Magic Jewball

And by that I mean George Steinbrenner. Who did you think I meant?

Happy Independence Day, or “Happy Thank God We’re No Longer Associated With the US” Day, depending on where you live. I’m off sipping ice coffee somewhere but while I’m there, please enjoy this photo of one of Major League Baseball’s “Statues of Liberty on Parade” which dot the streets here at the moment to celebrate the previously mentioned All-Star Game.

This photo manages to incorporate all that is good about America: baseball, the Statue of Liberty, New York, and, of course, shopping. What you can’t see is that while I’m taking the photo, I’ve got a hot dog in one hand and a slice of apple pie in the other.

I am that good a photographer.

The Beatles – Revolution, not available for download. There will be a July 4th themed song for the iPod Song of the Week on Sunday. You may look away from your screen while you wait.

This is not a political blog but it is quite a bit about baking. And what I do with my day (I know! So funny because it’s a blog!). So if you live in the NY metro area and would like to join me selling “Hope in a Cake,” this weekend, let me know! Or, feel free to join up with a bake sale near you.

If you delight in another candidate, I’ll put a sad-face on your brownie. No, no, I still love you! Just as I loved Willie Randolph even when he joined the Mets. And look how well that worked out.

Sam Cooke – A Change Is Gonna Come

When I think the name of the city of Atlanta in my head, I always say it just the way Scarlett O’Hara does in this scene. Let’s watch, shall we?

Yes, she was excited and so was I. Not only do I love Atlanta but I have many fine friends there, including Maureen who writes the delightful B-Movie reviews with TJ who I met for the first time. Despite loving sci-fi, Maureen was too tired to make it through an entire episode of Dr. Who the whole time I was there. Of course, we were worn out from eating at the Waffle House (I will be forever known as the Yankee who puts sugar in her grits) and drinking copious amounts of alcohol.

Along the way, I saw lots of other fun people from the Internet, including such commenters as Sarpon and DogandMusicLover (I left out the tildes there). Everyone was as awesome as awesome can be, and I’m not even including the guy who showed me porn on the plane. And they made an amazing potluck with Southern specialties like spring rolls with peanut sauce as well as chocolate cheesecake. OK, maybe not. But I couldn’t eat the brisket. And I came bearing gifts from my homeland, New York. Things like Zabar’s babka and rugelach and Jacques Torres chocolates.

But really, it was more about Southern hospitality. Folks came from all over the South to get together and they all showed me a heap of a good time. I’ll stop now. Anyway, in case you don’t believe me, even though Maureen and I already know each other, she gave me the full limo-driver treatment.

I’d explain about the file folder on her head but people would be all over me like a duck on a junebug. OK, now I’ll stop.

All together now: Everybody had matching towels!
The B-52′s – Rock Lobster

And now, my evening, in pictures.

Well maybe not so much power, because he lost in this state. But I love voting!
Snap! – The Power

As promised, here’s my special “written in advance” post. I know I said that I didn’t really know what to write on 9/11 but I did just want to comment a little about this fascinating PBS special. I am one of those freak documentary lovers who doesn’t shy away from using the words “fascinating” and “PBS” in the same sentence. And especially when I’m about to jet off to Europe in less than two weeks (with absolutely no idea where I’m going or what I’m doing, God help me) I thought this’d be a fun topic.

Hey, remember this? It felt good to be loved. America loved New York, Europe loved America, kumbaya, my lord, kumbaya.

Well, according to this program, it isn’t really like this anymore. Who knew? It was called “The Anti-Americans (a love/hate relationship)” and canvassed the people of three representative European nations to see how they think of us these days. I imagine you just have no idea how it went. Let’s see!

Here’s a lady in France. She’s OK with New York.

Not so much on the rest of the US. Wow, it’s exciting to hear that there’s no racism in New York… or France!

Here’s a drawing a French child did when asked what came to mind when he thought of the US. He was wearing a Gap sweatshirt.

Moving right along! How was your trip to the States, nice Polish woman?

(as an aside, aren’t most people in Chicago Polish?)

This didn’t get a subtitle, because we’re in England now, and we’re supposed to be able to understand. This is a sophisticated dinner party where the gentleman on the right bemoans Americans’ self-involvement and his quote as to our imagined headline is, “International news: American man run over in Frankfurt.” Great peals of laughter from all the other guests follow.

But I don’t want to leave you with the impression that no one likes us. In fact, the Poles all seemed to like us a lot, no matter how fat we are, and the thing the program would have us believe concerns the Poles the most about Americans is that we require them to have a visa to enter the US. I am going to transcribe the text to the following video, but I highly encourage you to watch it because this guy is a natural-born comedian and the way he phrases everything was worth the price of admission. Which is nothing, because I forgot to contribute to the PBS pledge drive this year.

Those French dicks, that hate you, they go to America whenever they please. They don’t have to show no visa, they don’t have to pay for the visa, they just show their French passport – that hates you, the passport hates you! – and they enter. And they can stay 90 days, 60 days. I have to apply for the visa. I have to queue. I have to pay like hundred dollars. To get it, or to lose my hundred dollars, because some red tape and they tell me no. So French don’t fight with you in Iraq, they don’t give you their hearts, but they get the visas, free access to America. We give you everything (sniffs) and we not getting anything in return. We like a woman who you beat.

Hey, I’d sponsor this guy. He needs a place on TV, if only for that shirt. But it did make me wish I was vacationing in Poland. I’m sure it’s just as pretty as Greece. Right? Right? But here’s the truth, Zybigniew. You’re going about this all wrong. See, the more you hate us, the more we like and admire you and want to be your friend. We like a puppy who you beat.

Razorlight – America