A n n a r c h y

Dear Motion Picture Association of America:
I’m freshly back from the theater after seeing Toy Story 3, which prompts me to ask: A G-rating? Seriously? I haven’t been this disturbed since the Turkish prison scenes in Midnight Express (which was rated R, by the way).
The first two Toy Story movies centered on the happy relationship [...]

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It’s alarming to talk with someone on the phone and realize they suspect you are a liar. This past week I received, via FTD, a belated birthday package—a gourmet basket with some of my favorite things. Like tea, biscotti, and dried apricots. There was a warm message on the card accompanying it, wishing me lots [...]

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My childhood friend Ron Ploof was so inspired by the pathos of Gigi’s story that he adapted it to the small screen. I think he did a fine job with it, and I particularly like the tweak of the ending. So what do you think?

Gigi Spies a Green Tomato from Ron Ploof on Vimeo.

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The stage: A small wooden deck with sturdy balusters, overlooking a vegetable garden in late season.
Enter main character: Gigi, a 6-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. It’s clear from her saunter that Gigi is unhurried and uncomplicated, and her portly figure implies a dog who is enthusiastic about her meals. Suddenly, Gigi sees something that piques [...]

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As I sometimes reveal here, there is something universal about the awkwardness of family.
About a week ago, two childhood friends launched a site to document as much. The results — in the vein of LOLCats and Stuff White People Like — are hilarious:
The Choker: “This is what happens when your male role model is both [...]

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Since I make my living attempting to make my words paint a picture—or at least a good doodle—I don’t usually subscribe to the hooey about a picture being worth a thousand words.
Not everybody feels this way, of course. Napoleon said, “A good sketch is better than a long speech.” And, truth be told, I find [...]

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