nostalgia

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Lebanese delight

I was feeling like a little Lebanese delight, so Matt and I trekked over to Casablanca for Mediterranean cuisine.

My first taste of falafel dipped in tanziki and hummus. Yumm.

Shawarma {marinated beef} and hummus with pita bread. Super delicious.

Finished off with sweet Basbousa {semolina cake with pistachios}

My first taste of falafel and basbousa. The falafel is basically deep fried hummus — how could it not be tasty? I split one with Matt which whet my appetite for my favorite, shwarma { I just like saying shhhWARMAAA}. We also shared a basbousa, which tasted like honey-soaked cornbread with pistachios. I loved the gritty texture glazed with honey sweetness. 
Such a beautiful, warm night. I continued the L delight theme by watching one of my all-time favorite films, Party Girl. Yes, I said, Party Girl. I love me some Parker Posey. This is something you may not know about me. I’m a cinephile and I’ll watch everything — not just the Oscar-worthy movies or indie films, but I also love the feel-good, funny classics like PARTY GIRL. 

Mary: So where’s the Lebanese delight? 

Mustafa: You want Lebanese delight?
Mary: Sure, bring it out.
{photos: Ren Reiske © All Rights Reserved}

He-hey hellooooo!

Mary: Do you know the story of Sisyphus?
Leo: Who?
Mary: Sisyphus. It’s a myth about this guy who had to roll or push this incredibly huge rock up this steep mountain. Every time he would get to the top of this mountain the rock would roll down again. He would watch this and walk back down the mountain and do it all over again. Forever.
Leo: Drag.
Mary: It's a metaphor for life, Leo. It's famous. One must imagine Sisyphus happy.
Leo: Bullshit. He's miserable.
Mary: He doesn't have to be. He accepts his fate.
Leo: You're telling me if you name is Syphilis and you spend your life lugging a fucking rock up a hill you wouldn't be miserable?

Day 29. Mad Cow & Engagement

I love Emily Blunt. Forget that she’s British {always a plus}, she also has a wonderful way of transforming into her characters. I love Van Morrison and the way his songs played throughout this movie. I love a good comedy that makes you laugh and feel good for two hours — and The 5-year Engagement does just that. I’m not giving anything away that the title already doesn’t, this movie is pure fun … go see it! After the show, I was ravenous for a big burger. I decided to be adventurous and try Mad Cow Burger — the double patty with the works. Suffice it to say, it satisfied my carnivorous appetite. Definitely good choices for dinner and a movie. {Ren Reiske © All Rights Reserved} aprilphotoaday instagram @groovininthesun

Day 7. Shadow

{Ren Reiske © All Rights Reserved} aprilphotoaday instagram @groovininthesun

The sun barely came out today and unlike last week, it was quite chilly and grey. We headed out to the mall and during our excursion, I discovered a new store, francesca's collection, which reminded me of smaller version of anthropologie — with its fun gifts, accessories, and one-of-a-kind vintage clothing. I already have a pair of summer sandals on my wish list. And aren’t these flasks charming?

{francesca’s collection}

Day 19. Funny

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Day 12. Close-up

It snowed today. We have not had a snow day in months. My traveling gnome, miniRob, dropped by to warm things up. :}

{Ren Reiske © All Rights Reserved}
Instagram/janphotoaday @groovininthesun

Pappz’n Kathy Griffin

Friday, Dec. 9, 2011
I joined the ladies of the {unofficial} Solid 8 Club to see Kathy Griffin at Jesse Hall tonight. Pardon my French, but KG is one fookin’ hilarious, tired hooker {her words}. Her show opened up with an amusing film reel showcasing her humor, mom and celebrity friends, and segued to her coming on stage. Dressed in black jeans and Mizzou tshirt {Go Tigers! What? JayF*cks!} she kept us laughing for two hours. Highlights:
KG: Let’s just take a moment. Where the f*ck am I?
Passing billboards (towards Boonville). Jesus, porn, and fireworks!
One sign (I did not make this up) ... Horse poop for garden. Sadly, I think this is how Kathy will remember CoMo.
Someone’s been smoking the chief. Miley Cyrus and Salvia. Check it on youtube.
{Justin Beiber} He’s so thug. Have you seen the pictures? He’s ****ing her all the time. You’re so loose like Selena’s vagina.
{Trying to order pizza with Cher} How does pizza happen?
There was more — Ryan Seacrest, politics, gay marriage, Forever Lazy, Gwyneth Paltrow and Kim Kardashian — all in good fun.
As we slowly headed out, Sarah, Sam and I decided to check the back where Kathy might possibly exit and meet some of her fans. There was a very small crowd of people standing by the back door. When I saw security and a black SUV carefully pulling up, I knew she would be there. Security asked us to form a path for her and forewarned us that “Kathy’s throat was sore so she could not stop to chat (or sign, as some people had her book on hand).” Whatever. Suck it! We still love her. Kathy came out so quickly armed with more security than the number of fans waiting for her. I managed to get this photo.

It was a fun moment but I felt badly about pappz’n her so I twatted Kathy on Twitter: @kathygriffin Sorry for paparazzin' you Love Ya! the Solid 8 ladies. Billboards: #JesusPornFireworks -KG #funnygirl
Good times. Thanks, ladies!

{Ren Reiske © All Rights Reserved}

Party like a Rockstar

“You have to go on and be crazy. Craziness is like heaven.” 

― Jimi Hendrix

I channeled Jimi for Halloween this year. My officemates and I became a famous musician for a day — our very own Hall of Fame.

Rock, peace and love all! Happy Halloween!

How To Be An Artist #8

This makes me smile.
My first friendship bracelet came from Stephen, back when I was in college {yeah, I was late in the game}. I never took it off and wore it until it practically shredded off. Now, when I see them {on teens and adults alike}, it reminds me of when Beau was a little girl and I would show her how to easily make them.
This past weekend, I decided to dig out my craft box and create new memories. I made my first Chevron friendship bracelet following instructions here {these take awhile, so be patient}. 

{Ren Reiske © All Rights Reserved} 
Another plus: they accent a summer tan … color me happy!

How To Be An Artist #1

{photo: Ry Murray. “Wait… do I look nekkid?”}
I’ve been staring at this card by Sark on How To Be An Artist. It’s been crazy busy {the perpetual mantra these days} so I have not been faithful with writing/blogging or creative thinking outside of work. So, I decided to try something new in order to work in a creative exercise for the next few weeks. Let’s be honest here, I will not commit to any exercise DAILY when the sun is shining and we should be outside enjoying mother nature instead of checking in on our newest tech gadget. Agreed?

Sark has over 30 ways of How To Be An Artist. I plan to highlight at least 30 of them, starting with #1 LAUGH a lot. Join me and discover your inner artist. :)

The Splinter

The Persistence of Memory: story one
Jordan, December 2003

Just as I was about to take a quick afternoon nap, I hear Jordan screaming from the other room, “I've got a big splinter on my TOE!” Beau, always the accomodating and attentive big sister, runs back with tweezers to help out. I listen and hear Jordan yelp … then I hear, “I got the splinter out (pause) and it was a big HAIR!”
“Do you know how much that hurt?!”
Is it me or does anyone else think that’s funny?
{Ren Reiske © All Rights Reserved}

The Emperor’s New Clothes

Are you familiar with story, The Emperor’s New Clothes? … a small child cries out, “the emperor is naked!” 
Beau and I were dining at Emperor’s Palace today, when we spotted this.

hehe

Ren Reiske © 2009

Crack me up

Source: rayodelunaPR