I saw "Skyfall" yesterday...

and my review will be posted soon at www.tailslate.net and I hope you will check it out.  It is by far the best Bond film in the post-Connery era.  Might be the best ever.

I also stopped by the used bookstore yesterday before the movie and to my dismay found that they were closed for some reason.  They're open today but I'm not trekking down to Torrance just to go there.  It will have to wait until I have an excuse to be in that area, or until I'm really "jonesing" for some new used paperbacks.  I do wish there was a store like that closer to where I live.

Next week is one of those weeks where I have to go to the VA twice in the same week.  Worse yet, I have two appointments on each of the two days I'm going, so I'll be there several hours each time.  But it's just part of life.  I also need to talk to someone in the "financial responsibility" office about an issue, so that will make it an even longer stay.

Fun With Classified Ads:

"This is a 1099 (you are responsible for your own taxes), no benefits."  I'm too cheap to pay the employer portion of FICA so I'm going to violate the law and treat you like an independent contractor even though the rules really don't permit this.

"CEO of one of the nation's most prestigious private equity firms is seeking an Executive Assistant. This is a unique opportunity for a top tier professional to enter into a true partnership with an industry trailblazer."  This is beyond conceited.  This guy is convinced.

"LOOKING FOR FWB SITUATION. STAY PAY NO RENT. NO DUTIES. LOUNGE ALL DAY IF YOU LIKE. PEFECT SITUATION AND HOME FOR SOMEONE WHO JUST WANTS TO RELAX AND ENJOY LIFE A BIT. MUST BE SLIM -AVERAGE. GIRL NEXT DOOR. NO NEED TO BE A MODEL...LOOK NICE... THIS IS REAL AND PLEASE SEND PIX AND YOUR SITUATION.
HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU VERY SOON"  Why not just say "fair trade, place to stay in return for frequent sex??? 

"Crocs Santa Monica is hiring part-time sales associates for the holidays!"  Do you have to wear those ugly ass shoes while you work there?

"an adorable Adult and Lingerie "Dessert Shop" in the heart of Culver City, is seeking SUPERSTAR sales people to join our Cupcake Family and help us take over the world one panty at a time."  I walk by this place all the time and seeing that ad make me roll over laughing.

Today in history:

On this date in 1871 Henry Morgan Stanley uttered the now very famous words, "Dr. Livingstone, I presume" upon locating him near Lake Tanganyika.

On this date in 1898 the Wilmington Race Riot, the only recorded incident of a municipal government in the U.S. being overthrown took place. 

On this date in 1951, direct coast to coast telephone service began in the U.S.

On this date in 1958, jeweler Harry Winston donated the Hope Diamond to the Smithsonian Institute.

On this date in 1962, Eleanor Roosevelt's funeral service was held.  Former presidents Harry S. Truman and Dwight David Eisenhower sat in the same pew as the current president JFK and the next president, Lyndon B. Johnson.

On this date in 1972, Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Elmo Zumwalt held a meeting of the Navy's highest ranking admirals and told them that the Navy was making unacceptable progress in the area of equal opportunity.  He wanted this to change.

On this date in 1975, the freighter SS Edmund Fitzgerald sank during a storm on Lake Superior, inspiring the song by Gordon Lightfoot, "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald".

On this date in 1977, MCI and Worldcom announced their merger, a $37 billion merger, then the largest merger in U.S. history.

Today's historial trivia question:  During the 1988 Presidential Campaign Debates, Michael Dukakis was asked if he would support the death penalty if his wife Kitty was to be raped and murdered.  His response that he was against the death penalty in any situation is thought to be one of the causes of his losing the election the following month.  What journalist posed this question to Governor Dukakis?