Pretty Pictures Version 01.31.09

Double feature! Tonight I'm going with K & The Triple J to see these two amazing acts at the 6th & I Synagogue. The show's sold out, so, for those of my bonitos who can't make it, today's Pretty Pictures are the videos to my favorite songs of theirs for you to enjoy: Wildbirds & Peacedrums with "There Is No Light" and Lykke Li with "I'm Good, I'm Gone." Can't wait!

Pretty Pictures Version 01.28.09

Today's Pretty Pictures are Beirut with "La Llorona," which in Spanish means the "Weeping Woman," and which every Hispanic culture has a legend about. By the way Alberto and Rod have been whining over the past few days, we could start our own "El Llorón" legend here in the States, don't you think?

Colossal!

Not about the Rican juices*, but about the painting in El Prado. Looks like "The Colossus" by Franciso de Goya y Lucientes is not Goya's at all. Just so happens that Goya's quietly (since he's been dead, to be fair) been taking the credit for having painted the gentle giant for decades now. But he's really the work of one of Goya's apprentices, Asensio Juliá. Once, again, the fame ho' takes the credit while the real talent stands in the shadows. Kinda like how Eleanor Waldorf took credit for Little Jenny Humphreys' designs on the Gossip Girl. But Little Jenny showed Eleanor who's the real bosslady, didn't she? And now Little Asensio's showing Francisco who's the boss, too. Jeebus, the art gods will strike me down for having written that.

The point is that you can't trust an amigo, onetime. Much like you should never trust our favorite amigo, Alberto Gonzalez. He's really going around proclaiming that he's another good guy misrepresented by the evil media? Berto and the Blago should get together and start their own Church of Delusions. And yeah, neither Alberto nor Rod are mis amigos. Blech. Shizz...

(*El Coloso is a Registered TM of Colón Brothers, Inc.)

Pretty Pictures Version 01.27.09

Apt song for a sleepy, wintry-mix night. Especially after my arse was at work early early so I could make it on-time and awake to my new bi-weekly staff meeting. Which I didn't make to early, at all, because I didn't bother to read the e-mail thoroughly enough and went to the wrong conference room. Jeebus, me...Where's my Laughing Cow cheese to laugh up my day?*

Anyway, enjoy today's Pretty Pictures: Passion Pit with "Sleepyhead."

(*Cuter ad from the UK, BTW.)

20 Million Viewers

Can be wrong. The Senate's passed a bill that would delay the digital TV transition until June 12. All because the vast minority of the minority of TV viewers couldn't get their act together to get them Government coupons to buy converter boxes for their old sets. Talk about procrastination nation and waste of taxpayer dollars trying to educate the masses. Come late May we'll be talking about another 4-month delay for October.

Can I Haz My Cupcake

And play with it, too? I actually like the flip-up QWERTY pad on my phone, but it would be nice to have the option of a virtual pad on the G1 screen. Come on and take the Cupcake out of the oven already, T-Google.

Pretty Pictures Version 01.26.09

No love for the economy today. Sprint-Nextel, Intel, Caterpillar, GM...You name it, they're losing it. Those losing their jobs should stay away from today's Pretty Pictures so that they don't go full-on depro. But the video and the song are pretty, nonetheless. Currently opening for TV on the Radio: The Big Pink with "Too Young To Love."

Watch Out!

The snows are comin'! 2-3" of them. Which is really nothing in comparison to the FOOT of snow expected for Boston Steamer's neck of the woods. But it's still the first snow of the season (finally), so the commute is definitely going to be interesting tomorrow.

And you know what else is coming? Wii-njuries.* Hablando en plata just had a report on how they're of concern in Spain. Seriously?

(*Article en español.)

Pretty Pictures Version 01.25.09

Praise to Metro cruising by the boy in today's Pretty Pictures. And to the '80s. When will the love for this trend ever stop? Maybe next year when it'll be time for the '90s to start making their comeback. 20-year cycles, friends. Master Shortie with "Dead End."

La Semana in News #13

Not even the dead get respect in Wichita.

And neither do football coaches. Sayonara, Herm.

It's all well-deserved hugs and kisses for film directors, though. Check out the trailer here. Dayum...

And props to local artists. Mark your calendars for June 6, bonitos.

Zero respect for former Rican governors. Not that he deserves any. At least he knows who his friends are now, right?

Even less love for former commonwealth senators. Doesn't matter that he's manning up now. No choice there.

In contrast, there's mad love for the Rican boxer. Que descanse en paz.

As well as for our wooden saints. Santo, santo, santo...¡SANTO!

Pretty Pictures Version 01.12.09

So, this is what happens late nite at the convenience store. I wonder if Rita Jean's ever put on a show like this at the 7-11 down on U Street? Maybe if I put on today's Pretty Pictures Rita and I could put on a show for the 7-11 peoples together with The District and Timmy as back-up. That would be effin' high-larious! Kid Cudi and "Day 'n' Nite."

T-Mobilizin'

I did it! I joined the Jayhawk and made the switch to the T-Mobile. And I got me a G1! I never thought I'd ever fall in love with a phone, but I have. Hee!

My only hang-up is whether or not to port my current Sprint number over to my new account. On one hand, I've had my number for 11 years, and to give it up would be a little hassle. On the other hand, though, a new number celebrates a new year and a new Mango. Oh, what to do; what to do?

Pretty Pictures Version 01.11.09

Who else thinks today's Pretty Pictures have a Prince "When Doves Cry" vibe to it? Apollonia would be proud. La Roux with "Quicksand."

La Semana in News #12

"I Don't think I'll be wearing mascara that day." Kansans party it up in DC, Inauguration style.

A ray of Kansan sunlight in the dark despair of Gaza.

Get your culture on up in one of the lectures at the Art Institute.

Doing Lamar proud.

Bombs away! Early spring cleaning on Culebrita.

Get the cash you need in a flash with Cash Point, Gov. Fortuño.

Does Rico really need another luxury golf course when people are going hungry?

María Celeste's making 'em sweat (and cry). Katie Couric should take some notes.

Pretty Pictures Version 01.07.09

More excitement and fun (music wise) for today's Pretty Pictures. She's on the BBC's list to watch for 2009. They did pretty well with their list from 2008 by mentioning MGMT and Adele, and looky how well they did for themselves. Hopefully this girl's got many good things coming to her, too: VV Brown with "Crying Blood."

Here Comes the Rain, Again

I almost went window shopping (with the itch to buy something) tonight after work in Columbia Heights, but the rains caught me as I walked up the 14th Street hill, so I veered home and found this website* to satisfy my shopping needs. Not that I needed to go shopping since I got my Reyes present from the concierge in Rita's building courtesy of UPS Ground. But I wonder if shopping at the actual HEMA stores is just as fun and exciting as on their website? Puts the Target to shame.

(*Ojo: Let the page fully load to enjoy the merriment)

(And, thanks, Rita, for being my shipping address once, again)

Who Said Ricans Were Demanding?

JLo and El Skeletor have really tried to outdo themselves this time. I guess I'd be a bit demanding, too, if I'd agreed to perform in the world's coke den along with reggaeton "artists," Wisin & Jandel. Jeebus, you know that crowd's going to be full of thug wannabes and their wannabe chola tecata girlfriends. But college-educated bi-lingual nannies' assistants and a floor at the Cartagena Hotel? Please...Gimme bottles of spring water collected in the mountains by FARC hostages and my own sicario houseboy. Now those are some real treats from Colombia fit for Rican celebrity.

Pretty Pictures Version 01.06.09

Those last pictures were ugh-lee. Sorry for that. To make up for them, here are today's Pretty Pictures: Sky Larkin with "Fossil, I." Forgive me, now? Good.

¿Qué tha Wha?

Jaime Cantizano! How could you? I know you're only an unbearably hott hunka man who merely hosts a trashy 4-hour "celebrity" gossip round table show in Spain, but i thought you at least would have semi-objected to the idea for this spot. Love how she lost a track from her weave, though. Maybe that made it all worth it for you, too, ¿eh, guapo?

Gimme Gimme #13 (Edición Especial)

Today's Three Kings Day, so, to celebrate the holiday, gimme gimme a painting from John Gascot. Me lovey his colors in his Latin Pop collection. And "Strong" in his new works makes me giggle on the inside. Good stuff.

Not the Chamber of Commerce; the Department of Commerce

That's what I have to tell everyone every time I go to Rico. I'm 33 years old and have been working at the DOC for over 8 years now, but the Don Q and the Medalla must affect everyone's short-term memory more than I like to admit because peeps can't keep my story straight. But maybe there won't be a need to keep the story straight if Barack listens to the gays and taps (drrty) former SBA Administrator Fred Hochberg. At least Fred's got a proven track record in trade issues, unlike Señor Panetta with intelligence, and isn't a TV personality like Dr. Gupta. Makes sense to hire him, no?

Pretty Pictures Version 01.05.09

Maybe we'll get a better rating thanks to today's Pretty Pictures: A Camp with "Stronger than Jesus." It does have Jesus in the title, after all. Just sayin'.

How Did This Happen?

How did Boston Steamer receive a friendlier family rating than we did? We got a PG for use of the word "bitch" three times and the word "kill," onetime. I don't remember using either word, but the robot widgets know more than I ever will. Them robots are taking over soon, for real.

I wonder what our rating will be by posting what Uncle Karl had to say the other day regarding the crazy PETA people and their disdain for fur in fashion. Oh, Uncle Karl...Such a way with words he has.

(Rating courtesy of oneplusyou)

Pretty Pictures Version 01.04.09

Jazmine Sullivan - Bust Your Windows


Dayum! Don't mess with mah girl in today's Pretty Pictures. She took a page from Stella, got her own groove back, and is singin' it to the world. Jazmine Sullivan with "Bust Your Windows."

La Semana in News #11

What's in a name?

2009: The year for KC artistry.

Get me some eggs and milk while you're at it.

Sign o' the shaky print media times. KC Kansan goes on-line only.

An inauguration fit for the stars. Even my parents sat up in the VIP section.

Speaking of stars, JLo and Skeletor are not getting a divorce, gracias very mucho.

Rico gets its own peseta!

Use it to pay for dinner at one of these fine restaus.

Pretty Pictures Version 01.03.09

Kinda Halloweeny to rid the ghosts from your head, today's Pretty Pictures are Cats in Paris with "Foxes." I know I need to get rid of the ghosts in my head after too many fun times last night at the P-Rat. Ooph...The P-Rat. I lovey you and hatey you all at the same time.

(PS and BTW: Why the Polly's website gone? Cici needs to renew her registration, onetime. Just sayin'.)

Pretty Pictures Version 01.02.09

¡Wepa! These are the first Pretty Pictures of 2009! Me likey The Joy Formidable with "Cradle." Hope you likey, too.

Now someone please 'splain me why every single one of my posts today are full of exclamations. I think my latest trip to Rico has had me talking and typing louder than ever before.

My Kwanzaa Will Never Be That Happy

If the Holidaze haven't killed you yet (and I say haven't yet because we Ricans still got Three Kings Day to celebrate on Sunday), Nobody Likes Sandra Lee has got you covered with this gross-arse Kwanzaa cake. It's sick. Just sick. I mean, seriously, are those corn nuts she topped the cake with?! Somebody stop her, please! Ugh, she makes me gag. We could sick Popcorn Chimp on her. But she'd probably scare him off, too. Awww...cutie pie...

And speaking of Three Kings Day, remember that Gimme Gimme post on calendars? Um, yeah, this is the one you can get for me. I knew fire was hott but never that caliente! Dayum! ¡Echa chispa!

¡Date Prisa Que Vamos Tarde!

Latino Standard Time (LST) refers to the amount of time between when someone of Latin American origin says that they will be somewhere and when they actually are there. Generally, Latino standard time ranges between LT (Local Time) + 30min and LT + 2h. In rare instances, LST can be LT + up to 1 day. Now, everyone knows that I run on LST for the most part. I may be a bad Rican (no pool, no salsa, and no baseball), but I'm good through and through when it comes to how it's plain impossible for me to adhere to Gringo Time. But sometimes even this Rican's get his act together and show up on time, especially when it comes to big-arse Latino Presidential Inaugural Gala party times. I gotta find me a ticket! Special Friends works for La Raza, right?

A Stamp Is Forever

I use stamps only once a month to go along with the one check a month the Jayhawk and I write for rent. And even then the mailing of actual rent checks is mainly due to our incredible laziness in setting up an account our landlord can draw from. But maybe if I buy some of these stamps, I'll use the snailmails more because my letters will look that much cooler (?). Obviously not, but I'm definitely getting a sheet when they're released on the 13th.

(Photo courtesy of the Royal Mail)

¡Japi Nu Yi-ar!

¡Un Feliz Año pa' tí, Que te crezca el bling-bling, and all those other Rican holiday sayings that we hold so dear! Now enough of the introspection; time to get re-drunky at 1532 1st Street!

Update!: I had no need to get re-drunky. I apparently was well drunky and posing at Casa Chimney Fall to ring in the New Year in style. Ooph.