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Bad news: California Supreme Court Voids Gay Marriages in San Francisco (NYT, August 12 2004) Optimistic caveat: Mr. Newsom had argued that he could order the licenses issued because he believed the state ban on same-sex marriage to be unconstitutional. The justices today did not address the constitutional question, which is the subject of a separate lawsuit in San Francisco Superior Court. But they did say that should the existing marriage law ultimately be found unconstitutional, “same-sex couples then would…

That was a direct quote from Prof. Tucher who gave us a lecture today on journalism history. She was talking about a TV story she heard about from the 1970s about how bras are dangerous because someone died wearing an underwire bra when she got struck by lightning there are sometimes, both today as well as in the past, really silly news articles. The best one from the early 19th century was, right when newspapers were first coming out in…

Reuters, August 9 2004 Since “The Terminal” opened in the United States in June, reporters have been lining up to meet him at his makeshift airport home, passengers stop to take his photo and fans send him letters — addressed to “Alfred, Terminal 1”. “I might be famous. But my life hasn’t changed at all. I’m still sitting here, and not in some fancy flat,” Merhan said. The soft-spoken, balding man says he received more than $300,000 (162,813 pounds) from…

I think I just almost got mugged, in plain daylight. I was walking through Morningside Park, which is just east of my apartment, separating Columbia’s hood Morningside Heights, from Harlem. I had a few hours between when our latest orientation session got out and the evening discussion about media coverage in Iraq and decided to go for a walk in Little Senegal. I was on my way back, talking to Matt “Boring Matt” Bunczk, a friend from Senegal who I’m…

Such were the words of my RW1 professor Sig Gissler today, summing up the life of a journalist. Gissler, among other things, has a reputation of being a very good, but very strict RW1 prof. He scolded someone for being five minutes late to class today. He also is the administrator of the Pulitzers, so I suppose it’s good to stay on his good side. Hardened and raised by Chicago and the Midwest, Prof. Gissler reminds us to “put hay…

First things first: Anyone wanna come visit me in September or October? You can now get round trip direct flights from SFO to JFK on

Courtesy: You’re Entering a World of Lebowski (The New York Times, August 8 2004) There’s a LebowskiFest here in NYC on August 13-14! I’m really tempted to go on the night of the 13th for the screening…I’m going to Philly that weekend…

Today I woke up around 8:30 and explored the neighborhood (walking down Broadway) a bit and obtained some food (eggs on a bagel at Nussbaum & Wu’s) and apartment supplies, including paper towels, orange juice, and toothpaste (not necessarily in that order). The rest of the day I just hung out mostly, and played phone tag with my Dad concerning what the strategy was to be concerning my bed. Last night, I slept on a sleeping bag on the floor.…

First let me say to all you guys who came to the party last night that you’re better friends than I’ve had in a long time — really. You guys are amazing, and it was wonderful to feel that I’ll actually be missed. Maybe that seems overly self-deprecating or whatever, but honestly, it meant a lot to me that you came, and made me laugh and fall over when I was bowling (Rich, Jake and Aaron). I’ll miss you guys,…

I’ll be back from LA this evening. If people want to hit up the Albatross, I’ve got two drink tokens that Rachel and I want to use up. I leave for NYC in two days. In other news: if you want to have a baby, go to Australia.