R.I.P. J.D.

So I know it's not good news, but I couldn't imagine not writing something about it here - J.D. Salinger, who is represented by the agency I work at, died last night at the age of 91. It has been utter madness in a usually quiet workplace, the phone ringing off the hook with calls from every major publication, country and fan who cares. And so many people do care. He was the stuff literary legends are made of.

"Many men have been just as troubled morally and spiritually as you are right now. Happily, some of them kept records of their troubles. You'll learn from them--if you want to. Just as someday, if you have something to offer, someone will learn something from you. It's a beautiful reciprocal arrangement. And it isn't education. It's history. It's poetry."
- J.D. Salinger, Catcher in the Rye

Because the name "iPad" gives me the heebie-jeebies...

... And because, less than a day in, I'm already sick of the "disappointing vs. earth-shattering" debate, here are a few more important things going on in the universe, in order to help you develop a less Apple-centric worldview:

* Due to the success of Avatar, Warner Bros. will release the final two Harry Potter films in 3D.
* Denim manties: sexier than jeggings?
* "Yoga for Foodies" at Exhale Spa - finally, the stars have aligned!

That's all for now, folks. Back to your period jokes.

Aussie, aussie, aussie!

Happy Australia Day to all, and to all a g'day! Our mates Down Under are celebrating with semi-nude Vegemite wrestling, but for the slightly less-bikini-brave (and Northern Hemisphere-bound) of us, why not eat, drink and dance like the sheilas and blokes on the side of the world where it's already tomorrow?
Have a listen to Cosmic Egg, the latest from Aussie rockers Wolfmother, and make sure to get good and pissed tonight on Toohey's, Coopers or (ugh) James Boag's.

Banksy on film

The anonymous British street artist known as Banksy is giving the public a glimpse behind the aerosol can with his new movie, "Exit Through the Gift Shop." The film premiered at Sundance but didn't appear anywhere on the festival's cataloge. Nobody knows its director's identity. Still, it is already a smash hit that has generated as much buzz as his usually political, often tongue-in-cheek pieces of art. In characteristic guerrilla fashion, Banksy plastered buildings and boxes in Park City and Salt Lake City last week, working at night so as to remain invisible. Here's the trailer - see if you can figure out what the hell this thing is about, and why Rhys Ifans (the crazy roommate from "Notting Hill") is narrating:

Delivery ditties

China Fun's Upper West Side location has a star deliveryman, and it's not just juggling takeout he's good at. Yang Yu Bao has been known to belt out an opera aria or two at the customer's request. Interestingly enough, Itzhak Perlman is a regular customer. Wonder if they ever duet over Peking Duck?

Jersey babies

Because watching little kids with fake tans and rock-hard abs is both frightening and funnier than the real thing, I present you with the genius of (Little) Jersey Shore.

California, here I come

If only I had the funds and the time off ... Coachella (the infamous L.A.-based 3-day music and arts festival that always seems to take place during the most inopportune travel time for yours truly) has recently released their lineup, and it. Is. Sick. Like crazy, finding-it-hard-to-think-of-who-else-I wish-was-on-the-roster-good. Jay-Z? Grizzly Bear? Passion Pit? La Roux? She & Him? Vampire Weekend? Wale? Yeasayer? That's just day one. And WOW days 2 and 3 are, if possible, even better.

If you're lucky enough to be in or around L.A. the weekend of April 16th, do not miss this. And if you're regrettably east-bound, listen to some home-grown goodness from Baltimore-based Beach House, who are performing day 2. Check the new album, Teen Dream, before it drops January 6th.

Dine to save lives

Grub Street's list of restaurants that are contributing to Haitian disaster relief includes a tonight-only deal at Hearth, who will donate 50% of the evening's proceeds to help fund the relief effort. If you have the cash and plan on dining out, consider chowing down for a cause.

Snugg 4 Life

I still don't quite "get" Snuggies - I've always been an advocate of the good old-fashioned Grandma's Boy footie pajamas (I had a yellow fleece pair when I was five and I have an outer space-patterned number now). However, seeing this guy looking so gangster-fresh (and seriously cozy) made me reconsider my ambivalence towards the odd hybrid garment. The Snugg Life Snuggie comes in black, pink, blue and red, and if you just can't decide, never fear! Buy any two and get the third one free. Man, I love America.

Out of the Blue

Seeing Julian Casablancas (The Strokes frontman) at Terminal 5 tonight, in the wake of a fiasco in which I won two tickets (thanks to URB.com), couldn't change them from the Friday show to Thursday, couldn't sell them, and finally caved into Craigslisting new ones. Worst good luck ever, you say? Oh well, it's worth it. If you haven't checked out his solo album, Phrazes for the Young, I'd highly recommend giving this catchy goodness a listen:

And if anyone out there wants to borrow my ID and enjoy my two free tix tomorrow, holler atcha girl!

Happy happy joy joy

Nymag's list of 50 steps to simple happiness. I'm doing #'s 1, 4, 15 and 49 right now.

Sorry for the teeny-tiny posts as of late - I've been on a food-blog-kick all week and can't seem to find a way out.

Mad decent

Freebie of the day: Diplo's Gucci Mane mixtape. Click dis right hurr.

Palin's program

I called this one months ago (okay, I thought she'd get a talk show contract but this is almost as good) - Sarah Palin will be a FOX News contributor as well as hosting a recurring segment on "everyday Americans" ... you know, the ones who sling animals from their shoulders and still manage to sport perfect bouffants. Why is this good news, you ask? Well, it will keep Palin out of politics for the time being, make FOX look even more foolish than they already do, and provide some sound bytes that promise to be even more outrageous than the catchphrases of the Jersey Shore. All hail faux news and Sarah Palin, the gift that keeps on giving (credit to the Democratic party)!

March of the olives

These little olive penguins are the most adorable edibles I've seen in a long time. Replace the mozzarella ball with a pickled onion and it's the perfect pal for a winter martini!P.S. Thanks to Annie for reminding me that tomorrow marks the one-year anniversary of my first blog post. In the coming year, I'll be tagging all posts from here on out ... just so you know.

Upular

The "Up" remix: just try not to smile.

Creative proposal

A man from North Carolina proposed to his girlfriend by light-writing the big question all over Raleigh. 800 individual 10-second exposures, a pretty nifty idea, and one resounding Yes! from the bride-to-be. Check it out:

Light Writing Proposal from Derick Childress on Vimeo.

Good news new year

Reasons why 2010 already rocks:
The Knicks are 2-o.
The Apple tablet (the iSlate) will be introduced in January and apparently alter life as we know it.
Soon we will have fancy grilled cheese from a truck.
It is the year of Michael Cera, who has been hanging out with the Jersey Shore cast, starring in trippy music videos, and developing an alter ego with tight white pants and a perv-stache.
"Tweet," "sexting," "app" and "bromance" are no longer considered acceptable words in the English language.
Kanye is going to try to be more like Maya Angelou and less like a jerkoff. That's a New Year's Resolution if I've ever heard one.

Back to the future

Apologies to my readers for the unannounced leave of absence - I needed a little vacation, and vacation, as my brother pointed out, definitely falls under the category of "good news." Until I get my sea legs back (not that I ventured further than the Upper East Side these past few weeks), I want to wish you all a happy, healthy 2010 and recommend two of the best things I saw over the break (minus my own reviews because it is the first Monday back to work, and like I said about the sea legs...):
Broken Embraces (Almodóvar's longest film yet is a thing of devastating, breathtaking beauty - and not just because of the director's longtime muse, Penelope Cruz).
Fela! (the drums, the energy, the set design, the costumes, the DANCING).
That's all I got for you now. Back tomorrow in full force, I swear.