Valleys and Troughs

Lindsey Vonn, others to compete in 2010 Olympics.

With the Winter Games set to start in just three days in Vancouver, despite logistical difficulties regarding not having enough snow, it's never too soon to start brushing up on who's going to be competing. Take Lindsey Vonn, for instance, America's celebrated alpine skier and gold-medal favorite. In addition to winning back-to-back World Cup titles in '08 and '09, she is featured in the 2010 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition, out now.

The rest is pretty self-explanatory. We have to commend her more than anything for standing around in the snow in a bikini. Clearly she has what it takes to be a champion. Anyhow it'll be exciting to see the Games in Vancouver of all places, especially since we have one more glorious reason to pull for America.

VALLEY, big-time.

via SI.com

Exotic Woman of the Day: Janina Gavankar.

America's own Janina Gavankar. Of Indian and Dutch descent, but we're sticking with Indian.

Astute readers will recognize Janina as The League's all-important Shiva Kamini. If you're not familiar with The League, you no have nobody to blame but yourself. Needless to say we'd have no problem with her likeness being emblazoned on trophies everywhere. We re all about Shiva.

VALLEY

To get us started on the right track: gratuitous photo of Vikki Blows (our new favorite color is yellow).

It's been a while, clearly, but as we said, we intend to get back on the horse here. And what better way to ease back onto the internets than with photos of the greatest exotic woman there is?

Yeah. Pretty hard to imagine waking up and seeing this, but then that's why we sleep with our laptop at arm's length. And just for good measure, and because we love what we do and feel as though it should be celebrated, the following:

Well. Not much else to say except that we are back, and (hope to be) better than ever. Thank you, and Godspeed.

VALLEY, big-time.

via fanpix

Of forgiveness.

Negligence:

Main Entry: neg·li·gence
Pronunciation: \ˈne-gli-jən(t)s\
Function: noun
Date: 14th century
1 a : the quality or state of being negligent b : failure to exercise the care that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in like circumstances
2 : an act or instance of being negligent

Not much to say in our defense other than the following: we have been away for some time, physically as well as otherwise, and in this time have wrestled with creative ideas and impulses and other such insufferably boring notions nobody ever wants to hear about. It is enough to say that going forward there will once more be posts, though perhaps not as many as before. Unless of course people like you start sending us money, or food, or allow us to sleep in your homes. Still we offer this apology: we are sorry, we hope this never happens again, and we love you all.

VALLEY, once again.

Exotic Woman of the Day: Francesca Chillemi.

Italian Francesca Chillemi. Model, actual actress, Awesome.

Sadly we are unable today to provide a full set of posts, but that's no excuse for us to deprive our public of an Exotic Woman of the Day. And what a woman. According to what we could perceive form her wikipedia page, which is in Italian, she has had a bunch of TV and movie roles over there. Though really it could say anything and our opinion of her wouldn't change. Also she apparently really lies strawberries. Bravo.

VALLEY, of course.

Exotic Woman of the Day: India Reynolds.

England's India Reynolds. British, eighteen. Awesome.

We couldn't say what it is exactly, but there is just something about English girls. Maybe it's the accent or the haughty air of implicit superiority. Regardless, we find ourselves infinitely thankful for the 'special relationship.' As for India Reynolds, there isn't much to say other than... well done. We continue to be astounded by what the United Kingdom offers the world.

VALLEY

via uncoached

Iron Man 2 trailer released, and man does it look awesome.

Ah. Nothing like a good movie trailer. Especially two in two days! And while we're sort of excited about Robin Hood, we have to say that the Iron Man 2 trailer is... it's just unbelievable. You can download a bigger version from apple if you so desire, and we suggest you do. There are almost no words to describe how awesome it is. We won't provide you with a play-by-play, but some highlights include Tony Stark yukking it up at what appears to be a congressional hearing, a brief appearance by Scarlett Johannson, and Iron Man and War Machine brawling back-to-back a the end. Man. Our eyes are glazing over just thinking about it. We have a feeling this is going to be a good one, and there will almost certainly be some cameos setting up the next films in Marvel's arsenal (Thor and then the Avengers, specifically). Yeah, not a bad day for comics fans. Big things are on the horizon.

VALLEY.

Exotic Woman of the Day: Rianne Ten Haken.

Netherlands' own Rianne Ten Haken. Fashion model, Dutch. Awesome.

Rianne is a fashion model from Lelystad, Netherlands, if the internet is to be believed. If one is so inclined, one can find her measurements in centimeters floating around, but we are mainly blown away by her eyes. They almost qualify as being not safe for work. Good times.

VALLEY.

Coffee will save your life, as well as your sanity.

We are hardly alone in our devotion to coffee; it is, for all intents and purposes, the lifeblood of this country. It is the one common bond that adheres us (mostly) to one another, the salve that soothes or at least overrides the jangled nerves of an overstressed populace. Coffee. Sweet, faithful coffee. Just saying it takes the edge off a bit. And so it strikes us as particularly heart-warming whenever news breaks of a new health benefit associated with what is already the greatest drink ever. In this case, preventing diabetes:

Tea and coffee drinkers have a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes, a large body of evidence shows.
And the protection may not be down to caffeine since decaf coffee has the greatest effect, say researchers in Archives of Internal Medicine.
This analysis revealed that people who drink three or four cups of coffee or tea a day cut their risk by a fifth or more, say researchers.

The best part about this is that the impetus behind this study was almost certainly the attempt by these researchers to vindicate themselves for drinking upwards of four cups of coffee a day. Somewhat disheartening to see decaf getting the glory here, since it's about as respectable a beverage as non-alcoholic beer, but the conclusion is essentially the same: coffee saves lives. So the next time someone tells you they're trying to drink less coffee, tell them you're trying to breathe less air. Then laugh mirthlessly as you walk away, because you get it.

VALLEY

via BBC

Exotic Woman of the Day: Reby Sky.

New York's Reby Sky. Model, Giants fan. Awesome.

We happened to be at the Giants-Eagles game this past Sunday, and had the good fortune to see Reby Sky in person, perched in the first row not so far from our own seats, which were practically on the sideline exercise bikes. If you're not familiar with her work (and you should be) she is famous for being an extremely visible, extremely attractive Giants fan. According to her official site, in addition to modeling she's trained as a classical pianist and is interested in theater, music, dance. You know the drill. And so no matter how ugly the Giants' season gets, and it's getting ugly, there will always be one reason to love this game:

VALLEYS all around.

photo via bustedcoverage