text:
I've spent the entire month of October watching horror movies. Drag Me to Hell, Lunacy, The Frighteners, Re-animator, Pontypool, Demons, The Blob, Dracula, The Dead Zone and many others. I don't know why I did this, but I can't wait to quit starting tomorrow. Four and a half weeks of this shit... It's been brutal. And what have I learned from filling my head with all this horror and evil? Well, not much. But if you know me, you know that I love Halloween and horror films. I believe that Halloween provides us with a time to vicariously live out our deep fears through costumes, scary movies, and jack-o-lanterns. All of the girls who are afraid of being sluts get to dress like hookers on Halloween weekend. Goth kids don't feel like minorities during this month. Gourds receive illuminated faces for some reason. It's a time when nothing is as it seems, and everything is as it should be.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Fear Itself
I've spent the entire month of October watching horror movies. Drag Me to Hell, Lunacy, The Frighteners, Re-animator, Pontypool, Demons, The Blob, Dracula, The Dead Zone and many others. I don't know why I did this, but I can't wait to quit starting tomorrow. Four and a half weeks of this shit... It's been brutal. And what have I learned from filling my head with all this horror and evil? Well, not much. But if you know me, you know that I love Halloween and horror films. I believe that Halloween provides us with a time to vicariously live out our deep fears through costumes, scary movies, and jack-o-lanterns. All of the girls who are afraid of being sluts get to dress like hookers on Halloween weekend. Goth kids don't feel like minorities during this month. Gourds receive illuminated faces for some reason. It's a time when nothing is as it seems, and everything is as it should be.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Ugliness is Easy
I turned the television on today, and caught a bit of the Tyra show. The topic of her talk show was all about helping people achieve their sexual fantasies. Whether it was helping a black couple find an Asian woman in the audience who would participate in their threesome, or letting a couple have sex in front of over a hundred people (while videotaping), Tyra was all about making dreams come true today.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Phonebooth Resurrection
Some of us have been born again, others have dreams in which we're not ourselves. Artists write stories and create pictures that take them away from their reality, but tonight we abuse substances. Tonight, our metamorphosis is temporary and hallucinatory. Our fingers become carrot sticks, sex organs reverse functions, faceless dark figures strangle and clear voices echo independent of eardrums.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Making a Leap of Faith Year
2009 has been a bad year.
I've heard it said, and I've said it myself. It's been hard, this year. People have been fired, committed suicide, lost their wills, given up on God, murdered strangers, lost the Olympic bid, devoured human brains, raped cousins and step-sisters, puked and shit at the same time, threw interceptions and contracted swine flu.
Fortunately, 2010 is coming. And we can make it a good one. It will be a year for new hope and a bright future. Why will the next year be better? Ah, what a fine question to ask. If I didn't know any better, I might even say that it is, in fact, a "great question". And the answer is as remarkable, if not more so, as the question. It is an answer that I have devised from my own intellect, and will call upon every living human to withhold.
2010 will begin and end in 24 hours. It will be a day and a year, at the same time. The day itself will be dedicated to peace and love, and no one will do any harm to anyone else.
Of course, you're asking, "how can you make a year and a day the same? It's not physically possible!" and to that point, you'd be correct. But remember the leap years. Some people born in 1984 (specifically, those who were born on February 29) have only celebrated six birthdays. Are they 25 years old? Kind of. But not in terms of birthday counts.
If these people can play with the days/years categories without circumstance, why don't we all do the same on the first day of 2010? Let's play with the categories, and let's make it the best year in the history of mankind. This will be a real leap year. A leap so fast, the year will be over in a day. The day after January 1st, 2010, will be January 1st, 2011. We'll all be one "year" older and wiser. And for the rest of our lives, we'll reminisce about the best year.
This really is something we should try to bring to pass, because if we don't, it's very possible that another 365 days could result in shitty shittiness again. If we cut down on the quantity, we will automatically bring up the quality.
In 2010, we'll drink good wine, kiss our loved ones, play the best board games, eat our favorite foods, and high five everyone we see. The air will be permeated with the aroma of baking brownies and spiced chai. Mosquitoes will be held hostage for this year, and babies won't cry. Cartoons and comic books will be consumed in place of news channels and politicians' hardcover biographies. Romance will be hastened. The weather won't matter. Pastors won't preach and bums won't beg. We might not even have to poop in 2010, depending on what happened the year prior.
It will be a great year. One that will go down in the history books as the year Dylan Peterson brought happiness to earth.
As for 2011, I have no comment. If it's another 365 days, there's a good chance it will suck. But if we can keep 2010 to 24 hours, we can have ourselves a good year. Let's do it guys!
Saturday, October 17, 2009
As For Film: Where the Wild Things Are
There were moments when I was able to relate to Max, but I did so as a childish adult relates to another childish adult. Even though I have childhood memories of playing in the snow and exploring fields and forests by myself with a scepter made out of a tree branch, I don't think my emotions were as developed then as Max's are in Where the Wild Things Are.
His many emotions are manifested as dreamy monsters from another world. Sometimes he's shy, but he can talk too much too, or even go crazy and break things. He's a very complex little boy, a storyteller with a powerful imagination. But instead of letting his imagination take him to places of joyous cosmic destruction and exciting alien worlds, Max goes to a place where all of his painful emotions are extrapolated.
This is when I can't relate to Max. To be so young and so emotional is something I don't remember. I was more like Calvin. My imagination was more concerned with killing monsters than it was befriending them.
Where the Wild Things Are kind of depressed me. Watching a kid gain self-awareness at such a young age was troubling. The fun part of being a kid was the total lack of self-awareness amidst self-absorption. I always say, life is still worthwhile simply because we used to be six. Those memories are enough to keep us going through this meaningless world, where the sun will eventually burn out and we'll all forget that while we were here we just spent our time judging and being mean to each other.
But without that unaware self-absorption, life becomes unbearably painful. What Max goes through in the movie is a complete revelation of his self-absorption.
The strange thing about Wild Things is that a seemingly imaginative child is taught a very heavy and "adult" lesson, but all within the child's own mind. He comes to his own conclusions about the way life works.
How horrifying.
But maybe that's why so many people are saying that this is a movie for adults. I'm not sure if kids can actually relate to Max. As I sat in the theater, a birthday party of small children sat behind me, occasionally commenting out loud on what they were watching.
"Ohhh, look at the flowers! They're so pretty!"
"Ewwww! That's disgustiiiing! He's coming out of her stomach!"
"Aw, that looks like so much fun!"
And in those moments, I felt like the movie was succeeding. I agreed with the kids, and I felt like we were all relating to a purely human experience. Beauty, disgust, fun. It was universal. It didn't require some mature emotion to understand.
I just discovered an amazing television show on Netflix. It aired in 1987, on HBO. Jim Henson's The Storyteller. Old, dark folk tales that might scare kids, but will express themes that both adults and children can share. It is at times creepy, amazing, and deep. Things that Wild Things tries to get at, but only occasionally achieves.
I'm troubled. Sure, the visual effects of the creatures in Wild Things were amazing. Probably the most wonderful creature creations since the Jim Henson days (which is saying a lot!). But I have a feeling that this story is not for both kids and adults, as the Jim Henson productions were. The Wild Things movie is for adults, and that's it. NOT because it's "dark" or "violent," but because kids probably just won't relate to it.
So as an adult viewer, I'm going to forget that Max is a kid. Instead, I'm going to just assume that he represents my own "inner child". Who is my inner child? He's that selfish little brat who wants to be heard at all times, be the boss of everybody, do whatever he wants whenever he wants, and so on. I don't really want this person to come out very often, because he will hurt people when he does.
But sometimes, I just can't help it. I become a man-child. When I do, I look a lot like Max. I try to escape from the rest of the real people in my life and just make myself feel better in my own head. Sometimes I write stories, or draw, or play some music. I try to escape from reality and drown myself in art. And it's always a great tourniquet. I feel a lot better after some alone time.
Is that the moral of Wild Things though? As an adult, what does it mean to run away from my fears? Does it mean running to imagination and creativity, only to return to rationality once I'm settled down? Can I eat cake when I come back home?
In the end, I really enjoyed watching the movie, but I've come away from it confused (as a critic). I don't know what to do with its message. I'm not disappointed in it, but I kind of hoped that it might have been a film that would have resonated with me on a deeper level. If anything, it just made me want to go and read old Calvin & Hobbes strips and watch more Jim Henson stuff.
The film told me that it's not fun to grow up, which is true I guess. But being a kid is wonderful, and Wild Things didn't really express that. Maybe it didn't want to. Why not? That's what I can't figure out.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
As For Film: A Serious Man
Someone once told me that since I don't offer solutions, my opinions cannot be taken seriously. Two emotions struck me when I heard this. First, I felt offended. Another individual tried to negate my personal opinions. And that hurt. What else do I have but opinions? If I can't share opinions, I can't share anything of my own (spoken like a true Stoic, right?). But this emotional reaction quickly subsided in place of something bigger. I realized that this individual had pointed out some truth about me. He said that I don't offer solutions.
The weird thing about this conversation was that it occurred between two Christians. We both believe in Jesus, but we have very different opinions of him. I refuse to believe that God gives a human being an infinite answer. He gives us a lot of questions, but keeps the answer for himself. So of course I won't offer a solution, I don't believe in one.
Unless we're talking about Ecclesiastes, which has to be the Coen brothers favorite book of the Bible (either that or Job). Ecclesiastes offers an answer in the second verse of the first chapter that I find quite remarkable:
"Meaningless! Meaningless!" says the Teacher. "Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless."
With that inspired word of God in mind, let's have a look at A Serious Man. We see a character suddenly struck by misfortune. Coincidence after horrible coincidence seems to tell Larry something. Something... important. Something about life, himself, and the meaning of it all. Larry asks questions, but only because he wants a competent answer. "Why is God doing these things?"
... (crickets keep chirping) ...
One of the funniest scenes in the film tells the story of a gentile who gets a checkup from a Jewish dentist. The dentist notices that on the back sides of his patient's teeth is an inscription of Hebrew lettering. The dentist lies awake, trying to figure out why the inscription is in a non-Jewish person's mouth. Every day at work, he looks at all of his patients' teeth for more Hebrew messages on incisors, but never finds a thing. The dentist goes to the rabbi for advice. And the rabbi tells him to help out in the community more. This is apparently good enough for the dentist, but not for Larry. Larry wants to know why that inscription was chiseled into those teeth.
The rabbi offers a suggestion. He wonders if, perhaps, the search for life's answers is like a toothache. Suddenly there's great pain and confusion, but after a while, the ache simply goes away.
It seems that there are two choices we all have. To worry about things, or to not worry about things. And this can be applied to every area of life, be that spiritual, romantic, physical, visceral or intellectual. If this wasn't the message that the Coens were trying to get across in A Serious Man, then I must be taking them too seriously.
But I don't want to take them too seriously. They're pretty much the single reason that I still love film. They are such masters of their craft, it's easy to give them high praises. Again they've brought cinematographer extraordinaire Roger Deakins in as their director of photography, and the film couldn't look more beautiful as a result. The casting is perfect as always, making the audience wonder if the Coens actually paid actors for these roles or just found local townspeople in rural Minnesota truck stops.
And above all, the writing is superb. I can't wait to watch this movie again, find little details that I missed the first time and connect them to things I forgot about. The dialogue is as funny as anything in Lebowski, Fargo or Burn After Reading. From a schoolboy obsessed with saying "fuck" between as many words as possible to a self-prescribing psychiatrist with an eminently overambitious vocabulary that runs dry quicker than he cares to realize.
All of the elements are there, and this is as good as the Coen brothers get. And with that said, A Serious Man is as good as movies get.
In the history of cinema, we have a short list of truly artistic American directors. But Joel and Ethan Coen do us proud. Every one of their films is undoubtedly American. Slowly but surely they go through each decade and give it their own funny hat to wear. They're never preachy, never stupid and never boring. A Serious Man is certainly one of their best, most closely aligned in style with the still underrated masterpiece, Barton Fink.
Whatever they believe seems to be somewhere in the metaphysical mathematics of an eternal chalkboard or a personal metaculus. But I don't want to know it. I don't want them to give me a solution. Luckily, they never do. Instead, they make me laugh and ask questions. And that's enough. I don't need any more solutions or answers than what I've already attained. After all:
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief."
That wise writer of Ecclesiastes knew something then that the Coens know today. That it's not necessarily a benefit to have an answer. As Bulgakov wrote in Master and Margarita, "Everything will turn out right, the world is built on that." It's just that we can never say for sure what "right" really means, only God can say that. Maybe we should just continue to ask questions without counting on any answers. And all that is to say is, let's not get too serious about our selves.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Not Godard's Weekend
On Thursday afternoon, Jamesovich and his wife, Dee, left their home city to visit friends in the state to their west. The University of Iowa is where Konrad and Aerin work towards their PhDs and Masters degrees. But though the town they lived in was one regarded for its academics and literary history, there would be no philosophical discussions on this trip. No, this weekend was about brunches, dancing, and The Temptations. The only conversations were those between friends. Networking was cast aside in place of pouring coffee pots. And even though only one member exists in the band today, there's still cause to sing along to all the hits. "My Girl," "Get Ready," "Papa Was A Rolling Stone." From the Mathematics department office window, the beers taste colder and the music sounds a little bit more reassuring. It takes two nights on an air mattress for Jamesovich and Dee to become acquainted with Iowa city, and by the time they do, it's goodbye to Konrad and Aerin for a 24 hour horror film fest at the Musicbox Theater. It's over three hours there and over three hours back, but a trip is always worth six when the only word on the itinerary is "friends". Through red and yellow leaves, the Midwest waves as they go. Not a goodbye or hello, but a perpetual welcome. No time to stop at home, bags still in the car, park a block or two away and get into that theater and out of the cold air. Black clothing and bloody projections, Cronenberg and Leatherface need paparazzi. But they can only last a little more than half a day. Sleep rem comes at the end of the night, and straight through the first part of the day. By the time it's all over, Jamesovich and Dee are watching Curb Your Enthusiasm for the fourth week in a row. The show that comes on after it is pretty good too, but it was funnier last week. Now that they're back to work, and money's coming in, life is absolutely horrible again. Why can't they just make every day a weekend?
Thursday, October 08, 2009
You Should Not Look at Me
Check again. Behind you now. Maybe one of these times you'll catch those eyes that never leave. Demons, spirits, angels and shadows. Are these the terrors that haunt us in the evening?
I believed so until I actually caught the fiend who stalked me from behind. It was only a slightly fearsome discovery, one that will surprise you. How did I catch him, you ask? It wasn't too difficult, really. I lured him in, with aromas and spells. By process of elimination, I lured invisible phantoms towards my back. One by one, Lucifer, Michael the Archangel, Mephistopheles, the boogie man and the ghosts of Native Americans. None of them took my bait, which ranged from skull shavings and blood soaked scarves to dream catchers and dead toads. Not one brought its nose close enough to my hair, not until I washed it with a shampoo made of raven beaks and gold-bug guts.
It was when I got out of the shower that I felt his presence. He stared at me, but wouldn't at first show himself. I used two towels to cover my naked body, chilled by his breath and scared of his skin. Would it be rotten? Would I even see it at all? Oh the torture that it was to turn my head and see nothing but familiar furniture! I knew that I wasn't alone, but I couldn't prove it!
So I sat down on the bed, towels dropped to the floor. My hair still damp, my back with a few clinging beads of water. The chill caused me to shiver uncontrollably.
He spoke, "turn around." I did.
A man with a white face, in a dark suit that looked a hundred years old. Like a photograph from the Civil War, the figure was cracked and faded. His hair as dark as his clothing, combed messily to one side. And small lips, that looked like they haven't moved in decades. Above his lips a mustache, small and sinister.
It was Edgar Allan Poe. All this time, the creature lurking behind me was a mere writer. A man with an imagination, who created poems and stories with his mind. Poe is nothing to fear, I thought briefly, he is an artist.
And yet, here he is, resurrected or ghastly in my apartment bedroom. He has been hiding behind me for my entire life, refusing to reveal himself to me. I've felt him so many times, but this was the first time I'd actually seen him.
I couldn't speak to him. I was afraid and naked. But without moving a muscle, he spoke to me again.
"You should realize that you're not well. Only a mad person can gaze upon me as you do now."
What did he know if I was mad? He was Edgar Allan Poe, and a dead one at that. He's the mad one.
"If you continue to stare at me, you will never be able to turn away from me."
A threat or a dare, something sinister regardless. My hands were in my crotch, covering my genitals.
"You've been trying to look at me, twisting your neck around time and time again. But you should not look at me. Only I can look at you. And not even I should look at your face, not even when you're sleeping."
As I looked on, I noticed how formless his face actually was. Even though I could describe every feature, his countenance was strangely flat. Not in the physical sense, but there didn't look to be a way to touch his skin with my hands.
"So decide now. If you choose to look at me, look at me... Get up and walk around. You'll never be able to turn away from my face."
Slowly I stood, and sure enough, whether I moved forward or backward, right or left, Poe would not remove himself from my vision.
Poe moved toward me slowly, placed his hand into his pocket and pulled out a knife. He held the handle loosely, with a single fingertip even. The tip of the blade was pressed against my chest. It was the coldest steel I'd ever felt, and it made each hair on my body stand out stiff.
"Well," Poe went on, "It's too late to turn your head away now. If you no longer wish to gaze upon me, take what I give you and look no more."
As he spoke, his fingertip became my own. And then I grasped the handle of the knife.
I looked hard into Poe's eyes. They were dead black cats. I hated him. I didn't want to look at him anymore.
Until a flash of light washed through both of us. There were shrill screams and dizzying falls. There was a rescuer, a beautiful woman in my room. Poe was gone, and I could only see the eyes of my wife in front of me.
But she didn't look herself. She wasn't smiling at all, but crying and mad. Her eyes were fiery and pained. I couldn't look away from her. But I didn't want to. There was a torment in her, it was all I could see. I reached out to embrace her, to comfort her, but my stretch was weak and short.
Behind my head I felt the palm of a hand. Its fingers massaging my hair gently. I couldn't tell if the hand belonged to my wife or Edgar Allen Poe. And I would never find out.
Monday, October 05, 2009
Hasn't Come Out Yet: Kings of Convenience - Declaration of Dependence
Release date: October 20, 2009
Hey guys check out my band's new CD. You know me, I'm the tall, skinny guy with red hair and big glasses. Actually no. That King of Convenience is Erlend Oye. But he might be inspiring me to grow my hair out and shave my face.
Kings of Convenience came out around the same time as Kings of Leon, earlier this decade. I always confused the two, but knew that one of them sucked and the other was great. Over the past couple years, it's become all too clear which tyrants are deserving of music-lovers allegiance. (It's the Norwegians. Not the Americans.)
Declaration of Dependence is no better or less than the other two Kings of Convenience albums. It's just right. Just like the other albums were, just right. I can't think of another band who defies rank like this, but I couldn't tell you which albums were better if you held a gun to my head. "They're all good! Please don't kill me I have a wife! They're all gooood! whaaaa!"
I'm not sure why that image of violence just popped in there. Sorry.
But it's true, Quiet is the New Loud, Riot on an Empty Street, and now Declaration of Dependence are almost like a triple-album, spread out over 8 years. If you put the three albums on shuffle, there isn't a bad mix. And while I love it when a band is willing to take risks and try something new every few albums, I think it might be a mistake for Kings of Convenience to mess with something so perfect.
All it takes is two voices, harmonizing, and two instruments. Sometimes it's two acoustic guitars. Sometimes it's piano. And every now and then, they bring in some strings (but only if necessary).
Declaration of Dependence is a soundtrack to soft romance, best heard while walking down a leaf-littered city street that's lined with barren trees. Add a scarf into the mix and you become one with the music. And I'll bet it works even better in northern European countries. God, these guys make me want to move to Berlin or something. They never play in North America either. That's reason enough to move to Europe, to get a few chances to see these guys live. Let's hope they hit the States later this year. I don't care what it costs, I'll be at the Chicago show.
As with all of the other Kings of Convenience albums, Declaration of Dependence lets out dangerous emotional radiation. It will remind you of love and love lost. Keep as far away from it as possible if you've recently experienced a bad break-up. But buy it right away if you're pursuing a new relationship. Let your crush borrow it for a weekend. The Kings of Convenience make all of the lovers melt.
Watch these videos for proof of the beauty:
Mrs. Cold
Boat Behind:
Saturday, October 03, 2009
Best Albums of 2009 (25-11)
This particular list is based entirely on my personal taste. Some of it is a result of how much I've listened to an album, but I think there's some objectivity going on as well. In my vanity, I believe that the music I listen to is unarguably "good". But that doesn't mean I've got the best list on the block. If you think I'm wrong or forgetful, let me know (and why). Sometimes I make mistakes, but they can usually be corrected.
Anyway, the best albums of 2009 (according to Dylan Peterson):
Points for effort. In Sufjan's discography, this is one of his weakest releases. But The BQE still contains enough impressive moments to make my list. It's good when Sufjan goes instrumental. Let's hope it's even better next time.
Halloween bands don't come around often enough, but Dead Man's Bones makes up for our deficiency of creepy organ rock. This album also takes Ryan Gosling up a big notch on the "cool guy" list. I kinda want to hang out with him.
I think this might be the most "synthetic" 'top 25' list I've ever made. A lot of electronic, instrumental stuff on this list. Vitalic makes me feel okay about it all though. Flashmob drives hard with intensity, I'd have to be an asshole if I didn't include it in my 2009 synthesizer party.
Telefon Tel Aviv wins the 'Most Unassumingly Exasperating' award. Immolate Yourself is soft, but loaded with depth. Listening to this music is meditative and engaging, so you can listen to it while working out, studying, or falling asleep. It miraculously works on every level.
The Flaming Lips are masters of the psychedelic, so it's a good thing they released this album during the second half of 2009 just before the return of grunge comes and smashes all of our precious reverb to smithereens. Embryonic is a trip that doesn't require any drugs. Sound like fun? Absolutely, it is.
Shutter Release. Who the hell really knows how artists create sounds anymore, but it sounds like they've brought in a lot more players for this one. At least more strings. But the best part is that they haven't started singing. It's still devastatingly perfect drumwork and warming melodies from the Bell bros.
Oh yeah, this did come out in 2009, didn't it? It's not Andrew Bird's personal best, but when he's not at the top of his game it's still usually going to out-talent most indie bands out there. This album won't make or break Andrew Bird, but it'll keep his fans happy and hold any naysayers at bay.
I don't think I've ever put Lightning Bolt on one of my year-end lists before (probably because I didn't always give noise a chance). But these guys are still intense. Chippendale is as brutal as ever, and still kinda scares me. All of the hardcore kids should just listen to these guys and get over that "phase" that's become so tired. Come on kids. Just get into Lightning Bolt already.
The singer of Mew is the most pathetic excuse of a man I've ever seen. Even though the girly emotional version of Emo died quite a few years ago, this dude still seems to think he can harness the power of tight jeans and tangled bangs in eyelashes. But his pathetic frailty aside, Mew is still excellent. Some of the most surprisingly catchy melodies come out of this band. They're absolutely pretentious, but it works to their own strange grandiose advantage.
This is one of those albums I didn't want to put on the list just because everybody assumes that it must be on every AOTY list. Fuck that. Getting on this list occurs solely as a result of how much I enjoyed it on an individual level. So that's why the hype band of the year is here. Veckatimest was an album I found myself throwing on when I didn't know what else to listen to (first sign of a great record). It sounds like indie rock in 2009. But, I guess that's not necessarily a bad thing.
Post-rock Chicagoan, that's me I guess. Saxon Shore isn't from Chicago, but they should probably move here. They're one of the most 'cinematic' bands I've ever heard. It's time for them to broaden their scope and start composing some film scores. It worked for EitS, and (in my ridiculous opinion), I'll take these guys over Explosions any day.
Our friend in Bon Iver found himself a quirky little indie rock band to play with, how darling! Seriously though, hearing Justin Vernon's voice used in a slightly larger musical context is exciting. Volcano Choir isn't as heartwrenching as Bon Iver, but it's an album that signals a potential evolution for Vernon. And 'Island Is' is a good enough song to put Unmap on my AOTY list even if it were the only track on the album.
I've never heard Wilco so comfortable. I guess their stupid album title is apt. This band has been surprising, unsurprising, disappointing, confusing, and amazing depending on the album you're talking about AND depending on who you're talking to. But Wilco the Album wasn't any of those things, it was just... Wilco the Album. And, apparently, that works.
So this return to the 90s' we've experienced in music this year, this is a pretty weird thing, right? Well not for Built to Spill it isn't. Because they've always been there. The 90s' never left them! Upbeat tunes and simple lyrics aren't as bad as we all thought. It's just that they were overdone by a lot of really bad bands. But BtS was never bad. And they're still not. Who cares if they're stuck in the 90s'? Good music is good music, and that's what we have on There is No Enemy.
In a way, this is my favorite album of the year. I guess I didn't put it in the top 10 because I haven't listened to it as much as everything else. That's one of the problems of making a list so early. But if somebody asked me right now "so Dylan, what new music should I check out?" The answer, without hesitation, is Fuck Buttons, Tarot Sport. So go get it now if you haven't yet. And if you don't like it, Fuck you.
[Top 10 will be posted next Monday]
Friday, October 02, 2009
Interview with Brent Knopf (Ramona Falls, Menomena)
Did anyone follow Pitchfork's "Best Tracks of the Decade" thing a few weeks back? Do you want to hate music now? What was "All My Friends" doing at number 2? I mean, it's a cool song, but the second best song of the decade? What a bizarre list.
Immature Pitchfork bashing aside, one of my favorite bands' tracks ended up way back at #442. "Wet and Rusting" by Menomena. The wonderful little voice you hear singing on that track is a Portland man named Brent Knopf.
I asked Brent if he feels honored to be a part of the list. "I find the most gratification in just creating music, so I'm not too concerned with "honors," per se, although I'm grateful to people who spread the word about my music."
Brent's music seems to spread itself around naturally. Ramona Falls is the name of his latest project, and the first album under that moniker, Intuit, is out now on Barsuk Records. This music is for Menomena fans who enjoy the more melodic and pop-friendly sides of the band. Fans of Arcade Fire will definitely dig Brent's multi-instrumental indie rock, too. It's full of synth-heavy, rhythm-happy, quirky-introspective loveliness. The album was sort of a community project of Portland musicians. "I've lived in Portland my whole life," Brent explains, "and I'm amazed by the number of incredible musicians here. The Ramona Falls project was a great excuse for me to call up lots of musicians that I admire and ask them each for 3 hours of time." Just a few of the contributors to Intuit include members of Mirah, The Helio Sequence, Talkdemonic as well as some of Knopf's Menomena brethren.
Portland people might even recognize the project name as one of Oregon's most stunning waterfalls. Intuit is a community album in every sense, and you can feel the love when you put it on. "I didn't want it to sound like a "solo-album," I wanted it sound like an "album." So, I reached out to viola, trombone, and upright-bass players (among others). Tons of folks sing on the record, including a small New York church choir. It was fun to take these new instruments and voices and distill them into an album that I hope feels cohesive."
The album is certainly a collaborative effort, but the songs all come directly from Brent Knopf. Where do his hoards of creativity come from? "I piece the ideas together like a jigsaw puzzle. …Oh yeah, I also eat a ridiculous quantity of chocolate, so maybe that's my secret." Whatever he does, the result is always a massive juxtaposition of avant-garde sensibilities and simplistic melodies.
Creatively and spiritually, Brent has an astute ability when it comes to relaying a visceral idea through song. "I was taught Christian stories as a child, and my comfort with incorporating religious imagery (mud/ash in eyes, crown of thorns, holy water, etc) in lyrics reflects my particular upbringing." But he doesn't take his religious influences lightly either, he includes them in his art. "One of the trickiest aspects of talking about spirituality is definitions. We often assume (wrongly) that people agree on what words like "religious" or "spiritual" mean. So, I'll instantiate a temporary definition of the word "spiritual" and define it more as 'questions and paradoxes that inspire wonder and compassion.' In this way, music-making is quite spiritual : a song is often a place where I try to grapple with questions or paradoxes I can't easily resolve."
Brent isn't the only mastermind of Menomena to release a solo album recently. Danny Seim (Menomena's drummer and Ramona Falls' touring bassist) gave us Lackthereof last year. "I'd like to see all the projects (Ramona Falls, Menomena, Lackthereof) positively reinforce each other," Brent hopes. But Brent reassured me that another Menomena album is well on the way, "I think the Ramona Falls and Lackthereof records reflect that the recording of the next Menomena album is taking longer than we expected. But we're working on it." No rush, Brent. There's still more to take in from this project. Ramona Falls' Intuit is an album that demands replay.
** originally published by Burnside Writers Collective, where an additional interview can be found on Intuit's cover artist Theo Ellsworth **
Thursday, October 01, 2009
How Much Walking Space Should You Have Around Bedroom Furniture? (A Collage of Single Sentences from 150 Different Articles)
A person of any race can become a blues man, but the music's history is inherent to African-American culture. One of the proudest aspects of American history is that of black culture. A white person should never wear black makeup, because it will look like blackface and will certainly appear to be in poor taste.
Once it is dry, you'll have a woolly sheep mask for all your bah-bah pleasure.
Keep jackets at home, and don't even think about legwarmers. Legwarmers are an icon of 1980s women's fashion that have experienced a resurgence in recent years. If your dress doesn't seem appropriate for a fall or winter season, legwarmers won't make it work. For one thing, the clothes might not fit, but more importantly, the teen probably won't like whatever style you've picked out. Keep your ankles straight and don't think about falling.
As you plan your next vacation, keep in mind your trip might not be as fun for other people as it is for you. Orlando is one of the tourist capitals of America, for good reason. A family vacation isn't always an enjoyable experience when you take your kids to a place they don't care about. But remember, not all of the exhibits are indoors, so make sure you're both bundled up as you walk from one building to another.
Put a chair on the court and use it to practice your crossover move before you use it in an actual game.
A hookah session usually lasts about 45 minutes, a perfect amount of time for a small group study of a passage of scripture. Understanding the Bible and applying it to your own life is not like reading a car manual before driving. Christianity did not yet exist when the OT was written, for Christ had not yet been born. The 10 Commandments cannot be taught in public schools, so these activities are off-limits there. When you come home with your new pumpkin, you can either use it to make pumpkin pie or you can paint it (just be sensitive to the Spirit's leading as to how you should decorate the pumpkin). This will actually look like an open page of the Bible, and you can eat the sweet Word of God in reverence of its inerrant authority.
Critical Mass sees hundreds and sometimes thousands of eclectic bicyclists clogging the streets of the city in protest of motor vehicles. If you're a hipster, don't wear a neon retro fanny pack anymore. The Ukrainian Village has experienced gentrification over the past couple of decades, and it has more young, white professionals living in it than ever before. Modern hip hop clothing was also enhanced by punk and hipster culture, which infused skateboarding and European styles into the fashions of the streets.
Organic cotton candy offers unusual flavors like bubblegum, cinnamon, licorice, root beer and maple.
As with any strenuous activity, having sex will burn calories. Spermicide should be put directly into the vagina before sex. If you don't wash the cream off before sex, it will make the partner's vagina numb and will possibly weaken the erection. Women place them in the vagina and use their pelvic muscles to hold them there, increasing the vaginal muscles for heightened sensitivity during intercourse. If he keeps the penis inside of the vagina during ejaculation (and as long as no birth control has been used), there is a very good chance that conception has taken place.
Occasionally watch movies that you don't think you'll like. For guys who have short hair and want to find a cool style, the best way to get inspiration is to look at celebrities. Johnny Depp, Justin Timberlake and Brad Pitt always have cool hair, and depending on the length of your own hair, so can you.
Some of General Mills' cereals are marketed directly to children, using cartoon images on the boxes and surprise toys stuffed inside.
CD packaging began in 1982, one year after the compact disc was invented. It doesn't have to be stereotypical either, the Chicken Dance and the Macarena are not necessarily the best ways to celebrate the new couple's marriage. Start with your legs and feet straight below your body, cross them quickly with a bounce on the first beat. (The first beat of the song's chorus will say "Soulja Boy.") This is the technique of taking two separate tracks and layering them together to form an entirely new sound.
What are the best ways to rough it in nature and still enjoy a tasty and nutritious meal? If the baby deer is still wet with uterine fluids, don't attempt to feed it. Although their production is controversial (real animals are often used to make the hats), they are known as the warmest hats that can be worn during the wintertime.
A slingshot is an old-time weapon that has been made popular by cartoons like Dennis the Menace and Bart Simpson.
Have the kids draw a skull on one whole side of the plate with their markers. Your dinosaur now needs a face, toenails and color. Toward the middle of the century, Andy Warhol revolutionized the still life by displaying objects as mass-produced pop iconography. If all you can remember is something generic such as "baby tonight," you'll get all sorts of results--Whitney Houston, Bob Dylan and Jeff Jarrett (all very different artists).
While most plastic cups are entirely safe to drink out of, there are a few warnings and considerations to keep in mind when using them. Always clean these funnels after each use, and wear rubber gloves. Basically, if you see no hints of white in your tea leaves, you probably don't have white tea. You can tell a soup spoon by its shape, its serving end will be much more circular than that of the the oval-shaped regular spoon.
Summerfest is best in small doses. It's actually Chicago's "tourist" venue due to its downtown location and VH1-worthy acts. If you want to find a good show in Chicago, there's a very good chance that the Goodman Theatre is hosting one.
With the song highlighted, hit delete on the keyboard. One half- hour of video alone will fill more than 300 megabytes.
Some men decide to let their beards grow long and wild, but for men who want a cleaner look, they must shave. Come dressed as your favorite "Big Lebowski" character, or just drink White Russians all night.
One of the easiest and cheapest ways to learn German is when you're driving around in your car. Some people like to put their name on their license plate ("DANNY09"), referential message ("BEERMAN") or other important combinations of words and numbers ("J0HN316"). Open the hood of your car and locate your battery. The lane farthest to the left of the highway is usually the carpool lane, and is oftentimes marked by either diamond shapes that appear in the center of the lane or by signs on the side of the road that indicate the boundaries of the carpool lane.
When societies care less about their internal well-being than their personal possessions, the result is almost always materialism. Due to greater numbers of human beings on the planet, the level of environmental danger has risen significantly. In Chinese culture, Yose Use usually contains an odd number of trees, but never four. If you want your flag to represent patriotism, hoist it to the very top of a flagpole. Never salute a petty or non-commissioned officer.
A staircase is a number of steps grouped together for the purpose of vertical advancement.
When pouring the wax (or whenever you're touching something hot), use oven mitts or potholders. Of course, use general fire safety rules also--for example, don't touch hot cinders with your bare hands. On the other hand, it can get painfully cold. Natural gas is not a liquid, it is what its name indicates, a gas.
Desk lamps help provide light for someone who is reading, writing or working at a desk. The more lanterns you have in one space, the trendier. The old-fashioned triangular lampshades or chandeliers do not fall under the category of "modern."
Mayan hammocks bunch up like a cocoon.
A puzzle game can be many different things, but the object of the game usually requires the player to use his mind as the primary weapon to win. Some examples of puzzle games include crossword puzzles, sudoku, word jumble, hangman and word search. The "u" makes a long sound when it is followed by an "e" (examples: cue, blue, flute).
A red mole does not refer to an animal, but to a skin condition. Not to be confused with the slang term for men's facial hair, face fungus is a red, rash-like abrasion that appears on various areas of the face. If inhaled in great quantities, it is possible for diphenylmethane-4.4 diisocyanate to invoke hypersensitivity pneumonitis, asthma and inflammatory upper respiratory tract diseases. But the most commonly attacked area is the big toe.
The nunchaku react to very subtle movements in the wrist, and the free stick will have a lot of force even if you don't use much arm strength.
Thrift stores often have piles of old VHS tapes and VCR paraphernalia in the electronic devices nook. Old VHS tapes often require tracking, which assists in clearing up white, fuzzy interference. Press and hold the play button down for about three seconds. The picture will look blank, but this is normal. If an unsuspecting friend uses the wrong button, you can gleefully laugh at her slight misfortune. Wide-screen televisions eventually became popular status symbols of wealth and success in the 1980s.
A Native American shield is commonly known as a "medicine shield" because it is a symbol of spiritual health.
The noodle is a popular exercise device for elderly citizens who are too frail to work out with free weights. If you are an elderly person who has a history of back problems, you'll probably prefer the recumbent bike to the upright. With the center of the band at the soles of your feet, extend your legs straight up into the air and do reverse crunches (lifting your butt, not your head). Don't mindlessly throw your weights around.
What determines the perfect glass of draft beer? There is no lava in a lava lamp. A house party can be a pretty good time, but a themed house party is a surefire blast. When the Red Skywalker falls on a cosmic sign, it is known as an archetype for the balanced, conscious self of an individual.
There are men's shoes designed for every part of life. Shoelaces are the long strings that lace through the top of a shoe and can be tied to secure shoes onto your feet.
Cleaning toilets not only requires the scrubbing of the surface of the toilet, but the disinfectant of the water inside the bowl.
Sometimes, PVC pipes can be catalysts for creativity and fun. There's no shame in giving inexpensive and/or homemade gift as long as the proper sentiment is attached. You can make up your own billiard game that allows for as many balls as you want on the table. When you come to a puddle or muddy spot, throw the cheap jacket down onto it. Perform a mime routine, wear a hot dog costume and ask if she'll eternally be your bun, give her a fake ring first that you accidentally drop down a sewer or grate before pulling the real one out of your pocket, whatever you think will make her laugh then and for the rest of your lives.


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wikiHow to Make Seared Tuna and Noodle Salad
Seared tuna and noodle salad is a recipe with a definite Asian flair. It's original, extremely tasty, looks fabulous and is ready in less than half an hour.
- 250 g fresh tuna
- 1 avocado
- 250 g rice vermicelli
- 2 tbsp sweet soy sauce
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 2 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsp basil, chopped
- 2 tbsp coriander, chopped
- 2 tbsp mint, chopped
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- salt and pepper
1Cook the noodles. In a bowl, cover the noodles with boiling water and leave them to cook and soften for 6-7 minutes. When cooked, drain them through the sieve. Clean the bowl briefly with kitchen roll, return the noodles and leave to cool.
2Make the dressing. Into a bowl, add the sweet soy sauce, soy sauce, fish sauce, lime juice and sesame oil and mix together well.
3Dress the noodles. Spoon the dressing over the noodles, leaving 2 tablespoon (29.6 ml) for later and mix well. Add the basil, mint and coriander and mix again.
4Prepare the avocado. Insert the knife up to the stone and cut it in half by rolling the avocado around the knife edge. Twist to separate the two halves. Embed the knife into the stone and twist to remove. Make a very shallow slit in the skin and peel it off. Finally, cut both halves horizontally into 0.5 centimeter (0.2 in) thick slices and place onto a tray.
5Season the tuna. Generously season all sides of the tuna with salt and pepper.
6Sear the tuna. Add the oil to a hot frying pan. When it starts to smoke, add the tuna. Cook each side for 15 seconds. Fry every side but don't let it overcook. When done, remove.
7Cut the seared tuna. Cut both pieces of tuna into 8-10mm slices.
8Plate the salad. Place two slices of avocado on a serving plate. Using the fork, twist a small portion of the noodles into a nest and put one on top of each avocado slice. Put another slice of avocado on top and add a couple of pieces of seared tuna. To finish, Season with salt, sprinkle with sesame seeds and drizzle on the remaining dressing.
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Business Development manager - M/F
About Us
Adomik provides programmatic ad analytics and revenue optimization for innovative digital publishers like Fairfax Media and Schibsted and leading-edge networks like Orange Advertising and Q1Media. Adomik enables sellers to operate more confidently in today's programmatic ecosystem by putting them back in control. Adomik-powered sellers better optimize yield and expose more premium inventory to programmatic channels to grow the market. Adomik's SaaS platform puts sellers in control, consistently delivering meaningful 30% + uplift in their programmatic revenues. With offices in Paris and New York, Adomik is backed by Iris Capital and Elaia Partners and has customers in 23 countries.
The Business Development Manager is in charge of growing Adomik's customer/partnership base and increasing the overall company revenue. He or she will be responsible for identifying and securing new deals with clients.
Joining Adomik at this stage and position is a challenging and exciting opportunity. The role is perfect for someone that enjoys deal-making and is excited to join a start-up, in a fast moving environment.
Proactively engage in new business conversations with publishers / qualify their ability to become successful clients
Meet prospect needs by demonstrating how our technology and services can be applied to their business
Manage business negotiation and close deals
Build strong relationships with senior management of existing & prospective clients
Monitor key clients and get involved in corrective actions as appropriate
Build the Adomik brand and knowledge of our technology on the market through industry events, conferences, etc
Contribute to company's overall supply acquisition strategy and marketing efforts
Provide input to the product development feedback loop
About you
Prior experience in selling technology products (in the digital advertising field would be a plus)
Passionate about working in a fast paced, demanding and fluid start-up environment
Excellent negotiation / presentation skills (experience with contract negotiation / knowledge of legal terminology is a plus)
Outstanding "people skills" (networking, listening…)
Ability to quickly synthesize problems and situations into solutions
Interest in technology / knowledge of technology infrastructure (online advertising industry)
Fluent French and English required, any other foreign language is a plus.


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0161 383 3323
Slater and Gordon Lawyers are one of the largest Personal Injury Law Firms in the UK. Our Solicitors deal with every type of personal injury claim from car accidents to Asbestos compensation claims. Read more.
Call our specialists 0800 916 9046
98% of our Clinical & Medical Negligence claims are funded through 'No Win, No Fee' agreements, which are formally known as Conditional Fee Agreements. Read more.
Call our specialists 0800 916 9049
Our team is independently recognised as the UK's leading employment team. Our standing is confirmed by our solo top-tier ranking achieved in the professional directories, and the awards we have won for our employment services. Read more.
Call our specialists 0800 916 9060
Slater and Gordon Lawyers is home to the largest group of family Lawyers in the country with offices across England & Wales. Contact us to give advice on your issue along with information on flexible pricing and fixed fee services. Read more.
Call our specialists 0800 916 9055
Our Business Crime & Professional Discipline Solicitors are available to assist 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Read more.
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Our Group and Specialist Litigation team has dealt with countless cases helping people with complex legal issues from the recent Interest Rate Swap campaign to the PIP implant scandal. Read more.
Call our specialists 0800 916 9015
Call Us 0808 175 8000
Chris is a principal lawyer in the family law team in Manchester and has over 20 years experience specialising in financial and children arrangements following separation and divorce. He acts for clients both nationwide and living overseas.
Chris is one of a limited number of duel qualified Resolution and Children Panel Accredited specialists in the country, which provides him with the expertise to assist clients throughout a case, including appeals to the High Court and Court of Appeal.
Central to his approach and support of clients at their most vulnerable, is a belief that each family is unique. Every client will have circumstances that will require careful consideration of their individual needs, and he strives for a positive outcome.
As clients increasingly seek to resolve any disputes as quickly as possible without unnecessary cost and upset, Chris seeks to guide clients through sympathetic negotiation, including table meetings and utilising mediation or other alternative dispute resolution. His approach is non-confrontational and takes into account the needs of the whole family.
Chris often makes radio and television appearances. He has made several on BBC Radio London and BBC Radio 5 Live. He recently commented on a high profile child abduction case for BBC 2's The Victoria Derbyshire Show.
0161 383 3323
58 Mosley Street
© 2017 Slater and Gordon (UK) LLP a Limited Liability Partnership registered in England & Wales (OC371153). Slater and Gordon (UK) LLP is authorised & regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Slater and Gordon (UK) LLP is authorised & regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) for insurance mediation activity.


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Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan has released a legal guide to help military members, veterans and their family members.
It's called the "Legal Rights of Illinois Service Members" and was announced on Sunday.
Madigan says it's a resource that helps veterans and military members understand legal protections and benefits, especially when it comes to employment issues and consumer protections.
The office has also started tracking complaints from veterans and military service members to help better identify potential consumer fraud.
For more information or a copy of the guide, check out the Military and Veterans Rights Bureau website.
Published at 2:16 PM CST on Nov 11, 2012


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Answered By: Jeff Purdue Last Updated: Jan 14, 2016 Views: 227
Answered By: Jeff Purdue
Last Updated: Jan 14, 2016 Views: 227
The Orbis Cascade Alliance is a consortium of 36 post-secondary institutions in Oregon and Washington, both public and private. The most well-known feature of our cooperation is the Summit catalog, which integrates the catalogs of all 36 institutions and facilitates interlibrary loan for books and other materials (though not journal articles). The Alliance provides us greatly expanded access to journals for a reduced price through our shared subscriptions and saves us money on database subscriptions as well.
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A study at Arizona State has some surprising results: teen girls are more likely than boys to forego protection when having sex for the first time, by a startling 30%. As doctoral student and study author Nicole Weller points out, "boys are usually more likely to engage in risky behaviors across the spectrum, both in drinking and sexual behaviors," so this is a bit of a curveball. (Please appreciate my restraint in not headlining this post "Teen girls riddled with STDs," even though that apparently would've been accurate.) Weller speculates that girls often lose their virginities to older boys (from our own extended study: true) and may put an undeserved trust in their partners' greater experience.
Her study also concludes that sex education doesn't increase condom use, but that makes me wonder what sex education she studied; Arizona's abstinence-only sex ed has been hotly contested, with Democratic former governor Janet Napolitano's 2008 decision to refuse federal abstinence-only sex-ed funding overturned by Republican governor Jan Brewer in 2009. A recent Slate piece covered the vast gap between U.S. anti-sex sex ed, which often links condoms to promiscuity, and more progressive European sex ed, noting that 64% of Dutch teens use protection, compared to only a quarter of U.S. teens. That contradicts the Arizona State study, and is also pretty depressing. Keep that head in the sand, America.


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There has been a tremendous amount of talk on Facebook about dogs getting sick after walking around the Appley to St Helens area. Sadly, this includes the story of one resident who lost their dog to a week of prolonged sickness due to a 'gastric bug'.
The Lawns Veterinary Group in Ryde say they've seen dealt with cases of sickness in dogs that have been walked around Appley, through to St Helens. The cause of the sickness seems to be a mystery at the moment, but they report a good response from those dogs they've treated.
There's no suggestion that dog walkers should avoid the area, but it's probably worth keeping a close eye on your dog and its well-being if you do walk in those areas.
Unlikely to be connected to mushrooms
Ryde resident, Cora Wade, was able to tell On The Wight more about the situation after she recently had to take her dog, Harvey, to The Lawns.
Whilst out walking in Appley Park, Cora had noticed Harvey eating mushrooms and after hearing a report of a dog that'd died in November from eating poisonous mushrooms, she rushed him straight to the vets. The vet emptied his stomach and although no tests were carried out to identify whether the mushrooms were poisonous, Harvey was treated as such and is now recovering well.
It was whilst at the vets, Cora heard more about the reports of sickness in dogs in the Ryde area.
See your vet if dog unwell
She told On The Wight that the advice from The Lawns was if a dog becomes sick after a walk at the locations above (or at any time) that they should be taken to their normal vets so they can be given a full examination.
Each case is different, and some dogs will react differently than others to the sickness, so the advice was to be cautious and take your dog in if you have any concerns.
Response from the council
On The Wight asked the council whether they would be investigating the problem.
They said, "Having checked with the relevant contractors as well as the Environment Agency and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, there is no evidence whatsoever that there is anything within the council's control that is responsible for this reported sickness."
Image: Ron Saunders47 under CC BY 2.0
Wednesday, 23rd January, 2013 12:14pm
By Sally Perry
ShortURL: http://wig.ht/2arE
Filed under: Isle of Wight News, Ryde, Isle of Wight, Seaview, St Helens, Top story


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Healthline Blogs
Diet Diva
Get advice on healthy eating, nutrition, and weight loss from expert dietitian Tara Gidus.See all posts »
Whole Grains Photo Contest
Do you love whole grains? Snap a picture of yourself/your family enjoying your favorite whole grain food and submit it to the "I Love My Whole Grains" contest being run by Oldways and the Whole Grains Council. YOu don't have to be in the picture, but make sure your favorite whole grain is predominantly displayed. What can you win?
The grand prize is a week's worth of meals prepared by an award winning chef! First prize winners get cookbooks (including The Oldways Table which I have and is fabulous!) and second prize winners will get a wide selection of whole grain foods.
To be eligible, photos must clearly show a bona-fide whole grain food. One way to prove it's really whole grain: include a product that qualifies to use the Whole Grain stamp. If the whole grain food in your photo does not show the Whole Grain Stamp, add a few words that explains what food you're emphasizing, so they can make sure you qualify. Your text can be up to 1000 characters.
The competition might get fierce, so get creative. Oatmeal is a great whole grain that you might enjoy, but getting creative with your favorite dish or photo might give you a better chance.
What is a whole grain? Check out this definition or see the list below.
Corn, including whole cornmeal and popcorn
Oats, including oatmeal
Rice, both brown rice and colored rice
Sorghum (also called milo)
Wheat, including varieties such as spelt, emmer, farro, einkorn, Kamut®, durum and forms such as bulgur, cracked wheat and wheatberries
Wild rice
I hope you have fun trying new whole grains and developing a creative photo for the contest! Let me know if you win!!!!
For more information, visit the Whole Grains Council or Oldways
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Please keep all discussion in here until 2AM ET / 11PM PT.
Enjoy the show!
Please keep all discussion in here until 2AM ET / 11PM PT.
Enjoy the show!
You're missing the Real Housewives of OC judge the Quickfire, and embarrassing themselves with their ignorance of fine dining.
The QF is from Season 3, when they brought in a mixologist and the chefs had to make a dish that paired well with their chosen cocktail. The chefs are getting hammered as they work, which explains all the yelling to come from the promos.
After complaining about everything as it came out and offering insightful comments like "I don't like pork", the Real Idiots gave everyone 4 stars, and one chef 5 stars: Jonathan Waxman's pork loin.
Just catching it now on the second showing. at Tamra changing her opinion of one of the dishes to agree with Gael Greene. I'm glad it was just the quickfire that they were judging.
Really a shame Bravo invited these women to judge Top Chef Masters. How many Housewives episodes have there been where these women proved they absolutely don't know or appreciate fine food? I have to agree with Ludo - these women should not have been judging them.
But all in good fun. And Lynne probably had the munchies so everything was yummy to her!
And, on one of the pork dishes they said they don't like 'red meat'. That cracked me up. No wonder Ludo wasn't too thrilled with them. That's more than just not knowing fine dining.Originally Posted by MFWalkoff;3882896;
The "housewives" were horrid, and I agree with Ludo (gasp) that they shouldn't have been anywhere NEAR judging fine cuisine.
Since they are not including the quickfire results in the total anymore, it really doesn't matter if those people are not "qualified to judge" them. It does reaveal more about the contestants to see their reactions, and it is accurate that anyone with a restaurant is going to have to listen to the comments of patrons, most of whom will be like those housewives.
I totally agree with having non-foodies judge the quickfire challenges. They've had kids do it, musicians, actors, etc. It's the inclusion of these bimbos that bugged me! I had to laugh at Gael Green's face a couple of times while listening to these girls insist that they hate ginger and then find out there is ginger in the drink. Guess it doesn't count when it's mixed with alcohol.
The winner of the quickfire doesn't have those scores carried forward, true, but they do get an advantage at the next challenge, which could be important.


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ATLANTA Newell Rubbermaid has launched a microfiber spray mop that cleans floors while saving money.
The new Rubbermaid Reveal microfiber spray mop features a reusable microfiber pad that deeply cleans and allows users to choose and mix their own cleaning solution — or even use water. Unlike the leading spray mop, the Rubbermaid Reveal spray bottle is refillable. What's more, the reusable microfiber pad is machine-washable so it can be used up to 100 times, Rubbermaid said, allowing consumers to save an average of $50 annually, compared with the leading spray mop.
The Rubbermaid Reveal microfiber spray mop now is available at leading retailers, including Target and select Walmart locations, for a suggested retail price of $24.99. Additional accessories include extra microfiber pads ($5.99) and additional refill bottles ($3.99) for added cleaning flexibility.
"The costs of owning the leading spray mop add up quickly when you factor in purchase of the starter kit followed by the ongoing cost of refills and batteries, and they require a lot of work to achieve desired results," said Steve Pawl, VP marketing for the company's Rubbermaid consumer global business unit. "The Rubbermaid Reveal microfiber spray mop meets these needs by cleaning deeply and helping consumers reduce waste and save money."


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The Storage Business Owners Alliance LLC (SBOA), a cooperative organization that enables small to mid-size self-storage businesses to enjoy enhanced buying power, has partnered with the Canadian Self Storage Association (CSSA) to provide support for association members. CSSA members who join SBOA can take advantage of discount pricing from participating vendors who serve the Canada market.
"I am thrilled that we have been able to put this joint SBOA-CSSA program together for the benefit of our members," said CSSA Director Sue Margeson. "This program has the potential to enhance operations for self-storage owners and operators throughout Canada."
To take advantage of the program, CSSA members should contact the association office at 888.898.8538 or email@example.com. SBOA membership is open to any self-storage owner or operator in the United States and Canada.
The SBOA enables smaller self-storage operations to enjoy the benefits of bulk buying power. The group has grown to 2,200 member facilities and 30 vendor partners. Members pay an annual membership fee to save on items such as packing and moving supplies, marketing services, payroll services, UPS shipping and more.


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Dwyane Wade and sons Dove commercial
This Dove commercial couldn't have come at a better time for D-Wade. With his ex-wife Siovaughn constantly trying to drag his name through the mud (she appeared on Dr. Phil recently) in the media, any positive for him is nothing but a plus.
Wade and his sons Zion and Zaire filmed this commercial for what looks to be another endorsement opp for the Miami Heat's star guard. Wade has been public about his fatherhood and how important it has been to him. Although it's a commercial, there is a lot of genuiness behind it all.
About Ed
Ed is one half of the Sports Brothers. He has been in the radio industry for 14 years working in several formats including urban and talk. Upon returning to Miami in 2006 and working at WTPS, he and Jeff Fox were paired up and started The Sports Brothers.


text:
Marriage between cousins may be making a comeback, but attraction to immediate family members will hopefully always be taboo. Yet the ick factor we feel at the mere suggestion may be a learned behavior instead of an innate trait.
We're attracted to people who are like us. That makes sense. But a new study found that people give strangers higher marks in attractiveness if they resemble their parents or selves.
To find this out, subjects rated the attractiveness of images flashed on a wall. Some were primed with photos of their parents or themselves, and others were primed with images of strangers; however, in both cases the images flashed so quickly that they could not be perceived on a conscious level. People who viewed themselves or their parents first were more likely to rate the stranger as attractive.
Freud's insistence that the incest taboo was adapted to suppress biological urges has been dismissed until now; instead the more palatable idea — our aversion is a byproduct of evolution — was favored. However, scientists now say both theories have credence.
My first thought was that it's possible neither is entirely correct. Viewing familiar images first may create a sense of safety and openness, which allows us to perceive others as more attractive later. The author of the study has a similar theory, but with science to back it up! Brains process familiar images more quickly, allowing subsequent images to be judged more favorably.


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Marvel® 30" Media Center Cart With Lectern, Doors & Headset Mic, Steel, Oak/Dark Neutral
Item #: 901-1563302MRV
Model #: MVLMM3030OKDT-E
Brand: Marvel
Not yet rated.Be the first to Write a Review
$2,259.99 Each
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Help with furniture delivery, assembly,...Read more + Read less -
protection plans and more.
Plus, you've got choices! You'll find options for those DIYers on a budget, those that want us to do all the work and everyone in-between. Want all the details? Get them right here.
Marvel® 30" Media center cart with oak/dark neutral finish features steel construction for durability. Comes with lectern, headset mic and doors to provide ample storage space and safety. Marvel® Media center cart features durable steel construction and comes antique oak/dark neutral finish. Comes with lockable steel doors for safety and is functional in your classroom, conference room, training areas, meeting rooms. Measuring 46" x 30" x 30" with 26" - 42" x 30" x 29.75" adjustable platform, cart offers easy mobility with four 4" casters. Two locking casters offer stability and the slanted lectern surface with pencil stop for support. Also provides storage area for a headset mic.
- Steel construction with high-pressure oak laminate top and dark neutral powdercoat paint finish
- Suitable for superior function in your classroom, conference room, training areas and meeting rooms
- Four 4" casters for easy mobility inclusive of 2 locking casters for stability
- Requires partial assembly
- Includes 6"H x 26"W x 22"D locking equipment or media storage drawer
- Side work platform with 22"W x 19"D pull-out side-shelf for convenience
- Includes 6 x 2" speakers of 400 - 12000 Hz frequency provides 30 W power and 4 ohm impedance
- Lockable steel doors for safety
- Slanted lectern surface with pencil stop for support
- Media center has a height adjustable work platform for convenience
- Comes with RCA rear speaker in, sealed type/rotational molded enclosure, 2U rackmount flanges and metal grille
- Amplifier of size 17" x 3.4" x 5" has 300' range provides 50 W power
- Includes On/Off switch, Mic volume, 2 x 3.5 mm line-in jacks, RCA out, 12 DC power jack, XLR / 0.25" TRS combo jack
- Includes 16-channel wireless transmitter bodypack with 584 - 608 MHz UHF AmpliVox headset microphone for wireless communication
- Meets Greenguard Gold certifications
- Weighs 195 lbs
- Comes with lifetime warranty
|Height (in.) : 46
|Width (in.) : 30
|Brand : Marvel
|Weight : 1.00 lbs. per Each
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text:
The Socioeconomics of Consumption: Solutions to the Problems of Interest, Knowledge, and Identity
This paper is a review of the socio-economic literature on consumption. Considering consumption as a social activity, it examines how consumption solves the problems of interest, knowledge, and identity. It also discusses the main themes and important contributions in each category and offers suggestions for further research.
If you experience problems downloading a file, check if you have the proper application to view it first. In case of further problems read the IDEAS help page. Note that these files are not on the IDEAS site. Please be patient as the files may be large.
|27 pages
|Date of creation:
|Oct 2005
|Publication status:
|Forthcoming in The Elgar Handbook of Socio-Economics edited by John B. Davis, Wilfred Dolfsma, Elizabeth Oughton, and Jane Wheelock
|Contact details of provider:
| Postal: University of Connecticut 365 Fairfield Way, Unit 1063 Storrs, CT 06269-1063
Phone: (860) 486-4889
Fax: (860) 486-4463
Web page: http://www.econ.uconn.edu/
More information through EDIRC
References listed on IDEAS
Please report citation or reference errors to , or , if you are the registered author of the cited work, log in to your RePEc Author Service profile, click on "citations" and make appropriate adjustments.:
- Elias Khalil, 2004. "The Gift Paradox: Complex Selves and Symbolic Good," Review of Social Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 62(3), pages 379-392.
- Thaler, Richard H & Shefrin, H M, 1981.
"An Economic Theory of Self-Control,"
Journal of Political Economy,
University of Chicago Press, vol. 89(2), pages 392-406, April.
- H. M. Shefrin & Richard Thaler, 1977. "An Economic Theory of Self-Control," NBER Working Papers 0208, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
- George A. Akerlof & Rachel E. Kranton, 2002. "Identity and Schooling: Some Lessons for the Economics of Education," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 40(4), pages 1167-1201, December.
- John C. Harsanyi, 1955. "Cardinal Welfare, Individualistic Ethics, and Interpersonal Comparisons of Utility," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 63, pages 309-309.
- Cosgel, Metin M. & Minkler, Lanse, 2004. "Rationality, integrity, and religious behavior," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 33(3), pages 329-341, July.
- Metin M. Cosgel & Lanse Minkler, 2002. "Rationality, Integrity, and Religious Behavior," Working papers 2002-09, University of Connecticut, Department of Economics.
- M.Coşgel, Metin, 1994. "Audience Effects In Consumption," Economics and Philosophy, Cambridge University Press, vol. 10(01), pages 19-30, April.
- Stigler, George J & Becker, Gary S, 1977. "De Gustibus Non Est Disputandum," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 67(2), pages 76-90, March.
- McCloskey, Donald & Klamer, Arjo, 1995. "One Quarter of GDP Is Persuasion," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 85(2), pages 191-195, May. Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)
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text:
|<firstname.lastname@example.com>, "Tower Talk" <firstname.lastname@example.com>
|Re: [TowerTalk] Rohn HDBX 48
|"Rick McGaver" <firstname.lastname@example.com>
|Sat, 14 Aug 2004 12:20:36 -0500
I have a HDBX 48 and in fact have a spare... They are a lot str=onger than you think. Mine has a Mosley PRO-57 with a 220 repeater ant above it, above the tower some 20'. This thing has seen 70 mph winds and vibrates but is rock solid. There are gin ploles for the HDBX seris. They come apart east usually. A little penetrating oil does the trick. As far as paying to take it down! Ouch!! probably would cost more than it's worth. Rick NK9G S.E. WI Milwaukee County ----- Original Message ----- From: "Tom Anderson" <email@example.com> To: "Tower Talk" <email@example.com> Sent: Saturday, August 14, 2004 10:23 AM Subject: [TowerTalk] Rohn HDBX 48 > > Fellow Hams: > > My XYL's aunt has offered me for free a Rohn HDBX 48 if I would just > come take the tower down out of her backyard. Her OM (my XYL's uncle) > became a SK and she has gotten rid of his station equipment, but she > needs to get rid of the tower. I've helped take down and put up Rohn > 25, 45, and 55 towers before, but nothing in the BX series. The HDBX > series has the X bracing which I understands makes climbing difficult. > I have a gin pole, but it fits only the 25,45, or 55 series and the HDBX > series has different shaped section legs. > > Anyone have any helpful suggestions (other than letting someone else > take it down hi hi). I figure I may have to get a bucket truck. > > Tom, WW5L > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > See: http://www.mscomputer.com for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless Weather Stations", and lot's more. Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with any questions and ask for Sherman, W2FLA. > > _______________________________________________ > TowerTalk mailing list > email@example.com > http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk > _______________________________________________ See: http://www.mscomputer.com for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless Weather Stations", and lot's more. Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with any questions and ask for Sherman, W2FLA. _______________________________________________ TowerTalk mailing list email@example.com http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
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text:
The ABCS Learning and Action Network (LAN) will connect the knowledge, skills and resources at a state and community level to reach the common goal of improved cardiovascular care in Nebraska. Bringing together healthcare providers, stakeholders and community partners lends to a sharing of resources, in-depth learning and problem solving.
Pledge your commitment today by joining the ABCS LAN. The form to complete is included below.
We are no longer accepting participants in the ABCS LAN. To learn about new LAN opportunities, visit http://greatplainsqin.org


text:
Consumer didn't spend anywhere near with abandon over the holiday season. Considering how harsh the last couple of years have been on so many people, from young adults seeking their first full-time job to retirees watching their pension values slide, it's hardly suprising that thrift remains the thing to do -- or strive for, at least.
Incomes did improve during December, but the latest government data shows people decided to save the money rather than spend it. Personal income rose by 0.5 percent compared to November, according to the Commerce Department. Spending was flat. The personal saving rate -- personal saving as a percentage of disposable income -- was 4 percent in December, compared with 3.5 percent in November.
Households still have further to go on the savings front, but in the recent past, the personal savings rate has been higher than it was for much of the housing bubble years. It isn't easy to save when incomes are stagnant and nearly 24 million Americans are unemployed, under-employed or marginally attached to the workforce (and that's before including those who have given up looking for work).


text:
A two-time champion in a hardcore keeper league, including some know-it-all media "experts", Adam Boedeker gives his fantasy expertise on a weekly basis.
Stud of the Week
Joe Flacco, QB, BAL — Flacco has long been confident that he's just as good as guys like Tom Brady and might even be the best quarterback in the NFL. Lots of people laughed when he made that statement, but so far this season he's proven to be pretty accurate with the assessment. In their past two games, Flacco's opponent this week, Cleveland, has given up over 500 passing yards, six touchdowns and has just one interception. Torrey Smith had a stellar game on Sunday night after his brother tragically passed away, and you'd have to think he's still in line for another big game based on nothing more than emotion.
Honorable mention: Mikel Leshoure, DET (vs. MIN); Greg Jennings, GB (vs. NO); Christian Ponder, MIN (at DET).
Dud of the Week
Michael Vick, QB, PHI — Vick has been a turnover machine so far for the Eagles. There has even been talk that a quarterback change could soon be on the horizon if things don't get better as the Eagles are very high on rookie QB Nick Foles, who excelled in the preseason. Vick has thrown six interception and fumbled three times while taking nine sacks in three games this season. That's real bad. This week, he gets to deal with an aggressive New York Giants defense that held Cam Newton to basically nothing last Thursday night. If you're not already, you might want to get Vick on your bench.
Honorable mention: Cam Newton, CAR (at ATL); Dez Bryant, DAL (vs. CHI); Brandon Marshall, CHI (at DAL).


text:
Brian G.wrote a review of Prologo Nago Evo TI 1.4 Saddle on October 2, 2012
Saddle Nirvana
Familiarity: I've used it several times
I fit well on saddles that are pretty flat side to side. Rounder saddles like the Prologo Scratch or San Marco Regal cause me sit bone pain very quickly. I was riding a Fizik Antares VS but wanted something with a narrower nose and a bit of front-to-back curve. The 134mm wide Nago Evo fit the bill and the "Hard Black" color looks great on the bike. After 150 miles on it I don't think about the saddle at all when riding - it's totally comfortable and there's no pain or numbness associated with it. The construction quality of the Prologo is top notch, and I expect to get many thousands of miles out of it.


text:
My Nonprofit Reviews
user 1
78 profile views
1 reviews
Review for Ceek to Fulfill, Conyers, GA, USA
I joined this program earlier this year. And it has been such a success they have great staff . I even completed numerous goals I would rate this non profit a perfect 10
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text:
I've been drinking this tea for the past 20 or so years, and this is my go to Jasmine green tea for after dinner desserts. Beware of over-steeping because it can easily get bitter. The actual tea leaves are more fragmented than higher quality leaves (ie Samovar), but if you brew it properly, the taste is actually almost on par. For the price, such a great value tea.
185 °F / 85 °C 2 min, 30 sec


text:
Miss. Baptists voting on personhood amendment today
Miss. Baptists are urged to vote for life-at-fertilization initiative
American Catholics prep for new Mass translation
English-speaking Roman Catholics will soon be hearing new phrases at Mass
80,000 Muslims pray on the street in Moscow
Muslim men pray shoulder-to-shoulder in the freezing rain in Moscow
"In God We Trust" up for House reaffirming vote as national motto
House to vote on reaffirming, promoting "In God We Trust"
Dooms Day broadcaster sorry for predictions
Religious broadcaster sorry for failed apocalypse predictions
Thomas Nelson, religious publisher, to be purchased by HarperCollins
HarperCollins buys out religious publisher
Crystal Cathedral board sells property to local University
Crystal Cathedral board backs sale to university
Congress considers military aid cuts to Egypt because of persecution
Cut is U.S. aid to Egypt touted over persecution
Category: Announcer Blog
Christmas Cookies
Earlier this month, I mentioned that I was going Christmas tree hunting with my family and a few friends. Our tradition is to always to take some fresh baked goodies along with us to enjoy after we find our trees and cut them down. After mentioning I was looking for the perfect cookie recipe, I had some kind people share their favorites with me. I've asked permission so I can share them with you.
This recipe comes from Jennifer Morehouse. If you've been a long time listener, you might remember her as an announcer from several years back. (about 5 years) She was a student intern at Positive Life Radio, and now lives in Connecticut with her husband. Jennifer now listens online, and sent me an email with this cookie/bar recipe that she says her entire family enjoys. Here are her instructions:
1 package of graham crackers
1 stick of butter
12 oz bag of chocolate chips
12 oz bag of either peanut butter or butterscotch chips (butterscotch is my favorite!)
2 cups chopped walnuts
1 package of sweetened shredded coconut
1 small can sweetened condensed milk
-Crush one pack of graham crackers into fine crumbs. Using a rolling pin or throwing them in the blender works best for me.
-Melt the stick of butter and pour over the graham cracker crumbs. Mold it all into a thin crust at the bottom of a well-greased 9"x13" baking dish.
-Take the chocolate chips, sprinkle evenly over graham cracker crust as densely as you like. Do the same with the other bag of chips.
-Sprinkle coconut over the chips.
-Sprinkle chopped nuts over the coconut.
-Drizzle the sweetened condensed milk over the top to hold it all together, especially the edges and corners.
Pop it all in the oven at 350 for about 20 minutes, or until the coconut starts to brown. You'll want to make sure it gets a little toasted on top and the chips all melt together.
Let it sit until it cools down to "just warm", that way you can cut it into bars and pry it away from the edges before it solidifies, but it'll stay cut and not just melt back together. It's really more candy than cookie, but it works.
I'll share another recipe before Christmas. I hope you enjoy.
Merry Christmas and Happy Baking!
Elizabeth Nelson


text:
Download Watch M74 Dual Time apk free for Android smartphone
5 Aug
Watch M74 Dual Time
Posted by Watch Mobile 7 in Tools | Aug. 5, 2013 | 0 Comments
Apk file size: 0 bytes
Shows the true spirit of mechanical watches, centre seconds hand, minutes, hours, date, second time-zone on a rotating crown of 24 o'clock - World Time Zone Map indicating the 24 time zones, buttons exit, time, about and link wm7 (portal prestige watches, on a full screen display."
Watch Mobile 7 part of our Tools and have average installs from 10 to 50. Last Update Aug. 5, 2013. Google play rating is 100.0. Current verison is None. Actual size 0 bytes.


text: Just wondering if there are any other angel mommies out there. I am a new Angel mommy and absolutely struggling right now. I cry off and on all day long, the other part of the day I sit in silence, just wishing and hoping my sweet girl was still here with me. Sometimes it feels like it was only hours ago that she became an angel, others it feels like it has been years. The house is empty and more quiet, silent almost without her here. Nothing feels right, I don't know when it will feel right. When will the pain and ache and emptiness stop? Will my life ever feel "good" again? I miss you, Leann. Rest in peace, sweet girl. Mommy loves you and misses you. Karen, forever a mom of two girls and expecting two more, ^\Leann/^ (7-09-1997- 1-17-12, forever 14), Cailyn (8), and eagerly anticipating arrivals of Ena Hope and Alanna Grace


text:
When I told Marcia about this new product I was going to be testing, her response was, "Have fun killing your wrinkles."
Well guess what? It was pretty fun! Just the thought of killing wrinkles with snake serum is like the ultimate high for a skin care junkie like me.
Before I get into the gory snake venom details, let me tell about Skin Chemists, a UK company with world-wide delivery that does NOT test on animals (not even snakes). Richard Walker, the Managing Director of Skin Chemists, was inspired by his father who created one of the very first 'breakthrough' skin care creams. His Pharmacist father helped people find both their inner and outer beauty, which has become the guiding philosophy of Skin Chemists. Every product they create is unique, cutting-edge, and tested via extensive clinical trials. They are focused on the ethical creation of products that truly work and give real results. As Richard Walker says, "When we say we can help…we can!"
I tested their Wrinkle Killer Professional Formula 4% ($207.17), which is a multi-peptide serum. The 4% version is the salon strength version of the original Daily Use Formula. The whole purpose of this serum is to get rid of your wrinkles – yup, to KILL them. And the main ingredient is Syn-ake, which is a combination of oxygen and ingredients that replicates the venom from a Temple Viper snake. This isn't REAL snake venom – it's a synthetic replication, no snakes were harmed in the production of this wrinkle cream!
Ok, who wouldn't want to test a product with a name like Wrinkle Killer? And then add in (synthetic) snake venom…woohoo!! The main purpose of real snake venom is to immobilize the snake's prey so it can swallow it. So it makes sense that the purpose of Syn-ake is to immobilize your wrinkles and smooth your complexion through neuro-peptides.
This particular version has 4% of the active ingredient, Syn-ake. An impressive 92% of Skin Chemist customers who have tried Wrinkle Killer gave it the highest rating of 5 stars. Wrinkle Killer has been a huge success in Europe, over 40,000 units were sold in the first 6 months it was on the market.
I absolutely love the honesty of this company – they actually say "For the best results we recommend that you use Wrinkle Killer Snake Serum for 28 days. The effects will be temporary and continued use is required." That's true of most skin care products, but it's pretty rare that you find a company who actually tells you in print! Because I am still testing the PaloVia Laser on the wrinkles around my eyes, I used this twice a day on my upper lip lines for over a month.
Quick packaging note – love the applicator. It's sanitary and it keeps the integrity of the serum by not exposing the product to air.
The serum is thick with a silky, almost silicone-like feel to it. It smooths on easily and doesn't interfere with other moisturizers or makeup.
My one complaint about this serum is the fragrance. It's not horrible, and it doesn't last, but it definitely smells perfumey when first applied. I would prefer no fragrance, although the scent isn't a deal killer for me.
After a month, I definitely did see an improvement in the fine lines around my upper lip. And while it is expensive, you need so little of the product that one bottle will last a very long time. After thirty days of twice daily use, my bottle still looks almost brand new. I am betting it will last at least a year.
I love my Wrinkle Killer just for the fun factor of a fantastic name and the connection to snake serum. I love it even more because it does work, it will kill your wrinkles although it's not an instant death – you make them suffer slowly. If Skin Chemists took out the fragrance, I would say that this is a pretty perfect serum. If fragrance isn't an issue for you, then it is a very entertaining and effective wrinkle treatment option. – Lisa
*pr sample