Weekend Arbitrarium

Brian Conley (Alive in Baghdad) and Justin Kownacki
bring sexy back at Video on the Net in San Jose.
This weekend is shaping up to be a hodgepodge of random information, half-confirmed obligations and the very real possibility of alcohol. Thus, I thought I'd share 3 lists of 3s:

3 Ways You Know You're Not Paying Enough Attention

1) I drove to the bank today... only to realize it's been shut down, the sign has been removed and the building is for sale. This probably didn't happen overnight.

2) Ann and I arrived at a student film shoot at 10 AM, but we couldn't find the other cast / crew. Then we realized there was no confirmation as to whether the shoot was to happen at 10 AM or 10 PM, and we didn't have the director's phone number. Whoops. (FYI: It was at 10 AM, and we were the first to arrive; those who know me know this is EXTREMELY rare.)

3) While walking dogs from the Animal Rescue League, people regularly stop me and ask what breed the dog I'm walking happens to be. I rarely have any idea, even though the information is RIGHT THERE on the dog's cage sheet, so I make an educated guess. ("I think it's a Rottweiller... something... mix...")

3 Things That Sway Me Toward the Death Penalty

Make no mistake: I would MUCH rather have violent criminals rehabilitated or put to good use in some kind of life sentence prison work program. Lord knows there's always something productive someone can be doing. But when it comes to murder perpetrated on:

1) Animals,

2) Children or

3) The elderly,

... my opinion shifts.

A recent news story involved an elderly man who woke up every morning and spent his days riding various buses around Pittsburgh. He was found dead, shot execution-style, near some railroad tracks this week. His walker has yet to be found.

What possesses someone to murder an innocent, defenseless person? (I suppose the above criteria would extend to a fourth category: the mentally or physically handicapped.) Perpetrators of these crimes make it very hard to elicit sympathy.

3 Cool Upcoming Pittsburgh Events

1) Saturday, May 5 (that's today!): The Creative Treehouse hosts a charity art & music event to benefit The ONE Campaign, the worldwide movement to end poverty. STBD's own Kellee Maize (aka Celeste) will be among the 5 live performers. (517 Lincoln Ave 15206 [Bellevue]. 7 PM - ???. Suggested $5 donation. Join the locals afterward for a BYOB festivity at Affogato from 8 PM - 1 AM.)

2) Saturday, May 12: Join the creators of Pittsburgh's Sound Kitchen as they celebrate 2 years' worth of live music and poetry. Over 65 performances on 5 stages! Free food and drink! Plus, the audience votes for their favorite performer, who'll win 15 FREE HOURS of studio time at Mr. Smalls! (Event held at Artists Image Resource, 518 Foreland Ave 15212 [North Side]. Suggested $10 donation, with net proceeds donated to anti-violence campaigns.)

3) Saturday, May 26: Pavement Shoes (3629 Butler Street) is having its first annual Weenie Roast! Come enjoy traditional hotdogs or veggie dogs, live music and great shoes! (11 AM - 7 PM)

Plus, My Special Bonus "Best Spam Mail of the Day":

From: Williesha Hashem

"Hello my friend!

I am ready to kill myself and eat my dog, if medicine prices here (http://singlepattern.hk) are bad.

Look, the site and call me 1-800 if its wrong..

My dog and I are still alive :)"

(Photo by Clintus)