On Making Out Like Bandits

Today had all the right elements to work into a great day.

1) the weather is finally nice, and appears to be stabilizing into summer
2) day off, so I got to meet CH for a nice brunch at a French bakery

It was what happened after brunch that I'm most proud of. Though this entry won't be interesting to many readers, I figured I had put up some really thought-provoking material this last week so it would be okay to dish about how CH and I made out like bandits at the farmers market. On just $20, I got a half-pound of Ranier Cherries, two large zucchini, almond brittle, kettle corn, a large sprig of basil, a bundle of garlic roots (stems? they are weird looking and to be used in place of garlic), a pint of raspberries, and a half-pound of green beans. This much stuff at Safeway would easily cost twice that, be completely insipid, and would have half the shelf life.

(It will also come as no surprise that while shopping for a birthday gift, CH basically forced me into Nine West and we got an amazing deal on some really excellent shoes. This was my treat to myself for having an extremely unpleasant day at work yesterday---more horrible than I can describe in this forum, and since the shoes weren't expensive, there is no buyers remorse.)

Kissing Goodbye To Good Sense

You have all seen my previous post regarding NBC returning Studio 60 to the air. I suppose I knew all along they were only finishing out the season and that the show would ultimately be canceled, but I guess I always hoped that the ratings would skyrocket and the station would be forced to keep it on.

The final episode aired last night. It was good, but seemed clear they were just trying to have a happy ending to tie it up. Because they left all the characters intact, and because they left it with a slight bit of suspense, I feel even more compelled to suggest that another station, namely FX, should pick up the show. It is not unheard of that when shows change stations they experience successes not realized on their original networks.

There are two reasons I want it to go to FX. One is because that station historically has excellent shows. To name a few that I regularly watch: Dirt, Rescue Me, Nip/Tuck (though that one has gotten a bit wacky), King of the Hill. The other is because they only have one reality show, Fear Factor, which isn't even airing.

NBC, on the other hand, has seven(!) reality shows, at least five of which are currently airing. If this is their demographic, then it is no wonder Studio 60 has failed to reap rewards for that network. Also, NBC completely FAILED in every way possible to advertise for the show, airing commercials for it only on NBC, unlike the ad campaign for Heroes and 30 Rock, which aired commercials on several rival networks.

And lastly, in this article on Foxnews, the author had this to say: "One of the most expensive hours in TV history, 'Studio 60' was a goner even before it hit the airwaves. The ill-conceived drama about a comedy sketch show wasn't funny or tense, it was simply annoying." My response is that this author is not only a moron, but he himself wrote an "ill-conceived" article which highlighted no actual points about why the show went down, and used his web space simply as a forum for childish insults and poor taste.

Do Not Try At Home

This is strictly for entertainment.

After two day's of thought-provoking posting and three days of insomnia, it is all I can muster the strength for.

Enjoy.

Note: apparently the URL got screwed up, it should be fixed so check out the funny clip. Also, be sure your audio is on!

Tangling With Tom

This story was first reported by Foxnews yesterday, and now by MSN today.

Apparently, crazy Tom Cruise wants to portray the leading man in a movie about Col. Claus von Stauffenberg. Who is this you ask? Why, he is none other than the most major anti-Hitler plotter from within the German ranks of the military during WWII. Most of us would consider this to be no big deal, but it is the German government who is doing the tangling: they don't want a Scientologist playing the role of such an important historic figure.

My first instinct is to agree with the Germans that Scientology is evil. My second instinct is to disagree with studio chump Carl Woebcken in that Tom Cruise is not the best actor in the world.

What this ultimately comes down to, however much I'd like to see the Germans win out, is, are laws being broken? Is there some tangible reason, other than the German governement's stance that "Scientology is a commercial enterprise that takes advantage of vulnerable people" (which it is) that can give them just cause to disallow him from starring in the role? No. Probably not, and even if there were, the only thing the Germans could enforce is that he could not film at the intended historical landmarks, so as the production people said in the Foxnews article, they would simply film it someplace else.

Of course, there is one tiny issue that stands in the way of any party getting what it wants. Is Scientology a religion? After researching a little, I learned that Hubbard declared it a religion in order to procure tax breaks and get the government off his back. To top it off, Germany does not recognize Scientology to be a religion. Therefore, aren't those involved with the film subject to the German government's ruling on the matter? I would also venture to speculate that the fact the role would be played by a Scientologist was a hidden subject because the film's German team has claimed permissions have been granted, but the government has stated no permission will be given as long as it is a Scientologist who has the part.

Considering I'm extremely tired, I would really like everyone to comment, in case I forgot a key argument and also because I want to know what others think.

Genetic Privacy

I was inadvertently alerted to a situation arising in Arizona in which lawmakers are proposing to collect DNA samples from all peoples arrested, regardless of whether or not they are found to be guilty.

This prompted me to do a quick Google search for such databases. I found this particularly interesting. It seems the UK has already been running into similar discord with genetic databases as Arizona is going to face. While I have not read all of the 1.2 million hits, I have yet to see many compelling arguments in favor of such a thing.

First off, the main argument in favor is that if you were in some kind of accident, a global DNA database would make you identifiable. This is true. So also would a global fingerprint or dental x-ray database. And while all three can perform the same service, the latter two do not put your personal genetic signature out there for potential criminal masterminds to find. Not to mention, your DNA mandates your being and you should want to protect it as you would protect your social security number, at least. (If we want to argue that some people have no access to finger print or dental records, I simply say that any efforts going toward a DNA database could be easily diverted to one or both of those and probably still be less costly.)

The second argument is somewhat more complicated to protest. It is that the database would serve as an infinite gallery of people amongst which would be criminals---criminals who potentially left their DNA to be found lurking around crime scenes. Having not been the victim of a violent crime nor an investigator of such, I admittedly fail to identify with the scope of said databases. Outside their inherent ability to finger-point, they serve no purpose benefiting the owner of said DNA on file.

I am curious about your thoughts on this matter. I, as you can probably tell, am opposed to such a database. Mostly because I consider my DNA to be my private property, and partly because I just find it weird to have it out there. At what point are our civil liberties being infringed upon in the name of "protection"? As Ben Franklin said, "Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." I will say that privacy is among the most essential...

Two For One Special

Well I found out the answer to my own question, as illustrated by this picture of space shuttle Enterprise being given to the Smithsonian. (I'll be honest, I didn't even know there was a shuttle called Enterprise. That means there were six total, and not the five I was thinking...)

Somethin' To Blog About

As I posted last week, the space shuttle Atlantis was on a mission.

I am relieved to re-report that they have made it back fine. They landed at Edwards Airforce Base in California. It brings back the memories of being there back in the late 80s, when my dad took us all to go watch a shuttle landing. It was definitely a once in a lifetime situation as I don't imagine I'll ever see a live shuttle landing again.

The cons of landing in California are highlighted in this article. Mainly, it costs a boatload of money to get the shuttle back to Florida because they have to piggy-back it aboard a jet as Discovery is pictured. It looks damn cool though! What I'd really be interested in seeing is how they get the shuttle on the plane like that. A crane?

I encourage everyone to look at the article. There is a fascinating video of the shuttle landing.

Conflict Chocolate

When I first moved here, I was wandering around town and stumbled upon Verdun Chocolates. I am lucky enough to be living in the same town as this impressive deliciousness, but for those of you not living here you can check out their website.

The reason I call them conflict chocolate is because they are imported from Lebanon, which as we all know is a war zone. The other conflict is that they are so good that I find I indulge more than I should. Of course that seems almost stereotypical---a girl addicted to chocolate---but I am telling you, and those of you who have been to Verdun know, it is REALLY good.

Present Desire

I was perusing around on one of my favorite blogs tonight when I stumbled upon the blogger announcing that his faithful fans would receive a discount at a certain shoe store simply because we read his blog. Therefore, I checked out their website and decided the pictured shoes are adorable and I cannot pass them up. What makes these different from other shoes I've posted is that they are more affordable and I am actually infatuated with them.

When Common Sense Fails You

The question I pose tonight is whether there are proportionally more incapable people in the world today versus the past, or if it only seems that way due to the mass media coverage.

Here is yet another example of a too-young, incompetent parent who, either through deficient mental faculties of her own (namely, no common sense or parental instinct), or a complete lack of preparation has succeeded in departing her own offspring.

Some things not to do with infants:
Tape things to their mouths
Put them in microwaves/ovens
Leave them unattended in the car
...

These are part of my common sense, as I have no children.

This Just In

Skyscrapers are good for the environment.

1) They reduce urban sprawl, which reduces loss of habitat for animals
2) They are built out of steel, which means less wood use
3) They concentrate everything into an urban center, requiring less fossil fuel consumption

Also, they are a reflection and product of human ingenuity. And they are quite neat to look at.

Here is a really cool site that offers up schematics of Portland's tallest. They probably have one for every major city in the US at least. Though I haven't checked that.

Pictured are the schematics for the Chrysler Building, one of my personal favorites.

F****** Perfect :)

My mom got this as an email forward from someone. I loathe getting messages forwarded to me but occasionally, it is something worthwhile. In fact this is such a funny article that it almost seems like a hoax.

Kiss of Death

The impending destruction of the Rosefriend apartment building has finally occurred. I was actually caught by surprise because through a short series of events I happened past the former site at the corner of Jefferson and Broadway to find a pile of rubble.

Here is a discussion about the whys for the situation, and there are some amazing demolition pictures. Also, you can copy and paste this url http://youtube.com/watch?v=M7NrNwGCj9M into a new browser to see a video of the demolition. It's pretty interesting.

As we know, the First Christian Church owned the block. I don't know all the details, but I do know that they wanted a parking lot, and to make revenue off either selling the land or building condos. Seems they get both in that there will indeed be a parking lot and also I think they did sell the land. Several people made good comments in the forum I linked above.

My personal opinion is that the church can do whatever it wants. However, I also acknowledge that religion, and churches in particular, are greedy entities responsible for thousands of terrible things throughout history. Destroying a nifty little building is the least of their concerns. From an architectural standpoint, I'm sure the architect is much happier dead, not knowing that one of his buildings has been destroyed. It would be like watching an art collector burn a painting simply to create room for another to hang in its place.

Raining Cats & Dogs

I spent all day cleaning the apartment. It was a true spring cleaning session, though I was under the impression we would be having summer weather by now.

I recall last year at this time being much warmer and dryer. Every time I check the weather report, in fact, they have added another day onto the endless string of poor predictions.

It is mid June and I'm sitting around bundled up in a sweater. I was practically forced to close the window to avoid flooding the place with the downpour that keeps coming and going. Currently, the sun is out, but it wasn't too long ago that, when looking out my windows, the weather was much more a resemblance of the picture.

Private Dance

This article is worth looking at simply for the amusement. Who wouldn't want a private dance from a bunch of sickly, washed-up hookers? (C'mon, you know that's what they are...) Labeling this post as Entertainment is spot on, isn't it?

Double Take

Tonight's post is to elaborate on last night's.

Rescue Me has just started its fourth season. The back story is that the main character, played by Denis Leary, is an NYC firefighter. After the tragedy of 9/11, he is stricken by alcoholism and what many might describe as insanity, since he can now see/hear/interact with the ghosts of dead people he encounters. This was much more prominent in the first and second season. The rest of the story lines revolve around the intertwined relationships of his friends (the rest of the fire house) and family.

It is chock full of violence, bad language, and sexual escapades. It's right up there with Nip/Tuck on mature content, but has a much more cohesive and realistic story. The show is meant for smart people, so I am confident that anyone reading this will at least appreciate it for its wit and diverse content mixture if they don't like it for other reasons.

Rescue Me

If you haven't seen Rescue Me, you really should.

But now, it is WAY past bedtime so I'll just have to elaborate later.

Don't Worry, I'll Protect You.

Actually, I won't. That was one of the questions. Probably why my survival rate is pretty decent. That and I know how to use weapons and I even own some zombie killing devices.

Those of you wondering where I found this? I saw it on someone else's blog and thought it was funny. Yeah, Mingle 2 appears to be a dating website, but I was only in it for the zombies.

50%

Safety First

MSN never fails to entertain. When I found this I knew it was the one I wanted to muse about.

Most of you know I am terrified of flying. This article articulates a small part of the many reasons why. I know what you will say: "But this was in Madrid. These things don't happen in America." That doesn't matter to me. There is no rationality in existence that can make me realize how safe flying is. Even my own rational side telling my irrational side the statistics, et cetera, cannot convince me. In fact, if I wasn't the one who asked the stupid question (will the plane tip in mid air?) I most certainly would be thinking it! Luckily, I have no major air travel planned.

Next, please click so we can discuss this lovely pamphlet. It appears to be of Chinese origin. Here we see a sequence of four images. They are more closely related to those in Fight Club. The reason is because of the almost panicky expressions on the subjects faces in the first two drawings. Notice the broken window. (If that happened to the window next to me, I'd be freaking out even more than the woman shown---she's pretty calm.) In the next two pictures, it appears to be a-ok. No torrential wind, no panicking...oh sweet oxygen euphoria.

Grin and Bear It?

Attending the ballet has become something I get to do several times a year. It helps to be close friends with the wife of one of the dancers! Tonight's show consisted of two parts. One was called Firebird, and the other was Sleeping Beauty. Both were excellent. (The picture is just one I found online, no attachment to tonight's performance.)

What I really want to talk about, though, is manners. Mainly, I want to say that I think that most people are incredibly rude. While trying to enjoy watching my friends and acquaintances dance, I was being constantly distracted by people talking and pointing at the stage and someone messing around with a candy wrapper (one from a hard candy with that high-pitched crinkling sound). This went on through the entire second half. Were these people raised by wolves? No, had they been, they might have learned some stealth, by which I mean they would learn when it was ok to talk during a ballet---preferably never but I suppose during the applause would be less distracting. Or take my advice---If you feel that you cannot sit through a less than two hour live performance, please don't bother coming so that those of us who CAN sit through it might enjoy it without your annoying presence. And also, why are you wasting a seat at the ballet on a child who isn't even old enough to remember it?

Sigh.

The Final Frontier

If space is the final frontier, there are no frontiers because not only have we been to space, we visit quite frequently.

My inner nerd has always been fascinated with space. This interest is a trait passed down from my father's side. His father was a mechanical engineer, and my father has been a member of the Space Society and other such things. My dad has this print of a close up shot of Saturn---I remember it from when I was still sleeping in a crib. It has hung in every house we occupied.

Every time there is a shuttle launch, I get a feeling of dread until it is safely back home. I almost can't help it. This may sound rather horrible, but partly it's because I want to make sure the machine is preserved. (Don't take this to mean I don't care if astronauts die---of course I do.) My interest in space does not lie only in the wonder of what is out there, but also in the means of getting there. There are so few shuttles; they are so expensive and important---each is almost personified/anthropomorphized because of its abilities to protect and communicate. Also they are a temporary home; astronauts, I'm sure, feel a connection to the vessel.

Ultimately, though, my reverence for the shuttle is nothing less than that for skyscrapers, oceanic vessels, cars...successes of the mind. Man's greatest achievements.

Pictured is Atlantis, currently en route to rendezvous with the space station.

Long Road Home

Well I just drove back from my parents place so I really don't have the energy to look very hard for something to blog about.

I did, however, stumble upon this interesting article that compares the pros, and mostly, the cons of bottled water from an environmental standpoint.

The figures they give are definitely worth a look.

Spoiled Beyond Belief

I want to keep this short because I had really hoped for the ability to avoid this topic all together: Paris Hilton.

I abhor that she was allowed to leave prison after only five days. It is pretty well summed up here.

Some other adjectives I would use to describe it: revolting, deplorable, ridiculous, contemptable.

Sigh. I guess being a rich crybaby will get you anything you want in today's society.

Traveling Wilburys

MSN posted an interesting story today. Most people I know have never heard of the Traveling Wilburys, and their music has been all but forgotten for many years. This is stuff my dad used to play a lot; I remember it best from road-trip vacations, and sitting in front of the stereo. I also remember really liking the sound of the music, and especially the lyrics, but not being able to appreciate the voices, especially that of Roy Orbison.

Listening to the Traveling Wilburys brings back only good memories. Composed of five great musical minds, I'm actually shocked it isn't more popular. Take or leave any of them, one can still admit that the music is unique and the lyrics witty.

(Yes, yes, I know some of you will argue that Tom Petty isn't a great musical mind, but I would beg to differ that just because he sounds nasally doesn't mean he can't write a good song.)

Ten Years Later

It seems to me that ten years is plenty long enough to figure all the angles on Princess Diana's death. However, the current inquest surrounds the actions of the media/paparazzi leading up to the events. While I think this is an extremely valid question, and one that certainly begs investigation, do they really need to air it on TV? According to this article, that is precisely what one station in Britain is doing. Not surprisingly, the Princes are completely against it.

What I'm struggling to wrap my head around is why they are doing it. Ratings? It's bound to get them! Wouldn't it serve her memory better if presented to the public as a court case against any people the inquiry found to be negligent or otherwise responsible for some or all of what happened? Maybe they can't prove any of that.

Your opinions?

Last Minute Entry

It is late. I am tired. For those of you who do not know what scambaiting is, please visit this website. And where credit is due, one of my friends turned me on to this.

It is pretty funny how internet scammers fall for the tricks of people trying to expose these scams. Some are so involved, you almost end up feeling sorry for the scammers.

I would love to be able to post a video on here, but I am too tired to figure it out. Therefore, here is the most ridiculous, hilarious expose (forgive my lack of accent) of all. It takes a while to read through but I thought, the culmination of it all (a video) is almost not as funny if you didn't see everything leading up to it. I laugh just thinking about it. If you are able to see the video I mentioned, you will understand why I posted a parrot.

Enjoy.

Housing Conundrum

In my recent internet readings I stumbled upon an article that expressly stated the housing market was starting to finally dip. Then there was the obligatory exception---the Pacific Northwest, and more specifically, Portland and Seattle. As one who lives here, I could not be less surprised.

If anyone has the real answer to the purpose of the condo conversion I would like to know. Just yesterday, I noticed a great little older building being renovated and instantly started dreaming of moving: It's a smidge closer to work, to friends, all the usual things. Then I realized it is a condo conversion. In my neighborhood, I can think of at least 5 major buildings which have gone condo in the past year, including a rather unattractive complex right across the street.

What is to be done with all those displaced renters? These are people like me who can barely afford Portland's inflated prices. For example, my friend just got a place in a condo conversion which is only about 450 sq ft and that set him back $200,000. A fair price for this neighborhood when the average condo is going for closer to 5. (Of course those are much, MUCH larger as well.)

Here is the conundrum. I understand the owner's right to do whatever he wants with his building. I'm certainly for enforcing those rights, but I can't help but think people who can't afford to buy, nor rent something in the Pearl for thousands a month, yet who don't qualify for section 8, are the only ones getting screwed in this city. The condo conversion is only creating a self-defeating environment for renters. Namely, more condo conversions = less places to rent = higher rental prices = driving out the lower middle class. Sigh.

The Signal

A typical day of hanging out with my friend (let's call her CH for privacy purposes) consists of at least one meal, usually breakfast or lunch, and some light shopping. Today was no different. We ate at Besaw's, an unsuspecting place, where I had the delicious avocado omelet. Now, this was not my first experience at Besaw's. Another friend, KJ, was the first to take me there and I had the same thing that time. I like to stick to what I know is good.

After CH and I parted ways, I went into downtown to pick up some paper for a project I'm working on. It was what happened after that that was bizarre. I was driving down 10th Street when I saw a woman on the sidewalk. I couldn't look away because she looked so familiar---it wasn't until I could no longer see her face that I realized who she was. I suppose it would be hard to forget someone who used to be an important friend, but I haven't seen or spoken to her in over five years. Sometimes, a falling out cannot be repaired, and this experience is only further evidence that Portland, and Oregon in general, is nothing more than a speck. Here, your past sometimes can't forget you either.

(Notice: If posting about people on my blog, please refer to them by their first and last initial or, more preferably, their screen name. I will have to delete any replies which contain real names. Thanks.)

Free Hugs/Giant House Cats

I was sitting in Pioneer Square this afternoon, waiting for my sister to get off work when I noticed three youths holding a rather odd sign. This sign is nothing new to me, because I saw a crazy woman doing the same thing on TV once. You can check it out here or here or here. What I am talking about is Free Hugs. These three kids were in high school. The girl held the required sign. While I sat there, a good twenty minutes, only two groups of people approached them. The first group consisted of an unlikely pair of what looked like street kids. The second, a trio of high school girls, was more interesting to watch. I couldn't hear the conversation, but found it funny that after the first girl hesitatingly gave one boy a half-hug (one arm) she then walked behind her friend and shoved her forward. She then hugged, and then the last girl followed suit. But they only hugged the one boy. Not the other boy or the girl. Anyways....ridiculousness.

Moving on to something WAY cooler. I saw on MSN today this article about a new, fantastically massive house cat. I, being a feline aficionado, am completely smitten. This is probably as close as one could come to owning an Africanesque big cat. Were I not short the $22,000 it takes to buy one of these adorable guys, I would be the first person on that list. I can almost envision myself walking down the street with it on a leash, like in the picture, and people would be approaching me to see if they could pet it. Of course I would say "No," resoundingly. Can a cat be trained to walk on a leash down the street? I'll call him "Tiny."