Question of the Day: Appliances & Gadgets

If you had to give up a modern appliance or gadget that you really love and use, which would it be?

Answers I've received so far:
~ Television
~ TiVo

My answer:
I recently went without a microwave for a couple of weeks, learning the uncomfortable way that I'd relied on it wayyy too much for my meals. I had to actually reheat pasta and sauce in a pot, on the stove, and it took 20 minutes instead of two. That said, I don't think my choice would be microwave. How about the TV? 'Cuz if I were really desperate, I'd watch my Netflix on the computer!

Japan talks of regulating 'Net

This scary news is brought to you by Global Voices:

While nobody was watching, an interim report drafted by a study group under the Japanese Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications has set down guidelines for regulation of the Internet in Japan which, according to one blogger, would extend as far as personal blogs and homepages. In the report, this “Study group on the legal system for communications and broadcasting”, headed by Professor Emeritus at Hitotsubashi University Horibe Masao, discusses the possibility of applying the existing Broadcast Law [Ja] to the sphere of the Internet to regulate, under government enforcement, what gets on the web. The report also suggests that public comments be sought on the issue [Ja], in response to which the ministry has opened a space on their web page for the public to submit comments [Ja], available in the period between June 20th and July 20th.

Despite the obvious significance of the proposed regulation, neither media nor the majority of bloggers are aware of its existence.

It remains to be seen how stringent the regulations will be. Will this apply to solely news sites, or blogs as well? Either way, as a journalist and a blogger (heck, as a human being), the thought of this angers me. If I wanted to be silenced, I'd move to China or the Middle East.

Question of the Day: Street Food

The cardboard dumpling story (below) got me to thinking...
Do you enjoy any particular food sold by street vendors?

Answers I've received so far:
~ Sabrett hot dogs in NYC that I didn't get to eat while we were there (hint hint)
~ Not really

My answer:
I like the dosa guy at Washington Square Park in Manhattan, of course. He's a micro-celebrity these days; all the local magazines give him rave reviews, and people come from all over the borough for his amazing food. Also, I grew up loving the soft pretzels you buy from vendors while you're stopped at red lights in Philly. They're awesome, especially in the winter when they're steamy and sweating inside the bag. (Mmm, is it lunchtime?)


(Post your answer as a comment.)

A lil' cardboard with your dumpling, sir?

Despite our better judgement, many city dwellers patronize food carts on street corners. The hot dogs, falafels and pretzels somehow taste their best at these places, much like your favorite grilled sandwich does at the greasiest of greasy spoons.

The Associated Press reported today that street vendors in the Chaoyang province of China have lately been using cardboard to make their baozi, buns that are very similar to pot stickers here in the states. While it isn't harmful, it is certainly illegal and, well, kinda gross. Take a look at the recipe, which is 60% cardboard, by the way. Yum.

Question of the Day: Harry Potter

Will you go see the new Harry Potter film? If so, when? And have you seen the others?

My answer:
I have seen all the others several times, and will definitely go see the new one. But I can't go over the next few days as a few parties are taking up whatever time was leftover from school and work. Perhaps I'll go next week; the crowds will be smaller then, anyway!

(Post your answer as a comment.)

Creative sustainability

I found this at COLORS Magazine. How incredible that this community found a way to sustain itself, and likely do the Earth a favor at the same time.

Energy comes from pilgrims’ shit
By editor on Green Pages

Sai Baba was an Indian guru who died in 1918 and is regarded by his Hindu and Muslim followers as a saint. Today his hometown of Shirdi in Southern India, is one of the most popular religious sites in the world —about 40,000 pilgrims arrive every day to pay their respects to Sai Baba. Tourists are a good source of energy. Sulabh International Organization built a biogas generator for the town. It uses waste from the toilets in the pilgrim’s complex to produce enough energy to light the whole surrounding area. Find out more at www.shirdisaitemple.com and www.sulabhinternational.org.

This reminds me of the fellow who invented a merry-go-round that acts as a well pump, benefiting impoverished communities in Africa. Dontcha just love cool people?

It's 11:48 p.m. Do you know where your browser is?

Places my browser has been this evening:

Looking for a party dress for graduation night.

Checking out the Coney Island Mermaid Parade. Reminds me why I love activists and wackos, and makes me miss New York.

Having trouble using the Word of the Day in a sentence.

Gasping at the cost of tickets to Tokyo in the dead of winter.

Finding that they're cheaper if purchased directly from the airline, and Continental's international flights are always great.

Reading BBC's report about Al-Qaeda's threat to the UK since Salman Rushdie's knighting by the Queen.

Wondering how long it will take to download this trial version of Macromedia's Creative Suite.

Love Song

I'm preparing for 311's live show next week by listening to one of my favorite tunes, "Love Song." Of course, the original was recorded by one of my other favorite bands, The Cure. Take a listen to the original and then the newer version, and see which you prefer. I think both are amazing.

Question of the Day: Red

Look around. What's the first red thing you see?

Answers I've received so far:
~ Dart board
~ My bra

My answer:
The Wendy's cup that my Diet Coke is diluting in.

(Post your answer as a comment.)

Question of the Day: Age

When it comes to dating, how much of an age difference is too much?

Answers I've received so far:
~ Um, maybe a chick over 40 would be too old. (Note: This guy is in his early 20s.)
~ 20 years
~ So long as he has a job, a home and his teeth, and he knows how to treat me, I don't much care if he's older or younger.
~ 25 years

My answer:
It all depends on the people involved. That said, I think one generation is a safe age gap, but not much more. Why I'm using generations instead of years: I think a relationship's dynamic depends upon things like (1) having similar upbringings (e.g., someone who graduated high school in 1960 might not have the same values as someone who did in 1969. Think Bandstand vs. Woodstock.), and (2) being able to "get" each other's pop culture references. If one of the two people is under the age of 25, the gap really shouldn't be more than, say, 5 years. The reason for this goes beyond the dynamic; it's about maturity and mindset. Of course, all of this is a generalization, as some of the most enviable couples I know have quite a big age gap. Perhaps their success is not in spite of the age difference, but because of it?

(Post your answer as a comment.)

Question of the Day: Sleepwear

What do you sleep in?

Answers I've received so far:
~ Socks.
~ Boxers.
(Both people emphasized that they wear one but not the other: boxers but no socks, and socks but no undies. Funny people!)

My answer:
A tank top and skivvies. Sometimes with yoga pants if it's chilly.

(Post your answer as a comment.)

Things that make you go, "Aww!"

She's right. Perhaps there is hope for the rest of us.

(Thanks, Melissa.)

Tonight's tune

Current conundrums

Things that are currently on my mind:

~ Trapezius muscle is all kinds of kinked up on the right side. The spasms come and go, but sitting at the computer, with my arms outstretched while plying the keyboard, seems to exacerbate it. Is it worth unplugging myself? Not yet.

~ Find a new dress (et al) for friend's wedding this Saturday OR find new shoes/bag/etc. to freshen the new-ish cocktail dress that I wore to our mutual friend's recent wedding. Time and money are factors, but more important is the desire to look snazzy, as almost everyone I know will be there. Hmm... Did someone say, "Entirely new ensemble"?!

~ Will I have time to clean the house in preparation for my best friend's visit from out of state for said wedding? Actually, since she's the best friend, perhaps just a quick tidy & spiff, nothing major. If there were no stacks of books and magazines alongside the bed and sofa, she'd think she was in the wrong house.

~ I must must must narrow the focus of my web project so that I can really dive into research and material gathering ASAP. (By chance, does anyone have video they shot while living in Japan?! *she asks hopefully*) Where will I find the time... Oh, I know, I just won't sleep!

~ I'm also concerned that my machine (which is pretty and smart and reliable, just like her momma!) won't approve of the new software I need to complete that project. Chanting: I wanna new MacBook, I wanna new MacBook, I wanna new MacBook. Santa, Mommy, secret admirer, anyone: I've been a good girl; really I have.

~ A variety of love woes. I'll leave it at that.

~ Planning to update my To Read list. I love when it grows, because it means someone out there is still churning out great writing. But I'm sad that it never seems to get any shorter these days, not even a little bit, because I have almost zero time for pleasure reading. August 10: graduation. August 11: tackle To Read list. :) (Check out the updated version to the right. --->)

~ Above conundrum reminded me that I've had the same three Netflix DVDs sitting on top of my TV for about a month or so, and I haven't turned that TV on in about two weeks. So, not only am I not reading my books or magazines, or watching my movies, or buying new music. It's also been months and months since I had everyone over for a movie night or game night. We could all use the relaxation (and drinks); perhaps at the end of this month... Stay tuned, folks!

You can relate, can't you?

Things That Are Difficult To Say When You're Drunk

Cinnamon
Indubitably
Innovative
Preliminary
Proliferation

Things That Are VERY Difficult To Say When You're Drunk

British Constitution
Loquacious Transubstantiate
Passive-aggressive disorder
Specificity

Things That Are Downright IMPOSSIBLE To Say When You're Drunk

Thanks, but I don't want to have sex.
Nope, no more alcohol for me.
Sorry, but you're not really my type.
Good evening officer, isn't it lovely out tonight?
Oh, I just couldn't. No one wants to hear me sing.
You're right, I can't jump over that table!

This came from Stargazer's Realm (really not worth visiting) via Clipmarks (worth a look).

Gas around the globe

Guess I ought to be thankful I only paid $3.05 for a gallon of regular yesterday.




(Courtesy of The West Virginia Surf Report, though I'm not exactly sure what that is.)

You have to see it to get it.

(Thanks, LauraK.)

Question of the Day: Overseas

If you were going to live overseas, which country would you choose?

Answers I've received so far:
~ Holland or Australia
~ Iraq!
~ I'd alternate between Ireland and Italy.

My answer:
Japan, of course! Though Ireland or the UK would be a close second.

(Post your answer as a comment.)

I have no words

Ridiculously sick.



Also ridiculously sick. (Funny how that description can mean so many things.)



And the sick hits just keep coming, though I would call this friggin' sick.



This, well, this is the pièce de résistance. They call it an effin short version of an effin great movie - so apropros. (What's with all the French?!)



This site has thoroughly entertained me while the weather was too lousy to play outside. A new fave.

Question of the Day: Fireworks

Would you rather watch a professional fireworks display or set them off yourself with family and friends? (And what are your plans for tonight?)

Answers I've received so far:
~ Watch them. I like having ten fingers! (I'll be with you tonight!)
~ Go see them, so I can spend my time drinking. (We're going to the beach for the fireworks. Or did you forget?!)
~ We spend like $1,000 on fireworks for our own show every year. Yeah! (Not sure yet._
~ Neither. I hate fireworks. (I'd rather stay home and read.)

My answer:
I like to do both. Often we spend the day at the beach or the park, then watch the fireworks at the beach. Afterwards, we come back to someone's house and set them off while the party continues. (Though this year, after we come back from the fireworks display at the beach, there will be nothing more than sparklers at our house. I so love sparklers, but will really miss my Roman candles. Tee hee!)

This photo was not taken in my town, but it gives you an idea of what our beach looks like every Fourth of July. The difference is that we have such an amazing display, we aren't allowed to sit that close to the pier anymore, and we have so many people you just can't see the sand. It's really a blast (pun intended).



(Post your answer as a comment.)