Updates

The e-mail version of Scrabulous tells me: "We know that the email version has been down for a couple of days now. We are working as hard as possible to get everything back on track. Please don't mind this guys, we are doing it just for you :) - Admins" I totally mind.

Also, Elias is growing a beard. I mind, but I'm trying to accept it gracefully. I'll post a photo if he still has it in a week.

Me On The Props

91 -- I don't know and I don't care. The backers have withdrawn their support.

92 -- NO. It requires that community colleges get a first crack at education funds. That will suck for K-12, CSU (the basis of my livelihood), and the UC (Elias's school, livelihood, etc.).

93 -- YES. I'm against term limits, so this will help. Even though it's phrased in terms of reduced years in office, it will result in longer terms in California's Assembly and Senate.

94-97 -- NO, NO, NO, and NO. I think casinos fuck up the communities in which they do business. They egg on losers to lose more.

Here's Brother Ed's assessment:

Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against casinos -- great places to buy drugs and inhale second hand smoke. And if you want to blow a tax return, child support payment, social security check, or what have you, I can't think of a more enjoyable Tuesday afternoon.

Normally, I'm all for sticking it to the "White Man" but these Props only benefit the big 4 "Mega tribes" and actually harm the smaller ones. We have a few small casinos up here in the North Bay. They do an excellent job managing some of Sonoma County's finest whores, and they're considered the best around at making books on the local dog fighting scene. I don't want to see some So Cal "Big City" tribe muscling in on their game. That's why i'm voting NO on Props 94, 95, 96, and 97.

In Case You Didn't Make It Out To The Parade Or Other Services Today... .

The best MLK speech since MLK made them himself:



Go to the site to learn and donate.

Scrabble Variation

A while back, I posted about Scrabulous, the on-line scrabble game played by email or Facebook. I'm still playing, and just beat Greg in a game the other day. I like this variation in which the players restricted themselves to food themed words.

My Thoughtful Niece

Is this the cutest thing in the world?

Recent Photos: Our Dogs Are Cute; Elias Is Out For The Season

The photos in this post don't really belong together. On the one hand, our dogs are really cute and happy. On the other hand, Elias is suffering from a serious sports injury. He'll recover, but his NBA career is over.

See, I told you. Really cute.


Pac'a and Omar are having to do a lot of snuggling as they wait out storms and spend lots of time indoors.


Elias ruptured his achilles tendon while playing two on two. He will likely require surgery in the coming days. Pac'a just wants her half of the couch, and she argues that cute dogs and sports injuries are indeed connected.

In Elias's words:

Well, I do need surgery. But guess what? No one hit me, or kicked me, or threw a basketball at me. That's just what it feels and sounds like when your achilles tendon spontaneously snaps!! Cool, huh?

Impressive

Groucho Marx was almost 80 when he performed this number on the Dick Cavett Show:

NEW YEAR POST

OMG! It's 2008! My 20 year high school reunion happens this year. I'm so old and gray and aging. At least I have true love with Elias and lovely friends and family members.

PREDICTIONS FOR WHAT'S IN AND WHAT'S OUT

IN

• Eating in and home cooking.
• Chinese exercise techniques like Qigong and Tai Chi.
• Dogs (always in style).
• Scrabble (again, but now on line).
• Recycling and composting.
• Safe seafood.
• Dressing down.
  

OUT

• Eating out for entertainment.
  
• Bars (except when you have to go to watch basketball playoffs because you don't have cable).
• Styrofoam.
• Spending money on getting your nails did.
• I read that stainless steel everything in the kitchen is out (but it matters not for me the renter of homes with ever-outdated kitchens).
• Dressing up.
  

RESOLUTIONS FOR ME

• Stop complaining about how old and aged I feel. Daily exercise might help. So will Qigong or Tai Chi, right?
• Save money so we can have a kick ass wedding. This will require putting money away, eating out less often, and not running to the vet every time our dogs sniffle.
• Eat better. I really liked this post at Serious Eats about eating better. Mainly, I plan to eat smaller portions and more plants.
• Watching less TV will be easy because we're now cable/dish-less. (I'm bummed that I have no place to watch The Wire. Either Sacha and Juan need to get us a hook up or Anna has to find a boyfriend with HBO before January 6th.).
• I'm carrying over one from last year: get out more to see plays and have other high culture experiences. Again, the no cable/dish will help.
• Post more regularly.