Commercial Break

Like most people, I'm not a fan of commercials but every once in awhile someone at an advertising agency gets it right.

Presenting a very well-done commercial for Sears appliances featuring a fantastic tune and a few laughs:



The song is "Come Home" by CHAPPO.


CHAPPO is from Brooklyn, New York.

Blast from the Past: Spectra!

I was just reading my favorite humor/gossip site, dlisted.com and stumbled upon something I had to share. Michael, the man who writes and runs the blog is not only hilarious but he's also a Generation Y genius. He manages to remind me of things that I forgot about decades ago. Today, Spectra was one of those total recalls.

Spectra was one of my favorite toys to play with when I was little. I think I got her because she was different than the other Barbies on the shelf at Children's Palace toy store. She was metallic pink, shiny, donned in lace, had strands of glitter for hair, owned a beloved dog named 'Spark' (note to self: remember this name) and came from another planet. I guess my interests haven't changed much in 20+ years.












Now Playing: "Louder Than Words" by David Guetta ft. Afrojack

TLC: Tiaras, Little People, Cakes & Christians

Does anyone else remember when TLC truly stood for The Learning Channel? It's hard to recall those days because they are long gone. I get that networks have to do whatever it takes to keep ratings high. Our society is addicted to ridiculous reality shows while steering far away from just about anything with an educational benefit. The enormous success of Jersey Shore has proven this fact. Now, I'll be the first to admit that I love some of the programs on TLC. Four Houses is totally my favorite. But exploiting children and their redneck families is where I begin to raise some questions about ethics. I know what you're thinking; how can I expect a moral code of decency from a network whose lineup includes shows like Toddlers and Tiaras, I Didn't Know I Was Pregnant and Virgin Diaries? I guess I'm not surprised by anything on television but I am disappointed in our culture.


People from all walks of life are fascinating to me. I understand how you can easily find humor and entertainment from shows like the upcoming Here Comes Honey Boo Boo. But do the people who are exposing their lives to the camera truly understand what they're doing to themselves and more importantly, their children? I doubt it. 



















Now Playing: "How Deep Is Your Love" by The Bee Gees

The Light Bulb Conspiracy: Planned Obsolescence

Watch the entire film below:

Missed Connections: Chipped Chopped Ham Edition

CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE!

The best Pittsburgh missed connections post I've ever read:

Now Playing: "Love Interruption" by Jack White

The Times New Roman

Now Playing: "California Stars" by Billy Bragg/Wilco

Oops, I Did It Again

I actually came across this little questionnaire on Pinterest (not tumblr). It's been awhile since I did a fill in the blank Friday post, so I thought I'd give this a go. It's 100 degrees again today in Pittsburgh. I'm beating the heat indoors with the AC cranking at my sister's place and needed something to do online! 

1. I don't really use my tumblr anymore. It's been replaced for me by Pinterest in the same manner that Twitter overshadows Facebook. I like to read, watch movies, catch up on my shows, go to concerts, travel, shop, play with my dog, write, support my favorite teams, check out what's happening around my city, drink with friends, spend time with family...

2. Food: Pizza. Drink: Ice Water, Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA. Color: Gold

3. I wouldn't even be capable of consistently spending $100,000 per week. I would become overwhelmed with the amount of material things that I consumed. I assume with that kind of money there would be plenty of free time. I would put the money towards travel and my house(s). 

4. Book: What Remains by Carole Radziwill. I'm almost done reading it. I love her writing style and her perspective on life. Movie: Before Sunrise. Because of this film, I have a burning desire to see Vienna. TV Show: Summer Heights High will always be a favorite. I just wish it lasted beyond one season.  

5. Myself from a past life- spending the 48 hours wherever I lived and doing the things I loved.

6. Food: Tuna. Drink: Milk, Tequila. Color: Red.

7. I don't really spend a ton of money on one thing specifically but I guess it would be clothes in the fall/winter and concert tickets in the summer.

8. I hate underwear but I guess if I had to pick, I'd go with cheeksters from Victoria's Secret. 

9. Book: The Hunger Games, 50 Shades of Grey... Anything that the general public who normally never reads buys just because everyone else has. Movie: Nothing immediately comes to mind but I did not enjoy Eat Pray Love. TV Show: American Idol

10. I would strike up a conversation. I do this with just about anyone who sits next to me on planes. I would obviously use it as an opportunity to learn more about them. 

11. A clipping of my dog's fur who passed away a few years ago.

12. My sleeping patterns. I'm not a night owl. I'm nocturnal, maybe even a vampire.

13. The biggest insult you could throw me is that I'm average/common/boring/unoriginal. You don't have to like me but I at least like to be unique.

14. Walk-in closet, home theater, wine cellar, shabby chic furniture/antique decor style, chandeliers

15. A cat because they're usually beautiful, relaxed, mystical, acrobatic, intelligent...

16. Portugal. The Man because I love their music and would never get tired of hearing them perform every night. I also think the members seem like such interesting people. The lead singer is also gorgeous.

17. Well, I just mentioned them. From their albums, my favorite is a toss-up between The Satanic Satanist with "The Sun" being my favorite song and In The Mountain In the Cloud's "Sleep Forever." But I love just about all of their songs. "And I" from Censored Colors is a favorite as well. I like their "Helter Skelter" cover better than The Beatles' version.

18. They don't have a bad song. They're great live. They work hard. They're interesting. They're original. They're nice to look at.

19. Of my favorite band? I've seen them twice. In general? More than I can count. One of my favorite concerts was The Dead Weather at Bonnaroo 2010. Who do I want to see the most? I still haven't seen TV on the Radio or Bon Iver. MGMT keeps eluding me as well. 

20. "Staring at the Sun" or "Wolf Like Me" by TV on the Radio.

21. I think I knew what this meant but I had to Google it to make sure since I'm not 14-years-old. The answer would be Prince William and Kate Middleton. I love her.

22. I don't own any band merch. I just don't. I buy their music and their concert tickets. I don't wear their t-shirts or buy their posters. 

23. I learned about Portugal. The Man through Twitter in January 2010. I was following a guy I had a crush on who had excellent taste in music. He was "#nowplaying" "The Sun" and the name Portugal. The Man jumped out at me. They get a lot of slack for having such an odd band name but I probably wouldn't have bothered checking them out if their name wasn't so off the wall. I loved it and bought their album then found out they were playing my city, so I went to see them in March.

24. I don't idolize celebrities. I have crushes on a few and look to some for style inspiration but by no means do I idolize anything or anyone. Check out my Pinterest Street Style and Dream Guys boards for a few clues.

25. I prefer champagne. ^

Now Playing: "Cherokee" by Cat Power

*First time hearing it and I'm loving it!

Remembering Jim Morrison

Some words of wisdom from the "Lizard King"...

“I've noticed that when people are joking they're usually dead serious, and when they're serious, they're usually pretty funny.” 

“People are afraid of themselves, of their own reality; their feelings most of all. People talk about how great love is, but that’s bullshit. Love hurts. Feelings are disturbing. People are taught that pain is evil and dangerous. How can they deal with love if they’re afraid to feel? Pain is meant to wake us up. People try to hide their pain. But they’re wrong. Pain is something to carry, like a radio. You feel your strength in the experience of pain. It’s all in how you carry it. That’s what matters. Pain is a feeling. Your feelings are a part of you. Your own reality. If you feel ashamed of them, and hide them, you’re letting society destroy your reality. You should stand up for your right to feel your pain.” 

"Friends can help each other. A true friend is someone who lets you have total freedom to be yourself and especially to feel. Or, not feel. Whatever you happen to be feeling at the moment is fine with them. That's what real love amounts to- letting a person be what he really is."

"Where's your will to be weird?"

"I believe in a long, prolonged derangement of the senses in order to obtain the unknown."