Gordon Ramsay Doesn't Trust His Amateur Chefs

I. Love. Him.

This shit cracks me up!

Follow the bouncing ball.......

It took me a minute to get all the parties straight in this one. Let's see if I can summarize:

2 people running for DA.

1 candidate uses his staff in an ad and tries to pass them off as "man on the street" type of thing. Dumb. People probably know said "men on the street" and know they work for you.

Dumb candidate gets even dumber and uses a convicted felon that the OTHER candidate put in the pokey to talk about how great the (dumb) candidate is.

Now, is having a convicted felon campaigning for you to be DA really a good idea?

Really?

Crazy bitca needs more hands

I'm serious. This is a great news day. I can see how a person can just......lose all track of time on these here internets.

WTF?

no, seriously, wtf?

I saw this live yesterday

for once. I always seem to miss KO when he does the good stuff on Countdown.

But, as usual, its worth watching again. Also, as usual, the link is from Crooks and Liars. They are a God send. Truly.

And yes, I'll put an end to the serious stuff and get back to the fun. I promise.

Muy interesante!

Should male athletes, who lose a year of eligibility caring for their child, get an extra year of eligibility? Its like the college sports equivalent of paternity leave.

Why I hate 'em

exhibit 1

exhibit 2


And before some asshole starts in with the "Yeah, well, you have Senator Byrd...." I'd just invite you to remember that for every Byrd argument there is a wonderful Jesse Helms, Strom Thurmond, George Allen, Trent Lott, etc, etc. argument to match.

New Additions

To the sidebar. Books. I don't know why I haven't thought of putting a few of my favorite book related sites there before now. There are a few more that I need to get up there, but class is about to start.....I should pay attention......

you know.

Anyway, a word about them:

GalleyCat is great for publishing related tidbits (read: gossip) and other good stuff. First thing I do after I turn on my computer at work is pull up GalleyCat. A better font of book related, and book people related, info would be hard to find.

Confessions.... is mostly crime fiction related. Its my second stop in the morning. This one, while it does relate to my job, is mostly just for me. I LOVE crime fiction, as you all well know.

Smart Bitches......hilarious. I'm serious. Even if you don't love romance fiction, (or you refuse to admit that you do) it has a lot of great stuff on there. As of this very minute, they have a very interesting post up about books and Hurricane Katrina. But, if you REALLY want a good laugh, check out their romance book covers gone wild. You'll pee your big girl panties (yes, you too guys.)

Duh

You Have A Type A Personality

You are hyper, energetic, and always on the mood You tend to succeed at everything you attempt And if you don't succeed at first, you quickly climb your way to the top! You could be called a workaholic, but you also make time for fun As long as it's high energy and competitive, you're interested You have the perfect personality for business and atheltic success

Do You Have a Type A Personality?

We interrupt your previously scheduled blog.....

dork

For more Transformers news.


Ironhide was always my favorite, glad to see he's back in the upcoming movie. Peter Cullen rocks.

/dork

inter ali-ugh

So, I'm reading a review of the new London Noir collection today, in Britain's The Guardian, and I come across this paragraph:

And here's the problem: London Noir's stories, about ventriloquist psychiatrists, corrupt police officers and blackmailing pickpockets inter alia, might have worked as regular crime stories. They are sunk by their forced association with noir. There are elements of the genre here - sex, lust, violence, and a certain degree of amorality - but these tales refuse to gel into the seamlessly sexy stories that we associate with Chandler or Cain and, in the end, they lack any of the hard-nosed style or panache that's expected from a noir story, let alone the muscular elegance found in the work of the very best writers.

Ugh. Is that how you people write book reviews over there?! My eyes slid right by it but I did go back for a second look. I'm seeing legalese everywhere I turn these days! Would it have killed him to say it a different way? Is the average Guardian reader going to know what the heck he's talking about? Well, probably. I sure as heck wouldn't have known.

A little light reading

Hop on over to the CNN blog and read AC's post about Hurricane Katrina. The post is good, but the comments are better. I should have posted one, but it woule have been much the same as everyone else's and who needs that?

The scene I remember most clearly is one others posted about: the man talking about how he had to let go of his wife's hand and her last words were "Take care of the kids."

That was heartbreaking. In fact, that is when I really started paying attention to the whole Hurricane Katrina bit. It got a whole lot worse before it got any better.

This should be interesting

Yes, I know. Only to me. I might have to pay a bit more attention to Sunderland now. I've always had a sports fan crush on Roy Keane, even though he was a member of the evil empire, Manchester United.

The librarian in me

wants to make an index for this page. You know, all the book reviews in one place, all the "Today's CD" in another place. Politics chat. Sports. misc.

But, the realist in me is WAY too lazy to get all that done. Still thought I'd mention it.


In other news: Did I mention I was taking my first "day" class this semester? Its only the second meeting, but I miss the comfort of my evening peeps. I think there are a total of four people I know in this class. Two evening students and two I know more socially.

Well, I'm glad we got that racism thing all settled

I'm sure this is just one isolated incident. Nothing to see here. Please, move along.

You miss out

when you don't have Friday classes. You miss out on the drinking afterwards. Now, granted, I rarely ever went out with the after classes Friday drinky crowd. It wasn't because I didn't want to. I love to go out drinking and having a good time.

With the right people.

But, anyway, the UP side of not having Friday classes is that I got to have dinner with a group of friends for MT's birthday. He's 39.

Again.

And we had a blast! El Sol under the overpass. The real El Sol is supposed to be open again on September 15th. Cross your fingers for that. Anyway, they make THE BEST mojitos.

Quick Change Artists on America's Got Talent

Okay, this rocks.

Aaron Rowand. It broke my heart when the Sox traded him. No, really, it did. And I like Thome, I do, but......well, Rowand was my favorite.

Brian Anderson is not the same in centerfield.

Anyway, when I heard about this collision this morning, I wasn't that surprised. Aaron plays hard, always has, and used to run into the wall in center all the time. As he says, this is one of the things that was bound to happen. I'm bummed that it will probably end his season and I know he probably is too. Especially since the Phillies are making a wildcard run for the post-season. Hopefully, he'll be good as new when April comes around.

And if we could trade to get him back, KW, that would be good too!

Huh.

Interesting..... I don't see the Motherland outside of my window every day.

Stop being a bitch

I was reading this book of poetry that landed on my desk today and I was giggling because it certainly wasn't Robert Browning.

And then, I realized I was reading from the Grade 6 and 7 chapter.

Jesus, I need to stop being such a bitch! They were actually pretty good poems for 11 and 12 year olds!

um......no.

I completely forgot to mention my first job rejection letter! It was from a firm I didn't really want to work at (doesn't everyone say that...) but the occasion is still noteworthy.

Twas the night before classes.....

Good morning boys and girls. No, I haven't dropped off the face. I'm still here.

its been an interesting few days. I went shopping on Saturday at Metropolis. I'd never been there, but was thoroughly charmed by it. So charmed I bought three pairs of shoes! (okay, its not like it would have taken much for that to happen.......and two were from the clearance rack!) By the end of the day, though, I was completely exhausted and fell asleep in the car on the way home. All that being said, I could have spent another five hours (and $50,000) in the Barnes & Noble. Its unhealthy to like books so much, I'm almost positive.

Speaking of books......its fall publishing season which means I'm up to my eyeballs in Advance copies. If you're interested, sending me an email with your address and I'll send you some. Not only will you be on the cutting edge (most of these books don't hit stores until September or October......or later) but if you don't like them, you can toss them out the window!

Sunday.......more shopping! Yippee!!! Von Maur (natch) where I finally got a dress to wear to my cousin's wedding over labor day weekend. It might also double as my SugarClooney awards dress. I think I'm going, but.....I haven't actually bought tickets yet......I need to do that.

Oh yeah, and I bought another MP3 player. A big one. Plays videos. But, its not an ipod. I WANTED an ipod. I did. However, its so limited in what it plays. With this one, I could even transfer all of my bittorrent files over and watch videos anywhere I wanted! You can't beat that.

Speaking of the video sharing that dare not speak its name, I urge you all to check out Hotel Babylon once it hits the states. This show rocks my world.

Oh yeah, and I've been reading for class. How could I have forgotten that. I actually like that, though, so.......its not a bad thing.

What have ya'll been up to?

Not Today's CD

But its recent. I just don't know how I feel about it yet so I have been reluctant to post it. These aren't new recordings, but they were done back when the boss (miss ross!) was filming Lady Sings the Blues. One of my favorite songs of all time is on this cd (Easy Living) so I had to check it out.

Here's the problem: I don't think I like it. I like most of the Supremes stuff, and most of the solo stuff she's done. So, why don't I like this? I don't like her voice singing these blues songs. She has a beautiful voice, as most people know, it just isn't.....right. I don't know how to explain it because the songs don't sound bad. You put the cd in, you listen to it, and it sounds fine. Its just unsatisfying. You're wondering what is wrong, and then you realize that the sound and the song don't match. The voice is beautiful. The songs are good. But together? There are some voices that sound good singing anything. This isn't one of those voices. That isn't to say I don't want to hear Diana Ross. I do. I just don't want to hear her singing Easy Living.

I don't know. I'm curious to know what you all think if you've heard it.

I'm easily distracted.....

by OPM (other people's markings.) This is why I can't use used books. I see all that highlighting, underlining and margin drawings, and I can't concentrate. It isn't even that I'm so interested in what they had to say, but it distracts me all the same.

Which really sucks because I could save a ton on used books instead of buying fresh, clean and shiny ones each semester!

Do/Did any of you use used books in college, law school, whatever? And if so, could you just block out all of the BS (the BS you didn't pay for, that is.)


Inquiring, and somewhat flighty, minds want to know.

Wonderful

Of course, you expected me to say that since I'm all stalkerazzi obsessed with him. But, really, it was very good.

Unless you're the type who believes all crimes get solved in the end, bad guys go to jail and family lives happily ever after. If that's the case, take a pass. Pelecanos is a bit to real life for that kind of ending. Oh, I like those endings too, don't get me wrong. But.....you're not getting it here. This is definitely not appealing to the Matlock crowd.

But, did I mention that the book kicks ass? Its not my favorite by him, but its very good.

I should so be in bed right now

But I started listening to the Cubs-Astros game while I was talking to my friend online, and now I'm still listening. Its the bottom of the 14th inning, for crying out loud.

I need to go to sleep!

No, I'm sorry, its now the top of the 15th......and I'm tempted to go turn on the TV and watch the rest!

God bless baseball fans.......because we certainly couldn't function if left to our own devices.

Quote of the Day

From the Indianapolis Star today:


"In Indianapolis, there are hundreds of thousands of jobs. There are several things happening in the state. I find it remarkable that . . . there's a perception (among blacks) that the state is not moving in a positive direction."

-- Jim Brandyberry, an active pastor


You're kidding me, right? "Hundreds of Thousands of jobs?" Seriously? Where? I could use another one......

Job fair/OCI fashion tips.

I said that a lot on Friday. I went to a job fair up in Chicago and had mostly a good time. I learned a few things about the whole 20 minute interview process. One thing I learned is that I don't like it. But, the other thing I learned is why it needs to be this way. There are too many job opportunities and too many candidates. How else does each side narrow the field? Could you imagine applying to every law firm in the world? Then, add to that government agencies, other non-profit ideas, corporations......whatever. You'd go nuts.

I had seven interviews and out of seven, there were two, right off the bat, I knew weren't going to happen. It was the longest 20 minutes ever. No, seriously. And, in that case, you kind of know that isn't the place for you. Granted, that is just one representative of an entire organization, but that's how it turned out.

The other five were all wonderful. We'll see what happens. This is just the beginning of the process, so miles to go before I even know if I get second interviews, let alone a job for the summer.

The "Oh Dear" comes in for fashion choice. Now, I'm not the fashion maven that BBS is, but I have two moderately functioning eyes (with glasses) and I did see some things from the Glamour magazine do's and don'ts page:

• This is a job interview, not the club. Do not wear tight ass skirts. Seriously. It was in Chicago, and maybe you were going to the club afterwards...... I have no idea. But, honestly, you did not look cute. You had a lot of company in not looking cute, but did not look cute. There were A LOT of women there who looked like they had been poured into their skirts. I don't know how they could sit, let alone be comfortable!
  
• Black ladies: You cannot wear any color panythose. I know, I know. "The package said...." Trust me on this, its just a bad idea. It looks icky on your legs and the eye is drawn immediately to it. I can't tell you how many women I saw with the wrong shade on their legs. You can't help but look! It stands out like a sore thumb. Women who were impeccably dressed in every other aspect, and this is what I remember? Buy the right color, ladies. It isn't that hard! Or go with a nice off black. Something other than Suntan. YOU are not suntan. No, not even you.
• Black. Black. Black. It was the color of the day. My sister dropped me off downtown, and then hung out while she waited for her hair appointment (which was also downtown) and when we walked in it was like a funeral directors convention! Everyone was in black! So, then it became a game of trying to see who wasn't in black, and they really did stand out. I saw some gray, which was nice. I saw some navy, but not as much as I expected. The people who wore tan or some kind of brown really stood out. I saw one woman who looked exceptional in her powder blue jacket and navy skirt. At least she'll be remembered. I saw pinstripes, but not as many as I expected. Black. Black. Black. ugh.
  
• On the other hand, if you DO decide to wear something that isn't black, you'd better be sure it is impeccable. There was a lovely woman there wearing a tan outfit, and it was too tight. (do you hear a theme?) with a jacket with buttons hanging on for dear life.
  
• Open toed shoes: Ladies, you'll have to let me know what you think about this one. Me, personally, for a job interview, I'm not loving the idea. The woman in the tan above, wore a pair of tan, wedge sandals. Cute shoes, but......not the most professional pair in the closet I'm betting. It just seemed entirely too casual for my taste. But, then, we are equally without jobs, so what do I know?
• Dress rehearsals: Not just for job interviews, but for anything. If you cannot walk in those heels, you shouldn't be wearing them. There were lots of women there with high, high heels. 4 and 5 inch heels. Lots of wobbly women. The shoes were sharp, definitely, but if you are weaving back and forth, the effect isn't quite the same now is it? Believe me, I understand the urge to be cute. I do. Its a sickness. But, you're not cute at a job interview when you can barely walk. And, if its an all day job fair, and you feel the need to bring your "house shoes" or whatever because you can't stand your regular shoes for ONE FULL DAY? You're wearing the wrong shoes. Don't hate the messenger, ladies, its nothing but the truth. How does it look that you can't keep your shoes on for a full day? 9-5. But your comfortable shoes on in the car if you must, but come on!
  
• Dudes: There was lots of eye candy. No, really. LOTS of eye candy. Lots of variety in suits too. The black/blue was more even than it was among the women. I didn't spend much time looking at fashion faux pas for the guys, but my sister noticed shoes that weren't shined, and she harped a bit on the brown shoes, blue suit thing. Me, personally, I have no idea what color shoes a man is supposed to wear with a navy suit. I will say that the suit/shoes combo that really bothered her was really icky. I don't know if it was that particular shade of brown with the navy suit, or if its just a general no-no Guys?
• Not the club pt. 2: Ladies, if you're crossing your legs at the knee, and not at the ankle, be aware that I can see up your skirt. Why? Because I'm sitting on the 6th floor, and you're sitting on the 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th floor, your skirt is short, and your leg is on top of your other leg. What does that do? Gives me a look up your skirt. I don't wanna see all that. I don't wanna see ANY of that, actually. You're sitting outside a room for ten, fifteen minutes. You can't cross your legs at the ankles for that short of time? Or sit with them together? Or wear a longer skirt? Or wear pants? If you're nice and slim and legs cross nicely and I see nothing, that's great. Cross away. You look wonderful. But if you're sitting in a way that everyone on the floors below you can see up your skirt? This is a bad plan. I just thought someone should let you know.
  

So, there you have it. No interview details, but then you didn't really expect any on here did you? No, I didn't think you did. It was a good time. The next potential job fair is on September 9th in DC. I have no idea when I'll hear about from this round and OCI is also coming up. I'm wearing na;vy and aqua next time, dammit!

Oh yeah:

• Pants vs. Skirts: I will say it was about 60/40 skirts over pants on Friday. I don't know if it really matters. Some will say it does, some will say it doesn't. I think it depends on who is doing the interview, really. A well fitting pants suit will win over a tight ass skirt every time. There are some things you just don't want to do. But, both being even, does the skirt really give you an edge? We'll see if I get any callbacks.......I wore a skirt.
  

My city twinkles at night

Love flying in over Indy at night. It isn't the bright lights, big city of a Chicago, but its twinkly lights of Indianapolis. Beautiful.

This just in

I was on tv talking about gangsta lit the other day. It was an experience I'll be happy to never do again, thank you very much.

This is the article, from the Trib, that started the discussion.

Here is another take, from a few days prior to the Trib article, which no one wants to talk about.

My question is this: Why do we care? And why do we have to keep having this argument? We have it about sexy romance books. We have it about violent video games. We have it about rap music. We have it about violent movies. We didn't have it about A History of Violence and isn't THAT interesting? I don't know if I've seen a movie more violent than that.

The point is, we have this argument all the time. It always ends the same way: If its not for you, don't listen to it. Don't watch it. Don't read it. Isn't that how the argument SHOULD always end?

This guy probably thinks so.

SOM-F's pt. 2

How original. The day after some kind of good Democrat news, the terror alert level goes up.

Gosh. I'm shocked. No, really. Terrorists? And you foiled them TODAY?! Great. The day after Darth Cheney says that Lamont winning in CT is terrorist empowering?

Wow. Those terrorists must have had a lot riding on that state Senate primary.


Give me a fucking break. The federal government has no credibility in this, or any other, matter. There was a time, no matter who was in power, that they could be believed. You didn't think they made shit up just to suit their political purposes.

PLUS, now I have to re-pack for my flight today.

Bastards.

A Major Coup

The city getting DCI to move its hq to Indy and hold competitions here? A big boost to a city that is supposed to be increasing its cultural profile. Nice work.

"The announcement marks Indianapolis' latest success in efforts to become a hub for musical organizations. The city already is home to The Percussive Arts Society, Bands of America, the International Violin Competition of Indianapolis and the American Pianists Association."

I knew about the Violin Competition, of course. I'm hoping to catch some of it this year......we'll see. But, I didn't know about the other things. I'm impressed.

Visions of SugarClooney dancing in her head

My sister just found out that I had an opportunity to go (and thus SHE has an opportunity to go) to the American Cinematheque Awards banquet which is honoring George Clooney this year.

Have I mentioned how much she loves GC? Haven't I? Well, its a lot. But, problem is....I don't think I'm going. Its an addendum to a conference happening in LA over October 12-15th. I hadn't planned on going, but I could be convinced. The tickets are extra, of course, but its not an unreasonable amount extra.

It would be fantastic to go, honestly. But, I'm going to another conference at the end of the month. And, since I can't miss so much school, I'd be taking a post class flight on the 12th to be there for the 8am young lawyer/law student forum. I don't know. It seems like a hassle. But, she could twist my arm.....I've told her she has until September 15th to make up her mind.

Congrats SeanR and Natalie!

I should have posted this on Saturday, but they're on their honeymoon so it doesn't matter! SeanR, semi frequent commenter here and fellow law student, got married over the weekend. I'm sure if it was half as beautiful a day in Kansas as it was here, everything turned out fine. And now Sean doesn't have to think about wedding colors or anything of that nature for a long, long time.

Congrats!

S.O.M-F(s)

Classes magically popped up on Oncourse today. So, natch, I have to check out the roster to see who I'll be sharing space and air with over the Fall semester. I'm taking Copyright during the day so I only knew 3 names on that list. That's a good thing. Employment Discrimination is a much smaller class, only 17, and I felt okay about the names on that list as well.

Evidence has 100 people and its the Same Ole MF's I've been seeing since Fall 2004. I think I just got hives. Some of them, a lot of them even, are wonderful.

Some. Are. Not.

I still wouldn't trade Cooper's Evidence class for any other, but DAMN! Ya'll know what I mean. Don't pretend I'm the only one who thinks this way.


And, to add insult to injury, two people who should be there aren't! I can't believe ya'll abandoned me!

I don't know why.....

I don't know why I liked this movie. But, I did. A lot. But, it was violent. And it was one of those movies where you don't really know what happens at the end. They leave it all open ended and ambiguous. I hate that.

But I couldn't tear my eyes away from this movie. Riveting, that's what it was.

And violent. Did I mention it was violent?

Why does it seem so early this year?!

Its football Hall of Fame day. Thank God the crazy heat wave decided to scoot before hundreds of thousands of people were hanging around outside for a few hours of long ass speeches. (I'm talkin' to you Chris Berman!)

This year's class includes Coach Madden, Reggie White and Warren Moon, who happens to be the first black QB inducted into the hall. It seems so odd to think that just a few short years ago, the span of a career, that black QB's were not only rare, they were invisible.

Congrats, guys.

Girl, you know its true!

I heard Vanilla Ice on the radio yesterday. No, seriously. At first I thought they were just being funny, using a bit of it to make fun of something, but they played the whole damn song!

I was in shock. You NEVER hear that on the radio.....and with good reason.

Even though I turned it WAY up.

Hot Chef Day

I don't know how the ladies got started on this book (I never know how it starts half the time) but I need to browse the 641 cookbook aisle more often.


The Cover:

My personal Favorite pic: Everyone else's favorite:

Law students get Law jokes

But, it was forwarded from another lawyer.....and its funny as hell.... so its all good.



A very successful lawyer parked his brand new Lexus in front of the

office, ready to show it off to his colleagues. As he got out, a truck came

along too close to the curb and completely tore off the driver's door.

Fortunately, a cop in a police car was close enough to see the accident

and pulled up behind the Lexus, his lights flashing. But, before the cop

had a chance to ask any questions, the lawyer started screaming

hysterically about how his Lexus, which he had just picked up the day

before, was now completely ruined and would never be the same, no

matter how the bodyshop tried to make it new again.


After the lawyer finally wound down from his rant, the cop shook his

head in disgust and disbelief.

"I can't believe how materialistic you lawyers are," he said. "You are so focused on your possessions that you neglect the most important things in life."

"How can you say such a thing?" asked the lawyer.


The cop replied, "Don't you even realize that your left arm is missing? It

got ripped off when the truck hit you!!!"


"OH, MY GOD!" screamed the lawyer.

"MY ROLEX!"

Cut and Run

Republicans have given up the fight for Freedom Fries and Freedom Toast and they have reverted back to their original "French" names.

Now, this may not seem like a big deal to YOU, but to those of us who got on board, whole heartedly, behind this important change, we feel cheated. We feel like we were eating Freedom Fries over here so we wouldn't have to eat them over there! We feel like we were having Freedom Toast over here so we wouldn't have to eat it over there!

I mourn my loss of Freedom (Fries and Toast) at the hands of cut and run, flip flopping republicans.

Get real

I love authors. I do. I'm a book person, of course I love authors. Authors write books. (hot anchors also write books, but I think we've covered that extensively here already....)

Special delivery to my desk today was this big F-ing book. I can't even properly describe how bush league this book is. First of all, its one novel in TWO volumes. The first volume has 615 pages(!!) and then has a 5 page preview of volume 2. I have volume 2 right here, dude. AND, after the preview, there are 84 (!!!) pages of "Appendices A-C"

Are you kidding me?!

The cover of the book lists the title (which I'm not going to mention) and a very stupid, I don't know what the hell my book is about subtitle. And, the clincher? It lists his name. First middle last and THEN lists his alias. What?! Is that his chat room alias or what? Are you serious, dude?

Finally, after 1206 pages, we're all done. I haven't read this book, but what I have read seems to violate the age old "show, don't tell" Fiction writing rule. Its mostly passively written and I'm just getting sleepy thinking about it. The author is a history major, and would probably be a great historical writer.....but missing the mark on fiction.

Bonus on a trip to Rome!

I would have LOVED to have been there for this concert. For free, even!

(oh stop LAUGHING already!)

Whew!

All three people I asked to be references said yes! I always think they'll say no.....for whatever reason. You were a bad student. They don't remember you. You ate chips in their class..... They saw your internet porn tape...... whatever. I'm always relieved when people say yes.