There are over 700 images to go through (about 1.2 GB in storage, meaning I nearly resorted to the old SmartMedia cards), so you’re all gonna have to be a bit patient while I sort them out.

We’re back. We’ve been up for over 20 hours so don’t bother calling us till tomorrow.

We arrived in Paris yesterday without incident. Now go do something else and stop worrying.

My first election day in the 36th Congressional District, which basically is Santa Monica, Venice, and all points south along the coast to Long Beach excluding the wealthy Palos Verdes peninsula. Odd district.

Anyhow.

Mayor; City of Los Angeles
Antonio R. Villaraigosa

I voted for Parks, so this is essentially a vote of discontent for Hahn.

Council Member; City of Los Angeles; District 11
Flora Gil Krisiloff

Really similar to her opponent, and both have some pretty harsh mud-slingers on their websites (most of which I presume inflated), so really, it’s more a judgement call based on experience. Krisiloff’s been around and Rosendahl’s involved with Adelphia and all that implies.

Measure Charter Amendment - A Removal of Restrictions on Reorganization of Security and Law Enforcement Authority at the City’s Airport Facilities — City of Los Angeles
No.

LAX has their own dedicated police force. The LAPD has a big enough city as it is without integrating with the international airport.

Measure CharterAmendment - B Vote Counting Procedures for Recall Elections — City of Los Angeles
Yes.

Shall the Charter be amended to eliminate the provision that requires a voter to cast a vote on the question of recalling the incumbent in order to have his or her vote counted for a replacement candidate?

Uh… yes? Those are two separate votes, why does one require the other? If you abstain, it means you abstain, but that doesn’t mean you do not have a say about who gets to be elected into office should the official be recalled.

Okay movie. Not a Jet Li vehicle, though. Not in the regular sense. Frankly, the movie would have done well if they expanded more on his character’s discovery of humanity again (Li is a decent actor when he needs to be). The bits where he’s a dog are just not fun. They aren’t meant to be, but the point of Jet Li’s prowess in wushu is that he is graceful, nimble, fast, and that he enjoys displaying his abilities but does not gloat over them. As a dog, he just rushes and attacks and does that whole Bruce Willis thing where you repeatedly punch or bash someone senseless. It’s just not fun.

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Heavy-handedness and lack of character development for half the cast make this movie so-so. Also, the heavy-handedness was awkwardly done. I like my heavy-handed with snarling teeth, like Falling Down.

Go see Falling Down. Hell, go see Colors. Both have Robert Duvall, anyway.

Okay, I’m being a bit harsh. Some of it was good.

Matt Dillon presented perhaps one of the better multi-faceted characters and his story is a decent one, provided you don’t let the story connect the way it does to Thandie Newton.

The most powerful story, though lacking the complexity of Dillon’s role, involved the Latino locksmith, the Persian storeowner, and a magic cloak.

Sandra Bullock and Brendan Fraser win the award for dullest, most idiotic story line.

Ryan Phillipe’s little bit? It had potential, particularly if it was emphasized along with Don Cheadle’s bit. Those two connecting stories alone would have made for a very interesting cop drama. Instead, they’re left relatively unresolved and undeveloped.

Oh and Ludacris? It was ludicrous. Pun sooo intended.

Almost worth a matinee ticket, but really, just wait for it to show on cable.

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Two more weeks and I’m off on a ten-day to Paris and Amsterdam.

Well done. Funny for fans and newcomers alike, though crazed fans will find some offense. That’s why they’re called crazed.

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