The Audacity of Meow

I found this image on the website Cats for Obama, with the title The Audacity of Meow. I loved it because it reminds me of two things that have been much on my mind--the election and Elvis.

Neilson put his pictures of the Raise the Pint to Elvis event on flickr. A sample below.

Women for John McCain

Check out Women for John McCain. (Not created by the Yes Men- but by a "rogue blogger" in an "undisclosed location" in one of those "coastal elite" states...). I think we can all use a laugh.

Obama's lead increases slightly after debate

Article in LA Times show slight improvement in Obama's numbers after debate.

Growth Business on the Lower East Side: Psychics!!

Having lived on the Lower East Side for more than 25 years, I have seen many changes come and go- real estate booms and busts, the former open air heroin supermarket become the trendiest destination in NY for fine dining. Now we have a new trend that reflects the frightening economic situation we are all facing. Psychics and spiritual advisors are filling up the empty storefronts that used to be occupied by trendy bars.

Palin as a Disney Movie

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

Josephine Watching the Debate

Josephine was a little disconcerted by Obama's performance in the debate, but is happy that many pundits and undecided voters seem to disagree with her. Still, she hopes he swings a little harder next time.

Iron Chef Morimoto at NY Anime Festival

This weekend NY Anime Festival hit the Javits Center. It seemed a little strange to me when I heard that one of their special guests is Iron Chef Masuhiro Morimoto, and it seemed even stranger when he asked the audience at his panel about the difference between anime (animation) and manga (comics). But NYAF is a celebration of all things Japanese.

Chef Morimoto was incredibly charming and funny. He told many amusing stories about why he became a chef (his mother wasn't a very good cook) and the difference between the original Japanese Iron Chef and Iron Chef America on the Food Network now.

I love it when my obsessions overlap!


The chef salutes the audience.




The other highlight of NYAF - the fans! They are everywhere in costume- dancing, posing, swinging (fake) swords around and generally looking like they are having a wonderful time.

Read about Molly, Legal Superstar

You can go here to read all about Molly. Her law firm is almost as proud to have her with them as we are to have her as part of this family. Well, not really. No one could come even close to being as proud as we are, but they are trying, so we have to give them points for that.

Raise a Glass to Elvis--Part II

Elvis was toasted around the country, with Coca-Cola, wine, beer and milk, by humans and felines alike. Thanks to everyone for celebrating the Big Fat Kitty--he would have enjoyed the attention.

Enough said...

More than enough, actually.
Comments on Couric-Palin Reax here

Raise a Glass to Elvis--New York Edition

Elvis's celebration was the perfect sendoff--a joyful celebration of the Big Fat Kitty. In addition to many remembrances of Elvis, there was heated discussion of politics, the economy and the Yankees. There was a surprise guest--the wonderful Italian greyhound Bill Clinton the Dog. To come: pictures of Elvis' toasts around the country.

Happy Birthday Grandmary

Next year, Grandmary, Mom (Trish) and I are all having "big" birthdays and have plans to make plans to celebrate together.

Yes, I know this is overkill

IMG_3399, originally uploaded by neilsonabeel.

My life with Elvis coincided with my life as a digital camera owner. (Elvis came to Downing Street in July 2000; I got my first digital camera that Christmas). Therefore, I have an insane number of pictures of him. And Neilson of course has hundreds more. We started a flicker group in case you feel like seeing some.

As some of you know, there will be a small gathering in honor of Elvis at the Peculier Pub (yes, that is how it is spelled) tonight and some people other places will toasting Elvis as well. If you do toast Elvis tonight it would be great if you could take a picture and e-mail it to me. I'll add it to the group. Or if you are on flickr, you can add it yourself. Thanks

This is the last picture of me and Elvis, taken on Tuesday.

Vote Early and Vote Often--Palin Poll

Please take about three seconds on this link to weigh in at this well-known PBS site of NOW, with David Brancaccio: Is Palin Qualified to Lead. Please vote..... At this time, believe it or not, the Palin-supporters are winning. That's because they are organized and participate. Let's turn this around..... You don't have to give your name or email address in order to vote. It's very simple.

Here's the link:

http://www.pbs.org/now/polls/poll-435.html

Mad Men wins Emmys!

I love this show and was happy to see it win.

Here is a link to a set of Mad Men Illustrations on flickr.

More Yankee Stadium

Calvin went to Saturday's game with his buddy Steve Zeitchik- here's a picture. Many more on flickr.

Yankee Stadium Memories

Elvis Culkin, RIP

The great and wonderful Elvis has passed away. He had really gone downhill in the last few days, so I took him into the vet. While I hoped the doc would give me some way to make Elvis more comfortable, I knew there was a good chance he would say the humane thing was to put Elvis to sleep, which he did. The poor kitty's heart was failing--his gums were gray and he couldn't really walk-- and the vet said he was really uncomfortable. So it seemed like the right decision. But I have to say losing Elvis and Hosmer the same year is a blow. A tough year for the grand old men.

Elvis's early years are lost to the mists of time. I adopted him a little over 8 years ago, when he was around 5. He, Audrey, and I went on several adventures, including trips to Pasadena, Vail, upstate New York, and the Motel 6 in Las Vegas. He loved to eat, sleep, and be pet--those were really his three main activities, with occasional bouts of batting me in the head in the middle of the night.

Who is better for women?

Violence against women--Palin vs. Biden

I'm sure everyone has seen this . . .

but just in case you missed it, Tina Fey as Sarah Palin. Eerie! It must be so disturbing to her to look just like SP.

New TV Season

TV Guide has a calendar of the premiere dates of new and old shows. Is anyone excited about anything in particular--I feel like it is kind of slim pickings, but maybe I'm missing something?

Yet Another Project Runway Post

Alex Cox, who runs a really great comics shop in Brooklyn, Rocketship, draws comics about Project Runway on favorite blog Project Rungay. Here is a link to his latest- it does seem to sum up what I love about this show.

Interesting how after a while all obsessions seem to overlap.

A Post Most Likely to Interest Kym and Molly, I think

My friend Katherine has informed me that the cool blog A Dress A Day has declared tomorrow Wear a Dress Day. If you are so inclined, you can even load a picture of you in the dress you choose onto a group in Flickr.

Wonder Woman on Sarah Palin

A friend of my posted this on the our "Friend's Blog." Who know Lynda Carter had it in her?

From this interview,

Don’t get me started. She’s the anti-Wonder Woman. She’s judgmental and dictatorial, telling people how they’ve got to live their lives. And a superior religious self-righteousness … that’s just not what Wonder Woman is about. Hillary Clinton is a lot more like Wonder Woman than Mrs. Palin. She did it all, didn’t she?

No one has the right to dictate, particularly in this country, to force your own personal views upon the populace — religious views. I think that is suppressive, oppressive, and anti-American. We are the loyal opposition. That’s the whole point of this country: freedom of speech, personal rights, personal freedom. Nor would Wonder Woman be the person to tell people how to live their lives. Worry about your own life! Worry about your own family! Don’t be telling me what I want to do with mine.

More at the link.

Project Runway Update

Art, politics and... Project Runway!!!

I am embarrassed by how much I enjoy watching this show. Even this season when the designers are not that good and complain constantly.

What does everyone think about the exit of Terri and Blayne? Suede (yes, his name is Suede and he talks about himself in the third person) is still there designing boring and poorly constructed clothing. And he is not the only one!

Why did they pick this group? Were the last two groups too talented and professional? Maybe that makes for bad reality tv.

Phyllis Galembo

Our friend Phyllis Galembo has a show of her photographs up right now- at Steven Kasher Gallery.

Phyllis' work is wonderful, and this show is no exception. The first time I met her I found out she taught at SUNY Oswego for a year. Her favorite memory of Oswego is the french toast at Wade's Diner. Actually, I think that was the only thing she enjoyed about living in Oswego.

Happy Anniversary Trish and Frank

Go Whoopi and Joy and even Barbara

Shouldn't some journalists be embarrassed that the ladies of the View (or 3 of them) have given McCain one of his toughest interviews, especially on Palin.

"All Beliefs Welcome, Unless They are Forced on Others" or "Cocky Wacko"?

Passionate commentary here or sound byte here,

Whatever it takes.....

"My Fair Lady"

I've been looking for something that describes both the lunacy and the substantive issues with the Palin candidacy. Yesterday's NY Times column by Maureen Dowd is close.

The next act -- the ABC interview -- will be aired in multiple places, but it looks like the main event is Friday at 10 pm EDT. I suppose we have no choice but to see it.

Sadly, the dynamic in all this reminds me of the weird hoopla that surrounded the Bobby Riggs/Billie Jean King tennis match in 1973. We all watched this "necessary spectacle" unfold with horror and fascination. In promoting the "Battle of the Sexes", Riggs used hustle and spook tactics to promote himself as superior to all woman players. While his tactics worked the first time with the top female player of the time, Margaret Court, it failed to carry with Bille Jean King. She prepared herself mentally, did not get sucked into his cheap-shots game, and beat him straight up in three sets.

Moral: Beware the Palinistas

Ikea Flashback

So as some of you may know, I am speaking at a conference in Norway tomorrow on the topic of music and borders. Turns out that it takes a very long time to get to northern Norway from southern Texas, over 24 hours in fact. This is because not many flights leave for Kirkenes. As a result I have been sitting, standing, walking, and generally passing the time in the Oslo airport for approximately 6 hours. Due to security regulations I couldn't leave the airport once my bags were checked and since the airport is over 40km away from downtown, I was less tempted to haul my luggage around than I might have otherwise have been. The lack of sleep made it even less appealing. Luckily the airport has wireless and it is surprisingly comfortable, although if you dose off for a second you wake up convinced you have fallen asleep in an Ikea display. Serioulsy, I've never been in an airport so concerned with both design and, weirdly, comfort. Although plugs are in amazingly short supply, even for an airport. I've taken some pictures so you can share the experience with me.

More later, they are boarding my flight.

Michelle Obama dances on Ellen

I still feel bad Michelle Obama doesn't get to talk about her many accomplishments, but I think she, for the most part, keeps her self-respect and dignity on the campaign trail and she even looks cool while dancing.

Woman Against Sarah Palin

More anti-Palin material

Audrey is Cute, No Doubt About It

Audrey has fallen in love with the Neilson's MacBook wetsuit. It is helping make up for the loss of the bathtub, so Neilson had gallantly allowed her to scratch it to her heart's content. Just when I think this kitty can not get any cuter, she somehow does.

CFBLT

IMG_3286, originally uploaded by neilsonabeel.

Last weekend Neilson visited one of his oldest friends in Austin, TX. While there he, of course, sampled the local cuisine. Including a BLT made with chicken fried bacon. Texan Red Peonies members, is this a common sight?

Now let us return to discussing the horror that is Sarah Palin.

Does God want Sarah Palin to be VP?

Seems like she thinks so. Click here and watch the video of her speaking to students at her Assembly of God Church.

This one really makes me laugh....

Links Less Savory Than Kate's

but fun nonetheless.......


http://www.vanityfair.com/online/politics/2008/09/cindy-mccains-300000-outfit.html

http://www.vanityfair.com/online/culture/2008/09/04/letterman-the-governor-of-alaska-believes-in-shotgun-weddings.html

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/republican_race/2008/09/01/2008-09-01_bristol_palins_pregnancy_was_an_open_sec.html

http://www.vanityfair.com/online/politics/2008/09/you-might-be-a-redneck-if.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/03/mccain-camp-battles-natio_n_123696.html

http://gawker.com/5045218/palin-had-affair-says-enquirer

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/paul-abrams/the-palin-paradox-does-he_b_124118.html

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/republican_race/2008/09/01/2008-09-01_bristol_palins_pregnancy_was_an_open_sec.html

Daily Show Back on its Game?

What do you think? I quite enjoyed yesterday's show. I think they are having a better time ridiculing the Republicans and who can blame them?

Palin Links

Well, the talking heads seem to love Palin, but my mom and I have a different opinion. And Whoopi Goldberg wasn't too impressed with her jab at community organizers. (Aren't there Republican community organizers who will be insulted by that?) Here are some of my favorite links about her so far:

Easiest Task for Palin May Have Been the Speech (NY Times)

Joe Klein in Time


Attn: Media: Earmark-loving Sarah Palin is not a reformer (Crooks and Liars)


AP: Attacks, Praise Stretch Truth At GOP Convention (Huffington Post)

Matthews vs. McCain’s Proxies on the media’s vetting of Palin (Crooks and Liars)
(Huffington Post)
Sarah Palin: She Has Chosen to Exploit Her Own Daughter's Pregnancy!

Ugh

Watching Giuliani's speech was probably a mistake.

Google Chrome

By now you probably have all heard about Google's new browser, Chrome, available for Vista and XP. (When will the mac version come out? Will I have to start using my Dell?)

Comics artist and theorist Scott McCloud made a 38 page comic to announce the launch. Go Scott!

Elizabeth and Erik's Wedding

Jack, Gene and Barb leaving Snowy Owl for the church



Elizabeth and Erik cut their cake....



"Horsing Around" Kate and Anders take a break from dancing to play "Horsey". (Shades of the Fury Fan Club!)



A GREAT Time was had by all!

More pictures and videos on Flickr