Thursday night, after the Cowboys put the finishing touches on the Packers, the wife and I are hanging out drinking rusty nails and she's flipping channels. She finally lands on CNN for the second half of the Republican YouTube "debate". I put debate in quotes because no one really debates in these things. Rather, they just wind their way through questions until they can spew their talking points. Regardless, here are my thoughts on what we saw:
1) Those who were thinking that Fred Thompson was the second coming of Reagan must be REALLY disappointed. This dude's an unenthusiastic turd. I loved how he espoused his love for states' rights when it came to abortion. I'm sure this was at the top of his agenda when he was a senator.
2) Romney is a waffler. Forget about him changing his mind about homosexuals and abortion. He can't even decide if he's in favor of torture (water boarding) until he talks to others (or a salamander) about it.
3) Ron Paul may be a little nuttier than I thought. His conspiracy theory about some NAFTA highway that will kill American jobs seems a bit over the top. For a libertarian, he's awfully protectionist.
4) No one gives a shit about Tancredo's or Hunter's candidacies. They can't even get the other guys to pick on them.
5) McCain made a passionate appeal about letting the "surge" work. He claims that it's working and with enough time will lead us to victory in Iraq. I have one question: Senator McCain, what is victory in Iraq? A democratic government as recognized in Western Europe or North America (ain't happening)? Absence of violence in the streets (may exist until we leave or when all cities are ethnically cleansed)? Peaceful rule by theocrats (we did all this to create another Iran)? Fewer Americans dying each month (success!)?
6) Giuliani is playing prevent defense. He looks like a guy that figures he'll win enough big states (NY and CA) to convince the delegates not committed to state votes that he's the guy who can win in 2008. He knows he won't win with the hard-cores in Iowa and New Hampshire, but will kick some ass in the first big delegate states (Michigan and Florida).
7) Huckabee's an interesting character. He's charismatic, but not in an over-the-top way. His tone of voice makes him sound reasonable and his deep christian convictions is just what the Republican right loves. However, his logic breaks down. When asked how he can be pro-life when it comes to abortion, but pro-death penalty, he says (more or less), "In abortion one person makes a decision on that life, where as the death penalty is served by all of the citizens of the state/nation." Not true. First, through the election of representatives who want to keep abortion legal, millions of Americans have decided that women have the right to make that decision. Second, while millions of Americans through their representatives have decided to make the death penalty legal in their states (and for certain federal crimes), it's 12 people on a jury who make that final decision (and, in some cases, one judge who decides to uphold it) and 9 people on the Supreme Court who hear the appeal. It's not like American Idol where we ALL get to vote on a death sentence. Regardless, it's clear that Huckabee's going to drive Romney even further to the right, which will eventually help Giuliani.
My wife mentioned that we haven't watched a democratic debate. I don't know why she's interested since she's going to back Clinton no matter what. If we do watch one, I'll report back.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Things Diverge Quickly
Once a week I tutor 4th grade kids in math and reading at a local elementary school. Academically, it's an average school in the LA school district, which means that overall it is not so great. I enjoy working for the teacher (late 30s/early 40s, not completely burned out yet) but she clearly has her hands full with her class of about 35.
As I walk in today I noticed that the kids had done topographical maps of CA. The HB just got done doing the same thing in his class. Here's the rub: He's a 3rd grader and these kids are 4th graders. Not only that, but the 4th grade class only had to identify the ocean, CA and the bordering states (Oregon, Nevada and Arizona for you scoring at home). In the HB's class they had to identify those things as well as three different mountains, five cities, cultural landmarks, etc.
I'm a big believer that kids will meet your expectations. So, why is it that LAUSD (or, to be fair, perhaps the state of California that controls the curriculum) has such lower standards for students than my son's school? Doing the map is a homework project, so it doesn't take classroom time. And everything he was expected to find was located on a common AAA map (or all over the internet).
If the expectation differences are so big for grades 3/4, imagine the gulf in high school. Keep that in mind next time you're asked, "Want fries with that?"
As I walk in today I noticed that the kids had done topographical maps of CA. The HB just got done doing the same thing in his class. Here's the rub: He's a 3rd grader and these kids are 4th graders. Not only that, but the 4th grade class only had to identify the ocean, CA and the bordering states (Oregon, Nevada and Arizona for you scoring at home). In the HB's class they had to identify those things as well as three different mountains, five cities, cultural landmarks, etc.
I'm a big believer that kids will meet your expectations. So, why is it that LAUSD (or, to be fair, perhaps the state of California that controls the curriculum) has such lower standards for students than my son's school? Doing the map is a homework project, so it doesn't take classroom time. And everything he was expected to find was located on a common AAA map (or all over the internet).
If the expectation differences are so big for grades 3/4, imagine the gulf in high school. Keep that in mind next time you're asked, "Want fries with that?"
WW #48: Friends
Courtesy of Lola:
1. are you currently in, or have you ever had, a FWB (friends with benefits) relationship?
Not currently (hm...is that an offer?). Did it in grad school.
2. have you ever had sexual contact with a friend, and then later regretted it?
See above. She was far more emotionally into it than I was (which isn't to say that I wasn't at all), but ending it hurt her which was the last thing I wanted to do.
3. do you have a friend or acquaintance, or perhaps someone you are friend with at work/the gym, that you would consider having a sexual relationship with? why or why not?
In a base sense of, "Wow, she's hawt I wonder what she's like in the sack," yes. Acting on it? No. I wouldn't risk my marriage or family for anyone I know.
1. are you currently in, or have you ever had, a FWB (friends with benefits) relationship?
Not currently (hm...is that an offer?). Did it in grad school.
2. have you ever had sexual contact with a friend, and then later regretted it?
See above. She was far more emotionally into it than I was (which isn't to say that I wasn't at all), but ending it hurt her which was the last thing I wanted to do.
3. do you have a friend or acquaintance, or perhaps someone you are friend with at work/the gym, that you would consider having a sexual relationship with? why or why not?
In a base sense of, "Wow, she's hawt I wonder what she's like in the sack," yes. Acting on it? No. I wouldn't risk my marriage or family for anyone I know.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Pro vs. College Football
Still reveling in the Vols' four overtime win against Kentucky yesterday, I popped open today's sports section to see which NFL games were on TV. Scanning the schedule, it occurred to me that there was not a single match up of teams with winning records. OK, there was one on Thursday (Detroit vs. Green Bay), but you get my point.
I have some friends who are thoroughly convinced that college football is better than the NFL. Their argument goes that in the NFL teams play as much not to lose as to win and that the offensive and defensive schemes are cookie-cutter. They'll also say that the steps that the league takes to ensure parity (scheduling, the draft and the salary cap) makes most teams mediocre (this year's an exception with the Patriots).
I tend to favor the pro game. The quality of the players and coaching leads to closer games (you don't see nearly as many blowouts in the pros as in college). Also, my friends who argue that the pro fans aren't as passionate as college ones never really got into a pro team. Me and fellow Raider fans are easily as into them as the UT fans are into the Vols. Also, pro ball doesn't have the dark underbelly of the college game, such as adults investing a huge amount of their self worth into a bunch of 18-20 year olds, the schools making tons of money off the the unpaid players, and the rampant academic fraud.
Still, this late in the season it would be nice to see at least some teams battling for the playoffs playing each other. It sure made this weekend of college football fun to watch.
I have some friends who are thoroughly convinced that college football is better than the NFL. Their argument goes that in the NFL teams play as much not to lose as to win and that the offensive and defensive schemes are cookie-cutter. They'll also say that the steps that the league takes to ensure parity (scheduling, the draft and the salary cap) makes most teams mediocre (this year's an exception with the Patriots).
I tend to favor the pro game. The quality of the players and coaching leads to closer games (you don't see nearly as many blowouts in the pros as in college). Also, my friends who argue that the pro fans aren't as passionate as college ones never really got into a pro team. Me and fellow Raider fans are easily as into them as the UT fans are into the Vols. Also, pro ball doesn't have the dark underbelly of the college game, such as adults investing a huge amount of their self worth into a bunch of 18-20 year olds, the schools making tons of money off the the unpaid players, and the rampant academic fraud.
Still, this late in the season it would be nice to see at least some teams battling for the playoffs playing each other. It sure made this weekend of college football fun to watch.
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Heart Leaping Out of My Throat
I normally watch football games on my HD-DVR to save time. But, I knew my phone would be ringing during the Tennessee-Kentucky game, so I watched it live. For 5 hours (ok, one DVR diversion when I took the HB to his play rehearsal)! Regardless, the the huge changes in momentum and the 4 overtimes made it an unbelievable game. The win puts UT into the SEC championship game against LSU.
I just can't explain the Tennessee season. I went to the game up at Cal where they got their asses handed to them (as they did against Florida and Alabama) and they didn't look that good, especially on pass defense. Why it took Kentucky thirty minutes of football to figure that out is beyond me. But, they crushed Georgia (a game the Dawg fans must look back on in disbelief), dug themselves out of a big hole last week against Vandy and let Kentucky out of one today. Watching their games is not for the faint of heart. I'm not convinced they are a good team (or that Fulmer should continue to coach them), but they don't quit.
Now college football comes down to the last weekend with most of the big bowl games up for grabs (the Kansas-Mizzou game just started as I type this, though the outcome settles nothing, except which team won't play for the national championship). Count me in the group that thinks that Division I should have a playoff. If that were the case, I don't think anyone would want to touch either Georgia or USC.
I just can't explain the Tennessee season. I went to the game up at Cal where they got their asses handed to them (as they did against Florida and Alabama) and they didn't look that good, especially on pass defense. Why it took Kentucky thirty minutes of football to figure that out is beyond me. But, they crushed Georgia (a game the Dawg fans must look back on in disbelief), dug themselves out of a big hole last week against Vandy and let Kentucky out of one today. Watching their games is not for the faint of heart. I'm not convinced they are a good team (or that Fulmer should continue to coach them), but they don't quit.
Now college football comes down to the last weekend with most of the big bowl games up for grabs (the Kansas-Mizzou game just started as I type this, though the outcome settles nothing, except which team won't play for the national championship). Count me in the group that thinks that Division I should have a playoff. If that were the case, I don't think anyone would want to touch either Georgia or USC.
Friday, November 23, 2007
Turkey Day Round-Up
Ah, the day after Thanksgiving. It's a day where the quality of football gets overlooked (the Arkansas-LSU and Texas A&M-Texas upsets were pretty sweet), but the leftovers don't.
Most everything went well yesterday. We went to my s-i-l's because my m-i-l is feeling poorly. So, I packed up what seemed like 25% of my kitchen to cook the turkey, stuffing and some carrots. My s-i-l made some other sides before she cracked her head and gave herself a cut on her head. Fortunately, she didn't bleed into the food.
The HB and my nephew had a great time. In fact, the HB slept there last night and is doing so tonite (talk about your holidays!). I think tonite that the wife and I are going to try and see Michael Clayton (again, it was sold out last time we tried to see it).
Earlier today I went to get our holiday cards taken care of. CVS was a complete pain in the ass...they couldn't print the 4x8 cards, which wouldn't have mattered since they didn't have the right sized enveloped. At Longs, the picture kiosks wouldn't read my disk, but I was able to get a guy there to print the picture off of his PC. Ugh. I hope they came out good.
Most everything went well yesterday. We went to my s-i-l's because my m-i-l is feeling poorly. So, I packed up what seemed like 25% of my kitchen to cook the turkey, stuffing and some carrots. My s-i-l made some other sides before she cracked her head and gave herself a cut on her head. Fortunately, she didn't bleed into the food.
The HB and my nephew had a great time. In fact, the HB slept there last night and is doing so tonite (talk about your holidays!). I think tonite that the wife and I are going to try and see Michael Clayton (again, it was sold out last time we tried to see it).
Earlier today I went to get our holiday cards taken care of. CVS was a complete pain in the ass...they couldn't print the 4x8 cards, which wouldn't have mattered since they didn't have the right sized enveloped. At Longs, the picture kiosks wouldn't read my disk, but I was able to get a guy there to print the picture off of his PC. Ugh. I hope they came out good.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Giving Thanks, But to Who or What?
A friend asked me the other day who I give thanks to on Thanksgiving since I'm an atheist. The simple answer is, "To the people around me who help keep me safe, healthy and happy." But, her point is a good one.
Lincoln established Thanksgiving in 1863 (and you thought that W invented using PR to calm down the populous during an unpopular war). The holiday clearly was established with a religious tone. Interestingly, it hasn't been co-opted by the pious among us as christmas and easter have been. Of course, these holidays have a direct relationship with religious writings, but christmas has been bought and sold since the late 1800's, post-dating the establishment of Thanksgiving. And every other American holiday (Presidents' Day, 4th of July, etc.) is used as an excuse to buy and sell EVERYTHING. So, why not Thanksgiving? Is it because it's boring, not religious enough, or something else?
I think it's because of the melancholy associated with it. When the pilgrims got here, things weren't so good for them. When Lincoln made it official, the nation was in crisis. We usually don't give thanks unless we have been humbled first. One doesn't have the be a theist to appreciate when things are better than they were (or could be).
And, I almost forgot. If stores had big Thanksgiving sales, it would bite into their christmas business.
Lincoln established Thanksgiving in 1863 (and you thought that W invented using PR to calm down the populous during an unpopular war). The holiday clearly was established with a religious tone. Interestingly, it hasn't been co-opted by the pious among us as christmas and easter have been. Of course, these holidays have a direct relationship with religious writings, but christmas has been bought and sold since the late 1800's, post-dating the establishment of Thanksgiving. And every other American holiday (Presidents' Day, 4th of July, etc.) is used as an excuse to buy and sell EVERYTHING. So, why not Thanksgiving? Is it because it's boring, not religious enough, or something else?
I think it's because of the melancholy associated with it. When the pilgrims got here, things weren't so good for them. When Lincoln made it official, the nation was in crisis. We usually don't give thanks unless we have been humbled first. One doesn't have the be a theist to appreciate when things are better than they were (or could be).
And, I almost forgot. If stores had big Thanksgiving sales, it would bite into their christmas business.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Getting Our Money's Worth
In today's LA Times there's an analysis of the War on Terror. Judging by the authors' affiliations, I wouldn't say that it's an unbiased appraisal of the war. I'm not accusing them of being liars. Rather, someone with a more conservative bent would probably choose to highlight other numbers.
The most telling numbers havde to do with terror-related convictions. There have been several high-profile terrorist arrests (see Detroit and Lodi), and the government doesn't have a real good conviction rate in them. However, here's where the Times article is biased. It says that only two people have been convicted of terrorist related activity in the US while having international connections (note how overly specific the authors are). But, their data cutoff date is over a year ago, so it wouldn't include the guy in Lodi. One could also argue that the goal is convict people of some sort of conspiracy before they blow something up.
The greater message of the data is what have we gained in terms of security from rounding all of these people up and spending $413 billion? The numbers presented look rather bleak. But, how do they compare to conviction rates for other complicated conspiracies (e.g., gang or mafia activity)?
And, what are we to make of the human sacrifices for the war? My sense is that a majority of the 3,867 U.S. soldiers were committed to their task and mission. But, what of the estimated 80,000 Iraqis? Sure, some of them were probably killed while trying to kill their countrymen for no other reason that they type of Islam they practiced. What would the rest say about their sacrifice for the US to remake their country? Perhaps that question will be better answered in the future. Right now, it seems like an awful waste.
The most telling numbers havde to do with terror-related convictions. There have been several high-profile terrorist arrests (see Detroit and Lodi), and the government doesn't have a real good conviction rate in them. However, here's where the Times article is biased. It says that only two people have been convicted of terrorist related activity in the US while having international connections (note how overly specific the authors are). But, their data cutoff date is over a year ago, so it wouldn't include the guy in Lodi. One could also argue that the goal is convict people of some sort of conspiracy before they blow something up.
The greater message of the data is what have we gained in terms of security from rounding all of these people up and spending $413 billion? The numbers presented look rather bleak. But, how do they compare to conviction rates for other complicated conspiracies (e.g., gang or mafia activity)?
And, what are we to make of the human sacrifices for the war? My sense is that a majority of the 3,867 U.S. soldiers were committed to their task and mission. But, what of the estimated 80,000 Iraqis? Sure, some of them were probably killed while trying to kill their countrymen for no other reason that they type of Islam they practiced. What would the rest say about their sacrifice for the US to remake their country? Perhaps that question will be better answered in the future. Right now, it seems like an awful waste.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Movie Time
From Lola:
As you'll see, I don't get to the movies that much anymore. When the wife and I do go out, we prefer something more live. Oh well.
SUPPOSEDLY if you’ve seen over 89 movies, you have no life. Mark the ones you’ve seen. There are 266 movies on this list. Copy this list. Then, put Xs next to the movies you’ve seen, add them up, and share your number. Have fun!
(X) Rocky Horror Picture Show
(X) Grease
(X) Pirates of the Caribbean
(1/2) Pirates of the Caribbean 2: Dead Man’s Chest
() Boondock Saints
() Fight Club
() Starsky and Hutch
() Neverending Story
(X) Blazing Saddles
() Universal Soldier
(X) Lemony Snicket: A Series Of Unfortunate Events
() Along Came Polly
() Deep Impact
() KingPin
() Never Been Kissed
() Meet The Parents
() Meet the Fockers
() Eight Crazy Nights
() Joe Dirt
(x) KING KONG (I saw the original)
() A Cinderella Story
(X) The Terminal
() The Lizzie McGuire Movie
() Passport to Paris
() Dumb & Dumber
() Dumber & Dumberer
() Final Destination
() Final Destination 2
() Final Destination 3
(X) Halloween
() The Ring
() The Ring 2
() Surviving X-MAS
(X) Flubber (i saw the original…)
() Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle
() Practical Magic
(X) Chicago
() Ghost Ship
() From Hell
(x) Hellboy
() Secret Window
() I Am Sam
() The Whole Nine Yards
() The Whole Ten Yards
() The Day After Tomorrow
() Child’s Play
() Seed of Chucky
() Bride of Chucky
() Ten Things I Hate About You
() Just Married
() Gothika
() Nightmare on Elm Street
() Sixteen Candles
() Remember the Titans
() Coach Carter
() The Grudge
() The Grudge 2
() The Mask
() Son Of The Mask
() Bad Boys
() Bad Boys 2
() Joy Ride
() Lucky Number Slevin
(x) Ocean’s Eleven
(x) Ocean’s Twelve
() Bourne Identity
() Bourne Supremecy
() Lone Star
() Bedazzled
() Predator I
() Predator II
() The Fog
(X) Ice Age
(x) Ice Age 2: The Meltdown
() Curious George
(X) Independence Day
() Cujo
() A Bronx Tale
() Darkness Falls
() Christine
() ET
() Children of the Corn
() My Bosses Daughter
() Maid in Manhattan
(X) War of the Worlds
(x) Rush Hour
() Rush Hour 2
() Best Bet
() How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
() She’s All That
() Calendar Girls
(X) Sideways
() Mars Attacks
() Event Horizon
() Ever After
(X) Wizard of Oz
(X) Forrest Gump
() Big Trouble in Little China
() The Terminator
() The Terminator 2
() The Terminator 3
() X-Men
() X2
() X-3
(X) Spider-Man
(X) Spider-Man 2
() Sky High
() Jeepers Creepers
() Jeepers Creepers 2
(X) Catch Me If You Can
() The Little Mermaid
() Freaky Friday
() Reign of Fire
() The Skulls
() Cruel Intentions
() Cruel Intentions 2
() The Hot Chick
(X) Shrek
(x) Shrek 2
() Swimfan
() Miracle on 34th street
() Old School
() The Notebook
() K-Pax
() Kippendorf’s Tribe
() A Walk to Remember
() Ice Castles
() Boogeyman
() The 40-year-old-virgin
(X) Lord of the Rings Fellowship of the Ring
(X) Lord of the Rings The Two Towers
(X) Lord of the Rings Return Of the King
(X) Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark
(X) Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
(X) Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
() Baseketball
() Hostel
(X) Waiting for Guffman
() House of 1000 Corpses
() Devil’s Rejects
() Elf
() Highlander
() Mothman Prophecies
() American History X
() Three
() The Jacket
() Kung Fu Hustle
() Shaolin Soccer
() Night Watch
(X) Monsters Inc.
() Titanic
(X) Monty Python and the Holy Grail
() Shaun Of the Dead
(X) Willard
() High Tension
() Club Dread
() Hulk
() Dawn Of the Dead
() Hook
() Chronicle Of Narnia The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe
() 28 days later
() Orgazmo
() Phantasm
() Waterworld
(X) Kill Bill vol 1
(x) Kill Bill vol 2
() Mortal Kombat
() Wolf Creek
() Kingdom of Heaven
() The Hills Have Eyes
() I Spit on Your Grave aka the Day of the Woman
() The Last House on the Left
() Re-Animator
() Army of Darkness
(X) Star Wars Ep. I The Phantom Menace
(X) Star Wars Ep. II Attack of the Clones
(X) Star Wars Ep. III Revenge of the Sith
(X) Star Wars Ep. IV A New Hope
(X) Star Wars Ep. V The Empire Strikes Back
(X) Star Wars Ep. VI Return of the Jedi
() Ewoks Caravan Of Courage
() Ewoks The Battle For Endor
() The Matrix
() The Matrix Reloaded
() The Matrix Revolutions
() Animatrix
() Evil Dead
() Evil Dead 2
() Team America: World Police
() Red Dragon
(X) Silence of the Lambs
() Hannibal
() Battle Royale
() Battle Royale 2
(X) Brazil
() Contact
() Cube
(X) Dr. Strangelove
() Enlightenment Guaranteed
() Four Rooms
() Memento
() Pi
(X) Requiem for a Dream
(X) Pulp Fiction
(X) Reservoir Dogs
(X) Run Lola Run
() Russian Ark
() Serenity
() Sin City
() Snatch
() Spider
() The Sixth Sense
() The Village
() Waking Life
() Zatoichi
() Ikiru
(x) The Seven Samurai
() Brick
() Akira
As you'll see, I don't get to the movies that much anymore. When the wife and I do go out, we prefer something more live. Oh well.
SUPPOSEDLY if you’ve seen over 89 movies, you have no life. Mark the ones you’ve seen. There are 266 movies on this list. Copy this list. Then, put Xs next to the movies you’ve seen, add them up, and share your number. Have fun!
(X) Rocky Horror Picture Show
(X) Grease
(X) Pirates of the Caribbean
(1/2) Pirates of the Caribbean 2: Dead Man’s Chest
() Boondock Saints
() Fight Club
() Starsky and Hutch
() Neverending Story
(X) Blazing Saddles
() Universal Soldier
(X) Lemony Snicket: A Series Of Unfortunate Events
() Along Came Polly
() Deep Impact
() KingPin
() Never Been Kissed
() Meet The Parents
() Meet the Fockers
() Eight Crazy Nights
() Joe Dirt
(x) KING KONG (I saw the original)
() A Cinderella Story
(X) The Terminal
() The Lizzie McGuire Movie
() Passport to Paris
() Dumb & Dumber
() Dumber & Dumberer
() Final Destination
() Final Destination 2
() Final Destination 3
(X) Halloween
() The Ring
() The Ring 2
() Surviving X-MAS
(X) Flubber (i saw the original…)
() Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle
() Practical Magic
(X) Chicago
() Ghost Ship
() From Hell
(x) Hellboy
() Secret Window
() I Am Sam
() The Whole Nine Yards
() The Whole Ten Yards
() The Day After Tomorrow
() Child’s Play
() Seed of Chucky
() Bride of Chucky
() Ten Things I Hate About You
() Just Married
() Gothika
() Nightmare on Elm Street
() Sixteen Candles
() Remember the Titans
() Coach Carter
() The Grudge
() The Grudge 2
() The Mask
() Son Of The Mask
() Bad Boys
() Bad Boys 2
() Joy Ride
() Lucky Number Slevin
(x) Ocean’s Eleven
(x) Ocean’s Twelve
() Bourne Identity
() Bourne Supremecy
() Lone Star
() Bedazzled
() Predator I
() Predator II
() The Fog
(X) Ice Age
(x) Ice Age 2: The Meltdown
() Curious George
(X) Independence Day
() Cujo
() A Bronx Tale
() Darkness Falls
() Christine
() ET
() Children of the Corn
() My Bosses Daughter
() Maid in Manhattan
(X) War of the Worlds
(x) Rush Hour
() Rush Hour 2
() Best Bet
() How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
() She’s All That
() Calendar Girls
(X) Sideways
() Mars Attacks
() Event Horizon
() Ever After
(X) Wizard of Oz
(X) Forrest Gump
() Big Trouble in Little China
() The Terminator
() The Terminator 2
() The Terminator 3
() X-Men
() X2
() X-3
(X) Spider-Man
(X) Spider-Man 2
() Sky High
() Jeepers Creepers
() Jeepers Creepers 2
(X) Catch Me If You Can
() The Little Mermaid
() Freaky Friday
() Reign of Fire
() The Skulls
() Cruel Intentions
() Cruel Intentions 2
() The Hot Chick
(X) Shrek
(x) Shrek 2
() Swimfan
() Miracle on 34th street
() Old School
() The Notebook
() K-Pax
() Kippendorf’s Tribe
() A Walk to Remember
() Ice Castles
() Boogeyman
() The 40-year-old-virgin
(X) Lord of the Rings Fellowship of the Ring
(X) Lord of the Rings The Two Towers
(X) Lord of the Rings Return Of the King
(X) Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark
(X) Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
(X) Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
() Baseketball
() Hostel
(X) Waiting for Guffman
() House of 1000 Corpses
() Devil’s Rejects
() Elf
() Highlander
() Mothman Prophecies
() American History X
() Three
() The Jacket
() Kung Fu Hustle
() Shaolin Soccer
() Night Watch
(X) Monsters Inc.
() Titanic
(X) Monty Python and the Holy Grail
() Shaun Of the Dead
(X) Willard
() High Tension
() Club Dread
() Hulk
() Dawn Of the Dead
() Hook
() Chronicle Of Narnia The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe
() 28 days later
() Orgazmo
() Phantasm
() Waterworld
(X) Kill Bill vol 1
(x) Kill Bill vol 2
() Mortal Kombat
() Wolf Creek
() Kingdom of Heaven
() The Hills Have Eyes
() I Spit on Your Grave aka the Day of the Woman
() The Last House on the Left
() Re-Animator
() Army of Darkness
(X) Star Wars Ep. I The Phantom Menace
(X) Star Wars Ep. II Attack of the Clones
(X) Star Wars Ep. III Revenge of the Sith
(X) Star Wars Ep. IV A New Hope
(X) Star Wars Ep. V The Empire Strikes Back
(X) Star Wars Ep. VI Return of the Jedi
() Ewoks Caravan Of Courage
() Ewoks The Battle For Endor
() The Matrix
() The Matrix Reloaded
() The Matrix Revolutions
() Animatrix
() Evil Dead
() Evil Dead 2
() Team America: World Police
() Red Dragon
(X) Silence of the Lambs
() Hannibal
() Battle Royale
() Battle Royale 2
(X) Brazil
() Contact
() Cube
(X) Dr. Strangelove
() Enlightenment Guaranteed
() Four Rooms
() Memento
() Pi
(X) Requiem for a Dream
(X) Pulp Fiction
(X) Reservoir Dogs
(X) Run Lola Run
() Russian Ark
() Serenity
() Sin City
() Snatch
() Spider
() The Sixth Sense
() The Village
() Waking Life
() Zatoichi
() Ikiru
(x) The Seven Samurai
() Brick
() Akira
Sunday, November 11, 2007
When the Circus Occasionally Comes Back to Town
You may remember this photo:
It was taken of a Marine, Jame Blake Miller, by an LA Times photographer, Luis Sinco before the battle for Fallouja in which Miller would take part. After the photo appeared there were many national stories about Miller.
The LA Times followed up with him in May of 2006 when he was discharged due to PTSD. This weekend the paper started running a story about Miller and Sinco. I suggest that you read it (it requires free registration and I've found it to be spam-free).
It's a must read for a few reasons. First and foremost is Miller's story. Not unlike poor kids from Appalachia, he describes his choice in life is between the Marines and the mines. I'm not naive as wars have always been fought by the poor. But what does Miller's choice say about us a society in the 21st century?
Another interesting aspect of the story is that the photographer tells the story. Sinco tells the story from a personal, rather than detached, view. He takes his journalistic ethics seriously and confronts some of the moral issues of what, if anything, he has done to Miller by taking his picture. He also considers what, if any, responsibility he has in helping and healing Miller.
Lastly, it addresses the permanence of war. Miller's life, and those around him, were going to be changed even if he wasn't the subject of a famous picture. It's easy to think that the war operates on a treadmill until you think about people who are fighting it as individuals. Tonight I had the opportunity to offer the pledge of allegiance at my local Elk Lodge's Veteran's Day ceremony. There were WW II, Korean, Viet Nam era and Iraq vets/service people there. I couldn't help but think of Miller as I spoke to them. In conversation I wondered how their lives, and their families' live were affected by their service. I wonder how many really think it was worth it.
It was taken of a Marine, Jame Blake Miller, by an LA Times photographer, Luis Sinco before the battle for Fallouja in which Miller would take part. After the photo appeared there were many national stories about Miller.
The LA Times followed up with him in May of 2006 when he was discharged due to PTSD. This weekend the paper started running a story about Miller and Sinco. I suggest that you read it (it requires free registration and I've found it to be spam-free).
It's a must read for a few reasons. First and foremost is Miller's story. Not unlike poor kids from Appalachia, he describes his choice in life is between the Marines and the mines. I'm not naive as wars have always been fought by the poor. But what does Miller's choice say about us a society in the 21st century?
Another interesting aspect of the story is that the photographer tells the story. Sinco tells the story from a personal, rather than detached, view. He takes his journalistic ethics seriously and confronts some of the moral issues of what, if anything, he has done to Miller by taking his picture. He also considers what, if any, responsibility he has in helping and healing Miller.
Lastly, it addresses the permanence of war. Miller's life, and those around him, were going to be changed even if he wasn't the subject of a famous picture. It's easy to think that the war operates on a treadmill until you think about people who are fighting it as individuals. Tonight I had the opportunity to offer the pledge of allegiance at my local Elk Lodge's Veteran's Day ceremony. There were WW II, Korean, Viet Nam era and Iraq vets/service people there. I couldn't help but think of Miller as I spoke to them. In conversation I wondered how their lives, and their families' live were affected by their service. I wonder how many really think it was worth it.
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Writers' Strike
As you probably know by now, the TV and movie writers are on strike in LA and NY. When I take the HB to school I get to drive by a live strike picket! The strike doesn't affect me much since I don't watch any episodic TV (though I am a The Daily Show and The Colbert Report viewer). Just gives me more time to watch sports.
At issue is how much money the writers will get for each DVD, download, and whatever we haven't thought of yet method of watching TV and films. The strike is rooted in the last contract where the studios completely got over on the writers in terms of their residuals from DVD sales (literally pennies).
I'm of several minds about strike:
1) The studios gotta open their wallets on this one. Their talk about waiting to see if people really want to download TV shows/movies before deciding what the right compensation should be is laughable. All they have to do is call their friends at the record companies.
2) Another problem for the studios is that people watch less TV now than they have before, especially network TV. Yes, if you're jonesing for Heroes you'll run back to the TV when new episodes pop-up, but you'll get used to doing other things with your time when you are not watching all the other crap.
3) The writers need to be VERY careful. For every striking writer there are probably five who would LOVE to write for TV and the movies and could give a rats ass about the WGA.
The strike will drive more independent (read: non-union) production.
4) The writers are looking to profit more from their creativity, which I think is good. I look forward to them doing the same for set builders, painters and costume designers.
5) When non-physical labor unions (e.g., writers, directors, baseball players) go on strike they ask for support of other unions. After all, if the Teamsters don't show up, nothing gets produced for a TV show/movie. Google "writers support" teamsters strike and tell me what comes up.
6) Both sides should realize that the American public doesn't need them. It's not like when the longshoremen go on strike and important goods don't get moved. People lived their lives just fine before Grey's Anatomy came on TV and they'll live just fine afterwards. Without their fave TV show they'll go bowling more, surf the internet and (gasp!) have more conversations.
At issue is how much money the writers will get for each DVD, download, and whatever we haven't thought of yet method of watching TV and films. The strike is rooted in the last contract where the studios completely got over on the writers in terms of their residuals from DVD sales (literally pennies).
I'm of several minds about strike:
1) The studios gotta open their wallets on this one. Their talk about waiting to see if people really want to download TV shows/movies before deciding what the right compensation should be is laughable. All they have to do is call their friends at the record companies.
2) Another problem for the studios is that people watch less TV now than they have before, especially network TV. Yes, if you're jonesing for Heroes you'll run back to the TV when new episodes pop-up, but you'll get used to doing other things with your time when you are not watching all the other crap.
3) The writers need to be VERY careful. For every striking writer there are probably five who would LOVE to write for TV and the movies and could give a rats ass about the WGA.
The strike will drive more independent (read: non-union) production.
4) The writers are looking to profit more from their creativity, which I think is good. I look forward to them doing the same for set builders, painters and costume designers.
5) When non-physical labor unions (e.g., writers, directors, baseball players) go on strike they ask for support of other unions. After all, if the Teamsters don't show up, nothing gets produced for a TV show/movie. Google "writers support" teamsters strike and tell me what comes up.
6) Both sides should realize that the American public doesn't need them. It's not like when the longshoremen go on strike and important goods don't get moved. People lived their lives just fine before Grey's Anatomy came on TV and they'll live just fine afterwards. Without their fave TV show they'll go bowling more, surf the internet and (gasp!) have more conversations.
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
New Feature!
The observant ones in the group will notice that I've started to list what's on my MP3 player. No, not an iPod, an MP3 player (I can't stand Apple or their products). I like to listen to music, especially when I'm analyzing data, though I can't when I'm writing or reading. The MP3 gets the most use when I'm exercising. Being old school, I tend to put full albums, rather than just cuts, on it. Usually the albums are faves where I know all of the lyrics or new stuff.
Generally, as you can tell, the music is high energy. But, good songs (mellow or otherwise) are often included. The newest on there is Neil Young's Chrome Dreams II. I've really enjoyed his music ever since I heard a camp counselor play Cowgirl in the Sand on guitar. He's a rare artist who tries new things, but doesn't forget about what he does best. Also, he's the only famous musician that I know of who did a entire album about Iraq and politics. Do I like all of his records? No, but I'm willing to go for the ride.
Chrome Dreams II is unusual, for him, in that it contains many styles of music (folk, country, pre-grunge). Most of his records stick with one style. The best track is an opus called Ordinary People. It covers very familiar ground for him: working people, politics, and love. This does lead me to one beef with him. In a recent interview Young said of the venues for his tour, "They have to be auditoriums. The audio part is very important. I prefer that they be old." So, then why was his LA show at the BRAND NEW Nokia Theater? And, check out those ticket prices...ouch! Hopefully he'll be back in the summer at more reasonable prices.
Generally, as you can tell, the music is high energy. But, good songs (mellow or otherwise) are often included. The newest on there is Neil Young's Chrome Dreams II. I've really enjoyed his music ever since I heard a camp counselor play Cowgirl in the Sand on guitar. He's a rare artist who tries new things, but doesn't forget about what he does best. Also, he's the only famous musician that I know of who did a entire album about Iraq and politics. Do I like all of his records? No, but I'm willing to go for the ride.
Chrome Dreams II is unusual, for him, in that it contains many styles of music (folk, country, pre-grunge). Most of his records stick with one style. The best track is an opus called Ordinary People. It covers very familiar ground for him: working people, politics, and love. This does lead me to one beef with him. In a recent interview Young said of the venues for his tour, "They have to be auditoriums. The audio part is very important. I prefer that they be old." So, then why was his LA show at the BRAND NEW Nokia Theater? And, check out those ticket prices...ouch! Hopefully he'll be back in the summer at more reasonable prices.
Monday, November 5, 2007
One of Many Anniversaries
The wife and I waited a loooooong time to get married. I know that we would have eventually, but our move to the Boston area, 5 years after we had already been living together, gave us a good reason to. Because of that, we've always celebrated our first date anniversary, which is today (#24). It's particularly easy to remember because the first date was to my best friend's (and best man at our wedding) 21st birthday party.
I was working at the college radio station at that time and that weekend there was a conference in San Diego. However, Metallalica and Megadeth were playing a club in the San Fernando Valley (about 140 miles away). So, on Thursday I drove to SD, Friday afternoon I drove from SD to the Valley then back again. Saturday around lunch I drove back from SD to my place in Orange County to try and grab some zzzzzzzs. The (future) wife popped by my place that evening while I was crashed, gave me a fellatio wake-up call, and the rest, as they say, is history.
We'll celebrate later tonight with some take-out from our fave Italian place and a REALLY nice bottle of wine (2002 red) we got at a charity auction after the HB's in bed. I'm looking forward to it and another 24 years.
I was working at the college radio station at that time and that weekend there was a conference in San Diego. However, Metallalica and Megadeth were playing a club in the San Fernando Valley (about 140 miles away). So, on Thursday I drove to SD, Friday afternoon I drove from SD to the Valley then back again. Saturday around lunch I drove back from SD to my place in Orange County to try and grab some zzzzzzzs. The (future) wife popped by my place that evening while I was crashed, gave me a fellatio wake-up call, and the rest, as they say, is history.
We'll celebrate later tonight with some take-out from our fave Italian place and a REALLY nice bottle of wine (2002 red) we got at a charity auction after the HB's in bed. I'm looking forward to it and another 24 years.
Saturday, November 3, 2007
As The Lakers Turn
I was going to blog about the Lakers after their opening night loss to Houston. Don't be fooled by the final score. Except for a end of game flurry by Kobe, Houston was in control. I was going to write how this game was going to be emblematic of their season. Kobe doing everything, almost no help from the bench and disbelief that the team's management isn't willing to part with either of their centers Kwame Brown or Andrew Bynum in order to get some good players to help the team be competitive. There was one particular play where Yao Ming threw a pass right over Bynum, who didn't even have his fucking hands up.
Then, they turn around and kick the living shit out of Phoenix last night--in the Valley of the Sun, no less. I love when they have both Ronny Turiaf and Luke Walton on the floor. Both guys can pass, which makes any team hard to defend, and Walton can score some. But they still have a HUGE hole in he middle.
The Lakers are still in that NBA no man's land. They aren't good enough to compete for the title and not bad enough to finish with a high lottery pick. If they plan on keeping Kobe (and that's an open question), they gotta show some balls and make serious trade. Trading Kobe just isn't going to happen. Forget that you never get even close to comparable value when you trade a superstar (see the Shaq deal for Odom and some scrubs), but Kobe has a no-trade clause. So, any team that could give up anything close to his value isn't a team he would want to go to because they wouldn't be any good anymore. If the Lakers someone pull the trigger on the deal, they need to get a player they can build around. Like they should done in getting Dwyane Wade from Miami for Shaq.
Then, they turn around and kick the living shit out of Phoenix last night--in the Valley of the Sun, no less. I love when they have both Ronny Turiaf and Luke Walton on the floor. Both guys can pass, which makes any team hard to defend, and Walton can score some. But they still have a HUGE hole in he middle.
The Lakers are still in that NBA no man's land. They aren't good enough to compete for the title and not bad enough to finish with a high lottery pick. If they plan on keeping Kobe (and that's an open question), they gotta show some balls and make serious trade. Trading Kobe just isn't going to happen. Forget that you never get even close to comparable value when you trade a superstar (see the Shaq deal for Odom and some scrubs), but Kobe has a no-trade clause. So, any team that could give up anything close to his value isn't a team he would want to go to because they wouldn't be any good anymore. If the Lakers someone pull the trigger on the deal, they need to get a player they can build around. Like they should done in getting Dwyane Wade from Miami for Shaq.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Justice (perhaps)
Several months ago I blogged about this church that protests at soldiers' funerals. Well, as it turns out, the parents of one these soldiers got pissed off enough that he sued these bastards...and won. The verdict is against the church, not the individuals, so maybe they'll see some of the money. More importantly, if they can get to the cash perhaps they can prevent at least some of these morons from staging any more of the protests.
And all this time I thought that religious people believed that god LOVED us.
And all this time I thought that religious people believed that god LOVED us.
WW #45--Halloweenie
From Lola:
1. have you ever had sex "in costume"? did you like it? what made it better or worse?
Hm...can't say that I have.
2. not including unwanted personal violence, what is the SCARIEST sexual experience you've had? condom breaking? her parents walking in on you? getting caught by a security officer? grandma finding your vibrator?
Definitely almost getting caught by my parents. Of course, the one time my dad walked in on me and a gf in high school while we studying. I *wish* I would have been fucking her.
3. if you had to be the bride or groom of any scary monster, who would it be? elvira, mistress of the dark? gerard butler's dracula?
Oh, definitely Linda Blair in The Exorcist...that chick was FREAKY (hahahahaha).
1. have you ever had sex "in costume"? did you like it? what made it better or worse?
Hm...can't say that I have.
2. not including unwanted personal violence, what is the SCARIEST sexual experience you've had? condom breaking? her parents walking in on you? getting caught by a security officer? grandma finding your vibrator?
Definitely almost getting caught by my parents. Of course, the one time my dad walked in on me and a gf in high school while we studying. I *wish* I would have been fucking her.
3. if you had to be the bride or groom of any scary monster, who would it be? elvira, mistress of the dark? gerard butler's dracula?
Oh, definitely Linda Blair in The Exorcist...that chick was FREAKY (hahahahaha).
Halloween Wrap Up
Sadly, another Halloween has passed. My nephew stayed over last weekend and we went Halloween Bowling with my Rotary Club. Just about everyone was in costume and we had a great time (and raised some money for a home makeover project for a family in our neighborhood).
Yesterday, the HB and I started Halloween by taking candy to some kids who can't go trick-or-treating. We stopped by a transitional living facility for kids in Santa Monica. We then moved on to a local hospital, only to find that they don't have a pediatric ward anymore. But, they did have a haunted house in their rehab area (which was pretty cool) and we left a couple of bags with the nursing staff.
Before trick-or-treating, we had dinner at our neighbor's house and then led the kids on their hunt for candy en masse. We get literally hundreds of trick-or-treaters in our neighborhood (we never have enough candy), which is cool. There are a few TV/movie set designers on my street, so some of the houses are done up really well.
After making one candy drop-off, the HB wanted to visit some friends' houses that aren't on our street, but were still within walking distance. This gave us some time to hang together and go into some areas that were far less crowded. This meant he got a LOT more candy (and perhaps some extras for me and the wife).
I love Halloween--can't wait for next year!
Yesterday, the HB and I started Halloween by taking candy to some kids who can't go trick-or-treating. We stopped by a transitional living facility for kids in Santa Monica. We then moved on to a local hospital, only to find that they don't have a pediatric ward anymore. But, they did have a haunted house in their rehab area (which was pretty cool) and we left a couple of bags with the nursing staff.
Before trick-or-treating, we had dinner at our neighbor's house and then led the kids on their hunt for candy en masse. We get literally hundreds of trick-or-treaters in our neighborhood (we never have enough candy), which is cool. There are a few TV/movie set designers on my street, so some of the houses are done up really well.
After making one candy drop-off, the HB wanted to visit some friends' houses that aren't on our street, but were still within walking distance. This gave us some time to hang together and go into some areas that were far less crowded. This meant he got a LOT more candy (and perhaps some extras for me and the wife).
I love Halloween--can't wait for next year!
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