We were a diverse group–Rodrigo who’s still in college, to Charlotte, who worked on the  Adlai Stevenson Campaign. Although our Community Organizer Priscilla and Team Leader Max are centered in West LA, our group spanned many parts of the city, from Hollywood to Ladera Heights, Downtown LA to Brentwood. But we came with a singular focus – a second term for the President who has brought us the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act, who has negated Don’t Ask, Don’ Tell, who has finally delivered healthcare for all Americans. And we expect even more from him in his second term.

Some were motivated to come because we wanted to pay back, like Adam, whose parents’ organic food distribution company benefited from the small business tax cuts. Some, like Jean, who has lived under many more administrations than most of the rest of us, wanted to say “no more republicans.”  All of us came because we know it’s easy to complain about the things that haven’t been accomplished yet, but it’s harder to stand up and support the man who can still make it happen, who is our best chance to make sure it happens, and who we firmly believe is the best leader for our country.

Our breakout groups were organized by neighborhood, so we could start to form small, supportive teams of folks to carry the message and manage the hard work of reaching new voters and reminding current voters of what the administration has accomplished. It was great to know I have folks nearby who I can brainstorm, organize and canvass with.

We discovered we are all quite well-informed about the progress we have made, even if we don’t have all the key facts and figures memorized. Even if we get some of our information from The Daily Show. We compared notes on how we now watch CNN and MSNBC, listen to the State of the Union and other presidential addresses, and pay attention to what’s written in the media.  We found sources where we can educate ourselves on those facts and figures, to dispute the lies and myths that often fly during an election.

We thought of local events like farmers’ markets and art festivals where we could recruit more volunteers, and places we could go to make sure people remember to vote and are able to. We want to get on campus to remind college students to register locally, or register in their home state for absentee ballots. We want to encourage seniors to apply for permanent vote by mail status, so they don’t have to sweat the  logistics of getting to their polling place. We want to remind everyone we talk to that every vote counts and that one of the great things about our country is that everyone gets to vote.

I look forward to more planning meetings, more phone banks, more getting out to local events. I look forward to building strong new friendships with people I meet through OFA and the Campaign. And mostly, I look forward to helping President Obama win re-election in 2012, because I’m proud of our country, and I’m proud to have him as our leader.

For the Comic-Con virgins, like I was, you should know that if I used one word to describe Comic-Con, it’s “fun.” If you like Halloween and pop culture, you’ll love this event. You’ve never seen so many elaborate costumes. You could just sit outside the convention center and watch people go in all day and you’d be entertained.

Second, there are celebrities walking around everywhere. In my 2 1/2 days, i saw the entire cast of Vampire Diaries,  Stan Lee, Morgan Spurlock, Joshua Jackson and the rest of the Fringe cast. And that was just at the hotel. I also got to meetand chat with D.B. Sweeney (toe pick!), Larry Thomas (the Soup Nazi), a guy from Heroes, voice of Futurama Billy West, voice of Spongebob Squarepants Tom Kenney, G4′s Chris Gore and more I just can’t think of right now.

If you think Comic-Con is all comic book-y and geek-y, this ain’t your grandfather’s Comic-Con. Now, it encompasses TV, Movies, books, comics, collectibles, toys and pop culture. Mostly the TV and movies are here if they’re sci-fi related or sci-fi cast related (I’m lookin’ at your Castle and Nathan Fillion), although some are just desperate to be considered here with the cool kids (yes, you, Glee.) There’s art, performances, panels, toys, screening and autographs. There’s comic book art, anime and independent film.

In short, if you’re interested in virtually anything pop culture, start planning now for 2011. You won’t be sorry. I’m certainly not.

WOMEN WHO KICK ASS panel

Made me want to see “Kick Ass” and watch “Fringe.”

TRUE BLOOD panel

Awesomeness. What to say? Nelsan Ellis’ favorite word as Lafayette is “bitch.” Ann prefers filming love scenes (vs. violence) in the morning, so she doesn’t have to go thru’ the whole day with icky blood goo on her. Joe Manganiello (Alcide) howled and let us know he’d  be fully naked in Sunday’s episode. Anna and Stephen Moyer looked incredibly lovey-dovey. Alexander Skarsgard was absent and they knew we missed him, so they put up a cardboard cutout. Not really anything like our multi-dimensional Alex. Or Eric, even.

FUTURAMA panel

They actually did a table read of a script they have not yet filmed, which was incredibly entertaining. Matt Groening gave out prizes for good questions from the audience.

V panel

Scott Wolf and Morena Baccarin on one panel (and right next to each other) was almost too much beauty to bear. Almost.

FRINGE panel

Now I’m determined to watch Fringe. Sounds great. The director made each audience questioner answer a trivia question from the actors. Great fun. Every panel should do that!

HEROES guy (David H. Lawrence XVII) and my friend Mechel

KEVIN SMITH panel. Some guy proposed to his girlfriend. They met one year ago at Comic-Con. Kevin was entertaining, as always.

DB Sweeney – Toepick! (Has new movie coming out; he and partners made original, now on DVD, is being re-shot by studio.)

And to wrap up, a little hotel lobby fun:

Granted, some of these folks may not be able to explain the offside rule, or name more than one of the US players (I’m talking about you, Landon Donovan) but for someone who’s been a fan of the sport of football since back around the early 70′s, and a fan of US soccer since the late 70′s, it’s certainly rewarding to see, and long overdue. We may not have the grace of “the beautiful game” the Brazilians play, or the history of teams like England or Italy, but finally, we have the enthusiasm of our country behind the team.

So learn those names folks – there’s a full roster right here – http://www.ussoccer.com/Tournaments/FIFA-World-Cup/2010-FIFA-World-Cup/Training-Camp-Roster/100526-Roster.aspx. I’ve pasted it below.

Sadly, you won’t be seeing most of these players regularly after World Cup. Because of the weakness of support for the game in the US, most of these players make their living overseas. Yes, Landon Donovan plays for the LA Galaxy of the MLS, and Jonathan Bornstein for Chivas. However, all three goalkeepers play in the England – Tim Howard for Everton, Brad Guzan for Aston Villa and Marcus Hahnemann for Wolverhampton. Michael Bradley plays in Germany and other team members play in Scotland, Norway, Denmark, Italy and Mexico! Note the differences in the roster below between “Hometown” and current “Club.”

We can only hope this new enthusiasm for soccer (football) here in the Status will translate to real opportunities for players to make a decent living here at home some day soon. I know I’d like to see them playing right here in LA all summer long. In the meantime, enjoy World Cup, everyone!

(SPOILERS! Don’t read if you haven’t watched these episodes.) I’ve provided some context where necessary although, honestly, some of them may be even more precious without context.

Episode 11 – Fresh Blood

Lafayette, to Jesus: “Just LIKE a virgin. “

Jason, to Crystal: “It’s like a werewolf, only a panther?”… “I thought it was shopliftin’ or something!“

Eric, to Russell: “1,000 years ago you came with your solves to the Vikings. You killed a family. My family.“

Mrs. Foytenberry, to Summer: “Damn it all to heck. Dagnabit.“

Tommy, to Sam: “You’re nothing but Joe Lee in a Sam suit.“

Sookie, to Bill (about their alterna-dream life): “We don’t even KNOW Eric Northman.“

Tara, to Sam: “What crawled up your butt tonight?” Sam, in response: “Nothin. Expressin’ my feelings.”

Arlene to Doc (weakly, in finding out she hasn’t lost the baby): “Yay.“

Eric, to Pam: “You know I love you more when you’re cold and heartless.“

Episode 10 – I Smell A Rat

Sookie, to Bill: “I’m a FAIRY? How fucking lame!“

Eric, to Yvetta: (You mean to me…) “less than nothing, you gold-digging whore!“

Lafayette, to Jesus: “Them fuckers is a whole new dimension of trash.“

Eric, to Sookie: “Do what you want. I won’t be around much longer anyway. I wish you the best, Sookie Stackhouse.“

Sam, to waitress: “I got two rules in my bar. No dancing, no religion.“

Jesus, to Lafayette: “Abuelo….He practiced black arts…. He had big plans for me.”

Eric, to Sookie: “If I meet the true death without having at least having you, Sookie Stackhouse, that would be my biggest regret.“

Pam, to Eric: “Blah, blah, vampire emergency, blah.“

Pam, to Eric: “You’re choosing a human over yourself, Eric? Over me?… You would have said, and done, anything to save Godric. I have no interest in inheriting your farm on Erhland(?). That place is a windy shithole. If you’re not going to give him Sookie, at least figure out how to use her. And fast.“

Sookie, to Eric: “I’m not some kind of prisoner you can just lock up any time you feel like taking off.“  Eric: “Actually, you are.“

EPISODE 9 – “Everything is Broken”

Jason, to Crystal: “Could you not make me a rapist?”

Eric, to Ginger: “Ginger, dear, where do you live?”

Pam, to Ginger: “We’re going to need your house. Now-ish.”

Eric, to “the authority”: “FUCK THE AUTHORITY! Russell’s words. Verbatim.”

Sookie, to Bill: “Normal couples do NOT do this, Bill Compton.”

Lettie Mae, to Lafayette: “You ain’t got your mask on. I can see you. My  son is shining thru. Did he do this to you?” Lafeyette, in response:  “No. Yeah. I guess you could say that.”

Arlene, re: needing 9 hours sleep: “It’s for the BABY!”

Hoyt, to Jessica (about his current girlfriend): “I hate her. God help me, but I fucking hate her. ….Everything is dolls… and she will not stop talking.

Franklin, to Jason You do realize I’m a vampire? …I’ll heal.” Jason, in response: “Not if I’ve got wooden bullets.”

Bill, to Sookie: “I know what you are.”

And, I think everyone would agree this was the line of the night:

Russell, to the TV viewing audience. “Now, time for the weather. Tiffany?”

EPISODE 8 – “Night on the Sun” The sexiest episode (and by that I mean lust and sex-filled, including best girl fight.)

Talbot, to Russell: “You’re acting like a century-old child.”

Eric, to Russell: “I enjoy a good head-ripping as much as the  next vampire, but…”

Eric, to Russell:  “Give me a chance, and I will show you just how deep my loyalty runs.”

Alcide, to Sookie: “I know you’re tougher than a one-eared alleycat….”

Jason, to Crystal: “What is it about you that makes me feel this way?” (Crystal: “What way?”) “Like I’m home.”

Jesus, to Ruby Jean: “Just give me the knife and let’s watch some TV.”

Sookie, to Alcide: “If I knew what was best for me, I’d have fallen in love with someone like you.” Alcide, in response: “Back at ya’. It’s too bad we’re so stupid, huh?”

Tommy, to Sam: “College? You really don’t know me at all, do you?”

Bill, to Jessica, “…it’s over (between me and Sookie). (J: “No way.”) “Way.”

Eric, to Sookie (via Hadleigh): “Russell is coming for you. Don’t trust Bill.”

Eric, to Talbot: “It’s been a long time since I’ve done this.” (T: “A man?”) “No, a vampire.”

Line of the episode;

Eric, to Talbot “Turn over…. Russell took my family. Now I take his.”

EPISODE 7 – “Hitting the Ground” The most serious episode.

Lorena, to Sookie: “No wonder Bill’s so in love with you. You’re delicious!

Eric, to Russell: “I remember everything.”

Debbie, to Alicide, Sookie and Tara,who are wrapping Bill in a tarp: “Vampire burrito? For me?

Jason, to Hoyt: “I never really thought I was smart enough to get depressed, but here I am. … Also, do you think she’s named after the champagne, cuz I’m thinking she was.”

Sam, to fighting dog: “Don’t you snarl at me.”

Claudine, to Sookie:  “It’s not safe for you any more. He will steal your light.”

Magister, to Pam, “I got you some silver earrings.” Pam, in response: “Excellent. They’ll match my chains.”

Russell, to Eric, about Fangtasia’s basement: “Love your place. Love the vibe. We must talk franchising later.”

EPISODE 6 -”I Got a Right to Sing the Blues” The bloodiest episode

Eric, to Russell (about Sookie): “Oh, it thinks we’re equals.”

Arlene to Jessica: “Please don’t kill me. I’m pregnant. (thinking) That probably just makes you want to eat me even more.”

Eric, with fangs, to Sookie: “I’m very close to getting something I’ve wanted since i was human. Do NOT get in my way.”

Jesus, to Lafayette: “I’m gettin’ kinda hard just lookin at ya.”

Russell to Sookie: “There’s a fine line between feisty and delusional.”

Bill to Lorena “I wish I had known you before you were made. Before you turned hard. I would have liked to have seen you smile, with light in your eyes, instead of darkness. That would have been something.”

Franklin, to Tara “Bite me. Bite into my flesh, taste my blood… Open me up. Taste me, drink me, feed on me. Kill me.”

Eric, to Talbot (about Russell):  (flirtingly) “Well I hope he knows just how lucky he is.”

Talbot, to Rusell “You never take me anywhere!”

Eric, to Russell “I remember everything.”

Queen Sophie, to Russell “You killed my guards.” Russell, in response: “Only a handful. The rest were surprisingly unwilling to die for you and have defected.”

Arlene, after Sam runs off after hearing about a mean pitbull. “Damn, everybody’s ignoring me today.”

Quote of the day:

Jason, to current ‘QB1′: “Here’s the difference between you and me…(thinking)…(thinking some more)….”

EPISODE 5 -Trouble” The funniest episode.

Russell, to Talbot “Darling, king!”

Talbot, to Tara: “Who’s a pretty girl, huh? You’re a pretty girl”

Franklin, to Russell “She wants to be with me.” Talbot, in response “Hence the restraints.”

Franklin (about Tara): “This one is spectacularly different. She’s such a fucking disaster. We could be TWINS!”

Franklin, to Tara: “You don’t know how much you love me!”

Jesus, to Lafayette: “I’ll hang. It’s only 9 hours. Got nothing else to do.” Lafayette: “Oh, Lordy.”

Crystal, to Jason: “Where’s your badge? Where’s your gun? Where’s your SHIRT?”

Tommy, to Jessica (about Hoyt): “He’s minor league. You’re a smokin’ hot vampire. You’re the majors.”

Jackson, to Tara, “Will you be my vampire bride?”

Favorite of the day:

Viking dad to Eric: “You can’t spend your life between a woman’s legs.” Eric, in response: “I can try.”

EPISODE 4 – “9 CRIMES”

Sookie, to Alcide (after he advises her to “move on”): “Says the man who’s cookin’ breakfast in a wok cuz he’s too sad to buy a new frying pan.”

Terry, to Sam (after Sam mentions his folks won’t be coming around any more): “You sure about that? Cuz they’re grillin’ in the parking lot.”

Jason, to hotshot QB: “…girls suckin’ your cock, whenever you say ‘go.’ No offense, Tammy.”

Favorite line of the week:

Eric, to Lafayette: “That’s called ‘closing the deal.’ Let’s go RuPaul.”

EPISODE 3 – “IT HURTS ME TOO”

Eric, to werewolf who dared him to kill him. “As you wish.” (Mostly because it’s also a line from my favorite book and movie The Princess Bride.)

Pam, to Jessica. “Did you call the hypothetical hardware store and buy a theoretical chainsaw?”

Terry, to Arlene. “If I had a penny for every time I’ve heard…I’d have 15 cents.”

Bill, to Lorena. “We can never love humans without bringing suffering upon them.”

Double-entendre quote of the day:

Eric, to Sookie: “I got your rug all wet.”

Favorite quote of the episode:

Eric, to Sookie. “He had a Mississippi accent. Can’t you tell the difference?”

EPISODE 2 -”BEAUTIFULLY BROKEN”

Jessica, to Pam: “Let’s say that you did kill somebody – by accident. What would you do with the body?”

Eric, to Sookie, as she starts to sniffle/cry:  “Please don’t do that. It makes me feel (pause) disturbingly human.”
Ruby Jean (Lafayette’s Mom) to Lafayette: “This is Jesus. He’s a Mexican, but he ain’t raped me yet…. Wetback!”

Jason, to Sookie, after learning that werewolves really exist. “Bigfoot, is he real, too?”… “Santa?”

Terry, to Sookie: “I’ve always liked you. And I’d miss you if you got killed. Just so you know.”

This weeks True Blood words of wisdom – from Lafayette (to Tara): “Life ain’t not havin’ problems, Tara. It’s about being able to deal with the ones you got…. Look, the Buddhists weren’t lying when they said life is suffering.”

And on the menu: Cruelty-free Carbonated fresh blood, Warm blood bisque with rose petal infusion and blood gelato.

EPISODE 1 – “PACK OF WOLVES”

Arlene to Tara: “I’m sorry you fell in love with a serial killer, all right? But honestly, who here hasn’t?”

Sookie to Pam: “I’m in no mood for lesbian weirdness tonight, Pam.“

Pam to Sookie, dryly, as she makes no attempt to stop her from going into the basement, where Eric is busily involved in sex games with his new “dancer” Yvetta: “Sookie, stop. Don’t. Come back.“

Eric, turning away from Yvetta, non-challantly to Sookie as he walks toward her fully naked: “So, what brings you to Fangtasia on this balmy summer night?“

Lafayette, to his mother: “Bitch, you/me/bridge, ain’t never gonna mutherf*&#in’ happen.”

Pam, to Sookie (on looking around her house): “Now, why’d you have to go and kill that Maenad? She’s a terrific decorator.”

Jessica (to herself, on using newfound powers): “I am a freak of f*&@in’ nature.“

And, this weeks True Blood words of wisdom:

Andy to Jason: “…conscience off, dick on, and everything’s gonna’ be all right.“

So, I’ll tell ya’, (Sawtelle)
when I was studying the CORINTHians
at PURDUE
I had a BUTLER
named COLBY.
Don’t make a FEDERAL case out of it,
BARRY
BARRINGTON.
I know what a STONER you were back in the day…
living in the grand ville (GRANVILLE)
hangin at the WEST GATE.
It’d cost you an arm and a leg to live there now. (ARMACOST)
You oughta go down to BROCKTON beach and get yourself some
SALTAIRE before you turn into
Ted BUNDY.
Before he was a killer, he went to AMHERST
and dated a sweet girl who worked at WELLESLEY
named CARMELLINA.
But later he started hanging with cheap women like 10 Cent Ella. (CENTINELLA)

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/05/woman-who-stabbed-4-at-target-was-armed-with-butcher-knife-kitchen-knife.html

Sunset bridge over 405 Freeway to be demolished and rebuilt. Well, that will certainly help the already hellacious traffic on the westside near the 405!

http://laist.com/2010/05/03/traffic_hell_on_the_way_sunset_brid.php

The 14 Below rock club to close for renovations / reopen under original owners.
http://la.eater.com/archives/2010/05/03/14_below_to_shutter_for_interior_rejuvenation_will_reopen_under_new_name.php

May 3: Santa Monica Bl. on-ramp to SB I-405 will be closed from 10pm to 6am tomorrow.

http://vimeo.com/11252481
http://vimeo.com/11252614

http://vimeo.com/1125248

And here are some still photos for you as well.

Formal shorts.

An NHL team in Tampa Bay.

Vegetables in cans.

Droopy jeans falling off your butt.

Huge SUVs for little women to drive (badly).

Overalls (except for farming use).

George Clooney as Batman. (He wears a MASK, people!)

A pineapple diet.

Running on hard pavement.

Not using the decimal system.

Meatless meatballs. (?)

A paper dress.

The $2 bill.

Peep toe boots.

Singers as actors. And vice-versa. (With occasional exceptions.)

An actor as governor of California.

Acoustic ceilings (a/k/a popcorn celings)

ON THE OTHER HAND…WHOEVER THOUGHT THIS WOULD WORK?

An actor as president.

Fried ice cream.

An NHL team in Dallas.

Raw fish wrapped in rice and seaweed

A phone that’s also a computer (sort of).

Shoes with articulated toes.

Celebrities learning ballroom dancing in front of a live audience.

An actor as president.

Communicating with strangers, 140 characters at a time.

A Brit teaching Americans how to eat better (in school & out).

PLEASE ADD YOUR OWN, and note part 1 or part 2!