Yep. I'm still sticking with it. It was rough going for awhile, but I'm starting to marginally get ahang of things. We're about half way through the form. We'd be farther along if yours truly hadn't been holding the class back a bit. The whole "which hand goes on top?" thing is hard for me. But the more I practice, the easier it gets.
My one big problem is that I'm having trouble with the formal names of each of the movements. They have really nice names like "Crane Spreads Its Wings" and "Cross the Sparrow's Tail". But I can't seem to remember the nice names. So I end up with these bastardized names. Like one sequence that goes "Stab the Bad Guy, Push Him Over, Turn Right, Morris Day, Wonder Woman Bracelets, Hold the Baby Tiger." I have no clue what the real name is on that one, but I'm pretty sure it really does have something to do with a tiger. Then there's my favorite sequence: "Scratch Your Elbow, Hold the Ball, Back Away, Monkey! Back away, Monkey! Back Away, Monkey! Hey, Don't Sneak Up on Me!" That one's fun.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Pacifico and Shepherd's Pie
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/yahoolatestnews/stories/071508dnbusbennigans.56211560.html?npc
So Bennigan's is going to offer menus in Spanish. I'm not sure I get the point. Isn't the one thing that most people know in another language food? I may not speak the language in a country that I'm visiting. But I can tell you, I sure as hell will know how to order before I get there. Or I can at least look hungry as I point at something random on the menu. Of course in Asia you kind of take your chances doing that. But isn't that what travel is for? (For the record, fried scorpions are tasty. Pickled duck feet are not.)
And Spanish? I couldn't hold a conversation to save my life, but I can work the hell out of a menu. You don't have to know how everything is prepared. (Though I can spot camarones al mojo de ajo from 50 paces.) You just have to know "pollo" = yes, "lingua" = no, "carnitas" = hellz yes, "tripas" = back away from the table and nobody gets hurt. From there, I find that pointing, smiling and tipping well take care of any other problems.
So I think maybe the Bennigan's folks may be a little delusional. "Hey, why aren't there any Mexicans in our restaurants? I know! They can't read the menu!" I think possibly it's more likely that Mexicans don't like over-priced, greasy, fake Irish food served by the surliest, most incompetent wait staff on the planet. But that's really just a guess on my part. Y'all go ahead with the menu thing. That could work to.
So Bennigan's is going to offer menus in Spanish. I'm not sure I get the point. Isn't the one thing that most people know in another language food? I may not speak the language in a country that I'm visiting. But I can tell you, I sure as hell will know how to order before I get there. Or I can at least look hungry as I point at something random on the menu. Of course in Asia you kind of take your chances doing that. But isn't that what travel is for? (For the record, fried scorpions are tasty. Pickled duck feet are not.)
And Spanish? I couldn't hold a conversation to save my life, but I can work the hell out of a menu. You don't have to know how everything is prepared. (Though I can spot camarones al mojo de ajo from 50 paces.) You just have to know "pollo" = yes, "lingua" = no, "carnitas" = hellz yes, "tripas" = back away from the table and nobody gets hurt. From there, I find that pointing, smiling and tipping well take care of any other problems.
So I think maybe the Bennigan's folks may be a little delusional. "Hey, why aren't there any Mexicans in our restaurants? I know! They can't read the menu!" I think possibly it's more likely that Mexicans don't like over-priced, greasy, fake Irish food served by the surliest, most incompetent wait staff on the planet. But that's really just a guess on my part. Y'all go ahead with the menu thing. That could work to.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Optical Illusions
I'm seeing in several places that some mag has already ponied up big bucks for the first pics of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's twins. What up with that? Not that I begrudge them the dough. They have a track record of doing good stuff with the photography fees. I'm just wondering why this is considered such primo photostock. Unless the latest Pitt-Jolie spawn have an unusual number of ears or the Mark of the Beast on their foreheads, I'm not seeing why I'd need to pony up to see this. Basically, it's going to be just another couple of cute kids. Waddever. You could probably pick up an old People for cheap, and look at the Shiloh baby snap with crossed eyes and get a pretty similar effect.
Lexical Innovation
I have come up with a new phrase. Please feel to use it at your leisure. And unfortunately, you will probably need to use it, as this is a common phenomenon that was in dire need of a name:
Dumb Dooring: When people walk through a door and stop immediately without stepping outside the flow of traffic. Usually with mouths hanging open and a slightly befuddled look. And invariably block the path of ingress or egress. See also, Escalator Interruptus and Walkway-Talkies.
Dumb Dooring: When people walk through a door and stop immediately without stepping outside the flow of traffic. Usually with mouths hanging open and a slightly befuddled look. And invariably block the path of ingress or egress. See also, Escalator Interruptus and Walkway-Talkies.
Georgie Boy
Random notes and muddled musings on the George Michael show:
First off, 5 minutes lates is making me wait for it, and feels a little wrong but a little right. 15 minutes is being a tease. 30 minutes late is inevitably excusable, if begging for a drama queen crack. 45 minutes? Dammit. Now that's just rude.
But then you start to sing and I forgive you.
I had forgotten that I'd stolen one of my signature dance moves from George. Knees bent, weight on the heels, hand up in the air, palm out. Then rock it. Kills every time. Thank you, George.
George is taking quite good care of himself. He look great. Sounds even better. And he can still strut the cop uniform.
The digital background was goooooreous. Though when it wraps to the bottom of the stage, isn't that a little disorienting to see things move under your feet. It would make me kind of motion sick. But kudos to you and the backup singers.
And speaking of the digital footage, I forgot that Linda Evangelista was that stunning.
Note to straight guys with fashion aspirations: Know when to say when to the highlights.
I understand the draw of the nachos at a stadium event. Believe me, I do. But once you've done your damage to the cheesy goodness, please dispose of the remains. Old nacho and spilled beer does not a pleasant odor make.
I don't care if he says "This is the best audience of the tour!" every night. When George says it, I believe it.
George Michael, Greek. Dionysus, also Greek. Coincidence? I don't think so.
When certain songs come one, this bunny needs to disco. If you can sit through Faith, see a doctor.
Similar to the nacho note: Unless you've had a pedicure in the last 45 minutes, please keep your shoes on if your feet will be within 14 inches of someone's head. Stadium seating, people!
T-shirts: I may spend $40. I may stand in line for 20 minutes. But I won't do both.
Pre-show note from Dick's Last Resort: If you're able to pour a Guiness without making it foam over (it's a skill, she blushed modestly), it's really hard to tell if the look on a guy's face means "Wow! I'm impressed!" or "Wow! You must be an alcoholic!"
George made a point of making the "adopted hometown" crowd happy. Unless your very favorite track is some very obscure cut off of a European release, you probably would walk away happy last night. The only major track that I didn't hear was Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go. But as long as he hits Careless Whisper and Freedom 90, I think we can all forgive him.
First off, 5 minutes lates is making me wait for it, and feels a little wrong but a little right. 15 minutes is being a tease. 30 minutes late is inevitably excusable, if begging for a drama queen crack. 45 minutes? Dammit. Now that's just rude.
But then you start to sing and I forgive you.
I had forgotten that I'd stolen one of my signature dance moves from George. Knees bent, weight on the heels, hand up in the air, palm out. Then rock it. Kills every time. Thank you, George.
George is taking quite good care of himself. He look great. Sounds even better. And he can still strut the cop uniform.
The digital background was goooooreous. Though when it wraps to the bottom of the stage, isn't that a little disorienting to see things move under your feet. It would make me kind of motion sick. But kudos to you and the backup singers.
And speaking of the digital footage, I forgot that Linda Evangelista was that stunning.
Note to straight guys with fashion aspirations: Know when to say when to the highlights.
I understand the draw of the nachos at a stadium event. Believe me, I do. But once you've done your damage to the cheesy goodness, please dispose of the remains. Old nacho and spilled beer does not a pleasant odor make.
I don't care if he says "This is the best audience of the tour!" every night. When George says it, I believe it.
George Michael, Greek. Dionysus, also Greek. Coincidence? I don't think so.
When certain songs come one, this bunny needs to disco. If you can sit through Faith, see a doctor.
Similar to the nacho note: Unless you've had a pedicure in the last 45 minutes, please keep your shoes on if your feet will be within 14 inches of someone's head. Stadium seating, people!
T-shirts: I may spend $40. I may stand in line for 20 minutes. But I won't do both.
Pre-show note from Dick's Last Resort: If you're able to pour a Guiness without making it foam over (it's a skill, she blushed modestly), it's really hard to tell if the look on a guy's face means "Wow! I'm impressed!" or "Wow! You must be an alcoholic!"
George made a point of making the "adopted hometown" crowd happy. Unless your very favorite track is some very obscure cut off of a European release, you probably would walk away happy last night. The only major track that I didn't hear was Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go. But as long as he hits Careless Whisper and Freedom 90, I think we can all forgive him.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
