http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Calafate
Lucky bastard!
Photo credit: Lovely Jilly
Friday, March 20, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Monday, March 16, 2009
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Friday, March 13, 2009
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Monday, March 9, 2009
Ben Defends
Ben must defend. I was not passed out on the beach the whole time. I did do some surfing.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
The Mega Mel!
Burger consisting of five pounds of beef, one pound of bacon and a quarter pound of cheese.
http://melscountrycafe.com/Megamelpics.html
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Friday, March 6, 2009
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Arcade Fire vs. Flaming Lips
If you haven't heard about this burgeoning indie feud royale, you can catch up here.
TMW loves Flaming Lips as much as anybody, but we're with Arcade Fire all the way on this one.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
BMW's All-New 7
NYT's glowing review of the sweet ride Meller drove around for a week! Like a hotel on wheels.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/01/automobiles/autoreviews/01bmw-750.html?_r=1
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/01/automobiles/autoreviews/01bmw-750.html?_r=1
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
With Just A Half Hour To Go . . .
Happy Birthdays, Jamie & David! Sorry for the late post, The Mel Wire had a busy day off-blog.
Love you March 3rd Babies!
Monday, March 2, 2009
Remember That Time We Were In McDonalds?
In D.C.? And we saw that guy in a trench coat? With a portable D.V.D. player? And Rossman was like "Hey look, that guy's from the future!"
When I look back over time and think about things that have influenced my perspective on life, and more specifically, my humor, that moment stands out.
On that note, I am pleased to share the following news with you:
Joseph A. O'Leary has purchased a Kindle. And he has read 3.5 books in less than 72 hours.
The present beware. The future beware. He's coming!
All jokes aside, here are some terrific book reviews by none other than Mr. Joe O:
Drug Crazy: How We Got Into This Mess, and How We Can Get Out by Mike Gray. This is a really informative look into the 80+ year drug war in America by a Chicago journalist. The ridiculous ignorance of the Bill of Rights and hideous race-baiting that constituted the start of the narcotics prohibition movement is a highlight, as is the section on marijuana's rise as a perceived threat in the 1950s and Pablo Escobar's violent emergence via cocaine trafficking in Colombia in the 1980s. If you want some solid ammunition for why drugs should be legalized, you could do a lot worse than this book. Also, the author does a good job of alternating between sobering facts and interesting vignettes (like the one at the start of the book involving a police raid on a Chicago drug gang that spills across numerous city blocks), which keeps things consistently engaging.
Traffic by Tom Vanderbilt. I'm about halfway through this book about driving and traffic and how these two common tasks reflect (and are influenced by) human psychology. I was a bit tentative about buying this book at first - I mean, traffic is bad enough when you're stuck in it, why force yourself to read about it in your spare time? - but have found it to be thoroughly enjoyable due to its broad scope into the proverbial "human condition." If nothing else, it will prompt some interesting conversations on future road trips.
Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut. This is a short novel by Vonnegut that was written from the perspective of someone who tracks down the inventor of the atomic bomb and interviews his children shortly after Hiroshima, although the diversion to a rustic island roughly halfway through the book provides for a number of bizarre tangents. It moves along at a nice clip and by the end provides a thought-provoking commentary on man's capacity to inflict doom on a reticent Mother Earth. Slaughterhouse Five and Breakfast of Champions come more highly recommended, but this is a good introduction to Vonnegut's work, should you require it.
Seven Seconds or Less: My Season on the Bench with the Runnin' and Gunnin' Phoenix Suns by Jack McCallum. Profiles McCallum's role as a pseudo-assistant coach on the Suns' 2005-2006 team led by Steve Nash and Shawn Marion during the year Amar'e Stoudemire was sidelined due to two knee injuries. This is only recommended for fans of basketball (and particularly of the Suns' form of ball as defined by Mike D'Antoni). It's not particularly enlightening in any way, but the behind-the-scenes interplay of coaches and players is often funny, and the narrative (written from the perspective of the Suns' playoff experience in 2006) keeps you turning the pages.
Also, even though it doesn't fall into the category of recent reads, I cannot recommend A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson highly enough. It is unequivocally my favorite non-fiction book, and distills virtually every important scientific discovery in the history of mankind into compelling, relatable, and often hilarious prose. From the Big Bang through the rise of the dinosaurs and the struggle of early man to more recent achievements like atomic theory, nuclear fission, and space travel, Bryson touches on almost every question you could have and answers it with the help of numerous experts in a book that is shockingly enjoyable to read. If you read just one book this lifetime, make it this one.
Thanks, Joe!
When I look back over time and think about things that have influenced my perspective on life, and more specifically, my humor, that moment stands out.
On that note, I am pleased to share the following news with you:
Joseph A. O'Leary has purchased a Kindle. And he has read 3.5 books in less than 72 hours.
The present beware. The future beware. He's coming!
All jokes aside, here are some terrific book reviews by none other than Mr. Joe O:Drug Crazy: How We Got Into This Mess, and How We Can Get Out by Mike Gray. This is a really informative look into the 80+ year drug war in America by a Chicago journalist. The ridiculous ignorance of the Bill of Rights and hideous race-baiting that constituted the start of the narcotics prohibition movement is a highlight, as is the section on marijuana's rise as a perceived threat in the 1950s and Pablo Escobar's violent emergence via cocaine trafficking in Colombia in the 1980s. If you want some solid ammunition for why drugs should be legalized, you could do a lot worse than this book. Also, the author does a good job of alternating between sobering facts and interesting vignettes (like the one at the start of the book involving a police raid on a Chicago drug gang that spills across numerous city blocks), which keeps things consistently engaging.
Traffic by Tom Vanderbilt. I'm about halfway through this book about driving and traffic and how these two common tasks reflect (and are influenced by) human psychology. I was a bit tentative about buying this book at first - I mean, traffic is bad enough when you're stuck in it, why force yourself to read about it in your spare time? - but have found it to be thoroughly enjoyable due to its broad scope into the proverbial "human condition." If nothing else, it will prompt some interesting conversations on future road trips.
Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut. This is a short novel by Vonnegut that was written from the perspective of someone who tracks down the inventor of the atomic bomb and interviews his children shortly after Hiroshima, although the diversion to a rustic island roughly halfway through the book provides for a number of bizarre tangents. It moves along at a nice clip and by the end provides a thought-provoking commentary on man's capacity to inflict doom on a reticent Mother Earth. Slaughterhouse Five and Breakfast of Champions come more highly recommended, but this is a good introduction to Vonnegut's work, should you require it.
Seven Seconds or Less: My Season on the Bench with the Runnin' and Gunnin' Phoenix Suns by Jack McCallum. Profiles McCallum's role as a pseudo-assistant coach on the Suns' 2005-2006 team led by Steve Nash and Shawn Marion during the year Amar'e Stoudemire was sidelined due to two knee injuries. This is only recommended for fans of basketball (and particularly of the Suns' form of ball as defined by Mike D'Antoni). It's not particularly enlightening in any way, but the behind-the-scenes interplay of coaches and players is often funny, and the narrative (written from the perspective of the Suns' playoff experience in 2006) keeps you turning the pages.
Also, even though it doesn't fall into the category of recent reads, I cannot recommend A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson highly enough. It is unequivocally my favorite non-fiction book, and distills virtually every important scientific discovery in the history of mankind into compelling, relatable, and often hilarious prose. From the Big Bang through the rise of the dinosaurs and the struggle of early man to more recent achievements like atomic theory, nuclear fission, and space travel, Bryson touches on almost every question you could have and answers it with the help of numerous experts in a book that is shockingly enjoyable to read. If you read just one book this lifetime, make it this one.
Thanks, Joe!
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
How Could You Hate On THIS Guy?
Earlier today, Mark threw a fit of rage when he read that Brian Dawkins had signed with the Broncos.
Hours later, it seems that the announcement Mark read was merely premature speculation - by a man named David White, NFL reporter for The San Francisco Chronicle.
At first, Mark cursed the day this guy was born for misleading him in to thinking the Eagles had lost Dawkins. But then, he spent some time reading about this misguided sports journalist. and quickly realized, the culprit is actually an amazing man. Read his bio and try to stay mad for long - you're not human if you don't fall in love with this guy:
Meet David White, the Chronicle's new Raiders beat writer
Say hello to David White, the new NFL reporter who will cover the Oakland Raiders for the San Francisco Chronicle.
New Raiders beat writer David White worked at the Fresno Bee for 12 years.
David spent the past 12 years at The Fresno Bee, where he most recently covered Fresno State football and wrote a national college football column. He also won a small box-full of national and regional awards as an enterprise writer.
David is a 33-year-old native of Selma. That's a small farm town in the San Joaquin Valley where he once worked at a fruit packing house before deciding sports writing was the way to go.
He has a wife and children ages 2 and 5 months, loves In-N-Out burgers and is active at church as an ordained minister. David will resume hobbies and quiet walks in the park when the kids grow up.
Seriously?
Hours later, it seems that the announcement Mark read was merely premature speculation - by a man named David White, NFL reporter for The San Francisco Chronicle.
At first, Mark cursed the day this guy was born for misleading him in to thinking the Eagles had lost Dawkins. But then, he spent some time reading about this misguided sports journalist. and quickly realized, the culprit is actually an amazing man. Read his bio and try to stay mad for long - you're not human if you don't fall in love with this guy:
Meet David White, the Chronicle's new Raiders beat writer
Say hello to David White, the new NFL reporter who will cover the Oakland Raiders for the San Francisco Chronicle.
New Raiders beat writer David White worked at the Fresno Bee for 12 years.
David spent the past 12 years at The Fresno Bee, where he most recently covered Fresno State football and wrote a national college football column. He also won a small box-full of national and regional awards as an enterprise writer.
David is a 33-year-old native of Selma. That's a small farm town in the San Joaquin Valley where he once worked at a fruit packing house before deciding sports writing was the way to go.
He has a wife and children ages 2 and 5 months, loves In-N-Out burgers and is active at church as an ordained minister. David will resume hobbies and quiet walks in the park when the kids grow up.
Seriously?
Presto Pesto Majesto
Looking for something to cook this weekend are ya?
TMW recommends the following Poms-inspired dish:
*Mel's fresh pesto tips:
Let me know how this works out, dear readers!
Love, Miss Mel xxx
TMW recommends the following Poms-inspired dish:
- Pesto (Mel's favorite pesto recipe can be found here)*
- Whole Wheat Ravioli or Tortellini - your choice
- Sauteed sliced mushrooms and fresh or frozen peas (sautee in olive oil with fresh garlic, s+p)
- Grated parmesan to taste
*Mel's fresh pesto tips:
- This recipe calls for nine (9) cloves of garlic, Mel says - that's too much! Use about six (6) or seven (7) cloves
- This recipe will make way too much pesto. But that's great! You can save it for up to a week if you store it properly - with a tiny film of olive oil on top, and seal it airtight.
Let me know how this works out, dear readers!
Love, Miss Mel xxx
Thursday, February 26, 2009
At Our House, We Call It "High/Low"
At the Obama's place they call it "Roses and Thorns":
"At dinner, they play a game called 'Roses and Thorns.' Everyone takes a turn describing a good thing that happened that day (rose) and a low moment or tough problem they had to deal with (thorn).
"When the President finished his turn after a particularly challenging day at the White House (we didn't learn which one), Malia told her Dad: 'You have a really thorny job.'"
-ABC News Chief Washington Correspondent and "This Week" Host George Stephanopoulos
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
I Love You Marksdale
Special thanks to my Big Friendly Husband, Avon Marksdale, for his faithful and shall we say - eager - blogging efforts. Nice work, darling. Don't be a stranger in the comments section, come back and entertain us soon!
Chairman Of The Board
Giles stopped by the Vanity Fair Oscar Headquarters...and took control immediately, as one might expect he would.
He was then arrested for his scraggly attempt at a beard.
He was then arrested for his scraggly attempt at a beard.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Thank You And Goodnight
Mel will be home in a matter of minutes, and with her triumphant return ends my ignominious run as editor of TMW. Thank you for sticking with me, be sure to tip your waitress and, wherever you go from here, go easy.
Oh, and everything this guy said...
Mel In Hollywood: The Return
Mel's ready to go on her flight, where she's has the good fortune to be seated right next to the lav. See you in a few hours and an eternity of poop smells from now, Mel!
Mel In Hollywood: The Oscar Party
Finally got to talk to a very tired Mel, who got to attend and enjoy VF's big Oscar bash last night. She was a little groggy so I didn't get much of an update, but she saw pretty much everyone you can imagine. She said Elle MacPherson was the prettiest so I guess "The Body" has still got it. Despite all the star sightings, Mel seemed substantially more excited about the In N Out burgers served at the party.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Mel In Hollywood: Game Day
The Fleet: 
The Lounge:
Admittedly, TMW's coverage this week has been geared toward the more glamorous side of Mel's job. However, there's plenty of grunt work to go around as well. Currently she's in the lounge at Empire CLS Chauffeur, waiting to inspect the wheels on a fleet of 40 BMWs to make sure they're not covered in brake dust. Nice.
BTW, she's in El Segundo. Watch your wallet, Mel.
The Lounge:
Admittedly, TMW's coverage this week has been geared toward the more glamorous side of Mel's job. However, there's plenty of grunt work to go around as well. Currently she's in the lounge at Empire CLS Chauffeur, waiting to inspect the wheels on a fleet of 40 BMWs to make sure they're not covered in brake dust. Nice.
BTW, she's in El Segundo. Watch your wallet, Mel.
Mel In Hollywood: Seinfeld
Mel saw Seinfeld pull up in this piece at the Peninsula Hotel.
Really, Jerry? Powder blue? No word on whether Jon Voight ever owned this car.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Mel In Hollywood: The Event
Mel's had events and parties all week out in L.A., but last night was the BMW event for which she had sole responsibility. By all accounts (or at least her account), it was a success. Congrats, Mel!
Basically, she gave a bunch of movers and shakers (including Twofer from 30 Rock as you'll see in the pics) the keys to their own BMW 750, loaded 'em up with a playlist curated by Michael Giacchino (the guy who does the music for Lost), and put them on a scenic route through the Hollywood Hills leading up to the Griffith Observatory, where a swank party awaited them.
On my next trip to L.A., I look forward to retracing the route in a Chevy Malibu Maxx from Hertz, and cracking a Bud Light tall boy in the observatory parking lot upon arrival.
You can check out all the pics here. I love that the first one is someone pulling up in a Saturn.
UPDATE: Here's a pic of her at the event with one of the founders of Live Earth.
Friday, February 20, 2009
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