OK, I suppose my love of this clip makes me both a cliché and a stereotype… But hearing Miss Garland sing “San Francisco” gave me chills… What a voice coming out of that little slip of a thing – plus she’s presumably out of her gourd on booze and pills… Pretty amazing…
Month: February 2010
Yes, that is unfortunate.
Interesting article in the NYTimes about “ethnic theme parks” in China. Apparently, they provide an opportunity for the Han majority to see some of the traditional ways of life of some of China’s many ethnic minorities… This was my favorite paragraph:
The most famous park, the Nationalities Park in Beijing, is a combination of museum and fairground. Ethnic workers from across China dress up in their native costumes for mostly Han tourists. (For a while, English signs there read “Racist Park,” an unfortunate translation of the Chinese name.)
Best. Animated. GIF. Ever.
Well, actually, second best… But still…
Oh, Apple Guy…
Sigh… Why does my simple weekly trip to the farmer’s market now have to be fraught with longing and erotic intrigue? Well, I suppose it’s mainly due to the fact that I am insane – but be that as it may, the sexy apple guy with the sexy mustache and the twinkling eyes winked – yes, WINKED! – at me yesterdayat the close of our transaction (I bought my usual work-week supply of five apples). OMGWTF?
And this was after last week’s instruction to “enjoy the beautiful day” upon the conclusion of my purchase. Why, Apple Guy, why must you torture me with your kind words and winking? And what is your deal? Are you just a nice friendly apple guy who loves sharing your apples and your good nature with all and sundry? Or are you discreetly trying to express the depth of the love you feel for me? And do you live on a farm, tending to your apple orchard, picking them at their juicy peak, all while wishing you had someone to share it all with – and by “someone,” I mean “a dude”? Or are you a hard-working citified fruit vendor, up at the crack of dawn to bring the freshest apples to all of the urban drones desperate for the finest produce, all while wishing you had someone to share your life with – preferably a dude in his 40’s with tattoos, a receding hairline and a penchant for hyperbole? And why must you be so hot? And so very good at winking?
At any rate, if someone could do some legwork and find out what team he’s playing for, I’d be much obliged. I’m doing my part to signal my affiliation by purchasing Pink Lady apples exclusively… Too bad he doesn’t sell other produce – I could just show up and buy two apples and a banana every couple of days – because, you know, I’m subtle like that…
Bodies
I really don’t know why Robbie Williams hasn’t managed to climb the charts in the U.S… He’s still making really great pop/dance music and is as sexy as ever… Anyway, here’s a remix of “Bodies” from his latest album… Seriously, who can resist a chorus that includes “All we’ve ever wanted is to look good naked… Hope someone can take it”?
Why, Y?
Jeez, it’s only Tuesday and the patrons at the YMCA have already outdone themselves… Yesterday’s highlights included somebody singing in the locker room; somebody else doing his elaborate stretching routine in the locker room; and some dude using the sink to rinse out the copious bodily excretions accumulated in his sauna suit…
And today, unbeknownst to me, was apparently “If You’re an Unattractive Homo Who Doesn’t Know How to Check Out Guys Discreetly, Then Be Sure to Molest Eric With Your Eyes While He Is Minding His Own Business and Just Trying to Finish His Lame-Ass Workout… And Also Be Sure to Get in His Way A Lot So He’ll Be Even More Irritated” Day. I wish they’d’ve put this on the calendar so I could’ve skipped it…
On the plus side though, I finally introduced myself to the cute guy who works there… Regrettably, this did not result in being asked out on a date… Nor did it take place in the showers while we were soaping each other up… Maybe next time…
This ad is the shit…
I have no desire to have a roommate (as you can well imagine), but I would venture to say that this guy is indeed a bad-ass roommate…
from Huffington Post
Kitty in the Sky With Diamonds
This commercial is crazy… And be sure to read the synopsis/ live blog at The Awl. It is hy-larious…
via The Awl
I hate when this happens…
Pulitzer Prize Nomination
So, if you’re not familiar with Ke$ha (yes, that’s how she spells her name), you can see her hit song here. And I’m the first to admit that I love this song – despite the poseur-ishness… It’s gotta good beat and I can dance to it. And I brush my teeth (er, I mean “teef”) with Jack.
Anyhoo, per usual, Michael K. at Dlisted hit the nail on the head with this post. First off, he’s already christened her Ke¢ha (genius)… And she totally is faux dirty… Sadly, I know this because I’m genuine dirty – right down to the Bob’s Big Boy scenario he describes (though in my case it was Zim’s… Just ask a native San Franciscan if you’re unfamiliar with this establishment)… So, yes, start calling the nominating committee, ’cause this totally blows the NYT and WaPo out of the water prose-wise…
Hey NBC – Cut It Out
I’ve only been dabbling in my watching of the Olympics, sticking mostly to the homosexual events (figure skating and men’s nude curling). Yet I must nonetheless lodge several complaints:
- “Medal” is a noun. One may indeed win a medal, but when I hear references to somebody’s potential to “medal” or the act of “medaling” from one of the jackasses on the TV, I can only assume that they’re referring to someone who is trying to get all up in someone’s grill, i.e. meddling.
- Yes, to some extent the raison d’être of the Olympics is to celebrate one’s pride in one’s country and the sporting abilities of one’s fellow citizens of said country. But, Jesus, NBC – your jingoism is as subtle as a sledgehammer. “Shaun White wins the half-pipe gold medal! His teammate Scotty Lago gets the bronze!” Apparently, there was no silver… Or maybe they should have just added, “Some godless commie squarehead from some other country that is not nearly as awesome as America somehow came in second! WTF? USA! USA!”
- Enough with the code words when describing Johnny Weir. “Flamboyant.” “Outspoken.” “Controversial.” “Pillow biter.” OK, I made that last one up – but it sure is implied… Seriously, NBC, it’s just so sniggering and juvenile. Would you be referring to Shani Davis as “dusky” or “articulate”? Actually, you probably would… Apparently, homophobia trumps the jingoism… Oh, and Scott Hamilton can kiss my (and Johnny’s) ass – besides being a shitty announcer, his antipathy towards Weir (and his fabulosity) and his rah-rahing for Lysacek is vomitous.
- Please show competition live on the West coast… I don’t want to stay up until midnight watching skating – plus I have to forgo any use of the internet at all in order to preserve a total news blackout on the already-known results.
- Finally, I suppose it’s not really NBC’s fault that I’m a crotchety old coot – but I find snowboarding to be a big snooze. “Get off my lawn, you dang whippersnappers!”
This should make for a relaxing evening.
My apartment management company “upgraded” the electrical system in my building several months ago, part of which included installation of an electrical sub-panel in each unit (they’d previously been down in the basement). But, oopsie, they failed to get permits to do the work AND they installed them in locations that violate California building codes…
So, today, the electricians returned to move my sub-panel from the bathroom (yeah, that seemed kinda dicey from the get-go… But at least I didn’t have to look at it…) to my bedroom wall – a space previously occupied by some lovely artwork… The result is delightful…
Actually, I shouldn’t complain too much. It’s set nearly flush with the wall and should be easy to disguise with some new artwork, albeit in a larger frame.
But the best part is that I had to empty both my front hall and bedroom closets (yes, including this one) so they could run the various tubes and wires through walls. And while the electrical work appears to be complete, none of the patching and painting have been finished. Meaning I cannot put anything back where it belongs.
Now, I’m sure it comes as a huge surprise to anyone who knows me, but I’m just a wee bit fussy about keeping things organized in a particular way. Yes, I realize this is shocking to hear, but it is true… You can thus imagine how delightful it is for me to be in my apartment tonight… If anyone feels like stopping by with some Klonopin or Miltown, I’ll be curled up in a ball in the front hallway mumbling, “The horror… The horror…”
The thrill of victory, the agony of the stupid.
What with the tulips, the legal prostitution, the charming canals and now this, how could one not love the Dutch? Congratulations Sven Kramer for your Olympic speed-skating victory and your gold medal performance in the post-race interview.
from Gawker.tv
Now back to me…
Sigh… I wish I had two tickets to that thing I loved… Oh, and diamonds. Also.
Orrecchiette con tonno e broccoli
Not quite as good as last week’s rigatoni, but a pretty decent dinner with a modicum of pots and pans required. Sautéed garlic and capers in some olive oil, added a can of good (and shockingly expensive) albacore tuna along with some broccoli, white wine and a little lemon. And it was tasty – but I felt like it was missing something, though I have yet to put my finger on what. I was tempted to throw in some dill, but didn’t have any – maybe a little tomato paste? Suggestions welcome…
Generic News Report
I concur – I have zero interest in what the “man in the street” has to say about anything… That’s why when I’m walking down the street, I never stop mumbling (or sometimes shouting) obscenities…
via The Awl
Actually, I do feel like dancing…
Had a fabulous Valentine’s/President’s Day weekend. Consisted of my usual activities of drinking and dancing – just more of them than usual. And really enjoyed my first trip to “Fresh” at Ruby Skye – a rather amazing space (in the old Regency 3 movie theater space, for those of you old enough and local enough to remember…) and great music. Of course, once the shirts started coming off to allow my fellow attendees to show off their highly-chiseled torsos, I took that as my cue to move on to the more modest demands of the Badlands. Granted, I love taking my shirt off when I’m dancing – but have learned from experience that few others enjoy such a rakish display of graying chest hair and non-existent abs. But, like I said, I was just happy that this scene didn’t play out at Fresh while I was in the midst of the well-toned.
Also, in what I christened a Valentine’s Day miracle, the counter dude at Escape from New York pizza gave me my slice for free after he’d deemed it too scrawny of a slice for which to accept payment – despite my assurance that it was just the right size for my dainty appetite. What can I say? It boded well for the evening…
Since decorum limits my ability to report on further specifics of my night out other than that I had a delightful time, I’ll just include the video below. I love this old-ish song and the video is amazing… Jake Shears is sexy and adorable – can’t decide whether I want to be him or sleep with him… Though Del Marquis (the guitarist with the sideburns) looks more like the marrying type… Sigh… They are very young, aren’t they? And I am very old… But spry.
Always
Been listening to this song repeatedly for the last couple of days… Really love it. And I recommend BT’s new album These Hopeful Machines too.
Baby, I don’t understand…
Look, I realize that posting music videos is one of the laziest, phoning-it-in ways to fill a blog… But I’m a lazy, phoning-it-in SOB, so what’re you gonna do? Anyhoo, I’ve decided to post occasional music videos that I like, mostly older ones that maybe I haven’t thought about in awhile…
This, for example, has somehow made it onto the Badlands’ regular playlist (at least, last coupla times I’ve been – and it’s been weeks since I’ve been breaking it down at the Badlands, sadly…) Don’t ask me how or why, but I can assure you that the queens throng the dance floor the moment it comes on – and that includes me (I know – surprise!). But seriously, it’s a pretty catchy tune – and who can resist the awesomely terrible/terribly awesome dance moves in the video? Throw in a quick shot of JT’s armpit-wifebeater combo and you’ve got cheeseball heaven… Enjoy!
Oh, and by the way, what exactly did Lance and Joey and the other one do as part of this “band”…? Seriously, I’m wondering… JC and Justin appear to be doing all the heavy-lifting (as it were) vocally… And what does it say about me that I know the names of four of five members of N’Sync?
Works better than the rhythm method…
Though the Vatican is still not crazy about it… And I can assure you that it is 100% effective – though this statement is based solely on my own anecdotal evidence.
from failblog.org
It's a Complete Outrage 