Thursday, August 31, 2006

D U N with Virgin Mobile USA

Well, my replacement phone (due in 3 to 5 days) took 10 days.

And it didn't work.
And when I called and reprogramed it.
It didn't work again.
And when I called and they reprogramed it.
It didn't work again.
And when I called and was put on hold for 10 minutes while they invetigated the error message...
Then I bought a new Verizon phone. Phone numero on request (but it is a 347 Area code!).

Monday, August 28, 2006

We are moved in and getting to know the neighborhood

Well, the condo is great. And big. For New York.

That "For New York" actually is key. Key as you try to fit a big ass LA house into a realatively small ass New York Condo. Particularly as the Condo has no closet fixtures yet.

But the neighborhood is really cool. The food is great, the nightlike fun. Okay, there are a relatively high amount of bums, hookers and a higher than we like (but relatively small absolute number) of gang bangers. The good news is that the gangbangers (particularly the Mexican gangbangers) LOVE Trevor. It is weird to see lowrider, punked out Meixcans go all goo-goo talk over Trevor.

FYI - the restaurants in our area are GREAT. Including a local bar that had Herbie on (Herbie from ESPN's College Game Day, not herbie from the Love Bug).

Thursday, August 24, 2006

Alas..Poor Pluto.. I knew him well

You think you have had a bad day. Imagine Pltuo. It went to bed a planet - possible well-spring of life. Now... in a sad turn of fate, Pulto is no longer a planet.



Earlier this week, it lookd like Pulto and Charon (the second bright light in the picture) would both be planets. But no, since they wouldn't let in Charon, Ceres and UB313 (Xena), they decided to kick-out Pluto.

So now, in 30 years, you will meet somebody and talk to them. And you can say, "Well... when I was born, there were 9 planets, not 8". And they will look at you like you are a million years old. You know how I know.

Cuz when I was born there were only 49 States. (I was born after Alaska and before Hawaii).

Just when the world gets to be too much...

Just when I can't take Bush anymore...
Just when I can't listen to Tom Cruise explain it was his idea...
Just when I think all the middle east is going to blow apart...

Then I read a funny in Salon Magazine. Here some people design their favorite SitCom...

Phil Rosenthal was creator/executive producer of "Everybody Loves Raymond." His
book, "You're Lucky You're Funny: How Life Becomes a Sitcom," comes out Oct. 23
(Viking).

Fade in:
An old-age home in the middle of Manhattan. There is no one under the age of 75 here. There is no one under the age of 60 working here. There are no young or pretty people anywhere to be seen. If there's a delivery man from outside, he's older than anyone in the home. The most beautiful girl onstage is Bella, an overweight 80-year-old with a bad eye and a walker.
Bella is currently talking to Max, another 80-year-old, as they eat lunch at the communal dining table.


Bella: Max, close your mouth when you eat, it's disgusting.
Max: (mouthful of food) What are you talking? I saw Bush the other day. You want to see a pig, there you go, with the chewing and the cursing. I think he called the Lebanese the word for poop. How does that help?
Bella: And this is the one representing us to the world. Uch, such an idiot. Marion! My egg salad has shells!
Marion, a black attendant, 68, sits behind Bella, reading People magazine.
Marion: It's damn egg salad. There's gonna be shells. If it was chicken salad, you could bitch. Look at Britney Spears running around all fat and naked, spillin' her baby on the sidewalk like a 50 cent cone.
Max: Britney Spears is what's wrong with America. She should be locked in a room with Bush. She can watch him talk and he can listen to her sing. (singing) "Oy, I did it again!" Throw in the girl from the hotel while you're at it, that stupid hoor.
Bella: The whole country is going to hell. We've been taken over by crooks and cheats and we deserve it. They rape us and we bend over so they can rape us the other way.
Marion: It's right here (pointing to article in People), global warming.
Max: I don't care about that as long as I have the air conditioner.
Bella: Close your mouth!
Max: (showing her food in mouth) I'm the president!
Bella:You say it like that's a big job. He's a puppet! A wooden head puppet! The other one runs the show. That Dick. Him and his dirty oil buddies -- they stole two elections, they start a war to make themselves money, the whole world sees it and where are we? We got our heads up our behinds and they'll kill us all, the greedy morons. Look at the size of this shell -- what is this, ostrich egg salad?
Marion:(reading) No gay weddings in New York.
Max: Tell that to Myron upstairs. He keeps practicing his walk in the aisle.
Myron: (sitting next to Max) I'm right here, you senile bastard. I'm not a gay!
Max: Then why are you always behind me?
Marion: There's nothing wrong with gay.
Max: I'm just sick of hearing about it all the time. There's other things to talk about. Every time I turn on anything ... gay.
Bella: I hear that Rumsfeld is gay.
Myron: I'm not surprised.
Marion: Him and Cheney?
Max: Probably. That's why they need the war and everything else ... see, we're machos ... look at our big things.
Myron: I heard he shot that guy in the face because he was going to tell.
Marion: No, that was just stupidity. Not gayness.
Max: Could be both.
Myron: Who do I have to sleep with to get a Jello over here?
Max: Stop looking at me, Rumsfeld!
Bella: Close your mouth when you chew! The country's gone to hell.

Wednesday, August 23, 2006

The sad state of New York Plumbing

So, I don't know if you know this but New York is plumbing challenged.

The only sell one ply TP. One Ply! Okay, that is like tracing paper for something you so do not want traced. Apparently 2ply clogs the plumbing.

And at the new condo we asked about the lack of a garbage disposal. Apparently they were illegal in New York until last year. New York soooooo doesn't wash let overs down the drain. Could be that is why there are so many rats - you got to throw everything away.

Tres Fatigue

The house is suppose to close this week and not a moment too soon. Eddie and I haven't had a good night's sleep now since we left LA. The bouncy bed and the pull out with the special "break-your-back-" bar.

We thought it was the weather, not so much.

"Guess it wasn't the pigeons." (Line from Mars Attacks) Ack Ack


Monday, August 21, 2006

Ed's Pictures of the House


My guess is that most people have seen these shots, but if not go to Ofoto.

These are of the condo. The top is the view from the front room. The bottom is the pool and Jaquzzi on the 30th floor.

Sunday, August 20, 2006

Tourists in New York - Last Week-end

So next week we move into our new condo, so this is our last tourist week-end in New York. After this week-end, we are just dumb New Yorkers, NOT tourists.

So for our last week-end, we went to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. It was a lot of fun. And we went to the Theater and saw The Wedding Singer. It started Stephen Lynch, and he was great. The show was silly but a lot of fun - and Stephen Lynch made it really good.



Stephen Lynch is also the guy that sings dirty lullebyes (you gotta really here him to get it).

Friday, August 18, 2006

We had a great time in LA

So, we had a good time in LA. We saw a lot of friends, cleaned up the house and generally had a good time. Trevor played with Gavin and Mickey's dogs a LOT. We left him there on Sunday and they wore him out for the flight home. That was cool.

We saw Ed's old boss and his wife for dim sum on Sunday. We stayed with Lynnie. It was a good week-end.

We also accomplished our goals. I meet with my work team. Eddie went into the office for meetings. He sold his car. It all worked well.

I also have to put in the plug for Dale's Automart. They are quick and easy to sell your car above Blue Book. I liked it. Ed and I could have both probably gotten a little more if we sold it ourselves, but that would take weeks of advertising, showing it to people and then the inevitable bitching from the buyer. This was just boom boom boom, here's your check.

It was good.

Tuesday, August 15, 2006

Back: Flying is a chore

Well, the flights were horrible and delaid every which way. Here is the problem with the new rules. They aren't real.

First, no liquids. ... But then they found out that Duty Free (which pays a lot of Airport bills) is dependent on them. So Duty Free liquids are okay. But Burger Kind fountain drinks aren't. Cuz Burger King (or the knick knack shop or whatever) don't pay the bills - so no drinks. It's a safety issue.

And, today, from London they changed the rules. First it was nothing, only your passport and tickets. Not even electronic car keys were allowed because they can trigger bombs. ... But business travelers pay the bills. And business travelers need laptops. So you still aren't allowed to bring your electronic car key, but you can now bring your laptop.

And there aren't any background checks for ground crew - that is expensive.

But no bottles of water on the plane. That "looks like" we are doing something. And the only cost is the pain in the ass factor to economy passengers.

Ha-rumph

Back: Flying is a chore

Well, the flights were horrible and delaid every which way. Here is the problem with the new rules. They aren't real.

First, no liquids. ... But then they found out that Duty Free (which pays a lot of Airport bills) is dependent on them. So Duty Free liquids are okay. But Burger Kind fountain drinks aren't. Cuz Burger King (or the knick knack shop or whatever) don't pay the bills - so no drinks. It's a safety issue.

And, today, from London they changed the rules. First it was nothing, only your passport and tickets. Not even electronic car keys were allowed because they can trigger bombs. ... But business travelers pay the bills. And business travelers need laptops. So you still aren't allowed to bring your electronic car key, but you can now bring your laptop.

And there aren't any background checks for ground crew - that is expensive.

But no bottles of water on the plane. That "looks like" we are doing something. And the only cost is the pain in the ass factor to economy passengers.

Ha-rumph

Back: Flying is a chore

Well, the flights were horrible and delaid every which way. Here is the problem with the new rules. They aren't real.

First, no liquids. ... But then they found out that Duty Free (which pays a lot of Airport bills) is dependent on them. So Duty Free liquids are okay. But Burger Kind fountain drinks aren't. Cuz Burger King (or the knick knack shop or whatever) don't pay the bills - so no drinks. It's a safety issue.

And, today, from London they changed the rules. First it was nothing, only your passport and tickets. Not even electronic car keys were allowed because they can trigger bombs. ... But business travelers pay the bills. And business travelers need laptops. So you still aren't allowed to bring your electronic car key, but you can now bring your laptop.

And there aren't any background checks for ground crew - that is expensive.

But no bottles of water on the plane. That "looks like" we are doing something. And the only cost is the pain in the ass factor to economy passengers.

Ha-rumph

Thursday, August 10, 2006

Flying to LA Soon

I am glad I am not flying to London today. Here are the new American Arline rules to UK.

Nothing may be carried in passengers' pockets. Passengers may only take the following items through the airport security checkpoint, in a single (ideally transparent) plastic carrier bag:


- pocket size wallets and pocket size purses
- plus contents (money, credit cards, identity cards, etc. but not handbags)
- travel documents essential for the journey (passports and travel tickets)
- prescription medicines and medical items sufficient and essential for the flight (a diabetic kit for example), except in liquid form unless verified as authentic.
- spectacles and sunglasses, without cases
- contact lens holders, without bottles of solution
* for those travelling with an infant:
-baby food, milk (the contents of each bottle must be tasted by the accompanying passenger) and sanitary items sufficient and essential for the flight (wipes, creams, disposal bags)
- female sanitary items sufficient and essential for the flight, if unboxed
- tissues (unboxed) and/or handkerchiefs
- keys (but no electrical key fobs)

Wednesday, August 09, 2006

Trevor's New Cut

I will try to get a picture, but Trevor got a new haircut. He looks like a terrier now (as opposed to a puppy or a Dandy Dinmont or as Bradly insists, a poodle). It's cool. He is a handsome dog!

We are going back to LA this week-end, so that will be nice. It will be really fun to see everyone. That's all for now.

Updated: My Honey took pictures of my dog.




Tuesday, August 08, 2006

Our Dear Leader is oblivious to people

Even when our President has his own generals saying that Civil War is a real threat in Iraq, he is happily oblivious. Here is his quote (not taken out of context).

You know, I hear people say, well, civil war this, civil war that.


This is from the white house web site (about 3/4 of the way down the page).

So how many people in Iraq have to die in sectarian (tribal) violence before it is important. Why not just say, blah blah blah.

British Petroleum... Indeed!

So, years ago, there was a good little oil company - Standard Oil of California. Now granted, it was originally Standard Oil - which the anit-monopoly people forced into Standard Oils of California, New Jersey and Indiana. Which turned into Exxon, Standarad and SO of California was purchased by Atlantic Richfield.

Now Atlantic Richfield was a crappy name for a California company so they became ARCO.


ARCO did many things. They were the first to remove credit cards in order to cut costs. The first to accept debit cards. And they had the lowest costs base and the lowest prices for years. They were a boon to a young boy with a thirsty Mustang.

They were also the company that started to dril in Alaska. They had a perfect record of no oil spills (that was an Exxon tanker). They built the pipeline with allowances for animals to migrate across it. They shipped their gas to Los Angeles and all was good in the world.

And then, British Petroleum bought them. Oh, one may change their name to BP to fool us. And they may keep the stations in California as ARCO - but purchased they did. And how are they as stewards of the land, the oil and the consumers?

There was a big spill in Alaska's Prudoe Bay this year (where the stuff pumped). And they just turned off the pipeline because they haven't fixed the rust in years.

Hummmmmmmmmmm

Monday, August 07, 2006

You're gonna break a hip!



So Eddie and I should know better. But no. We decided this week-end that getting those kid's shoes with wheels in the back would be fun.

Fun.

We rolled a little around Central Park - and both fell (there is a reason they say you should always wear protective gear).

At one point there was this woman (probably younger than me) with 2 teen-age daugthers. We stopped so they could go ahead of us, and the girls giggled. The mom said, "Thank you, I can't watch anymore. You two are going to break something!"

Okay - we looked like goofballs, but it was fun (but my shins hurt today).

Thursday, August 03, 2006

The New House

Yeah! We have pictures of the new house.

Front Room Views (and that big one behind the pillar is the Empire State Building).




The counter in the picture above at the far left bottom is the kitchen counter divider, here is the kitchen.


NYC has cool buildings

So, there was the old Hearst Publishing building. And, a bad bid to perserve the past, they made it a landmark. It is kind of not-landmark worthy to me, but I wasn't on the committee.




So the Hearst Corporation decidec to make a bigger space, but they couldn't tear this down. So they designed a tower that seemed to accordian out of the interior space. It also built a interior courtyard with glass roof that floods the place with light. It is done now and it is very cool.


Wednesday, August 02, 2006

Someone else hates those family stickers too

It's not just me.


Mel Mel Mel - (Updated)

One hesitates to comment on the Mel Gibson debacle - having said stupid things after a cocktail or two myself. But I recently found out I was mistaken with one comment I heard. I thought I should clear it up for us all in case you missed it.

When the mean drunk was taken into the Malibu Police Station, apparently a female sargent was watching the proceedings as he was booked. He turned and commented to her - and see here is where I made the mistake. I thought he liked her hair coloring and said, "What are you looking at, Sugar Tips?"

Apparently his comment was not "tips" but a slightly more southern and silcone enhanced region.

FYI - everyone might not understand the comment about him owning the police. Actually the stars in Malibu all got together about 10 years ago or so and incorporated. Previously Malibu was unincorporated county land, patroled by a much less celebrity friendly LA Sheriff department.

Update: Apparently (Ah... the Internet) you can buy the T-shirt now with the mug shot and the famous line...


Tuesday, August 01, 2006

How NYC Changes the complaint

Kohl’s Senior Citizen Discount

There is this Kohl’s circular today which has like a one day sale with up to 50% off (never mind the closest Kohl’s is in another state). Additionally, if you are a senior citizen you get another 15% off.

My first thought is okay that’s nice.

My second thought (when I lived in LA) was whoa, I am not going to Kohl’s with those drivers. (And I immediately apologize in my head to Ed’s parents, who drive fine. But I was thinking of Zela – and she was a menace with 2,500 pounds of Chevy Impala behind the wheel.)

But now my first thought is, oh my gawd. I am so staying away from a Kohl’s on August 2nd. Because these old people in New York are just MEAN. Mean mean mean.

Today, on my way to get coffee, I see a nice enough old lady with a bag. She steps across Broadway – against the light. And she steps spryly towards the median. Well, step as spryly as you like – when you step against the light without looking, then the garbage truck is going to honk at you. A long, get-the-hell-out-of-they-way honk.

At this point in the story, most old ladies would way the apology and hurry their steps a little. Not in New York. The spry 80 year shows much less arthritis than Zela had by flipping the driver the bird as she meanders her way towards the center. I think she slowed down.

And this, ladies and germs, is not an isolated incident. Apparently all that anger they held in as young ladies is giving full vent in the August of their years here in New York. So a warning, be careful at Kohl’s on Wednesday.