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March 27, 2007
Priceless my ass
A glamorous (albeit long a food-less) night at your company's theatre - $0
Getting another wear out of the outfit purchased for the '06 company party - $0
1.5" gash in your rear driver tire from the "VIP" parking in the alley next to the theatre - $250
Posted by nikl at 08:42 AM | Comments (0)
It's good to know that some things never change
Due to a flat las night and the need for a check-up, this morning finds me in the waiting room of the Nissan service department. What do I find on the TV but the ever predictable "Today Show." Some of you may remember that I was once a loyal watcher until my despise for Katie outweighed my perpetual amusement by Al.
So this morning's unexpcted treat is like visiting old friends. Thankfully, Katie is no more, but Al's on vacation. Meredith, I can take or leave and it's not the top of the hour so Anne is nowhere to be seen. BUT, in the obligatory outside crowd pan as we head to commercial, there he is. That Guy. The thin black guy who is there EVERY DAY. And it's like he knows I'm out there, looking for him, because when the camera goes by he points and winks. And it's as though I never missed a day.
Posted by nikl at 07:32 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 25, 2007
With local honey, you'll catch fewer bugs
Did you know that by buying honey locally, you help your system fight local bugs and germs?
Thanks Kate for the grocery store item of the week!
Posted by nikl at 10:56 AM | Comments (0)
March 24, 2007
The Riches
Eddie Izzard's first US performance (when he was just doing stand-up) was produced by the small production house I worked for in the Fall of 1996. I vaguely remember him being a nightmare to manage, but I was working on our other project, so all I did was watch him be HILARIOUS. He had a bit about standing in line that was hilarious, but I can't remember it to save my life...
Anyway, The Riches is a new series on FX starring Eddie Izzard and Minnie Driver as the heads of a gypsy/con-artist family. I'm about 20 minutes into the pilot (DVRed it two weeks ago), and so far, I'm likin' it.
Especially the fact that Minnie Driver's first scene involved her with cornrows.
Posted by nikl at 08:50 PM | Comments (0)
Yes, Virginia, People That Stupid Do Roam the Earth Freely
Last night, after specifically deciding I was NOT going to stop in at Lil' Peeps for Karaoke, I stopped in at Lil' Peeps for some Karaoke.
OW had organized a group, I hadn't seen her in a week (:)) and I had to drive by anyway. I'd dressed in the morning with the possibility in mind, wearing clothes I was ok with having to wash immediately due to smoke saturation. So I was prepared to give it an hour or so.
Now, for those who don't know, let me explain that Lil' Peeps is
a. Really and truly actually called Lil' Peeps
b. A bar fashioned out of an old RAX
c. Fah rEEuhl
So, the smoke is thick, the music predictable and its your expected midwestern night out of fun. There's this guy so drunk and odd that you're not sure if he's just that trashed or if he's a little mentally challenged in which case, why is he that trashed. Either way, annoying. He gets up to do some rap version of some song that's not a rap, and in the lyrics, is the "n" word.
Now, this is actually a perfect example of the double standard set by the hip-hop community - in that it's "ok for a one of my brotha's to call me that - you know, it's a term of endearment," but if a white person says it... Ok, well, now that every suburban kid from here to there and back has embraced the hip-hop culture as their own and the advertising world has caught on, it's everywhere. And anyone who listens to hip-hop has been desensitized to the "n" word and other street terms like it. And at the same time that rappers are churning out music supporting this desensitization, we all wonder why we all "can't just get along."
Anyway, I digress. Deliverance boy wailed his way drunkenly through the song, "rapping" all the lyrics, including the "n" word. Many people kinda went "huh?" when he did it, having not realized it was the "rap" version whatever classic song it was, but then listened a little more and realized what was going on. So fine. Some of his friends must have said something to him about it, b/c seemingly out of nowhere he starts talking about how he's the "white got not afraid to say n*%%#$" - and proceeds to defend this title for the next, oh, say, 20 minutes.
It's been a long time since someone used this word in my presence, and I've been lucky enough that I can only remember twice, and both times were people who weren't so much throwing it at me, but trying it out (not that I'm sure usage matters). The first time I was too young to tell the girl just how ignorant it was of her to "try out" the word, and the second time we (some other friends were there when it happened) punished the user for months. I don't think he's uttered the word since.
There were two other black people in the bar, both on the other side of the room. This guy's group was right next to ours - not that he couldn't be heard over everything else going on. The more his friends encouraged him to shut the hell up, the more he persisted he was mad cool for being unafraid, and using the word in every exclamation.
I hadn't had a drop to drink so I was 100% clear headed. I always say that the most appropriate thing to do in situations of pure ignorance is to point and laugh as thought observing an animal in a zoo. But this guys was so far gone, and he wasn't being overtly hateful, just waving his stupidity around like a flag. Pointing and laughing was just going to make him wave harder - and louder. In fact, any sort of confrontation was just going to aggravate the situation. So I did nothing. Neither did either of the two black guys on the other side of the room (they were with different groups). In doing nothing, at first I felt as though I'd failed. I was uncomfortable, I wanted to leave. But I kept thinking about it (as he kept frickin' yelling) and I came to peace. No one that sad is worth brain space of mine.
So Virginia, yes, people this ignorant do still exist. You've got your animals in the zoo and you've got your pathetic ignorant drunk - both seen in simulated natural habitats.
Posted by nikl at 06:21 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
March 23, 2007
Hood Painting is for MIRRORS
This morning I found myself in front of a van with the company name painted on the hood. But it wasn't backwards, so in my rear view mirror, it was, well, backwards.
Is there a point in hood painting if it's not viewable in the rear view mirror? I suppose one could argue that it's effective for oncoming advertising, but how much hood reading is actually done when a vehicle's in the oncoming lane? I mean really?
Am I being too hard on these guys?
I tried to take a photo, but the light turned green.
Posted by nikl at 11:22 AM | Comments (0)
March 22, 2007
I'm Mad as Hell, and I'm Not Going To Take It Anymore...
...but since everyone else is, my anger is moot.
Three times today, in reference to three different very important subjects, I've had an intense conversation with intelligent people in which the outcome has been the same: People act up and get away with unacceptable shit because other people let them.
End.
Why? Why does society look the other way? Why does no one want to see the truth> Why do people settle for medioctrity - celebrate it even? And then those of us who get frustrated with it, who want to demand more - are we then punished with the constant proverbial brick wall because when we speak up we're "negative," "troublemakers," "naysayers," "haters," and on and on and on???
WHAT IS THE PROBLEM.
I'm tired.
Posted by nikl at 11:37 PM | Comments (0)
New Maya Vidoeo (and Album!)
New Maya Azucena Video:
And her latest newsletter says... CD Release Party on May 14!!! How excited are we for a new Maya CD? VERY excited.
Posted by nikl at 11:35 PM | Comments (0)
March 17, 2007
Even MORE Proof that the Wiz is at the Center of the Black Universe
I don't think I've ever commented on the number of childcare businesses I see in the 'hood where I work. so many, that I've started to think that it's cultural. It could be that I'm just not exposed to other slices of society so regularly and I'm totally wrong, but I just don't think so. Can someone confirm or deny this for me?
Last week, at the light at the intersection of Kingshighway and Natural Bridge, I was stopped next to this van:
At this point, I was unsure of what to do. Ever. After I got over the shock, I realized that it was, surprise, a childcare van. Luckily, I regained my senses and grabbed my camera. Just in case you can't see it really well, here's a close-up on the main logo:
If the insanity of this isn't striking you immediately, I don't really have worlds to attempt explaining it further.
Posted by nikl at 12:51 PM | Comments (0)
March 16, 2007
Whoo hoo!
I don't know why, but the fact that Disney is planning their first feature film with a black princess makes me as giddy as a little girl. I am so excited!
Posted by nikl at 02:12 PM | Comments (0)
March 13, 2007
American Idol, Season 6, Top 12
Brandon Motown, especially The Supremes, is deceptively difficult to sing. Whenever possible, leave it alone. Case. In. Point.
Melinda Randy is right. Melinda needs to maybe lay off on being flabergasted and genuine. I hate to say it too. But, maybe. As much as many people know how much I love that song, it wasn't as amazing as I imagined it. (It could be the "Idol. Home. Dead." text message I received from Randy 4 hours ago and the fact that I've been building it up since then.)
Gina I'm not sure if it's the eternal "strings with a band" issue, but the strings sound just a tad bit flat. And it's driving me insane. And again, I repeat, LEAVE THE MOTOWN ALONE. ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S WRITTEN FOR DIANA ROSS.
Sanjaya WHY DID THEY TRY TO DO HIS HAIR LIKE DIANA'S????? OMG. Why did he let them do that? Everyone around the entire world is laughing hysterically at his hair. Does he not know this? "You're very brave." HHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHA. Dead. And as Cameron says, "you have no personality either."
What do you think - that they had like 5 minutes with Diana?
Haley No words. Literally. A mess.
Phil Not so poor. Cameron thinks he looks like ET.
Lakisha Ok. This song has potential to slay us. And Diana got a nickname for her - Kiki. I liked her phrasing. Wondering if that's her or the music director... She sang it SO SO SO much better that that stoopid lame ass tramp who made me wuit watching two seasons ago.
Blake What's with the Axel F video in the background? Could Blake win it all?
Stephanie Cameron just broke it down: "She's got an advantage with this Motown thing, she's probably the most Motown of this group." I love my baby. Bustin' the knowledge. She also picked a really solid song. Go Girl. I wrote that before the the judge comments - I totally disagree! I think for those who don't know the song, it wasn't so disappointing...
Chris What the hell song is this?
Jordan I'm again and still convinced that what we hear at home and what they are hearing live is two totally different things. Tonight mostly because of the strings, but also b/c Jordan didn't seem THAT incredible to me and apparently the judges want to have her children.
OW's recap.
Posted by nikl at 11:48 PM | Comments (1)
Cute
This is cute:
Posted by nikl at 05:34 PM | Comments (0)
Back on Broadway
My girl, Stephanie March, is back on Broadway with Liev (hottie) Schreiber in Eric Bogosian's Talk Radio. It opened to rave reviews on Sunday, so if you are in NYC, go see it and give me a full report.
Stephanie gave a backstage tour to the Broadway.com crew. Check it out here.
Posted by nikl at 10:53 AM | Comments (0)
March 07, 2007
It's All About Modern Technology
Posted by nikl at 03:05 PM | Comments (0)
March 04, 2007
The Golf Ball Ceremony
Yesterday, it began:
More photos from Avery's first few days.
Posted by nikl at 11:28 AM | Comments (0)
March 02, 2007
Welcome Avery!
Welcome to the world, Mr. Avery Washington Banks!
He so looks like he already knows what's up, and he wants to know what you think about it.
He was born around 2am on March 1, 8lbs 13oz 21in and my dad says he has crazy long fingers and feet. I'm headed up to meet him after work today - many more photos to follow! :)
Posted by nikl at 08:52 AM | Comments (0)