You musn't be afraid to dream a little bigger, darling.

From the desk of AC2, Sparker.



Stop whatever it is that you are doing right now, and make plans to go see Inception. Then you will probably want to make plans to see it again because this, my friends, is a movie that is going to make you think- your questions will only lead to more questions. The analytic in me LOVES IT. There is room for endless interpretation (which might tell you a lot about how cynical you are- or hopeful, or vest in the Self. . .you see my point) or you can simply enjoy it for the heist film it is- with a slight horror bent, in that your mind is something you can never really escape. At least not in any way that isn't potentially permanently damaging.

Bless you, Christopher Nolan, for managing to deliver on a movie that is not only thought-provoking, but visually stunning. Or as I put it after my first viewing "fucking beautiful".

May I also add this movie has done nothing to quell my ridiculous crush on Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Call me, JGL.

"You're asking me for Inception. I hope you do understand the gravity of that request."

Trust me, this is one movie that is worth the $7 many times over.

-AC2

ETA: DISCLAIMER: Apparently if I want to give something a good review, I have to tell the Internets that I am not getting paid to do so. HEY INTERNETS, I AM POOR. The end.

(Dear Christopher Nolan,

If you want to give me money to write good reviews, I might not be against that. I am still paying off grad school.

Love, Sparker

PS Just kidding I have artistic integrity. In reviews. I have to go now.)

I wanna do bad things with. . .uh. . .Snoop?

From the bed of AC2, Sparker.




The Aquatic Cousins are great fans of True Blood and invite you to witness this, which AC2 has just seen in all of its confusing wonderment:



I honestly do not even know what to think of this. I can't decide what I love about it more- the terrible background Sookie dancers, the fact that he smokes "Tru Bud" or that he called Sam a bitch (because Sam is totally a bitch).

I'm probably going to watch this thirty more times before I'm sad that I'll never have a gin and juice with Snoop at Merlottes- and I don't even like gin.

-AC2

Filed under: Cousin Weddings- Salsa Dancing, Tequila Loving Cousin Gets Htiched!

Oh shit. Somebody got married.




Congrats to Mabry and Brian- it was a beautiful wedding and the entire family had a smashing time. Enjoy the honeymoon! You can argue about taxes when you get home.














Seriously, everybody needed Kleenex and not just because of all the plant sex flying around in the air, affecting everyone's allergies.

You make a beautiful couple, kids. We love you.

-The Aquatic Cousins

He's not quite Diabeetus Cat, but he'll do.

From the desk of AC2.




We have a guest-cat on our blog today, my favorite obese feline in the whole world- Jung sa ya.

Find more photos of his royal fatness along with tantalizing food porn and recipes at Aquatic Friend Christine's blog Edible Metamorphosis.

You're welcome.

-AC2

I hope they play "I Do (Cherish You)" by 98 Degrees.

From the desk of AC2 aka Sparker.

This is what it has come to, until we can persuade AC1 to update. (And the actual wedding of Salsa Dancing Cousin is this weekend, so she'd better hurry up!)

PICTURES OF CATS. (Photos by Wylie Maercklein)

I am Satan!

The Leopard Sausage Waits.

Okay, loyal readers (and I think there might be six of you now) you deserve something more than that, so I have some treats for you. It was, after all, recently Zombie Jesus Day wherein America makes themselves sick on aphrodisiac versions of pagan fertility symbols which actually. . .makes more sense than expected.

Bonus: Aquatic Cousin Approved Crafting Tiiiiime!

Make your own bath mat out of wine corks! No, really. Go here.



















And drink some Hello Kitty wine to replenish your stash, because you know friends and family are going to be all over wanting one of those mats for themselves.


Also: while we're on the subject of being crafty: Knitted Knockers! If you're a knitter, consider getting involved. AC1 is teaching me how, but. . .I have a long way to go.

What I'm aiming for: a soft, prosthetic boobie for women recovering from a mastectomy- cheaper and more breathable than a silicone falsie, not to mention available much sooner.









Where I am now: note the hole I somehow managed to create, along with the random loops on the sides, that I also have no idea how I created. I WIN AT KNITTING.










T is just going to LOVE his new potholder.

-AC2

Stick up for yourself, son. Nevermind what anybody else done.

This entry features a lot of disjointed thoughts that more or less come together in the end. You're welcome.

Since I'm not terribly hip (I know, completely contrary to appearances, right?) I nearly always get my music passed along from my much cooler friends.

This morning I decided to develop the concept of "Positivity Tuesday" when I failed to get up at 5:30am to work on The Thesis of Doom and instead went back to sleep when the pets of the BDH swarmed on me with nefarious intentions of cuddling, en masse (there are two of them). At least I didn't oversleep like yesterday when my alarm failed to go off! See? Positivity Tuesday.

(At least I am well-rested!. . .Okay I know. I can stop now. But I probably won't. Donuts are good for you because they make you happy! Now you try.)

I'm also living vicariously through the song "Holiday" by Dizzee Rascal as a means to imagine myself in some sort of dysfunctional relationship wherein a man I hardly know pays for me to travel to exotic locals with only a bikini and my passport (which I should probably find in case I suddenly come upon such an offer this weekend). I have a good imagination! Positivity Tuesday.

But my true anthem as of late has been this little gem by Yeasayers, introduced to me by the glorious work bestie Elyse:

Ambling Alp.
My favorite bit of the lyrics are towards the end (I know there are names for sections of song but I've had too much caffeine to remember them right now).

Now the world can be an unfair place at times
But your lows will have their compliment of highs
And if anyone should cheat you
Take advantage of or beat you raise your head
And wear your wounds with pride

Because my thesis beats me. BUT I WILL WEAR MY WOUNDS WITH PRIDE, THESIS. I WILL WEAR THEM WITH PRIDE.

-AC2

And give me any motivational music recs you may have, in the comments. I need more to survive. I can only listen to these two songs on repeat so many times before I get tired of them and go back to listening to Ace of Base/The Spice Girls exclusively.

Trufax.

We know we talk about Sophies an awful lot here on the cousin blog (when in actuality we- being young and poor- drink a lot more magnums of Cooks because we are classy that way) and it is possible it has been mentioned before and I am just too lazy to look through the archives to find it, but I thought it was time, Reader Dear, that you knew something:

FIREFLY: THE OFFICIAL VODKA OF THE AQUATIC COUSINS.

Being Texas girls born and bred, our Southern souls could not resist the siren call of the sweet tea vodka once introduced. Now a staple during nights out in Austin-town, or nights in the BDH bedazzling, it is in heavy rotation on our drink-of-choice roster. We recommend it on the rocks, with water and a little lemon. Simply delicious.

You can check out their website here- be prepared to jam out to some sweet tunes upon the loading of it (so if you're in the office like I am, bust out those headphones). I was a little surprised to go from my Phoenix Pandora station to the rockus sounds of the South, but not unpleasantly so.

In conclusion: put a little South in your mouth. (Saw this magical phrase on their Twitter account- I have to say, it's the first time I've seen this phrase used in conjunction with something other than the South Alabama Sailing Team. Bless you Kleinschrodt brothers, wherever you are.)

-AC2