Let's face it: We, as a country, don't look so hot to the rest of the world. So in the name of positive public relations, Los Angeles-based Ozomatli are travelling to India and Nepal to show people that we're not all evil bastards over on this side of the pond.

Says their publicist: "Since their inception over 10years ago, Ozomatli’s mission has been to globally spread a message of peace and understanding through diversity in music. From Feb. 11 through 21, Ozomatli will be extending their devotion to polyglot urban sound clashing all the way to India and Nepal, representing the United States as Cultural Ambassadors on a Fullbright-Hays grant from the State Department."

It's nice to know the State Department can do something right.

The worst part of this is that Jay Leno now has two months worth of material. ((shudder))

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070206/ap_on_re_us/astronaut_arrested

"[Astronaut] Nowak raced from Houston to Orlando wearing diapers so she wouldn't have to stop to urinate, authorities said."

In order to get this press release in the paper for the Feb. 1 issue, I would've needed to receive it during the week of Jan. 22, the earlier, the better. Instead, I got it today. It's possible that I could've received it from Feb. 2-4, as while I was on vacation, most of my e-mail bounced back.

I decided to post this press release, because I think it's a good idea, although I edited out the syrupy parts. I wish more restaurants did this.

Rockin’ Baja Lobster salutes Tucson’s military and their families. On Wednesday, Feb. 7, from 5 p.m. to close, Rockin’ Baja Lobster is showing their thanks to our local armed forces by offering a 15 percent discount off their entire bill.

The owners of Tucson’s Rockin’ Baja Lobster, Kenneth McGovern and Rod Barreda, wanted to honor our country’s heroes with a night to enjoy a rockin’ good meal.

Start off with a variety of zestful and fresh shrimp or lobster appetizers. Rockin’ Baja Lobster’s claim to fame is their signature Baja Buckets loaded with Mexican spiced shrimp, lobster, crab, chicken and steak, all served in a festive steel bucket. (Festive steel bucket -- somehow I cannot picture that.) Baja Buckets are perfect for any size party and will ensure that Tucson’s military and their families will leave full and satisfied, as every bucket is served with an all-you-can eat Caesar salad/fresh salsa bar, warm fresh flour tortillas with honey chile butter, and family-sized platters of ranchero style beans and Mexican rice.

Rockin’ Baja Lobster is located at 7131 E. Broadway Blvd on the northwest corner of Broadway and Kolb. Call 721-BAJA (2252). Although the press release doesn't state it, you probably have to show some form of military I.D.

This is what happens when you try to take a picture in crappy lighting with a crappy cell phone camera while drinking noncrappy and very inexpensive tropical drinks.

Just a quick note to say hello. I am back. If you're one of the 1,677 people who called, e-mailed or sent undergarments while I was on vacation, I will try to get back to you by October.

Later today, I'll post the plastic flowers picture from Puerto Rico, because I know you're dying to see it. God help you.

In this week's TW, Saxon Burns looked at the subject of loan companies that "feast on the blood" of students. Saturday's New York Times offers an article about an investigation by the New York Attorney General into the financial relationships between colleges or individual officials and student loan companies. I got through school on the GI Bill, but our estates will probably be paying off Mrs. B.'s student loans.

With all the TV lights hanging around, you'd think Punxsutawney Phil would see his shadow every year, but as CNN is reporting, the furry little critter didn't this morning and now we're in for an early spring.

At least the part of the country that has a real winter, and, no, one day of snow doesn't count.

One rite of spring that will be arriving early, for most of the rest of the country, is Daylight Saving Time, which begins on the second Sunday in March this year, thanks to the Energy Policy Act of 2005. (Arizona's still not going along for the ride.) We'll apparently be dragging Canada along with us, so as not to confuse business people and tourists along that border. No word about Mexico.

Meanwhile, enjoy the "early" spring-like weather being forecast for this weekend in Southern Arizona.

What has happened to Scrubs? First the strangely horrible musical episode, and then tonight, a weirdly political and timely episode involving the Iraq war and the inner dialogue of Dr. Kelso. The only even remotely funny thing was that salt and pepper shaker made out of a dead rabbit (and I instantly thought, dead rabbitt=metaphor for what the show has become). Now, I'm all for exploding our little fantasy that the world is just peachy keen, and I'll readily admit that television is just part of the machinery of manufacturing consent, but c'mon, oh esteemed writers of Scrubs! If I'm already watching, I at least want SOME kind of escape! Can't you at least make your political commentary funny? Is that too much to ask?

I'm on vacation in Florida. I'm visiting family. Unfortunately, we both live in places that neither of us want to visit in the summer time.

There are a few things that are quite noticeable here -- I'm too liberal for this state as there are flags waving everywhere. It doesn't look like there's much dissent here. Where I'm staying, they have a lake in the backyard. Since I live in water-deprived Tucson, this is a big treat and I can sit out there (it's sunny) and watch the ducks float by.

Traffic is everywhere -- somehow worse than Tucson. All the roads seems to be under construction which I guess is reminiscent of the soon to be I-!0.

The architecture here is homogenous. Everything has to look Mediterranean and it's ugly. This is Florida not Cannes. I like the Old Florida architecture. They could've made the new stuff to look old or more indigenous to the area.

And shopping... so many stores and they all look the same from outside anyway and one Lowes looks like a ride at Disneyland because it has an odd facade.

I'm not driving here but if I was, I'd be constantly lost because everything looks the same. How would I find a landmark?

We drove on billionaire's row and saw these mega-million-dollar Tuscan-style mansions that were quite ugly, so money doesn't account for taste.

They have the best grocery stores here and today we went to a chocolate salon.

Enough complaining, I'm having a great time being with loved ones and just hanging out. Tomorrow we go see the manatees and on Saturday the mermaids.

Here are some events that were received too late for us to include in our print issue:

• Saturday, Feb. 3 at 9 p.m.

  ArtFare, 55 N. Sixth Ave.

  Awareness Party. Performances by artists and bands that work and practice at the ArtFare building will include Cosmic Slop, Sinister Mustard, House of Dance, Green Ready, the Feel Good Revolution and demonstrations by Capoeira Malandragem. All-ages. $3.

• Sunday, Feb. 4 from 4 to 6 p.m.

  El Ojito Springs Coffee House, 452 S. Stone Ave.

  Lamplight Reading Series. This month, the professional series features Sally Ehrman and is hosted by The Funktional Adix. Feature and open-mic. Free. Call 490-2002 for information.

• Monday, Feb. 5 from 6:30 to 9 p.m.

  Grace St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 2331 E. Adams St.

  Musica Sonora. Auditions for the early music vocal ensemble will be held. Singers must have good choral experience, excellent musical skills, sightreading ability and knowledge of early music style. Call 628-8119 or e-mail [email protected] to schedule a time.

• Tuesday, Feb. 6 at 3 p.m.

  Freedom Inn at Ventana Canyon, 5660 N. Kolb Road.

  Harpist. Adrienne Levy will perform a variety of music, including gospel, folk and light classical. Free. Call 577-6940 to RSVP.