Monday, October 31, 2011
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Ken meets Bollywood.
For those of you that know us personally, you're well aware that my husband is a performer.
Don't let the microfinance facade fool you--give him a stage (audience optional), and he'll sing, dance, and act himself into oblivion. Pair that with a Tamil Nadu TV station, and you've got some serious Bollywood magic.
On Saturday our apartment was filled with a camera crew, lights, and the host to a nationally watched cooking show, Enter the Kitchen. This weeks episode: America vs. Gujarat.
*Note: this is my husband banging a spatula on a skillet/roaring as an opening act of intimidation to his Gujarati competitor. #everythingistotallynormal
The crew filmed for 5 hours, while Kenny and his friend Anand, faced off.
The "American" dish Ken chose to make was a deluxe chicken sandwich. It included a fried egg, avacado, lettuce, cheese, tomato, and 3 buns. He also decided to put a massive pile of unwashed mint as "garnish" next to the sandwich, alongside spoonfuls of mustard and mayo.
At the end, the crew asked me to come on as a "surprise" judge, and like a total traitor I voted for Anand. What can I say, his stuffed okra and potato Gujarati surprise was amazing.
Nevertheless, Ken slipped the host 10 rupees, and won in true Indian fashion--through bribing.
The footage is being edited as we speak and will air this coming Sunday. Word on the street has it that segments of the show will be uploaded to youtube, so in case you're really bored next Sunday, you'll have something ridiculous to do with your time.
We're headed to the beautiful city of Chandigarh tomorrow to celebrate Divali with my Auntie, so happy Divali to one and all, and we'll be back with lots of pics on Sunday.
Here's to Bollywood. :)
Don't let the microfinance facade fool you--give him a stage (audience optional), and he'll sing, dance, and act himself into oblivion. Pair that with a Tamil Nadu TV station, and you've got some serious Bollywood magic.
On Saturday our apartment was filled with a camera crew, lights, and the host to a nationally watched cooking show, Enter the Kitchen. This weeks episode: America vs. Gujarat.
*Note: this is my husband banging a spatula on a skillet/roaring as an opening act of intimidation to his Gujarati competitor. #everythingistotallynormal
The crew filmed for 5 hours, while Kenny and his friend Anand, faced off.
The "American" dish Ken chose to make was a deluxe chicken sandwich. It included a fried egg, avacado, lettuce, cheese, tomato, and 3 buns. He also decided to put a massive pile of unwashed mint as "garnish" next to the sandwich, alongside spoonfuls of mustard and mayo.
At the end, the crew asked me to come on as a "surprise" judge, and like a total traitor I voted for Anand. What can I say, his stuffed okra and potato Gujarati surprise was amazing.
Nevertheless, Ken slipped the host 10 rupees, and won in true Indian fashion--through bribing.
The footage is being edited as we speak and will air this coming Sunday. Word on the street has it that segments of the show will be uploaded to youtube, so in case you're really bored next Sunday, you'll have something ridiculous to do with your time.
We're headed to the beautiful city of Chandigarh tomorrow to celebrate Divali with my Auntie, so happy Divali to one and all, and we'll be back with lots of pics on Sunday.
Here's to Bollywood. :)
Saturday, October 22, 2011
A new painting for your Saturday.
Or maybe it's a drawing? I can't ever define these things properly.
And a really hilarious blog post including my husband, an Indian TV camera crew, and a very large sandwich for next week. #thisisgoingtobegood
Herd, Ink on paper, 9"x11", 2011
And a really hilarious blog post including my husband, an Indian TV camera crew, and a very large sandwich for next week. #thisisgoingtobegood
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Throwable Panoramic Ball Camera
He had me at throwable.
Probably the funnest invention ever. This camera is meant to be thrown into the air in order to take panoramic photographs. The brilliant Jonas Pfeil and his team are the masterminds behind this novel idea, set to hit the market just as soon as they get a patent.
Here's how it works:
"The camera is thrown into the air and captures an image at the highest point of flight - when it is hardly moving. The camera takes full spherical panoramas, requires no preparation and images are taken instantaneously.
After catching the ball camera, pictures are downloaded in seconds using USB and automatically shown in our spherical panoramic viewer. This lets users interactively explore a full representation of the captured environment."
Watch the video or click here for more information on how its 36 fixed focus cameras create such incredible images.
Probably the funnest invention ever. This camera is meant to be thrown into the air in order to take panoramic photographs. The brilliant Jonas Pfeil and his team are the masterminds behind this novel idea, set to hit the market just as soon as they get a patent.
Here's how it works:
"The camera is thrown into the air and captures an image at the highest point of flight - when it is hardly moving. The camera takes full spherical panoramas, requires no preparation and images are taken instantaneously.
After catching the ball camera, pictures are downloaded in seconds using USB and automatically shown in our spherical panoramic viewer. This lets users interactively explore a full representation of the captured environment."
Watch the video or click here for more information on how its 36 fixed focus cameras create such incredible images.
[via Danika found here]
Monday, October 17, 2011
A drawing a day.
My younger brother is studying architecture in Copenhagen this semester (lucky duck), and as a sort of daily exercise, is making a drawing a day.
His work is the bomb dot com, so I made him start a blog and post his awesome art for the world to see. Seriously, how rad is that cherry tart? And I don't think I've ever seen a prettier avocado.
So head on over and show him some blog love ladies! It's like total eye candy over there.
[images via Donesh Ferdowsi]
His work is the bomb dot com, so I made him start a blog and post his awesome art for the world to see. Seriously, how rad is that cherry tart? And I don't think I've ever seen a prettier avocado.
So head on over and show him some blog love ladies! It's like total eye candy over there.
[images via Donesh Ferdowsi]
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Miss Representation
A favorite professor from grad school just sent me the trailer for "Miss Representation", an incredible new documentary that I wanted to share with you.
My paintings have always dealt with issues of femininity and the various ways women are objectified and portrayed through media, which is why I found this documentary to be so extraordinary. The news clips will make your jaw drop.
"Like drawing back a curtain to let bright light stream in, Miss Representation uncovers a glaring reality we live with every day but fail to see. Directed by Jennifer Siebel Newsom, the film explores how mainstream media contribute to the under-representation of women in influential positions in America and challenges the media's limiting and often disparaging portrayals of women, which make it difficult for the average girl to see herself as powerful.
In a society where media is the most persuasive force shaping cultural norms, the collective message that our young women and men overwhelmingly receive is that a woman's value and power lie in her youth, beauty, and sexuality--and not in her capacity as a leader. While women have made strides in leadership over the past few decades, the United States still ranks 90th in the world for women in national legislatures, depression rates have doubled among teenage girls, and cosmetic surgery on minors has more than tripled in the last ten years.
Stories from teenage girls and provocative interviews with politicians, journalists, academics, and activists like Condoleeza Rice, Nancy Pelosi, Katie Couric, Rachel Maddow, Margaret Cho, Rosario Dawson and Gloria Steinem build momentum as Miss Representation accumulates startling facts and statistics that will leave the audience shaken and armed with a new perspective."
My paintings have always dealt with issues of femininity and the various ways women are objectified and portrayed through media, which is why I found this documentary to be so extraordinary. The news clips will make your jaw drop.
"Like drawing back a curtain to let bright light stream in, Miss Representation uncovers a glaring reality we live with every day but fail to see. Directed by Jennifer Siebel Newsom, the film explores how mainstream media contribute to the under-representation of women in influential positions in America and challenges the media's limiting and often disparaging portrayals of women, which make it difficult for the average girl to see herself as powerful.
In a society where media is the most persuasive force shaping cultural norms, the collective message that our young women and men overwhelmingly receive is that a woman's value and power lie in her youth, beauty, and sexuality--and not in her capacity as a leader. While women have made strides in leadership over the past few decades, the United States still ranks 90th in the world for women in national legislatures, depression rates have doubled among teenage girls, and cosmetic surgery on minors has more than tripled in the last ten years.
Stories from teenage girls and provocative interviews with politicians, journalists, academics, and activists like Condoleeza Rice, Nancy Pelosi, Katie Couric, Rachel Maddow, Margaret Cho, Rosario Dawson and Gloria Steinem build momentum as Miss Representation accumulates startling facts and statistics that will leave the audience shaken and armed with a new perspective."
Monday, October 10, 2011
Best kept secret.
When we booked our tickets to Sri Lanka, I had no idea what to expect. I'd never heard much about it or met anyone that had visited, so I assumed it was going to be similar to India because of its proximity.
Not the case.
I think Sri Lanka is quite possibly the best kept secret on planet Earth. It's kind of like India's smaller, better looking brother, that flosses and wears deodorant.
We stayed in the southern city of Bentota, famous for its beaches and tropical paradise feel. Ken told them it was my birthday, so when we arrived the room was filled with balloons and "Happy Birthday" written in flowers on the bed (so cute). If someone had told me last year I'd be spending my next birthday in Sri Lanka, I would have told them they had the wrong girl.
We stayed at a bed and breakfast run by Rohan, the craziest Sri Lankan man you've ever met. I don't think he was fully clothed at any point during our stay. His attire of choice was a skirt--only.
Rohan aside, our room was beautiful and came with a balcony overlooking the pool.
The beaches were kind of ridiculous. They put the ones in Thailand to shame (I know that's a bold statement, but I stand by it). Thai beaches are overrun by tourists and empty water bottles. Sri Lankan beaches are not only pristine, but they are empty. No crowds of tourists or vendors trying to sell you ugly beads for $6.00. Even the public beaches feel private.
My favorite part was our cruise along the Bentota River. Crocs, snakes, crazy birds, and your occasional fruit bat all made appearances. It was like a first class safari.
And then we cruised through an island of lotuses--no big deal.
Our guide picked a few and then made us necklaces with the stems (best craft project ever). Lotuses smell amazing, by the way. Kind of like a combination of lemon and magnolia.
Nobody looks tough with a lotus necklace on. Sorry Ken.
Generally while traveling food seems to be hit or miss for me, depending on the restaurant, etc.. In Sri Lanka, e.v.e.r.y. meal was insane. Like Dune quality awesome. And we even had strawberries (omg). Neither of us had eaten/seen one since our last stint in the US, 5 months ago.
On our last night we went to Galle Fort to watch the sunset on the ramparts. This was about the time I decided Sri Lanka was the best country in the world and started planning our next trip back.
Thanks to my sweet hub for the best birthday ever. I don't know how you're going to top yourself next year. :) And as for all you dear readers, I know Sri Lanka is probably far far away from you, but seriously, you need to visit this place. Or maybe even move there.
Not the case.
I think Sri Lanka is quite possibly the best kept secret on planet Earth. It's kind of like India's smaller, better looking brother, that flosses and wears deodorant.
We stayed in the southern city of Bentota, famous for its beaches and tropical paradise feel. Ken told them it was my birthday, so when we arrived the room was filled with balloons and "Happy Birthday" written in flowers on the bed (so cute). If someone had told me last year I'd be spending my next birthday in Sri Lanka, I would have told them they had the wrong girl.
We stayed at a bed and breakfast run by Rohan, the craziest Sri Lankan man you've ever met. I don't think he was fully clothed at any point during our stay. His attire of choice was a skirt--only.
Rohan aside, our room was beautiful and came with a balcony overlooking the pool.
The beaches were kind of ridiculous. They put the ones in Thailand to shame (I know that's a bold statement, but I stand by it). Thai beaches are overrun by tourists and empty water bottles. Sri Lankan beaches are not only pristine, but they are empty. No crowds of tourists or vendors trying to sell you ugly beads for $6.00. Even the public beaches feel private.
My favorite part was our cruise along the Bentota River. Crocs, snakes, crazy birds, and your occasional fruit bat all made appearances. It was like a first class safari.
And then we cruised through an island of lotuses--no big deal.
Our guide picked a few and then made us necklaces with the stems (best craft project ever). Lotuses smell amazing, by the way. Kind of like a combination of lemon and magnolia.
Nobody looks tough with a lotus necklace on. Sorry Ken.
Generally while traveling food seems to be hit or miss for me, depending on the restaurant, etc.. In Sri Lanka, e.v.e.r.y. meal was insane. Like Dune quality awesome. And we even had strawberries (omg). Neither of us had eaten/seen one since our last stint in the US, 5 months ago.
On our last night we went to Galle Fort to watch the sunset on the ramparts. This was about the time I decided Sri Lanka was the best country in the world and started planning our next trip back.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
The Dune in film
I'll be honest, I've looked through these pictures about 17 times.
They are currently the only things keeping me sane during my period of paradise withdrawal. I hope you don't mind my posting again on the amazing place I got to call home for a month--but there's just something about seeing things through film that's always a little magical.
*A note on the blue: Yes, it really was as blue as it looks. The recent tsunami blew the original roof off, so this blue business is temporary. However, it felt pretty amazing and surreal to work in. At first I thought it was going to throw off all my colors, but I found a spot on the table where natural light came through, and it worked out just fine.
My bedroom was lofted above the studio space, so I basically had a whole little house to myself. It felt like something straight out of Swiss Family Robinson. The floors were bamboo and bounced as you walked on them, and everything was handmade.
Every morning I'd wake up and ride my bike to breakfast. The property is covered in lush, rainforesty plants and flowers, with coconut and banana trees lining the bike paths.
Directly opposite the pool is the Dune Gate, created by a former artist in residence. The gate opens out onto the beautiful Bay of Bengal. It's amazing to see the ocean framed by a door, an image we're not really used to seeing? It's incredible and sort of feels like more of a portal than a gate.
Also the wooden fame of the gate is a salvaged piece of an ancient Indian palace. I die.
And my favorite part were these two amazing ladies, Vijaya and Purani. They took care of me like nobody's business and made sure there were fresh flowers in my studio every morning. Sometimes Vijaya (on the right) would even bring me garlands of jasmine from her garden for my hair. The sweetest.
And to top it off, another little painting I made.
Thank you all so much for reading along and leaving such sweet notes. I've said it before and I'll say it again, all this adventuring would not be the same without you.
We are heading to Sri Lanka tomorrow to celebrate my birthday (hooray!), so stay tuned for some elephant riding and coconut eating.
They are currently the only things keeping me sane during my period of paradise withdrawal. I hope you don't mind my posting again on the amazing place I got to call home for a month--but there's just something about seeing things through film that's always a little magical.
*A note on the blue: Yes, it really was as blue as it looks. The recent tsunami blew the original roof off, so this blue business is temporary. However, it felt pretty amazing and surreal to work in. At first I thought it was going to throw off all my colors, but I found a spot on the table where natural light came through, and it worked out just fine.
My bedroom was lofted above the studio space, so I basically had a whole little house to myself. It felt like something straight out of Swiss Family Robinson. The floors were bamboo and bounced as you walked on them, and everything was handmade.
Here's a look from the outside. You can see it was really kind of a little bungalow.
Every morning I'd wake up and ride my bike to breakfast. The property is covered in lush, rainforesty plants and flowers, with coconut and banana trees lining the bike paths.
And then there was the pool, of course. This was and is and shall forever be, my happy place in India. Everytime I find myself gagging from the smell of rotting fish/diaper + cow in Chennai, I close my eyes and remember that I got to swim in this pool everyday for 21 days.
Directly opposite the pool is the Dune Gate, created by a former artist in residence. The gate opens out onto the beautiful Bay of Bengal. It's amazing to see the ocean framed by a door, an image we're not really used to seeing? It's incredible and sort of feels like more of a portal than a gate.
Also the wooden fame of the gate is a salvaged piece of an ancient Indian palace. I die.
And my favorite part were these two amazing ladies, Vijaya and Purani. They took care of me like nobody's business and made sure there were fresh flowers in my studio every morning. Sometimes Vijaya (on the right) would even bring me garlands of jasmine from her garden for my hair. The sweetest.
And to top it off, another little painting I made.
Bite Me, Watercolor on Paper, 8"x6", 2011
Thank you all so much for reading along and leaving such sweet notes. I've said it before and I'll say it again, all this adventuring would not be the same without you.
We are heading to Sri Lanka tomorrow to celebrate my birthday (hooray!), so stay tuned for some elephant riding and coconut eating.
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