Month: January 2008

Late night tv’s Craig Ferguson (the former Mr. Wick of the Drew Carey sitcom) passed the citizenship test and is about to become a US citizen. Scotland’s loss, America’s gain?

In the grand tradition of comics, Captain America is coming back from the Dead – or, at least, a new version of him. Apparently, his sidekick’s taking up the mantle of Superhero. That did happen to the Flash, even Batgirl (well, Barbara Gordon didn’t die, but she had a successor), and I think there have been now three Robins for Batman? (certainly one Robin died).

In the grand tradition of America’s unofficial holiday – the Super Bowl – the publicity on the people can be a bit grating, especially more so when this year, the metropolitan area’s getting a little excited over the Giants’ going to the Super Bowl. I liked this sweet story on Eli Manning’s relationship with his mom.

An interesting take on Barack Obama’s traveling in Kansas for the campaign – seems like a nice touch that he’d head to Kansas, as his maternal grandparents were from there.

Alessandra Stanley, NY Times’ tv critic, critiques the State of the Union Address and describes how the timing of it – just as Caroline and Edward Kennedy endorsed Barack Obama – is something of a soap opera/family psychodrama. Her writing made me feel like this whole campaign and coming end of the Bush era are such interesting mid-season tv shows. Which they kind of are. It doesn’t help that the writers’ strike continues and reality tv shows are irritating me.

Tuesday tv – watched most of “House” – which was the Christmas episode that FOX held off airing until Tuesday, 1/29/08, because it’s down to maybe two or three episodes left in the stockpile. I prefer my Christmas episodes during the month of December, and if I have to watch them in, say, any other month, they’re usually treasured reruns. Anyway, it was a pretty decent episode, where Dr. House irritates his new team, Dr. Wilson, and the Patient of the Week – as usual. As Dr. Wilson engages in the Christmas spirit, Dr. House reminds him that (a) he’s Jewish, and (b) he’s not very good in the gift-giving department, since he gave his last wife money for the holidays. Hmm. House also seems to miss his old team of Drs. Foreman, Chase, and Cameron (although, technically, Foreman’s back on the team, even if more of a senior level holding the fellowship).

The story behind the silly security questions for on-line banking; one can only tolerate the “What was your childhood best friend’s dog’s name?” type of question, when (a) maybe you didn’t have a childhood best friend, or (b) if you did have a childhood best friend, he/she didn’t have a dog.

Interesting article on Neal Shapiro, the ex-NBC News president who’s now about to be WNET/Channel 13’s official President, with Bill Baker stepping down to be President Emeritus. More change to Channel 13 appears to be coming; I suppose that was a given ever since Neal Shapiro was on-screen more, rather than the usual spots where Bill Baker came on during pledge time. I’m not entirely comfortable with the Channel 13-specific changes (movie night on Saturdays now has a more independent film feel to it, rather than just the amusing old classics). Plus, Baker had a nice WNET/Channel 13 Leader aura about him – almost like that favorite uncle who comes to bother you to help him and then he gives you nice things to enjoy his company, so he’s not so irritating anyway (kind of how I’ve felt about PBS’ pledge times). Shapiro gives off a very different feel, probably because I know he used to be Broadcast News Executive. But, I guess we ought to reserve judgment on the Shapiro era.

Oh, geez – now I won’t be able to look at a bowl of dip the same way: like the previous dispelling of the 5-second rule (wherein you’d now think twice about eating food that fell on the floor), the idea of dipping (or re-dipping, actually) in the shared bowl of dip may actually be a little worrisome. Maybe.

The NY Times’ Mark “The Minimalist” Bittman on walnut tart (rather than, say, pecan pie). It looks lovely and seems almost easy to make (well, so it appears on video). But… all that butter… it makes me nervous!

The passing of Margaret Truman, the daughter of President Harry Truman, who was a former opera singer, mystery writer, wife of a NY Times editor, mother of four, and former Upper East Side resident.

My landlord has listed the building for sale. While there are many unknowns, such as whether he can fetch the multi-million dollar sum asked for in this economic climate, there is the acute possibility we’ll have to find another place to live in the Spring.

What it is about this place that brings about nostalgia? There are plenty to gripe about the place, from the puny size, the multitude of deluges from the upstairs apartment, the painful walkup when hobbling around with injuries, and the general seediness especially at night. But overall, I have to say it is OK. There is the stone’s throw to work, the intersection with a number of classy neighborhoods, being within one hour of anywhere in the city — either via subway or a nearby Zipcar — and of course generally being safe and generally kept warm or cool.

I would be here ten years come March, and two for P-; this is just one more step toward the next phase of our lives. It’s gonna be all right.

So, I’ve actually been watching “Law and Order” in its 18th (!) season since the premiere on 1/3/08 (ok, actually, I missed an episode), since I wanted to see how Sam Waterston’s Jack McCoy would do as the (acting? interim?) DA, while Fred Thompson’s DA Arthur Branch was… actually, I’m still not clear on Branch’s fate, since it wasn’t made apparent on-screen (although, we all know that Thompson was trying to be a presidential candidate; wonder what will happen to Thompson now that the presidential candidate gig’s over and – eventually – once the writers’ strike ends? Will he back on L&O?).

Anyway, note that I haven’t sat for a whole L&O episode in years and I don’t practice criminal law. So, watching full episodes turned out to have been strangely entertaining. The ripped-from-the-headlines plots are starting to feel unintentionally funny (I had laugh out loud moments at rather inopportune moments, particularly when I recognized from what headline the plot was ripped from). McCoy as the DA is kind of interesting – he’s appointed to the position, he’s dealing with a balancing act, and he’s got more power than he really wants – plus, the folks of the DA’s office are starting to realize his age (kind of sad when it’s a blackout and the female ADA notes that they’d have to drag out McCoy’s ancient typewriter to work on something). Jesse L. Martin as Detective Ed Green is still a looker; and S. Epatha Merkerson as the Lieutenant – well, thumbs up; she’s got the acting chops, even if I find the writing silly.

The new castmembers:

Jeremy Sisto’s Detective Cyrus Lupo manages to have more character backstory than just about every other L&O character in only his first ten minutes. He’s not so bad, once you get over the whole “I was away from the precinct, and now I’m back!” circumstance for his character.

McCoy’s replacement as Executive ADA, Michael Cutter, is played by Linus Roache – yet another British actor playing American, which I didn’t realize until I checked imdb.com. Note that Roache played Thomas Wayne in “Batman Begins” – the doomed dad to Bruce Wayne and Gotham City crime victim. Roache plays Cutter as a Blackberry addict who has a weird New York/New England accent (well, Roache did play Robert F. Kennedy at one point); I think he’s easy on the eyes (well, I am a sucker for the Brits who play Americans well).

I agree with TV Guide’s Matt Roush – L&O is feeling refreshed:

Jeremy Sisto brings a solid, no-nonsense gravity to new detective Cyrus Lupo, brought onto the beat with an assisted-suicide case that hits close to home. (This episode ends with a courtroom twist that may be a first in the show’s nearly 400-episode history.) More notable this season, because of Sam Waterston’s longevity, is Jack McCoy’s promotion to top DA, making way for Linus Roache as enjoyably scrappy and impulsive new prosecutor Michael Cutter, who ruffles Jack’s composure: “What do you do for fun, Mike, juggle chain saws with my neck on the line?”

This TV Guide article acknowledges the re-energized L&O, but seemed to forget what Roush notes: Roache as Cutter. Yeah, Mike’s the ace in the hole – he managed to almost botch the blackout kidnapping/murders case by letting Green and Lupo do a search without a warrant (Mike Cutter making Jack McCoy feel sick – see quote above), can’t seem to lose his Blackberry, but pulls off a compelling closing argument in this week’s episode. Thumbs up!

So, even the NY Times is covering how the Big Law Firms have to reform billable hours. Does this, as Lisa Belkin writes, make the firms cuddlier for addressing work/life balance? But, really, they wouldn’t have done this unless their clients started to become resistant about paying for over-paid law firm associates (well, overpaid compared to us public service/public interest lawyers who aren’t making anything in comparison for work in the public interest).

The NY Times does a fascinating profile of Judge Margarita Lopez Torres, after the US Supreme Court ruled against her case New York State Board of Elections v. López Torres.

The legal problems of Filipino nurses, who face a dilemma in being desired as employees but then don’t get fair treatment as employees (the irony is palpable). Yes, you owe a duty to your patients/clientele, but what is an employee to do when avenues to negotiate for better labor conditions aren’t working?

And, speaking of tv and not law, this article further explains the changes on what was once “Masterpiece Theatre,” which was made apparent on the “Masterpeice” website. No more “Mystery!” – as it got pulled into the “Masterpiece” umbrella. No more majestic theme song. What’s really left then? “Quality”? Let’s hope so, for the combined sake of “Masterpiece” and PBS.

This NY Times article by Melissa Clark on fondue made me want to eat warm gooey cheese.

Oh, and since I’m on L&O and I seem to have great timing: the reviews are out for “Come Back, Little Sheba” – and they’re raving for S. Epatha Merkerson in her role as Lola, who lost the cat Little Sheba and, more importantly, is a Desperate Houswife in a truer sense than those one Wisteria Lane. I’ve admired how the cast of L&) have been able to go back and forth with screen (big and small) and stage – it shows a love of the art and their strengths as actors. Sounds like this version of “Little Sheba” has great stuff with Merkerson and Kevin Anderson, who plays her alcoholic chiropractor husband (to whom TV hasn’t been as kind, at least not ABC when they treated the show, “Nothing Sacred” so badly – Anderson was the priest who had – umm – issues… people back in the 90’s weren’t keen on shows that had “quality” and took on issues of faith and public interest, oh well…)

The sad passing of former American ice skater, Christopher Bowman – the story of decline despite having been a showman on skates.

Last but not least – the passing of actor Heath Ledger – I haven’t seen a lot of Ledger’s work – haven’t gotten to “Brokeback Mountain,” “A Knight’s Tale” still on my movies to watch list (that one kind of matches my not-great taste in movies), and I’m eager for the next “Batman” movie, where Ledger played the Joker (sad that that gets to be the last role – it may not be the bet way to go? But, if it works well as “art,” perhaps that’s not so bad?). Ledger’s appreciation for NYC – Brooklyn, in particular – is something to salute.I hate the media circus that’s covering his death; I do admire the appraisals from the movie critics, which were respectful and evoked a person and artist who’s gone too soon for a full career of potential.

Martin Luther King was assassinated at the young age of thirty-nine, not much older than I am today. In his famous “I have a dream” speech in 1963, he talks about how the check of freedom issued to all citizens, including African Americans, has come back because of “insufficient funds”.  That is one step ahead of where we Chinese would have been in 1963, because it was neigh impossible to become a citizen then. If I were a contemporary of MLK, I would be waiting two more years in Hong Kong or some other place in the British West Indies for the Immigration Act of 1965, when the quota of 105 Chinese a year was finally lifted. Chances are 1,000 to 1 for being a barrister/solicitor, 10 to 1 a scientist or a teacher, and even money on shopkeeper or restaurant cook. How far the journey has been, such a dream, and how fortunate we are to have it!

In honor of the day, consider checking out the slideshow on Slate: “In Memoriam: Martin Luther King, Jr.”

Fascinating interview in NY Times Magazine with Maya Soetoro-Ng, Barack Obama’s sister, who identifies herself as “I’m half white, half Asian. I think of myself as hybrid. People usually think I’m Latina when they meet …”

On a far less thoughtful note: the teaser trailer of the new Star Trek movie – it looks cool; it almost took my breath away. Heavy emphasis on “almost.” I so don’t know whether to be terrified that it’d be crap or be excited because it might actually be good (J.J. Abrams has bummed me out with how “Alias” ended after all, plus, re-booting Star Trek – well, honestly, it’s not like re-booting the “Bond, James Bond,” or “Batman” franchises). Oh, well. We can always have the best of thoughts for the future, can’t we?

Oh my – the Giants pulled it off; they’re going to the Super Bowl!!!

A NY Times look at the Cambodian immigrants of NYC.

Apparently, you can’t use the cold as your excuse to avoid outdoor exercise. Oh well. Guess old-fashioned laziness will do just fine.

This NY Times article about these guys selling books to the Strand — well, it reminds me: Got to get around to selling some of these unwanted (to me, anyway) books in the house…

In the Theater section of the NY Times: this sounds like a great review on the works of some major British actors doing Shakespeare: Zoe Wanamaker, Simon Russell Beale, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Ewan McGregor; so cool!

Hmm, so now the NY Times has gotten its say on the Austen stuff on PBS. Considering that I’ve never read “Northanger Abbey” or “Mansfield Park,” the movie adaptations of these two might prove interesting. For Americans, take note: “Mansfield Park” stars Billie Piper, the ex-Rose of the current incarnation of “Doctor Who.”

The passing of actor Allan Melvin, character actor known as “Sam the Butcher,” the love interest of Alice on “The Brady Bunch,” plus his roles on “All in the Family” and so forth.

The passing of actress Suzanne Pleshette; nice tribute by Time critic Richard Corliss.

Last week I drove down to Red Bank, NJ for the premiere of the movie Camp Woz, which was about the real life youth computer workshops organized by Apple Computer founder Steve Wozniak and Real World Miami participant and social worker Joe Patane. I knew Joe in high school. This is clearly where one person can make a difference in the lives of others. I was impressed.

I would have not known about this event had I not joined Facebook and hooked up with old friends. I’ve refused to hook up with MySpace and some of the other social networks like Twitter, but Facebook is different in two main ways: they allow the users to write or plug in their own applications, and that the installed base is dramatically larger than most of the other networks. While there are some claims that it is a waste of time, I find that it actually saves time by letting me see what all of my friends are doing in a glance.

Scrabulous is Facebook’s killer app. I’m sure Hasbro or Mattel can figure out a deal rather than annoying the hundreds of thousands of people that have been drawn back to Scrabble.

Eateries this week: microwave burrito from the Red Bank 7-11 (sprung for the extra 20 cents for the “hand made” spicy beef filling, exactly the same), Burger King at the curiously named Cheesequake Service Area (weird chicken sandwich). Beef stew at the Borough Hall Crossroads stand (not really that good), buffalo wings at Fraunces Tavern (yes, George Washington’s favorite watering hole is still an excellent fully functioning pub), the new Marriott Eastside for a banquet (crab cakes were soggy, filet mignon and sea bass reasonably ok, huge slices of cheesecake for dessert), Rachel’s Taqueria for Tex-Mex (awesome Chimichanga -recommended).