"Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World" ** (out of four): Albert Brooks, in the part he was born to play, stars as himself in a fish-out-of-water tale that travels halfway around the world but goes nowhere.

Typically, Albert Brooks’ films start with a good concept. A man gets fed up and drops out of society (“Lost in America”); a man is forced to defend his actions in the afterlife (“Defending Your Life”); a man discovers a real-life Greek Muse working in Hollywood (“The Muse”). Heck, his 1979 reality television mockumentary “Real Life” was more prescient than anyone could have guessed at the time. But, with a few exceptions, Mr. Brooks’ films, which he writes, stars in and directs, tend to meander after the first half and peter out towards the end. In this way, “Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World” fits in perfectly with Mr. Brooks’ oeuvre.

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I admit it. I love Green Day.

In fairness, that admission must be followed by the admission that I loved Jason White, the North Little Rock native who for years has played guitar and toured with Green Day and who, with his increasing visibility in their videos, live performances and recent DVD, seems to have become the trio’s unofficial fourth member. Jason was my high school sweetheart. I can’t remember how long it lasted — two years? A little less? A little more? I do know we met about 15 years ago.

I have loved Green Day, the trio of Billie Joe Armstrong, Tré Cool, and Mike Dirnt, all that time. If you’ve turned on your television or seen a magazine lately, you know it’s been a big year for Green Day.

Of course, it’s been a big year for Jason White. But back to him in a moment.

I found some images of Laughing Sailor machines. These were the arcade items that really creeped me out as a child. I'm thinking I need to buy one of these sometime as therapy.

(Has anyone every kept a blog in a journal?)
That title truly is the advertising slogan for this site. You register your car license plate number and if someone is interested in, well, your car, I guess, they can look it up and find your blog! Who the fuck thought of that?

It's like Friendster with cars and more whining. fercuksake. I think you have to both PAY and KEEP YOUR BLOG ON THEIR SITE.

Avoid at all costs. Beat the daylight out of anyone you see with a "Smoozey" sticker on their car.
Do it.
DO.IT.

The Unbendable Arm is a KI trick used in Akido to teach mind body coordination.

Through the use of relaxation and visualization you are able to make your arm unbendable.
Its cool, check it out.

Not really a story, but more of a comment on Jellio's post about Crystal Parizanski. As weird as it was, it didn't come close to the “what the huh???” factor of sweet Zachary.

That 70s Show is hoping to ride the timely gay wave to ratings success. Former Brady Bunch stars Barry Williams (Greg) and Christopher Knight (Peter) have been cast as lovers in an episode to air in April.

Their TV dad would have been so proud.

P.S. -- The title of this post was shamelessly lifted from an article in The Celebrity Cafe. Well done, Ellen Wernecke.

This is why I stick to Celebrity Fit Club.

Mets trade Anna Benson to Orioles.

10-8 pitcher included in deal for a player to be named later. Anna takes over for Rafael Palmeiro in the lead-off what did that asshole say? position. Today's Daily News lists some of her more memorable gems.

This is Laughing Sally. Generations of kids peed themselves upon entering our tiny amusement park at the War Memorial Stadium here in Little Rock, AR. Myself included. You could not avoid her. I remember her wearing different clothes, but photos of Laughing Sally seem to be hard to come by. Yeah, yeah, I know there's a Laughing Sally at Burning Man. I'm pretty sure ours was first. An endless loop of the creepiest clown laugh you ever heard played and, if I remember correctly, she was mechanized and would move around a bit in her glass cage, giving the impression she was leaning towards you or gesturing at your mom. It still scares me. But you can buy Laughing Sally merchandise for Valentine's Day, if you're that kind of couple, which I hope you are.

Keep reading for some Valentine gift Do's and Don’ts.

So, my Bittersweets post from Scara's look at our first week has reminded me of two things. One, I crack myself up. And two, Valentine's Day is creeping up on us. Definitely NOT my favorite holiday, but I like to write about new products, and avoiding V-day would mean I'd have to post shot glass reviews until mid-March.

Let's start with something simple, elegant and not too pricey. If you read Charles & Marie, you've seen the Michael Young line of digital watches before. There's one on their site now, being offered exclusively through C&M...seems perfect for the big day.

More V-Day suggestions to come.

Anyone catch this on the Daily Show last week? An in-depth look at our congressional perineum. Really funny.

...to put your dead pet's skeleton on display. We don't like to pass judgement (not the Christian thing to do, and all) but if this is in your home, you're weird. Via BoingBoing...who, by the way, are a little fucked up themselves, for calling this a cool work of art.

(thought I'd start year two on a high note)

YesButNoButYes.com is one year old today. Relive past glories by reading all the posts from our first week. Some of the images no longer work, and I can't vouch that any of the links will still be valid, but there's still some good stuff there. The Chat Rooms image is still one of our most popular stories linked to via Google Image Search.