Veterans’ Day Observed

Take a moment to think about the veterans (hoped you did it yesterday, on actual Veterans’ Day, too).

This week: Downtown for Dinner 2007 – $25 to $35 prixe fixe at participating downtown restaurants.

Reading: Time Magazine, with an interesting article on green roofs. I had read about it in an ABA publication too – this sounds like a great trend – environmental and it sure could make some cities look nice.

Recently read a book of selected Emily Dickinson poems, with an intro from former US Poet Laureate Billy Collins whose own poetry, from what I can tell, is sort of reminiscent of Dickinson’s).

On TV tonight: “How I Met Your Mother” and what may be a key “Heroes” episode. Got to enjoy before we run out of new episodes due to the writers’ strike (and it is November sweeps anyway).

Novembery November

It’s starting to feel a lot like November…

Mark “The Minimalist” Bittman of the NY Times demonstrates the making of a pan-fried pizza. Pan-fried pizza! It looks sooo good…

Seems quite interesting that the New York City Bar is putting out its statement in support of the Pakistani bar. Plus a rally to support the legal system. Rule of law, not rule of man indeed; something the world is going to have to learn and adapt.

The tv writers’ strike continues. I’m trying to keep up with the coverage. I’m hoping for a not long strike, but things aren’t exactly looking optimistic. Then again, my tv viewing has been pretty limited since I found myself increasingly uninterested in stuff. “House” is actually more interesting once Dr. Foreman has been back; Drs. Chase and Cameron have this weird vibe with each other, since in real life, they broke up (or at least ended their engagement). Still waiting for actor Kal Penn to do something on the show other than act silly. I mean, come on – actor John Cho got to do some grizzly stuff when he did his episode of “House” (admittedly, that was Season 1, and if I recall at all, he was a patient and patients don’t do much more than get really sick).

I really do like the show “Life” on NBC. Yeah, actor Damian Lewis is acting all weird; but he’s quite watchable. I don’t care for this seemingly unsolveable conspiracy that his character’s trying to unravel. Otherwise, it’d be nice if more viewers can give it a chance. The writers’ strike might make things a little difficult though.

“Heroes” finally got really interesting – the characters are joining forces, which is way more exciting. And, of course, actor David Anders – once they brought him on “Heroes,” I’m all “hmm; this guy was Sark on ‘Alias’ – amoral and irritating in his charisma. Is he really going to be a good guy on ‘Heroes’?” Plus, for a guy who’s really American, the tv people like having him play British, which means he can’t quite be a good guy, huh? (well, we’ll see, in the middle of this possible strike-shortened tv season).

And, what’s with McDonalds? I thought the Angus burger ad was a little funny – chubby Asian guy debating on whether to get two ketchup packs; resisting because well, you just can’t go there; don’t go wild and crazy, as the narrator said. Seemed funny enough – and chalk it up to having an Asian on tv. Then, Thursday night, on Channel 11, before the sports on the news, there’s a McDonalds ad for breakfast food – and I swear it’s James Kyson Lee (“Ando” of “Heroes”)! He played this office worker who is suckered to do favors for another co-worker because she bribes people with McD’s food. Playing an apparent APA (not just an Asian)!

(although, do you really want to encourage more Asians to eat at McDonalds, when there’s enough incidence of diabetes and heart disease? Oh well; take your pros and cons; and I’m a bit of a hypocrite, since it’s not like I’ve quit eating McD’s – just trying to lay off on the fatty stuff).

And, last but not least, these Christmas ads on tv are already irritating me, and we’ve still more than 10 days before… Thanksgiving. It’s going to be a long Christmas ad season.

Weekend!

Congratulations to Al Gore (and the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) on winning the Nobel Peace Prize! Now comes the (continued) hard part of somehow trying to save the world from itself.

Saturday: Friend and I went to Tea and Sympathy. So worth the wait. Clotted cream and scones. Earl Grey tea. Welsh rarebit. Delicious!

Sunday: CultureFest 2007, in Battery Park, downtown Manhattan. Every arts and cultural institution must have had a table at the event. Great stuff.

Time Magazine’s cover article on “The Incredibly Shrinking Court” by David Von Drehle – I may not agree with the article’s thesis that the US Supreme Court has less relevance in the lives of people, but it is an interesting read.