Downton Abbey

[ via +, but beware of spoilers ]

We'd heard it mentioned in podcasts and seen it frequently appear on suggested Netflix lists, but hadn't bothered to investigate it any further. However, trust me, it only takes an episode or two before you realize that you're so freakin' hooked. 

It involves in depth conversations about the laws of inheritance, it has no nudity or cursing, electricity is considered bold technology, no one bursts into song and even though we’re less than halfway through season 2, it’s safe to say that there are no aliens or zombies in sight. If I haven’t lost you yet, how about this for the kicker – it’s on PBS. Are you reaching for the smelling salts yet? - Reuters

By all means, it shouldn't be as awesome as it is. Except it IS that awesome! It's a fantastic exercise in escapism. And oh my heavens...

...the hair, 

the clothes,

the frivolity, 

the drama, 

the romance,

and the accents!

Stream season 1 of Downton Abbey on Netflix and then watch season 2 online at PBS.

Aziz Ansari.

Aziz, in town for Sundance and eager to try out new material for an upcoming tour, decided at the last minute to do three shows this weekend at Wiseguys - Trolley Square. Three. It was MAYHEM - all of them sold out the day they were posted.

The night of the show, we (Steve, Brian, and I) got there as soon as the doors opened - two hours early, just to ensure we got decent seats... and because we were too excited to do anything else.

Those two hours passed quickly thanks to mountains of french fries, burgers, chicken strips, beverages, and the NY/SF football game. Steve decided to harass Ashley M. via text and wound up betting on the outcome of the game. If the Niners won, Ashley would have to be the "Fart King of Sunday dinner." If the Giants won, Steve would. Ha!

Eventually Aziz took the stage and holy crap, the man is good at what he does. Hands down - my favorite show I've ever been to and just a great night all around.

Pad Thai

Lately it seems like the majority of my DIY projects, dinners, and life decisions can be traced back to something I saw on Pinterest. Last night's Pad Thai was no exception. Oh. My. Word. I may never eat anything else ever again. Pad Thai for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert. I'm in love.

Though I will say that next time I make it (and if you decide to try it yourself): ditch the scallions and instead add some sugar snap peas, carrots, and/or chicken.

maron

Marc Maron, SLC, 1/14/12

At our house we have two lists. A must-see comedian list and a must-see band list. Stand-up comedy and live music are our bread and butter. And actually meeting the comedian/band and having them turn out to be exactly as awesome as they are in your brain is like fifteen loaves of bread and twenty tubs of butter... which judging by this picture I seem to have eaten/stored in my cheeks.

the next big thing.

While I've mentioned that Steve is taking CPA exams, I may not have mentioned one minor detail about them...

That's no typo. He's taking them for California, because here's the thing.  

We're moving to San Francisco. 

[ photo taken by Steve in November, 2011]

Why? Steve got offered a really awesome job there.

When? Probably this summer or fall. We won't know an exact start date for a couple more months.

Are you crazy? Maybe. We've each only been to San Francisco once, and not with each other. My trip was in 2003 for a school science thing (nerd alert). Steve's trip was last year for his job interview. We have no idea how to do this or what to expect, but we're going for it anyway.

And as far as the other questions we've been getting...

• Yes, Baxter is coming with us.
• Yes, housing is expensive. We'll be grateful for whatever few square feet we're able to call home.
• Yes, we know gay people live there.
• Yes, we know there will likely be earthquakes.
• Yes, we are aware that San Francisco public transportation and other city programs may not be as robust as those of Chicago or New York. Thank you for pointing that out. We're going to move there anyway.
• Yes, visitors (at least those willing to sleep on the floor of a shoebox-sized apartment) will be welcome.

Anyway, we're excited, and a little freaked out, but mostly excited.