For Sara

One the earliest blogs I started to read was Sticky Crows

It's written by Tornwordo (AKA Richard) a Californian living with his husband Serge in the wilds of Montreal, Quebec, Canada. I've loved reading his tales of everyday life as a landlord to some odd assortment of people, his job teaching English to the French Canadians, his love of Serge (and poor Serge's inability to say certain English phrases, with Torn recording it for all of us to giggle at) and, mostly, his love of dog, Sara. Well, I'm certain Serge loved her too!

And this past Wednesday, Sara passed on. When I logged onto my blog today and saw that small image in the right hand corner of Sara, with the title "She's gone", I started to tear up (as I'm doing right now as I type this).

I clicked on the image and read about Sara's final moments.

I cried like I lost my own dog.

For those who never grew up with pets don't understand the emotional feelings we go through when that beloved pet slips this mortal coil. And I wish I could explain in words why we hurt so much, but I cannot. Love is love and our pets become much more family than a guard to protect us.

They are our family.

Perhaps the final lines of Beth Norman Harris' Treat Me Kindly sums up some aspect of our relationships with dogs and why we love them. And what we must do when the time comes.

"Please see that my
trusting life is taken gently. I shall
leave this earth knowing with the last
breath I drew, that my fate was always
safest in your hand."

And for Richard and Serge, I send all my hopes and prayers, but mostly hugs.

She'll never be gone, as long as you remember her.

David Tennant to leave Doctor Who

In what is really no surprise (at least for me) Doctor Who star David Tennant announced he'll give up the role of the time traveling Doctor at the end of the 5 specials airing in 2009. Which means when the sci fi series returns for a fifth full season in 2010, there will be a new Doctor at the helm of the TARDIS.

When the series was cut short for 2009 due to Tennant's six month stint in Hamlet and then series show runner Russell T Davies announced his departure at the end of those five specials, there was some speculation that Tennant would leave also. Over the last few months, word had come from various sources that BBC was willing to give Tennant a huge raise plus a movie deal to return for a fifth season (and his fourth year in the role).

But in the end, one thinks the programs popularity was the reason for his decision.

He's at the height of his career right now, winning awards and praise from critics for his perfomance in Hamlet and has a huge following around the world. I'm sure movie offers are coming in left and right. If he was to stick around, I think he would regret missing out on some great roles that would stretch him as an actor.

All good things, as the saying goes.

I look forward to those five specials and what incoming showrunner Steven Moffat plans to do with the show in 2010.

Read more here.

Ron Howard's Call to Action

See more Ron Howard videos at Funny or Die

Is it me...

did singer Justin Nozuka

steal his act from Jack Johnson?

Trailer: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince International trailer

Self Pics (also known the Narcissist in the Mirror)

Is it me...

or does this guy -named Rodger, who jacks-off at PerfectGuyz- resemble

Pulitzer prize-winning author Michael Chabon?

Do you suppose they could be related? A nephew? Or is it just one of those odd coincidences that pop up from time to time?

I did not leave broadcast TV, broadcast TV left me

For some time now, I’ve been pondering the state of broadcast TV. Saddled with reality programming and mind-numbing dumb scripted shows, I’m watching less and less of it. Perhaps its age, and I’m very much aware that I no longer am in the demographic advertisers want. Still, the few shows that I do like, seemed doomed to failure because American’s feel threatened by their intelligence.

Take, for example, 30 Rock. For two years in a row, the brilliant send-up of an SNL type show has won the Emmy for best sitcom -and this year, both its stars Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin, won Emmy’s for their acting, a combo feat not done since the 1970's. Yet ratings have not shown a huge improvement (which is exactly what happened to one of the other great comedies, Arrested Development on FOX).

Hopefully, this year will be different. Since Fey’s dead-on impersonation of Sarah Palin has brought her star up, and NBC actually going out of its way to promote the series season opener on October 30th, I’m keeping my fingers crossed that more American’s will tune in and boost the ratings. Still, 30 Rock airs at 9:30 -smack in the middle of TeeVee’s number #1 drama, CSI.

Still, looking at the scripted shows on, I can only name a few I really want to watch. Monday has Chuck, Heroes and The Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. All three of these are well written, character driven shows, with stories that have layers. Yet all are facing problems with audience erosion, as CBS continues to dominate with The Big Bang Theory, How I Met Your Mother, Three and Half Men, Worst Week and CSI: Miami. Those not watching the Tiffinay Network seemed obsessed with ABC’s dumb as a box of rocks, Dancing With The Stars.

Then, of course, there is Gossip Girl over at the CW, which is just plain horrible and not good, even in any sort of campy way.

Tuesday has nothing, with the exception of NCIS, one of two procedural show I watch, if only because the show does not take itself too seriously, unlike its cousins, the CSI franchise.

Wednesday has two shows, but since they are opposite each other, I tend to miss one. Right now, Pushing Daisies remains one of the best shows on TV, a whimsical often very funny fairy tale of series. Yet its ratings too suffer, up against the revamped Knight Rider.

Really, America? Knight Rider? Really?

Bones gets the other nod, if only because like NCIS, it has fun with its concept, adding character development and a lot of smart humor.

Which brings me back to Thursday. I like Ugly Betty, but don’t love it. It has its appeal, but I find it also annoying, with some bad stereotypes and dumb plot lines. The Office and 30 Rock are big highlights of the night, yet there are times I find The Office lowering itself in intelligent humor to appease the masses -much as happened with 30 Rock. Season two was a bit of a let down, as it became obvious Tina Fey and Company was forced to tone down some its topical references and sometimes dense, non sequitur humor.

Friday offers nothing, except Everybody Hates Chris, which deserves a better day than the graveyard that Friday has become since the heyday of The X Files.

Even the networks have given up on Saturday. Move along to Sunday. If it was not for The Simpsons, I think that day is a waste. And half the time, if I miss The Simpsons, I don't care.

So, 11 shows out of some 70 shows that the five networks air.

Now most of these shows -not all - are some the lowest rated shows on the primetime schedule. All I like because they are mostly character-based shows, not plot driven like the CSI, Law & Order franchise. Reality programs are just plain dumb, and try as they like, Survivor and The Amazing Race are games shows, and should be called that.

And while I could be reaching, the current economic turndown can also be applied, I think to TV. See, the networks know shows like American Idol, Dancing With the Stars, America’s Top Model, Stylista , Moment of Truth, Kitchen Nightmares, Deal or No Deal, Wife Swap, Supernanny, Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader, Don’t Forget the Lyrics, Survivor, Amazing Race and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition are low cost programs that make huge profits in advertising.

These cheaply made shows that score huge ratings are killing scripted shows because that’s all the networks head care about: money, and they will sacrifice syndicated profits for the quick buck these shows make.

Anyways, the point is that shows like 30 Rock, (and the late, beloved Arrested Development) which depend on people paying attention to the stories, the jokes are in danger of being replaced with dumb, humorless sitcoms like Three and Half Men.

And Pushing Daisies getting beaten by Knight Rider just fucks with the mind. How could Daisies be beat by that piece of worthless shit?

It boggles the mind how only a few years ago, the audience where asking for better shows, better dramas, better sitcoms. But instead of watching them, they would rather watch Knight Rider.

Its like this election. It seems likely today that Obama will be our next president. But as my house mate suggested, when these American’s get in the voting booth on November 4th and they actually have to choose between McCain and Obama, how many of those liberal democrats, independent, undecided voters will turn the other switch towards McCain when they realize they are really voting for a black man?

Because telling a political pollster one thing and actually doing what you told them are two different things. Which is why survey’s and polls are fundamentally flawed. Same thing with TV shows its seems. We got quality shows with Pushing Daisies, 30 Rock, The Office, Chuck, Heroes and even NCIS.

But what are these same people doing?

Watching Knight Rider.

Idiots.

SNL takes one last Thursday jab at the elections

Movie: Dance of the Dead (DVD 2008)

PK loves horror movies. He loves them with a passion. I, however, find them dull and pointless.

So, last night I was invited over to JT and Adams house to watch the horror/comedy, Dance of the Dead with PK, another guy named David, and Tim. I do trust PK when it comes to films, though, as he went to film school and knows a great more about them than me.

So, when he told me I would like this, I nodded and secretly hoped for the best.

An American high school prom in Georgia is unexpectedly interrupted when a graveyard, next to a nuclear power plant, becomes the sudden source of resuscitated cadavers. As zombies march on the high school, a motley group of dateless teenage outcasts take on the zombies and save the day.

Surprisingly, the low budget film works on a few good levels, mostly the story and acting from a set of newcomers. I mean, I kinda expected a cheesy zombie movie, but was blown away by the sharp writing, character development, great make-up effects and all around affection for the geeks.

Candy Everybody Wants

David Sedaris gets the best Quote of the Day for those undecided with 12 days to go before the election

"To put them in perspective, I think of being on an airplane. The flight attendant comes down the aisle with her food cart and, eventually, parks it beside my seat. “Can I interest you in the chicken?” she asks. “Or would you prefer the platter of shit with bits of broken glass in it?”

To be undecided in this election is to pause for a moment and then ask how the chicken is cooked."

Read the rest of the post here.

OMG it's the 21st Century

So, this was attached to my door when I got home today. Looks like its going to be fun night to celebrate Halloween. Oh, wait, Halloween is a pagan ritual, and these numb fucks at Victory Outreach are apparently trying to make sure you know it.

In reality, this thing -where candy, gift giveaways, a LIVE puppet show, and fun for the entire family - is nothing but hatred painted to look like family fun. It features a live drama called Shadows of Death which really means they're going to tell you in all its horrific glory that everything is a sin. Well really things like abortion, homosexuality, smoking, drinking and watching The Simpsons.

Some parents will obviously be oblivious to this and think this might be a fun, and safe thing to do on Halloween night. But these people are hardcore haters of anything and anyone who does not share their narrow minded view of the universe. I'm sure some will be shocked, which is of course, these peoples intentions.

Religion is being perverted into this horrific show, and groups like this teach nothing but hate. They are bitter, angry people who use a misquoted Bible and wrap themselves in the American flag and claim this is the nation the Founders always wanted. A Christian nation, however, that is built on false ideas, run by corrupt men who have secret agendas and are of a delusional mind.

This Victory Outreach is the dark side of the GOP. Social conservatives who are as twisted in their hatred of all things different as were the men who brought down the World Trade Center.

How much do I hate Britney Spears?

Once again, I fear the Gay Mafia (who ever the hell they are) will demand my gay card back by hating on Britney Spears and her new single Womanizer.

First off, it's horrible. It sucks more than John McCain's attempt to be President. It's loud, obnoxious, dumb, boring and obviously craptacular shit most gay boys in West Hollywood and beyond will snap faster than half-price sale at Gucci.

The song attempts to try say something, but the visuals say something different. And I want to say the guy is hot -which he is - but all that becomes moot under a song that will have no life beyond late 2008 and early 2009.

And that, children of the night, is what is wrong with music (and in general, the world). It has no lasting impact; while Britney Spears maybe remembered, it won't be for her music, but her stupid actions that the tabloids exploit.

And that is just fucking pitiful.

Books: The Ghost by Robert harris

The Ghost is a dark paranoid thriller about a former British prime minister named Adam Lang (who seems to be a model for Tony Blair?) who is up against a firm deadline to submit his memoirs to his publisher. However, the project is dangerously derailed when his aide and collaborator, Michael McAra, perishes in a ferry accident off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard. To salvage the book, a professional ghostwriter is hired to whip the manuscript into shape, but the unnamed writer soon finds that separating truth from fiction in Lang’s recollections a challenge. The stakes rise when Lang is accused of war crimes for authorizing the abduction of suspected al-Qaeda terrorists in Pakistan, who then ended up in the CIA’s merciless hands. As the new writer probes deeper, he uncovers evidence that his predecessor’s death may have been a homicide.

I don’t like first-person novels. The only explanation I can arrive at is because I like knowing what everyone else is thinking. For this thriller, however, not knowing is what makes it work. It’s hero remains unnamed through the whole book, which I found interesting, but he is clearly cut from the same cloth as most of John Grisham’s heroes.

It’s a bit long in the tooth, but very easy to read, especially with its gallows humor and offers an insight into politics most do not see.

Will the real Sarah Palin please stand up?

I'm almost sure this did not help Alaskan Barbie, though I did enjoy Baldwin and Fey being uncomfortable about being around her. And Mark Walhberg's cameo.

Rumbling thoughts from me

I’ve commented before on how the conservatives like to say that intellectualism is some how anti-American. That it leads to liberalism and thus hatred for America. Pat Buchanan believes that America is naturally central, but leans towards being conservative. So that with the odds not leading towards a Barack Obama win, the liberal side will take over and ruin -and more importantly - disregard a majority of people.

The McCain/Palin ticket seems to think this, as they struggle in the final weeks of the 2008 election, to communicate with Americans that having smart, intelligent people at the White House is somehow tantamount to treason. That because Obama is liberal, because he believes everyone should have a chance at succeeding (instead, of what I feel, the conservatives think only a few should have) that this is wrong, and anti-America.

Now I’m not saying people should not have to work for goals; I actually believe in doing away with (or trying to change) welfare. I do believe that setting goals for people to get out of poverty is a good thing. But I’m also realistic in that there is a small majority of people who will never get out of it. But we need to get the losers who keeping popping babies out like cigarettes in a vending machine off the dole. We need to get tough with them and when they cry racism or wrap themselves in the American flag, we need to be tough and take a stand.

On the other hand, we need to stop running America like a corporation. Sure, the influence of people like Warren Buffet, Donald Trump and Jack Welch stretch far into the pockets of all people with in our government, but just because they do does not mean we should.

And we continue to be lead by these people, we need to hold them responsible when things go wrong. Our economy has gone to hell in a hand basket because we refuse to hold these people beholden for their actions. These CEO’s are destroying America more than any liberal (or conservative) could.

Being smart, being intelligent seems to baffle Americans. Why?

Of course, a simple explanation can be seen in our TV programs. Pushing Daises is a charming, witty, fairy tale of TV show. It does, in someways, tell a complex tale of a man with the power to bring back the dead, if only for a minute. It is, in someways, a procedural show -much like the horrible CSI franchise. Yet, it is losing in the ever important ratings war to the revamped version of Knight Rider. Why? Maybe its because while Pushing Daises makes you think, Knight Rider just tells you to put your brain in natural and enjoy an hour of dumbness.

As a curious after though, I wonder how many watching Knight Rider are conservative, registered Republicans. And vis versa with Pushing Daises.

As much as the right wants to make the world black and white, right and wrong, it can never be. The world runs like a toy Top - it has a set of rules: it spins until it runs out of energy, but it will never stop in the same place twice.

The real world runs much the same way. And no matter how you try to control it, you can’t.


And the smart person, the intelligent person understand this.

McCain and Palin think that they are for the everyday people, the ones who don’t have the college education and are working paycheck-to-paycheck. The damn Joe Plumber. They think they will be able to help them, even though history proves that neither party can do much of anything except help the ones who donated big time to their election campaign.

I don’t see that. Joe Plumber is smart, and as pointed out, his job is recession proof.

If McCain and Palin really wanted to understand Americans, they should really be asking after folks like me, who work in retail. Our jobs are the first to go when the economy is in such a mess. We need our jobs protected, but they turn a blind eye to us. We, they seem to think, are to be blamed for not getting a better job, one that is more secure.

I’m not saying Obama has all the answers, but I do think he is smart, and extremely intelligent. And I think I would take that over some guy who thinks he should be president because he was a P.O.W. And let’s not forget a governor who’s only qualifications seem to be her looks and that she’s a hockey mom.

Really? I mean, really?

In the end, Obama realizes -at least I hope he does - that we are stuck in two wars we cannot win. That we have an economy -though the president can do little to effect its change - in the toilet, and something must be done to save it before we tumble into a world wide depression. That we need to make America a better nation with the rest of the world.

And, Americans need not be divided by a simple thing as religion, also. We’ve left extremist on both sides become way too powerful. We’ve become, in some ways, as bad as our religious people outside the US. We’ve let hate mongers take over the mantle of our Constitution so they can dismantle it to prove we are a nation not built on equal rights, but a Christian world were no one should question its direction.

The Pat Buchanan’s, the Sean Hannity’s, the Rush Limbaugh, the Anne Coulter’s, the Michael Savage’s and the Bill O’Reilly’s of the world are much more dangerous than Obama could ever be. They are truly the ones who must hate the idea of having someone who’ll be calm, cool and make decisive decisions.

They are the real dividers of the world. But because they have faith in their religious views, it’s hard for them to see that the world is made up of many things, and religion - while good as a way of life - should not be used as end all when it comes to politics.

It should -my goodness, it always should - be kept at arms length at all times.

Candy Everybody Wants

Paramount releases first photo's of the new Star Trek film

These look cool.

Pictures from home IV

My older brother Brian

My Uncle Harold

Auntie and my cousin Nancy

My Dogs greeting me after returning from 14 months in Iraq

The Dark Side of the Conservatives

Even the Democrats have their psychos -Michael Moore comes to mind - but none (as far as I’m concerned) come close to those on the Republican side. Last weekend and all this week we’ve seen the real dark side of those who now see that Barack Obama actually has a chance to be our next president.

Those that have been attending rallies for the McCain/Palin ticket have been heard shouting that Obama is a "traitor," a "terrorist," that "treason” could be laid at his door, that he’s a "liar," and even "off with his head." Most, if not all, have gone unchallenged by the Republican candidates.

This past Friday, McCain finally addressed some of the odium coming from these supporters.

In a town hall meeting in the upper Midwest, his supporters demanded “him to be rougher on Obama. A voter said, "The people here in Minnesota want to see a real fight." Another said Obama would lead the U.S. into socialism. Another said he did not want his unborn child raised in a country led by Obama.”

He told them that “...if you want a fight, we will fight, but we will be respectful. I admire Sen. Obama and his accomplishments." When people booed, he cut them off. "I don't mean that has to reduce your ferocity," he said. "I just mean to say you have to be respectful."

Another supporter told McCain that she did not trust Obama, saying that "I have read about him. He's an Arab." McCain shook his head in disagreement, and said: "No, ma'am. He's a decent, family man, a citizen that I just happen to have disagreements with (him) on fundamental issues and that's what this campaign is all about." He had drawn boos with his comment: "I have to tell you, he is a decent person and a person that you do not have to be scared of as president of the United States."

But I think for McCain -especially after Palin said Obama was “palling around with terrorists” last weekend - that it’s too late. The wheels are coming off the train, as almost every poll -including ones done by the Right - show Obama is in the lead.

Polls for me mean little, cause I do question how “independent” they truly are. Still, with these more social conservatives coming to the rallies and spewing their fear, poisoning the drinking water and calling down hatred for Obama strike me as one reason why McCain and Alaskan Barbie, Sarah Palin will lose on November 4th.

Who really wants to be associated with these sub-humans?

Candy Everybody Wants

Music to inspire your love of music

My friend Marc over at ORD to LAX wrote about some CD’s that inspired him to love music -what can be don, I guess, when musicians try to produce music that has a lasting effect on people.

Being not much of a music aficionado as Marc is, I pondered his question: What was yours?

One CD that still stands out for me, I guess, would be Green Day’s American Idiot. Got to say, from start to finish, this CD blew me away. A brilliant look at American culture and how some people are just powerless "everyman," desensitized by a "steady diet of soda pop and Ritalin.”

A concept album that harked back to the late 1960's early 70's, American Idiot resonated with me and still does 4 years later, continuing to be ever present on my iPod.

10,000 Maniacs In My Tribe is another CD that had an effect on me, though I’m unsure why (though while I consider it a great album, its follow-ups Blind Man’s Zoo and Our Time in Eden are better CD's). Singer Natalie Merchant’s (it's sad she has done much poop since leaving them) haunting voice made me love this pop-orientated CD, as they were known for more mature, more political slants of their earlier works (which I do not favor as much).

Pictures from home III

A much younger me, probably around the age of 30. In 16 years, my hair is more white than brown/red and I cannot grow a beard that even resembles this deep red. It too has become infested with whiteness.

My niece Nichole

My niece Kyra and boyfriend Nick

Kiss these retailers goodbye

I've heard rumors on both Talbot's and Circuit City closing for months, especially the City. Now The Motley Fools are including Borders, which is no huge surprise.

There is, in my opinion, no way this company can survive the dark holiday season we are bound have. Thus Borders fate is sealed, but I'm unsure what they plan to do. Though one speculation is the company will be sold (and much like that happened to Tower Records, I'm guessing no one will want us -too much debt. Liquidation seems likely sometime next March).

But much like the recession no one will admit we're in, Borders pretends that its safe. But everyone inside the business world, already knows the book company is doomed.

Hey Sarah Palin (with lyrics/subtitles)

Pretty damn funny

Pictures from home II

My Sister Donna and her husband Paul

My nephew Daniel

My nephew Steven

Pictures from home

Mom
My older sister's car, called Sally and her dog Beej
Morning at the lake

From Chicago, its Marc and Jamie

When I was in Chicago last month, I got to see my friend Marc. I met Marc back in 1997, when I was working at the Borders store in Oak Brook. We became friends of a sort, at first, but it wasn't until later in '98 ( I think) that we started hanging out. By then, we had added guys like Stan and Paul and the very lovely Jamie to the mix. We all brought something different to the table, but mostly it was music and our love for Steel Magnolias.

Marc has a huge encyclopedia memory- and love - of music, something to this day I lack. If it wasn't for him, I don't think I would know half the stuff I love.

Anyways, it was his birthday on September 21, and despite still not feeling myself (I ended up being sick half the time was in Chicago), I ventured downtown to see him and to help celebrate his birthday. I also, briefly, got to see Dave and Andrew, another one of my friends I miss terribly.

Marc, for my birthday, gave me another classic mix CD. I love them in many ways, if only because Marc does know what I like. I kinda could not wait to get home to put it on my iPod -I did listen to it several times in my sisters car that I drove back from downtown.

Also there was Jamie. I've known her just as long as Marc, and despite the fact she lives in West Hollywood now with her handsome husband Andrew, we rarely see each other. It was just a weird cosmic coincidence she was in town the same time as me.

Jamie and Marc are the true Will & Grace of the world. These two get along so perfectly, love nearly the same things and laugh like school girls over almost anything. I'm jealous in many ways of their friendship. But I can also see why Jamie and I don't see each other. We have -like I see in my family -very little in common. I'm terrible with small talk, and I'm very critical of things. In some ways, I'm not as gay as others, as I find shows that run on Bravo to be horrible (though, I do love me some Tim Gunn). They love that stuff, and so I have to keep my mouth shut, if only because I have a tendency to say mean things, not realizing what I'm saying is mean. It's a bizarre trait I picked up from my Mother.

I'm also jealous of Marc and Jamie's success in the world, too. Both have these huge, gregarious personalities that draws people to them. Always, always, they are usually at the center of any conversation. It baffles me why I cannot be like them. And Jamie has a pretty kick-ass job. Something I would love, love to do.

Even while I never, ever want to live in Illinois again (though if I did, I would want to live in the city), those small groups of friends I miss, much like a person misses a limb. I feel lost without them, yet when I get together with them, I'm adrift in what to say to them. It's an odd thing, you know.

If you want to know more about Marc and Jamie, visit them at ORD to LAX

SNL takes on the Vice Presidential Debates

Movie: Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist (2008)

Michael Cera has made a career out of being the cute, aw-shucks kind of guy. And in Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist, he succeeds somewhat in letting that go. Here he plays Nick, a hapless teen who has girl problems. Well, girl problems in the sense that Tris has broken up with him, and he’s having difficulty dealing with that. He spends endless days leaving phone messages and making mix-CD’s for her and pining after pictures of her on his wall, which could come close to stalking.

His bandmates, Thom and Dev, try to bring him out of his funk -because they have a gig to play - but when they discover that an indie-rock band they all love will be playing at a secret location somewhere in New York, a road trip begins.

At there gig, Nick finds both his ex, Tris, and Norah (who knows Tris from school, and hates her). Norah (the delightful Kat Dennings), blanching at the idea that Tris will see her alone, goes up to Nick and asks to be his boyfriend for “five minutes” (Norah unaware that Nick is Tris’ ex).

Thus, as it turns out, both love this indie-band and spend the rest of the movie sparring, trading insults and trying to find Caroline, Norah’s friend who is drunk as a skunk and who at first thinks Nick’s bandmates are out to rape her. She, of course, is wrong as both Dev and Thom are gay (which brings up the coolest aspect of the film. In other films, these band members would’ve slowly faded in the background, but here they become central to the plot -they’re the first to realize that both Nick and Norah really belong together and work towards making sure they stay together).

While the story is slight, it beams with delightful performances from Cera and Dennings, along with Aaron Yoo and Rafi Gavron as Nick’s fellow queercore band members. Ari Gaynor almost steals the film as the drunk Caroline who seems to never want to give up the gum she chewing -and you’ll remember what she does with it forever. And while Jonathan B. Wright has little to say as cute guy Dev picks up, his looks - sort of a blond, beefier version Josh Hartnell -kept me hoping that Dev and him would kiss.

The Cubs fail again to move towards the winner circle

The Lovable Loser moniker the Chicago Cubs have is starting to wear thin with me. I've been a fan since I was a kid, but I grow weary of this taste of winning, only to see these guys fold like lawn chairs in a mild wind.

After winning the division, the Cubs then went on to beat the Mets to gain home field advantage through out the playoffs. And then the proceeded to let the Dodgers walk all over them at Wrigley. And once again, my hopes and those of thousands of Cub fans are now walking the walk, and talking the the talk of "maybe next year."

What is the Cubs -and Chicago sports teams in general - problem went put on the world stage? It's like they have performance anxiety. Tomorrow the Cubs face the Dodgers here in LA for what could be the final game for them in 2008. I have hopes that they'll win 2 here and then return to Chicago for the final game, but if history is anything, they'll disappoint again.

Like I said, it's hard for me to say that. I want them to win, to put a hundred year dry spell behind them. But I feel that Cubs will never hold that championship. It's their destiny to always be the bridesmaid and never the bride.

Candy Everybody Wants

Homer Simpson tries to vote for Obama

Pretty funny, but a bit worrisome also.

David Lettermen's Top Ten Things Overheard at Sarah Palin’s Debate Camp

10 — “Let’s practice your bewildered silence”
9 — “Can you try saying ‘Yes’ instead of ‘You betcha’?”
8 –” Hey, I can see Mexico from here!”
7 — “Maybe we’ll get lucky and there won’t be any questions about Iraq, taxes, or health care”
6 — “We’re screwed!”
5 — “Can I just use that lipstick-pit bull thing again?”
4 — “We have to wrap it up for the day — McCain eats dinner at 4:30?
3 — “Can we get Congress to bail us out of this debate?”
2 — “John Edwards wants to know if you’d like some private tutoring in his van”
1 — “Any way we can just get Tina Fey to do it?”