... of the day December 22nd 2006

Food of the Day – Berries
I was looking forward to work this morning for many reasons, one of which, it’s the Friday before Christmas and that means it’s a half day. But the main reason is because every other day we get breakfast burrito from the company that owns our soul. They really are pretty good too, as far as free food for the masses go. So I get in early and happily scarf down, is that what people say, scarf
down, that just doesn’t seem right, whatever. So I eat it. Then I feel full, almost gross, but full. Well, thinking everyone will also be enjoying a breakfast burrito, I let the food guilt subside and go about my morning.

That is until I see Jeremiah, who sits in the office next to me. I walk in and he is eating a big bowl of berries.

Right away I notice my food guilt coming back. I lower my head in a brief moment of shame, only to notice remnants of my breakfast burrito on my shirt, my nice shirt. I didn’t even have to wear a nice shirt today, it’s half day, but I did. So now I’m just a flustered mess in Jeremiah’s office and I have to ask him, “Jeremiah, what no breakfast burrito today?”

He looks up and smiles, “Berries are better for you bro!”

Netflix of the Day – Running On Empty

There really isn’t a lot to do while growing up in Orange Country California, except maybe Disneyland, and when you are of age there is Harbor Boulevard in Downtown Fullerton. But usually when you are of age you leave the O.C. Anyway, I worked in a video store for most of my youth. Became obsessed with movies and actors and it got to the point where I could recite an actor’s resume by heart. This was before I had access to the internet, so a lot of this information was consumed the old fashioned way, by reading books and doing real research. During this time I came across River Phoenix’s work. Up to this point, Stand by Me and The Explorers were all I had really known. But then I guess you could say I started to watch more adult themed movies. The Mosquito Coast directed by Peter Weir and starring Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren as River Phoenix’s parents. What a cast, right? So I explored other River films, A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon, Little Nikita and then I came across it, Running on Empty, directed by Sidney Lumet and starring Judd Hirsch, Martha Plimpton and Christine Lahti, in what is probably the performance of her career. A movie I hold very dear to heart, as clichéd as that sounds. But this film changed me. It showed me what acting and storytelling were all about. How you don’t always have to rush thru something when setting it up and taking your time sometimes pays off. The result is a beautiful, lyrical film that unfolds very softly. In life you have responsibilities and you have dreams and when you become a parent, you are responsible for nourishing and guiding the responsibilities and dreams of your children. It is a hard balancing act and you can only hope you are being true to the people you love and the things you believe in. It’s about letting go and moving on and doing what you believe is right. Well, this movie is about much more than this, but to me, that is the message that has stayed with me all these years.

Nominated for 2 Academy Awards, Best Supporting Actor River Phoenix, Best Screenplay Naomi Foner (Jake Gyllenhaal's Mommy)

Nominated for 5 Golden Globes, Best Picture (Drama), Best Director Sidney Lumet, Best Actress Christine Lahti, Best Supporting Actor River Phoenix and won Best Screenplay

Released September 9, 1988 it grossed 2.8 million dollars.

To rent this Netflix, click here.

... of the day December 21st 2006

Bakery of the Day - Martino’s Bakery

Where are you going for the Holidays? You probably go to your relatives, begrudgingly. But we have to. It’s usually not good to show up empty handed, especially if you have a greedy little family like mine. So, here is what I propose, instead of bringing another sad looking pot of poinsettia’s, you know the one you stopped to get last minute at the Ralphs by Grandma’s house, you know, you get to the store, thinking you’re doing a good deed, bringing Grandma some flowers and all you see are these pathetic looking, not even complete flowers, mostly wilted plant. Just click here to see what I mean.

Anyway, instead of doing that, bring your gluttonous, ravenous, grabby little family a cake.
I know that we are not always able to escape from the family’s clutches immediately after you eat the ham or turkey or whatever it is your family eats, maybe duck, anyway since you’re probably going to have to be there thru dessert, bring a cake that you wouldn’t mind sitting thru dessert with. And there is no better place than Martino’s Bakery in Burbank. They have fantastic cheese cakes, cup cakes that are square (must try the Coconut ones) and right now they have a Pumpkin Gelato that’s so super. Ya, I know Gelato doesn’t travel well but you can get a dollop to taste when you pick up the Lemon Mirage Pie that you’re taking to Grandma’s, for whatever Holiday it is you celebrate.
Click here to check out Martino's website, click here

Television Remake of the Day – Footballer Wives

And I’m telling you the remake of this show, and lets cross our fingers, better be good. The show was a sensation in the U.K., lasting 5 seasons. I really want ABC to do a bang up job on this. How much of the “bitching, back-stabbing, coke-snorting, champagne-swilling monkey business... not to mention all of the designer labels, nutty nurses, extravagant parties, and truly bizarre weddings,” from the original they can get away with is unclear. But lets just hope that with director Bryan Singer aboard that something just as trashy- cool will be born, and not trashy-cool born like a Britney baby, but trashy-cool born like a Harajuku Girl.

Click here for a picture of a Harajuku Girl

Trend of the Day – Wearing Band Aides

So our dear April hit her head on a pole at work the other day. She had to get invisible stitches, I think she’s lying about that, but she has a band aide in the middle of her forehead. It’s funny.

Well, I sometimes pick the hairs out of my neck and it seems I have follicle irritation. I have an irritated follicle, if you will. The I.F. (irritated follicle) is located right on my Adam’s apple and it feels like a big zit, that I want to squeeze, glory glory, until the liquid comes out. But I can’t, because it’s not a zit. So to prevent myself from touching the I.F. area, I put a band aide on it. The only thing is, it looks like I have a tracheotomy band aide. And people stare.

So, just start wearing band aides above the neck to help ease how awkward April and I feel. It’ll catch on. Ask Nelly.

Check out this band aide site.

Amphibian of the Day – Frog

So in honor of the Amphibian of the Day, the Frog, please enjoy some quotes about them–

“I’d kiss a frog even if there was no promise of a Prince Charming popping out of it. I love frogs.” – Cameron Diaz

“I’m not a diva. I’m a tadpole trying to be a frog.” – Toni Braxton

“Ambition is like a frog sitting on a Venus Flytrap. The Flytrap can bite and bite, but it won’t bother the frog because it on has little tiny plant teeth. But some other stuff could happen and it could be like ambition.” – Jack Handy of Saturday Night Live

Be sure to try to use this old saying sometime this week – Mad as a Box of Frogs

Be sure to check out Frogland!

And if you’d like to color a picture of a frog, go here.

Netflix of the Day – Xanadu

This is in honor of the recent news that Xanadu will become a Broadway show. Ok, so, ya, it’s really bad BUT the music is phenomenal. How can you not like Olivia Newton-John singing Electric Light Orchestra? The soundtrack spawned 2 top 40 hits, suddenly, the wheels are in mo-shun, and eye ah eye…and you have to believe we are magic nothin' can stand in our way… This is great shit. Not to mention there are lots of pastels and roller-skates.

Released on August 8th 1980, the film went on to gross 22 million dollars.

Nominated for Best Picture at Young Artists Awards in 1981. Also Nominated for 6 1981 Razzies, winning for Worst Director Robert Greenwald.

To read more about Broadway show click on Olivia’s face.

Oh, and, just check this out.

To rent this Netflix, click here.

... of the day December 19th 2006

Recipe of the Day – Mango Pear Salsa

A great, fruity alternative to the regular old tomato salsa. Feel free to mix up the ingredients, adding your own twist.
Recipe:
1 Large Mango, diced
1 Large Pear, diced
½ large medium red onion, chopped finely
1 Thai Chile, minced
1 small cucumber, diced
2 Tablespoons of chopped cilantro
3 Tablespoons of fresh lime juice

Sprinkle lime juice on the diced pear to prevent browning. Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Chill for 2 hours, and then serve. Goes great with wheat tortilla chips.

For the history of the mango please click the mango.

Netflix of the Day – Rambo: First Blood Part II

The total body count of this Rambo sequel is 67. A nonstop action extravaganza that’s unintentionally hilarious. To rent this film, log in to your Netflix account and click here.








Obituary of the Day - Joseph Barbera 1911-2006

His cartoons; I grew up with them, you grew up with them our parents grew up with them, our kids will grow up with them. From Yabba Dabba Doo to Scooby Dooby Doo to the wonderful works of art that was Tom and Jerry. During the 1960's the Hanna Barbera cartoons, all hand painted, old fashioned cell animation, were reaching a worldwide audience of 300 million. Just think about it, Scooby Doo, The Jetsons, Yogi Bear, Huckleberry Hound, The Smurfs, Dastardly and Muttley, Josie and the Pussycats, Tom and Jerry, Top Cat and Captain Caveman. And that's just some of them.

MySpace Profile of the Day - Alza Benet

Ok really, I don't have to say much more about this MySpace, except...just go there. Look at all those awesome pictures. The one on the left here is my favorite. So check her site by clicking the picture. Most of Alza's photo are done by Joey James Productions. You should also check out Alza's website by clicking here.