A Rubber Door is dead - long live A Rubber Door

Hello all. As you've read on this blog, I've been unhappy with the way blogger has been working recently, so I've done something about it. The all new A Rubber Door is just one click away.

Please update your links (the name of the blog is still A Rubber Door).

Just hold tight

I've had it with blogger so somewhere over the next 2 weeks I will be moving my blog. I'll let everyone know when it's ready, but until then - the posts might be light here.

Church of the Big Sky: An Open Letter to Blogger Support

I've lost patience with blogger. Over the past few months, the amount of time it has been down is unacceptable. I know it's free - but the level of service they've been giving recently isn't even worth that.

I suggest all Blogger users to post a link to this letter on their site and then also post a comment at the link as your way of signing it and showing support. The only way it gets better is if we raise a little noise.

Church of the Big Sky: An Open Letter to Blogger Support

Techonrati tags:
blogger, blogger sucks, fix blogger

Great start to the morning

It's not even 10 yet and it already looks like one of those days. Rushing to the train to find that my main route to the station is closed I have to take a detour. Taking the detour I get stuck behind a school bus. Get to the station on time I realize I forgot my iPod, yogurt, and vitamins.

All minor, but all annoying. Hope it gets better from here.

Funny thing on the train though. There are these people that are always on the train, and they look smart, and I always imagine them having funny intelligent type conversations. Well today I was sans iPod and I got to hear their conversation: wrestling, Playstation, and the best comment of the conversation "I saw Deuce Bigalow this weekend and laughed my ass off." Now there's nothing wrong with any of that - I've been known to watch WWE every once in awhile, and while I despise Rob Schneider everyone is allowed their guilty pleasures, and I own a Playstation - but it's just funny how when I couldn't hear them, I created my own dialogue in my head.

I feel like I just found out Santa Claus isn't real.

My fellow Americans

What I'm about to say would get Ann Coulter's panties in a bunch, but here we go: there are times when the actions of my fellow American embarrass me and the Geno's Steaks controversy is another example of that.

I just saw a news report that if accurate seems to indicate that most people are in support of the Geno's steak English only policy. I don't know why this surprises or upsets me - I think I should be beyond the point of expecting Americans to be enlightened. In general we are uneducated, insulated, bigoted bunch. Some of the comments that I heard were downright insulting "why should I have to press 1 for English?" or "everyone else had to learn English, why can't they?"

Who said these people aren't trying to learn English? What ever happened to just giving a helping hand? In a worldwide economy why can't we just be more accepting of other people's differences?

Well I can speak English rather well, and you know what I have to say to Geno's? Fuck you.

Welcoming a new week

Last week was a good week to be a blogger with Ann Coulter rearing her ugly head, the gay marriage bill going down to defeat, and all sorts of other fun stuff to shake your head at.

Wonder what this week will hold? Haven't heard from Pat Robertson in awhile.

It's a good week for...

Bigots. Everyone is using gays as a convenient scapegoat. Ann Coulter is on the rampage (she's a bigot against liberals. How fun would it be to lock her and Michael Moore in a room - he'd eat her).

And this morning I read a great story about how Philly Cheesesteak institution Geno's Steaks has a sign in there window stating "This is America - When ordering Speak English". Being a life-long Philadelphian, I can see the irony in some idiot from South Philly with a 9th grade education, telling people how to speak english. Oh I can hear it now: "Yous guys needs to speak good english. Hey Geno, gimme a boddle of woorder widdat cheesesteak wid wiz to go."

Note to any traveler coming to Philly: no self respecting Philadelphian gets their cheesesteaks from Geno's. Geno's Cheesesteaks suck. As do Pat's and Jim's. If you want a good cheesesteak, try Tony Luc's or just go to the Italian Market and try one there. Don't give a bigot your business.

Technorati tags:
Philadelphia

Ann Coulter coming out of her shell

Ann Coulter in her book says that the widows of those that died in the 9/11 attacks are "reveling in their status as celebrities and stalked by grief-arazzis."

Well it's about time someone called out the truth. And I'm glad that Ann Coulter finally stood up to these so-called victims.

In the spirit of her statements, here are some other issues I wish people would address.

• Puppies. Yeah, yeah - they're cute and cuddly. So what? I'm so tired of the left wing conspiracy promoting cute and cuddly. Some of us don't want that.
• Katrina victims. We get it - you have no place to live. Your loved ones are lost and maybe dead. Maybe you shouldn't have elected Democratic leaders. They lied to you. You can't trust them. Put your trust in the Republican party.

• Murder in America. Hey, if you don't have the common sense to get out of the way of a bullet, then I have two words for you - natural selection.
• Cancer victims. Don't get me started.
• Sufferers of hate crimes. These get too much publicity by the democratic devils in the media. If people had the good sense to be born white then there wouldn't be any problems.

In general I am so tired of victims. All their bitching about dying and such is so 1983.

Technorati tags:
ann coulter, politics

What happens when politics get in the way

I've been meaning to post about the bill that was defeated today trying to pass a constitutional amendment on marriage. I don't even want to talk about the validity of this, although I wonder all the time why conservatives are so worried about what other people do in their bedrooms? I mean isn't the over 50% divorce rate or all the fatherless children growing up more of a threat to the American family? I digress.

My complaint today is - isn't there something else more important for Congress to be thinking about? We're in Iraq with no end in sight. Some of our soldiers are being accused of atrocities. There's a nuclear standoff with Iran. A major terror threat in Canada. Yet our Republican leaders have chosen this as their primary subject this week. George Bush even used his weekly radio address to push for this on Saturday.

Why can't we have a government where the debate is about things that matter? I don't mean to say that gay marriage is something that doesn't matter. I honestly think if you're lucky enough to find someone you want to spend the rest of your life with, you should be allowed to do so legally regardless of gender. My issue is that we need to prioritize and focus. This bill was never going to pass. The only reason it was even put up for a vote was so that the conservative base could be energies. As if bigots need to be reminded they're bigots.

Every day another reminder that we need to be rid of the current administration.

Technorati tags:
politics, George Bush, Republicans, Gay Marriage

RIP the 5th Beatle - Billy Preston

One of my favorite songs growing up was Nothing from Nothing so it comes it great sorrow to hear that Billy Preston died today of kidney illness at the way too young age of 59. As much as I loved that song and remember seeing as a child on Saturday Night Live, I didn't realize how much of an integral part he played with the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. His biography is well worth the read.

It's telling that at the age of 23, when a lot of us are still figuring things out, that the Beatles turned to him to help smooth out their issues.

Man - if there is a heaven, there's a great party going on.

Technorati tags:
Billy Preston, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones

The duck-o ate my alien

How awesome is this picture? Maybe this is the first sign of the Duck Rebellion I've been talking about for years.

You know some UFO geeks are absolutely freaking about this one. The x-ray is up for sale on ebay, I couldn't find the auction it, but did find this one.

Technorati tags: duck alien

I need a little help with math

I read the following in an article about The Break-up

However, it was women who dominated the The Break-Up audience, which Universal reported was 67 percent female, compared to 30 percent male, and equally split between below and above 30-year-old ticket buyers.

Obviously a large percentage of hermaphrodites saw this film.

Technorati tags: The Break-up

Just after I proposed

Just after I proposed
Originally uploaded by speener.

A friend asked me for a pic. Here's a pic. I had just proposed - hence the deer in the headlight look on both of our faces.

Faith is loud

While on vacation one of our housemates was accosted by some one who decided to share his faith in Christianity with her. He would not stop until she had to say "Leave me the fuck alone". This on top of the Kansas "minister" that has been protesting at funerals of homesexual Iraq War dead and I just wonder why these people can't just keep to themselves?

Why is their opinion so important?

Anyway - I'm having a hard time getting back in the blogging groove since I've returned. I'll get back to normal soon enough.

I'm back

Recap of my vacation, Amazing Race Style:

1 Engagement
3 TV Finales (Desperate Housewives, 24, and Lost - comments to come)
6 States
12 Hardees
537 Songs played on my iPod
800 Miles

I'm back to Conshohocken with still a 3 day weekend to go.

The best things I saw on my vacation:

Proof I was in the South
















Finally saw some wild horses

What happened on my vacation...

Nothing eventful. Oh yeah - I proposed to Kristen on Friday night, and she said yes (on a trial basis) ;)

Had this brilliant plan to replace Kristen's menu with a menu I had written up. It was personalized and brilliant. The only problem is - she didn't read the menu - kind of just skimmed it. So I'm sitting realizing "wow, I'm going to have ask her." Which I did in ham-handed way, but it worked. We were also sitting at half-moon tables, so getting down on one knee was out of the question (thank god).

Then we went to see a filming of "Decades in Rock" - Elvis Costello with Fiona Apple, Billie Joe Armstrong, and Death Cab for Cutie. Great show that almost brought me to tears when Elvis did Fiona's song I Know. Maybe the single best performance that I've seen.

We then headed from AC to Duck, North Carolina for the week (so maybe not a whole lot of updates this week).

Those damn hippies!

The end of Amazing Race 9 wasn't as tense as the Amazing Race 7 end but it was still entertaining. My prediction of the frat boys was off but the hippies deserved to win - I love the brain teasing end rewarding brains over brawn.

I would love CBS to do an Amazing Race reunion after every season end - the same way Survivor does.

Still too many finales to go.

amazing race

Thom Yorke solo CD coming

Looks like Thom Yorke of Radiohead will be releasing a solo cd. Also sounds like it will be like Kid A/Amnesiac. And no - they're not breaking up.

The following message was sent to the Radiohead fan list...

this is just a note to say that something has been kicking around in the background that i have not told you about.
its called The Eraser.
nigel produced & arranged it .
i wrote and played it.
the elements have been kicking round now for a few years and needed to be finished & i have been itching to do something like this for ages.
it was fun and quick to do.
inevitably it is more beats & electronics.
but its songs.
stanley did the cover.
yes its a record!
no its not a radiohead record.
as you know the band are now touring and writing new stuff and getting to a good space so i want no crap about me being a traitor or whatever splitting up blah blah...
this was all done with their blessing. and i don't wanna hear that word solo. doesnt sound right.
ok then thats that.

i think its out in july and im pretty certain XL are going to put it out.

love thom

www.theeraser.net

radiohead, Thom Yorke, 2006 Music

Amazing Race - Coming in for a landing

The season finales are dwindling to a few including tomorrow night's Amazing Race two hour end. I have to say if any of the three win, I'll be fine with it. This year's big bad MoJo was vanquished last week. No more crying ("this is the hardest thing I've ever done"). No more bitching (yields are unfair). No more seeing Monica bounce I mean run - damn it! Just the frats pretending they're not gay. The hippies following and begging. And Ray and Yolanda (no nickname) being ignored as a threat.

My prediction: I'm not feeling the hippie love, although I'd like to see them win - they make crucial mistakes. Ray and Yolanda - maybe but I'm going with the frats - then they can come out of the closet as they star in the next season of Queer Eye.

amazing race, television

Random thoughts

One post - many topics...

Hillary Rodham Clinton apologizes to Chelsea
This past weekend Senator Clinton apologized to her daughter Chelsea because she implied that she doesn't work hard. What Clinton said was "young people have a sense of entitlement after growing up in a "culture that has a premium on instant gratification." She also said that young people today "think work is a four-letter word". Chelsea called the Senator upset, saying "Mom, I do work hard and my friends work hard,'" - and then the 26-year old returned to her six-figure salary job. Seems like Ms. Clinton might have taken this a little too personal?

To be serious - what Senator Clinton needs to realize is that there isn't an aversion to work - but an aversion to what the government and specifically corporate america has to offer. I'm sort of in between at 37 years old - but I count the friends that are happy with their job on one hand, And what might appear as an aversion to work might be better characterized as apathy and disenchantment. Someone send her a copy of Office Space.

Walking the streets of Philly
Walking to work from the train station this morning, my path was blocked by a SEPTA construction vehicle that decided at the last minute that it wasn't a good idea to run a red light. The city of Philadelphia is installing traffic cameras, talking about getting countdown pedestrian signs, but when it comes to the simple pedestrian laws - there's no one enforcing them. Crosswalks are where cars wait for the light to change. It's only a matter of time before someone gets seriously injured. And in a city that is grappling with homicides, no one cares.

Gun violence in Philadelphia
In today's Inquirer columnist Nate House wondered where is the outrage with all the young people being killed by gun violence in this city. As of May 8, 127 people have been murdered in Philadelphia - and while this rate is down, I bet that people that live in North Philadelphia feel more threatened than ever. Let me tell Mr. House why there is no outrage - the people that are being killed are predominantly young black males and the majority of those in this state still believe blacks are worth a fraction their lives. The rulers in this state simply don't care. They see this as a city problem, a democrat problem which means it's a black problem - and they will get no heat from their backwater constituents to do anything to save the lives of the children who die every day on our streets. Want to know when there will be outrage - when some young, pretty blonde girl is killed. Then all of a sudden, there will be a problem with guns.

Libya is off the known terrorist list - but Cuba...
No greater example of political pandering than this. Libya has a history of terrorist attacks while Cuba not so much. Yet Cuba is still persona non-grata to the U.S. government. There is no reason for this. Our embargo keeps poor Cubans poorer. The only reason we continue to view Cuba this way is because of the political clout Cubans wield in Florida. Otherwise we deal with countries that are far greater threats than Cuba ever was.

Lighter stuff
Saturday night ESPN spent the first 10 minutes of Baseball Tonight talking about the the Giants/Dodgers game and the fact that Barry Bonds didn't hit home run 714. I am tired of this pre-occupation with Bonds. The media has spent so much time villifiying Bonds for damaging the sport, but yet is so fascinated with the story they are ignoring the rest of the league to cover.

West Wing ended last night and ended well. Loved the fact that even until last night, the show was written as if there was a tomorrow.

Hillary Clinton, Philadelphia, Libya, Cuban embargo, Barry Bonds, The West Wing

RIP - Grant W. McLennan (Freaky iPod)

Howard does a little series called Freaky iPod and this one is pretty freaky. Yesterday I found out that Go-Betweens lead singer Grant W. McLennan died in his sleep earlier this week at age 48 (too young and too reminiscent of Joe Strummer's death).

Anyway today I pick up my car from service and plug my iPod in which is shuffling through all 6,000 songs on the player and the first song it chooses? The Go-Betweens' No Reason to Cry...weird huh?

The iPod has a way of knowing.

RIP Grant....

Grant McLennan

the Go-Betweens

2006 Music

David Mead - Tangerine

With hair that rivals Conan O'brien - David Mead has been one of my favorite singer-songwriter's for years. In the Michael Penn vein with his witty lyrics and intricate arrangements. He's doing the indie release thing - you can listen to his next release by clicking the image.

Tangerine will be released May 16 on Tallulah Records.

Pre-order Tangerine Now!

david mead

2006 music

You can take the Chloe out of 24...

That familiar scowl.

Replace that guitar with a taser.

Could it be?

It could only be - yes it is - Mary Lynn Rajskub from 24 was slumming it up on Gilmore Girls last night. (I didn't actually watch so I can't tell you what she did other than sing and strum a guitar).

Maybe Kristen might?

24

Norelco Bodygroom Website

The Norelco Shave Everywhere website wins the award for balls/ass marketing (pun intended).

Click around.

As a marketer there is a ton of envy as I would have LOVED to have pitched this one.

norelco bodygroom

One more West Wing for the road

This coming Sunday NBC will show the final episode of West Wing and while it has received it's share of criticism recently, I will miss it. Very rarely do shows get to the end of their run telling strong stories and leaving viewers wanting more. West Wing has done that this year. Don't let the sad Nielsen numbers tell the story, those have more to do with a series losing it's way in a couple of seasons (and therefore losing fans) than how the show has finished this year.

The Arnold Vinick (Alan Alda) and Matt Santos (Jimmy Smits) campaign gave the writers fresh story lines and new characters and just a little shot of adrenalin; all desperately needed. Recent episodes have been excellent, wrapping up the show without making the proceedings seem like a final roll call. This past Sunday's episode did a great job bringing Toby and CJ back to the front without a rush to end. I know it's the end, but the writers are doing a great job of writing as if there will be a next season.

As I said - very rarely is a show's end unwarranted or untimely. The X-Files was a shell of itself, stumbling through it's final seasons. When people compare the current version of ER to Grey's Anatomy it makes me cringe because I remember how great ER once was. Hell, shows like Desperate Housewives and The O.C. are already having creative struggles. ABC's Commander in Chief sunk by mid-season.

So with all this, I want to thank The West Wing for not providing me with a season's worth of bad taste and "what ifs" to close things out.

west wing

Favorite Music of 2006

I've been lax in my music comments so here are the things I've been listening to the last few months. (Again - not all of it's from 2006). I'll try and jazz this up with some images at some point but I've been writing it for two weeks waiting to get to that.

(I've recommended my favorite songs on each)

The Emusic Section

Film School - Film School (emusic) - One of my favorite cds of this year (too bad their instruments were stolen here in Philly). (4 out 5 stars)

• On and On
• Pitfalls
• He's a Deep Deep Lake

Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros - Streetcore (2003) - How could I miss this one? Actually I didn't, but had it and never listened to it. It's sad to listen to because it's so good and Strummer passed away with too much music left in him. (4 stars)

• Arms Aloft
  
• All in a Day
• Coma Girl

The National - Alligator ( 2005) (3 Stars)

• Secret Meeting
• All the Wine
  

The Wedding Present - Take Fountain (2005) (3 stars)

• Interstate 5

I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness - Fear is on our side (3 stars)

• Long Walk
• We Choose Faces
• According to the Plan
  

The others...

Clap Your Hands and Say Yeah - Clap Your Hands and Say Yeah (2005) - (4 stars)

• Let the Cool Goddess Rust Away
  
• The Skin of My Yellow Country Teeth
• Is This Home On Ice
  

Morrissey - Ringleaders of the Tormentors (4 stars)

• The Youngest Was the Most Loved
• In the Future When All's Well
• I Just Want to See the Boy Happy
  

Loose Fur - Born Again in the USA - (3.5 stars)

• Hey Chicken
• Pretty Sparks
  

Josh Ritter - The Animal Years (3.5 stars)

• Girl in War
  

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Howl (2005) (3 stars)

• Weight of the World
• Steal a Ride
  

Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins - Rabbit Fur Coat (3 stars)

• Rise Up With Fists!!
• Handle With Care
  

My Morning Jacket - Z (2005) (3 stars)

• Gideon
  

2006 music

A friend becomes an published author

A good friend and former co-worker of mine just published a book called "Sick With Love". Michael Abdul-Qawi is a recent graduate of Temple University's School of Communication and Theater.

It is so cool to see someone do what they love without being convinced or believing that they can't.

I'm learning a lesson from someone 16 years my junior.

Moussaoui verdict - my thoughts

I've avoided saying anything about this trial for the length and now that we have a verdict, no time better than now.

There are many people that hate the U.S. and in their own way have supported terrorism against the U.S. Zacarias Moussaoui hated us, our government, our way of life, everything American. He may have participated in the 9/11 plot, but it seems the evidence to support that was thin.

Alexander Santora's position shifted the other way. His son Christopher was a firefighter who died in New York on Sept. 11. Santora said he originally wanted Moussaoui sentenced to life imprisonment, but changed his mind when he heard the al-Qaida conspirator testify, showing no remorse.

Santora called Moussaoui "guilty as sin. A bullet in his brain would have been a just reward."

Moussaoui was convicted because we hate what he represents and that he showed no remorse. In that sense, he was always guilty and therefore this trial was simply a formality.

I for one have little respect for our legal system because it puts a premium on retribution at the cost of true justice. I hate this man as much as the next - but my hate doesn't mean guilt. The rules of evidence decide that. And in our country those rules are ignored to fit the desire of the people.

What good are principles so easily abandoned?

Michael Penn Group - Last.FM

To explain the Michael Penn group I just created on Last.fm - I need to explain Last.fm. Last.fm is an online music community that provides streaming music based on what you listen. You download a piece of software that works with your music player (iTunes, Windows Media, even Linux players) that will then recommend music to you based on your listening habits, compile listening stats, and best of all create your own personal radio station. You can also listen to stations that are based on artists, fans of those artists, genres, etc.

You can also join groups, one of which I created for Michael Penn fans. There currently is a Michael Penn radio station there - but it's only based on 4 members. Join up, it's really addicting and it's radio that doesn't suck.

Michael Penn Group on Last.fm

michael penn

Things change

Last night Kristen and I were at Applebees and the topic we were discussing were things that are no more; things that have changed and don't exist the way they were before. This started when I noticed the West Coast Video where I waited in the freezing cold for Sting tickets didn't exist anymore (replaced by said Applebees.) The last time I even called into Ticketmaster was 5 years ago to buy U2 tickets and even then I had a web browser opened at the same time hedging my bet. I digress. I started thinking about all the things that have changed. So here's my list:

• Flipping the LP over. Remember listening to 5 or 6 songs and then walking over to the turntable and then flipping over the album to hear the other 5 or 6 songs?
• Being at the television at the exact moment when the TV show you wanted to see was starting? In these days of VCRs, DVRs and television shows on the iTunes Music store, who watches shows when the network wants you to?
• Speaking of TV - how about having only 7 or 8 options? The networks, a few locals, PBS and that's it.
• Physically reading a newspaper. This one I lament. There is something about reading a newspaper physically that is better than reading it online. It's a shame that the newspaper business is being changed because of the content being available online. The same is being attempted with books - but come on, who can replace a book with some sort of video screen? How do you break the spine?
• Calling a phone number to get the time or the weather.
• Apple was called crazy for getting rid of the floppy disk with the first iMac. I can't remember the last time I saw a floppy. And with USB drives and email, I barely need to burn cds anymore.
• Here's another one I miss: not being in contact with the world 100% of the time by 5 different ways. I have at least 5 different email addresses, 2 mobile #'s (one for work), a home #, two IM addresses. Don't get me wrong, I love the new technology, but sometimes it's nice to have a break.
  

There are others. Popping popcorn in a microwave is just the way it's done today. There are things that are going away - renting a video at a video store is one.

Tell me what I missed?

A million little vomits

If you didn't see last week's South Park - A Million Little Fibers - it's a riff on the whole A Million Little Pieces scandal. Funny as hell but one thing:

TOO MUCH SCREEN TIME FOR OPRAH'S CROTCH.






















Pass the bucket please

Six Degrees featuring Jenna Bush and Michael Penn

I have no idea why this article is appearing now because this concert happened last fall. Oh well, it's still a funny story.

Jenna Bush and Michael Penn: Joined In the Curse of the More-Famous-Relative - Wonkette

Oh yeah - what's up with that picture of Michael?

Just in case you didn't know

Gas Prices Climb Sharply, Survey Finds

This is the kind of survey only people who don't pay for their own gas or don't watch the news would pay for. Reminds me of when Bush had to look into the price of a gallon of milk.

Review: The Henry Rollins Show

Kristen is having a girl's night out so I'm catching up on my DVR watching. When I first heard about the Henry Rollins Show it sounded like a winner - first show: Oliver Stone and Sleater-Kinney - that's enough for me. This show is for liberals what Rush Limbaugh is for conservatives. Rollins needs a little smoothing out - but I think that's the style. It's rough around the edges - but he doesn't care. Tell you what - his rants sound a lot like mine - I guess that means he's pretty good. It will be interesting to see if he includes some guests that don't share his viewpoint - Rollins puts those guns to use.

Rollins has always been an odd one for me. He looks like he would kick your ass, but when he talks, he turns out to be a sensitive, green tree-hugger. Nice trick.

IFC is perfect for this show - it wouldn't play anywhere else - master of the obvious I am - where else on TV are you going to hear "motherfuck George Bush". I love the idea of giving people like Chuck-D an avenue to speak and musicians such as Jurassic 5 and Sleater-Kinney TV time.

24 thoughts

I've been meaning to write about 24 since last week. This is a show where you're looking to be shocked and it amazes me that they're able to continue surprising us. As recently as January I called President Logan the biggest pussy in Presidential TV history - witness my shock when the big bad is none other than Logan himself. Entertainment Weekly said that Gregory Itzin deserved an Emmy for his portrayal of Logan and this was before we realized he was the bad guy. Of course he's been quoted as saying he didn't even know he was the bad guy until 2 episodes prior to the reveal. This has to be the whoa shit moment of the year he and the writers had me totally fooled - I never thought Logan had the cajones to pull all of this off. It's a master stroke because the fact that Cumming is now dead makes it plausible that the President would even be talking to Christopher Henderson - he has no choice.

BTW - while I'm congratulating the writers one thing has me bothered - with all the crap that Jack is carrying around in his purse and a Treo that can bring down terrorist plots (while mine can barely make a phone call) - why didn't Jack make a copy of that phone call? Don't tell me he didn't have time - it was a 30 second conversation. It would only make sense that there would be a copy someplace. Also couldn't Jack have given a number to the little girl to call instead of just leaving her by herself with her wounded mother? I am so glad that they didn't show them getting killed.

Anyway - this show gets better year to year - you can't say that about most shows - but this year they've thankfully avoided the side stories that made us groan (President Palmer's girlfriend, Kim and her battle of wits with the cougar - how she won I'll never know).

Hmmm - I think I owe you 20 more thoughts but I'm full out.

Coming to a market near you

I seriously laugh at the latest addition to the supermarket parking lot - the child parking spots. Since when did having children become the equivalent of being handicapped? I bet some quadriplegic driver sees this and shakes their head.

I'm sure it's a pain in the ass sometimes to gather all the kids and such, but wasn't this a choice?

This past weekend my family and I were talking about all the things that are different these days for kids. We had none of this shit - my mom had to drag our asses on the bus at times to get to the market - but now we have to have special parking spaces for parents.

Killer pancakes

This story is pretty scary.  Pancake mix can cause severe allergic reactions if kept too long?  Jesus.

On my way to the kitchen.

Spaz off

I am so tired of political correctness - today Tiger Woods had to apologize for using the term spaz because in certain countries that term is derogatory. So apparently Woods is to keep track of every word that may have a different meaning than here in the U.S. and eliminate it from his vocabulary?

Seriously I'm upset. Here in the states we all know what a spaz is - hey I've spazzed out on more than a few occasions. I refuse to have one of my top 2,000 words removed from my vocabulary. Hell no.

Philadelphia's on the clock

Tomorrow at 12:01 New Jersey becomes one of 10 states to ban smoking in restaurants and bars. Philadelphia has been debating such a ban for 2 years - now is the time. All the people that complain that it will hurt business - where are you losing business to? The neighboring states of Delaware, New Jersey, and New York have banned smoking. The excuses are gone.

It's time.

There are those that argue that there's a rights issue at stake. I could give a flying fuck about your right to a cigarette. Since when does your right to pollute the air trump my right to breathe clean air? The government has every right to regulate this. They do it already. Do I have the right to view porn - yes. Do I have the right o view porn in public- no. Am I allowed to be nude - yes. At the ballgame - no. The government has the responsibility to act in the best interest of its public; and since only 25% of the population smokes, it's in the best interest of the majority to protect their health. Smokers will say that bars are supposed to be places where you can smoke - there are - your home.

Disclaimer - I think that smokers have the right to smoke. I basically believe people have the right to do whatever they want - so long as it doesn't infringe on the rights of others. This is where smoking differs from other vices - overeating, drinking, gambling have an indirect effect on others. Smoking directly affects those around you. So if you don't mind - I'm going to worry about my rights - not yours.

It's time that the government stop listening to the whining of smokers and businesses and do what is right.

It's time.

Writer's block

It's been awhile since I've written (honestly I wrote a long post about the double standard where women say things that if a man were to say would cause such a stir, but accidentally deleted it - it sucked any way). I honestly can't think of a thing to write about. 24 is awesome - hoh hum. No good music this year - I think that every year. The Bush Administration got caught in a lie - that's new.

My good friend Grace and I got into a disagreement this week about the protests in regards to immigration reform. That was two days ago - and honestly old news. What the hell? Ok - I'm switching over to....Salon and the top headline will be my subject - drum roll: god damn - Bush and his web o' lies.

Here's my thing - this guy is the Teflon don of Presidents. Clinton had two things - Whitewater an Lewinsky, other than that normal old presidency stuff. Bush would make Nixon blush - every day there's another lie. Was reading a Newsweek article titled Leaker in Chief about the current scandal and the games that this administration have played with us through the manipulation of the media are mind-numbing. Grrr.

One music thought - I don't know why the press has been giving the new Morrissey CD Ringleader of the Tormentors such mediocre reviews. I really like it so far - and I wasn't a fan of Morrissey until the last CD.

Breast Cancer Awareness

A friend of mine, Kelly Gibbs, will be walking in a 3 day walk to raise awareness and funds to fight breast cancer. She could use your support. As incentive - I will kick in an additional $5 for each of the first 10 people to donate. Just send me your response email spencerblog (at) mac.com.

Click here to donate.

Why didn't I write this book

This was sorely needed: a book and web site outlining the rules behind calling shotgun.

As I thought, I have been right all along.

Maybe if it was Wendy's

Story about a couple that was charged over $4,000 for 4 Burger King burgers.

Well at least they got their meals for free.

Assholes in charge

Wondering what the Republican Party is - listen to Congressman Tom Tancredo, son of an Italian immigrant, who recently said illegal aliens are "A Scourge That Threatens The Very Future of Our Nation". Now I have a list of things that threaten the future of our country and illegal aliens didn't make it. Top it off by the fact that his family just got off the boat here - he's not only a bigot but a hypocrite.

This country has too many assholes in office - that is what ruins the very future of our country.

STOP DANCING OR I'LL SHOOT!

Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Dhani Jones was arrested today for....refusing to stop dancing - outside a club.

There's your taking a bite out of crime.

Reminder

To date 105 people have died worldwide of the Avian Flu - over 29 million have died just in Sub-Saharan Africa of AIDS.

Priorities.

Top 10 favorite songs

Back to music for a bit. I figured I would take a whack at putting together my top 10 favorite songs. Not an easy feat mind you but here are the rules - only one song per artist. Also, If I don't listen to it anymore, it cannot be on this list. Here we go:

1. "Everybody Cares, Everybody Understands" - XO - Elliott Smith - My favorite Elliott Smith songs seem to master the slow burn. This is where the song starts with maybe Elliott on acoustic for 75% of the song and all of sudden here comes the band. Love this. Can also be heard on "Shooting Star" from the CD From a Basement on the Hill or "Can't Make a Sound" from Figure 8


2. "All Over Now" - I'm with Stupid - Aimee Mann - This is the 3rd act in what I think is the best 3 song set I've heard. Songs 1 and 2 are "Superball" and "Amateur" and producer Jon Brion expertly ties it all together by slipping lines from "All Over Now" into "Superball" and then the chorus of "Superball" into the end of "All Over Now". So subtle you might miss it and when you hear it - brilliant.


3. "Figment" - Resigned - Michael Penn - Picking a song from the brilliant album Resigned is near impossible but this song stands out for its beauty and for the sheer brilliance of the words: all of them. This is one of those songs that you can read over and over again and find different meaning each time. So many of Penn's songs are poetry. What Penn has mastered is also making the poetry sing.


4. "Until the End of the World" - Achtung Baby - U2 - OK, I didn't know the religious meaning of this song until recently but still - this song is simply one of the best rock songs ever made. Every part of the band is at their best here.


5. "Four Seasons in One Day" - Woodface - Crowded House - Such a sobering song. Once I sat down and really listened to the words of this song it hit me so hard I nearly cried. The beauty of this song is that it doesn't make it's statement with a brick like many sad songs do.


6. "Last Goodbye" - Grace - Jeff Buckley - This song swoops and dives and is one of those songs that is orchestrated to the point of putting you in the subject's place.  Of course with a break-up song, most of us have been there.


7. "Life is Sweet/Afterlife" - Life is Sweet - Maria Mckee - This song is actually two songs - and is probably the only feel good song on this list.  The thing with feel good songs is that they can be trite or sugary sweet.  This song is real.


8. "There, There (The Boney King of Nowhere)" - Hail to the Thief - Radiohead - Can't believe that my favorite Radiohead song is from Hail to the Thief - a great cd, but no OK Computer.  But this song is classic Radiohead - not trippy, great lyrics, and layered.


9. "Polaroids" - Fat City - Shawn Colvin -Never mind that I consider Colvin, Michael Penn, and Neil Finn to be the best songwriters alive,  I once said that I would marry Shawn Colvin based on her voice alone.  This is a song that showcases it. 


10. "Paper Bag"- When the Pawn... - Fiona Apple - Paper Bag is such a simple song, but Apple is a genre bending artist that is more than just a pop star - she's a songstress that could have fit in in the 40's. 

Here's my top 10 iMix on iTunes

Disclaimer - all of these songs are on my computer and I'm sure I missed some things that just haven't ripped. REM seems to be missing as are Prince, the Police, and Peter Gabriel. I also had to fight against the urge to include Driving Me Mad by Neil Finn, but since he was Crowded House, it seemed to be against the rules.

My coffeeshop

It's kind of lame, and I'm not sure exactly the purpose, but I've started another blog to kind of be the repository of my coffee shop ideas.  I want to own a coffee shop but don't have a plan on paper nor the money.  So I'll start saving and writing.

Here's my new blog:  A Caffeinated World

Brad Pitt

From last week's Bradley vs. Pittsburgh Game

Look at the team names Read it out loud. Thanks to Grace for noticing this...

What Constitution?

Yesterday I was watching some local news - you know for entertainment. The story was about some New Jersey town enacting a law to limit where registered sex offenders can live (registered makes it sound so legal). It appears that every town in New Jersey is enacting this type of law - it's a domino effect where each city doesn't want to be the defacto sex offender city. So all of these people will end up in the few places that don't enact this type of law. The reporter asked a councilwoman about this and the fact that they may end up in Camden or Philadelphia and through the biggest smile ever she said "that's not our problem".

First off I'm not supporting these criminals - I do however support this pesky little thing we call The Constitution. Since when do we allow low brow, paranoid, suburbanites to disregard the Constitution (not coming out against all suburbanites)? I know we want to protect children - but shipping sex offenders off to poor cities isn't the answer, it's just avoiding the problem. These same people will soon be complaining about the taxes going to the poor in these same cities.

It is amazing how the rights that many have died for are constantly being eroded in the name of law and order.

NO MORE CRUISE!

I know I'm a little late - but now I'm on board - no more Tom Cruise for me. The boycott has started. Now that's a little like swearing off a nail in the head, but he has gotten my money in the past - no more. If last year wasn't enough - this year he's forced Isaac Hayes off of South Park. One day the drugs are going to wear off and Katie is going to have a hell of a story. Of course she's got a little thetan in her, but I digress...

So apparently someone is running an ad against the grand master, or whatever cruise calls himself. Actually the ad is against scientology and paid for by their foes. WOO HOO - Scientology has foes? Oh yeah - non-insane people.

Why pay for Tom Cruise movies when his real life is much more entertaining?

24 Prediction

There have been rumors that eventually 24 will shift focus at some season to a different set of characters and a different location - somewhere outside of LA. I think last night we may have seen that transition begin. The characters Theo and Collete will be back as major characters at some point - mark my word. With all the deaths of major characters this year - now seems to be the time to make a drastic change. I don't think we'll lose Kiefer - I just think the focus will change a bit.

BTW - Curtis Watch extends for another episode. He must be feeling a bit like South Park's Kenny at this point.

Must pee TV

I kid you not, the following is the the plotline for tonight's ER on TV Guide.

Dr. Weaver contemplates hip-replacement surgery after she finds it hard to do her labor-intensive job; Dr. Kovac tries to ease Abby's fears about raising a child together.

Wow. I'll be waiting with baited breath for this one. ER bravely going where others fear to tread - hip replacement surgery. Hmm - watch ER or talk to grandma about her hip replacement for a half hour? Net - 30 minutes saved talking to grandma.

Wear your gas mask to work day

Folks - they're dropping like flies on 24. So far this season we've lost President Palmer and Michelle. In the past two weeks Edgar, Tony, and Lynn. And poor Curtis keeps getting the Final Destination treatment.

Also - hasn't 24 been eighties-tastic this year? On top of Kiefer we've had the mom from Poltergeist (Jobeth Williams), Robocop (Peter Weller), and best of all Soul Man (C. Thomas Howell).

Also you'd think with the stellar security history of CTU that there would be a gas mask on every desk in that place.

All this and Kim is still alive?

What to do with Chef?

What should Matt Stone and Trey Parker do with Chef now that Issac Hayes is leaving South Park?
	Replace him with a painfully white guy
	Kill him off once a week
	Mr. T needs a job!
	He moves to Spain and marries Tom Cruise
	Tell Jack Bauer he is withholding vital info and let nature take its course
Free polls from Pollhost.com

Singer Isaac Hayes quits "South Park" - good riddance

Singer Isaac Hayes is quitting "South Park" and I have to say this is the most hypocritical thing I've heard in awhile. Hayes had no problem with SP blasting religions until his was the target. So all these years he took the money and fame that came his way due to his involvement with the show and turned a blind eye, took the money, and ran.

Another thing - I know people are serious about their religion, but this is what he has problem with enough to quit? Not naked Ben Afleck in Cartman's bed? Not Scott Tetterman must die? Not anal sex between Saddaam Hussein and Satan?

You talk about a screwed up set of priorities. I say good riddance.

Caller ID on Macintosh

I have to HIGHLY recommend the program Silica for mac users that have caller id and a mac with a modem (not all do these days). Silica is simple - it provides an on screen display for any call coming in along with details it finds from your address book (picture and name) right on your monitor and that's all it does. No more running to find the phone to see if you want to answer it. The installation is easy because there really isn't one - just download it and start the program running. It's also very customizable, allowing you to change position of the window, the color, and various timing options.

Couple of notes - You need OS X although if you're not using OS X why don't you put OS 9 and your abacus away. Second, some of the current macs (all of them?) don't come with modems - although there is a USB modem available made by Apple. Finally - you need to have Caller ID from your phone service (had to say it - someone would think this adds it).

If you use your computer a lot, Silica is really helpful.

What do I think about NBC?

I've grown a facsination with the service YouTube. Those that read this blog probably know this already. Well part of what Youtube allows someone like me to do is to find content that I want to see without searching a million websites and without worry that it won't run on my mac.

This past weekend Saturday Night Live ran a great digital short that was essentially a Natalie Portman rap video. It was up for a little on Youtube and then taken down due to copyright infringement. Apparently NBC says that users can go to the NBC.com site to view the video. This is true as long as you're on Windows - their videos don't run on anything but Explorer Windows.

What makes this such a bad decision is that they call this the "viral video of the week" - without truly understanding what viral marketing is. If you truly release something virally, it works best when it can be distributed freely. That way it reaches more people. As it stands now the only way to access this video is to go to NBC.com. Problem is who would? Doesn't NBC suck outside of The Office and My Name is Earl? If you asked anyone on Sunday morning if they saw SNL last night, they probably would say no; why? Because it sucks. So all that said, wouldn't it make sense to put a popular video in as many places as possible? Wouldn't people see it and say "Hmm, maybe SNL doesn't suck anymore." Don't you think they reaped the benefits of the Lazy Sunday video being passed all around the internet?

This is the problem with the media conglomerates of today - they want to take advantage of today's users, but are unwilling to do it on terms that todays users will agree to. There are a ton of funny videos out there being provided by people who get it.

If I can't view yours, I can move onto another.

The Slogan Generator

This is fun - especially if you put your name in the search box.

The Slogan Generator

My favorites: "All Spencer, All the Time.", "Yo Quiero Spencer.", "What Would You Do For A Spencer?"

An old but funny video

My friend Grace sent this to me many years ago when I was having women troubles. She sent it to me tonight (two years and without women troubles - thanks Kristen).

It made me laugh then - and makes me laugh now.

In the news

Alrighty - so I missed a few things over the past few days...

Domino's Owner Thomas Monoghan is creating his own town in Southwest Florida where abortion wouldn't be legal, where contraceptives wouldn't be available, and porn - well you get the point. This town will be called Ave Maria and apparently the law of the country doesn't apply to people that live there. A man's money trumps the constitution in this country.

Both Mississippi and South Dakota will apparently be attempting to outlaw abortion in their states. In South Dakota the law has no exceptions. This is all to force a Roe v. Wade fight to the Supreme Court stocked with Bush appointees. Since the Republicans don't like the constitution - it's their aim to change it. Sure Bush being President cant be too harmful.

And finally RIP to Don Knots, Dennis Weaver, and most importantly Herm Ludwig.

Maybe Brownie did do a good job

Everyone should watch the following video and pass it on to their friends.



(Here's a link to watch this video on YouTube if the above doesn't work)

It's amazing that the White House tonight has said not to read too much into this video. It seems impossible not to. Michael Brown tells President Bush that this is "the big one", he's worried about the Superdome as shelter, and the National Hurricane Center says they're worried about the levees; but in the days after the devistation was realized, George Bush said otherwise.

Watch the video.

Tonight's Big Story

On Action News tonight the big story was about a woman who was once a man - unfortunately for her, she is a public school teacher and therefore needs to deal with the current generation of parents that fear (and meet about) everything. Every night on TV there's some school board meeting about something. It's as if they have nothing better else to do. These parents are trying to get rid of a teacher that has done nothing wrong. One parent said that the children will know something is wrong. Yes, because you called attention to it. Give me a fucking break.

Since when does having a child mean that you have the right to take away rights from others?

Reason to look forward to Mondays

Spencer's back!

The only reason to look forward to Monday's is 24. No spoilers, but tonight's episode was the best in a long while and next week - 2 Hours! I talked to a friend last night that seemed to be falling off the bandwagon, tonight's episode hopefully changed that. As I've said before - 24's intensity and forthcomingness makes me enjoy Lost less.

Sorry for the short post - will rectify soon.