Hot Buttered Rum

Maybe it's because my pregnant physique is restricting my movements and I can't have a cocktail, but all I've been wanting to do lately is drink some rum and dance. Instead I've imbibed some mockails and I created a playlist of tunes to shake my belly to. (Can't wait 'till the baby is out so I can try some of these cool recipes from this book I thrifted!)

Thriller Night

To focus on a happy Michael Jackson memory today, here's a picture of me, on the left, with some pals attending a Thriller dance sponsored by my grade school. I was so excited to wear my Beat It shirt and boogie. I was not as thrilled that my parents had to be there, but I'm glad they took this picture. Oh, and this is the best thing I've read on the topic all day.

Hallucinatory Teenage Hysteria

For the perfect summer double feature I recently watched Peter Weir's Picnic at Hanging Rock and Sofia Coppola's The Virgin Suicides. Weir's 1975 film, based on the real-life disappearance of some Victorian boarding school girls in Australia, sets its tone of dread during the opening credits and doesn't let up for a moment. Coppola's film, based on Jeffrey Eugenides' novel and surrounding the unexplained suicides of the beautiful Lisbon sisters, is a bit lighter, but no less confounding. If you are in the mood for repressed teenage sexual hysteria and an endless chasm of mystery, watch them together. Plus there's lots of gorgeous cinematography involving flowers, journals and lace.

Daytime TV Watercolors

My favorite printmaker over at Loaded Hips Press just had a baby, and all her time in front of the TV inspired these great watercolors. She totally captured Martha's militant pose. Regis and Kelly are taking a pause from the banter. And really, if I had anything to say about it, The View would be all Whoopi, all the time; she seems like she has some good weed at home. See more of Shannon's creations here.

Bloody Good

I still have a bit of a sugar hangover from the True Blood viewing I attended last night. The yummy red velvet cake was courtesy of my friend Loretta. I did not partake of the Tru Blood wine, though. My type wasn't available.

Multiethnic Salt & Pepper Shakers

Thanks, modernfx!

Debate, Circa 1984: Cyndi or Madonna?

Last week I got tagged by the lovely Lina with a request for some childhood memories. Some of you may not know this, but way back in 1984 Cyndi Lauper and Madonna were at an equal level of pop fame. At school recess there was lots of discussion over who you preferred: Cyndi, with her kitchy-cool fun and love of wrestlers, or Madonna, with her club sensibility and sexual gyrations. Being 12 at the time, I was all about Cyndi. Anything too overtly sexual was a little scary to me (although I distinctly recall drawing a sexy chalk portrait of Madonna on the pavement outside school). The picture at the top is me in 1984, dressed as Cyndi for Halloween. I was so excited to show up at school in that outfit! I think I was vibrating all day. Madonna's pull was inevitable, though, so a few years later I was parading around the house in my Lucky Star look (below). But I think if I could travel back in time to 1984, even knowing what I know now, I would still prefer Cyndi.

TV Theme Songs Make Me Feel Sultry

Found this at the Salvation Army and couldn't resist. Who knew Happy Days, M*A*S*H, and Welcome Back Kotter could get you so hot and bothered?

Side One

Theme From Police Story
Happy Days
The Young and the Restless
Baretta's Theme
Welcome Back

Side Two

Theme From S.W.A.T.
Love Is All Around (Theme from The Mary Tyler Moore Show)
Mystery Movie Theme
Song From M*A*S*H* (Suicide Is Painless)
Making Our Dreams Come True (Theme From Laverne and Shirley)

Chance of Sprinkles

Rainy, rainy days here...will a donut make the rain go away? Collage by Caged Tomato.

Update: I think it worked. And Friday is National Donut Day! I say go and embrace the power of the donut yourself.