Monday, March 30, 2009

All In One: Sunscreen, Sunblock, Antiseptic, Insect Repellent

Really, they have found the stuff that does all this.
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Hippo Sweat.
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And I quote from Discovery.com
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  March 16, 2009 -- Hippos can stand in the hot sun all day without getting a sunburn, and now researchers know why: a red-colored glandular secretion known as "hippo sweat" contains microscopic structures that scatter light, protecting the hefty mammals from burns, according to a new study.

In the future, scientists hope to create a product inspired by hippo sweat that we may be slathering on our bodies before long. The stuff could be an advertiser's dream.

"It would be nice to also try and replicate the antiseptic and insect-repellent characteristics of the sweat, to obtain a four-in-one product: sunscreen, sunblock, antiseptic, insect repellent," co-author Christopher Viney told Discovery News.

"Just so long as the stuff doesn't smell like hippo," added Viney, a professor in the School of Engineering at the University of California, Merced.

All In One: Sunscreen, Sunblock, Antiseptic, Insect epellent

Over and Done


Well, the birthday is over and done.  The build up was much much worse than the day.  Eddie and I had a good week-end (as you can see from his post below).
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You know I have this great life and I do (most) all the things I want to - the picture above is the Scooter Pose in Laos.  But for some reason on the run up to my birthday it didn't matter "I;m gonna be 50! boo de hoo!
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But now, after the dreaded day has come and gone I remember how lucky I am - and what great friends I have and, you know, the good things and suddenly they all matter again.
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And even without an army of make up men, I still look younger than Alec Baldwin (Kim Bassinger must have really aged him!)

Sunday, March 29, 2009

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!!

Although there was no landing a jet on an aircraft carrier, Scott turned 50 years young very gracefully today. "Gracefully" is a relative term, but after a year (or more) of build-up...we had (what I would consider) an absolutely perfect day.  It included a confirmation of the alzheimer contingency plan, but after those moments we were all good.  I'm happy to be home from Florida, and Trevor had fun playing like a maniac with Joc and Les's dogs. And again, we had another great day of our fantastic life as a family.  

Happily married, and ready for Spring, life is once again going to be awesome.  (However, if it snows again, all bets are off)

I'd let Scott read this before I posted it, but alas, he is in bed asleep.  :-)  Bless.

Thank you all for your support....for me. Birthday "50" is officially over. I never thought I'd make it!!

Ed

Friday, March 27, 2009

Just Got Back from an AMAZING Lecture


So you all know I am not given to hyperbole (smiley face) but I just saw an amazing lecture.  I was invited to NYU Global Affairs Symposium where Richard Butler spoke.
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Richard Butler was the Chairman of the Commission to Disarm Iraq and a specialist in Nuclear Proliferation.
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The speech was about the need for a renewal of American Foreign Policy.  It was fascinating.  Granted off the bat, he did not like the Bush Administration, nor particularly the Clinton Administration, but he delivered a pretty searing indictment of American Foreign Policy anyway.  And it was delivered as he was clearly saddened by this.
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One of his main points was that American's cannot not continue to hold 2 divergent policy goals.  First that we can think of ourselves as s unique and special country with a mission to bring good to the world (he called it the Wilsonian principal) and second that we can hold on to an isolationist policy where we don't involve with the world (he called in the continental principal).  Ambassador Butler noted that in a Globalized world the 2 policies call for different actions and doing one in some places and one in another makes us look inconsistent at best and  hypocritical at worst.
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Anyway, he is really bright and it was great.

Red State Update: A Real Answer to the Drug Problem

And How to Save Mexico in 1 Easy Step.
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Thursday, March 26, 2009

Canadian Sex Acts . Org


Okay, I love that How I Met Your Mother totally works the internet.
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First there was that great site Ted Mosby is a jerk site. http://www.tedmosbyisajerk.com/.
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And then in Monday's Episode was the amazing Candian Sex Acts . Org http://www.canadiansexacts.org/
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These people are serious funny.

Also.. a Jury of My Peers?

Apparently my peers are the hair-lip and unemployable.

Here's the REAL thing about Abercrombie

So, as you may or may not know, Abercrombie and Fitch is like, totally, the gay men's favorite shop.  You may assume that you know why.  In fact, their advertising (see example below) seems to be designed with a homoerotic taste firmly in mind.  But you would be wrong.
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Not wrong about the homoerotic advertising of course, but that isn't why gay boys like it.
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Alternatively, you might assume the high cost of the jeans is part of the appeal.  And it is.  I mean if the guy your dating has Abercromibe jeans (as opposed to Abercrombie t-shirts) - it usually means he has money to blow.  And, as Marilyn Monroe said, "It's just as easy to date a rich man as a poor man.  So why do you choose a poor one?"
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No.  I'll tell you the real reason.
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Abercrombie jeans run about 1 - 2 sizes larger than the label says.  So if you wear, say, a 34 from the Gap you still wear 32's at Abercrombie.  Maybe even a 31.  Never understand a vain boy's desire to delude himself.  Size 32's are when you feel your best.  It is like a little pronouncement that your are still young and healthy.  Even when it is a bald faced lie.
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I'm telling you, you try on a pair of 32's at Abercrombie and for a moment you are transported back to when you still could run to catch a cab, and not break into a sweat.  A time when you easily took the stairs to the 4th floor because the elevator was too slow.  A time when you would follow a humpy boy down the street for two blocks in the hopes that he turned around (and you were able to act on it when he did).
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Yes Ladies and Germs.  Abercrombie sells the dream, but the not the dream that is obvious.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

PS-

I don't want Jury Duty tomorrow......

So I Went and Saw Exit The King tonight

   
Since Ed was away, I went and saw Exit The King tonight.  I wanted to see it because although I admire Geoffrey Rush, like Andrea Martin and Lauren Ambroise, I absolutely LOVE Susan Sarandon.  And it is her first Broadway show since 1972.
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How was the show?  Way odd.  I am glad I didn't have to review it because it was a TragioComedy Theater of the Absurd translated from Spanish.
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What does that mean?  Hell if I know.  Parts of it were very very funny.  Andrea Martin is always a hoot.  And Susan Sarandon played the mean Queen great.  Geoffrey Rush and Lauren Ambroise roles both called for ACTing.  In the John Lithgow, 3rd Rock from the Sun OVERACTing kind of way.
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But the last 12 minutes were a strain as Geoffrey Rush dies, oh so slowly.  How do I know it was 12 minutes, because Susan Sarandon told the doctor he would be dead when the play ended.  Announced when the King had 32 minutes and 30 seconds left, and announced when the King had 12 minutes left.  Which is why I know I hated the last 12 minutes.
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Two observations.
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1) Susan Sarandon has had one of the best face lifts I have ever ever seen.  And I have seen a lot!  I mean you could tell at the Golden Globes, but I thought maybe makeup hide some scaring.  No.  She looks beautiful.  I want the name of her doctor.
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2) The guy below is Brian Hutchinson.  He played the Guard (there are only 6 roles, and the doctor was neither famous nor cute, so I don't include him here - which is harsh, but I don't want to be a hypocrite).  I sat next to Brain's boyfriend who almost broke his face from smiling so hard.  It was really sweet.

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I Don't Know if you have notice, but...

... Denise Richards on Dancing with the Stars always looks terrified.
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I think Denise Richards is beautiful.  And if you are a straight man - then you know that too.
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Come on, everyone saw Wild Things!!!  If not, you go to NetFlix and rent it right this minute.
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But... on DWTS she looks like a deer in headlights.  At first I felt really bad for her.
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Now I just want her to go.  She is too uncomfortable.  She makes me uncomfortable watching.
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There are some gorgeous women (the "stars") on that show who cannot move to save their lives.  I think it is a little odd.
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I also think it is weird that the reject from "The Bachelor" is good.  Where did she come from?  And what job gives her all this time off?
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And after this second 15 minutes of fame, what is she going to do?  But she is hot and she can dance.  Maybe she will be a star.  Or a stripper.

Monday, March 23, 2009

My last (I promise) post about turning 50

So this is my last post about the soon to be ugly date.  There are 2 reasons 50 freaks me out.
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The first of course is "50!".  There is no way to pretend your young anymore.  But I can deal with that.  Not well, but I can deal.
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See though here is the other thing.  No male on my father's side made it past their 50's.  My father died in like 1996 at 58.  My grandfather in 1971 at 57.  My uncles at 56 and 52.  My great grandfather in his 40's I believe.  My cousin (Little Johnnie) at 59.
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Now I take better care of myself than they did, but all my blood work shows me fighting an uphill battle here.  The keep doubling my cholesterol medicine every year for the past 4 years (10 mg, then 20 mg, then 40 mg, now 80 mg.) and my cholesterol has stayed above 280.  I am on my 5th blood pressure medicine (which finally appears to be working), but without I spiked to 170 over 100.
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I actually FEEL pretty damn good.  So my constant complaining is a little way of me reminding myself to not get complacent.  I am going to be the first male Mitchell to 60 years old damn it.
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So anyway, that's it.  I won't say anything else.
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There are kids starving in Ethiopia, eat your vegetables.

Sunday, March 22, 2009

It's Not Rocket Science

If it so cold out that people can't open their windows, then don't cook fish so that everyone has to smell it in the hallways!!!
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Dumbies

I'm Sorry

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Well, UCLA didn't look very good today...

I'm not going to harp, because it had to be heart breaking for those kids to look so bad on TV. We were just stone cold and outplayed. Much as I would love too, I can't blame this on the coach.
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After all, we're Bruins, we don't pile on when we are down.

Friday, March 20, 2009

Headline is misleading

The headline below is very misleading.  Don't get me wrong, I am thrilled UCLA won.  But to say that "Defense saves day.." implies that defense was the key.
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Maybe, but you know why it was the key?  Because we MISSED OUR LAST FIVE LAY UPs.  Maybe if our Defensive Whiz of a coach ever practiced offense, then defense wouldn't have to be the only thing that saved the day.
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LAY UPS - hell, I can make a lay up 50% of the time and I haven't touch a basketball without getting sweaty palms since I was 10.
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And, just by the by, why did the ball get to their play maker with 11 seconds left in the game, and UCLA up by only 1 point.  We had been up by as many as 12 quite recently, but then we moved into our vaunted "stall" game.  By the time the game ended we won because VCU's jumper hit the front rim.
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In addition to missing 5 layups, we couldn't hit a basket from the outside either.  They fouled us and we made free throws (thank goodness - apparently we can score if everyone has to stay away from our guys!).  And we did make 1 dunk.  But at the end of the game, up by 1 point, we had a "shot clock violation".
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That means we didn't get a ball anywhere near the rim for 35 seconds.  We played keep away ("hey we are up by 1 point with 45 seconds left") and then tossed up an air ball.
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Again I am thrilled we won.  And I suppose I can't just blame Howland.  But I think he should have that team out practicing lay ups today, and maybe the odd jumper from inside the arc.  Just my feeling.
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Thursday, March 19, 2009

So get this in the "it's a totally small world"

Okay, this is really weird.  
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So, at one point I googled Ben Howland (so when I trashed him I would spell the name right).  Okay, get this.  Ben Howland was 1 year ahead of me at school.  He went to Cerritos High School.
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BUT, when he went there Cerritos High School wasn't built yet.  How do I know this, my High School (Gahr) was done and we went to school from 7AM - Noon.  Cerritos High School then meet on our campus from 1PM - 6PM.
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So Ben Howland and I spent 2 years together on the same physical campus - although separated by an hour.
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I think it is freaky.

Ed's Dream is one step closer


Sure, at $194,000 it is a little expensive (like a condo!), but Ed's dream is 1 step closer to reality.
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And then, no more "the 10" on Friday nights.

My Love for an Inanimate Object (get your mind out of the gutter)

Oh I used to make fun of little Ron Peake.  He had an unnatural obsession with Irons.  He loved a good Iron.  Of course he ironed every outfit before he went out.  I never understood it.
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Until now.
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For you see, I have found the perfect Staple Remover.
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Honestly, I had a bunch of staples to remove (long story - I do "projects" when Ed is out of town) and I was loath to get a staple remover.  Those little twin teeth of death always either rip the paper or puncture my hand.
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Either way, bad.
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Then I purchased this bad boy at Staples.  I know, a little odd getting a staple remover at Staples, right?  But this isn't about the irony (and the "iron" brings the whole story full circle!!!).
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It is a whiz and a wonder.  AND lightly magnetized so that the staples don't fall over the floor and you step on them!!!
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sign me -> easily amused

Jane Fonda Looks Amazing for 71!!


I won, of all things, free tickets to see 33 Variations on Broadway.
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It's funny because I didn't really want to see 33 Variations.  At least not enough to pay any money to see it.  But for free and a chance to see Jane Fonda back on Broadway after 30 some years - okay.
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First, she looks amazing for 71.  In the picture here she is suppose to be suffering from advanced Lou Gerhig's disease, so she is suppose to look a little crappy.  But she looked good, was of a good voice and is an excellent actress.  Here political days are long behind her.
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I have to tell what the show is about so you will understand my trepidation.  Jane plays a "Musicologist" who is publishing a monograph on why Beethoven wrote 33 different variations on 1 waltz - thought to be a minor throwaway waltz by a hack, at that.  Oh by the way, Beethoven and his fights with the publisher and his assistant are also shown.
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S O U N D S ..... B O R I N G
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It wasn't really all that boring.  I mean the actual theme of the story was great.  The "moral" is there was one is that our lives are made up of these wonderful fleeting moments that we need to recognize.  We, as people, have the endless ability to shape our lives into wonderful things.  Get it?  Beethoven used a throw away piece to shape great beauty. Get it?  Get it!  Yes - we got it, you can stop hitting over the head now.  FYI, I think we got it about 15 minutes into the evening.
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See, not a bad moral.
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How was the play?  Jane Fonda was great.  How was the play?  The concert pianist that played snippets of the 33 Variations during the show, great!  How was the play?
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Long.   It REALLY could have used an editor.  It would have been a nice little 90 minute 1 act.  It was stretched too long for me, and had an intermission that tempted me with the quick walk home.  
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Also, when 1 lead has Lou Gerhig's disease and the other lead's last work before he died was to finish 33 Variations - you kind of know where it is going.  Get there already.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Farewell Natasha

This is Ed writing here. 

I hate it when Scott is right. He told me earlier in the day that she was gone. I didn't want to believe it.  But now it is confirmed and true. Ugh.

Perhaps it is being away from home, sitting in a hotel room that makes me more nostalgic, but I think it is incredibly sad that Natasha Richardson is gone. I respected her on so many levels.

To remake "Cabaret" on broadway in a way that wasn't merely a copy of Liza, is almost unbelievable when you think about it.  To be from a family with such a history, and be able to be a normal/sane person throughout your life is equally incredible. (lord knows that I was a "Neppl" that couldn't dribble a basketball  :-)  - can you imagine being a "Redgrave"? (No pressure there!). ....but she did it. 

To die on the bunny slope. Impossible. Seriously, I don't get it.
 
This is again, a reminder!!!!  And a perspective that has shaped our lives... Chris, Megan, Mark, Lauren....Life is very delicate and very special. Live it in a way that makes you happy,  and that you are proud of. 

I'm bumming tonight. 
Ed

I can't say it better than Defamer

As the Defamer says in a headline:

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I didn't (don't) watch TRH of Orange County - maybe too close to home or maybe just too tragic.
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I do love TRH of New York because they are total backstabbers.
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I sometimes watched TRH of Atlanta only to learn Black Rich Woman are just as mean was White Rich Women.
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But Jersey?  And if you read the article, 2 are sisters, married to 2 brothers and the women's brother is married to another one of them.  It might as well be TRH of Kentucky Hill Country.

2014 Olympics in Sochi: Where is that?

So Ed's company doesn't have the 2014 Olympics, and that might be okay.  Because if you look at Forbes Most Dangerous Countries to visit.
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Well just outside of Georgia is the "bordering Russian provinces", captial, Sochi.
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And Then Lynn Makes Me Smile

From Lynnie:
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Excerpted from an email on a case I'm working on and may lose a little umph taken out of context but I think it speaks well in many situations:
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"P.S. My condolences on the death of common sense. I knew I had not heard from him in a while, and know he has been in declining health for a number of years. Still, his passing is cause for much grief."

Cold, Quiet, Fury towards the Pope

I apologize upfront for this to my friends and family that are Catholic.  I mean you should move on right away from this post.
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Okay then, it's my blog and I'll vent if I want to.  Yesterday the Pope went to Africa to wave and spread lies.
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He said (and I quote) "AIDS "is a tragedy that cannot be overcome by money alone, that cannot be overcome through the distribution of condoms, which even aggravates the problems," the 81-year-old Pontiff told reporters on the flight from Rome"
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I totally agree with the fact that money or distribution of condoms alone cannot solve the problem.
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But to stand there and say distribution of condoms aggravates the problems is a lie that causes death.  And, although I won't cast any, he deserves all the name calling and hate in the world for that.
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When he has sat on the death bed watch, feeding his lover by attaching and removing a feeding tube, then maybe I will listen to him. .... I don't know, watching Mark die slowly - having to change diapers - having to wheel his IV tube around - having to watch thousand watt smile dim to nothing - maybe that just has made me a little bitter.
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It isn't just that I watched too many friends die that I find this offensive.  It isn't just that without condoms, I might have got the disease too, that I find this offensive.  It isn't the fact that I watch Mark melt from a wonderful happy young man that everyone loved into a pain wracked waif that tore out my heart - that isn't why I find this offensive.  I get that the Pope can't see into my heart - and wouldn't choose to even if he could
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No, I don't particularly care what he thinks about me or my friends, any more than he cares what I think about him (bar Steve and some other of my friends who are still catholic and cannot reconcile their love of the church and the hate that streams from it's Pope).  My story is my story and his world is his world.  I am cool with that.
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BUT What I find offensive, almost criminal, is that he chooses to lie (there are NO studies that show condom use aggravates or increases AIDS or HIV rates).  And, in this lie, he condemns people to a slow, wasting painful death.
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He condemns children to be orphans.  He condemns children to be raped (in Africa, many tribes believe that the way to 'cure AIDS' is to sleep with a virgin - so there is an endemic of child rape which is bad enough in itself, but usually infects the child with HIV). He condemns loved ones to watch their mothers and fathers slowly vomit and diarrhea themselves to death.  It is a terrible thing to see happen in a hospital in the west - I am sure it is worse in Africa.
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And he does this smiling, waving as the spokesperson of a loving God.
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There are no sufficient words of anger that I can express towards this heartless expression of callousness.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Fascinating...


This was in the LA Times today, I think it is really interesting.  It speaks fairly well for Honda, who's new hybrid is cheap, but poorly for other hybrids.

Monday, March 16, 2009

Re: Kings on NBC


I think no one was less excited than me about Kings on NBC. It is a alternative reality (New Yorkish as the Capital of a Kingdom) telling of a Biblical Story.
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David v. Goliath as Hunk v. Tank?
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King Saul as King Silas?
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But I just watched it - and I loved it. It was almost the same as the Tudors, minus Jonathan Rhys Meyers nakid kester. Granted, that is minus a lot, but Kings makes up for it with a hell of a lot of acting.
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I don't think Ian McShane can even act small.
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Anyway, I loved it. If you Tivo'ed it, watch it. Only caveat... you have to actually watch the show. It isn't something that can be on in the background (same as the Tudors).

Speaking of Ben Howland: Updated

So, UCLA hired Ben Howland because he had turned Pittsburgh around into a top flight team.
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Then why is it that the Ben Howland coached and recruited UCLA team sucks wind and is bracketed as 6th in the East and the non-Ben Howland Pittsburgh is ranked #1 overall and #1 in the East regional.
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Oh... it must be because it is harder to recruit to a school like UCLA with no name recognition that to Pitt.  If only we had somewhere to take potential students and show them 10 or 11 National Championship banners hanging from the rafters.  Maybe then Ben could recruit.
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But I guess until then we will have to be a runner up in the PAC 10 conference and lose our opening round to USC in the conference tourny.  Anyone want to bet we beat VCU?  Okay, we may sqweek by the Rams of VCU (home to the largest French Film Festival in America - Wikipedia is a cascade of useless info), but then we would have to play Villinova.  In Philly.
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Updated:  Although I will grant, UCLA does have its fair share of Alumni who are difficult to please.  That can't make his job any easier.

Taint No Body's Business


In the latest chapter of "don't you have better things to do?" the New Jersey legislature is debating a proposal to outlaw the famous Brazilian Wax.
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One must ask why?  I mean this is a pretty personal choice.  No one goes to the spa has says, "Hmm. I wonder what a "Brazilian" is, I think I'll try it."  Let's face it, once some spa worker starts spreading hot wax in your genital region, you should be aware what you are in for.
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If you want to outlaw something, I say you outlaw "anal bleaching".  Because if you have to stand over a mirror and search to find something to worry about, then you are a little crazy, and we should protect you.   And if your loved one complains that you need anal bleaching, then it is time to turn out the lights or get a new loved one.
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But a Brazilian?  Come on, young stars give a little flash all the time to get press.  If they can't get a Brazilian, that is going to stop.  And if the quick flash to the paparazzi stops, how will Tara Reid every get her picture in Star again (well except for the constant "nipslip").

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Upside of the F State


Eddie flew back to Florida today for work.
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And he finally saw an upside. He got to watch the shuttle launch. Unfortuantely he only had a camera phone to take a still picture.
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He said it was much more impressive there, and you could see the seperation as it happened.
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Cool

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Mejken Rea


Here is Carson and Ursula's baby Mejken Rea (pronounced Mike and Ray, but she is not twin boys).
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We got a beauitful card from Carson and Ursula, but it was a little heavy on the pronoun "she".
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I think they were worried that with a name like Mejken, everyone might not nkow she was a girl.
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But they needn't worry, she is a beauitful little girl.
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And she has her uncle's hair.

Bring Back Lavin!!!


Arghh!
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And here is the problem with a "defensive" team. Once you have someone smother you, you can't come back.
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Howland should go back to Pitt where he was a defensive whiz and that was enough.
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UCLA had 55 points for the whole entire game.
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55.
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That is a half time total back when I went to school. Burger King gave everyone a free whopper after we scored 100 and had a ticket, and we ate all the time!
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I know, I "don't understand" the new college landscape, but I understand boring as hell.
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Bring back Steve Lavin. I mean we are still paying him (which is why he hasn't taken a new job - then we get to stop paying). How tough would it be for us to grovel and get him back.
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Note to Ben Howland, you can bore us but don't lose to USC in the early rounds of the Pac 10 tourny!!! And certainly don't bore us while you do it.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Well I say good for Bristol


So Bristol Palin and Levi Johnson spilt up.  Big deal.  I don't see why it has to be reported.
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I mean it was clear that it wasn't true love, it was a high school back seat game of hide the sausage that went terribly wrong with terrible timing.
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Here's the thing.  I think it is better to acknowledge you don't love the guy or that it is a bad match, than getting married only to make everyone (and the child) live this crappy life of lies.
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My mother once gave me advice about marriage and sexuality and whatever.  She said that you shouldn't rush into things.  And don't lie to yourself just to make everyone happy, because sooner or later you will be so unhappy you take it out on others.
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So there you go.  Good for you Bristol.  I think having a baby without a marriage - and keeping it isn't the best idea.  But it beats marrying a man you don't like so that the "news" media doesn't hound you.

Nooooo!!!!!!!!

There are closing all the Virgin Megastores.  Which is sad in general and sad in particular in my case.  I say this because the Times Square Virgin Megastore is my store. 
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It is open late (until 2AM on Friday and Saturday, 1 AM otherwise), let's Trevor in and basically is a place to bumble too when it is too early to go to bed and to late to do much of anything else - now that the thrill of getting drunk just to pass out has passed me by.
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And what will replace the Virgin Megastore?  Forever 21.  A store for self-delusional folks who are most definitely NOT 21.
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Because that is what we need in Times Square...
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gawk!

Soon It Goes Under the Skin with a Tacking Device

I love my iPod touch.  I used to love my iPod shuffle.  Look at the new one.


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I am not sure what else they can do with that thing.  First one was "the size of a pack of gum", the next one was "the size of a matchbook".  This one is "the size of a feminine hygiene product".
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Okay, that's not in the product marketing, but I had to go get OB's enough for Lauren that I know the size of one when I see it.
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I think next they put it under your skin with a tracking device and sell it to parents for their kids.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Oh Wait!!! One Very Cool Thing


I don't know if you remember, but about 18 months.. 2 years ago... I RAVED about the show "next To Normal".
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Well, it is coming to Broadway with the original cast, except the dad.  This is the new dad in the picture above (from the Washington DC tryout).
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The old dad is now Shrek on Broadway.
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The kid in the show (Aaron Tevit) is amazing.  Gail and I saw him in "Saved: The Musical" as well and she can tell you how great he is.
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Ed thinks I have a thing for him, which I do not.  He is like WAY too young for me (25) - and besides, I have a thing for Eddie.  But this kid can act and sing like almost no one I have ever seen.

Ed is still in Florida

Ed is still in Florida.  I am still working for a-holes and the world goes round and round.

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

I find this oddly life affirming...

There is a school of thought, popular when I was a young man, that believed a whole raft of things about animals and humans which made us unique.
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One of those "unique things" just went in the way of the Dodo.  In this case, we have found a Chimpanzee that does "forward planning".  That is he lays concrete plans out to take action to a stimulus that might not come.
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What do I find amusing in this?
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Our boy Santiono here doesn't like being disturbed by visitors in the morning.  So at night he would gather piles of rocks or break up the concrete.  He would put piles of "ammunition" in the area closest to the visitors.  And, the next day when the zoo opened, he would throw them at visitors that were too loud too early.
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Let me just add, this is about the best evidence I have seen for "intelligent design".  I mean evolution can explain a lot, but a chimp that is cranky in the morning and knows what to do about it?  Come on, that needs help.
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Santino, a 31-year-old male at Furuvik zoo in Sweden, may be the first animal to exhibit an unambiguous ability to plan for the future, a behaviour many scientists argue is unique to humans. Forward planning takes considerable cognitive skills, because it requires an animal to envisage future events it will have to deal with.

Santino would get agitated when the first groups of visitors arrived at his enclosure in the morning, and would start hurling stones at the spectators. When the zookeepers investigated, they found that, while the zoo was closed, Santino had been busy making piles of ammunition, and returned to them to resupply.

To catch the chimp in action, one zookeeper hid in a room overlooking the enclosure and observed the ape's behaviour before the zoo gates opened each morning. She saw Santino dragging stones from a protective moat that surrounded his island home, before placing them in piles. Further covert surveillance of the ape revealed he spent some time tapping areas of concrete floor with his fist. Occasionally, the animal would thump harder, releasing chunks of concrete that he broke into rough discs.

A survey of the enclosure showed that Santino made piles of ammunition only on the quarter of the island's shore that faced the visiting crowds.

We (Ed, Jane and I) saw Blithe Spirit on Broadway last week


Last week, when Jane was here, Blithe Spirit opened for previews. 
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It is Noel Coward show about... well about talking witty.
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There is a plot concerning a husband and wife (Rupert Everett and Jayne Atkinson) having a seance with a medium (Angela Landsbury) and bringing back the (ghost of) first wife (Christine Ebersol).  And then the first wife refusing to leave.
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But it was more about the quick witty back and forth of language.  Sort of a 1930's West Wing - as it were.
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Let me just say, for the 2nd day of previews, the cast was amazing.  Particularly great was Jayne Atkinson, whom I hadn't heard of.  I guess she is on TV a lot, particular in "24", but I didn't know her.  She was right on target and time.
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So, it was a funny evening out.  And it was my first time seeing Rupert Everett in the flesh.  He did an impressive job.  And he looks good (but then he is months younger than I).

Monday, March 09, 2009

Day 1 of Ed's assingment in the F state

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I'm settled in to my TV-less and internet-less cubicle.
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Yes, everything accept the internal web is blocked.
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Taking copious notes merely to stave off sheer boredom. I'm going to make a copy of a really big pitch, so that should take a while. I hope the copier works and/or has paper.
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Then, I'm going to go take my paper cup to get water from the tank on the other side of the building.
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I'd get a soda, but alas, no such thing. I need the water to wash down the Xanax I'm about to take.
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I have a bunch of cool posters around that say "imagination at work" - they are extremely inspiring.

Sunday, March 08, 2009

Trevor doesn't like the suitcase



Ed is leaving for business and Trevor is not happy.

The “Label-less” Generation

I was born in 1959, and if one more person labels me a baby boomer I may actually smack them.
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The term “Baby Boomer” actually has a meaning. It refers to the generation born to people after World War 2. The idea behind the terms is that this generation was conceived and raised in euphoria by the generation that fought the good fight. And words have meanings for a reason. Upon the return of people from the War there was a statistical surge in births – a baby “boom” as it were.
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Sometimes in the 1970s or 80s, social scientists and pop culture writers needed a term for those that were children of this statistical bubble. These children, children of the baby boomers, were thought to be cut and raised of a whole different cloth. Originally “generation X” was defined as those born after 1964 – born of boomers.
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I am not a member of the Baby Boom generation by any measure. Primarily based on the fact that my mother was about to enter kindergarten when the War ended and my father had yet to become a social misfit. They were, in fact, children. And so, no matter what happy thoughts they had that the war ended, starting their family next year was not one of them.
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I bring this up to explain that my world view is not as easily judged as most people would assume. I am the product of a cultural transition, reinforced by being raised in Los Angeles by divorced parents – back when divorce, even in Los Angeles, was a rarity.
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My rather loud and long complaint about being lumped into the “Baby Boomer” generation does not mean I long for youth or to pretend I am gen X. Before they lumped us all into one or the other, a GREAT writer (David Leavitt) described my generation in a short essay for Esquire. I have never been able to find it online or published in his works, but he described us as the “Mary Tyler Moore” generation. And by this he meant that we grew up watching Mary Richards navigate a difficult and confusing world as an individual (not as an accessory to someone else). And, when faced with a crisis, Mary would hem and haw, but ultimately reach into herself to stand up for what she thought was right. And my contemporaries, when faced with difficult decisions, well we might gather ourselves up look in the mirror and say, “What would Mary do?” Then go do the difficult thing.
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I think of this as I reach 50. Because I intend to be pulled to the date kicking and screaming. But once I am almost there - I have a feeling I will look in the mirror and decide I am going to be fine. I’m not there yet. In this episode, Mary hasn’t quite hit the proverbial first commercial, but we will both be okay.

Friday, March 06, 2009

Events Conspire



Events conspire to annoy me. I will be soon an "older folk". This piece of cruelty is from MSNBC. I remember back before MS and NBC were together (like Brad and Jen before "Brangalina" or Ben Affleck and J Lo before "Beniffer")
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But now MSNBC decides to confire the title of "older folk" on me. Perhaps they wonder why their stock sucks.

Run.. Flee... Save Yourselves...


Scooter ... Not... Happy...

Praise for one of Scooter's Reviews


So, a while back I reviewed a show called "Christine Jorgensen Reveals".
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It was right after our return and slight jet lag from Asia, and - to be honest - I wasn't looking forward to it.  For those of you that don't know (and I assume that is almost anyone older than myself), Christine Jorgensen was the first person in the US to undergo a sex change operation.
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Bleh!  I expected ham handed overacting and a big case of "boo de hoo".
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It was nothing like what I expected.  And I wrote a rather long review of the show, hoping to challenge other people's assumptions.
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Well the publicist actually wrote my Editor back saying it was a "wonderfully written review".  It no doubt helped that it was positive, but it is the first time anyone has said that.  And Tasha passed it on.  And I thought it was a great thing to say.
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Here is the review.  It isn't required reading or anything, but it was a highly interesting show.
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Let me say, one of the greatest things about this gig is the stuff I see I would never see otherwise.

Lynn's Explanation of Women's Words

(From Lynn - with mild changes)
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You may have seen this before but I think it's funny and might make you smile...I also think it is very true though I do not think they are not gender specific (for men #2: if he's watching TV, this what men say until you get angry enough that he is not longer willing to risk not getting out of the chair).
 

1. Fine: This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.

2. Five Minutes: If she is getting dressed, this means a half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.

3. Nothing: This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in fine.

4. Go Ahead: This is a dare, not permission. Don't Do It!

5. Loud Sigh: This is actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about nothing. (Refer back to #3 for the meaning of nothing.)

6. That's Okay: This is one of the most dangerous statements a women can make to a man. That's okay means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.

7a. Thanks (said nicely): A woman is thanking you, do not question, or Faint. Just say you're welcome.

7b. Thanks (said sarcastically): You are not being helpful and I don't know why I bothered to ask

8 . Whatever: Is a women's way of saying F@!K YOU!

9. Don't worry about it, I got it: Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking "What's wrong?" For the woman's response refer to #3.

Thursday, March 05, 2009

A Little Present from New Jersey to Scooter

Look what I woke up to this morning....



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Smog!
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Well, actually it was an inversion layer in New Jersey because of the off-shore wind from the East, which is rare here.
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But I don't care. It was a nice little smog layer below my window and it made me homesick....

Tuesday, March 03, 2009

Sean: A Driver

Horray for Sean! He passed his driving test and is a ful fledged member of the community of drivers. Now turn off your right turn signal.

Mascot of March: The Dodo

It is a large, flightless, extinct bird. Is a bird who's time has passed. It was killed when men went to Mauritius and clubbed them to death.

One who's time has passed. One who could not adapt to the world.



The Dodo is Mascot of the Month because I turn 50 this month. I feel as obsolete and anachronistic as a Dodo. I cannot (and choose not) to relate the hip-hop music and culture. I will not knuckle under to the fascist control of twitter. I do not carry my cellphone because almost no one has to get in touch with me that badly. And the one that does (Eddie) knows I don't carry my cellphone.
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I am Scott. I am 50 this month. I remember the Dodo because I will not let the annoyances of the world, the screaming throngs on the streets, the snow, splatter films, the constant use explitives when perfectly acceptable words are available, ass-crack pants, Judge Judy and Rush Limbaugh beat me to death. I will not be a Dodo. I will go out kicking and screaming.
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And, perhaps it is time to remind everyone the words that I want on my headstone.
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Scott Mitchell
I Blame You.

Monday, March 02, 2009

"In like a lion, out like a lamb"

Scooter now has a better understanding of the phrase. It didn't mean much in L.A.

Ed

Sunday, March 01, 2009

The Lull before the storm....


Well the snow storm is coming, and so Jane (who is here visiting) had lunch with Ed and I right before a movie.
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We are now in for the night as 10 - 12 inches of snow hit the city tomorrow.