I've been thinking of adopting a senior dog for a while now, but three considerations have held me back: I'm going to Tokyo in November and, given all the trouble I've had finding someone to watch over my dogs for the two weeks I'll be away, I don't feel right adding another member to the…
August 30, 2013: My Whirlpool Rant! Mailbag!
Yesterday, Akemi and I bought a new oven. NOT a Whirlpool (or Maytag) owing to their crap customer service. Earlier this year, the digital control on my old Maytag oven stopped working. We contacted the manufacturer, now Whirlpool, who arranged for a repairman to come over. "Repairman" is a misnomer. He didn't actually repair anything.…
August 29, 2013: Japanese wedding advice!
This November, Akemi and I will be attending her sister's wedding in Tokyo. This will be our first Japanese wedding and, apparently, they're full of customs covering everything from the particulars of the varied gift envelopes and their requisite knots (don't make an ass of yourself by tying a Hanamusubi instead of a Musubikiri!) to…
August 28, 2013: Artistic Expressions!
The day after my bout with what I suspect was food poisoning, my breakfast and lunch consisted of two hardboiled eggs, a bowl of chicken stock, and a bottle of ginger beer. So, when dinner rolled around, my appetite was back. And good thing too since we had reservations at Raw Canvas, a unique, art-themed…
August 27, 2013: A tale of two dinners!
Last night, Akemi made some beautiful home made orecchiette, "small ear" pasta, following my mother's recipe. Getting the cooking time right was a little tricky. When first served they were clearly undercooked, so they went back in the pan with the tomato sauce and grown chicken and, ten minutes later, they seemed dense but ready.…
August 26, 2013: The Supermovie of the Week Club reconvenes! Cookie Monster reviews Dr. Strange (1978)!
Dr. Strange? More like Dr. Creep! Apparently, dis guy not familiar wit de Hypocritical Oath, but he all sorts of familiar wit "doctor-patient confidentiality"...if you know what me mean. No? Well, let monster put it dis way. When he around de ladies at work, he like Cookie Monster at a bake sale. Or Grover at…
August 24, 2013: Upcoming Under-the-Radar Movies To Look Forward To! Or Not!
BOUNTY KILLER Release Date: September 6, 2013 What it’s about: Bounty hunters compete to take down white collar criminals in a near future run by corporations. What it’s got working for it: Looks like silly, over-the-top fun. What’s it’s got going against it: Perhaps a little too goofy. Also, some of the performances feel very…
August 24, 2013: Upcoming Movie Releases To Look Forward To! Or not!
HELL BABY Release Date: September 6, 2013 What it’s about: A horror-comedy from the creators or Reno 911 that sees an expectant couple move into a haunted house What it’s got working for it: Cameos from some funny people including The League's Paul Scheer. What’s it’s got going against it: The humor doesn't look particular…
August 23, 2013: News of note!
On the strength of his brilliant performance in Daredevil, Ben Affleck has been cast as the not-so-Dark Knight in upcoming Batman/Superman movie. I know, I know. He's an Academy Award winner! True, but I feel the need to point out that it was for directing, not acting. Is this another sign of the disconnect between…
August 22, 2013: Recent Recommended Reads!
Recommended reads: A Terror by Jeffrey Ford The latest release by author Jeffrey Ford is a nightmarish novelette that offers a supernaturally speculative take on the inspiration for one of Emily Dickinson's most famous poems, "Because I could not stop for Death". Emily Dickinson, awakens to an empty house, her parents and sister inexplicably gone. She…
July 21, 2013: Hey, you know what would make a great television series?! And some pointed comments on the sad state of filmdom by today’s guest bloggers!
Hey, you know what would make a great television series? Do tell! But here are the parameters: 1) It should be something in the scifi or fantasy genre. In the case of the latter, ONLY if it is completely different from Game of Thrones (as it would invite the inevitable unflattering comparisons). 2) It must…
August 20, 2013: Snow Monkeys 2013 League of Apathy Edition!
My string of bad luck has continued unabated and required my setting up appointments with an electrician, a home repairman, a home alarm specialist, and a vet. The latter is for Lulu who is on antibiotics right now on account of a swollen paw. My visit to the doctor (to get that solar plexus pull…
August 19, 2013: The Supermovie of the Week Club reconvenes! Cookie Monster reviews Galaxy Quest!
Dis movie remind Monster of time me, Big Bird, and Grover attend furry convention (Why not? We furry...AND fuzzy!) figuring it be great opportunity to network wit other muppets. But, sadly, no aktual muppets in attendance - just bunch of frisky imposters. At one point, horny wookie chase monster into utility closet and me have…
August 18, 2013: Fantasy football, gnocchi, and a prospective dog-sitter!
Great. Now I think I may have pulled my solar plexus! Is that even possible? Not sure if it's the result of the heavy weights I've been lifting, stress, or some mysterious bug but it feels as though I've taken a sucker punch to the stomach. Curiously though, only when I apply pressure to the…
August 17, 2013: The Japanese have a word for it!
It never fails. We'll be out walking the dogs or preparing dinner or working out when Akemi will turn to me and ask: "What's the English world for...". And then proceed to lay out the most ridiculously detailed scenario like "What's the English for when you're trying to lose weight and keep at it for…