Mumbai attacks

A bunch of terrorist are in the midst of a co-ordinated attack on Mumbai, India. The reports first started trickling in on Twitter, of all places, as I follow a few people who live in Mumbai. They have actually heard the explosions.

The terrorists have hit at least 7 locations with grenades and automatic weapons. At least 25 are dead. A hospital, a hotel and a restaurant have been hit.

This is bad news all around. The situation is pretty chaotic. This is still going on. It's scary as hell. Mahalo's working on updates, which can be found at:

http://www.mahalo.com/Mumbai_Terrorist_Attacks

Quantum of Solace parody earworm

I've stumbled across a parody of the newest James Bond Film "Quantum of Solace." I can't get enough of this video.
The vid is by comedian Joe Cornish. He had a comedy show with Adam Buxton on the BBC called "Adam and Joe" and is apparently friends with the "Shaun of the Dead" guys.

This is addictively funny. You have been warned.

The Video is here

This is just a stellar video, for several reasons. First, the production values on this are top-notch. The song is fun to listen to and musically interesting. The vocals, though sung by a guy who is obviously not the strongest singer in the world, are solid and in tune. And the somewhat dorky delivery adds to the song's charm. The music video that goes with the song is also high quality, splicing several clips from Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace, and a few other sources together to enhance the song and make it even funnier.

And the lyrics are some of the funniest I've heard in a while. They capture the essence of the new Bond films perfectly. My absolute favorite part of the song is where the singer slides into a diatribe about how he misses Roger Moore and the wry humor of the earlier bond films, without missing a beat.

I'd never heard of Joe Cornish before but I'll be seeking out more of his stuff. Largely because I hope it will help wean me off the video. I mean, I've watched it about 50 times already. I sing it at home and on the bus.

Sometimes I wish Roger Moore would come back
With his underwater car and some kind of jetpack...

YEEAAAAARGH!

Election Day Drinking

(cross-posted on Garlic is Love.)
Whether you're a Republican or Democrat, a teetotaler or a lush, there's a libation for you on Election Day.

I did an informal Twitter poll, and most people are drinking hard liquor, of all things. Gin, scotch, Tequila (if "their man" loses), Goldschlager and bitters (aka "Conservative's Tears."

I'm having a small party, two political junkie friends are coming over later, but mostly I'm helping Mahalo make sure that the election returns are updated as fast and accurately as possible.

If you want to avoid the Internet traffic disaster that CNN, ABC, CBS and NBC will be, check out these fun and fast sites over at Mahalo:

Electoral Map
Exit Polls

But I digress. I wanted to offer some drinks of my own for this election cycle. Although I've tested these drinks, or versions close to them (ask me about the "flaming kitten" sometime), Imbibe at your own risk, don't drink and drive.

The Obama
1 to 2 oz peaty scotch, like LaPhroaig
1/2 oz Kahlua or other coffee liqueur
1/2 oz banana liqueur
splash of heavy cream
Combine, stir. Serve on the Barocks.

The McCain
2 oz whiskey
Juice of 1/2 lemon, fresh squeezed
1 Tablespoon of sugar
Shot of Tobasco sauce or other hot sauce (for that Maverick-y edge)
Shake, strain, serve.

The Palin
Essentially a Cosmo, but make sure you make it with Russian vodka.
2 oz Russian vodka
1 oz Cointreau, Triple Sec, or other citrus liqueur
1 lime, fresh squeezed (or 1 oz lime juice)
1 oz Cranberry juice

The Biden (called the Hrab in some circles)
Diet coke in a highball glass over ice.
Biden is a teetotaler, you see.


Other options

*Are you a Joe (or Jane) Six-pack? Celebrate being a demographic with a six pack of your favorite beer.

*Make a red-white and blue layered drink called a pousse-cafe. The trick is to use a narrow glass and pour each layer over the back of a spoon. You can use any liqueurs for this, but you'll want to experiment to make sure they have different enough densities to separate.

*Drink wine. There's a company doing "red" and "blue" wines, but any red, white, or blue wine will do.

And a few drink ideas for those who don't (or won't, or can't) drink. AAA is big on mocktails, to encourage people not to drink and drive. Check your local state AAA group, and/or the links below.

AAA Oklahoma "mocktail" contest winners

20 Mocktails from AAA Wisconsin

Red, white and blue layered drink (nonalcoholic)

One final note on non-alcoholics: Infusing herbs like mint, basil, or any herb you like is a great way to impart flavor, and a touch of bitterness, into a drink without adding the booze.

Remember, drink early, drink often!

I think that's how the saying goes...

Wardrobegate revisited

Okay.

After a few days to simmer down, some interesting discussions on Twitter, and a great Slate article detailing how easy it actually is to spend 150 G's on couture, I've revised my position on Sarah Palin's wardrobe upgrade.

1. It's not taxpayer money. It's money donated to the GOP by numerous individuals.
2. A sharp, snappy wardrobe is necessary to Palin's appearance as the vice presidential candidate.
3. Whether a house-priced wardrobe or a $1.5 million house (aka the Obama's new digs), conspicuous consumption is conspicuous consumption.

I'm still not happy about the decision, but I'm no longer angry about the decision. The Republicans are right: there are more important issues in this election.