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April 30, 2005
top 5 names
top 5 names for Mr. Arvin Sloane:
1. Homegrown Sloane
2. Sloane, Original Recipe
3. Uncle Inappropriate
4. Sloane 1.0
5. Capt. Crackers
top 5 names for the "Other" Mr. Sloane:
1. Arvin Clone
2. The Unbeknown Sloane
3. Flyblown Sloane
4. Sloane 2.0
5. Sly of The Family Sloane (thanks, NK)
More on "A Clean Conscience" later ...
Posted by lk at 10:12 AM | Comments (1)
April 29, 2005
...of time, work and pictures
I have a ton of work to do this weekend. The only outing I should be making is to the computer store, so that I can get more stuff onto my little mac, so that I can do MORE work! But I'm still going to try to make it over to ACME tomorrow to see the Uta Barth show. I have liked her work for a long time but know it mostly through reproductions. Somehow, I always seem to be in the wrong city when she's having a show!... I would have liked nothing more than to grace this post with one of Barth's luminous interiors, but I can't seem to find any images that I can "move" onto Toastkitten. So you'll just have to enjoy the little slide show at Tanya Bonakdar Gallery
Posted by lk at 06:11 PM | Comments (2)
April 25, 2005
Some of My Birthday Gifts
The Cat Returns DVD
Cool Phone
Pucca Change Purse
Posted by lk at 11:54 PM | Comments (4)
April 23, 2005
tv times
Hi, I'm Syd. Fly Me!
Hi, I'm Arvin. I'm Batshit Crazy!
Well, if you missed this week's Alias, you missed the best (and ironically also the worst) ep of the season so far! Email me and I'll get you a tape because, this one? Not to be missed! Funny, bazaar, and filled with questions! Sloane's whole story was stellar and I loved all the S1-3 shout outs, but Good Lord, team APO are the WORST. SPIES. EVER! Why, oh why, did they give Roberts the REAL coil!!!!
Last week's "Another Mr. Sloane" provided much for spyfans to love, and also hate. I thoroughly enjoyed the many, many shout-outs to previous seasons. And there were even a few instances where I fell out of bed laughing when it seemed the writers had lifted jokes and jargon straight from the TWoP forums (Arvin Cloane, anyone?)! We got to see Michelle Forbes standing in for Christian Slater's kidnapped scientist a la S2, as well as another huge warehouse with a new and CGI improved Red Ball of Death (think Taipei only brighter). Also on tap was a hilarious installation of artifacts on view at the New Museum of Rambaldi Art – a.k.a. the DSR. These scenes were funny. On the flip side, a good deal of the ep was genuinely tense and quite creepy. For example, seeing Jack come this close to putting a bullet in Sloan's brain, in an eerily deserted (yet cavernous) bathroom, and the last 5 minutes when Arvin beats a fellow to death with a metal rod! These scenes were scary. Ron Rifkin’s final close-up is like something out of The Shining!
But I still have so many questions... Who on earth is Jacqueline? Does Jack believe he killed Irina, or is he just trying to make everyone ELSE think that he killed her? And the big one, are the two Sloane's in league with each other, and if so, what's their plan? And if not, which one is crazier?!!
Can't wait till Wed when apparently our stoic SpyDaddy starts to shed his radioactive skin! EEWWW!
P.S. I miss Roberts.
Posted by lk at 12:10 PM | Comments (2)
Essence and TimeWarner, perfect together?
Beatific in Braids, Susan Taylor
I read about the Essence/Time deal earlier this year but it came to mind again as I flipped through the April issue yesterday on the bus. I can understand the concerns of those who fear that the magazine's identity and commitment will be compromised. Essence isn't a perfect magazine but I certainly don't want to see it become the chocolate version of InStyle! Then again, as long and Susan Taylor (and her eternal braids) are involved, I think the publication can still remain true to its "roots" (I know, bad pun). However, I was really sorry to see that Diane Weathers, editor-in-chief of Essence since 2001, recently announced her resignation. Guess I'll have to wait and see what happens in the coming months...
Posted by lk at 11:14 AM | Comments (1)
April 21, 2005
Happy Birthday to Kitty!
I usually don't advocate dressing a cat up in hats or clothes - but this photo is
just too cute!
Happy Birthday to me!
Posted by lk at 09:22 AM | Comments (5)
April 20, 2005
top 5 debates of the week:
Been kind of a busy week. These were some of the things that I (needlessly) spent time debating with myself and others:
1. Dogs vs. Cats
2. New York vs. LA
3. Art vs. Photography
4. Bus vs. Car
5. 24 vs. Air Force One
* Bonus time waster- Alien vs. Predator (just kidding)
Just in case you wanted to know the outcome of any of these:
1. OK, duh! Despite the cover of this month's issue of Los Angeles Magazine... CATS. ARE. BETTER!
2. I can't tell you how many times in the last week I have either been corralled into discussing the ny/la thing, or have read about it in a blog, in the paper, or overheard some random fool discussing it on the bus (more on the bus later). LORD. All I can say is that for me, there is no contest. I am proud to be FROM New York but there is no other city in the U.S that I want to live IN more than LA. San Francisco - tried it, cute but too small. Chicago - tried that, too. Big enough but too cold! Philly - it's good for a weekend, but to live, nope. D.C - not interested. Miami - visited but too humid (and please, with the hurricanes already!). I could go on but I'm sure you would prefer that I didn't...
LA is the place for me because there is plenty of great art and artists aroun. Plus, I can go to movies at a bargain matinee price, I can see the sky and palm trees and the beach without having to organize a field trip, AND because I'm not forced to ride the subway or to pay an exorbitant amount of money for the privilege of living in a shoe box, in a five floor walk up! NYC is too hot in the summer, too cold in the winter and too, too, too stressful! I ain't movin' back unless Galassi calls direct from MoMA and offers me the dream job (with dream apt and clothing allowance to match)! And since that's probably never going to happen, I will continue to carve out my little piece right here. LA is fun and also funny. I have great friends here AND the weather is by and large wonderful when compared to anywhere else!
So that's it - finis- I'm done ranting. Let's hope this debate doesn't crop up again for at least another week...
Moving on
3. It's true. People are still puzzled by the idea that photography and art are not necessarily two different things. A lot of people think that there is a grave distinction between "real" art and photograph, Even some people who work at museums think this (as I found out earlier this week). For these people, art (or more accurately, painting and sculpture) wins the debate. For me, there is no debate. Some photos (like the ones entrusted to their museum) are art - and some (like the ones in the shoe box under my bed) are not. Needless to say, I was appalled at the fact that I actually had to argue with someone about a photo in their collection being art and that we couldn't just reprint it and crop it in order for it to fit the concept of the project better. The issue was resolved but only after a lot of discussion. UGGGG, Kitty is so mad just thinking about it, she can't even put together a coherent post. Let's just say in the interest of my continuing to work (and get paid), I'll just leave it at that...
4. Bus wins for now because I can't afford anything else and, well, just maybe it also gets me some good karma points with the environment.
5. Right. Back to my other obsessions: tv and movies... As much as I like Jack Bauer - Harrison Ford and "Air Force One" win on this one. For the last few weeks 24 has been really silly, and even more implausible than usual. As a result, a good friend of mine from up north has been sending me weekly emails as to why - EVEN when he suspends disbelief - the movie is more credible and enjoyable than the show. All I can say in response is: WHERE IS PALMER???!
... and Alien vs. Predator? Can't really answer that because I never saw the original Predator, or the match up last summer. I just threw it in cuz I liked the way it sounded.
Posted by lk at 08:57 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
April 19, 2005
palias report
OK, so I didn't write anything about last Wednesday's totally delicious ep because I got swamped with work late in the week. Also, I am really, really trying to curb my total obsession with this show (I swear, it's like I revert to a 9th grader when I get on this topic). BUT, then I decided "Who Cares! I likes, what I likes". Plus, someone actually ASKED me about it... I'm totally late for an appointment right now, but I will post a Vaughn-lovin' recap later today!
Life IS a Cabaret...
If you missed last week, you missed some fun stuff. I know a lot of folks in the nerd spyfan community thought that the DaddyVaughn story moved too slowly and didn't have enough of a pay off - but I enjoyed it. The Boy Scout finally broke with protocol for his own reasons (not for Sydney's). Also, I found his irrational obsession with his father's death kind of endearing in an odd way. I guess I could relate to it and so I was willing to go along with this storyline, even if the business with the needle in the library was a bit much. For me the payoff was seeing the growing desperation of MV's character. It also gave him way more screen time than last year. So, YEA for that! Plus, last week Vaughn got to go all MISSION IMPOSSIBLE, speak French AND hang out with that cute blackmailer, Roberts! I could have dealt with maybe one more ep of rogue behavior or counter missions with him and Syd, but all in all "Pandora" was cool.
In other news - Isabella was back and being her mysterious an gorgeous self, there are now 2 Mr. Sloane's and I have to keep vigil for poor Jack who is completely radioactive (but being extremely stoic about it).......If you are still reading (and still interested), go read Erin's recap at TWoP - her description of "Arvin Clone" is Hi-larious! I actually think Joel Grey is sooooooooo creepy but perfect for this role.
Promos for tomorrow's ep look good, too! I mean, anytime you see Jack holding a gun to Arvin's head in the MEN'S ROOM, well...........
Posted by lk at 10:30 AM | Comments (2)
April 18, 2005
Anonymous
Native American in American Dress
ca. 1855, ambrotype
Wilson Centre for Photography
One of my Wasabi Sisters was checking out photo shows in NYC over the weekend and mentioned an interesting exhibit at the The Dahesh Museum of Art. First Seen: Photographs of the World's Peoples, 1840-1880. I was pleased to see that the catalog features an Introduction by Carla Williams. Go Carla!
According to Sis, the images are impressive but there were just too damn many of them! As much as I love to see daguerreotypes and albumen prints in pristine condition – 250 of them in the smallish galleries of the Dahesh is probably a little much. Still, I’m sorry that I will miss this show at this venue. I have always liked the Dahesh, it’s quirky as hell but they have done some interesting things. I'm also quite fond of sitting the atrium of the former IBM building just upstairs from the Museum (after I’ve done my culture, of course), and treating myself to an overpriced coffee.
Posted by lk at 06:26 PM | Comments (1)
April 17, 2005
poesía
I just found out that it's national poetry month. I'm not big into poetry, most of it is too deep for me- but here are two poems by Sandra that I have always loved.
Peaches - Six in a Tin Bowl, Sarajevo
If peaches had arms
surely they would hold one another
in their peach sleep.
And if peaches had feet
it is sure they would
nudge one another
with their soft peachy feet.
And if peaches could
they would sleep
with their dimpled head
on the other's
each to each.
Like you and me.
And sleep and sleep.
Tantas Cosas Asustan, Tantas
Tantas cosas asustan. Tantas.
Los muertos y los vivos.
Lo que la oscuridad no nos permite ver
y lo que nos permite.
Pasos sobre un patio
tanto como el silencio.
Y cosas simples.
Aritmética. La renta.
El infinito también asusta.
Números. El cielo.
Dioses que siempre fueron y serán.
La inmortalidad.
¿Cuál es peor?
Estar siempre sola,
o estar con alguien para siempre.
Y el finito aterroriza.
Nuestras vidas por ejemplo.
El amor asusta.
Igual la luna y los generales.
Y pesan mucho.
No ono por uno.
Pero todos juntos.
Como una lata de canicas.
La felicidad, al contrario,
es otro asunto.
Tiene que ver con papalotes.
- Sandra Cisneros from My Wicked Wicked Ways
Posted by lk at 12:08 PM | Comments (0)
April 15, 2005
Friday
Pretty silk flowers from Z Gallerie
I was supposed to go to an opening tonight but I was just too tired. It’s been another busy week and so catching two buses at 5pm just to get to a gallery, do my fake smile and explain (yet again) why I moved back to LA, just wasn’t in the cards. I opted for staying home and doing a little home décor project with my cousin, kind of a “girl’s night in”. Afterwards we watched some Deadwood. It was kind of a rough ep but it was really fun to hang out. We used to do this kind of thing all the time when we were both young and single. Now of course, I’m no longer young and she’s no longer single, but we try…
Posted by lk at 11:36 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
April 13, 2005
News
Carlagirl.net has a new look and some news. It’s been a hard year for her and I can relate. I’ve been through a lot of what she’s talking about both professionally and personally and the shit feels overwhelming sometimes. But it sounds like things are looking up, which is good because she really deserves it. She is amazing. Great photographer, committed activist and good friend to boot!
This is one of my fave works of hers:
All The Women in My Family, 2004
Posted by lk at 08:58 AM | Comments (1)
April 12, 2005
The view from here
As I was catching up on the blogosphere this morning, gripping my coffee mug ever so tightly, I saw MAN's entry on aerial photography and satellite mapping. This got me to thinking about, well, aerial photography and satellite mapping. (Moving kind of slow today kids, so bear with me) Anyway, a good friend of mine, who is way more tech savvy than I am, told me a long time ago how you could look up any location and get super cool aerial images online. At the time I was too busy to check it out. But this morning (while I should have been working) I had big fun looking at some of my old haunts from thousands of feet in the air. Try it yourself! It's pretty cool: Google Maps
Tyler connects google maps, WWII, the work of Edward Steichen, The New Topographics crew, ideas for future exhibitions AND recent acquisitions by the Getty's DOP - He's a smart guy. I, on the other hand, am not coherent enough to write anything all that meaningful today. I'm just gonna to give you some links. Make of them what you will...
E.R.'s work (love his stuff)
Map of The Human Heart
(an uneven film w/some really beautiful images- lots of maps, planes and photographs)
Edward Steichen take on the world c. 1955 (it's a small world after all, according to him)
Posted by lk at 12:14 PM | Comments (3)
April 10, 2005
George vs. Kevin
...Or Jowl versus Specs...
For the last few weeks my movie pals have been all a buzz over the upcoming release of Revenge of the Sith - mostly emailing me to make fun of all the fan boy idiocy cropping up or to deride George's non-stop merchandising machine. But while they only have to wait till May to see this latest Star Wars pic (so that they can make fun of it even more), I have to sit tight for at least 9 months before I get the only sequel I care about. That's right, kids - Clerks 2 is in the works and I can't wait!
The original Clerks had me simultaneously laughing my ass off and crying my eyes out! * And when I got the Clerks X dvd last fall, I just ate up all the extras with a spoon! Funny, funny stuff. I only hope Kevin has gotten all the Jersey Girl gooeyness out of his system. Can he go back to his roots without embarrassing himself (unlike George)? ....It may be a while before I can answer that question definitively but I'll be there with bells on to see what has become of the Quick Stop. By the by, Kevin's "My Boring-Ass Life" blog is pretty funny, but I guess it goes without saying that you gotta be a big fan to find it at all interesting...
* (Over the years Toastkitten has had her share of totally crap retail jobs. She's never worked at a convenience store but retail is retail. Dealing with the public as a sales clerk is at best surreal and at worst ... HELL).
Posted by lk at 04:21 PM | Comments (4)
April 09, 2005
Informal poll:
Would you inject yourself with -God knows what - to find out the truth about someone you loved but thought was dead????
(I probably would, but I'd also probably mess it up because my hands would be so shaky and I'd be so freakin' scared! Hate Needles. Just Hate 'Em!)
Posted by lk at 12:24 PM | Comments (0)
April 08, 2005
tv times
"Braids, fishnets ... it's pretty spectacular!"
A description of Toastkitten's sultry Friday night attire? Sadly, no. But this week's installment of Alias almost makes up for the fact that my real life was kind of a mess this week... My life (no not the one where I'm shacked up with lovely Michael Vartan in a mid-century modern beach pad, and have designer clothes and many exotic wigs in my closet, my real life), is still kind of in flux. What with working on a bunch of different freelance gigs and shlepping around town on the bus etc. (plus I still can't quite afford the hair I want) let's just say this wasn't my best week. At least I was treated to a stellar show on Wednesday night! SpyDaddies were scheming, Vaughn was injecting himself with an unknown substance in order to get the poop on Vaughn Père, and Marshall hugged Sloane in a fit of emotion! All that AND a minimum of Nadia! I couldn't have asked for a better mid-week pick me up. Loved It! Best ep of the season so far! Can't wait to see Vaughn go rogue. What will happen to poor Jack? What is Sloane's endgame? Will Syd ever say "I love You " to Vaughn, or Will Weiss finally come out of the closet and beat her to the punch? So many possibilities...
As far a my super geeky spy-fan websites are concerned, we are now done with stand alone episodes. No more villain-of-the-week. Thank God. In the next two months we can can expect full tilt continuity, story arcs, Derevko sisters and possibly Rambaldi. My friend from up North doubts that we will see a complete return to form this season, but at least JJ has one more turn at bat to make it right....
Posted by lk at 10:07 PM | Comments (4)
April 07, 2005
"Unos, dos, tres, catorce!"
I love writers who combine Spanish and English in their work and, slightly related to that, I thought it was kinda cool that U2 started Vertigo by counting off in Spanish (and that the numbers are not quite in sequence). But when I looked up the song today to create the link I found this pithy exchange about the lyric "controversy" . Whatever, dudes. Just shut up and look at the liner notes - then SHUT UP AGAIN and turn your ipods up. Get off the message board and just listen to the fraken' music, cuz it rocks!
Posted by lk at 09:23 AM | Comments (0)
April 05, 2005
top 5 blogs
I'm pretty new to the blogosphere but I have determined that the following blogs: RULE! They all make me think, laugh, sometimes cringe, and always add to my ever growing "do/see/read/listen to" lists. Check em out!
In no particular order:
1. insurgent.muse
2. Negro Please
3. Butter Gun
4. Cinematical
5. MAN
Posted by lk at 04:33 PM | Comments (5)
She's got her own
Just flipping through VIBE and came across L'l Mo's INDEX. Apparently there are 3 things every woman needs:
A Car
At least one pair of nice shoes
A Man with good credit
I have NONE of these at the moment, so I guess I'm not doing too well according to Mo. I do have a some cute boots that I got last year at Payless ($12! so proud of these!) but lately it's been too hot to wear pleather ...
Upon further reading I realize that Mo and I do see eye to eye on R&B legends we dream about singing with:
Etta James
Patti LaBelle
Aretha Franklin
Posted by lk at 09:53 AM | Comments (0)
April 04, 2005
A Little Art
Hannah Greely, Muddle, 2004
I went to see Thing at the Hammer yesterday. This was my favorite piece.
Posted by lk at 10:42 PM | Comments (5)