2018-08-25

Hors D'oeuvres Format

The New Amsterdam Exterior Portable Dining Society (NAEPDS) often recommends a food protocol for certain events and occasions known as Hors D'oeuvres Format, sometimes abbreviated as Like Hors.

GUIDELINES

Presentation is Paramount

It matters less that your fare is delicious than that it is beautiful. And anyway, at the NAEPDS we have discovered that any food tastes better when it looks pretty. Also, our research indicates that food is more likely to be eaten if is presented, rather than just present. If you bring a bag of baby carrots and leave it unopened in a pile, you will probably be taking home 9/10 of a bag of carrots with a small hole torn in it. Or worse: throwing it away. Open the bag, put them on a plate, Somebody will eat them if only because it's easy.

Make It Bite-Sized

Hors d'oeuvres can be practically any food, prepared into units that can be eaten in 1 bite. Generally this will be not more than 1-inch cubed (2.5 cm). Large portions are much less likely to be tried--they are perhaps too much of a commitment or guilty indulgence; and they too often go to waste.

Make It Finger-Friendly

We advise items that either inherently, or can be prepared and presented in such a way that utensils are not needed. For parsimony! Because if, say, you bring soup, you must also bring soup spoons enough for everyone who might want to just taste the soup, bowls to serve in, and probably a whole lot of napkins for the mess that somebody with two left hands is bound to make. Also if you bring mostly things that won't grease-up fingers and smear on clothes, we'll love you forever.

6±2 is the Magic Number

When bringing something to share, the NAEPDS recommends a quantity enough for around 6 people. We caution against trying to cater to the entire group; you will invariably end up with too much left over, which will then
be your responsibility to clean up/pack out. Typically at an NAEPDS occasion, you are not feeding people, you are only amusing their bouches; nobody comes to such events because they need a square meal.

2018-06-29

UDoCE 2018 Antics

Schedule of antics of the Ungisphere Department of Counter-Ennui (UDoCE) for the 2018 season (Work in progress, updates to follow).

DateAnticMovie
Jun 18
Ungisphere Premiere (Success)
Dress (formal wear) and act as though attending a fancy gala movie premiere.
The Breakfast Club (1985)
Five high school students from different walks of life endure a Saturday detention under a power-hungry principal (Paul Gleason). The disparate group includes rebel John (Judd Nelson), princess Claire (Molly Ringwald), outcast Allison (Ally Sheedy), brainy Brian (Anthony Michael Hall) and Andrew (Emilio Estevez), the jock. Each has a chance to tell his or her story, making the others see them a little differently -- and when the day ends, they question whether school will ever be the same.
Jun 25
Wear Your Shirt Day at the Ungisphere (Success)
Wear your STFU Katielady Shirt or other apparel.
The Philadelphia Story (1940)
This classic romantic comedy focuses on Tracy Lord (Katharine Hepburn), a Philadelphia socialite who has split from her husband, C.K. Dexter Haven (Cary Grant), due both to his drinking and to her overly demanding nature. As Tracy prepares to wed the wealthy George Kittredge (John Howard), she crosses paths with both Dexter and prying reporter Macaulay Connor (James Stewart). Unclear about her feelings for all three men, Tracy must decide whom she truly loves.
Jul 02
(none)
A League of Their Own (1992)
As America's stock of athletic young men is depleted during World War II, a professional all-female baseball league springs up in the Midwest, funded by publicity-hungry candy maker Walter Harvey (Garry Marshall). Competitive sisters Dottie Hinson (Geena Davis) and Kit Keller (Lori Petty) spar with each other, scout Ernie Capadino (Jon Lovitz) and grumpy has-been coach Jimmy Dugan (Tom Hanks) on their way to fame. Madonna and Rosie O'Donnell co-star as two of the sisters' teammates.
Jul 09
(none)
Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
The Hoover family -- a man (Greg Kinnear), his wife (Toni Collette), an uncle (Steve Carell), a brother (Paul Dano) and a grandfather (Alan Arkin) -- puts the fun back in dysfunctional by piling into a VW bus and heading to California to support a daughter (Abigail Breslin) in her bid to win the Little Miss Sunshine Contest. The sanity of everyone involved is stretched to the limit as the group's quirks cause epic problems as they travel along their interstate route.
Jul 16
Pai Day (Success)
Bring a pizza pie--yes, a whole pie! Trust us!
Fried Green Tomatoes (1991)
On one of trapped housewife Evelyn Couch's (Kathy Bates) Wednesday nursing home visits, she encounters Ninny Threadgoode (Jessica Tandy), a colorful old woman who brightens Evelyn's outlook by sharing tales from her past. As Ninny recounts the exploits of her free-spirited sister-in-law Idgie (Mary Stuart Masterson), owner of a small Alabama café in the 1920s, and the bond Idgie shared with her friend Ruth (Mary-Louise Parker), Evelyn gains the confidence to change her own life for the better.
Jul 23
Big Thoughts (Rained out)
Write your thoughts on the big thought bubble(s), take photos, instaggrandize to Kingdom come.
The Princess Bride (1987)
A fairy tale adventure about a beautiful young woman and her one true love. He must find her after a long separation and save her. They must battle the evils of the mythical kingdom of Florin to be reunited with each other. Based on the William Goldman novel "The Princess Bride" which earned its own loyal audience.
Jul 30
Golubbing (Success)
Strip (nearly) naked and be body-painted by (world-renown) artist Andy Golub (and friends). Or appreciate from the safety of a full outfit.
When Harry Met Sally… (1989)
In 1977, college graduates Harry Burns (Billy Crystal) and Sally Albright (Meg Ryan) share a contentious car ride from Chicago to New York, during which they argue about whether men and women can ever truly be strictly platonic friends. Ten years later, Harry and Sally meet again at a bookstore, and in the company of their respective best friends, Jess (Bruno Kirby) and Marie (Carrie Fisher), attempt to stay friends without sex becoming an issue between them.
Aug 06
Costumed Character Convention (Tentative)
Dress as a costumed character you sometimes adopt. Or choose one from the Unexplained Bacon stock to inhabit for photos.
The Wiz (1978)
When Harlem schoolteacher Dorothy (Diana Ross) tries to save her dog from a storm, she's miraculously whisked away to an urban fantasy land called Oz. After accidentally killing the Wicked Witch of the East upon her arrival, Dorothy is told about the Wiz (Richard Pryor), a wizard who can help her get back to Manhattan. As Dorothy goes in search of the Wiz, she's joined by the Scarecrow (Michael Jackson), the Tin Man (Nipsey Russell) and the Cowardly Lion (Ted Ross).
Aug 13
Slap Club (?)
Slap your friends or strangers. No, really! Try it! Also, take pictures with the sound-effect placards.
Thelma and Louise (1991)
Meek housewife Thelma (Geena Davis) joins her friend Louise (Susan Sarandon), an independent waitress, on a short fishing trip. However, their trip becomes a flight from the law when Louise shoots and kills a man who tries to rape Thelma at a bar. Louise decides to flee to Mexico, and Thelma joins her. On the way, Thelma falls for sexy young thief J.D. (Brad Pitt) and the sympathetic Detective Slocumb (Harvey Keitel) tries to convince the two women to surrender before their fates are sealed.
Aug 20
(none)
The Terminator (1984)
Disguised as a human, a cyborg assassin known as a Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger) travels from 2029 to 1984 to kill Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton). Sent to protect Sarah is Kyle Reese (Michael Biehn), who divulges the coming of Skynet, an artificial intelligence system that will spark a nuclear holocaust. Sarah is targeted because Skynet knows that her unborn son will lead the fight against them. With the virtually unstoppable Terminator in hot pursuit, she and Kyle attempt to escape.

2018-01-31

Formation Viennice - Primer


The Formation Viennice is shorthand for a presentation of a choreographed group performance of the Viennice Waltz; The Viennice, in a formation.


The Viennice Waltz is a partnered ballroom-style dance on ice skates, that mimics the appearance and style of the Viennese Waltz.