Monday, March 31, 2008


Today, I am surrounded by:




  • oxygen
  • swamps
  • sunshine
  • idiots
  • artists
  • artists who are idiots
  • idiots who are in no way artists
  • pastel wrinkle-free poly-cotton
  • busy-work
  • phones, all ceaselessly ringing
  • consultants who think that "touchy-feely" is the only way to build buy-in
  • people who ask for things without offering so much as coffee in return
  • dust
  • dust mites
  • a tiny black cloud, which might just be my aura

1:36 PM
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Friday, March 28, 2008


I have loads of friends who celebrate birthdays in March and April--far more than any other time of year. Maybe that disparity is due to some kinda Leo/Aries connection vibe. Or maybe couples just love having sex in June--presumably while they're on their honeymoons, or while they're at Walt Disney World, or while they're on their honeymoons at Walt Disney World. (Please don't let me know if you fall into that third category. So. Not. Kidding.)



Of all these friends, though, one of the most important is celebrating her birthday today. That would be my sister, of course. Drop on by and give her a big howdy-do, why don'cha?



Also: for those concerned about our insistent visitor, we found another photo of Tyra (sadly, not hard to do) and placed it in kitchen window. Birdbrain has relented for the moment, but we're hoping he'll pull himself together for one last winner-take-all battle with Miss Banks. Pray that my camera is nearby when it happens.

2:15 PM
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Thursday, March 27, 2008


LIBERAL-MINDED FASHION TYCOON TOM FORD FINDS HUMAN BODY "BEAUTIFUL", CAN'T BRING HIMSELF TO SAY "PUSSY"






"I don't find the human body offensive. I don't find a guy's **** or a woman's vagina offensive; in fact, I find them beautiful. I would put them on an ad with a perfume bottle if I could get away with it."



--Fantastic Man, via NY Magazine






Novel sentiments, indeed. I don't think I've ever heard anyone in the art or fashion worlds describe the human body as a gift or a temple or anything. Perhaps Mr. Ford will start using half-naked models in his campaigns now. I wonder if they'll be fat.



P.S. Mr. Ford, someone beat you to the punch on that fragrance idea [NSFW]. (Vulva link courtesy of Michael--a phrase I doubt I'll ever type again.)

8:21 AM
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Wednesday, March 26, 2008


Places Mayor C. Ray Nagin may be hiding



Likely:





  • In Chicago, writing speeches for Obama's erstwhile pastor.


  • In Cuba, because he needs his annual physical, and his local doctor can't see him for another six months.


  • At Chris Rose's house, because that's where the crazies live.


  • At the Broadway South offices, because he's sure to run into absolutely no one.




Less likely:



Hopefully:





  • Resting upon the fragrant bosom of a hooker/actress/songwriter.


  • Pinned beneath a burning 1979 Ford Pinto on top of an abandoned petroleum tank hundreds of miles from where anyone can hear him scream (or 300 yards from the nearest fire hydrant).


7:28 AM
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Tuesday, March 25, 2008


I love pets, but I've never owned a bird. Frankly, I've never understood the allure. Maybe I get parrots and their ilk--birds that can climb on your shoulders and show a little affection--but canaries in a cage? That just seems cruel. Plus, I don't care what kind of bird you own, you can't snuggle up with it when the weather's chilly. And then there's all that Tippi Hedren stuff to worry about. (Not that dogs don't have their evil counterparts.)



For the past five months, however, I've been given another reason to dislike birds:





They're, uh, kinda dumb. This one in particular.



Since late fall, this cardinal has been hurling himself against the windows on the west side of our house, presumably in an effort to oust his reflection from the territory. Jonno taped some photos of Tyra Banks to the window in the bedroom, so he kinda avoids that one now, but he shows no sign of giving up on the others.



The fun starts around 7:30am and goes 'till about 11am, which is probably when the sun gets high enough in the sky to change the bird's reflection in the window. You'd think he might get the picture by now, but no dice.



Any suggestions? We've run out of Tyra photos and patience.

9:43 AM
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Monday, March 24, 2008


Easter / Evil






I'm not a fan of Easter. If you ask me, the very premise seems flimsy. So, what--Jeebus celebrates his birthday on the same day every year, but the date of his death is a little fuzzy? Not convincing, even to a ten year old.



Then there's the church service--which I no longer attend, but as a kid, it was pure torture: a long sermon endured in very dressy clothes, followed by an awkward formal dinner. My brothers and I were allegedly compensated for this discomfort by an abundance of candy treats, but since I don't have much of a sweet tooth, and I care even less for chocolate, I always felt pretty cheated.



Then, a couple of weeks ago, Jonno and I met Sunday, who told us about Papas and the impossibly delectable chocolate Easter eggs they make. When she returned home, she sent a care package, sure that I would see things her way. Even if I continued to loathe Easter, I could enjoy the metaphorical fruits of the holiday.



Well, she was right. The eggs are very good. However, let's check the photo and do some math:





  • There are 24 servings in each box of eggs; and,


  • there are 6 eggs per box; therefore,


  • each egg represents 4 servings; and therefore,


  • each egg contains 560 calories, not to mention 300 bejillion grams of sugar, fat, and other crap.




And on top of everything, one of the six eggs contains something called "Opera Cream". Hello, I'm gay? How can I not eat that? How can I not lust for such evil, tasty, goopy goodness? And most importantly, how can I fit into a one-piece in just a few weeks?



That said, you gotta admit the bunny mascot's totally hot.

6:19 AM
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Saturday, March 22, 2008


In case you missed it (because I sure did): Garfield Minus Garfield...



Who would have guessed that when you remove Garfield from the Garfield comic strips, the result is an even better comic about schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and the empty desperation of modern life? Friends, meet Jon Arbuckle. Let�s laugh and learn with him on a journey deep into the tortured mind of an isolated young everyman as he fights a losing battle against loneliness in a quiet American suburb.



Garfield Minus Garfield

12:50 PM
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Friday, March 21, 2008



A Jefferson Parish man tried to commit suicide Thursday morning by jumping off the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway but was rescued by the Coast Guard, authorities said....



The man, whose name was not released, apparently parked his car in the first crossover on the northbound bridge about 8:10 a.m., got out and jumped over the side, Causeway Police Lt. Curt Franz said. A maintenance worker saw the man jump off the crossover, which is about 15 to 20 feet above the water, and called police....



Police tried to rescue the man by throwing him a life ring, but he twice evaded the flotation device and swam about 300 yards away from the bridge through 2-foot chop, Franz said.



--NOLA.com





Dear Unnamed Suicidal Person:



As an environmentally conscious citizen, I appreciate your desire to reduce the world's population. Clearly, overcrowding is an area of eco-concern in which one person really can make a difference.



However, in reviewing your case, I think I have identified several issues you ought to resolve before taking one for the Gipper again. Trust me: I'm a consultant. I know what I'm talking about.



1. Choose a different time of day: The sun is a cruel and mercurial mistress. In California, she provides solar power for homes, but in Florida she causes skin cancer. Here in Louisiana, she provides light to see, but in doing so, she also encourages complete strangers to get all up in your business--and by "strangers" I mean pesky Causeway maintenance workers. I'd recommend carrying out your plan at 2am. Just to be on the safe side, do it on a night with no moon. April 5 and 6 look great, fyi.



2. Choose a higher jumping-off point: I mean, let's face it: 15 or 20 feet is basically the high dive at most swimming pools. Increasing the distance between you and the water will increase your chances for success--and as an added bonus, you'll have a far more scenic view of the world you're leaving behind. Consider using the Crescent City Connection, or the Huey P. Long, or even the Luling bridge in St. Charles Parish. South Louisiana has a longstanding love affair with bridges and is chock-full of possibilities! However, if those options seem daunting, you could also just look around your house for items to lift you higher off the Causeway deck. That 12-foot ladder gathering dust in the garage will nearly double your odds!



3. Lose your ability to swim: That way, even if you survive the drop, you're still in good shape. It may seem difficult, but people unlearn how to swim all the time. Try watching another person drown; in the movies, that always causes some kind of mental block that does the trick. At the very least you should stop being such a strong swimmer. Swimming 300 feet in a two-foot chop kinda puts you in Aquaman territory. Ease up on that.



4. Consider other options: If you're unable to carry out my first three suggestions but remain committed to the idea of jumping, try landing on your stomach; a good, hard belly-flop always stunned us when we were kids. Or eat a very large meal before jumping--possibly an anvil, or several pounds of cement. And although you're clearly attracted to the water, don't overlook the appeal of office towers and the sidewalks below them. Believe it or not, they have a far better track record of population reduction than bridges and water.



Anyway, I hope you've enjoyed this food for thought. I wish you all the best for the future. And if your first attempt was just a vain cry for help, and if it effects some kind of longed-for reconciliation between you and your teenage bride, don't worry: you can always come back to this project later, after she runs off with the bouncer at the strip club she's working. It's never too late!



Warmly,

Richard

6:35 AM
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Thursday, March 20, 2008


Wisdom from the Stars



[Judy] Greer [of ABC's new sitcom, Miss Guided] said people are starting to recognize her on the street, and although she likes the attention, there's a downside.



"I guess I get why you have to wear makeup a lot, like when you leave your house," she said.



--CNN

7:35 AM
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Tuesday, March 18, 2008


Wait, wait, wait: New York's hot new governor has been in office for less than a day, and he's already admitting to extramarital affairs? And his wife is, too? And they're both, like, "Whatever, bitches, get the hell out of our bedroom!"?



All I have to say is...hell, yes. Props to David and Michelle for keeping it real. Maybe others will follow their example and drop the ridiculous "Elected officials are perfect" front.



Are you getting nervous, Ken Starr? Probably not, but it's a nice thought.

2:25 PM
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Monday, March 17, 2008


Dear Irish People in the Parade That Is Passing by My House:



You are very loud. WHY ARE YOU SO LOUD?



What's up with this music blasting from your green go-karts? I mean, yes, "You Shook Me All Night Long" is a good party tune, and AC/DC's home turf of Australia is a land of outcasts, kinda like Ireland, but tell me: who, exactly, shook you all night long? Was it St. Patrick? 'Cause dude, St. Patrick's a dude! Which makes you sorta gay. Which means that your refusal to let me march in your parade is more than a little ironical, gaymo.



And now "Eight Days a Week"? Need I remind you that the Beatles are from Liverpool? That's in ENGLAND. In case you forgot, England is, like, your sworn enemy or something. And isn't that song about working hard and stuff? I thought you all were supposed to be lazy. Swing and a miss, ladies.



Okay, you've redeemed yourselves: I can hear strains of "Oh, Mickey" from down the block. I'd love to think you planned that--"owning the racial slur" and all--but I'm guessing someone just thought it was good parade music. Or maybe Toni Basil is really revered over there, like la Hasselhoff.



Hold up. "Car Wash"? Now you've totally lost me. You make the baby Bono cry.



Seriously: pipe down.



xo/Richard

7:11 PM
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It's official: my sister is now a professional director, and to celebrate, she's released a kickin' new video. Unlike her other stuff, this one isn't really a music video, but more of an historical piece. There's a story and a moral and everything. Think of it as Schoolhouse Rock, updated for today's aggro teens.



To quote from Tiff:





I am so very proud to present my new work: The Black Fairy. This project means more to me than any other thus far, as it is the story of my ancestor whose name literally translated into "Black Fairy". His name was Dubsith Shaw, pronounced Dushay (don't ask me, it's Gaelic)....



My mother is a professional genealogist...and she has our family traced back to the 1500s. Back in the 1980s she went to Jura to meet some distant cousins, and it was there she discovered the story of the first known Dubsith Shaw who was called the Black Fairy. He was involved in a very famous highland battle called the Battle of Traigh Ghruineard in 1598.



Once I heard this story I was so excited. I always felt a bit witchy, so to know I am descended from a black fairy, well it made sense! It's one of those stories I would retell after a few drinks at dinner parties, and for over 20 years I have toyed with the idea of how to make it come to life.



I don't want to give too much away, but it involves dwarfs, devils, witchcraft and Queen Elizabeth the first!




WATCH THE BLACK FAIRY






Which is of course to say that I am descended from the Black Fairy, too. (Hold the wisecracks, smartass.) This adoption story gets weirder and weirder, n'est-ce pas?



In other news: yes, that's a redesign you see. Apparently I have too much time on my hands.

6:21 AM
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Thursday, March 13, 2008





37 Things I Am Not




a mind reader


your mother


one of your fans, mother


your slave


your personal chauffeur


your one-man tech support staff


your therapist


Woman


The Way


curious yellow


an island


chopped liver


an animal


a crook


an alcoholic


ein Berliner


the cheese


legend


Sam


a doctor


someone who plays a doctor on TV


a model


a graduate of the Barbizon School


thin and gorgeous


too rich or too thin


a door


a window


well-rested


Superman


Ed McMahon


Rue McClanahan


a drama queen


a drama magnet


someone who spends time around drama queen magnets


the center of the universe


Marie of Roumania


the boss of you


7:53 AM
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Tuesday, March 11, 2008


Why there are no gays in Iran





An 19-year old Iranian who dared identify as gay nervously awaits a court ruling that he says could lead to his execution. �Mehdi� was studying English in Britain, when he says he learned his boyfriend back in Tehran had been arrested, charged with sodomy and hanged in 2006. But before the boyfriend was killed, Mehdi says, authorities forced his partner to name past lovers.



Days later, Mehdi�s family claims, Iranian police showed up at their Tehran family home with an arrest warrant. In an asylum claim submitted to Britain�s Home Office, Medhi said if he returns to Iran, he too would be executed.



Britain�s Home Office didn�t buy it. It turned him down � then Mehdi fled for Canada before British officials could deport him to Tehran. But he was stopped by border police in Germany and sent to the Netherlands.



He now sits in a Dutch detention center, where he waits for a judge to decide whether to grant him asylum, or carry out a British extradition request to send him to the U.K....



--more at CNN.com and CNN video



9:06 AM
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Monday, March 10, 2008


More from CNN



Hello there, Miss Kern!

We hope you like your new job,

whatever it is!



Governor Spitzer:

why would you rent a hooker?

You lost my number?

1:54 PM
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CNN: Haiku Edition



Girl in Clinton's ad:
Relish these minutes of fame.
Really, no one cares.



Live in Virginia?
You can marry your cousin,
but please don't kiss her.



Red-hatted granny
coming out of the closet--
but not in that way



* * *



Richard's Kommentary Korner



Apple-cheeked stoner
working the deli counter
eats the store's profits.



Apple-cheeked cashier
tells me he's got the munchies--
but not for apples.



Apple-cheeked fucktard
forgets to give me my change.
Lose the bong, hippie!

7:11 AM
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Friday, March 07, 2008



Not to be a total nellybeast (yeah, right), but this chick freaks me out.

8:00 AM
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Wednesday, March 05, 2008




Full disclosure: I can't stand Anne Rice. I mean, yes, on the handful of occasions I met her, she was a lovely and charming woman, but her writing...well, lovely and charming it ain't. Even back in college, when I spent many a night dancing gloomily to Front 242 at the Blue Crystal--even then I thought she was a sloppy, slovenly hack. Her popularity completely mystified me.



But today I figured it out.* Today, in an interview in the Picayune, Ann Rice has inadvertently explained everything and made clear (at least to me) her intent to follow the American zeitgeist all the way to the bank--no matter the pit stops it may make along the way:



On leaving New Orleans: "My only beloved son was in Los Angeles, and I felt like moving out to California was a good thing to do."



Did you catch the reference? Do you see where this is going?



On the success of The Da Vinci Code: "I'm so outraged by it," she said.... There's not a scrap of evidence to support any of those theories."



Yeah, baby. Work the angle.



On the possibility of writing another Lestat novel: "That book will only be written if I can keep my commitment to the Lord," she said. "If I can work out a book where Lestat is saved, yes, I'll write it.



Bingo.



Having ridden the Gothic wave until it finally petered out at the threshold of a Claire's Boutique somewhere in Missouri, Anne is now totally hot for Christian schlock and George W's ballyhooed Base. She's bid adieu to the slim-hipped young men, attracted by her daring views on homosexuality. She's bid adieu to the plus-sized women, clad in crushed velvet, who often accompanied the slim-hipped men at book signings. She's bid adieu to everyone drawn into her parallel universes of inverted but somehow totally right-on morality, and she's gunning for Wal-Mart employees and the Songs of Praise demographic.



Which is not to say that vampire novels and biographies of Jesus Christ don't bear similarities to one another: they're both intriguing myths chock-full of blood-guzzling. In fact, if I were so inclined, I could give Ms. Rice the benefit of the doubt and presume she's trying to modernize Christian ideology by working from the inside out. Sadly, I am not so inclined.



Nor is it to say that a person can't appreciate these two divergent styles of Ms. Rice's work (three, if you count the A. N. Roquelaure erotica). Such a person may well exist, but I wouldn't wanna be his therapist.



Anyway, given Ms. Rice's stated and unstated intentions, I'm gonna go out on a limb here and guess at her immediate goals:



1. Buy an abandoned church and start her own denomination (working title: International House of Ann-cakes).



2. Trample Dan Brown on the bestseller lists and leave behind those Left Behind guys.



3. Enshrine Christopher in the literary heavens (just below her), so that he'll be wealthy and well-connected enough to care for her in style throughout her waning years.






* Her son's popularity, however, continues to boggle my wee mind.

6:17 AM
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Saturday, March 01, 2008


Thursday and Friday were hellacious. Today will be hellacious. Tomorrow, Monday, and Tuesday will all be--quel surprise--hellacious. Long days full of grant deadlines and meetings and producing shows and generally doing the whole "serving others" thing that I do so well. My body aches and I need a stiff drink, but it's not even 7:00am, and even on Fat Tuesday that's a little early for me, so this will have to suffice:





I'd rather not analyze it. All I know is that it made me smile a little, which was a nice way to begin an otherwise daunting 18-hour day.

6:55 AM
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