In 1993, Lego Space changed forever. All of a sudden, there were characters – characters with names and facial features. There was a specific setting (an ice planet called Ice Planet). There was a year (the inexplicably close 2002). And … Continue reading Ice Planet 2002 Night Thread (June 25th)
The third of the early-90s Lego Space factions arrived in 1992 to smooth out relations between the M-Trons and the Blacktrons – with extreme prejudice if necessary. That’s right, the Space Police are back! Of all the original cycle of … Continue reading Space Police 2 Day Thread (June 25th)
The peaceful M-Tron faction wouldn’t be left to their own devices for long. In 1991 Blacktron came back with a brand new look and, in the US at least, the sobriquet “Blacktron Future Generation”. The namesake black fuselages were still … Continue reading Blacktron 2 Night Thread (June 19th)
In 1990, a new Lego Space faction appeared on shelves, with a new windscreen color (transparent neon green), a new fuselage color (red), and a new gimmick (magnets!) M-Tron marks the start of Lego really starting to take an interest … Continue reading M-Tron Day Thread (June 19th)
The third and final late-80s Lego Space faction on the scene were the Space Police, whose first incarnation ran entirely in the year 1989. In design terms, the Space Police were surprisingly villain-coded: a limited palette of black and blue … Continue reading Space Police I Day Thread (June 14th)
Butterfly Pea Flower (in syrup, extract, spirit infusion, ice cube, or tea form) is a trendily instagrammable cocktail ingredient that has risen to prominence in the last few years. It doesn’t really taste like much, but it has a beautiful … Continue reading Butterfly Pea Flower Night Thread (June 13th)
While the Classic Spacemen got snazzy new duds and became Futuron in 1987, there was also trouble brewing in the previously serene and conflict-free Lego Space galaxy. Trouble by the name of Blacktron. Blacktron, with its sleek black and yellow … Continue reading Blacktron Day Thread (June 13th)
Allspice Dram, also known as Pimento Dram, is another liqueur common in Tiki drinks. It can be made at home using rum, sugar, and allspice (the dried berries of the pimento tree), or purchased – the most common brand is … Continue reading Allspice Dram Night Thread (June 12th)
Futuron, the first evolution of Lego Classic Space, ran from 1987 to 1989. It operated with a design language that had slowly been gaining prominence in true Classic Space sets throughout the late 80s – transparent blue windscreens, white fuselages, … Continue reading Futuron Day Thread (June 12th)
Bitters are highly concentrated alcoholic tinctures flavored with blends of botanical matter, originally sold as patent medicines before people realized that just a few drops of them can deepen and balance an entire cocktail. Almost everyone is familiar with Angostura … Continue reading Chocolate Bitters Night Thread (June 9th)
The cedilla is a diacritical mark that hangs down from a letter like a little tail. Here’s one now, chilling by itself: ¸ Connected to a C, you probably recognize it from words like façade or açai, and it’s that … Continue reading Cedilla Night Thread (June 7th)
Cynar is an Italian amaro-style liqueur flavored with artichokes – wait! Come back! – and over a dozen other types of botanicals. Its warm, bittersweet flavor makes it highly versatile, able to serve as both aperitif and digestif when served … Continue reading Cynar Night Thread (June 6th)
The very first Lego set to depict a spaceship was set 801-3 Space Rocket in 1968, so early that the Lego system was still licensed in the US by Samsonite rather than incorporating as its own brand. A similar (but … Continue reading Classic Space Day Thread (June 6th)
Falernum is a staple in the world of Tiki cocktails, combining flavors of ginger, lime, almond, and spices into a sugary tropical melange. Available in both liqueur (~11% ABV, from rum) and non-alcoholic syrup forms, a splash of it goes … Continue reading Falernum Night Thread (June 5th)
It’s always hard to get a picture of a rocket launch that happens during broad daylight but I did my best. This was the view from the parking lot. Continue reading Starliner Launch Day Thread (6/5 Emergency)
Jake Gyllenhaal returns to SNL for the season finale, with musical guest Sabrina Carpenter. Will there be anything even half as funny as Mr. Music? Doubtful, but let’s give them a chance. Continue reading SNL Season 49 Episode 20: Jake Gyllenhaal (Season Finale)
Maya Rudolph returns for her third time hosting, with musical guest Vampire Weekend Continue reading SNL Season 49 Episode 19: Maya Rudolph
We’re getting dual Dua Lipa tonight as she becomes the second combined host & Musical Guest of season 49 (after Bad Bunny way back in October). The perfect chance for those who partake to enjoy a Dual IPA. Continue reading SNL Season 49 Episode 18: Dua Lipa
Tonight on SNL, Nerlins fan and Papyrus hater Ryan Gosling returns to the show to promote his upcoming film The Fall Guy, but probably mostly still Barbie. Distinctive hat owner Chris Stapleton is musical guest. Continue reading SNL Season 49 Episode 17: Ryan Gosling
Tonight on SNL, veteran cast member Kristen Wiig joins the 5-Timers Club! Probably Fred Armisen will show up too. I think he lives under the stairs in 30 Rock. Episode also features mononymous musical guest Raye. Continue reading SNL Season 49 Episode 16: Kristen Wiig
Tonight on SNL, Ramy Youssef (of late Max McCandles in Poor Things) hosts, with Musical Guest Travis Scott who I only know from having a custom McDonald’s meal a couple years ago. Continue reading SNL Season 49 Episode 15: Ramy Youssef
