Favorite hangout bars

Where do you just chill and drink?

Sometimes you just want to go to your neighborhood bar, or a bar just down the street from where you work - a place to relax and have a few drinks. A hangout bar.

I used to go to the Cave, a great little bar in the Highland Park area of Los Angeles pictured on the left. Unfortunately, every time I stumbled out of that joint - and I always stumbled out - I wished I hadn't drank so much, but that's the CAVE, especially if you arrive early. Still, if ever in the area, this is a place worth checking out.

These days my hangout bar is the 35er in Old Towne Pasadena, especially on Fridays. It's just a for some good conversation and cool bartenders. So, if you check the place out, tell Bobby I sent you.

Rate your favorite hangout bars

Halloween: No treats, just tricks?

Someone else for a day?

What does Halloween mean?

Many schools have scaled back Halloween celebrations. Few people even trick-or-treat in my neighborhood anymore. Yet, many adults I know seem more excited about Halloween than most kids.

What's up?

Rate Halloween: About trick-or-treating or a day to freely act like an idiot?

Victoria's Secret and the "slutification of America"?

Is American culture creating "Lolitas-in-training with lollipops"

I just finished reading the Karen Heller article Naughty - and definitely not nice about the "slutification of America". As an example of that slutification, Heller points to these Victoria Secret dress-up dolls that are part of the Pink line.

Is there anything wrong with these dolls? Do these dolls represent everything that is wrong with American culture?

Rate the 'slutification of America': Is it real, an exaggeration, the end of puritanism?

Picture proves Bigfoot is real?

Bigfoot or a bear?

Seeking deer pictures, hunter Rick Jacobs got a picture of this long-legged creature using a camera with an automatic trigger according to the AP.

Some call it a juvenile sasquatch, others just a mange bear.

Rate bigfoot: Real or not?

Tonight Show: Leno versus O'Brien

Jay out, Conan in

In 2009, Conan O'Brien will replace Jay Leno as the host for the Tonight Show. Do you care?

Now that rumors indicate that Jay would like to stay on as the host, should NBC keep him. Would Conan be a better host than Jay.

Rate Jay Leno versus Conan O'Brien: Who would be a better Tonight Show Host?

Do you care about movie accents?

Forget the accent?

Kevin Costner, Liam Neeson, Forest Whitaker, Winona Ryder, Tim Robbins, Uma Thurman, Gary Oldman, Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, and Dick Van Dyke. What do they all have in common? These actors makes up the 10 all-time worst movie accents.

Ouch! Those are some big names, which makes me wonder, if some of Hollywood's biggest names act out some of the worst movie accents, do moviegoers really care about movie character accents?

Rate movie accents: How important is it?

Bambi: One of the top horror movies ever?

The death scenes in Bambi too horrifying?

TIME is running a special feature on the Top 25 Horror Movies of all Time. Obviously, cool movies, such as Halloween and Carrie are on the list. Shaun of the Dead takes the top spot, which surprised me a bit, although I really liked the movie. Still, the most surprising horror movie: Bambi.

Rate your favorite horror movies. Also, does Bambi belong on this list?

Would you have a funeral in your home?

Green funerals are growing in popularity

There is a move in the U.S. towards more simple funerals. Wood caskets. No embalming. No chemicals. Just a natural dust-to-dust death.

Besides, funerals are expensive and, in the end, do they really help with closure, or do they just line the pockets of funeral home directors?

"The home funeral is part of an emerging trend that some believe will change the way Americans deal with death........called "green" funerals because they avoid preservative chemicals and steel and concrete tombs, all designed to keep a body from decomposing naturally." (more)

Rate green funerals: Would you do it?

Banks and customer service: Tell the ATM

Your banks customer service rep?

"Big banks and the feds are working to throw an $80 billion lifeline to companies holding bad loans. But no one seems interested in rescuing families who need just a little help," writes Jim Jubak on MSN.

"Banks to customers: Drop dead!!"

Now that's good customer service. Is this representative of the customer service that most banks are regularly providing?

Rate your bank and customer service.

Is the NBA rigged for stars like LeBron

Is LeBron James the new darling of the NBA?

Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James. What do they all have in common? Each has been a darling of the NBA - a marketing vehicle to increased revenue.

Does the NBA give these players and their teams an unfair advantage?

"I still don't think they (Cavaliers) beat us, we beat ourselves," Rasheed Wallace said. "And I think we also fell victim to that personal NBA thing where they are trying to make it a world game and get (television) ratings. They wanted to put their darling in there (the NBA Finals) and they did, and look what ended up happening.

"This game ain't basketball anymore, it's entertainment," Wallace said. "It's starting to get like the WWF. There ain't no real wrestling anymore either. It's all fake."

Rate the NBA: Is the NBA more about entertainment than competitive basketball?

Is dating just a game?

What's your next move?

Last night I was reading the article, You asked....What's with the Runaround? Essentially, a guy is seeking some dating advice for how to approach a girl whom is giving mixed signals. Shocking!

Sound familiar? Yes means no. No means yes. Women are from Mars and men from Venus.

Are we playing dating games? Is it just the difference between how men and women think? Is it a combination of both games and personality differences? Do we play games out of insecurity or for fun?

Rate dating: Is it all just fun and games?

Was 9/11 a conspiracy?

The government did it?

During a recent Bill Clinton speech, hecklers disrupted the gathering shouting out that 9/11 was inside job.

"An inside job? How dare you. How dare you. It was not an inside job," Clinton said. "You guys have got to be careful, you're going to give Minnesota a bad reputation."

Thanks, Bill.

Personally, I'm so tired of these people. Such accusations require undeniable evidence, none-of-which exists.

Rate believers of a 9/11 conspiracy: Wackos, a-holes, morons, etc?

Should online poker be legalized?

Is a poker a skill, sort of like a sport?

"About 100 members from the nonprofit Poker Players Alliance -- including poker stars Howard Lederer, Annie Duke, Chad Brown and Vanessa Rousso -- were in Washington this week to raise the stakes and push legislative proposals that would ease federal restrictions on Internet poker." (more)

Advocates for legalizing online poker claim that poker is a skill game, not just luck-driven gambling. What do you think?

Rate poker: Should online poker be legalized?

How stressed are you?

Can't sleep? Over-eating and over-drinking?

A new study suggests that Americans are stressed out, with 48% of Americans claiming to be more stressed today than 5 years ago. Money and work, the study indicates, are our biggest worries.

The stress is so bad we can't sleep. We're over-eating, hitting the bottle harder than over and cancelling those trips to the gym.

Now I gotta go get a drink. Cheers!

Rate your stress: Is it getting worse?

Hypocrite - Red Sox-Loving Rudy Giuliani?

Just a typical political poser?

"I'm a Yankee fan," Rudy Giuliani replied last summer. "I always believe it's a sign of my being straight with people, about not wanting to fool them, that I was one of the first mayors to be willing to say I was a Yankee fan."

He went on to say he had "great respect" for true Red Sox fans, but as for becoming a Red Sox cheerleader in a Devil's bargain, "Probably that's a deal I could not make," he said.

What? Politicians are hypocrites? Say it isn't so?

Rate Rudy: Hypocrite or American League fan.

Can you save money on your real estate's mortgage costs?

Focus on your origination fees

So, you just signed a contract with your real estate agent to close on a new house, but you're worried about closing costs, right? Don't let your mortgage broker rip you off.

You can save money on your closing costs (more).

Rate your closing costs: Were you able to negotiate?

Are politicians the worst Americans?

If only politicians were as honest and loyal as dogs!

I can't stand politico-types on either the far left or the far right, and I especially can't stand most politicians. Everything is always politics. Everything, no matter how unrelated is always somehow the fault of the other side. Both sides have become so provincially ignorant that, quite honestly, America would be better without them.

So, now let me tell you how I really feel. Seriously, though, isn't America supposed to be the convergence of differing opinions?

Rate politicians: Are they the worst Americans?

Should America kick start the hydrogen highway?

The GM Equinox Fuel Cell Vehicle is the real deal

The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan could end up costing America a couple of trillion dollars. That's right, I said trillion.

And, let's be honest. Foreign oil dependence has largely controlled America's Middle East foreign policy for decades, and that foreign policy has made the US enemy number one to Islamic extremists.

So, how do we get off oil?

According to GM, just $15 billion could kick start the hydrogen economy by funding the hydrogen highway. But is the hydrogen economy a farce or a real possibility?

Rate the hydrogen highway: Considering the costs of foreign oil dependency, is $15 billion a worthy investment?

SoCal fires caused by terrorists?

Is al-Qaeda involved?

Back in 2003, "the FBI alerted law enforcement agencies........that an al-Qaeda terrorist now in detention had talked of masterminding a plot to set a series of devastating forest fires around the western United States."

This has some believing that all the fires in Southern California were not completely the act of nature. What do you think?

Rate al-Qaeda: Do you think they could have been involved with the SoCal fires?

Open Houses: The best way to sell real estate?

Just for lookers or buyers?

In Britain open houses haven't been very common, but real estate agents in Britain have found that open houses are one of the best ways to move real estate, especially in a slow market.

Unfortunately, open houses also bring out criminals, so open houses require careful consideration, particularly on the part of sellers. Thus, everything of value must be out of hand's reach.

Rate open houses: Have they worked for you or have they led to theft?

Is your girlfriend this twisted?

Click the arrow to watch this crazy girlfriend



Gotcha!

Rate this video: Funny, stupid

Hogwarts headmaster is gay? Does it matter?

Do fans really care?

Since J.K. Rowling announced that Harry Potter character Albus Dumbledore, the headmaster of Hogwarts, was gay, the blogosphere has been buzzing.

I say, whatever.

Rate the Harry Potter series: Does it matter that Dumbledore is gay?

Sell your mutual funds - NOW!??

No longer a good investment

"No, I'm not kidding. That's the advice one of America's biggest financial advisers is telling his clients about "the lies that are placing your financial security in jeopardy."Who's lying? Everyone involved with mutual funds, says Ric Edelman in his new book "The Lies About Money: Achieving Financial Security and True Wealth by Avoiding the Lies Others Tell Us, and the Lies We Tell Ourselves." (more)

What's your financial advisor telling you?

Rate mutual funds: Are they still a good investment?

Is your mortgage broker ripping you off?

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is

You might have already been ripped off by your mortgage broker when he or she advised you into an ARM mortgage. So, now that your rate has reset, you realize you need a fixed rate. Or, perhaps, you are missing payments, and someone is offering to help.

Watch out warns Jim Jubak. There are a lot of mortgage scams out there right now. See the video.

Rate your mortgage broker: Were sold a bad loan, or were you misled in some other way?

Car buying: Time for fixed-pricing?

"What do I need to do to earn your business today?"

Ummm. Be honest. Give me the very best price.

"No, I mean besides that."

That's the way most car sales experiences seem to go. Fortunately, according to BusinessWeek, there is a move towards fixed-price car shopping.

Rate car shopping: Is it time for fixed-pricing rather than haggling?

Rate Britney's fat lips

Botox baby!

"Brit hoped her new lips would improve her look without being really obvious to anyone," a source tells the London Daily Mail. "But onlookers literally stood [open]-mouthed when they saw her. She looked freaky."

Has Britney Spears become a very annoying attention-seeker?

Rate Britney's lips - Are they freakish?

Honk! Honk! Tired of car alarms, city noise?

Shut up already!!!!!!!!!!!!

Do "garbage trucks, horns honking, back-up beepers and worst of all, car alarms squealing at all hours", drive you crazy?

It drives me crazy. So much so that I buy cheap eggs to throw at such vehicles. Of course, I have to be careful because most of the a-holes whom make the most noise, whom honk endlessly at any hour, are the kind of ilk that just might pull out a gun.

Still........

Anyway, if this kind of stuff makes you as angry as me, then you might want to check out the new movie, NOISE.

Director Henry Bean was once arrested for breaking into a car to disable its car alarm, an act for which he wen to jail. Thus, he thought he'd make a movie about the issue, which Bean believes is a metaphor for power.

"For me, noise becomes a metaphor for power. The noise that I have to listen to, that I have no control over, that invades my house, my ears, my thoughts... in a way that's how our governments are," he said.

"We live in a world where the governments are extremely unresponsive to what the citizens want."

Rate urban noise - Is it out of control? Is there anything that can be done?

Does a UFO sighting make one crazy?

So what if Dennis Kucinich saw a UFO

According to a new book by Shirley MacLaine, Presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich saw a UFO while visiting MacLaine that profoundly affected his life.

So what!?

Several years ago I had a UFO experience. Because of that experience I am absolutely convinced that either aliens are real, or that the US military has spaceships that are far, far superior to those in the space shuttle program.

Nonetheless, those commenting on the Kucinich article act as if a sighting somehow makes Kucinich a nutcase. Perhaps, Kucinich is a nutcase, but seeing a UFO does not make one crazy.

Rate your UFO experiences. Also, does seeing a UFO make a person crazy?

Ladies: Time to stop waiting for the phone to ring?

Stop waiting for the man to make the first move?

Why is it that in today's modern world, women still expect the man to make the first move, to make the first call, etc? Isn't this the age of equality?

Or, are such traditions worth saving?

I've worked with men whom were very confident in a work environment -quickly rising up the ladder, yet whom were very insecure regarding dating. Ultimately, just because a man is willing to make the first move doesn't mean he's a good man, or a successful man. In fact, those good at the first moves, often times, are players seeking another conquest.

So, if you've met someone interesting, but whom hasn't called, don't be afraid to make the first move if you're seeking a serious boyfriend. Often times the good ones will get away if you don't take action.

Rate making the first move: Time for woman to take action?

Scientists too close to playing god?

Genetic engineering, weather manipulation: Too far?

Soon, scientists will begin testing methods that could steer hurricanes and make them weaker (more). Are scientists going too far?

Genetic engineering has already greatly affected food production and will almost certainly have a huge effect on the evolution of humans.

Is this good, or bad? Is it human destiny?

Rate science: Is it too close to playing god?

Do you believe in The Secret?

Do your thoughts control your world?

The universe is powered by the law of attraction according to The Secret and many other similarly themed books. Thus, think positive thoughts and positive things happen. Think negative thoughts and negative things happen. Think about yourself making money and you'll make money, etc., etc.

While I believe in the power of belief, it seems - even if the secret is true - that the power of the 'collective consciousness' and the 'collective thought' is by far more powerful than an individual thought.

Anyway, rate the secret: Do you believe?

Do you keep relapsing into an old relationship?

Do you keep going back to him or her?

Your a little drunk, or a feeling a little bit lonely, and you call up your ex-boyfriend or girlfriend for a little comfort, suddenly you're a semi-couple again. Now, despite the fact that it just doesn't work between the two of you, these hookups keep happening, but it's better than being alone, right?

Wrong!

According to some experts, "relationship relapse can be deadly to your dating life. That’s because by revisiting your past, you’re taking yourself off the market—thus preventing you from finding The One." (more)

Rate your relationship relapses: Does it keep happening or have you finally broke it off for good?

Should you swear more at work?

Are you a good social swearer?

"Yehuda Baruch, a management professor at the University of East Anglia in Norwich, U.K., and graduate student Stuart Jenkins found that "apparent misbehavior can serve an organization well." Taboo language, they said, can manifest itself in solidarity that helps create a much more pleasurable and productive place to work."(more)

Rate workplace swearing.

Should Jimmy Kimmel be banned form MNF?

Wasn't he just being himself?

I might just have to stop watching MNF now that Jimmy Kimmel was banned for being himself. He makes goofy jokes. That's why Jimmy does, guys.

"Kimmel, who joined Mike Tirico, Tony Kornheiser and Ron Jaworski in the booth during the third quarter of the Giants' 31-10 win over the Falcons, joked about where Theismann was, insinuated that Kornheiser got Theismann fired (their on-air chemistry was often a topic of debate last season), and later remarked, "I'd also like to welcome Joe Theismann, watching from his living room with steam coming from his ears." (more)

Did the truth hurt too much for ESPN? And I thought ESPN was for men?

Rate ESPN and their decision to ban Jimmy Kimmel from Monday Night Football

Racism: Is it getting worse?

What is up with the nooses?

I'm not black, but if I was, and someone put up a noose around me, I'd be pissed - those are fighting words. Since the problems in Texas, there have now been several instances of nooses in other areas. What's up with these pathetic copycat's?

Rate racism in America: Is getting worse?

AIDS v STAPH: Hollywood Ignorance or Bias?

What makes a celebrity cause?

"More than 90,000 Americans get potentially deadly infections each year from a drug-resistant staph "superbug," the government reported Tuesday in its first overall estimate of invasive disease caused by the germ."

"Deaths tied to these infections may exceed those caused by AIDS, said one public health expert commenting on the new study."

So, where is Hollywood's Red Ribbon? Why does something like AIDS receive so much attention, when it is largely caused by unprotected sex (irresponsibility) versus something that attacks completely innocent people?

Is it Hollywood's gay connection? Is it an ignorant media?

Rate celebrity causes

Rate masturbation: Good, bad, how often?

Masturbation is good for you. How often do you masturbate?

Have you seen the 40 Year Old Virgin? That is possibly one of the funniest masturbation scenes ever in a movie.

Why do we make such a big deal over masturbation? Is choking the chicken really that dangerous? Is it only funny until someone loses an eye? O.K., that was cheap and not very funny.

Obviously, since porn basically runs the Internet, there is a lot of masturbation going on in the world. So what? Perhaps if more people masturbated, or were open to masturbation, there wouldn't be as many sexual crimes.

More interesting, recent research demonstrates that the more a man ejaculates, the stronger his sperm.

Do you masturbate? How often do you masturbate? Are you ashamed of your masturbation, or simply ashamed of the idea of masturbation? Are you someone that doesn't ever masturbate? If not, why not?

Or, are you crazy about masturbation?

Rate the importance of masturbation in your life.

Girls and dress: What's hot?

Sexy or slutty?

Guys! What turns you on about a girl out in public?

Say you are walking down the sidewalk on your way to lunch and you see some lady walking in front of you with her G-String riding high up her back. Is that hotter than a girl sporting all the cleavage she can?

I have to admit that a finely shaped women in a skirt which enables the afternoon sun to expose her underpants is probably my biggest PG rated turn-on.

What about you?

And ladies, do you do this on purpose - showing cleavage and g-strings? It seems obvious many of you do.

Sure an exposed g-string can be hot, but it should barely be exposed, in my opinion. It should seem unintentional.

Ladies! Make it seem unintentional. When it's obvious it's just not as hot.

Of course, either way, we're still looking.

C'mon guys, tell me about your favorite PG rated turn-ons. Rate what's hot - PG rated - about a girl's dress in public.

Is your Toyota Camry reliable?

Not as reliable as it used to be?

"Consumer Reports said it no longer recommends V6 versions of Toyota's Camry or V8 versions of its Tundra pick-up because of poor reliability," writes CNNMoney.

This does not apply to the Toyota Camry hybrid. In a CNBC interview earlier today, a rep from Consumer Reports called Toyota's hybrid cars very reliable.

Do you have a V6 or V8 Toyota Camry? Rate its reliability.

It's National Boss Day 2007: Rate your boss

Did you get your boss a gift?

National boss day? Bahhumbug! Who the hell came up with that idea?

Do you think National Boss Day is a good idea?

And, since it is boss day, rate your boss. Is your buss a sacred cow? A paper-pushing, meeting-calling, but do-nothing putz?

Or, are you one of the rare few with a cool boss? Updated -> Rate Your Boss

Is too much money being spent on political advertising?

$3 billion+ this election cycle

"A wide-open presidential race and a willingness by candidates, interest groups, unions and corporations to buy TV time will lead to historic spending for political and issue-advocacy advertising in the 2008 election cycle, an analysis shows.

The cost to try to influence the 2008 election could exceed $3 billion, according to TNS Media Intelligence/Campaign Media Analysis Group, CNN's consultant on political television advertising.

This is nearly twice as much than what was spent in 2004 when political and issue-advocacy television advertising rang in at $1.7 billion. In 2006, $2.3 billion was spent on political and issue-advocacy TV commercials."

Is it worth it? Maybe an election lottery would be better? Wouldn't that really be a Democracy?

Rate political spending - Is it out of control?

Would you eat a 1,000 calorie breakfast burrito?

A.K.A. - The country breakfast bomb

"Hardee's on Monday rolled out its new Country Breakfast Burrito — two egg omelets filled with bacon, sausage, diced ham, cheddar cheese, hash browns and sausage gravy, all wrapped inside a flour tortilla. The burrito contains 920 calories and 60 grams of fat."

Is the country breakfast burrito a good idea, or does it demonstrate everything wrong with America's fast food diet and culture?

Rate the Country breakfast bomb

Does it matter if homosexuality is in your genes?

Is it all about DNA?

Some people believe that homosexuality is a sin or immoral. If it were proven that homosexuality was caused by DNA, would it be more acceptable? That's what some believe.

Of course, if one believes that homosexuality is a sin, do they believe in genes or in DNA?

Rate homosexuality - Does it matter if it is a genetic trait?

Are Democrats using Armenian Genocide to thwart the Iraq War?

Can America stay in Iraq without Turkey?

In the early 1900's, some of Turkey's mullahs essentially ordered the genocide of more than 1,000,000 Armenians. Today, more than 100 years later, there is a movement in Congress to ratify a resolution acknowledging this genocide.

What would such a resolution accomplish, aside from $100.00+ barrels of oil, for example?

Might the resolution also push the Turkish government to disallow the U.S. to utilize its airports, airspace and land to supply the effort in Iraq? Since 70 percent of U.S. supplies move through Turkey, can the U.S. continue the War in Iraq without Turkey's help?

Are Democrats using the Armenian Resolution to covertly force a U.S. withdrawal from Iraq? If so, is such a move a good idea, or dirty politics?

Rate the Armenian Genocide Resolution: A good idea at this point in time, or dirty politics?

Did he leave the toilet seat up again?

Does the seat really matter that much?

Throughout my life I seem to regularly hear things like, "Why can't you put the toilet seat down?", or "You left the toilet seat up again."

Guys just don't seem to care about such things, but girlfriends do. Thus, girlfriends and wives are often yelling at their boyfriends or husbands about the toilet seat.

Who is right?

Rate the toilet seat - Does it really matter if it is up or down?

Don Imus back on the radio - Do you care?

Should he have been fired in the first place

"In a dramatic and dazzling career rebound, controversial radio host Don Imus has secured a deal returning him to the airwaves on December 3 -- this time on the nation's most listened to talk station, the DRUDGE REPORT has learned!"

Obviously, Imus made some pretty ridiculous statements regarding the Rutger's women's basketball team, but should he have been fired then? If so, should he be given a new radio station now, or be banned forever?

Rate Don Imus - Should he be allowed back on the radio?

Is your boss overpaid?

Fire the boss save some money?

Do you think your boss is overpaid? Perhaps he or she is.

"Most US corporate leaders believe chief executives are overpaid and do not provide value for money for their com­panies, according to a study that will embolden critics of excessive compensation."

Rate the executives at your company. Are they overpaid?

Super safe and super fuel efficient autos

Tahoe and 5 other hybrids lead the pack

So, you want to save money on gas, but you also want to feel safe - it is your family, right? What could be more important?

No problem. CNNMoney has come up with 6 vehicles that save gas by providing great fuel economy while providing best in class safety, and 5 of those vehicles are hybrid vehicles.

The Saturn Aura hybrid, Honda Civic hybrid, Nissan Altima hybrid, Toyota Camry hybrid and the Chevy Tahoe hybrid and the Ford Taurus all provide great fuel economy for their class, while also providing excellent safety.

Rate your favorite safe and fuel efficient car

Is your job causing depression?

Feeling depressed? Maybe its your job, not your boss

"People who tend to the elderly, change diapers and serve up food and drinks have the highest rates of depression among U.S. workers," a new government study claims.

So what?

"Depression leads to $30 billion to $44 billion in lost productivity annually, said the report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration."

Rate your work. Is it causing you depression?

2007 College Football Season: Greatest Ever?

Ohio State is now Number 1, but for how long?

You knew there was something special about this college football season when Appalachian State knocked off Michigan.

Anything could happen this season.

"That's why they play the game," I've heard so many times before. Yet, most times you know the game is just an exercise - that's why Vegas is so good at predicting winners and losers.

This season, however, has been upset season, and there are so many more important games to be played. I love it. If the season keeps going the way it is, two two-loss teams might play for the National Championship - that would be amazing.

Rate college football 2007 so far.

The NFL's TV contract SUCKS!

Bullriding or football game?

The NFL and cable TV suck. I'm seriously considering giving up on NFL football, SERIOUSLY.

I'm watching the Raider v. San Diego Game on CBS - it's my local game and it makes sense. So, what's on Fox? Might it be the Dallas v. Patriot game?

Hell no! Instead, it's bull riding, followed by reruns of MASH. F the NFL and cable TV!

Rate the NFL on cable TV.

It's Sunday- Rate yours

At least we got football

I'm not a big fan of Sundays, especially when I have a lot of work to do in preparation for Monday.

Anyway, the big news of the weekend seems to be Al Gore's Peace Prize win - not that anybody is surprised. I don't really care. While I believe that man in contributing to global warming, I think Al Gore is a bit of a hypocrite - if we all lived like Al Gore, the world wouldn't have a chance.

Speaking of Al Gore, isn't everything becoming too political these days? Even more ironic, other than the hardcore zealots on the far right and left, do most Americans even care any more? I've given up on politics, or at least on today's lead politicians. I'm joining the Vote Against Incumbents Campaign - it's better than not voting, which I considered doing for the first time ever.

Enough about politics.

I want to go see Hotel Chevalier today, but I have other obligations and I have to go out-of-town this week, so I don't know when I'm going to get to see it. Damn responsibility!

Why couldn't I have been a trust-fund kid, so that I could just do whatever I wanted? Anyway that's my Sunday?

What you got? Rate your day this Sunday.

Freddie's 35er in Pasadena

The best dive bar in Pasadena. PERIOD

No B.S., if you are not some Hollywood wannabee-poser, the 35er is by far the best bar in Old Towne Pasadena.

O.K., let me be fair, I only come here on certain days, mostly. I come here for happy hour on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays because Deborah Blanco is such a cool bartender. Yes, I do come here on days when Deborah isn't working, but Deborah's shifts are particularly enjoyable (By the way, click here to see cool art from Deborah Blanco).

What's to love about the 35er?

No pretentiousness. Plain and simple. It's just a good old fashioned pub in the Middle of Pasadena's rich-yuppy-hangout.

Rating Gordon Biersch

One of my favorite Pasadena watering holes

I've been a regular at Gordon Biersch in the past, though I haven't been here so much lately.

In Pasadena, Gordon Biersch is rather hidden, which is why I like this Gordon Biersch so much - the bar stays relatively uncrowded. Sure, on a Friday night, this play can get quite packed, but it's not packed right now - just the way I like it.

Aside from the bar, the outdoor patio is simply, magnifico.

In terms of the food, some things are better than others. I avoid the pizza, for example; however, most of the appetizers are really good, especially the tapas and the Southwestern egg rolls. All the sandwiches and burgers are also very good. In terms of steak, just get the basic sirloin, it's simply better than the more expensive cuts they offer.

Key pointers for Gordon Biersch in Pasadena: 1.) If you are with a group and the weather is nice, choose the patio, and 2.) Join the Passport Rewards program. It's worth well worth it.

Rate Pasadena, California's Gordon Biersch.

It's Friday - Rate your damn day!

Sounds like a good lunch

How's your day going? If it's bad, at least it is Friday!

I have to work all weekend. Since my Friday is shot, I'm going to make the best of my lunch hour, well, hours - I'm taking the rest of the day off. It's 11:30 Pacific Time and I'm heading to Old Towne Pasadena for the next 3 + hours.

Of course, since I'm going to blog most of my liquid lunch adventure, will I really be off? Who cares!

Rate your day. Bitch if you have to bitch. Cheer if you can. It's Friday bitches. Salute!

Would you date a robot?

Will you marry me?

"David Levy a British artificial intelligence researcher at the college, wrote in his thesis, "Intimate Relationships with Artificial Partners," that trends in robotics and shifting attitudes on marriage are likely to result in sophisticated robots that will eventually be seen as suitable marriage partners."

Could your next girlfriend or boyfriend be a robot?

Vibrators, blow up dolls, fake vaginas already consume many lives, so why not a a full, sexy interactive robot?

Rate future robots: Would you marry one if is he or she was really hot?

Kobe Bryant: Dumbest Trade Ever?

Could it ever happen?

"At any time, I think you have to do that with anybody," Jerry Buss said, discussing Bryant publicly for the first time since the often-frustrated Lakers' star asked to be traded at the end of last season. "It's just part of the game, to listen to somebody who has a dissatisfied player that you think is going to fit.
"You can't keep too many loyalties. You've got to look at it as a business. He looks at it the same way I look at it."

Is Buss just talking smack, just trying to rattle Kobe's cage a bit? I just don't see how a such trade could ever happen.

Rate trading Kobe Bryant, would it be the dumbest trade ever?

Get immunized before going to NASCAR!

Democrat and Republican staffers attending NASCAR events must first be immunized against Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, tetanus, diphtheria, and influenza?

"I have never heard of immunizations for domestic travel, and as the representative for Concord, North Carolina, I feel compelled to ask why the heck the committee feels that immunizations are needed to travel to my hometown," Mr. Hayes, a Republican, said in a letter to Rep. Bennie Thompson, Mississippi Democrat and committee chairman.

Wow! I've never been to a NASCAR event, but I certainly wouldn't be worried about my immunizations if I went to such an event. Someone needs a good kick in the ass.

Rate the idiot that came up with this idea.

Is your boss killing you?

A scene from the classic, Office Space

Is your boss bugging you? I mean REALLY bugging you?

Then he just might be slowly killing you, ever-increasing your stress until, POP! There goes your heart. Not you? Even kids are having heart attacks these days, so it is becoming far less uncommon for those in their 30s to have a heart attack because of stress.

O.K., so, maybe your boss isn't killing you, but the stress is still ruining your quality of life. What can you do?

Detach and Depersonalize, according to experts. Then get a little exercise and maybe even a message. "In one ear and out the other," as my father used to say.

Rate your boss. Is your boss killing you? How do you cope?

Is Madonna still relevant?

Or more relevant than ever?

"Pop star Madonna is close to leaving her long-time Warner Bros. Records label for a wide-ranging $120 million deal with concert promotion firm Live Nation Inc., a source familiar with the talks said on Wednesday."

"The story was first reported on the Wall Street Journal's Web site, which said Madonna would receive a mix of cash and stock in exchange for allowing Live Nation to distribute three studio albums, promote concert tours, sell merchandise and license her name."

So, is Live Nation making a mistake or the deal of a lifetime?

Rate Madonna: Is she still relevant or a has-been?

Rate Hotel Chevalier

If you like Wes Anderson, you'll love the short film Hotel Chevalier

I've been meaning to check out Hotel Chevalier since I saw the ad for the short rotating on Apple's QuickTime player (click here).

Well, I'm glad I did. Typical, bittersweet Wes Anderson - just the way I like him.

As the movie opens one might almost think that Jason Schwartzman was on the set of Rushmore II, at least until Natalie Portman enters the scene. It's great to see Natalie in such a role. I had begun to wonder if she could ever top her performance in the Professional, but now I'm confident that she can.

While this is a fantastic short film, it's really, probably, just a trailer to The Darjeeling Limited, which I'm going to see as soon as it starts playing in my neighborhood. I haven't been as excited to see a movie in some time.

Rate Hotel Chevalier

How much do you slack at work?

Are you a slacker?

A new study suggests that workers often slack at work as a way of rebelling against an abusive boss, and I don't doubt that to be the case.

Nonetheless, I bet there are plenty of slackers whom have great bosses.

How much do you slack at work? Do you slack because of your boss? Because of your pay? Or, do slack just to protest the 40 hour work?

Rate the best reasons to slack.

Best places to find a girlfriend?

Dogparks: A good place to find a girlfriend

Most people eventually learn that a club is the best place to pick up a girl for a one night stand, not for a relationship. Sure, there always exceptions, but can two people really get a feel for each other when they are both drunk?

So, where can a man go to find his next girlfriend?

According to the author of Date Out of Your League, a dog park isn't a bad spot. In addition, April Masini also suggests, professional organizations, Internet dating sites, hobby clubs, grocery shopping, restaurants and even churches.

The point is, it seems, check out places where you like to hang out or visit. Chances are that many of the women in those places probably share some of your tastes as well. And that's the beginning of a lasting relationship.

Rate the best places to find a girlfriend.

Charlize Theron: The girlfriend standard?

As hot as your girlfriend or wannabe girlfriend?

According to Esquire Magazine, Charlize Theron is the sexiest woman alive. Do you agree? Is Charlize the standard for what makes a woman sexy? If so, what is it in particular that makes her sexy?

If not, why don't you find her sexy?

Rate Charlize Theron: Is she the standard for 'sexy'?

Rate your office pest

Are you the office pest?

Do you call your significant other from work every day? Are you always late for morning meetings? Do you constantly leave work early because you have the worst commute in the office? Do you constantly ask your co-workers for favors? Play your favorite boy-band CD all day, every day?

Then you might be the office pest according to Careerbuilder?

Tell us about your office pest. Rate the worst traits of any office pest.

Lower the drinking age to 18?

Make them responsible, instead of illegal?

There are a number of movements around the country trying to push the legal drinking age back to 18. Of course, groups like MADD are mad as hell.

Yet, teens are drinking, regardless of the laws. Instead of taboos, wouldn't teaching responsibility be worthy a try? Raising the drinking age has, if anything, only increased dangerous binge drinking and alcohol consumption amongst teens. So, why do we continue to stick with a program that IS NOT working?

Rate the drinking age. Should it be lowered to 18?

Should governments be able to ban smoking in condos?

Big brother telling you what to do in a condo you bought and paid for?

The Belmont City Council voted to ban smoking in multi-unit, multi-story residences. Thus, even if you own your condo, but share a floor with another, you are not allowed to smoke - almost makes me want to start smoking again just in protest.

Sure, apartments and condos should have the right to be smoke free, but those decisions should be made by property owners, not the government.

Rate the Belmont City Council. Did they over-step their authority?

Rate Soulja's "Crank That"

Hip Hop as sold out as Rock and Roll?

"Crank That" by Soulja isn't a bad song or video, but is it the best song on Billboard's Top 100?

Yes it is.

Wow! That's all that I can say. Well, no it isn't. First, can you say one-hit-wonder? Second, what is so special about Soulja's rap? He's not doing anything new. Nothing in this song is original.

What has the world come to?

American pop music is now ruled by Hannah Montana and Soulja. Scary!

Rate Soulja's new rap, "Crank That". Is it over-rated, or am I just not getting it? Is the best song in America now controlled by the 14 and under crowd?

Rate this Britney Spears picture

Hot or not?

Alright. I'm gonna be an a-hole for this post.

I've never been much of Britney Spears fan, but I'm less of a fan since her whole child-custody battle. Additionally, I heard the paparazzi claiming that Britney is a complete attention seeker (media whore). For example, if she's out and the paparazzi miss her, she'll drive around the block to give them a second chance.

Anyway, I've never thought Britney was all that cute and I believe the older she becomes, the less hot she becomes - I mean J-Lo is quickly closing in on 40 and looks hot as ever. Britney......ouch.

Britney is a great entertainer, no doubt, but rate how bad is this picture? Is she going down hill faster than the average hottie?

Maybe K-Fed isn't much of a rapper, but he's obviously smarter than the average player - he got outta there just in time!

Will Lindsay Lohan "grow up"?

How long before another drunken craze?

Lindsay Lohan is a crazy girl, but so what? She's only 21. How stupid were you at 21? Or, I bet you'll be pretty stupid by the time you hit 21.

Anyway. I've known a few people that have rehabbed and stayed away from their addictions, and it profoundly affected their lives - now they are boring! Just kidding, kind of. Sorry, Don.

Addictive personalities are what they are, and when you admit you can no longer control your personality, who are you?

Anyway, again.

While I hope Lindsay focuses on acting, etc., I just have this feeling that we'll hear about some crazy episode after a night out in the clubs. Ultimately, I don't think Lindsay and the like are addicted to booze and drugs, they are addicted to attention, but I'm only a junior psychologist.

Rate whether Lindsay will hop back on the crazytrain.

Does sex rule the Internet?

Do you cybersex?

Porn. Star sex tapes. Is this the main benefit of the Internet for most people?

The other day I read that www.sex.asia was expected to be the most coveted .asia domain name when .asia domain names finally went on sale - so Internet Sex isn't limited to America.

It's obvious sex sells. Porn is huge on the Internet. Even stars are using Internet sex for P.R. Have we been so sexually deprived? Does the Internet provide some sort of sexual freedom? What is it about sex and the Internet?

Rate sex and the Internet

Immigration: Is Vicente Fox a hypocritical racist?

A do what I say, not what I do politician?

"Former Mexican President Vicente Fox said Monday that the United States is letting racism dictate its policies, especially when it comes to immigration.
"The xenophobics, the racists, those who feel they are a superior race ... they are deciding the future of this nation," he said, without naming names, in an interview with The Associated Press."

If Mexico had more progressive policies regarding immigration and foreign property ownership, for example, Mr. Fox might have a foot to stand on regarding immigration. Instead, Mr. Fox is simply a hypocritical racist.

Immigration is a divisive, complex issue. Certainly, racism in the U.S. is definitely playing a role, but it isn't the only role - as Mexico's own immigration laws demonstrate.

Moreover, I've heard a number of Mexicans claim they don't want the American Dream, they want the Mexican Dream, but politicians, such as Fox, are too corrupt for such a reality.

Those whom live in glasses houses, Mr. Fox, shouldn't throw stones. Rate Vicente Fox. Is Fox a hypocrite and racist?

Are you worried about bird flu?

Will bird flu become a human pandemic?

"The H5N1 bird flu virus has mutated to infect people more easily, although it still has not transformed into a pandemic strain, researchers said on Thursday.

The changes are worrying, said Dr. Yoshihiro Kawaoka of the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

"We have identified a specific change that could make bird flu grow in the upper respiratory tract of humans," said Kawaoka, who led the study.
"The viruses that are circulating in Africa and Europe are the ones closest to becoming a human virus," Kawaoka said.

Are you worried about bird flu?

Most fun cars to drive

The top roadster?

ConsumerReports.Org has put together a list of the most fun to drive cars that are also the top recommended vehicles in their category.

And the most fun to drive cars to drive by class are: 1.) Sporty - the Subaru WRX, 2.) Roaders - Mazda MX-5 Miata, 3.) Performance / Luxury Sports Cars - Audi S4, and 4.) Luxury Sedan - Infiniti G35.

Rate your favorite most fun cars to drive.

If you found $65,000 would you keep it?

Finders keepers?

A county garbage operations employee, Debbie Cole, found a plastic bag on the road stuffed with $65,000 Thursday — and immediately turned it in to authorities according to the AP.

Wow. Without any kind of identification, I don't think I would have turned in the cash. Am I in the minority or the majority? I know I have a lotta bills that cash would've helped pay for.

You inspire me to be a better person, Debbie Cole!

Rate American honest. Would most Americans turn in the cash or not?

First new South Park

I love Tourette syndrome

As I was channel surfing last night I happened to catch the first episode of South Park's new season.

It's been some time since I last watched South Park, and I couldn't believe how vulgar the show has become, which made spin of the first show pretty funny - Tourettes Syndrome.

While in a toy store, Eric Cartmen learns what Tourettes Syndrome is and knows he has to have it. Yes, it was stupid, but damn funny.

Rate the first episode of South Park's new season.

Is Political Partisanship out of control?

Red state, blue state divide: One party will never rule!

"Despite Democratic promises that the House Rules Committee would operate much differently in the new majority, it is as partisan as ever," writes the Hill.

"Furious with how the powerful panel has been directed this year, all four Republican members of the Rules Committee took to the floor Tuesday night to air their grievances publicly."

Wow! Who woulda thunk partisanship wouldn't stop just because Democrats took office?

The partisanship between the left and right hasn't abated in decades. Each side wants to rule America supremely and, therefore, constantly seeks to tarnish the image of the other side, even at the expense of needed legislation. And, every piece of legislation that does pass is riddled with earmarks, pork and other special projects - costing average American taxpayers billions and billions of dollars.

Of course, whom can blame them?

Average, centrist America has let the radical right and left control both major parties. Thus, average Americans continue to get screwed by Congress and the White House, and nothing is going to change that until America Votes out all Incumbents, or both parties begin to realize that their job is constructive consensus, not violent partisanship.

Rate partisanship. Is partisanship a necessary evil in politics or the sign of a dysfunctional political system?

Could the Verizon Voyager top the iPhone?

An iPhone killer?

"The Voyager, made by LG Electronics, trumps the iPhone by offering faster wireless Web access. But in a nod to the Apple device, which is only available to AT&T subscribers, it has a large touch screen and full Web browser," reports Reuters.

"Verizon Wireless hopes the new phone will attract customers put off by the iPhone's lack of a traditional keypad — the Voyager hinges open to reveal a small computer keypad and a second screen."

Perhaps teens don't care, but as a business user, I think the Voyager easily trumps the iPhone simply because of the keypad - at least if it lives up to the hype. Damn! Will I have to convert back to Verizon?

Rate whether the Voyager can compete with iPhone.

Change jobs before being fired?

Feel like you're about to be fired?

Experts agree, you should always quit a job before being fired - at least if you are serious about finding another job after you quit or you are fired.

Of course, if you're looking for some unemployment pay - keep it up, buddy!

Anyway, if you're a little concerned about the possibility of being fired, check out these 8 signs. If more than 3 apply to you, then its probably time to start tacking action.

Rate getting fired versus quitting. Does it really matter if you quit before being fired?

Health Care Crisis or Fat Crisis?

Americans can't take care of themselves?

A new study suggests that a significant reason for America's health care crisis is, well, American habits - bad habits. Quite simply, we eat poorly and we don't exercise. Thus, we're fat, and not just fat, but OBESE.

"We expected to see differences between disease prevalence in the United States and Europe, but the extent of the differences is surprising," said Ken Thorpe, professor of public health at Emory University and a study co-author. "It is possible that we spend more on health care because we are, indeed, less healthy."

While insurance companies and the insured certainly pose legitimate challenges to the health care system, insured Americans are causing significant problems because we are FAT and LAZY.

When the government takes over health care, will they also start mandating the diet of Americans? Telling us what to eat might be the only way to save the U.S. health care system - I can't wait to be part of that brave new world!

Rate the U.S. health care crisis and the role of America's fat ass.

Vote Against ALL Incumbents in 2008?

Could Congress be any more inept?

For decades, maybe forever, politicians have been engaged in a divisive, bitter partisan debate. Consequently, the Party has become more important than the people. Ironically, however, neither Party fully represents the majority of the People and neither party ever will represent the majority of Americans.

Thus, the people - the voters - have bounced like a ping-pong ball back-and-forth between the Democrats and Republicans, disappointment after disappointment.

Isn't it time to break out of this rut? To try something different? That's the point of the 2008 Vote Against Incumbents Campaign.

For decades incumbency has been like a plague in Congress. Why not challenge this status quo and vote out not just a few incumbents, but ALL incumbents?

Really, could Congress get much worse than an 11 percent approval rating?

Rate the idea of voting against incumbents.

Rate ticket scalpers / brokers

Forget Ticketmaster, focus on ticket scalpers

"As technology changes and more venues start selling tickets online, scalpers are no longer those shady looking guys holding up tickets outside the arena. Most states have no restrictions on reselling tickets, even for a big profit.

Ray Waddell, Billboard's touring writer, says scalpers use automated computer programs that buy tickets quickly or tie up ticket phone lines with repeated calls. "It's really getting out of control," Waddell said. "The industry is kind of fed up.""

I really respected Pearl Jam when they tried to take on TicketMaster, but ticket brokers and scalpers are a bigger fraud. Time for legislation?

Rate concert ticket scalpers

A new third party Christian group?

A Third Party based on abortion?

"Alarmed at the chance that the Republican party might pick Rudolph Giuliani as its presidential nominee despite his support for abortion rights, a coalition of influential Christian conservatives is threatening to back a third-party candidate in an attempt to stop him." (NYTimes)

Generally, I support the idea of Third Parties, but this one has me stumped. In most cases, I think Third Parties should be about a different way of doing things, particularly a way that isn't so funded by lobbyists. However, a Third Party largely based upon one issue, such as abortion, seems like a bad idea.

While I believe that abortion is tragic, I do believe it is also a woman's choice.

Despite my opinions about abortion, a Third Party driven by abortion also seems stupid. How would dividing the Republican Party and guaranteeing that a pro-abortion rights Democrat becomes President accomplish the Conservatives goals? Ultimately, anti-abortion Christians do not represent a majority of America, and nothing is going to change that.

I wish Christians didn't make abortion their primary political concern because I think it ostracizes them from the rest of society, but standing up for your beliefs is hard to argue against.

Rate the idea of a ProLife Third Party

Radiohead's album giveaway hurts small artists?

Karma? Free albums equals sold out concert tours?

Radiohead will allow consumers to download their new album, Rainbows, and let buyers pay the band whatever they want - even nothing.

Nonetheless, the band will require fans to use their credit card and to pay a small transaction fee. The idea is that millions of free downloads will lead to market data on millions of Radiohead fans, which could be great way to drive concert ticket sales via a direct marketing campaign.

Obviously, such a move could work well for an established band, however, can it work as successfully for an up-and-coming band? Or, is charging for digital content just no longer viable because of the Internet, filesharing, etc?

Rate Radiohead's album giveaway