Boise, Idaho is not so bad a place. That’s where I am now, but I’m not supposed to be. Long story, but what a crazy day. Heading back to Baker City, Oregon on Sunday just in time to see the Superbowl with Brenda and Erin from work. For now though, I’m just looking forward to breakfast at this great little place in downtown Boise called Goldy’s. It’s the kind of place where you want to sit at the counter and chat with the wait staff while you eat grits and sweet potato hashbrowns. Mmmm…. Even that will top the amazing BBQ we had at Goodwood the other night. God I love food.

In the spirit of Johnny Peel, I have some random thoughts I figured I’d just throw in here.

While here I’ve noticed a new commercial on TV that is driving me crazy. Aladdin Bail Bonds. They try to make it look all classy and caring. A presentable wife getting a phone call from her husband in jail, she goes to Aladdin Bail Bonds in the middle of the night, where she is greeted by a beautiful business woman who tells her, “take a deep breath, we’re here to help you.” And the silly woman does take a deep breath, on cue. Now I don’t know about the rest of you, but I watch TLC fairly religiously and I’ve seen the special about the guys who chase down people who owe on bail bonds and that whole world is anything but businesslike and classy. Who are they fooling? This is now right up there with my other favorite “bad” commercial back in college where the girl opens her freezer and the narrator says “Are you having financial problems?” I never understood why they directed it that way. It’s not like her freezer was empty and she was poor. It was an average freezer with and average amount of food. But after that commercial, my roommate and I used to say that quote every time we opened the freezer at home. Was that my old roommate Joey or was that Dawnelle? I can never remember anymore. I know Joey was the one who ate baby food and Dawnelle ate Bologna, but the rest is a blur. Oh god, that Bologna.

I’m in the middle of watching “Death to Smoochy” and so far I feel it’s been overlooked. I’m a huge Edward Norton fan, I think Catherine Keener is deadly, and Robin Williams has all my respect, so why didn’t I think to watch this sooner. We’ll see if I still like it when I finish watching it. There is a point where Edward Norton compares Captain Kangaroo to Jesus Christ which of course reminds me of my early childhood obsession with the man. Not Jesus, but the Captain. I wore that record out.

Speaking of Edward Norton, I watched “25th Hour” and really dug most of it. But he didn’t wear any eyeliner in that one. Just in “Death to Smoochy,” so if you’re looking for some fun crazy Norton, go with Smoochy. If you looking for serious, hardcore, sexy Norton, go with “25th Hour.”