Everything old is new again?

Wait . . . are you guys being serious?

Is Roma fiddling while Nero burns?

I'd trust anything Bourdain says about bar exams. He's an expert witness (and participant). Knows quite about about bars....

Congratulations, NeroW!

I'm never not unserious, in a loosely ironic sort of way, as it were. That must be why I failed to pass the bar, any bar, wherein I could advocate avocaat without fear of tortuous interference. I hope that clears up any confusion incident upon my previous posting(s).

Word.

"It's a small world after all." Repeat incessantly.

I can't pass a bar also. They make me thristy.

They should serve wine.

I can't believe people wait for over an hour, sometimes close to two hours for a 3 minute ride.

What is that? That's a way to spend the day?

My wife's cousin went to Disneyland Tokyo and he told me that adults come dressed up as their favorite disney characters. These are not employees, just regular folks.

When I was a kid (a hundred years ago) and we went to Disneyland, it was quite fun!

Just saw your 2nd post. Yes, wine would be nice while standing in line!

It's the ultimate expression of American kitsch. That's the only sensible way to view it unless you're under 10. As for the wine, historically, going back to Walt's conservatism and Orange County's conservatism, alcohol was not an option (except at the private Club 33, located above the Pirates of the Caribbean /New Orleans Square). Of course, now that Disney is dead, Eisner had no problem allowing alcohol at California Adventure, next door.

They like kitsch. They really, really like it.

Because this way they get to experience "France" without the French.

True story.

A woman told Farid that she LOVES ADORES his French accent and he has a FABOOOLUSSS voice and so dark southern French looking, but can't stand any sort of Arabic accent, she had a horrible Algerian neighbor once. And he looks at her deadpan and says, "I'm Algerian."

The look on her face: priceless.

He laughed so hard he started crying.

He does. He DOES. It was like talking to Jean Reno without the cigarette smoke or machine guns.

I wanna know: does the baby talk like that? (Insert series of emoticons of your choice here.)

We need a MWAH emoticon. Like Logan does when he blows kisses. He realllllly blows kisses.

I'm a big fan of North African accents, at least in French. My French is pretty crappy, but I seem to be able to understand Algerian French pretty well. West African French is even better. But Parisian? Pas de chance.

I was born in France. Lyon to be precise, the accent is the same as Parisian, with a few very minor differences, mostly syntax, negligable.

I see what you're saying though. North African French accents have a sort of dramatic pronunciation. Each syllable is clearly stated.

When I heard Korean accented French it sounded to me like West Africans speaking French. I find Korean a very easy language to speak, not well, I mean to repeat with a good accent.

My wife speaks French with a really good American accent. It's there, but not that noticeable.

The funny thing about accents is that North Africans from North Africa speaking English will often times have a hybrid French/Arabic accent, but when speaking French have a clear North African accent.

The way I speak Arabic.... Nadia would probably look at me like Waa what is he saying?????

A language and accent thread would be fun.

I'll avoid commenting on Canadian French. Joke, joke for ailail.

Disneyland is to theme/amusement parks what Forest Lawn is to cemetaries.

Except that Forest Lawn is much more peaceful, pleasant and beautiful... and it's free.

Well, it's not free if you want to live, er, rest in peace there.

I hate Disneyland and Disneyworld. And the Disney empire. And Winnie the Pooh, too.

I did like Howard Ashman, though.

Disney screws everyone.

You can't take it with you.

Is that the 10 year Laphroaig? If so it's not much of a bargain ($33 for 750ml at Astor Wines).

um, i think so. suddenly i feel better. now please don't tell me that $50 for a 1 litre 12 year macallan is also too much. i had mrs. jones buy me one of these when she returned 2.5 weeks ago.

That's a reasonable buy -- Astor is charging $40 for 750ml.

Astor's single malts.

(Astor are usually pretty cheap but there may be better sources.)

i hasten to add that this is the macallan 12 year old elegancia bottling. allegedly much better than the regular 12 year old. i've had an liked the latter. will crack open the elegancia tonight and will report on findings.

Oh yeah, I've heard that one before

might be cheaper to just get into a bar fight and lead with your nose.

Yeah, me too--I remember my "minor" surgery last December. I suppose I could go Mongo's route & try to get my attacker to hit my nose at just the right angle.