For The HolidaysIt just doesn’t feel like the holidays without one!!
In the neighborhood, Jim prefers the tree spot on McGuinness and Greenpoint Ave where there are Germans and hippies to help you as opposed to the “vagabonds” on Manhattan and Calyer. We went all out at the Big D (one of the largest local dime stores) for decorations on the cheap.
by Frank LoesserBaby, It’s Cold Outside!! So warm up with the season’s best lovey time song.. but make sure to do it with one of the many good renditions (Dinah Shore, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, etc) and not, say, Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey.
Oh LordieMost of the born again Christians I know would probably love the idea of Jesus being played by a good old Texan… but does he have to be such a damn hippie? Well, Ted Neeley, who has gained fame from the film and stage versions of Jesus Christ Superstar, is also a drummer, composer, and record producer.
He’s certainly my favorite depiction of the lord’s child, no offense Caviezel and Dafoe.
Cosby Sweater GuyThe holidays bring good tidings, joy and awesomely bad sweaters. Hosting a bad holiday sweater party has even become something of a fad (I’ll be attending one soon in bejeweled teal). Of course ,the king of the awesomely bad sweater is Koos van den Akker, Dutchman and wild visionary with knit.
Not familiar with the name? Well, his vibrant, wacky sweaters were best known as the Bill Cosby sweaters on the hit sitcom. Maybe I’m feeling nostalgic for a blast from the past of family togetherness in brownstones, but don’t those garish sweaters just feel so right right now?
A look through his fashion archives proves he can also mix some crazy for us women.
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Believer in SantaShe warmed our hearts in Miracle on 34th St, but Natalie Wood was more than a cutesy little kid. In fact, she was known to be quite a temptress in the Hollywood scene, even in her teens (Warren Beatty, Steve McQueen, Elvis Presley and Michael Caine were all romantically linked to her). Her career shifted from childhood to more mature work with the classic Rebel Without a Cause, which also happens to be my favorite of her movies. Other key films are Splendor in the Grass, West Side Story, and Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice.
Wood died tragically after falling off a party boat while intoxicated in 1981.
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from Jacques TorresThanks to Astrid and Marcus who gave this jolly dark chocolate fella to Jim for his birthday. It comes from Jacques Torres and, you might agree, is not a little bit creepy in the eyes. I’m almost concerned about the ramifications of eating him with those penetrating eyes baring down on me… it’s easy to envision myself in some sort of Twilight Zone moment. However, this is Jacques Torres chocolate and eating it will be worth the slim possibility of supernatural retaliation.
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Christmasy Charm, Gourmet Food, and Poetic WalksI know this weekend’s storm is the first snow fall for my fellow New Yorkers, but we witnessed inches of the powdery white stuff a few weeks back while in Rhinebeck. It was a beautiful storm, but it did cause us to miss the main purpose of our visit: the Sinterklaas Parade. Fortunately, Rhinebeck had so much to offer and our B&B was so inviting, we didn’t even mind missing the main event. Plus, it just means we have a reason to return next year.
We stayed at Hideaway Suites, one of the most comfortable and excellent B&B we’ve ever slept in. The Chateau Suite offered a private deck, a fireplace (so great for the wintry nights) and a two person jacuzzi tub. Our hostess was incredibly kind and accommodating and left hot tea for us in a magical thermal container that kept water hot for hours and hours. The place struck a great balance between modern amenities and bed and breakfast charm. I highly highly recommend it, even if it is a brief and winding drive from the main town. We’ve never been so eager to return to a hotel room on any vacation.
Aside from romantic hideaway B&B’s, Rhinebeck also boasts some truly excellent food thanks to its proximity to the Culiary Institute. The first night we tried Arielle, the new kid on the block, that came with strong endorsements from two of our most picky friends. Everything was excellent – from the grilled and smoky octopus, to the expertly mixed dirty martini, from the veal scallopini to the lamb so bucco. A lemon tart finished the meal off perfectly.
The next day we ventured into the area’s most well known restaurant Terrapin, housed in a gorgeous craftsman church in the middle of town. We went during the day to the Bistro which offered great sandwiches (Jim had a sliced steak one) and small plates. We shared crispy artichokes, goat cheese wontons, garlic soup and lemongrass mussels. They also offered a drink after my own heart: a hot and dirty martini made with pickle juice and sriracha. It was heaven to drink it while watching the snow fall.
Though we missed the main parade, we still saw a few of the local celebrations for Sinterklaas (the Dutch Christmas) including street performers, street musicians, decorated windows, a cookie tree, and an illuminated book. It was a happy and quaint winter experience to be there.
Just so you don’t spend the entire time eating, drinking, and lazying around the fire, not too far from town there is the Poet’s Walk trail, a beautiful spot with gazebos, wooden and brick bridges, and lovely views of the Hudson. it was intensely blustery and freezing when we walked it, but so beautiful and peaceful, the rosy cheeks and ice cube toes were worth it.
I am sure I’ll be back to Rhinebeck sooner than later as the town offers all sorts of neat events like antique and sheep shows.
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by Elvis Presley (1957)Blue Christmas is a rare sad Christmas song that was performed by tons of people but made oh so popular by the great Elvis Presley. Though, to be honest, lately I’ve grown very, very fond of the indie rock darling Bright Eyes version. Please forgive its inclusion in a phone company commercial.
Holiday of NightmaresCreepy wet lips, monstrously erect nipples, blood sucking choir boys, voodoo dolls, flying bunny eyeballs, and Papa Lazarou… if you’ve taken my advice before and watched previous seasons of The League of Gentlemen, this will all sound like business as usual – if not, be prepared for the Christmas special of your worst nightmares!!
If you’re the squeamish type and prefer your head filled with sugar plum fairies and such, you may want to skip the stills below/after the jump.
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in Theaters NationwideDemonic toys come to life, pork-themed three-part harmonies are mocked by Weird Al Yankovich, a Santa of David Lynch-caliber creepiness orders around pants-less elf boys, a toy dog named Gaylord rolls over, a nude doll haunts a little girl’s dreams, the Ding-a-ling toy universe with its King Ding shocks some poor kid – this is not your typical holiday viewing, but the selections from the ever charming Mike Nelson and crew of previous MST3K and current Rifftrax fame for their RiffTrax Live Christmas Shorts-stravaganza!
Performing live in Minnesota but projected in many theaters across the country (we watched from the Chelsea location), they riffed on several Christmas shorts. If you’re familiar with any of their shows and projects, you can imagine the hilarity.
Make sure you try out their Rifftrax on many beloved films, such as Cocktail, Glitter, and The Happening on their site.