Seriously?

No, not seriously. I found this website selling a calendar of Mormon boys. At first I wasn't sure about whether or not this was a real calendar. After all, the Catholic Church made one filled with hunkalicious priests so this wouldn't be the first religious beefcake calendar I've seen. And from what I know of the Mormon church, they're very interested in collecting every dollar they can. Tithing is a big thing and years ago, when I visited Salt Lake City, several people pointed out to me humorously that the larger than life statue of Joseph Smith in Temple Square is standing with his back to the church and his hand extended towards the bank. The idea that some members of the Mormon church would come up with the idea of making this calendar and not see the conflict with their belief system wasn't surprising. Then I looked through some of the t-shirts they were also selling. The ones of boys on bicycles labeled "Missionary Position" seemed possible. Then I found the two that follow. The first is titled "Lots of Love" and is available in "We Don't Drink Coffee Brown." The second is titled "I'm My Own Uncle."



Clearly, this is not church sanctioned stuff.

Return to New York.

After barely making onto the plane on my trip out to SF, I decided to be more careful on my return trip. I had rented a car to drive to the airport and knew that returning the car might take some time. So I dedicated an hour for the trip to the airport and another half hour for returning the car and taking the monorail to the terminal, knowing that neither part of the journey would take so long. I ended up getting all the way through check in before 5am. Yay. SFO didn't open the security gates until 5:30am. So I walked all around the airport... the entire airport. I checked out the art work, SFO has a lot of it, including a really cool exhibit on Warner Bros. cartoons, so it's not like I didn't have anything to do. I finally decided to head over to the gate around 6ish since we were going to start boarding at 6:15am. Then entire terminal was empty and my gate was at the very end of it, the only gate in use apparently at this hour in the morning. But when I got there, a Virgin America flight to Los Angeles was in the process of boarding. I checked my ticket and the departures screen, afraid that I was at the wrong gate, (which I've done before). Nope, this was the right gate. I approached the desk and asked an agent just to make sure. Yep, we'll be boarding as soon as they're done. Of course, the other flight wasn't done before we were supposed to begin getting on the plane and, yet again, Virgin America left late. Still, once we were in the air I fell asleep for nearly the entire flight which was smooth and swift. I arrived in New York feeling rested and happy. All in all, I felt like Virgin America wasn't any worse than any other airline I've been on lately. And for the price, I can deal with the cheesy lighting... at least until they pull a JetBlue and hike the rates.

A Miracle?

Flocks of gullible faithful have convened in Minersville, PA where an apparition of the blessed Virgin Mary appears daily on one house' garage door. Watch the following only if you're prepared for something astonishing!


Okay, yeah. Aren't these people bothered in the slightest bit that shadows move through the "apparition" when they approach it? Don't any of these people understand the concept of light reflection? What the flip is going on in their heads as they stand there? I'm amazed that people can be so foolish and I'm shocked that the news media report this as if it were worthy of respect. I don't think it's right to make fun of someone's belief in the metaphysical. But if that belief can easily be shown by a fifth grader to be patently false, then I say they're open game. But the worst thing about this is that these are the sort of people who decide that they're smart enough to home-school their children.

Thank You Mr. Olbermann.

If you weren't clear about why Sen. Larry Craig was arrested, this reenactment of the arresting officer's account should clarify things.

I Didn't Think Things Like This Ever Really Happened

I'd always just thought that Leona Helmsley had gotten a bad rap. I mean, I didn't think she was all sugar and spice or anything, I was ready to admit that she might be a difficult person. However, I also thought that there was a good chance that the media were overzealous in their reporting of her faults. Now her will has shown that she prefers the company of other bitches to her own grandchildren. She's left $12 million to her dog in the form of a trust fund! She's also left bucket loads to her brother, who will be the dogs caretaker. When the dog dies he will be buried in a nausoleum... excuse me, mausoleum which will be steam cleaned once a year. These two got the best deal out of it. Leona left $10 million each to two of her four grandchildren, but they are required to visit their late father's grave or they lose half. And the other two? They get nothing "for reasons that are known to them." Ouch!

My new favorite commercial.

Despite his co-stars, in that yellow he's the weirdest and cutest thing on the screen.

Movies

Visiting Mom in California is no longer the trip it used to be. Mom is doing her best to stay healthy, but her body is beginning to betray her. Still, she wants to get out and enjoy the world. Now, however, instead of trips to Napa or into the city for dinner, a quick trip to the movies suits her best. As a result, I have thoroughly caught up on my movie watching in the past week, seeing Stardust (actually with the BF back home, pretty good), Becoming Jane (loved it, but I'm a sucker for a costume drama), The Simpsons Movie (not quite up to the hype), and Death at a Funeral (good, British humor). In addition, I saw the silent classic, Metropolis, with a friend at the beautiful Castro Theater. Finally, I saw Hairspray.

I had seen Hairspray on Broadway when it first came out and loved it. Seriously, I came away feeling like it was exactly what a Broadway musical should be. I hesitated to see the musical as a movie because I didn't want my memories to be spoiled. I realize that I had the same hesitation about seeing the original transformed into a musical, but this time it was serious. After all, it has John Travolta, who does his best to ruin every movie he's in. Still, Mom was interested so we went. I loved the music, again, and thought that the performances were fine. I was pleased that it wasn't bad, but it didn't quite measure up to the experience of seeing it live.

A question occurred to me as I was sitting there watching Hairspray and getting its message delivered as subtly as if it were on the end of a 2x4 to my forehead: what is it about race relations or other issues of prejudice that makes us more comfortable with discussing them in the context of history? Hairspray, like a number of other movies I can think of, Far From Heaven, Corrina, Corrina, or even I'll Fly Away on the small screen, all deal with prejudice, but from the safe distance of time. When watching these movies, it's like we can look at the issues they explored, (racism, persecution of interracial couples, homophobia), and say, "Oh, yes. It was awful back then!" and comfort ourselves with the belief that things have changed. Those of us who live on the coasts perhaps enjoy more liberal surroundings, but hate crimes still occur, races still don't mix all that much, homophobia still exists... there's plenty of reason to place these films in the immediate present. These movies only allow us to stick our heads in the sand and pretend that our problems are over.

BuddyCrocker a bit slow on the uptake

After years of looking at the blog I have just now realized that Towleroad is spelled t-o-w-l-e, not e-l. Ah well. Live and learn.

Addendum to the Levi's post

Just a thought: What's going to happen when the dinner and drinks end, hottie brings the guy/girl home and then they start to get down to business? When hottie takes his jeans off will hottie's date go flying through the floor? And what might happen to the guy/girl if s/he isn't in the telephone booth? Will hottie be legally responsible for any injuries suffered by his date during disrobing? Will hottie have to keep his jeans on forever or risk losing his date? The mind boggles!

LMAO!

Check out the website I learned about from the local newspaper here at Chez Maman:

As you may have heard by now, a pair of Boston dads are marketing bulletproof backpacks -- school bags lined with bullet-stopping (and saber, hatchet and ax-stopping) Kevlarlike material. Now, we've discovered BulletproofBaby.net, a Web site that purports to sell Uzi-proof prams and "My First Riot Helmet." The toddler Tasers, by the way, have been marked down from $150 to $40.

Hoax? Actually, we think it's a viral marketing scheme for a new action flick. Besides, a real bulletproof baby site would have carried Kevlar diapers.

I'd read the report this morning but skipped over the part about it being a hoax. I watched the product test video with a mixture of disbelief and horror as the "father" takes the baby and places it in the stroller as the "mother" takes a machine gun in obvious preparation to shoot. It becomes apparent, that you're not watching anything "real," at which point it becomes funny. If this is simply a marketing scheme, then I'm disappointed that an excellent artistic opportunity has been lost. Just think if this concept had been employed in something like BlackPeopleLoveUs.com? The idea that someone would actually make baby bullet proof strollers is a perfect commentary on our society. I would love to have seen what sort of response such a website might have generated.

Levi's Advertising for boys

I've seen the mainstream version of this commercial, perhaps you have as well. Some hottie is pulling on his jeans in his apartment, which also pulls up the street through the floor. (Whatever!) A phone booth with a cute woman comes up through the floor, she's obviously into him, his hair is suddenly stylish, and off they go together.


Well, Levi's has also done a gay version of the commercial. Same guy getting dressed, just a different person in the phone booth.


I wonder how much of this has to do with Robert Hanson being in charge of Levi's American brand?

For my reader who doesn't know, Robert and I used to know each other.

Beer Bust Turns Bitchfest!

Afternoon with friends at the Eagle gets catty, complete with numerous bitchy comments and one drink thrown Crystal Carrigan style!

Seen on Towelroad

A notice about Virgin America's new service and a request for reviews from readers. Since I flew Virgin out to SF on Tuesday, I felt like I had a good basis for comparison, and my recent trip with Continental to and from Oslo also seemed apt. Airlines have always tried to make their transatlantic flights more upscale, although Continental is apparently bucking that trend. So, I commented. Now, the story on Towelroad has mysteriously disappeared. Ho hum. Another attempt to get in with the blogosphere glitterati has been thwarted. Drat! That said, I should probably mention what it was like on the shimmery, new Virgin America.

I had a 7am flight. I know that this sounds murderous, but I've learned that early flights are less likely to be delayed than later flights and I was trying my best. I didn't want to relive my holiday experience of spending eight hours in JFK when my flight to PR got cancelled. The flight was out of the international terminal and despite my kind-of timely arrival at the ticketing counter and very quick run through the check in, the line to get through security was recoculous. Representatives from Virgin and other airlines were trying to pull their passengers out of line for expedited clearance, and the TSA reps kept shutting them down, but not effectively enough to prevent everyone from being frustrated at the sheer chaos of the process. Someone in front of me, after noting that only two of the available eight lanes for security clearance were open, commented that the TSA has done more to screw up air travel in the states than the terrorists ever could.

Once on board, I was... a bit skeebed out by the decor. The seat was exceptionally comfortable and the entertainment system looked very good. However, the white, melamine tray on the seat back in front of me looked tacky and felt flimsy. VA is all proud of their "mood lighting" but it made me feel like I was inside a limo in Atlantic City with hookers and Soprano's rejects.


We left a bit late but made up for it in the air. The people in my row were older and very befuddled by the food service. VA has passengers order through the entertainment system, so even if the cart is rolling down the aisle they won't serve you unless you've punched in your order first. The crew were just fine. I thought that one young lady seemed like her perkiness was stretched to the limit, but she never snapped. Pity. Everyone was very helpful. I suppose it was necessary since many of the passengers were frustrated with the food-through-the-television thing. The entertainment system itself had a good selection of music (no surprise), both as a streaming channel or as a playlist you create yourself. They also had music videos on demand, nice! There were a couple of channels on the television that I wanted to watch, but they were blanks with a notice that a subscription was necessary. Also, my screen had to reboot at one point. (At least, that's what I think it was doing when it wouldn't work for a while.) Otherwise, I was very happy with the entertainment system.

Overall, I was very happy with my flight, in spite of the assault on my aesthetics. I was also very happy with the price, since they're charging what JetBlue would have if they hadn't become the greedy, huge corporation in small, friendly clothing that they are.

Oslo to San Francisco.

It all began with a question: Can a mere teacher attain jetsetter status? I believe the answer is: No. Well, at least I don't think that I qualify. I've spent almost two weeks in Norway, then flown from Oslo to New York City and on to San Francisco a day later. Honestly, I don't know how BebeMoche does it. My circadian rhythms are all befuddled, I'm irregular... it's not a pretty picture.

Can't Blog! In Norway!

Rain, Rain...

Last night NYC got hit by some heavy rain and as a result local roads, rail, and air traffic have been severely slowed. People have been waiting up to three hours to get onto a train. Many have been told to get off the train and take the bus, only to find that the buses are so full that drivers won't allow new passengers on. The MTA has even told people to just stay home. Normal to heavy precipitation seems to cripple the city much more now than when I first moved here. It's become so commonplace that if the weatherman predicts heavy rain, I get up at least thirty minutes early, just in case I have to take a different subway line to work in the morning and walk across Central Park. A couple of weeks ago a couple of friends returned from their honeymoon in Myanmar. They were telling us all about it, how it's basically a dictatorship that's cut off from the rest of the world. As an illustration of how underdeveloped it is they said, "And whenever it rains, all the roads shut down!" to which I replied, "Oh my God! Just like here!"

I laugh, but this is a serious problem and it's ridiculous that we suffer under these conditions.


Pictures were obtained from Bloomberg.com

Informative AND funny!

I don't know why, but I love the Science section of the New York Times. Even though my degrees deal with the Ancient World, and they've afforded me a job that keeps me quite happy, I really enjoy learning about how the world around us works, how our bodies function, what governs animal behavior, etc., etc. So I always look forward to Tuesdays when the Times updates its Science page. Yesterday's update had this article on the purpose and function of fat in our bodies. Not only did I learn something new, (that fat may be what allowed us to become smarter than the average monkey), but it's an entertaining, funny read. I really suggest you read it, if you have five minutes. Since liposuction, a scary-ass procedure, is becoming so common in our society that parents get it for their 12 year old daughter, it's good to be reminded that a little bit ot isf fa not a bad thing.

Goin' Straight t' LL

You've read all about her latest DUI/cocaine/SUV-jacking thing. Perhaps you know that she's been in rehab twice in the past year. Maybe you've heard about the snow-blow video. You've seen the pics of her passed out, super-skinny, showing her naughties. Now, VH1 is running a show called Lindsay Lohan's Hollywood Trainwreck. Looks like those folks in media-land have found Anna Nicole's true heir.

Where's PETA?

A judge in Ohio has a history of using costumes and animals in sentencing minor criminals. Essentially, what he does is use public humiliation. It's not quite as bad as the stocks and pillories of old, but it's along those lines. I just wonder what the animal activists think about it? Isn't it demeaning to the innocent donkey (not to mention unmerited) that he/she be paraded around town as part of a human's humiliation? I'd think that PETA would be all over that shit.

What's Wrong with this Picture?

The man has $2 million in the bank, a $1.3 million house (fully paid) which overlooks the Pacific Ocean and he still thinks that he has yet to "make it." Further evidence that our nation has lost any sort of healthy perspective. Read all about it here.

New Favorite Video

I would never have seen this if it weren't for the BF. He found out about Feist and her music. Apparently she took part in the opening ceremonies in the Winter Olympics in Calgary and the experience was so much fun she just wanted to do something like it as an adult. I think the result is amazing. Now that music videos have been commonplace for nearly thirty years, and audiences have come to expect slick, polished, precise performances, it's refreshing to see something which is fresh and feels original, in part because it is so low-tech. And it's all done in one take! Amazing! Enjoy!

My Home Office

During the summer, due to the flesh-meltingly hot weather, I don't often leave my central AC temperature regulated cave. Usually the furthest I'll stray is to the roof terrace which allows me to pretend that I've "gotten out." It's very nice up there, tables with umbrellas, interesting architecture in view, a bit breezy. The only issue is the mammoth-sized flies which occasionally stop by. Just to give you a taste, here's my seat...


Every now and then I get paranoid that the neighbors are watching me...


then I realize they're just looking at themselves..


And just today I realized that a nearby building has an outdoor cafe. Unfortunately, I seriously doubt that it's open to the public. Pity. It's pretty high up and must have a better view than I do.

Boy, do I love France!

Can you imagine this sort of ad campaign anywhere in the States? Like, with NASCAR drivers? No frickin' way!

It's a mystery!

This ring showed up in our guest bathroom last week and we have no idea to whom it belongs. It's a man's ring, large enough so that it fits on my thumb. It's not solid, rather it's pieced together like a watch band. The really annoying thing is that I know that I've seen it on someone else before, I just can't remember who. I remember being out with other people and remarking to someone that it was really interesting, them taking it off and showing it to me, putting it back on... I just wish that I could remember who that was! I must be getting senile. And it's not like we've had so many guests parading through here over the last few days! It's really beginning to bug me.

Okay, but have you seen this?

A while back a post-production house came up with a competition in which people would take clips from famous movies and splice them into trailers which made the movies seem completely different from what they actually are. You may have seen the winner, Shining:


Yesterday I came across Scary Mary, along the same lines and also very funny. Enjoy!

I find this disturbing.

Games Provided By Blinkyou.com

I found this surfing the web the other day and I have to say, it just seems wrong. It reminds me of Man In the Dark, which itself has a certain creepy factor. Both are animated human figures which follow your cursor. But Man in the Dark is artificial enough (the figure has no facial features, the body consists of strata and the limbs stay close to the torso) that it just seems haunting or eerie. (By the way, I just discovered what happens when you click on the dark field with Man in the Dark and he becomes a serene tornado. Cool!) With this one, however, the figure is more realistic since it's clearly a woman with a face and individualized limbs. Also, she falls and bounces over the "bubbles" until you catch her by clicking the mouse. The fact that she's just a helpless ragdoll subjected to manipulation seems abusive to me. Am I being oversensitive?

Well, at least I can say that I did it.

Yesterday seemed like a normal day, until I, you know, thought about it. I got up, had breakfast, showered, wrote some. Then I got ready to head over to my friend's fitness class... in the middle of Times Square.


My friend invited me to an event he was involved in, a yoga exhibition on Military Island in Times Square. We're talking a fifty foot (at best) median where 7th Ave and Broadway come together. I didn't even think before saying yes. I'm glad I didn't because I think I would have declined and missed out. I was, by far, the least accomplished one there, falling over my twisted limbs more than once. That's bad enough when you're in a closed class and the others can see/hear you fall. However, we were in the middle of Times Frickin' Square! Cars going by, tourists snapping pictures, ABC Studios right there... it had some incredible embarrassment potential. And yet, I really enjoyed it. That is, until I looked back on my mat and noticed a scrap of paper that had appeared out of nowhere. Then I started to get really creeped out about the cars streaming by and the exhaust and the soot and the people. Suddenly a nice, clean, air-conditioned studio became very important to me.


Still, I can say that I sought enlightment and zen and all that shit in the middle of Times Square.

Disclaimer: The pictures are not from the actual event that I intended, but a similar one held a month earlier.

Fuckin' Rain.

I was hoping to set up a blanket at Bryant Park for tonight's movie, The Sting. I was planning on bringing some bourbon slush, (BebeMoche's special recipe), some snacky bits and some red velvet cupcakes, and turn it into a whole birthday thing. However, since I don't think that movies are best enjoyed while soaking in a chilly mud bath, I think that I'll postpone for a week. However, next week's movie is All the King's Men. I'm not sure I'm as excited about that.

Bien Sur!

This is hilarious! A prominent French magistrate has implied that the only thing holding France back is that the Frrench think too much. Are you kidding me? Like any nation's problems could ever be boiled down to one little thing! Like you could ever think too much! The best part is the underlining arrogance. "Really, our problem is that we are just too intelligent for our own good!" Even their problems are a point of national pride. And you know, I love France and have only met wonderful people there, so the fact that one of their politicians can say something so... stereotypical is, in a way, charming. I'm just happy to see that the US doesn't hold a monopoly on public officials who say stupid things. Additionally, the article talks around an interesting point without really pinning it down: France is having a monent of identity crisis. According to Elaine Sciolino, the present administration is, at least superficially, anti-intellectual, there seems to be a growing sense of materialism... they're becoming America! Sacre bleu!

Aw, Hell No!

John Revolta is in no way Divine!

Oh yeah...

I loved Xanadu! I loved the way that it made fun of the movie, of the time when it was set, of the audience. I can totally see this turning into another Mama Mia, with audiences returning to see it again and again. Of course, if you do, you should bring some sort of LED rave wand or something. This show is ripe for audience participation of the Rocky Horror Picture Show kind.

I'm 39 Today.

And the thing I've heard the most is "Don't worry, you don't look like it." Hmm...

The theater, the theater!

The BF has bought tickets for a show which he swears I'll love.


I can't wait!

Hey La! Hey La!

The BF's back!

Get me a home on rue Pathetique...

While in a step class this morning I twisted my ankle. Oh, the pain... the pain....

At some point this morning...

I've given up on watching the morning news shows. If you've read my posts on the morning news in the past, you have read about my frustration with our information media. Now I'm not sure what was on when I turned on the television this morning, (it was too late for the big morning shows), but I was treated to something particularly heinous: Queen Latifah being interviewed by the green M&M about the movie Hairspray. Have we finally shed all pretense of even pretending to practice good journalism?

Drinks with "a friend"

So a DRUNK friend called and totally barged in on my evening, interrupting my planned visit to pathetically see Harry Potter alone and forcing me instead to consume very good beer and very inappropriate food and enjoy very fun conversation. How very dare she!

While In Vermont...

I ate some very good food. I spent quality time with the BF's family, whom I love. I saw Transformers, which was ridiculous, and I saw Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, which was fantastic! (And it was released in Vermont a day early so I saw it, like, totally early! How cool is that for something so geeky?)

I Think I Need to Get to Florence, Right Away!

I mean, aside from my dire need to visit any elsewhere, there's what looks to be an amazing exhibition on ancient gardens until mid-October. Maybe I could get travel grant money!



And proving that tacky isn't a new invention...



...it's a fountain from Pompeii, by the way.

This Just In!

It rained every single day that I was in Vermont. Now this normally wouldn't bother me all that much. After all, the hard rain all happened at night. It did rain a lot during the day, but not enough to keep us completely homebound. However, the BF's nephews and niece were there, and they are 7, 6, and 4 years old. They're adorable, but they were frickin' stir crazy by Day Two. Have you ever spent several days with kids who can't get out to, as my dad used to say, blow the stink off? It's maddening.

Hasta la Vista!

I won't be able to go online for a while so this will be my last post for a week or so. I'll be visiting with the BF's family in Vermont, chilling out in the Green Mountain air, hiking some. So don't cry for me.

They hit the nail on the head.

Thanks, Alfredo, for linking to this article, explaining why I just can't be bothered by anything done by Bush/Cheney, et al.

More Wire Hangers.

When I taught at NYU (as a grad student) I had interesting groups of kids. I'm really glad that I got to learn the basics of being a teacher with college students. At the time the difference in our ages wasn't all that much and it the atmosphere was pretty relaxed. There was one time when a student gave me the wrong answer or something and I made a reference to Mommie Dearest which just didn't work, (something like "No! Dative! Ever!"). I looked out on their puzzled faces and then said, "What? Hasn't anyone seen Mommie Dearest?" A couple of them got it and then we talked for a few moments about the movie and I explained that I'd seen it in junior high and was completely traumatized by it. One of my students, a funny, beautiful, stylish and witty girl, like Paris Hilton but with intelligence and an appetite, suddenly said. "I love that movie! My mom and I watch it every Mother's Day." When I could only respond, "Really?" she replied, "Sometimes we wear costumes!"

Me? Like Men in Tights?

BebeMoche has insinuated something about my tastes concerning men in tights. Like, just because I'm a big homo that I think that any man in a pair of tights is yummy-lish. This is patently false, par example:


Then there are some guys who look good in tights sometimes....


But even then, it depends on the tights...


Then, there is Marcelo Gomes, one of America Ballet Theater's principal dancers. I believe that he will indeed look good in any kind of tights. After all, he's very... healthy. (And he too is a big homo.)

The best commercials that still won't get me to part with my money.

Pay for water? Are you fuckin' kiddin' me? But these are both great.

Thank You, Alfredo!

Yesterday he posted several reviews of academic books dealing with ancient Greece and Rome!

House of Flying Daggers

I own this movie, but it was on the tellie last night here in California. Simply a beautiful movie. So beautifully shot. Beautiful costumes. Just beautiful. Beautiful.

Happy Fourth!

And let's remember Seneca's words, Nemo suam patriam quia magna est amat, sed quia sua, Nobody loves his homeland because it's great, he loves it because it's his.

Hey BebeMoche, Don't Forget!

You'll need one of these Thursday evening. Take your pick.

Stop the Presses!

Okay, I was going to do a whole post on Bush's commuting Scooter's sentence, (especially since Paul Begala had the best take on it). However, I feel I simply must respond to BebeMoche's recent posts, seeing as I'm one of the Anthony Marentino's in her life.

In re: Mommie Dearest

• His opening question would have put me off for the rest of the evening.


• I've been out with guys who repeat the "You're so smart!" thing, too. Gets old REAL fast. Especially when said with a childish accent, "You weal smaht!" (The date ended then and there.)


• Okay, so I, too, remove items from the dry cleaner's wire hangers and place them on wooden ones. Wire hangers are bad for the fabric and distort the shape of the shirt. However, I wouldn't talk about this sort of bullshit on a date. I prefer to leave it until you get to know me better... or find my blog.

In re: Mr. Rock and Roll

Let's just remember the wonders a good haircut can work.




BTW, don't you TOTALLY love Billy Crudup?

Being Back In California

There are so many things that are fantastic about being in the Bay Area. The weather has been amazing for almost the entire time that I've been here. Sunny, warm enough for shorts but not so hot that you sweat in jeans, cool breezes blowing through. Then there's the mouth-watering food which seems to be everywhere for next to no money. The cheap-ass burritos found on every corner here put Chipotle, our only real New York contender, to shame. Then there's the political situation. In one of the more conservative communities nearby, there's a huge war protest monument on the hill next to the commuter train station, visible from the freeway.

This is also where people joke about your carbon footprint if you send a dish back at a restaurant. It's Peet's Coffee, Delfina, and Berkeley. With all that, I nearly missed the bullshit. Like the other day when I went out with a group of friends and caught shit for the fact that I'm driving around in Mom's Camry. I almost forgot that in California people really are shallow about those things. Excuse me now, I have to go meet Heather and Jessica at the mall.

BuddyCrocker Officially 12 Years Old Again.

I mean, just judging by recent posts.

Harry Potter, the park that lived!

So Univeral Studios is planning on opening a Harry Potter themed park sometime between 2009 and 2010, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I know that this is pretty old news, but the following pictures are new to me and I just thought I'd share. They are: the promotional poster...

...a view of the park, anchored by Hogwarts...

...and a bit of Hodsmeade...


The website says that it will be immersive, exciting, and authentic. Yes, there will be rides. Beyond that, they're not giving us much.

I Want...

My God! They're Everywhere!

I'm finally reading Harry Potter

But, as a testament to my true geekdom, I'm not reading it in English. I bought it a year and a half ago during the New York transit strike when most of the kids weren't able to make it to the school. I wanted to have something to read with the kids which would still keep them practicing the language, but which wouldn't be a problem for the others to miss. So, having some extra time on my hands, I'm reading it for myself. What do I think? Eh.

Fun, fun!

Saw Ratatouille with Mom yesterday. Aside from the screaming kids packed to the rafters, it was pretty good. Visually the movie was amazing. They did a fantastic job of rendering the characters' movement and emotions, the actions scenes were exciting, Paris looked beautiful and close to real. I loved the fact that the office of the necrotic food critic was coffin shaped and that the back of his typewriter looked like a skull. Although it wandered at times the storyline was pretty good and there was a nice message that they tried to keep from being too facile. All in all, it was a worthwhile experience, and best seen either on the big screen... or maybe a large hi-def.