So we’re hitting an odd lull in election news at the moment.

So, I’d like to mention some of the amazing things my closest folks have gotten me:

A sofa, to be found at some point.

A ticket to Speed-the-plow, this Thursday night.

Illustrated edition of A People’s History of American Empire by Howard Zinn, with Mike Konopacki & Paul Buhle.

Art & Sole: Contemporary Sneaker Art & Design, a title about kicks.

Everyday Drinking, by Kingsley Amis, introduction by Christopher Hitchens.

The Flask/Deck-of-Cards combo.

In-N-Out Burger shirt.

Talking Michael Scott (Steve Carrell from The Office) greeting card.

And a bunch of stuff a bit too lewd and illegal to detail here.

I love my friends and family.

Got my laptop back.

Got back to New York City, from PA & NJ and the most convoluted weekend ever.

P.S. Lorne Michaels is a ratings whore.

Drudge has nothing even remotely good to say about McCain.

McCain only gets a 2:1 ratio on the click poll on the rightest of wing msm sites.

These financial shenanigans that have been going on … they’re now putting an end to something called short selling, when you borrow stock that you don’t own and sell it hoping it will go down, so you can buy it back at a profit. This was legal, but pot smoking isn’t?

- From last night’s Real Time with Bill Maher

Their thoughts:

Laura Bush: Oh, he has no idea. If I explain it, he’ll yell at me because the Olympics didn’t have chocolate milk.

George W.: ASU! ASU! ASU! ASU! ASU!

Woman on right: Man there is no way he could have masterminded 9/11.

Kissinger: If that child asks me for a letter of recommendation, I swear to fucking christ I’m shitting in a paper bag, freezing it, and telling him it’s German Chocolate.

Farva from Super Troopers: I love it when people make me look smart.

That which kicks my ass.

I’ve gotten into an every other day regimen that is 4 days (2 trips) old.

If I don’t pat myself on the back for this now, I won’t have an audience to disappoint if I quit it.

HOLY FUCKING SHIT.

Speechless. Guess I was wrong. MAYBE this explains him dropping out of the election so early?

Thank god he didn’t get the nomination. We’d be fuuuuuuucked.

So, I’d never seen In Bruges until right now, and I have only myself to blame for it. So, brief thoughts on the matter:

Holy shit, is that … that’s … no fucking shit … Colin Farrell can actually act? Who was keeping this a secret? Aside from Colin.

Brendon Gleeson is a king of all kings.

Ralph Fiennes … what else can be said but christ that man is a talent.

Is that the girl who played Fleur Delacour? Cripes, it is. Wonder if Gleeson was the one who hipped the casting director to her.

American dwarves are hilarious. Especially when they are coked up and forsee … well, I’m not going to spoil that one. Just think to yourself: This movie has all that, plus coked up dwarves.