Thursday, August 28, 2008
Anatomy Lesson
This is fascinating! Betty Dodson draws a mind-boggling picture of what's going on behind the scenes of your lady parts. Turns out to be a whole lot more complex than I thought. Because of our sex and body repressed culture, this is probably not a great idea for work. Phhht. Thanks, Susie Bright for bringing us the light
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Suicidal, or Merely Contemplative, Professional Critic Wonders
Sadly, the East Bay is in the throes of a petty crime wave. There have been a series of robberies, so-called takeover robberies in which the staff and patrons of a business are robbed. These are mostly restaurants, and mostly in Oakland. Not surprisingly, the police, who've not had much success in stemming the tide of homicides, have also been unable to make any headway in these cases. The Guardian Angels have been enlisted by Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums, who has been roused from the deep slumber he commenced upon taking office. Most recently, he has called upon the citizens of Oakland for tips, even a $50,000 reward.
So as I walked around Oakland tonight, I thought about the roving bandits and alternately wished to not see them and to see them, so I could call 911 and finally get them caught, and also be that much closer to a house down payment. Win-win. Along my route I saw two patrol cars drive by, which is not typical. Would have been nice to see some foot patrol, too. This is also not typical. But I saw nothing out of the ordinary and set home.
On my way I had to cross a highway overpass. It's not a pleasant vista point: quite noisy, with a very tall sort of barbed fence to discourage jumping. Strangely, there was a man sort of sitting on the top of the sidewalk barrier, staring out over the highway. Since this is so not the place you would stop, but rather a place where you naturally walk faster, I had to wonder, are you thinking about jumping? Or waiting for some hapless passerby to happen along so you can toss them over in a fit of homicidal glee? Contemplating our oil dependent culture? Trying to get inspiration for your next auto purchase?
And as we all know from junior high health class suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. I knew that I could not in good faith walk away from this man if he did in fact appear to be on the edge. But I also did not want to be so close to him that I could be sacrificed to the highway gods. Herein lies the dilemma of a Good Samaritan in a violent and unpredictable culture. So I walked by, and when I was way out of arm's length, looked back. He was still there, staring at the speeding cars below. I weighed my options, is this non-emergent or 911, decided 911, pulled out my phone, turned around again, and he was gone.
I was off the hook, and relieved to be so.
So as I walked around Oakland tonight, I thought about the roving bandits and alternately wished to not see them and to see them, so I could call 911 and finally get them caught, and also be that much closer to a house down payment. Win-win. Along my route I saw two patrol cars drive by, which is not typical. Would have been nice to see some foot patrol, too. This is also not typical. But I saw nothing out of the ordinary and set home.
On my way I had to cross a highway overpass. It's not a pleasant vista point: quite noisy, with a very tall sort of barbed fence to discourage jumping. Strangely, there was a man sort of sitting on the top of the sidewalk barrier, staring out over the highway. Since this is so not the place you would stop, but rather a place where you naturally walk faster, I had to wonder, are you thinking about jumping? Or waiting for some hapless passerby to happen along so you can toss them over in a fit of homicidal glee? Contemplating our oil dependent culture? Trying to get inspiration for your next auto purchase?
And as we all know from junior high health class suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. I knew that I could not in good faith walk away from this man if he did in fact appear to be on the edge. But I also did not want to be so close to him that I could be sacrificed to the highway gods. Herein lies the dilemma of a Good Samaritan in a violent and unpredictable culture. So I walked by, and when I was way out of arm's length, looked back. He was still there, staring at the speeding cars below. I weighed my options, is this non-emergent or 911, decided 911, pulled out my phone, turned around again, and he was gone.
I was off the hook, and relieved to be so.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
You Don't NEED More Stuff ...
But if you did, maybe you'd want to buy it from Caught Red Handed. I sure do like their belt buckles. They are the cuteness, no?
Have you gone yet to check out Cannelle et Vanelle? I'm blown away by how utterly gorgeous Aran's photography is, and so wishing I was her next-door neighbor.
Maybe if I won a Kitchen Aid mixer that The Pioneer Woman is giving away I could whip up some of Aran's creations. Or make my very own cake wreck. How very hard to decide ...
Have you gone yet to check out Cannelle et Vanelle? I'm blown away by how utterly gorgeous Aran's photography is, and so wishing I was her next-door neighbor.
Maybe if I won a Kitchen Aid mixer that The Pioneer Woman is giving away I could whip up some of Aran's creations. Or make my very own cake wreck. How very hard to decide ...
Monday, August 25, 2008
Bitten by Bittman
Do you know Mark Bittman? He writes the NY Times blog, Bitten and is also the author of several cookbooks, How to Cook Everything and How to Cook Everything Vegetarian.
If you've got about 20 minutes, it's worth it to watch his speech on what's wrong with what and how we eat. If you've ready any Michael Pollan, Marion Nestle, or Raj Patel, Bittman's message will sound familiar but it's pretty entertaining and illuminating all the same.
So I should be more excited that the Slow Food Nation event is happening next weekend in San Francisco but the whole thing just sounds ugh. I do want to see some of the speakers, like Joel Salatin, owner of Polyface Farm featured prominently in Pollan's The Omnivore's Dilemma, so I'll try to do that. The Taste Pavilions and talks are expensive and mostly sold out already and frankly any event featuring Alice Waters, as much as I deeply appreciate what she's done for the way Americans eat, makes me feel too tired to contemplate.
Whew, I sure do sound crabby! I am. But luckily I can turn to Cake Wrecks, a hilarious blog that chronicles the misadventures of professional bakeries. That doesn't sound funny at all, but trust me on this one, it is.
If you've got about 20 minutes, it's worth it to watch his speech on what's wrong with what and how we eat. If you've ready any Michael Pollan, Marion Nestle, or Raj Patel, Bittman's message will sound familiar but it's pretty entertaining and illuminating all the same.
So I should be more excited that the Slow Food Nation event is happening next weekend in San Francisco but the whole thing just sounds ugh. I do want to see some of the speakers, like Joel Salatin, owner of Polyface Farm featured prominently in Pollan's The Omnivore's Dilemma, so I'll try to do that. The Taste Pavilions and talks are expensive and mostly sold out already and frankly any event featuring Alice Waters, as much as I deeply appreciate what she's done for the way Americans eat, makes me feel too tired to contemplate.
Whew, I sure do sound crabby! I am. But luckily I can turn to Cake Wrecks, a hilarious blog that chronicles the misadventures of professional bakeries. That doesn't sound funny at all, but trust me on this one, it is.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Celebrity Trash Round-Up
Reader, I've been seriously remiss. It's been eons since I've posted on the comings and goings of Hollywood and as a result I'm so behind the times I didn't even know that Jennifer Aniston and John Mayer broke up. This is not a proud moment and I aim to set things straight right now with the celebrity trash round up.
1. Jen/John caput. Didn't we see this coming? Frankly John Mayer seems like an asshole and she's better off.
2. Ellen and Portia get hitched. Congrats!
3. Lots of celebs dying way before their time. Bernie Mac, Isaac Hayes and today LeRoi Moore, the 46 year old saxophonist for the Dave Matthews Band. Enough of this already.
4. After being married for an impressive eight weeks, Chris Kattan and his new wife are separating. I have to agree with Perez on this one, I get homogay vibe from him.
5. Faced with a breast cancer diagnosis and the knowledge that she carries the BRCA1 gene, linked to breast and ovarian cancer, Christina Applegate opted for a double mastectomy. Since her recovery, Christina has started a program to help woman access expensive screening tests, like MRIs. Talk about making lemonade, more power to you Miz Applegate.
6. The next cycle of America's Next Top Model features a tranny! For reasons that are not clear to me, there is no "plus size" girl this cycle. I guess we can only have one deviation from standard-anorexic-girl-model at a time. Oh well. You know I'll be watching.
7. Super cute and whip smart Rachel Maddow now has her own MSNBC show. 'Bout time.
8. Oy. That Kate Hudson is hard to keep up with. After dropping Owen for Lance, then breaking up with Lance, she may have gone back to Owen. Girlfriend needs a break.
9. Gwyneth is under fire for appearing in a new Tod's ad campaign featuring many leather and fur items. On one hand, whatever, but on the other hand she does sort of have the reputation of being a bit holier than thou about her macro/vegan/Pilates lifestyle. It's not super clear how a fox coat fits with that.
That's it, reader. I guess I haven't missed too much. Happy hump day!
1. Jen/John caput. Didn't we see this coming? Frankly John Mayer seems like an asshole and she's better off.
2. Ellen and Portia get hitched. Congrats!
3. Lots of celebs dying way before their time. Bernie Mac, Isaac Hayes and today LeRoi Moore, the 46 year old saxophonist for the Dave Matthews Band. Enough of this already.
4. After being married for an impressive eight weeks, Chris Kattan and his new wife are separating. I have to agree with Perez on this one, I get homogay vibe from him.
5. Faced with a breast cancer diagnosis and the knowledge that she carries the BRCA1 gene, linked to breast and ovarian cancer, Christina Applegate opted for a double mastectomy. Since her recovery, Christina has started a program to help woman access expensive screening tests, like MRIs. Talk about making lemonade, more power to you Miz Applegate.
6. The next cycle of America's Next Top Model features a tranny! For reasons that are not clear to me, there is no "plus size" girl this cycle. I guess we can only have one deviation from standard-anorexic-girl-model at a time. Oh well. You know I'll be watching.
7. Super cute and whip smart Rachel Maddow now has her own MSNBC show. 'Bout time.
8. Oy. That Kate Hudson is hard to keep up with. After dropping Owen for Lance, then breaking up with Lance, she may have gone back to Owen. Girlfriend needs a break.
9. Gwyneth is under fire for appearing in a new Tod's ad campaign featuring many leather and fur items. On one hand, whatever, but on the other hand she does sort of have the reputation of being a bit holier than thou about her macro/vegan/Pilates lifestyle. It's not super clear how a fox coat fits with that.
That's it, reader. I guess I haven't missed too much. Happy hump day!
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Music Monday
I've been loading up my new mp3 player (not an iPod, that's a post for another day) and though it's hard to decide what CD to add next, I picked The Rolling Stones and right now I am reveling in their freaking awesomeness.
I never realized just how satisfying the pretty melodic piano/violin combo was. Obvs I'm not talking about their equally great but more peacocky, strutty stadium rock like Satisfaction. I mean like 1967's She's a Rainbow, which you might recognize from an old school Apple commercial:
Isn't it purdy and rocking out at the same time? How fun would it be to be a back up singer going "ooh lala, ooh lalala ah!"
And of course, the classic and wonderful 1973, Angie
Doesn't Charlie Watts look surprisingly alive?
Angie was later covered by the wacky n wonderful Tori Amos.
Don't get me wrong, I sorta do love the Stones cheeseball stuff, too. Emotional Rescue embraces the sublime and the ridiculous. (If you have epilepsy this clip might bother you):
The falsetto! Love. It. Also, so dirty: I was dreaming last night/Last night I was dreaming/How you'd be mine. I bet you were you filthy thing. But then, devolving into a bodice ripper romance: I will be your knight in shining armour/Riding across the desert with a fine Arab charger. Bleh. But that's the Stones for you. Every so often, or rather often, they drift ... or leap over the line into the corn field and that's one of the reasons I love them.
I never realized just how satisfying the pretty melodic piano/violin combo was. Obvs I'm not talking about their equally great but more peacocky, strutty stadium rock like Satisfaction. I mean like 1967's She's a Rainbow, which you might recognize from an old school Apple commercial:
Isn't it purdy and rocking out at the same time? How fun would it be to be a back up singer going "ooh lala, ooh lalala ah!"
And of course, the classic and wonderful 1973, Angie
Doesn't Charlie Watts look surprisingly alive?
Angie was later covered by the wacky n wonderful Tori Amos.
Don't get me wrong, I sorta do love the Stones cheeseball stuff, too. Emotional Rescue embraces the sublime and the ridiculous. (If you have epilepsy this clip might bother you):
The falsetto! Love. It. Also, so dirty: I was dreaming last night/Last night I was dreaming/How you'd be mine. I bet you were you filthy thing. But then, devolving into a bodice ripper romance: I will be your knight in shining armour/Riding across the desert with a fine Arab charger. Bleh. But that's the Stones for you. Every so often, or rather often, they drift ... or leap over the line into the corn field and that's one of the reasons I love them.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Fun and a New Feature
Jennifer from Last Night's Dinner posted this meme from Very Good Taste and I'm copying it here. A meme is something I don't fully understand, but as far as I can tell, it seems to be the interwebs version of tag. It was fun to go through this list. I think I would try any of these things, but some of them I am highly unlikely to actually order, like horse, sweetbreads or whole insects. But if the person next to me offered me a bite, I think I would.
1) Copy this list into your blog or journal, including these instructions.
2) Bold all the items you’ve eaten.
3) Cross out any items that you would never consider eating.
4) Optional extra: Post a comment at www.verygoodtaste.co.uk linking to your results.
The VGT Omnivore’s Hundred:
1. Venison
2. Nettle tea
3. Huevos rancheros
4. Steak tartare
5. Crocodile
6. Black pudding
7. Cheese fondue
8. Carp--I think gefilte fish is made out of carp
9. Borscht
10. Baba ghanoush
11. Calamari
12. Pho
13. PB&J sandwich
14. Aloo gobi
15. Hot dog from a street cart
16. Epoisses-I had to Google this--a runny, unpasteurized cheese. Sounds delish.
17. Black truffle
18. Fruit wine made from something other than grapes-is that like Boone Hill strawberry wine from high school days?
19. Steamed pork buns
20. Pistachio ice cream
21. Heirloom tomatoes
22. Fresh wild berries
23. Foie gras
24. Rice and beans
25. Brawn, or head cheese
26. Raw Scotch Bonnet pepper
27. Dulce de leche
28. Oysters
29. Baklava
30. Bagna cauda--never heard of this one either but it sounds like fondue
31. Wasabi peas
32. Clam chowder in a sourdough bowl
33. Salted lassi
34. Sauerkraut
35. Root beer float--I like root beer but the idea of ice cream in soda is yucky to me.
36. Cognac with a fat cigar
37. Clotted cream tea--the word clotted to describe food is revolting
38. Vodka jelly
39. Gumbo
40. Oxtail
41. Curried goat--I've had goat, so I'm counting it!
42. Whole insects
43. Phaal--one of the hottest forms of curry. No thanks.
44. Goat’s milk
45. Malt whisky from a bottle worth £60/$120 or more
46. Fugu
47. Chicken tikka masala
48. Eel
49. Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut
50. Sea urchin
51. Prickly pear--what about the syrup, in a delicious margarita?
52. Umeboshi
53. Abalone
54. Paneer
55. McDonald’s Big Mac Meal
56. Spaetzle
57. Dirty gin martini
58. Beer above 8% ABV
59. Poutine--this sounds gross but I bet it's yum. Canadian, please weigh in.
60. Carob chips--a crime against humanity
61. S’mores
62. Sweetbreads
63. Kaolin--wtf this is clay. Someone enlighten me, I thought eating this would earn you a diagnosis of pica
64. Currywurst
65. Durian
66. Frogs’ legs
67. Beignets, churros, elephant ears or funnel cake-all of the above. What's not to love about fried dough?
68. Haggis
69. Fried plantain
70. Chitterlings, or andouillette
71. Gazpacho
72. Caviar and blini
73. Louche absinthe
74. Gjetost, or brunost
75. Roadkill
76. Baijiu
77. Hostess Fruit Pie
78. Snail
79. Lapsang souchong
80. Bellini
81. Tom yum
82. Eggs Benedict
83. Pocky
84. Tasting menu at a three-Michelin-star restaurant.
85. Kobe beef
86. Hare--is a rabbit, no? Tasty.
87. Goulash
88. Flowers
89. Horse
90. Criollo chocolate
91. Spam
92. Soft shell crab
93. Rose harissa
94. Catfish
95. Mole poblano
96. Bagel and lox
97. Lobster Thermidor
98. Polenta
99. Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee
100. Snake
1) Copy this list into your blog or journal, including these instructions.
2) Bold all the items you’ve eaten.
3) Cross out any items that you would never consider eating.
4) Optional extra: Post a comment at www.verygoodtaste.co.uk linking to your results.
The VGT Omnivore’s Hundred:
1. Venison
2. Nettle tea
3. Huevos rancheros
4. Steak tartare
5. Crocodile
6. Black pudding
7. Cheese fondue
8. Carp--I think gefilte fish is made out of carp
9. Borscht
10. Baba ghanoush
11. Calamari
12. Pho
13. PB&J sandwich
14. Aloo gobi
15. Hot dog from a street cart
16. Epoisses-I had to Google this--a runny, unpasteurized cheese. Sounds delish.
17. Black truffle
18. Fruit wine made from something other than grapes-is that like Boone Hill strawberry wine from high school days?
19. Steamed pork buns
20. Pistachio ice cream
21. Heirloom tomatoes
22. Fresh wild berries
23. Foie gras
24. Rice and beans
25. Brawn, or head cheese
26. Raw Scotch Bonnet pepper
27. Dulce de leche
28. Oysters
29. Baklava
30. Bagna cauda--never heard of this one either but it sounds like fondue
31. Wasabi peas
32. Clam chowder in a sourdough bowl
33. Salted lassi
34. Sauerkraut
35. Root beer float--I like root beer but the idea of ice cream in soda is yucky to me.
36. Cognac with a fat cigar
37. Clotted cream tea--the word clotted to describe food is revolting
38. Vodka jelly
39. Gumbo
40. Oxtail
41. Curried goat--I've had goat, so I'm counting it!
42. Whole insects
43. Phaal--one of the hottest forms of curry. No thanks.
44. Goat’s milk
45. Malt whisky from a bottle worth £60/$120 or more
46. Fugu
47. Chicken tikka masala
48. Eel
49. Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut
50. Sea urchin
51. Prickly pear--what about the syrup, in a delicious margarita?
52. Umeboshi
53. Abalone
54. Paneer
55. McDonald’s Big Mac Meal
56. Spaetzle
57. Dirty gin martini
58. Beer above 8% ABV
59. Poutine--this sounds gross but I bet it's yum. Canadian, please weigh in.
60. Carob chips--a crime against humanity
61. S’mores
62. Sweetbreads
63. Kaolin--wtf this is clay. Someone enlighten me, I thought eating this would earn you a diagnosis of pica
64. Currywurst
65. Durian
66. Frogs’ legs
67. Beignets, churros, elephant ears or funnel cake-all of the above. What's not to love about fried dough?
68. Haggis
69. Fried plantain
70. Chitterlings, or andouillette
71. Gazpacho
72. Caviar and blini
73. Louche absinthe
74. Gjetost, or brunost
75. Roadkill
76. Baijiu
77. Hostess Fruit Pie
78. Snail
79. Lapsang souchong
80. Bellini
81. Tom yum
82. Eggs Benedict
83. Pocky
84. Tasting menu at a three-Michelin-star restaurant.
85. Kobe beef
86. Hare--is a rabbit, no? Tasty.
87. Goulash
88. Flowers
90. Criollo chocolate
91. Spam
92. Soft shell crab
93. Rose harissa
94. Catfish
95. Mole poblano
96. Bagel and lox
97. Lobster Thermidor
98. Polenta
99. Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee
100. Snake
Friday, August 15, 2008
Friday Lite
TGIF devoted reader! Are you also totally clueless about what is going on between Russia and Georgia and sort of embarrassed to admit it? Your ignorance and shame end today! Wonderful Bossy has prepared a guide to the Russian-Georgian conflict that we're all capable of understanding. Mostly. Thanks, Bossy!!
As you may know reader, I have abandoned my low-cholesterol diet, faced with mounting evidence that this diet may not actually prevent me from having negative health outcomes. I've become more relaxed with my diet, so successfully that I can no longer button my pants. Measures needed to be taken.
My past experience with pants-busting told me that portion control and exercise would be more effective than sitting on my couch and eating continuously from the time I got home from work until bed. But reader, it's so tedious already and it's only been four days. Sigh.
I found a little treat that I want to share with you: Smooze! Smooze are 'take home and freeze' dairy free tropical flavored ices with a coconut milk base. They are yummy and satisfying, with a short and recognizable ingredients list and buckets of vitamin C to boot. I got my guava Smooze at Whole Foods, on sale for $3.99 for a box of ten. See if you can find them near you.
As you may know reader, I have abandoned my low-cholesterol diet, faced with mounting evidence that this diet may not actually prevent me from having negative health outcomes. I've become more relaxed with my diet, so successfully that I can no longer button my pants. Measures needed to be taken.
My past experience with pants-busting told me that portion control and exercise would be more effective than sitting on my couch and eating continuously from the time I got home from work until bed. But reader, it's so tedious already and it's only been four days. Sigh.
I found a little treat that I want to share with you: Smooze! Smooze are 'take home and freeze' dairy free tropical flavored ices with a coconut milk base. They are yummy and satisfying, with a short and recognizable ingredients list and buckets of vitamin C to boot. I got my guava Smooze at Whole Foods, on sale for $3.99 for a box of ten. See if you can find them near you.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Netflicked
I've been a happy Netflix user for a long time. But someone out there named Frank Chavez sure wasn't and sued Netflix for breach of contract, amongst other things. And a whole bunch of other people joined Chavez to become a class, and somehow this class became five and half million people, and I became part of it, too. Chances are really good that you are as well. The suit has been settled and there are a variety of different settlement benefits. I'll be getting a free month at an upgraded plan, which is swell with me.
Despite the fact that I am a class member and received an email from Netflix about how to claim my benefit, I was troubled by the fact that even after reading their email, I couldn't figure out what exactly this lawsuit was about. For example: the email from Netflix contains some FAQs. One of them says, "What is this lawsuit about?" and the answer links you to the following section of an 87 page court document :
Exsqueeze me? That's what I said! I had to do some interwebs scouting to understand what the fork this lawsuit was about. Luckily answers abounded--pretty much every website that was not a Netflix page described a practice called "throttling," in which Netflix intentionally delayed shipping to higher volume users and expedited shipping for customers renting fewer discs each month, calling into question their claim of "unlimited" movies each month, hence breach of contract, false advertising, fraud etc. This being a settlement, Netflix is not admitting any liability but duh.
I don't believe that I've ever experienced this, but who can say. I always chalk delays up to some disgruntled postal carrier but maybe I really was being throttled because when I'm in the throes of a great series I churn that shit out. If only I could channel that single-minded determination into other areas of my life. Now that I think about it, how did they know this was a corporate practice? There must be a leaked memo somewhere ... or a whistleblower. I foresee an inspiring movie with an outraged Julia Roberts playing Frank Chavez.
Later in the email, Netflix links you to what you think will be an explanation of the changes of the terms of use. When you click that link, you end up here. Got it? Uh ... yeah.
The settlement is around $4 million, with Netflix to pay an additional two and half million for the class's legal fees. Sort of takes the shine off my free month.
Despite the fact that I am a class member and received an email from Netflix about how to claim my benefit, I was troubled by the fact that even after reading their email, I couldn't figure out what exactly this lawsuit was about. For example: the email from Netflix contains some FAQs. One of them says, "What is this lawsuit about?" and the answer links you to the following section of an 87 page court document :
1.2. In the Litigation, Class Representative alleged that since April of 2004 he had been a subscriber to Defendant’s online DVD-rental service. Class Representative alleged that in the sale and marketing of its DVD-rental service, Defendant falsely and misleadingly promised that he and other subscribers would receive “unlimited” DVD rentals for a flat monthly fee and that DVDs would be transmitted to him via “one-day delivery.” Class Representative further alleged that Defendant did not perform in accordance with those promises. Class Representative claimed that through its actions, Defendant had breached its contract with him and other subscribers; had engaged in fraud, deceit and misrepresentation; had committed false advertising and unfair trade practices in violation of California Business and Professions Code sections 17500, et seq. and 17200, et seq.; and had violated the California Legal Remedies Act. Class Representative sought restitution, damages, punitive damages, and injunctive relief.
Exsqueeze me? That's what I said! I had to do some interwebs scouting to understand what the fork this lawsuit was about. Luckily answers abounded--pretty much every website that was not a Netflix page described a practice called "throttling," in which Netflix intentionally delayed shipping to higher volume users and expedited shipping for customers renting fewer discs each month, calling into question their claim of "unlimited" movies each month, hence breach of contract, false advertising, fraud etc. This being a settlement, Netflix is not admitting any liability but duh.
I don't believe that I've ever experienced this, but who can say. I always chalk delays up to some disgruntled postal carrier but maybe I really was being throttled because when I'm in the throes of a great series I churn that shit out. If only I could channel that single-minded determination into other areas of my life. Now that I think about it, how did they know this was a corporate practice? There must be a leaked memo somewhere ... or a whistleblower. I foresee an inspiring movie with an outraged Julia Roberts playing Frank Chavez.
Later in the email, Netflix links you to what you think will be an explanation of the changes of the terms of use. When you click that link, you end up here. Got it? Uh ... yeah.
The settlement is around $4 million, with Netflix to pay an additional two and half million for the class's legal fees. Sort of takes the shine off my free month.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Where I'm Not
As I am wont to do in these posts, I had planned to moan and groan about I'm Not There, the Bob Dylan pic featuring six actors playing different versions of his life. My intention was to complain that it took me three sittings because I kept falling asleep and I never even finished because Gus knocked the TV plug out of the outlet with fifteen minutes left and I gave up, and how I don't really care about Bob Dylan, but feel I should because ... I don't know, he's Bob Dylan. But before I could even finish the first sentence of that post I grew tired of my own whining and pitched the idea entirely.
Instead, working off the theme of not being there, I decided to share some travel pictures that have been sitting quietly in my computer minding their own business until now.
I am not in Mendocino
I am not in Po'ipu, Kaua'i
Or at the Hindu Monastery in Kaua'i
Not in Point Reyes
Or rescuing a turtle from a vehicular encounter on a lavender farm in Cape Cod with Monica
Instead I'm here, in my apartment, with the beasties. Which is okay, I guess. But I'd rather be there. Any of the theres will do.
Instead, working off the theme of not being there, I decided to share some travel pictures that have been sitting quietly in my computer minding their own business until now.
Instead I'm here, in my apartment, with the beasties. Which is okay, I guess. But I'd rather be there. Any of the theres will do.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Drowning My Undies
Maybe this is normal cat behavior, you'll have to tell me. A while back I noticed that The Mama would put a plastic container in the bathroom for the kitties to drink out of, in addition to their regular water bowl, and they were super into it. Since Gus and Josephine often dropped kibble, litter dust and sparkly cat toys into their water, I figured I would try that, too, and sure enough the plastic Whole Foods take out container on the bathroom floor became the favorite watering hole.
But. What's also on my bathroom floor most of the time is dirty clothes. And for reasons I look to you to explain dear reader, one or both of the cats is compelled to snatch my dirty clothes, sometimes pulling them off the doorknob where they're hanging, over to the water bowl and drop them in. They're not casually draped over the bowl, mind you--they're fully submerged into this little pint size container, so every drop of water is absorbed. See?
Hanes Her Way from Target! Super comfy, great prints, recommend!
Reader, what is this about? I googled this phenomenon and wasn't able to find anything. You would think that this would make me more vigilant about picking up and it sort of does, for a while, until I forgot, come home to this and then I'm all oh they drowned my drawers again, damn cats.
But. What's also on my bathroom floor most of the time is dirty clothes. And for reasons I look to you to explain dear reader, one or both of the cats is compelled to snatch my dirty clothes, sometimes pulling them off the doorknob where they're hanging, over to the water bowl and drop them in. They're not casually draped over the bowl, mind you--they're fully submerged into this little pint size container, so every drop of water is absorbed. See?
Reader, what is this about? I googled this phenomenon and wasn't able to find anything. You would think that this would make me more vigilant about picking up and it sort of does, for a while, until I forgot, come home to this and then I'm all oh they drowned my drawers again, damn cats.
Thursday, August 07, 2008
Jet Blues
Ever since the first time I flew with them, I've been a big fan of Jet Blue. I'll admit it, it has so much to do with the tv screen right in front of you, with more channels than I get at home. Flying is so very boring and since I'm prone to airsickness, reading is often not an option, so being able to watch Project Runway for like five hours, is a blessing. Since the seats are "leather," I also don't get as creeped out by dirty upholstery; I can more easily pretend that the crew actually wipes the seats down between flights. Etc.
But reader, my Jet Blue bubble was cruelly burst as I attempted to get home from beach vacay and discovered, at the airport, less than three hours beforehand, that my flight home had been canceled. Not good, especially since it was a night flight and as such, the last flight of the day. Also not good was the message Jet Blue had left me on my cell phone (please note the airport monitors had yet to reflect that the flight was canceled) assuring me that I would be rebooked--two days later.
Phone calls were made. To make a really long and painful story short 1. I was talking to a rep whose understanding of California was so sketchy that she was suggested I instead fly to San Diego. For those of you east coast people, that's like telling a JFK passenger to go to Maine. You feel me? Not even close. Then 2. I learn that Jet Blue does not have agreements with other airlines and therefore does not have the ability to book me on another flight. Etc. After much back and forth, I got to a supervisor who understood the concepts of "San Francisco Bay area" and "I cannot live in the Boston airport for two days" and got me on a flight the next morning.
So I got to spend the night in the airport. Two positive things I can glean from this otherwise craptastic experience: there is something eerily, hypnotically beautiful about a nearly empty airport, the maintenance men driving the floor-polisher zamboni thing around in endless circles and I was so wasted with exhaustion that I slept the whole way home.
True to my nature, as soon as I had caught up on my sleep I was ready to give Jet Blue some feedback about my experience on their airline. While waiting to hear back from them, I did a little research and dscovered some interesting tidbits of information. Jet Blue does not have "interline" agreements with other airlines, so they really were not able to rebook me on another flight and therefore could only offer me their own flights, even if they were two days later. These agreements are expensive but when flights get canceled because of weather Jet Blue has a harder time recovering because of it, the 2007 debacle being an extreme example, and one that I am most grateful not to have experienced.
I heard back from Jet Blue a day ago and their response was along the lines of, "We're sorry you had a bad experience, and although we cannot compensate you in any way because it's the weather and what can you do! but we hope you give us the opportunity to serve you again." Not a very satisfactory response but we'll see ... not that other airlines are any better. The US government needs to take a lesson from China. Boy, that's not something I ever thought I would say.
But reader, my Jet Blue bubble was cruelly burst as I attempted to get home from beach vacay and discovered, at the airport, less than three hours beforehand, that my flight home had been canceled. Not good, especially since it was a night flight and as such, the last flight of the day. Also not good was the message Jet Blue had left me on my cell phone (please note the airport monitors had yet to reflect that the flight was canceled) assuring me that I would be rebooked--two days later.
Phone calls were made. To make a really long and painful story short 1. I was talking to a rep whose understanding of California was so sketchy that she was suggested I instead fly to San Diego. For those of you east coast people, that's like telling a JFK passenger to go to Maine. You feel me? Not even close. Then 2. I learn that Jet Blue does not have agreements with other airlines and therefore does not have the ability to book me on another flight. Etc. After much back and forth, I got to a supervisor who understood the concepts of "San Francisco Bay area" and "I cannot live in the Boston airport for two days" and got me on a flight the next morning.
So I got to spend the night in the airport. Two positive things I can glean from this otherwise craptastic experience: there is something eerily, hypnotically beautiful about a nearly empty airport, the maintenance men driving the floor-polisher zamboni thing around in endless circles and I was so wasted with exhaustion that I slept the whole way home.
True to my nature, as soon as I had caught up on my sleep I was ready to give Jet Blue some feedback about my experience on their airline. While waiting to hear back from them, I did a little research and dscovered some interesting tidbits of information. Jet Blue does not have "interline" agreements with other airlines, so they really were not able to rebook me on another flight and therefore could only offer me their own flights, even if they were two days later. These agreements are expensive but when flights get canceled because of weather Jet Blue has a harder time recovering because of it, the 2007 debacle being an extreme example, and one that I am most grateful not to have experienced.
I heard back from Jet Blue a day ago and their response was along the lines of, "We're sorry you had a bad experience, and although we cannot compensate you in any way because it's the weather and what can you do! but we hope you give us the opportunity to serve you again." Not a very satisfactory response but we'll see ... not that other airlines are any better. The US government needs to take a lesson from China. Boy, that's not something I ever thought I would say.
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Music Monday
I had such a good time creating the last Music Monday I thought I would do it again! Fine, it's not Monday, but "Music Wednesday" doesn't have nearly the same ring, and I just can't want to wait a whole 'nother week to share these tunes with you.
Godley and Creme, Cry. This video was pretty avant garde when it came out in 1985 and it holds up better than most videos of that era. Also, this song is awesome.
Don't Leave Me This Way. Back in the 80s, when I was so in love with how alternative I was, I became super enamored of queer band The Communards (Jimmy Sommerville's band after Bronski Beat). They did a cover of the Thelma Houston song which turned out to be a favorite song of my mom's, prompting her to bust out her vinyl. Judy rocked the disco. Since my dad was a disdainful classical music lover, this must be where I get my deep love of disco and I'm not ashamed. Disco fucking rulez! Here's Thelma's version
And The Communards
After watching both my present-day reassessment is that Thelma kicks their pansy asses, even with her dorky yellow outfit. Like a less cheesy Whitney, minus the crack pipe, beard husband and shitty reality show. Don't give up on The 'Nards though--things get pretty funky about 2:17.
Whatever happened to Paul Young? He's an 80s entertainer along with Terrence Trent D'arby that I kind of miss. Even if you were in a persistent vegetative state during this time you still probably know all the words to "Everytime You Go Away," a really good song done wrong. But what about "I'm Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down?" With its irresistibly funky bass, super cool back-up singers and Paul's onstage antics, you can't deny the power. And the mullets, oh god, the mullets. Yes, I had one.
Today I learned that this song is a cover. I am once again stunned by the power of the interwebs to expand my puny horizons. Here's the mellow original by Ann Peebles. And! She also sang "Can't Stand the Rain" which has been covered by everybody and their uncle, most notably Tina Turner.
This episode of Music Monday is turning out to be about covers. I did not plan that but I embrace it. Reader, my head is about to pop off because I just learned that one of the most awesome duets, Islands in the Stream, is actually a Bee Gees song!
I guess they're easy to mock, with their fluffy hair and unbuttoned shirts framing luxuriant chest hair, gold chains nestled within. But who, tell me WHO can rock the falsetto like these guys? And their lyrics? Sob. Yes, I love me some Bee Gees and always have. I know this isn't a cover but make the leap with me because it's so good.
Sorry about that, couldn't help myself. Here's their song Emotion which was later covered by Destiny's Child.
Destiny' Child version is here. Meh. I'm just sayin'.
Godley and Creme, Cry. This video was pretty avant garde when it came out in 1985 and it holds up better than most videos of that era. Also, this song is awesome.
Don't Leave Me This Way. Back in the 80s, when I was so in love with how alternative I was, I became super enamored of queer band The Communards (Jimmy Sommerville's band after Bronski Beat). They did a cover of the Thelma Houston song which turned out to be a favorite song of my mom's, prompting her to bust out her vinyl. Judy rocked the disco. Since my dad was a disdainful classical music lover, this must be where I get my deep love of disco and I'm not ashamed. Disco fucking rulez! Here's Thelma's version
And The Communards
After watching both my present-day reassessment is that Thelma kicks their pansy asses, even with her dorky yellow outfit. Like a less cheesy Whitney, minus the crack pipe, beard husband and shitty reality show. Don't give up on The 'Nards though--things get pretty funky about 2:17.
Whatever happened to Paul Young? He's an 80s entertainer along with Terrence Trent D'arby that I kind of miss. Even if you were in a persistent vegetative state during this time you still probably know all the words to "Everytime You Go Away," a really good song done wrong. But what about "I'm Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down?" With its irresistibly funky bass, super cool back-up singers and Paul's onstage antics, you can't deny the power. And the mullets, oh god, the mullets. Yes, I had one.
Today I learned that this song is a cover. I am once again stunned by the power of the interwebs to expand my puny horizons. Here's the mellow original by Ann Peebles. And! She also sang "Can't Stand the Rain" which has been covered by everybody and their uncle, most notably Tina Turner.
This episode of Music Monday is turning out to be about covers. I did not plan that but I embrace it. Reader, my head is about to pop off because I just learned that one of the most awesome duets, Islands in the Stream, is actually a Bee Gees song!
I guess they're easy to mock, with their fluffy hair and unbuttoned shirts framing luxuriant chest hair, gold chains nestled within. But who, tell me WHO can rock the falsetto like these guys? And their lyrics? Sob. Yes, I love me some Bee Gees and always have. I know this isn't a cover but make the leap with me because it's so good.
Sorry about that, couldn't help myself. Here's their song Emotion which was later covered by Destiny's Child.
Destiny' Child version is here. Meh. I'm just sayin'.
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
What I Read on My Summer Vacation
Normally I start stockpiling paperback books weeks before I go away, haunting Half Price Books and the library stores, since whatever I take with me, I plan to leave there, using that room in my luggage for fudge, taffy, touristy sweatshirts and shells. But this year I just didn't do it, and as a result went on vacation pretty empty handed. Thanks to my sister, the Hudson News kiosk at the airport and the house library it worked out just fine. Here's a run through of what I read as I lay on the beach like a sloth.
1. Lowbrow mags. You know the kind, that break news that although they're wearing matching $22,000 Cartier love bracelets, Lindsay Lohan and Sam Ronson are just really good friends. Sure! Good friends, my birthday is coming up in a few weeks. I'll skip the bracelet but how about a cute Passat wagon? Other earth shattering news from the trashy mag front: Jennifer Garner is pregnant again, Salma's not marrying babydaddy, Angelina is "happy to be home with her twins,"
2. Middle-brow mags. This was an issue of Esquire which I love because it's so gay yet so insistently hetero at the same time. I'll pick a man's magazine over Cosmo/Vogue/Glamour everytime.
3. Snooty mags like The New Yorker which had a bunch of great stories. One was a profile of a sex worker in India called devadasis, who were intended to be sacred but the stark truth being that many of them are sold into sex work by their impoverished families. Another story concerned a highly respected and half-closeted soldier killed in Iraq and the fall out between the people in his life that did know and those that didn't. And a short story called Clara by Roberto Bolano that I did not like one iota.
4. Thigh High by Christina Dodd. My sister brought this for me and man was it a ridiculous romp. A mystery/romance set in New Orleans, a classic "she despised him more and more with every passing minute" quickly morphing into, "she realized she was ripe for mating." Good stuff.
5. The Tin Roof Blowdown by James Lee Burke. I bought this in the airport, another set in New Orleans mystery but darker, more substance and less sex. Actually no sex that I can recall but a well-told and well-paced murder mystery set in the days right after Hurricane Katrina. I would read more of these Dave Robicheaux Mysteries.
6. Tonight I Said Goodbye by Michael Koryta. This was also from my sister. I think she got this at the house last year, took it with her and then brought it back this year. Isn't she good? So was the book, about a pair of private investigators asked to look into the murder of a fellow investigator and the disappearance of his wife and daughter, setting big wheels into motion. Good read, and Koryta debuted this first book at 21.
7. Senatorial Privilege: The Chappaquiddick Cover-Up by Leo Damore. This was at the house where we were staying. I've only ever had a very hazy understanding of Chappaquiddick, so this book was good for me to get the facts straight. And once I did, it is hard to deny that Ted Kennedy, despite being an amazing senator for his entire life, championing all the causes near and dear to my heart, despite now having brain cancer, was responsible for the death of a young woman in 1969. He acted reprehensibly, with care only for his political future, and his right to continue drinking and philandering. He should have been brought to trial to account for his actions but as we all know, that did not happen. Now as he faces his grim diagnosis, gathering all the expert doctors and surgeons that money and fame can attract, I wonder if he thinks about Mary Jo Kopechene and how easily her life might have been spared, if he had made a different choice that night.
1. Lowbrow mags. You know the kind, that break news that although they're wearing matching $22,000 Cartier love bracelets, Lindsay Lohan and Sam Ronson are just really good friends. Sure! Good friends, my birthday is coming up in a few weeks. I'll skip the bracelet but how about a cute Passat wagon? Other earth shattering news from the trashy mag front: Jennifer Garner is pregnant again, Salma's not marrying babydaddy, Angelina is "happy to be home with her twins,"
2. Middle-brow mags. This was an issue of Esquire which I love because it's so gay yet so insistently hetero at the same time. I'll pick a man's magazine over Cosmo/Vogue/Glamour everytime.
3. Snooty mags like The New Yorker which had a bunch of great stories. One was a profile of a sex worker in India called devadasis, who were intended to be sacred but the stark truth being that many of them are sold into sex work by their impoverished families. Another story concerned a highly respected and half-closeted soldier killed in Iraq and the fall out between the people in his life that did know and those that didn't. And a short story called Clara by Roberto Bolano that I did not like one iota.
4. Thigh High by Christina Dodd. My sister brought this for me and man was it a ridiculous romp. A mystery/romance set in New Orleans, a classic "she despised him more and more with every passing minute" quickly morphing into, "she realized she was ripe for mating." Good stuff.
5. The Tin Roof Blowdown by James Lee Burke. I bought this in the airport, another set in New Orleans mystery but darker, more substance and less sex. Actually no sex that I can recall but a well-told and well-paced murder mystery set in the days right after Hurricane Katrina. I would read more of these Dave Robicheaux Mysteries.
6. Tonight I Said Goodbye by Michael Koryta. This was also from my sister. I think she got this at the house last year, took it with her and then brought it back this year. Isn't she good? So was the book, about a pair of private investigators asked to look into the murder of a fellow investigator and the disappearance of his wife and daughter, setting big wheels into motion. Good read, and Koryta debuted this first book at 21.
7. Senatorial Privilege: The Chappaquiddick Cover-Up by Leo Damore. This was at the house where we were staying. I've only ever had a very hazy understanding of Chappaquiddick, so this book was good for me to get the facts straight. And once I did, it is hard to deny that Ted Kennedy, despite being an amazing senator for his entire life, championing all the causes near and dear to my heart, despite now having brain cancer, was responsible for the death of a young woman in 1969. He acted reprehensibly, with care only for his political future, and his right to continue drinking and philandering. He should have been brought to trial to account for his actions but as we all know, that did not happen. Now as he faces his grim diagnosis, gathering all the expert doctors and surgeons that money and fame can attract, I wonder if he thinks about Mary Jo Kopechene and how easily her life might have been spared, if he had made a different choice that night.
Monday, August 04, 2008
Inside the Big House
Today's post is about all things penal, not the willies but the naughties. I've accumulated tidbits from the world of corrections that I want to share with you, reader.
A while back I watched the documentary Hooked about the prodigiously talented basketball player Demetrius "Hook" Mitchell who never reached the NBA due to a bad drug problem, ending up in prison for robbery instead. It was okay, I guess, if you're into the sports documentary, made slightly more interesting by the fact that Hook hails from right here in sunny, violent Oakland.
The reason I'm telling you all this backstory is that one of Hook's many prison stints was done at the California Men's Colony. This sounded an awful lot like a gay men's bathhouse, but I searched interwebs and discovered that it is part of the California Department of Corrections in San Luis Obispo County which would explain the lovely scenery surrounding the endless shots of Hook doing his thing in the prison yard.
I can report back that prison websites are poorly designed and hideously dull except for this, an exhaustive list of items visitors are forbidden from wearing:
Kind of rough, isn't it? On any given day I'm wearing at least one of these items (under wire bra); today I was wearing four (plus black pants, scarf, and my weave). I'm glad I don't have anyone to visit at The Colony because assembling an outfit seems like a nearly impossible task.
Next item on our penal theme is an article from Slate about prison food that's doled out as punishment, Nutraloaf. I'm fascinated/repelled by the idea that prisons attempt to control inmates with food. At its core, this is a gross concept, like withholding food from children. How sadistically crappy is it to tell a kid they're so bad they don't deserve to eat? I was never sent to bed without dinner though I was forced to sit at the table alone to finish something I didn't want to eat which never worked. I considered that equally gross practice my training grounds for becoming the stubborn mule I am today.
Nutraloaf is the subject of multiple lawsuits throughout the country by inmates who contend that being served it constitutes cruel and unusual punishment, or that it violates their due process rights because they don't get a hearing. After reading this article, I don't know that I'm moved by either of these arguments. The idea of a all-in-one nutritious loaf is nothing new (70's vegetarian nutloaf or 'neatloaf') and not inherently disgusting although some of the ingredients are a bit weird.
If an inmate misbehaves and can't be trusted with utensils, can't they just eat a sandwich with baby carrots and an apple? It seems a bit over the top not to mention a lot of extra work to make these separate meals. Actually, screw the utensils completely and make everyone eat Ethiopian food using injera--more vegetables and fiber, less meat, not to mention delish.
A while back I watched the documentary Hooked about the prodigiously talented basketball player Demetrius "Hook" Mitchell who never reached the NBA due to a bad drug problem, ending up in prison for robbery instead. It was okay, I guess, if you're into the sports documentary, made slightly more interesting by the fact that Hook hails from right here in sunny, violent Oakland.
The reason I'm telling you all this backstory is that one of Hook's many prison stints was done at the California Men's Colony. This sounded an awful lot like a gay men's bathhouse, but I searched interwebs and discovered that it is part of the California Department of Corrections in San Luis Obispo County which would explain the lovely scenery surrounding the endless shots of Hook doing his thing in the prison yard.
I can report back that prison websites are poorly designed and hideously dull except for this, an exhaustive list of items visitors are forbidden from wearing:
* white t-shirts as outer wear
* under wire garments
* strapless garments, halter, midriff, tank tops (male or female), sheer or transparent, wrap around tops, skirts, or dresses
* leg warmers
* shower shoes
* clothing that exposes the breast/chest area, genitalia or buttocks
* dresses, skirts, pants and shorts exposing more than two inches above the knee, including slits
* clothing or accessories displaying obscure or offensive language or drawings
* warm-up, sweat suits, jogging suits, lycra, or spandex clothing
* black, gray, or blue denim pants, jackets, skirts or shirts
* forest green or tan shirts, or blue chambray clothing
* clothing that resembles officers' clothing or inmate clothing
* camouflage type clothing or Army fatigues
* readily removable wigs, hairpeices, weaves, extensions, or any other headpiece of artificial or human hair worn as personal adornment (except for medical reasons, with prior approval)
* skin-tight or form fitting clothing
* clothing items with hoods
* scarves, gloves, hats, or excess clothing
Children 40" tall or under are exempt from the following restrictions:
* denim wear
* tights
* head gear (hats or hoods)
Visitors not properly attired will be denied visiting. Children of all ages, except where exempted, are also to be dressed in accordance with the above restrictions.
Kind of rough, isn't it? On any given day I'm wearing at least one of these items (under wire bra); today I was wearing four (plus black pants, scarf, and my weave). I'm glad I don't have anyone to visit at The Colony because assembling an outfit seems like a nearly impossible task.
Next item on our penal theme is an article from Slate about prison food that's doled out as punishment, Nutraloaf. I'm fascinated/repelled by the idea that prisons attempt to control inmates with food. At its core, this is a gross concept, like withholding food from children. How sadistically crappy is it to tell a kid they're so bad they don't deserve to eat? I was never sent to bed without dinner though I was forced to sit at the table alone to finish something I didn't want to eat which never worked. I considered that equally gross practice my training grounds for becoming the stubborn mule I am today.
Nutraloaf is the subject of multiple lawsuits throughout the country by inmates who contend that being served it constitutes cruel and unusual punishment, or that it violates their due process rights because they don't get a hearing. After reading this article, I don't know that I'm moved by either of these arguments. The idea of a all-in-one nutritious loaf is nothing new (70's vegetarian nutloaf or 'neatloaf') and not inherently disgusting although some of the ingredients are a bit weird.
If an inmate misbehaves and can't be trusted with utensils, can't they just eat a sandwich with baby carrots and an apple? It seems a bit over the top not to mention a lot of extra work to make these separate meals. Actually, screw the utensils completely and make everyone eat Ethiopian food using injera--more vegetables and fiber, less meat, not to mention delish.
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