b l o g o r e l l i

18,492 --> Out

Only after I performed a fairly lackluster version of Cho's traditional Birthday Questions at dinner with The Prof last night did I see Kevin Kelly's muy interasante post today about his Life Countdown. The explanation of his "project" (basically literally counting his days until death) intrigues me...

"My hope was that a reckoning of my numbered days would help me account for how I spend each precious 24 hours, and to focus my attention and energy on those few tasks and projects I deem most important to me. Indeed, it might help me decide which ones are most important, which is the harder assignment.

What I wanted was a great big flashing sign that would show up on my computer and shout out to me how many days I had remaining. Then I would try to use my blog to record what how I spent the day to keep me honest. A wasted day would reveal its loss in the empty lower count the next day. I figured that mounting an automatic personal countdown sign should be pretty easy, and something that others might want to do as well."

Coming up on my own transition to 30, I decided that Kelly's reasoning might enhance my current state of soul searching. According to Kelly's procedure, which I followed, and assuming the general Life Expectancy Table he referenced is fairly correct, I will live to be 80.5 years old, which puts my date of death (based on my birthday of November 16, 1977) at Sunday, May 16, 2058. As of today, I have 18,492 days (or 50 years, 6 months, +51 days) left in my life.

Guess I better book that birthday trip soon.

Friday MeMe: Rawk Stallone Blogorelli

This story is just TOO good not to throw out for a MeMe...

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealand authorities have blocked a couple's bid to officially name their new son "4real," saying numerals are not allowed.

Pat and Sheena Wheaton said they decided to name their new baby "4real" shortly after having an ultrasound and being struck by the reality of his impending arrival.

"For most of us, when we try to figure out what our names mean, we have to look it up in a babies book and ... there's no direct link between the meaning and the name," Pat Wheaton told TV One on Wednesday. "With this name, everyone knows what it means."

But when the parents filed the name with New Zealand's Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, they were told names beginning with a number were against the rules.

Come on! Are New Zealanders fucking insane-o or what? I think only Icelanders could beat them at their own special game of crazy. 4 real. Tee hee. Here's the saddest thing in the story:

If no compromise has been reached by July 9, the baby will be registered as "real," officials say.

"Real" what? Real baby? What a letdown someday when Real finds out his/her name could have been the magically awesome "4real."

So, ante up -- what name would you give your child that the government of New Zealand might ban?

BLOGORELLI
All I've ever wanted was to have a child and name him "Gus." Hell, I'd even name a girl "Gus" at this point. But "Gus" is far too normal a name in this case
- 2Chillin?
- 723PMS SpecialMix (you could say the first name like '723Pims")

Friday MeMe: Walk the Walk

A new website, Walk Score uses a "patent-pending algorithm" to help people find places to live that have most of life's daily needs and recreations within a comfortable on-foot distance. What makes a neighborhood utterly walkable? According to Walk Score:

A center
Density
Mixed income
Parks and public space
Accessibility
Well connected, speed controlled streets
Pedestrian-centric design
Close schools and workplaces

The site admits that there are factors its equations do not take into account, but I still love the idea of having a resource to point out nearby restaurants, stores, parks, etc (especially when one has just moved to a new place, like me.) Plus, they have a whole section on why walking every day is so important, which I find endearing because contemporary Americans are definitely less walk-centric than Europeans, and I think we could take a hint from our counterparts over the pond, no?

Just to prove a point to myself either way, I did a walk score of my old place in Somerville and the new apartment -- and The Roz is more walkable! Well, only 91 versus 89, but still a comfort to someone like me, who is fickle about loving her new location as much or more than the old 'hood.

How about it, Inter-net...what's your Walk Score?

Friday MeMe: Till Return Policy Do Us Part

Salon.com has a fascinating article which profiles reporter Rebecca Mead's new book about matrimony, "One Perfect Day: The Selling of the American Wedding". A few interesting factoids:

- Last year, the average American ceremony cost $27,852; the average dress, $1,025
- Most brides (30 percent) plan their weddings for 7 to 12 months
- An average of 189 guests attends a wedding.
- Three styles define today's bride:
"Traditional princess bride" – a young woman with parents active in the planning and financing of a once-in-a-lifetime, fairy-talewedding
"Traditional independent bride" – financially independent, plans her own wedding, often with the help of the groom; blends tradition with her own style
"Nontraditional independent brides" – typically marries later or was married

(those last three courtesy of Hallmark)

Cho and I were just discussing "weddings as big business" this past week. We both have upcoming nuptials to attend, and we are continually stunned (her, as an eloper, and I, as a non-married) the extent to which a couple's "special day" is commercialized. I'm particularly shocked at how much these shingdigs cost -- $20,000+?!?! Reeeeaaally? It seems, in many ways, the whole affair..."from the diamond ring to the honeymoon -- were invented or co-opted by the wedding industry and neatly repackaged as established conventions."

It's almost wedding season, so...

FRIDAY MEME: Any good stories from past/upcoming weddings? Or, any opinions on the wedding industry and their manipulative marketing?

BLOGORELLI: I am very much looking forward to the upcoming season. The Prof and I are invited to 6 celebrations! As for any past stories, my Weddingpalooza of two years ago offered lots of good times...which can be found here, here, and here.

Have a great Memorial Day weekend!

Friday MeMe: Oh, The Places

There's basically nothing in Connecticut that might persuade me to take a trip there exclusively (versus driving through the state to get to something better in a more alluring location)...until now. Philip Johnson's Glass House is opening to the public for the first time in 50 years, with an Inaugural Gala Picnic on June 23.

"This 47-acre site, with buildings designed in each decade of Philip Johnson’s life, represents a survey of architecture, art, and landscape design from the second half of the twentieth century."

The images on the website are certainly striking enough to persuade me to make the three-hour day trip from Boston to New Canaan. If I did go, I'd  definitely opt for the two hour end-of-day tour, which "includes access to the Glass House, Brick House, Painting Gallery, Sculpture Gallery, and Da Monsta. This tour allows more time in each location and encourages visitors to sketch and photograph." The $40 seems justified to be able to amble at one's own pace and take photos. However, the $25 tour that lasts 90 minutes also seems fine.

Thinking about visiting The Glass House makes me remember that there are a bunch of day trips leftover that I never got to take last summer. I haven't been the NYC in years and never, ever to Martha's Vineyard or Nantucket. So...

FRIDAY MEME: Summer daytrippers...to where do you hope to go forth and travel in the next four months?

BLOGORELLI:
- The Glass House
- The Edward Gorey House
- Martha's Vineyard and/or Nantucket
- Portsmouth for a cozy weekend w/The Prof
- Brimfield!

Friday MeMe: Down the Hatch

P. Natty reminded me that spring/summer outdoor cocktail hour is upon us by sending the delish-sounding mint julep recipe (below, from the New York Times.) Also, I'm cultivating apple mint in my kitchen window box, so I can't wait to use its leaves in the recipe.

-----

MINT JULEP
(recipe adapted from Chris McMillian, Library Lounge, Ritz-Carlton Hotel, New Orleans

12-15 fresh mint leaves, plus one sprig for garnish
2 ounces peach syrup, like Monin
2 1/2 ounces bourbon
superfine sugar

1. Place mint and 1/4 ounce peach syrup in julep cup or 8-10 ounce old fashioned glass and gently crush leaves with wooden muddler, working them up the sides of the glass

2. Loosely pack glass with finely crushed ice, then add bourbon. Drizzle remaining peach syrup on top and garnish with mint sprig loosely dusted with sugar

-----

Yummo!

FRIDAY MEME: Spring/summer cocktail of choice? (any recipe links appreciated as well)

BLOGORELLI: I always love a nice strong gin or vodka tonic on a warm day. Other favorites for the season include drinking ice cold champagne while reading on my buidling's stoop (one of my favorite summer Saturday activities.) However, this year I also want to try making drinks that combine Southern Sweet Iced Tea with liquor. First experiment? This recipe with...rum? bourbon?

(below, some pics of this year's kitchen window sill and fire escape gardens

Friday MeMe: Sending Peevies Up My Spine

This morning, my co-worker mentioned that she is starting a "Pet Peeves " list. I don't know if this document will serve as a sort of warning to those of us who know her or merely something for her to think about on the T. I remarked that I was living one of my pet peeves at that very moment: my knee socks didn't reach above the tops of my boots; I hate the way boot insides feel against bare legs.

Turns out that my co-worker shares the boot peeve. I'm curious to know what else really gets under her skin because, to me, these little things that have the capacity to drive each of us silently crazy are a "tell' to the most secret parts of our personalities.

FRIDAY MEME: List your pet peeves (this may be a repeat topic, but one that's worth an update)

BLOGORELLI:
- Boot insides against bare legs
- Loud eating (mostly crunchy foods)
- Car dealerships putting their branding on cars they sell, usually a sticker or non-removable medallion
- Having my eye on some product and an acquaintance buying it before I can
- Sniffling but not blowing one's nose
- Talking on a cell phone in ANY enclosed small area
- Obnoxiously shameless self-promoters
- 'Lazy' walkers (you know them, the ones who meander left and right, go fast them slow and basically seem undirected in walking and life)
- Ridiculously loud sneezers

Friday MeMe: The Thaw

Happy Earth Day!

So, according to the weather reports (see Weather Channel graphic below,) we are about to have the first sunny and fairly warm weekend in what seems like months (at least here in The Bean). I cannot wait.

A simple one today...

FRIDAY MEME: Are you doing anything to celebrate Earth Day and, otherwise, what are your plans for the weekend?

BLOGORELLI: Well, I'm still recycling, which is basically my new year-round contribution to the Earth. Besides wearing short sleeves for the next two days, I also plan to:
– set up my fire escape garden
– finally meet Lydia!
– polish and clean a vintage table that I'm selling on Craigslist
– give Vinny a spring cleaning
– go hiking with The Prof

Friday MeMe: Life List

A few days ago The Polish Princess, an avid watcher of the "Ellen" show, and I had a discussion about a recent topic: life lists. Apparently, it's a concept that will thread throughout season 4 of the show:

"This season on 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show,' Ellen takes on her Life List, a detailed account of all the things she has always wanted to accomplish.  From learning to use a computer and speaking a new language, to just trying to be more patient, Ellen checks off her to-do list all season long.  And viewers and celebrities get in on the action too as Ellen encourages her audience and guests to set their own goals and accomplish them right along with her. Throughout the season, Ellen keeps viewers updated on the progress of her Life List and the show has created a community where viewers and celebrities can share their life lists with Ellen and each other."

Here's the Life List Community intro page. Anyway, The PP loved the idea and immediately made her list. I'm working on a list too. In my mind, these lists don't need to have hundreds of entries, or include gradiose things that most people just say they want to accomplish to impress others. In fact, I think a Life List is more sincere and achievable with small and simple yet impactful things. Finally, no cheating by listing imminent events AND the list should keep growing and changing with one's life.

FRIDAY MEME: What are a few entries on your Life List?

BLOGORELLI:
– organize *just one* album of photos
– learn to play either the accordian or drums
– pay off my credit card debt
– live abroad, even if only for a month

Your turn...

Friday MeMe: An Orange By Any Other Name

A week or so ago, The Dairy Queen made a great suggestion in the Comments about The Professor and I's Spring Break Mini-Vacation to Pittsburgh:

"I love using the analogy of 'The Orange' as that moment when you shoulda known that a relationship would go bad. I've had plenty of 'Oranges' in my day that I still kick myself for not getting a clue earlier.

I think we need a phrase for that epiphany moment when you realize you got a good one though who would peel an orange (or whatever) for you... I'm sure you've had many with the Prof by now. Maybe this is a future Friday MeMe."

In honor of Easter, let's get all positive and fresh-starty and do a little groupthink (tee hee)...

FRIDAY MEME: What is "The Orange's" perfectly wonderful opposite?

BLOGORELLI: I've been riding on the negativity of "The Orange" for so long that it's hard for me to imagine what I would define as the moment I knew something actually went right, in a relationship or life situation...plus, I don't really like fruit. Hmm. The only thing I can think of is "The Cheese" because I found out that "The Orange" is actually employed in the cheese department of an organic supermarket. Cho pointed out that I likely wouldn't be content as the longtime steady of dairy peddler. I told The Prof (after relaying The Orange story to him) and he jovially remarked, "Just think, you could be with someone who works with cheese; instead, you're with me...I'm just cheesy."

Perfection. Plus, I LOVE CHEESE <wink wink.>

Friday MeMe: All Inclusive Last Minute Deals

Jennifer Hill's delightful line of notecards, prints, and calendars titled, "Places I've Never Been" made me realize that a soggy early March Friday is the perfect time to post the third annual travel MeMe. I'd also like to proudly point out that 2005's travel post was the FIRST Blogorelli Friday MeMe ever! Just in case the usual suspects want to check out their predictions from last year, here's the 2006 Friday travel MeMe.

Friday MeMe: Where have you BEEN BEEN this past year...and where do you want to GO GO in 2007?

BLOGORELLI: Well, 2006 did not work out so well for me in terms of my GO GO list (Gold: Oslo, Norway, Silver: Reykjavik, Iceland, Bronze: Vancouver) since I traveled to none of my wishlist locations. I already know a few places I'll surely be visiting in 2007 due to weddings, but a firm commitment to paying off my credit card debt is probably keeping me Stateside this year. Le sigh. I'm loading my list with shorter, more practical weekend trips to satiate the travel yearnings.

BEEN BEEN (it's been been a slow one since last year's MeMe unfortunately)
Gold: Pittsburgh
Silver: Pittsburgh
Bronze: Providence

(see, I told you...a depressing lack of travel)

GO GO
Gold: Austin, Texas
Silver: Toronto or Vancouver, Canada
Bronze: Santa Fe, New Mexico

Friday MeMe: That's MS. 2.0, Thanks Much

Apparently, this "Web 2.0" thing has superseded the regular old Inter-net with its massive and powerful technologies like "weblogs, social bookmarking, wikis, podcasts, RSS feeds, social software and online Web services." And where's there's Hype, there's the...

FRIDAY MEME: What are some of your favorite Web 2.0 sites?

BLOGORELLI:
Sendomatic.com - Don't your guests deserve the "only Advertisement Free service available today" with "the best and most creative, designs...online"? Truly. Just check out the pig illustration below for Sendomatic's Chinese New Year invitation and try to tell me that Evite has something cuter. I think not.

BookMooch.com - Jeffé sent me the link to this great site, which I am now mooching (ha!) for my own use. Basicallly, BookMooch allows you to trade books you are done reading/don't want with others who do want them. The service has no joining or membership fees; you only pay postage to send your books to others. The site works on a point plan, with giving a book +1 and mooching a book -1. Seems simple enough. Plus, founder John Buckman gives good Chin (see below.)

GreenDimes.com - I'm not sure if this site is technically 'Web 2.0" (perhaps Al Gore, the very creator of the Inter-net, could clarify?) however, the concept seems solid. For $4/month, GreenDimes "will reduce the marketing at your home, help you maintain your privacy and plant a bunch of trees on your behalf." Basically, they stop all of your superfluous mail. They also make sure that you STAY off the marketing lists if you move, but have a tool on their site that allows you to check things you do want to receive (like catalogs.) A great gift for that someone who, literally, has everything -- including too much junk mail.

Friday MeMe: Wee Wee

Both Geoffe (Sir Ivan's father) and Jeffé sent around a link to the NY Times article "Tiny Houses: Less is More." An email dialogue got going and most people longed for the restriction of space to discipline them into NOT following the unfortunate contemporary American trend toward excessive consumerism. I mean, this couple (!) live together on 160 acres of land in a pre-built 65-square-foot (!!) Tumbleweeds Tiny House.

From the article:
"Minimal square footage means reduced maintenance costs, less upkeep and reduced energy consumption...We live in our view rather than look at it,” said Ms. Shepherd, 58, a retired youth counselor and an avid hiker."

Jeffé's girlfriend Ms. Clair Voyant (new Blogorelli name+face) commented that she had read an article about a Japanese woman living in Tokyo who got so into the concept of small space living that she weaned her materials possessions down to only one bowl, one spoon, a plant and a bed. She owned 4 outfits (but how many pairs of shoes, I ask?) and would completely update her wardrobe seasonally, replacing her 4 outfits with 4 new ones.

FRIDAY MEME: In terms of  minimal living, how "wee" could you be? (Note: People/pets don't count...there's always rooms for these any living space!)

BLOGORELLI: If forced, I could be pretty minimal...I think? That being said, can I still have my car trunk storage space? Seriously, I'll venture that I could live with only my
- contacts/glasses
- a few toiletries
- enough outfits to switch it up a bit every week (more that *4* though!)

Since I eat out most of the time and wine can be consumed straight from the bottle, any kitchen items could be pared down to
- a french press
- George Foreman Grill (I still need a way to cook my beloved hamburgers!)

Finally, I couldn't live my day-to-day without my
- iPod
- Bose headphones
and I guess I'd FINALLY need to buy, if only for space-saving reasons
- a laptop

Friday MeMe:

So Blogorelli is still a little bit tired and under the weather from her sick day yesterday and also trying not to obsessively scratch a red bump that suddenly appeared yesterday on her right eyelid.

As such, let's take a rain check on today's MeMe, k? In the meantime, two possible topics of discussion:
1. Anna Nicole Smith, dead at 39 from...?
2. where is the closest place in upstate NY that I can go snowboarding while they are blanketed with snow?

Have a great weekend -- I'll be back bright-eyed and all bushy-tailed come Monday!

Friday MeMe: The Noms, THE NOMS!

The Polish Princess has arrived safely, we're up and about to leave for a nice greasy spoon breakfast before trekking down to Providence for the day. However, in all the recent hubub, I almost forgot -- the Oscar noms have been announced. Get out that recipe for "Blood Diamond-tinis" or "Little Miss Sunshine Fondue" and print out the ballots -- it's Academy Awards Party Season!

Friday MeMe: Predictions? Surprises? Thoughts on the 79th Annual noms/awards?

BLOGORELLI: Since I've seen a total of, oh, maybe two of these movies, I'll say "Little Miss Sunshine" for any category it's in and Helen MIrren for "The Queen" because she has Hype. Otherwise, I'm mostly in it for the SciTech Awards .

p.s. I believe the Oscars web site is using Century Gothic this year, quite a striking choice, aesthetically. { Golf clap }

Friday MeMe: Link It Up, Slap It Down

January is an optimal time to clean out and get organized. "Get Organized" did just slide in at #10 spot on the "Top Ten New Year's Resolutions" list that I posted a few weeks ago. After sorting my work email boxes, I moved onto my web browser Bookmarks menu. There, in between mail-order lobster, How to use Furoshiki, Jockey underpants, and The Carbolic Smoke Bomb, was this week's topic.

FRIDAY MEME:
1. Open your Bookmarks menu and list the first three that catch your eye (with URLs, if possible)
2. List the three sites you've been visiting by choice on a daily frequency lately

BLOGORELLI
1. Well, I just did this part (above), but I'll do it again:
Volvo Radiator Fan
James Billiter
Timestrip Smart Labels

2. I should note that I have a lot less time to figure out new daily addictions on the web, what with The BoNE Show, The Prof and all the regular stuff, but here goes...
kottke.org  (kind of like an electronic card catalog)
LJC FYI (I just like her, plus she recently started collecting vintage Pyrex)
Kalyn's Kitchen (I'm Back to The Beach, but not in a "wacky fun" Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello way. Kalyn has the best SBD recipes I've never seen. Tee hee.)

(Below: The Apple home page, circa 1997. Yikes!)

Friday MeMe: Le Vrooom

As much as my Gammy might pray on the rosary each night, I am still horrid at card games. She tried to give me the gambling bug at a young age by playing Scat with me whenever my parents left me in her care. I went to Las Vegas in 2002 and only further disappointed her by proclaiming, "The casino air is SO cold!" as my main comment on the trip. I played not one card game...although I managed to gamble away a lot of money at the nickle slots (heh...heh?)

So, when The Professor declared that he had a card game from his youth we just had to play the other nigiht, I became fearful and sleepy. One G&T later, count me full-on in for Mille Bornes (pronounced "meel born," French for "milestones,") an auto racing game through France. The goal? Be the first player to complete a series of 1,000-mile trips. Oui!

We played best-of-three. The first game, I clobbered The Prof. During Game #2, he paralyzed me with a Flat Tire for practically the entire time. Game #3 found me failing to pick a "Roulez!" card until he was 600 up on me. Still, the game (I say tentatively) was fun. Of course, I don't think I could have hung in there without the original 1962 graphics.

Friday MeMe: What is/was your favorite card game from youth...to now?

BLOGORELLI:
Scat
President/Asshole (hee hee)
Mille Bornes!

Friday MeMe: The Rezzies

Now that everyone has settled into 2007 for a bit, I thought this week's MeMe (yes, "The Medal Round" has officially stepped down from the podium) would be a great showcase for that which we all make and usually break -- the New Year's resolution(s). 

I figured that a smart way to start would be to contemplate my resolution list from 2006. Lucky that I have this online diary, because I failed to write last year's rezzies down anywhere.

BLOGORELLI 2006 RESOLUTIONS
- Keep paying/stop using my credit cards
Result: some progress on the paying, failed to stop using
- Make daily CokeZero:Water ratio more like 2:8 instead of 4:1
Result: I do drink less CokeZero, however I drink less water as well
- Stick my confidence and launch online store
Result: Uhhh
- Be more optimistic about romance
Result: This one I get credit for success. Though I nearly brushed off his pursuits, I yielded to this 'romantic optimism' thing Cho is always referring to and ended up with The Professor (who is wonderful. Hee hee.)
- Don't lie, even the little "benders"
Result: Didn't even scratch the surface on this resolution, so I'm 'paying it forward' to 2007
- Make eye contact
Result: Partial success, although now that I am happily coupled, I have less reason than ever to engage people visually

On that note, here is what I'm attempting this year (and I might need some encouragement to keep me on track):

BLOGORELLI 2007 RESOLUTIONS
- Pay OFF my credit card debt
- Start a normal gym routine again, or at least do something besides Zumba
- Don't lie, even the little "benders"
- Be the most attentive friend that I can to my close circle
- Work on breaking obvious oral fixation of chewing gum, nails, and wear nightguard!
- At least work on the Wundercabinet. Le sigh...

C'mon c'mon...your turn(s)!

(Below: since we have no snow to show here in The Bean, a few random Flickr shots...)

Friday Medal Round: Bloom Where Planted

Last Sunday, The Professor and I took a rental Pontiac Grand Prix (his Honda was in the shop), rolled over to pick up P. Natty and Lil' K, and proceeded to eat dinner at the mall's Cheesecake Factory. Boo-YA! Did a more perfect juxtaposition of things and events that scream "Mass-holian" ever exist?

1. Grand Prix
2. Mall
3. Cheesecake Factory

Friday Medal Round: What location-specific plans do you have this weekend...and what are their three key elements?

BLOGORELLI
Well, The Prof and I are heading to Vermont to stay with some friends for a self-proclaimed "Beer Weekend" where we tour breweries in the Burlington area. As such...

Gold - New England scenery
Silver - Freshly micro-brewed beer
Bronze - The Professor
(note, that last one was a tough decision, because I think the cabin has a jacuzzi, buuuuut...)

Friday Medal Round: I Love Lamp

Apple's introduction on Wednesday of their newest sweet, sweet babies to the world (39% speed jump!) got me thinking about my computers of past and present, and realizing that they have all possesed names. I am just of the opinion that inanimate objects perform better when personified by a given moniker.

My car has a name (Vinny,) my bike has a name (Alexander,) why, I spent a weekend trying to restore an authenticate shag rug from 1971 and even IT had a name (Henry. Sadly, the rug expired into a pile of creamish fluff following an industrial washing and brushing.) The Professor proved my point when his Mac tower -- unnamed! -- refused to acknowledge his existence earlier this week.

FRIDAY MEDAL ROUND: List the names of your past three computers (or machines/gadgets of choice)

BLOGORELLI
Gold - Johnny Five (current eMac)
Silver - GusGus (past G3)
Bronze - TomJones (tower at my last job)

I've also computed on ElvisAaron and Georgia (after O'Keefe, although I didn't appoint that name.) Now I work on a computer with my own first name...which makes me feel eerily guilt-ridden when something big goes technically berserk.

Friday Medal Round: Rubbing Elbows

Here in The Bean, the weather is grey, drizzly, and reports call for "100% chance of precipitation."  Yippee. The day needs brightening...with some stories of brushes with fame!

(this one comes via The Polish Princess from last week's Comments...)

FRIDAY MEDAL ROUND: List your favorite/best celebrity sightings with details (who, how, where, accomplices, etc)

BLOGORELLI:
Gold - Juliana Hatfield. She was my #1 favorite female indie singer as a teen. I ended up in an elevator with her when I first moved to Boston and worked on Newbury Street. She was *1 FOOT* away from me! I was still a timid little Blogorelli, though, and couldn't get up the courage to say hello. Later, my co-worker said I should have hummed a few bars from one of her own songs into her ear. Stalking charges, anyone?

Silver - Steven Tyler. Jeffé pointed him out when we were in Urban Outfitters (again, on Newbury Street.) He was looking at tank tops and was a tiny, tiny man. I think our gawking made him uncomfortable.

Bronze - Damian Kulash. I've "met" The Kulash a few times after shows in Cambridge. However, I use the quotation marks because I've always been too sauced to really speak. He was sweaty and I stared. His grandparents live in NH and he's definitely my most satisfying sighting. Hee hee!

Friday Medal Round: Medal Round

I had a little somethin' somethin' all prepared for today's meme, but technical difficulties have forced me to shelve the topic until next week. Soooo...let's do some "groupthink," eh?

FRIDAY MEDAL ROUND: Three really genius/juicy/embarrassing/probing topics for future Medal Rounds

BLOGORELLI:
Gold - pet halloween costumes
Silver - autmunal libations
Bronze - conspiracy theories

Friday Medal Round: Blogorelli Does It For Fafarazzi Points

Finally someone has created the only "fantasy league" where my team actually has a chance: Fafarazzi!

Fafarazzi, besides having a snappy name that you probably can't say ten times fast, utilizes celebrities for their obvious natural purpose — as hapless and slightly skilled "players" whose activities "score points for nip-slips, divorces, new boyfriends, and whatever other crazy BS they engage in and the media discovers.

It works like this...
- You and your friends join a league
- You draft your favorite celebs
- Celebs on your team score points
- Points are tallied and you compete against your friends
- The season ends and you get bragging rights and glorious prizes."

Fafarazzi (or "FaFa," as I'll be referring to it verbally,) is the pet project of SOR founding partner Todd, and much more timely, in my opinion. Because one can only fit about 150 magnetic ribbons on a car, but there is no limit to celebrities' public stupidity and indescretions.

Of course, that candy-ass Ryan Seacrest isn't on board with FaFa yet…anyone really surprised? Get with it, Ryan, and while you're at it, answer today's Medal Round!

FRIDAY MEDAL ROUND: Top three picks for your Fafarazzi dream team

BLOGORELLI:
Gold – Britney Spears (white trashiness=points)
Silver – Wentworth Miller (anyone not want to see him run the ball?)
Bronze – Meg Ryan (circa "French Kiss" – every team needs some romantic comedy subplot for spice)

Friday MeMe: MySpace Killed The Video Star

Those of us nearing (or at/above) the age of 30 [ahhhhhh] remember the "good ode days"…the ones when MTV played actual videos for about 99% of its air time. In fact, I vividly remember the summer afternoon when Nona "caught" me watching the Whitesnake video with Tawny Kitaen writhing on/inside/around  a car (to which song? take your pick,) a discovery which quickly all but eliminated my access to music video television. (Luckily, my cousin had "the cable" so we managed to giddily watch a lot of videos containing material that was questionable for pre-adolescents. Oh, and also the movie "Fatal Attraction," which nurtured in my psyche a sort of unfortunate affiliation between the idea of "sex"…and Michael Douglas. Shudder.)

Since the current generation can only get their music video saturation through channels like VH1 Classic  and MTV Jams, Stylus magazine decided to give everyone a chance to play catch-up by posting their Top 100 Music Videos of All Time. Even better, the list comes "fully equipped with YouTube links for your viewing pleasure. [The] list spans over four decades of music videos, from Bob Dylan & D.A. Pennebacker’s arguable creation of the art form in 1965 right up to a barely month-old Hot Chip video by Garth Jennings."

Plus, all 100 are up now (they were unveiling 20 a week.)

FRIDAY MEDAL ROUND: Name yer three top music videos of all time…and why (if ya want)

BLOGORELLI
Gold: Aha, "Take On Me"
Reason: Perhaps fueling my romantic comedy addiction in the years to come, this video made me believe that I could find love anywhere, including the trash can (which might explain the curbside salvage fascination as well. Could that old mid-century modern desk somehow magically contain the perfect boyfriend?)

Silver: Fatboy Slim, "Weapon of Choice"
Reason: Christopher Walken. Choreographed Dancing. Flying. Need I say more?

Bronze: OkGO, "A Million Ways" + "Here It Goes Again"
Reason: Like The Kulash and his crew aren't going to make my list

(FRIDAY MEDAL ROUND, sorta) Graphic Designers: "Just Trust Us"

Michael Beirut's recent article over at Design Observer, titled "This is My Process", very succinctly (in my opinion) discusses every designer's frequent dilemma: how to explain project processes and get clients to take the expert opinion for which they are paying.

A short snippet:

"When I do a design project, I begin by listening carefully to you as you talk about your problem and read whatever background material I can find that relates to the issues you face. If you’re lucky, I have also accidentally acquired some firsthand experience with your situation. Somewhere along the way an idea for the design pops into my head from out of the blue. I can’t really explain that part; it’s like magic. Sometimes it even happens before you have a chance to tell me that much about your problem! Now, if it’s a good idea, I try to figure out some strategic justification for the solution so I can explain it to you without relying on good taste you may or may not have. Along the way, I may add some other ideas, either because you made me agree to do so at the outset, or because I’m not sure of the first idea. At any rate, in the earlier phases hopefully I will have gained your trust so that by this point you’re inclined to take my advice. I don’t have any clue how you’d go about proving that my advice is any good except that other people — at least the ones I’ve told you about — have taken my advice in the past and prospered. In other words, could you just sort of, you know...trust me?"

I've long thought that graphic designers, as a group, would benefit greatly from some sort of Nike-esque slogan. Could our anthem be "Just trust us?" Or "Graphical Design is a Four Letter Word"? Perhaps simply "Your Layout Sucks My Ass." The options are so numerous and lyrical that we, the graphic designers of America, may not be able to come to a consensus. We're overly opinionated, picky, and disagreeable...as a whole.

Speaking of personal catchphrases, when Cho's mother was visiting a few weeks ago, she mentioned how a childhood Cho would follow her around, making various requests. When her mother hedged, Cho would repeat, "Just say maybe" over and over, until her poor Mam relented. Bobby Crocker has always been known, in slogans, as the "That's Crap" guy. He uses the phrase to air an opinion on anything from literature to high fructose corn syrup.

For me, there's the venerable "I Believe The Hype"…a saying which Bobby based on the fact that if a product/concept/band/etc has a snappy advertising campaign or misleading info-graphic, well, I'm 100% IN.

This is not quite a Medal Round and not really a MeMe, but:
What would your personal catchphrase be?

 

Friday Medal Round: Cruel, Cruel Summer

By the time you read this, Inter-net, I will be nestled firmly back in western PA for the weekend…eating ketchup-flavored potato chips, kicking back some ice-cold Yuenglings, sleeping late in my queen-sized bed with high thread count sheets, being pampered by grandmothers, and fending off men trying to buy me shots.

Luckily, I finished this week's Medal Round yesterday right before I headed to the airport!

FRIDAY MEDAL ROUND: Labor Day weekend traditionally signals the "end" of summer, but most of us know we can squeak out a few more weeks of fun. What are three things you want to do before there's a chill in the air?

BLOGORELLI:
Gold – Eat some fresh strawberry anything al fresco
Silver – Ride my bike a few more times with bare legs
Bronze – See the last crop of distinguished gentlemen in seersuckers

photo from Flickr: Simon Cockayne

photo from Flickr: earth2media

photo from Flickr: uberdilly

Friday Medal Round: Frick+Frack

As I was perusing through the the Target "GO International's" latest line, from Paul + Joe , I realized that combos joined using the "+" or "&" sign would be a fun Medal Round. Not to mentioned lighthearted, which is always good on a Friday.

FRIDAY MEDAL ROUND: What are three of your favorite "_____ + _____" in any category?

BLOGORELLI:
G + T (drink)
Elvis + Priscilla (celebrity couple)
tambourine + handclaps (percussion)

Friday Medal Round: No Place Like It

"My apartment is small but fits me perfectly; a long, slim railroad with tall ceilings, exposed brick walls, and broad oak plank floors. The walls are decorated with hanga wood block prints and some old hand-tinted photos of my Japanese relatives that I'd gotten from my aunt in Tokyo. Some of my furniture had belonged to them too: a lacquered chest of drawers inlaid with mother-of-pearl, a low table made from a slab of twisted ironwood, polished to a rich, knotty glow…a scarred wood-and-enamel kitchen sideboard…pink double-globe lamps with their hand painted flowers and the lace table runners that my mother crocheted…an old loveseat and a couple of milking stools from the farm…"

– Ruth L. Ozeki, "My Year of Meats"

FRIDAY MEDAL ROUND
With the September 1 moving circus growing ever closer here in The Bean, I wonder...what things in/about the place where you hang your hat make it special to you?

BLOGORELLI: I love my apartment because it is cozy but not claustrophobic and it very much reflects my personality…or as my Gammy says about every present I've ever opened, "Oh, that's YOU!" I just signed a new lease — did I mention it's also exactly at my rent price point? Every year, when I renew, I pick a room and do a little "refresh." This time, I'm working on the bathroom.

There are too many things that are wonderfully charming (to me) about my place and all of the collections of "stuff" in it to name just three, but here goes…

1. strong morning light, whether it has the yellow hue of summer or the greyish blue tinge of winter
2. a fire escape (good for sitting or plants, and also means i'm on a corner and the top floor)
3. great nona's handmade afghan and a book or indulgent movie (works best in fall or winter)

*Bonus 1 - after 2+ years, everything finally "fits" and is near-perfectly arranged!

Monday MeMe: Choosing Sides

No shocker, I missed the MeMe. But were this Friday, I'd have only a single question:
Which are you...and why ?

BLOGORELLI:
Well, even if someone threw a IIe out of a car, hit me, and caused permanent brain damage, I'd still choose MAC. I'm a Mac, I love Macs, "Me and Mac/Sittin' in a tree..." However, I do agree with Slate that John Hodgman is much more appealing in the commercials than the puny hipster, played by Justin Long (coincidentally, from one of the most underrated shows ever on the tube, Ed !)

But I'm interested to hear...are Blogorelli aficionados more "Mac" or "PC"? I know the results might shake my tiny world, but curiosity killed the blog. Or at least gave it a nasty itch.

Friday Medal Round: Just a Sip

Busy day at work and home, but here's a MeMe to send Jeffé off as he leaves for a weeklong fishing trip back in Ohio. Continuing the "summer" theme (it's actually sunny outside in The Bean right now!)...

FRIDAY MEME: Name your top beverages for Summer 2006 and where you'll be sipping their delicious refreshment

BLOGORELLI SAYS:
gold: a PomWonderful tea, with a little somethin' somethin' extra (vodka? rum? grappa?) and a shady stoop
silver: a cold Narragansett tall, AC blasting, as I do computer work
bronze: my childhood favorite (before I switched from "sweet" to "sour"), Sun Tea! oh, and a clean community pool with some young hotties

Friday Medal Round: Hola, Summer-ito!

Even though it's been grey, rainy and —horrors!—FOGGY in The Bean this past week, I've heard that those living in most other parts of the country are enjoying a season called "summer." Although summer doesn't officially begin until June 21 this year, I decided to use the return of the Friday MeMe (after my past weeks of slacking) to inaugurate summer.

Let's "ease" back in, shall we?

FRIDAY MEME: Three things you want to accomplish this summer?

BLOGORELLI:
Gold - Read some classic literature (see sidebar, currently working on "Wuthering Heights")
Silver - Perfect my skin's hue to a glorious and perfect bronze
Bronze - Relax through repetitive motion...by working on my dorodango's luster, trying to get the glisten to a perfect "5" by September

***Extremely Honorable Mention*** - Admire/hang with Baby ChoBo! However, since he isn't due until mid-July, I needed to find some other activities to occupy myself until his much-anticipapted appearance.

Friday MeMe: Coasting Brake

Pretty obviously, Blogorelli has taken a backseat this week to life-orelli...preparing to go home, finishing up freelance, working on the store, etc, etc.

A little familial "recharge" in PA is just what I need. I'll be back next week, refreshed and ready to blog hard, not home (h-huh?) Until then, a relaxing Memorial Day weekend to all -- and don't forget to buy the favorite male in your life one of the below ensembles (as seen in a Key West storefront) so that he, and everyone who sees him, can start the summer with a…bang?

hearts,
Blogorelli

Friday Medal Round: It's Raining, It's Pouring

(on the plane back to a drizzly Boston from Key West)

BLOGORELLI: "Think a person can suntan her soul?"
CHO: "If it's possible, I'm sure you did it."
BLOGORELLI: "I hope so." (Sigh)

FRIDAY MEDAL ROUND: Help those of us in cities which seem to be extending that "April showers" rhyme until the end of May. What are your three favorite things to do on a gray/rainy afternoon?

BLOGORELLI
Gold: Puddle jumping (!)
Silver: Warm tea + a spot of whiskey and listening to old records
Bronze: Reading UsWeekly in bed then launching directly into a nap

Friday Medal Round: Taking My Repose

With spring, some things become better...the weather is warm, the lilacs (my favorite) are in bloom, everyone's mood is lighter. Other aspects of the seasons passing aren't as positive.

I found out yesterday from my father that Nona's condition is progressively getting worse, and that she now has a large tumor ("The size of a golf ball," in his words,) growing on the back of her head. Also, the melanoma -- in the form of shiny, coal black bumps -- is back and continuing to grow down onto her face and out of her ear.

The news is hard to take. Literally being able to watch the thing that is killing someone you love and the feeling of hopelessness accompanying this slow death march is nearly unbearable. She feels self conscious and sad. I feel frustrated and angry. And hateful knowing that I may remember last night as a true realization of "the beginning of the end."

Still, she is in good spirits and little pain. So we continue to do the little things that are comforting and make us forget everything for a few minutes: Sunday talks, exchanging photos, smelling the lilacs.

No Medal Round today, and the Comments are closed.
Just an update...and the hope for quiet understanding.

Friday Medal Round: Pay It Backwards

As previously mentioned, I've been feeling happy and positive lately, which is a much-needed attitude changed after a few months that, geographically at least, Bobby Crocker accurately described as "a depressing brown scab." Well spoken.

Despite my current buoyant spirit, the recent death of a friend's mother and my own Nona's continued (and not improving) battle with melanoma has made me long for days when neither of these circumstances could have crossed my mind. A time when the only thought I had about my parents was whether they would be on time to pick me up after newspaper/chorus/spanish club/drama practice/etc. I could ride my bike to Nona's house, and she was always sitting out on the porch, not inside watching the world from behind her large living room picture window, bandage on head.

Before lay-offs, break-ups, misjudgements and debt...what could I tell myself then to prepare the younger me for the reality of now? One thing for sure: the bustline is not going to get any bigger. Really. (And sorry.)

FRIDAY MEDAL ROUND (compliments of thefridayfive@community.livejournal)

If you could talk to a younger version of yourself, what age would you visit and what message would you give?

BLOGORELLI:
I'd visit myself around age 16; by this time I was still pliable but less piss-and-vinegar than a few years prior. Plus, I still had the most carefree years ahead of me.

Gold - "Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be cumbered with your old nonsense." (Ralph Waldo Emerson. In the same regard but a little more Blogorelli-fied: kiss lots of band boys nice boys, have adventures, but don't burden yourself with regret.)
Silver - Credit cards are evil. If you do get one, pay the thing off every month.
Bronze - No pee-pee bangs...ever.

(Below: three generations, two sides. Left to right; Mom-orelli, me, Gammy, Nona, her daughter + my Aunt Sandi, my cousin Jenny.)

 

This Weather Takes The Gold...

so get outside and enjoy the beatiful day! We'll resume the Medal Round next Friday...

Have a wonderful Easter  Weekend

hearts,
Blogorelli + BKP

Friday Medal Round: Scent of a Season

Today, an easy one: favorite smells of spring?

BLOGORELLI
Gold: Lilacs
Silver: Ocean on the warm morning after a brief shower
Bronze: Hot dogs...actually, any kind of cookout scent in the air

Friday Medal Round: Carry-Ons In The Overhead Compartment

Continuing on the travel theme, this week I wanted to check in with everyone's progress on
where they wanted to GO GO in 2005. Sadly, I didn't make it to any of my three desired destinations (Reykjavik, Iceland / Austin, TX / Oslo, Norway) last year, but I DID go to Montreal, NYC, Cincinnati, Park City UT, and Italy.

So, tell the MeMe:
Where have you BEEN BEEN this past year...and where do you want to GO GO in 2006?

BEEN BEEN
Gold: Italy
Silver: Montreal
Bronze: Cincinnati (medals due to extreme nostalgia factor)

GO GO
Gold: Oslo, Norway
Silver: Reykjavik, Iceland (I'm "keeping the faith" on my top 2)
Bronze: Vancouver

ps: I'm also going to Key West in April for Half Pint + Mr. Car's (note: new nickname alert!) nuptials, but thought that location unfair to list since it's a given.

(Below: one of the best reasons to hop the pond...mi familia Italiana!)

Friday Medal Round: Accumulation as Decoration

I've been back working a lot on the store these past two weeks, hoping for a launch near the beginning of April (really.) One part is the "About" page, otherwise known as "How the hell did I start this crazy accumulation in the first place?!?" Two answers: 1. my father has the entire top of his garage available for storage and 2. I don't know.

Nebby to a fault (I prefer to label it as "I'm curious because I care,") I wonder what kinds of things others have in multiples/collect.

FRIDAY MEDAL: What do you or would you like to collect/accumulate? (Three+ objects constitute a collection in my mind. Two is variety, three starts into the dangerous "collection" territory. Trust me, three turns into ten turns into thirty FAST.)

BLOGORELLI
Gold: Typewriters! (See my two newest babies, below. I'm still looking for an orange Ghia and a green IBM Selectric)
Silver: Vintage thermoses
Bronze: 1950s glassware sets
Honorably Weird Mention: Small washers picked up around the city (usually near urban construction sites.) I dunno, I think circles are good luck.

Friday Medal Round: Ultrasuede Tortoise

I'm sure that, by now, everyone has heard about the new species of crustacean discovered off the coast of Easter Island and described as a "furry lobster". Cute! And being white, it's real pretty too. They could have done better on the name, though — Kiwa hirsuta — sounds a little like the newest compact import from Kia to me. How about Bubba, Elizabeth I, Bob Smith, Pearl, or any other number of monikers that historically trigger the thought of complete whiteness?

Also, I love the media's description: "The animal is white and 15 centimeters (5.9 inches) long — about the size of a salad plate."

Could they have compared it to something not related to eating?

Regardless, the mere discovery of furry little Merle makes me almost squeal with glee — because it means that there could be numberous other animals out there we've each only imagined could be real THAT ARE ACTUALLY REAL! Or, Fluffer might just turn into an inspirational piece of urban slang. "Don't forget about the furry lobster" might well become a religious part of pre-game sports huddles, especially here in New England. I can almost hear one pudgy suburban fan turn to another at Fenway and say, "What ahr they sayin' abowt lobstahs?"

FRIDAY MEDAL ROUND: Name your dream "combination animals" (i.e. adjective+animal=furry lobster)
Gold: Looped tail mini cat - never gets bigger AND hangable around the neck (with cell phone) for travel
Silver: Ultrasuede tortoise - no salmonella, easy to catch/nice for petting, comes in a variety of colors
Bronze: Spineless Gentoo - for risk-free squeezing

Friday Medal Round: And The Trophy Goes To

(I've decided to keep on keepin' on with the medal round, post-Turino, because I like the three answer format.)

Things have been hectic this week, so much so that I nearly forgot about the 78th Annual Academy Awards this Sunday! Woo! That makes for an easy medal round...

FRIDAY MEDAL ROUND: Most likely to commit a Fug violation on the red carpet?

BLOGORELLI
Gold - Scarlett Johansson's boobs, I meant DRESS...silly me!
Silver - Felicity Huffman (50/50 shot that she dresses as an actual trannie like at the Golden Globes)
Bronze - Paul Giamatti (he had a giant grizzly beard at the last awards show, and besides, I wanted to put a man on my list and Robin Williams seemed too easy)

Friday Medal Round: When 2=3

Finally, I can reveal a sweet secret that's been undercover for months: CHO AND BOBBY ARE HAVING A BABY!!!

The bebé is looking like it's going to be a Cancer, coming in July, which (I think) complements both Cho (Taurus) and Bobby (Pisces). For those who think "astrology is crap," i.e. both parents, well...to make a simpler designation, it's a boy!

In celebration:
BabySongLive.mp3
( Written by Colin Meloy for his fetus with supa-illustrator Carson Ellis, due at the end of this month)

V-E-R-Y big news – probably the biggest ever reported on Blogorelli (at least until I date someone "quality" who isn't intimately inept.) I am very excited about becoming the "kicky ecentric" Auntie who gets to do fun things like teach this kid some crazy dance from the 1950s while I drink a martini and he giggles until nauseous. Or, you know, make Sunday "curbside salvage" runs that he'll reflect on in his first Pulitzer Prize-winning novella long after I am put in long-term care for liver failure. Regardless, big thing are expected from this kid – and his nose is already stepping up to task, trust me, I've seen early pics. But maybe not so much for the baby itself to actually BE big (I could just be emoting for Cho here.)

Most of all, though, I'm excited because I finally have an excuse to buy someone in my life a Glamour Belly Kit. How often does a gal have the chance to purchase something that includes "4- Rolls Of Medical Grade casting tape, Udderly Smooth® Udder Cream, Vinyl-Touch Non-latex Powder-free Gloves, a Drop Cloth, and 2 Sheets of Sanding Paper" without being into some seriously disturbing "Rick James" level of kink-dom?

Stayed tuned for the continuing saga on Bambino ChoBo...which brings me to this week's big Medal Round question.

FRIDAY MEDAL ROUND: What the heckie should I call Cho + Bobby's kinder around here while he is "in utero"?

BLOGORELLI:
1. Otto (I just like it, zustimmung?)
2. Kidd
3. Tigrrr

---

As Bananarama might say, "I Heard A Rumour"...about this happy twosome (below, at Vinterfest '06) who are soon-to-expand.

Friday MeMe/Medal Round: The Newswire

With more and more television news "stars" relocating to NPR for the opportunity to do more "serious, in-depth reporting," I wonder: where does everyone prefer to get their top stories each morning? And why there?

FRIDAY MEDAL ROUND
What is your preferred trusted news source?
(printed or online site/version)

BLOGORELLI
Gold = CNN
Silver = Salon
Bronze = JustJared
(because up-to-the-minute celebrity gossip counts as "important daily news" to me)

I didn't list NPR because, honestly, I don't read my news there, instead relying on Bobby Crocker to send me important and intriguing tidbits, usually about the Israel/Palestine conflict and American politics. Although I have been listening to some public radio, as he programmed two of the five pre-set radio buttons to NPR the last time he borrowed Vinny.

Friday MeMe/Medal Round: Be Professional

With the continued and very intense time commitment that I have discovered is necessary to get "the store" up and running (so far, 5 photo shoots, 1 trip to the libray for small business books, surrendering 95% of my apt floor area to many many boxes, hours of internet research on how other online commerce sites are organized and function – and I thought this thing would take 2 weeks to produce - ha!), I wonder...why am I doing this?

But I know the answer: because it's something that I would love to be able to do every day, all day.

FRIDAY MEDAL ROUND: What are your 3 dream jobs in order (gold, silver, bronze) and why aren't
you doing them?

BLOGORELLI SAYS:
Gold= The Store (as an actual physical place would be ideal)
Silver= Buyer/Merchandiser for an eclectic chain of stores that included travel
Bronze= Esthetician (because, as my college roommate once said, "I want to give the world a makeover.")

WHY AM I NOT DOING THESE JOBS? Sadly, money and time...and reality – the threat of legal repurcussions – forces me to work for "the man" (my boss, who is actually a man and a great employer) to pay the bills.

Friday MeMe: Introducing the Medal Round

When Cho remarked the other night that I still had a provocative torso shot of a certain Summer Olympian on my fridge after nearly two years, I realized...it's time for another Olympics! (And yes, I'll still take Michael Phelps in my bathtub any day...WITH goggles in place.) This time around, the location for the Games is Torino (Turin,) from February 10-26.

In honor of the Olympics, and my own upcoming trip, I've decided to introduce a little "flip"...or as they might say in the Old Country, "Sorpresa!" to the Friday MeMe. From now through the end of February (and maybe afterwards, if things go well,) each week I'll do the Friday Medal Round. Don't get your undies in a bunch; it's basically the same concept, will consist of a question, much like the MeMes, but the answers will be limited to three and will be in order from best>worst, most>least, gold>silver>bronze. I have confidence that you will all "get it."

To give fair credit where credit is due, I'll be culling ideas from the new Friday Five Live Journal site. Anyone who has been around here since the beginning (September 2003 - whoa) will remember that I used to do the Friday Fives before that site went down and then I started doing the MeMes. On to the Medal Round (see, it's so catchy already!)

FRIDAY MEDAL ROUND
Take a book you've read (can be your current tome for simplicity's sake.) Now, take the main character. Put s/he in a band. What would the band's name be?

BLOGORELLI SAYS
Character: James (yes, I'm reading "that book")
Gold: The Pearly Whites
Silver: BloodShitVomit
Bronze: International Literary Conspiracy

Speaking of names, get a look at the Torino Official Mascots, Aster (an ice crystal), Neve and Gliz (two...uh...hmm). It's amazing how much in advance the Olympics are planned; 2008 (Beijing) and 2010 (Vancouver) already have logos, mascots, websites and complete plans. And the 2012 bid cities – London, New York, Paris, Moscow and Madrid – all have websites "up" (no links because many of the sites didn't load.)

Friday MeMe: Gotsta Resolve IT

Today, an "easy one," since I figure that (like myself) most of us are easing back into the working thing after the holidays and a light load last week.

At the AIGA conference, Stefan Sagmeister gave a speech about the year he closed his studio and did "design exploration." The projects were merely for himself, though they did yield a book eventually. Isn't it so convenient when that sort of thing happens?

One such project was environmental typography in the purest sense (using pieces of nature to create "mantras" he had hypothesized and thought true about his life.)

Here are some:
• "everything i do always comes back to me"
• "trying to look good limits my life"
• "everybody thinks they are right"
• "money does not make me happy"
• "thinking life will be better in the future is stupid. i have to live now"
• "complaining is silly. act or forget."
• "having guts always works out for me"

I found the phrases to be inspiring, and might try to reflect on a few of them during my daily encounters with what I like to call "stress buttons." I haven't come up with any such mantras for myself…but I do have some resolutions for 2006.

FRIDAY MEME: Serve em up - 2006 resolution(s)?

BLOGORELLI:
- Keep paying/stop using my credit cards
- Make daily CokeZero:Water ratio more like 2:8 instead of 4:1
- Stick my confidence and launch online store
- Be more optimistic about romance
- Don't lie, even the little "benders"
- Make eye contact

So...?

Friday MeMe: Get _ _ _ _ _

The other day, someone replied to an email chain with the simple-yet-eloquent: "Get stuffed." Which made me wonder, what other "gets" do people out there use?

FRIDAY MEME: Your favorite "get" (not "got," like milk)
BLOGORELLI: "Get bent."

...and "Get celebrating!"
HAPPY HOLIDAYS

---
(off to the awe-inspiring PA, but will be back here and on the B.O.B. once I arrive...yes, I'm driving and yes, I've lost my mind.)

Friday MeMe: Lost Delights of Youth

With "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" in theaters, everyone who read the book in their youth is hazily remembering favorite details. But what about the the object of Edmund's gluttony, the White Witch's temptation tool, the treat that all C.S. Lewis fans of the world under the age of 12 longed for post-read – the mysterious Turkish Delight?

Apparently, non-minors who have actually sampled the...candy?...are reporting that without the hazy, sugar-induced/rose-tinted lens of youth, the delicacy is sort of gross. If you don't believe Slate, then make a batch.

The fading glow of the T.D. made me wonder...what foods/treats did Bebe Blogorelli adore that Mademoiselle Blogorelli abhors?

FRIDAY MEME: What's your "turkish delight"?
BLOGORELLI: Although I fear a lot of anti-PA sentiment by revealing my answer, I used to love loverly lovies to eat a sandwich consisting of
1. white bread
2. American cheese (from the deli, not pre-sliced and plastic wrapped)
3. Miracle Whip. I could have eaten 10 of in a sitting, so delicious was the combination. Also, I used to love sugary treats (Charleston Chew or Symphony bar, anyone) whereas now I always head for the salty snacks...perhaps that means I am becoming more doe-like with age? And two things that will always be on my "no fly" list: anything that tastes like black licorice or onions!

Friday MeMe: Actions Speak Louder than Words

Last night, while chatting with Half Pint over dessert from Flour Bakery, the topic turned to the impending snow and driving in Boston. General consensus: Boston drivers are scary in general and even more so in the winter, when actual meteorological events impede their already reckless and unpredicatble automobile maneuvering.

Half Pint shared that Speed Racer developed a little routine to deal wtih his own road rage when she is in the car with him (because his original crazed reaction scared her): he lifts his hand up above the steering wheel and exclaims "Snip SNIP!" while making a sharp scissor in-and-out motion with his fingers.

After expressing that the rest of us had no idea what the motion or the words meant, she explained that it was supposed to stand for snipping up the offender's license. "Snip SNIP!"

This morning, after my concept for our company holiday card was chosen, I ran into the bathroom and did a little dance while saying "Ha cha cha cha, cha cha, cha cha...cha!" Those female readers out there who were born in the late 1970s may recognize this saying as that of Purple Pie Man from the Strawberry Shortcake animated television show. I didn't see many of the shows, but I did have the records and when the PPM triumphed, I loved the "cha cha cha!"

FRIDAY MEME: What is your quirky outward reaction to something that makes you gleeful/sad/totally mad?

BLOGORELLI: Well, the PPM dance and singing. I also like to bounce when excited. and when thinking very hard, i repeatedly tap my forehead with my left pointer finger above my right eyebrow. as for something equivalent to the "snip snip," well...I prefer to use the good ol' middle digit for that situation.

Friday MeMe: Where's the B.O.B.?

Last night while purchasing a nice beaujolais to drink while watching the new episode of The O.C., I noticed the girl in front of me holding a chocolate Advent calendar.

It's Advent Calendar time! WOO!

Which reminds me that come Monday, I launch the second annual Boys of Blogorelli (B.O.B.). Last year produced a fine crop, but I'm hoping that this year presents 25 more exceptional gentlemen.

As such, today's MeMe is a bit self-serving, but hey, this IS a personal blog.
FRIDAY MEME: Boys of Blogorelli 2005 nominees, anyone?

BLOGORELLI: Well, some slots (Damian Kulash 4-eva) are filled but others are vacant, and #1 is still up in the air – so post your suggestions in the comments and come back Monday to see what tasty morsel will kick off the countdown!