Yeah, about that 10% Off Thing

I haven't posted a 10% Off update in a while. I'm on week 15 right now, and although some weight has been lost (I started in the low 190's and now I'm in the low 180's), I would have to lose three pounds a week for the next three weeks to reach my goal of 10% body weight loss. I would do it if food wasn't so delicious.

The President and Our Bishop!

W thanked Bishop Paul--known to most of us as Anba Boulos--during a speech about HIV/AIDS relief and treatment in Africa. He specifically cited the Coptic Hope Center in Nairobi. A video of the president's speech is online, and you can read the transcript as well:

"You know, one good example of this good work is supported by — that the U.S. supports is called the Coptic Hope Center in Nairobi, Kenya. Three years ago, the center had a staff of four people, and resources to treat no more than five HIV/AIDS patients a day. Today, the staff consists of 40 people and 10 volunteers who provide care and treatment services to over 6,000 people. I want to thank the Director of the Hope Center, Bishop Paul, who’s with us today. I want to thank you for being here. I want to thank you for your leadership and for your care for your fellow human beings."

The best part was when Bush was calling a kid onto the stage and he said "Come on, Bishop...(uh I mean) Come on, Baron!"

Thanks to Nash for the video link!

The best Farsi-Related Video we've ever Made

Okay, so it's also the first Farsi-related video. No problem.

Pouya and I had a nice little Picnic Day Eve this year: sushi, video games, videomaking, and pizza. Sounds good to me!

You Can Only Harmonize About Loneliness So Many Times

Rascal Flatts' video for their new single, "Stand", is...well, the best way I can describe it is that it looks exactly like every other Rascal Flatts video ever. They are singing in a warehouse and there is rain falling on people.

Hey guys, let's try branching out on the next video and--while we're at it--the next album, too. You long time Rascal fans know what I'm talking about.

Here's the video (http://youtube.com/watch?v=QzlS6YEO624). Why does that one girl get so pissed off at her piano?

Allergies: Still Not as Bad as Killer Bees

Isn’t there some old adage that says you can always talk about the weather? Think back to the last time you were seated on an airplane next to someone you’ve never met. Really think about it. Assuming they are not holding a framed lithograph of BBMak, you can only be sure that you have two things in common: you’re both flying to New Jersey, and you both live on planet Earth. And because you both live on planet Earth, something else you have in common is that you are both experiencing the current weather.

That’s why you can always talk about much it’s raining or how hot it is. It’s pretty much the only thing you can talk to anyone about at anytime. You can even talk about it at a funeral, and it would be considered polite conversation—unless of course you said something like: “Hey how ‘bout this heat? It’s making Jeff’s rotten corpse smell terrible.”

Most of the time, though, it’s a safe area of conversation. Maybe a little boring to most people, but safe nonetheless.

So yes, it’s been hot around these parts the last few days. It was around 90 yesterday in Cupertino AND in the Sunset District. And apparently, very dry heat and the surrounding grassy hills join forces to administer the repeated slaps to the face collectively known as severe allergy symptoms. They are not going away any time soon either, so go to Target and get your generic loratidine as soon as you can.


SLAP. (I sneezed.)

This Made me Sad

It's weird to think that we've already seen more than half of all "LOST" episodes. Here's my question for you LOST viewers: two years from now, as we approach the last 16 episodes of the show, would you want it to run for a few more seasons, or will you be ready the see the end?

I'm asking the serious LOST fans here. I'm not talking to you 24 fans. Haters.

The Sweet Smell of Decomposing Animal Flesh

Heather and I met with florists today, and we want to make sure our reception is unique.

My vote? Corpse Flower.