Place: Flying W Ranch

Underneath the tourist-trap schlock was a temple to the Spirit of the West. The Flying W always reinvented itself, but never lost it’s tradition of commitment to hard work, family values, tasty food, and Western (not Country) music. Like the phoenix, it will surely rise again.

The Movie: “Office Space”

So many quotable lines; so few lines I would be comfortable quoting. Also, why do white people like gangsta rap so much? (Present company excluded, of course.)

TV: “The Office” (US)

Especially when Michael Scott was working at Scranton, every episode is the most excruciating experience imaginable. Why is this so funny?

The Movie: “The Count of Monte Cristo” (2002)

I imagine Victor Hugo rolled over in his grave when this was released: not one actor even fakes a French accent. But I guess it’s better to have everyone speak in vaguely English accents than in truly outrageous French ones. Also, see the guy who played Jesus play an atheist.

The Book: “No Country for Old Men”

I guess if you write like Cormac McCarthy, you dont need punctuation so much.

The Movie: “Everything Must Go”

A story about a man who has destroyed his life via alcoholism ought to be way more depressing and less funny than this.

Car: Mazda 3

The model I drove on Kaua’i had a semi-manual transmission or as Joy called it, my new favorite toy.

Device: iPod Touch

Mobile internet browser, Kindle for low-light situations, and temporary child entertainment.

The Movie: “Jurassic Park”

Dinosaurs are awesome! Playing God? Not so much.

The book: “Pride and Prejudice”

A guest review from Mark Twain:

Every time I read ‘Pride and Prejudice’ I want to dig her up and beat her over the skull with her own shin-bone.

(Hat tip: John Freiberg)