Alas, Google has crushed my dreams and announced that Google Reader (the source of most of my blog posts this month - I know I said I'd do wedding flower photos and I will! ... in April...) will shutter its massive, feed-folder-tag-filled databases in July. I LOVE Google Reader. To me, it = internet. I'm trying out some other Reader-replacing options now, but no matter how acceptable (nothing can be as great) options I find, I feel like a little piece of the internet will be forever missing forever on.
Goodnight, sweet prince. In Heaven, may you always have 1000+ items. (or, in case it's more like me, may you always maintain a steady 777 items).
Sunday, March 31, 2013
If At First You Don't Succeed, Fall Over Backwards
This is how I feel most days.
Mainly because I am physically uncoordinated and I think perhaps my fine motor skills never quite fully developed, but sometimes because I am intellectually or emotionally uncoordinated, as well.
[via A Place to Love Dogs via Buzzfeed]
[via A Place to Love Dogs via Buzzfeed]
No Sh*t, (More) Sherlock!
Sherlock, the SUPER AWESOME BBC series, is (almost certainly) getting a fourth season! The series was up in the air due to the hyper-success of its stars Martin Freeman and Benedict Cumberbatch. The tv-as-movie series starts shooting its third season soon, with plans to air it (at least in the UK) in late 2013. Knowing it'll be coming back for a fourth season after that is pretty sweet.
[via /Film]
[via /Film]
Why We Laugh: Funny Women
Why We Laugh: Funny Women is a new documentary on Showtime starring female comedians discussing the not-at-all-age-old-or-even-worthwhile-question of "Are women funny?" (but more importantly what it's like being a woman in a male-dominated, extremely competitive in a very particular way field and their careers in general). Worth watching!
[via Gawker]
[via Gawker]
GAME OF THRONES!!!!
IT'S BACK!!!
What did you think? How'd we do? Did we all survive watching this episode? Or did your brain burst with anticipation at watching the NEXT episode, now that it is only a week away?! I think I did a little of both.
I thought it did some really great set-up and character work, which is legitimately what I want from this show. Others may be more into the sex/violence, but I really enjoy the character development and exploration of the world. And yes, I know that sounds like the guy who says he only reads Playboy "for the articles" but it's true! Sometimes it does have good articles!
Things I'm nervous about (not in terms of like, bad writing or something, but in terms of watching these people always makes me squeamish): Tyrion in the new King's Landing landscape, Sansa and Littlefinger (what is he going to do to her? He has a vendetta against her mom, which deeply concerns me), and Joffrey's new fiancee, Margaery Tyrell - she really feels like she has the upper hand right now, but where Joffrey is concerned, that cannot last for long...
Things I'm pumped about: Jon Snow (plus Ygritte) and Rangers (esp Sam) V White Walkers, Dany and her potential new enslaved, castrated army (she clearly hates slavery and it is interesting to see her wrestle with her desire to do what is necessary to take the throne without compromising herself and her morals) + DRAGONS, and anything that Ari is doing.
What did you think? How'd we do? Did we all survive watching this episode? Or did your brain burst with anticipation at watching the NEXT episode, now that it is only a week away?! I think I did a little of both.
I thought it did some really great set-up and character work, which is legitimately what I want from this show. Others may be more into the sex/violence, but I really enjoy the character development and exploration of the world. And yes, I know that sounds like the guy who says he only reads Playboy "for the articles" but it's true! Sometimes it does have good articles!
Things I'm nervous about (not in terms of like, bad writing or something, but in terms of watching these people always makes me squeamish): Tyrion in the new King's Landing landscape, Sansa and Littlefinger (what is he going to do to her? He has a vendetta against her mom, which deeply concerns me), and Joffrey's new fiancee, Margaery Tyrell - she really feels like she has the upper hand right now, but where Joffrey is concerned, that cannot last for long...
Things I'm pumped about: Jon Snow (plus Ygritte) and Rangers (esp Sam) V White Walkers, Dany and her potential new enslaved, castrated army (she clearly hates slavery and it is interesting to see her wrestle with her desire to do what is necessary to take the throne without compromising herself and her morals) + DRAGONS, and anything that Ari is doing.
Last-Minute April Fool's Pranks!
You've got a few hours, so why not try some of Uproxx's favorite April Fool's jokes? Ok, some of them are mean and some are stupid, but some are definitely smile-worthy.
[via Mental Floss]
[via Mental Floss]
Real Life Models for Famous Disney Characters
I didn't understand how animators came up with their drawings (outside of their own wild imaginations) until I watched the extras on a Pixar film once (I don't remember which it was) and learned about all of their super-intensive research expeditions they go on to discover how to best articulate their characters and scenery. The FW's Models article is the same idea, as applied to hand-drawn animation (which did, after all, come first).
I think my favorite is the Tramp.
He is one of my all-time favorite characters, and I so wanted a puppy who looked just like him when I was a kid. I re-watched the movie last week, (by accident, it was on TV) and was so struck by the emotional attachment I have to the animation itself in that film - the way the Tramp's ears bounce, the way the fabric moves, the way the Scottie's entire body shakes when he's growling or barking, the way the mud flings as the carriages drive by. I've said it before and I'll say it again, in another life, I'd be an animator.
[via Mental Floss]
I think my favorite is the Tramp.
He is one of my all-time favorite characters, and I so wanted a puppy who looked just like him when I was a kid. I re-watched the movie last week, (by accident, it was on TV) and was so struck by the emotional attachment I have to the animation itself in that film - the way the Tramp's ears bounce, the way the fabric moves, the way the Scottie's entire body shakes when he's growling or barking, the way the mud flings as the carriages drive by. I've said it before and I'll say it again, in another life, I'd be an animator.
[via Mental Floss]
An Artful Easter-ette
For a more PG drawing class, check out Andertoons. I love this one for how to draw a chick:
I love the GIF format. It's very helpful in terms of spacial relations for some reason (I guess because you're seeing the layers of progress all on top of each other).
I can't wait to try it out all on my own! Although here I don't think I'll get to tear away the eggshell quite like I tore away my Artful Bachelorette's model's towel... hehe.
[via Neatorama]
I love the GIF format. It's very helpful in terms of spacial relations for some reason (I guess because you're seeing the layers of progress all on top of each other).
I can't wait to try it out all on my own! Although here I don't think I'll get to tear away the eggshell quite like I tore away my Artful Bachelorette's model's towel... hehe.
[via Neatorama]
NYC Basic Tips and Etiquette by Nathan Pyle
This is my favorite:
I have had to learn that lesson TOO MANY TIMES.
There are a ton more (though definitely not 56 yet) on his blog.
[via Neatorama]
I have had to learn that lesson TOO MANY TIMES.
There are a ton more (though definitely not 56 yet) on his blog.
[via Neatorama]
Puppy Break!
Meet Rigby, the Shiba Inu puppy. He is TOO cute and WAY too cool for school. I cannot deal with it.
[via The Daily Puppy]
[via The Daily Puppy]
New Girl "Jess" Keeps Getting Better and Better!
~~~~ Spoilers for New Girl "Chicago" below!! ~~~~
After the painful handling of Marshall's father's death on HIMYM last season (a countdown!? Those are supposed to be fun and a neat Easter egg! It was neither fun nor Easter!), I was a little worried about handling Nick's dad's death. I shouldn't have been.
From the cold open with the helium to the closing Jess in Elvis drag, the episode was funny, smart, and emotionally satisfying in a way you don't often see on a super-funny sitcom! It was a surprisingly effective way to solidify Nick and Jess' bond and delve deeper into their relationship. It allowed Winston some seriously hilarious screen time in his epic eulogy fail, and Schmidt grew even nuttier than before and had (as usual) some of the best lines of the night - especially in regards to his button-festooned suit jacket.
Excellent work, New Girl! I don't want you to get all serious on me all the time (you hear that, HIMYM?) but Nick's honest reaction to his father's death was incredibly important to his character arc and all of the characters' actions and reactions combined painted an eccentric, but emotionally true, picture of what a funeral is like and how it affects us all.
I hope I can write an episode as good as this one someday!
After the painful handling of Marshall's father's death on HIMYM last season (a countdown!? Those are supposed to be fun and a neat Easter egg! It was neither fun nor Easter!), I was a little worried about handling Nick's dad's death. I shouldn't have been.
From the cold open with the helium to the closing Jess in Elvis drag, the episode was funny, smart, and emotionally satisfying in a way you don't often see on a super-funny sitcom! It was a surprisingly effective way to solidify Nick and Jess' bond and delve deeper into their relationship. It allowed Winston some seriously hilarious screen time in his epic eulogy fail, and Schmidt grew even nuttier than before and had (as usual) some of the best lines of the night - especially in regards to his button-festooned suit jacket.
Excellent work, New Girl! I don't want you to get all serious on me all the time (you hear that, HIMYM?) but Nick's honest reaction to his father's death was incredibly important to his character arc and all of the characters' actions and reactions combined painted an eccentric, but emotionally true, picture of what a funeral is like and how it affects us all.
I hope I can write an episode as good as this one someday!
Happy Endings is back, so watch it, please!!
Happy Endings came back this week, and it was super funny (esp. the second episode), so everyone, just cancel all your super cool totes cray Friday plans and start watching Happy Endings! Honestly, whatever they're doing in sitcom land is probably more fun than whatever boring ideas you had anyway (unless it's The Artful Bachelorette!). For serious, you guys, it is the best!
Also, ABC, get YOUR act together and put the show back on a good night! Do you really think it's not as funny as that epically long-titled How To Live With Your Parents (For the Rest of Your Life) (seriously, that is how long its name is!)? Come on! At least pull an NBC and give it six seasons!
Also, ABC, get YOUR act together and put the show back on a good night! Do you really think it's not as funny as that epically long-titled How To Live With Your Parents (For the Rest of Your Life) (seriously, that is how long its name is!)? Come on! At least pull an NBC and give it six seasons!
Shows that Need to Get Their Act Together
This could also have been titled, "Shows That Need To Get Their Act Together" or "A Couple of Shows I Love But Mostly A Ton that I Don't and Now I Know Why"
The WGA 2013 Staffing Brief contains a breakdown of all the writers working in TV this year.
Alyssa Rosenberg broke it down even further for us:
"The list of shows that didn’t hire women writers or writers of color in the 2011-2012 season should provide a pretty clear guide to which writers are rising above their own life experiences—and which ones are badly in need of new perspectives in their writers’ rooms:
Television Shows That Hired No Women Writers During The 2011-2012 Season
America’s Funniest Home Videos
Big Time Rush
Californication
Comedy Bang! Bang!
Dancing With The Stars
Eagleheart
Enlightened (Creator Mike White wrote all the episodes)
Futurama
Geniuses
Gurland On Gurland
The Insider
Kickin’ It
Locke & Key
Magic City
Psych
Teen Wolf
Veep
Workaholics I
Workaholics II
Television Shows That Hired No People Of Color As Writers During The 2011-2012 Season
America’s Funniest Home Videos
Anger Management
Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader
Baby Daddy
Best Friends Forever
Big Time Rush
Blue Mountain State
Boss
Breaking Bad
Californication
The Client List
Comedy Bang! Bang!
Dancing With The Stars
Eastbound and Down
Enlightened (Creator Mike White wrote all the episodes)
The Firm
Free Agents
Futurama
Game of Thrones
Free Agents
Geniuses
A Gifted Man
Glee
Good Luck, Charlie
Gossip Girl
Gurland On Gurland
Happily Divorced
Hart of Dixie
Homeland
How To Be A Gentleman
The Insider
Jane By Design
Kickin’ It
Lab Rats
Last Man Standing
The League
Longmire
Make It Or Break It
Man Up
Mike and Molly
Napoleon Dynamite
Once Upon A Time
One Tree Hill
The Protector
Ray Donovan
Revenge
State of Georgia
Stevie TV
Two And A Half Men
Veep
Web Therapy
Weeds
Workaholics I
Workaholics II"
We've still got a long way to go, baby.
[via ThinkProgress]
The WGA 2013 Staffing Brief contains a breakdown of all the writers working in TV this year.
Alyssa Rosenberg broke it down even further for us:
"The list of shows that didn’t hire women writers or writers of color in the 2011-2012 season should provide a pretty clear guide to which writers are rising above their own life experiences—and which ones are badly in need of new perspectives in their writers’ rooms:
Television Shows That Hired No Women Writers During The 2011-2012 Season
America’s Funniest Home Videos
Big Time Rush
Californication
Comedy Bang! Bang!
Dancing With The Stars
Eagleheart
Enlightened (Creator Mike White wrote all the episodes)
Futurama
Geniuses
Gurland On Gurland
The Insider
Kickin’ It
Locke & Key
Magic City
Psych
Teen Wolf
Veep
Workaholics I
Workaholics II
Television Shows That Hired No People Of Color As Writers During The 2011-2012 Season
America’s Funniest Home Videos
Anger Management
Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader
Baby Daddy
Best Friends Forever
Big Time Rush
Blue Mountain State
Boss
Breaking Bad
Californication
The Client List
Comedy Bang! Bang!
Dancing With The Stars
Eastbound and Down
Enlightened (Creator Mike White wrote all the episodes)
The Firm
Free Agents
Futurama
Game of Thrones
Free Agents
Geniuses
A Gifted Man
Glee
Good Luck, Charlie
Gossip Girl
Gurland On Gurland
Happily Divorced
Hart of Dixie
Homeland
How To Be A Gentleman
The Insider
Jane By Design
Kickin’ It
Lab Rats
Last Man Standing
The League
Longmire
Make It Or Break It
Man Up
Mike and Molly
Napoleon Dynamite
Once Upon A Time
One Tree Hill
The Protector
Ray Donovan
Revenge
State of Georgia
Stevie TV
Two And A Half Men
Veep
Web Therapy
Weeds
Workaholics I
Workaholics II"
We've still got a long way to go, baby.
[via ThinkProgress]
The Artful Bachelorette!
Want the classiest, most fun, and - dare I say - educational Bachelorette Party ever? Throw an The Artful Bachelorette! I had mine yesterday evening and had an absolute BLAST!
I love drawing and so rarely get an opportunity to do it, especially in a fun, relaxed, friend-filled environment! The addition of a super sexy male model (when in a normal figure drawing class it's usually a gross fit-flabby dude in his 60s) and the topless uber-sexy waiter who refilled our drinks (and our charcoal pencils) sent the night right over the edge of casual fun into (classy) raucousness!
The whole team was so great at making everyone feel comfortable (one of the main reasons was they seemed super comfortable with each other and the situation altogether, which really helps) and running a smooth class. I feel like my friends and I bonded in a whole new way, and really made memories that will last a lifetime!
I (like the NY Times, New York Weddings, and Time Out New York) LOVE it. Highly recommend The Artful Bachelorette for anyone's bachelorette (or fun, crazy birthday!) party!
PS. The funniest part? My fiance is the one who discovered it! Best FH ever? Yes, definitely!
PPS. The "what a weird coincidence this must be fate" moment? The fact that it's called the Artful Bachelorette and I'm Artful Stew! What a weird coincidence, it MUST BE FATE!
I love drawing and so rarely get an opportunity to do it, especially in a fun, relaxed, friend-filled environment! The addition of a super sexy male model (when in a normal figure drawing class it's usually a gross fit-flabby dude in his 60s) and the topless uber-sexy waiter who refilled our drinks (and our charcoal pencils) sent the night right over the edge of casual fun into (classy) raucousness!
The whole team was so great at making everyone feel comfortable (one of the main reasons was they seemed super comfortable with each other and the situation altogether, which really helps) and running a smooth class. I feel like my friends and I bonded in a whole new way, and really made memories that will last a lifetime!
I (like the NY Times, New York Weddings, and Time Out New York) LOVE it. Highly recommend The Artful Bachelorette for anyone's bachelorette (or fun, crazy birthday!) party!
PS. The funniest part? My fiance is the one who discovered it! Best FH ever? Yes, definitely!
PPS. The "what a weird coincidence this must be fate" moment? The fact that it's called the Artful Bachelorette and I'm Artful Stew! What a weird coincidence, it MUST BE FATE!
Different Perspectives
Super fascinating looking at the makeup and demographics of the world in terms of 100 people.
[via The Hairpin]
[via The Hairpin]
/Film Newsflash(?): Disney Not Hand-Drawing Any Movies in the Near Future
Interesting that /Film would devote an entire article to what's NOT going on in the film world, but it is a bummer that Disney isn't developing any hand-drawn animated films right now. Just because CGI is fun and can be cheaper doesn't mean that 2D, hand-drawn animation isn't worth it. There is room in the world for all kinds of animation!
At least stop-motion animation has had a resurgence in the last few years. THAT is definitely good news.
At least stop-motion animation has had a resurgence in the last few years. THAT is definitely good news.
Happy Birthday, (not that) Lincoln!
Congratulations to Kristin Bell and Dax Shepherd on their new little Lincoln log!
It's great to know they love our 16th President so much, but aren't they setting their expectations a little high? Or do they think we're already headed towards another Civil War and just want to give their daughter a leg up and get her on the right side...?
[via VideoGum]
It's great to know they love our 16th President so much, but aren't they setting their expectations a little high? Or do they think we're already headed towards another Civil War and just want to give their daughter a leg up and get her on the right side...?
[via VideoGum]
Smart Girls at the Party: Irma Kalish
Someday this will be be freaking out with joy while I talk to Amy Poehler... (I hope!)
[via Vulture]
[via Vulture]
Backdoor Pilot Alert: 'Once Upon a Wonderland'
ABC is considering a spinoff mini-series for Once Upon a Time called Once: Wonderland. The Once creators are thinking about it not as a full series, but as an American Horror Story style short series, possibly a one-off.
I definitely think it's an interesting concept, and I certainly think that's a better idea than trying to jam Wonderland into the Once-verse right now.
Could be a disaster, sure, but then again, everyone's favorite character is Jefferson...
I definitely think it's an interesting concept, and I certainly think that's a better idea than trying to jam Wonderland into the Once-verse right now.
Could be a disaster, sure, but then again, everyone's favorite character is Jefferson...
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Vacation + Wedding Planning Photos
Hello!
I was on vacation all last week, which is a term I use loosely to really mean "wedding planning 24/7" instead of the usual "wedding planning 4-5/7"
It was hectic. It was crazy. It was super fun.
Also, I took a ton of photos of flowers and stuff. Here is a preview:
Scabiosa pods. They're weird, fun, and nature-y, just like me!
I will post more from my trip as the week continues!
I was on vacation all last week, which is a term I use loosely to really mean "wedding planning 24/7" instead of the usual "wedding planning 4-5/7"
It was hectic. It was crazy. It was super fun.
Also, I took a ton of photos of flowers and stuff. Here is a preview:
 |
| Scabiosa Pods |
I will post more from my trip as the week continues!
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Happy World Kidney Day!
Today is World Kidney Day! Take a few minutes to acknowledge what a wonderful organ your kidneys are, taking care of you by filtering out all the bad stuff from your system and keeping your blood clean! To say thanks, why don't you sign up to be an organ donor? You could even donate one of your kidneys right now to another person and save a life! Like a super hero!
At the very least, take care of your kidneys by following these simple healthy living guidelines and getting annual check-ups and bloodwork. Kidneys are remarkably resilient organs - it's never too late to avoid permanent organ damage or chronic kidney disease (ok, so sometimes it's too late, but not for most people!). For more info, check out the National Kidney Foundation.
If nothing else, please give thanks to all the wonderful people out there who have donated their kidneys and other organs to people in need. Without them, a lot of us (like me!) wouldn't be here.
At the very least, take care of your kidneys by following these simple healthy living guidelines and getting annual check-ups and bloodwork. Kidneys are remarkably resilient organs - it's never too late to avoid permanent organ damage or chronic kidney disease (ok, so sometimes it's too late, but not for most people!). For more info, check out the National Kidney Foundation.
If nothing else, please give thanks to all the wonderful people out there who have donated their kidneys and other organs to people in need. Without them, a lot of us (like me!) wouldn't be here.
Saturday, March 9, 2013
Louis CK OMG HBO Special!
Will YOU be there when Louis CK greatest comedy generation thing in a things!?
I know I will be - watching it, on TV, probably at my parents' sometime house because I don't have HBO.
[via Gawker]
I know I will be - watching it, on TV, probably at my parents' sometime house because I don't have HBO.
[via Gawker]
Friday, March 8, 2013
Happy International Women's Day!
Today is (was) International Women's Day! From its birth over a hundred years ago as women first began joining together and fighting for equality, we have come so far and yet still have further to travel toward equality and justice for women - with a special focus on working women - across the world and here at home. You can find a little history on the day here. You can read about the state of women's health here. And you can read a little entertainment-centric twist on the day here. And, of course, you can read all about it at the link above, from the IWD website itself!
Whedon does 'Nothing'
Check out the trailer for Joss Whedon's interpretation of Much Ado About Nothing:
Looks fun, like a less passionate Baz Lurhman Romeo + Juliet. Definitely worth a watch whenever it opens in theaters!
[via Gawker]
Looks fun, like a less passionate Baz Lurhman Romeo + Juliet. Definitely worth a watch whenever it opens in theaters!
[via Gawker]
Thursday, March 7, 2013
The DIY Bride
Oh man, this is totally how I feel after looking at too many wedding mags, blogs, etc...
Excellent work, Mikala Bierma, excellent work.
Also, I didn't realize that florists keep their flowers up with that weird green mushy-mesh stuff - mystery revealed!
[via The Hairpin]
Excellent work, Mikala Bierma, excellent work.
Also, I didn't realize that florists keep their flowers up with that weird green mushy-mesh stuff - mystery revealed!
[via The Hairpin]
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
I love love! Also, "Our Wedding Song"
Monday, March 4, 2013
Parks and Rec Wedding Toasts and Gifts!
A little bonus joy from Ben and Leslie's wedding:
Aaww! Scrapbooks! "I am happy"! Emails to and from Chris and Ben! Waffles!!
Loving all that love!
[via ThinkProgress]
Aaww! Scrapbooks! "I am happy"! Emails to and from Chris and Ben! Waffles!!
Loving all that love!
[via ThinkProgress]
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