Angel
 

Wrapped things up nicely last night. It was a half-decent ending if the series doesn't get renewed, and plenty of plot potential if it does. That's a tough trick to pull.

Without spoiling anything, I'd say I really wish they'd done it to Fred instead, to put us out of our misery. But I can see why it was necessary to do in order to open up more potential for next season.

I'm also glad they gave a part to the guy who played the smarmy psych student vampire from Buffy. That guy rocked in the one episode he was on. I still chuckle over the "I'm here to kill you, not to judge you" line.

And you thought there was racism on AI
 

I think the real damage, if that is the right word, of that, though, was that all the TV viewers at home saw OJ's team's theatrics, too, and bought it just as much as (they assumed) the jury did, so the acquital was all about race and not about ... well, money. (And the inability of the court and DA's office to function under the intense pressure of the media scrutiny, where the media-hound defense was much more at home, but that's less interesting.)

I think part of the general freak-out was really displacement of pretty common American money issues. I mean, the whole society is sort of premised on the idea that "if you work for it you get it" and the corrollary "if you got it, you deserved it." Except for the people who don't deserve it, and money isn't everything, and all of that. Money is imbued with strong and conflicting moral judgments here. I think people were very uncomfortable with the idea that this guy, who was a beloved figure, who earned his fame and money by excelling at what he did and through his own charm, and who therefore by most people's lights clearly earned and deserved everything he had, would turn that into a club with which to corrupt the US legal system. This guy wasn't the evil corporate fat-cat (their money is always corrupting, of course), this guy was the all-American sports hero who did good and deserved what he had. I think a lot of people just couldn't deal with that in the context of a big-money trial, because it would make them think too hard about their assumptions about what money and success mean, and the ways they assign moral meaning to them.

People in this country imbue money with a huge amount of moral meaning, but the whole unspoken belief system about money here is pretty clearly silly and unsupportable. So anything that requires us to look at it too carefully causes a huge amount of stress because it so obviously can't stand scrutiny, but it is so vital to most people's unconscious understanding of how the world works. I think a lot of people had some need to see that (i) well-earned money doesn't corrupt (OJ, he must be innocent), and also that (ii) money can't corrupt (the legal system, he must be found guilty), all at the same time. Of course, this issue comes up every day, whether the guy in the dock is rich or destitute, but most people never before had to confront it in a way that shows up the idiocy of their beliefs about money. On OJ, nigh on EVERYONE had an opinion, no matter how uninformed or how little reason you had to care. Race just doesn't do that in this country anymore; only money does. But everyone clung to the race idea and transferred all of the anxiety the situation gave them there, because it was less painful than confronting the money idea.

Or, as I think is the case in many instances, I think the "race" freak out with the OJ verdict was a displaced money/economic power freak out. But if all the bad feeling and sense of social discomfort that the trial caused is mistaken for racial tension, making everybody nerveous and suspicious of each because of racial differences, when they should really be thinking about what the whole thing said about economic differences.

YMMV

For you Creed "fans"
 

From the National Law Journal

VOIR DIRE

By Gail Diane Cox

Concert's called uniquely awful

Four rock fans who claim to represent the interests of 15,000 told a court in Chicago that when they paid $50-plus each to hear Creed last December, they assumed they would be attending a performance-"including the lyrics."

But the proposed class action says lead singer Scott Stapp was so high that he "was unable to sing the lyrics of a single Creed song" and did things like disappearing from the stage for 10 minutes at a time. The fans are represented by Daniel J. Voelker of Chicago's Freeborn & Peters.

Before the "constructive nonperformance" suit was filed, Creed sent a mass letter to fans acknowledging their evening may have fallen short. The letter reassured everyone that Stapp is "taking a much needed break" but didn't mention a refund or a second show.

"We hope," it said, "that you can take some solace in the fact that you definitely experienced the most unique of all Creed shows and may have become part of the unusual world of rock 'n' roll history!"

Or not.

* * *

Angel
 

What "it" should they have done to Fred? I'm confused and I watched the show. Do you mean what happened to Gunn?

Angel
 

I thought it was a pretty good episode too. I liked how they wrapped it up. I'll hold off discussing it for those who have not yet seen the show.

And you thought there was racism on AI
 

I think that is an interesting way to look at it. But I also think it's a little simplistic. I don't presume to understand this country, but I think that as a general rule (and not just in this country) race issues are inextricably connected to economic issues. I think that when you have white people using their money to avoid punishment, people roll their eyes and say that the world is going to hell in a handbasket, but it's sort of expected, so no one gets too bothered. But when a black person who is not "supposed" to have money does the same thing, it's an added wrinkle that creates the uproar.

And I haven't really been following the debate, so I apologize if this has already been said. And if I had another just for fun (where is she - I miss her) moment.

OJ trial
 

I agree that the overreaction to the verdict was because of the tv coverage - one of the first and few cases televised.
Watched it with my whole office - all drinking OJ - no one was surprised he was acquitted after the glove stunt. What were the prosecutors thinking directing him to try on the glove -that's a law school trial ad mistake.

Angel
 

I think he means Conner.

aV

And you thought there was racism on AI
 

I disagree. But here's a timely link, http://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/08/na...AMB.html?8hpib .

[Spree: Article about income, as opposed to race, integration in schools]

TM

PS - This chick is weird:

http://graphics7.nytimes.com/images/...08ROAC.583.jpg

The article on her roach art is here: http://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/08/ar...OAC.html?8hpib

TM

And you thought there was racism on AI
 

I would replace your (i) with "their hero-worship was valid", (which is really just a non-monetary way to make your same point), simply because, prior to the murders, no one really ever thought of OJ as being rich. Heck, he played gladhander at conventions constantly to make money, so he wasn't one of the truly rich.

did someone castrate less?
 

I can think of no other explanation for how this once wordy, verbose, spittle wielding airbag has morphed into thie lookingformarketlike occasional one liner throwing observer from the sidelines. Sort of like seeing Pam Anderson once her implants were removed/

(Smacked with a) POLL
 

:wtf:

(Smacked with a) POLL
 

Just giving you shit. How come you always act so surprised when I do?

TM

(Smacked with a) POLL
 

Because you are always goodness and light, and your warmth envelops all who have the privilege of knowing you.

Mother's Day Poll
 

hmmmmmm. It doesn't sound like you actually believe that. I'm sensing...is that...um...sarcasm? :wtf:

To change the subject, can people please post some good ideas for mother's day gifts? For mom, wife and mother of child, grandmother, etc. [Spa/massage packages have already been noted.]

TM

Mother's Day Poll
 

1. Unless Gma raised you or her children are dead, she ain't your momma. She gets nothing.
2. Mom gets flowers because nobody sends her flowers anymore.
3. Wife and mother of child gets a massage or a manicure/pedicure. I also like to give her some quality time with her offspring by spending the day golfing by myself.

Pictures of Fashionable Accountants, Part One
 

http://www.giantgenius.com/images/acct3.jpg

Terri Whitson, Accountant
Kentucky Highlands Investment Corporation


This ongoing exhibit of fashion-forward accountants has been curated by Pushy the Puppy.

http://www.giantgenius.com/images/stock.jpg



edited by MR because that pic was way too big. sorry if it takes away some of the punch.

re-edited by PtP because MR is startled by large images of accountants.

Mother's Day Poll
 

And if she needs a gift, get her some of that lavender stuff that smells like old people. Old people can't get enough of that stuff.

Christina?
 

Looks like Chelsea Clinton stumbled into Pam Anderson's implants and Robert Smith's hair dye.

S(uglier than a bag of assholes)D

(Smacked with a) POLL
 

Thurgreed not liking me? I must be doing something right. ;)

Gifts for mother's day--a day or half-day at a spa getting pampered. If it's a mom with grownup kids, she deserves it; if it's a mom with little kids, it has the bonus of getting her some time by herself.

If she hates sitting around like that, something more active--sailing lesson, a community ed art or other class.

(Smacked with a) POLL
 

Because I am a tasteless barbarian. And/or a flipping twit of a moronic bitch.

Mother's Day Poll
 

I give my mother a spa package gift certificate every year. She loves it. (Generally also my husband gives me one as well, because the fact that I am not really a mother is a mere technicality and I think I qualify by being am sort of motherly to all of God's little creatures). I too, love it. But my mother and I are very fond of spas, so ymmv.

Pictures of Fashionable Accountants, Part One
 

I thought Devine was dead.


edited by MR so that big-ass pic doesn't continue to fuck up the forums

Pictures of Fashionable Accountants, Part One
 

Dude, please resize your images so they are no wider than 300 pixels.

And you thought there was racism on AI
 

When the OJ verdict came down, white people and black people alike wept...

...tears of joy that the fucking thing was over.

AI
 

Jesus Christ... is Sex and the City still on the air? I thought they gave that hagfest the Old Yeller treatment months ago...

S(Sarah Jessica Parker should take her top off - it'd force the camera away from her face)D

PS: I'm still waiting for SJP to belt out a ouple lines from "Tommy" at any moment.

(Smacked with a) POLL
 

Cool! You guys can drink at work?

Pictures of Fashionable Accountants, Part One
 

Maybe it's just me, but I am Not Keen on mocking non-celebrities by posting their pictures here.

(Yes, this means that the picture of me on the NB&A website is pretty damn goofy.)

Pictures of Fashionable Accountants, Part One
 

Yeah, I don't know that I could stand up to that sort of scrutiny myself.

And, let us remind ourselves of what happened when Dianne did that some time ago . . .

Pictures of Fashionable Accountants, Part One
 

This is one of the reasons that in my forthcoming book, robustpuppy's practical rules for living, rule no. 4 is "Never agree to having your name and picture posted on the Internet."

Of course, my fear is that someone would put my head on some naked chick's bod, thereby ruining my judicial aspirations.

Is Somebody Fixated on Less's Junk?
 

Cool, I'm an adjective. Some of us would rather sit in the front row of the circus and make an occasional comment to our neighbor than pile out of a tiny car wearing big shoes and a fright wig. I'll end with two thoughts that your mother clearly never taught you: 1. Just because you have a thought doesn't mean you need to tell other people; 2. Just because you have a thought doesn't mean you need to tell other people.

L(non-witty comment inserted to aggravate MR)FM

Pictures of Fashionable Accountants, Part One
 

What was that, for the benfit of those of us who weren't haunting these halls then?

Mother's day
 

My mom just had surgery so I am flying out to see her, it will be a surprise. I am like the best daughter in the whole fucking world, no doubt. And unlike my sister, I will inherit, but I digress.

But normally, I give her flowers. Or I write a sappy poem, or both. My mom loves sappy poems, as long as I write them. You know....

Mom you are the best,
you never criticized my dress,
even when I'm unfashionable,
you still find me quite lovable...

Shit like that

Sometimes I will arrange for dinner for both of my parents, and just take care of the bill.

I've also had things catered for them at their home, which is very nice and gives them an opportunity to relax.

If you live close (or are the best child in the whole fucking world like I am and are visiting) cooking dinner is always nice.

Moms appreciate your time more than anything else. It is easy to spend money. Something that shows them you are still around is better.

Accountants
 

No more accountants.

Pictures of Fashionable Accountants, Part One
 

Dianne posted a pic and bio from the personal website of a fruitcake who was marketing himself for a wife. Said FC noted many hits from the FB, (you can tell where your web referrals come from), logged on, and saw many comments about his fruitcakedness. Went nuts, threatening to sue, spittle flying, etc., etc.

Pictures of Fashionable Accountants, Part One
 

Lets just say that when you respond to an online dating ad, and the guy turns out to be a freak, do not link to his website on one of the boards to show us all what kind of freaks you attract because he might trace all the new traffic to his site back to the board.

Pictures of Fashionable Accountants, Part One
 

Sounds like a situation best avoided for sure. By the way, I agree that it's not terribly funny (or nice) to make fun of random strangers for failing to be attractive enough to be worthy of participation on some faux-reality show.

Edited to add that I won't be emulating RT's fact pattern!

Mother's Day Poll
 

I usually send to mom and mom-in-law bath and beauty stuff. Since they all live far from here, it's easier to spoil with with stuff I already know and love and that they can use where ever they are.

My mother often receives a new biking jersery (because you can never have too many) and something like this Philosophy gift set.

The mother-in-law always gets some new super handcream like this Gloveables by blisslab because she delivers babies all day, so she is constantly washing her hands.

And a collection of new nailpolish for each.

Edited because once I removed the cute pictures of the "Perfect" Philosophy gift set and the bliss set, the sentences made no sense. The point is: I always have something delivered that is very girly and something they would never get around to buying for themselves.

Mother's Day Poll
 

My mom has been very specific this year - she asked for, and I'm supplying, the parts and labor to replace the engine/hydraulic pump coupler on her logsplitter.

Mother's Day Poll
 

I usually give my mom (and my dad, when it is father's day) a home-made coupon for time spent with me (SOME people actually like me -- NTTAWWT). For example, tickets to an art exhibit or a show or golf or shopping plus a coupon for dinner or drinks before or after. Flowers are overrated.