Sunday, February 28, 2010

MONTHLY REVIEW: February

It's appropriate that February is the month of loooove since we here at ZONINO! loved at lot of things the last 27 days!

MUSIC

With the Grammy Awards being held recently, we were reminded of a Grammy great, Alison Krauss and her classic rendition of Shenandoah's "Ghost In This House".

Irish band The Script's single "The Man Who Can't Be Moved" is phenomenal but their performance at the 2009 Oxygen Music Festival was epic!

Go to DJ Earworm's website to download and rock out to his Pop Music Mash-up 2009 all of the Top 40 hits of the last year all in one song!

Mariachi El Bronx and their eponymous new disc is a necessity in any good party hosts' collection.

Maroon 5's cover of "The Way You Look Tonight" from the romantic comedy "Valentine's Day" is a victory for the old standards!

The hottest pop music collaboration these days is the Beyoncé and Alicia Keys duet "Put It In A Love Song".

But the hottest music video goes to Colombian sensation Shakira and her hot "Gitana" (Gypsy) video with special guest Rafael Nadal.

Also, check out the first single, "Need You Now", off country trio Lady Antebellum's sophomore CD by the same name.

MOVIE

It's definitely Oscar-season and we here at ZONINO! are definitely doing our research. First up is the inspiring and sweeping Invictus, starring Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon, about Nelson Mandela's efforts to unite a nation through sport.

Also notable is Precious, the tragic and moving story about a poor and abused teenage girl from Harlem, starring new-comer Gabourey Sidibe and Mo'Nique (both Oscar nominees).

RECIPE

Try out these Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Thingies at your next party; beware, these appetizer will fly off the platter!

WEBSITE

Bookmark Charity Navigator so you can be sure your money is going to the place you think it is.

Be smucky snob you always wanted to be - or beat the one that always seems to show you up - with Smugopedia.

Need some help with those pesky little things...what are they called? Oh, yeah! Life! Try Everyday Loopholes before anything else and you might learn a few things about, well...life!

Successories has nothing on the anti-motivational "posters" at Very Demotivational.

As you're attempting to catch all the Oscar-nominated films before the big night, be sure to check out RunPee.com before you head to the theatre, you know, just in case.

LOLcatz email forwards driving you "catty"?!?! Check out the clever posts over at Hipster Puppies and have your faith reinstated in cute anthropomorphized animals.

Faliblog has tapped into the ridiculously hilarious world of idiots on social networking megasite, Facebook, with Failbook. Be glad these aren't your friends!

YOUTUBE

We had a lot of laughs on YouTube this month, starting with the British parody group The Midnight Beast.

Ever wonder what would happen if Indie film master Wes Anderson directed Spiderman?

I wish the news would show the same creativity. At least we have this Generic News Report from Charlie Brooker.

Cyanide & Happiness short animated film will bring you a little of both served with a hefty side of dark irony.

The stop-motion film work in T-shirt War is amazing and exhausting!

Can you believe this Shiny Suds Commerical PSA for the "Household Products Labeling Act" got pulled from TV for being risqué?!? Loofah!!!!

Speaking of PSA's, this one from Britain, called Embrace Life, about fastening your seatbelt, is genius

WORD

Please don't castigate us for only having one "Word" ZONINO! this month!

Saturday, February 27, 2010

TV: P&G Olympic Commercial

I am loving watching the Winter Olympics in Vancouver this year. I am loving watching for the Olympic Moms ad from Proctor & Gamble (makers of all kinds of products like Tide, Crest, Pampers, etc.) almost as much. I will be sad when both stop appearing on my TV.

I was a gymnast when I was a little girl and, pretty much constantly, had visions of myself flipping across the balance beam at the Olympics. I think this is a common dream many kids picture for themselves at one point or another whether they recognize it as a fantasy or not. I think that's what makes it that much more special for the athletes that do make it there. Everyone who has competed in a sport regardless of ability, all had the same dream.

Not that that is the message of the ad, it just makes it relatable. I love the speed skating kids and the sideways look the little boy gives at about :42 seconds into the ad. Although the clincher is, undoubtably, the anticipating look of moms everywhere at the ending shot as the ski jumper is preparing to take flight. I love this ad.

Buzzy

Friday, February 26, 2010

YOUTUBE: Embrace Life PSA

Its amazing to me that there are still people that do not wear a seat belt. Thinking, "I'm just going down the road," "The safest spot is behind the driver" or "Its all residential driving - very slow." All these excuses, of course, are bogus and simply lead to more tragic accidents on the road.

The people across the pond at the Sussex Safer Roads Partnership have released a Public Service Announcement that hopes to drive the point home, pun intended, that wearing your seat belt is the smartest thing you can do in a vehicle. I love that the PSA's title is "Embrace Life" with the dual meaning that not only do your family and friends love and care for your safety, but a seat belt embraces you in a similar way.

Just because those Brit's drive on the "wrong" side of the road, doesn't means they don't know what they're talking about when it comes to auto-safety. CNN has already covered it which is a great start in spreading the message in this viral era. Do your part and pass this video on to those you care about.

Sergio del Limónar

Thursday, February 25, 2010

MUSIC: "Gitana" video (preview)

I've heard of previews for movies, theatre productions, and recordings, but music videos? Something must be really good for a director to leak 30 seconds of a music video ahead of the finished product, right? After watching the sneak peak of Shakira's latest single "Gitana" (which translates to "Gypsy"), I can see the excitement.

The Colombian pop super star, is seen her her usual mid-drift baring garb smiling coyly at the camera while lounging amorously with tennis champion Rafael Nadal. In sepia-inspired tones, the video sample only shows the chorus of the song in which Shakira sings, "aprovéchame, que si llegué ayer me puedo ir mañana; que soy gitana." I'm looking forward to seeing the entire thing; until then, I'll just have to loop the sample over and over...

Sergio del Limónar

*Roughly translated as "take advantage of me, for if I arrived yesterday I can go tomorrow; I'm a gypsy."

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

MOVIE: Precious

Oscar season can be an exciting time. Personally, I enjoy being up to date with as many of the contending films as possible so when I make my water-cooler arguments, I can speak with some intelligence. Many times, films, directors, or actors chosen by the Academy for this annual honor are quite deserving. Other times its hard not to get the feeling someone was just saying "isn't it about time..." or there were a few greased palms in the nomination process.

The later is definitely not the case with Precious. Although the book, entitled Push, by Sapphire, is much more graphic and its vivid descriptions of the brutality the main character endures, the movie does not shy away from them either, although most of them are brought up in dialogue and not through actual imagery. The story is minimally adorned and powerfully acted. Many of the actors involved go so deep into their roles they become virtually unrecognizable as their very different public personas. Mariah Carey, in her minor role as a social worker for the welfare office, is impressive in her caring yet tired office worker stripped of make-up and fashionable designer duds. Comedienne, Mo'Nique, famous as one of the sassy founding "Queens of Comedy," also tones it down and turns it up as the lazy and angry mother of the title character. Also virtually unrecognizable is musician Lenny Kravitz, who plays a nurse is a small but meaningful role, during several hospital scenes.

But major praise should go to Gabourey Sidibe, who plays Clareece 'Precious' Jones with the truth of a girl well beyond her 26 years. Precious is a teenager who has endured incestuous sexual abuse, as well as physical and emotional abuse her entire life. Pregnant with her second child, by her own father nonetheless, she and her mother live in Harlem, on welfare, as her mother continues to work the system. Precious is a good person trying to do right in a world that seemingly doesn't want her. She escapes this hell she lives in through fantasies, based on her desired life as a model, singer, actress, Hollywood super-star with a "light skinned boyfriend." Precious is by no means societies model of beauty, but Sidibe's performance makes us not only care about and love Precious like not many do, but also see that Precious is beautiful.


SPOILER: One of the most powerful and incredible scenes for me was when Precious, upon returning home after giving birth to her second child, a boy named Abdul, is accosted by her mother in a fit of jealous rage, boldly decides to leave home, once and for all. In fight with her mother, the television, her mother's life-blood of sorts, gets broken. After falling down the apartment stairs with her baby in her arms, exhausted from her hospital stay and the fight, Precious then must dodge the broken TV set as it is dropped on her from several stories above by her own mother, back fro one last 'punch.'

As difficult as this film was to watch at times, it occurred to me that this is some peoples' reality. We really have no idea what goes on behind other walls and doors and our "bad days" might be spilt milk to many other people. This movie is beautiful, but just like the book, it was created to make point. I think all Oscar-quality movies should meet this standard before anyone writes anything on a ballot.

Sergio del Limónar

*Good luck to both Gabourey Sidibe and Mo'Nique for being nominated for Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress, respectively. Also to director Lee Daniels for Best Director and the entire ensemble for Best Picture. (Precious was also nominated for Best Editing and Best Writing - Sceenplay.)

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

MUSIC: "Need You Now"

"And I wonder if I ever cross your mind, for me it happens all the time."

No doubt many a broken couple has asked this question to the emptiness of the night. ZONINO! favorite, country trio Lady Antebellum, nails the sentiment beautifully on their lead-off single, "Need You Now", from their sophomore album of the same name. The single has already reached the number one spot on the U.S. Billboard 100 Hot Country Songs as well as the Canadian equivalent, the Canadian Radio & Records Country Singles.

"It's a quarter after one, I'm all alone and I need you now.
I said I wouldn't call but I lost all control and I need you now.
And I don't know how I can do without; I just need you now."


"Lady A" has performed this song recently on this year's 52nd Grammy Awards ceremony and 2009's 43rd Annual CMA's, each time with heartbreaking beauty. If anyone thought this group was destined to be a flash in the country pan, they're not thinking that now!

Sergio del Limónar

Monday, February 22, 2010

WEBSITE: Failbooking

If I had to list my top ten pet peeves, I'm fairly confident at least four of them would involve something people do on facebook. Talking about the inane thing they did or did not have for breakfast, leaving an ominously fatalistic status about their day, and joining lame pointless groups like "People who have counted the hairs on their knuckles" all irritate me. But above all, I can not stand a bad speller. I can tolerate text-speak but if you are going for an actual word that normal 4th graders can spell, you need to get it right!

Brought to you by the fine folks over at the previously ZONINO!ed Failblog, comes the head-shakingly true its sad and funny Failbooking. The site documents embarrassing, bizarre, and straight up stupid things posted on the social networking site. The great thing is that, unlike the original Failblog, these gaffes (or ignorant fouls) need no taglines, quips, or captions to point out how badly they fail.

Enjoy, but remember you probably have an acquaintance or two in your "friend list" this dumb. So, definitely keep an eye out the next time they act like a fool and send it in!

Sergio del Limónar

Sunday, February 21, 2010

MUSIC: "Put It In A Love Song"

Two of my favorite pop/R & B music singers have finally collaborated on a song together. Featured in Alicia Keys' new album, The Element of Freedom, the song "Put It In A Love Song" pairs the piano-playing superstar with the equally empowering and beautiful Beyoncé Knowles.

The song, a little different from the stand tell-off jam, demands that the man quit saying he loves his woman and really prove it by showing her through other romantic measures. The women croon "You say you love me...then put it in a love song! You say you need me...the put it in a letter form!" The beat is great too so get ready to hear it played on repeat on the radio and probably find it on a few soundtracks this year.

Buzzy

Saturday, February 20, 2010

WEBSITE: Hipster Puppies

My disdain for LOLcatz and the like is widely known. However, Hipster Puppies found a place in my funny bone. Based out of a Tumbler blog, the site features photos of the canine variety, some dressed up and posed, others not, with faux-pretentious captions of the "hipster" persuasion.

For example, a resent post features a small lap dog with a studded collar, slightly cocked head, and Tucan Sam mohawk hairdo. The captions reads "Falcor begrudgingly explained to his mom that wearing girl’s jeans doesn’t make him gay." Another caption, with a picture of a Boston Terrier wearing white-framed "Risky Business" style specs and a cardigan straight from your Grandpa's closet in 1976, says "Popeye insists he doesn’t have 'a thing for asian girls,' even though his last four girlfriends have been Pekingese."

Oh, hipster puppies, you slay me!

Sergio del Limónar

Friday, February 19, 2010

YOUTUBE: Shiny Suds Commercial

Believe it or not, The Shiny Suds Commercial, which has been making its way around the internet lately, is a real advertisement. However not for an actual cleaning product. Seemingly mocking (or inspired by) shower cleaners such as Scrubbing Bubbles™, the ad is actually a public service announcement for an advocacy group known as METHOD: People Against Dirty. These good folks are proponents of the "Household Product Labeling Act" which promotes the accurate labeling of all chemicals in cleaning products. (Which is pretty ZONINO! in and of itself!)

But I digress...just check out the creepy perverted bubbles that the woman in the ad is originally enamored by and then begins to wonder who they are what they came from. My favorite is the big bubble and his leering "use the loofah" suggestion. It's a shame the ad got pulled for alleged rape innuendo because I think it makes its point very well; it is important to know the chemicals we expose ourselves and our families to on a daily basis.

Support the "Household Product Labeling Act"!!!!

Sergio del Limónar

Thursday, February 18, 2010

YOUTUBE: T-Shirt War

This video is one of the best stop-action videos I've seen in a long while. The two guys in the short film, T-Shirt War, change t-shirt many times - often with just a slight change in the design of the shirt - to create the desired effect. In my opinion, you can tell the quality of a stop-action film by how awe-inspired the inevitable "that must have taken forever" statement is. And I don't even want to think about it in this case.

Sergio del Limónar

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

MUSIC: "The Way You Look Tonight" Maroon 5 cover

So the much-hyped romantic comedy, unoriginally titled "Valentine's Day", starring pretty much everyone, opened last weekend and basically got slammed by every film critic with a means of communication*. Too bad...

At least the sound track has some shining points. Namely, the Maroon 5 cover of the 1936 Fred Astaire song "The Way You Look Tonight". Now, this song has been covered by many an artist in the last 70 some years by the likes of Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, and Tony Bennett to Olivia Newton-John, Rod Stewart, Michael Bublé with varying degrees of success. What I love about the Maroon 5 version is that it doesn't try too hard. The band stays faithful to the swinging elated vibe of the tune but don't sacrifice a thing when it comes to lead singer Adam Levine's soaring and slightly nasal tenor. A good cover should be different and interesting but recognizable and respectful; Maroon 5 succeeds on all accounts.

Buzzy

*I have not actually seen "Valentine's Day" so this is in no way an endorsement or damning of the film...I'm just here to do the tunes today!

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

WEBSITE: RunPee.com

I have a problem almost every time I go to the movie theatre: I order too much to drink and then I spend half the movie squirming in my seat trying to put the least amount of pressure on my bladder. Now, don't get me wrong, I don't order the Super Grande Liter-O-Cola size cup and I do make a ladies' room pit stop before entering the theatre. Even with a medium Coke, I still end up needing to dash to the bathroom sometime mid-film and end up missing something good!

Thankfully, I now have help. RunPee.com has a description of entire movies and the best times to take that desperate bathroom break. For example, yesterday I ZONINO!ed Invictus. During that film, the website tells me that at :56 minutes into the movie once François tells his team "Times are changing, we need to change with them," I have four minutes to relieve myself without missing anything too vital. It then tells me what I will miss in a brief synopsis. There are also four other choice moments in the movie that are optimal for running and peeing.

Now, I know most people don't bother memorizing these types of things before going to a movie. You'd probably end up ruining the movie for yourself in the process. However, the site works with your Blackberry and there is an iPhone application as well. I know the dancing popcorn and soda at the beginning of the previews says to turn off your phone, I think this is an acceptable excuse, don't you?

Buzzy

Monday, February 15, 2010

MOVIE: Invictus

I remember reading the William Ernest Henley poem, Invictus, in eighth grade English class and being blown away. That was as a 14 year old. I was re-inspired watching the movie by the same name about the beginning of the presidency of South Africa's Nelson Mandela, starring Morgan Freeman, Matt Damon, and directed by Clint Eastwood.

Invictus basically has everything going for it. With such top-notch actors and an amazing director who has been in the business longer than almost anyone, this movie was basically guaranteed to be great. The story follows Mandela (Freeman) as he struggles to unite a racially torn nation in a post-apartheid era by supporting the mostly white national rugby team, lead by captain François Pienaar (Damon).

At the beginning of the film we see that, due to apartheid, the South African blacks cheer for any team playing their country's team. Mandela saw this as a way to unite the country and create a sense of national pride. So, he asks the team to win the World Cup. No big deal, right? Well, if it hadn't actually happened, I probably wouldn't have believed it either.

The fairy tale ending to a social-political sports movie is genius. So are the actors' performances and Eastwoods sweeping camera shots. But I have to say the interwoven history lesson of Mandela's rise to power from prisoner and the integration throughout the film of Henley's famous poem, is what really made the movie great.

"I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul."

Truly inspiring.

Buzzy

Sunday, February 14, 2010

YOUTUBE: Cyanide & Happiness

HAPPY SAINT VALENTINE'S DAY!!!

With or without a lover this Hallmark Holiday, take a few minutes (seriously, some of these are literally 30 seconds long) and enjoy a few cute and satirical animated shorts from the web-series Cyanide & Happpiness. These videos are great for those of you in loooove and want to share another laugh together or those of you who are just irritated because you really just want to hit up a movie tonight but don't dare for fear that you'll be drowned in a sea of couples.

Some of my personal favorites include:
Sad Larry - for that Eeyore in your life.
The Hard Way - its ironic sometimes...life that is.
The Man Who Could Sit Anywhere - because sometimes being silly is...well, silly.
Waiting for the Bus - epically clever and probably one of the longer, but better ones.

The rest are great too in their own uniquely bizarre way. Just start with these three and you'll be hooked; just keep clicking!

Buzzy

Saturday, February 13, 2010

YOUTUBE: Generic News Report

Ever wonder how news programs, especially the numbered ones (48 Hours, 60 Minutes, 20/20, etc.), crank out current and well produced reports so quickly? There's a formula, of course! Even local evening newcasts have followed suit in their own quainter way.

The parody video, Generic News Report, brought to you by the hilarious Brit, Charlie Brooker, from his show Newswipe, mocks the very formulaic essence that is "a news report." This British accent definitely helps in the superior tone on the joke.

It's pretty clear that Dateline NBC anchor Stone Phillips studied.

Sergio del Limonar

Friday, February 12, 2010

WORD: castigate

Last weekend while watching the Super Bowl someone accidentally sat on the remote, inadvertently causing the television to become bilingual and give us the play-by-play in Spanish. While we were attempting to remedy the situation, the announcer used the Spanish word "castigo," which means "punishment" during a particularly brutal tackle.

The English word castigate clearly has similar origins.* The verb is used to describe the severe reprimand or punishment of someone or something. If you're boss or significant other just chewed you out for the last half hour, saying you were castigated sounds way better than simply "getting yelled at."

Fred was going to castigate that mutt; after a year of obedience school Spot was still chewing up the sofa cushions when no one was home!

Knowing her mother was already going to castigate her for sneaking out her bedroom window past curfew, Lydia decided to continue partying even after the sun rose.

*The good folks at Dictionary.com have informed me that both words come from the Latin word "castigatus" which is derived from two other Latin words together referring to "making someone pure by correcting or reproving them." Who'd a thunk it?!?!

Sergio del Limonar

Thursday, February 11, 2010

MUSIC: "Mariachi El Bronx"


I would like to start by quoting Spin magazine writer Doug Brod, who's review single-handedly made me buy this CD:

"You know that album your host puts on when somebody leaves for a beer run and everyone's tripping over empties as they sloppily tug at whoever's closest to dance or make out with, and it sounds like maybe some punk band nailing traditional Mexican music without ever approaching smirking novelty - kind of exotic, yet immediately accessible - and three gloriously heart-rending songs in, the whole room starts asking increduously, "Who is this?" This is that band."

With that wonderfully composed gratuitously run-on sentence Mr. Brod captures perfectly the very essence of this CD. The group, actually named The Bronx, and their semi-eponymous fourth album is an instant classic. Check out songs like "Despretador" and the sweeping "My Brother The Gun".

I guarantee that you have nothing like Mariachi El Bronx in your music collection and that you need it and don't even know. One time through and you'll be hooked.

Buzzy

PS: Sorry and Thanks to Doug Brod for letting me steal your words! I couldn't have done it better by a mile!

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

YOUTUBE: Wes Anderson & Spiderman Spoof

One of my all-time favorite movies is the 2001 film The Royal Tenenbaums directed by Wes Anderson. With unique sense of story telling and directoral stylings, Anderson's films ("The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou" and "The Darjeeling Limited" for example) are easy to spot. The bizarre and yet familiar characters, dramatic pausings, planar camera movements, and unexpected but mundane plot twists factor in to many of his films.

So, what if Anderson directed something more high-budget and mainstream? What if he was put behind the wheel of a blockbuster franchise like Spiderman? How would his creative genius work in the world of comic book action movies?

Well, wonder no more. Check out the YouTube short entitled Wes Anderson's Spiderman. Taking a lot a inspiration from "Tenebaums," the parody nails both Anderson's signature melodrama as well as impressions of the aforementioned movie's characters including Gwyneth Paltrow and Owen Wilson. If only this were to be a reality; I might just be the first in line on opening night!

Sergio del Limonar

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

MUSIC: 2009 Pop Music Mash-up

I not the biggest fan of current Top 40 pop music hits unless I'm at the club but I must admit that, although I can't stand half the songs that were everywhere this past calendar year, I am obsessed with DJ Earworm's Pop Music Mash-up of 2009. It's almost like the creation of a whole new song; sadly it's one that makes more sense, lyrically, all remixed together, than some of last year's biggest radio hits!

Combining everything from the über-popular "Single Ladies" (Beyonce), "Down" (Jay Sean), "I Gotta Feeling" (Black Eyed Peas), "Use Somebody" (Kings of Leon), and "Just Dance" (Lady Gaga) to "Heartless" (Kanye West), "Gives You Hell" (All-American Rejects), "Love Story" (Taylor Swift), and [the terrible] "The Climb" (Miley Cyrus). Also making welcome appearances are "My Life Would Suck Without You" (Kelly Clarkson), "I'm Yours" (Jason Mraz) and "Dead and Gone" (T.I. with Justin Timberlake).

You can download the track for free from DJ Earworm's website too. (If you don't know how, look for instructions on the right side of the video on YouTube.) Hey, and even if you're like me and don't enjoy half these tunes alone, take solace in knowing Justin Bieber didn't make the mix this year.

Sergio del Limonar

Monday, February 8, 2010

WEBSITE: Very Demotivational

That "Effort" coffee mug on your desk not doing the trick this Monday morning? Just glancing at that little piece of motivational wisdom - "The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra" - make you want to forgo your daily cup of joe? Okay, let's not get crazy here.

Instead, hop on over to Very Demotivational, a reader run site that displays Successories-style posters in the opposite sense of the word. Inspired by odd photographs, headlines, current events, and pop culture, the "demotivation" will surely brighten your day!

Sergio del Limonar

Sunday, February 7, 2010

RECIPE: Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Thingies

Still need something for that Super Bowl Party tonight? Well, this ZONINO! treat will be the guaranteed talk of the town; even better than any commercial Budweiser puts out. And a lot less expensive.

I must still be salivating from the January's Bacon Explosion (which, by the way, work wonderfully and tastes great - a few friends and I tried it last week) because I went looking for other delicious bacony treats and found these Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Thingies. (Click the link for the recipe.)

The kick of the jalapeño peppers balanced with the cream cheese and saltiness and grease of the bacon create a fantastic flavor fiesta in your mouth. These are best if you can keep them bite-sized so try and use small peppers. Though simple, preparation can be tedious, but the end result is worth it!

Sergio del Limónar

Saturday, February 6, 2010

MUSIC: "The Man Who Can't Be Moved" (live performance)

Get me a time machine and plane ticket to Ireland ASAP!!! C'mon move people, move! Make it happen! Go! Go! Go! STAT! (sigh...)

Well, at least I can watch The Script's magical performance of their mega-hit "The Man Who Can't Be Moved" at the 2009 Oxegen Music Fesitval in Ireland over and over and over again.

Seriously, I can't believe no one knows H.G. Wells...

Buzzy

Friday, February 5, 2010

WEBSITE: Everyday Loopholes

When I was little, my dad had a big do-it-yourself book called something along the lines of "How To Fix Just About Anything". He would pull it out whenever there was an issue with the furnace, a leaky pipe under the sink, or the air conditioner that he didn't immediately know how to solve.

I have no idea what happened to that book, but it certainly solved a lot of problems around our house back in the day. Somehow I don't think it would do us a lot of good now though, in the technology saturated era we live. I also don't think it included any helpful advice on dating, consumerism, or transportation.

That's why we need websites like Everyday Loopholes to get us through or help us avoid the pitfalls that so often cause things to not go smoothly in the 21st century.

Take, for example, this tidbit about renting a car abroad:

"Think like a local citizen when traveling abroad and save lots of money in the process. For example, when traveling to Spain, don't use www.hertz.com , use www.hertz.es , and save significant Euros."

Or this piece of advice about city driving:

"Have your spouse drive the car registered in your name and you drive their car. If a traffic camera takes a picture of a man driving a car registered in a woman's name (or vice versa), they send a "nomination" instead of a ticket."

Take a few minutes to peruse the site; you never know what you might learn or, better yet, use! If you have a secret tip you don't mind giving up to the masses, submit it for the rest of us. Happy loophole jumping!!!

Sergio del Limonar

Thursday, February 4, 2010

MUSIC: "Ghost In This House"

With the Grammy Awards just this past weekend, it seems appropriately timed that the most winningest woman and tied for second place overall, with 27 statues in total, gets a ZONINO! today. While cleaning the apartment the other day, I popped in an old mixed CD recently and the incredibly heartbreaking and powerful ballad, "Ghost In This House", by the infinitely talented Alison Krauss, came streaming from the speakers.

Off her 1999 album, Forget About It, the Queen of Bluegrass sings of being a veritable ghost in her life. Feeling abandoned emotionally in her relationship, she sings, "I don't live in these rooms, I just rattle around." The metaphors are simple and beautiful, yet strike powerfully to the pain and sense of being lost in your own life. Krauss's unmistakable vocals also elevate the haunting and desperate feeling of the song.

Written by Hugh Prestwood ("A Song Remembers When" and "Hard Rock Bottom of Your Heart") and originally recorded by country band Shenandoah, my favorite lyrics include the ending of the second chorus:

"I'm just a whisper of smoke
I'm all that's left of two hearts on fire
That once burned out of control
You took my body and soul
I'm just a ghost in this house"


Alison Krauss is guaranteed to go down in music history. If you are not versed on her incredible catalogue, do yourself a favor and start with this one. It never fails to impress and is perfect for those grey and rainy days.

Sergio del Limonar

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

WEBSITE: Smugopedia

"Smugopedia is a collection of slightly controversial opinions about a variety of subjects. We offer you the chance to buy a fleeting sense of self-satisfaction at the small cost of alienating your friends and loved ones."

So introduces Smugopedia, a website that offers people the chance to be anonymous pompous egomaniacs online. Postings range from literature, to politics, to sports, to food, and music, but all are guaranteed to be arrogant in the best possible way.

An example of a food-related posting (on the pretentious sushi, nonetheless) reads:

"It's only worth bothering with sushi if you're going to go to the Tokyo Fish Market. Nothing else is really fresh enough to capture the perfect simplicity of toro or uni."

Another, inspired by some stuck-up travel states:

"Everyone goes to the French Riviera. The Italian Riviera is just as lovely, and so much more exclusive."

Memorize a couple of these and you'll be well on your way to being the ass of the party!

Sergio del Limonar

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

YOUTUBE: The Midnight Beast

I have some new heroes. Yet another clever bunch of chaps from England calling themselves The Midnight Beast have taken to song/video parodies with bloody fantastic results. (What can I say, I wish I was British.)

My favourite (yes, I threw in a "u") of the moment is the parody of Ke$ha's "Tik Tok" song in which the guys sing:

"I' m mad, really bad
But dont tell my mum & dad
Pucker up kiss my but
'Cause I'm bloody f***ing nuts
Hear the bass, skinny waist
Now lets copy "Pokerface" like.... whoa!"

Another in their collection to check out is the Jay Sean parody of "Down" where they sing "They'll never know your trousers just fell down...Down, down, down" For some reason some things are just funnier in British accents.

Buzzy

Monday, February 1, 2010

WEBSITE: Charity Navigator

With the recent tragedy in Haiti and the plethora of relief organizations and charity drives popping up to "help" in the crisis, it's often difficult to know which are legitimate and which are less so. Personally, if I donate a certain amount of food or money to an organization to benefit a particular cause, I would like to think that close to 100% of my contribution is going to the people or situation that needs it. Unfortunately, misappropriation of fund and resources is often a problem in these situations.

The website Charity Navigator is here to help. Along with a rating system, Top 10 Lists, articles, and "hot topics," the site keeps readers up to date on developing crisis and causes around the globe. Bookmark this one for your research needs the next time you desire to give to those in need.

Sergio del Limonar