1TO10REVIEWS

My Review: 9

“Hallo. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.”

Many of us have heard that line hundreds of times. He says it a total of six times throughout the movie, and I’ve seen the movie at least 27 times… you do the math. But did you know that Mandy Patinkin is the actor who plays Inigo? Further, did you know that Mandy Patinkin is Jewish?

Mandy Patinkin is an Emmy and Tony award winning Jewish actor, singer and entertainer. He loves to sing and perform Yiddish songs and theater, and has published books on Yiddish culture. He has performed on Broadway. Recently (in the last few years) he has starred in a prime time television series called Criminal Minds. A few weeks ago he left the show, but his work there was excellent as well. Wikipedia has a good overview of his career and personal life, and there is no need for me to re-write here. Though it is cool that he was a classmate of Kelsey Grammer’s at Juilliard.

It is hard to see him acting today, in various roles, and not hear the faux-Spanish accent coming out of his mouth. I am so primed to see his scarred visage in the role of the greatest swordsman in the world. But it was even crazier when I found out that he was Jewish. It just never occurred to me that the actor playing Inigo might be Jewish. I suppose that’s why they call it acting - the person in the role does not need to be anything like the character they are portraying. Maybe it’s about association. I first saw Topol in Fiddler on the Roof, so now I think of him as Jewish and a Jewish actor. If I had first seen him in Flash Gordon, as Dr. Hans Zarkov - he might have made it into this series.

In my next edition of Unexpected Film Roles for Jews, I will tell you about a villainous, dirty culprit from many of your favorite familiar Westerns. Stay tuned.

My Review: 6

I got a Starbucks carabiner mug as a birthday present several years ago. I still use, and I still like it. I am into climbing and stuff like that, so the idea of a mug that has an integrated clip or carabiner is appealing. In truth, the feature is definately more gimmick than value-add, but it is neat. And if the mug is empty, then the clip can come in pretty handy to attach the mug to a backpack strap or shoulder strap.

In theory, the lid does seal pretty well. There is a rubberized plug that fits snugly into the drinking hole in the top. However, if the mug is lying on its side or left upside down, I have found that they do leak. My buddy (the one who bought it for me) has several of these coffee mugs (different colors) and often sets them down sideways, partially full, with the lid closed in the hopes that it will not leak, or at least not leak very much. I think he has had more success than I’ve had, but this mug is definitely not 100% spill-proof. But for walking upstairs, or jogging to catch up with someone, it is a good way to contain your hot liquids.

The integrated carabiner clip is made of metal and seems pretty sturdy. Because the seal is not outstanding, I would not like to clip the mug and leave it dangling while full, but it is handy in certain circumstances. The cup is made of aluminum and double-walled, so it keeps hot beverage hot, and cold beverages cold. (But how do it know?) The bottom is rubberized, as are sections of the middle of the mug. The rubber is studded (not for her pleasure you sicko) which provides an excellent gripping surface. And the lid is heat resistant, extra-hard plastic. It’s a pretty sturdy design overall, rugged and resistant to abuse.

It is dishwasher safe, but not good for the microwave (the whole “metal” thing.) My friend Ben can explain all about what happens when you put an aluminum coffee mug in the microwave.

Here is a quick video showing the mug.

[googlevideo=http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-179458250563218396&pr=goog-sl]

My Review: 10

I love Aspen trees. There is nothing I don’t like about them. The trunks are lovely, silver grey with very few branches until you reach the upper foliage. The leaves are shaped like a short, broad paddle and delicately veined. They are green in the spring and summer, and in mid-Fall they begin to turn a beautiful, bright yellow. Towards Winter the leaves will drop, and then bud again in the Spring.

Aspen trees typically grow in Alpine and sub-alpine regions between 3 and 8,000 feet of elevation above sea level. They are often called quaking aspens, because in high winds the leaves (which are paddle shaped) will blow and beat against one another, causing a soft rustling, or quaking sound.

Here is an Aspen-lined road Some of the leaves

Some of my favorite regions in the world have a great deal of Aspen growth, including the Western and Eastern Sierra Nevada mountain range (South Lake Tahoe, CA and Tom’s Place, north of Bishop, CA)

Aspens up in South Lake Tahoe, CA

Gorgeous Aspen in full Fall foliage

Tahoe Forest with Pines and Aspens

Here is a video of a “Quaking Aspen” in motion:

[googlevideo=http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6713288611472713854&hl=en]

Incredible golden Aspen leaves

I find no fault with Aspen tree, although I do wish that it grew in more places. Though, perhaps, that is one of the reasons I find it so special. The quaking Apsen, especially in its full Fall regalia, is a full 10 out of 10.

My Review: 8

Do you have a close friend of the same sex? Someone with whom you spend a LOT of time? I do.

We drive places together, drink coffee together, eat together, play Guitar Hero together. It’s very sweet. Sometimes we argue, we laugh a lot, and we make fun of other people together. It’s like we’re dating, or even married. But we’re both straight. Sometimes I think I’d be good at being gay, but I am pretty much into women and boobs.

He’s married, I’m getting married in two weeks, and we both like girls, so we don’t have sex with one another. Which I think probably makes the relationship less complicated than it might otherwise be. We piss each other off, buy presents for each other, and help each other feel better about ourselves. We’re in a gay relationship without the sex, and it’s awesome.