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Zeo Endorsements for Election 2010

2010-10-27T12:55:00.000-07:00

Leave it to politics to make me write on here for the first time in months.

Here's my overall feeling on this election: I'm over it.

I'm over the Republicans spewing their hate speech and intentionally blocking anything from going forward.

I'm over Democrats not fighting hard enough to do what we elected them to do.

I'm tired of people bitching about taxes.

I'm tired of the gays bitching about Don't Ask Don't Tell and bashing the President. (He obviously has nothing more important on his agenda right now of course. Wars, a fragile economy, an extremely divisive political climate, etc. I know patience is wearing thin, but if you were leading a country of 300 million, you'd have to prioritize. He hasn't betrayed us. He hasn't turned his back on us. He is trying to right the ship that is America and I'm sorry, that involves more than just the gays. Go ahead and vote Republican if you want gays, shoot yourself in the foot. Just don't complain about it then.)

Whew. Okay now that that's out of the way, let's talk about California. This state is F**ked up, we all know that. The legislature is ineffective, unemployment is high and everything's out of whack. If it were up to me, I'd remove the entire legislature and put new people in there. But, it's not, so I have to vote for what I can (as should you).

As I stated two years ago, the proposition system needs to be eliminated completely. It's ridiculous the things that are up for a vote this year. True, some of them could make positive changes, but some are just plain wrong and funded by evil coroporations. It's an abused system, and it needs to be reigned in or eliminated completely.

So here's what I'm voting for, in simple terms:

Governor: Jerry Brown. I'm sure Meg Whitman is a nice woman, but the way she's run her campaign, her stances on social issues, and the fact that she's spent over $120 million dollars of her own money into this campaign, instead of using that money to hire workers who could contribute to the system, all turn me off.

Lieutenant Governor - Gavin Newsom. Mostly because California needs someone who will shake things up and take some risks.

State Senator - Barbara Boxer. It's not that I think Babs is still the best choice for California, but Carly Fiorina would be worse. This woman (who I'm sure is very nice and I know she was just in the hospital for an infection and I hope she's alright) has run the most disgusting campaign in California this season. Her ads annoy me, her stances on the issues are very right wing, and, like Meg Whitman, her attempt to buy this election shouldn't be allowed to stand. Our country will be in serious trouble if she's put in office.

Proposition 19 - Legalizing Marijuana - NO. It's not that I don't think marijuana should be legal, but this proposition is messed up. It leaves it to local governments to regulate and tax it, and enforce it as well. So you could have vast inconsistencies between places like Los Angeles and Santa Monica. I don't think the financial benefits will be as large as the proponents say it is, because the taxes raised will be used for enforcement and regulating marijuana. There needs to be a statewide uniformity to this or it just becomes a bunch of red tape.

Proposition 20 - Redistricting of Congressional Districts - YES. In 2008 we passed a law moving redistricting out of the legislatures hands, so that they couldn't draw their own lines to preserve their jobs. This simply expands the power to the US House of Representative districts as well. Politicians shouldn't be allowed to draw their own districts, it's one reasons things don't change.

Proposition 21 - $18 Vehicle License Fee to Fund State Parks - NO. Originally I was for this, but reading up on it I changed my mind. Though I think state parks are important and are grossly underfunded, I don't think locking in this money for only use in state parks is a good idea. That money needs to go to education and transportation before it goes to state parks.

Proposition 22 - Prohibits the State from Borrowing from Local Government and Transportation Funds. - NO. Look, the California budget is messed up because THE VOTERS keep approving limits on what the money can be used for. Part of the yearly budget problem is that a certain amount of the General Fund keeps being locked up by the voters for certain things, so that is money that can't be used elsewhere, forcing the state to borrow from other places. Limiting that will just make the situation worse.

Proposition 23 - Suspends Implementation of Pollution Control - NO. NO NO NO. This is a no-brainer. California has very aggressive pollution control laws that should not be repealed. The proponents say it's temporary, that it's just until unemployment reaches 5.5% for a full year. Which means if it goes up to 5.6% for even a week, the suspension continues. This would be a serious step backward. Plus it's funded by oil companies, and I'm just anti-anyone who tries to use our state like this.

Proposition 24 - Repeals tax breaks for businesses - NO. Though we need more tax revenue, this seems to only affect a few multi-state companies, and as it is they are moving elsewhere because of California's business climate (I do agree with Meg Whitman on that!). Plus I don't think voters should be dealing with taxes. We are not informed enough. That's why we elect people to deal with it for us.

Proposition 25 - Changes vote requirement to pass the budget from 2/3 to simple majority - YES. Part of the reason the budget never gets passed on time is because it needs to please so many people who have their own selfish interests at heart. This will help streamline the process and get things done more efficiently in Sacramento, which is sorely needed. Tax increases would still require a 2/3 vote.

Proposition 26 - Redefines certain fees to be labeled as taxes, which would require a 2/3 vote to pass - NO. As I said before, California voters should not be involved in taxes. Labeling fees on alcohol, cigarettes, polluters, etc., as "taxes" would make it harder for government to dissuade people and companies from doing things. Everyone agrees cigarettes are bad, so there's a fee for that to help pay for the medical care those people will need in the future. Companies that make lead based paint are hit with a fee to incentivize making non-lead based paints. This is not THE PEOPLE'S domain. We should not be defining things.

Proposition 27 - Eliminates State Commission on Redistricting - NO. This basically undoes what we voted for in 2008, giving redistricting control back to the legislators who we don't trust enough to have in office. It would just allow them to keep drawing bizarrely shaped districts to fit their constituency so that their jobs will stay intact.

There I'm done. I can't wait for Wednesday when I don't have to listen to political ads on the morning news anymore. MAKE SURE YOU VOTE. It's your civic duty. Vote for whoever and whatever you want, but just vote. If you don't, don't complain to me if you don't like what happens!

Tales from Chez Zeo - Birthday Barbecue

2010-06-21T17:17:00.000-07:00

Life can be so super busy sometimes that I don't have time to update my blog as often as I like. Though what else is new, right?

Today's culinary adventure comes courtesy of my roommate's birthday barbecue a few weeks ago. We had a group of friends over to celebrate, and wanted to do something delicious and easy. My answer? Tacos. Everyone loves tacos and you can make them in endless ways! I stepped into the kitchen at 9:45am that Saturday and didn't sit down until around 6pm. Slicing, chopping, mixing, smashing, grilling, I did it all! It was actually very productive. I had to break out a stand juicer I've had in my room for years and never used because I had so many limes to juice. It was a lime slaughterhouse by the time I was done.

When people arrived we carried everything downstairs to the barbecue and I started grillin' meat.

The skirt steak I made was marinated in one of my favorite marinades by Tyler Florence. It's sweet, it's spicy, it's tenderizing, and delicious. (Tyler's Ultimate Fajitas).

The chicken...oh wow the chicken. My roommate had once given me a gift of spice blends from a small shop in Colorado. I figured I'd just put some of the adobo blend in a bag with some oil and the chicken and see how it turned out. The answer? Probably some of the best chicken I've ever made.

Toppings included grilled onions and peppers, jalepenos, onions, tomatoes, lettuce, cheese, a spicy yogurt sauce, and avocado.

I bought almost 8 pounds of meat, and by the end of the party it was all finished.

In addition to the huge pitcher of margaritas and the bowl of homemade guacamole (good job, people!).

Dan wanted hot wings, so I attempted those on the grill. Not a stellar success, but still pretty tasty.

I also decided we needed a vegetable, and what says summer more than corn? I

It was delicious, exhausting, and at the end of the night I was a cross between awake, exhausted, and pleasantly buzzed. And I went to sleep soon after. Definitely one of the best parties we've had!

For more pics by the gifted and talented photographer, Karen Maze, click here.

San Francisco, Land of Food

2010-04-20T15:56:00.000-07:00

I was up in San Francisco this past weekend and had an inadvertent food tour of the city. There's so much delicious food there and the farmer's market at the Ferry Building is unlike any I've seen before (I don't get out much). It definitely got the thoughts of moving back home going again.

Rock Shrimp Salad

Spicy Duck Wings

Pre-dinner desserts at Tartine

An assortment of amazing pickles from Cultured Organic Pickles.

I want a garden so I can grow Swiss Chard.

We cooked of course. A stir fried duck recipe from Jamie Oliver.

I want that farmer's market every weekend.

On blogging days past

2010-04-05T15:39:00.000-07:00

I've been blogging for over eight years. Wow.

Now of course, as the handful of people who have stayed with me for that long know, I used to write multiple times a day during the early years. But in the past few, It's dwindled down to only a few dozen entries a year. Back in 2001, before the internet took over our entire lives, and was available anywhere we went, before Facebook sucked away our time and Twitter sucked even more, blogs were a new concept. You had to build them mostly by hand. Blogger was revolutionary, providing code you could use to easily update your "weblog." It was a time before identity theft, privacy concerns, and over saturation of peoples' opinions on the web.

Because these fears of being too revealing weren't prevalent, it was also a time when people wrote much more personally on their blogs. I occasionally go to my archives and read things I wrote during the early years and would never post now. Things about my life, what I was doing, what I was thinking, etc. Others would do the same, and I'd get lost in a sea of links, clicking from blog to blog, reading about peoples' lives all over the world.

I liken being an avid reader of blogs to watching a soap opera. You get wrapped up in other people's lives and are fascinated by what is happening to them. You laugh with their stories, you sympathize when they're full of angst, and you get mad for them when someone wrongs them. It wasn't uncommon back then for someone to email another about having read their blog and striking up a sort of e-friendship (this was all pre-Myspace, remember. You couldn't stalk easily!). I got to know a good handful of people from New York, DC, Florida, and even parts of Europe. People I never would have met had it not been for blogging, and people who I'd have deep meaningful conversations with.

I recently had an online run-in with one of these people who I used to be (or thought I was) somewhat close with. The dissolution of that relationship many years ago was unexpectedly hard for me...I guess I felt like I lost a friend, which is weird because 95% of our interactions had taken place via the internets (though let's be honest, that tends to be par for the course these days).

But the run-in got me thinking about how different life is now. I don't talk to most of the people I met through blogging anymore, though a few I still check in with every now and then. One I just recently reconnected with, and seven years later, it's amusing to read old conversations we had and see how much we've changed. The rest...I will read their blogs occasionally, or maybe say hi via IM if I see them online. We're not as invested in each other's lives as we used to be, but it's still nice to remember what we had.

It's interesting that most of them don't blog as much as they used to either, and what they do is very different. These days people can use the tiniest glimpse of your life to discern information about you, it's the reason "privacy settings" on Facebook are so important and cause such an uproar. You have to be careful what you put out there.

Blogging has become an integral part of the internet now. Everyone has a blog. WIth a few clicks, you can have one set up and start publishing your thoughts for the world to see. This is not a bad thing by any means, it's interesting to see what some people write. But it's not the same as ye olden days. Now if you can even find someone's email on their personal blog, and say hi, you never know what will happen. They may think you're a stalker, they may never respond, or, if you're lucky, they may say hi back.

I guess it's just overdone now. Back in the day when blogging was new and exciting, it was something that you had in common with other bloggers. Now you have it common with half the world. And that might just a few too many (yet I will keep reading).

On Why Humans Shouldn't be Allowed to Operate Heavy Machinery

2010-01-20T16:46:00.000-08:00

I tend to think the best of humans.

I like to believe that deep down we are all (or at least 99% of us) are good people. Sometimes these people make poor decisions for noble reasons. But sometimes people make poor decisions for selfish reasons.

Yet I continue to believe that treating people with dignity and respect is the best way to go through life, because not only will it get you farther in life, but it is also how I would like to be treated.

But there are often times when humanity lets me down. The anti-gay agenda of the religious right is a good example. Bigotry and hatred of people that are different is not a way to help the betterment of human kind (yet I'm sure if you talk to these people, they have what they believe are noble reasons for their cause).

This morning I was struck (quite literally) by a more personal example of humanity's tendency to disappoint. I was in stopped at a light in traffic when I got a friendly tap from the car behind me. It wasn't bad, the guy just didn't slow to a stop as quick as he thought (probably because he was texting - take note, boys and girls).

I glanced in my rear view mirror and saw a 50-something cantankerous looking man yelling "SHIT!" to himself in his car. I tried to catch his eye as if to say "hey it's alright, let's just pull over to make sure there's nothing wrong," but his eyes went immediately down to his lap, where I assume his cell phone was.

As traffic started moving I put my turn signal on to show I was going to get off the road, and he didn't seem to pay attention. As I kept moving forward he was clearly not paying attention because he wasn't moving. After I was a couple hundred feet away he realized traffic wasn't stopped and started forward. And then passed me.

I pulled over and there was no damage of course, just a little knick on the underside fo the bumper.

This man is an example of a letdown in humanity. Any decent person would have at least stopped for two minutes to make sure things were okay. It's the right thing to do and the respectful thing to do. Yet this man not only hit my car, but disrespected me further by not stopping.

I still have my faith in humanity. I believe this was simply an example of people who make bad choices.

However I do believe the gods understand karma, as the guy was driving a Honda Accord so new it didn't have license plates. Ha!

Tales from Chez Zeo - Jonny's Wintery Mac 'n Cheese

2010-01-11T18:11:00.000-08:00

Last week I made plans for some friends to come over for dinner on Sunday. I was presented with a list of various dietary limitations, which included onions, tomatoes, garlic, any citrus, basically anything acidic. Egads! What is one to do??

I talked to my friend Jon who is as experimental in the kitchen as I am, if not moreso (he makes chocolates!), when it comes to cooking. He talked about a pasta dish he had been thinking about with butternut squash and braised kale and cheeses. It sounded potentially delicious, so I figured I'd take a stab at it.

Now, I love Mac 'n Cheese. I have about 8 receipes I've either clipped from magazines or read in some of my cookbooks. Over the past few years I have tried various combinations to achieve maximum mac 'n cheese nirvana. All attempts have been delicious, but the gods must have been smiling upon me this weekend.

The best part about mac 'n cheese is the ability to consistently improvise. Throw some things together with pasta and bake it with cheese...how can that not be good? (Although I will say I did make one really tasteless version once. Always remember the salt.) You can always change the pasta, the vegetables, and the cheeses, it's just a matter of finding a combination that really melds well together.

There are a few reasons I believe this dish was particularly delectable:

1) The Pasta - My hand was on a bag of whole wheat pasta at Trader Joe's (if you're going to have mac 'n cheese, might as well try to make it somewhat healthy!) when I saw Organic Brown Rice Pasta right next to it. I chose adventure and grabbed that bag instead, as I thought it might be lighter. Whole wheat pasta tends to be be heavy and can make you feel like you've eaten a rock.

2) The Cheeses - To go with with the wintery and savory theme I was aiming for, and to provide a nice contrast to the sweet and sultry butternut squash, I used a mix of mozzarella, smoked gouda, and nutty manchego.

3) The Bechemel Sauce - I admit I'm not a pro at making bechemel, I mostly wing it and always end up putting just a touch too much flour, but I don't feel it's an exact science (apologies if that is sacrilegious to anyone). Though all the recipes I usually use call for whole milk, I'm a rebel and use 1% milk. It doesn't make the dish feel heavy.

The combination of this trio of choices resulted in the most delicious and savory mac 'n cheese I've ever made. It was light and fluffy, and you didn't feel greasy and bloated like you just ate a huge brick of cheese. Plus it had a good dose of fiber, and let's be honest, who doesn't love fiber?

So in honor of my friend for his inspiration, I've dubbed this Jonny's Wintery Mac 'n Cheese. Try it, improvise on it, and let me know how it is. Remember, it's not an exact science, so if your proportions aren't totally perfect, don't stress about it. It'll still be delicious...hopefully.

JONNY'S WINTERY MAC 'N CHEESE

INGREDIENTS

1 lb Organic Brown Rice Pasta (available at Trader Joe's)
2 bunches kale
1 lb butternut squash (cut into 1 inch cubes) - (if you want to cheat, get two packages of pre-cut butternut squash in the vegetable aisle)
3/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth

3 cups 1% low fat milk
3 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons flour
1 1/2 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese
1 cup shredded smoked gouda cheese
1 cup shredded Manchego cheese

2 slices whole wheat bread
Olive oil
Parmesan cheese

Salt
Pepper

First things first: Prep all the fixin's.

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

2. In a roasting pan, lay out the butternut squash. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt & pepper, get down and dirty and toss it all together with your hands. Roast the butternut squash 30 minutes or so, until soft and slightly caramelized. Be sure to toss the squash once during roasting.

3. Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to package directions (be sure to salt the water!). Drain and set to the side.

4. While the pasta and squash are cooking, wash the kale, remove the tough stems and slice into 1/2 to 1 inch strips.

5. In a medium saucepan over medium high heat, add the kale and chicken broth. Season with salt, and toss lightly. Cover and braise the kale until it has wilted down significantly, about 10-15 minutes (it will still be a bit crunchy even after all that braising). Drain when finished.

6. Remove the crusts from the slices of bread and pulse in a food processor until you have fine bread crumbs. Place in a bowl, toss with a little olive oil and set aside.

Now that you have all the ingredients ready to go, time to make the sauce!

7. In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Sprinkle in the flour and stir with whisk until well incorporated. Keep stirring until mixture thicken, about 2-3 minutes.

8. Add the milk. Whisk slowly, but continuously. As the milk warms, the sauce will get thicker. When it coats the back of a spoon, it's ready.

9. Add the mozzarella, gouda, and manchego cheeses. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Now put it all together!

10. Fold in the roasted squash, the braised kale, and the cooked pasta, and toss all together until everything is deliciously covered in the gooey white sauce. Make sure to sample it...you know, to make sure it tastes right.

11. Pour mixture into a baking dish large enough to handle all the goodness, and sprinkle the bread crumbs on top. Sprinkle some parmesan cheese on top of that.

12. Place in oven (still at 400 degrees) for another 20-30 minutes, until crust is brown and crispy and the whole dish is bubbly.

13. Remove from oven and serve.

14. Call your friends and tell them they should come over because it's so amazing. Just make sure you don't eat it all before they arrive. Oh and tell them to bring wine. It's only polite.

Design of a Decade

2010-01-03T12:21:00.000-08:00

Ah, the Aughts.

In some ways I feel like they just started. In some ways it feels like the longest decade of my life.

Ten years ago when we celebrated the millenium, life was great.

1999 was a great year for a lot of things. Pop music, television, the economy, the internet, cell phones, and more. Things were looking up for the world as I was a sophomore/junior in college. I was coming into my own as a person and an adult.

Come 2000 things slowly started to change. Real life began to stare me in the face as I was forced to pick a major. I first came out to someone in January 2000. The country had a disastrous and embarassing Presidential election.

In 2001 I was hurtling towards graduation, and soon after a few planes hurtled into the World Trade Center.

2002 brought the sudden jump from college to the real world and I spent four months unemployed or in various temp jobs. It was tough and disheartening. As much as they can try to prepare you, there's no course about what to do after college if you don't have a plan. Once I found a job, I left and moved home a few months later to prepare for my move to Los Angeles, but took some time to explore the United States for a few weeks.

In 2003 I came out to my parents, which was a terribly rough ordeal. It's hard to disappoint the people you love the most. But seven years later I think it has made us stronger than we were before. I moved to Los Angeles and started the difficult road to finding my way in the crazy business of entertainment. (Seven years later I'm still trying to find my way.)

2004 brought my arrival to the apartment I currently live in, and two roommates who unexpectedly grew into two people I can't imagine my life without anymore. (Sometimes things are just meant to be!). It also brought me my first real job in the business, and over the next few years I would find numerous friends there as well as really find my place in Los Angeles.

2005 was a stable year for me, probably the most stable I have had. It also allowed me to travel to China for a few weeks and opened my eyes to what a wonderful and beautiful country it really is.

2006 to 2007 gave me my longest relationship, as well as a transition into a new job full of exciting opportunities and fun new people.

2008 to 2009 were the beginnings of change. As I approached the benchmark of my 30th birthday, I realized it was time to push through some personal issues I had and get over my insecurities. With a good amount of work and help, I was quite productive. Forging new ways of thinking, fully recognizing your strengths and weaknesses and stepping outside your comfort zone is not always easy, but it's insanely liberating.

The aughts also brought me two adorable nieces, a great brother-in-law, and a wonderful sister-in-law. It also brought me many non-related nieces in nephews, as my friends have expanded their families as well.

It's been a whirlwind, these past ten years. As a new decade begins, I don't know what to expect. But I know that I'm a stronger person for making it these past years, and will be able to face the challenges ahead.

Plus I'm really happy not to be calling it "the aughts" anymore. "The teens" sounds so much fresher and younger.

BFF 4EVA!

2009-12-04T14:11:00.000-08:00

One thing that happens in this world is that we are too quick to take for granted the people in our lives. I am fortunate enough to have met a lot of quality people throughout my life, some have remained good friends, and some have fallen back to being acquaintances. But all of them are important somehow.

I find the gauge of a good friend, even if it's someone you haven't talked to in years, is how easy it is to pick up a conversation with them after so long. Just the other night I got a call from a mysterious number (and I don't normally answer those, but I was feeling adventurous) and it turned out to be a friend I hadn't talked to in about 4 years. We met at my first job in Los Angeles, and he moved to New York a while later. We're friends on Facebook of course, but we didn't really keep in touch that much. Yet it took all of about 5 seconds for us to be gossiping and laughing like we used to. We caught up, laughed about our times together, and ended up talking for a full hour.

When I visit with friends from college and high school, who now are all grown up and in relationships or have kids and families, I'm always reminded of how special they are to me and how far we've come together. These are people who have known me for almost or over half my life and we have so much history together. I look at my mom who gets together with elementary school friends every now and then and hope that when I'm her age I can do the same.

Despite the old friends, there's still a desire I have to find new friends also. I don't want to replace any of the friends I have, just supplement with some new ones. I think I'm at a point in my life where I need some fresh perspectives and new blood in my friend circle. That's one of my missions for the next few months.

So if you're an old friend, I just want you to know I appreciate you. Even if we haven't talked in a very long time, I know you are in my life for a reason, and I'm happy you are there. If you're a newer friend, we obviously met and connected somehow, and I look forward to seeing where that leads.

Thankfulness

2009-11-28T19:09:00.000-08:00

Another year, another Thanksgiving.

To me, this holiday is always about family With my siblings married, Christmastime is always a crapshoot, with one or the other off with their in-laws. But Thanksgiving is the holiday we're always together, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

This year so far has been an interesting one for many reasons. Between turning thirty, spending months away from my life, meeting tons of new people, and more, this year has been one I will always remember. It's important to be thankful for the things in my life that are good, because I'm fortunate enough to have an abundance of good right now.

I'm thankful for my family. Without them, I'd be nothing.

I'm thankful for my friends, new and old. This year has seen the deepening of some friendships, and the creation of a host of new ones, and all are wonderful for what they bring to my life.

I'm thankful for my job. In these tough economic times, I'm very fortunate to have a job I like and am happy in. As I ponder the next stage in my career I realize the benefits this job brings me, and I remind myself of that on those days where I want to give it up. That and the fact there are literally hundreds of people who would probably kill for this position.

I'm thankful for being thirty. I know that's an odd one, but the months leading up to my birthday were very productive for me in terms of getting some things settled in my head and in my life. Heading towards that age was a benchmark for me and it came at the right time to help me handle sme things.

I'm thankful for life in general. It's a beautiful thing that I am trying more and more not to waste. as 2009 wraps up I'm sure there will be plenty more things I will be thankful for, and I need to remember that every day. Because if you're not thankful for what is given to you, you won't get much more.

Two Hearts, in Endless Love

2009-11-23T16:46:00.000-08:00

This weekend I had the extreme pleasure and honor to officiate the wedding of two of my close friends. For many years I've told various friends that if they need someone to preside over their wedding, I'm available, but these two are the first ones who asked (and therefore the most important!).

Now when I say it's an honor to be asked to officiate, I really mean it. It's two people who are asking you to bind them together for life in front of their friends and family...that's a pretty heavy thing! When they asked me to do it, I was sitting in my car (parked) after getting my haircut. I got a little teary because was really touched when they said there was no one else they wanted to do it, because I knew they meant it (and not to make their wedding about me, but it's really nice to be reminded how much people care about you sometimes!).

As the weeks passed, and I went off to Shreveport, I started brainstorming what I would say or how I wanted to present myself. I asked them if I could wear robes like a priest once I got deputized...but unsurprisingly I got a flat out no. So then I asked if I could wear robes like a wizard, which I thought would be amazing. Picture it - the two of them getting married in front of a wizard. MAGICAL, right? I would have flowing blue robes with a tall hat, and a staff in one hand which I could pound on the ground to emphasize my points about love, commitment and eternity.

I'm still not quite sure how they could reject that, but whatever. I asked if the hat could at least be in the background, perhaps hanging on a tree branch, but even that was not received well.

Upon my return from the Shreve I had to get deputized by the state, which involved a drive down to Norwalk (which really isn't that far without traffic!) to the County Registrar's office. In the conference room it was like my life suddenly became a sitcom. There was me, the quiet observer type, there was the older guy with the mustache and bow tie who had officiated about 12 weddings, the mid-40s woman who was chatty and talked about how she was going to wing it at the ceremony, the mid-40s guy who was thoroughly confused about how the whole thing worked, and the crazy fun guy who came in and started warming up the crowd with jokes and commentary...and the groom came with him to take pictures. You can't make this stuff up.

For the last two weeks before the event I practiced consistently, making sure I was saying everything right, with just enough authority, and a little bit of heart, to make it really special for them. As I walked from the parking garage to my office I'd be practicing, weaving amongst the constant traffic of a movie studio.

On the day of the ceremony the wedding party all gathered to prepare for the ceremony, and all was calm. While they were off taking pictures, I was once again running my lines, hoping I didn't mess it up (Also while they were gone the sun set, and the temperature dropped more than expected and it was probably about 40 degrees by the time the ceremony actually started. Brr!). When they returned from photos, I was wearing something unexpected - A WIZARD'S HAT. I had purchased an amazing hat which sent them into fits of laughter. They didn't really think I would have it.

Now don't worry, I didn't wear it during the ceremony..which was amazing by the way. I fumbled my words a few times but I'm pretty sure i'm the only one that noticed. It was a little emotional being up there. Watching them watching me telling them that they're husband and wife was a pretty wonderful feeling.

Afterwards their parents told me how much it meant to them that I did it, because they have heard about me and knew that I meant a lot to their kids (aww!). It was just overall a really great feeling, and that's what I really enjoy about weddings - they're all about love. I find smaller weddings tend to be better because you only invite the people that really mean the most to you and not your 400 closest friends. Not that a large wedding is a bad thing of course, it's just not my thing. But there's something about the energy in the room when everyone really cares about the happy couple. It's hard to describe it, but you know it when it's there.

The partying commenced quickly and the rest of the night was filled with food, laughter, and dancing, as a good wedding night should be.

And you can bet that wizard's hat went back on...and didn't come off until it was over!

Things I don't understand. Volume 352

2009-11-11T11:17:00.000-08:00

One: The guys at the gym who share a towel. I can't figure out if they're father/son, rabbi/student, silver fox/young lover, or just friends. Whatever the case is, it's creepy that they share a towel after showering.

Two: People who park in two spots. I understand if you have a massive car like a Hummer or a Suburban that parking spots might be too small for you, and some spillover into the next spot might happen even if you park properly. But when you're a Honda Accord parked in the middle of two spots in a parking garage that is so packed it takes 25 minutes to park in it, we are going to have words. It's not that hard to park properly in a parking spot.

Three: People who become fans of "Eating" on Facebook. Really?

Tales from Chez Zeo - Butternut Squash and Radicchio Pappardelle

2009-11-09T18:33:00.000-08:00

I have a tendency to read my monthly magazines and think "wow that sounds delicious, I NEED to make that!" The magazine then goes into a "to go through" pile so that I can rip out the recipes I want and add them to my recipe binder. Because I don't have the room to keep all those magazines.

After I returned from Shreveport I realized my magazine pile was almost two feet full of Food & Wine, Sunset, Men's Health, and more, and was way overdue for a purging. So as I was browsing through an issue of Gourmet when I came across the recipe for Butternut Squash and Radicchio Pappardelle. I had a butternut squash in my fridge I needed to use, so I figured why not make it?

Good heavens it was delicious. I mean, it's butternut squash, pasta, butter, nuts, and parmesan with some radicchio added in. What about any of those ingredients is not tasty?

It's super simple and really quite tasty, the radicchio sweetens up when mixed with the butter and squash, and provides a crunch contrast to the sweet chunks of squash. I wish I could take credit for it!

Butternut Squash & Radicchio Pappardelle

(recipe courtesy of Gourmet Magazine)

1/2 stick unsalted butter

2 tablespoon olive oil

1/3 cup pine nuts

1 pound butternut squash, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes (about 2 1/2 cups)

3/4 pound radicchio, cored and thinly sliced

1 (8-to 9-ounces) package pappardelle (preferably egg pasta), broken into large pieces

1/2 cup coarsely grated ricotta salata or Parmigiano-Reggiano (1 ounce)

Melt butter in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium heat, then continue to cook until it is golden brown, about 2 minutes. Add oil, then nuts, and cook, stirring, until nuts are golden, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer with a slotted spoon to a plate.

Add squash to skillet and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until golden and just tender, 6 to 8 minutes. Add radicchio and 1/2 teaspoon each of salt and pepper and cook, stirring, until wilted and just tender, about 3 minutes.

Meanwhile, cook pappardelle in a pasta pot of boiling salted water (2 tablespoon salt for 6 quarts water) until al dente. Reserve 1 cup cooking water, then drain pasta. Add pasta to radicchio mixture with 1/2 cup cooking water and toss over low heat until heated through, 1 to 2 minutes. Add more cooking water to moisten if necessary.

Serve topped with nuts and cheese.

Big Sky

2009-11-04T17:04:00.001-08:00

While in Louisiana I took a huge number of photos. I ended up with over 4,000 of them! I purchased the Canon Rebel T1i before I left, and it's one of the best investments I've ever made.

Louisiana is a very photogenic place. The way the light hits the trees or the water is beautiful. It was hard to take a bad picture, especially of the sky. Light effects are one of my favorite things to see. I tried to catch the beauty of the natural light, because there were some times I couldn't do anything but just stop and stare for a moment and relish how beautiful the world could be. Here are a few examples of what I mean:

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

2009-11-03T16:57:00.000-08:00

It never ceases to amaze me how you can leave town for months and come back to find...everything exactly the same.

I left Los Angeles for Shreveport in mid-July, with a return date set for mid-October. As our end date approached, it didn't quite arrive as quickly as hoped. The rain in the south is a force to be reckoned with. Unpredictable and torrential rain forced us to keep extending our schedule. During that last week I joked that I'd been able to say "six more days" for three days because of the extensions. We filmed nights that week and finished at 5am on Thursday morning. Wasting no time, I was on a plane back to LA by 11:30am.

Don't get me wrong, I had a great time while I was there. Much better than I had anticipated. The town was kind of lame, but the people I worked with were phenomenal. I met so many friendly, witty, and just warm-hearted people that I will definitely stay friends with and already miss seeing every day. I got to know some amazingly talented people who I want to put in my future projects. Overall it was a wonderful experience, but I still missed home.

I came back for a few days before taking off on the big gay cruise for a week. Honestly I can't write enough about what an amazing time I had. It was far and away the best vacation I've had in years, probably because it was an actual vacation. I love to travel and see the world, but when I'm off in a new place I want to explore and see everything I can. So it was nice to be in one place where I was forced to just relax, have drinks, hang with friends, and meet new people...all with my Blackberry off and sitting in my room. It was truly liberating.

So now I'm back in Los Angeles and things are back to normal. I'm happy to be here for sure, but now it's a matter of figuring out what to do with what I've learned and done over the past few months to further myself and my career. There's a lot of possibilities in my head and I'm trying to sort through it all to figure out what direction I want to go in.

But that's one reason I enjoy being back in my routine - I know what to expect and what to do so I can spend more time figuring out the future. Because let's face it, the future is a big gray cloud. It takes work to figure out your path through the mist. But I am in a good place now - I'm healthy, I'm happy, my friends and loved ones are well, and the holidays are approaching. What's not to love?

Who's to Blame in California?

2009-07-29T07:20:00.000-07:00

California is in deep crisis. The budget is a mess. The state assembly is a mess. The governor is a mess. The Constitution is a mess. And Californians themselves are a mess.

Despite all the messiness, I still love California deeply. It's where I was raised, it's where I belong, and it's so much a part of me that I've never had a desire to live anywhere else. But things have got to change so we can make people remember why this state is so great.

The state budget has never been an easy beast to handle. Every year it seems as if there is a battle between Democrats, Republicans, and whoever the governor is. In the past decade it's rarely been passed on time and fingers are always pointed at the other parties because no one will take the blame.

Governor Schwarzenegger just made some horribly deep cuts in healthcare, child care, welfare, and HIV care/prevention in order to make up some of the $26 billion budget gap for this year alone. These cuts are horrible and will hurt plenty of people, there's no question about it. I'm sure he takes no pleasure in making these cuts, but desperate times call for desperate measures. In order to prevent California from falling into complete and total disaster, drastic cuts have to be made. Democrats blame the governor and Republicans. Republicans blame Democrats.

But why are none of them actively blaming Californians also?

As I said last year after Prop 8 passed, this state is in dire need of a Constitutional Convention. Because of the way the way the ballot initiative process works, Californians are too easily able to alter the constitution. The result is a perfect example of why direct democracy does not work: Californians don't like paying taxes, so they put caps on how much they can be taxed. But they also want everything from new roads to free child care to high speed trains, so they vote to borrow and spend money on those shiny new things. People are easily seduced by the ideas of better transportation and better care for our young, and yet people don't think about how to pay for them. It's ridiculous. This idea that we should have so much control over our Constitution is from a different era, one where government corruption was rampant in the state and initiatives were created to combat it. This was over one hundred years ago.

The reason we elect representatives is to do just that - represent our interests to the state. That's why we worry about what they believe and what they have voted for in the past. Why do we continue to tie their hands when it comes to actually doing their job? With all the limits we impose on them, it's no surprise that passing a budget that is balanced is a challenge. With the limits on taxes, California hasn't been able to store up enough money to weather us through this recession.

A constitutional convention could fix many things including:

- Reigning in the initiative process. It should not be easy to amend or change the constitution. If you can't convince 2/3 of the citizens of this state to vote for your proposition, it probably shouldn't be law. Better yet eliminate it all together.

- Change Proposition 13 which put a limit on property taxes. People's taxes might go up for homeowners and businesses, yes, but the money would help things like schools and public transportation. Those are worth paying for, right?

- Change the requirement for a 2/3 vote to pass a state budget. Make it a supermajority of 55%. You don't even need that much to pass the country's budget.

- Condense repetitive laws and strike old laws from a different time out of our system.

California has the largest state constitution in the United States: it has been amended 500+ times by the people of the state. I can tell you from experience that most of the people in California don't do the research on ballot initiatives and are easily swayed by propaganda, which is why special interests LOVE California. With the right marketing campaign they can get whatever they want.

In a great example of Californians' idiocy - Many years ago the people voted for an act that allowed the car registration fee to be tripled if state funds ever dropped below a certain amount, to make up for the difference. Years later, when the state funds hit that level and registration fees tripled, Californians blamed then-Governor Gray Davis. They actually had a recall election to oust him from office and replaced him with a movie star. Davis had his faults, but this one fee was being used as the biggest example of how he is making bad choices and no one was mentioning that it was not his choice, it was the People's choice!

People have a very short-sighted view of the future. They want immediate results from politicians and from government in a way that benefits them. This is a serious problem, because working with the system now for short term gains is only going to make things worse. President Obama faces similar opposition. Yes he's spending a lot of money, yes his ideas are different and radical, but I feel like he's the only person in Washington with the long term in his sight, what the country will be like long after he's out of office, and not just what happens over the next 4-8 years.

The system is broken. California is broken. We need to fix it and we need to fix it now or it's not going to matter what other cuts the Governor makes because there will be no more money for anything. This affects us all. It affects every person living and working in this state. My friends and family have taken pay cuts because of this. State parks I enjoy are closing because there's no money to maintain them.

So it's time to take action. It's time to write your assemblyperson and tell them that you're tired of all this shit and that it's time for California to be fixed. For good. Call together legislators and politicians to form a very much needed Constitutional Convention and fix the system from the ground up.

Call for an end to direct democracy which does not work - Join the Vote No on Everything campaign to put an end to a system which limits our government and takes away human rights.

Inform yourself. Believe that California can be better and keep your eye on the big picture - we all coexist - we're all in this together - we need to plan properly for the future, not just for right now.

Links:

Vote No on Everything

Who's Afraid of Proposition 13?

LA TImes - Schwarzenegger Cuts $500 Million More as he Signs Budget

Hey y'aaaaall

2009-07-22T07:33:00.001-07:00

Hello what few blog readers I may have left!

It's been a while so here's a brief update on what's been happening with me:

Not much. Just the usual living of my life, trying to figure out my future, working on improving my body and working a lot.

And we're caught up!

Oh, and I'm now in the south for a few months. I guess technically I could consider myself living in the "south" since i reside in "Southern" California, but now I'm in the South south. Shreveport, Louisiana to be exact, for work through Mid-October.

My travels out here were surprisingly efficient. American Airlines is generally a horrible airline to fly (I swear their planes shrunk. I've never sat in a seat that tiny!) and going through the Dallas/Ft. Worth airport inevitably leads to delays. But not on Sunday! I boarded a plane at LAX at 7am, passed out for two and a half hours, and arrived in Dallas no problem. They have a train that takes you from terminal to terminal which is handy since it's a pretty large airport. My flight to Shreveport took off on time and I actually landed here about 20 minutes early. Brill!

Sadly though, my baggage did not make it there 20 minutes early along with me. In fact they did not know where my bags were since they don't actually scan the barcodes on the luggage tags. Useful, huh? I guess they're useful when your bags are missing, so that's helpful.

The lady at the Shreveport airport was helpful, put a tracer out for my bags and reassured me that my three months worth of belongings would make it here. Due to my lack of faith I went to the local mall to get some essentials, just in case. My bags did end up making it to my hotel early Monday morning, so I didn't need the essentials, but the shirt I got at American Eagle was too good to waste.

Apparently the weather here is cooler than the heatwave hitting Los Angeles, I left just in time! It's definitely damp here, but the heat is relativily mild for now. Yesterday it was very thunderstormy. I parked outside the gym and as I was checking my Blackberry, a bright flash of lightning and loud clap of thunder occurred simultaneously. That's awfully close! Then it started pouring like I haven't seen it pour in a long time. I was talking to the girl at the front desk and she put it well: "Welcome to Louisiana! You don't like the weather? Don't worry it will change in 15 minutes."

Welcome indeed.

People's thoughts on Gay Marriage

2009-06-05T14:20:00.001-07:00

In an attempt to be socially relevant, I asked my Facebook friends to write me what they thought about the gay marriage decision. I was hoping more would write, but the responses I did get were really great (Thanks guys!):

From Scott:

1) Thoughts on Gay Marriage

Every person should have the same rights as every other person. These rights should not be denied based upon religious or cultural traditions. Makes sense, right?

2) Prop 8

People should not be able to vote on eliminating the rights of a minority population. That makes sense too, no?

3) Interpretation of the ruling

Did what was asked of them. I didn't read the ruling, but I'm sure there was nothing controversial. Upheld that CA voter's votes count and legally married couples can't be unmarried overnight. Pretty easy. Hopefully the issue will move on to a higher court and the ball will keep rolling.

4) What should be done now?

a) Wait on putting an initiative on the ballot until 2012. More younger voters will come into play by then. Plus you'll get a little time between initiatives so the public won't feel as if the issue is just going back and forth and nothing is permanent. Plus it will allow 3 more years for other states to change their policies and show CA as one of the backward states. And it will allow time for this issue to run through other courts, as opposed to voting on something that is concurrently being decided upon.

b) Get the effort out there in areas like the Inland Empire, the Central Valley and the suburbs everywhere to inform the public. The big cities are covered, voters outside the big cities are the ones that need to be informed and that will swing the vote. But give the effort enough time to make this progress.

Peace! And equality!

From Kevin:

"I am anti-marriage discrimination. If gays want to get married who does it really hurt? Does it change the definition of marriage? Sure. Do definitions change over time? Yes. Dork used to be a slang for penis. Will allowing gay marriage make people who are morally opposed look like bigots? Yes, but that is the price of the belief. Surprise! People also believe the KKK are unreasonable. Will allowing gay marriage open the door for relationships between humans and animals? Is that argument even serious? How can you marry something that can't sign a marriage license (insert amputee joke here)...or pay alimony. I can't see who it really hurts or impacts other than gay people so why not let gays get married?"

From Anonymous:

As a mother of two children who is celebrating her 10th anniversary today, my opinion on same sex marriage is very strong. I'd love to hear from someone who can prove how their marriage has been harmed or hurt by the few months that same sex marriage was "legal." Here's what can be proved: marriage can be destroyed by anyone, male or female and you can't tell me that a gay or lesbian couple has any less chance of harming the "sanctity" of marriage than a straight couple. Really. I've seen some VERY screwed up straight marriages and this is from people who get on their high horse about how same sex marriage is so morally wrong. They are the immoral ones if you ask me.

I think people should just mind their own business and focus on their "marriage" before telling someone they shouldn't have the right to marriage like them.

It breaks my heart to see close family friends not be able to be married, have children and the same life I love. They would make far better parents than half these idiots we have as parents these days.

I voted No on Prop 8 and quadruple checked it to be sure it went through properly.

From Jaime:

From a legal perspective, the minute that government decided to make marriage a legal contract rather than a purely religious institution, they took on the responsibility to give all citizens equal access to that right. There's no way to determine "love" (nor should they try), people get married for convenience/benefits all the time, and the last time I checked the Bible wasn't a legal text....there should be absolutely zero distinction between same-sex marriage and opposite marriage (to quote Miss California). Marriage for all or none.

From a personal perspective, any small-minded asshole that tries to block two people that love each other from sharing in a lifetime commitment of that love, without affecting them negatively in any way, needs a slap upside his pea-sized brain. I think if more people equated Prop 8 to a law preventing interracial marriage, since that's the moral equivalent, there would be a better understanding of the situation. Homophobia and ignorance are not excuses...they're handicaps.

From Rebecca:

What always comes to mind for me are two quotes. First from Jane Adams: "The good we secure for ourselves is precarious and uncertain until it is secured for all of us and incorporated into our common life." And the second from MLK: "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly."

The right to marry, while created to secure an orderly society, should nonetheless be granted fairly and equally: why should I be allowed to do something that my friends are not allowed to do simply because I would prefer to do it with a member of the opposite sex? There is no rational basis for the decision to create separate classifications and prohibitions based on whom we love.

--
So there you go. Some strong opinions out there. If you have something to add, let me know!

What do to about H8.

2009-05-27T15:44:00.000-07:00

I meant to post this yesterday, but it was a busy day!

As you are all aware, the California Supreme Court ruled to uphold Proposition 8, the measure passed by California voters last November by a slim majority...the one that wrote into the California Constitution "Only marriages between one man and one woman will be recognized by the state of California." It passed by a slim 52% margin, thanks to efforts by religious groups and right wing groups, and money from the Mormon churches in Utah.

Let me say this now: I don't think the Supreme Court made the right decision. They could have said that equality is more important than majority rule. They could have put California on the forefront of the marriage fight and they could have made us once again a state people look towards for guidance. But they didn't. I don't agree with their choice at all.

But after reading most of their argument, I understand why they came to the decision they did.

The job of the Supreme Court is to uphold the law, not choose what is morally right. We want judges that will look at situations objectively and apply the law as it exists to those situations. It is not the judicial branch's role to make law - that is what the legislature is for, or in the case of California, the people.

The case presented to the court was whether the Proposition was an amendment or a revision to the constitution. A revision requires a much more thorough process involving the legislature (and based on how California's government is being run lately, we all know a revision wouldn't happen). An amendment is simply added to the constitution as long as it falls in line with the rest of the document.

Though the logic might be flawed and the cases cited in the opinion not the best examples, they were very specific that this proposition dealt with one thing: the word "marriage." They were very clear to point out that all rights that gays and lesbians have right now are not affected, they simply are not able to use the word "marriage" to describe their unions, and that Prop 8 did not fundamentally alter the constitution.

However they let 18,000 gay marriages stand, allowing a hollow victory for the GLBT community. So if you got married, congratulations, you're still married! If you didn't, sucks to be you.

The court was in a difficult position. They could either choose to say equal rights above all, or that Californians votes don't matter. A choice of the latter would have set a potentially harmful precedent for future court cases, something that they had to keep in mind. This is not Iowa and our constitution is different and works differently than theirs, so it is not necessarily fair to compare the two.

However we cannot blame the court for their decision. Nor can we say the court is against us. The fact is, the court already gave us the right to marry last year. We celebrated. We rejoiced. We hailed it as a victory. And then WE lost it. The campaign was weak. The opponents were strong. Gays and lesbians were content with the thought that California would never vote for such a discriminatory proposition, so many didn't do anything to act. And look where that got us.

So the question is what now? Where do we go from here? There are already plans to put another proposition to repeal Prop 8 on the ballot in 2010 or 2012, and a federal case has been filed. Are these the right things to do? The only way to undo a voter initiative is with another initiative. Is 2010 or 2012 better? Personally I think 2012 is better. It gives us more time to do what we need to do - talk to and educate people. Show them who we are. Give them our side of the story. Explain to them it's not religion that we are against, it's using religion to influence public policy that we are against.

My main worry about putting "Proposition X - Repeal Ban on Gay Marriage" on the 2010 ballot is the fact that voter turnout will not be as high as in 2012 when we have a presidential election. In 2010 the main race will be for Governor - the problem with that is that if someone like Gavin Newsom (who I'm a fan of, by the way) is running, you can be sure that the right wing will come out in force to defeat him - and us. Again. We'll have to work twice as hard and three times as fast to change people's minds and make sure make sure those who support us get out and vote. I'm not convinced we can do that in 17 months.

The energy at the protest the other night was different than it was in November. Back then it was rage and anger and frustration. Tuesday night it was subdued anger and disappointment and shock, but people were there to show their support for the cause and show that it's not over.

Marching through the streets is not something I think is productive anymore. What we need at these rallies are not just celebrities and mayors telling us that they are supportive and will fight with us, but for people to actually get the crowd involved. Out of the thousands of people who were at the rally that night, 95% of them will go back to their daily lives and not get involved with anything else. There has to be a way to harness that population to get more of them involved (I openly admit I'm generally one of those 95%, but I'm trying to be better).

We can be mad at the Mormons, mad at religions, mad at intolerant people, and all the other people who have wronged us in the past year, but the fact is we need to stop looking back. Proposition 8 is done. It's law. The battle is over and we lost.

It's time to look forward and let the real fight for equality begin.

A Decade of Birthdays

2009-05-15T11:09:00.000-07:00

My 30th birthday is finally here. Today I've racked up another year of life and have changed the first digit in my age. That's only happened three times now!

So to honor this I thought I'd take a look back at what I did on the past decade of birthdays. Year by year. Get excited.

5/15/99 - Age: 20
My twenties started off great. My friend John had secretly recorded a video with all my friends giving a rough story of my life and testimonials about me. Then in the evening when my friends started arriving at my apartment, one by one, friends who I hadn't seen in weeks, I figured something was up. We had a viewing and it's still one of my favorite birthday presents ever.

5/15/00 - Age: 21
Ah the big 2-1. As was customary among my friends, we were at TGIFridays at midnight for me to buy my first legal alcoholic beverage. It was that Electric Lemonade that always looked so good. Turned out it was not so good, but I followed that up with my first Long Island, and that was tasty.

5/15/01 - Age: 22
This day was celebrated with an early dinner at Island's where K gave me a gift she made, something that was inclusive of all our friends. I remember something incredibly hilarious happening, and I have a picture of everybody at the table laughing. I think we almost caught a shirt on fire from the birthday candle or something. It was quite funny, honestly. Then I had a meeting to be at which was followed by a surprisingly poignant moment for me, given that my college career was coming to an end. A great day.

5/15/02 - Age: 23
Remember how Blink 182 proclaimed that nobody likes you when you're Tweeeeenty Threee? This is what I call "the dark birthday." I was unemployed for months, in horrific temp job that made me want to jab my eyes out with a spoon, it was a Wednesday so there wasn't really anything to do, and my friends were all busy. I didn't go to work that day and instead bought Winnie the Pooh on DVD. A favorite of mine, what sold it was that "A Day for Eeyore" was on it. That's the day I started a new tradition of watching that short on my birthday. It reminds me that even on the gloomiest of days, you can still find joy. And three days later I got an awesome job.

5/15/03 - Age: 24
I had moved to Los Angeles by this point, but still didn't know anyone. I was living with my sister and had a quiet day, elebrating with her and her husband.

5/15/04 - Age: 25
I for some reason have no mental recollection and no iPhoto recollection for this birthday? WHAT DID I DO?!?!

5/15/05 - Age: 26
I was now secure with my new roommates and my new job, both a year old, so maybe "new" isn't the right word. Things were great. I had my friends to Lola's on Fairfax. I bought my "Don't hate me because I'm Awesome" shirt (another tradition I started - wearing that on my birthday every year), and had a great time with a bunch of new friends and a few old ones. I proceeded to have four martinis of various flavors. A few of them ended up on the side of La Brea on the drive home.

5/15/06 - Age: 27
The actual birthday was nice. A few good friends and I went to have dinner in Culver City, and it was actually kind of gross food, but we took some great pictures and then followed it up with karaoke at Boardwalk 11. A few nights later my friends and i went to O-Bar for my big b-day celebration. good times.

5/15/07 - Age: 28
TACO TUESDAY! Dollar tacos, good margaritas, and good friends. What more could I have asked for?

5/15/08 - Age: 29
The actual birthday, KS and I went to Crustacean in Beverly Hills for dinner. It was nice, quiet, and the food was great. The following night I had a party at Eleven in West Hollywood. It was a grand time with great friends, people I hadn't seen in a while, and one awesome friend introduced me to Lance Bass. And then my other friend made me take a picture with him (a meeting ten years in the making!). I'm pretty sure I embarrased myself since I was a wee intoxicated. And I've spent the following year trying to find him again. You know, to...uh...apologize...

Birthdays always remind me how much people like me. And I know that sounds conceited, but I forget sometimes. It's nice to see that people care and offer me their well wishes. So thank you to everyone who have made my birthdays special. I really do appreciate it. And I look forward to the big 3-0 bash tomorrow night!

No, there's no excuse

2009-05-08T10:14:00.000-07:00

There is a girl in Sacramento who sent 303,000 text messages in a month on her new iphone. Three hundred and three thousand. She claims she can't help it because she's popular. They break it down to 7 texts a minute.

Yes dear, you can help it. It's called having a conversation. Or having a life other than texting people. Do you text at dinner? While you're hanging with your 'friends' who you texted to meet up? Do you really have that much to say? Txt me the answer.

Save Kermit!

2009-05-07T19:02:00.000-07:00

Maybe it's Daniel Craig, maybe it's Harry & William, maybe it's the Dalai Lama, or maybe it's Kermit. But there's something about this ad from the Prince's Rainforests Project that is somewhat inspiring. I mean, if we can't work together for Kermie, what will it take?

Things from around the web

2009-05-05T18:59:00.001-07:00

- Why? Why are people still letting Joe the "Plumber" speak? He needs to go away. Right quick. For so many reasons. Or at least balance it out with me, another irrelevant person with ridiculous views on the world.

- The face transplant is a marvel. It's amazing that doctors can actually do this.

- Star Trek is getting phenomenal reviews. Because I don't want to spoil anything for my friends, I have not said much about the screening I went to the other week. I'll let it's 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes do the speaking for me.

- I'm really excited for Food, Inc. With all the reading I've been doing about our messed up food supply system in America, I'm hoping this helps the word get out. Even if it means my farmer's market will get busier.

- How can you not want Shawn Johnson to win Dancing with the Stars? She's an adorable American treasure!

- Maine is now the 5th state to legalize gay marriage. The California Supreme Court has just a few weeks more to hand down their decision. Six is a good number too right?

It will be choreographed. And it will be good.

2009-04-21T18:18:00.000-07:00

A Gaythering Storm from Jane Lynch

Piercing through the lies

2009-04-15T11:46:00.000-07:00

This is an excellent and educational video by Rob Tisinai (via Towleroad).

I think everyone should share this with people. Especially those who voted for Proposition 8, maybe it will help them see through the distortions of truth that they're being fed. Pass it on.

Conservatives hate silence

2009-04-15T10:49:00.000-07:00

The headline is "Conservative groups call for school boycott on Day of Silence."

The article says that conservative Christian groups in New York are encouraging parents to take this children out of school on Friday, the National Day of Silence which was designed to increase tolerance and acceptance of gay kids in schools, where homophobia still runs rampant.

“This day is not about ‘tolerance’ as it claims, but about forcing propaganda and acceptance of high-risk behavior into the schools with no opposing views allowed,” said Linda Harvey of Mission America.

Really, Linda? And what is it you are doing exactly? Certainly not promoting your own propaganda!

And tell me, Linda, is homophobia a concern to you at all? Do you care that children get mercilessly teased and ridiculed at schools just because they're different? Do you care that children are beaten up and killed by other children because of intolerance? Intolerance that was probably taught by parents like you who teach your kids it's ok to hate others because of who they are?

Let me ask you this, Linda. If your child was beat up for being a Christian, you would consider it a result of intolerance for Christians, am I right? You would cry that it is anti-religious hatred taught by liberal heathens who don't believe in God and you would gather your troops to fight this intolerance in our school system. So why is it that acceptance of all people is a bad thing? We accept you for being who you are, why is it so hard for you to accept others?

If you are so close minded about what you want your children to learn then you should not have sent them to public school. Public school is funded by taxpayers. Both you and gay people. It should be filled with facts and truths unaffected by anyone's political views. The goal of school is to educate our children so that they are successful in the future. But it is also their responsibility to open their minds to all walks of life, both yours AND mine. Because taxpayers should not support intolerance. Ever.

Have your little protest, Linda. One day people are going to look back on things like this and laugh at those who fought a day about peace and tolerance. Because it's just stupid.

You think you're crazy?

2009-04-15T09:41:00.000-07:00

There's this new movie coming out called Obsessed with Ali Larter and Beyonce Knowles. It looks deliciously trashy and yet I have no desire to see it because Beyonce kind of deters me from anything she does. But her line in the trailer makes me laugh hysterically everytime I hear it.

"You think you'hh crazy? I'll show you crazy."

I actually might be sad when the movie opens because the ads on TV will stop, and they prominently feature this line. I love it.

For the love of Allie

2009-04-13T18:33:00.001-07:00

When my alarm goes off for the third time each morning, I tend to turn on the television to wake me up. Years ago I tried turning it on to Fox's Good Day L.A., but between Jillian Barberie and the other woman who perpetually sounds like she just smoked a full pack of cigarettes after going clubbing all night, it just made me want to turn the TV off. So I tried turning to CNN or something interesting, but it didn't work. Then I found the KTLA Morning News.

For me this has become a ritual. I wake up to the same people and get the news I want in 15 minute increments. (I know, I sound like a commercial). The thing I think i like about it is that it's not overly serious, the anchors are good at what they do and can move the show along no matter what technical glitches there are (and there have been a good number recently), and none of them are afraid to make fun of each other.

But I have to say the bright spot of the show these days is Allie MacKay. Is it because she is a good reporter? Is it because after you get used to her sense of humor she's hilarious? Is it because she seems like an intelligent woman who seems pretty normal but with a dash or two of crazy? It's a combination of all of those things.

I know I probably shouldn't have a favorite morning news person, I do have better things to be doing in the morning like going to the gym, but I can't help it. So there. I admit it. I adore Allie MacKay. Think of me what you will.

Tales from Chez Zeo - The Bacon Explosion

2009-03-31T17:15:00.001-07:00

A few months ago in my blog browsing I came across the recipe for the Bacon Explosion that the guys a BBQAddicts had come up with. I was entranced. Bacon! Wrapped in Bacon! With more Bacon stuffed inside! What wasn't to love? The recipe is so outlandish that it got picked up by newspapers and morning news shows a few weeks after they published it.

So naturally I had to try it. (I wanted to try it before it went mainstream, I wouldn't want anyone thinking I was trying it just to be cool. I was cool before the hype.)

A couple of weeks ago my roommates and I had some people over and I figured this was the perfect opportunity to blow everyone's minds. I certainly wasn't going to eat the whole thing by myself (though trust me, I could have...right before I had a heart attack) and I wanted to share the joy that I expected this to be.

Step one was to create a weave of bacon. Thankfully I have a Boy Scout merit badge in basketweaving (true story) so that came easily to me.

A skill learned at summer camp. But with bacon.

The next step was to sprinkle some BBQ seasoning on the weave (I conveniently had some straight from Rendezvous in Memphis), put two pounds of sausage on top of it in the shape of a square, and sprinkle some cooked bacon on top of that. Toss on a little BBQ sauce (also from Rendezvous) and this is what you get:

So many layers of flavor!

Next: Roll up the sausage.

What rolls one way...

Once that's done, roll it backwards so that you wrap the roll of sausage in the bacon weave.

Must roll the other.

Sprinkle with more seasoning and it's ready to cook!

How good does that look like it's going to taste??

Now, you're supposed to use a smoker and let it smoke for a few hours. It will infuse the pork with flavor and make it moist and juicy. But I don't have a house and/or a yard to house a smoker. So I had to bake it. I know the taste would have been better in a smoker, but I had to work with what I had. Although this has given me serious reason to consider finding a place for a smoker.

Onward...

The crackling Bacon Explosion came out of the oven looking and smelling fantastic. Smothered in some more BBQ sauce it looked even better.

I know, right?

Let's slice that baby open.

Explosion is putting it mildly.

Now let me just tell you, this was something worth beholding. It tasted exactly what you think it would taste like. But better. Salty, porky, BBQy, juicy, a definite explosion in your mouth of flavor. It was a hit around the party and I'm sure at some point in the future I will try it again.

I made a sandwich out of the leftovers and wow. Better than any meatloaf sandwich I've ever had.

I highly recommend trying this out if you're curious and are having a party. Don't attempt to eat the whole thing by yourself. Or even 1/4 of the thing. You'll die. And I don't want to be responsible for that. Consider yourself warned.

A WTF Moment: Aren't we in a drought?

2009-03-25T15:16:00.000-07:00

California is having a water shortage right? Water rates are rising in Los Angeles, right? So a few questions then:

1) Why does this guy in the parking lot outside my office have to hose down his entire lot once a day? Is he bored? Does he think it looks cleaner? I understand taking pride in your workplace, but you don't need to spend half an hour hosing down the big concrete lot EVERY DAY. For some reason it's been irritating me all day, to the point where I want to steal his hose and replace it with a broom. Or at least get him a spray nozzle.

2) If said shortage is as bad as they are forecasting, why on earth are there people all over the city spray washing the sidewalks? Two days ago there was a guy spraying the same sidewalk displayed in the picture above. Yesterday on Vine Street I passed another guy who was spray washing, this one taking at least 20 to 30 seconds to spray off the white sign painted above the drain (the one that says "give a hoot, don't pollute...the ocean" or something like that). Then on the way home I saw another guy spraying outside a part of Santa Monica Blvd that no one really walks on.

I should speak with someone at the city. Because really, no matter how much you clean the sidewalk, it's not going to look pretty.

Unless you're in Beverly Hills. Those things are spotless!

A Closed Book

2009-03-19T15:26:00.000-07:00

These are tough times in our economy, as we know. Former retail giants like Circuit City and Mervyn's have closed and are now just memories in the wind. When one of these stores go out of business some people are sad, but most aren't because they don't have an emotional connection to a chain store.

The same can't be said about independent stores though. With the news that The Cook's Library is closing, I'm sad about the small businesses that are driven away not just because of the economy, but because of behemoth stores. Don't get me wrong, I love me some Amazon and Barnes & Noble, but there is something really nice and comforting about going into a small bookstore. You get people that really care about the experience of browsing and of finding something new.

It's also nice to have a store like this dedicated to one topic. I've only been in The Cook's Library a few times, but each time there were at least a dozen books I wanted (but didn't) buy. But when I was in there surrounded by books about cooking, books about things I didn't even know they could write books about, it inspired me and made me want to have all different kinds of culinary adventures. I don't get that experience in a large bookstore.

A Different Light bookstore in West Hollywood is also closing, and though I never really went there it's still a sign of the times that we keep moving away from small businesses that support a community and towards a large warehouse type store (internet included). Whether this is good or bad, it's hard to say. But these places were special and hopefully can one day fight their way back to a triumphant return.

L.A. Oddity - L.A. Tigers

2009-03-12T10:19:00.000-07:00

There are a lot of things I don't understand about Los Angeles (Thursday traffic, anyone?), but I think the most perplexing is the existence of L.A. Tigers.

Every day on my way home I pass by this tiny store at the corner of La Brea and Venice, and if it's out, their satellite location at Highland and Melrose, on the corner by the gas station. I know that people sell a lot of things on corners here in LA: art, flowers, naranjas, etc., but those are all things I might actually need. But stuffed tigers? Is there really a large enough market out there that they actually have a storefront?

According to the reviews on Yelp, I'm not the only one who is perplexed by this store's existence. The thing is, it's more often closed than open (or maybe they're just set up in various other locations) and I can't figure out where they put all the tigers that aren't adopted. That little kiosk-like store doesn't look that large, though maybe it has some sort of magic-carpet-bag quality that I'm unaware of.

I suppose I shouldn't be so quick to judge and could stop by one evening just to check it out. Who knows, maybe I'll be charmed and greet my roommates upon my arrival at home holding a cuddly tiger. Stranger things have happened.

Who else wants one?

Tales from Chez Zeo - Coq Au Vin on Grits

2009-03-09T18:21:00.000-07:00

Sundays are very domestic days for me. I like to be done with errands and whatever else I need to do by the late afternoon so I can be home, clean up, and gather myself before another week in my pretty ordinary life.

But cooking relaxes me, so I tend to do that a lot on Sundays as well. When I have something adventurous to try, I offer my wares to my roommates as well, most of the time they are very appreciative of my culinary experimentations.

On Saturday I had some spicy shrimp and grits. The restaurant made it flavorful and all sorts of tasty and delicious. I'm usually not a huge fan of grits, but they were divine. So when Sunday roller around and I was looking though Tyler Florence's book "Stirring the Pot," I came across his recipe for Coq Au Vin and wondered if the french classic dish would work with grits.

Coq Au Vin is a very simple yet delicious dish. A chicken, some celery, carrots, and onion, a little thyme, and a bottle of red wine. Sear, combine, simmer, strain, reduce, and voila!

I thought putting them on a bed of grits would add a nice twist. Since I enjoy cheesy grits, I thought adding gruyere cheese would be a nice taste, and I added some thyme in as well.

Goodness they were tasty.

Some mushrooms and pearl onions and bacon were added to the chicken pot, and when placed upon the grits, well it was just a cacophony of flavors and textures that were amazingly good (as I'm sure my roommates will attest).

So i was pretty proud of that one. It plates up nice too, huh?

This is what I should sit on at work

2009-03-05T15:05:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Ryan for that. I laughed so hard I made it to silent-laugh-level.

Ode to a Rolled Taco

2009-03-04T15:16:00.000-08:00

There is an important thing I miss about San Diego. I mean obviously my friends are the most important, but next to them is the quality Mexican food. Here in Los Angeles it's hard to find good taquerias...which I'm sure many people would disagree with, but keep in mind I'm talking about the area from Hollywood to the ocean. Sure there's Benito's and Campo's, and a few other places, but none of them compare to your everyday random taco shop in San Diego.

This is exemplified in the quintessential staple of any taco shop: the rolled taco.

*note - I did not take this picture*

Why is it called a rolled taco instead of a taquito? Who knows and who cares? All I know is that for $3.75 you can get three deliciously crispy spirals of corn tortilla filled with shredded beef and topped with smooth and silky guacamole and sprinkled with cheddar or cotija cheese. The first crunch is immensely satisfying and by the time you get to the end, your hand covered in luscious green, you relish that last bite...craving just one more but knowing you'll have to wait until next time.

The days of regular late night Mexican runs are over, but I was in San Diego on Saturday and returned to old habits. At 2:30am as we got back to our hotel, my friend and I decided to visit the closest taco stand. By the time we had returned to the hotel she had demolished her entire trio, and I had to eat mine in the car because I was so excited. Crunch after crunch I made, relishing every bite. When I was done I looked at my empty styrofoam plate and smiled in satisfaction.

The next morning when I got in my car, the scent of rolled tacos still lingered and I took a deep whiff of it before I opened the windows, my stomach growling with the memory.

I have found a place near my office that provides a somewhat suitable replacement for the ones of yesteryear, but it will never be a Santana's. Or a Cotixan. Or a Los Panchos or Los Panchitos or Taco Express #2.

So here's to you, rolled taco. You bring back a lot of good memories whenever I bite into you.
You make me happy and content, and on those days when I don't know what I want to eat, just remember: It's probably you I'm pining for.

Live Happy. Live Healthy. Long Live Longs.

2009-02-24T16:53:00.000-08:00

When I was a kid, I always enjoyed the shopping center closest to my house. It had a Safeway, a video store, a Swensen's Ice Cream back in the old days, and a Longs Drugs store. Eventually the Swensen's was replaced by a Subway, the deli was replaced by a real estate office, and the candy store replaced with a gift shop. But Safeway and Longs were always there.

Maybe it's because I grew up with those chains, or was blissfully unaware of the idea of a large corporation, but I formed a bond with the two stores. Safeway was where I went shopping with my mom for the things we'd cook. It's where I'd run into people I knew from school or friends of my parents. It's where I learned the layout of a grocery store and prided myself on knowing exactly where things were (I still prefer Vons to Ralph's simply because it is Safeway at heart).

Longs was the place I'd go for greetings cards and batteries. It's the place I'd hang out at while my parents waited for a prescription. I'd roam the aisles looking for anything I could convince them to buy for me. It rarely worked, but sometimes they'd give in. It's the place where in my high school years I'd see my friends working there and wait to go in their checkout lines. It's where we'd buy our Christmas tree lights and valentines. I have a lot of attachment to that store. Even down here in Southern California here's something I like about Longs. I get their layouts, their muzak, and the familiar scent each store seems to have. I appreciate the simplicity of it all and the fact they have the items you're looking for.

Which is why I'm really sad it will soon fade into memory.

Longs was billed as a neighborhood drug store. It's not a behemoth like Walgreens or CVS/Pharmacy. But recent years and increased competition from those companies have forced their hand, and now they sold out to CVS. I was hoping CVS would be kind enough to leave the stores alone, but as I walked into my local Longs the other day I was forced to stop and look at the sign of things to come.

Yes, CVS products have begun to creep into my beloved Longs. It was the first of a few CVS items I saw around the store.

The main problem with CVS stores, other than the weird carpet and low shelving, is that you can rarely find a brand name product. Or if you do it's buried within a host of CVS brand products all touting similar (yet inferior) abilities. Looking for some Advil? There might be a box or two amongst the dozen or so CVS Ibuprofen boxes. Want a Thermacare heat pad for your back? Try the CVS brand that inexplicably has a complicated strap that doesn't stay on.

The only drug store I dislike more than CVS is Walgreens. My father and I often have this debate as he loves the store and I loathe it. I can never find anything I want, and I always feel claustrophobic in their stores. I can't say I've ever had a positive experience in a Walgreens. Let's just say this lament would be much more dramatic had Longs taken Walgreens up on their buyout offer.

So with a heavy heart I will have to one day expect to drive to my local Longs only to see the sign replaced with a bright red CVS/Pharmacy. The store I remember from my childhood will still be the drug stores I compare all others to. Perhaps out of this economy another store will rise to take it's place. Perhaps one day I'll grow to love CVS. But I doubt it.

And as for those cotton rounds in the picture? You can be sure I bought all the Longs brand ones they had left.

Show People Just Love

2009-02-18T14:54:00.000-08:00

An American in Paris pointed me to Wordle, a site that essentially makes a visual representation of the words you use on your blog. This is mine. I think mine is actually pretty awesome. Check out the words I use most: "Show People Just Love."

Not a bad way to live your life.

The Amazing Rules

2009-02-16T08:14:00.000-08:00

As I watch the premiere of The Amazing Race 14, I am constantly amazed by how some of the cast act in other countries. There are certain things you just don't do or certain mistakes that you just don't make, especially if you've watched enough of the shows to want to be on the show. Here are my top 5 rules for being on the race:

1) READ YOUR CLUE - It's constantly..uh..amazing to me how many people don't read or mis-read their clues. I get that you're exhausted and in a hurry and things are tough, but always read your clue properly. If it says take a taxi, take a taxi. If you have to walk, walk. If it doesn't say to leave an item, don't leave the item. If you misread the clue you will lose time and just get more frustrated than you already are.

2) SPEAKING IN AN ACCENT DOES NOT HELP PEOPLE UNDERSTAND YOU - Contestants seem to believe that when you're in India speaking english in what you think is an Indian accent will help them understand you. It won't. It just makes you sound stupid. In this week's episode a team was in a taxi and the girl says "muy rapido" to the driver. That might have been helpful...if they weren't in Switzerland. Also - Shouting something louder won't make them understand you any easier.

3) CONDITION YOURSELF - You know it's going to be tough. You know it's going to be grueling. You know you're going to have to perform physical tasks you don't do on a daily basis. But the moment you apply to be on the show, you should start getting yourself in shape so you have the stamina to make it through. When you're called in for an interview and might have a chance of making it on the show, you need to prep for it!

4) IT'S NOT HOW EARLY YOU LEAVE, IT'S HOW SOON YOU GET THERE - If there's one thing I've learned watching 13 races, it's that the earliest flight is not always the best option. You need to look at what time it arrives, what your connection is, and what might delay you. Often times the later flight gets in earlier, which gives savvy teams the ability to jump ahead.

5) NEVER GET COCKY - The second you think you've got the race locked, you're setting yourself up for disaster (I'm talking about YOU, Rob and Amber). Cockiness is the surest way to lose a million bucks. Keep it modest and realize that the race is not over until you land on that mat, grab Phil in a bear hug and start to cry in happiness on his shoulder as he tries to shake you off. Then you can be cocky. And rich!

Happy Valentine's Day Indeed!

2009-02-14T18:12:00.000-08:00

Ah Valentine's Day.

A day that tokens of affection are shared with loved ones.

If only it were that simple.

These days Valentine's Day is filled with chocolates and hearts and balloons and flowers...and little teddy bears holding chocolates or balloons or flowers. It's a day when men are supposed to treat women to special things from Kay Jewelers and give Hallmark cards about love. It's a day when you're supposed to show the person you truly love how you feel.

On the flip side, for all the singles out there, it's a day to scoff at couples and be "so over" Valentine's Day. They call it "Singles Awareness Day" because it supposedly calls attention to the fact that you're single and others are not. People get really bitter about it and it turns into a day of anti-love for them.

And I'm tired of it. I'm not saying I haven't been one of those singles in the past, but these past few years I haven't minded being single on Valentine's Day. Last year I got to see Aretha Franklin with a couple of my friends. Today I've been recovering from a winter illness, but will have dinner with some of my closest friends.

When I was a kid our teachers always used to make us give valentines to everyone in the class (even those you thought were gross). As we grew up you started having a choice of who to give valentines to, and by college it wasn't cool to do that anymore. But why? I remember even as a kid feeling special that people gave me a valentine, even though it was essentially required. I liked writing people's names on cards like "I choo-choo-choose you" or "You're my favorite, Valentine!"

A few years ago I picked up a box of those small valentines and gave one to everyone in my office. It was small and insignificant, but everyone actually really enjoyed it and thanked me for them. Were they just being nice? Some of them. But I could tell that people appreciated the gesture. And isn't that what Valentine's Day should be about? Making people feel loved?

For those of us that are single, we shouldn't be bitter that we haven't found someone to be our partner, we should celebrate those we do love: Our parents, our friends, our siblings, our nephews and nieces. They are people that matter to us and are just as worthy of our attention on Valentine's Day. We should be happy we have people that love us and that we have people to love in return, in all forms.

The day has definitely become too commercialized, I understand that. Love should be shown between a couple all year round. But on Valentine's Day, make it special. That doesn't need to be a huge heart full of chocolate, or any grand gesture (or jewelry from Kay's), but maybe just cook dinner together and watch a movie you both love. Or go out and do something you both enjoy just to spend time together.

And for the rest of you, tell someone you love them and wish them a Happy Valentine's Day.

Like this: HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Ten Shows My Roommates Should Watch Instead of MSNBC 24/7

2008-11-20T17:17:00.000-08:00

My roommates of almost five years are junkies. Political junkies. It's one of the things that makes them so charming. As you can imagine the past two years have been filled with Barack and Hillary and George and John And Sarah and blahblahblah. So now that the election is over, the addiction to MSNBC needs to be broken (I swear their TV needs something new or it's going to die of boredom. And they've already resuscitated it once!)

So as a helpful roommate, I have decided to offer my suggestions on ten shows they should watch instead. For their own (and my mental) health and abilty to escape from reality...and so I can have people close at hand to talk about them with. These are in no particular order (and just for the record, they already watch Battlestar Galactica, and True Blood, or they'd be on this list.)

Brothers & Sisters

If I were to put these shows in order, B&S would still be at the top. I was in love with this show from the first episode and my love has only grown for the Walker family. This is a drama that is full of sharp writing, witty humor and just enough melodrama to keep it interesting but not cheesy. With Greg Berlanti behind the scenes and the amazing cast consisting of Sally Field as the matriarch, Rachel Griffiths, Calista Flockhart (who's not as annoying as she has been in the past), Balthazar Getty, Matthew Rhys and Dave Annable rounding out the rest of the family, this show by nature has great potential. The addition of Luke MacFarlane as Kevin Walker's adorable (and did I mention adorable) husband, Scotty, has provided some of the most tender and sweet moments on television this year.

30 Rock

30 Rock has received a lot of press over the past few months thanks to Tina Fey and her Sarah Palin impression. But this really is one of the finest written comedies on television. It's witty, it's clever, it's just wacky enough for you to realize how much of a farce it is. Alec Baldwin and Tina Fey have amazing chemistry together, and who would have ever thought that? The only other show that I have found this amazing is...

Arrested Development

AD has been canceled, you may say! But they play it every day on HDNet and I have watched every episode probably 4 or 5 times, and each time I laugh. I know all the jokes, but I still laugh. The writing on this show was brilliant. The acting was brilliant. The humor was so layered that there are new things I notice every time I view it. Jokes in the set dressing or in the wardrobe might elude you the first time, but when you pick up on them they're funnier than what's being said.

There is no finer hero on television than Jack Bauer. From the start he has been a flawed man who has had some pretty rough days. He's hardcore and will do whatever it takes to save his country. 24 is generally a "non-stop action thrill ride." It's a rare show that keeps getting better with each season, culminating in a fifth season that blew most of the others away. As most will tell you, season six fell flat on its face for some reason and people predicted that the show was over. Last night's 24: Redemption set up some interesting premises for Day 7 which premieres in January. So that gives the boys about 6 weeks to catch up.

Psych

I don't pretend that Psych is the best show on a number of levels (one being Vancouver is a poor substitute for Santa Barbara). But there's something charming about the show that I love. Whether it be Shawn Spencer's fake-psychicery and endless pop culture references, or Gus' low tolerance for Shawn's antics, or perhaps the unexpected romantic moments between Shawn and Juliette. The show is not always great, but then it has episodes like the 80's reunion one which was amazingly funny (and had Rachel Leigh Cook!). But I love it and I look forward to it when it's on. And I do find James Roday rather cute so that helps.

Kyle XY

For a show that based its advertising on a picture of a kid with no bellybutton (for three seasons, hello could we get some new pictures please?) I have been impressed with the road Kyle XY has taken. The first season was about Kyle learning what it was to be human and provided some surpisingly touching moments between him and his family. I still remember the episode where he first got his heart broken, just after learning what a crush was. The show is fun teen drama with a little mystery thrown in for good measure. The Trager family has a host of realistic problems that the show deals with in a very real way. My only complaint is that it's on for three months and then gone for nine.

The Amazing Race

I got hooked on The Race thanks to my former boss. I caught up when they started airing it daily on GSN, and was even more hooked. Watching crazy couples race around the world and having to do all those challenges is so fun. Especially when you can't stand them and hope they trip while carrying those bricks during a detour. This season has some great locations and tasks, but the cast is kind of dumb. These people have serious issues not reading their clues properly, like they're written in code or invisible ink. They're making constant mistakes and wasting time because they're not doing what the clue says. But it makes for great TV and I totally want to go on it. And I love Phil. I want his job. I could totally walk towards the camera dramatically and say things like "A detour is a choice between two tasks, each with its own pros and cons. In this detour teams must choose between [insert witty name 1] or [insert witty name 2]."

Top Chef

The first thing my roommates will tell you is that I'm a nut in the kitchen compared to them...or most people. (I cooked them dinner last night which included fresh bread! I made bread!) Top Chef is like Project Runway but about food, and sometimes more entertaining. I love watching what the chefs come up with and find it fascinating to see what choices they make when it comes to flavors and tastes. Last week's hot dog challenge made me want to run out and try some of the recipes immediately. The chefs are so cocky sometimes it makes me want to smack them. But then there's Padma. I don't know why I love Padma so much, probably because she's glamorous and enjoys food, only one of which I embody (you can decide which).

Fringe

After a mediocre pilot, Fringe has actually become the only new show of the season that I enjoy. It's an interesting weird-sci-fi-issue-of-the-week show, but they do a really good job at throwing a twist in at the last 15 seconds or so, to keep you interested in the greater mystery. Joshua Jackson's character has become less annoying which definitely helps. But it's good entertainment with a killer soundtrack.

90210

I know, I know, it's so trashy. There's not much redeeming about 90210, but it's mindless entertainment that I find highly amusing to watch mainly because it's ridiculous. There's not one part of that show that is believable except for Kelly and Brenda and their still-tumultuous relationship, which is pretty sad for the rest of the cast. My question here is why didn't they cast anyone hot? Gossip Girl managed to do it, and there are plenty of pretty people in Beverly Hills. Maybe it was their way of showing that it's authentic and "real" than just superficial. Even though it just turned out to be superficial.

So there you have it. To my roomies: Get watching. Or no more dinners for you!

Protest Mania

2008-11-17T17:35:00.000-08:00

This weekend's nationwide protest against Proposition 8 seems to have been a success. Here in Los Angeles there was a big turnout despite the 90 degree (IN NOVEMBER WTF) weather. Mayor Villaragosa spoke, as did various other people. A lot of them gave some very inspiring speeches.

Or so I heard. My friends and I were running late, so we didn't actually make it there until about an hour and a half after it started. It turned out to be a blessing because everyone was melting in the oppressive heat.

When the march got going we joined in and held our signs for equality high and cheered along with everyone else. The crowd was full of unexpected people. A lot of straight allies had brought their children, a lot of people brought their dogs as well. People were dressed as brides and grooms and it was all very impassioned.

The march was supposed to head to a park on the northern edge of downtown Los Angeles where there was supposed to be a small musical act. Well the gays weren't satisfied after only marching three miles and some were kind of insulted that they were trying to turn it into a party. A lot of people were done with the heat and were walking back to the subway and their cars, but a group wanted to keep on marching. We marched back to City Hall with them, all the while the police were starting to get agitated trying to get us back on the sidewalk, as they were trying to open up the streets. Then the gays got mad saying they couldn't keep them off the streets and started shouting "Whose streets? Our Streets!" The police kept setting up bike blockades but they just kept going past those. When we finally got to City Hall the riot police arrived.

At this point we were kind of exhausted and ready to go....have margaritas at Olvera Street. But then someone said they were working with the LAPD to continue the march all the way to Hollywood & Highland. After about 20 minutes they LAPD showed up to escort the few hundred that were left on the march. We walked about a half mile and then left to acquire previously stated margaritas.

After our rest we hopped on the subway back to Hollywood & Highland, which is where we parked. When we exited on to the street, the marchers were walking in the street! But by then it had become a little strange. A man dressed as a bride in white makeup was in the middle of the intersection doing some sort of interpretive dance, and everyone was walking in circles around him/her. I think everyone was delerious and tired. But we joined them anyway.

Some serious gratitude needs to be shown to the LAPD by the way. They have been very helpful and nice to the crowds during the protests. They try to help us do these marches in safe and effective ways that benefit both us and the community (aka Traffic).

All in all I think it was a successful protest. I am going to take a break from protesting now though. Though I appreciate the sentiment, i don't think it's getting us any farther at the moment.

Were you protesting in your town?

Well said.

2008-11-11T10:05:00.000-08:00

The Fallout

2008-11-07T19:14:00.001-08:00

I've been trying to figure out how I feel about what happened on election day. What started out as an evening of celebration and joy of electing Barack Obama quickly became soured when the results of the California election started rolling in. What should have been a great day for a lot of people was soured by a poor choice that 5 million Californians made. Millions of people were shocked and surprised by the outcome. We knew the vote would be close, but we didn’t expect it to favor intolerance and discrimination. At the same time millions of people celebrated a victory over what they see as an aberration to God.

How could this happen? How is it on a day where we elected the first African American President of the United States, we also elect to take rights away from a group of citizens? There are many other states that have amended their constitution to include a definition of marriage as between a man and a woman, but California was the only state to have given that right to gays and have it taken away.

Who is at fault for this? Many allegations are being thrown around at various groups. Here are my opinions on this, in no particular order.

The Mormon Church

Should we be surprised that the Church of Latter-Day Saints was the major financial backer of Proposition 8? This is a group who has always had their nose in government business, and even spoke out against the Equal Rights Amendment (An amendment, I might add, that still has not been ratified in the past 40 years and would prevent discrimination based on sex. Why that hasn’t been passed I don’t know, and is a whole different issue).

Mormon culture centers around the family. They enter into marriage for eternity (even after they die), and believe that a man/woman marriage is the only form of marriage. As most people know they have a history of practicing polygamy, which constitutes a man having multiple wives. They have denounced this practice for years, though it still occurs in secret (something they’d deny).

I don’t have any problem with the Mormon faith. I don’t have a problem with any faith, they are welcome to believe what they believe, as long as you don’t try to impose your beliefs on others. That is where you start getting into trouble.

The Church claims they did not fund any of the Yes on 8 campaign, but preaching in your sermons about the “evils” of gay marriage and encouraging individuals to donate to the campaign is pretty much the same thing. The fact is that Mormons donated almost 70% of the money to the Yes campaign, and most of that was from outside California.

Without the millions and millions of dollars that flooded the Yes on 8 campaign from the church, they would not have so easily been able to outspend the No campaign and get their lies and untruths out into the public. So when people say it’s the Mormons’ fault that this passed, it’s not entirely untrue. They funded a campaign to strip people of rights that they enjoy are entitled to as Americans. That is not fair and completely and totally inappropriate in 2008.

But they're not the only faith-based organization to have backed the Yes campaign. The Catholics were major backers too. Priests and members of the clergy all over the state preached the gay marriage was bad and encouraged their congregations to vote in favor of it. They are just as much to blame for their intolerance as the Mormon Church.

Minorities

According to some polls, 70% of African Americans voted for the amendment. Though we can be quick to blame because that is a dramatic statistic, This article from Daily Kos is a very interesting look at the voting statistics. The author gives an incredibly detailed analysis about how the African American vote actually affected the race. The black population accounts for only 9.6% of the California electorate. Take out people under 18, and the (unjustly) disproportionate number of African American felons who aren’t allowed to vote, and the number drops. She notes that if even if the African American vote was proportionate to how everyone else voted, the measure would still have passed by 81,000 votes. Interesting, right?

I understand that a lot of these people go to church and are devout Christians, so I understand why they have an issue with homosexuality - it's being preached to them as an evil. But I feel like they should also take account their own history.

A little under a hundred and fifty years ago, our nation became more divided than it had ever been. Abraham Lincoln had emancipated all slaves and slave owners all over the south revolted. Civil War broke out over this issue of whether or not black people were just that: people, or objects to own. They were considered 3/5 of a person. They had no rights whatsoever. One hundred years after that there was another revolt, this time from African Americans to fight for their civil rights. These were god fearing men and women from all over the country who finally said “we have had enough” and began to fight for their rights to be treated equally under the law.

So it’s ironic then that forty years after the Civil Rights Movement, where segregation became illegal, and any practices preventing African Americans from voting were abolished, that they would then use that power to take rights away from other minority groups.

I don't want to make it sound like African Americans are the only ones to blame. Latinos and Asians also voted for this amendment in larger numbers. i really have trouble understanding how groups that have been discriminated against in their own way (Japanese internment, immigration laws against Latinos) can justify discriminating another group.

The one thing these groups all have in common? God.

There are ministers who claim that it is unfair and inaccurate to compare the LGBT struggle for equal rights to the movement of the 1960s. They’re nowhere near the same, they say. They’re probably right, because we’re certainly not doing the same thing they did in the past: fighting against the majority to earn equal rights under the law. Fighting to be treated the same as everyone else. Fighting not to be discriminated against because of who we are. Nope, not the same at all. (There was sarcasm dripping all over that, in case you missed it.)

California Law

When I was researching all the propositions last month, I did some looking into the California Constitution. It’s a completely messed up document, and a ridiculously abused system to amend it. Between the years of 1900 and 1986, It was amended over 500 times. Five hundred times, mostly by voter initiatives. This is a system that drastically needs to be fixed.

What I find infuriating about the state is that it allowed this initiative to be put on the ballot. Who puts people's civil rights up for election? We have a representative democracy in this country. We elect people to protect our interests as well as the interests of the whole. The state is supposed to protect minorities from the majority. We do not have direct democracy where people can directly affect things because the public is easily swayed by propaganda and is not as educated about these things as we expect our leaders to be. That's why we elect them - to deal with our issues for us. The fact this moral issue was brought up to vote by the public was a huge mistake.

I also find it infuriating that altering the California Constitution is so easy. You only need 51% of people..no, voters, to pass an amendment? But then you need 2/3 of voters to overturn it? What?? So in this election, in a state of 36 million people, where 18 million can vote, and 60% of them did, just over 5 million people passed this initiative (numbers are approximate).

5 million out of 36 million. So just 14% of Californians voted to strip rights away from us.

Oh, and just so you're aware, it takes a 55% majority to pass a school bond. And a higher percentage to pass a tax. So essentially people's civil rights are less important than their money.

Non-Voters

This section will be short, because the fact of the matter is I do not understand non-voters. In a country where we value democracy and we claim to fight for it and have people overseas dying in its name, there is absolutely no reason for you not to vote, if you are able to. I understand some people can't based on their situation, but I absolutely refuse to believe that 40% of Californians this year were unable to vote. The process is very accessible - you register, you can get an absentee ballot so you don't have to even leave your house to do it, you can go to the poll near your house and it just takes 20 minutes in an average election. If someone can explain why we never have 80% or 90% voter turnout, please let me know because it is something I will never understand.

And if you didn't vote, if you didn't make your voice heard (unless there were justifiable circumstances), you have NO right to complain about what is happening in this state, in this country, and you have yourself to blame for not showing up on election day and letting other people speak for you with their votes.

The Campaigns

The Yes on 8 campaign was despicable. It was full of lies and deception. Prop 8 was not about protecting our children. They wouldn't be explicitly taught about gay marriage, they're not even going to learn about regular marriage unless it is brought up in a sex education class. And even then, parents have the right to opt their kids out of that class. The campaign used the example of kids being taken to a lesbian wedding because it was an "educational moment." Just for the record: field trips require permission slips. And it was on a Saturday. And a lot of the parents were there themselves! Lies!

Using children as a weapon was so inappropriate. Even if it was brought up in school, the parents are capable of teaching their children what they think is right. The kids are going to find out there are gay people in the world one way or another, you're just as capable of teaching them as the schools are, if not more so. If you're that intolerant that you want complete control over what your kids learn, then you need to send them to a private school or keep them at home lest they be exposed to the evils in the world!

Using Barack Obama's words about how he doesn't support gay marriage was also misleading. I got a mailer a few days before the election with a big picture of Obama and the words "I do not support gay marriage" on it, and on the back were four African American ministers stating that gay marriage is not what God intended and is wrong for the world. It's a sick twisted tactic to sway voters.

The No on 8 campaign had a rough time competing. In the beginning they tried to appeal to people's emotions and when that didn't work they had to start defending their position against the shameful ads the Yes campaign was putting on television. They immediately had to go into a defensive position and since they weren't being flooded with money, they had to pick one message and stick to it. Could it have been better? Yes. Could it have used more help? Yes. But they did what they could with what they had.

The Gays Themselves

The gay community feels victimized by the result of this election, and rightfully so. But we are not innocent victims by any means. I've seen a lot of people at the protests these past few days here in Los Angeles. Over ten thousand of them were out in force on Saturday night. It's really great to see all this passion and anger that is coming out.

One question though: Where were all of you people the past month? I got daily emails from the campaign asking for help phone banking or raising money or doing something to get word out about this issue. I phone banked, I talked to people, I did what I could. I could have done more for sure, but at least I did something. A lot of people were overconfident that this proposition wouldn't pass and were very apathetic towards the whole thing, and that came back to bite us in the ass.

In conversations I've had with people, people who I tried to go with me to phone bank or help out in some way, when I mention that the gays are at fault, they tend to get mad about it. "Bullshit" some have said. Bullshit that the gays had anything to do with this loss, it's all the religious people's fault!

Well, I disagree. The fact is we didn't do enough. We didn't educate people about the issue. We didn't go door to door explaining to people the stakes involved. There's a lot of people who don't understand what being gay is, and we need to reach out to them.

Whether you agree with it or not, we are as much to blame for our inaction as Yes campaign was for their action.

Maybe it's a blessing in disguise. Maybe our generation finally has something to unite around and become activists for. Maybe we finally have something to care about and this was the event that kicked us off our asses and will force us to really fight for ourselves. If we don't do it, who will?

So what do we do now?

The issue is now with the courts. Does this violate the equality clause of the constitution? Was this a revision instead of an amendment? Is it in line with the current law? These are all questions that need to be answered in the courts.

In the meantime, for the rest of us, we need to unite. I was reading a comment someone wrote on a website the other day about how the rally last Wednesday was the first time in all his decades in Los Angeles that he felt there was a gay community here. 12,000+ people came together in Silverlake on Saturday night to march in protest. We need to stand united and we ALL need to participate in outreach and and education of those who might not understand what it is we're fighting for. This is our livelihoods that we are fighting for, and no one should be apathetic about that. We're not going to convince all of them, but at least we can try to help them comprehend why we want to be equal.

At the same time, we need to respect those people as well. I know everyone's angry and I've seen a lot of hostile signs at these protests towards Mormons and Catholics. We need to be careful not to be as intolerant as they are, because then we are no better than them. We need to not come off as people who hate religion because that is not the way to win allies. We have to take a hard stance with our foes, but be careful not to look like sore losers.

Whatever happens, I feel like this is going to be a huge Church vs. State issue, something that is going to be a tough battle. The Churches have near unlimited resources to fight something like this, and we need to be prepared for a long slow battle. Even if we win in the courts here in California, it will go to the US Supreme Court. It's going to be rough, it's going to anger a lot of people. But one thing is for sure.

We will prevail.

A moment in history

2008-11-05T12:24:00.000-08:00

As I sat with my friends last night watching the election being called, I took a moment to consciously sit down and watch what was happening. Tuesday November 4, 2008 will be a night that literally goes into American history books. After the most intense and amazing election in possibly all of American history, an election that motivated millions of people to take part in the political process (myself included) in a way I have never seen, Barack Obama was finally and deservedly elected as the 44th President of the United States.

John McCain's concession speech was simple and gracious. I thought he was very nice about it and urged people to not be bitter and to work with President-Elect Obama to get things done, because that's the only way we can move forward.

Obama's speech was grateful and well worded. He was forceful to those who may threaten us, yet kept up the theme of Hope that has been the basis of his campaign. He reminded us that we ALL need to be a part of the process. We all need to take responsibility and help each other out. We all need to work together to restore America to the power and glory it deserves.

I sat there watching all of this unfold from my television screen, wanting to remember the moment so I can tell my future kids about it. The sound of his speech echoed through the courtyard of our apartment complex, coming from many televisions at once. The sound of his voice rang loud and clear that "this is our defining moment" and that it is time to work together to change America.

This truly is a moment. A moment people will talk about for decades. A moment when the world will look to the United States for inspiration like they used to. If a member of a minority group of this country can be elected to the office of President, then what is not possible? That is what excites people about Obama. That is why he won in an electoral landslide.

So congratulations, Mr. President (elect). I wish you the best of luck, and hope that you are truly able to bring this nation together.

Human Campaign

2008-11-04T12:52:00.001-08:00

The Precipice

2008-11-03T16:33:00.000-08:00

I have to say I'm nervous and excited for tomorrow.

It's rare that you know you're about to witness something that will forever be a bright point in American history. I'm not saying Obama's win is a sure thing, I know there's still work to do until the polls close tomorrow at 8pm, but either way tomorrow is going to be amazing.

Never in my life and probably never in the history of this country have we had an election quite like this. It's had its ups and downs, but it has been one hell of a ride. The sheer number of people I know who are involved and who are working together to change the course of our country is astonishing. Millions of people on Facebook have pleged to vote tomorrow. Thousands of people across the country are unifying to fight for what they believe in. There is so much at stake and so much to lose that it is motivating people (myself included) to take part in whatever movements they believe in.

Here in California I know a lot of people who are going to other states to help the Obama campaign. I decided to help with the No on Prop 8 campaign, as I feel that needed more assistance. I phone banked, I talked to people, I wrote about it, and I've been talking about it for weeks. Last night I went to a rally in West Hollywood for it and held my sign high for everyone to see. The number of people that were honking their support to defeat it was uplifting. It made me realize we can actually beat this thing and move California toward equality for everyone.

It's a time of high emotions for everyone. After the election there will be sore losers on the other side of whatever issue people are facing, most notably the Presidential election. The people who win must be careful not to gloat but to welcome everyone together in the spirit of moving forward. I personally hope we can put an end to the terms 'red states' and 'blue states' because they are very divisive and need to leave the vernacular.

However you vote on Tuesday be sure to do it - VOTE. There are no excuses. Long lines? Stay in them. Your job will have to understand. Millions of people have already voted and millions more are going to. There is no logical reason why 100% of registered voters should not be at the polls this year. It's too important to be apathetic about. And if you don't vote - Don't go complaining for the next four years about what went wrong, because you had your chance.

But in my humble opinion, I hope you vote for Change. I hope you vote to restore the reputation America once had as the strongest country in the world. I hope you vote for freedom and for the rights of everyone to marry. I hope you vote for HOPE. The hope that we can be better. The hope that we can make a difference, and the hope that we will be able to move together to a better and brighter future.

As Obama put it this week in such simple terms: Together we will begin to change this country, and then we will change the world.

Proposition 12 - A Zeo Perspective

2008-10-30T13:46:00.002-07:00

*As I'm trying to be an informed voter, I've decided to research and post my thoughts on the propositions that we'll be voting on in a few weeks. Perhaps you will find them helpful. Or feel free to tell me if you think I'm wrong!*

PROPOSITION 12 - VETERANS' BOND ACT OF 2008

The Proposal: Extends funding for the Cal-Vet program by $900 million, through bonds. The program helps veterans who have served during times of war purchase houses with low interest rate loans.

The Argument FOR it: Since 1921 Californians have voted to fund the Cal-Vet program and help our veterans get homes and assistance in return for the services performed for our country. This is a continuation of that honorable notion.

The Argument AGAINST it: Though veterans have done this country a great service, the program should be limited to those who are combat veterans, not just people who served during a time of war.

My Opinion: Of course I'll vote YES on this. Who's going to say no to veterans? These are people who defended our country or who are doing their service by fighting an unjust war despite their wishes. They deserve to be treated well when they come home. Should it be limited to only combat veterans? Maybe. But until that determination is made by people more educated than I, I'll vote for this.

Proposition 11 - A Zeo Perspective

2008-10-30T12:24:00.000-07:00

*As I'm trying to be an informed voter, I've decided to research and post my thoughts on the propositions that we'll be voting on in a few weeks. Perhaps you will find them helpful. Or feel free to tell me if you think I'm wrong!*

PROPOSITION 11 - REDISTRICTING

The Proposal: Changes the way districts are assigned for the state assembly as well as the Board of Equalization. Assigns the task to a group of 14 citizens who go through a selection process by the State Auditor. 5 are from the Democratic Party, 5 are from the Republican Party and 4 have other or no party affiliation.

The Argument FOR it: Letting our legislators handle redistricting every ten years is useless as they just use it to keep themselves in power. Districts now have been drawn to benefit the incumbent legislature, assuring that their voters are all in one district. It's time to give the power back to the people and let them determine districts that won't break up communities or divide counties.

The Argument AGAINST it: Proposition 11 creates a new bueraucracy that will cost taxpayers millions of dollars and will have no accountability. The panel is chosen by the state auditor and the legislature is allowed to veto a selection of the candidates. This is just ripe for legislatures to abuse their power and sway the panel in their favor. The way these people are selected is convoluted and unclear, and there is no limit to how long they can take to finish their task.

My Opinion: I'll probably vote YES on this one. When you think about it, it makes no sense that legislatures should be redrawing their own districts. On the one hand you would like to think they would redistrict the state in a way that benefits the citizens, but in reality you realize they're politicians and they're not going to redistrict themselves out of a job. Having a standalone panel take a look at the ethnic makeup of California and divide the state up in a way that is more equal to everyone is a good thing. The opponents say it bends in favor to the two major parties, and yes in a way it does, but that's why they're the MAJOR parties. Passage of anything requires three votes of confidence from the Democratic, Republican AND the independent panel members. I think that's pretty equal. Can anyone tell me why I'm wrong?

San Francisco Chronicle - Yes on Proposition 11
Los Angeles Times - Yes on Proposition 11

Proposition 10 - A Zeo Perspective

2008-10-30T10:57:00.000-07:00

*As I'm trying to be an informed voter, I've decided to research and post my thoughts on the propositions that we'll be voting on in a few weeks. Perhaps you will find them helpful. Or feel free to tell me if you think I'm wrong!*

PROPOSITION 10 - CALIFORNIA ALTERNATIVES FUELS INITIATIVE

The Proposal: Takes $5 billion ($10 billion after interest) in state bonds and provides rebates to people who purchase alternative-fuel vehicles. The credits would range from $2,500 for smaller vehicles, and $50,000 for large industrial vehicles. The initiative would also provide research into alternative fuels and energy for California as well as provide money for education about new forms of energy.

The Argument FOR it: California needs to take the lead in reducing our reliance on foreign oil. We spend $700 billion on oil from "hostile" countries and the only way to end that reliance is to up our usage of alternative fuels. Cleaner fuels mean cleaner air, reducing the amount of asthma in ourselves and in our children. This bill provides great incentives for people to buy alternative energy vehicles.

The Argument AGAINST it: This bill was funded by T. Boone Pickens, a Texas oil bazillionaire who has invested heavily in natural gas in California. This bill is completely lopsided in how much benefit it gives to people who purchase natural gas vehicles. It also gives huge rebates to companies who purchase cleaner vehicles, but has no requirements that they do so. If natural gas demand goes up, so do our heating bills. This measure would not benefit consumers as much as it would benefit companies and especially Pickens, and California should not be used as a pawn for corporate profit.

My Opinion: Absolutely NOt. Anyone who knows me knows I'm for a cleaner environment. But really, this initative is so obviously going to benefit Pickens and other corporations that it makes me want to vomit. Though I agree with some of the ideas in it (rebates for cleaner fuel, education and research into alternative options), it essentially takes money away from other areas to pay for the rebates (i.e. schools, healthcare, etc). These rebates are great in theory, but the state can't afford it in these times of fiscal crisis, and people can't afford to buy new cars at this time either. And let's face it, who wants our energy bills to go higher than they already do? Not me.

San Francsico Chronicle - No on Proposition 10
Los Angeles Times - No on Proposition 10

Proposition 9 - A Zeo Perspective

2008-10-27T18:25:00.000-07:00

Proposition 8 - A Zeo Perspective

2008-10-24T15:38:00.000-07:00

*As I'm trying to be an informed voter, I've decided to research and post my thoughts on the propositions that we'll be voting on in a few weeks. Perhaps you will find them helpful. Or feel free to tell me if you think I'm wrong!*

PROPOSITION 8 - ELIMINATES RIGHTS OF SAME SEX COUPLES TO MARRY

The Proposal: Adds 14 words to the California Constitution that will define marriage as between a man and a woman.

The Argument FOR it: It restores the sanctity of "marriage." It overturns the "outrageous" decision of the California Supreme Court to ignore the will of the people, and it protects our children from being taught in school that same sex marriages are the same as real marriage. Gays do not have the right to redefine "marriage" to suit their needs.

The Argument AGAINST it: The freedom to marry the person you love is a fundamental right of any human being. Discrimination is wrong.

My Opinion: I know I wrote about this before, but I feel the need to be a little clearer about why you should vote NO on Proposition 8.

All constitutions in the United States are written to protect people's rights and liberties under the law. That's the whole reason people write constitutions. To add something to the constitution that actually removes rights from people is unacceptable.

Remove rights you say? But these rights were applied not by the people, but by the California Supreme Court judges! The people voted against gay marriage in 2004, so the court went against the will of the people!

Or you could say that the judges, whose job it is to interpret the constitution, saw that the initiative that voters had passed was unconstitutional and therefore struck it down. There is a reason we have a system of checks and balances, to keep the other parts of the system in check. Yes the last initiative that passed was anti-gay, but the court determined it was anti-human, and therefore not permissable. What the population wants is not necessarily what the population needs. The population can be easily swayed, as elections prove every four years.

What the California Supreme Court did on May 15, 2008 (my birthday, incidentally!) was say that gay people entitled to have the same rights as every other man, woman, and child in this state. That gay people are just that - people, regardless of who they choose to have sex with, or who they fall in love with. People are people.

The thing about gay marriage is that it's just one thing - marriage. One word. Religious people say that gay marriage would be immoral and against what God intended for men and women. I fully respect how they feel about marriage. I understand it, and I get it. It's tradition, and it's the way the church views the institution...but the problem is that the State is different from the Church. The State has to represent ALL citizens of its jurisdiction, not just a certain section of it.

If the word "marriage" and how we define it is what is such a problem for them, how about this: why don't we just change the way people are hitched under the law? Marriage can be a religious institution, and everyone can have a Civil Union under the law. When you get married in a church, you can sign your Civil Union Certificate for the State of California. Would they be okay with that?

Of course not. And this is where intolerance and non-understanding come into play. Most of the people who are anti-gay and find it immoral don't realize that it is not a choice. They believe that people like me choose to be gay. I always wonder, who would actually choose to be discriminated against and who would choose to have to go through the difficult process of coming out to those you love and forever changing relationships you have had your entire life? No one would choose these things, it would make no sense.

Are the gays complete victims in all of this? Have they done anything questionable in the name of equal rights? Of course they have. Should that photographer in New Mexico have been sued because she wouldn't photograph a lesbian wedding since it conflicted with her Christian faith? No. I think that lawsuit is unjustified. Should churches be sued if they don't allow gay weddings? No. Churches are private institutions and should be allowed to exercise their beliefs in their own house of worship. I understand why these lawsuits are filed in the name of gay rights, but I think it defeats the larger goal. We cannot expect people to respect us and what we believe if we don't respect them in the same way.

Proposition 8 is a huge step backward. Never in this state has anything been put into the constitution that would actually eliminate the rights of a portion of the population. It is unfair and just plain wrong. I urge you to tell everyone you know to vote No on Prop 8. For my own reasons and for the larger reasons of what it would say about California. This is a progressive state, always on the forefront of what happens in this nation. For this state, this rich, diverse state, home to some of the most beautiful coastline in the world, Hollywood, the Golden Gate Bridge, huge redwood forests, acres of rich farmland, and more importantly the state I love with all my heart, to pass this initiative would be so incredibly devastating to me and to those who look to us as leaders and as inspiration.

California is better than that.

So vote for equality. Vote for fairness.

Vote NO on Proposition 8.

Proposition 7 - A Zeo Perspective

2008-10-24T11:59:00.000-07:00

*As I'm trying to be an informed voter, I've decided to research and post my thoughts on the propositions that we'll be voting on in a few weeks. Perhaps you will find them helpful. Or feel free to tell me if you think I'm wrong!*

PROPOSITION 7 - THE SOLAR AND CLEAN ENERGY ACT

The Proposal: Requires utility companies to provide half of their energy from renewable sources (wind, solar, geothermal, hydro, etc) by the year 2025. Fast-tracks building of clean energy plants. Penalties for non-compliance would be reduced, but the cap on how much they could be fined would be removed. If any utility company enters into a contract with a clean energy supplies, the minimum timeframe is 20 years. It caps customers' price increases at 3% per year, but offers no way to enforce that. It also requires energy companies to buy power if it comes in at below-market rates.

The Argument FOR it: Supporters of Proposition 7 say it's time for California to lead the way and commit to drastically increasing its use of renewable energy. This initative would force utility companies to get more of their power from their own or others renewable energy sources, build renewable energy plants, and would put us on track to dramatically lower our carbon outputs. It would create 370,000 jobs, and it would benefit our economy.

The Argument AGAINST it: Opposers of Proposition say it is 'fundamentally flawed' and would actually damage our economy. It would put small renewable energy producers out of business because their energy wouldn't count towards the 50% utility companies are required to use. The limits on how much the utility companies can charge custers is only 3% per year, but there is no way to enforce that. This will cost us billions over the next few years and will actually cause jobs to be lost.

My Opinion: You can't really argue that a renewable energy plan is a good thing when the Sierra Club and numerous other environmental organizations are against it. It just goes against common logic. So I'm going to vote NO. Plus there are are over 40 newspapers that have recommended voting no, and only a handful that have said yes. I don't see how locking us into long term contracts for energy is a good thing in case market price falls. And even then when energy does fall below market price, utilities would be required to buy it. That doesn't make sense because then they'd just charge us more to offset the additional cost.

As we learned earlier this decade when our energy system was degregulated and chaos ensued, the energy grid in California is complex and a blanket policy like this won't work. This is something better handled by the legislature and utility companies.

Los Angeles Times - No on Proposition 7
San Francisco Chronicle - No on Proposition 7
San Diego Union-Tribune - No on Proposition 7

Santa Barbara Independent - Yes on Proposition 7
Napa Valley Register - Yes on Proposition 7

Proposition 6 - A Zeo Perspective

2008-10-23T16:49:00.000-07:00

*As I'm trying to be an informed voter, I've decided to research and post my thoughts on the propositions that we'll be voting on in a few weeks. Perhaps you will find them helpful. Or feel free to tell me if you think I'm wrong!*

PROPOSITION 6 - POLICE AND LAW ENFORCEMENT FUNDING.
CRIMINAL PENALTIES AND LAWS. aka THE SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS ACT.

The Proposal: Requires that $965 million from the California General Fund be allocated to police offers and various other law enforcement agencies to combat crime. Over 30 changes to current law that mostly create new crime categories and increase punishment for gang-related activity.

The Argument FOR it: Gangs roam our streets and commit acts of violence all over our state. The homicide rate in California has grown to over 500 murders a year. These changes will put more cops on the street and provide harsher and longer penalties to gang members, instead of putting them back out on the street. It will deny bail to illegal immigrants arrested for gang activity, and increase the penalty for carrying a concealed weapon in a public area by 10 years in prison.

The Argument AGAINST it: This initative would cause a drastic increase in yearly spending without any oversight and would work against programs like CALPIRG that have been slowly showing success. There is no bond or increase in tax to pay for this, which means more money from the general fund would be allocated, preventing more funding for schools, healthcare, and other state services. It targets young people, illegal immigrants and poor people. It also notes that we currently spend 4 times more per year per prisoner than we do per student in California.

My Opinion: I'll probably vote NO on this one. I don't pretend to be an expert in law enforcement by any means, and I'm sure that there are parts of this plan that would be very beneficial. But I don't support locking in money that could be used for other things. We do that too much in California and we wonder why there's no money for schools left. And besides, instead of punishing the guys who commit the crimes, perhaps we should concentrate on educating them before they get into gangs as to why gangs are bad. Just a thought.

Los Angeles Times - No on Proposition 6
San Francisco Chronicle - No on Propositions 6 and 9

Proposition 5 - A Zeo Perspective

2008-10-21T13:09:00.000-07:00

*As I'm trying to be an informed voter, I've decided to research and post my thoughts on the propositions that we'll be voting on in a few weeks. Perhaps you will find them helpful. Or feel free to tell me if you think I'm wrong!*

Proposition 5 - Nonviolent Offender Rehabilitation Act of 2008

The Proposal: Requires California to expand on current drug rehabilitation programs for non-violent offenders. Shortens parole terms for various drug crimes, creates new oversight committees to keep a watch on these new programs. Limits the court's ability to jail people who violate parole or probation.

The Argument FOR it: California prisons are operating at 175% of capacity, and a good number of the inmates are there for non-violent midemeanors involving drugs (selling, buying, etc.). Proposition 5 would provide relief for our prison system by establishing a three-tiered probation schedule with rehab/treatment. It would provide drug treatment for young people who could be sent by their parents or check in themselves if they have a problem. This will help our prisons and help more Californians deal with addictions and reduce the pressure on prisons.

The Argument AGAINST it: This bill does provide more access to drug treatment programs but also ties the hands of judges when they want to sentence someone. Criminals who are arrested for violent crimes could claim it was drugs that influenced their crime and would be sent into treatment with an abbreviated sentence rather than taken off the street. It just puts them back out on the streets. No accountability or drug testing is written into the law. Perhaps on a small scale this might work, but not statewide.

My Opinion: I'm voting NO on this proposition. For me the deal breaker is drug testing. How can you have a mandate about drug rehabilitation, and not require any drug testing? It just doesn't make sense! I see why they call this the "Drug Dealer's Bill of Rights" by the opposition. Essentially if I committed a violent crime and was on drugs at the time, I could claim the drugs made me do it. If it were my first offense the judge would have to send me to treatment rather than jail. Someone arrested for dealing meth would technically be a non-violent offender and therefore be sent to rehab instead of jail and would most likely go back out and sell meth, but just be more careful about getting caught.

Drug rehab is needed in our criminal justice system, I agree it should be provided. But not with a law that has so many loopholes. The Yes on 5 campaign even states that existing drug rehabilitation programs have graduated 84,000 people, a full third of those who enter! A third. I'm not sure about you, but I like to see higher results before voting for more of it.

The San Francisco Chronicle - No on Proposition 5
The Los Angeles Times - No on Proposition 5

The Perfect Pumpkin

2008-10-21T12:05:00.000-07:00

I joined my nieces at Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch this weekend. My sister had prepared me on what to expect based on her experience last year: Perfect Pumpkins.

Every single one of these pumpkins were delightful. If it was in the round section, they were perfectly round and smooth. If it was in the tall section, it was the perfect shape for a tall and narrower pumpkin. There were white pumpkins, mini pumpkins, super mini pumpkins, and gigantic pumpkins. There were places for kids to play, refreshments to be had, and in all honesty it was the best pumpkin patch I think I've ever been to.

The most amazing thing about these pumpkins though were the stems. I mean look at that thing above. It's gorgeous. At most patches, or in grocery stores, you get little nubbins of stems, something old and brown, nothing you can really get a handle on. But these ones were tall and gorgeous and huge. I don't think I can get my pumpkins anywhere else, I'm smitten!

I got a huge one (that's what she said), which I still need to carve. Perhaps I will get political with it.

You just have to watch it!

2008-10-16T18:08:00.001-07:00

I watched this earlier in the afternoon and I'm still laughing. Watch all the way to the end!

Proposition 4 - A Zeo Perspective

2008-10-16T15:27:00.000-07:00

*As I'm trying to be an informed voter, I've decided to research and post my thoughts on the propositions that we'll be voting on in a few weeks. Perhaps you will find them helpful. Or feel free to tell me if you think I'm wrong!*

PROPOSITION 4 - WAITING PERIOD AND PARENTAL NOTIFICATION BEFORE TERMINATION OF MINOR’S PREGNANCY.

The Proposal: Amends the California Constitution to state that it will be illegal for any minor to receive an abortion without consent from a parent or adult member of their family.

The Argument FOR it: Underage girls who get secret abortions are risking their health by not telling parents about their pregnancies. They can be taken by anyone to get an abortion, even the predators who get them pregnant! Parents must be notified to protect our young girls.

The Argument AGAINST it: Forcing children to tell parents about abortions will put them at more risk. For children who don't feel comfortable going to their parents they will find other ways to get abortions, dangerous and harmful ways that are not legal. This will endanger the health of girls and will make any doctors to try to help them subject to fines and incarceration.

My Opinion: NO. NO. NO. This is the type of proposition that pisses me off, quite frankly. On the one hand I understand that parents have a right to know if their child gets an abortion. I'm sure if I had a daughter I would like to know. But, I think it is the PARENTS' responsibility to help their children feel comfortable enough to come to them. It is not the law's place to say a child must give parental notification. What if a girl gets pregnant and has an abusive father who will beat her when he finds out she's pregnant? How is that protecting her? Then she'll just have to go somewhere completely illegal to get a potentially unsafe abortion, and that is not fair to her.

The text of the law states that a parent can waive the right to know if their daughter has an abortion (by signing a form), or the child can file a petition to prevent parental notification. Once the petition is filed, a judge is required to look at it within 48 hours and a hearing will be called, in which the judge will make the decision. Now, I don't know what kind of teenage girl has the time or ability to leave school to go to a hearing, let alone the emotional capacity to deal with one if they're trying to handle getting an abortion.

It's laws like this that make me mad that parents don't take more responsibility for their kids. We should put more emphasis on parents and the relationships they have with their children. Then they will be able to have conversations about things like abortions and sex and kids will feel comfortable going to them. It's the same with education - parents need to instill their children with the value of education. Parents need to be the ones to regulate what their children watch on television, not the FCC. Parents need to take a more active role and be more personally responsible for themselves and their children and not put things like this in the constitution.

The Los Angeles Times - Vote No on Prop 4
San Francisco Chronicle - Vote No on Prop 4

San Diego Union-Tribune - Vote Yes on Prop 4
Orange County Register - Vote Yes on Prop 4

Proposition 3 - A Zeo Perspective

2008-10-16T14:25:00.001-07:00

*As i'm trying to be an informed voter, I've decided to research and post my thoughts on the propositions that we'll be voting on in a few weeks. Perhaps you will find them helpful. Or feel free to tell me if you think I'm wrong!*

PROPOSITION 3 - CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL BOND ACT.

The Proposal: Issue $980 Million in bonds to "fund the construction, expansion, remodeling, renovation, furnishing and equipping of children’s hospitals."

The Argument FOR it: Children's hospitals all over California need upgrading. Children visit these hospitals for care over one milliosn times a year for diseases like leukemia, sickle cell anemia, heart defects, cystic fibrosis, etc. This money will be allocated as grants to the Children's hospitals that meet certain criteria, and will have to be for specific projects or equipment, and will need to be used properly or the grant could be revoked.

The Argument AGAINST it: $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$. No More Debt! Hospitals are behind this proposition so they can make more money! There's still money left over from the same proposition we passed in 2004!

My Opinion: YES. This proposition is a little more clear cut to me than the first two. Yes, there is money left over from the bonds we voted for in 2004 for children's hospitals, but that will be used up soon. With the cost of raw materials for buildings and medical equipment constantly soaring higher, hospitals that treat children need help. Most of them are funded by the state or private donors, the majority of the ones that this would fund are University of California hospitals. Is that a special interest? Probably. But the fact is that children's health problems are probably caused by things that we or people in the past have done to screw up everything.

As corny as it is, I must quote the great songstress in saying "I believe that children are our future. Teach them well and let them lead the way." Can't teach them if they're sick. I think just under $2 billion is a small price to pay to fix our future children.

Could someone explain this to me?

2008-10-15T14:09:00.000-07:00

Huh?

Proposition 2 - A Zeo Perspective

2008-10-14T16:44:00.000-07:00

*As i'm trying to be an informed voter, I've decided to research and post my thoughts on the propositions that we'll be voting on in a few weeks. Perhaps you will find them helpful. Or feel free to tell me if you think I'm wrong!*

PROPOSITION 2 - STANDARDS FOR CONFINING FARM ANIMALS.

The Proposal: Issues and enforces strict standards to prevent the inhumane and cruel treatment of animals. It requires farmers to provide adequate area for animals to stand up and stretch their legs, and it prohibits crates for veal and pigs.

The Argument FOR it: Proponents of Prop 2 argue that farm factories are inhumane and stuffing cages with 10-12 hens each. The detriment to the animals is great, as they are psychologically damaged, and the amount of waste created is harmful to their health, and in turn ours, as well as damaging to the environment surrounding the farms. If passed, it "will create a new state statute that prohibits the confinement of farm animals in a manner that does not allow them to turn around freely, lie down, stand up, and fully extend their limbs." [wikipedia].

The Argument AGAINST It: Opponents of Prop 2 (the farming industry, naturally) claim that this is an overzealous statute and that it will actually harm the animals by allowing them to run free during the day. It will be an enormous cost increase, which will encourage egg farmers to move out of California to where it is cheaper, which will raise the cost of eggs for all of us. Exposing the chickens to the outside increases their risk of acquiring bird flu and salmonella. Studies show current modern housing of chickens are the most effective way of housing the animals.

My opinion: I am really undecided on this one. Essentially this bill comes down to one product: Eggs. The number of calves and pigs raised in crates is not that great in California, and most of those aren't being kept in tiny cages anymore. Hens who lay eggs are kept in tight quarters and I'm sure don't live a comfortable life. I've seen the videos, I know that they're not treated properly most of the time. I know that animals raised naturally and cage free are generally healthier and in turn more nutritious for humans to consume. From a moral standpoint, I wish all cows were allowed to graze on grass, and chickens could run around freely.

But then there's the economic side of this issue as well. If it costs more to let hens have more space, farmers might take jobs out of state where it's cheaper. Jobs out of state means less taxes for California. The cost of eggs will go up, and in tough economic times raising the price of anything is not a good idea.

I also am not sure if a voter-initiated statute is the best way to go. Californians have a tendency to vote a lot of things into law and back ourselves into corners and then bitch about it (tripling of car registration anyone?). Plus if in the future a more effective way of housing chickens is found, farmers might be limited by what this statute imposes, and then Californians would have to vote to undo the statute which will take forever and probably not happen.

This proposition has overwhelming support and will pass regardless of what I vote, and honestly I don't think it will be a bad thing overall, but I feel there might be a better way to work with farmers to find a solution that works for all parties and will benefit both the animals and the farmers.

San Francisco Chronicle - Vote No on 2
Los Angeles Times - Vote no on 2

San Diego Union Tribune - Vote Yes on 2
The New York Times - Vote Yes on 2

Proposition 1A - A Zeo Perspective

2008-10-11T20:26:00.000-07:00

*As i'm trying to be an informed voter, I've decided to research and post my thoughts on the propositions that we'll be voting on in a few weeks. Perhaps you will find them helpful. Or feel free to tell me if you think I'm wrong!*

PROPOSITION 1A - SAFE, RELIABLE HIGH-SPEED PASSENGER TRAIN BOND ACT.

The Proposal: Vote to issue $9.95 billion in bonds to finance the building of a High Speed Rail Line between Los Angeles and San Francisco. At speeds of up to 220 miles per hour, a train could get you between the two cities in 2.5 hours.

The Argument FOR it: Who wouldn't want an alternative to flying between California's two largest cities? I make that trip a lot, and LAX is a pain in the ass most of the time. I'd love to sit back for two and a half hours and arrive at my destination in downtown San Francisco. It's cleaner for the environment for sure, and it will be a more cost-effective option for California's growing population.

The Argument AGAINST it: The $9.95 billion in bonds, assuming we could sell them, will actually cost the state $19.5 billion over 30 years to pay back. The bill does not cover all costs of building the rail like, it requires matching funds from private investors. It has no accountability or oversight built into it and is a waste of taxpayer dollars which could be used for other, more important things.

My opinion: I'm probably going to vote NO on this proposition. I

t's not that I don't want a high speed train, I do. I think trains are a great alternative to other forms of travel if we can make them more efficient and faster. They're better for the environment, and overall a great idea. I mean, right now it takes 10 hours to get from Los Angeles to San Francisco on Amtrak, and I just don't have that kind of time.

BUT California can't even afford to maintain itself let alone this new project. We have $100 billion in outstanding bonds that we have voted for over the years that we still have to pay back. At a time when the state is asking the government for a bailout so it can keep paying its bills, it's definitely not a time to be taking on more debt. True, it doesn't raise any taxes, but it just adds to the amount of our budget that goes to our outstanding debt, which means less money available for education, healthcare, etc. This train will happen in the future, and I will probably vote for it. But the California economy can't handle it right now. Maybe in a few years when things are back on their feet.

Economic Woahs (Part 2)

2008-10-10T09:38:00.000-07:00

I remember when the Dow Jones Industrial Average first hit the 10,000 mark. It was a huge deal. It was March 1999, the internet was taking off and the economy was growing rapidly. The Clinton Presidency was in its waning years, Britney Spears had just been introduced to the world, and things were good.

I was a sophomore in college back then and taking my first Economics class. I was learning the basics of supply and demand, bear and bull markets, and the all encompassing Invisible Hand. My professor was very clear and made things understandable for those of us who weren't necessarily mathematics-inclined.

So when the Dow hit 10,000, I knew it was a moment in financial history. Things were on the up and up.

Here we are, almost a decade later. The internet bubble came and went. We are in the midst of a financial crisis unlike any other seen in history. Banks are failing. Century-plus year old investment banks are being wiped out. The global economy is hurting because of what happened here. People are losing their homes because they made bad choices on faulty mortgages. Credit extension has come to a virtual halt. The Dow as of when I'm writing this has fallen down to 8,299.

Every day on the internet news sites there are pictures of frustrated investors on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. The past few days the stock market has dropped, causing Americans as a whole to lose tens of trillions of dollars. President Bush has given statements on the economy 20 times in the past 15 days. Everyone is freaking out that we're heading into a depression. So what do we make of all this?

The fact is, there were some very bad choices made at the very top levels of our unregulated financial system. Faulty loans and low interest rates got translated into faulty mortgages with adjustable interest rates. At a time when Americans were borrowing more than ever before, people who shouldn't have been owning homes were living in their McMansions, and when Wall Street was making more money than ever before....the shit hit the fan.

People suddenly couldn't afford their mortgages and defaulted on loans on a massive scale, sending a shockwave right into the very foundation of Wall Street. All the greedy investors finally got their ass handed to them by the choices that were made. The economy is in a rapid collapse, though honestly probably one that was going to happen eventually.

Americans borrow money on a ridiculous scale. I heard on the news this morning that personal credit card debt in America is over $1 Trillion dollars. The National Debt Calculator in New York has to be replaced so they can add an addition digit to it since it has crossed the $10 Trillion mark. So maybe this was something that was bound to happen sooner or later and is meant to teach us a lesson.

The market goes up and down. It's a basic tenet of economics. Some are small fluctuations, some are big. But the fact is, we'll make it through this. Americans have made it through tougher times and we will make it through this time as well. Hopefully we'll learn some lessons from this crisis and be able to prevent a future one.

In the meantime, Investors need to stop being fearful. I don't normally agree with President Bush, but he's right that fear is not the answer to our problems. The more creditors and investors are fearful, the faster the Dow is going to drop. Just take a deep breath, calm down and realize that it's going to be ok. I understand you've lost a lot of money and that is definitely a reason to freak out, but the more you do it, the worse it's going to get. Someone needs to be brave enough to make a positive move and loosen up some credit in order for any healing to begin.

Because at this rate, the Dow might hit zero next week. And it can't go any further down than that!

Dreamy

2008-10-09T15:02:00.000-07:00

I'm in love.

It's so sexy!

Maybe ignorance is bliss?

2008-10-09T12:55:00.000-07:00

This hurts my soul.

Here's my question to those who think Obama is a terrorist:

In your honest opinion, do you really and truly believe that in an age where the Bush Administration listens to all our conversations, keeps an eye on innocent civilians to make sure we're not terrorists, and locks up thousands of people for suspected terrorism, that they would let someone who is a suspected terrorist be elected to the Senate? Let alone get this far in the race for President?

The ignorance just baffles me and makes me so sad for our country.

Debating the Debate

2008-10-08T14:08:00.000-07:00

Last night Senator Barack Obama (whoo hoo!) and Senator John McCain had their second Presidential debate in Nashville, Tennessee. I was going to attempt to liveblog it last night, but then realized that a) I didn't have the energy, and b) ten minutes in I realized it was boring.

The town hall style of the debate is usually more interesting. It gives people the chance to ask questions directly to the candidates. It gives the candidates a chance to talk directly to someone and relate it to their lives. But I swear half the people in there were mannequins. They all just sat there like stone with orders not to speak, laugh, cough, smile, or blink. The ones asking questions didn't look very comfortable doing it, and weren't very energetic about it. If I got up there I'd be like "Hey guys! Ok listen..." Politics is serious, but that doesn't mean it can't be fun.

I think Obama came off as a very competent man, someone who knows what he is talking about and who has some reasonable ideas for the country. John McCain seems like a very nice man, who is trying to have some good ideas, but can't sell them too well.

The McCain campaign has been nothing but condescending to Obama since the first debate. Sarah Palin was ridiculously condescending, like she was better than everyone (probably because God told her she was). McCain last night referred to Obama as "that one." A comment that is so belittling and so insulting that I can't believe more people aren't angry about it.

But the problem with both of them was that neither said anything new. I could have stated each of their responses to most questions and their responses to each other as well. It wasn't a debate as much as it was another chance for them to regurgitate their platforms.

I understand that in these days of such formal debates that they can't really do more than that, but it would have been way more entertaining and revealing I think, if it was just the two of them and the moderator said "Senators. Healthcare. Discuss." and they were forced to talk to each other and not to us. I'd like to hear what McCain would say directly to Obama and vice versa. I think if the two actually got into a conversation about a topic, with no need for the facts and figures they constantly site, or the need to refute another's accusation, we'd be able to see a different side of them, one that is more honest and reflective of their personalities.

And the best part of that is that we wouldn't have to hear McCain say "my friends." I don't want my President to be my friend, Senator. I want him to be a leader. Maybe if you were not making lame jokes about hair plugs or throwing untruths around so much, you'd realize that now is a time for a real leader. Someone who is strong and commanding and who speaks with conviction. The last time we elected a Joe Six Pack to office was eight years ago and look where that got us.

But hey, keep trying to be our friends. That will work out juuuuuuuust fine...*maniacal laughter.*

I don't think words are necessary

2008-10-03T17:59:00.001-07:00

To whoever created this: thank you.

Game on

2008-10-02T15:00:00.001-07:00

I saw this trailer for High School Musical 3: Senior Year (which you know I'll be seeing in theaters) the other night during 90210.

Do you think Zac Efron gets paid everytime he shows off his arms? Because he is sleeveless in a good portion of this TV spot.

Simply because.

2008-10-01T09:29:00.000-07:00

Proposition 8 Sucks

2008-09-30T10:58:00.001-07:00

I was watching the KTLA Morning News today, as I do most mornings, and I was disappointed to see about five "Vote Yes on Proposition 8" advertisements. They were all the same ad, trying to explain that gay marriage would open up people and churches to lawsuits and loss of funding.

Right.

Because California taxpayers should be supporting groups that exclude Californians anyway.

Obviously I have a vested interest in Proposition 8 being defeated, as I would like to have the ability to get married one day without traveling all the way to Massachusetts. I would definitely like you, dear reader, to vote NO on Prop 8 as well in support of letting everyone have equal rights.

The California Supreme Court made their landmark decision on my birthday this year, May 15, 2008. I was obviously quite happy, yet I understand why people are not. The Court basically said limiting marriage rights is exclusive and not in line with the California Constitution. They also made a point to say that any law eliminating rights of anyone would be unconstitutional.

Marriage started as a religious institution. I understand that some religions are exclusive and don't support the idea that the gays can marry. But from a legal and civil standpoint, there is no reason that we shouldn't have that right. Religion and Government have no business overlapping, even though I know that is not the way it is. Religious institutions can choose to accept gays in their church or not. Civilian funded government must provide equal rights to all.

It's never easy to gain civil rights. And you can't satisfy all the people all the time. When segregation was eliminated, there were many people who didn't approve, and were dragged kicking and screaming into it. I'm sure there were men who didn't think women should have the right to vote and were dragged into that as well. A lot of times people need to have change forced upon them, otherwise things will always stay the same. People are comfortable with the status quo and will not evolve if the the issue is not forced.

You are welcome to your beliefs on gay marriage and homosexuality in general. But do not tell me that I am wrong. Do not tell me that your beliefs are the only ones that are good and true. This is a country that is called the Land of the Free, and I am free to have my beliefs as well and yours should never be imposed upon others, especially when it comes to the law.

So vote NO on Prop 8. Watch the commericals below if you want. Donate to the cause if you want, so the campaign can fight back. Even if it's a little, every dollar counts so they can get advertisements on television and let people know to Let California Ring.

Economic Woahs

2008-09-29T12:45:00.000-07:00

When the House of Representatives rejected the Economic Recovery Plan earlier today, I was amazed that this drama just seems to continue. Here we are on the brink of the most important election in recent history, Wall Street is collapsing under the weight of its own bad decisions, President Bush is trying to take control so that history will look positively upon him in the waning months of his presidency, and House Republicans are in open rebellion against the President they have supported for 8 years.

You can't make this stuff up. It's so delicious.

The situation isn't delicious, but the drama is. It continues to unfold at a rapid pace. In the past month Lehman Brothers, Washington Mutual (Whoo Hoo!) and many other banks and lenders have been crushed as fallout from the housing crisis. These banks took huge risks selling bad mortgages to people and now are paying the price. People can't afford their mortgages anymore and are defaulting on their loans, causing a ripple effect that has shaken the very foundation of Wall Street.

Who's to blame for this? Well Wall Street of course! Bankers made a poor choice in adjustable rate mortgages. In theory they seem like a bargain, but in reality...well look what happened. Rich people tried to get richer and now are paying the price.

This isn't to say the rest of America isn't to blame as well. People have warned for decades that Americans live well outside their financial means thanks to credit cards and loans. To me it seems like common sense that if you have unpaid credit cards, you shouldn't be taking on a mortgage. Even though I don't make much money, I probably could have been approved for a mortgage a few years ago, but to me it wouldn't have made sense since I knew I couldn't afford it. Does that make me smart? Maybe. I was an economics minor after all.

As the outcry of public opinion against the bailout grows, it's important for people to understand what they're not bothering to read about. The bailout doesn't just inject $700 Billion into the economy. It starts with $250 Billion being used to buy bad loans to save those businesses. Then the next $100 billion has to be approved by the President, and then the next portion of the money has to be approved by Congress. There's a chance we might not even need to use all $700 Billion. There's even a chance the taxpayers will make a profit off it once the economy stabilizes.

Do I think the bailout needs to happen? Yes. I'd rather see it happen than an economic collapse. I can barely afford life as it is, I don't need things to get worse.

Do I think it should have gotten to the point where we need a bailout? Of course not. But when corporations are giving CEOs $45 million bonuses and 300% pay raises every year, it's not shocking that something's not quite right in their heads.

Do House Democrats need to man up and fight for what they want? Definitely.

Do House Republicans need to shut the hell up with their demands and issues with socialized financial systems? Absolutely. Yes the free market is great when it works, but it obviously isn't working. This bailout isn't a permanent change in how the markets operate, it's a band aid until things are back on track. They keep talking de-regulation, which is what got us into this mess. Sometimes people need to be regulated, and that's where government needs to step in. Someone needs to take control. There needs to be oversight of where this money is going. CEOs of these companies should in no uncertain terms get golden parachutes or ridiculous raises from taxpayers.

And the drama will continue! Who knows what will happen on tomorrow's episode of "As the United States Turns?"

Back in the moment

2008-09-29T10:48:00.000-07:00

As the 2008 election draws near, I find myself more embroiled in political debates than I find necessary. But having a politically minded boss and this being the most important election in recent history, I am more on top of what's happening with the candidates and the issues than I ever have been. I am generally able to discuss my thoughts with people, but sometimes I want to write it down somewhere. Then I remembered.

Oh yeah, I have a blog!

I've neglected it for four months. My apologies to anyone who actually reads it. Though I know that is probably one person who randomly stumbled upon it by Googling something like "grocery retainer Lance Bass."

I will try to post more regularly these days. I say try because let's face it, I always say that and eventually run out of interesting things to say and therefore stop writing. But hopefully i'll think of more things to say this time around. (Fingers crossed!)

29 going on....uh....29.

2008-05-19T13:55:00.000-07:00

On Thursday I made the leap into the final year of my 20s, though for all intents and purposes, I'm holding at 29. My actual birthday was quite nice. Normal day at work, with a little surprise cake and generous gift from my boss. I was overwhelmed with Facebook messages and myspace messages, I had no idea the random people cared so much! KS and I went to dinner that night at Crustacean in Beverly Hills. I'd never been there, and it was delicious. The lobster with their garlic noodles was just divine. I can cross that place off my list of restaurants to go to in Los Angeles now.

On Friday night I had people out to Eleven in West Hollywood. I generally have fun at my birthday, but that night was a total blast. A bunch of my friends were out, and I think we all had a great time. Of course then the night was capped when I met a longtime celebrity crush who happened to be there as well. Tragically we didn't make out, but it was definitely a nice birthday gift. Thanks Lance!

The rest of the weekend was uneventful. Recovering, running errnads, and trying to stay out of the heat pretty much accounted for all that time.

I'm kind of sad my birthday's over now. We don't get to celebrate me for another year!

Time Travel

2008-05-14T17:23:00.000-07:00

There are things in this life that you grumble about having to deal with because you don't think you'll ever need them. Insurance is a good example. We have it, we pay for it, we bitch that it's too expensive. Then a health problem arises, things are damaged by a fire, or you run into another car. Or maybe your car catches on fire causing you to run into another car which gives you health problems. Regardless, the point is that when these things happen is when you change your thinking suddenly to "thank god I have insurance."

In a digital age, our lives are enveloped in computers. Everyone has a computer and keeps a lot of various things on them. Music, pictures, videos, emails, resumes, porn, important documents, etc. So we always hope that our computer is going to be in good shape and reliable. That's why some of us pay for Apple computers. They are touted as solid machines, easy to use, and very reliable. Last August I gave up 28 years of being a PC user to start my life as a Mac user. I have to say I was very impressed and my little laptop has already served me well. There's a program in Leopard called Time Machine which with the simple click of a button you can automatically back up your computer when you plug in your external drive.

This, much like insurance, is annoying when it bugs you that it hasn't backed up in 5 days, 15 days, 28 days, etc. Finally on the 32nd day I had to get something off my external drive so it
backed up. That was Thursday.

On Friday night I got one of those messages that you know means a tragedy is about to occur: a blinking folder with a question mark on it. Buh bye hard drive!

I will say that Apple repaired my computer in just over 12 hours, so thanks for that guys (sidenote: I continue to hate The Grove). But the amazing thing was when I backed up from Time Machine, my computer was exactly the same as it was before it crashed. My applications, my settings, my passwords, even my desktop background were all exactly the same as before. I was very impressed. I guess they figure if they can't make quality hard drives, the least they could do is make software that will assuage your anger. Good forward thinking, Steve!

One reason I love California is...

2008-05-06T16:21:00.000-07:00

There's something about this commercial that I absolutely love, and that makes me feel really happy I am a Californian.

My only question is: Why does Maria Shriver sound so weird?

Contradictions

2008-04-30T12:38:00.000-07:00

I've been a subscriber to Men's Health magazine for years. And over the years I've noticed one consistent trend in the magazine:

There is a lot of contradiction.

This is not just Men's Health, there's a lot of contradicting information we get these days, especially in regards to our health and the environment.

- Drink Diet Soda rather than regular soda, it will trim your waistline
- Drink regular soda because aspartame can cause cancer.

- Open your windows! Don't use your air conditioner, it's bad for the envirnoment and wastes gas!
- Don't open your windows, use your air conditioner, as inhaling smog can lead to premature death.

- Isolating muscles when you are working out is the best way to gain strength and size.
- Isolating muscles when you are working out is not the best way to gain strength and size.

- Running indoors is better so you don't breathe in toxins.
- Running outdoors gives you a better workout.

- Make sure you get shoes that will give you good support when you run or walk.
- Running/Walking without shoes is the best way to gain strength and stability.

- Ethanol will save our natural resources and is better for the environment!
- Ethanol production makes more pollution than it will save!

- Details Magazine is not a gay magazine!
- Everything in Details magazine that implies it is a gay magazine.

Who do I believe?! Any other examples you can think of?

Half your lives pass and it's still the same.

2008-04-30T10:13:00.000-07:00

Last night I reconnected with an old friend who I haven't seen since high school. He moved to my hometown in 5th grade and I was assigned to show him around the first day of school. Being a big dork I think I showed him around and gave him some history of the school (since my brother and sister had gone there too) and was probably a big bore, but for some reason he decided to be friends with me. Though maybe that was because of the other people I hung out with, who knows.

After a few years we drifted apart. We went to high school together, but we were more acquaintances then. I think graduation in 1997 was the last time I saw him.

Cut to 2007 and the world of myspace. We find each other and do some minor catching up. It's really great when you reconnect with people and see how your lives have changed in the past ten years. I've been doing that a lot, thanks to our high school reunion's myspace page, even though our high school reunion didn't actually happen.

A few months ago I ran into him at a bar for 5 minutes, which was weird since earlier in the day I had been talking about him to one of my other friends who knew him. It was random and fun, and we promised we'd get together to catch up.

So last night we, along with our other friend, finally got together. Earlier in the day he had called me to solidify plans and i thought to myself "wow, there's a name I never thought I'd see pop up on my phone." It was really fun, and one of those 'who'd have thought?' kind of moments. There we were, 16 years after we all drifted apart, sharing a beer and reminiscing about the old days and about where our lives had taken us.

The interesting thing about the three of us is that we all turned out to be gay. It just makes you wonder - was it just a coincidence or circumstances that caused us all to be friends when we were younger? Or were we subconsciously drawn to each other because of something we shared, though we might not have known it at the time. Maybe it was something in the water? One of those questions I'll probably never get an answer to.

Tales from Chez Zeo - Le Ratatouille

2008-04-23T17:39:00.000-07:00

On Sunday night I decided to be fancy and make a big dinner. Which really could be most Sunday nights, but this one took me 4 hours to cook. it all started when I watched Tyler Florence make a 'healthy' meal of broiled salmon atop a bed of ratatouille. Now yes, those things could be healthy, but not when you slather the salmon in two sticks of herb butter.

Anyway, I'd never had ratatouille so I decided to give it a shot. Veggies, check. I need protein though! Enter Ellie Krieger with her 250 calorie stuffed red bell peppers. Delightful!

I started off by chopping and sauteing the eggplant and zucchini.

mmmmm zucchini

Next I sauted the onions and herbs, then added tomatoes, and threw the eggplant and zucchini back in.

mmm tomatoes and onions!

Let that simmer down a bit, and voila, ratatouille!

mmm! ratatouille!

The peppers were a lot easier. Mix some beef, spinach, onions, an egg, and some bulghur (which I couldn't find at three different stores, so decided to use quinoa instead), stuff them into halved peppers and bake. Voila! Stuffed peppers!

So I made a bed of ratatouille and put the pepper on top of it and it was mighty delicious. I did undersalt the peppers, but that's ok because I oversalted the ratatouille so it all evened out.

uh huh, that's right. I made that.

I started off the meal with watermelon gazpacho too. Light and refreshing, and delicious to eat! And a tad spicy.

Nutritious and Delicious

Four hours after starting I finally enjoyed the meal. It was totally worth the time though.

That's all for now from Chez Zeo! Be back with another installment and culinary delight soon I'm sure.

Nerd love

2008-04-15T14:24:00.001-07:00

THIS might be the cutest thing I've heard in a while.

And I hear myself talk every day!

Fun in the Sun

2008-04-14T15:20:00.000-07:00

What a delightfully warm weekend! Full of fun and festivities.

Friday night I went over to a friend's place for my first taste of Rock Band. It's pretty genius. Four people unite to be a pseudo-band. I did okay on the guitar, but got much better when I was on the drums. Sure it was on 'Easy', but I'll get to medium next time. Every song I've listened to since I imagine on the Rock Band screen and how it would look. Thank goodness I don't have an xbox 360 or I'd be consumed by it.

Saturday I went to San Diego for a quick trip. My plan was to go straight to the gay part of Black's Beach because I realized I'd never been there when i lived in SD. I parked and started the ridiculous climb down the cliff. The other gays were flitting past me while I was going slow and sliding all over the place. Halfway down I realized I forgot my water so I said screw this i'm going to the easier part! I hiked back up and drove over to the La Jolla Farms side, and before I parked I knew I had made the right decision. Four words: Hot. College. Surfer. Boys. A MUCH better view than at the gay beach (sorry boys!). Plus the beach was emptier on that side.

I then visited the alma mater because the Thurgood Marshall Cultural Celebration was on and I figured I'd swing by and see how it was. It was nice to actually enjoy the event and not have to work something at the event like I did for four years! I also checked out the new Price Center expansion which is pretty...large. It still isn't fully complete but they were trying to show off for all the admits that were trolling campus.

I met up with B* and we got all gussied up and went to dinner and to Lar-dog's choir show downtown. It was a pleasant surprise and very fun. Frenchie David performed a few times. Do you remember her? American Idol season 2? Got booted because of naughty pictures on the internet? Well she can still sing, and I have now seen her perform twice...which is two more times than I ever thought I'd see her in person.

Sunday was brunch, a swing by the outlets (the Kenneth Cole outlet is quickly filling up my shoe closet), a delightful drive back to LA, and the standard groceries/cooking and some Battlestar Galactica. And though I enjoy the hot weather, it was way too early for it. It's only April! By the way, my birthday is in a month. Thoughts on what I should do?

Welcome to Hollywood

2008-04-11T11:05:00.001-07:00

Working near Hollywood Blvd, we see a lot of interesting things outside our window. For the past few days we've noticed that two girls dressed as Marilyn Monroe (in different outfits of course), walk down the street towards the Boulevard in the early afternoon, only to return a few hours later. A girl dressed as Supergirl does the same thing. We think they're all roommates.

Yesterday they mixed it up though. In the evening the two Marilyns were accompanied by King Kong. The current working theory is that Supergirl was inside the gorilla suit. Hot.

Also yesterday a big bus parked right outside our window. Some Roxy clothing tour of surfer chicks or something like that. Anyway these two blonde girls were in the front seats (and driving that big ol' bus!) and disappeared into the back. Then they came and closed the front curtains and my coworker was distressed. A few minutes later they turned the engine on again, presumably for the air conditioning. I said the pillow fights they must be having in their underwear must be making it hot inside. Or maybe it was the communal shower. About an hour later they emerged dressed to go out and headed into the club that's in the basement of our building.

Other fun things outside our building: The Scientology testing center, the numerous sex toy shops, Liberace's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and the Hollywood Wig & Costume shop. For those days when I need a disguise.

Thursday morning traffic report

2008-04-10T10:09:00.000-07:00

After moving our office to Hollywood, I figured my commute would be roughly the same amount of time, though half the distance, because let's be honest getting into Hollywood is never pleasant. This morning was ridiculous though. It took me a full 60 minutes to get here, which is unacceptable. Here's a rough timeline of my morning:

8:15am - Get in the car, plug in the iPod. Figure I'll put on my workout mix, perhaps then it will be like I had gone to the gym before work.

8:16am - Hilary Duff - Wake Up. Sweet! London! Paris! Maybe Tokyo! Maybe someone will let me into the right hand lane so I can get on the freeway!

8:17am - No one is in a giving mood this morning.

8:18 - Screw you people, I'm going around the block!

8:21 - Ah National. Normally you're so good to me. Too bad these 30 cars waiting to take a right are in my way.

8:26 - Are you F-ing kidding me? TRAFFIC COPS. No wonder traffic is worse right now.

8:30 - Finally the freeway! Oh good 10 miles an hour.

8:36 - Much like *NSYNC is telling me how it's tearin' up their hearts when they're with you, it's tearing up my heart to only be at La Cienega.

8:38 - If you're a big rig, don't drive like you're in a sportscar and try to cut me off ON THE OFFRAMP!!!

8:40 - Finally on La Brea. Madonna is right when she says Time. Goes. By.....So Slowly...Time Goes By.......So Slowly....

8:46 - At Pico. The fact that there are three lanes of packed cars as far ahead as I can see is not a good sign. And in fact this Power Rangers theme song is making me wish I had power to harm everyone on the road, instead of saving the innocent from evil monsters.

8:48 - I close my eyes and think of the days when Dirty Pop was all the rage. Much happier times than this moment.

8:50 - F*ck you La Brea!! I'm going to Rossmore!

8:56 - This turn from Olympic to Rossmore is unpleasant as well.

8:59 - I normally like to speed to Ready Steady Go by Paul Oakenfold, but unfortunately I am not in a big truck that can drive over all the cars in front of me.

9:03 - This part of Rossmore is actually open! Huzzah! It's over now bitches!

9:05 - Vine is surprisingly empty. Where is everyone? Oh right, probably still stuck on La Brea.

9:08 - Ah finally my parking lot! Just a quick left and--WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING STUPID WOMAN DRIVING OUT THE ENTRANCE AND BLOCKING MY PATH???? Here let me reverse INTO traffic so you can get out!!!! $@%&(&* @(*$**($@#&$ # &@*$*&*!!!!!!!!!!!

9:10 - Finally in my parking space.

9:11 - Don't go 40 mph down a 25 mph street and get mad when I am crossing the street. SLOW DOWN!!

Perhaps this is just karma telling me that I should get my ass to the gym before work so I can avoid this. Lesson learned!

Excellence is my middle name

2008-04-03T10:13:00.001-07:00

A friend's boss who I used to work with asked for my advice based on something I had ebay'd for them a few years ago. (Do it once, and you're the expert!) The conversation went as follows:

A: Perhaps I could run the items by you for your educated opinion.
A: Or make use of your high marks.
me: Is that all I'm good for?
me: my high marks?
A: no not at all
A: see, you are highly regarded in all walks of life
A: at the temple
A: in the industry
A: online
A: etc.
A: when P thinks of EXCELLENCE, your name comes to mind.

You heard it here first, people. I am synonymous with EXCELLENCE.

The Jennings & Rall of Retail

2008-03-26T20:47:00.000-07:00

I read this story today.

As if I needed more reason to loathe Wal-Mart.

Here is a summary of the article:

- A woman who was working for Wal-Mart was in a traffic accident and got severe brain damage that impaired her long-term memory.
- Eventually she won a lawsuit that put just under $500,000 in a fund for her long-term healthcare.
- Wal-Mart's medical plan apparently has the right to recoup their costs and wants $470,000 that it spent on her as part of their plan.
- All the courts have ruled in Wal-Mart's favor.
- The woman's son died in Iraq, and she doesn't remember that. So everytime she hears that her son is dead, it's like the first time.
- Her husband, who's recovering from prostate cancer and works two jobs to pay the bills, had to divorce her so that she could get more money from MedicAid, because with the settlement, they made too much money to qualify.

What the hell is wrong with people? Does Wal-Mart really need the money back? It made 90 BILLION dollars in profit last year. It's so disgusting. They can put it in the disguise saying it was in her contract and that it's in fairness to all employees for them to recoup their costs, but come on. Is it worth completely destroying someone whose life has already been devastated?

Screw Wal-Mart.

Green fries

2008-03-26T15:52:00.001-07:00

For St. Patty's day last week, I went to ye olde Irish Times a few blocks from my apartment. It was a good time, and drunken straight guys can be adorable. The best part was when one of my friends, already intoxicated from another party, arrived and said she was hungry. She happened to be sitting next to a couple who were clearly done with their fish 'n chips, and asked if she could have their fries. In fact she offered up her Guinness as payment. The girl said here are the fries, but no need for the beer. But her boyfriend said well, I'm Irish, I'll take it, and downed it in about 30 seconds.

The fries were cold and nasty, but we all had some. The next morning I got a text message "Ewww I ate someone's fries last night! You're supposed to help me at moments like that!"

I replied: "But then how am I supposed to make fun of you for being ghetto?"

Besides. I hadn't had anything to eat, and a few cold fries seemed like they would hit the spot.

Eli came, Eli left.

2008-03-26T15:36:00.001-07:00

I don't know what it is about me and fish. We used to get along great. When I was younger I had goldfish that lived a few years. Even in college I had a few fish that lasted a while. In 2002 I got my first Betta fish, named Sparky. Sparky was awesome. Bright and red, and loved to play. And by play I mean follow my finger around the tank.

Problems started when I moved to Los Angeles. And I mean that literally. I had made the whole drive down and was about a mile away from my sister's, when some asshole cut me off. I hit the brakes hard, and could hear the water splashing out of Sparky's tank. I rushed to get to my destination and quickly threw open the door to find Sparky still in his tank, squished down into about an inch of water. Poor guy!!

I got him some fresh water (treated, of course) and all was good. Until a few weeks later when I noticed a bulge starting to grow. As the weeks went by this bulge got large and larger and I was convinced it was a tumor. After about 6 months he died. A tragic loss.

Then came Pluto. Pluto was pretty and blue and even made it to my apartment with me. He was possibly cuter than Sparky, and I got him a bigger tank to play in. He lived a happy life for a while until...

ICK. And I don't mean nastiness, I mean the disease. The white fungus-like stuff that starts growing on poor innocent bettas. At this point I got Pluto a brother to play with (in a separate tank of course so they didn't rip each other to shreds), and he got ick too. Both died soon after, even though I did everything right. Gave them new water twice a week, added the medicine to the water, etc.

I decided to not be distressed and get another Betta named...well actually he didn't have a name because he died two days after i got him, before I even had taken him out of his little cup!!!!!

So I took a break from fish for a while. That was about three years ago. So a few weeks ago I decided to take my changes and get another friend to keep me company. That's when Eli came into my life.

Eli was fun. Eli was grand. Too bad I came home on Friday and Eli was dead. He was fine in the morning, swimming around happily. And by the end of the day he was floating on his side at the bottom of the tank.

So I think there may be some bad chi in that part of my apartment. Maybe I should keep them somewhere else if I can get over the heartbreak. I just want a fishy companion to keep me company in my life, is that too much to ask? I don't think so.

I'm Soary..but what is wrong with you people?

2008-03-21T12:52:00.001-07:00

Last night I went to karaoke with my friends at the best karaoke bar in Los Angeles, Boardwalk 11, which is conveniently located about 3 blocks from my apartment.

It was a night of random song choices, but of course tons of fun. (Even more fun when Strongbow on tap is involved.)

When I'm scrolling through my iPod on my 40 mile daily round trip commutes, I of course sing at the top of my lungs, and figure out which ones would be appropriate for karaoke. So I decided to take one of them out for a spin, and put my name in for "The Promise" by When in Rome.

Now granted, I did not rock the hair like in this video, I only wish. But to me this is a fun song, and I thought I did a decent job.

But the crowd was dead. My friends were supporting me, but I could tell only one of them actually knew this song. Am I wrong in thinking it was a big hit back in the early 90s? Are there others out there who like this song? Everyone in the crowd was sitting there like "what the hell is this guy singing?"

I think I need a better crowd.

And as a sidenote, I also need people who know the High School Musical soundtrack so that I can sing the duets, because those I sadly know really well.

2008-03-19T11:36:00.000-07:00

I've been trying to post things the past few days but just can't seem to find the time. Apologies to the two of you who read this.

Sunday night I went to the Matchbox Twenty/Alanis Morissette concert at the Staples Center. It was pretty awesome.

Our seats were fantastic, and it was like Alanis was singing right to me. Like we had a connection. Or maybe she had a connection with our whole section. Or maybe everyone on our side of the arena. Anyway the point is she was amazing. She did a little of "My Humps" for everyone's enjoyment, but not the whole song which I was sad about. She did a a good portion of her old songs and a few of her new ones which sound pretty good.

As you might know, when she released Jagged Little Pill Acoustic, she changed the line in "Ironic" to "It's like meeting the man of my dreams...and then meeting his beautiful.........HUSBAND." (Ain't that the truth!) When she sang this part in the song, about 80% of the people in the audience started cheering really loudly. Whether it was because it was true or because it was in support of the gays, who knows, but it was a nice moment.

Then Matchbox Twenty came out singing the song off their new album "How Far We've Come," which was a great start to a fantastic two hour set.

I'm not sure what it is about Rob Thomas that's so hot, but he was nice to look at, even from a distance. They sang almost all of their latest album which is mostly greatest hits and a few new ones, and threw in a few softer, subtler versions of their music. They did NOT do any sort of duet with Alanis, which would have been amazing. Rob did mention however that Alanis was so badass that she went to her house here in LA and baked them all cookies.

They were really pleasant and personable when it came to interacting with the audience which is always fun. The concert really exceeded my expectations, and considering I'd been expecting a lot since I bought these tickets month ago and have been talking about it for a while, that's saying something. And for all of you that scoffed at me: YOUR LOSS!!

Where have all the cowboys gone?

2008-03-10T17:54:00.001-07:00

On Saturday night I went to West Hollywood thinking there would be some nice eye candy, per usual. I was at Fiesta Cantina with my friends having a good time and looking around. And looking. And looking some more. After like ten minutes I must have had a perplexed look on my face because my roomie gave me that "what's up?" look. I asked "where are all the hot guys?" He said "Here at Fiesta! That's why we come here!" I told him to look around.

After a minute of scoping out the situation, I could see the realization on his face. "Oh my god, WE'RE the hot guys here. What is WRONG?"

Seriously, if you're hot and were out on Saturday, where were you?

We tried Eleven, thinking it would be better. But no such luck. Horribly disappointing. How am I supposed to ogle at unattainable men if they're not around?! When the bartenders aren't even hot (including the porn star at East West who is generally hot, but dyed his hair blonde and doesn't look as good) you know something's wrong.

Come back hot guys!!

Google Ads is missing their target

2008-03-05T18:10:00.000-08:00

This just popped up in the ad bar on my Gmail account:

"Find Cougar Bars - www.DateACougar.com - Learn Location Of Local Cougar Bars 100% Free. Join Now!"

Well, at least now I'll know where to look if I ever go straight.

Eli, Everyone, Everyone, Eli

2008-03-04T11:59:00.001-08:00

Everyone allow me to introduce you to the newest member of my family, Eli. I decided it was time for another betta, since it's been a few years and I think my bad Betta-luck might be over. (the last two were a bit of a travesty. The first died in about a month, the second died in a matter of days, before I even got to put him in his tank!) Hopefully Eli will stick around for a while. So far he seems quite content.

I'm sorry, what?

2008-03-04T09:50:00.000-08:00

On Saturday night I met some friends at The Gas Lite in Santa Monica. Aside from it being a very interesting crowd, the most bizarre thing happened at the bar.

I had first ordered a Jameson and ginger ale, a delicious drink. Halfway through I realized that it was a Jameson and Diet Coke, but it was really light so i figured it was just light on the syrup. My friend came and ordered one as well, and hers was clearly not a Jameson and ginger ale. So we go to the bartender (In the following conversation "B" stands for Bartender, "V" stands for my friend, and "D" stands for the awesomeness that is me);

D: Excuse me
B: Yeah?
D: We ordered a Jameson and ginger ale, this is a Jameson and Diet Coke
B: Oh well "bar ginger ale" is just Diet Coke and Sprite.
D & V: .....huh?
B: I said "bar ginger ale" is Diet Coke and Sprite mixed together.
V: What? No it's not.
D: Seriously?
B: Yup.
D: Um....okay then.....

Correct me if I'm wrong here, but what?! As if the drink wasn't weak enough as it is, they're now saying that Diet Coke + Sprite = ginger ale? I don't think so. What bar doesn't have ginger ale, let alone passes off a mixture as the same thing? She said it so normally like "duh, don't you know?" I'd like to see her tend at a gay bar and try to say that. Them bitches would be all over her "Uh uh sweetie, you don't know watchoo talkin' bout." Ok so maybe that's a bit overdramatic, but they wouldn't stand for such a travesty!!

Seriously though has anyone ever heard of that?

Additions to my rants about LA Drivers

2008-03-03T12:09:00.000-08:00

For those who have read my various blogs for years, you know my feelings on driving in Los Angeles. To sum up for those who don't: People are stupid and don't know how to drive. This is brought to my attention every single day as I commute from the westside to Burbank.

However today I have a few additional things to add to my list.

1) Litter

I was driving down the 10 yesterday and was looking at the trash on the side of the road. Paper cups. Plastic bags. Paper bags. Fast food wrappers. Torn up tires. pieces of fabric. Even a large spool (the ones they wrap wire around) and a cooler were on the side of the road.

Now the cooler and spool, fine they must have fallen off the truck. But the rest of it, COME ON people. I have NEVER been sitting in my car thinking "gosh I just finished this refreshing soda. What do I do with this empty cup? I'm certainly not taking it home to the trash, I'll just throw it outside. the prisoners will pick it up later." I mean seriously is this what people think? Why do you throw your trash outside? I also often see shattered videotapes with the tape stretching a few yards and blowing in the wind. What is that about? STOP LITTERING. It will make my drive a lot prettier.

2) Handicapped Drivers

I don't know if I'm the only one that notices this, but in the last few weeks I've been cut off by, almost hit by, sped past by, or bright-flashed by people with handicapped placards in their window. Mind you each of these times I was driving like any normal person, they were driving obnoxiously. Now I don't mean to sound insensitive or anything, but exactly what are these people's handicaps and how did they get them? Was it by their crazy erratic driving? Are they just mad because they have a disability or do they feel entitled to do whatever they want because they have the placard?

3) AAA Commercials

I saw two AAA Auto Club commercials yesterday that made me laugh. The first was a guy driving erratically and speeding and cutting people off, and at each stop light he still caught up with the same guy. After speeding and driving obnoxiously he is still beaten to the coffee shop by the other guy. Then after rushing around he gets to the elevator, only to find the guy in there already, and that guy says "well this is awkward." Especially because that guy is the CEO of AAA, explaining that studies show that speeding and driving badly doesn't get you there much faster than if you are slow and stead. Didn't anyone ever read "The Tortoise and the Hare?" Slow and steady wins the race!

The other one one had two guys in a grocery store with carts. Guy 1 was minding his own business when Guy 2 races up behind him. Guy one moves forward a little but Guy 2 moves right behind him with an impatient look on his face. Then Guy 1 starts running with Guy 2 following close behind, tailgating. Then the voice over says "you wouldn't do this in a grocery store, so why do it in your car?" Smart!

So please friends and strangers. Stop littering. Don't be obnoxious on the road, and for the love of god GET OFF MY ASS WHEN I'M GOING 70 MPH.

Thou Shalt Not Ignore This Blog

2008-02-29T10:50:00.000-08:00

On the drive to Vegas there were some signs that caught my eye, other than the usual Zzyzx Road.

They were the Ten Commandments spaced out over a mile along the freeway. I guess to remind you what thou shalt not do while in Vegas.

So I thought I would brush up on them since I rarely think about them. I had a friend look them up and tell me whether or not she had broken the commandment. Said friend is about 50/50.

ONE: 'You shall have no other gods before Me.'

TWO: 'You shall not make for yourself a carved image--any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.'

THREE: 'You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.'

FOUR: 'Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.'

FIVE: 'Honor your father and your mother.'

SIX: 'You shall not murder.'

SEVEN: 'You shall not commit adultery.'

EIGHT: 'You shall not steal.'

NINE: 'You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.'

TEN: 'You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's.'

I thought it was just your neighbor's wife you couldn't covet. I didn't realize it included his servants and his oxen too. Dammit!

Like, the best moment of my life

2008-02-29T10:11:00.000-08:00

There are many reasons that I love Las Vegas.

The lights. The hotels. The luxury. The fountains. The randomness.

I went this week for work, and it's quite fun going on a weekday, since there aren't as many people. But at the same time then you miss out on a lot of craziness. But that doesn't mean it doesn't exist. I stayed in the Fantasy Tower at the Palms, which was quite enjoyable. The bed was one of the most comfortable I've ever slept in, and the bathroom was almost as big as my office.

I checked out Wynn Las Vegas, which I've wanted to do for a while. Though there's no theme to it, it's just pure and utter opulence. Everything was beautiful and lavish inside. Though the best part was a shop near the entrance named "Tiny Baubles!" It was right across from "Bags, Belts & Baubles!" Rich people sure love their baubles. Baublesbaublesbaubles.

Of course I went to the Bellagio to watch the fountains, one of my happy places. After watching the first show I was approached by two young kids. I guess they were 18 or so, but they looked really young. Were we ever that young? Anyway they asked if I would mind taking a quick survey. I asked what it was about and they said "your beliefs." Okay sure why not. Here were the questions:

1) Do you believe in God?
2) If no, why not?
3) If you could know that there was a God, and he was a loving God, would you be interested in having him as your best friend?
4) If no, why not?
5) Would you like to hear our answers to these questions?

Normally surveys like this are asked outside grocery stores or in aisles at Target. But in front of the Bellagio fountains? They must have been going after the sinners.

In between the first and second shows they were playing some good music to tide me over until the fountains had finished resting. They started playing "Cherry Tree" by 10,000 Maniacs. A random song, but amazing to hear on the Vegas strip. In fact in a moment of dramatic flair I blackberried my friend "OMG I am at the Bellagio fountains and they are playing 10,000 Maniacs!!!!!!!!! This is like the best moment of my life!!!!!!!"

I do have to say the whole place looks really crowded now. More towers are going up everywhere and really close to the others so you can't really appreciate just one hotel without seeing two others right on top of it. Even the Bellagio sign on the strip is going to be obstructed by the upcoming Cosmopolitan Hotel. But I guess that's progress.

And it got me thinking. If we're still alive and Vegas tradition still rules, how old will we feel when they implode the Bellagio to make way for something bigger and grander?

He's a winner/He's a monster

2008-02-13T10:28:00.000-08:00

As Obama continues his winning streak across America, I find it amusing that Hills is not even bothering to congratulate him anymore and discounting caucuses like they don't matter. Way to win supporters, girl!

CNN posted this image last night on their website announcing the Obama/McCain victories:

Now maybe it's just me who noticed, but what is going on with John McCain's neck?!?! How much extra skin is there? And I don't mean to be shallow, but he looks like a scary monster. Just who I'd want as our president.

From Zeo's kitchen - Sushi Extravaganza

2008-02-11T14:11:00.000-08:00

For Christmas this year my sister got me a selection of items all related to making sushi. Nice plates, rice vinegar, wasabi, chopsticks, rice, and a book on how to make sushi. I'd tried it once before but it wasn't that succesful. So yesterday I decided to be adventurous since I was going to the Japanese market anyway for something. Now, I admit I cheated a little bit and bought the pre-made spicy tuna, but hey it was probably better than what I was going to make for this second-first time.

First up was the rice. I didn't realize how complex it was to make sushi rice. May complex isn't the right word: Laborious is better. After hauling out the rice cooker and following the directings in my sushi book, the rice still wasn't done. So I added a bit more water and let it go a little longer. When it finally was done I added the mixture of vinegar, salt and sugar that i was instructed to make.

Then came the fun part. tossing the rice and blowing it cool with a fan (i.e. a file folder from my desk). After about 10 minutes of cooling the rice it was finally ready. I sliced up withe red snapper I bought, along with some green onions and got out the bamboo mat and seaweed.

Now, I started to get confused when I tried to put the rice on the seaweed because it was sticking to my hands like crazy. I'd scoop up some of it and about half would go onto the seaweed and half would stay on my hands. After a few tries my hands were COVERED in rice, and it wouldn't come off. I wanted to take a picture but my hands were indisposed. Finally i covered that whole piece of seaweed and washed the rice off. i laid down some spicy tuna and rolled it up. it was quite impressive!

Still befuddled by the rice situation for the second roll, I consulted my book again. Ah. There was there sentence I missed: "Wet your hands."

Eureka!

The rice just slid right off my hands this time around, it was perfect.

I mixed up a batch of endamame salad to go along with the sushi, and I have to say it turned out rather pretty:

Pretty, no? And let me tell you it was delicious. Now that I know the secret of handling the rice I will get more creative and adventurous so that I may perfect my sushi-making abilities!

You better have voted!

2008-02-05T13:27:00.001-08:00

Arianna Huffington just posted this article on huffingtonpost.com. It's pretty good and makes you remember what a President is supposed to do, and why Barack Obama is the one that does it.

I hope you voted today.

Why I'm voting Obama in 2008

2008-02-04T16:21:00.000-08:00

I’ve never considered myself an expert on politics. I have friends who are much better versed in the topic than I am, and my roommates are political junkies. They’re the type who will come home at 2am after a few drinks be fighting about politics. Whereas I, if I’m awake (which, let’s be honest, 2am is about 5 hours past my bedtime), will just sit there and laugh at them. It’s not that I don’t enjoy elections, I think they’re exciting times for people to make a difference in the course of history. I like the government, when it works, but what I don’t like is all the bullshit that politics introduces to it.

I’ve voted in almost every election since I turned 18. I have little tolerance for people who don’t vote and then complain about the state of the world. People all over the world fight for the right to be free and have a voice in their future, and those who say ‘oh my one vote doesn’t matter’ are disrespecting those around the world fighting to make their one vote count. If anything the last two Presidential elections should show us that every single vote counts. In Florida in 2000, chaos reigned over just a few votes. In 2004 it was very close again. And even then it was only a fraction of the voting population who actually voted.

The 2008 Presidential Election is turning out to be a very exciting one. I’ve never been more interested in an election, though I’m sure my politically minded boss has a little to do with that. But watching the debates and listening to NPR, I find myself much more invested in this than usual. Most of us do because there is a lot riding on who is our next leader. After 8 embarrassing years it is time for someone intelligent who has the American people’s interests at heart.

That’s why I’m voting for Barack Obama.

As a democrat, I have two fantastic candidates to choose from. I have no doubt that Hillary would be a great President and would lead this country in a new and prosperous direction. But there’s something about her I just don’t trust. I feel like she is a wolf in sheep’s clothing on some issues and is very much a politician, telling the right things to the right people and the other right things to other people.

Obama’s whole campaign is about one thing: Change. Change from what has happened to this country during the latest Bush presidency. Change from politics as usual. Change from the damage that has been caused domestically and internationally. Hope for a brighter future. And I for one hope that people can embrace it.

To those who say he doesn’t have enough experience, so what? There are people in charge of things all over this country that don’t have ‘enough experience’ and are some of the most successful people out there. People that say he doesn’t know how to play the game of politics are the ones that don’t understand that maybe it’s time for the rules of the game to change. Hillary is very divisive. People love her or they hate her, I don’t think she’d be the best person to repair the internal damage that has been inflicted upon us over the past eight years. I truly believe that Obama can eliminate the divide of red states and blue states that 2000 brought and bring us back together to be one country, United. Because we aren’t the Red States of America or the Blue States of America. We’re the United States of America.

That’s what’s important to me. I’m tired of hearing the radical liberals and the super conservatives all the time. I hate that things are always divided down party lines now. It’s time for someone to come along and blur the lines, encourage people to work together for the betterment of our citizens rather than just themselves or their party. If all parties don’t work together, nothing will ever get done. And that is why change is needed. To get things done.

So go out and vote in your primary. Vote for Barack. Vote for Hillary. Vote for McCain. Vote for Romney. Just get out there and vote. And when November rolls around, think about what direction you want this country to go in. You can vote Republican and let the country continue on its path to self-destruction that it has been on for years. Or you can vote Democratic (for Obama!) and for a future that is brighter for yourself and for your children. For a future where you can again say unequivocally that you are proud to be an American and that you were there when things changed. You voted for a man who came and revolutionized the government and made it better and stronger and rebuilt America into the country that it once was, and the great country it is meant to be.

really?

2008-01-31T15:26:00.001-08:00

Let's talk about this statistic for a second:

"U.S. consumers are projected to spend $17.02 billion this year on purchases related to Valentine's Day."

I'm sorry, $17.02 billion?

That's a lot of cheese, yo! Or a lot of little candy hearts at least.

Question for a New Generation

2008-01-22T17:05:00.000-08:00

Now maybe I'm just old fashioned....or just old, but I didn't realize how political myspace could be. I did in the sense that I spent a lot of time thinking about who to put in my top 8 (which is now a top 16 because I didn't want to be that choosy) and in what order to put them. It's easy when you have a boyfriend or girlfriend because they instantly trump all and go to the top. But then what happens when you break up? Who's the first to change "in a relationship" to "single?" How much time after the actual breakup do you leave before changing it? I guess it depends on the situation, I mean if you found your boyfriend/girlfriend/husband/wife/same-sex lover in bed with someone else chances are you would shriek, then yell, maybe throw a vase, storm home and cry, take a break and change it to "single" and then go back to crying. But what if it's a mutual breakup? Who makes the first move?

After that comes the breakup song. Because you know your ex is now checking your myspace for constant updates or insights on how you are doing. What song do you choose? And how annoying is it when you can't find the song you're looking for because the artist hasn't put it up on myspace?

Then comes the big one - where to place your ex in your friends list. Obviously they are no longer number one in your life, and assuming (again) that your breakup was not caused by infidelity or abuse or manslaughter of another person, chances are you'll want to keep that person on your friends list and maybe even in the top 16. But then do they become number 2? 3? 6? 13?? After being downgraded to 'friend' the whole issue of your top friends gets thrown into chaos once again. You don't want to disrespect anyone by not choosing them as your top friends, but then again you're not sure who deserves to be number 1.

Maybe that's why Tom is everyone's top friend for a while. So you don't have to make the decision. Maybe I'll put him back there just so I don't have to think about it anymore.

I'm sure my parents didn't have to deal with this decades ago when they broke up. Geez, thanks INTERNET. Thanks for making my online life so confusing!!

The Year of New Horizons

2008-01-15T14:53:00.000-08:00

Here's a question, and I mean it in the most polite way possible: How the hell is it 2008 already?

I had dinner with a friend last night and she asked me that question. I immediately responded with "I don't know!!" I then mentioned how I was reading the UCSD Alumni newsletter the other day and it mentioned something about the first Winterfest concert ten years ago in 1998. That was my freshman year of college. I remember that Winterfest. I didn't go but I remember all the celebrating that people were doing trying to make it a winter quarter Sun God festival (and please, nothing will ever be the Sun God Festival!)

In a way 1998 was a good fresh start for me. I'd just finished my first quarter in college...with a stellar 2.1 GPA. Perhaps I had had too much fun that fall, so I decided to actually concentrate more on my studies. I had established good friends, unknowingly laid groundwork for a few more, and had some good things scheduled for the first few months, mainly through student organizations.

Somehow ten years later I'm having a somewhat similar experience. A lot of things have changed in the past few weeks, making me feel like I'm setting myself up for the next chapter of my life. I got a new car for Christmas, so goodbye to the Jeep. I broke up with my boyfriend, so hello to singledom. I got a nice new haircut, so adios to long hair. I am currently searching for new office space for my boss because we're being told to leave because of the writer's strike. One of the good friends i mentioned moved to LA, so hello to new fun times. I got a beautiful new television so welcome High Definition! I unknowingly had a great gay friend who is now my great single gay friend so we can eventually go man hunting together. All I need now is my roommates to tell me they want to live on their own and my life will be turned completely upside down.

It's good in a way. For a long time things in LA were just okay for me. 2007 was a great year overall. Got a great job, had some amazing times with my then-boyfriend, traveled for a few months for work, had great times with my family, and started really thinking about where my life should be going. I feel like all of that and all of these recent events have set me up for what's next. Whatever that may be, I don't know.

But I'm sure ready to find out.