Lori Nyx

All right, I know this was only supposed to be a cookie recipe exchange, but the power of Santa compels me to share my Italian American aunt's killer "Frangelico Balls." I suspect it was either her allegiance to the old country or a whacked out jones for hazelnuts that made her tweak the classic rum ball recipe. So yeah, there's no actual baking required and these are technically considered candy, but we're talking alcoholic candy....

Admit it. We have all done it one time or another. Re-wrapped something that ran counter to our oh-so-fabulous taste and passed it along to some unsuspecting schmuck &/or loved one. It's not very nice. It reeks of cheapness and laziness. Still, in a recent survey more than half of the Americans polled said they re-gift regularly and unashamedly. Hey, we all got our reasons: couldn't make it to the store in time for...

Italian cookies are always a bit of puzzlement. The food of my ancestors is so damned delish, but their cookies--not so much. Take it from my semi-Italian American childhood, most of the time you're cracking your tooth on something twice baked and/or steeped in anise. When my Nona brought out the cookie tin, I used to pray for a Pogen. Instead, I'd get something you had to dip in hot tea to chew. Of course...

photo by abraxas3d via flickr Remember when Charlie Brown had a bad case of S.A.D. and after he gave Lucy a nickle, she tells him that he needs more "involvement." Then they put on a nativity play and well, you know the rest. It's December and Los Angeles is rife with holiday plays and musicals. Just because you're too old to land the starring role in the Christmas pageant, or don't happen to have...

photo by gotomattex via flickr Uh Oh, not sure what to get for that sullen-eyed teen or Vampira look-a-like on your list this year? Is shopping for your little darkling turning into a real nightmare before Christmas? Fear not! We live in L.A.: one of the best places to be dark and spooky or at least look the part. Not only do we have a thriving Goth scene, but tons of local vendors that...

Diana & Alice Bag circa '78 I almost didn't go to see Ann Summa's Los Angeles punk photo exhibition at Track 16 Gallery in Santa Monica. No offense to the once, raw obscure photographers who happened to be at the right place at the right time 30 years ago, snapping amazing images of once, raw obscure bands. Your recognition is well past due. It's just that there's been a plethora of punk picture/art/flyer/book exhibitions...

Fire up your Nimbus 2000 and fly to the Biltmore! So. Cal. Pagan or just Pagan Curious? Either way, put down that turkey leg and skip those crowded malls, the 9th Annual Pagan Days Fest is this weekend at The Millenium Biltmore Hotel, 506 So. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, 90071. This witchy convention, organized by those crafty folks at Panpipes Magickal Market Place, begins Friday night with a (ticketed) meet and greet dinner and...

Due to family illness, It has not been the greatest year and a half for me. So, anyone who is going through some hard times this holiday, I feel your pain. Still, it's Thanksgiving Day and much like a starving pilgrim at a potlatch, I know I should be thankful rather than angst ridden--at least for one day! Here's a few things I am very grateful for (in no particular order): -the support of dear...

Occasionally it doesn't totally suck to work my weekend job on the Westside. Especially if there are art openings going on. I got to use that: "Well, I'm in the neighborhood anyway." excuse last Saturday night. After a "hearty" Krishna carbo load at Govinda's Restaurant, I and fellow art crawler, MXL, hit Mark Mothersbaugh's Rugs During Wartime and Peacetime exhibition cum warehouse sale at the Scion gallery in Culver City. (Yep, that Mark Mothersbaugh,...