They have released the international trailer for "Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince", it is almost entirely new clips and IT. IS. AWESOME!!
Monday, October 27, 2008
Friday, October 24, 2008
Raining Jane
Everything we want is not what we need
Leaning on the love that is in between
I wait another minute to see this through
Waiting to let go 'til you let go too
I discovered a delightful band this week. I got to enjoy a Raining Jane concert at the House of Blues. These chicks know how to put on a fun show! The music created by Mai, Becky, Chaska and Mona (as is the order on the Paper Nest cover) comes pouring out of their souls.
The performance was very telling to their personalities: Mona (the percussionist) was farthest left on her cajon (box-like drum), followed by Mai and Chaska on guitars with Becky falling to the right with her bass. Chaska and Mai seemed to be enjoying their groove; they moved in time with the strokes of their guitars, smiles on their beautiful faces. It was the girls on the outside, however, who were so entertaining to watch. Mona was going CUH-RAZY on this drum! She used her bare hands, as is the practice, and she also used a few brush wands for a different sound. She wore a tambourine/bell contraption around her ankle so that she could tap her leg in time. She also had a little table of shakers, bells and fun noise-toys. Her beautiful, full hair was flying around as she threw her entire body into creating this music! She made funny faces (either to entertain or out of pure passion, and probably both) and flailed around in the most amazing accidental dance. I am telling you friends, I have never seen someone have so much fun in my life, and I wanted to join her! Then we have Becky to the right. I certainly mean no disrespect, because she was very talented, but she had such a look of concentration that she almost appeared bored. She barely moved! It would not have even been worth mentioning except for the stark contrast. What an eclectic group of women!
Mai has degrees in Psychology and Women's Studies. She has been playing cello from a young age and has been using it for RJ in increasing amounts.
Chaska has a long family history involving music; her great-grandparents were in a traveling singing group called "Cheeruptimus" from 1890 to 1920. **Incidentally, her great-grandfather's name was James Potter, which makes it even better!** She went to UCLA with a volleyball scholarship; it helps to be 6'1 by the age of 14!
Mona works part-time as a Speech and Debate coach. This does not in any way surprise me. What did surprise me a bit was her "Dream Career"- according to her bio, she dreams of being the first female Persian rapper/whistler...... it's always good to have goals.
Becky majored in English with a minor in Music History. Only an educational background like that could place someone in classes like West African drumming and mariachi guitar, while making your favorite book the dictionary! She also loves Hamlet, which only makes her cooler in my sight.
These amazing girls make amazing music, and I suggest you instantly head over to iTunes and check out Paper Nest. Go ahead, scoot! After that, check out my InEveryWoman blog to hear about their volunteering efforts.
Beyonce
On a slightly negative note, Beyonce would now like to be called Sasha Fierce.
I am not making this up.
She feels that she has an alternate ego that 'takes over' when she performs. This other person is apparently "Fierce!" and needs her own name. Feel free to read the article here.
On the plus side, I just saw her new video for "If I Were a Boy", and it is really interesting. Yes, ladies, it is a teensy bit sexist... that is the end of my thought, actually. Check out the video, and have a little chuckle at the name thing. Enjoy.
Music - Many Posts
Today I will post several music/musician posts. If I can make the time, I will even post one on my InEveryWoman blog.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
My Sweet Father
Last night I was watching Heroes in our bedroom. They were showing a newer character that was introduced last week, one whose power seems to be controlling the movement of others. Well, when they showed him this week his 'location caption' said "Doyle Marionette Theater".
...........you guys know I don't like puppets, right? Especially marionettes. They are Satan's playthings. [shudder]
About thirty seconds later my phone rings, and it is my dad. I answered, and his voice sounded hesitant and a little scared, which of course freaked me out. When I asked what he needed, his response was "Are you watching Heroes?" I told him I was, with a small grin starting on my face. "Well, you do realize there will be puppets moving around on their own, right?" I said, "Yes I had thought of that." Then, my dear, sweet father said, "If you don't want to watch it, that is OK. I can tell you what happens later."
Now, SOME people could have made this same phone call, but in jest. They would have been teasing me, having a laugh, and that would have been OK, seeing as how I wasn't really scared (yet). But my precious daddy was actually concerned! He was being so genuine. It seems silly, and even at the time I thought it was unnecessary, but his intention was so sweet that it almost brought a tear to my eye.
I watched, and the puppets stayed where they were. So no harm done. I just thought I would share this sweet story about my darlin' dad.
...........you guys know I don't like puppets, right? Especially marionettes. They are Satan's playthings. [shudder]
About thirty seconds later my phone rings, and it is my dad. I answered, and his voice sounded hesitant and a little scared, which of course freaked me out. When I asked what he needed, his response was "Are you watching Heroes?" I told him I was, with a small grin starting on my face. "Well, you do realize there will be puppets moving around on their own, right?" I said, "Yes I had thought of that." Then, my dear, sweet father said, "If you don't want to watch it, that is OK. I can tell you what happens later."
Now, SOME people could have made this same phone call, but in jest. They would have been teasing me, having a laugh, and that would have been OK, seeing as how I wasn't really scared (yet). But my precious daddy was actually concerned! He was being so genuine. It seems silly, and even at the time I thought it was unnecessary, but his intention was so sweet that it almost brought a tear to my eye.
I watched, and the puppets stayed where they were. So no harm done. I just thought I would share this sweet story about my darlin' dad.
Monday, October 20, 2008
A Guide to Tipping
Courtesy of the Bon Appetit Foodist down at Yahoo:
Dear BA Foodist,
Can you set me straight on tipping? I was once told that 20 percent is for great service, 15 percent for bad. Unless a waiter's gone overboard, I'm an 18 percenter, but I was recently accused of being stingy. Am I wrong, or wasn't 10 percent considered fair not too long ago? Give me a tip I can use. --TIPPER G., Albuquerque
Dear Tipper G.,
Ah, the great tipping conundrum. You are not alone. At a meal's end, I often find myself staring at the blank lines of a credit-card receipt, concerned that the effects of too much wine and food will impair my basic algebra skills. (That's what a spouse is for: making sure it all adds up correctly.) Still, I think I can help.
The Foodist waited tables many years ago at a small, well-regarded spot in Brooklyn. (Incidentally, one evening he waited on a major food critic who later gave the restaurant a one-star review. The critic liked the food but described the service as "friendly but very slow and fumbling." Oh, well: If you can't serve 'em, join 'em.) Waiting tables is a job everyone should be forced to do at least once, if only to learn that it's not okay to snap your fingers when you want something, and also to find out what it's like to eke out a living on tips.
It's disappointing to receive anything less than 20 percent of the total bill. Most waiters at today's better restaurants expect that much for average service, and even more if they do it with a smile. So unless you're planning never to go to the same restaurant twice, the days of 10 percent tips--and even 15 percent tips--are long gone.
The BA Foodist's Tipping Rules
RULE NO. 1: Unless the server is rude, condescending, and/or completely absent, tip between 18 and 20 percent.
RULE NO. 2: Never tip on tax. Tip based on the subtotal. And if you're calculating your tip simply by doubling the tax, stop it--you're being cheap.
RULE NO. 3: Unless you drink like Dean Martin or have a taste for expensive wines (i.e., $40 or more, depending on your budget), it's best to include booze when calculating a tip. Bartenders expect a dollar tip per drink (which is usually about 20 percent of the drink's price), and it's no different with waiters.
RULE NO. 4: Never turn a blind eye when others are tipping--especially if they're unfamiliar with our tipping culture (i.e., Europeans). If you think your tablemate is lowballing the service, it's best to hand the waiter a few bills on the way out.
RULE NO. 5: If a few dollars here and there really matter that much to your bank account, perhaps you shouldn't be going out to eat in the first place.
http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/food/dear-ba-foodist-can-you-set-me-straight-on-tipping-285553/
Dear BA Foodist,
Can you set me straight on tipping? I was once told that 20 percent is for great service, 15 percent for bad. Unless a waiter's gone overboard, I'm an 18 percenter, but I was recently accused of being stingy. Am I wrong, or wasn't 10 percent considered fair not too long ago? Give me a tip I can use. --TIPPER G., Albuquerque
Dear Tipper G.,
Ah, the great tipping conundrum. You are not alone. At a meal's end, I often find myself staring at the blank lines of a credit-card receipt, concerned that the effects of too much wine and food will impair my basic algebra skills. (That's what a spouse is for: making sure it all adds up correctly.) Still, I think I can help.
The Foodist waited tables many years ago at a small, well-regarded spot in Brooklyn. (Incidentally, one evening he waited on a major food critic who later gave the restaurant a one-star review. The critic liked the food but described the service as "friendly but very slow and fumbling." Oh, well: If you can't serve 'em, join 'em.) Waiting tables is a job everyone should be forced to do at least once, if only to learn that it's not okay to snap your fingers when you want something, and also to find out what it's like to eke out a living on tips.
It's disappointing to receive anything less than 20 percent of the total bill. Most waiters at today's better restaurants expect that much for average service, and even more if they do it with a smile. So unless you're planning never to go to the same restaurant twice, the days of 10 percent tips--and even 15 percent tips--are long gone.
The BA Foodist's Tipping Rules
RULE NO. 1: Unless the server is rude, condescending, and/or completely absent, tip between 18 and 20 percent.
RULE NO. 2: Never tip on tax. Tip based on the subtotal. And if you're calculating your tip simply by doubling the tax, stop it--you're being cheap.
RULE NO. 3: Unless you drink like Dean Martin or have a taste for expensive wines (i.e., $40 or more, depending on your budget), it's best to include booze when calculating a tip. Bartenders expect a dollar tip per drink (which is usually about 20 percent of the drink's price), and it's no different with waiters.
RULE NO. 4: Never turn a blind eye when others are tipping--especially if they're unfamiliar with our tipping culture (i.e., Europeans). If you think your tablemate is lowballing the service, it's best to hand the waiter a few bills on the way out.
RULE NO. 5: If a few dollars here and there really matter that much to your bank account, perhaps you shouldn't be going out to eat in the first place.
http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/food/dear-ba-foodist-can-you-set-me-straight-on-tipping-285553/
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