Able Bakers

In order to feed our gambling habit, we've had to force the kids into selling baked goods. Its easy really. Just put those adorable kids behind a card table filled with cupcakes and cookies and a placard announcing their cause. Any cause will due. "Stop Feline Cold & Flu Now" seems to generate a lot of cash. Here's a tip - maximize your profits by using shredded newspaper instead of oatmeal for your "Grandma's Secret Oatmeal Cookie Recipe" or use it as bran in your "Healthy Bran Muffin Tops."

Jello In The News

After years of complaining "there's not enough Jello in the news" Heather decided to do something about it. She embarked on a letter writing campaign to the local Union-Tribune until they buckled under the pressure of her grassroots effort. It only took one letter. Eager to create a story about how local residents are penny pinching during these tough economic times, the UT jumped at the chance to interview this struggling mother of two who fills the empty bellies of her starving children on coupon-bought Jello. To our surprise, there was not a run on Jello at the grocery store upon publication of the article.

These desserts were as delicious as they looked, especially the cherry Jello in the front. Don't blame Heather for the 10 pound, multilayered, cylindrical behemoth on the right. That ridiculous idea was mine alone, and executed flawlessly by Heather however its gravity nearly pulled Erika out of Heather's arms.

Self Portraits

Two self portraits by Erika using different medias - the top obviously conveying the glee she feels when she plays with her Calico Critters and the bottom the boredom of yet another Yogi Bear rerun. As Christian spends his energy on photorealism, Erika spends her time in the more profitable abstract realm.

May The Force Be With You

Luke and R2D2 never looked so good. Christian once again proves his chops with this excellent example of photorealism. Note that Luke only looks angry. Christian explained that Luke just got rid of some bad guys so he's actually happy.

Saturday Night Bath

Big footed, long tongued, be-goggled, squeaky clean aliens.

Never Really Been A Fan

I read that Criss Angel's new Las Vegas stage show bombed. He Cirqued-the-show-up creating a bad mix of schlock magic and annoying theater. Cirque du Soleil used to be a unique, interesting theatrical side show that was only shown under the big top. Then Vegas grabbed ahold and placed a Cirque show on every corner of the strip. Even the corn dog crowd began to say "enough." Criss jumped on the Cirque bandwagon just after the wheels fell off. Now if only his television show could disappear. I can only stomach a few minutes of that show at a time, and every time I've watched it I've seen cuts, recuts, and dozens of stooges pretending to be amazed. Its criminal to shoot a nice trick (yes I said "trick" instead of "illuuuusion") and catch the audience's genuine surprise, and then re-shoot and re-do the trick to make it look better for post-production. As for me, I prefer "real magic", the kind that can be performed live in person, in a parlour, or on a stage. Magic needs an infusion of sophistication. Need some guidance? It doesn't get much better than Channing Pollock, Norm Nielson, or Dale Salwak. Put your tuxes back on guys, and show some class again.

Dandies' Set List

Here's the set list from last night. Twenty-one songs on the list, maybe two more that were not included. Two hour plus show. How many bands play that long anymore? As enjoyable as the Raconteurs were last week, they only played for 45 minutes. The Dandies' catalogue is so deep they could have played another dozen songs without exhausting my favorites. No encore which I appreciated. Encores are annoyingly phony. I appreciate a band that says "alright, we've given you a great show, here's out last song." Great show.