Question of the Day: Socks

Why, oh, why do people wear black socks with white sneakers? Especially when they're wearing shorts, so that their fashion faux pas is glaringly obvious?

Answers I've received so far:
~ They're Canadian or European usually.
~ They're Canadian!
~ No taste.

My answer:
I have no answer. It seems I'm stumped for words today, in general. (Note: I think some people are mistakenly visualizing the slouchy, wool knee socks worn under Teva velcro sandals, the Disney vacation garb found most often on German tourists. That's a topic for another QOD!)

AIDS vaccine backfires!

Why hasn't the media splashed this story all over the place?! Admittedly, I'm not always on top of the news, despite my profession, but I only happened to stumble upon this story near the bottom of a news site. People need to know this!

The Associated Press announced today that a trial AIDS vaccine not only doesn't work but actually INCREASED recipients' chances of contracting HIV.

I'm stunned. No words do this justice. It's frightening that such a huge study, conducted by a very well-financed company, failed so miserably. They've done permanent, serious damage to the lives of the trial participants, and it's a huge setback in the quest to find a vaccine.

The majority of the 3,000 participants were gay men and female sex workers (prostitutes and porn actresses). Why? In my irritation, I can think of only two possibilities:
1) Merck didn't notice that the majority of people contracting HIV these days are in their 30s, and that about half the people who get HIV/AIDS through sexual contact are straight? Shoot, a large number of them are seniors, especially here in Florida -- thanks, Viagra!
2) The study attracted that demographic simply because those folks are more frightened than the rest of us and thus eager to try just about anything to protect themselves. Are the rest of us blind to our risk?

This blog was posted in haste during my very unpleasant reaction to the news story. I don't know much about this trial or what went wrong, so I'm going to read up on it. Perhaps some of you know more and can educate me -- either assuage my fears or anger me further?

Start here: Merck and HIV Vaccine Trials Network.

Snowball's got rhythm

This is probably the cutest thing I've seen all day. (And bear in mind that I saw babies dressed as pumpkins and Tootsie Rolls while Halloween costume shopping today.)

Keep an eye out for his lil' green buddy busting a few moves in the cage behind him, and wait for the headbangers' ball at the end.



(Thanks to the cool cats over at the BHTM boards.)

A dog-gone sweet way to trick-or-treat

If you're still looking for something fun to do on Halloween, have I got an idea for you!

Many of you know I'm involved with the Humane Society of Broward County ~ adopting pets, buying treats and cute doggy duds in the shop, enrolling in obedience classes, and organizing my company's team for the annual Walk for the Animals.

PetSet, the society's fundraising group of young professionals, hosts a variety of fun benefits throughout the year: a Pajama Jam, a White Party and more.

The Halloween Masquerade Party is exactly how you'd like to spend your Halloween night. Sexy, compassionate and costumed 20- and 30-somethings converge on Las Olas Boulevard to drink, dance and mingle the night away. Isn't that more your speed than your back-up plan: watching scary movies at home, stuffing your face with candy, and answering the door every 3 minutes to *share* that candy with the neighborhood tikes?

Here's what the Humane Society of Broward County's web site has to say about the party:

Join PetSet at their annual Masquerade Party

Wednesday, October 31
7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
River House Restaurant
301 SW 3 rd Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, Florida

$30 for PetSetters, Top Dogs & Pick of the Litter members
$35 for Guests
$45 to Join & Attend

Evening includes 2 complimentary spirits & delicious heavy hors d’oeuvres

Attire: Be Anything But Yourself

*Prizes Given to the BEST Costumes*

Save $5 by Pre-Paying (pre-paid tickets will be available until noon on Oct. 31)

For Pre-Paid Tickets contact 954-266-6827

(Limited valet available at The River House- parking will also be available at various public garages downtown)

Hope to see you there! And if you don't live in this area, find a Humane Society or other worthy nonprofit in your area. Guaranteed one of them is planning a spooky soiree that's perfect for you and your friends!

P.S. If you join PetSet at this event, you'll get a discount for every other event for an entire year!

Question of the Day: Halloween

What are you planning to do for Halloween?

Answers I've received so far:
~ Don't know yet.
~ Sitting at home with all the lights out so the kids think no one's home.

My answer:
I'm torn between a Humane Society costume fundraiser and a friend's costume party/scavenger hunt. (I need to come up with a costume! Ah!)

Question of the Day: Dance

You can have a single dance with anyone, to any song. Who is it, and what's the song? (And for those of you who are taken, relax. It's a fantasy.)

Answers I've received so far:
~ Probably my friend who died, and some love song like "Without You" by Motley Crue.
~ Sir Mix-A-Lot's "I Like Big Butts" with Steve Carell.
~ "Wonderful Tonight" with let-me-think-about-it.

My answer:
Today, it'd be "First Time" by Lifehouse with someone special. *sway sway sway*

Question of the Day: Affairs

Are online affairs really cheating?


My answer:
I prefer to answer on a case-by-case basis, but let me say this: Emotional affairs are more destructive than solely physical ones.

(Post your thoughts as a comment.)

Question of the Day: 6 p.m.

Where exactly were you at 6 p.m. today?

Answers up 'til now:
~ Sitting on Stan's sofa, talking to Phil about Nikki Sixx and his new book.
~ Garage. Putting laundry in dryer.

As for me:
I was just getting home from the post office, prepping for a shower.

(Y tu? Post it here.)

Question of the Day: Games

If you could get tickets to a game played by any two teams, what would it be?

Answers I've received so far:
~ Yanks vs. Red Sox in Boston
~ Senators vs. Cardinals

My answer:
In an ideal world, I'd get to see the Dolphins play the Eagles.

(Post your answer as a comment.)

An explosion of indie artisans

I am so, so looking forward to Stitch Rock 2007, an indie craft fair, and I'll tell you why.

(Wait. First, get those images of grandma and friends crocheting tissue box holders outta your head. This is different. Really.)

OK, this type of event has become an annual tradition in more counter-culture-friendly places like Austin and Vancouver, thanks to the Craft Mafia and other like-minded groups. It's about time it's come to South Florida!

A variety of young, funky, inspired artists and crafters (think tattooed cuties with brains and talent) will display their wares in the historic gymnasium in downtown Delray Beach this coming Saturday.

You'll find embroidered tees, silver and beaded jewelry, pin-up photography, knitted toys, hand-sewn purses and so on -- stuff you'll just love. I'm sure of it.

Click on the link above for the address, vendors and other details. Be there, or be square!

P.S. If this type of thing is right up your alley but you can't make the event, look to the right ---> for links to Etsy, Craft Mafia and so on.

Question of the Day: Ride

What was your first ride?

Answers I've received so far:
~ Firebird
~ a two-tone green 1952 Chevy convertible with a black top
~ Pontiac Tempest convertible, yellow
~ Ford Ranger

My answer:
I inherited my Grandpop's 1980 Chevy Caprice Classic. It was a boat that could hold up to 11 friends, who called it "the hooptie." Fond memories.

(What about you? Post your answer as a comment.)

Question of the Day: Cash

What's the last thing you bought with cash?

Answers I've received so far:
~ Gas.
~ I can't remember. It's been that long.

My answer:
Two burritos for dinner. Mmm.

(Post your answer as a comment. Let's hear it!)

Some cool music

Here's some music I've enjoyed lately. Perhaps you will, too. Let me know what you think.

Over the Rhine ~ Trouble
(Stripped and sexy. "If you've come to make some trouble, better make it good. Your sexy cocktail hour stubble is doing what it should." Oh.)





Aesop Rock ~ None Shall Pass
(They call this hip hop and compare him -- Ian Bavitz -- to the Beasties. I don't know, but it's irrelevant 'cuz I LOVE this song. And Aesop Rock is just a cool name. Damn, I'm bouncing around in my chair as I type.)





Iron and Wine ~ Pagan Angel and a Borrowed Car
(Soundtrack: driving, in the middle of the night and with the windows down, to absolutely nowhere along a lonely road lit only by the occasional street light -- so you can think, or, rather, not think at all.)





Flosstradamus
(Hot. Who says spinners aren't artists? I feel an impromptu party coming on. Who's with me? Turntables? Anyone?)





Ryan Adams ~ Everybody Knows
(Sit tight while the French TV host introduces Ryan, who's backed by The Cardinals. It's worth the wait/laugh. And you get a tiny bonus interview at the end!)





Jake Shimabukuro ~ Third Stream
(The uke. Wow. Who knew? Oh, and he's Japanese, lives in Hawaii, and loves George Harrison -- need I say more? And if you enjoy this, watch him play "Crazy G" on YouTube; your wrist will ache in sympathy.)





Medeski, Martin and Wood ~ Uninvisible
(Funk. Period.)

Today's tunes

It's been a while since I shared, so here are some tunes you might enjoy.

Daft Punk ~ Harder Better Faster Stronger
(Here's the song as it's supposed to sound, before Kanye blasphemed. Oh, and this dancing girl is quite entertaining, as well.)


Arcade Fire ~ Rebellion Lies


Coldplay ~ Fix You
...lights will guide you home
and ignite your bones
and I will try to fix you...


Galactic featuring Lyrics Born ~ What You Need


Cary Brothers ~ Who You Are

Question of the Day: Breakfast

What do you most often eat for breakfast?

Answers I've received so far:
~ I almost never eat breakfast.
~ Rice Krispies.
~ Oatmeal, blueberries and skim milk.

My answer:
When I do, it's a Kashi bar or a bagel with an egg on it. But almost every morning I down a gigantic iced java with skim milk.

(Post your answer as a comment.)

Question of the Day: Earthquake

An earthquake strikes in the middle of the night. What one item do you grab as you run screaming from the house?

Answers I've received so far:
~ My ass
~ (enter guy's name here)

My answer:
~ I'd say the box containing all my important photographs IF I were organized enough to have such a box.

(Post your answer as a comment.)

Fighting poverty in very different ways

Thousands of pig tusks hung from the walls, tied up with string salvaged from the rocky coastline below the village of Lavatmagemu.

"The system works," he explained, "from the natural resources we have - the products of the land and the sea. All are valued and converted into our currency. Our aim is to make sure there is no poverty in our communities."

versus:

Finally we met little Nazar.

Her father said he had seven other children to feed and needed the money.

It was clear Harry had a number of children ready to be sold to the highest bidder.

Question of the Day: Jobs

What was your first legal, paid job? (That is, not babysitting or shoveling snow for neighbors.)

My answer:
I was a cashier at Kmart! I was incredibly eager to get my first job with a real paycheck, so I applied and interviewed for the job a couple weeks before my 16th birthday. The red smock I was made to wear nearly killed my enthusiasm, but only nearly -- I stayed there about three years. *dork*

(Post your answer as a comment.)

Cardboard journalism

Turns out the buns are cardboard free! (See my earlier post.) Seems some bloggers want to be reporters and some reporters don't know how to be -- What'll we do? I suppose I'll have to try one of those buns when I make it to China then, won't I?

China ethics plea after fake buns
By James Reynolds
BBC News, Beijing

Workers said they added cardboard to buns at the reporter's suggestion
China's propaganda department has called on journalists to strictly adhere to news ethics.

The instructions came in the wake of a case in which a reporter was caught faking a story about buns made from cardboard.

The Chinese Communist Party heavily controls its media, deciding what people can and cannot publish and broadcast.

But it seems that it cannot always stop reporters simply making up stories.

In recent weeks China has been following a series of reports about low food and drug safety standards.

The most captivating story of all came a few days ago.

Zi Beijia, a reporter for Beijing TV, ran a report about a food store that mixed cardboard into its pork buns as a cheap ingredient.

His report showed workers mushing the cardboard into a sludgy mix and then adding it to dough and pork.

Police then raided the store. Workers admitted that they had added the cardboard - but at the suggestion of the reporter, who had apparently grown frustrated that he had found nothing wrong with the store after spending 10 days spying on it.

The reporter is quoted as saying that his aim was to become famous. He succeeded - but he also got arrested.

Cuter sans mustache

Ahh, a freshly shaved Brandon Flowers...



...theatrical eyeliner doesn't hurt, either.