Frozen Antioxidants

The other day while perusing the ice cream aisle for a lite, but somewhat sweet after dinner treat, I noticed a new trend in ice creamery. Tell me. Am I the last to know that pomegranate is the hot flavor of the month!? It’s all over my grocer's freezer! Most commonly wrapped up in a dark chocolate shell and delivered as a decadent bar, I’ve found.

Everything is big in New York and the ice cream aisle is no exception. You can really find anything and everything you would or could ever dream up. It’s nice to have a selection, but if you’re one of those people who don’t really know what they want, forget it, you’re gonna catch a cold standing by the freezer trying to choose. But, I digress…

As much as I like the idea of a pomegranate/chocolate dessert I’m a little miffed by the way it's being marketed. As predicted, I suppose, companies have chosen to ride on the “healthy antioxidant” train and its sad. C’mon! Most people don’t go to the ice cream aisle for antioxidants or Omega-3s or any other sort of “good for you” stuff. I’ll pick up sorbet or lame fudge bars because the guilt that goes with a pint of Ben & Jerry’s is just too much. Why talk up antioxidants when we all should know it gets lost in the mixture of cream!? Ugh! Sorry, what a random rant!

A Whole Web World

I hear about a new Web site at least once a day. At work, on the subway, from the crazy person mumbling to themselves on the street. EVERYWHERE! The good news, however, is that most of the time they are actually pretty cool. Here's a highlighted list of some new ones that I've recently discovered:

Hitchsters.com: This lovely website helps people traveling to and from NY coordinate and share a cab with strangers seeking the same. You put in your location, your flight info and travel time and voila!It matches you with someone else who is going to the airport-- gone are the days of spending $60 just to catch your flight. There is of course the $7 ride on the subway, but all New Yorkers know that just takes forever!

Walkjogrun.net: I'm training for a 10 mile run, well, training is rather a strong word since I've been sick the past month and wouldn't exactly call my activity "training," but whatev. Anyway, this site helps you figure out the distance between point A and point B. It's much easier than mapquest because you're able to put your direct route. Unfortunately, I just discovered the run I thought was about 4.5 miles, was actually just a bit over 3. Damn.

Ohmyrockness.com/ pitchforkmedia.com: Two music Web sites I've been paying a lot of attention to. Ohmyrockness is a great source for indie shows in NYC- just realized that The Arcade Fire is coming back to NYC for round two and I am GOING to get tickets this time. Also, Pitchforkmedia is great for music reviews and sampling sounds, which is perfect for this music loving chic.

Twitter: Okay, I was a little suspect of this one at first. But, with much reluctancy I signed up and am actually enjoying it. Basically, it allows you to text, IM or post what your up to whenever you want and it automatically updates all of your friends. It's another social network, but it's more fun because of all the random messages you receive. For example, I got this message from my friend Moka today: "dude! didnt c picasso @ sfmoma! But justin.tv is so Much cooler! Kick ass! Now back to work!" If you're not familiar with Justin.tv well you will be because it's the last site on my list (for today anyway).

Justin.tv: This guy, named Justin, has had a camera attached to his body for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Apparently, he never turns it off. It's like his own version of The Truman Show. Now, I'm not watching Justin every moment of the day (I promise), but it is pretty fascinating and I will admit I've tuned in a couple times since hearing about it. I just checked now and he's playing a poker game! Ha!

SXSW Web Awards

Moka and I pose with video podcaster and host of this year's SXSW Web Awards, Ze Frank. This picture also made it onto PC Magazine's SXSW photo blog. Check it out here.


And the winners of the 2007 Web Awards include....

Exopolis Valentine's Day Mixtape
Smithsonian Photography Initiative
Twitter
Resn 2B2
OwnYourC
The Horizontal Way
Computerlove
Squidoo
Vitamin
The Fallen Alternate Reality Game
TimeTrumpet
Hungry Suitcase
Just for the F of It
Jonathan Yuen
How Do I Say This?
Stikkit
Social Saga

Check them out! I particularly like How do I say this? :)

The Ten

You know that feeling when you come across an idea that is so brilliant you wished you thought of it first?! Well, that’s exactly how I felt after screening The Ten at SXSW. The premise of the film centers on ten stories each based on one of the Ten Commandments. Featuring an ensemble cast including Paul Rudd, Winona Ryder, Rob Corrday, Ken Marino and Liev Schreiber to name a few, The Ten is a witty little ditty full of satire and spunk.

From the start, the film is strong. I particularly enjoyed the first few stories—one focused on, very literally, a fallen falsified idol, and the other on a librarian who is de-virginized during a Mexico vacation by no other than Jesus Christ. Yes, there are some crazy, raunchy, fantastically crass stories in The Ten, but that’s what makes it so much fun. Writer and director David Wain has made another cult classic with The Ten, and I hope it’s successful at the box office and that more people expose themselves to his work which includes The State and Wet Hot American Summer.

I attended a panel featuring David Wain, Paul Rudd who narrates and produces the film, and Ken Marino who co-wrote and produced. Although I’m not shockingly surprised, they pointed out that cast is about 90 percent why films make it to the mainstream. According to the panel, Jessica Alba’s very brief appearance in the film is a big reason why the picture was sold and will be distributed. I thought the film was strongly cast without her, but apparently studios insisted in her involvement, which I find incredibly interesting and somewhat sad. Just think of all the films being made today that don’t include a sexy, million dollar making actress. Everyday movies are being passed up on wide-distribution deals, but they are still very worthy of an audience. This trend in movie-making emphasizes just how important it is to support independent filmmakers and the stories they are trying to tell. I’m getting sick of how celebrity obsessed our culture is getting these days.

Anyway, I highly recommend The Ten. You will all be able to see it August 3, 2007 when it hits theaters nationwide.

Austin, TX

I've been meaning to post each day of the SXSW festival, but obviously have failed. If you haven't made a trip to Austin, Texas I have to ask, "what are you waiting for?" Austin is a great town and during the festival it really comes alive. What could be better than warm weather mixed with intellectual conversations, parties, movies, music and spicy Southwest food?! I've had so much fun in the "live music capital of the U.S" and am feeling a bit sad about leaving.

South by Southwest

Who's going to Austin? I'm going to Austin! It's been awhile since I've taken a vacay, so I decided what better way to spend my bday than with my two good friends, Jenny and Moka. I'm packing my bags and heading to Texas (I've always wanted to say that)! I can't wait! And, in a bit of good fortune, I've scored a pass to the SXSW music, film and interactive festival. I plan on attending every film seminar and screening I can squeeze in.

Love, American Style

Somehow I got into a conversation with my ex boyfriend today about the film The Notebook of all things. It was my fault. I mentioned a satrical Vanity Fair article I read that opined how men almost subconsciously avoid films featuring actor Ryan Gosling for reasons they don’t care to admit. The writer of this particular article seemed to think The Notebook, the sappy Southern love story set in the 40s starring Gosling, might have something to do with it.

If you haven’t heard of The Notebook you’re living under a rock. It was a book before it was a film and I myself dodged the story for quite some time. It took a rainy day and the flu to compel me to see for myself what all the fuss was about. Yes, it is a lovey-dovey, sappy story, but to my surprise it moved me to tears and apparently I’m not the only one.

I’ve heard stories of grown men who wept watching this “chick flick.” When I mentioned it to Adam he was unfamiliar with the story. No surprise there. But, when I gave him the recap his instant reaction was absolute- no way. Still no surprise…

I completely get why men resist. To be fair, I stay clear of war and shooter-up movies because I have a hard time looking past the violence and testosterone-driven story. Interestingly though, the whole premise of The Notebook is such an easy target for criticism from modern men and women alike. We live in a world where that kind of love story is foolish. I mean what kind of guy would write his girl a letter every day for a year? That’s the kind of devotion, passion and commitment that we only see in old movies or read about on Valentine’s Day. You know the stories I’m talking about ones of happenstance or instant attraction that lasted a lifetime. These stories seem so old-fashioned. I wonder why? Is it fear of being vulnerable or fear of losing one’s independence? I’m sure it’s a combination of a whole bunch of things I really don’t feel like continuing to analyze, but it’s made me take notice.

Love Day

JAIPUR, India—An annual kite festival, 2000.
© Stuart Franklin / Magnum Photos


Nice V-Day appropriate photo essay on Slate today!

Cocoa time!

One of my favorite warm drinks of all time is hot chocolate. Velvety, smooth, rich, hot chocolate is so damn good. Yes, I’ve given you a pretty good indication that my palate favors sweet rather than salty/savory bites. I’ll be the first to admit that I have a dangerous sweet tooth. Dark chocolate is my absolute favorite and just a small piece adds an extra bit of happiness to my day! Hey, I find pleasure in the small things.

There’s a lot of media hoopla about Valentine’s Day and I couldn’t help but notice since I’m pretty much glued to my desk each and every day surfing the Web. Not only did I find lots of unwanted love advice, you know, the do and don’t articles, but in an ironic sort of way I found my perfect Valentine, a Hot Chocolate Festival right here in New York City. I won’t lie. I was a bit disappointed to discover this month-long festival mid-month, but I’ll take what I can get. It’s better for my waist line to be fashionably late to this party anyway.

City Bakery (18th between 5th and 6th) features a different cocoa flavor every day. When it comes to cocoa, I’m more traditional and favor the classics. After reviewing the list, I know I’ll be hitting up dark chocolate day. However, I’m willing to venture and try a few new ones too. I’m intrigued by Love Potion, oooh and Spicy hot chocolate (hoping its like Mexican) and the last day’s mystery chocolate concoction might be delish. But, beer hot chocolate? No, sir not for me. www.hot-chocolate-festival.com

A day at the museum

Last weekend I visited the Brooklyn Museum. Spending a day admiring and analyzing art seemed like the perfect thing to do on such a chilly Sunday afternoon. I took the train into the heart of Brooklyn and was amazed to find that the museum I thought was small and "neighborhoody" was in fact massive and beautiful.

I went with the intention of seeing three exhibits-- the Annie Leibovitz: Photographer's Life series, Ron Mueck, and Walton Ford. Little did I know that it was the last day of the Leibovitz exhibit and that it was going to take forever to get in, but regardless of the wait I'm happy to report that the time spent waiting in line was worth it. I was most impressed with Ron Mueck who works with silcone and a mix of other media to create life-like human sculptures on the scales large and small. Mueck has an astounding understanding of the human anatomy. His work was precisely proportionate and eerily human right down to the fingernail.

I was also taken with Walton Ford's Tigers' of Wrath exhibit, a series of watercolors so vibrant and detailed. Inspired by John James Audobon, Ford's work showcased animals in extremely violent situations, which I find a bit ironic because his work was so beautiful. His work said a lot about colonialism and humanism, although to be quite honest I didn't have enough time to spend analyzing it as it was the last exhibit I visited.

It was great to see Leibovitz's work, but unfortunately the show was so packed it was hard to take it all in. It was quite something to see so much of her work in one room. That women must never stop taking pictures.

Needless to say, I'll defintely be keeping my eye out for other exhibits in Brooklyn.