Normal People Are So Hostile

With only a few more episodes of Dexter left until the season finale, I'm scrambling to find a new show to help me get through these dreary cold months. Sure there's always movies and cable, but where will I get my bloody satisfaction? That's still left to be seen. In any event, the fine folks over at Flavorpill recently highlighted some work by graphic designer Albert Exergian, who's been putting a pared down spin on classic television imagery. I love the poster he did for Dexter (pictured above) but he's also tackled a handful of my favorites from LOST, to Six Feet Under, Mad Men and Twin Peaks. I have a feeling the list will continue to grow, so check out his site and maybe you'll finally find that desktop image you always wanted.

Life Is A Series Of Accidents

Throughout my time as an unemployed shmohawk, I was as healthy as can be. As I wrote from the comfort of my apartment (and sometimes my bed,) nary a sneeze escaped me. This week marks the 1st week of a new, incredibly challenging job, so of course I've been plagued by a nasty cold. On Day 1, as I sat in the conference room for my training it worked it's evil magic on me, and by the end of the day I was toast. I know that it's probably stress related, but I'm still annoyed at my body for submitting to the sickness so quickly. A friend of mine suggested I invest in a neti pot, and I flashed back to George Sibley lauding the neti pot as one of the best inventions ever created. He may have been a wee bit crazy, but he sure knows his history. So at the behest of a fictional character, I Googled to see what I could find. The following video may not have sold me on the benefits of using a neti pot, but it sure made me forget my sniffles for a few minutes. Where do they find these people!?

Red Revolution

As a recent redhead convert, I've become increasingly more aware of the beautiful redheads that surround me on a daily basis. I've really started to wonder: do I notice more redheads now because I am one? Or are there more of us out there now (both fake and real)? According to some friends of mine, red is the hottest hair color right now, as its popularity has seen a resurgence in the past few years. There have been countless pop culture references to redheads, from the infamous South Park episode, to this year's British photography exhibition showcasing the rare genetic trait.

I've always been entranced and drawn to red hair, and I think I've found the seed of my obsession: The Little Mermaid! How could I have not put it together sooner? I wanted to be Ariel so badly when I was little - I used to recreate scenes from the movie at the local swimming pool, and I didn't care who watched. [Image at left: The fabulous Julianne Moore as Ariel, photographed by Annie Leibovitz].

Next up on my list of influential copperheads is the beautiful Lauren Ambrose. I first saw her in one of my favorite teen party tales, Can't Hardly Wait. Of course that film also starred another awesome redhead, Seth Green, but it was Ambrose who stole the show. When she later starred in Alan Ball's Six Feet Under as Claire Fisher, she became an idol of sorts for me. As Claire she was sarcastic, funny, and sassy - everything I hoped I was. When I saw her in 2009's Hallmark Hall of Fame Movie Loving Leah, in which she plays a Hasidic Jew who falls in love with her brother-in-law after her husband dies, I loved her even more.

Last up is the queen of curvy sirens, the unbelievably sexy Christina Hendricks. With her breakout role in AMC's Mad Men she has made almost every man I know rethink the appeal of an hourglass figure - and thank god for that! As Joan Holloway she embodies the role of a headstrong, intelligent woman in a man's world, with all the strength and sex appeal of a modern day feminist. She's a fake redhead just like me, so I like to think of her as my partner in crime. Masquerading as a redhead really has made me more confident and outgoing, but maybe that's because I look to these ladies for inspiration. And what fiery inspiration they are!