When my dad called me to tell me I had to rent The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters, he said that he'd never seen a movie about something he was so disinterested in that was so interesting. After just watching it, I couldn't agree more.

Director Seth Gordon takes us into the insular world of competitive video gaming where long haired, American-flag-tie-wearing ego maniac Billy Mitchell has been the reigning king of Donkey Kong for decades. The community treats him like a god, so when soft spoken sweetheart Steve Weibe topples his record, their world is shaken.

These nerds have claws, and come out in an attempt and keep thier “jedi” on his throne. Where vain Mitchell is cocky and cowardly, Weibe (who is described as a man who never quite made it to the top of anything he's ever been involved in, and has often cried over past defeats) has integrity and courage. He's so endearing and his obstacles so unfair, we were yelling at the screen as became more and more wrapped up in his quest to attain the highest score.

In the end, the best part of this movie is its message that nice guys don't always finish last, as long as they stay true to themselves. After all, no matter what the issues with the scores (there is still considerable debate) this is a movie that proves the nice guy is the better man.

You will love this.

Cat's foot iron claw
Neuro-surgeons scream for more
At paranoia's poison door
Twenty first century schizoid man

Blood rack barbed wire
Politicians' funeral pyre
Innocents raped with napalm fire
Twenty first century schizoid man

Death seed blind man's greed
Poets' starving children bleed
Nothing he's got he really needs
Twenty first century schizoid man

Intense lyrics (by Peter Sinfield) in an intensely sweet song written (sung by a heavily distorted Greg Lake). The first track of seminal prog rock masterwork, In the Court of the Crimson King, the song was initially aimed at disgraced former vice president Spiro Agnew. But really, doesn't it work just as well today?

Rampant over-consumerism? Check.
A terrible, unending war? Check.
Untrustworthy politicians? Oh, Eliot, how could you? You were my hunk!

Honestly, when are things going to get better?

My friends and I learned young that good looking dads don't always have good looking sons. I forget which unfortunate kid caused us to reach this conclusion, but Tim Buckley and former Brix pick hunk son, Jeff are an exception.

Buckley senior was a pioneer in music, but like his son died too soon. He was only 28 when he overdosed on heroin, Jeff was thirty when he broke my young heart when he drowned.

If you are lucky you have seen Elizabeth Sweetheart, aka the Green Lady walking around New York, delighting everyone with her shocking green presence. She wears green head to toe, including her hair -?all day, every day. A friend at work is one of those lucky ones and has even had the pleasure of perusing Sweethearts textile collection.

NY Magazine featured the eccentric in an article with other monochromatically inclined New Yorkers like Stephin Merrit and Rebecca Turbow who wear brown and gray exclusively. While the concept may seem monotonous and drab, Sweetheart and her vibrant hue of choice are instead a breath of fresh air. Her personality seems just as bright as her overalls.

The tagalong is a Girl Scout cookie classic, though one I had not tried until recently due to a focused passion for thin mints and samoas, but now that I have broadened my horizons I have a new favorite. And they're even better after sitting in the freezer.

Moms have been known to devour these peanut butter, short bread, chocolate yum yums by the box full and other moms are peeved when they're called “peanut butter patties” but everyone should be happy now that they contain less trans fat. They are the third rated top seller.

You need to have an office mom selling or a family member with kids to buy these. Whatever you do, do not venture into a creepy house for cookies. There is a gray apartment building down the street from me. All the windows are covered in dirty sheets and a Girl Scouts sign hangs in the window. We've witnesses an alluring jar of candy sitting on the front steps and old faded little vanity sets on the street taken out with the trash. Yeah, don't go there no matter how badly you want a cookie.

Village Voice food critic Robert Sietsema is known for seeking out under the tracks kind of restaurants: cheap, ethnic spots from not just the city, but the Bronx, Queens and Brooklyn. So many of the vendors at last week's Choice Eats event, which Sietsema hosted, were not the ones usually invited to soiree foodie fests at places like the Puck Building. There were less off the beaten path places also in attendance, like Mercadito, Fette Sau, Kuma Inn (the first restaurant I ever recommended on Brix Picks) and Xunta.

The food offered is, on the whole, not light and you spend most the time with both hands full of beer, pork, rice, beer, water, pork… it is a whirlwind of flavors, fullness, and fun. It made it difficult to manage some photos, but other less piggy and double fisting bloggers took some here and here.

We didn't manage to try everything (though it is all free – including booze), not because of the lines, but because our stomachs told us not to. The best selections we did try were: jerk pork from Bajan Cafe – the best thing of the night; chicken rice and yogurt sauce from Rawal Ravail Restaurant; pulled pork and grits from Smoke Joint; lamb heavy Greek goodies from Philoxenia; cut up roti from Nirvana Cafe, mashed potatoes and tuna salad from El Anzuelo Fino and Nepalese fried chicken from Yeti of Hieizan.

The Puck Building, while spacious was crowded with foodies (some were out of luck vegetarians) and the line of ticket holders to get in wrapped around the block, I can't imagine many non ticket holders had a chance. Inside, though, lines were never too bad, it was bustling but we didn't wait more than a minute or two for food. I assume this could change next year when word gets out that this is a food event not to be missed.

As you can tell from this photo, I work with a major hunk named Terrance who's as lovely as an orchid inside and out. He recently got back from the most envy inducing trip I've heard tell of in some time. For about two weeks he enjoyed the beauty of St. Barths.

He spent time in the two most popular areas: St. Jean and Gustavia.
St. Jean is a tiny village with beautiful beaches, restaurants and shopping, while Gustavia has the nightlife.

He tells me if you're looking for a crazy goodtime?Go to Le Ti, a hilltop hot spot with Thai food and moonlit all night parties. Other nighttime spots are the Yacht Club “St Barths own little corner of Ibiza”, Jao and the best food around at Eden Rock. During the day, hang out at La Plage and Nikki Beach, both located on the water. Maya's to Go offers excellent take out.

Make sure to visit Anse a Colombier, a twenty minute hike from town (wear sneakers!) and one of the country's most peaceful beaches. Anse du Gouverneur is the most popular small beach and very beautiful while Baie de St. Jean is surrounded by loads of restaurants and businesses.

For accommodations, Hotel Guanahani and Spa is the largest hotel on the island and you can rent a villa from St. Barth's properties.

Here is a link to some more of Terrance's photos.
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Human Giant is back for another season of skit comedy. This is good and bad. Good because Aziz Ansari, Rob Huebel, and Paul Scheer are three funny and charming guys. Bad in that only about half of the show's material really showcases their talent. Sketch comedy is hard, and often can spiral into poop, farts, or cursing (just try The Whitest Kids You Know if that's really your thing).

But before I sound too negative, Human Giant is the funniest show of it's kind airing right now and I do laugh aloud, particularly last season at their Doritos commercial skit. The new season has only just begun. The Criss Angel like duo of the Illusionators are back and I am glad to say their Long Island accents are thicker than ever.

The team was once heralded as the future of comedy, and was meant to revolutionize MTV. I wouldn't take it that far, but it is nice to be able to laugh intentionally at something on that channel.

Veal scaloppine is a traditional Italian preparation of a thin, malleted cut of veal usually dredged in flour and cooked quickly with an easy sauce. This recipe's addition of lots of leeks adds a new twist I really enjoyed.

This is another winner from my new source of healthy recipes, Eating Well, and is only 253 calories per serving (not even too bad doubled for heartier appetites.) If you are concerned for animal welfare, you can substitute chicken or turkey.