Most will find this sleepy little film far too slow-moving to merit watching. And I must admit that I was able to flip through a new cookbook while it was on without really missing anything! But the amazing thing about the movie, which spends more time showing people walking, driving, or running than anything else, is that the sporadic dialogue really sinks in. Almost as if it has more time to digest.

I enjoyed the exchange between the spunky, high-minded election agent and her grumpy, pragmatic guard especially. The comic metaphors are easily lost in the seriousness of the characters, but they are there. My Iranian roommate reports that the Farsi is good and the film really seems to be depicting the isolation and dreariness of daily life for many in the Persian Gulf.

They feel so very curly in your mouth.

Although I was hoping for the legendary “even my dog won’t love me no more” reference that never turned up, this album was alright. Trying to challenge my assumptions this year, I have been sampling all sorts of things that I formerly labeled toxic. Such as country music.

For the most part, I just couldn’t relate to any of the themes in the music: being locked up, truck driving, and nationalism. But, Haggard’s voice is smooth and the rhythm is undeniably toe-tapping.

To sum up, get rid of the hippie-bashing and it would be fairly palatable.

Remember the cartoon “Doug?” One time (and I don’t know why in the world I remember this and not my anatomy and physiology lessons) he said that he doesn’t like coffee because it tastes like chalk. I agree.

Caribou Coffee bars, on the other hand, do not taste like chalk, or any other limestone product. Plus, the company doesn’t give much money to the Republicans and supports fair trade, which wins me over in a heartbeat.