Thursday, February 28, 2013

5 Year Old Birthday Outfit

My sweet S.R. is turning 5 in just a few days.
She asked for a special dress for her fairy tea party (a Queen Clarion dress to be exact).
The dress has been made, and she squealed when she saw it...the reaction every mother wants when she's worked so hard to make her little girl happy:o)
When I was searching for the fabric for the fairy dress, I came across some fairy knit fabric in purples and pinks. S.R.'s two favorite colors. I was slightly hesitant about purchasing it because my last experience with knits was quite disastrous. 
 I will have to say, this little skirt was much easier than I expected:o)

The hopscotch skirt is now my new favorite skirt to make...I think I'll be making one for myself now:o) I followed a super easy tutorial, and you can find it over at iCandy handmade.

I can't wait for the celebration:o) It's going to be so much fun!! I just hope that the snow they are calling for will hold off until after our guests return home safely:o) 
Have a great weekend, and I will see you back here next week with the details of the fairy tea party:o)

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Fraud or apathy: What is academia’s biggest threat?

Diederik Stapel committed a truly massive fraud. And he wasn’t even very good at it. As we know now, he completely made up the data of many – and probably most – of his (very prominent) academic publications.

I have written about him before, because obviously he forms both a fascinating and worrying case. It is worrying not because it makes me suspect there are probably more of such massive fraud cases that currently remain undetected – his fraud was so huge that I have trouble imagining – perhaps naively – that it is not unique. However, I have much less trouble imagining that for every case like Stapel’s, there are probably many more of much smaller fraud, which could easily add up to something even bigger.

Stapel made up all his data regarding pretty much all his publications – and got away with it for a long time. How many people might there be out there who make up only parts of their data for some of their publications…?

It is like cases of insider trading, or rogue investment bank traders; the cases that come out in the open are often colossal cases of fraud (although there is a bit of attention bias), involving billions of pounds, not seldom committed in a rather clumsy way. For every immense, clumsy case of insider trading, how many smaller, more sophisticated villains might there be…?

But there is another reaction to the Stapel fraud that makes me worried. Newspapers that reported on and described his fraud often gave examples of his experiments. For example, he would predict and “find” that people exposed to the world “capitalism” in an experiment would be less inclined to share their M&Ms with others and, instead, selfishly stuff them into their own drooling mouths.

On newspaper websites, people would comment on these articles, and their reactions were remarkably consistent; they never said “tsss, he committed fraud with something as important like that…” (a reaction I imagine they would have had had it concerned a clinical trial of a new cancer drug); invariably, their reaction would be “that’s what these scientists spend our tax money on?! silly things like that!?” and “that’s the kind of stuff that makes someone a famous professor?!”

People seem to not care at all that he made up his data because, to them, it concerned stuff they find completely trivial, irrelevant and infantile. They are not outraged by his fraud; they couldn’t care less.

Now, I am not saying I completely agree with them (I would find it interesting – and potentially even important – if putting people in a capitalist frame of mind would automatically make them act more selfishly) but I am wondering whether apathy and an active disinterest might not be even more threatening to the long-term prospects of social psychology as a field than fraud. To the general audience, their research appears trivial and unimportant.

Stapel has now written a book – I guess largely because he simply needs the money, now that his career prospects in academia have been truncated – detailing his descent into fraud. Perhaps in his next book he can tell us – and the world at large – why his experiments would have been important and worth doing (for real). And hence why people should be outraged by his fraud, because currently, they’re not.

Monday, February 25, 2013

The Business February 27th 2013: The Songs to O’Shea By Edition- Now with 2x the Kevin!



There are Kevins, and there are O’Sheas.  But there is only one Kevin O’Shea.  At least there is only one that we know of.  I mean the odds are good that there is someone else that has both the name “Kevin” and the name “O’Shea”, but that guy (or rather unfortunate girl) would never be the Kevin O’Shea that Kevin O’Shea is.  

This week, we all Kevin to the O’Shea beat.




Established in 1984 following the mergers of Steven and Cathy O’Shea, Kevin O’Shea has been one of San Francisco’s leading manufactures of mirth, laughter, hilarity and all around good times! Kevin has been commonly described as clever, absurd, awkward but in a funny way and too smart for his own good. He has been seen on the Independent Film Chanel and ComedyCentral.com. He is a favorite of comedy festivals such as: The SF Sketch Fest and the Bridgetown Comedy Festival. Go see him now as his 4thquarter productivity has never been higher!

And more KEVIN! Kevin Camia will join us this week as well. He has been featured on Comedy Central's "Live at Gotham", Aspen Rooftop Comedy Festival, AZN's Asia Street Comedy and the San Francisco Sketchfest. His comedy is a mix of dry wit, strange observations and social satire delivered in a "tell it like it is" performance. 

Bringing the beat to Kevin by will be KALX DJ and musical auteur Spencer Owen! Owen arranges all the compositions and performs all of the vocals, instruments and production himself for his home 6-track audio-cassette recordings.  (Which means he does more with his afternoons that I do, but can he say he watched all of House of Cards in 15 hours?  No, I’ll bet he can’t)

You regulars this week are the fearsome foursome, Sean Keane, Nato Green, Caitlin Gill and Bucky Sinister, who is made of steel and one pound Fuddrucker burgers.  

This whole spectacular show is just $5! You can even bring a friend for free!  http://thebusinesscomedy.blogspot.com/

Get there early, we sell out.  

BYOBurrito and we will top it with Business.  Or salsa*, your choice.

*The Business does not have salsa.  They probably gave you some at the taqueria.  Check under your chips. 

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

The Business February 20th 2013: The Koll into Diamonds Edition


Alex Koll.  Original Business Man.  Air Guitar Demigod. General All Around Incredible Human Being.

San Francisco has been lucky to have him, but it's time to let the Koll Diamond shine somewhere new.  New York!  He's moving to the Big Apple, but not before The Business sends him off in style.

Joining us for the big Bon Voyage will be Sam Tallent.  Out all the way from Denver, Sam has been described as 'the Black Flag of comedy' and a zine in Denmark said 'Sam is the surreal voice of an earnestly silly generation'. Reggie Watts, TJ Miller, Kyle Kinane, Sean Patton and other quality gigglesmiths have worked with Sam and not complained to management.

We are also pleased to announce the return of Bobby Joe Ebola and the Children MacNuggits!  Difficult to categorize, awkward on a flyer, and impossible to forget, the “pretty songs about terrible things” of Bobby Joe Ebola have become the soundtrack of the “Great Recession” & civilization’s “Slow Apocalypse”. Longtime friends to The Business and even longertime friends to Alex Koll, there is no better guest to play Alex' San Francisco swan song.

The Business is gonna miss Alex.  This is gonna be a special show.  You wanna be there.

We sell out.  Arrive early for a seat.

Just $5!  You can even get a coupon to bring a friend for free right here http://thebusinesscomedy.blogspot.com/

Friday, February 15, 2013

Front Entry Way

We have lived in our house for 3 years now, and this wall has always bothered me. When you enter our house, this is the wall you see.
There is a doorway to the right and a column just a few feet to the left.
Very un-welcoming. 

For the past year I have had a picture of the kids hanging there and that was it. 
I wanted a table and a lamp and just stuff to sit there, but there wasn't enough room with the column in the way.
After 3 years of brainstorming, I finally came up with a solution. Took me long enough, didn't it?
I have some cabinets in the attic that are really narrow. I picked them up at a yard sale for $5. They are real cherry, and beautiful, but absolutely non-functional. I think they were spice cabinets in their former existence??


I took one of the doors and turned it into a wall shelf that resembles a table. The door is super narrow, so it's the perfect depth and adds so much to this space. The legs, hardware and spray paint were purchases from Lowes, and the frames and sign were purchased from Hobby Lobby.
There isn't an outlet on this wall, so I can't plug a lamp in...I'll show you my solution for this problem in my next post:o)
Now I reeeeeally like my entry way. 
It's a lot more inviting, don't you think?:o)

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Happy Valentines Day

Happy Valentines Day to you all! 
I hope to be back here soon. I've been taking a creative break for a bit. Have you missed me?;o)
I hope your day is extra special today!
Looking forward to our little family Valentines dinner after basketball practice tonight:o)
I'm really excited about digging into this yummy cake...with REAL buttuh cream icing...that's right, I said BUTTUH:o)

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

The Business- The Mrs. Doubtfire 3- The Bitch is Back And This Time She Means BUSINESS Edition

This week, The Business welcomes guests from sorta near and pretty far! Visiting us from the capital city of our glorious state are two golden boys. John Ross was born to be a comedian. In that he was born addicted to drugs. Geez John, way to be born with a silver spoon… IN YOUR PARENTS' HANDS (I know, that was a little strong. I just wanted to prepare you for the subject matter of the evening’s event, which may include junkie parents, spoons and needles. Coincidentally, John Ross played bass for both Junkie Parents and Spoons and Needles). Nick Aragon has the funny bone of the Fellowship of the Ring in his DNA. The comedy is strong with this one. He really beams up the funny. I’m just gonna keep mixing nerdy metaphors until the hate mail really starts flowing). And all the way from London, we are always happy to have the stellar Scott Capurro on the bill. Described by San Francisco Weekly (free press, edited by lesbians and designed by trannies with large hands and hidden agendas) as "stand-up in the very best possible sense - deadpan, ever-alert and hilarious". Scott has appeared in Mrs. Doubtfire, where, effortlessly, he played a homosexual; and Star Wars: Phantom Menace, where, breathlessly, he wore a body stocking. And of course, your regulars! Sean Keane, Caitlin Gill, Bucky Sinister and Nato Green! We sell out, so get there early for a seat. BYOBurrito but make it dress up like enchiladas and clean your house.

Monday, February 4, 2013

The Business February 6th 2013, The "SF Sketchfest means BUSINESS" Edition

The best time of year is here once more!

Christmas? Heck no, we drank our way right through though the holidays (Bucky was drowning in Cherry Coke Zero).


Summer time? Nope, too sticky. Also, The Business has core competencies, not competent cores, so bikini season is right out for us.

Valentine’s Day? Gross. Who are you, anyway? Ug.

It’s Sketchfest time! The best time of all! When comics from all over the country come to San Francisco for three weeks full of incredible shows!!

The Business is very happy to be a part of this annual cavalcade of comedy once more, and we have some of our favorite guests on for the FESTivities.

Chris Knutson is joining us, he is the winner of ACME's Funniest Person in the Twin Cities award in 2010. Plus Joe Tobin, a comedian, writer and Flyers fan based in our own back yard!

We are also happy to have SF star turned LA sensation, Drennon Davis.

From his elaborate characters and sketches, to his provocative songs and animation, Drennon has made name for himself as one of the most innovative minds in today’s comedy scene. His live performances of the Imaginary Radio Program combine live music and beat-boxing with one-man sketches into a shot that the Los Angeles Comedy Bureau writes "not only lives up to its name, but exceeds expectation in that you could possibly think it is." Drennon was featured on NBC's Last Call and was a semi finalist on Last Comic Standing. His new animated show The Long Legs can be seen on MTV's rebirth of Liquid Television.

Your regulars Sean Keane, Bucky Sinister, Nato Green and Caitlin Gill will also be there, all full of Sketchfest cheer!

ALL THIS SHOW IS JUST $10!!

We sell out. So if you want a seat AND YOU KNOW YOU DO, get there early.

BYOBurrito and we will autograph your foil.