curious case of oscar grant

Randomness, newscast style: For the past two weeks or so, there have been continuing protests, some turning violent, in Oakland and SF against the killing of Oscar Grant. Oscar Grant is a young black man who was shot by BART police Johannes Mehserle on New Year's early morning, around 2am, at the Fruitvale BART station, during an investigation of a fight on a BART train. Oscar Grant was lying face down, posing no apparent danger to the police, when the BART police officer inexplicably drew his gun and fatally shot him in the back. Since then, Johannes Mehserle has refused to talk to investigators, resigned from BART, been hiding in Nevada due to death threats, and been arrested on murder charges...A couple of days ago, a jetliner with about 150 passengers taking off from New York was attacked by al qaeda geese from Afghanistan, lost its engines, and made an emergency landing on the Hudson River. Due to the pilot and crew and everyone's cool-headedness, all made it out alive and well. Ha - al qaeda geese, nice try!!! Don't you know it's the new Obama era of competence?...On Tuesday, January 20, we can officially bid the Dubya goodbye and welcome Obama to the White House. QVC is selling Obama merchandise as if he's a football franchise or something. They got coins, stamps, and blankets. I myself got in on the action and donated $35 to the Presidential Inauguration Committee so I can get two Shepherd Fairey-designed inauguration posters. I am warming up to Obama. At the very least, I love that we have a well-spoken president. For the first time in eight years, I don't feel smarter than the leader of the free world. Let's just hope he stays away from the Fruitvale BART station and keeps safe...In weather, the Northeast continues to be frigid, while in the Bay Area we continue to get blue sky and summery, or maybe more like springy, temperatures...This is the NFL divisional playoff weekend. I am rooting for a Cardinals-Steelers Superbowl. At last, I have teams I am not hating in the final rounds, with the Colts, Giants, and Cowboys nowhere to be seen (insert evil laughter). Sure, I'm still mourning the Pats missing the playoffs even with an 11-5 record, but without Tom Brady, it wasn't going to be the same anyway...Circuit City is going to close. The liquidators are moving in this weekend to clear all merchandise. It is somewhat sad to see all these big chains unable to survive through this economic downturn. It seems every single day there is a big corp closing its doors or laying off a big portion of its staff. Thank goodness I have a steady job and am not yet relying on my 401k. I am making a vow to be fiscally conservative this year, try to cut back on my luxury spendings, and build up my savings...Now we move on to my favorite portion of this program - entertainment news! Gossip Girl spinoff is going to about Lily and Rufus's early years, when they were young. That means the 80's!!! I think that's a brilliant idea for a spinoff, instead of what shows normally do for spinoffs. And come on, I love to see a retro teen soap set in the 80's - big hair, velcro, and Duran Duran...The Golden Globes last weekend was actually rather enjoyable, despite the repeated focus on Brangelina. Kate Winslet was a lovable babbling idiot onstage after winning her second acting award of the night; she was genuinely shocked. It was very sweet though when she proclaimed to Leo that she's loved him for thirteen years. And then there was the Colin Farrell speech, surprisingly eloquent and heartfelt; it was something about love and loyalty. Who knew the party boy had it in him? Plus it was awesome to see Marisa Tomei at the award scene again, even if she didn't win. She is possibly my favorite actress and looks the same as she did back in My Cousin Vinny days. Cute as a button (even if I have no clue why buttons are considered cute). Slumdog Millionaire was the big winner of night and goes into the Oscar with mucho momentum. Supposedly India is the new It country right now, with Slumdog cleaning up, the world attention on Mumbai after the tragic terrorist attacks, and Indian food on the surge in world cuisine popularity. Before you know it, we'll all be singing and dancing Bollywood style.