Pop Quiz Winner!

So, my pop quiz finally has a winner.  The author of the quotes in question?  The Judges Say: Nick Salter.  In a shocking last-minute twist, the winner of the pop quiz and the only person to guess correctly that all of those quotes came from Nick Salter was... (drum roll)..... Nick Salter.  I guess the quiz was kind of weighted in his favor.  I will attempt a more balanced quiz next time.  Playing favorites notwithstanding, Nick did win fair and square so look for a Nick-chosen blog topic here soon!

The Importance of Rituals

On our wind through Allegheny Forest, Wil and I had lots of time to talk.  One of the topics of discussion is something that’s been on a mind a lot lately – ritual.  Specifically, seasonal rituals. 

We grunge era Gen Xers were a disaffected lot.  We observed an obvious disparity between the Reaganomics Recession and the homogenous suburbia of our parents’ generation.  It appeared to us that the counterculture hippies had traded in their tie-dye for beige splitlevels and Baby Gaps.  So with the help of REM and Kurt Cobain, we were skeptical, disillusioned.  We wanted to break through our parents’ plasticine, roboitic, whitewashed world and connect with something real and tangible.

All rituals took a hit.  Holidays particularly; they were the creation of Hallmark, Toys-R-Us, Hersheys, and churches, all carefully crafted to be huge money-makers.  The holidays were robotic, empty.  Had someone explained to me why holidays and rituals are important, I would have rolled my eyes and scoffed.  Ultimately, I had to come to understand their appeal on my own. 

A few months ago, a friend of mine suffered the loss of a grandmother, and then just recently married the love of his life.  These two very important rituals were infused with meaning.  They helped to crystallize the role of other milestones in my life.

All funerals are rough, but this one also felt important – important to mourn as a group, to take a moment and discuss the impact and worth of this life.  Some participants appeared blind with numbness and disconnected from the present – so lost in their sorrow that they were only vaguely aware a ritual was even being performed.  But by coming together and sharing the passing of the moment, we recognized and touched, on some level, the reality of time and life passing.

I watched Nate and Steph as they planned their wedding.  The headaches of coordinating, scheduling, and paying bill after bill hardly seemed worth one single event.  Why not elope and be done with it?  The event was important to Nate and Steph.  As I watched, I understood.  The white dress, the unity candle, the rings – it all tapped into this river of energy, flowing through their family and loved ones, and infused the shared experience of the present.  They passed a threshold – time has moved another step.

With all of this in mind, drinking a pumpkin spice latte in late September takes on a whole new meaning.  Going to Soergel’s for fresh apples and eating butternut squash soup at Brueggers may be a result of seasonal marketing, but it’s also a connection to the earth.  Bringing out the harvest decorations isn’t a mindless or mechanical action – it’s a participation in the collective energy surrounding a milestone of time, of season.  Rituals are authentic.  They allow us to process events and time on a human level.  Through these rituals and holidays, we are participating in life itself.

Harvest Trail

So, after over a week of sinus misery, I'm feeling much more myself.  Wil and I took a winding road through the Allegheny Forest this weekend.  Along the way we saw some beautiful leaves and stopped for some fantastic produce. 

We got the grapes.  Not quite the caliber of North East grapes, but still delicious.  We wound our way through Edinboro, PA and stopped to revisit an old haunt.  I love this place.  It always felt sacred and powerful to me.

The air was brisk, and we could hear a highland festival playing in the background.  To be standing in that same spot after so many years had passed... it was just as magical as I remembered. 

Milestones

So, two of my best friends are getting married on Saturday.  I've been scrambling to get things ready - do I have earrings I can wear?  Where are my shoes?  Do I have my toast prepared?  That last part has been the biggest hurdle.  After using Wil as a sounding board, I managed to pull out something semi-brilliant - or at least I hope so.  In the toast, I refer to a tradition Nate and I have had for several years.  We would uncork a bottle of wine on the beach or sit in the moonlight at Gudgeonville Bridge and ask three questions of each other: 

1) What were you doing this time last year? 
2) At this time last year, where did you think you would be right now?  and
3) Where do you think you’ll be this time next year?


We were always surprised by the answers.  So, where was I last year at this time?  I think, I was dating Wil, commuting back and forth between Pittsburgh and Cleveland, hoping really hard that Wil would get his transfer, and being generally grumpy about getting jipped out of any sort of summer weather.  I thought at this point we'd be living in Lordstown, Ohio, halfway between the two cities, and commuting in the miserable winter weather.  Fantastically though, the fates worked in our favor, and Wil did get his transfer.  We're living in the North Hills, which is where I've always wanted to live in terms of Pittsburgh neighborhoods.  And I'm now looking forward to a cozy fabulous fall/winter season.  This time next year?  Look for me to be a Mrs.! 


So what are your answers?  Post away!

Pop Quiz

So, since I can't think of anything to write about today, I thought I'd let someone else do the talking for me.  If you can guess the author of the below quotes, you can win the right to choose my next blog topic (within reason, of course).

You can’t see it right now, but I’m doing air quotes around “fall down”.

That cat looks totally unqualified!

I have no comment on the purity of Anne Hathaway's heart.

I think that if history has taught us *anything* it's that cats can be detectives.

Black gay latchkey kids can say whatever they want.

And then as I was walking back to my desk, I ran headfirst into a wall.

I’m barely literate, let’s be honest.

GOOD LUCK and may the best guesser win!

A Beautiful Day on the Northshore

So, was today gorgeous out or what?  I snapped this picture as I was lounging in the park on the Northshore waiting for Wil to get out of work.  Just one of those final fleeting summer days.  I got to soak in some sunlight and feel the breeze on my face.  Fall schmall.

Somewhere Over the Rainbow lives a Crazy Man

Favorite Pittsburgh Area Restaurants

LUNCH SPOTS:
Rosie’s Pierogies [Tarentum]
2015 Pittsburgh Mills Blvd.
Tarentum, PA 15084
724-275-7700
http://www.rosiespierogies.com/
Family-owned, handmade. Great deals! You can even choose from a wide variety to take home and keep in your freezer.


Rowdy BBQ [South Hills]
3900 Saw Mill Run Blvd.
Pittsburgh, PA 15227
412-882-6788
http://www.rowdybbq.com/
Home of the Rothlesburger. Great Kielbasa. Huge portions.

DINNER:

Nicky's Thai Kitchen [North Shore]
856 Western Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15233
(412) 321-8424
www.nickysthaikitchen.com/
Fantastic experience. If it’s nice out, ask to sit on the patio – it’s absolutely beautiful. Food is so yummy. You can even customize the hotness – from 0/10 to Thai Hot. Really reasonable pricing, but dining feels very high end.

Sun Penang [Squirrel Hill]
5829 Forbes Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15217
412-421-7600
The place to go for Dim Sum. Really yummy.

MEXICAN FOOD:

Emiliano’s Mexican Restaurant & Cantina [North Hills]
8600 McKnight Rd.
McIntyre Square
Pittsburgh, PA
(412) 366-8484
http://www.emilianos.net/
My favorite Mexican spot in the city. The chicken with queso meal is excellent.

Patron Mexican Grill [Wexford]
11675 Perry Highway
Wexford, PA 15090
(724) 935-3559
http://www.patronmexgrill.com/
A recent find – the service is out of this world.

MOST AMUSING DÉCOR:

The Baltimore House [South Hills]
176 Curry Hollow Road
Pleasant Hills, PA 15236-4604
(412) 653-3800
Be careful what you order – the bill can add up quickly. The food is passable. The selection is really good. They have excellent wedding soup. But the thing you must check out is the décor. It’s a Pirate’s Life for the Baltimore House!

GREAT BAR FOOD:

Rochester Inn Hardwood Grille [North Hills]
505 Rochester Road
412 364-8166
http://www.therochesterinn.com/
This place is just ridiculous. Ridiculously good, of course. I love eating on their deck. They have The Best Steak Salad I’ve ever had. Their burgers are to die for. And the price is super-reasonable.

Rick’s Sports Bar & Grill
5400 Wm. Penn Highway ( Route 22 )
Export, Pennsylvania 15632
724.327.4148
http://www.rickssportsbar.com/
Best bar food in the Pittsburgh area, in my opinion. And arguably one of the best beer selections. Check their specials ahead of time – they have a buffet with a rotation schedule – all you can eat wing night, taco night, etc. The bill is always less than I expect.

Paddy’s Pour House [Carnegie]
215 E. Main Street
Carnegie, PA 15106
412-279-0770
http://www.paddyspourhouse.com/
Authentic Irish food and great bar food all rolled into one. Great prices. Love eating in the back patio. (Have you figured out yet that I’m a sucker for a patio?)

FINE DINING

Legends of the North Shore
500 East North Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
412-321-8000
www.legendsnorthshore.com/
Bar none, this is my #1 favorite restaurant in the city. The food is absolutely freaking phenomenal. Call ahead for reservations as they tend to frown on walk-ins, but you’ll be glad you came. I go with the special every time and I haven’t been disappointed yet. Their mushroom bisque is to die for. The fresh hand-rolled pasta clearly shines through in the taste of the dishes. It can set you back a bit more than an Olive Garden or Red Lobster, but not too much more than that. The restaurant is bring-your-own wine.

Willow [North Hills]
634 Camp Horne Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15237
412.847.1007
www.willowpgh.com/
Great little restaurant – somehow pulls off being both swanky and cozy. The lighting is dim and the feeling is intimate. The food is phenomenal. Best steak I ever had. Pretty pricey though – check out the menu online before you go.

DESSERT:

The Pie Place [South Hills]
1775 N. Highland Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15241
412-835-4410
http://www.thepieplace.net/
Best dessert in the city. Fresh, homemade pies that are hearty and loaded with berries.

COFFEE:

Beehive Coffeehouse
1327 E. Carson Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15203
412-488-4483
http://www.beehivebuzz.com/
Beehive isn’t just a coffeehouse, it’s an experience. Very counter-culture hippie vibe, the places prides itself on its spontaneous artwork, which seems to cover everything. Free Wi-Fi and great people-watching. Plus you’re supporting a local business. The hand-squeezed lemonade is just like you would find at any fair. They also have soups, teas, smoothies, sandwiches, pastries, and, oh yeah, coffee.

Butternut Squash Soup

I told you I had a craving for Butternut Squash Soup!  Hooray for Brueggers for getting into the spirit of the season!

ANTM Cycle 15

America’s Next Top Model is back with a new makeover. No more over-the-top gimmicky intro involving silver spandex and a time portal. No more Seventeen Magazine. This show is finally starting to clean up its act a little and make at least a shot at high fashion. In fact, the winner of this cycle will receive the standard CoverGirl Contract, a contract with IMG models, AND will be featured in two spreads of Vogue Italia and have a cover/feature in Beauty in Vogue. Tyra’s little girls have graduated!

For all of this much-needed progress, the first episode (sans lame theme) was pretty much the typical ANTM shtick. There was some diary-reading involving a racist comment. A girl was booted for “not really wanting to be here”. However, I will say that when booze was poured, there was no visible drunkenness, which is a serious departure. Before you begin to the think the world has been turned completely upside down, let me assuage some of your fears – the show is still completely all about Tyra. We saw childhood pictures, and saw modern Tyra pose in a school-girl outfit as she lamented about how she had to take a (gasp) bus to her high school go-sees.

Even though we can’t expect miracles, I am optimistic about the new cycle. There’s a really good crop of girls too!

ANAMARIA
Age: 19
Hometown: Queens, New York
Occupation: Unemployed
Height: 5'10"

She’s cute. One of my faves. I really think this cycle will be battle of the blondes.

ANN
Age: 19
Hometown: Dallas, Texas
Height: 6'2"

Ah, “the awkward girl” with no experience and a limiting physical condition (being skinny). I don’t know how much talent is there – hope she’s a fast learner.

CHELSEY
Age: 22
Hometown: Boise, Idaho
Height: 5'10 ¾"

Another one of my favorite blondes. I think she’s the chick with the freckles.

CHRIS
Age: 20
Hometown: Arlington, Texas
Height: 5'10 ½"

One of two sisters. I think this is the one who did the photo shoot in the suit? If so, I think she’s one to watch.

ESTHER
Age: 18
Hometown: Boston, Massachusetts
Height: 5'9"

This chick has the biggest chest in the world. A G cup. Woah. And she’s Orthodox Jew (who is willing to put that aside for ATMN?). Hmm… and with all that to distinguish her, her look wasn't all that memorable.

JANE
Age: 19
Hometown: Baltimore, Maryland
Height: 5'9"

Wow, is this girl forgettable. She has a super-square jaw and she kind of reminds me of a chipmunk.

KACEY
Age: 20
Hometown: Palmdale, California
Height: 5'9"

Kacey Kacey. Kacey is a previous cycle reject, and is already stirring up the drama. Unless something changes pretty quickly, this should be another short run.

KAYLA
Age: 19
Hometown: Rockford, Illinois
Height: 5'9"

Cute as a button! I’m loving these blondes. She came in with ALARMING hair – Dolly Parton has nothing on the big curly hair this girl had. Thankfully, she was sent out of the room and had that immediately fixed. Thank you, Tyra. That was painful to see.

KENDAL
Age: 23
Hometown: Northport, Alabama
Height: 5'11"

Yeah, I don’t remember this girl at all.

LEXIE
Age: 18
Hometown: Geneva, Illinois
Height: 6'

Well, she’s a blonde, so you know what I’m going to say! Adorable!! Seriously, I don’t understand. I usually can’t stand the blondes.

LIZ
Age: 21
Hometown: Arlington, Texas
Height: 5'10"

Oh, Strong Jaw Masculine Girl. Like a moth to the flame, Tyra is drawn to you, but things just never seems to end well in the end.

RHIANNA
Age: 20
Hometown: San Diego, California
Height: 6'1 ½"

I HEART Rhianna! She’s my favorite so far. Really really needs to lose the hat, but I think she has this adorable smile.

SARA
Age: 21
Hometown: Menifee, California
Height: 5'10"

She’s a blonde, so you know what I’ll say right? WRONG! Blonde Sara – fail. Not a fan.

TERRA
Age: 24
Hometown: Arlington, Texas
Height: 5'8 ½"

This is Chris’s sister. I believe this is the more bubbly and angular of the two. She’s a little overwhelming to me.


Well, that’s the first impression breakdown. Needless to say, I’m excited to see how the cycle will go.

Bios taken from: http://www.tvsquad.com/2010/08/19/americas-next-top-model-cycle-15-meet-the-contestants/ (photos can also be found there)

Bring on Autumn!

So typically I view fall weather with a mixture of trepidation and despair.  And frankly, there's a little bit of that this year.  But for some reason, that crisp edge that has been creeping into the air has been seducing me into the Autum Spirit.  I smile at the sight of Halloween and harvest decor and I have been seriously craving some butternut squash soup.  (I found a great recipe - if it pans out, I'll let you know.)  The other night I ordered some evening tea at my favorite local coffeeshop.  Tea for me is solely a fall and winter endeavor.  It's a big step for me to order tea.  I've officially stepped away from summer denial, and now have my feet firmly planted in the realm of Autumn.  I'm practically giddy.  Time to dig out the cute hats and jackets! 

The Most Uninformed are the Most Certain

"An earlier University of Michigan study showed that even when presented with clear evidence to the contrary, people who were strongly political rarely changed their minds on issues. On the contrary, the new facts actually made misinformed beliefs stronger. As the Michigan studies discussed here both found, people do not base their beliefs on facts: they base their facts on beliefs, even when those "facts" are totally unfactual. Even worse, "misinformed people often have some of the strongest political opinions," the Boston Globe reported, when discussing the Michigan study on facts and beliefs. Yet a third study, this one from the University of Illinois, showed that those who were the most uninformed were the most certain their beliefs were factually correct."
FULL ARTICLE:
http://motherjones.com/mojo/2010/09/study-sheds-light-obama-muslim-misconception?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Motherjones%2Fmojoblog+%28MotherJones.com+%7C+MoJoBlog%29&utm_content=Google+Feedfetcher

I found this article really surprising.  How do you "win people's hearts" to a logical argument?  I'm perplexed.

Indigo Girls to Release Holiday Album :: Music :: News :: Paste

Indigo Girls to Release Holiday Album :: Music :: News :: Paste

OMG I'm soooo excited!!!  Thanks for the Head's Up, Nick!

Best Mind-Bender Movies – Part 2

TOP MIND-BENDER MOVIES

Part 2: The Space-Time Continuum Means Nothing to These People…

8.) Vanilla Sky (2001) Cameron Crowe

Doh, I wish I could remember more about this movie. I think that was kind of the point – you just had no idea what was going on. All I remember is: 1) it starred Tom Cruise and 2) I liked it. If that’s not a mind-bender, I don’t know what is.

7.) The Butterfly Effect (2004) Eric Bress & J. Mackye Gruber

Hmm… speaking of which… Ashton Kutcher in a serious role. Everything about this list is just topsy-turvy. There was some sort of strange time loop weirdness going on, but it all worked really really well. Oddly enough.

6.) Memento (2000) Christopher Nolan

So, this guy has no short-term memory and tattoos everything he has to remember on his body. Oh, and he relies on these tattoos to solve his wife’s murder (the origin of his memory loss event). Oh, and time is messed up. Just don’t miss the first few minutes. Actually don’t miss anything. If you have to pee, hold it. (Or pause it, I guess. But really, if you have to pause it, I think you lack the proper commitment level for this movie.)

5.) Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) Charlie Kaufman/Michael Gondry

Woah. So, it was physically painful for me to rate this at No. 5. Because this is my No. 1 Favorite Film of All-Time. But, in terms of level of mindbending, I had to defer to the greater masters of the genre. Even so, it has all the Hallmarks of a Great Mindbend. Events told out of order? Check. Funky futuristic science mechanism to put a wrench in things? Check. Existential dilemma on crack? Check. Unsettling special effects and visual elements? Check. Mental time travel? Check. What’s not to love? If you knew the answer to that question, I bet you’d never remember.

4.) Being John Malcovich (1999) Charlie Kaufman/Spike Jonze

I think this could easily win the award for Weirdest Movie EVER. The plot on IMDB reads, “A puppeteer discovers a portal that leads literally into the head of the movie star, John Malkovich.” I rest my case. And I haven’t even TOLD you about the 7 ½ Floor Office for Little People.

3.) Inception (2010) Christopher Nolan

Oh Inception. I fully expected not to like you. But I didn’t. I didn’t like you at all. I looooooved you! I want to watch this movie over and over and over until I ‘get’ it. As EAP once said, “All that we see or seem is but a dream within a dream.” Indeed.

2.) Donnie Darko: The Director’s Cut (2001) Richard Kelly

I cannot stress enough how important it is to watch the Director’s Cut ONLY. We made the mistake of talking up this movie and then unwittingly showing the regular cut. It was a COMPLETELY different movie. A movie that kinda blowed. The Director’s Cut though, that’s the good stuff. You’ll never look at bunnies the same again.

1.) Primer (2004) Shane Carruth

The Lay’s Potato Chip of Mindscrew Movies. I bet you can’t just watch this once. Heck, I bet you can’t sit there and not immediately watch it a second time, back-to-back. Even if you can start to wrap your head around this film, try this one on for size: the whole film start-to-finish was made for a measly $7,000. How’s that for a mindscrew?

Best Mind-Bender Movies - Part 1

TOP MIND-BENDER MOVIES

Part 1:  Who did it? What’s going on? And for the Love of God, who is Keyser Söze?


10.) Pan’s Labyrinth (2006) Guillermo del Toro

Ofelia, in the immediate aftermath of the Spanish Civil War is faced with a cruel fascist stepfather. Thanks to her vivid imagination, Ofelia can step into the fairy realm in an attempt to regain a sense of control and meaning in her otherwise senseless life. The fact that it’s completely breathtaking is totally beside the point. In the end, the plot makes no decisions for you, though it does leave clues along the way.

9) Primal Fear (1996) William Diehl/Gregory Hoblit

So the two lead actors “phoned it in” and the director appears to have graduated from the “Law and Order” School of Ho-Hum Cinematography, but you’re not watching this film for the director or the leads (you just don’t know it yet). You’re watching the film for a completely unknown talent (at the time), Ed Norton. It’s Aaron’s world, and you’re literally hanging on every syllable.

8.) Se7en (1995) Andrew Kevin Walker/David Fincher

Is there a better villain out there than Kevin Spacey as John Doe? Possibly. But I think Spacey could hold his own against any name you tossed out. I’m not sure which was more chilling – his eyes or his smile. Either way, you know that in the end, John Doe holds all the cards.

7.) The Illusionist (2006) Neil Burger

Okay so Ed Norton vs. Paul Giamatti. Who do YOU think will win? So that was pretty much a given, but you’d still be hard-pressed to put the details together as quickly as Inspector Uhl.

6.) The Prestige (2006) Christopher Nolan

Christopher Nolan has read his Shakespeare and understands well that the best conflicts arise from problems of knowing: who knows what and, more importantly, what DON’T they know? If you thought the Illusionist had some tricks up his sleeve, you haven’t met these two magicians.

5.) Wild Things (1998) John McNaughton

Who is sleeping with whom? Or who is ‘in bed’ with whom? Or wait, who is screwing whom? Wait, who? I thought I knew, but then I really did know, but then I didn’t, and then I was sure, and then I was just totally wrong. And I’m usually pretty good at this stuff!

4.) Fight Club (1999) Chuck Palahniuk/David Fincher

Damn the Man! We must destroy Ikea Sectionals with our manly bloody muscles to reclaim our authenticity! Or something like that. The soap thing was funny. And the effects were really neat. Even though I’m pretty sure that everyone on the planet has seen this movie, I’m not giving anything else away.

3.) The Sixth Sense (1999) M. Night Shyamalan

So this may be a cliché today and you really only ever get to watch this movie twice and then that’s it, but there’s a reason it’s a classic (and, I might add, the only decent movie M. Night ever made).

2.) The Game (1997) David Fincher

So what do you get the man who has everything? For the love of all that is sane in the universe, ANYTHING but “The Game”! (Unless you intend to buy him this movie, in which case, you have my approval) As if this movie isn’t weird enough, I spent a good portion of it going, “Have I seen that guy before? Was he the guy from Alf?” He wasn’t, but now I’m thinking maybe he was a doctor from “The Stand” or something. (No, not Michael Douglas, I know who HE is.)

1.) The Usual Suspects (1995) Bryan Singer

When my former boss Melissa found out I had not seen this film, she forced me to immediately go out and watch it. She appeared so desperate, I immediately complied. All I have to say is if you haven’t seen this movie, go out immediately and watch it. What is the matter with you?

Welcome to My Page

So, I've thought of creating a blog linked to my google account for some time but never made time to do it.  I hope to post a bit of everything.  I love to travel so I intend to post reviews for roadside attractions, restaurants, and funky fun shopping, as well as book, film, and music reviews.  Also just random musings.  We'll see how it goes.  I'm feeling ambitious.