"What's the Big Deal?" Body Scan Edition

There appears to be no news so the media will cover our national freak out about airport body scanners. What's the big deal??? Maybe I'm just being naive or have been brainwashed by the culture of "who cares", but I don't get it. So they might see a naked image of you. Isn't it funny that this would be people's main concern when it seems like "sexting" is prevalent in our culture. I mean - sexting is such a thing that it requires a word in our culture now! I imagine some iphones are of a higher quality than the body scanners. Not to turn all Andy Rooney on you, BUT if privacy is honestly making people uneasy about body scanners how many of these people have facebook accounts?

To all these people making a big deal about the body scanners I want to know if they've ever flown before. It's no walk in the park! I would much rather trade a full body scan for taking my shoes off. I don't know if this is a new option, but I can only hope it is. The idea of being barefoot on the same floor as all of my fellow travelers makes me feel like there is not enough soap and Purell in the world to make me clean.

National Opt Out Day (NOOD) of the body scanners is probably the worst idea ever. Hey fellow travelers - why don't we all pitch a fit on the worst flying day of the year?? It's not like airport workers won't already be overly stressed! Let's creatively protest the groping and be total jerks! Sounds like a brilliant plan! What could go wrong! It's not like we have anywhere to be. One of the options they give to protest the new scanners is to "just not fly". I would love to see someone explain that to their grandmother - "I've got to take a stand against these body scanners so I'll be avoiding the holidays this year". Actually this is probably some people's dream excuse.

On a serious note I do feel like it never hurts to be safe. If these body scanners actually do end up preventing explosives/weapons of any kind from boarding planes then I do not mind them. I would like to think that everyone would agree to a body scan over a flight that could potentially end in death any day.

~~FaLL DeCoRaTiNg TiPs~~!

So many other blogs are posting about home decorating for fall, and you can probably see the "fall decorating" we've done here at JoP (thanks Susan?), so I felt called to share my own plans for fall decorating.

Number one is fragrance. Right now is prime time for pumpkin flavors and scents, but just between you and me, I can only handle so much pumpkin! Candles that smell like vanilla, cookies, any gingerbread product, or toffee all make me wanna barf. I only want my food to smell like food, you know? My go-to scents for cooler weather fall more into the spice-and-herb category. Right now I'm into patchouli, which is a really nice compliment to a citrus scent too. Evergreen is also nice; cedar and eucalyptus will never let you down. So.

HOT: citrus and spice

NOT: cookie scents


Number two: windows. Everybody's changing out their valence-shade colors and hanging garlands of faux leaves, but I'll be covering my windows with shrink-wrap plastic for insulation. My windows may not be "festive," but my energy bill will be beautiful!

HOT: saving energy!
NOT: buying the same curtains in a different color just because the seasons change

Number three: It's what everyone is talking about! CENTERPIECES. Also mantlepieces. A popular idea these days is to cover some fall items (pumpkins, faux or real; leaves; gourds; brown and orange things) in a cake dish and toss leaves around. Voila! But that looks like crap. Another one is to arrange some things in a bowl. Replace your stupid boring old everyday fruit bowl with a...gourd bowl! Toss some multicolored authentic corn husks in for fun.
Just kidding everybody! Unless you run a country club, I wouldn't worry about making new centerpieces for fall. Nobody will notice or care anyway!

HOT: no centerpiece/whatever you already have!
NOT: spending hundred$ on decorative pumpkins and special leaf garlands

Good luck out there, everybody. We all know the next big decorating challenge is right around the corner...stay tuned for Christmas!

5 Pic Friday

In honor of Mother's Day (this Sunday), here's a 5 Pic Friday dedicated to moms. We had to trim it down to just 5 (those are the rules!), but leave your favorite mom in the comment section!

Mother Teresa was the first one to pop up for my "mom" image search.

Peg Boggs (Edward Scissorhands) is your very accepting mother.

Julie Andrews would be the best mother to sing with.

My personal fave - J.C. Wiatt from Baby Boom. She takes time getting used to the mom thing, but the Vermont farmhouse is to die for.

What doesn't say "good time, fun-loving" mother like Mrs. Doubtfire?

Merry Christmas

Christmas movies are vast and varied. You've got comedies, sentimentals, "quirky", romantic...and the list is endless. My favorite is White Christmas. Yes, it's true! I was born 65. The AMC marathon today is a Christmas miracle. I keep catching random scenes and can quote them. I've still got it! My sister and I used to act out the Sisters number. We probably still would with enough eggnog.

Christmas Songs

Even before the poll to the left of this post, I was wondering about how many Christmas songs annoy me. Now, its not really the cheesiness that gets to me...sometimes its just hearing the same songs over and over again and enough already.

I do feel bad, but I can't stand John Lennon's "Happy Christmas (War is Over)". There's something about the line "let's hope that its a good one, without any fear"--just seems like a weak line to me. And although I do like the subject matter in "O Holy Night" the tune drives me crazy, its just too over the top, like its a display of the vocal talent of whoever is singing it.

I've been listening to Sufjan Steven's five disc Christmas album. He released one each year for a while, and recently released them all together. There are a lot of great hymns on these discs. There are also short little takes on traditional Christmas songs, they serve as small breaks in between more rambunctious tunes. I like a lot of the songs, but not all of them. And a few I like a lot. I like his versions of "I Saw Three Ships", "Once in Royal David's City" and "Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella". My favorite original tune is "We're Going to the Country." All in all, these albums have really gotten me into the Christmas spirit for which I am thankful!

I use to make fun of "Same Old Lang Syne" by Dan Fogelberg, but now I really love it.

Happy Almost Thanksgiving!

this time o' the year

There are many things that I love about this time of the year. First off, lets give a hearty shout-out to Thanksgiving. The original "Thanksgiving story" for one thing-you have to love that even though I'm sure its nothing like we think it might have been. Secondly, just family and good food and necessary reflections of gratitude. None of the expectations that seem to overshadow the Christmas season. Three days off for me- let's give it up for Thanksgiving!!!

The colder, crisper weather also helps us to indulge in the creature comforts. I personally love the sound of the heat cutting in and out as I'm drifting off to sleep. I also love getting a blanket and hovering over a heat vent, trapping the heat into a cocoon. Although I must say its trance-inducing and ends up being very hard to pull yourself away.

Thirdly, I'm really into pumpkins. Pumpkin food is always really enticing and seems like it must have a lot of vitamin A. I also found out recently its high in tryptophan-the stuff in turkey that increases serotonin. I recently picked up some pumpkin pancake mix from Trader Joe's-tastes like a chai pancake. Also, pumpkin spice lattes from Weaver St.- just sweet enough, all natural, two shots of espresso, you can't not like it!! Let's not forget pumpkin pie, gnocchi, and roasted seeds.

Well.

If nobody else is going to, I'm stepping up to the plate. HERE IS A NEW POST!

I just spent a week in Brooklyn with Robert (and Jake, and Corey and Andy and Caine and some of their friends). It was a great time, I eventually relaxed--or did I?--about the trash and grime everywhere, and I got to sleep in as much as I wanted. We saw and did a lot of things, including walking on the Highline, eating cupcakes, and watching fireworks from somebody's roof.

The previous weekend (6/26-28), we went to a Deer Hunter wedding in rural Pennsylvania and I got to see my best friend from France. Did you know that it's illegal to buy beer by the six-pack in Pennsylvania? And that you have to go to a special beer store to buy it by the case? We also cruised by the battleground/graveyard in Gettysburg and it was pretty depressing. Everyone's offering ghost tours and charcoal drawings of Robert E. Lee (free if you spend $85 or more).

We walked around Philadelphia for an afternoon and saw most of the main stuff there.

If I get around to it, I'll put a picture or two up here.

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

I was listening to Morning Edition on my drive to work and today is Handel's 250th anniversary of death. This got me thinking about how special this week is. And I'm not just saying that! Seriously! A lot of noteworthy events have happened during this small span of time (for the purposes of this post, small span of time=4/14-4/16). Below is a run-down of some of the things I find interesting:

4/15/1452: Leonardo da Vinci is born.

4/14/1863: The Donner party sets off on their year-long Western journey. What a crazy trip that was!

4/15/1889: Thomas Hart Benton (muralist) is born. The placement of his murals in universities and the Missouri State Capitol is something I've always liked because it takes away the "museum fatigue" that I generally feel - where I have to learn/appreciate all works really quickly in a really uptight setting. More realistically art should be a part of our lives in a public space. Also, I just love the look of his work.

4/15/1892: GE is formed. This surprised me. I guess everyone else knew GE was that old?

4/14/1863 - 4/15/1863: President Lincoln is shot at Ford's Theater and dies on the morning of the 15th. I have always felt a connection to him. This fact really spooked me when we went to visit Ford's Theater and the museum as a child.

4/16/1889: Charlie Chaplin is born. I've always been more interested in his life off-camera than his films.

4/14/1912-4/15/1912: The Titanic hits an iceberg and sinks on the morning of the 15th.

4/16/1912: Catherine Scorsese is born (aka Martin's mom). I just found this interesting. In the way that Martin Scorsese during the Last Waltz years fascinates me.



4/15/1924: Rand McNally publishes his first road atlas. Look how far they've come!

4/14/1925: John Singer Sargent dies. I'm reading this book, The Gardner Heist, and though I don't necessarily care for his work, he painted portraits of/was good friends with the museum's owner, Isabella Stewart Gardner. So shout-out to John!

4/16/1927: Joseph Ratzinger (aka Joey Ratz) (aka Pope Benedict XVI) is born. Let's be honest - he's no John Paul II, but still - a birthday shared with a Pope. Fun fact: John Paul II died on my sister's birthday (4/2).

4/15/1933: Elizabeth Montgomery (Samantha from Bewitched) is born. I love her!

4/15/1947: Jackie Robinson debuts for the Brooklyn Dodgers. Did anyone see the new Mets stadium, CitiField, last night? The Mets designed the new entrance of the field to look like the old Dodger field rotunda and have named it in honor of Robinson. From what I saw, I think CitiField looks better than the new Yankee Stadium.

4/15/1952: Heloise is born. I used to read her column in the N & O. Maybe it's even still there?

4/14/1956: Videotape is first demonstrated in Chicago.

4/16/1963: MLK Jr. pens his Letter from Birmingham Jail.

4/16/1965: Martin Lawrence is born. I share my birthday with true greatness.

4/15/1967: Dara Torres is born. She was the closest Olympian I could find.

4/14/1999: A severe hailstorm in Australia becomes their most costly natural disaster (over 1.4 billion US dollars). I can't believe this wasn't given more coverage. Or maybe it was and I wasn't listening.

4/14/2000: Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich files a lawsuit against Napster. Lars just cares about protecting the music people!

Gmail April Fools

I'm LOLing at gmail's April Fools joke this year: Gmail Autopilot. More LOLs than last year's, anyway!

Getting ready for a month of fabulous birthdays!

Andy's birthday was yesterday, mine is April 23, and Susan's is April 16. Michael's is on April 6, and Will McRee's is somewhere in there too. We are all turning 25 this year. And as you know, we're having a big party at my house to celebrate on Saturday 4/18. If you're like me, you're probably wondering what the heck you can do to prepare! I'll tell you:

1) Be thinking of your outfit for the party. The My Girl theme isn't set in stone yet, so stay with us as we announce the real theme.

2) Consider these presents for us: Susan has previously expressed interest in Michael Jackson's belongings up for auction, and I keep returning to this book on Amazon. I also just found readingfrenzy.com, where just about everything looks good. Just a handful to get you started!*

I'll be more excited than ever to get my hands on some fresh books this year because I've been reading Infinite Jest for about a month and plan to finish it before the 23rd. Being free to read other things will be my biggest birthday present!

3) Start testing recipes for food to bring to the party. We'll have some out, but if you want anything crazy it's on you to bring!

4) Consider taking any money you win from your NCAA bracket to donate to a charity of our choice. We'll confirm which charity on the facebook invitation.

5) Pick out some of your favorite pictures of us for the big photo slideshow at the party!

6) Write a song with your band about us, and perform it at the party!

7) Make a piece of art and dedicate it to us!

8) Contact your florist ahead of time about the arrangements you want delivered on the day of the party. TRUST ME: Fallon's does not do well with last-minute orders!

Thanks in advance, everyone!

*Actually if you want to bring anything, something good/fun to drink will be great and a bonus. Obviously!

McGregor at 25

Everyone's talking about Andy turning 25!! It couldn't happen to a nicer guy! Happy Birthday Andy!

Tribute Post: Andy "McGregor" Wales turns 25!

Well, this was supposed to go up earlier, but here it is:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANDY WALES!

Andy is new to the Jar of Paperclips team but he's an old friend to all of us in real life. I first met Andy at some point during 11th grade at Sanderson HS. My earliest memory of him is corroborated in the SHS yearbook and it involves an insane number of t-shirts worn all at once, making him look obese. Since then, I've really enjoyed knowing this guy. He even came to France and hung out for a couple weeks!

Susan and I thought we'd do a "favorite memories" thing and this is what we came up with: not many people were available for comment. But here's what fellow longtimer Jessica "J-dubs" Williams had to say:

me: yo jessica

we're writing a "tribute post" on the blog for andy

will you answer one question for it?

2:29 PM Jessica: sure

2:32 PM me: ok

Q: What is your favorite memory of Andy?

Jessica: hmmm

9 minutes

2:42 PM me: just anything

15 minutes

2:58 PM me: jdubs!

this is going on a blog like today

38 minutes

3:36 PM Jessica: sorry working too

ummm

i mean

they're all so fond

3:38 PM me: just one

So there you have it. I'll close with this great picture of a great guy...and Michael Pearce. (just kiddin' Michael!) (blingee to follow). And feel free to add your favorite memories of Andy in the comments!

St Patrick

Some of my favorite Irish things for the day:

Enya makes New Age sound good. I had forgotten what a hit "Only Time" was - it earned her best selling female artist for 2001. Watch out U2. I don't think it's a stretch to say that Enya is a more likable and enjoyable Irish singer than Bono.

I included the Cranberries, not because I'm that big of a fan, but for the songs "Dreams" and "Linger". Sometimes the lead singers voice got on my nerves, but they're fun songs to sing along to. And "Dreams" is a great opener for "You've Got Mail".

Van Morrison - what a talent! He has that dad-like musical quality that everyone feels comfortable listening to. I especially loved his performance on "The Last Waltz". If I wasn't already a Van fan, that would have sealed the deal.

Maeve Binchy could be looped into some of those really "mom-ish" and girly writers, but this is one of her books that I loved. Good story and even a decent movie adaption. I guess we have Circle of Friends to thank for Chris O'Donnell and Minnie Driver's movie careers.