This one is fresh from Brazil

I take a lot of gym classes, and the two key factors that determine whether or not I like a class are:

1) The teacher. Are they positive and encouraging without veering into bumper sticker mantra territory, or referring to a Maroon 5 song as their "new favey"? Then they have a shot.

2) Other students in the class. Are they wearing perfume? Are they extremely territorial? Do they talk a lot or look way better than I do? Then, I leave.

I have never had a teacher offer to be my fresh meat, but I still identified with this cartoon.

I still miss Kate's Bodyworks class at the decrepit LA Fitness on Wilshire. She inserted the phrase "no judgeemnt zone" into my life. Thank you Kate.

Bike Hatred Spreads South

Way South. A man in Brazil drove his (sweet) black VW through a crowd of cyclists last Friday. He claimed self-defense! Bold.

I think he was just trying to big league the cab driver in San Diego who drove into the front of a club and severed a leg or two.

Cream on the inside

Gucci Mane now looks like this (via):

I am familiar with the name Gucci Mane, but when I looked him up on Youtube, I realized I am not familiar with any of his songs. Lemonade? Worst Enemy?

Based on his tattoo and necklace, I assumed he was the guy behind this gem:


But that is Dorrough. What a name. I think that is the extended spelling of Homer Simpson's "Doh!"

Awkward Pregnancy Photos

There are no words. Thank you Daryn.

Support and Guidance

Sometimes, when I am sad and missing my dad, I think about how lucky I am that I have so much to miss about him. Other people have lunatic dads who are probably better off gone. For example, actress Thora Birch, who was recently fired due to her dad's behavior:

"Mr. Birch, formerly an actor in pornographic films who is now Ms. Birch’s manager, had attended most rehearsals to provide support and guidance for his daughter. At one point during Thursday’s rehearsal, Mr. Birch confronted an actor who had been working on a scene with Ms. Birch."

Formerly a porn star! NBD.

Engagement on Ice

I think it is wasted energy and poor form to criticize a source of joy and happiness for others, but I may not be able to think of something less appealing than paying at least $200 to propose to someone in an ice rink, surrounded by tourists.

The gesture could be considered special and heartfelt if it weren't arranged by the box office and so commonplace that there is an online pdf brochure and application!

Preemptive Strike

I thought California had all the good propositions this year, but I totally underestimated the wackos in Kansas and Oklahoma.

Oklahoma, at the urging of Newt Gingrich, passed a "measure blocking judges from considering Islamic or international law when making a ruling." Note: read the comments on that post at your own risk.

Kansas, following the adage better safe than sorry, changed their state constitution to remind themselves that they have the right to bear arms.

Karl Rove must be proud!

Handicap Placard Abuse

This month saw a few pieces about handicap placard abuse (Washington Post and NPR are the largest outlets that covered the topic). This is of special interest to anyone in Venice who knows that one of the reasons RVs are able to stay on the street is their use of handicap placards, which exempt you from many parking rules.

In related news, I will sell my Mom's for a nice profit. Bidding starts at $1,000.

Suicide, Academia, and Workplace Bullying

This is an interesting article about the July suicide of the managing editor of the Virginia Quarterly Review. It is compelling because it is sad, but also because it asks questions about what kind of behavior is acceptable of a boss. Additionally, I knew one of the key figures involved, and I am frankly not surprised that she had a role in this kind of incident!

LAT hates smokers

If they didn't, they surely could have found a less heinous picture to accompany this article about the hazards of cigs. Is she a mail order bride from the former USSR?

You Betcha!

You want to bet on that?

Jayden?!!??!!?!?

The Top 10 names for girls, based on the 2009 SSA statistics:

1. Isabella
2. Emma
3. Olivia
4. Sophia
5. Ava
6. Emily
7. Madison
8. Abigail
9. Chloe
10. Mia

The Top 10 names for boys:

1. Jacob
2. Ethan
3. Michael
4. Alexander
5. William
6. Joshua
7. Daniel
8. Jayden
9. Noah
10. Anthony

Via