As a frequent user of the Facebook, I keep getting emails saying that I've been 'Tagged' in someone's post - 25 Random Things about Me. This is a lie. I have not been mentioned a single time in any of these posts. However, I have really enjoyed reading these lists - some of the facts about friends I knew, some were total surprises. Jeff hates eggs. Tegs sucked her thumb until she was 15. Shannon's husband is Japanese-Japanese, not Japanese-American. And so much more. So if Lubes does not mind, I'm going to copy her idea to post my list here. Doing my part to stop this infernal game of Tag.
1. My dad owned a deli when I was little and we lived in New York, this explains my love for lox, dill pickles, matzo ball soup, and burnt frankfurters.
2. My dad owns 2 mexican restaurants now, this explains my love for guacamole, mini-chimis, flautas, green corn tamales, and pretty much all other mexican food except for chili relleno.
3. When I was in 4th grade and Kim was in 2nd, Madonna came into my dad's restaurant on her "Like a Virgin" tour. My dad called us and we raced down and sat at the table next to her. When our babysitter asked if she would give 2 of her young fans an autograph, she said to her security person "Let's get the fuck out of here". This was the end of my Madonna-Wannabe phase.
4. I am a huge Pee-Wee Herman fan. Although my talking Pee-Wee does not work, it was autographed by P.W. himself. It reads "Hi Kara! Your Pal, Pee-Wee Herman". This happened when Paul Reubens guest starred on Ally McBeal.
5. I have my motorcycle license and a Vespa scooter.
6. Chalkboards give me the creeps.
7. I am afraid of ghosts and aliens.
8. In college I took a course to become a certified aerobics instructor but never took the state test to become certified.
9. Two of my favorite websites are www.overheardinnewyork.com and www.passiveagressivenotes.com. I thank Jess and Emmy for turning me on to them, respectively.
10. In 8th grade I went to the Milli Vanilli Concert at the Phoenix Coliseum. Young MC opened for them.
11. I spoke with Young MC on the phone this week. He's playing himself in the movie I'm working on. He lives in Scottsdale.
12. My mom just added me as a friend on Facebook. The apocalypse is upon us.
13. I have had a drag queen fetish for as long as I can remember. 'Tootsie' was my favorite movie as a child. My mom saved an essay I wrote in first grade about how my perfect day would be going to see 'Tootsie' again in the movie theater. This fetish may be hereditary. My dad loves drag queens too, but he calls them 'female impersonators'. The Bette and Barbra impersonators in a show called 'La Cage' are his favorites.
14. In sixth grade I stepped on my math teacher's foot (Mrs. Kules) at a pep rally. Instead of saying sorry I said "Wrap a Mobius Strip around it". I wasn't trying to be a smart-ass or mean, I thought it was a good joke and that she'd laugh. She did not.
15. This past April I was Juror #4 in a 4 week long civil case. It involved a chain of stores called Brighton. I lost the election for Jury Foreman.
16. I have never been to Canada, Chicago or New Orleans.
17. Ben and I met 10 years ago in June.
18. Lately I go to the gym on Tuesday nights to watch The Biggest Loser while on the treadmill. I find it extremely inspirational.
19. Diet Coke and Gummy Bears (Haribo only) are two of my favorite poisons.
20. I went to see the Dave Matthews Band in 1994 in a tiny club in Boston. They sold their albums themselves on casette tapes at the time. For some reason I think this makes me 'cool'.
21. There are a lot of videos on Youtube about blackheads and ingrown hairs. I've heard.
22. There are a lot of videos on Youtube about Boston Terrier and French Bulldog puppies. I've been told.
23. Barcelona is my #1 place I'd like to visit, maybe this will be the year.
24. If I had not gone to Wellesley I would not be the person I am today. I have Wellesley dreams at least once a week - either I'm back in school or visiting campus. They are my favorite dreams.
25. to be continued.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Sunday, January 11, 2009
i'll make this stop any day
for the past year and a half or so, a storefront on santa monica blvd in west hollywood has had a 'coming soon' poster for the Yogurt Stop - touted to be a self-serve yogurt shop.
well today ben and i beheld the miracle that is the yogurt stop. not only was the place teeming with hot gay weho dudes and the dogs that love them, but inside there was a toddler's birthday party in progress with some of the most beautiful and hippest babies ever strapped into a bjorn.
the nice owner-lady and her girlfriend (the other nice owner-lady) invited ben and me to sample all seven available flavors (the eighth flavor was already sold out). there are tons of those little tiny paper sample cups that you can just grab! then you walk up to the machine and pull the lever to dispense the yogurt!
after a healthy taste of each, i settled on a weho tart (aka pinkberry flava), tart strawberry, fierce french vanilla, peanut butter combo. THEN you proceed to the toppings bar where there are about 20 items, probably more, to choose from. and since you are charged by the ounce (39 cents an ounce), you can have as many toppings in whatever proportion that you fancy.
i helped myself to golden grahams (on the peanut butter), oreo (on the weho tart), dirt mix (which is some kind of chocolate powder), and dinosaur sprinkles (kids love 'em!). ben got pinkberry staples mochi balls and fresh fruit and then added some mini gummi bears for good measure. this place was abuzz with excitement and joy.
perhaps the best part of the Yogurt Stop is their logo. as the owner put it "she's either a super-model or a tranny - we leave it up to you to decide."
no matter what she is, she'll keep me coming back for more. lots more.
well today ben and i beheld the miracle that is the yogurt stop. not only was the place teeming with hot gay weho dudes and the dogs that love them, but inside there was a toddler's birthday party in progress with some of the most beautiful and hippest babies ever strapped into a bjorn.
the nice owner-lady and her girlfriend (the other nice owner-lady) invited ben and me to sample all seven available flavors (the eighth flavor was already sold out). there are tons of those little tiny paper sample cups that you can just grab! then you walk up to the machine and pull the lever to dispense the yogurt!
after a healthy taste of each, i settled on a weho tart (aka pinkberry flava), tart strawberry, fierce french vanilla, peanut butter combo. THEN you proceed to the toppings bar where there are about 20 items, probably more, to choose from. and since you are charged by the ounce (39 cents an ounce), you can have as many toppings in whatever proportion that you fancy.
i helped myself to golden grahams (on the peanut butter), oreo (on the weho tart), dirt mix (which is some kind of chocolate powder), and dinosaur sprinkles (kids love 'em!). ben got pinkberry staples mochi balls and fresh fruit and then added some mini gummi bears for good measure. this place was abuzz with excitement and joy.
perhaps the best part of the Yogurt Stop is their logo. as the owner put it "she's either a super-model or a tranny - we leave it up to you to decide."
no matter what she is, she'll keep me coming back for more. lots more.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
a sad goodbye to an old and faithful friend
after over eight years, i am about to say goodbye to a friend who has served me well as long as we've lived together. when we met, he was a marvel. together we were pioneers. people were amazed by what he could do. and although i bought him from my former boss, ken miller, i knew that in his heart he did not begin his life until he came home with me. we saw each other through three jobs, three homes, a wedding, a national tragedy, the triumph of obama's win, countless ups and downs, ins and outs. but on monday we will say goodbye.
my first generation TiVo has croaked. after Big Love affairs with Mad Men, watching while Ugly Betty Scrubs The Office, and 30 Rock of Love (now on a Bus!) he is now in a state of Arrested Development. he gave out the other night while playing me to sleep with an episode of Seinfeld.
i will miss his loopy bloops, his jaunty dance, his funny antennae. the Moxi that's coming might be half his size, and able to record two shows at once and have quadruple the storage capacity - but it will never take TiVo's place in my heart.
my first generation TiVo has croaked. after Big Love affairs with Mad Men, watching while Ugly Betty Scrubs The Office, and 30 Rock of Love (now on a Bus!) he is now in a state of Arrested Development. he gave out the other night while playing me to sleep with an episode of Seinfeld.
i will miss his loopy bloops, his jaunty dance, his funny antennae. the Moxi that's coming might be half his size, and able to record two shows at once and have quadruple the storage capacity - but it will never take TiVo's place in my heart.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
other people's babies montage
this week i have had the pleasure of meeting these three new babies for the first time.
this is alexander harris guttell - son of one of my oldest friends, adam, and his wonderful wife, amy. alexander will turn one on january 8, 2009. he enjoys being read to, shaking maracas, and banging cymbals. we got to hang around together at adam's parents' house here in scottsdale.
this is ruby o'brien - she is the newest addition to my cousins corey and rebecca's family - she came home to arizona from ethiopia in september. we shared a delicious meal at carlos o'brien's. ruby's interests include picking up cheerios, splashing in the bath with her older sisters, and eating refried beans with sour cream. she will be one on february 2, 2009.
this is skylar rose mack - she is the daughter of my cousin nicole. skylar and her mom were passing through town on their way back home to new york and sat down for tea with me today. her hobbies include smiling, laughing, trying out her 2 new teeth, and traveling. she is seven months old.
this is my sister kim's cat, prince. i call him "prince charming" but ben calls him "ron". he is a real mischief maker - he enjoys biting, scratching, chasing his laser pointer, watching mtv and waiting for his mom to come home from work. for special occasions he will wear his bejeweled collar but he won't like it. he is about five months old.
this is alexander harris guttell - son of one of my oldest friends, adam, and his wonderful wife, amy. alexander will turn one on january 8, 2009. he enjoys being read to, shaking maracas, and banging cymbals. we got to hang around together at adam's parents' house here in scottsdale.
this is ruby o'brien - she is the newest addition to my cousins corey and rebecca's family - she came home to arizona from ethiopia in september. we shared a delicious meal at carlos o'brien's. ruby's interests include picking up cheerios, splashing in the bath with her older sisters, and eating refried beans with sour cream. she will be one on february 2, 2009.
this is skylar rose mack - she is the daughter of my cousin nicole. skylar and her mom were passing through town on their way back home to new york and sat down for tea with me today. her hobbies include smiling, laughing, trying out her 2 new teeth, and traveling. she is seven months old.
this is my sister kim's cat, prince. i call him "prince charming" but ben calls him "ron". he is a real mischief maker - he enjoys biting, scratching, chasing his laser pointer, watching mtv and waiting for his mom to come home from work. for special occasions he will wear his bejeweled collar but he won't like it. he is about five months old.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
arizona goings on
since we decided to spend almost my whole break here in arizona i've tried to have as normal a schedule as possible while still hanging around with the multitudes of family members who live here. liza and my mom hooked ben and me up with a one week pass to the YMCA so i have been going there every day in an attempt to counteract the extraordinary amount of eating that happens here.
the eating is really out of control - i attribute it to my parents' house main hangout area being the kitchen (with the bar counter and 3 stools) which is adjoining the big family room and tv watching area, game table and also the dining area and fireplace. it's pretty much the only room in the house where the family spends time. and guess what...that leads to eating, snacking, foraging, binging and all kind of other words for puttin' away the grub.
ben's grandma taught me how to play canasta over thanksgiving, and this trip ben taught my mom and liza - so we have had 2 nights in a row of after-dinner canasta mayhem. liza is a real game-player and my mom will do anything so it's been a lot of fun. they break out various crunchy snacks and we go to town.
but back to the YMCA - today was my third day of my membership week and second day of taking a group fitness class. yesterday i took "muscle conditioning" and though i was the second youngest person in the class, i was by no means the most in shape. these housewives and old ladies are intense! the one lady who seems to be a real regular (and looks like a total minnesotan with the permy frosted hair) is a bigger lady but she was using an 18 pound body bar and 10 pound dumbells. i have never even SEEN an 18 pound body bar!
today mo (my mom) joined me on a guest pass and we went to ZUMBA! (exclamation is part of the class name) - it's kind of a dance/aerobics hybrid with a latin flavor - it was a lot of fun and just about my level of choreography where i didn't get frustrated - with clippy music (the boots with the furrrrr) and an overall good time. the teacher was the youngest person in the class, and appeared to be 5 months preggers, but she was totally rockin it. the class was all women, i was probably the youngest student and there were ladies in their 70s in there shaking a leg. it was really cute. my mom said she almost peed in her pants from all of the jumping around.
in between all this excitement i have gotten together with friends and am seeting my friend from high school at 4pm today to meet his baby. mo and jeff have their 'Dancing with the Stars LIVE!' tonight so we'll probably be seeing ben's family again. we did not see them at all yesterday.
so that's about it for now. here are some pics from christmas of the entire gang at my parents' open house as well as the family photo we took. leah is in israel (she's fine - she called yesterday because a lot of the people on the trip with her got nervous calls from their parents).
the eating is really out of control - i attribute it to my parents' house main hangout area being the kitchen (with the bar counter and 3 stools) which is adjoining the big family room and tv watching area, game table and also the dining area and fireplace. it's pretty much the only room in the house where the family spends time. and guess what...that leads to eating, snacking, foraging, binging and all kind of other words for puttin' away the grub.
ben's grandma taught me how to play canasta over thanksgiving, and this trip ben taught my mom and liza - so we have had 2 nights in a row of after-dinner canasta mayhem. liza is a real game-player and my mom will do anything so it's been a lot of fun. they break out various crunchy snacks and we go to town.
but back to the YMCA - today was my third day of my membership week and second day of taking a group fitness class. yesterday i took "muscle conditioning" and though i was the second youngest person in the class, i was by no means the most in shape. these housewives and old ladies are intense! the one lady who seems to be a real regular (and looks like a total minnesotan with the permy frosted hair) is a bigger lady but she was using an 18 pound body bar and 10 pound dumbells. i have never even SEEN an 18 pound body bar!
today mo (my mom) joined me on a guest pass and we went to ZUMBA! (exclamation is part of the class name) - it's kind of a dance/aerobics hybrid with a latin flavor - it was a lot of fun and just about my level of choreography where i didn't get frustrated - with clippy music (the boots with the furrrrr) and an overall good time. the teacher was the youngest person in the class, and appeared to be 5 months preggers, but she was totally rockin it. the class was all women, i was probably the youngest student and there were ladies in their 70s in there shaking a leg. it was really cute. my mom said she almost peed in her pants from all of the jumping around.
in between all this excitement i have gotten together with friends and am seeting my friend from high school at 4pm today to meet his baby. mo and jeff have their 'Dancing with the Stars LIVE!' tonight so we'll probably be seeing ben's family again. we did not see them at all yesterday.
so that's about it for now. here are some pics from christmas of the entire gang at my parents' open house as well as the family photo we took. leah is in israel (she's fine - she called yesterday because a lot of the people on the trip with her got nervous calls from their parents).
Monday, December 22, 2008
Happy Brisket Eve
the best thing about working in the entertainment industry is that every single agency, production, studio, and casting office shuts down for two weeks over the holidays. which means for the past 10 years i've had the same "winter break" as all the school kids and that is just fine by me.
tomorrow ben and i are leaving for arizona - we're driving straight to his parents' house for BRISKET EVE which is a tradition his mom started a few years ago where she makes brisket for the whole lipson/kull/noel (ben's sister's family) crew. it's also her birthday (billie - ben's mom) tomorrow (and festivus!) so we kind of roll it all into one.
in observance of Brisket Eve - below is Maxine Peters' Sweet and Sour Brisket recipe from the Hasassah Cookbook (1972).
6 lb single brisket
2 onions, sliced
1 clove garlic, minced
3/4 c brown sugar
1/2 c vinegar
1 c ketchup
1 c water
1 T salt
Freshly ground pepper
Place brisket in heavy skillet and brown on all sides. Add and brown onions
and garlic. Add remaining ingredients. Cook, covered, until meat is tender,
about 2 1/4 to 3 hours. Serves ten.
Now what ol' Maxine doesn't tell you is what "cook" means and at what temperature and in what type of vessel to do the cooking in. When we make it we double the sauce ingredients and cook the browned brisket in a covered stock pot on low-medium heat on the stovetop. But Maxine leaves it up to you - she's Sweet and Sour that way.
Happy Festivus and Happy Brisket Eve to you.
tomorrow ben and i are leaving for arizona - we're driving straight to his parents' house for BRISKET EVE which is a tradition his mom started a few years ago where she makes brisket for the whole lipson/kull/noel (ben's sister's family) crew. it's also her birthday (billie - ben's mom) tomorrow (and festivus!) so we kind of roll it all into one.
in observance of Brisket Eve - below is Maxine Peters' Sweet and Sour Brisket recipe from the Hasassah Cookbook (1972).
6 lb single brisket
2 onions, sliced
1 clove garlic, minced
3/4 c brown sugar
1/2 c vinegar
1 c ketchup
1 c water
1 T salt
Freshly ground pepper
Place brisket in heavy skillet and brown on all sides. Add and brown onions
and garlic. Add remaining ingredients. Cook, covered, until meat is tender,
about 2 1/4 to 3 hours. Serves ten.
Now what ol' Maxine doesn't tell you is what "cook" means and at what temperature and in what type of vessel to do the cooking in. When we make it we double the sauce ingredients and cook the browned brisket in a covered stock pot on low-medium heat on the stovetop. But Maxine leaves it up to you - she's Sweet and Sour that way.
Happy Festivus and Happy Brisket Eve to you.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
hair removal - one more time
other than cheese, hair removal is at the top of my favorite topics of discussion list. did anyone check out the MODERN MARVELS episode about cheese on the history channel? it was like an episode of UNWRAPPED mating with 3-2-1 CONTACT and giving birth to a perfect hour of tv.
today i experimented with two new forms of hair removal. the first, a little product called Smooth Away. yes i had seen it on tv. so have you. it's a pink thing you slide over your finger (that's what she said), kind of like a horse's curry comb. you supposedly rub in a circular motion (that's what she said) and your hair exits thanks to some magic discovered in europe. NOT SO! not only do i have all the hair i started with, but now my leg seems to be suffering from some kind of rugburn-cum-sandpaper abraisions. i will just put in the drawer with the rest of the garbage i bought after seeing on tv (luma tweeze, anyone?).
but for a truly effective method of hair removal, may i suggest ms. crystal rose of goo salon. this morning while visiting crunch gym for the first time since july, i watched a PINK video with the sound off and decided i needed to have the same hairdo. luckily crystal was available to work it out for me. i'm very pleased with her handiwork. now if she could land me a denim halter-top jumpsuit i would be forever in her debt.
these pics are after a shower - no product involved. imagine with product.
today i experimented with two new forms of hair removal. the first, a little product called Smooth Away. yes i had seen it on tv. so have you. it's a pink thing you slide over your finger (that's what she said), kind of like a horse's curry comb. you supposedly rub in a circular motion (that's what she said) and your hair exits thanks to some magic discovered in europe. NOT SO! not only do i have all the hair i started with, but now my leg seems to be suffering from some kind of rugburn-cum-sandpaper abraisions. i will just put in the drawer with the rest of the garbage i bought after seeing on tv (luma tweeze, anyone?).
but for a truly effective method of hair removal, may i suggest ms. crystal rose of goo salon. this morning while visiting crunch gym for the first time since july, i watched a PINK video with the sound off and decided i needed to have the same hairdo. luckily crystal was available to work it out for me. i'm very pleased with her handiwork. now if she could land me a denim halter-top jumpsuit i would be forever in her debt.
these pics are after a shower - no product involved. imagine with product.
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