LONELYPOND PRESENTS

Greetings, o most loyal and amazing blog visitors. Happy 2010. I’m going to give you a fairly thorough round up as I would really like to be taking a couple of weeks for some R + R while it’s cold and all my baser instincts are saying, “Stay under the covers, it’s warm.” I am not particularly good at the R + R things so I may be forced to resort to things like read all the Harry Potter books, read all the Sarah Caudwell books, read all the Terry Pratchett Watch themed books, read my MFK Fisher + Elizabeth David, dig out my Raymond Chandler and Peter Cheyney, read through the pile of newspapers, watch all the movies I’ve borrowed from friends (Tristram Shandy, Bubba Ho-Tep, Steam Boy), watch the movies I watch every year and skipped in ‘09 (the original 3 American Pies, Tomb Raider, Bring It On, The Bandwagon, Strictly Ballroom, etc.)

So to tide you over, there’s the new Blink Kitty Love, all the old Blink Kitty Love, the band website and this:

Lunch With Tristram Stuart who feeds people from discarded food to highlight wastage.

Article about really cool jazz pianists CD collections I can’t afford.

The FT’s this year in culture quiz…

Stefan Stern’s suggestions for movies to watch and pick up business tips from this season (for the rest of you who don’t do R + R).

Very cool story about a native Gypsy theatre experiment/troupe in Spain. I am always amazed by the effect theatre can have on both audience and performers.

Umberto Eco’s latest looks to land on a list of fun reads.

Hoping to catch Nine at the local cinema…doesn’t look like Orson Welles and Me or The Station will make an appearance here; bumped Moon to the top of the Netflix queue and may soon give in to the buy Star Trek and/or Wizards of Waverly Place The Movie DVD urge…also on that list, the Cary Grant double feature — The Bachelor and The Bobby Soxer and Walk, Don’t Run, which I just saw on TCM and laughed at the frequently priceless moments.

TV: Zeke and Luther’s I, Skatebot episode looks cool, a bit worried about Wizards vs. Werewolves (Wizards of Waverly Place) — perhaps too soon after Wizards vs. Vampires and what will be left for Max, Wizards vs. really grumpy mythological creatures left out of the Twilight series — not really watching much on Nick at the moment except for late night What I Like About You, Top Gear kicks off a new season soon (Gayle very excited), I still miss Warehouse 13 and I really need to spend more time reading.

Merchant of Venice (#merven) planning not kicking into gear — but it’s early yet. Trying to get an artist for the logo, Gayle’s scheduling shows, I’ve decided to have people audition with their cool electronic gear (cell phones, laptops, etc.) Need to read through the play again; concerned about the Bassiano/Antonio axis –and no, I don’t mean in the gay way, just in the everybody’s always so concerned about Portia and Shylock, but hey without these two, I’ve got two right side wheels on a vehicle that needs two on the left as well.

The Lonely Pond Productions, Inc. annual meeting went in unexpected directions. But Google Wave worked well when the snow prevented travel. I need to put together scripts for a short live action adaptation and a few animations. And mull over movie related issues some more.

And Sarah Hemming’s “Twelfth Night” review left me grumping about people who weight down comedies with misery so I have been considering exactly how tragic the characters of Malvolvio, Sir Andrew, Wile E. Coyote, Elmer Fudd, et al are. And her Rope review makes the show sound like an excellent experience to have in a theatre.

Speaking of Hitchcock, there was a Vanity Fair photospread (thanks @njtam, a fellow Hitchcock fan) of modern stars in classic Hitchcock scenes…the women do better than the men, who seem to suffer from not being Cary Grant or Jimmy Stewart.

My current favorite breakfast is oatmeal with hot apple cider for a drink, my current most likely to be worn shirt is this one (it amuses Gayle) and I heard this amazingly goofy song at one of our favorite restaurants that Google has been no help with finding the title of…the lyrics as we can remember go something like this: “you’re good cause you don’t do things like (or that) you should…you’re cool cause (cuz?) you don’t do things by the book.” Sounded like a guy singing, it was a Spanish-Peruvian restaurant where music usually has spanish lyrics, it was chanty, and if you drop the title/artist in the comments, there will be a reward.

And I think that gets you up to date — and should tide you over for awhile. Wishing you the best of 2010’s. Stay warm.

P.S. Cool toasters…I need one.

(Well, plus all the usual stuff) is to support your favorite crazy, crushing cartoon band by buying their first t-shirt. All nicely done by Zazzle so you can pick the color, shirt and price of your choice. Be one of the few, the proud, the Blinkers…want a better tag? Buy a shirt. Or offer some suggestions. Thanks. Merry Christmas. Scroll down one and watch Elf Panic; you’ll enjoy it.

Peter Aspden on the problem defining cool + if Miles Davis is the solution.

Fashion Bloggers in the front row…Nicola Copping on how bloggers (example @bryanboy) are gaining influence with designers. Fashion Blogs I follow, well @meandmarisa found me on Twitter and I’ve been enjoying their photos and fashion thoughts.

Sarah Hemming talks to set designers about…set design.

Mexican left-wing printmakers took on church, politics + culture. Review of exhibit at British Museum.

Christine Lagarde, French Finance Minster, ranks #1.

Vanessa Friedman on how dressing for the EU President job will be almost as difficult as landing it.

And to end w/ a dinner tomorrow thought: a pumpkin risotto recipe. Also must make single serving apple crisps in these deep, white ramekins we have — feeling inspired by the season and the big nubbly apples sitting in our fruit bowl.

I’m making robot lists on Twitter (plus a pop culture robot one, let me know if you have any to add.)

FlipBoom is releasing a “teen”/more advanced FlipBoom All-Star version with ability to import images and MP3s, save drawings to a library + a few other snazzy features. Makes me wonder why I upgraded to the full version of Studio w/ its 500+ page manual.

Combine FlipBoom + Robots and you get Blink Kitty Love, featuring I, Jobot. Enjoy.

I now have a favorite Pixar movie…Ratatouille. Watched it on the Disney Channel last night + was very impressed with the animation, the story, the directing, the authenticity of the characters, the way everything moved. Wow. And none of the usual Pixar tinge of maudlin to interfere. Great animation — there were so many scenes that relied on action rather than words (I could tell because Flash came in and stared at the screen since no one was talking). Great stuff. It’s on my list of DVD purchases to watch again and study the how to features. Oh, and Peter O’Toole continues amazing.

Bandslam — yes, I went to Bandslam on opening day…me and a paltry 100,000 or so other people. And I’m going to go again, because I think there’s chunks of story in the music that goes along with the story + I need to hear it again. I found myself disappointed at the end + I’m not sure why. The movie needed a rock star doing that final number. I think Vanessa Hudgens is an excellent actress, nay, I will go so far as to say a MOVIE STAR, and Aly Michalka rocks out and I think that was part of the trap. I kept switching them in my mind; it happens once you start directing things — you think you can do better…But then I continued thinking about it. Part of the problem was each one of the three main characters goes through major issues/changes — and the narrator’s seemed like the least interesting of the story arcs (gee, two hot girls want to hang out with me, I’m a freaky musical genius, but shock, dark Dad secret). So we spend the most time hearing the voice of the character I was least interested in. I loved the band they made up; it’s going on my list of favorite fictional bands: Dusted Bunnies, Josie and the Pussycats (also the cartoon), 5 Leo Rise, No Man’s Land and now I Can’t Go On I’ll Go On — I’m pretty sure there’s another couple and when I remember them I’ll do a favorite fictional band entry (suggest yours in the comments)…

I suggest seeing Bandslam because there are excellent parts in the middle, it made me laugh, it made me care, you want to see Aly Michalka fronting the band, Vanessa Hudgens can dominate a scene seemingly effortlessly and Lisa Kudrow does an excellent job at being a mom, a cool mom, a funny mom, a big sister groupie and then back to a mom.

Aly and AJ have changed the name of their band to 78violet and have an album coming out this fall. You can still get in on the design the 78violet logo contest (until 8/30).

Yes, with no show + nothing scheduled, I zinged through my FT Weekend yesterday. Here’s some fun links for you.

Vanessa Friedman on Twitter as a communication accessory — I like the analogy, Twitter goes with everything I own.

From the House and Home section, an article on 12th century design and redecorating the medieval stone keep at Dover Castle.

Sarah Hemming (yes, at it again) profiles Brian Friel…oddly enough, I recently had a Friel conversation with a friend looking for a play to direct. I would love to see a good production of Translations; I’ve always been fascinated by how the language issues would play out on stage.

Harry Eyres ponders Galileo, his telescopes and the reach of science.

And today, an update on robots assisting with care of the elderly in Japan.

Wooting actually…Shirt.Wooting + designing for the latest design derby #107 Bags. Check out + vote (please) for my design here.

Saw G.I. Joe on Friday in Theatre 1…loud. But worth it for Marlon Wayans + Rachel Nichols. Their acting and the Ripcord/Scarlet chemistry rode away with the movie. Channing Tatum has lost my Captain America vote; I say we put Mr. Wayans in an action movie and have some fun. Too big, too loud, too noisy with leads who couldn’t carry the emotions required by the backstory. Some nice transitions and shots (glass roof), but also a lot of Star Wars, Sky Captain and The Mummy touches. Looking forward to maybe catching (500) Days of Summer tomorrow and next weekend: BANDSLAM!

Wizards of Waverly Place Vampire vs. Wizards event has wrapped. It gained momentum as it went along. Still very impressed with what the Russo Clan is doing; Jennifer Stone’s Harper is getting better/funnier every week and Bridgit Mendler is a good addition as vampire Juliet. Actual appearance of a zombie prom was fun. It was also good to have Dean closure for Alex, but I’ll be glad when Wizards gets back to regular episodes (and the movie).

Liking

Two articles in the local papers about Taming of the Shrew and Theatre Under the Trees. The Dispatch’s does a great job of giving you a sense of what the Theatre Under The Trees experience is like and the Record’s article is a fairly lively overview of the play.

Newest internet finds:

Have been having fun with Shirt.Woot — a new t-shirt for $10 posted each night at 12:01 a.m. They have a Derby every week with new designs — this week’s theme was Tatoo (finalists); it’s a fun and relaxing way to get a look at (and vote for) some cool art. @apelad tipped me to it and his was the Monday shirt.

The Cabonauts starting following me — new web series — and I got to thinking that I might want to find out more about what’s out there. And then The Web Files starting following me, I caught their trailer, I’m a sucker for a good hat and a trenchcoat, I followed back, watched their first interview with Tay Zonday, liked the questions and thought this is a good way to get to know what’s out there…They’re up to 3 episodes so far — Safety Geeks SVI looks like a fun and funny show.

A flash of enthusiasm/inspiration visited and I decided it might be fun to put host Kristyn Burtt in a Blink Kitty Love episode and we exchanged a few e-mails. They are hoping to cover animation at some point, they’re just not sure how. I don’t think Blink Kitty Love is ready for the big time yet, but I am mulling over how to increase your favorite crazy crushing band’s fan base (as well as redesign their website) and it was nice to be taken seriously. So best of luck to The Web Files…I’m looking forward to picking up some tips from your future episodes. And maybe Ms. Burtt and Tammy can go out in their hats + trenchcoats for cupcakes and coffee (yes, in the next episode, Tammy puts on the hat + trenchcoat disguise to find out more about Ty’s girlfriend –TY HAS A GIRLFRIEND??????? Don’t worry, you’ll find out more about it after #tamingshakespeare’s over. Until then, check out your favorite episodes –and drop some redesign comments PLEASE — on the Blink Kitty Love site. Tomorrow (Friday), we do a special Guess or Sneak the 80’s Sax Solos.

And I really enjoyed the Apollo 11 rebroadcast. Thanks and props to John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum for the experience. And NASA for joining in on Twitter.

And the Fourth Plinth is still happening. I pop in a couple of times a day — random bits of weirdness and/or mopping. Right now, very energetic guy with a guitar who just turned in his doctoral thesis.

Miss The Big Bang Theory, haven’t really had a chance to watch Eureka — although S.A.R.A.H. is tweeting about TIRDS?, still looking forward to the Wizards movie but can’t catch the first half of the vampire saga as we have SHOWS (very exciting; see articles above), haven’t see the newest Harry Potter yet, annoyed that (500) Days of Summer isn’t in town, a little excited about G.I. Joe, and tired. Don’t forget to pick up your Middleman DVDs next week and take care! I’ll miss you, but SHOWS! Taming of The Shrew rocks a park maybe not near you, but you’ll hear the laughter.

Have a great afternoon — and wish me nice weather.

Vanessa Friedman on what Emma Watson as a fashion icon represents — I’ve been noticing the Burberry ads, but after seeing Kristen Stewart as Joan Jett photos, I know what Friedman means. Stewart is one of those chameleons who takes on a role with such force that it burns itself into your mind, even in a photo. And no, I still can’t convince myself to watch Twilight…if only I’d actually been able to finish the book. I might rent Adventureland though. And The Runaways is now on my calendar. And on a tangent, the New Moon trailer will run exclusively before Bandslam, the rocking summer movie I’ve been looking forward to, opening August 14th.

Stella McCartney introducing a touch of Disney into her winter fashions advertising campaign…I’m not sure if that means cute is coming back or we’re taking aim at Bambi with a rifle scope. Actually, it does kind of look like Disney meets Stewart so McCartney’s probably doing something right.