IRON MAN

Finally.

Snail Mail

Does anyone remember these? If you were born after 1970 you weren't old enough to experience these educational gems that were sent to you through the mail. Mid 70's were around the time they were showing up in the mailboxes of America. They were packs of 4x6 cards having to to with various topics, sports, animals gardening, food recipes, Olympic hopefuls(?)...They would arrive wrapped in cellophane in packets of 20 or so and with them was a order form used to obtain more packets in a series of these cards,...on the off chance you had completely taken leave of your senses.

The 70's was a funny time, the 60's was renewal, awareness, the 80's was self importance, the awakening of technology, at least we cared, granted it was plastic shirts with about 11 zippers on them but at least we cared alittle. The 70's, Americans stopped thinking all together I think. We suffered oppressive temperatures outdoors while wearing cool, breathable 3 piece polyester leisure suits, all the while letting heat escape through our heads by growing a pound of hair and wrapping it with sideburns the size of a small cat.

The information super highway was a dirt road. The time it would take for you to agree to receive more of these cards,...filling out the order form, putting your check inside, mailing them (I remember you had to use your own envelope), the company receiving your order, processing it, then sending them to you, would probably take at least a month to..whenever. What's hilarious is I remember my parents decided to not order any of these cards, and about 8 or 9 months later they sent us the rest of the complete set!,...like nobody wanted that crap and they were just dumping them! Today you can get the same information contained in a complete series of these cards in the time it takes to click a mouse a few times. Seconds compared to months.

Now, it's not fair to compare what was available to us back then to what is available to us today. It's not fair, but it is fun.

The Swell Season/Bonnaroo

Reminder: THE SWELL SEASON Glenn Hansard and Marketa Irglova will be at Bonnaroo JUNE 12-18. Shows for Raleigh, Richmond, Baltimore, New York, Pa, ARE ALL SOLD OUT! See Bonnaroo/The Swell Season.

Lenticular

Lenticular clouds (altocumulus standing lenticularis) are stationary lens-shaped clouds formed at high altitudes. Their specific features cause them to often be mistaken as UFO's. Where stable moist air flows over a mountain or a range of mountains, a series of large scale standing waves may form on the downwind side. Lenticular clouds sometimes form at the crest of these waves. Please read the complete excerpt at Wikipedia.com.

Tackle Box

I first heard of Tackle Box in Georgetown D.C. from the local food section of our paper and it got some pretty good reviews, then I read it has a Lobster Roll on the menu and I immediately starting working out in my head a travel route and my secret parking spots near Wisconsin and M St.

Tackle Box opened two weeks ago and is a New England-style shore shack eatery conceptualized by PH Restaurant groups Chef Barton Seaver (who I met there with his chocolate lab puppy in hand) and New Orleans Executive Chef Robert Bechtold. They first opened the up-scale restaurant Hook on M street, and then Tackle Box right next door. The kitchen shares and borrows from each other throughout service. Although Tackle Box is a casual eatery, the menu has a upscale look and taste.

I got the crispy fried oysters ($9) to start, and they were great,..super light batter around plump, briny flavor. Then on to the Lobster Roll ($19). Comes with fries and they rival Elevation Burgers olive oil fries, perfectly cooked and crispy. The Lobster Roll at first appears small for the price but fills up nicely with an app and fries. Delicious, a light, horsey/mayo sauce, hardly any filler,..on a toasted potato roll. Bring the price down to $15 and we might be talking though. They make their own blueberry pie so I had a go, a very light buttery, flaky crust surrounds a disappointing filling, should of tried their homemade brownie.

The main thing to do at TB is for $13 bucks. You pick a fish, two sides and a sauce, that's what everybody is talking about and seems to be the very popular way to go. They also offer for carry-out, complete "Lobster Pots" as many as you need. A casual, airy, dining experience right on M street. Soon opening till 4am! Fri @ Sat.

,$$$$$
,15 min lunch wait
3245 M Street NW
Washington DC
202.337.TBOX

Bugs

docs

I'm a big movie fan like everyone else, I have a movie collection that's pretty extensive, and love to collect them. I used to go to the movies as a kid by myself and watch the same film over and over again like I still do today. I appreciate the creators involved, the hard work, the massive effort it must take to bring a feature from concept to completion. I think it's the great connection that we have with the rest of the world, our ability to be the best in creating the most exciting, relevant films today.

But a third of my movie collection are documentaries. I'm a huge fan of the docs. For me it's the only real "reality" in the reality genre. The reality TV today is pretty much the most opposite of it. Some documentary films today are still very informative and do a pretty good job telling you the story it set out to tell you, but there still are alot of fancy edits, graphics and narrations. That's fine but if I can suggest to you a couple of my favorite films, documentary features that take a subject and chronologically record events over a long period of time, I think you will see the pure definition of documentation through film.


My first recommendation is Stevie.
Steve James, creator of the sprawling "Hoop Dreams", was a "big brother" to troubled kid Stevie Fielding when Fielding was a boy. Steve James sets out to see what actually happened to that boy he knew. Recording the events over a period of 4 years of his adulthood.


There is Country Boys from filmmaker David Sutherland. Filmed over 3 years, it records the stories of two boys through the ages of 15 to 18, trying to make it through in the Appalachian hills of Kentucky. And the entire 24 part series is available on line! here at pbs.org.

This type of material may not be for everyone, but if you got the time and the notion to see a story of real people that takes it's time telling itself, I think you may enjoy these two films.

MOBA not MOMA

Peter the Kitty
Oil on board by Mrs. Jackson
10.5" x 7"
Acquired from Salvation Army Thrift Store, Hyde Park by Scott Wilson

Stirring in it's portrayal of feline angst. Is Peter hungry or contemplating his place in a hungry world? The artist has evoked both hopelessness and glee with his irrational use of negative space.


"Art Too Bad To Be Ignored" It's MOBA, Museum Of Bad Art. "Art Too Funny To Be Ignored" I say, It's the worst of the worst art found mostly in the garbage and garages. The guys at MOBA also provide brilliant commentary to go along with the canvased atrocities. They have also published a book called Masterworks, a hardcover containing the classics like "Mama and Babe", "Shy Glance" and "Think Again". See the entire collection at museumofbadart.org. You'll be glad you did.

what is this?

CLICK

Walken The Walk

Conjure up your best Christopher Walken impersonation, get a video camera, maybe a couple of lights,... rehearse, shoot, and submit, you could win the best trophy EVER. Or just vote for your favorite. See Naathan Phan. Lots of Walken stuff at Walken the Walk.

"Game Fish"

If there was one piece of art available for purchase and money was no object, I would be salivating for a Gustav Klimt, or a Mark Rothko, or a Chuck Close. But that would probably involve negotiations with reps, agents, fees, license, contracts,...

Forget all that for now, the first thing I would do is call artist Larry Fuente and promise him if he would allow me to purchase his brilliant "Game Fish", I would make quick sure it would be permanently housed in an contemporary gallery of his choice. I first saw this piece at the Renwick Gallery in Washington D.C. 2 years ago, and have not gotten a nights rest since.

A link to see a close-up.

The U.S. National Arboretum

please click for full size










The Potomac Bonsai Festival was held at The National Arboretum this weekend, if you missed it, don't worry, their permanent, world-class collection rivals those in the festival. There was also a huge Bonsai sale today under tents, on the grounds. The Arboretum is kind of a wonder in this city, ask anyone who's been there. It's our version of Central Park in New York. Of course you'll have to haul your groceries all the way to New York Ave and Bladensburg road NE. But it's worth it for sure. If you ever want to get lost in almost 450 acres of winding paths and lush plant, this is your kinda place. Now that's all great, but they also have a koi pond that's just ridiculous! Thousands of koi from 3 feet long to 3 inches, at your fingertips,.. your right with them too, you don't get to see them from above, you can be along the edge of the pond 6 inches from the water, feeding them food. At times they look so numerous, you feel you could walk on top of them. Worth the trip alone. For more pics click here. The festival is through May 4 only.

RFD

If you live here in the D.C. area and your looking for the best multi-tap bar/saloon, and your tired of the BULLSHIT service and lack of "inventory" at the Brickskeller (although those crab claw appetizers at the Brick are unbelievable) get your ass down to RFD's on 7th St. NW. Although there the same owners as the Brick that doesn't account for the crappy service from their staff.

The dining room is HUGE, plenty of tables for everybody, lots of flat screens, all surrounded by a long, winding oak bar backed by a pretty cool and knowledgeable staff. Their glassed refrigerators displaying the multitude of brews is something to behold, it's the last vision I want to see before I leave this world. Their "beer book" is like a phone book for a small town. They sport over 300 different types of bottled beers, which I'm told is constantly changing and updated, and they have the areas largest tap list. Their menu has burgers, pasta and pizza, most of which have fine beers incorporated into their recipes. Heaven, right? Open till 2:30 am Fri-Sat.

810 7th St.
Washington D.C. NW
202.289.2030

Julian Schnabel

Mutli-media artist Julian Schnabels feature "The Diving Bell And The Butterfly" is now out on DVD, and I am sorry I didn't see it on a large screen in the theatre. If you loved "Before Night Falls" and "Basquiat" like I did, it's only natural you'll love the "The Diving Bell". An beautiful job in cinematography, editing, direction, and screenplay adapted from Jean Dominique Baubys "The Diving Bell And The Butterfly". Schnabel has also cast an array of the most beautiful french actresses ev-er. Touching and life affirming.

E.E. Cummings

love is a place

love is a place
& through this place of
love move
(with brightness of peace)
all places

yes is a world
& in this world of
yes live
(skilfully curled)
all worlds

KIMCHIII....IN...SPAAACE!

Well, the first South Korean born astronaut, a woman, went into space earlier this week, April 8th I think, and the reason I'm posting this today is that it took me that long to stop laughing! Now don't get me wrong, being Korean myself, there is a certain amount of pride that comes with having to be the first of your own countrymen to achieve accomplishments as great as an astronaut exploring space. I even shed a tear, not for her achievement, but because I thought I had lost a twenty dollar bill out of my wallet.

So me and a co-worker went over various hilarious racial stereotypes related to this event as we so often do, and I thought immediately if there is anything that a Korean cannot be separated from is their main culinary staple of KIMCHI. As it turns out, the astronaut actually formulated a low-fat kimchi substitute, and was transported with her! So right as we breathe there is rotten fermenting cabbage orbiting above the Ukraine. If kimchi is not consumed by Koreans every 6 hours, we feel faint, our equilibrium is thrown off, resulting in complete loss of the sense of direction.

So I came up with a conclusion that is undeniably as valid as ramen noodles are cheap. A Korean that goes into space could not possibly make it back. Put general principle aside, there are a myriad of reasons why that space capsule will be seen by millions plummeting to earth in a kimchi red fiery ball. So here are my reasons why I will be contacting NASA to halt all projects relating to missions that include korean astronauts. Now, if your Korean, this will be amusing, if not, you wont know what the hell I'm talking about.

1. Spilled kimchi juice will eat through the hull.
2. Traditional rubber, canoe-shaped shoes will get stuck in hatch.
3. Ship would never leave ground, stow-away of mother and possible marriage candidate will be discovered.
4. Korean astronaut will never go up, there are no disco's in space.
5. Will never make it to the launch, too much arguing with family at home.
6. Could not pass character evaluation, too rude.
7. Tub of tofu would swish around too much.
8. Could not wear tacky, crooked golf visor while inside space helmet.
9. Eight day mission will result in eight missed days of bad golf, can't go.
10. No church in space, can't go.
11. Space suit is not made to accomodate a koreans short, stumpy legs.
12. Weightlessness would make a Koreans face look even more round.
    
13. NASA will not allow morning wake up song to be "Forever Young".
14. Will not go, can't take pastor.

gene wilder

Dr. Frankenstein: Love is the only thing that can save this poor creature, and I am going to convince him that he is loved even at the cost of my own life. No matter what you hear in there, no matter how cruelly I beg you, no matter how terribly I may scream, do not open this door or you will undo everything I have worked for. Do you understand? Do not open this door.

Inga: Yes, Doctor.

Igor: Nice working with ya.

[Dr. Frankenstein goes into the room with The Monster. The Monster wakes up]

Dr. Frankenstein: Let me out!! LET ME OUT OF HERE!! GET ME THE HELL OUTA HERE!! What's the MATTER with you people?! I was JOKING! Don't you know a joke when you hear one? HA-HA-HA-HA. Jesus Christ, get me out of here!! Open this goddamn door or I'll kick your rotten heads in!! Mommy!!!

The Papal List

Well, the Pope is stopping by Washington D.C. April 15, The Big P, Robe Guy, Hat, God's Rottweiler. Wouldn't it be funny if they gave out thousands of paper pope hats to the crowd? Anyway, there are tons of "things you can do" while visiting our nations capital, here is a short list of things that I personally think he won't have time for.

1. Haggling over 2 lbs. of croaker at the S.E. Waterfront.
2. Throwing out the first pitch at a Nats game.
3. Pissing in a Georgetown alley.
4. Drip juice on his robe from snails in black bean sauce from chinatown's Big Wong's.
5. Shop at D.C.'s first Target store in order to put money back into the city.

6. Exit the National Aquarium muttering,.."what the hell was that?"
7. Repeatedly stand on his toes to catch a glimpse of the Hope Diamond.
8. Participate as a cook in a Civil War reenactment at historic Manassas Battlefield.
9. Show up late for Wine & Wig Wednesday at L'Enfant Cafe in Adams Morgan.
10. Paddleboat amongst dead fish along the beautiful Tidal Basin.

Magic Pen

Test your skills and application of the use of gravity, friction and inertia with Magic Pen. play Magic Pen.

Also be on the look-out for the fantastic looking freeware available soon Crayon Physics Deluxe.

open house

The Washington Nationals baseball organization here in D.C. opened up the brand new Nationals Stadium on saturday to the public as a "open house", open to whoever wanted to come and give anyone the opportunity to check everything out. If this is a way of winning over fans on the baseball "fence", IT WORKED!! They allowed anyone to explore every inch and corner of the park. I was excited, everyone on the metro was excited, great idea all around!

Every facet of the park, concessions, etc was open as if it were a playoff game, the staff was as nice as can be. The Nats/St. Loius Cardinals game was to be broadcast on the huge big screen at 1 pm, and that would be the event of the day. Perfect. Here are my observations of the new park.

1. Only about 20% of the park is confined indoors, the rest outdoors.
2. Navigating the park is very easy, point a to point b is a breeze.
3. BIG SCREEN IS HUGE! You gotta see it to believe it.
4. The food is the most expensive I have ever seen, by far.

5. There are a staggering amount of choices for grub, Red Hot & Blue, Bens Chili Bowl, Hard Times Cafe, gourmet burgers, pizza, pasta, sausage, chicken, about 10 different kind of hot dogs, including Nats Dogs (huge footlongs), desserts, and more desserts.
6. If you want to get any of the premier eats, you have to wait, they havent figured that out yet.

7. The suites are sweet! Only for the ultra rich.
8. Ultra kid friendly, state of the art video batting cages, Playstation flatscreen arcade, all free, no coins needed.
9. More bathrooms than...well everywhere you turn there are huge bathrooms.

10. Did I say the concessions were $$? Smallest beer 16.oz. $6.75.
11. I counted about 10 bars/pubs, half of them outside, all of them with great views, numerous flat screens, all serving food.
12. And last but not least Crabcake sandwiches.

Click here to see pics.

2008 ny comic con

Appleseed Ex Machina, Manga 2008

the ny comic con is here, held this year at the jacob javits center in midtown manhattan, april 18-20, the biggest and the baddest, so i've heard, never been, i went to the dc comic con in 2005 and the theme was,..will you be going to the ny comic con?, it is the comic books largest stage, it draws biggest names, my friend here in dc will be attending, he had made plans beginning in january. stan lee will be receiving an achievement award (maybe for his dramatic work on who wants to be a superhero?,..uhh.. no). shake hands with virtually anybody who is anybody in the business. anime, manga also getting and more of the ink they deserve at the comic cons, oh and the real reason to show up this year? ...plenty of your favorite j-pop.


Marvel Comics 2008

rotating snake

your own Bollywood feature

Create a piece of film you can share and cherish forever, add your own words to India's classics at Bombay TV.

Globe Trekker traveler Adela Ucar

The seat of your pants travel doc Globe Trekker is kicking it's 7th season on PBS, it's already a pretty easy watch with travelers Megan McCormick and Justine Shapiro. It just got a lot easier with traveler/surfer Adela Ucar. Check local listings or go to pbs.org

big thing

you know when you get that pizza and it's not cut all the way through...

gratuitous pulp fiction dialogue

                      LANCE
        Now this is Panda, from Mexico.
        Very good stuff.  This is Bava,
        different, but equally good.  And
        this is Choco from the Hartz
        Mountains of Germany.  Now the
        first two are the same, forty-five
        an ounce -- those are friend prices
        -- but this one...
             (pointing to the Choco)
        ...this one's a little more
        expensive.  It's fifty-five.  But
        when you shoot it, you'll know
        where that extra money went.
        Nothing wrong with the first two.
        It's real, real, real, good shit.
        But this one's a fuckin' madman.

                   VINCENT
        Remember, I just got back from
        Amsterdam.

                   LANCE
        Am I a nigger?  Are you in
        Inglewood?  No.  You're in my
        house.  White people who know the
        difference between good shit and
        bad shit, this is the house they
        come to.  My shit, I'll take the
        Pepsi Challenge with Amsterdam shit
        any ol' day of the fuckin' week.

                   VINCENT
        That's a bold statement.

Tarbouch

I've been coming to Tarbouch in Arlington Va for about 4 years now, it's a kebab joint, there are a million of them, I've tried the more notable places like Medina in Woodbridge, the Moby Dick's chain, Athens in Chevy Chase, along with tens of other places, and there all good, I mean no one's going to call the authorities on you if you grill tender ground lamb in onions, parsley, and cumin. And I could very well eat at the many other killer eateries in Arlington when I'm down that way, The Italian Store sits across the the street,..but what keeps me and many other patrons coming back is,..what else,... their food is prepared with ultra fresh ingredients, and it's prepared simply, not overdone. Pictured is the chicken and beef Kafta with flavorful chick peas, micro greens, jasmine rice and naan.

It's mediterranean so they have the Kafta, Kabab, Mezza, (try their grape leaves!). And most anything they make, they will put in a wrap or a sandwich for you , that's usually all I see people eat there when I go,..everything good in a portable package. They also have a respectable vegetarian menu too. One other note about Tarbouch, they serve you this tasty meal , but in uneccessarily ENORMOUS portions. No one will ever have to convince me to eat at Tarbouch at any time. Open till 3am Fri and Sat.
,$$$$$
,10 min lunch wait
3110 Lee Highway
Arlington VA
703.528.9200

Kite Day

The 42nd annual Smithsonian Kite Festival today, a billion people, along wih a billon kites down at the national mall on a very clear crisp day,.. today marked the beggining of the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival here in D.C., and the kites are always a perfect visual spectacle to go along with the 2 week long events. This the 4th straight kite festival for me and every time there was at least a 15 mph wind from the west.

The Force Unleashed

Looks like a goody, Star Wars The Force Unleashed for X360. Spring 08. About time, instead of just blasting storm troopers, we get to throw them across the room.



forceunleashed.org
gametrailers
gamespot
teamxbox
thegamereviews
ign

Cleaning Windows

...Whats my line?
Im happy cleaning windows
Take my time
Ill see you when my love grows
Baby dont let it slide
Im a working man in my prime
Cleaning windows...

SeeqPod - Playable Search

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