- Monk begins the end tonight, Obsessive Influence. It’s a good show really, and I must say I never considered the impact it might have on TV. Good for it. I did like the bit in the article about Psych and The Mentalist because Psych came first and it’s more fun. And a great hour of TV once a week. Good old USA network. You used to have JAG reruns, now it’s NCIS three times a night. Which I appreciate because I can get caught up on those in between years I didn’t watch. Early bon voyage, Monk.
-Is it strange that I only really know about a cultural icon in one genre through the medium of another? This weekend is the Newport Jazz Festival, in its 55th year (one year older than my father…and four years younger than the recently late John Hughes, another cultural icon), and last was the city’s Folk Festival, celebrating its 40th year. Why is this significant? Well, because of my roundabout reference which gives a clue to how my brain seems to work. Associative. See, I know what the Newport Jazz Festival is, or that it exists at all, because it was mentioned in High Society, the musical version of The Philadelphia Story, which is one of my favorite movies. Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn were in The Philadelphia Story (incidentally, one of the days this month in TCM’s month of stars is Cary Grant day, but Katharine doesn’t seem to get one…) and Bing Crosby, Grace Kelly, and Frank Sinatra (he also gets a day this month with TCM, and the movie poster on the website for him is High Society) were in High Society with this guy in a supporting role named Louis Armstrong. He and Bing (ever awesome) did a song about jazz and it was mentioned Bing’s character’s home was being lent to the festival. I’m not a huge jazz fan, but I do recognize some of the names from the schedule, Dave Brubeck of course and the Marsalis last name, a brother of Wynton.
But to get back to my original question, I suppose it’s not that strange. How many kids (well, people) my age or younger are only going to know about the Woodstock concert (A Moment of Muddy Grace) because of the movie that’s coming out soon? Along those lines, Julia Child…Meryl Streep plays her in a movie coming out today and a good half of the movie is basically about how awesome she was. Her kitchen is in the Smithsonian for pity sake, there was a huge…okay, a few articles really…deal about her pots coming to the Smithsonian from an exhibit in California where they’d been sent after her death until the exhibit closed, which it just did. But Julia herself? She was mentioned as part of a rant by Toby about PBS on the West Wing…I don’t even think I’ve ever seen an episode of her show. She was mentioned, I know she was a big deal in the cooking world but still…that reference is still there. And what about something like Mr. Potato Head? Are kids going to know what the toy is because of Toy Story and not because they see it in stores or their parents manage to find one?
Life’s funny that way. Vonnegut said, “Life happens too fast for you to ever think about it. If you could just persuade people of this, but they insist on amassing information.” The thing is, now dead Kurt Vonnegut (who wrote rather well, really), we’ve built a whole culture online helping people amass information and giving them the chance to think about life. What do you think this blog is anyway?
07 August 2009
03 August 2009
Musings, Part FF
- Generation Y - They're 20-Something and Already Nostalgic True, I suppose...ah, the 90s.
- Down With Presidential Birthright Seriously people? This is how you decide to attack him? For the love of everything holy...
- Film Food, Ready for It’s ‘Bon Appetit’ Again, I picked the wrong career field. If only I was a decent cook….and baked for show rather than to eat.
- Reimagining Fahrenheit 451 As a Graphic Novel This might actually work…
- Full Stomachs, and Full Marriages Too When and if I get married, I’d like my husband to be as supportive of me as Paul Child was of Julia.
-Twittergraphy I think I’m going to have to start using some of these. Roselite.
-On Hollywood’s Strong, Self-Hating Women So, I know you can read a lot into a movie or TV show. Believe me, I blathered (well, not blathered, wrote rather well really) on for 100 pages based off of a few month’s research for my capstone that was all about what was in (I decided) some films and a couple TV shows. Yeah, I like romantic comedies and no I haven’t seen the films mentioned in this article but do I agree with it? That’d be a definite yes. Why can’t we have a movie where the woman is a strong character and the guy’s a strong character and both soften a little? Oh wait…that’s Pride and Prejudice…and You’ve Got Mail…But why does everything have to be Taming of the Shrew? What about Much Ado About Nothing? Beatrice doesn’t really give in or become less than herself, you know she was just covering the attraction to begin with, all she had to do was admit it, same with Benedict. Literature seemingly has ruined me for modern romantic comedies. Whatever shall I do? Delight in my feminist ways, I suppose.
- Down With Presidential Birthright Seriously people? This is how you decide to attack him? For the love of everything holy...
- Film Food, Ready for It’s ‘Bon Appetit’ Again, I picked the wrong career field. If only I was a decent cook….and baked for show rather than to eat.
- Reimagining Fahrenheit 451 As a Graphic Novel This might actually work…
- Full Stomachs, and Full Marriages Too When and if I get married, I’d like my husband to be as supportive of me as Paul Child was of Julia.
-Twittergraphy I think I’m going to have to start using some of these. Roselite.
-On Hollywood’s Strong, Self-Hating Women So, I know you can read a lot into a movie or TV show. Believe me, I blathered (well, not blathered, wrote rather well really) on for 100 pages based off of a few month’s research for my capstone that was all about what was in (I decided) some films and a couple TV shows. Yeah, I like romantic comedies and no I haven’t seen the films mentioned in this article but do I agree with it? That’d be a definite yes. Why can’t we have a movie where the woman is a strong character and the guy’s a strong character and both soften a little? Oh wait…that’s Pride and Prejudice…and You’ve Got Mail…But why does everything have to be Taming of the Shrew? What about Much Ado About Nothing? Beatrice doesn’t really give in or become less than herself, you know she was just covering the attraction to begin with, all she had to do was admit it, same with Benedict. Literature seemingly has ruined me for modern romantic comedies. Whatever shall I do? Delight in my feminist ways, I suppose.
20 July 2009
Musings, Part EE
-Walter Cronkite, The Nation’s Narrator, Dies at 92 Not Uncle Walter! I still remember him from the old Disney MGM (before they changed the name of the park and the whole intro) Animation Tour introduction film with Robin Williams. Sad times, but at least he got to live a full life.
-Nancy Drew! How cool is Sotomayor for mentioning her as an influence? Yeah, she might be a little unrealistic but it’s Nancy Drew…she’s too awesome for flaws. Too much style for it. And I want her car. And the infinitely understanding boyfriend might be nice too. Nancy Drew’s Granddaughters
-And of course, all the Apollo 11 coverage for today’s anniversary. As Robert Heinlein wrote, the moon may be a harsh mistress but she sure looks pretty from here.
NPR:
-Book Review of Rocket Men. Suspenseful, Surprising Space Race History
-From Buzz Aldrin’s perspective: Aldrin Reflects on Life After Moon Mission Goes to show, if you become famous for doing your job and really aren’t used to any kind of public attention, it can get to you. Fame takes its toll. Still though…he got to walk on the moon.
-A Small Step to the Moon, A Giant Leap to Mars That is one of the quirks of life, you always hear about the big stuff…but something basic like a spacesuit that’ll keep you alive? Not so much. The vehicle itself, sure. Not the other stuff. Go figure.
NY Times:
-Mission to the Moon
- When NASA Defined Long Island We actually watched the section of From the Earth to the Moon about Grumman in my CON 100 class because it does a good job of showing the contractor/government relationship and the whole contract process, albeit from the contractor perspective. Still, yay Lunar Module.
- To the Moon, Buzz! Apollo 11 at 40
- Other Space stuff.
Washington Post:
- From (sorta) Neil Armstrong’s perspective: One Step Was Plenty
- On Anniversary of Moonwalk, Apollo Astronauts Debate Financial Restraints I really don’t understand those who say we’re spending too much on the space program. Don’t people know this is the next Manifest Destiny? Well, that and I suppose going to the depths of the ocean but really, the Earth is kinda boring these days, what with how we’re destroying it and stuff. Oh, and every action movie seeks to do the same, see the trailer for 2012 for evidence. Anything that’s anything gets destroyed in that one. Good times. Seriously though. Final frontier, people.
-Nancy Drew! How cool is Sotomayor for mentioning her as an influence? Yeah, she might be a little unrealistic but it’s Nancy Drew…she’s too awesome for flaws. Too much style for it. And I want her car. And the infinitely understanding boyfriend might be nice too. Nancy Drew’s Granddaughters
-And of course, all the Apollo 11 coverage for today’s anniversary. As Robert Heinlein wrote, the moon may be a harsh mistress but she sure looks pretty from here.
NPR:
-Book Review of Rocket Men. Suspenseful, Surprising Space Race History
-From Buzz Aldrin’s perspective: Aldrin Reflects on Life After Moon Mission Goes to show, if you become famous for doing your job and really aren’t used to any kind of public attention, it can get to you. Fame takes its toll. Still though…he got to walk on the moon.
-A Small Step to the Moon, A Giant Leap to Mars That is one of the quirks of life, you always hear about the big stuff…but something basic like a spacesuit that’ll keep you alive? Not so much. The vehicle itself, sure. Not the other stuff. Go figure.
NY Times:
-Mission to the Moon
- When NASA Defined Long Island We actually watched the section of From the Earth to the Moon about Grumman in my CON 100 class because it does a good job of showing the contractor/government relationship and the whole contract process, albeit from the contractor perspective. Still, yay Lunar Module.
- To the Moon, Buzz! Apollo 11 at 40
- Other Space stuff.
Washington Post:
- From (sorta) Neil Armstrong’s perspective: One Step Was Plenty
- On Anniversary of Moonwalk, Apollo Astronauts Debate Financial Restraints I really don’t understand those who say we’re spending too much on the space program. Don’t people know this is the next Manifest Destiny? Well, that and I suppose going to the depths of the ocean but really, the Earth is kinda boring these days, what with how we’re destroying it and stuff. Oh, and every action movie seeks to do the same, see the trailer for 2012 for evidence. Anything that’s anything gets destroyed in that one. Good times. Seriously though. Final frontier, people.
18 July 2009
Musings, Part DD
- Strange but true: Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo. What's it mean? Well...for starters, it's a grammatically correct sentence, believe it or not.
- Weird Al! He's great and in my opinion, very talented. Meet Weird Al, Stealth Pop Musicologist. Michael Ian Black's praise.
- When will politicians realize that by holding the office they do they should be held, and even (shocker) hold themselves, to a higher level of scrutiny and accountability for their actions, whether they can be labeled as part of a personal life or not. By running for office you give up that personal life, whether that's fair or not. Especially if you lay a claim to a higher degree of moral righteousness because you always, always get proven wrong on that score. And you always get caught. And they you try to talk your way out of it and can't. So, politicians, don't be jerks (insert more appropriate euphemism or pejorative) and just don't cheat on your wives or be interesting in the shady legal or moral sense because it's not interesting when you cajole people into believing in you. Then it's just a betrayal. Not just of your family but your purported beliefs and your constituents. And makes your rivals giggle with glee. Every tower topples so go against the stereotype and be a stand up guy. Shock us, I dare you. (Side note: Way to stand up for yourself South Carolina First Lady Jenny Sanford) Also, Marion Barry, it doesn’t matter if it’s legal or not to hire significant others to work in your office on the taxpayer’s dime…it’s the appearance issue and again, the betrayal of public trust. You of all people should understand the importance of appearing to have high morals that the voters usually hold politicians to.
- Oh, and Sarah Palin? Thanks for confirming every thought I’ve ever had about you. Way to flake out on your constituents.
- In 'D.C.,' A Mayoral Race That's Every Bit As Tight As Spandex The problem with superheroes is that they always look better on paper and in a crisis...not too good at the day to day stuff. And they'd always be running off trying to save the world or whatever.
- The Defenestration of Prague...in Legos!. For those of you who don't know the significance, it was a prelude to the Thirty Year's War and gave us the term defenestration...one of the words out there where the first three letters are in order alphabetically. And it's fun. And we probably got the word from the German word for window, fenster, plus de for…well, un.
- And now I really want to be in London: ‘All Around London, An Invitation to Make Music’
- Schott’s Vocab- inflationary language Too twoderful for words.
- I like how 4 of the top 10 cities are in Florida. 10 Meanest Cities
- Apollo Moon missions article by John Noble Wilford. Happy anniversary Apollo 11.
- Ten Ways to Get Punched While Seeing the New Harry Potter
I’d like to add to the woman behind me in the theater saying “he’s going to die now” and totally jumping the gun by about 7 or so minutes. I mean, of course he was, but you don’t ruin the set up. Also, I was worried the New Moon trailer right off the bat was going to spoil the whole thing (talk about attempting to hook onto an audience…and really annoying those of us who found the books after the 1st to be whiny and annoying, though to be fair, she was kind of annoying in the first too) but it didn’t. Granted, things were moved around and secondary characters were completely shafted but the plot was advanced, the set up was set up for the next movies and I appreciated the emotional recognition on behalf of two of the trio…better in the book and perhaps more true to life in the book, but there was that added camaraderie. They’re going to be great in-laws.
- Sea monsters? The ‘Zombie’ Follow-up: ‘Sense and Sensiblity and Sea Monsters’ Seriously? Sense and Sensibility is the one book of Austen’s where none of her heroes are active military people (Colonel Brandon’s retired) and none are in the Navy. Now Persuasion with sea monsters where Captain Wentworth is doing the Pirates of the Caribbean Davy Jones thing? That’s more plausible…which is why I guess they made resolutely landlocked S&S the one with the sea monsters. Still, I’m going to read it.
- Weird Al! He's great and in my opinion, very talented. Meet Weird Al, Stealth Pop Musicologist. Michael Ian Black's praise.
- When will politicians realize that by holding the office they do they should be held, and even (shocker) hold themselves, to a higher level of scrutiny and accountability for their actions, whether they can be labeled as part of a personal life or not. By running for office you give up that personal life, whether that's fair or not. Especially if you lay a claim to a higher degree of moral righteousness because you always, always get proven wrong on that score. And you always get caught. And they you try to talk your way out of it and can't. So, politicians, don't be jerks (insert more appropriate euphemism or pejorative) and just don't cheat on your wives or be interesting in the shady legal or moral sense because it's not interesting when you cajole people into believing in you. Then it's just a betrayal. Not just of your family but your purported beliefs and your constituents. And makes your rivals giggle with glee. Every tower topples so go against the stereotype and be a stand up guy. Shock us, I dare you. (Side note: Way to stand up for yourself South Carolina First Lady Jenny Sanford) Also, Marion Barry, it doesn’t matter if it’s legal or not to hire significant others to work in your office on the taxpayer’s dime…it’s the appearance issue and again, the betrayal of public trust. You of all people should understand the importance of appearing to have high morals that the voters usually hold politicians to.
- Oh, and Sarah Palin? Thanks for confirming every thought I’ve ever had about you. Way to flake out on your constituents.
- In 'D.C.,' A Mayoral Race That's Every Bit As Tight As Spandex The problem with superheroes is that they always look better on paper and in a crisis...not too good at the day to day stuff. And they'd always be running off trying to save the world or whatever.
- The Defenestration of Prague...in Legos!. For those of you who don't know the significance, it was a prelude to the Thirty Year's War and gave us the term defenestration...one of the words out there where the first three letters are in order alphabetically. And it's fun. And we probably got the word from the German word for window, fenster, plus de for…well, un.
- And now I really want to be in London: ‘All Around London, An Invitation to Make Music’
- Schott’s Vocab- inflationary language Too twoderful for words.
- I like how 4 of the top 10 cities are in Florida. 10 Meanest Cities
- Apollo Moon missions article by John Noble Wilford. Happy anniversary Apollo 11.
- Ten Ways to Get Punched While Seeing the New Harry Potter
I’d like to add to the woman behind me in the theater saying “he’s going to die now” and totally jumping the gun by about 7 or so minutes. I mean, of course he was, but you don’t ruin the set up. Also, I was worried the New Moon trailer right off the bat was going to spoil the whole thing (talk about attempting to hook onto an audience…and really annoying those of us who found the books after the 1st to be whiny and annoying, though to be fair, she was kind of annoying in the first too) but it didn’t. Granted, things were moved around and secondary characters were completely shafted but the plot was advanced, the set up was set up for the next movies and I appreciated the emotional recognition on behalf of two of the trio…better in the book and perhaps more true to life in the book, but there was that added camaraderie. They’re going to be great in-laws.
- Sea monsters? The ‘Zombie’ Follow-up: ‘Sense and Sensiblity and Sea Monsters’ Seriously? Sense and Sensibility is the one book of Austen’s where none of her heroes are active military people (Colonel Brandon’s retired) and none are in the Navy. Now Persuasion with sea monsters where Captain Wentworth is doing the Pirates of the Caribbean Davy Jones thing? That’s more plausible…which is why I guess they made resolutely landlocked S&S the one with the sea monsters. Still, I’m going to read it.
10 June 2009
Musings, Part CC
- Colbert's guest editing Newsweek to coincide with his trip to Baghdad to do his show. Pretty cool and should be a funny issue, well...his insertions at least. Whose Bright Idea Was This?. Why I Took This Crummy Job. A Reader's Guide to the Colbert Issue.
- Now I have to go to New York....A MoMA Retrospective of Tim Burton's Career.
- So, sad but true: shots fired in DC...not that big of a deal/not surprising/not really news. Shots fired in downtown? That's news and slightly more worrisome, especially near the Mall. But shots fired at the Holocaust Museum? Now that's really not good. I wonder what brand of whackjob it will be this time. 2 People Shot at the US Holocaust Museum.
Update: And white supremacist wins! You can always count on them for the crazy and the whole really helping their cause by being crazy. Good job whackjob, way to live up to the stereotype. Two thumbs, way up.
- Now I have to go to New York....A MoMA Retrospective of Tim Burton's Career.
- So, sad but true: shots fired in DC...not that big of a deal/not surprising/not really news. Shots fired in downtown? That's news and slightly more worrisome, especially near the Mall. But shots fired at the Holocaust Museum? Now that's really not good. I wonder what brand of whackjob it will be this time. 2 People Shot at the US Holocaust Museum.
Update: And white supremacist wins! You can always count on them for the crazy and the whole really helping their cause by being crazy. Good job whackjob, way to live up to the stereotype. Two thumbs, way up.
05 June 2009
Musings, Part BB
- Escapism in Minutiae of Daily Life. Now I just need the computer to play it.
- Either this guy just writes well or he really is a cool guy. Why I'm Giving Away $1 Billion. Kudos to you Peter Peterson.
- Intriguing idea: Other Shows That Could Use A Giant 'Wipeout'-Style Catapult. You know, I might watch some of these if they made hurling people into the air a regular practice...
- Wow, thanks DC weather. Great for my birthday but on the day I'm roaming about after work in nice pants and shoes, we get a severe thunderstorm warning. April was the showers month, this is June. And we're not supposed to have sympathetic weather up here for Florida's hurricane season. And if it's going to rain, how about lowering the temperature on the day it rains, not just briefly the day after?
- One of those constants: Tom Hanks is a nice guy. Cool too. The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien: Tue, June 2, 2009.
- I want my marriage (when I have one) to be like this when I'm their age...though without the Alzheimer's. Still, if it's like this after 60 years...that's a life well lived. 60 Years of Marriage: Laughter is Love.
- Nancy Drew! She's awesome and can do anything. And then go to luncheon. Why Do Lawyers Love Nancy Drew? It's No Mystery.
- I find myself rewatching Fantastic Four now that I've seen the Horatio Hornblower: New Adventures movies (and Netflix, get on the ball and let me get the original 6 disc collection, I see it mocking me in Borders, why can't you be a friend like you have been all these months and move it from saved into my queue?). I just not sure which Ioan Gruffudd is better...but I think I have to go with the one with the accent. You win, Horatio. Sorry, Reed. You're awesome and smart and all but I have to stick with the Napoleonic war era naval genius version. I'm sure you understand.
- Speaking of movies, I totally lucked out and got the Thin Man collection for my birthday. The banter is mine, all mine! And I now have the William Powell and Myrna Loy collection, five other delightful movies with the pair of them. I wonder why they don't get touted as a great screen couple like Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy...they were in quite a few together, had great chemistry, and great dialogue. Well, at least I can appreciate them.
- Either this guy just writes well or he really is a cool guy. Why I'm Giving Away $1 Billion. Kudos to you Peter Peterson.
- Intriguing idea: Other Shows That Could Use A Giant 'Wipeout'-Style Catapult. You know, I might watch some of these if they made hurling people into the air a regular practice...
- Wow, thanks DC weather. Great for my birthday but on the day I'm roaming about after work in nice pants and shoes, we get a severe thunderstorm warning. April was the showers month, this is June. And we're not supposed to have sympathetic weather up here for Florida's hurricane season. And if it's going to rain, how about lowering the temperature on the day it rains, not just briefly the day after?
- One of those constants: Tom Hanks is a nice guy. Cool too. The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien: Tue, June 2, 2009.
- I want my marriage (when I have one) to be like this when I'm their age...though without the Alzheimer's. Still, if it's like this after 60 years...that's a life well lived. 60 Years of Marriage: Laughter is Love.
- Nancy Drew! She's awesome and can do anything. And then go to luncheon. Why Do Lawyers Love Nancy Drew? It's No Mystery.
- I find myself rewatching Fantastic Four now that I've seen the Horatio Hornblower: New Adventures movies (and Netflix, get on the ball and let me get the original 6 disc collection, I see it mocking me in Borders, why can't you be a friend like you have been all these months and move it from saved into my queue?). I just not sure which Ioan Gruffudd is better...but I think I have to go with the one with the accent. You win, Horatio. Sorry, Reed. You're awesome and smart and all but I have to stick with the Napoleonic war era naval genius version. I'm sure you understand.
- Speaking of movies, I totally lucked out and got the Thin Man collection for my birthday. The banter is mine, all mine! And I now have the William Powell and Myrna Loy collection, five other delightful movies with the pair of them. I wonder why they don't get touted as a great screen couple like Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy...they were in quite a few together, had great chemistry, and great dialogue. Well, at least I can appreciate them.
01 June 2009
Musings, Part AA
And we've rounded the alphabet!
- I'm not sure if they could have crammed any more positive adjectives in this review, but good for them: 'Up': A Pixar-Styled Lift, Pretty Much Guaranteed. Well, I think Up was adorable. Great messages, beautiful scenery and lovely. Pixar's 'Up' Dominates Box Office. And yes, I teared up.
- Good for her: Kansas Girl, 13, Wins National Spelling Bee. Girls rule.
- NY Phil clarinetist Drucker Retires After 60 Years. That's a long time to be in one job but good for him. Yay clarinetists!
- Giles! Anthony Head: From Taster's Choice To TV Crime.
- So the MTV Movie Awards, being generated via fan votes, i.e. teenage girls, are usually pretty stupid and IQ draining but as the NPR blogger pointed out, this is actually kind of chuckle worthy while pointing out something true and a staple of action films: "Cool Guys Never Look at Explosions". A Needle in the Haystack of Stupid at the MTV Movie Awards.
- Dead Man's Switch: CC Me from the Other Side. This is a pretty interesting idea. The concept that we live on online after we're gone occurred to me after a friend of a friend, who I sort of knew but not as well as I would have liked in retrospect, was killed (which leads to a whole other thing and to sum up I now can say I went to school with a guy who's on death row...not something I really needed to check off the to-do list). Facebook suggested him as a person I might know months after he was gone. Unless someone had his password his profile is now frozen the last way he left it on Facebook forever, unless they take them down and I haven't heard about such a policy, only one for fake profiles not...deceased ones. I figure I'll, if I get the gumption to do so, write up a list of passwords that someone will need to access my various online...presences lets call them, and indicate I'm no longer among the living. I might even suggest permanent away messages or final postings where appropriate. Then I'd just have to hide it well enough that the average potential burglar can't find it but after I'm gone someone will be able to with relative ease. Hmm. Quite a pickle.
- Okay...now this is even more weird. Not only was Benny Goodman born on the same day I was...he died the same year I was born. Is this fate's way of telling me I really should've stuck more with music? I wasn't that good....I mean, I was okay, 1st or 2nd chair in the top band in high school but still. Weird. Benny Goodman: Forever the King of Swing.
- I'm not sure if they could have crammed any more positive adjectives in this review, but good for them: 'Up': A Pixar-Styled Lift, Pretty Much Guaranteed. Well, I think Up was adorable. Great messages, beautiful scenery and lovely. Pixar's 'Up' Dominates Box Office. And yes, I teared up.
- Good for her: Kansas Girl, 13, Wins National Spelling Bee. Girls rule.
- NY Phil clarinetist Drucker Retires After 60 Years. That's a long time to be in one job but good for him. Yay clarinetists!
- Giles! Anthony Head: From Taster's Choice To TV Crime.
- So the MTV Movie Awards, being generated via fan votes, i.e. teenage girls, are usually pretty stupid and IQ draining but as the NPR blogger pointed out, this is actually kind of chuckle worthy while pointing out something true and a staple of action films: "Cool Guys Never Look at Explosions". A Needle in the Haystack of Stupid at the MTV Movie Awards.
- Dead Man's Switch: CC Me from the Other Side. This is a pretty interesting idea. The concept that we live on online after we're gone occurred to me after a friend of a friend, who I sort of knew but not as well as I would have liked in retrospect, was killed (which leads to a whole other thing and to sum up I now can say I went to school with a guy who's on death row...not something I really needed to check off the to-do list). Facebook suggested him as a person I might know months after he was gone. Unless someone had his password his profile is now frozen the last way he left it on Facebook forever, unless they take them down and I haven't heard about such a policy, only one for fake profiles not...deceased ones. I figure I'll, if I get the gumption to do so, write up a list of passwords that someone will need to access my various online...presences lets call them, and indicate I'm no longer among the living. I might even suggest permanent away messages or final postings where appropriate. Then I'd just have to hide it well enough that the average potential burglar can't find it but after I'm gone someone will be able to with relative ease. Hmm. Quite a pickle.
- Okay...now this is even more weird. Not only was Benny Goodman born on the same day I was...he died the same year I was born. Is this fate's way of telling me I really should've stuck more with music? I wasn't that good....I mean, I was okay, 1st or 2nd chair in the top band in high school but still. Weird. Benny Goodman: Forever the King of Swing.
28 May 2009
Musings, Part Z
- Fallingwater as a Lego set? Count me in! A Frank Lloyd Wright Masterwork- In Legos.
- Up! Looks awesome and I'm glad critics seem to like it. Pixar's Small Wonder. And a brief history of the company: "Up", Up and Away With the Kids. And Giacchino's done the score again? Awesome. And the director did Monsters, Inc and worked on Wall-E? Awesome. 'Up' and Away With Pixar's Pete Docter.
- Interesting times we live in: Bush v. Gore Foes Join Forces to Fight Gay Marriage Ban.
- In Praise of Broadway's Orchestrators. You know, you don't think about it much but a composer can't crank out all of it for a show. A symphony maybe, but a show? Not quite.
- Benny Goodman! Born on my birthday. When I decided (apparently, at least that's the story my parents tell) to be born late I must have been planning even then to follow my dad and play clarinet so I'd have to be born on a famous clarinetist's birthday. How Benny Goodman Won Over America.
- I wonder where the closest one to DC is...Company's 'ATM for Books' Prints On Demand.
- DC's just exploded with Lincoln related exhibits at museums for the bi-centennial. And now the Archives got a letter written by him. Lost Lincoln Letter Donated to National Archives.
- Up! Looks awesome and I'm glad critics seem to like it. Pixar's Small Wonder. And a brief history of the company: "Up", Up and Away With the Kids. And Giacchino's done the score again? Awesome. And the director did Monsters, Inc and worked on Wall-E? Awesome. 'Up' and Away With Pixar's Pete Docter.
- Interesting times we live in: Bush v. Gore Foes Join Forces to Fight Gay Marriage Ban.
- In Praise of Broadway's Orchestrators. You know, you don't think about it much but a composer can't crank out all of it for a show. A symphony maybe, but a show? Not quite.
- Benny Goodman! Born on my birthday. When I decided (apparently, at least that's the story my parents tell) to be born late I must have been planning even then to follow my dad and play clarinet so I'd have to be born on a famous clarinetist's birthday. How Benny Goodman Won Over America.
- I wonder where the closest one to DC is...Company's 'ATM for Books' Prints On Demand.
- DC's just exploded with Lincoln related exhibits at museums for the bi-centennial. And now the Archives got a letter written by him. Lost Lincoln Letter Donated to National Archives.
26 May 2009
Musings, Part Y
- Hall of Presidents! One of my favorite parts of Magic Kingdom. I was wondering if they'd updated it yet. Animatronic Obama Going to Disney World With High-Tech Style.
- I'm glad I'm Catholic: From Polygamous Royalty to FLDS Lost Boy. Very glad.
- Hooray for the Smithsonian (of which I'm now a member)! Belle of the Mall.
- A beard contest? Apparently there is one. Imagine the work that has to go into some of these. Alaska Hosts the Battle of the Beards.
- I still love Sesame Street. Not just because it reminds me of my childhood but because it's still clever and funny after all these years. I'm thrilled they have a YouTube channel so I can find all my favorite bits. And Big Bird is still better than Elmo even if the little red guy has pushed him out. My loyalty is with Bird. Happy 40th! How Sesame Street Changed the World.
- And another childhood touchstone: American Girl's Journey to the Lower East Side. And the company's as old as I soon will be. My doll was Samantha, still is, I suppose. She's in a box now though. But still awesome.
- Yay! And now the battle begins. And everything I remember (I hope) from the two Supreme Court classes I took in college will come back during the confirmation process. Should be fun to watch. Obama Chooses Sotomayor for Supreme Court.
- I've started a new needlepoint project and it's brought to mind an interesting occurrance. Colors and names of colors don't always match up. This kit has an orangish background that claims to be tan. It's not. It's orangish. Tan is sorta skin colored. This I suppose could be called fake spray on tan. Or, orangish.
- Wow. Way to completely freak me out Newsweek article. I thought the author had actually lost her mind. Thank goodness for comments. Lithwick: Put Palin on the Supreme Court. By the way, that would be the absolute worst idea in the world, secondary only to electing her to some national office or a place of real influence. Gah. Shivers down my spine.
- I'm glad I'm Catholic: From Polygamous Royalty to FLDS Lost Boy. Very glad.
- Hooray for the Smithsonian (of which I'm now a member)! Belle of the Mall.
- A beard contest? Apparently there is one. Imagine the work that has to go into some of these. Alaska Hosts the Battle of the Beards.
- I still love Sesame Street. Not just because it reminds me of my childhood but because it's still clever and funny after all these years. I'm thrilled they have a YouTube channel so I can find all my favorite bits. And Big Bird is still better than Elmo even if the little red guy has pushed him out. My loyalty is with Bird. Happy 40th! How Sesame Street Changed the World.
- And another childhood touchstone: American Girl's Journey to the Lower East Side. And the company's as old as I soon will be. My doll was Samantha, still is, I suppose. She's in a box now though. But still awesome.
- Yay! And now the battle begins. And everything I remember (I hope) from the two Supreme Court classes I took in college will come back during the confirmation process. Should be fun to watch. Obama Chooses Sotomayor for Supreme Court.
- I've started a new needlepoint project and it's brought to mind an interesting occurrance. Colors and names of colors don't always match up. This kit has an orangish background that claims to be tan. It's not. It's orangish. Tan is sorta skin colored. This I suppose could be called fake spray on tan. Or, orangish.
- Wow. Way to completely freak me out Newsweek article. I thought the author had actually lost her mind. Thank goodness for comments. Lithwick: Put Palin on the Supreme Court. By the way, that would be the absolute worst idea in the world, secondary only to electing her to some national office or a place of real influence. Gah. Shivers down my spine.
20 May 2009
Musings, Part X
- Not That High School Musical. Glee is actually not bad, it's got a pretty good cast from what the pilot shows and it was actually a pretty fun hour.
- I hope he's screaming in agony in hell: The Fuhrer Returns to Berlin, This Time Saluted Only By Laughs. I think the combination of the play, and the banners that replace the swastika with a pretzel (genius, by the way) is the best thing that can happen to Berlin. They acknowledge the burden but slap the man responsible in the face, well, metaphorically. Satire at its best.
- Well, whenever I get homesick I can just go here: Disney Buys Land for Future Resort Hotel at National Harbor.
- Hubble! A Space Mission Worthy of Our Attention.
- Designing 'Up'-Well-Rounded Boy, Meet Old Square. I still think Carl's adorable. Grumpy old man or not, he's cute. And he's a balloon salesman? Awesome.
- Do two occurances qualify as a curse? I have now been to a concert at the DAR Hall here in DC twice now, once this past October for Jason Mraz and once last night for Keane. Each time there was a woman near me who was either high off of something (I'm going with drunk) or just really was the type of person who needed to go to a concert in a club without seats so everyone was being loud and dancing along. Last time the woman wanted people to be standing because heaven forbid we use the chairs we paid for and some of us are still getting used to the concept that concerts mean more than staying still and quiet while appreciating the music quietly until a piece is over (and make sure it doesn't have multiple movements because clapping after one? total faux pas). Last night the woman must have not had any bones because she was all over the place dancing, security managed to calm her down though I think, all I cared about was that she was out of my line of sight.
Beyond that, the concert was great. Wow are they energetic. Lights, always moving. You could tell that the lead singer was absolutely drenched in sweat by about the 5th song. Putting aside the energy he put into the performance, those lights have to be incredibly hot, they're certainly bright enough on my end. Great group, great songs, great supporting acts. Mat Kearney (the one I'd heard about) even quipped about his claim to fame saying that you write these songs for yourself and friends and someone decides a doctor should make out to it and you say of course that's what you wrote it for. Grey's Anatomy used "Breathe In, Breathe Out". I think my ears have fully recovered.
- Also, trying to ride the Blue/Orange lines of the Metro through the downtown stations around 5:30 is akin to suicide or hell or a highly concentrated new Disney attraction line. Crazy, insane, I'm so glad I live on the Red line, though it has it's crazy times as well.
- So, I confess I have read the first 3 Twilight books. I have an electronic copy of the 4th and I guess I'll read it one day (I've skimmed enough to get the main details) but I'm currently in no hurry. I wanted to see what the fuss was all about. Yes, it's an interesting take on the whole vampire-human thing with werewolves thrown in because they always seem to be the other piece of the triangle. I liked the first but then...they got whiny. Bella got on my nerves and I never cared for Jacob. And I like vampire stories in general, it's kind of fun comparing the different ones and how they deal with the whole human-interaction thing: sun, no sun, how to kill them, blood issues, etc. Maybe my problem with vampire book series is the style of Meyer's writing and her tone. Perhaps these books will be better, there are certainly more of them and hey, adults are the focus, not teenagers who I suppose are inherently whiny. Vampire-Loving Barmaid Hits Jackpot for Charlaine Harris.
- Question: Who's the Longest-Running Fictional Character Ever? Sort of who you'd expect.
- By the way, love the originality of NCIS: Los Angeles. I was really pulling for a new intialization, as NCIS was the spinoff from JAG. Alas, not to be.
- Rocky and Bullwinkle's on Hulu? Score.
- I hope he's screaming in agony in hell: The Fuhrer Returns to Berlin, This Time Saluted Only By Laughs. I think the combination of the play, and the banners that replace the swastika with a pretzel (genius, by the way) is the best thing that can happen to Berlin. They acknowledge the burden but slap the man responsible in the face, well, metaphorically. Satire at its best.
- Well, whenever I get homesick I can just go here: Disney Buys Land for Future Resort Hotel at National Harbor.
- Hubble! A Space Mission Worthy of Our Attention.
- Designing 'Up'-Well-Rounded Boy, Meet Old Square. I still think Carl's adorable. Grumpy old man or not, he's cute. And he's a balloon salesman? Awesome.
- Do two occurances qualify as a curse? I have now been to a concert at the DAR Hall here in DC twice now, once this past October for Jason Mraz and once last night for Keane. Each time there was a woman near me who was either high off of something (I'm going with drunk) or just really was the type of person who needed to go to a concert in a club without seats so everyone was being loud and dancing along. Last time the woman wanted people to be standing because heaven forbid we use the chairs we paid for and some of us are still getting used to the concept that concerts mean more than staying still and quiet while appreciating the music quietly until a piece is over (and make sure it doesn't have multiple movements because clapping after one? total faux pas). Last night the woman must have not had any bones because she was all over the place dancing, security managed to calm her down though I think, all I cared about was that she was out of my line of sight.
Beyond that, the concert was great. Wow are they energetic. Lights, always moving. You could tell that the lead singer was absolutely drenched in sweat by about the 5th song. Putting aside the energy he put into the performance, those lights have to be incredibly hot, they're certainly bright enough on my end. Great group, great songs, great supporting acts. Mat Kearney (the one I'd heard about) even quipped about his claim to fame saying that you write these songs for yourself and friends and someone decides a doctor should make out to it and you say of course that's what you wrote it for. Grey's Anatomy used "Breathe In, Breathe Out". I think my ears have fully recovered.
- Also, trying to ride the Blue/Orange lines of the Metro through the downtown stations around 5:30 is akin to suicide or hell or a highly concentrated new Disney attraction line. Crazy, insane, I'm so glad I live on the Red line, though it has it's crazy times as well.
- So, I confess I have read the first 3 Twilight books. I have an electronic copy of the 4th and I guess I'll read it one day (I've skimmed enough to get the main details) but I'm currently in no hurry. I wanted to see what the fuss was all about. Yes, it's an interesting take on the whole vampire-human thing with werewolves thrown in because they always seem to be the other piece of the triangle. I liked the first but then...they got whiny. Bella got on my nerves and I never cared for Jacob. And I like vampire stories in general, it's kind of fun comparing the different ones and how they deal with the whole human-interaction thing: sun, no sun, how to kill them, blood issues, etc. Maybe my problem with vampire book series is the style of Meyer's writing and her tone. Perhaps these books will be better, there are certainly more of them and hey, adults are the focus, not teenagers who I suppose are inherently whiny. Vampire-Loving Barmaid Hits Jackpot for Charlaine Harris.
- Question: Who's the Longest-Running Fictional Character Ever? Sort of who you'd expect.
- By the way, love the originality of NCIS: Los Angeles. I was really pulling for a new intialization, as NCIS was the spinoff from JAG. Alas, not to be.
- Rocky and Bullwinkle's on Hulu? Score.
18 May 2009
Musings, Part W
- Congrats to the 4 Kuwaiti women who just got elected to their parliament. They've only had the vote since 2005 but managed to get 4 women, all with Ph.Ds from US institutions, elected in the latest election. And one's a philosophy professor!
- And it's Upfronts week. Thankfully NBC already renewed Chuck, though for a shortened season that hopefully will be extended, ABC re-upped Castle and Better Off Ted (both great by the way) though passed on The Unusuals (which I wasn't terribly, terribly attached to anyway), and Fox re-upped Dollhouse, also good. I think NBC ditched Life though, which is sad but at least it had a partially wrapped up ending. Also read: Does Bringing Back 'Chuck' Mean a New Network Model?
- Back to the hooray for women news: Rachel Alexandra Takes Her First Step Toward Running in the Belmont. Take that Mine That Bird owner. Ha. Your jockey even abandoned the horse for the filly.
- Now I don't follow professional basketball at all but since when are the Magic any good? Magic Tops Celtics, Clearing Way for New Champion. All I remember about the Magic is that they always interrupted UPN and thus my Star Trek viewing. I think that was when Voyager was on...I really hated the team then. Probably still do. Still. When did they get decent?
- I must admit I'm conflicted about this: In Search of Europe: Sweden. Because I like the EU and I like IKEA. Maybe as an American I don't really completely understand the unwillingness to have broad, though uniform, standards and practices across a continent. We do that and, though bumpy and currently in a slump, look where it's gotten us. I will say that the store fosters an addiction...there's just so much stuff...and all so useful...gah. At the same time I'm backing the whole united states of Europe idea I still like the diverse history of the continent, and those two islands nearby and those two countries across the small sea that are connected but only ish.
- I have to say one of my favorite series of skits on SNL is Celebrity Jeopardy. I'm glad that they did one this past Saturday when Will Ferrell was back hosting. Hulu.com.
- A survey on surveys! How fun: Take Our Survey: Are There Too Many Surveys?
- And it's Upfronts week. Thankfully NBC already renewed Chuck, though for a shortened season that hopefully will be extended, ABC re-upped Castle and Better Off Ted (both great by the way) though passed on The Unusuals (which I wasn't terribly, terribly attached to anyway), and Fox re-upped Dollhouse, also good. I think NBC ditched Life though, which is sad but at least it had a partially wrapped up ending. Also read: Does Bringing Back 'Chuck' Mean a New Network Model?
- Back to the hooray for women news: Rachel Alexandra Takes Her First Step Toward Running in the Belmont. Take that Mine That Bird owner. Ha. Your jockey even abandoned the horse for the filly.
- Now I don't follow professional basketball at all but since when are the Magic any good? Magic Tops Celtics, Clearing Way for New Champion. All I remember about the Magic is that they always interrupted UPN and thus my Star Trek viewing. I think that was when Voyager was on...I really hated the team then. Probably still do. Still. When did they get decent?
- I must admit I'm conflicted about this: In Search of Europe: Sweden. Because I like the EU and I like IKEA. Maybe as an American I don't really completely understand the unwillingness to have broad, though uniform, standards and practices across a continent. We do that and, though bumpy and currently in a slump, look where it's gotten us. I will say that the store fosters an addiction...there's just so much stuff...and all so useful...gah. At the same time I'm backing the whole united states of Europe idea I still like the diverse history of the continent, and those two islands nearby and those two countries across the small sea that are connected but only ish.
- I have to say one of my favorite series of skits on SNL is Celebrity Jeopardy. I'm glad that they did one this past Saturday when Will Ferrell was back hosting. Hulu.com.
- A survey on surveys! How fun: Take Our Survey: Are There Too Many Surveys?
14 May 2009
Musings, Part V
- I think I might want to see this movie now...Tarantino's 'Inglourious Basterds'- A 'Bunch of Guys on a Mission' Movie. And really, if I'm going to sit through Brad Pitt, I prefer him when he's a touched unhinged, like in the Ocean's trilogy. That's the Brad Pitt I can stand.
- Oh, Bonnie and Clyde. Fun times. Who knew people were so into you? Yeah, a lot of people I guess. Bonnie and Clyde, America's Deadly Sweethearts, 75 Years Later.
- I seem to write about space a lot, maybe because it's just that time of year, what with the movie and all. Anyway, funny book titles really can help: The Universe and Its Mysteries - To Go. The book title is You Are Here: A Portable History of the Universe.
- I admit I play the Sims. I haven't for ages but only because I'm worried about space on the computer and the game running slow. However, when I get my new one, I'm definitely getting Sims 3. Making Sims Into Neighbors You Can Relate To.
- It's amazing how many male politicians can be absolute scumbags in their personal lives: The battle of the Berlusconis. Cheating is inexcusable. Period.
- On a lighter note, Ewan McGregor is perhaps the very definition of a Father-what-a-waste, thankfully he's just playing one. Ewan McGregor on the Vatican, Kilts & His Accent.
- Oh, Bonnie and Clyde. Fun times. Who knew people were so into you? Yeah, a lot of people I guess. Bonnie and Clyde, America's Deadly Sweethearts, 75 Years Later.
- I seem to write about space a lot, maybe because it's just that time of year, what with the movie and all. Anyway, funny book titles really can help: The Universe and Its Mysteries - To Go. The book title is You Are Here: A Portable History of the Universe.
- I admit I play the Sims. I haven't for ages but only because I'm worried about space on the computer and the game running slow. However, when I get my new one, I'm definitely getting Sims 3. Making Sims Into Neighbors You Can Relate To.
- It's amazing how many male politicians can be absolute scumbags in their personal lives: The battle of the Berlusconis. Cheating is inexcusable. Period.
- On a lighter note, Ewan McGregor is perhaps the very definition of a Father-what-a-waste, thankfully he's just playing one. Ewan McGregor on the Vatican, Kilts & His Accent.
11 May 2009
Musings, Part U
- So Star Trek...was awesome. And (warning, spoilers) while I'm upset that they killed Vulcan, I'm kinda happy for Spock, finally gets a girl. The ship was gorgeous, having Leonard Nimoy in it was awesome. The whole alternate, parallel, reality thing might appease some diehards I think, and be interesting for those of us who like the time episodes (as in, I'm one of them). I really, really enjoyed it. And have listened to the soundtrack on repeat since I got home from the movie yesterday.
- This will likely be the space post, surprise surprise, I know. Anyway, last Hubble mission lifts off today. That is one thing I miss about home (Florida), being able to see the shuttle launches. Special Tools Required For Last Call to Hubble. Space Shuttle Blasts Off on Hubble Telescope Mission, on schedule and with no problems. Yay!
- And of course, various articles with spoilers for the film and about the box office numbers. NY Times: Starship Franchise Zooms to Top of Box Office, The Two Sides of 'Star Trek'. Washington Post: Star Trek: The Early Days of Kirk, Spock, Bones, Star-crossed lovers: 'Trek' ship mates lock lips, Hank Stuever Essay: The Trouble With Quibbles and Niche Fandom. And for real science in Star Trek, PRI: Warp Speed Ahead!. Oh, and dropping by SNL: Update Feature: Star Trek. Too bad none of them got to host.
- Joss Whedon on commentary...singing! This American Life: Return to the Scene of the Crime, his section starts at 27:52. I really need to get this DVD now...
- So, I'm one of those people who like languages from sci-fi and fantasy works. From the computer series starting with Myst I have a thing on the D'Ni language and I use the numbering system. From Tolkien I have the Languages of Middle Earth book (see name of blog for an example) and yes, I use the words all over the place from my email address to my AIM screenname. So articles like this? Kind of up my alley: There's No Klingon Word for Hello.
- This will likely be the space post, surprise surprise, I know. Anyway, last Hubble mission lifts off today. That is one thing I miss about home (Florida), being able to see the shuttle launches. Special Tools Required For Last Call to Hubble. Space Shuttle Blasts Off on Hubble Telescope Mission, on schedule and with no problems. Yay!
- And of course, various articles with spoilers for the film and about the box office numbers. NY Times: Starship Franchise Zooms to Top of Box Office, The Two Sides of 'Star Trek'. Washington Post: Star Trek: The Early Days of Kirk, Spock, Bones, Star-crossed lovers: 'Trek' ship mates lock lips, Hank Stuever Essay: The Trouble With Quibbles and Niche Fandom. And for real science in Star Trek, PRI: Warp Speed Ahead!. Oh, and dropping by SNL: Update Feature: Star Trek. Too bad none of them got to host.
- Joss Whedon on commentary...singing! This American Life: Return to the Scene of the Crime, his section starts at 27:52. I really need to get this DVD now...
- So, I'm one of those people who like languages from sci-fi and fantasy works. From the computer series starting with Myst I have a thing on the D'Ni language and I use the numbering system. From Tolkien I have the Languages of Middle Earth book (see name of blog for an example) and yes, I use the words all over the place from my email address to my AIM screenname. So articles like this? Kind of up my alley: There's No Klingon Word for Hello.
08 May 2009
Musings, Part T
- For this one, I think...well, it speaks for itself: The Fat-Alien Sings: A Klingon Language Opera. Best part of it is, they're serious opera people.
- Continuing with the Star Trek news articles: A Mind Meld Q&A With Leonard Nimoy. Aww: 'Star Trek's' Familiar Face. Newsweek's Pop culture blog Pop Vox: But...What If I'm Not a Trekkie? You become one. Duh. And of course from the BBC, the one guy no one in the US is talking about: Talking Shop: Simon Pegg. He's the Master (a la Doctor Who, the reincarnated version).
- You know, I go back and forth on whether I like Sylar on Heroes. I liked him during the whole duality arc when they explored how he could not be a psychopath, or you know, a homicidal egomanic with plans for dominiation or at least a fun blood bath, but now he's back to regular Sylar (only [to spoil the finale] now he's been forced into being Nathan so who knows how that'll play out, probably more duality which is always fun and may circle back to the Five Years future episode in Season 1) and I don't like him as much. Or tolerate him really. A lot of times you go back and forth on an actor depending on the roles they take, you love them or hate them based on who they play. Spock could redeem Quinto for me. Because Spock's awesome factor totally makes up for the whole serial killer thing. New 'Trek' Star is a Chip Off the Old Spock. The thing is, I can totally see the correlation or at least how you could understand the casting. As Sylar he's rather restrained and collected for a serial killer, methodical one might say. And as Spock he has to be logical and collected while dealing with that whole mother was a human thing. The speech patterns can be the same just Spock doesn't use as much menace or the creepy smiles that Sylar would. And a nerve pinch is a lot less bloody than splicing their foreheads open when it comes to subduing enemies. Knock on wood but I hope all my postings about this movie mean my next, likely including my reactions to it, will be as positive and gleeful.
- On a rather more personal note, I now have a job. A real, permanent job as compared to the full time temp position I've had since late March. And just inside a full year after I graduated from college (just just inside since this weekend is graduation weekend at my university). In June I shall join the ranks of those employed by the federal government in DC. It may not have been where I originally thought I'd end up, or wanted to end up, in education policy, but it fits what I did throughout college (I only really physically got into the education part in my last year through an education class even though I'd been mulling it for a while) but it fits my goal when from after high school: it's in a department of the federal government. Yeah, public service wasn't as attractive when I was in high school, not like it is becoming now, but I was inspired by the West Wing, believe it or not. So I won't be changing the world by feeding hunger or stopping a disease but I'll be doing my part in the mechanism and making sure things work when and how they're supposed to. And I'm happy. A real job, a pretty good starting salary, and it fits what I wanted. How can you ask for more? And happy Mother's Day.
- Continuing with the Star Trek news articles: A Mind Meld Q&A With Leonard Nimoy. Aww: 'Star Trek's' Familiar Face. Newsweek's Pop culture blog Pop Vox: But...What If I'm Not a Trekkie? You become one. Duh. And of course from the BBC, the one guy no one in the US is talking about: Talking Shop: Simon Pegg. He's the Master (a la Doctor Who, the reincarnated version).
- You know, I go back and forth on whether I like Sylar on Heroes. I liked him during the whole duality arc when they explored how he could not be a psychopath, or you know, a homicidal egomanic with plans for dominiation or at least a fun blood bath, but now he's back to regular Sylar (only [to spoil the finale] now he's been forced into being Nathan so who knows how that'll play out, probably more duality which is always fun and may circle back to the Five Years future episode in Season 1) and I don't like him as much. Or tolerate him really. A lot of times you go back and forth on an actor depending on the roles they take, you love them or hate them based on who they play. Spock could redeem Quinto for me. Because Spock's awesome factor totally makes up for the whole serial killer thing. New 'Trek' Star is a Chip Off the Old Spock. The thing is, I can totally see the correlation or at least how you could understand the casting. As Sylar he's rather restrained and collected for a serial killer, methodical one might say. And as Spock he has to be logical and collected while dealing with that whole mother was a human thing. The speech patterns can be the same just Spock doesn't use as much menace or the creepy smiles that Sylar would. And a nerve pinch is a lot less bloody than splicing their foreheads open when it comes to subduing enemies. Knock on wood but I hope all my postings about this movie mean my next, likely including my reactions to it, will be as positive and gleeful.
- On a rather more personal note, I now have a job. A real, permanent job as compared to the full time temp position I've had since late March. And just inside a full year after I graduated from college (just just inside since this weekend is graduation weekend at my university). In June I shall join the ranks of those employed by the federal government in DC. It may not have been where I originally thought I'd end up, or wanted to end up, in education policy, but it fits what I did throughout college (I only really physically got into the education part in my last year through an education class even though I'd been mulling it for a while) but it fits my goal when from after high school: it's in a department of the federal government. Yeah, public service wasn't as attractive when I was in high school, not like it is becoming now, but I was inspired by the West Wing, believe it or not. So I won't be changing the world by feeding hunger or stopping a disease but I'll be doing my part in the mechanism and making sure things work when and how they're supposed to. And I'm happy. A real job, a pretty good starting salary, and it fits what I wanted. How can you ask for more? And happy Mother's Day.
07 May 2009
Musings, Part S
- Frank Lloyd Wright's buildings made me want to be an architect. Then I realized that no, drawing and all that math probably weren't for me. Doodling buildings is one thing, large scale is quite another. Still, kudos to your professional achievements (because you were a jerk in your personal life): The Goodbye Swirl.
- Congrats Maine: Maine Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage. So, we now have the first state to do so without any hassle. Vermont had to overcome a veto, and the other states who've allowed it have done so because their courts ordered it. And DC just passed a bill through the Council to recognize marriages performed in other states. I think the main interest in this for me, beyond it being something I support as a matter of social policy, is that I've learned about the civil rights movement in classes and how that swept through states and studied Supreme Court cases whose decisions altered the social policy fabric of the country that started out as test cases, notably Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas. This is a fascinating look at how social policy happens simultaneously at the state and national level, though not the federal. Now all we have to do is wait for the interactive color coded map, based on who did it by a the legislature, vote or by court order to show up somewhere. Then you know it's got real momentum. The map is key.
- Oh, Fringe. I was wondering when you'd mention Star Trek. Alternate universes and a crazy guy who thinks he's Spock in one episode, of course placed in the week of the premiere? Awesome tie in Abrams, awesome.
- I am even more ridiculously excited now. A positive review! A Heavenly Enterprise. I can still understand my mom's reticence about it but I was never much of a fan of the original series. Except for Spock. Because he, quite frankly, is freaking awesome. Oh, here's another from the NY Times: Star Trek- A Franchise Goes Boldly Backward. And NPR's: 'Star Trek': That Final Frontier, Boldly Reapproached. Be sure to read the comment by Angelica Czekalski to compares, rather convincingly, President Obama to Spock.
- Thank you! Finally someone getting at the crux of the issue. If we're still going to back the no sex before marriage thing, shouldn't we fix that rather than all the stuff that comes out of breaking that? Under God: Palin, Prejean, and Pre-Marital Ambivalence.
- Congrats Maine: Maine Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage. So, we now have the first state to do so without any hassle. Vermont had to overcome a veto, and the other states who've allowed it have done so because their courts ordered it. And DC just passed a bill through the Council to recognize marriages performed in other states. I think the main interest in this for me, beyond it being something I support as a matter of social policy, is that I've learned about the civil rights movement in classes and how that swept through states and studied Supreme Court cases whose decisions altered the social policy fabric of the country that started out as test cases, notably Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas. This is a fascinating look at how social policy happens simultaneously at the state and national level, though not the federal. Now all we have to do is wait for the interactive color coded map, based on who did it by a the legislature, vote or by court order to show up somewhere. Then you know it's got real momentum. The map is key.
- Oh, Fringe. I was wondering when you'd mention Star Trek. Alternate universes and a crazy guy who thinks he's Spock in one episode, of course placed in the week of the premiere? Awesome tie in Abrams, awesome.
- I am even more ridiculously excited now. A positive review! A Heavenly Enterprise. I can still understand my mom's reticence about it but I was never much of a fan of the original series. Except for Spock. Because he, quite frankly, is freaking awesome. Oh, here's another from the NY Times: Star Trek- A Franchise Goes Boldly Backward. And NPR's: 'Star Trek': That Final Frontier, Boldly Reapproached. Be sure to read the comment by Angelica Czekalski to compares, rather convincingly, President Obama to Spock.
- Thank you! Finally someone getting at the crux of the issue. If we're still going to back the no sex before marriage thing, shouldn't we fix that rather than all the stuff that comes out of breaking that? Under God: Palin, Prejean, and Pre-Marital Ambivalence.
04 May 2009
Musings, Part R
- Well, it's official. I have an eclectic personality. At least according to the Society
of American Florists online quiz on my floral signature. Cool. By the way, flower meanings? Kind of interesting to read. And no two sites completely agree on what something means all the time. Like for one lavendar is constancy and another distrust. If you're into the flower meaning thing, which is pretty interesting, then you're probably really confused by those. Heaven forfend you get a bouquet with lavendar in it. Or orange blossoms which can be innocence or fertility. Again, not exactly the same thing. At least they can agree on some. Like peonies? For healing.
- Bye, Justice Souter, you were cool: Supreme Court Justice Souter to Retire.
- Happy Early Mother's Day. NPR's Mother's Day Playlist got me thinking about what song reminds me of my mom. Pretty easy answer, "Wonder" by Natalie Merchant because she always says its her song about us, my sister and I.
- Why do I always ignore or put off looking into the latest thing? At least musically I often do. Or perhaps we can just say I was busy when this became big? Anyway, new musical love: Fleet Foxes. Seriously, amazing sound. Granted if you actually read the lyrics, kinda dark, I mean in "White Winter Hymnal" blood on snow is compared to the color of strawberries in summer...which...okay, yeah, that's red. Gorgeous sound though: Live concert.
- On another note for music, depending on who you look at my tastes are alternative or indie these days. Online radio stations: Indie. iTunes catalog: Alternative mostly with some Indie that's apparently both. I think I'm going to stick with calling it alternative because I associate indie with movies and I can admit I'm a mainstream movie girl. At least I can still say what I don't like and leave the rest up to the sound of the individual bands.
- People are creative, did you know?: Battles of the Bulge.
of American Florists online quiz on my floral signature. Cool. By the way, flower meanings? Kind of interesting to read. And no two sites completely agree on what something means all the time. Like for one lavendar is constancy and another distrust. If you're into the flower meaning thing, which is pretty interesting, then you're probably really confused by those. Heaven forfend you get a bouquet with lavendar in it. Or orange blossoms which can be innocence or fertility. Again, not exactly the same thing. At least they can agree on some. Like peonies? For healing.
- Bye, Justice Souter, you were cool: Supreme Court Justice Souter to Retire.
- Happy Early Mother's Day. NPR's Mother's Day Playlist got me thinking about what song reminds me of my mom. Pretty easy answer, "Wonder" by Natalie Merchant because she always says its her song about us, my sister and I.
- Why do I always ignore or put off looking into the latest thing? At least musically I often do. Or perhaps we can just say I was busy when this became big? Anyway, new musical love: Fleet Foxes. Seriously, amazing sound. Granted if you actually read the lyrics, kinda dark, I mean in "White Winter Hymnal" blood on snow is compared to the color of strawberries in summer...which...okay, yeah, that's red. Gorgeous sound though: Live concert.
- On another note for music, depending on who you look at my tastes are alternative or indie these days. Online radio stations: Indie. iTunes catalog: Alternative mostly with some Indie that's apparently both. I think I'm going to stick with calling it alternative because I associate indie with movies and I can admit I'm a mainstream movie girl. At least I can still say what I don't like and leave the rest up to the sound of the individual bands.
- People are creative, did you know?: Battles of the Bulge.
28 April 2009
Musings, Part Q
- Again with the cyclical nature of history, though I suppose we could have seen this one coming, what with the infinite wisdom and tolerance so often displayed by our lovely citizenry: Rebranding Hate in the Age of Obama.
- Say, maybe we can stick the supremacists with these guys: Don't Mess With Texas...Get Rid of It.
- I was heartbroken when ABC canceled Pushing Daisies but if NBC dumps Chuck I might be again. It's quirky, it's fun, it references pop culture. Besides, who else can do a kind of Matrix (the first movie, the best one of the three) homage to end a season and have it be completely believable for the character? How can you not love a show where the main character's Halloween costume is one of the worms from Dune?
- Yet another pre opening day Star Trek article, this one focused on J.J. Abrams: New Team Retrofits Old Starship. I have to say I am a fan of his stuff, mostly Alias I guess. I was loyal to that series to the end and watched Lost for the first couple seasons before college distracted me and now...well, it's a bit daunting of a prospect to try to wade back in. Alias though, that was awesome. Oh, May 8th...coming ever closer but not quite close enough yet.
- So we Democrats get Specter now? Oh...okay...sure...welcome...back?
- Say, maybe we can stick the supremacists with these guys: Don't Mess With Texas...Get Rid of It.
- I was heartbroken when ABC canceled Pushing Daisies but if NBC dumps Chuck I might be again. It's quirky, it's fun, it references pop culture. Besides, who else can do a kind of Matrix (the first movie, the best one of the three) homage to end a season and have it be completely believable for the character? How can you not love a show where the main character's Halloween costume is one of the worms from Dune?
- Yet another pre opening day Star Trek article, this one focused on J.J. Abrams: New Team Retrofits Old Starship. I have to say I am a fan of his stuff, mostly Alias I guess. I was loyal to that series to the end and watched Lost for the first couple seasons before college distracted me and now...well, it's a bit daunting of a prospect to try to wade back in. Alias though, that was awesome. Oh, May 8th...coming ever closer but not quite close enough yet.
- So we Democrats get Specter now? Oh...okay...sure...welcome...back?
27 April 2009
Musings, Part P
- I missed Shakespeare Day? Oh, Chicago. You have art museums, pizza, hot dogs, you had a pretty bad fire back in the 1870s, you're not too pure politics-wise and now Shakespeare Day. Awesome.
- With Kindle, Can You Tell It's Proust?. I have a Kindle, one of the first generation ones. I got it using birthday money from my grandparents that they gave me early so I could enter the queue for it on Amazon. I still remember the thrill when I got the email that I'd moved to the front (or really, that production had moved to my spot) and my Kindle would be arriving soon. My new toy was shiny (well, bright white) and awesome. I carried it everywhere, still do. For me, an unapologetic bookworm, the Kindle doesn't replace books. I still buy them and request them in lists that most people would wince at (the length, not the titles I hope). I take a book with me everywhere and now I take my Kindle. It's like the transition from having a cd player to having an iPod, you still buy music (I now mostly download, legally, from the iTunes store and keep my shopping cart on there full, waiting the day when I either have more money or just need new music) it's just easier to carry around and change at a whim. I still buy books and I'll never, ever stop. Now, I can just get electronic versions as well so when I travel I don't have to pack three or four books (depending on the length of the trip it may be more or less) I can just pack the Kindle and it's power cord. I can change computer Word documents to text files and load them up and read them away from the computer without having to print things out (which kills trees and I'm so used to reading off the computer I wouldn't bother anyway), I can even make notes on the document while I go and with the smaller screen, be able to focus on a couple paragraphs at a time without being distracted by something else on the page. And yeah, so people don't know what I'm reading, but if it's a guilty pleasure, I don't mind being mysterious. Let them think its Dickens or Tolstoy, I'll just be happy with my Alex Archer or JD Robb. Terry Pratchett though...that I wouldn't mind advertising. And with my Kindle, I can always stop in the middle of whatever I'm reading and indulge in some Pride and Prejudice.
- Oh, Star Trek. You're awesome. Until this article (Vulcans Never, Ever Smile), I didn't realize a series had been on pretty much consistently from the year after I was born until the end of my freshman year of college (if it really has been only 4 years since Enterprise went off the air). I think one of the things that sets it apart from other sci-fi series is that it's a very hopeful vision of the future. Earth is a utopia, there's basically a United States of the universe in the United Federation of Planets. The military arm of the UFP has a mainly scientific mission, to discover new stuff and boldly go. There's even a rule (the Prime Directive) about not mucking about in cultures which aren't at the same technology level you are, a kind of anti-imperialism which is awesome. Yeah, they fight bad guys, but to protect freedom and all that (We're All Trekkies Now). Don't get me wrong, I'm a big fan of apocalyptic/utopian/dystopian sci-fi but I'm an equal opportunity sci-fi reader, I'll read anything that looks like it has an interesting plot. And Star Trek is no stranger to the darker stuff, Section 31, fleshed out in Deep Space Nine (my personal favorite series), acts as an intelligence bureau with seemingly no real oversight or accountability for their machinations, they just claim to "defend" the Federation. There's parallels to the Holocaust with the Cardassian's subjugation of the Bajorans, fears about keeping one's individuality and resisting oppression with the Borg, fears about being able to tailor your child to be better and stronger through Dr. Bashir's illegal genetic engineering (that his parents did to him when he was a child, fearing he would always be slower than the others). But it's still hopeful and a universe where diversity is accepted without question, no matter whether it is skin color, religious background, number of forehead ridges, or whether a person has red blood or green, everyone is alien so no one is excluded. What a wonderful world.
- Mexico City is not having a good day. First, the swine flu thing so people are staying indoors and now, a 6.0 earthquake meaning that not even indoors is safe (Strong Earthquake Felt in Mexico City). Welcome to the beginning of the end of April, Mexico. Happy Monday.
- Cue girlish aww: Suppers at Midnight.
- With Kindle, Can You Tell It's Proust?. I have a Kindle, one of the first generation ones. I got it using birthday money from my grandparents that they gave me early so I could enter the queue for it on Amazon. I still remember the thrill when I got the email that I'd moved to the front (or really, that production had moved to my spot) and my Kindle would be arriving soon. My new toy was shiny (well, bright white) and awesome. I carried it everywhere, still do. For me, an unapologetic bookworm, the Kindle doesn't replace books. I still buy them and request them in lists that most people would wince at (the length, not the titles I hope). I take a book with me everywhere and now I take my Kindle. It's like the transition from having a cd player to having an iPod, you still buy music (I now mostly download, legally, from the iTunes store and keep my shopping cart on there full, waiting the day when I either have more money or just need new music) it's just easier to carry around and change at a whim. I still buy books and I'll never, ever stop. Now, I can just get electronic versions as well so when I travel I don't have to pack three or four books (depending on the length of the trip it may be more or less) I can just pack the Kindle and it's power cord. I can change computer Word documents to text files and load them up and read them away from the computer without having to print things out (which kills trees and I'm so used to reading off the computer I wouldn't bother anyway), I can even make notes on the document while I go and with the smaller screen, be able to focus on a couple paragraphs at a time without being distracted by something else on the page. And yeah, so people don't know what I'm reading, but if it's a guilty pleasure, I don't mind being mysterious. Let them think its Dickens or Tolstoy, I'll just be happy with my Alex Archer or JD Robb. Terry Pratchett though...that I wouldn't mind advertising. And with my Kindle, I can always stop in the middle of whatever I'm reading and indulge in some Pride and Prejudice.
- Oh, Star Trek. You're awesome. Until this article (Vulcans Never, Ever Smile), I didn't realize a series had been on pretty much consistently from the year after I was born until the end of my freshman year of college (if it really has been only 4 years since Enterprise went off the air). I think one of the things that sets it apart from other sci-fi series is that it's a very hopeful vision of the future. Earth is a utopia, there's basically a United States of the universe in the United Federation of Planets. The military arm of the UFP has a mainly scientific mission, to discover new stuff and boldly go. There's even a rule (the Prime Directive) about not mucking about in cultures which aren't at the same technology level you are, a kind of anti-imperialism which is awesome. Yeah, they fight bad guys, but to protect freedom and all that (We're All Trekkies Now). Don't get me wrong, I'm a big fan of apocalyptic/utopian/dystopian sci-fi but I'm an equal opportunity sci-fi reader, I'll read anything that looks like it has an interesting plot. And Star Trek is no stranger to the darker stuff, Section 31, fleshed out in Deep Space Nine (my personal favorite series), acts as an intelligence bureau with seemingly no real oversight or accountability for their machinations, they just claim to "defend" the Federation. There's parallels to the Holocaust with the Cardassian's subjugation of the Bajorans, fears about keeping one's individuality and resisting oppression with the Borg, fears about being able to tailor your child to be better and stronger through Dr. Bashir's illegal genetic engineering (that his parents did to him when he was a child, fearing he would always be slower than the others). But it's still hopeful and a universe where diversity is accepted without question, no matter whether it is skin color, religious background, number of forehead ridges, or whether a person has red blood or green, everyone is alien so no one is excluded. What a wonderful world.
- Mexico City is not having a good day. First, the swine flu thing so people are staying indoors and now, a 6.0 earthquake meaning that not even indoors is safe (Strong Earthquake Felt in Mexico City). Welcome to the beginning of the end of April, Mexico. Happy Monday.
- Cue girlish aww: Suppers at Midnight.
23 April 2009
Musings, Part O
- This sounds pretty cool and very unlike the stately Albert Hall: Graffiti makeover for Albert Hall. Too bad I can't be there to see it.
- When in doubt, there is an association for it. Case in point: the US Pea and Lentil Trade Association, affliated, of course, with the US Dry Pea, Lentil, and Chickpea Council.
- How fun: Ask Not For Whom the Cliche Tolls. Happy birthday, Shakespeare. The big 445...I think that can be considered over the hill. And the story's a scavenger hunt!
- Interesting question: Does Music Define You?. As I said in a comment on the site (my first...Ooooo), I think we define ourselves by it, just like social or political issues, but perhaps we aren't define by it. We are more than the box a social or political issue places us in and we can like more than one type of music. Sure, there can be a similar color palate but at the end of the day it becomes a painting that's more than monochromatic.
- Why can't it be May 8th yet? Star Trek's stellar return.
- I don't get it: TV plan to find Jade musical star. I wouldn't care about Jade Goody or her life (and recent death due to cervical cancer) except I was in London when the whole Big Brother thing happened with her. Her racist comments were all over the London free papers (which, yeah, little better than tabloids sometimes but a couple were like the Express, one of DC's free Metro papers that's more like a condensed, admittedly ad heavy Washington Post) that semester. She seemed...crass and just unappealing in every way. And yet, in the past two years (has it been that long already?) she seems to have reinvented herself...by putting her whole life on camera it seems. I just don't get the appeal. Any of it.
- Monkey See has become one of my favorite blogs (and just over a month ago, I barely wrote in my own and didn't frequent, well, any...just goes to show, times change...and quickly) and a daily source of pop culture amusement, particularly today: Caution Signs Endangered Movie Characters Really Need. I really want to plot contrivance one...think a company will pick it up and market it?
- Curse you BBC iPlayer and ITV player...why do you only have to work in the UK? This is why Americans love nice Brits who post British shows on YouTube that would take us months, if ever, to get if we're lucky enough to get BBC America.
- When in doubt, there is an association for it. Case in point: the US Pea and Lentil Trade Association, affliated, of course, with the US Dry Pea, Lentil, and Chickpea Council.
- How fun: Ask Not For Whom the Cliche Tolls. Happy birthday, Shakespeare. The big 445...I think that can be considered over the hill. And the story's a scavenger hunt!
- Interesting question: Does Music Define You?. As I said in a comment on the site (my first...Ooooo), I think we define ourselves by it, just like social or political issues, but perhaps we aren't define by it. We are more than the box a social or political issue places us in and we can like more than one type of music. Sure, there can be a similar color palate but at the end of the day it becomes a painting that's more than monochromatic.
- Why can't it be May 8th yet? Star Trek's stellar return.
- I don't get it: TV plan to find Jade musical star. I wouldn't care about Jade Goody or her life (and recent death due to cervical cancer) except I was in London when the whole Big Brother thing happened with her. Her racist comments were all over the London free papers (which, yeah, little better than tabloids sometimes but a couple were like the Express, one of DC's free Metro papers that's more like a condensed, admittedly ad heavy Washington Post) that semester. She seemed...crass and just unappealing in every way. And yet, in the past two years (has it been that long already?) she seems to have reinvented herself...by putting her whole life on camera it seems. I just don't get the appeal. Any of it.
- Monkey See has become one of my favorite blogs (and just over a month ago, I barely wrote in my own and didn't frequent, well, any...just goes to show, times change...and quickly) and a daily source of pop culture amusement, particularly today: Caution Signs Endangered Movie Characters Really Need. I really want to plot contrivance one...think a company will pick it up and market it?
- Curse you BBC iPlayer and ITV player...why do you only have to work in the UK? This is why Americans love nice Brits who post British shows on YouTube that would take us months, if ever, to get if we're lucky enough to get BBC America.
22 April 2009
Musings, Part N
- I think I want one of these...Judging a Book (Bag) by Its Cover.
- Save Chuck! Ferris would approve.
- Wow are people stupid. Who would have thought they couldn't even properly read a dictionary or Google properly (By the way, for Earth day, the Google image on the main page was gorgeous)? So, last night's Moment of Zen from the Daily Show featured a clip from some Fox News program (and now I have to sterilize my keyboard for writing that) but they said that Chavez called President Obama an ignoramus and that meant, and the woman actually had to Google this (which is sad and depressing to begin with), an ignorant lawyer, to which they pointed out the fact that he is a lawyer. The thing is...they/she got the definition wrong! Yes, Ignoramus was the name of an ignorant lawyer in the play Ignoramus by G. Ruggle in 1615 but that's only because the word ignoramus is Latin for "we ignore" or "to be ignorant of"! It's supposed to be ironic...a pun of sorts, because the lawyer would have to know Latin for his work. Besides, 1615...plenty of people spoke Latin, at least the ones who understood plays. Well, fine, maybe just the educated classes who would have known the word and could laugh about the character's name because ignorant means uneducated, and while lawyers can be annoying, they do have education. Absolutely no definition I found (here's dictionary.com's slate) specifically says it's an ignorant lawyer, there's about every entry in a thesauras for ignorant (simpleton, fool, dunce, etc) but no "ignorant lawyer" save the mention of the word's origin. The label was misapplied...and for pity's sake, don't say that you had to Google the definition of a word everyone should know. It's not that hard to figure out...sounds like ignorant, mus can be presumed to indicate more. You can fake by saying it's a really ignorant person. Thank you, my bleeding heart liberal educated brain for being better. Wonder what her SAT Verbal score was...
- Happy Earth Day! Here's some pretty awesome aerial views of this here planet of ours: GeoEye. Everything from Angor Wat, to the Palm Island of Dubai, to the Mall of DC on Inauguaration Day 2009, to Yankee Stadium.
- On a slightly more somber note, I'm not at all looking forward to the day I'm in Christopher Buckley's shoes (Mum and Pup and Me). By his account he didn't really get on swimmingly with either of his parents and I'm definitely doing fine with mine. How about we all decide to table the whole dying thing until we figure out a way to avoid the whole situation? I'd be okay with that.
- Imagine the cost to change all the signs and everything: Confusion over NZ's islands' names. Reminds me of the West Wing episode wherein there is discussion on dropping the 'north' from North Dakota to promote tourism to the state because the 'north' scares people away. Does it really matter if the island names aren't properly registered? What if the whole country is named wrong/illegally/sorta-kinda-not really correctly because they forgot part B of form 23, which is obviously essential to the whole recognized name deal?
- Cool! A Fairy Tale Beginning: Snow White, She's Not. Among Disney's Royal Ladies, Tiana Is a Notable First. Go Disney.
- Save Chuck! Ferris would approve.
- Wow are people stupid. Who would have thought they couldn't even properly read a dictionary or Google properly (By the way, for Earth day, the Google image on the main page was gorgeous)? So, last night's Moment of Zen from the Daily Show featured a clip from some Fox News program (and now I have to sterilize my keyboard for writing that) but they said that Chavez called President Obama an ignoramus and that meant, and the woman actually had to Google this (which is sad and depressing to begin with), an ignorant lawyer, to which they pointed out the fact that he is a lawyer. The thing is...they/she got the definition wrong! Yes, Ignoramus was the name of an ignorant lawyer in the play Ignoramus by G. Ruggle in 1615 but that's only because the word ignoramus is Latin for "we ignore" or "to be ignorant of"! It's supposed to be ironic...a pun of sorts, because the lawyer would have to know Latin for his work. Besides, 1615...plenty of people spoke Latin, at least the ones who understood plays. Well, fine, maybe just the educated classes who would have known the word and could laugh about the character's name because ignorant means uneducated, and while lawyers can be annoying, they do have education. Absolutely no definition I found (here's dictionary.com's slate) specifically says it's an ignorant lawyer, there's about every entry in a thesauras for ignorant (simpleton, fool, dunce, etc) but no "ignorant lawyer" save the mention of the word's origin. The label was misapplied...and for pity's sake, don't say that you had to Google the definition of a word everyone should know. It's not that hard to figure out...sounds like ignorant, mus can be presumed to indicate more. You can fake by saying it's a really ignorant person. Thank you, my bleeding heart liberal educated brain for being better. Wonder what her SAT Verbal score was...
- Happy Earth Day! Here's some pretty awesome aerial views of this here planet of ours: GeoEye. Everything from Angor Wat, to the Palm Island of Dubai, to the Mall of DC on Inauguaration Day 2009, to Yankee Stadium.
- On a slightly more somber note, I'm not at all looking forward to the day I'm in Christopher Buckley's shoes (Mum and Pup and Me). By his account he didn't really get on swimmingly with either of his parents and I'm definitely doing fine with mine. How about we all decide to table the whole dying thing until we figure out a way to avoid the whole situation? I'd be okay with that.
- Imagine the cost to change all the signs and everything: Confusion over NZ's islands' names. Reminds me of the West Wing episode wherein there is discussion on dropping the 'north' from North Dakota to promote tourism to the state because the 'north' scares people away. Does it really matter if the island names aren't properly registered? What if the whole country is named wrong/illegally/sorta-kinda-not really correctly because they forgot part B of form 23, which is obviously essential to the whole recognized name deal?
- Cool! A Fairy Tale Beginning: Snow White, She's Not. Among Disney's Royal Ladies, Tiana Is a Notable First. Go Disney.
21 April 2009
Musings, Part M
- I am not one of these people, thank God: Are We in a Narcissism Epidemic?. I didn't have a "sweet 16" party, I don't even remember what I did for that birthday...maybe went to Disney with my family? Probably. It might have been lunch at Cinderella's Table in the Castle in Magic Kingdom...maybe. I've never had plastic surgery and find the concept kind of squick (i.e. barely palatable, it feels wrong/an easy way out and if I'm not willing to work for a particular body type why should I be allowed to buy an external version of it?).
My parents were not the giving everything, asking nothing types. They were and are generous with meeting my interests (books mostly) and help me out financially when I need it (hopefully those days are at an end). I was also expected to help out around the house, which yes, was grating at the time. Was it good for me? Yes, and now that I'm almost 23 I can say that without caveats because, hey, maturity and the whole I have my own place thing. They weren't, and aren't, helicopter parents who suddenly swoop in (to make up for being distant and busy with work at all other times) when their precious baby starts to sniffle because something was unfair. Grow up moron and realize that yes, it was your fault and stop blaming others for your own failings/mistakes. (Students who whine about their teachers being "unfair" particularly get on my nerves because both of my parents are teachers and I know it's not their fault, it's the student. Besides, I never got away with blaming a teacher [not that I did beyond the one time but they were such a disappointment after having a wonderful teacher in that subject the year before and I couldn't get over the disparity at 15] so why should anyone else?)
Rules give us an ordered society. If you don't want to follow them and think your drinking is more important than taking a test at the scheduled time and more important than the brain cells you're killing? Go live on a commune and leave the rest of us to our structure. Education is and will always be more important than your so-called life experience. I just hope that when (perhaps if but it's too early to be thinking that) I have children I'm able to teach and nurture them like my parents did. Basically so they don't become self-absorbed airheads like so many I read about these days.
- For more on the teaching/teacher rant I just sort of gave read this: Teaching: No 'Fallback' Career. Also, think about the fact that my homestate of Florida has now drastically cut back the education budget in both public schools and the state university system. One of the schools, FSU, is even slated cut at least 21 (I believe) majors from its offerings. Including one of the subjects my mother teaches. Things like this are why I wanted to into education policy, which is currently too hard to get into at my entry level. Maybe I'll be able to make a mid-career change one of these days.
- Pastis interview from last summer: enjoy.
- Good for them: Delegates Walk Out of Racism Conference Over Speech. I think the conference is a good idea but only if everyone is honest about the issue and their role in perpetuating the problem. And President of Iran? The Holocaust happened.
- On a lighter note: completely random: Balloon Art by William Lamson.
My parents were not the giving everything, asking nothing types. They were and are generous with meeting my interests (books mostly) and help me out financially when I need it (hopefully those days are at an end). I was also expected to help out around the house, which yes, was grating at the time. Was it good for me? Yes, and now that I'm almost 23 I can say that without caveats because, hey, maturity and the whole I have my own place thing. They weren't, and aren't, helicopter parents who suddenly swoop in (to make up for being distant and busy with work at all other times) when their precious baby starts to sniffle because something was unfair. Grow up moron and realize that yes, it was your fault and stop blaming others for your own failings/mistakes. (Students who whine about their teachers being "unfair" particularly get on my nerves because both of my parents are teachers and I know it's not their fault, it's the student. Besides, I never got away with blaming a teacher [not that I did beyond the one time but they were such a disappointment after having a wonderful teacher in that subject the year before and I couldn't get over the disparity at 15] so why should anyone else?)
Rules give us an ordered society. If you don't want to follow them and think your drinking is more important than taking a test at the scheduled time and more important than the brain cells you're killing? Go live on a commune and leave the rest of us to our structure. Education is and will always be more important than your so-called life experience. I just hope that when (perhaps if but it's too early to be thinking that) I have children I'm able to teach and nurture them like my parents did. Basically so they don't become self-absorbed airheads like so many I read about these days.
- For more on the teaching/teacher rant I just sort of gave read this: Teaching: No 'Fallback' Career. Also, think about the fact that my homestate of Florida has now drastically cut back the education budget in both public schools and the state university system. One of the schools, FSU, is even slated cut at least 21 (I believe) majors from its offerings. Including one of the subjects my mother teaches. Things like this are why I wanted to into education policy, which is currently too hard to get into at my entry level. Maybe I'll be able to make a mid-career change one of these days.
- Pastis interview from last summer: enjoy.
- Good for them: Delegates Walk Out of Racism Conference Over Speech. I think the conference is a good idea but only if everyone is honest about the issue and their role in perpetuating the problem. And President of Iran? The Holocaust happened.
- On a lighter note: completely random: Balloon Art by William Lamson.
20 April 2009
Musings, Part L
- Well, the Washington Post has jumped on the Pride and Prejudice and Zombies train (Zombie? Let Austen Flesh It Out) , with other delightful additions that I now have to hunt down. Is it weird that I'm really looking forward to Grahame-Smith's Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter?
- YouTube is now Hulu? Deal Brings TV Shows and Movies to YouTube. I suppose it will be useful, though I'm used to watching things on there in 10 minute bits and as long as people still can upload their own videos (I mean, how can they ask us to give up Hamster on a Piano?) then I'm okay with this...I think. Time will tell.
- As you might imagine, I am a huge mental_floss fan. It's quirky, it's random, it has great info on the weirdest things...take 12 Oddly Specific Museums Preserving Our History or How to Stop Unwanted Phone Books or 8 Countries and States That Moved Their Capitals or the difference between pyramids and ziggurats (hint, ziggurats have ramps) or in the magazine, all about furniture, like the history of La-Z-Boy. And the shirts...awesome. A sampling: An Apple A Day still leaves you 2-4 servings short of your daily fruit recommendations. Friends Don't Let Friends Derive Drunk. Idioms are for the birds. Inconsistency: It has its ups and downs. Hokey Pokey Anonymous. A place to turn yourself around. Veni Vidi Wiki: I came. I saw. I edited collaboratively. Vampires are a pain in the neck. The Constitution: I read it for the Articles. Archaeologists will date any old thing. And two of my favorites: Easter Island: Why the long face? and Pluto, 1930-2006: Revolve in Peace. Gah. Absimally clever.
-Oh, Daily Show. I love you. You always come through for me and my liberal ire against idiots. Tip of the hat and salute.
- WB thou art awesome today. Because I just discovered, with a little help from NPR (Inside 'Hollywood's Attic': Warner Opens Its Vault), your archive. More from Cary Grant? And Katharine Hepburn? A film or two for my book (with the possibility of more, oh please add Kisses For My President [a 1964 film with the dad from The Happiest Millionaire, and the guy from Double Indemnity whose name escapes me...Fred something, but it has a female president which would totally be great for the book])? And a 1931 version of Private Lives, one of my favorite plays (Noel Coward is a master of banter)? And they're all under $20? Awesome. Check it out: Warner Archive.
Edit: The actor is Fred MacMurray. I knew it was Fred something. He was in over 100 movies and a TV series. He may be best known for Double Indemnity but he's more fun in Happiest Millionaire. Which would make sense based on the title.
- Why have a giant dish when you can have a network of dishes? Switch-on success for superscope. Again, part of me wishes I'd gone into astronomy or some other scientific space thing. These pictures promise to be awesome. Besides, I could totally get away with putting an X-Wing or an Enterprise model on my desk.
- Oh good, Ask brings back butler Jeeves. I hope it'll be useful while working for kgb_ now. Except...it better not cut into the volume we get.
-The Pulitzer Prizes were handed out today: 2009 Pulitzer Prizes for Letters, Drama and Music, 2009 Pulitzer Prizes for Journalism, Damon Winter's A Vision of History-Winner of the 2009 Pulitzer Prize for Feature Photography (this guy can take a picture, no doubt about that). Not quite sure the 13 short stories should count for the fiction award (isn't it supposed to be a book?) but whatever, it works I guess.
- YouTube is now Hulu? Deal Brings TV Shows and Movies to YouTube. I suppose it will be useful, though I'm used to watching things on there in 10 minute bits and as long as people still can upload their own videos (I mean, how can they ask us to give up Hamster on a Piano?) then I'm okay with this...I think. Time will tell.
- As you might imagine, I am a huge mental_floss fan. It's quirky, it's random, it has great info on the weirdest things...take 12 Oddly Specific Museums Preserving Our History or How to Stop Unwanted Phone Books or 8 Countries and States That Moved Their Capitals or the difference between pyramids and ziggurats (hint, ziggurats have ramps) or in the magazine, all about furniture, like the history of La-Z-Boy. And the shirts...awesome. A sampling: An Apple A Day still leaves you 2-4 servings short of your daily fruit recommendations. Friends Don't Let Friends Derive Drunk. Idioms are for the birds. Inconsistency: It has its ups and downs. Hokey Pokey Anonymous. A place to turn yourself around. Veni Vidi Wiki: I came. I saw. I edited collaboratively. Vampires are a pain in the neck. The Constitution: I read it for the Articles. Archaeologists will date any old thing. And two of my favorites: Easter Island: Why the long face? and Pluto, 1930-2006: Revolve in Peace. Gah. Absimally clever.
-Oh, Daily Show. I love you. You always come through for me and my liberal ire against idiots. Tip of the hat and salute.
- WB thou art awesome today. Because I just discovered, with a little help from NPR (Inside 'Hollywood's Attic': Warner Opens Its Vault), your archive. More from Cary Grant? And Katharine Hepburn? A film or two for my book (with the possibility of more, oh please add Kisses For My President [a 1964 film with the dad from The Happiest Millionaire, and the guy from Double Indemnity whose name escapes me...Fred something, but it has a female president which would totally be great for the book])? And a 1931 version of Private Lives, one of my favorite plays (Noel Coward is a master of banter)? And they're all under $20? Awesome. Check it out: Warner Archive.
Edit: The actor is Fred MacMurray. I knew it was Fred something. He was in over 100 movies and a TV series. He may be best known for Double Indemnity but he's more fun in Happiest Millionaire. Which would make sense based on the title.
- Why have a giant dish when you can have a network of dishes? Switch-on success for superscope. Again, part of me wishes I'd gone into astronomy or some other scientific space thing. These pictures promise to be awesome. Besides, I could totally get away with putting an X-Wing or an Enterprise model on my desk.
- Oh good, Ask brings back butler Jeeves. I hope it'll be useful while working for kgb_ now. Except...it better not cut into the volume we get.
-The Pulitzer Prizes were handed out today: 2009 Pulitzer Prizes for Letters, Drama and Music, 2009 Pulitzer Prizes for Journalism, Damon Winter's A Vision of History-Winner of the 2009 Pulitzer Prize for Feature Photography (this guy can take a picture, no doubt about that). Not quite sure the 13 short stories should count for the fiction award (isn't it supposed to be a book?) but whatever, it works I guess.
16 April 2009
Musings, Part K
- Oh, angry conservatives. You’re so cute sometimes. You conveniently develop amnesia and don’t remember things you said just a few years before when you turn around and do the very thing you were yelling at everyone else for. You ignore that history comes in cycles and things get repeated or come back to smack you upside the head but when you don’t ignore history, you get it wrong and completely ignore the historical context. Adorable. Like one of those Anne Geddes flower babies. Boston style tea parties in 2009. Wow. Awesome. Did we suddenly impose a tea tax I wasn’t aware of? Are we fighting against a king that lives across the ocean from us in a pretty awesome palace and is trying to raise money because his government needs the funds to pay off a war against France and figures he has colonies (just to milk them of all the profits and resources the home country can) so might as well use them? I’m thinking no. It might make more sense if our president really liked tea but I haven’t heard that bit of trivia so I think we’re safe. How about instead of tossing the tea, you toss yourselves? Don’t take it out on the tea, it didn’t do anything to you. Why Protest Big Government With Tea On Tax Day? Does it make sense? That’d be a giant nope.
- Well, I suppose a treadmill’s still pretty cool to have your name on, NASA Names Treadmill After TV’s Stephen Colbert and I’m quite impressed they managed to work it into an acronym. See the full episode here: The Colbert Report, Tuesday, April 14, 2009, the NASA bit starts around the 10:10 mark.
- I love these sorts of things: What’s Your NPR Name? Mine would be something like Jennkifer Orschwiller (at least I think that was the smallest town, it’s hard to tell, I’m not sure if it’s worse that there’ve been so many or that I can’t remember the names…)
- I guess I’ll ahead and weigh in on this, Big Wins Re-Energize Gay Marriage Activists. I’m completely thrilled for them and kind of proud those states were able to accomplish what they did. I suppose I understand how some people feel their way of life is threatened (though really, their outlook threatens my way of life so don’t we all threaten each other every day?) and that their marriage will no longer have meaning if everyone is allowed to get married, even homosexual couples. The thing is, heterosexual couples have done quite enough to destroy the institution of marriage all on our own, so isn’t the fact that people still want to get married in the first place a win for the institution? From the divorce rate, to the age gaps, to the mercenary motives, to the outright abuse that is far more common than we’d like to think, marriage is on shaky grounds right now. I could better understand if these anti-same-sex marriage people were framing everything from a religious viewpoint, because within the bounds of religion, yes, most of them go with the one man, one woman thing. Which is totally fine. But I haven’t heard of any same-sex couples who are trying to force their way into a religious ceremony, they seem to be going for civil ceremonies, probably because a religious one wouldn’t happen. And really, what’s wrong with wanting to be acknowledged by the state? It is a civil rights issue and one that absolutely deserves to be completely recognized. I’m all for love and marriage and soulmates but some days, people like those who belong to the National Organization for Marriage or the Family Research Council (or especially these guys in Afghanistan or even the child-bride ick in Saudi Arabia) make me want to say forget all that and go with the idea that marriage isn’t logical and love is just chemicals in the brain, nothing special, an argument frequently presented by the scientists in Bones. But that would be cynical. Hey, how about all those who don’t want others to have rights just go to Afghanistan, seems some people there would welcome them, except for the pesky Christian thing. At least they would align on social issues.
- This is really quite good: Winning Essay Translates Teen’s Story. Read it. And that’s all I really need to say about it.
- Well, I suppose a treadmill’s still pretty cool to have your name on, NASA Names Treadmill After TV’s Stephen Colbert and I’m quite impressed they managed to work it into an acronym. See the full episode here: The Colbert Report, Tuesday, April 14, 2009, the NASA bit starts around the 10:10 mark.
- I love these sorts of things: What’s Your NPR Name? Mine would be something like Jennkifer Orschwiller (at least I think that was the smallest town, it’s hard to tell, I’m not sure if it’s worse that there’ve been so many or that I can’t remember the names…)
- I guess I’ll ahead and weigh in on this, Big Wins Re-Energize Gay Marriage Activists. I’m completely thrilled for them and kind of proud those states were able to accomplish what they did. I suppose I understand how some people feel their way of life is threatened (though really, their outlook threatens my way of life so don’t we all threaten each other every day?) and that their marriage will no longer have meaning if everyone is allowed to get married, even homosexual couples. The thing is, heterosexual couples have done quite enough to destroy the institution of marriage all on our own, so isn’t the fact that people still want to get married in the first place a win for the institution? From the divorce rate, to the age gaps, to the mercenary motives, to the outright abuse that is far more common than we’d like to think, marriage is on shaky grounds right now. I could better understand if these anti-same-sex marriage people were framing everything from a religious viewpoint, because within the bounds of religion, yes, most of them go with the one man, one woman thing. Which is totally fine. But I haven’t heard of any same-sex couples who are trying to force their way into a religious ceremony, they seem to be going for civil ceremonies, probably because a religious one wouldn’t happen. And really, what’s wrong with wanting to be acknowledged by the state? It is a civil rights issue and one that absolutely deserves to be completely recognized. I’m all for love and marriage and soulmates but some days, people like those who belong to the National Organization for Marriage or the Family Research Council (or especially these guys in Afghanistan or even the child-bride ick in Saudi Arabia) make me want to say forget all that and go with the idea that marriage isn’t logical and love is just chemicals in the brain, nothing special, an argument frequently presented by the scientists in Bones. But that would be cynical. Hey, how about all those who don’t want others to have rights just go to Afghanistan, seems some people there would welcome them, except for the pesky Christian thing. At least they would align on social issues.
- This is really quite good: Winning Essay Translates Teen’s Story. Read it. And that’s all I really need to say about it.
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