All I can say, all I can do

I approve.

Eva — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 08:56:50 +0000

Now all I need are:

a ride to SoCal
lots o’ riches

SteamPunk

Eva — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 01:40:43 +0000

“Before the age of homogenization and micro-machinery, before the tyrannous efficiency of internal combustion and the domestication of electricity, lived beautiful, monstrous machines that lived and breathed and exploded unexpectedly at inconvenient moments. It was a time where art and craft were united, where unique wonders were invented and forgotten, and punks roamed the streets, living in squats and fighting against despotic governance through wit, will and wile.”

-SteamPunk Magazine

Maybe I’m the last person to notice it or maybe you’re like me and don’t know about the quirky subculture that is SteamPunk. It’s a few years old I guess, but I’m kinda convinced it’s going to be the new “hipster” (YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST FOLKS!).

I first discovered SteamPunk a few days ago, coming across the unfamiliar word in some random blog, attached to pictures of gorgeous, antiquey interior designs. I proceeded to google the term–I was shocked that anything in the world could make me even mildly interested in decor. Garage sale finds that don’t “go” at all is usually how I roll; little attention is paid to how the room ends up looking. But let’s just say I wouldn’t mind living here (as long as there is something very comfortable for lounging somewhere out of frame).

See?!! It looks hodgepodgy but in a better way. Vintage and smart decor with emphasis on watch parts and ancient machines, brassy stuff and chandeliers. Antique yet sci-fi. Part Sherlock Holmes, part Royal Tenenbaums, part science: three of my favorite things.

As far as the fashion goes, some Steampunks dress like these fellows: nice n’ dapper. Others go crazycool and end up looking like goggled brass robots.

My best find of all on this google adventure was SteamPunk magazine, available for download online–FO’ FREE!! There is also a bonus Guide to the Apocalypse which I read entirely and loved, finding it simultaneously informative, thought-provoking, and slightly satirical. You’ll want me on your team come doomsday. I’ve been skimming the other issues, loving some parts (cool crafts), not so much others (occasionally pretentious vocab and slightly culty vibes). Overall though: NEAT!

success?

Eva — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 07:12:09 +0000

I am overwhelmed right now by a great feeling: I think I am studying the right thing: Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology. I not only think I will excel in this field, I think it will make me very happy. It’s a good sign when I find myself researching jobs and updating my resume in my free time, for “fun”. It’s an even better sign that I desperately want to apply for so many of them (even though I can’t). But the best sign of all is that there are more than “none” positions out there considering our bonkers economy.

The French Laundry

Eva — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 08:04:16 +0000

My mom just checked out a book from the Sonoma County Library called The French Laundry Cookbook. Looking through it, seeing all this crazy-fancy food, getting kinda-inspired, kinda-terrified, I did some research. For those who don’t know, The French Laundry is a world-famous four star restaurant in Yountville, CA (right over the hill from my hometown of Sonoma). To get a reservation, you must call 2 months to the day in advance–if you can’t get through, no reservation. The cost of the nine course meal (with a menu that changes daily) is $250 PER PERSON, and that does not include the wine you select from their 103-page-long wine menu. At that price, I know I will never go there: even if I become incredibly wealthy and demented, I doubt I’ll ever be able to fathom spending that much on a meal. I love food in general–but I’m more than satisfied with the regular kind. I’m assuming if Thomas Keller (chef at FL) ever made me anything, I would never be able to eat again. I’d probably get some sort of newfound and exclusive respect for amazing food, obsessively refusing anything but the best. I’d die of starvation, but I can assure you I’d die happy.

I learned a little about presentation from the pictures in that book, and by presentation I mean stacking. The way to make food look so worthwhile is to stack it. Start with a puddle of sauce, stack your ingredients, one, two, three, garnish, and voila: you may now peddle your creation for several hundred.

The bottom one is Caesar salad. Don’t ask me how, just feed it to me.

Verdict on The French Laundry: I’m in lust with it, but it’s rich and famous and unattainable. And ultimately, pretty guilt-inducing: thinking of all the starving people in the world and then thinking of spending the better half of a grand for one meal?? Never.

If someone took me there I cannot promise I’d respect them, but I would surely fall in love with them.

the witching hour

Eva — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 07:29:13 +0000

An oft voiced opinion of mine: the period of time between 4am and 5 am is MISERABLE.

There are very few worthwhile reasons to be staying up that late.

There are very few worthwhile reasons to be getting up that early.

That said, I have been up til what Anna and I refer to as “the witching hour” for the past two nights. I’m relieved to be breaking the cycle tonight.

Sidenote, isn’t it frustrating when no English word fits what you’re trying to convey? For example, I wanted to say “what Anna and I [antonym of lovingly] refer to as…” but to my knowledge no word with this definition exists. Despisingly? Hatingly? Loathingly? Anyone…?

Love

Eva — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 06:10:28 +0000

“…it’s probably the strongest adhesive available.”

-Flight of the Conchords, Bret specifically. Ha!

cooking blog alert

Eva — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 04:17:47 +0000

I have started a new blog! A cooking blog.

http://evascookbook.wordpress.com/

You can also find it on my Blogroll.

This doesn’t mean the end of this blog, either. Just an FYI that I will now be jabbering on about cooking somewhere else!

Too Much

Eva — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 04:17:17 +0000

You’re probably thinking, TOO MUCH blogging about Sufjan but hey: he released a music video!!!

Bonus points if you can spot his brother Marzuki (spoiler alert: he has a handlebar mustache). At the concert, spazzy images similar to these were projected behind the band: AWESOME!!

For a second I thought this was his first music video and then I remembered this adorable gem, “Put the Lights on the Tree”. ‘Tis the season!

baffling talk show hosts since 2010

Eva — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 19:49:00 +0000

Sufjan on Fallon, demonstrating a multitude of his eccentricities: instrumental overlapping, piled-on statement clothing and accessories, and my personal favorite, choreographed robot-dancing.

that VOICE!

Eva — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 17:15:37 +0000

When studying fails, it’s YouTube time. Last night the theme was old Muse videos.

I’ve listened to so much Muse I can’t really decide which songs showcase Matt Bellamy’s voice best, as he has such a large range and uses his voice in many ways. This one is pleasingly heavy on the falsetto. Also, this is when he gravitated towards Edward Scissorhandsy outfits.