A: Finding a website full of lists by other people.
Here's an interesting one, from Sid (of the Sex Pistols -- you know, just in case you assumed it was Sid of American wrestling fame) to the doomed apple of his eye, Nancy. Kinda raunchy... yeah. Kind sweet... yeah that too. And is that blood? Not sure. Don't want to know.
Want more lists (most considerably less punk)? Go to Lists of Note. Bookmark it, subscribe to it, add it your reader. Just do it.
Today is 11/11/11. Some of you may consider this just another day, while others think evil has knocked on the calendar. More likely you are peeing in your pants waiting for luck to rain down. I'm not going to lie -- I probably fit into the latter. Yep, I still make wishes when the clock reads 11:11, and I love any excuse to buy into superstitious nonsense.
Hollywood finally got the brilliant idea to capitalize on people's fascination with just a few little numbers by making a movie centering on the phenomena. It's come out today and I'm pretty sure it will be pure garbage. Here's a few other films, that vary thematically, but share the distinction of being numerically titled, and are almost all crap. Note: 10 is the good kind of crap, you know, if you're into Dudley Moore and cornrows (and who's not).
Here we go again. In a part 2 to this, I am bringing you the dastardly shapes that will kill you. The options were sort of limitless... yet I settled upon these. I almost wish I had kept going and made it extra long, but I wanted to stick with 20 as with the other poster. But come on.... French FRY would have been a great follow to the "french foe". I'm not going to strain my brain about it though; I just knock these weird things out try not to look back. I sometimes feel like I have an inner voice after making this stuff that says, "ok do you feel better now" and then I answer "meh, sure I guess". And that's that. P.S. My brain is sort of like a generic brand of tapioca today... lots of work, no sleep, many power outages, and dull flat-lining thoughts. Apologies if it turns out I accidentally posted a grocery list or cute photos of dachshunds doing cute things that only I would care about. Oh and while I'm dolling out apologies... sorry Australia. You're great, and I'm not scared.
No resolutions for me this year; I don't need to open that door to possible failures, with my old enemy guilt waiting to meet me, arms open wide. At the same time who doesn't love the feeling of a clean slate or having a reason to keep striving for a better/happier life... so I can't entirely resist. Here is my personal guide to having a great 2011.
I continue to have some unfinished business from childhood, or have some yet unidentified condition that urges me to obsess over shapes and draw any parallel I can to objects across the world. The project is pure nonsense, and again it may be an exercise that only makes sense in my head, but in this instance I'm making a series that essentially categorizes the shapes in our life. It's called "These Shapes Will (________) You".
I started with "Cure". Prescription ads on TV seem to be burned into my mind. You have an ailment, they make a pill for that. You think you have an ailment, there's a pill for that. You want to prevent an ailment, there's a pill for that. In other words, there are a bunch of pills out there. I'm not downplaying the merits of modern medicine... someday I will probably need 1 or 10 to keep me going, but when you look at the options all together or lose the ability to filter out the number of possibilities, well it's a lot. A lot of big business, a lot of questionable science, a lot of money.
But I can't pretend that I had some grand statement to make in coming up this, that I'm trying to simplify what has grown into an overwhelming jigsaw of remedies ... I just like shapes.
A while back I was sent a link to the site You Need Birdseed. Clearly they knew how much I'd like it as it's right up my alley. Jon (aka Mr. Birdseed), whoever you are, you're awesome.
Mr. T was recently quoted as saying that he did not approve of the violence in the new A-Team reboot. And while I'm pretty sure he doesn't have an issue with the amped up action (it's more about being true to the wholesome spirit of the original?) the former wrestler must know that the secret to many a gun slinging movie, especially one that aspires to be in the franchise hall of fame, must have a healthy dose of kills. So get on board T and welcome the magical ingredient that makes mothers cringe and movies rise to the top. This is summer; it's the way things have to be. Just ask Rambo... who's on what, an upcoming 5th installment of the series. Now that guy can blow things away.
Sorry no videos to accompany the post this week. I didn't even know where to begin and quit looking before I really tried.
I made a recipe card. It's nothing complicated, and I guess doesn't really need to be. I can't resist an opportunity to make a list of some sort and the timing seemed right. You can download it for free like all of my other lists. The actual image is black on plain white... background color is added just for this post. It measures 4"x6" and the file is a PDF. Link for download is below. If for some reason it doesn't work give me a shout and I'll fix it.
Movies geared towards teens don't really go for it like they used to... pants off, hormones ready to dive-bomb anything with a pulse. The closest thing I can think of is the American Pie series, and that was what, almost 10 years ago. Where are the films that are full of gratuitous nudity, raging parties, inexperienced horn-dogs with clueless friends as sex mentors, and maybe a hot tub or two. Cartoony and sexually amped-up, the 80's undoubtedly mastered one of my favorite comedy sub-genres. Yes, they're over the top and usually lacking much of a plot, but they're the perfect match for summertime... teenage hi-jinks and the quest for a little nooky. I guess nooky is putting it mildly (yes, I'm secretly 80 years old).
Un-Hughesian, they're good in that bad way, like spiked punch or coconut scented tanning oil, not at all sweet or poignant. Not coming-of-age, but coming of, well nevermind. I'm almost shocked that parents weren't on a constant dose of anti-hypertensives. But, I saw a lot of them as a kid and things worked out ok. Right? Anyway, my best guess is we can thank an onslaught of STDs for almost killing this kind of movie. Thank goodness for late night cable to keep the memories alive.
There were so many to choose from but I think I've managed to select the greatest hits. BEWARE, the 80's were less censored when it came to trailer content, so there's some jiggle and horizontal dancing in a few.
I can't tell you how much I want this book. The Onion is great. Lists are CLEARLY great. Categorizing things makes me tingle. Pop Culture, yes please. John Hodgman is aces. AND "24 Stupid Inventions For Lazy Americans".
Naturally I feel like was made for me. I know this is premature, but I'm going to go ahead and make a not-too-subtle Christmas list wish. This is me willing it to be so. Available here.
Now here is a list I could really use. Not an everyday sort of list but one that could certainly get me focused for some long term life changes. Right now this gal can fill up both sides easily... getting it all done will be the harder part. As always you can download your own copy (black and white version) from my website.
The line between laziness and convenience is sometimes a blurry one. With this list I'm not sure if I have come any closer in clearing up the debate. I give you the Quick Pick Message ("When you don't have time to write it all out"), for those brief thoughts you've got to pass along. My head tells me this is straight up lazy but my heart says it's not, after all lists are the cornerstone of recovery.
This list can be yours in two ways: as an 8 x 10 free pdf download (white background) or you can buy a bunch of printed mini versions in my shop, which includes a small pencil and is enclosed in a customized prescription bottle and bag (and if you ask nicely I will throw in some extra sheets). So go tell it like it is and enjoy!
Holy cow, I never thought this day would come. I FINALLY have something for sale in my dusty Etsy shop. I can not decide if this is exciting or anticlimactic. On the one hand I am beyond glad to have scratched something off a list and fulfill a little dream, but I also wonder if anyone will want anything and if I "done good". I don't know... I will think about it later because I am a little bit tired of looking at the thing right now.
To give you a quick overview of what's in there before signing off --
I still feel a bit unsure of everything from pricing to descriptions to shipping and so on, but I think it's all affordable, fair, and straight forward... and hopefully stuff someone somewhere wants.
I also will have more things added within the week... large photo prints from the "Reminders" series as well as prints of photos featured on my website (images that are actually letter/word free). Then I can let the shop be and see if people will come. I have to say that I am glad to move on to the next thing on my list, which is starting my "Lazyholic Do's and Don'ts" project and taking LOTS of photos. I have missed you camera.
Thanks in advance if you go to my shop and please let me know if you have any questions/requests.
AND thank you parents and sponsors for helping me fund the supplies/materials to get this off the ground once and for all!!!!
Sometimes I get grouchy. Sometimes I get grouchy and have no real good reason. And sometimes I do but I don't feel like talking about it is worth the trouble. For such situations I've created a gripe sheet for myself. I can write down my beef, get it out of my system and then burn it. Hopefully it will be that easy. If you need the same kind of help, and scrap paper just won't cut it, you can download it. It's nothing fancy but it's all yours.
I am a very conflicted person, constantly considering purchases, asking myself "do you REALLY need this and will life be pretty crappy if you don't have it, or will you get by?". What makes things a little easier these days is the lack of funds in which to splurge on fleeting desires. Even still I have to resort to a sorting method in order to justify a few wants (yes, holes in your shoes is a good reason to get a new pair). Maybe this list will help. Maybe it will help you too if you have the same problem. As with the other OCD lists you can download it for free if you want it.
Tomorrow is the big 'ole start of SXSW here in Austin, and also marks my first time in being a volunteer. I'm taking photos of... what I'm not sure yet. SX is traditionally a hectic time here in town and I usually do my best to avoid the craziness (and go to the free stuff). So this will be a new thing and frankly I couldn't be more nervous. Naturally I made myself a little checklist and hopefully that will help prepare me for the next week. All I want is to do a good job and not submit blurry photos. I'll see what I can do. Maybe somewhere in there I'll manage to check off "have fun".
I made another list. This is a to-do list for the week. Again you can download it for free if you want and size it however you like for printing. It's divided into the things you want to do and the things you have to do. The days of the week are listed and you just fill in the day and month (if you so choose).
As most people may know already I am obsessed with making lists. Add to that, an almost equal obsession with making forms/using basic graphics. Sadly one of my favorite things about my former job was developing templates (really living on the edge!). Anyway, I have been developing some printables, marrying my two loves, to possibly sell (along with some other things) in my Etsy shop. Here is one that I have been working on. It's a grocery list template. Of course I'm sure I've omitted some staple items or have not allowed enough room for certain categories, but this is the best I could come up with without it becoming totally impractical and never ending.
If you happen to want it (or see the full view) you can download it for free. You can print as one large sheet (regular print paper) or print 2-up or 4-up. I like making them small, but you have to be able to write (and see) tiny.
Sorry the file is kinda big. I got too lazy to resize. Wow, I AM lazy.
