Anna Nicole Smith and Effa Manley

So Anna Nicole Smith had her day in the United States Supreme Court? Wow. I have no interest in the case. I really do not care if she gets any of the money or not. Further, the Supreme Court’s consideration of the jurisdictional issue surrounding her case is even less interesting. What I do find interesting, however, is the juxtaposition of the staid justices (although with the addition of Roberts and Alito, the chance of someone keeling over in session has probably dropped considerably) and Anna Nicole Smith. By watching just one episode of Smith’s reality show, it is readily apparent that not much is going on in her head. Although I guess there was enough to get in the wallet of her dead, oil tycoon husband. What a train wreck.

On a more positive note, Effa Manley was the first woman voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame yesterday. I had never heard of Ms. Manley but, after a bit of research, I learned that she was the co-owner of the Newark Eagles, a Negro League club. Other than that, I do not know much about her but I do think she deserves a shout out for blazing a new trail 15 years after her death.

Fat Tuesday

We find ourselves on the eve of Lent and I find myself wondering why people decide to give something up for Lent. Is it to regain some control over their lives? Is it for penitence? Is it a sense of duty? Is it to prepare themselves for the observation of Easter? I am not sure and, the self sacrifice portion of Lent being more a Catholic tradition than Protestant, I never experienced it growing up. I like the symbolism associated with Catholicism. With its elaborate services and priestly garb, it is sort of the glam rock version of Christianity. At any rate, I have decided to forgo something for Lent. I haven’t decided what yet but I do want to have the experience.

Chelsea

Happy birthday to Chelsea Clinton! Code name Energy. How sweet is it to have a Secret Service code name? I find it hard to believe that she turns 26 today; she was just 13 when she moved into the White House. She has never known a time before The Buggles kicked off the Mtv era but she is still turning 26. Makes me feel old. On top of that, the ‘92 election was the first presidential election during which I exercised my right to vote. At the time I didn’t feel up to the challenge; I didn’t feel I was old enough to undertake such an important task. Maybe I wasn’t, I cast my vote for W’s dad.

This morning, I was saddened to hear about Don Knotts’ death. I wouldn’t consider myself a fan but Barney Fife and Ralph Furley are forever etched into our collective consciousness. As memorable as he made those characters, I’m sure he had others that were equally well portrayed. Barney, I hope, in the next life, you get that bullet out of your shirt pocket and into your gun. Assuming that’s what you want…

I’m glad to see Mardi Gras moving forward. I guess some people consider it disrespectful but I don’t really understand why. Undoubtedly, Katrina (or at least the response to it) was tragic but I’m glad to see life moving on. CNN.com has some fairly good coverage today. Late last week, there was a nifty audio slideshow about Mother’s, one of my favorite places on earth. I would drive all the way down there just for a serving of their bread pudding or their breakfast with grits, ham, and more butter than one person should eat in a lifetime. Good night is it good!

Bumper Stickers, Cat Power and The Interpreter

Liberals get equally excited about bashing W as rednecks do about watching Nascar. There isn’t much mental challenge to either. That said, while driving yesterday to get dog food I saw a bumper sticker that read, “Somewhere in Texas a village is missing its idiot.” Probably an old sticker but I hadn’t seen it before and I thought it clever at the least.

Speaking of Texas, I’m wishing Kinky Friedman luck in his run to move into the governor’s mansion in Austin. There was a great article in the New Yorker a few months back about his campaign. It almost made me want to move to Texas so I could vote for him. Almost. Been intending to set Tivo to record the new show about his campaign but haven’t done it yet.

I’ve been listening to Cat Power’s new cd The Greatest (not a greatest hits collection, just the title) quite a lot since I got it last weekend. It has been blowing me away. I’ve never been a fan before but it got such great reviews that I decided to give it a go. I was not disappointed. I could listen to her smooth delivery just about all day.

I finally saw The Interpreter last night. I had been avoiding it for some time because I really do not care for anyone that is currently or formerly was married to or dating Tom Cruise. When I was at the video store last night, however, they had neither Junebug or Thumbsucker and I settled, figuring that a movie with BOTH Catherine Keener and Sean Penn has to be pretty good. I enjoyed it. It probably helped that I am generally a fan of political thrillers. Its pace was quick enough to keep me interested and, in spite of Kidman (admittedly, at least partly because of), the acting was great. I recommend it.

Lost

An article I read today made me wonder again what the deal really is with Lost. Unlike the X-Files (of which I was, admittedly, only a part time viewer), will we ever get any ultimate answers? I sincerely hope that answers will come and we are not left with the human mind’s innate need to find some logic in random occurences.

Elevator Etiquette

On my way to lunch just now, the elevator stopped on every floor. I am not exaggerating. I feel that the second I walk out of my office, my time begins and the Company’s ends. I think the Company knows I feel this way and programs the elevator to stop on every floor, trapping me in the building longer and stealing my time. Actually, that is probably too complicated. More likely, since the Company obviously knows my schedule, it strategically positions people on every floor, waiting to push the button when I leave for lunch or to go home. Followers. I may have to start taking the stairs…

Outrage

Things that I have found outrageous lately:

1. The Constitution Restoration Act of 2005.

2. The fact that The Arcade Fire hasn’t received more recognition. Check them out on iTunes or here: www.arcadefire.com

3. Olympic figure skating. I have watched my fair share of the winter olympics. Admittedly, I love curling and have taxed the Tivo recording it. Enough is enough, though, when figure skating preempts Scrubs. Bring back Brown Bear!

Genesis

A shout out to my friend Jennie. I just read her blog and was inspired to create my own; maybe I’ll continue it. The thought of the many projects have I started and never finished is a bit depressing. Because there never really is a finish, maybe this one is perfect?

Wasn’t Spock almost killed (the second time) by the Genesis Weapon? Gotta love those creative Star Trek writers…