Tell me when this makes sense.

Attorney Debra Brown Steinberg helped author the September 11th Family Humanitarian Relief and Patriotism Act, a bill designed to help the surviving families of illegal immigrants who died in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks obtain permanent residence status.

Nothing worth mentioning, just some TV shows that might be of interest (but not to me), I'll add them next week. In other news, there's this insane woman:

They somehow deserved it, says uncommon sense.

Proof that God doesn't exist, because a compassionate post-Old Testament God wouldn't do the things this person/her associates consider a judgement on our society, and would have thusly struck these people down by now as false witnesses. Regardless, they're still nuts and hateful, and just stupid.

Well, hello! I'd just like to say: Thomas Dolby! After 24 years of being a fan of his music, I finally got to see him live this passed Thursday. Next month I get to see ABC again after seven years, I think, plus there's a new album coming out. Also coming are Ministry and Revco, and I'm going to try and see She Wants Revenge at the end of June. That's more live music in three months than I've seen in more than three years. Nice! Alright, enough about music, there's a ton of DVD releases this week (nearly 500), the largest release list in months, so I better get started.

( Boy, this is a lot of work )

Happy Valentine's Day! I'm going to jump right into a few DVD rumors that caught my attention to start things off this week. Team America: World Police will likely street in May, and include uncut/unrated footage. A multi-disc Titanic "Special Collector's Edition" is in production, hopefully on store shelves by the end of the year. Star Trek: The Animated Series, once hinted at being released this year, appears to be pushed back to 2006. Bummer, I really want to see that episode of Spock as a child with his bear-like pet, that one was heartbreaking. Special editions of the Kill Bill films may street in August. Finally, Universal is working on a Flash Gordon "Special Edition" DVD in honor of the film's 25th anniversary. SWEET!


The Usual

Donnie Darko - The Director's Cut (2004) ~ I have no idea how to describe this film other than 'haunting'. I haven't watched it in months, yet certain scenes or poignant music moments will pop up in my head and just linger.... And the Website is something to behold, it helps fill in some things that might be confusing, while this Website has info to help you get through the Donnie Darko site.

( Take a look for more )

Young Einstein (1989) ~ Yahoo Serious. More like "Aryoo Serious?", I saw this on cable a looong time ago, and I still want my 90 minutes back.


That wraps up this on-time edition of my DVD Release List, thanks for taking a look. Next week has a sure-fire purchase, a couple of good recommendations and, from my quick browsing, very little crap. Enjoy your movies, cheers!

After squeezing in The Aviator Saturday, Lil and I caught Hotel Rwanda on Sunday. Having read in advance about how the events in the film were pulled directly from the real-life Paul Rusesabagina of the film, I was very interested; this was about three months ago. I don't want to do an Ebert review of the film, but I would like to comment on it.

Saving Private Ryan has a gentle prologue, a brutal introduction, a telling story, then a fairly brutal conclusion with a gentle, yet emotional, epilogue. I draw some comparisons between these films in that there are probably scenes in "Hotel Rwanda" that may disturb, but they bring the reality of what happened to the screen. Black Hawk Down came fairly close to doing the same thing, but it was more of a 'heroic' effort than a 'telling of events' like the other two films. "Hotel Rwanda", much like "Saving Private Ryan", should leave you feeling happily sad, that despite such insurmountable odds there were a few people who were able to stand up and deal with their circumstances on a day-by-day basis and make the best of it. Sorrowful, yet uplifting.

Another comparison just came to mind, Life Is Beautiful, for just the same previously mentioned amorphous feelings. So go drop $6 or whatever on a matinee of "Hotel Rwanda", it will make you hurt about the human condition, make you glad that you live where you live, and also give you hope about that same human condition.

Hey, one month down, eleven to go! I hope February finds you all well. The Superbowl is next Sunday! I've already got the Triscuits, the Gallo salame (weakest Website ever - click here for some Gallo salame recipes), I'll be picking up the Tillamook cheddar this week - snacks ahoy! - and grab some Guinness on Saturday.

OK, enough of that. Such a strange week for DVDs, that I've divided the list up into three parts: "The Usual", recommendations or items that strike my interest; "For Your Consideration", releases that I don't particularly care about one way or the other, but you might; and "WHAT THE CRAP?!", since there are a number of "Who would even consider buying this?" discs this week. As such, this is a much larger list, but also more comprehensive. Let me know what you think.

The Usual

Apollo 7: Shakedown Cruise ~ There's a whole series of these archivist DVDs that I've never noticed before. From Spacecraft Films (Fox), these are unedited-for-airtime film and interviews from the space program. I think it's great that these are being made for the public.

( Read more - If You Dare! )

We Are the World - The Story Behind the Song (20th Anniversary Special Edition) ~ $20?!?!?! TWO DISCS?!?!?! Seriously?!?!?!

Just got back from seeing The Aviator, and while a good film, it did dwell on a few things a bit too much, so probably edited a bit further could have made about 2h15m and thus a little quicker paced. Still recommended by me if you have an interest in the man and the time period. Did a quick check on the next week and there are nearly 400 releases, some are stand-outs, a couple are surprises, and of course there's crap. Thanks as always for taking some time out of your day to check my thoughts on the latest crop of DVDs. Cheers!

Greetings! Apologies up front to anyone checking my DVD list recently, I was sick a couple weeks ago and if I wasn't at work I was sleeping, but it is now up to date. I'll also back fill the previous weeks just for reference. There are well over 500 DVDs being released this week, so grab a generous portion of your favorite beverage, sit back and let's see how many good ones will be out there.

Uh, the Alien films are being re-released AGAIN, individually, I do not know why. Just go get the Quadrilogy.

( The enormity is within )

I've skipped commenting on a whole string of crap like Dog the Bounty Hunter, Don't Be A Menace..., Dukes of Hazzard, Fear of a Satanic Planet (a Marilyn Manson documentary - WHO CARES!), G String Vampire, The Girl Next Door (Unrated Version) (yet ANOTHER re-issue of a disc that's only been out for 6 month), MacGyver - The Complete First Season (Yeah... no.), Tropical Fish Aquarium ("Closed-captioned"? Really?), and Ultimate Kylie. All the Kylie I'll ever need is in Moulin Rouge, thank you very much. Heh, still got a few comments in after all. =P

Quite the list, I hope there was a little something for everyone this week! Fortunately the release list for February 1st is a comparatively short 222 titles. Oh, and if you skipped last year's Cellular, do yourself a favor and rent/buy it today, it's a worthy rollercoaster ride of a movie with fine performances from William H. Macy, Kim Basinger and relative newcomer Chris Evans. I wish everyone well for the coming week, and enjoy your movies!

Well, I woke up for no good reason about midnight and decided to drop in "Love Actually", since I don't seem to be going back to sleep. Little sip of Redrum and a fine movie. Good stuff. I wish you all the best for this day. Cheers!

Since I got up this morning at 3am to got to work - OT for me! - I didn't have the chance to see today's front page of Something Awful until an hour ago. </a></b></a>_countdown stated he would update his journal daily, and didn't do so for almost a week until the hits started pouring in. Then, he has the gall to claim all the SA readers as being loyal dogs of Lowtax because 'Jerry' allowed anonymous posting in the comments.

Earth to E-tard, you asked for it, now suck it up. You have yet to state just what is so wrong with your life that warrants killing yourself. How is the mass of the Internet supposed to sympathize with you or even take you seriously? I don't believe you if you don't present a case. Attention whoring indeed. So fuck you. Go watch Breakfast Club or Pump Up The Volume to learn about how to - and how not to - present your anxieties and concerns about modern life for evaluation.

Just because someone yells fire, it does not mean there's even smoke. Looking for sympathy without reason does yell "fake" to this "faithful dog", when you can't make good on your own statements. I call gimmick, timed for the Joyous Holidays, so you can have a laugh at bringing others down. Admit you're lying, admit your truths, or just just do the deed, why the deadline? (Pun not intended, but how appropriate.)

Merry Christmas! As threatened, I have included my "Holiday movie schedule" below, I figured I'd save you the scrolling in case you didn't care. On with the last minute gift ideas!

Computers & The Internet

Let me save you $30-$40. You need a computer to access the Internet (yes, "Internet" should always be capitalized, just like "Web"). Get anti-virus software, a firewall, and spyware detector. Dial-up and AOL suck. Avoid IRC and Usenet. Use messageboards only if you have something to add. If you want to talk about how boring your day was, hit up Xanga.com and post it there. Profit!

Intuitive Touch with Horses

Eh? $30? Take the money and go ride a real horse, how intuitive is that.

King Arthur (Unrated Widescreen Director's Cut) (2004)

Despite lackluster reviews I want to give this one a chance, and with a Director's Cut I just might take that chance. Except I'm broke and can't buy anything until Thursday.

Napoleon Dynamite

Critics seemed to love it, the public kinda ignored it, I didn't see it, go rent it. Then buy if you like. I'm on the fence with this one.

Shaun of the Dead

I'm pretty sure that within 12 months of getting this great send-up of zombie movies, I'll be sorry. Because there will probably a Special Edition thing or whatever that I'll have to get. But for you, if you haven't seen this, do it, great stuff.

The Simpsons - The Complete Fifth Season (1993)

And my DVD shelf space just got a little smaller... this Thursday.

What's Up, Doc? (1972)

This is a GREAT film, a comedy of varying pace that's just plain fun! Go get it!

On with the Holiday movies! This Saturday I watched "The Nightmare Before Christmas" (which I meant to watch on Halloween and spaced it) to get started. Fortunately I have Christmas Eve day off, so with the two days and a bottle of Redrum I have plenty of time for: "Badder Santa", "Die Hard" and "Die Harder", "It's a Wonderful Life", "Love Actually", and "Toys". Plus I'll watch "Edward Scissorhands" one day this week as additional preparation. For New Years, there's only one movie, "200 Cigarettes", timed so that midnight in the film matches midnight here. If I'm not out in the real world I totally look forward to this. I make hors d'oeuvres and everything!

Again, I wish you all the happiest for the Holidays. Enjoy your family and friends, and Merry Christmas!

Happy Holidays! I know there's another week between now and Christmas, then New Year's, but some may be away when the next of these is sent and I wanted to wish you well in advance. I was looking over Roger Ebert's reviews, checking to see where "Closer" came in among other fare like "Finding Neverland" (go see "Finding Neverland"!!) and discovered I missed a release last week that interests me. "Wild at Heart (1990)", one of two David Lynch films I liked, the other being "Blue Velvet (1986)". Willem Dafoe is excellent in "Wild at Heart", but if you haven't seen it I suggest reading about the film first, then renting if you think it's to your taste. It isn't for everyone. If the Uma Thurman seizure scene in "Pulp Fiction" put you off - not to mention the scene in the car - this one isn't for you.</font>

Anyone that keeps up on these things will know there is one sure buy this week. But what else is in store?

Ben Stiller Collection (Meet the Parents - Special Edition/Mystery Men/Reality Bites/Along Came Polly)

For $42 on Amazon, not a bad deal. For $60 retail, this would have been better with "Zoolander" instead of "Along Came Polly" (which I haven't seen, because it just didn't seem that interesting) and they probably could have dropped the price a couple bucks. But without checking into it, it's probably a 'studio collection' thing.

Collateral (Widescreen Two-Disc Edition) (2004)

I really wanted to see this, but it didn't happen. It got OK reviews, but like Robin Williams playing a bad guy ("Insomnia</font>" and "One Hour Photo" - you HAVE to see "One Hour Photo"!!), I think people just didn't take to Tom Cruise being a killer.

Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids - The Ultimate Collection

Anyone that grew up in the '70s or early '80s might want to check this out. I can understand not releasing the full set - the show ran for 12 years - who needs that much Fat Albert sitting on a shelf?

Godzilla Box Set

Uh, no. Any "set" that doesn't include Mothra, Rodan, AND the Smog Monster is crap. Smog Monster was THE BEST. When Godzilla shoved his arm into the thing, and pulled out the eggs (future smog monsters), and started smashing them, that was most excellent. Oh, and "Son of Godzilla" is now available. Whoopee, smoke rings.

I, Robot (Widescreen Edition) (2004)

Didn't see it, didn't care, save yourself $30.

OK, now the thing to get this week. You have two options, depending on how you buy DVDs.

The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King (Platinum Series Special Extended Edition Collector's Gift Set)

If (like me) you waited until these extended version gift sets were available, here's the last one. I can hardly wait any more! On the other hand, if you only got the theatrical versions, here's your chance to get the three extended films in one go:

The Lord of the Rings - The Motion Picture Trilogy (Special Extended DVD Edition)

It appears that the bonus DVDs from the gift sets are not in this, and of course the limited edition art pieces are absent. However this is a great way to get the extended versions at a great price, even @ $120 retail, the individual releases are priced @ $80, but I've grabbed them at Costco.

Mary Poppins (40th Anniversary Edition) (1964)

While I wouldn't run out to get this, I wouldn't mind it as a gift. I actually preferred "Nanny and the Professor".

Meet the Parents (Widescreen Special Edition) (2000)

Funny, but not THAT funny. And since the sequel is coming, there could be a third. Or at least the two being released in the future as a set. I'll wait.

Quantum Leap - The Complete Second Season

In case you want it, there it is.

Silver Streak (1976)

For a "throw away" film, this one is actually pretty good. And the train bursting into the station at the end was parodied in "Airplane", in case you didn't know.

Titty Slap: Ultimate Bitch Fight

Seriously?! AHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHHAHAHA!!!!!! Yeah, well, um, no. For $5, maybe, kinda like the "Bumfight" videos.

The X-Files - The Complete Seasons 1-9

Was this series ever really that good? And who are they marketing this full set for? Who has that kind of money laying around, that is a sci-fi/conspriacy nerd? Whatever....

So there you have it! Some "must buys", maybe some late gift ideas, and some things to ignore. As always, thanks for reading, since I look through these for things I want, I'm glad to share the recommendations. Again, I wish you all Happy Holidays where ever you may be in the coming weeks. I'll be here, watching a retinue of select movies that I might detail next time. Cheers!

Just spotted this over on Yahoo News.

A computer game called 'The Journey into the Wild Divine,' that helps a patient achieve tranquility and total relaxation using sensors and instructions is demonstrated at the Video Game Entertainment Industry Technology and Medicine Conference in Marina Del Ray, California December 10, 2004. The game helps patients with anxiety and high blood pressure and does not let the patient advance through the game unless the sensors pick up certain levels of relaxation and meditation.

'Tis the season, eh? For shopping! Thankfully my Christmas list is pretty light, since I'm broke due to being hired. Yeah, funny how that being paid weekly thing can throw you off when you are hired without being told, and now you get paid bi-weekly. Meh, on with it!

The Bourne Supremacy (Widescreen Edition)

While it's been some time since I've read the books in this series, I was still underwhelmed with "The Bourne Identity". Not that either film wasn't fun or exciting, just that the books detail so much about undercover work and that really doesn't translate into a Hollywood blockbuster. Oh, and Franka Potente getting killed off so early in this one is kind of a bummer. But check them out and see if they are worth it to you.

Dodgeball - A True Underdog Story (Widescreen Edition)

I'll admit that since "Mystery Men" I've become a Ben Stiller fan. "Dodgeball" was great from start to finish, much better than the South Park guys' "Basketball", which simply had its moments.

Erasure - The Tank, The Swan, and The Balloon Live

A live show filmed in 1992, when Erasure was the height of club dance music. There are many great tracks on this 2-disc set, and as someone that has never seen them live I'd like to see how they are performed.

Frantic / Presumed Innocent (Two-Pack)

Forgive me, but I had to comment on this, despite not having seen either film. In the latest Kids In the Hall DVD release is the "Sir Simon Milligan and Hecubus" sketch where "Presumed Innocent" is mentioned. Amazingly funny sketch, as is most of the stuff presented, and well worth the price of the Season 2 collection!

The King of Kings - Criterion Collection (1927)

Whenever I catch them, I always check out Criterion's releases. Even if I don't care for the film I always marvel at the way this company preserves cinematic history. Oh, look, another one! M - Criterion Collection (1933)

Species III (Unrated Edition) (2004)

Where did this come from? Did anyone see Species II? Why?

The Ultimate Matrix Collection Limited Edition Collector's Set (The Matrix / Reloaded / Revolutions / Revisited / The Animatrix)

Like you didn't think this wasn't coming. I read about this a couple months ago, didn't care then, and the Neo bust thing looks like crap. If you must get the set, for yourself or as a gift, save many dollars and get "The Ultimate Matrix Collection", without bust and goofy packaging.

Walt Disney Treasures

The latest in this series of releases from the Disney vaults are: Mickey Mouse Club (1955); Mickey Mouse in Black and White, Volume Two; The Complete Pluto, Volume One. Uh, "Complete Pluto" and "Volume One" are mutually exclusive, as I understand English anyway. Just wanted to point these out in case they strike your fancy.

I encourage you to at least rent "Dodgeball" and see if you like it. I'll be snagging that one, but given my current budget I'll have to put the Erasure DVD on the back-burner for now. And you can always check out my collection for other movie ideas, updated weekly unless I grab nothing or just forget. Oh, and have I mentioned that Century Theaters uses REAL BUTTER on their popcorn?! *mmmm!* Until next week, keep warm and go see "Finding Neverland"!

Just one more month and it's 2005. Hard to believe, except for the 34º HIGH TEMP today. I hope everyone had a fine extended weekend, things were pretty quiet here but nice. Let's get the big hitter out of the way, then see if there's anything else of note this week.

Spider-Man 2 (Widescreen Special Edition)

I enjoyed this movie more than the first one, except the ending. Doc Ock was a pretty good nemesis, and I liked Peter Parker going through his "identity crisis". But the idea of the Green Goblin making a comeback in #3 doesn't fill me with anticipation. Unless they change something, since we already know what the suit and hoover board can do. We'll see. Oh, and if your interested, there's a gift set:
Spider-Man 2 Gift Set (Widescreen Special Edition W/Comic Book/Postcards/Sketch Book/Photo Booklet)

2004 World Series - Boston Red Sox vs. St. Louis Cardinals

Great! I didn't watch a single game! Now I can not own it for eternity! Whipee! *Note: HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! The run-time is a whopping 80-110 minutes (depending on the source)! Woo!! Getting your money's worth there!

The Boy in the Plastic Bubble (1976)

That's right, jump into your time machine of choice and check out John Travolta when he was only a Sweathog, not a Disco King.

Daredevil (Director's Cut)

Here was a movie I wanted to like, but could only appreciate. It seemed a bit shallow. But what's this? The director has added back 30 minutes of footage that flesh out our hero and enliven some of the fight scenes? This is essentially the original R-rated version of the movie that had to be edited to PG-13 for release. Interesting....

Do They Know It's Christmas

Really? Are you sure? Wasn't this like 30 minutes long?

The Fantastic Films of Ray Harryhausen - Legendary Science Fiction Series

OK, I'll be the first to admit you'd have to be a real sci-fi nerd to want this. I don't know if I want this. It's cool anyway. Includes: It Came from Beneath the Sea; Earth vs. the Flying Saucers; 20 Million Miles to Earth; Mysterious Island; H.G. Wells' First Men in the Moon

Hero (2004)

This is the movie everyone was comparing to "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon". Well, forget that, it's nothing like it. Without going into a full review of the film, let me say I'm glad I saw it, I liked the way the story was told from three different perspectives - the 2001 UK film "The Hole" did this as well - and that I don't really think I need to see it again. Maybe in a year or so I'll change my mind.

Kiddy Grade - Emerging Anew (Vol. 8)

Well, I'm very sad to see this series come to an end. I'm not big on anime, but this one has been a thrill for me to watch since February or March (whenever I got the first one) of this year. Perhaps every DVD I have purchased has just been one more nudge for another series. Doubt it. Or maybe the way this thing ends actually DENIES a continuation. I'll find out tomorrow.

OH HELL NO

Every person living in a trailer that buys these deserves their death by tornado. Send me your $20! I'll buy a DVD worth the money.

WHEW! I was afraid I'd find more of those fireplace/aquarium/paint drying/rotting stump watching DVDs. So, not a lot, but go grab your "Spider-Man 2" and one or two others that might catch your interest. See ya next week!

Bush says: "I'm humbled by the trust and the confidence of my fellow citizens. With that trust comes a duty to serve all Americans. And I will do my best to fulfill that duty every day as your president."

Bush barely won, what a dick. If Bush wants to serve me he can get our troops out of Iraq. Oh, wait, he can't do that, because he has no one to tell him how to do that. My bad.

First up is this most remarkable bit about a 5 y/o girl that feels no pain, no hot or cold. Amazing.

( Rare disease leaves Georgia girl feeling no pain at all )

As for the car, it carries on, but has managed to annoy the hell out of me. I get this odd "ain't gonna start for you no more" attitude randomly. The "check engine" light comes on and I wait for it to go out. 30 seconds/20 minutes, whatever. After consulting my service book - I get two codes: O2 sensor (already replaced) and fuel injection - there isn;t much I can do. Until the other day.

The damn light came on when I went to start the car, I waited, then got going. But no error code. A-ha! I have you now! The engine control unit must be at fault, since it didn't record a code! Hopefully that isn't more than $300 to replace, so I stop by the dealer and ask. I find out that a replacement ECU is $880.11, new or remanufactured. This would be exactly $280.11 more than I paid for the car. Fuck that.

I call the premier local repository of Honda parts and ask them what a used one goes for: $100. Then I call this nice little junkyard about 15 minutes away: $85. Sweet! Just an hour of diagnostics costs $80, so dropping $85 for a possible fix is OK with me. Picked it up last Friday - also got a new (used) lock for the hatch, since it was screwdrivered at some time in the past - and hooked it up, as it wasn't raining. I had a moment of panic when I thought "Shit! Did this come from a Si?!", since it would be incompatible with my simple 1.5l engine, but the car fired up right nice! But then it was still rush hour, so the test drive had to wait.

Cutting to the chase, I was able to get the 'check engine' light to come on, the O2 code and the fiel injection code since the switch. But the car actually runs better with the '91 ECU than the original '89, and I eliminated a major component for cheap, as far as I'm concerned. So now I will swap out the 1+ year old O2 sensor, PCV and fuel filter (I kinda skipped doing that last year since the car was OK and everything else I was doing was getting on my nerves), hopefully get the chance for an oil change, then clear the codes from the ECU and see what happens.

I've dropped one load of Super, then Plus, and the next load will be Super in the tank to see if that helps out. At 212K miles, anything I can do that doesn't involve a shop is money well spent. Looking forward to this weekend and getting stuff done, just to see what changes occur.

Others take it to the extreme.

Girl upset over being grounded accused of killing her mother

DALLAS - A 12-year-old girl upset about being grounded by her mother fatally shot the woman in the face while she slept, police said.
Elvira Marion Walton, 48, was discovered in her bed early Sunday by her son. The 10-year-old boy called police around 1 a.m.

"Apparently the motive is because the daughter was upset that the mother disciplined her," police Sgt. Gary Kirkpatrick said in Monday editions of The Dallas Morning News.

The girl has been charged with murder. Police found a gun in the house, but investigators did not immediately say whether it was the weapon used in the shooting or who owned it.

An older daughter, Thanica Derrick, said her mother had been having trouble with the girl. Walton had six children and lived in a converted garage used as the family home.

"She is your average 12-year-old, hormones and everything," said Derrick, 22. "There's nothing that bad to make her do that to my mama. She had been breaking out of the house and not going to school."

Holy cow, what the crap?

Authorities: Girl attacked baby sitter with machete
Thursday, October 7, 2004 Posted: 7:55 PM EDT (2355 GMT)

BARSTOW, California (AP) -- An 11-year-old attacked her baby sitter with a machete during a struggle that included attempts by the girl to grab a baseball bat, a shovel and a BB gun, investigators said.

The girl fled on a bicycle after the attack but was arrested about an hour later and booked for investigation of assault with a deadly weapon, said Sgt. Doug Hubbard, of the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.The 34-year-old sitter telephoned deputies after fending off the Tuesday attack and locking herself and the girl's 12-year-old sister in the bathroom of the Mojave Desert home, Hubbard said. No serious injuries were reported.

The girl and the sitter had gotten into an argument over feeding a dog, and the girl began to beat and choke the animal, Hubbard said. The sitter tried to pry the girl off the dog. The scuffle moved to the front yard, where the girl grabbed a shovel and then a baseball bat in an attempt to attack the woman, Hubbard said. The girl next found a BB gun, but the woman got it away from her, he said.

The altercation continued until the girl found the machete lying in the yard and began to chase the woman, who took refuge in the bathroom, Hubbard said.

"...but every once in a while... it's a dildo. Of course it's company policy never to, imply ownership in the event of a dildo... always use the indefinite article 'a dildo', never 'your dildo'".

Vibrator shuts down Australian airport
Mon Oct 4, 1:47 PM ET

BRISBANE, Australia (AFP) - Hundreds of airline passengers suffered disruption to their travel plans when a major regional airport was shut down for an hour after a humming and vibrating adult sex toy was mistaken for a bomb. The vibrator was discovered at 9:15 am (2315 GMT Sunday) by a security officer who checked out a suspicious package inside a rubbish bin at the terminal cafeteria of Mackay Airport in the northeastern state of Queensland, a police spokeswoman said.

The terminal was evacuated immediately while passengers who had just arrived from a flight, check-in staff, cafeteria employees and hire car personnel were all forced to leave. Cafeteria manager Lynne Bryant said her staff had been cleaning tables when they noticed a strange humming noise coming from the rubbish bin.

"It was rather disconcerting when the rubbish bin started humming furiously," she said. "We called security and next minute everybody was being evacuated while they checked it out."

The police spokeswoman said another two flights were expected to land at that stage and alternate arrangements were made for the passengers to collect their luggage away from the terminal. She said the emergency situation was revoked just before 10:00 am when the package was identified as "an adult novelty device".

Bryant said at the time of the upheaval the airport had been quite busy with two main flights due in and out of the airport - wreaking havoc with people's schedules. She said in retrospect the humming sounded exactly like a vibrator - but it was better to be safe then sorry. "You can't afford to take chances," she added.

I don't hav cable, so I've even seen the show, nor do I care. But NOT getting news about this show is impossible. Unless you live on some remote isle, I suppose. What I don't get is the media attention to Sarah Jessica Parker, who is decidedly unattractive, but I digress. Cynthia Nixon, on the other hand, is 'easy on the eyes'.

'Sex and the City' star now in same-sex relationship

Actress Cynthia Nixon, who just won an Emmy for her role as Miranda on HBO's "Sex and the City," is now in a relationship with another woman. A source who works with Nixon is confirming the reports from two New York newspapers. The Daily News and the Post say Nixon has been dating a woman since January.

A publicist for the actress is not confirming or denying it. Nixon told the Daily News that her "private life is private," but that she has "nothing to hide." So she adds, "What I will say is that I am very happy." She split last year with a man who had been her high-school sweetheart. They been together for 15 years, but never married. They share custody of their two children.