| To be or not to have been ... written? |
One of the memes floating around the blogosphere is the ever-popular book meme. You know, it's the series of questions that ask what book you'd take with you on a deserted island, what book changed your life, etc. I've seen it on several blogs, but with my life being ruled by a benevolent dictator these days, I haven't had a chance to answer the questions myself.
However, one of the questions of the meme has been bothering me lately, and I'm not sure how I would answer it. That question is:
One book that you wish had never been written? How would I answer that? I'm not sure. This is one of the more revealing answers of the meme, and one that has larger implications than a silly getting-to-know-you type of exercise.
Are there any books that should have never been written? While there are some vile books out there, each serves a purpose -- if only to alert others to the inherent sicknesses of the authors who write these atrocities. (and for the record, I'm thinking books that encourage the destruction of others)
While I can think of several sarcastic books I could insert as an answer, I'm not so sure I could think of a legitimate way of addressing the question of which book should have never existed. |
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GOP? GOD! |
God for President: Finally, A Candidate Who is More than the Lesser of Two Evils by Jim Gerard
But if I were Karl Rove and wanted to secure the party's base and lock up the election, why would I mess around with mortal candidates, especially the motley crew of unhinged megalomaniacs currently vying for the presidential nomination? Why not tap a higher power? That's right -- God himself. God -- and I'm talking about the wrathful, Old Testament Lord, not Jesus or the Holy Ghost - is the perfect Republican candidate. First of all, his Q rating is off the charts. Everybody knows God. So Rove and the Gang don't have to spend any time making him known to the American people. No campaign trail, no baby kissing, no press conferences. He'll do even less than Bush. Second, according to every poll, God has an approval rating of probably 80 percent. Besides, millions of voters pray to this guy whenever they have a problem. Don't you think they owe him something in return? Third, there is no better candidate to carry the Republican's fear-based message than the omnipotent power who threatens fire and brimstone whenever mortals displease him. Moreover, He could use his intimidation tactics on independent voters, centrists -- even card-carrying Democrats. (Sample campaign slogan: "Vote Democratic and spend the rest of eternity in a burning pit listening to John Kerry's stump speech." Yikes. That's enough to scare even Noam Chomsky into jumping parties.) Fourth, God backs up his threats with action -- mostly smiting. Read the rest of the reasons here.
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| Now that's what I call underage drinking! |
Toddler served margarita in a sippy cup
Kim Mayorga was confused when her 2-year-old started making funny faces and pushing away the apple juice he had ordered at Applebee's. The explanation came when she opened the lid of the sippy cup and was hit by the smell of tequila and Triple Sec.
The restaurant staff accidentally gave Julian Mayorga a margarita Monday. He grew drowsy and started vomiting a few hours later and was rushed to the hospital.
"I wasn't going to make a big deal about it," the mother told the Contra Costa Times on Thursday, "but then he got sick."
The apple juice and margarita mix were stored in identical plastic bottles, and the manager mistakenly grabbed the margarita container to pour the boy's drink, said Randy Tei, vice president for Apple Bay East Inc., which owns the franchise restaurant and nine other Applebee's in the San Francisco Bay area. |
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| Watching The Family with the family |
Tonight we all gathered around to watch the end of The Sopranos -- even my dad sat with us to watch the end of the show. Emma was awake the whole time, and was cheerful and didn't fuss at all during the episode -- MUCH to her mama's surprise (and gratitude).
So, without going into a spoiler here on the main page, what did you Sopranos fans think of the ending? Spoilers are welcome in the comments. Personally, I was quite content with how David Chase ended the show. The verdict is still out for much of my family (including Jerry), but I think they'll come around to appreciate how it wrapped up.
Well? |
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| In a New York state of mind |
Why it's great to be here with my ENTIRE (!) family here in the big city:
- I'm sitting in my sister's living room (which is gorgeously decorated), sipping a caramel macchiato (freshly made by my barrista brother) and reading today's issue of The New York Times
- Last night I was up until the wee wee hours, watching the latest episode of The Sopranos and catching up with the sibs
- This Sunday night the plan is to have a Sopranos finale party -- complete with authentic Jersey/NYC food and drinks. Can't wait.
- Later today we're hitting Trader Joes (my favorite specialty store)
- I've got another 3 sets of hands to pass baby off to
- and Emma is surrounded by family members who love her to bits
It's been almost a year and a half since my family were all in the same place. It's a great feeling to be all together again.
Later, I'm hoping to hit the big city. Pictures to follow! |
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| Rest in peace, puppy dog |
Ever since we've been home, I've noticed that our family's dog hadn't been herself. She's shaky, kept walking in circles and ran into furniture and walls. While she was still a sweet pup, her age was definitely catching up with her. Yet despite her achy bones and being deaf & blind, she still was sweet to Emma (even when Emma grabbed onto the dog's ear and wouldn't let go!).
This afternoon we had to Spot put to sleep. She was 13 and one of our family's longest pets -- and she'll be missed by all of us.
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| A Fairy Tale for Emma |
Once upon a time,
in a land far away,
a beautiful, independent,
self-assured princess
happened upon a frog as she sat,
contemplating ecological issues
on the shores of an unpolluted pond
in a verdant meadow near her castle.
The frog hopped into the princess' lap
and said: Elegant Lady,
I was once a handsome prince,
until an evil witch cast a spell upon me.
One kiss from you, however,
and I will turn back into the dapper,
young prince that I am
and then, my sweet, we can marry
and setup housekeeping in your castle
with my mother, where you can prepare my meals,
and forever feel grateful and happy doing so.
That night, as the princess dined sumptuously
on a repast of lightly sauteed frog legs
seasoned in a white wine
and onion cream sauce,
she chuckled and thought to herself:
I don't fucking think so.
From an email she sent me earlier today. |
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| Wholesome food, wholesome... music? |
One of my favorite things to do when I come home is to eat at Chick-fil-a, the best place in the world to have a chicken sandwich (really!). If only I could freeze-dry or vacuum-seal some of these sandwiches to hold me over while I'm thousands of miles in Canada ... yum!
Anyway, it's high on my list to hit this food joint a couple times while I'm visiting family down South. The other day, while eating lunch, I noticed something different in the air -- the music had the aroma of trying to sound hip, while remaining solidly cheesy. That's right, it was CCM coming on over the airwaves -- that is, contemporary Christian music!
Chick-fil-a has long outed itself as an eating establishment with religious values in its background. The founder, S. Truett Cathy has made it a rule that his franchises are to be closed on Sundays, and many times the "prize" in the kid's meals have been cassettes of Focus on the Family's kids program, Adventures in Odyssey. I just never expected its restaurants to pipe in overtly religious music.
I have a long, sordid history with CCM. I had the CDs, I went to the concerts, even a crusade or two, and also subscribed to a magazine that highlighted many different bands. But now that I've been away from that subculture for a number of years, it's odd to submerse myself in it again. Listening to that background music in the restaurant reminded me of years past, and as I listened, I could almost imagine people closing their eyes to wave their hands or them jumping to the more upbeat tunes (or having "rapture practice" as Jerry put it).
I wonder what the reaction of the public would be if a chain of restaurants piped in religious music other than that of the Judeo-Christian background? What if Taco Bell had contemporary Islamic tunes playing while you ate your burrito, or McDonalds played Buddhist chants when you ordered your big mac? Somehow I doubt that would be as acceptable as sitting through the sappy tunes of today's CCM in Chick-fil-a. |
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