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When do you get back from New Orleans?!! geez! I can’t blog without you!
Updates from August, 2009 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts
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Carmen
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Carmen
CK…
I don’t know why but I’m always drawn to Calvin Klein even though just saying “Calvin Klein” reminds me of cowboys in the 80′s. Why does that happen? I have no idea. Maybe it was a marketing campaign they did in the eighties that just stuck in my mind. Whatever it is – I like their stuff! Its always a well done combination of simple and interesting. I really like these dresses (even though I probably would never wear them, and I admit the second one is a bit bag-ish but there is still something cool about it) and I would imagine that you, especially, would like this jacket if only so you could run around pretending you were in Bladerunner.
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Emilily
I think the marketing campaign they were known for in the 80′s was the one where an overly-sexed 15-yr old Brooke Shields talked dirty about her jeans, followed by that one featuring Marky Mark dancing around in his skivvies. I mean, how brilliant is that, to sell men’s underwear (and you knew that had to be what they were selling because that’s all he was wearing) with a commercial targeting every single 16-yr old post-NKOTB fan across the country.
I do like those dresses, too. I like how his stuff is very minimal, and structural, although I think I would have a hard time wearing it.
p.s. I totally run around pretending I am in bladerunner already
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Carmen
Another recommendation…
I’ve been reading a lot of articles about the brain lately and in doing so I’ve come across a blog written by a woman who has Asperger’s Syndrome. Her blog is called Asperger’s Diary – its really interesting. Her last article talks about how she learned how to convey herself properly at a very late age. She goes really in depth about her thought process and I find it refreshing. Emily I know you have had your run-ins with Aspergers and now you can finally, truly understand how their brains work!
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Emilily
Okay, first let me say: thanks for carrying the blog this weekend! Right now I am still without internet, but I did buy you a present!
Asperger’s Diary sounds interesting, I would like to learn more about that syndrome. I think maybe we (“we” as a society, not just you and I) should start recognizing mild asperger’s, ADD and ADHD as not simply disorders but very common conditions that more and more people are going to experience, either directly or indirectly, and we should tailor our medical, educational, and professional environments to work with this reality, not against it. Just because someone has asperger’s, ADD, or even mild dyslexia or autism, should not preclude them from making the same contributions as everyone else. Maybe the increasing prevalence of these “disorders” is not the problem, maybe the problem is our too rigid concept of normal learning processes and our black and white approach to functional versus dysfunctional.
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Carmen
Actually, you’re right on the money with that I think. One of her previous articles called “Getting to the Root of It” talks about that. About what a cure really means and I totally agree with her. It doesn’t mean getting rid of the disorder, it means learning to work with what you’ve got. I think everyone who has this disorder has a point in their life (hopefully) where they have to wonder if its really everyone else who has the problem.
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Carmen
kayak angst…
So I’ve been listening to a podcast that I think you will really like. Its called Stuff You Should Know and its a branch off of the website HowStuffWorks. It has all of the requirements needed for our kind of entertainment. It has two funny guys talking to each other and these two guys talk about obscure topics and get really in depth… I think those are the only requirements so far. I’ve learned so much since I started listening to them. For example: Toxoplasmosis, Whale Sharks, Brownfields, Body Dymorphia, Parasites and the list goes on! I’m sure you looked at each one of those words and got a little excited about what you could be learning about in the near future right?! Thats what I thought. And as a teaser check out their blog and learn about kayak angst… fascinating!
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Emilily
Whoa! I did not know there was an official term for it, but I totally have kayak angst! Is that where you are afraid to get in a kayak because it will undoubtedly tip over and you will be stuck and drown trapped underneath? I have that. We took kayak lessons on the Trinity river with my family when I was a kid and I faked sick almost the whole time.
I will definitely check out that podcast, I need to learn some more stuff.
I put the WP app on my phone, but something has to be changed in the admin settings before it gives me access. (you might have to accept this reply also…) Anyways, we’re off to find some coffee and then hit the gym for a bit, then we’re going to Jackson Square to sight see…there are so many great things to post about here, but I’ll pick one this afternoon!
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Carmen
Ok, so kayak angst is NOT where you are afraid to get in a kayak for fear it will tip over, but I can see where you could come to that conclusion without having read the StuffYouShouldKnow blog. Kayak angst is where you are afraid to go fishing for days on end in the endless waters of Alaska in a kayak with no reference point because you’ll end up going in large circles, falling asleep, waking up not knowing where you are and continue going in circles until the end of time! Hows that for a run-on sentence! Yeah!
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Emilily
Links
So I added a few links to our sidebar.
I was browsing the WordPress showcase and found these sites. One of them, Modelinia, I think we’ve been on before. My first reactions to this website were, in no particular order:
Why are we celebrating unrealistic expectations of female beauty!?
How much of a sucker do you think I am to watch/do/try something just because a supermodel says so?!
What could possibly be entertaining about this thinly-veiled attempt to add depth and personality to a bunch of walking clothes hangers?
Where can I find one of those pictures with Kate Moss all coked out?
Wow, this is like a reality TV show, but with less of a plot, if that’s even possible.However, the truth is, I just like this website. I like watching models talk about stuff. There’s a video here of a supermodel giving a lesson on how to walk in high-heels, and she’s got her little tiny daughters running around in size 10 designer stilettos. It’s adorable and horrifying at the same time.
I also added one on fonts, all types of fonts (pun intended!) I thought this tied in nicely to our WORD category, and I think you share my appreciation of a nice font. (And speaking of banned lists, my friend Duncan and I nearly banned this great restaurant in SB because the font on their menu was completely unreadable. Businesspeople really need to be aware of that kind of thing, I don’t know why some of them are so dense.)
At first review, this website showcases some nice fonts; after a few minutes of browsing, you start to get an idea of the admirable degree of obsession going one here. This person’s office has font clippings covering every inch of wall space, they cannot hold down a job because they kept yelling at co-workers when the signature and body fonts in their emails were mis-matched, they have not been able to drive since their license expired and they cannot fill out the driver’s license renewal form because the DMV has no respect for fonts, and the mere sight of Curlz makes their eyeball twitch. You should especially check out the Sunday napkin fonts – real art. I am inspired to buy some paper napkins and draw on them. I will do that, and save them for a dinner party we will have someday.
I linked this image to the creator's website...where on earth does .ua reside?
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Carmen
Well, first, I remember Modelinia from Kdukes. My first reaction to it was that there was alot of good information on there that I could definitely use in my day to day life. As well as – I like looking at models. You can’t get away from that because its your brain drawing you to it. Its millions of years of evolution behind that. I’m not sure what to tell you about your revulsion. And frankly, we are suckers because thats why we were going to try washing our face with aspirin right? Of course, we haven’t gotten around to that…yet.
Secondly, I’m truly not sure that I have any kind of good font aesthetic or not. I know that I hate Curlz and I know what I think is pretty (hello napkin!) but I’m not at all sure that I can pull off being cool about fonts. I think I’ll leave those conversations to the professionals.
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Emilily
Good morning!
How was your dinner party? I was bummed last night that I was missing it, but in retrospect, it is probably good I did not stay…it is “that time” again, and my god am I evil right now. I almost killed someone at work yesterday…but then I couldn’t decide who should be first.
This article I read in the New York Times this morning was pretty interesting, but the most intriguing part was mention of this program called 23andMe. Basically, they offer discounted genetic testing, with the caveat that your DNA is mapped and all your results go into their data bank. I did some internet research (always reliable) and read that it is funded by Google*, which fascinates me. I can understand if it was funded by some random medical organization or a wealthy mad scientist, but Google? The big-brother-conspiracy-inspiring search-engine wizards? The whole concept just went from mostly innocuous to sinister, and undoubtedly very well organized. I was going to say we should do it, but then discovered that the stupid Times made a typo, and the discounted tests are $999, not $99. So until the price goes down, I’m keeping my DNA to myself…although now we know, I would part with it, and a C-note, in exchange for some probably useless medical trivia.
*Here is the footnote to that asterisk: 23andMe is not actually funded by Google, but it was founded by the wife of the founder of Google. Which means it’s sleeping with Google, but not on the official payroll.
(I feel like there should be a picture in this post, but I have nothing relevant banked. I guess there doesn’t always have to be a picture in the post…I just feel it makes it slightly more interesting to look at. I spent a few minutes trying to think of a picture that might illustrate discounted DNA testing, and came up with nothing…or, nothing appropriate, at least.)
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Carmen
really?
First, from Hautelook and Amrita Singh:
really?
Second (from Gilt): Marc Jacobs if you’re so cool why are you doing this?
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Emilily
I know! And what was up with that Marc Jacobs model? Why does she look so depressed? If you ask me, she should be happy someone hired her, with that haircut…and that face.
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Emilily
One more before I go
I am usually of the completely irrational and blindly loyal school of Apple Can Do No Wrong. Consistent with this belief, I am sure they had a perfectly good reason for making a GLASS phone.
oh damn.
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Emilily
So I went to the Apple store yesterday to see about replacing my phone. It costs $199 to replace the screen OR buy a new phone. Seriously, do they really expect me to believe that screen is the most valuable thing on the phone? Or, could it be, it is the most expensive because it is the most breakable?! I really want to love Apple unconditionally, but they’re kind of being an asshole right now. It’s like we’re dating.
I am considering spending another $100 and upgrading to the 32GB 3GS. Boy, that’ll really stick it to ‘em.
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Emilily
And on the fashion front!
There is some interesting stuff going on with Gilt Groupe today.
I really love the structure of nearly all of the Donna Karan dresses, but this coat is a little confusing to me. Also, here are some nipples!
On Gilt Fuse’s upcoming sales calendar, Sequin claims to be “well-made, well-priced costume jewelry.” Somewhere in that phrase is an oxymoron…
And finally, I just bought these jeans! They were on special at Nordstrom’s although still quite pricey. I have been trying on various brands of skinny jeans, and they all make me look like I have the legs of a supermodel…just compressed, so they are disproportionately shorter and thicker. Then I accidentally tried on a pair that was “ankle-length” and viola! they fit. I am unconditionally against ankle-length pants, no matter how trendy they become, because the last thing I need to do is visually chop off even a few precious inches of my leg…but apparently, my leg ends where the average jeans-model’s ankle starts.-
Carmen
holy dear god who puked up a pink big bird all over that poor woman and now delusionally thinks its a coat? I agree with you that the sales are good today – I particularly like the Valentino Pret-a-Porter stuff – soooo pretty. And the Modern Vintage boots are all real nice too – too bad I can’t afford any of it… yet.
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Carmen
Bode’s Galaxy…
This can be seen by the naked eye, living in the constellation of the Great Bear. Only 11.6 million light years away! There’s gotta be some aliens in there.
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Carmen
The Communist…
Time for a nice cocktail! Behold – the Communist!
1 oz Gin
1 oz Orange Juice
1/2 oz Cherry Brandy
3/4 Lemon Juice
Delicious!
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Emilily
The Communist? I would have thought a Communist should have vodka or rum in it. Or maybe be red. Or maybe it is a Communist because you were supposed to give half of it to me!
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Carmen
The crossroads where Japanese history meets deep space…
I read this article a while ago and have been thinking about it ever since. It describes how these researchers, using a variety of telescopes pointing into deep space, found an object that they can’t explain. But they do know some very interesting tidbits about this object that make it very intriguing. For example, they know that it is one of the oldest blobs that they have been able to capture on film. They say that this object existed when the universe was only a little baby – 800 million years old. To state this one assertion, however, brings up a whole host of questions. Like, really? You know how old the universe is? And I know this is a widely accepted theory (that the universe had a beginning) but I’m not on board with this theory just yet. So, they are very surprised to see something so bright at such a stage of the universe. And this is another interesting tidbit – this “stage” of the universe is commonly known as a transition point in the evolution of the universe called the “reionization epoch”. (what!) Yeah. Put that in your long term memory just in case you play a game of Trivial Pursuit – Universe Edition. OH! and here’s where it meets Japanese history – they named this blob Himiko after a mysterious Japanese Queen. And thats all they had to say to get me to look her up. Apparently she ruled her particular kingdom through shamanism and sorcery! Of course, details are kind of spotty because she lived so very long ago (yeah, just like the blob!). And keep in mind the intrigue doesn’t stop there – just imagine that this picture of Himiko is reaching you after travelling across space for 12.9 billion light years! Imagine what it looks like now…woah.
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Emilily
That was an awesome article. There are SO MANY concepts there I could ponder on for hours! My favorite was when the guy said “The farther out we look into space, the farther we go back in time.” What a great way to conceptualize the fourth dimension (time still is considered the fourth dimension, right?) It just makes sense! A one dimensional line increases into a two dimensional plane, which then increases into a three dimensional shape, and if you increase three dimensions far enough, you get closer and closer to a four dimensional space…although I guess we are always moving in the fourth dimension…but in a straight line, maybe traveling through deep space is like traveling through the fourth dimension in something other than a straight line…whoa. That makes a telescope the closest thing we have to a time machine.
Or, wait, maybe this one is my favorite “…according to the concordance model of Big Bang cosmology, small objects form first and then merge to produce larger systems…” Okay, for lack of my knowledge of any alternative, I can go along with that, but what if this Himiko blob IS a small object? What if it only looks large to us because we only have the things within our current reach to compare it to, maybe on the scale of the rest of the universe, the Himiko blob is a brand spankin’ new teeny tiny speck?!
I’m going to go read that article again.
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Carmen
Yeah! Thats what i’m saying! Maybe we should get this book about the TEN dimensions so we really know what we’re talking about. http://www.tenthdimension.com/flash2.php
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Emilily
I think we’ve looked at this book before. According to the psychobiologist who reviewed, we should read this, and I am inclined to agree with psychobiologists. We should read it at the same time so we can discuss it.
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Emilily
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Carmen
Yes! we have a scanner, just bring it with you!
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Carmen
In response to your bling quandary…
I’ve been thinking about your your bangle score at target and about my lack of jewelry and what that really means. Here are my conclusions: As much as I look at pictures of necklaces and earrings all the time – the fact that I don’t own any (anything wearable anyways) must mean that it is not really a priority of mine. It must mean that I cherish the dinner that I spent $120 on much more than I would cherish a pretty, shiny, delicate little bird of a necklace laying lightly on my neck. I think that my desire to increase my bling collection is an attempt to understand and feel more connected to my femininity. And because it is a foreign enterprise for me I don’t really know where to start. It just doesn’t come naturally to me. This doesn’t mean I’m giving up, on the contrary! I will continue to search out pieces that speak to me and I will try harder to forego the beautiful, fleeting meal and opt for the longevity of precious metals. In the mean time I’m wondering what makes jewelry valuable? Is it the price? Is it that you are able to buy it yourself or that someone else buys it for you? Or is it that there is a history behind it? I have no idea, but I’m liking the jewelry I scored from my Grandma this last weekend. She has SO much jewelry. My papa used to buy her rings that looked like cartoon style engagement rings – you know with the huge stone and nothing else, he didn’t really care that they weren’t real and neither did she. They were valuable because he gave them to her. So I increased my bling collection with un-fancy, old pieces that look like they might have been made in the 70′s. When I wear them I’ll think of my Grandma, I think that makes them better than anything I’ve seen twinkling at Bloomingdales.
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Emilily
oh I agree! Even if they don’t immediately look like something you would buy in the store, they have a history, which gives them value of a different (and more lasting!) kind. Anyways, isn’t that really at the heart of what we’re looking for when we hunt for jewelry at the store? I mean, aside from color and design, which are sort of the basic considerations for everything we consume, not just jewelry, I really only know if I like something enough to buy it based on how it makes me feel. For example, I like my gold bangles because I can imagine they belonged to some gypsy princess caravaning by night through the countryside with her highwayman lover (aka Johnny Depp from Chocolat.) And I like my little gold leaf on a thread because it makes me think of wood nymphs and fairies and I am secretly channeling Tinkerbell when I wear it. Sometimes I suppose it is less complicated – I like hoop earrings because they make me feel simple and elegant, they allow me to play the part of Simple and Elegant Emily. Or, like you mentioned, a way of dressing for your role as the feminine side of Carmen. But either way, I think when we find jewelry we like, it is the story it invokes that lures us in, and in the case of your grandma’s jewelry, it is your story.
(I should mention, I like the theory above because it sounds noble, and it makes me feel like my jewelry is more than pointless material consumption, but I think it probably doesn’t apply to everyone. Like some people pile on jewelry from Claire’s Boutique on a daily basis because they feel their outfit isn’t complete until it looks like the accessory counter barfed on them…I didn’t really have them in mind as I was making my point.)
p.s. also, that butterfly charm would be really nice on a delicate chain, or maybe an aqua thread!
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Emilily
Embossers and doctors, apparently
So, in being the responsible owner of a human body that I am, I called my dermatologist the other day to make an appointment to have this face rash checked out. The message they had playing while I was on hold said “For your convenience, we are open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Thursday, and 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Friday.” Really?! How on earth are those hours for my convenience? That barely even qualifies as being open. Although, considering they did not have any appointments available until the end of September, perhaps they have a different standard of my convenience than I do. Needless to say, I made an appointment, then canceled it when my face rash went away.
I don’t know whose fault this is, but it seems to me that unless whatever illness you have qualifies as an emergency, in which case there are the Urgent Care clinics, or a condition that is so chronic you will still be suffering from it 6-8 weeks from now, there is pretty much zero chance that your ailment and your health care provider will ever meet.
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Carmen
I’m just glad your face rash is gone!
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Carmen
Speaking of Gilt Fuse Failure…
I don’t know if I can fault Gilt Fuse really, they are just the messenger. Its really Madison Harding that is the culprit here:
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Emilily
oh good lord make it stop
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Emilily
Sticking to the theme of questionable shoes – what do you think of these? Something about rubber shoes is appealing to me lately…
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Carmen
well, i can see why these would be appealing to you – they’re flippin awesome. I am assuming they are galoshes and if they are not galoshes then we might have to have a talk. but otherwise, i agree!
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Emilily
Galoshes? Oh no, that’s the bottom half of my rubber suit, of course…
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Carmen
Ohh my gosh…
Ok ok, so I was up in the mountains – in the boonies really, nothing works quite right up there…including my legs which are very sore from a major hike and my shoulders from kayaking down the river but I’m back now! I feel good! It feels good to be back to my lovely house! I walked through the front door to find the floor covered in sawdust and some beautiful shelves being built. Its a pretty sweet homecoming – geez I’ve only been gone for like 3 or 4 days! Its like I’ve been gone for months! Stop freaking out! Anyways, here is a picture of a wonderful swimming hole…
So Tuesday is actually in this picture if you can find her (hint! she is on top of the rock!)
So refreshing!
Here is Tuesday!
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And also, my uncle became a dad to some chickens, don’t ask me how that happened but they sure are cute!
Modelling
I like how this one is looking up towards the sky asking 'What does it all mean?'
He's like "stop looking at me!"
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Emilily
It looks so beautiful up there! I can just imagine what that water feels like right now…ahhhh. Also, chickens are awesome, they’re photogenic and tasty…what else can you ask for?
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Emilily
Making mail fun again!
From this day forward, Netflix will now be referred to as Send Me My Battelstar Galactica Now Please Thank You.
(Where are you?!?! My posts are becomming progressively more random and less relevant the longer you are unplugged…)
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Emilily
Somewhat funny
The Daily Galaxy has a lot of good stuff today, but I thought this video was one you probably shouldn’t miss. They’re getting points here for being funny, not clever – Microsoft, Google, Apple, etc., are all obvious targets for this sort of Orwellian vision of the future. And while I definitely see the scary potential, I have to say, some of that stuff looks pretty cool, and it certainly isn’t going to just invent itself. At some point, we’re going to have to decide between kick-ass gadgets and low-tech privacy. (My office PC can access my Mac, and my Mac can locate my iPhone, and my iPhone can locate my car, so I think I’ve made my choice…)
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Emilily
Some reviews
This post was originally intended to review two magazine spreads, but I wanted to start by saying I am slightly disappointed with Gilt Fuse. From what I can tell, the only difference between Gilt and Gilt Fuse, is that in the latter, the models are all posed like idiots. I think they were going for “edgy and playful” but I’m sorry, an adult (late 20′s even?) model wearing Juicy Couture, blowing a bubble, and yanking on her thigh-high stockings like a schoolgirl in a Brittany Spears video looks like an idiot to me. Ok, moving on.
The pictures below are from a Wired magazine article on Somali piracy. While the content of the article was compelling and well-researched (it was very similar to the ongoing NPR coverage of the same events) it was the unique layout that really grabbed me. I especially liked the little facts boxes and graphs scattered amongst the illustrations – a great example of print media effectively borrowing design elements from the web world.
This next review is less about a particular article and more about the apparent laziness of a few fashion photographers and magazine editors. All of these ads appeared in the first half (the prime half) of my August issues of Elle and Lucky. I find it incredibly hard to believe that they have run out of creative things to do with fashion models, and all they are left with is to just line them up in front of the camera and say “cheese.”
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Carmen
well, first off, Wired is so pretty. Well done Michael Doret! Lets get a subscription to this magazine. Secondly – i know! Gilt Fuse has been dissappointing thus far. I have not given up on it yet, but they better entice me soon because my list of sites to check is long and is ripe for the clipping. Thirdly and Finally, I think that the lack of creativity on the part of photographers has alot to do with the caliber of magazine. Not to say that Elle and Lucky aren’t great but on the spectrum of magazines they kind of fall into the mediocre category. If you want to be really inspired by the photographers I think you will need to upgrade to Vogue Italia or some other such magazine that I can’t think of right now. I will shop around for something!
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Emilily
Thank you for the story of my life
Some shiny flowers for you
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Carmen
Nice! I can’t wait to get back to the land of fast internet!
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Emilily
ohmigod! Sunday was our blog’s one-month birthday!
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Emilily
Just in time!
Since you’re up in the sticks, in the land that the internet and cell phone reception forgot, and we agreed I am responsible for posting this weekend – here it is! At, literally, the 11th hour. And although I have so much more to say (please feign surprise) I will end it with this: I hope you and Tuesday have room in your closets!
Be prepared...my goal is to eliminate about two-thirds of my wardrobe!
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Emilily
Some investments might be overrated…
No, I am not referring to Madoff, or Wall Street in general – although, on a side note, don’t you find it interesting that here we are, an accountant and a paralegal, and we talk non-stop about science, fashion and art rather than the stock market, politics, or the economy? Anyways, I was thinking more about jewelry and how we have been on the look-out for “investment” pieces, or, at the very least, accessories that cost as much as last weekend’s dinner out. It doesn’t make sense – I’ll spend $100 (easy!) on a week’s worth of groceries, but can’t spend half of that on a pair of earrings I could wear for years. I have bought and returned a number of things, and considered buying many more, but somehow, nothing sticks. I can’t figure out why…I am a total sucker for marketing when it comes to beauty products; shampoos, conditioners, face creams…just tell me it is the fountain of youth and beauty, and I’m sold. But jewelry, you’d practically have to convince me it could make me fly before I throw down the cash for a little bling.
Lucky for me and my selective thriftiness, I found these great bracelets at Target last weekend! I got two in an antique silver finish for $6.49 each, and three in a clearly-not-gold gold vermiel for $7.99 each. Now that I am posting this, I don’t know if the pictures do them justice, they mostly just make my wrists look scrawny, and you can’t see the best part about them, which is how heavy they are. They must be solid brass (in my opinion, a truly underrated metal) underneath the coating because they clink together in the most lovely way, like wind chimes, or cymbals, or a big bag of silverware.
I am happy to say that, for now, my jewelry hunt is over, and I got away with spending only $39.81! Now I can use all the money I saved to go invest in some gourmet cheese…
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Carmen
Tonight…. a good ending to a somewhat crappy day
So, after a busy day at the office – while the sun is shining outside and I can hear all those damn tourists having such a grand time, all the while I’m looking forward to riding my bike home, dreaming of enjoying the waning sun on my 40 minute ride home – I go say hello to my bike and find a flat tire. Damn. A bit disappointing. I really can’t be too upset though. I live in such a great place that even if my ride home gets a flat I can hop on a train that will get me home in 10 minutes and a nice boyfriend to pick me up at the train station. C’est la vie. And then I saw this!
View out of my living room window - nice!
So then, obviously, it was time for a lovely cocktail…
I chose "The Boulevardier". It was invented in 1927.
Ingredients: Bourbon, Campari and Sweet Vermouth
Delicious!
Max made a really good dinner of sausages, turnips and carrots. And now I’ve decided that this has been the best day ever. Wish you were here!
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Emilily
Well, it certainly sounds like your day redeemed itself! That picture out your window is stunning; I can’t wait to see your place. We’re going to hang out in the firehouse and drink old-timey cocktails and make our business cards – it will be marvelous.
My day yesterday was frustrating: I got very little work done (I think you know why) and now have looming deadlines to deal with today, and then after work I scheduled a massage, and it was horrible. I think I am not really a massage person in the first place, but I got talked into one of those Massage Envy year-long memberships where they charge you $59 each month (automatically) and for that you get one “free” massage (see, you pay $59 each month, so this is not really “free” they just call it that) plus all additional massages are $39. Which is a good price for a massage, provided it is a good massage, and you are the type of person who can fit two or more massages a month into their schedule. Anyways, my first three massages (I’ve had this membership for 11 months, and managed only three massages so far) were great, and (and this is important) the masseuse was hot – tall, well-built, maybe 25 years old, some sort of new-agey-type tattoos. Plus, his manner was very nice, soft-spoken and relaxing. But last night was another story! The dude was about 65 years old and had this giant gut, and every time he leaned over my back, his gut would smash against my arm. His massage had no flow to it, and he kept doing this weird digging under my shoulder blade thing, and at the end, he sort of shampooed my hair and scalp with massage oil…yeah, that bad, I almost got up and left. I feel like I need a massage to correct my massage. I guess I should have seen this coming when the week started out with an eye infection and a face rash. Sheesh. In conclusion, I wouldn’t recommend Massage Envy – I do like the occasional massage, but I like my $59 bucks more. Also in conclusion, today darn well better be an improvement over Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
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Emilily
shoes shoes shoes
Okay, I love converse, and I love a high heel…but please oh please, not at the
same time. I would normally say that any shoe could be improved with a bit of
height, but NOT athletic shoes. (For example, I would also say that any beverage
could be improved with a splash of champagne, EXCEPT coffee. See, there’s an
exception to every good rule.) xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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xxxxxxx However, perhaps against my better judgment, I am still looking for an Adirondack
boot with a heel – just like the one here, but with a 3+ inch wedge or cuban heel, and preferably not made by UGG. Somehow, UGG boots in my mind represent a very poor attempt to class up those sweatpants you should never have worn out of the house. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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And lastly, the boots that for months I have been coveting and stalking and making up little love songs in honor of, the Frye Harness Boot in Crazy Horse. I love everything about them – the walkable heel, the color, the name of the color, and the Lonesome Dove-esque androgynous cowboy fantasies they inspire…
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Carmen
I don’t know, I’m imagining wearing the high heeled converse….. and i think i would look pretty cool. oh wait, no, that daydream is turning horribly wrong and suddenly i’m one of the dancing girls on In Living Color.
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Emilily
Flygirls!
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megan
i love and want the red converse heels any info on where or how i can get them?? VERY interested plz reply!!!!!!!!!
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Helena
Seriously!!! I bought mine in Amsterdam, and I never had so many responses, everybody tells me to sell them!! I think they’re really fun!!
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Emilily
ethics shmethics
Did you read the article in today’s Daily Galaxy yet, the one about improved memory? Fascinating stuff, however, what is the deal with this quote: “A team of scientists at the Spanish University of Malaga were working with rat brains, because of the combination of ethics and wimpiness that prevents human trials.” I mean, haven’t we been saying all this time, we’re ready already? I am going to be so bummed when I am 90 and the youth of tomorrow is getting all these biological and/or genetic enhancements and I’m stuck living out my golden years in a rocking chair on some shady porch with this completely obsolete 21st century brain I was born with. It’s rubbish.
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Carmen
I know, I think in order to be considered for human trials we need to avail ourselves to other countries. And then, I would be too scared. So, I guess this law of not doing scientific research on humans is probably there for a reason. But, as far as I know, there is no law against doing scientific research on your OWN brain! Now where did I put that RGS-14 for my V2 secondary visual cortex…
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Emilily
wtf?!
This is a deep-fried chicken patty topped with swiss cheese, tucked inside a sliced Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut. In my opinoin, it’s not food, it’s a dare…although, honestly, I can’t help thinking it would be better if they threw in some bacon.-
Carmen
It would definitely be better with some bacon…. and then wrapped in a blueberry pancake, top it off with some salsa and throw it all in a commemorative bag – yum.
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Emilily
or gravy….yummmmm
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Ma
Oh my gosh! That was the funniest thing I’ve seen in a long time… I am kinda hungry now…
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Emilily
I know, it had the same effect on me – on one hand, it’s repulsive, on the other hand, maybe you want to try just one little bite…
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Emilily
Gadget mania
In our pursuit of a functional magazine, to supplement our consumption of fashion magazines and websites, which have loads of pretty pictures interspersed with a small amount of intellectual drivel, I wanted to share Wired magazine’s product review page with you. Although I think I actually need all of these products, the reviews are thorough and comprehensive. And the products are awesome: power tools galore (plus that lovely toolbox pictured at left), a portable microwave oven, a toilet-paper holder/iPod dock, and something I didn’t even know I needed until now, the Dyson Motorlight Floorlamp.-
Carmen
Sweet! that floor lamp is only $1000!
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Carmen
I want one.
Yes please! Is there some way I can volunteer for this?? Sounds like Sci-Fi but researchers are trying to insert a third strand of DNA into our standard double-helix. I totally want one. (warning: you might have to read this article slowly to understand what they are talking about)
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Emilily
Whoa. That was interesting. I made the mistake of reading the Scientific American article it was based on, and now my head hurts. I kind of got lost around page 4, but I do know a lot more about genes now – what a fascinating field of study! In conclusion – I’m sold, let the human experiments commence!
This just goes to show that Science Fiction really should be renamed Science That Just Hasn’t Happened Yet, or Future Science.
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Emilily
plastic shoes
I cannot decide if I like these shoes or not, they’re on Gilt Groupe right now. I do love Vivienne Westwood, and jelly shoes bring back memories (ok, they bring back memories of being made fun of by some nasty sixth graders because my neon green jelly sandals did not match my home-made rainbow fairy costume, but jelly shoes are now super retro cool and those mean girls are probably fat and married to some knuckle-dragging mountain man and living in a double-wide in Orick, so there.) Anyways, do I love these or hate them?!?!
Plastic shoes?
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Carmen
well, its a tricky thing, and I understand your hesitation. This trend is appealing to me because the shoes look so clean and minimal – no lines, no embellishments. However, that is the only plus side I can come up with. I too remember the days of jellies and frankly would not want to be reminded of them every time I look down at my feet. Secondly, because I remember those days, I recall that my feet do not like the feel of plastic on my feet. Ok, I just thought of another plus side though – that the colors can be so vibrant, its almost like you’re wearing drops of candy on your feet….. hold the phone – thats a brilliant idea! Shoes made of candy! I’ll get working on that right now!
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Emilily, and 
Carmen are discussing. 
Helena, 
Ma, and 
Emilily 10:36 am on September 1, 2009 Permalink
Hi! I’m back! We were without internet at our hotel, it was really annoying. Can you believe – five days without checking Haute Look or Gilt Groupe?! How will I know what the people who buy clothes I can’t afford are wearing?
Before I get back to work, some highlights from New Orleans.
Seeing the swamp (bayou?) from the plane on the way in was breathtaking. It is so huge and flat. It is like the opposite of flying into Humboldt and seeing the redwood forest, but it gives you the same sense of our relative puniness compared to nature. Like Northern California, you get the feeling that nature is still putting up a good fight; and that was especially heightened by the fact that Saturday was the anniversary of the levees breaking during Katrina.
After the swamp, second impression of New Orleans – the airport smelled like bacon. Or maybe ham. Or maybe ham wrapped in bacon…either way, the food was fantastic. Muffalettas, beignets, pralines, fried oysters…the jury is still out on the fried pickles, they have kind of a weird texture. We went to (Emeril’s) NOLA on Saturday night and I had the short ribs – one of the best meals I have had in a very very long time.
Skipping the five days in between, final impression of New Orleans…hangover. We had a plan Sunday night to go see a movie, then chill by the hotel pool, but instead ended up on some sort of thrift store & bloody mary tour of Magazine street, where we met some locals at a bar who invited us to another bar called the Rusty Nail to see a rockabilly band. Our cab driver could not even find the place, but it was well worth it, the music was awesome, sort of Tom Waits goes hillbilly. Around 11pm, the thunderstorms that had been predicted for the weekend hit, and all of a sudden the bar door flies open and there is rainwater moving horizontally across the room! The two girls closest to the door tried to slam it shut, and their body weight alone was barely enough. No one seemed phased by the thunder and lightening outside, and the band didn’t stop playing. The ceiling started leaking, and the bartender walked around putting buckets on the floor and pouring everyone Wild Turkey shots. I might have been a tiny bit drunk by that time, but still, it was so awesome!
I got back late last night, with all my luggage intact and accounted for, so overall, a successful trip. I’ll try and post some of my pictures tonight!
Carmen 10:56 am on September 1, 2009 Permalink
Holy crap, that sounds amazing. Glad you’re back!
Emilily 11:02 am on September 1, 2009 Permalink
Me too. I missed the blog (okay, that means I really missed chatting with you!)
How was your weekend?
p.s. The embosser hasn’t arrived yet, but I will finish the banner this weekend. I might have said that before, but this time it is for real…
p.p.s. I am listening to the Stuff You Should Know podcast right now!