This Made Me Tear Up A Little Bit

So cute.

Mad Men Mad Libs

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

via Esther's Facebook

Updike Dead at 76

This is kind of unexpected, he is one of those writers that I assumed was dead but had to remind myself was still alive. While I realize he was a great writer, I never really cared for his work. Still he is an important literary presence. RIP.

Update: Neo-Neocon has a very lovely reflection on Updike, she obviously read more of him than I. She manages to compare him to one of my favorite authors, Nobokov, might be worth checking Updike for a second time.

Most Bizzare Sentence Of the Night

"do a transgender education workshop on my campus, have recently gotten interested in the occupation of Palestine."
WTF?

Cryptic Shit I'm Too Afraid to Tell People

I hate the way you write. The style is extremely pretentious, fake, and overly flowery.
Your photography sucks, okay maybe it doesn't suck but it's not that great, it's the camera not your artistic skill.
You are not Audrey Hepburn get over it.
You are so vain, it upsets me.
You are too self-involved.
Things will change and you will be happy.
We get it, your life is perfect, now shut up.
I know you sent those e-mails, I shouldn't know but I know. That is why I am not your friend.
You have an infatuation with fame, it's pretty transparent.
I don't love you anymore, I wish I did.
I care, but I don't want to care.
You should be nicer just because.
I wonder if you ever loved me, I don't think you did, I think you loved being loved by me. But you never loved me.
You need to learn how to not throw money out the window. This way you can afford living alone and having a girlfriend.
You have everything I want, but I know things are hard. I wish I can make them better, but I can't.
I don't understand some of the things you say, are we speaking English?
Seriously, be nice or at least nicer, it makes things so much easier.
I know you are lying.
Dude, I'm a conservative, I seriously don't like Obama.

Blogging can be so cathartic.

I Love This Dress

I think once I'm back to looking semi-good I will purchase one of these dresses, I kind of want all of them at this point, but will settle for one. I love the deep blues and reds,the ones with different colory/patterns are also nice. Even though the dress is out of my price range, I think it will be worth it. 30 looks for under $300 dollars. That's like paying less than $10 for each look/dress.

First They Came For the Smokers

Small town in California has banned smoking in one's home. The stupidity and arrogance dumb founds me. What's next? Will margarine be outlawed to use in the home as well? The people who pushed the law once again drummed up the "second hand smoke" excuse, something that has never been proven to be harmful. I don't like the smell of second hand smoke, but I also hate how my hallway smells when someone is cooking fish. You know what I do with that? I deal. You are not going to like everything in life, I would expect a 84 year-old man to realize that.

Public health advocates are closely watching to see what happens with Belmont, seeing it as a new front in their national battle against tobacco, one that seeks to place limits on smoking in buildings where tenants share walls, ceilings and - by their logic - air.

Not surprisingly, habitually health-conscious California has been ahead of the curve on the issue, with several other cities passing bans on smoking in most units in privately owned apartment buildings, but none has gone as far as Belmont, which prohibits smoking in any apartment that shares a floor or ceiling with another, including condominiums.

That's not what I would call this law, "ahead of the curve" more like "piece of crap legislation". Also, notice that the lawmakers were moved by "walkers, wheelchairs and oxygen tanks - and telling harrowing tales of life surrounded by secondhand smoke." Obviously, Hollywood-style tearjerker symbols trump reason and liberty - just another baby step in nanny state politics. Obviously the reporter didn't know what "horrowing" meant, since I can't imagine this word being used in the context of applying a smell.
Okay, I'm so pissed I can't really write a coherent post. I'm going to go shovel my car now. And if it wasn't for the stupid cancer, I would go have a cigarette.

Blame The Geese, Assholes

Rachel Lucas as usual sums what assholes some people are, specifically the airline passangers who are considering suing US Airways. Airlines.

I understand the airline paying for lost luggage and tickets but for crissakes, this incident wasn’t their fault. I can’t believe anyone is even having a discussion about the airline being liable for emotional distress. God, I hate people.

Sometimes I feel like I live in bizzaro world. There should be a special level in hell reserved for these people.

No Healthy Choices

Upon showing this clip to my boyfriend, it was made clear that should we happen to be in Arizona we would be visiting this establishment.

Made My Eyebrows Itch

Kinda cute.

I Guess This Is Why I Never Really Found Playboy Interesting...

except for their articles of course. Okay, truth be told their articles were never that great either.

Hugh Hefner views on sex explained:

A 1956 memo to Playboy photographers listed Hefner's criteria for the centerfolds. The model must be in a natural setting engaged in some activity "like reading, writing, mixing a drink." She should have a "healthy, intelligent, American look—a young lady that looks like she might be a very efficient secretary or an undergrad at Vassar." Many centerfolds feature the implied presence of a man: a flash of trouser leg in the corner, a pipe left on a table. These props transform the pinups into seduction scenarios. Their premise is simple: by identifying with the absent man, a viewer can enter the scene.

The centerfold's signature is what we might call the "Playboy aesthetic"—something responsible both for Playboy's long run of success and its schmaltziness. As Hefner put it in a letter to Russ Meyer (director of Faster, Pussycat! Kill Kill!), the ideal centerfold is one in which "a situation is suggested, the presence of someone not in the picture." The goal was to transform "a straight pinup into an intimate interlude, something personal and special." Playboy readers are meant to be participants, not voyeurs. Hefner's vision of American sexuality was a distinctly pasteurized one—sex cleansed of its ugly (and often exciting) power plays. "Clean sex," he insisted, "has greater appeal than tawdry sex." Strippers, threesomes and S&M had no place in his magazine. The Playboy centerfold was a world away from the European ideal of a sexually-sophisticated temptress. Hefner's girls were always girls, first of all, or bunnies— not women. There was no knowing gleam in a centerfold's eye.

Part of the allure of sex is the inherent power struggle it presents, whenever I would see a Playboy spread it always struck me as fake, dull, and devoid of reality of sex. Hef's explanation totally makes sense, Playboy is the Disney World of porn.

via clusterflock

Oblivious Much?

Driving this morning I was listening to NPR's Morning Edition which made me laugh, but not in a good way. They had this whole report about European leaders not knowing how to handle the Obama presidency, since they "voted" for Obama. First of all, which European leader actually voted for Obama? It what parallel universe does the reporter live to actually use the word "voted" in explaining the European leaders reaction to Obama? They might have supported his candidacy, but the American people decide who is the President not Europeans or their leaders.
It went on to say that because of the last administration the European countries have looked inward, "focusing on national interest" and now they fear they must do the bidding of Obama like sending more troops to Afghanistan or fear the wrath of their constituents who are in love with Obama. So you see, when Obama asks for more troops, it is very different than Bush asking for more troops. The difference is that unilateral versus unilateral or something, even though the war in Afghanistan was supposedly a multilateral effort? Also, isn't the governement supposed to focus on "national interest," isn't that why they are elected for?
The story then went on to say how European governments have diverged from the Bush administration by blocking Ukrainian and Georgian membership in NATO - wanting to align itself with Russia. Unlike the Bush position of cutting off Russia to make it weaker, the Europeans want to deal with Russian on their own turns. To put it in the most basic terms Russia is the Devil and if this policy comes to bite them in the ass, I wonder who they will turn to? I think it's starts with A and ends in merica. Case and point the next story that followed was about how Kremlin's critics have been assassinated in the last ten years - reporters and attorney's trying to shed light on Kremlin have been killed and surprisingly most cases have not been solved.
Hmmmm, it's really a great mystery who is behind these killings./sarcasm
The European leaders are incredibly oblivious, they can stand up to Russia or they can be drooling sycophants empowering Russia's lust for power. I guess it's easier to be meek and bluster at America with empty rhetoric, until of course they will need our help. So yeah I laughed, but it wasn't funny.

Happy National Irish Coffee Day

Since I have a hankering for coffee and alcohol and half of my boyfriend's ancestry is Irish, and today is National Irish Coffee Day it seems only natural to go out for some Irish Coffee.

Oh Poor Witttle President Is Getting Hard Questions From The Press

Imagine the press actually asking questions when they see the President. What does Obama, he chides them for doing their job because he just wanted to say "hi." FYI Mr. President the press isn't yours to control, welcome to the big leagues.

Asked how he could reconcile a strict ban on lobbyists in his administration with a deputy defense secretary nominee who lobbied for Raytheon, Obama interrupted with a knowing smile on his face.

"Ahh, see," he said, "I came down here to visit. See this is what happens. I can't end up visiting with you guys and shaking hands if I'm going to get grilled every time I come down here."

Pressed further by the Politico reporter about his Pentagon nominee, William J. Lynn III, Obama turned more serious, putting his hand on the reporter's shoulder and staring him in the eye.

"Alright, come on" he said, with obvious irritation in his voice. "We will be having a press conference at which time you can feel free to [ask] questions. Right now, I just wanted to say hello and introduce myself to you guys - that's all I was trying to do."

If this is the kind of stuff that's going to get under his skin, we have a long four years ahead of us. No amount of looking in the eye or saying "come on" will help.

Thanks to Peter.

I Need Some Pie

Today is the National Rhubarb Pie Day! It's my favorite pie. I need some NOW!

Not Very Surprising

The most popular beverage in the world is tea; beer is second. However, in England and Ireland, beer holds the No. 1 spot

- Foodimentary Twitter
Oh those Irish and English, they like their beer.

"Brooklyn Boy"

Wow, I expect this kind of pettiness from girls. But guys, really? I don't even know what blue "toggle pea coat" means. Of course it's explained that this two live in Brooklyn, I presume somewhere in the Park Slope vicinity.

Quote of the Day

All those people who expected Bush to declare martial law today must be crestfallen. Man, he disappointed *everybody.*
- Lileks on Twitter

Kind of Wish This Kind of Thing Would Happen Spontaneously

via friend from Scotland

Let The New Era of Hope and Change Begin!

In all seriousness I wish Obama all the luck and strength to be the leader of the free world. I'm sure there will LOTS of things I will disagree with him on, but he is my President and I will support him.

Whatever!

Sledding?

There's snow in New York! I'm quite excited...we might go sledding in Central Park. Huzzah!
Update: Sledding was accomplished. We also were able to throw some snow balls around, perfect sticky snow for throwing snow balls, building forts, and making snow men.

Ugh

Great even Karl Marx had an opinion on the government bailout:

"Owners of capital will stimulate working class to buy more and more of expensive goods, houses and technology, pushing them to take more and more expensive credits, until their debt becomes unbearable. The unpaid debt will lead to bankruptcy of banks, which will have to be nationalized, and State will have to take the road which will eventually lead to communism."

Karl Marx, 1867

via an e-mail from my mother

Leonard Cohen Better Tour The Us

I love how he says "sincerely, L. Cohen" I just find that so great, I don't know why.

Israelis Poke Fun At BBC Bias Coverage

and themselves.

Link:

via Allah at Hot Air. who notes: "Why are they laughing when the war’s done so much damage to the peace process? Because: There is no peace process. There’ll never be peace with Hamas, and they know it." True and sad.

Superficial writes to Kanye about Kanye desire to pose naked and have less fans

Kanye,

For the record, I have never purchased a single note of your music. Please, do not consider this an endorsement of your new-found desire to display your jungle of love. It's actually the exact opposite. In fact, if you agree to put more clothes on top of the clothes you're already wearing, I'll walk into Target right now and start punching anyone in the face that tries to buy your CDs. You'll get less fans. I won't have to see your cock, and everyone's a winner.

Holla' at your boy,

The Superficial Writer

P.S. Did you seriously just compare yourself to a petite female Icelandic singer? Wow. That's messed up.

Can You Name All The Movies This Poster Spoils?

I can name all of them except for 2.

by Olly Moss Some of the designs are really fun. I wish some could be enlarged.

Kind of Looks Hot

Obama might have nice abs, but I prefer my guys a little bit more rugged. Okay in truth I prefer my guys to be a bit nerdy, still I like this shot of the President.

I Guess He Does Have A Problem w/the Postal Service

Best review ever. As Ken says - old but good.

3,776 of 3,821 people found the following review helpful: The Secret saved my life!, December 4, 2007 By Ari Brouillette Please allow me to share with you how "The Secret" changed my life and in a very real and substantive way allowed me to overcome a severe crisis in my personal life. It is well known that the premise of "The Secret" is the science of attracting the things in life that you desire and need and in removing from your life those things that you don't want. Before finding this book, I knew nothing of these principles, the process of positive visualization, and had actually engaged in reckless behaviors to the point of endangering my own life and wellbeing. At age 36, I found myself in a medium security prison serving 3-5 years for destruction of government property and public intoxication. This was stiff punishment for drunkenly defecating in a mailbox but as the judge pointed out, this was my third conviction for the exact same crime. I obviously had an alcohol problem and a deep and intense disrespect for the postal system, but even more importantly I was ignoring the very fabric of our metaphysical reality and inviting destructive influences into my life. My fourth day in prison was the first day that I was allowed in general population and while in the recreation yard I was approached by a prisoner named Marcus who calmly informed me that as a new prisoner I had been purchased by him for three packs of Winston cigarettes and 8 ounces of Pruno (prison wine). Marcus elaborated further that I could expect to be raped by him on a daily basis and that I had pretty eyes. Needless to say, I was deeply shocked that my life had sunk to this level. Although I've never been homophobic I was discovering that I was very rape phobic and dismayed by my overall personal street value of roughly $15. I returned to my cell and sat very quietly, searching myself for answers on how I could improve my life and distance myself from harmful outside influences. At that point, in what I consider to be a miraculous moment, my cell mate Jim Norton informed me that he knew about the Marcus situation and that he had something that could solve my problems. He handed me a copy of "The Secret". Normally I wouldn't have turned to a self help book to resolve such a severe and immediate threat but I literally didn't have any other available alternatives. I immediately opened the book and began to read. The first few chapters deal with the essence of something called the "Law of Attraction" in which a primal universal force is available to us and can be harnessed for the betterment of our lives. The theoretical nature of the first few chapters wasn't exactly putting me at peace. In fact, I had never meditated and had great difficulty with closing out the chaotic noises of the prison and visualizing the positive changes that I so dearly needed. It was when I reached Chapter 6 "The Secret to Relationships" that I realized how this book could help me distance myself from Marcus and his negative intentions. Starting with chapter six there was a cavity carved into the book and in that cavity was a prison shiv. This particular shiv was a toothbrush with a handle that had been repeatedly melted and ground into a razor sharp point. The next day in the exercise yard I carried "The Secret" with me and when Marcus approached me I opened the book and stabbed him in the neck. The next eight weeks in solitary confinement provided ample time to practice positive visualization and the 16 hours per day of absolute darkness made visualization about the only thing that I actually could do. I'm not sure that everybody's life will be changed in such a dramatic way by this book but I'm very thankful to have found it and will continue to recommend it heartily.

via Ken

My Gorgeous Mother

Inside and out.

The Perfect Night

I meant to post this a while ago. It's a video of a friend of mine and a few other musicians playing at a party. I love the song, even if it gets hard to hear because of others talking. I wish I recorded it for a longer period of time. My perfect night involves live music, a fire, some alcohol (preferably good), and people I love. This clip kind of does it for me.

If true, this would be so awesome!

Seems like Israelis insistence to not to back down from this fight is working out...or at least there are rumblings from the Arab side that suggest that Hamas has overplayed it's hand.

Israel may have reached a deterrent moment in its war in Gaza against Iranian-backed Hamas. I spoke with a senior Arab diplomat last night. He told me that the Arab street is afraid that "the Jews have gone crazy."

Yes, it's true. He noted, "Israel has begun to restore its deterrence" in the Arab world. "Hamas miscalculated," he added. They had thought Israel would not attack, but would merely accede to tougher Hamas demands for an improved "Tahdiya," their version of a temporary calm.

This is perhaps one of the more optimistic assessments I have heard from Arab colleagues recently.....
Arab sources in Gaza confided that the public anger is not directed at Israel any more than it is at Hamas.

via ace

You Might Like It

I went ahead and started a not-so-secret "fun" blog. It's another blogspot blog, but I'm using it more as a tumblr. I post quick thoughts, cool links I would like to comeback to, videos, and other silly things. It's a way for myself to keep track of things I think are cool and ideas I would like to remember.

Not So Sectret Admiration

Besides seeing my family, being with my boyfriend, and all the beautiful scenes in San Francisco, what I loved most was that every single public bathroom I used had toilet seat cover. Every. Single. One. I might move to San Francisco just for the public toilets. It might be a weird thing to admire, but I thought the Gaaiii loving hippies would hate the idea of the wasteful toilet seat covers made out of paper...not so...seems the hippies like clean toilets and hate yucky germs just as much as I do. If you think about it - toilet seat covers cut down on messy toilets, thus cutting down on using water and other potentially earth "harming" products to clean. So there's an environment lesson for all of us there. I hereby request that all East coast toilet establishment learn from there West coast cousin and become as pleasant and clean to use. Whether you're a hippie or a square, we all win.

Song for the Evening

Kind of in love with this image:

via

PBS explains the Internet through "comedy"

Comedy and PBS doesn't usually mix. However, I like Amy Sedaris.



It's kind of funny, mostly not. I saw the advertisement in the subway...it made me wonder. I'm still wondering. Peter had the best line, (I wouldn't quote him here if he would get his own blog, but he won't, so I basically have to!)"If PBS is advertising you know they are going to interrupt every two minutes and ask you for money."

FYI - Saving On the Internet by Deleting Cookies

Turns out erasing the cookies on your computer helps save money when looking on deals on the interwebs.

via Grisha (Facebook)

Cell Phone Etiquette

I don't know why, but I hate listening to voice mail on my cell phone. I will wait till the last moment to listen to the messages. Since being sick I have gotten better about listening to voice mail more often. However, it's still such an annoying thing. I wonder why this is. I don't like messages either, I ramble on and on.

I Just Got Back From SF

First thought: I miss my niece. Very, very much. It's just not fair that one person could have such delicious cheeks. Hurumph.

Bloomberg Defending Israel

He dispels the stupidest sound bite whenever Israel fights back attackers "disproportional response."

via Facebook - Dan