Life 101 – Football Talk

Posted on October 4, 2010 by Bruce Littlefield

At the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, TX.

I’m not one for excessive football talk, but there were some major games this weekend. I consulted with my football-fanatic friend to get the basic rundown. Here’s what you need to sound like you sort of know what you’re talking about today at the water cooler: 1. The “Red River Rivalry“, the University of Oklahoma and the University of Texas, met up at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. Oklahoma won, 28-20. In other news, 50 partyers were arrested for public intoxication the night before the game. 2. Top-ranked Alabama (meaning they won the NCAAF Championship in ’09) beat the pants off University of Florida Gators in a hugely anticipated game. 31-6. 3. Donovan McNabb, the former Philadelphia Eagles QB returned to Philly on Sunday with his new team, the Washington Redskins. Redskins won, and it’s a big deal because the ‘Skins and Eagles are in the same conference, the NFC East. So they hate each other a lot. 4. San Francisco 49ers still haven’t won a game this season. Just FYI. 5. Most people forget that New York has three football teams: The Jets, Giants and Buffalo Bills. This is because the Bills are quite awful. They lost to the Jets yesterday, 38-14.

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Dinner Party Talk – For your weekend

Posted on October 1, 2010 by Bruce Littlefield

Serving up a plateful of conversation.

Blond update: Glee-ful applause for Britney Spears who actually showed up in the episode. And in other blond news— Paris Hilton and Hallmark settled her lawsuit over her trademarked phrase “That’s Hot!” for an undisclosed amount and self-Tweeting drug user and sometimes blond, Lindsay Lohan checked into rehab….. again.
Weekend read. Grab Jonathan Franzen’s 562 page Freedom. It’ll keep you busy for a few weekends.
Philadelphia Phillies clinch their fourth consecutive National League East title. They’ve got the best record in the National League for the first time since 1977. There’s your sports fix. Enjoy it.
Singer Katy Perry got her boobies banned from Sesame Street, but her “Hot and Cold” duet with Elmo has gotten waaaay more eyeballs on YouTube than it ever would have without controversy.
The Obama administration wants Congress to pass a bill that would require Internet Service Providers to turn over files on an individual’s Internet use. George Orwell was right, just 26 years late.
Marriage woes. American marriages fell to a record low last year with just 52% of adults over 18 saying they were joined in wedlock, compared to 57% in 2000. Um, the institution is dying and if that’s not an argument for some colorful gay weddings, I don’t know what is.
Oops. The mastermind of Segway (the two-wheeling, self-balancing electric scooter outlawed in NYC) died this week when he accidentally drove his Segway off a cliff and plunged into a river. See, told you they aren’t safe.
Attention Facebook Friends! The Social Network, the story of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, opens this weekend. Anyone want to bet movie director David Fincher might have a lawsuit in his future?
May the force be with you. I just heard that the Star Wars series is going to be re-released but in 3D starting in 2012. I’m excited, but sad to report they are starting with The Phantom Menace.
Now, eat your dinner!

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Treasure Hunting – Home Goods

Posted on October 1, 2010 by Bruce Littlefield

A treasure hunter's paradise.

This week I went to see interior designer Elaine Griffin’s new room concepts for Home Goods and was bowled over by her cleverness and the Home Good’s treasures she found scouting the stores within 100 miles of NYC. I’ve always been a Home Goods shopper (each weekend, my car automatically pulls in to the store in Kingston, NY near my country house), but now, I’m also a huge fan of Elaine. Check out her book Design Rules: The Insider’s Guide to Becoming Your Own Decorator and then go on a 60% off treasure hunt this weekend at Home Goods. You’ll find something nice.

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American Pets – Stubborn as a cat

Posted on September 30, 2010 by Bruce Littlefield

This isn't the actual cat in Michigan, but another cat in a tree. Seems like a popular activity.

A cat stuck (ahem, just too darn stubborn to come down) in a tree in Michigan finally climbed down after a week and a half of being out on a limb. In true cat fashion, once on the ground, he scratched a neighbor and then ran off. I’m coining a new phrase: “stubborn as a CAT!” in honor of this one. And take a look at this tiny kitten sleeping in a teacup. All kinds of adorable, yes, but why couldn’t it just find a more comfortable place to nap? Because it’s stubborn as a cat, that’s why. Makes for some good YouTube though.

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Pet Fun – Wes on Dogster

Posted on September 30, 2010 by Bruce Littlefield

Wes and his rubber chicken

My dog Wes is a featured doggie on Dogster today. Check out his profile and dog diary, “A Walk in the Park with Wes” and add him as a friend (if all you dog owners out there aren’t aware, Dogster is basically Facebook for your pooch! Join!). There are also helpful training tips, advice from vets, and dogs for adoption. Wes is super friendly and very well-mannered, and maybe he’ll even share his favorite rubber chicken with your dog. That’s a big maybe though.

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Life 101 – Banned Books Week

Posted on September 30, 2010 by Bruce Littlefield

One of the most challenged titles pretty much ever.

We’re in the middle of National Banned Books Week, which celebrates our right to read. Since 1982, more than a thousand books have been reported to the ALA’s Office of Intellectual Freedom for being too racy or sexual, and in 2009, 460 titles were reported. The most challenged include classics, like To Kill A Mockingbird (for discussing racism issues) and newer books like Twilight (too religious, unsuited for its age group). I vote that in honor of our First Amendment rights, we all read a “questionable book” this weekend. I’m going either Catcher in the Rye, Harry Potter or Winnie-the-Pooh. Yep, can you believe someone would question Pooh?! That gives me the opportunity to share one of my favorite Pooh quotes: “If you live to be 100, I hope I live to be 100 minus 1 day, so I never have to live without you.”

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Pop Culture Pop-Up – Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Nominees

Posted on September 29, 2010 by Bruce Littlefield

Will the Beastie Boys be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?

Yesterday the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announced its 2011 nominees. LL Cool J, Bon Jovi, Beastie Boys and Neil Diamond were a few of the 15 bands and singers nominated. The inductees will be announced soon. Bon Jovi seems like an obvious choice, but I’d cast my vote for Neil Diamond and the Beastie Boys. Delirious Love is one of the best songs ever written and hipster America has grown up with the Beastie Boys. We’ll see what the Hall of Fame thinks.

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Holidays – National Coffee Day

Posted on September 29, 2010 by Bruce Littlefield

I’m all hyped up today because today is National Coffee Day, and in honor of the day, I had an extra cup. And then another (I take it black.) Rumor has it that coffee was discovered by an Ethiopian goat herder in the 9th century. Then the Arabs began roasting and trading it in the 10th century. My favorite coffee dessert of all time is Giada’s (from Food Network) Ricotta Cappuccino. It’s a combination of the best ingredients known to man: espresso and ricotta cheese. So yum. And here’s where to find a free cup of joe in your area today. So how do you take your coffee?

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Pet Fun – Dog Travel

Posted on September 28, 2010 by Bruce Littlefield

Obviously not endorsing this idea.

You know people are loving their pooches more than ever when Toyota has a car specifically engineered for dogs’ safety and comfort. The Venza has all kinds of new features to make your dog happy while traveling. All I need to make Wes happy in the car is point out the cows on the way to the country. Here’s a list of travel gadgets for your pup. I especially like the collar camera–see the world from your dog’s point of view. Here’s how it works. Beware of slight seasickness while watching.

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Parties – New York Surf Film Festival

Posted on September 28, 2010 by Bruce Littlefield

Dark Fall filmmakers Alex DePhillipo and Andrew Gessler with their Best Feature and Viewers Choice trophies. Photo courtesy of Surfermag.com.

The New York Surf Film Festival came to NYC this weekend, and never have so many tall, tan, attractive people been corralled into one room at the Tribeca Cinemas. The festival ran over three nights and showed more than 30 short and feature length films and gave awards for judges’ and fan faves. I was amazed to discover that surfers love their HD cameras as much as the waves. And they say that surfers are just grown-up kids? Well, let me tell you, they’re grown-up, professional kids who are so passionate about what they do. Seems like a great way to live. My conclusion: must hang out with surfers more.

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