Whose Duck Is That?

A few things I'd like to put out there this morning. First, when I go to the gym and there are 16 open machines, why is it that someone always comes and uses the one right next to me? Does this happen to other people or just me? Maybe the guy thought if he stood next to me he could pretend he was racing me.

The second thing is that I feel bad about something that happened this morning on the PATH. What would you do in this situation. I got myself a great seat and was reading when a woman comes on and stands to the side of me. I quickly glanced up and thought she looked pregnant but was not at all sure. I thought about just offering my seat but what if she wasn't pregnant? Then it would have been an awkward 15 minute ride unless she just thought I was being polite and offering my seat to a lady. I probably should have gotten up but I didn't, I continued reading. So pregnant woman on the PATH, if you are reading this I'm sorry.

Aflack...



You know what? I'll wear tight fitting shirts, put on an accent, and judge the singers for $100 mil.

The Obama Deli is now Open.

Well I missed this...but be sure to read the full profile of Nora Ephron in the current issue of The New Yorker.

The bees are buzzin in the trees making honey just for me.

Lauren, this is for you...in Arabic.

Mahna Mahna, Do Do, Do Do Do.

I hope you had a wonderful weekend and are looking forward to July 4th, a day that I love because it brings back memories of our annual tailgating picnic in Vermont and watching the fireworks set against shadowed mountains. I won't be in Vermont this year however, so I better pick up some sparklers to celebrate something else that happened July 4th weekend last year. Something that when I look back now, was a blessing. It taught me a lot about life, love and lead to my meeting new and amazing people and working on some very exciting projects.

But why wait until next weekend for fireworks?



As a tribute to Billy Mays, I'd like to post this again. This guy was an incredible salesman. He could really sell anything.



It's true, Boaz Frankel is back in Portland and the Un-Road Trip has come to an end. Congrats Boaz! When do you start your trip around the world in a house fitted with thousands of balloons?

I heard from some friends that they went to church yesterday and saw none other than Jim McGreevy. Other notables around town are Danny Aiello, Jon Corzine and Eli Manning.

I re-watched the Where The Wild Things Are trailer the other day. I cannot wait for this film.

Anchors Away

I was watching the 6:00 news last night right when they announced that it was confirmed that Michael Jackson died. I never watch CBS news but I had it on and the anchor was so emotional at one point she was supposed to read this story on Subway Schmutz and she got all flustered and said, "I'm not going to say that." I have it recorded and hope to get it posted. The anchors then apologized saying that the Michael Jackson news was throwing them off. Then the female anchor started to get really emotional and she was basically crying. I'm all for showing emotion but I thought anchors for the most part were to leave their emotions at home? It was really interesting to see an anchor get this upset on television.

Well, I know one guy who is going to be bringing in some big money today:



Okay texters, listen up. Texting and driving is worse than drinking and driving.

Is that a lighthouse on the beach or are you just hap...oh nevermind.

Bruno was on Conan last night and hilarity ensued. I'm looking forward to seeing the movie but Borat is still my favorite character.

Facebook:The Movie. Twitter the tv series.

It's Friday so I hope you have something fun planned for the weekend.

Coming up, on Afghan Star

Last night we screened a movie called Afghan Star and I had the pleasure of meeting the director, Havana Marking and the executive producers, Mike Lerner and Martin Herring. They were just wonderful and the movie is a must see.

After 30 years of war and Taliban-rule, pop culture has returned to Afghanistan. Afghan Star - a Pop Idol-style TV series – is searching the country for the next generation of music stars. Over 2000 people are auditioning and even three women have come forward to try their luck. The organizers, Tolo TV, believe with this programme they can ‘move people from guns to music’.

Afghan Star was a huge hit at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival and walked away with both the World Cinema Audience Award: Documentary and the World Cinema Directing Award: Documentary.

If you are in NYC, the film opens this Friday at the Cinema Village and Havana will be there for a Q&A on Friday June 26 and Sat June 27.

Enjoy the trailer and tell all of your friends about this gem of a film.




Time to meet the world's youngest smoker...

Umm, we've all had a stuck tic tac but I had no idea people collected them.

Stoned Wallabies are making crop circles? Where's M.Night?

I'll leave you with this:

Hog Wild from Nathan Clarke on Vimeo.

Up, Up and Away

I had the chance to finally see UP in 3D last night and thinking it was just going to be another Danny Deckchair, I wasn't exactly sure what to expect. I really enjoyed it. There were moments in the film that I feel were too drawn out and could have been edited down more, but to me, this Pixar film evokes strong emotions. It deals with death and everlasting love, youth, achieving your dreams, among others. It's also the first time a hero (with a walker) and a villain are over the age of 65. I highly recommend it.

I thought it would only be appropriate for me to look up some balloon related videos on YouTube to see what was out there and if indeed, people have tried lifting heavy objects with helium balloons.







Yikes!

If you have or had kids, would you leave them at the Ikea Day Care? Well according to this article, mothers and fathers go to Ikea for some alone time. They drop their kids off at "Smaland" and then relax on a couch and enjoy savory Swedish meatballs and Lingonberry juice.

Do you want to have a tea party or drinks with Anne Hathaway? If so, you can! Ebay currently is auctioning Anne off so be sure to get your bids in. I met Anne a few times back in High School when she came to see our productions because she was dating a friend of mine at the time. She was very pleasant and nice. Happy Bidding!

A walking star tour of Central Park? Who wants to do it with me? Oh, come on. It might be fun.

Heeeeere's Johnny

It's only appropriate that I title this blog "Heeeeeeere's Johnny" because beloved latenight sidekick, Ed McMahon, has passed away. Whether he was performing silly stunts on Carson or getting you to fill out those pesky Publishers Clearing House mail entries, he had a warm and glowing television presence.


And now Evan's tasteless joke of the day: Bill Clinton agreed to speak at an 8th grade graduation at a Harlem Middle School to graduates clad in blue graduation robes, when he was finished he looked over at the graduates, squinted and said "Monica?" *rimshot*

A group of wealthy Village residents are going to hire a security force to keep riff-raff out of the newly refurbished Washington Square Park.

Nothing says nature like the new iwoodpodificouldpod.

If this doesn't make you fall in love with NYC, I don't know what will.

I'm in a very good mood this morning, had a great night and am looking forward to tonight.

Honey, if you keep on digging you're going to hit China....

I don't know how I missed the photos from Tim Burton's Alice In Wonderland flick. Luckily, Adam is on it.




Have a great day!

God of Small Things from elo | meno | pe on Vimeo.

Post 767

Pop open the Champagne because this is post #767. A great number.

The weekend was one filled with rain and relaxation. I was feeling under the weather (pun intended) by the end of last week and took the weekend to catch up on sleep and just relaxing. I was able to get some editing done, watched a few movies one of which, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, made me tear up, and was able to do some reading. All in all an excellent weekend.

Mondays can be hectic, the start of a new week. So while I'm on the topic of relaxation, why not take a moment to do some deep breathing. Hit play and then breathe away. Get your entire office to do it. Why not.



Ok, feeling relaxed and calm? Good, I'll move on.

My friend Amanda who is an extremely talented animator, works at JibJab and always lets us know when the new hot JibJab masterpiece is online. You may have already seen it but here it is for those of you who haven't:



Are you feeling sick? You may after reading this.

Only in Miami does an 83 year-old-man land a plane on the expressway.

The Mermaid Parade took place in Coney Island on Saturday with Harvey Keitel presiding as King Neptune. I'm honored that they have asked me to be King next year and haven't given them an answer yet as I'm not sure whether it's something I want to add to my resume.



Stories like this one really get my morning off to a great start. Okay, sit down, close your eyes and pretend you are skiing.