Cyberwar!

Of all the things that could happen right now, this happens!

From the Guardian UK:

Russia accused of unleashing cyberwar to disable Estonia

· Russia accused of unleashing cyberwar
· Parliament, ministries, banks, media targeted
· Nato experts sent in to strengthen defences

Ian Traynor in Brussels
Thursday May 17, 2007
The Guardian

A three-week wave of massive cyber-attacks on the small Baltic country of Estonia, the first known incidence of such an assault on a state, is causing alarm across the western alliance, with Nato urgently examining the offensive and its implications.

While Russia and Estonia are embroiled in their worst dispute since the collapse of the Soviet Union, a row that erupted at the end of last month over the Estonians' removal of the Bronze Soldier Soviet war memorial in central Tallinn, the country has been subjected to a barrage of cyber warfare, disabling the websites of government ministries, political parties, newspapers, banks, and companies.

[snip]

If it were established that Russia is behind the attacks, it would be the first known case of one state targeting another by cyber-warfare.

Russia opens up an unexpected front. Round and round we go. Where it stops, goodness only knows.

Modern Estonia is known for its cyber network and as a hub of technology for Europe. Having constant "Denial of Service" disruptions would wreck havoc on the economy. The country, traditionally tied to Russia and the Soviet Union as a satellite state, entered the European Union in 2004.

Hopefully the dispute between the two countries will resolve itself without escalation. What's the next step in a cyberwar, I wonder?

Jerry Falwell, 1933 - 2007

Jerry Falwell, preacher, founder of the Moral Majority and Liberty University, head of the PTL Club after the fall of Jim Bakker, opposer of the abolishment of aparthied in South Africa, and cousin of Jerry Lee Lewis, died today at his office at Liberty University.

I heard Falwell one too many times while growing up. He's one of the prime reasons that I am no longer a somewhat devoted churchgoer. My mother would make me watch him when I was younger. I'm still scarred from the experience of growing up in the Evangelical / Pentacostal Church in America. When I was growing up, I went to an Apostolic church, the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith, in Detroit, MI. What is the Apostolic Church? Well, take the most rigid teachings of evangelicalism and triple them. That would pretty much sum up the church of my childhood. At least the choir was always good.

It's so sad cause I really wanted to believe in God.

I cannot mourn Falwell's death. As far as I'm concerned, he's one of the forces in the United States that have made us not united, but grabbing for each other's throats. Political power and religion do not mix. I will stay out of your church if you stay out of my life, is my basic premise. Falwell couldn't honor that. He demanded that I attend his church and he insisted on telling me that my life was wrong, perverse, wicked and demented. Let me tell you, I haven't even been kissed since 2001. I'm as chaste as the driven snow. I'm also straight, but happen to believe in gay rights. Oh boy, I'm a baaaadddd girrrlll.

So, while I say to his family and friends that I am sorry for your personal loss, I can say for myself that I cannot mourn him and will not miss him. If you think that is harsh, just remember, it's people like Jerry Falwell who helped me become the person I am today.

On top of it all, Falwell said these words after September 11, 2001 struck the city in which I live and it is these words that forever closed the door to religion for me:

"I really believe that the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People For the American Way, all of them who have tried to secularize America. I point the finger in their face and say 'you helped this happen.'" (a sentiment with which Pat Robertson concurred). ^[29]

I believe it's people like Falwell, who "know" that we are all going to hell and deserve it, who are the real culprits. If God is anything like I was told by the likes of Falwell (and my own mother), I have no need of God. And I have no need need of Jerry Falwell. Though I think I'll keep my mom.

I Has a Secret!

What? I'm adopted? Sheesh, that hasn't been a secret since I was 33! No, the secret is: I'm back! And yes, you might not have even known that I was gone!

Anyhoo, a quick update on what's been up:

Last year, I went to Halifax for a conference, Archivists and Librarians in the History of the Health Sciences (ALHHS). Woohoo. I just got back from that conference again, but this time it took place in lovely Montreal with a short jaunt to Quebec City. I have some pictures of the trip, but haven't arranged them into a comprehensible set of images yet. I'll let you know when I do.

I've fallen completely headz over heelz with the website "I Can Has Cheezburger?," with its great photos of kittehs speaking kitteh. I laughz and laughz! Who can't laugh when they see the 'word' harbls? Hmmm???

As usual, my head explodes with the political scene. But what else is new, eh?

I suffered a bit of a mental hiccup after coming back from Quebec. May 23 is my dad's b-day. It will be the first birthday after his passing, so it's a little difficult. When I got back, I got a call from the cemetery to tell me that his Veterans Administration grave marker finally came in and will be installed as soon as the granite base is delivered. Needless to say, these first events after someone passes are the most difficult. sigh.

Lastly, I quit smoking! Again! Yes, I had been very successful with the laser acupunture for quitting smoking, but after dad died, I started again. Now, I'm trying Chantix by Pfizer and so far, so good.

And speaking of what's new, what's happening with YOU these days? Let me know! Speak with you soon.

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...

"I've Got A Theory": When Buffy Meets Scooby

My friend Liz sent me this, and truthfully, you'll only understand it if your a Buffy "The Musical" Fan. If you make it through to the end, you'll see a succinct message about the mash-up, which I fully agree with, but it's brilliant nonetheless.

And remember: bunnies ARE evil!

Worried about Pet Food? You ain't the only one

I've been away from the blog for a bit. It's been a rough birthday month, but I promise to write more. There's at least one person out there who's been asking about the blog. You know who you are, Greenspend.

As you can see, Paikea has been on the Internet (or at least on my computer) since she first heard the news of the massive recall of dog and cat food that happened on Friday, March 16th. Paikea and I (OK, let's face it, just me) were a bit concerned that the company, Menu Foods, put the notice out on a Friday, the traditional day when news that one wishes to die upon release, is released. That may be a tad unfair, but seriously, Friday is not the day to issue news that your pets may be in danger.

Due to a self-imposed news media blackout last weekend, we didn't hear about the recall until Monday morning, just like many vets and pet health care workers. Unfortunately, vets, being on the front line of care when it comes to ill pets, received no special faxes or broadcast messages in their mailboxes to be on the alert for illness, death, or both.

To say that Menu Foods (a Canadian conglomerate company traded under the name Menu Foods Income Fund) handled this recall badly is to bring light to the obvious. Last Friday, they sent their news release out in Canada with the notice "not for publication over US newswires." When that release went out, there was little or no indication of what the problem was, how whatever was in the food could cause harm, and their website was stripped of all information except for the list of recalled foods and the admonition that only "cuts and gravy" style foods were affected.

I was going to write more on this subject, but truthfully, it's all been too much this week. Almost the moment I came back from Detroit to attend Brandon's funeral, I confronted horrific wall of animal death. The week brought up so many memories of Zanzibar "wonder girl" kitty dying, that my heart was bursting for all those who were losing their dogs and cats left and right. I felt so helpless for all those Gothamist commenters writing about their animals. I felt hopeless as the good folks at Petconnection, who earlier in the week set up a self-reporting database of sick and dying dogs and cats, reported their database numbers, which grew daily. The worse part of that was consistently hearing day after day (which continues) that "only 16" pets had died from eating tainted food. No one who even read one page of comments in one source could believe that only 16 animals had died.

The silence over the week from both the FDA and Menu Foods was deafening. I would like to say they did a good job, but I would be lying. Thankfully, the Internet came through. In addition to Petconnection.com, the Howl911 site popped up, acting as a clearinghouse for information that just wasn't coming from the company or the government. Itchmo in Seattle (a pet blog on the West Coast) and Catmanager (a vet and vet industry blog) took up the battle as well. The Yahoo pet care groups I'm on gathered their own sources and helped members get through it. I'm sure there are hundreds of other sites that helped out, but I am unaware of them. (Notice that I didn't mention the ASPCA or the Humane Society, major pet and advocates groups which did not step up to the plate this week.)

The four sites are to be commended for their work this week. Thousands of people were desparately seeking information on what foods were recalled, what the onset of symptoms were, what to feed their animals... and there was no help or information coming from Menu Foods or the major food companies they manufacture for. In fact, the vet site Dolittler.com has produced its "Second Annual Pet Food Recall Awards" (the first was awarded to Diamond Foods' recall last year). They pretty much nail what was right and what was wrong in this situation for the past week.

To all of who are suffering with the thought that they may have fed their animals tainted food, really, it's not your fault. To those whose pets died, my sincere condolences to you. To all those whose pets are sick, I wish them all a speedy recovery. To those who are searching for the right foods to feed to your dogs and cats, I hope this opportunity affords you the chance to learn more about dog and cat nutrition.

To Menu Foods, I hope this last week has taught you that you need to step up your game in public relations. It's best to talk to the people on a wide-scale basis than let others talk for you. I'm still a little ticked at the timeline. If it's right according to news sources, you've got a lot of barking and meowing to do in explanation of the last three months of food production. We'll see.

An Update on Brandon

The Detroit News published an obituary for Brandon on Tuesday, March 6, 2007.

His funeral will be held at the Coles Funeral Home on Saturday, March 10, 2007 beginning at 10:30 AM. Please note that the Detroit News has the location of the funeral home incorrect. The location is: 2624 W. Grand Blvd. at Rosa Parks.

James H. Coles Funeral Home
2624 W Grand Boulevard
Detroit, MI 48208
Phone Number: (313) 873-0771

4 Out of 5 Ain't Bad

Appeal, pardon, or whatnot, you're guilty Scooter. As McLaughlin says... "Bye Bye!"

Read more at the Washington Post.

Do You Realize?: In Memory of Brandon Wolfe

Redford High School "The Family Team," Detroit, Mi.
Championship Photo, University of Detroit
Brandon stands in the middle, with his arms crossed

Do You Realize - Oh - Oh - Oh
Do You Realize - that everyone you know
Someday will die -
Flaming Lips - "Do You Realize?"

I woke up this morning and NYC was rainy and nasty. I thought to myself, "Wow, if only this were Saturday, I could stay in bed all day and listen to the rain come down."

Unfortunately for me, it was Friday, and no matter how I cut it, I had to get out of bed and go to work. I finally dragged myself up, fed the cat, brewed the coffee, wrestled with the broken shower, splashed on the makeup, and sat on the bed for five minutes when the phone rang. It was my mother. It's never a good sign when your mother calls before 9:00 in the morning. This time was no exception.

Unfortunately, the news was that my foster brother, Brandon, all of 20 years old, had died the night before due to the flu coupled with his existent asthma. There is no autopsy yet, but that's what my mom says happened.

Brandon and one of his brothers and two of his sisters came to live with my mom and dad when Brandon was about 10 years old. He and his brother grew up to be giants, Brandon at 6' 7", his brother a little shorter. He played high school basketball at Redford High School in Detroit, and went on to community college basketball before heading to college ball. Unfortunately, his time came much too soon, and now this young man, who struggled through so many troubles in his short life, is gone.

It just doesn't make any sense.

I was reading Andrew Sullivan, and he had posted a video of the Flaming Lips' "Do You Realize."

Do You Realize - that you have the most beautiful face
Do You Realize - we're floating in space -
Do You Realize - that happiness makes you cry
Do You Realize - that everyone you know someday will die
And instead of saying all of your goodbyes - let them know
You realize that life goes fast
It's hard to make the good things last
You realize the sun doesn't go down
It's just an illusion caused by the world spinning round
Do You Realize - Oh - Oh - Oh
Do You Realize - that everyone you know
Someday will die -
And instead of saying all of your goodbyes - let them know
You realize that life goes fast
It's hard to make the good things last
You realize the sun doesn't go down
It's just an illusion caused by the world spinning round
Do You Realize - that you have the most beautiful face
Do You Realize

Unfortunately, I have been all too aware lately that someday everyone I know will die. Sometimes they die too young. Like Brandon.

Brandon would laugh at the Flaming Lips. They are certainly not his kind of music. Nonetheless, here's Brandon's beautiful face. Rest in peace, Brandon. Your struggle is over.

Back From Iraq: Bob Woodruff Reports

Just saw this report on ABC. As you may know, Bob Woodruff, former nightly co-anchor of ABC's World News Tonight, was injured in January of last year when, reporting from Iraq, an IED went off near the tank he was a passenger in. He suffered a major brain injury and went through months of rehabilitation. He was able to regain his powers of speech, cognition, motion, and generally is back to a place near to where he was before the incident.

He's one lucky man.

Woodruff's ordeal was updated during the first part of the show, but a tad more than half of the production was devoted to the extent and degree of severe brain injuries suffered by American soldiers in Iraq. One of the contentions in the documentary is that a lot of the information regarding the number of brain injuries and injuries in general of Iraq War veterans has not been released due to the possible reaction of the American public. There is also a dispute over the number of brain injuries as the Veterans Administration does not list them under their own category. (Click here and scroll down for a Powerpoint on injuries of American soldiers in Iraq.) National security may also play a part in the media's silence about the number of overall injuries from the war. This does begin to address the issue of whether the Bush Administration purposefully obscures or fudges these numbers for their own benefit.

Woodruff spoke with or met some of those who suffered the same type of severe injury to the brain as he did, most of whom have not made the healing leap that Woodruff has over the last year and two months.

Paul Reickhoff was inviewed for the production. I cried for 45 minutes. I hope this program helps bring to light the medical care and attention being paid to American soldiers. Woodruff's report and comes pretty close in timing to the devastating story from the Washington Post on conditions at Walter Reed Hospital (though reports on the hospital and general V.A. conditions and lack of readiness to prepare for soldier/patient homecomings from Salon.com (subscription or view ad) appeared as early as 2005). I also hope it brings to light that there is a war actually going on. Sometimes, I don't know if we are aware of the war except for the 'sis-boom-rah' and "go team USA" quality of it all or if we hear about it over the back and forth verbal slinging Americans are doing in regards to it.

The Woodruff Family has established the "Bob Woodruff Family Fund for Traumatic Brain Injury." The website has information regarding the Fund. ABC also has a website with collections of clips entitled, "The Home Front" which "takes an in-depth look at the war's wounded and the challenges they face once they leave the battlefield and return home."

Net Neutrality or Stopping the "Human Lobotomy"

Save the Internet Rock the Vote

Four Eyed Monsters would like to remind you that the Net is still under attack from corporate interests who are ready to tell you what you can and cannot connect to over the Internet. This is a serious issue regarding the Internet and we all need to be on top of it. Just because it hasn't been in the news doesn't mean that corporate interests haven't stopped planning the takeover of a Openly Connected Internet.

Four Eyed Monsters is also encouraging everyone to create their own messages regarding Net Neutrality and upload them to YouTube. These videos may be edited and included in the "Human Lobotomy" video. Find out more at their website.

Thanks to Crunchyknee for reminding me about this important subject.

Andi Warholas at the Alt.Oscars 2007

Kostume Kult held their Second Annual Alternative Oscars at Manahatta yesterday. The Andy Warholas showed up with Edie Sedgwick this year, in honor of that Factory Girl movie that came out, which we heard was horrible. Or at least Lou Reed told us it was horrible.

First we met at the Washington Mutual:

Andis Do Their Favorite Thing: Get Money
Photograph by Kurt Opprecht

We headed over to Mannahatta (across the street from the now defunct CBGBs) to walk the red carpet, but Edie was late, as usual. Late and incoherent. As usual.

2007, by the way, is the 20th Deathiversary of Andy Warhol's passing.

SUNDAY FEB. 22, 1987 6:31 AM: ANDY WARHOL DIES.

Warhol had checked in to room number 1204 of New York Hospital's Baker Pavillion under the name of Bob Roberts, listing his next of kin as FRED HUGHES. He kept his wig on throughout his hospital stay, including during the gallbladder operation. During the operation the surgeon also repaired a hernia which Andy had since his shooting in 1968. (DD5-10) Although the gallbladder operation went fine, Warhol died early in the morning - on Billy Name's birthday - from an unexpected heart attack. According to Vincent Fremont, Andy "was just getting back into filmmaking at the time of his death." (UW74)

Here's the official video from last year:

Tim Hardaway Speaks

I observed a few days ago that Tim Hardaway Doesn't Like Gay People. Hardaway talks about the incident, the public reaction, and his own perspective here. It's a provacative perspective. Hattip to Americablog; go over there and join the conversation. Here's Sullivan's take on the interview.

It's Really Different Around Here

The 'here' of which I speak of course, is "at the end of the boom" itself, which the four or five of you who happen to stop by may have noticed. (Hi Jacq, who noticed!) Anyhoo... the New Blogger has a lot more adaptability for folks like me. I know enough html and xml to either make a difference or cause a lot of heartache.

I finally created an image in Photoshop of a picture I took off of the balcony at the AMC-25 located on 42nd St. I had just seen "Children of Men." I was a tad depressed after the depressing movie and the day was grey, but the movie was good, and it's always a pleasure to be in Times Square. The balcony is one of two located at the movie theater, and I was on the lower of the two balconies. It's not a great picture, but I like it. The eye is part of a giant electronic billboard on the side of Port Authority, where 42 St. meets 8th Avenue. I trimmed the image down, added the blog title, fiddled around with the code, and voila! A new blog top.

Though I added the title in the actual Photoshop file, for some reason, I can't get rid of the blog title within Blogger itself, hence the additional (and hopefully temporary) floating black title. I've tried to figure out how to do this (and Blogger help says you can actually do it an easy way, but alas, they lie), but I can't quite figure out the code that the Forums talk about. Too many, "well, you should do it this way" or "you should do it that way," until you can't figure out which way to do in the first place. Oh well. If anyone has any ideas or leads, feel free to plop 'em in the comments. Other than that, I'll just have to figure it out eventually.

On another note, I found some nifty 3-column Blogger templates. I was toying around with the idea of adding the new template, but then I realized I can barely fill two columns, let along three of them. Maybe if I ever hit the "Big Blogtime©," and have something more to say, then I'll do it. Or maybe I'll get bored again and just up and decide to move the furniture around. Sometimes, everyone gets the urge to put the bed in a different corner.

If you've switched to the upgraded Blogger, I'd love to hear your comments about it. I'm finding the changes in the program refreshing. What about you?

Happy New Money Day

It's actually Presidents Day, but just in time to honor our past Presidents, here's a new $1 coin set of all them, currently scheduled for minting through 2016. The first four (in the likenessess of Washington, Adams, Jefferson and Madison) are being released, and eventually all of the Presidents, including our current Resident (whose name, just like Voldermort's, shall remain nameless) will be depicted in future runs. Our Blogmate, Red Tory, thinks they are ugly, but I am going to withhold opinion until I see one in person. The U.S. Mint has three-sided renderings that are pretty neat. Three sides? Yes: "E Pluribus Unum" is engraved on the rim. I think that is pretty neat.

I didn't like the Sacagaweas when I first saw them, but after awhile, they grew on me. I keep one in my wallet and rarely spend it. I don't think that's what the government has in mind when it comes to the $1 coins they mint, but hell, what else am I going to do with them? Americans will never stop using the paper dollar unless you just take it completely out of circulation.

President Nixon gets his in 2016. The Mint hasn't posted yet when Ford, Carter, Reagan, and Clinton's turn will come. Of course I'm hoping to be around in 2018 or 2020, but I'm certainly not looking forward to seeing the worst President ever's image on a U.S.-minted coin.

C'est La Vie.

Happy President's Day.

The Dragon in the Year of the Boar

Happy New Year!

Dragon : 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000
Dragon is very happy to see the pig. After a year of challenges by the yipping dog, the dragon is ready to sit at the banquet table and rest. The tired dragon must remember that the dog is not far away and the clouds of the dog year still dampen his fire. The pig year will bring fullness to the dragon who eats slowly. Self control does not come easily to the fierce dragon, but this year there is little energy stored after battling the dog. The wise dragon will spend resources with caution and build strength for new cycle starting with the rat year in 2008. Enjoy the quiet return to fullness and do not get frustrated at your weakness after battle with the dog all year in 2006. Your strength will return. This year plan trips and business ventures that will not need your full power. Success will come slowly. You will find many reasons for frustration with family and coworkers. It is not the fault of others that you cannot provide the energy you need this year. Control your fire breath and you will receive more assistance and find good fortune.

Yep. That just about sums it up. I'm glad the Year of the Boar is upon us.

Money Trumps Peace

Don't look at me, I didn't say it....

President George W. Bush: [L]et's put it this way, money trumps peace, sometimes.

While I didn't say it, I'm proud of President Bush and his glimmer of truth, even though he slipped that "sometimes" in there as if his hands were... shall we say... clean. I'm also happy that Bush has justified the message of the Billionaires For Bush from these last six years. And people thought we were just funny, pshaw.

Tim Hardaway Doesn't Like Gay People

If you haven't caught this story, here it is. Unfortunately, from what I have known, this is a sentiment that a large part of the African-American community believes. It makes me shake my head. I hate homophobia. I hate hate of all types. Even when hate comes from myself. It happens sometimes. Did I say how much I hate it?

24 Hours of Outdoor Winter Dance

Somehow, I survived. It wasn't easy, and I certainly got a little taste of what life on the streets would be like if I had no home, but all in all, it was one of the best nights ever. Can you imagine staying on the street all night in the middle of winter just... dancing? I love New York. Except for those stupid-ass Cabaret Laws. Whoever heard of such a thing as dance being relegated only to specially licensed places? In New York, if you go into any bar or restaurant and someone puts a tune on the jukebox or the band starts to waltz away, don't you dare tap your foot or the dance police will be coming your way. Anyway, to find out more, go the Metropolis in Motion site, join the mailing list, write a letter to your City Council person, and most of all, DANCE!

Here's a little video (that won't sync with the vocal track... ack!) from the 22nd Hour of the Marathon when a group of London tourists stopped by.

See It Before It's Too Late...

Prince at the Super Bowl is gone.... sigh.

Prince at the Super Bowl

Pure Genius. I'm not a big fan of the Super Bowl, but I am a big fan of spectacle. If there's one thing about the Super Bowl Halftime Show (brought to you this year by Pepsi), it's usually a big-assed spectacle. On top of that all, Prince is pretty spectacular himself when it comes to performance. I will admit that I'm not the hugest of Prince fans either, but I know a good show when I see it. It was freaking raining, after all, and Prince still rocked the house.

I didn't tape it. I'm such an idiot. I'm currently stuck in a DVR loop. You know the loop I mean: you haven't recorded, but you do have the ability to go back as long as you don't... touch the wrong button. Since I didn't record it, but I haven't lost it yet, I've now rewound the Prince segment for the sixth time, it's that good.

Prince may be a Jehovah's Witness now, but he can still make love to a crowd of millions. Best use of a Marching Band since... well... since a long damn time.

If you didn't catch the performance, hopefully you'll find it somewhere. Until YouTube comes along with it (beware those lawsuits, kids), here's the Super Bowl commercial (beware those... uh... lawsuit kids).

Have You Pre-Ordered Yet?

July 21 seems soooo far away... but this is what I'm really excited by... and no, I'm not talking about a nude Daniel Radcliffe in the upcoming London production of Equus. Though I will say he's a very handsome young man in a suit. (Be careful with the eyebrow tweaking, though...)

"In a Rare Appearance...

...before an audience of Democrats, President Bush said Saturday that he did not question the patriotism of those who disagreed with his Iraq strategy and asked lawmakers not to let dissension over the war entirely erode their trust in him."
"Bush Meets With Democrats on Their Turf," New York Times, pub. Feb. 4, 2007

Today I read two stories (the NYT and Yahoo AP) regarding how President Bush finally attended an annual Democratic House retreat for the first time since 2001. By implication, 2001 was the last time Bush actually talked to a Democrat. I don't know and I don't care how often Clinton talked to the Republicans back in the day, either. Bush 'miraculously' appeared at the meeting today to chitchat policy, kowtow to the Democrats and crack a few jokes about his lack of an 'ic" when you need it. Hardy har har.

Well, at least it's something. Though it might well be too little and much too late.

Friday Cat Blogging: One Year in Da House

It's been a slightly rough week on the personal animal front (year anniversary of Zanzibar's passing, poor Tiger missing), it's been whack. But I'm happy to report some good kitty news!

It was exactly a year ago today that Paikea conned me into bringing her home with me. And I didn't even have to ply her with wine and drugs!

Paikea Looks a Little Psycho, No? Yes! Bronx, NYC 2006

Nope, she looked innocent (ha!) and sweet (please!), and I'm sure she regrets ever coming to my house. She's a sweetie when she wants to be, and I'm glad to help her suffer through this life. Ain't she lucky? She loves to play and she's a squeaker. It's very cute. I made the mistake of having a ribbon on the floor. I heard her gagging. I was lucky to catch it only half-way down her throat. Pull!! She fetches, she jumps up around real high for the feather-on-a-string game. She may not like the pets, but she's AOK in my book. You da real Play-ah!

And no, the video or the action isn't great... but she can jump for a girl...

They're Going to GITMO For This

People are Sick Motherfuckers

Earlier this month I wrote about my mom's new doggie, Tiger. He's a mixed-breed doggie, short and stubbie, with gigantic paws and about seven months old now. He's a great dog, very loving, and craves underarm scratching. He loves to play and will grow up to be a giant dog.

That is, IF he grows up.

On Thursday afternoon, some motherfucker took him out of our backyard. Stole him right out of the backyard, where he had been cheerfully playing in the snow. Some asshole climbed over a 12 ft. stone fence and took him from his home. He's out there, somewhere, and I don't even want to think of what may be happening to him right now, at this very second. I hope that whereever he is, he's being treated well, but if some asshole motherfucker had the nerve to steal him, some asshole motherfucker has the gaul to treat him badly. I hope that their lives are forever ruined for what they did. I hope one day this comes back to them twenty fold. That may not be good for my karma, but at this second, my karma is pissed off and sad.

We're trying to find him, but in a situation like this, I fear it's going to be impossible.

Good luck, Tiger. I hope you can find your way back home. Your play toys and your backyard and all the love my mom and I have for you are waiting.

Friday Cat Blogging: A Year Without Zanzibar

Zanzibar, Brooklyn, New York 2005

It's been a year since my wonder kitty girl, Zanzibar, said her last goodbye. I can't believe how much I miss that girl. I still cry sometimes when I think of her. Paikea is wonderful and I love her dearly, too, but having had Zanzi since the day she was born until the day she died was so special to me. Zanzibar was the first kitty friend that I didn't have to give away because I moved from place to place or my rooommate got the cat. She was the one who slept every cold night in the crook of my arm or nestled herself into my waist while I slept, waiting for me to wake up to feed her. She was the power purrer, the green-eyed pretty calico, the Godzilla look-a-like, the sweet thing, the baby kitty.

Anyway, I still miss you, my wonder kitty, I still miss you.

Are These American Idol Wannabees CRAZY??

The answer is... YES.

I have never been an avid watcher or fan of American Idol. If I do watch the program, it's usually one audition episode, one beginning episode, a few in the middle, and then the big finales. I watch usually because of my theater background. I find certain aspects compelling: the audition, the bootcamp learning, the competition, and the stage. One thing I learned from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts is that the world of performance is not easy. Sometimes it's not glamourous, and sometimes, it's downright cruel.

Over the last few weeks of the American Idol auditions, the judges, Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, and whatever the other guy's name is, have been getting a lot of bad press lately over their late nights, cruel jokes, and mocking of former Special Olympics contestants in the form of Jonathan Jayne.

While it sounds cruel (and in some respects, it was), here's what the Special Olympics had to say:

"While polite isn’t a word one would normally associate with Cowell and company, a viewing of the episode in question shows that the judges were in fact gracious and very encouraging to Jayne during his rendition of "God Bless America." At one point, Abdul commented admiringly about Jayne’s spirit and advised him to "Always believe in yourself."

"Whether on the stage of American Idol or on the field of competition for Special Olympics, people with intellectual disabilities don’t want to be pitied. They want to be judged for who they are and appreciated for what they can achieve. American Idol should be commended for providing Jayne with the same opportunity to succeed as any other contestant."

Kudos to Jayne for trying, but frankly, some of the contestants are just plain crazy.

I'm not condoning the judges in their sometimes vile remarks, but auditioning is not an easy thing to do. You've got two minutes at most (and sometimes much less time than that) to prove yourself to a director, an assistant director, a casting director, a stage manager, producers, etc., to prove your worth. Sometimes it's not a matter of whether you can act or not, but a matter of if you're right for the part, whether you are professional, whether you are known. Going into an audition, it's best to take whatever happens there with a grain of salt. After an audition sometimes, it feels like that salt has been ground into an open wound. Performance takes a thick skin, and if you don't have a thick skin, you better not show up in the first place.

Sometimes directors and judges are assholes, plain and simple. They have egos the size of the Grand Canyon, and like to throw their assholery in your face.

American Idol's casting directors, particularly Simon Cowell, can be assholes. There's no 'bout a doubt it. Think of it from their point of view, though. What the hell would you do after days of watching every crazy-assed, demented kook-wannabee Idol who shows up for YOUR audition demanding to be seen for two minutes and singing in alien costumes, butchering tune after tune and/or presenting some experimental claptrap not even worthy of experimental claptrap? (Disclaimer: I studied experimental theater, and let me tell you, I'VE SEEN SOME FREAKING EXPERIMENTAL CLAPTRAP IN MY LIFETIME.)

Now I know it's a dream of these auditioning folks to be stars, to be singers, to be seen. There's no 'bout a doubt that either. And as I said, the casting judges of American Idol can be assholes. However, if you actually watch the auditions, whenever a SINGER actually auditions, it is like hearing magic and it fascinates you and fascinates you. Hearing real singers sing makes you want to hear them sing more and it makes you happy. When you hear the crazy ones, you want to laugh, you want to cry, to want to scream, what the hell where they thinking in the first place?

When you hear some of the terrors that walk through the auditions at American Idol, can anyone blame the judges for acting like assholes sometimes? Yes, I know how much of a schmuck Simon Cowell is, but truthfully, I can't blame him sometimes.

Friday Cat Blogging

Doesn't Paikea look peaceful? All Buddha and Zen-like, eh? Well, don't believe the hype. All my baby wants to do is play, play and play some more, don't you know it! Instead of Paikea, she should be named, "Play-ah" but it's too late to change her name. And don't EVEN try to pet the Play-ah... no no no!

Really, she is sweet, she's just one of those kitties who would prefer not to be petter.

Anyhoo...

I've been a bit busy this week, so light blogging for me. I've noticed a few friends have nominated me for a "Human Equality Award" over at the Koufax Awards. While I'll never win, it's just a honor to be nominated, thank you, thank! Hmm... where have I heard that before?

My time this week has been taken up with working with the people from Metropolis in Motion. Do you know that in the five boroughs of New York, it's illegal to dance in bars and clubs that don't have a cabaret license? Yeah, you heard, me: ILLEGAL. It stems from the 1920s, and there's a whole bunch of history and reasons behind it, but we're working to abolish this portion of the cabaret laws to allow dancing in the local bar if you want to. Find out more at the website, and be sure to sign the petition here.

OK, gotta run, but until we meet again... which should be sometime this weekend.

Adieu.

The Code Pinker, The Secretary and The General

You go, Gael. Amazing. I'm on the verge of tears a lot lately, and seeing this made me cry. I briefly saw this on CNN earlier, and I haven't been able to find the piece of footage from the Senate Committee online yet. Code Pink has always been an exceptional organization, and Billionaires For Bush were always only so happy to throw ourselves in front of the Code Pinkers for a good show.

From the AP via the Rapid City Journal:

Peace activist Gael Murphy, right, talks to Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Peter Pace, left, and Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Capitol Hill in Washington, Friday, Jan. 12, 2007, prior to Gates and Pace testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Iraq. (AP Photo/Dennis Cook)

Leftists Protesters Trying to Demoralize the Troops

United for Peace and Justice Anti-Escalation Protest, Times Square,
January 11, 2007

United for Peace and Justice, in association with Moveon.org, staged several demostrations in New York City today to protest President Bush's escalation of troops in Iraq. The protest met at the Times Square military recruitment center, and of course there was a small band of right-leaning folks claiming that 'leftists' were demoralizing the troops. Yup, that would be me. I'm trying to demoralize my two nephews, one of which is currently stationed in Iraq right now. Right. STFU.

Anyway, the protest brought about 500 people to Times Square, with the usual chants and the usual suspects, sane and otherwise. I can admit that the left, along with the right, has some crazies. My friends and I ran away when a sign stating, "9/11 was an Inside Job" came too close to us. Alas, it's the price to be paid in activism today, I suppose.

The back of the anti-anti-war protesters' sign was interesting. It read, "Complete the Mission First and Then They'll Come Home." Sounds great to me! Sure, let's complete the mission. Uh... what's the mission?

If only we had been told straight up from the beginning of this 'mission' that we would be in a neverending war with a neverending trail of bad management, bad decisions, and bad judgements, then maybe, just maybe, I could have been suckered into supporting the everchanging 'mission.' The lies and the incompetence have me wanting desparately to bring the troops home.

Pre-Escalation Speechifying Advice

Tonight, as many [may] know, is the night that President Bush doles out yet another speech regarding troops in Iraq. At 9:00 PM EST, he's more than likely going to call for additional forces, an... escalation, if you will. If you watch, I have one piece of advice for you: make sure there is nothing within throwing distance between you and the teevee. Trust me, you're going to want to hurl something.

UPDATE: Well, I watched it and I didn't physically hurl or throw anything. There was a moment when I was tempted to throttle the teevee, but that's kinda impossible to do.

I was a bit disturbed by President Bush's talk of how "we" made mistakes and how "our" mistakes will be rectified. No, Mr. President, not 'our' mistake. Your mistake, and a lot of people said that your plans wouldn't work in the first place. I don't think you listened. He said in his speech that he has talked to people (now) in order to come together with a new plan, yet if he has, it just sounds like the same old same old plan. At one point he said, "Our past efforts to secure Baghdad failed for two principal reasons," and before he could rattle them off, I thought to myself, yea, and they are you and Rummy. The two mistakes he really cited? Not enough American and Iraqi troops (d'oh) to clear neighborhoods that had already been cleared (double d'oh) and too many restrictions on troops. Anyway, I think after that I blacked out. Can't remember the rest of the speech.

Just kidding.

The only way his new 'plan' will work is if the Iraqi police force that he's talking about deploying (or having the Iraqis deploy... even trickier), can control secured neighborhoods. That's saying if the police can control neighborhoods secured by U.S. troops. Or even IF the neighborhoods can be controlled in the first place. There is no guarantee that they can (and yes, I support the troops, dammit), and I am not inspired by the Iraqi police forces. The police seem to be too infiltrated and fractioned to control neighborhoods that have solidified along the sects of Iraqi Islam, let alone al Qaeda or Iranian or whatever forces. Can Maliki rally his Iraqi troops along nationalist lines as opposed to religious divisions? That's the one thing that Hussein did as dictator that effectively (though brutally), quelled the bad blood between the sects. Baathist belief, based on Marxist thought, was able to smother religious urgings, under a secular and nationalist Iraqi rule.

Can Maliki unite Iraq democratically as Iraqis and not Sunni or Shia Iraqis? Unless someone comes along to unit these opposing religious brothers and sisters as Iraqis, the experiment won't work. And that's not even taking into consideration Kurdish Christians in the North.

Chris O'Donnell, on MSNBC, brought out an interesting numbers thought tonight. New York City has 45,000 police officers to police 7 million people in the five boroughs. The city is 309 square miles, separated by several rivers and estuaries. There is no bloody sectarian violence, though there can be moments of kavetching about which borough is better. There is crime. In 2005, 537 people were murdered. Baghdad also contains 7 million people in 204 square miles. I don't know how many police are ready to take to the streets in Baghdad. There is violence, more violence, and crime. Some people say as many as 700,000 people have died, as 'few' as 200,000. If there are not at least 80,000 police, don't expect success, either.

We're in the perfect quandary and there's no easy way out. Monumental mistakes have been made and it's really too little too late in regards to Iraq. I hope I am wrong. I don't think the Democrats will be able to stop this 'surge,' a word I read somewhere today is not in the military handbook of military terminology.

We'll see what tomorrow brings.

Yvonne De Carlo, 1922-2007

The wonderful Mrs. Munster (among other iconic roles such as the wife of Moses) has passed. According to a few highlights on IMDB.com, she was born in British Columbia, was crowned Miss Venice Beach 1938, and made $25,000 (a large sum then) for her role in 1956's Ten Commandments. One thing they fail to mention (though they do mention her measurements): she was hot, even in that Munster getup. Hermann Munster was a very very lucky man. When I searched for photographs of Ms. De Carlo, at least one was a little risque, if you know what I mean. And no, find it yourself.

Anyhoo...

Ms. De Carlo died in a facility close to many actor's hearts, the Motion Picture and Television Country House and Hospital, a retirement community in California. Thank God for actor's guilds such as SAG, AFTRA, and EQUITY. Of course, I'm not a member of any of them, but they come in handy for working actors.

You may remember that it was only last year that Grandpa (Al Lewis) died.

We will miss you, Ms. De Carlo, and thanks so much for the celluloid.

Resident of the Unit*

When I first saw the photograph below at Andrew Sullivan's "Daily Dish," I was flabbergasted. The things that pass as patriotic wall art these days. Whoa. One of Sullivan's readers saw this piece of... uh... 'art'... and sent it to Sullivan as an illustration of winggy America.

Mountain Gate Family Restaurant in Thurmont, MD
Andew Sullivan's "Daily Dish," sent in by a reader

When I sent the link of said 'art' to some friends, SpankySunrise* brought it back down to Earth by noting that the way Washington and Lincoln are positioned, instead of "President of the United States," it reads, "Resident of the Unit." I told SpankySunrise that she should write to Sullivan, see if he posts it. She didn't, but N_O_I did.

Anyhoo, I don't know if Sullivan will post or write back about it, but you'd have to be a little psychotic to hang this up in your living room, especially for the $199 price tag.

"Hum" It Along With Me

A girl with an acoustic guitar sometimes makes me want to run for the hills. I mostly kinda like my music with a heavy beat, grinding guitars, and drums that knock your head about. The majority of artists on my iPod are guys: Green Day, Outkast, Queen, Gnarls Barkley, songs from James Bond movies and Monty Python. So, when a friend announced his wife's new album, Alison Lewis's Hum, I didn't know what to expect, but the first thing I heard was an acoustic guitar. The second thing I heard was Alison's wonderful voice singing the first line to "Home":

Weeds are growing through the screen
On the back porch the yard is
full of landmines
broken bottles
Buried bones and empty homes

and I thought to myself, I could get into this.

Lewis is from my home state of Michigan, and though I knock the State for a variety of reasons, there's one thing that I love about Michigan: the music that flows out of it and its largest city of Detroit. Lewis may be influenced by a Michigan sound (as well as touches of Appalachia and Oregon), but throughout the album, Lewis maintains her own uniquely blended voice. The songs may be somewhat 'quiet' as acoustic music usually is, but the juxtaposition of those 'quiet' moments with her hard hitting lyrics create haunting melodies and heart-wrenching portrayals of people in seemingly hopeless situations, barely holding on. In Lewis's voice, though, they find their redemption of sorts, as her voice pulls them through the dark nights of their souls.

"Dear Janie" anchors Hum. The song centers around a 'ghost,' a young mother and talented painter who dies too young. The town calls her crazy; Lewis calls her brilliant and we in turn are better for having met Janie through Lewis's eyes. There is always a chance that a tricky lyric such as "You are a shadow. You are a ghost" could easily delve into ghostly parody; Lewis's voice cries out so plaintively in a wish to have met this woman whose painting she cannot afford, that our only wish becomes one of wanting to have known Janie ourselves.

In "Rubberband" Lewis sings: "She's got a rubberband around her heart/to keep from falling apart/She takes it all so hard, tries to fix it/she doesn't know where to start." Not only has her protagonist's dreams fallen apart, she may not be so nice ("she's got a million friends/they just keep leaving") and she seriously needs to reconsider the direction of her life. Lewis doesn't judge her for the possible mistakes she's made, but gently suggests that it's time to change: "When do you stop believing/that things will turn out how you planned?/when do you realize/that everything must come to an end?"

In "Witches," the only hope is to pray hard "To the goddess of forgiveness/the witches who can heal us/to the memory of those lost along the way," because we're all seriously in trouble. We've lost our way spiritually, and Lewis is only too happy to lead us into a druidian prayer to restore the nature of things.

My favorite song is "Shiner," a protest song to jumpstart the soul. It starts out deceptively quiet and gently builds a controlled ferocity as Lewis encourages the listener to remember their spark:

We rarely verbalize our greatest desires
like what would you take with you if your house catches fire?
where do you feel you fit in to the big design?
how far can you be pushed 'till you finally cross the line?

What would you remember most, if you lost your sight?
How firm will you stand when they take away your rights?
How many times have you said goodbye?
and where would you go if you could fly?

After her admonishment, Lewis brings it back down and touches on those things that might have caused us to lose our way, with a gentle hand on our fevered brow of despair. Every time I listen to "Shiner," particularly if I am thinking about how crappy the world is, it boosts me up a bit and encourages a productive rage ("what color would you pick if you had to pick just one?/what would you want to leave behind when all is said and done?"). If I could take only one song with me into the trenches, there's a possibilitiy that "Shiner" would be it.

Hum, to me, is primarily about partnership, and each song describes relationships to self, to anger, to love and humanity, and celebrates the joining of all souls. The pictures Lewis paints about love ("My heart is a Black Dog/sleeping under your truck/She's helpless, defenseless/knows that true love is luck") and the healing effects of 'merging tribes' ("Of all the people I have known/I stay with you/it feels like home") make this one great acoustic album full of pain and passion and poetry. And once you've heard it, you'll be humming it along with me.

Buy a hardcopy of Hum at CDBaby or search for Alison Lewis on iTunes.

I was just saying on New Year's Eve...

... that I would like to one day eat at Sardi's... when word came along today that Vincent Sardi, Jr., son of the founder of that famous Times Square establishment, passed away. Another New York ending, another New York era.

From the New York Times:

Mr. Sardi ran one of the world’s most famous restaurants, a Broadway institution as central to the life of the theater as actors, agents and critics. It was, the press agent Richard Maney once wrote, “the club, mess hall, lounge, post office, saloon and marketplace of the people of the theater.”

Mr. Sardi understood theater people, loved them and was loved in return. He carried out-of-work actors, letting them run up a tab until their ship came in. (At one point, Sardi’s maintained 600 such accounts.)

He attended every show and made sure his headwaiters did the same, so that they could recognize even bit players and make a fuss over them. At times, he exercised what he called “a fine Italian hand,” seating a hungry actor near a producer with a suitable part to cast.

He commiserated with his patrons when a show failed, and rejoiced with them when the critics were kind. He distributed favors, theater tickets and food, rode on horseback with the local police, and acted as a spokesman, official and unofficial, for the theater district.

Mr. Sardi was born on July 23, 1915, in Manhattan and spent his early childhood in a railroad flat on West 56th Street, where his parents took in show-business boarders. In 1921, his father took over a basement restaurant in a brownstone at 246 West 44th Street.

The Great White Way bows its head to you in thanks and farewell.

Mind Popping Items

1. Negroponte as Deputy Secretary of State. I literally laughed out loud when I saw Olbermann announce this little doozy this evening. I don't know why it makes me laugh so hard. Deputy Secretary of State? Where has our compass gone? Hell, I'd take a leakless boat at this point.

2. Middle Schools Are Unnecessary and Hateful Places. OK, I added that last part. I read about this through a link from Gothamist. At first my brain froze a bit and remembered that I danced for joy when my former middle school building in Detroit was razed flat to the ground, never to be seen nor heard from again. I think they rebuilt it somewhere else, but at least the edifice that tormented me so itself has been obliviated. Bwahaha. Seriously, this sounds like a good idea. I never could figure out why anybody in their right mind would tear a 7th or 8th grader from all they knew and then throw them all together into one gigantic hormone pit. No. No. No.

3. Pat Robertson Needs to Lay Off the False Prophecy. I hear it's a sin. Of course, I don't know if what he prophesied is false or not. Who am I to say whether Robertson was actually chosen by God to send this revelatory message of death to the people or not? I can strongly doubt it, but I will leave it at that. I've heard enough prophecy come and go to say that the only thing I can trust is the television schedule.

4. Thomas Jefferson's Quran. Jefferson's personal, annotated copy of the Quran will be used in a private swearing in ceremony (after the big mass swearing in earlier in the day) by the first Muslim to sit in an American Congress, Keith Ellison. (That, Mr. Goode, is called a bitch slap, by the way. You better be glad civil folk don't duel anymore.) Joe in DC wonders: why is this in the gossip column?

My Wonderfully Crazy Friend

We went to theater school together. Both somehow still in New York and still wanting to perform. I haven't seen her for a good ten years (except that time during that protest recently), but this is why I think she's wonderful...

Coney Island Polar Bear Club Takes A Dip in the Winter Water
Coney Island, New Year's Day 2007
Photo by: (will get back to you)

... and CRAZY!!! You go, girl!

Carolyn took part in the Coney Island Polar Bear Club's annual New Year's Dip. What's the Polar Bear Club? According to their website, it's the "oldest winter bathing organization in the United States. We swim in the Atlantic Ocean at Coney Island every Sunday from October through April." And their founder, called during his time the "Father of Physical Culture," was way hot and manly for 1903. Here's more on Bernarr Macfadden.

Just Playing Around

Colors, things to learn, things to do. It's so much fun to play around. One good thing about upgrading blogger is that for non-coders (or those not proficient with xml), it's easier to play around. Of course that could mean disaster, too, so watch out. Could get really ugly 'round here...

Finally, I See That St. Louis Apologized...

Old Tiger Stadium, Street Light Night, December 2006

...for winning the World Series when EVERYONE knew that Detroit should have won. Darn you, Cardinals, I'm still sore!

This brought to you by CNN by way of The Onion's 2006 Sports News in Review...



Old Tiger Stadium Box Office, Street Light Night, December 2006

Visit: Save Tiger Stadium. Like New York's old Penn Station train terminal, once it's gone, it can't be wished back, sadly.

Haloscan and the New Blogger Are Mean...

Finally got my Haloscan back today, and all my previous comments are gone. I hope they tweak that soon. I'm sad.