Disqus - Latest Comments for okimago

Re: Belatedness and Food

okimago — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 01:31:09 -0000

And this REAL LIFE rat takes the whole concept a little further...He eats poisonous bark and then his hair becomes lethally poisonous to anyone who tries to munch it!!!
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/...
I somehow doubt that this is the kind of superhero special trait that would make it into X-Men, compete with Hydro Man or even Scooby Doo...Although I'm sure much could be made of a superhero who plots his/her enemy's demise by yelling "Eat Me!" or slipping hairballs into their lunch.
And, obviously Popeye can take all y'all and apparently before his creators settled on spinach as the key to his superhuman strength he transformed because, wait for it, he "rubbed the Rare African Whiffle Hen". So um, maybe you could create a superhero character who gets his/her special strength from eating watermelon and then firm up the details after the world falls in love with your character and theme song... I swear I'm not fucking with you about the Rare African Whiffle Hen:
http://watchmojo.com/index....

Re: http://okimago.tumblr.com/post/6937956235

okimago — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 16:10:28 -0000

YOU!!!!
Thank you Mummy!!!!!
xx

Re: http://okimago.tumblr.com/post/6937956235

okimago — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 16:09:33 -0000

Hi Karen! I'm so pleased you got into the recipes too. I love the idea of those mussels and what you tried sounds delicious! I've been avoiding mussels during the pregnancy b/c I don't want to risk somehow undercooking them or getting a bad bed of mussels or whatever. Sometimes collective nouns are just all wrong. I think it is "a bed of mussels" but maybe one is only supposed to use that when describing where the collection of mussels comes from. Perhaps mussels are stripped from their "bed" and then adopt some better collective noun by the time they reach one's plate or kitchen...a crib, a bassinette, a moses basket of mussels? Thinking in these terms will do wonders to quell any cravings. Can you tell my brain is addled by pregnancy!! How is DC these days? I hope you're having fun xx

Re: http://www.noraleah.com/post/6324542729

okimago — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 08:52:01 -0000

you look great in this, Nora, nice find! I just saw this story and thought you might want to add it to a dream itinerary: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/...
hope all's very well, xx

Re: http://okimago.tumblr.com/post/5080803409

okimago — Mon, 02 May 2011 22:08:31 -0000

Thanks OTB! You're right, misunderstandings are so much more inevitable when you're living in a foreign country, trying to communicate in a second language and figuring out people's intentions. Being "a foreigner" is also so unsettling because you never know what it is you represent to a person when you meet them. And in countries where there's a strong culture of hospitality and etiquette I feel fated to commit faux pas and that often makes me second guess my actions/intuitions. Has this been your experience too? I am continually amazed by how kind people can be here in Turkey and the lengths they will go to to make things easier for me and in the last few months I realise I have offended some people by turning down offers of help because I thought they were being too kind. For example, Chris' work colleague offered to come stay with me (leaving her 2 young kids at home) while he was away at a conference just to keep me company and ensure all went well with my pregnancy! I am also just trying to get used to quite how helpless I am as a pregnant woman and the new stakes of mistakes! The more I think about this situation with the police officer the more I am convinced that it was fairly sinister. But I also know that that was almost impossible for me to deduce before he was in the stairwell "brushing leaves off me". Anyhow, I doubt I'll run into him again. Instead I get to enjoy all the "rich purpleness" of May (as you recently wrote) recently blooming wisteria, and all the thrills of exploring. I hope all's well with you and I look forward to hearing about lots of safe and satisfying adventures!

Re: http://okimago.tumblr.com/post/5080803409

okimago — Mon, 02 May 2011 22:06:05 -0000

Thank you Taf!!
I'm definitely OK and now I'd much rather do things like consider the enormous cookie monster & cookie that you posted and other soul-nourishing marvels! Also, re the last time we wrote to each other in comments, I can't believe you thought I was pregnant when I was but didn't yet know it! Molecular biologists must have special powers of deduction ;)
I hope all's well with you :)

Re: http://okimago.tumblr.com/post/4421297509

okimago — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 07:54:18 -0000

Thank you! I weirdly came across a reference to you last week. I just read Amis' "A Pregnant Widow" and was reading up on its reception on wiki. There you were, with a link to the piece you wrote on Amis' comments about Katie Price. I'm so glad you said some of that! I was hoping that Amis would make more of the implications of the title quotation (during social revolution the "the departing world leaves behind it not an heir, but a pregnant widow" etc.)...But instead I felt like he was busy constructing a "humorous" ode to T&A as a life raft to contend with being drowned in male insecurities...Anyway, I hadn't heard about his Katie Price comments and I'm pleased you called him on it and all.
We really like the name too, but we've never been to Iona the island, on our to-do list!
Hope all's well with you :)

Re: http://okimago.tumblr.com/post/4421297509

okimago — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 07:35:22 -0000

Thank you so much Sherry! I have been so excited to hear about you and V settling into your new home. Good luck with it all! xx

Re: http://www.noraleah.com/post/4397086190

okimago — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 06:04:57 -0000

also, when you're feeling up to doing Tracy again it may be worth using a small ball under your foot to help stretch the muscles on the top of your foot and just under your knee as part of your warm up. You may know these stretches already (is this the same poor lower leg that got run into?) but if not, skype me or email and we'll work something out! xx

Re: http://www.noraleah.com/post/4397086190

okimago — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 05:47:39 -0000

Oh no! I hope it's feeling better! Here's a video that might help with the leg rubs! http://www.youtube.com/watc...
If I were you I'd be sure not to wear any boots or shoes that keep your ankle in a fixed position...if you're sitting in meetings or at your desk you can try to point your foot (plantar flex) and release to get more of a stretch in... don't scrunch your toes tho'! Maybe it got a little tight and trapped, you can try ankle exercises like drawing the alphabet with your foot http://physicaltherapy.abou...
Take it easy! xx

Re: http://okimago.tumblr.com/post/4340711843

okimago — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 02:29:26 -0000

and i love that about you.

I could write an ode to this way of being:

The Yachter in the Attic: The Boat Builder and the 21st C Nautical Imagination

Ch1: Breaking Down Barriers

good luck today, see you at your office for lunch xx

Re: http://www.noraleah.com/post/3705537751

okimago — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 15:06:29 -0000

Hey Nora, we have seen a lot of this and it's just another shockingly good Turkish dessert. I would have been pretty satisfied with just baklava and Turkish delight but we've found all kinds of desserts that are fabulous, unexpected and often extraordinarily named. One dessert, for example, Tavuk Göğsü, is a dessert made of chicken breast, rice and cinnamon. Another deliciously doughy dessert can be called "Lady's Navel", "Beauty's Lips" or "Vizier's Fingers" depending on how you roll your dough...I can definitely confirm that sour cherries and pistachios are dessert staples here...Here's to you get some fine helpings of la dolce vita this month!
xx
PS Here's a recipe for the chicken breast pudding: http://www.business-with-tu...

Re: http://okimago.tumblr.com/post/3327336189

okimago — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 09:58:42 -0000

So very kind of you, and you do know that Myrna Loy's character would never have been so popular, would never have been more than Mrs Charles, had she not been named Nora!!! xx

Re: http://okimago.tumblr.com/post/3327336189

okimago — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 09:54:20 -0000

Thank you so much for this link! I enjoyed what Richardson wrote and I like the idea that Nick and Nora Charles can "splash around in their love" because there are no real threats to their union. I think Richardson is spot on when she points out that the Thin Man is devoid of "the tension that arises from unequal unions...the kind of conflict that usually moves a plot forward" and I too find that refreshing and satisfying. But...I envy Richardson's ability to "cocoon" herself with this movie and I can't fit my own thoughts and reactions into her "St George" and "dragon" metaphor.

I think my first problem is that I find the Charles' relationship very believable, and so I take it seriously, far more seriously than I should, given this is a comic movie produced almost 80 years ago. The writer sees the "true security" of Nick and Nora's marriage as something that just exists, that thankfully "ain't precious". But I think that makes it sound like they take each other for granted. I don't see it that way; I see their banter as a tool they use to keep their relationship fresh and fun, and as a kind of code to keep their thoughts and communications above the fray of the drama. This is comic and charming, of course, but I'm also suspicious of couples who mask their emotions with wit, especially if this seems part of a general retreat from reality.

My second problem is that I don't usually use movies to "cocoon" myself in the way that Richardson describes. But I do cocoon myself from the harsher realities of life with bad puns and by splashing around in marital love. It is always tempting to pick on fictional characters when you spot them parading your flaws. Worse still, what are the harsh realities they have to deal with? Why do they need so much alcohol? Why are their friends such losers? Why does Nick sit around lazily and shoot at the Christmas tree and then shirk all responsibility when he breaks the window? Why isn't Nora a woman of the 21st century so that she can buck up, stop fussing over her clothes and become the overachiever she's clearly meant to be?

So I ask way too much of this movie! Don't get me wrong, I love the evening dresses, the whodunnit clues and the whole 1930's aesthetic. And I do love scenes when the preciousness of what the Charles' have becomes clear, when the banter slips and real emotion gets exposed. For example, when Nora fears for Nick's safety:

Nora Charles: Take care of yourself
Nick Charles: Why, sure I will.
Nora Charles: Don't say it like that! Say it as if you meant it!
Nick Charles: Well, I do believe the little woman cares.
Nora Charles: I don't care! It's just that I'm used to you, that's all.

Given half a chance I'll be pushing to watch the rest of the series soon and I'll try hard to cocoon myself in all its obvious pleasures with Richardson as inspiration! Thanks again :)

Re: That random erotic pic, I knew you were going to post it!

okimago — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 15:12:57 -0000

Awesome. My favourite Dr. Seuss character is the fish!!! xx

Re: That random erotic pic, I knew you were going to post it!

okimago — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 18:44:19 -0000

Ha. Unfortunately, I doubt it very much. But what a wonderful world it would be if all people were less of a sociopath than you. Heavenly. When small children ask me what happens when we die i will now say merrily: We go on a fieldtrip to a place where everyone is less of a sociopath then Mills Baker. Maybe I should also mention clouds and point upwards, just for good measure.

You have no idea how much Chris and I would love to be chop-chopping northwards through the cali skies to see you and Abby in SF.

I love the pics from your trips! So many wonderful things and moments...that present Rebecca made with the cabin and all! Amazing! Big hugs to you and Abby xx

Re: Congrats to all you Chinese folk on your superior mothers!

okimago — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 12:30:57 -0000

Yup, and it would be interesting to hear what Amy's husband would have to say too; was/is he the parent who was loved more? Did he try to compensate for his wife's parenting? Did he try to make his daughters feel like his love was unconditional? That garbage stuff is awful. But I also think that she has a good point about many parents giving up on their child's ability to gain+master new skills before they've really given it a shot. And the joy that comes from working on a skill with a child and then seeing their delight in mastery is awesome. I just strongly disagree with her methods. Maybe there'll be some good unracist response piece...Did you see the article about the ESP paper in the nytimes? send me an email if you write about this on your other tumblr at some point xx

Re: http://ragb.ag/post/2581922419

okimago — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 19:28:19 -0000

I know you have time to decide Squonk vs Hamsterball and I want to be sure you can consider all your options. You could stand on the head of the Squonk in one of these http://www.waterball.com.cn/
You can then see a Squonk dissolve into tears and bubbles AND walk on water.
I'm sure there are some unusual critters in the deep dark darker crevices of the Mariana Trench, but for New Year's people prefer to feel less pressure and get a good view, right?
Do you feel like there's just so many options and only one 2012? Have you been feeling like that exhilarating moment of the clock striking midnight could only be better if it happened again and again for hours on end? Maybe you could celebrate at the North or South Pole? Just think how many different activities you could enjoy each time-zone midnight before you put your toe on your chosen longitude and toast a final true beginning? And then just jet home (I hear getting back from the bottom of the Mariana Trench is a total pain on New Years).
Happy New Year 2011! :)

Re: “Do you have a tendency to peace?” she asked

okimago — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 11:43:38 -0000

Hi!
No, no, just a routine checkup, no tiny tragos yet!
I actually thought of you today, I was in downtown Ankara in an area with all these fabulous bakeries. I think you would have appreciated seeing all the little cakes with amazing icing and general finesse...
Thank you for all your posts, hope all's well where you are :)

Re: http://okimago.tumblr.com/post/1729122374

okimago — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 04:14:05 -0000

Hey! Mills, i did get home, my luggage followed much later. Can you imagine how awful it was not to have a suitcase?! ;) (i'm still sorry)
Where are you? What are you doing for the holidays? Did i mention i think we should skype? We watched "the fountain" last night. I wish you and Abby had been here with us, we could've unpacked the themes together, i miss you!
Tragos & i will be in california soon, but in san diego and LA...not SF :(
i have all kinds of half-baked ideas about what a stealth startup could be, you need to put me straight.
I battled an exasperating stupor of a mood recently by rereading our FB correspondence. Felt 2 things:
1. Much better
2. There is a Mills shaped hole in my world
I really hope everything is going well for you. Big hugs to you and Abby, let's talk soon xx

Re: http://biteofpythias.tumblr.com/post/2090832635

okimago — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 12:28:19 -0000

you got the exit row seat again!!!! now you're just bragging ;)
wave to london for me
good luck with your connections and luggage!
i've had 5 luggageless days since a blizzard in munich...
Have fun in the desert, go MAKE IT RAIN
http://www.jordantimes.com/...

Re: Two College Kids Try to Fool Around

okimago — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 06:31:04 -0000

It's so clear that you know how to write sensitively about whole people whose experiences are wildly different from your own http://mills.tumblr.com/pos...

i hate to impugn your character by suggesting that you might have had experiences more similar to the characters in the above story... But you might love to impugn these characters for the same reason.

Sometimes i'll be hit by a wave of self loathing and tell Tragos how terrible I am because of x, y and z. I'll indulgently exaggerate my faults and Tragos will scold me for taking a "snapshot" of myself and generalizing all these flaws to fill up oceans of self loathing. Of course it bothers him to hear me do this, not because he "can't like anyone who doesn't like themselves" but because no one can navigate the oceans of their faults when they perceive them as oceans. So I return to x, y and z and just vilify myself for those points; I was so pathetic in that instant (doesn't mean that I'm always pathetic), etc...Is it so bad to caricature oneself in moments of one's past if it means being a little more sympathetic to one's present and future selves? Tragos still doesn't like the snapshot caricature but it's better than a whole tragic narrative arc of these snapshots!

Could artcrit see (and love) you as a whole person and feel that you should be more generous to a character that might contain a sliver of yourself? But I'd argue that there's a place for this kind of writing and that it helps to shake up the "wrong lessons" because it's stripped the story of the humanity that had to have been there.

I guess what I'm saying is that somewhere distinct from satire and comedy is a form of confessional writing which can be cathartic because it can articulate and then expunge the worst possible interpretations of an event by laying them out cleanly. Perhaps I'll refer to this kind of writing as a "Gutted Fish Tale". The waters from which the fish has been caught are the waters of anxiety. It's been gutted because there can be no true heart in a tale of this kind. And it's a fishtale because there is always an element of exaggeration.

While I'd like to take it upon myself to launch this as a new literary theory with this story as its mascot I'm afraid I can't because I'm not convinced it fits.

There's definitely more than that here.
xx

Re: http://okimago.tumblr.com/post/1321034067

okimago — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 17:29:44 -0000

Thank you so much, I'm really happy you like it. But I'm not having any of this you not understanding people BS. It's particularly ludicrous because you've always had an uncanny ability to make me feel understood. And you have a habit of making me understand myself better. What's more, I have a strong suspicion I'm not the only one lucky enough to experience that thru you...
I really liked the plane post. Did you know that Hemingway and his wife survived two plane crashes on the same trip to East Africa? http://www.nytimes.com/book...
I have no idea if he wrote about the experience(s)...
Love to you and Abby,
xx

Re: http://okimago.tumblr.com/post/1221746542

okimago — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 10:21:37 -0000

Darling Nora! Thank you! The rat has gone...we have some very high maintenance downstairs neighbours and god knows what they did but i haven't seen so much as a quivering rat whisker since I heard them screaming about it.
I miss you. I'll be in NYC briefly in early november, like the 8th, are you around?
Lots of love, xx

Re: http://okimago.tumblr.com/post/1261873809

okimago — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 03:56:12 -0000

I can't believe you live in Bilkent!! This is awesome. I bet you're handling the new cold weather with amazing knitwear and all kinds of creative solutions. I just keep warm by running after, and away from, the rat. I kid. I have definitely spoken to the lojman idaresi!!! They're the kind people who gave me the trap and later recommended I use sucuk after my goat cheese fail. I'm not leaving sucuk lying around!!! Sucuk's in the trap :(
I'm sure one of these days the rat will get stuck in the trap and you'll hear my victory scream from wherever you are in Bilkent.
Your offer to help me translate things is enormously kind, thank you!!
I'll try and add you as a friend on FB now and maybe I'll see you strolling around Bilkent. Tumblr is incredible.
Best,
Alexi