I was in the unique position of never having heard of Jon Brion before and never having listened to Fiona Apple. Then, in one quick evening, I saw them both on a small stage at the Largo in Los Angeles. Mr. Brion blew my mind, and I completely fell in love with Ms. Apple.
This weekend I bought my first Fiona Apple CD: "When the Pawn" because it was $4.99 instead of $7.99, I'd heard a less-than-stellar review of the Brion-stripped "Extraordinary Machine," and I judged "Tidal" based on the cover as looking too new and popular.
The album is both super Jon-Brion-y and very Fiona-Apple-y. I can picture her tugging on her scarf, weaving a little from side to side, whacking herself in the thigh, and making other jerky motions while she belts out the lyrics. But I think Jon Brion and his "all other instruments" are the star. I'd be interested in stripping the album of all lyrics and just bouncing around the house to the Jon Brion I love, because, you see, this is not the Fiona Apple I fell in love with.
When I was introduced to her, she sang sweetly the jazz standards and gospel-style classics that showed off her incredible range and sugary voice that match her petite size and soft, cotton dress. I don't think she's as lovely when she belts out forceful bitterness and frustration.
I'm certainly not an expert, but I can tell without a doubt (and this is the important part) that "When the Pawn" is good. It's just not as enjoyable as I had hoped.
I'm listening to it again now with less going on around me and no conversation to distract me, and I still feel mostly the same way. I can appreciate the complexities of her voice more, but overall, I'm still a little disappointed. I can't decide if she'll actually make it into my favorite-ladies music collection. May the Fiona Apple lovers forgive me, but she'll probably be filed elsewhere -- somewhere between "I'm Feeling Angsty; Let's Listen to This" and "A Darn Good Work of Art Worth Keeping Around."
What I want from Fiona (and I'd buy several copies -- one for myself, and others for friends and family) is an album chock-full of jazz classics or soulful gospel tunes. And yes, Jon Brion should be there, too.
I'm still in love, I think. We're just going through a rough patch.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Michael Jackson is dead.
I'm not a big (or even medium-sized) Michael Jackson fan, but when really famous people die, it makes me feel weird. Yesterday, Ed McMahon. Today, Farrah Fawcett and Mr. Jackson.
It's not like a loved one dying, but that doesn't make it less important. Now the entire world is without these three. That's kind of a bigger deal than if I die, ya know? And that doesn't make me uncomfortable or sad. That's just how it is.
But why so serious?
A friend on Twitter pointed out that "MJ dangling his baby was just called an 'iconic image' on TV. Now that he's dead it's 'iconic' as opposed to 'bad parenting.'" And that reminded me of an iconic image of Dan and his bad ferret-parenting caught on digital camera in May of 2005.
Doesn't that just crack you up?
It's not like a loved one dying, but that doesn't make it less important. Now the entire world is without these three. That's kind of a bigger deal than if I die, ya know? And that doesn't make me uncomfortable or sad. That's just how it is.
But why so serious?
A friend on Twitter pointed out that "MJ dangling his baby was just called an 'iconic image' on TV. Now that he's dead it's 'iconic' as opposed to 'bad parenting.'" And that reminded me of an iconic image of Dan and his bad ferret-parenting caught on digital camera in May of 2005.
Doesn't that just crack you up?
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Cheddar Cheese Straws (Mmm, baby!)
I'm not sure why more of you (or any of you, for that matter) haven't called me up to see when would be a good time to stop by and kiss my feet. That's certainly what I would do if you told me about how amazing Smitten Kitchen's Cheese Straws are.
I mentioned them a few times on Twitter. Oh, you don't use Twitter? Well, couldn't you hear me moaning and grunting and calling out their name as I ate all the little broken pieces and then rejoiced when another one broke in the transfer from the cooling rack to the measuring cup? That should have clued you in for sure.
(Nice photo, huh? Kinda makes me think Mr. Basil Plant there will have to play a small role in the next batch -- maybe with Ms. Mozzerella?)
In all seriousness, you should get out the few simple ingredients and spend just a few minutes whipping these up so you can enjoy them as soon as possible. Go ahead and make all the changes you want! Use gorgonzola and parmesan (a commenter on smittenkitchen.com did), or add all kinds of dried herbs and spices! (Wait a sec... curried cheese straws?! Oh, yes!) And you can use just about whatever milky thing you want in place of the half-and-half. I used low fat soy milk. I bet you could even use water. I'm sure whatever reasonable thing you dream up will be delicious.
On a related note, I made my sweet potato cookies again (look over there to the right for the recipe). I apologize if you tried making them in the past and figured out there was no salt in the list of ingredients but never bothered to ask me about it. The salt is there now. I've eaten one so far, and I'm very much looking forward to this evening when I can plop on the couch with my knitting and some tea or chocolate milk and eat several more.
I'm also looking forward to all the praise and back-patting I'm going to get from the boys (Dan and our friend Gavin who's staying with us until he goes back east for his bride). They are in for some kinda treat at the dinner table tonight!
I mentioned them a few times on Twitter. Oh, you don't use Twitter? Well, couldn't you hear me moaning and grunting and calling out their name as I ate all the little broken pieces and then rejoiced when another one broke in the transfer from the cooling rack to the measuring cup? That should have clued you in for sure.
(Nice photo, huh? Kinda makes me think Mr. Basil Plant there will have to play a small role in the next batch -- maybe with Ms. Mozzerella?)
In all seriousness, you should get out the few simple ingredients and spend just a few minutes whipping these up so you can enjoy them as soon as possible. Go ahead and make all the changes you want! Use gorgonzola and parmesan (a commenter on smittenkitchen.com did), or add all kinds of dried herbs and spices! (Wait a sec... curried cheese straws?! Oh, yes!) And you can use just about whatever milky thing you want in place of the half-and-half. I used low fat soy milk. I bet you could even use water. I'm sure whatever reasonable thing you dream up will be delicious.
On a related note, I made my sweet potato cookies again (look over there to the right for the recipe). I apologize if you tried making them in the past and figured out there was no salt in the list of ingredients but never bothered to ask me about it. The salt is there now. I've eaten one so far, and I'm very much looking forward to this evening when I can plop on the couch with my knitting and some tea or chocolate milk and eat several more.
I'm also looking forward to all the praise and back-patting I'm going to get from the boys (Dan and our friend Gavin who's staying with us until he goes back east for his bride). They are in for some kinda treat at the dinner table tonight!
Monday, June 22, 2009
Lollipop Winner
I swear I'm not a cheater! I guess Amber of The Amber Show is just lucky!
I randomized the list of names three times and had a random number generator pick a different number on the list each time. Amber won twice!
Congratulations, you! I'll be interested to hear what you think of them.
You all had some great ideas -- maybe we'll see them in the Lollipop Labs shop someday!
I randomized the list of names three times and had a random number generator pick a different number on the list each time. Amber won twice!
Congratulations, you! I'll be interested to hear what you think of them.
You all had some great ideas -- maybe we'll see them in the Lollipop Labs shop someday!
Sunday, June 07, 2009
Lollipop, Lollipop (A Giveaway!)
A while ago on Twitter I said something amorous about Earl Grey tea (I really do love it very, very much). LollyLabs replied to me and said, "Earl Grey lollipops" and posted a link to her Etsy shop.
Of course I was intrigued, and even more so when I saw another strange treat: Dirty Martini lollipops. That very same day I made contact with the shop and arranged a special mixed purchase with the intention of reviewing the lollipops and sharing a set with my readers.
(Photo swiped from the shop.)
The Earl Grey lollipops (I'm eating one right now) are an Earl-Grey-lover's dream. They're lovely little rounds of sugar, corn syrup, black tea, bergamot, lavender, and orange zest. The lolly is sweet (but not too sweet) and giving off a perfect hint of bergamot. The wee little bits of real black tea leaves are a fun texture on the tongue, and both the leaves and the bits of zest are fun to scratch free with the teeth and nibble to death.
I love them.
(Photo by me.)
The Dirty Martini lollipops (made from sugar, corn syrup, olives, vermouth, and vodka) are super fun! They're a bit sweeter than the Earl Grey pops, and their texture is more like a very thick taffy (the Earl Greys are super crunchy like a traditional lollipop). It has hints of all the traditional dirty martini elements, but nothing really screams "martini!" (except for that cricket-like olive treasure in the middle). I've never eaten a cricket-stuffed lolly (and I never will), but I imagine those, too, take on a funny texture. The olive is a bit rubbery, but honestly: I never completely freed it. The pop stayed on its wrapper on the coffee table for a few days until I decided it was finally time to let it go.
Overall: not my favorite candy, but they're certainly tasty and fun enough to make a cool gift for a martini enthusiast or party favors at some kind of quirky event.
Lollpop Labs will also take custom orders for flavors they haven't even invented yet! As a thank-you for sending me a couple extra lollies (I still have to try the Peppermint Tea and the Lavender Rose they included), I'm asking for your flavor ideas.
Comment here with a flavor idea (or two or three or four, but you only get one entry in the drawing), and I'll pick one winner to get a pair of lollipops: one Dirty Martini and one Earl Grey. Make sure I have a way to contact you to get your mailing address if you win.
One entry per person. Comments close at noon my time (PST) on Friday, June 19. I'll do my best to get them in the mail that day or the next.
Good luck! And go check out Lollipop Labs while you're waiting to find out who won!
Of course I was intrigued, and even more so when I saw another strange treat: Dirty Martini lollipops. That very same day I made contact with the shop and arranged a special mixed purchase with the intention of reviewing the lollipops and sharing a set with my readers.
So here's the review:
(Photo swiped from the shop.)I love them.
(Photo by me.)The Dirty Martini lollipops (made from sugar, corn syrup, olives, vermouth, and vodka) are super fun! They're a bit sweeter than the Earl Grey pops, and their texture is more like a very thick taffy (the Earl Greys are super crunchy like a traditional lollipop). It has hints of all the traditional dirty martini elements, but nothing really screams "martini!" (except for that cricket-like olive treasure in the middle). I've never eaten a cricket-stuffed lolly (and I never will), but I imagine those, too, take on a funny texture. The olive is a bit rubbery, but honestly: I never completely freed it. The pop stayed on its wrapper on the coffee table for a few days until I decided it was finally time to let it go.
Overall: not my favorite candy, but they're certainly tasty and fun enough to make a cool gift for a martini enthusiast or party favors at some kind of quirky event.
And here's the sharing part:
Lollpop Labs will also take custom orders for flavors they haven't even invented yet! As a thank-you for sending me a couple extra lollies (I still have to try the Peppermint Tea and the Lavender Rose they included), I'm asking for your flavor ideas.
Comment here with a flavor idea (or two or three or four, but you only get one entry in the drawing), and I'll pick one winner to get a pair of lollipops: one Dirty Martini and one Earl Grey. Make sure I have a way to contact you to get your mailing address if you win.
One entry per person. Comments close at noon my time (PST) on Friday, June 19. I'll do my best to get them in the mail that day or the next.
Good luck! And go check out Lollipop Labs while you're waiting to find out who won!
Friday, June 05, 2009
Life-Changing Discovery
Knitting and working out can happen at the same time! I no longer have to choose! I just may end up being the skinniest and knitterliest person in the whole apartment complex in a short period of time (though I admit this isn't going to be a difficult distinction to obtain).
Simultaneous knitting and elliptical-ing is actually easier than taking a picture of the activity. It helps that the sock repeat is made up of four distinct rows, and each set of repeats is easy to recognize. This makes post-workout row-counting very easy. Though a plain sock pattern would be easier to work while sweating one's brains out, keeping track of rows would be more complicated. A clicky-counter-thingy would solve that problem, but I don't have one of those.
For now, I'm knitting the Open Twisted Ribbing pattern from More Sensational Knitted Socks by Charlene Schurch on a US 1 circular needle (magic-looping with my precious Addi Turbos) with Bernat Sox in the Wooded Denim colorway. (Ravelry users can find my socks here.)
But now I need a shower, and I think the socks will have to stay out here and wait for me.
Simultaneous knitting and elliptical-ing is actually easier than taking a picture of the activity. It helps that the sock repeat is made up of four distinct rows, and each set of repeats is easy to recognize. This makes post-workout row-counting very easy. Though a plain sock pattern would be easier to work while sweating one's brains out, keeping track of rows would be more complicated. A clicky-counter-thingy would solve that problem, but I don't have one of those.
For now, I'm knitting the Open Twisted Ribbing pattern from More Sensational Knitted Socks by Charlene Schurch on a US 1 circular needle (magic-looping with my precious Addi Turbos) with Bernat Sox in the Wooded Denim colorway. (Ravelry users can find my socks here.)
But now I need a shower, and I think the socks will have to stay out here and wait for me.
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
The Battle
My free time is often wasted in a battle of choosing between knitting this sock and reading this book.
Sock: 1 of 2 for Dan's birthday, improvised pattern.
Book: Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer, borrowed from the library.
Soon the war will be over, but surely another will follow.
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