Last Night the DJ Saved My Life

I know I'm a season and a week late in announcing it, but the Mango Autumn 2008 Music Mix is out for distro. The Catch the Mango Spirit tracklist is as follows:

Apple Jelly: Radio
Little Pictures: I Wish I Could Keep You
Miami Horror: Make You Mine
Bishi: Never Seen Your Face
Meg: Distante
Glasvegas: Geraldine
James Yuill: No Pins Allowed
Choir of Young Believers: Action Reaction
Threatmantics: Don't Care
The John Steel Singers: Rainbow Kraut
Eugene McGuinness: Fonz
honeyhoney: Little Toy Gun
Jonjo Feather: Taxi
A Cuckoo: Adore
Alessi's Ark: The Horse
Longwave: I Don't Care
The Monolators: Don't Dance
Dan Black: Yours
Hot Lava: Apple Option Fire
Magic Arm: Widths & Heights
Thieves Like Us: Drugs in My Body
Caspa Codina: Music in My Brain

Bájalo aquí: http://(Down came the rain and...)

Update: ...washed the music out.  Link removed, mis bonitos.  Lo siento.

¡Japi Bandera Day!

It's Rican Flag Day today! And I feel like I need to wave some sort of flag to help my stomach and liver rest. Never surrender; just need a little breather. I've had enough roast pork and rice and gandules and beans and pasteles and cake and beer and rum to last me a lifetime (or until next year). And I'm here for another 5 Christmastime days. Ooph. Yum!

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow

Pero no en Puerto Rico. That's where I be right now, visiting the family and leaving the Jayhawk to his own devices until the 29th. Ooph. ;) So, updates may or may not be sporadic until I get back to DC. If I don't update while I'm here, Happy Christmakwanzaakuh, everyone!

Pretty Pictures Version 12.16.08

There's apparently been vintage pr0n on the brain now that 2008 is coming to a close. First I find that one of the top ten TV ads for 2008 is a 70s pr0n-filled spot for Diesel's SFW XXX party (#7, to be precise). And then I find today's 70s pr0n-inspired Pretty Pictures: We Are Standard's "Last Time." Not that I'm complaining because music and pr0n are all that the Interwebs are meant for in my book. But it all makes me go hmmm, nonetheless.

Gimme Gimme #16

It's so gross and rainy that I'm in the mood for asking for some things that will keep me nice and dry: nice umbrellas. Unlike the free Red Cross umbrella I found in my office that almost poked Candy's eye out this morning while we waited for the bus.

This umbrella (in the green) is kinda cool and not too girly. But I'm looking for something a touch more masculine, and this one does the trick. And then there's this one, which I've always liked because it makes me think that it'll keep you sunny-day smiley on nasty rainy days. This one will definitely make people do a double take. But this one will get me the techie green kudos that are so in vogue now. Too bad it's just a concept because it is pretty effing cool.

And now I've got Rihanna burned in my brain. Great...

¿Qué pasa, USA?

First comes word from Overland Park that trouble's brewing just underneath the official surface over at Sprint. And then comes word that even Uncle Karl is feelin' the pinch in the economy (in his own special way, bien sur). What's happening in this pretty world of ours?

La Semana in News #10

Probe. Funkhouser. Drrty. And unethical, too.

Music is always the first to go when purse strings get tightened.

The Mongolians (by way of Texas) are coming! Do we really need yet another chain restaurant, though?

Zoo life is no bueno for KC elephants.

Maybe they should escape from their cages like the panthers do in Rico. And it still hasn't been caught. Ooph.*

Flaming June's going on vacay in Madrid.

¡Ay, qué rico en Puerto Rico! Take note, KC.

Aww...Abdullah the Butcher's retiring. I can't believe he was still fighting. Isn't he like 500 years old now?

(*Article en español)

Pretty Pictures Version 12.12.08

Today's Pretty Pictures are just a little something to kick start your weekend. James Yuill with "No Pins Allowed." Folktronica, indeed. Who comes up with these ridiculous categories? Seriously...

Gimme Gimme #15

Last night the Jayhawk and I braved the floods and went to dinner at Posto. Not much changed design-wise from the old days of Viridian, and neither did the food. The place was packed, so we snagged a spot at the bar right by the front door. Pas de good move number 1 because the wind whipping outside kept going right up my pants legs every time someone came in or went out. Pas de good move number 2 was ordering vino. The way the wine taps are set up only allows for filling up a glass at a time, and for a busy bar, that's no fun. Then the food was not so pas de good move number 3. The pizza piccante was anything but; good flavors, but not spicy at all. The gnocchi were more like six polenta rounds with some sauce called amatriciana that was little more than a plain marinara. The grilled boar was chewy. The one good thing was the tagliatelle with pheasant ragout. But no grated cheese? I can appreciate clean food, but come on, now. And what about offering a Rican a napkin to place on his lap, onetime? Pas de good move number 4. The place was hoppin' though, I'll give it that. Definitely the place to be seen in the scene. If your scene happens to be of the snooty power gay kind, that is. I'd recommend checking it out, but it's not a place I'll go running back to.

A place I always run back to, though, is Hank's Oyster Bar. Another is Mark & Orlando's (although Mark did call me out on not having been there in like 2 months). Yet others are Ten Penh and Ceiba and Acadiana. Jaleo and Zaytinya are faves, too. And gift certificates to any of those places would make great stocking stuffers. As would certificates to places I've never been before (Café Atlántico, anyone?). Mango's always up for some good food.

¡Leones y Tigres y Panteras, Ay Bendito!

Watch out, mis bonitos! There's a panther on the loose in Montehiedra (where my parents and sisters live).* My poor sister (5 of 5) is scared out of her pobre mente. Apparently, last night at 2ayem, she caught her own shadow out of the side of her eye, jumped back, brushed up against the fur of the life-sized Christmas teddy bear my mom has by the front entrace to the house, and started screaming bloody murder. Now, I know it's something serious to have a panther roaming around the 'hood, but that shizz has had me cracking up for hours now. Hahaha! Woo...Sigh.

(*Article en español)

Pretty Pictures Version 12.11.08

I'm trying to stay out of the rain. Me no likey the cold rain while waiting for the bus. But I guess I'm going to have to listen to the boy in today's Pretty Pictures and just get over it. Okay, fine...I'll get over it, Eugene McGuinness with "Moscow State Circus."

Gimme Gimme #14

Poppa needs a new murse. Or man bag. Or whatever you wanna call it. And what I really need is a black one since I really don't have a black bag to carry stuff in to/from work to match my new black boots. Because, you know, that one must match one's bag to one's shoes. Otherwise, there's clashing, and clashing leads to chaos. Unless it's purposeful clashing. Then it's fashion, and that's okay.

Anyway, black bags. Burberry caught my eye. I'd never pay that much for a bag that I use for little more than a style accessory and not to actually carry anything in. But it's nice. As is Matt & Nat's. Which would have been nicer had I followed through and gotten one 3 years ago when no one in DC knew who they were. But it's still nice. Much like demano's (the Universitat M 123-Verde, that is). Not black but green. I can make it work, though. But I can really make it work with Toscanella's bag! Oh! Com'è bello quello sachetto! Now that would make an impression on the 52 bus.

Ni que fuera el Rey de Roma que aiga caído del cielo...

Um, yeah, why did Ricky feel the need to give his twins I-talian names? Matteo and Valentino? Makes them sound like the new Dolce & Gabbana. I guess it makes sense since they are designer babies, after all. But whatever happened to good ole Rican names like Chucho or Yuyo or Bauta or Goyo? Hellz, if he wanted to give them twin-type names, he could have even gone with Guancho and Güincho. Pffft...

But seriously, Ricky. Declárate, ya. The Gayken did it. You can, too.

Pretty Pictures Version 12.10.08

This is not what Inauguration Week will be like next month even with the later last-call hour no matter what Dianne et al. may think. It'll be happy times full of drunky revelry and dancing to the tune of today's Pretty Pictures: Thieves Like Us and "Drugs in My Body." Can't wait!

Gimme Gimme #13

Speaking of the drink, booze always makes a nice gift for the Holidaze.

I remember when this wine was just $12.99 at the old Casa Peña next to the Soviet Safeway on 17th Street. Oh, how I miss those days (and that vino).

Those were the same days when I was introduced to this rum. Demmed good stuff. And coming from a Rican, that's a high compliment. The only thing that I think Rico's got that competes is this rum, but I'm gonna be in Rico in 8 days and will get it on duty free, so I can gift that to myself.

I'm not a big brown likker person, but this bourbon is too good to pass up. Thinking about it makes me want to go back to the bar in the lobby of the Philadelphia Park Hyatt where the drunky Jayhawk and I made friends with everyone there and made semi-fools of ourselves trying to act sober with a VIP client of mine. I was mortified. The Jayhawk giggled.

And to lighten things up, this beer will blow you away. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like it's for sale in the States. But if you happen to be in the Europes, have a bottle or ten if your liver and memory can take it.

Bottoms up!

You Ain't Woman Enough To Take My Man

Dianne...I love you, chica. But keep to your own damned self and stay away from my King of Beers. If Adrian wants to let us drown in the sauce until just before sunrise, then let him. It's not like we weren't planning on doing it anyway. Just sayin'.

¡Arroz, que Carne Hay!

Daisy(!) has her own show on The Food Network! It may be produced by Rachel Ray*, but I won't hold that against my spicy Nuyorican hermana since she's got working for Lidia Bastianich under her correa, and everyone knows I love me some Lidia B.

It's about time The Food Network had some Nuyorican soul filling thier studios up with the smells of real sofrito and arroz con gandules and pernil and bacalaítos. It's going to be "smack yo momma good" times (Daisy's words not mine)! Although, to be fair, I'll be DVRing her show because it's spoda come on at 9:30ayem on Saturdays. Ooph...

(*Click on this link for Guanabee's take on the good news and for quite the vomitocitous photo of Ray Ray with chocolate and spoon. Fo! I was so happy to have forgotten about that photo. I need to lick a chocolate spoon of my own [drrty!] to forget it now. A gift of Daisy's cookbook might help me forget it, too. Hint hint.)

(Photo courtesy of A la Carte Communications)

Pretty Pictures Version 12.09.08

Still no plan approved to save the Big 3 from going kaput. I'm not altogether sure I agree with bailing out the 3 car companies asking for help (their cars suck), but I do hope the apathy and fear don't immobilize Congress into approving even the scaled-back plan that's been tentatively agreed to. Maybe today's Pretty Pictures can motivate them: Lily Allen with "The Fear."

Gimme Gimme #12

Since Gossip Girl isn't back on until next month, I'm thinking of watching some movies to occupy my time while the Jayhawk's slaving away making other peoples' dining experiences pleasurable. And nothing warms me up better on cold winter nights than flicks with the hottness of Penélope Cruz. I've already got Volver and Abre los ojos, but I'd love love love to have Todo sobre mi madre and La niña de tus ojos. That second one is sooper hard to find, so I'd love love love it (and anyone who finds it) even more. But don't hurt yourselves trying to get it. Nothing's worth that. Not even bargain handbags at Saks. Ooph. Even shopping at Marshall's sounds better.

Then, again, I could always drink to keep the cold away. Or watch movie involving the drink! Or watch Penélope Cruz movies while hitting the drink! Yeah, that sounds about just right.

Let Your Body Move to the Music

This is the story: Vogue took out a full 2-page ad in the Sunday Times proclaiming how everything is hunky dory there. Does this smack of desperation to anyone other than me? Although maybe Uncle Karl directed Anna to take out the ad to prove to the world that the economy doesn't touch him or her. I wonder if Carine took the move as Anna's "bring it, bizzatch."

Pretty Pictures Version 12.08.08

Going along with cutie pie toys, how about some cuite pie indie music for today's Pretty Pictures? Emiliana Torrini with "Big Jumps."

Gimme Gimme #11

Monkeys!

Happy sock monkey with hat is adorable.

And there's nothing cuter than Curious George.

Even monkeys in the shower make me giggle.

But Hanno cannot be beat! If I ever wanted a pet monkey, Hanno would definitely do. Alright, alright...He's a gorilla and not a monkey. But I can call him my cutie pie monkey when I play with him. And I'll love him forever and ever. Too cute.

Just make sure you make the deadline for Xmas shipping arrival time. I wouldn't want my dreams crushed if Hanno doesn't get to me by Santa Claus Day.

The Future Is Now

Some growing boys liked rifling through their dad's or uncle's nudie magazines. I preferred reading their issues of Popular Mechanics. So, this entry made me smile because it reminded me of flipping through my uncle's old science magazines and wondering if what they predicted would ever become reality. The "queer" vehicles, though? Definitely made me giggle.

(Cover courtesy of Popular Science)

Sexo y el Campo

There must be sess on the brain today and in the air today (doesn't that have a tendency to happen when it's cold out?). Tonight, NatGeo is going to be talking about the sess in different cultures around the world. And the NYT came out with an article on the 3rd gender of Oaxaca. Pretty interesting stuff considering that Mexico (like all Latin nations) is so machista and homophobic. Good stuff to curl up with your loved one(s) to.

Pretty Pictures Version 12.07.08

Miss Loretta Lynn was awesome last night. The show was super entertaining. It was a little weird to leave a show at the 9:30 Club that ended at 8:30PM, but it was much fun times. So, today's Pretty Pictures are my thank you to Miss Loretta for coming back to DC and showing a little city Rican a good ole country time. Here's Loretta Lynn with "Coal Miner's Daughter."

Gimme Gimme #10

My watch died on me the other day. So now I've got an excuse to get me a nice one. I've never paid more than $120 for a watch, but I kinda like this one. And this one. And this one... A Mango can dream, can't he?

La Semana in News #9

No Cabinet for you! Sebelius steps off the Administration Obamwagon.

In the market for a house? You can get one for cheap tomorrow.

Music make me hongry.

I'll be there in 11 days!

Wait what? The boxer in fishnets lives in Rico?

Jorge's taking everyone down with him just like he promised. Alberto Goachet pleads guilty to being a douche.

Pretty Pictures Version 12.06.08

Today's Pretty Pictures prove that there must be some krazy powder sprinkled into the BBQ sauce in the KC. And me lovey. Thanks to The District for turning me onto these boys: Ssion with "Warm Gloves."

Gimme Gimme #9

Is just a little update to #3.

Save! For all my music and movies to free up space on my internal hard drive. And it matches the blue on my laptop.

Gots to keep up with the techie gadgetry.

Pretty Pictures Version 12.05.08

Changed the face of human kind. That's what the Little Baby Jesus did. And the boys in today's Pretty Pictures agree. dEUS with "The Architect."

Gimme Gimme #8

Only 20 more days until the birthday of the Little Baby Jesus. How about gifting some Nativity scenes to commemorate the occasion?

For a mere $5185 (sans tax) you can gift the fancy Lladró set. I suggest you hit up Uncle Karl for this one.

The there's the cutesy, throw-back Precious Moments set. Doesn't that take you back?

Celebrate in modernity with this sleek and faceless olive wood set.

Or keep it traditional and rústico with this Mexican number. Actually, go with this Peruvian set.
Peruvian is the new...I can't finish that sentence.

But if you want to give a meaningful gift, go ahead and make your own like this guy. Your cheap-arse ways will get you nowhere with me, though. Pastores a Belén, indeed.

L'économie? Ce que l'économie?

Oh, Uncle Karl. L'économie ne te touche pas. I wish I could say the same for me.

Here We Go

It's that time of year, again: List time! When everyone and their mothers come out with lists on the best/worst/weirdest/whateverest of 2008. I'm going to try to ignore them as much as I can by just reading up on lists that have no attachment to 2008 at all. Like this one: The World's 50 Strangest Buildings. That's the KC Public Library in the picture, BTW. It's número seis on the list. I totally need to go check it out in person nest time the Jayhawk and I go visit la familia out there.

(Photo courtesy of Jonathan Moreau)

Mine's Bigger Than Yours Is

So could say Zaha Hadid if she beats Norman Foster for the bid to expand the al-Haram mosque in Mecca to a mind-boggling 3,000,000-person (yes...6 zeros) capacity up from what's already an incredible 900,000-person capacity. Jeebus! Oh, wait, that's right. Mohamed!

Pretty Pictures Version 12.04.08

And after eating through all those gift baskets and boxes, we'll need to dance off the pounds to the cutesy Kiwi electro indie pop in today's Pretty Pictures: Little Pictures with "This House Can Fit Us All." I'm more worried about my pants fitting me all, really.

Gimme Gimme #7

Speaking of chefs made me think that today's installation should be all about food gifts.

I know this is corny, but I've always wanted someone to get me a Fruit of the Month Club membership. It reminds me of when my momma used to get pears shipped to her in Rico from Texas every month when I was a wee fruit, myself. Sigh...

How about some popcorn? Or cookies?

A nice cesta full of cured meats and wine would be nice. Although you can always keep it real and get a caja full of Rican coffee treats. Or keep it Midwestern with some KC BBQ goodness.

And there's yummy foodstuffs of the Omaha variety to use on with that BBQ sauce, too.

But if you really want to get to this man's heart, give a little bit of rice to those who most need it, and improve your vocab skillz while you're at it.

Num Yummy!

No Star Chef for You!

No need to apply for a position in the White House if you're a celebrity chef. They don't want you. Best stick to the Food Network. Although how great would it be to have the Neely's be co-chefs? Or even Paula Deen?! Can you imagine the poundage Barack would gain if that ever happened?

(Photo courtesy of Metrocurean)

Pretty Pictures Version 12.03.08

I wish I would have found today's Pretty Pictures a month ago when we won back the Prezidencee. Highly mellow and uplifting: The BPA featuring Emmy the Great with "Seattle." Kinda like a 2008 indie version of Wacko Jacko's "Black or White," right?

Gimme Gimme #6

We're back to asking for ourselves and not for others. And what better way to do that than by wishlisting items for the home?

Totally diggin' these multi-colored nesting bowls. They're not all red like the rest of our kitchen, but they're too cool to not make me drool over them. And they'd make a prefect compliment to the (red) stand mixer the Jayhawk's been drooling over.

These decals would go sooper well with our black and white tile kitchen floor.

Maybe we should get a dining room table before we get the tablecloth and napkins for it? Nah...I've never been one to actually put the horse before the cart.

I think we can do a cool Kansas meets Rico Christmas theme by decorating the hooge tropical spider plants the Jayhawk rescued from the cold with ornaments like these and these.

¡Vino vino, ay, que fino!

And, Jeebus, do we desperately need help with all of our remotes.

All of these are available right now and not next year like what H&M is spoda come out with online in February 09. I hope that H&M's venture into home furnishings means that Zara Home will finally make itself available to the Merican market. Until that happy day arrives, we can get our fix for some of the stuff they offer in person at Home Rule.

And, yeah, no babies. We can't have that. Just sayin'.

I Can Haz 20th Sentury

Cheezburger. How cute is the oldest lolcat known to manz? Someone should make a pop-up book with old kitty cat photos like they did with comic book heroes in the 1930s.

Pretty Pictures Version 12.02.08

Do you think that the lady who complained about John Barrowman exposing himself on the radio imagined that he had low-hanging wrecking balls and complained because she didn't like that visual? Ha! Think about it while you look and listen at today's Pretty Pictures: The John Steel Singers' "Rainbow Kraut."

Gimme Gimme #5

It's not always about receiving. Sometimes we gotta give, too. Especially now that charities are facing hard times in these officially tough economic times that have have been tough for a year.

There's always donating to hospitals like St. Jude's. And that's an easy one to give to because CVS has hooked up with them, again, this year, so you can give $1 each time you check out.

There are also organizations like CHIME that promote and provide music education for DC schoolchildren during and outside school.

If helping the homeless is your game, there's Christ House, providing medical care for sick, homeless men and women.

We all know HIV/AIDS is rampant in this fine District, so why not give to better-known organizations like Whitman Walker, but also to lesser-known ones like Metro TeenAIDS?

We also know that we all need to eat, so give to groups like Capital Area Food Bank, Meals on Wheels, or SOME.

And if animals are more your speed, shelters across the country (like The Washington Animal Rescue League) really need help to stay afloat. some have been closing 2-3 days a week because they can't afford the staff time.

Just a few suggestions and thoughts.

You see? It's not always about the Mango up in here. ;)

Tv on the Radio?

Here I thought Mericans were too sensitive and prudish when it comes to public decency standards on the airwaves. The Brits have got them beat. It was on the radio, stoopid!

Pretty Pictures Version 12.01.08

And speaking of spoonfuls of sugar, how about a little candy indie pop for the first Pretty Pictures of December '08? I say, Architecture in Helsinki, gimme "That Beep."

Gimme Gimme #4

Forget about the semi-nekkid NYC firemen (which, thanks to Guy Gone Wild Michael Biserta we officially can forget about), hunky Catholic priests, or even Le Dieux du Stade. This Christmas the calendar to have is of the nekkid doctors in Barcelona. They got the medicine to keep you warm in the cold winter months. Spoonful of sugar, indeed.

I'm a Little Bit Country...

I'm a little bit aguinaldo...

Kansas has gone all Latino Christmas culture on us. I think it's a pretty cool idea to expose the majority to the ever-expanding minority. All they need is to order some of the pasteles from that lady in Nueva Yol, and they'll be set. Yummy times.

Pretty Pictures Version 11.30.08

I fell asleep watching the TV last night. But I would have stayed up for fear of nightmares had I watched today's Pretty Pictures: Who Made Who with "TV Friend." I love these guys, but this shizz be freaky.

La Semana in News #8

Slow down, you Kansans!

Johnson County full of Johnsons? Really?

What? Real men can't like the ballet?

Lambada in my mouth. Drrty...

I'd rather have some salsa in my mouth. Drrtier...

Or some bomba y plena. Gotta love the misspelling and (sub)liminal messages. Them's my peoples.

Ay, por favor. People been declaring the end of the Commonwealth for decades now. It won't happen in our lifetimes.

Another hott Rican nabs a hott Merican.

Gimme Gimme #3

Since we are in the electronic age, today's installment is all about techie toys. And everyone who knows me knows I'm all about my gadgets.

Behold! This toy will make me switch wireless providers. Not this one, though (no Verizon in Rico; it's Mexican now). That one's for the Jayhawk. His maternal family's surname is Storm, after all.

Look! Now that we've replaced one old-azz tube TV in the house (thanks, Shatterproof), I'd like to replace the other old-azz TV we got with one of these. And it would go great with a new region-free DVD player so I can watch me the three previous seasons of El Internado (on every Thursday night at 10PM on Antena 3 simulcast, BTW). The drama!

Read! I can't have one for Christmas, but that's why Ricans celebrate Three Kings Day, too. Always two sets of presents. Smart, huh?

Listen! Internet radio, anyone? Me, please!

Now, go shop!

Pretty Pictures Version 11.29.08

Starting to talk about wish lists and Christmas made me think of today's Pretty Pictures. I hope we have a white one this year. Fleet Foxes with "White Winter Hymnal."

Gimme Gimme #2

Cooking Edition.

Everyone knows I've got a fascination with La Madre Patria. The wine, the food, the history, the culture, the parties, they all keep me going back to vacation there every year. So, to satisfy my need for all things Spain, today's additions to the Christmas wish list are a few must-haves: (1) culinary gems from crazy José Andrés; (2) treasures found on the road; and (3) the essential guide to cooking no self-respecting lover of Spain can go without. No need to buy me crazy 'spensive saffron, though. The Jayhawk and I are gonna get it on the cheap at El Corte Inglés when we fly across the pond in February. Place your orders now.

Pretty Pictures Version 11.28.08

Since the Holidaze are all about family, today's Pretty Pictures celebrate it (in they're own special way). Here's to my crazy Rican parents livin' it up in Europa and to my crazy urban tribe family livin' large in DC. Jay Reatard with "Always Wanting More."

Gimme Gimme #1

We're (I'm) starting a new category now that we're entering the Season of Receiving.

First on my list, I want Uncle Karl on me! Or on my finger, more specifically. And while I'm at it, I might as well ask for a Finger Anna, Finger Rei, Finger Doe, and Finger Yves to keep all my digits warm. Ooh! How about gloves with all of their faces on them? Even better!

But please keep Uncle Valentino away from me. He might rub off like he did on poor SJP. ¡Fóchila!

When in Rhodes...

That's where my parents were yesterday on Day 7 of their 28 Days of Transatlantic Misadventure. I talked to them as they were walking around the town before hopping back on the boat to eat their own Turkeyfeast, and they sounded like they were having an awesome time. So much so that my poppa told me that he didn't remember the night of Day 6 because of his drunkyness, let alone speaking with me on Day 1 before the plane took off for Rome to give me the number of the phone he's using because his doesn't have international coverage. Which is my move, thank you very much. The apple really don't fall from the tree, do it? I love my crazy-arse jet-setting drunky padres...

And I so wanna go on a cruise now. But I can't do 28 days. Or go on anything smaller than this boat. So I guess I have to wait until next year.

The Bird Is the Word*

Yesterday's feast at Casa Rosa/Carrie was awesome! It was like being in The Bronx with the crammed and cute space (with ample kitchen space, of course), people talking over each other, the salsa music on the stereo, the cooking, the yummy smells, the beers, and the sweltering heat up in that piece because of all the cooking and bodies and radiators you can't control. And the food! Oh, the food. Turkey wrapped in bacon (not chawbacon -- today's Word of the Day), butternut squash soup, cheeses and crostini, from-scratch mashed potatoes and cranberry relish, fresh green bean casserole, candied yams, mac & cheese (with white truffle oil), corn pudding(!), and my arroz con gandules. And the drinks! I'm not one for the bubbly because everyone knows it makes me bubbly, but mixing it with bitters and a brown sugar cube worked for me. As did the beers and the wine. All around, the Jayhawk and I had a great fun time. Hope everyone else's Pavo Day was just as fun.

(*Today's title brought to you by the Jayhawk)

Pretty Pictures Version 11.27.08

No posts today other than the Pretty Pictures: Jonjo Feathers with "Taxi." This Rican's gotta gets to cookin' for dinner tonight. I hope it won't be too hard to find a taxi because I'm not feelin' riding the bus all the way up to 14th and Military with a pot of piping hot arroz con gandules. ¡Japi Sansguivin!

Pretty Pictures Version 11.26.08

I want some of what these guys had to think up today's Pretty Pictures. I'll have it soon enough, though. Tomorrow the Jayhawk and I get to kick it DominiRican stylee at Rosa's house for El Día del Pavo, so I'll have my fun punch then. In the meantime, here are Bag Raiders with their own "Fun Punch."

(Aside: The track's good, but why e'ryone wanna be Ratatat, onetime?)

¡Me Encantan los Cables!

Because I get to see how far my peoples have come. And how far their imagination has come, as well. No more relying on drag queens to do celebrity gossip (although there's some new gossip show with a drag queen hostess in the works). They have their own telenovela version of the "Desperate Housewives" with a little of the lezzie action! I just finished watching tonight's episode, and boy is it bad. And boy am I'm hooked!

And Our New Poet Laureate Is...

La Palin! Talk about keeping it bipartisan in the new Administration. I always thought that Palin's way of speaking was poetic hick in a way. And, apparently, I'm not the only one. Although, don't it take a lot of boredom on the part of liberal gotcha media to think of her lipstick pit bull soundbite as the perfect example of modern haiku? Friends...

Pretty Pictures Version 11.25.08

I bet the boys at Commissary would like to run away like the chica in today's Pretty Pictures. Italy's very own Björk: Meg with "Distante."

(Video in italiano.)

I'd Rather Eat on Base

At least military bases have decent food courts.

"Personal relationship" aside, it looks like Tom Sietsema isn't the only one who can't stand the Commissary. From Tom Carman in this week's City Paper:

"I have only one comment after picking at an overcooked cheeseburger, a limp croque-monsieur, and a dry, flavor-challenged margherita pizza at the Commissary, the new flag-waving haunt in the old Merkado Kitchen space: The economy is gonna have to get a lot worse before I dine regularly at this cheap-eats spot."

Boo hoo.

In the words of the Jayhawk: "This guy sleep with one of the owners, too?" Makes you go hmmm, don't it?

I Knew Spain's Time Was Coming

Well, maybe not so much. It looks like Spain's sperm is the worst in Europe but still the best at making babies. I guess Spain's little boys have been making up for their weaknesses. It must be all that jamón ibérico that's giving them the energy they need to make the action happen. Maybe America's boys can learn from them. At least when it comes to high speed rail. How nice would it be to have a true high speed train route (in the Northeast Corridor, at least)? One can dream.

Pretty Pictures Version 11.24.08

I wish my money were elastic. That way it would snap back into my pockets instead of bleeding out of my account like it is now. But we gotta be careful in these hard economic times so we don't end up like the world in today's Pretty Pictures: The Dears with "Money Babies." Future apocalyptic separation of rich and poor kinda like modern day Rico, actually. Heh...

Keepin' It Mediocre

And on the Spain tip: An interesting article on how everyone wants an instant icon building in their town and why so many fall short. I'm probably more about instant gratification that the next guy, but iconic design can't be forced or pre-fabbed just for the dollars. That's when inspiration and integrity fly out the window and you end up with eyesores. Just sayin'.

¡Castañas!

I love Madrid in the winter mainly because of the stands selling roasted chestnuts on every other corner. Why don't we have that in DC? So, I was glad to see chestnuts at the local Giant but sad because the Jayhawk and I can't have open flames on our balcony to roast the chestnuts in. But maybe I can make this dish (with the suggestion of baking the chestnuts first) and make a yummy winter dinner, onetime.

(Video en español.)

Pretty Pictures Version 11.23.08

"Share the covers" on this fine Sunday. Pretty Pictures to keep you warm: Alessi's Ark with "The Horse."

La Semana in News #7

Don't speed in the Kansas. It might be fatal.

'Tis the season...for a felony.

I like it. Religion and the City.

No vacation for Trojans, indeed.

Don't that art belong to the people?

Whole lotta shakin' going on!

Pretty Pictures Version 11.22.08

Extra Extra! Tonight the Mango, Lady LaLa, and Shatterproof are making an appearance at The Red & The Black to go see the band in today's Pretty Pictures. I love these guys and have been following them for years now. Cute Baltimore indie rock boys. Only $8. Doors open at 9:30. The Oranges Band with "My Apartment."

(Update: The show was fantastic. And gracias to LaLa for keeping me from being too much of a starf*cker. Shizz could have gone down wrong had she not been there to keep me on the right side.)

Pretty Pictures Version 11.21.08

Rack your brains no longer. Today's Pretty Pictures are from the guys who are on the TV commercial for that fancy new Samsung Behold touchscreen phone (I want one). Kinda toned-down Wolfmother but not: The Blue Van's "Silly Boy."

The Chicken or the Egg?

Hmmm...What kind of racket does Crate & Barrel think they got going on here? Looks like C&B wanted to compete against West Elm's fancy Lutz & Patmos pillows and throws by knocking off Simone Shailes' designs instead of just collaborating with her like TopShop is. Tssk, tssk...It looks like peeps at C&B are getting lumps of coal in their stockings for Santa Claus Day. And they can even buy them off their own catalog! Nice.

Pretty Pictures Version 11.20.08

Robert Pattinson won the title of sexiest male movie blood-sucker for a movie that hasn't even debuted yet? Who the feck is this guy, anyway? Talk about voting fraud. Today's Pretty Pictures are my protest song against the rigged voting and what looks by all accounts to be a horrible movie that will make millions regardless: Everything Everything's "Suffragette Suffragette."

Oh, Hellz No

I take the bus everyday to and from work and love it. Even with the lack of true schedules, overcrowding, lack of AC in the summertime, homeless people who let their bodily functions take over, baby mommas with house arrest ankle braces, and bags of stinky fried fish, I prefer taking the bus than taking the Metro. But I'm seriously going to have to reconsider public transportation in DC altogether if they let the Westoboro Baptists advertise on the sides of buses. For all the...Seriously?! I know money's tight for Metro, but it can't be that tight. Come on, now.

Write Food Reviews; Will Travel

I love how Mark Bittman has a crappy kitchen just like the rest of us. But why bother investing in a kitchen with all the fancy-arse bells and whistles when you can travel and eat some of the best food in the world? Especially when you get to do it with Mario Battali, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Claudia Bassols? I'd never bother cooking if I had it like that. But I'd still cram my kitchen with all of the cooking goodies I could possibly afford (dollar and space wise) anyway. Just ask the Jayhawk.

(PS and BTW: I still want my jumanji 16-qt. red stock pot back, Tisha.)

Newman!

Looks like Jerry Seinfeld was onto something with that episode when Newman was caught not delivering his bags of mail. Maybe all those lazy mailmen were really just sad that they didn't get their own transfers to Hawaii.

(Illustration by Mark Alan Stamaty)

Pretty Pictures Version 11.19.08

This is what I've been for the past few days (hence the lack of posts). Whether as a result of my un-credible drunkyness during my birthday weekend or of early and long days at work, today's Pretty Pictures sum it all up: An Experiment on a Bird in the Air Pump's "Lights Out."

Fashion Ba-rocks!

Who da style icon? Not just Michelle. Barack's rockin' his own fashion scene. We've all been reading about how Obama's going to bring the cool back to DC. Well, he's promising to bring the cool style back to town, too. Of course, Hart Schaffner Marx gloating that I, too, can look "Presidential" if I wear their clothes is a bit much, but it's a brutal out there for retailers right now, so latching onto our new hope in politics makes sense as a business move. And they do have some demmed nice ties. Just sayin'.

Talk about Meta

If there's anything good that comes out of big box stores and how they're crumbling because of these hard economic times, it's that some ingenious individuals are using those empty boxes for better purposes. I'm still waiting to go shop at Circuit City's uber liquidation sale while eating some Spam sandwiches from the Museum, though.

What about Heh and Feh...?

Meh makes it into the English dictionary. I bet it was all due to that one episode of The Simpsons when Lisa and Bart keep repeating "meh" and Lisa finally says "I said 'meh...'" to end all conversation. It was only a matter of time before the word made it as an element of the official English language. Matt Groening rules the pop cultural world.

Pretty Pictures Version 11.14.08

I've been one of today's Pretty Pictures for the past couple of days, for sure, thanks to the clouds and the rains. That's November for you. Except for this weekend, though. It's Mango's birthday weekend, and there will be nothing other than party high energy!

Anyway, here's Passion Pit's "Sleepyhead."

Go-bama!

Hours upon hours of lost productivity right here. But, hey, you get to fight pork barrel spending and greedy Wall Street tycoons out to get you. I love me some Super Obama World!

Diamonds Are a Boy's Best Friend, Too

But only if they're synthetic and made from tequila. And only if you're a 17-year-old fratboy douche wannabe who just happens to be the most famous baby on an album cover in a generation. Maybe the diamondization of tequila will lead to a shortage of drinking tequila and make prices go up like the advent of ethanol did for corn here in Los Estados? Luckily, I don't have to worry about my auburn-not-ginger boy, Hot Ginge, going for the new diamond standard. As I remember, he likes the vodka...up his nose. Oh, Hot Ginge...You're the Hot Gingiest.

(Photo courtesy of Wikipedia)

Pretty Pictures Version 11.13.08

Because it really is about having a choice, today's Pretty Pictures: TV on the Radio's "Dancing Choose."

We're Here!

Awesome recap of last night's march in NYC against the Prop 8 vote. I'm hoping that the one in DC (along with others planned all over the country) are just as successful and covered just as widely.

Now, somebody please shut that greasy old queen, Elton, up.

Japi Bersdei

Vogue Russia!

These are too cute and remind me of how my dad and I lost a bidding war with some Canadian tourists for a set of Russian dolls the Russian sailors were selling off when the Grand Regatta Columbus '92 was in San Juan. I hated them Canadians for getting the dolls, but we made out with some pretty awesome lacquer boxes, so I guess it all evened out in the end.

(Photo courtesy of my daily morning read, Fashionista)

Pretty Pictures Version 11.12.08

Today's Pretty Pictures seemed like a good fit for the weather (nice and mellow to cuddle up on the couch with some hot tea) and with my rants. Just like a newer tapas restaurant in Gtown or advocating for a cause are worthy of your esteem, so is this video: Hayden's "Worthy of Your Esteem."