Remember that speeding ticket I got last summer?  Well I finally got around to signing up for traffic school before the February 17th deadline.  Unfortunately, because I got the ticket behind the Orange Curtain, I couldn’t take traffic school online.  So when I looked at the list of state approved classes, this is what I found:

The “Gay Community Traffic School” is coincidentally the closest one to my house.    When I called them, the queen on the phone was very friendly.  He told me that the only day available before my deadline was February 14th from 9-5.  I said, “Fine, I’ll take it”.  Then he paused dramatically and said “You know that’s Valentine’s Day, don’t you??”  I laughingly told him I was aware that February 14th was Valentine’s Day, and then he actually asked me if I had a Valentine!  I kind of stuttered in disbelief, and told him “No”.  After that he told me he’d call me the day before to remind me,  and to show up with $32.95 in cash that morning.  LOL.

Apparently this Gay Traffic School is quite popular here and in San Francisco.  To wit:

The Best Place to Meet If You’re Looking For:

A Speed Queen

Calling Erik Estrada. Gay traffic violators commiserate, cruise, and discharge their points at Joey Randall’s Gay…community Traffic School. For eight hours, students trade traffic jokes and play “Traffic School Jeopardy.” Randall says classes are bumper-to-bumper because “people know they’re going to meet others they might be interested in.” An instructor at Randall’s L.A. school teaches in drag, so watch what you say about women drivers. Classes meet weekly. Call (800) 429-4968.

Maybe my instructor will be the one in drag?!  Now that would be blog-worthy!

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Here are some photos from over the weekend with David & Hyun Ju.  We went downtown to meet up with CJ so I could finally give him the Rubik’s Cube that Macky signed for him last summer.  He was so appreciative!  I hadn’t seen him since the competition at the Discovery Science Center last spring, when he was so nice and patient with my little cousin Tommy.

Me with future world famous video game designer Daniel Chan

Then we went to Chinatown to celebrate Chinese New Year, but I didn’t see an ox, just these turtles!

Poolside at The Standard Hotel, downtown Los Angeles

 

I wish they would have told me I still had the damn Bluetooth in my ear!

Taken from the car at 60 mph

The aptly named Sunset Blvd.

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ON THE LIGHTER SIDE

“J. Crew’s stock has gone up 10 percent because first lady Michelle Obama has been spotted wearing their clothes. Which begs the question, Mrs. Obama, how would you feel about wearing a Buick?” –  Conan O’Brien

Update:  Click Here to see how Gay Traffic School went!

In 12 hours, our long national nightmare will be over and America will begin a healing process that will hopefully restore our tattered reputation around the world. 

The forty-fourth presidential inauguration will herald a new era for intellect in the United States. No longer will conjecture and gut instincts substitute for empiricism and analysis. In front of millions around the world, science will be given new breadth, non-believers will be put on equal footing with the faithful and education will be promised true reform.
Sean McManus
Executive Editor, Bigthink.com

We started celebrating last Thursday when my mostly Republican family was nice enough to indulge me with a “George Bush is Outta Here” party.  We had hats, plates, cups, a tablecloth and a “To Do” list for our ex Asshole in Chief that included completed items like:

• Squander the goodwill, love and sympathy of the world by utilizing a misguided, arrogant foreign policy to ensure that the U.S. goes from being one of the most beloved countries in the world, to the most despised country in the world all by the time September 11, 2002 rolled around.

Thank God for the 22nd Amendment!

We even played “Pin the Tail on the Ass’s Ass” with a “Mission Accomplished” tail on Dick Cheney protruding from W’s ignorant ass!  Luckily the kids didn’t read the poster!

Mission not quite accomplished

Even Betsy was celebrating earlier tonight

Bush’s Depressing Goodbye – One Staffer Gets Job at Abercrombie & Fitch!!

President Bush and his friends celebrated the end of his term with a party of their own at Glen Echo Park. Slate went, for some reason, and their account makes the whole thing sound like the most depressing event in the world. The party, dubbed “Crossing the Finish Line” and held in the park’s giant Spanish Ballroom, was organized by outgoing White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten and his predecessor, Andy Card.

The venue had been somewhat controversial, according to attendees. There was no heating, so a lot of bodies were needed. “Due to the historic nature of the venue, there are limitations on what can be done in terms of climate control,” the hosts warned in an email. “DO: Wear layers and coats. DON’T: Dress like you’re going to Gold Cup or Smith Point.”

Apparently some of the more climate-controlled venues had been taken. “There weren’t a lot [of places] available,” said Card. “There weren’t a lot of bands available, either.”

So, basically, everyone was rubbing against each other for warmth and totally unemployed. Just contemplate the multitudes that are contained in this single depressing sentence: “One outgoing Treasury employee had already landed a job as a manager at Abercrombie & Fitch.” The Great Gatsby could have ended with that line.

Anyway, there they all mingled, freezing their asses off, as Karl Rove talked about Twitter, Alberto Gonzalez walked around with a bloodshot eye, and the president mangled some more grammar.

Look, people, if you are out the next two days, and you see these mopes walking all despondent down the street, for God’s sake, take them out a plate of canapes or something and call it national service. Then wish them luck at their new jobs, folding on, sweaters against the sale rack, borne back ceaselessly into the past.

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The two big hits with the kids on Christmas morning, were Spike the Dinosaur and Lucky the Puppy who responds to a multitude of spoken commands, as this video will attest:

Our Christmas was better than little Bobby’s:  (See warning below.)

After the presents and a yummy Christmas lunch, I headed home to meet Claudio & Chazz for a movie.  We saw Valkyrie and both really enjoyed it.  Here are a few Christmas pictures.  I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday.  Peace!

   

Lisa found the perfect stocking stuffer for me!!  Among my other notable gifts were, an Earthquake Preparedness Kit, Tempur Pedic slippers, Mamma Mia, a Pendleton shirt, “Be the Pack Leader” by Cesar Milan and a Facial Spa!!  (These looks aren’t all natural!)

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As a followup to Bachelor Blues & Puppy Love, Claudio found some year old shrimp in the freezer today while making breakfast.  It reminded me of an old Christmas classic by George Michael & Wham:

Last Christmas

Last Christmas, I gave you some shrimp,
The very next year,
I threw it away.
This year,
To save me from salmonella,
I’m cleaning out your freezer.

Yesterday, Joel and I took the boys to the Discovery Science Center in Santa Ana.  They were celebrating their 10th anniversary.  There was cake and punch, and hundreds of Rubik’s Cube enthusiasts (including my friend Tyson), trying to break the Guinness World Record for the most people solving the Rubik’s Cube at one time.  The last time I took Tommy to a speedcubing event at the DSC back in April, he proclaimed he was the “luckiest kid in the world” for having met Tyson, who is admittedly a celebrity in the cubing world, having starred on the hit reality show, Beauty & the Geek.  (He also  taught Will Smith how to solve the cube for The Pursuit of Happyness.)

Ever since then, Tommy has been playing with the cube, but hasn’t mastered it yet.  I think it was good for him to see kids younger than him, who could solve it with ease.  He brought his own cube along and I was careful not to let him ask anyone to solve it for him early on, as I knew that once his cube was solved, he would quit trying, because he didn’t want to “mess it up”. 

At one point though, Tyson was being interviewed by a TV station that sounded Chinese.  He didn’t have a cube in his hand, and since Tommy was shadowing him, Tyson asked Tommy to borrow his cube and to hold some papers for him.  Tommy was elated.  As Tyson proceeded to work his magic fingers, Tommy watched in awe.  I told him he’d probably be on TV in China, seen by a billion people, and needless to say, he thought that was pretty cool!    Of course, now he wouldn’t touch his cube anymore, because Tyson had solved it.  Here’s the video:

After that, I gave in and bought Tommy another mini Rubik’s Cube on a keychain.  When we were watching the speedsolving competition in the theater, Tommy asked the kid sitting next to him if he would solve his mini cube.  The kid, Justin, a former speedcuber told Tommy that he had been “clean and sober” from the cube for a year.  He said that even touching a cube made him want to do it obsessively, and that he had already been down that road of addiction.  I was watching him though, and he was really tempted to take that little cube from Tommy.  It might as well have been a bag of heroin!  Apparently, speed solving can become quite addictive!  Of course, wouldn’t you know it, a few minutes later some girl came up to Tommy and asked him if she could solve his mini cube.  As he watched her, I could see hearts in his eyes! 

At the end of the day, Tyson was nice enough to give Tommy a free DVD that he made about solving the cube.  (Makes a great Christmas gift…available exclusively by Barnes & Noble!)  Oh, and lest I forget, Andy had a great time too….running from the dinosaurs, and not jumping into fountains:

Here are some other images of the beautiful day:

  
Tommy & Tyson

Don’t you think my picture is better than the one they put in the newspaper above??

The kids literally ran from the same dinosaur for over a half an hour.  LOL

Double trouble!

Went to see “Rachel Getting Married” at the Sunset last night.  Talk about a dysfunctional family!!


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For more amazing Rubik’s talent, check out my visit with Macky in “A Kaleidoscope Of Mathematics”

My favorite Christmas song!

The other night we decided to take the boys to the Irvine Spectrum to go ice skating.  It’s weird to go Christmas shopping when it’s 80° and the palm trees are decorated, so ice skating seemed like just the thing to make it feel like Christmas.  Unfortunately though, the ice skating rink was closed for a private party.  So we just had dinner and took some photos of the lights.  Andy however, wanted more.  If he wasn’t going to get to ice skate, he was going to do the next best thing:

Andy, enjoying the fountain…

Looks innocent enough, right?  But notice the twinkle in his eye.  Something is going on inside that head, behind those deceptively cute eyes.  Five seconds after I took this picture….

he started to lean forward….pondering how good the water looked,  And suddenly….

He jumped full force into the fountain.  I think he thought is was the 4th of July again….not Christmas!  He landed on his feet, so I quickly set my camera down and reached in to grab him.  At that point he fell backwards, completely under water.  For a second I thought I’d have to go in, but I grabbed on to him, and a stranger also came to help grab him.  His mother, father and brother who were on the other side of the fountain watching, ran over too.  Lisa said she knew he was going to jump right before it happened.  Looking at the photos now, you can almost see him thinking about it.  He’s 4 years old, and I have a feeling he will remember this for the rest of his life!

After the dip…walking back to the car….soaked, but happy!


Tommy took it all in stride with a little yoga!

Before the dip, we met a Great Dane

What a look!

Nice and dry

Thinking of things to come…


No ice skating tonight

Christmas in California

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The Tale of Colin’s Christmas present…

A few weeks ago I met up with stevew918 because I knew he was going to Hong Kong this week, and I wanted him to deliver some Christmas presents to my little buddy Colin.  You see, Colin is a very special little boy who loves motorcycles and Spiderman.  So that’s what I got him!  Thanks for the special delivery Steve, and for sending the pictures and video!  And thank you Colin for never failing to make me smile.  You are a light in my life, and though you’re halfway around the world, your joy and love knows no borders.  Merry Christmas!

Carey Anthony

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Colin

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From: Steve	Sat, Dec 13, 2008 at 8:13 PM
To: Carey Anthony
Carey,  I met the wonder boy Colin and his beautiful family yesterday afternoon.  Colin, his mom, his dad and mommy mom, and I had tea lunch.   Colin really enjoyed the Spiderman toys.  You surely know kids,  hehe.  He said thanks to Uncle Carey several times, he is so very cute.  I was melting, lol.  Attached is a picture and video for your enjoyment.  Btw, Colin’s Mom got us each a nice box of chocolate, we need to meet up so I can give it to you.  Carey, Colin knows many English words already, you need to start learning some Cantonese chinese, hehe. Thanks, and hope we will meet again, Steve

Xanga cut off the end of this video, but he says “Thank you Uncle Carey”.  Steve also posted another video here.

Here’s Colin last Christmas singing Jingle Bells!

Merry Christmas Colin!! xoxo

Last night we went to see Slumdog Millionaire at the Arclight.  We were sitting behind Ron Howard (Opie), and the theater was packed.  I like seeing movies at the Arclight (despite the $15 ticket price), because it caters to an industry crowd that really appreciates good film making.  When the movie was over it got a standing ovation, and then someone suggested a minute of silence for the victims of the terrorist attacks in India.  Since the movie was set in Mumbai, it was an appropriate gesture and quite touching.  This was honestly the best movie I’ve seen all year.  (We’re going to see “Milk” tomorrow though, which also got a 93 on Rotten Tomatoes.  I’ve heard excellent things about it too, and it’s obviously another timely topic in light of what’s going on with Prop. 8.)  Seriously though, go see Slumdog Millionaire.  If you don’t like it, I will pay you double!!  Honest   The world needs a movie like this right now.  It’s amazing. 

I hope all you statesiders had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  Here are some pictures from feast.  I’m going to slip into a turkey coma now.  Good night!

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I got conned in to going to see Twilight this weekend.  I’m not sure what all the fuss is about to be honest.  True Blood on HBO is hundred times better.   It did however, put me in the mood to bite Andy’s neck!

 

We took the kids to B.J.’s last night, and let’s just say I shouldn’t eat for a week!  Vivek keeps commenting about the amount of food we get served here in restaurants, and of course he’s right, it’s ridiculous. (Though he did finish his Pinkberry much faster than I did tonight!)  That said, I’ve really enjoyed the cultural nuances that inevitably come up when such vastly different worlds meet and cohabitate.  It’s a wonderful exchange of ideas.  And as Hans Rosling so adeptly points out in this lecture from a couple of years ago, the world is getting smaller and the playing field more level.  If you’ve got a spare 20 minutes, this is worth watching.  Have a good weekend!