Birdies are the best. You can tote them on your shoulder, teach them to talk, even swipe earrings right off people's heads! And let's not forget the universally cool pirate associations. But there are so many pretties to choose from! Enter Michelle, bird pro:

•African Grey Parrot: "These are a popular choice because of their talking abilities."

•Cockatoo: "They are very friendly and loving. They're really affectionate, so they make for great family birds."

•Senegal: "These are quieter birds. They're very playful, so you can teach them tricks."

•Green Cheeked Conure: "Another quieter bird, and very playful. They are very family oriented."

•Cockatiels: "Very popular for first-time bird owners. They're very calm and quiet, good for children. And the males can learn to talk."

Ira Flowers
From Video-Rama
2940 NE Alberta

Come to the dark side and check out Ira's favorite films, which include violent deaths, acute anxieties, military imprisonment, and Stanley Kubrick. And no worries about spice over substance; Ira is a professional, you know.

• All That Jazz (1979): "A great film by Bob Fosse; it's autobiographical. He actually predicted his own death in that picture."

• Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964): "Great black comedy from Stanley Kubrick. Always timely in this world."

• The Last Detail (1973): "One of the greatest American films ever made. Jack Nicholson is a Navy M.P. who's assigned to take Randy Quaid to the brig."

• Adaptation (2002): "This is the freshest American film I've seen in two years."

• Ichi The Killer (2001): "An amazing film from Takashi Miike--not for the faint of heart. Definitely one of the sickest and most disturbingly funny films I've ever seen."