Of all the tabloids, there is a special place for the Post and their readers.
NY Post downplays NY gay marriage vote - On Media - POLITICO.com:
"For a paper with “New York” in its name, you might think this would be big news, whatever its stance on the issue. But this morning, the New York Post stood alone among New York papers in choosing not to blast the vote across its front page – preferring only a small strip across the bottom."
Saturday, June 25, 2011
I have no clue why I own this song
Sarah McLachlan?
Really?
And the Rainbow Connection?
So bizarre.
However, now I want to hear Leonard Cohen sing it. That would be awesome.
Really?
And the Rainbow Connection?
So bizarre.
However, now I want to hear Leonard Cohen sing it. That would be awesome.
Friday, June 24, 2011
What now?!?
Where are the Deviled Eggs?
Bar Food, In Order | The Awl:
"10. Sliders
9. Fried dill pickles
8. Jalapeno poppers
7. Fried calamari
6. Fried zucchini
5. Potato skins"
Bar Food, In Order | The Awl:
"10. Sliders
9. Fried dill pickles
8. Jalapeno poppers
7. Fried calamari
6. Fried zucchini
5. Potato skins"
Thursday, June 23, 2011
And the keywords that got you here are...
These are my five favorite search terms that brought folks to AFM over the past week...
- "I'm late because my perception of time is different than that of others" (which brought people to this post)
- "Becoming a Mets Fan"
- "eternal life is for suckers"
- "daddy screwing maid"
- "I'm not a crazy person I'm well educated" (which was about Hermon Raju...she generated a little bit of traffic...for everyone.)
Character Moment in the Green Lantern
**SPOILER**
A light one, but a spoiler nonetheless. You've been warned.
A couple of people have asked me what the moment in the Green Lantern was that I really enjoyed, and I have hemmed and hawed about telling them, for no real reason, but why night.
Remember, this may be a spoiler (not really, but some people are complete douchebags on these interwebs).
After Hal Jordan makes his public debut as the Green Lantern, rescuing Carol Ferris and then flying off as the mystery man, he returns to Carol's office to actually introduce himself.
He changes his voice (adding a bit of a growl) and is wearing the domino mask and starts talking...(and this is the moment that is different from other superhero films)and Carol asks, "Hal? Hal Jordon?"
Hal is taken aback and asks how she knew.
"I've known you since we were five. I've seen you naked!"
Too often this "great friends" in superhero films never recognize the ease at which someone would see through the mask. When the filmmakers ask for a willing suspension of disbelief on our part regarding things like flying and such, but...when they ask for it on something that doesn't require it, it is a bit of a cheat.
It made me very happy that this film that did a number of things adequately did something unique and well.
A light one, but a spoiler nonetheless. You've been warned.
A couple of people have asked me what the moment in the Green Lantern was that I really enjoyed, and I have hemmed and hawed about telling them, for no real reason, but why night.
Remember, this may be a spoiler (not really, but some people are complete douchebags on these interwebs).
After Hal Jordan makes his public debut as the Green Lantern, rescuing Carol Ferris and then flying off as the mystery man, he returns to Carol's office to actually introduce himself.
He changes his voice (adding a bit of a growl) and is wearing the domino mask and starts talking...(and this is the moment that is different from other superhero films)and Carol asks, "Hal? Hal Jordon?"
Hal is taken aback and asks how she knew.
"I've known you since we were five. I've seen you naked!"
Too often this "great friends" in superhero films never recognize the ease at which someone would see through the mask. When the filmmakers ask for a willing suspension of disbelief on our part regarding things like flying and such, but...when they ask for it on something that doesn't require it, it is a bit of a cheat.
It made me very happy that this film that did a number of things adequately did something unique and well.
Judge Not, Lest Ye Be Judged
Back in the fall of 1997, I was walking down the street (3rd Avenue, approaching Vine) in Seattle and I saw two me holding hands. It made me feel good inside that they were comfortable enough with themselves and their city to openly display the affection for each other that straight people assume. As I was walking, smile on my face, I was approached by a man not much older than me who said, "That's disgusting."
"What do you mean?"
"I am a Christian and the Bible tells me that is wrong."
"The Bible also says, 'Judge not lest ye be judged'."
At this point, he hit me in the shoulder and took off.
My boss at the time told me that she was surprised I wasn't shot.
Why am I recalling this particular anecdote right now?
(Isn't it obvious?)
People (Some, not all) of certain orthodox or fundamentalist Christianist belief will often use The Bible as a buffet of bigotry, picking and choosing which rules to apply to the behavior of other people. The hypocrisy of this is not lost on me, or on most people who see the world in shades (as opposed to black and white), but the thing is...it is now being legislated.
As I am writing this, SSM has not come up for a vote in the NYS Senate. but there have been amendments added to the original bill to "protect" the interests of...well, let's call it accurately here...bigots. People are using "religion as a smokescreen to hide their intolerance, choosing to misstate the plain language of the bill and falsely claiming that it fails to protect religious practice".
The Senators and the interest groups who are demanding that intolerance be injected into what is a civil rights bill need to realize that they are on the wrong side of history.
I do not know is SSM will pass today. I do not think it will come up for a vote until the Senate reconvenes after the summer, but that is just a gut feeling, not based on anything more than ephemera.
It is sad though, isn't it? Fourteen years ago, I was punched in the shoulder. Today the Senate is willing (and ready) to metaphorically punch thousands of New Yorkers in the gut.
"What do you mean?"
"I am a Christian and the Bible tells me that is wrong."
"The Bible also says, 'Judge not lest ye be judged'."
At this point, he hit me in the shoulder and took off.
My boss at the time told me that she was surprised I wasn't shot.
Why am I recalling this particular anecdote right now?
(Isn't it obvious?)
People (Some, not all) of certain orthodox or fundamentalist Christianist belief will often use The Bible as a buffet of bigotry, picking and choosing which rules to apply to the behavior of other people. The hypocrisy of this is not lost on me, or on most people who see the world in shades (as opposed to black and white), but the thing is...it is now being legislated.
As I am writing this, SSM has not come up for a vote in the NYS Senate. but there have been amendments added to the original bill to "protect" the interests of...well, let's call it accurately here...bigots. People are using "religion as a smokescreen to hide their intolerance, choosing to misstate the plain language of the bill and falsely claiming that it fails to protect religious practice".
The Senators and the interest groups who are demanding that intolerance be injected into what is a civil rights bill need to realize that they are on the wrong side of history.
I do not know is SSM will pass today. I do not think it will come up for a vote until the Senate reconvenes after the summer, but that is just a gut feeling, not based on anything more than ephemera.
It is sad though, isn't it? Fourteen years ago, I was punched in the shoulder. Today the Senate is willing (and ready) to metaphorically punch thousands of New Yorkers in the gut.
Today's Best Thing Ever
The Magnetic Dead - 3D Zombie Magnets:
"We were warned, but nothing could truly prepare us for the massive zombie outbreak currently taking place at the NeatoShop. It is the end of the world as we know it! The Magnetic Dead 3D Zombie magnets have finally arrived! AHHHHHHND we cannot containt our excitement over the launch of this new gruesomely fantastic line!"
Via Boing Boing
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
The Best Father's Day Gift
Casablanca (which I have two copies of on DVD)
Lost in Translation
The Great Escape
The Big Chill
The Magnificent Seven
The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
The Searchers
There is one film that I love that I have never found on a shelf as a DVD.
However, on Saturday, while TEA and I were picking up a birthday gift for one of his friends, I found the one that I was missing...
Bob Roberts
The best part about this? It was $1.97 at FYE.
Why do I love this film?
Apart from the line, "Don't do crack, it's a ghetto drug,"?
If you have ever watched it, you know. For those of you who have not had the chance to partake in this brilliant satire, or forget that it was made in 1992 before the VRWC really entrenched themselves as power brokers giving marching orders through media control and manipulation, it is a documentary style film about a fictional Senate race in Pennsylvania between a Kennedy-esque "Lion of the Senate" Democrat and a folk singing Wall Street banker running as a Republican.
The folk singing is the best part.
The cover of Complain by the Vandals allows you to hear the lyrics much better.
Want to see these lyrics? (Of course you do!)
(lyrics via Sing365.com)
Some people must have.
Some people have not.
But they’ll complain and complain and complain and complain and complain.
Some people will work.
Some simply will not.
But they’ll complain and complain and complain and complain and complain.
Like this: It’s society’s fault I don’t have a job.
It’s society’s fault I am a slob.
I have potential no one can see.
Give me welfare. Let me be me!
Hey, Bud, you’re livin’ in the Land of the Free.
No one’s gonna hand you opportunity!
Some people must have.
Some never will.
But they’ll complain and complain and complain and complain and complain.
I don’t have a house. I don’t have a car.
I spend all my money getting’ drunk in a bar.
I wanna be rich. I don’t have a brain.
Just give me a handout while I complain.
Or this: I wanna stay in bed and watch TV.
Go out weekends in a limousine
And dance all night takin’ lots of drugs
And wake up when I wanna.
Hey, Bud, you’re livin’ in the Land of the Free.
No one’s gonna hand you opportunity!
Some people will learn.
Some never do.
But they’ll complain and complain and complain and complain and complain.
Yeah, they’ll complain and complain and complain and complain and complain.
And then there is this...
The Wall Street Rap:
Classic satire...reframing an iconic video but totally changing the meaning. How great is this? How prescient was this film?
If you are still not convinced, here is the trailer from 1992. (Look for Jack Black)
"As I was saying..."
Welcome back, Keith! Countdown with Keith Olbermann is back as of last night.
I missed him.
Not because our politics are in lock step (they aren't) but because he makes me laugh while making me think. Oh, and the baseball jokes that he will make during the show, even though he is a Yankee fan.
But...last night, Keith introduced me to Hermon Raju. Have you watched this video?
How awesome is she? So fabulous!
"I am not a crazy person, I am a very well educated person."
Oh, Ms. Raju, you know that those two things are not mutually exclusive, correct? That there is a huge overlap in the Venn diagram of those two groups?
Yes, "Worst Persons in the World" is back!
I missed him.
Not because our politics are in lock step (they aren't) but because he makes me laugh while making me think. Oh, and the baseball jokes that he will make during the show, even though he is a Yankee fan.
But...last night, Keith introduced me to Hermon Raju. Have you watched this video?
How awesome is she? So fabulous!
"I am not a crazy person, I am a very well educated person."
Oh, Ms. Raju, you know that those two things are not mutually exclusive, correct? That there is a huge overlap in the Venn diagram of those two groups?
Yes, "Worst Persons in the World" is back!
Monday, June 20, 2011
Quite the honorific
Being called a "low IQ...loser" by someone like Ann Coulter is a badge of honor. I could snark something here about other people who have used that honorific towards me, but...that would take away from the awesomeness of being a "low IQ...loser".
Thank you, Ann.
"By the way, I think Jon Stewart is very funny. His audience is by and large a bunch of losers wildly applauding when they hear the proper name, and you have a similar behavior towards the New York Times."
Ann Coulter - Demonic - Interview | Mediaite
Thank you, Ann.
"By the way, I think Jon Stewart is very funny. His audience is by and large a bunch of losers wildly applauding when they hear the proper name, and you have a similar behavior towards the New York Times."
Ann Coulter - Demonic - Interview | Mediaite
My Father's Day Weekend
Friday
After an odd Thursday after and evening, Friday was a return to normalcy.
I met up with Teacher Dave and we had breakfast at Duncan's Dairy Bar.
Poached Eggs, Homemade Corned Beef Hash, Rye Toast. Delicious.
Then we started our Habitat for Humanity. It was a weird day. The weather was variable, and while it was not difficult, there was too much driving. The driving did give me time to insist that every New Yorker deserves the ability to have a bologna sandwich.
After Habitat, instead of going out for Happy Hour, which I normally do, I headed home. I was hot, sweaty, gross, and tired. Then Ashley texted me and asked if I was up for "light fare and beer". I am always up for light fare and beer. It is what I live for. I suggested Brown's Brewing Company and we decided to meet up.
We decided to sit outside and enjoy the evening, and I decided that I wanted to try something.
Now, I love onion rings. I think that they are one of the perfect foods. Crunchy and salty and sweet while being finger food. I had never had the beer battered onion rings at Brown's before and Ashley thought they sounded like a good idea.
Oh, they are battered!
Yep, those are the onion rings. They are battered. Almost cake like in their battering. They are...unique. They get rid of the Deviled Eggs but keep these. Interesting choice.
The rest of the meal was fine, and Ashley and I had great conversations, including why I am not interested in certain social activities any longer (which comes out of a conversation from Thursday night...call me if you want to know more.) and Ashley convincing me to go on some hiking trips with her. We debated dessert for a bit, and discovering that nothing was appealing, as well as the deck becoming chilly, we decided to head to The Daily Grind for coffee and something to soothe Ashley's sweet tooth.
Of course, they are only open past 6 on Troy Night Out.
However, we had passed a new Greek restaurant that had opened earlier in the week.
So, we ended up at The Greek House.
It was an unmitigated success. The space is cozy, they made coffee fresh for us, and Ashley said that the baklava was quite possibly the best she has ever had. The host was charming and it is a place that I am going to head to again to try things that I have never had before. (Greek food is something that I have had, but...not explored.)
Saturday
Saturday morning started early, with some reading and MSNBC. Then I headed downtown to the Troy Waterfront Farmers' Market, which is becoming a thing for me. I stopped by the Troy Bike Rescue table and picked up a new t-shirt. If you are not familiar with them, they are a great organization and worthy of your support.
After wandering around the Farmers' Market, I checked out what was going on at the River Street Arts' Festival. Mostly, I wanted to see the All Over Albany entry in the Chalk Art Contest.
While downtown, I saw a sign that made me smile and laugh.
And there was sun all weekend long
After tooling around Downtown Troy, I headed to Albany for TEA's Little League Championship Game. TEA's team, sponsored by the Ancient Order of Hibernians, won their game 5-0 and with that, their league championship. TEA was nonchalant about it but...on any level, championships are rare. Really rare. I told him this, and I think it may be one of those things that he will understand when he is older.
After the game, and after TEA changed, TEA, Uncle Dan, and I went to do what I wanted to do for Father's Day (TEA had a social function on Sunday, so we changed our plans to Saturday afternoon, which was fortuitous.) which was to see The Green Lantern. Now, I am sure that you have read the reviews and such, or you have opinions regarding comic book movies, and this isn't the film for you. That's fine. I get it. It was a fun movie. It was a good way to waste time with an eight year old. There were some great character moments (including the one thing that I have always wanted to see in a superhero movie). No, it was not a great film, which makes the film theory snobs hate it, and it was not canon or in continuity, which makes the comic book geeks hate it, but...even though I share some of personality defects of both groups, I was abe to appreciate this for the mind candy that it was supposed to be.
After I light dinner, dropping TEA off, and having a beer, I was in bed and reading. It was a great day.
Sunday
After waking up early, and enjoying my breakfast, I decided to call my dad. I did not wake him, but I did catch him before his first cup of coffee. I called and texted my other friend celebrating the day, including a honorary father because he is the baddest "mo-fo" that I know, and ran some errands.
Talking with friends, including the awesome HJ (or should it be HP now) who shared some hilarious pictures from her weekend, made the errands go quickly and then I was able to start my Father's Day with what I wanted to do...
Sit in the sun, read speculative fiction, and drink copious amounts of cheap (yet ice cold) beer.
The sun was provided for me.
The book was Illium by Dan Simmons.
The beer was Pabst Blue Ribbon. (How many beers that you are drinking have a blue ribbon? Remember third grade? A blue ribbon is a sign of excellence. QED.)
I had a great day, and my skin is gently "sun kissed" (or burned) and I was smart enough to put a shirt back on before I ended up being red instead of pink.
I was in bed early, and up early, and I had an amazing dream (that I am still processing, and I do not know what it means) and I still have a smile on my face.
It was the best weekend I have had in a long time, and I am grateful for it: for my family, for my friends, and for being able to spend time with them.
After an odd Thursday after and evening, Friday was a return to normalcy.
I met up with Teacher Dave and we had breakfast at Duncan's Dairy Bar.
Then we started our Habitat for Humanity. It was a weird day. The weather was variable, and while it was not difficult, there was too much driving. The driving did give me time to insist that every New Yorker deserves the ability to have a bologna sandwich.
After Habitat, instead of going out for Happy Hour, which I normally do, I headed home. I was hot, sweaty, gross, and tired. Then Ashley texted me and asked if I was up for "light fare and beer". I am always up for light fare and beer. It is what I live for. I suggested Brown's Brewing Company and we decided to meet up.
We decided to sit outside and enjoy the evening, and I decided that I wanted to try something.
Now, I love onion rings. I think that they are one of the perfect foods. Crunchy and salty and sweet while being finger food. I had never had the beer battered onion rings at Brown's before and Ashley thought they sounded like a good idea.
Yep, those are the onion rings. They are battered. Almost cake like in their battering. They are...unique. They get rid of the Deviled Eggs but keep these. Interesting choice.
The rest of the meal was fine, and Ashley and I had great conversations, including why I am not interested in certain social activities any longer (which comes out of a conversation from Thursday night...call me if you want to know more.) and Ashley convincing me to go on some hiking trips with her. We debated dessert for a bit, and discovering that nothing was appealing, as well as the deck becoming chilly, we decided to head to The Daily Grind for coffee and something to soothe Ashley's sweet tooth.
Of course, they are only open past 6 on Troy Night Out.
However, we had passed a new Greek restaurant that had opened earlier in the week.
So, we ended up at The Greek House.
It was an unmitigated success. The space is cozy, they made coffee fresh for us, and Ashley said that the baklava was quite possibly the best she has ever had. The host was charming and it is a place that I am going to head to again to try things that I have never had before. (Greek food is something that I have had, but...not explored.)
Saturday
Saturday morning started early, with some reading and MSNBC. Then I headed downtown to the Troy Waterfront Farmers' Market, which is becoming a thing for me. I stopped by the Troy Bike Rescue table and picked up a new t-shirt. If you are not familiar with them, they are a great organization and worthy of your support.
After wandering around the Farmers' Market, I checked out what was going on at the River Street Arts' Festival. Mostly, I wanted to see the All Over Albany entry in the Chalk Art Contest.
While downtown, I saw a sign that made me smile and laugh.
After tooling around Downtown Troy, I headed to Albany for TEA's Little League Championship Game. TEA's team, sponsored by the Ancient Order of Hibernians, won their game 5-0 and with that, their league championship. TEA was nonchalant about it but...on any level, championships are rare. Really rare. I told him this, and I think it may be one of those things that he will understand when he is older.
After the game, and after TEA changed, TEA, Uncle Dan, and I went to do what I wanted to do for Father's Day (TEA had a social function on Sunday, so we changed our plans to Saturday afternoon, which was fortuitous.) which was to see The Green Lantern. Now, I am sure that you have read the reviews and such, or you have opinions regarding comic book movies, and this isn't the film for you. That's fine. I get it. It was a fun movie. It was a good way to waste time with an eight year old. There were some great character moments (including the one thing that I have always wanted to see in a superhero movie). No, it was not a great film, which makes the film theory snobs hate it, and it was not canon or in continuity, which makes the comic book geeks hate it, but...even though I share some of personality defects of both groups, I was abe to appreciate this for the mind candy that it was supposed to be.
After I light dinner, dropping TEA off, and having a beer, I was in bed and reading. It was a great day.
Sunday
After waking up early, and enjoying my breakfast, I decided to call my dad. I did not wake him, but I did catch him before his first cup of coffee. I called and texted my other friend celebrating the day, including a honorary father because he is the baddest "mo-fo" that I know, and ran some errands.
Talking with friends, including the awesome HJ (or should it be HP now) who shared some hilarious pictures from her weekend, made the errands go quickly and then I was able to start my Father's Day with what I wanted to do...
Sit in the sun, read speculative fiction, and drink copious amounts of cheap (yet ice cold) beer.
The sun was provided for me.
The book was Illium by Dan Simmons.
The beer was Pabst Blue Ribbon. (How many beers that you are drinking have a blue ribbon? Remember third grade? A blue ribbon is a sign of excellence. QED.)
I had a great day, and my skin is gently "sun kissed" (or burned) and I was smart enough to put a shirt back on before I ended up being red instead of pink.
I was in bed early, and up early, and I had an amazing dream (that I am still processing, and I do not know what it means) and I still have a smile on my face.
It was the best weekend I have had in a long time, and I am grateful for it: for my family, for my friends, and for being able to spend time with them.
Jon Stewart on Chris Wallace's Fox Sunday
Apart from the "You are insane!" which will be the lede where ever you see this reported on, it is a "not bad" interview.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
TEA is a Champion
AOH won their championship game yesterday and TEA played well.
Congratulations TEA, and remember to savor this. This is a rarity.
Congratulations TEA, and remember to savor this. This is a rarity.
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