I went to my first Christmas party of the season tonight.  For reasons that will be revealed in a week or two, one of the guests was dressed as, well, see for yourself.  Before the party started though, I snapped a few photos of the the gorgeous sunset.  For comparison, the first photo is one I took a month ago during the fires.  I took the second picture tonight in the same location.  The sky is still pretty, but luckily not smoke filled.

It rained today in Los Angeles for the first
time in what seemed like years.  Though the rain was quite
welcome, it also caused a lot of trouble in the burn areas from last
month.  It was nice though for a change.

My brother David and his girlfriend
Rebecca arrived today for a short stay.  We went to Hollywood
tonight for dinner and a movie.  We were going to see “Hitman”
at Grauman’s Chinese Theater, but when we found out it only got a 14 on
Rotten Tomatoes, we asked for our money back!  (I
had bought the tickets online, before checking. 
Dumb.)  We instead opted for dinner at Hollywood & Highland, as I had a
$25 gift certificate.  Hollywood after a good rain, is a
different place.  Everything shines a little
brighter.  It was as if I was photographing some
things for the first time.  After coming home, we watched the
latest two episodes of Nip/Tuck.  I think this season is
as good as the second one.  They never cease to amaze me with
the storylines they come up with. That’s it, short entry, as I still
haven’t caught up on my sleep from Portland.  Have a good
weekend.

Song of
the day. (It was either this or the Jonas Brothers, Christine!!) 

After the party yesterday, I got a call from my brother and his girlfriend.  He was visiting from Chicago and had booked a room at the Hotel Careyfornia for one night.  (Luckily we had a cancelation!)  Unfortunately, they had a check-in time of 6 PM, but had arrived 2 hours early.  Since I was still an hour away, (and I had given the bellman the day off) I directed them to a hidden key.  After I arrived, we had dinner and went to Pinkberry.  On the walk home we saw this crazy Lamborghini Diablo ($300,000) on the back of a truck.  We came home, watched Desperate Housewives and they went to bed.  I of course stayed up until about 3:30 AM editing and  posting those pictures from the party.

At 7 AM I woke up tothe smell of bacon and eggs.  (I think the dogs actually smelled itfirst, and nudged me out of my bed in the guestroom.  (My brother hadreserved the honeymoon suite)).  We ate breakfast and my brother went to the hardware store to get some light for a fixture in my kitchen that was broken.  I went to work and they got ready to leave.

At about 11:30, I got a call from a Xanga friend, Tony.  We had panned to meet at Jamba Juice, so I said goodbye to my brother and his girlfriend and rushed out the door with the dogs to walk down and meet him.  I had to be back home by 12:30 at the latest for a conference call.  When my brother left, he locked the door behind him, not realizing that the hidden key had never been returned and that my keys were still on the counter.  To make a long story short, I had to break into my house by breaking the bedroom window.  Glass shattered all over my bed, and I barely made my conference call.

On the bright side, Tony and I had a nice if brief visit, and I took the window in tonight and they fixed it for $40.  Cheaper than a locksmith I guess.  Moral of the story:  When you hide a key, always replace it after using it!

On the way back from walking the dogs this evening, I literally bumped into a friend of mine who I haven’t seen in years.  His name is Alfredo, and we met 9 years ago in Boca Raton, FL when I was training NetBank (the first ever Internet bank, which, coincidentally was shut down by the FDIC this week.  It was the 2nd bank failure in 2007).  After our first meeting, we met again briefly in Washington DC a couple of years later.  Since then, we’ve kept in touch sporadically (him being better about calling than me).  He moved from Florida to Atlanta a few years ago, and I hadn’t spoken to him in quite some time.  He was visiting LA with his boyfriend.  They came to watch the taping of a new show on Fox with Kelsey Grammer and Patricia Heaton called Back To You.  Apparently one of Alfredo’s friends plays the sportscaster on the show.  Anyway it was fun to run into him.  We sat outside with the dogs, and had a delightful visit.  It’s always amazing when you run into people like that.  It’s happened to me many times in airports, museums, trains and planes around the world.  Always such a pleasant surprise!

Here’s a choppy video I took today of Garbo & Ruby racing each other in the hallway.  Their friend Sophie makes a very brief cameo at the end of the video.  They do this race every single time we go through that door.  It’s hilarious.

Speaking of Chicago, I was there a year ago visiting my family and friends.  Since I didn’t have a blog then, I thought I’d post a few more pictures from that trip.  Happy hump day! –Carey

My niece Nicole and her cousin Benny

Cheyenne, Nicole & Carey

My brother David, his daughter Nicole and his dog Cheyenne

Me, Cheyenne, Nicole & Mom

ON THE LIGHTER SIDE
“Here in New York City, you can tell it’s autumn. You can see the colors change from brown to gold to yellow to rust — and that’s just the tap water.” — David Letterman

“In Chicago, a couple who are Cubs fans have named their baby Wrigley Field. Apparently the couple expects their baby to be a lot of fun, but ultimately disappointing. ” — Conan O’Brien

Ha Ha, made you look!

In Neutral Switzerland, A Rising Radicalism

Islamic Extremists Newly Seen as Threat

Washington Post Foreign Service
Thursday, July 20, 2006; Page A14

BERN, Switzerland — For centuries, this Alpine nation has successfully relied on a strict policy of political neutrality to insulate it from the wars, invasions and revolutions that have raged outside its borders. These days, a new threat has emerged: one from within.

As they have elsewhere in Europe, Islamic radicals are making inroads in Switzerland. Last month, Swiss officials announced the arrests of a dozen suspects who allegedly conspired to shoot down an Israeli airliner flying from Geneva to Tel Aviv. In a related case, a North African man has been charged with organizing a plot from Swiss soil to blow up the Spanish supreme court in Madrid.

For years, even after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks in the United States, Swiss officials assumed that their country was one of the last places Islamic radicals would look to attack. Long considered a slice of neutral territory in a world full of conflicts, Switzerland trades on its status as home to the International Committee of the Red Cross and other diplomatic institutions.  Read more…

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SPAM OF THE DAY:

Carey Anthony<careygly@gmail.com>

Let the big dick fairy bless you
1 message

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David<john@yahoo.com>	Wed, Aug 1, 2007 at 9:54 PM
To: Multiple Recipients
Make your dick huge this summer. Stop blaming your lack of getting laid on everything under the sun. You’d be surprised how feeling satisfied with the size of your manhood can effect how women see you. http://geocities.yahoo.com.br/ (rest of URL removed for your protection

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Happy Birthday to my brother David!

Doesn’t every photographer who is alive today, wish they could be Annie Leibovitz??

Aid To Africa Like Only Oprah Can…

The BBC and other media outlets are all “aflutter” about the “gay bomb” story that is resurfacing after first being reported in 2005 and originating in 1994 after Bill Clinton, compromising, signed the anti-gay “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” bill into law on November 30, 1993.  I suppose it’s good for another laugh!

The US military investigated building a “gay bomb”, which would make enemy soldiers “sexually irresistible” to each other, government papers say.  Read more…

Kaboom Kerpowy!!!

By the way, the law referenced above is the same law that is still in affect today, despite the U.S. being one of the only civilized counties in the world that does not allow gays in the military.  To wit: 

Map of various countries’ policies toward homosexual people in their military.

Did anyone see the Republican Debate the other night when 10 white guys vying for the the votes of conservative Christians were asked if any one of them thought the “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” Law should be repealed?  Not one of them moved, let alone spoke.  Apparently all of God’s creatures aren’t quite equal.Speaking of ridiculous laws, here’s another prime example from the f**cked up, conservative Christian, gun slinging, purity ball going, deep South:

On Monday, as has been widely reported, a Georgia court ordered the release of 21-year-old Genarlow Wilson from prison, where he is 28 months into a 10-year sentence for “aggravated child molestation.” He received consensual oral sex at the age of 17 from a girl two years his junior. The state court’s order that Wilson be freed should have had him home within a day or two. But then Georgia’s Attorney General, Thurbert Baker, appealed the decision. So Wilson remains in prison.  Read more…

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Do they teach Chinese to 6 and 7 year old kids in other states besides California??   My cousin got this today from her son’s teacher.  I don’t think I even knew what 2+2 was when I was that age!  LOL

Dear Parent,

It is my pleasure to have your son in my Chinese class. He shows strong language learning ability, and performs at the top level both in speaking and reading. I need your support to encourage him leaning the Chinese language.

Sincerely,

Chinese teacher

Katherine Chong

Song of the day

…but I actually agree with Rosie O’Donnell on most of this.  And people who’ve known me for years, would never believe I’d be saying that.  But she’s right about the torture, and even Elizabeth knows it!  Unfortunately she’s still got a big mouth and no tact, but I can’t criticize anyone with a big mouth!  (Hello pot?  It’s kettle.  You’re black!)  This is terribly sad though. (And if you’re really interested and have a couple of hours to spare LOL, read the IM below for an interesting conversation with my friend David from Germany!)

Here’s a conversation I was having on MSN messenger tonight with my friend David in Germany.  David was born and raised in Germany, but his parents came to Germany from Korea, and he lives in what I would call a traditional Korean family, albeit in Germany.  I met him through his younger brother Daniel when he was an exchange student here.  David is extremely intelligent, and always a great person to have a conversation with or a debate.  We started talking about the video I posted above, and here is our conversation.  Keep in mind that English is not his first (or second) language, but he still probably speaks better than I do  When David and I were done talking his brother Daniel got up and IM’d me.  Keep in mind that when David and I started chatting it was 7 AM in Germany and when we finished it was noon.  Now it’s 5:30 AM here and I’m having a conversation with Daniel!  Good thing it’s Friday!  I do have to meet some friends for breakfast in a few hours though…oh well, I’ll wear sunglasses.  I’m going to post some pictures from the last time they were here, at the bottom too.  Night!

Carey says: …stranger things have happened

Daewoo says: definitely, like Bush W. becoming president

Daewoo says: AND being re-elected

Carey says: that was a flook

Carey says: the first time he wasn’t elected

Carey says: and the 2nd time he stole the election

Daewoo says: well, modern democracy in its essence

Daewoo says: when you cant buy the votes, threaten or steal them

Carey says: hey, don’t go bashing America now…it’s still the best place in the world to live!

Carey says: I’m not even kidding either!! 

Daewoo says: so, who do you wanna be the next president?

Carey says: John Edwards, all the way

Daewoo says: did he enter the race?

Carey says: Hillary’s a bitch and Obama is too black (for America) and too inexperienced

Daewoo says: But his chances are slim, correct?

Carey says: who’s to say? a lot can happen in a year and a half

Carey says: his wife may not even be alive than

Carey says: we can only pray it’s not Rudy Giuliani

Carey says: he’s the devil incarnate

Daewoo says: better than mccain?

Daewoo says: or worse?

Carey says: rudy?

Carey says: far worse

Carey says: McCain is just a washed up adulterous war hero, who will be dead in 5 years

Carey says: http://www.xanga.com/CareyGLY/580207110/john–elizabeth-edwards.html

Carey says: then read this one next: http://www.xanga.com/CareyGLY/563533475/americas-most-influential-export.html

Carey says: and quit bashing America!

Carey says: then this one: http://www.xanga.com/CareyGLY/578735398/ghosts-of-abu-ghraib.html

Carey says: and I want your book report on my desk by 9 AM (my time)

Carey says: the video is quite good on that one too…god love rosie O’Donnell

Carey says: Every citizen of the world should be informed

Daewoo says: by YOU!

Carey says: and my blog is a good place to start LOL

Daewoo says: The only place of course!

Carey winks:

Daewoo says: and, im not bashing America. not the people anyway. im bashing their policies

Daewoo says: but its not easy to separate

Carey says: they’re not “our” policies, they’re the policies of a corrupt administration that has an under 30% approval rating and was not elected by the majority of the people, by the people and for the people!

Carey says: the smart majority anyway

Carey says: just the right wing nutjobs, and Cheney’s corporate robber barons

Daewoo says: well, then even the smart majority has to bear the responsibility, the “stupid” majority impose on the American policy

Carey says: I disagree

Carey says: I bear no responsibility as a vocal opponent of this war

Daewoo says: not as a people. but as a nation/country.

Carey says: I guess this is a better conversation to have in person, because I disagree

Carey says: hold on, I will post something that states my position much better than I can convey on an IM

Daewoo says: sorry for even starting it. but somehow this always becomes an issue.

Carey says: lol

Carey says: just hang on

Carey says: ok, refresh the first page, and watch the video

Daewoo says: Oh boy, what have I done?

Carey says: incited me!

Carey says: You can also find it at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiIyI6ugmUM

Carey says: I agree with 100% she says….gives me goose bumps actually

Carey says: Can you tell I’m incited!

Daewoo says: ok watching video

Carey says: and incidentally, in some countries you couldn’t even say what she’s saying here on national television

Carey says: cool…I’ll wait…it’s good

Daewoo says: btw, reading your blog about American tv shows influence on the world

Carey says: crazy huh

Daewoo says: I only watch us tv shows,

Carey says: my point exactly

Daewoo says: some of them are really really good

Daewoo says: like west wing

Daewoo says: heroes too

Carey says: oh, I’m not disputing that they’re good…they’re excellent…

Daewoo says: but?

Carey says: but most uneducated people form their opinions about America from two things…

Carey says: movies and tv

Carey says: and our president

Daewoo says: well, what is he watching?

Carey says: the west wing is great, if only it could be like that

Carey says: Heroes is my favorite show

Carey says: lol, he’s probably watching sesame street

Daewoo says: ok buffering finished watching the video

Daewoo says: lots screaming

Carey says: I scream when I’m passionate about something too!

Daewoo says: yeah, that’s why i didn’t start audio with you

Carey says: so did you hear the whole thing?

Daewoo says: well, did I have a choice?

Carey says: thoughts?

Daewoo says: yes

Carey says: share?

Daewoo says: thought you’d never ask

Carey says: haha

Daewoo says: I see merits on both sides

Carey says: really?

Daewoo says: first of all

Carey says: not me

Carey says: ok, you talk

Daewoo says: thank you

Daewoo says: The America we know today is totally different from years ago. It would be too much to go into detail but I say this; after 9/11 Bush & Company implemented many measures that changed the face of America. You can argue whether it was right or wrong, good or bad, but those measures were carried out by the people. Sure, they were frightened, but still, the problem now is you have only two choices: for or against the government. There are good arguments for being for the government and for being against it. In a time of crisis you have to stand with your government even it it means sacrificing some civil liberties, as long as you agree with it and it’s temporary. The problem is if you are not for the government than you have to be against it. It’s an issue of being a patriot or not, being American or un-American. And in essence I think when you lose faith and trust in your once supported government in a time of crisis or even war, can you/should you turn against it? And can/should you lose faith and trust in your government in a time of crisis? It is understandable to me that people turn to their governments in a time of crisis and put their trust in it. The question is, when is it reasonable to stop trusting your government, especially in a time of crisis? Some people have more faith, others don’t, and the discussion has become so polarized, that you are either completely for or completely against the government. And THAT is the most dangerous part, because democracy is NOT about absolutes but about finding the most common ground. And I don’t see that in America. Comments?

Daewoo says: or fallen asleep?

Carey says: ok…

Carey says: nope, I’ve read every word

Carey says: it’s going to take me a while to respond though….I’m going to do it all at once…so hopefully you’ll be there when I’m done….if not, I will send it to you. So can you give me a little while?

Daewoo says: sure

Carey says: Yes of course, the America of today is vastly different than the America that Bill Clinton handed over to George W. Bush seven years ago.  Indeed, seven years ago America had a balanced budget and no deficit.  The twin towers stood tall, as much a beacon of freedom as the Statue of Liberty that gazed upon them.  On September 11th, the world was forever changed.  I’m not going to debate the conspiracy theories that are mentioned in the video, though much of 9/11 doesn’t really add up.  I agree with you that after 9/11 the Bush administration implement policies that, under the guise of national security promised to keep us safer.  These measures did indeed change the face of America.  You state however, that these measures were carried out by the people.  I must strongly disagree.  If you mean by “people” ordinary Americans from both blue and red states you’re wrong.  If you’re referring to the “people” as the elected representatives of our Congress, then you should know that because of the PATRIOT Act, our congress, for the first time in our history, did not have the opportunity to change these dictatorial policies.  The “USA Patriot” in the USA PATRIOT Act, stands for “Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism” Act of 2001.  Interestingly enough, some elements of what we now know as the PATRIOT Act had been bandied about both chambers of Congress in advance of 9/11, and never generated any interest.  Amazingly however,  less than 45 days after 9/11, the PATRIOT Act became law, thanks to the culture of fear that Bush, Cheney and Chertoff (the genius we later knew as the person responsible for the reaction to Katrina) cultivated ad nauseum after the attacks.  Yes America was scared.  You must remember that we have not been attacked on our own land since the Revolutionary War.  The experience Europe and Asia had during the major wars of the last century, and indeed the terrorism that has gripped the Middle East for decades, was not something Americans could easily relate to.  Add to the mix an anthrax scare (Perpetrated by the government?  We still haven’t caught the culprit!), and the coming war in Afghanistan which most Americans approved of, all led to the chaos immediately after 9/11.  So, to say these measures were carried out by “the people” would not be, in my opinion, correct.  You state also that we only had two choices; for or against the government.  It is true that part of the rhetoric that Bush used to start bullying the world, included the phrase, “You’re either with us, or you’re with the terrorists”, in his disgusting Texas bravado.  To buy into that rhetoric though would be distinctly UN-American.  Our nation was founded on freedom and liberty.  It’s not something that people who were born and raised here might always understand.  It is indeed what makes this the best country in the world, bar none.  It is the reason we have the highest immigration rates and the highest number of foreigners who want to get educated here.  Americans do not have to make black and white choices like that, though Bush would like to think we, and indeed the rest of the world, does.  While I believe in times of crisis you should support your country and the soldiers who fight on the front lines for its freedom, you do not, as you state, have to “stand with your government, even if it means sacrificing some civil liberties.”  This is perhaps where I disagree with you most.  Americans fought hard for their “civil” liberties.  We fought and won, the Revolutionary War against England, we fought our own Civil War and freed our slaves.  We fought for freedom in World War II, and not only saved Europe and Asia, but surely the whole world; had Hitler gotten the Bomb before us.  Americans should NEVER have to give up our civil liberties, no matter what.  Our Constitution states that, “We, the people, in order to form a more perfect union; establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty, to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”  Part of our civil liberties give us the voice to protest as is done in the video above.  Just because we’re not “with” the government, does not mean we are not “with” America.  I know that is a difficult concept for many cultures to grasp, but it is the foundation of a democracy.  George W. Bush seems to think America is now a “theocracy” where he is the Divine Power.  Everything Rosie states in that video is true.  Nearly every member of this administration is under indictment.  What does it have to take to impeach this president?  The answer? A blowjob!  I do not support George W. Bush, but like it or not, he is the President.  I can object to his policies, I can write whatever I want on my blog, and I should be able to have a conversation on the telephone without worrying that he is listening.  To answer your question about when it is reasonable to stop trusting your government in a time of crisis?  The answer is when your government breaks the law of the land, the Constitution, which while placing his hand on a bible twice, he swore to uphold.  He believes that God has sent him to do this work, and his cronies including Darth Cheney should all be charged for war crimes.  I don’t believe in the death penalty, but I wish they would all rot in prison for the rest of their lives.  No, democracy is not about absolutes, but when the president does not allow the people to find “common ground” because of totalitarian laws like the “PATRIOT” Act, then we are in a world of shit.  This man must be stopped.  Two years cannot come soon enough!  So…that’s MY opinion!  Glad you asked? 

Daewoo says: ok, i think there is a misunderstanding here

Daewoo says: well, my fault really

Carey says: what do you mean?

Daewoo says: i tried to lay out, why the “stupid” majority think what they think and kinda forgot to address the “smart” majority

Carey says: ahhhh

Carey says: Lost in translation

Daewoo says: but it was tolerated and uphold by “the people”

Carey says: OK, I will make the proper amendments to our conversation

Carey says: guess who just said hello to me?

Daewoo says: from the smell of it: my brother?

Carey says: your brother! he’s up Looks tired though, LOL

Carey says: you’re mean

Carey says: so now what time is it there? you already had lunch?

Daewoo says: 12:07

Carey says: and we started this at 7 AM? Good Lord

Daewoo says: you are right, wow!!!

Daewoo says: but back to our discussion…sorry

Carey says: no problem

Daewoo says: i agree with almost everything you wrote

Carey says: really? good

Carey says: you saw my profile on my site right? “almost ALWAYS right”

Daewoo says: *no comment*

Daewoo says: im just too polite

Carey says: cuz you know I’m right!

Carey says: polite schmolite

Daewoo says: what was it again? either you are with me or against me? or something similar

Carey says:lol

Daewoo says: i’m just trying to understand how the american people still support the current administration

Carey says: most aren’t

Carey says: a small percentage

Daewoo says: thats why i neglected the “other side”

Carey says: the crazy christians (they’re not all crazy….just the crazy ones, like Elizabeth Hasselbeck)

Carey says: who want the world to end, so Jesus can come!

Daewoo says: oh, lets not go there…

Daewoo says: politics fine, but religion scares me from a certain point on

Carey says: Amen!

Daewoo says: it gets too fanatical

Carey says: did you see “Bible Camp”?

Daewoo says: what???

Carey says: the movie

Carey says: watch it

Carey says: unbefuckinglievable

Daewoo says: politics and religion. thats the most explosive combination there is. never a good result ever!

Daewoo says: as long as it doesnt get mixed, people can believe what they want

Carey says: watch that movie, I’m telling you…it’s scary carey!

Daewoo says: i guess it about brainwashing little kids?

Carey says: yep

Daewoo says: “education” in the name of (any) god! GREAT!!!

Carey says: lol

Daewoo says: hey, i know you are tired and “fading”. if you wanna go to sleep, thats okay

Carey says: yep, I’m gonna finish talking to your brother then hit the hay…I have to get up early to meet friends for breakfast (and it is early already)!

Daewoo says: oh boy. well, sleep well and see you next time

Carey says: ok…have a good day…always good talking to you!

Thanks Michaela! Love and Miss ya!  Glad Istanbul was great.  See you in London! –Carey

Hey football-fans,

just found a picture from the summer-meeting in munich this summer! there are only few of the gang in the picture.
I think you need to work on it a bit, ’cause I scanned it on my moms computer and there’s is no fotoshop or similar program on it

anyway, hope the fisheye-shot brings a smile on your face
lots of hugs and kisses,
mick

My Dad has been scanning slides again.  Isn’t retirement wonderful?? Thanks Dad…Love you!