Mr. Jelly Belly

Earlier this week I watched the documentary Candyman: The David Klein Story. The film tells the story of Klein, the inventor of the Jelly Belly jelly bean, chronicling his efforts to get the candy made, his brief fame as Mr. Jelly Belly, and how the business slipped through his fingers. Through a combination of his trusting nature and impulsiveness, Klein sold the business to the Goelitz Candy Company for much less than it was worth. The film was spearheaded by his son in an effort to get his father the recognition he lost (the Jelly Belly website says only that “a Los Angeles candy distributor had an idea for a jelly bean made with natural flavorings.") Directed by Costa Botes, the film is wildly uneven, with inexplicable commentary by Weird Al Yankovic and too-little examination of just why Klein sold the business. But Klein is such an eccentric character, keeping notes on paper plates, donning gumdrop suits and riding around in an ice cream truck, that I'll never be able to eat another bean without thinking of him. (He even inspired me to create the above portrait.) So in that way, the film is a success. You can watch the trailer here.

Cha Cha Cha

Went to an estate sale today at the home of a sassy lady who, as I could tell from looking at her things, liked to wear gold lamé tights and dance. I picked up this selection from her vinyl collection. It includes instructions for how to cha cha cha on the back. Listening to it, especially "Abrete Sesamo," it's hard not to try it yourself.

Side 1

Cha Cha Paganini
Luna De Meil En Puerto Rico
Las Clases De Cha Cha Cha
Cha Cha Chavela
Rico Vacilon
Nicolasa

Side 2

Abrete Sesamo
Senorita Catalina
Pedro Y Pablo
Mi Lo Dijo Adela
Pimpolio
Baila Mi Cha Cha Cha

Goodbye, Liz

She was a catalogue of female archetypes: headstrong girl, blushing bride, homewrecker, queen. But to me she'll always be the one who seduced Monty over a pool table.

C is for Cookie

Spent the afternoon baking, and Lena spent the afternoon eating, marching around the house declaring "COOKIE!" Since she was moving too fast for me to take a good picture of her chocolate-covered face, I took a portrait of this new addition to her Little People collection. (In case it isn't obvious, there's a lot of Sesame Street love in the house lately.)

Craft For Japan

Just a few of the things you can buy on etsy to help Japan. Click on the pictures for the links, or search yourself, many shops are donating all their proceeds for a day or more.

Stars 4-Ever

Maybe it has something to do with the supermoon coming, but this song has taken over my life. I have an entire music video storyboarded in my mind, where Robyn performs it on Sesame Street with Elmo.

Happy π Day

Why not celebrate the mathematical constant with a slice of cherry? Photo by LadiesWhoKill.

Mixtape Memory: R.E.M.'s Golden Age

Since R.E.M.'s new album is out, with accompanying short films and ongoing debates over the band's legacy, I thought I'd share this "best of" mix I made at the end of what many consider to be the band's golden age. Listen to it below.

Side One

Radio Free Europe
Pilgramage

Talk About The Passion

Perfect Circle

We Walk

Can't Get There From Here

Old Man Kensey

Driver 8

These Days

Fall On Me

What if we Give it Away?

Exhuming McCarthy

The One I Love

It's the End of the World as We Know It (and I Feel Fine)

Side Two

Orange Crush

Losing My Religion

Endgame

Texarkana

Drive

Try Not to Breathe

The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite

Man on the Moon

What's the Frequency, Kenneth?

How the West Was Won and Where It Got Us

Leave

The River Tam Sessions

Reruns of Firefly start tonight on the The Science Channel. My DVR is on alert. You can buy the (faux) album from Joebot here.