Liftingfaces

(SWIRLZ CUPCAKES)

If you live in Chicago and haven’t had a Swirlz cupcake, shame on you. These are the best cupcakes I’ve ever eaten, and I’ve had a few (too many). The chocolate is a classic, and the vanilla is ridiculous. My wife rather likes the red velvet, and they have seasonal flavors like banana walnut, chocolate peanut butter, and malted chocolate.

And for those of you who live in the LA area, the answer is “YES!” Swirlz is definitely better than Sprinkles. Sorry guys, not on the same level. Anyone in NY have a great cupcake spot you think might rival the heavenly flavors of Swirlz?

(FAILBLOG)

I’ve wasted too much time scouring FAIL blog. I’m not the first to find this site, nor will I be the last, but for those who haven’t witnessed it yet, it will be a fun discovery all the same.

(BORIS ARTZYBASHEFF’S “MACHINALIA” SERIES)

“I would rather watch a thousand ton dredge dig a canal than see it done by a thousand spent slaves lashed into submission. I like machines.” - Boris Artzybasheff

Here are several beautiful images from his Machinalia series, and here are some of his assorted works.

 

(A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE BY GEORGE R.R. MARTIN)

I am only on the second book in this projected seven volume fantasy epic, but I can already tell you that the Song of Ice and Fire series is one of my favorites of all time. Without getting into a detailed dissertation on why George R.R. Martin has reimagined the genre and brought a new way of looking at stayed archetypes, I will just say that this author knows how to create scenes. Each chapter is told from a different viewpoint of one of the central characters, and there are usually about six or seven characters we follow in each book. The format makes for sprawling, engaging storytelling, and the fantasy elements are not your typical trolls and dragons (though dragons do exist in some fashion).

HBO has actually optioned the rights to this series, and has a plan to turn each book into a series of episodes. No news on the development yet, but plans had been made to shoot this series in New Zealand were it to go into production. It would be a very special series, and HBO would be the perfect venue for it (for there is plenty of murder, warring, sex, and betrayal to go around for everyone).

If you have avoided reading fantasy because you aren’t interested in wizards or hobbits, then this might be a series you should check out. There’s an alcoholic king, a sarcastic imp, a Tom Sawyer like young girl, and a foreign woman who isn’t too afraid of fire, to name a few.

Go check out the first book now, and buy the rest while you’re at it.

(THE TALLEST MAN ON EARTH)

With all this fever in my mind, I could drown in your kerosene eyes. You’re just a riddle in the sky. Oh where do my bluebirds fly?

It’s fair to assume the songs Kristian Matsson sings on his latest LP, “Shallow Graves,” were written by a master wordsmith from 40 years past.

But you’d be wrong.

I’m no music historian, but of what little I know of the man, I can’t help but compare the songwriting to that of Bob Dylan. The music is sparse, seldom more than an acoustic guitar or a banjo. These are a set of haunted American campfire tales, sung by a Swede with a voice somewhere between Dylan and David Gray.

At the end of the day, I can’t stop playing these songs. Have a listen for yourself. Check out my favorite two tracks:

Where Do My Bluebirds Fly

The Gardner

And here’s a Youtube clip of Kristian performing “It Will Follow the Rain“

(THE DICTIONARY OF DIFFICULT WORDS)

From aardwolf (an insect-eating cousin to the hyena) to zither (a stringed instrument in the same family as the harpsichord), I find this online resource fascinating. If you enjoy strange words or strange things, this is the resource for you. Some of your findings will lead you down a breadcrumb trail to several interesting dinner conversations.

Enjoy The Dictionary of Difficult Words.

(KNOMO BAGS)

I recently purchased a new laptop bag. I was worried that a leather bag might come off a little too business casual. Now that I have the bag, however, I don’t really care how it looks. It’s too slick and functional to matter. There’s a sleeve for the laptop, with a quilted micro-suede lining and a foam patted bottom for impact, both of which function great. It’s comfortable on the shoulder too. All-in-all, it’s a kick butt bag and I’m happy to own it.

(BRACH’S FIESTA EGGS)

Hands down the best chocolate malted milk candy with a brand name on it. They are seasonal (guess which season), and hard to find. My wife once bought me a 3 pound bulk bag straight from the factory. You have to suck on them like a gobstopper first though, so the chocolate melts and heaven erupts in your mouth.