TRIBUTE

Any real actor worth their salt would kill to have the resume actor Tony Curtis has. He was also an accomplished painter and a best-selling author.

Curtis passed away last night at the age of 85.

He received an Oscar nomination for his role in The Defiant Ones but went on to star in Spartacus, The Sweet Smell of Success, Operation Petticoat, Some Like It Hot, and The Boston Strangler. He also provided some BRILLIANT commentary for the documentary The Celluloid Closet and last but not least, was the voice of "Stony Curtis" in an amusing episode of The Flintstones.

I had the pleasure of a brief meeting with Mr. Curtis. After he was presented with a lifetime achievement award at the Mill Valley Film Festival, I was able to get his autograph on both my DVD of Some Like It Hot and on his recently released autobiography, American Prince. He looked me square in the eye, firmly shook my hand and asked if it was OK that he sign his name across Monroe's "Bosom." I laughed and replied "I would be disappointed if you didn't." He laughed, signed his name and thanked me for stopping by.

Now THAT'S a star.

ALIMENTEME, SEYMOUR

So I found myself at the much bally-hooed Nick's Crispy Taco's on Polk and Broadway last night, with longtime fellow gymster Logan.

I'm usually not a big fan of beans with my tacos, as most restaurants usually don't know how to properly "spice up" their beans. More often than not, I find it makes for a bland taco. But the Carne Asada soft tacos I had were pretty good. They were served up fresh, generously filled, and were quickly devoured.

Some of you know that I have a DEEP love for good Guacamole, what California native doesn't? Not only does Nick's serve up a GREAT guac, but they also toss in some Pico de Gallo, something I've never a restaurant do. Most places charge you for one or the other.

Good stuff, Nick

THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID

Just something I saw in a parking garage last night.

TRIBUTE

Arthur Penn directed both the original Broadway production and the film adaptation of The Miracle Worker, both of which won Anne Bancroft and Patty Duke their Tony and Academy Awards for playing Annie Sullivan and Helen Keller (that's got to be some sort of record). He also went on to direct Bonnie and Clyde, a film that literally changed how movies were made and marketed in Hollywood.

Mr. Penn passed away today, one day after he turned 88.

Bonnie and Clyde was completely dismissed by studio head Jack Warner and the film was unceremoniously dumped onto the drive-in movie circuit. It wasn't until New Yorker Magazine critic Pauline Kael (a Petaluma native, by the way) reviewed the film as "a new and vital kind of film." Her review saved the film, as did the word of mouth that was spreading, causing Warner Brothers to re-release it.

The movie became a monster hit that garnered several Oscar nominations, with the great Estelle Parsons taking home the award for Best Supporting Actress.

I just happened to watch this film on DVD this past weekend and thought to myself how great of a movie it still was, after 42 years.

Thanks, Arthur. The movies you directed are timeless, thought-provoking, entertaining, and are everything a good movie is supposed to be.

Job well done.

CLANG, CLANG, CLANG WENT THE TROLLEY - NOT

I come from a family with a strong union history, but it's so hard to remain pro-union when I read shit like this.

The 48th annual Cable Car Bell Ringing Contest was held yesterday. Or should I say, should have been held yesterday. It seems that the contestants, all members of the Transportation Workers Union Local 250-A, decided the night before to not participate in the beloved annual event, so it was canceled.

The workers are upset that many aspects of their contracts are disappearing, like free parking and ridiculous overtime calculations. Also, there is a measure on the November ballot (Prop. G). It will end the practice of MUNI operators the guarantee of being the second highest-paid transit workers in the country and instead, make their wages subject to collective bargaining.

Isn't that how's it's supposed to be already?

I don't know who's doing the PR work for this union, but I'm thinking they are WAY over paid. Everyday, there are stories like this in the news and it makes these operators look like a bunch of insolent, spoiled, and entitled little pricks.

I plan to vote YES on Proposition G and hope you all do the same.

WISH I MAY, WISH I MIGHT

I love these Tom Ford Bachardy sunglasses. They're a bit pricey at $360, so if anyone out there is feeling a little generous . . .

JOB OPENINGS

When times are economically bad, the first thing people complain about is of all the jobs that are being stolen by illegal immigrants. It's a tired argument that causes me to roll my eyes back when I hear it because there isn't a single statistic that backs up that claim.

So I wasn't at all shocked when I read this article on MSNBC about the large amount of Americans who do NOT apply for seasonal farm work, in spite of their squawking about the absence of jobs.

Farmers earlier this year posted 1,160 field worker positions that specifically targeted U.S. Citizens through employment offices in California, Texas, Nevada, and Arizona.

Only 233 applied.

The UFW (United Farm Workers union) launched a similar program that attracted 8,600 applicants, but only 7 workers were actually placed. One nursery owner who participated in the program said that not only did the U.S. citizens that he hired complain about how grueling the work was, but that there was a high absentee rate and that some of those hired were actually found to be putting plants into the ground upside down.

Oh, that is rich.

LATHER, RINSE, REPEAT

I believe I've posted this picture before, but I came across it recently and thought I'd give it another shout out.

This dramatic shot was taken at Pigeon Point, just off Hwy 1, December 26, 2009.

I LOVE ROSS, I HATE ROSS, I LOVE ROSS, I HATE ROSS

It was stunning to see so many people who where against health care reform earlier this year. Apparently, the chance for an extra 30 million Americans having access to health care was just unacceptable.

Well, that is until now, since there is a possibility that we're going to lose it before it goes fully into effect.

With the Republicans planning to repeal the health care plan as we know it (if they win enough seats in the upcoming elections this November), a new AP poll shows that 4 in 10 Americans now feel the new law doesn't go far enough.

Funny, everyone was screaming louder than a room full of wet cats about how the plan went too far, as it was presented to us at the time.

(sigh) Sometimes I think people complain just so they can hear their own voice.

BORED TO DEATH

" . . . you little castrato piece of shit!"

Not only was I happy to see Bored To Death starting it's second season last night, but to have Kristen Johnston guest star as a dominatrix was almost more exciting than I could possibly bear.

Seriously, this is the best show on television.

8 MILLION STORIES IN THE NAKED CITY . . .

. . . and this is one of them.

The last of the storied checkered cabs to roam the streets of Manhattan was 1N11 and I got to ride in it, along with Andra, back in March of 1998. I still have the cab receipt in a box somewhere.

1N11 was retired from the fleet in 1999.

PICTURE THIS

The day started out with the plan of a moderate hike along the trails above the small town of Lagunitas, in Marin County. High-jinx ensued and as a result, I ended up driving over to Limantour Beach at the Point Reyes National Seashore, instead.

I didn't get the cardio workout I was looking for but I still had a nice time. Oh, and driving around in that BMW?

It was so choice.

THE (SEXY) FACE OF POLITICS

It's been suggested that Americans are more influenced by the good-looks of our political candidates than their message or platform. Whether that's true or not, most historians agree that the Kennedy/Nixon debate, which took place 50 years ago today, September 26, 1960, was the first time we saw how television influenced our choices and how it changed politics forever.

Those who listened to the debate on the radio said that then-Vice President Richard M. Nixon easily won the debate, while those who watch the first televised presidential debate felt that it was John F. Kennedy, who took the prize.

Fortified with a Hawaiian tan (following a recent campaign swing through America's newest state) and a little pancake make-up, Kennedy look fresh, rested, and handsome. Nixon, on the other hand, did not wear any "TV make-up" and appeared nervous, was sweaty, and with his 5 o'clock shadow, looked very tired.

Kennedy won the election, though not by a landslide. He was assassinated in November of 1963.

Nixon returned to California, where he gave his famous "You won't have Dick Nixon to kick around, anymore" speech after losing a bitter gubernatorial election to former San Francisco District Attorney Edmund "Pat" Brown. Nixon did return to politics and was elected President in 1968 (with a re-election in 1972). He resigned in disgrace following the Watergate scandal in 1974.

He also NEVER participated in a debate again.

UNHAPPY MEALS

San Francisco's infamous Board of Stupidvisors is at it again.

The first hearing on the proposal to ban toys in fast food kids meals takes place this Monday. I'm sorry, but they have nothing better to do with their time? Have they solved the homeless issue? Have they figured out how to keep the streets clean and urine-free? No?

I didn't think so.

With all the issues confronting San Franciscians today, I question the need for this battle right now. We all know that fast food is bad for you but at some point, you have to step back and allow people to decide what they want to eat (or, in this case, have their kids eat). I wouldn't take my niece or nephew to any of these "restaurants," but that's because I love them and care what they eat.

Banning toys in kids meals is just silly food policing. The fast food industry has gone a long way to make their kids meals better by offering milk, fruit cups and other healthier alternatives (with mixed results, by the way). However, it's not the responsibility of government to tell someone what they can or cannot eat.

But then I'm just saying, is all.

GIRL CRUSH

emma stone

ALIMENTEME, SEYMOUR

Office mate and fellow blogger Ryan and I shared a birthday lunch yesterday at Mexico DF, over on Steuart Street.

Picture one WAS the requisite Chips and Guacamole (avocado, cilantro, lime, onion, and a cherry tomato). We dove in and devoured most of it before I remembered to take a picture. Good stuff.

We shared the taco plates (tacos de carne asada y tacos de pollo asado). Washed back with a Dos Equis Ambar, it was the perfect afternoon.

Happy belated birthday, Ryan.

BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE LETTERS "T" AND "A"

I know you've all heard about Katy Perry's cancelled appearance on the classic PBS kid's show Sesame Street, but I just couldn't help myself.

Another silly controversy on an otherwise slow news day.

GOVERNOR WARBUCKS

As her vanity-driven race for Governor of California moves closer to the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, former Ebay CEO Meg Whitman is in a statistical dead heat with her democratic opponent, California State Attorney General Jerry Brown. That wouldn't be much of a story, except that Ms. Whitman has spent a record $119 Million of her own money.

$119 Million dollars spent (so far) and you're only in a statistical dead heat? You don't seem to be getting much bang for your buck, huh, Meg?

It certainly causes me to question her logic and ability (or inability, if you will) to pick the right people for her campaign (and possibly cabinet), if the best she can do after spending so much money is to be in a tie with her opponent.

But I'm just saying, is all.

Just for the record, the editor-in-chief of The Steamingpoop Blog wholeheartedly supports Jerry Brown for Governor.

ON THE HBO

(500) Days of Summer

It's a pretty good movie with a particular line that I wish I had written in a card to someone whom I once thought was special:

"Roses are red, Violets are blue . . .

. . . Fuck you, whore"

ART GRATIA ARTIS

I wished to hell I had bothered to see who the artist was. It's on the rooftop of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.

DO AS I SAY, NOT AS I DO - THE PERFECT, IF NOT TYPICAL, POLITICAL MANTRA

So Tea Party senatorial candidate from Alaska Joe Miller has gone on record as saying unemployment benefits are unconstitutional. That's funny, because Mr. Miller has no problem with the agricultural subsidies he received from the government back in the 90's.

A story that was originally denied by his campaign has since been confirmed as fact, thanks to the Freedom of Information Act.

What a loser.

CAN YOU TELL WHICH ONE IS THE GAY SOLDIER?

Yeah, I can't, either.

Thank you, Republican members of Congress, for the filibuster that did not allow the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Don't Pursue. Oh, and while I'm at it, kudos to the Democrats, for their lack of support and their nutless stance in EVERYTHING they do (or don't do, I should say).

ANYONE who is ready, willing and able defend this country should be allowed to wear that uniform.

Shame on you Washington DC, shame on you.

"THAT KID LIKES IT. HE HAS SOME STRONG HANDS, DOESN'T HE"

If I had one thing I to say about fellow blogger, office mate, and Minnesota Vikings fan Ryan, it would be that he has a terrific sense of humor and his latest project reflects that.

Pound The Hole is his Twitter page tribute, if you will, to the double-entendre (and unintentionally yet amusingly homoerotic) play-by-play calls made by football announcers, coaches, and players.

He's compiled a list of classic quotes, such as:

Watch him try to find this hole here, gets right back in the back of Schaub with great explosion

Hilarious stuff. You should check it out and become a follower.

THERE'S A REASON SHE HASN'T BEEN TEABAGGED

A lot is being said about the few candidates from the so-called Tea Party winning some primaries, lately. Let me just go on record as saying it's all much ado about nothing. These whack-jobs seem to think that cute slogans and smarmy little one-liners are all it takes to win an election.

Not so fast.

We all pretty much know what they're against. They seem to be against everything. Well, everything that isn't a white, God-fearing Christian bigot. If any of them actually sat down and read Elections for Dummies, they would see that in order to win, you need to tell people what you're for, what you plan to do, and how you plan to pay for it.

Several Tea Party candidates are running on the NO MORE TAXES mantra. It's taxes that paved the roads you drove on to your stupid little rally so you could scream "NO MORE TAXES."

When I see some of these rallies on the news, I see a lot of people who look like they're old enough to collect Social Security. I wonder if any of them know where the money for Social Security comes from?

I do, I do. The money comes from TAXES.

Tea Party favorite Rand Paul believes that parts of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 are unconstitutional. Alaska Tea Party senatorial candidate Joe Miller believes that unemployment benefits are unconstitutional.

Wow, amazing stuff, huh?

The only thing these candidates are going to accomplish is making their democrat opponents look real good come November.

FILM THEORY 101: VERTIGO

It's a film about stalking, mind-fucking, and murder.

Originally released in 1958, Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo was a flop but has since become one of his most beloved and studied films.

It was filmed on location here in San Francisco, a city that Mr. Hitchcock loved and said was his favorite American city. In fact, he is quoted as saying the city by the bay was "the most Parisian city outside of Paris."

I'm not sure how I feel about the movie, it is a bizarre one. But if I see that it's on television, I do find myself sitting down for a viewing. I suppose that if I really had to break it down, it's the performance of James Stewart that draws me in.

Stewart plays police detective Scottie, a vulnerable, broken-hearted and slightly mentally-ill man police detective. His portrayal is completely out of sync with the macho 1950's idea of what a real man was, and it's what I think makes he performance so amazingly good.

40

So I went to see The Tillman Story yesterday and I have to say that it is a MUST-SEE film. I wouldn't be surprised at all if it took the Oscar for Best Documentary, it's that good. We're all familiar with his story and I knew I would probably get pissed off while watching the film, so I even questioned my going. My reaction, however, surprised me very much.

As I walked out of the cinema, I felt absolutely broken-hearted, as if I was leaving the funeral of a close family member or a friend.

Pat was educated and read literature. He didn't own a cellphone and when he went to the stadium for practice (Pat played football for the Arizona Cardinals), it wasn't in a car. Pat would ride his beach cruiser to practice. He also married his high school sweetheart (someone he had first met when they were both 4 years old). Pat was just a regular guy from San Jose, CA who didn't buy into the NFL jock-thing.

Best of all, Pat was an atheist, something his youngest brother reminded everyone about at his public memorial. As politician after politician got up and spoke of his sacrifice and about how he was with the lord and in heaven, Richard Tillman got up and said (I'm paraphrasing, but you get the gist) "Pat wasn't fucking religious and he's not in heaven, he's dead, that's all" as he threw back a Guinness.

So Cool. Can Richard Tillman be my brother, too?

His life and service were used by the government as a recruiting tool and to build public support for an unpopular war. As the real story of Pat Tillman came out and it became apparent that he was a square peg that didn't fit in the government's round hole, members of congress denounced his family's lack of faith as the reason why they were having trouble accepting his death.

Ah, there is no love like Christian Love, huh? (sigh)

Go see the film.

GO PLAY IN THE STREET

Once a month, a neighborhood in San Francisco gets to close a few streets and allows those in the area to enjoy a day without traffic. This weekend, it was the Fillmore District's turn at bat (although it didn't seem to me that it was well attended).

Well attended or not, it's a terrific idea that, like all good things, originated in New York City.

TOUJOUR L'AMOUR, MIETTE

An afternoon snack of graham crackers and milk.

TAKE TWO ASPIRIN AND DON'T CALL IN THE MORNING

Republicans have announced that if they win enough seats this coming November, that they will repeal the recently passed health care reform bill and come up with a plan of their own.

WTF?

If you remember, their competing plan to the one presented (and eventually passed by the Democratic majority) would cover 3 Million more people by 2019, as compared to the nearly 33 Million under the current law as it stands today. So you're to going to tell 30 Million people "sorry, but this isn't personal, it's politics?"

WOW.

It amazes that anyone would think that this is a good idea. President Bush repealed the environmental laws enacted by President Clinton. When elected, President Obama repealed the President Bush repeals of those laws (among others). So is it going to be the job of each new incoming administration to just repeal the laws and erase the work completed by the previous administration?

I'm sorry, I thought the role of government was to take care of it's citizens, but I guess I'm just being naive.

THE TIN MAN'S HEART

So I renewed my subscription to the HBO this weekend and caught a movie that sort of touched a nerve, (500) Days of Summer.

It's a pretty good movie, although it did mirror a situation in my not-so-distant past. So much so, in fact, that it almost could have been called (210) Days of Joe.

Prick.

FEED ME, SEYMOUR

After taking in The Fisher Collection at the SFMOMA, Darren and I ran up to the Super Duper Burger, on Market at 16th Street.

As you can see, I had the Cheeseburger (cheddar). Thank goodness we split the fries since, as you can see, it was a pretty large order. They use Niman Ranch Beef, which I love because they are local (Marin County) and their cattle is grass-fed.

The burger ROCKED. I can definitely see myself eating here again sometime.

PICTURE THIS

The view from the top of Dolores Park at 20th and Church Streets earlier this afternoon.

JOB OPENING

This is a picture of the calendar (september) that currently hangs in my kitchen. Take a look at the date(s) between September 24 and September 26.

Do you see what I see?

Very amusing.

GIDDY-UP!

Here's a look at the new seating that may be heading to an airline near you.

This new horse saddle-style seating has been created by an Italian company and will be officially unveiled at a Long Beach, Ca industry show later this week. The company claims airlines will be able to add as many as 50 more passengers on each flight with this style of seats, although there is a 25% loss of legroom.

Ireland-based low-cost carrier RyanAir is said to be considering them for their airline.

(sigh) I can't wait for high-speed rail to make it's debut.

LIPSTICK ON A PIG

We live in a country where there are people who think Sarah Palin would make a good President, so perhaps they're the target audience of the Corn Refiners Association.

To counter a drop in consumer consumption of food products that are made with High Fructose Corn Syrup, the CFA has applied to the Food and Drug Administration for permission to change the name of the controversial and unhealthy sweetener to a more digestible name, Corn Sugar.

They've already begun to run TV ads using the name along with the line "whether it's corn sugar or cane sugar, your body can't tell the difference. Sugar is sugar."

It's amazing they can get away with that crap.

WHAT A SET OF BALLS

I'm not sure who's in charge of public relations for PG&E, but after today's announcement, I'm thinking they're WAY overpaid since the timing of this couldn't have been more poorly planned.

A proposal by state regulators and backed by the San Francisco-based power company has been presented to the California Public Utilities Commission. In it, they are asking for permission to pass on any costs from disasters not covered by their insurance, to their customers.

WTF?

If the insurance they carry won't cover all costs incurred in the event of a disaster (like the one in San Bruno last week), then PG&E and it's shareholders are the one's who need to bear the brunt, not taxpayers. They're a multi-billion dollar company, and I'm sure they've got plenty sitting in an account somewhere.

You can't pocket your profits and socialize your losses.

I can only hope that someone, somewhere is trying to get Erin Brockovich on the phone right now.

KUMBAYA

Sometimes, you just have to sit back and laugh when you read shit like this.

Republican congressional candidate (Washington) Hans Zeiger is performing a bit of a tap dance after the following column he wrote for a conservative website a while back recently resurfaced:

"One might wonder why the Girl Scouts have been spared the painful attacks that have been launched upon the Boy Scouts by the Left in recent years. The reasons are simple: the Girl Scouts allow homosexuals and atheists to join their ranks, and they have become a pro-abortion, feminist training corps . . . If the Girl Scouts of America can't get back to teaching real character, perhaps it will be time to look for our cookies elsewhere."

This particular column has magically disappeared from the website and Mr. Zeiger now says the comment no longer represents his values.

Of course it doesn't.

DO YOU WANNA RIDE IN MY MERCEDES, BOY?

Patience is a virtue.

Even though I had a reservation for my rental, there was still a one-hour wait (last minute rush on reservations, was the excuse). Although I wasn't too happy about the wait (good thing my mp3 player was with me), I knew once I reached the counter, there would be an upgrade.

However, I had no idea what was coming my way.

I made some polite chit-chat with the rental agent, who after a few minutes asked "would you like to drive a Mercedes?"

UM, YES!

The 2010 Mercedes-Benz E350 was my weekend ride and with the $25 coupon I had, it was a ride that cost me 63 bucks!

It was so choice.

WTC

From my personal collection, taken September 16, 1996.

SEPARATED AT BIRTH

"He's the only person I know who's in worse shape than I am"

-- Monroe on friend, co-star, and fellow hot mess Montgomery Clift

TREASON

Merriam-Webster defines the word "Treason" as:

1. An act of betrayal.

2. the offense of attempting by overt acts to overthrow the government of the state to which the offender owes allegiance or to kill or personally injure the sovereign or the sovereign's family.

It is my personal belief that "Pastor" Terry Jones is committing that very act. His plan to burn the Quran on September 11th is well known and has already drawn protests around the world. He represents America and Christianity as much as the terrorists who attacked us nine years ago represented Islam.

I mean, EVEN Sarah Palin has said he is wrong.

His selfish and thoughtless plan not only puts our country in danger, it puts our troops in both Iraq and Afghanistan in mortal danger.

Mr. Jones, you are a true blue asshole who needs to shut the HELL up.

VILLAGE IDIOTS

Me no inglush goud.

FEED ME, SEYMOUR

Fellow choir nerd and grill mistress Kim served up some delicious grub at our monthly get-together this weekend.

She works for Field to Family, a company that supplies organic and locally raised meats to various grocery stores in the bay area, including Whole Foods. Check out their website, they've got some great recipes.

Pictured are Lamb Kebabs (with grapes and nectarines on the skewers - an inspired choice, by the way) and game hen with goat cheese on toasted pita bread.