Hoping to overcome the everyday pettiness of academic life, young professor Andy Friedman entertains megalomaniac ideas of success. Perhaps he will become a charismatic figure like President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela, leading the anti-imperialist charge against Washington and George Bush. Or, failing that, Andy might simply settle for a greater sense of purpose and a settled community as he moves back to Manhattan from graduate school. Will the larger than life characters in Andy's life, including a dynamic therapist named Bob --- who bears an uncanny resemblance to Wolf Blitzer --- and an off the wall Tibetan lama named Norbu, foot the bill? Will Andy gain solace from Ninotchka, a snowy white and irrepressible canine companion descended from the sturdiest Arctic stock? Friedman's going to need all the help he can get as his classroom becomes increasingly chaotic and his adventures within the various subcultures of the East Village get more and more surreal."