July 28, 2010
July 26, 2010
Started, but definitely not finished. Stay tuned for more updates!!
July 19, 2010
My little brother Jacob (not so little anymore, he's 19), is spending the summer working on an archaeological dig in Egypt. As a college student studying archaeology, this is probably one of the most incredible experiences he could probably ask for. And, he's journaling every minute of it (or at least, my mom has made him promise that he would try).
So, in order to make it easy for him to archive these journals & share them with our family around the world in relatively real-time, I'll be documenting them on this list as I receive them from him. When he gets back, we'll add photos & videos from the trip, so stay tuned...
June 28, 2010
Yesterday, my iPhone died. For a few terrible hours I thought I had lost everything - literally. My music, my calendar, my contacts, my email, my notes, my bookmarks. Basically, my entire life. Luckily, the genius demi-gods at the Apple Store fixed my most precious accessory. But, first they had to wipe my poor baby completely clean, so she could be reborn into a new phone that actually functioned again.
At the same time, we switched email servers at work. Which anyone who doesn't have a dedicated IT Department can tell you is about as much fun as taking Michelle "Bombshell" McGee to synagogue with you on Yom Kippur. Oh, and my Outlook, which has been slowly wheezing it's way towards an untimely death for months now, picked yesterday to finally give up the ghost. So, I spent all night last night & most of today reconfiguring my life. Literally.
Now that I'm slowly starting to feel technologically (and physically, emotionally and mentally secure again), I'm starting to reflect on the whole experience of the past 24 hours. Of watching my technological life flat-line, and having to (sometimes ruthlessly) cut out the cancerous programs that were preying on it (bye bye Outlook and iTunes 9.1, hello Gmail & itunes 9.0).
Suffice it to say, the whole thing got me thinking about software. And specifically, what pieces of the software I stare at all day every day are really essential. And, what pieces I could probably live without (only if I absolutely had to). And so, without further ado, here's my list of the 10 pieces of software - other than the obvious entries of iPhone OS & the software that makes my beloved Acer Aspire run day to day - that I find to be most vital to my technological survival. And yes, these ten pieces of tech are totally worth slowly going even blinder than I already am from staring at screens all day.
June 24, 2010
Disclaimer: This list does not reflect the official opinion of Ranker, or any of its employees. Well, except for me.
June 15, 2010
November 19, 2009
Some of them I was forced to watch on an airplane (Cheaper By The Dozen), some of them I was forced to watch in class (Eraserhead, Meshes Of The Afternoon) and some of them I was just plain disappointed by (Lions For Lambs). But, all of these qualify as the absolute worst movies I've ever had the (dis)pleasure of viewing. Help me rank them and maybe we can save some other poor saps from having to sit through 90 minutes of Glitter.
November 19, 2009
Go ahead, challenge me to a match. I dare you...
November 19, 2009
This is a list of the best music, movies, books and balms for getting over a broken heart. Apply these 20 steps, take 2 Aspirin and call a new boy in the morning.
And remember, according to Sex & The City, it takes half the time that you were in the relationship to recover from it, so above all else, give yourself some time to digest and deal.
October 27, 2009
List of the funniest spam I've had the pleasure of receiving via email, Twitter, etc. Will keep updating as new spam comes in.
October 27, 2009
These are the architects whose buildings make me want to be wealthy enough to afford to design a Gaudi-esque fantasy home with Gehry's modernist sensibilities and a dash of Frank Lloyd Wright's organic serenity.
October 27, 2009
These are the last few authors I've taken to bed with me (aka: the authors I read before going to sleep or on lazy Sundays when I wake up). I usually fall asleep with them, and I relish the times I get to wake up with them in the morning. Especially Klosterman (he's so dreamy).
November 30, 2009
People always ask me how I manage to cook for myself in my apartment, which is about the size of most people's office cubicles. I have a microwave, two burners I never use for fear of the gaseous smell they emit every time they're turned on, a sink with no garbage disposal and enough counter space to fit the microwave and not much else. Suffice it to say, I've gotten creative. And, I've found that if you keep your cabinets stocked with all of the groceries below, you can pretty much make enough combinations to keep you satisfied and healthy for most of the week. Of course, on the weekends, I usually eat out. Because there's only so many bowls of brown rice and microwaved veggies you can stand in seven days, you know?
October 27, 2009
This is a list of the best drinking games known to mankind. What makes me an authority on drinking games? Well, I went to UCSB, also known as "U Can Study Buzzed." Not that I did. But, if I had, I might have played some of these games to warm up for a long all-nighter. Hypothetically speaking, of course. Why are they recession proof? Two reasons.
#1: If you're willing to suck it down fast enough, beer never has to cost more than a few bucks.
#2: These games are just as much fun for blowing off the stress of a long day at work as they are for blowing off the stress of a long day looking for work. They're the ultimate creator of common ground between 20-somethings with jobs to complain about and our 20-something friends complaining about not having jobs. Also, they're fun. And in times like these, who doesn't need a little fun?
October 27, 2009
This comes from a Brookings Institution Study of how different major metropolitan areas in the US have been hit by the recession. More info is available here: http://www.mcclatchydc.com/economy/story/70260.html
October 27, 2009
Everyone has those things -- the things that nourish the spirit and soothe the soul and all sorts of other cheesiness. Suffice it to say, this is the stuff that makes me happy. Really really happy.
October 27, 2009
What can I say? I don't like conservative politicians or overexposed faux-lebrities.
October 27, 2009
October 27, 2009
These are all places I either already love (Dominick's, Cheebo, 3rd Stop, Sushi Dan), or places I've been looking for an excuse to try. So, here's how we're going to do this. Simply add a comment at the bottom of the list telling me what your preference is. I don't need to know why, I just need to know which. I'll be making reservations by early next week, so let me know what you think by then.
Websites for all the restaurants are in the little discussion bubble to the right of the restaurant's name.
Thanks guys, and looking forward to seeing you next weekend!
October 27, 2009
The proverbial last meal - what would you eat tonight if you knew you were going to die tomorrow? What would you eat first, and what would you save for that last savory bite?
October 27, 2009
Clearly, I like my art like I like my men -- kooky, kitschy and just a little bit cerebral.
October 27, 2009
Strawberries are healthy, delicious, full of antioxidants and a perfect summer treat. All you have to do is freeze them in a big plastic baggie when they're fresh during the summer. Then, you can defrost and enjoy all winter long. Here are some of my favorite ways to use these yummy little fruits, with handy recipe videos for the culinarily impaired.
October 27, 2009
My dad might kill me for sharing this tasty secret with the world, but here it is: his pasta bake has magical powers. Seriously. It has the incredible ability to stretch to feed as many people as there are empty stomachs in a room, without costing you anything extra in ingredients. It truly is a superfood -- quick, delicious, stretchable and easy enough that even my father can cook it without setting off the smoke alarm, no easy feat, trust me.
Directions (Ingredients are below):
-Lightly grease a large baking dish with a little bit of olive oil or butter (your choice)
-Lay down a thin layer of bread crumbs. Any bread crumbs will do, although I like to make mine fresh by putting some old bread, parmesan cheese and a little basil in a blender with a touch of olive oil.
-Lay down a layer of sauce on top of that.
-Lay down a layer of spinach on top of that.
-Lay down a layer of pasta on top of that.
-Lay down a layer of sausage on top of that.
-Lay down your cheese blend (a grated combination of cheeses below)
-Start the process over again.
-Repeat until the baking dish is filled.
-Top with another layer of bread crumbs and a few pats of batter on top of that.
- Cook in a 450 degree oven until the cheese on top is brown and bubbly.
October 27, 2009
October 27, 2009
I like a man who can handle a real beer. Don't get me wrong, Bud Light is all well and good. And, I'll even tolerate the taste of a Natty or a Keystone if the situation (and the wallet) merits it. But, these are the beers to buy me if you really want to get my attention in a busy bar. A girl cannot live on Corona alone, nor would I want to. I'll take a nice dark beer over something light and fluffy any day. And god help you if you think I'm drinking Mikes.
October 27, 2009
October 27, 2009
October 27, 2009
October 27, 2009
October 27, 2009
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