Into the Streets, on TV

Protests, broadcasts, injustice and more. That's how August's looking. Pussy Riot is the name on most activists' lips, and even post-activists. The band has been served a two-year sentence for "hooliganism" after their protest in a church. The increasingly fascistic Russian regime has also banned Gay Pride events "for 100 years." Wow. WTF are you so afraid of, Putin and your thug minions? Protests in support of the women continue around the world. Even the White House condemned the 'disproportionate sentencing' in what has become a global cause.

In New York City, protestors took to the streets and Gracie Mansion to try to convince their snobbish Mayor Bloomberg that accessible taxi cabs are a must.

"On August 8, demonstrators gathered in front of Gracie Mansion to protest the annual Mayor Bloomberg-sponsored event “celebrating” the Americans with Disabilities Act. The protest was focused on the mayor’s ferocious opposition to making the New York City taxi fleet accessible, as has been done in London and elsewhere. Bloomberg has stated publicly that he does not think that wheelchair users should be out on the street hailing cabs, and has publicly voiced sympathy for taxi drivers who, despite the law, choose not to stop for people with wheelchairs."

Oscar: winner

[Note: This essay was written well before Pastorius' arrest and sentencing for the shooting death of his girlfriend.]

The 30th Olympics in London continue at a fast pace, including the Men's 10,000-meter, which I just watched (congrats to Mo Farra!). Cute American gymnasts won in various levels, and Michael Phelps made even more swimming history with his multiple medal wins.

But what really excited me was Oscar Pistorius' historic placing in the 400m men's track race. The South African runner, nicknamed 'Blade Runner,' has already made history with his accomplishments in prior Paralympics competitions. But this year, the double amputee qualified in the Olympics, having broken through barriers and biases in the TAB (Temporarily Able-Bodied) events. The use of high-tech prosthetics were judged to not be an unfair advantage for the runner.

Here's a little bootleg video of Pistorius' qualifying race.

Smart; phone

While I've been adjusting to all the fun of finally getting a Smart phone, I was quietly relieved to find an actual book about tips and tricks to using the damn thing. Yes, a phone book.

The insipidly consumer-focused "instruction" manual basically dictates in Disneyland-ish "you must be this stupid to post all your photos on Flikr," the guide tells you nothing about how anything works!

I've been bugging my pals for tips, but the book is finally my new desk-side fave. Queuing up a playlist while texting and assigning a contact list portrait? Done.

It's always nice to hear about other people who've enjoyed my books. Food blogger extraordinaire Jonathan Melendez posted a cute pic of himself with my book. I wonder if I can bribe more people to post photos of themselves reading/with my book? What if I promised a free copy of the sequel (Maybe an early emailed excerpt)?

Vegas; a gas

A weekend press trip to Las Vegas lured me across the border, but it wasn't money I gambled on.

Stayed at the Mandalay Bay; excellent! Saw shows and went to a few pool parties. Unfortunately, San Francisco weather came with me, and there was no need for the SPF 4000 sunscreen.