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A AIM CHAT WITH A FRIEND

This recent conversation with a friend was funny to me.

SL: Did you sign on facebook?

Me: Yes, just now. Why?

SL: You kicked me off!

[Background: I forget sometimes that SL knows my Facebook login information]

SL: I was snoopin! Haaha.

Me: Hah. Sorry.

Me: Who were you snooping?

SL: T****

SL: Sometimes I peep SK...

SL: and A***

Me: WHY?? Lol.

SL: I dunno. Sometimes I like to look at pretty girls.

Don't we all. Don't we all.

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SEN. MCCAIN'S FRIENDLY IRAQI NEIGHBORHOOD

Last week, channeling his inner Mr. Rogers (RIP), Senator and Presidential hopeful John McCain--trying to put a positive spin to put it lightly on the violence in Iraq--stated that things in Iraq are safer than the biased and liberal MSM makes it out to be:

On Monday morning's Bill Bennett's Morning in America radio show, Senator John McCain (R-AZ) said that there were parts of Baghdad where he and the host could go for a walk.

"There are neighborhoods in Baghdad where you and I could walk through those neighborhoods, today," he said, when asked to highlight something positive about what American forces have been able to accomplish in Iraq.

And what about that recent leisurely stroll McCain took in Iraq to demonstrate his point that some parts of Iraq are no different than Main Street, USA ?  Oh, along with reporters obviously, he was also accompanied by:

100 American soldiers, with three Blackhawk helicopters, and two Apache gunships overhead.

The man ROLLS DEEP.  That's quite an entourage.  And along with the bulletproof vest he was wearing, even 50 Cent was impressed.

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I HATE MY CELL PHONE

 Getting work related phone calls all weekend long.  NOT sweet. Getting work related phone calls at 4 AM today, Monday.  NOT sweet.

Cell phones are evil.  And to think I considered willingly getting a Blackberry.

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TOWN NAME IMPROVEMENT

There's a small town in Ohio called Neville. They should add "Aaron" in front of it, so it's Aaron Neville. Aaron Neville, Ohio. I should get out more...

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WEEKEND UPDATE

Had a relatively uneventful weekend, other than the realization that my friend Lauren is an addict for Billy Joel. IMG_9035 Enough so that it compels her to dance...

IMG_9040 Uptown girl loves to dance.

Saturday, I scored me some sweet (and cheap!) art books at the Taschen bookstore in Soho. I've decided to teach myself and become the world's foremost authority on Caravaggio.

Sunday was brunch with the Cy for yet another weekly life strategizing session over omelets, mimosas, and endless cups of coffee.

On Monday, I went to the Knicks game, which was a great time right until the part where the Knicks fucked up and lost (again). Motherfuckers. At least the popcorn was good.

P4263797 Today, Tuesday, to celebrate such a beautiful day, I threw a model airplane off the 14 floor of my office building in Soho! It was SO FUCKING SWEET. The three of us guys followed its meandering flight and gleefully laughed and giggled like we were 9 year olds in a playground on recess again.

P4263799 Haha. My imitation of the projected flight of our plane.

P4263796 The anticipation!

P4263801 And away it goes! Unfortunately we couldn't track it with the camera, but it was really quite a sight as it dived between rooftops only to rise again with the soft and warm wind currents--circling in a random mesmerizing pattern--before it finally came to a gentle thud on the street below, Lafayette Street, in front of surprised pedestrians headed home for the day.

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IT FEELS GOOD TO HAVE COMPLETED...

my taxes.  Filed and sent.  Awaiting refund.  High five to myself. Don't forget boys and girls: The deadline to file taxes is April 17, 2007.

If you're wondering why it's not the 15th of April this year, the IRS gots the answer for you:

Taxpayers will have extra time to file and pay because April 15 falls on a Sunday in 2007, and the following day, Monday, April 16, is Emancipation Day, a legal holiday in the District of Columbia.By law, filing and payment deadlines that fall on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday are timely satisfied if met on the next business day. Under a federal statute enacted decades ago, holidays observed in the District of Columbia have an impact nationwide, not just in D.C. Under recently enacted city legislation, April 16 is a holiday in the District of Columbia. The IRS recently became aware of the intersection of the national filing day and the local observance of the new Emancipation Day holiday after most forms and publications for the current tax filing season went to print.

Individuals in the District of Columbia, as well as in six eastern states, already had an April 17 filing date prior to this announcement because they are served by an IRS processing facility in Massachusetts, where Patriots Day will be observed on April 16. These individuals are still required to file on April 17.

There.  Now you've just learned more than you ever wanted to about the tax deadline extension this year.  You're welcome.

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PEYTON MANNING DOES SNL

It's an obvious skit from SNL--hosted by Colts quarterback and (this pains me to say it) Super Bowl champ Peyton Manning--but this is still a pretty hilarious spoof of those NFL and United Way commercials: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-6Ky7_sfPc]

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THE EXTENT OF MY DORKINESS

Recently I've started to observe a certain accretive retro-coolness applied to the "nerd" label. Pharrell leads a group called N*E*R*D with decidedly un-nerdy songs like "Lapdance," "Rockstar," and "She Wants to Move."

Working in SoHo, I see all manners of sartorial choices among the hipsters, skateboard culture aficionados, and leggy models that occupy this neighborhood and one of the more popular accessories, I notice that unites these distinct groups are those thick framed glasses (not to be confused with the square framed librarian glasses). Of course everyone knows that those glasses are not some fashion adornment, but a necessary evil to any bonafide nerds (all that reading results in bad eye sight). I know, because I had to wear them for a good chunk of my childhood: you know, during those formative years where insecurities develop.

Aside from adoption or appropriation of certain aspects of nerd-wear, I've noticed hip people who've never actually been a nerd, past or present, assuming that title. This is not to say that a former child drug addict/teen hooker can't become a nerd later on in life. However, I object strenuously to this hijacking, because once the fashionistas and trendsetters get bored and move on to a new style, they'll kick us dorks out of our ultimately temporary seats at the proverbial cool lunch table.

How do I know I'm a dork? Other than a youth consisting mainly of studying and reading past my bed time, I continue to occupy my time with things like this: I spent two hours of my afternoon today watching a show on the History Channel called "Star Trek: Beyond the Final Frontier," which pays tribute to the creator, show, its actors as well as the lead up to the Christie's auction of the costumes, props and more from the show.

The thing is that I don't even like Star Trek--the show or the movies. I am however, fascinated with its technological fantasies.

The auction was really fascinating: A FLUTE, a MOTHERFUCKING FLUTE (which doesn't even work!) from some random episode went for40k and the ship from "Star Trek: The Next Generation" sold for $500,000.

Update: I was in Urban Outfitters yesterday and look at this shirt they are selling there:

I would enter this as exhibit A in the trial on the deleterious appropriation of nerdom by those who do not truly understand the lifestyle and thoughts of actual nerds.

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OBAMA NOT BLACK? MROD DISAGREES.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nODHv2gxTTo] The incomparable Ms. Smith pointed me towards this segment from the Colbert Report (I hardly watch television any more, even with a DVR, which probably comes as a shock to those who knew me circa "The College Years.") in February where guest, writer, and critical race theorist Debra Dickerson appeared to promote her new contentious book "The End of Blackness" (Confession: I haven't read it). And on the show, she argued that Barack Obama is not actually Black, and consequently lacks credible access to the shared history and legacy of African Americans, because of his biracial heritage.

"But...but, I thought his father is Black?" you ask.

"Nyet" says Dickerson and she notes the oh-so-important distinction that Obama Sr. is Kenyan.

For the layperson, her statement dangerously appears logical, but as Colbert quickly underscored, it's a rather (and obviously) specious argument that she presents, which collapses under its own very illogic nature. To state that Barack Obama isn't Black commits two fallacies. One, it ignores the binary racial framework and reality of American society, as well as the historical roots and context (eg. One drop rule) within which racial identity is formed and shaped in the United States. Second, it robs Obama of his ability to translate and inject his personal narrative into a transformative and empowering voice in an entrenched and static political landscape.

I like to suspect that Dickerson's denial of Obama's Black identity originally developed as an intellectual exercise among her and her friends or colleagues that grew beyond the scope of its purpose and now she's painted herself into a corner on this issue. It's all so ludicrous.

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LAST NIGHT'S PARTY

Usual Thursday Babelness (But many of the photos were taken by people other than yours truly): IMG_8982 The shirt theme for the night was apparently the color, gray.

IMG_8983 The lawyer-cum-"party advocate" with Chloe and Cristina.

I call these next series of photos: "Henry with Cristina."

IMG_8984 Henry with Cristina.

IMG_8986 Henry with Cristina.

IMG_8987 Henry with Cristina.

IMG_8991 Cristina giving the camera the ol' hands to the paparazzi face style.

IMG_8992 I don't think Cristina enjoyed dancing with this guy--even though he's the fat guy from Lost. I'm a big fan of the middle finger photo sabotaging going on here.

Picture 24 Doppelganger, no?

IMG_9031 Haha.

IMG_8993 Erica returns from Lebanon.

IMG_8994 Chloe hiding from something behind me.

IMG_8995 In some cultures, showing the sole of your shoes is considered an affront and insult. So basically, we're insulting you right now.

IMG_8996 Forgot their names! Sorry!!

IMG_9000 Chris using his new snazzy phone.

IMG_9002 Rupa and Chloe.

IMG_9009 Haha. I look so ridiculous in the background.

IMG_9010 Peaceeee.

IMG_9016 This is my favorite picture from the night I think. Very...party apropos. I think I'm going to wear ties more often when I go out JUST so I can take it off. Do chicks dig that?

IMG_9018 Doing the two-step.

IMG_9019 A little dance circle, er, triangle...

IMG_9020 The hat style at work here.

IMG_9021 Trying to hide my face. "It's hideous! Hideous I tell you!"

IMG_9023 I just feel dirty looking at this.

IMG_9027 Ha ha ha.

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A FIRST

Well this is a career first: Nothing like a phone call wake up at 7 am from a coworker asking me about something work related. And to think Cy got mad at me once for calling him at 10:30 am.

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WEEKEND UPDATE

IMG_8953Saturday brunch at the nearby diner. This might've been my fourth cup of coffee. I'm amazed that by this point I could keep the camera steady enough to take this photo.

IMG_8955 Saturday night was library action.

IMG_8956 Psyche! Bar action!

IMG_8954 The natural way to keep a beer chill.

IMG_8957 I heard that Bozo the Clown wears the same pair of boots.

IMG_8958 Of course Chris ruined what was a perfect symmetry of crappy beers by buying a bottle of fancy. Fancypants.

IMG_8960 Along with darts, balancing a beer can is one of my formidable bar skills.

IMG_8961 Ta-da!

Also: if Texas Girl, Lauren sees this entry randomly, please send me that photo you took with us (and sorry we didn't have the ganja for you). And good luck when you move back to New York City to start your magazine career at High Times.

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VALERIE PLAME: UNDERCOVER HOTNESS

I think after the recent hearings, under oath, the covert or not status of Valerie Plame (she was) is pretty irrefutable despite continuing attempts by jackasses to discredit her.  What isn't debatable is that she is uh, super hot.

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