Archive for July, 2009
New Pynchon For All
Posted on July 30, 2009 by andrew- Filed Under Inherent Vice, Thomas Pynchon, books | Leave a Comment
Reviews have started appearing for Thomas Pynchon’s new book, Inherent Vice, due in stores on Tuesday. My copy is preordered and Amazon says it will arrive before next weekend. This latest effort sounds like a lot of light (for Pynchon, at least) fun, in contrast to the recent and excellent-but-very-difficult Against the Day. I hope [...]
Obama Gets It Right, Eventually
Posted on July 29, 2009 by andrew- Filed Under Obama administration, health care | Leave a Comment
Wow, the White House has finally told us exactly what it wants in the final health care bill, and, oddly enough, it covers almost everything I expect most middle class Americans care about. If Obama had been publicly hammering these eight points as his goal for the past three or four months, Congress would be [...]
The Best Crab Cakes For People Who Don’t Know What A Good Crab Cake Is
Posted on July 29, 2009 by andrew- Filed Under DC, food | 3 Comments
The Washington Post devotes a good chunk of today’s Food section to the search for DC’s best crab cake. I haven’t tried many of the restaurants on their final list of top choices, as it’s an expensive set of options. However, the list and the article do confirm my previously held belief: It is extremely [...]
If I Had Any Senators…
Posted on July 27, 2009 by andrew- Filed Under Senate, health care | Leave a Comment
I would be calling them up and saying some not-so-polite things tomorrow morning. This particular version of the legislation is, to put it mildly, utter bullshit. I’m absolutely furious.
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Goodbye, AP
Posted on July 27, 2009 by andrew- Filed Under Associated Press, the internets, the media | Leave a Comment
Someone should really ask the music industry how it works out for companies when they declare war on their own consumers. This strategy will guarantee the demise of the Associated Press as a relevant news-gathering organization.
(Via)
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Movie Reviews That Aren’t Really Reviews
Posted on July 20, 2009 by andrew- Filed Under Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Sherlock Homes, movies | 2 Comments
I was fairly disappointed with Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. The book was perhaps my favorite of the series, but I felt the ending of the movie lacked the book’s emotional punch, and not simply because I already knew how it would end. Quite frankly, I felt as though the movie decided to quit [...]
Firing Manny Solved All Our Problems
Posted on July 19, 2009 by andrew- Filed Under MASN, Washington Nationals, baseball | Leave a Comment
In case you ever wondered, “What could be worse than watching the Nats fall behind 11-2 in a Sunday afternoon game?” I have discovered the answer: Watching the Nats fall behind 11-2 in a Sunday afternoon home game while listening to MASN announcers Bob Carpenter and Rob Dibble engage in an inning-long discussion of the [...]
A Reminder Of DC’s Diversity
Posted on July 17, 2009 by andrew- Filed Under DC, economy | Leave a Comment
On the one hand, I read this morning that DC’s unemployment rate remains higher than 10% and is, in fact, inching up towards 11%.
On the other hand, Matthew Yglesias posts a chart showing that our city has the second highest proportion of residents who would be subject to the proposed health care tax impacting only [...]
Stiff Competition
Posted on July 15, 2009 by andrew- Filed Under Sonia Sotomayor, Tom Coburn, race | Leave a Comment
Which Republican senator will be able to claim the title of Most Racist at the conclusion of these confirmation hearings? Tom Coburn makes a strong argument in his own favor.
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The Sweet Smell Of Newsprint
Posted on July 10, 2009 by andrew- Filed Under Wednesday Comics, comic books | 2 Comments
As promised, I want to tell you what I thought of Wednesday Comics. The big news here is exactly what I hoped it would be: The format is outstanding. Unfolding the small pamphlet I brought home on Wednesday night and spreading out the huge, beautifully colored, newspaper-sized comics section just felt… fun, for lack of [...]
Simple Answers To Simple Questions
Posted on July 9, 2009 by andrew- Filed Under 2012 Republican primary, Sarah Palin, wingnuts | Leave a Comment
Greg Sargent, responding to a Rasmussen poll result:
Palin is the top choice [for 2012 presidential nominee] among Republicans whose top concern is national security? I can see how folks would find Palin appealing as a folksy and combative hockey mom type, an outsider and reformer who dukes it out with coastal elites on behalf of [...]
Bibi Vs. Rahm
Posted on July 9, 2009 by andrew- Filed Under Israel | Leave a Comment
Ha’aretz, in a story making the rounds, informs us that the Israeli prime minister either actively wants to piss off his country’s most valuable allies or is too dumb to keep something this inflammatory from leaking to the press:
To appreciate the depth of his paranoia, it is enough to hear how [Netanyahu] refers to Rahm [...]
HOLY FUCKING CRAP
Posted on July 8, 2009 by andrew- Filed Under FOX News | 1 Comment
Umm, wow?
Wednesday Comics Reminder
Posted on July 7, 2009 by andrew- Filed Under Wednesday Comics, comic books | Leave a Comment
I hate to make this sound like I’m doing an unpaid advertisement, but in the unlikely event that I grabbed anyone’s interest with my earlier post on the subject, the first issue of Wednesday Comics comes out tomorrow. I remain hugely enthusiastic about the project and I want to make sure you all get a [...]
Happy “Your Marriage Is Now Recognized” Day!
Posted on July 7, 2009 by andrew- Filed Under DC, gay marriage | Leave a Comment
This is a big day for a lot of District residents. Congratulations.
I’m almost certain that we’ll be performing same-sex marriages, in addition to recognizing them, before the year is out. It may be a battle, but it’s one I’m quite certain the good guys can win.
I do love this city.
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Please Don’t Go Away
Posted on July 6, 2009 by andrew- Filed Under 2012 Republican primary, Sarah Palin | Leave a Comment
Why haven’t I said anything about the Palin resignation yet? Well, I’ve been in a state of mourning since Friday afternoon. I’ve been looking forward to the 2012 Palin for President campaign with just as much enthusiasm as I’ve been looking forward to the 2012 Avengers movie, and I’m absolutely horrified by the idea that [...]
Earbud Bleg
Posted on July 6, 2009 by andrew- Filed Under iPhone | 1 Comment
I managed to make it ten months, which is longer than I usually go with earbuds, but I finally killed the pair that came with my iPhone. Does anyone know where I can get a good deal on some new ones, given that I want an iPhone-compatible (ie, built-in microphone) model? I care about sound [...]
Just Looking At The Pictures Is Making Me Want To Lie Down Safely On The Floor Of My First Floor Apartment.
Posted on July 2, 2009 by andrew- Filed Under Chicago | Leave a Comment
This is either the worst idea ever or the coolest idea ever, depending on how you feel about being suspended over 1,300 feet above the ground in a small glass container. Personally, I’m not a big fan, but I can see how you might differ.
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