No Chaser

Maira Kalman

It is no secret that I love Maira Kalman.  What Max Ate from A to Z is possibly the best children's book of all time.  I even bought and read the entire Elements of Style (which despite having several degrees in English and having taught writing for years, I had never actually read aside from maybe one desultorily and resentfully glimpsed chapter in say 1988) because she had done an illustrated edition.  I am now halfway through her amazing new arty meditation on connection in life and in consciousness. 

Originally a New York Times column/blog for Times Select (which I did not pay for and so did not read as it was coming out, but which you can now see at least in part here because the NYT seems to have finally given up, thank heavens, on that whole "Select" nonsense) The Principles of Uncertainty totally rules.  The art is wonderful as always, but her storytelling, quirky vision, and eclectic tastes are now tuned to an adult audience, and the result is even more blissful than a devotee like me could have expected.

I highly recommend it.

posted by: NoChaser at October 31, 2007 19:07 | link | comments (1) |

Why my job is good -- Part one

Today, I sat around my sunny apartment wearing pajamas, drinking tea, and reading theories of human development.  When I got bored with that, I put on some clothes, walked to the park, and sat in the sun reading developmental psychology and watching cute dogs playing in the grass.

posted by: NoChaser at October 26, 2007 16:13 | link | comments |

Yay!

I'm 40 today, and I've never been happier!  Feel the love!  Wheeeeee!

posted by: NoChaser at October 24, 2007 09:22 | link | comments (1) |

Makes sense but ...

So, Dumbledore is gay, and this certainly makes sense, especially considering what we learn about him in Book 7.  I do wish, though, that if she did envision him as gay all along, we could have had more of that in the books. 

And, while we're on the topic of queer HP, not to be stereotypical or anything, but it seems obvious that the gym teacher/Quidditch coach Madame Hooch is queer and probably has something going on with that cute bar owner/tender Rosmerta. I have my guesses about McGonagall but am unwilling to commit to an opinion about her sexual preferences.  Finally, I have to admit I always wished Ginny and Hermione would get together.  Maybe I should read some of the fan fic; I'm sure someone has written about this.

Oh well, even saying Dumbledore is gay after the fact is a nice thing.

posted by: NoChaser at October 22, 2007 17:34 | link | comments |

Mm-hmmm, glad to be back

 
"Dear Rob: Three and a half weeks ago, I had a dream that I was an archaeologist excavating hell. I took comfort in the fact that I was just a visitor, not a permanent resident, but my stay there was . . . well, hellish. Whenever I found an interesting artifact buried in the hot dirt, it would spontaneously ignite. I narrowly avoided getting burned again and again. Anyway, my actual waking life has pretty much felt like that ever since the dream. Yesterday, though, I felt the torment lifting. And then last night I dreamed of floating in a fireproof boat along an underground molten river of lava that eventually took me out to a green meadow under blue skies. Whew! -Sizzled Scorpio." Dear Sizzled: Your journey parallels that of many of your fellow Scorpios. Welcome back from hell!

posted by: NoChaser at October 17, 2007 09:39 | link | comments (1) |

Battle #3

Bouffant vs. Beehive

In one corner, the fluffy deb do; in the other, a mile-high head decoration.  Both teased to the nth degree, both requiring loads of Extra Strength Aqua Net (in the white and pink can) ... which will win this battle?

Bouffant wearers:  Ricki Lake in Hairspray; Jackie Kennedy

Beehive wearers:  Cindy Wilson and Kate Pierson of the B52s; Marge Simpson

Amy Winehouse wears a very modified beehive since a beehive is an up-do, and she only has a sort of little beehive on top of her head with the rest of her hair down.

Here's a question:  Does Patsy from AbFab wear a bouffant or a beehive or some blend of the two? 

Which would you rather wear?

posted by: NoChaser at October 15, 2007 10:14 | link | comments (2) |

Migas

I made migas for breakfast today because I wanted to counteract the low low energy I knew I would be up against.   They have proved to be a good defense against sleepiness and to some degree against muddiness although I'm still muddier than I would like. 

I first had migas in a Manhattan restaurant, name forgotten, and I've only made them a few times, but I really like them.  They're basically scrambled eggs with tortilla strips in them, spiced accordingly.  I made mine today by first sautéeing some zucchini, mushroom, and red onion.  Then, I sautéed some strips of corn tortilla (sometimes people will use chips; one corn tortilla per two eggs is about right) and tossed in some salt, chili powder, and oregano.  Poured over some beaten eggs and scrambled it up.  Often this dish has some kind of chile sauce or enchilada sauce mixed into the eggs.  I just put some salsa and sour cream on top and called it super yummy good.

I had eaten it all in great delight before I realized I should have taken a picture for the blog. Sorry 'bout that.

posted by: NoChaser at October 12, 2007 16:20 | link | comments (1) |

Battle #2

Debbie Gibson vs. Andrea McArdle

taking into account their careers in the 80s and beyond ...

Here are some video resources for your voting needs:

Miss Gibson and Miss McArdle

posted by: NoChaser at October 01, 2007 16:36 | link | comments (4) |