Thank you, Alan Sklar, for opening Alan's Alley, the greatest video store there is (and you've managed to keep it around for almost 20 of the most trying years in the industry).  Not only have you conveniently located it a block away from Blogger HQ, but you have a copy of In The Valley of Elah on DVD that you held for me after I called over and gave you my first name.  Then when I came by, you had several friendly people behind the counter who were ready to help me.  Then you had a cat that lives in the store and came right up to me; then right upon me.  You charge nothing for membership, your contract isn't even half a page long, and it still phrases the agreement as renting "tapes."  Plus, you offer free delivery, which will come in handy as the weather stays cold.

I swear Alan's is not paying me to write this.  I'm just really glad not to have to watch the E! pre-show pre-show for a couple hours.  They've been talking about purses for the last 20 minutes.

I wish I were kidding.

OK, movie time.  I'll be down in the valley with Tommy Lee and the gang.