Barb by Proxy

Background Noise: Hey Mr. President (Pink featuring Indigo Girls)
Random Thought: I think I just found a website that makes me want to vomit
Mood: Yup, I did

So, I was looking for info on the movie Rape of the Soul because I want to see a movie tonight and neither ATL or Basic Instinct 2 is doing it for me. And I wasn't familiar with the title. IMDB and allmovie.com have little or no info on it, but google directed me to worldnetdaily.com. Okay, so I found the synopsis. And wondered about the ad on the left for David Kupelian's "The Marketing of Evil" because that's a cool title. And I was appalled at the content of this book,
subtitled "How Radicals, Elitists, and Pseudo-Experts Sell Us Corruption Disguised as Freedom.":

According to "The Marketing of Evil," Americans have come to tolerate, embrace and even champion many things that would have horrified their parents' generation – from easy divorce and unrestricted abortion-on-demand to extreme body piercing and teaching homosexuality to grade-schoolers.

Likewise, most of us mistakenly believe the "abortion rights" and "gay rights" movements were spontaneous, grassroots uprisings of neglected or persecuted minorities wanting to breathe free. Few people realize America was actually "sold" on abortion thanks to an audacious public relations campaign that relied on fantastic lies and fabrications. Or that the "gay rights" movement – which transformed America's former view of homosexuals as self-destructive human beings into their current status as victims and cultural heroes – faithfully followed an in-depth, phased plan laid out by professional Harvard-trained marketers.

I literally too mad to type straight. Not only are they suggesting things that make me want to gouge my eyes out with dull teaspoons, but are they really selling this book to people dense enough to believe that we've been marketed gay rights and the right to abortion but not see that this book is just marketing that idea to them? I think that is the kind of logic that makes wormholes impolde, but I'm too angry to think about it right now.


P.S. Pink's new album I'm not Dead, out Tuesday is stellar. Especially Dear Mr. President. Listen to it, because it perfectly fits my post.

Background Noise: Fair
Random Thought: I hope Anne's presentation was stellar
Mood:Only one more day to get up this week

I open up my Chicago Tribune Travel Unravelled this week, and what do I find but the exact thing I need to post in my apartment, with a sheet for potential guests to sign their agreement.

Background Noise: In The Waiting Line
Random Thought: It's 64 degrees out. I'm in love.
Mood:It's 64 degrees out. I don't want to be at work.

People need to get on the ball with the music from TV shows. Sorry, folks, but in the age of shows ending with the "songs featured in tonights episode" I expect to be able to go the show website and see a list of what I heard. I hear more new music from my television than I do my radio, so one would think that they'd want to tell me so I could buy it. kudos to the Grey's Anatomy portion of TV.com for telling me that "The City Lights" by the Umbrellas and "Today Has Been Okay" by Emiliana Torrini played in the last episode. Boo hiss to Everwood, for not telling me what song was playing while Andy was typing his letter to Julia in Monday night's "Ghosts." If anyone finds out, let me know. Stupid websites.

Background Noise:
Random Thought:The cheese stands alone
Mood:umpgh

So, obviously I didn't actually have my locks changed, resulting in the deaths of Autumn and Betsy. I thought about it, just as I thought about kicking them to a hotel, and a lot of other dastardly plans. If I thought it would have helped, I might have. But it never would have gotten through. In truth, after spending Saturday morning being petulant about what they wanted to do (shop at Plato's Closet, eat omelettes, get souveniers, eat Giordanos, see the lake) and what we could do (not eat at both places, or go to all shopping since they are in opposite directions) we finally set off. Only to not want to wait for the diner, complain about the bagels at Einsteins, whine about the cold, and wait 40 minutes for pizza (side note: Giordano's wait for a table was 1 hour. They let you place your pizza order for table service, so we could have waited an hour and sat down to piping hot pizza. But no. We had to get it to go, because that 20 minutes would be too long, and Betsy wanted to eat it at my apartment. And they whined when I complained about standing outside for 40 minutes to wait for the pizza in the cold), and then go back to my apartment to wait for Natalie to drive them to the airport. Their flight was at 4, so they were going to leave at 2:30. Me, I'd have left at 1:30, but that's just me. At 3:20, Natalie showed up to pick them up. I know that they didn't make their flight thanks to my nosy snooping on myspace, but I don't know the whole story because they haven't called me. And I'm not holding my breath. Or picking up the phone to call them, for that matter. I'm just glad they aren't my guests anymore. Because to top off the week, when I stripped the sofa bed to wash the sheets I found puke. Nice. Good think I was already going to the drycleaner for my coat, I got to take the mattress pad too. Makes it easier that way.

Background Noise: nothing
Random Thought: If true love comes looking for me, I'll be at the espresso machine
Mood: phoghsd

CHICAGO, IL AP: In the wrap up of the trial of Ms. Peters, Billy Flynn took the jury through the night of March 17th. Jurors are still deliberating, but we have Ms. Peters account of the timeframe direct from her Diane Sawyer interview:

Diane: Take me through March 17th.

Barb: Well, after work I went to see V for Vendetta, one of the few things I'd really wanted to do during the week.

Diane: By yourself?

Barb: Of course. My guests had shown that they'd rather hang out with anyone other than me, I just showed that I'd rather see a movie than hang out with them. After the movie got out, I got on the subway and headed up to where they were hanging out with Autumn's friend Natalie at a bar. When I got off the train, I called her to get directions. Four times she said that I had to walk north--so I did. Two miles uptown, I got to the point where I was tired of looking for McGees and tired of trying to hear Autumn while she was in the bar. I called back, told her to go outside and give me the cross streets or I was going home. Turns out, the bar was two blocks south. Cranky, I got into a cab and when down there, only to have to stand in line for 20 minutes to get in.

Diane: Why were you at that particular bar?

Barb: Oh, Natalie said that on Fridays it is $15 for all you can drink 7-11 pm. Apparently, no on stopped to think that an Irish bar wouldn't be offering that deal on St. Patricks day. Luckily, Jeremy the bartender was both hot and quick with the strong drinks. In apology for sending me the wrong way, Betsy bought me a drink and a shot. Of course, as the night went on and we alternated buying rounds, I don't think I came out getting a free drink from her. I did get one from the bartender though, and some nifty shamrock attire. It almost made up for the fact that my coat kept getting knocked on the floor courtesy of Autmn's flailing arms, and subsequently had to be drycleaned.

Diane: How long did you stay?

Barb: I got there about 9, and we left about 11:30. I went home, but Betsy and Autumn went out again. I'm not sure when they got home. It wasn't until I heard all the sirens that I even knew they weren't in the apartment.

Background Noise: Blower's Daughter
Random Thought: TGIF
Mood:I repeat, TGIF

CHICAGO, IL AP: As the trial of the century winds down, Defense Counsel Flynn walked the jury through the day of March 16, 2005. Here's a timeline, culled from the testimony:

10:00 am: Betsy calls to ask how to fix the TV--she's broken it.

10:15 am: Autumn calls to see if Barb wants to see V for Vendetta at midnight on IMAX (Natalie said it would be really cool, and that way they wouldn't have to interrupt St. Patty's Day drinking to see the movie). Barb declines, as she has to work the next
day and can't be out until 3 am.

12:00 pm: Autumn calls to say they fell asleep and can't meet Barb at work at noon.

1:00 pm: Barb arrives home to find guest still getting ready, and now needing to go to Navy Pier to pick up tickets.

2:00 pm: Barb and guests leave apartment, in the snow.

2:30 pm: Guest are shocked that it is really damn cold in Chicago, in March, when it is snowing, at Navy Pier, which jutts into Lake Michigan.

2:45 pm: Autumn and Betsy have gotten tickets, and now must wait for Natalie, who says that there are really great places to eat around Navy Pier.

3:15 pm: Seeing as how there really aren't places to eat around Navy Pier, the four eat at Navy Pier where they are over charged because its a fricking tourist destination. Fudge from Reba's mollifies Barb only slightly.

4:30 pm: In a cab headed to the Art Institute of Chicago, Barb realizes she wasted her comp time in leaving at lunch, since they're ending up at the museum when she would have gotten there after a full day of work anyway.

4:45 pm: Autumn, Betsy and Natalie are impatient while Barb signs up to become a member, despite the fact that it will enable Betsy to get in for free and save everyone 10% in the gift shop.
4:50 pm: Autumn and Natalie raise their hackles at checking their coats, because it's too expensive ($1).

5:00 pm: Barb enjoys the musem's Girodet exhibit, as well as some of the regular collection because the group has gotten separated and museums are for quite time.

7:00 pm: Antsy and bored, the guests decide it is time to leave, graciously [insert saracasm here] telling Barb they can go get fondue now, just like she wanted to do on Tuesday (and which they vetoed because it would be too expensive).

8:00 pm: Guests are talked out of the $46/per person selection because Barb knows it will be too much food, and into the cheese and dessert courses. Autumn, Betsy, and Natalie also select a salad. Barb selects a bottle of wine, and despite the complaints that no one likes wine, it all ends up gone from their glasses.

8:45 pm: Barb is embarassed that her companions errupt into giggling fits over their waiter's lisp. Loud ones. For about 20 minutes.

9:30 pm: Companions try to split the bill 4 ways, despite the fact that not everyone ordered a salad or got a mojito to go along with their wine. Barb delineates what people owe, wondering about people who try to get their bill cheaper and complain about paying a dollar to check a coat.
10:00 pm: Despite the fact that the guest have decided that they need to be at Navy Pier at 10:30, they all head back to Barb's apartment, where they proceed to lay about for half an hour and then catch a cab.

10:31 pm: With guests gone, Barb goes to bed, so that when they come home at 3:00, she'll have had about 4 hours of solid sleep before having to fall back asleep again to get up at 6:30 am.

Background Noise: Don't Panic
Random Thought: Quality over quantity, always
Mood:Monday--you get the picture

CHICAGO, IL AP: Testimony resumed today in the murder trial of Barbara Peters, charged with the deaths of Betsy Marmol and Autumn Hurst. An eye-witness account was provided by Julie, a waitress at Carmines, who served the three on March 14th at 7 pm. In a sworn statement she described how the women were chatting about The Libertine, a movie they had just seen. She spoke in depth about eavedropping on their conversation, since they were seated near the host station. Appearantly, Ms. Peters had to spend the greater part of the appetizer course explaining the movie and the time period--including that it was in fact accurate to have lots of dogs around, since they are indeed called King Charles spaniels. She also overheard the victims complaining about what they hadn't gotten to do because they had to get back to River North by 4:30 to meet Ms. Peters. Julie stated that she observed the trio for the better part of 2 hours and was keen to point out that Ms. Hurst and Ms. Marmol consistently put their elbows on the table, used their fingers to eat, and in fact resorted to quoting the Sopranos during dessert. In her words, Ms. Peters "seemed the classier of the bunch" due to such intangibles as wine selection, manners, and etiquette. Julie ended her statement with the fact that it was at Ms. Peters insistence that she recieved a decent tip, and that she heard from the bathroom attendent that the victims "acted like high-schoolers in the restroom."

Mr. Flynn used the remainder of the court time to examine the night of Wednesday the 15th. In questioning, Ms. Peters explained that that night had previously been set aside to go out for fondue, something she'd been looking forward to doing and that she could not do alone. It had been her impression that her guests were also excited by this prospect, until she returned home that evening aroung 5. [excerpt taken from testimony]

"...When I arrived home no one was there, so I enjoyed a good 10 minutes of Jeopardy without them. When they got home, they asked me where I'd been and proceeded to tell me about their adventures to Wrigly Field and that Natalie said that she didn't want to go to fondue because it was too expensive. Ms. Hurst's suggestion was that they go eat Mexican down by where Natalie lives [35th-Sox, 30-45 minutes from Ms. Peters' home] because she'd heard that there was really good Mexican food there. When Natalie said that that wasn't true, they then decided to eat at an Italian restaurant by Natalie's school and that Natalie would pick them up from the subway stop and drive them to it. I took the opportunity to point out that if they were travelling all that way, I wouldn't be able to go becuase I's be out later than I would like since I had to go to work the next day. I knew they'd be running late--they didn't even leave my place until nearly 7 pm, and got back around midnight. I enjoyed my evening at home--I had Carmines leftover mushroom risotto and tiaramisu and watched Veronica Mars and Bones. It was great..."

***In related news, "Natalie says" has been voted the most annoying phrase of 2006***

Background Noise: Only The Good
Random Thought: Three Days More...
Mood: Good thing I stock cheese for their whine

CHICAGO,IL: AP Defense counsel continued it's presentation on this third day in the trial of Cook County vs. Barbara Peters. Flynn led off this mornings arguements by recounting for us the day of March 13, a Monday. The jury was presented with a large exhibit--the remains of what was once the defendant's three-panel photo screen. Today it sat on the exhibition table as nothing more than splinters of wood and pieces of plexi-glass. In recordings taken from Ms. Peters' cell-phone, the jurors listened to Ms. Hurst blame the littlest of the two cats, Zeppelin. In overlapping voices from the deceased, we hear Ms. Marmol state vehemently that she was asleep and heard nothing, and Ms. Hurst explain that she heard a crash, but didn't get up to investigate. When Ms. Marmol attempted to enter the defendant's balcony (which she does so as to be able to use the door wall as a mirror, apparantly unhappy with the mirrors in the apartment) she saw the mess. It was at this time that both victims announce that it must have been the kitten. A charge Ms. Peters refutes in testitmony from today [excerpt from testimony]:

"...Zeppi has a 'guilty' face, and if he would have knocked something over he would have been looking guilty. But he wasn't. Plus, why would the cats knock over something that they've been walking around for the entire time I've had them? Just because there was the convienence of blaming my guests? I think it's the other way around..."

Ms. Peters' testimony was also taken in the afternoon session where Flynn and Harrison examined the evening of the 15th, when the three went to Finn McCools to partake of $1 drafts and appetizer specials. The defendent elaborated on waiting for 40 minutes for Ms. Hurst and Ms. Marmol to arrive, despite calling them 20 minutes before she left work to meet them and they were at home. She also explains how around 8pm, when they had finished eating and had some cocktails and she was ready to head home, a strange man from the next table butted into their conversation and rudely interrupted what had been a pretty nice conversation. Despite his obvious drunken state and his tendancy to lie (like telling them he was a surgeon and then knowing nothing about medicine), when Ms. Peters got the check and they began to divy up the bill, the guy "my name is John but I go by Jack" suggested that they get another round and go elsewhere. Ms. Peters attempted to play the martyr and say they all had to go home since he had already commented on the fact that she had stopped drinking, but she had apparently read the signals from her friends wrong. They didn't seem the least bit annoyed with the creep, but instead stated that they could "just ditch Barb--we have a key" and proceeded to do just that. Ms. Peters stated that at that point she went home and enjoyed her evening alone and that her guest came home around 1:30. Her last moving statements of the day were this [excerpt from testimony]:

"...Silly me, I thought that they had come to Chicago to see me, their friend that they ahdn't seen in 6 months. I assumed that they would actually want to hang out with me and not some nut-job they met at the bar--something they could do in New York. I guess I should have learned my lesson when they wanted to spend time with everyone else they knew from New York who was here over the weekend and not just me. But I was hoping that I was wrong. I guess I wasn't..."

Tomorrow's testimony is scheduled to include more from the defendant and also from Julie, an eye-witness on the night of March 14.

Background Noise: I Remember
Random Thought: Is it time for bed yet?
Mood: umph

CHICAGO, IL: AP In the second day of evidence presented by the defense for Barb Peters, counsel attempted to recreate for the jury the day of Sunday March 12. They were awoken at 6, reminded that they found shit on the kitchen floor, and made to walk across wet carpet to simulate the fact that Ms. Hurst had broken an ice-cube tray the night before and left the ice on the rug to melt. After giving them a glimmer of hope that they could enjoy the Sunday paper and coffee, they were instead talked at for an hour by Flynn, just as Ms. Peters was on that Sunday by Ms. Hurst, who laughed at the melted-ice misfortune. Flynn also explained that Ms. Peters avoided asking about the feces because no one would have owned up to it, and would have instead tried to blame one of the innocent cats. After two more hours, defense promised the jury the best omelets ever, only to deny them, just as Ms. Peters was denied on the 12th because neither of her companions could get their asses in gear in time to wait for a table and still make the parade on time, despite the fact that everyone had been up for those two hours. Flynn then subjected the courtroom to 45 minutes of waiting to stand in for the subway ride to 95/Dan Ryan, then 30 more to wait for Ms. Hurst’s sister, then 20 more for the bus ride to the parade. Ms. Peters took the hour allotted for the parade portion that they did see to further explain the circumstances. [excerpt from court transcripts]

“…It was just really frustrating to spend nearly 3 hours in transit
for a parade that we only saw half of. Especially when their lack of
preparedness the day before resulted in my missing the big parade in
downtown Chicago—only 5 minutes away. Sure, we saw the green
river, but afterwards we ended up meeting up with friends of theirs
from New York. Then on Sunday they spent the majority of the time
en route to and from the parade and at the parade trying to get in
contact with another New York friend [Lindsay] so that we could meet
up with her. Call me crazy, but I thought they had come to Chicago to
visit me, not hang out with people they work with in NYC. After coming
back from the South Side parade around 5 we ate and I had hoped to let
them meet up with Lindsay so that I could go home and enjoy watching
Grey’s Anatomy in peace. Unfortunately they nixed that idea and came
home with me only to want to watch The Sopranos and Big Love. I
decided that it would probably be better to just watch my shows from
the week after they left, so that I could relax and enjoy them…”

After Ms. Peters testimony, Flynn again made the courtroom wait for the duration of the bus and train ride before allowing them to eat and go home, as the real-time description of the day of March 12, 2006 took 12 hours. The Judge allowed such an irregularity after Flynn explained that there was no other way for him to convey the suffering his client had endured and promised that no further day-long enterprises would be necessary because Ms. Peters had to go to work each of the rest of the days that the victims were in town, and therefore was unable to spend most of the day with them. Defense counsel had already hinted that tomorrow’s testimony with be another shocker, and will explain what led up to Ms. Peters inquiry to the process of changing her locks.

Background Noise: Delicate
Random Thought: Is it Saturday yet?
Mood: I love being at work

CHICAGO, IL: AP The proscecution's strong opening witness, their only witness, stated that the defendant had indeed called him earlier last week to check into prices for changing her lock. This testimony is vital to ADA Harrison's grounds that Barb Peters, on trial for double homicide, had indeed premeditated the murders of Betsy Marmol and Autumn Hurst. Prosceutors will rely heavily on this evidence to convict Ms. Peters and do not at this time have any plans to call other witnessess. Taking the floor after the stunning allegations by the locksmith, Billy Flynn for the defense countered with an even more shocking piece of evidenct--feces recoverred from the trash chute at the defendan't s building. Flynn admits that it was a stroke of luck that the trash bins at Atrium Village are emptied on Saturday mornings, mere hours after the bodies were found, allowing the shit into eveidence. Ms. Peters states that she found the offensive material on her kitchen floor Sunday, March 12, at 6 am. The previous night the defendant and the victims had been at the bar, Ms. Peters explaining that they were hanging out with friends of Ms. Marmol and Ms. Hurst from NYC who were in town for a performance of their band. After several hours of tedious conversing with the more rock-headed among the band, Ms. Peters had to end the night prematurely. Ms. Swenson phoned Ms. Peters with bad news, which in turn fueled Ms. Peterss desire to go home. The victims changed their minds about going to the concert and instead accompanied Ms. Peters to her home around 10 pm. Flynn points out that upon arriving Ms. Hurst puked twice and Ms. Marmol passed out after an ill-fated attempt to work the DVD player (to ironically see Just Like Heaven, a film about a dead girl). In cross-examination, Harrison tried to point out that by seeing Ms. Peters home the victims were simply being good friends and not acting in their own self-interest. Proscecution also alledges that the feces could have come from one of Ms. Peter's cats. Expert Excrement witness Gil Grissom stated that "It would have had to be a rather large cat to have left that. A tiger perhaps." After the gruesome exhibits of the morning, the Judge issued a recess until tomorrow morning, most likely realizing that after such evidence the jury would be unable to eat lunch and be expected to return for an afternoon session. It is unknown at this time if Ms. Swenson will be called to testify for her role in abrupt end of the night, as ADA Harrison demanded in a post-court press conference.

Background Noise: The sound of my sanity flying away
Random Thought: There should be shirts, if Winona got 'em, I want one
Mood: Hmpfh

CHICAGO, IL: AP Opening statements were heard in what is being called the trial of the century here in Cook County. Upstanding citizen and reported Saint (though these allegation have yet to be proven) Barb Peters is on trial for double homicide after reportedly plotting the murder of Autumn Hurst and Betsy Marmol, who were at the time of their death staying with their alledged killer. The Prosecution layed out the groundwork for their case, highlighting the premeditative nature of the crime--that Ms. Peters had been getting angrier and angrier at her houseguests as their week-long stay wore on and that she intentionally left the two at the bar knowing full well that they would come home drunk anc confused. Assistant District Attourney Harrison alledges that she called a locksmith to change her locks while she was home alone and then went to sleep, knowing full well the danders that awaited Ms. Hurst and Ms. Marmol when they attempted to enter the apartment building. For the Defense, Billy Flynn stated that he intendes to lay out how the antics of Ms. Hurst and Ms. Marmol throughout the week promted his client to change her locks out of frustration. Flynn claims that the only intention Ms. Peters had was to make them call her for their things and get a hotel near the airport so they could leave the next day. While he admits that any death is a tragedy, Flynn declared that after the evidence is given you will think that plotting the deaths of the two vicitims will seem reasonable. Not that his client did that, of course. Ms. Peters has been released on bail and is currently staying at the W Chicago while her apartment is disinfected. Mr. Flynn promises the particulars of that move once evidence begins tomorrow.

Background Noise: I Shot the Sheriff (But I did not Shoot the Deputy)
Random Thought: Anyone know a good defense lawyer?
Mood: Grr Arg

CHICAGO, IL: AP In a bizarre turn of events this St. Patrick's Day, two women were found dead in an empty pool in River North's Atrium Village Apartment Complex. It is unknown at this time how Autumn Hurst and Betsy Marmol, who were at the time of their death visiting Barb Peters in her Chicago home, ended up at the bottom of the cement enclosure. Chicago ME pronounced both dead of blunt force trauma, most likely resulting from hitting their heads on the bottom of the pool. Tox Screens indicate that both were heavily inebriated, which may have lead to their not noticing the large cement hole in the ground. In even more suprising news, Ms. Peters was arrested this morning on murder charges. Prosecutors alledge that while Ms. Hurst and Ms. Marmol were out at a bar on St. Patricks day--an outing that Ms. Peters departed after the three had seen V for Vendetta and consumed just one drink--the accused went home and had her locks changed, resulting in the two victims wandering around drunk and falling into the empty pool. Opening statements begin Monday.

Background Noise: Where Have You Gone
Random Thought: Does it sound that dumb in her head?
Mood: Idiots!

Occasionally the Sun-Times finds 'em really stupid--

Claudette Marie Muhammad's reaction to the deaprture of five members of the anti-discrimination comission was this: "For those who try to condemn me because of the honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan's remarks on Saviours' Day, which were perceived by some as anti-Semitic, it's ridiculous, absolutely ridiculous,'' she told WVON-AM.

Good job of supporting your boss--too bad the remarks that were so ridiculous included: an assertion that "Hollywood Jews'' promote homosexuality and other "filth.''

Gee, I can't imagine why some might percieve that as anti-Semitic. Oh, wait, I know why. because the dictionary has this to say:

anti-semitic
adj 1: relating to or characterized by anti-Semitism; hating Jews 2: discriminatory especially on the basis of race or religion [syn: racist, antiblack, anti-Semitic, anti-Semite(a)]

Background Noise: Collide (Howie Day)
Random Thought: What to do with guests for a week?
Mood: Still Wednesday?

I'm not a music person. I love music, and I own a lot of it, but I don't read up on indie rockers or listen to underground stations or head out to hear new bands. But I do like soundtracks--stage or screen, they capture a moment with music that hearing the song alone can't do for me. Can you hear Tiny Dancer without picturing the bus sing-a-long from Almost Famous or Don't You Forget About Me without thinking Breakfast Club? Plus, soundtracks are generally cohesive, so the Garden State album gives me a nice intro to bands that are somewhat similar, giving me exposure to someone like the Shins, who I might not have picked up otherwise.

But it is two songs from trailers that have my attention at the moment, songs that I associate so clearly with the images from the movies that I couldn't believe they weren't on the soundtracks. Luckily for Howie Day and Kanye West I liked them so much that I hunted down the source and plan on buying the album. Kayne's Jesus Walks is so perfect for the Jarhead clip that I'm glad the DVD commercials are running it. I knew in the back of my mind that I would probably get his album, but the fact is, without the Jarhead trailer, I might have let it slip my mind. Seriously though, listen to Jesus Walks and try to get the image of Jake Gyllenhal out of your head and avoid hearing Jamie Foxx's Hoo-Rah at the end. I dare you. And if I hadn't loved the music that played during the AMC promo for Focus Features' Pride & Prejudice Win Your Way To Hollywood Sweepstakes, I might have gone through life without coveting a Howie Day album. And that would just be sad. Once again, try to not see Keira Knightly and Matthew McFadden in the windswept coutryside or at the ball when listening to Collide. Impossible.

Background Noise: I Think It's Funny
Random Thought: Why is Chipotle so good?
Mood: I thought it was Tuesday, I'm pleasantly suprised to find that it's actually Wednesday

I have a modified chick firdge, I've discovered. When I delved into it last night for dinner, I was somewhat amazed to see that I apparently only believe in 3 food groups--dairy, starch, and liquor. My fridge has fajita shells, rice, sour cream, yougurt, cheddar, feta, goat cheese, brie, cream cheese, butter, Busch Light, Diet Coke and 7 bottles of wine. Well-balanced, wouldn't you say? To be fair, I have garlic, onions, tomatos and potatos on the counter, a freezer full of frozen veggies and wafles, and a pantry of pasta and beans. But my fridge is pretty funny.

Background Noise: The Stranger
Random Thought: Can one say that Jon Stewart is a Golden God too many times?
Mood: Only Tuesday?

In case you're illiterate and drop by for the pictures, or this is your first stop to my blog, my name is Barb, and I love Jon Stewart. He's the host with the most and he capped off what I thought was a pretty enjoyable Oscars. All the players were present:


1. A kick-ass opening segment: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-A986cc1Ps&eurl=
2. Humor without introducing Uma to Oprah or digging into Jude.
3. Ben Stiller in a green body stocking. How much more do you need?
4. An Altmanesque tirbute to Robert, and a shiny speech by the dialogist himself.
5. Great performances for best song, and I think three-six mafia is still celebrating.
6. Dolly looking great, Jack in sunglasses, Weta proving that they are visual titans.
7. And a suprise Crash upset, to go with acting oscars that all went to first-time nominees.

I only disagree with a few winners, and I can see where the Academy went with those votes and why, so what are you going to do.

Background Noise: Movin' Out
Random Thought: Gee, quizzes are fun
Mood: just cheery

Your Kissing Purity Score: 34% Pure

You're not one to kiss and tell... But word is, you kiss pretty well.

Background Noise: Lily Dreams On (V Mars Soundtrack)
Random Thought: It's like this think knows me...or has obvious questions
Mood: There are no boat tours in March

You Should Get a PhD in Liberal Arts (like political science, literature, or philosophy)

You're a great thinker and a true philosopher. You'd make a talented professor or writer.

Background Noise: On Your Porch (V Mars soundtrack)
Random Thought: I think it is the median/mode thing
Mood: bored

You Passed 8th Grade Math

Congratulations, you got 9/10 correct!

Background Noise:Lua
Random Thought: Snow? Are you kidding me?
Mood:It's Monday. Enough said.

I am continually impressed by the performances that Mos Def gives. In Dave Chappelle's Block Party he is both a talented rapper and a humorous straight-man to Dave's antics, something that all the big-named stars manage to do in what probably is the coolest rap concert to date. And as a prisoner caught up in more than he imagined he holds his own against Bruce Willis in the strongly done 16 Blocks. The movie is almost a what-could-have-happened version of Bruce's Die Hard character--what if he wasn't such a good guy underneath it all, what if he had gone the other way after the break-up, etc. And the entire cast plays well under sparse dialogue and slowly meted-out facts. Does anyone really know all of what is going on? It's better to not, especially if you are the audience. If you've never seen Gauntlet, which is pretty much the same thing, you might be suprised. If you have, you should be impressed that this is actually a reinterpretation, richly drawn out, and not just a pale remake. Add Mos Def's performances to that of Ludacris, who dazzled both in Crash and as classy and articulate at the Academy Awards, and people might get a better impression of rappers who act.

Background Noise: The laughter produced from reading Overheard in New York
Random Thought: Ooh, Cate Blanchet in Hedda Gabbler sounds fab.
Mood: TGIF

More proof that smoking pot makes you dumb:

"It's to make stripes, you storetard."

Guy: Yo, you got rolling papers?
Store lady: I don't know. What is that?
Guy: You know, Zig-Zag.
Store lady: I don't know, what is that for?

--CVS, 32nd & 5th

Overheard by: Abbey Leroux

(I like that this guy thinks CVS is a good choice of locales to buy rolling papers. Yeah, that's probable.)


We End with Revelation

Chick #1: So I need to get me a Bible.
Chick #2: Why? Aren't you atheist?
Chick #1: They say Bible paper makes good rolling paper for your joints.
Chick #2: Really?
Old lady: You two are disgusting.

--Grand Central

Overheard by: Glynnis O

(That's classy with a capital K, ladies.)