cinnamon/Raisin.

I want to experience this perfect breakfast.

Snickers Peanut Butter

Back in May Mos Steph and I picked up some sampled of Snickers Peanut Butter at the All Candy Expo. Due to unseasonable hot weather (scorching!) my sample got ruined and I never got to try it. Seven months later and they are starting to hit the shelves all over the nation and my eagle eyed friend Matt Martin snagged one for me. Snicker Peanut Butter comes with 2 small square bars per package, slightly smaller than an average Snickers bar (1.78 oz to 2.07 oz.)

Overall, it's just a regular Snickers with an infusion of peanut butter. Not the salty, crumbly peanut butter that you find in a Reeses Peanut Butter Cup but more like a peanut butter nougat. *shrug* I don't really know what to say, it's a Snickers bar. I think if I was hankering for a peanut butter and chocolate candy bar I would veer straight for a Reeses.

Just a few days after Christmas I came down with a wretched cold. I was having a hard time sleeping with all the congestion and the coughing and needed some relief. Luckily, several months early I had scored some of Tylenol's new cold liquids on sale at CVS and had set them aside for just such an occasion. Tylenol as a whole array of new liquids including a Honey Lemon Warming Liquid multi-symptom nighttime version, which is what I tried.

Similar to the one I tried.

All I can say is that it knocked me in sweet, sweet slumber without leaving me in a haze the next day. I don't know what it's made of, I don't even know if it's legal (it is) but I'm rushing out to get as many bottles as I can to carry me though every cold I have for the rest of my life. Suck on that Theraflu! (Just kidding Theraflu, I still love you and all your many varieties!)

Cinnamon Burst Cheerios

General Mills has yet to make a Cheerios I don't like and yet, this new version, called "Cinnamon Burst" just might be my favorite of all time!

I've become incredibly picky about cereal because of the ratio of calories to amount of food in a serving. Back in the good old days I would just fill up my favorite bowl and go to town, now I'm checking labels to make sure that I'm getting the most for my calories. With Cheerios a serving is 1 cup for about 110 calories, a caloric bargain when compared to some other cereals!

But let me tell you about the taste! OK, remember how they make those cinnamon rolls in the cardboard tubes that you have to pop open? And remember how, like, at the end of the roll there would be a smidgen of the cinnamon filling smooshed up against the end of the tube? And remember how you would take your finger and wipe it off then eat it and it how it was soooo good and the essence of cinnamon rolls would just linger in your mouth and it was almost better than the rolls themselves? Yeah, that's how Cinnamon Burst Cheerios taste. Just. Like. That.

Now, I don't know how long this Cinnamon Burst is gonna last, it could be for just a short while, or maybe I'm in a test market pocket or something but for all that is holy in the realm of cereal, go forth and get yee some Cinnamon Burst Cheerios!

Noosa Yoghurt

Noosa Yoghurt is made in Boulder, CO, which is about the hippiest town I have ever visited. It makes complete sense that this delicious and good for you yoghurt comes from there. Now first of all, I don't get the spelling of "yoghurt" instead of just the more common "yogurt." Their website doesn't have any information on it so until I find out otherwise I'll guess assume that it's just them being quirky. Anyway, I found this yogurt at my local Hy-Vee. There was no low-fat option but I was so intrigued by the look of the yogurt that I had to give it a try despite the calories. Also contributing to my decision, the flavor; strawberry-rhubarb. Strawberry. Rhubarb. And excuse me, I really should not call it "flavor" because it's not flavoring, it's an actual mixture of strawberries and rhubarb in the container. And it's delicious. It's an incredibly thick yogurt, but without the bite of a Greek style product. I ate the yogurt over several different meals, a little bit at a time and after the initial stirring to mix the fruit with the yogurt, I didn't have to mix it again. It didn't get watery or gross. Amen.

Well, that's if for now, next time I'll have some *gasp* calorie free SPRAY BUTTER to talk about! Riveting, I know!

Tree.Com - The Physics of a Fatty

2011-05-03T13:46:00.006-05:00

Didja know that I'm a scientist? I had a theory, I tested it and I proved it correct. I'll be expecting a Pulitzer any time now....

...until it arrives, I'd like to share with you my lifes work, appearing now on Tree.Com, The Physics of a Fatty.

The Flavor of Karma is Bittersweet

2011-04-29T20:55:00.002-05:00

In Bali, Superfro and I learned a little bit about the Hindu religion. It's the worlds third largest religion and most of it's followers are found in India, Bangladesh and Nepal. Bali is the only Indonesian nation that is predominately Hindu. Unlike many religions, Hinduism grants the believer complete freedom of their belief and their worship. They believe that "God" is everything and therefor everything is worth worshipping. Also, they don't believe in blasphemy, so, that's pretty cool.

One thing they do believe in is karma, which is sorta their version of a "golden rule." It is often referred to as the Hindu law of moral cause and effect. This means that good actions will happen after you do a good action and bad actions will follow your bad actions.

Recently karma has entered my life in two separate but food related events.

The first time was right after the candy machines at my store were refilled. One of the sections was filled with Boston Baked Bean candy, one of my all-time faves. During a particularly stressful afternoon I decided, knowing quite well it was totally against my diet, to have 25 cents worth of Boston Baked Beans. I slid my quarter into the machine, and turned the handle. Except the handle would not turn, it just jammed, wedging the quarter in the mechanism. No candy was eaten that day.

The second event was on Easter Sunday. Superfro and I had a pretty laid back day and enjoyed using our grill for the first time of the season. As we were eating it occurred to me that I really wanted to treat myself. I wanted a warm cookie. I really wanted ice cream. I really wanted a Zookie from Zoey's. I knew it would blow all my hard work for the day, but I convinced myself that I was worth it. After some discussion Superfro relented and we walked uptown to Zoey's. Of course Zoey's was closed. That had never even occurred to me considering they open in the evening for nearly every holiday, including Christmas. But closed, they were, and all I got was a few extra thousand steps on my pedometer.

So, twice I went against my better judgement and against my diet, and twice I reaped only disappointment instead of reward. Karma - 2, Erin - 0.

Getting the Most of Your Visit

2011-04-26T23:11:00.000-05:00

I'm not sure if you've noticed, but I've got a few other pages on this blog. One is keeping track of my One Million Steps goal and the other is a list of books I've been reading this year, Better Read Than Dead.
You can access either of these pages by clicking on the link on the left, below that awesome 4 year old picture of me. Over there <------------- See them? Good, you should check them out once in a while!

Tree.Com - Gentleman Easter Bunny

2011-04-26T12:50:00.001-05:00

My latest post for the Food and Dining channel on Tree.Com is a nostalgic and fun cake decorating project, the Gentleman Easter Bunny. This was a cake that my Mom made when I was a youngster and that I have tried to make as an adult but rarely succeeded at due to my impatience. This was an opportunity for me to take my time, do it right, and maybe even improve on it in my own way.

I hope you will take the time to venture over to the Tree.Com site and take a gander at the Gentleman Bunny. Let me know what you think and share you ideas for fun Easter cakes!

As a little bonus, I present you with some of the photos that I took while making the cake but that didn't make the cut, enjoy!

This is the start of the crumb coating on one of the ears. I was using leftover Easy Frost icing in the spray can.

Here is a pic showing how I always have to break my eggs into a smaller dish because I'm so terrible at breaking eggs and always get shells in them!

Here is me operating my awesome mixer.

Cake pans, with batter.

Paxton enjoying licking a beater!

A Thousand Pardons...

2011-04-23T00:04:00.000-05:00

I've been a bad blogger. It's not that life hasn't been full of exciting stuff, it has, I've had a hard time sitting down and putting fingers to keyboard and getting into "share" mode. So, I'm sorry. If you've been waiting on pins and needles for a new recipe or a new anecdote or a new set of photos of my pug, I'm sorry. I have let you down.

So, I've got a little bit of everything for you today; updates, a recipe, a few pics..let's go!

Superfro and I took a quick trip to Chicago a few weeks ago to see Queens of the Stone Age. Queens were on a small mini tour where they were playing the entirety of their self-titled album. We got tickets for the Chicago show, on a Friday, and a Des Moines show, on the following Monday. Both shows were great but the Des Moines show was extra rock-tacular, featuring ten extra songs during 2 encores.

Queens of the Stone Age - Chicago, IL - April 2011

Queens of the Stone Age - Des Moines, IA - April 2011

While in Chicago we got to visit the new location for the Rotofugi store and gallery. Rotofugi is a store that specializes in vinyl toys and art. It's one of my favorite places in the whole wide world and their new store is exquisite!

An ice cream sandwich plush. Want!

Beautiful vinyl toys!

You can just see the gallery in the far back.!

We also stopped at the Threadless headquarters and picked up some new shirts for Superfo, ones that fit!

Part of their fancy murals.

Not a bad place to work, huh?

While in Des Moines we got to visit with out friends Jeff and Sarah. They have a new baby girl in their family and we were excited to meet her!

Wee Norah

On the 11th of April I celebrated my 37th birthday. I enjoyed a wonderful day off and Superfro surprised me with a selection of cupcakes from Jules Bakery. Later in the week I got to have celebrations with my family.

My sister and me.

Way more exciting than turning a year older was my pedometer turing past ONE MILLION STEPS! My year long goal was realized four months early, a new goal was set and I'm off and running (or really, walking!)

After a couple of guest posts on When Nerds Attack, I was asked to be an official contrubutor. I'm hope to post more great ideas for Comic-Con attendees, including in one of my obsessive topics, packing!

Speaking of obsession...
I'm absolutely obsessed with this cook book:

It's 250 recipes from the Food Network magazine (which is also incredible)and features delicious pictures of each one. The recipes themselves are easy to follow, and many are easy to convert into more healthful options. Superfro and I have been trying to tackle one new recipe each week. We've only tried one recipe that we probably won't make again and that was more of a personal flavor problem than any problem with the recipe.

Many of the recipes have suggested side dish recipes and their corresponding page numbers.

At the back of the book are the dessert recipes. I have not tried any of the desserts but I've done my fair share of drooling over the pics!

Well, that about brings you up to speed with me...now what's new with you?

When Nerds Attack!

2011-03-31T00:00:00.000-05:00

I meet all sorts of great people on the internet! Today I'd like to talk about one of them, Barb, who runs a great website called When Nerds Attack. W.N.A. is a blog site the focuses on one of my great obsession, the San Diego Comic-Con. Barb posts all sort of tidbits and observations about the convention, the people who love it and the popular culture it celebrates.

Barb was kind enough to post an article I wrote featuring food suggestions for Comic-Con attendees. Every year I hear from folks who have sacrificed their appetites for the rigors of the exhibit floor, which is a terrible shame.

Please head on over to When Nerds Attack and see what I have to say about chowing down at Comic-Con!

Nifty Nifty, Look Whose Fifty!

2011-03-24T15:20:00.000-05:00

...Fifty pounds down that is! As of this mornings weigh in on the Wii Fit I have officially hit the fifty pounds lost mark, an exciting milestone in a journey that started 7 months ago. I'm a mixture of happy and sad and scared and anxious all at the same time.

209-ish.

Happy for the improved health that I surely will have and for the smaller size pants that I can fit into. Happy that I've been able to take my time, and have, for the most part, keep my cool about my rate of progress and loss. Fad diets and get skinny quick schemes are abundant but too often they are also temporary. My method is slow and steady and intended to improve my health for the rest of my life.

But I'm sad about the life-long changes too. I think about the foods I've eliminated from my diet and the foods that I miss eating but it's all fond thoughts. I know that someday I'll be able to order French fries in a restaurant, eat them, and not have it derail me, but that time is not yet and I know that. I have about 50 more pounds to go before I'm considered clinically "healthy." Right now my BMI is still in the "Obese" range and while I try not to give the BMI too much focus, it's still jarring to still be considered OBESE after all my hard work.

And it IS hard work. I do cardio exercise seven days a week. As I type this I'm still sweaty from a bike ride that I took and I'm preparing to hop on the treadmill as soon as I'm finished. I've started getting up early enough a few days a week so I can exercise before I go to work, leaving my evenings free to have dinner at a decent time and relax, like a normal person. Some would think that because I don't have children and because most of my hobbies are sedentary that I have not sacrificed much for my exercise routine. To those idiots I can only shrug, those people don't know me well enough to say that.

I'm anxious for the summer, to do the things that I usually do but to do them without the extra 50 pounds of baggage. I'm excited to be more mobile, to walk with ease, to sweat a little less. I'm even a little bit excited to shop for summer clothes. It's never been that fun shopping when you're limited to just a few stores or a few racks of clothing, or even a few brands. I'm anxious to see photos of myself and not be ashamed of them.

I'm scared of my eventual plateau, the point where my weight loss starts to level off. I worry that I won't have anything *more* to give, anything else I can do to cut caloric corners and keep myself rolling on the treadmill. I'm also scared of competing my One Million Steps goal. At the time I started it seemed impossible to me that I would even be able to complete it yet here I am, less than 90,000 steps away, changed physically and mentally for the better. When I reach my million steps what's next?

What's next is that I keep going. I need to see the million steps as a milestone, not as an end. Part of me had grand ideas, like reaching the million steps should be akin to the end of a marathon, there should be a ribbon for me to break as I cross it. But it's not the end of a marathon, it's only the passing of a mile-marker. Forward, forward, the journey must go on.

If you'd like to catch up on my journey please read my post, Half Way To Somewhere.

Faux Fried Chicken Tenders - A Recipe!

2011-03-13T23:33:00.002-05:00

Superfro and I have had some good luck lately with recipes suitable for two people. Cooking for two sometimes requires alteration of recipes and ingredients and sometimes conversions don't always work out so well. Not the case with these Faux Fried Chicken Tenders. You could make 2, 4, 12 or even 30 of them, it's a really flexible recipe.

But, how do they taste? An excellent question! I thought they perfectly satisfied my craving for something fried without actually being fried. You should try for yourself and let me know!

Faux Fried Chicken Tenders
(adapted from a Food Network Magazine recipe)
Servings - 2

First, go ahead and pre-heat your oven to 400 degrees. I promise that it will get more exciting after this but pre-heating the oven is essential so just get it done and over with.

Next, line a baking sheet with foil. If you have a baking rack, place that on top of the baking sheet and spray with cooking spray. If you don't have a rack, don't panic. You can still participate in the making of these Tenders. How about you just spray the foil on the baking sheet instead?

INGREDIENTS ASSEMBLE!

1 pound chicken "tenders" or boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
1 egg
1 T. Worcestershire sauce
1 T. ketchup or your favorite BBQ sauce
1/8 c. buttermilk (OPTIONAL)
1 cup bread crumbs (I like to use a mixture of regular ones and Panko style)
1/2 tsp. cumin
1/2 tsp. chili powder
salt & pepper
cooking spray

In a small bowl beat the egg just a little bit. Add the Worcestershire sauce, ketchup (or BBQ) and the optional buttermilk. Stir it all together and set it aside for a bit.

In a shallow dish mix the bread crumbs, cumin, chili powder, salt and pepper.

Now, you're ready for the messy work. Using some tongs, dip one piece of chicken into the egg mixture until fully coated. Lift out and let the excess drip off. Place the chicken in the breadcrumbs and gently roll it around to cover it. I use a spoon to help move the bread crumbs around. Place the chicken gently on the baking rack or sheet and then repeat until all the chicken is breaded.

Keep your tongs handy, you still need them! Spray each piece of chicken with cooking spray then gently flip them over using the tongs and spray the other side.

By this time your oven should be nice and hot (you DID pre-heat it, RIGHT?!?) Bake the chicken for 20 minutes. During this time wash your tongs, you'll need them again but you need them to be clean! After 20 minutes remove the chicken and flip each piece over. Return to the oven and bake for 10 more minutes.

Enjoy!

Mobile Masterpieces: XI

2011-03-07T13:50:00.000-06:00

I can just about taste spring in the air, any by "spring" I really mean all the Easter candy that is flooding the markets right now. I'm craving some Brach's jelly beans like mad but my will is strong...I shall not give into the craving! Instead, I will indulge in some mobile masterpieces! Join me, won't you?

Superfro is doing his best "serious western lawman" face, just after shaving off his winter beard,
but leaving the moustache for a few days in order to illicit some laughs, which it did!

Poor Paxton! She's really such a good sport when it comes to having
her picture taken.

I received this large pile of books from the American Booksellers
Assoc. I'm still working my way through them.

Oh, here's a Christmas leftover, one of the cookie boxes I made.
*drool* I want one of those peanut butter balls STAT!

AWWWW! What a precious wittle Paxy with a candy necklace on!

The Penguin is Paxton's favorite of all the Batman Rogue's Gallery (she fancies the monacle!)

When Coke Zero goes on sale I don't waste any time loading up the back on my Scion.

The cool kids at Gearbox sent me this great little gift package. Thanks guys!

One last pic of Paxy, staying warm at the store with her Daddy's hoodie!

Curator's Corner: Olly Moss Movie Prints

2011-03-03T15:27:00.000-06:00

It seems like it's been forever since I've posted anything. Somehow February slipped away from me and now it's already March and life is just getting busier and busier! But, never fear, here is a new blog, completely devoid of all mentions of food! A miracle!

One of Superfro's and my favorite graphic artist is Olly Moss. We don't know anything about Olly other than we love his style. Even before we knew who he was, Superfro gravitated towards Olly's Threadless t-shirts and once we put a name to the artist we started to actively look for some work. I don't think Olly sells any original art, mostly just limited edition art prints via various art houses. Here is what we have managed to collect!

Superfro and I are hoping to get several of these prints framed so we can hang them up, though I'm not sure which one we'll start with, do you have any favorites?

And this is Superfro's favorite Olly Moss Threadless shirt, featuring all sorts of movie "spoilers."

Eating Local: Brickside Cafe, Deli & Pizzeria

2011-02-14T16:42:00.000-06:00

With the greatest of apologies to Zoey's Pizza in Marion, but I have found my new favorite pizza place and it goes by the name of Brickside. Located in a fancy new strip mall in Hiawatha, Brickside is the ONLY brick oven pizzeria in the Cedar Rapids/Hiawatha/Marion area.

Brick. Oven. Pizza.

That means it's got an incredibly crisp and flavorful crust, not too bready and absolutely delicious. On my first trip there I had one of their 13 specialty pizzas, the Black and Bleu. The olive oil crust was topped with bacon, bleu cheese crumbles, beef, tomatoes and lettuce. On my most recent trip I tried the BBQ Chicken with BBQ sauce, chicken and plenty of cheese. Both were equally delicious and worth returning to Hiawatha for.

If none of the 13 specialty pizzas tempt you, you can certainly build your own pizza, with your choice of 22 topping and 6 sauces, for a total of a kajillion and a half combinations.

Not hungry for pizza? Well it's not called a "Cafe, Deli & Pizzeria" for nothing. Sandwiches are available on 8 kinds of bread, 3 kinds of wraps and about 42 different meats, cheese, toppings and spreads.

Looking for a unique and filling sandwich? They have 5 specialty sandwiches too, including a meatloaf sandwich with potatoes, gravy, cheese and onions on cibatta bread.

Is it too early in the morning to think about pizza or sandwiches? Doesn't matter, Brickside has you covered with coffee of all kinds, breakfast pizza, breakfast burritos, muffins, yogurt parfait, bagels & scones.

Is this a food mecca, you ask? Maybe. That depends if you like your mecca with a large array of desserts and serving wine, beer and both fountain Coke & Pepsi. Is Brickside trying to cover all the bases? Yes, but not to their detriment. The variety in their menu serves only to please their customers of any age and not to disguise the ability to do any one thing really well. They do everything well, including their staff. While young, they didn't bat an eye when we came in 30 minutes before closing demanding pizza. Nary an eye was rolled, in fact, we witnessed a well oiled machine at work, first in making and serving our food then attending to pre-closing duties.

Now, don't expect a cozy or quaint candle-lit place perfect for a first date. Brickside, as I said, is in a new strip mall and has tall ceiling with the industrial elements exposed. The tables and chairs might be more suitable for dining al fresco but the booths are plenty and they also offer a separate part room that can hold you plus 25 of your friends!

Brickside Cafe, Deli & Pizzeria is located at1705 Boyson Road in Hiawatha, Iowa.

I was too excited to eat that I forgot to take a "before" picture.

Bagel Topped Chicken Pie - A Recipe!

2011-02-04T22:24:00.000-06:00

I have found another Hy-Vee Seasons Magazine recipe that I can safely and easily modify into a fairly simple dinner. Their Cobblestone Chicken Pie, featuring sourdough bread as topping, may not be the most healthy recipe but it is tasty, and very suitable for a cozy winter meal. The original recipe serves 6 but it was very easily halved into serving 3 (or 2 hungry people) Here's how I made it, with a few tweaks and shortcuts. Also, please note that the photos show me making the 3 serving version of the recipe!

Chicken Pie (serves 6)

First of all, preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Preheating is important. Don't skip this step. Then, assemble your ingredients. This may or may not require a trip to the grocery store plus some prep work. Some of the cooking is time sensitive so you don't want to be prepping while stuff is scorching on the burner. Also, a helpful sous chef is a welcome addition.

4 tbs Olive oil, divided into 2tbs portions
2 c. sliced mushrooms. Try not to use canned, it's worth it.
1 c. celery, sliced
1 c. carrots, diced
1/3 c. flour
1/2 tsp. each of dried rosemary, salt & pepper
2 c. chicken broth, divided into 15 oz. and 1 oz portions
3/4 c. half & half
3 c. cooked and diced chicken breast (pre-cooked is fine but not canned)
1/2 c. frozen peas
1/2 c. shredded Parmesan cheese (not the canned Kraft stuff, seriously)
2 Thomas Bagel Thins, plain, whole wheat or everything flavor

Heat 2tbs of the olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet.
Add the mushrooms, celery and carrots, cooking until tender, about 15 minutes. As you can see, I like to chop the sliced mushrooms up a bit. If you don't like one of the veggies, substitute and add another. I just used what I had on hand (the original recipe calls for leeks and I don't even know if I like leeks!)

To the tender veggies add the flour, rosemary, salt and pepper. The veggies will become all coated and maybe even look a little gummy. Don't worry, just keep stirring it, allowing it to cook for about 1 minute.

Add 15 ounces of the chicken broth and the half & half. Stir and cook until it has thickened, about 3 - 5 minutes. Make sure that you're still on MEDIUM heat and haven't secretly turned up the burner. You can't rush perfection!

Add the diced chicken, frozen peas and remaining 1 ounce of broth. I don't know why the delayed addition of the broth but it really made a difference when I "forgot" to add it one time. Also, I used store bought, pre-cooked fajita chicken which I diced up myself. I would not suggest using canned chicken. You could even use shredded rotisserie chicken if you like. I don't know why the peas are frozen when the rest of the veggies are fresh, that's just the way it goes.

Spoon the mixture into a 2 quart baking dish. No need to grease it.
In a small bowl mix the cubed bagels with the remaining 2 tbs of olive oil and the Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle over the chicken mixture.

Bake for about 30 minutes. Hopefully, when it's done you'll want to eat it. After all, you did go though all that work.

I'd love to find a way to lighten up this recipe a little without losing too much flavor. If anyone knows of a good yogurt or milk substitution for the half and half please let me know!

My Chili Is To DIE FOR!!!!

2011-01-26T15:48:00.000-06:00

A buncha years ago I brought my Dad some leftover chili that I had made the previous day. I thought he would enjoy it because at the time he was still working and often went out to lunch at the same place day after day. Chili would be a nice break to his routine.

What I didn't count on was that he'd wait like 6 days before he ate it. Even under the best circumstances leftovers should really be eaten within a couple of days. Six days is sort of pushing it.

In any case, the day after he ate the leftover chili he had a heart attack. It was totally unrelated to the chili consumption (so the doctors say) but after that we started calling it "heart attack chili."

When the weather in Iowa starts to simmer down a bit (like September) I like to lug out the crock pot and throw together a batch of chili. After the first time it becomes a weekly event, the perfect dish to come home to after an 11 hour day. All I have to do is serve it up.

Frankly, it's not the most exciting, or the most organic, or even the healthiest chili, but it's tasty, it's easy and the recipe can be tailored to suit any taste buds. It's the same recipe I've been using for over a decade and it's tried and true, except for that one time it almost killed my Dad.

Chili To Die For

Get yourself a crock pot. Seriously, they are so cheap! Even Walgreens has them.
If you refuse to get a crock pot then stop reading, you're clearly too hard headed to make chili.
Assemble the ingredients

1/2 - 1 lb of your ground meat of choice. I use lean hamburger but turkey is also good. I've never tried ground pork or sausage before but why don't you try it and then let me know how it is?
1 can of tomato product of your choice. I use Hunt's Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes but you can try any brand diced, stewed or chopped, depending on your preferences. (Sidenote: if you don't like tomatoes then get over yourself. You're an adult. *rolling eyes*)
1 small can of tomato sauce of your choice. If you prefer to use tomato paste then use a few tablespoons mixed with about 1/2 c. water.
1 14-16 oz can of chili beans. Again, use your flavor to guide you. I use Mrs. Grimes which is regional, westerners might like S and W brand, from the same company.
1 14-16 oz of another, different kind of bean. If you want to use canned beans, go for it. Some people will try to make you feel bad for that, don't. Dried beans are just an extra step you don't have time for today. I use red kidney beans.
Chili powder, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper
Optional: handfuls of chopped onions and/or chopped peppers
Optional: 1/2 tsp of garlic paste or minced garlic
Optional: 8 oz. of corn, fresh, canned or frozen, your choice!
Optional: 1/2 c. of your favorite salsa.
Some water, just a little!

Place your meat-of-choice in a frying pan. Add a healthy pinch of salt, pepper, chili powder, red pepper flakes and, if you choose, garlic paste.
If you decided on chopped onion or peppers, thrown them in too!
Brown the meat, spices and optional onion and peppers. I love how the chili powder gets a nice smoky roasted flavor to it during this step.
Drain if necessary, you don't want the chili to be all greasy! Add the browned meat to the crock pot.
Open the tomatoes and add them to the crock pot.
Add the chili beans and other beans
If using canned beans, don't drain the chili beans but DO drain the other beans.
Add the optional corn and/or salsa.
Stir everything well and then add a little more salt & pepper.
If cooking right away set the crock pot on low, wait at least 4 hours but preferably more like 8 hours before you dig in.
If cooking later (like the next day) cover the crock pot with plastic wrap, place the lid on it and store it in the fridge until you're ready to cook.
Yes, of course this recipe is suitable for assembling ahead of time and freezing! Use a freezer container to store it for up to 1 month, thaw 24 hours before cooking.

I'm not even going to include directions about how to cook this chili on the stove top. GET A CROCK POT! Seriously!

Holiday Leftovers

2011-01-12T22:56:00.005-06:00

I've been trying to get over a yucky cold that has been lingering for almost 2 weeks. I have not been sleeping well, partially because of my coughing and partially because Superfro has taken to the sofa on account of my "midnight moaning." It's a yucky way to start off the year but I'm consoled by the fact that my holidays were good. Stress and drama free for the most part, with lots of yummy food had by all! Here are some belated holiday pics, please enjoy!

These are just some of the sparrows we've adopted for the winter.

Starting the cookie box assembly line.

50 - 60 cookies/treats per box.

The peanut butter balls are my favorite.

My mom's cream puffs, at my request. I ate 3 of them on Christmas Eve.

My sister made this cheese and ham soup for Christmas Eve.

My Mom's tomato based beef stew with cloves, a family favorite.

I "made" Chicken and Wild Rice soup. And by "made" I mean I heated it up from a frozen cube.

The scarf brigade was out in full force on Christmas Eve. That's my Mom (formerly known as Brokeback Karen, my sister Tracy and me. We totally tried to get Brokeback Karen to put on her old turtle shell back brace but it was a no-go, not even for "old times sake."

My Mom made these bacon wrapped smokies. You can see that they were well received by the tiny pools of grease where they once sat, before being devoured.

Sourdough bread bowls, made by Panera Bread.

My knife wielding sister and her Snickers cheesecake. Watch out! She's gonna cut CHOOOO!

Gallery 1988 Show "Is This Thing On?"

2011-01-08T20:31:00.000-06:00

This week Gallery 1988 opened their new show "Is This Thing On?" with art inspired by comedy greats from the last several decades. Classic inspirations like Lenny Bruce and Steve Martin are represented as well as young folks like Flight of the Conchords and Aziz Ansari.

Of course I can't actually afford any of the originals but they were very fun to look at. Here are some of my favorites!

"Go For It!" by Danielle Rizzolo
Inspired by Chris Farley

"There Goes Astronaut Jones! - A Tribute To Tracy Morgan" by Eric Tan
Inspired by Tracy Morgan

"Staches And Dildoes And Hoagies, Oh My" by Stephanie Buscema
Inspired by Stella
See Stephanie's take on Little Lotta here, from my own collection.

"Bob & Dave" by Gabe Lanza
Inspired by Mr. Show

"Turd Ferguson" by Jeff Ramirez
Inspired by Norm MacDonald

"Sarah's Mustache Finger" by Tara McPherson
Inspired by Sarah Silverman

"Family Portrait" by Scott Campbell
Inspired by many comedians

Gallery 1988 also produced a slew of limited edition posters for the event, equally awesome but far more affordable.

"Farley" by Alan Hynes
Inspired by Chris Farley

"Wet Hot American Summer" by Glen Brogan
Inspired by the movie Wet Hot American Summer

"Poor Black Child" by Josh Cooley
Inspired by Steve Martin's The Jerk

"Prit-Tay Good" by Josh Cooley
Inspired by Larry David's Curb Your Enthusiasm

"Drugachusettes" by Delicious Design League
Inspired by Mr. Show

All the original artwork can be viewed HERE.
All of the limited edition prints can be viewed HERE.

Half Way To Somewhere

2011-01-02T22:13:00.000-06:00

In August I started a year long goal of walking one million steps, extra steps, above and beyond what I would do in my normal daily routine.

I kept track of my steps on my blog page, One Million Steps, watching the number creep up and up as I trotted in place day after day on the treadmill. In the beginning I focused on the minimum number I needed to reach my goal, about 2800 steps. Gradually it became easier to hit that number and keep going. When the weather was nice I would walk to work, racking up over 4000 steps round trip, well over the daily minimum number I needed to reach my goal.

Today I reached a bit of a milestone, having logged enough steps to take me over 500,000, half way to my goal. I'm incredibly pleased to have reached this milestone, especially because I've done so nearly 6 weeks ahead of schedule.

A few weeks after I started walking, Superfro and I started to make a few little changes in our eating habits. I figured that if I was going to be exercising more for the next year I might as well try to shed some pounds too.

I was concerned that my desire to lose weight would somehow become more important to me than my walking goal. I do have to constantly remind myself that the steps are the goal, the other stuff is just a bonus. But it's a hard won bonus. It takes loads of willpower to make "the right" food choices and occassionally I get pissy and just plain hungry. But I soldier on. I'm putting effort into walking every day, why not take advantage of the increased metabolic rate with a little strategic dieting? Superfro is as equally dedicated to the dieting arts and is a great inspiration, having given up daily candy for dried cranberries.

We're not doing any weird dieting either, just trying to lower our calorie intake and increase our calorie burning. We don't keep any snacks or treats in the house, only healthy snacking options like veggies and yogurt. When we go out to eat, which is a rare treat now, we might indulge in dessert, but not at home. Home is a scared temple, full of sugar-free Jell-o cups, 110 calorie bagels & low fat yogurt.

I'm happy to share that the magical combination of eating fewer calories and burning more calories has actually worked. Superfro and I have been doing weekly weigh-ins on the Wii Fit and since my first weigh-in on September 11th, I've lost about 27 pounds. I know that in the grand scheme of things that it's just a drop in the bucket of what I need to lose before I'm considered "healthy" but seeing some actual results from my hard work makes it easier to work harder.

It stings a little to show these figures. I'm certainly not doing so to brag, in fact it's down right embarrassing. For many, many years now only my doctor knew my actual weight. I never lied about it, I just never talked about it either. I think it's important that people know my actual weight in order to understand where I'm coming from and where I need to go.

My first weigh-in, almost 259 lbs., on 9/11/10.

Today's weigh-in, 27 lbs lighter.

Of course, my BMI is still astronomical, but it's getting better.

So, hooray for me, I reached 500,000 steps and will certainly hit one million before my deadline of August 22nd. I'm not sure what I'll do after that, maybe celebrate with a baker's dozen of decorated sugar cookies and a new sports bra?

Weekend Room Makeover

2010-12-28T22:00:00.001-06:00

When Superfro and I moved into our house in 1999 all the walls were white, with the exception of the kitchen (country blue wallpaper) and the master bedroom (pink.) We spend a lot of time painting but for some reason never got around to our "living room." It was a room between the dining room and what we were using as a library, one you had to walk though to get to the laundry room and bathroom, so a room most visitors to our house saw at one point during a visit.

It's a pretty square room with a couple of nice tall windows and a closet. The walls are in terrible shape being that it's an older part of the house than the kitchen and dining room. (Sidenote: Our house has been built onto several times since it was originally constructed in 1890, and was once a four-plex, then a duplex, before it was a single family home.) Instead of drywall, the walls are made of horsehair plaster laid over slats of wood. There are cracks, long, looooong cracks and years worth of nail holes, plus a general uneven look to the walls from unsuccessful repairs.

It was the room was where all our old furniture went to die. If we had something that we didn't know what else to do with, it usually went in that room. My old futon, the old entertainment center and TV, old lamps, dusty candle holders, an ancient VCR and SEGA game system. Rarely did the room actually get used, in fact, it only got used as a place to fold laundry. And then after a while it became a makeshift closet with tubs of clothing all over it. The room was an incredible eyesore.

Seriously, this was the usual state of the room.

Seriously.

When we inherited a used treadmill last August, it was only natural that it be placed in that room. Except, instead of being forgotten like everything else in the room, we actually used it. Superfro and I were both logging time on the treadmill and in the eyesore of a room. Eventually, it became clear that the room needed rearranging in order to make it easier to see the TV while using the treadmill and from there, the decision was made to just re-do the room. Paint, new TV, new TV stand, new furniture, new window treatments.

Like the pathetic losers that we are, we started with a TV, finding one in our size and price range, then moved onto the TV stand. Then using some of our framed art we picked colors and found curtains from Target that we liked, *then* used the curtains to make a paint match. I don't know if that's how other people do it, but it made the most sens to use. I didn't want to pick out paint colors and then be stuck trying to find the perfect curtains, see?

So, we had a dusty blue color and a deep orange. We decided to do 2 walls of each color, with matching trim. The trim was already painted and it's not in great shape in places so I didn't feel very bad painting it. We opted to leave the closet door and the crooked pocket doors leading into the dining room white. We prepped the room, cleared it (mostly), taped it, patched the walls (mostly) and stated painting. Superfro is a much more meticulous painter than I am, also much more patient and much more energetic. In fact, I realized that I hate painting wall now as much as I did 11 years ago.

Once we got 2 coats on the walls, the orange was more like ORANGE ORANGEY ORANGVILLE. I was speechless, just rolling on more and more paint, hoping that it would darken up. I'm still not thrilled with it but I also don't hate it enough to paint it again.

All prepped, ready to start, testing out the paint in the corner.

You can see what I mean about the uneven walls there right?

I was pretty much freaking out at this point.

But I loved this side of the room.

After 2 coats and almost dry....

By the end of the second day the paint was dry and it was time to hang and steam the curtains. Yes, I have a steamer, don't you judge me! Then it was time to put the new TV stand together and make sure that it could hold precious cargo.

Hot steamy action!

Yep, looks good!

The fun part for me was hanging some pictures.

So, now we've got the treadmill in place but we're still using the old futon to sit on. Turns out that Cedar Rapids doesn't have the best selection of love seats at the price we're willing to spend so we're gonna just put that on the back burner until the perfect one finds us, so.....2019, 2010, sometime around then most likely!

Curator's Corner: Becky Danielson - Things That Sit

2010-12-20T22:52:00.000-06:00

This is the second post I've done about one of my favorite artists, Becky Danielson. The first was all about art that hangs and this one will focus on art that sits.

Becky's three dimensional art is often made using found objects re-purposed and repainted. It's usually impossible to discern what the item was in it's previously life. Often times Becky will include "before" pictures in her eBay auctions and only then will you get that "Aha! That was a little angel praying figurine!" revelation.

Becky also is adept at taking her husband's old socks and sewing them into stuffed figures, you'll see some of that later in the post.

One of the first 3D pieces we got from Becky was this "Bear Full of Crap" which was a cookie jar in it's previous life. In side the bear are some handmade "crappy items" like a partially eaten burrito, a broken ball and a wearable finger.

After losing out on one of her auctions, I commissioned a special piece for Superfro of food items presented in a box. This is the first time I had seen Becky's use of socks as objects and she smartly named all the snack foods "Old Sock Brand." I especially love the pickle with it's little puckered top.

Continuing with a food theme, we picked up the "Motion Sickness Meal", featuring a selection of fine foods in the throws of nausea housed in a rolling container. The shake cup is made from a fast food paper cup and straw with a paper lid.

As a Christmas gift I gave Becky the theme of "video games" and let her run wild for a gift I wanted to give Superfro. What she came up with was the "Super Nintendfro" game system including 3 game cartridges, matching game screens that slide into the monitor, real cords and a handmade controller. I must admit that it's my favorite piece that we own by Becky since it's the most personal and sentimental.

Our newest piece from Becky was just purchased in October and was part of a gallery exhibit at Cornell College. It's called "Distractions" and features a wooden tableau full of distracting characters and items with a ceramic plant holder that is now a cradle for a small, very distracting baby. This piece is very personal to Becky as this year she's had to juggle being a first time mother and a full time artist.

Becky is now selling her work on Etsy, as well as eBay. I hope you'll check her out!

Mobile Masterpieces X

2010-12-17T13:41:00.001-06:00

Welcome to the TENTH "Mobile Masterpieces" blog! I hope you are ready for some wacky and crazy stuff, including a pug with yogurt on her face! WACKY!

Sleepy pug being cozy under her pink Hello Kitty blankie.

I burnt myself grilling tortillas. Tacos are DANGEROUS!

Paxton, en route to Denver. We took her favorite pillow to make her feel safe!

Paxton, en route to Denver, stopping for gas and snacks!

A rare smile from Superfro, at the Pepsi Center, waiting for Muse to take the stage.

I'm waiting for the Grease 2 Nintendo game.

Paxton LOVES yogurt and often gets to lick out my empty containers. Lucky!

My nieces Kaelyn and Abby are getting these jammies for Christmas. Jealous!

I won this amazing candy prize package from Blair Candy. They said it was $15.00 worth but I suspect it to be worth much more. The box weighed 6 pounds!

These amazing little dolls came into the store recently. I wanted them all but I settled for the Penguin. I love the chain on his monacle!

This is how I try to keep warm at the store. And this is how sleepy Paxton gets on a busy Wednesday.

See ya next year!

Little Lotta by Farel Dalrymple

2010-12-14T15:40:00.000-06:00

Farel Dalrymple is an illustrator whose work I first noticed in the Marvel Comics book Omega: The Unknown and DC's Bizarro World.

When I saw that Farel was selling original art in his Etsy store I thought I would take a chance and commission a new Little Lotta piece. Etsy has a really great function where they help facilitate a conversation between you and an artist or seller for custom pieces. Within just a few days Farel had accepted my request and I had given him my idea, which was to have Lotta wearing and eating a Carmen Miranda style hat.

Remember her?

Carmen Miranda and her fruity hat!

Well, Farel didn't disappoint, his Little Lotta is spot on, from the shoes to the skirt to her extra round middle! And of course, the fruit on the hat in incredible!

Little Lotta, enjoying the fruits of her hat, by Farel Dalrymple.

Many thanks to Farel for this great new addition to my collection!

Curator's Corner: Claudia Roulier

2010-12-09T23:08:00.002-06:00

Our last trip to Denver wasn't just all marijuana dispensaries and Muse. We also made our customary trip to the Zip 37 Gallery and the Pirate Gallery across the street.

At Pirate we were pleased to find a new exhibit that had just opened that weekend by Claudia Roulier. Claudia is a painter and mixed media artist with a passion for found items. From Claudia's artist statement;

"I am a collector. I collect old things, found things, odd things, and creepy things along with pictures and ideas. I use all of these collections in my work. I like to indulge my visual side by creating captivating images, mostly animal that are both surrealistic and whimsical. These creatures tend to take on human qualities that juxtapose an idea against an image."

Her exhibit was called "Peculiarities: From Fish To Freaks" and was full of mind boggling mixed media pieces that you could stare at for days and still not see everything.

After much deliberation, Superfo and I picked out a piece called "The Real Secrets of Beauty." Claudia was kind enough to allow us to take the piece home instead of shipping it after the show ended later that month. I was very thankful since there are so many tiny bits and bobs to the piece and I was sure some of them might get shaken loose in transit.

"The Real Secrets of Beauty" by Claudia Roulier

One of the things that kept me coming back to this piece was the use of the frame. A person usually frames something they think in beautiful or important, something they want to draw attention to. But an ornate frame could also be used to take the attention off of the framed object, like putting beautiful jewelry on a really ugly person. I'm not sure how Claudia intended the frame to work in this piece, maybe both?

I really love the pipe leading into the side of her head.

It was our friend Sean who pointed out that some of the little figures are from the Star Wars miniatures game!

This is one of my favorite parts; the wasp like nest an the little man pushing the wheelbarrow up the incline.

Claudia's art is available from her website and at various Denver galleries, it's worth checking out!

Made It & Ate It: Holidays 2010 Edition

2010-12-06T23:13:00.003-06:00

I've been a busy little baker this year, making the cookie cups I may have mentioned earlier. It's been more work than I first thought because my mind went crazy with all the possibilities. Graham cookies with chocolate and marshmallow? Seven Layer Bars transformed into cookies? All my ideas were starting to take a concept that was intended to save me some time and turning it into time-consuming battles with the Kitchen-Aid mixer. I took a careful look and my abilities and my schedule and made some menu adjustments that assured I'd still have time to wrap presents and go caroling!

Sugar, Peanut Butter & Red Velvet Cookie Cups

Sugar cookies and peanut butter cookies were a no-brainer, using the pre-made Pillsbury and Toll House dough, of course!
I was a little worried about the cookie cups being too dry. I know that frosting tends to keep them nice and soft and I was worried about the cups not having enough frosting to do the job. Since I was adding the frosting as I needed the cookies there were at times going to be up to 24 hours between the frosting of the cookies and their serving.
During an unrelated trip to Wal-Mart I ran across some new Pillsbury Easy Frost canned frosting. It comes with a star shaped tip and tastes the same as the tubs of frosting that I was going to use anyway. They made filling the cups super easy and I was able to fill and add pretty colored sugar as I needed the cookies, so wherever I took them they were fresh and delicious!

Makes frosting easy.

I should note here that I'm not a fan of powdered sugar icing, which I know is what many people use for decorating sugar cookies. Last year I bought pre-colored frosting from my local grocery store's in-house bakery and it worked like a dream. They sold it by the pound and I was thrilled not to have to tint white frosting myself. Since I wasn't planning on needing any tinted frosting this year, I took a chance on the Easy Frost.

I used the vanilla frosting for the sugar cookies and the "decadent" fudge frosting for the peanut butter cookies.

Another cookie I made was a Red Velvet cookie, which I made using a Red Velvet cake mix, as directed in this recipe. I very briefly considered using Paula Deen's recipe but honestly, I know my limitations and that recipe would have stretched them.

My Red Velvet cookie were nice and cakey and I topped them with the cream cheese flavored Easy Frost.

Peanut Butter Cookies, Sugar Cookies, Red Velvet Cookies & Great Balls of Peanut Butter

Raspberry Layer Bars

I tried several times to make Seven Layer Bars but they proved too uncooperative in cup form so I settled for some regular bars cut into tiny one bite squares and then served in little foil paper cups. And instead of the traditional bars I tried a new recipe that I found of the back of the Keebler graham cracker crumbs. It went something like this:

Heat up the over to 350 degrees
Melt a stick of butter. Perhaps in a microwave safe bowl?
Toss it into a bowl of 2 c. of graham cracker crumbs and 1/4 c. sugar
Pat it into a 13" x 9" pan.
Pour a 14oz can of sweetened condensed milk over it, spread gently.
Do not lick the lid of the milk can, no matter how much you want to.
Chill in the icebox for about 15 minutes.
Take about 1 - 1 1/4 c. of seedless raspberry jam and warm it slightly in the microwave, just enough to make it easy to spread. Don't melt it!
Spoon the jam over the chilled crust/milk. Spread it gently! I said "GENTLY!"
Sprinkle with 1 c. chopped walnuts or pecans. You have to decide which, I can't do it for you.
Top that with 1 1/3 c. shredded coconut.
Bake it in the pre-heated oven for about 25-29 minutes. You want the coconut to look toasted but you don't want the edges to caramelize too much.
Don't try to cut the bars when they are still warm, it'll only make a mess.
Use a plastic knife to cut when cooled, no need to get fancy!

Pretty simple right? You can also use a pizza cutter to cut the bars, just be careful not to scratch your pan!

Great Balls of Peanut Butter!
Since I had lots of graham cracker crumbs to use up I decided to make another recipe printed on the box, this time for Great Balls of Peanut Butter! The box called them "bon bons" but I'm a "ball" girl.

In a large bowl combine

1 c. graham cracker crumbs
1 1/2 c Rice Krispie cereal (without the milk, durh!)
1 1/4c. peanut butter, creamy or chunky
1/2 c. powered sugar

Look, I'm not gonna lie, mixing this can get messy. Don't stab at the ingredients with the spoon, just gently fold them together until they are well mixed, You don't want to completely decimate the cereal but you do want to make sure everything is mixed well. Take you time, take a break if you need too. You can't rush magic like this.
Put the whole bowl in the ice box for a while. Go watch something on your DVR or read a magazine.
Wash your hands
Using a tiny ice cream scoop, or a tablespoon, scoop off some dough into your hands and roll it into a nice neat ball. If the dough is still sticky, put it back in the ice box and quit being so impatient!
As you roll them, put the balls on a tray or a plate lined with waxed paper. If you don't have waxed paper then I don't know what to tell you, you're pretty much screwed at this point. You could use plastic wrap but you might want to just go buy waxed paper instead.
Chill the balls while you heat up 12 oz. of chocolate in a double boiler. Sure, you can use semi-sweet, or you can use milk. It's your world.
In case you don't know, a double boiler is just a couple of pots nesting, with water in the bottom pot. Then heat the water which will then melt chocolate placed in the top pot. It's SCIENCE!
I like to tilt the top of my double boiler so the chocolate pools in one area, making it easier to coat the balls.
Working with a few balls at a time, keeping the rest chillin', dip the balls into the chocolate and then place on the waxed paper.
I have found that a plastic spoon and fork work great for this job. Use the spoon to place the ball in the chocolate and sort of slip it around. Then use the fork to lift it from underneath, don't stab it, and let some of the melted chocolate drip off before putting it on the waxed paper.
If you so desire, and want to have fancy balls, dust them with graham cracker crumbs while the chocolate is still warm.
Give your balls a good 30-40 minutes to cool and dry.

If you';re not up to the whole "double boiler" thing then you can certainly use a microwave to melt your chocolate. Or, you can try Baker's Dipping Chocolate, which is ridiculously easy to use as well as being quite tasty.

Easy. Super easy. Nobody will ever know how easy.

Haystacks

I had some leftover chocolate as well as some butterscotch chips that I didn't end up using so I decided to make some haystacks. They are really easy and can be made with a variety of ingredients.

Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with waxed paper. You should still have some left from the Great Balls of Peanut Butter recipe.
Using a double boiler, or a fancy-schmancy microwave, melt 16 oz. of chocolate, your choice. (I used half chocolate and half butterscotch chips)
Gently stir in 3 c. of chow mien noodles.
Add any other mix-ins you like; raisins, dried cranberries, peanuts, coconut, slivered almonds, mini marshmallows, anything small and tasty.
Stir until everything is covered evenly.
Using a spoon, scoop little "haystacks" onto the waxed paper.
Let them cool before eating.

Cranberry-Pretzel Candy Clusters

If you like your treats both sweet and salty here is a yummy recipe that I got from the Hy-Vee Seasons magazine (Hy-Vee is our local grocery store.)

Line a baking sheet with...that's right, waxed paper!
Break 2 c. of thin pretzel sticks in half and set aside.
Using a medium saucepan, melt 8 oz. white chocolate squares, with cocoa butter and 1 tbsp. shortening, like Crisco.
Stir until smooth.
Remove from heat and add 1/2c. dried cranberries, 1/2 c. dried pineapple (cut into small pieces) and the pretzels.
Stir gently.
Drop by spoonfuls onto the waxed paper and let cook before eating.

Brussels Sprouts Gratin

It hasn't been all sweets and goodies around here though! I did manage to make a savory side dish for Thanksgiving, Brussels Sprouts Gratin, using a recipe from Food Network Magazine and dumbing it down a notch by using frozen Brussels Sprouts.

Heat your oven to 400 degrees
Take 16 oz. of frozen Brussels Sprouts
Cook them as directed, but only by about half, you want them sorta done but not completely done.
Drain the sprouts.
Drain them some more. Maybe use some paper towels to blot at them a little, they get really wet.
Give the sprouts a chopping. I cut mine into quarters but any coarse chop will do.
Drain them again after cutting, just for good measure.
Season the sprouts with salt, pepper and a pinch of red pepper flakes.
Butter the bottom and sides of a baking dish.
Place sprouts in the baking dish
Cover with 1/2 c. of heavy cream
Sprinkle with 1 c. of shredded cheddar cheese (or any cheddar mix you like)
Top with 1/2c. of fine bread crumbs
Cut up 2 tbsp of butter and scatter it over the top.
Bake 15-20 minutes until hot and bubbly and delicious looking
OPTIONAL: You could totally toss in some crumbly bacon pieces too, just for good measure.

I made this dish twice in 3 days and everyone who tried it seemed to like it, even folks who were not Brussels Sprouts fans previously.

I wish you all a happy and delicious holiday, please share you baking and cooking plans with me, I always need new ideas!

Shopping Like a Champ, not a Chump

2010-12-01T14:24:00.000-06:00

I was talking earlier about being all crazy about coupons right now and I wanted to give you an example of how I try to make the most of my shopping.

This is a shopping trip from CVS a few weeks ago. CVS is sort of a coupon clippers goldmine. In addition to taking all manufacturer's coupons they also have their own system, the Extra Care card which gives holders special sale prices and more coupons via e-mail and an in-store kiosk. They are also very big on offering Extra Care Bucks which are essentially coupons that you earn for making specific purchases, they print off at the end of your receipt and you can use them on a future purchase, just like cash. The downside to CVS is that I think the regular price of items tends to be higher than usual, which means it's not that great of a place to shop unless you are going coupon commando (which I totally was on this trip!)

There is only one item that I bought that I didn't have a coupon for, and that was the Sally Hansen Facial Hair Cream Bleach, which I saw and remembered that I needed so I grabbed it.

Everything was bought with either manufacturer's coupons, CVS coupons, sometimes both. In most stores you can stack a manufacturer's coupon with a store specific coupon (like one they put in their own ad.)

Here's the line by line:

M&M Plain Snack Size (2 for $5.00 sale) $2.50
M&M Peanut Snack Size (2 for $5.00 sale) $2.50

CVS Coupon off 2 packages of M&M (-$1.00)

Brach's Candy Corn $0.99

CVS Coupon off Candy Corn (-$0.99)

Softsoap Body Wash $4.39
Softsoap Body Wash $4.39

CVS Sale, Softsoap, Buy 1 Get 1 Free (-$4.39)
CVS Coupon off any Softsoap Body Wash (-$1.50)

Rice Chex Cereal (2 for $6.00 sale) $3.00

Coupon (-$1.00)

Corn Chex Cereal (2 for $6.00 sale) $3.00

Coupon (-$1.00)

Dawn Dish Soap (on sale) $0.97

Coupon (-$0.50)

Method Concentrated Laundry Soap $8.99

Extra Care Bucks Rebate (-$5.00)

Colgate Total Toothpaste $2.99

Extra Care Bucks Rebate (-$2.99)

Sally Hansen Facial Hair Cream Bleach $5.99
Bounce Dryer Sheets $5.97
Charmin Toilet Paper (sale) $9.99

Coupon (-$0.25)

Charmin Toilet Paper (sale) $9.99

Coupon (-$0.25)
CVS Coupon (-$1.50)
Extra Care Bucks Rebate* (-$10.00)

$4.00 off a $20.00 purchase CVS coupon** (-$4.00)
$5.00 off a $25.00 purch. CVS e-mail coupon** (-$5.00)

* This Extra Care Bucks was $10.00 after the purchase of $25.00 worth of select P&G items (the Bounce and the 2 Charmins)
** I was able to stack these 2 coupons because my grand total was over the purchase qualifications of $45.00.

So, in the end, after tax, I spent about $28.00 on everything in the picture, which to me seemed like a pretty fair deal. It's stuff I needed (except the candy corn) and I don't think, I could have done much better elsewhere.

There are a couple of great web sites that I use to plan my special shopping trips and to find out the best deals:

I Heart CVS
I Heart Wags
Chief Family Officer
Wild For Wags

She's Crafty - Fall Ceramics Edition

2010-11-29T17:28:00.001-06:00

It's been a while since Mos Steph and I had a ceramics date and we were waaaay over due. We each had a load of ideas but only one afternoon to execute them. Despite the time constraint, I'm pretty proud of our results.

Mos Steph as a bear fetish. Not "teddy bears" but just common black bears, the ones who will claw your entrails out just to get a Jolly Rancher outta your pocket (unless it's Green Apple flavored, bears HATE Green Apple flavor!) She wanted to do a black bear item and decided on a set of coasters. About half way though the first coaster she had the brilliant idea to do a Warhol type series of bears. Genius!

Here are the bears, before their firing in the kiln.

And now after firing.... are you ready for awesome? I'm not sure you are...

Are those not the coolest things you have ever seen? I love them so much I might have to steal them. I think Mos Steph needs to make more and start selling them! She'd make a mint!

I picked a trio of tiny dishes, all with 4 cute round feet. For my first dish I continued my "Donuts Under the Sea" series with a sweet little octopus getting ready to enjoy a delicious sprinkle donut.

One of the tentacles found it's way onto one of the feet!

Facial hair is all the rage. Beards and moustaches are the new mohawks and skinny jeans! This little dish is my moustach homage.

My last dish is for the upcoming holidays, painted to look like a festive peppermint.

And here are my dishes after firing...

And that's another crafty escapade for the books...donuts, bears, peppermints and 'staches!

Survival of the Hippest

2010-11-25T11:10:00.000-06:00

I recently treated myself to a little gift from the online store Survival of the Hippest.

S.o.t.H. makes adorable custom made accessories catering to social networks, like Twitter. Their speciality is the name necklace, almost exactly like the name necklaces from the golden days but incredibly customizable and infinitely more hip. In addition, they offer anklets, bracelets, key chains, pins, tie clips, and adorable broken heart necklaces.

All items start at $49.95 and include 1 - 8 characters, additional characters are $2.95 each.

I picked a silver necklace with my Twitter handle, @BavarianErin. For the Twitter initiated (Hi Mom!) the "@" sign is used to address someone. They also offer the "#" hashtag which is used to signify a search term or subject of a Twitter message, also known as a "tweet." You can opt for either of those or neither of those on your S.o.t.H. creation.

S.o.t.H. also offers an option for gold (white, yellow or rose) but I'm really very cheap and I don't trust myself with expensive jewelry (hence why I *still* don't have a wedding ring.) The necklaces come with a 14" chain standard but upgrades to 16, 18 or 20" chains are available for an upcharge.

Now comes the part where you can really start spending the cash. Each item can be dressed to the nines in diamonds, rubies, sapphires or rubies. Each gem is offered in 1pt or 2pt and in quantities of 1, 2, 5, 10, 15, 20 or 30 and starting at $12 for one 1pt diamond. I (of course) opted for no gems.

So, it was only about a week after ordering that my necklace arrived. It was bright and shiny and totally tubular. I had always wanted one of these name necklaces when I was younger and S.o.t.H. has fullfilled my teenaged wishes but totally knocked the cool factor up a notch.

A Survival of the Hippest item would make a fantastic gift for any young hipster on your Christmas list but don't forget to also treat yourself! To sweeten the deal, click on the little birdie on their homepagefor a 10% discount on your first order!

Little Lotta by Seo Kim

2010-11-17T22:54:00.000-06:00

I first saw Seo Kim's work when it was featured on my favorite blog, Super Punch. If it's artsy and cool the it's gonna be on Super Punch. John Struan updates it multiple times a day and it's always the first place I go when I log onto the computer.

Anyway.

One day Super Punch featured some cute little paintings that Seo (pronounced "Sue") had done at a convention and instantly I thought of Little Lotta!

Here is the incredible rendition that Seo sent me, it's positively the sweetest Little Lotta I've ever seen!

Happy Haul-idays Chronicle Books Giveaway!

2010-11-12T16:55:00.018-06:00

I cannot tell a lie, I love Chronicle Books. Their variety and quality is second to none, plus they are one of the friendliest book companies in the world. Their support of bloggers large and small plus the way they have embraced all forms of social media have make them one of my favorite web sites, Facebook pages and Twitter feeds.

This holiday season Chronicle is making one blogger and reader very, very happy. They are sponsoring a "Happy Haul-idays" blog giveaway, giving away 2 gigantic prizes valued up to $500 each!

Here's the details;

I'm gonna give you my ultimate Chronicle Books wish list, you comment on it and we're BOTH entered to win! If you have a blog then you can post your wish list, I'll comment on it and we'll both be entered to win again! In fact, you can comment on EVERY blog that enters and get more entries to increase your chances!

One blogger will win their wish list and one of their readers will also win!

For more information on posting your own blog and submitting it to Chronicle, check out their web site.
In the coming weeks you will also be able to find a list of the participating blogs on the same page so be sure to bookmark it!

Now, for my Chronicle Books wish list!

In order to help me reach my One Million Steps goal, I'd like to utilize their City Walk decks. These guides feature 50 perfectly sized walks including easy-to-read maps, each printed on their own heavy duty card and housed in a very convenient storage box. I'll be able to easily traverse the canals of Amsterdam, the generous public spaces of San Francisco and historic Rome!

I'm pretty sure I'm going to get a little stressed with all that travel so I'll need a way to relax when I'm not ticking off steps.

Perfect!

Now, I love to take and post photos of my adventures but sometimes I get in a rut with taking the same old boring photos. I'll need a little photographic inspiration!

Certainly I'll have time to ponder things while walking and traveling. I'll probably have so many thoughts that I'll need to get them out of my brain and onto paper. I don't want to take my laptop so I'll need a nice journal.

I'll need some reliable advice!

And information about where to stay!

A fine selection of postcards to mail home!

And finally, some inspiration when I write my inevitable memoir which will CERTAINLY be picked up and published by Chronicle Books!

All of those should help me easily and quickly reach my goal, don't you agree?

Please comment with your favorite or dream travel destination and don't forget to include your e-mail address so Chronicle Books can find you if we are the winners, and...FINGERS CROSSED!

Holiday Baking Prep

2010-11-11T13:28:00.000-06:00

Every year I get really excited to bake Christmas cookies. I buy all the ingredients and the little decorative stuff to put on them, I look at pictures and I scan recipes. And then I end up buying pre-made dough and doing as little work as possible. It's a method that really seems to work well for me so I'm going to stick with it.

This year, I'm even taking my work down a notch. Instead of traditional cookies I'm going to do cookie cups; baking the dough in a mini muffin pan, and filling the little center depression with something yummy and sweet

Since I've already started stocking up on pre-made dough I decided to test out the mini-muffin tins to see how much dough it will take to make the proper sized cup. Turns out that the Pillsbury Refrigerated Cookie Dough, the Ready To Bake ones, are the perfect size. For the peanut butter cookies, I tried the Toll House bulk dough. I used a hunk of dough about the same size as the pre-made sugar cookies.

I rolled the dough into balls then used my thumb to make a depression in the middle before setting it into the muffin tin and gently pressing it around the edges.

I baked them for about 9 minutes at 375 degrees then let them cool in the tins for about 10-15 minutes before taking them out. You want them to retain their cup shape and if you take them out of the tin too early they might lose their pretty shape!

Now that I've got my method down I'm going to start brain storming what cookie combos I want to make! Yummy!

What kind of holiday baking are you going to do?

Curator's Corner: Becky Danielson Part 1 - Things That Hang

2010-11-08T22:07:00.000-06:00

Becky Danielson wasn't always a Danielson.

Back in olden days she went by the name of Becky Lamphier and she was friends with my sister. She lived in a local housing division called "Willowood" which was fancier than where we lived.

Now she's a Danielson and she lives and works in Mt. Vernon, Iowa churning out curious works of art from paintings to sculptures. She sells her work on eBay (gungerbean is her account name) to an international audience, including a guy in France who must own dozens of her pieces by now. Most every piece has a story and often times it's based on Becky's own observations while out and about here in Eastern Iowa. For this blog I'm going to focus on the paintings and other hanging objects that I have by Becky. Her reworking and re-imagining of found objects as well as her sock sculptures deserve a blog of their own!

The first piece of Becky's art I received was this one:

This is a tribute to the late Johnny Cash. My sister bought me this for Christmas several years ago, even though she had already spent way too much money on me already, but knew I would love it. She's right, I do love it, and it kick started my love affair with Becky's unique and skewed style. Becky used acrylics on a canvas board and added a frame to this 8" x 11" masterpiece.

My favorite Danielson piece is another that my sister got for me for Christmas. This was a specially commissioned piece, inspired by a photo of Superfro and me during our trip to Bali.

One afternoon we spent getting dolled up in traditional Balinese wedding gear, complete with *heavy* make-up. The background of the painting is peppered with other things from out trip: the cat that hung out at our villa and ate part of my birthday cake, and the monkey who stole a package of batteries from a store and was chased by the shopkeeper with a slingshot. This painting was also done in acrylics and is on a thick piece of wood.

This next piece was originally a large cork board that Becky painted over. The story behind it is that the guy on the right is an excellent bullshitter and the guy on the left is an excellent listener. The small pictures in the background correspond with tall tales the bullshitter has spun, which are painted around the frame. Superfro and I got this piece from eBay.

Some of the better tales include; #6 "Had a bad case of the drip last year"

If you see a picture and want to know the story behind it, let me know!

Another eBay piece, this is a recycled mirror in a wooden frame. Around the edge Becky has painted exampled of almost every feeling one could have about themselves while looking in the mirror. I know the mirror looks dirty, but it's actually because it's dozens of years old. Get over it.

A while back I asked Becky to paint something for my friends Matt & Molli who are savvy art collectors. I thought that they would appreciate Becky's style. I gave her the price range I had in mind and this is what she came up with, it's called "I Made It Just For You" and is painted on the door of an old cupboard.

Technically, it's not a piece that Superfro and I own but I think it's an excellent example of Becky's range and her ability to create non-human characters and give them personality. If you ever visit Matt & Molli in Denver you can see this painting on display in their guest room.

This last "flat" piece is another one from eBay and frankly, I have no idea what is going on in it or what Becky's thoughts about it were. Her eBay auctions often have very good descriptions about the pieces, explaining her thoughts and inspiration. The meaning behind this one is lost in cyberspace. It's another large piece, done with acrylics on canvas with a beveled edge.

My favorite parts of this piece are the turnip on the baby's highchair, the pills and the pot cooking on the stove.

I've got a whole blogs worth of other, non-hanging pieces of art by Becky that I will share at another time. It includes a deranged cookie jar and some of Superfro's favorite snacks!

Mobile Masterpieces IX

2010-10-30T15:42:00.000-05:00

Welcome strangers, fair weather friends and select family members! I've got 10 awesome pics for you straight from my cell phone. Please enjoy!

Time Magazine featured a beautiful aging black pug on their cover for a story about how animals think. Paxton and this pug could be related, they look that similar.

Speaking of Paxton, here she is taking her afternoon nap at Alter Ego. She likes to rest her head on the counter but on this day she pressed it against the drawer of the cash register. I like to think she was dreaming about all the treats she could buy with the money inside.

This is Coco, Emmy & Oscar, cousins of Paxton. They are enjoying the view from the new porch their Daddy built for them.

This was sent to me from my friends Matt & Molli. It's a mouse, sitting on a cat that is sitting on a dog. I know, it blew my mind too.

This is the bones of a bird wing. I found it outside the door of my local USP depot. It's been there for weeks. I mean like, 8 weeks. Totally weird.

I could turn this pic the correct way but heck, it took a lot of work to pose like that the least you could do is turn your head to look at it. Anyway, this is our hotel room in San Diego and I'm wearing a giant plastic bag that was given out by Radical Comics. I poked my legs though and walked around like that for about 45 seconds. This is the sort of thing that seems funny after a long day at the convention.

Compared to this, pressing her face against the cash register looks comfy.

This is a beautiful collection of Tubby comic strips by Drawn & Quarterly.

Superfro and I saw this guy having lunch on day. He's on his computer but has to use a magnifying glass to look at it. I like to imagine he's a super sleuth. Shortly after this picture was taken he got up, went outside, stood there for a few seconds and then came back in. I'm pretty sure he went outside to fart.

One day I brought leftover tacos for lunch. I only had meat & cheese but somehow I made it work.

See you next time with more exciting photos!

She's Crafty: Bitchin' Ziggy Cross Stitch

2010-10-27T22:47:00.000-05:00

Since finding a vintage 80s Ziggy stitch pattern book I've been looking for just the right person to make one for. I wanted someone funky and clever, someone who would appreciate Ziggy's more caustic side. And lo, that person be Molli Gamelin, the smart woman behind my previous blog, 2010 Mile High Dispensary Awards.

I only have a pic of the framed, finished piece, no progress shots. It was just a basic cross stitch on baby blue Aida 14 count cloth, with metallic silver thread for the skate laces and centers. The saying took some time to decide upon. I wanted something a little snarky but not vulgar and something to compliment the very self-satisfied look on Ziggy's face.

I hope to make other Ziggy pieces in the future but I really enjoyed this first one and I know Molli will give it a good home!

Mile High A-MUSE-ment!

2010-10-24T14:31:00.015-05:00

In addition to the fantastic tour of medical marijuana dispensaries that I did last time I went to Denver, I also got to see Muse. They were making their triumphant return to Denver after cancelling their show there last April.
Instead of flying out, Superfro and I drove, making the 13 hour trip all in one day with Paxton in tow. She's not much of a Muse fan but she was looking forward to seeing her canine friends Sasha & Audrey.

Paxton brought her favorite pillow to assure a cozy ride to Denver.

Audrey, poised and ready for some fetching!

Sasha tolerated Paxton very nicely. Paxton knew to give her a wide berth!

Poor Sasha was suffering from a sore back and could not jump or rough house!

The Muse show was at the Pepsi Center, where the Colorado Avalanche play, and the band was using the same stage set-up as the Chicago show. We had general admission floor tickets and I was pleased to find out that the Pepsi Center doesn't jam pack the floor. We were able to find a place to stand right in front of the sound board.

I incorrectly assumed that Muse would play the same set that we had seen in Chicago but the switched things up a little bit. Here are a few of the pics I took, including one of the set list which I asked the sound tech for after the show. According to him it was the first show where Muse has switched up the set list.

Enjoy!

The glorious pillars.

Laser lights!

Very mesmerizing!

That's Chris, the bass player, up on the pillars!

Very Tron-like!

Set list, non-stop awesomeness.

And so ends 10 months of Muse shows. I promise not to talk about them for a little while, give ya'll a break until they tour the U.S. again. If I had my druthers I'd have seen a few more shows but I was happy to have seen 3 very different shows: one in a small venue, one in a large venue with great seat and the last in another large venue but on the floor.

Love Muse? Hate Muse? Either way, I welcome your comments!

Someone Old, Something New: Episode 1

2010-10-21T15:12:00.051-05:00

I've been trying a whole bunch of new products lately, mostly because I've been cutting coupons like crazy and I'm totally the type who buys things they don't need just because they have a coupon. Also, I buy things I do need because I have coupons and I buy more expensive brands of things than I usually do just because I have a coupon. So, I've got all the coupon bases covered.

Anyway.

New stuff. Some things have proven to be super awesome and I will continue to buy them, even if I don't have a coupon. Other things were sincere disappointments and others just aren't worth the money no mater what.
Let's review, shall we?

Nature Valley Granola Thins in Dark Chocolate

I'm already a fan of Nature Valley products, specifically their ultra crunchy granola bars that come in twin packs. They are constantly trying new products and their latest is the Granola Thin, a square, super-thin, granola bar with coating on one side of either dark chocolate or peanut butter flavored substance. It's about half the thickness of a regular bar. There's not much to them considering the 4 grams of fat in one 17g square. For an 80 calorie product that's a fairly high percentage. For comparison, their twin bar packs have 6 grams of fat in 42g of product.

I don't crave chocolate with my granola in such a fashion that this would really satisfy. I imagine that these appeal to folks who want a little crunchy snack with a hint of chocolate but still know that eating a Kit Kat isn't their best option. The chocolate is labeled "dark" but it's certainly not of a high cacao count given how sweet it is. It's fine, maybe a little benign, not really worth the extra price. I'll stick with the old fashioned Nature Valley bars.

Lime flavored Crush

Remember when you were little and stores sold those little plastic containers of juice with foil tops? You could get them for about 10 cents and they were full of sugared water that was flavored with cherry, orange, grape, blue raspberry, lime and maybe lemon. Well, if you are missing the lime flavored one then you are in luck! Crush has managed to capture that barely authentic, cartoonish lime flavor in a new soda. Not that Crush was ever really that concerned with the authenticity of their flavors but this lime on is an especially vile representation. I suppose kids would like it, because it's a very bright color and research proves that kids (and some adults) will chose what catches their eye before considering what it actually tastes like. Anyway, it's just a boring soda. I didn't even finish it because I mean, why waste the calories?

Pledge Fabric Sweeper for Pet Hair

I am officially a Pledge Pet Hair Remover customer. I shall sing it's praises like a songbird. Just listen:
When I was little my Mom had fuzz remover for clothes. It was like a little paddle with a textured velvety side that would pick up fuzz off of fabrics. Pledge has essentially configured the same tool but turned them into rollers. Two rollers work in tandem to pick up pet hair from fabric surfaces. One roller picks up the hair and the other roller pick it up off the other roller and deposits it into the clear plastic hollow handle of the tool.

To use it, you rub the roller over hairy or fuzzed up fabric, back and forth using short strokes. You get to see that it's working because very quickly you start seeing tufts of hair and fuzz in the handle.

I was thrilled to see that this little sucker really works. I used it on the arms of our sofa where some fuzz had been matted in, impervious to the vacuum cleaner brush or the sticky lint roller. I also tried it on a small patch of carpet where it worked like a champ. It's meant for use on furniture, blankets, throw pillows, rugs and other large upholstered things, I would never use it on clothing, it's a little too big and macho for wardrobe use.

I think even non-pet owners could find good use for this little gem too as it's good for picking up any fibers, not just pet hair. It's ideal for quickly cleaning carpeted steps too, when you don't want to drag the vacuum cleaner out.

The packaging for it calls it "disposable" but some folks are claiming that you can empty out the handle and keep reusing it until the rollers wear out. I found this one on sale for $3.00 and had $1.00 off coupon to use as well. Totally worth the $2.00.

Garnier Skin Renew 3-Way Cleanser

When I was a sophomore in high school I was friend with a girl named Michelle Foreman. Her father was French, or something like that and one day when I was at their house he got all close to my face and said in his thick accent "Why you have blackheads all over our nose?" I was like, 14 or 15 and I did have blackheads on my nose, which had dogged me since puberty. I didn't understand about exfoliating and thought that liberal use of Sea Breeze would take care of them. It didn't and I was mortified. From that moment until now I have been embarrassed of and obsessed about my pores. So, thanks for that Mr. Foreman, appreciate it.

Anyway, I was looking for a good all purpose exfoliator/cleanser and found Garnier's Skin Renew 3-way Cleanser. I don't usually purchase Garnier products because they use Sarah Jessica Parker as a spokesperson and I was deathly afraid that their product would make my face resemble that of a horse, like they did to hers. HOWEVER! I had a coupon and CVS was having a doozy of a sale so I took a chance and whatdoyaknow, this stuff actually does what it says it will do, clean my pores and leave my face looking fresh as a daisy (and not at all like a horse.)

You can use the cleanser in any of three ways, as a daily cleanser, as a deep exfoliant a few times a week or as a masque once a week. I tried it all 3 was ans each time it worked wonders without leaving my face feeling stripped. When used as an exfoliant it made a visible difference. Sure, my pores were still there, but they weren't "blackheads" anymore. Blackheads are just pores clogged full of dirt. When they are clean they aren't nearly as ugly or gross.

I found it to be easy to rinse off and it didn't smell too bad either. Even at full price (about $5.00) this is totally worth it, you're getting the quality of a higher priced department store product at a drug store price.

Now, on the flipside...

Garnier Skin Renew Anti-Sun Damage
Daily Moisture Lotion

This Garnier product claims to "instantly brighten skin" as well as smooth fine lines and reverse sun damage. Really, it's just SPF 28 sunscreen in a green bottle bottle. It feels like sunscreen, it looks like sunscreen and it even smells like sunscreen. I was ALREADY using sunscreen, I don't need to add another one. Skip this product and use a higher SPF non-comedogenic moisturizer. If you don't, you'll probably end up looking like a horse.

Junior enjoys a sandwich made with
Oscar Mayer Carving Board Turkey

Lunch meats have a terrible reputation, mostly because they are rarely that good, and they suffer from poor naming. "Lunch meats" is rather unappealing. Anyway, I find that the lunches I take to work tend more towards the carbohydrates rather than proteins so I bought some of the new Oscar Mayer Carving Board Turkey. According to Oscar, he slow roasts this meat for over 4 hours and then it's thick cut just like you carve your own turkey at home (with the dull electric knife.) Great concept, who doesn't love leftover turkey? And look at that kid up there? He's positively LOVING his turkey sandwich? He's like, making those foodie moans and groans that sound a lot like bedroom noises. He keeps his eyes closed so he can imagine his mom there, wearing an apron over her Thanksgiving appliques sweater, smiling because she's so thankful her son came home from college with only 2 bags of laundry and one S.T.D.....not like her whorish daughter....

*ahem*

Sorry about that, got carried away.

Speaking of carried away, it seems as though Mr. Mayer may have gotten a little carried away with the salt. This lunch meat is so incredibly salt that it only tastes like salt. Cold. wet, salt. Like it was tucked into some surfers wet suit and marinated in the ocean for an entire afternoon of hangin' ten. I also purchased the ham and frankly, I fear for my blood pressure. If you don't hear from me for a while please tell my family I love them and blame it on Oscar Mayer.

Anderson & Erickson Yogurts

I'm not sure exactly when I became a yogurt snob but for a while I was buying only Yoplait brand yogurt, coupons be damned. I think it was all about the container and how they stacked so nicely with their lid resting inside the bottoms of the ones above them, like a cup of yogurt wearing another one for a hat.

And then one day, in the dairy aisle of my local market, one word caught my eye. "Rhubarb." Then I saw the words before and after it. "Stawberry Rhubarb Pie." It was a container of Anderson & Erickson yogurt in the exact flavor of my favorite pie. How could this be? Was this a joke? I looked for hidden cameras, wondering if this was a cruel prank. But it wasn't, A&E Dairy really does make Strawberry Rhubarb Pie yogurt and it is AMAZING. Somehow I can even taste the crumb topping and flaky pie crust. It's seems nearly impossible but somehow, with some sort of magical Willy Wonka type magic A&E Dairy as created the most delicious cup of yogurt in the universe.

Don't like Strawberry Rhubarb Pie? Well first of all, shame on you, your mother raised you better than that. Second, don't worry because A&E probably has a flavor you do like, after all, they have 50 flavor combinations. FIFTY. Black Cherry, Strawberry Shortcake, Orange Grapefruit, Pina Colada, Apple Bread Pudding, even plain Vanilla. If you're mouth isn't full of drool then you're a colossal fool. And I'm not just a sucker for the flavors. The yogurt is really good! Excellent texture, never too watery or too tangy. And the cups! Sure, they don't stack as fancy as the competitors, but they are perfect for reusing with their cute little lids. I use them for individual portions of my dogs food instead of plastic baggies, for snacks on the go, small portions of leftovers, holding beads, buttons and other small crafty things & at least a dozen other things. Or you can recycle them. The choice is yours.

Well, that's about all the new stuff this old lady can manage for one blog. Have you tried something new that you like recently? Tried something and hated it? Love using coupons as much as I do? Tell me about it!

Alter Ego Commercial - A Cast of Characters!

2010-10-19T16:34:00.000-05:00

I recently started running a commercial on a few channels via Mediacom. The commercial was created by an employee at Mediacom who is also a customer, Brian Markowski. I think Brian did an excellent job getting the emotional feel that I was going for and the variety of characters is incredible!

If you see this commercial please let me know!

Book It: Dust by Joan Frances Turner

2010-10-17T16:33:00.003-05:00

Dust by Joan Frances Turner

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Dust is a game changer in the world of zombie literature. It requires you to forget everything you have learned thus far about zombies. Forget the craving for brains. Nevermind the halting, staggering or the twitching, the tics and speed walking. Joan Frances Turner has written a novel that introduces you to zombies for the first time as emotional beings; they think, communicate, wonder, fight, worry, need and care. Under the decay of death the fear they instill, they are just trying to get by.

Jessie is dead. Then undead. She died young and now lives out the life of an undead in a gang of others like her, some young, some hundreds of decades old. They hunt, because of course, they are hungry but unlike many of the other gangs of undead, Jessie and her friends would rather not partake of human “hoo-meat.” When a hoo visitor raises some questions, Jessie begins searching for answers, and that search leads her to the recesses of her past and the uncertainty of her future.

Dust is both unequivocally tender and explicitly brutal. The violence is straightforward and striking; Joan uses adjectives I never want to hear or read again to describe the crushing of bones, the seeping of flesh, bodies and personalities turning to dust. The analogies are a harvest of gore, every meaning cultivating the taste of violence in your throat.

…the panic he’d barely been hiding oozing like a vein of oil into his eyes.

…this was constant, insistent, tugging at every corner of my body like a whining toddler who wouldn’t let go.

…a hand with skin like a deflated balloon sawing back and forth…

…that chemical stench…strong as a soaked cotton ball against the nose.

Turner has managed to make zombie fiction sublime and provoking literature, and in just her first novel shows her evocative talent for character creation.

View all my reviews

Chronicle Books Grossest Room Contest!

2010-10-13T23:36:00.000-05:00

I KNEW being a slob could pay off!

My awesome friends at Chronicle Books have asked me to pass this along to all my blog readers, a chance to cash on on being slovenly and gross! Perfect! You could win an iPod Touch, iTunes gift cards and sets of The Worst-Case Scenario books! This video has all the information you need to enter.

Official information from Chronicle:

Boys and girls! Win a FREE iPod Touch 32GB, a $50 iTunes gift card, and the entire collection of Worst-Case Scenario Junior books! Just add a video response showing us the messiest, grossest room you can find! The nastier the better!

Contest starts on October 6th 2010 and ends on November 7th 2010.

PRIZES:
One Grand Prize Winner will receive: One iPod Touch 32GB, one $50 iTunes gift card, a Chronicle Books tote bag, and the full collection of Worst-Case Scenario Junior books: including The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Junior Edition, Extreme Junior Edition, Weird Junior Edition, Gross Junior Edition, Middle School, and the Junior Boxed Set.
Two Runners-Up Winners will each receive: One $50 iTunes gift card, a Chronicle Books tote bag, and the full collection of Worst-Case Scenario Junior books: including The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Junior Edition, Extreme Junior Edition, Weird Junior Edition, Gross Junior Edition, Middle School, and the Junior Boxed Set.

RULES:
You must ask a parent if you are under 18.
Only U.S. residents are eligible to win prizes. However anyone can submit a video.
Due to copyright laws, please do not include any music in your video.
Please try to keep your video more than 60 seconds. The video can be live, or a photo slide show.

NO PURCHASE IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING.

The Worst-Case Scenario Grossest Room Contest is sponsored by Chronicle Books, LLC.

Contest is subject to all federal, state and local laws. Void where prohibited by law. By entering, entrants agree to these Official Rules. Limit one (1) entry per person. Limit one (1) prize per household. "Household" includes all persons residing together in a single residence, whether or not related.

Contest begins on October 6, 2010 at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time ("PT"), and ends on November 7, 2010 at 11:59 p.m. PT ("Promotion Period"). Winner will be announced mid-November, 2010.

This Contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Apple, YouTube or Google. You understand that you are providing your information to Sponsors and not to YouTube or Google. The information you provide will only be used for administration of the Contest and prize fulfillment. Any questions that you have about this Contest must be directed to Sponsors and not to YouTube or Google

Get free slime and more at www.chroniclebooks.com/worstcasejunior

Follow us on twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/chroniclebooks
Follow us on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/chroniclebooks

Please comment if you enter the contest! I'd love to see the videos!

Book It!: The Financial Lives of the Poets by Jess Walter

2010-10-12T14:30:00.000-05:00

The Financial Lives of the Poets by Jess Walter

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Jess Walter writes how I think; dialogue fast and racing, thoughts building upon one another like a giant game of Jenga, piling up dangerously and ending never anywhere near where they started.

Despite the relatively melancholy subject matter of his book The Financial Lives of the Poets (towering debt, unemployment, a wayward wife and a failed web site) there are dozens of laugh out loud moments, moments when you think Matthew Prior can't possibly make any more self sabotaging decisions. Yet he does, and it is with the eye of an amateur but the balls of a virtuoso that he concocts a plan to solve everything.

It’s the bit players in Matthew’s saga that really shine; his dementia addled father, reminiscing about chipped beef, his 2 young sons, never without honest questions, Chuck, a lumber expert and his wife’s former flame. Every character distinct and individual and just as fascinating as Matthew.

Then there is the poetry; the basis of which lies in the fact that Matthew quit his job to start up a web site that offered financial advice in the form of poetry. There is plenty of keen poetry to be had but I found myself skimming over it, so intent on getting back to the calamity at hand, heaven forbid I miss one bit of it.

The Financial Lives of the Poets is an entirely gratifying read. Absorbing & affecting, it might just well leave your face aching from smiling.

View all my reviews

2010 Mile High Dispensary Awards of Excellence

2010-10-10T11:14:00.004-05:00

I don't know diddly squat about marijuana. I know it's a plant that when smoked can get a person high. I've never smoked it but I've seen other people smoke it and I know what it smells like. I probably could roll a joint if I wanted to since my friend Carol taught me how to roll the handmade cigarettes that she used to smoke. I know my sister would try to code the word "pot" in her diary by writing it backwards and then drawing an arrow pointing left over it.

Also, I know that the state of Colorado allows the use and possession of marijuana to persons who have a medical registration card. Because of this, medical marijuana dispensaries have sprouted up all over the state. Some are glorified drug dens and others are very professional establishments with classy signage and smooth jazz music. Some carry just one kind of marijuana and other carry a variety of strains plus a whole slew of "edibles" - food made with marijuana, like a pot bakery.

Frankly, there is MUCH about the whole medical marijuana thing that confuses me. It's not federally legal but the feds don't seem to pay any mind. The marijuana isn't taxed so how do the businesses pay taxes? What about the growers? How do they pay taxes?

On my recent trip to Denver my friends Matt & Molli took Superfo and I on a driving tour of just a few of the dispensaries. The tour was Molli's idea. As a stellar graphic artist Molli, was interested in the array of signs, names and graphics the dispensaries use. I was stunned by the number of them. We saw dozens in less than an hour, and this was without actually going into known "drug neighborhoods." One common thread was that no matter what, the dispensaries were never too far from places to grab a snack. From donuts to pizza to cakes, food was never far away.

So, without further ado, I present to you the 2010 winners in the "Mile High Dispensary Awards of Excellence" as chosen by me, an absolute ignoramus on the subject.

The Alexander Grothendieck Mathematical Award*
(* sponsored by fans of Mr. Grothendieck and not affiliated with Mr. Grothendieck whatsoever)

The Little Amsterdam of the West Award

Grassroots was the only establishment we went into. It was very quaint inside, with walls of interesting fetish photography. Apparently they fancy themselves as a "gallery" in case you want to buy some art with your marijuana. I did get a peek into their supply room and the pot was all displayed very clinically in glass jars. Total apothecary.

Most Welcoming to White Women Sporting Dreadlocks

Superior Appropriation of Corporate America

At Home Remedies, Inc. isn't afraid of "the man," they ARE "the man!" They are INCORPORATED. I suspect that soon they will also be a contender for the Cupcake Emergency Solution Award, seeing as a bakery is moving in next door. Fingers crossed for next time, guys!

The Eva Gabor Award of Excellence in Naming

Saturday Night Live Inspirational Name Award for Outstanding Use of a "Z"

Dual Award Winner:

Best Use of Neon & Most Ostentatious Use of a Live Plant

The Little Green Pharmacy was everything the name promises; little, green and not at all ashamed to use a live parking lot decoration to attract customers. Honestly, this was the only establishment where for a brief second I was frightened for our safety. Molli pulled the car in and out of that parking lot while I hung my head out the window looking like a total narc...or like a complete square who can't tell the difference between marijuana and an heirloom rose plant.

Name Most Likely to Induce a Snicker Award

The Proposition Joe Award of Merit

The winner of the Proposition Joe Award of Merit was my personal favorite. I love the graffiti/airbrushed look of the name, it's reminds me of a prostitutes eyeshadow. Plus the chocolate color of the building, the excellent woodwork job on the porch and the intricate brickwork foundation, all of it sings. There is nothing I don't like about this place. They are ballsy enough to advertise their $5.00 joints and smart enough to put bars on the windows. Bravo Little Brown House, BRA-VOH!

The Edgar Allan Poe Gold Star of Distinction

Once upon a midnight dreary...I smoked some pot with my pal McLeary.
Over many a quaint & curious episode of Jersey Shore.
While I nodded off, pretty much napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As if some jag-off was gently rapping, rapping at my dorm room door.
'Tis some idiot,' I muttered, 'booty calling at the wrong door;
Prolly that, nothing more.'

Coalition for the Advancement of Chiropractors with Suspended Licenses Notable Mention

No real reason, I just have a thing against chiropractic medicine and wanted to make a joke at it's expense.

Brilliance of Convenience Honor

(please note that sweet shot of Superfro in the side view mirror)

It's next to a pizza place. Once more with feeling; NEXT TO A PIZZA PLACE. A pizza place.

So there you have it, the 2010 Mile High Dispensary Awards of Excellence winners. There were a few contenders that didn't quite place but were still worthy of sharing anyway. Let's give them a round of applause for their dedication to the dispensary arts and wish them the best of luck in the future.

Eh..it sort of looks like they just reused a sign from a car wash. Or a dry cleaners. Thumbs up on the recycling and committing to the "green" lifestyle.

Nice try Kind Clinic but you're gonna have to do better than that if you're located next to the Saturday Night Live Inspirational Name Award for Outstanding Use of a "Z" winner.

So, what's your favorite Mile High dispensary? What strain of medical marijuana do you prefer? Can you explain the tax laws pursuant to the dispensary businesses? Contact me, please!

Community Season 1 DVD Giveaway: Winner Announced

2010-10-05T13:23:00.001-05:00

With the help of an Excel Spreadsheet and Random.org a winner has been chosen in the Community Season 1 DVD Giveaway!

Thank you to all who entered, it was great hearing your thoughts about television, I will take your suggestions to heart and try to check out some new shows, especially Psych, which so many of you thought I should watch.

Now, on to the winner....

MANDY!

Mandy suggested Psych, likes Parenthood, the NBC Thursday lineup and recently fell in love with Lost.

Congratulations to Mandy and thanks again to everyone who commented! Viva television!

Little Lotta by Dustin Harbin

2010-10-04T19:59:00.000-05:00

I don't know doodly squat about Dustin Harbin other than what I've learned from his website. I had never seen his art before or even heard his name but he seemed ripe for a Little Lotta commission so I hit him up and sure enough he churned out this great pic of Lotta showing off her juggling skills. I love the look on Lotta's face, anticipating the donuts! If the image looks skewed slightly it's because I took it from an angle to reduce glare (it's in a shiny protective sleeve doncha know!)

Related Posts: Little Lotta by Stephanie Buscema Molly Crabapple Matt Kindt

Dough Boy Haiku

2010-09-28T16:32:00.000-05:00

Inspired by my friend Jeff Stephens, I wrote some haiku about my favorite Marvel villain, Dough Boy. Yes, Dough Boy. He is a giant blog of dough. Haiku is that type of poem that makes you use your fingers to count out syllables in the lines; 5, 7 and then 5 again.

Dough Boy, oh Dough Boy
You'd make the best loaf of bread
A villain though? No.

Grows stronger with yeast
Dough Boy expands, that's his plan
We do not knead him

Lo! His nemesis!
Come to balance the pH
Vinegar! We're saved!

And like the supportive friend he is, Jeff added this one:

Dough Boy must be stopped
Quick! Call in the Human Torch!
He can bake his buns

If You Liked It Then You Should Put A Name On It

2010-09-27T13:11:00.000-05:00

I like to name things. By giving things names I can also create personalities and attitudes. I can make villains and heroes and simple folks and royalty out of inanimate objects. Unfortunately, I've run out of my own objects to name and with exception of my friend Steve Mumford (who let me name his stuffed lion "Lala Salama" and his blanket "Col. Waffle") nobody seems to want to put my super awesome naming skills to good use.

Until Swatch opens a position up in their naming department (totally my dream job) I've made up this list of 100% original and 100% available names. If anything strikes your fancy, feel free to use it!

Candy bar (w/nuts) : Chuckle Up
Candy bar (w/o nuts) : The Barely Bar
Toothbrush : Mr. Bristle Pants / Miss Bristle Butt
Cell phone : Hobo Robo
Home (very small apartment) :
Home (house) : The Abyss
Car (old/small) : Put-Put LaRue
Car (old/large) : Vroom-Vroom Saskatoon
Car (new/large) : Ego
Car (new/small) : Id
Rabbit (male) : Squire Berrymen
Rabbit (female) : Velma Winterbottom
Cat (overweight and gassy) : Saturn
Cat (male) : The Honorable Nigel Chigger-Bottom
Cat (any) : Scabby McAsthma
Dog (large/male) : Duncan(must speak with an English accent)
Dog (small) : Peccorino de la van der Pook
Dog (gassy and barky) : Plinko the Stinko
Dog (pug) : Wheezy McSqueezebox
Hermit Crab : Salinger
Dental retainer : Gumdrop
Rock Band Guitar Controller : Bellamy
iPod : RickDees (all one word)
iPhone : DickClark (all one word)
iPad : IraGlass (all one word)
Stuffed Animal (bear) : Mister Yosemite Mustard
Stuffed Animal (cat) : NeilDiamond (all one word, do not shorten)
Stuffed Animal (dog) : Senor/Senorita Oops-a-Poop
Stuffed Animal (exotic) : Col. Hummus / The Dutches Falafel
Doll (female) : Lady Pillow Face MacNoodle
Doll (female, but totally gay) : Ellen Etheridge, Librarian to the Stars
Doll (male, but totally gay) : Elton John-John von Sherlock, Detective to the Stars
Security blankie : Bieber

First Impression: HBO's Boardwalk Empire

2010-09-20T14:42:00.000-05:00

Boardwalk Empire is HBO's newest period biographical series, from executive producers Martin Scorsese and Terence Winter, who also writes the show.

Steve Buscemi is Enoch 'Nucky' Thompson, Treasurer of Atlantic City in 1920 on the eve of prohibition. In addition to presenting himself as a stalwart member of society he's positioning himself, with the help of politically strategically placed family and friends, as the provider of alcohol for the whole of the city.

Promising to the mayor to keep Atlantic City as "wet as a mermaid's twat" Nucky assures his fellow businessmen that people will indeed pay for the privilege of drinking the illegal alcohol, even at inflated prices.

Juggling his own ventures is hard enough but Nucky also has to grapple with up and comer Jimmy Darmondy, a flawless Michael Pitt, who gave up a Princeton education to serve his country. Despite a wife who would rather he stay on the straight and narrow, he can't resist the lure of the lifestyle.

After taking the initiative on a job without the consent of Nucky, Darmondy take his lumps like a champ but not without a dose of hard reality.

"I could have you killed" states Nucky.

"Yeah but you won't. Look, you can't be half a gangster Nuck, not anymore, let me help you" retorts Jimmy.

And that is precisely Nucky's problem. He wants to be the sinner and the saviour, to morph between gangster and good Samaritan. I suspect this conundrum will be the impetus for much of Boardwalk Empire's interpersonal dramas.

Steve Buscemi is positively ace as Nucky, but he's joined by a capital assortment of co-stars including; Kelly Macdonald as Margaret, a pregnant mother whose husband doesn't appreciate Nucky's charity, Vincent Piazza as Lucky Luciano, Stephen Graham as Al Capone and the vocally unrecognizable Dabney Coleman as Commodore Kaestner.

The indoor sets and scenes are stunning with no detail left out, from the taffy pulling machine on the boardwalk to the phonograph player to the dapper window pane striped suits and slinky slip dresses. It's a dream to look at with exception of the outdoor ocean and sky scenes which suffer from the heavy hand of CGI.

I think Boardwalk Empire will be filled with everything that fascinates us about the 1920s; sex, danger, gangsters, vaudeville, enterprise, gambling, crooks vs. g-men and of course, the almighty alcohol, the catalyst of Nucky's fame and fortune.

For a more in depth look at Nucky Thompson and his kingdom of debauchery, please seek out Nelson Johnson's Boardwalk Empire:The Birth, High Times and Corruption of Atlantic City which provided much of the source material for the show.

Is Your T.V. On? Hows It Fit?

2010-09-19T17:26:00.002-05:00

Remember the old joke

Riing riiing!
"Hello?"
"Hey, is your T.V. on?"
"Why yes.... yes it is."
"Well then hows it fit!?!?"
Laughter ensues
Click!

Well, my TV fits like a glove, a tight leather glove that someone would yank over their fat wrist on before they cover my mouth and try to smother the life out of me. And, as I hover near the brink of death, I would inhale through my nose and that glove would smell like motorcycle exhaust, chicken fingers, buttercream frosting, reams of paper, hair gel, felt, salty air, a turkey leg wrapped in bacon and clown make-up.

Clown make-up, you ask?

Yes, clown make-up.

Surely you remember Fizbo don't you.?

Anyway.

You see kids, the glove is a metaphor for the massive amount of excellent television that is let loose every fall. New shows to fall in love with, old shows coming back, stunt casting, and of course, the fine art of juggling the schedules so the DVR can record everything I want to see. That's right, the DVR. You didn't think I actually watched these shows LIVE did you? With commercials? Oh ho ho ho no no no. No.

A one hour television show has about 20 minutes of commercials. Let's say I watch 21 hours of television a week, that's actually only 14 hours of actual programming, saving me 7 hours that I can then use for humanitarian purposes, like saving babies from fires and teaching old people how to use Facebook.

Or, I could fill it with more television, which would help keep thousands of people working in the television industry; writers writing, actors acting, make-up people making people up, costumers costuming, and PR people PRing. My decision to pack each and every free hour of my life with television shows helps to keep our economy afloat. You're welcome America. I'm happy to make this sacrifice for you. Unless your job is making commercials, then I'm not helping you at all. Sorry, you should get another line of work.

So, what do I watch, you ask?

I'm glad you asked. I happen to have right here a list of the shows I'll be watching this fall. Some of them I'm already started and some are scheduled to start soon.

I've divided them up by day of the week, in case you'd like to follow in my footsteps and save our country from certain economic crisis. Brand new shows are highlighted for your convenience.

MONDAY
The Event (NBC)

TUESDAY
Sons of Anarchy (FX)
Glee (Fox)
Raising Hope (Fox)
Running Wilde (Fox)
The Colony (

WEDNESDAY
Modern Family (ABC)
Survivor (CBS)
Top Chef: Just Desserts (Bravo)
Terriers (FX)

THURSDAY
The Office (NBC)
30 Rock (NBC)
Parks & Recreation (NBC) (not back until next year)
Outsourced (NBC)
Community (NBC)
Fringe (Fox)
Project Runway (Lifetime)

FRIDAY
Real Time with Bill Maher (HBO)

SATURDAY
Saturday Night Live (NBC)

SUNDAY
Dexter (Showtime)
The Amazing Race (CBS)
Mad Men (AMC) (almost over)
Boardwalk Empire (HBO)
Eastbound & Down (HBO)

Now, thanks to the magic of the DVR I don't necessarily watch the shows on the day they record. Sometimes Superfro and I wait for whatever reason. Some shows we have to watch the day of airing lest something get spoiled when we are browsing the internet. Sometimes I'm even on the internet while I'm watching T.V. Sometimes I'm reading about T.V. shows on the internet while watching T.V. shows about how you can watch T.V. shows on the internet!

Let me change gears before I create some sort of black hole.

There are other shows that we record but we don't keep up with. They sort of work as time fillers for when we're waiting for another show to come on, or serve as things we can have on in the background but don't need to pay attention to. Included in these are Cops (Fox), Intervention (A&E), Hoarders (A&E), Cupcake Wars (Food Network) and Challenge (Food Network).
There are also shows that we record but then don't end up watching, like: The Pacific (HBO), True Blood (HBO), Smith (CBS), Human Target (Fox)

Still then there are shows I watched and wish I had not, shows I had previous enjoyed but in recent seasons had fallen into a whirlwind of suck yet I felt like I had invested so much time into them already that I needed to stick it out until the end even if it was excruciating to watch. Yes, I'm talking to you Rescue Me (FX).

Also, shows I watched before but might not watch again; Treme (HBO).

Shows I won't watch no matter how many people tell me I should: Big Bang Theory (CBS) & How I Met Your Mother (CBS).

And then there are shows that I miss. The Shield (FX), The Wire (HBO), Miss Guided (ABC), Knights of Prosperity (ABC) and Best Week Ever (VH1).

If after reading all this you're still awake and not shaking your head in disgust with my television gluttony, then I invite you to enter an exciting contest! To enter, all you have to do, is leave a comment on this post for a chance to win Community Season One on DVD!

That's right, I'm giving away a BRAND NEW copy of the first season of Community, for FREE! All you have to do is leave a comment, that's easy right? You can tell me your favorite show, tell me a show I should be watching, tell me you think I watch too much T.V., whatever, just leave a comment before October 5th, 2010 at 11:59 am and you will be eligible to win. Even if there are only 2 entries, someone is going to win this DVD! Good luck!

Please be sure you comment includes some way to get ahold of you and while you can comment as much as you want I'll only count one comment per person towards the drawing!

You also might enjoy these posts, or maybe not: The Community Peacock Players The Event