Author: Gareth

For fans of grindhouse films:

Weng Weng was a 2’9″ action movie star from the Phillipines in the 70s. He starred in some absolutely over-the-top spy films produced by Hong Kong filmmaker Raymond Jury. A fine example of the “midget super-spy mackadocious exploitation pulp film” genre, if ever there was one.

For a quick Weng Weng primer (and a killer song, to boot), check out this indie hip-hop tribute video from The Chuds:

I didn’t go to campus for my usually scheduled writing day — I feel like I’m fighting something off, so I decided to take it easy at home. Still feel Blah.

Made the mistake of turning on the television during lunch. As I expected, we’ve entered the 24-7 TragiPorn news cycle: Virginia Tech everywhere you look. Every media whore has rushed to the site before the bodies got cold, and the talking heads are in full effect: Right-wing Nutjobs harrumphing about how none of this would have happened if the students were allowed to carry guns on campus, ’cause they would’ve returned fire and ended the rampage……Other Right-wing Nutjobs asking ominous questions about the shooters immigration status…or political views…or general Non-White-Middle-Class-ness. Left-wing nutjobs pontificating about banning all guns, and how violent video games, movies and music are to blame.

Less than a full day later– the soap boxes are stacked on the bodies, and the ghouls are televising it all.

Christ on a fucking cracker. This is our culture.

(As seen on ‘s journal)

Last night was the “Food Network Awards”, the latest loop in the downward spiral of the Food Network. For pure comedy gold, read chef Anthony Bordain’s take on the entire sad spectacle.

Alton Brown is pretty much the last thing that I watch on the network, and I’m a serious cooking nut. I share Bordain’s derision of no-talent non-chef Rachael Ray (or “Ray-tard” as she has been dubbed here at the Skarka home), and sadly, that’s the direction the Food Network is headed. Not a lot of substance left on the schedule.

Bordain’s show for the Travel Channel, “No Reservations” is pretty nifty, though, even if it doesn’t involve cooking instruction….but the whole “go to a location somewhere in the world, and eat what the locals eat” thing is pretty cool.

Plus, he’s a smart-ass sarcastic New Yorker. Hence, I loves me some Bordain.