Tim Russert: May 7, 1950 – June 13, 2008
He made politics very comprehendible for folks like me who generally didn’t follow politics in such a detailed fashioned. That was his gift to me. It was his gift to the world.
He’ll be missed.
Timothy John Russert, Jr. (May 7, 1950 – June 13, 2008)
June 13, 2008
2 Comments | 
FUBAR, life | Tagged: meet the press, msnbc, news, politics, tim russert | 
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Posted by cap
I just saved a bunch of money on my health insurance and learned my company’s group plan sucks!
April 22, 2008I got a note today regarding a HUGE spike in my group health insurance premium from my company’s assistant controller (who knows what that means? what’s a controller and why do they need an assistant?). The note said that the rates were being raised by 16.5 %. But when I did the math between my old rate and my new one, the difference came out more towards the 55% range.
1…
2……
3……….
Yes, that’s how I felt!
So when I asked how that worked out mathematically, I was given a LOOOOONG explanation about how it’s not really 16.5% of my personal premium… how it’s 16.5% of my total premium… divided by the number of paychecks it comes out of… minus the amount the company pays for… plus the number of folks in the company who used the plan last year… plus the number of claims they had… bs… bs… bs.
So I checked online and within an hour, not only did I sign up for a better health insurance plan but I ended up saving 50% of my out of pocket premiums! Plus my deductible is 20% less than what my company’s plan asks for takes! So all this time I’ve been paying double what I needed to in order to receive only 80% of the coverage that I now have!
Uh… argh? Lame? Superlame?
I used ehealthinsurance but seriously does anyone else have this type of situation hovering over their heads?
Prior to tonight, I’ve never shopped for health insurance. I didn’t know much about it. Health insurance is just something that we need. It’s something we would normally get through work. And assuming you work at a reputable and ethical company, you trust that the group plan you’re asked to participate in is probably the best plan available. You trust your company to take care of you in this respect.
Apparently that’s not the case all the time.
So anyone who is reading this post, check your health insurance plan. Everyone has different needs so you may need to do a little research but if you think you’re paying too much out of your pocket or you’re generally a pretty healthy person who doesn’t need to go to the doctor too often, go do a little snooping and figure out if perhaps you can get a better plan outside your company.
Not to sound like a bad Geico ad but I literally just saved myself a ton of money in health insurance premiums by switching to my new A+ rated insurance plan. I can’t believe I’ve been paying as much as I have been for a more inferior plan all this time! I was in such shock when I got the breakdown of the two different plans.
You know what? That ad was right, it really was that easy.
cap
1 Comment | 
FUBAR, internet, life, potentially useful info, work | Tagged: health insurance, wtf | 
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Posted by cap
Juno is a good episode of Dawson’s Creek with cooler kids
April 21, 2008That’s right. I’m going against popular opinions, the overall teenage demographics and those damn tomatoes. It wouldn’t be the first time (I’m still hoping Hillary pulls through.)
Since I’m tired and I don’t think this is going to be a particularly interesting post, I’ll keep this short and to the point. For those of you who don’t know the back story yet, check this out first.
At least it was a short movie.
The Pros:
1) The acting across the board was fantastic. Ellen Page was better in Hard Candy but she was pulled this role off pretty well too.
Michael Cera — same character in every other thing he’s ever been in — and it still works like the gift that keeps on giving.
The rest of the supporting cast (minus that dude from The American Office) was equally impressive. Most impressive was Jennifer Gardner who I was never that big a fan of but pulled off a great, simple but genuinely good character without once reminding me that she is in fact married to a talentless douche in real life.
2) Um… well, there’s the… and the…
The Cons:
1) Jason Reitman. Hopefully he’s a teenage kid (I won’t read his bio for fear that it’ll just confirm my hunch that he’s probably in his late 20’s or 30’s) riding his dad’s wave to jumpstart an otherwise mediocre career thus far. He used the musical cues that are very reminiscent of Wes Anderson. He essentially used the tone and themes of EVERY SINGLE SHOW EVER ON THE WB (currently The CW)! The shots were equally unimpressive. I didn’t get a solid filmmaker feel from any of the shots. It’s more like a solid TV director for the WB. Safe. Nothing new or interesting. Like a movie made by a guy who probably wouldn’t have a career if not for his father’s legacy. Paul Thomas Anderson’s dad was also in the same business but at least Paul brought something fresh, exciting and wholly inspirational. Same with Sofia Coppola. Jason Reitman? Eh. He’s like the rich guy in school who tries to act like it doesn’t really define who he truly is and tries to hide it. That is, until he needs to get into a party, club, gets arrested, needs a job, etc. etc. etc. Then what do you think his first go to card is?
But back to the movie. Listen, this kid has now made two movies in a row that was lauded by the critics and both of which underwhelmed me. He’s firmly establishing himself as a filmmaker who’ll probably have a solid career without earning any respectable awards like a lifetime achievement or an AFI salutes or anything of that stature. But he’ll make some money for sure. Good for him. Michael Bay has money too. I’m sure he’s really happy and proud of himself. I’m sure Michael Bay isn’t one of those guys who throws parties for himself and just plays it off like he doesn’t know who threw it for him.
2) The script. Structurally, it was pretty much a textbook job from any number of Syd Field or a Linda Seger books (yes, I’ve read them all). So then I’m assuming that all that hoopla over this flick’s script was mainly in the dialogue. Here’s the thing about that, NO ONE TALKS LIKE THAT. Okay, maybe in Juno’s world, Juno is just so scary precocious and oh so clever that she says stuff like, “I’m forshizz up the spout” and “I’m calling to procure a hasty abortion”. Fine, I’ll give you that much former stripper-turned-voice of a new generation, writer lady. But really? Her friends, family, neighbors of various financial status and EVEN THE FRIGGIN CONVENIENCE STORE CLERK! They all speak this friggin’ super hip gibberish?! And it’s not even all that hip or cool to begin with.
I’m losing steam.
Actually, that’s about it.
Now, was Juno as disappointing as say Little Miss Sunshine a couple of years ago? No. Now that movie just plain sucked wet donkey anus. Juno was a bit more enjoyable than that. But not by much. It’s like, I feel like all I did was watch a shortened Cliff’s Notes season of any number of dramadies on The CW.
But what do I know? Juno did really well at the box office. And that means it must be a great flick, right?
Say, didn’t Armageddon do well at the box office too? That movie about a bunch of out of shape oil technicians who are blasted off into space to drill into an asteroid? Didn’t that movie do really well that year? Yeah, Juno is just like Armageddon.
3 Comments | 
FUBAR, films, life, such crap! | Tagged: Armageddon, ellen page, Juno, michael cera, Movies | 
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Posted by cap
I don’t know what you call it but whatever it is, it sucks sweaty ass-juice!
April 7, 2008I recently broke up with my then girlfriend. More accurately, she broke up with me first. Even more accurately, I wanted to break up with her for a while but didn’t have the testicular fortitude to pull the trigger. So I waited and passed time until something happened in her life where she needed to “work on herself”.
She wanted a “break”. I asked for a break up. There was little negotiation. My mind was set.
There was no one else in the equation. The situation was fairly complex but it mainly had to do with the inability to manage a healthy personal and professional life. Because I do respect and love her still (not in “that” way) I won’t go into any further details about the breakup. Besides, the point of me posting this is to try to understand what’s going on in my head.
Since my breakup I’ve lost a few pounds, got in better health overall, immersed myself in work, spent a lot of time with my own thoughts (it amazes me how genuinely fascinated I am not only with myself but with the idea of my own fascination with myself). Anyway, I’m doing quite well both mentally and physically. I can always be in better shape but really I’m not that crazy into personal fitness to the point of obsession. I’m strictly a “behind the camera” type of guy. Nope, I’m quite comfortable with my appearance.
On the work front, I haven’t been this productive in a long time. I recently took on a couple of projects outside my day job that’s not only fascinating but equally rewarding. I’m meeting a lot of interesting and creative people. And I’m learning a lot. Few things make me feel better than learning something new.
So I feel great. I look better. I’m definitely holding onto more cash in my wallet lately. Work is fun and challenging (in a good way). Things are generally good.
Here’s the issue:
I’ve had two opportunities recently to go out with a new girl but didn’t pursue it. I felt guilty.
GUILTY!!!
What the hell is that?!?!? I didn’t even do anything!!
18 months ago (before I met my ex-girlfriend) I was on a dating streak that rivaled my best party days. I seriously had a great run going. I think at one point I was seeing four or five girls simultaneously and it was great! No guilt. No regret. No lies. Just pure fun.
Now I’m friggin’ sitting on my couch on Saturday nights reading Mark Penn’s Microtrends!!! WTF!!!!
A few weeks back I had a few people over at my place after a night of drinking and going out to a few bars around my neighborhood. Old me had this game down pat. Old me would’ve brought back the party to my place (which I did), served a few more drinks (which I did), got some music on (which I did), lit a few candles (which I did), directed the conversation to suit the crucial next few steps (which I did), then isolated one of the nicer looking girls to show off my cool touch pad dresser lamp in my bedroom (WHICH I MOST CERTAINLY DID NOT!)
No. Instead, I got tired like some old Depends dependent douchebag and KICKED EVERYONE OUT! Then I went to sleep alone.
What do you call this? Too soon? Rebound? Maturity? Vaginally challenged? Whatever it is, it really sucks some major sweaty ass-juice.
Not cool at all.
This weekend I went to the driving range and shot a bucket of balls with some friends. We then had lunch over at Melrose Ave. I also had dinner with the ‘Rents.
No bars. No girls. No chance to show off my cool touch dresser lamp.
Sometimes the best wingman a guy could have!
I don’t know what the average time to get over a relationship is but I would really like to understand this situation better.
The obvious thing to say is that I may still be in love with my ex but I know in my mind and heart that she is not the one for me. There are too many conflicting values.
Maybe it is too soon. But it’s been two months. And we’ve been together for a very dense 15 months. That’s almost 15%. That should be enough time to get over someone no?
Maybe I’m just really into my work which I find very engaging and fascinating.
What ever it is I hope it passes soon.
I hope I figure it out.
The fact that it doesn’t bother me any more than it does is really the only thing that bothers me about it.
That makes sense right?
No Comments » | DO NOT CLICK HERE, FUBAR, friends, life, such crap!, work | Tagged: ex girlfriend, break up, ass-juice, relationship, rebound | Permalink
Posted by cap
Across the Universe (The Movie) = SUPER LAME!
March 23, 2008I’m an hour in on this debacle of trash trying to pass itself off as an artistic interpretation of the greatest music to ever see the light of day and I want to kick Julie Taymor in the nuts. Not only do I want to kick her in the nuts, I’m starting to wonder if I really enjoyed Frida as well. I thought I remembered having some nice thoughts about Salma Hayek’s “passion project” but maybe I was hypnotized by her badass monobrow.
“Ju know ju want me, mang!”
Back to this disgraceful piece of crap.
Here’s the deal: the fault wholly and solely lies in Julie Taymor for allowing herself to convince herself that she has any clue about anything as it pertains to The Beatles.
I’m sure on paper (and in her crazy mind) it sounded great.
I got it. I got it! It’ll be a period film set in the 60’s built around the music of The Beatles! And we’ll put some pretty faces to play characters whose names are actually in Beatles songs! It’s just simply a no brainer! Ooh, Ooh! Plus! It’s set during a revolutionary time where there’s a war nobody wants and where the disenchanted youth of America seem to really care about what’s really important (love, meaning of life, goodness, happiness, sour cream & salsa pork rinds, etc.) So? So, it’s like we’re kinda talking about the present times… but indirectly! Oh my goodness, I’m getting wet! This is exactly the kind of film I’ve always wanted to make! The kind masterpiece movie that has so many different levels! This is genius! This is fantabulous! This… THIS IS: ACROSS THE UNIVERSE!! OH MAN! OH Man! Oh man! Oh man. oh… man… Say, how’d that liquid puddle get there under me?
First off, yes us Angelenos use terms like “fantabulous”. It’s cool. End of story.
More importantly, you don’t try to fix something that isn’t broken. Not only that, you don’t try to add, take away, reimagine, reinterpret, upgrade, modernize, bring to a whole new generation and you SURE AS HECK DON’T DO ANYTHING TO THE MUSIC OR LEGACY OF THE BLEEDING BEATLES!
Unless your name is Paul, John, George, the other George and occasionally Ringo, don’t touch the music or try to do anyone any favors. Even Yoko knew that simple rule.
True, there are a very VERY few select people outside of the above mentioned who have been known to pull off the near impossible. This is one example.
This douche actually pulled off another rare exception.
“Go with yourself. Go with yourself.”
But these are extremely rare exceptions and downright flukes. The fact is most artists really can’t improve or even touch The Beatles work. That’s like trying to improve the wheel. At best they might hover around the ballpark, but even then it’s like, “Great. Good for you. Nicely done. Still prefer the originals. And you really suck dirty, old vagabond testicles for attempting it.”
But Julie Taymor didn’t even get to the respectable “vagabond testicle tasting” ballpark. Not only was she not allowed to come near the ballpark, she was told that the game was being played somewhere else. Far, far away from the place where the actual game was being played.
(Shit, I don’t think that that diss was communicated properly.)
The point is: no one likes Julie Taymor enough to invite her anywhere. She’s a tool who forever contributed in soiling and sullying up some great art and in the process forever made America a little weaker for, among many other things, inferior filmmaking (Really? Was this underwater sequence really something you thought was cool? 
Like this was something so original and artisically fulfilling? Like beyond anything any number of lovesick high school dumbass, outcast, artist wannabes hadn’t come up with before? Or maybe a cheesy eau de toilette ad from the 80’s? Or even…
To say that a Ben Stiller flick is better than any other movie… that’s saying something.
Hey, I don’t fancy myself as the next Scorsese but chances are that if I was making a movie and I find out Ben Stiller used the same shot idea as the one I had in my shot list, and HE ACTUALLY DID A BETTER JOB… I WOULDN’T USE IT! YOU HACK DOUCHE OF A FILMMAKER!
I don’t blame the actors. They need the work to stay relevant. And at the end of the day, films are generally the director’s medium just like theatre is a writer’s medium, just like TV is the advertiser’s medium, just like Patricia Arquette plays some psychic cop on NBC’s Medium.
(Pause for groans)
“But dude, the music from ‘Across the Universe’ is great! It’s been on the top ten list on Amazon and iTunes for like a year! You’re the douche cause you don’t like the movie or the reimagined versions of the classic Beatles’ music. F-U!”
Ya know what? Hannah Montana’s music was also on the iTunes top ten list forever now.
“Oh now you have something against Hannah Montana? That just proves you don’t know anything about music! It just proves it, man!”
Eat a dick, dude. Eat a dick. And then:
“Go with yourself. Go with yourself.”
Now where was I?
Screw it. I’m over it already. Don’t waste your time on “Across the Universe”.
And personally, I’m going to exercise my right as an opinionated consumer to not watch Julie Taymor’s next film no matter what the subject.
Unless it has Salma Hayek sporting another monobrow. Then all bets are off.
“Ju know ju want me, mang!”
I’m just a man!
I’m just a man.
You know what? I take it back. Using “fantabulous” is kinda lame too. I’m gonna try to stop.
1 Comment | FUBAR, The Beatles, films, life, music, potentially useful info, such crap! | Tagged: Across the Universe, Beatles, zoolander | Permalink
Posted by cap
