one down, eleven to go...
free to associate. Author: adam daniel weiss
well, the new year is upon us, and a lil bit past us actually, as it's now february, and i'm really sure how january snuck past us. anyway, i've been thinking a lot about new years resolutions and what they mean to people. Everybody has New Years Resolutions, some are attainable, some are just bat-shit crazy ideas that people have. Mine, I try and make simple. In the past it was "lose 10 pounds" (FAIL), or "lose 20 pounds" (DOUBLE FAIL) or "quit smoking" (finally a SUCCESS!)... but I realized that in order to make a good resolution, you need it to be something that you can actually meet.
For 2009, it was to wear more fun socks. No more boring black socks for me! Now they have stripes, colors, bright pinks, blues, yellows. They may not be much, but they are a fun quirky addition to my day, and it makes me feet SHINE! Ok, sorry, not trying to be dramatic, I just like quirky socks, whatever.
For 2010, I opted that my resolution would be to "Try New Things". It's open ended, it can mean anything, but I just reached 30 and I think that I've entered a new stage in my life, and you know what? It's time to try new things. I've already started on my path to New Things Enlightenment. I've tried some new cuisines, I've hung out with new people, I joined a respectable online dating site (yikes!) and I've...well, I've tried new things! Look, we're only into the infancy of the year, so we'll see where this takes me, but I'm just happy to know that I've set out a goal for a resolution for myself which I know that I can and will accomplish, which makes me happy!
so let's see what 2010 brings!
Bon Appétit!
free to associate. Author: adam daniel weiss
what is inspiration? motivation? What is that is within us that makes us want to do something, acquire something, act upon something. there is a drive within each of us that is there
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recently, I watched the movie "Julie & Julia" staring the always unreal Meryl Streep and the always good (but lets be honest, this was really Meryl's movie) Amy Adams. For the handful of you out there who have not seen this wonderful film, it follows the life of Julie Powell, a New Yorker complacent in her job looking for new inspiration and landing upon the idea of blogging while she conquers the behemoth that is Julia Child's "Mastering the Art of French Cooking", all 524 recipes in a mere 365 days. This is actually a true story, I remember reading about it years and years ago. The movie's B-story (or A-story, depending on how you look at it) follows Julia as she changes her life around from the complacency of being the wife of a diplomat and follows her new passion for cooking while living in Paris. Now I have always been a fan of Meryl Street and of Julia Child*, so I was thrilled to finally see this film, especially after running into the production crew filming around town many times.
Now firstly, the movie made me want to jump on the first plane and head right back to gay Paris (and if it was a time transport plan that could direct us to the earlier part of this century, that would be ideal), as when I went there last year, I fell in love. Not just with the people (and one in particular! Bonjour Etienne!), but with the culture and the museums, the cafes, the joie de vivre that truly exist there. I need to go back soon...but that's another story...
The thing that really got to me during the film was the passion within these characters, mostly that of Julia. Now look, the wife of a diplomat, she didn't realllly need a job and especially not in 1950's Paris where she could go smoke her ciggies and drink her martuni's all day without a care in the world, but she did. She chose to do something, to follow her passion, and to also make a name for herself in the predominantly male-led culinary industry. There was a fire within her, that drive and passion that we all strive to have within our own respective industries. As you loyal reader(s) know, I have had my fair share of jobs in the past, some freelance, some contract, some good, many bad. I have one now that I love, and I don't just love it because it's in the events and theatrical industry, one I believe that I excel in, but because of the people I work with. My bosses are these two amazing guys who have that passion, that fire, that drive. It's so inspiring to surround yourself with this energy, because it makes you focus in on all that is positive and good. I feel like I am working harder and stronger because that fire has been lit within me, and I know that it's going to help me reach my potential and go past it.
And then I will take that fire and use it to make boeuf bourguignon.
*according to my parents, I used to sit and watch "The French Chef" with Julia all the time, and some of my first words were "Bon Appétit!". I recall seeing a home movie of me at 7 or 8 in the kitchen cooking, doing my best Julia Child impersonation...if my parents didn't know then...
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Gleek Out!
free to associate. Author: adam daniel weissOk, I don't know about you, but fucking love 'Glee'. The songs that they perform are so fun and so damn entertaining! I seriously have to have my 'Glee' fix a few times a day, I am constantly listening to the soundtrack, so I figured, well, if you enjoy what I write and my music, you'll most likely enjoy this. When I say "you", of course I am referring to my loyal readers...all three of you, (Hi Mom!!).
Go ahead, bust out to Rachel, Puck, Quinn, Finn, Mercedes, Kurt, Artie, Mr. Shue and that Asian Girl! Link is below, ENJOY!
I'm a GLEEk, You're a GLEEk
free to associate. Author: adam daniel weiss
Look, I'm unemployed right now, and the job market is so bad that (insert funny anecdote of social commentary here). Anyway, how am I filling my time? Why downloading amazing music to keep my spirits and energy up.
As many/most/some/none of you know, I am a huge fan of the Fox Wednesday Night Show Glee, and I just love the music from it as well. Well, their new album of songs from the show has been released, and I think that on this cold and chilly Thursday, it would be a nice lil gift from me to you, so enjoy! Link is below!
Track Listing:
01. Rachel & Finn - Dont Stop Believin 3:52
02. Finn - Cant Fight This Feeling 3:30
03. Will - Gold Digger 3:01
04. Rachel - Take A Bow 3:36
05. Mercedes - Bust Your Windows 4:20
06. Rachel - Taking Chances 3:56
07. Will & April - Alone 3:41
08. Rachel & April - Maybe This Time 2:59
09. Rachel, Finn, Mercedes & Artie - Somebody To Love 4:43
10. Mercedes - Hate On Me 3:30
11. Rachel & Finn - No Air 4:22
12. Quinn - You Keep Me Hangin On 2:40
13. Rachel & Finn - Keep Holding On 4:04
14. Will - Bust A Move 4:24
15. Puck - Sweet Caroline 1:58
16. Artie - Dancing With Myself 3:10
17. Kurt & Rachel - Defying Gravity 2:29
18. Will - I Wanna Sex You Up (Bonus Track) 2:06
19. Emma - I Could Have Danced All Night (Bonus Track) 1:22
20. Will - Leaving On A Jet Plane (Bonus Track) 4:02
Music For Humping
free to associate. Author: adam daniel weiss
Well, I don't know where you are right now my loyal reader(s), but if you are in the New York City area, you know that we are in the throes of some mighty shitacular weather. Rainy and cold, rainy and humid, overall grossness. Nobody is digging this right now, least of all me. Virtually unemployed and sitting in my local coffeeshop staring out onto the bleak landscape that is known as Bedford Avenue, I figured, what can I do to make this Wednesday go by a lil bit quicker. Why, a Humpday Playlist is just what you and I both need!
Here is some fantasticle new music to get you through the misery that is midweek! New music from Leona Lewis! The Script! LCD Soundsystem! Rihanna! A whole SLEW of songs from this week's Gossip Girl, my favorite Monday Night Guilty Pleasure, including Peaches, Harlem Shakes, Hollywood Holt and Delta Spirit. Of course had to share a song from Glee, my favorite Wednesday Night Gay Pleasure, and some songs courtesy of Mr. Blair Prentice of the Glitter Junkies! I even threw in a live version of "Angels" by Robbie Williams, one of my favorite sweeping songs of all time and a song by Gary Go called "Wonderful" that I am OBSESSED with.
But, before we get to the playlist, I felt it was my honor, no, my duty to share with you some photos of the amazeballs pumpkin that I carved last night. For some reason I was inspired to etch the pumpkin versus carve it, because you know, I am so versed in that skill...Anyway, I now present to you my first ever Pacman Pumpkin!
Concept, Execution, Results!
