I thought about you last night! When I was channel surfing, I saw a listing for an ep of Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations that he filmed there.

Ooh, do watch it! I burst out laughing whenever he started complaining about the cold. The episode does make Harbin look really ugly and desolate, but it's still fun. And I totally know the guy they talk to who runs the bar with the Irish accent. He gives me a free tequila shot every time my friends and I go there. Hah.

I find it kind of irritating, unless you're Frank Davis.

Yep.

I've heard good things about The Wire, but all I've ever heard is that it's brilliant, I don't even know the premise. Hah. So, here's your chance, evangelize at me! I watch way too much TV, I'm always in search of something new =)

Well, the premise isn't critical. It's nominally about the institutions in Baltimore that channel human behavior -- focusing on, roughly chronologically, people in the police department, drug trade, union, government, schools and media. Usually there's a police investigation over the course of a season, so there's a procedural element. It's such a complex show that describing it doesn't do it justice. But when I finish a season I think, "Why was I watching anything else instead of this?" This show is ten times better than any show that has ever aired. Nothing comes close.

Pardon me as I plagiarize amych:

Married a man (8 years! Whoa!). Monogamous. Yep, still bi.

Why Is Everyone Moving to Texas?

Well, the premise isn't critical. It's nominally about the institutions in Baltimore that channel human behavior -- focusing on, roughly chronologically, people in the police department, drug trade, union, government, schools and media. Usually there's a police investigation over the course of a season, so there's a procedural element. It's such a complex show that describing it doesn't do it justice. But when I finish a season I think, "Why was I watching anything else instead of this?" This show is ten times better than any show that has ever aired. Nothing comes close.

What bon said. Or, for more, what I said.

This show is ten times better than any show that has ever aired. Nothing comes close.

It does have a bit of a hurdle to get into, I swear. I'm two eps in (I probably shouldn't be going back and doing the commentary right after each ep), and I can objectively see that it's quality, and the amount of talent oozes off the screen, but I'm not addicted.

But it's definitely one of those shows that makes me feel like the shortcoming is mine and not its.

My god, I miss the job with the cafeteria that had breakfast potatoes where I could get cheese and salsa and bacon on it every morning. I am craving savoury this morning. I have tasty cookies and fruit, but it's not the same.

Someone cheerfully told me that there was going to be another ita in the department. Except spelt differently.

Hmm...not ita, then, huh? Then it is a whole different vibe, thanks, for NOT KNOWING HOW TO PRONOUNCE MY NAME.

Also, again, you people who type iTa are really weird.

Married a man (8 years! Whoa!). Monogamous. Yep, still bi.

I totally didn't know you were bisexual. I am clearly not nosy enough into my friends' lives.

he pronounces it New Orleeenz

No such place. There's an Orleeenz Parish, but no city by that name.

I heard Nawlins and Norlins fairly interchangeably. Is one considered more correct/hipper/proper?

It's been a long time since I was there. But "Nawlins" was hip, "Norlins" (or "New Oar-lunz") was perfectly acceptable and "normal", "New OR-lee-unz" was for the older and more proper crowd.

So, all the people who sing "Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans," including the people who are from there, are DOIN IT RONG? That is seriously fucking hilarious.

Well, yeah.

Well, yeah.

I guess it would throw the rhythm off if they sang it "Do you know what it means to miss N'orlins".