First Looks category archive

At the Guardian, Hadley Freeman contemplates the rise and fall of cosmetic surgery “procedures” and wonders what’s to come.

So what next, female trophy body part hunters, what next? My money’s on “an enviable back”, followed by a rise in “back lipo”. Trying to spot the next trophy female body part is like playing whack-a-mole on a woman’s body, and it’s a lot more painful for the woman than it was for the mole. Since spending time in LA during Oscars season, I thought I’d heard of all possible forms of plastic surgery, ranging from toe-shortening (can’t have talons crawling out of your Jimmy Choos) to lip lifting (for that crucial Joker look).

What people are willing to have done to themselves can really be quite gruesome.

Everyone, it seems, Angela Hill is sorry to say:

Of course, you then have to apologize for overapologizing, and then apologize for that and …

Even comedian Bill Maher slammed “apology mania” in an op-ed to The New York Times, mocking celebrities, athletes and politicians who too often offer forced, insincere mea culpas.

“When did we get it in our heads that we have the right to never hear anything we don’t like?” he wrote, calling for an amnesty “on every made-up, fake, totally insincere, play-acted hurt, insult, slight and affront.”

The resident curmudgeon in my local rag has a beef with, well, actually, everyone and everything, but today it’s with folks who keep tooting their own horns on the Faceborg.

Spring fever.

Mr. Dick Destiny suggests a visit to Whitemanistan:

Off to drink liberally.

Fun and fellowship for liberals. Join us and talk about anything in a relaxed atmosphere.

Because of a special event at our regular location, we will be meeting at Harold’s this week, which will cut my drive time by about two-thirds.

When: Thursday, April 25th, 6 p.

Where:
Harold’s
4445 Virginia Beach Blvd. (just east of Barnes and Noble at Pembroke)
Virginia Beach, VA (map)

More here.

The watering hole wars intensify, as fake IDs become better.

Apparently, no bars are held.

“Screening at the front door for underage drinkers is probably one of the most difficult things to do in this business,” said Mike Vitucci, owner of Murphy’s Irish Pub and Caffrey’s Pub in the Marquette University neighborhood, and the Whiskey Bar and The Belmont Tavern in downtown Milwaukee.

I bought a book.

The juror is out.

I have been glancing at the news from time to time throughout the day. I see more details about what happened in Boston yesterday, but no hint of who or to what end.

Others are dwelling on what happened. I shall not, for they say it better (or worse) than I.

Accordingly, “no speculation” continues in force.

Editing a podcast that I’ve been preparing for off and on for a couple of months.

Regarding the Boston bombings, what Stephen D. said.

And I’m certainly not going to subject myself to a bunch of talking heads on television playing “what if.”

Read more »

When I first saw the headline, I thought it was the other Georgia.

Damn, I should have gone to an Ag School.

He made people smile.

He was one of my father’s favorites.

And one of mine.

The problem seems to have cleared up spontaneously.

)(*&z67*(*&6z computers!

I’m having trouble logging into the site from a couple of my computers.

I’m not sure what it means, but things may be quiet until I figure out whats’s going on.

I’m posting this from the computer at which I was still logged in from last night. You can follow my troubleshooting in the comments to this post.

Bye for now.

Off to drink liberally.

Drinking Liberally is a gathering place for liberals. Socialize and laugh in a friendly atmosphere.

When: 6 p., Thursday, April 11.

Where:
Lola’s Caribbean Restaurant
328 W 20th St (map)

Details here. Meetup page here.