Book/Film Re-Runs

Catholic guilt is the term used to identify the supposed excess guilt felt by Catholics and lapsed Catholics. The term catholic guilt is controversial as it is not clearly differentiated from the guilt felt by members of other religions or moral codes. Says Wikipedia. This term is too strong for this post, but I use it when describing my feelings towards other things. Moreover, I’m not even Catholic.

I have a problem with watching the same film, or, worse, reading the same book, over and over and over because I’m acutely aware of the lack of time in a life (add to that the daily-changing probabilities of a sudden, tragic or freak death, accident or a negative surprise; life gets even shorter), and I feel that spending time re-reading the best book in the world will handicap me in my quest for self-development, entertainment and the general betterment.

If I get my mittens on a much beloved DVD, I don’t watch it right away (unless I’m trying to educate fellow bright minds during their visits to my pixie palace). I set it aside and feel torn between it (the personally approved) and the unseen latest and greatest (at least critically acclaimed or much-recommended, or “really important as per some weirdos” works). It’s not so difficult with films. I end up plowing through the cinematic world with no problem, catching both old and new, but rarely on repeat.

I have never re-read a book. I have absolute favorites, with highlighted passages, scribbles, smiley faces and comments in the margins, but I never read them again. I covet them, place them on display, and recommend left-right-center, but that’s it. Time is too precious. On top of that, I do remember the story line and have selected quotes written in my secret book.

I also rarely read contemporary fiction, because there is a higher probability that I won’t like it. Would I rather spend time on something that’s received a Nobel prize in Literature (check out the list, if you’ve got no author to read), something that inspires a dozen+ of other cultural pieces, or something that’s recently become a NY Times bestseller (which, by the looks of it, is every fiction book at Chapters). I pick 100 Years of Solitude over Life of Pi; I will sweat and labor over William Faulkner than surrender to Dan Brown. Does this make me some kind of a psychotic nut? Hey… I can just wait and give all this contemporary stuff 50 years and see where it gets them

In the dark ages of the past, I have been guilty of watching Titanic (I said it! I was twelve!), The Fifth Element, La Dolce Vita, 8 1/2, Hercules (Go Disney!), Coraline, The Hole very frequently. These movies are only 5% reflective of my favorites. My favorite movie of all times – Ingmar Bergman’s The Seventh Seal, – was probably watched thrice in my lifetime. That’s it. What is the correlation between favorite films/books and those that I actually watched many, many times? Probably has to do with young age and having a lot more time dedicated to havoc and idleness (although I read!) vs now.

PS. Last contemporary book I’ve read was Pride & Prejudice & Zombies (hey, it was featured in episode 1 of Heroes, Season4). And it was awesome. Can we please have more remixing of old and new? I do like some light beach reading (poetry, Lewis Carroll), don’t get me wrong.

Filed under: film, literature , film, literature, memories, movies, obsessions, self

Gourmet Acrobatics, i.e. plain ol’ feasting

I was just sitting on my patio in Looney Tunes bedroom shorts from La Senza (I’ve Sylvester & Tweetie), soaking in the wonderful sun over Toronto and thinking about how great last night was and what my favorite moments were. Then I realized that I might as well blog about this. Gotta archive memories for those octogenarian days.

I felt obliged to outdo the Beta Party’s edible offerings (i.e. the April patio party). I prepared the following: quail eggs with black caviar and zaatar; avocado with bella donna cheese on a heavy lemoned Parisian toastie; diced herring, green apples, onion on a crostini; straw mushrooms, Quebecois blue cheese salami, olives stuffed with lemons in a sea of virgin olive oil and aleppo pepper; smoked oysters with herbed goat cheese and a dash of black salt on toasties; cucumber cups stuffed with truffled chevre, zaatar and a dill; strawberries wrapped in prosciutto plus melon with prosciutto. I know it was a successful selection because there are no leftovers and everybody is happy.

I was very happy to see some of my favorite people gathered on one patio and enjoying themselves. Guests brought a varied selection of drinks, mostly wines. I was particularly impressed with Jeremy’s quest for a fine red. I even researched this Louis Max 2005 Gervrey-Chambertin Les Azerottes. Denise tied a pretty ribbon around the Francis Ford Coppola Shiraz (I talk about movies a lot to inspire such purchases, hehe), which was also great. Will’s Fat Bastard Merlot was fabulous as well. I haven’t had a chance to savour other wines to comment! Now that I look at the bottles, I notice that all of them are indeed non-Canadian (I pointed out my apathy for canuck wines in my Facebook invite)  except for Lisa and Josue’s Jackson Triggs. The LCBO near their abode closed before they could make it; Josue was actually temporarily upset about having to bring Canadian wine, ha)

Everyone enjoyed the music, as evidence by comments on my taste. That’s very pleasant to hear, it’s encouraging, folks. At one point we all remembered that Jay Goldman was missing, and quickly exercised a tweetmob. I tweeted “Jay Goldman @jaygoldman”, and every  Twitterer (and there were some sans it! I don’t entirely live on the interwebs, see) on the patio sent the same thing. Lo and behold, a couple of tweets from people who weren’t even on the patio followed, ha.

More people came later that night, we danced around and blasted classic Russian rock bands. If you are or want to be into Kino (as you should), check the Zvezda Po Imeni Solnce (A Star Called Sun) album. Even Will Pate made an appearance! I’m very glad about that. I even busted out Vosges Haute Chocolat: sweet Indian curry powder + coconut flakes + deep milk chocolate. After the crowd dissipated and I changed into my sleeping attire (said Looney Tunes shorts), Roger came back with the crew and we set out on a quest for pho. I wore Sylvester & Tweetie shorts in public! And had no Vietnamese late night foods. Bedtime with sunrise for us all stars. Wondrously, I am feeling energized, happy and not hungover, albeit I wish I could’ve slept till 3pm. To the right is the aftermath of 15-20 people soiree. Thank you all, there will be more of nights like this one!

Filed under: Great Times , food, friends, fun, obsessions, summer, toronto, twitter

81 Films In 4 Months

Ever since I purchased my MacBook Pro, thus starting fresh in the world of personal computers, I set out to manage my data properly and responsibly.

After organizing my files, I set out to expand my media vault. Below is the list of films (in alphabetical order) I have acquired over the past 4 months; some – dearly loved, others I have never seen (or even heard) before. My collection is significantly populated with art house/independent films, and I love it.

What do you say?

1    2001: A Space Odyssey
2    400 Blows
3    A Short Film About Killing
4    A Woman Under The Influence
5    Aguirre, the Wrath of God

Filed under: simple life , culture, film, movies, obsessions, pop culture

Love Affair With Tomatoes

I love tomatoes! I love them so much that no words could begin to describe my devotion to this berry. If you include a tomato in any recipe of yours, you will make me instantly happy, and consuming a tomato makes sometimes mundane moments into truly exciting (not to mention healthy) ones! I’ve also been called a tomato couple of times in my life, and even compared to a tomato. My dog’s full name is Bugs Tomato and when I do have my own car to drive, I’m most likely getting a RedRed vanity plan (not directly related to tomatoes, but a derivative for sure). I even toyed with the (future) idea of sending everything to hell, moving to Italy and keeping a small tomato farm and minding my own business.

When I was growing up, the cucumber & tomato salad has been a steady constant on our table. I’ve always developed a fondness for slicing tomatoes, sprinkling them with salt and pepper and enjoying them as a healthy snack. Caprese salad is a big hit with the Karin, so is home-made salsa, but not quite bruschetta. Grilled tomatoes on my vegetarian burgers are never a letdown and cute cherry and grape tomato varieties are a pleasure also.

So you can imagine my joy when I got to partake in La Tomatina (detailed post here) in Spain last year! I have also discovered Amy Goldman’s The Heirloom Tomato book and am considering getting it. She spent a lot of time researching, planting and growing various types of heirloom tomatoes, which then were photographed by the talented Victor Schrager. His light studies with tomatoes are absolutely stunning and provoke my saliva glads in those naughty tomato ways.

Filed under: simple life , food, obsessions, tomatina, tomatoes

Because You Asked About Makeup

It’s time to talk about girly things because I never really do, and I am not a gang of girlfriends type o’lady. So I will tell this to the Internets and even show a photo of my collection. These are the most valuable and most important players in my makeup collection. Mind you, not all of them are used all at once, because I don’t have an hour to spend in front of a mirror to go get pho.

1. Urban Decay liquid eye liner in – and this is one of the reasons I got it, laughing maniacally – “Perversion”, which is another word for… black?
2. Korres Ginger and Vitamins natural water-based foundation in LF1. Vitamins C, E and ginger moisturize and SPF 10 adds extra protection. I’ve been using it for 3 months now and can definitely say that the effects are amazing. I wrote about it here as well.
3. Cargo Texas Lash mascara. Cargo is known for producing a fabulous line of High Definition makeup, which is what apparently is used on movie stars. Now that the masses have access to this miracle, I thought I’d test it out. I was expecting bull, but was pleasantly surprised when this super soft and easy to remove (but long-lasting at the same time) mascara increased the length and volume of my lashes in an instant. Perfect for smokey eyes, and for those that don’t have too much time to twist and curl their lashes. Respect.
4. Lorac brow pencil in Auburn. What a shock it was to see its dramatic effect. Soft pencil that lasts long and doesn’t smudge easily. Perfect shade for my red hair.
5. Korres 98.8% natural primer. Again, a miracle. Smooth baby face guaranteed.
6. Korres concealer in WC3 – this thing actually conceals and is a perfect tone for my skin – tad bit lighter than my own. Really covers and really stays.
7. Sephora blush me! in No 12 adds a soft touch to my cheekbones.
8. Hally Hansen Insta-Dri nail polish in Wined Up really does dry fast and utilizes a non-traditional wide brush for more effective application. I’m impressed. (Not shown are my shades of red and black, both by Revlon actually)
9. Korres lip and cheek butter in Wild Rose is another miracle from this Greek brand. I was shocked as to how smooth, pleasantly aromatic (how many wild rose lip glosses/butters have you encountered in your life?) and incredibly moisturizing it is. Love the tint of color it leaves as well. Definitely the purchase of the season!!
10. Christian Dior Addict Ultra Gloss Reflect 757 is what I use when I feel like taking it up a notch. It really does wonders with its maximum shine feature and fantastically 3D color. A must for every sexy lady.

Questions? Write a comment. I’d be more than happy to discuss. I’m also open to challenges if you provide me with a contending product. (I just calculated how much all this costs, and we’re talking $250 value. No wonder I purchase all these things over time )

Filed under: Great Products , beauty, korres, makeup, obsessions, product, self

Placebo Works Better

Placebo is the best band in the world in my opinion, and it’s one of the most underrated ones. I’ve been an ardent fan of theirs since about 2000, if not earlier (maybe not as long as No Doubt’s, but I stopped loving No Doubt the moment Gwen started whoring herself out). Not only is Brian Molko a handsome fox, but he’s also got quite a big mouth. Oh yeah, and did I tell you he wears make up since 12? A man open about his sexuality, quite a novel, especially back in 1994.

I missed their concert in Vancouver back in 2003, and that made me incredibly sad. But I won’t miss any more concerts, especially since their 7th studio album, Battle For The Sun, is set for release on June 8, 2009! Go download the title track for free, right here or straight from this post. Now I would like to shut up and instead share my favorite Placebo tracks with you. Even if you never listened to this British band before, now is your chance. Click on the link, and you’ll be able to download directly from MediaFire.

• Special K – the slow, acoustic version. Special K is also my nickname. I could barely find the mp3 second time my computer died, and I have since then copied this track in many locations so as to never lose it again.
• Without You I’m Nothing - dear Mr David Bowie, Molko’s friend, has done a swell job here.
• Every You, Every Me – Who can ever forget this track from Cruel Intentions?
• Haemoglobin – first sentence: “I was hanging from a tree / Unaccustomed to such violence / Jesus looking down on me/ I’m prepared for one big silence”
• Slackerbitch – I used to really love screaming “fag hag whore, looks real cute, her lips are sore” during this song
• Running Up That Hill (Kate Bush cover) – simply beautiful, just as good as the original!
• Twenty Years – I’d say this is the song that marks the shift to more grown up material
• Protect Me From What I Want – really a sad song; I’ve grown to think that it has to do with a craving for drugs, thanks to this song painting a bleak vision of our world… or some part of it.
• Nancy Boy – a Placebo classic! Eyeholes in a paper bag / Greatest lay I ever had Kind of guy who mates for life / Gotta help him find a wife
• English Summer Rain – poor L-town. It’s a fun track when you’re on the run or hating Londinium
• Meds – it features VV of The Kills, not that I’m familiar with those, but nevertheless. “Babyyyy, did you forget to take your meds?”
• Blind – I find this song pretty romantic, poignant and utterly emotional… Sob sob sob
• Pure Morning – ok, this is on here because that’s the first Placebo video I’ve ever watched and my first comments were, “wtf, what a weird girl!” Then I inquired further, and everything changed.
• **New!** Battle For The Sun – the title track from the upcoming album!

Filed under: Great Products , mp3, music, obsessions, placebo, pop culture, product

New Obsessions

Excuse my non-presence in the blogosphere this past week – I’ve been on the reading, instead of the wring, side. Here are three products I discovered this past week that have been making me absolutely cuckoo with happiness.

1. Mimipong’s Hug Your Sorrow tear-shaped toys. Love them, love them, love them. Each toy is unique and comes with a tag with space for writing down your sorrow and then hug it out. Brilliant idea. There’s a related art installation in Singapore – photos of the toys’ uses, many written sorrows etc. If you’re in Singapore, please go and take photos!
2. Korres Lightweight Foundation. I’m a brand loyalist, so the marketer’s task of persuading me to switch is hard. It happens so that I’ve been using Maybelline’s foundation for  7 or 8 years for the lack of a better alternative. I can never find the right shade. Until yesterday’s stumbles at Sephora. I found the lightweight water-based foundation in almost exactly the same shade! This foundation is also enriched with vitamins C and E and ginger extract that tone and moisturize the skin. I’m thoroughly impressed, and am considering switching my cosmetics choices to this environmentally friendly Athens-based company.
3. Eggling products – Nyokki (pictured) and co. from Japan. These egg-shaped vessels  contain soil and seeds that grow grass, lavender and herbs such as basil, mint, rosemary… This household addition will not only decorate your window sill, but add something yummy to your meals. I ordered 6 various ones for myself and my family. Available at the World Wide Nature Company.

Filed under: Great Products , art, brand, joy, obsessions, product, surprise

Six Things That Make Me Happy

Below is my happy 6 in alphabetical order, as I wouldn’t be to assign numbers anyway:

• Baths: When I was a child, living back in Russia, I used to love two things the most – books and water. Combining the two led to Fridays and Saturdays spent in the bath tub, reading. Those were the epic nights: 4-hour bath marathons, sometimes with bubbles, but usually without (dealing with foamy things is so burdensome when you have a good book to worry about), snacks, tea, whatnot. I’m starting to revive the tradition, but alas, the bath tub at my Toronto abode is not the best, so I resort to bathing in my Vancouver home or at friend’s (yes, I know…)

• Bugs Tomato: He’s three years old, and I still call him a puppy. I wrote a post about this wonderful, smart, handsome and loving chihuahua here.

• Good conversations: I value a great debate, or an emotional discussion, confessions, dramatic monologues, lively dialogues, and really, any conversation that does the intelligence of my fellow debaters justice. I feel rejuvenated after a really good talk, be that a discussion of the latest scientific discovery, the welfare of silverback gorrillas in the Virunga valley, the next hotshot DJ, Martin Margiela SS 09  or the economic environment of Mauritius. As you can tell, I like to learn a thing or two when talking to others.

• Style: this encompasses doing activities in style, to living in style, to keeping it real, to dressing oneself well, to being the person one truly wants to be. That’s what style really is. It’s not just about the latest clothing item or the pink Juicy Couture jumpsuit (eek), it’s how one carries him/herself. It makes me really happy to see people expressing themselves in whatever fashion that would be. Just do express yourself tastefully.

• Seafood: I’m the master devourer of oysters, sashimi (particularly fatty tuna and west coast salmon). I adore octopi, including their effects on my tastebuds as well as on my mind – those cephalopods are smarty pants, too. Some of you know my endless love affair with caviar (another post of mine) – my nickname is Behemoth is for the same reason. Mussels are never a no, and so is swordfish, and even red snapper brightens my day. I’ve written about lobsters, too, and would delightfully consume them all day, every day, followed by a great dose of niacin to battle the cholesterol.

• Travel: New places, new people, discoveries of the self and of the culture of others. I thrive on being someplace new, getting out of my comfort zone and jumping into the unknown. I travel well alone as I don’t have to adjust my own schedule to anyone else’s and can maintain my ‘get up early, do cultural things, eat local foods, snap lots of pictures, go out and be social till the wee hours’, then rinse and repeat.  As for the airports: given the weather is not ruining the flights and angry fliers aren’t in my face, I am always excited to be in these shrines of constant departure and arrival. Flying is the best for me, driving – the least exciting.

I would be interested to see what the following people would include in their lists:  Tara, Kevin, Vaneska, Slava, Kat, Danielle.

Filed under: moving up , bugstomato, caviar, chihuahua, fashion, food, friends, fun, joy, memories, obsessions, penchant, russia, seafood, travels

Ketel One Wins The Prize

Now, another product that I want to write about before the year is over (considering you’ll be shopping for somethings to help celebrate NYE), hails from Holland. Made with the finest Dutch wheat, grown on the land owned by the distillery itself, distilled through the giant coal chamber for that clean taste and tested by the Nolet family member before escaping the premises, extra premium Ketel One blew my mind. I had the pleasure of trying it for the first time in my life at The Spoke in Toronto, since the pleasant and elegant establishment allowed for the thorough enjoyment of the drink, which is equally classy.

As you know, I am Russian, and the next thing you’ll think is, “Oh, she must love vodka, obviously she likes this.” Wrong. As a matter of fact, I don’t like drinking vodka per se, and never pursued this activitity. Which is why Ketel One took my tastebuds by storm. It’s very clean, ultra smooth and possesses an unoffensive aftertaste (which can’t be said about Absolut). I definitely recommend dirty Ketel One martinis to adorn your Christmas party tables or the wild New Years Eve celebrations that I suspect you’re planning.

Next time I am looking to impress connoisseurs of drink, I will include the Nolet child in my palette, not Li’l Jon-preached Grey Goose that is several grades below KO when it comes to smell and taste.

Filed under: Great Products , drink, evangelist, marketing, obsessions, presents, product, review, surprise

H2O

In case you are still shopping for last minute Christmas presents, may I suggest the H₂O products for the lovers of bath and body goodies. As a hunter and tester of the best such products myself, I’ve been around the block when it comes to shower gels and hand creams. I bought my mom a Naturally Gifted Collection which has a shower gel, body lotion, spray mist and a body scrub in the Natural Spring scent, which is simply divine! Divine! To add to that, Natural Spring Mineral Bath will sway any bath-loving person: natural sea salts, sea kelp and aloe with magic bubbles! My mom (and I, since I got to try it) absolutely adore it. It is gentle, not overwhelming and wonderfully natural. Yum Yum Yum.

The product definitely aligns with the H₂O concept: “It’s water, but it’s so much more. It’s the thrill you had when you were seven and played Marco Polo in the deep end. It’s the roar of the ocean at night. It’s blue. It’s mysterious, deep and wet. It’s where you wish you were going. It’s personal, comforting, and serene.”

Vancouver store is on Robson & Nelson, Toronto store is in the Eaton Center upstairs. Great if you’re not looking to spend a whole bunch. If you do want to spend a whole bunch, I suggest KORRES natural products.

Filed under: Great Products , beauty, joy, marketing, obsessions, presents, product

Metromint

December 2005. San Francisco. I walked into a grocery store in search of water. I bought Metromint because of its sleek packaging (my favorite bottle design!) and the series of R-promises to: refresh, relieve, relax, revere, renew, rehydrate. Since then I’ve been a fan. When I see the product, I start to breathe heavily and immediately run to grab a bottle, or better yet, a couple, because I never know when I’m going to meet my beloved Metromint next. Love it, love it, love it.

I love it so much that when Chris & I went to Montreal (and he brought a bunch of Metromint with him!), I took a polaroid with the whole lot and sent it to the company, telling them of my loyalty and evangelical pursuits of converting the regular water drinkers over to the mint side. The company does not ship any cases to Canada, but the marketing director nevertheless sent me the cherrymint sampler case (before it even got released) and a t-shirt! Yes! Yes! Yes!

Oh! For those of you in the US: Order a 24 bottle case before January 8 and enjoy free shipping ($10 savings). Rock on!

Filed under: Great Products, advertising , evangelist, marketing, metromint, montreal, obsessions, photos, polaroid, product, travels, water

clear out the junk

Originally uploaded by dreamtiger

I used to allocate a lot of my personal & precious time to things like being mad at my boyfriend for insignificant things. In reality, there were maybe about five things I should have really been mad about. I must’ve had too much time on my hands. I also loved to devote my time to getting angry at friends for silly things, although those frenzies didn’t last long.

Behold! I noticed that on Friday Darren kept apologizing and apologizing, and asking me if I was mad about x, y, z, and then not believing me. It was actually cute. But I wasn’t mad. I’ve spent so much time of my young life worrying about insignificant things and ruining mine and other people’s days that I simply don’t have the energy or desire for that anymore.

I’m proud of that development. I am quite easy-going, and don’t vigorously succumb to the drama. I don’t want to hurt anybody anymore (and, obviously, do not want to be hurt myself). There is no time to waste, no need to be angry with one’s close folks.

Filed under: memories , autumn, changes, improvements, memories, obsessions, photography, photos, productivity, travels

15 years old again

Here is how it is: I laugh at the audience of preadolescent gals – or adolescent? Heck, let’s just say, tweens, – frenzying it up for some teenage vampires. Oh, and I don’t even know what the movie is about, and what sort of hilarity we are destined to see. And hilarious it is. Except that on the 55th minute you rapidly start swaying towards the gentlemanly Edward Cullen. Later on, one clues in that no 17- or 25-year old would ever act so nobly; it takes approximately 100 years to figure out how to treat a woman (girl in this case) right.

And yes, I remember how I used to love, love, love Anne Rice’s novels (that, last time I checked, still held the top of mind place in consumers’ minds), and vampire Lestat, and vampire Armand. I gave up on all of that. Ad then True Blood sucked me back into it. And so did the Lancome Piha Black lipgloss over their red lipstick a la Louboutin sole of a shoe.

And then this Twilight thing came out. I don’t mind admitting that I appreciate Robert Pattinson’s exterior, thank God for our same-agedness. If he was a tad bit younger, I would have to reconsider. All right, Edward Cullen, take me away! I am, too, a fan of Debussy’s.

PS. This review made me laugh so hard, I nearly had to rush to the washroom. Bagels, doom, and proletarian demands. I say, get them while they’re young!

Filed under: simple life , film, fun time, marketing, movies, music, obsessions, pop culture, product, review, twilight

Penchant for Caviar

Originally uploaded by Tatters

I love caviar, what can I say. Caviar is important. Caviar is good for you. Caviar should be eaten all the time. With almost anything. Preferably by itself. When I was a kid, back in Russia, I’d always eat it by the tablespoonfuls. I’m the Behemoth from Master and Margarita.

I also enjoy it with bliny. Don’t like the beluga caviar so much. I mean, it’s all right, but I prefer the red one better. I can also consume much more red caviar than black. Hence my red hair.

My two most memorable instances of consuming caviar are from 1997 and 2007. In 1997 I remember celebrating the Day of Fishermen back when we lived in Magadan. My dad and I went with his boss and friends on this massive boat and for lunch I consumed a whole bowl of caviar. I remember just sitting there with a big spoon in my hands and taking my time with the product. Yum Yum. Later on that night I got to control the ship since everyone except me, my dad and the dog were drunk. (Someone woke up eventually ) In 2007, I went home to Vancouver for Xmas holidays and my parents managed to get half a pound of red and black caviar for my visit. That was the first time I ate so much caviar since we moved to Canada.

You can buy it in bulk in Russia (and that’s the way it should be!) for $50kg in Sakhalin. Sigh.

Filed under: memories , caviar, food, memories, obsessions, penchant, russia