Busyness
It's busy at work, but of course I have to find some time to post. It was a fun weekend of visits, reunions, excess, and gorgeous weather. It was great to see both Bill and Tom, and it was fun to sit outside and have s'mores with them.
In the meantime, I'm off for vacation today. It will most likely be quiet from this front, so have a good couple of weeks, everyone!
Monday, June 28, 2004
Friday, June 25, 2004
Cheney and the F-Bomb
I started laughing this morning when I read this Washington Post article about how Dick Cheney responded to Senator Leahy's comments on his connections to Halliburton. I love the Post writers who described it as Cheney uttering a "big-time obscenity." Ha! Also, Go the Post for reporting:
"Fuck yourself," said the man who is a heartbeat from the presidency.
And also:
As it happens, this exchange occurred on the same day the Senate passed legislation described as the "Defense of Decency Act" 99 to 1.
I started laughing this morning when I read this Washington Post article about how Dick Cheney responded to Senator Leahy's comments on his connections to Halliburton. I love the Post writers who described it as Cheney uttering a "big-time obscenity." Ha! Also, Go the Post for reporting:
"Fuck yourself," said the man who is a heartbeat from the presidency.
And also:
As it happens, this exchange occurred on the same day the Senate passed legislation described as the "Defense of Decency Act" 99 to 1.
Thursday, June 24, 2004
Sweet Valley Sweetness
This is an excellent article about Sweet Valley High and all of its lessons. I assume that there were other ladies (and gents?) in the house who cut their reading teeth on this "literature"? I love how they were "created" by Francine Pascal, but it never seemed like anyone got credit for writing the damn things. I used to buy these by the dozens at one of the markets in Pakistan back in 1986 (isn't it crazy they these were sold there? The other things I bought in bulk were Archie comics. Pakistan rocks!). All I know is that Jessica was a major bitch, and I could never understand how Elizabeth kept on cutting her slack. Plus, I remember that while the twins looked the same on all of the covers, Elizabeth's boyfriend, Todd, looked different on various covers, which bothered me a lot. Yeah, I didn't have a whole lot to fret about. (via pcjm)
This is an excellent article about Sweet Valley High and all of its lessons. I assume that there were other ladies (and gents?) in the house who cut their reading teeth on this "literature"? I love how they were "created" by Francine Pascal, but it never seemed like anyone got credit for writing the damn things. I used to buy these by the dozens at one of the markets in Pakistan back in 1986 (isn't it crazy they these were sold there? The other things I bought in bulk were Archie comics. Pakistan rocks!). All I know is that Jessica was a major bitch, and I could never understand how Elizabeth kept on cutting her slack. Plus, I remember that while the twins looked the same on all of the covers, Elizabeth's boyfriend, Todd, looked different on various covers, which bothered me a lot. Yeah, I didn't have a whole lot to fret about. (via pcjm)
Wednesday, June 23, 2004
Pumpkin
This article is about overweight pets in Florida. Featured is Pumpkin the Chihuahua, who had 3/4 lb of fat removed from her hips. Awesome.
Here's the story of Maggie, the lab:
The treats had to go when Maggie, Cathy Matthews' yellow Lab, began packing on weight after surgery last year. Maggie had stepped on broken glass, so after surgery she couldn't walk. She mainly sat on a pillow and got pampered. And fat. Once she healed, she couldn't run around, because she got tired, Matthews said.
The article concludes:
"A lot of times you don't realize the pounds are creeping on," Prendergast said. "And we tend to think animals look cute when they're a little chubby. But it can affect their health and their life span, so we have to be in control of their weight."
If that means Pumpkin doesn't get her cookies, then that's how it has to be.
I am totally guilty of thinking that overweight animals are scrumptious. I remember watching some 20/20 type show that featured the obesity problem in pets, and I nearly lost it.
This article is about overweight pets in Florida. Featured is Pumpkin the Chihuahua, who had 3/4 lb of fat removed from her hips. Awesome.
Here's the story of Maggie, the lab:
The treats had to go when Maggie, Cathy Matthews' yellow Lab, began packing on weight after surgery last year. Maggie had stepped on broken glass, so after surgery she couldn't walk. She mainly sat on a pillow and got pampered. And fat. Once she healed, she couldn't run around, because she got tired, Matthews said.
The article concludes:
"A lot of times you don't realize the pounds are creeping on," Prendergast said. "And we tend to think animals look cute when they're a little chubby. But it can affect their health and their life span, so we have to be in control of their weight."
If that means Pumpkin doesn't get her cookies, then that's how it has to be.
I am totally guilty of thinking that overweight animals are scrumptious. I remember watching some 20/20 type show that featured the obesity problem in pets, and I nearly lost it.
Annoying
There was apparently a big hoo-hah in Florida because a teacher showed portions of the movie, "Amelie," to his film class. Some mom was freaking out about it. Read about it here.
There was apparently a big hoo-hah in Florida because a teacher showed portions of the movie, "Amelie," to his film class. Some mom was freaking out about it. Read about it here.
Hilarious
So through some confusion, it turns out that our return trip from China is going to be two days later than we had originally planned for. We had thought that we were going to be flying into LA on the 11th, hang around LA for a couple of days, and then return to DC on the 13th. I took the 13th off and was slated to head back into the office on the 14th. NOW, it looks like we're getting to LA on the 13th, and then we're going to stay the night and then come back to DC on the red-eye on the 14th. We arrive in the airport at 5:30 in the morning. I'm still going to head into work (I can't take another day off for a variety of reasons, one of which is that I am flat-out of vacation by the end of the trip). That day at work is going to be PURE comedy.
So through some confusion, it turns out that our return trip from China is going to be two days later than we had originally planned for. We had thought that we were going to be flying into LA on the 11th, hang around LA for a couple of days, and then return to DC on the 13th. I took the 13th off and was slated to head back into the office on the 14th. NOW, it looks like we're getting to LA on the 13th, and then we're going to stay the night and then come back to DC on the red-eye on the 14th. We arrive in the airport at 5:30 in the morning. I'm still going to head into work (I can't take another day off for a variety of reasons, one of which is that I am flat-out of vacation by the end of the trip). That day at work is going to be PURE comedy.
Prizes and stuff
I went again with Annie and her friends, Leslie and Paul, to Drag Queen Bingo again last night. It was even better this time since Annie got reservations and we were seated right in front and had prime viewing spots; last time we had the nosebleeds and had to crane around a column to check out the action. Last time, Annie won Drag Queen Jeopardy, with such hard cracking questions like: "What's the name of Jessica Simpson's husband?"
This time, she won proper bingo and picked out a big package wrapped in green paper as her prize. It turned out to be a bar set, complete with martini glasses with zig-zaggy stems--very fancy. Annie was very generous and turned around and gave the set to me, since she assures me that she has more bar glasses than she can handle and I'll need a starter set. I told her that I would put her initials on each glass in paint pen (a la sorority stylings) and toast her every time a glass is used. I'm so tacky, that I'll probably be using those glasses to drink my Diet Coke. I was very touched by the gift, though.
I went again with Annie and her friends, Leslie and Paul, to Drag Queen Bingo again last night. It was even better this time since Annie got reservations and we were seated right in front and had prime viewing spots; last time we had the nosebleeds and had to crane around a column to check out the action. Last time, Annie won Drag Queen Jeopardy, with such hard cracking questions like: "What's the name of Jessica Simpson's husband?"
This time, she won proper bingo and picked out a big package wrapped in green paper as her prize. It turned out to be a bar set, complete with martini glasses with zig-zaggy stems--very fancy. Annie was very generous and turned around and gave the set to me, since she assures me that she has more bar glasses than she can handle and I'll need a starter set. I told her that I would put her initials on each glass in paint pen (a la sorority stylings) and toast her every time a glass is used. I'm so tacky, that I'll probably be using those glasses to drink my Diet Coke. I was very touched by the gift, though.
Tuesday, June 22, 2004
Hot Pleather
This whole article is about how noone bought stuff put up for auction by Bon Jovi's old bassist (Suchs, for those in the know...if it's pronounced with a hard "c," that is one funny name). Apparently, his 1960 MGA Roadster convertible went for $7500.
Hilarious:
There were a few fans of the New Jersey-based band on hand -- notably, Pam and Chauncey Cozine from Middletown, who went home Saturday with $1,525 worth of Such's keepsakes, including a Fender bass guitar played and signed by Such, and the 1992 "Keep the Faith" album's double platinum records.
"We've been fans of Bon Jovi's since his big-hair days in the 1980s," said Pam Cozine. "I thought they were going to sell everything here for a lot more. I didn't think we'd get anything."
When Chauncey handed her seven pairs of fake-leather "pleather" pants worn by Such on tour and in videos, she groaned.
"I hope this isn't my birthday present."
And:
At age 52, Such is divorced and childless, and admits he doesn't need a lot of property at this point in his life. Although Teen Beat once called him the "wild one" in the band, he has considered settling down with his girlfriend, Karin Konrad, 35.
This whole article is about how noone bought stuff put up for auction by Bon Jovi's old bassist (Suchs, for those in the know...if it's pronounced with a hard "c," that is one funny name). Apparently, his 1960 MGA Roadster convertible went for $7500.
Hilarious:
There were a few fans of the New Jersey-based band on hand -- notably, Pam and Chauncey Cozine from Middletown, who went home Saturday with $1,525 worth of Such's keepsakes, including a Fender bass guitar played and signed by Such, and the 1992 "Keep the Faith" album's double platinum records.
"We've been fans of Bon Jovi's since his big-hair days in the 1980s," said Pam Cozine. "I thought they were going to sell everything here for a lot more. I didn't think we'd get anything."
When Chauncey handed her seven pairs of fake-leather "pleather" pants worn by Such on tour and in videos, she groaned.
"I hope this isn't my birthday present."
And:
At age 52, Such is divorced and childless, and admits he doesn't need a lot of property at this point in his life. Although Teen Beat once called him the "wild one" in the band, he has considered settling down with his girlfriend, Karin Konrad, 35.
Contented Cows
This article talks about how creepy happy people are: deluded Stepford Wives type automons waddling around. I love this part:
There is one bit of the world that happy people do see in an irrationally rosy light: themselves. As the British psychologist Richard P. Bentall has observed, ''There is consistent evidence that happy people overestimate their control over environmental events (often to the point of perceiving completely random events as subject to their will), give unrealistically positive evaluations of their own achievements, believe that others share their unrealistic opinions about themselves and show a general lack of evenhandedness when comparing themselves to others.'' Indeed, Bentall has proposed that happiness be classified as a psychiatric disorder.
(via tmn)
This article talks about how creepy happy people are: deluded Stepford Wives type automons waddling around. I love this part:
There is one bit of the world that happy people do see in an irrationally rosy light: themselves. As the British psychologist Richard P. Bentall has observed, ''There is consistent evidence that happy people overestimate their control over environmental events (often to the point of perceiving completely random events as subject to their will), give unrealistically positive evaluations of their own achievements, believe that others share their unrealistic opinions about themselves and show a general lack of evenhandedness when comparing themselves to others.'' Indeed, Bentall has proposed that happiness be classified as a psychiatric disorder.
(via tmn)
Monday, June 21, 2004
Some Kind of Monster
We saw a preview for the new documentary on Metallica over the weekend. I also think it's playing in DC at the AFI's documentary festival, but I'm not sure. This article makes me totally want to watch it, even though I've never been a fan of the band.
We saw a preview for the new documentary on Metallica over the weekend. I also think it's playing in DC at the AFI's documentary festival, but I'm not sure. This article makes me totally want to watch it, even though I've never been a fan of the band.
Weekend Jaunt
Ah, it was a lovely weekend in the Big Apple. Anne and I went to go and see Grace, and we spent two full days walking around the city, lazing in Central Park, stepping in and out of various eateries and bars, and soaking up the absolutely criminaly beautiful weather. It was sunshiney and warm, but not hot, and the sky was blue, blue, blue. Unbelievable. It was my first time ever visiting Central Park as well. Grace took us to Sheeps Meadow (is that right?) and we lay halfway under the shade of a big tree, the New York skyline looming before us. It was the stuff of movie backgrounds, y'all. It was a good time, but we returned late last night, and I basically hit the ground running this morning. Since it's now SEVEN DAYS until I leave for vacation, I want to make sure all of my office work is taken care of so I can enjoy China with a clear conscience.
Success, as well: I came away from my doctor's visit today clutching my medical forms that are all filled out and ready to be mailed to school. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to get them filled out in time. I was also lucky enough to get a booster shot for diptheria (whatever that is), which is always a goddamn fine time. I'm happy to report that my cholesterol reading was good as well--I was wondering if eating all of these eggs that I do on SBD would have a negative effect, but the doctor told me that I could go on eating my weight in eggs. Cool, because then I would be absolutely flummoxed over breakfast options in the mornings.
Ah, it was a lovely weekend in the Big Apple. Anne and I went to go and see Grace, and we spent two full days walking around the city, lazing in Central Park, stepping in and out of various eateries and bars, and soaking up the absolutely criminaly beautiful weather. It was sunshiney and warm, but not hot, and the sky was blue, blue, blue. Unbelievable. It was my first time ever visiting Central Park as well. Grace took us to Sheeps Meadow (is that right?) and we lay halfway under the shade of a big tree, the New York skyline looming before us. It was the stuff of movie backgrounds, y'all. It was a good time, but we returned late last night, and I basically hit the ground running this morning. Since it's now SEVEN DAYS until I leave for vacation, I want to make sure all of my office work is taken care of so I can enjoy China with a clear conscience.
Success, as well: I came away from my doctor's visit today clutching my medical forms that are all filled out and ready to be mailed to school. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to get them filled out in time. I was also lucky enough to get a booster shot for diptheria (whatever that is), which is always a goddamn fine time. I'm happy to report that my cholesterol reading was good as well--I was wondering if eating all of these eggs that I do on SBD would have a negative effect, but the doctor told me that I could go on eating my weight in eggs. Cool, because then I would be absolutely flummoxed over breakfast options in the mornings.
Thursday, June 17, 2004
Wednesday, June 16, 2004
From this week's The Onion
Mugger Can't Believe Crap Victim Has On MP3 Player
BOSTON—Following the successful mugging of a jogger in Franklin Park, petty criminal Derek Mesker announced Monday that he cannot believe the shit he's found on his victim's Philips 20GB MP3 player. "3 Doors Down? Maroon 5!" Mesker said, scrolling through the songs. "The new Counting Crows?! Man, I'm glad I pistol-whipped that motherfuck." Mesker added that the first thing he did was toss the device's "gay-ass" teal neoprene case.
Mugger Can't Believe Crap Victim Has On MP3 Player
BOSTON—Following the successful mugging of a jogger in Franklin Park, petty criminal Derek Mesker announced Monday that he cannot believe the shit he's found on his victim's Philips 20GB MP3 player. "3 Doors Down? Maroon 5!" Mesker said, scrolling through the songs. "The new Counting Crows?! Man, I'm glad I pistol-whipped that motherfuck." Mesker added that the first thing he did was toss the device's "gay-ass" teal neoprene case.
Celebrity Sighting!
Grace, the birthday girl, sent us another celebrity run-in report. If you'll remember, Grace kindly offered to feed me stories of her encounters as they occur, so I can live vicariously through her and experience that voyeuristic thrill. I'm all US Magazine.
Kristin, a long overdue celebrity siting for you. Meg Ryan Siting Part
Deux: I passed by Meg Ryan today as I was walking around NoLita. She was all by herself walking in a flurried zig-zag manner. What caught my eye was actually the crazy multicolored shirt she was wearing with high-waisted soccer mom jeans. Very off. Maybe she's rehearsing for a role, who knows. Her lips didn't look as puffed up as in the gossip rags. Time for another botox injection? This is actually my second time running into Meg. The first time was much more interesting. It was about two years ago, in a neighborhood cafe. She sat down at a table right next to me with none other than Jane Campion and Jennifer Jason-Leigh. They were rehearsing lines for the movie "In the Cut" which premiered later that year. Anyone seen this movie? I haven't but Mark Ruffalo wouldn't be a bad reason to see it.
Grace, the birthday girl, sent us another celebrity run-in report. If you'll remember, Grace kindly offered to feed me stories of her encounters as they occur, so I can live vicariously through her and experience that voyeuristic thrill. I'm all US Magazine.
Kristin, a long overdue celebrity siting for you. Meg Ryan Siting Part
Deux: I passed by Meg Ryan today as I was walking around NoLita. She was all by herself walking in a flurried zig-zag manner. What caught my eye was actually the crazy multicolored shirt she was wearing with high-waisted soccer mom jeans. Very off. Maybe she's rehearsing for a role, who knows. Her lips didn't look as puffed up as in the gossip rags. Time for another botox injection? This is actually my second time running into Meg. The first time was much more interesting. It was about two years ago, in a neighborhood cafe. She sat down at a table right next to me with none other than Jane Campion and Jennifer Jason-Leigh. They were rehearsing lines for the movie "In the Cut" which premiered later that year. Anyone seen this movie? I haven't but Mark Ruffalo wouldn't be a bad reason to see it.
Difficulty Concentrating
...so I had to check out more Slate. Here is an article about the AICP award show (Association of Independent Commercials Producers). Apparently, this awards show is a little hipper than the better known Clios. Many of the commericals mentioned, I haven't seen, but they did namedrop one of my favorite commericals of last year: that HP commercial that played The Cure's "Pictures of You." Here's what the article said about it:
And HP won honors in visual style, for a digital photography ad set to the song "Pictures of You" by the Cure. (One woman at the show, who works as a film editor on ads, told me this was her favorite spot of the year because the imagery and music are "incredibly romantic.")
Amen, sister. Anyway, I'm glad that HP got their due.
...so I had to check out more Slate. Here is an article about the AICP award show (Association of Independent Commercials Producers). Apparently, this awards show is a little hipper than the better known Clios. Many of the commericals mentioned, I haven't seen, but they did namedrop one of my favorite commericals of last year: that HP commercial that played The Cure's "Pictures of You." Here's what the article said about it:
And HP won honors in visual style, for a digital photography ad set to the song "Pictures of You" by the Cure. (One woman at the show, who works as a film editor on ads, told me this was her favorite spot of the year because the imagery and music are "incredibly romantic.")
Amen, sister. Anyway, I'm glad that HP got their due.
Mugshot Mania
Thanks to Steve who sent me the link to The Smoking Gun's favorite mugshots of Regular Joes. Quite priceless (and a bit sad).
That reminds me of when we were in Omaha. Steve and I treked out of the hotel to find a convenience store to buy some beer (klassy). Beside the register, there was a big bulletin board filled with Polaroids tacked up. They were pictures of various people looking caught unawares. The photos were taken from various distances, of a whole array of people and ages: it was almost avant-garde. On closer examination, we saw that the clerks were taking shots of people who were caught shop-lifting, and the perpetrators were then displayed for all to see.
Thanks to Steve who sent me the link to The Smoking Gun's favorite mugshots of Regular Joes. Quite priceless (and a bit sad).
That reminds me of when we were in Omaha. Steve and I treked out of the hotel to find a convenience store to buy some beer (klassy). Beside the register, there was a big bulletin board filled with Polaroids tacked up. They were pictures of various people looking caught unawares. The photos were taken from various distances, of a whole array of people and ages: it was almost avant-garde. On closer examination, we saw that the clerks were taking shots of people who were caught shop-lifting, and the perpetrators were then displayed for all to see.
Ten Questions for David Sedaris on Time.com
YOU WRITE ABOUT YOUR ADOLESCENCE IN VIVID DETAIL. DID YOU KEEP A DIARY?
I've been keeping diaries for 27 years. For the most part, it's just garbage, so I go through them, take whatever's good and make a master list. In the summer of 1984, I've got on June 23 that I saw a drunk woman drop her baby. And then an episode of Oprah that was particularly good on July 3. I used to type my diary and then have it bound. Now I print it out. I do one every season, and it has to have a seasonal cover. It's a lot of work for something no one's ever going to see.
HAS ANYONE EVER READ IT?
My former boyfriend read it once, and he was mainly mad because he wasn't in it. I said, "Yes, you are." Then I looked, and he wasn't mentioned. It was as if he didn't exist. If you read somebody's diary, you get what you deserve.
YOU WRITE ABOUT YOUR ADOLESCENCE IN VIVID DETAIL. DID YOU KEEP A DIARY?
I've been keeping diaries for 27 years. For the most part, it's just garbage, so I go through them, take whatever's good and make a master list. In the summer of 1984, I've got on June 23 that I saw a drunk woman drop her baby. And then an episode of Oprah that was particularly good on July 3. I used to type my diary and then have it bound. Now I print it out. I do one every season, and it has to have a seasonal cover. It's a lot of work for something no one's ever going to see.
HAS ANYONE EVER READ IT?
My former boyfriend read it once, and he was mainly mad because he wasn't in it. I said, "Yes, you are." Then I looked, and he wasn't mentioned. It was as if he didn't exist. If you read somebody's diary, you get what you deserve.
Clazy
Things are strangely busy right now. It's come on in this sudden onslaught and I'm all, "wha' happened?" It's mostly because I trying to squash four-five weeks of stuff into two weeks, since I'm attempting to get everything wrapped up while I'm on vacation. But the countdown is on: twelve days till vacation.
Things are strangely busy right now. It's come on in this sudden onslaught and I'm all, "wha' happened?" It's mostly because I trying to squash four-five weeks of stuff into two weeks, since I'm attempting to get everything wrapped up while I'm on vacation. But the countdown is on: twelve days till vacation.
Another Good One
I watched "The Station Agent" last night, which I recommend. Peter Dinklage, who is the main character, is pretty G.D. great. I love his dry, stoic deliveries. He was also in "Living in Oblivion," apparently, which is another movie I like. Anyway, Netflix "The Station Agent" when you get a chance.
I watched "The Station Agent" last night, which I recommend. Peter Dinklage, who is the main character, is pretty G.D. great. I love his dry, stoic deliveries. He was also in "Living in Oblivion," apparently, which is another movie I like. Anyway, Netflix "The Station Agent" when you get a chance.
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