Distracted By Something Shiny

Sooo...

2009-03-25T00:40:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I haven't posted in nearly a year. I still exist, I swear. Just not on here so much.

Why? Quite simply, I don't need a blog.

I have Facebook.

Though I may hate the constant redesigns, lame application & cause invitations, and completely inane status updates of certain people, it's just too damn easy to post random musings, photos, etc... thus making this page redundant.

So I'm not gone. I'm just somewhere else.

Dear Ticketmaster: AYFKM?

2008-04-16T21:13:00.000-07:00

Three tickets, face value of $27.50, if bought on Ticketmaster: $115.25

Three tickets, face value of $27.50, if bought at venue box office: $88.50

Saving $26.75 by buying tix at box office and sticking it to the man: Priceless

So Predictable

2008-03-30T11:50:00.000-07:00

Surprise, surprise! I cut my hair. It's like clockwork. This always happens. I cut my hair, then start to grow it out for a year or two, then realize I'm not really doing anything with it besides pulling it back (as I don't have the energy to actually style it), so I get it chopped again.

So I got a bob... longer in front, shorter in back. I love it. Just got it done yesterday so I haven't washed it yet because I want to keep the fresh-out-of-the-salon / blown out / straightened look as long as possible. Then laziness will take over and I'll most likely be wearing it curly most of the time. But I still should probably invest in a decent straightening iron...

Did You Hear That?

2008-03-22T15:32:00.000-07:00

Stumbled upon this (literally) and decided to actually pause to check it out. An audio illusion? WTF?

So I put on my headphones as instructed and closed my eyes. It's incredible. You have to hear for yourself. One can only imagine how they could apply this for 3D movie watching...

Wise Words From Wilder

2008-03-19T23:24:00.000-07:00

SF Sketchfest hosted a "Salute to Gene Wilder" tonight at the Castro. They showed Young Frankenstein (FRONK-en-STEEN!) and Gene came out afterwards for an onstage conversation/Q&A session.

It was pretty great. He talked about his career, the people he's worked with, though the one thing he said that really stuck with me was not about acting or comedy. He was talking about how he was a cancer survivor and how he goes to a reunion every October for people who have had stem cell transplants, and just how amazing it was to see everyone and how happy they were to be alive.

Basically, he said, you see that and you think how silly it is to worry about the little things. Don't be morose, don't hold back love -- life is too short.

That definitely is my MO and I just enjoy it when others articulate it as well. Richard Dawkins said something similar when I saw him lecture at Berkeley a couple weeks ago. It can be so easy to get caught up in the daily grind... work, bills, etc. But if you just stop and think about how absolutely amazing it is just to be alive...

I realize of course you can't be happy all the time. That's impossible. But you know what the Monty Python boys say, right?

Gondry

2008-03-10T22:21:00.000-07:00

There's a film out in theatres right now called Be Kind Rewind, which isn't really important and not what this post is about.

What is of note is that the film is directed by Michel Gondry.

While as of late Gondry's been associated with his feature film work like Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (I've seen it once and it didn't change my life, though I willing to give it a second chance) and The Science of Sleep (I'll get around to watching it eventually), I can't help thinking of his amazing video collection whenever I hear his name.

Mind you, of course, I don't watch MTV or music videos now and haven't for years, but a few years back my roommate had a copy of the collection of music videos that Palm Pictures put out from directors Chris Cunningham, Spike Jonze and, of course, Gondry.

Even though I haven't seen them in years, Gondry's videos stuck with me. I remember being particular stunned by his video for Kylie Minogue's "Come Into My World":

(the phrase 'wait for it... wait for it...' applies perfectly)

EDIT 3/19 - browsing thru the SWPL archives I realize this post may have been influenced by more than just the current movie listings

Passing Thought

2008-03-09T16:52:00.000-07:00

You should never change who you are just to please someone.

But that shouldn't prevent you from trying to improve yourself.

There is a difference.

The important thing is figuring out your motivation.

Stereotypes ARE True

2008-03-05T20:28:00.000-08:00

I have proof.

This is all sad, hilarious and true.

Christmas is Over?

2008-02-14T00:19:00.001-08:00

The Christmas tree across the street was dismantled two nights ago. Yeah, that's right. They had it up (lights and all) until February 11th.

The external lights are still up though. So the saga continues...

(PS - I'm not obsessed. I just find this ridiculous. And hilarious.)

Light Update and More

2008-02-08T21:16:00.001-08:00

So it's February 8th, and the lights across the street are still up. How long will this go on?

In other news, our company off site was yesterday. We went to The Crucible in Oakland, which I was a bit nervous about because they're basically functional pyros and I am, well, not. I thought I would be pouring molten lava or something but as it turns out in my Foundry class wejust had to carve a design in a sand mold and watch as an experienced professional melted the aluminum and poured the liquid metal into our molds. No sweat. Other folks were doing blacksmithing and welding and firefuckingeating. Seriously.

After that we went to a big Chinese restaurant, where we had the whole second floor (a banquet room) to eat, drink, and, most importantly, dance. Then it was off to another bar back in the city. Not a bad day. I'm definitely glad I kept my drinking to a minimum though. Last off site I was suffering pretty bad no thanks to some poorly timed tequila shots.

More work news -- we got our ping pong table set up today. Woo hoo!

Don't Miss?

2008-02-07T09:35:00.000-08:00

A recent story on CNN about an apartment fire in Germany came with an unfortunate and tasteless attempt to link to a related story. Would like to think this was somehow automatically generated but I doubt it. Have you no shame, CNN?

Fail.

2008-02-02T18:24:00.000-08:00

Great new site called The FAIL Blog. Quite simply, it's all pictures of stuff gone/going wrong --pretty self-explanatory. So far I laughed the most at this one, but they are all pretty great:

Also, despite having barely used Photoshop at all, I've really been getting a kick out of the recent You Suck at Photoshop "tutorials". There's been five so far and I hope this guy keeps making more...

It's February.

2008-02-02T02:10:00.001-08:00

This is an apartment across the street from me. The crappy quality of my camera phone notwithstanding, let's just reflect on the fact that this picture was taken earlier this evening. On February 1st. More than a month after Christmas. It's one thing to still have external lights still up -- hell they are kinda pretty -- but the TREE? And they still plug it in every night! I feel like I should start a pool with my roommates about how long these lights are actually going to stay.

As G.O.B. would say, "C'MON!"

for the love of god, please come to the reunion!

2007-10-30T00:08:00.000-07:00

i'm paraphrasing, of course, but that was pretty much the jist of the invite i received in the mail last week. yes, is that's time: my 10 year high school reunion is just around the corner.

on the outside of the envelope, in big letters: "The FINAL Invite! Discount Date Is Extended!"

in the envelope, several pieces of paper, including places to fill out your info, packages to order (memory books, etc), an option to arrive after 9 PM ("We would rather see you at our reunion than not at all... Take advantage of the special package, you only miss the food!")

but this was the kicker. and i am typing this exactly as it appears:

WHY GO TO MY HIGH SCHOOL REUNION:
WHY NOT?
What have you got to lose?
How often do you get to see all of your old friends
in one night from 10 years ago?
It will be a memory that will last FOREVER!
You will NEVER have a 10 Year Reunion EVER again!
You only spend money on reunions every 10 years.
To see what everyone has been up to.
Who cares if you're not a millionaire yet!
Show your school spirit!
We're not in high school anymore, we've matured since!
The reunion is about your life NOW!
There is nothing better coming along on Saturday, November 24th!
Everyone changes in 10 years, come see for yourself.
We're all adults now.
You have known some classmates since kindergarten!
There are a lot of classmates attending who want to see YOU there!
WHY NOT!!!!!!!!!???????????

this just reeks of desperation. i wonder who pushed for the 9 exclamation points and 11 question marks on that last line.

potpourri

2007-10-25T23:46:00.000-07:00

so, haven't written lately. what's going on?

- quit my old job. too much stress, not enough happy.
- love where i'm working now
- looking around...my room is very messy but i am too lazy/tired to clean it
- am single now. but we are staying roommates and friends. wishful thinking? i hope not. i am okay unless i really stop and think about everything, and then i get real sad. so i've been trying to not think too much. it's overrated.

Umm...

2007-09-07T21:14:00.001-07:00

Sad Irony (and Really Old News)

2007-08-26T16:58:00.000-07:00

Am just vegging out today and popped in my copy of Heathers as I hadn't seen that in forever. And when it was done I watched the little featurette on the film, with interviews from the cast a crew years after the film was made.

They had interviews with just about everyone except one of the "Heathers", which was explained by a shot of her and the end, with her name (Kim Walker) and "1968-2001" underneath.

I was curious about her early death, and, according to Wikipedia, Walker died of complications from a brain tumor.

The sadly ironic thing about this is that one of her many memorable lines in Heathers was: "Did you eat a brain tumor for breakfast?"

Help The Iraq

2007-08-25T22:03:00.001-07:00

This hurts my brain. So much.

By this answer I'm thinking she is part of that 1/5.

My answer to the question? Americans are so preoccupied with themselves that they don't know about the world around them. So how can they identify a smaller part (the US) of a bigger picture (the whole world)?

To quote Eddie Izzard: "Do you know there's other countries?"

How Dare They

2007-08-15T22:24:00.000-07:00

Democrats make fun of Republicans. (Well, how could we not?) And Republicans make fun of Democrats. It's inevitable. And, often, pretty funny. And, of course, each side thinks they are totally in the right.

But this is completely disgusting: Found via Digg, there is a Fox News Radio host called John Gibson who, when discussing the media after 9/11 on his show last Friday, mocked Jon Stewart's emotional response to the attacks on the first post-9/11 episode of The Daily Show.

I remember that episode. Do you? Jon Stewart opening up the program asking the viewer 'are you okay?' I remember being so fragile at the time. Freaking out at every siren I heard, every plane overhead...nearly crying every time I saw a car with an American flag sticker because I knew what it symbolized...

So, Jon Stewart tearing up on The Daily Show? As genuine as you can get.

And this asshole mocks him.

http://mediamatters.org/items/200708140001 (Audio clip on the right hand side of page.)

Now that you've heard the wretchedness, Stewart's complete moving speech can be seen at http://www.onegoodmove.org/1gm/1gmarchive/2006/09/nine_eleven.html

"polka-dotted chain saw"

2007-08-07T23:50:00.000-07:00

Hands down, the best spam email subject line I've ever read.

They get points for creativity for sure. Of course I had to open it!

And, naturally, this was the crap that was inside:

Polka-dotted chain saw my ass.

Cake or Death?

2007-08-04T19:16:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited -- I am going to see Eddie Izzard on Monday! Much thanks to my friend Dave, who was on Izzard's email list and learned about the gig a week ago, just hours before tickets went on sale. It's a 'work in progress' show, so I'm guessing the comedy may not be completely polished, but come on, he's Eddie Izzard!

Now I'm just preparing myself to see him sans makeup, and even in a goatee. Not that him in full 'executive transvestite' gear makes him funnier, but the man does look damn good in eyeliner.

When Dave told me about the show, we both decided to try to get four tickets -- two for each of us -- in case the other person didn't have any luck. Well, we both had REALLY good luck. So I ended up selling my tickets -- I asked for "best offer" -- on craigslist.

If my math is right, I made over a 300% profit.

So Dave and I are splitting the money I earned from the sale, which will cover our ticketmaster purchases and a nice dinner beforehand. So it'll be a great night!

On the one hand, I must admit feeling a bit guilty. I mean, if I was a fan who missed out on the announcement and didn't learn about the show before it sold out, I would hope that if anyone was selling their tickets they would sell them for face value.

On the other hand, I didn't specify a price -- these guys offered me that much. So, conscience be damned.

Those Crazy Control Room People

2007-07-27T21:46:00.000-07:00

Apparently this video is a couple months old, but I just stumbled across it and it made me laught outloud. Perhaps that makes me a bit juvenile, but I don't care.

Coors Light Equals Water

2007-07-01T22:34:00.000-07:00

Those of us with taste know that cheap beer is crap. I guess the folks over at Coors Light have given up and are finally admitting their beer has no taste. Check out the box graphic for their new wide mouth can:

Mmmmmmmm water.

Are You Sure You Want to Leave a Message?

2007-06-30T16:01:00.001-07:00

A few days ago I was calling someone (work related, not important), and got voicemail. After their obligatory generic "Hi, this is so-and-so, can't answer my phone right now, etc" message, I got another automated message with further instructions. Which is pretty common--albeit lame--nowadays. Though usually the instuctions are about recording your message after the tone, pressing 1 to page the person, etc. This was different. Right after the guy's "leave a message" message, I hear:

"To disconnect, press 1. If you still want to leave a message for this person, press 3."

That made me giggle.

This Just Hurts. On So Many Levels.

2007-06-01T20:43:00.000-07:00

I Love This City.

2007-04-08T22:38:00.000-07:00

A couple months ago it was a mass pillow fight. Today, it was BYOBW.

I read about the event a couple days ago (thank you, SFist), but due to my short attention span I managed to forget about it by this morning. So Keith and I grabbed brunch (okay, it was 2 pm by that time), stopped by Safeway, and hopped on the 22 back home, and just as we boarded the bus there was a guy talking to his friend on the phone about how he was heading to Lombard for the Big Wheel races. Yikes! It was 3:30 by then, the "race" started at 4, and I was still on the bus with my friggin groceries. So we got home, I unpacked my groceries tout de suite, and determined within about 30 seconds that if I wanted to make the event in time, I would have to find a cab. Another 10 seconds was all it took to decide that I didn't want to miss it (cab fare be damned), and luckily managed to find one within a couple minutes of leaving the apartment.

I got to about a block away from the top of the race by just a few minutes past 4, and was afraid I might have missed it as a couple dozen people were walking away from the direction I was headed, but was relieved to find those people in the minority as there were hundreds of people still lining the infamous block of Lombard. I had only missed the first race and the racers were walking their vehicles back up to the top of this hill. And then, they were off!

check out the guy in the middle of the above photo riding a garbage can

crazy outfits and crashes were common

there they go...

I am so glad I went. They did three races once I got there (so four altogether), and there were so many participants (definitely 50, but probably closer to 100, I'm bad at guestimating) they had to stagger the starting times. And I ended up running into my friend Noah (small world!)--next time I'll try to get a group together, but being reminded of an event 30 minutes before start time doesn't lend itself to activity planning.

Would I actually participate in the race? Nah. It was fun enough to watch. And much less dangerous. This is one event where I didn't mind being on the sidelines.

Technology. Is. Awesome.

2007-03-25T22:24:00.000-07:00

I heart... The Office. And my video iPod. And HandBrake.

The Office... Okay, I admit, it took me a while. I was so loyal to the British version I didn't want anything to do with (what I thought initially to be) the bastardization of such a great sitcom. The pilot episode of the American version was an immediate turnoff; they were basically trying to copy all the jokes and brilliant subtle humor of Ricky Gervais. It didn't work (despite his being an executive producer).

So I didn't watch any more episodes for a while. But then I just kept hearing about how good it was getting. So when my roommate dangled his Office season 2 DVD in front of me (a tv drug dealer if you will; the first taste is free), I caved and said I would check out an episode or two.

Of course I went through the entire second season in just a weekend.

Then I got my video iPod. Yes, I wear black headphones and no, I don't watch it on dark street corners in the middle of the night while I wait for the bus. But, as I mentioned earlier, it is wonderful for my morning commute. And yet I needed content. So, since I hadn't seen any of season 3 and needed to get my fix, I bought it on iTunes. Well worth it, especially since it isn't out on DVD yet.

But then what about my DVDs? The stuff that I already paid for and don't want to pay for again just to be able to watch it on that lovely portable device? Well, that's where HandBrake comes in. It works great and today I've downloaded all of my Arrested Development season 2 episodes, the Strangers with Candy season 2 episode I have from Netflix, and I'm in the midst of downloading my roommate's The Office season 2 DVDs. Apparently I'm really big on season 2 today.

Smash

2007-03-17T14:13:00.000-07:00

It happens every day in this city: cars get broken into. Hell, my window got smashed a few years back when I was living on Treasure Island and my car was actually stolen when I was living in the Upper Haight (it was found a week later about five blocks away). But last night was the first time I actually heard someone break into a car.

It was about 3:30 in the morning, and I heard and loud, echoing BAM outside my window. Then another one, then another one, followed by the inevitable sound of glass breaking. I'm on the third floor and didn't feel threatened but still my heart was beating fast and I didn't dare look at my window for fear that the guy (or guys) would see me. I heard a car door open, some things being thrown to the sidewalk and then about 20 seconds later an engine starting. I looked at my window then to see a white car pull away. I was about to call 911 but figured I was too late and got mad at myself for not calling earlier, but when I first heard the banging I think I was just trying to figure out what the noise was.

Anyway, as if I needed a pre-emptive reminder as to why I live where I do, I found myself on the sidewalk opposite my apartment yesterday afternoon. I was stunned because I'd never seen it from that angle before. I must have looked like a tourist but I couldn't resist taking a quick photo:

I love my apartment. Burglary be damned.

Speaking of iPods...

2007-03-13T20:32:00.000-07:00

I just got a video iPod. I'm so excited! I got the smaller version (the 30 gig one, as opposed to the 80 gig one), because 1) it was 100 bucks cheaper and 2) there's no way I would ever need 100 hours of video at any given time.

I'm basically drowning in iPods now. Okay, well, not really, but I have an iPod Shuffle (the first generation one), which I love and use ALL the time (great for walking around town and at the gym), plus an older iPod, but it's not holding a battery charge anymore and I don't really use it. Basically that's why I decided to get the video one. Sorta phasing the old one out, and getting to look at moving pictures to boot. Oooh, pretty colors.

Of course, with your CDs, you can just pop them into your computer, download the songs and transfer them to your iPod. But with current technology, I can't pop in my dozens of DVDs and download them to iTunes. Well, at least your not supposed to be able to. But my roommate did turn me on to this.

Of course I wanted to be able to watch stuff right way, but I haven't had the patience to download the software, and I didn't feel like digging for free videos online, so I actually purchased the "Season Pass" to season three of The Office. Looks great on the iPod, but it also surprisingly looks pretty decent blown full size up on my computer screen. Watched the first episode during my little commute this morning, and plan on never being bored waiting for the bus from now on.

Oh, and also, one last little product shill. I wasn't about to spend nearly $300 on a gadget and not get a proper case for it. I stared at packages on the accessory shelves in the Apple store blindly for nearly ten minutes and ended up choosing this -- couldn't be more pleased. Fits snuggly, give a good grip, protects the screen... I opted for the plain black, of course. Who wants to carry around a hot pink iPod?

White Headphones

2007-03-07T21:34:00.000-08:00

Apparently San Francisco commuters are being warned of iPod theft, and BART is issuing fliers telling people "Don't be a target: Use ear buds other than the standard iPod white, or other aftermarket headphones."

Well, duh.

I must admit when I first got my iPod, I was all about the white headphones. I'd be on the bus or walking down the street, thinking I was so cool ('hey, look at me, I've got an iPod!') and giving headnods to my fellow white headphoners ('hey, look at you, you've got an iPod!').

I now wear plain black earbuds. Because I realize that shouting, albeit silently, that, hey, I've got an iPod, isn't such a good thing.

Now I shake my head a bit when I see people with white headphones. Come on, guys, you might as well put a blinking neon sign that says "rob me" over your forehead.

You Know What I'm Sayin'?

2007-03-04T13:09:00.000-08:00

Took the 5 Fulton down to the Apple store yesterday (my MacBook, not eight months old, needs to be prepared) and couldn't help observing a couple people on my bus:

- A guy, enthusiastically talking to his Art Institute classmate about teaching, who turned any pause or punctuation in his sentences as an opporunity to say "you know what i'm saying?'" It was quite fascinating, kinda of like how valley girls (and myself, I admit) tend to sprinkle the word "like" into their vocab without even realizing it.

- A girl, perhaps in her late teens or 20 years old, who had her iPod shuffle plugged into tiny speakers so we could all hear her rap music. She never smiled, and tried to look tough, but I'm sorry, you can only look so tough with (no joke) Sponge Bob Square Pants scrubs, a Tweety Bird jacket and a purple backpack.

People watching is fun.

ESPN8

2007-02-18T13:08:00.000-08:00

So I'm flipping channels and just came across the USA Jump Rope Championship on ESPN2. First of all, WTF? And second of all, shouldn't that be on The Ocho?

TV is dumb. I'm going outside to sit on my deck, soak up the sun and read a book.

Go Broncos

2007-02-17T17:29:00.000-08:00

I'm usually very proud that I attended my Alma mater, but reading this just made me cringe. Sad thing is, I think a similar incident happened when I went there. Nice, guys. Reeeeeeal nice.

Pillow Fight!

2007-02-15T00:03:00.000-08:00

Last night was the second Valentine's Day pillow fight at Justin Herman Plaza in downtown San Francisco. I knew about it last year, but didn't end up going because I didn't want to make a bad impression at my first week of a new job by leaving early to make it there on time, but this year I figured it would be okay. I am soooooo glad I went!There was so much down and feathers in the air it looked like it was snowing...

...people were tossing pillows into the air...

...and the ground was covered in feathers!

Here's Laughing Squid with more pics that beat the hell out of my camera phone pics.

Sigh

2007-02-09T19:39:00.000-08:00

They obviously didn't see my previous post on the logic of sentencing.

Yahoo Is Confused

2007-02-08T20:30:00.000-08:00

Apparently the folks at Yahoo got confused when writing their headline as they seem to have mistaken Anna Nicole for Marilyn Monroe...or Princess Diana. This "candle in the wind" headline didn't last long; it currently simply reads "Remembering Anna Nicole". Smart move. I shudder to think what headlines will read should Paris Hilton die an untimely death.

"Breaking" News?

2007-02-08T20:23:00.000-08:00

Screen captures from earlier today:

This was either a slow news day or a sad commentary on the status of the American media. And this is a publicist--an entertainment publicist, for that matter--talking.

...

2007-02-02T00:11:00.000-08:00

From What Would Tyler Durden Do. So brilliant.

Um, Woah

2007-01-30T22:48:00.000-08:00

When the hell did Harry Potter get permission to grow up? And to make me concerned that I find a 17-year-old boy pretty damn hot? I think I need help.

Image from Harry's--er, Daniel Radcliffe's--upcoming appearance in a play called Equus.

What's The Point?

2007-01-29T21:47:00.000-08:00

Does this guy deserve life in prison? Absofrigginlutely. But, call me crazy, I think his "life" will end a lot sooner than 152 years from now. So why sentence him to "152 years to life"? Can they not just say "life without the possibility of parole"?

Full story here, if you care.

A Bit Too Close For Comfort

2007-01-06T20:28:00.000-08:00

So I don't watch this show, or E! in general, but when flipping channels a week or so ago I caught a couple minutes of Dr. 90210. In this particular episode, in addition to a blonde with a pretty much flawless body wanting butt implants (ugh), there was a 63-year-old man who was seeing the good doctor to fix his leaking penile implant. Oh, and he's a preacher. And since, because of the implant, he doesn't have sensation in the top of his penis, he can't orgasm, so he's doing this to please his wife (who, incidentally, seemed to think it wasn't really necessary).

So there are more disturbing things in that paragraph than I'd care to count, but I was almost more disturbed this afternoon at the Phoenix airport (where I was after visiting my dad and stepmom), when the man behind me in line to check bags looked almost EXACTLY like the penile implant preacher man. I'm pretty sure it wasn't (the woman with him didn't look like his wife who was interviewed on the show), but it was still damn creepy. Eww.

"Gerald Ford Dead Today..."

2006-12-27T19:57:00.000-08:00

Okay, well not today, but it's been ALL over the news lately (as if it's a huge shock.. c'mon people the guy was 93). And the first thing I (and no doubt many others) thought of when I heard the news was this:

Coffee Drinkers Are Smart

2006-12-27T18:56:00.000-08:00

So I've just christened my new Mr. Coffee coffeemaker (thanks, Mom!) and was perusing the fabulously interesting instuction booklet, which includes the obligatory troubleshooting guide. Wow. Here is a sample of the problems and solutions in the booklet:

PROBLEM: The on light does not light up

POSSIBLE CAUSE: The appliance is unplugged

SOLUTION: Plug unit in

* * *

PROBLEM: The coffee is not brewing

POSSIBLE CAUSE: The appliance is unplugged

SOLUTION: Plug unit in

* * *

PROBLEM: The coffeemaker brews only water

POSSIBLE CAUSE: There are no coffee grounds in the filter basket

SOLUTION: Add the desired amount of coffee

* * *

PROBLEM: The coffee is not hot

POSSIBLE CAUSE: There's a power outage

SOLUTION: Wait for power to be restored

* * *

After reading that, I feel like I could qualify for Mensa.

The Dark

2006-11-10T18:32:00.000-08:00

You know what sucks? I pretty much avoid leaving my apartment alone at night at all costs. Won't even go to the corner store if it's dark outside. And whenever I'm out--day or night--I always look over my shoulder to see if anyone's behind me, I only have one earbud in when listening to my iPod, and when going up my steps I always look behind me. It's become like an OCD compulsion almost. And if I do go anywhere, I'll call a cab or time the grabbing of the 22 (the bus a block and half from my apt with real time updates) so I never have to wait more than a minute for it.

This is particularly frustrating now that it gets darker an hour earlier.

OBviously this is because of that pesky little theft incident last April (when I was robbed on my front porch). On the one hand it's horrible because it pretty much makes me afraid of the dark, as the incident took place at night. And it is damn unfortunate that I no longer feel at ease in my neighborhood. But the good news is it is localized. It's not like I never walk alone at night ever. Hell, I'll walk alone at night in New York City...within reason of course.

All that being said, I do realize that while my neighborhood isn't always perfect, it could be A LOT worse. It's not like I live in the Tenderloin or anything. I really like my apartment and while when I do eventually move I hope to be in a better neighborhood, that won't be for a long while. And that's fine.

At least I wasn't robbed during the day. Then I'd be screwed.

Riddle Me This, Batman

2006-10-27T18:47:00.000-07:00

So you've done something you shouldn't have. Tell me this: is that knot in the pit of your stomach guilt, or is it the fear that you'll be found out? Or are these not mutually exclusive?

Crispin Glover Is Insane

2006-10-22T22:30:00.000-07:00

So my friend and I just went to see Crispin Glover at the Castro Theatre. He presented a slideshow and his film entitled "What Is It?" That's a decent title, but a better title would be "What The Fuck?!?"

Let me explain. Well, at least, let me *try* to explain.

I can't tell you what the movie is about. Because honestly I don't know, even though I just saw it. But I can tell you that most of the actors have Down syndrome, and there are snails and a graveyard and references to Shirley Temple being a Nazi.

But this was by FAR the weirdest part:

A naked black woman in a monkey mask carrying a watermelon giving a handjob to a middle age naked man with cerebral palsy who was lying in an oversized clamshell while Crispin Glover sat a few feet away on a throne wearing a long-haired wig and dressed in a fur coat.

Seriously, I can't make shit like that up. But apparently Crispin can.

Great Ad

2006-10-18T13:04:00.000-07:00

Hopefulness

2006-10-18T11:51:00.000-07:00

So had coffee with A this morning. Obviously the situation is not easy, but I am really happy about the possibility about her and D. I can see they're smitten with each other, she used the term "kindred spirit"... She is in such a tough position though. She's been with her husband for like eight years, been married for three or four. When she told her husband he was pretty much blindsided. Had no idea their marriage was at risk. Poor guy. As for me, I'm gonna be there for D & A. And while I'm not a proponent of infidelity (who is?) I do hope this works out for them. Because I think they could be really good together. No situation in life is ever ideal is it?

So I Wasn't Imagining Things

2006-10-17T23:47:00.000-07:00

If I were to have posted a few hours ago, I would have written about how I was starting to feel like a third wheel around the two closest friends I had made at my new job, and how I was starting to wonder if there might be something between them. Which wouldn't be that big of a deal, except that he (D) is engaged and she (A) is married. (forgive the lack of full names, I want to respect their privacy)

Well, I just went to a concert with D, and right before we entered the venue, he told me he and his fiancee had broken up. Which was a blow, especially because we couldn't talk because there was a concert going on and we were shouting at each other. I told him I didn't want him to feel like I was ignoring that piece of news, so later during the opening act we stepped out, me to get drinks and him to get food, and I asked him if he waned to talk about it.

D kinda shrugged it off, said it had been building, but said A wouldn't mind if he told me: her marriage was breaking up as well. So that's when I asked him what had been on my mind for at least the last week:

"Is there something between you two?" (meaning between him and A)

"Yeah," he said. "That's why."

So D's fiancee is packing her bags and A and her husband are on very shaky ground. On the one hand, it's tough, but on the other hand, I'm happy for them. Neither of them are the cheating type, but they seem to have found this connection, and--albeit while both of them were in committed relationships--they get along really well.

I'm meeting A for coffee in the morning. We're gonna have a lot to talk about.

Crack Up

2006-10-16T23:48:00.000-07:00

One of last week's Daily Show tosses to The Colbert Report. Ahhh, funny.

My, How The News Changes Over Time

2006-09-27T08:41:00.000-07:00

Observe, the progression of a news story:

Posted at 12:12 am on Sept 27:
"Reports: T.O taken to emergency room, reason unknown"

Posted at 2:35 am on Sept 27:
"Reports: T.O. taken to ER for allergic reaction"

Posted at 11:19 am on Sept 27:
"T.O. tried to kill himself"

Sad, but interesting.

Like Looking Into A Blurry Mirror

2006-09-22T22:26:00.000-07:00

So I'm watching What Not To Wear (yes, I get suckered into it every now and then), and they're featuring this girl with short curlish blondish hair who underdresses for her job at the Sundance Film Festival. I don't have my glasses on so the tv is a bit fuzzy, but it's so weird, I feel like I'm watching myself.

Of course I think I'm even more distracted by the fact that they alledgedly took this girl out of the festival (whether during or right before), to go shopping for FIVE days across the country. I can't even imagine taking one day off (as my festival is coming up in less than two weeks), yet alone five. Craziness.

Dr. Pepper Is Dirty

2006-08-08T23:29:00.000-07:00

So it seems Dr. Pepper has a new flavor: Berries and Cream.

Their tagline? "Get berried in cream."

Is it me, or does that sound like a teaser for the money shot in a porno?

Why I Like Working At My Desk At Home

2006-07-30T11:10:00.000-07:00

This is my view as I gaze over my laptop. And I have bay windows, so there's also a window to my left and one to my right. Need I say more?

It's Very Zen, You Know.

2006-07-29T18:47:00.000-07:00

Just saw a commercial for Bowflex in which a "50-year-old grandmother" (who admitedly looks damn good for her age) called her exercise machine "very zen." Yeah, I'm sure that 6'10" x 7'8" x 3'10" monstronsity that is the Bowflex Ultimate 2 in the middle of your house is, like, totally feng shui.

See This Movie. Again and Again. And Again.

2006-07-26T22:32:00.000-07:00

The other night I saw a screening of Little Miss Sunshine. If you've heard of it and know what it's about, or have seen a trailer, that's fine, but if not, then embrace that lack of knowledge and go to the theater (when it opens) with a clean slate. I knew nothing about it and can't imagine seeing it any other way.

So damn good.

Decisions, Decisions

2006-07-16T15:06:00.000-07:00

Gosh I'm so hungry but I'm craving both doughnuts and fried chicken. If only there were a place out there to satisfy me...

You Like Me! You Really Like Me!

2006-07-15T13:11:00.000-07:00

I was talking with a colleague of mine the other day and she told me she is a member of this organization, and at one of their meetings a month or two ago the subject came up of getting publicity for your independent film. And my colleague said that someone piped in and said, "Well, if you're looking for a publicist, Tara X is the best." And apparently two or three other people chimed in as well, just saying how great I was. My colleague says it was a "We-love-Tara fest".

This news naturally delighted me (are those goosebumps?), but what made it even better was that the two people who I knew were in the organization and who I assumed could have been talking about me, weren't there that night. So people are singing my praises and I'm not even sure who they are!

Needless to say, I plan on going to next month's meeting.

The (In)convenience of Modern Technology

2006-07-15T13:02:00.000-07:00

So I was making a few calls yesterday, doing research to help out my spring time employer, and upon one call I heard a generic female voice greet me with the following:

"You are about to be transferred to an automated voice message service. However, the person at XXX-XXX-XXXX does not subscribe to this service, so your call cannot be completed at this time."

Brilliant.

An Iceland Pic

2006-07-11T17:47:00.000-07:00

This is me in front of Gullfoss, a famous raging waterfall about an hour east of Reyjavik. It was gorgeous! Eventually I'll download all my pics, but I don't really have the patience for that right now...

Iceland #3

2006-07-10T02:12:00.000-07:00

So it's about 9 am on Monday. I leave in less than two hours (well, my flight isn't until 5), and I'm going to stop by the Blue Lagoon on the way to the airport (apparently Iceland's top tourist attraction, though it sadly it is man-made).

When I left the bus tour yesterday, I was chatting with Sam and Darren (the couple from Australia currently living in London) and Kent (from Brooklyn). Darren had asked if I had plans for that night, and I said I was planning to check out Kaffibarinn, as I'd heard good things about that bar/pub. So the three of us agreed to meet there at 10ish, and I have to admit I was delighted when I got there at 10:30 (I needed a long nap) that the three of them were there, and nearly done with the first round of drinks. It was a great pub, very laid back, and I loved being able to spend my last night in Reykjavik with some new friends. Cheesy? Yes, but give me a break. I had fun.

(Incidently, I did attempt to watch the World Cup earlier in the evening, but when I found a pub playing it, I realized 85 minutes had already passed in the game, I didn't know which team was in blue or which was in white, and, most importantly, I didn't care who won, so I figured my time would be better spent on a disco nap.)

So now I'm off to grab some coffee before leaving Reykjavik for good. Sniff. I took a lot of pictures with my camera phone which I'm sure I'll post at some point. Forgive the less-than-stellar picture quality in advance.

I'm really glad I came here. I would come back, though only with more money and more time, so I can make my way around the whole island. All I know is I've been but by the travel bug (again), and I can't wait for my next trip to... wherever.

Iceland #2

2006-07-09T10:55:00.000-07:00

In Reykjavik, the city goes all out on Friday and Saturday nights for the runtur (pub crawl). Pubs, bars and clubs stay open til 5 or 6 am to accommodate the crowds, and it's crazy. I've learned a few things:

BENEFITS IN PARTICIPATING IN AN ORGANIZED PUB CRAWL FOR 2500 KRONUR ($33):
- You get to meet lots of fun people, all travelling like you
- You get to drink as much as you can from 10 to 11 pm
- You get 'free' shots at each pub you hit
- Your entrance fee covered for the dance club you go to

BENEFITS OF STAYING INSIDE FOR THE ENTIRE NEXT DAY AS YOU RECOVER FROM 'GETTING YOUR MONEY'S WORTH' AT SAID PUB CRAWL:
- When you finally leave your guesthouse at 9:30 pm, you don't feel like you've wasted your day because the sun is still out
- You've learned your lesson and return to said organized pub crawl to meet more people, only this time you're limiting yourself to water and soda
- At the second night of the pub crawl, you see familiar faces, and happily discover you weren´t the only one suffering that day

Seriously, despite drinking waaaay to much on Friday (no lectures please) I am having a great time. Had fun doing the pub crawl sober last night, and today I went on a bus tour covering the beautiful "Golden Circle" (including a roaring waterfall and a geyser). And on the tour as well were an Australian couple from last night's pub crawl as well as a guy from Brooklyn who was at Friday's pub crawl. Hey, Reykjavik is small, so of course us tourists/travellers are going to bump in to each other.

I got about three hours sleep last night (I left the club at about 2:30 am, and it seemed the city was just getting started with its night), because my bus tour left at 9 am. Alas I couldn't get to sleep until nearly five, so I'm a bit sleepy. Part of me wants to take a nap, but the other part wants to pop down to a local pub to check out the World Cup. Though I still don't think I'm ready for a pint...

Iceland

2006-07-07T06:53:00.000-07:00

So I'm in Iceland right now. It's close to 2 pm, and I've been strolling the small streets of Reykjavik for a couple hours. Just returned to the place I'm staying (Guesthouse AdaM) for a little bit because my cell phone (and, for all intents and purposes on this trip, my camera) died so I needed to charge it. Luckily this little guesthouse that I'm staying at has a computer with free internet access for its guests. So here I am. Hi.

I got off the plane yesterday (Icelandair is not the most glamorous airline and prompted me to buy a portable DVD player for the trip -- an investment I am very pleased with so far) and kept thinking "what the hell am I doing in Iceland?!" But I got to my guesthouse and was pleasantly surprised -- basically because I learned I wouldn't be sharing a bathroom but that I had one in my room (it's all about the little things in life). Also in the room is a mini fridge (as well as a TV, microwave, hot water heater, etc), so I got some beverages at the market right downstairs because Iceland is crazy expensive. After napping I decided to venture out to a local bar. I had a beer, but admittedly was half expecting folks to take me under their wing ("you're from California? come sit with us!" etc) but that didn't happen. So I was feeling kinda lonely and bored, but still felt good about going out instead of staying in my room all night.

The weather today is great. It's crisp but the skies are clear. Quite comforable in the sun (though not t-shirt weather) but really chilly in the shade. Reykjavik is small and almost quaint. Lots of little shops and one way streets... It reminds me of Durham (England) a little bit. But of course that's probably just because Durham was the only other foreign smallish town I've visited.

A few things you should know about Reykjavik:

- THE SHOWER WATER SMELLS LIKE ROTTEN EGGS.
All I can say is thank god I just recently read David Rakoff's Fraud, in which he has an essay about being in Iceland and comments/complains about the sulfur smell of the water, so I at least knew what it was. Of course I quickly learned to shower without breathing through my nose.

- IT DOESN'T GET DARK. EVER.
Well, at least not at this time of the year. It's so weird to have jet lag, no concept of time, and to have it still be light out at midnight. Granted, the sun isn't blazing, it's about a pre-dawn brightness. But still, very odd. And very cool.

- THE PHONE BOOK LISTS PEOPLE BY THEIR FIRST NAME.
Basically because in Iceland, people have their given names, and then their last name is just based on parent's name, with the suffix of -dottir for girls and -son or -sen for boys. So Sven's son Bjorn would simply be Bjorn Svenson.

Okay, I think my phone/camera should be all charged now, so I'm off. More later!

Janice Dickinson Is Fuzzy

2006-07-04T23:00:00.000-07:00

So I was flipping channels the other day (as I tend to do), and came across one of the funniest things I've seen in a long time: "The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency" on the Oxygen network (aka OH!). What? Another reality show? How doooo they do it?

Look. We know Janice (apparently the world's first supermodel) is a bitch. And she has an insane amount of collagen in her lips. By no means is this show life affirming, good television or even purposely funny. It's (perhaps unintentional) comedic brilliance is the fact that nearly every time she is on screen, the camera magically switches to soft focus.

And not just on those little "interviews" when she's speaking directly to the camera. She can be in the room with her son (poor kid), and the camera focused on him will be normal, but the camera focused on her with have a slight soft focus. And the soft focus seems even worse when she's talking to the camera directly. Did your contact just fall out? No, that's just Janice's monsterous ego.

If you get OH! (I actually don't, I saw this in NY), this is definitely worth watching. But not more than once. I don't want you to lose brain cells.

I Won The Lottery!

2006-07-02T10:13:00.000-07:00

Well, not that lottery. I didn't win money, but I won something pretty damn cool. Front row seats to the musical WICKED. On Broadway. For $25. It was amazing! I was so close I could see the pores in the actors' faces. I was sitting just off to the right of the center, and there was more than one occasion where one of the leads was singing right in front of me. At one point, Elphaba (the "wicked" witch) was so close I could practically reach out and touch her broom. Did I mention it was only $25?!

Here's the deal: I'm in New York (for a few more hours), got here on Tuesday, and have just been keeping myself busy for the last couple days, as Dylan left town on Friday and it was just cheaper for me, flight wise, to have a Saturday stayover. It's been a great trip. I've checked out a hilarious variety show at a tiny local improv theatre, went to the Guggenheim finally (where all I could think the whole time was about how I wanted a pair of rollerskates), went to the Queens Museum to check out their huge panorama of all five boroughs). And that was after Dylan left. When he was here, we went to a party at a SoHo hotel penthouse, danced, and saw you-know-who. But I digress. Back to WICKED.

The lottery works like this: For every show, there is a drawing for 28 front row orchestra seats. 2 1/2 hours before each show, they start taking names to be entered in a drawing. Then, 2 hours before showtime, they call names until the 28 seats are given away. You don't pay to put your name in the drawing, and if your name gets called you pay only $25 for front row seats. But the odds are not good. I tried for the lottery for the Saturday matinee first. Got there at 11:30 and there were already at least 50 people in line. Finally got to the front of the line, and put my name down. By the time they read the names, there were at least 100 people huddled around, and probably more. But the guy read the names, and in less than a minute, it was over. My name didn't get called. It was so anticlimactic. And while they have 28 seats, they really only read about 15 or 16 names, as each person is allowed to ask for two tickets.

But I decided to give it another go at the evening show. Already had my plan B too: I would put my name in the drawing, they would call out the names, I wouldn't get called, and then I would head back to the subway and go to the Brooklyn Museum (it was the "Target First Saturdays", with free admission, music & films, and they had this new graffiti exhibit that sounded interesting).

There were SO many people there for the evening lottery. When I got there at 5:30, there must have already been 100 people in line. And the line just kept getting longer and longer. The girl behind me in line was by herself to, so we each decided to request two tickets, and if one of us got called, then the other one would get to go too. They started taking names at 5:30 and didn't stop until about 6:10. Easily 200 people there, maybe even 300. All I knew was I didn't have a chance.

They called the first few names and I was already mentally walking back to the subway. They called a girl standing a few feet behind me, and as she walked past me I kinda gave her back a dirty look (what can I say, I was jealous). But then right after her, they called my name. I was so giddy and excited I was shaking when I was trying to pull out my ID.

So I got the tickets, and Grethel (the girl that was behind me in line) and I went to get drinks before the show. It was such a fun night. I'm still in shock. I mean, winning those tickets, to see WICKED, on Broadway, on a Saturday night, on a holiday weekend? Damn.

I'm Back!

2006-05-15T21:14:00.000-07:00

Hello, all my two readers. I've been pretty busy with the job, but now I'm back. So my first post in over a month was inspired by a "The More You Know"-ish commercial I just saw on TLC (The Learning Channel). TLC is home to one of the worst shows ever, "What Not To Wear". On the show, two people (a bitchy flamboyant gay guy and a bitchy brunette girl) berate a woman and make fun of her entire wardrobe, in efforts to "educate" her about what she should be wearing.

But what do I see just now on TLC? Said bitchy guy, sitting in a chair talking to the camera, telling us (in a very "you should be your own person" type voice) that "We're all born with the capacity to think for ourselves. And yet we're bombarded by people telling us what to think."

Which, apparently, is not okay. Unless it's him, telling you that your outfit is hideous and you should be ashamed to be seen in public with it on.

Oh please.

I'm Rich, Biatch!

2006-03-31T17:32:00.000-08:00

(no, not really)

I saw Dave Chappelle at the Punch Line last night. And it was awesome. Small club, big comic, packed house (of course). Inspired by Bee, I just happened to look at the PL web site on Saturday and discovered that Chappelle was going to be there all week (Monday thru Saturday). And tickets went on sale Sunday. And the shows weren't starting til 10, because they already had shows planned for that week. Obviously this was a last minute thing. Apparently the gal at the Punch Line got "the call" on Friday--three days before the first show. Damn.

So tickets were $45 plus the insane ticketmaster fees, which I reluctantly paid. I'd never seen Chappelle live and just couldn't miss him playing at such a small venue. I just hoped it was going to be worth it.

It totally was. He was so laid back (and energetic at the same time, if that's possible). He was hilarious, of course, but most of all he was just having such a good time on stage. He held a cigarette in his hand for 20 minutes before finally lighting it because he just wanted to keep talking.

They were super strict on cell phones and cameras, so even if I had a camera phone I wouldn't have been able to get anything. But there were a couple times when I wish I could. He just looked so content and comfortable up on stage. What an great show. :)

Tunes

2006-03-27T22:07:00.000-08:00

I've been getting compliments at work about my music collection. We're all on macs so basically we can access one another's iTunes library. At least three people have come up to me and said they've been browsing through my music and really liked it. So I must admit I've been feeling pretty good about that.

I have, however, resisted the temptation to ask if they noticed the 130 Madonna songs & remixes.

It Has Begun

2006-03-21T23:41:00.000-08:00

I left work this evening at 10:45. Two of my coworkers are still there. On Friday, I was there til past midnight with one of my coworkers.

Our press conference is next Tuesday, so we're on major deadlines.

Festival starts in less than a month.

I'm loving this.

Just don't ever tell me "it's just movies."

What. The. Fuck.

2006-03-20T23:41:00.000-08:00

There's a movie coming out in August called Snakes On A Plane. You'll never guess what it's about.

(New Line Cinema)
I think I just had an aneurism.

San Francisco Is Just A Bunch Of Gay Hippies.

2006-03-18T18:05:00.000-08:00

An excerpt from an AP article about today's antiwar rallies around the world:

Several thousand protesters in San Francisco danced in the streets, beat drums and carried signs that read "Stop U.S. Imperialism."

"It's very painful to me that our country is doing this and killing innocent people," said 70-year-old Joan Emerson, who attended with the group Old Lesbians Organizing for Change.

Must the media work so diligently to perpetuate stereotypes?

(The) Zodiac

2006-03-15T22:48:00.000-08:00

So I decided to delete the long, convoluted and inane post previously in this position to bring you the following public service announcement:

Zodiac and The Zodiac are not the same film.

But they are both being released this year.

And they are about the same thing.

That is all.

B Speak

2006-03-14T21:51:00.000-08:00

My office is a fun place to work, because my colleagues are fun people. While everyone is insanely busy and stressed, we all manage to maintain good attitudes. The thing is, I don't work in the corporate world. But there is someone in my office who thinks she does. And it's driving me--and everyone else--crazy. A typical type-A personality, her high pitched voice and constant barking of commands have made some (no, I can't take credit) label her The Chihuahua.

I'll refer to her as Yo Quero.

Yo Quero likes to use big words in order to make herself seem important and businesslike. Terms like "maximizing opportunities" and "creating dialogues" are thrown out (repeatedly) in meetings at the drop of a hat. I like to call this B Speak. (B=business, in case you had to ask.)

Yo Quero also likes to call a lot of meetings. You know, so she can use her B Speak. My department has a standing weekly meeting with another department, to make sure everything's being taken care of. Yo Quero got wind of this meeting and decided that she, and about three or four other departments, should be a part of it as well.

So we had our regularly scheduled meeting today, only it was no longer our meeting. It was Yo Quero's meeting. Not only did she insist that she "called it" (um, hello), she also wanted the meeting to be run by the director of another department--much to the shock of said totally unprepared director. So the function of our meeting today was to plan for next week's meeting.

I'm not kidding.

All I can say is I had to try very hard in this meeting planning meeting not to
-- crack up due to the hilariousness of the situation and Yo Quero's wacko intensity
-- roll my eyes too obviously as Yo Quero was sitting on the other side of the table
-- throw any available object at Yo Quero's head

Chop Chop

2006-03-12T11:46:00.000-08:00

So every few years (if not more often) I get the urge to drastically cut my hair. And 2006 is no exception. I had been thinking about it for the last few weeks, and even spent hours on the net one evening looking for photos of haircuts I like. But, as I have a short attention span and am pretty busy, I kinda forgot about it. But after seeing Portman on SNL last week, it made me remember that short hair cuts--when done right--can look really cute.

Then I remembered this old photo that I came across in college. I was working at the library at the time, and my oh-so-exciting job was to catalog the new arrivals. One day this beautiful photography book by Herb Ritts came in, and it featured a picture of Drew Barrymore with pretty short (though not pixie) hair. Perfect.

So I got my hair cut yesterday. It's friggin adorable. And while I don't have a digital camera, and my Blackberry, for all its many uses, does not have a camera in it either, I can show you my inspiration:

Now I just need to realize that I don't need *that* much shampoo anymore.

Damn You, Copyright Infringement! Damn You!

2006-03-06T20:05:00.000-08:00

Alas, the YouTube postings of Portman's gangsta brilliance did not last long, as all clips of it have been removed due to copyright infringement. But I've gone digging and found another site that still has it--and hopefully will continue to have it--for our watching pleasure. It takes a few minutes to load, but it's worth it.

http://www.devilducky.com/media/42822/

Hot and Hilarious

2006-03-05T01:39:00.000-08:00

From last night's episode of SNL. Honestly, can Natalie Portman ever look bad? She even looks good with a shaved head. And the pixie cut is making me wish I had straight hair. Short cuts don't really work with curly hair. But I digress. Watch. Enjoy. Repeat.

Why?

2006-03-04T19:24:00.000-08:00

Why have I spent--no, make that wasted--the last two hours of my life watching Gone in 60 Seconds on TNT? I'm not even really paying attention to it. It isn't entertaining. I think I'm actually getting dumber by having it on.

Laziness has taken control. The remote is three feet away and I don't feel like channel surfing. Damn it.

Ninja!

2006-02-28T00:17:00.000-08:00

Okay, so I know this story is sad, or tragic, or scary or something, but I just love that the word "ninja" was used in a headline on sfgate:

Ashley Parker Angel Has Issues

2006-02-26T19:23:00.000-08:00

In the course of channel surfing, I have managed to come across "There and Back"--MTV's latest reality series--twice. And each time, for the five minutes (or less) that I watched it, I was left stunned.

The show is about former O-Town pretty boy Ashley Parker Angel. He's married now, and his wife's mom lives with them (or do they live with her?) somewhere in Southern California.

Here's what I saw on the eps I caught:

#1 - Wife telling Ashley that her mom caught him in the kitchen with "morning wood". Apparently Ashley was hungry, and naked, and went into the kitchen for some grub. Fine if you're living alone or with your partner, but when there's other people in the house, you might want to rethink your midnight snack fetching wardrobe.

#2 - Wife telling Ashley that her mom caught him in the kitchen wiping his ass. Oh wait, there's logic here. You see, he was going to the bathroom and discovered there was no toilet paper. So he went to the kitchen and saw the paper towels. But instead of grabbing the paper towels and returning to the bathroom, he just wiped right there. Which means he most likely walked from the bathroom to the kitchen with his pants down.

Notice that in each event, Ashley is in the kitchen, inappropriately nude, and (albeit unknowingly) exposing himself to his mother-in-law. And they all just laugh, as if this is the kind of thing that happens all the time.

That is one weird household.

Film Festivals. Wow.

2006-02-24T20:54:00.000-08:00

I am absolutely amazed at the amount of work that goes into putting on a film festival. I never even realized. My office is abuzz with people preparing for the festival. There are so many things to do and everyone is SO GOOD at their jobs. Most likely if you are reading this blog (all three of you), you know where I'm working now. And if you're a stranger, well, sorry, I ain't telling. But I will tell you that programming is not just a matter of picking some movies to play and deciding when to play them. Granted, it is partly that, but is is soooo much more complicated. All I know is I have my piece of the puzzle that I'm working on, and in a couple months time it will all come together and be amazing. I'm just constantly impressed.

Okay. I Admit It. I Have Curly Hair.

2006-02-17T20:36:00.000-08:00

I don't know why I fight it. I'm never going to have straight hair. I can fake it - pulling it back right after I shower and drenching it with hairspray or attempting to straighten it by blow-drying it for an hour, but really, it ain't gonna happen. The only time my hair will look decently straight (read: silky not frizzy) will be after a trip to the salon. So on the other 362 days of the year, I will succumb. Hi, I'm Tara and I have curly hair.

The Most Obvious Headline Ever

2006-02-13T20:44:00.000-08:00

This is currently the lead teaser headline in the news section of the Yahoo! homepage:

Cheney apparently breaks key hunting rule

Yeah. It's don't shoot your partner.

Hooray for Frugalness

2006-02-12T17:17:00.000-08:00

It will probably come as no surprise that I've never been much of a clothes horse (crazy talk, I know). I've just never really cared, especially about labels. The only name brand I visibly sport on any of my shirts is my French Connection shirt that reads "fcuk fashion" - and the reason I got it was to not promote the brand, but rather because it basically says "fuck fashion". I'd rather spend my money on other things... like French classes, apparently. But every now and then, even I have to shop.

You see, even though the dress code at my new job is "casual and comfortable", I figure I need some dress shirts anyway, especially by the time the festival rolls around. So I set out today for H&M. I'd hadn't been to the SF one yet, and was hoping their prices were going to be as reasonable as every seems to think they are. I got there, and it was packed, and I didn't even see anything that warranted a trip to the dressing room. Strike one.

So I left and crossed the street and entered Macy's, in case, by some miracle, they would have some tops that I'd like at a reasonable price. I don't think I've ever shopped for clothes at Macy's--I hate that they separate everything by brand as opposed to style. (I remember going in there once a few years ago and practically wanting to scream "I just want a pair of jeans!") I quickly browsed the fourth floor, saw a couple decent looking dress/work shirts, but when I saw the price tags ($50-$70 each), well, it wasn't long before I was back on the sidewalk. Strike two.

I started heading home, figuring the trip hadn't been a total waste (it was a nice day and I had walked the two miles from my house). A few blocks later, I happened to pass a Goodwill store. I popped my head in, and to my immediate right were racks and racks of dress shirts. In less than ten minutes I had gathered over a dozen articles of clothing--though thank goodness they had a dressing room, because I ended up keeping less than half. Long story short? I ended up getting five shirts for under $25. Sweet.

En Francais, S'il Vous Plait

2006-02-11T21:53:00.000-08:00

Woohoo, I signed up for French classes with the Alliance Francaise today! So that means I've got a new job starting Monday, I'm in the middle of my editing course and I'm going to start taking French classes in three weeks. I suppose a logical person would have started this earlier, and used their six months off of work (I bow to thee, unemployment gods) to do something constructive, but who needs logic?

I sat in a demo class (today was the AF's open house), and was really surprised at how much I understood (the teacher was speaking only in French). But when time came for me to introduce myself and explain why I was there--in French, of course--I could only manage to state my name and the fact that I lived in San Francisco before I started struggling to remember my long-lost vocab.

After an evaluation, it was suggested I sign up for Beginner Level 2. At first, I was frustrated--you would think six years of French (from 7th to 12th grade) would get me past the "beginner" level. But really, I haven't stepped inside a French classroom in eight years. So aside from watching Amelie repeatedly and spending a day in Paris a few years back, I haven't had much exposure to the language since high school. And when I read the description of their Beginner Levels 2, 3 and 4 ("You may have studied French a long time ago and are a bit rusty. With a little help from your teacher, your skills can re-surface faster than you think"), I figured it was a good fit...even if some of it is going to be review.

And to those of you wondering why I am taking French in the first place, I can only respond: Why not?

Say What?

2006-02-11T21:23:00.000-08:00

So I was just sending out an e-mail with Yahoo, waiting for the usual "Your Message Has Been Sent" confirmation, but I didn't get it. Instead, I got this:

Um, yeeeeeeah. Right.

Here Today, Gone Tomorrow

2006-02-10T20:04:00.000-08:00

Well, while I initially put my blackjack winnings from yesterday in my little personal fun fund--a few bucks stashed away for *me* - not bills, not groceries, but something for myself--it didn't take me but a few hours to realize that I wanted to get my hair done. After all, I hadn't gotten it highlighted since June, and my last cut was back in September or something. I was due. And, again, since I start my new job on Monday, I suddenly wanted to get it done quickly.

I called KRA Salon--the place where I've been getting my hair cut & colored for the past couple years--three times this morning before giving up and going to the back-up Zip Zap Hair--the place of my last haircut. Could they fit me in today? Yes? Excellent. Two hours later I arrived.

I must admit I was a pretty antisocial customer. Almost immediately after sitting down I pulled out my book--The Devil Wears Prada--and started reading. The only conversation I had with my male stylist (whose name I wasn't really sure of--I could have sworn the receptionist on the phone told me my appointment was with "Jane") was about what I was hoping to accomplish with my visit. So I told him I wanted to get blonde highlights, and that every time I get them I never seem to think they're bright enough. Okay, and he suggested doing two different tones of highlights, and got to work. And I read.

Part of me felt guilty. I mean, shouldn't I be all gossipy and talkative during my visit to a salon? But I quickly got over that guilt. I wasn't feeling particularly social, I didn't know this guy, and I was really enjoying my book. So the introvert in me took over.

Finally, after at least an hour and a half, he rinsed out the highlights and put me back in my chair. And I was freaked out at first--it didn't look any lighter at all. But once he started drying it, I did notice that it had lightened up. Though I think it may only be noticeable in bright light. Oh well. I really need to stop expecting my hair to be as light as Scarlett Johansson's or Gwen Stefani's when it's wet...or dry. It ain't gonna happen.

Oh, and my stylist? Turns out his name is James. Apparently I'm hard of hearing.

Hit...Stay...Bust...Blackjack!

2006-02-09T22:38:00.000-08:00

I start my new job on Monday. So I figured that today would be the perfect time (and my last opportunity for three months - the length of my "full-time temporary employment") to take off in the middle of the week for a day trip and go... gambling. Though it was tough to be inside on such a beautiful day, don't worry - I'm no hermit. I have enough freckles (and "racoon eyes" from my sunglasses) from sunbathing over the past week to last me a month.

I asked Keith earlier this week if he felt like going, and he was down, so I made reservations on this bus that picks up just two blocks from my place and goes to the River Rock casino - about an hour north of the Golden Gate Bridge. $10 gets you a roundtrip ride and includes a tip for the driver. And when you consider that the toll for the bridge is $5 alone (if we were to drive up), it's not a bad deal at all. Plus they give you three $5 match-credit coupons when you arrive at the casino, so it's like almost like you're getting paid to ride the bus. Yes, that's my logic and I'm sticking to it.

So we get there and I blow five bucks on a slot machine, but only because I had just gotten some nachos and wasn't allowed to eat them at where I really wanted to be: the blackjack tables. Exxxxxxcellent.

I had two hundred dollar bills with me (all I was intending to spend), and went to the cashier to exchange one of them for ten tens (so I wouldn't go through all my money in one sitting, if my luck was crap). Keith was already playing and I joined him after circling the tables and discovering that there were, unfortunately, no $5 tables. My first $30 didn't last long, so I switched tables, hoping the next table would be luckier for me.

It was. Though I wasn't having much luck with doubling down. Every time I got two cards totaling 10 or 11 and I doubled down, I would get dealt like a 3 or a 4. And every time I had 10 or 11 and I didn't double-down, I would, of course, get a 10. And of course I wasn't winning every hand. But soon I was back to what I had started with, and then some.

Here's my thing: If I have chips in front of me, I'll bet them. So every time I had about $50 or $60 in front of me, I would turn five of my $5 chips in for one $25 chip, and stick it in my back pocket. I continued to do this after I started playing with my second hundred bucks, and what started as $200 ended up as $275. Woohoo. :)

But I still had over an hour before the bus would leave. Keith was playing Texas Hold 'Em, and I wanted, well, more. But I didn't want to spend any of the $275... so--and I realize this defines logic--I went to the ATM and took out $60. And I went to an empty table (the dealer's eyes pleaded for me to sit down), and slapped down $40. At first, I wasn't having much luck. She really liked dealing me 12s. And, invariably, when I hit on them I would get 22. But I few bad hands aside, my stack started piling up. As did the $25 chips that I kept putting in my back pocket. After playing for a half hour, I was out of money... aside, of course, from the green chips in my pocket.

My $60 had become $150. Which means, overall, I won $165 today. Not too shabby, eh?

Those Six Magical Words

2006-02-09T21:52:00.000-08:00

Rumors have been flying, but she finally confirmed it today on Ellen: "I'm going on tour this summer."

And for those of you who didn't know I was a Madonna fan ("there are dozens of us! dozens!")... Hi, I'm Tara. Have we met?

An Educational Renaissance

2006-02-08T20:59:00.000-08:00

Going to hear an author speak. Doing logic puzzles for fun. Enrolling in a UC extension course. Where was this thirst for knowledge when I was in college?

Okay, so what brought this on? Check it out...

I'm pretty happy right now because I went to see one of my favorite authors - Sarah Vowell - speak earlier this evening at A Clean Well-Lighted Place for Books. (All I can say is thank god for The Onion's event newsletter - I just found out about this yesterday!) But it got me thinking. I don't think five years ago I could have told you who my favorite author was... I doubt I had one (although I did become very fond of J.D. Salinger's short stories in college). And now I'm going to author readings? Hell, I even recently sought out a book club on craigslist - partly, I admit, to try to meet more people, but also because I figured it would expose me to more stuff to read. Right now (not including the book club book, which I've yet to get), I have four books (thanks to an Amazon.com gift certificate) on my bookshelf just begging to be read next. Actually, make that five, as I just picked up Sarah Vowell's latest in paperback today...

Okay, so I'm reading more. This is good. And I'm addicted to sudoku. Yep, that number placing logic game. I can be perfectly content sitting in a cafe, drinking coffee, listening to my ipod and doing sudoku puzzles. Or solving them on my computer. I've gotten pretty good at them. (And I'm not too shabby at cribbage or Scrabble either, if I do say so myself.)

Also, I'm currently enrolled in the UC Extension's professional sequence in editing. I'm currently in the first part the three-course sequence, at the end of which I will earn a certificate. I'm taking it online, and I'm excited - even about doing homework. Crazy. And this weekend I'm going to the Alliance Francaise's open house to possibly sign up for some French classes.

I think this is the first time in a long time -- or perhaps ever -- that I've actively sought out knowledge. Sure, I went to class in college, but I can't recall being really excited to learn at that time. But things have changed. Whether it's brain teasers or political essays (albeit with humorous slants) or trying to beef up my resume for a new career, I feel like I've been trying to jumpstart my brain. And it's a good feeling.

Good Thing I Wasn't Planning on Having Kids

2006-02-08T02:48:00.000-08:00

Not that it should come as a shock, but apparently a recent study has concluded that raising kids is detrimental to your mental health.

So, if my not wanting kids because I have no maternal instincts ain't a good enough reason for someone, I suppose I can always tell them I don't want them for the sake of my sanity.

World Champions?

2006-02-07T10:37:00.000-08:00

Believe it or not, I watched the Super Bowl on Sunday. And it wasn't torture. But I must say I have issues with everyone (announcers, players, etc) referring to the Steelers as "world champions". Really. Let's be realistic. It's American football. The only reason you're "world champions" is because no one else in the world plays the sport.

Why I Sometimes Have No Faith In This Country (or: Why We Pretend to be Canadian When Travelling Abroad)

2006-02-06T20:35:00.000-08:00

1) Bush is president.

2) Big Momma's House 2 (a sequel, for Pete's sake) was number one at the box office its opening weekend. It was number two last weekend, second only to When A Stranger Calls - "The call is coming from inside the house!" Oh come on.

Target: Soulmate

2006-01-31T19:19:00.000-08:00

Inspired by Bee, I thought I would post part of a screen shot I took a few weeks ago when I was checking out iVillage:

Well, I guess it is nice to know that if I wasn't already in a wonderful relationship, I could just head down to my nearest Target (pronounced "TAR-jay" of course) and find myself a soulmate.

And The Post Office Was Doing So Well...

2006-01-31T14:37:00.000-08:00

It's happened again. A former post office employee went on a shooting rampage last night at a mail sorting facility in Santa Barbara. According to the AP, the woman had been given disability retirement back in 2003 for an "unspecified psychological reason."

Now, obviously the vast majority of the postal workers in this country are normal, stable people. It is a shame that a few bad apples (or as Bush would say, "evil doers") have brought this stigma to the post office. But this is not an isolated incident. It's happened so much that "going postal" is now part of our lexicon. The AP gave a list of "some" of the postal shooting incidents since 1986: they listed 12 including last night's. A dozen (plus) post office shootings in 20 years. Yikes.

So what is it about the post office? Does it attract mentally unstable people or does it make people mentally unstable? It's the chicken-and-the-egg mystery.

Song Bomb!

2006-01-31T00:49:00.000-08:00

The other night I saw the scariest commercial ever. A plumbing company has -- obviously on purpose -- purchased the number 866-867-5309. And if those digits don't ring a bell, perhaps this will. (Make sure you have your volume on.)

Oh, the humanity!

About My URL

2006-01-29T19:10:00.000-08:00

'Drama couch' is simply a reference to a recent MadTV skit that made me laugh my ass off. It is the last two lines of a parody of that "reality" show 'Laguna Beach' on MTV. So I'm using it because:
a) "somethingshiny.blogspot.com" was taken,
b) "distractedbysomethingshiny.blogspot.com" was too long, and
c) "dramacouch.blogspot.com" makes me giggle...

Now Officially a Blogger

2006-01-29T00:48:00.000-08:00

Well here I go. I have a blog. I actually don't have anything specific to say right now, I just came up with the title -- as I was, in fact, just distracted by something shiny -- and figured that would be a good way to start. Woohoo!

Baby steps... baby steps...