Bitsize Mario Table!

Saw this on Boing Boing, it's so cool! It's like a collision of two of my favorite things... Mario and home design. It's just a tile job on an old coffee table:

Super M

I created this character sometime during college. The cape gives her super power credibility, and the fact that it constantly waves in the wind (even when there is no wind) commands respect.

Now I have some time and motivation for slight character development.

It just makes super people more super.

I was watching Blue Planet: Sea of Life. Fat seals tickle my insides.

Mr Walrus wants a cape, too.

Animal planet is so funny sometimes. The way they humanize animals, like Meerkat Mansion and Lemur Kingdom and Chimp Eden... sometimes it's ridiculous. Although I have to admit the animals are so cute and interesting. Lemurs of Madagascar seem especially funny.

You know what's not cute (but maybe interesting)? leopard seals. Remember in that husky movie Eight Below where one bamrushes out of the dead whale carcus? I think that was scarier than Godzilla.

ARGGGHHH!!!

Oh, and as I was watching Animal Planet, there were all these commercials for cleaning products. Because apparently only domesticated wives in their 30s watch Animal Planet at this time. It's interesting to think what watching certain programming is supposed to say about you. It's all about Girls Gone Wild on nighttime Comedy Central.

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Picture of the Post:

These seem pretty Super.
Between the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy (07/06)

Water for Elephants-- B+

(I'll have to write a post about my methodology at some point. Because what use are reviews if you have totally different tastes and mindsets from the reviewer. Anyway, B+ = very good)

A novel about the circus. By an author who has a career as a technical writer. Hmmm...

Water for Elephants is another book I picked off the top-sellers lists based on reviews. I wouldn't normally read about the circus for no reason, but I was intrigued. The story is set on the rumbling train of a traveling circus, following the rise and fall of a wannabe Barnum and Bailey (literally).

It was exactly what it promised to be: a journey into the tumultuous and often dark side of circuses and the people who live the circus life.

The most interesting thing I learned was the situation of "red lighting"-- throwing circus workers who were no longer worth their pay off the moving train. It was also crazy to think about just how difficult a feat those traveling circuses of yesteryear were. Transporting hundreds of workers and performers along with elephants, giraffes, lions, tigers, etc? It made me want to go visit a circus. You always have a better appreciation of things when you better understand how they came to be.

Anyway, it's a well researched story into a world you wouldn't necessarily ever otherwise get to know. Murder and a love story on a backdrop of pink sequins, Polish elephants, and jake-drinking old men.

Superfat Tuesday

PR is an interesting game.

What an exciting Tuesday! So exciting that I forgot it was Mardi Gras. I hope most people went out to vote, no matter who they voted for (although I am confused about the significant number of people that voted for John Edwards, considering he is out of the race?). I would be happy with either Democratic candidate, but I personally prefer Obama. So the close race is really interesting to me... looks like it will be a while before we know who will be on the ticket. And after that, it's going to be a pretty crazy presidential race. I'm not going to say that I'm necessarily a democrat or a republican, because most people aren't only one or the other on every issue, but some of the Republican candidates..... mmmm.... and no firm opinion about McCain yet. So... go Clinton/Obama. And that is enough insignificant political talk from me.

Also went with W to Border Grill today for dineLA week/to take my roommate out for her birthday-- that place is good. And not uptight. Super. My tamale and chicken chilaquiles were great but my roommate's tres leches cake was the best... I love milk flavored things. I'm trying to find a gelato place in LA that has good milk gelato (different from vanilla!)-- unsuccessful so far.

(side note: it's interesting how my tastes change as I get older. I used to not be a big fan of milk. Now I love milk and milk or vanilla flavored things. I also like vegetables a lot more. At this rate I'll be craving prunes by next winter... oh, and if you haven't tried it already, try organic milk. Not to be hippie, but because it tastes SO MUCH BETTER! very worth it.)

So it's been a good superfat Tuesday. The gluttony continues tomorrow for Chinese New Year's eve dinner, awesome. I hope this will be a lucky year... although, not to be overly superstitious, but the terrible weather in China leading up to the new year is not a great sign. Very sad situation. And I can't help but be worried about the Olympics, for both environmental and political reasons (I know, I should probably scale-down the things I "worry" about). I hope it turns out well.

Happy New Year

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Picture of the Post

"Peace-equins" in Beijing, China (10/04)
Victory!!