Merry Christmas

I hope all you Loyal Readers are having a great Christmas filled with friends, family and cheer!


Also, this is post #50! That's the most commitment I've had to something like this. Thanks for keeping me coming back.

Ummmm...NO

I like the idea of a Charlotte's Web movie but seriously. The book cover too? Dakota Fanning looks creepy in this one.


You decide.

Big Pimpin'

Best. Firefox. Theme. Ever.

Bliss in a cup

I recently discovered STEEP. Referring back to this post, the stories that some of these teas evoke in the site's descriptions are great. Now is the time of year when tea and sweaters are key. When mojitos have been replaced with bourbon as the drink of choice. When there are big piles of leaves in the streets.

Winter can be nice.

Dear ESPN,

Could you please tell Tony Kornheiser to shut the !@$% up? Color commentators are supposed to be witty, informed and able to interject comments without ruining the pace of a broadcast. I mean, seriously. Dennis Miller was obscure but at least he was funny and pertinent. Kornheiser is just irritating and pompous. I suppose he thinks MNF is actually the new incarnation of Pardon The Interruption. Anyway, if someone accidently stuffed a sock (the dirtier, the better) in this man's mouth, I wouldn't mind.


On a completely seperate note, I have this sudden desire to eat Nutella. It's wierd because I NEVER eat Nutella. It just happened right at this very moment. I'm actually sort of smelling it. Does this mean I am going to have a stroke? I hope the desire subsides becuase I don't think it would be a very good idea to spoonfeed myself Nutella tonight.

The Wink

So, Loyal Readers®, this weekend I came across a rarity. A genuine Winker. The wink came while I was telling some story or another and suddenly, she winked. The key part of this whole story, though, was that the winking was just a kind of acknowledgement. Kinda saying "I feel ya', Tony." The way Ms. Winker pulled it off, I could just tell.

I'm not sure why but I am a fan of winking. Call it goofy or strange if you wish but I think winking is lost on some people. The Wink has so many layers. Winking can be flirtatious or coy. Winking can be snide, it can punctuate a joke. Plus, there is a certain art to winking. You have to be able to pull one off quickly without getting your whole face in on the action. You have to be able to close your mouth while doing it. You have to have enough winking control to let the rest of your face convey any feelings behind the wink. This girl did all those things. Yes, Loyal Readers®, genuine Winkers are hard to find.

That made my day.

Tryptophane love

Happy Turkey Day Everyone!



Have some pumpkin pie for me.

"We got this one."

So, last night after league a friend officially called me off on planning a New Year's party. She actually called dibs on said party. I suppose she knows me well enough to realize I was planning one too.

I suppose I will just have to show up with the Champagne and my wonderful personality. I LOVE New Year's parties.

Good Morning Homogenous World!

Today I was listening to Talk of the Nation and there was a whole segment on Vietnam. For various reasons, Vietnam has been on my "Next Big Trip" list for about 5 years so I listened. Recently, though, I feel dirty (or hipster) for wanting to go there. Vietnam has become the hot new destination. Forget Tahiti. Forget the Seychelles. Forget Mt. Kilaminjaro. Now Mr. Abercrombie and Ms. Fitch are off to Vietnam.

This idea was highlighted with the first caller on the Vietnam segment of TOTN. Up to that point, the discussion had centered on how Vietnam was turning around its infrastructure was becoming more modern. Well, this caller talked about how she and her husband had been to Vietnam within the last 15 months. The caller lamented the crowded streets, gross water, poor health care, and, get this, lack of KFC and McDonald's! Then, you could hear her scoff. This was one of those moments where I wanted to reach out through radio land and slap-a-ho. Are you serious? No KFC or McDonald's is a bad thing! Apparently, this person thought she was booking a trip to Paris instead of Hanoi. UGH!

Following that, a commentator with the program mentioned how the English word "stress" was creeping it's way into everyday usage in Vietnam. See, there is no one word that adaquately emcompasses the idea of stress in Vietnamese. Until the use of the word "stress" caught on, stress was expressed more as an abstract idea as opposed to a state of being. Gotta love cultural imperialism.

At this point, I arrived at my lunch spot and drowned my disappointment in a sandwich and snickerdoodle. Snickerdoodles make everything better.

Flashes of Joy

A few recent occurences that have made me smile:

-Cool foggy mornings that clear up to warm sunny days
-Shower Party and Fango!
-Finding Fat Tire for $6.99 a 12-pack
-Barbecue Chicken Pizza--'nuff said
-Thinking of sunny beaches and poolside drinks in Acapulco
-Photoshopping a friend's really cute (there's that word again) 1st grade pics for her 30th B-day invites.

Not bad at all everyone. Not bad at all. You?

Speaking of

Since we were on the subject of Hummers.

I *HEART* WHLZ

California has special "Protect the Coast and Ocean" license plates out.



I saw the title message on a set of these plates yesterday.

They were on a Hummer.

"It's like the Super Bowl for us!"

That's how one of my friends described tonight's election coverage. The great thing is that she appreciates my nerdiness when it comes to things like this.

She's right, ya' know. I'll be in front of the TV with guacamole and beer, waiting for the results. I hope the commercials are good.

Word of the Day

Persnickety

–adjective Informal.
1. overparticular; fussy.
2. snobbish or having the aloof attitude of a snob.
3. requiring painstaking care

This was used to describe someone I know recently and it fits so well, I just had to share it with y'all. Using this word liberally and "Booing" people have been my favorite activities for the week. Is that bad?

Also, for all you Ultimate Frisbee fans, feel free to stop by my new friends at Casual Ultimate and give them a shout out. They might return with some Chi-town love. If you are worthy, that is.

Halloween!

I just wanted to say how much fun it was to hand out candy ond go trick or treating with my nephew. My favorites from last night included Wonder Woman, Tinkerbell, Spiderman and Cap'n Jack Sparrow. The costume for this year seemed to be princesses for the girls (Is it always that way??) but I really coul dnot spot any real trends with the boys. Of course, there was the usual assortment of "scary" normal things like scary doctors, cheerleaders, President Bush and scary drum majors. Fun times!

Either way, I hope y'all had a good Halloween.

I like cookies, just not their cutters

I've recently had my feathers ruffled by the idea of one size fits all. I was walking through a wonderful little neighborhood this weekend when I noticed the row houses that were sneaking in from the perimeter. Gentrified, semi-modern, overpriced, characterless condominiums. When I buy a place, I will have to try that much harder not to get one of these types of monstrosities.

The other day I wanted a nice medium t-shirt. Not too much to ask, right? It becomes a problem when I pick up a medium and I am swimming in but a small makes me look like a frankfurter. What happened to clothes that fit?

It came to a boil today as I was searching on Itunes for some music. My monomania dictated that I find a song whose title I believed to be "Take it to da' house." Unfortunately, the song was not available on Itunes but my Itunes suggestions pointed me towards songs that were included on such Itunes "Essentials" as (I shit you not Loyal Readers®):

Saturday Errands--For when the blandness of errands needs a soundtrack

Dinner Party--For when your dinner party music sucks. If you have European guests French Dinner Party is also an option.

Hip-Hop Workout and Hip-Hop Cooldown--for when Pilates needs a little DMX.

Motorcycle Music--For when the idea of the open road is just as good as the open road itself.

Can't we even choose our own music anymore? I am by no means a music guru or even a music snob but I really want to be able to choose my own musical guilty pleasures instead of having Itunes do it for me. Don't other people harbor this innate desire to choose as well?

Until next time.

Word

You know you've thought it before.

Silly

For some reason, I have been having a rather silly last few days.

In that vein, I recently saw the following commercial again for the first time in ages and LOST IT. Completely. Shamelessly. Unecessarily. In front of a woman. LOST. IT.

I was laughing so hard I cried. I even laughed retelling the story of how much I laughed.

Enjoy!

MMMM...Myspace

This is especially for Garza





The Caption read "New Yrs Eve Madness"

Crazy Twins..or not twins, as it were.

The RIAA got me...AARGH!

Why you don't want to pirate.

Nothing's Cuter

Than a box full of kittens!!!

Funny. Like HA HA

I found this amusing.

A Short Love Story

Taking the Bet(a)

So, Loyal Readers® I am now in Blogger Beta. What does this mean? Well, it means I get cute (yeah, I said cute) little drilldown options for my previous posts, I can't post in non-Beta blogs unless I do so anonymously AND Google is one step closer to taking over my life. Did I miss the memo where Google bought Blogger? What doesn't Google own now? Hell, pretty soon Mountain View is simply going to be know as Google, CA.




In other exciting news and referring to a previous post, I was able to use chopsticks to eat sushi this weekend. Excitement!

Currently on Itunes Shuffle list:

Pale September Fiona Apple
Cookie The Randies (If you don't have one of their CD's, drop everything and do so now)
I Want to Hold You Hand The Beatles
Deep Pearl Jam

Fate No More

This is especially for my boy Jay. Math can prove ANYTHING.

Sod's (Murphy's) Law really does exist

Previous studies have shown Sod's Law isn't a myth - toast will fall butter side down, odd socks do breed and string can tie itself into knots. Now the British Gas formula allows people to calculate the chances of Sod's Law striking - and try to beat it.

Five factors - urgency (U), complexity (C), importance (I), skill (S) and frequency (F) - have to be applied to a task or an event, and each scored between 0 and 9. A sixth, aggravation (A), was set at 0.7 by the boffins after their poll of 1,000 people.

Calculating ((U+C+I) x (10-S))/20 x A x 1/(1-sin(F/10)) enables you to score a Sod's Law probability on a scale of 0 to 8.6, with higher numbers making it more likely that bad luck is right around the corner.

I caught the brief version of this in The New Yorker at one point and thought it was interesting. You can add the numbers up for all kinds of things. In a nerdy way, it is fun. Read the whole article here. There is even en easy to use calculator here.

When babies attack

Wild babysitter or self preservation? You decide.

WTF?

Among other things, people's fascination with Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen annoyed me today.

Seriously people.


They're ugly.

...In Bed

I learned two things at the Chinese restuarant yesterday.

1) Chopsticks are a real pain when you can't use your index finger.

2) The wisdom from my fortune cookie:

"You don't have to be perfect to perform beyond expectations."

Thanks fortune cookie.

Crime and Punishment

Bad things happen when you piss off the Gummi Bear Queen.

Forza Azzuri

Italy Wins!


Who called it?

Bitch better have my money!

"How many bitches you got?"

"Well, I gots about 10 bitches."

"Allright, yo. Here's your Pimp Tax."

If ya' can't stop them, tax them. Of course, that still won't stop them but it is an election year.

Guilty Pleasures

You know you have one (or many.) This blog was inspired by the Before Sunrise/Before Sunset movie duo. I must admit that I am a sucker for these movies. Of course they make me think of three things which I feel are lost arts in this world:


1. Conversation
2. Telling a story
3. Lingering over food

So Loyal Readers®, do your best to keep these arts alive. I'd be willing to help you indulge any of these at some point.

Back to Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy...

Sorry U.S.A. :(

I like soccer. I really wanted the US to do well in the World Cup. They were playing well and, through the luck of the draw, got placed in a difficult group. I saw the US' first game and they were mediocre at best. After watching Italy vs. Ghana, I will assure you, Loyal Readers®, that Ghana and Italy will WIPE THE FLOOR with Team USA. Too bad. Team USA, their preparation and coach deserve more than the pillory they are going to get after their upcoming games. I wish them the best.

Cats are fun.

Cats are the most super-awesome pets EVER!

My advice to you...

Classic Colbert.

2:19:34

As I write this we are officially that far away from the beginning of the World Cup. Now, given everything else happening in the world at this current point in time, this seems like a trifle. However, the World Cup is the largest sporting event in the world and I plan to watch or TIVO all of the matches. Yes, ALL of the matches. Not only will I be watching but, for the first time ever, I will be fielding a fantasy team for the duration of the tournament. Can you say DORK? That's OK because I am comfortable in my obsessiveness. It could be worse. I could paint myself different colors and run around the neighborhood naked. It's been done.

I was in Texas this weekend to go to a friend's wedding. It was a great time. Granted, my friend and her husband had been dating for ten years, so it was about freakin' time but that did not diminish people's enjoyment of the event. Everyone was smiling so much, my cheeks hurt on Sunday. I got to see some people I hadn't seen in over ten years, I danced some cumbia and salsa. It was nice to do so with people who know what they are doing. I drove a snazzy rental car. The weather was hot but wonderful. Overall, gret time. Sometime in the next 3-15 years, I am sure I will b e going through the whole process myself. I'll keep you updated, Loyal Readers®.

Your Posse. Your Entourage. Your...

PEEPS!

They're everywhere!

Loyal Readers®,

Many of you have heard of Snakes on a Plane. I find the best part of the trailer for this movie is the scene in which one of the Evil Snakes exacts revenge on a cat who has the audacity to hiss at it. Brilliant!

Well, as if the snake's infiltration into the airlines were not enough, it seems they have also infiltrated our rental cars. It is plain to see that snakes are intent on coming to a vacation spot near you. This intent is facilitated by the heavy summer travel season during which said Evil Snakes can more readily expand their influence through the increased taffic on our mass transit system.

Obviously, the Evil Snakes are watching us. Beware how you treat our reptilian friends because they are making moves towards world domination.

Solemnly,
-TT

GGGOOOOOOOLLLLLLLL!!!

Today, the soccer world mourns the death of Angel Fernandez. If you have ever listened to a soccer broadcast in Spanish or laughed at a Simpsons episode, you have been touched by this man. Fernandez was nicknamed Pulmones de hierro (Spanish for Iron Lungs) because of his unique ability to shout "GOL!" for a prolonged period. More than that, however, Fernandez possessed the ability to make even a mundane soccer game come alive through his fabulous descriptions of the action. Because of him, I will watch most of the World Cup on Telemundo this year. The game just sounds so much better in Spanish.

RIP Iron Lungs.

You know you want one

Surprises

Yesterday, I came home after a long night of Ultimate and pimpin' out my tournament to find a large plate of brownies waiting in the kitchen. They were fresh and had walnuts in them. Personally, I am a dark chocolate and cinnamon fan. However, it is difficult to complain with the prospect of free brownies staring you in the face. MMM...brownies.

Memories

Ceylon Tea

1 tablespoon Ceylon tea
8-10 ounces filtered water
1/2-1 teaspoon sugar
A small bit of cream (or milk)

Boil the water, steep the tea for two minutes. Add suger and stir in cream.


Sometimes just a little bit reminds you that it's all good.

The real threat to our Nation's children...

Yes, Loyal Readers®, apparently that threat is S-E-X.

The abstinence advocates in this world have created creepy Purity Balls to further protect their kids from the evil S-E-X. Never mind that these rituals are aimed only at father-daughter combos (Boys must be protectors and don't have to worry about purity. Girls, you're all about the purity) but abstinence pledges and the like are ridiculous to begin with. As noted here, they simply don't work.

We have all learned that Prohibition does not work. If we don't talk about it and make S-E-X out to be the "BIG EVIL", guess what, the kids will want to do it more! Now, I am definitely an advocate of good sexual health and smart sexual choices. Really, I believe that all parents should arm their children with the knowledge to make smart choices regarding how and when they have sex. That way, if these kids want to remain chaste, at least it is a conscious, thorough decision. Not one made because they fear god and their families will hate them.

L-O-V-E

So, recently, many of my blogger friends have been writing treatises on the L-word. I find it funny that so many people are pensive about love at the same time. Spring fever? Either way, I was pondering this phenomenon yesterday when I saw a car with the following vinyl decals on the back window:

L-Θ-V-∑

Said evidence in front of me, it would be a fair guess that the cute girl driving the Yukon was in a sorority and that she "loved" being Greek. Of course, there is one more way to take the above. It could also be read as Greek Love. Now, Loyal Readers®, I trust you are all familiar with what love meant to those ancient Greeks. Makes you wonder, doesn't it?

Reality TV

So, I will admit that I am officially one of those strange, non-legislative aids that actually watches C-Span for fun. For one, I am looking for some of my favorite Congress members to make speeches. Two, I am looking for some of the petty little squabbles that invariably come up during heated speeches on close issues (like immigration reform.) Three, sometimes these members have awesome outfits. It was a sad day for me when Jim Traficant (D-Ohio) was forced out. Nothing says politics like sky blue velour. Sometimes, there are even non-congressional speeches and events on the channel too. Like Condaleeza Rice's testimony before the Congressional investigation committee that I was able to TIVO. Basically, I just enjoy watching these events and seeing what actually goes on with the whole process that I claim to love. I like to form my own opinions on what is going on as opposed to letting Fox News do it for me. So, yeah, that's my strange admission for the month.

They sell this to kids?

Well Loyal Readers®, I have come upon another strange find in the vast world of the Internet.




For those of you not in the know, Bob the Builder is marketed towards the 3-6 yr old set. What kind of tool is that?

The Future

Dear Loyal Readers®,

It has come to my attention that Spain's World Cup roster may include a young phenom named Cesc Fabregas. IF this guy can make the final-23, he could help Spain tie it all together from the midfield. This may be the year Spain actually lives up to its potential. I can hope, anyway.

http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/06/en/060418/1/6khj.html

Eye Fungus?

How do you miss this? Of all the contact solutions in the world, why do I have to use the one that has a significant likelyhood of causing eye fungus? Didn't they douse enough rat eyes in the lab with this stuff to find this problem before?

Bausch & Lomb Website

The more space you have...

It is so easy to accumulate stuff. As a backpacker, I was once told that the more space one has, the more they tend to occupy. You'll fill spaces and pockets in your pack with crap you won't use. So, the advice was to buy as much backpack as I thought I'd need.

Back in '99 (Blast from the past!) I had bought a 20GB hard drive to replace my broken desktop HD. My roomate thought I would NEVER use that much space. Ahh, how times change:


My laptop is the new too-large backpack.

Debut

So here it is. Me succumbing to pressure. I wonder if this is one of those journaling projects that I will stick with. Frankly, I am just not verbose enough to write in this thing every day. However, I know there are plenty of well written blogs that are. I will read those and update this baby at will.

I suppose you are wondering about the URL. Chivas con Pistolas is the name of a pick-up Ultimate team that I played against in Mexico. I LOVE that name. It translates to "Goats with guns." I find the mental picture humorous. Can you imagine goats robbing a bank? It just seems funny to me for some reason. Replace Robert De Niro and Val Kilmer in Heat with goats and I think you have a classic. BAAAAA!

Some of the art in this medium is being able to make the mundane occurrences in everyday life somehow interesting. I will refer you to those people. Loyal Readers of this blog will find it pretty casual. If the post is not a quick link to something, it should be pretty stream of consciousness. I find it difficult to "write" in these journal type situations. So, I will update you on myself, post things/pictures I find interesting and sometimes be incensed about this or that issue.

Enjoy and comment often!


PS--I have Itunes on SHUFFLE and Irish folk music was just followed by Straight Outta' Compton. Awesome.