Should be Removed From Netflix

If there ever was a time when I wanted two hours of my life back, it was tonight after watching "The Anniversary Party". I would rather sit through a pulsing sinus headache for days than endure this awful thing again.
Fine lineup, thought that I saw a couple of nice views of L.A., but the movie was nothing more than an exercise in irritation. Every character was annoying. Oh wait, maybe it was meant to be very artistic. Who cares? Don't waste your Netflix slot on this awful waste.
Cheney should have run this flick at Guantanamo -- it would have been more effective.

Go see Slumdog Millionaire instead! Or put Diving Bell and Butterfly in your next Netflix slot.

Utah State Senator Chris Buttars

Apparently, in some small, far-away place in Utah, there exists a level of hate so strong that it is necessary to vote people like Chris Buttars to the state Senate. If he wasn't so hateful, he would be completely laughable. Here is one of my favorite quotes from this nutcase referring to gays: "They're probably the greatest threat to America going down I know of." 

In what sense of America "going down", Mr. Buttars? Most gays I know would probably say that they are the greatest force supporting America "going down" than ever before, not the greatest threat. It's a fantastic subject, but do we really need to discuss in the state legislature who wants America "going down"?

Anyways, this guy is a confused nutjob, spouting off about gays, muslims, blacks, and anyone that isn't just like himself. America has lots of major problems to be handled right now (did he miss the unemployment rates, Middle East military occupation, threat of terrorism, financial crisis)  and to bring up this nonsense is outrageous and irresponsible. He deserves public scorn, humiliation and condemnation.

The gay friends at our wedding danced and celebrated with us, my gay neighbors have been wonderful people and supportive. They helped build the white picket fence around our backyard in a big way -- placing the thirty-some six foot 4x4 posts three feet deep into the ground. "Meanest buggers"? Anything goes? No. Very American indeed. 

Yes, gays have morals that can be discussed, catalogued, and found to be more wholesome than anything this guy maintains. But why not leave these people to their own lives?

Get your groove on, Mr Buttars.

Slumdog Millionaire

I want a Dev Patel t-shirt. 

He does a great job of acting as the teen-aged Jamal in Slumdog Millionaire, where a Mumbai orphan finds his way to the indian version of "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?". The movie turns out to be an exhilirating watch, a complete thrill and fine love story. The train rides and soundtrack are great. 

It's got my vote for best picture this year (at the same time, I suppose that I should see more in that list than just this movie). 

Go see it! See it now!

Divers and Butterflies

We finally saw Julian Schnabel's movie retelling of Jean Dominique Bauby writing "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly". What a fantastic story, shot with great cinematography and visual effects. Schnabel directed it as a kind of flick that will stay with you, both the emotions and visuals are powerful.

A must-see.

Electrical Work in 100 Year Old Homes

If you ever have a chance to move in to a beautiful old house and go for it, be prepared for the work that comes with it. Old homes have character, often are in great locations, and come with tons of growing pains.



For example, if you rebuild a falling apart garage in the back that structural engineers fear, planning to rent out the apartment you carefully build on top, you may want to space out that work another year from ripping out all the electrical in your old home. Oh yeah, you might also try to plan on completing that work at a different time than in the midst of a massive global financial crisis.



But you only live once, right?

Electrical work can be necessary and its hassle is a temporary thing. Old homes deserve love and care. Be sure to take the time to schedule bids from multiple contractors, recommendations of the crew's work from past clients, and take the time to find out if you can get a firm bid from one of them. It's unusual, but can be done. Drywall work can be a sizable added cost, so be prepared for that cost as well. Oh, and the house will be an absolute dusty mess for a while.

Note -- scheduling appointments to collect bids for work can be a tricky thing. If you schedule your appointments first thing in the morning, electricians are likely to be right on time. Expect all plumbing bidders to arrive at least one half hour early or while you are in the shower.