Odd Ads

I don't understand why I am seeing ads for Fox's "fair and balanced" news and election coverage... while watching Rachel Maddow on MSNBC. Why on earth would they accept Fox News ads on MSNBC?

Broken Internet

Apparently there's some internet fight between Sprint and Cogent, so our internet is completely messed up today and not connecting to things.  Or when it is, it's coming up as plain text, like OLD internet.  The internet is broken!  Or as the PC World article puts it, a "small rip in the fabric of the internet."

 

I tried loading the Weather Channel but the text links and other text just came up all over the page and on top of one another, so I think I'll just use my blackberry.  Messed up.

SNL

I wonder if McRage is going to bring Joe the Plumber to SNL with him.

Blah

Watching the Hardball rerun. I wish Susan Molinari would just stop it already.

Clean Dinner

How did my "clean" Japanese dinner go?

 

Not too bad.  The low point was the eel, but the rest was pretty good.  I usually never discuss restaurants on here, but I'm trying to post more (before I forget things; I seem to not remember so many things that have happened over the years that so many people remember about my own life), so why not.

 

I ordered from Hakata, which is where we got a group lunch from on Tuesday.  Here's the summary:

 

Delivery: Quick, easy (Seamless), on time, etc.

Oden (the Japanese winter dish from the previous posts): Pretty good.  Adding the mustard made it even better. 

Eel/avocado roll: Not very good.  The eel was tough and rubbery.  But it wasn't at lunch on Tuesday which was why I was surprised.  That happened to Alvin once at a place I like for sushi lunch, so it could just be a bad batch.

Spicy tuna roll: Yum.

 

Yay sushi.  But still... bad me from all those Halloween sweets!  I did some yoga crunches out of guilt.

Follow Up

According to Wikipedia:

 

Karashi (Japanese mustard) is often used as a condiment.

 

That must have been it.

Unknown Substance

Whoa.

 

I ordered this Japanese winter soup thing.  There was a small plastic container on top which looked like wasabi but was brown.  I opened the top to sniff it and I think I just burned my sinuses off, it was that strong.

 

Wow.

Lack of Self Control

I was really good today at lunch.  I went to one of the generic midtown delis (although, one of the better ones) and got some chicken udon since I was looking for some nice warm soup.  It was just broth, chicken, udon and plain veggies (spinach, mushrooms, seaweed, scallions, carrots).  It felt so clean and so healthy.

 

Fast forward a few hours...

 

We had a Halloween party at the firm.  Normally, if you are a candy addict like me, that might mean stay away.  But I was craving chocolate earlier in the afternoon and I like Halloween cupcakes (as you can see from the Treats Truck posts), so I thought I would just check it out and have a small snack.

 

Snack.  Right.

 

2 small pieces of turkey, 4 small pieces of a good cheese and 1 medium piece of cheese that I didn't really like, a fairly large vanilla cupcake with chocolate icing (and some icky plastic spider on it which I should not have taken because it alarmed me), one Halloween sized bag of swedish fish, 2 starbursts, and mini Halloween sized bag of Skittles... and now I feel totally unhealthy.

 

And I'm not going to the gym tonight (working instead).

 

Terrible!  I feel so polluted.

 

So in order to feel better, I'm going to have a nice "clean" sushi dinner.  Sigh.  No self control.  At all.  Ridiculous.  I am not allowed to eat the Halloween sized bag of Sour Patch Kids sitting on my desk.  But I think I can do that because I just gave myself a massive guilt trip about how horrible I was with the candy and it makes me feel gross inside, so I think the work is done.  Sigh. 

 

Back to work.

Internet

Our internet is horribly slow right now.  Or maybe it's just my computer.  Either way that makes me sad.

Self meditating

Boo.  My True Blue Spa self meditating body butter with rice bran oil and green tea is empty.  I'm glad I remembered to bring a new tub of body butter to work today, along with all the Costco food we got this weekend.  Yay.

Miscellaneous

Some miscellaneous notes:

 

1.  I wonder why the people with the presidential campaign condoms in Times Square don't have any for Biden.  On Friday, I heard them shouting out for their Obama, McCain and Palin ones, but not Biden.  He got left out.

 

2.  I got a new phone today.  It's finally time to get a new one under our plan and that's good because nowadays I have had to charge my phone daily and it also shuts off whenever it feels like it.  You can turn this one sideways and it becomes a camera.  Funny how my cousin had one of these in Hong Kong, oh, over 3 years ago.  We are so behind here with our cell phones...

 

3.  I missed that first 2 hour premiere of Grey's Anatomy and had been meaning to watch it online, but never had a chance.  I tried today and it's already gone.  At least I got the episode of Ugly Betty that I was missing from the DVR.

 

4.  I wish I didn't have to do work this weekend.

 

5.  The problem with going to King Buffet for dinner is that I eat too many onion rings.

Willpower

I love going to the Treats Truck.  There's just something nice about getting a delicious little snack in the middle of the afternoon.

 

The only problem is that the Treats Truck is only near our office on Fridays around lunchtime, and not later in the afternoon.  I don't have to test my willpower as much if I can run down to the truck at 3:30 or 4 to get a snack.  But today the cupcake has been sitting on my desk since around 1, and all I keep thinking is "when can I finally eat the cupcake..."

 

Part of the problem is that I'm trying to do small meals, so I only had a sushi roll for lunch in anticipation of my afternoon cupcake (better than a box of chicken over rice).  I'm not going to the gym tonight, or else it wouldn't be such a big deal.

 

So I am not allowed to eat the cupcake until 3:30.  It is a test of my willpower.  I keep watching the clock count down to 3:30.  It's pathetic that I'm keeping track of the amount of time until cupcake.  Almost as bad as watching the seconds tick by on the elliptical.  Thank goodness I can now channel surf while doing that.

 

7 minutes to cupcake...

Socialism

I can't believe we have now moved to calling major candidates "socialist" and "communist."  This is insane.

Getaway

I love that it's Sunday night (technically Monday morning, 1:39 am) and the Weather Channel is showing the "getaway forecast" for the Hamptons, Atlantic City and the Catskill Mountains. I always joke about looking forward to the weekend on Monday at work, but posting a getaway forecast on TV before the work week even gets started? Fantastic.

In other news, while walking past Bread Factory Cafe near our apartment this evening, I saw my horoscope on the TV screen. It said to research travel destinations. It's trying to tempt me, knowing I am not going on vacation for the rest of 2008. It doesn't mean I won't research travel destinations though! I read some of my travel magazine tonight, and also uploaded photos from my 2006 Puerto Rico trip, including some things that I totally forgot I saw.

And since we're discussing travel, I love when The Amazing Race goes to New Zealand. This was one of my favorite mat greeters - hi Phil's dad! That was great!

Vote Switching

Seriously?

Didn't this "vote for Obama but machine records vote for McCain" thing already happen on the Simpsons? Sad.

(Or in a skit from the Simpsons? I don't know if it was part of an episode or not.)

In other political news, I am proud to be part of the massive fundraising effort in Minnesota after those hateful comments on Hardball. Good luck to El!

Cupcakes II

The delicious Halloween cupcake from the Treats Truck. I highly recommend it. Hmm, what to try next week...

Cupcakes

I just had one of the Halloween cupcakes (chocolate cake/vanilla frosting) from the Treats Truck, and it is the best cupcake I have had in a long time.

Silly Season

This political season has had some really ridiculous arguments.  I'm trying to think of them all, but there have been so many silly ones that I can't even keep track.  But the two big ones I can think of right now are:

 

(1)  That you can be an expert on foreign policy because you can see Russia from part of your home state; and

 

(2)  That the reason the campaign and ads got so negative was because they didn't have a summer series of 10 town hall meetings.

 

Neither of these make any sense to me and I don't know why they keep pushing it!  It just sounds extremely silly!  If seeing a place gives you experience, then as they have said on TV (I wish I could remember where), that makes us astronauts because we can see space or the stars.  And I don't understand what town hall meetings have to do with negative ads.  Nothing!  No one forced you to go negative.  If you did it because your feelings were hurt or you got frustrated because things didn't go your way, that doesn't make it the other person's fault for not agreeing with you.  That just sounds whiny and really entitled.

 

What else do you remember from this season that was completely ridiculous?

Joe the Plumber

A few notes on Joe the Plumber:

 

1.  Until last night's debate, "Joe the Plumber" was, for me, an example of Barack Obama's campaigning.  How he goes door to door to talk individually to Americans and to hear their concerns and explain his plans.  From the video, Joe was clearly not an Obama supporter, but Obama talked to him anyway and answered all of his questions.  I thought this was great -- his ability to talk one-on-one with people that McGrumpy doesn't have.

 

2.  I am still amazed at how often Joe the Plumber came up last night.  I heard on one news program that this was McGrumpy's code for "middle class," but as Rachel pointed out last night, McGrumpy has now gone 0-3 in the debates when it comes to actually saying the words "middle class."  Maybe it's because he doesn't know how to define it since he thinks $5 million is the threshold for being rich.

 

3.  I don't really think Joe the Plumber = Joe Six pack.  Joe the Plumber had to give a press conference this morning (something Sarah Palin has never done in this campaign...) and I'm not so sure everyone can relate to Joe because (a) his questions to Barack came from him wanting to own a business and he was anticipating making $250,000 a year, which is more than most people can say, (b) he doesn't believe in social security and (c) he's 100% behind our efforts in Iraq, WMD or not, he doesn't care, when most of Americans according to the polls really don't support the Iraq war anymore (and I note for the record you can support the TROOPS without supporting the WAR and I'm wondering if people are starting to get that).

 

4.  Joe the Plumber is from Holland, Ohio, one of the few places in Ohio that I have spent any time in.  And by "any time," I mean a day on the way to Chicago.  (But in my count, I have "spent time" at a place when I have either stayed in a hotel there, eaten a meal there or had other more extensive contact.  We stayed at a Residence Inn there and ate at a Mexican chain restaurant.  I have pictures.) 

 

5.  I really just can't believe how much of the post-debate coverage is being spent (as it was clear it obviously would be) on Joe the Plumber, as opposed to McGrumpy's demeaning remarks (and air quotes) about women's health, how he thinks Obama voted against Breyer (when he meant Alito, I would think), McGrumpy's general rudeness and insane eyerolling, McGrumpy's condescension about Obama not understanding because he's never been south of the border (when he has a running mate that has barely been out of the country) and that fabulous, fabulous picture where he looks like he's flailing around the table because he didn't know which way to go.

Debate 4

McStupid really said Obama voted against Breyer? Is he serious? What a dumb@ss.

Debate 3

McStupid and his pathological lying make me sick.

Debate 2

"Americans have gotten to know Sarah Palin."

Seriously?

 

In the same amount of time you have...

 

We've learned about Troopergate, ethics issues, the Alaska Independence Party, wanting to go bookburning, replacing people with cronies, and more things than I can count. 

 

I can't believe how he can just lie about so much through his teeth.  Serious pathological lying going on.

Debate 1

I'm amused.  Within the first part of Obama's response, not only did he use "middle class" (since McSame hasn't said it in 2 debates), but he said "the fundamentals of our economy were weak." 

Here We Go

I love how when the debate starts, you actually can't tell if it's real or SNL.  Ha.  At least in the Fox version I'm watching (as I don't think I have other choices).  I wonder if McCain can make eye contact while sitting at the same table or if the anger will be even harder to stifle.

Stealing

I can't believe they are so desperate that they're now claiming that, despite Obama being ahead in all of the polls, McCain's only going to lose because the Democrats are stealing the election.  This is getting really, really pathetic.  I could see if we were coming from 15 points down and they were saying we could only win if we cheated, but we're ahead so what exactly is being stolen?  Then again, I suppose if, like McSame, you're down by over 10 points in the polls and you win... we could say you cheated and stole the election (through voter suppression efforts)?  It goes both ways... but I'm sure they don't see it that way at all.

Eli's Back

Speaking of sophomore shows, I really hope people watched Eli Stone tonight. I love this show. Makes me happy.

Mentalist

TV fanatic that I am, it is probably surprising that I haven't really written much about the new fall TV season (which is already a month in). Then again, I'm not really caught up on the fall season. I haven't seen the premiere of Fringe yet, and all of this season's Heroes and Chuck are still on the DVR. And I'm really behind on Ugly Betty and Grey's Anatomy because the DVR is so full by Thursday that the DVR has been claiming there's no room left.

As far as the new shows go, I guess I would say that I'm pleasantly surprised by the Mentalist. I wasn't going to watch it, out of loyalty to Psych, but I saw the first episode on CBS online and really liked it. I didn't want to like it, but I did. And after the second episode, that didn't change. Perhaps I should go into new shows with those expectations -- expecting to dislike it and then waiting for the show to change my mind. A way of managing the DVR list?

I haven't seen that many of the other new shows. 90210, I missed the first few because the DVR was out of room, so I haven't really gotten into it. Privileged, I like but I missed an episode here or there. Life on Mars was ok; I'm not sold on it but I usually give new shows 2-3 episodes. The Ex List is another one I didn't expect to like because the premise seemed a little forced, but I really liked the episodes so far. Haven't seen My Own Worst Enemy, Fringe, etc. yet.

I feel like last year's sophomore class had some really good shows that weren't watched much, got renewed, but were off the air for a really long time with the strike but haven't recovered (in ratings). I wish more people were watching Chuck, Dirty Sexy Money, Pushing Daisies, Private Practice, etc. Such good shows. Thank goodness Gossip Girl is doing better.

Watching last Thursday's Survivor now ... Gabon is gorgeous but I don't think I could handle being there!

Crazy in La Paz

I can't believe that there was a sports bra controversy on The Amazing Race. Seriously?! If you put your sports bra on a ledge and it falls off, it doesn't necessarily mean that one of your competitors sabotaged you. It's entirely possible that it just fell off. Unbelievable.

Dumpling Truck

I don't get the hate for the new dumpling truck.  Were they the best dumplings I've ever had?  No, not by any means.  Were they expensive? Yes, but my original plan for today was to go to Dishes, so I would have spent at least that much there.  Would I go back? Sure.  It's tasty and parked right outside our office building.  And I love dumplings of any form.  So, yes, I would go back.  But I can imagine it would get expensive if you were really, really hungry.  But sometimes you just want Asian food and chicken with thai basil dumplings will work!

Friends

Would someone please tell John McCain that I am not his friend?!?

Politics

I can't believe what's going on in the McSame political campaign right now.  There is something terribly, terribly wrong when you approve of people at your rallies yelling for assassinations of the other guy.  I don't care if you want to win, but inciting people to violence is wrong.  Not telling them not to say that is wrong.  Allowing people to shout for others to be killed or to belittle others by using racially pejorative terms is wrong.  Not only because it's not an "honorable" campaign, but how can you live with yourself, knowing that your actions prompt outpourings of hate?  Un-freaking-believable.  Maybe people should ask him if he'd rather cause an assassination than lose a political campaign (since that's a phrasing he's so fond of using).  Sigh.

Cubs

I don't understand. How could the Cubs lose? They had the 100 year story. It was supposed to be their year. The winner always has a story. This shouldn't be happening!