The following is a comment somebody left after the video for Chris Brown's With You. I've been really impressed by the emotional maturity she expresses, especially given Mr. Brown's fancy footwork in the video.
i love this song. but at the same time it makes me sorta wanna cry. i danced at a school dance with my crush to this song and then he said he liked me. then he decided he didnt and ive liked him ever since. so its amazing song and its really deep. i love it
Monday, July 28, 2008
Monday, July 14, 2008
Wedding Planner
I've been to a lot of weddings and receptions recently. Most of my friends are married or will be married soon. Some of my younger siblings are married. While I can't say I am good at getting married, I do feel like I'm getting really good at going to wedding receptions. I can be part of the wedding group (denoted by an "outfit") or I can be just an average spectator, either way. I bring a lot of versatility to the table. Given my vast experience base, I feel quite qualified to give a few pointers to anyone who is planning a reception in the near future.
1. Colors
Let's start with the basics here. A common mistake on the color front is to choose overused hues like blue, pink, red, etc. So 20th century. If you're really looking for a special day, go with something original, like tan and dark gray. Definite hit.
2. Music
This was basically all I wanted to talk about in the first place. I was thinking today about the song Lady in Red, by Chris De Burgh, and how it is without question one of the worst songs of all time. Then I thought, wouldn't it be awesome if somebody used that at their wedding reception? Like, in Panguitch? That would be perfect! Big bangs, tan and dark gray outfits, and Lady in Red on the wedding video. "We met at a church dance in the eighth grade, and this has been our song ever since." True, by Spandau Ballet, and Never Gonna Give You Up, by Rick Astley, could complete the playlist.
3. Ball Caps
The feel of a wedding, the look of NBA draft day. What could be better? Looking back on Laura's wedding, this is probably the moment that The Boy and I are most proud of.
4. Wild Kids
Really, a reception's not a reception without a small band of kids running amuck. I have it on good authority that at a recent reception, one of my young cousins was seen filling his pockets with the chocolate fountain. This is by far the best way to give the happy couple a preview of the joys of parenting that await them.
That should probably do it for now. I also have great insights regarding the menu, wedding group roster, venue, invitations, etc., but those all figure into my billable hours, so I won't share them here.
1. Colors
Let's start with the basics here. A common mistake on the color front is to choose overused hues like blue, pink, red, etc. So 20th century. If you're really looking for a special day, go with something original, like tan and dark gray. Definite hit.
2. Music
This was basically all I wanted to talk about in the first place. I was thinking today about the song Lady in Red, by Chris De Burgh, and how it is without question one of the worst songs of all time. Then I thought, wouldn't it be awesome if somebody used that at their wedding reception? Like, in Panguitch? That would be perfect! Big bangs, tan and dark gray outfits, and Lady in Red on the wedding video. "We met at a church dance in the eighth grade, and this has been our song ever since." True, by Spandau Ballet, and Never Gonna Give You Up, by Rick Astley, could complete the playlist.
3. Ball Caps
The feel of a wedding, the look of NBA draft day. What could be better? Looking back on Laura's wedding, this is probably the moment that The Boy and I are most proud of.4. Wild Kids
Really, a reception's not a reception without a small band of kids running amuck. I have it on good authority that at a recent reception, one of my young cousins was seen filling his pockets with the chocolate fountain. This is by far the best way to give the happy couple a preview of the joys of parenting that await them.
That should probably do it for now. I also have great insights regarding the menu, wedding group roster, venue, invitations, etc., but those all figure into my billable hours, so I won't share them here.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
For Whom the Bell Tolls
Alert reader and cultural advocate Jolyn Metro sent me this outstanding article this morning. I was deeply moved as I read it, and it made me reflect on my life-pace and whether I am running the race right. I highly recommend it.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/04/AR2007040401721.html
The author has received a Pulitzer Prize for this work, as I understand it.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/04/AR2007040401721.html
The author has received a Pulitzer Prize for this work, as I understand it.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Basic What?
Yesterday's dinner disappointment has made me consider more deeply the packaging associated with food products. I was discussing this subject with Laura, one of the sisters that I have, and she pointed out Basic 4 cereal, a General Mills offering. As many of you are no doubt aware, there has been quite a bit of controversy surrounding this "wholesome" cereal choice. The point of debate has been the Basic 4 components. Nowhere on the box is it clearly stated what the Basic 4 are. The consumer is left to her own logic, supermarket rumors, and internet chat rooms to discover the true make-up. Let's analyze a few of the contemporary views.
One suggestion is that the Basic 4 are in fact the original four food groups (grains, fruits/vegetables, meats, dairy). This seems fairly logical, until one considers the low meat content in Basic 4. Others have declared that the Basic 4 are the four words bolded in green on the front of the box. Grains, nuts, and fruits all pass muster, but "delicious" is a no-go. Tell me how you plan to include "delicious" (independent of all other ingredients) in a cereal box. "Loaded with nine essential vitamins, minerals and adjectives." Please. Delicious isn't even FDA approved. Another hypothesis is that Basic 4 refers to the first four ingredients, namely whole grain wheat (wholesome), corn meal, sugar, and brown sugar. I guess those are all pretty basic, but I don't know why they'd want to call attention to the fact that two of the four are sugars (less wholesome).
In short, we basically (pun intended) have a handful of theories that are tenuous at best, outrageous lies at worst. I turn the matter over to the community at large: Do any of you know what the Basic 4 are? Even better, can any of you produce documentation from General Mills certifying the identity of said 4?
One suggestion is that the Basic 4 are in fact the original four food groups (grains, fruits/vegetables, meats, dairy). This seems fairly logical, until one considers the low meat content in Basic 4. Others have declared that the Basic 4 are the four words bolded in green on the front of the box. Grains, nuts, and fruits all pass muster, but "delicious" is a no-go. Tell me how you plan to include "delicious" (independent of all other ingredients) in a cereal box. "Loaded with nine essential vitamins, minerals and adjectives." Please. Delicious isn't even FDA approved. Another hypothesis is that Basic 4 refers to the first four ingredients, namely whole grain wheat (wholesome), corn meal, sugar, and brown sugar. I guess those are all pretty basic, but I don't know why they'd want to call attention to the fact that two of the four are sugars (less wholesome).
In short, we basically (pun intended) have a handful of theories that are tenuous at best, outrageous lies at worst. I turn the matter over to the community at large: Do any of you know what the Basic 4 are? Even better, can any of you produce documentation from General Mills certifying the identity of said 4?
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
All Artificial Ingredients!
Well, this box contained tonight's "dinner". Obviously my expectations were low, about as low as the nutritional content of Michelina's Lean Gourmet fare. I was struck by the little badge placed right on top of the heap of noodles and what-not. "Chef Inspired Recipe". What an intriguing phrase in itself, let alone to be placed on a badge. What can that mean? Was the maker of this meal (Michelina herself?) thinking of a favorite chef as she assembled this culinary mediocrity? Are we to imply that "Chef Inspired" means that an actual food professional was considered, but not necessarily consulted in the design of this dish? "Why yes, I was specifically thinking of Chef Gusteau when I decided that MSG would be the perfect complement to the trans fat in the sauce."
Upon close scrutiny, the tiny round green circle near the bottom of the plate bears an even more cryptic phrase. "Inspected for wholesomeness by the U.S. Department of Agriculture." What does THAT mean? It doesn't even say what the results of the inspection were! I assume it passed, but then again my experience in actually ingesting the Lean Gourmet "Chicken" Alfredo Florentine doesn't particularly shore up that assumption. I'm no dietician (refer to the Allison Knab), but I don't recall the term "wholesomeness" being used in any sort of specific nutritional way. It's a great way to make something sound healthy without getting into any supporting details. I'm disappointed and truly surprised that a governmental agency would produce a vague, uninformative certification. It's so unlike them.
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