What's the opposite of infamy?

Today was somewhat monumental. I filled my tank, and for the first time in a year, my car didn't need more gas than I had cash. It's a good day!

Best line I've heard this week

It's from the sitcom, "The Middle," starring Patricia Heaton. Her rather dimwitted teenage son hits on his cute, smart history tutor, who responds quite negatively. After she's done telling him off, he says, "If you're trying to insult me, you'll have to use smaller words."

Yay!

Happy Halloween!

What a relief to be on the west coast and unaffected by the candy-collecting crimp caused by Hurricane Sandy.

I'm not proud of this, but I confess I keep enough candy on hand to feed trick-or-treaters any day of the year. If I answered my doorbell, that is.

Happy Halloween!

At least the candidates can speak

No matter who you're rooting for at the presidential debate, be glad there'll be no ninnies or numbnuts at the podium. Romney is definitely capable of putting together a cogent sententence. If he actually gets into specifics this time, he could generate some real momentum.

President Obama is a pretty skilled orator, at least with prepared speeches. But he did something really smart that I almost didn't notice. At first, I thought he was just being modest when, talking about their debating skills, Obama said Romney was very good and that he was just so-so.

Then it was pointed out to me what was really going on: The president was raising the bar by lowering expectations for himself and lifting them for his opponent.

Smart! Sly, but smart.

Question about the 4th Estate

It is a common complaint that media in general and reporters in particular tend to be biased to the left. Whether that comes through in their reporting or not, that has been my overall experience as well.

My question is, why?

Arguably, the people who cover the news are among the most informed among Americans, right? So how is it that the majority of those who do a lot of research, follow news stories the most closely, and actually talk to the people involved skew in one direction?

I don't have an answer, but it makes one think.

Happy Birthday, Babs!

I never miss "The View," I admit it. Today's episode had the President and First Lady as guests for the whole hour, and happened to coincide with host Barbara Walters' birthday.

You may not know this, but Walters has a quirky habit of stealing souvenirs from the White House whenever she has occasion to be there, which, surprisingly, is still on a regular basis.

Knowing this the Obamas brought Babs a birthday gift - a basket of assorted signature items from the White House, including beer, a golf ball and napkins. See for yourself:

http://jezebel.com/5946239/watch-potus-and-flotus-make-their-genuinely-adorable-appearance-on-the-view

What strikes me funny is the idea of a young black couple bringing an old white lady gifts so she doesn't steal from them!

Olympic Irony

I'm pretty consistent when it comes to exercise. For the most part, I get to the gym 5-6 times a week and work out in a variety of ways. I am also consistent when it comes to television. I watch a ton of it. But I often move around while I'm doing it so I'm not too sedentary.

But keeping up with the Olympics broadcasts has turned me into an Idle American.

Because you can't take your eyes off gymnastics performances in order to fully participate as a home audience member. I want to see every jump, vault, leap and fall, and for that, it is necessary to keep my eyes glued to the screen.

When I moved to my third-floor walk-up apartment, I lost five pounds in the first two weeks, just from running errands and returning home. Now, from watching athletes in peak physical condition for more than a week, I have abandoned my own fitness regiment and become a slug in my living room.

Thank goodness the Games are now over. They were terrible for my health.