Final Cut

I scoped out the Ann Arbor Film Festival this weekend. This is what I came away with. This fully describes every one of my thoughts and emotions after watching the two films I sat in on.

Book Shop Street Fighter

This is why you shouldn't compare Chaucer to Dickens, especially at 2 a.m. on a Saturday night.

White And Nerdy

Ann Arbor venture capitalist Rick Snyder made a campaign stop in Ann Arbor Thursday night for a town hall forum at Cobblestone Farm. Just as he appealed to voters in a Super Bowl ad last month, the former president of Gateway Computers asked voters to embrace one tough nerd when they cast their vote for Michigan governor.

Fire Chief

Dominick Lanza poses for a portrait inside his office on his second day as the new fire chief for the city of Ann Arbor. One of his first tasks involves disciplining a firefighter who recently drove a city fire engine on a suspended license.

Michael Moore

Michigan filmmaker Michael Moore appeared at Angell Hall on the campus of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor tonight for the 20th anniversary screening of his first film "Roger & Me," a documentary on the demise of his native city of Flint. Moore passed up on an opportunity to nationally promote the DVD release of his latest film "Capitalism: A Love Story" on the Stephen Colbert show to instead appear in Ann Arbor before a mostly college student crowd of about 300. He spoke candidly of the many mistakes he made in making the film and candidly offered the sentiment that there's no hope for Flint.

Who Let The Dogs Out

The streets of downtown Ann Arbor were filled with a euphoric sense of freedom on St. Patrick's Day as hundreds of residents emerged from their winter slumber and took to the outdoors. The green beer on tap at many local watering holes was part of the draw, but for Ann Arbor resident Ken Ray and his five dogs, the warm weather was enough. One got off the leash.

Seven Deadly Sins

There's a reason they call Las Vegas the Sin City. There's so much debauchery that goes on that it might just repulse you. Yet, it's hard to escape. Gambling, sex, drugs. It's all on display here in this desert valley getaway for more than 35 million visitors per year. Here's my best attempt to document some of it. Look if you dare.

What Happens In Vegas

Viva Las Vegas

Elephant Game

Xiangqi, also known as Chinese chess, is a two-player Chinese board game and one of the most popular board games in China. The name Xiangqi means "elephant game," a reference to the bishops. It's a battle between two armies, with the object of capturing the enemy's general. Distinctive features of Xiangqi include the cannon, which must jump to capture, a rule prohibiting the generals from facing each other directly, and areas on the board called the river and palace, which restrict the movement of some pieces. Also, notice the placement of pieces on the intersections of the lines, rather than within the squares as is done in American chess. I stumbled across this scene while strolling through San Francisco's Chinatown and it was really fascinating. It was evident these men took the game very seriously. They were strategic in their moves and the competition was fierce.

Red Rock