MONTHLY REVIEW: October

Happy Halloween!!! Tonight might be the scariest night of the year, but the month of October was definitely "spooktacular"!!!

MUSIC

If you didn't listen to us the first time, do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of Canadian Anjulie's self-title debut album now! In the past month we've heard a couple of her song on the radio and in a couple television shows! Next big thing...?

Paramore had us screaming for more after hearing their cover of ZONINO! favorite Kings of Leon's "Use Somebody".

James Hunter's album, The Hard Way, was a rediscovered favorite after a song popped up on a random playlist. If you haven't heard this amazing artist yet, its time to treat yourself.

We can't keep out feet off the pedal after listing to country sibling band Jypsi's latest single "Mister Officer".

Country legend Patty Loveless covers the heartbreaking "Busted" on her most recent studio album with repeat-button results.

Before we leave Nashville, another country band, Little Big Town, caught our ear with their inventive yet faithful version of "Go Tell It On The Mountain", available only online, for the time being.

The incredibly gifted guitar duo of Rodrigo y Gabriela will blow away anyone who even looked at the instrument; it's hard to believe their recordings do not contain any other components!

BOOK

Jhumpa Lahiri's 1999 debut, Interpreter of Maladies, a collection of short stories, had us hanging on every beautiful and effortless description.

You Shall Know Our Velocity, a story of two friends traveling the world and giving away money, by Dave Eggers, will make you want to figuratively do the same.

Colombian author James Cañón's debut novel, Tales From the Town of Widows, sheds light on an ongoing political and societal issue all the while celebrating the human (and feminine) spirit.

Comedic writer David Sedaris once again slays with his latest collection of short true-life stories, When You Are Engulfed In Flames.

MOVIE

The hilarious Julie Delpy wrote, directed, and starred in the quaintly beautiful film 2 Days in Paris, about a relationship on the brink...of something.

And ensemble cast for once doesn't wreck a movie! Watch The Taking of Pelham 123 and see names like Travolta, Washington, Turturro, and Gandolfini play like a team for the excitement of pretty good story!

RECIPE

Serve some greasy Fries Cuatro Queso and spicy Pumpkin Cider at your next fall gathering...Sunday football marathon anyone?!?!

Throw in some apple bites too, or save those for your spooktacular Halloween party!

WEB

You thought it was bad when you bumped your mailbox backing out of the driveway? Check out these wrecks on That Will Buff Out.

In the same vein, There I Fixed It celebrates homemade solutions that give professional repairmen (and women) job security.

Artist Jan Vormann creates the uniquely ingenious "installation" artwork and displays her creations on Dispatchwork.

Still don't have a costume idea for Halloween?!?! There's still time! Check out WTF Costumes for some inspiration.

Sick of the new fall line-up already? Don't have time in your busy schedule to watch a full television show? Check out FilmCow and laugh at these hilariously random animated shorts.

YOUTUBE

Ever wonder why those Disney kids are so squeaky clean and wholesome? The Onion's Today Now "news" program has the answer!

Can a team of preteen and teen girls jumping rope bring an entire arena-full of basketball fans to their feet? You bet they can!

The Black Eyed Peas' summer hit "I Got A Feeling" just got better. Be sure to see what some creative communications majors at UQAM in Montreal were able to pull together in just over two hours.

TV

We got a little nostalgic this month with an Oil of Olay ad from 1989. Remember it?

Elmo and Rosita teach us how to sneeze in this Sesame Street spot in cooperation with the Ad Council.

WORD

After methodically palpating the mind of the serial killer, the psychologist determined his chimeric mind was an emporium of evil.

WORD: chimeric

Potentially appropriate for the season that is upon us, this adjective is used to describe something fanciful or imaginary in nature. Stemming for the monster in Greek mythology, the chimera, shown at right in an drawing by illustrator Tina Ponzetti, which was composed of the parts of many different animals, the word brings to mind a childlike world where anything is possible, perhaps even confusing.

Under the fort he built in the living room using couch cushions and old bed sheets, Mathias created a chimeric world where there was no homework, split-pea soup, or dish-washing chores.

Waking abruptly from his nap during the sales meeting, Leon recalled with a smile the chimeric dream he just had in which his boss was suddenly sucked out the window in freak and tragic accident.

Sergio del Limonar

RECIPE: Apple "Bites"

Having a Halloween party this weekend? Celebrating a grandpa's new set of dentures? Both? Here is the perfect appetizer for your function:

Ingredients:

-apples
-slivered almonds

What to do:

1) core the apples
2) cut the apples into quarters
3) carve out another concentric right-angled wedge to the outer one (just look at the picture)
4) place slivered almonds in the inside of the above cut as if it were a mouth with teeth

Sergio del Limónar

BOOK: When You Are Engulfed In Flames

I love to read but I often find that the time I have for pleasure reading is limited to short intervals, usually less than twenty minutes at a time. This is most likely why I am drawn to short stories. I can digest them in brief moments of leisure and not feel badly if I am not able to pick the book up again for a few days.

Humorist David Sedaris is a genius at composing a short story. He's even better at it when I centers around his own life. All of previous books, ZONINO! worthy in their own right, follow him on adventures as a child in North Carolina with his excentric parents and siblings, in university in Chicago, living in New York City in his twenties, and France as an adult. When You Are Engulfed In Flames is no different.

Filled with fresh stories and misadventures, Sedaris continues to entertain with real-life ridiculous situations and mundane observations of his bizarrely ordinary life. Always using his unique style of story-telling, Sedaris often times begins like a rambling old relative you get stuck sitting with at your family reunion. But you keep listening because you know, if nothing else great uncle old man river with eventually swear or tell you one of your cousin's is adopted; sticking with the aimlessness is always worth it!

One of my favorite vignettes from this collection is a story of how, while on an airplane, Sedaris almost chocked on a throat drop, projecting it with a violent cough into the lap, or more accurately crotch, of his sleeping aisle mate. As Sedaris states in his story, "under normal circumstances" he could have dealt with this awkward situation maturely, the way two adults should. However, before falling asleep the woman sitting next to him had caused a little tiff that the whole plane was privy to. Cue hilarity!

Sedaris's multi-part story, saga really, of how he eventually quit smoking (and drinking and marijuana) is especially humanizing and guffaw-inducing. Reading this book, it is hard not to feel a permanent smile creep across your face. I wonder what people thought of me, the weird smiling guy on the bus, while I was finishing up a quick story on my ride to work?

Sergio del Limónar

WEB: Filmcow

From the ingenious and twisted mind of Jason Steele (I don't know anything about him, but do you like how I made it seem like he was known?) comes FilmCow, an animation studio of sorts that creates short cartoon films starring unicorns, homicidal cats, sad singing ferrets, sexual sock puppets and other disturbingly hilarious creations.

Upon first viewings it may appear that these are the ridiculous ramblings of a couple stoners in their mother's basement with nothing better to do than laugh at their own immature humor. But then you start to laugh. A lot. And, after questioning your own adulthood, you realize that Charlie the unicorn is a work of comedic art, llamas with hats are funny - no matter what murderous acts they may involve themselves with - and Detective Mittens really is a "scary ****ing cat."

The website has a tab where you can view the many films using either QuickTime, YouTube, or download directly to your iPod or iPhone. So really, you have no excuses to watch!

Buzzy

TV: Swine Flu on Sesame Street

It seems like people are starting to drop like flies falling victim to the Swine Flu (A/H1N1 virus). Perhaps offices, health care workers, and school teachers should start a pool at there places of work and the last one to get sick gets a prize!

"Have you seen how frail Edna is looking today. $10 says she's out by next week." I can hear it now!

Until then, keep yourself healthy by following these simple rules set forth by the ever relevant and intelligent muppets on Sesame Street. You know they taught you the difference between "near" and "far" - now they can teach you the proper way to sneeze too!

Sergio del Limonar

MUSIC: Rodrigo y Gabriela

As a beginning guitar player, watching Mexican duo Rodrigo y Gabriela makes me want to make like a rock star, smash my six-string dramatically to the floor, and be done with the whole endeavor. Hailing for Mexico City, Rodrigo Sanchez and Gabriela Quintero have definitely "paid their dues" as artists. Originally part of a failed heavy metal band they formed as teenagers at home and later as street performers in Dublin, Ireland, the two "guitarristas" are making a mark on the international music scene.

Combining styles ranging for folk and flamenco to hard rock and bossa nova, the music produced is like nothing else. Using only two guitars, both musicians take on different but equal roles in manipulating their instruments to create melody and harmony lines, as well as percussion.

My favorite Rodrigo y Gabriela song, "Tamacun," comes off their self-titled debut studio album. (Also included on this same record are covers of Metallica's "Orion" and Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven" for metal fans who want a different take on some rock classics. Their most recent album, 11:11 is composed of eleven original songs all in their familiar and outstanding style. Be sure to check out the lightning-fast "Buster Voodoo."

Sergio del Limónar

TV: 1989 Oil of Olay Ad

"Emerson High 1975. You were in my class."

"I was your teacher."

"Miss Fitzhenry?"

"Bugsy....Brown."

Classic lines from back in the old days when you would walk 5 miles to school, uphill both ways, in the snow. Back when you would run to the television to watch a good commercial. Back when Top Gun was hot. In those times, we had good Oil of Olay commercials that catered to feminist and cougar fantasies. Today I share with you my favourite commercial of all time:




Bee

WEB: WTF Costumes

It's about one week before the scariest (or most annoying, depending upon who you are) night of the year, and if you're anything like me, you still have no idea what to dress up as for the big Halloween party you were half-hoping you wouldn't be invited to. What do you do?

Typing in "creative Halloween costumes" into Google never seems to satisfy my dressing-up needs so I am turning to a new source this year. WTF Costumes is a website that displays pictures of, as the subheading states, "a gallery of the best, worst, sexist, funniest and weirdest Halloween costumes on the internet." As promised, these costumes run the gambit - I personally never would have thought to dress as "Jedi Barbie" complete with hot pink hooker-boots.

While some of these options may be a bit out of your creativity time-line (seriously, some of these costumes have been works in progress for what looks like months!), it's quite possible, you might find a pinch of inspiration somewhere here. If not, then just enjoy a good laugh and wonder how all that zombie blood would ever wash out if it got on your couch!

Buzzy

MUSIC: Little Big Town's "Go Tell It On The Mountain" cover

I remember learning the traditional folk song "Go Tell It On The Mountain" in fourth grade when my class was attempting to collectively learn how to play the recorder. I'm not sure how I felt about the song then but I know I despised music class that year solely because of that little resin flute. Nevertheless, I'm reminded of those days every time I hear the song, usually around the holiday season, which, being mid-October, is fully upon us.

Hopefully, after a few listens to country quartet Little Big Town's cover of the tune, my memories will shift and I was involuntarily shiver when it comes on the speaker system next time I'm passing through the mall rotunda. LBT's version, built around the vocals of Karen Fairchild and the strong harmonies of the other band members, throws in just the right amount of drums to make the song rock but not enough tot destroy the natural driving nature of the song.

Recently rereleased as a single on iTunes (the first time was in 2006), I can only hope that this track makes it on an upcoming studio or Christmas album soon!

Sergio del Limónar

WEB: There, I Fixed It

I had a friend in high school whose dad was minor celebrity to us all in that fact that he was one of the authors of a little known humor book about the many uses of duct tape.

I can't help but be reminded of this when I visit the website There, I Fixed It. In the same inspirational vein as our previous post about That Will Buff Out, the website displays visitor submitted photographs of Mr. Fix-it's missteps. Sometimes creative, sometimes dangerous, sometimes bizarre, but always terrible, these repair jobs range from using zip-ties and a wine cork to mend a martini glass to using mailing labels instead of tape to seal a box.

I would be the first person to call a repair service (or find a garbage can) before grabbing the duct tape and attempting to fix anything myself, but even I feel better about my own skills after viewing these pictures!

Sergio del Limonar

WORD: Palpate

This is one of those smartie-pants verbs that everyone should know, be able to use, but never have to in actual conversation. Meaning simply "to touch" but in an examinatory fashion, it would be acceptable to use in medicinal conversation or perhaps when discussing a creepy neighbor or an ex. Use with caution.

Standing before the oranges in the produce section, the elderly woman palpated each fruit as if she were a pubescent teenage boy in the back seat of his car with a girl for the first time.

Clinging to the wall with my back and in the blackest of darkness after the lights went out in the haunted house, I extended my arm and trembling fingers, palpating the pealing and damp surface for some semblance of a light switch.


Sergio del Limónar

BOOK: Tales From the Town of Widows

Maybe the only thing more impressive than James Cañón's 2007 debut novel, Tales From the Town of Widows, is that he wrote it beautifully in his second language. Cañón, a native of Ibagué, Colombia, has crafted a story that is at once fanciful, historical, political, humorous, and dead serious.

The story takes place in the tiny fictitious village of Mariquita, which has had the misfortune of having been visited by a group of guerrilla fighters who take with them all of the males over the age of 12 to join them in their fight against the government. This leaves behind a town of women and children, the priest and a 13 year old child who's mother disguised him in a dress to prevent his abduction.

Throughout the story the town's people learn how to live and function effectively without their male counterparts with mixed results. The characters are a colorful bunch and Cañón never shies away from realism and shock-value; there is never a dull moment in Mariquita.

One of the most interesting and creative aspects of the book is how the author intersperses faux-narritives from a variety of men involved with the various conflicts plaguing the country. The ex-guerrila, the military general, the American reporter, and the paramilitary officer all get a chance to tell a part of their story for a few juxtaposed paragraphs within the "Tales" from Mariquita. Aside from being accurate and interesting, the vignettes offer a reminder to the reader that, while the widows are suffering and adapting in their village, the rest of the country is also in a state of transition and turmoil as well.

This book is an important lesson in contemporary story-telling as well as a reminder of the present world situation. I enjoy novels that make you think but don't preach at you or make you feel guilty or bad after reading it. Tales From the Town of Widows is one of those rare books.

Sergio del Limónar

YOUTUBE: UQAM I Gotta Feeling

The Black Eyed Peas hit single "I Gotta Feeling" was everywhere this summer and continues to gain popularity with it's anthemic declaration to simply have a great time! Well, it looks like the students majoring in communications at l'Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) had a great time creating this video for the song.

Using one single moving shot, throughout what I can only assume to be one of the University's buildings, a little of two hours of organization time, and nearly 200 students, they have created a well choreographed and smile-inducing interpretation to do the BEP proud. I don't even want to think about the logistical nightmares in organizing something like this but I am impressed! No doubt we will be seeing some imitators in the future; if not with this song than with another!

Be sure to watch the video a couple times to catch hidden bits of humor you may have missed during your first viewing. Some things, like Wonder Woman and Waldo (of "Where's" variety) doing make sense other than the fact that they are having a good time, but watch for the costumes of the students on the stairs and the details like the days of the week on the shot glasses and kid eating a "Sunday." I also like how intricate some of the parts are, with some lip-syncers only mouthing a sound that goes relatively unnoticed in the audio otherwise.

Sergio del Limónar

MUSIC: "Busted"

Country mainstay and living legend, Patty Loveless, has had a remarkable 16 studio albums released in her illustrious career. Her latest album, Mountain Soul II, which debuted last month continues this legacy. I recently heard the lead single off this album, "Busted", a cover originally recorded by Johnny Cash and later by Ray Charles, and was blown away.

Despite the fact that the song was written back in the early 1960's, the themes still ring true today. The single might be a little too "honky tonk" for some, but give it a chance and let Loveless's soaring and tear-streaked vocals bring you into her slowly cracking world. The story of a family coming apart might be busted, but the song is anything but.

Sergio del Limónar

WEB: Dispatchwork

Installations are my favorite type of art. Mix that with my favorite nostalgic toy and ZONINO!, the perfect storm of artistic greatness.

This site, Dispatchwork, features the work of Lego (registered trade mark blah, blah, blah) artist Jan Vormann. Lego installations have been completed in locations such as Tel Aviv, Berlin, Amsterdam, and many other far-flung places. I really love how the work appeals to different generations; bringing young minds close to art and taking old minds back to their younger days. Also, the installations are completed in building sides that are hundreds of years old, thus creating an interesting juxtaposition.

BONUS: If you check out Jan's work you'll also see a page where international art events can be found!

AmErica

MOVIE: The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3

Unfortunately many directors seem to believe that throwing together a bunch of blockbuster stars in one film will make for a great movie. There are umpteen ensemble films that can prove this wrong. Why do it then? My guess is that the story usually isn't very good, the budget is, and therefore, butts will be filling the seats. I mean, not everyone is a movie snob, like us here at Zonino! right?

The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 throws together Hollywood heavyweights John Travolta, Denzel Washington, John Turturro, Luis Guzmán, and James Gandolfini. This high-grossing testosterone-fest is probably the reason I passed on this movie when it opened five months ago.

Surprise! It's not bad! Like only true actors can, each of these gentlemen knows there role in the film and doesn't try to over-step it or outshine one of their counterparts; they seem to realize, like professionals, that they collectively make a whole.

The story is about a New York City subway train (Pelham 123) and it's passengers that is highjacked by an ex-convict (Travolta) and his cronies (one being Guzmán) for $10 million. The man on the other end of the line, MTA dispatcher Walter Garber (Washington), must step into the role of hostage negotiator, with the help of the real negotiator (Turturro) to maintain calm while the money is delivered.

Washington gives an outstanding and very timid performance as Garber, even when in the middle of the action holding a gun, his character seems shy and delicately confident. I love it when Travolta plays a psycho and he does not disappoint here. He knows just how much to pour on and when. The usually wisecracking Guzmán is also allowed to shine in a different more scared and pensive light. Gandolfini, as New York City's embattled subway-riding mayor, who plays the cocky politician with as much humanity mixed in to make you question whether you like him or not.

This is a true ensemble piece. It's not going to win any awards, but it's worth seeing!

Buzzy

YOUTUBE: Kings Firecracker Jump Rope Show

In elementary school gym class we had a unit based on jumping rope. Most of us were really bad at it. I recall this being especially true when we were required to not only perform a double dutch jumping feat, but have to go through the anxiety-ridden task of entering the swinging ropes from the outside of those perilously swinging nylon ropes.

Well, these girls, from a group called the Kings Firecrackers, evidently do not share the fear and dread that my fellow gym class members and I felt. This video was shot during their half time performance at a US Naval Academy basketball game. I love how the crowd starts off thinking this might be something to take a bathroom break during and ends cheering and screaming.

Sergio del Limónar

MUSIC: "Mister Officer"

Here's a dare for you: Try to not tap your foot along to "Mister Officer," the new single from the all-sibling band Jypsi. If you end up jumping around and pumping your fists in the air you lose the bet too.

A slight departure from their usual more bluegrassy fare, "Mister Officer" still does what all Jypsi recording do and shows off the groups dynamic talent and personality. Youngest member of the group, and lead singer, Lillie Mae's vocals on this tune come complete with wink and a smile right through the radio dial. The tight instrumentation from the rest of the band, including the two part violin bridge, joining Lillie Mae with eldest sister Amber Dawn, make this one of those songs you crank up in your car and hope you don't get pulled over!

Sergio del Limónar

RECIPE: Fries Cuatro Queso Dos Fritos

Swimsuit season is effectively over. Treat yourself to this glutenous creation!

ingredients:

potatoes (small)

vegetable oil

beer

beer batter mix

four cheese shredded blend

what to do:

watch this

DISCLAIMER #1: I have only eaten these, never made them personally. A friend served these at a BBQ and I coerced her into giving up the culinary details.

DISCLAIMER #2: I know the guy in the video is not funny.

Buzzy

BOOK: You Shall Know Our Velocity

I think a lot of people enjoy stand up comics because they have a way of expressing the humorous sides of every day situations in ways most people can't. Dave Eggers, author of the phenomenal novel, You Shall Know Our Velocity!, has a similar talent though his leans more toward the accessing of every day thoughts and ponderings.

The story follows two life-long friends, Will and Hand as they aim to travel once around the globe, distributing money (about $32,000 worth) along the way. Their journey begins in Chicago and then proceeds to Senegal, Morocco, Estonia, Latvia, and a few other brief stops along the way. The giving of the money is sometimes arbitrary and sometimes purposeful and judging, opening the characters to some humanizing debate about charity and what exactly they are doing.

Eggers has an almost supernatural way for descriptions. Often times I thought that, in any one else's hands these words would come off as trying too hard to be creative. One of my favorite descriptions came when the main characters were in Heathrow Airport in London. While talking to a booking agent, Eggers describes her "tired happy face" as that "of a third grade teacher in her last year."

I recommend this book to anyone who likes stories that explore the human nature, any guy approaching or recently having past his 10 year high school reunion, or anyone who has traveled outside of the United States. This book is identifiable on so many levels and makes for a fast, enjoyable, thought-provoking read.

Sergio del Limónar

WEB: That Will Buff Out

I understand that traffic and driving in general is not always a pleasant experience for anyone. However, I can think of few things that annoy me more than being stuck in traffic for an extended period of time only to find that the only reason was rubber-necking drivers. The accident is on the other side of the highway and my car has been crawling along for half an hour so that a bunch of gawkers can stare at some car with a broken window blocking one lane waaaay over there. Grrrr...

Well, for those more spectacular wrecks, there's That Will Buff Out, with its satirical title and pictures of vehicles worth analyzing as you pass by them. Although, while I'd forgive drivers in front of me for slowing down to look at these wrecks, I can't imagine finding too many actually still on the road!

MUSICAL: American Idiot

If you are in the Berkeley, California area, or will be in the next month and a half, be sure to check out punk-rock band, Green Day's newest project - a punk-rock musical adaptation of their 2004 album, American Idiot. This world premier performance - which has already been extended twice - is being held at the beautiful Berkeley Repertory Theatre, where you can also purchase tickets.

The show, also called American Idiot, a one act piece featuring an live rock band on stage, follows the lives of three post-high school aged friends who want out of their humdrum lives in a small town and to experience life in an urban metropolis. A variety of Gothamesque problem arise, with various characters dealing with pregnancy, drugs, war deployment, loneliness, dreams, and immaturity. The cast is young and fresh with various members having experience on Broadway and with touring shows.

While the look may scream "RENT," the vibe is an electric guitar resonating about life many of us can actually relate to. Check out this amazing show while you still can in it's infancy before it becomes Broadway's next big thing!

Sergio del Limónar

RECIPE: Pumpkin Cider

As the leaves begin to change, your fall coat is found in the back of the closet and shaken out, and produce prices begin to slowly creep higher, it's time to embrace autumn's favorite gourdy friend: the pumpkin!

I found the recipe for this hot drink online last year (but don't remember where) and am anxious to be able to serve it again this fall.

Ingredients:

- 2 cups puréed pumpkin

- 2 cups apple cider (fresh is obviously better)

- 1 teaspoon nutmeg

- cinnamon sticks

What To Do:

1 - mix all the ingredients together in a bowl

2 - pour bowl into a sauce pan and simmer stirring occasionally

3 - keep this up until the consistency looks like something you could drink, since that's the goal here!

Enjoy and stay warm and festive!

Buzzy

BOOK: Interpreter of Maladies

A few years ago I read Jhumpa Lahiri's second book and first full novel, The Namesake. I was floored by her simple way of telling a quite mundane story but using such beautiful prose that even the most ordinary detail or action seemed profound. Lahiri has a gift in her writing that allows her to be both insanely descriptive and incredibly simple at the same time.

Her first book, Interpreter of Maladies, a collection of nine short stories, is no exception to her talented style of writing. Published in 1999, this Pulitzer Prize winner centers each story around the life of either an Indian or Indian-American and a vignette in their life.

My favorite story was about a poor woman who swept the stairs of an apartment building in India who claimed she once had a luxurious life with servants, a mansion of a house, and glamorous parties all the time. The people of the building, not wealthy themselves, humored her and treated her kindly by allowing her a space to sleep in exchange for hr cleaning and door-guarding services. Circumstances conspire and, while feeling momentarily useless, she leaves the building and wanders the city. When she returns, her life has changed again, possibly for the second time.

Despite the personal tragedies, some self-imposed, that her characters are in, the story unfolds before the reader in such beautiful language that it hard to determine if, as the last paragraph come to an end, you liked the story or not. In the end, I think most readers will concede that Lahiri is painting truth through words on paper and in lieu of the sometimes sad lives her characters lead, they reflect a certain relatability that is endearing.

Sergio del Limónar

MUSIC: The Hard Way

I've been listening to one of my favorite British singers, James Hunter, quite a bit lately. By "lately" I mean a week ago when the shuffle mode on my iPod decided to play "Carina" from Hunter's 2008 album The Hard Way.

I love the bluesy and sad swing-like vibe that drifts throughout this song about basically begging someone to love you. The plucking strings, popping horns, whiney saxophone, and occasional swelling of the orchestra, coupled with Hunter's soulful and cracking vocals pleading "don't let me wait to long" make you feel as though you need Carina's love too. This is my most consistently favorite track off this album.

Other highlights include "Don't Do Me No Favors" and "She's Got A Way", which, with it's jazzy rhythm, has one of the most fun music videos of any of Hunter's singles. This is one of those records you could play in the corner of the room and by the third track people will be asking who the singer is. A throwback to the old blue-eyed soul music of the 1960's combined with some new-age R & B riffs, The Hard Way, is sure to be the ZONINO! of your party.

Buzzy

YOUTUBE: Today Now! Disney Genetics Story

I love the mock news service known to many a university undergrad, The Onion. I may even love their mock morning show, Today Now!, broadcast on Youtube, a little more.

This segment, about the newest batch of genetically created teen stars for the Disney Channel empire, is perfect. According to the farce, everyone from Miley Cyrus to Hilary Duff to Zac Efron has been bred in a test tube to be a singing, dancing, photo-oping piece of merchandise.

If only this were true! Some of the best lines come while the lead geneticist for the project is talking about Efron, "one of our earliest models" and how its difficult for him to watch footage of the young star because all he sees are his mistakes, much like an artist looking back at prior masterpieces.

I also enjoy the ticker across the bottom that reads "Disney has created unprecidented ethnic blends," possibly referencing an earlier story component about a singing-snowboarding Japanese/Indian girl they have been working on.

No insult to Disney and trying to keep the youth of America pure, but quit trying to make all your stars out to be perfect kids! We know not even the Onion can engineer that!

Buzzy

WORD: Emporium

According to the good people at Random House and their Dictionary, an emporium is a noun referring to "a place, town, or city of important commerce, especially a principle center of trade." I think this is one of those words that is more fun to use in other less-intended meanings.

For example, an article I was reading today described someone's intelligence as "an emporium of knowledge." I want to try and toss around some "emporiums" when I get the chance now!

I had a neighbor growing up who never seemed to throw anything away, her garage was an emporium of odds and ends.

Stuart's ex-girlfriend was manic; her head an emporium of emotions desperately in need of a sedative.

Okay, so mine need some work, but this is definitely a fun one to play with!

Sergio del Limónar

MOVIE: 2 Days In Paris

If there ever was a great self-indulgent dark comedy about mediocre love, this is it. From 2007, 2 Days In Paris is the story of a couple, American Jack (Adam Goldberg) and Marion (Julie Delpy), who is French but lives in New York, and their two days in Paris following a relationship-testing trip to Venice.

Written and directed by Delpy, the film looks at the facets that make up a relationship and how they are often illuminated once the people involved are out of their comfort zones. In this case, Jack, an interior designer and ruler of the sarcastic world, who knows no French has taken to snapping many photographs while adjusting to the idea that his girlfriend of two years has had many boyfriends before him and, in France, it is not uncommon to stay friends with one's ex. Marion, a professional photographer, is wrestling with the idea of her boyfriend being the one taking pictures all of sudden and, in the presence of he hometown and past-lovers, coming to the realization that Jack might be the one she stays with.

While much of the humor stems from cross-cultural errors and missteps, along with Goldberg's expected and often spastic delivery of his lines, the entire film wreaks of intelligent-real life comedy. Delpy has a clear talent for satirizing the events in everyday life as well as in bumpy relationships. Even her crude humor has a hint of class to it. Screaming to Jack from the side of the very public river promenade during one argument, Marion shouts, "

Classic. I'm sure this movie is in some Walmart bargain bin. Go rescue it now!

Sergio del Limónar

MUSIC: "Use Somebody" Paramore cover

Fact #1: The Kings of Leon are awesome.

Fact #2: Their single "Use Somebody" is an instant rock classic.

Fact #3: We here at Zonino! are obsessed. (Here too.)

These are all true factual statements. Laws even. Don't argue with them. You can't win.

That being said, if someone were to try and imitate such awesomeness, their attempts very easily could be laughable to the point of extradition and humiliation. Done right however, we can only hold them up to the light on the highest pillar we can find and sing their praises.

Paramore, we salute you! Your outstandingly faithful yet original take on "Use Somebody" blew my mind. Great vocals by lead singer Haley Williams; haunting each and every word! I have chills...look! Now, release this as a single, please!!!

Buzzy

MUSIC: Anjulie

I don't know much about Anjulie, to be honest. I know she is British* and that her self-titled debut album is amazing and on unhealthy rotation at both home and work. I learned the former piece of information from some article I read reviewing the recently released CD and the later from purchasing it on an optimistic whim.

This was the best optimistic whim I've had in awhile. You are definitely gambling when you go all in on an artist no one this side of the pond has heard of, with no air play, on a music label unknown to you. Actually, those might be the keys to finding a really great album, come to think of it!

With a sound that has hints of pop, jazz, and folk all mixed together, this is the album I imagine Duffy, Norah Jones, Alicia Keys, and Sade making, if they became one phenomenally talented being. Highlights for me include "Rain," about a misguided love, the toe-tapping "Addicted2Me," and "Colombia," which captures complete and total bliss; making you want to grab that one you love and hit the road, leaving it all behind for awhile.

The piano-driven and orchestrally-backed "Love Songs" throws it's sappy subject matter and infatuated feelings of first loves right under the bus, without giving in to cynicism. While all Anjulie's songs have insanely creative lyrics, this one is one of my favorites for it's simplicity and honesty.

If you buy one disc this fall for yourself, let it be this one. If you want to give the gift of music to anyone this who year, you will be touted as the one with much musical foresight for giving this one. Hopefully the rest of the world outside of Britain recognizes the talent of Anjulie.

Sergio del Limónar

* It has been brought to my attention by one of our own ZONINO! readers and confirmed by Wikipedia that Anjulie is actually Canadian and not from England. Born and raised right outside of Toronto it seems...