YOU WEAR IT WELL

I don't normally post celebrity photos, but I came across this picture of Anne Hathaway on the set of her new film (currently in production in Paris, France) and I just couldn't help myself.

So loving the gloves.

PENNY-WISE, POUND FOOLISH

On two separate occasions, MUNI operators flatly refused to make any concessions on their contract that could have helped the agency close a $19 million dollar budget deficit and stopped routes from being reduced or even eliminated.

Well, Karma is a bitch and she's come back to collect.

All MUNI employees will no longer enjoy the luxury of free parking, and they will now be charged $80 a month for the privilege. It has been estimated this will save the cash-strapped transit agency $3.5 million dollars a year. MUNI operators will also have their "stand-by pay" taken away and nine union reps will be returned to work behind the wheel of a bus.

Finally, a light at the end of the troubled MUNI tunnel.

GREEN DAY

I came across this plastic bag stuck in a tree Sunday afternoon, but couldn't reach it (or I would have just grabbed it myself and thrown it out).

Stop using plastic bags, people.

PSSST, PASS IT ON

I came across this very amusing argument for gay marriage written by former KTVU anchor Leslie Griffith. She left the station several years ago, which was too bad because the Ten O'Clock News totally sucks now.

I stopped watching a long time ago.

At any rate, she writes a pretty good blog, check it out (scroll down to the July 26, 2010 entry entitled Uncle Sam needs you . . . to multiply).

lesliegriffith.org

PICTURE THIS

I'm not sure what it is about this picture I like so much (maybe it's the voyeuristic tone), but I thought I'd tack it up on the board this morning.

This one is from a hike I did with Greg a few months ago up in Marin.

DRESS FOR SUCCESS

So the California State Assembly seems to think it's more important right now to pass a dress code for women on the senate floor than to pass a budget?

Absolutely ridiculous.

FEED ME, SEYMOUR

Actually, I fed myself.

I made WAY more of this Butternut Squash soup than I had planned (made quite a mess as well), but it was worth it.

It's a very easy recipe, just some vegetable stock, steamed butternut squash (later mashed into a pulp), and a yellow onion sauteed in butter. I toss in a splash of heavy cream and season with a little sea salt, black pepper, and nutmeg.

So choice.

DOES ANYONE SMELL BACON?

"America today begins to turn back to God"

-- Fox News commentator Glenn Beck at the Restoring Honor (or what I like to call the White Christian Power) rally in Washington D.C. today.

What an asshole.

THE AGONY AND THE ECSTACY

I know your pain, Neely, I know your pain.

Thursday will be here soon enough.

SCREW YOU, PRINCIPAL TOGAR

Cheap Trick was their first choice and Van Halen was considered as well, but I can't imagine this movie being the classic it is today without The Ramones.

It is their "A Hard Days Night."

FREEDOM OF RELIGION IS OKAY - OH, BUT NOT YOURS

I've been really bothered lately by the swelling "Islamiphobic" attitude in this country. Because the terrorists who attacked the United States on September 11, 2001 were Muslim, it's made it quite easy to hate, discriminate, and even physically attack those of the Muslim faith.

It's funny, but I don't remember anyone saying anything disparaging about the Irish after Timothy McVeigh blew up the federal building in Oklahoma?

Every day, more and more stories of anti-Muslim behavior are appearing in the news. A taxi driver in Manhattan was stabbed by a fare when he was asked if he was Muslim (he replied yes). People have been protesting the so-called Ground Zero mosque ever since it was announced. "It's a slap in the face of Americans," "it's disrespectful to the victims of 9/11," "they should build it somewhere else" or "they're just training grounds for terrorists" are some cries that have been heard.

Where else should it be built?

In Mursfreeboro, Tennessee, plans for a mosque were abandoned when the town changed it's zoning laws to prevent the project. Another project in Temecula, California is currently being protested as the location is near Camp Pendleton, a military base. Everyone is screaming "build it somewhere else." How can that happen when city after city finds different ways of scuttling the projects?

As an American, I find this embarrassing. Weren't we taught in school that America was the land of freedom? Isn't that why the pilgrims came here in the first place, for religious freedom?

As someone who was at the World Trade Center on September 11,2001 and was injured, I'm angered that what happened that day continues to be exploited for political purposes and for creating hate and discrimination against another group of people.

How dare anyone in this country deny someone the right to worship the God of their choosing. So much for "Christian Love," right? Oh and just for the record, I am agnostic, with a strong lean towards atheism.

FIRST CRUSH

SCOTTY'S BIG HOLLYWOOD SCREEN KISS

I LOVE a good kiss.

Personal opinion, of course, but this kiss from the final moments of Bend It Like Beckham is, without a doubt, the sexiest kiss ever captured on film.

For real.

PLAYING BOTH SIDES AGAINST THE MIDDLE

They're a band so good they could do a live show at CBGB's on the Bowery, have their records spun at Studio 54, and not lose their street cred with either crowd.

Blondie ROCKS!

MUNI FAIL . . . AGAIN

MUNI was planning to restore most of service it cut back in May within the next few weeks. Turns out it may not happen, if the drivers have anything to say about it.

A few days ago, the process of operators signing up for their new assignments began and the executives of their union, Transport Workers Union Local 250-A, were hoping for a showdown with management by encouraging their members to boycott the new assignments.

Union members decided, instead of a boycott, to begin a legal fight on whether MUNI management has the right to have operators to come back to work, based on their existing contract. They are claiming that the new schedule doesn't allow enough time for operators to complete their scheduled runs and that it's a "safety issue."

This is BULLSHIT!

MUNI management isn't increasing service. They are just RESTORING service that was cut. Oh, and they're only restoring 61% of the service that was cut.

Every public workers union in San Francisco (and in the state, for that matter) has had to make sacrifices to keep their jobs, either with wage freezes, pay cuts and some unpaid furlough days. It just boggles my mind that the operators of MUNI seem to think they're above all of this and are entitled to grab as much as they possibly can, all on the backs of their patrons.

I have boycotted MUNI since April and haven't missed it one bit. I've taken my public transit business to BART and have been very happy with the service. If where I want to go isn't BART-able, I walk and have found I enjoy that very much.

Get over yourself, MUNI operators.

TRIBUTE

NetFlix, On-Demand movies, and multi-plex cinemas make movie-going more convenient, but there is a cost.

One of the last single-screen theaters (and one of the oldest, first opening in 1910) in San Francisco, the Clay on Fillmore Street announced yesterday that it is closing for good this Sunday.

This leaves, I believe, The Castro and Bridge theaters as the last two single-screen theaters in San Francisco.

A PERFECT EGGS-AMPLE . . .

. . . of why industrialized farming and food production is ruining our environment, our economy, and our health.

550,000 eggs recalled (so far) because of Salmonella IN the eggs?

Disgusting.

Buy local and buy cage-free.

STARDATE LOG 08202010

Clearly, I didn't receive the memo announcing that the 1980's would officially come to a close on December 31, 1989 at 11:59:59 PM.

I went out for a walk earlier today wearing a Lacoste polo, Levi's 501 jeans, and an Adidas track jacket. The song I was listening to was Space Age Love Song by A Flock of Seagulls and when I turned the corner, this is what was up on the marquee.

If I didn't have an MP3 player in my pocket, I would SWEAR it was 1984.

LET'S GO TO THE MOVIES

In honor of today's opening of the highly-anticipated Piranha 3D, I'm paying tribute to three films from the '70's that should be on your NetFlix list, because they're so bad they're good.

My favourite moment from all three of these "classics" is the closing credits from H.G. Wells Empire of the Ants. Look closely and you'll see how low-budget this film was:

Craft services -- Jerry's Deli

Hilarious!

ROMANTIC RESUSCITATION

I was wondering maybe

could I make you my baby

If we do the unthinkable would it make us look crazy

If you ask me, I'm ready

(I'm ready, I'm ready)

If you ask me I'm ready

-- Unthinkable (I'm ready)

This song seems to have touched what I thought was a long-dead romantic feeling within and I can't stop myself from hitting the repeat button.

DISAPPEARING INK

I took a look at my resume recently and was somewhat amused to find that the following companies that I once worked for . . .

Prime Charter, LTD.

Scudder, Steven, and Clark

Lehman Brothers

WaMu Capital Corporation (subsidiary of Washington Mutual Bank)

. . . no longer exist.

It is a bit strange to see a ten-year work history vanish (snap) like that.

AND THE SHEEP SHALL FOLLOW

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada) has now attached his cart to the anti-Muslim movement, in what I believe is a last-ditch effort to jump start his troubled re-election campaign.

Mr. Reid now believes that the so-called Ground Zero Mosque should not be built were it was recently approved, two blocks from the World Trade Center site. (sigh)

Game point to the Republicans, who yet again, have manged to use fear as reason and create another distraction from serious issues affecting the country today.

FEED ME, SEYMOUR

Junna and I managed to polish off the last two pieces at Little Star Pizza last night (with special guest Paul from Barneys New York).

GET OFF MY LAWN, YOU DAMN KIDS!

I came across an amusing article this morning about the Class of '14, who's members have never worn a wrist watch, don't know how to write cursive and weren't even alive when Rodney King, Dan Quayle, and Dr. Kevorkian were in the news.

Don't know how to write cursive?

Wow.

FILMEN Sie DURCH FRITZ LANG

My really cool cousin Iliana and I got the chance to view a restored classic yesterday the way it was meant to be seen, on the big screen.

29 minutes of the film were cut shortly after its initial release in 1927 and considered long-lost, until a 16mm print was recently found in Argentina. There are still 4 minutes of missing footage floating around somewhere.

Metropolis on the big screen was an absolute cinematic treat.

FEED ME, SEYMOUR

Chow, bruschetta, Iliana, gossip, fun.

MISPLACED ATTACHMENT

Once again, that dumb-as-a-bag-of-shit Sarah Palin is fanning the flames of fear and hatred.

It is a private real estate deal that is done, yet she continues to lead the charge in a battle that is both stupid and offensive. Palin (along with a few others), just can't seem to let go of the fact that the building of a mosque has been approved and will be built two blocks from Ground Zero. I mean, face it, honey. It's gonna happen, whether you like it or not.

What I find especially offensive is the use of the phrase Ground Zero Mosque.

This mosque is not being built ON Ground Zero. Once again people, it is going to be erected two blocks away. Are we going to attach those two words to every building within the general area of the old World Trade Center site? If so, then shouldn't we be calling the Burger King across the street from Ground Zero the Ground Zero Burger King? How about the Ground Zero Millennium Hotel, or Brooks Brothers at Ground Zero? I mean, why not, they're all located across the street as well? Maybe the phrase Ground Zero can be trademarked and a little money can be made. Not a bad idea, considering that the Republicans have used the phrase and day, for that matter, as a tool to raise money (and fear) for their political causes and candidates.

I just find it so offensive and morally reprehensible that Ms. Palin and her ilk continue to exploit the attacks of September 11th to push their political agenda. This is a local issue (to New York City), and should not be presented as a serious national debate.

But then I'm just saying, is all.

WINDOW DRESSING

Pretty accurate, if you ask me.

LOST SAN FRANCISCO

Seal Stadium at 16th and Bryant.

This was the home of the beloved Pacific Coast League's San Francisco Seals baseball team until 1957, when the New York Giants came to town.

The Giants played at Seal Stadium for two seasons until Candlestick Park was completed. The Seals were sold, moved to Phoenix, and Seal Stadium was quickly torn down.

A shopping center now stands on the site.

CARRIE WHITE

What would Carrie White do?

I've been flip-flopping on whether or not I was going to attend my 25th class reunion, which is being held tonight. Although I am a feeling a bit curious, I decided, after much debate (well, maybe not that much), not to attend.

Life has been pretty good to me since I bid a not-so-fond farewell to Petaluma High School. Now don't get me wrong, my high school experience wasn't all bad, I've got some great memories. But I attended a virtually all-white, small-town farm school, where it was pretty common for me to be called "spic" or "fag" or even worse things -- and that was to my face.

But I still showed up, nearly everyday for four years.

Perhaps it can be said that by facing all of that, it helped shape who I am today (positively and negatively). However, I just decided that I wasn't really up for "celebrating" a time and place where I wasn't always made to feel welcome.

50 BUCKS, 50 WORDS, 50 YEARS

With a $50 wager on the table from his publisher, Theodor Seuss Geisel managed to come up with a children's book that is intelligent, terrifically illustrated, encourages kids to read, and he did it all by using just 50 words.

This instant classic turns 50 today.

I was a voracious reader as a kid and I owe all to the first books I owned, one of which was "Green Eggs and Ham."

Thanks, Dr. Seuss.

FEED ME, SEYMOUR

French Onion soup from Bisou, on Market Street.

WARBY-PARKER TWINS

Fellow choir nerd Heidi and I tried on a couple of the Warby-Parker frames today.

Whaddya think?

BETWEEN THE PAGES

"There are those who still find coach seats adequately roomy - mainly small-boned children under eight, and armless, legless midgets. Better hope you have one of the latter seated next to you, and not some 300 pound man who wordlessly annexes half of your seat like he's Germany and you're Poland."

-- Amy Alkon, "I See Rude People: One Woman's Battle to Beat Some Manners into Impolite Society"

Oh man, talk about preachin' to the choir. I can't wait to read this book!

PICTURE THIS

I remember when this storm dropped a light blanket of snow on the bay area back in 1976.

TIME FOR SAN FRANCISCO TO GROW UP

San Francisco Chronicle architecture critic John King presents a compelling argument in his column on the positive aspects of the "Manhattanization of San Francisco." It's a subject I've ranted about once or twice in my day.

Once the largest city on the west coast (and an exciting and cosmopolitan one at that), San Francisco is now a weak and sad shell of what it once was.

Check it out and see if you agree, because I do.

COFFEE, TEA, PROZAC

At this point, we all know the story of flight attendant Steven Slater. He's become a bit of a hero and rightfully so. He's Howard Beale and Frances Farmer, all wrapped up in a fabulous pink bow.

I'm not going to waste your time rehashing the story since we all know how it all went down. However, I will say that I think it's the asshole passenger who should be in the picture above, not Mr. Slater.

WITHIN MEANS

I came across an article on MSNBC this weekend that I found interesting and timely, as it seems to mirror what I've been attempting to do this past year with myself.

Researchers have found the correlation between living frugally and happiness, and it seems the two go hand in hand.

I have to say that I'm not surprised. I've been going through my closet, kitchen cabinets and storage bins over the last 8 or 9 months, in an attempt to rid myself of "the clutter." I've also been buying a lot less stuff. Next on the list to go is a drawer full of kitchen utensils and a microwave oven that I don't really use.

I've found that not only do I not need all that shit in my life, but I'm enjoying the few extra square feet in my apartment and the few extra bucks in the bank as well.

Check out the article.

STUCK IN THE MIDDLE (MEN)

The Porn Press is the commemorative drink being served at the Kabuki Sundance Cinemas in conjunction with the film "Middle Men."

Vodka, X-Rated Liqueur (a blood orange, mango, passion fruit infused vodka), soda, and Sprite. A nice drink, actually.

By the way, I HIGHLY recommend the movie.

STUPID STUFF STUPID WHITE PEOPLE LIKE

Taking the elevator one flight up or down.

This is a particular thorny issue in the building where I work. The lazy losers I'm speaking of will spend more time walking by the stairs and waiting for an empty car to arrive rather than just walk down (or up) the one flight of steps.

(sigh)

CHEAP DATE

After a Bourbon and Coke-soaked viewing of the documentary "Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work" (which, by the way, is very good), Cookie and Irving sauntered up the street to the Whole Foods Market on California Street, where they dined on pre-packed sushi.

MIXMASTER

When handed a flask of Maker's Mark Bourbon (to mix with the Cokes they had just purchased at the snack bar), she whispered "how much should I use?"

He whispered back "half."