Awareness Test

Please Pass The Tofurkey

Please do yourself a favor and watch the new Harry Potter trailer!



I think I'll be having Tofurkey this Thanksgiving:

The Rehearsal

As I made a mad cab dash to catch my bus after class last night I was happy to pass the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade rehearsal. There were bright lights, holiday music, and a bunch of people dancing. It was the cherry on top of my evening.

I love Thanksgiving and am very much looking forward to spending time with family and making some delicious food. I'm not much of a turkey fan, perhaps because when I was a kid. Well, I remember it like it was just yesterday....



What was missing from Quantum of Solace you ask? Well, this...


I interviewed Robert Kamen yesterday and really found him to be an interesting guy. In addition to writing many screenplays including the Karate Kid movies, Robert has his own vineyard and produces some of the best organic wine in Sonoma County. His newest film, Transporter 3 comes out tomorrow. The podcast will be up soon.

Synecdoche, New York

I hope you had a great weekend. I have seen very few movies recently that have made me think and have stayed with me for many days. Synecdoche,New York, the new film written and directed by genius Charlie Kaufman is quite excellent and I have been thinking about it most of the weekend. I'm not going to attempt to provide a review or summary of the film but I will post the trailer for you.



Kaufman writes the smartest and most interesting stories. I was completely drawn into this film and its characters. By far one of the better films I have seen over the past couple of years.


Did you hear about the huge meteorite that was witnessed in Canada eh?

Where's Kevin Costner when you need him? (Waterworld reference for you non-movie buffs)

What? Santa? That's right, I had the good fortune of going to the Short Hills Mall yesterday and after fighting with furry Louis Vuitton clad plastic women, I got myself a spot in the parking lot. The Short Hills Mall is a weird place. It really is. Just go there one day and walk around and take a look at a majority of the people there. You'll notice something. I'm not going to say what but you'll see. Well, I'll say one thing. Everyone checks each other out. I noticed people doing it to me, I noticed myself doing it to others and I noticed other people doing it to people around me.

That's enough ranting for today. Oh wait, one more thing. The old whiskey down the pants trick.

Interview with Charles Milling

I sat down with musician Charles Milling for a podcast interview for NYU.

Powered by Podbean.com

One Christmas Will Do

Christmas regurgitates early this year with the the new film, Four Christmases. Directed by Seth Gordon(The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters) and written by Matt R. Allen, Caleb Wilson, Jon Lucas and Scott Moore. The amiable Vince Vaughn (Brad) and Reese Witherspoon (Kate) star along with a myriad of familiar faces in this over-the-top silly and at times funny film.

Brad and Kate are a couple who enjoy traveling to tropical locales, role playing at the bar and avoiding their dysfunctional (to say the least) families. We are twice hit with the line, "There is no way to spell families without lies" and there are quite a few as we later find out. When their Christmas vacation getaway plan is ruined because of fog and an intrusive reporter, the couple is forced to visit each of their four divorced parents, hence the Four Christmases. We are set up for disaster and boy do we get it. The plot, if any, is very weak and the film felt a little too separated into sections. Okay, now we saw one crazy family, how will the next one top it? It felt like there were too many ideas thrown into the pot when the writers (and there were four) came up with as many ways to make the families as dysfunctional as they could. And they used all of them in the film.

I found myself laughing during parts of this film and there are definitely some scenes that steal the show, along with Vince Vaughn who really carries this film. He plays his usual character but does have some wonderful lines and we even get to see him team up with his pal Jon Favreau for a few scenes. Reese Witherspoon's performance can't compare.

When I wasn't laughing, I was thinking about how bad the movie was as a whole. The filmmakers went too far with it and scenes could have been toned down but perhaps this is what they were going for. The viewer has no emotional feelings towards Brad and Kate until possibly the end (cue the dramatic music,Sam)

If you're looking for goofy fun you'll enjoy this film and Vince Vaughn is worth the price of admission. In theaters November 26th.

Speaking of movies, I am tired of hearing about Twilight. All these tweens screaming about vampire star Robert Pattinson. Is the movie even supposed to be any good? I won't be seeing the film but if you do, please post a review.

When the weather channel starts laying off staff, people should start to worry.

A dog drove a '92 Ford van into a coffee shop in Long Island and when asked what happened the dog replied, "I wanted an iced cawfee becawse I was a hawt dawg."

Have a great weekend everyone!

It's a boy!

My congrats go out to Heather and Andrew who welcomed Jacob Anthony into this world. YAY!!!!!

Flurries

There was a light white coating of flurries on my windshield this morning. As my hand flicked the windshield wiper controls, the rubber wands quickly made the white flakes disappear. I'm going to a screening of Four Christmases tonight and will put a brief review up tomorrow. It's that new Vince Vaughn, Reese Witherspoon flick.

This is scary, eh?

Um, where's Jack Sparrow when you need him?

I have to start going to the UCB theater more often.

Okay, it's a short post today. Here's a video on how to make a pumpkin pie with real pumpkin:

Meh

"“Do you know what it means to come home at night to a woman who'll give you a little love, a little affection, a little tenderness? It means you're in the wrong house, that's what it means. Goodnight Ladies and Germs, you've been a wonderful audience"


Did you hear? "Meh" has finally made it into the Dictionary! The origins of "meh" are murky, but the term grew in popularity after being used in a 2001 episode of "The Simpsons" in which Homer suggests a day trip to his children Bart and Lisa.

Everytime I mention the word "Twilight" the ladies go crazy...




Weird Science...science...science...science...

If they can fit it in, you and I can fit it in.

And now, today's Thanksgiving Recipe:

Sweet Potato & Chestnut Pudding
by Ryan Angulo, Buttermilk Channel
[6 -8 servings]
4 sweet potatoes
1 ½ cups peeled chestnuts, chopped coarsely
2 cups fresh orange juice
1 cup orange segments
2 cups crème fraiche, whipped
1 cup coconut milk
1 bag mini marshmallows
1/2 cup dried cranberries, presoaked in ¼ cup boiling water and drained
salt to taste

Roast sweet potatoes in their skins until soft. Let cool slightly, peel off skin and whip sweet potato with the coconut milk and salt. Let cool to room temperature. Place chestnuts, orange juice and dried cranberries in a pot and bring to a boil; let cool.

Spread marshmallows in a single layer on a cookie sheet and toast quickly under broiler. Use a silcone baking mat (such as a Silpat) in order to prevent the marshmallows from sticking to the tray. Place alternating layers of sweet potato puree, cranberry/chestnut mixture, crème fraiche, and toasted marshmallows in your favorite glass serving dish. Heat in 375 degree oven until warm, add marshmallows, and broil for 5 minutes at 400 degrees until marshmallows start to brown. Top with orange segments and serve immediately.

I Haven't Complained About Commuting In A While So....

That's right, today is a complaining about commuting day. I had to schlep all of this lighting equipment with me on the bus today because I am filming some interviews for this science video I am trying to coordinate for work. So I have a huge duffel bag filled with tripods and umbrellas and I put it under my bus seat but it barely fits so I wait until everyone gets on the bus and I then I slid it next to me on the empty seat. The guy in front of me reclines his chair. I close my eyes. The bus starts movings. The guy hops up and then asks if he can sit next to me. His chair is still reclined. I lift my heavy bags to let him in and then angrily press the chair button which brings the seat in front of me back to its upright position. It is my hope that as of Jan 1, 2009, I will no longer be taking the bus or the train from NJ.

In Sacha Baron Cohen News...an unruly extra on the set of NBC's Medium? Oh, it's just Bruno.

Astroland may be saved! Hooray!

So there is this game for Nintendo Wii that is great. It's called Cooking Mama and I have plugged it on this blog before. I actually haven't played it in awhile but Mark sent me this link yesterday. Amazing stuff.

Enjoy your snow flurries today.

Bond, James Bond

I hope you had a great weekend with such wacky weather. 70 degrees one day, freezing the next. Saturday night I had dinner with friends at a trendy Jersey City eatery called Ox. The atmosphere was nice and the food was very good although the portions were on the small side. I ordered a mixed green salad with roasted asian pears,blue cheese, pomegranate seeds tossed with a champagne vinaigrette. Very tasty. For my main course, I chose the crab and shrimp roll which was delicious. After dinner, we rushed to the 9:00pm screening of Quantum of Solace, the new James Bond flick. It was crowded and we were forced to sit in the front row. The chase scenes were hard to watch that close up but I didn't have a problem with the other scenes. Despite hearing a bad review of the film yesterday, I very much enjoyed the movie. There were things I didn't like and I really wish there were more scenes like the Opera scene in this film. The Opera scene was by far my favorite scene. Gone are the gadgets, the one-liners...Bond is out of control.

More bad, late-night karaoke:

Rate this performance at The Sims On Stage

I've been seeing so many commercials for Wii Music, I'm wondering if it's any good.

Time to start getting ready for Thanksgiving..

Google Video Chat Has Arrived

I'm sure by now, many of you Gchat addicts have seen a little green video camera icon next to your buddies. Soon you will be video chatting with those buddies while you check your email. I was checking my email last night and all of a sudden Greg called me on video chat from Brooklyn. It was a lot of fun and I got him to give me a tour of the apartment. Adrienne was there as well which was a pleasant surprise. I encourage you to join Google Video!

Bye Bye Nude Seattle Parks!

I'd like to go check out the Showtime house.

Short post today. Have a great weekend! Another fun video for you to ponder:

Behind on my movie watching

I've become very busy lately and haven't had time to catch up on any movies. I had the same two Netflix DVDs sitting on my desk for about a month now. I'm planning on seeing Quantum of Solace this weekend however. I never miss a Bond movie. I have also not had time to watch any trailers for upcoming films like Up, Pixar's next flick which looks incredible.



MadTv is cancelled. FrankTV is sooooooo bad.

Another freaky humanoid robot...



I really want a copy of the Fake New York Times...

Attention all CONEY ISLAND FANS!! Be sure to read this document put together by the Center for an Urban Future where they asked thinkers from a variety of fields to share their vision for Coney Island.

It's Thursday so that means it's time for the CLIP OF THE WEEK!!! Yee-ha!

Online Tutorials

I got my flu shot yesterday and because I couldn't roll up my sleeve high enough I got to step behind the special curtain. It was a huge unnecessary production. I like to compare the experience of getting a flu shot at NYU to the Drive-Through window at McDonalds the only difference being everyone getting the flu shot was ordering the same thing. So there was a line of people for one woman with a needle. You step up, she sticks you, and then you move on. Everyone behind you is watching and impatiently awaiting their turn. Would you like ketchup in the bag? Well my order took a little longer because I had to step behind the curtain and everyone saw me waiting back there. It was like I was the Wizard of Flu-Oz. She told me to scream out when I was ready. Um, all I had to do was unbutton my shirt a little and pull down my sleeve. She was acting like I had to go get ready for a colonoscopy. I mean, really. Then of course she says, "I'm not used to doing this without my table next to me". Oh just wonderful lady. It was very quick and then I got my dum dum lollipop and was on my way. If you're getting a flu shot, try to get behind the curtain.

**Cue music so this transition isn't as awkward**

You can find a tutorial on anything on YouTube. Really. Last night I was curious to find out how to create a light saber effect using Final Cut Express. Sure enough, there is a kid who looks like he is 16 years old and has all of these Final Cut Tutorial videos. It's quite funny. This kid should be outside playing ball with his friends. I then started checking out all of the other video tutorials. I learned how to use chroma key, how to clone and how to create other effects. It got me thinking about what other types of tutorials people are posting.

For example, here's one on how to parallel park:



Okay, okay...I could go on all day posting these. Here's one more:



Now if only there's a tutorial on how to prevent Pink Eye. It's been going around the office and since the air circulation is poor I'm afraid I might be next. So far, 4 people have caught it.

I'm sorry, I just thought this story was funny, only because it was on a Virgin train.

Nice...how to avoid the monsters.

Well, have a great day! Happy Hump Day!

Boaz Almighty

Today's blog post is dedicated to Mr. Boaz Frankel. My good friend Boaz will be starting a new adventure and I'm sure it's going to be excellent. Now I just need to figure out a way to take some vacation days so that I can somehow be involved. I miss having him as a creative partner in crime. Anyway, I have a special treat for you. I watched this numerous times because it is just so excellent. I hope you will do the same.


Un-Road Trip: The Trailer (with Matt Lauer) from Boaz Frankel on Vimeo.

House Hunter

Nothing is ever as simple as it looks on TV, period. I enjoy watching House Hunters, an HGTV show that follows around a buyer looking for a new home. The real estate agent shows them three places and one of them is bought by the buyer. Of course the whole thing is staged but it makes for entertaining television. I usually find myself saying, "oh I could get that in Ohio for that price?...wowwww" or guessing what the future homeowner is not going to like about the place: "I'm not crazy about the wall to wall carpet in the kitchen". The reason I bring up house hunters is because I am currently one. I spent most of the weekend trekking through new jersey looking at many apartments. I must admit, it's fun but after awhile you just want to find the right place.

Only in New Jersey will a councilman pee on a crowd in public. Ooooo...urine big trouble mister.

I introduce to you the nation's first transgender mayor.

Don't like avocado? Try banana guacamole!

Banana Guacamole
4 ripe bananas
8 cloves garlic, minced
1 small hot pepper, seeds and ribs removed, minced (or to taste)
2 tbsp red palm oil
1 tbsp minced fresh parsley
juice of 2 limes
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Mash the ingredients together with a mortar and pestle. Adjust seasonings to taste.

You could blend them instead if you prefer, but using the cruder tools gives you a chunkier, more satisfying texture.

Crazy Cat:


Have a great day!

Interview with Anne Slowey

Listen to this episode

It's the weekend...who's your role model?

Ready for a great weekend? I hope so. I'll be heading to the theater to see David Wain's new film, Role Models. I've mentioned before how supportive David has been with previous projects Boaz and I have worked on together and I'm really looking forward to seeing the movie. It's been getting good reviews too! I encourage you to go see it as well and then submit your review to me so I can post it.

Being a reporter for 60 Minutes isn't as easy as you might think.

Getting Naked for Obama!

For all of you Q-tip fans!

I'll be looking at some apartments in Jersey City tomorrow if you care to join me in some excellent fun. Other than that and going to see Role Models, I'm pretty free. Give me a call and we'll do dinner.

Well, We Haven't Done THIS in Awhile

Happy Thursday everyone. So I couldn't go to sleep early last night because I got sucked into an episode of Ghost Hunters. I've seen this show a few times and usually they don't find anything or the creaky steps are coming from a rabid raccoon in the homeowner's attic. But last night's show was crazy! Doors were slamming on their own and hangers were flying off a clothes rack. It made for excellent tv.

This gives new definition to "Fox Trot".

I'm having sushi for lunch! Check this out!

And now it's time for something we have not done in awhile here on Evan Almighty. Fan Mail. I get so much fan mail that I needed to start renting pods to put the mail in. Currently, I am looking for more interns to sort through the mail. If anyone is interested in applying please let me know. Okay...I've got a few here so let's read them.


Hi Evan! I read your blog everyday and just think it's fab. I'm going to be in the city on vacation next month and I was hoping we might grab a cup o'joe. My office is pretty drab, any suggestions on how I can make it more exciting for myself and all the other employees. Your fan, Tracy Spiro, Gallsboro, Wyoming.

Tracy, thanks so much for the kind words. Unfortunately I won't be able to meet up with you for coffee when you are in NYC but I do have an answer to your question. Why not turn your workspace into a partyspace with the Limbo String. That's right, Tracy..Now you can limbo at any time, anywhere and you don't even have to take the time to find a big stick for everyone to dance under.

It doesn't get more exciting than this:



My next letter comes from Mitch Hastings who resides in Spring Lake, NJ. I love Spring Lake! Thanks so much for writing to me! Mitch writes:

Evan, I read your blog first thing every morning before I even look at the NY Times. It starts my day off right, that and a nice bowl of oat bran. Hey, what do you eat for breakfast?


Funny you should ask, Mitch. For the longest time I actually didn't eat breakfast. I know, I know...it's the most important meal of the day. Recently though, I have become addicted to this breakfast treat:



Our last letter actually comes from a reader in Peru. Amaro writes:

Evan, I read your blog but just out of habit. I don't think it's particularly good or funny and I'm tired of hearing about your corn maze adventures and seeing cheesy videos you just pluck from YouTube. How about some quality material?

Hi Amaro! Thanks for your comment! I'm sorry if you don't find my blog interesting or funny. I like to please everyone so I'm going to show you something that I posted to YouTube myself which is very educational and something which I would hope you would consider to be "quality material".

Wow! What a night it was! I get chills every time I see the front page of a newspaper. I don't think there's really much more to say on the topic. Thanks to everyone who came out to vote. And thanks to Facebook, which I believe really helped get younger people out to the polls and made it THE thing to be doing yesterday. Way to go FB!

I have a few other matters of business...umm, the hologram interview? Hellooo! This was totally bizarre but so cool. I want to start doing hologram interviews.




One last thing... Debra reminded me of this arcade game I used to love...does anyone else remember this? Memories of my youth flooded back to me..

Voting? Use Gym Door

I snapped the above photo on my way to vote this morning. No lines, no waiting, it was quite pleasant. There is the most amazing feeling of excitement in the air this morning. Everyone is feeling it and it's really incredible. Everyone is thinking about it, talking about it, writing about it, blogging about it, podcasting about it...you get the idea. It's the excitement we feel during the holidays when we get a surprise gift from a loved one and don't know what's in the box. We might be able to open this gift tonight or perhaps we'll have to wait until the morning. Either way, I sure hope it's the gift we've been waiting for.

Education Lesson:



I'm really looking forward to meeting Walt Disney's clone.

GPS is great, but I'm not so sure about this.

A nudist group in, get this, Land O'Lakes, Florida wants to establish the first ever clothing-optional polling site. Those opposed to the group worry that this will give new meaning to "pulling the lever" and will tarnish their "buttery" town image.

WHhhaaaaa?

Addendum:

I forgot to mention in this blog post that my bus was pulled into the police check area to be searched. It delayed us about 10 minutes while the police used their fancy gadgets to check under the bus and do a background check on the bus driver.

Spooktacular Weekend

Goood morning! Hope you remembered to turn your clocks back because if not, you probably got to work super early this morning. Did you have a great weekend? I sure did. Halloween was a lot of fun. A bunch of us journeyed over an hour and half to Ulster County to the one of the best Haunted Attractions in the US. You can visit their website by clicking here. I'll explain the evening briefly so you get an idea of what this experience is all about. It began as we hopped onto the hayride. A flatbed with hay everyone sat around the edge with their feet dangling. Seated at the front was our guide. She narrated as we traveled down a dark path under the starry night. Along the way we would come to sets, the ride would stop and we would watch the action that was taking place. During many points of the ride, people would come out of the darkness to frighten us. And the headless horseman came up behind us at one point on his horse. The hayride was definitely my favorite part of the evening and I could have stayed on there for an hour. The hayride dropped us off at the first Haunted House. Once through this house we were in the haunted Corn Maze. It was a beautiful night and the breeze rustled the corn stalks. We made our way through with the occasional animated or real person jumping out at us. Once through the corn maze we went through the second Haunted house. After being chased out by chainsaw wielding clowns we grabbed a bite to eat and watched John Shaw's sideshow. I wasn't impressed with his material but it was a great way to kill some time before heading into the last haunted house. The evening was definitely fun and a great way to spend Halloween.

YESSS! You know how much I love it when Sacha Baron Cohen makes headlines.

Picketing brides? You betcha...the comments are highly amusing.

I went to see some apartments in Hoboken on Saturday and it was great fun! I love the area and hope to be a resident in the near future.

I've been promoting Project Bueller for quite some time now. I was hoping there would be a video of the performance but this was all I could find. I wish the person filming this had known that "Shake it up baby now" was not directed towards him/her.



Okay, I wasn't going to post this next video. I don't think I'll be buying hot dog buns anytime soon and if I do, I'll be checking them over very carefully. **WARNING: THIS VIDEO IS SORT OF GROSS**



Have a great day!

Today Show kid not a happy camper..wonder why?

Watch the first few minutes of this clip. I wouldn't be happy if my dad tried putting me in this costume and paraded me in front of millions of television viewers. Cruel.