The Blog of the Culkin Women

Fate or Insanity--You Be the Judge

2010-08-05T12:12:00.005-04:00

Ever since Elvis died almost 2 years ago, people have been forwarding me news of kitties who need a home. Although they were all cute, I never felt the pull. Audrey seemed kind of happy to be a single kitty and, as I've said before, I am a strong believer in animal fate. When the pet that is meant to be yours comes along, it will be clear.

In late May, Neilson and I were walking to the subway in his neighborhood and came across a real sweet kitty. He came right up to us and we petted him for a long time. We debated whether he was a stray. He was dirty and little skinny--but not emaciated and had no fear of humans and was sitting in front of the stoop of a townhouse. It was hard to leave him, but we didn't want to steal someone's pet. Also, did Audrey really want another cat? Neilson contacted one of the neighborhood cat ladies, Vivian, who didn't know about him, suggesting he wasn't a stray. (She and her partner in cat care keep pretty close tabs on the feline population of Vinegar Hill). So that was a relief.

May 2010

But then Vivian called Neilson a month later, right when I was in the middle of my NEH workshop. The cat was a stray and was now living in her basement. (She has a lot of cats, so he couldn't stay in her apartment). He was very affectionate--thus she had named him Romeo.

I felt so torn. If it has just been me, no question--he would come home with me. But what about Audrey? Also I was going to be in and out of town all of July. I talked it over with Tracie, who was, reasonably, most concerned about Audrey. Vivian suggested I could take Romeo home and give things a try--but we all know it is very unlikely I would be able to give a kitty away. We called a few times to set up a visit, but never when Vivian was home, and she always called when I couldn't come over. I kept hoping we would hear Romeo had a found a great home, thus ending my dilemma.

Our last call went unreturned for over a week, when Neilson got a call from Linda, the other cat lady. She told him Romeo was now in a shelter--a no-kill shelter, but still depressing. It was Kitty-Kind, which adopts cats out of the Petco on Union Square--and if any of you have seen those animals, you know they do not look happy. This was upsetting news. Linda did say she knew someone who was thinking of adopting him, but when Neilson talked to that woman (Susan), it didn't sound likely. She already had a lot of cats and is a cat rescue lady herself. I eventually went online to see if Romeo was listed on the shelter's website. I half-hoped he would be available/half-hoped he had been adopted. I saw this picture:

Not a chipper kitty.

I sent an e-mail to see if he had been adopted that went unreturned. So yesterday, I went up to Union Square to see if he was there. And he was. Sweet as ever, but not happy at all in his little cage. So unhappy that it was noted on his "chart." So at this point, you can probably guess where this is going. I filled out the initial paperwork--there was supposed to be an interview and screening process, so I assumed it would be a week or so before I knew if he was coming home. But after I explained the whole seeing him on the street story, the woman in charge decided he could just come home with me that night. But she suggested I "foster with intent to adopt" in case it doesn't work with Audrey. (I asked how he was with other cats and was told he is "deferential." He lived on the street for at least a month or two in a neighborhood full of feral cats and had no evidence of being in a fight).

He is really a calm guy. There was some mewing when he was first put in the cage and while I waited on the street for a taxi. But as soon as we were moving, he settled right down. And there has been no hiding under the furniture, hissing, etc. I have changed his name to Dugan, which is my great, great grandmother's maiden name. (Neilson's neighborhood was originally named Vinegar Hill to attract Irish immigrants, so it seemed appropriate.)

Dugan and Audrey have not actually met yet. The newcomer is upstairs. I wanted to give him some time to adjust--plus, I think he might have a little cold and want that to clear up. I'm hoping he and Audrey make friends or at least are willing to be peaceful companions. I think it will be ok--while Audrey, in someways, seems to like being a single kitty, she also gets incredibly lonely when I'm away (even just at work) and often looks a little bored. And if worse comes to worse, we can always have an upstairs/downstairs situation, with each kitty having his and her own apartment. (Yes, I realize that is obnoxious).

I tried to outrun pet fate, but it proved impossible. I took some cute pictures of him last night, but seem to have misplaced my camera somewhere in my apartment. As soon as I find it, be ready for the deluge.

Lost through cats

2010-05-26T11:42:00.001-04:00

Elvis and Audrey, together again.

2010-05-25T14:03:00.001-04:00

IMG_1389
Originally uploaded by neilsonabeel

Sarah and Andy on Flickr.

2010-05-14T17:38:00.001-04:00

sarah_andy_toast
Originally uploaded by Red Peonies

I've loaded the pictures of Sarah and Andy's wedding that John put together on a CD onto flickr. We all look a little younger.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/redpeonies/sets/72157624061326828/

Happy Birthday Kate!!!

2010-05-08T17:21:00.003-04:00

Gay Street

2010-05-06T07:32:00.000-04:00

Visiting the old haunts.

GO...Baby Go Go

2010-05-04T18:40:00.002-04:00

A good friend of mine and her mother, Katie Winchester Wylonis and Margaret Winchester, have started a new toy company, Little Sib. The company' s mission is to create gender balanced toys that appeal to both boys and girls. Their first product line, Baby GoGo is in production and available for purchase.

From www.babygogodoll.com

"Baby GoGo™ by Little Sib reinvents the baby doll for the 21st century. Baby GoGo™ is a modern doll, appropriate for a boy or a girl to play with. Baby GoGo™ is a baby doll like most children today - bright and on the move. The Baby GoGo™ line includes stories, outfits and accessories featuring rich, contemporary colors that children will recognize from their own wardrobes and surroundings. Baby GoGo™ is a 13" doll,appropriate for toddlers and preschool age children.
Baby GoGo's adventures are beautifully documented in a series of full color storybooks, to be released with a companion outfit and/or accessory. The first book, Baby GoGo™ Goes Home, tells children the story of Baby GoGo™ leaving the hospital after being born and meeting siblings for the first time! The book comes packaged with Baby GoGo™ dressed in our sleepytime outfit and a cozy, soft blankie. Baby GoGo™ offers children, parents, and grandparents a fresh new look at the baby doll, an old and faithful friend."

Please visit the website and spread the word.

I am Free Enterprise contest

2010-04-10T11:31:00.002-04:00

My friend Jen's husband has made a video for the I Am Free Enterprise contest. The 25 videos with the most views go onto the next round. As you can see, his has a certain family death march approach to life.

Texas Trip

2010-03-31T10:06:00.002-04:00

Over the weekend, Neilson and I went to San Antonio and Austin. I gave a paper at a conference and we visited friends in Austin and Molly and Jerry in SA. Molly's house is adorable and looks much like Culkin houses everywhere. Highlights included a visit to the Lady Bird Johnson wildlife flower preserve and comparing breakfast tacos. More pictures on Flickr.

In Honor of Health Care

2010-03-23T20:02:00.001-04:00

Project Runway commentary on Slate

2010-03-19T14:55:00.003-04:00

As everyone knows, I love Project Runway and I also like reading endless post-mortems of the show on various blogs. I'm also a fan of some of the Slate podcasts, like Project Runway filled with characters you love to hate. Thrilling discovery- one of Slate's blogs has a post-show chat after Project Runway featuring many of my most loved and hated Slate journalists. Read the analysis of last night's episode here.

Macjournal is Neato!

2010-03-11T22:59:00.002-05:00

This is plug for Macjournal, a cool app I picked up last weekend. If you write at all, or need to take notes, this is a great app for managing musings, scribbles and major opuses in a single organized place.

About.com: MAC and CNET each give it a rave.

CNET say: “MacJournal gives you a fairly intuitive, feel-good interface (especially its green-text-on-black, full-screen writing mode), and a ton of tools for organizing your thoughts and words, including a built-in calendar, good search function, a system of nested entries and journals, and keyword tags, labels, priorities, and other opportunities for annotation. You can include nearly any sort of content, from movies to PDFs to podcasts, and bloggers will like that its formatting translates well to HTML, with support for TypePad, Blogger, LiveJournal, and more. You also get password protection and encryption, integration with Apple's Mail, and a wide variety of export options, such as PDF, HTML, Word, and even iPod Notes.”

Further descriptions and reviews are found here and here.

There is a 15-day free trial and it costs 39.95 but I got it as part of a MAC bundle that was very cheap so just keep an eye out for deals.

BTW: I posted this entry for Red Peonies directly from Macjournal.

Uncluttering

2010-03-11T11:29:00.004-05:00

10 things to do each day to unclutter

Bode Miller

2010-02-21T19:22:00.001-05:00

A friend alerted me to this clip of Bode Miller skiing in an earlier race. It is just this kind of thing that makes him great.

For People Who Love Olympic Figure Skating and Being on Their Computers

2010-02-11T11:24:00.000-05:00

So those of you who really like Olympic figure skating and being on your computers might be interested in the project Neilson's department at NBC is working on called "You Be The Judge." It is an interactive online tool that allows you to score the different elements of the figure skater's performance, as the judges would. You can do it while watching the performances as they are broadcast, or later, while watching on them DVR, or while watching them at nbcolympics.com. Find out the details here.

A Belated Happy New Year

2010-02-03T07:50:00.002-05:00

Neilson and I didn't quite get our new year's video ready in time, but here is our belated best wishes for a happy 2010 to everyone. Or an early happy Chinese New Year.

It's Like He's Seeing Their Talking Points in Bullet Time

2010-02-02T18:33:00.003-05:00

I wanted to embed the video of Jon Stewart's coverage of Obama talking to the Republicans on Friday--but I can't get the embedding to work. Follow the link instead.

Times to start charging for digital editions

2010-01-20T12:57:00.002-05:00

The New York Times is going to start charging readers in 2011 if they read over a limit.

Martha Stewart Cat Show

2010-01-18T10:34:00.002-05:00

Last week, Martha Stewart had an entire show dedicated to cats and the wonder of having one as a pet. You can watch the show online.

Oswego

2010-01-14T18:13:00.005-05:00

Jody and I had a great time on our recent trip to Oswego. There was a ton of snow, which always cheers me up. We ordered food from Cananle's, had a beer at Greene's, had a beer at King Arthur's, bought books at the River's End, and visited Mrs. Morrison, among other traditional Oswego activities. Audrey accompanied us and she loved exploring the house.

Elise on Ice

2010-01-12T10:18:00.001-05:00

My friend artist Elise Engler is blogging about her NSF funded Artist in Residency gig in Antarctica. Read Elise on Ice!

Happy Birthday Dad/Dak/Frank

2010-01-07T22:36:00.001-05:00

IMG_1130
Originally uploaded by neilsonabeel

First Stew

2010-01-04T06:40:00.003-05:00

Neilson and I had a little dinner party, in honor of a visit of one of his best friends from college who was visiting from Chicago. I used the occasion to break in my new Le Creuset dutch oven, a very generous gift from my parents for Christmas. I made this balsamic beef stew recipe from the Williams-Sonoma cookbook Simple Suppers. It was a bit hit, if I do say so myself.

Christmas of Animal Clackers and Batman

2010-01-03T14:38:00.002-05:00

IMG_1108
Originally uploaded by neilsonabeel

Neilson posted his pictures of the Denver Christmas festivities on Flickr as well.

Christmas Highlights.

2009-12-29T15:57:00.008-05:00

Driving to the airport to pick up Neilson in a snowstorm.

Shopping at Target.

The Tattered Cover--the traditional final stop of the Christmas Eve shopping marathon.

Christmas Tree.

Christmas Bears.

Strawberries and bacon.

Grrrr.

Santa's helpers--aka Max and Batman.

People who don't look alike at all.

Griswaldian cross country ski trip.

Starman.

Cute family at the Natural History Museum.

See more on Flickr. Can't wait to hear about other Culkin Christmas's across the land.

Merry Christmas to all!

2009-12-28T00:22:00.003-05:00

Here are some photos of our Christmas, 2009 in Denver http://www.flickr.com/photos/25353130@N04/sets/72157622959526779
We had a wonderful time.
Love you all,

Floey

Vincent's Party

2009-12-23T06:19:00.002-05:00

On Saturday, Kym, Neilson and I went to Vincent's famous Christmas party. When asked the secret of a great event, he said "You need at least 50 people." I would also add you need pepperoni, which he always has. His numbers were down a little this year because of the snow storm, but it was still a great event. He sends best wishes to all.

Sledding

2009-12-21T02:17:00.001-05:00

MVI_0471
Originally uploaded by Red Peonies

Yesterday, Neilson and I went to visit his step family, or technically his former step family, in Rye. There were a ton of little kids, including 5 who had flown in from England for Christmas. (Along with their parents). We all took advantage of the snow by going to the park for some sledding. It was the first time I had gone in years. I have a welt on my leg from a small collision, but it was worth it.

Viggo Mortensen - The Treatment on KCRW

2009-12-16T14:36:00.000-05:00

Viggo Mortensen - The Treatment on KCRW

An early Christmas gift for Jody--two of her favorites together.

A belated happy birthday to Jane

2009-12-16T06:42:00.002-05:00

DSC_0844
Originally uploaded by Jody C.

I know many of us texted, phoned and facebooked birthday wishes to Jane on Saturday, but I also wanted to wish our not-so-little Jane a happy 18th year here as well.

Diane Savino speaks.

2009-12-03T18:52:00.000-05:00

Go Staten Island!

Thanksgiving in Brooklyn

2009-12-01T13:27:00.002-05:00

I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving. As you all know, it is by far my least favorite holiday, if not my least favorite day of the year. This year things went a little better, however, because Neilson's aunt and uncle decided to order food in. Let's just say this is all for the good. They skipped the turkey, etc., and got food from an Italian deli, and we were all happy with the meatballs and broccoli rabe.

We were told to bring cookies. I think they just meant to buy some, but somehow the thought of bringing a box of store bought cookies was really depressing, and I made some chocolate chips. Which was a good thing, as this was one of the other dessert options:

In case you can't read the label, it is vegan, organic, kosher coconut cream pie. (To be fair, there was also a very tasty apple crumble. Not as good as homemade, but still pretty good).

So Big!

2009-11-27T16:14:00.005-05:00

Anders was pretty sick on Thanksgiving Day so Sarah sat with him on the couch during dinner, and Sonja led a So Big class at the dinner table. He's better today, though Sarah has had a hard time keeping Sonja from jumping on him. She loves her bro.

Sunday Morning in Brooklyn

2009-11-24T16:14:00.001-05:00

IMG_0516
Originally uploaded by neilsonabeel

An idea I might need to try

2009-11-24T13:12:00.001-05:00

Pixel and her iMac
Originally uploaded by Mikmac

Audrey would love this.

Otis shows a balloon who is boss.

2009-11-18T09:46:00.001-05:00

otisballon
Originally uploaded by Red Peonies

Neilson and I recently went to Princeton to celebrate the birthday of his former, but much loved, step mother Helen. While there, Otis made sure this balloon knew who was in charge.

Live blogging from the apple store

2009-11-11T17:42:00.003-05:00

Meryl Streep is about to appear. Seems like every time I come to the genius bar, some celebrity is here (Stephen Colbert last time).

Mad Men Finale

2009-11-10T09:39:00.001-05:00

What did everyone think of the Man Men finale! I can't believe we need to wait until August for season 4.

Halloween in Oswego

2009-11-08T12:22:00.005-05:00

Bill, Pat and Jane and I were in Oswego for Halloween. Terrie had decorated the house with many many pumpkins and a lot of motorized inflatables- it looked great and we had many trick or treaters. In fact, we had to go out for more candy twice. Bill lit the candles in the hallway and turned out all the lights, a hit with the halloweeners.

Go Yankees!

2009-11-05T15:35:00.003-05:00

Jody, Calvin and I were all very excited by Yankees win yesterday. Lucky 27! I switched trains at Yankee Stadium on the way home from school on "for luck." Anders wore Florence's fitted wool Yankee cap to school on Wednesday and was still wearing it when we Skyped Denver during the game.

Happy Halloween!

2009-11-01T18:28:00.001-05:00

There was a fun party at Neilson's last night. I was an elf, although people kept not noticing my ears. Then one person said, "Well you have that pixie look naturally, so I think the ears are blending in." Hmmmm.

I really enjoyed . . .

2009-10-28T20:04:00.002-04:00

seeing Michelle Obama, Jill Biden and Yogi Berra walk into Yankee Stadium together.

Harriet Hosmer/ Watertown Public LIbrary

2009-10-25T20:37:00.002-04:00

Hosmer's sculptures in the Watertown Public Library Local History Room.

Self portrait with Harriet Hosmer's sculpting tools (and new red digital elph!)

Happy Birthday Mary

2009-10-21T09:04:00.005-04:00

50_mary hosmer c. 1992
Originally uploaded by Red Peonies

Today would have been Mary's 65th birthday. I've been thinking about her a lot lately, maybe because there are so many things happening that she would have enjoyed. How much would she have loved the new generation of Culkin munchkins? And dancing in a ski coat at Eric's wedding? She would have been excited to talk to Kym about her dissertation, and Janelle and Jane about college, and me about my book (or so I like to think). And Obama! And Michelle Obama! They would have made her very happy. I always wish she had met Neilson--they would have spent hours talking about the evils of Republicans. And I'm sure she would have been satisfied that I fell in with a libra. I know it always pleased her that she shared a birthday with Carrie Fisher, so she would have gotten a kick out of Fisher's recent renaissance.

ETA: On the subway, I thought of a few more things Mary would have been enjoying these days. Celebrating the fact that there is a female lawyer in the family. Philosophizing with Marc. Keith Olberman and, even more, Rachel Maddow.

If Mary were around, I'm sure we would all be heading to Boulder for a party in her great house. I always think of the parties there when I hear Bruce Springsteen sing "Mary's Place." I don't have any real belief in an afterlife, but I still like to think of Mary, Florence, Hosmer and Elvis (the cat) sitting around together, having a cocktail and some cheese, crackers, and pepperoni. With occasional visits from Betty Connolly.

Block Island Choices

2009-10-20T09:03:00.004-04:00

Neilson and I recently went to Block Island. One reason I love it there--sometimes you are on a hike, and you are presented with the choice of going to the Enchanted Forest or the Turnip Farm.

There are also beautiful sunrises:

Happy Birthday 'Toons!

2009-10-17T18:43:00.001-04:00

Sonja Kiley is a year old today--and just keeps getting better and better.

NPR Music Taste: DORF?

2009-10-16T16:54:00.002-04:00

Does NPR favor Dead Old Retro and Foreign Black Musicians? Read about it in Slate.

Easiest Indian Stew, ala Martha

2009-10-16T08:20:00.006-04:00

On the blog I have with my friends, we have started a little recipe exchange. Here is my first post. (Fellow Martha fans might want to read to the end, for the academic Martha survey).

I have made this recipe from Martha Stewart's Everyday Food twice--once for dinner and once as a cook-ahead meal so I would have lunches to take to work. It's quick and good. It's not, of course, like eating in a great Indian restaurant, but still tasty.

The recipe is supposed to serve 4, but Neilson and I ate almost all of it when we had it for dinner.

1 cup long-grain white rice

2 tablespoons vegetable oil, such as safflower

1 medium onion, minced

2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

Coarse salt and ground pepper

1 tablespoon curry powder, plus more for garnish

1 teaspoon ground ginger

3 cups homemade or best-quality store-bought tomato sauce2 cans (15 ounces each) chickpeas, rinsed and drained

1 tablespoon fresh lime juice, plus lime wedges for garnish

1/2 cup plain low-fat yogurt

Directions:

1. Cook rice according to package instructions; cover, and keep warm.

2. While rice is cooking, heat oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Add onion and garlic; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until onion is tender, 4 to 6 minutes. Add curry powder and ginger; cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute.

3. Add tomato sauce, chickpeas, and 1 1/2 cups water. Bring to a boil; reduce to a simmer, and cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in lime juice; season with salt and pepper. Serve stew with rice and yogurt, garnished with lime wedges and a pinch of curry

Speaking of Martha, I recently received this message on a listserve, which might interest any of you fellow Martha fans:

I am a scholar working on a project about Martha Stewart (placing her discourse in context with the history of domestic advice), and am looking for respondents who currently (or in the past) subscribe to Martha Stewart Living_ magazine, or who currently (or in the past) watch "The Martha Stewart Show." If you think this description fits a friend, colleague, or family member, I would appreciate it if you could forward the note.

Clicking the link will take you to the 10-15 minute survey: http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/?p=WEB229NCLYWM2S. Thanks for your help!

Give to Harvard or give to BMCC?

2009-10-14T18:06:00.001-04:00

Times piece considers this dilemma

What's inside a cup of coffee?

2009-10-05T10:12:00.002-04:00

Read about it on Wired.

Sonia Sotomayor Throws a Pitch

2009-10-02T17:45:00.001-04:00

Happy Birthday Grand Mary

2009-09-23T20:00:00.003-04:00

Happy Birthday Grand Mary. I wish I was there for the French dinner tonight!

ETA: I just found out it is also Bruce Springsteen's birthday--he is turning 60. I'm sure, Grand Mary, you find this very exciting.

Audrey Scratching.

2009-09-22T14:36:00.001-04:00

I recently purchased a new scratcher for Audrey. As you can see, she enjoys it.

There is another "interactive" episode of Flipping Out tonight at 9, EST, on Bravo, for any fans out there. Neilson is behind some of the texting technology.

Relics of Futures Past

2009-09-21T11:46:00.003-04:00

I am in a show at Greylock Arts in North Adams Mass that opens next week. I was interviewed about the show, here is the article in the North Adams Transcript.

Remembering Elvis, One Year Later

2009-09-19T13:19:00.001-04:00

Elvis passed away a year ago. Audrey and I still miss him.

Help us, Obama-wan, help us

2009-09-18T09:23:00.004-04:00

Just when you think you couldn't love him any more, he plays with a lightsaber. May the force be with him as he fights for health care.
ETA: I meant love him any more than you already do.

Congratulations Eric and Kjersti

2009-09-14T22:22:00.006-04:00

More pictures on Flickr--hope to see all of your pictures soon.

Rhythm Revue Dance Cruise

2009-09-07T18:08:00.004-04:00

Saturday night I went on a dance cruise with Kathy, her boyfriend Charlie and our friend Julie Evans. Rhythm Revue with dj Felix Hernandez has events at Roseland all the time, classic R&B and soul, and it is really fun to go and dance. Dancing on the Hudson was even better. Some pictures.

That long low building in the middle on the left is BMCC. I have a window in my office now, but no Hudson River view.

Whit Stillman

2009-09-01T07:50:00.002-04:00

I have always wondered what happened to Whit Stillman, director of the beloved (at least to me) Metropolitan and Barcelona. The Village Voice has an interview with him this week. I hope he makes another movie. (I remember going to see Metropolitan on a very cold night over Christmas break with Mom.)

Happy Birthday Kym

2009-08-28T15:28:00.001-04:00

42_hosmer kym c. 1980s
Originally uploaded by Red Peonies

Have a great year. See you in a few weeks!

RIP Dominick Dunne

2009-08-27T07:46:00.002-04:00

In my brief side career as a tech person, I set up Dominick Dunne's computer system. He was extremely charming and sweet to me, concerned that the coffee he had just gone out and bought for me had the exact right amount of milk. It's ironic he died on the same day as Ted Kennedy. His obit in the Times.

Mad Menning Oswego

2009-08-26T10:23:00.001-04:00

If your Facebook friends are anything like mine, you have seen a lot of Mad Med avatars in the last few days. My avatar's resemblence to Florence made me want to go back and look at some pictures of her and I came across this one. They would fit right into the Mad Med world.

Multitaskers bad at Multitasking

2009-08-25T10:56:00.003-04:00

Oh-oh, I think I'm in trouble.

Read about it on Slashdot or the original article in Stanford University News.

2009-08-25T07:41:00.004-04:00

I couldn't stop myself--I made another Mad Men avatar. This one looks more like me, though it still also looks like Florence as well.

Times Square

2009-08-24T22:11:00.001-04:00

Song Dong at MoMA

2009-08-24T21:28:00.004-04:00

I went to MoMA with Kathy to see a show by Belgian painter James Ensor. Ensor's work was weirder and more beautiful than I expected. While we were there we saw an installation Waste Not by Chinese artist Song Dong. It is the entire contents of his mother's house, neatly arranged in a grid-like fashion with other objects sorted by color and function. I really loved this piece. Then I went home and looked at my piles of stuff- do you think they would look better in a grid?

MoMa

my house

My Mad Men Avatar

2009-08-24T08:29:00.004-04:00

Here's my Mad Men avatar. Notice the lack of other people, I seem to want to avoid all co-workers. I wish I could change the color of the hat, it would match better in brown.

Happy Birthday, Anders!

2009-08-24T08:14:00.016-04:00

For the full party experience, click here!

Mad Mad Avatar

2009-08-23T13:22:00.002-04:00

At the AMC website, you can make your Mad Men avatar. Mine ended up looking a lot like Mary or maybe Florence, don't you think?

Roman Naval Battle at Queens Museum

2009-08-22T13:02:00.002-04:00

I have to admit, I really wish I had been at this event. Artist Duke Riley and many others created a Roman naval battle- building all the boats, props, you name it, that ended in the boats going up in flames. Boats represented the different boroughs. Kathy was there, wearing a toga (you had to or you couldn't go). Here is a video from Wired.

I did not agree . . .

2009-08-21T00:36:00.002-04:00

with the outcome of the Project Runway Superstar challenge. Did anyone else watch? I won't spoil it, but I thought the winner should have been in the bottom 4 and one person in the bottom 4 would have been a reasonable choice for the winner.

Breaking Baby News

2009-08-20T21:30:00.001-04:00

For those who don't know, soon Sonja and Kristoffer will be in the same "baby room" at daycare. Isn't that cool?

Project Runway on the front page of the NY Times?

2009-08-19T18:26:00.002-04:00

Much as I like this show, I think it is a little weird that there is a picture of the contestants in the new season of Project Runway on the front page of the Times- well at least online.

Don't forget to set your DVR! Lifetime network tomorrow night!

For those not on Flickr

2009-08-19T13:02:00.001-04:00

Goal!
Originally uploaded by trish.culkin

See what you are missing by not joining the Flickr fun--Anders in action!

Happy Birthday Anders!

2009-08-19T08:12:00.003-04:00

Happy Birthday Anders. I hope you have a great day. I am sure it will include some cake. And wish Homar a happy birthday for me as well.

Smart Borders Blog

2009-08-18T23:06:00.003-04:00

I just finished interviewing the blogger behind the Smart Borders Blog for my dissertation. It was a great interview, both helpful, and for a change, hopeful. As most of you know, the news is not always good concerning the border wall. Construction continues and Congress seems intent on continuing to fund it. So far the Obama administration has not lived up to the hopes of immigration activists and in general the news has been bleak. It can be hard not to get discouraged. But Matthew Paul Webster is a voice in the darkness and someone I am happy to have fighting on the side of immigrants and border communities. He remains ever hopeful that people are inherently good and inherently teachable, that these issues can eventually be solved through education and the fostering of human relationships. Check out his blog. You won't be sorry.

Happy 19th Ammendment!

2009-08-18T21:13:00.001-04:00

Babies are smart

2009-08-18T08:40:00.002-04:00

I thought this article about how smart babies are and how they learn was really interesting and I liked the author's conclusion that babies just be allowed to play. And yet it also seems like it shouldn't be that surprising if you have ever paid any attention to babies.

Coney Island (again)

2009-08-16T11:54:00.002-04:00

There can never be too many pictures of Coney Island on any blog. Calvin and I went there on his vacation last week- like Kate and Neilson, we ate tacos and drank beer. It is one of my favorite places to go, even on a day that kept threatening to rain.

Parks Climate Challenge

2009-08-16T11:34:00.004-04:00

Watch a video of Parks Climate Challenge, the project that Jane participated in this summer in the Pacific Northwest. The high school students in the project recorded the photos and audio in the piece and they are interviewed as well. Jane is, as always, articulate and fabulous. Go Jane! Watching this video makes you feel better about the state of the world.

Celebration

2009-08-13T11:37:00.002-04:00

Today is Otis' second birthday. He got the party started a little early by playing with a beer bottle over the weekend.

Don't worry--no beer was actually consumed by a toddler in the taking of these pictures.

Great Fun or a Nightmare

2009-08-13T09:35:00.000-04:00

On Sunday, AMC is going to broadcast the premiere of Mad Men in Times Square, to an audience of people who are dressed in period clothing. (There is a contest). I am tempted to go, as it sounds potentially fun. But it also sounds potentially nightmarish, and I might be better off watching it from the comfort of my own home.

The Hurt Locker

2009-08-12T10:52:00.005-04:00

Calvin is on vacation this week, so we have celebrated by going to see some movies. He had missed Up, which I was happy to see again, particularly since I bought comics from the story supervisor, Ronnie del Carmen at Comic-con.

Last night we went to see The Hurt Locker, a movie about a bomb squad in the Iraq war in 2004. This movie was exhausting and difficult to watch, but great. Terrific performances by Jeremy Renner and Anthony Mackie, I assume we're going to see a lot more of these guys. Kathryn Bigelow of Point Blank and Blue Steel fame directed. She flaunts her well-honed action movie skills here, but it doesn't feel like flaunting.

What is happening at The University of Tennessee?

2009-08-11T16:29:00.003-04:00

This article on the crazy machinations of denying a female anthropologist tenure at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville is long but worth a quick perusal. It sounds more like a conspiracy story than real-life should, with FBI and Homeland Security investigations, reports to the local police about a "hysterical woman," accusations of uncollegiatlity because she brought sexual harrassment of another employee to the attention of the administration, unidentifiable and uncollaborated student complaints that she might be building a bomb because she had them read about bombs and terrorism in classes about war and the impact of nuclear weapons on societies. Makes me look forward to finishing up this dissertation so I can go out and fight these battles myself.

I'm a little sad . . .

2009-08-07T11:24:00.003-04:00

about John Hughes. I was actually in high school when most of his high-school movies came about and they were really great to see at the time. And I think Pretty in Pink, at least, really holds up.

Wilder Women

2009-08-05T11:23:00.002-04:00

The article this week on Laura Ingalls Wilder and her daughter Rose in the New Yorker is illuminating, if a little depressing.

Fans of Kate's Butter . . .

2009-08-04T09:48:00.002-04:00

(and I know there are some here) may enjoy this post on Serious Eats.

Soul Power

2009-08-03T09:41:00.004-04:00

On Saturday, Neilson and I saw Soul Power, a documentary about the 3-day concert in Zaire in 1974, planned around the Ali/Foreman fight which is the subject of When We Were Kings. The narrative doesn't make that much sense, but my only real complaint is that it isn't long enough. The great performances by James Brown, Ceila Cruz, and Bill Withers, among others, leave you wanting more. It also includes great clips of Ali. I'm putting When We Were Kings on my Netflix queue right now--I saw it when it came out, but now I can't wait to see it again.

Brennans at Nauset

2009-07-28T10:39:00.008-04:00

This weekend, Neilson and I went to visit some friends who live on Cape Cod (all year round!). One of the highlights was running into a group of Brennans on Nauset Beach. Neilson spotted them at Liam's (Philbrick's). It is pretty funny to hear him tell the story. He basically told me, "I was looking at this little girl and thought, boy does she look like Eliza. And then I thought, gee that guy next to her looks just like Liam." And then he realized that there were in fact 5 Brennan cousins there--Eliza, Liam, John, Erin and Sean. We moved and sat with them--they were sitting right were we always sat, to the right of the boardwalk. Here are some photos of Brennans at Nauset through the ages. I think creatures of habit might be the appropriate term.

You can see more shots of this weekend on Neilson's and my flicker accounts

More Comic Con

2009-07-26T12:16:00.004-04:00

A few more pics from San Diego.

Calvin accepting award at the Eisner ceremony for Matt Baker, a pioneer African American cartoonist who was inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Derek Kirk Kim with Kolbe Yang, cartoonist Gene Yang's son at their table in Artist's Alley.

Ludacris is a Comic Con regular now.

Scott McCloud and Brian Lee O'Malley- Scott Pilgrim movie coming soon!

Homer.

I loved her outfit.

My friend Susan with the Poketo folks- great stuff as always! Susan and I had a wonderful time walking the floor and shopping.

Many fans.

Transformers. This is a franchise I don't really relate to, though they look pretty cool, I think its the voices.

All Con coverage must have a Wonder Woman pic.

San Diego Comic Con

2009-07-24T11:01:00.006-04:00

Yes, its Comic Con time again. It is enormously fun, as always. I saw Hurley from Lost (Jorge Garcia) on the floor! He really is a fanboy! Did anyone notice Google is celebrating Comic Con with a drawing by legendary comics artist Jim Lee? Comics have certainly gone mainstream, though I guess there was always a major geek cross-over.

One thing about Comic Con, you don't get a lot of sleep. I will post again when I've had a nap, here are a few pictures for now.

Here he is! I sheepishly asked permission and apologized profusely for taking his picture, but I couldn't pass this up. Hurley on the floor of the Con!

Calvin chatting with Blair Butler of G4 Attack of the Show on preview night at the DC booth.

Calvin tweets (this happens often).

Man of Steel shakes hand of headless Victorian.

Ronnie del Carmen, cartoonist and Story Supervisor for Up- a lot of the Pixar artists do comics as well. His are charming.

Enrico Casarosa, another Pixar artist, author of The Venice Chronicles, one of my favorite books I've gotten at the con so far.

40-65-90

2009-07-23T09:27:00.004-04:00

As some of you know, Grandmary and Trish (Mom) are in NYC. We are celebrating our joint birthdays--although they are spread out over 6 months, we all have "big" birthdays this year. 40-65-90. We have had a great time. On Tuesday, we went to Marinella, a neighborhood favorite and the site of many family celebrations, including Hosmer's 90th birthday and Eric's graduation dinner. Yesterday, we went to see 500 Days of Summer, which was a hit with us all, had an early dinner at Joe Allen's, a NY institution, then went to see the much-celebrated revival of South Pacific. It lived up to the hype.

Dinner at Marinella

40 Years Ago

Coney Island

2009-07-21T09:48:00.001-04:00

On Sunday, Neilson and I headed out to Coney Island. I didn't go last summer, not even for the Mermaid Parade, and I missed it. I'm not sure what the state of the development plan is now with the economic downturn, but I'm happy to report that its seedy charm, for now, is pretty much intact. In recent years, Coney Island has gotten even better, in my opinion, as it has become a great place to get Mexican food. We had delicious tacos, took a dip, and drank icy Coronas on the beach out of brown paper bags, which we purchased from someone selling them out of a backpack. Later we had a Coney Island classic--soft serve twists. (When I was little, the only place I ever had soft serve was the one week we went Cape Cod each July. There must have been other places where I could have had it, but I don't remember it ever being an option. So, therefore, I still consider it a special treat, even though I now live in a city where it is sold on every other corner all summer long.)

Pie

2009-07-20T08:48:00.004-04:00

My friend Elaine Tin Nyo makes the best cherry pie in the world. I am not exaggerating, it is perfect. Here's a picture- breakfast pie!

Her pie is not only fabulous, she loves to share it, and documents the process. She kindly brought me a slice on Saturday, when I was feeling under the weather, and she also got me to leave my apartment to enjoy a perfect NY sunny summer day. This made my weekend.

Elaine is a wonderful artist, here's a link to a project she's doing with a small group of artists at the Phillips Collection in DC, Touch and Taste, a project she started when on a residency in Korea.

Audrey in Repose

2009-07-18T15:19:00.001-04:00

IMG_5395
Originally uploaded by neilsonabeel

Audrey really, really likes sitting on my computer, when she is not snacking on the spider plant.

Josephine In Action Again

2009-07-18T15:15:00.001-04:00

IMG_5714
Originally uploaded by neilsonabeel

Josephine takes on a piece of string--while taking a break from catching up on her New York Magazines.

Asterios Polyp

2009-07-17T13:45:00.003-04:00

I have to post about this great new graphic novel by David Mazzuchelli, cartoonist extraordinaire. David has an unusual history as a comics artist, he started with Marvel, did Daredevil and Batman comics, and moved on to be one of the most thoughtful "indy" cartoonists around. He draws beautifully, and finds the exact style appropriate to whatever story he is telling.

Calvin interviewed designer Chip Kidd and Pantheon editor Dan Frank talking about this fabulous book in PWCW. And If you're in NY, go to MoCCA to see an exhibition of David's work.

Finger Lakes Delicacies

2009-07-13T18:27:00.005-04:00

Clockwise from top: lettuce, strawberries, sour + sweet cherries,raspberries, raspberries, strawberries

The cherries are wonderful (and half gone after an hour!)

Oswego- July 4th etc.

2009-07-13T10:40:00.007-04:00

We had a great time in Oswego- exhausting, productive and fun. Here are a few pictures, many more on flickr

Flo at stands

Cold and windy

dread fruity beer.

4th of July dinner

OS 52 drives away

Flo with John's repaired and reinstalled railing.

Belated Birthday Dinner at Home

2009-07-12T20:37:00.003-04:00

Mom generously sent me a check so Neilson and I could go out for a birthday dinner, but it has been so hectic we just went out this Saturday. We decided to go to Home, one of my favorite restaurants, which is on Cornelia Street. (This was the site of the Mary memorial dinner with Vincent and my post-graduation lunch). It was a great choice--the meal was delicious and it was a perfect night to sit in the garden.

Our dinner:

Appetizers--clam chowder for Neilson, chopped salad for me. (That was one of the best salads I have ever had--the black eyed peas made it.)

Entrees--Steak for me (with garlicky greens and smashed potatoes) and arctic char for Neilson.

Dessert: Bread pudding with chocolate and bananas for Neilson and apple cranberry pie with vanilla ice cream for me.

We acted like tourists and asked the waiter to take a picture of us. Also pictured--our Peak Organic beer--Brown Ale for Neilson and Amber Ale for me.
Afterward, we went home and watched the Harper's Island finale. Neilson had correctly guessed the killer.

A great night. Thanks Mom!