SWEET DREAMS, MR. ROGERS.  27-Feb-2003  "Won't you be, won't you be, PLEASE won't you be - my neighbor?" For those of us who grew-up here in the US, Mr. Rogers has been a part of our oh-so-interesting childhood. Who can forget him as he sang his song at the beginning of the show, as he changed cardigans or took of his shoes, and as he took us to that magical place with the castle and all those cool puppets...? Well, Fred Rogers succumbed to cancer early today, but has left a legacy of more than 30 years of service through "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood."

Mr. Rogers is, for many, a cultural icon. He's as bonafide as Sesame Street or Electric Company. As a mainstay of public television, Mr. Rogers was probably at the tip of "good, quality television" for children of many ages.

I have to admit, tho. After a while, I totally did NOT care about Mr. Rogers. I guess that happened when I "out-grew" him and all the rest of PBS's "children's" shows. But that was inevitable. But looking back on it now, it's totally been a blessing that I (and all the children of my time) had someone like Mr. Rogers to keep us "company" at home. Children's television these days don't compare to what Mr. Rogers, Big Bird, or even Oscar the Grouch had brought to the table. I mean - what the hell is Barney? Or what are those colorful little alien-looking beings that rather scare me than make me wanna learn something? Uh-no... I feel sorry for the children of today, because they've missed out on a great icon.

Children today won't know what it meant to take that trolley ride into the Neighborhood of Make-Believe. Luckily, I went into that Neighborhood of Make-Believe many times before I decided that I'd had enough. But now that I think about it, it seems that enough sometimes just isn't/wasn't enough.

Well, at least I got something out of his show... as, I'm sure, many other kids did. We'll probably never forget the simple message of Mr. Rogers: telling his viewers to love themselves and others.

Farewell, Mr. Rogers! And thanks... (Give my regards to Captain Kangaroo! *smile*)

NORA JONES IS IN  25-Feb-2003  Two days after the Grammy Awards, Nora Jones has STILL got to be reeling from her multiple wins. I was pretty surprised that she garnered all those awards. To be perfectly honest, I haven't even picked-up her CD. I've only heard that one song that they play on the radio (to overkill, btw), and I have a copy of her version of "The Nearness of You," also from her CD. She's no doubt very different. Her sound is so "smoky-joe's-cafe" sounding. It's almost haunting a la The Carpenters' era. I'm really happy for her, though. She garnered THE award of the night, too...the same one that Alicia Keys and Christina Aguilera won during their debuts: BEST NEW ARTIST. Wow. Good thing for Nora Jones. Looks like her star is just shining bright. Although I wouldn't have minded if Michelle Branch or Avril Levine won any awards, I'm just glad that Vanessa Carlton didn't win any. And if I hear her song (or songs) on the radio anytime soon, I just might feel the urge to go postal.

Speaking of being "IN..." There's a craze going on in Japan - supposedly. One of their latest "fashion trends" are these womens' skirts that are airbrushed with underwear designs on it (see photo). So when you look at them, you're actually thinking that you're seeing some chic wearing a see-thru skirt. But alas, young dorko, it's not that. Goodness! What are these people thinking?! It's pretty outrageous, if you ask me. At the same time, though, doesn't it make us Asians seem like we're this hypersexual society that's into wild fetishes like these? Ummm, sorry, but we're not much different from your average joe. This is just way too extreme. I've seen other pics with "variations" of the skirts with different "views" and "prints," so to speak. At the on-set, it's pretty funny. But the more I think of it, I'm feelin' the need to scream "SKANK" each and everytime I see someone sportin' it. AHHAHAAH... I doubt that anyone will actually sport it, tho. It's pretty trife.

Also in the news, I totally just ruined a pair of my black boots. I bought these boots early last fall, and they were my favorite... very sleek, narrow (but not overly narrow), and with a modest heel - perfect for wearing to work or sportin' with evening wear. But I think I've worn those blickys out. Cause now the soles are all messed-up. I'm pissed, too. Cause I spent like...actually, no, I only spent about $80-something on them. Men's shoes are pretty expensive, especially when you choose the ones that are very stylish. I mean, I'm not into that simple rounded-toe look. As long as I can remember, I've always had a knack for shoes - and I was never the Timbs-wearin' fool that many other guys are. I also can't stand boring rounded toes. But that's just besides the point now. AHAHAHA! The point is - I messed-up my shoes, and I am compelled to go and buy a new pair. There goes the Ferragamo belt that I was gonna splurge on. I'm feelin' the need for new shoes. Or maybe I should just look into getting them "fixed." Spring will be here sooner that we expect, and I may not have the need for season-old black boots just yet. Oh well. We all knew that these boots were made for walking, so that's just what they'll do...and one of these days these boots are gonna walk all over... Oooh! Is it lunch time?

Not quite... Oh yeah, one last tidbit. Well, it's actually not much "news" anymore. It's actually old news. But what the hell... H&M is opening in the DC area real soon. That saddens me. Call me selfish, but so much for being able to sport clothes that are "different." I used to relish in the fact that I had to go to Philly or NYC just to get inexpensive clothing at H&M, then come home and rock that stuff when I go out, and people would think, "Hey, cool threads?! BANANA?" Uhhhh...NO! One time I was sportin' this H&M shirt and jacket, and someone asked me, "Is that STRUCTURE?" And another person even asked me if I got my H&M thingy at OLD NAVY. First of all, as much as Old Navy is loved by all - it isn't loved by me. I wear sleep, gym, and ratty clothes from ON. Banana is totally "it" for that business casual look, and since WHEN did I ever shop at STRUCTURE? (Sorry, but Structure offends me.) So yeah... H&M. I mean it's totally the type of clothes that you can buy for inexpensive, wear as the trend goes on, then you can toss out once the trend is over --- and you wouldn't feel as bad for doing so as if you were tossin' out Club Monaco, French Connection, or even Jil Sander or Marc Jacobs. See, that's why I like H&M so much. It's not cookie-cutter lookin' like GAP, and it's not overly-priced as LAUNDRY or THEORY. But in the whole scheme of things, it's hip and trendy. That is...if you wear it well. If "edge" isn't what you use to describe your style, then definitely stick to the basics. But if you're willing to go take a plunge into the seemingly outrageous, then go for it. I'm just sad that now it'll be totally MALL-ified like those other chain stores. Whatever. Bring on the teeni-boppers, the fools who still wear those big-ass wide-bottomed jeans, and all the Wet Seal hooches. I guess we ain't got much of a CHOICE now, do we? (Now it's lunch time.)