Saturday, August 20, 2011

Nacho Time. EVERY TIME.

Pip pip & greetings.

At the end of the month I turn the big 3-0. So, 30-something future self: Don't be a jerk. Don't sell yourself short. Keep an open mind and fer chrissakes- buy a ticket. You can't win the lotto (or get on a plane) without one.

Here is a list. It mainly covers what my brain's been busy with these days.

Before Night Falls Soundtrack - This soundtrack contains my favorite piece of instrumental music: Crisàntemo by Ernesto Lecuona. The movie was about a Cuban poet and novelist, Reinaldo Arenas, who definitely lived life to the MAX. His book by the same title is a memoir that includes tremendously funny anecdotes concerning homosexuality and farm animals.

The Green Album The internet pointed out that an album's worth of Muppet songs have been covered by the likes of My Morning Jacket, OK Go, and Sondre Lerche. NPR have a stream of the entire record, so if you need a morning pick me up click that sucka and start shakin' some tail.

True Blood Oh, True Blood. Words cannot express how much I love Season 4. However, my favorite TB blog, Sookieverse does an extra-specially fine job of singing praises, providing criticisms of Uncle Alan (Ball) and laying claim to the most downright hilarious recaps of each episode.

Curb Your Enthusiasm It's taken me years of living with a die hard LD fan to finally see the light. This season's hilarity appears to be ramped up to a level that I find impossible to not utterly love- it's addictive and horrifying at the same time. I can't wait to see this week's ep, I hope Rosie O'Donnell gives Larry what for.

Just Kids Patti's Smith's memoir about her time in NYC with Robert Maplethorpe is so well crafted that I'm able to handle all the hippie stuff/attitude. Smith has always been one of those artists that I thought I should know more about, but genuinely just haven't found the right 'in' to learn about her. I'm real late to the party with this book- it's been at the top of the best sellers list for months or somesuch.

Mexican Food.
All. The. Time.

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Free Stuff & Things


Thank you Dan Pupius!

Hello Again!

I figured I'd do us all a favour and have a chat about how helpful social media can be. Now, some folks may be a little bent out of shape about that tweeter thing or that we tube who-sit, but I'm not! In fact, I'd easily say that you gotta hop on that train as soon as you can, 'cause there's more than a free lunch or six at stake. SM is best served in a few different styles, depending on what you want to get out of it:

Side Dish: Most companies need social media. Think about how refreshing it was when celebrities started to talk to us low-lifes (ie normal people) through twitter! How exciting it all was! Imagine the ability to drum up business and interact with your customers (or potential customers) through an online service. So, if you like connecting with people and realize that your place of work could benefit from opening up to the notion of social media- do some research!

Appetizer: Job hunting is a little exciting, depressing, and exhausting. Do yourself a solid and sort out how social media can help get your foot in the door. However, traditional networking MUST follow up any introductions you broker online- if you're considering pursuing becoming an architect, find some architects in your area via twitter, follow them, then by golly- send them a line! Ask them about some subjects they've posted about, and if they seem friendly enough, simply ask to take them out for a coffee. Unless they are crazy busy or a jerk, they WILL say yes if you are polite, flattering and genuine. Prepare questions and be direct: if you're looking for work then ask for advice, if you're not sure whether you want to be an architect, ask what traits are necessary to build nice buildings.

Snack: I like people! Social media allows you to connect with a lot of different people in an easy fashion. Whether you use it to find out about free stuff going on (including lunches), meet new pals, or find out about happenings in your town, it's a resource that shouldn't be ignored.

Dessert: Social media can be described as any online entity that connects people and allows them to interact and share information. On-line dating has been a boon for quite a few friends of mine, it's a good way to meet people outside your usual group of bar regulars and mix outside your gene pool (ho ho, jokes!).

* That charming fella up there is a Havanese puppy. My parents recently got one and he is the official scamp of the house and obsessed with their dining room rug. This photo is totally unhelpful and not related to any content in this post.