Recently in Interests Category

This was cool.

We did our semi-regular "let's get out of town" run out to Boulder City for some pizza at Tony's yesterday. You should go. And maybe score some wine just a couple doors down too.

Anyway, we were sitting outside enjoying some slices and mozz sticks with Gabriel and Mono just liking being somewhere else when we saw two girls walk by in faire clothing. Being curious about the goings-on in Boulder City, since it is such a nice place to get away, we asked what was up. And we were directed to aforementioned ren faire.

It was small, but nice. We knew some of the vendors from the big LV one. We got there late and missed a lot but they let us walk Mono around, which was very cool.

Basically, I'd like to be able to know when it is next year so we can make it for the whole shebang.

Holy Crap! Listen to this.

I'm dinged a lot for being opinionated but not really forthcoming personally on the site. That's probably true. I'm vaguely private, which is a bad thing for a blog I guess.

So, I'm giving a few moments for some guilty pleasures o' mine. Many have recently been in the news, others I just like and have for quite a long time.

First off, Robot Chicken. This isn't exactly fringe comedy since it's on cable and gets good press. Seth Green and pals come up with utterly insane plot lines that usually hit funny right on the nose. I reference this season's immigration crackdown skit. It is part of the Adult Swim lineup, which is an increasingly mixed bag of sheer genius and utter crap. Sometimes really wretched crap. Yes, I'm talking to you Saul of the Molemen and Tom Goes to the Mayor.

Another fun thing is watching Craig Ferguson's show. We don't always catch it, but damn is he awkward, amusing, and smart all at the same time. Read this, check your local listings for the Late Late Show and watch.

I've mentioned Walter Mosley's Futureland before - I think - and if you haven't picked up a copy, I'd still encourage you to do so. Here is an interview with Mosley concerning the book if you want more info.

More to come I imagine.

Leslie and I caught a Cubs game here in town on Friday. The Cubbies lost (box score), but it was definitely a fun night and a good time.

I've been in town for awhile, a couple projects moved around and kept me in town, but I'm back on the road again this week so updates will be sporadic - as if you'll notice a change.

Alright, a couple of plugs, one long overdue. I've been reading Reason by Robert Reich, which is maybe the only level-headed political book on the shelves these days. Much recommended, even though I'm only about 50 pages in. On the music scene, I have been forgetting to point out Sevendust's Southside Double-Wide. Thanks to Tom for the referral (that PX must be stocked). Anyways, I can't stop listening to it; probably the best live album I've ever heard. Solid stuff by a solid band.

Hey, our economy is "turning the corner." Wait, no it's not. I guess we're just watching Bush "Moving America Forward." Into what, for whatever reason, we just don't know. What we do know is that our pals the Saudis have decided to open up the oil taps...just in time for the Republican National Convention presumably. Joy.

Speaking of what George has done for us, apparently his damage control people are all over the moment last week when he said he'd consider a national sales tax. Reason being is that it would hit the middle class and poor a lot harder than the wealthy. Which, considering his tax cut strategy, is probably not anything he gives a damn about.

Alan Keyes is running for a Senate seat in Illinois. Which, being from Maryland, makes him uniquely qualified. But don't call him a strict constitutionalist conservative. In fact, he wants to get rid of that whole pesky "public voting for senators" thing. Seems he, like his party, can't trust the American people to do their bidding for them. At least it's more creative than getting the Supreme Court to trump the electorate.

One last article concerning the Olympics and the low profile our citizens (and athletes by extension) are being asked to take in light of the fact that the entire planet is pissed off at us. Thanks George!!! To be fair, it's not just us being jerks. An Iranian judo athlete is refusing to fight an Israeli because...well, he's a Jew. Thanks for making us look better than you silly racist punks Iran!!!

I was at work unfortunately and missed it, but I wanted to point out that Randy Johnson pitched a perfect game today. One, its a damn hard thing to do. Two, especially at 40. Three, especially with these stats. You want to know why I like baseball above all other sports? Moments like these. Hopefully I can catch some SportsCenter action to see some highlights.

I just wanted to point out two idiots who continue to walk this world with no shame: JonBenet Ramsey's dad and Kobe Bryant. Seriously, somebody please slap some sense into these fools.