John Stewart and Stephen Colbert

Oh, how I do love them. Watch this clip where they just plain lose it. So funny!

Halloween in Atwater Village

It's refreshing to observe that even in this time when our government seems to have abandoned all sense of rationality, neighborhoods around the country can take a step back and do what they have done for, well, at least part of a century. Atwater Village was no different.

This Halloween, the forces conspired to force me to do what is right. Stay home. No WeHo. No parties. No nothing. My partner left for a short holiday in Chicago and I vowed to stay home and make sure the dogs (for those of you who have read the blog before, you know how i get when the gate is opened) are safe and to deliver candy upon the sweet gremlins of Atwater. I also twisted my ankle something nasty this afternoon. So, I'm subsisting on candy, wine, vodka, advil and the beauty that is Halloween in Atwater.

Old and young, accompanied with parents and dogs, they came in waves. It was beautiful to behold and gives me hope for the future. Oh, and I've got candy and vodka left. God help me tomorrow, cause my ankle is killin' me.

Happy Halloween! God help us -- The X-mas season is upon us now!!

Charles Phoenix's Disneyland Tour of Downtown Los Angeles

Via lacitynerd, a great tour of downtown L.A.

Marilyn Musgrave Attacks

Republican Congressperson showing her true nonresponsive colors.

Dodger Stadium

Though I do love the concept of moving Dodger stadium to the new Cornfield park, I also do so very much love Dodger Stadium. I've been to many stadiums around the country -- old and new, pro and minors -- and the stadium built in Chavez Ravine is still my favorite. Read this great article about the Stadium on ESPN.com.

The Story of Brandon Flowers

It's a killer story. It must be true.

Support Democrats

Today's the last day you can donate to your favorite candidates and have it make a difference in the election. Donate today!

I'm Voting Democratic

I know that must come as a huge surprise -- not -- but as Josh Marshal says, there are two visions of America. Josh:

"There are different visions in this country. There's one which for all its faults and shortcomings aspires to a national unity that transcends our many differences of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, etc. and an equal share of dignity for all of us. Then there's the school of division and demonization. (Take a look at the ads GOP campaigns are running across the country. The issue of the day is keeping out the Mexicans.) That's the Ken Mehlman school, the tradition of Willie Horton ads and Jungle Music pasted over Harold Ford because these guys are afraid they may be about to lose an open seat in Tennessee, where they haven't sent a Democrat to the senate for almost two decades. It must be a reality that Mehlman appreciates with some measure of inner tension or conflict since gays have been the whipping boys of choice through much of the Bush years even as he himself has been, successively, White House political director, Bush Campaign Manager and head of the RNC. But then we all make our beds."

Read the whole piece and then tell me what you believe. As one idiot leader once said, "You're either with us or you're against us." Which is it?

Los Angeles Cornfield Park

Jesus, three plans have come in and, by God, if one of them isn't just fucking amazingly revolutionary. It moves Dodger Stadium to the park, connects to Elysian Park and remakes Chavel Ravine for low, middle and upper class citizens of L.A.

The other plans lack brilliance.

Who's going to have the balls to make the bold and right decision for the city?

See the plans here.

Paging Hizoner...

Los Angeles Urban Planning

Hizzoner, Mayor Villaraigosa, gives good speech on what it will take to remake this city into a cohesive world class urban village. I likey! Hat tip, to Mark at Metro Rider LA.

New Jersey Same Sex Couples

Congratulations New Jersey. You've just entered the 21st century. Shitstorm Watch 2006 to commence immediately.

LANCE LINK SECRET CHIMP

Unfortunately, a pirate dvd maker has released some of these on dvd. Don't buy them, as they're illegal and low quality. For now, until that gets resolved, you can watch one episode on youtube!

Barbra Streisand

Yeah, I've been on a Babs kick lately, so sue me. It will pass. Meanwhile, somebody has taken the lovely and amsuing epithet that she hurled at a heckler and turned it into a dance song. If that ain't making lemonade out of lemons, I don't know what is. Give a listen!

President Bush on Iraq: It's Never Been

War is Bad

Hate to break it to you but Atrios is right. War is the result of a failed foreign policy. It should always be the final and last option. This government and the Republican party don't get it. War is, in itself, a definition of failure.

Darfur

Things are totally fucked up in Darfur and if we didn't have a corrupt government hell bent on destroying the United States, Middle East and Korean peninsula, perhaps, more people would think about it. I've added a link to a Darfur relief agency on the right and I pray that somehow this genocide will somehow stop.

Please help.

The Brother of Pat Tillman has something to say.

And you should read it.

Helping Kids

My friend Steve is a teacher at Fairfax High School in Los Angeles. The public schools in L.A., for a long time now, are notorious for not having the wherewithal to provide all the supplies necessary for a good education. Steve's classroom is no different. But you can help. You can adopt a classroom. Find out how.

Shouldn't this generation of kids have the same opportunities that public education offered past generations?

Cliff Schecter on MSNBC

I love Cliff Schecter! You should too!

Go to TheLot.com - $1M Development Deal with Spielberg

Gerry Studds - RIP

The first openly gay man elected to congress, Gerry Studds passed away this week. I remember when he came out in the late 80s, early 90s -- yeah, not so long ago -- and what a hoo hah it had made.

He was a brave and honest man. His husband -- Mr. Studds and his partner married in Massachusetts -- unlike husbands and wives of straight congresspeople, will receive no pension.

Seem fair? Seem like special rights or equal rights?

Yeah, I thought so.

David Blaine Street Magic: YouTube Edition!

May be one of the funniest things I have ever seen on goo tube!

Barbra Streisand & Judy Garland Duet

A classic!

Red Colds

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

Barbra Streisand Dancing

Yeah, that's right.

barbra streisand,

you can take the girl outta brooklyn...

Why the Abbey in West Hollywood Sucks, Part 1

So, I used to love the abbey. And, really, for the most part, it's a great place in southern california to go and take it all in -- if by all, I mean the gay glitteratti, wannabes, upandcomings and the rest. That said, though, it's starting to get on my tits, as it were.

Last night, after work, I met a few friends for some Friday evening cocktails. It was off and on raining and the place was not nearly as crowded as it usually is...which was nice. When it started raining, we moved to the big communal table in the front that's under a roof of some kind. It was lovely.

Then, at 7:30, a manager came over and asked us to leave because somebody had reserved the table...for 7:00. We said, sensibly, that a half hour had past -- no one had said anything to us at 7 -- and we'd be happy to move once the party got there. No dice.

We then move inside and toward the back. Grabbed a couple chairs and began to sit around a tall table. Again, we are told that, now, this section is reserved. Yet, no one is there. Hmm.

So, we finish our drinks and look outside again and, lo and behold, the big communal table is still empty and it's now 8:15. We sit down again and, promptly, a waiter comes out and asks us to vacate the table as it is reserved.

WTF.

If this is how the abbey treats paying, actual guests, no freakin' thank you.

Oh, and other things to note about the abbey:

1. There are no people of color as waiters, bartenders or managers. Come on, folks, this is L.A., not Sioux Falls.

2. Drinks are ludicrously expensive (though they are quite large).

So, we went to here and had one more round of drinks, which was quite fun, less expensive and actually welcoming.

So, enjoy here or, for that matter, Fuel, why don't you?

Viral Videos

Apparently lots of people are creating their own music videos to their own edits of popular tv shows. Love this!

Human Rights Campaign National Coming Out Day Video

Happy Coming Out Day!

David Frum is Nuts

The Rude Pundit is right. Frum was a speechwriter for Bush, a voice on KCRW's LEFT, RIGHT AND CENTER, and is now a writer for the Nationl Review (sickening, i know).

Anyhow, I used to listen to his lies on LEFT, RIGHT AND CENTER and wonder howBob Scheer could control himself from beating him into a pulp.

All this is not exactly beside the point, as he now has turned his attention to North Korea. Among the many people not to be trusted, Frum falls right behind Bush, Rumsfeld, Rice, Cheney, et al.

Read what the Rude Pundit-- still with us, thankfully -- has to say!

Tootie's Bong

Somewhere Over The Rainbow--Jai Rodriguez & Patti LeBelle

Oh dear Lord.

Jai Rodriguez & Patti Labelle

Lord have mercy!

Daily Show examines Bush power to legalize torture

A Day in the Life of Atwater Village

A neighbor of mine died yesterday. He died alone, on the sidewalk, in front of a neighbor's house. I didn't know his name, but he was a nice guy. He spoke primarily in spanish, was always genial and I saw him almost every morning that I went for a walk in the neighborhood. Often, he'd be coming back from the liquor store on the corner with La Opinion and a small brown bag. Ocassionally, he smelled like alcohol. Regardless, he was a nice guy, who often reached out to say Buenos Dias.

He died on the sidewalk. Apparently, and I don't know this for sure, but he was on the sidewalk for approximately 4 and a half hours before he was reported to the police. I was at work and was told about the death, but not who it was until this morning. A neighbor, who doesn't speak much english either (he's asian, not latino, but that's one of the things I love about Atwater Village) told me who had died.

The memorial candles and flowers were placed on that spot almost as soon as his body was removed. I wonder if people had been so quick once he was discovered, if the candles and flowers would be necessary.

I hope he wasn't in pain and that he may have found some peace.

The Whiskey Bar

Billmon's been blogging politics for a long time. I'm a big fan. He's a great writer and always has interesting things to say. That's why I was sad to see that he announced late last week that he would be putting an end to most of his blogging. Well, then, predatorgate reared it's head, and, lo and behold, Billmon hasn't stopped blogging, but is blogging more than in recent memory.

Here's his prescient take on his current situation.

Don't Eff with Old Ladies

Check out this report of an accident and it's hysterical consequences!