. . . AND ALL THAT JAZZ

It was my introduction to Jazz, although I didn't know it at the time.

Vince Guaraldi's timeless scores for "A Charlie Brown Christmas" and "A Boy Named Charlie Brown" are in constant rotation on my iPod. Recently, I added his greatest hits collection and there isn't a bad song in the bunch.

PICTURE THIS

Limatour Beach, Point Reyes. As much as I miss New York City, I gotta say, I like being able to walk along the beach when it's 65 degrees --

IN JANUARY!

A SINGLE WOMAN

Her favorite drink is Tanqueray Gin, she's a chain smoker and has the best line in the movie: "He asked if I was a natural blonde. I said yes I was and if I stood on my head, I would be a natural brunette with fresh breath."

Hey Cookie, I had no idea you were the inspiration for "Charley" in the film "A Single Man" - a terrific movie, by the way.

YOUR KIND ISN'T WANTED HERE

This picture of an empty bike lane must have been taken in San Francisco because they're everywhere but no one is using them.

The bicyclists here enjoy a sense of entitlement and seem to like using the sidewalks instead, and if one more person insists that I step aside so they can get by me while I'm walking on a sidewalk, I will knock him OR her back into the lane that they seem to feel isn't good enough for them.

Don't think I won't do it, either!

THE GRAVY TRAIN HAS REACHED THE STATION

I did not really support the bailouts when that was all going on. You cannot call yourself a capitalist society in good times, then when those good times come to an end, go running to taxpayers screaming about how much you need help. It just seems strange that we have all this money to save poorly-run corporations but nothing for healthcare?

Anyway, it seems that many communities are finally growing balls and telling local employers that got tax credits and then laid off workers, that their tax bill will be adjusted accordingly.

The popular discount retailer Target, received tax credits from the city of DeKalb when they built a distribution center that employed 500 workers. After they laid off 66 of those workers, the city council amended their tax credit and the discounter saw their tax bill increase by $600,000. Boy do I love this idea!

My banker, Citibank, received $320 Billion in government bailout money yet when you call their 800-customer service number, you're still talking with someone in Mumbai. This angers me very much. If you're going to accept money from the government, then you should have brought those jobs home - - congress should have made that a requirement to receive the money.

You can't have it both ways, but I'm just saying is all.

IF LOVING YOU IS WRONG, I DON'T WANT TO BE RIGHT

I came across this picture this morning of Florida quarterback Tim Tebow and his coach, Urban Meyer, after their Sugar Bowl victory over Cincinnati and I just couldn't help myself.

They make a great-looking couple, don't they?

LET'S GO OUT TO THE MOVIES

Two great movies from 2009:

Inglourious Basterds

September Issue

IT'S GOT A GOOD BEAT AND YOU CAN DANCE TO IT

Two great songs from 2009:

Empire State Of Mind, Part II -- Alicia Keys
Open The Floodgates -- Thom Yorke

ON THE NIGHTSTAND

I used to be a "book a week" kind of guy, but in the last year or two, that has slowed to a trickle, at best. So I've decided to get back on the book wagon and start with the 1965 book "MIDNIGHT COWBOY" by James Leo Herlihy.

I can't wait to see how the book compares with the film, which is one of my favorites.

BACK TO THE FUTURE

When I was a kid, one of my favorite relevision shows was the japanese import ULTRAMAN. I found the series on DVD last weekend at Streetlight Records in Santa Cruz, and I am enjoying a return to my long-gone childhood with a viewing of this classic.