Friday, February 29, 2008

Another Win for the Coalition

Turkey withdraws its troops from Iraq.

Take that, hippies!

Thursday, February 28, 2008

It Doesn't Get Better Than This

Enjoy.

Hey, Einstein

If you know anything about me, you know that I enjoy following the politics. I've got some pretty strong views on some issues. I'm almost always (and by that I mean, 99.9999999%) vote Democratic. In 1998, when George Pataki got all of the votes in his bid for a second term as Governor of New York, I was one of like 600 people that voted for Peter Vallone. In fact, I've only voted non-Democrat once. That was for Independent Mike Bloomberg in 2005. I've always been glad that I did. Even though he's turned the city into a huge corporation, it's a nice, clean, exciting, fun place to live (albeit expensive), now even more than ever.

Now, I'm even happier. New York is lucky to have him as our mayor, and hopefully his successor in 2009 (he has to leave office because of the Ed Koch-inspired term limits law) will be equally good. His Op-Ed in the New York Times today shows that politicians don't always have to be partisan assholes. Bloomberg's a smart guy, and if he does have national political aspirations, I'd be proud to count myself among his supporters.

Speaking of smart people, here's a link that I meant to post a couple of weeks back before I caught the flu. It's about the continuing stupification of America, and Americans on-going hostility toward knowledge.

It's funny. In 1996, Dennis Miller ranted about Americans hostility toward knowledge, suggesting we live in a country where calling someone "Einstein" is almost always an insult. It's crazy the extent to which that's come true. It's somehow hip to actually not know things. Which is fucking ridiculous on so many levels that it boggles my mind.

Labels: idiots, Michael Bloomberg, New York Times, smart people

The Flu and Other Stories

Last week, I was sidelined with the flu. I missed 3 days of work for the first time in I don't know how long, and basically didn't leave my apartment for 5 days. I know it sounds glamorous, but don't go out and get the flu yourself. Unless you enjoy not moving for several hours at a time and waking up every 15 minutes because your joints are so achy that you want to cry from the pain. In that case, you should go get the flu.

I saw Super Diamond again two Saturdays ago. That makes a baker's dozen for me. We wound up sitting next to one of the keyboardist's wife, who was celebrating her 40th birthday. We got a little background on the band and stuff, which was kind of cool, but not really.

The new season of American Idol is rocking strong. So far, I like the kid with the dreadlocks and the black girls with the big head of curly hair (there are two of them). I find the Irish girl off-putting, think her tattoo is ugly and think she screams when she sings. I hope she gets booted soon. Also, if you haven't seen the Randy Jackson/Paula Abdul collaboration/music video, go out and YouTube that. In fact, here.

Labels: American Idol, SuperDiamond, the flu

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

I'll Take One Ticket To Crazytown, Please

I went grocery shopping this weekend. I have these vinyl grocery bags that I bring to the store with me, so that I don't have to waste paper and plastic bags. I'm not changing the world or anything. It's easy to do and the bags are actually much easier to carry and very durable.

Anyway, I'm at Fairway yesterday, and I tell the woman that's bagging groceries that I have my own bags. The following is a transcript of the conversation:

Me: I brought my own bags.
Grocery lady: May I still bag?
Me: Of course. Here are the bags. (awkward pause) Thought I'd save a couple of trees, you know? Help the environment ...
Grocery lady: It's alright. When Jesus comes, all the trees will come back.
Me: Um, OK.

That's right: when Jesus comes, all the trees will come back. I wish I were kidding.

Labels: crazy people, Jesus

Saturday, February 16, 2008

Good Times

Bill Maher just called Dick Cheney and Alberto Gonzalez, "Dr. Evil and his Mexican mall lawyer."

And then I wet myself from laughing so hard.

Labels: funny

Friday, February 15, 2008

On Being Drew Carey

Is there a better job in the world than being host of the Price is Right? Everyone that's there is fucking thrilled to be there. When they get up on stage, the go absolutely bonkers, jumping dancing screaming. You get to give them prizes and cash paid for by other people. You get to remind people to help control the pet population and have their pets spayed or neutered. And you only work like three days a week.

All in all, I think Drew Carey has it pretty good.

Labels: Drew Carey, the Price is Right, TV

Vu Den? (What Else?)

My brother tipped me off to this. The Coen brothers next project, after they finish their next project A Serious Man, will be to bring Michael Chabon's The Yiddish Policeman's Union to a theater near you. If you haven't read the book, it's a high recommend from this end.

I don't know about you, but I totally geek out on the Coens. I find it really interesting that I leave everyone of their movies with a completely different impression of how I felt about the film, but once I watch them for a second time, I invariably love them. Walking out of Intolerable Cruelty, I wanted to strangle the both of them with my bare hands. About a year later, I watched it on cable and I loved it. I'm not sure what changed, except that something clicked. And I feel like every movie they make is that way. You need to see them more than once to truly get what they're trying to do.

Labels: books, Coen brothers, geekgasm, movies

Thursday, February 14, 2008

People With Too Much Time On Their Hands

From IMDb.com:

Singer/actress Miley Cyrus and her father Billy Ray Cyrus have apologized for failing to wear seat belts in a scene in new concert movie Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best Of Both Worlds Concert Tour. U.S. watchdog Consumer Reports publicly criticized the pair earlier this week for setting a bad example to Miley's young fans. The scene in question features the 15-year-old pop sensation and her dad in the back of a Range Rover - with neither of them wearing required safety restraints. Billy Ray tells People.com, "We got caught up in the moment of filming, and we made a mistake and forgot to buckle our seatbelts. Seatbelt safety is extremely important."

I fucking hate this country sometimes.

Labels: bullshit, Hannah Montana

Happy Birthday To My Blog

We're one year old around here today, and it feels damn good. To all my reader (that's not a typo), thank you for hanging around. To Sally Field, screw you. I told you I could do it!

Labels: Happy Birthday

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Housekeeping

Let's get some updates and info out of the way:

I've added a small section to the right rail of the site called, "Where's Wolinetz?" In this position, I'll be posting any readings that I may be doing, book-related events we're having, or any local events that I maybe attending.

The first event is in there. I'll be reading at Family Hour with Auntie Sara on March 14. Family Hour is at Ochi's Lounge at Comix on 14th St. and 9th Ave. in Manhattan. Sara Benincasa-Donnelly is a local stand-up, performer, comic a go-go (I added the a go-go). She's quite funny and she runs this show every Friday at 7pm. I suggest that you not only check me out on March 14, but also any other Friday that you feel the itch (not that kind of itch, use powder for that).

Book: we're just about ready for print. Advance manuscripts are going out, blurbs are coming in, salespeople are selling it to bookstores. It's very exciting. Official release date: June 24.

Labels: stuff

There's Someone For Everyone, Vol. 1

L'il Gary Coleman got married. Good for him.

From IMDb.com:

Former child star Gary Coleman has wed his fiancee on a mountain top, just five months after meeting her on a film set on her 22nd birthday. The pint-sized Diff'rent Strokes star, 40, wed Shannon Price recently and admits the ceremony was a very private affair.

--snip--

But Price tells People magazine that she knows she has a testing time ahead of her as the temperamental actor's young bride: "He lets his anger conquer him sometimes. He throws things around, and sometimes he throws it in my direction. I don't like the violence."

I see this ending well.

Labels: celebs, Gary Coleman

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

The Strike Is Over

Frankly speaking, I don't give a crap about the terms of the settlement. Presumably, both sides are happy enough. This, however, is good reading if you want to know when your favorite shows are coming back.

Labels: TV

Monday, February 11, 2008

Things I Did This Weekend

Went to Midtown Comics and picked up a bunch of stuff to read, including DC: The New Frontier, Superman Confidential, a Frank Miller Batman and Robin, Hulk and the regular Batman.

Had a sandwich at Ben's Delicatessen

Ate a delicious meal at The Stanton Social

Walked my dog in the park

Spent time with my dad

Labels: stuff

Friday, February 8, 2008

STOOOOPPPP THEEEEE FIIIIIIIIGHT!

"Big Jerry is making a big mistake, Jerry"

If you haven't already seen it, here's the Pedro Martinez/Juan Marichal cockfighting video.

Labels: cockfighting

I've Got The Music In Me

The Telegraph has a list of the 100 best movie soundtracks around. It's pretty comprehensive (as are most things that the Telegraph does) and includes some movies that I've never seen and scores that I've never heard.

[Tip of the hat to IMDb.com]

Labels: movies, music

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

I Love Reading Stuff Like This

Let's not worry about fixing the environment. Let's just make it so no one ever has to go outside.

Beijing's Skywalk-Linked Megacomplex a City Within a City

Labels: environment, fun (no)

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Rock Out With My Vote Out

I voted this morning. Did you?

I don't know about anyone else, but I actually like voting. In New York, when we go to vote, the voting machines are these big, old 1950s-style behemoths. You pull the lever once, and that allows you to pick your candidates, then you pull the lever back and it registers your vote. It's kind of antiquated, but it really makes you feel like you're voting.

All that said, I'm a huge proponent of vote by mail. In Oregon, they've been doing it since 1998. In the last presidential election, 87% of registered voters cast a ballot. That's an extremely strong argument. And anything that gets that kind of buy-in to the Democratic process seems worth a shot to me.

Labels: primaries, voting

He's Still Got It

Letterman's Top Ten list from last night: Top Ten New England Patriots Excuses

Labels: late night, losers, New England Patriots

Monday, February 4, 2008

We're Listening ...

"Just as we trust Americans with their own money, we need to earn their trust by spending their tax dollars wisely."
- President Bush,State of the Union January 28, 2008

Excerpt from "Bush Proposes $3.1 Trillion Budget: More For Military, Less For Health," February 4, 2008

The spending plan for his last year in office freezes or cuts some domestic programs, gives more money to the military, and would bring near-record deficits for at least two years.

Labels: redneck idiots

I've Been Laughing For 12 Hours

My five favorite things about Super Bowl XLII:

1. This article. Heh heh.

2. Junior Seau and Randy Moss being denied their first championship ring. Particularly Seau, who I absolutely cannot stand and couldn't get enough of the pictures of him on the sideline, dejected, as he realizes his 18-year career means dick without his championship ring.

3. This shirt.

4. The $750 that I won because the Giants win made the money line payout at 4 1/2 to 1, plus the practically gimme bet of the Giants +11 1/2 parlayed with the under that paid about 2 1/2 to 1.

5. All being right with the world as a Boston team choked down the stretch.

Labels: football, sports