John Denver - Take Me Home Country Road

I bet both McCain and Obama will be singing this one on Nov. 4th


or maybe this one

San Francisco Property

The Whittier House is one of the most handsome mansions in San Francisco. Built in 1896, in the Pacific Heights neighborhood, it is located at 2090 Jackson Street.

The Spreckels Mansion in Pacific Heights. Alma Spreckels was an avid art collector and eventually gave San Francisco the Legion of Honor. The house was built in 1913, and was later owned by Danielle Steele, obviously.

The Octagon House, built based on a nineteenth century idea that people who lived within the shape were happier and healthier, serves as a museum of arts and craft design.

The Queen Anne style is iconic San Francisco, although this row is unusual in Pacific Heights.

Perhaps one of my favorite San Francisco mansions, the Bourn House at 2520 Webster. Built by Willis Polk it was the home of William B. Bourn who headed Pacific Gas and Electric, and was perhaps the richest man in California at the time this house was built.

The Hass-Lilienthal House, also in the Queen Anne style. Built in 1886.
For information on touring historic property in San Francisco check out this website.

Chevron trial begins today in San Francisco

Opening statements begin today in San Francisco, in what is sure to be a historic and internationally significant trial. Chevron is based in San Ramon, which is why this case, based on a protest/hostage situation that occurred in the Niger Delta, is being heard in the San Francisco high court. Judge Susan Illston, will preside, she heard the famous BALCO steroid case. Lawyers representing the 19 protester plaintiffs were compiled from several firms including the non-profit Earth Rights International, the Centre for Constitutional Rights, as well as several private firms. Chevron is accused of colluding with a notoriously violent military force to quell the protest. The case represents a 21st century application of one of the nation's oldest laws, the Alien Tort Claims Act.

Passed by the first Congress in 1789, the law lets foreigners file damage claims in U.S. courts for international human rights violations anywhere in the world. Originally focused on sea piracy, the law took on new life with rulings in the 1980s that allowed survivors of foreign torture to sue military leaders who entered the United States.

To learn more about the case's particulars listen to this. Or take a look at these articles

This is yesterday's clip from San Francisco based channel 5 eyewitness news. I completely forgot about Dana King. So fierce. I can't find any footage of the opening statements, so if anyone finds it please let me know.

Amy Sedaris on Chelsea Lately

I wish we got Chelsea Lately up here in Toronto. But I caught this clip with Amy Sedaris, whose new book I might just have to buy.

Perino refuses to coment on US bombing in Syria

White House press secretary Dana Perino, the original sexy Sarah, although way scarier because Perino is actually smart, refused to comment on reports of a US bombing on the Iraqi-Syrian border. For those who don't follow the White House press briefings this is more of the same from an administration that has responded with no comment more than Britney Spear's publicist.

Cabaret alive and well in New York

love this

Done and Done

I read Pillars of the Earth last spring and loved it. So I was thrilled last month to see Follett's follow up at Indigo. Despite these books being upwards of 800 pages, they are amazing. If you like architecture, history, or just plain old good storytelling you'll love them.

Last.fm

So as I mentioned a few posts back last.fm is the shit. If you don't know about it already be sure and check it out. If you go the whole nine and become a subscriber, which is free, you can create custom radio stations. All you do is type in an artist you want to listen to and last.fm will play songs by that artist, and like artist. From there you can further customize your radio station by skipping, loving, blocking songs and artists you like or dislike. I have been hearing so many jams I've never heard before, and so many more that I had completely forgotten about. And the best part is that there is no audio commentary or advertising to interrupt your radio station.

More nostalgia

OMG your nails are fierce

I would never vote for Barrack Obama but I would definitely put him on my nails. Eve you are so fierce; who did her nails? They need a raise. At first I was sad she didn't have crazy long black diva nails, but actually I like that she is rocking the Barrack on her own natural nails. Crazy Fierce! I wish my nail guys were this adventurous, I can barely get them to do the Gatsby.

GOPathetic

You know what upsets me most about Sarah Palin's nomination as the vice-President? She has completely overshadowed the beautiful and glamorous Candy Cain.


We used to see her terrifying smile all the time, and now all I see is Sexy Sarah everywhere I turn. Even the witty team at SNL have completely neglected Candy. Palin is just too dominating. If it wasn't for that Caribou Barbie I am sure Amy Poehler would have been playing Candy all the time. And who could blame them? Come on it's Tina Fey. But Candy was just so good at the First Lady-ing that I am sorry to see her tight up do replaced by that winking hussie from Alaska.

Sarah Palin will never be Candy Cain no matter how much money they spend on her at Saks. And all those Gawker rumors aside John McCain better keep his little POW out of Palin's igloo because when you're used to a cold dead fish, a feisty moose from Alaska will definitely kill you. And trust me John without you, and your gorgeous wife there is no ticket.


Update - Paul let me know about this recent article in the New York Times. Glad to see the Princess of Phoenix hasn't been completely retired by the media.

New Feist

All the hardcore hipsters keep telling me that Feist is so mainstream now that they don't really care anymore, but honestly I think she makes some of the best videos around. The latest for her new single honey honey is totally different than the last few but it's another winner. Beautiful song too.

Niagara

Lauren, her mum Marsha and cousin Bri, took me to Niagara-on-the-lake over the weekend. I had never been and it is beautiful in the fall. I am waiting for Lauren to send me the pictures that we took from the trip, but I thought I'd put up somebody elses for you now, because they are so pretty

Folk out

Last.fm deserves its own post because it is the best download I've found in a while. Thanks Cameron! Anyway, I have been listening to a lot of folk music lately on Last.fm. I was recently reminded why James Taylor is the shit, and this is one of my favorite JT tracks. I know he still tours like crazy and I am making a pact that the next time he is nearby I am going. Who's with me?

Elite Citizenship

This had me in stitches. It is so cliche but still hilarious. "I love pot" is my favorite part.

Tampa Bay Rays to face the Phillies

The 2008 World Series will be the 104th edition of Major League Baseball's championship series. The best-of-seven playoff will be played between the respective champions of the National League and the American League. The National League will be represented by the Philadelphia Phillies. The American League will be represented by the Tampa Bay Rays. The Series is scheduled to start on Wednesday, October 22, 2008. Max and I watched the Rays clinch last night, and what an exciting game it was.

Colin Powell for Obama

Barring a terrorist attack I think this endorsment should help put the nail in the Republican coffin.

B-Sox do it again

Last night I was a baseball cliche. I was watching game five of the ALCS, and the the seventh inning I was pretty confident that the Rays had opened it up and that they had the game all sown up. Of course that is just the kind of attitude that will jinx a team, and as I shut the TV off thinking the game was over. Well you can imagine my surprise today when I woke up and the spots headline of the Star was, Red Sox late game upset. Well I nearly cried. So they head back to Tampa Bay for game six on Saturday. Come on Rays don't let them trample your achievements. Take em down at home.

I couldn't find a highlight reel of last nights game by itself, so you will just have to ignore the local sports wrap in the above video.

Dia:Beacon

I love Dia, nice to see the New York Times does too.

Britney did it again

Open letter to Secretary Paulson

I would urge all Americans to write similar letters.

At least she's got good refrences

It's no coincidence

The Jam

For so many reasons this song is the shit... Pimp it

Ummm. I guess so

no comment necessary

Nothing makes me happier than...

when underdog teams triumph.



the modern-day David and Goliath story is actually when capitalist domination falters in the face of raw talent and young ambition, at least in the sports world. I hope the Devil Rays go all the way, no word of a lie. Phillies and Rays in the Series, and I am a Blue Jays fan so taken the Rays all the way is saying a lot. GO Devil Rays, take your 44 million and win the pennant, and f it, i say take the Series. My god I can't believe I am actually supporting an American League team. It feels almost sacrilegious, I guess anything is possible.

Happy Thanksgiving Canada

Home from Barrie. Justin and I went up for Thanksgiving weekend. We had a great time, especially when I fell out of that tree ... eh Just. I hope everyone else had a nice long weekend as well.

Frost/Nixon

I can't tell you how happy I am that CanStage is presenting this play this month. I just finished reading it, by coincidence and it is really good. I posted about it a few weeks ago on the Emerging Art blog. This play was amazing on Broadway, from what I hear, despite its rather short run. I hope it is better received in Toronto.

For anyone who doesn't know the story of the Frost-Nixon interviews it's a pretty incredible piece of television history. David Frost, British, playboy, TV presenter scores the biggest interview, possibly of all times, with Nixon. And he's the one to get the first admission of guilt out of Nixon for the Watergate cover-up. It was Nixon's first interview after his resignation,and he and his manager Swifty Lazar chose Frost because they were going to make tons of money on the deal, and they figured he wouldn't be hard-hitting. I would love to see the original footage, maybe it's on youtube?

Frost/Nixon by Peter Morgan (The Canadian Stage Company). A dubious talk-show host elicits an apology and confession from Richard Nixon. Opens Oct 13 and runs to Nov 8, Mon-Sat 8 pm, mats Wed 1:30 pm, Sat 2 pm. $20-$90. Bluma Appel Theatre, 27 Front E. 416-368-3110, canstage.com.

Who is this guy, and could we possibly be related?

So you know how sometimes you go online for something specific and things spiral unexpectedly from there, until the next thing you know you are in some obscure part of the Internet and looking at something slightly wrong. Ehem, I am not talking about porn - you don't find porn unexpectedly people. Anyway, today I was shamelessly googling people I know. And I can upon this guy John Mattimore of the Dartmouth Lacrosse Team. Now, it may be just a coincidence that he goes to Dartmouth, the same school that my Grandfather, Father and Uncle call their Alma mater. It might also be a coincidence that we have the same last name, but he has an uncanny resembles to my Uncle Bryan. It makes me wonder if his family is originally from New York City, like my grandparents were, and what, if any, our relation might be?

PS I think John Mattimore is kind of cute. Ok that's weird. Well Go Big Green!

My New Obsession

So if you are into contemporary musical theatre it is almost a cliche to love Jason Robert Brown, but I guess that makes me a cliche. I just found this video featuring the original backdrop videos from "The Last Five Years." I also think this song, Goodbye Until Tomorrow is beautiful. I think the Lauren Kennedy version, on her recently released solo album of JRB songs is stronger than Sherie-Rene Scott's, who I believe is featured here.

Toronto City Hall - Nuit Blanche

Saturday night was my birthday party but it was also Nuit Blanche Toronto. Nuit Blanche for those who don't know originated in Paris as a one night, all night, city-wide art party. This is the third year that Toronto has participated. Last year, Nuit Blanche Toronto was so bad that I vowed I wouldn't do it again until there was some worthwhile art. Well it looks like things may have turned around somewhat this year. This shot is from one of the more successful installations. Toronto City Hall's facade was lit up with an ever changing light box installation, which I must say looked pretty cool. If anyone else saw any good art, or really bad because that is good too, let me know and maybe next year I will give Nuit another chance.

This image sums it up for me

In thinking about the upcoming US election I urge all of those on the fence to consider the role the heartbeat job. Especially given Dick Cheney's hijacking of the White House to push his own agenda. I firmly believe that history will condemn Dick Cheney as the most evil Republican of all times, more evil than G.W. Bush, Reagan, Nixon or Kissinger. We'll probably have to wait the full twenty-five years, which is the hold time on confidential documents by the Library of Congress, before the truth about this administration comes out. The really juicy stuff rarely gets released before the hold date. But it will be worth it just to know all of the corrupt and conspiratorial shenanigans that Dickers has been up to.

Now to this election. Palin may be sexy, and Tina Fey might makes her seem almost endearing, but this is a woman who believes that the bible should be interpreted as fact, while the Constitution should be open to all kinds of interpretations. Particularly the idea the the Vice-Presidency should also be considered part of the legislative branch and be able to actively influence Congress? What the F. This is despite the fact that the Constitution clearly says the Vice-President's only legislative authority is in the act of breaking a stalemate. And Joe Bidden, here's a guy who was outspoken in his support of John McCain as a possible running mate for John Kerry in 2004. Great he looks like he is really going to challenge the status-quo on Capital Hill. He's got no spine and is a total career Congressmen, doing any and only what it takes to stay in office.

Some progressives might argue that the least worst is the best, but that is just not my opinion. I know there are many out there who think like I do, but wont say or do anything about it. To them I say, boy it sucks to be you, voting not as a citizen but as a politician. I feel blessed to vote in the great State of California, a State that barring some sort of electoral calamity will go to the best of the worst in November, and I can vote my conscience without guilt. If I had to be a politician voter in some swing state like Pennsylvania or Ohio I don't what I'd do.

I suppose we can all sleep a little easier at night knowing that who ever gets elected wont be bringing Dick back with them. But somehow I think he will continue to haunt this world with his considerable evil authority.

Nader on the bailout

Presidential candidate Ralph Nader speaking about the passage of the Bailout Bill, to a crowd of supporters in Waterbury Ct on October 4th. I like that he mentions Clinton's role, during his Presidency, in getting us in the mess we're in now. That part starts around 8:30.

What California Can Teach Us About the Crisis

Great article from Gawker about the financial crisis, written by Moe


California has always fostered a kind of insane optimism that strikes outsiders as absurd and delusional and actually kind of sick. My favorite symbol of this, when I lived there, was Rent A Wheel, where you could "rent to own" chrome rims for your tires, your job is your credit etc. etc., for an eminently reasonable $200 a month. This was not the sort of business model I could see thriving back East, but there was something weirdly charming about that, and the charm was contagious, and probably enabled some regrettable apparel purchases. Well, today the rest of the country officially caught the contagion; because the nation's financial institutions are suddenly too spooked to lend money to anyone but Hank Paulson, the state of California can't borrow money, and Governor Schwarzenegger is hitting up Hank Paulson to the tune of seven billion dollars. California, much like its citizenry, has one of the worst credit ratings in the nation. It's the double-edged sword of that sunny optimism, which badly needs to be redirected and channeled toward the national interest and perhaps other pursuits like surfing.

There is little wonder House Speaker and California congresswoman Nancy Pelosi seemed so immediately convinced, as Wall Street skidded toward apocalypse two weeks ago, that Congress needed to pass a bailout plan like NOW. What is truly sad is that she failed to convince so many of her state's fellow Democrats, most notably the congresswoman from the neighboring district of East Bay, Barbara Lee, to vote for her bailout bill.

Barbara Lee wanted the bill to include provisions protecting homeowners from foreclosure. Which makes sense. Just last year Lee's district had the highest price-to-rent ratio in the country: 51. Fifty-one. People were signing up for mortgages when they could have rented for less than a quarter of the price. They did this because they were stupid, but also because housing prices kept rising, and when the value of your house rose you could take out a home equity loan and use it to buy a new car (and in many cases, chrome rims.) Last year nearly a third of vehicle sales in California were purchased with home equity loans.

The attractiveness of a mortgage, from the perspective of the bank lending the money and the investment bank taking on the loan and rolling it up into securities and the hedge fund buying those securities and the insurer protecting the bond, etc. etc. etc., has always been that there was something solid, something lasting, underlying it: a house. An elementary school teacher who couldn't qualify for a bank loan to buy a $700 laptop could get a $450,000 mortgage because it had a house attached to it. No one ever anticipated that those houses would lose value quicker than the shiny new home equity-financed cars in their garages. In contrast, the lenders and the underwriters and the re-packagers and the insurers lobbied the SEC to allow them to amplify their exposure to the risk of that outcome exponentially by piling on debt of their own in a bid to maximize their profits, then proceeded to report said incredulity-straining profits in the assumption that they would continue rising and proceeded to pass those profits on to their employees, who in turn signed on for 100% mortgages on eight figure properties in Greenwich, where fear of the same sort of tidal wave of foreclosure has citizens proclaiming the financial crisis "Our Katrina."

The whole thing was a show of such dramatic private sector incompetence it could not be achieved had the plutocracy not known exactly what the fuck it was doing, just as that great Californian Ronald Reagan knew exactly what the fuck he was doing when he railed against government waste only to ratchet up that waste to unprecedented levels by outsourcing most of the government to crony capitalists whose fiduciary responsibility by definition required they do all they could to maximize government waste. It was all an ingenious plan to de-fund the left and its socialist bureaucracy of bleeding-heart "programs," and it worked so well the Bush Administration ripped off the strategy to launch a trillion-dollar war that represents a vast minefield blocking any of Obama's plans to "level the playing field."

Because while Obama's plans for the economy allegedly involve an average $800,000-a-household tax increase on the superrich, those plans were drawn up before the employees of Goldman Sachs spent their $21 billion in Christmas bonuses. The falloff in asset values has all the big pundits worrying we'll become the next Japan, but when you go to Japan and hear about the "Boom Years" of the eighties what strikes you is that most Japanese actually had some firsthand experience of said "Boom years." Did you?

We allowed America to become the land of ten thousand centimillionaires; now that we have a crisis poised to disproportionately — from a Year On Year perspective, anyway; that's how these people think — hurt that untouchable class, it is not going to be easy to wring out a massive increase in nominal tax dollars from them.

That is, of course, is what must be done. And it probably won't be positive for the Dow or the GDP or productivity levels or any of the arbitrary little numbers with which we're accustomed to measuring our economic well-being. It may well be a short term political windfall for the stubbornly fact-resistant class of politician who likes to say tax cuts on the wealthy always create jobs (when in fact no private sector of the economy besides health care has created jobs since 2000) or that Government "isn't the solution; more often than not it's the problem." What is the problem, of course, is people who think government is the problem who go into the government in what more often than not comes off like a twisted attempt to prove that. But the happy delusions of the state that brought us the Great Communicator are infectious, and the era clearly, desperately needs a Great Rebutter capable of optimistically guiding the country through what's going to be a rough time for all. The deep — and deeply unpatriotic — immorality of the "moral hazard" that has defined the past decade must be impressed upon every American voter. Every American voter needs to be able to visualize the 24-car garage of the billionaire hedge fund manager and wonder if some of the money might have not been better spent refurbishing the subway system or paying teachers more or helping an irresponsible homeowner renegotiate her mortgage or providing more comprehensive job training to some former welfare queen. All that stuff, after all, creates jobs too.

But to impress these ideas upon voters requires a kind of moral authority that is undermined by pandering partisan rhetoric and the pages and pages of pork-tasting provisions of the bill Congress is about to pass. (It's also sort of undermined by gazillion dollar tax breaks of the sort extended to Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson for taking the job, but whatevs.) Warren Buffett could certainly muster it; more importantly, he could articulate recent history in a way the politicians he supports can't. More importantly, he can inspire and/or shame his partners in uberwealth into accepting and acknowledging a measure of social responsibility, and more powerfully, broadcasting that sense of responsibility to the public. Billionaire hedge fund manager John Paulson profited handsomely betting against the housing market; he now is giving much of that away to helping screwed homeowners. More people should know about him; more rich folks should emulate him.

"I love rap music"

I give Ludacris all the credit in the world for doing Martha Stewart to promote his new album. I can just picture him and his petti Asian chef sitting around doing origami. And who would have guessed that Martha Stewart loved rap music. Maybe she got into while she was in prison. Love it!

It's always something...

Gilbert and George

Gilbert and George have a new show opening at the Brooklyn Museum, just another reason I miss New York. I can't wait to get down, and I will definitely be going to Brooklyn for this show.

I love these bitches -

I love that Elisabeth has to defend Palin just because she is a Republican. You've got to give the Republicans credit they sure know how to come together for their party. Never a dissenting voice in the bunch, a party of clones.

It's my party

When I was in junior high school my two best friends, Josha and Nancy, and I did this song in our school talent show. We were the bomb, we learned all the harmonies and we went to Haight street to get vintage dresses for our costumes. My mum did all of our hair, we were fierce. We were the best number in the show, I was remember that today - my birthday because this is a great self indulgent song, and frankly it is my party and I will cry if I want to