If I'd scanned this high-res, you'd see there's actually a puddle of drool forming on the left side of my mouth. Pretty fabulous.

Wondering, though: Is 27 years too long to sport the same haircut? Should I switch it up, or just keep keepin' it real?

Osh Kosh B'Gosh, yall

BTW, this is the smartest way to eat anything, not just melting fudgsicles. Since I kind of abhor plates, I used this same approach tonight, in fact, whilst chowing a giant delicious cheeseburger on the couch during Gossip Girl.

Not gonna lie, you guys-- this photo pretty much spells out my idea of livin' large.


Previously on SARAHSPY:
-- Things haven't changed a lot for me since I was 16
-- Childhood snapshots re-created at Youngme / Nowme
-- Ode to The State -- $240 Worth of Pudding
-- Life lessons learned from "The Babysitting Blues" -- Guest blog by Steve!

That Bon Iver guy, I dont know. Not entirely comfortable with his 3rd NYC show selling out in only one minute the other day. Reeeeeaally wanted to go & now I'm just saying "Geez" on the phone a lot.

I guess Americans are going through hard times & need Bon Iver to uplift them right now, you know?



So is Bon Iver becoming a cult kind of? His tix sell so fast at $25 a pop, you guys. I wonder what he's spending his money on? Does he donate to nice charities? Is Bon Iver gonna fix the economy?

Not that guy shouldn't splurge on a sweet home/car/bling also. Just seems like he could potentially have enough to "make dreams come true," "follow his heart," "live the dream," etc.





Also thinking I need to figure out a career idea in which I "make tons of money over 3-days & also get considered totally awesome." That's the exact wording on the contract I drafted for myself & signed this morning.





Oh hey remember that day Bon Iver ran into Lykke Li near a park fountain & they became BFFs after jammin' a session of "Dance Dance Dance"? Sorta felt like the most peaceful & lovely day on earth so far, didn't it? Like we were all gonna be OK, etc:

• Two new female cast members join Saturday Night Live tonight! (via the New York Times)
  
  
• Artist Mark Wagner creates intricate collages, like the dragon on the right, made of real dollar bills! (via Scene 360)
  
  
• Jens Lekman covered Boyz II Men at a show this week. (via Stereogum)
  
  
• Depression-era literature, art, film, and fashion are making a comeback during the current financial crisis, according to BusinessWeek.
  
  
• Scientists have created the first 'humanoid' robot that can mimic the facial expressions and lip movements of a human being... specifically Keanu Reeves? (via CNet)
  
  
• The spring/fall Marc by Marc Jacobs lines are "anything but fashionable," according to Fashion Indie (and I kind of agree after seeing Bloomingdales photos).
  
  
• Check out Brooklyn Based's Guide to Thanksgiving Guesthood for tips on where to pick up the best food and treats for your holiday potluck.
  
  
• An interesting article about why Facebook likes smaller ads (as opposed to Myspace's giant invasive ones) despite lower revenue. (via the New York Times)
  
  
• Ticketmaster is exploring the elimination of convenience fees-- including fees in the ticket price instead, and giving all of us one less thing to complain about! (via Brooklyn Vegan)
  
  
• Don't you hate when you're moved by some authentic-feeling art & it turns out to be a commercial? (via Hipster Runoff)
  
  
• Crazy-lady Ruth Regina makes wigs for dogs. (via Urlesque)
  
  
  
  
• I spent some time this week creating Muppet versions of my pals with FAO Schwartz's new Whatnot Workshop. (via BuzzFeed)
  
  
• In the last couple weeks, Barack, Obama, Michelle, Malia and Sasha have become inspirations for first and middle names across the U.S. (via the New York Times)
  
  
• YouTube is trying to catch up to Hulu.com by posting full-length shows and movies. (via PSFK)
  
  
• A video by Normann Copenhagen shows you how to make the perfect scarf knot. (via NotCouture)
  

Here's a neat online experiment. Plug a URL into GenderAnalyzer.com, and it'll use Artificial Intelligence (supported by a uClassify text classifier) to determine if a website is written by a man or woman. Obviously I had to try this out.

When I plugged my site link in this morning, my results stated:

We guess http://sarahspy.blogspot.com is written by a woman (59%), however it's quite gender neutral.

Super-glad that even robots recognize what a chill lady I am. I should note, though-- when I plugged in my URL on Wednesday-- BEFORE posting Mike C's guest blog-- my result was 62%! Whoa. I'm therefore convinced that these robots know what they're talking about.

Try it for yourself at GenderAnalyzer.com. How accurate are your results?

Editor's Note: Mike C. & I became pals 10 years ago, when well-intentioned yet totally creepy newspaper advisor cracked us up everyday. These days, Mike's a bit of a nomad, after picking up & moving to New Zealand this fall. Here, he explains the main differences he's found between New York & New Zealand thus far.


After living in New York for the past two years, I knew that moving to New Zealand would be quite a change. Either way I was ready to try something new, so I traded in crowded subway cars and busy sidewalks for a country that boasts nine sheep for every one human. Nearly 9000 miles away from home, I’ve been soaking up every ounce of the culture here, at least the most ridiculous and unimportant parts. Allow me to share:

• New Zealanders can be extremely dry and quick-witted. This is true to the point that you really can’t tell if they hate you or not. My manager at the bookstore has me convinced that if I nod off in the break room, I will wake up to the horror of a letter opener in my eye. In the States, I can tell after a few minutes if someone dislikes me... I appreciate the lucidity of that.
  
  
• New Zealand's national symbol is the flightless and fast-disappearing Kiwi. It is most likely a fierce and intimidating creature. Who cares if it can’t fly? I’m sure it has telekinetic powers or something. And damn is that thing cute. Nothing would ever attack this little guy.
  
  
• New Zealand legend has it that the creation of the North and South Islands of the country can be traced back to a boy name Maui, a magic fishhook, and a giant whale. America’s beginnings are not nearly as interesting as this. Skeptics of this story will point to the lunacy of a whale doubling as a sizable nation, but don’t listen to them. They’re idiots.
  
  
• Prominent New Zealanders are featured on their bills, rather than just political icons. Furthermore, they choose candid illustrations of these people to emphasize the country’s laid back attitude towards life. See how they’ve captured Sir Edmund Hillary’s youthful exuberance? How refreshing!
  
  
  
  
• Remember the rat-tail? I do. I rocked that badboy from the 2nd to the 4th grade. I was never short of friends, and the ladies-- well, they were looking. My mother actually cried when we cut it off, and she saved it in a bag for years. (OK, even I’m creeped out by that now looking back.) Either way, New Zealanders didn’t get the memo that it was a passing early 90's fad. It's still really popular here.
  
  
• Other points of interest: Mayonnaise on pizza, awe-inspiring landscapes and views, the term “sweet as,” and freedom from rodents.

Overall, this is a truly amazing (and quirky) country. I look forward to taking in even more of it in the coming weeks, and maybe even growing out my tail again. For Mom, of course.


Check out Mike C.'s "Being Magellan" travel blog at mrchechile.blogspot.com for more.

I'm speaking particularly about The Chris Martin Band's new video for "Lovers in Japan," which features his eerily spinning head with laser background graphics for longer than is necessary. Song's OK.



Basically I'm still a little mad that I didn't get to go to the free Coldplay concert, so a huge Whatever to this video. And P.S., for Gwyneth's sake at least, I think he should just for one day change out of that costume.

Austin blogger-friend Jess sweetly linked me to Peter Sarsgaard's edition of "Screen Test"-- a New York Times Magazine video series that kindly edits interviewer Lynn Hirschberg's questions out, so it feels like you're having intimate conversations with famous people you'd like to french. I very much enjoyed this video.



Really lovely, right? So I watched a bunch more.

Next was-- yow!-- James Franco. I've been a fan since Freaks & Geeks but only recently started developing an obnoxious crush on him. My friend Inna told me he's now pursuing a graduate degree in creative writing at Columbia. Is that TRUE? Goddamn that's hot. If that fun fact just another one of Inna's practical jokes, please nobody burst my bubble. Anyway his Screen Test video is pretty alright:



Aaaand OK, I get so many complaints from dudes about my crush posts. I don't mean to ostracize anybody. I'm about inclusion, not exclusion. So here's Naomi Watts-- who is always awesome-- talking about how the Mulholland Drive sex scene was no problemo for her whatsoever. You're welcome, bro-friends.



Lots more available, including George Clooney, Will Ferrell, Natalie Portman, and psycho Tyra Banks, to name a few. Check out the New York Times YouTube channel for all its offerings.


Previously on SARAHSPY:
-- "Filming in Brooklyn" is how I will map out my days from now on
-- If I'd thought of the Sexy People blog idea first, I'd probably be dating both Brothers in Brew by now
-- I thought I was ready for my Sarsgaard-related dreams to come true, but now I feel so anxious
-- Want to know my favorite thing Peter Sarsgaard said in his Time Out New York interview?

Lots of neat-o links for your clicking pleasure, on this last warm weekend before winter hits!

• A cool visual breakdown of the last 12 presidents' actions during their first 100 days in office. (via NOTCOT)
  
  
• I'm pretty down with Stereogum's comparison between Obama's win and the super-moving "O Captain, My Captain" scene in Dead Poets Society.
  
  
• The new Blackberry Bold is garnering positive reviews. (via Gigaom)
  
  
  
  
• The always adorable Rich of fourfour posted a video interview with Sheena about her America's Next Top Model experience-- and she partially blames her exit on a set-up by Jay!
  
  
• I can't stop laughing at this ridiculous chain of correspondence, titled, simply: "Broke Man Tries Paying Bill with a Picture of a Spider." (via Urlesque)
  
  
• Whoa-- 5% of British 15-16 year olds take cocaine regularly, according to the European Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drug Addiction. (via PSFK)
  
  
• I think I may need to check out Five Guys Burgers & Fries after this in-depth review of their bacon, cheese, and jalepeno hot dog! (via NYC Food Guy)
  
  
• It reportedly cost M.I.A. just $9.95 to produce her new "S.U.S. (Save UR Soul)" music video! (via PSFK)
  
  
• Coclico's hot Spanish leather boots are named "the Obama" in ode to our new president! (via NotCouture)
  
  
• According to Frédéric Fekkai stylist Adir Abergel, the "Lob" (short for "long bob") is the trendiest haircut for us ladies this season. (via fashion indie)
  
  
• This Rubik's cube handbag might make a cute gift. (via fashion indie)
  
  
• Interested in a sneak peek at the Victoria's Secret holiday show lingerie fittings? (via Egotastic!)
  
  
• Current star salaries may prove unaffordable in hard financial times, broadcasters speculate. (via The Independent)
  
  
• Alexander McQueen is the next designer up for an afforably-priced collaboration line with Target. (via fasion indie)
  
  
• Might VP-elect Biden influence the federal government to crack down on illegal music sharing? (via Brooklyn Vegan)
  

I do of course realize we're in a recession. But-- I'm also beginning to realize I am VERY deserving of thousand-dollar gifts whenever I'm just sorta in the mood for them.



Apparently this song is #1 in the country or something, but I wouldn't know about it if Molls hadn't been such a fanatic.


Previously on SARAHSPY:
-- "My Baby" by Lil Romeo is one of my favorite songs ever, which is not embarassing
-- Some musical collaboration proposals end with sushi, and others with sadness
-- Live acoustic versions of Lykke Li's "I'm Good, I'm Gone" (are awesome)
-- Dude who leaked new Guns N' Roses wants you to donate to his Paypal account

Editor's Note: Sharon is a former co-worker who previously guest blogged about Dark Knight's similarities to The Crow. Today she exhibits proof that the Karate Kid hasn't aged much since the film debuted. Behold her Chiller Theater Expo experience!


Fame is a fickle bitch, as they say. One day you're on the red carpet, groupies and paparazzi clamoring for a glimpse, your mailbox flooded with invites to award shows and the Playboy Mansion... the next you’re signing autographs for $30 a pop in the Parsippany Hilton.

Two weeks ago I attended the bi-annual Chiller Theater Expo-- a no holds barred train wreck of monumental proportions. And by train wreck, I mean most awesome event ever.

It’s a place where you can gawk at Barry Williams while he eats a Caesar salad. Where you can squeeze Morgan Fairchild’s tiny doll hand and confirm she must have made a pact with Satan to look so suspiciously young. Where in one fell swoop, you can chat up Corey Haim, Ralph Macchio and Leslie Nielsen.

The Expo is basically a smorgasbord of “celebs” sitting at tables behind stacks of 8x10 glossies, black Sharpies in hand. The signs at each table bear their names along with pricing, which varies from person to person (ie. “Autographed Photo: $20, Photo with Your Camera: $30”). You stroll around and talk to them, feeling like you are in some weird celebrity zoo. You say “Oh my GOD!” and “Isn’t that the guy who was in..?” a lot.

Here is what I learned from my day at the Expo:

• Ralph Macchio is 47 and looks about 20 (see photo at top). He is still adorable. He’s also my friend Christy’s future husband although he doesn’t know it yet.
  
• Almost 400 General Lees were wrecked during the filming of the Dukes of Hazzard. I am considering changing my lame car horn to sound like the General Lee’s.
  
• Barry Williams is the king of merch and swag. He even had authentic Brady Bunch tiki idols for sale ready to be autographed. And he likes salad.
  
• Brian O’Halloran (“Dante” from Clerks-- photo at right) is just about the nicest guy you want to meet and one of the only ones there who didn’t charge for a photo (along with Carol Spinney — see below).
  
• The actor who played Boba Fett probably would have sold more autographs if he came dressed as Boba Fett.
  
• Rumor has it, Corey Haim was bringing groupies up to his room every three hours. He was never-- and still isn’t-- my favorite Corey.
  
• Carol Spinney, the voice of Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch, is so sweet I want to adopt him as my grandpa. Plus nobody could look sharper in a Nehru collar.
  
• Fan boys LOVE Linda Hamilton. Her line was the longest, and they all wanted to hug her. She was sweet and hugged them back.
  
• The actor who played Jason from Friday the 13th was there claiming to be the “REAL” Jason. It reminded me of Ray’s Pizza-- but scarier.

Want to see this spectacle for yourself? The Chiller Theater Expo makes its way back to Jersey in April. For more info, click to chillertheatre.com.

Show off your "I Voted" sticker tonight from 5-8pm at participating Ben & Jerry scoop shops, and get a free scoop of ice cream! More info at their their site.

Krispy Kreme will also reward voters with a free star-shaped sprinkle donut on today! Same deal, just show your "I Voted" sticker as proof. Click to their website for more info.

Looking for a more fashionable incentive? Fashion Indie's got a list of retailers giving discounts to voters today as well!

Editor's Note: When my friend Inna isn't telling jokes, she's geeking out about history. Most recently, some billion-part Lincoln documentary convinced her she would've been a much better wife to ol' honest Abe than Mary had been. I was like, "Inna, what? Please blog about this." So she did.


The more I learned about Abraham Lincoln, the more I resented his wife-- mainly because she got to marry him and I never would.

Originally, I planned to guest blog about the many reasons that I would be a better wife to Lincoln than Mary. These reasons include:

1. I like messy hair, whereas she tried to plaster his hair to his head at every possibility of public appearance.
   
   
2. I wear my clothes until there are holes in them and reuse a paper towel until it's too gross to touch, whereas she liked to fill their house with extravagant decorations much to the dismay of her minimalist husband.
   
   
3. I'm 5'4", which in my opinion, is a vast improvement to her 5 feet 2 inches when you consider Lincoln was 6'4" and at that time already considered a monster giant who didn't need further reinforcement of that fact every time he stood next to his wife.

Also, I was going to point out that she was a crazy ho.

But-- after learning more about her-- I cannot hate on Mary. After Lincoln died (compounded a few years later by the death of yet another one of their sons), she completely lost it and virtually never left her house for the last decade of her life. I understand that, and probably would have reacted the same way. The loss of a man that extraordinary would no doubt be debilitating.

So instead, I'd like to bring attention to something that would probably cheer up Mary just as it cheers up her taller rival (me).



2009 marks the bicentennial of Lincoln's birth. On May 30, 2009, as part of a celebration of the bicentennial and Lincoln’s achievements, the Lincoln Memorial will be rededicated. (The original 1922 dedication of the memorial will have occurred exactly four score and seven years ago!)

On this day, everyone should take a moment to think about Mr. Lincoln and his handsome beard. Also, the new president of the U.S. will be invited to the rededication. If that president is Barack Obama, the significance of the rededication will be especially noteworthy. F’ing amazing, even. And I’m pretty sure my new friend Mary would agree.


For more info on Lincoln's bicentennial celebration, click to LincolnBicentennial.gov. And don't any of you dare forget to vote tomorrow!

Presidential Cabbage Patch Kids! (via popbytes)

• 70+ zombie dancers re-enacted Michael Jackson's "Thriller" video at Madame Tussaud’s wax museum on Thursday, in an attempt to break a Guinness world record. (via the New York Times)
  
  
• The color's cool, but I don't know... A new partnership between Vivienne Tam and Hewlett-Packard creates the first lightweight laptop exclusively for women. (via fashion indie)
  
  
• The Fonz jacket on a limited edition silver necklace? (via NotCouture)
  
  
• MTV suddenly remembers music videos with its launch of archive site mtvmusic.com. (via pop candy)
  
  
• With 10 years and a lot of hard work, one Wisconsin man built a Lamborghini in his basement-- from scratch! (via psfk)
  
  
• Care to celebrate your big wedding day with a bride vs. groom keg stand? (via Sorry I Missed Your Party)
  
  
• Here's a tidy index to some of the late David Foster Wallace's work online. (via Harper's Magazine)
  
  
• Do you like to get some trivia time in with your happy hour? Brooklyn Based has a helpful guide to Brookyn bars' nerdier offerings.
  
  
• Check out photos of some dude getting a huge tattoo of Rambo riding a unicorn. Wow. (via Chunklet)
  
  
• WTF. Can "Joe the plumber" really be getting a record deal? (via Politico)
  

This week Borders exclusively debuted Ingrid Michaelson's new "Be OK" video, which is exciting for 2 reasons:

1. All proceeds from the new album will benefit Stand Up To Cancer (regardless of where you purchase it).
   
   
2. My friend Val is featured in this slideshow compiled of fan photos (sent in per Michaelson's request for fan faces with "Be OK" written on them somehow)!! You'll notice Val gets a couple seconds more than everybody else. That's because she is sooo beautiful. See?

There she is-- my old college housemate at 1:00 exactly! Hi, Val! You seem more than OK to me, girl. Maybe a little sleepy is all.

Though you already saw the best part, click here to watch the entire video. The benefit album is also for sale at Amazon.

from Twitter
to sarahspyblog@gmail.com
date Sun, Oct 26, 2008 at 6:50 PM
subject Barack Obama is now following you on Twitter!



Hi, twitter.com/sarahspy.

Barack Obama (BarackObama) is now following your updates on Twitter.

Check out Barack Obama's profile here:

http://twitter.com/BarackObama


Best,
Twitter

--------------------------------

Click to sarahspy.blogspot.com to comment on this post and view others.

Hey let's be friends on Twitter and Facebook!

Last year me & some pals went as a fleet of sailors, which was pretty lo-fi. You just get a sailor hat, wear navy blue & white, maybe a scarf, some seahorse bling, whatever. This year I'm not dressing up. I don't care who comes out with some fantastical nutso Halloween party where costumes are mandatory. No. Not feeling it.

BUT maybe you guys are totally feeling it! I don't mean to rain on anybody's candy parade. That's why I compiled this list of idea resources for those who are stumped & freaking out right now. Pretty sweet of me, right? Candy's accepted if you find a winner in this list.

• Last year I posted some costume ideas, both for individuals & groups. Looking over it now, I'm still pretty impressed with my ingenuity. I mean, Teddy Ruxpin? Hello, genius. Somebody do that & tell me how it goes please.
  
  
• Stereogum posted a handy top 10 list of Trendy Pop Star Costumes for Halloween 08.
  
  
• Carles at Hipster Runoff wants to know if he should be NIKE for Halloween, or maybe Jeffrey Dahmer? So crazy, that guy.
  
  
• In a pinch, you could try College Humor's Lady's Halloween Costume Generator. I got "sexy cat" which is me on the everyday already, so.
  
  
• Are you a tiny baby? Cause here's some animal costume ideas for little infant or toddler-style humans.
  
  
• If you're gonna cop-out and be Sarah Palin like every other brunette dumbass in America, at least follow Trend Hunter's advice on doing it right.
  
  
• Etsy fans will appreciate this list from Periodic Elements of Style, which rounds up potential Etsy purchases to comprise the perfect costume.
  
  
• This ivillage list of 10 Last-Minute Costumes is meant for kids, but is universal enough for us idiot 20-somethings, too.

I mean there's always witch or ghost, also.

• Eve gave a thumbs up to Obama the other day by getting a manicure of his face! (via fashion indie)
  
  
• A pretty cool guide to the best street art spots in Brooklyn. (via Brooklyn Based)
  
  
• Fact or fiction? A run-down of the many rumored dirty moments in Disney movies, with YouTube clip evidence. (via Urlesque)
  
  
• Artist Jason Freeny explores what the inside of a LEGO man would look like if he had a human skeleton and organs! (via MoistProduction)
  
  
• Does this shark look sad to you? (via BuzzFeed)
  
  
• Brad Pitt developed (with some help I'm sure) a 100% biodegradable cleanser for Kiehl's-- the proceeds of which will benefit a New Orleans charity. (via psfk)
  
  
• Check out the work of this Vietnamese artist, who carves intricate mini-people out of crayons! (via Digital Crush)
  
  
• Want to see a pretty hilariously unflattering pick of Raven Symone riding a segway? I mean, if you're into that sorta thing. (via fashion indie)
  
  

At SXSW '08, I discovered the DAY PARTY: a usually FREE event featuring open bars & snacks sometimes & watching 6 bands in a row that you haven't heard of but are probably fantastic & will be huge in 2 months & you get to say you saw them "before stupids caught on." It's a sweet deal-- earning indie cred while getting sloshed for free at 2pm.

No follow-through from this kid, however. Been wearing the Captain Lame hat alllll week.

It's just-- I got back from my Seattle/Portland trip in time to host multiple houseguests & throw a housewarming party. Plus the achey-breaky face/wall incident. So tired, guys! And jonesin' for ME time-- just a couple evenings lounging in PJ's on the broken couch (thanks Ray), scooping peanut butter out of the jar with a pretzel stick, writing stories about my feelings, forming an Ugly Betty addiction, ignoring phone calls, etc. etc.

I MAY redeem myself tomorrow. MAY. I mean, I've already got this "make your own taco" party to go to Saturday night (awesome), but I could probably swing After The Jump's CMJ day party-- now at MARKET HOTEL instead of the Yard-- organized by all your favorite NYC music bloggers that aren't Brooklyn Vegan.



Click the flyer for full size, and visit its Going.com info page for tickets, etc.

Last night around 4:30am I felt SURPRISED when my face slammed into a wall real hard. I've actually been waiting for this to happen since I moved into this apartment, so I guess I'm glad to get it over with, sort of.

See, the one drawback to my awesome huge studio apartment is the narrow, winding hallway leading to the bathroom-- NOT easy to navigate in the middle of the night when you're all squinty & trying not to wake up all the way. You guys know what I'm talking about. Usually I do the Helen Keller/Frankenstein thing with my hands, feeling my way to & fro.

I might've forgot to do that last night. It's tough to remember what happened before I took that corner too sharp & my face slammed into the wall. Oh god it hurt so bad & was so startling. I made the saddest whimpering sounds, and then afterwards I couldn't fall back asleep 'cause I kept checking/double-checking for nosebleeds. Really made me value life, though. And no bruise this morning, somehow! Really also valuing a bruiseless face.

So. That was the 1st horrible thing that happened in the last 24 hours. The other horrible thing was stumbling upon the new ad campaign for freecreditreport.com, featuring Ed "one line at a time" McMahon. Parts 1 & 2 below.





I mean, he does an OK job for being Ed McMahon. And I get that it's memorable & effective when famous old guys cruise the 'hood in velour & chains to call things "wack" etc. I'm hip, I'm with it, I understand things. I also agree everybody's entitled to a free credit report if it helps them get their mojo back again.

But I also feel very embarrassed when I watch these ads. It's similar to how I felt when my nose slammed into the wall. A little vulnerable, a little ashamed. Not as much the throbbing ache across the nose-bone, but the other stuff definitely.

What do you guys think?


Previously on SARAHSPY:
-- I would be a little sadder about TRL ending had I known it was still on the air
-- What do you say when you talk to yourself?
-- One thing I'll sure miss (not miss) about my neighborhood: Dead Doll Garden
-- Whoa! Chef Julia Child was a WWII spy!

Seattle was a gorgeous city to vacation in. I spent a lot of time wandering it on foot & admiring its many waterfronts & public art. The top 3 prettiest places I visited are as follows.

Seattle Art Museum's Olympic Sculpture Park: "...transformed a nine-acre industrial site into open and vibrant green space for art. This new waterfront park gives Seattle residents and visitors the opportunity to experience a variety of sculpture in an outdoor setting, while enjoying the incredible views and beauty of the Olympic Mountains and Puget Sound."





Ballard Locks and Ballard waterfront: "Pass a sunny day watching boats of all shapes and sizes come into the locks separating Puget Sound from the fresh waters of Salmon Bay. Those seeking relaxation anchor themselves to blankets and lawn chairs, while the adventurous head to the fish ladder."





Discovery Park: "Situated on Magnolia Bluff overlooking Puget Sound, Discovery Park offers spectacular views of both the Cascade and the Olympic Mountain ranges. The secluded site includes two miles of protected tidal beaches as well as open meadow lands, dramatic sea cliffs, forest groves, active sand dunes, thickets and streams."



Fat rabbits live in this park. I got pretty close by speaking to them in a quiet, calming tone.



Want to see more? Take a virtual tour of Seattle at the city's official website!

Last week, I went on vacation to Seattle/Portland. I'd never been to that part of the country, and I had a fantastic time. I'll get to describing some of the sweet sights I saw later on. For now, let me tell you about Nick, a young gentleman from Spokane that I encountered on my journey.

Nick's an ex-coworker of the friend I crashed with in Seattle. He partied with us my 1st and last nights there, and on both evenings, he was real stealth about snatching my camera to take many, many self-portraits. Below are the 10% I did not delete.





7 Things I Learned About Nick:
-- He enjoys self-portraiture
-- He's in an open relationship, which is not the same as cheating
-- He prefers to order a different beer at every round
-- His favorite Seattle alley to drive down is "this one"
-- He does an OK scary killer voice
-- He finds me to be a bit judgmental
-- If you hate sad music, then maybe you should get out of the car

• Whoa-- a British dude was just convicted of murdering his wife after she changed her Facebook status to "Single"! (via BBC News)
  
  
• May 6, 1984: The day Pat Sajak taught Little Richard and James Brown about some guy named Billie Holiday -- a shameful true story! (via Urlesque)
  
  
• Lauren Conrad showed her new collection at LA's Fashion Week, and fashion indie calls it "only Walmart worthy"!
  
  
• Meet Anjana, surrogate mom to two white tiger babies who were separated from their mother during Hurricane Hannah! Really adorable story & photos. (via Cute Overload)
  
  
  
  
• You can tell Raven Symone is really angry because she wrote this letter all in caps. (via ohnotheydidnt)
  
  
• This is neat: a hooded scarf designed to help commuters nap on public transportation! (via NotCouture)
  
  
• Are Canadians absolutely sure it's safe for children to swim with polar bears?? (via Urlesque)
  
  
• A pretty novel idea: Tourist Michael Hughes photographed famous landmarks around the world, replaced by their cheap souvenir renditions! (via Daily Mail)
  
  
• Want to see one artist's rendition of the Madonna (the Biblical one, not the newly-divorced one) made totally out of dice? (via MAKE)
  
  

Yep. Have a fantastic weekend, everybody.


More video hilarity, previously on SARAHSPY:
-- Sleepy kitten videos
-- Sometimes when I get a little sad, I watch this video of Thom Yorke laughing
-- "And I can see Russia from my house!" -- Tina Fey plays a perfect Palin on SNL
-- "Tootie, you're not being reasonable"
-- Facebook in real life
-- One-man conga line dances around my building with a boom box

Remember those laser backgrounds you begged your Mom to spring for on school picture day? Well, when I visited my new favorite blog We Have Lasers!, I stumbled upon THE EXACT BACKGROUND I remember begging & begging for to no avail:



Mom said No. Every year it was boring blue clouds for me. And that is the exact reason why this blog o' laser portraits has got me all nostalgic today, for what could've been a very exciting childhood.



As the site owner says, "Why choose between a ladder and lasers when you can have both?"

Click to laserportraits.tumblr.com to re-live all your 80's laser memories.


Previously on SARAHSPY:
-- If I'd thought of the Sexy People blog idea first, I'd probably be dating both Brothers in Brew by now
-- The Rock-afire Explosion: a Showbiz Pizza documentary coming this Fall!
-- Choose Your Own Adventure -- YouTube style
-- It's not too late for me to rock a Hypercolor tee, and immediately become the coolest girl in school

A coincidental ad placement? (via Science Blogs)

• Rembember Koko, the super-smart gorilla that learned sign language in the 80s? Since then, he's apparently been involved in a number of sexual harassment lawsuits, due to his "nipple fetish"?!? (via Sorry I Missed Your Party)
  
  
• Are moustaches the newest runway trend? (via fashionindie)
  
  
• Project-Free TV is a new site to watch all your favorite tv shows and movies online for free. (via Bumpershine)
  
  
• Have French scientists really figured out a way to DJ with your mind?!? (via Gizmodo)
  
  
• Did you hear about the solid gold Kate Moss statue revealed last week? Apparently at 50kg, it's the largest gold statue created since the age of ancient Egypt! (via fashionindie)
  
  
• Finally, a pencil to distinguish the elite from the nobodies-- the "Aspara Gold for executives." (via Pencil Talk)
  
  
• In odd news: "Woman Dressed as Cow Gets a Month in Jail." (via BoingBoing)
  
  
• A pretty hilarious & well-supported rant: "I Hate People That Use Their Facebook Relationship Status For Attention." (via Pointless Banter)
  
  
• Is it possible to forage a delicious dinner from Prospect Park? Here's a recipe for Wild Dandelion Turnovers that proves you can. (via Not Eating Out in New York)
  
  
• Clearly the best way to drink Sparks is to serve it like punch from a fountain. (via Sorry I Missed Your Party)
  
  
• Lastly, a helpful column debuts in the New York Times' "City Room" section: Answers About Living Cheaply in New York.