Category: Reading (Random Links)

Links that I’m reading

  • Anderson plays for the other team? Nooooo!

    Remember when I asked when Anderson Cooper had gone “totally gray”? I’d like to revise that question. Here’s my new one: When did Anderson Cooper go totally GAY? An excerpt from today’s Sydney Morning Herald entitled “Spotlight on New York Fashion Week”:

    Among the celebrities attracted to the opening shows was Queer Eye for the Straight Guy’s Carson Kressley. Reported the San Francisco Chronicle: “In the front row at the Nautica show, Carson Kressley was in a thin olive cashmere cable-knit sweater, charcoal grey pants and square-toe black shoes. Kressley and his apparent new beau, Anderson Cooper (Gloria Vanderbilt’s son), were cooing through most of the show, so it’s a wonder he saw enough of it to comment, but he did say he liked the mix of tech fabrics (waterproof merino jackets) with classic tailoring (charcoal cashmere wool windowpane three-button suits).”

    Eeeeek! So since when does Anderson play for the other team? I’m depressed. Although given my history of like boys that eventually turned out to be gay, I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised. I bet Carson doesn’t let him wear any of those yummy flannel shirts anymore, either.

  • Atkins overweight?

    Before anybody sends it to me, yes, I’ve seen the story about how Dr. Atkins was supposedly obese. To be honest, I’m not really convinced by either side’s arguments there. The health information was leaked by a “pro-vegetarian” group with an obvious bias, but then again, the Atkins people have a financial interest in protecting his reputation. It’s confusing. Also, if he really did weigh that much, did they doctor the photos they used on his books? Because he certainly doesn’t look that fat in them.

    At any rate, y’all shouldn’t worry about me. I had my blood pressure checked yet again last week and my doctor pronounced it “excellent”. Unfortunately I’m still a chunker, but I’m a lot less of a chunker than I was two years ago. I’ve got a new personal trainer who’s started me on a weightlifting routine. My body-fat percentage is a shocker – How can a third of my body be fat? That’s ridiculous – but we’re working on that. I’m even drinking protein shakes with milk now to speed recovery in my new badass muscles. Also, the Snook and I have each eaten our weight in cherry tomatoes in the past two weeks so we’re chock full o’ vitamin goodness. In summary: Don’t worry, kids; we’re not gonna keel over and hit our heads on the sidewalk anytime soon.

  • Oscar controversy

    The Oscar Contest now has almost 150 entries. Who are all you people? I really hope we don’t have a twenty-way tie. On a related note, there’s apparently some controversy about Fernando Meirelles’s nomination for directing City of God. Apparently another filmmaker named Katia Lund basically co-directed it but she’s gotten very little credit. It sucks that Meirelles has, like, no chance of winning, because that might be her only chance to get a mention.

  • Star Wars Trilogy on DVD

    The Star Wars trilogy is finally coming to DVD… and I’m a little disappointed with the announcement. It looks as if they’re coming as a four-disc set with only the “Special Edition” version of the films. There’s a documentary and some missing footage, but it doesn’t sound like there are any commentaries or anything. The Snook and I predict that George is going the Peter Jackson route and he’ll later release collector’s editions with lots of extras. Money grubbing bastard!

  • Dr. Phil Personality Quiz

    Have you taken the Dr. Phil Personality Quiz? I got a 34, which equates to: “Others see you as sensible, cautious, careful & practical. They see you as clever, gifted, or talented, but modest…” Well, how nice. Thanks, everyone! The quiz was originally a Word document but I’ve reproduced the text below if you wanna try it out.


    Dr. Phil gave this test on Oprah she got a 38. Some folks pay a lot of money to find this stuff out. Read on, this is very interesting! Don’t be overly sensitive! The following is pretty accurate. And it only takes 2 minutes. Take this test for yourself and send it to your friends, including the one who sent it, and let them know who you are.

    Don’t peek but begin the test as you scroll down and answer. Answers are for who you are now…… not who you were in the past.

    Have pen or pencil and paper ready. This is a real test given by the Human Relations Dept. at many of the major corporations today. It helps them get better insight concerning their employees and prospective employees.

    It’s only 10 simple questions, so…… grab a pencil and paper, keeping track of your letter answers. Make sure to change the subject of the e-mail to read YOUR total.

    Ready?? Begin…

    1. When do you feel your best?

    a) in the morning
    b) during the afternoon & and early evening
    c) late at night

    2. You usually walk…

    a) fairly fast, with long steps
    b) fairly fast, with little steps
    c) less fast head up, looking the world in the face
    d) less fast, head down
    e) very slowly

    3. When talking to people you…

    a) stand with your arms folded
    b) have your hands clasped
    c) have one or both your hands on your hips
    d) touch or push the person to whom you are talking
    e) play with your ear, touch your chin, or smooth your hair

    4. When relaxing, you sit with…

    a) your knees bent with your legs neatly side by side
    b) your legs crossed
    c) your legs stretched out or straight
    d) one leg curled under you

    5. When something really amuses you, you react with…

    a) a big, appreciative laugh
    b) a laugh, but not a loud one
    c) a quiet chuckle
    d) a sheepish smile

    6. When you go to a party or social gathering you…

    a) make a loud entrance so everyone notices you
    b) make a quiet entrance, looking around for someone you know
    c) make the quietest entrance, trying to stay unnoticed

    7. You’re working very hard, concentrating hard, and you’re interrupted, do you…

    a) welcome the break
    b) feel extremely irritated
    c) vary between these two extremes

    8. Which of the following colors do you like most?

    a) Red or orange
    b) black
    c) yellow or light blue
    d) green
    e) dark blue or purple
    f) white
    g) brown or gray

    9. When you are in bed at night, in those last few moments before going to sleep, you lie…

    a) stretched out on your back
    b) stretched out face down on your stomach
    c) on your side, slightly curled
    d) with your head on one arm
    e) with your head under the covers

    10. You often dream that you are…

    a) falling
    b) fighting or struggling
    c) searching for something or somebody
    d) flying or floating
    e) you usually have dreamless sleep
    f) your dreams are always pleasant

    POINTS:

    1. (a)2 (b)4 (c)6
    2. (a)6 (b)4 (c)7 (d)2 (e)1
    3. (a)4 (b)2 (c)5 (d)7 (e)6
    4. (a)4 (b)6 (c)2 (d)1
    5. (a)6 (b)4 (c)3 (d)5 (e)2
    6. (a)6 (b)4 (c)2
    7. (a)6 (b)2 (c)4
    8. (a)6 (b)7 (c)5 (d)4 (e)3 (f)2 (g)1
    9. (a)7 (b)6 (c)4 (d)2 (e)1
    10. (a)4 (b)2 (c)3 (d)5 (e)6 (f)1

    Now add up the total number of points.

    OVER 60 POINTS: Others see you as someone they should “handle with care”. You’re seen as vain, self-centered, and who is extremely dominant. Others may admire you, wishing they could be more like you, but don’t always trust you, hesitating to become too deeply involved with you.

    51 TO 60 POINTS: Others see you as an exciting, highly volatile, rather impulsive personality; a natural leader,
    who’s quick to make decisions, though not always the right ones. They see you as bold and adventuresome, someone who will try anything once; someone who takes chances and enjoys an adventure. They enjoy being in your company because of the excitement you radiate.

    41 TO 50 POINTS: Others see you as fresh, lively, charming, amusing, practical, and always interesting; someone
    who’s constantly in the center of attention, but sufficiently well-balanced not to let it go to their head. They also see you as kind, considerate, and understanding; someone who’ll always cheer them up and help them out.

    31 TO 40 POINTS: Others see you as sensible, cautious, careful & practical. They see you as clever, gifted, or talented, but modest. Not a person who makes friends too quickly or easily, but someone who’s extremely loyal to friends you do make and who expect the same loyalty in return. Those who really get to know you realize it takes a lot to shake your trust in your friends, but equally that it takes you a long time to get over it if that trust is ever broken.

    21 TO 30 POINTS: Your friends see you as painstaking and fussy. They see you as very cautious, extremely careful, a slow and steady plodder. It would really surprise them if you ever did something impulsively or on the spur of the moment, expecting you to examine everything carefully from every angle and then, usually decide against it. They think this reaction is caused partly by your careful nature.

    UNDER 21 POINTS: People think you are shy, nervous, and indecisive, someone who needs looking after, who always wants someone else to make the decisions & who doesn’t want to get involved with anyone or anything. They see you as a worrier who always sees problems that don’t exist. Some people think you’re boring. Only those who know you well know that you aren’t.

  • 24 H in a D

    One of my co-workers sent along a puzzle today where you have to solve 34 of these riddles. Apparently, “according to MENSA if you get 23 right you’re a genius.” I’ve managed to get 26 on my own, so go me! Between the Snook and I, there are only three that have us stumped. Post your guesses below. I’ll let you know which ones are correct. No cheating!

    1. 24 H in a D
    2. 26 L of the A
    3. 7 D of the W
    4. 7 W of the W
    5. 12 S of the Z
    6. 66 B of the B
    7. C in a P (WJs)
    8. 13 S in the USF
    9. 18 H on a G C
    10. 39 B of the O T
    11. 5 T on a F
    12. 90 D in a R A
    13. 3 B M (S H T R)
    14. 32 is the T in D F at which W F
    15. 15 P in a R T
    16. 3 W on a T
    17. 100 C in a D
    18. 11 P in a F (S) T
    19. 12 M in a Y
    20. 13=UFS
    21. 8 T on an O
    22. 29 D in F in a L Y
    23. 27 B in the N T
    24. 365 D in a Y
    25. 13 L in a B D
    26. 52 W in a Y
    27. 9 L of a C
    28. 60 M in an H
    29. 23 P of C in the H B
    30. 64 S on a C B
    31. 9 P in S A
    32. 6 B to an O in C
    33. 1000 Y in a M
    34. 15 M on a D M C

  • Gambon

    Whoa! Somehow I missed some major Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban casting news. Michael Gambon will be taking over as Dumbledore. I didn’t recognize the name either, but if you look at his picture you’ll realize you’ve seen him in lots of other stuff (most notably Sleepy Hollow). I think he’ll be pretty good. But even more amazingly… guess who’s playing Sirius Black? Gary friggin’ Oldman! I’m excited to see how that turns out. I mean, Oldman is a fine actor and in my mind he really “looks” the part. But on the other hand, he also has this tendency to play roles, like, so far over the top that it distracts from the picture. Remember his cop in The Professional? Sure, Azkaban would make you a little crazy, but not that crazy. (Link courtesy of Kevin.)

  • Hipsters

    I am only 57% hip. Or something. Actually I’m not sure that’s a bad thing. Based on the questions, I get the idea that hipsters = wankers. (Link courtesy of Brigita, who’s even less hip than me, even if she is a pescavore.)

  • Bono?!

    Bono got nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. Frickin’ Bono. Too… many… snarky… comments… to… choose…

  • Thanks Nora!

    Awww, my friend Nora wrote some nice things about me for the last Friday Five that just cheered me right up today. She also correctly recalls that she was present for my first ever night of drunkenness, when I drank a liter of crap red wine at our dorm section’s “Freshman Disorientation” party. (I was a sophomore and we were hosting.) Man, puking in a trash can is just not fun.