Two upcoming errands: dropping off a rented video (the controversial and pretty good Fire by Deepa Mehta) and picking up dry-cleaning. According to Leonard, I'm in the 80s.

In Elf, Will Ferrell plays Buddy, a human brought up by elves at the North Pole. So of course he takes offense when he sees a department-store Santa Claus - the impostor! Buddy hisses accusations …

This weekend, Susan took me to the San Francisco Zoo, and then we watched Elf. Evidently I am ten. Especially when visiting a zoo with Susan, who writes about animals and has a degree in …

Ann Marlowe in Salon today decries The Bookseller of Kabul and writes about what's really going on in Afghanistan. But the best epigram I've ever seen about Afghans comes from the first Afghan-American novelist, San …

"But today's military doesn't even use the words "body bags" � a term in common usage during the Vietnam War, when 58,000 Americans died. During the 1991 Persian Gulf War, the Pentagon began calling them …

Herbivore was not so great, but I will go back and try other dishes before pooh-poohing them completely. Vinay and I do not endorse the "Vietnamese" spring rolls, which need fewer noodles and more mint …

I'm evidently alternating between watching West Wing and Daily Show at Susan's and at Rachel's. It's all fun. I have been spending lunches and evenings with friends. Maybe that helps me work more efficiently; I …

This boy's imitation of the train conductor inspired the latest motif in my dreams. For the last two nights, I have had NPR dreams. On Tuesday night I dreamt that I met Camille Paglia and …

I cancelled my obligations for the weekend and got much better. Took a walk on West Portal Ave., which holds about twelve hair salons within a five-block span. Why?

San Francisco people, especially in the south of the city: where do you rent your videos and DVDs? Please tell me.