Keane

Spiralling - Keane

Holiday Party Dresses

I love Christmas time. I love Christmas parties. And I love dressing up for Christmas parties. I found these dresses on my daily Shopbop 'What's New' search. I wish (a) I actually had multiple Christmas and New Year's invitations awaiting my reply, and (b) a pot of cash stashed in my closet to purchase these beautiful dresses. Unfortunately, the only Christmas parties I have yet to attend are the standard ugly sweater parties, which I'm not a fan of.Derek Lam

Jill Stuart

Robert Rodriguez

Day 7

Reminds me of home

(via Rags and Scribbles)

Good Shoes

I like a lot of modern British bands, and the Good Shoes are definitely at the top of my list. Good Shoes are a four piece English indie pop band, hailing from Morden, London. GS seem to have the same flair that Foals have, but they present their music differently. They show some great ska influences in many of their songs, as opposed to the drum & bass influences in Foals' songs.

Indexed

Stumbled upon this blog.. updates daily.
Diagrams describe what words can't. Love it.
Indexed

"It's all downhill after the graduation party"
"That stapler is a weapon" "How was your weekend?"
"Time to look busy"

Jack Kerouac

"the only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn, like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars..."
-jack kerouac

Chocolate Cake

My mouth is watering ....

We're having a hot coco and sweets party at work on Wednesday. Perhaps I will put my baking skills to use and try this recipe out. Check it out at Bread & Honey.

Day 6

Adderall, Legalize It

Interesting thought...

If drugs can safely give your brain a boost, why not take them? And if you don't want to, why stop others?

In an era when attention-disorder drugs are regularly — and illegally — being used for off-label purposes by people seeking a better grade or year-end job review, these are timely ethical questions.

The latest answer comes from Nature, where seven prominent ethicists and neuroscientists recently published a paper entitled, "Towards a responsible use of cognitive-enhancing drugs by the healthy."

In short: Legalize 'em.

"Mentally competent adults," they write, "should be able to engage in cognitive enhancement using drugs."

Roughly seven percent of all college students, and up to 20 percent of scientists, have already used Ritalin or Adderall — originally intended to treat attention-deficit disorders — to improve their mental performance.

Some people argue that chemical cognition-enhancement is a form of cheating. Others say that it's unnatural. The Nature authors counter these charges: Brain boosters are only cheating, they say, if prohibited by the rules — which need not be the case. As for the drugs being unnatural, the authors argue, they're no more unnatural than medicine, education and housing.

In many ways, the arguments are compelling. Nobody rejects pasteurized milk or dental anesthesia or central heating because it's unnatural. And whether a brain is altered by drugs, education or healthy eating, it's being altered at the same neurobiological level. Making moral distinctions between them is arbitrary.

But if a few people use cognition-enhancing drugs, might everyone else be forced to follow, whether they want to or not?

If enough people improve their performance, then improvement becomes the status quo. Brain-boosting drug use could become a basic job requirement.

Ritalin and Adderall, now ubiquitous as academic pick-me-ups, are merely the first generation of brain boosters. Next up is Provigil, a "wakefulness promoting agent" that lets people go for days without sleep, and improves memory to boot. More powerful drugs will follow.

As the Nature authors write, "cognitive enhancements affect the most complex and important human organ and the risk of unintended side effects is therefore both high and consequential." But even if their safety could be assured, what happens when workers are expected to be capable of marathon bouts of high-functioning sleeplessness?

Most people I know already work 50 hours a week and struggle to find time for friends, family and the demands of life. None wish to become fully robotic in order to keep their jobs. So I posed the question to Michael Gazzaniga, a University of California, Santa Barbara, psychobiologist and Nature article co-author.

"It is possible to do all of that now with existing drugs," he said. "One has to set their goals and know when to tell their boss to get lost!"

Which is not, perhaps, the most practical career advice these days. And Penn State neuroethicist Martha Farah, another of the paper's authors, was a bit less sanguine.

"First the early adopters use the enhancements to get an edge. Then, as more people adopt them, those who don't, feel they must just to stay competitive with what is, in effect, a new higher standard," she said.

Citing the now-normal stresses produced by expectations of round-the-clock worker availability and inhuman powers of multitasking, Farah said, "There is definitely a risk of this dynamic repeating itself with cognition-enhancing drugs."

But people are already using them, she said. Some version of this scenario is inevitable — and the solution, she said, isn't to simply say that cognition enhancement is bad.

Instead we should develop better drugs, understand why people use them, promote alternatives and create sensible policies that minimize their harm.

As Gazzaniga also pointed out, "People might stop research on drugs that may well help memory loss in the elderly" — or cognition problems in the young — "because of concerns over misuse or abuse."

This would certainly be unfortunate collateral damage in the 21st century theater of the War on Drugs — and the question of brain enhancement needs to be seen in the context of this costly and destructive war. As Schedule II substances, Ritalin and Adderall are legally equivalent in the United States to opium or cocaine.

"These laws," write the Nature authors, "should be adjusted to avoid making felons out of those who seek to use safe cognitive enhancements."

After all, according to the law's letter, seven percent of college students and 20 percent of scientists should have done jail time — this journalist, too.

By Brandon Keim

Towards responsible use of cognitive-enhancing drugs by the healthy

December Movies

All of these are on my must see list...
Frost/Nixon
December 5


Gran Torino
December 12


The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
December 25


Marley and Me
December 25

The Rakes

The Rakes are a four piece indie rock band hailing from London.

Happy Sunday

via: Saga

Day 5

When you’re a teenager and in your early twenties [love] seems desperately eternal and excruciatingly painful. Whereas as you grow older you realise that most things are excruciatingly painful and that is the human condition. Most of us continue to survive because we’re convinced that somewhere along the line, with grit and determination and perseverance, we will end up in some magical union with somebody. It’s a fallacy, of course, but it’s a form of religion. You have to believe. There is a light that never goes out and it’s called hope.

— Morrissey
via: we heart it

Thomas Tantrum

It will put a smile on your face.

News Anchor, Brian Williams

One of my all time favorite news anchors is Brian Williams. He's charismatic, passionate, witty, irreverent and a college drop out. Well, technically he left college to take on an internship with the administration of Jimmy Carter. The broad array of passions that make him bubble excitedly in person—from U.S. history to dirt-track stock-car racing—save him from ever seeming aloof and too self-important on air. It's obvious that he deeply cares about his job and about the stories he reports.

What instigated this post... I was home sick the past week and watched way too much daytime TV (Martha Stewart, Opera, Take Home Chef, etc). He appeared on the Ellen show and did not disappoint. I won't hold it against him he makes near $10 million a year. He's charming and handsome. Who wouldn't pay that much to have him on their network?
(photo via TIME)

Day 4

Love this photo from dooce - immediately made it my laptop background

Valuable Interview Tips

O the dreaded job interviews. By the time I finished job interviews for my first job out of college, I had the whole gig perfected. This article is pretty brilliant. Totally true.

This article focuses on a particular kind of interview question, what I call the “Not Getting Hired” question. I call it that for two reasons: One, because questions that fall into this category have become such a routine part of the interviewing process that the person asking it rarely pays attention to the answer (and for good reason, as I’ll explain later). Two, because no matter how an interviewee answers the question, the information doesn’t address the key issue in any employment search.

Click here to read the entire article.

Bernard Fanning

I'm not sure if I already posted this one. GREAT and I mean GREAT song.
"Let somebody love you just enough"

Holiday Gift Guide cont.

For when you're this weekend doing last minute shopping...

DEAN & DELUCA Spice Rack

from deandeluca.com
An efficient and stylish way to display your favorite DEAN & DELUCA herbs & spices neatly arranged in clear vials. Comes with a specially designed spoon. $150.00

1950's Royal Typewriter (Restored) - $550.00
from threepotatofourshop.com

The Select-A-Date New York Times Jigsaw Puzzle
from Hammacher and Schlemmer

This is the custom jigsaw puzzle created for you when you select any inclusive date from 1888 to 2001 from the front page of the New York Times. $49.95
Colonial Hardwood Bowl - $15-78
from The Vermont Bowl Company

Day 3

Girls Drink Like Boys

Great article from New York Magazine. Makes us think twice about our own bad habits. It's well worth the read.

Sample paragraph:

Not all of my female friends drink like Kate, but most of them do drink—and not just in a glass-of-wine-with-dinner way. Drinking is our go-to activity. Meeting a friend implies going to a bar. Having a meal implies a round of cocktails beforehand. A party implies a serious hangover. Drinking feels like our prerogative—if we want to get blasted at the company Christmas party or nurse a bottle of scotch through the holidays, no one should, or can, stop us.

Continue reading here... New York: “Should Gender Equality Extend to Drinking?”

Eli “Paperboy” Reed & The True Loves

Think soulful 60s with a raw intensity and passionate precision. I'm sorta obsessed. Something totally distinct and separate of the cookie cutter music being produced. It makes me want to dance.

Someecards.com

"When You Care Enough to Hit Send"

Funny and Free ecards to send to friends throughout the holidays.. below are some of the DailyCandy cards...some of the others are a little risque. Click here for the DailyCandy ecards and here for the main Someecards.com

Day 2

Cook County Corruption Continues

So by now you've have undoubtedly heard the scandal surrounding Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. Trying to sell a Senate seat to the highest bidder? Completely embarrassing and yet I'm not surprised. Saw the recaps Tuesday evening on ABCNews with Charlie Gibson (I just can't bring myself to call him Charles)... the fact that he jokes with reporters regarding his conduct and entices them to bug him.... unbelievable. Pulled this from This Is Not Your Voice..... sums up this whole fiasco.

NBC5 came up with the top quotes regarding the proceedings. Here they are, including one where Blago called the president-elect a ‘motherf------.’

1. “If (Illinois) isn’t the most corrupt state in the United States, it’s certainly one hell of a competitor.” — FBI Special Agent In-Charge Robert Grant.
2. “The conduct would make Lincoln roll over in his grave.” — U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald.
3. “Make Lincoln roll over? This would make Nixon roll over.” — Gotcha, a poster on the nbcchicago.com forums.
4. “Once again, the people of Illinois have learned that a Governor has engaged in a shockingly flagrant scheme to sell his power and authority to the highest bidder.” — Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan.
5. ROD BLAGOJEVICH said that the consultants (Advisor B and another consultant are believed to be on the call at that time) are telling him that he has to “suck it up” for two years and do nothing and give this “motherf*&% [the President-elect] his senator. F*&$ him. For nothing? F$#@ him.” — Alleged quotes from Blagojevich in affidavit.
6. “I had no contact with the governor or his office. so I was not aware of what was happening and, as I said, it was a sad day for Illinois.” — President-Elect Barack Obama.
7. “I should say if anybody wants to tape my conversations, go right ahead, feel free to do it. I appreciate anybody who wants to tape me openly and notoriously. Those who feel like they want to sneakily and wear taping devices, I would remind them that it kind of smells like Nixon and Watergate.” — Blagojevich speaking to reporters on Monday, before he was arrested.
8. “I was losing sleep. I laid awake at night thinking about those editors.” — U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald, discussing the wiretaps where Blagojevich allegedly tried to have critical Chicago Tribune editors fired.
9. “… if they feel like they can do this and not f*&^ing give me anything . . . then I’ll f&%$ing go [Senate Candidate 5].” — Alleged quotes from Blagojevich in affidavit.
10. “No appointment by this governor, under these circumstances, could produce a credible replacement.” — Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin, speaking to reporters from Washington D.C.

Candie Payne

If you're totally over Winehouse like I am, you'll like Miss Candie. Think James Bond theme song music.

Free Encouragement

Booooom! A new active project on-line and here’s the deal: There is just so much negativity all around us these days, have you noticed? It’s infesting the internet, it’s taking over the big screen, it’s cutting you off, it’s showing up on your bank statement, it’s staining your new shirt, it’s breathing down your neck, it’s not giving you a vacation, it’s talking behind your back, it’s stuffing you in a locker, it’s cheating on you, it’s charging you more, it’s giving you less, and it’s making you miserable!

It's basically a gallery of encouragements. Take a look! I'm going to post one each day till Christmas. We could all use a gift of encouragement every day!via: booooom

Unique Holiday Gift - Immortality

From ABCNews.com...

Species Name Auction Offers Wild Holiday Gift Idea
A bat named just for you? Purdue auctions off naming rights to 9 newly discovered species

Searching for a truly original holiday gift, one that could bestow a bit of immortality on a loved one or a friend?

If so, Purdue University has the goods: The school is auctioning the naming rights to seven newly discovered bats and two turtles. Winning bidders will be able to link a relative, friend or themselves to an animal's scientific name for the ages.

The first of the nine auctions began Monday, when the school put up for grabs the naming rights to a tiny gold and black insect-munching bat found in Central America.

The winning bidder will be announced just before Christmas, said John Bickham, a Purdue professor of forestry and natural resources who discovered or co-discovered the nine species.

He expects the auctions to attract wide interest, with the chance to include a person's Latinized name in a new species' scientific name — a tradition that dates to the mid-18th century.

"Unlike naming a building or something like that, this is much more permanent. This will last as long as we have our society," he said Monday.
click here to read the rest...

Tuesday Music Pick

I know another Little Joy... but I'm obsessed. Soothing - perfect for a Tuesday afternoon.

Dutch canal home

Found these photos over on DesignSponge - Designed by Uxus, the home is located in the center of Amsterdam. Love the soft lighting and rustic but chic - hard to do. Click here for more photos.

Immediate flashback to Art History and Jan Van Eyck's Arnolfini Wedding...

Post Secret

PostSecret began with an idea Frank Warren had for a community art project. He began handing out Postcards to strangers and leaving them in public places- asking people to write down a secret they had never told anyone and mail it to him anonymously. The response was overwhelming.
The secrets were both provocative and profound, and the cards themselves were works of art - carefully and creatively constructed by hand.

After Molly gave me the Post Secret book as a birthday gift I started subscribing to the highly addictive blog that updates every Sunday with "Sunday Secrets." Some are dark and disturbing, but most are inspiring and heartwarming but regardless they're all beautiful pieces of handmade art. Check out the PostSecret blog for a little weekend reading.

Purchase the book at amazon.com

Letters to Crushes

My friend introduced me to this blog... Letters to Crushes - People anonymously submit their pinings to their desired ones. sighhh.

D,
I thought you were weird, immature, annoying… until I took the time to get to know you. I’m so glad I took the time to get to know you.
— K

You,
I don’t think you know how much I really miss you.
— Me

boy,
i want to spend all day kissing you, holding your hand and admiring your beautiful face. you’ve been sitting right in front of my eyes for the past three years and i’m just now starting to see. you make me so happy. i think i’m falling in love.
— girl

N,
I should have never left Paris.
— C

andrew,
i will never give up on us.
— me

mike,
I love you, always have. i have made the mistake of my life, but want to spend the rest of it trying to make it up to you.
— anonymous

What Your Dog Says About You

Stumbled upon this article from MSNBC.com - I find it so entertaining how dog owners and their dogs not only share similar characteristics but sometimes share physical traits...cheers.

You can pick up after your pooch and make sure he plays nice, but it's your dog's breed that truly speaks volumes about what kind of owner you are.

Got a beagle? You are inquisitive and willing to learn new things. The beagle is constantly questioning. If you own one of these dogs, chances are you are a curious, willful person who is loyal to friends, tough on enemies and pretty stubborn.

Those with cocker spaniels are family oriented and nurturing. Gentle, playful and sweet in demeanor, this breed is the perfect size for smaller children. Owners of these dogs display the same affectionate qualities as their pups.

It appears affection — and an affinity for a pet — go a long way when times are tough.

"Pets have become more like family than an animal left in the dog house in the backyard," says Daisy Okas, assistant vice president of communications at the American Kennel Club (AKC). "Just as people are not going to skimp on their children, they are not going to cut back on their dog."

Humans are so devoted to their canine counterparts that despite the economic downturn, it seems pet owners aren't willing to cut back on canine-related expenditures.

In fact, spending on pet supplies and over-the-counter medicines is expected to reach $10.5 billion by the end of this year, according to the American Pet Products Manufacturers' Association. In 2007, spending reached about $9.9 billion.

"Animals provide a consistency to the ups and downs of our life, whether that's the downturn in the economy or job stress," says Shari Curran, director of Therapet Foundation, a Whitehouse, Texas-based not-for-profit that provides animal-assisted therapy. "They don't care whether you won or lost a bunch of money in the stock market; they provide unconditional love and react the same way every time you come home."....click to read the rest of the article..

Venice Under Water

From ABCNews.com ...Pedestrians wade through flood waters, past a gondola, in Venice Dec. 1, 2008. Large parts of Venice were flooded Monday as heavy rains and strong winds lashed the lagoon city, with sea levels at their highest level in 22 years. Ferry and water taxi services in the city were suspended and Venice's mayor urged people to stay indoors. Tourists and residents struggled to get across the city over raised walkways. The Centro Maree, which forecasts water levels, said sea levels in the Adriatic rose 1.56 metres (5.1 ft) -- a level not seen since 1986.

Click here for the complete slideshow.

Having been to the exact spots where these photos were taken.... I find these photos alarming. Venice's vulnerability is more real than ever.

I find this ad campaign disturbing...

Etsy's top 10 gifts you can't get a the mall...

Check out the full article here.... These are a few of my favorites...

Your Book Rebuilt by TYLERBENDER
absolutely love the idea of this... great for birthdays and other special occasions..Send in your favorite retired book and get back an amazing decoy journal to stash in your library. It's a great way to recycle old books $50.
Recyled Wine Bottle Glasses by SurfsideCreations
Besides being an amazing display of craftsmanship and ingenius recycling, these wine bottle glasses would be much easier to drink out of than the hundreds of broken bottles. $70.

Custom Thumbprint Ring by chrisparry
This seller will create a true-to-life portrait of your thumbprint onto the top of a silver ring. $249.

Love this retro-whimsy inspirational board from snippetandink.
Theme and palette would be great for a bridal or baby shower as well.

Sons of Anarchy obsession- final installment

Last five minutes from the season finale... I promise this is my last post referencing Sons (at least until next season)..... love the song "John the Revelator" by Stigers and The Forrest Rangers.

Starbucks is giving back this holiday season

Starbucks is partnering with (Red) this holiday season and five cents from each sale of certain drinks will be donated to save lives in Africa. Although I'm more of a Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf fan, I plan on switching over to Starbucks for the next month in honor of such a gesture.

World Aids Day - December 1st