It's this kind of stuff in the midst of war that amazes me.

The NYTimes recognizes the beauty of City Confidential. (I'm watching the "Big Mac" McKenna episode as I type)

Hunkalicious

It was March 15 at my house for a long time. Click on the image below to see why.

%@^$&%

I just came back from the bank where I made a deposit for the office. While there, I hand my deposit to the teller and I swear I hear the word "f*ck" uttered repeatedly, from somewhere off to my right. I look over (discreetly, of couse), and can just about make out a male customer standing behind a large palm, counting his money at one of those tables with the deposit slips and pens. The profanity stream is continuous, until he shouts, "Shove it up your ass!!" Which must have settled whatever argument he had going on his head, since he was quiet as a mouse after that.

Dur

Like a dum-dum, I just realized that the ABC web page that was 'hacked' onto teevee.org is also a joke - "The Reality Network". LOL. Looks like I will have something to read at lunch (if they don't remove it first).

The children of war.

And ABC has taken over the vidiots!

What the hell am I supposed to read at lunch?? I suppose I could always get back to work. Ha.

Oh my garsh, Fark's been hacked. By guinea pigs!! LOL

Happy April Fools.

The original lineup of Duran Duran have re-united and are putting out a new CD this year and going on tour. My sisters and I were huge fans in the 80s, and we each had our own favorite (no need to share!): Simon was mine, Nick was Sheila's and Andy was Mary's. Can you say psyched?! ;)

From their official site, a current photo. They're looking pretty good, and Simon seems to be in one of his non-chubby phases.

Does Geraldo have to be the center of a controvery at all times?

Hello! It's not always about you, Geraldo.

My Knight in Shinging Armor?

Heath Ledger: You like them with a drop dead
gorgeous smile, cute accent and from the Land
Down Under.

Alright by me.



Which guy are you destined to have sex with?
brought to you by Quizilla

(thanks, snarkcake)

Bank robber shoves exploding dye pack down his pants. Insert punchline here.

Adult Film Title of the, er...Moment: A Cockwork Orange tee hee

CNN reports on the blogs of soldiers.

Connie Chung has her nights free now.

Why aren't we hearing more war protest songs?

Update: Ask a question, get an answer.

Andrew, Buffy's live-in hostage/baker/videographer, and my favorite of the Evil Trio, gets the Zap2it treatment.

And don't forget - new Buffy tonight! And a new 24! Woohoo!

Another missing girl has been found alive, traveling with the man who took her. While this story and the Smart case both have welcome happy endings (relatively happy, I guess), I do have to wonder if they haven't revived some long abandoned false hopes for some families. Even though the chances that a child that's been missing for years is still alive, could some of these parents be thinking now that maybe there is a chance that their kid, who they likely have accepted as dead by now, could be wandering around out there, somewhere all these years? How torturous that must be.

As you can see in the sidebar, I'm reading Stephen King's Dreamcatcher right now, but there was another one in between that I'd like to recommend: Harlan Coben's Gone for Good.

If you liked Tell No One, you'll love this one.

I've added a page to the site where I will be periodically posting the latest news on the effort to save Farscape. Click here to check it out.

Sir Ian McKellen is keeping an X-Men 2 diary - Magneto's Lair. I had fun trying to find Hugh Jackman in the photo on the deck at Point Grey (Patrick Stewart was easy, though).

News Fatigue

So, how are we all holding up under the "all war, all the time" coverage by cable television? I cracked some time last Thursday, I think. I'm not ignoring the war - I just get my news in other ways - NPR, news websites. I just can't stand the constant speculation and the sea of talking heads, maps and that silly pointer thingy that Charlie Gibson is always carrying around. Monty Ashy, from teevee.org, sums up my feelings on this much better than I can in this station break. Excerpt:

You know how on the Home Shopping Network, they have to talk about each object for a certain amount of time? So the anchors bring out, say, a tennis bracelet and then have to wax enthusiastic about its many fine properties for twenty minutes. Except they quickly run out of properties and are reduced to just vamping on how shiny it is. The desperate improvising is pretty painful to watch sometimes, because there's only so many times you can repeat the same things.

Constant news coverage is a lot like that. When something happens, they have something to talk about. And then it might be twelve hours before something new happens, so they're stuck talking about the same thing for twelve hours. Frankly, I'd rather wait until the whole thing is over and then read about it in some kind of overall context.

Now, on a related note...at the risk of sounding like an insensitive ass, I wanted to ask you guys a question. (and this is not meant to be funny) Now that the unfortunate but inevitable casualties are beginning to add up, does anyone else notice a pattern here? Are we our own worse enemy?

The final episode of Farscape airs tonight, Friday March 21, at 8:00 P.M on SciFi. That's just not right.

Save Farscape.

Lurid does not even come close to accurately describing testimony at the federal trial of former Waterbury Mayor Philip Giordano. This article was from early yesterday, and he did indeed end up taking the stand. I haven't read any news reports, but my mother tells me that his defense is that the reason he demanded that the 8 year-old be brought to him by her prostitute aunt is that he was aroused by the idea of having the little girl in the room next door while the aunt performed oral sex on him. Nice. And bullshit.

My mother said he also admitted, with his wife in the courtroom, that he had had a relationship with the prostitute for 9 years and had engaged in 6 extramarital affairs (all meetings apparently taking place in his semen-soaked office), and he hasn't even been married for 10 years! How can his wife sit there and listen to that crap and still defend him? How can she watch videotape testimony from the little girl, in which she describes in great detail the sex acts she performed on the mayor, and still sit in the courtroom, providing moral support to her husband? What is wrong with her?

For comprehensive reporting on the case, go here. I know what I'll be reading at lunchtime.

Update: Guilty. Besides a possible life term, he has the state's sexual assault charges and federal corruption charges to look forward to; may he rot in jail.

Wow, with all the news of war bombarding me, I had no idea that Colorado just got seven feet of snow!

As the country is moved into orange mode, I just want to ask that you all keep yourselves safe, and try not to travel anywhere unless you absolutely have to, OK?

Oh my word, Dick Smothers' little boy (Dick, Jr....ahem) is a porn star.

Update: Visual aid.

Christopher Walken: America's most beloved psycho. He's one scary dude, but he is so cool. As with Gene Hackman or Michael Caine, even a crappy movie is worth watching if he's in it. (see Suicide Kings). He's the master of creepy (God, I can barely look at him in Sleepy Hollow), but I like him best when he's playing a more real person, and especially when he's being funny. He kills me every time I see him play the Continental on SNL. I bought The Dead Zone on DVD last Halloween. Might be time to watch it.

This war has been on mind constantly, as it has been for everyone. I haven't talked about it much here for a number of reasons - plenty of real-life concerns, for one; but mostly because I haven't been able to figure out where I stand on the whole issue. One of my personality traits is that I tend to see both sides of the story, and so I find it difficult to take a strong stand on many issues. I think war should be avoided whenever possible, but I am also realistic enough to know that sometimes a peaceful resolution can only acheived through war (ironically enough). I guess my problem is, is this one of those situations? Why are we so hot for this guy? I have yet to be presented with a justifiable reason for this war. I just don't think we've sufficiently made our case for going after this guy. I've heard all the reasons the Bush administration has put forward for invading Iraq yet I remain unmoved. For the most part. And the entire matter is further complicated by the fact that I am by no means a fan of this particular president or his administration. But I would like to think that if I thought this was a justified war I would support the cause despite my opinion of the president.

So I will hope and pray for a swift end to the war, for minimal loss of life, and although I may be confused as to whether I think we should be going to war, I will stand by those individuals who will be putting their lives on the line in the pursuit of a peaceful world.

Diplomacy has ended, and unless Saddam Hussein leaves Iraq within 72 hrs, war will begin. May God spare as many lives as possible, on both sides.

The St. Patrick's Day craziness begins tomorrow night, with a party at my father's yacht club. Mary's coming out with the kids, and my mother will watch them while we go partying. Then on Sunday morning it's to a friend's house for brunch with other families and then down to the parade in New Haven. Mary will head back to RI after the parade and Sheila and I will make our usual stop at Anna Liffey's.

If I had been in this job a little longer (and wasn't so incredibly busy), I would have taken Monday off. But considering we are usually home by 9 or 9:30 that night I should be in reasonably good shape on Monday. I'll try to post some more this weekend, but if I don't get a chance to, have a wonderful weekend!

This Reuters news article offers evidence that the recent arrest of Khalid Sheik Mohammed by the Pakistanis was staged, and he was in fact arrested by the Pakistanis months ago. If this is true, did we know about it? What was to be gained from keeping his capture a secret? Is he dead? If we didn't know Pakistan staged the recent capture then how could we be so foolish as to accept the video of the staged capture to be the truth? From the way it was described, even I could tell it was a fake.

And what about the Egyptian dude , believed to be an Al-Qaeda foot soldier, who was paid a $27 million reward for Mohammed's capture? How does he fit into this scenario if he was captured last month?

Lies, I tell you, it's all lies!!

Come on, you thought it was Clint Howard for a second there, I know you did.

Well, I was wrong - Clint Howard was not on Land of the Lost. Someone named Philip Paley played "Cha-Ka", and here's the mini-bio from imdb.com:

"His character Cha-Ka for the 70's TV series, Land of the Lost has become a cult icon. Many poeple do not know (or care) what Philip looks like without his Pacunni outfit -- but that's what adds to much of his mystigue and charm. There have been many women over the years claiming to date him and know him in his post Cha-Ka hay-day, but none of them can produce any proof. Just what does Philip Paley look like? Many wonder, but let's be honest -- do we really want to ruin the mystery."

Now, you know I have to try to find out what this person looked like, don't you?

This is so cool - Sid and Marty Kroft are auctioning off memorabilia from some of their shows. You can own a piece of H.R. Puffinstuff, or Lidsville. Even the Bugaloos, man! Woo hoo!

Lidsville was a little too psychedelic for me, kind of freaky, but I loved Puffinstuff (especially Charles Nelson Reilly) and the Bugaloos. Sigmund and the Sea Monster was a Kroft production, wasn't it? That was probably our all time favorite. Oh! Land of the Lost was rarely missed, either. I think Clint Howard (Ron Howard's brother) played a young caveman/monkey/red-headed primate in Land of the Lost. Anyone else remember that? Where's imdb when I need it? Oh, right. Be right back.

The cop is so serious in this picture. "Manny" seems to be enjoying himself, though.

It's snowing. *weep*

This is wild: Photos taken at a party in Salt Lake City last September show what looks very much like Elizabeth Smart, the man who took her and another woman. This is going to turn out to be quite a story, I think.

(thanks, fark)

Missing Utah girl Elizabeth Smart has been found - alive. In Utah. No link available yet.

Hmmm.

President Bush on Tuesday signed legislation creating a national “do-not-call” list intended to help consumers block unwanted telemarketing calls.

What the hell has Don Johnson gotten messed up in? Major weirdness.

The inevitable inches closer to reality. However, I found this to be somewhat heartening:

"U.S. officials said Wednesday that surrender negotiations have secretly begun with key Iraqi military officials in hopes that some military units will not fight in a possible war.

I'm sure these characters are jockeying for position in whatever post-war government is established, and they may just be evil-despots-in-training, but the non-participation/surrender of some of Iraq's military forces prior to the start of a war could help to reduce the number of casualties.

Ladies and jellyspoons, start your VCRs! I got this in my Inbox tonight, from the Eddie Izzard Yahoo Group:

"Just a quick message to let you all know that Eddie will be appearing
on US TV show, The Late Show with David Letterman, tomorrow night
(Wednesday March 12). Elvis Costello is the show's guest host
for the night. Other guests include actress Diane Lane."

I think he's opening on Broadway soon in A Day in the Life of Joe Egg. I would so love to see him in the play, but right now that seems impossible. I'll just pray for a long run.

Correction: Um, that would be, A Day in the Death of Joe Egg. Sort of a crucial difference there.

The bloom is off the rose. Sunday night's Boomtown was far inferior to any of their prior episodes. Granted, the show may have suffered a bit in my estimation since it followed the wonderful Six Feet Under, and it's diminished simply by comparison. But it's more than that; this week's episode was poorly written, with cliches being hurled fast and furious, and there was no noticeable use of the show's patented multiple-time-warp-perspective. And the premise was ridiculous - scumbag on death row holds a rookie cop hostage and threatens to kill him if the Deputy D.A. doesn't arrange for a stay of execution. Maybe I can believe that through a connection within the force and his network of cronies this prisoner was able pull off this cop's abduction; but that he read a college paper by the Dep DA that condemns capital punishment? Through the magical Internet, I suppose, where all TV bad guys can simply click on a button and presto! All personal information, college GPAs (and papers, obviously), medical background, utility bills, mother's maiden name, favorite food and color - all at his fingertips. Ho-key.

Next week's had better be damn good.

I repeat, FREAKS.

EW EW EW. Freaks.

Cat goes berserk over a broom, traps its owner in the bathroom. Funny stuff.

The luckiest baby in the world. (well, except for the part about the dead parents).

A young Norwegian woman has posted a web classified ad which offers to give her father away to a "good-natured lady". Which makes sense when you consider how living with her father could interfere with a young Scandinavian's wild sex life.

Mornin'! Be back later, I promise.

Just when we thought we could put away the snow shovel, or at least say goodbye to significant accumulations, we get dumped on. Eight inches, to be precise. I had wisely chosen to take my mother's front-wheel drive car to work yesterday, but I know I only made up my hill through sheer force of will.

As I pulled into the parking garage here at the office this morning, I heard a radio ad for Tommy K's. That all seems a lifetime away.

Jesus, and I thought I looked bad in the morning.

I never knew Scandanavians were so, well, horny. It must be crazy up in those "northern countries", what with the "erotic aquaparks", the sex in the sauna and the free love on the oil rigs. I bet you can't swing a dead cat without hitting someone engaged in a "love stunt".

Now, where did I put my passport...

(thanks, fark)

BTW, I'm totally hooked on Boomtown now. And I think I'm developing a crush on Donnie Wahlberg. Will wonders never cease?

I think I showed amazing restraint while the Michael Jackson Freak Show was all anyone was talking about. But I just can't help myself this time: Jackson paid for voodoo curse on Spielberg. It almost writes itself, doesn't it?

I've got the Bravo Channel's Boomtown marathon on the TV right now. And while I'm not paying close attention, I can tell what all the fuss has been about. This is a good show, challenging with its multi-perspective structure. I'm not sure what's going on plotwise (because of distractions, not poor writing), but I can tell you this: Donnie Wahlberg sounds just like his brother.

We haven't done one of these in a while: Invisibles #116. I'm out of practice and it shows - 4 out of 8 for me.

HBO

HBO's second-happiest family is returning to the screen for their third season tonight. Six Feet Under's back tonight, at 9:00 P.M.

While I won't claim ever being a fan of Mr. Rogers (my mother tells me that I never liked him, not even as a little kid), there is no denying his good work and positive influence on millions of children. Jason Snell, of teevee.org, pays fitting tribute to him today: Goodbye, Mr. Rogers.

N O F R E A K I N G W A Y.

Monster Cheeto for sale. Anyone? LOL

(thanks, fark)

Ah, come on, what's the big deal? When I was a freshman in college (an all-women, Catholic college, mind you), we had a naughty-nighty party on the third floor that was capped with the appearance of 2 male strippers in one of the larger dorm rooms. This was about 20 years ago (JESUS), but I remember their stage names: The Polish Pony and GI Joe.

The good old days.

Are they sure this guy isn't a lawyer?

She Saved the World. Alot.

I knew this was coming, as most people did, but still. It's hard to let go.

I'm surprised to see that the future of "Angel" is in question as well. As much as I love "Buffy", I don't think another spinoff is a good idea. Let it end, I say.

I think Buffy's going to die at the end. For real this time. And I am going to cry and cry and cry.

How do you think Buffy will end? (no spoilers)

So, who's still with me?

Besides my old pal eip, that is. ;)

I have been neglecting this place terribly lately, but life has just been overwhelming. You know how it is. New job, new schedule, mother moves in, sister moves out, blah blah blah. I'm on my lunch break right now, so I'll see if I can post a few things before I get back to work.

Have a good day!

Newsflash for those of you who care: Michael Gambon will be the new Dumbledore.

Richard Kuklinski, a/k/a The Iceman, was arraigned yesterday at the Bergen County Courthouse in Hackensack, NJ for a murder that he confessed to on HBO. Did you happen to watch HBO's 3-part documentary series about him? I believe I saw just about all of it, in bits and pieces, and I saw the final entry, "The Iceman and the Psychiatrist", twice. He's an absolutely terrifying individual, just as fascinating as he is repulsive. Parts I and II are available on tape or DVD, and I bet HBO will air Part III again soon. Catch it if you can.

Franks and Beans!!

LOLOL

Some good news, perhaps: Jesica Santillan gets new heart and lungs, and this time they seem to be working.

Freedom fries??? I think I'm gonna puke. I suppose next we'll be forbidden from eating French toast, getting French manicures or, *gasp*, French kissing. Nevermind French onion soup, French cuffs, French doors or even a French horn. If we did that every time the French disagreed with us, well, we wouldn't have "French" anything.

Drunk, half-naked New Zealander is arrested for driving a motorized barstool down his neighborhood street while his rear end was on fire.

I kid you not.

Google buys Blogger and is one step closer to ruling the world.

The SciFi Channel has a new reality show, Scare Tactics, scheduled to premiere on April 4 at 10 PM. I've seen a few promos for it and, although I am not a fan of reality TV, this one looks like it's worth watching. People are secretly videotaped reacting to various scary situations. The girls I saw in the ads were screaming their heads off. Well, Scare Tactics may never make it to the air: a woman who was scared shitless by them and secretly taped has filed suit against the show, a couple of the actors and SciFi.

Update: The Smoking Gun has posted the complaint for damages. God I want to see this so badly.

Shameless links to cutesy animal photos:

A pig and a pug.

Pretty kitties.

Duh


You are a Dubliner.


What's your Inner European?
brought to you by Quizilla

(thanks, popculturejunkmail.com)

B L I Z Z A R D

Yep, it's official - we got ourselves a good old-fashioned blizzard going on. The TV news and weather people are wetting their pants they're so excited, but it really is pretty bad out there. Latest accumulation predictions: 20"-24" by the time it finishes tomorrow morning. Now dat's a snowstorm.



Today was supposed to have been my last day at Tommy K's, but I guess that was Friday, since there's no way I can make it in today. Being an Assistant Manager at a video store is pretty much a shitty job, but it wasn't all bad. It could have been worse - I could have been a manager. Hehe.

So, tomorrow I return to Gager. I still can't quite believe I'm going back there. I had my one day of training last Monday - I was pretty much overwhelmed. It's not rocket science - accounts payable, payroll, billing, accounts receivable - but it is all new, and on a different accounting system than the one that we were using when I left. I'll be concentrating on learning the new software this week, and then I expect I'll start working on the transition. I don't know if I mentioned this before, but the Waterbury office - my former location - will be closing. I'm going to spend the next couple of months finalizing client bills and collections, working on client file redistribution, and preparing for the sale of the office space by getting someone to take all of our old office equipment and furniture. Or junking it. Once that is finished I'll be down in the Bethel office on a permanent basis.

And one more bit of news...to accomodate my mother and Petie, temporarily, Sheila and Marty have moved to our father's house, about a half hour away. They left last night, and oy, I just couldn't stop crying. I miss them both very much already, and I feel so badly for Sheila and for all that she has given up, but it's the best solution right now. And it's temporary. Mary and her husband have agreed that they should divorce (the unbearable tension in the house is why my mother has moved back here). Even though I haven't mentioned their troubles here very much, or at all, it's been going on for a long time. The end of a marriage is not a happy event, but in this case I think all parties will be better off, especially the children. Once Mary's life and living situation has settled, Mommy is supposed to move back in with her to help with the bills and the babysitting. We are also looking into buying a house for all of us to live in, hopefully by summertime, if not then by the end of the year.

So, a lot going on around these parts. I hope life is treating you all well. If it's snowing where you are, stay warm and have a good day!

Headline of the Day: Trapeze Artist Attacks Rival with Castration Tongs. Circus people.

Whoa whoa whoa...a "Bodysnatchers" musical???

They're predicting about a foot of snow with tomorrow's storm, with the possibility of even more if the storm lingers.

*weep*

Salon.com will most likely be shut down within a month's time. The bubble continues to deflate.

Check out this poor soul. Geez, what a dope.

PSA

Are you ready? Actually, no, I'm not. So let's just all be nice to another, OK?

Dreaded Valentine's Day is fast approaching, and while I usually ignore the day entirely, I thought this was sort of fun, in a goofy way: Who is your Lord of the Rings love match?

After reading the replies carefully, I was able to manipulate the result to my satisfaction:

Aragorn. It seems you seek a lover who doesn't wear his heart on his sleeve, a real man, strong, silent and determined. The kind of chap who can build a fire, track a man across hill and dale through darkness and survive in the wild for months at a time. Regular shaving may be beyond his reach, and you may have to make substantial concessions to secure his affection. Your dad won't be happy.

Hehe.

Sir Ian McKellen was this week's guest on BBC Radio's Desert Island Discs. Guests are asked which pieces of music, which book, etc. you would want with you were you stranded on a desert island. You can find Sir Ian's choices here.

Dancing Queen. I love it.

I saw these guys when I went into NY on Sunday. They had machine guns strapped to their shoulders and bomb-sniffing dogs at their sides. Instead of terrifying me, their presence made me feel secure. I can remember seeing photographs of similar soldiers on the streets of Belfast in the early 1980's and thinking to myself, "I can't imagine what it must be like to live where this is necessary." Now here I am, 20 years later, comforted by the sight of them.

The Brunching Shuttlecocks rate danger symbols, part 2. I love these. Sample:

You never know when you're going to be in charge of some danger never before known to man, like sentient pudding or something, but an exclamation point doesn't mean "Danger" to me. It means "Charlie Brown is startled."

A new study shows that 2/3 of those participating turned their heads to the right when going in for a kiss. The other third can't remember which way they turn their heads since it's been so long since they've been kissed. Oh wait, that's me.

Adult Film Title of the Week: Burnin' Rubber... hee hee

Weekend

Saturday was a tough day. Our mother moved out of Mary's place for good because the situation there had just become unbearable for her. We were all sobbing by the time we left - Mary because she was sorry it didn't work out and didn't want Mommy to leave; Mommy because she felt guilty for leaving Mary there; and Sheila and me because it was just all too sad. This time around, though, Sheila will be moving to my father's, temporarily, taking Marty with her. She's leaving on Monday. Daddy's place is only about 20 minutes away, but I'll still miss them both very much. This makes the most sense, though, and it means that I will be able to keep my bedroom and my privacy. Our ultimate living arrangements are contingent up on how other things develop (things that I can't really discuss here), but this current arrangement will most definitely be temporary, no matter how things end up.

So, that was Saturday. Sunday was a much better day. We took the train into New York City with our father and were lucky enough to ride in for free on a pass given to him by a friend. Even though I've been to NYC many times in my life, I have never ridden on a subway, so the ride downtown on the 6 was cool. We had the Nathan Hale Pub, normally closed on Sundays, to ourselves from 1-6. The party was open bar, the food was delish and, God help us, there was karaoke. After telling him that I had not yet been to the site of the WTC attack, our cousin Tommy took a group of about 5 of us around the corner to see it. The homemade memorials still hanging on the back fence of the church were very moving; the street vendors hawking souvenirs 3 feet away were not. I didn't spend as much time there as I would have liked (it was very cold and we did have to get back to the party), but I was so glad I was able to see it.

Howdy Strangers

Just peeking in for now, sorry. I've been very busy and highly distracted. And buried under all of the snow we got on Friday and today (over a foot!). Quick review: My mother moved back in on Saturday, so we had to do the Rhode Island trip, out and back, that day; yesterday was a trip into NYC for my cousin Alesia's surprise 40th birthday party at the Nathan Hale Pub, two blocks from the World Trade Center, which I was able to finally get to see; and today, well, I'm back to work at Gager. They contacted me about a week and a half ago about a position they wanted to talk to me about. I went in to talk with them and they offered me the job on Friday. I gave my notice at Tommy K's - I'll finish out the week, then start full time at Gager next Tuesday (Monday is a holiday). Since I wasn't scheduled at the store today, I went into Gager to do some training/play catch-up, etc. Finally, real money, a real schedule and full benefits.

I'll have more details later - I'm just too pooped right now. And don't despair - I've made a list of Adult Film Titles of the Week that'll take me quite a few weeks to exhaust.

Think that toupee looks like a dead squirrel? So did Izzy.

Toonces comes home! No word yet on what he was doing driving around for 7 years like that.

Oh, this drives me CRAZY. And I'm sorry, I don't buy the theory that W pronounces it that way on purpose.

"Mourners in a Bulgarian cemetery ran for cover after a pitched battle between rival undertakers ended with one of the combatants falling into an open grave."

Newsflash: UN Orders Wonka to Submit to Chocolate Factory Inspections.

"The world can no longer turn a blind eye to Wonka's deception and misdirection," Rumsfeld said. "Without full inspections, there's no earthly way of knowing which direction Wonka's going. Not a speck of light is showing, so the danger must be growing. And he's certainly not showing any signs that he is slowing. Are the fires of Hell a-glowing? Is the grisly reaper mowing? Who can provide the world with the answer to these pressing questions?"

Drive-Thru Reviews

Red Dragon - Well-acted, well-executed and pretty close to the book, but for some reason I still prefer 1986's Manhunter over this one. Maybe because I saw Manhunter first, and years ago, before I was tainted and desensitized by the serial-killer soaked media. Who knows. I definitely did not enjoy the extremely cheesy reference to Clarice Starling at the end.

Road to Perdition - A classic, operatic western disguised as a gangster movie. Every frame is a work of art.

8 Mile - I have managed to stay Eminem-free all these years - couldn't tell you a single song of his, names of CDs, nuthin. So I watched this film without any baggage or expectations. And what did I come out of it with? Eh. It was okay.

Adult Film Title of the Week: Can't You Just F*ck Me And Go Home?

Do Not Tip Or Rock. The Brunching Shuttlecocks rate danger symbols.

(thanks, popculturejunkmail)

High Flight

I heard about the loss of the Columbia while driving back from an art exhibit in which my niece's work was featured. Sheila and I had the kids in the backseat and we were all being very silly and singing along loudly to the song on the radio. Funny, I can't remember the song now. It finished and the announcer came on, remarking on the sad events of the day, reporting that the space shuttle Columbia had disintegrated in the skies above Texas and all the astronauts were lost.

I've been struggling since then with how to address the tragedy on this page. I offer my deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the astronauts, and I hope that the knowledge that they died in the brave pursuit of a better world for all of us will help to alleviate some of their profound sadness. I won't, however, offer prayers for the souls of the lost - the seven brave men and women of Columbia do not need my help in that area. Instead, I will fall back on the tried and true. I dedicate the poem entitled "High Flight", written by Pilot Officer John Gillespie Magee, Jr. during WWII, and my gratitude, to the Columbia Seven.

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds--and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of--wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence, hov'ring there
I've chased the shouting wind along,
And flung my eager craft through footless halls of air.
Up, up the long, delirious burning blue
I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or even eagle flew
And, while with silent lifting mind I've trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space
Put out my hand and touched the face of God.