Godzilla Cats

If there's two things I love, it's Godzilla and cats.

This little video has both!

From the description:

Sirion and Nintochka go at it like Godzilla and Mothra. No, the fights are not coerced and they actually really love each other.

And you know how much I love Godzilla!

Mea Culpa

Keith Olbermann called me one of the worst people in the world the other night.

Oh, of course, he didn't tell me personally, but it might as well have been me.

On Monday, Seung-Hui Cho, a 23-year student at Virginia Tech, lost his marbles and killed 32 people. On that day, I was so angry over this shooting, that I asked, "Why don't they just shoot themselves first?" In that post, I knew the person was seriously messed up but frankly, I didn't give a damn about whatever was going on inside him at the moment he snapped. I said:

Maybe he wanted to go down in history because his life wasn't worth it in the first place? Maybe he knew that he wouldn't get out alive or would face the Virginia death penalty? Maybe he just snapped after reportedly shooting his girlfriend in a domestic dispute? Maybe something else horrible happened to him? Maybe he was just a loser who couldn't control himself and wanted to inflict as much pain on others before he took himself out of the equation.

And I was so mad at this guy, that he would do something like that, that I wanted to smack him dead. I also wanted, in my heart of hearts, for some one to rise up and beat the crap out of the dude. I don't think I was actually thinking rationally, but more emotionally, more viscerally. That "someone" I was talking about were the students themselves.

So, in a nutshell, I momentarily agreed with folks like John Derbyshire at the National Review Online.

I had been listening to an April 17th story related by Virginia Tech student, Erin Sheehen. Sheehen was one of only four students who survived Cho's rampage through their German class. They survived by playing dead and after Cho left, they blockaded the door and stopped Cho from returning to the room. It made my blood boil just hearing about what the kids and teachers went through. I applauded them for not letting him back into the room.

Maybe I've seen one too many kung fu or action hero movies. But everything in me screamed, "Just knock that fucker out."

That was complete and utter rage speaking. I was accused at Gothamist of blaming the students for not trying hard enough to stop the asshole with a gun. An asshole with a gun is a powerful thing. I guess I've known too many people to die from gunfire, and how much I hate guns. And people who shoot folks for no good reason. How much sometimes, I wish someone would just "knock the fucker out." Looking back, I realized that I was blaming the victim. I'm sorry.

So, I offer this conversation and this mea culpa. I am one of the worst people in the world.

Special Thanks for Food

And friends!

This past week I was honored by another fabulous meal prepared by David, the husband of my friend, Liz. As usual, the meal was delicious!


Thank you, David!
And Liz, thank you for the other thing...

I am very lucky to have good friends. I am very lucky that I am able to enjoy their company. Particularly when the world goes boom.

Go and visit Liz's "The pith as i see it."

Shrimp with Olive, Plum Tomato and Bell Pepper Assortment on Spinach
with lemongreen viniagrette and shaved parmesan
New York Strip Steak, grilled and lightly sea-salted.

Wesley Autrey: Subway Hero!; Conned Man?

This New York Magazine story on Wesley Autrey, New York City's "Subway Hero," made me unhappy. Autrey, as you may recall, leapt from a subway platform to save an ill man from a certain death. Afterwards, Autrey acheived a bit of notoriety and was honored at the 2007 State of Union. In fact, his appearance was the highlight of the speech.

Autrey is basically the head of a large family, and a lot of people have wanted to help him out with donations and endorsements. Unfortunately, he seems to have fallen prey to lawyers and entertainment people who, according to Autrey, rushed him into signing a contract whereby 50% of whatever profits he made would go to them.

Wow, sounds like the recording industry of the 1950s and 1960s in regards to black artists. But at least Autrey gets 50%... sheesh.

I really hope that he's able to get himself out of this horrible contract and into one that's more sane and realistic. The man's got a big family to help out. Good luck. You're gonna need it along with a good lawyer.

Why Don't They Just Shoot Themselves First?

I know it's harsh to say. I just don't understand it. Why shoot yourself AFTER you kill others and THEN kill yourself? Just shoot yourself first and take your damned misery with you.

Thirty-three people dead at Virginia Tech, including the shooter, who is reported to have killed himself at the end of his rampage. Maybe he wanted to go down in history because his life wasn't worth it in the first place? Maybe he knew that he wouldn't get out alive or would face the Virginia death penalty? Maybe he just snapped after reportedly shooting his girlfriend in a domestic dispute? Maybe something else horrible happened to him? Maybe he was just a loser who couldn't control himself and wanted to inflict as much pain on others before he took himself out of the equation?

As a semi-practicing Buddhist, I know I'm suppose to have compassion for all beings, but sometimes it's just tough. There is no excuse for what this young man did, no matter for what reason. It can't be justified at all.

At the same time, my thoughts turn to those who are being killed in Iraq by bombs at the hands of suicide bombers. Again, just blow yourself up first for your cause and don't take your misery or perceived glory out on others. It's all horrible.

Please, take a bit of advice: Just kill yourself first and spare everyone else the pain.

Thank You, Mr. Vonnegut and Good Night

Kurt Vonnegut, 1922 - 2007

The Easter Bunny Hates You

Got that, buddy?



And you know what? I almost believe he does...