Sports Reporter AND ATV Business Owner...Wow!

This sounds like a GWB whiskey bender decision...

NAME: Sarah Heath Palin.
AGE-BIRTH DATE-LOCATION: 44; born Feb. 11, 1964; Sandpoint, Idaho.
EXPERIENCE: Alaska governor since December 2006; unsuccessful run for Republican nomination for lieutenant governor in 2002; chairwoman of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, 2003-2004; served two terms as Wasilla mayor and two terms on city council.
EDUCATION: Graduated University of Idaho, 1987, journalism.
FAMILY: Husband, Todd; five children (Track, Bristol, Willow, Pipe - and Trig Paxson VAN Palin)
BUSINESS: Worked as sports reporter for two Anchorage television stations; owned with her husband a snowmobile, watercraft, ATV business from 1994-97. Husband is a North Slope oil field worker.


Palin is considered to have similar policy positions to John McCain in most respects. One major exception is drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), which Palin strongly supports and McCain has opposed. Palin is expected to try to convince McCain to change his position on ANWR drilling.[53]

On July 31, 2008, in an interview on CNBC, Palin admitted she is unsure of the vice-president position saying, "what is it exactly that the VP does everday?" [54] and is a champion snowmobiler, winning the 2000-mile "Iron Dog" race four times.[4] The two eloped shortly after Palin graduated from college; when they learned they needed witnesses for the civil ceremony, they recruited two residents from the old-age home down the street.[4] The Palin family lives in Wasilla, about 40 miles (64 km) north of Anchorage.[55]

Offensive

I sincerely hope that this VP selection was an attempt to lock-up suburban soccer moms - (um, don't you already have those types?) - and NOT Hilary supporters. Note to Republicans: not any old woman will do.

Happy 72nd McCain...

Labor Day Viewing Reco: Red Belt

Highly entertaining movie for Labor Day downtime. Emily Mortimer is quickly becoming a favorite.

Labor Day in the Hiz-ouse

So, we have quite a weekend planned. Lucky me, I'm already writing about the weekend because our offices are closed Thursday - Monday. Some of our activities include seeing Sarah Silverman in concert and hitting Wrigley for a Cubs game. And, the weather looks gorgeous. Here's to a sun-filled weekend of jager bombs.

Disgrace Book -> Movie

I was happy to learn from my dear husband that my favorite book - Disgrace http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disgrace - is being made into a movie and will be presented at the Toronto Film Fest. There's not much/any information about it at all online - but still, I'm excited. Even if the movie doesn't live up, it's a chance for me to recommend it to you all. And for a gal that rarely gets a chance - or is compelled - to finish an entire book - this something special piece of literature will keep you glued.

Golden Backlash

Oh...well...while I try to keep this mainly positive - I found this backlash mildly funny (primarily due to my dislike of most everything U of M): http://www.bestweekever.tv/2008/08/19/just-asking-is-michael-phelps-a-douche/

USA! USA! USA!

Digital -> Analog

I recently purchased an analog camera - and what a stressful experience snapping photos has become! In an age of digital photos and instant gratification - this completely raw camera is all about the suspense...and waiting. I have absolutely no idea if I'm doing anything right - from loading the film (120 - not automated whatsoever), to taking the pictures, to figuring out where to get them developed. My plan is to take it to Toronto - but since living on the edge isn't really my thing, I'll probably be forced to bring the digital as a back-up. Hopefully something cool comes of this latest endeavour.

Ghost Town Showing

David was able to secure tickets to the Gala presentation of Ghost Town at T-Film Fest 2008:

Toronto Film Festival

David and I are headed back to Toronto in a couple of weeks for the 2008 Film Festival. Not only am I excited to see some new movies, we are happy to visit some of our favorite T-spots: Jamie Kennedy at the Gardiner (most amazing restuarant) and the Gladstone (our accomodations). We have chosen a slightly less modern artist-designed room at the Gladstone - the Billio room (pictured ->).

The Billio Room:
Rich Italian fabrics, with floral patterns of red, gold and fuchsia drape the two large picture windows. An enlarged copy of proposed elevations to the Gladstone , by original architect, George Miller, hangs on the east wall. In contemporary contrast, a string installation seems to float along the ceiling just above the classical queen size bed like a dream catcher. An armoire has been restored to its original splendor and modified to house the contemporary standards; plasma screened television and DVD player. The interior of the armoire also houses an intimate bar. Additionally, a bow chest offers a middle drawer tat pulls out to act as a work desk complete with internet outlets for the business minded traveler. Both pieces are working art, sculptural pieces repositioned and stacked upon hard covered books. The overall ambiance is lush, warm, and comforting. The bathroom in contrast is crisp and white. An original Gladstone table is restored and affixed with a white carara marble table top. A red tape installation wraps itself boldly around this room, again mixing old with new.

Kick-off to Fall Films

We saw two great movies this weekend - Transsiberian and Vicky Christina Barcelona. Transsiberian is a great sort-of Hitchcockian thriller and VCB is a wonderful Woody Allen filmography installment . It was very refreshing to see two non 'blockbuster' movies on the big screen.

The American Way: Shopping! Sales!

Tretron Shoes (Top) - $47 (was $75) / Patagonia Roller Bag - $99 (was $245!) / Tretorn Shoes (Bottom) - $47 (was $75) / Patagonia Fleece - $99 (was $175!)

When one is having a particularly stressful time at work, it's best to reward one with mas purchases. As we all know, buying 'stuff' makes us Americans very :>). I'm happy to report that I purchased all of these items on sale (Patagonia is having their annual big summer sale!). I hope the unintentional color coordination induces chuckles...

Brand Tags

If you've ever wanted to know what people think about your favorite brand, your most hated brand, the brand you might work on or work for, check out:
http://www.brandtags.net/

It's really cool - the very large words or symbols represent the one word most people have used to describe your brand. You can also play along and associate a word with a brand. Have fun!

Utterly Appalling

America has hit a new low.

A Movie for All Seasons

You know you may have had a bit too much wine with dinner and a few too many cocktails before and after when you are asked to put in a movie like "Napoleon Dynamite" and you instead queue up "Crimes and Misdemeanors." What a fantastic movie though? There's really no inappropriate time for viewing this film.

White Interiors

I have an obsession with how 'white' is used in design. I particularly love high-gloss white - whether on a floor (->) or in a long hallway.

And, as the regulars can see, I've changed-out the background of my blog (< >) - from black to white. I'm not exactly sure how I feel about it yet - so it may quickly change back. It does feel a bit more cluttered in here but cleaner...and we all know how much I love clean.

Anyway, what else can you do on a Summer Friday but change the layout of your blog?

New Orleans Inspiration

I believe I posted this photo (^) a while back. I'm posting it again because David purchased it for our home - we should be receiving it in a couple of weeks. We're very excited about this acquisition - and it's inspiration for our upcoming New Orleans adventure. Also very cool is that Frank Relle's work can be seen in many OTHER (get it?) prestigious settings - like the Smithsonian!

Kooza Experience

David and I were lucky enough to receive tickets to Kooza - the
Cirque du Soleil show playing in Chicago - and VIP tent tickets (which included some lovely Gin cocktails). While I'm not typically one for shows like this, I thought it was pretty amazing and in awe for much of the show (particularly those people that can touch their head to their bum...what???). It definitely helps you connect with your inner-child. Check-it if you can.

80's Smoke Machines & Beer

Sunday Morning on CBS showed this ad recently. Very Adrian Lyne. Very oddly cool.

Strange Days

Top 5 Strange Festival Observations:
5) 'Showing off' Hanes underwear waistband over pudge-ridden skin
4) Sharing BBQ wings + hummus with loved one while crouched-down on dirt ground in the middle of thousands of walking people
3) Straddling a chain-link 'batting' fence while wearing a yellow dress
2) Eating HOT Asian noodles + egg rolls on paper plate in a crowded field of sweaty people in 90 weather
1) Port-a-potties don't flush, FYI

Lolla - One More Day to Go

Having learned that music festivals aren't quite my cup-of-team (dirty, hot, fat, sweaty, etc.) - via the Lolla experience - I'm happy to have had the life experience of gratuitous men's underwear waistbands and noting people's total comfort with their less-than-perfect bodies. My take from Lolla to David was, "wouldn't it be great if they had an all day classical festival at Ravinia?" David was kind enough to agree.

We did see some cool bands & DJs and we're headed back tonight. One of the highlights, of course, was Gutter Twins. We were also lucky enough to see Gutter at a private Spin party (^).

God Bless Food not served on skewers or in buns.

God Bless not drinking Wine out of a water bottle.

God Bless Central Air.

God Bless Indoor Plumbing.