Friday, September 30, 2011

Things I've missed since I've been gone...

I've been gone from W&W for so long that there are a lot of things that I've missed that I would normally have commented on.  So, rather than leave a gaping hole in your internet lives, I'll just go back through and give you a summary of September 2011.

September 11.
I got a free ipad, moved into a new apartment and spent a lot of time in urgent care for this gross eye problem I'm having.  (That's as far as I'll go.)  It's wasn't exactly a day of remembrance for me.  But I did listen to Acoustic Sunrise and they had a 9/11 tribute that was fan-tastic.  I heart acoustic music.  Also, this is what my closet looks like in my new apartment:
Okay, that's a lie.  But it's almost that good.

September 12.
My Pats started the season on Monday Night Football in Miami.  And won. 

September 18.
My man Kyle Chandler final got the recognition he deserved at the Emmy awards.  If you have any doubt in your mind that Friday Night Lights was the best show on television over the past few years (and one of the only good things Direct TV ever did), just watch this.  Tell me you're not moved.  Just try.



Man, I'm tearing up just thinking about it.

Also, people wore dresses.  Here's what I thought of them.

The good:
Click for larger image.
Jane Plimpton, aka the mom from Raising Hope, look totally -- and completely surprisingly -- smoking.  Maria Bello doesn't get older, she gets better.  Count me amongst the biggest John Krasinski and Emily Blunt fans and this dress is super pretty.  It's been a long time since Julia Stiles has looked this good.  Julia Stiles has never looked this good before.  Jurnee Smollett is so cute and this dress is e-mazing.  I really miss FNL.  You know, in case that wasn't clear from the rest of the post.

The bad:
Click for larger image.
There's something about Heidi Klum's dress that reminds me of the circus.  That's not a complement.  I feel like this dress is ugly and makes Gwyneth look like she isn't the skinniest person ever.  That's tough to do.  Dianna Agron is apparently done with   school roles.  So she's dressing like she 50 and trying to win a walk-on part on Dynasty.  If you're as cute and funny as Ellie Kemper, why not wear a dress and hairstyle that does absolutely nothing for you.  Speaking of bad hair, Zoe Barlet, what are you thinking? Oh, Brittany, I love you so.  But I do not like this.  It makes me dizzy to look at.  Julianna Margulies, you are so beautiful, why would you make yourself look so bad?  Olivia Munn has definitely had better days.  Not exactly showing Justin what he's missing.

September 25.
My Pats collapsed against the Bills.  It was upsetting, horrifying, stupefying, ugh.

September 26.
I discover that new Rihanna song and my walk to work got so. much. better.

Other than that, I just taught and planned, planned and taught, taught and planned, and had daily mini-breakdowns about why I ever took this job.

xo katei

Thanks for everything.


Tito,

You helped change everything.  Thank you.

Love,
New England

xo kate

Thursday, September 29, 2011

You're only gonna break break break break break my heart

So sad.  So statistically improbable.  I watched the game last night on MLB Game Day during my grad school class (Yep, I'm in grad school again.  Thought I did that already...) while getting texts from Boston.  It reminded me so much of the last time I watched this team through the internet and text messages while sitting in class.  But that was 2004, and the ending was different. (And it was a flip phone so texting was a lot slower.)  Even after all these years, New England sports sure know how to break my heart.


xo kate

GTL Thursday: Motivation

Apparently Snooki lost 15 pounds through a combination of some creepy diet pills and regular GTL.

I don't support the pill popping, but I am motivated by the power of a gym visit. What motivates you?





Tuesday, September 27, 2011

He's chuck bass

In the wolfpack: My favorite emulsion



Mayo is a stable emulsion of oil, egg yolk and either vinegar or lemon juice. 
 And it is friggin delicious.  
And lots of people don't like it.  
And I just can't understand that. 

It is all tangy, creamy, sweet and subtle boom pow. I don't dip my french fries in it, but I do believe it makes most sandwiches better.  And it makes me think of this scene from Pulp Fiction.





Vincent: You know what the funniest thing about Europe is?
Jules: What? 
Vincent: It's the little differences. I mean they got the same shit over there that they got here, but it's just - it's just there it's a little different. 
Jules: Examples? 
Vincent: Alright, well you can walk into a movie theater in Amsterdam and buy a beer. And I don't mean just like in no paper cup, I'm talking about a glass of beer. And in Paris, you can buy a beer at McDonald's. And you know what they call a, uh, a Quarter Pounder with Cheese in Paris? 
Jules: They don't call it a Quarter Pounder with Cheese? 
Vincent: Nah, man, they got the metric system, they wouldn't know what the fuck a Quarter Pounder is. 
Jules: What do they call it? 
Vincent: They call it a "Royale with Cheese." 
Jules: "Royale with Cheese." 
Vincent: Thats right. 
Jules: What do they call a Big Mac? 
Vincent: A Big Mac's a Big Mac, but they call it "Le Big Mac." 
Jules: "Le Big Mac." [laughs] What do they call a Whopper? 
Vincent: I dunno, I didn't go into Burger King. But, you know what they put on french fries in Holland instead of ketchup? 
Jules: What? 
Vincent: Mayonnaise. 
Jules: Yuck! Vincent: I seen 'em do it, man, they fuckin' drown 'em in that shit.

Friday, September 23, 2011

Why they think you're single. And why they are probably wrong.

It's the most annoying question and they just can't help asking you.  
It's the question that has no good answer.  
It's the question that when people stop asking it, makes you feel even worse.  
Why are you single?  ~Liz Tuccillo


If you are like me (single and nearing 30) then by some standards, you are living an "alternative" lifestyle.  And I'm sure you've noticed that your nearest and dearest are not only perplexed by your singledom (You are soooo fun! Why hasn't someone snatched you up?), but they also have an opinion about it (Might you be tooo funny on dates? Hmm?), as well as advice on how to change it (You should talk less and whatever you do, don't tell any funny stories!)  Gotcha.  Thanks.  I'll just plan to sit there and imitate a cabbage.

Maybe it is your mum who just can't lock up her opinions on your dating life...or lack thereof.  Or perhaps it is your sister who thinks she knows exactly why you are such a loser-in-love.  Your grandmother might have a few choice words about "men today"  and "what they are really after..."  Or maybe the Starbucks barrista thinks you look lonely in the morning. Or the pizza delivery man. Your manicurist.  The doorman.  You get the idea.

The point is, you probably know someone who at one point or another, has inserted themselves into a conversation about your romantic shortcomings.  And unfortunately, some are more tactful than others.

Now, if you have been blessed by Cupid himself, and in effect have never needed such tidbits of amorous advice, have no fear. I've collected the top soul-mating "suggestions" that I have heard from friends and family...with my two cents wrapped in, of course.  Some are admittedly helpful and accurate, while others are so nonsensical they might as well be written in parseltongue.

In essence, this post is a de-bunking of the dating ratings that fly around and often torture us. So here we go...in no particular order: Why they think you are single, and why they are probably wrong.

You are too intimidating.

What about us ladies is intimidating?  Take me for example.  I'm 5 foot 5 inches tall.  My nails are pink. I don't bite. I can't kill a spider without experiencing minor heart palpitations. I need help hanging pictures and lifting heavy objects.  I only walk around the city at night armed with the rape whistle my Dad gave me.


Puss n' Boots, aliens, the economy, fascism, the omnipresence of Ryan Seacrest, the near arrival of the Matrix--those are things that should scare you.  But me? Why should I intimidate you?  Because I have a college education?  A job?  A baller wolfpack?  Player, please. It is 2011.  Most of us have jobs and masters degrees and friends.

You are unique and awesome and wonderful and just haven't met someone worthy of you.
Awww...you're sweet.  Really and truly.  But honestly:  I am no special snowflake.  There are plenty of smart, fun, kind, attractive women out there.  I am merely one of the masses.

You don't give guys a chance.
Tell me, wise people.  How many chances is appropriate?  How many times should we go out with someone when we already know, in our heart of hearts, that there is nothing there?  I have gone on 2, 3, even 6 dates with people that had zero appeal to me.

  • One guy peed 4-6 times on every date; awkwardly, I went out with him 3 times. It remains unclear if he had a small bladder, IBS, a coke habit, a fear of germs, or a fear of me. 
  • Another guy couldn't kiss a woman to save his life.  He raped my face every time he tried.  I put up with it for about 3 months.  And considered buying stock in Oil of Olay.
  • This same dude refused to acknowledge we were dating.  After 3 months, I introduced him at my birthday party as a "friend of the romantic nature."  He reprimanded me, in front of my friends, and suggested that I refer to him instead as my "colleague".  But wait, because here is the kicker: we did not work together.  
  • Another guy was a self declared manorexic.  We went out twice.  I went home hungry...twice...and friggin housed a bag of pop chips and a tub of Sabra hummus. 
How many dates is enough?  How many dates is fair?  How many dates is leading someone on?  How long until I've made my point?

You only like the ones you can't have.
This gem of advice, I actually buy.  Sometimes it does seem that we are only attracted to unavailable men.

And sometimes it seems that when we are interested in a fella, he doesn't want to give us the time of day.

And the fools we choose to ignore?  They. won't. stop. texting.

I have two theories about this:
a) Men might love unavailable, aloof women, almost as much as we girls love too-cool-for-school bad boys.

Consider this:  if you showed up at a man's house and presented him with a stuffed and preserved moose head, he would probably be confused and even repulsed by the gift.  However, if he went out into the woods himself, stealthily and cleverly hunted and shot the creature...he would be thrilled and proud to hang the ugly dead thing up in his man cave.


Lesson:  men like to hunt almost as much as we like to talk about our feelings. It is not an absolute need.  It should not be a driving force in your life. But it is there. And it is okay.

b) It only takes one time for the feeling to be mutual and requited and harmonious and right.  Until then, it is a bloody mess.

You aren't ready for love.
I didn't realize we had to be Siddhartha Gautama or a friggin Jedi in order to unlock the pearly gates of love.  Give me a break before I slice off your hand with my light saber.

You are gay. 
I don't know.  Are you?  I'm not. But sometimes I wish I were. Might add breadth to my wardrobe?  Double my shoe collection? But then I remember that many of the same constraints would still hold true.  And also I like boys.

There are no good men left.
This doesn't insult me.  But if you are a single man, it should insult you.

If you didn't have bad luck, you wouldn't have any luck at all.
This is my mom's take on my love life.  And I'm pretty sure its accurate.

You are too picky.

"Picky" insinuates that we are selective.  Is that a bad thing?

Riddle me this: what is the opposite of being selective?  Settling?  Hmm.  Do you want me to settle?  Did you settle?  I sincerely hope you didn't.

People say life is too short, but I say life is too long.  It is too long to be tied to people who don't make you happy and bring out the best in you.  So just give me some time to find the right one, instead of settling down with the wrong one.

You are trying too hard.  When you least expect it, you'll find love.
Everyone says this.  And I might be on board.  But not because fate is a bitch or the cosmos are effing with us.

Rather, when are we not looking for love around each and every corner, we actually have time to genuinely enjoy life!  We enjoy our family, friends, pets, and hobbies.

We take golf lessons, and learn to sew and master the art of changing a flat tire.  We start businesses and keep journals and ask about our mothers' childhoods.  We judge JWoww's latest plastic surgery and we praise Lady Gaga's latest fashion stunt. We experiment with new meatloaf recipes, and re-read a tattered and worn favorite novel.

And when we're surrounded by all the awesomeness of our lives, we become the happiest, bestest, purest, chillest version of ourselves, and that my friend, not only attracts, but also cultivates relationships and romance and love--in all forms.

And it is in that vein that brings to mind my best piece of advice:  do more of what makes you happy.

So there you go.

Tell me:  what did I miss?  Where am I wrong?  Did any of that ranting actually make sense?  What is your one ultimate piece of love advice?

Thursday, September 22, 2011

You know it is true.

GTL Thursday: All the love I have

I've never been a huge fan of Jovanotti, but I had to share a recent video of his for this GTL Thursday.


First, the background: Jovanotti is an Italian singer-songwriter that mixes hip hop, rap, funk, classical and even at times, ska.

Yes, ska.

Sounds weird, right?  Right.

Allora, I have listened to his 2010 song, "Tutto l'amore che ho" a few times and let me tell you, it is pretty, pret-ty, pret-ty depressing.  Too depressing for me to translate here.  (Plus, that would take me forever and a year.)

In short, Jovanotti is completely bummed and totally bitter to be separated from his love.  He is willing to do just about ANYTHING to get her back...including paying with all the love he has.  It is very Meatloaf.  Very Jacob Black.  Very Heathcliff.  (Not the cartoon, but the tortured Bronte hero..)

While the song isn't exactly the fun we usually watch here on W&W, the video redeems it. When I watch Jovanotti's video, I see a lone wolf who has to fight bad guys, dodge bullets, escape bus chases, avoid explosions, jump through windows, and face...get this...another lone wolf.  So deep. 


In all honesty, I have no idea what it has to do with the song, but I think you're gonna love it. Especially all the car bombs that fire in the last 60 seconds.  It is an epic symphony of boom.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

In the wolfpack: Shel Silverstein

I still remember most of the words to Shel Silverstein's poem, "Sick". Little Peggy Ann McKay's dramatic efforts to get out of school...only to realize it was, indeed, Saturday...really resonated with me.


NPR did a beautiful piece this week on the much loved author, poet, composer, illustrator who passed away in 1999.  You can listen to the story, which includes his family members reading some of his work, here.

I'm looking forward to reading his new collection Everything On It , and I'm adding The Giving Tree to my Christmas-shopping list.  It is going to make a great holiday gift.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Tuesday Loseday: My soul-mate is a ginger.

I can't decide if my favorite part is the two-finger-eyeball-watch or when he simply slaps his ass. Either way, homeboy is in the wolfpack.

Monday, September 19, 2011

Stick to the code.

Ahoy mateys!  In honor of International Talk like a Pirate Day, I bring you simple fall nautical fashion, matched with gorgeous Stella & Dot accessory accents.  I'm not a pirate expert per se, but I suspect this pairing will bring out your inner buccaneer.

To finish this look, I recommend a slightly heavier than usual eyeliner, dramatic lashes, and a subtle lip.  Savvy?



International Talk like a Pirate Day


Gryphon jersey shirt
$65 - theoutnet.com

Single breasted blazer
$130 - topshop.com

Dsquared wide leg pants
$388 - shopbop.com

Tods patent leather heels
£130 - flannelsfashion.com

Leather clutch
£89 - debenhams.com

Smudge Pot « Stila Makeup « Mecca Cosmetica
42 AUD - meccacosmetica.com.au

J'adore this commercial.

Grace Kelly, Marlene Dietrich, Marilyn Monroe and Charlize Theron star in the new Dior commercial--filmed at the Château de Versailles. I don't think advertisements get classier than this.

Thursday, September 15, 2011

GTL Thursday: The 6000 Year Smush




MANTUA - For 6,000 years, two young lovers have been locked in an eternal embrace, hidden from the eyes of the world. This past weekend, the “Lovers of Valdaro” -- named for the little village near Mantua, in Northern Italy, where they were first discovered -- were seen by the public for the first time.  The lovers are in fact two human skeletons, dating back to the Neolithic era, which were found in a necropolis in the nearby village of Valdaro in 2007, huddled close together, face to face, their arms and legs entwined. They were displayed this past weekend at the entrance of Mantua Archeological Museum, thanks to the effort of the association, “Lovers of Mantua,” which is seeking a permanent home for the ancient couple.

After the discovery, many thought that the couple had been killed. It would fit in well with the history of an Italian region famous for many tragic love stories. Mantua is the city where Romeo was exiled and was told that his Juliet was dead. The composer Giuseppe Verdi chose it as the location for his opera Rigoletto, another story of star-crossed love and death.
But subsequent research revealed that the skeletons did not have any signs of a violent death. They were a woman and a man, between 18 and 20 years old. Some have wondered if they died together, holding each other in a freezing night. Professor Silvia Bagnoli, the president of the association “Lovers in Mantua,” doesn’t exclude this possibility, but says that more likely the skeletons were laid out in that position after their deaths.
The mystery might never be solved. Still, many want to see the couple. The association “Lovers in Mantua” is campaigning for their right to have a room of their own. According to Bagnoli, 250,000 euros will be enough for an exhibition center, and another 200,000 euros could pay for a multimedia space to tell the world the mysterious story of these prehistoric lovers.

The Evolution of a Wolfpack: The Goon Docks

The Goonies:  
The Wolfpack of 1985
  

When I was eight years old I pushed my sister down the stairs and blamed it on the dog.



 This one, this one right here. This was my dream, my wish. And it didn't come true. 
So I'm taking it back. I'm taking them all back.



You know something, Willie? You're the first Goonie. 



Goonies never say die.



Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Cos I said so.

Cos is one of my oldest and bestest friends. We were buddies before I even knew what a wolfpack was.

He's also a musical genius, involved in a variety of projects and groups. One group is the Boston-based band, Parker House and Theory.

They are playing at the Hard Rock Cafe on September 23rd and you should go see them.

In the meantime, check this out...

They try copy my swagger. I'm on the next shit now.

I don't get it.

I don't like it. Where's the hot shower-to-ship-to-diamonds-to-horse guy?

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Tuesday Mayhem

Kate and I fell in love with Dean Winters when he was portraying Ryan O'Reily on HBO's Oz.   Ryan was a sociopath with breast cancer, and Winters played him perfectly.

I haven't seen his work as Johnny Gavin on FX Network's Rescue Me, nor Dennis Duffy on NBC's 30 Rock, but I'm sure he was friggin awesome.

In 1999, he was on Sex and the City.

In 2010, he was selected to portray "Mayhem" in an Allstate insurance advertising campaign.

In 2011, he joined this wolfpack.





Friday, September 9, 2011

Fist pump, Push ups, Chapstick

There was Dante.  And Longfellow.  And Neruda.  

Haunting images. Beautiful words.  Surprising metaphors. 

But them of quite capture the nuances of the modern world, like a one, Mr. Pauly D.  
An accidental poet in a league of his very own. 


I would argue that the Hitchhiker's Guide got it wrong.
42 is not the answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe, everything.
But rather, Fist pump, push ups, chapstick answers it all.
All you need is FPC.

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Where the Wilcats Are: Quidam

Quidam is the 9th production of Cirque du Soleil (created in 1996) and is currently playing in Boston.  I was lucky enough to be invited to experience Quidam by my lovely roommate JG.

Have you been to a Cirque show before?  I was a virgin, but having done a case study on the Canadian circus arts before, I sorta kinda maybe knew to expect mind blowing, gravity defying, nail biting talent...with a plot weaving it all together. In this particular production, Quidam is imagined by a bored young girl named Zoé who is ignored by her parents. It is an escape.

The show's title refers to the feature character, a creepy big headless horseman.  Only...there is no horse, instead the decapitated fellow dons an umbrella and bowler hat.  According to the ever accurate and reliable wikipedia: Quidam is said to be the embodiment of both everyone and no one at the same time. According to Cirque du Soleil literature "Quidam: a nameless passer-by, a solitary figure lingering on a street corner, a person rushing past. ... One who cries out, sings and dreams within us all."

Deeeeeeep.  Right?  Sounds a touch depressing, but unless you speak french, you'll probably miss most of the message and just be awe struck by the stunts.  That is what happened to me and JG at least.

Here are some pics to make you feel like you were there.

These guys were my favorite.  I could think of only two things while watching them.  1: Elphalba's song "defying gravity" from the musical Wicked.  You can listen to it here.  And 2:  I should GTL more.  
Especially the Gym. 


Mind boggling. 

Who comes up with this stuff?  
Like, who decides it would be neat to make a human hamster wheel that turns on its side?  


These lashes are not from the show.  But I want them.