A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream

R.I.P. Dennis Hopper

Born To Be Bad

Via EV Grieve

For The Love of Food

Besides being the third President of the United States and a snazzy dresser (love that coat!) Thomas Jefferson may have been one of the first 'foodies' to sit in the White House. I'm not a fan of the term, but what better way to describe a President who kept a concrete lined pond for fresh eels, and "supervised the growing of 170 varieties of fruit and 330 of vegetables, planting 27 varieties of kidney bean alone." Check out who else made the list of America's 5 Greatest Foodie Presidents in this week's Village Voice.

This Is The End

After the disappointment of the finale, I have to admit that I was angry. I didn't think that the episode was awful, but my mind swiftly dismissed any emotional satisfaction replacing it with resentment. The time I've spent mulling over theories with co-workers and friends seems to have been in vain. We didn't even get one solid answer. Although a small minority enjoyed the way the series ended (and in turn have produced some compelling recaps), I'm glad the guys at College Humor seem to feel the same way I do. At least I had my Dharma beers to help dull the pain.

Sweet Sweet Sawyer

By the time I write my post for Monday, the final episode of LOST will have aired, and I will be in the grips of a deep depression. My LOST withdrawal will most likely take two forms: theory discussion withdrawal, and hot man withdrawal. In preparation for that depression, New York Magazine conveniently created this video showcasing the glorious bodies of our beloved LOST men. Seriously - best idea ever! Now it's time to sit back and drink it all in:

Via New York Magazine

Puppy Love

Those girls don't even know what hit them!

Tomorrow Comes Today

I'm obviously an animal person, but living in New York the only animals I get to see on a day-to-day basis are flying rats and canines. New Yorkers might think they have it all, but what we lack is a tangible link to nature. Sure, we may have the occasional coyote in Central Park, but that's nothing compared to what's really roaming out there. Photographer Joel Sartore knows all about the great beyond. As a National Geographic Magazine contributor, he spends his days capturing a huge range of creatures from across the globe. For his most recent book, Rare, he focused on documenting America's endangered species and the results are astounding. Click here to find out how you can help, and watch this for a sneak peek of what you'll find in the book:

Via Flavorwire

Pie So Good It's A Crime

Cherry pie, coffee, mystery, murder, lust... hip hop? Yes! Behold Twin Peaks in a whole new light, performed by MC Chris and accompanied by remixed footage from the series. The Log Lady seems pleased, and I have a feeling that Agent Dale Cooper would tap his toes to this beat.

Bright Lights, Big City

I spent the weekend in upstate New York celebrating my younger brother's graduation (Go Benjamin!) and even though I was only away from the city for two days it felt like an eternity. There's something about the pace, the sounds, the smells, that makes you feel that while you're not here you're definitely missing out on something. So I'm relieved to be back in the thick of it, and I'm newly aware of how great my neighborhood is. The East Village still has a connection to Old New York, or at least that gritty, bohemian, New York of my dreams. Check out this great video BUST shot in the EV, featuring one of our neighborhood's characters: Ms. Chloë Sevigny.

All Is Love

"If you are lonely or bone-tired or blue, you need only come down from your perch and step outside. New York — which is to say, New Yorkers — will take care of you." - Bill Hayes for the New York Times.

The Video Vault

There once was a time when mainstream music was chock full of 'boys being boys.' Even the bands that teen dreams were made of were messy, dark, and moody. In 2010 we're faced with squeaky clean Biebers, and fauxhemian Cyruses. So what changed? Sure rock music is no longer the rage for the younger set, but it can't just be that... can it? I long for the days when kids listened to music that begged for introspection, and not just a hip shake. Silverchair were only 15 years old when they recorded their first record, Frogstomp, and yet the album touches on the same themes and emotions explored by musicians that could have babysat them. Surely you see the crisis brewing. Is it possible that teens these days are doomed to a life sans rock?

Les Clichés Sont Conservés

Yesterday I visited the Affordable Art Fair, and fell in love with the work of British artist and writer Charlotte Cory. For some reason I have a thing for these kinds of dark pieces, perhaps because they still emote a sense of humor. Cory takes Victorian calling cards which are often discarded and found in junk shops throughout Europe, and digitally combines them with images of stuffed museum animals. Both elements have been long forgotten, and were initially produced for humanity's vapid enjoyment. In the artist's own words, her inspiration came to her suddenly and without warning: "Why not recycle the dispossessed pictures and long dead creatures. Grant them all a new lease of life. Better, more colorful, more deserving than before." I just ordered a book of her work entitled "The Visitors," and I can't wait for it to arrive on my doorstep. There are so many melancholic hybrids I have yet to meet.

Giggles Meet Glamour

True Romance

This was a hard week for LOST fans. A collective "Nooooooo!" was heard across the blogosphere, so I was surprised to find this ridiculously silly video courtesy of ABC and the Cuse/Lindelof camp. I don't really get why the Muppets were necessary, but I guess I should stop asking for answers at this point. Regardless, it's worth taking a peek at, if only to dull the pain of our loss.

I Want To Go To There

Another genius idea from the Japanese: Cat Cafés. Since 2008 a handful of these establishments have popped up in Tokyo, welcoming locals and tourists alike. Let's face it, cats get a bad rap because they have the reputation of being indifferent, antisocial or downright mean. These cat chill zones are a great way to combat those stereotypes. Who wouldn't want to take a quick snuggle with one of these little guys?

Via Sea of Shoes

Blodtörstiga

For the past two years I've received a little birthday gift from author Charlaine Harris: a new Sookie Stackhouse novel! I'm really excited to pick up Dead In The Family, which was released yesterday, and thankfully True Blood's season premiere is just around the corner. HBO's teasers are the perfect way to get revved up, but with only four more minisodes before the June 13th premiere, I'm going to have to find another way to satisfy my hunger. I suppose those other Cold Ones will have to do.

Design Within Reach (No, Really!)

New York Magazine has a great feature this week about home design, and the growing trend of "the new old." I've always preferred a mixture of old and new when it comes to my surroundings, and it's interesting to see how other people experiment with this particular aesthetic. There's the "NeoVictorians" who obsess over late 1800s, and the clean, airy spaces of those who prefer "NeoCountry." Any way you slice it, these people love interior design, and that love is found in the details of their homes. So flip through some of the slide shows, and feast your eyes on some major inspiration.

Via New York Magazine
Photograph by The Selby