Filler.

So, a lot has been going on and things are looking pretty good. But, I just feel like blogging about food.

Below is a list of foodstuff that I could eat every single day.

Goji Berries

They are expensive and I blame my friend Chris for first introducing me to them. But, I like the copy on the packaging that says a handful of Goji Berries a day makes Tibetans happy.

Kashi Waffles

Every flavor is delicious and I could eat them at any time of the day. The Blueberry Waffle reminds me of these Carebear waffles we used to eat at my Babysitter's house. Delicious memories.

Coffee

Even though I can't have Intelligentsia or Metropolis anymore - The Herb Import coffee shop near me has bitchin' iced coffee. It also makes my credit card statement look more interesting because it reads "The Herb Import" every day.

Wheat Bagels

So warm. So full of bread.

Non-Fat Vanilla Yogurt

Freeze it and you have ice-cream. I am eating you right now.

Bananas

Please, don't go extinct. I'll live in the Seed Vault if I have to.

Sparkling Water

Its' like I am drinking soda. But, its water. Psyche, body!

**BONUS**

Vosges Chocolate Bar

The Goji Bar with pink salt is sooooo good. But, I can't get it down here. :(

Yay!

New Hero

I saw The Dark Knight twice this weekend. Words are not enough to describe how much I loved it, so I will just quote the Joker in regard to this film, "You complete me."

So, I was an Extra for two days in The Dark Knight. Gary Oldman is taller than expected and dreamy. Christian Bale is an Adonis. And walking up and down the street over and over for twelve hours a day while Bruce Wayne races a Lamborghini past you is actually more rewarding than retail and corporate life. Combined.




In those two days an extra had a bloody seizure, an assistant director expressed unabashed relief that it wasn't me who had the seizure because I was "super cute", the Lamborghini crashed into a Gotham cop car, and I got to watch Commissioner Gordon and Bruce Wayne exchange witty dialogue. I also got to see Christopher Nolan direct the crap out of this movie. It is official, the man gets a spot on my Hero Roster.

I shook his hand and asked him if he was using parts from Alan Moore's The Killing Joke for any of the plot, to which he replied, "Not completely, but it is definitely an influence." I just squealed, "Awesome!" And thanked him.




I am a blur to the right of the screen wearing a tan trench coat and blue shirt when the Commish and Batman are talking. I hope I don't get type casted as a blur, because I was THAT good.

So sad.

So tragic.

All Things Go

All Things Go, originally uploaded by Juxtaposedface.

While in Chicago I walked around a haunted Logan Square by myself, saw a play about twins and a mysterious elephant at Chopin, met Warren Ellis and Max Brooks, ate Shannon Pizza, ran to Humboldt Park, got to hold a pooping baby Charlie Hanna, pet several pugs with Megan, looked at paintings in the Art Institute, drank Intelligentisa till there was a hole in my stomach, lost in a game of Apples to Apples to my friend Ling who is really a witch, sang to Tori Amos on my way to a comic book convention, saw Cursive amidst a crowd of cute grown up children and fireflies, ate a Kuma Burger while my brother sang “Running with the Devil” (twice), high fived a bartender at Hungry Brain, saw The Hulk at the Logan Square movie theater for $3, sang to Bob Dylan with Nick and Robin in a cab, danced to Kate Bush, watched a lot of The Simpsons Season 2, finally bought the final trade for Y: The Last Man, did not get or give a back rub with Erin, watched The Mist while talking about werewolves at The California Clipper, danced to The Misfits with Andy’s dog Reina, ate Chipotle with the siblings, and made plans for a bitchin’ vision quest. And more.

My Greatest Contribution...

...is finding this swimming pool. One thing that I missed about Chicago was free access to swimming pools all across the city. New Orleans used to have beautiful public pools - or so my parents told me. Well, one of them still exists. It sits to the right of the Audubon Zoo. The Mississippi blows a refreshing breeze and you are only a short bike ride to Williams Plum Street Sno Ball.



Summer has been saved, praise whatever serpent god you worship.

Unfortunately, I can't move right now. I was trying to lift heavy stones for my mom's backyard. I lifted like they told me to on Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Use all of my back and snap up.
.
I am watching episodes where Charlie hurts himself. I am thinking it might make me feel better.



And then I am going to read The Gunslinger - gearing up for an awesome summer.

Shhh. Just watch this.

I really want you to watch this video too.

MGMT- Electric Feel
Uploaded by Whyzix

It is perfect.

Update

Hi Everybody!

Things have been really busy as usual. I have been doing some substituting and working with this program called New Orleans Outreach. I get to see the wee ones performing acts of Poetry, Martial Arts, Yoga and African Dance. Almost all of the kids I work with are bigger than me. I think they think I am a Child Spy.

The students and teachers I work with are generally awesome. The students are just out of control cute. Most days they blow my mind with how insightful and bright they are.

Only downside is they talk a lot of trash when they play me in Tether Ball.



In other news - my mom is sprouting hair and going out to bars at night. Holy Crap!

I am also bracing myself for the summer heat. When I ride my bike here, all forms of dust, debris, and bugs stick to me - so I never feel clean.



It will be nice to ride in good ol' Critical Mass next week in a cooler climate. See you soon Chi-town.

Pugsley Ram Juneau

1994-2008

Me and My Arrow

I have spent the entire day Eulogizing one of the greatest monsters to ever walk the earth. Pugsley Ram Juneau went to Heaven today.

Pugsley had become completely incontinent and could not stand without one of us physically lifting him up. His back legs stopped working and he was peeing something that looked like egg yolk. We took him to the Vet today hoping for the best and fearing the worst.

Not before stopping at the Magic Window so he could have Hash Browns.



His endorsement beats Iron Man's.

Our Vet and us all tearfully decided that Pugsley has been in too much pain and his medication was no longer helping. He went with a stomach full of greasy fast food, surrounded by a cadre of tearful adorers, and in hazy blissed out fog. There is a huge Pug shaped hole is my heart right now.

Chief Blood Orange Satsuma Ugly Fruit Kumquat - You Will Be Missed.

The Horror

I have been meaning to say something about Doomsday.




I think my dad said it best, "That move should win an Academy Award for the Awesome category." I agree.

I also saw The Ruins this weekend.




It was perfect and surprisingly realistic.

And now that I am addicted to Youtube - a video by my favorite kind of people - art students in New York.

Magical

I Can Never Feel Sad Again

Because THIS exists. Ever.

Can't Wait!

Oh Apollo...

Twinventures

Shannon, originally uploaded by Juxtaposedface.

More to come!

Weapons

People are just People

Megan and I had the honor of seeing Christian Bale's Step Mother speak at Tulane last week.




Gloria Steinem was absurdly charming and inspiring. From talking about the painful metamorphosis of a caterpillar into a butterfly to the lie that is "Post-Feminism" - I was pretty much glued to my seat. How could Feminism be dead if what it sought to accomplish has not yet come to pass? Women's Health Care inequities came up over and over.

Speaking of Women's Health - on our way home Megan got a flat tire on her bike. We were right next to our old high school, St. Mary's Dominican. It wasn't the best of neighborhoods to night bike ride in.

We walked up to S. Carrolton. Megan joked that we should go to the Notre Dame Seminary (priest school) near by and ask for help. To which I replied, "Awesome! Yes! But, you have to ask."

So, there was Megan with braided pigtails walking up to this building below late at night.



The priests were a little confused and weary about our presence at their doorstep, but were just the same, happy to load up our bikes into the back oftheir Suburban and take us home Good Samaritan style.

Father Mike asked us where were we coming from.

"A Feminist lecture," I replied.

"Feminist, eh? I hope it was the good kind of Feminism."

Megan chimed in, "All Feminism is good."

Father Mike furrowed his brow,"Well, you know, not all "isms" are good."

I said, "Certainly! Nazism. Racism. Sexism. Agism. I agree Father, there are lots of bad isms."

Oh, comedy.

Two priests drove us home and we talked about Lent and the challenges the church has had to face since the storm down here. Father Mike worked at a hospice.

When we were at our door Father Mike yelled out from his White Suburban, "You two shouldn't ride your bikes late at night around that neighborhood!"

I Don't Have to Wait for Summer - For My Northern Friends

I should go see them at South by Southwest.

Fart Party

The twins have a new obsession.

New Orleans Critical Mass

Megan and I partook in Critical Mass on Friday evening. It meets in front of St. Louis Cathedral on the last Friday of the month at 6:00 pm and gets rolling around 6:30 pm. It felt really good to ride up Carrollton with a gang of fellow bikers who could shield you from traffic if need be.

So, if you like to bike and want a safer New Orleans come out next Critical Mass! Can't you see it?? A skinnier city with less crime and bike lanes EVERYWHERE. It sounds like a Hotopia.

So True

Physical Therapy

Sandra Rae destroys.

Reach For The Stars!

So, I bought the Alan Moore documentary. It was $60. I have great, great ambitions.

TheGreenPartiers.jpg, originally uploaded by Juxtaposedface.

Also, I will be training to have a show at WTUL for the next couple of weeks. It will be from 4-6 on Thursday afternoons unless my schedule changes. That is 91.5 FM. I be bringing the fattest beats. I think I will post my setlists up here.

I have a love / hate relationship with College Radio. Mostly love though. I mean c'mon! That is Jella Biafra and Welsey Willis! Those two are what college is all about. And for some reason or another all of the new friends I have made since collge did college radio. Spooky.

OMG!

Much thanks to my brother for finding this. I have been searching for it since November 2006. Feast.

The Mindscape of Alan Moore

Style Icons

What I miss about Chicago most.

All the movies the Windy City gets to have. New Orleans doesn't get em' all. There Will Be Blood and Persepolis have not even come here yet. WTF? :(

Ahhh well. It is warm here. Suck on that Chicago.



I did get to see The Orphanage last night. I cried my brains out. Sure there are some plot holes - but it is a story about ghosts. They fill said holes with ecto-plasm and dread.

Happy New Year

Now that is what I call a good ol' fashioned Book Burning. I brought Harry Potter because it has Magic., originally uploaded by Juxtaposedface.

There is still time!

Christmas season isn't officially over. What do you get for the girl who has everything? Chigurh's air gun, doy! Or a Pit Bull that can swim really well.

Tuesday night

In case you wondering what I was up to or have been concerned about my well-being. All is well. And yes in order for Pug to sit on my lap I must put down a towel for fear of what might leak out of him.

Early Warning

Sparkly, originally uploaded by Juxtaposedface.

Endymion rolls in Mid City for the first time since before the storm, dudes. Saturday - February 2. Mardi Gras is on the 5th. If you can make it out and make it down.

Getting Well-er

DSC_0120.JPG, originally uploaded by Juxtaposedface.

Just wanted to make a quick post to tell everyone that my mom's surgery went very well. Lots of nail biting took place. My mom got a super sweet hospital suite by luck. The hospital is at capacity since the storm supposedly, so we had to wait several hours after her surgery to get a room. Long story short we had posh accomodations with a sleeper couch so Megan and I got to stay with her every night she was there. (Sleep over party and blood bag fight!)

The nurses and staff were great and we got to witness a Code Pink. I was walking up the stairs with celebatory cookies and a nurse popped out of the third floor door and asked, "Do you have a baby in there?" To which I responded, "You lost a baby."
As I made my way back to my mom's room I saw staff of all shapes and sizes squealing, "Oh shit! Code Pink!"

I think they found the baby later on.

Sandra Rae is recovering nicely though. She is throwing all of her troubles to the wind. Or to the ducks, respectively.

Katrina Kauses Kancer

So, tomorrow morning Pugsley goes in for the official removal of his balls. Say a prayer and shed a tear folks. Tis a sad day for all ball aficionados. He may or may not have Prostate Cancer. Three Vet fingers up a swollen Pug anus can only show so much. This will be revealed in the surgery I am sure.

On Wednesday my mother - my hero - goes in for a Bilateral Mastectomy.
Don't just say a prayer, but light a football field full of Novenas on
this one. Megan and I will be spending lots of time at the hospital
this week. We have great plans of graffiti-tagging a pro-life poster that is in front of the institution. Shhhh - don't tell anyone. (I am kidding.)

And I am well aware that there are three K's up there. That was just meant to be in poor taste. And kind of funny. And its true - Cancer rates have skyrocketed in the coastal region since Katrina. Stress = Cancer. Pugsley is stressed.

Pugsley, "Oh why am I cursed with such shiny black balls?!", originally uploaded by Juxtaposedface.

Youtube, will you marry me? I would make a great wife.

I Heart...Everything.

Did you see Alan Moore on The Simpsons with Art Spiegelman and Daniel Clowes? I met two of those people - but NOT Alan Moore. Le Sigh, someday.



Also, I saw Beowulf tonight so Mr. Gaiman gets an honorable mention.

Pssst... thanks everyone for the kind gifts, letters, words and phone calls. We really appreciate it down here. I heart you too.

Why My Sister is Awesome

She blooms bullets.

Balls.

So, I am in New Orleans rocking it hard with Sandra Rae. She is quite possibly stronger than Frank Miller's Batman in A Dark Knight.

In our daily coming and goings we often drive past the 17th street canal. You know the one:



Some awesome person has taken it upon themselves to build a huuuuuuuge mansion right where the levee broke. It is huge. But, not as huge as their balls. (Or ovaries respectively.) I love them.

Speaking of balls - imagine the Mona Lisa without her smile. Hurts, don't it?

Now imagine my Pug, Pugsley, without his big black balls. Hurts worst, right?

Pug Slurp, originally uploaded by Juxtaposedface.

After 14 years of life Mr. Pugsley may be facing his remaining years as a Castratto. (There are medical reasons for this.)

A shot in the dark.

Good Bye Chicago. You were an abusive boyfriend who loved me tenderly from time to time. I love the people I know there and miss them with all my heart.

It is against my religion to not like this movie.

Pretty dresses and shoes, dreamy cinematography set to Joy Division and Siouxsie Sioux, pastry eating, and pug snuggling.



It would go against everything I stand for to not love this movie. Sofia Coppola, you had me at "Lick the Star".

Ghost of Corporate Future (Past)

This song came on my shuffle as I made my way to my last day of work in Chicago. I thought it was appropriate.

Roommates of Past and Present Collide

enron shannon, originally uploaded by Juxtaposedface.

Erin is in town. She and I will snuggle soon. She got to meet my current roommate Lauren. Phoenetically their first and last names are very similar. I wonder what that means?

New Camera, Last Work Week, Soon - New Old Home

Art, originally uploaded by Juxtaposedface.

I finally got a Digital SLR. I was really scared to touch it. I brought it home as soon as I got it. I pet it and cooed, "My precious." That's how my roommate found me. Creepy. I think I will name my camera Ouroboros.

I spent all of Friday night trying to figure it out and taking pictures of my feet.

I also bore witness to Ms. Robin Mill's magical powers as she ran the Chicago Marathon with her dad. She also passed the Bar. Her next feat - beat up war. (I have used that line like three times already.)




Also, this is my last week of work. I will be packing up and hopefully spending time with YOU before I move to New Orleans. One of my oldest and dearest friends will be coming up to get me around November 2nd.



So get your Shannon time in before she devotes it entirely to Sandra Rae adventures. When I had a Myspace profile I listed her and Buffy as my heroes. Not much has changed.

And one final entertainment note - get thee to MCA. It is teh awesome. I especially liked the Slater Bradley installation and getting to see Thax Douglas walking through a rainbow room.

Things that I like. No, love.

buffy 5, originally uploaded by Gemini Ace.

Thanks to my roommate, I am re-watching a lot of old Buffy episodes. I used to think the first season was awkward and kind of hard to watch. Not so. It is awesome. I love Buffy so hard. I almost forgot how hard.

You want to know what I also love? You guessed it - the Tamales Man. I know its kind of sick, but the cheese tamales are so awesome with Beer or Shannon Tonics it makes me cry a little.

Full Nights at the Empty Bottle

Bat For Lashes, originally uploaded by Glastonbury on the BBC.

While all of the hipsters were geeking out to Dan Deacon, we saw Bat For Lashes with the Nerdsters. Their performance was like watching a History textbook come to life. In a really good – heart tingly kind of way.

Lewis and Clarke opened. They did a slow, creepy cover of Jackson C. Frank's "Carnival". I almost exploded.

It drizzled on our way home.