I am not enjoying this campaign cycle.  I am not looking forward to November.  I have actually been surly and a bit short-tempered lately, as a direct result, which is–one likes to think–somewhat out of character.  So, it’s clearly time for a break.

Lucky for me, the Beloved Team can fill the breach!  After the long trip to Japan, the bizarre exhibition games in Los Angeles, and now, games in Oakland and Toronto, I expect the team to be somewhat sluggish out of the gate, but it’s a long season, and many days and nights of fun await one and all.  Recently, I happened to be talking to a Yankees fan (the team also known as The Evil Ones) on the street and was able to say, very kindly, something to the effect of “You all have a nice, little team.  Perhaps one of these years, you will be able to win a pennant again.”  Frankly, it made my day.  Possibly my century.

I saw Stop-Loss, and recommend it, but without wild enthusiasm.  It’s certainly not a great movie–and it might not even be a good one, but it’s a strong, and probably unnecessary, reminder that the situation in Iraq is an absolute disaster, and is almost certainly going to continue to be so for many, many years.  And Joseph Gordon-Levitt has–somewhat to my surprise, since I mostly just associate him with the fluffy, if fun, Third Rock from the Sun–become quite an interesting actor.

For anyone who hasn’t already heard that Joss Whedon has a new show coming out, starring Eliza Dushku, the plot sounds intriguing and I have already begun my official countdown, as I wait for the first episode to air. Ever since Ms. Dushku first swaggered onto the screen as Faith, I’ve been a fan, and am curious to see whether she really does have the untapped range I suspect lurks somewhere inside.

I enjoyed a Del’s Lemonade over the weekend.  It was from a mix, I think, and so, lacked the pieces of fresh lemon a sensible person prefers–but, I was still delighted to drink it.

And life is good when you get to have a traditional New England supper on a Saturday night.  Ours included home-made cole-slaw, with no mayonnaise, of course–since it is well-known among my people that the substance almost always dooms your salad to utter mediocrity.

Yesterday, a pal alerted me to the fact that Drugs are probably Bad.  Be warned!

It is a small state, but a delightful one–where, as it happens, I grew up.

Rhode Island makes the best lemonade in the world.

We enjoy tasty treats like coffee milk and johnnycakes. And if you are homesick, you can always order delicacies from the Ocean State, or attempt to prepare them yourself.

There are great beaches–and if you are peculiar enough to enjoy seafood, there are many fine spots to sample local traditions like clam cakes. (I do not care for them, but I am very much in the minority. The restaurants are nifty, in any case.)

You can get an excellent education, even though you may speak with an odd accent. Regardless, we tend to be a happy group of people, because things like this make us laugh our heads off.

Proms are held at fun places.

It is possible to watch the Baby Red Sox for less than ten dollars a ticket.

I learned how to ski in Rhode Island.

The mayor of Providence was my pal in high school. I hope he runs for governor, during the next election cycle–and have no doubt that he would win.

I love the way the state votes!

Sometimes, I think too much. Which is boring, and maybe dull. So, today, I think I will only focus upon Fun Things.

For example, kittens. About whom there are many fun facts to be found. As it happens, I have a crippled, neurologically impaired diabetic cat with no tail–but, she is still a happy girl.

And, you know, puppies are nice, too. There is absolutely nothing bad to be said about dogs. This looks like a fun afternoon. And I pretty much always enjoy Get Fuzzy.

I have no fear of bunnies, but once, my dog and I were walking in the park on a sunny spring afternoon, and we saw a small family of bunnies, with their parents, ambling through the grass. Overcome by excitement and joy, we raced over to get a better view–only to discover that it was a family of baby rats, with their parents. But, it was a nice day, and they seemed happy–so, after a moment of brief consternation, we just stood there and watched them go on their way.

It goes without saying that popcorn is fun. Not that I have ever turned down Doritos.

If I were in Atlanta right now (also known as My Homeland), I think I would go here, immediately. But, since I am not, perhaps I should make some very delicious grits this morning. Or maybe I could look around here, and try a few.

The next time I am in Boston, I think I should actually stop–for the first time in years–and take a ride on these.

Do I want to watch Tootsie? By God, maybe I do. Or, perhaps, Ghostbusters. Since I am devoted to pop culture, spending the day here might be a good a idea.

It is the wrong time of year to do this, but wouldn’t it be pleasant? Maybe, like Lonnie Paxton, making a snow angel would be the way to go. (People, um, need instructions? Okay.)

Or I could just sneak off to Facebook, and attack people with my monsters for a while–which I find a whole lot more entertaining than I probably should.

Yes, it is true.  And so, I may seem wicked boring, because I talk a lot about sports.  Ergo, I think I will write an entire post without mentioning sports at all.  No observations about sports.  No bitter remarks about sports.  Nothing whatsoever, in any way, shape or form about–yes, you guessed it–sports.

Even though, today I found out that the New England Patrio–no.  I will be strong.  And I will not discuss sports.  At all.

I have been reading God’s Harvard, even though parts of it have made me wake up screaming in the night.  No, wait, I have actually been sleeping poorly because the god-damn Red So–oops!  I almost slipped there, but recovered just in time.  Whew.  Anyway, here’s an interesting exchange about the book between the author and a columnist.  I am, I confess, something of a secular humanist, and if you say the word “religion” to me, I picture this and this.  Which makes me horribly one-dimensional, and–dare I say it–close-minded.  So, I would rather imagine this, or, perhaps, this.  Or this, which I adore.  Also, I found this book very sensible, although I don’t necessarily agree with everything Mr. Wallis believes.  But I respect the fact that he wants to talk about these issues in an inclusive sort of way.

Now, some people might argue than it is a religion to root for the Boston Red S–goodness me!  I almost did it again!  My bad.

Only a very shallow person would be eager to see this, and I also can’t wait for this new show, about which I hear excellent things.  Plus, the very under-rated Molly Price is in it, which is more than enough reason to tune in, if you ask me.  I think it was highway robbery that she never won an Emmy for playing Faith Yokas.  She may be the only actress in the history of network television who ever had the nerve to shun vanity, and look and act like a real cop–with the exception of Betty Thomas, on my beloved Hill Street Blues.  I hope that entire series is released soon, but you can get the first two seasons, at least.

Sharing the details of one’s meals is the height of banality, no doubt, but I went out to a Sri Lankan restaurant tonight (I am normally quite prompt, but I was disgracefully late to meet my pal–who was very kind about my social faux pas), and among other dishes, we had this, and it was completely excellent.  In fact, I think I will cook up a batch of my own tomorrow, although I will probably add extra onions, and maybe–because I’m wacky and bold and have no respect for authenticity or rules–a chipotle pepper or two.

If you want a giggle, check this, or maybe this, out.  (Full disclosure:  my sister is Juliana McKannis.)

And, this still cracks me up, too.

So, when the hell does Melinda Doolittle’s first CD come out, anyway?