SNL can go to hell

Yeah, the show's been pretty much unwatchable for at least the last four years. Still, the pruning they did was pretty bad. Actually, I'm kind of glad they got rid of Chris Parnell and Finesse Mitchell. They were awful. But while they were at it, why didn't they dump Darrell Hammond. He's overstayed his welcome by about six years. Once Gore was out of the picture, he was dead in the water. And Horatio Sanz. Dear, dear Horatio. The one cast member to have a skit that I actually laughed at (besides of course comedic genius Fred Armisen). That's right, I'm talking about "Carol." Easily the stupidest, most underwhelming writing the show has seen since "Simmer Down Now." Still, like Cheri Oteri, Horatio could somehow pull laughs out of nowhere. Ah well. While we're at it, some others who should have been led to the guillotine: Seth Meyers, Will Forte who couldn't find a laugh with a maglite and GPS, Kenan Thompson (he of the big-boned black drag characters who all have the same personality). What were they thinking? Once again, if the show hadn't already been in a four-five year decline this would upset me much more. Ah well.

The Deep Freeze

We got cable this weekend. It's too much. Just surfing through the programming guide to find out what's on requires too large an effort. I don't have the energy. That doesn't stop me from watching way too much tv. It has a life of its own. I can't stop. I watched hours of a WifeSwap marathon. I can't stop.

The apartment is coming together. The living room is pretty much done. The job is rolling along.

Tomorrow is Primary Day here in Massachusetts. I still haven't decided. I watched a debate last week or so. It was boring. These things tend to be.

I just hit the tipping point in Augie March. You know, where all the description gives way to profundity. Pretty good. Still too long.

It was a beautiful weekend. Pity I was glued to the tube.

I love S&S. It's my favorite. I go there for the matzah ball soup and hot pastrami on marble rye. Same thing every time. The soup comes with a glass plate on it to keep the vapors in. It's glorious. But only one matzah ball is a little skimpy.

Going to a concert tomorrow night. Drive-By Truckers. Not that familiar, but a friend has an extra ticket and it's cheap. They're from Athens, natch. I hate natch, but this blog hasn't met its natch quota. I'm afraid I might get thrown out of the blogosphere if I don't meet this quota. They'd probably hire some natch scabs.

I hate our couch. There was a mixup and we got the wrong couch. We don't get the right one until Oct. 1. The wrong one is fake leather. And it smells like it.

Huey's in Nash Vegas for a week. Bobeena and I are left to our own devices. We'll probably starve. Pray for us. Actually, I think we'll be ok. Our scarily religious "Catholic Wall" will protect us. It must be seen to be believed. An El Greco Crucifixion painting, Duccio's Madonna and Child, an illuminated manuscript print dubbed "The Sassy Saint," Bolivian clay angels, and a shelf with a figurine, rosaries, and candles. It's quite something. Man, I hope I'm not on the wrong side of this whole sacrilege sacrilege thing. I'm pretty sure I have nothing to worry about. Right?

Benedict the Bold

I've made no secret of my repulsion to Papa Ratzinger. Nevertheless, I have to say that I'm growing a fond respect for the old codger. For one thing, I respect his intellectual take on religion. He's obviously a brilliant thinker and master reasoner. This, I applaud. However, it makes one question his commitment to logic and respect of free will that he's so fond of coercing the faithful to accepting his dogma or not receiving the sacraments. Nevertheless, I think that his recent homily on Islam is striking in a good way. I regret some of his quotations from Empror Paleologus saying that the only thing new that Mohammed offered was blood. Still, no one in recent memory has offered such a scathing denunciation of the suppression and bloodlust that characterizes fundamentalist Islam. His condemnation of jihad and praise of reason are some of the most thoughtful words to come out of the Vatican in some time. Mmmm. More please. If only the Democrats could speak with such conviction.

A little bit of math

20 vacation days
12 sick days
11.5 holidays
+ 3 personal days
______________________

46.5 days off per year > 9 weeks off per year > 2 months off per year=crazy

How is this man president?

Unbelievable: