TAKE TWO

Things I dislike: Fee Applications

2009-09-25T14:21:00.003-05:00

Sometimes I wish Kay Thompson was narrating my life, Eloise-style. I think I'd be in a good mood more consistently if I could scrape my skate key along the hallways of my office, pour a pitcher of water down the mail chute and have all my imaginings unfold before me outlined in red ink.

How is it possibly only Friday? Friday should have been three days ago.

Thought: "The Formation of Mental Objects"

2009-09-24T16:07:00.003-05:00

All dresses should be required to have pockets.

My neighborhood has been overrun by the UN General Assembly. It looks like a military junta has taken over and all I can say is thank goodness one in every 15 police officers is good looking. At least this way, when I'm fighting to walk to and from work, I can play infinite rounds of Spot the Hot Cop to distract myself from the diplomats and their aides who, frustratingly, have yet to master the art of brisk, determined, NYC-style pedestrianship.

Have been inspired to blog once again by Dooce.com -- if you haven't read her, you haven't really lived. In a completely hyperbolic sense. Clearly.

Urban creativity

2009-04-19T13:10:00.003-05:00

Almost-fuzzy guerilla art that's been "popping up" all over the city:

The Times has a sometimes graphic art blogger who has been posting some fabulous interpretations of life in New York on his column, Abstract City. His life in legos is particularly funny, and I find this picture particularly ticklish:

What-Ho, Jeeves!

2009-04-16T14:39:00.004-05:00

I've long endeavored to be a lively and fascinating person -- the type who by nature gets up to "assorted hi-jinks" and stumbles sideways into feats of derring-do. An enterprising character perfectly suited to P.G. Wodehouse novels, one who is a welcome guest at all parties guaranteed to relieve the monotony by regaling the crowd with wry and pithy tales of spirited adventure is the goal, I suppose. However, in this realm, like many others, I find that life too often gets in the way of living.

It's hard to cleverly disentangle one's self from amusingly sticky situations or to be a boffo sleuth in cracking unexpected conundrums when one does the usual daily work grind and the most interesting quandaries of one's life come in the form of deciding between pasta and sushi for dinner. Spending all day in an office leaves precious little time for tripping into chance predicaments or adding a dash of spice to a routine that has at some point worn a bit thin.

And while a little boredom can be a good thing--certainly better than being caught spying on foreign totalitarian regimes or fleeing modern day pirates (experiences that, though sound excitingly droll on the surface, are likely harrowing in a very non-Gilbert and Sullivan sense)--too much boredom is obviously a precursor to some sort of predatory malaise. Despite my best efforts, the myriad activities I over-scheduled myself with in March, though leaving me with practically no free time at all, were rather tame -- attending community organizing meetings was just a bit too, well, organized, and even volunteering at the Animal Shelter had a patina of desperate sadness to it. Besides, while unbelievably cute and cuddly, walking puppies does not exactly scream "Intrigue!"

Those worthwhile, yet decidedly docile extra-curriculars, coupled with my reticence to schedule activities in light of my impending bone marrow donation, have led me to conclude that I am not nearly far enough along in achieving my goal of becoming a Very Interesting And Much Sought-After Person. Ordinarily, I'd take it in stride and pledge to make better use of living in New York this summer than I have in years past (somewhat of an April ritual, if I'm going to be perfectly honest), but I've spent the winter reading remarkable works of fiction and non that have acutely highlighted my shortcomings. Not the least of them is the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, which in addition to being the most incredibly wonderful piece of literature I've possibly ever read, makes it seem so natural that average people can and do lead out-sized lives. I'm starting to think it's about attitude, rather than circumstance, and that I'm about due for an adjustment.

As such, here is an impromptu list of activities in which I would like to engage this summer with the hope that it will lead to Wooster-worthy exploits:

Paddle-boating in Central Park: Aside from catering to my affinity for boats and water, there is something rather mysteriously promising about this activity--maybe that with a very good imagination it could conjure up feelings of being Captain of one's own vessel.
Trip to the Bronx Zoo: A feast for the imagination! And what better place to encounter minor peril than a preserve of semi-dangerous animals and wholly-frightening reptiles. Certainly not for the faint-of-heart. Besides, camel rides are always a pleaser.
Going to as many (hopefully free or ridiculously cheap) concerts: New York is a music mecca and I, for one, have been woefully delinquent in exploring The Scene. No more! My horizons await expansion, and the Time Out and other New York Guide-like web pages are dutifully bookmarked.
Plan an expedition through Central Park: It's been far too many years since I've made any meaningful voyage into the depths of the great park's foliage and pathways. If memory serves, there is much to see--including marionette shows, NYC-style vistas and Summerstage, which would take care of Activity #3 as well.

A short list, to be sure, but one I will add to, and then hopefully cross off as time goes on. Adventure Awaits!

Snow Is Gone

2009-04-08T10:04:00.009-05:00

This week definitely falls into the category of "Best Week Ever" -- and it's only Wednesday! Here's why:

The incredible Rangers game Liz and I attended last night, where the Boys in Blue served up a ferocious second period to beat the Canadiens and hold on to the last playoff spot. And we spent the third period sitting in the most incredible seats (two rows behind the glass, near-center ice).
My first shift volunteering at Animal Haven, a no-kill shelter on Centre Street downtown. It's a great institution, with lots of room for the dogs and cats to play, and they train, vaccinate and spay/neuter all the animals that come through. I really lucked out--I got to walk the unbelievably (almost painfully) adorable puppies. I took them each out for a good long romp around the neighborhood--which was great excercise for both of us, but also excellent advertising for the shelter. Each dog wears an "adopt me" vest when they go out, so all the passers-by know they are available to take home. I know that I wanted to take all of them home with me. How could you not? This is Molly, an 8-month chihuahua mix:

Sunday night's Josh Ritter Concert at the Tarrytown Music Hall. Certainly the best concert EVER, by far (and I've been to some pretty damn good shows). My sister and I took Metro North up to Tarrytown (where Washington Irving wrote The Legend of Sleepy Hollow) and grabbed a fantastic Italian dinner and homemade ice cream before heading to the Hall. I've been wanting a Josh Ritter T-shirt for quite some time and was hoping to find one with the current tour's name or maybe this one that I've had my eye on for a while. Sadly, there were only two shirts on display; I immediately took a liking to one (the image from which is at left, it looks far better on the shirt) -- I'm always a fan of maritime art, and the Josh Ritter poster I currently have framed in my room is from the European tour and prominently boasts a similar ship, so I thought it would be nice to have a shirt with the same theme. I dished out the $25, proudly donned the shirt (easier than carrying it around the rest of the night) and excitedly awaited the start of the show. It wasn't until two hours later that I realized the shirt was from the opening act band, The Low Anthem. And before you say, well, duh, the band's name is right on the shirt, I purchased it before I even knew there was an opening act, much less the name of it. In all my excitement, I guess my mind just glossed over the fact that I didn't recognize the words "the low anthem" in connection with Josh Ritter. Oh, well.

The upside is that it's very cool looking, very comfortable, and I really liked the band. The lead singer, Ben Knox Miller, has an incredibly wide vocal range, on full display in the first four tracks (the link to listen is on the right) of their most recent album, Oh My God, Charlie Darwin (which is quite possibly one of the best album titles I've heard).

But while that was a funny moment that ended up being kinda cool, once Josh Ritter took the stage, this week's status as BWE was solidified. Josh skipped out and didn't stop smiling the whole way through. Every song was perfect, and sounded just as amazing live as on the albums. The audience was widely varied, but everyone, and I mean everyone, knew and loved the music, singing along and spontaneously jumping up to dance. I can't stop thinking about the energy and intense appreciation for such a musical genius that was strumming through the Music Hall. I think everyone there transcended as I did to a different plane, that place to which only the best music can transport you. I'm still riding high, and frantically checking for updates on his promised appearance at Summerstage in June. Everyone go listen to Josh Ritter. There are no words to fully capture his ability and talent, though many have tried.

Passover Perk

2009-04-08T09:23:00.003-05:00

The management at my firm just sent out this email with the subject line "Passover Perk":

Once again, the firm is kind enough to provide boxes of matzoh in each pantry on each floor. Matzoh will be available as of this evening and throughout the holiday. All boxes should be Kosher for Passover. Please keep in mind that quantities are limited and that many of your co-workers partake in keeping Passover.

I have to admit, I was somewhat disappointed. I was hoping the perk would be something like getting out of work early today, or at least some Kosher for Passover cookies. But Matzah? It's not like we're not all swimming in it already. I suppose I can appreciate the sentiment, however.

Sad to say, the Passover humor on YouTube is, well, as flat as a loaf of Matzah. But the Facebook Haggadah is pretty clever.

People Who Write and Talk Better Than I Do:

2008-11-19T22:09:00.002-05:00

Once again it's been ridiculously long since I last blogged and as a result I have 13 emails in my inbox of articles and videos, etc I sent myself as a reminder to blog about them when I had the time. Clearly this system needs improvement. Most of these things need no explanation, they're just worth checking out, particularly this adorable Times article about a 12 year old burgeoning food critic. It's one of those people stories I love. And I just want to give the kid a hug -- you can't look at the picture of him without wanting to pat him on the head and pinch his cheeks.

Dahlia Lithwick, Slate's resident awesome Supreme Court Reporter, has outdone herself with her recent report on the oral arguments presented last week in the somewhat odd free speech/ freedom of religion case concerning the quirky Summums in a righteous battle for equal "monumental" representation. The implications are interesting to say the least, and Lithwick's playful prose adds significantly to the enjoyment.

Also, I've been talking for a while about all the dastardly things Lame Duck Bush may get up to while everyone is (rightfully) distracted by the President Elect and his administration-building. Well, looks like the Times was paying attention as well (again, this is over a week old, but still very relevant); they scratched the surface of the likely and current goings-on, and will hopefully keep poking around.

And for the truly important thing: The frankly insulting and devastating passage of four anti-gay (anti-American, more like) ballot measures. First, it's important to note (though its been ably debunked by many already) that the increased black voter turnout is not what doomed Prop 8 to passage in California. As Nate Silver of my favorite site fivethirtyeight.com explains, it's really all the old fogeys' fault, and luckily were looking at inevitable and eventual success (though I'm the first to say that any success is long overdue). Dan Savage corroborates hilariously on Colbert:

Dan Savage also talked about the oft-overlooked Arkansas ballot measure, which strikes an egregious blow against the rights of a significant chunk, if not the majority, of adults in Arkansas and almost certainly spells disaster for the foster care system in the state. Savage explains it far better than I, but it's just flat out disgusting what millions of people voted in favor of this past election day. We're talking about people and families and love. I leave you with Keith Olbermann and his words of wisdom. Right on!

It's Done.

2008-11-07T13:13:00.002-05:00

I feel a little bit like Frodo at the end of Lord of the Rings, when he's finally cast the One Ring into the lava and destroyed the evil power that has taken over Middle Earth. Instead of elation, he feels spent and tired. Maybe it's just that I came down with a cold immediately following the election, but I think that I'd feel this way (just not as congested) if I were perfectly healthy. It's been a battle being a liberal surviving the Bush years. Trying my hardest not to give in to cynicism and hate for the uber-right, and maintaining hope that sanity and goodness will prevail was not easy, and admittedly at times I failed terribly. But now that the end is near, now that we're Frodo and Sam clambering back from the precipice, waiting for the rescue we initiated to be executed, and to be delivered back to good, it's time to collapse into our relief. It's time to take a few days or even weeks to recover, to learn what the new reality means for us and to recalibrate how we interact with the world, what we expect from it.

Everything, starting now and solidifying on January 20th, with be different. Everything. Not just that we have a black president (which is remarkable and fantastic enough), but that, as Judith Warner talks about in her recent post, we have someone who speaks to all of us, who values intelligence and curiosity, pragmasism and consideration, who believes in the goodness of people and that we are all of worth. He's the president we've wanted, we've craved for eight years. And now that he's here, the joyous celebration that I expected has not come. It is a quiet and desperate relief instead. It's the reaction of the team that's given all they've got and survived, wrung-out, and needs to collect itself for the next game. But all the same, as I've been saying since they called it:

These are my Days of Jubilee.

I cried.

2008-10-27T15:45:00.002-05:00

I'm not ashamed to say that I started to tear up, right here in the office, as I read (for the second time this year) the last paragraphs of Obama's speech, quoted in this particularly perceptive post on fivethirtyeight.com. Maybe it's because I'm searching for my own way to serve, or that just wrote a dvar torah for my meeting at Central tonight about connecting to others and working together to simultaneously make a better world and preserve our humanity, but I can't help but think, Obama gets it. He has more than intellect and judgement and ideas. He has heart, he has soul, and he is connected to others. He believes in being his brother's keeper (unlike a certain sibling in last week's Torah portion); he lives the line in Ephesians (a book in the New Testament that I've always liked): be subject to one another. He has a perceivable humanity, and rather than voting for him because I'd like to grab a beer together, I'm voting for him because I'd like to make the world a better place together. And I like that he asks me, each of us, to join him. So I cried in hope, I cried in anticipation. I cried in desperation to get started. I cried because I want to connect, and move forward--together.

Oui On Peut!

2008-10-21T21:03:00.002-05:00

Two of the stories in this past weekend's Metropolitan Diary capture exactly what I always dream New York can be (but so rarely is). In particular, I like the first story about the impromptu block party surrounding a couch being put out to pasture. I wonder if something similar would ever happen in my neighborhood... I somehow suspect not.

And in current events, Rolling Stone Magazine this week has a scarily illuminating article (co-written by RFK Jr.), Block the Vote, about the voter suppression that is apparently occurring across the country -- in a more widespread manner than in 2000 or 2004. Talk about voter fraud that is destroying the very fabric of our country's democracy. Similarly, Bob Herbert's column, The Real Scandal, lambasts McCain's efforts at scaring up controversy around ACORN when his own campaign is tainted (corroborated by Olbermann's wrly angry segment on his show Countdown, tonight).

Additionally, two Ivy-League finance/ econ professors have an Op-Ed in today's Times, This Bailout Doesn't Pay Dividends, about how the current bailout plan is far from strict enough when dealing with the recalcitrant banks that are benefitting. It really does make one wonder just how bad things have to get before we're able to pass a measure that has no loopholes, and gets the job done with sufficient, comprehensive oversight? We really need to get this right, and it looks like we're stumbling around, trying to clean up the messes inch by inch, debacle by debacle.

And now I leave you with this, your moment of Zen:

Smart Girls Have More Fun

2008-10-18T15:23:00.003-05:00

I think this is probably true because smart people can appreciate humor on multiple levels. (Spoken like a true smart person, if I do say so...) Amy Poehler has a new web-based show, Smart Girls at the Party, that celebrates girls being intelligent, constructive and confident. Scarily, this is probably one of the few reality-based shows that depicts girls as both having working brains AND being awesome people you want to hang out with. Is it too much to ask that this start a new trend? Since when is intelligent boring? Why is stupid, drunk and blindly promiscuous ratings-grabbing? I surely don't know.

So today I officially scheduled myself to sleep in and recharge. I haven't done so in ages, and seriously needed the rest. Of course, that meant that one of the four construction projects within a 1-block radius of my house decided that jackhammering at 7am this morning was a must. I was dumbfounded. Rudely awakened by mind-splitting noise at the crack of dawn on a Saturday is perhaps the most brutal thing to experience (in a non-combat sense). I was barely coherent, not at all awake, and yet incredulous. I hauled out of bed, with a fire in my eyes that could kill and stomped to the other bedroom on the other side of the apartment, whose window thankfully looks out away from the construction, thus dulling the noise. I managed to get in another couple hours of sleep but I had to have still been hearing the jackhammering because I woke up with a migraine. Not at all what I had been planning for this day of recuperation. I'm still in a residually foul mood, but it's been helped enormously by catching an airing of Bill Cosby's fantastic stand-up show in Canada circa 1981. The whole thing is sidesplitting, but his bit on the dentist is particularly irreverent:

My big plan for the rest of the day: Grocery Shopping. I have a recipe for chicken salad that I'm itching to try out. I seriously miss the culinary genius of Open City's chicken salad sandwich. Now I just have to get dressed. Groan.

F is for Friday

2008-10-17T13:10:00.003-05:00

A few days ago I wrote a particularly awesome post, but then the blogger system didn't work and said post (with excellent hyperlinking and all) was lost. Not even the back button could recover the precious work. But this explains, in part, the mini hiatus of the last two weeks.

Gawker has provided yet more proof of America's unassailable superiority and evidence that righteous jingoism is entirely justified. We are truly a country to be universally proud of. [Note that my sarcastic tone doesn't mean that I believe the opposite of what I just said, but rather that some national introspection might be called for before unilaterally and unqualified-ly labeling the US the single greatest nation on earth, with no need for progress or betterment.]

Also, because most of my posts of late have been distinctly political in nature, I felt it was time to comment on something less election related. Let's see how far I get: (cue musical effect of spinning a choices wheel a la Wheel of Fortune) tick, tick, tick... tick. Ah, the economy! Warren Buffet's contribution to the New York Times (ok, so I'm having trouble breaking out of set patterns) today has added to the growing urgency I feel to buy stocks. As Warren explains, now is the time to get great deals on the perennially stable companies with solid futures whose stocks are now going for something near book value (which my uncle explained to me as the amount of money a shareholder would be entitled to per stock should the company be forced to liquefy--distinctly gooey sounding).

I have a few good recommendations, which I am not going to share because I don't want to shoot myself in the foot by driving up prices -- except to say that my cubicle-mate spent most of last week shouting "Fertilizer, buddy, I'm telling you po-TASH!" I believe he is referring to a Saskatchewan-based chemical company that has been defying the current market trends. What I really ought to be doing right now is setting up an account with E-Trade. It seems distinctly less formal than getting on the horn with the likes of Charles Schwab, and in the current market environment, who wants to go through the trouble of getting all set up with a company that may need to get bailed out. Not that I've heard anything, but would it really be surprising at this point? Not to mention that I'm hardly a lucrative client. I highly doubt an account manager would get all excited over my 20 requested shares in anything. And despite my recent entry to the for-profit world, I have yet to substantially accumulate the benefits of my increased pay-grade.

This is likely due to all the donating I've been doing to various funds -- none of which I now discover are tax-deductible because they are all partisan. How ridiculous! I think I deserve a "Defending America's Liberty" tax credit because my dollars are going directly to combating the far right's strangle hold on Constitutional politics. If the government could keep those people on a leash, I could have given that money over to something unquestionably tax-deductible, like loosing money in the stock market.

I've gotten to the point where I am so embarrassed by my hideous picture on my work ID that I may go downstairs and beg them to re-take it. I look like a marm.

They Make It So Easy!

2008-10-09T22:30:00.002-05:00

1-2 page flyers to download that outline the basics of Obama's positions on a variety of issues. So brilliant!

So, of course talk turned to politics at the family dinner tonight, and I can't be more disturbed. One of my cousins is still deciding who to vote for. Clearly, those of you who know me know that I went berserk. Not only was it just 3 days ago that I was calling any undecided stupid for clearly not knowing what issues matter to them because anyone with a value system has to know the difference between the candidates and have found their man by now. But also because his big issue is that his taxes are too high. Well, sir, (to quote 1776) so are mine. But as Oliver Wendell Holmes said, "I like paying taxes. With them I buy civilization." How can you care more about that (especially when even after taxes you're earning more money than I can even dream of) when 45 million children in the US go hungry every year? When women are being denied access to reproductive health care, equal pay and recourse after being victimized by abuse and sexual assault? When our rights are being stripped right from under our feet? When his own cousin is not allowed to marry his lifelong partner? Who is this person? Where is his compassion? Where is his understanding that a McCain win is tantamount to the literal death of thousands who die from illegal abortions both at home and abroad? That his own family is directly affected by the social policies? Who is he? I cannot understand.

In other news, Americans are racist. Not just racism without racists (which may be the single biggest threat to Obama's win), but full out racism. Rally attendees hurled racist epithets at a black camera man and another shouted "kill him!" referring to Obama. That's just the beginning. Comments on you tube videos refer to shooting "rioting blacks" and "nappy hair." I feel like I've been punched. I know intellectually that racism exists, but to be confronted with such unapologetic, such unabashed, vitriolic hatred and ignorance is beyond appalling and nauseating. I don't know what to do with myself tonight. I find myself ashamed of too many Americans.

!

2008-10-08T08:53:00.002-05:00

I'm kind of in disbelief, to see justice served so rationally and methodically: Judge Orders 17 Detainees at Guantanamo Freed. Whether or not the defendants turn out to be terrorists, this is America, and I have been told that in America we have certain inalienable rights. It's nice to see them being put into practice.

When conundrums save the world

2008-10-03T12:31:00.004-05:00

As Kate (and other employees of the RAC) has already heard, I found $20 in the bathroom this morning, which sparked a philosophical quandry: Do I track down the unfortunate owner? Do I keep the money? Give the time of year, I was feeling particularly guilty about just pocketing the bill, but sending out an email to everyone on the floor (most of whom I have yet to -- and very likely never will -- meet) asking if they misplaced their money felt distincly embarassing and even less appealing than the guilt I would assuredly be carrying about. Then, Kate and Daphne to the rescue! Charity! That's the answer! So I added the $20 to the contributions I had been meaning to make for some months now, and just to make sure it actually happened, I used my down time at work to make the donations online. Now, women everywhere can rest a little easier because the mystery money is going to make them safer.

Clearly, I can't just leave it at that. I have to make a plug for my favorite foundations (and former coalition partners). So, here goes:

Planned Parenthood's Action Fund: responsible for nifty ads in the swing states that finally address how egregiously horrific a McCain/ Palin executive would be for the reproductive health of America. And we're not just talking about abortions (though they are, clearly, very important as a fundamental privacy right and health care option); we're talking about access to other reproductive health services like birth control, neo-natal care and comprehensive sex education. The Action Fund is also sponsoring a 1 million strong campaign and they're looking for volunteers to help them mobilize 1 million pro-choice voters. Very awesome stuff.

Jewish Women International: JWI is one of the most active anti-Violence Against Women (and primarily domestic violence) national organizations in the US. In addition to lobbying for better funding of a myriad of programs that provide services to survivors, help law enforcement combat violence and focus on eliminating violence in the first place, JWI helps to raise awareness about this all too often forgotten issue that affects far more people than you might think. Their Agents of Change campaign is aimed at getting voters to consider Violence Against Women issues when pulling the lever (or punching the chad) this November.

I encourage everyone to check out these fabulous organizations, and the many others that focus on the important issues behind the political idologies we espouse. These are the real things that affect real people (and as Biden said last night, John McCain ain't no maverick when it comes to the real stuff). Obama, on the other hand has a great plan.

Vote Obama/ Biden in '08!

News Clearinghouse

2008-09-21T21:50:00.005-05:00

Many are a few days old because I haven't gotten around to posting, so they've been sitting bookmarked on my computer. But, still great reads if you missed them, and though all political in nature, cover a variety of election sub-topics. Some are more infuriating than others, but seriously, it's no wonder I've been having election day-related nightmares.

No Laughing Matter: Judith Warner attends a McCain/ Palin rally and discovers there's much to be worried about.

Mississippi's Ballot Trick: some insanely insidious efforts by conservative power-players down south to brazenly fix an election.

The Palin-Whatshisname Ticket: What the choice of Palin says about the ticket, in a political theory sense.

Once Elected, Palin Hired Friends and Lashed Foes: Everything you need to know to know Palin.

Will Palin Get the Same Scrutiny Hilary Got?: Of course she won't. The people who "scrutinized" Hilary (and let's be clear again for the record, it was less scrutiny, and more downright hostile sexism) are the very people who are Palin's biggest supporters. The conservative talking heads are the most hypocritical vicious critics I've ever seen. I genuinely feel personally hated and disparaged.

Sigh. 44ish days to go.

Actually, THIS is the Must-Read

2008-09-05T23:22:00.002-05:00

An Open Letter to Governor Palin on Women's Rights by Lynn Paltrow, from the National Advocates for Pregnant Women. It makes a rare and compelling case. So worth the read.

A Must Read (yes, this too)

2008-09-05T23:08:00.002-05:00

Gloria Steinem's OpEd in the LA Times on Palin, politics, and women. I have to remember some of these lines to use in everyday conversations.

Status Update: Watching A Few Good Men. One of the best films ever made.

2008-09-04T22:59:00.002-05:00

Despite my efforts, I have simply not been able to watch the Republican Convention for more than a few seconds at a time. I admit it. I'm weak. I cannot stomach the hypocrisy, the lies and the belittling of all that I feel to be good and admirable about our country and the Democratic ticket. How dare they laugh at community organizing, as if people seeking to take an active role in their neighborhoods and local politics is anything other than exactly what this nation is supposed to be about and encourage among its people. How dare they!

They use and exploit, as well. This video is a so-called tribute to 9/11 (why one was necessary, I certainly don't know considering it wasn't an anniversary) as well as Keith Olberman's reaction to the film. I agree with his assessment; I'm so offended, not just as a New Yorker who knows firefighters who risked their lives and lost life-long friends on that day and who watched her hometown burn and be overwhelmingly traumatized, but as an American who cannot imagine the use of any horror to evoke and stir up fear. It's disgusting.

The Daily Show and the Colbert Report are still on a roll. Samantha Bee's bit tonight about the Republicans extolling Bristol Palin's personal family decision to keep her baby and getting them to see (slowly) what incompatibility that might have with the stated Republican platform is just brilliant and sadly not yet up online (granted, it just aired 45 minutes ago). Definitely worth checking out when it's up.

In other news, the cable/ internet people came yesterday to install a wireless router among other things. We made an interesting discovery. There seems to be some sort of metal in the walls around the bedrooms which blocks the wireless "waves" if you will. So, currently, no wireless in my bedroom where my desk is. This is problematic for several reasons. And, I'm fearing it is not easily fixed. A supervisor is scheduled to come on Saturday to assess. I'm crossing my fingers there is a simple solution that doesn't cost obscene amounts of money, like everything else in this city. Do you know that I paid $1.25 for a tomato the other day! And it was a small tomato. I am going to go broke simply by eating. What a sad state of affairs.

I Couldn't Have Said It Better Myself

2008-09-04T01:14:00.001-05:00

Judith Warner's Walking the Abortion Plank. The bit on the DNC platform is especially good.

We Can, We Will, and We Must

2008-08-29T23:42:00.003-05:00

The Democrats put on one hell of a show this week, and I for one, could not be prouder, more excited, or more inspired. The ghosts of lost elections passed delivered knock-out speeches and finally put to bed the looming attacks that marred their campaigns while simultaneously deconstructing McCain and putting forth Obama - Biden as the ticket to tomorrow. It looks like the Dems ate their Wheaties, and that Obama and his team have inspired not just the everyday Americans but the top dogs in the Party as well. And while I still have the churning ball of desperate fear burning bright in my stomach, I say to the GOP, "Bring It On!"

However, to MSNBC, CNN and most especially Fox News, I say "bite me." Not eloquent, but it's practically Shakespeare compared to their commentary and coverage of the Convention. After five minutes my family and I (and many others we've chatted with) were plainly fed up with the lackluster attention they paid to the actual goings-on and the commentary they provided which made me feel distinctly like they weren't listening at all to the speeches and were on the secret payrolls of the GOP. I nearly threw tomatoes at the TV. C-SPAN was clearly the way to go as they actually covered (wait for the shock) the convention! I'll eat my boots if someone can show me just one clip of decent coverage given by the other news networks.

Continuing with news coverage, like any good liberal family, we preferred to get our de-brief from Jon Stewart and friends, who wonderfully lambasted all the goings-on (though sadly did not pick up on some trickster's idea to play the song Addicted to Love immediately following Bill Clinton's speech--clearly top on the list of things I am both wildly sorry while also profoundly grateful that everyone neglected to cover). Tonight we watch Bill Maher's HBO show, Real Time, which was equally good and Maher made some particularly intelligent points, though I certainly did not agree with everything he said, and found a number of his comments on Sarah Whosiwhatsits (new VP candidate for the right) to be more sexist than aptly critical.

And speaking of Sarah Palin, I think my sister had the best point of the night when she responded to the debate over whether criticisms of her experience are valid when Tim Kaine, who was in the running for the Democratic VP slot, has also had only 1.5 years of gubernatorial experience by saying, essentially, that it's not that Pallin only has 1.5 years in office, but that she's an unknown, who had done nothing till now to be thrust into the national spotlight, unlike the Democratic contenders. Or as I would rephrase, when Kaine was floated, the country reacted by being interested to see how he would fare, and by debating the pros and cons; whereas when Palin was announced, even the most experienced Washington pundits were scratching their heads, reaching for the GOP Who's Who guide and a map, and asking bewilderedly, "Who? Who?!?"

Not to mention that she supports teaching creationism in schools, is staunchly anti abortion, and is a lifelong member of the NRA--a group that fights tooth and nail to make it as easy as humanly possible for crazies and criminals alike to obtain as many different kinds of guns as can be imagined by the manufacturers, including ones that rain bullets and no respectable hunter or sportsman would ever consider using. And as for abortion, at the end of the day, if you're interested in saving as many lives as possible, then know this: Before 1973, it was estimated that between 1.2 and 1.6 illegal abortions were performed each year (abortions were already legal in 17 states; the 1.6 number comes from extensive research my dad did in the St. Paul, MN library). Last year, the number was 1.4 (it has actually risen in the past few years, due, no doubt to the dubious sex education funded by Bush -- and don't be fooled by anti-abortion websites that claim upwards of 26 to 40 million abortions each year. That would be hard to achieve, seeing as only about 6 million women in America become pregnant each year) . It's exactly the same. Legality makes no difference, here. Where it does make a difference is in the number of women who die during the procedure. Before Roe, 7,000 women died every year from illegal procedures, in the vast majority of years after Roe, no women die from legally performed procedures. So if you're really looking to save lives, then I think the numbers are pretty clear.

In closing, I'd like to mention just how good Obama and Biden look together. They are so presidential, so visually strong and compelling. They're people I have confidence in AND would love to hang with. And while I'd rather this didn't factor into the way people vote, it's so cosmetic, I know it does and I can't help feeling very encouraged by their combined charisma. Especially in the face of a Republican ticket that resembles more an over-the-hill grandpa proudly introducing his daughter at the latest DAR debutante ball than serious contenders for high office.

This is one woman who, though desperately awaiting the glass ceiling being smashed once and for all, would much rather not have it be done by a woman seeking to snatch away not only my rights and freedoms, but every last drop of what it means to be truly American.

FAVORITE SOMEECARD EVERRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-08-01T17:13:00.001-05:00

I Emote Through someecards.com

2008-08-01T10:41:00.001-05:00

My Daily Ritual

2008-08-01T10:00:00.003-05:00

Sometimes I feel like my blog is a clearinghouse for interesting New York Times articles, but then again, when the one inviolate morning ritual is a perusal of the Times, it is inevitable that I will want to share the best and brightest writings of the week. Today I was moved to add Judith Warner's blog, Domestic Disturbances, to my blog roll (see at right), in hopes that some or all of you may wander over periodically to bear witness to her brilliance and insight. This would certainly save time in linking to her each and every time she writes something spot on. The camp article, which is her most recent, is intriguing, but scroll down to her July 17th post, Trust Buster, on John McCain and women.

Other great articles from this week include:

Tom Friedman's Op-Ed, Drilling in Afghanistan

Salon.com's Broadsheet (not the Times!) on Obama and Late Term Abortion. This one is particularly worthy as it addresses Obama's very concerning comments on reproductive rights and politicking that is frankly offensive and giving pause to many a woman this election season, myself included. Bottom line: don't gamble my life and my rights to score political points. It's repellant.

This week's office favortie on YouTube:

The Other Side of DC

2008-07-27T08:54:00.002-05:00

I saw two people get arrested last night! Actually, Kate, Joanna, and I walked in as the nab was in progress but there was definite patting-down going on and the possibility of mini-pursuit and tussle (we couldn't really see that part that well). We were getting on the Metro at Dupont, and as we glided down the escalator, a cop cuffing one of the two suspects came into view (cue my very lady-like exclamation: "Oh my!"). Standing next to them was a somewhat disgruntled, somewhat nonplussed man who I can only assume was waiting hopefully for the return of his property (I'm guessing a wallet, but that is pure speculation).

Then, as we we descended the second escalator to the platform, a veritable parade of cops escorted a second suspect up the other escalator (hence our obstructed view) to a round of applause from fellow commuters. Sadly, a polite inquiry as to what happened yielded no information--that woman was downright unfriendly and unhelpful--but Kate used her always handy camera phone to document as best she could. She should be blogging with photographic evidence forthwith.

Definitely an exciting night.

Rendered Speechless

2008-07-24T09:57:00.003-05:00

Quite possibly the most fascinatingly bizarre incident of the past week is chronicled in this Washington Post article about a recent hearing on the Hill regarding the military's Dont Ask, Don't Tell policy. Amazingly, one of the witnesses who advocates ousting all non-standard issue heterosexuals from the military really put her foot in it by saying exactly what she thinks on the issue. I guess hearing it said out loud finally exposes to everyone just how absurd their position is. Truly unbelieveable that people think this way. I'm still sputtering.

This witness claims that gays and lesbians would create an immoral, sexualized atmosphere in the military--but many have been serving in the military (though not openly) without such detrimental effects. And clearly this woman has never spent time with any gays or lesbians because then she would know she's just plain wrong. All groups of people have spectrums of sexual preferences, but no one group is significantly randier than any other. Not to mention that heterosexual people commit vast quantities of sexual violence, should we ban all heterosexuals from the military just in case they will add a sexually charged tone? I think the witness would say no. What an idiot.

Maureen Dowd's column on Barak Obama vs. John McCain is also entertaining and illuminating. But I'm still P.O.'s at Obama for callously sacrificing his strong stance on reproductive justice in a bid to win centrist votes. What a stupid move--the left (and much fo the center) are spitting mad, and the people he's attempting to woo are far more right of center than he obviously thinks and most of them don't actually consider banning abortion their top focus.

We've come so far?

2008-07-17T17:31:00.002-05:00

More than anything else, this video just made me smile and reminisce:

He's pretty good, isn't he?

Today I went with Joanna to see Al Gore speak and announce his challenge to America--to get 100% of its energy from renewable resources within ten years. It was a great speech (no robots in sight), and made a lot of sense. At the end of the day, why be wasteful and pollutive if you don't have to be? Why stick to an antequated form of energy when better, newer, more efficient sources are being made available for less money? We used to be the captains of industry, the pioneers of innovation--and now Americans are running scared from being the vanguards of energy reform. What happened? Where's the adventurous American spirit? And where's the pragmatism that says high oil prices are here to stay, so let's find an actual long-term solution.

In other news, I haven't been blogging much for the simple reason that my laptop totally bombed out on me. The harddrive went kaput, so there was a major rescue operation enacted at the Apple store last weekend and I am due to pick up the (hopefully) repaired machine this Saturday. Here's hoping all has gone well.

The Happiest 4 Minutes in the World

2008-07-08T06:42:00.004-05:00

I found this video off a New York Times article chronicling this new YouTube phenomenon. The article helps put the video in context (a very cool context at that), so maybe read, then watch. You won't regret it. The music is fabulous, too.

Back from my whirlwind 10-day trip. Washington State is incredibly beautiful and if I ever have kids, they're going to camp Kalsman. Facebook has photos, but here's a look at the new Seattle fashions, I was thinking of maybe getting some for myself:

and my favorite--I have a dress that would be perfect with these!

fun time had by all.

Please, Make Your Kid Stop!

2008-06-21T20:22:00.003-05:00

One of the OpEds that ran in today's Times was a wonderfully personal insight into what is happening in flood-ravaged towns in the Midwest. Particularly interesting is that it is written by a local contractor who must have simply taken the time to write down his thoughts and impression -- and in doing so gave the rest of the country, and even the world, a remarkably clear window into his experience. This man should consider a second career in short stories.

In other news, Huzzah! Kate returned with me today to the pottery painting place, so my great fear earlier this week has, thankfully, not been actualized. In fact, we each painted three pieces all of which I fully expect to be placed on the "Wall of Fame" -- except my rice bowl which inadvertently ended up looking like an interpretation of Dante's Inferno. No joke, totally accidental. Maybe that one gets gifted.

Unfortunately, our long stay subjected us to some of the most annoying children walking the planet today. I really don't understand how parents can put up with such annoying behaviors, let alone lack the courtesy to allow it to continue and disturb every other person in a 30 mile radius (which, I swear, is how far this one girl's horrid voice carried). Please parents, for the love of God, have mercy on us all! Kate and I are seriously considering authoring a book--an Emily's Post Guide of sorts on how to remember that you and your children are not the only beings walking the earth. We'll title it: You're Child Is A Brat: Things That Others Want To Tell You But Are Too Polite--So We Will. It may be difficult to entirely fit on a cover, but the whole sentiment is important, I think.

My time of day is the (almost) night time of day

2008-06-17T19:08:00.004-05:00

My favorite time of day is the hour before sunset. The light becomes golden, the shadows turn warm, and there is often a friendly breeze swirling the air. I can easily imagine myself swinging gently in a hammock on a porch as the trees sway happily nearby, their bark still warm from the lingering sun. I'm holding a cup of tea as I look up from my book to catch the first tinges of pink creeping into the blue sky. Magic things happen in this time.

As I walked home today, enjoying the glorious pre-sunset weather, a woman stopped me on U street and asked me to look at the back side of this young guy who had just passed by--an unusual request to be sure. But she was so astonished by just how low he was wearing his shorts (completely under his butt) that she had to share the sight with someone--anyone!--and I was the closest at hand. I had to agree with her, these kids these days--what on earth are they thinking? Besides, if you're going to let it all hang out like that, at least pick a more interesting pair of underwear than plain maroon. Even plaid would be more exciting.

OK, so you're no Jackson Pollock

2008-06-16T20:35:00.006-05:00

I think Kate is going to flake out on me and our new hobby. Don't you? Here she is during her second attempt at making a grand masterpiece out of the post-it holder:

And here she is after deciding that said second attempt is not nearly good enough. (Evidence of her gusto in painting is clearly visible on her lovely shirt--a more beleaguered Kate I have yet to see.)

I'm all for being a perfectionist (as anyone who knows me knows), but I am fearful that Kate's pursuit of the do-it-yourself that looks distinctly un-done-by-yourself is going to frustrate her right into never coming again. And then I will be stuck being one of the quirky ladies who comes into the shop and sits by herself for hours fanatically painting teapots with an aim to rival Sevres. I need friends to make me look sane! There's social-safety in numbers! Please, Kate, I beg of you--do not give up the hobby! What else are you going to do!?! Philately???

Smart Women Heart Obama

2008-06-16T20:08:00.005-05:00

Frank Rich's column yesterday, Angry Women Heart McCain, laughingly challenges the claims being bandied about the airwaves that Hillary-supporting women will be so angry over their loss that they will turn to McCain instead of Obama. Sure, if they're stupid. But as Rich points out, most women are not and most women know that McCain is just plain anti-woman--especially when it comes to issues of reproductive justice. No way are democratic women going to almost literally shoot themselves in the foot (really, they'd be aiming at a place about 2.5 feet higher) this November. I'd be the first to admit, even complain as I did a couple days ago, that women have been woefully inept at exercising political power, but I can hardly believe that when it comes time to pull the lever, mass droves of Hillary supporters would pick that torture victim who voted for torture over the man who was endorsed by NARAL even before Hillary was out of the race. They may be frustrated, but not stupid.

Here's a shirt I like

Far From Victory

2008-06-13T12:09:00.003-05:00

Now that Hillary Clinton has endorsed Barack Obama and the Democrats have solidified the top slot on their November ticket, much attention is finally being paid to Clinton's treatment as a female on the presidential campaign trail. The verdict of all this scrutiny is, appropriately, a condemnation of both the American media and the American people.

Judith Warner, a consistently insightful guest columnist at the New York Times, blogged last week in “Women in Charge, Women Who Charge” that Clinton's candidacy brought into stark relief the pervasive discrimination and hatred aimed at women today that far too often goes unchecked. As many observers, including Katie Couric, note, had Obama faced the racial equivalents of the heckling and mocking protests Clinton endured, this country would have been outraged and ashamed and launched into cathartic introspection.

Sexism is alive and well in America. It permeates every part of society, and what we see in the media is only a reflection of what occurs daily. Not only in harassment in the workplace (which was made more difficult to combat by a November 2006 6th Circuit Court decision) or violence aimed at women (one out of every five women in the U.S. has been raped), but also in the words and images we allow women to be referred to by and the burden we disproportionately place on our girls to maintain their chastity.

For years, there have been those who have claimed victory in the feminist fight for equality. And though we have clearly made great strides, there is something deeper that remains elusive. The attitudes that prevail, the constricting societal classifications of what it means to be female, and the passive acceptance of discriminatory words and actions are all poisonous roadblocks in women’s quest for full actualization and equal status. That we sat on our couches and watched disgusting media attacks on Clinton that were deeply personal and far removed from any campaign saliency without instinctively jumping up to call the news networks in indignant fury makes us all culpable.

Women are the majority of the population and of the vote, but it seems we are behaving like an incidental minority, asking, “Please, sir, may I have some more?”

Are women held hostage by the ever-increasing objectification of them by society? By the burden that comes with the joy of being the gender that gives birth? Or by the legacy of millennia of stark divisions of labor? Can we break through the tough patina of the status quo? Representative Carolyn Maloney’s new book, Rumors of Our Progress Have Been Greatly Exaggerated, addresses just how far women have left to go before we can truly declare victory and why this is a fight that is not only imperative for women and society today, but for the substantive quality of life for our daughters as well.

Now that Clinton is available fodder no more, the media is gearing up for an anticipated flurry of attacks on Michelle Obama. We all must demand of our leaders and of ourselves intolerance for misogyny wherever it may arise, and particularly in the unrepentant media. If we do not actively confront it, what are we inadvertently condoning and even encouraging? What are we saying to our women and to our daughters?

What are we saying to ourselves?

Hello Dolly, It's so nice to have you back where you belong

2008-06-11T23:21:00.002-05:00

I've decided that it's time for me to resurrect the blog. It's been two years and my inner muse is itching to break free. I wonder also if it might have something to do with the onset of summer.

The only hitch is figuring out what to write about. Clearly some cross posting of my work blog entries will happen, but with the inclusion of partisan rantings, election-related diatribes and inappropriate commentary. I'm looking forward to it.

Now that Clinton has endorsed Obama and the Dems have a lone candidate, it is time to crank up my own political machine. I've been searching for great Obama paraphernalia, but I have yet to find the one T-shirt that is hip enough for me, but inspiring enough that merely by walking the streets of DC sporting such striking attire will motivate others to vote Blue come November. I really do have such high ambitions for my politically-motivated attire. Ideas are welcome.

I've already begun to plan an election night party, complete with Obama cookies, themed decorations and perhaps Illinois foods (if I can find any that won't immediately result in a coronary). This is going to be the event of the year if I have anything to say about it. New York friends, mark your calendars!

If you're mourning the loss of Hillary Clinton, my condolences. Here's a speech of his that may help you feel better about getting behind the presumptive nominee.

Meanwhile, I am mourning the 4 month wait until new episodes of Bones. I'm not sure I'm going to survive with all my present sanity intact. I'm thinking of attempting to get my fix by reading the books the show is based on. I am that desperate, not that I don't already have several books waiting on my nightstand. Over-achievement and procrastinating don't mix as well as I originally thought.

Free-Pizza Friday

2006-08-04T12:17:00.000-05:00

It is a statistical inevitability that when you are experiencing famine-degree hunger (when your stomach is so empty, the sloshing of your digestive juices echoes), you stuff yourself voraciously when the food finally arrives. In anticipation of a conference call, The Powers That Be generously offered to cover lunch. At the point when over-the-cubicle-wall banter about what may possibly have happened to the delivery man to cause such a horrid delay was reaching deafening levels and everyone was staring at their hands, contemplating which finger to gnaw on to stave off death, the pizza finally arrived. We all descended on the pies like wolves at a hunt and proceeded to stuff our faces silly. The kind of lightning-fast food shovel where in under thirty seconds you've managed to eat two whole slices with a combined topping count of 87 and total calorie count of "don't even bother, you can't process it all." Inevitably, you end up with a bowling ball of cheese and grease that sits in your belly like old police informants would sit in the East River after being given a pair of concrete shoes by their mob relatives. The result is almost as painful as the bone-jarring hunger and is infinitely more difficult to rid yourself of.

This is the curse of the Free-Pizza Friday.

Le Salle de Bain

2006-08-02T15:33:00.000-05:00

So, the interesting thing about public bathrooms that you frequent is that you always end up with a favorite stall. At work, I absolutely have one. The toilet is not too high (which mercifully means that your feet don't dangle as they do in the middle stall) nor too low (which always makes you feel like the early growth spurt kid in the pre-K class who has to move the step-stool to the side--not that I was ever that kid, just heard stories). I've gotten used to the wider-than normal gap between the door and the frame and have discovered its usefulness for determining the identity of those who walk in after me--it's always supremely important to know who else is in the bathroom with you. I've used MY stall about 99% of the time, and those who know me KNOW that that must add up to a considerable number of uses--clearly I have gotten comfortable with the familiar.

As such, it's always so jarring to walk into the loo and find MY stall occupied by someone else. It's all I can do to not stand paralyzed with consternation in front of the stall door--which, in light of the aforementioned gap between door and frame, would be extremely rude bordering on the voyeuristic. Then I am forced to use one of the other stalls where the toilets are unnecessarily high and feel far less comfortable than my usual one. I hate being in the middle, it's like having surround-sound of people peeing which is never good and intrudes too much upon the mystery I like to maintain between me, my co-workers and those other people on the other side of the floor. The handicapped stall is entirely too big--I keep expecting an echo of every sound I make: ripping toilet paper reverberating off the tile walls, the flush creating such sonic vibrtions that I'm litterally jarred out of the stall. Besides, nobody wants to be the dunce that keeps the handicapped person waiting when they have to urinate. They have enough hardships as it is, don't need to add worrying about pants-wetting to the mix.

I've even considered adding homey decorations to my stall--why not? The middle one has an old no smoking sign in it (ironically the paper is all brown suggesting that bathroom visitors have not been heeding it's declaration). I say my stall deserves at least a reminder to flush and wipe the seat.

Speaking of, I cannot fathom why it happens--with alarming frequency--that you walk into a public stall to find pee all over the seat. First off, the toilet hole is quite large, HOW DO YOU MISS? Second, on the offchance that there is some alcohol, cannibis or other behavior-impairing substance in your system, and you do end up dribbling on the seat, have the good sense to wipe it off! You have to turn around and face the toilet to flush anyway, clearly you must see whatever residue you have left behind. Who on this earth looks at the toilet seat, sees evidence of their recent bathroom activities and decides to leave it there as a special gift for the stall's next occupant? My favorite is when they know there's a line and that they will inevitably come face to face with said next occupant as they leave the stall. Every woman knows that proper busy-bathroom ettiquette includes swiftly moving toward the stall that is soon to be vacated--as soon as you see the door start to swing open, you make a bee-line for it--getting in faster means getting out faster which means the next poor victim of male-bathroom architects will be able to relieve herself all the more swiftly. But this ineveitably results in brushing by the former stall occupant. Those women who look you in the eye as they exit, despite knowing they have left a puddle on the seat for YOU to clean up, are just sick, twisted and more than a little vindictive. Honestly, if there's a BETTER reason for washing your hands at the end of your loo experience, I have yet to find it.

Toilet-Seat Pee-ers, beware. Next time I walk into a stall to find it more than a little damp I am going to turn right around and hunt down the offending woman--no matter how badly I need to make use of the necessary myself.

The people and their dictators... how to turn oppression into uprising?

2006-08-02T10:26:00.000-05:00

I am just apoplectic with glee at the prospect of having Tom Friedman for a professor. His columns ooze with more than erudition, more than perception, but just complete understanding and almost clairvoyance regarding world politics, economies and other socio-behavioral systems. Today's NYTimes column is about the ineffectual Bush policy toward Iran and North Korea, and why it's failing:

"Have no doubt, I think both are awful, abusive regimes that are driving their respective countries into a ditch. The Bush team is right to want them to disappear and to try to find ways to bring pressure to bear. But the Soviet Union was just as awful and abusive. Yet we engaged in “détente” with Moscow, because the thrust of U.S. policy in the Cold War was to reduce the Soviets’ ability to threaten us — through deterrence and arms control agreements — and then let the information revolution and popular disgruntlement destroy the Soviet Union from within.
What was good for the Soviet Union is good for North Korea and Iran."

I am just going to be so smart at the end of next semester. He's absolutely right in saying that change must come from within, that the people have to actually want it, and understand what they are fighting for, because then they'll be emotionally tied to the prospect of a new government. Fighting for something you are told is good for you has far weaker bonds.

I am desperately trying to write a dress code for this training manual and am failing miserably. I can be funny sometimes, but it's just not happening here, and in a dress code it's important to approach the subject with grace and humor (and not how my high school principal did it, with an authoritarian streak that Machiavelli would have felt threatened by). Ideas?

Frozen Airborne Pigs in the Underworld

2006-07-31T13:56:00.000-05:00

OK, strangely enough I have this one line from the commercials for "Accepted" stuck in my head. Accepted is the new movie with the kid from "Ed" and the Mac commmercials where they make up their own university because they didn't get into any of the ones they applied to. Anyway, the point is, there is one scene where one of the kids, not the lead guy, is in a hot dog costume (clearly handing out flyers for a stand or some such) and is leaning over, with his hand about knee-level, wiggling his fingers, as he says in the BEST VOICE EVER: "Ask me about my weiner!" It's just priceless how it's in this low almost, pig-call voice, where it goes up at the end. Ah, classic! That line alone is tempting me to go see the movie. I just crack up every time.

Had a fiasco attempt at getting to workt his morning. To keep a VERY long story short, my morning commute included all of the following (and then some):

1. 15 minute wait for a train that never came, forcing me to take a...

2. non-airconditioned train on the wrong line that...

3. let me out on 8th ave--miles away from the office, resulting in my...

4. being late

Not fun. It took me a half hour to cool down in an office where you usually need an ice pick to de-freeze me from my chair. Bah Humbug!

Just wrote in a recent email to Jen: "Hell is clearly freezing over, pigs are soon to fly." I like it!

I'm sorry, do we work?

2006-07-26T15:40:00.000-05:00

One of my most favorite comedic lines is, and will always be, that line from friends where Phoebe is talking about Monica's hypocrisy and says "Hello, Kettle? This is Monica. You're black!" See, I'm laughing uncontrollably AS I write it. Just classic. It's almost too bad it's so famous, because it would just be so so good to use it in normal conversation.

So far today I have had an email conversation of immense proportions with both Rachel and Jen. We talked about everything from the Pawtuckett AAA team to what on earth we're going to do with ourselves post-college to growing cells and weird people who live in a totally different universe.

So weird that the summer is almost over. Have far too much to do, nothing on my list has been crossed off:

Get a tan. ---That would be a no.
Go to the beach. ---Nope, no sand between the toes as of yet.
Hang out in Central Park and enjoy the sunshine. ---What sunshine? What is that? All I know are flourescent lights.
Go to a Yankee game. ---Negative, have been cheering the boys on from home.
Start my thesis proposal. ---ha!
Play a sport for fun. ---almost suceeded there, but Annie and I fell asleep on the couch instead. Classic.

There's much more, but I can't remember it all.

Why I Will Absolutely Be Seeing Clerks II This Weekend:

2006-07-21T12:57:00.000-05:00

From the end of a review:

Parental Advisory: Where to start. ... This movie contains George Carlin's seven dirty words strung together in every imaginable combination, vivid talk about controversial sexual positions, vivid talk about sex with minors, racial epithets, food tampering, dozens of blasphemies, scenes with strong allusions to bestiality and a bunch of other stuff we're probably forgetting.

You're a Good (Wo)Man, Charlie Brown

2006-07-21T11:22:00.000-05:00

So, today has been an interesting day.

First, I played the good samaritan and called 311 when I saw this HUGE pile of garbage that had obviously spilled out of at least two different hefty black garbage bags and was now lying on the corner of 52nd and 1st. The heap of congealed vegetables and strings of turkey meat and other indistinguishable food left-overs promised to start smelling foully soon and was taking up a good portion of the sidewalk. So I called the city and filed a report, good New Yorker that I am.

Second, on the train to work I ended up having a very amiable, almost too friendly, chat with another commuter about the heat and the week's weather. The whole time I had a Shalom Sesame song stuck in my head where the muppet characters want to talk to each other but they're embarrassed, so the guy decides to break the ice by talking about the heat: "Cain cham meod, it sure is hot!" SO cute. If you haven't seen it, come over and I'll play it for you. Adorable.

Third, I've spent almost the last hour talking to a staff assistant at the Virginia office (he and I frequently chat via instant messenger and have bonded over baseball and a dislike of the Red Sox) about the situation in Israel. It's nice to just talk it all out and hear other people's arguments, especially when they're in line with one's own views and provide other ways to make the point. It's so amazing how many angles you can take, and still come out with the same answer: terrorism has no place in the world.

Interesting to note, and absolutely pertinent given the above: Instant Messaging was invented by Israelis (along with cell phones, centrino technology, and a whole host of other important everyday things). Imagine not having that kind of innovation. I can't.

Speaking of the current crisis/ war; if you haven't yet read the Opinion page of today's New York Times, you absolutely must. I'll probably send out an email with the text included b/c they're Times Select articles, but if you don't get that email and want to read them, just ask me and I'll send it right over. Very very important to read Koeppel's and Friedman's articles.

Saw Lady in the Water last night, I really liked it. Found it to be very entertaining, and definitely deep, though the later is still percolating. It's absolutely one of those movies where you have to let it sit for a while, ruminate and relive and all that. It's different from all of his past movies, and yet retains the same style and nuances. Sam said that it is by far Shyamalan's most personal work and I would agree. Besides, any movie with Bill Irwin and Bob Balaban is an instant success with me. I'm easy to please in that way.

You'll Never Walk Alone

2006-07-20T11:11:00.000-05:00

Bill Simmons is still my New Best Friend and has solidified his position there with his most recent column chronicling his search for an English Premeir League (soccer/football) team to support. Aside from being fantastically written and accessible to sports fans with varying degrees of soccer-knowledge, it's absolutely inspiring. Throughout reading the article (which can be found on ESPN.com Page 2) I kept wondering why on earth I don't watch more soccer. The biggest reason is that we simply don't get a channel that airs soccer, so my watching would be damned near impossible. But I'm definitely thinking that more trips to Mr. Dennehy's are in order--I'm assuming that as an authentic Irish pub, they show games.

Reading Simmons' fantastic breakdown of the British teams, I have to say that I absolutely agree with him that English football has something that American sports are severely lacking for the most part: spirit. And not just "my team is awesome" assertions in everyday conversation, but real face-paint wearing, top-of-your-lungs screaming, team-song singing, bust-a-vein fan revelry. Case in point: Liverpool. I've heard before how fantastically committed and downright crazy those fans are, but watching YouTube clips of a sea of red-clad fans belting out You'll Never Walk Alone gives new appreciation to the kind of energy fans can supply. And that's just during regular season games-- the enthusiam increases many-fold when playoffs are in full swing.

While Yankee fans are certainly better than most in American sports, even we have much to learn from our British counterparts. The bleacher-creatures do an admirable job with their team salutes at the beginning of every game, and when there's 2 outs in the 9th and were just one strike away from winning the game, there is certainly an acceptable amount of noise--helped along by "Freddie Sez" Shulman and his clanging pot. However I say more energy! Next time I go to a game, I'm busting out the face paint. Obviously something to be introduced to the Stadium slowly so that it catches on like a good idea and I'm not seen as that weirdo girl with the crayon on her face. However, when at the Giants game oh-so-many years ago, painting a huge "G" on my cheek earned me a couple seconds of air-time on the Jumbo-tron and, apparantly, national television, so clearly someone out there thinks it's a good idea. Watch out, Dave Seid, I may be painting your face as well.

In other news, I'm seeing Lady In The Water tonight. The ads for it always throw me because the face in the center (the blue-tinted androgynous one) which actually belongs to Bryce Dallas Howard looks exactly like Elijah Wood. So bizzare. I read an article which, along with zinging M. Night Shyamalan (or however you spell his name) for his king-size ego, suggests that this film may be far different from his past cinematic ventures. Also notable is that he split with Disney because he was insistent on casting himself as an author who's story ends up changing the world. Hmmm, maybe there IS something to this super-inflated ego rumor.

Anyway, I really have liked his past movies (though didn't see the Village, which was widely panned) so even though I'm somewhat apprehensive about this one, it's absolutely worth seeing based on previous experience. Plus, I'm meeting my mom for dinner beforehand which means I don't have to buy my own. Always a plus, particularly on my budget.

Have "Wake Me Up When September Ends" by Green Day stuck in my head. Not a bad song to have revolving around. And, as always, Suite: Judy Blue Eyes.

Ani Ohevet Haifa

2006-07-20T08:52:00.000-05:00

I just got an email from my friend, Jess, whom I met in Haifa in the fall
(I absolutely adore her). She spent the whole year in Haifa and is actually
still there (for just another week) and sent out a description of what living
there now is like:

Anyways, some of you asked what life in Haifa is like now, and well, it's quiet; I haven't been outside, like really outside for a walk or to a park and *definitely* not to a beach in five days. Instead, I've been in and out of the bomb shelter at my friend's in mid-town or at my boyfriend's up-town when the air raid siren goes off, and I met all of the neighbors, which I suppose would be really nice in other circumstances, like, say, if people weren't launching rockets at us.

If you know anything about the topography of Haifa, you'll know that the entire city is built on a mountain, with neighborhoods on every level. However, what most people don't know is the further up the mountain the better off (socio-economically) the residents are, and that most of the rockets are hitting the lower levels of the mountain and outlying areas, which means that the people getting rockets shot at them every hour are generally not very well off, and having giant holes blown in their houses probably isn't helping the situation.

Now, Haifa is not like Beirut, what with neighborhoods flattened to the ground/no longer existing and stuff, but it's a ghost town. No one is at the beach (though I wouldn't be able to verify that) because rockets land in the sea and nearby. No one is at the malls or the movie theatres because it's hard to hear the air raid siren from inside and also most of the malls and movie theatres are in direct line of fire.

Only essential services are open, which means the stores and restaurants and pools and markets are essentially closed. There are very few cars on the street. No one is playing in the park, and people are generally staying inside with their families. A lot of people have fled south to Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, Jerusalem being the wiser choice because Tel Aviv is actually reachable by Hezbollah rockets (theIsraeli Air Force deflected one en route to Tel Aviv a few days ago, but people are still going to Tel Aviv en masse).

If I tell you that this is SO SO unlike Haifa, it would be a complete understatement. It was always a busy, beautiful city, with people outside going to restaurants, bars, the mall at all hours. It's such a social city, with the shuk in Hadar brimming with people, even on the days were the produce was freshest and therefore most expensive. I can barely imagine the
streets being so empty, or the Grand Kanyon mall without hordes of men crowded around big screen tv's showing the Maccabi Haifa matches. It's also so depressing to think of what
this is doing to the Haifa and Israeli economies. With everything closed and the reserves called up, the country must be at a standstill. Is it bizzare that all I want to do is go back?

Darth Vader Musical

2006-07-19T15:59:00.000-05:00

http://youtube.com/watch?v=M_NALyl9Sr4&search=darth%20vader%3A%20the%20musical

What else is there to say?

Oh What a Night!

2006-07-19T15:03:00.000-05:00

Did anyone else catch last night's Yankee game? I think the NYTimes said it best when it described the game as going from mundane to wild to weird. For those of you who didn't catch it, we were down 4-2 in the 9th as it began to thunder storm. But we stuck in there, and came up with a huge rally to tie it. Thank you Andy Phillips (who looks eerily similar to my boss) who hussled out a double--and when it's Ichiro fielding the ball, that's no easy feat--and was driven in by the guy who pinch hit for Nick Green (name escapes me). Bubba (my darling!) who pinch ran for nameless player made it to 2nd on a wild pitch and then to home on a sac fly by Damon to tie the score. A-Rod was up, but then the sky really opened up so they called a rain delay with A-Rod 3-1 in his at-bat. So insane! Unfortunately I fell asleep during the Paul O'Neil Yankeeography (which I'd seen before) that they play during all rain delays so I didn't get to see the fantastic ending. But, after a 2 hour delay, Cabrera hit a walk off homer in the 11th to seal the deal. I'll bet Torre really enjoyed his birthday.

In other news I have been ferociously working all day on a project that I really care about. SO awesome to feel productive, useful and all the rest. I've even been writing some survey questions (which may or may not make it into the final cut, but I'm writing and doing something that most interns don't work on). Solid.

For those of you who have been actively searching on my behalf since my first blog post, I found and ordered a pair of wellies so that's done. I'm very excited and hope to hell they fit. I'm always wary of ordering clothes from a catalogue because they inevitably don't fit and in the weirdest places, too. Bah.

In other news, the weather at 9am was lovely. I hope it stays.

A Case of the Mondays

2006-07-18T09:34:00.000-05:00

It's 10:30am and I'm already eating my lunch. The office is nearly empty and solitaire is not going well. My eyes are already bugging out and refusing to focus (though with my trusty new glasses, we're putting off the point where they go completely kaput for a bit longer).

After work today, I'm meeting my dad for a drink at our pub, Mr. Dennehy's. I really like that I can say that now. I'm meeting my dad for a drink. It sounds so adult, so very mature. It's almost weird, almost.

The problem with packing your own lunch is that no matter how hard you try, or how good the ingredients are, there's always a better version on sale "downstairs" for $7.95. I also never pack enough, so I end up being hungry again very quickly and have to go buy something, which thus defeats the purpose of packing one's own lunch. I suppose this could all be easily remedied by bringing along carrot sticks, a piece of fruit, some yogurt, but really I am far too lazy. Doesn't speak well of my personality at all, but there it is.

In other news, I love how this Bush microphone gaffe is being treated as an actual story, rather than just a funny incident that makes the G8 summit, thankfully, have a humorous side. They're asking Blair and Bush about it, as if there's anything scandalous about using the word shit--particularly in reference to this kind of situation. Please, Middle East diplomacy would would spur the Pope into cursing (which by the way, I am convinced he does irregardless of the subject).

I am hot and cold at the same time. The air is on ultra-igloo high, but we opened a window. I am waiting for us to have weather in the office.

Why Bill Simmons is my New Best Friend:

2006-07-17T15:57:00.000-05:00

From the Page 2 mail bag:

Q: Which is better, the Dodger Dog or the Fenway Frank? Do you prefer boiled and split top? Or do you like foot-long and steamed? I feel like Drama and Turtle at Sundance, but you get the idea. Please help us resolve this issue.
--Andrew C., Boston

SG: God bless the comedic power of the Fenway Frank, but has anyone ever walked into Fenway and said, "Man, I can't wait to tear into a Fenway Frank. They're delicious!" You can't find a more mediocre hot dog. But the Dodger Dog lived up the hype -- it's long and juicy, even a little salty, and you can definitely get a whole meal out of it. No contest.

(P.S.: I know the previous paragraph is going to lead to about 700 "Who wrote the Dodger Dog review, Bill Simmons or Richard Simmons?" e-mails. But there's really no way to write positively about a hot dog without sounding like you're reviewing a porn movie or writing a trashy novel. You have to admit.)

2006-07-17T15:24:00.000-05:00

Have subconsciously taken to "sports-casting" my own solitaire games--and in a British accent no less. "And there goes the four on the five, the three on the four, what a silly move as there was already a three on another pile--oh wait! Our champion has employed the ever-useful Undo button and is presently rectifying the mistake. Good catch! She proceeds with unearthing an Ace! Fantastic, she unloads all the superfluous clubs that were clogging up good red cards and now runs through the deck placing the spades on the now free cards. Oh dear, she seems to be stuck, nothing in the deck is helping, could this be the end of our champion's run? Oh! Classic! She's spotted the seven hiding way in the back. And she's done it! She continues the streak!"

I am mad in the head. I didn't even realize I was doing it until I started talking out loud. Luckily it was very quiet so no one heard me. But still...

In other news, President Bush's language got a little fresh at the G8 summit in a microphone gaffe. A side conversation he and Prime Minister Blair were engaged in was, unbeknownst to them, picked up by the mics that were still on. Debating what to do about the erupting situation with Hezbollah and Israel, Bush said: Bush replied: "See, the irony is what they need to do is get Syria to get Hizbollah to stop doing this shit and it's over." Aside from the fact that it's improper use of the word irony, he's completely right. Whoa, was that the world tilting on it's axis? Hmm, perhaps it was pigs soaring into flight. Nevertheless, the key to this situation is clearly to get those stupid terrorists to sit down and shut up. Now, Mr. President. Any ideas?

So I agreed to participate in a study being done by a friend of a friend at Northwestern about Jewish college students and their religious identity (or something like that, it's been a while since I actually read the explanation). I'm starting to get a little nervous that I won't have much to say or that I'll be terribly incoherent (which anyone who's heard me tell a story can attest, is not exactly outside the realm of possibilites). I think perhaps I may be filmed, for some reason "documentary" is associated with the project in my head, so I'm thinking I read in the explanation that she's putting together a film on Jewish identity. Hmm, I better double-check that so I can dress accordingly. There's nothing worse than being the visual proof that Brandeis is where the ugly Jews go. (horrible, despicable, simply awful to say, I know, but so so true for the most-part--hmm, hopefully I'll have the diplomacy NOT to mention that in the interview...)

Have been trying desperately to get myself to work on my senior thesis. I think it could be a really great and interesting thing to research, and right now all I need to do is write a 2-page proposal. Not terribly hard, right? Heh heh, not if you're me! I'm really and truly impossible. And, to make it even worse, I know that this thesis, if done well, would absolutely be a leg up in helping me land a job in an area I'm interested in. I'm thinking that a good topic would be: How did the moral stigmatization attached to HIV/AIDS stymie the American government's (particularly President Reagan's administration's) response to the disease. What effect did this have on the proliferation of the pandemic? How is this stigmatization still manifesting itself? How does it compare to the moral-branding of past epidemics? What can we learn from the initial response to AIDS when trying to combat this and future pandemics?

Clearly it needs work, and the answers to many of the questions are painfully obvious, so I'll have to dig deeper for something more compelling underneath. But maybe it's a good place to start? The point is, I need to get that into a proposal form, with a plan for research and such, and then meet with a professor, get him to sign on, and then help me find the meat of the issue. Grrr, I'm definitely one of those students that needs handholding when it comes to the conception stage of a massive project. I hate that about myself, but I realize that I am seldom the "big idea" person and more often the "here's how to execute that best" person.

Big Question: What to eat for dinner?

Insanity!!

2006-07-14T12:51:00.000-05:00

Yaay!! Have finally figured out how to title my posts (the title bar needs to be physically turned on in the settings menu, how silly).

Interesting:
National Geographic has an article about a study that has made some preliminary findings that link weather (specifically rain and thunder storms) to traffic patterns!! The researchers think that increased pollution caused by the increased traffic on weekdays, particularly truck traffic, may explain why rainstorms are more frequent and heavier on weekdays. Apparantly, pollution releases tiny particles into the air, which then causes moisture to coalesce into tiny droplets. These little droplets then rise higher in the air than regular ones, which generally makes for a stronger, more intense storm. (The study was conducted in Southeast US.) How bizarro (in a totally logical way) is that?

Along the same, though far more humorous, line-- dairy cows have been cited by the government as "the main source of smog-forming pollutants in the San Joaquin Valley, California." It seems that the cows are only the latest livestock to be "branded an environmental health risk on account of their flatulent behavior," and that they emit more smog-forming gases than cars! Just think, everytime you pass gas, you may be contributing to the hole in the ozone. Bean lovers beware.

2006-07-14T08:33:00.000-05:00

First off, it is absolutely, utterly despicable the way mainstream media has, for the most part, portrayed this recent explosion in the Middle East. Every headline, every article is about the large-scale Israeli retaliation--with all the emphasis placed on "large-scale" rather than "retaliation." Has no one noticed that three Israeli soldiers have been kidnapped by terrorist organizations? That Hezbollah rockets have been flying into northern Israel by the dozens, hitting Sfat, Carmiel and Haifa--all places I visited and LIVED IN. The Stella Maris, a beautiful, historical and multi-ethnic neighborhood in Haifa was hit. If the victims were Americans, the entire Middle East would have been flying under the U.S. flag hours ago. But nowhere in sight are pictures of the distruction wrought on Israel, or even stories about the particulars. Only clinical mentions of the new scars on Israeli land and then paragraphs on the indicidual bridges and runways hit in Lebanon. Only the Washington Post, in an editorial, seems to take the pragmatic approach:

"WHEN ISRAEL withdrew its troops from southern Lebanon in 2000 after more
than two decades of occupation, it also issued a warning: Any cross-border
provocations by Hezbollah, the militant Shiite group, would elicit a severe
military response. So there can be no surprise at the violent reaction to
Hezbollah's ambush of an Israeli patrol Wednesday, in which three soldiers were
killed and two others taken captive by the guerrillas. And there can be no doubt
that Iran and Syria, Hezbollah's chief sponsors, bear responsibility for what
has instantly become the most far-reaching, lethal and dangerous eruption of
cross-border fighting in the Middle East in recent years.

"Europeans and others in the international community are already
criticizing as excessive Israel's swift military response. Conspicuously they
have said comparatively little about the volleys of dozens of rockets Hezbollah
rained down on northern Israel yesterday. In fact, given the all-too-familiar
patterns of violence and retribution in the Middle East, the Israeli attacks are
entirely predictable, and precisely what Hezbollah and its patrons must have
expected and even wanted."

Also startling is how connected I feel to Haifa, and how bizzare it is to think that some of the very places I walked are now rubble. When the WTC was hit on 9/11, of course it hit close to home, of course it was scary, startling and everything else. But I hadn't been to the twin towers since I was very little, hadn't even walked by in years. Being that distanced made it surreal, yes it was a part of my home, but not a very big part--my life, my memories never really changed because those towers were never a signifacant part of my everyday experience. But this, in Israel, is different. Jack called yesterday to tell me that the Israeli army was shooting back from a promenade in Haifa--one that extends along the top ridge of the mountain from the Carmel Center to the Bahai Gardens and farther down. I took Jack to that promenade just seven months ago, pointing off in the distance to where, on a clear day, you can see the Lebanese border. To think that there are now tanks and other evidence of war on that beautiful street is startling. I have so many memories there, first with Deborah on our 10 hour hike through the city, then with the overseas group as we toured the Bahai Gardens, and with Jack. Though short-lived, that city, and particularly that part of it, will always feel like home some romantic, nostalgic way. How strange to know that it's under attack, to crave pictures of just how much damage has been wrought, and to not be able to find any, because though they won't say it, the "media" feels that the city, my city, deserves it.

2006-07-13T11:33:00.000-05:00

For those West Wing fans out there:

Remember that episode where they're putting a poll in the field (I think it's the first season) and the opening scene is all of the main characters frantically editing and arguing over the wording of the questions and they keep saying that a particular question is "asymmetrical"? The question was do you think the country is "heading in the right direction or getting off track"? and CJ says that the question has been used for years and is proven to be an accurate predictor of the way respondants actually feel. Well, a survey we're working on now asks that very question about an initiative and it's making me think that the scene in the West Wing was evidence of a Frank Luntz contribution. How terribly exciting!

In other news, I watched an episode of Doogie Howser yesterday, my friend Sam purchased Season 2 and clearly we had to break it open. Insanity! I only vaguely remember the show from when it was on, but I do recall really liking it. It was hilarious to watch because the show was so obviously made in the 80s, complete with "lesson-learning" music that rivals what plays when the Tanners learn their big lesson in minute 23 of all Full House episodes. But more, Niel Patrick Harris was soooooo young! It was ridiculous to be looking at such a young version of a face I know so well. But even then he had gravitas and could deliver a line well, even if it was incredibly cheezy or a lip-synch to "Monster Mash." I kid you not.

Yesterday I received not one, but two birthday cards. Both from Janine. What's that you say? My birthday was three weeks ago and therefore terribly old news? Well, indeed. However, apparantly Janine had some difficulties with the U.S. mail services and something about camping which prevented said birthday card from arriving in a timely manner. A very funny facebook wall-post conversation resulted in an attempt to explain and understand the difficulties. However, the belated birthday cards made it feel like my special day lasted forever, and therefore the tardiness is excused.

Tonight I am going with my mom and sister to see my new cousin (just married into the family) in an off-broadway play, the quality of which I am slightly dubious. It's a collection of short plays that combine to form an ode to photography, or something like that. Though I like to think of myself as an open person, one thing I have realized that I am not particularly fond of is experimental, overly-artsy, or even just plain mediocre theater. Discovered this when I was obligated to watch an off- off-broadway performance of Macbeth and just couldn't get past the fact that the witches were wearing sand-colored unitards splattered with forest green paint and talked to their own hands when conversing with their "familiars." Dunsinane Castle will never be the same in my mind. It will also be weird to watch someone I actually know perform in a real production as opposed to college plays where it is acceptable to cheer obnoxiously when your friends make their entrances. I fear my conduct tonight may be less than emily post-caliber. I also fear I may fall asleep as the Doogie Howser watching kept me out until past 1am. I also slept like a rock and nearly broke the alarm in dismay when it went off this morning. Too early. Work starts too too early. I demand minimum wage laws be ammended to include a 10am workday-start statute. I hate waking up.

I've decided that today's word of the day is co-dependent. Must be said in small, British voice like Bridget Jones' friend in the first movie (played by actress who also does Moaning Myrtle in the Harry Potters) , otherwise it doesn't count. I also like reciprocity.

Ew. I just looked up the 10-day weather and it's basically going to be more of the same throughout. Very humid and scattered thunderstorms. I am horribly disappointed as I finally have a weekend all to myself and I fully intended to go out and enjoy the sunshine and summer breeze, but now it looks like I'm not going to want to be outside for anything. Bah.

2006-07-12T17:00:00.000-05:00

Fantastically, I have actually had work to do today! The company is in the process of redoing the website (which is long-overdue) and I have been given the task of being the 6th pair of eyes to edit the whole thing. Equally exciting is that I've been given license to re-write wherever I see fit and they seem to like what I've been doing so far. It's definitely far different from the kind of writing I'm used to doing (persuasive papers and historical research) so it's an interesting excersise for me. I also love feeling useful.

However, I desperately needed a break. All the words were starting to meld together and I was losing track of the message--never good when writing for a public relations-type firm.

Last night's All-Star Game was very exciting. We almost dropped it, but a last-out triple saved our bums and we once again retain home-field advantage. And by "we" I clearly mean the American League of which I am an honorary member. My favorite thing about the All-Star Game is that I get the opportunity to cheer for players I would ordinarily not be rooting for. On any other day I would die before woo-hooing David Ortiz, but last night I got to "Come on, baby!" him guilt-free. It's also a nice showcase of talented players that I haven't been keeping track of because they haven't yet played my Yanks, a good look into what the rest of the season holds and what we may be facing.

It is nasty outside. The air is thick as pea soup and I sweated nearly a gallon just while I was standing on the subway platform (where it is extra hot and soupy). Very unpleasant because you then have to cram your sweaty-slick body up against other smelly, perspiring commuters and hope you don't stick together. Yet another reason why I think I have had my fill of New York for a while. It's just so unpleasant to be bereft of a sea-breeze.

Tonight I take advantage of New York's Restaurant Week (one of the reasons I still do love NYC deep in my heart, and have not yet fled to the Rockies). I am meeting Sam and Jody, our 6th grade Humanities teacher, for dinner at Bolo--an upscale mexican infusian restaurant that I think may be another Bobby Flay outpost. Mesa Grill, Flay's hit restaurant was excellent, boasting novel food alchemies with spice. I am definitely looking forward to Bolo, though not to swimming my way over to the restaurant. I hate arriving places completely drenched with sweat and over-heated to an uncomfortable degree making it look like you just hiked Everest in heels. And there's never a decent opportunity to recombobulate yourself before anyone notices. Bah! At least the office is freezing; the walk to the restaurant may be just short enough to only thaw me out rather than melt me into a puddle.

I have December, 1963 (Oh What A Night!) stuck in my head. It's my most recent purchase off of itunes, but I have yet to listen to it in full. itunes is 8 kinds of fantastic.

2006-07-11T14:59:00.000-05:00

Interesting New York phenomenon:

It is inevitable that on the days that I am truly looking my worst, I am the recipient of that plague of all gothamettes: the construction worker/ delivery man/etc. cat call. First off, the entire practice of calling after women passing by is just ridiculous and distruptive to the long chain of thought I was inevitably engrossed in. As if any of us are going to stop in our tracks, turn around and ask the caller out on a date or for a quick smooch--particularly when they are so often considerably shorter than we are. But secondly, at least in my experience, more often than not it happens when I'm hardly a walking vision. Take today:

This morning I hit the snooze button no fewer than 5 times which automatically means that there is no time to shower, resulting in slightly greasy hair with odd fly-aways halo that gets worse as I sweat during my morning subway commute--gross factor 1. Was walking zombie, so threw on clothes from the top of the drawer resulting in less than inspired wardrobe. Have been blowing nose all day, causing the office to run out of tissues and forcing me to resort to paper napkins (ouch!) so have raw red nose and vaguely medicine-head dazed look about me--gross factor 2. Combined with a haze of sheer exhaustion brought on by 5,000 consecutive rounds of solitaire does not a knock-em dead dame make. Yet, strangely enough! was hollered at by a crowd of off-duty construction workers--in a language I do not understand (ironic that cat-calling seems to transcend language whereas asking directions never quite does)-- and was then told by a virtual stranger that I was lookin' pretty. Disregarding the fact that my dark sungalsses were hiding my puffy cold-hazed eyes, the latter comment was vaguely reassuring. However, still, how odd! And the fact that the strangers of New York City seem to feel I'm looking my best when I'm decidedly in shlump mode doesn't reflect well on what I look like when I'm actually trying to look good. Conundrum.

Anyway, have given up all pretense of trying to do something productive and have given into office trend of listening to music. Have been tuned into Galgalatz, the Israeli Army radio station which I frequently listen to online, and am desperately missing Israel! Between the radio and chats with Mara I cannot wait until I visit again and really do need to dive back into learning Hebrew. It's just plain embarassing that I don't have a working knowledge of any foreign languges, and will prove to be incredibly inconvenient when I finally manage to travel the world.

In other news, a recent study on psychadelic, or magic, mushrooms is making me nervous. According to the study, two-thirds of the participants who took magic mushrooms reported having euphoric experiences that were startlingly impactful and spiritual, some likening it to the elation of giving birth. While a full third reported having bad trips which scared them or made them feel awful, I'm afraid that the study's results are going to encourage people to experiment with magic mushrooms without looking into it and the possible consequences. Taking halucinagenic drugs is SO SO dangerous, and I know of several people who have died, including a kid at Brandeis two years ago who killed himself by slitting his throat and jumping out a second-story window while tripping on mushrooms. I may sound like a "mommy" or a public service announcement, but I'm really scared that people are going to take the results of the study as encouragement to experiment without realizing the huge dangers that are all too commmon. While the study is important because it may lead to distilling elements of the mushrooms to use in anti-depressant medication, I really hope news agencies take care when reporting the story. OK, that's it for the safety report.

I'm unusually excited for tonight's All-Star Game. I've been very into baseball this year, finally managing to watch whole games unlike last summer when I would often be so exhausted from camp that I would fall asleep before the 5th inning--however, am watching far fewer than I would like as I have to defer to my mom on occaision and she decidedly does NOT like watching baseball. Silly woman. Anyway, I terribly miss my traditional trips to Yankee Stadium for games with Dave Seid who abandoned me this summer to better his intellect with summer courses at Indiana. Silly boy. But I've been keeping better tabs on players this season and have been energetically cheering on my favortite Yankee, Bubba Crosby, who doesn't seem to be benefiting from my support. However, I have faith and I know that my man will come through before the end of the season. Come on number 19!!

Half an hour to freedom! I love the days I get out at 5pm. It's nice to feel like there's actually still some day left when work is over. One of the things I love most about college is that classes don't actually dominate the days. I'm seriously looking forward to senior year, the girls and I have all committed ourselves to numerous adventures, hopefully the Maine coast and a trip to the casino will happen quickly upon arrival. I'm also excited to get back into shooting, hopefully the Trap and Target club will still be going strong, and I'm going to finally track down the silly Habitat for Humanity people and get them to actually put me on their email list. Last time I tried they never added me and their office is in an annoyingly inconvenient spot on campus (yes, yes, right in the center, but on the THIRD FLOOR!) so I never hauled over to rectify. But this year I am determined to build a damned house, even if the effort to get there kills me.

I'm actually also thinking about volunteering with an animal shelter, if I can find one that's easily accessibly from Brandeis. I've gotten into my head that I want a puppy as soon as it's humanly possible for me to house and take care of one, so I figure I better make sure I learn what it actually means to take care of one. Never had a pet, unless you count the hand-me-down goldfish that lasted for 2 days, so this may be an interesting experiment.

Huzzah! Was just informed that there will be work waiting for me tomorrow. Bliss!

2006-07-11T08:54:00.000-05:00

The most depressing part about having nothing to do at work is that, when there actually is something to do, it's really very fascinating. Though by virtue of a confidentiality agreement I can't actually openly discuss the work, I can say that it's all about word usage and public perspectives and "getting the proper message out" -- all things that I've always found interesting. More work! I demand more!!

Today's Times has an amusing and interesting Op-Ed about major league baseball hoisery and its importance to the history of America's past-time. Very well written by Paul Lucas, an ESPN columnist, "Field of Slobs" can be found here http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/11/opinion/11lukas.html?_r=1&th&emc=th&oref=slogin or by going to the nytimes.com opinion page. Definintely worth a read.

As I mentioned yesterday, last night I went to see the new Pirates of the Carribean and I must say I was somewhat disappointed. Very little of the original's ingenuity and cleverness was evident in this one, and the film seemed to be a showcase for the special effects people even more than it was a Johnny Depp vehicle. That being said, I laughed heartily in all the appropriate places and was quite appreciative of the superb supporting cast (Stellan Skarsgaard!) and of the fact that I recognized all of them when no one else did--an esteemable trait of mine.

More importantly, it seems that our government has finally decided to meet the minnimum standards set by the Geneva Convention regarding treatment of prisoners of war. Putting aside the obvious--it behooves the U.S. to follow these standards as it safeguards our own soldiers, and that no civilized nation should employ such barbaric tactics, we're better than that-- my question is: who are these people who are capable of doing the torturing? I just simply cannot understand why torture exists in the first place because I cannot image anyone having the stomach for it. And yet some people do. Baffling.

Am currently riding the downward wave of a caffene buzz. Crested about a half-hour ago, and am now wearily tired and unable to focus. I think today calls for an early lunch. But what to eat? Hmmm. Dilemma.

I am sincerely hoping for nice, sunny weather this weekend as I fully intend to spend at least a few hours lying out in the grass. Not being a camp counselor this summer has deprived me of my necessary dose of "outdoors time." I desperately miss swimming every day, lots of sunshine, and playing softball with my campers (always nice to play with people of your own skill level). I can feel my Vitamin D deficiency and look with horror at my still-transparent skin. Might as well have been living in an igloo for all the real summer I've experienced so far. Clearly visits to the family on long island are in order, but for this weekend Central Park will have to do. Anyone looking at a free weekend, please contact me and we can put together a picnic of some sort. I am determined to feel like it's summer at last!

There are 42 sprinklers in the office's ceiling and 15 broken light bulbs and one very ugly shade of carpet.

Kleenex makes a very good hat.

2006-07-10T13:20:00.000-05:00

In a desperate attempt to stave off boredom here at the office I have decided to actually post on the blog account I created in order to comment on my friend Mara's blog while she is studying in Israel this year.

Sadly, the lack of interesting things to do at the office translates into a lack of interesting things about which to comment on a blog. Hmm, seems this web journal thing may be dead on arrival. However, it is relieving to note that I am hardly the only one without a thing to do at the office. Actually, I should ammend that. I do have something to do, but I really, REALLY, don't feel like doing it right now. And so I am not.

Weirdly, when I have absolutely nothing to occupy myself with, random words and phrases from books and movies get stuck in my head and float around constantly repeating themselves in my brain. Right now "Jean-Luc Gespa," a name said by Anjelina Jolie in Mr. & Mrs. Smith, and "rashers of bacon" which was in a book I recently read, are alternating in my head. I will surely go crazy if it doesn't stop.

Have played eight thousands games of solitaire, and that's just today. I can feel my eyes straining from all this staring at the computer screen, which hardly seems worth it as my solitaire skills have yet to improve. Have also read the New York Times from virtual cover to virtual cover, including the obituary of an old friend of my dad's who died last week. Paul Nelson, the recently deceased, was actually an incredibly interesting man who introduced Bob Dylan to Woody Guthrie, thus creating the famous Dylan sound and rock music history with a single vinyl record. Paul also reviewed music for several publications including Rolling Stone, and rather famously nourished himself solely with Coca Cola, peanut butter candies and cigarettes. There is hardly a person I can think that would have made a more fascinating anthropological subject.

I am still fighting off the last vestiges of a stubborn cold and have taken to deep-throated sneezing which creates this awful noise which almost sounds like an elephant trumpeting. It's really quite embarassing in such a small and quiet office. It also hurts.

The saving grace of the insane boredom and emptiness of the office is that I have plenty of interesting things to do after work this week. Tonight I have a ticket to a screening of the new Pirates of the Carribean movie, courtesy of the lovely Susan Wagner. I am terribly excited and especially love seeing movies with Susan and Liz because they clearly love films as much as I do, which makes discussing and analyzing the movies we see all the more fun. Tomorrow is equally exciting as recently-returned Annie is joining me for sushi and baseball (two of my absolute favorite things).

Oh! After being thoroughly soaked a week ago while on my way to work (and having to strip off my sodden shoes and jeans and wear a sweatshirt as if they were pants--thus creating an MC Hammer-like look) I am on the hunt for a pair of Wellington boots. However, being the picky fashion traditionalist that I am, I am being very particular in the style of boot. If anyone sees hunter green Wellies, preferably with an adjustible strap at the top, selling for less than a fortune, please let me know! So far, have found a nearly perfect pair on the LL Bean website, but they're out of stock until August.

La! But I am still so bored. I think I'll pour a pitcher of water down the mail chute.