Friday, September 29, 2006
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Vote Democratic
Everything that this president and his party does is for political gain first and foremost. National security, human rights and international law fall far behind or are completely neglected. The fact that anybody in congress voted for the detainee bill is shameful and a terrible black mark in our country's history. The only thing that can deter our country from continuing down the path toward inhumanity and insanity is to vote the Democrats into power. Without governmental checks and balances, not to mention the respect for the fundamental rights of all people, the United States is simply becoming just another tyrannical state. The decision is ours and it must be taken. We must oppose the shredding of our core beliefs. To not do so will ensure the further decline of our once more righteous country.
The future of Mass Transit in L.A.
If only. As one commenter said, they should make t-shirts, sell them for $50, and use the money for awareness. I say use the money to start building the thing. This is a work of beauty!
President Bush Wants His Tyranny Enshrined in Law
Disgusting. If this happens today, it's a shameful day to be an American.
Monday, September 25, 2006
Habeus Corpus Matters
A laywer made it clear to the Senate today. Let's see if they have the balls to stand up for it.
Friday, September 22, 2006
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Art Baer RIP
Art Baer was a good man. He was a writer and executive producer for popular television comedies for the better part of 4 decades. He was decent and kind and funny. And he was a sweet friend and colleague of my late stepfather, Mike Marmer.
Art died this past Sunday of cancer. My best wishes go out to his family.
Art died this past Sunday of cancer. My best wishes go out to his family.
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
U.S. Government
Is it Orwellian in its methods and communication? Let Billmon help you decide.
After 9/11, I, like the majority of people in the U.S. and around the world, wanted to find the people responsible and punish them. I still do, but my confidence in our government began waning as soon as Bush came out with the language of "War Against Terror". I thought then and I think now that they used 1984 as a means to their ends...and their ends is never the end of terror. For with an end to terror, they have nothing.
After 9/11, I, like the majority of people in the U.S. and around the world, wanted to find the people responsible and punish them. I still do, but my confidence in our government began waning as soon as Bush came out with the language of "War Against Terror". I thought then and I think now that they used 1984 as a means to their ends...and their ends is never the end of terror. For with an end to terror, they have nothing.
Canele
My goodness. Amid all the spam in comments (ironic for a post about a new restaurant) were two decidedly negative comments about the new place. It's a shame your meal was not a great experience, but I say give the place a chance. It was opening weekend and my meal was delicious. Sure there were a few problems, but I think it's great that a fresh new restaurant has come to our "village".
Sunday, September 17, 2006
Income Disparity....Continues
The rich get richer. Income saw a growth of 7% nationally, but who saw that income? The middle class? The working class? Ah, not so much. Really, how soon til we dig trenches around our big cities?
U.S. Government Breaks International Laws
Over 14,000, it was reported today, are beind held without due process in the so-called "war against terror". When the phrase first made an appearance back in 2001, many suspected the phrase would easily become a tool of power and undefinable. Fortunately (and really late, but still appreciated), the press is awakening to this -- particularly because it's their own that they need to protect.
Saturday, September 16, 2006
Canele in Atwater Village
Ate there tonight and it was delicious. Warm atmosphere, great buzz, nice help. Sure, they're working some opening weekend bugs out, but the food was great.
We started with an heirloom tomato salad with feta, cucumbers and olives. We asked for no olives -- as was noted on our check-- but they came anway. Despite them,. the salad was fab. Light, sweet and tangy.
Next up, I had the beef medalions and Carl had the red snapper. The snapper was a little undercooked, but deliciously rich and buttery. My beef was absolutely sensational. Moist, tasty and completely finished. It came with savory potatoes and great spinach -- i guess e coli was extra...
We finished with the chocolate/almond cake with ice cream The cake was tasty, but a wee bit hard and cold. The ice cream was fantastic and the combination was superb. My only wish is that the cake was warmer and more moist.
Overall, a very encouraging and tasty start for Canele. Can't wait to return!
We started with an heirloom tomato salad with feta, cucumbers and olives. We asked for no olives -- as was noted on our check-- but they came anway. Despite them,. the salad was fab. Light, sweet and tangy.
Next up, I had the beef medalions and Carl had the red snapper. The snapper was a little undercooked, but deliciously rich and buttery. My beef was absolutely sensational. Moist, tasty and completely finished. It came with savory potatoes and great spinach -- i guess e coli was extra...
We finished with the chocolate/almond cake with ice cream The cake was tasty, but a wee bit hard and cold. The ice cream was fantastic and the combination was superb. My only wish is that the cake was warmer and more moist.
Overall, a very encouraging and tasty start for Canele. Can't wait to return!
Habeas Corpus
The NY Times has a great op-ed piece from a former prisoner at Gitmo about the importance of Habeas Corpus. The bottom line is that if our government does not give those people it holds in prison the right to challenge their incarceration, we have lost oh-so-much moral standing.
Friday, September 15, 2006
Thursday, September 14, 2006
That was the week was
It's a new segment on Katie's CBS News that follows web happenings, but my favorite thing about is the title. That Was The Week That Was was actually a news satire on TV decades ago and I'm betting they have no idea. How sweet is that?
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Ann Richards
RIP.
To this day, I'll never understand how W beat her in the Texas Governor's race. Though, I'm guessing that, perhaps, foul play was involved.
Here's her keynote speech from the 1988 Democratic convention.
To this day, I'll never understand how W beat her in the Texas Governor's race. Though, I'm guessing that, perhaps, foul play was involved.
Here's her keynote speech from the 1988 Democratic convention.
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Trader Joes
Their toilet paper, as Atwater Newbie so delicately points out, is like east german sandpaper.
Sunday, September 10, 2006
9/11
A few quotes about death...
Too many people are thinking of security instead of opportunity. They seem more afraid of life than death.
- James F. Byrnes
Never chase a lie. Let it alone, and it will run itself to death.
- Lyman Beecher
Even the fear of death is nothing compared to the fear of not having lived authentically and fully.
- Frances Moore Lappe
Almost everything – all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure - these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.
- Steve Jobs (largest Disney investor)
To be, or not to be: that is the question:
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,
And by opposing end them? To die: to sleep:
No more; and by a sleep to say we end
The heartache and the thousand natural shocks
That flesh is heir to,--'t is a consummation
Devoutly to be wish'd. To die, to sleep;
To sleep: perchance to dream: ay, there's the rub:
For in that sleep of death what dreams may come,
When we have shuffled off this mortal coil,
Must give us pause: there's the respect
That makes calamity of so long life;
For who would bear the whips and scorns of time,
The oppressor's wrong, the proud man's contumely,
The pangs of despised love, the law's delay,
The insolence of office and the spurns
That patient merit of the unworthy takes,
When he himself might his quietus make
With a bare bodkin? who would fardels bear,
To grunt and sweat under a weary life,
But that the dread of something after death,
The undiscover'd country from whose bourn
No traveller returns, puzzles the will
And makes us rather bear those ills we have
Than fly to others that we know not of?
Thus conscience does make cowards of us all;
And thus the native hue of resolution
Is sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought,
And enterprises of great pith and moment
With this regard their currents turn awry,
And lose the name of action.
- William Shakespeare
Cowards die many times before their deaths;
The valiant never taste of death but once.
Of all the wonders that I yet have heard,
It seems to me most strange that men should fear;
Seeing that death, a necessary end,
Will come when it will come.
- William Shakespeare
and lastly (though, I certaily can go on):
No man is an Island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the Continent, a part of the main; if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friends or of thine own were; any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankind; And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; It tolls for thee.
- John Donne
I hope and pray that those that lost their lives on 9/11 have found peace...because we have not.
Too many people are thinking of security instead of opportunity. They seem more afraid of life than death.
- James F. Byrnes
Never chase a lie. Let it alone, and it will run itself to death.
- Lyman Beecher
Even the fear of death is nothing compared to the fear of not having lived authentically and fully.
- Frances Moore Lappe
Almost everything – all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure - these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.
- Steve Jobs (largest Disney investor)
To be, or not to be: that is the question:
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,
And by opposing end them? To die: to sleep:
No more; and by a sleep to say we end
The heartache and the thousand natural shocks
That flesh is heir to,--'t is a consummation
Devoutly to be wish'd. To die, to sleep;
To sleep: perchance to dream: ay, there's the rub:
For in that sleep of death what dreams may come,
When we have shuffled off this mortal coil,
Must give us pause: there's the respect
That makes calamity of so long life;
For who would bear the whips and scorns of time,
The oppressor's wrong, the proud man's contumely,
The pangs of despised love, the law's delay,
The insolence of office and the spurns
That patient merit of the unworthy takes,
When he himself might his quietus make
With a bare bodkin? who would fardels bear,
To grunt and sweat under a weary life,
But that the dread of something after death,
The undiscover'd country from whose bourn
No traveller returns, puzzles the will
And makes us rather bear those ills we have
Than fly to others that we know not of?
Thus conscience does make cowards of us all;
And thus the native hue of resolution
Is sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought,
And enterprises of great pith and moment
With this regard their currents turn awry,
And lose the name of action.
- William Shakespeare
Cowards die many times before their deaths;
The valiant never taste of death but once.
Of all the wonders that I yet have heard,
It seems to me most strange that men should fear;
Seeing that death, a necessary end,
Will come when it will come.
- William Shakespeare
and lastly (though, I certaily can go on):
No man is an Island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the Continent, a part of the main; if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friends or of thine own were; any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankind; And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; It tolls for thee.
- John Donne
I hope and pray that those that lost their lives on 9/11 have found peace...because we have not.
Canele!
Ok, here's what the outside looks like now. Warmn sorta butter and chocolate on the outside while inside is a deep purple.
It's very inviting.
(Yes, that's me in the reflection of the window. So, sue me.)
Canele!
Great news! Canele is opening in the former Osteria Nonni space and they have done a tremendous job in fixing up the space. It's now a warm, pleasant, modern space and the dream come true for new-owner and new-restauranter Corina (not sure how to spell her name).
I walked in this warm Sunday afternoon and, though they are not open, they welcomed me in. They were testing out their menu and it smelled heavenly. Though I do miss Nonni, they had not updated their menu or their space in more than 10 years. The new look is refreshing and the smell was more than promising.
Canele opens this coming Friday and will be open for dinners Tuesday - Sunday. Corina hopes to add Lunch and Brunch as well.
I know I'm going this coming weekend!
Atwater Starbucks and Such
Yes it's true. Starbucks is going into the old Atwaters Ranch Market. While we certainly don't need another Starbucks -- and I'll be buying my baked goods at the locally-owned Rollin' Pin Bakery and getting my rare outside-work-or-home coffee at Kaldi -- it will benefit the many people who drive down Glendale in the morning and it has already forced both Rollin' Pin and Kaldi to spruce up.
However, I'm more concerned about what might be going in next door. I walked onto the site and a construction worker told me that an H&R Block is going in. All this time, I've heard about a Wine Shop/Cafe --something that a worker at Kaldi reiterated -- was slated for the space. And that would be ideal. An H&R Block would be a total waste of the great newly configured space. Come on, people.
Does anyone know for sure what's going in there?
World Trade Center
The NY Times has a fantastic photo essay of the Towers.
My first real memory of the Towers comes from a time when I really visited NY for the first time as an adult. I was in school at Brandeis and decided to come down to Brooklyn with a friend who was from Brooklyn Heights (Hi Adam!). He lived just across the Brooklyn Bridge from lower Manhattan and one day we decided to ride bikes across the bridge to the Trade Center.
We did and it was magnificent.
My first real memory of the Towers comes from a time when I really visited NY for the first time as an adult. I was in school at Brandeis and decided to come down to Brooklyn with a friend who was from Brooklyn Heights (Hi Adam!). He lived just across the Brooklyn Bridge from lower Manhattan and one day we decided to ride bikes across the bridge to the Trade Center.
We did and it was magnificent.
Saturday, September 09, 2006
LAX Sucks Ass
Having had the opportunity to do a lot of travel for work this summer and last summer in the United States -- literally North, South, East and West -- I can honestly say that LAX just plain sucks ass.
Even Minneapolis and Phoenix have stellar airports with trams, multiple eateries, newstands and more. Minneapolis even had comfortable leather-like chairs dotted around big windows for a relaxing read of the paper.
LAX has not been updated since just prior to the 84 Olympics. Now, I know Hahn had a terrible plan which thankfully was shelved and now Villaraigosa has added remote check-ins at shuttle stops, but that's just a bandaid. Some improvements that just need to happen asap:
1. Extend the freakin' greenline to the airport. Politicians caved to Airport Shuttle/Parking Lot companies. Show some freakin' courage already.
2. Once within a terminal and screened by security, you should be able to transfer to another terminal without having to go through security again. Cheese and Rice!
3. Add some sort of connection to the Theme Restaurant from every terminal (already passed security) -- maybe O'Hare like tunnels. For God's sake, it's a great looking restaurant that is so sadly underused because no one wants to go there and then have to find their way to their terminal.
4. More food.
5. If an airline -- Taca, for example -- has regularly scheduled late late night flights, please have a restaurant and bookshop open in the same terminal.
Thank you.
Even Minneapolis and Phoenix have stellar airports with trams, multiple eateries, newstands and more. Minneapolis even had comfortable leather-like chairs dotted around big windows for a relaxing read of the paper.
LAX has not been updated since just prior to the 84 Olympics. Now, I know Hahn had a terrible plan which thankfully was shelved and now Villaraigosa has added remote check-ins at shuttle stops, but that's just a bandaid. Some improvements that just need to happen asap:
1. Extend the freakin' greenline to the airport. Politicians caved to Airport Shuttle/Parking Lot companies. Show some freakin' courage already.
2. Once within a terminal and screened by security, you should be able to transfer to another terminal without having to go through security again. Cheese and Rice!
3. Add some sort of connection to the Theme Restaurant from every terminal (already passed security) -- maybe O'Hare like tunnels. For God's sake, it's a great looking restaurant that is so sadly underused because no one wants to go there and then have to find their way to their terminal.
4. More food.
5. If an airline -- Taca, for example -- has regularly scheduled late late night flights, please have a restaurant and bookshop open in the same terminal.
Thank you.
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
9/11 Anniversary and Saying No to ABC Right-wing Propoganda
This is an email I sent out to friends tonight:
I don 't do this often (anymore) and I apologize for the mass email, but ABC is about to air a "docudrama" about 9/11 that is patently false and has been designed to politicize the terrible events of that day to the benefit of the republican party that has lead this country to a much less safe position in the world.
Take a moment and let your voice be heard:
http://www.democrats.org/page/pt/pathto911/c74glrkxyr8o
Oh, and tell a friend, why don't you?
I don 't do this often (anymore) and I apologize for the mass email, but ABC is about to air a "docudrama" about 9/11 that is patently false and has been designed to politicize the terrible events of that day to the benefit of the republican party that has lead this country to a much less safe position in the world.
Take a moment and let your voice be heard:
http://www.democrats.org/page/pt/pathto911/c74glrkxyr8o
Oh, and tell a friend, why don't you?
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