On the Upcoming Super-Uber-Tsunami-Whatever-You-Want-to-Call-It Tuesday

Regular chanchows know that I support Obama. Personal friends know that I don't talk about much about politics, but have my opinions. As Tuesday approaches, I have a few things I'd like to say:

1. Finally, some ads! As a California resident, it's nice to actually see some political ads on TV. Not that the candidates need to spend money vying for my opinion, but it's nice to see that the election has come to California. Because California should really matter. In my opinion, we are the future, but that's a whole different post.

2. Think about who you like. Yes, like. Whether it's Obama or Clinton or McCain or Romney or Huckabee or Paul. Stop trying to predict who's electable. Stop trying to read other voters' minds. You can't know how the faceless masses will vote. So just go with who you like. Who you can get excited for. For me, that's Obama.

3. Who can work with the other side? Each Democratic (and Republican) candidate is saying all sorts of stuff these days. But who can work with the other side to pass these policies? It's not just about what they're saying now, it's about who they can work with across the aisle to get some of that done.

4. How much does experience matter? And how do you define "experience"? I question Hillary's "35 years of experience." She's 60 years old, so essentially she's starting her clock with her graduation from law school. A good chunk of that 35 years is her "experience" as First Lady of Arkansas and of the U.S. But I'm not sure what she did as First Lady. What is she accountable for? I don't think we'll ever know, so I don't think much of that time should count. If you want to look at years as a public servant, Hillary has been an elected official since 2000. Obama has been an elected official since 1996.

5. Who is running a campaign that you think is respectable? To me, it's not only about if you get the nomination, it's how you get it. I feel like the Clintons are running as if they are entitled to this nomination. They are trying to fan the flames between Latinos and Blacks. I don't like it. I don't think that's the right way. For the party or for the future.

So for all these reasons (and more) the Chanchow says "Go Obama!"

A Poop Question for You

When you're doing a number 2 in a bathroom stall (at work, a hotel, department store, etc) and someone else comes in, do you pause until that person leaves or do you keep doing your business?

At a gathering with my relatives over the weekend I heard this

Are you going to have children?
When are you going to have children?
So....... are you going to have children?
Do you want children?
How long have you been married? Are you going to have children?
and my favorite: You really should give your parents a grandchild to hold.

I still had a good time.

Your Friday Afternoon Video #20: Howard Dean Scream, the Chipmunk Remix

Dear Doctor, Please see me. I am worthy.

As some of you know, I am not crazy about doctors. I've had some bad experiences. Nothing major like a misdiagnosis or anything; rather, mostly doctors with bad bedside manners who act like they're doing you a huge favor by seeing you after making you sit an hour in their waiting room. To be fair, I've had some great doctors, but a few bad eggs can leave a bad taste in general.

Anyways, it's a new year, so I figured it was time to make appointments for regular checkups and such. Since I'm relatively new to LA, I have been asking for referrals from friends and colleagues. Fortunately, I have insurance (supposedly 'good' insurance) so I thought I'd call and line up some appointments. Not so fast.

Half of the doctors I called aren't taking new patients. Another third don't take my insurance. One doctor doesn't take any insurance (she must be a real superstar). Finally, I was able to get some appointments, a month from now. Is that a good sign? I mean, I would prefer an appointment next week, but do only the sucky doctors have that kind of availability?

I can't imagine how scary it would be to have crappy insurance or no insurance. Everyone's talking about healthcare these days, reducing costs, expanding coverage. But is there a doctor shortage? I don't think you should have to have cancer or something in order to get an appointment.

Feeling Like the D Student

I've been taking Spanish class for the last few months. It's once a week at a pretty good adult language center on the westside. Classes are small and we use a college textbook. It's a funny feeling being a student again. I almost forgot what it was like.

I've now gone to about 16 classes (roughly the equivalent of a month's worth of college instruction) and it's becoming apparent that I'm probably the worst student in the class. There are many reasons for this. First, I don't study much. That means that I have a hard time retaining vocabulary and learning to conjugate verbs. Also, it seems everyone in my class has had previous Spanish instruction or is a native Italian or French speaker. I'm none of the above, so I find myself flatfooted whenever I get called on (and my teacher does call on people). It doesn't help that she also talks way too fast (and I'm not the only one who thinks that).

While I don't like being in last place, I sorta like the exhilaration I get from flailing around and having no clue. Every moment is an adventure because I don't know what's happening. It's a good counterbalance to my usual organized and prepared self.

Are You Sad About Heath Ledger?

There were a lot of people talking about this at my work today. And, I must admit, I kept checking perezhilton and tmz for all the (misinformed) updates. I don't think I've seen any of his movies, but I still feel a little sad. I wonder if there's any celebrity whose passing would really make me sad. I was bummed when Katharine Hepburn died, although not too sad because she lived such a long and full life.

The Long and Happy Weekend

Last weekend was the first long weekend in a while that the Octopus and I stayed local. And yay for that. On Saturday we took the LA Conservancy's walking tour of downtown's historic core. It was our first Conservancy walking tour and it was great. I highly recommend. We're planning on doing another one, probably of Broadway's historic theaters.

Another highlight of the weekend was seeing 27 Dresses. Can't remember the last time I saw a romantic comedy in the theater (does Knocked Up count?) If you're in the mood for a cute, funny and formulaic (and I don't necessarily mean that in a bad way) chick flick, this is for you.



We also caught the Murakami exhibit at the MoCA. His sculptures, painting, videos, and even his merchandise for Louis Vuitton. Probably the weirdest thing at the exhibit were these videos with Inochi, a bizarre, surreal, prepubescent Murakami character.

Here I Go, Blowing Resolution #4 Again

I'll make this quick.

When I got back from Arizona, I told myself that I wouldn't plan any more trips for a while. That I should stay at home, relax and save money. But here I am, not quite a week later, wondering if I should plan something for Presidents' Day. I don't think I'll do it, but I have to admit, it's really tempting. It's like a big piece of chocolate dangling in front of me... So good, but so bad.

YES!

I liked him then, and I still like him now. Here's to voting for whom you like, whom you can get excited about. Don't second or third guess yourself about who will win. The years of Bush and Clinton and so over.

Slow Ass Computer

I've been meaning to post pictures of our recent trip to Arizona, but the iPhoto thing on my Mac is so incredibly slow that it is taking me forever to upload them. My Mac is almost five years old. I suppose that's old in computer years. I don't want to buy a new computer just because mine is slow. I guess I could install a new operating system. What makes a computer slow? Do I need to erase stuff to speed it up? I can't help but think it's such a racket to have to buy a new computer every few years.

Chalk it up to getting older, but I'm now open to the idea of making resolutions. Time is passing me by and I'm realizing that I have to change for there to be change. In other words, I have to take matters into my hands. So here are my resolutions for the year:

1. Exercise four times a week.
2. Eat no more than four meat meals a week (I've been doing this since October).
3. Procrastinate less.
4. Spend less time on the internet at work.

So far, so good, except for #4.