Celebrity Politics

Earlier this summer, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee criticized democratic hopeful Barack Obama as being too much of a celebrity candidate. So isn't it just a wee bit hypocritical for the Republicans to be running a celebrity-celebrity ticket? Seriously, I admire their work. They're funny, talented individuals. But Charlie Chaplin and Tina Fey are simply unqualified to lead this great nation of ours. Stick to show business, folks!

That's why I'm voting Obama-Biden in November. And you should, too.

Slings & Arrows

Sometime last year, I heard a brief but powerful review of the Canadian TV series Slings and Arrows. Since I was driving and only partially listening, I don't remember much. But I do remember this show, about a struggling Shakespearean festival, being described as simply one of the best television shows. Ev-ER.

Now, I've read a fair share of Shakespeare in my day. (By "my day" I, of course, mean in junior high and high school. Honors English, thank you very much.) But I'm in no Shakespeare freak. I'd hardly call myself a true fan of the ole bard, but I do appreciate a good soliloquy every now and again. So why then did I remember this review a year later? And why did I have this nagging feeling all year long that I had better watch Slings and Arrows?

Because the reviewers were right. It's the bestest show. Ev-ER. The comedy is dark and brilliant. The drama is intense and heartfelt. I've developed a new-found appreciation for both Kids in the Hall and thespians in one fell swoop. I refrain from saying much, from revealing much. It's just a shame Rachel McAdams had to leave the show to film that horrible Notebook film. This is so much better. (OK, I know she did some other stuff in the interim. But the Notebook? That movie totally sucked.)

Unsolicited advice: watch Slings and Arrows.

Would You Like Hep With That?

Yesterday, my new doctor suggested that anyone who eats out in Seattle more than two to three times a week really ought to get vaccinated against Hepatitis A. That's the dirty food born variety of the disease. Apparently, this city is lousy with it, and perhaps our restaurant workers are too. I didn't want another needle in my arm, so I've decided to wash my hands and eat in more. Yuck.

Don't Try to Reason with a Crazy Dog

This morning, Jake and I were out on a walk with our crazy-but-oh-so-lovable-when-you're-not-around dog. Essie has a reputation for being skittish, irritable, overprotective, and just plain nuts. She was edgy this morning because we had to walk past the vet's office. So of course jumped out of her skin as a man - a perfectly normal man, not an ax-wielding drunk, mind you - had the audacity to walk on the narrow sidewalk in our same general vicinity. I didn't see his reaction. I assume he shook it off, didn't read too much into it, and carried on his innocuous way. As it should be. Carry on, dear sir.

But we were reminded of how many times people take our crazy-but-oh-so-lovable-when-you're-not-around dog's melodramatic overreactions personally. "But I'm friendly. I'm a good person. I'm a dog person. Dogs like me. Babies like me. My mom likes me. Why is your dog quivering and slowly backing away as I approach you with an outstretched hand full of bacon? Maybe I'm not such a good person. Maybe I'm not friendly. Maybe dogs don't like me. Or babies. Or my mom. And why should they? I'm such a horrible person...No one could ever love me."

Don't let a crazy dog dictate your self-esteem. And never, ever, ever try to reason with a crazy dog. Trust me, you almost always lose.