The Trip to Modesto featuring the Rapture Bathroom!

On Friday, taogrl and I went to Modesto for the afternoon. Our goal: Yesterday's Books, a large and fascinating used bookstore. They have many collectable books there as well, so if you're a true collector, you can knock yourself out and get some nifty, rare finds.

Upon walking in the door, I bee-lined to the collector case. The notion of considering to collect rare books crossed my mind. There in the display case was a first edition copy of Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird". I thought this book was fantastic. I inquired with the proprieter to look at the book.

"Now, this is not a signed copy, but it is a verified first edition and in excellent condition, " the gentleman told me. He was tall and lanky, with grey hair, an oxford shirt and slacks. Definitely the aged bookish sort's attire.

I nod as if I know what I'm in for. I was thinking the book would cost about $300 dollars. In hindsight, I was clearly naive-as-hell. I delicately lift the book from the case, look through the pages. It's fairly gorgeous. Although, the spin is a bit crooked because it's been propped up on a stand, or it was stored in a way such that it rested at an angle instead of on it's side or straigh up and down.
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New Rule: Don't make literary grotesque figures hot

Alright, if you're redoing a classic, like Phantom of the Opera, don't make the Phantom hot. Gerard Butler is 32 flavors of hot.

For your consideration:

This Phantom has the look that makes women say, "Yes! Yes! Yes! Terrorize my opera, please!"

Folks, this just isn't right. There's no way Christine would go off with Raoul. Sure, if 33% of the face is deformed, just keep that sassy mask on. I could totally work with the rest. The lips are fully intact. There is no way in hell anyone can appreciate the conflict for Christine. Furthermore it's not a leap for Christine to overcome the superficial deformity and unsavory tendency towards stalking and extortion when the Phantom looks like Gerard Butler.

Now, let's look back to a better time in film history where the folks involved actually wanted to help us suspend our disbelief:


Now, ladies, would you pucker up to this fellow? Regardless of whether he gave you voice lessons from behind a wall?

You give me voice lessons for free and look like Lon Cheney in this makeup, and the most you'll be getting is a hug and some free dinners.