Silly Photo to Fill Space- Cow

I was inspired to post this silly photo in part because of my recent viewing of the documentary film "Food Inc," which will alter the way you see your cheeseburgers!

Quote of the Week- Billy Joel

We are doing our quote of the week today instead of Monday because I am (yikes!) having gall bladder surgery then. I want to thank all my friends who've sent their best wishes. Needless to say, this blog will probably not be active until late next week.

Today, we go with quotes from singers Billy Joel and the late Jerry Garcia, who was the lead singer of the Grateful Dead (that quote will be on our sister blog "Politics, Culture and Other Wastes of Time.").

The reason for this quips has to do with celebrity chef and author Anthony Bourdain who expressed his disdain for both Joel and the Greatful Dead on the NPR music show "Sound Opinions" which airs here in NC on WUNC-FM (91.5/Chapel Hill). In fact, it is airing right now! (I should be listening, but I'm in a public library). Amazingly enough, Bourdain had dinner with Joel even though he is candid about not being hip to "Uptown Girl."

Here is the quote from the man who brought us "Just the Way You Are," "Piano Man" and "We Didn't Start the Fire:"

"There is nothing better than good sex. But, bad sex? A peanut butter and jelly sandwich is better than bad sex."

Movies of Our Youth (3 of 12)

"The Road Warrior"

Beers of the Islamic World (3 of 6) Barada from Syria

Check for an image of Petra Beer (Jordan) on our sister blog "Politics, Culture and Other Wastes of Time."

I don't think Vice President Joe Biden can drink Barada as (unlike Iranian beers) it does contain alcohol.

Silly Photo to Fill Space- Dolphin with a Fedora

I went to an aquarium in Charleston, SC, in 2007. I must admit if I had seen something like this it might have been more fun!

Quote of the Week- Benito Mussolini

I have just finished reading Chuck Palahniuk's ("Fight Club") newest novel "Pygymy," which looks like one of those works which will demand a second reading.

In the novel, Palahniuk frequently quotes cruel dictators, so this week we have two respective quips from two henchmen on our blogs (Fidel Castro is on "Politics, Culture, and Other Wastes of Time).

Here we have Benito Mussolini who ruled fascist Italy with an iron fist until he was overthrown and hanged. But, he did have a way with words:

"Democracy is beautiful in theory; in practice it is a fallacy."

Know Your Congress Reps and Senators (Entry 14 of 21)

This is the first entry in this series since May! For today's piece, we choose the new U.S. Senator from Minnesota Al Franken (D) a former stand-up comedian and "Saturday Night Live" writer who now joins Sen. James Webb (D-Va)*, the co-screenwriter for "Rules of Engagement" as the only members of Congress with a screenwriting credit though I'm not sure Franken wants to fess up for "Stuart Saves His Family" (1995).

*- a presumption on our part

Here are some other fun facts about Franken:

_Born May 21, 1951, in New York

_Beat his opponent Norm Coleman by a mere 215 votes (out of 2.8 million votes cast)

_Author of #1 best-seller "Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot."

_Appeared as actor in the 2004 remake of "The Manchurian Candidate."

_Hosted radio program "The Al Franken Show" (2004-05)

_Cousin of MSNBC's Bob Franken

_Wrote for "SNL" with partner Tom Davis from 1975-80 and again from 85-95.

_Created Sturat Smalley and interviewed Al Gore as Smalley for 2002 "SNL" show.

_Left "SNL" after losing Weekend Update segment to Norm MacDonald.

_Is first member of Congress who was a stand-up comedian, though amazingly enough Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Ct) has performed stand-up as well!