@ADONAI

Dropped the high capacity? True, there's only one classic model remaining, and 40gb has been dropped from the original 160gb (along with $100), but I'd still consider that high capacity.

Screw the sulphur hexafluoride, I want to know where he got that Radiohead shirt that I have personally never seen. Perhaps Xeni can field this one?

Thirded on the DC escalators. We proudly boast the longest escalator in the western hemisphere, at the Wheaton metro stop (yeah, it's on MD, but still), AND the third longest, Rossyln (in VA - noticing a trend here?). I use the one at Dupont everyday, and while I have no problem walking down in the morning, you'll rarely catch me walking back up that evening.

@FALCON SEVEN: I'm pretty sure he lost his credibility when he was on Road Rules. Or when he started writing for Maxim. Or when helped found FHM. I could go on like this for hours.

He is, however, kind of hot.

@GD23: Chapman Brothers were the first things to pop into my mind as well. Had the fortune of seeing "Hell", as it was originally called, at the Saatchi Gallery in 2004 scant months before it was destroyed in the Momart warehouse fire.

"HELL hath no fury
Like a chapman spurned,
So come see the second,
'Cos the first one burned."

Love it!

@BROWNHB: Was just about to add a comment about Rome when I saw yours. Yes, for some strange reason this seems fairly common in Rome. I can think of seeing it at least 10 times over a period of 4 months. And strangely always from the same place, looking out over the city from the Gianicolo (which is much the same view from the Vatican).

I take that back, as there is good stuff, just have to look a little harder. Downloading World War Z tonight - already read it, but I'm intrigued by the recording.

FYI, the DC public library, as lamentable as its facilities and services are, is apparently now the first in the nation to offer DRM-free, MP3 audiobooks via its website.

http://www.dclibrary.org/dcpl/cwp/view.asp?a=11&q=569607

Didn't really see anything worthwhile in the initial selection, but here's to hoping that changes!

@38
Actually that's a bit of a gray area. Technically, when making a name that ends in "s" possessive, one should pay attention to how the name will sound with the additional "s". For instance, "Chris's" is okay, as it, well, sounds okay. "Gates's" is, as I said, a bit of a gray area: it's easily pronounceable, but still a little awkward. So basically, either one works, but I'd probably go with "Gates'".

Much of the concern seems to be that the flight attendant "goaded" an autistic child, but where in the article does it mention anything about her KNOWING that the child was autistic? Sure, she may have crossed some bounds in general, but until I hear otherwise I in no way think this has anything to do with "autistic rights."

#58:
You're thinking of the Bravia ad with the bouncy balls, not fruit. Great commercial, btw, especially with the "Jose Gonzalez does The Knife" soundtrack.

In regards to the Madonna connection, frontman Eugene Hutz starred in her directorial debut, Filth and Wisdom, which I haven't seen for myself but have heard fairly good things about.

@Maddy

At the risk of nitpicking, while Cedar Point is, well, super awesome, the Gemini, unlike the Mean Streak and the Blue Streak, is not a wooden coaster per se as it has a wood frame but an all steel track. You can definitely tell the difference.

@KMOSER

As did Daniel Plainview et al in There Will Be Blood. Guess it's not as academic a case, but still, seriously awesome movie. And Johnny Greenwood was robbed.

@10

That'd be quite a voyage for them to make it all the way to the Tiber. Topography aside, the distance alone is significant, not to mention making it over the retaining walls that line most of the river's banks. As for the act itself, I say bravo to anything that makes the Spanish Steps as interesting as tourists seem to think they are, especially considering that the Trinita dei Monti is apparently STILL covered in scaffolding.

Reminds me of the video Michel Gondry did for the Chemical Brothers song "Star Guitar". Very cool stuff, and definitely worth checking out if you haven't seen it before.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBgf2ZxIDZk

Not just in NYC! After the decision to finally get rid of the horribly outdated zone system, DC cabdrivers are threatening a strike on Halloween. Should be interesting to see how this one plays out...