1. As promised last week, first: Nanook. It's "written" by a huge, gorgeous Newfoundland whose picture adorns May 30th's post as well as the right sidebar. I'm not sure what's more charming about Nanook - the simple fact of his existence and his, um, verbal skills (those paws must be something else considering how much and how well he types) or his adorable face or his interesting observations. It's not often we get to hear from a great big black dog, after all. Incidentally, he was recently tagged and asked why he blogs. His answer? "The short answer is "because I am here, and so is the internet." (See how deep I am?)" And just wait til you see how many other dog blogs there are. Holy mackerel!! And in case you want to put a human face on Nanook, he says Dennis Haysbert is pretty close, and since he includes a photo of DH, I'm going to be happy all week. Nanook is a must-read delight.

2. There don't seem to be any non-dog blogs linked on Nanook so the next stop is also dog-written. Blogs from the Dogs' proprietors are Tealeaf, Boots, Meg, Cleo and QB, all of whom are hounds from rescues which is very cool. Their pictures are something to behold. I love the artwork that accompanies the latest story. I enjoyed this visit very much . . . and I'm more of a cat person which goes to show you.

3. All four paws is sort of a dog blog but it's (gasp) written by a human being about a Basset Hound named Ernest and his human mate in Seattle. There's no point in reinventing wheels so I'm lifting some of NM's description of himself and his blog: "I'm a research scientist with a love of a basset hound. . . . I spend too much time worrying about things out of my control, data integration, where the next snails may be found in the garden and the state of my fair city. Ernest spends his time wondering about sheep, where his next bisquit [sic] is coming from and if he'll ever get to run for president. We're both a lot of fun." As is his blog!

4. One more. According to Kyre, its California-based writer, The Dog Couch is the recounting of "the love affair between my 5-year old German Shepherd, Ko, and our living room furniture." She puts up one new photograph each day of Ko draped on the two couches in her "sunny California home." (Sure, rub it in about where she lives.) Another good place to visit!

Labels: blogs (others')

It is probably generally agreed that we are in a warmish period globally, if not in every nook and cranny on earth. That being granted, however, there are two fundamental questions that follow, and only one is being publicly asked and pursued. That question is what has caused the warming and is it man-made or not? Those who believe the warming is man-made assert that warming is the result of our excess use of hydrofluorocarbons and other chemicals, bad tree clearing, and so forth. But suppose (just for the sake of argument) that they are wrong and that warming is not caused by man. Suppose it is cyclical, as some scientists assert. And if that's the case, then there's a huge second question: if we effect all the "fixes" that are proposed to lessen global warming (supposing, of course, that any man-made behavior actually changes the atmosphere anyway), do we not run the risk of dangerously impacting the atmosphere in an attempt to fix things that were not broken?

P.S. Don Surber reports on several snow storms in Germany, Argentina and South Africa - yes, it's May - and asks "What the hell has happened? Is global warming a lie? Or did we just beat it by Al Gore planting all those Guilt Trees in Kenya?" He points out that "[w] did end Global Cooling in the 1970s by switching from Right Guard spray-on to a roll-on." So I guess we're already on the way.

Labels: good ideas

One of my joys in life is dining alone. I know that may seem strange to some people but it really is an activity I cherish. When our children were little and I was home with them during the week, my husband would take care of them on one or the other weekend morning so I could go to breakfast with a book or the daily newspaper. I've made note of (and usually vowed never to return to) restaurants where the host or hostess queries me with "just one?" sounding like code for "poor leper you, I guess no-one want to spend time with you." And I've made note of (and deliberately returned to) those where the hostess or host smiles and simply asks "one?" as if 1 is a quantity just like any other. One person's money is every bit as money from several, isn't it? And how I've loved traveling and dining alone - in Hong Kong, Paris, Tokyo, London, Frankfurt, San Francisco, . . . It's great fun to test culinary waters without worrying about what friends think or how they interact with the staff, much more fun and more reliable to have only myself as company in these situations. So imagine my joy today to see an article in the Guardian in which one of their restaurant critics waxes enthusiastic about dining alone! Not just accepting it but actually enthused (like me!). I am reminded of Merleau-Ponty's essay on the difference between (a) being alone (the fact) and (b) being lonely (the sadness) and (c) being solitary (the joy). It's well worth pondering.

P.S. Dustbury wrote a post on June 1st as a result of this post. I am delighted to have provoked his thoughts. Even more, I am fascinated by the many and somewhat lengthy comments it elicited, although of course I am mildly miffed that they were left at his place instead of mine. I guess expressing pleasure in something doesn't make people want to add their two or three cents as much as expressing displeasure and/or dyspepsia.

Labels: about me, food

According to The Politico, Fred Thompson will announce his candidacy on July 4th. Choosing such a date certainly sounds plausible for him. What sounds even more interesting is the deliberate and clear statement he made about the proposed immigration bill. He returned to a point he's made before (and that was once part of George Bush's emphasis, too) that "A nation without secure borders will not long be a sovereign nation." Then he put what is becoming a Fred Thompson kind of touch on it by adding, "No matter how much lipstick Washington tries to slap onto this legislative pig, it's not going to win any beauty contests." Perhaps this will all be an interesting and substantive campaign after all.

Labels: 2008 election, politics

Cool interview with Omar Epps - he of Dr. Foreman on House. Epps sounds like an interesting guy. With relief, one notes that he will continue on the show, just in a different capacity. I hope the change makes Foreman whine a little less; I've wanted to yell at him several times to chill or leave. The change will be good for the show, I think; don't you?

Get out your handkerchiefs and wave bye-bye to Cindy Sheehan who is resigning her self-appointed role as "face of the anti-war movement." Which moniker suggests she's stuck in a 40-year time warp. A good point on one of the discussions of her departure is that one should feel sorry even for her because it's pretty clear she never grieved for her son's death but, instead, displaced all her feelings onto her anti-war and, ultimately, anti-America bashing. I think what bothers me most, though, is that her (and others') extreme absurdity make it so hard to have rational discourse about the war. And that she (and others) seem to find it so hard to distinguish between (a) hating the war and (b) having deeply negative feelings about Bush and (c) hating America which is where she has landed at present (read this). We should try not to confuse culture of the moment with intrinsic values. I do feel bad for her if she means what she says, but her inability to see or speak nuance troubles me a lot.

Superb graphic at Dogpile for Memorial Day. Charming, heartfelt, perfect. (ht freelancefred)

Terrific discussion about omelets at Fresh Bilge, a perfect example of why I love some blogs.

Apparently Paul Newman is calling it quits as far as acting. It makes me sad to think he feels slowed down or whatever he feels, enough to require making such an announcement. Some of his work was wonderful and how fortunate we are to have been able to see it. I guess we just have to make do, now, with popcorn and salad dressing and organic cookies.

Hugh Laurie has been awarded an OBE! Who better?! (ht Anwyn)

Longish interview/essay on Leonard Cohen, poet and songwriter extraordinaire.

More as the day goes on.

Labels: modern culture, tv

Obviously there are many soldiers and others to whom we owe bows and thoughts of enormous gratitude. It's good to have a day or two every year to pause and remember.

Gary Sinise is one of the really good guys who pays active tribute all year long. Laura's Musings pays tribute to him today and it's clearly more than well deserved.

Labels: good ideas, people

Watched The Illusionist this afternoon while knitting. I liked it a lot. Even though the ending is fairly easy to guess -- although one must consider the possibility that's it's an illusion, too -- the movie is quite charming and fun. Edward Norton apparently did his own magic tricks, which is a nice touch. Ricky Jay and Michael Weber are magicians to be reckoned with. And this movie is fun.

Labels: movies

I spent most of yesterday knitting on a baby afghan for a friend who's due in mid-June. Therefore the tv was on, because I seem to prefer marathon knitting with tv accompaniment instead of silence or even music. (Three senses need to be occupied, I guess, probably a left-over from doing homework as a teenager (ha).) Anyway, a friend recommended Shear Genius so I watched several episodes and LOVED it. I don't like all reality shows but I do like the ones where producing a result is the point. Furthermore, these judges are far less smug and dismissive than any of the others. It's a good time and really fun to watch.

I also watched My Big Fat Greek Wedding which got such wildly positive reviews. The cast is terrific (for example, John Corbett (who was once a hairstylist!!) is the non-Greek boyfriend, Gia Carides (Anthony LaPaglia's wife) is the cousin, Lainie Kazan (who is awesome) is the mother, etc., etc.). But the whole thing made me cringe, more and more as time went on. The pile-up of stereotypes was unbelievable, from the ridiculous father who doesn't listen to anyone to the mother who seems deferential but really runs everything to the brother beloved by the father but is really a skirt-chasing jerk to the drab girl who suddenly figures out how to use make-up and dress cutely and (lo and behold) attracts the best looking guy in town. Not to mention the shenanigans about the family refusing to accept the non-Greek boyfriend and working that through lots of fights and then accepting him and then . . . surprise . . . everyone lives happily ever after. Granted that there are only a few story lines and that everything is re-told over and over, but the ones that work have to offer something unique and charming. I was surprised but thought this was poorly-wrought.

Labels: knitting, movies, tv

Memorial Day is about remembering. It’s about remembering those who died for our country; [and] it's also about remembering why they believed it was worth dying for.

Words from Fred Thompson's I Remember, along with:

I remember when I was a kid; one thing was clear to me. The more I learned about the rest of the world, the luckier I felt just having been born in America. The more I learned about America, the more I appreciated what those who came before us built; and how exceptional they were. Not that there aren't other great places to live, but America is unique.

Amen. The man certainly talks the talk.

Labels: america, politics

anysoldier.com was started in August 2003 by an Army Infantry Soldier in Iraq and in January 2004 was expanded to include any active member of any of the Armed Forces. Packages and letters are distributed to soldiers who don't get mail. You can select names or home states or just write "Any Soldier" and they'll take care of it. What a super idea.

Labels: headlines

Giving the rest of us a questionable name, some bloggers are famous as conspiracy dredger-uppers and fans. Sure enough, several insist that the Rosie and Elizabeth dust-up was deliberately set up to make Rosie look bad. They "prove" it by asserting that the split screen showing Rosie on one side (face all flushed, scrunched up and angry) and Elizabeth on the other (blond, cooler but really angry herself) required planning and thus we know the fight was intended to make Rosie look bad. Odd conclusion since ABC probably likes to make money. Furthermore, split screens are used a lot, even on live shows. All it takes is an alert director or producer actively watching things as they're happening.

The world sure is getting crazier all the time. And heaven help the vitriol level if Rosie decides to back one of the presidential candidates.

Labels: celebrities, headlines

In a time far away, there will be two main opponents in the competition to be the resident of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. As an aside, I have to say that it amazes me that there are always whole bunches of people who want to be cheered and championed for a few years and then excoriated before they disappear into the hazy clubroom known as "former presidents." Anyway, the point here is that one of my blog pals, Eratosthenes, wrote recently (here) that he'd heard and is "inclined to agree" that the 2008 opponents will be Mitt Romney and John Edwards, with Romney winning and Fred Thompson becoming Secretary of State. Let me say that I respect Eratosthenes enormously but I can't imagine that two pretty boys who are both so utterly "white bread" will be our choices. The good news is that Romney, who appeals to me and interests me more as time goes on, probably would trounce Edwards, who alarms me for many reasons. The bad news is that I think that match would make for an extraordinarily boring main campaign and also wouldn't help our image. On the other hand, while I keep hearing that Hillary can't possibly get her party's nomination because of her high negatives, she has so much money and seems to have lots of "in" groupers behind her. And Edwards seems like a joke. I guess I'm waiting for people to come out of the woodwork.

Labels: 2008 election, politics

I wonder if there's something going in the brown cola business? Laura muses here about a place she likes to eat that, to her delight, is no longer selling Pepsi, only Coke. Meanwhile, a local eatery we like to go to only sells Pepsi, a fact that sometimes influences our decision about where to eat because we're dyed-in-the-wool Diet Coke drinkers. Which two items I might simply have attributed to the vagaries of the marketplace except that for last three or four weeks my (large) office cafeteria has had a hard time keeping Diet Coke stocked, completely running out several times. It's hard to resist thinking something's going on.

Labels: food, modern culture

Sometimes I have delayed reactions. This is one of them. Hillary recently said that she thought all children should attend preschool or day care because of the richness of experience and interaction and education that are provided there. This has been rolling around in the middle area of my consciousness because something bothered me but I wasn't sure what. I'll give her points for putting preschool and preparedness into the discussion, but I get stuck after that. I'm not a hundred percent sure all children should be in day care, for one thing. Is it "day care" as long as there are one or two other children there too? Well, I'm not sure that daily interaction with other kids is all she meant nor all that matters. And if there has to be some teaching or structure, then what about Project Headstart and why didn't she mention it and explain any differences? Isn't Headstart exactly what she's talking about? Are there problems getting all children into it? If so, then why not fix those rather than dream up another government project when one already exists that's earned almost unanimous praise? Am I missing something?

Labels: children, schooling

There's a magician on Craig Ferguson's show at the moment, Rick Thomas. I don't remember being so struck before by the horror of the woman being sawed in half which must mean this guy makes it seem even more real than most. I know there are mirrors or she folds herself in tiny tiny halves and doesn't really get hurt, but I have no idea how he does it. Not to mention turning scarves into batons or batons into birds or birds into girls. He's fabulous.

Labels: tv

I cannot fathom how it escaped my attention until now but The Rap Sheet is the cat's meow and pajamas all rolled into one. I'm a huge film noir fan, the predecessor and first cousin to which is detective/crime/spy fiction (although some would disallow spies in this category). The Rap Sheet has billions of titles, authors, character and other details, suggestions, interviews, etc., etc., all about these wonderful stories. There's an editor and a bunch of writers who maintain TRS which is more than a year old and was in January Magazine for several years before that. Currently there's a sixth installment of nifty answers to the question "What one crime, mystery, or thriller novel do you think has been most unjustly overlooked, criminally forgotten, or under-appreciated over the years?"and some of the answers are gems. (Note to self: better sleep hard tonight because you'll be reading all weekend; maybe buy some stronger glasses on the way home.)

Labels: blogs (others'), books, writing

Al Gore on Larry King the other night began one of his dire pronouncements by saying, "If Greenland were to break up . . . ." He's not a good enough scientist (he's not a scientist at all, come to think of it) to be taken so seriously and, besides, he's on an odd kind of guilt-producing hellfire and brimstone kick that has some basis in agreed-upon science but more basis in not-agreed-upon prognostication. And some of what he says is just plain wrong. For example, Greenland's more than eight hundred thousand square miles are a land mass, officially called a non-continental island just like Australia. A glacier covers most of the island's interior surface, not the coasts, and none of it is an iceberg or anything else similarly formed and therefore it couldn't "break up" even if it wanted to or even if the temperatures rise to a billion degrees (although who really knows what would happen to anything if the temperature rose to a billion degrees, come to think of it). Lots of research has been done on Greenland's ice sheet and it turns out there have been huge climate changes off and on for thousands and thousands of years, including thickening at its center around ten years ago. At the moment, the ice sheet's edges are melting more quickly than previously, but it's entirely possible that similar fluctuations happened before ("before" meaning over the last several hundred thousand years). Skepticism, questioning, research and reading need to be our best friends. (h/t dadvocate)

Labels: headlines, weather

There's a some unease among the bloggers I read. I attribute most of it to some kind of spring fever where you're happy it's warmer but it's a little uncomfortable so you run the risk of making precipitous decisions unless you're careful. Several blogs have gone on hiatus and/or quit in the last few weeks. But many are still alive and kicking vibrantly, thank goodness.

1. & 2. At the redoubtable and always-good-for-something-interesting-to-read Sweet Familiar Dissonance, there's a link to two fantastic t-shirts here, although in my perfect world, one would be the front of the other instead of two separate shirts. Aren't they great?! (If you have to pick one, which is yours?) And so to Banterist, the home page that featured the shirts. Describing itself as "a weblog of original humor written by actor & writer Brian Sack,"there's lots that's actually laugh-out-loud funny. Punctuation jokes, picture jokes, witticisms, intelligent humor, and the occasional just plain utter silliness. Join over 2.5 million (!) and don't miss it.

3. A tad difficult to get a good link out from Banterist because his linkages are often "real" websites of illustrators, writers, etc. Finally, however, I found Freelancefred which is a terrific title and a pretty interesting place. The recipe for a tomato tart has my mouth watering and my head spinning since food seems misplaced on an acerbic and somewhat political blog. NTL, he is adept at deploying sarcasm toward various deserving though unlikely topics such as John Edwards' issues with war terminology and Google's logo adornment for Memorial Day. Apparently Fred is, at present, a radio-spot writer residing in Georgia, and he's done lots other places, too, judging by his resume, including in Spy and Washingtonian. Interesting guy, interesting stuff. I'm going to read his pilot, on account of I adored his "Have an Aunt Mary Christmas."

4. Thinking in Vain was an irresistible jump and it's worth it, in spades. It's personal (e.g., "Teaching 7th graders") and quirky (e.g., "Puppets are creepy") and I like it a lot.

5. One more today. Family Life. It's funny (no surprise considering I got there from Banterist via Thinking in vain) and personal (she's pregnant and has a toddler who is considering the biological differences between boys and girls) and based in Chicago and many of her links (a/k/a friends) are wild. In fact I'll begin next week's bloghop with Nanook (see you then) but meanwhile, visit Family Life.

Labels: blogs (others')

The season finale was quite a show. I dreaded hours of drawn-out gobbledeegook but it had some enjoyable moments (although the Golden Idols thing was dreadful even if a lot of people dig the bad stuff at the beginning of the season).

--Clive Davis waxed wildly enthusiastic about Idols past and present, and their record selling prowess. He praised Chris Daughtry's success (over 6 million in sales), and Fantasia's (being more adult and gracious than she is, apparently), as well as Jennifer Hudson (who was in the audience), Clay Aiken, Kelly Clarkson, Catherine McPhee and Taylor Hicks and, finally, the wild success of Carrie Underwood. An impressive tally.

--Tony Bennett sang "For Once in My Life" with more riffing on the melody than I'm used to hearing him do, and he seemed to have a blast.

--Bette Midler's appearance startled me since she's one of those who once derided the Idol trip as cheesy, but it was neat that she directed The Wind Beneath My Wings to the audience.

--Smokey Robinson and Gladys Knight were good though they're too Vegas for me. Gwen Stefani's pre-taped number bored me.

--Green Day rocked with a bit of furor for "selling out" but getting a huge audience and let's face it they want to sell cd's, too.

--The African Children's Choir was the fantastic and crowning glory.

As far as past Idols:

--Season 1's Kelly Clarkson showed her awesome voice once again and now she's got style to boot. She sang her new angry-girl single and belted out a tribute to Sergent Pepper (why?). I doubt she can hit a false note.

--2's Fantasia was in absentia cuz she's on Broadway in The Color Purple.

--3's Reuben Stoddard looked positively dapper in a fantastic black pin-striped suit and he sang a couple of nifty numbers.

--I'd never heard 4's Carrie Underwood for more than a few moments before tonight so I was apprehensive especially with all the hoolpa, but I was impressed (despite more false eyelashes and mascara than I've ever seen in one place). At the beginning of each song she seemed surfacy but once she got going she was great.

--5's Taylor Hicks sang a couple of good songs but he's not in Kelly's and Carrie's league. Plus, he messed up the lyrics on his Beatles song.

As for this year's group - talented, upbeat and yet to be tested:

--Lakisha was terrific and dressed better than for most of the season and with most of her confidence restored. I guess the pressure was hard for her. She has a good career ahead of her.

--Melinda continued her unbroken run of superficial phoniness; an interviewer asked her how she felt when the audience chanted "Melinda, Melinda!" and she answered, "Oh, really, did they?! Wow!" as if she hadn't smiled and waved at them at the time. Then she sang with the Winans, in case anyone forgot that she was their back-up singer. Duh, sure her voice is good since she's a trained and practiced professional (and thus should've been ineligible), but she's stodgy and phony.

--A huge highlight was Sanjaya singing and Joe Perry playing, all energized trip and well done, believe it or not, doing the Kinks' "You Really Got Me."

--Blake was gracious and upbeat. He's got a big niche career ahead of him, probably more easily than if he'd won.

--The evening was capped off by Jordin in a cool dress as she won the title and her parents and grandmother beamed from ear to ear.

So all in all an enjoyable show although way too endless an array of commercials.

Labels: a.i., a.i.6

Everything has run fairly smoothlyat Blogger for a while, until that momentous day recently when they added a "save your drafts automatically" feature. Ever since, there've been various spates of sticky wickets and several episodes of not saving at all, not only here at JMBM but at seeral other blogs. You hit "save" and sit there. Or you hit "refresh" and nothing happens. I really hope we're not heading into another patch of unreliability.

Labels: blogs (mine), web design

Someone'd better give Chris Daughtry make-up lessons. To be more obvious, so viewers don't spend half a performance wondering, or do it subtly, you know: to enhance his inner beauty (gag). But what the heck was he doing slathered in make-up?? Darned odd image for him.

Labels: a.i.6, tv

I wonder why Simon Cowell keeps beating the Melinda Doolittle horse - good singer though she may be, she looked and acted too old and was simply too boring and already-a-pro backup singer. Why doesn't he get it? He's one of the geniuses behind this, after all.

I wonder why John Edwards doesn't get it that he can't run around saying he's the champion of the poor and downtrodden while getting zillion-dollar haircuts and gajillion-dollar paybacks from hedge funds and living in mansions. Are the limousine crowd simply utterly out of touch?

I wonder why Jimmy Carter lit into Bush in the first place - which is impolite, unseemly and incredibly unwise given his own performance in office. And I also wonder why he semi-hemi-demi retracted his lacing into Bush. Of course, I forget that his brain rarely makes much sense.

I wonder what it is that some people see in Quentin Tarantino. He's a strange looking, somewhat whiny, violence-loving emperor who isn't wearing enough clothes.

I wonder what possessed the drafters of the current immigration bill to propose that back taxes be waived. Unless they're planning a general tax amnesty for all of us current citizens, that would be a bizarre and nasty little piece of work. Unless we're all missing something. Where are the conspiracy theorists when you need them?

I was wondering what happened to Vicki Carr because I was thinking about one of her songs the other day when watching American Idol. Turns out she's alive and well and performing all over the place. I still remember one amazing performance of hers on Johnny Carson.

Labels: headlines, reflections

Quite a good American Idol finale tonight even though I must admit I was expecting it to be a bit boring. Blake doesn't do my favorite kind of singing/performing but his energy and mellowness are truly fun to watch. And what happened to how he sang off key at the beginning and now only sings off key when he sings slowly?? Meanwhile, Jordin even knocked Simon's socks off for a change - and he said so! although, for the conspiracy theorists among us, he may have said that in order to try to sway voters away from or to Blake. (I'm not crafty enough to follow the devious influencing very well.) I won't predict or voice a preference lest I jinx anything but I totally look forward to tomorrow' season finale.

Labels: a.i., a.i.6

They did it! Apolo and Julianne won that glittery, schmaltzy trophy on Dancing With the Stars! On his 25th birthday, no less! They were SO good in every single dance and looked so fantastic all the time. And it's her first season, too! They blew me away and I guess lots of other people, too. I'm sorry that Laila didn't win but only one person can win (that's the thing about winning) and she definitely became a huge hit, too. (Who even knew there were professional women boxers? Well, I didn't.) Some shows get tired when they've been on for a while, but this one has gotten better each year. Maybe partly because more interesting 'stars' come on, now that it's been so successful. But it's incredibly hard work, so it's awesome that anyone is willing to risk life and limb (well, maybe not life and limb). Anyway, major congrats to A&J!!!

Labels: music, people, tv

With all due respect for the very long-lasting emotional effects that being in solitary confinement in a Vietnam prison must have caused, it seems most alarming that anyone is even considering putting a man with this short a fuse and so much animosity into a position with the authority and power of U.S. president.

Labels: 2008 election, politics

At Victory Soap, the ever acerbic and amusing Andrea mentions (among other things) an idea being floated in some European countries to abolish traffic lights and other pesky restrictions on personal freedom, all in the service of freedom and humane interaction. Right.

The Known Universe sports a photo which would be annoying if someone set it up for a college photo-essay but instead is just great. He also has a tribute to Miss Snark who is hanging up her blogging keyboard to the loud dismay of her many devoted readers. But, hey, part of the good news about blogging is that anyone can do it at any time for any reason. A logical accompanying part of the bad news would, therefore, be that anyone could stop doing it at any time for any reason (or no reason). Sad but true.

Several blogs have been writing about Richard Schikel's bizarre diatribe against bloggers. I'm tempted to link some of my favorite reactions so far, but it's playing more fairly to let any rare readers form their own opinions first. And let me know, here, if they feel so inclined.

Laura muses about John McCain's outburst in a meeting on the immigration bill and I must say I am baffled. I know his temper is famous but it reminds me of Gary Hart's foolish taunt. If you know you have a problem that the press will glom onto like that proverbial dogbone, why not be extra careful? (And should we even consider electing such a loon?)

Wonderful Seablogger is having some health issues and questions today. Please add him to your prayers or whatever you do in lieu thereof.

Another awesome photo at Paris Daily Photo from yesterday's third annual "La nuit des musées" (the night of the museums). Apparently more than 1500 museums stayed open until at least midnight and admission was free. I think I'll schedule a trip for that, one of these years.

That's it for now.

P.S. Lengthy piece and many interesting comments on this at Fresh Bilge. (Note to self: must remember to check links IN or I'll keep missing things I've spawned, such as this.)

Labels: blogs (others'), headlines, reflections

It's hard to avoid wild and fanciful conspiracy theories about WNET's often dreadful scheduling here in the New York area. Years ago, it was they who got some of us completely hooked on complex, well-written dramas. Then they left us in the lurch and recently have given us only a rare morsel. So we were eager for tonight's The Secret Life of Mrs. Beeton, on the Victorian Martha Stewart who could neither cook nor sew but was a talented journalist. Her Book of Household Management has been a century-long bestseller and her life was a crazy mix of delight and tragedy, complete with inept and reprobate husband. But the show was oddly bland and one of the most depressing ninety minutes I've ever watched. Deconstruct your heart out, Rebecca Eaton, but need it be so ghastly? And not even particularly well acted or filmed?

The very good news is that Jericho will have two new episodes soon -- June 3rd and 10th, to be precise -- and will be followed by four Sundays with new episodes of Foyle's War. So all is not lost, pledge drives and desultory programming to the contrary notwithstanding.

Labels: movies, tv

I'm reading a book by one of my favorite bloggers (The China Girl by John Baker), detailed reactions to which will follow when I'm done. In the meantime I must mention that he forges phrases and puts a few words together in some ways that are startling and quite lovely. Not banging you over the head literateur-ly, just spot on. It's requiring self-control for me not to gulp the book down way too fast but I don't want to miss anything, not to mention lose the pleasure of relishing it. 'Course, I'm dying to know who's done what and why. Patience.

Meanwhile, a side note on rhyming slang. I've always loved its construction's wit and slight of hand (so to speak). Then, the other day, one of t2cgitw invented some "teen" numbers (e.g., bubbleteen, skyteen, mommyteen, grassteen, etc.). I figure that any baby toddler who makes jokes about words deserves to hear rhyming slang. So up the mental apples and pears to make a few of my own. And I welcome any suggestions.

Labels: about me, family, fun, words, writing

After the nasty storms earlier this week, power and cable both went out and my spanking new home network also went out. I tried turning it off and back on, and TiVo still worked (whew) but the computer couldn't get an Internet connection so TiVo couldn't update either. My son the installer/advisor who doesn't live near enough to run over and save me from myself said I should pick up a UPS and try again. I wondered why I needed a whole company that delivers packages just to keep my computer connected but then I realized that wasn't what he meant (and I'm kidding, in case any rare readers think I'm a dumb girl). I ordered a UPS online and picked it up on my way home from work (in-store pickup is cool) though I did have to lug it to the car in my arms because they don't have large bags (which seems nuts given all the things they sell, but what do I know). The instructions were pretty clear but didn't seem idiot-proof (i.e., illustrated) so I was a bit nervous but figured it was unlikely that I'd blow up the house (I mean, have you ever heard of people blowing themselves up while installing hardware with their computers?). Tripping a circuit breaker seemed possible but the guy who owned the house before me wired the house really well. The bottom line is that now the computer's connected and working beeuuutifulllly so I can blog and e-mail, and TiVo can update. Go, me!!!

Labels: about me, tv

Over at Curtis and Kuby's radio show yesterday morning (on WABC radio), they mentioned an informal contest to suggest theme songs for the presidential candidates. Some suggestions were not entirely serious, but funny (e.g., Elton John's The Bitch is Back for Hillary and New York, New York for Rudy). Some were more serious but of course I've forgotten them. Anyway, it's an amusing past-time to ponder. What would Romney's be? McCain's?? And do you think the sounds around them make them more -- or less -- appealing?

Labels: music, politics

Amazing. The Anointed One was sent a-packing. It's especially hard to believe since Dial Idol showed Melinda with a slim but real margin ahead of both Blake and Jordin (and Blake was lowest). Which plays into my conspiracy theory vis-a-vis the producers, of course, but once you buy into a conspiracy theory, you tend to inhabit it hook, line and sinker, don't you? Anyway, I'm delighted that the finale will be a real competition since Jordin and Blake differ in many ways (boy/girl (duh), punchy (not quite edgy)/smooth, very young/a tad classic . . . etc., etc.). And I'm okay with either of them winning since they'll both have recording contracts and careers if they want them, so basically it's just an entertaining and pleasant duel now.

Labels: a.i., a.i.6

Now that I have TiVo, I can watch Idol without having to listen to all the icky patter. Even better, I don't have to listen to any singing I don't especially like. So I found myself pretty much glued to my fast-forward button last night because I felt really annoyed at how the producers (always trying to mind-game the viewers, in case you hadn't noticed) were shoving the crown at Melinda in about ten different ways. They had her sing last, for one thing, always the best slot cuz you can bring up the rear with a slam dunk and barely remember the others. Everyone compares the rest to the first but remembers the last.

I thought the judges had it in for Jordin last night. At least if you go by her slot (first) and their song choices and their comments. Their song choice for Melinda was dynamite - tuneful and punchy - but for Jordin was a fairly obscure song which they complained she didn't deliver all that well and (my favorite criticism) didn't like the arrangements of any of her songs. Who the heck's fault is that??! Oh, right, that's the producers. Am I making my point?

How about Melinda's reaction when Ryan told her the judges' song choice? She batted her fake eyelashes under the wig that's changed her hair from her own to the camera-ready look she has now, and said "Oh? Wow!" as if she had absolutely no idea what the song was. Give me a break! How insincere can she be?? What do you think they've been practicing all week? And I still don't like her smooth and slick delivery. And wasn't it amusing that they had her sing one of the songs last night in front of a back-up group? In case you've forgotten, she's a professional back up singer! She's not an amateur (and does not belong in this competition).

Blake's style is one I don't really know but he's what he is and seems to do it well and with great enthusiasm. I predict that he's the one who'll leave tonight if you go by Dial Idol and other people's comments. However, if you go by the judges' remarks, I'd swear they want Jordin to go so The Anointed One can face the finals without a meaningful struggle. But if Blake goes, teenagers and people like me have a shot at giving it to Jordin.

Labels: a.i., a.i.6

Wow, this is my one thousandth post. A milestone. Two and a half years. Cool!! About 920 days and a thousand posts. What with multiples some days and skipping some days, I've almost met my intended goal of at least one post a day. Onward to two thousand. . . !

Labels: anniversaries, blogs (mine)

I am going to shout her name far and wide. Missyisms!! There. Now, another time: Missyisms!! Why all this exuberance for her, you ask? Because she has brought the good news that Foyle's War will be shown on PBS in June for four weeks. It is a marvelous, marvelous show with characters I just want to be real and bring home with me, so I cannot wait. (Once more: Missyisms!!) Oh, to be going to spend four more days with Michael Kitchen and Honeysuckle Weeks. There is a heaven and all's right with the world, at least for a little while.

Labels: tv, writing

So much emotion this week! First, last night's quarter-final on Dancing with the Stars was bursting with more energy than a supernova. Apolo Ohno was terrific in the Olympics but his dancing has been astounding. His fast step last night was truly astonishing. Likewise, Laila Ali is gorgeous, full of personality and a fabulous dancer. It's a pleasure to be able to watch both of them. And I have to admit that Joey Fatone was good last night but he annoys me for some reason so I hate to think that he'd beat Laila or Apolo out of the finals. And how that judge could dislike Ohno's so-called raunchiness and then make a more suggestive remark himself is beyond me. Is it okay to speak sexy but not to move sexy?

Tonight is American Idol's three-to-the-end show. Which one will be sent packing? The guesses are Melinda for being too professional and insincere ("oh, gee, do you really think I'm good?") or Blake for being too one-note-boxy. I prefer Jordin but could live with Blake winning even though he's not my personal choice. If Melinda wins, it seems to me to defeat the whole point of the show. I'm not predicting until after tonight's singing, though.

Labels: a.i., a.i.6, tv

I thought I could let my reaction to Oprah's remarks go with my short post earlier today.

First, I acknowledge that Oprah has done good things. Wonderful blogger Ligneus pointed out in a comment at my earlier post that Oprah "does some good things like influencing people to read through her book club" and I wholeheartedly agree. I have often said I think she's one of the few trying (every now and then) to find ways to improve the emotional and (dare I say it?) spiritual character of the modern world. But was that all a ruse?

Imus has set up several organizations and given lots of money to children's cancer research. Since prior good acts were irrelevant for him, why are they relevant for her?

Second, Oprah was speaking at Howard University, a highly respected center of learning and thought which was originally established for black students. Today, however, it is (technically) not only for black students so presumably there were some white students in the graduating class. How did she intend her remarks to be germane for them?

Third, Oprah's recounting her joy at having -- and her recommendation to the students to go out and find for themselves -- some "good white folks" (it's hard even to write those words) is simply appalling. At minimum, that phrase carries a century of resentment and hate.

Fourth, it's evident that Oprah sees herself as different and separate from white people. What happened to her platitudes about "one world" and "can't we all get along" and "we're all human beings" and all the others? Has her work been entirely an exercise in getting back? Has her life been lived entirely in revenge? She said she is thrilled at having employees who are white (the "good white folks" of whom she spoke). Well how can that be interpreted in any way except that she's happy to have successfully flipped the racial tables so that now she's the Master and they (her "good white folks" (a/k/a white employees)) are the "slaves"?

Fifth, can you imagine the reaction if white parents with a black caretaker for their children said they'd "got themselves a "good black nanny"? Can you imagine the reaction if a CEO with a productive staff that included some black people said he'd "got himself some good black folks"? I'm serious: can you imagine the reaction?? It would be appalling. It would justifiably make headlines all over the country. (And what would the Sharpton/Jackson 'machine' do?!)

And finally, in part because she has been seen as a contributor to the betterment of society, but mainly simply because she said it, I do not understand why Oprah is getting a pass on being patronizing, vengeful and racist.

Labels: headlines, people

Oprah talked about having "gotten herself some good white folks" in her commencement address this weekend. She's been talking about it on her radio show, too, saying that she and her business partner have "an almost all white staff . . . good white folks” because "she does not have to appease the white people in the country" and that she and Gayle "will not rest until every ‘black boy’ and every ‘black girl’ has had a chance to prove their worth."

Okay, have you breathed out yet? When I heard this, on my radio, in Oprah's own voice, I was stunned. Is this the "tat" to Imus's "tit"? Doesn't it seem like blatant racism, albeit in reverse? Does she control so much money that no one wants to risk pissing her off? If that's not the reason, then why isn't anybody yelling and screaming? Once again, I ask, "what am I missing"?

Labels: modern culture, people

Tony Snow gave one of those really good commencement addresses on Saturday. Read it all. In years to come, I hope the graduates remember their terrific speech.

Labels: people

When did interviewers decide they were the voice of prurient inanity? What happened to Mike Wallace who was once a serious interviewer? Tonight on 60 Minutes, apparently he asks the Romneys if they 'engaged in premarital sex'. Who still calls it that? Whose business is it? What possible relevance does it have to anything? Unless, of course, Mike Wallace himself is rewriting the Kinsey Report and the prepublicity for the show neglected to mention it.

There's a cool wind blowing (my paraphrase) and the summer's previously expected churning weather may well actually be calmer than usual. Ha. When will the prognosticators accept the fact that you can't draw conclusions about the universe with only a few decades of evidence?

I filled my car's gas tank yesterday, then, just two miles north, the price was 15 cents less per gallon and stayed there for 20 miles. What's up with that??

It doesn't really matter that Obama made a mistake and said 10,000 people died in the Kansas tornado - everyone makes mistakes, after all - but what does matter is that his judgment is such that he tried to slither out of it by saying he was tired instead of just that he flubbed. Already he's SO tired that he makes such that huge a mistake? Does he listen to himself? Didn't he notice that there was sadness but not much fuss? Wouldn't there have been huge deal going on if three times the number who died on 9/11 had died in the tornado? What kind of attention is he paying? (And people freak out when GWB mispronounces 'nuclear'?)

In a comment to my post on Kansas, CG Hill wrote something that made me laugh so hard I have to put it here: "Were an asteroid to sweep out of the sky and sideswipe the planet, people would still blame Bush. I have often wondered why, if he has such amazing powers, he doesn't just use the Mute Ray (Reg. U.S. Pat. Off.) on these whiners once and for all." I guess either GWB is a masochist or he doesn't have such phenomenal powers. Hmm, I wonder which.

By the way, happy mother's day! As musing minds points out, "without a mother, there would be no you." For myself, I feel very important today because without me, there would be neither of t2cgitw. I am wonderful!

Labels: headlines, people

Tim Schieferecke wrote an article on The American Thinker about how the clean-up is all Bush's fault . . . not. He mentions a couple of the logical and factual problems with the 'blame Bush' reaction, all of which are valid, but my personal favorite because it's so obvious and yet I haven't heard anyone else mention it: Kansas is a big, rural, agrarian state which has lots and lots of trucks everywhere for gathering crops and grain. Aside from the fact that the Governor could have bought a few trucks in the four years since the Iraq appropriations began (which she says is when she began feeling uneasy about trucks being gone from the state), she could have gotten a bunch of trucks from farther west in her very own state. Duh. Plus, as Tim S. points out, even if all the Kansas national guard troops were in Iraq, how much protection from looting is necessary in a town that's stripped down to the ground? Not much to loot, unless you're a wood collector, and maybe that would help the clean-up, anyway.

Seriously, what's the matter with people? What's happened to logic and clearheadedness?

Labels: gwb, headlines, politics

Using one's blog to whine is something I don't like to do because it seems like a cheap way to use the broadbandwaves (the internet's version of airwaves, I assume) but it's somewhat satisfying to let loose a little and yet not upset anyone within my immediate vicinity. This year I am among the ranks of people socked in the head by flowering trees. My eyes, nose and throat are raw after almost two weeks of itching and otherwise reacting to the gorgeous but apparently sadistic beauty of the white and pink lovelies. I've tried Dimetap, Claritin and Triaminic so far, all of which mollify itchiness a little but had minimal effect on drippy eyes or coughing. Since there may be a karma component to this (universe conspiracy theorist that I am) I sure wish I could figure out how to go to all my friends and acquaintances who, over the years, said they were suffering from allergies but of whom I thought various things like "oh for goodness sake" and "allergies schmallergies". I loudly apologize to them all.

Labels: about me

There are so many books even on this not-exhaustive list of books coming out this summer that we'd better get started planning and reading even though it's still only early May.

Labels: books

Sorry for skipping the last two weeks but now Thursday bloghopping is back!

1. Lynn's always interesting A Sweet Familiar Dissonance starts off today with a witty piece on breakfast and food labels. (She likes ginger, too!) She includes a quotation from Aaron Copland on eating in France that puzzles me since it contradicts every one of own experiences (I was served butter and wine without any difficulty at all and, for goodness sake, who invented café au lait?!). She always does what my favorite blogs do, namely, get me involved and talking (to myself, often!). She's got more links listed than anyone on earth, I'm quite sure, so visiting her is always an opportunity to expand one's blog reading and viewing since she unearths many quirky and/or photo blogs as well as more "regular" ones. And her own photos are wonderful, by the way, although too infrequent.

2. The link to Amy on the Web caught my attention because I am fond of the name "amy". She's a medieval literature specialist and a writer by profession. Even so, she apparently did the tech work on her site by herself (good job!). The content is fun stuff and definitely worth checking out. Today's post on cemetery symbols is fascinating (even if she does misspell "cemetery" -oops). She's an admitted quiz fan so there are lots of those, and she loves cats so there are many links to photogenic fur people. Entirely unexpectedly, she links to a Victor Borge sketch on YouTube, which is marvelous of course. Her high silliness is worth return visits all by itself.

3. Rebecca's Pocket has been around since 1999 yet this was my first visit. Its proprietor is a writer, journalist and speaker who clearly knows her blogging stuff and has a slew of interests about which she writes prolifically. A perfect example is her page on all things domestic is compendious and ranges from cleaning to designing to health and nutrition to shopping and spending. I was about to nitpick that many of her links are out-of-date when I came up her disclaimer to that effect, so just be forewarned. There are alternative medicine and animal protection references, and another whole page devoted to gaia and various subtopics. It's quite a place and will require hours and hours to digest entirely.

Labels: blogs (others')

There's a superb article on climate change, greenhouse effects, etc., etc. (h/t Seablogger). It summarizes and explains many details about aspects of the whole thing, words that we've become accustomed to flinging around as if we really understood them. A truly must read.

Labels: weather, writing

Yup, Lakisha is done. If she can develop more confidence, she'll be a wild performer. Now on to the top 3. Purely by votes, Blake and Jordin will be the finalists but I find it hard to imagine the producers letting their Anointed One leave. This will be a test of the realness of the voting.

Labels: a.i., a.i.6

Four sang tonight (Blake, Lakisha, Melinda and Jordin). As several people have said, it's not been the strongest field in the world this year (some have put it more strongly) but the show is still a heckuva lot of fun to watch. I like how Melinda and Jordin don't seem to let any of the comments bother or excite them very much. Either their prozac works really well or they're both really sanguine. Anyway, I thought Blake was awful but, then, I'm not sure what torture chamber the producers sadistically envisioned when they set four inexperienced soloists to sing songs written and originally performed by a group of men who always sing falsetto and sometimes in complex harmonies with each other (just try and find one straightforward melody line in some of them). The Anointed One (Melinda) sounded like the proverbial lounge singer Simon's always talking about and Lakisha was actually off key through whole sections of both songs, though she seemed far better than the last few weeks. Jordin sang the first song beautifully and chose one of my favorites for the second one but did, as Simon said, sing it too boringly (although the producers' arrangements often cause plenty of timing and pacing troubles). Anyway, I think Jordin's and Blake's fan bases will keep them in play (and probably squaring off in the final), and I suspect Melinda has producer-immunity for one more week, so I'll predict Lakisha will leave tonight.

Labels: a.i., a.i.6

Schools, hospitals, fire stations, trucks, cars, kitchens, photos, clothes, books, jewelry, diapers . . . everything is gone in Greensburg, Kansas. The devastation from last week's tornado raises again the question of how a beneficent God can possibly allow such things to happen. One argument goes that if God loves you a whole heckuva lot, he gives you extra difficult challenges - which strikes me as more fiendish than caring. Another argument has it that he isn't in the business of controlling every moment of every day but only to be our hope and aid. Is either argument persuasive? Am I missing something? One friend of mine says asking questions like this is pointless, but I'm curious how so many people maintain their faith in the face of such circumstances.

Labels: headlines, reflections

Do you suppose Nicole Kidman really is making Keith Urban wear an ankle alcohol monitoring device? Strikes me as appalling and probably pointless unless it's a court-ordered alternative to jail or something. And granted that I don't know what it's like to have my life dictated by yearning for something that prohibits me from living the life I want to lead (which I hasten to add is not to say that I don't engage in anything unproductive nor that I always live as I want or should) so maybe I shouldn't be assessing this, but it sure reminds me of the old "don't think about a purple cow" thing, as a result of which admonition the only thing you do think of is a purple cow.

Labels: celebrities, headlines

It's tempting - dare I say encouraging? - to extrapolate from the victories of Merkel in Germany and Sarkozy in France. Perhaps they imply that it is justifiable to trust democracy. Perhaps those Founding Fathers were right. Because whatever one may think of Bush at the moment, he was the right and better choice in his elections. And today Sarkozy won. He may not be ideal but he seems clearly the better choice. And more voted in France than ever before so this was the deliberate choice of the French people. Prhaps we can have faith of our own. Perhaps, as ludicrous as the 2008 season seems to be at present, all will work out in the end.

Labels: politics

I don't know if it's a new show or if I've just not been paying close attention, but Home Made Simple is very cool. It's got loads of faily simple things one can do to accomplish clear goals in one's home. (I say "fairly" simple because so many of the terrific home improvement shows have plenty of oh-so-simple ideas that are indeed totally simple as long as one has the dozens of preparers and off-screen assistants that they have. And inexpensive enough, if you get wholesale prices and have special stores to go to.) I'm one of those people who thinks I know tons already but I learned a few useful (and simple!) things today. Of course, now I'm hungry because of the mac 'n' cheese they made, but you've got to take the good with the bad.

Labels: about me, things to do

It may explain the slightly exaggerated importance with which many see him, and with which he carries himself, that George Clooney shares his birthday - today - with Sigmund Freud and, perhaps more significantly for him, Orson Welles and Max Ophuls.

Labels: anniversaries, juxtapositions, movies, people

If you live nearby, fireworks at Vassar College sound like mortar and small arms fire. For the last couple of years, they've had fireworks every 2 or 3 weeks (any occasion will do - Founders' Day, Spring, Celebrate Yourself Day, etc.) and never announce it in advance. I wouldn't be surprised if there have been a few heart attacks as a result of the loud, startling rat-a-tat-tats bursting in air.

Labels: about me, events

You must read the Anchoress' post today (Bush drinks water from a bottle!). My thoughts exactly.

Labels: blogs (others'), gwb, reflections

Terrific Kentucky Derby just now! If you missed it, try to see a replay. I know it was in the plan, but to see a horse make his way quietly and steadily in a strong and crowded field, from 19th . . . all the way to first was nothing less than awesome.

Labels: events

Today is the birthday of these Tauruses: Brian Williams (1959), Michael Palin (1943), Tammy Wynette (1942), Tyrone Power (1913), Alice Faye (1912), Rex Harrison (1908), James Beard (1903), Karl Marx (1818) and Soren Kierkegaard (1813), among others. Pretty wild mix.

It's also the anniversary of the day the Iran-Contra hearings began in 1987. Watergate, Iran-Contra . . . alas, politics isn't as much fun as it used to be.

Labels: anniversaries, juxtapositions

Ligneus' comments on my post yesterday led me to the Fred Thompson Report which is really a blog (!) and is instructive if you're interested in his thinking. I'm reminded that I often thought one or another presidential candidate had good ideas and a fairly centered attitude - during the months before the election. Elected, many almost instantly became stiffer and took on predictable ways of speaking and thinking. I always assumed it was because after the election they have to wear bullet-proof underwear, literally and figuratively. This year, like Ligneus, I'm trying to refrain from getting too enthusiastic about Thompson - partly because he's not actually a candidate, duh, and partly because that way can lie big disappointment. Given that he knows what it's like in DC and being a celebrity, and given his apparently truly low-key and centered personality, it sure seems there's a chance with him. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

Labels: 2008 election, politics

The oft-remarked-on Republican debate last night is well written-about by Peggy Noonan a/k/a I agree with almost every word she says, as I do Seablogger's reflection on it. Wouldn't it be nice to have a leader rather than a poll-watcher or someone who doesn't want to risk offending some corner or other of the electorate? What would Churchill have done if he'd worried more about polls and public opinion than his convictions?

P.S. The 1,000 in my title refers to the plethora of essentially rubber stamp candidates at the debate. The 1 refers to Fred Thompson who was absent (since technically not a candidate) but sort of metaphysically present. My fingers are crossed that when he emerges from the shadows, he will prove to be as interesting and refreshing as his elusiveness teasingly suggests.

Labels: 2008 election, politics

i carry your heart with me (i carry it in my heart)
i am never without it (anywhere
i go you go, my dear; and whatever is done
by only me is your doing, my darling)
i fear no fate (for you are my fate, my sweet)
i want no world (for beautiful you are my world, my true)
and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you
here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows
higher than soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart:
i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)

That's my current favorite love poem. My brother and sister-in-law didn't use it but a friend of mine will, later this month. (Hmm, it's nice to say "sister-in-law"!) And by the way, I know I'm prejudiced, but don't these two look splendid?

Labels: about me, family, people

Apparently Ronald Reagan wrote many of his own outlines and speeches, particularly eulogies - which he valued highly, as I do. I think obituaries and eulogies are fascinating because of the glimpse into history that they provide, and the reminder that history isn't a giant impersonal monolith nor lists on a page, but events performed by human beings who have families and stomach aches and hopes and disappointments, as we all do.

It seems that Fred Thompson also writes many of his speeches (read more here, where Laura muses). He's giving a speech tomorrow to the Lincoln Club of Orange County (California) and I was already looking forward to it but now even more. And isn't this gradual unfolding of his candidacy interesting?

Labels: people, politics

Festivals, outings, weekend and week-long retreats, cruises, excursions, etc. - all listed here. It's on Knitter's Review which is great anyway, but this list is really fantastic.

Labels: events, knitting

So it's down to Blake, Lakisha, Melinda and Jordin. This was fairly obviously the final four, right at the outset. An odd season, it seems to me but I am, after all, only in my second. It sure does seem like they've annointed Melinda and as if she expects to win as much as the judges and blogs expect her to, too. But I ask you: would you buy an album of this woman?? I would not. Blake is something of an original, which is far more interesting, and Lakisha and Jordin have tons more spunk and are more interesting to watch. Well, we shall see.

Labels: a.i., a.i.6

Mayor Bloomberg made a remark I thought was calming and quite well-stated, this morning. I'm certainly not a fan of his all the time especially when he drifts into his nanny-esque mode and talks about forbidding various foods and behaviors. He sounded more like the successful executive that he is when he said he thinks it's pointless to keep hashing and rehashing a discussion about how the situation in Iraq came about because it's there, we're there, it's what it is, no matter how it got this way, and now things need to be resolved as well as possible for everyone. Hear, hear!

Labels: politics, reflections

Sometimes things drift along the same for a while without much change. Sometimes lots of things change all at once. There's going to be a new prime minister in France within the week and a new prime minister in England within the month. These are unavoidable changes so there's no point in ruing them, but one does hope everything will be copacetic.

Labels: politics

Tonight they eliminate two after that ghastly manipulative trickiness last week. I think it's pretty sure that Chris and Lakisha will leave tonight, partly because Phil is growing on everyone (well, his voice is, anyway) although I have to say that Melinda is becoming increasingly annoying to me. She looks better and that's probably the producers' attempt to prep her for a possible win or a second-place finish. They're doing it for Jordin, too, so the last three are almost bound include Jordin and Melinda. I doubt Phil will be the third, but his voice can be nice but he's not eye-candy enough for me. Blake probably snags teenagers' votes, so I guess he'll be third although I'm not sure. Anyway, from here on out, it's all about who votes. And cheery Bon Jovi will be nice to see tonight.

Labels: a.i., a.i.6

It's a week later and all is well. The wedding was a total success from all kinds of points of view. The groom and bride were gorgeous and happy, friendly and cheery. The two million events (which number I exaggerate only slightly) were lots of fun and nowhere near as draining or difficult as I expected feared. We ate fantastic food (some restaurants, some catering) and drank wonderful wine and had some terrific conversations. I adored my brother's wife's mother and stepfather and at the reception sat beside one of my brother's oldest friends and his simply fantastic wife. My children looked marvelous and were good company, and their lovely children (the famous tcgitw) were a joy to be with as always. The bride and groom are off on a month-long trip to exotic and exciting places. All in all, I have to say something I would not have expected to say, which is that I could cheerfully have continued the festivities longer and that I had a wonderful time.

Labels: about me