Miss Wasilla 1984

R.I.P. Leroi Moore

http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/Music/08/19/davematthews.band.death/index.html

I'm not one too often for this sort of thing, but every now and then, I suppose when the time is right it is okay. Leroi Moore the saxophone player in the Dave Matthews Band passed away earlier this week and though not all of you are necessarily too into "Dave" I thought I'd post the link in case any of you were curious. I'll never forget the night back in Omaha (or rather in 519 listening to the show that Peter and Marc had gone to in Omaha in December of 04) in the winter of '07. A late evening, as sometimes we were prone to letting our evenings travel in that direction. It may have been halfway between one step or two, but P-olds (bless his heart and curls) and I looked at one another and shared that moment that only Dave fans can share, when you hear a good groove, catch a sweet rhythm, find yourself caught in the nostalgia of summertime, and say, "I like this music. Yes, yes, I like this music." And then you listen on. Chances are pretty good that in the midst of those out-loud (whether spoken or not) declarations and inbetween a Marc diatribe on why tabouli is the best type of salad (because it is) we may well have been fading back and forth between conversation and a Leroi solo, as he played the blaring, yet melodic "bam, (pause), Bam, BAm, BAM" of tripping billies or some other signature note; which having lived an American adolescence which included (though was not limited to) the years 1997-2002, we are likely to never forget. And neither will he be.

This Guy Gives me a Boner

Cooper vs. Lohan

Anderson Cooper finally expressed my own sentiments regarding the Lohan family. While the truly talentless Mom and her two failing starlets certainly have made an impression on my view of celebrity life- that, really, stars are people, too, and face emotionally sincere life obstacles- Cooper couldn't disagree less. I, too, wondered where Lindsay was when I watched the show (once) at M&M's Apartment. Where is that feminine raspy voice?

Oh, right, it's whispering dark, sexy secrets in Ronson's ear. (Lindsay proves that beautiful stars don't always date someone as equally charming. Sorry, Ronson, but it's true.)

In response to Cooper's rumors against the Lohan family, Lindsay firmly responded:

"I'm tired of rumors starting/I'm tired of people lying/Saying what they want about me/Why can't they back up off me/Why can't they let me live/I'm gonna do it my way/Take this for just what it is."

Ah, yes- atrocious.

WILL CHINA FINALLY UPSTAGE THE USA BY FAKING FIREWORK SHOWS AND LIPSYNCHING NATIONAL ANTHEMS AND BY CHEATING WITH INELIGIBLE OVERWORKED OVERSTRESSED UNDERAGE KIDS ON ALL THEIR TEAMS WHO WILL BE FED TO THE PIGS IF THEY LOSE, OR WILL THE USA DEPLOY MICHAEL PHELPS' HALF-ALLIGATOR ASS TO SAVE TEAM USA FROM ITS GREATEST TEST EVER AND BRING HOME THE GOLD X 8 BECAUSE NEITHER THE DIVING NOR GYMNASTICS TEAMS CAN WIN IT IN THE BIGGEST JUICIEST CREAMIEST DISPLAY OF OLYMPIC-STYLE GLORY EVER WHILE WE'RE ALL AT HOME WATCHING MICHAEL PHELPS SIT THROUGH 8 NATIONAL ANTHEMS AND FILM SCENES FOR THE INSPIRATIONAL SPOTS IN THE 2012 OLYMPICS PROMOTIONAL MATERIAL WHICH IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY COKE AND OREO (BOTH OF WHOM PROMOTE CROSS-CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN AMERICANS AND CHINESE PEOPLE) IN ORDER TO SQUASH THE CHINESE IN THIS THE ULTIMATE STRUGGLE IN SUBLIMINAL GEOPOLITICS PRESENTED BY NBC WHO HAS ALL YOUR FAVORITE SHOWS IN THE NEW FALL SEASON OF PROGRAMMING THAT YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO MISS...WATCH AND SEE ALL THE DRAMA UNFOLD!!!

(except for the drama in all other sports besides swimming, diving, beach volleyball and gymnastics. no time to televise those ones.)

R.I.P.

Dalai Lama forced to quit Gymnastics All-Around Competition

Beijing, China,

In a suprising dose of irony at the 29th Olympiad in Beijing, China has forced the Dalai Lama in "exile" once again. Only this time that exile isn't from the Tibetan Autonomous Region, but rather the Olpmyic gymnastics all-around competition, where his holiness was expected to challenge the Chinese gymnastics sensation, Yang "The Micheal Phelps" Wei, for the gold medal.

"It's a shame that we had to bar the Dalai Lama from the all-around competition, but....he was caught blood doping...which is cheating and against all that is Chinese," reported a Communist Party official who is administering the gymnastics program, adding, "it's a shame too, because he is almost godlike on the pommel horse."

"Fuck China," was the only reply that came from the Dalai Lama's special envoy.

Tribute: LOST

There is no question about it: "Lost" fucking rules. I'll admit, I was a skeptic. When Lucy came to me about a year ago and told me about some show that sounded like a cross between "Alias" and "Gilligan's Island", sure, I thought it sounded stupid and once again derided myself for listening to Lucy.

But, thanks to Netflix and a general lack of available activities during the day, I've discovered "Lost."

I'll admit that when all is said and done, it's your typical ABC drama. There's tons of stupid TV cliches, "leave-you-hanging" moments right before commercials that turn out not to be that important, and requisite hotties (I'm not complaining).

Bottom Line: It's a great show. Entertaining and leaves you wanting more. A note: if anyone has watched beyond episode 8 of Season 1, say nothing to me about this. I still don't know what these creatures on the island are, or what the deal is with these "Others." So thanks.

ESU Vacation Properties, Profile no. 1

The inaugural ESU summer reunion is less than a year away, and in order to make this event everything we've dreamed of and more, we need to start thinking about the ideal location and the appropriate accommodations that will play host to this illustrious occasion. Indeed, many of us have participated in discussions over the past two years pertaining to this very thing, which has mostly resulted in inconclusive speculation over the particulars, e.g., do we aim for the island in Maine with a custom-built log hunting lodge and marina, or do we settle for the slope-side mansion in Aspen?

These are all questions we will answer in due time, but for now, consider this little gem I happened upon this afternoon in the NYT. It's charming, spacious, comes with a built-in beirut/pong room (complete with overstocked rack of classic pong paddles...and beautiful ocean views), a 14-person dining room table perfect for oversize games of tippy cup (that, again, take place with beautiful ocean views), a roof to piss/boot off of (and an ocean to piss/boot in), and a second-to-none location, right smack dab in the middle of Narragansett Bay. So, not only would this house serve the immediate purpose of playing classy host to drinking and reuniting festivities, but it would also make us the focal point of the ritziest, gaudiest hamlet in all of New England: Newport, RI.

So...something to consider. I know it's not as exuberant as other previously desired alternatives, but the fab and glam of pure luxury will come as we fatten in age and assets. For now though, this "modest" house would definitely fall within the renting power of the 15-20 blossoming professionals we have assembled in this fine cabal. Maybe some day we can even buy this place and use it as an equitable building block for the Maine hunting lodge of our imaginations. It is a buyer's market, friends, it is a buyer's market.

To close, I want to note that this post was not made to appease Max. I've been thinking of posting this ever since I saw it this afternoon, and had to wait until I got home from work to do it. Max, I hope you continue to writhe in the pains of postlessness.

Luck Be A Lady

Here's to Abby. Look at her. She's bright, beautiful, and honestly, she's a lot nicer than people say.

She's also the only one keeping this god damn thing going.

'there's a reason you've never heard of bus rage!'

horrible irony