Oscar goodie/goody bag/basket 2005
Once again, it's that special time of year where we use the power of Internet search engines to figure out what the lucky celebrities will be carting home from the Oscars. After a few complaints last year that I included too many items that were not in the Official Academy Awards Presenters and Performers Gift Basket, my list this time only includes those items that specifically claim inclusion from a news source or press release. Thus, it's shorter than before and perhaps not as much fun, but, I hope, more accurate. Some of this list came from a USA Today article; if it's wrong, well, you can blame me for trusting it. The Academy always refuses to release an official list or comment on the basket. One news item states that Sequoia Productions, producers of the Academy's Governors Ball, actually puts together the Official Basket. So now you know who to bug to get your handiwork in next time!

A handful of other companies gather goodies to bestow upon Oscar nominees (note that the Official Basket is given only to presenters and performers), thus the confusion of what is really in The Basket versus the Other Bags. There's the "Everyone Wins" (aka "losers") bag from Distinctive Assets, one from Buzz Bags, and one from Donum Gifts. Victoria's Secret always gives the Best Actress nominees bejeweled accessories. Motorola gives out a not-available-to-mere-mortals phone. And there's also the "Award Suites" at the Beverly Hilton where attendees can pick up even more free stuff, like skin treatments and tea.

As usual, my favorite items to find are the handcrafted "mom & pop shop" ones and I did dig up a couple. If only the Academy would give the little guys even more publicity for their generous donations by sending out an official list! Here's mine:

A Krups kitchen set including a toaster, electric kettle and a year's supply of coffee and tea ($700)
A two-night stay at The Carlyle hotel in New York ($2,300)
A red leather case full of Shu Uemura cosmetics, including mink eyelashes ($600)
A DuWop cosmetic kit filled with a selection of products and a gift certificate for a session with a Cloutier makeup artist. ($740)
A year's supply of Vonage broadband phone service ($500)
A Sprint PCS Phone from Samsung
A three-night stay for two at Palmetto Bluff Resort in South Carolina ($3,600) (updated w/correct link 2/27)
A two-night stay for two at Bernardus Lodge in Carmel Valley, CA($2,500)
A three-night stay for two at St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort & Spa in Dana Point, CA (includes personal "surf butler") ($5,900)
A dinner party at Morton's, The Steakhouse ($1,500)
Kay Unger cashmere pajama bottoms ($500) (only the bottoms??)
An assortment of Manni Oils' extra virgin olive oil ($540)
One day of services at Cornelia Day Resort in Manhattan ($3,500)
A three-night stay at San Ysidro Ranch in Montecito, Calif. ($3,000)
An 18-inch baroque Tahitian pearl necklace from PearlParadise.com ($3,200)
A Dyson DC11 canister vacuum (y'know, the one that "doesn't suck")
A T3 Tourmaline Hairdryer "100% crushed tourmaline gemstones infused into patented T3 components give it more ionic power than any other dryer" ($200)
iXi collapsible bike ($1,289) (this is actually in the Donum gift bag, see this press release, but it's kinda cool so I've left it here for you bike/gadget geeks)
Two nights in a Bellagio suite and Two therapies at Spa & Salon Bellagio and Dinner for two at Sensi Restaurant and Dessert at Jean-Phillipe Patisserie and Two tickets to "O" and a $1,000 shopping spree for Jurlique products (read the press release for even more detail)
"A Catherine Original" jewelry by Cathy Jordan: sterling silver choker/bracelet/earring sets made of pearls and Bali beads ($500) (local news story)
Mr. Handyman gift certificate redeemable for one full day of Mr. Handyman service, presented in a confetti-filled paint can with an upscale black, red and gold design featuring the Mr. Handyman logo. The lid's label reads, "Your Handyman is Inside."
From Portland's Moonstruck Chocolate Co, 15 handcrafted truffles in a hand made Thai Silk Truffle Box and a certificate for a year's worth of chocolate. (local news story)
$10,000 package for a three-night stay at the Opus Hotel in Vancouver, three nights at the Four Seasons Resort in Whistler, lift passes, helicopter transfers, limo transfers, numerous meals, Pilates session, spa treatments, and two OXIA oxygen personal canisters (the second time Opus has made the cut with their astonishing roundup of Canadian hospitality!)
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The best news article I found while doing Oscar basket research was this lovely account of the goody bag that the town of Sudbury put together for Sir Ian McKellen when he visited the Sudbury Rotary Club. The "bag of the finest treats the town has to offer" included silk ties, golf balls, meals at local restaurants, books about local culture, a selection of beers from Mauldon's Brewery, and a vegetarian quiche and a granary loaf. (NOTE: updated to fix Sudbury as town, Suffolk is the county. Thanks V!)
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Wednesday, February 23, 2005

The Academy Awards are approaching which means it's time to dust off those search engines and all the permutations of gift/goodie/goody bag/basket for our annual list of items in the Official basket. This year I'll be striving to keep things pure by not including items that are in those other poseur baskets, no matter how fun and amazing they may be. It's a difficult task when you have news items like this one about Sprint and Samsung. Note the headline "Sprint And Samsung Give Oscar Nominees Phones." That makes me want to overlook it since the nominees basket is not the one I'm after. But the content says "Celebrity presenters and performers at the 77th Annual Academy Awards will get the gift of global gab this year with the inclusion of the new Sprint PCS Phone by Samsung in their official Oscar gift baskets." So maybe it's the real deal? Motorola is continuing their "tradition of providing the 25 top acting and directing nominees with a not-yet-available mobile phone" and handing out a black RAZR V3, so no matter what you may read, that phone isn't part of the Official basket (unless perhaps it's in there too?!). The worst part is we may never know how close or far I get from the actual contents! But it'll be a fun read anyway. Stay tuned.
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There's always some diamond accessories that try to grab Oscar attention. Last year it was a pair of shoes. This year the "conflict free" diamond producers are getting in the act with a necklace that features both cultured (aka manmade) gems and Canadian mined ones. 35 karats of those diamonds make up the Diamonds for Humanity necklace. The claim is that several actresses are "vying for the opportunity" to wear it which probably means they haven't found a celeb who can decide what dress they are wearing yet, let alone if the necklace goes with it.
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Thursday, February 17, 2005

Rules of thumb for color design, nicely done. (via xBlog)
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Hockey season is finally over, before it had a chance to begin. Some don't believe negotiations will be resolved even before the start of the next season. Hal Bock, veteran sports writer for AP, points out that the last time the Stanley Cup was not awarded was also the last time the Red Sox won the World Series in the preceding baseball season.
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Wednesday, February 16, 2005

Shown at DEMO 2005, In the Chair is a software system that gives feedback to musicians as they practice orchestral music. Content is provided by a symphony orchestra in the form of video and music files. Using the system, a musician follows the conductor onscreen, playing along with the orchestra. A microphone picks up what is being played and the software responds with text, audio, and visual critiques.
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Although I'm not particularly interested in the nuptials of Prince Charles and longtime love Camilla, I was, of course, curious about her engagement ring. Rather than buying something new, Charles presented his fiancee with a ring owned by his grandmother. The central bauble is a square-cut diamond with three baguettes on either side. The ring was given to the late Queen Mother by her husband, King George VI, reportedly when she became pregnant with Queen Elizabeth. The symbolism of a royal heirloom to seal a relationship that caused no small amount of scandal is not lost on royal observers. The royal family often resets jewels and updates old pieces as fashions and owners change. That the couple apparently chose not to redesign the ring but wear it as is may speak more about Camilla's taste than royal symbolism.
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Sunday, February 13, 2005

Yes, that was "the real" Lawrence Lessig as portrayed by Christopher Lloyd on West Wing this past week. But y'know they really should've had Aishwarya Rai portray Miss World. (via Matt)
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What to wear, when to stand, and when to applaud...it's all part of the "orchestral codes" that the N.Y. Times has decided to decipher. Actually, though, it's a collection of traditions, quirks, conveniences, and, most importantly, rules of etiquette that are part and practice of a unique culture that varies from orchestra to orchestra. It all seems perfectly normal from the inside, though I can see how odd some customs may seem to observers. Many rituals arise from a desire to show respect and fondness for fellow musicians and of the art itself. The rest is mere convenience and whimsy.
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Thursday, February 10, 2005

I am a geek parent. Here is the unnecessary proof. Our baby has a Lamaze Soft Sorter (thanks Gwen!). Inside are four objects. Normal folks would be content to say to the baby "here's the circle! here's the square! here's the oval! here's the triangle!" But no, I have to say "here's the sphere! and the cube! the cylinder! and the ... triangular prism!" (I had to look that last one up.) I need serious help -- or the baby will.
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The Truth About Splenda is part of the Sugar Association's campaign against what it claims is misleading advertising of the artificial sweetener. They've also filed a lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson whose McNeil Nutritionals subsidiary produces Splenda. In other Splenda news, Coca-Cola is introducing a Diet Coke with Splenda (actually "a blend of Splenda and acesulfame potassium (ace-k) for optimal taste"). Who knew that Diet Coke could turn into a brand name for a line of beverages instead of just the name of one?
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It must be citrus season. The SF Chronicle features kumquats and Meyer Lemons. Oh, and I saw Grapple's at Safeway. They look like regular apples and I still had no desire to buy one. Artificial grapes and I never did get along.
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Thursday, February 03, 2005

I'd get the baby this diamond and gold pacifier for Valentine's Day but since he doesn't use one it'd just be a waste of money now wouldn't it? (via Luxist)
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Wednesday, February 02, 2005

Beyond the common grocery store Eureka lemon there's the oft-praised Meyer. Meyers are a dime a dozen in many California backyards (we had a prolific tree next to our oranges). But they were rare commercially since they don't ship well. Chefs love them and the foodie world is now well aware of the yummy hybrid. I can buy them in season at Trader Joe's. So what's a cutting edge foodie to do if the Meyer now elicits a gourmet yawn? The NY Times has lined up some new entrants into the lemon market: Ponderosa (one I've also seen in many backyards), the Variegated Pink, Golden Eureka, and the Lemonade fruit (a Meyer + New Zealand grapefruit cross). Farmers are also trying seedless varieties. I've got one lonely Meyer, ready to pick, waving in the Pacific Northwest breeze on my dwarf tree, waiting for me to determine its destiny. I won't tell it how passé it has become.
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