bookofjoe

I've Loved You So Long

I watched this movie last night but I can't recommend it to you even though I enjoyed it immensely.

Why?

Because not much happens.

Most people find movies like this, especially in French with subtitles as is the case here, boring and soporific.

Not me.

I was engrossed from the get-go and very much liked the fact that the first clue to the underlying premise of the movie didn't happen until about halfway through.

And the whole basis for the events that happen isn't revealed until five minutes before the end.

So I don't think you should watch it.

There's no sex, no violence, no bad language — it's rated PG-13.

Like I said, you'll be less than interested.

Besides which, the characters — apart from the lead, played wonderfully by Kristin Scott Thomas in what has to be her least glamorous role ever (by a long shot) — for the most part live pretty ordinary lives and wear boring clothes and drive boring cars like Volvos.

So if you don't listen to me and go ahead and watch it anyway, well, fair warning, seems to me.

Thai Green Crocodile Curry

From the website:

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Thai Green Crocodile Curry

This curry has been made in Bangkok to a traditional Thai recipe, it contains fresh farm-raised crocodile meat and fragrant vegetables, herbs and spices.

It is cooked so all you need to do is open the can and heat.

Best served with steamed jasmine rice.

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£14.

[via Milena]

Alternative Big Mac Index — Because time is money

"How many minutes to earn the price of a Big Mac?" is the question answered by the graphic above, published August 20, 2009 on The Economist's website.

Since 1986 The Economist has featured annually a Big Mac Index with prices in U.S. dollars for a Big Mac in cities around the world.

This alternative index takes it to an even more interesting level.

Got vinyl? Back it up

From the website:

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Memorex USB Turntable and Recorder

What to do with that vinyl album collection, now that the digital age has arrived?

At the touch of a button, convert your records into digital files you can play on your computer, burn to CD, or transfer to your MP3 player.

Three-speed turntable plugs into your desktop or laptop computer and plays 45's, 78's, and 33 LPs; exports to MP3, WAV, and .OGG file formats.

Features include ceramic pickup, auto one-arm reset, one-touch play/stop control, built-in RIAA equalizer, line-output for stereo system audio amplifier, USB connection, dust cover, software, and cables.

Approximately 14" x 13.5" x 4.5".

Computer not included.

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$110.

Steampunk Insects — by Mike Libby

"His Insect Lab Studio makes robots from dried insects. Insects for his works come from around the world, from Africa, China, New Guinea, Brazil, Texas, etc. Cogs and gear wheels from antique pocketwatches and wristwatches are used as mechanical components."

Above, Rhino beetle. 

Below,

dragonfly.

Below,

butterfly (Papilio Ulysses Ulysses).

Below,

Flower beetle.

Below,

scorpion.

Below,

Longhorn beetle.

Below,

spider (Nephila Maculata).

Below,

 

grasshopper.

$600-$2,500.

[via Beautiful Life and Milena]

Grill Surface Thermometer

Think outside the grill: useful on any cooking surface.

From a website:

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Grill Surface Thermometer

Provides accurate Fahrenheit reading.

Bold digits, red pointer.

Raised handles.

2.25"Ø.

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$7.99.

World's best sleep aid: listen to a reading of H.R. 3200, the proposed health care bill

Long story short: voice-over actress Diane Havens rounded up about 60 people to each record around 20-30 pages of the 1,017-page bill, then made the cumulative effort available — free, the way we like it — at www.hearthebill.org.

There goes the day.

Blast from the past: Giant Inflatable Alien

My favorite 2008 post follows.

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From a website:

Giant Inflatable Alien

Do you need to skip out of work early?

Need a long lunch?

Or perhaps you want your boss to think you work long hours.

Just put this giant inflatable alien in your desk chair and see if anyone notices.

We have a hunch she'll be just as productive as you are.

Stands six feet tall, with three extra-long spooky fingers.

A great gag gift for those who walk around with aluminum foil hats.

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If you'd got on it pronto last year it would've cost you $12.89.

Because you snoozed, you loozed: it's now $19.95.

Must be inflation.

Heh.

Like I wrote last year, might even make the cop laugh enough not to ticket the two of you for using the HOV lane.