SOTU musings
01.31.06 // 10:24 PM // politics
First off, let me apologize for all the political posts today. You don't get a supreme court nominee confirmed on the same day the president delivers his state of the union address very often. After watching Bush's speech tonight, the first thing I will admit is that it was probably his best delivery in five tries. The material was a lot more moderate than I was expecting, and there were even a few surprises. Bush admitted that America is addicted to oil, and conceded that more must be done to seek new, cleaner, and more efficient fuel alternatives (I didn't hear ANWR mentioned once). The president also said that he supported bipartisan lobbying reforms, even going so far as to mention a need to control earmarks (aka "pork"). During the speech, I didn't lash out and yell at the TV even once (trust me, there was plenty of head shaking though). On the whole, it almost felt like -- at least I want to believe that -- the president was reaching out to us blue-staters.
Of course, as I've learned over the past six years, it's hard to know what's sincere, and what's just window dressing with George W. At the end of the day, the republicans' bread and butter issues are the endless defense of "freedom," lowering taxes, and fighting to save every fetus ever conceived. Energy independence, AIDS, poverty, health care, and the environment are all cozy ideas that are ultimately expendable. I'm not saying that republicans inherently dismiss these issues with malice, as many on the left would like to believe. In fact, as much as I disagree with the president, the only thing that gives me comfort is believing that the man truly loves his country, and believes he's doing what's right.
During the democratic response tonight though (which I'm betting you missed), Gov. Tim Kaine kept repeating a line that sums it all up for me: "There is a better way." It echoes Bill Clinton's "We can do better" catch-phrase from the '92 election, which still holds true today. Just look at the issues we're debating now: whether or not we should make sure every American has access to affordable health insurance, whether or not the president should have the authority to spy on American's private communications, and whether or not we should be fighting a war that has so far produced negligible results. If you're a republican, I don't know how you can still claim to be a member of the party that once fought for a constitutional amendment for a balanced budget, or the party that once firmly believed in isolationism, or the party that has always thumbed its nose at government intrusion. If you're a republican ask yourself this question: if Hillary Clinton were president, and started a war based on inaccurate intelligence, and asserted her authority to spy on your communications in the name of "freedom," and ran up the largest federal deficits in history, would you still support her?
There is a better way. As in-eloquently as Tim Kaine spoke tonight (Stefanie said he sounded like someone from an infomercial), he hit the nail on the head. This country is capable of so much more. President Bush has plenty of big ideas. Whether or not you agree with those ideas is almost irrelevant at this point. Things aren't going as well as they could -- as they should -- be going in this country right now. We need more than big ideas in America. We need legitimate, transparent leadership that can effectively execute domestic and international policy in the real world. Not one that glosses over mistakes, ignores criticism, or refuses to make policy corrections. There is a better way, and it's called common sense. Ronald Reagan won two elections by asking Americans if you were better off now than you were four years ago. The question we should be asking is if we as a country are better off now than we were six years ago. Unfortunately, from my humble perspective, the answer is no. Fortunately, there is a better way.
Of course, as I've learned over the past six years, it's hard to know what's sincere, and what's just window dressing with George W. At the end of the day, the republicans' bread and butter issues are the endless defense of "freedom," lowering taxes, and fighting to save every fetus ever conceived. Energy independence, AIDS, poverty, health care, and the environment are all cozy ideas that are ultimately expendable. I'm not saying that republicans inherently dismiss these issues with malice, as many on the left would like to believe. In fact, as much as I disagree with the president, the only thing that gives me comfort is believing that the man truly loves his country, and believes he's doing what's right.
During the democratic response tonight though (which I'm betting you missed), Gov. Tim Kaine kept repeating a line that sums it all up for me: "There is a better way." It echoes Bill Clinton's "We can do better" catch-phrase from the '92 election, which still holds true today. Just look at the issues we're debating now: whether or not we should make sure every American has access to affordable health insurance, whether or not the president should have the authority to spy on American's private communications, and whether or not we should be fighting a war that has so far produced negligible results. If you're a republican, I don't know how you can still claim to be a member of the party that once fought for a constitutional amendment for a balanced budget, or the party that once firmly believed in isolationism, or the party that has always thumbed its nose at government intrusion. If you're a republican ask yourself this question: if Hillary Clinton were president, and started a war based on inaccurate intelligence, and asserted her authority to spy on your communications in the name of "freedom," and ran up the largest federal deficits in history, would you still support her?
There is a better way. As in-eloquently as Tim Kaine spoke tonight (Stefanie said he sounded like someone from an infomercial), he hit the nail on the head. This country is capable of so much more. President Bush has plenty of big ideas. Whether or not you agree with those ideas is almost irrelevant at this point. Things aren't going as well as they could -- as they should -- be going in this country right now. We need more than big ideas in America. We need legitimate, transparent leadership that can effectively execute domestic and international policy in the real world. Not one that glosses over mistakes, ignores criticism, or refuses to make policy corrections. There is a better way, and it's called common sense. Ronald Reagan won two elections by asking Americans if you were better off now than you were four years ago. The question we should be asking is if we as a country are better off now than we were six years ago. Unfortunately, from my humble perspective, the answer is no. Fortunately, there is a better way.
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new polling on president's ILLEGAL wiretapping
01.31.06 // 04:19 PM // politics
For all the media-types (cough *CHRIS MATTHEWS* cough) saying that the pesky little NSA wiretapping story is actually a WINNING issue for the president, it's time to come back to reality. A new poll released from NBC and the (conservative) Wall Street Journal says that a solid majority of Americans OPPOSE such activities:
Here's the link to the Think Progress post. And, for everyone who didn't get the invitation to the G.O.P.-sponsored State of the Union party featuring a Jesse Jackson piñata, this is a friendly reminder to watch tonight's speech on Faux News for "fair and balanced" coverage.
Here's the link to the Think Progress post. And, for everyone who didn't get the invitation to the G.O.P.-sponsored State of the Union party featuring a Jesse Jackson piñata, this is a friendly reminder to watch tonight's speech on Faux News for "fair and balanced" coverage.
a letter from john kerry
01.31.06 // 03:26 PM // politics
Well, he may not have been my first choice for the democratic nominee in 2004, but John Kerry is still okay in my book. Here's the email I got from him about the Alito confirmation:
Yesterday, 25 Democratic Senators joined our effort to filibuster the Alito nomination -- that's more votes to filibuster the Alito nomination than there were votes against Justice Roberts' nomination itself just a few months ago.
This morning, 42 Senators voted against Alito's nomination. That's the highest number of votes against any Supreme Court nominee since Clarence Thomas in 1991.
It's hard to lose -- but it's important to fight for what we believe in. I want to thank the hundreds of thousands of you who signed our petitions, called your senators, wrote letters to the editor and, most important, refused to stand silent while President Bush worked to pack the highest court in the land with far right ideologues. We fought a fight that needed fighting.
We made sure the nation knew the truth about the Alito nomination. We made sure America heard how a right wing ideological coup sandbagged Harriet Miers' nomination and replaced her with Judge Alito. No one will be able to say, in five to ten years, that he or she is surprised by the decisions Judge Alito makes from the bench. People who believe in privacy rights, who fight for the rights of the most disadvantaged, who believe in balancing the power between the President and Congress had to take a stand.
We also made it clear to the Bush administration that no matter what they throw at us in 2006 -- whether it's extreme nominees, special interest giveaways, shortsighted policy or Swift Boat-style attacks against Democratic candidates -- we will never surrender. We will always fight back.
Now, we must be clear about something else. Winning the 2006 congressional elections is the only way to change the dangerous path George W. Bush has put us on. We need to defeat those Republicans who have overlooked this administration's incompetence, turned a blind eye to its failures, and lent a helping hand to its dangerous ideology.
Together, we have to act to make sure 2006 is the year Americans, led by Democrats, stand up to incompetence, cronyism and corruption, take back Congress, and get our nation moving in the right direction again.
I look forward to fighting alongside you.
Sincerely,
John Kerry
Yesterday, 25 Democratic Senators joined our effort to filibuster the Alito nomination -- that's more votes to filibuster the Alito nomination than there were votes against Justice Roberts' nomination itself just a few months ago.
This morning, 42 Senators voted against Alito's nomination. That's the highest number of votes against any Supreme Court nominee since Clarence Thomas in 1991.
It's hard to lose -- but it's important to fight for what we believe in. I want to thank the hundreds of thousands of you who signed our petitions, called your senators, wrote letters to the editor and, most important, refused to stand silent while President Bush worked to pack the highest court in the land with far right ideologues. We fought a fight that needed fighting.
We made sure the nation knew the truth about the Alito nomination. We made sure America heard how a right wing ideological coup sandbagged Harriet Miers' nomination and replaced her with Judge Alito. No one will be able to say, in five to ten years, that he or she is surprised by the decisions Judge Alito makes from the bench. People who believe in privacy rights, who fight for the rights of the most disadvantaged, who believe in balancing the power between the President and Congress had to take a stand.
We also made it clear to the Bush administration that no matter what they throw at us in 2006 -- whether it's extreme nominees, special interest giveaways, shortsighted policy or Swift Boat-style attacks against Democratic candidates -- we will never surrender. We will always fight back.
Now, we must be clear about something else. Winning the 2006 congressional elections is the only way to change the dangerous path George W. Bush has put us on. We need to defeat those Republicans who have overlooked this administration's incompetence, turned a blind eye to its failures, and lent a helping hand to its dangerous ideology.
Together, we have to act to make sure 2006 is the year Americans, led by Democrats, stand up to incompetence, cronyism and corruption, take back Congress, and get our nation moving in the right direction again.
I look forward to fighting alongside you.
Sincerely,
John Kerry
supreme court justice samuel alito
01.31.06 // 11:20 AM // politics
Well, the inevitable has happened. Samuel Alito will be the newest Supreme Court Justice. I'm proud to say that, of the 25 U.S. Senators who voted to continue debate on his nomination, two of them represent my home state of Michigan. Carl Levin and Debbie Stabbenow (especially Debbie, since she's up for reelection this year) are heroes for having the balls to stick their necks out on this vote.
For those on the right who fought so feverishly to have this man sit on the nation's highest court, I congratulate you for winning confirmation in a chamber that you already control. Enjoy it. Relish in it. In fact, I'll even go so far as to recommend that you make the first order of business overturning the Roe vs. Wade decision. You've got the votes now. You can do it! Just be ready for the tidal wave response. You will lose the next federal election in a landslide. I guarantee it. America will wake up from its deep slumber of ambivalence, and you will ignite a renaissance in liberalism like nothing we've seen since the 1960s. I know some might rolls their eyes at such a thought, but I dare you. No, I double DOG dare you to make abortion illegal. It's the biggest favor you could hand us on the left.
For those on the right who fought so feverishly to have this man sit on the nation's highest court, I congratulate you for winning confirmation in a chamber that you already control. Enjoy it. Relish in it. In fact, I'll even go so far as to recommend that you make the first order of business overturning the Roe vs. Wade decision. You've got the votes now. You can do it! Just be ready for the tidal wave response. You will lose the next federal election in a landslide. I guarantee it. America will wake up from its deep slumber of ambivalence, and you will ignite a renaissance in liberalism like nothing we've seen since the 1960s. I know some might rolls their eyes at such a thought, but I dare you. No, I double DOG dare you to make abortion illegal. It's the biggest favor you could hand us on the left.
morning latte links
01.31.06 // 09:30 AM // links
• LAT: And the Oscar Nominees are...
Walk the Line gets snubbed for Best Picture. I wonder if the Academy took all my early 'Ray 2' comments a little too seriously.
• The Office Lives
Thanks, in part, to its success on the video iPod. Hey, if you want the rainbow, you've gotta put up with the rain. Do you know which "philosopher" said that? Dolly Parton. And people say she's just a big pair of tits.
• Welcome to Detroit, The Nation's Poorest Big City
Welcome to Motown, Super Bowl fans. If you're lookin' for liquor, there's plenty of shops all over town. If you seen those bright neon signs, or a check cashing store, you're getting close.
Walk the Line gets snubbed for Best Picture. I wonder if the Academy took all my early 'Ray 2' comments a little too seriously.
• The Office Lives
Thanks, in part, to its success on the video iPod. Hey, if you want the rainbow, you've gotta put up with the rain. Do you know which "philosopher" said that? Dolly Parton. And people say she's just a big pair of tits.
• Welcome to Detroit, The Nation's Poorest Big City
Welcome to Motown, Super Bowl fans. If you're lookin' for liquor, there's plenty of shops all over town. If you seen those bright neon signs, or a check cashing store, you're getting close.
jack bauer facts
01.31.06 // 09:10 AM // links
For all you '24' fans out there, here is a link to the top 60 facts about Jack Bauer. Here are some of my favorites:
Superman wears Jack Bauer pajamas.
Jack Bauer once forgot where he put his keys. He then spent the next half-hour torturing himself until he gave up the location of the keys.
Jack Bauer was never addicted to heroin. Heroin was addicted to Jack Bauer.
Jack Bauer once won a game of Connect 4 in 3 moves.
Jesus died and rose from the dead in 3 days. It took Jack Bauer less than an hour. And he's done it twice.
Jack Bauer got Hellen Keller to talk.
top five least favorite classes
01.30.06 // 03:46 PM // top five
Okay, this week's top five is my least favorite college classes at MSU:
1. COM 200 -- Most. Boring. Class. Ever. Taken in SS06.
2. PLS 201 -- An elective. A complete waste of time. Taken in SS06.
3. ENG 210 -- My first English class. Asleep more than awake. Taken FS03.
4. JRN 100 -- Interesting material, but the prof was insane. Taken in SS04.
5. SPN 201 -- Foreign language classes are horrible. Taken in FS02.
I could probably put two more COM classes on this list, but that would really convince me that it was a waste of time as a cognate.
1. COM 200 -- Most. Boring. Class. Ever. Taken in SS06.
2. PLS 201 -- An elective. A complete waste of time. Taken in SS06.
3. ENG 210 -- My first English class. Asleep more than awake. Taken FS03.
4. JRN 100 -- Interesting material, but the prof was insane. Taken in SS04.
5. SPN 201 -- Foreign language classes are horrible. Taken in FS02.
I could probably put two more COM classes on this list, but that would really convince me that it was a waste of time as a cognate.
classy republicans
01.30.06 // 03:22 PM // politics
Kos: Jesse Jackson Piñata At G.O.P. SOTU Party
Wow, what a classy buncha folks.
Kos: Out Of Control Budgets
Man, even the ultra-conservative Heritage Foundation is worried about Bush's budgets. I'm sure they'll recommend new legislation supporting all sorts of new taxes to cover the deficits.
Wow, what a classy buncha folks.
Kos: Out Of Control Budgets
Man, even the ultra-conservative Heritage Foundation is worried about Bush's budgets. I'm sure they'll recommend new legislation supporting all sorts of new taxes to cover the deficits.
case of the mondays
01.30.06 // 01:08 PM // zLife
Somebody's got a case of the Mondays. Okay, so it's not that bad. Still, my PLS class didn't get things off on the right foot this morning. I think I've finally concluded that my prof is just a bad teacher. That's not a knock to her intellectually, but she just has no clue how to run a class, let alone a huge lecture with a couple hundred kids. Her classes are totally haphazard, and her notes on the chalkboard don't make any sense at all. She just scratches random thoughts up there, in no discernible order. She also kept talking about the "exercises" her lecture was going to help us with this week. Now, unless this is something we're doing in my recitation (which is this afternoon), I have no clue what she's talking about, since there's nothing on the syllabus, or on ANGEL (our student website). I dunno... the lady just put me in a funk for today.
Tennis was fantastic, like usual. I'm playing better and better every day. It definitely helps that my partner, Phil, is better than I am, since it makes me play up to his level. There were a few crazy exchanges today that went on and on, and we were both just crushing the ball. I just hope we get a chance to actually play at some point this semester.
Well, I'm about to buzz out for my PLS recitation, and then my COM 275 lecture. Boy, what a great way to close an already mediocre Monday... NOT! Ugh. Later...
Tennis was fantastic, like usual. I'm playing better and better every day. It definitely helps that my partner, Phil, is better than I am, since it makes me play up to his level. There were a few crazy exchanges today that went on and on, and we were both just crushing the ball. I just hope we get a chance to actually play at some point this semester.
Well, I'm about to buzz out for my PLS recitation, and then my COM 275 lecture. Boy, what a great way to close an already mediocre Monday... NOT! Ugh. Later...
toon town
01.30.06 // 11:57 AM // politics
outside it's america
01.30.06 // 09:24 AM // politics
• Slate: Kick Me, I'm A Democrat
• ABC: Weak Ratings Confront Bush Ahead Of SOTU
First off, I highly recommend the Slate article. The story talks about the way the media at large, and liberals too, are always ready to hang the democrats for losing elections. Truth is, things are a lot more even (historically) between the GOP and the dems than people realize. The ABC poll shows how things might be starting to tilt left. Not only does Bush have the lowest approval ratings of a president heading into his sixth year since Richard Nixon, but a new poll shows that Americans (51 to 35%) want to move in the direction of the Democrats this year. Pigs might be flying this November after all.
• ABC: Weak Ratings Confront Bush Ahead Of SOTU
First off, I highly recommend the Slate article. The story talks about the way the media at large, and liberals too, are always ready to hang the democrats for losing elections. Truth is, things are a lot more even (historically) between the GOP and the dems than people realize. The ABC poll shows how things might be starting to tilt left. Not only does Bush have the lowest approval ratings of a president heading into his sixth year since Richard Nixon, but a new poll shows that Americans (51 to 35%) want to move in the direction of the Democrats this year. Pigs might be flying this November after all.
weekend recap
01.30.06 // 08:25 AM // zLife
Well, it was a really nice, low-key weekend. We spent most of Saturday on the couch, just watching TV and being lazy. The Comcast finally came at around 10:30 and fixed my cable. For whatever reason, my connection in the box outside had been mysteriously unplugged. At least it's finally back up now. Part of the reason we didn't do much on Saturday was because we were still in limbo about whether or not we'd have to go home to attend Stef's great aunt's visitation service, but it turns out that we didn't.
So, around 7ish we finally got up the gumption to leave the apartment for a while. Both of us were really hungry, so we headed into East Lansing for dinner at El Az. It's funny, because after having problems with my order there last time when I went to lunch with Katie, the exact same problem happened this time. My order came, and it was a chicken chimichanga, and not a beef one. The waitress was really apologetic, but it wasn't her fault. Still, I mean, I always joked about how bad their service was, but it's really pretty accurate. I swear, to have a meal there without any sort of problems would be out of the norm. That said, once my chimi actually arrived, it was well worth the weat. Heaven inside a fried flour tortilla. Mmmmm.
Sunday was a lot of fun. Stef and I headed out to my Aunt Elaine's house in the afternoon for a big family dinner. She and Bob had bought a big hunk of prime rib, and wanted to get some help eating it up, so we met my dad, Sherry, the girls, and my cousin Lisa and her son, Joey. It was really great getting to see everyone, and we had this mondo-huge dinner, which was fantastic. Ya gotta love a good home-cooked meal like that.
Well, it's back to the grind today. I'm sitting in my PLS lecture right now, waiting for class to start. I already have the feeling that this could be a long week, but we'll see how things go. I hope everyone had a nice weekend.
So, around 7ish we finally got up the gumption to leave the apartment for a while. Both of us were really hungry, so we headed into East Lansing for dinner at El Az. It's funny, because after having problems with my order there last time when I went to lunch with Katie, the exact same problem happened this time. My order came, and it was a chicken chimichanga, and not a beef one. The waitress was really apologetic, but it wasn't her fault. Still, I mean, I always joked about how bad their service was, but it's really pretty accurate. I swear, to have a meal there without any sort of problems would be out of the norm. That said, once my chimi actually arrived, it was well worth the weat. Heaven inside a fried flour tortilla. Mmmmm.
Sunday was a lot of fun. Stef and I headed out to my Aunt Elaine's house in the afternoon for a big family dinner. She and Bob had bought a big hunk of prime rib, and wanted to get some help eating it up, so we met my dad, Sherry, the girls, and my cousin Lisa and her son, Joey. It was really great getting to see everyone, and we had this mondo-huge dinner, which was fantastic. Ya gotta love a good home-cooked meal like that.
Well, it's back to the grind today. I'm sitting in my PLS lecture right now, waiting for class to start. I already have the feeling that this could be a long week, but we'll see how things go. I hope everyone had a nice weekend.
cattle call
01.29.06 // 07:17 PM // zLife
For those who haven't noticed the posts my mom's been writing for the past couple of weeks, I've been trying to add some new material to the site lately. I know there's a small niche of people who check ibzp pretty regularly, so I'm putting out the bat signal for new submissions. Anyone who's interested in writing a short-ish 2-300 word blog post for events, please send your update to me in an email. I'd love to put up just about any sort of blog submission you feel like writing, so, like W. says, "Bring it on!"
i'm no johnny depth
01.29.06 // 06:57 PM // zLife
by Maggie Schafer
Well, I’m coming up on week three as I convalesce from eye surgery. Now the gas bubble they inserted into my eye is still bouncing around wreaking havoc with my depth perception. I discovered this the other night when I ran into a table when walking around in the dark. It sometimes is best to keep the right eye closed.
Yesterday was a beautiful sunny day here in Columbus. Dan came home from work and suggested that we go take a walk on one of the trails that we usually hike on. I decided this was a wonderful idea since I haven’t been out of the house much. I knew, however, the only way to maneuver the hills on the trail was to keep my eye shut and what better way to do it then wear a patch on my eye?
Dan dutifully drove me to the local CVS. Imagine my delight when we found a silky black eye patch. Hey, didn’t Darryl Hannah wear one in Kill Bill? Or am I thinking of the Log Lady from Twin Peaks? I digress…
Anyway, I asked Dan if he would be embarrassed if I wore the patch during our walk. He, of course, said “no”. I love my husband because he always tells me I’m beautiful no matter how bad I look. Now I’m not one who is afraid of making a fool of herself. I love Halloween and wandering around all day dressed up. I even spent one Halloween traveling around Lansing dressed up as a flasher. It’s a wonder I wasn’t arrested. But yesterday wasn’t Halloween. What the heck, I decided to wear the patch in public anyway.
We arrived at the park and hit the trails. Now it’s customary when you pass someone on the trail to say “Hello”. I noticed something when saying my greeting. People reacted differently. People either looked directly at my patch or quickly looked away. Children either stared or laughed. These reactions didn’t surprise me but it got me to thinking. What is the proper etiquette when someone looks “different”? I honestly don’t know. Having spent the bulk of my career interviewing disabled people many in wheelchairs, burn victims, etc. What has been my reaction? I would like to think I treated the person as any other but now I’m wondering. Did I look away? Did I stare too long?
I did decide that I really didn’t like being treated differently. I guess I’ll only wear the patch at home.
What I did realize is that wearing a patch can be an eye opening experience.
Well, I’m coming up on week three as I convalesce from eye surgery. Now the gas bubble they inserted into my eye is still bouncing around wreaking havoc with my depth perception. I discovered this the other night when I ran into a table when walking around in the dark. It sometimes is best to keep the right eye closed.
Yesterday was a beautiful sunny day here in Columbus. Dan came home from work and suggested that we go take a walk on one of the trails that we usually hike on. I decided this was a wonderful idea since I haven’t been out of the house much. I knew, however, the only way to maneuver the hills on the trail was to keep my eye shut and what better way to do it then wear a patch on my eye?
Dan dutifully drove me to the local CVS. Imagine my delight when we found a silky black eye patch. Hey, didn’t Darryl Hannah wear one in Kill Bill? Or am I thinking of the Log Lady from Twin Peaks? I digress…
Anyway, I asked Dan if he would be embarrassed if I wore the patch during our walk. He, of course, said “no”. I love my husband because he always tells me I’m beautiful no matter how bad I look. Now I’m not one who is afraid of making a fool of herself. I love Halloween and wandering around all day dressed up. I even spent one Halloween traveling around Lansing dressed up as a flasher. It’s a wonder I wasn’t arrested. But yesterday wasn’t Halloween. What the heck, I decided to wear the patch in public anyway.
We arrived at the park and hit the trails. Now it’s customary when you pass someone on the trail to say “Hello”. I noticed something when saying my greeting. People reacted differently. People either looked directly at my patch or quickly looked away. Children either stared or laughed. These reactions didn’t surprise me but it got me to thinking. What is the proper etiquette when someone looks “different”? I honestly don’t know. Having spent the bulk of my career interviewing disabled people many in wheelchairs, burn victims, etc. What has been my reaction? I would like to think I treated the person as any other but now I’m wondering. Did I look away? Did I stare too long?
I did decide that I really didn’t like being treated differently. I guess I’ll only wear the patch at home.
What I did realize is that wearing a patch can be an eye opening experience.
james lipton recites lyrics from popozão
01.28.06 // 12:15 PM // links
Reciting the words from the great lyricist Kevin Federline's new musical concoction, PopoZão, is Mr. James Lipton. James, take it away...
janet reno wants 'respect'
01.28.06 // 11:36 AM // links
Hello, and welcome to Janet Reno's Dance Party. Oh, boy. This is too good. Janet Reno was caught on tape singing 'Respect' at the 10th Anniversary Celebration of the Human Service Coalition in Miami. You can see the video here [.wmv]:
match point
01.28.06 // 09:33 AM // zLife
Well, we did end up going to see Match Point last night. It wasn't quite what we expected, but both Stefy and I really liked it. The movie starts out like your typical affair movie, but turns into this almost Hitchcockian thriller by the end. I haven't felt so on-edge and physically tense in a movie since we saw Closer last fall. So... it's a great date movie!
Of course, one thing that was really cool about this movie is that it's set in London. Being the snobs we are, Stef and I kept pointing out all the places we recognized and visited while we were in the UK last summer, like the Palace Theater, Parliament, the Thames, and the Tate Modern. Seeing all these places just made me want to go back there again.
Well, it's Saturday morning now. About 9:30, so we're an hour and a half into my waiting period for Comcast to come fix my cable. Their window lasts until noon, so they'd better get this taken care of. The Michigan State basketball game against Penn State is on at noon, and I'd like to at least have the option of watching it. Right now the only channel I'm getting is a very distorted CBS, even though the station is about a half mile away. Of course, I might luck out, and the game could be on CBS anyway, but I have no way of checking since... I still don't have any internet!
The plans for today are totally up in the air at this point. I don't know if Stef and/or I will need to go to her house this afternoon/evening for her great-aunt's visitation service or not. Hopefully we'll get this figured out soon enough. That's really the only thing that might be on the agenda for today though. Hopefully my ordeal with my Comcastic cable company gets sorted out soon, so I can actually post this. Crossing my fingers...
Of course, one thing that was really cool about this movie is that it's set in London. Being the snobs we are, Stef and I kept pointing out all the places we recognized and visited while we were in the UK last summer, like the Palace Theater, Parliament, the Thames, and the Tate Modern. Seeing all these places just made me want to go back there again.
Well, it's Saturday morning now. About 9:30, so we're an hour and a half into my waiting period for Comcast to come fix my cable. Their window lasts until noon, so they'd better get this taken care of. The Michigan State basketball game against Penn State is on at noon, and I'd like to at least have the option of watching it. Right now the only channel I'm getting is a very distorted CBS, even though the station is about a half mile away. Of course, I might luck out, and the game could be on CBS anyway, but I have no way of checking since... I still don't have any internet!
The plans for today are totally up in the air at this point. I don't know if Stef and/or I will need to go to her house this afternoon/evening for her great-aunt's visitation service or not. Hopefully we'll get this figured out soon enough. That's really the only thing that might be on the agenda for today though. Hopefully my ordeal with my Comcastic cable company gets sorted out soon, so I can actually post this. Crossing my fingers...
last post
01.27.06 // 04:48 PM // zLife
Well, I'm about to head home for the weekend. My internet is still out, but I should be up and running by tomorrow afternoon. Still, I wanted to squeeze in one last post, just in case.
I just found out about a writing competition being put on by the English Dept. at MSU. There's one whole category for screenplays, so I'm going to submit my script, at Professor Wray's urging (I emailed him to get his $.02). Also, I got an email today from the College of Arts and Letters saying that I'm eligible for their Outstanding Senior Achievement Award. It's basically a scholarship that you can apply to if you're overall GPA is above a 3.4, so I'll probably work on the application for that in the next couple of weeks. I have to write an essay for it though, so that'll be a pain. Still, it's a $1,000 award, so I can't really pass up trying.
Stef and I are officially not going to the UM-MSU hockey game tonight. The only tickets left are standing room only, and we weren't exactly thrilled with the prospect of standing for two and a half hours tonight. So, it sounds like we're going to head out to NCG to see Match Point. I'm really excited about seeing this movie, so I hope it's good. Anyway, that's it for now. Have a great weekend!
I just found out about a writing competition being put on by the English Dept. at MSU. There's one whole category for screenplays, so I'm going to submit my script, at Professor Wray's urging (I emailed him to get his $.02). Also, I got an email today from the College of Arts and Letters saying that I'm eligible for their Outstanding Senior Achievement Award. It's basically a scholarship that you can apply to if you're overall GPA is above a 3.4, so I'll probably work on the application for that in the next couple of weeks. I have to write an essay for it though, so that'll be a pain. Still, it's a $1,000 award, so I can't really pass up trying.
Stef and I are officially not going to the UM-MSU hockey game tonight. The only tickets left are standing room only, and we weren't exactly thrilled with the prospect of standing for two and a half hours tonight. So, it sounds like we're going to head out to NCG to see Match Point. I'm really excited about seeing this movie, so I hope it's good. Anyway, that's it for now. Have a great weekend!
oprah shreds author into 'a million little pieces'
01.27.06 // 04:26 PM // links
Okay, that's a stolen link from the Chicago Tribune. Still, it's too perfect. Here are five different clips from Oprah's public flogging of James (Fake) Frey (from Salon). While he arguably deserves to be put in his place, I dare say the Queen of all media pushes him a bit far. Enjoy...
• Oprah Clip 1 - the face-to-face showdown
• Oprah Clip 2 - the truth about lilly
• Oprah Clip 3 - the dentist
• Oprah Clip 4 - the missing piece
• Oprah Clip 5 - our sympathies shift
• Oprah Clip 1 - the face-to-face showdown
• Oprah Clip 2 - the truth about lilly
• Oprah Clip 3 - the dentist
• Oprah Clip 4 - the missing piece
• Oprah Clip 5 - our sympathies shift
my other u2 hero
01.27.06 // 03:27 PM // links
it pays to complain
01.27.06 // 02:37 PM // zLife
My mom is the Michael Jordan of complaining. Thank God I had her as a parent to show me the ropes. My cable tv and hi-speed internet have both been out since Wednesday. I spoke with someone from Comcast that night who said the problem would be fixed later that evening. It wasn't. Last night I spoke with another person who said the best they could do was make an appointment for me... on January 31! I told her how upset I was, and she kept cutting me off. Since I had to leave for my dad's house, I gave up and hung up. Today, after poking around on Comcast's lovely (read: piece of shit) website, I finally found the link to speak with a service rep in an online chat. I talked with this guy Eric, and very calmly, but curtly, explained my frustration. And guess what? An appointment magically opened up for tomorrow morning between 8 a.m. and noon. What a coincidence! Just as I threaten to cancel my service, a slot opens up. It pays to complain.
iPod lingerie
01.27.06 // 12:48 PM // links
outside it's america
01.27.06 // 11:32 AM // politics
A bad week in pohls, err, polls, for the president...
• CNN Poll: Most Think Bush Is Failing In Second Term
• Bloomberg: Bush Support Weak As Americans Favor New Direction
• NYT: Poll Finds Mixed Support For Wiretaps
As bad as these polls sound for Bush, I think the elephants in the room can rest well... for now. Look, almost every poll had Kerry winning on election day in fall 2004, so my faith in them has really gone downhill. Still, you can feel the ground shifting. It's quiet, it's subtle, but it's happening. I'm not naive enough to think that election day 2006 will be like 1994 in reverse, but the fact is that the Republicans will lose a lot of seats in both houses of Congress this year. It's really just a question of how many. A photo of Bush hugging Christ himself won't save him, but then again, these supposed photos of him with Jack Abramoff won't sink him either.
Here's my prediction: democrats pick up a fair number of seats in the House, and come damn close to taking back the Senate this fall, but will remain in the minority. Then, with Bush officially a lame duck for the next two years, support for his policies will continue to whittle away from the right (and left, although it's already pretty much gone on that end). If there's going to be a watershed year for democrats, it'll be 2008. That's the year that at least one branch of Congress, maybe even both, turns blue. The presidency is still looking pretty purple right now (whichever party wins will almost certainly be more moderate), as potential candidates on both sides are looking pretty wishy washy at the moment.
Still, the tide is turning.
• CNN Poll: Most Think Bush Is Failing In Second Term
• Bloomberg: Bush Support Weak As Americans Favor New Direction
• NYT: Poll Finds Mixed Support For Wiretaps
As bad as these polls sound for Bush, I think the elephants in the room can rest well... for now. Look, almost every poll had Kerry winning on election day in fall 2004, so my faith in them has really gone downhill. Still, you can feel the ground shifting. It's quiet, it's subtle, but it's happening. I'm not naive enough to think that election day 2006 will be like 1994 in reverse, but the fact is that the Republicans will lose a lot of seats in both houses of Congress this year. It's really just a question of how many. A photo of Bush hugging Christ himself won't save him, but then again, these supposed photos of him with Jack Abramoff won't sink him either.
Here's my prediction: democrats pick up a fair number of seats in the House, and come damn close to taking back the Senate this fall, but will remain in the minority. Then, with Bush officially a lame duck for the next two years, support for his policies will continue to whittle away from the right (and left, although it's already pretty much gone on that end). If there's going to be a watershed year for democrats, it'll be 2008. That's the year that at least one branch of Congress, maybe even both, turns blue. The presidency is still looking pretty purple right now (whichever party wins will almost certainly be more moderate), as potential candidates on both sides are looking pretty wishy washy at the moment.
Still, the tide is turning.
brunch links
01.27.06 // 08:16 AM // links
Strangely, they don't mind him hangin' out with G-dub though. To them, this guy is the epitome of cool.
DetNews: Is Veteran Assistant Boylen Izzo's Future Successor?
I'm still waiting for Mateen Cleves' triumphant return to Michigan State as an assistant. For me, that would be like a dream come true.
CNN Money: GDP Smallest Gain In Three Years @ 1.1%
I have a two word solution for 2006: TAX CUTS! Hee Haw!
UPDATE: Oprah Tears James (Fake) Frey A New One
My prediction is that this whole scenario will drive Frey back to drugs and alcohol, his life will sputter down the toilet (again), he'll go into rehab with Gary Busey for a year, and then he'll have another triumphant return.
and baby makes?
01.27.06 // 07:33 AM // zLife
by Maggie Schafer
Well, I got the news this week that my sister-in-law would soon have another baby come October. I gave the usual congratulations but goodness this isn’t exactly an unusual occurrence in our family.
Let me explain. I always thought I came from a “big” family being one of five. My siblings have given me 10 nieces and nephews. The oldest will turn 30 this year. Yikes!
However, when I married into the Schafer family six years ago, I had no idea what a “big” family meant. My husband, Dan, is one of eleven. When I first met him, he had me meet his siblings in small increments. I think so I wouldn’t be scared off. It was hard enough to remember the names of his sisters and brothers. Remembering their spouses and which one went with who was a challenge too, but somehow after a few years I finally got all their names down too. However, I truly believe I will never get all of the Schafer nieces and nephews down. At last count there was 28 not counting the one due in October. The fact that many of these kids are virtually only months apart and some look like twins makes it difficult to remember their names sometimes. I ask Dan for help but he just gets a blank stare on his face too. This and the fact many of his siblings still haven’t had their biological clocks go off yet. There is no telling how many Schafer babies are yet to come.
Now none of these nieces or nephews has married yet. However, they have started to graduate high school. I figure I will be attending graduations, wedding showers, baby showers and weddings up until the day I die or go broke, whichever comes first. Thank God for home equity loans.
Well, I got the news this week that my sister-in-law would soon have another baby come October. I gave the usual congratulations but goodness this isn’t exactly an unusual occurrence in our family.
Let me explain. I always thought I came from a “big” family being one of five. My siblings have given me 10 nieces and nephews. The oldest will turn 30 this year. Yikes!
However, when I married into the Schafer family six years ago, I had no idea what a “big” family meant. My husband, Dan, is one of eleven. When I first met him, he had me meet his siblings in small increments. I think so I wouldn’t be scared off. It was hard enough to remember the names of his sisters and brothers. Remembering their spouses and which one went with who was a challenge too, but somehow after a few years I finally got all their names down too. However, I truly believe I will never get all of the Schafer nieces and nephews down. At last count there was 28 not counting the one due in October. The fact that many of these kids are virtually only months apart and some look like twins makes it difficult to remember their names sometimes. I ask Dan for help but he just gets a blank stare on his face too. This and the fact many of his siblings still haven’t had their biological clocks go off yet. There is no telling how many Schafer babies are yet to come.
Now none of these nieces or nephews has married yet. However, they have started to graduate high school. I figure I will be attending graduations, wedding showers, baby showers and weddings up until the day I die or go broke, whichever comes first. Thank God for home equity loans.
an ode to guster
01.26.06 // 03:57 PM // zLife
About two years ago, my friend from high school, Paul Yerrick, came over to my dorm to swap some music. He had just bought his first mac (an iBook), and didn't have a lot of tunes yet, so I tried to hook him up as best I could. While I was at it, I took what little music he had for myself. He recommended a couple CDs of his by this band, Guster, who I'd never heard of. Like a lot of the music I get, it was neatly filed into iTunes, and forgotten.
Fast forward to summer 2005. By then I had actually listened to a couple Guster songs, specifically from the mix CDs Stef had made for me, but still hadn't really dug into those two CDs I got from Paul. Then, while I was all by myself in London for the first week of my study abroad trip last July, I finally cracked into those CDs on my iPod. I don't think I've listened to one CD as much as I did with Guster's "Keep It Together"; at least not since I really discovered "Achtung Baby!" during my Junior year of high school.
For those of you who aren't familiar with Guster, I can't say I'm surprised. While they've had a couple "major" label albums now, they've never really had a hit to speak of. Their biggest claim to fame is probably some of the acts they've opened for in concert over the years, including Barenaked Ladies and John Mayer. Of course, just having discovered these guys last summer, I can't vouch for their live performances myself, but from what I gather, that's what their really known for. Still, their studio records are all fantastic.
So, after falling in love with "Keep It Together" while I was in London, I went through my obligatory obsession with "Lost And Gone Forever" shortly after I got back to the States. The former just had a sound that fit in perfectly with the whole London scene (smart, smooth, reflective... great for my time in Russell Square; see what I mean by watching a video for "Amsterdam" here). The latter hit a nerve with me in the wake of my bizarre parting with my former roommate. Whatever it was, those two albums quickly became two of my all-time favorites, and I've since bought two more of their earlier records (from the mid-90s) which are just as good.
Part of what's so cool about Guster is the fact that they don't have a drummer. It's all hand percussion (lots of bongos), and very good hand percussion at that. I'd say their music has that college-y feel (think early Verve Pipe), with a bit of a Dave Matthews-esque sound (really toned down though). The lyrics are all pretty smart and witty, without being gimmicky. The words on "Lost And Gone Forever" are especially biting, if you really listen to them. All in all, it's just great, great stuff to listen to.
In a world that allows yokels like Kevin Federline to record albums, I am always grateful for new sonic discoveries like Guster. I can't listen to U2, Coldplay, Bruce, and the Beatles all the time, and these guys fit in the mix perfectly. If anyone is interested in reading a more official biography of the band, you can find one here (itunes link). You can view the video for their song "Careful" here. Also, if you're really itching for something new to listen to, send me an email, and I might be able to hook you up. That's it for now... gravity fails me.
outside it's america
01.26.06 // 12:57 PM // politics
USA Today: Film Spurs Culture Of Gay Cowboy Jokes
Finally, Bert and Ernie, Iceman and Maverick, and Skeletor all have a chance to come out of the closet as "I wish I knew how to quit you" becomes the new "Show me the money".
WaPo: Al Gore, Sundance's Leading Man
I'm tellin' ya. The comeback has begun. In Gore vs. Oprah vs. McCain in 2008, Oprah still wins though.
Inflatable Dartboard Releases Bush/Abramoff Photos:
Finally, Bert and Ernie, Iceman and Maverick, and Skeletor all have a chance to come out of the closet as "I wish I knew how to quit you" becomes the new "Show me the money".
WaPo: Al Gore, Sundance's Leading Man
I'm tellin' ya. The comeback has begun. In Gore vs. Oprah vs. McCain in 2008, Oprah still wins though.
Inflatable Dartboard Releases Bush/Abramoff Photos:
afternoon tea and links
01.26.06 // 12:26 PM // links
One step closer to saving the world. My man Bono does it again.
NYT: Oprah Calls Defense of Author 'A Mistake'
Oprah lets James (Fake) Frey have it on her show today. Check it out if you get a chance. I'm curious to see what else she says. We can't have bums like James Frey on Oprah's presidential campaign in 2008.
E: Jurors Extinguish Richard Hatch's Torch
Too bad. I was rooting for Richard from day one on that first season of Survivor. He says he's not too worried about a prison sentence, and has been preparing himself for this possibility for a while now. Oh, I bet he has. Zzzzzzzing!
morning latte links
01.26.06 // 07:35 AM // links
If he tilts his head a certain way, and if you can imagine him with glasses, and not sucking, he almost looks like John Lennon. All we are saying, is give K-Fed a chance!
Slate: Only One Man Can Control Disney
An article predicting a corporate coup at Disney. Hey, Jobs has done it before.
LSJ: Damage To Champ. Chances Hurts Most
I agree, but after sitting through three painful years of watching a very winnable Big Ten title slip through our fingers during my time at MSU, I've seen them go on to make big runs in the tournament in two of them. All I'm saying is that if we're gonna make a run at a championship, let's have our eyes on the big one. This season is FAR from being over.
mmmm... crow
01.26.06 // 07:10 AM // zLife
Well, I'm enjoying a nice, hearty bowl of crow this morning after watching last night's U-M/MSU basketball game. I gotta hand it to the Wolvereenies for their victory last night. They almost certainly secured a top seed in the NIT after beating Michigan State at home, and might even make a two or three day appearance in the top 25 next week. Good job, guys! Hey, at least the Pistons won. Although, they were clearly playing to lose like MSU last night. Man, two nail biters on at the same time... it was like sensory overload.
Is it just me, or is this week going by really fast? Believe me, this isn't a complaint. Just an observation. I mean, I skipped my PLS class yesterday to have an amazing morning of being lazy and watching television. Okay, I actually came into work. Honestly, how lame is it that I skip a class and come into work? And I call myself a college student? Well, in all fairness, I was trying to make up for the hours I lost on Tuesday afternoon dealing with my car, and I already had to skip my tennis class to go get my teeth cleaned at the dentist. Still no cavities, by the way... ever.
It sounds like Stef and I are gonna try to score tickets to tomorrow's U-M/MSU hockey game at Munn. I know, after my curse lent them another loss to Ferris on Tuesday, and after seeing the basketball team lose last night, you'd think I'd stay away, right? Well, we just had so much fun the other night, curses be damned! I'm looking forward to it though; should be a lot of fun.
I'm heading out to my dad's for dinner tonight after work. That's pretty much it for today. Just work and my COM 200 lecture in the late morning. Oh, get this. We haven't done anything to even yield a grade yet in that class, and I'm already handing in a survey worth 30 points of extra credit today. As much as that class blows, at least I'm off on the right foot. Well, that's it for now. Enjoy your Thursday.
Is it just me, or is this week going by really fast? Believe me, this isn't a complaint. Just an observation. I mean, I skipped my PLS class yesterday to have an amazing morning of being lazy and watching television. Okay, I actually came into work. Honestly, how lame is it that I skip a class and come into work? And I call myself a college student? Well, in all fairness, I was trying to make up for the hours I lost on Tuesday afternoon dealing with my car, and I already had to skip my tennis class to go get my teeth cleaned at the dentist. Still no cavities, by the way... ever.
It sounds like Stef and I are gonna try to score tickets to tomorrow's U-M/MSU hockey game at Munn. I know, after my curse lent them another loss to Ferris on Tuesday, and after seeing the basketball team lose last night, you'd think I'd stay away, right? Well, we just had so much fun the other night, curses be damned! I'm looking forward to it though; should be a lot of fun.
I'm heading out to my dad's for dinner tonight after work. That's pretty much it for today. Just work and my COM 200 lecture in the late morning. Oh, get this. We haven't done anything to even yield a grade yet in that class, and I'm already handing in a survey worth 30 points of extra credit today. As much as that class blows, at least I'm off on the right foot. Well, that's it for now. Enjoy your Thursday.
the comeback kid, v2.0
01.25.06 // 01:12 PM // politics
NYO: Gore Is Bigger Than Ever
A very interesting article about the prospects of an Al Gore re-animation. Can you imagine what this country would look like today had he (rightfully) become president? Just think about that, and then tell me that his running for president in 2008 is a bad idea. He's a better prospective candidate now than he was in 2000 if you ask me.
AP: Generals Admit Army Is Stretched To Breaking Point
Isn't this what Murtha has been saying since last fall?
And finally, here's today's Tom Toles...
A very interesting article about the prospects of an Al Gore re-animation. Can you imagine what this country would look like today had he (rightfully) become president? Just think about that, and then tell me that his running for president in 2008 is a bad idea. He's a better prospective candidate now than he was in 2000 if you ask me.
AP: Generals Admit Army Is Stretched To Breaking Point
Isn't this what Murtha has been saying since last fall?
And finally, here's today's Tom Toles...
outside it's america
01.25.06 // 11:13 AM // politics
From Salon...
Here's the video from santorumexposed.com:
Democrats are having a lot of fun with this video of Sen. Rick Santorum, at a fundraiser, first complaining about that evil, "me-centered, self-absorbed popular culture," and then immediately asking: "What I'm asking all of you tonight is not to put on a uniform. Put on a bumper sticker. Is it that much to ask? Is it that much to ask to step up and serve your country?"
Here's the video from santorumexposed.com:
top five
01.25.06 // 09:13 AM // top five
I can't think of anything special right now, so here are my top five favorite websites to check about a hundred times a day:
1. CNN
2. Huffington Post
3. DailyKos
4. EW's PopWatch
5. MacBytes
1. CNN
2. Huffington Post
3. DailyKos
4. EW's PopWatch
5. MacBytes
morning latte links
01.25.06 // 07:28 AM // links
LSJ: A Rivalry It Ain't
Boy, so this is what it feels like to be a U of M football fan?
Freep: U of M Long Way From MSU's Level
The usually Wolverine-friendly Free Press puts Michigan's sad basketball program in its place.
Disney Buys Pixar
Yep. Been calling this for a week. Smart move by both companies. The real story though is how this will affect the deal's unnamed third partner in the mix, Apple. If this manages to really reinvigorate Disney creatively, it could be a powerful source of content to funnel right into Apple's arms for distribution on whatever gadget they come up with next.
iTunes: Steve Jobs' 2005 Stanford Commencement Speech
Apple has finally released the video of Steve Jobs' speech to Stanford graduates (the link takes you to the free download in iTMS).
UPDATE: AV Club Interview With Stephen Colbert
This is a pretty good read. I finally watched my first full episode of the Colbert Report on Monday night, and I have to say, I think it's the perfect follow-up to The Daily Show. If there is an antidote to the mega-overblown personalities of people like Bill O'Reilly and Sean Hannity on Faux News, this show is it.
UPDATE, UPDATE: CNN: K-Fed's New Album A Steaming Pile of Dog Crap
Wow, so his music really is that bad.
Boy, so this is what it feels like to be a U of M football fan?
Freep: U of M Long Way From MSU's Level
The usually Wolverine-friendly Free Press puts Michigan's sad basketball program in its place.
Disney Buys Pixar
Yep. Been calling this for a week. Smart move by both companies. The real story though is how this will affect the deal's unnamed third partner in the mix, Apple. If this manages to really reinvigorate Disney creatively, it could be a powerful source of content to funnel right into Apple's arms for distribution on whatever gadget they come up with next.
iTunes: Steve Jobs' 2005 Stanford Commencement Speech
Apple has finally released the video of Steve Jobs' speech to Stanford graduates (the link takes you to the free download in iTMS).
UPDATE: AV Club Interview With Stephen Colbert
This is a pretty good read. I finally watched my first full episode of the Colbert Report on Monday night, and I have to say, I think it's the perfect follow-up to The Daily Show. If there is an antidote to the mega-overblown personalities of people like Bill O'Reilly and Sean Hannity on Faux News, this show is it.
UPDATE, UPDATE: CNN: K-Fed's New Album A Steaming Pile of Dog Crap
Wow, so his music really is that bad.
an auspicious anniversary
01.25.06 // 07:23 AM // zLife
by Maggie Schafer
Well, I just looked at the calendar and realized that I just had an anniversary. Yes, I am now entering my 32nd year as a Social Security employee of the Federal Government. Just some ponderings at my past 31 years:
1. My official boss is the President of the USA. Therefore, I ‘ve served under six presidents, only one of whom I actually voted for.
2. I’ve worked with hundreds of different people. There are basically two types of workers: those who work hard and those who work hard at looking like they’re working hard.
3. If a customer calls and tells me he may come in and “blow off“ my head, not to take it personally.
4. There really are people out there who have fathered 10 kids by 10 different mothers and are not sure of their children’s names. One guy thought one of the kids “might be named Squirrel.”
5. If a fellow employee doesn’t show up for work it could be because:
a. he’s sick
b. she’s quitting after 10 years with no notice; no nothing
c. he’s been arrested
d. the cancerous tumor the employee has been telling you about for the last several months turns out to be a 7lb bouncing baby boy.
6. If a client calls and tells you his name is Pink Floyd, believe him. Don’t think a fellow employee is playing another cruel trick on you.
7. I took great pleasure in seeing the most cruel manager I ever worked for being lead out of the office by two of her superiors, and hearing her be told in a staff meeting that she would never be allowed in the building again.
8. Using your government ID can get you into a restricted space on a U.S. Air Force base.
9. Will Social Security be around for you to collect? My guess is “yes” in some form or another. Who wants to be the person to commit political suicide by doing away with it?
10. Some of the best times of my life have been with my fellow co-workers. Many will remain friends for life.
Well, I just looked at the calendar and realized that I just had an anniversary. Yes, I am now entering my 32nd year as a Social Security employee of the Federal Government. Just some ponderings at my past 31 years:
1. My official boss is the President of the USA. Therefore, I ‘ve served under six presidents, only one of whom I actually voted for.
2. I’ve worked with hundreds of different people. There are basically two types of workers: those who work hard and those who work hard at looking like they’re working hard.
3. If a customer calls and tells me he may come in and “blow off“ my head, not to take it personally.
4. There really are people out there who have fathered 10 kids by 10 different mothers and are not sure of their children’s names. One guy thought one of the kids “might be named Squirrel.”
5. If a fellow employee doesn’t show up for work it could be because:
a. he’s sick
b. she’s quitting after 10 years with no notice; no nothing
c. he’s been arrested
d. the cancerous tumor the employee has been telling you about for the last several months turns out to be a 7lb bouncing baby boy.
6. If a client calls and tells you his name is Pink Floyd, believe him. Don’t think a fellow employee is playing another cruel trick on you.
7. I took great pleasure in seeing the most cruel manager I ever worked for being lead out of the office by two of her superiors, and hearing her be told in a staff meeting that she would never be allowed in the building again.
8. Using your government ID can get you into a restricted space on a U.S. Air Force base.
9. Will Social Security be around for you to collect? My guess is “yes” in some form or another. Who wants to be the person to commit political suicide by doing away with it?
10. Some of the best times of my life have been with my fellow co-workers. Many will remain friends for life.
my curse continues
01.25.06 // 07:16 AM // zLife
Well, the curse continues. The hockey game last night was a lot of fun, but MSU lost. It was a really exciting game. We controlled the pace for most of the first period, slip a little in the second (tying it in the closing seconds), and then let the game slip away in the third. There was a chance to tie things 2-2 in the closing seconds with the goalie pulled, but the guys spent too much time screwing around, such that the last-second goal was about two seconds too late. Sigh. My streak continues.
The other sad story of the game was attendance. Like I wrote about before, the once-dominant MSU hockey program has obviously fallen in stature a few notches throughout the Lansing area, since they can barely fill the 6,500 seat Munn Ice Arena nowadays. They were only at about 5,500 hundred last night to see Ferris State (which, arguably, isn't a big draw, but they couldn't sell out against the hated Wolvereenies last week either). I mean, come on guys. Granted the women's basketball team has been really good the last couple of seasons and deserves to be the third most attended sport on campus, but they got in that position by luring fans in with cheap tickets and lots of freebies. Maybe it's time to try something similar over at Munn. Ron? Earth to Ron? Sheesh.
The other sad story of the game was attendance. Like I wrote about before, the once-dominant MSU hockey program has obviously fallen in stature a few notches throughout the Lansing area, since they can barely fill the 6,500 seat Munn Ice Arena nowadays. They were only at about 5,500 hundred last night to see Ferris State (which, arguably, isn't a big draw, but they couldn't sell out against the hated Wolvereenies last week either). I mean, come on guys. Granted the women's basketball team has been really good the last couple of seasons and deserves to be the third most attended sport on campus, but they got in that position by luring fans in with cheap tickets and lots of freebies. Maybe it's time to try something similar over at Munn. Ron? Earth to Ron? Sheesh.
what a day
01.24.06 // 05:33 PM // zLife
Sigh. So I walked to my car after my COM 200 recitation. Put the key in the ignition and turned it. Nothing. Not a blinking light. Not a beep. Nada. I hung my head, because I knew exactly what was wrong. Dan has been telling me for the last 18 months that the battery on my car probably needed replacing. Well, once again, he proved how much smarter he is than me today. It was kaput. I made the rounds of phone calls, and eventually got through to my GM roadside assistance number. The woman on the phone was very helpful, and got someone out to me right away. In fact, I'll go so far as to take back (some of) my remarks from earlier about the Wolverines. When I told her that I was in the parking lot in front of Spartan Stadium, she said, "I was gonna say go State, but I'm a Michigan fan." Well, I won't hold that against her, since I had a guy out there to give me a jump within about 20 minutes.
After the not-so-friendly oaf got me juiced, I took my car over to Sears to finally replace my dead battery. The guy there talked me into getting my fuel injector system flushed (or cleaned, or whatever) right out of the gate. I knew that was long overdue as well, and they were running a special on it, so I went ahead and did it anyway. So, after about an hour of wandering aimlessly through Sears killing time, I finally got the thing up and running. It set me back a couple Benjamins, but it was stuff that needed to be done anyway. I just wasn't expecting to have to do it so soon. Anyway, it was a pretty shitty afternoon, but it could've been a lot worse. It couldda been colder, snowier. Blah. Oh, well.
Anyway, I'm home now, safe and sound. Back in good old 1955.
1955? WHHHHHHOOOOAH!
Well, we have the hockey game tonight, so hopefully that'll give me a chance to unwind a little bit. At this point things certainly can't get much worse. That's it for now. Seacrest out.
After the not-so-friendly oaf got me juiced, I took my car over to Sears to finally replace my dead battery. The guy there talked me into getting my fuel injector system flushed (or cleaned, or whatever) right out of the gate. I knew that was long overdue as well, and they were running a special on it, so I went ahead and did it anyway. So, after about an hour of wandering aimlessly through Sears killing time, I finally got the thing up and running. It set me back a couple Benjamins, but it was stuff that needed to be done anyway. I just wasn't expecting to have to do it so soon. Anyway, it was a pretty shitty afternoon, but it could've been a lot worse. It couldda been colder, snowier. Blah. Oh, well.
Anyway, I'm home now, safe and sound. Back in good old 1955.
1955? WHHHHHHOOOOAH!
Well, we have the hockey game tonight, so hopefully that'll give me a chance to unwind a little bit. At this point things certainly can't get much worse. That's it for now. Seacrest out.
polinks
01.24.06 // 12:55 PM // politics
late morning links
01.24.06 // 11:19 AM // links
CNN: Big Movies In '06
A lot like Batman Begins, I'm cautiouslly optimistic about Superman. I'm sorry, but when he's done right, Superman makes Spiderman look like a pussy.
LSJ: Izzo Is Warming To U-M... Sorta
We all know that deep in his soul is the same hatred that runs through each Spartan's veins for Ann Arbor Community College. What's that? You need a reminder of why you should hate Michigan? Chris Webber (the lying sack of shit from the Fake Five) rubbing his ass on the Spartan "S" inside Breslin after defeating MSU. Nuff said. My prediction? Izzo makes Amaker his bitch... again.
A lot like Batman Begins, I'm cautiouslly optimistic about Superman. I'm sorry, but when he's done right, Superman makes Spiderman look like a pussy.
LSJ: Izzo Is Warming To U-M... Sorta
We all know that deep in his soul is the same hatred that runs through each Spartan's veins for Ann Arbor Community College. What's that? You need a reminder of why you should hate Michigan? Chris Webber (the lying sack of shit from the Fake Five) rubbing his ass on the Spartan "S" inside Breslin after defeating MSU. Nuff said. My prediction? Izzo makes Amaker his bitch... again.
let's plaaaaaaaaay hockey!
01.24.06 // 07:54 AM // zLife
Forgot to mention that Stef managed to score us some tickets to see MSU hockey against Ferris State tonight. I haven't been to a Michigan State hockey game in I don't know how long. I haven't been since the Ron Mason era came to an end, that's for sure. It's kinda sad, actually. I used to loooooove going to hockey games, even though for many years my presence at a game meant a certain Spartan loss for the evening. I don't know what it was, but for all the games I went to throughout my life, I bet I only saw them win maybe once or twice. I was the team's curse, I guess. Well, we'll see if my fortunes have changed at all; the team's certainly have. MSU went from being one of the most successful hockey programs in the nation, to having a team that can't even fill a 6,500 seat arena. Sigh. Anyway, tonight should be fun.
GO GREEN!
GO GREEN!
what a gal
01.23.06 // 10:45 PM // zLife
Stefy spoiled me again today. When I got home from class a little before five, she was already at my apartment cooking a wonderful dinner. First, we had a nice Caesar salad with this really good dressing. Next up was spahetti with a nice, fresh baguette. And for dessert? We had a choice between a warm brownie or butterscotch pudding. Mmmm. I opted for the brownie, and it was goooooood. Man, service like this sure beats the hell out of cereal for dinner. What a gal.
osama yo' momma
01.23.06 // 08:04 PM // links
This is the 100th events post since re-designing the website in late December. So, being a LIBERAL who hates America and LOVES Osama Bin Laden, I thought I'd spend this important update sharing these photos honoring the great leader of Democrats accross America. Thanks, FreakingNews.com
video killed the blogger
01.23.06 // 04:05 PM // zLife
Okay, so after watching VH1's special about the best web junk, I'll admit that the first two are stolen from that. They're still pretty good though. And Ben Stiller as Tom Cruise is priceless.
• The coolest kid and the biggest Pokemon fan
• The dumbest dog in the world
• From the Family Guy... It's Peanut Butter Jelly Time!
• From SNL... It's Jeopardy with Tom Cruise, Adam Sandler, and Sean Connery
• SNL offers help to bald babies everywhere [.mov]
• The coolest kid and the biggest Pokemon fan
• The dumbest dog in the world
• From the Family Guy... It's Peanut Butter Jelly Time!
• From SNL... It's Jeopardy with Tom Cruise, Adam Sandler, and Sean Connery
• SNL offers help to bald babies everywhere [.mov]
time is on my side, yes it is
01.23.06 // 03:20 PM // zLife
Well, I was a little worried that I wouldn't be able to get everything done today. I was even thinking about bailing on my COM 275 class to get stuff done (maybe I still should've). Well, my first PLS 201 recitation got out after only about 20 minutes, so I had an extra half hour to swing by Professor Wray's office in Morrill Hall to get my script, and then pop into SBS to finally buy my books. That was a lot of fun, let me tell you. It set me back about $198, which isn't complete highway robbery, but still ain't cheap. At least most of that was paid for by selling last semester's books, and hopefully I'll get some dough back when I sell these. Anyway, now that I got all of that crap done, I should be able to go straight home after class and unwind for a while. BZP, time management extraordinaire.
what a workout
01.23.06 // 11:48 AM // zLife
Good Lord, I'm tired. I love that tennis class though. At this rate I'll be in the best shape of my life by the end of the semester. Whew. Hopefully we'll get a chance to actually play a match or two sometime down the road. Or at least work on serves. At this rate I might actually be able to beat my old man, come springtime.
morning latte links
01.23.06 // 09:01 AM
Slate: An Interview With '24' Producer Joel Loceff
The best show on TV is in season five, and I still can't watch it because I missed season four. Man, I gotta get those DVDs soon.
Kobe Goes For 81 Points
Man, he sure raped the Raptors. Zzzzzzzing!
NYT: U.S. Ranks 28th On Environment
Hey, as long as we don't have any four-eyed fish, we can't be doing that bad, can we?
NY Daily News: Florida Court Strikes Down Anti-Nudity Laws
Suddenly Speedos aren't sounding so bad.
The best show on TV is in season five, and I still can't watch it because I missed season four. Man, I gotta get those DVDs soon.
Kobe Goes For 81 Points
Man, he sure raped the Raptors. Zzzzzzzing!
NYT: U.S. Ranks 28th On Environment
Hey, as long as we don't have any four-eyed fish, we can't be doing that bad, can we?
NY Daily News: Florida Court Strikes Down Anti-Nudity Laws
Suddenly Speedos aren't sounding so bad.
jesus heals
01.23.06 // 08:25 AM // links
JESUS H. CHRIST! Are you down with G-O-D? If so, then check out this amazing videos chronicling his life. The dialogue has been re-worked a little to suit a more modern audience. Enjoy.
• #1: Jesus gets a little ticked when his apostles keep bothering him
• #2: Jesus lays down some rules for the new Christians
• #3: Jesus tells all his apostles how they've screwed up lately
• #4: Jesus tears up the temple, and takes some dude's money
• #1: Jesus gets a little ticked when his apostles keep bothering him
• #2: Jesus lays down some rules for the new Christians
• #3: Jesus tells all his apostles how they've screwed up lately
• #4: Jesus tears up the temple, and takes some dude's money
some mac links to close the week
01.22.06 // 10:07 PM // links
• How Can Apple Be Worth More Than Dell?
• Pixar Board Set To Approve Disney Buyout
As nuts as it sounds, Apple is now worth more than Dell, in terms of market capitalization. Wow. Can you believe it? It's like saying Meijer is worth more than Wal-Mart. It just doesn't make any sense. But it's true. And Apple has lots of room to grow. Dull? Not so much.
Also, according to Telegraph, Pixar is set to sell out to Disney. That'll make Steve Jobs the single biggest Disney shareholder. Again, wow. This guy was totally down and out of tech industry when he was let go from Apple back in 1985. And now he stands to become the most influential Disney stockholder? KNEEL BEFORE JOBS!
• Pixar Board Set To Approve Disney Buyout
As nuts as it sounds, Apple is now worth more than Dell, in terms of market capitalization. Wow. Can you believe it? It's like saying Meijer is worth more than Wal-Mart. It just doesn't make any sense. But it's true. And Apple has lots of room to grow. Dull? Not so much.
Also, according to Telegraph, Pixar is set to sell out to Disney. That'll make Steve Jobs the single biggest Disney shareholder. Again, wow. This guy was totally down and out of tech industry when he was let go from Apple back in 1985. And now he stands to become the most influential Disney stockholder? KNEEL BEFORE JOBS!
iMac still around
01.22.06 // 09:26 PM // zLife
Okay, that's enough shameless self-promotion for one post. Thanks!
video killed the blogger
01.22.06 // 04:09 PM // links
maggie's immacular hole tour
01.22.06 // 03:07 PM // zLife
Well, with lots of time off to recover from her surgery, I asked my mom to be a guest blogger on iBZP. Here's her first submission. Enjoy...
So as you may or may not know, I’m recovering from macular hole surgery. A macular hole is basically a hole in your retina that pretty much wipes out the center vision in that eye. Now they say that it can happen due to a sharp blow to your eye, being extremely nearsighted or advancing age. I prefer to think it was one of the first two.
I want to say that the surgery itself wasn’t as bad as it sounds. Although I was awake during all of it, I was so drugged up that I didn’t even feel the three needles being inserted into the whites of my eye. It was all over in less than an hour and I was escorted out of the building within an hour after the surgery ended.
The challenging part was keeping my head face down from that point on until the doctor gave me the “heads up”. The gas bubble that they shoot into your eye closes the hole but for this to happen you have to keep your head face down pretty much 24/7. I achieved this with a massage chair that we bought off the Internet and renting a head cradle so I could sleep with my head hanging off the bed. Also I had the help of my two caregivers, my ever patient husband, Dan and my wonderful Mom. The best part about keeping my head face down for the last 10 days was not seeing myself in the mirror. I guess I shouldn’t be so hard on myself. If you can’t look bad when you’re sick or recovering from surgery, when can you look bad?
I went back to the doctor’s office yesterday. Which, I must say when you visit the Retina Center, it’s a little like being in Bob Evans as I was the youngest person in the waiting room (& I’m no spring chicken). Anyway, the doctor gave me the okay to put my head up. This was 3 days earlier then planned. Now, the bubble is still floating in my eye and we won’t know if the surgery was a success until all the tissue heals. But time will tell and I guess we’ll see…
So as you may or may not know, I’m recovering from macular hole surgery. A macular hole is basically a hole in your retina that pretty much wipes out the center vision in that eye. Now they say that it can happen due to a sharp blow to your eye, being extremely nearsighted or advancing age. I prefer to think it was one of the first two.
I want to say that the surgery itself wasn’t as bad as it sounds. Although I was awake during all of it, I was so drugged up that I didn’t even feel the three needles being inserted into the whites of my eye. It was all over in less than an hour and I was escorted out of the building within an hour after the surgery ended.
The challenging part was keeping my head face down from that point on until the doctor gave me the “heads up”. The gas bubble that they shoot into your eye closes the hole but for this to happen you have to keep your head face down pretty much 24/7. I achieved this with a massage chair that we bought off the Internet and renting a head cradle so I could sleep with my head hanging off the bed. Also I had the help of my two caregivers, my ever patient husband, Dan and my wonderful Mom. The best part about keeping my head face down for the last 10 days was not seeing myself in the mirror. I guess I shouldn’t be so hard on myself. If you can’t look bad when you’re sick or recovering from surgery, when can you look bad?
I went back to the doctor’s office yesterday. Which, I must say when you visit the Retina Center, it’s a little like being in Bob Evans as I was the youngest person in the waiting room (& I’m no spring chicken). Anyway, the doctor gave me the okay to put my head up. This was 3 days earlier then planned. Now, the bubble is still floating in my eye and we won’t know if the surgery was a success until all the tissue heals. But time will tell and I guess we’ll see…
sunday, sunday, sunday
01.22.06 // 11:40 AM // zLife
I don't know what it is, but this weekend felt longer for some reason. I mean that in a good way. Like I got more bang for the buck this weekend. Weird.
Anyway, babysitting for the girls went really well last night. They were a little hyper at first (like always), but they calmed down when we popped in Morgan's Barbie DVD for them to watch. Since the girls have an 8:00 p.m. bedtime, and since that's also when my dad and Sherry's 3-hour long Lion King show was starting at Wharton, we had a pretty long night of watching TV. Or, should I say, I had a long night of watching TV. Stefy got pretty sleepy and napped on the couch for about an hour or so. So, on the whole, it was a pretty easy night of babysitting.
Well, today is looking like a pretty low-key Sunday. Not much going on, really. We might venture out into East Lansing for a while this afternoon to run some errands, but that's about the only thing on the agenda right now.
Tomorrow is my first day of the first full week of the semester for me. My Political Science class has a recitation period that hasn't met yet (there was nothing to discuss on day one, and last Monday was MLK), so I'll have one more class I hate to suffer through tomorrow afternoon. I guess the only way I'm gonna make it through this semester is one week at a time. Three down. Sigh.
Anyway, babysitting for the girls went really well last night. They were a little hyper at first (like always), but they calmed down when we popped in Morgan's Barbie DVD for them to watch. Since the girls have an 8:00 p.m. bedtime, and since that's also when my dad and Sherry's 3-hour long Lion King show was starting at Wharton, we had a pretty long night of watching TV. Or, should I say, I had a long night of watching TV. Stefy got pretty sleepy and napped on the couch for about an hour or so. So, on the whole, it was a pretty easy night of babysitting.
Well, today is looking like a pretty low-key Sunday. Not much going on, really. We might venture out into East Lansing for a while this afternoon to run some errands, but that's about the only thing on the agenda right now.
Tomorrow is my first day of the first full week of the semester for me. My Political Science class has a recitation period that hasn't met yet (there was nothing to discuss on day one, and last Monday was MLK), so I'll have one more class I hate to suffer through tomorrow afternoon. I guess the only way I'm gonna make it through this semester is one week at a time. Three down. Sigh.
some clips... for me to POOP on!
01.22.06 // 11:27 AM // links
Okay, so Yahoo! and Google video searches are my two new favorite web pastimes. Here's a few clips from Conan, featuring Triumph The Insult Comic Dog.
• Triumph interviews Star Wars geeks [.wmv]
• Triumph at the Westminster Dog Show [.mov]
• Triumph at the Michael Jackson Trial [.wmv]
• Triumph interviews Star Wars geeks [.wmv]
• Triumph at the Westminster Dog Show [.mov]
• Triumph at the Michael Jackson Trial [.wmv]
hawkeyes = owned
01.21.06 // 03:46 PM // zLife
MSU Basketball is officially back on track after today's pounding of the Iowa Hawkeyes. Too bad I was a moron and missed the game. Yeah, I totally blew it, I know. I was too busy cleaning my apartment. That's the last time I make that mistake again.
video killed the blogger
01.21.06 // 03:24 PM // links
Well, with time to kill today, I thought some videos might help pass the time. Here's some good ones from SNL. Enjoy. Please note that some of these are rather large files. If you have dial-up, well... don't bother.
• Macintosh Post-It Notes [.mov]
• Christopher Walken Star Wars Screen Tests [.wmv]
• Tattoo Removal [.mov]
• More Cowbell [.mov]
• Macintosh Post-It Notes [.mov]
• Christopher Walken Star Wars Screen Tests [.wmv]
• Tattoo Removal [.mov]
• More Cowbell [.mov]
winter/spring/winter/spring/winter
01.21.06 // 10:44 AM // zLife
For the love of God, I wish the weather would make up it's mind. It's been warm, it's been cold and snowy, then it gets warm again, then it snows again. Back and forth, back and forth. Blah. This is killin' me.
Man, I slept well last night. Eight hours on the nose. It's just so nice when you can wake up in the morning, and not have to be anywhere for a while. You can just roll around for 45 minutes, and take your sweet time getting up. It's great.
Well, I really didn't do a whole hell of a lot last night. Stef has been at home since Thursday, so I just sorta lazed around. Actually, that's not entirely correct. I did some... work. Yeah, on a Friday night, no less. I've been working on this video DVD for my Uncle Tom's business in Florida for a few weeks, but since I'm still waiting to get some photos from them to include in the video, the project is kind of at a standstill for now. So, since one idea we talked about for future project was designing a website for them, I started putting one together last night. It's still pretty basic, and obviously a beta version, but I think it looks pretty good. You can take a look at it here. Don't know if U. Tom will like it, and not even sure if he's ready to get a website yet, but I think it's a good start.
Well, for now I'm going to spend the rest of the morning (what's left of it) cleaning up the apartment, and doing some tinkering around before Stefy gets here later in the afternoon. We're heading out to my dad's house at around 6 p.m. tonight to babysit the girls while he and Sherry head out to see the Lion King (cue African chanting). So, that should be fun. Anyway, that's it for now. I hope everyone's having a nice weekend.
Man, I slept well last night. Eight hours on the nose. It's just so nice when you can wake up in the morning, and not have to be anywhere for a while. You can just roll around for 45 minutes, and take your sweet time getting up. It's great.
Well, I really didn't do a whole hell of a lot last night. Stef has been at home since Thursday, so I just sorta lazed around. Actually, that's not entirely correct. I did some... work. Yeah, on a Friday night, no less. I've been working on this video DVD for my Uncle Tom's business in Florida for a few weeks, but since I'm still waiting to get some photos from them to include in the video, the project is kind of at a standstill for now. So, since one idea we talked about for future project was designing a website for them, I started putting one together last night. It's still pretty basic, and obviously a beta version, but I think it looks pretty good. You can take a look at it here. Don't know if U. Tom will like it, and not even sure if he's ready to get a website yet, but I think it's a good start.
Well, for now I'm going to spend the rest of the morning (what's left of it) cleaning up the apartment, and doing some tinkering around before Stefy gets here later in the afternoon. We're heading out to my dad's house at around 6 p.m. tonight to babysit the girls while he and Sherry head out to see the Lion King (cue African chanting). So, that should be fun. Anyway, that's it for now. I hope everyone's having a nice weekend.
random video clip of the day...
01.20.06 // 11:36 PM // links
oh, no! snow!
01.20.06 // 03:35 PM // zLife
Bad news...
A HEAVY SNOW WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING TO
6 AM EST SATURDAY.
SNOW WILL DEVELOP DURING THE EARLY EVENING HOURS ACROSS THE AREA. PRECIPITATION WILL INITIALLY BE MIXED WITH OR FALL AS PLAIN RAIN ALONG AND SOUTH OF A LINE FROM KALAMAZOO TO LANSING BEFORE QUICKLY CHANGING TO ALL SNOW DURING THE LATE EVENING HOURS. SNOW WILL BECOME HEAVY AT TIMES DURING THE LATE EVENING AND THE EARLY OVERNIGHT HOURS. THE SNOW WILL THEN GRADUALLY END EARLY SATURDAY MORNING. THE SNOW IS EXPECTED TO BE A WET AND HEAVY SNOW. TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 5 TO 8 INCHES ARE EXPECTED ACROSS THE WARNING AREA.
A HEAVY SNOW WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING TO
6 AM EST SATURDAY.
SNOW WILL DEVELOP DURING THE EARLY EVENING HOURS ACROSS THE AREA. PRECIPITATION WILL INITIALLY BE MIXED WITH OR FALL AS PLAIN RAIN ALONG AND SOUTH OF A LINE FROM KALAMAZOO TO LANSING BEFORE QUICKLY CHANGING TO ALL SNOW DURING THE LATE EVENING HOURS. SNOW WILL BECOME HEAVY AT TIMES DURING THE LATE EVENING AND THE EARLY OVERNIGHT HOURS. THE SNOW WILL THEN GRADUALLY END EARLY SATURDAY MORNING. THE SNOW IS EXPECTED TO BE A WET AND HEAVY SNOW. TOTAL SNOW ACCUMULATIONS OF 5 TO 8 INCHES ARE EXPECTED ACROSS THE WARNING AREA.
okay, edge, play the blues...
01.20.06 // 03:08 PM // links
Even if you could care less about U2, it's definitely worth checking out. If Mardi Gras manages to get off the ground this year, they'll have Edge to thank.
polinks
01.20.06 // 02:44 PM // politics
CNN: Molly Ivins. Not. Backing. Hillary.
Preach, sista. I'm tellin' ya. Oprah in 2008. It's the only way.
LA Times: GOP Ready To Strip Arnold of Party Endorsement
Come with me if you want to live.
DailyKos: Liberals Haven't Failed To Catch Bin Laden
No, but they sound like him, which is soooo much worse.
Michael Moore's Open Letter To The People Of Canada
Why would the Canadians take election advice from a man who obviously shares some weird long-distance man love with Osama Bin Laden himself?
Enough. Enough triangulation, calculation and equivocation. Enough clever straddling, enough not offending anyone. This is not a Dick Morris election. Sen. Clinton is apparently incapable of taking a clear stand on the war in Iraq, and that alone is enough to disqualify her.
Preach, sista. I'm tellin' ya. Oprah in 2008. It's the only way.
LA Times: GOP Ready To Strip Arnold of Party Endorsement
Come with me if you want to live.
DailyKos: Liberals Haven't Failed To Catch Bin Laden
No, but they sound like him, which is soooo much worse.
Michael Moore's Open Letter To The People Of Canada
Why would the Canadians take election advice from a man who obviously shares some weird long-distance man love with Osama Bin Laden himself?
sticky labels
01.20.06 // 10:19 AM // zLife
outside it's america
01.20.06 // 07:12 AM // politics
NYT: Senator Laura Bush? President Says 'Never'
The President remarked, "See, whutcha gotta understand folks is, uhhh, ya know... she's too busy cookin' dinner 'n stuff. Plus yuh gotta have a penis for that job, dontcha? (chuckles) Next Question?"
C & L: Chris Matthews Compares Bin Laden Tape To An "Over-the-top Michael Moore"
Bin Laden and Michael Moore both hate America. Boy, thank God there aren't any conservatives making ridiculous comments in America.
Abramoff's Dad Bashes Clooney's 'Glib And Ridiculous Attack' In Golden Globes Speech
Clooney's remark:
Here's Mr. Abramoff's heated response [pdf]:
The President remarked, "See, whutcha gotta understand folks is, uhhh, ya know... she's too busy cookin' dinner 'n stuff. Plus yuh gotta have a penis for that job, dontcha? (chuckles) Next Question?"
C & L: Chris Matthews Compares Bin Laden Tape To An "Over-the-top Michael Moore"
Bin Laden and Michael Moore both hate America. Boy, thank God there aren't any conservatives making ridiculous comments in America.
Abramoff's Dad Bashes Clooney's 'Glib And Ridiculous Attack' In Golden Globes Speech
Clooney's remark:
"Who would name their kid Jack with the last words ‘off’ at the end of your last name? No wonder that guy is screwed up."
Here's Mr. Abramoff's heated response [pdf]:
"You spend your days ridiculing our nation and our traditions. You mock those who serve our nation and its flag. You revile my son and publicly try to humiliate him in front of a national audience. I have news for you George Clooney - one day the truth about my son will come out and there will be a lot of people in your industry and others lined up to apologize for their efforts to destroy him and our family. You won't be in that line, th