COOK’S CHOICE

Editorial note: At my school growing up, “Cook’s Choice” was the code word on the lunch menu for “We don’t have the foggiest idea what you’re going to get.” It usually wound up being some sort of patty-shaped meat object on a bun, some overcooked vegetables, maybe a scoop of instant potatoes, and one of these, which were so good just the thought of them makes my mouth water, and I only finished dinner ten minutes ago. Anyway, here’s my choices for the best of the blogroll right now:

• On the culinary theme, Bryan from Arguing With Signposts is trying to incur the wrath of both Carolinas.
• Seldom Sober is calling on artists to get over their fear of suburbia.
• Mythusmage has found the best candidate for the 51st state.
• Kate has more to say about the travails of Canadians seeking health care.
• Zygote is pondering the difference between living and making a living.
• Real Live Preacher has a scary and sad tale to tell. Be well, brother.
• At The Trailing Edge, Steve has become a Don Henley apologist.
• Harry has become a worldwide expert on the explosive potential of BreatheRight strips.
• Dave Fried is staying ahead of the curve by complaining about the NCAA brackets now.
• Beast of Sound was way ahead of me on the whole “Cook’s Choice” thing.
• Rev. Mike is documenting the horrible persecution some people must endure for their beliefs. I applaud him for taking up the cause of these prisoners of conscience.

And that’s about it for tonight.

MY THOUGHTS ON MARTHA STEWART

are pretty much similar to Dean Esmay’s.

Well, no, I kind of think about her the way I think about Kobe. I don’t know what happened in Colorado, and I don’t know what’s going to happen in Colorado. But I do know that both Martha and Kobe could’ve saved themselves all kinds of trouble if they’d just acted honorably in the first place. A multi-kajillionaire doesn’t need to sweat over a measly $250K in stocks (OK, measly for her), and a basketball star with a smokin’-hot wife doesn’t need to be hitting on the staff at expensive resorts while he’s rehabbing a knee. But instead, both went ahead and did something improper (I defy you to tell me that it was just fine for Kobe to invite a 19-year-old into his hotel room late at night, regardless of what did or did not happen next), and then both shouted, “I’m a celebrity, get me out of here!”.

It didn’t work in Martha’s case. It probably will in Kobe’s, if only because you can’t accuse the SEC of sleeping around.

IT’S CONTESTABLE

Another contest. Topic this time: Reality shows you don’t want to see. Examples:

• Clarinet Idol
• Survivor: Long Island
• Who Wants To Marry Larry King?
• Celebrity Mole Removal

Leave your entries in the comments below. Deadline: 3 pm CST on Tuesday. Prize: an enhanced sense of self-esteem.