So, And Thus...

The 2010 Holiday Video Card

Koala Holiday 2010

 

Hope you enjoy it.

Did you know...

• These is no "video" for 2009 since I was majorly stressed.
• Ein Oso makes cameo appearances in this video.
• La Magnifica makes a cameo appearance in this video.
• Koala works so hard on these projects that sometimes he doesn't eat.
• I've discovered that there aren't a lot of fun Christmas songs out there.
• No koalas were harming durning the making of this video.

Be On Time For Your Flights

How could this even be real?

The Facts About Marriott and California's Proposition 8

Entry from Mr. Marriott’s blog:

The Facts About Marriott and California's Proposition 8

Posted: November 11, 2008 4:17:19 PM

As many of you may know I'm a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Some might conclude given my family's membership in the Mormon Church that our company supported the recent ballot initiative to ban

same sex marriage in California. This is simply untrue. Marriott International is a public company headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, and is not controlled by any one individual or family. Neither I, nor the company, contributed to the campaign to pass Proposition 8.

The Bible that I love teaches me about honesty, integrity and unconditional love for all people. But beyond that, I am very careful about separating my personal faith and beliefs from how we run our business.

I am personally motivated to speak now because Marriott was built on the basic principles of respect and inclusion. My father, who founded this company along with my mother, told everyone who would listen: "Take care of your employees, and they'll take care of your customers, who will come back again and again."

For more than 80 years, our company has grown and changed, but that basic principle still holds up. We embrace all people as our customers, associates, owners and franchisees regardless of race, sex, gender identity or sexual orientation.

Our principle is backed up with a formal diversity program, which we established more than 20 years ago. Our Board of Directors has also focused on this priority and helped us be a leader and a better company. We were among the first in our industry to offer domestic partner benefits, and we've earned a perfect 100% score on the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index for two years in a row. Many of our hotels have hosted LGBT community functions and events for years.

I am very proud of all of our associates at Marriott. And I want all our associates and guests, whom we welcome into our hotels, to know that we embrace your talents and thank you for your many contributions and your business.

I'm Bill Marriott, and thanks for helping me keep Marriott on the Move.

...Then I'm Gonna Kiss Your PEACOCK!

Ding-ding-ding:

NBC Enlists Music Stars To Record New Chimes Jingle

B.B. King, the B-52s, the Flaming Lips, T.I. and Clint Black are among the acts enlisted by NBC to create their own spin on the famed Peacock chimes.

The artists will appear in a new series of on-air promos as part of NBC's ongoing "Chime In" branding campaign.

King will be seen, for example, adding a twist to the G-E-C notes on his guitar, while the B-52s have come up with a more dance-oriented take on the chimes.

B-52s are one of my all-time favorite bands. Curious to see what they come up with...

Candidates as Trains

Caroline McCarthy

Husband and Husband

This past Saturday, Ein Oso and I got married in Provincetown, MA.

This was one of the most wonderful moments of my life.

Thank you Dank, Muskie and La Magnifica (what a surprise!) for sharing this moment with us.

I love you, Ein Oso!

Rav4 Isn't Ravenous

From an article in The New York Times - Misers in Disguise: A Dozen Unlikely Fuel Sippers

CONSERVING CROSSOVER

TOYOTA RAV4 V-6

BASE PRICE: $22,245

M.P.G. RATING: 19 city, 26 highway, 24 combined.

COST TO DRIVE 100 MILES: $16.48 (regular fuel)

A YEAR OF FILL-UPS: $2,935

For S.U.V. owners eager to downsize, but who still want a vehicle with reasonable utility, the RAV4 may be a smart place to land.

Those who recall the original RAV4 as a cute trucklet for college sophomores may not realize how roomy and grown-up the third-generation model has become. The base RAV4 has a 4-cylinder engine, but even the conservation-minded might consider Toyota’s 3.5-liter V-6, which not only produces 269 horsepower but is one of the most fuel-efficient 6’s available. The 19/26 mileage rating for a RAV4 with all-wheel drive virtually matches the 19/27 of the 4-cylinder RAV4, yet the V-6 pumps out 103 more horsepower.

The V-6 RAV4 zips from a stop to 60 m.p.h. in just 6.4 seconds. That kind of performance, combined with surprisingly gung-ho handling, makes the RAV4 one of the most entertaining models to wear a Toyota badge.

I love my car!

XO's Middle Eight

Two Fridays ago, I had the pleasure of finally meeting Xolondon while I was in DC. What a fabulous guy!

It was funny... "What do you look like? How will I know who you are?" I guess I don't really look like my koala image. We met at Melody Records on Dupont Circle. Weird being in a record store. Haven't been to one in ages.

We made our way to a coffee shop and talked for a couple of hours. Very fun!

I just have to say that it's so nice to talk music with someone who gets it. Take a look for yourself.

The Daily Dish | Face Of The Day

The Daily Dish | By Andrew Sullivan

There was some speculation that our beloved president attended the 2008 Olympic Games and drank a little too much.

Na.

"Drive Safety!"

...as my Dad says.

Ein Oso loves this stuff:

An icy tunnel in Russia. Love the song they use in the video.
(h/t The Daily Dish)