I Most Certainly Approve: Paris, Je T'aime

A few years ago, I saw the film "Paris, Je T'aime" - a collection of short films put together into one movie. They've recently created a "New York, I Love You" in the same vein, but I've heard that it's not nearly as good.

There was one segment of this film that stuck out to me when I first saw it. The segment is called "14th Arrondisement" and it's directed by Alexander Payne ("Election", "Sideways"). It revolves around a middle-aged white, American woman traveling Paris for the first time, all by herself. It's humorous and a bit silly, but it packs an emotional punch that hits you out of nowhere. At first you start to laugh along with the absurdity of this woman's experiences, but by the end you want to cry.

I've often felt the way this woman feels when I travel abroad on my own. I love it for the independence and freedom to do what I want, when I want; however, there are definitely times when I see something or do something that makes me wish I was there with someone else. Being with another person to share in the overwhelming beauty of a landscape or the incredible discovery of a new food is something that cannot be matched.



I also love this clip because the woman's French is so awful that I don't even have to read the subtitles. I can literally understand every word she is saying in French and it makes me happy to know that I haven't lost it all.

This segment ("Le Marais" by Gus Van Sant) rivals the other for my favorite of the compilation. All in all, a movie definitely worthy of renting if you haven't seen it already. I most certainly approve.

Eat Your Vegetables!

I used to be a vegetarian back in high school/college for a few years. Then I started eating all meat again. I've recently given up most meat (except chicken and turkey - mainly for health reasons) and I am constantly enticed by becoming a full blown vegetarian again. My main issue, though is that I'm allergic to so much stuff that vegetarians constantly use in their diets. I have an allergy to legumes, which includes, but is not limited to: peanuts, soy, peas, lima beans, chickpeas, garbanzo beans, kidney beans, etc., etc., etc.

I'm sure there's a way, though. And after seeing this awesome ad from the International Vegetarian Union, I'm totally convinced.


















































So cool. The idea of having all this natural stuff in your body, with no chemicals or weird growth hormones is so refreshing. Totally digging it.

Song of the Mo: Bad Romance

I couldn't resist. This video is badass and I have no shame in admitting that I like Lady Gaga. She's absolutely nuts (which I've noted many times here), but she's innovative and I find her spectacular.

The video for her new single, "Bad Romance" is definitely something that needs to be seen. It's weird (expected) and kind of sad (unexpected?).

Florida? Or Just Happy to See Me?

Oh man, this one is a winner for sure. I really never tire hearing about how teachers make the dumbest mistakes in front of students. I was a teacher myself for a few years and while inappropriate comments related to teaching material would often come up in my mind, I knew better than to share those silly revelations with my 6th graders. The folks over at DetentionSlip never cease to entertain with their reporting on such stories.

A Kansas City 8th grade science teacher got fired for comparing the shape of Florida to an erect penis. If you read the article, it's interesting because he never even says the words "erect" or "penis". Apparently, he draws a map of the US, Florida is out of proportion, a student calls him out on it and he says, "Florida got excited." Inappropriate? Probably. Does the guy deserve to be fired? Hell no. Especially when you know every 8th grade boy in that class was thinking the exact same thing before he even pointed it out. If he called Florida a penis to a class of 1st graders, we might have a bigger problem.

Turns out his students are pissed. Several students cut class to protest and many have been picketing on street corners demanding that he be allowed back. To have a bunch of 8th graders go out on a limb like that for a teacher? This guy must be good. Let him back in. The parents agree. A ton of them showed up to the termination hearing to urge the board to keep him.

But don't get your hopes up. With every glimmer of hope, there's a bitter bureaucrat waiting to bring the buzzkill. From the article:

"Leigh Anne Neal, a district spokeswoman, said the student demonstrators will be marked as absent without an excuse. School officials notified the students and the parents of the students who demonstrated outside the school rather than attend class that they will not receive credit for missed work."

Ugh! These kinds of administrators are the worrrrrrrrrrst. Standing behind a decision just to stand behind it. If you ask me, these are the people we should be keeping our kids away from. As far as I'm concerned, Leigh Anne Neal can go suck a Florida.

Legally Blonde/Legally Bound?

Just when I (almost) starting standing up for her a little bit, Carrie Prejean, the idiotic former Miss California who suddenly, out of nowhere became chief conductor of the cuckoo train, displayed this winner of an interview with Larry King. She has the audacity to call Larry King "inappropriate" and then just sits there like a MORON! See for yourself:

Her book is titled, Still Standing - I don't get it. Where's the pageant pun? Also, how is this title still available? I feel like this is a pre-packaged, go-to title for autobiographies - I guess I just answered my own question. I guess the more important question here is, how did she write a book and who cares enough about her to read it? I know millions are going to buy it, just like they did Sarah Palin's Nazi hockey mom manifesto, but I still can't help being shocked by stupid shit like this.

Carrie Prejean - Conservative, Nut-case Robot status = confirmed.

Chug, Chug, Chug ... Choo! Choo!

Holy cow. This is a true example of a "close call". A completely wasted woman in Boston, falls onto the tracks of the subway. Thank goodness for frantic bystanders.

Song of the Mo: Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots

Another one that just came up on my shuffle playlist. When I first heard this song, I played it on repeat like a thousand times. So, eventually I got sick of it. It's been a couple of years since I heard it, so it's nice to enjoy it again.

Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots Pt.1 - The Flaming Lips

Absurdity, via Tweet. Now Available!

I have recently determined that my life is, in fact, totally interesting and worthy of a public following. Wow, who's the hypocrite now? (see last post)

Follow me on Twitter. I'm learning it for work so figured I'd start my own too. http://twitter.com/jesuismike

Weekly WTF?: Miss-representing California

I can't believe people hold events like this. I actually think Miss California was probably more moderate before the whole "gay marriage" hoopla. Now the right-wing has just sucked her in and she's totally gone whacko. It really is too bad. I mean, a year ago I was with everyone else who was vilifying her, but now I just sort of feel bad for the girl. Gay rights controversy + revelation of fake boobies + alleged sex tape = a ruined life.

Careful what you wish for.

So, did anyone go to this event last night? Let me know how it went. I'm dying to know. Those GWB and Bill Clinton lookalikes look pretty spot on. Lovin' the shades.

I Most Certainly Approve

Oh. My. God.

This is the best thing to ever come out of that silly show, "Glee".

Two things:

1) Why am I almost 27 years old and still can't grow a beard?

2) Where do I find this man so I can marry him? No, for real.

I most certainly approve.