KUNG FU FIGHTING! (10/30/02)

So Michelle Ertischek and I were having a discussion this week about violence and death, and how the nation has become quite immune to it. I mentioned to her that Steven Segal, renown Buddhist, has no qualms in"acting" in very violent movies -- his three-word-or-less titled movies (have you ever noticed that the titles of his movies are always three words or less: ABOVE THE LAW, HARD TO KILL, UNDERSIEGE) always have lots of fighting, guns, blood, guts, etc., and people obviously go see his movies or he wouldn't keep making them. Of course, take the gory and violent stuff away and you have pretty much 2 minutes of credits. However, how does a Buddhist condone such violent behavior? Ertischek astutely reminded me that Steven Segal is an idiot; which quickly brought me back to reality. I did a little searching and found these great tidbits about Steven:

in 1997 he announced that he was the reincarnation of a Tibetan lama; he has made references to his past in the CIA and his mafia ties; and I don't even want totalk about his music "career."

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So, I haven't had heat for most of October because the boiler in my building went out. Oddly enough, I did have hot water, but they shut that off on Monday when they replaced the boiler. However, I am pleased to announce that last night I actually had both heat and hot water. And I learned something: I can totally live without heat, but can't live without hot water. Just can't. Cold water is horrifying in the winter time. My nightmare. But in the grand scheme of things, that too is not essential. But still!

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This week's horoscopes go out to:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LORI!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KIM!

Bob, thanks for shielding my eyes through Red Dragon

Hi Manisha!

'cause I am FREEEEE, FREEEE FALLLLINNNNNNNNNNN' (10/23/02)

Michelle has placed her brain in temporary stasis. Walk on -- there is nothing to see here.

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This week's horoscopes go out to:
>> Ann & Dabney, congratulations!

Here comes Santa Claus! (10/16/02)

Last night, I had the most amazing taxicab ride EVER. Ahmed, the driver, made me laugh so hard -- I can't remember when I laughed that much. He's a character. Laugh riot. He taped recorded our conversation --why? Who knows. But what is really interesting is that he decorates his cab for Christmas -- he's been on Good Morning America because of his cab. And he has pictures to prove it. People call him up just to reserve time to take photos in his cab with all of his Christmas decorations. He has something like 800 lights in his car for the occasion. He also quality tests the dioramas by driving up and down Henry Hudson with the windows open to make sure nothing falls off or apart. Quite the craftsman. He is also probably the nicest cab driver I have ever met. So if you are interested in meeting Ahmed or need a ride, I have his numbers. He doesn't start the Christmas cab until Dec 1 and it runs through Jan 8.

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This week's horoscopes go out to:

>> Kim, BIG HUG :)

>> Graham, (IT'S KOMO) feel better sweety!

>> Blend Engine, YOU ROCK!

Sometimes it's hard to be a woman... (10/9/02)

This week's horoscopes go out to:
>>>Hasta luego, Sally!
>>>Bon anniversaire, Sandy!
>>>Herzlichen Glückwunsch nachträglich, Toby!
>>>Biz hundert azoi ve tsvantsik, Steven!

P-CAW! (10/2/02)

Morning Mishap:
Some of you have heard this already, but it's a funny story...now. I walked out of my apt yesterday morning, late because I couldn't think of what to wear (that and I seriously over slept). Got to the corner and began to drink my iced coffee from my silver thermos. Well, while I was sipping and daydreaming, this guy pointed at me andsaid, "Watch out!" I looked down and it turned out that my cup lid wasn't screwed on. So it all spilled on me. Had to walk back home and change.

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Well, blondes do have more fun. They got the last laugh on the international media this week. I heard this story on the national news and it made me think,who the hell cares????http://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/02/health/02BLON.html?pagewanted=print&position=top

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Feng shui-t:
Ok, so I am reading The Complete Idiot's Guide to Feng Shui (many f.s. orgs recommend this book). On reading the section on the placement of homes, it turns out that there are a number of bad luck buildings you shouldn't live next to or too near. For example, a school, a hospital and a church -- these locales bring lots of chaos and hurt (the last two because people go there with their problems and seek comfort). I live next to John Jay Criminal College, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital and a pentecostal church is next door. How lucky am I??????

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This week's horoscopes go out to:
Lynn, I want a cupcake now.
Graham, it's KOMO (Korean for Aunt)! Feel better!
Bob and Russell, now we really are having dinner tomorrow, right?