As David Lo Pan once said, "I must sacrifice you. But I love you and I need you." I'm sure we can all sympathize.
Living Lohan, on the other hand, is an entirely different matter.
These damn shows keep popping up. I don't know who the fuck thinks people care, but we, the viewing public, just keep watching anyway. We sit glassy-eyed and drunk, drooling on ourselves, remote at the ready like a gunslinger trying to relive the great old days. When the west was wild and the game still meant something. When the Real World was, for all intents, real and Ozzie was still picking feathers from his teeth.
Now we have every useless ass with an agent and a tenuous connection to fame getting a half hour a week to show us what wonders their lives are. I'll admit, some of these people are surprisingly worthwhile and some of the shows have had moments (if only briefly). Nevertheless, on the whole, the concept is wearing thin.
Somehow I found myself watching two guys named Corey, some girl named Denise and a trio of Lohans. The Lohans made me more edgy than any of it. Most likely due to having just watched the wreck that is Corey Haim trying to find something, anything, to grab onto.
I found myself wondering if the next young Lohan is going to make it through this early life without those same kind of scars. While the Lohan Matriarch seems to think she is navigating this all quite well (I'm not even going to dig into what happened to the first version), I am not so sure. What I saw was a 14-year-old, in Las Vegas, trying to cut an album with some casino owners, all the while being followed around by cameras whose purpose is to bare her "reality" to the public via this TV show. I saw crying and immaturity and a sincere desire to be a 14-year-old and not be stuck inside all day with a microphone.
I suppose it's not the worst thing to happen to a teen girl in this great America. I do wonder how 14-year-olds became such masters of their own domain though. If I got to do whatever the hell I wanted at that age, I wouldn't be the man I am today. But, perhaps I would be less angry.
Tune in next week as Denise Richards does nothing of interest, one of the Corey's goes off the deep end and Mrs Lohan continues to make dreams come true.
6.30.2008
6.20.2008
What a Croc
Not exactly. An alligator. What the hell? This place is really starting to fall into the realm of the insane.
A 4.5 foot gator was found in the South Branch of the Chicago River (I know the article says 5, but the Fox News chick just told me it was only 4.5 and from the footage, I would guess that to be close to accurate).
I guess I'll need some heavy artillery next time I go kayaking. The snapping turtles are bruisers, but they're like 100 years old and move about as fast as the concrete-shod corpses in there.
A 4.5 foot gator was found in the South Branch of the Chicago River (I know the article says 5, but the Fox News chick just told me it was only 4.5 and from the footage, I would guess that to be close to accurate).
I guess I'll need some heavy artillery next time I go kayaking. The snapping turtles are bruisers, but they're like 100 years old and move about as fast as the concrete-shod corpses in there.
6.19.2008
And Another Thing!
I forgot to mention that Todd Stroger cast a tiebreaking vote Tuesday on a scheme to have the city borrow $150 million as a bridge until the sales tax increase kicks in and saves the world.
The short term loan may cost as much as $9 million in fees and interest and should be paid back December 2009.
However, as Commissioner Larry Suffredin mentioned in the Trib article, the commissioners weren't told exactly what the fees or interest were going to be or what bond firm would be doing the deal.
How can you asswipes vote for something like this?
The short term loan may cost as much as $9 million in fees and interest and should be paid back December 2009.
However, as Commissioner Larry Suffredin mentioned in the Trib article, the commissioners weren't told exactly what the fees or interest were going to be or what bond firm would be doing the deal.
How can you asswipes vote for something like this?
6.18.2008
Stroge Me, Stroge Me
Todd Stroger, man of the people, finally got around to facing taxpayers in the northwest 'burbs of Chicago. Stroger, the Cook County Board President, was set to explain his $426 million tax hike.
The Background: Stroger is the son of the late John Stroger, who served as the Cook County Board President for 12 years. Todd was appointed to Alderman of the 8th Ward by The Mayor to replace Lorraine Dixon, who died in office. When his father, John, suffered a stroke in March of 2006, it didn't impede his winning the Democratic nomination and despite not being seen in public since the serious stroke, we were all informed by Todd that his father was going to run for County Board President yet again. In June of 2006, John was removed from the ballot and replaced by his son, Todd, per the decision of the Cook County Democratic Central Committee. The backing of The Mayor ensured that there was no opposition to this move and Todd was eventually elected to office in November of that year.
Stroger went on to hire his cousin as CFO and give her a nice $17,000 pay raise and his 2008 budget contained the largest ever Cook County sales tax increase for the county (a 1% increase to 1.75%)
Back to the present: After ducking an April 30th town hall meeting, Stroger finally made an appearance. When confronted with concerned citizens, Stroger was unfazed. Hearing claims of distrust and disgust did nothing to sway him; nor did the talk of secession. In fact, Stroger went in front of these fine folks to say, "people don't trust politicians....and that's the way this job works." He further informed the people that some people will get "pinched" by a sales tax increase.
Perhaps Todd isn't concered that Chicago now has the highest sales tax (10.25%) of any major US city. In fact, Stroger was trying to create a cash reserve as a hedge against future tax hikes.
Now that's balls. He's doing it for the people!
You're running a government, asshole. You don't get to hold the peoples' money in reserve for when your shortsited bullshit, rampant mismanagement and greasy hiring practices result in yet another budget shortfall.
Someone has to get pinched all right.
The Background: Stroger is the son of the late John Stroger, who served as the Cook County Board President for 12 years. Todd was appointed to Alderman of the 8th Ward by The Mayor to replace Lorraine Dixon, who died in office. When his father, John, suffered a stroke in March of 2006, it didn't impede his winning the Democratic nomination and despite not being seen in public since the serious stroke, we were all informed by Todd that his father was going to run for County Board President yet again. In June of 2006, John was removed from the ballot and replaced by his son, Todd, per the decision of the Cook County Democratic Central Committee. The backing of The Mayor ensured that there was no opposition to this move and Todd was eventually elected to office in November of that year.
Stroger went on to hire his cousin as CFO and give her a nice $17,000 pay raise and his 2008 budget contained the largest ever Cook County sales tax increase for the county (a 1% increase to 1.75%)
Back to the present: After ducking an April 30th town hall meeting, Stroger finally made an appearance. When confronted with concerned citizens, Stroger was unfazed. Hearing claims of distrust and disgust did nothing to sway him; nor did the talk of secession. In fact, Stroger went in front of these fine folks to say, "people don't trust politicians....and that's the way this job works." He further informed the people that some people will get "pinched" by a sales tax increase.
Perhaps Todd isn't concered that Chicago now has the highest sales tax (10.25%) of any major US city. In fact, Stroger was trying to create a cash reserve as a hedge against future tax hikes.
Now that's balls. He's doing it for the people!
You're running a government, asshole. You don't get to hold the peoples' money in reserve for when your shortsited bullshit, rampant mismanagement and greasy hiring practices result in yet another budget shortfall.
Someone has to get pinched all right.
6.08.2008
Roll Out.....What you got in that
Egg Roll.
You can start with anything. I went with ground pork and scallops. Tossed in super heated wok with a bit of oil and cooked it up quick. Set aside.
I then took chopped up baby portabellas, green onion, yellow peppers, and minced garlic and ginger, some salt and pepper (I know this doesn't seem very Asiany, but Whateva, I do what I want!) Flash that in the wok for a few minutes. This all takes very little time.
Threw it all back together with a little soy and oyster sauce, then added sprouts over top and covered so that the sprouts would steam. Done. Set the whole mess aside. You want to let it cool and get as much of the liquid drained as possible.
Taking the wraps, place a few tablespoons of filler in the middle and roll the bottom, then flap over the sides ("envelope style") and complete the roll. Use a little whisked egg to seal it up. The packaging on the pre-made wraps always have a handy little rolling diagram (WARNING: do not use this technique to roll other things).
Back to the wok, which now has some oil ready to go. Drop those little suckers in (or better yet, slide them in carefully and don't singe your arms like some people), watch them turn golden brown. Won't take long at all. If you aren't using a deep fryer, you can turn them carefully to ensure the bottom side doesn't burn.
I like to serve with plum sauce. You can do whatever the hell you want with them.
You can start with anything. I went with ground pork and scallops. Tossed in super heated wok with a bit of oil and cooked it up quick. Set aside.
I then took chopped up baby portabellas, green onion, yellow peppers, and minced garlic and ginger, some salt and pepper (I know this doesn't seem very Asiany, but Whateva, I do what I want!) Flash that in the wok for a few minutes. This all takes very little time.
Threw it all back together with a little soy and oyster sauce, then added sprouts over top and covered so that the sprouts would steam. Done. Set the whole mess aside. You want to let it cool and get as much of the liquid drained as possible.
Taking the wraps, place a few tablespoons of filler in the middle and roll the bottom, then flap over the sides ("envelope style") and complete the roll. Use a little whisked egg to seal it up. The packaging on the pre-made wraps always have a handy little rolling diagram (WARNING: do not use this technique to roll other things).
Back to the wok, which now has some oil ready to go. Drop those little suckers in (or better yet, slide them in carefully and don't singe your arms like some people), watch them turn golden brown. Won't take long at all. If you aren't using a deep fryer, you can turn them carefully to ensure the bottom side doesn't burn.
I like to serve with plum sauce. You can do whatever the hell you want with them.
It's not ice cream, you heathen
It gelato, dammit. Chocolate-Cinnamon Gelato with hunks of toffee bar up in that bizzatch.
It just means more milk, less cream. It still tastes good, don't freak out.
I used this Epicurious recipe. Pretty simple...whisk sugar, cornstarch, fresh ground cinnamon and salt in a saucepan. Add milk until dissolved. Boil, remove from heat and add in the chocolate until it is smooth and melted. Put that bowl over ice and add the small amount of cream and stir often for about a half hour. Then do your thing with some kind of ice cream maker contraption, adding the chunks of toffee at the very end. Freeze that shite.
It just means more milk, less cream. It still tastes good, don't freak out.
I used this Epicurious recipe. Pretty simple...whisk sugar, cornstarch, fresh ground cinnamon and salt in a saucepan. Add milk until dissolved. Boil, remove from heat and add in the chocolate until it is smooth and melted. Put that bowl over ice and add the small amount of cream and stir often for about a half hour. Then do your thing with some kind of ice cream maker contraption, adding the chunks of toffee at the very end. Freeze that shite.
Chicago Blues Festival 2008
I took some time on Friday to get over to the Chicago Blues Festival. It's always an enjoyable experience. It's free to show up. The music is good. Though probably a tad on the costly side, there is still good food (I don't really need to hear from anyone that thinks otherwise, we are all aware that someone hates BBQ, someone else thinks it's too expensive, a third knucklehead hates festival food, fried food, having to buy tickets, whatever). Best of all, it is usually fairly crowd-free, especially before the weekend. Add in the rain on Friday and it's like a family 'q.
I walked over to the park around noon. It hadn't started raining yet, but some unusual foresight on my part resulted in me bringing my jacket. It would come in handy when the sky opened up just as I got to the festival grounds, centered at Columbus and Jackson behind the Art Institute.
Besides rain there was Little Willie Littlefield, the Joe B Band, and Afrissippi.
Joe B Band playing at the Gibson stage.
A clip of Afrissippi in action. No bitching. I know it sucks. Taken with an Olympus 1030 SW. My thumb is a camera hog and it was f'n hard to hold that little damn camera steady in the rain.
I walked over to the park around noon. It hadn't started raining yet, but some unusual foresight on my part resulted in me bringing my jacket. It would come in handy when the sky opened up just as I got to the festival grounds, centered at Columbus and Jackson behind the Art Institute.
Besides rain there was Little Willie Littlefield, the Joe B Band, and Afrissippi.
A few shots of the fountain.
The blues bus. Look at all the orbs! No way, that's not rain you haters.
The wind blew over a few trash bins. Gull bonus!
Nobody's home.
Food row.
Rising Star Fife and Drum featuring the Thomas Family.
Joe B Band playing at the Gibson stage.
Little Willie Littlefield at the US Cellular stage.
You can see Willie went without the shoe, which is now sitting on the piano in front of him.
Afrissippi at the Mississippi Juke Joint stage, sponsored by the state of Mississippi. They wailed.
A rockin' chess party out in front of the Art Institute.
A clip of Afrissippi in action. No bitching. I know it sucks. Taken with an Olympus 1030 SW. My thumb is a camera hog and it was f'n hard to hold that little damn camera steady in the rain.
6.06.2008
There's a tear in my beer...
What the hell happened to Ed McMahon? He done got broke and is gettin rousted, that what.
McMahon went on Larry King Live (hell, yeah! my favorite) to talk about his money woes. He is $644,000 in arrears on his $4.8 million home loan. Ed claims to have had the house on the market for 2 years and hasn't been able to move it.
You can read all about how the "perfect storm" brought Ed and family down. You know how it goes, the exes all want some, the manager is trying to take a cut for doing his job, bad money management by bad people, overspending and a tragic physical setback that keeps a man from working. The average story of a working stiff getting caught up and thrown down.
Of course, this stiff has been working fairly steady since 1957. You may recall such shows as The Tonight Show, TV Bloopers and Practical Jokes, and Star Search. There was also the $7.2 million settlement in 2003 for his insurance suit regarding a flood at his home (at the time the highest published settlement to an individual claiming property damage in a mold case). However, it seems the $7 million may not have been enough to cover expenses related to the suit and at the time, the McMahons had to move out of the $23,000/month rental to reduce expenses while they were fixing the flood and mold damaged home.
Anyway, if you can spare a dime, I'm sure Ed would appreciate it.
Lest you think this is unique and not the celebrity crisis it is, note this item in the WSJ about poor Evander Holyfield facing foreclosure on his $10 million home. Maybe he didn't hear them when they called the first few times. He should get after Mike Tyson about that ear of his.
Then there's Jose Canseco. His tell-all books didn't bring in enough to allow Jose to keep paying the mortgage on his modest 7300 square foot LA home.
Hopefully, the economic stimulus package will at least give them all a little breathing room.
McMahon went on Larry King Live (hell, yeah! my favorite) to talk about his money woes. He is $644,000 in arrears on his $4.8 million home loan. Ed claims to have had the house on the market for 2 years and hasn't been able to move it.
You can read all about how the "perfect storm" brought Ed and family down. You know how it goes, the exes all want some, the manager is trying to take a cut for doing his job, bad money management by bad people, overspending and a tragic physical setback that keeps a man from working. The average story of a working stiff getting caught up and thrown down.
Of course, this stiff has been working fairly steady since 1957. You may recall such shows as The Tonight Show, TV Bloopers and Practical Jokes, and Star Search. There was also the $7.2 million settlement in 2003 for his insurance suit regarding a flood at his home (at the time the highest published settlement to an individual claiming property damage in a mold case). However, it seems the $7 million may not have been enough to cover expenses related to the suit and at the time, the McMahons had to move out of the $23,000/month rental to reduce expenses while they were fixing the flood and mold damaged home.
Anyway, if you can spare a dime, I'm sure Ed would appreciate it.
Lest you think this is unique and not the celebrity crisis it is, note this item in the WSJ about poor Evander Holyfield facing foreclosure on his $10 million home. Maybe he didn't hear them when they called the first few times. He should get after Mike Tyson about that ear of his.
Then there's Jose Canseco. His tell-all books didn't bring in enough to allow Jose to keep paying the mortgage on his modest 7300 square foot LA home.
Hopefully, the economic stimulus package will at least give them all a little breathing room.
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