Kitty Pryde

( #KittyPryde, #Comics )



Kitty Pryde
PS: For those that are not familiar with the character, she can make herself intangible, so everything moves right through her.

Christine O'Donnell

( #Delaware, #Christineodonnell )

I try to keep overt political statements out of this blog. It tends to cause uncomfortable conversations with people in my circle that make me want to jump out of the nearest window. But this needs to be shared.



I will give this woman one out: These clips are cut out of longer conversations, so there may be an intent of the publisher to make O'Donnell look like a total moron, but like they say in reality TV, the material is there because it happened. Speaking of reality TV...



When some douchebag from the Real World can completely destroy a person on national television, does that make them a good candidate for public office? PS - Do the people of Delaware want a chaste 30-something calling the shots in their state? It doesn't sound like she is living the life of an average person. Do her viewpoints represent the people voting for her?

This woman, who freely quotes the bible, also "dabbled" in Witchcraft.



Lets be clear: this is not about political affiliation, this is about a crazy woman who is power grabbing and will say anything to get the spotlight. Be careful republicans and tea party members, this one is going to do some damage.

Slowed Down Olsen Twins

( #OlsenTwins, #WTF )

Proof that slow motion makes anything more awesome....



The Olsen twins are totally gangster in slowmo... do you think they hate themselves for being in this video or does their billions of dollars make up for it?

Phillyist: Mums & Mutts Fundraiser

( @Phillyist, @Savethesummers, #AnimalRescue )

I did a quick write up on a fundraiser for the Mummers and for Dog Rescue. The event is this Saturday @ Burke Playground in South Philly.

Phillyist: Mums & Mutts Fundraiser

PS - Tell me that isn't the best picture of a dog in a party hat ever.

All About Network Neutrality

( #NetNeutrality )

Wondering what Net Neutrality is? This pretty much covers the basics (with cool animation).

Fan made Walking Dead credits

( #WalkingDead, @WalkingDead_AMC, #Zombies )

A super-fan made this awesome clip using the original comics.

THE WALKING DEAD "Opening Titles" from Daniel Kanemoto on Vimeo.

Big Tits Zombie?

( #Japan, #Zombies )

I discovered this trailer for a seemingly terrible Japanese Zombie movie. Something must be getting lost in translation.... yeah, thats it... translation.

Sunday Leftovers: Volume 02: Issue 46

(#SundayLeftovers, #ChathamCountyLine)



Howdy true be-loggers, welcome to Sunday Leftovers! This week we explore the world of stuffed peppers, fake plastic islands, and a means of cleaning that artificial island without poisoning the planet any more. Lets open the fridge and see what is leftover...

[The Back Window]


CREDIT: Go Awol



CREDIT: Chatham County Line - She

[Recipe of the Week: Smokey Stuffed Peppers]
Credit: Kitchen Daily

Ingredients:
6 large bell peppers, tops cut off, seeded
12 ounces hot Italian turkey sausage links, removed from casings
1 1/2 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
4 plum tomatoes, chopped
2 cups instant brown rice
1 cup chopped fresh basil
1 cup finely shredded smoked cheese, such as mozzarella, Cheddar or Gouda, divided

Directions:
1. Position rack in upper third of oven; preheat broiler.

2. Place peppers cut-side down in a large microwave-safe dish. Fill the dish with 1/2 inch of water, cover and microwave on High until the peppers are just softened, 7 to 10 minutes. Drain the water and transfer the peppers to a roasting pan.

3. Meanwhile, cook sausage in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it up into small pieces with a wooden spoon, until cooked through, about 5 minutes. Stir in broth, tomatoes and rice; increase heat to high and bring to a simmer. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until the rice is softened but still moist, 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and let stand, covered, until the rice absorbs the remaining liquid, about 5 minutes.

4. Stir basil and half the cheese into the rice mixture. Divide the filling among the peppers, then top with the remaining cheese. Broil until the cheese is melted, 2 to 3 minutes.

[DIY of the Week: Non-Toxic Metal Polish]

If you have little ones around the house and want to avoid harsh chemical cleaners...

In a glass or plastic bowl (never metal) mix 2/3 cup distilled white vinegar with 2/3 cup flour. All I had was whole wheat flour, so my cleanser is for heart-healthy tarnish. Once the mixture is smooth, add 1/2 cup of salt and stir until mixed in. This isn’t the sort of thing that keeps well, so make this polish on an as-needed basis.

Non-toxic brass polish

[Video of the Week]

Man lives on floating plastic bottle island...



[Conclusion]

Okay, that is enough for one day. If you need to reach me, you can do so via email at: "blog at joeylombardi.com". As always, don't take shit from anybody.

Smell You Later,
~ Joey

Twitter | Facebook

Russian kids make their own Transformers movie

( #Transformers, #Russians )

This looks better than the Michael Bay movies....

Transformers from repey815 on Vimeo.

Phillyist: Knight Foundation to donate $9 million for art projects

( #KnightFoundation, @Phillyist )

Here is a post I submitted for the Phillyist today about an art foundation donating several millions dollars over the next three years for Philly projects.

Phillyist: Knight Foundation Funds $9 Million...

Picture: Lion-Tamer

( #Lions, #CrazyGuy )

Ummmm... what the hell?



PS: Kamran's dad? - YOU DECIDE!!!! (Inside joke dear readers).

Sunday Leftovers: Volume 02: Issue 45

(#SundayLeftovers, #BoredtoDeath )



Howdy true be-loggers, welcome to Sunday Leftovers! This week we are listening to the last of summer while thinking about warm fall salads. We catch up on some TV (WTF Ted Danson!?!) and I attempt to scar your mind with vagina bubbles (don't ask - just keep reading). Lets open the fridge and see what is left over!

[The Back Window]


CREDIT: Gizmodo - Birds in Twin Tower Lights



CREDIT: Loudon Wainwright III - The Swimming Song

[Rave: Bored to Death]

I recently stumbled upon the HBO series Bored to Death. The show stars Jason Schwartzman as a failing writer and would-be private detective. The show also stars Ted Danson and Zack "that dude from the hangover" Zalawhateverthefuckhisnameis. Schwartzman is excellent as the bumbling detective, but Ted Danson is fantastic as his boss at a New York magazine.

I found the first season in HBO's On-Demand menu a few days ago and already went through the first season's eight episodes. The show is funny, weird, and semi-noirish (for comedic effect). I am really looking forward to season 2 which starts next week (9.26.2010)



[Recipe of the Week: Fall Cabbage Salad]
Credit: KitchenDaily

For the Salad:
1-2 tablespoons sunflower oil
14 ounces pork or veal cutlets, pounded thin
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup onion, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, crushed
1/2 cup organic chicken stock
2 tablespoons wine vinegar
2 baby cabbages, shredded
2 apples, thinly sliced

For the Dressing:
1/3 cup sunflower oil
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
A pinch of English dry mustard
1 teaspoon honey
24 small capers
2 tablespoons flat leaf parsley, chopped
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Blend the oil with the mustards and honey. Stir in the capers and parsley then season.

Directions:

1. Heat the oil then brown the cutlets in the hot oil. Remove from the heat, season then transfer to a baking dish.

2. In the same pan, soften the onion, adding more oil if necessary. Stir in the garlic then pour in the stock and vinegar, and bring to a bubble. Simmer for a minute or two.

3. Pour over the meat then bake for 5 minutes, or until just cooked but still moist. Allow to rest for 5 minutes then slice the cutlets across the grain into thin shreds. Mix with the cooking liquids. Strain the cooking liquids into a pan.

4. Add the cabbage and apple then stir-fry for a few minutes, until starting to wilt, but still slightly crisp. Mix with the dressing and shredded pork or veal then check seasoning. Serve immediately.

[DIY of the Week: DIY Portable Firepit]

With cooler weather upon us, who wouldn't want a fancy DIY fireplace for their backyard?

Materials

• marine silicone
• cheap glass frames (these need to fit around the edges of your planter)
• rocks
• any kind of metal mesh (available at hardware stores)
• gel fuel
• any metal planter with a lip (edge)

Click here for the full instructions (and pictures). This thing looks reasonably easy to make and awesome!

[Video of the Week]

Yet another oddity from Asia. This might be considered NSFW in some places (no nudity, just kinda weird).



[Conclusion]

Hope you enjoyed our chat (it was very one directional, I know I talk too much). If you haven't been checking out my work at the Phillyist, terrible things will happen... okay not really, but you should read it anyway. If you need to reach me, you can do so via email at: "blog at joeylombardi.com". As always, don't take shit from anybody.

Smell You Later,
~ Joey

Twitter | Facebook

Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind

( #Nausicaa, #Movie )

Google was able to post the entire "Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind" movie online for free. Got nothing to do today? Watch this!



About the Movie:

The story takes place one thousand years after the "Seven Days of Fire", an apocalyptic war which destroyed human civilization and most of the Earth's original ecosystem. Scattered human settlements survive, isolated from one another by the Toxic jungle, a forest of giant plants and fungi swarming with giant insects, which seem to come together only to wage war. Everything in the Toxic Jungle including the air is lethally toxic.

Nausicaä is a charismatic young princess of the peaceful Valley of the Wind. Although a skillful fighter, Nausicaä is humane and peace-loving. She has an unusual gift for communicating with the giant insects (particularly with the Ohmu, gigantic, armored, caterpillar- or isopod-like insects who are the most intelligent creatures in the Toxic Jungle.) She is also noted for her empathy toward animals, humans, and other beings. An intelligent girl, and inspired by the Valley's Lord Yupa, a wandering warrior possessed of great wisdom, Nausicaä frequently explores the Toxic Jungle and conducts scientific experiments in an attempt to define the true nature and origins of the toxic world in which she lives. Her explorations are facilitated by her skill at "windriding": flying with an advanced jet assisted glider craft. Yupa is searching for the mythological man in blue who, according to the legend, will appear surrounded by a sea of gold and reunite the people and nature.

Time Wasting: Zombie Balloon Head

( #Zombie, #Games )

Here is a fun way to waste time instead of working...



Zombie Balloon Head

Pop the Zombies heads like water balloons. Fun and useless!

iZombie (No. 7)

( #iZombie, #VertigoComics)


image by: Michael Allred | Vertigo Comics

Ross Sisters: Potato Salad

( #RossSisters, #PotatoSalad, #CrazyDance )

I have seen this clip before, and I was pretty sure that I posted it over the last 4 years, but I can't find it. So if this is a repeat... sorry!



This is cool and freaky at the same time. On a side note: who the hell writes/sings songs about Potato salad? I needed to learn more about these ladies, so I turned to Wikipedia:

The Ross Sisters were a trio of female sibling singing dancers consisting of Aggie Ross, Elmira Ross, and Maggie Ross [1] (whose real names were Veda Victoria, Dixie Jewel and Betsy Ann Ross).[2] The Ross Sisters performed as a 3-part harmony trio wherein they also danced and did acrobatics and contortionism. Their public attention peaked during the 1940s, during which they were featured prominently in the film Broadway Rhythm.[3] This footage has since gained popularity on YouTube. [4] This clip also appears in the compilation film That's Entertainment! III (1994).

~ Wikipedia

Tiny House

( #TinyHouse, #GreenLiving )

I would really like to buy some cheap land in the mountains and build/buy one of these places. Awesome vacation home with no 2nd mortgage.

Attenberg Trailer

( #Attenberg, #OddMovie )

Here is a trailer to a movie I never want to see.



More on the film:

Marina, a twenty-three year-old girl, lives with her architect father in a prototype factory town by the sea. Finding the human species strange and repellent, she keeps her distance. Instead she stubbornly observes it through songs of suicide, the mammal documentaries of Sir David Attenborough and the sex education lessons she receives from her only friend, Bella. A stranger comes to town and challenges her to a table football duel, on her own table. Meanwhile, her father ritualistically prepares for his exit from the 20th century, which he considers to be "overrated." Caught between the two men and her collaborator Bella, Marina investigates the wondrous mystery of human fauna.

Order vs. Chaos

( #Order, #Chaos )

I have trying to find a way to use this image for months. Anybody have a suggestion?

Sunday Leftovers: Volume 02: Issue 44

(#SundayLeftovers, #TwoHoursTraffic, #Tomato )



Howdy true be-loggers, welcome to Sunday Leftovers! This has been another interesting week. A little more family medical drama (everyone is okay), two papers for school, crazy work week, and my Phillyist gig has started in full swing. Even though things have been nutty, I still found some interesting things I want to share, so lets open the fridge and see what is leftover...

[The Back Window]


CREDIT: PDN



CREDIT: Two Hours Traffic - Noisemaker

[Recipe of the Week: Tomato Tart]
Credit: YumSugar

Since September is Tomato season, I looked around for something interesting....

INGREDIENTS:

1 head garlic
3 tablespoons olive oil
All-purpose flour, for dusting
1/2 Pie Dough
2 ounces Italian fontina cheese, grated (about 1/2 cup)
1 1/2 pounds firm but ripe tomatoes (4 medium), cored and sliced 1/4 inch Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place garlic on a piece of aluminum foil. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon oil. Wrap to enclose garlic in foil, and place on a small baking sheet. Bake until soft and golden brown and the tip of a knife easily pierces the flesh, about 45 minutes. Remove from oven; set aside.

2. Raise oven temperature to 450 degrees. When garlic is cool enough to handle, using either your hands or the dull end of a large knife, squeeze the cloves out of their skins and into a small bowl; mash with a fork, and set aside. Discard the papery skins.

3. On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to a 1/8-inch-thick circle, about 12 inches in diameter. With a dry pastry brush, brush off the excess flour; roll the dough around the rolling pin, and lift it over a 10-inch tart pan with a removable bottom. Line the pan with the dough, pressing it into the corners. Trim the dough so that it is flush with the edges; transfer to the refrigerator to chill, about 30 minutes.

4. Spread roasted garlic evenly on the chilled crust. Sprinkle with half of the cheese. Arrange the tomatoes on top of the cheese, in an overlapping circular pattern. Season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with remaining cheese, and drizzle with remaining 2 tablespoons oil. Transfer to oven.

5. Reduce temperature to 400 degrees. and bake until crust is golden and tomatoes are soft but still retain their shape, 45 to 55 minutes. Transfer to wire rack to cool for 20 minutes, and serve warm.

[DIY of the Week: Micro BBQ]

Need to cook a slider on the go? Check out this week's DIY.

What you need:
1 Altoids sours tin
4x 1.5" sheet metal screws with wide heads (or 4x washers to match)
8x nuts to thread on screws
70mm metal computer fan guard
92mm metal computer fan guard

Instructions: Instructables

More Pictures: Gizmodo

[Video of the Week]

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

[Conclusion]

This upcoming week is going to be nuts for work, so I am going to do some work today to ensure you are entertained for the week. I haven't taken any assignments for Phillyist this week either, but I am hoping a certain bartender finally lets me schedule an interview with him. If you need to reach me, you can do so via email at: "blog at joeylombardi.com". As always, don't take shit from anybody.

Smell You Later,
~ Joey

Twitter | Facebook

Big Lebowski - Matrix Mash Up

( #Matrix, #BigLebowski )



Awesome!

Last Night's Assignment....

( #Bloggergate, @PhiladelphiaGov )

I thought it would be cool to document my thoughts about covering an event for another blog and "playing it straight". I didn't feel like I was reporting much at the Flugtag event last week, but covering this happy hour was another beast entirely.

I was asked to cover the “bloggergate” happy hour hosted by the city at National Mechanics in Old City. I am not going to get into what too place, you can read my article about that here. What I did want to talk about is everything else.

National Mechanics is small and was crowded with bloggers and reporters. People came up to me and asked me who I was and it was very weird saying I was with The Phillyist and covering the event. I felt like I was bullshitting the real reporters. NPR and WHYY (didn't know they were not the same) both interviewed me. I was not what the WHYY reporter was looking for (pretty easy to tell: two questions no follow-ups) but NPR might use a sound clip (if I was a betting man “The city has a right to make money”, hope it isn’t taken out of context). I think it is odd that one reporter interviewed another “reporter”. When they both asked why I was there, I said the same reason they were - to cover the event. I didn’t have an agenda.

The event itself was not optimized: National Mechanics is small and the city was given the back section of the bar with little seating. I guess they didn’t know how many people would show up. I ended up standing in the middle of the main “isle” with a group of people blocking the waitresses’ path to the kitchen (sweating my ass off I might add). It drove me nuts, I can’t imagine how the waitresses felt. Like I said in the article, the city officials were really nice - I give them points for that. They really gave the impression that they wanted to help and not piss off the “little guys”. Words are one thing, actions are another.

The guy I use to take us to the airport when we go on vacation always tells me about New Jersey’s commercial drivers license laws and how things are always changing for the worse for the small businesses (in favor of mid-sized and large). He can’t use part time or emergency workers without getting them registered which is an administrative nightmare. As the nice city officials talked, that’s all I could think was - "even if they have the best of intentions, in 10 years this is going to turn into a total money grabbing cluster-fuck". I hope I am wrong for the sake of the small guys and for the idealistic city workers because we need more of them.

Phillyist: "Bloggergate" Report

( @Phillyist, #Bloggergate, #Philadelphia )

Phillyist just posted my coverage of last night's "Bloggergate" happy hour at National Mechanics
Phillyist: "Bloggergate" Happy Hour Answers Questions

PS: I even took the (terrible) pictures - Peter Parker much?

Phillyist Repost: 2010 Red Bull Flutag

( @Phillyist, #Flutag )

Phillyist posted my article and video off the 2010 Philadelphia Flutag (hosted in Camden). A commenter said I needed to proof-read the youtube video - can anyone see a typo?

Phillyist: Red Bull Flutag Crashes into the Delaware River

Sunday Leftovers: Volume 02: Issue 43

(#SundayLeftovers, #TheBand, #AtlanticCity)



Howdy true be-loggers, welcome to Sunday Leftovers! This week has been INSANE. Had some personal stuff which I won't get into, busy work week, lots of work for school, and I ramped up my efforts for the Phillyist, I am wondering how I am going to get everything done that's on my plate in the next 48 hours, but I love a challenge! I decided to break up some of the information I was going to post here today into separate articles (only because I still need to sort out some details and don't want to delay this Sunday Leftovers). So without further pontificating, let's open the fridge and see what's leftover.

[The Back Window: Atlantic City]


CREDIT: Shorpy



CREDIT: The Band - Atlantic City


[Recipe of the Week: Sriracha Sauce]

Holy Crap - my wife found a DIY for Sriracha Sauce aka "Rooster" Sauce.
Credit: Food52.com

INGREDIDENTS:
1/2 pound red fresno chiles, coarsely chopped
4 garlic cloves
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup distilled white vinegar
2 tablespoons palm sugar

DIRECTIONS:
1. Place all the ingredients except the sugar in a jar and let sit overnight to mellow the heat of the peppers.
2. Place the mixture and sugar in small saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, then lower the heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to cool to room temperature.
3. Transfer to a blender and puree for about 5 minutes, until a smooth, orange-red mixture forms. Run through a strainer and smush out as much juice as possible.
4. Once refrigerated, the sauce should have the same consistency and texture as the 'Rooster', but less salty and a whole lot fresher tasting!

Check the link for more options with this crazy sauce.

[DIY of the Week: Campfire Toast Fork]

Fall is rapidly approaching and that means camping (for me). Here is a cool camp site DIY in case you forget your cooking tools.

INSTRUCTABLES: Campfire Toasting Fork

[Video of the Week]

I was going to show this on Squidbuster as a comparison for some of the "Squids in the Wild" pieces I have been publishing (meatheads dancing in the street), but this is way more awesome than that



[Conclusion]

Please check this blog and Phillyist for my coverage of the 2010 Flutag on the Camden Waterfront (should be posted in the next few days). I will also be covering a happy hour about the Philadelphia "bloggergate" on Wednesday (look for a post Thursday or Friday). Hope everyone is having a great holiday weekend, wish me luck on this mountain of work (or don't).

Smell You Later,
~ Joey

Twitter | Facebook

Week of DRA: Goodnight Rose

( @TheRyanAdams, #RyanAdams )

Awesome Intro!

Week of DRA: To be Young...

( @TheRyanAdams, #RyanAdams )

I love this tune....

All about Brain Freeze

( #Brainfreeze, @heyyumsugar )

During my normal RSS scouring, I came across an interesting post by YumSugar regarding Brain Freeze.

The pain is caused by a change of temperature to the head. The introduction of cold causes the blood vessels to contract resulting in feeling like "you just got pimp slapped by Huggy Bear".

Looks like the old solution of pushing your tongue to the roof of your mouth works because it heats up the impacted area.

Check out YumSugar's post for more information.

Week of DRA: Crossed Out Name

( @TheRyanAdams, #RyanAdams )

Love this tune, although my wife thinks the album version is too sad. Perhaps some extra jam will help...

1st Phillyist Post: Bloggergate Happy Hour

( @Phillyist, #PhillyBloggerTax )

My first post for the Phillyist went live at 9:30 AM. It is a preview for an event I am covering next week regarding the Philly blogger tax (Its not really a tax). Check it out.

Bloggergate Happy Hour

Week of DRA: Let it Ride

( @TheRyanAdams, #RyanAdams )

I love this version of the song, but before that, need to post the clip of Ryan and Neal talking about Cher's ass...



I am kind of freaked out that Ryan is talking about Cher's ass. My mom looks like Cher (especially in the early 80's before she went slut-wave - Cher, not my mom). I don't mean "sort of maybe kinda looks like her", I mean we fucking got stopped in the malls when I was a kid because dumb people thought she was Cher. Now I feel like Ryan is talking about my mom's ass and I don't know how I feel about it...

I told Allison about the intro line last week, so I had to find the clip...

Walking Dead Season 2 Confirmed!

( #Zombies, #WalkingDead, @WalkingDead_AMC )

io9 has confirmed that Walking Dead is already scheduled for a second season. The next season of the show will have a full 13 episode order (instead of the 6 for season one) and are already talking beyond. Frank Darabont expressed his excitement about season two's "season change":

It would be great not just to get out of the heat, but to present a different idea to the audience visually and tonally by having it be winter. There's some really cool stuff that Kirkman did, where they find the one zombie that's frozen to the ground. I'd never seen that before and that's really cool.

He also confirmed that bad-ass Michonne will be appearing in Season Two:

Boy, is she a character I can't wait to get to – when she comes striding out of the wasteland like a Clint Eastwood fucking spaghetti western character cross-melded with some samurai movie, like the Baby Cart character with the fucking sword, and there's just a little drift of snow in the air. I would love to put that on film.