pres.umptuo.us

Someone please call their phone number and ask for Peter Parker.

• Keeping Up with the Joneses Can Put You Behind: Money & Happiness. This is the problem with 98% of Americans.

  Tuesday August 29, 2006

• Conan O’Brien’s Emmy Opening. I didn’t even know they were on today, but I’d assume this was the best part.

  Monday August 28, 2006

The News

Pluto is no longer a planet. Honestly I’m sure nobody really cared, but this line in the article drew my attention:

However, the first definition of a planet approved after a heated debate among some 2,500 scientists and astronomers drew a clear distinction between Pluto and the other eight planets.

I would have loved to be in the room with all those astronomers debating heatedly over the status of Pluto as a planet. I imagine some would be holding their astrolabes and telescopes, shouting “Not a planet!” and someone else would interject with, “Copernicus would never stand for this!” Those crazy astronomers.

The Music

I’m loving the Magnetic Fields right now. I’d link to some music samples, unfortunately I can’t seem to find any. Just trust me that they’re good.

Regina Spektor has a funky way of singing that grows on me. Audrey said she sounds like a retarded person singing. Oddly enough that’s very accurate.

It’s a shame Asia was a one-hit wonder with “Heat of the Moment.” I would have enjoyed more of their cheesy rock.

The Food

Richard stumbled upon an Alberto’s in Temple City which we checked out yesterday. To our surprise they served the hard-to-find Carne Asada Fries. Not quite as good as the ones we’ve had at Alerto’s in Fountain Valley, but a good enough LA alternative. Anyone else know of places in LA that serve Carne Asada fries?

• Brake job. Handy.

  Wednesday August 23, 2006

Somehow I missed reading this one in high school. Several different people commented with variations of, “You’re reading To Kill A Mockingbird? That’s so high school.” Well fie on them. Reading books wasn’t top priority for me in high school. There was procrastination to be done.

Mockingbird is easily one of my favorite books now. There’s something about knowing when something is well-written even if I can’t identify exactly why, and the book carries its themes and morals expertly without coming across too heavy-handed.

I’m gonna aspire to be like Harper Lee. Write one incredible novel, win a Pulitzer, and write no more. That’s called going out on top.

I have bug bites on the sole of my foot. How did I get bitten there, you ask? The bastards get me while I sleep, that’s how.

They hurt like a bitch, too.