Is it wrong...

...to listen to 12 versions of "Love is Blue" in a row?
P.S. Beebo did not complain...

And now, a message from the American Chemistry Council™

Hi, I'm Baggy™! I'm here with an important message about your basic rights as an American. Some very mean people are trying to take away your right to get all the free bags you want, without any charge. What a ridiculous idea! What are you supposed to do, PAY for a bag, or use the same one over and over again? EWWW!

In these lean economic times™, hard-working families don't need the extra financial burden of having to pay extra just to carry their groceries home. It's not like you can buy a reusable bag for 99 cents. The technology just isn't there.

So please, please, vote against the anti-bag amendment. I'll be glad you did.

Remember, being "politically correct" is temporary, but a bag is forever.™

Things I love

One thing I have a deep and uncritical love for is French gangster films from the 50s and 60s. Watching one of these is such a relaxing, pleasing experience for me.

I love the retro-underworld, and have always found robberies and capers fascinating (vicariously--I'd hate being involved in one in real life)--Another one of my favorite cultural artifacts is is the Parker novels by Richard Stark (Donald E. Westlake), about a professional thief (also from the same time period).

The added element of the setting being France (usually Paris) and from the world of 50 years ago means that every visual detail and social behavior is worth paying attention to closely, in addition to the machinations of the plot. They're also reflections of American crime films, which makes one wonder--how much is a mannered fictional concept and how much is what French criminals were like? Of course, the American films weren't documentary representations, either.

I only wish there could be more of them! Fortunately, there's a new box set of Japanese crime films coming out--they're fascinating in their own way...

I'm sure you'll be relieved to know...

..Big John/Little John is finally coming out on DVD.

Nifty TV Themes Part 1

The Grasshopper and the Ants

Here's one of my favorite fables! I think it has a great lesson for our youth.

Meet the Grasshopper--he's dressed sharp and is playing music and having a great time:

Now check out these wretched ants, toiling away all day:

The Grasshopper explains his happy-go-lucky philosophy of life to the Queen Ant.
I think he's getting through to her!

When winter comes, look who's sitting pretty, being waited on hand and foot. Good for you, Grasshopper!"Some more chocolate chip cookies would be nice..."

The books I bought at lunch

I actually DO...

Love looking sharp!

I actually don't...

It's time to declare war on...

Hipster beards!

Today is Sunday...

...and the USDs are out in full force.