Rainn Wilson's Twitter pointed me towards this website he helped create, Soul Pancake. This link will take you to to info page on the site. To quote:
"We want to make discussions about Spirituality, Creativity, and Philosophy cool again. Were they ever cool? I have no idea. But it seems like a good idea. We want to engage the user to “Chew on Life’s Big Questions”™. (I was kidding about the ™ symbol; you can use that phrase however you want. Even to sell frozen taquitos.)."
I recommend you check it out. We can always use more introspection.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Costume Win
Great costume idea: Jackie Earle Haley. Achieved by combining Rorshach and Freddy Krueger costumes. Fun for the whole family!
http://blog.costumecraze.com/2009/04/from-watchmen-to-freddy-krueger
http://blog.costumecraze.com/2009/04/from-watchmen-to-freddy-krueger
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy
Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy
I missed this exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, but there's still an in-depth look at costuming for superheroes on their website. It's a long read, but a good one.
I missed this exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, but there's still an in-depth look at costuming for superheroes on their website. It's a long read, but a good one.
The Science of Superheroes
Using Superheroes to Teach Physics: College Courses in Sci-Fi
(PhysOrg.com) -- One of the more perplexing questions facing science these days is this one: How do we get more young people interested in science? Leading the way are a number of college courses -- that can be taken for credit -- that focus on the science in science fiction. After all, why can't superheroes, Star Trek and Harry Potter teach us about the answer to life, the universe and everything? (Or, at least debate the merits of the answer "42".)
This short article discusses classes at a few universities across the country which deal with reality in relation to a work of popular fiction (namely "The Science of Superheroes", a course taught at the University of California at Irvine). Understandably, not everyone sees it as a valid course -- after all, what part of "real-life science in the world of people who can magically fly" screams "This is the university for your troublesome teen!"?
I, of course, take the proponent's side, based on my own experience. I am not at all a science-minded person. I find some experiments interesting, but when it comes to memorizing facts and formulas, I'm useless. But when I was in high school, I was a huge (and I mean *huge*) fan of "The X-Files". Useless in most everyday situations, yes; but it helped me understand science in a way textbooks alone never could. For example, when I may otherwise never have learned what a chimera was, I was able to recall an episode of the same name, in which a woman was two creatures in one, and put that in the sidebar of my notes. I'm sure I still have some of those notes packed away, scrawling in the margins to "Remember (insert episode name here)!" Association is, after all, purported to be one of the best methods of retention; why should this case be any different?
In a similar vein, the one piece of information I retained in my entire Anatomy and Physiology course in college is that the sarcoplasmic reticulum surrounds the vasicle, because the textbook noted that it was "much like the sleeve of a loosely crocheted sweater". The second I read it, I knew I'd remember it forever.
The point isn't connecting science to something "cool" or "popular", it's relating it to something you already know. Some people, like me, just aren't science-minded. Isn't it nice to think there's some way we could understand it anyway?
(PhysOrg.com) -- One of the more perplexing questions facing science these days is this one: How do we get more young people interested in science? Leading the way are a number of college courses -- that can be taken for credit -- that focus on the science in science fiction. After all, why can't superheroes, Star Trek and Harry Potter teach us about the answer to life, the universe and everything? (Or, at least debate the merits of the answer "42".)
This short article discusses classes at a few universities across the country which deal with reality in relation to a work of popular fiction (namely "The Science of Superheroes", a course taught at the University of California at Irvine). Understandably, not everyone sees it as a valid course -- after all, what part of "real-life science in the world of people who can magically fly" screams "This is the university for your troublesome teen!"?
I, of course, take the proponent's side, based on my own experience. I am not at all a science-minded person. I find some experiments interesting, but when it comes to memorizing facts and formulas, I'm useless. But when I was in high school, I was a huge (and I mean *huge*) fan of "The X-Files". Useless in most everyday situations, yes; but it helped me understand science in a way textbooks alone never could. For example, when I may otherwise never have learned what a chimera was, I was able to recall an episode of the same name, in which a woman was two creatures in one, and put that in the sidebar of my notes. I'm sure I still have some of those notes packed away, scrawling in the margins to "Remember (insert episode name here)!" Association is, after all, purported to be one of the best methods of retention; why should this case be any different?
In a similar vein, the one piece of information I retained in my entire Anatomy and Physiology course in college is that the sarcoplasmic reticulum surrounds the vasicle, because the textbook noted that it was "much like the sleeve of a loosely crocheted sweater". The second I read it, I knew I'd remember it forever.
The point isn't connecting science to something "cool" or "popular", it's relating it to something you already know. Some people, like me, just aren't science-minded. Isn't it nice to think there's some way we could understand it anyway?
Saturday, March 28, 2009
The Bowie doll
Because life is better with a little Bowie. Made this doll for a Glam Rock craft swap I participated in this winter. The doll is white muslin, the pattern was all improvised. The jumpsuit is knit based on the design of my favorite of Bowie's Ziggy Stardust outfits. The face is done with watercolor and ink. The hair is red novelty yarn attached with a couching stitch.
Clicking the picture will take you to my Flickr account, where there are more pictures of lil Bowie.
Clicking the picture will take you to my Flickr account, where there are more pictures of lil Bowie.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Movies I should see
So, starting next Wednesday, I have two months off work. I'll be at home with my family, and my parents have unlimited Blockbuster rentals, so I figure a good way to fill my time (and multitask when I'm knitting or such) is to try to see a lot of movies I feel like I should see. A lot of them are from the last couple of years, the films that people keep talking about and I have to say "I'm sorry, I haven't seen that movie, so I don't get that reference". Doubt I'll even make a dent on this list, but I've organized them all both chronologically by release year as well as alphabetically for quick reference. Feel free to suggest any film at all you think I should see, from any year; I love getting movie suggestions, and the worst that could happen is I say "I've already seen that one, actually."
1. "Sophie's Choice (1982)
2."An Awfully Big Adventure" (1995) ETA: It wasn't what I thought it would be, but it's okay. Reinforced my desire to not be around too many actors. And my desire to be around Alan Rickman.
3. "Romeo + Juliet" (1996)
4. "Simon Birch" (1998)
5. "A Midsummer Night's Dream" (1999)
6. "Mystery Men" (1999)
7. "The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)
8. "The Virgin Suicides" (1999)
9. Dancer in the Dark (2000)
10. "X-Men" (2000) - I actually saw this one when it first came out, but don't remember anything about it, and I need to see the sequels as well, all in preparation for the awesome-looking new Wolverine movie.
11. "A Beautiful Mind" (2001)
12. "Captain Corelli's Mandolin" (2001)
13."Donnie Darko" (2001) ETA: This was one of the most disturbing movies I've ever gone out of my way to see. Both because of the creepiness, and because it bothered me that I didn't "get" it until I realized... the movie just doesn't make sense.
14."Ghost World" (2001)
15. "The Majestic" (2001)
16."The Bourne Identity" (2002)
17. "Daredevil" (2003)
18."Girl With a Pearl Earring" (2003)
19. "Hulk" (2003) - Another one of those I saw when it first came out (and didn't care for), but want to rewatch so I can watch the sequel as well.
20."Anchorman" (2004)
21. "The Aviator (2004)
22. "Crash" (2004)
23."Stage Beauty" (2004) - One of my favorite plays, but sadly the movie script is heavily altered. Tried to watch the movie once before, but fell asleep... I might give it one more shot. ETA: I was justified in falling asleep.
24."Vanity Fair" (2004)
25."Batman Begins" (2005) - Famously, I saw this when it first came out and *hated* it. But I'll give it a second chance in order to finally see the second one and see if Heath Ledger is really as spectacular in it as everyone says. (ETA: Watched it again. Still disliked it. Disliked the second one, too.)
26. "Elizabethtown" (2005)
27. Fantastic Four (2005) - And the sequel, I suppose, if I can make it through the first one.
28. "Junebug" (2005)
29."Little Children" (2006) - Because I want to see everything with Kate Winslet in it, and after "The Watchmen" I have a newfound fascination with Patrick Wilson. ETA: Decent movie. Sad. Lots of nakey butt.
30."Once" (2006) ETA: The movie isn't as good as the soundtrack is, but it's sweet and definitely worth seeing.
31. "Scoop" (2006)
32. "Snow Cake" (2006)
33. "The Wicker Man" (2006) - I know I should probably watch the original, but this one will probably be easier to find.
34. "Across the Universe (2007)
35. "I'm Not There" (2007)
36. "Juno" (2007)
37."The Nanny Diaries" (2007) ETA: Love Laura Linney, and she plays a great villain, turns out. The movie's marginal.
38."Nobel Son" (2007)
39."Superbad" (2007)
40."Bottle Shock" (2008)
41. "The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas" (2008)
42."The Duchess" (2008)
43. "Fanboys" (2008)
44."Made of Honor (2008)
45."Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day" (2008)
46. "Pineapple Express" (2008)
47."The Reader" (2008)
48. "Revolutionary Road" (2008)
49."Role Models" (2008)
50."Slumdog Millionaire" (2008)
"Vicky Cristina Barcelona" (2008)
52. "Yes Man" (2008)
53."Zack and Miri Make a Porno" (2008)
ETA: I haven't seen "Marley and Me", and as much as I like dogs (and Jennifer Aniston), I don't think I want to. I'm certain that like every other movie about a dog, he dies in the end, and I don't care how fun the journey is, this is one of the situations where it *isn't* worth it.
Also, I deleted "How to Lose Friends and Alienate People" -- I saw the trailer for it and it looks AWFUL.
1. "Sophie's Choice (1982)
2.
3. "Romeo + Juliet" (1996)
4. "Simon Birch" (1998)
5. "A Midsummer Night's Dream" (1999)
6. "Mystery Men" (1999)
7. "The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)
8. "The Virgin Suicides" (1999)
9. Dancer in the Dark (2000)
10. "X-Men" (2000) - I actually saw this one when it first came out, but don't remember anything about it, and I need to see the sequels as well, all in preparation for the awesome-looking new Wolverine movie.
11. "A Beautiful Mind" (2001)
12. "Captain Corelli's Mandolin" (2001)
13.
14.
15. "The Majestic" (2001)
16.
17. "Daredevil" (2003)
18.
19. "Hulk" (2003) - Another one of those I saw when it first came out (and didn't care for), but want to rewatch so I can watch the sequel as well.
20.
21. "The Aviator (2004)
22. "Crash" (2004)
23.
24.
25.
26. "Elizabethtown" (2005)
27. Fantastic Four (2005) - And the sequel, I suppose, if I can make it through the first one.
28. "Junebug" (2005)
29.
30.
31. "Scoop" (2006)
32. "Snow Cake" (2006)
33. "The Wicker Man" (2006) - I know I should probably watch the original, but this one will probably be easier to find.
34. "Across the Universe (2007)
35. "I'm Not There" (2007)
36. "Juno" (2007)
37.
38.
39.
40.
41. "The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas" (2008)
42.
43. "Fanboys" (2008)
44.
45.
46. "Pineapple Express" (2008)
47.
48. "Revolutionary Road" (2008)
49.
50.
52.
53.
ETA: I haven't seen "Marley and Me", and as much as I like dogs (and Jennifer Aniston), I don't think I want to. I'm certain that like every other movie about a dog, he dies in the end, and I don't care how fun the journey is, this is one of the situations where it *isn't* worth it.
Also, I deleted "How to Lose Friends and Alienate People" -- I saw the trailer for it and it looks AWFUL.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Eddie and the Memphians; or, ::coughcoughcoughthere'satigeroverthere::
So I have to tell you the tale of the Coolest Thing Ever.
Normally, we don't work on Mondays at Playhouse, like most other theatres. But this Monday was load-in day. I didn't mind, I didn't have a lot of notes from my show. Rebecca put together a lunch for me and Kate as a "nice knowing you, goodbye" sort of thing. At about 4:00, I was watching the clock because I got to leave at 4:30. All of us were working on the stage, and I was upstage right with Liz when suddenly she said "Is that Eddie Izzard?"
Not knowing what she was talking about, I looked at her, and saw her staring downstage left. So I followed her eyes and saw a stranger standing at the foot of the stage, talking to my roomie Brian. Once I realized what she was saying, my first thought was "Chyeah, right, why would that be Eddie..." and at about that point I realized it was, in fact, Eddie Izzard. In Playhouse. Right there. So I tried to conceal my excitement and calm my heartbeat as I moved closer to his side of the stage.
It turned out that his first gig in the U.S. was in a theatre in Overton Square, so since he was in town for the first time since then and had some time to kill, he took a cab to Overton Square to see if he could find it (it doesn't exist anymore; it was about where Studio on the Square is now, apparently), and wandered into Playhouse to see if maybe that was it. Brian and I ended up chatting with him for a few minutes, and I got a huge kick out of watching more people come into the room and realize who he was. We told him who we were, what we were doing, etc., and that we'd wanted to come see his show the next night, but we all had to work. He said "Oh, that's a shame. I would've arranged free tickets."
Eventually Brian took him up to talk to management, and I got released. Being naturally excited (but *not* a stalker!), I decided to go out the front door of the theatre rather than the side, on the off chance I'd see him again. And as luck would have it, he was walking out just in front of me. We ended up chatting on the sidewalk, and Jay came up to say he'd decided to get tickets, which put us back on the subject of getting to go (because, of course, I told Jay that he was stupid for getting to go). They said I should try to get out of rehearsal, because after all it *is* my last few days, and when would I get a chance like this again, and it's not like I could do much during the show anyway. And finally Eddie said "Well, if you change your mind, here's my assistant's number. Her name is Rachel. Call her and she'll arrange tickets." And when he went to walk away, he turned around and said "And come round backstage after the show, and we'll have drinks."
This is the point where I finally got to freak out, because I ran over to the new building to tell Rebecca about it. Jackie was over there, and when I told him about it, he went *running* to see if he could catch Eddie. That's when I finally got to gush and squee like the little fangirl I am. And Rebecca, who of course was totally excited as well (and kept saying "Why didn't you call me?!", though of course I had had other things on my mind), was open to arrangements being made so I could go. So after jumping through a few hoops, it was arranged.
Being the proper and classic girl that I am, I went home that afternoon, took a shower, got nice'd up. And then came out of my room and saw that the other people who were going were all wearing tee shirts and jeans. I felt like I should change, but between the time it would take and the effort I'd made, I decided not to. But when we got there, there were plenty of other people dressed up too, so then I didn't feel so out of place. Other than the fact that I started having an eye-allergy-freakout and my right eye was all red and swollen. But it was better enough once the show started for me to not think about it, and was actually-better by the end.
Candice's favorite part was when she went to pick up her tickets and the box office person asked "How did you purchase these tickets?" and she got to say "Oh, Eddie left them for me as his guest." :-P And the seats were really good -- 5th row, close to the center.
Afterwards, we decided to go over to the stage door on the off chance he actually remembered us and we could get him to hang out. We were expecting him to come out to go straight to his bus and have to do a "Hey, remember me?!" sort of thing. But so we were all milling around, just off from the throng of people who were waiting like vultures outside the door. Eventually the door opened, and people got excited for a hot second, but were disappointed when it was just a girl who clearly worked with him, as she was wearing the "Stripped" pass on a lanyard. She was looking around, looking for someone, so finally Jay said "Are you Rachel?"
And she was. And she was looking for us! Not only had he remembered, but he sent his assistant down to gather us and take us up to the dressing room. It was the funniest thing: she ushered us through the people, who yelled things like "I want to be your friend!" and "I'm with them, they just forgot me!" I've never felt so popular. Not that I really ever feel popular, you know, but still. It was cool.
He shook all of our hands when we came in, and as we were rather crowded in the tiny dressing room, I moved further in to get out of the way, and when he stepped back, he stood right by me. We all chatted for quite a little while, and occasionally I would glance across the room to where there was a mirror, and marvel at the reflection of me and Eddie Izzard, barely a foot or two away from each other.
He's a really neat guy. Very friendly, down-to-earth, cool in one of those ways that's clearly just that he's a nice person, not nice-for-a-celebrity. Eventually we were joined by a couple, the girl of whom was clearly 100% off her rocker and possibly on drugs and wanted to talk to him about global warming. It was after that that the mood was broken a little bit, and a few minutes later we were taken back outside so he could do a Q&A in the parking lot.
I'd have to say that was probably about the coolest thing that's ever happened to me. The most interesting and unbelievably random occurrence. An "unbelievable coincidence", if you will; if it had been any other Monday, Playhouse would've been empty, and we never would've even known that he had come in. We would lament in a few days' time, when we realized the concert date had passed, that we hadn't been able to go. We might've imagined going down to Beale that night and running into him at Blues City and sneaking a photo. But as it is, we have a really cool memory of a chance meeting and the rose-colored aftermath.
Normally, we don't work on Mondays at Playhouse, like most other theatres. But this Monday was load-in day. I didn't mind, I didn't have a lot of notes from my show. Rebecca put together a lunch for me and Kate as a "nice knowing you, goodbye" sort of thing. At about 4:00, I was watching the clock because I got to leave at 4:30. All of us were working on the stage, and I was upstage right with Liz when suddenly she said "Is that Eddie Izzard?"
Not knowing what she was talking about, I looked at her, and saw her staring downstage left. So I followed her eyes and saw a stranger standing at the foot of the stage, talking to my roomie Brian. Once I realized what she was saying, my first thought was "Chyeah, right, why would that be Eddie..." and at about that point I realized it was, in fact, Eddie Izzard. In Playhouse. Right there. So I tried to conceal my excitement and calm my heartbeat as I moved closer to his side of the stage.
It turned out that his first gig in the U.S. was in a theatre in Overton Square, so since he was in town for the first time since then and had some time to kill, he took a cab to Overton Square to see if he could find it (it doesn't exist anymore; it was about where Studio on the Square is now, apparently), and wandered into Playhouse to see if maybe that was it. Brian and I ended up chatting with him for a few minutes, and I got a huge kick out of watching more people come into the room and realize who he was. We told him who we were, what we were doing, etc., and that we'd wanted to come see his show the next night, but we all had to work. He said "Oh, that's a shame. I would've arranged free tickets."
Eventually Brian took him up to talk to management, and I got released. Being naturally excited (but *not* a stalker!), I decided to go out the front door of the theatre rather than the side, on the off chance I'd see him again. And as luck would have it, he was walking out just in front of me. We ended up chatting on the sidewalk, and Jay came up to say he'd decided to get tickets, which put us back on the subject of getting to go (because, of course, I told Jay that he was stupid for getting to go). They said I should try to get out of rehearsal, because after all it *is* my last few days, and when would I get a chance like this again, and it's not like I could do much during the show anyway. And finally Eddie said "Well, if you change your mind, here's my assistant's number. Her name is Rachel. Call her and she'll arrange tickets." And when he went to walk away, he turned around and said "And come round backstage after the show, and we'll have drinks."
This is the point where I finally got to freak out, because I ran over to the new building to tell Rebecca about it. Jackie was over there, and when I told him about it, he went *running* to see if he could catch Eddie. That's when I finally got to gush and squee like the little fangirl I am. And Rebecca, who of course was totally excited as well (and kept saying "Why didn't you call me?!", though of course I had had other things on my mind), was open to arrangements being made so I could go. So after jumping through a few hoops, it was arranged.
Being the proper and classic girl that I am, I went home that afternoon, took a shower, got nice'd up. And then came out of my room and saw that the other people who were going were all wearing tee shirts and jeans. I felt like I should change, but between the time it would take and the effort I'd made, I decided not to. But when we got there, there were plenty of other people dressed up too, so then I didn't feel so out of place. Other than the fact that I started having an eye-allergy-freakout and my right eye was all red and swollen. But it was better enough once the show started for me to not think about it, and was actually-better by the end.
Candice's favorite part was when she went to pick up her tickets and the box office person asked "How did you purchase these tickets?" and she got to say "Oh, Eddie left them for me as his guest." :-P And the seats were really good -- 5th row, close to the center.
Afterwards, we decided to go over to the stage door on the off chance he actually remembered us and we could get him to hang out. We were expecting him to come out to go straight to his bus and have to do a "Hey, remember me?!" sort of thing. But so we were all milling around, just off from the throng of people who were waiting like vultures outside the door. Eventually the door opened, and people got excited for a hot second, but were disappointed when it was just a girl who clearly worked with him, as she was wearing the "Stripped" pass on a lanyard. She was looking around, looking for someone, so finally Jay said "Are you Rachel?"
And she was. And she was looking for us! Not only had he remembered, but he sent his assistant down to gather us and take us up to the dressing room. It was the funniest thing: she ushered us through the people, who yelled things like "I want to be your friend!" and "I'm with them, they just forgot me!" I've never felt so popular. Not that I really ever feel popular, you know, but still. It was cool.
He shook all of our hands when we came in, and as we were rather crowded in the tiny dressing room, I moved further in to get out of the way, and when he stepped back, he stood right by me. We all chatted for quite a little while, and occasionally I would glance across the room to where there was a mirror, and marvel at the reflection of me and Eddie Izzard, barely a foot or two away from each other.
He's a really neat guy. Very friendly, down-to-earth, cool in one of those ways that's clearly just that he's a nice person, not nice-for-a-celebrity. Eventually we were joined by a couple, the girl of whom was clearly 100% off her rocker and possibly on drugs and wanted to talk to him about global warming. It was after that that the mood was broken a little bit, and a few minutes later we were taken back outside so he could do a Q&A in the parking lot.
I'd have to say that was probably about the coolest thing that's ever happened to me. The most interesting and unbelievably random occurrence. An "unbelievable coincidence", if you will; if it had been any other Monday, Playhouse would've been empty, and we never would've even known that he had come in. We would lament in a few days' time, when we realized the concert date had passed, that we hadn't been able to go. We might've imagined going down to Beale that night and running into him at Blues City and sneaking a photo. But as it is, we have a really cool memory of a chance meeting and the rose-colored aftermath.
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