This mural is both awesome and super creepy to me at the same time. Don't know if the older dude is supposed to be Ghandi, but he kind of looks like an old Tupac. It reads "spiritual release", but I like it more as "ritual". It's on the wall of what used to be the Parkway Speakeasy movie theater. So sad it's not open anymore. I'm sure they'll turn it into some church like they do with most old theaters.
Friday, September 2, 2011
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Someone finally read my mind
Look what I found this morning in the Mill Valley Whole Foods! Now I can eat a cupcake and not look like a total glutton. It's all fancy-like.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Ice Cream + Portuguese wines = Wow.
Left to right:
1.) Apple + Vinho Verde Sorbet
2.) Strawberry Ice Cream
3.) Mango Sorbet
4.) Vintage Port Ice Cream.
I also highly recommend their Piri Piri chicken salad.
An "Awesome" Adventure in New Zealand's Northland
I love New Zealand. It's my home away from home. Literally. (My mother lives there.) I love how I never get homesick, or feel like I need to be back in California ASAP because it kind of reminds me of home with its Green hills, coastal views, big cities, fresh food and great wine. I also love that I can opening say "awesome" as much as I like. (Can't do that in other places without getting strange looks).
As much as I love Aotearoa, I always feel a slight pang of guilt at traveling to a place I've already been to more than twice, considering there are so many places on my list that I'd like to see. Luckily, there's so much to do there that you can't do it all on one trip.
This time around mom and I headed to the Northland and Bay of Islands area, which was not only stunningly beautiful, but actually warm. Since I always go in winter when it's cheap, I have a tendency to think of the place as being balmy, rainy, muggy, and chilly. This was a nice departure. It almost seemed like I was visiting a country I'd never been to before.
We took the Awesome NZ tour - see, there's that word I love again - from Paihia, where we were staying to an old forrest full of ancient Kauri trees. Our guide told us that if we hugged it, we'd feel refreshed and awake. I didn't feel so jetlagged anymore, so maybe it worked. Although I had already been there for a few days . . .
Then we drove down the 90 Mile Beach, which is a highway where cars go at 90 KPH, that's only like 55 MPH, but needless to say I almost lost my mom to a reckless Audi and a mistunderstanding between her and some Singaporean tourists who were taking pictures. They were telling her to look out and she thought they were telling her to get outof their photo, so she ran right in front of the on-coming car. She was looking right . . .
Needless to say, she didn't get run over and we then headed on to the sand dunes, where I've now discovered something way more fun than body surfing and snow sledding: sand boarding. You basically take a Bodyboard, climb up a huge sand dune, lie on the board on your stomach and go. Although, word to the wise, I don't recommend screaming down the hill. Sand is nasty when it gets in your mouth.
We then headed to the Meeting Point at Cape Reinga where the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific Ocean. It's a spiritual place for the Maori. It's beautiful, so one can obviously see why it's a special spiritual place for them. Our guide was of Maori heritage, so he told us there is a prayer they always do when approaching the place, which he chanted for us. Last year we when we went to Christchurch, we went to a reserve where did the god-aweful touristy thing of participating in a Maori warrior reenactment. It was cheesy, but interesting at the same time. Who doesn't want to learn how to do the Haka like their national rugby team, The All Blacks?
I've always found the Maori culture fascinating, probably because it kind of reminds me of the Hawaiian one and I remember being ten and how learning how to say a few words in Hawaiian were just the coolest thing ever. I feel super cool now that I've learned a few Maori words from our driver. Ok, really only "nui" which means big, but it's a start. Once you've got Kia Ora and Aroha worked out it's smooth sailing from there. Sort of . . .
I guess we spent too much time on the killer sand dunes because we arrived late to Maunganui, which means "big shark" according too our guide, because we only had a few minutes to grab THE best fish n chips I've ever had. (And I've eaten a lot of fish n chips in my lifetime.) The thing that always kills me about New Zealand is their stinginess over condiments. I'm American. I like my condiments! They always charge extra for ketchup and tartar sauce. I mean, I can understand why. It's an added expense, but seriously, you need
Thursday, May 26, 2011
When it rains have some Spain?
Monday, May 16, 2011
This made my day . . .
Friday, April 29, 2011
Must be good mustard, no?
I just said that in my best Russian accent, in case you couldn't tell. Found this gem at my favorite specialty food store in Marin. (No, not the Tyler Florence store.) Even Gorbi gives it a thumbs up, so you know you can't go wrong. Great for steak tartare or piroskis, I'm sure. Hmm. I like to think that this is what babuska dolls of former Soviet leaders do post retirement. Makes it sound even cooler.
Gorbi gives it a thumbs up
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Hostess with the Mostest
Remember that episode of Friends where Monica and Rachel trade apartments with Joey and Chandler and everyone decides they want to hang out in the guy's new apartment?
Monica gets all pissed off and annoyed because she's used to having everyone at her place. So, to entice them back over to her new crummy little apartment she bakes chocolate chip cookies and blows the smell over with a hand fan. Once they're all back where she wants them, she proclaims: "I'm always the hostess!"
Well, I'm kind of like that, but without being all psycho hostesszilla-like. But it does give me an excuse to evoke the inner Martha Stewart in me. Besides, we all need an excuse to use Cadbury Creme Eggs as part of a place setting.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Epic April Fools Joke?
Food junkie that I am, I've been following @RuthBourdain's enigmatic Tweets for quite some time. Love how he/she managed to pervert Ruth Reichel's charming and colorful food writing with my all-time favorite food writer, Anthony Bourdain's, kick ass and in-your-face rock and roll attitude. It was like Foies Gras rolled in bacon and sprinkled with powdered sugar and cinnamon.
Imagine my shock and awe at seeing this posting on my Tumblr dashboard yesterday:
But Alice Waters would never lie. Even on April Fools. Would she? All I know is if she's Ruth Bourdain I'm not sure of anything anymore.
So, this is what the ecological side of advertising looks like?
I'm perplexed. An ad made of 100% recycled ads? It's quite a bold concept considering this comes from a company who is known for it's boldness. I have to say I love the idea as a whole. But the execution makes me cringe. Why does it look like they fired their agency and got an art student to edit this? I'd really like to say that I'm a fan of this ad, but to be honest, aside from reminding me that I need to plug my Nike+ meter into my Nike sneakers before my next run it really didn't do much else for me. **Meh**
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Honestly insightful
I love social experiments. I especially love them when they manage to do good things for a good product. As a wannabe-sociologist-slash-quasi-cultural-anthropologist, I found this one for Honest Tea incredibly insightful.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Cloudsourcing
Plus, there were some good ones out in the valley on Thursday, I couldn't resist. All I wanted to do was lay out in the middle of the vineyard and stare up at the sky. (And snap some pics of course.)
This is my idea of "going to the cloud."
Monday, February 28, 2011
Advertising about it is great, but what are you really doing to be socially responsible?
Like a lot of people I thought that Crysler's Superbowl spot "Imported From Detroit" was brilliant. I still think it's a compelling and heart-felt portrayal of hope. And of course, Crysler upped their ante in the street-cred department by not only featuring the soundrack to "8 Mile" but also showing Eminem driving the 2011 Crysler 200 - a car that looks badass on its own, even if it doesn't fit my personal aesthetics. Needless to say, I was almost moved to tears.
But then I came across a link that Eric Asimov from The New York Times Tweeted a couple of days ago with images of a dilapidated Detroit. We're all aware of the economic hardships that Motown has suffered in the last fifteen years or so, but watching "Mike and Me" couldn't prepare me for what I saw. The photographs from the French design website,Ma Revue, made me so sad that this time I actually did cry.
I wondered, how can a city have such little regard for their architectural history and cultural heritage? One of the photographs was from the Vanity Dancehall, which despite the fact it opened in 1929, not only survived the Depression, it also thrived up until the 1960s with such acts like Duke Ellington and Benny Goodman. It even got a second life in the '70s with bands like The Stooges.
In 1982 it became part of the National Register of Historic Places, yet twenty-six years later is was listed as one of the ten endangered buildings in Detroit by their preservation society. I know we had a few economic downturns in the early '80s, but what about the mid '90s when we had enough money to do something? Why wasn't the money spent on beautification and restoration of historic buildings. Or were we too blind back then to see how greedy GM and Crysler were becoming and that would eventually lead to their inevitable bankruptcies?
Maybe it's because I live in an area that values its history that I feel a pang in my stomach from seeing a city in the US let it's buildings decay as much as its economy. Maybe it's because I'm an art student, or because my grandfather was an architect-engineer and taught me to appreciate buildings that it hurts me to see these places so mistreated. Afterall, Barcelona wouldn't let its Gaudi buildings crumble, would it?
Most would ask: where are they going to get the money? (Especially now that we're past the point of just "recession".) And yet there's always money for other stuff. I'm sure not all of Detroit's residents are completely destitute. I'm sure there are a few people out there who have the time and resources to organize something. Nearby Grosse Point is one of the wealthiest small towns per capita in the U.S. and it's less than 25 minutes away. (I also counted another six zip codes within Michigan on that list of 100 wealthiest cities in the U.S.)
Some would argue that time and money could be better used to improve schools and hospitals. But I think when you give a community beauty and restore it's cultural heritage you give them a sense of pride that no one can take away from them. I'm no urban planning professional, but I'm pretty sure that redevelopment and regentrifiation bring more street traffic and in turn more businesses too. There are industries in this country aside from the automobile industry. Build it and they will come. (So will the jobs).
See Oakland's Uptown area. During the first part of the 20th century it was THE shopping district in Oakland. It kind of lost it's magic during the middle of the last century including many failed attempts of restoration and redevelopment. In the last decade a couple of new restaurants opened up in the area, followed by condos and in 2009 the Fox Theater reopened after being closed since 1966 after which it was known as “the largest outdoor urinal in the world.” I was lucky enough to attend that opening night at the Fox Theater in '09 with a stellar performance by Al Green who seemed to shine his effervesent positivity throughout the concert-hall. The Fox is not only a theater with big-name shows almost every night, it's also the home base for Another Planet Entertainment and the location of Oakland School of Performing Arts, a public charter school.
With that said, let's turn our attention back to Crysler, shall we? After seeing photos, like the ones above, I wanted to know exactly WHAT Crystler was DOING to show their loyalty toward their beloved Detroit. What are they doing in order to gain the American consumer's trust, especially since an Italian car-maker has owned half the company since 2009. Yes, I get that they're a "car company" so their main focus is on the automobile. But now they're also saying they're more than that. I want to know exactly what social responsibility means to them?
Looking at the Crysler Foundation website I saw that they raised money for Katrina victims and also for the victim's families after 9/11. According to their website they even donate to the arts, eduction and environment. That's great, but why was there no mention of Detroit, specifically? Maybe it's just assumed that they give back to the community. I mean, they supposedly create tons of jobs for workers in the area, right? There have also been talks of expanding the main plant on the Jefferson and reopening other factories that were shut down in 2009 before FIAT got half of their assets.
I'm not belittling their efforts because it seems like they do some good works, but why doesn't that still seem like enough to me? I want to see more. As a consumer, American, and advertising person, I want to see more accountability from a company that boasts it is all about the city it started in. I want to see it contribute more to that city and I want to see exactly what they are contributing - time, money, resources.
We need to hold our companies accountable for the messages they send out to us because they need to know that the American public is not that gullible. "Imported from Detroit" was an awesome example of what they can aspire to be again both as a company and as a city. I bet that if they actually focus on social responsibility there on their home turf they will see their numbers back in black once again.
I know I'm just a California girl, who's never been to Detroit and am probably just an idealistic naive dreamer who hasn't experienced poverty and doesn't know what it's like to see something like that, but I still want Detroit to thrive because it means that we all have hope everywhere else in this country. There is no excuse for a city in one of the wealthiest states to look like a warzone. The spot showed us what we as a country can be if we have faith, hope and a badass sensibility. (The American Dream?) I want Crysler to man-up and live up to the promise it made in its Super Bowl ad.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Communication Breakdown
I always gather some pearls of wisdom whenever I Skype with my mother in New Zealand. (Aside from just getting a sore throat from our hour-long conversations). Not that I mind, really. All I need is a glass of water and I'm set.
However, the sore throat and the whole awkwardness got me thinking about conversations, in general. I'm talking about actual face-to-face conversations. We don't seem to have too many of those anymore.
This particular conversation started with Social Media. I'm pro, mom's against, even though she has a Facebook account she never checks. We were talking about privacy settings and how I had just heard of this program that some digital strategist are using to bypass people's privacy settings on Facebook and Twitter to gain insight on their Social Media behaviors.
"Big Brother is watching," my mother said."Goes to show, you might think something's private, but anyone can look at it. You should make sure you're not posting anything crazy there."
First of all, as a grad student, I have no social life. Social Media is my social life. That said, I don't really care about people finding what I've posted on my Facebook. Sure, I have uber-privacy settings on that thing, but the main thing is that Facebook is my one outlet where I get to be who I really am and communicate with my friends about what's important to me.
"Well, you better talk to your little cousins about that stuff," she said. "I've seen drunken pictures up there and party pictures. They should know that this is probably going to keep them from getting a job some day in the future."
My cousins don't even have privacy settings on their Facebooks. One got his account hacked into. One posts too many party pics, and one posted some private information about an employer's alarm code.
"Someone needs to talk to them," my mom said. "School doesn't do it and teens don't talk to their parents. I hope their teachers at least take their phones away if they're using it in class."
I guess I never thought about that because when I was in high school we had pagers (yes, I'm that old) and they were confiscated if you were caught checking it during class. Plus, I always talked to my parents about everything. (Well, almost.)
"Teens don't talk. Period," I told my mother. At this moment I had a very strange revelation. Teens don't talk anymore because no one talks anymore. I mean, no one really uses their vocal chords to communicate anymore. It's a rare thing to even have a phone conversation with someone. Most of our communication is through email, Twitter, status updates and text messages.
Growing up in the era before text messaging, as a teen, I would spend hours on the phone with my friends. Sometimes I would even fall asleep with the phone cradled under my ear. The phone was used to schedule hang-out times and places. I was the one responsible for organizing things, so I would be on the phone all afternoon calling all my friends until we had a definite arrangement. I was kind of glad when everyone finally got AOL and we could just email or IM and conference IM what movie we were seeing at the mall and when.
Now we don't even talk anymore. If I have something to say to one of my friends I either write it on their wall, address a Tweet to them or just text them depending on the message. I had an old friend tell me a while back that she had no idea what was going on in my life because my Facebook status updates were so random and generic. (Yeah, that's kind of the point.) I got a little annoyed and started wondering why she hadn't just picked up the phone and given me a ring. Another friend sent me an IM a couple of weeks ago asking me how I was. "Nice," she messaged back as if not really paying attention to what I had written. As a response to my question, "How's it going with you?" She posted a link to her blog. (Tacky much?)
This all reminded me of that episode of "Seinfeld" where Elaine is in social agony over what is appropriate when expressing your sympathies to someone over the death of a loved one. She can't leave a message. But she knows she shouldn't call on a cell phone either because what if the reception cuts out. Besides calling someone on a cell phone means you're not giving your full attention to the conversation because you're on your cell phone probably doing something else while you're calling.
There's that common sense we all seem to be lacking these days when it comes to personal communication.
My mother and most older adults I know think that kids are born with new technology already embedded in their brain like it's part of their DNA or some nanochip that's implanted when they come out of the womb. "Pretty soon kids are going to be born without vocal chords because it won't be necessary to speak anymore."
There's a frightening thought.
On that note, I've decided to take my own personal time machine back to 1996, actually call my friends this week and have a real-life, real-time voice-to-voice conversation. (If they have Skype, that's better, I"m sure.) But I'll stick to an actual phone for now. (Hopefully AT&T allows me to do this.) Or better yet, I'll arrange to grab a drink or coffee with them and have a real face-to-face conversation. Point is, if I have something to say to the important people in my life, I'm going to actually say it to them instead of sending a message in written text.
Let's see how that goes.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
I like to think that the faucets pour sherry when you turn them on.
Another fun pic from Espain. This one was taken in Seville. Now I totally want some Palomino Fino.
I bet he totally used the bidet
I never got to post this to my blog, but fashion fanatic that I am, I just had to brag about this. So, better later than never. Yes, that is Pierre Cardin's autograph on the bathroom tile of my hotel I'm Granada, Spain. The front desk even confirmed it when I inquired about it the next day. I'm guessing he stayed there long before the hotel became a Best Western, though. Just sayin'.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Super Bowl Wrap Up
<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Or should I say . . . burrito? Either way, I'm sifting through the seven layers of frijole dip advertising hell to find the ads that were actually worth a damn this year. Once again, hats off to Hulu for devoting a whole channel to it. Lets hope they're half as good as Christina Aguilera's memorization of The Star Spangled Banner. </span>
<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">KIA - One Epic Fail . . . um, ride. </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Um, yeah, lets spend a shit-load of money on aliens, and sea monsters and other villain stereotypes. Seriously, I liked the stuffed-animals-go-to-Vegas commercial for KIA Sorrento from last year way better. </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Sketchers: Kim Kardashian: Hello Sketchers</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Yeah, I just threw up in my mouth a little. I don't know about any one else, but I've never had a shirtless personal trainer. Plus, sorry to say, but she can't act to save her tush. </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">GoDaddy: The Contract</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Yup, they're at it again. Eww. This disturbs me on so many levels. Plus, I don't get it. I mean, yeah, I get it. Go to GoDaddy and see them nekked. But what does that have to do with buying a domain? </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Mercedes-Benz: Welcome </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Haha. Sean Combs. I guess Benz figured Crystler had Marshall Mathers, so why not get P. Diddy. I think they should have just stuck to showing the new line of cars, but it's the Super Bowl, so you've got to put some drama into it. And an angry Diddy does make for some kind of amusement. </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Volkswagen: Black Beetle </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">VW really can't go wrong. They don't show their car at all and I still totally want to buy it. </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Hyndai: Anachronistic City </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Dude, is your car really that special? Props for Pong though, I guess. Whatevs. </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Pepsi: First Date </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Coca-Cola should learn from Pepsi. Stop taking yourself too seriously. You're not going to save the world one high fructose corn syrup soft drink at a time. But you just might sell some soda. Granted, PepsiMax has a specific target (men) and Coca-Cola isn't necessarily diet, but come on, liven up a little. </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Coca-Cola: Border</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">See above. </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Doritos: House Sitting </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I love off-the-wall. We need more of that shit in advertising. </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Doritos: Killer Pug </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Ditto. </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">E-Trade: Tailor </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The baby might be getting a little old as far as . . . well, considering he's probably older than me by now. But still love the cuteness factor. </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Groupon: Tibet </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Oh, Groupon. Your commercials are so wrong, but might be just right. Still, I feel like there's a disconnect. I almost want to know how saving with Groupon can help save Tibet. </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Lipton: Eminem </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Oh, Eminem. Looks like they're really lovin' Marshall this year. This gets a big "Eh" from me. </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Crystler: Imported from Detroit </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I think I got a little emotional watching this commercial. I'm not from Detroit, but I always feel bad about the shit that happens there. Especially since it's not longer really Motown. But once I heard the "8 Mile" music I knew it was only fitting that Eminem should drive a Crystler, right? I'm really liking the slice of Americana that Crystler is serving with its new campaign (see the one where they show people throughout the ages driving their cars.) It makes me feel all proud to be an American for 30 seconds. </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Ok, I know there were 65 ads, but seriously that's all I could go through right now. I just have one thing to say though, Bud Light, you rocked last year. This year you sucked so bad I didn't even add you to my blog. Boo for you. Rock my world next year. </span>
Super Bowl Ad Wrap Up
Or should I say . . . burrito? Either way, I'm sifting through the seven layers of frijole dip advertising hell to find the ads that were actually worth a damn this year. Once again, hats off to Hulu for devoting a whole channel to it. Lets hope they're half as good as Christina Aguilera's memorization of The Star Spangled Banner.
KIA - One Epic Fail . . . um, ride.
Um, yeah, lets spend a shit-load of money on aliens, and sea monsters and other villain stereotypes. Seriously, I liked the stuffed-animals-go-to-Vegas commercial for KIA Sorrento from last year way better.
Sketchers: Kim Kardashian: Hello Sketchers
Yeah, I just threw up in my mouth a little. I don't know about any one else, but I've never had a shirtless personal trainer. Plus, sorry to say, but she can't act to save her tush.
GoDaddy: The Contract
Yup, they're at it again. Eww. This disturbs me on so many levels. Plus, I don't get it. I mean, yeah, I get it. Go to GoDaddy and see them nekked. But what does that have to do with buying a domain?
Mercedes-Benz: Welcome
Haha. Sean Combs. I guess Benz figured Crystler had Marshall Mathers, so why not get P. Diddy. I think they should have just stuck to showing the new line of cars, but it's the Super Bowl, so you've got to put some drama into it. And an angry Diddy does make for some kind of amusement.
Volkswagen: Black Beetle
VW really can't go wrong. They don't show their car at all and I still totally want to buy it.
Hyndai: Anachronistic City
Dude, is your car really that special? Props for Pong though, I guess. Whatevs.
Pepsi: First Date
Coca-Cola should learn from Pepsi. Stop taking yourself too seriously. You're not going to save the world one high fructose corn syrup soft drink at a time. But you just might sell some soda. Granted, PepsiMax has a specific target (men) and Coca-Cola isn't necessarily diet, but come on, liven up a little.
Coca-Cola: Border
See above.
Doritos: House Sitting
I love off-the-wall. We need more of that shit in advertising.
Doritos: Killer Pug
Ditto.
E-Trade: Tailor
The baby might be getting a little old as far as . . . well, considering he's probably older than me by now. But still love the cuteness factor.
Groupon: Tibet
Oh, Groupon. Your commercials are so wrong, but might be just right. Still, I feel like there's a disconnect. I almost want to know how saving with Groupon can help save Tibet.
Lipton: Eminem
Oh, Eminem. Looks like they're really lovin' Marshall this year. This gets a big "Eh" from me.
Crystler: Imported from Detroit
I think I got a little emotional watching this commercial. I'm not from Detroit, but I always feel bad about the shit that happens there. Especially since it's not longer really Motown. But once I heard the "8 Mile" music I knew it was only fitting that Eminem should drive a Crystler, right? I'm really liking the slice of Americana that Crystler is serving with its new campaign (see the one where they show people throughout the ages driving their cars.) It makes me feel all proud to be an American for 30 seconds.
Ok, I know there were 65 ads, but seriously that's all I could go through right now. I just have one thing to say though, Bud Light, you rocked last year. This year you sucked so bad I didn't even add you to my blog. Boo for you. Rock my world next year.
KIA - One Epic Fail . . . um, ride.
Um, yeah, lets spend a shit-load of money on aliens, and sea monsters and other villain stereotypes. Seriously, I liked the stuffed-animals-go-to-Vegas commercial for KIA Sorrento from last year way better.
Sketchers: Kim Kardashian: Hello Sketchers
Yeah, I just threw up in my mouth a little. I don't know about any one else, but I've never had a shirtless personal trainer. Plus, sorry to say, but she can't act to save her tush.
GoDaddy: The Contract
Yup, they're at it again. Eww. This disturbs me on so many levels. Plus, I don't get it. I mean, yeah, I get it. Go to GoDaddy and see them nekked. But what does that have to do with buying a domain?
Mercedes-Benz: Welcome
Haha. Sean Combs. I guess Benz figured Crystler had Marshall Mathers, so why not get P. Diddy. I think they should have just stuck to showing the new line of cars, but it's the Super Bowl, so you've got to put some drama into it. And an angry Diddy does make for some kind of amusement.
Volkswagen: Black Beetle
VW really can't go wrong. They don't show their car at all and I still totally want to buy it.
Hyndai: Anachronistic City
Dude, is your car really that special? Props for Pong though, I guess. Whatevs.
Pepsi: First Date
Coca-Cola should learn from Pepsi. Stop taking yourself too seriously. You're not going to save the world one high fructose corn syrup soft drink at a time. But you just might sell some soda. Granted, PepsiMax has a specific target (men) and Coca-Cola isn't necessarily diet, but come on, liven up a little.
Coca-Cola: Border
See above.
Doritos: House Sitting
I love off-the-wall. We need more of that shit in advertising.
Doritos: Killer Pug
Ditto.
E-Trade: Tailor
The baby might be getting a little old as far as . . . well, considering he's probably older than me by now. But still love the cuteness factor.
Groupon: Tibet
Oh, Groupon. Your commercials are so wrong, but might be just right. Still, I feel like there's a disconnect. I almost want to know how saving with Groupon can help save Tibet.
Lipton: Eminem
Oh, Eminem. Looks like they're really lovin' Marshall this year. This gets a big "Eh" from me.
Crystler: Imported from Detroit
I think I got a little emotional watching this commercial. I'm not from Detroit, but I always feel bad about the shit that happens there. Especially since it's not longer really Motown. But once I heard the "8 Mile" music I knew it was only fitting that Eminem should drive a Crystler, right? I'm really liking the slice of Americana that Crystler is serving with its new campaign (see the one where they show people throughout the ages driving their cars.) It makes me feel all proud to be an American for 30 seconds.
Ok, I know there were 65 ads, but seriously that's all I could go through right now. I just have one thing to say though, Bud Light, you rocked last year. This year you sucked so bad I didn't even add you to my blog. Boo for you. Rock my world next year.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Barcelona: Totes les coses bones
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I once had a friend tell me that no matter where I go, I will never starve because I speak the language of food fluently. That’s a good thing considering Catalan is not an easy language to learn. I now realize that I couldn’t fail in Catalonia with the delicious meals my family took me to enjoy. If anything, I learned that in Barcelona you cannot go wrong in places with the word “Can” in front of it. Can translates to House and although they are restaurants their food felt very much home cooked.
One of the best meals I enjoyed in Barcelona was at a restaurant called Can Punyetes, which has a few locations throughout the city. Here I had the chance to enjoy Butifarra, a delicious Catalan sausage seasoned with garlic and pepper, a la brasa, or grilled. All the meals at this restaurant are either served with potato, piquillo peppers, or pan amb tomàquet (toasted bread with garlic, tomato and olive oil).
I was also introduced to a very typical Catalonian winter salad called Xató (SHA-toh), which usually features endives, bacalao (salt cod), Bonito tuna, hard-boiled eggs, Black Empeltre olives, and anchovies. But it’s the Romesco vinaigrette that really sets it apart from other salads. The salad comes with the Romesco drizzled on top and then one adds Arbiquina olive oil and sherry vinegar to taste. Romesco is also excellent for dipping grilled green onions called Calçots in, or spreading over a toasted baguette.
The thing that amazed me about Barcelona is its amazing seafood. It’s so incredibly fresh. Wandering through the food stalls at La Boqueria, the market by Las Ramblas, I saw rare delicacies I had never even heard of. What amazed me, of course, was that the shellfish were all still alive and actually kicking, or clawing the air. I don’t think I’ve ever seen seafood that fresh – and I grew up going to Fisherman’s Wharf as a kid. Each vendor stall was full of wonderful items – hanging fuet, giant Chupa Chups, saffron and Pimenton de la Vera as well as Pimentos de Padron, cheeses and other delicious embutidos.
No visit to La Boqueria is complete without a stop at Pinotxo’s. You might have to hover around the bar for a while to snatch a seat, but it’s totally worth it. Not being able to see the menu from where I sat, I asked the cute little old man behind the counter for his recommendations. He brought over a plate of fresh gambas en ajo, (garlic prawns) with Flor de Sal, a lamb stew of beans and mushrooms, and a Vichy Catalan. (We’d already had Estrella Damm beer earlier on our tapeo through Passeig de Gracia.)
On a trip through Penedès, the region famous for Cava, I noticed a phrase painted on the side of a building that said “L’art de bon menjar”. You don’t have to speak Catalan to understand that they take dining seriously, to the point where it has been elevated to an art form rivaling the work of Picasso, Dali or Gaudi.
Until next time . . . Buen Provecho!
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Sevilla: Orange Bliss
I was asked to write a little newsletter about my trip for the store I work at in Marin. Here's last week's newsletter.
Only one thing pops into my head when I think of the magical city of Sevilla. Oranges. I could also say almonds and olives, since there are so many in the areas nearby like Estepa, which is famous for its mantecados and polvorones. I could say bullfights and flamenco, which are both important to its history and culture. 
But I’ll stick to oranges because it’s hard to ignore the bright orange globes dangling from the trees that line each boulevard and the calles during the winter months.
Although they are not sweet oranges, I was tempted a few times to pick at least one. Luckily, there are many alternate ways to eat Seville’s bitter oranges. My personal favorite: candied and covered in dark chocolate. I had intended to bring some back home with me from the Confiteria Los Angeles in the city cente r, but they never even made it back to Barcelona with me. 
Another one of my favorite methods of enjoying the bitter oranges is by eating Ines Rosales Tortas de Aceite, which I was so happy to see again at The Spanish Table in Mill Valley when I returned. With a little bit of oil and a little bit of sugar, there’s just enough hint of citrus to make your taste buds work a little. I like it with some creamy cheese, like Tetilla, that blends in with the bitter orange.
You can’t really starve in Seville, and you definitely can’t go thirsty either. We spent a whole afternoon “tapiando”, as my cousin calls it. Tapas are such a big part of Spanish culture that she says they’ve turned it into a verb as in “Vamos a tapiar” or “Estamos tapiando”. Basically it’s bar hopping in the middle of the afternoon, drinking lots wine, beer, and sangria while enjoying quite a few bites of deliciousness.
We started in the Santa Cruz neighborhood with beer and paella that was being cooked on a Butano. Then we headed down the street to the square in front of the Cathedral for croquettes and a glass of Rioja, followed by sangria and “surprise tapas” consisting of potato salad, fried anchovies and chicken Seville style. My poor cousin is vegetarian, not an easy thing to be while studying abroad in Spain. It took her a while to adjust, but she now has found that her favorite Spanish dish is Patatas Bravas, which we ate lots of. I’ve made some since getting back home using the Mi Conserva Salsa Brava, which reminds me the most of the sauce used in Seville.
After wandering around the streets most of the day, it was time for some coffee and sitting at a café to watch people. I think its wonderful how in Spain after 18:00 hours everyone heads out in their best attire and the streets are crowded with some of the best-dressed people who are out to see and be seen during the evening paseo down Calle Constitucion. That’s also when everyone does their evening window-shopping. We came across Felix’s Posters, an awesome little shop with vintage Flamenco and bullfighting posters. My favorite one is the Cruzcampo Beer poster from the 1930s.
Sometimes while traveling throughout Andalusia you don’t get much time to eat a whole meal, especially if you have a bus to catch or need to stay focused while driving. I’ve always been a fan of sandwiches, but the Spanish bring a different sophistication to their bocadillos.
Since I’ve been back home I’ve been making myself some fun bocadillos for lunch. I get a sweet baguette and a jar of El Navarrico Salsa Tumaco con Ajo. Then I just add whatever I want to it – slices of Manchego, Jamon Serrano, or Ortiz Bonito tuna. It’s a simple and fun way to make bringing lunch to work a little more exotic. Plus, it makes the whole adjustment back to reality a little easier to handle.
Until next time . . . Buen Provecho!
Friday, January 7, 2011
What no lube?
I love Barcelona. The food, the sight, the quirks. On the train ride into the city today I found a vending machine with Special K bars, rice cake chips and juice. Upon further inspection, I found this:
Kleenex, condoms (conveniently disguised as cigarette packets), and a battery operated pocket vibrator! Holy shit. Looks like Spaniards really know how to make the most of their Friday night club one-night stands. All that's missing is the lube, although I'm guessing that's not an issue with all the hot Spanish people out there. This would never ever fly in a public vending machine in the states, which of course, once again reminds me that sex sells and we are still too prudish in the US to capitalize on it through mainstream consumption. Imagine seeing this at the MUNI station next to the ticket vending machines! Sent from my iPhone
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