I Haven't Complained About Commuting In A While So....

That's right, today is a complaining about commuting day. I had to schlep all of this lighting equipment with me on the bus today because I am filming some interviews for this science video I am trying to coordinate for work. So I have a huge duffel bag filled with tripods and umbrellas and I put it under my bus seat but it barely fits so I wait until everyone gets on the bus and I then I slid it next to me on the empty seat. The guy in front of me reclines his chair. I close my eyes. The bus starts movings. The guy hops up and then asks if he can sit next to me. His chair is still reclined. I lift my heavy bags to let him in and then angrily press the chair button which brings the seat in front of me back to its upright position. It is my hope that as of Jan 1, 2009, I will no longer be taking the bus or the train from NJ.

In Sacha Baron Cohen News...an unruly extra on the set of NBC's Medium? Oh, it's just Bruno.

Astroland may be saved! Hooray!

So there is this game for Nintendo Wii that is great. It's called Cooking Mama and I have plugged it on this blog before. I actually haven't played it in awhile but Mark sent me this link yesterday. Amazing stuff.

Enjoy your snow flurries today.

Bond, James Bond

I hope you had a great weekend with such wacky weather. 70 degrees one day, freezing the next. Saturday night I had dinner with friends at a trendy Jersey City eatery called Ox. The atmosphere was nice and the food was very good although the portions were on the small side. I ordered a mixed green salad with roasted asian pears,blue cheese, pomegranate seeds tossed with a champagne vinaigrette. Very tasty. For my main course, I chose the crab and shrimp roll which was delicious. After dinner, we rushed to the 9:00pm screening of Quantum of Solace, the new James Bond flick. It was crowded and we were forced to sit in the front row. The chase scenes were hard to watch that close up but I didn't have a problem with the other scenes. Despite hearing a bad review of the film yesterday, I very much enjoyed the movie. There were things I didn't like and I really wish there were more scenes like the Opera scene in this film. The Opera scene was by far my favorite scene. Gone are the gadgets, the one-liners...Bond is out of control.

More bad, late-night karaoke:

Rate this performance at The Sims On Stage

I've been seeing so many commercials for Wii Music, I'm wondering if it's any good.

Time to start getting ready for Thanksgiving..

Google Video Chat Has Arrived

I'm sure by now, many of you Gchat addicts have seen a little green video camera icon next to your buddies. Soon you will be video chatting with those buddies while you check your email. I was checking my email last night and all of a sudden Greg called me on video chat from Brooklyn. It was a lot of fun and I got him to give me a tour of the apartment. Adrienne was there as well which was a pleasant surprise. I encourage you to join Google Video!

Bye Bye Nude Seattle Parks!

I'd like to go check out the Showtime house.

Short post today. Have a great weekend! Another fun video for you to ponder:

Behind on my movie watching

I've become very busy lately and haven't had time to catch up on any movies. I had the same two Netflix DVDs sitting on my desk for about a month now. I'm planning on seeing Quantum of Solace this weekend however. I never miss a Bond movie. I have also not had time to watch any trailers for upcoming films like Up, Pixar's next flick which looks incredible.



MadTv is cancelled. FrankTV is sooooooo bad.

Another freaky humanoid robot...



I really want a copy of the Fake New York Times...

Attention all CONEY ISLAND FANS!! Be sure to read this document put together by the Center for an Urban Future where they asked thinkers from a variety of fields to share their vision for Coney Island.

It's Thursday so that means it's time for the CLIP OF THE WEEK!!! Yee-ha!

Online Tutorials

I got my flu shot yesterday and because I couldn't roll up my sleeve high enough I got to step behind the special curtain. It was a huge unnecessary production. I like to compare the experience of getting a flu shot at NYU to the Drive-Through window at McDonalds the only difference being everyone getting the flu shot was ordering the same thing. So there was a line of people for one woman with a needle. You step up, she sticks you, and then you move on. Everyone behind you is watching and impatiently awaiting their turn. Would you like ketchup in the bag? Well my order took a little longer because I had to step behind the curtain and everyone saw me waiting back there. It was like I was the Wizard of Flu-Oz. She told me to scream out when I was ready. Um, all I had to do was unbutton my shirt a little and pull down my sleeve. She was acting like I had to go get ready for a colonoscopy. I mean, really. Then of course she says, "I'm not used to doing this without my table next to me". Oh just wonderful lady. It was very quick and then I got my dum dum lollipop and was on my way. If you're getting a flu shot, try to get behind the curtain.

**Cue music so this transition isn't as awkward**

You can find a tutorial on anything on YouTube. Really. Last night I was curious to find out how to create a light saber effect using Final Cut Express. Sure enough, there is a kid who looks like he is 16 years old and has all of these Final Cut Tutorial videos. It's quite funny. This kid should be outside playing ball with his friends. I then started checking out all of the other video tutorials. I learned how to use chroma key, how to clone and how to create other effects. It got me thinking about what other types of tutorials people are posting.

For example, here's one on how to parallel park:



Okay, okay...I could go on all day posting these. Here's one more:



Now if only there's a tutorial on how to prevent Pink Eye. It's been going around the office and since the air circulation is poor I'm afraid I might be next. So far, 4 people have caught it.

I'm sorry, I just thought this story was funny, only because it was on a Virgin train.

Nice...how to avoid the monsters.

Well, have a great day! Happy Hump Day!

Boaz Almighty

Today's blog post is dedicated to Mr. Boaz Frankel. My good friend Boaz will be starting a new adventure and I'm sure it's going to be excellent. Now I just need to figure out a way to take some vacation days so that I can somehow be involved. I miss having him as a creative partner in crime. Anyway, I have a special treat for you. I watched this numerous times because it is just so excellent. I hope you will do the same.


Un-Road Trip: The Trailer (with Matt Lauer) from Boaz Frankel on Vimeo.

House Hunter

Nothing is ever as simple as it looks on TV, period. I enjoy watching House Hunters, an HGTV show that follows around a buyer looking for a new home. The real estate agent shows them three places and one of them is bought by the buyer. Of course the whole thing is staged but it makes for entertaining television. I usually find myself saying, "oh I could get that in Ohio for that price?...wowwww" or guessing what the future homeowner is not going to like about the place: "I'm not crazy about the wall to wall carpet in the kitchen". The reason I bring up house hunters is because I am currently one. I spent most of the weekend trekking through new jersey looking at many apartments. I must admit, it's fun but after awhile you just want to find the right place.

Only in New Jersey will a councilman pee on a crowd in public. Ooooo...urine big trouble mister.

I introduce to you the nation's first transgender mayor.

Don't like avocado? Try banana guacamole!

Banana Guacamole
4 ripe bananas
8 cloves garlic, minced
1 small hot pepper, seeds and ribs removed, minced (or to taste)
2 tbsp red palm oil
1 tbsp minced fresh parsley
juice of 2 limes
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Mash the ingredients together with a mortar and pestle. Adjust seasonings to taste.

You could blend them instead if you prefer, but using the cruder tools gives you a chunkier, more satisfying texture.

Crazy Cat:


Have a great day!