Sunday, September 30, 2012

Fish and Dog are Friends!

This is the biggest gap in genetic relationship we've had so far on "___ and Dog are Friends" but, hey, friends are friends! Sasha the dog and Fishy the fish (name approximation) are breaking all kinds of boundaries over here. I recommend watching without the sound on, because the guys in the background are kind of annoying.



Cutest fish I've ever seen!

[via Neatorama]

Raising Lambs at Kinderhook Farms

From Serious Eats, a more in-depth look at raising lambs at Kinderhook Farm, the place the fiance and I went to for our farmstay earlier this month:



It's lovely to see a more in-depth look at the farm and who works there. I didn't get a chance to meet the super cute sheepdogs, but that's just because they were on duty, and it was pouring outside. Clearly, they were more dedicated to their work than I was to meeting them, which is as it should be.

Ice Cracking on a Lake

Isn't this one of the weirdest noises you've ever heard? It sounds nothing like what ice cracking sounds like in my mind (based on how it sounds when you dump ice into water).



The clip is set in a hilariously named place called Sardine Lake in Sierra, CA. I don't know why that's particularly funny, except that sardines in general are funny.

[via VideoGum]

Happy 25th, The Princess Bride!

So many wonderful things were born in 1987. Me, The Princess Bride, The Simpsons (debuted on the Ed Sullivan Show), lots of my friends, and also me again...



So happy 25th birthday, The Princess Bride! One of my favorite movies ever since I was five months old. To celebrate, here's a great article from The Playlist called "5 Things You Might Not Know about The Princess Bride on its 25th Anniversary." They're all great, but I LOVE that Mandy Patinkin bruised a rib trying to stop himself from laughing during the Miracle Max scene. Also, the mirrored sets note is incredible (what a challenge!) and that they weren't even completely necessary because both actors got so badass at swordplay before they shot it. It must have been a blast to work on that set.

[Playlist article via /Film]


Cookie Monster & Grover Parody Movies and TV... in SONG!

EW recently hosted Cookie Monster and Grover to promote the 43rd season of Sesame Street. Also, presumably, just for fun.

At the link, there's a great video of CM&G singing song parodies of Hunger Games, The Avengers, and even Newsroom! It's a delight, even if I can't figure out how to embed it!

Lamb and Dog are Friends!

Part A Million of my ongoing series about dogs being friends with other species...



Too cute!!

[via A Place to Love Dogs]

I Love Coyotes Because Coyotes Only Love Their Mates

Based on evidence from a new study, scientists have found that urban coyotes are 100% (seriously!) monogamous. Awwww, isn't that sweet? When they're rooting through your trash, they're rooting to find a delicious treat for their honey bunny! There's nothing more adorable than an urban coyote with a rotting banana in its jowls.

[via Neatorama]

The Butterfly Effect

Not the Ashton Kutcher movie, the news-paper-in-the-face-obsessed animated short! Check it out:



Seriously, where are all these newspapers coming from? Also, lots of unnecessary explosions. Also, also, I really thought that the giant parade balloons were going to play a much larger role considering all the setup they received (all the posters advertising them, etc). Oh, well. That being said, it is beautifully animated (did you see the protag's face? It's amazing). Bravo!

[via Neatorama]

Goaties!!!

These kids are only a DAY old! Can you believe it? I'd love to give them a big old squeeze!



[via Neatorama]

Favorite GIF Ever

He's so fancy!


[via A Place to Love Dogs]

Monday, September 24, 2012

Otters are Super Geniuses

As if you didn't know...



[via Neatorama]

The Artful Stew Family Grows by One!

My sister got married this weekend - Woo hoo! It was a wonderful wedding, and the Artful Stew family is very excited about adding our new brother-in-law. We did it!

On the plus side, it was a beautiful and heartfelt ceremony followed by a raucous party that lasted well into the night. The ribs and cinnamon rolls at the post-wedding brunch the next morning were an awesome surprise, as well.

On the downside, I stepped into a fire-ant pile during the after-ceremony photos and now am covered in (not an exaggeration, I counted) seven to eight ant bites per foot. I have deduced that they are fire-ants because it's three nights later and they still throb AND itch, plus some are now topped with a pimple-looking orb of pus (which I haven't scratched off or popped because I hear that can lead to an infection). A winsome combination.

On the other plus side, I seem to have been the only participant to have stepped in the ant pile, so at least no one else suffered my same fate!

I read that they go away within about a week. In the meantime, I'm taking Benadryl to sleep at night and keeping my feet iced during the day to numb the pain. The things I do for sisterly love and also free cake (jk! It was totally worth it to help my super stellar sister get hitched to an equally amazing dude!)

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Remake All of Me?!

Apparently, Hollywood has decided that they need to remake your Artful Stew's family's favorite movie, All of Me. Why? I have no idea. How could anyone ever on this planet be as good as Steve Martin in that movie? They couldn't, and I feel sorry for whoever will have to try to be (Jason Segel? Adam Sandler? Liam Hemsworth!? Unthinkable!).

Don't get me wrong. I can understand why someone would want to remake a hit '80s comedy about a dead rich lady's soul getting stuck inside a sad-sack man's body and the hilarity that ensues - Who wouldn't? It writes itself. The problem is that the original is such a delight and such a product of the '80s that I just don't understand how they can do it today.

But... As Principal Skinner would say, "Prove me wrong, [Hollywood]! Prove me wrong."

Monday, September 17, 2012

Kevin Bacon, Sergei Eisenstein: 5

Now that Google has its new Bacon number generator, can any of you beat a 5? I got one with Sergei Eisenstein, father of montage and director of Battleship Potemkin (1925).

According to this chart (and who knows if you can trust it but I guess why not?), there are only 1337 actors with that number (compared to 56k who have a 2 and 82k who have a 3). They found two with Bacon numbers of 8 (also obscure Russians), but I'd love to know if anyone found a six or seven!

Knope We Can!

Parks and Rec's fifth season begins Thurs, Sept 20th! In the meantime, enjoy NBC's Knope campaign recap:



DC! Councilwoman Knope! Andy training to be a cop! I can't wait!!

[via HuffPo TV]

You Can't Touch This, 2012!

Another amusing video from the same guy who did "Will the Real Mitt Romney Please Stand Up?"



Particularly love the Colbert bump line. What what!

[via Gawker]

Ben Folds Five, "Do It Anyway" Video

Ben Folds Five (more like Ben Folds FINALLY! It's been about 13 years since their last album). Fraggles. Rob Corddry. Anna Kendrick for some reason. Are you in?



You're totally in.

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

September 11, 2012

Vice President Joe Biden's speech today really summed it up, eleven years later. I've linked to it here from TPM, as David Kurtz explains Biden's relationship to tragedy and loss. It's a very moving speech.

Kinderhook Farm

The fiance and I spent a lovely weekend at Kinderhook Farm. It's about two and a half hours away from New York, and you can rent out their retro-fitted barn for the weekend. During your stay, you can help out with chores or just wander around the grounds. We did both (mainly wander and relax, though). It was an absolutely wonderful weekend getaway that I highly recommend to anyone searching for the perfect way to leave the city without having to go too far.



The nearby towns of Ghent, Chatham, and Philmont were small, friendly, and their restaurants sourced food from the nearby farms.

Overall, a relaxing, educational, and enjoyable weekend!

Monday, September 10, 2012

Mindy Kaling: Warrior Goddess of Sitcoms

That title is a title I think Mindy would like, which is why I am giving it to her. I have no knowledge of if she ever has been or will be a warrior and/or a goddess, but I know if she wanted to, she totally could.

I just finished reading this excellent profile on Mindy Kaling in Vulture. It's awesome and you should read it (or at least TFL). Also, you should watch the pilot of her show, The Mindy Project on Hulu, and then watch the premiere on September 25th.

I recently finished Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) and it really is an excellent collection of memoir-essays. There were so many times when I laughed out loud and/or thought, "Yes! That is EXACTLY what high school/college/post-college/writing/friends/etc is like!" Reading this article so shortly after finishing the book, I'm shocked and saddened about Ms. Kaling's mom passing away at the same time her book, which portrays her relationship with her parents and particularly her mom so lovingly, was released and her pilot, which bestows upon Mindy her mother's profession, was ordered. I certainly can't picture life without my mom, whom I love so much, and I can't imagine how devastated Mindy was and probably still is. I admire her for being honest about not dwelling on or sugarcoating the tragedy, instead simply stating that, "It just seems so fucking unfair." It is. No wonder she sings "Country Road" at karaoke (and it's an incredible song, of course).

I also appreciate that she wanted more non-white babies on her computer screen. Don't we all.

Writers & Animators: Persist!

In case you need a dose of inspiration tonight, here's a great letter from Pixar animator Austin Madison:

This really applies to all creative activity. It is so true and yet so hard to execute. But we have to keep trying to PERSIST!

[via /Film via The Animator Letters Project]

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Facundo the Great

A short and funny story from Story Corps! I'd give you the description, but then I'd give the whole story away. Enjoy!



[via Neatorama]

I've Seen Romney, I've Seen Bain

James Taylor + Jimmy Fallon song impression + Obama endorsement? Yes, we can!



[via HuffPo TV]

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Gabby Giffords Leads the Pledge of Allegiance


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    src="http://anomaly.realgravity.com/flash/player.swf">




[via TPM]


[via TPM]

Also, Animated GIFs with Sound!

We really are progressing. To prove it, here are some animated GIF's with sound:




The future is now.

Ok, but seriously I promise millenials are worth more than just creating silly internet memes. We are also good at voting and probably other things, too, right, guys and ladies? Vote!

[via Gawker]

Four More Years!

... Of Parks and Recreation!

... Also, President Obama!!

Great convention, great speeches, and a great vision for the future. Now we just have to all go out and vote! (seriously, mark your calendar, draw a smiley on your hand to remind you, whatever you have to do!)

We did that and we can do it again! Together! Forward! Down with cynicism, up with citizenship! Other campaign jargon!


Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Never Gonna Give Mad Men Up!

Oh, this is the other thing the internet has been flipping an s over today.



Honestly, it got a touch annoying for me after a while, but the internet loves mashups, great TV shows, and music! And it's a great song!

[via Gawker]

Bad Lip Reading: Twilight

I didn't understand the hoopla over this video (besides because Twilight always has the internet blowing up over it). And then I watched it.


Weird but fun! Sounds like that cake was pretty epic. I want a piece!

[via FilmDrunk]

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Happy Back to School Day! (But not for me!)

Awww, school. I do love learning, but I don't miss the hazing.



Also, they could have totally picked a longer clip from V-Mars (and skipped Glee entirely), come on!

[via Neatorama]

Monday, September 3, 2012

Happy Labor Day!

Look at me posting only three days into the month, can you believe it? YES YOU CAN!

To celebrate, here is the most active corgi I have ever seen:

Did you all have a great Labor Day Weekend? I know I did! I did a puzzle with the fiance, watched Star Wars and Harry Potter and Grumpy Old Men and a lot of My Fair Wedding with David Tutterra, so clearly it was a success. Plus, we tried two new markets ("All Good Things" in TriBeCa and Urbanspace's new Meatpacking pop-up) and slept a lot.

This next week with the Democratic National Conventions will be a tough one, but it's only a four-day week so you can never complain about that.

Go, team!