Travels with Grumpus

The Wall Street Journal reports

But eight years after Goldman Sachs Group Inc. became the last major Street partnership to sell shares to the public, securities-industry MDs are grumbling that what was once the brass ring of promotions has been compromised by rapid growth and corporate belt-tightening.

I’m supposed to feel sorry for people who make between US$1 million and US$20 million a year? Cocksuckers. Full story here.

So-called “Friends of the Earth” are trying to frighten African governments into refusing shipments of rice from the United States. No friends of hungry Africans, these morons. Read all about it here. 

From Grumpus:

Williams Mocks Bush Over Global Warming

The Fisher King star Robin Williams has hit out at President George W. Bush for refusing to accept global warming is a reality. The One Hour Photo actor - currently voicing a penguin in animated movie Happy Feet - is angry Bush has failed to sign the Kyoto Treaty to cut harmful emissions, and he accuses the American leader of being in denial. Speaking at the Happy Feet UK premiere in Leicester Square, London on Sunday night, Williams says, “There is global warming. I know our president doesn’t agree. (Bush thinks) ‘Global Warming. Oh just go inside for a bit.’”

Let’s see what Robin could have learned had he gone to Wikipedia.org:

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By the time this latest round of reclamation is over, Victoria Harbor will have lost half its original area. The folk that run this town apparently decided, despite the fact that 70% of Hong Kong is farmland and countryside, that more land had to be created, more open space had to be had. Now I subscribe to the “I’m sorry but your living room is in the way of progress” school of thought when it comes to city planning, highway-building and the like, but this landfill is neither useful nor necessary.  It was inevitable though, given the true nature of the balance of power in Hong Kong.  One of these days, and it won’t be long, we will be able to walk across the harbor.

What’s the big deal about this harbor anyway, you ask? The local tourism authority calls it one of the world’s most impressive natural harbors. I know it as the home of the most spectacular skyline in this neck o’ the woods,

the dividing line between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon/ the giant landmass that leads into China (click here for the Google map)

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Another slow day at work for Mickey. Here’s the Conrado de Quiros write-up on the Saddam trial and sentencing.

Grumpus says, “I’m not going to waste any time refuting this sad, little man and his “brave” opinions.”

New York plans to make gender personal choice. The plan would let people alter the sex on their birth certificate even if they have not had sex-change surgery. Read about it here.

Grumpus says, “All I can say is: What the fuck? Next thing you know, we’ll be able to choose our own species. I’d like to be a cheetah.”

Love her and her gang of misfits like we do, it pains me to admit that Season 2 of Veronica Mars was a big disappointment. Season 1 ended perfectly and neatly, but left us with a few unanswered questions:

1. Who was that at the door? Is he Veronica’s one true love?
2. Will there ever be another mystery as compelling as Lilly’s murder?
3. Will Veronica stay as lovably badass now that she’s been proven right and likely to lose her outsider status?
4. Will Keith become sheriff again? Will he find happiness with Wallace’s mom?
5. Will Duncan ever crack a smile?
6. How hot is Logan?
7. Will we get that same shiver of fear and excitement and feeling of absolute rightness when we finally learn who the bad guy is?
8. Is it ever as good as the first time?

Spoilers after the jump.

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From the NY Times’ review of “The Last Kiss”:

Mr. Braff’s panicky passivity is its own kind of magnetism, I guess. His wobbly chin and startled eyes might be taken for evidence of sweetness, and he is certainly a credible incarnation of the kind of mopey, wet-noodle hipster lately ubiquitous in independent movies, unsigned rock bands and certain Brooklyn neighborhoods. But the challenge of conveying both Michael’s weakness and his decency — the qualities that lead him astray and those that make him worthy of forgiveness — seems entirely beyond him.

Mr Braff arouses a visceral reaction in me - I’d like to punch him in the face. I get the same feeling when I see Jake Gyllenhaal bat his eyes, or hear John Mayer cute his way through “Yeh bahdeez a wahndehland”. Once upon a time I felt the same way about Adrian Brody, purely on the basis of his pained expression in “The Piano” trailers and hangdog look in the Zegna ads. Then I saw him in King Kong and all was forgiven.

Zach Braff is unlikely to redeem himself in like manner. Ugh. Excuse me while I go punch something. Thanks to Grumpus for the quote.

link

another link 

Thanks, Defamer.

Consider this one by Philippe Starck. He’s been called the “most famous and prolific designer alive,” having designed homes, hotel interiors, furniture, luggage, household bric-a-brac and so forth. Chances are you’ve seen his name on something for sale in some store near you.

The house in question is the only known private residence he’s designed in the US. It’s a 3-bedroom, 2 1/2 bathroom, 2,500 square foot house on a 6,500 square foot lot in Mar Vista on the west side of Los Angeles. Amenities include a covered patio; decks; finished two-car garage, used as office and family room; and ocean views. Sound fancy? Well the sellers are asking US$ 1.695 million for it.

Now if that sounds like a lot of money to you, let me put it in a bit of context. US$ 1.695 million is about HK$ 13.2 million. In this town, for slightly more money than that, you can buy a 1,351 square foot 3-bedroom apartment in a high rise, minus the brand name designer, patio, decks, garage, office and family room. For those of you who have never house hunted in Hong Kong, that 1,351 square feet includes your share of the building’s common area (elevator, lobby, etc) - so you’re probably looking at 1,050 square feet net for your 3 bedrooms, 2 baths and combined living/ dining areas.

I’ll take the Starck house, thank you.