Wednesday, October 27, 2004
Oh! Milk-Chan!
Here she is! The cutest anime character ever, and they are going to finally air her show in the USA! It's Milk-Chan! Be warned, the US DVD issue of this show came with two discs... the real Japanese shows with true translation, and a much more crude and vulgar "languaged" version which actually is nothing close to the real translations. Sort of like what they did to Takeshi's Castle to make the Spike TV show "MXC: Most Extreme Challenge." In the real version, the language is no more harsh than the Simpson's. In the "new" version, they decided for her to use the F-word, and her robot dog friend tells people to "suck my D**k!" Sad. I am not sure which version Cartoon Network will air; the real show, or the Americanized and ruined (IMHO)version (with a liberal helping of beeps during expletives)/ Anyway, Milk-Chan is both chibi and kawaii, so check her out! Kyaaaaah!
The horror...
Last night on Bravo, I got the privilege of watching the first installment of “Top 100 Scariest Movie Moments.” This means I didn’t get much studying done while it was on. These sort of countdown shows are a guaranteed distraction for me (for reference, see also I Love the 80’s). Thanksgiving may be my favorite holiday, but I adore Halloween just as much. Always have. It isn’t that I am a goth kid or anything. Yet every year I celebrate by watching some great horror movies. And, like most of my favorite pastimes, I have no one to share this with… except my brother (who I rarely have a chance to sit and see a movie with any more).
Anyway, my love affair with horror movies came along thanks to a combination of EC Comics and two local TV weekend staples; Twilight Zone reruns, and a show called Creature Feature. On the latter, a local man dressed up like a mad scientist (Dr. Sanguinary) and hosted the show from his lab. His side-kick was a hairy, gorilla like arm that was allegedly attached to a hideous monster (always just beyond site in a cell) that the Doctor had created (the monster’s name was Igor). This show was revived not too long ago, but in this day and age, there is no hope for ratings when cable and the internet are just a click away. For a short time, I totally ditched watching SNL in favor of The House that Dripped Blood, The Fiend Without a Face, Legend of the Seven Golden Vampires, Creature from the Black Lagoon, and Village of the Damned.
Now, I have never been one for gore. I prefer a psychological fright, like sending photos of a man’s children to him as a threat (ala One Hour Photo), to gory realism, like sticking a splinter into someone’s eyeball (ala Fulcci’s “Zombi”), any day… but often horror movies mix the two so well that they become unsettling fun. They are so often overly violent, gory, sexually exploitive, and rarely hold any sort of message. I think this is what I love most about horror movies; they are not redeeming in any level, yet they are so much fun. They truly are mindless self indulgence.
I was impressed at some of the stuff that Bravo included. Some was lame, yet some was rather “underground” in nature, and that was a very cool thing. Too often these sort of list-shows only pay lip service to things with household recognition (or that make good fodder for discussion). I realize they like to be clever and add silly things to break up monotony (like The Wizard of Oz as scary???), but I like these things to stay on task.
I hate to see them waste time on crap like Child’s Play. I’d like to see them do an answer list of lamest horror attempts. They could put all those remakes like The Haunting, House on Haunted Hill, and 13 Ghosts on the list, then fill in the blanks with feces like The Watcher, Bats, Stigmata, and The Hollow Man (and that isn’t even counting 80’s garbage like Hotel Hell and CHUD). I guess you should know better if it is a horror movie and it is based on a Stephen King novel, has Wes Craven’s name on it, has WB/UPN actors in it, or it stars Kevin Bacon.
Why do you think people like to be scared and thrilled? Isn’t it a weird phenomenon? In a way, I see it as a cousin to drug abuse, or masturbation. You are eliciting a response from your body artificially; in this case, horror. You are activating all those pumps and pathways that are usually reserved for life-or-death situations.
For instance: it is fun for me to peek through my fingers as zombies tear people apart in 28 Days Later. I feel the surge of adrenaline and feel my heart race for the same reason I would be able to run at top speed, even at depleted oxygen levels, if a lion charged at me from out of the tall grass. The response wasn’t meant for fun, it was meant for self preservation.
Another curiosity I have always had is why horror movies are so often tied to nudity and sex? Its all a heaping pile of exploitation… aimed at the sort of thing a particular demographic lusts for (aka teenage boys). But to me it seems intolerable that women are objectified and then brutalized in the same movie. It probably started in the 50’s drive-in culture. You show that even a “helpless” woman can be a victim, and all those sweater’d teenies will be cuddling up to Johnny Quarterback all night. Fast forward to 1980, and you have 17 year old characters being played by would-be adult film stars, stripping naked, performing a little soft-core porn, then getting stabbed through the neck with an ice pick. It is a very disturbing feature of these movies if you think about it. I’m not a big fan of sex/nudity in movies anyway, and mixing it with decapitation is too much. Just try and watch Cannibal Ferrox…
Anyway, here is a list of some of my favorite horror movies. There aren’t a lot of “good” horror movies, but there are a lot that are fun to watch! If you are interested in finding out more about them, cut and paste their titles into www.imdb.com
- Night of the Hunter. This would be my wife’s #1 scariest movie. I was glad to see it included, but it wasn’t nearly high enough on the list (in the 90’s?). A murderous preacher trying to kill children? That is scary! This movie is a must see for all movie fans. Sometimes the worst monsters are humans.
- 28 Days Later. This movie proved to me that the horror genre was not dead. It is intelligent and frightening. About as well-made as a horror movie can be. Like most people have commented, the truly haunting aspects of the movie are its possibilities. The ending sort of got stupid (with the soldiers), but most of us horror buffs recognize a huge nod to George Romero (namely, Day of the Dead).
- Night of the Living Dead. As far as I am concerned, this movie brought horror into the mainstream (it was no longer a genre of low-budget, make-out movies), and then broke the mold. Nothing has ever been filmed that is more gut-level and perfect than this movie. I find myself scared from beginning to end every time. Probably my favorite horror movie of all.
- Audition. This movie is unsettling, to say the least. Again, it is scary in a “real” way. A woman simply will not stand for being objectified by men any longer. I can’t say any more, or I will ruin the movie. A great film by Miike, a controversial Japanese director.
- Ju-On. The Japanese movie that recently was remade in the US as The Grudge. Much like The Ring, it is creepy and atmospheric. A test of a good horror movie is if it sticks with you. And this one definitely stuck with me. As if I needed more worries about seeing things… the scene where the boy ghost and the shapeless wisp are hanging around the girl’s bed… I tell you, that messed me up. I jumped everytime I saw so much as a shadow out of the corner of my eye for months!
- The Ring. A good remake of the Japanese phenomenon. In Japan, there was a novel, TV series, manga, and movie sequels. The movie was also remade in Korea. Anyway, the US version is really good. It draws its strength on the Nine Inch Nail video-esque imagery. The acting is bad, and there are a few plot holes, but for the most part it is original and full of great scares.
- Poltergeist. It seems cheesy now, but the very subtle things in it that kill you. The clown scenes alone ruined my life. I was shocked to hear that one of the commentators said after seeing it, he would run and jump into bed to avoid the clown reaching out and getting him. That is exactly what I did for years!
- Psycho. Hitchcock owns the world. Everything from his controversial screenplay to the way he marketed the movie was sheer perfection. Perkins played his role so well that it pretty much ruined him for all other acting gigs. People make a big deal over the shower scene, as they should, but that is missing so much more psychological undertones that are going on. I mean, this movie was based on Ed Gein for goodness sake! He made a few horror flicks (like The Birds, for instance), but Psycho is the scariest by far.
- The Fog. John Carpenter made a minimalist ghost movie, and it is fantastic. The funny thing is, the so-called “director’s cut” was awful, and the changes he added at the last minute at the request of the studio made it the great movie that it was. Without fail, every scene that I thought was clever, every noise I thought was well placed, and every prop that was placed so masterfully was added late in production.
That’s all I care to waste space on for now. I could go on and on. I mean, I didn’t even talk about how clever the concept for The Others was, or how What Lies Beneath wasn’t as awful as I feared it would be. I didn’t give the list of shame (it’s way too long). Nor did I mention other goodies like Jaws, Old Boy, Halloween, The Exorcist, Memento Mori, The Shining, The Vanishing (the foreign version), Nang Nak, Silence of the Lambs, The Sixth Sense, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Carnival of Souls, Jacob’s Ladder, Brotherhood of the Wolf, The Evil Dead, Rosemary’s Baby, Puppet Master, and on and on and on. And then there’s the Thriller video…
Oh, and as a post script… well, a pre-script post script, I hated Scream, and I to this day do not see what everyone was so giddy about. And House of 1000 Corpses was way too much for me… Okay, I’ll quit.
See ya!
Oh, and what is up with Phantasm II? I watched it for the first time on AMC’s Monsterfest (it’s an awful movie), and there are cannibal Jawas in it! George Lucas should sue somebody! :`(
Anyway, my love affair with horror movies came along thanks to a combination of EC Comics and two local TV weekend staples; Twilight Zone reruns, and a show called Creature Feature. On the latter, a local man dressed up like a mad scientist (Dr. Sanguinary) and hosted the show from his lab. His side-kick was a hairy, gorilla like arm that was allegedly attached to a hideous monster (always just beyond site in a cell) that the Doctor had created (the monster’s name was Igor). This show was revived not too long ago, but in this day and age, there is no hope for ratings when cable and the internet are just a click away. For a short time, I totally ditched watching SNL in favor of The House that Dripped Blood, The Fiend Without a Face, Legend of the Seven Golden Vampires, Creature from the Black Lagoon, and Village of the Damned.
Now, I have never been one for gore. I prefer a psychological fright, like sending photos of a man’s children to him as a threat (ala One Hour Photo), to gory realism, like sticking a splinter into someone’s eyeball (ala Fulcci’s “Zombi”), any day… but often horror movies mix the two so well that they become unsettling fun. They are so often overly violent, gory, sexually exploitive, and rarely hold any sort of message. I think this is what I love most about horror movies; they are not redeeming in any level, yet they are so much fun. They truly are mindless self indulgence.
I was impressed at some of the stuff that Bravo included. Some was lame, yet some was rather “underground” in nature, and that was a very cool thing. Too often these sort of list-shows only pay lip service to things with household recognition (or that make good fodder for discussion). I realize they like to be clever and add silly things to break up monotony (like The Wizard of Oz as scary???), but I like these things to stay on task.
I hate to see them waste time on crap like Child’s Play. I’d like to see them do an answer list of lamest horror attempts. They could put all those remakes like The Haunting, House on Haunted Hill, and 13 Ghosts on the list, then fill in the blanks with feces like The Watcher, Bats, Stigmata, and The Hollow Man (and that isn’t even counting 80’s garbage like Hotel Hell and CHUD). I guess you should know better if it is a horror movie and it is based on a Stephen King novel, has Wes Craven’s name on it, has WB/UPN actors in it, or it stars Kevin Bacon.
Why do you think people like to be scared and thrilled? Isn’t it a weird phenomenon? In a way, I see it as a cousin to drug abuse, or masturbation. You are eliciting a response from your body artificially; in this case, horror. You are activating all those pumps and pathways that are usually reserved for life-or-death situations.
For instance: it is fun for me to peek through my fingers as zombies tear people apart in 28 Days Later. I feel the surge of adrenaline and feel my heart race for the same reason I would be able to run at top speed, even at depleted oxygen levels, if a lion charged at me from out of the tall grass. The response wasn’t meant for fun, it was meant for self preservation.
Another curiosity I have always had is why horror movies are so often tied to nudity and sex? Its all a heaping pile of exploitation… aimed at the sort of thing a particular demographic lusts for (aka teenage boys). But to me it seems intolerable that women are objectified and then brutalized in the same movie. It probably started in the 50’s drive-in culture. You show that even a “helpless” woman can be a victim, and all those sweater’d teenies will be cuddling up to Johnny Quarterback all night. Fast forward to 1980, and you have 17 year old characters being played by would-be adult film stars, stripping naked, performing a little soft-core porn, then getting stabbed through the neck with an ice pick. It is a very disturbing feature of these movies if you think about it. I’m not a big fan of sex/nudity in movies anyway, and mixing it with decapitation is too much. Just try and watch Cannibal Ferrox…
Anyway, here is a list of some of my favorite horror movies. There aren’t a lot of “good” horror movies, but there are a lot that are fun to watch! If you are interested in finding out more about them, cut and paste their titles into www.imdb.com
- Night of the Hunter. This would be my wife’s #1 scariest movie. I was glad to see it included, but it wasn’t nearly high enough on the list (in the 90’s?). A murderous preacher trying to kill children? That is scary! This movie is a must see for all movie fans. Sometimes the worst monsters are humans.
- 28 Days Later. This movie proved to me that the horror genre was not dead. It is intelligent and frightening. About as well-made as a horror movie can be. Like most people have commented, the truly haunting aspects of the movie are its possibilities. The ending sort of got stupid (with the soldiers), but most of us horror buffs recognize a huge nod to George Romero (namely, Day of the Dead).
- Night of the Living Dead. As far as I am concerned, this movie brought horror into the mainstream (it was no longer a genre of low-budget, make-out movies), and then broke the mold. Nothing has ever been filmed that is more gut-level and perfect than this movie. I find myself scared from beginning to end every time. Probably my favorite horror movie of all.
- Audition. This movie is unsettling, to say the least. Again, it is scary in a “real” way. A woman simply will not stand for being objectified by men any longer. I can’t say any more, or I will ruin the movie. A great film by Miike, a controversial Japanese director.
- Ju-On. The Japanese movie that recently was remade in the US as The Grudge. Much like The Ring, it is creepy and atmospheric. A test of a good horror movie is if it sticks with you. And this one definitely stuck with me. As if I needed more worries about seeing things… the scene where the boy ghost and the shapeless wisp are hanging around the girl’s bed… I tell you, that messed me up. I jumped everytime I saw so much as a shadow out of the corner of my eye for months!
- The Ring. A good remake of the Japanese phenomenon. In Japan, there was a novel, TV series, manga, and movie sequels. The movie was also remade in Korea. Anyway, the US version is really good. It draws its strength on the Nine Inch Nail video-esque imagery. The acting is bad, and there are a few plot holes, but for the most part it is original and full of great scares.
- Poltergeist. It seems cheesy now, but the very subtle things in it that kill you. The clown scenes alone ruined my life. I was shocked to hear that one of the commentators said after seeing it, he would run and jump into bed to avoid the clown reaching out and getting him. That is exactly what I did for years!
- Psycho. Hitchcock owns the world. Everything from his controversial screenplay to the way he marketed the movie was sheer perfection. Perkins played his role so well that it pretty much ruined him for all other acting gigs. People make a big deal over the shower scene, as they should, but that is missing so much more psychological undertones that are going on. I mean, this movie was based on Ed Gein for goodness sake! He made a few horror flicks (like The Birds, for instance), but Psycho is the scariest by far.
- The Fog. John Carpenter made a minimalist ghost movie, and it is fantastic. The funny thing is, the so-called “director’s cut” was awful, and the changes he added at the last minute at the request of the studio made it the great movie that it was. Without fail, every scene that I thought was clever, every noise I thought was well placed, and every prop that was placed so masterfully was added late in production.
That’s all I care to waste space on for now. I could go on and on. I mean, I didn’t even talk about how clever the concept for The Others was, or how What Lies Beneath wasn’t as awful as I feared it would be. I didn’t give the list of shame (it’s way too long). Nor did I mention other goodies like Jaws, Old Boy, Halloween, The Exorcist, Memento Mori, The Shining, The Vanishing (the foreign version), Nang Nak, Silence of the Lambs, The Sixth Sense, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Carnival of Souls, Jacob’s Ladder, Brotherhood of the Wolf, The Evil Dead, Rosemary’s Baby, Puppet Master, and on and on and on. And then there’s the Thriller video…
Oh, and as a post script… well, a pre-script post script, I hated Scream, and I to this day do not see what everyone was so giddy about. And House of 1000 Corpses was way too much for me… Okay, I’ll quit.
See ya!
Oh, and what is up with Phantasm II? I watched it for the first time on AMC’s Monsterfest (it’s an awful movie), and there are cannibal Jawas in it! George Lucas should sue somebody! :`(
Tuesday, October 26, 2004
If this blog is rockin’, don’t bother knockin’
Stuff unrelated to the title first. Bad news, good news. Bad news is the election is a week away, and I haven’t been able to justify a vote for either of these morons. I so want new blood in the White House, but could Kerry and Edwards be any more underwhelming? Kudos to Bush for being unelectable and STILL looking to be the best bet. Yuck. But, I am voting Democrat, and here’s why; do I want Bush and his same flaws for another 4 years, or do I want to give the other side a chance to do good, and bring new flaws to the nation? Bush’s flaws have been complicated by world events that have become complicated as well, but ignored environmental concerns, horrible international relations, no great innovations in health care (I do not buy that this Medicare Card program is a good fix, not for 4 years work), and over 1000 soldiers dead (on OUR side alone) are bad flaws indeed. If Kerry is worse than that, then things will definitely be a mess under him. But I want to be an optimist, and hope new blood can turn some things around.
Good news comes in twos today. Little Carlo grew up! He no longer looks like an onigiri/ladybug. He now stands on two feet, has a huge head, and looks like Kamen Rider (a Japanese super hero). Instead of bread for meals and candy for a snack, he now enjoys pizza and corndogs. And instead of singing and dancing, I catch him sitting with his back to me while he watches TV. Must be a teenager. The other good news is that Adult Swim is going to start showing Super Milk Chan Show! This is one of the weirdest and funniest Japanese cartoons ever. It reminds me of Ren and Stimpy in it’s very early days. It starts on November 7th, so be sure to tune in! Okay, on to the blog.
I know I may have talked about music a lot lately, but it is a phase I have been going through. Anyone who knows me knows that music is a huge part of my life. While I cringe when people say “I’m into all kinds of music,” I really am into a pretty diverse selection of music. My favorites are punk, soul, and true alternative music. Here’s a little insider secret; if we’ve been friends for a while, and I have made you a mix CD, I think a lot of you. I’ve decided to share my most passionate songs with you, which is like an encoded glimpse into my mind, heart, and soul.
Music in my life often amounts to more just songs I “like,” it often holds some deeper connection and meaning. So today, I am going to blog a little bit about some special music to me (which I was reminded of as I work on two new mix CDs). I’ve done this before, and I’ll do it again. :)
#1 - Some of you may remember Jamiroquai. They are still around, but they sort of peaked with the songs “Alright” and “Virtual Insanity.” Well, I have always bought their music the week it has come out, and I have been in love with their soul/disco sounds. In 2001, I was anxiously awaiting the release of their album “A Funk Odyssey.” It was slated for a Tuesday release, and I was going to bolt straight to the mall (right after general chemistry at IWCC). Well, as we all know, September 11th was a morning that was unlike any other.
We were all unsure of what had happened. I mean, we saw the video, and heard the reports, but there was so much uncertainty, and so much shock. Even as we discussed it in classes, we were all just trying to piece it together. After class, I walked through the mall, and everything was “dead.” No chatter, no music, hardly any shoppers. I bought the CD as planned, and got back in my car. It cheered me up to listen to it; Jamiroquai is always so positive and upbeat (had I bought a Smiths CD, I may have killed myself). But yet I sat in the parking lot, listening to the CD, crying my eyes out. To this day, I have mixed feelings about that album, but strong feelings nonetheless.
#2 – There was one time in the last year when I felt like I was ready to throw my life away, and start over from scratch. You don’t need to know too many more details than that… but it was a rough time for me. It was during this time that I first listened to The New Pornographers. They were a perfect blend of nonsense and clever, punky pop music. Not that the music is punk rock at all, beyond its attitude. I started to cycle The New Pornographers and Polyphonic Spree nonstop through my radio. The giddy, bubblegum nature of the music softened my mood. At that time in my life, the mixture of such great music and two “new” friendships that I desperately needed saved me from making a series of horrible choices. It is sad that I need audio Zoloft like I do, but hey, it helps me cope.
#3 – Growing up, I had very little in common with my dad. The things we did do together have long exited my life… hunting, shooting, and going to gun shows. See a theme? But one thing my dad did instill in me was a love for The Doors. He had a bulky stereo with a reel-to-reel player in our basement, and when we both would seek refuge down there to do guy-stuff (he worked with reloading equipment, and I played with my Star Wars figures), he would blast his music until you couldn’t even hear mom yelling down the stairs that supper was ready. He played Willie Nelson, CCR, and Hank Williams Jr., but my favorite was the Doors. He had a reel-to-reel copy of LA Woman that he had bought in Vietnam, and it sounded great. When Riders on the Storm or LA Woman came on, he would just stop, and listen. To this day, I do the same thing with certain songs. To him, he was just getting lost in the music… feeling the soul of the song, perhaps even remembering something he had tied to that music. What are my stop and listen songs? I’ll save that for a more intimate discussion, or at least another blog. To summarize, my dad made me a Doors fan for life. While some classic rock has just been overplayed (i.e. Led Zepplin), I can still hear any Doors song and be totally excited and pleased.
Well, there are three examples. That is enough for now. I think I mentioned in previous blogs already about some of my soul music. If not, here is a short list… The Talking Heads (anything), The Smiths (anything), Bright Eyes “Fevers and Mirrors,” Lou Reed “Rock and Roll Animal,” Adam Again “Dig,” Nation of Ulysses (anything), Dead Milkmen (anything), Pixies “Come On Pilgrim,” and Steely Dan (anything). And that isn’t even considering Scaterd Few, Fishbone, Sade, Kyuss, Bjork, Van Halen, Breakfast With Amy, QOTSA, De La Soul, Radiohead, or Portishead!
Oh, and the two most underrated albums in my collection are Sincerely Paul’s “Grieve” and Painted Orange’s debut album.
See ya! And rock on.
Good news comes in twos today. Little Carlo grew up! He no longer looks like an onigiri/ladybug. He now stands on two feet, has a huge head, and looks like Kamen Rider (a Japanese super hero). Instead of bread for meals and candy for a snack, he now enjoys pizza and corndogs. And instead of singing and dancing, I catch him sitting with his back to me while he watches TV. Must be a teenager. The other good news is that Adult Swim is going to start showing Super Milk Chan Show! This is one of the weirdest and funniest Japanese cartoons ever. It reminds me of Ren and Stimpy in it’s very early days. It starts on November 7th, so be sure to tune in! Okay, on to the blog.
I know I may have talked about music a lot lately, but it is a phase I have been going through. Anyone who knows me knows that music is a huge part of my life. While I cringe when people say “I’m into all kinds of music,” I really am into a pretty diverse selection of music. My favorites are punk, soul, and true alternative music. Here’s a little insider secret; if we’ve been friends for a while, and I have made you a mix CD, I think a lot of you. I’ve decided to share my most passionate songs with you, which is like an encoded glimpse into my mind, heart, and soul.
Music in my life often amounts to more just songs I “like,” it often holds some deeper connection and meaning. So today, I am going to blog a little bit about some special music to me (which I was reminded of as I work on two new mix CDs). I’ve done this before, and I’ll do it again. :)
#1 - Some of you may remember Jamiroquai. They are still around, but they sort of peaked with the songs “Alright” and “Virtual Insanity.” Well, I have always bought their music the week it has come out, and I have been in love with their soul/disco sounds. In 2001, I was anxiously awaiting the release of their album “A Funk Odyssey.” It was slated for a Tuesday release, and I was going to bolt straight to the mall (right after general chemistry at IWCC). Well, as we all know, September 11th was a morning that was unlike any other.
We were all unsure of what had happened. I mean, we saw the video, and heard the reports, but there was so much uncertainty, and so much shock. Even as we discussed it in classes, we were all just trying to piece it together. After class, I walked through the mall, and everything was “dead.” No chatter, no music, hardly any shoppers. I bought the CD as planned, and got back in my car. It cheered me up to listen to it; Jamiroquai is always so positive and upbeat (had I bought a Smiths CD, I may have killed myself). But yet I sat in the parking lot, listening to the CD, crying my eyes out. To this day, I have mixed feelings about that album, but strong feelings nonetheless.
#2 – There was one time in the last year when I felt like I was ready to throw my life away, and start over from scratch. You don’t need to know too many more details than that… but it was a rough time for me. It was during this time that I first listened to The New Pornographers. They were a perfect blend of nonsense and clever, punky pop music. Not that the music is punk rock at all, beyond its attitude. I started to cycle The New Pornographers and Polyphonic Spree nonstop through my radio. The giddy, bubblegum nature of the music softened my mood. At that time in my life, the mixture of such great music and two “new” friendships that I desperately needed saved me from making a series of horrible choices. It is sad that I need audio Zoloft like I do, but hey, it helps me cope.
#3 – Growing up, I had very little in common with my dad. The things we did do together have long exited my life… hunting, shooting, and going to gun shows. See a theme? But one thing my dad did instill in me was a love for The Doors. He had a bulky stereo with a reel-to-reel player in our basement, and when we both would seek refuge down there to do guy-stuff (he worked with reloading equipment, and I played with my Star Wars figures), he would blast his music until you couldn’t even hear mom yelling down the stairs that supper was ready. He played Willie Nelson, CCR, and Hank Williams Jr., but my favorite was the Doors. He had a reel-to-reel copy of LA Woman that he had bought in Vietnam, and it sounded great. When Riders on the Storm or LA Woman came on, he would just stop, and listen. To this day, I do the same thing with certain songs. To him, he was just getting lost in the music… feeling the soul of the song, perhaps even remembering something he had tied to that music. What are my stop and listen songs? I’ll save that for a more intimate discussion, or at least another blog. To summarize, my dad made me a Doors fan for life. While some classic rock has just been overplayed (i.e. Led Zepplin), I can still hear any Doors song and be totally excited and pleased.
Well, there are three examples. That is enough for now. I think I mentioned in previous blogs already about some of my soul music. If not, here is a short list… The Talking Heads (anything), The Smiths (anything), Bright Eyes “Fevers and Mirrors,” Lou Reed “Rock and Roll Animal,” Adam Again “Dig,” Nation of Ulysses (anything), Dead Milkmen (anything), Pixies “Come On Pilgrim,” and Steely Dan (anything). And that isn’t even considering Scaterd Few, Fishbone, Sade, Kyuss, Bjork, Van Halen, Breakfast With Amy, QOTSA, De La Soul, Radiohead, or Portishead!
Oh, and the two most underrated albums in my collection are Sincerely Paul’s “Grieve” and Painted Orange’s debut album.
See ya! And rock on.
Sunday, October 24, 2004
Reelin' In The Years (or, "Wanna Razzle?")
First off... I want to bow to the standards and practices of blogging (which are slowly becoming apparent to me as I surf random blogs)...
Currently in my CD player:
1) De La Soul "The Grind Date" ("...back on the map")
2) Mindless Self Indulgence "Frankenstein Girls Will Seem Strangely Sexy"
3) Sade "The Best of..."
4) Steely Dan "Citizen Steely Dan" (ALWAYS in my player)
5) FLCL soundtrack (The Pillows are such a fun band!)
6) Marilyn Manson "Lest We Forget"
DVD player be playin':
1) Night of the Living Dead (an all-time October staple)
2) Hero (Zhang Ziyi is so hot)
3) Trigun (anime series. Almost done with it. Pretty cool stuff!)
4) .Hack//Legend of the Twilight (last volume came out... ended sort of lame...)
Current Fetishes:
1) Drinking non-diet pop (I let myself go this last week)
2) CLAMP's latest manga xxx-Holic
3) hoodies (I need to buy some new ones)
4) playing .Hack//Mutation on my PS2 and old-school games on my MAME emulator
5) waiting for November - The 2nd Season of Kids in the Hall, and Volume 3 of Aqua Teen Hunger Force are coming out!
Okay, got that out of the way.
I fear going back to school tomorrow. I have had a week off, and I have got nothing accomplished. I have totally forgotten where we are in classes, and what I need to be focusing on. I know that I have two tests this week, but I haven't studied well for them. :( What a waste of the week. It started out so strong, then sputtered out Tuesday night. From Wed. to now, I have been at the whim of others, and it sort of sucks. I didn't get to talk to any of my friends at all, except Christina and Yuri. *SIGH* If I didn't work ALL WEEKEND, I wouldn't have got to talk to Ade and Sarah at all this week. I have went about 10 days without a word from Phuong, and I have only touched base with Pat, Scott, and Mark. I haven't spoken with my classmates at all this week.
Anyway, I have a significant month coming up. After Halloween (next Sunday already!), I will have a month to end all months. On top of the greatest holiday ever, Thanksgiving, a bunch of tests and assignments, and the US Presidential election, I will also be celebrating my 30th birthday.
Unlike other people I know, I am not bummed out about this at all. It is going to be a nice way-point for me; a signifier that I am entering a new phase of my life. Getting older has been fun for me. All of the things that usually come with aging that cause people to worry are beyond me.
Exhibit A
1) Its not like I was ever handsome, or irresistible to women. So I don't have to work about time taking its toll on my looks. Besides, I am sailing into "30" without ever having a grey hair! Take that!
2) Its not like I was ever in peak physical condition. I was never going to be competitive at any sport, so as my body slows and weakens, I don't have to regret my loss of ability.
I have also made it to thirty without making too many horrible mistakes. I haven't been involved in any affairs, I haven't been in jail, I haven't found myself in credit trouble (well, I did, but I got out of it), I haven't any children (grin), I got out of the ministry before it got ugly (or uglier), I came to grips with WHY ministry and I are like oil and water, and I haven't embarrassed myself by ending up in the papers for misdemeanors or crimes. I didn't do any drugs, barely drank, was practically abstinent, and avoided the whole tattoo and piercing crazes. I didn't gravitate to too many popular ideologies, and I didn't stand up for trendy causes. I loved very little, but made sure the love I had was real (not that I have the whole love thing figured out yet...). No diseases, injuries, complexes, or ailments. If it wasn't for "hallway wrestling" at NCC, stupid dog that bit my butt when I was jogging, I wouldn't have any new scars either. Both my parents are still alive, and I have become a proud uncle.
Furthermore, things that age brings to humans are things I have learned to enjoy.
Exhibit B
1) Age makes the time shorter between when you say something and when you regret it. I am constantly feeling a bit bad about what has come out of my mouth, but as I get older, I sometimes even catch it before it comes out.
2) Age makes you comfortable with who you are. I know my weaknesses and I don't get defensive when they are pointed out. So when someone feels the need to say "Man, you have a loud mouth." I just smile and shut up.
3) Age makes you wiser. I understand who I am and what I want more now than ever before in my life. I don't feel as much pressure to appeal to others; I live as I see that I need to. I enjoy my few friendships more than I ever have, and I love a couple people more strongly than I ever have. I am quicker to forgive, slower to anger, and I feel as if I see a lot of simple beauty that I used to overlook.
I am very excited for my future, and I cannot wait to finally step into the adult world. Just 3 more years of school! I may not be fully grown up, but I happy with me. I couldn't always say that, even earlier this year. Somewhere along the line, with a little help from my friends, I crossed a line; and now my life looks promising and fulfilling.
I know who I am. I understand my weaknesses. I know what I truly believe in, and why (and what I am unsure of, and I am comfortable saying "I don't know"). I understand my feelings and how I am seen by others, and most of all, I am comfortable as me. And if YOU would like to be comfortable with me, just call... just kidding.
So here's to me. Happy early 30th birthday me.
See ya!
Currently in my CD player:
1) De La Soul "The Grind Date" ("...back on the map")
2) Mindless Self Indulgence "Frankenstein Girls Will Seem Strangely Sexy"
3) Sade "The Best of..."
4) Steely Dan "Citizen Steely Dan" (ALWAYS in my player)
5) FLCL soundtrack (The Pillows are such a fun band!)
6) Marilyn Manson "Lest We Forget"
DVD player be playin':
1) Night of the Living Dead (an all-time October staple)
2) Hero (Zhang Ziyi is so hot)
3) Trigun (anime series. Almost done with it. Pretty cool stuff!)
4) .Hack//Legend of the Twilight (last volume came out... ended sort of lame...)
Current Fetishes:
1) Drinking non-diet pop (I let myself go this last week)
2) CLAMP's latest manga xxx-Holic
3) hoodies (I need to buy some new ones)
4) playing .Hack//Mutation on my PS2 and old-school games on my MAME emulator
5) waiting for November - The 2nd Season of Kids in the Hall, and Volume 3 of Aqua Teen Hunger Force are coming out!
Okay, got that out of the way.
I fear going back to school tomorrow. I have had a week off, and I have got nothing accomplished. I have totally forgotten where we are in classes, and what I need to be focusing on. I know that I have two tests this week, but I haven't studied well for them. :( What a waste of the week. It started out so strong, then sputtered out Tuesday night. From Wed. to now, I have been at the whim of others, and it sort of sucks. I didn't get to talk to any of my friends at all, except Christina and Yuri. *SIGH* If I didn't work ALL WEEKEND, I wouldn't have got to talk to Ade and Sarah at all this week. I have went about 10 days without a word from Phuong, and I have only touched base with Pat, Scott, and Mark. I haven't spoken with my classmates at all this week.
Anyway, I have a significant month coming up. After Halloween (next Sunday already!), I will have a month to end all months. On top of the greatest holiday ever, Thanksgiving, a bunch of tests and assignments, and the US Presidential election, I will also be celebrating my 30th birthday.
Unlike other people I know, I am not bummed out about this at all. It is going to be a nice way-point for me; a signifier that I am entering a new phase of my life. Getting older has been fun for me. All of the things that usually come with aging that cause people to worry are beyond me.
Exhibit A
1) Its not like I was ever handsome, or irresistible to women. So I don't have to work about time taking its toll on my looks. Besides, I am sailing into "30" without ever having a grey hair! Take that!
2) Its not like I was ever in peak physical condition. I was never going to be competitive at any sport, so as my body slows and weakens, I don't have to regret my loss of ability.
I have also made it to thirty without making too many horrible mistakes. I haven't been involved in any affairs, I haven't been in jail, I haven't found myself in credit trouble (well, I did, but I got out of it), I haven't any children (grin), I got out of the ministry before it got ugly (or uglier), I came to grips with WHY ministry and I are like oil and water, and I haven't embarrassed myself by ending up in the papers for misdemeanors or crimes. I didn't do any drugs, barely drank, was practically abstinent, and avoided the whole tattoo and piercing crazes. I didn't gravitate to too many popular ideologies, and I didn't stand up for trendy causes. I loved very little, but made sure the love I had was real (not that I have the whole love thing figured out yet...). No diseases, injuries, complexes, or ailments. If it wasn't for "hallway wrestling" at NCC, stupid dog that bit my butt when I was jogging, I wouldn't have any new scars either. Both my parents are still alive, and I have become a proud uncle.
Furthermore, things that age brings to humans are things I have learned to enjoy.
Exhibit B
1) Age makes the time shorter between when you say something and when you regret it. I am constantly feeling a bit bad about what has come out of my mouth, but as I get older, I sometimes even catch it before it comes out.
2) Age makes you comfortable with who you are. I know my weaknesses and I don't get defensive when they are pointed out. So when someone feels the need to say "Man, you have a loud mouth." I just smile and shut up.
3) Age makes you wiser. I understand who I am and what I want more now than ever before in my life. I don't feel as much pressure to appeal to others; I live as I see that I need to. I enjoy my few friendships more than I ever have, and I love a couple people more strongly than I ever have. I am quicker to forgive, slower to anger, and I feel as if I see a lot of simple beauty that I used to overlook.
I am very excited for my future, and I cannot wait to finally step into the adult world. Just 3 more years of school! I may not be fully grown up, but I happy with me. I couldn't always say that, even earlier this year. Somewhere along the line, with a little help from my friends, I crossed a line; and now my life looks promising and fulfilling.
I know who I am. I understand my weaknesses. I know what I truly believe in, and why (and what I am unsure of, and I am comfortable saying "I don't know"). I understand my feelings and how I am seen by others, and most of all, I am comfortable as me. And if YOU would like to be comfortable with me, just call... just kidding.
So here's to me. Happy early 30th birthday me.
See ya!
Saturday, October 23, 2004
Sign It!
Okay, let me just get this one out of the way, and we’ll all feel a lot better. I didn’t want to do a serious blog entry this week, but I am growing very tired of our nation’s attitude. I do not want this blog to turn into one of these boring and banal political blogs, but I do have a little bit of a grievance to air. But don’t worry, I’ll be as brief as I can, and I’ll try to put my Carl spin on it (as opposed to angry-liberal activist blogger spin… you can get that elsewhere). It will be like that joke that is told by so many woman stand-up comedians… you know, the “let me just do this one thing…” joke. Let me just type this one, and get it out of my system. Then you can go home, and I’ll play PS2 or fall asleep, baby. (Ever been called “baby” by a blog before, baby?)
The refusal of the United States to sign the Kyoto Treaty is embarrassing and wrong. Russia looks as if they are going to sign it finally. This means that 50% of the world’s greenhouse gases will be accounted for in some way. They won’t be eliminated, but the countries responsible for generating them will be making efforts to reduce further pollution, and therefore reduce destruction of our Earth. I don’t know all of the arguments against signing it, but I am sure they are similar to past arguments; that the cost of compliance would kill many businesses, or become taxing on the government. My answer to this is, that’s unfortunate, but businessmen can restructure, and laborers can find new jobs if needed. The damage we are doing to the Earth may not be reversible. We are being horrible stewards of our planet, and as Americans, we are being horrible examples to the world.
The United States, once again, is showing how decadent and spoiled we are. Our country is single-handedly responsible for between 35% and 40% of the pollution targeted by the Kyoto Treaty, yet we refuse to align with the goals set within it. How pompous of us. If we would fall in line, over 80% of the emissions in the world would be under scrutiny, leading to a slowing of degradation of our environment. But then we’d be expected to show self-restraint, conservation, and maybe even the dreaded “inconvenience. “
Americans are ridiculous in our waste and pollution. We have parlayed manifest destiny into the notion of “rights,” and we have grossly preached the gospel of self-indulgence. We have created a culture where convenience and leisure have become more valuable than all other factors. We drive way too often, for worthless reasons, and in cars far too inefficient. What’s worse is the fact that we hide behind the notions of “America’s love affair with driving” and freedom to defend our selfish actions.
President Bush made the decision to go to war with Iraq on the notion that they harbored weapons that could be used in major offensives against peace-loving nations in terrorism. He had a spurious case at best, but the point I want to make is that he found support to go to war based on these claims. The real truth is that the United States is damaging the future of all nations with its careless living; and that is much easier to confirm than hidden barrels of biological weapons. Our WOMD are our SUVS, over-packaged food, convenience items, gluttonous use of utilities, and wasteful luxury products. Are we not just as potentially dangerous as the Iraqi regime we have fought to eliminate? Are we not terrorizing the planet with our careless ways? Is it any wonder that we are so hated? It would be foreseeable to me that the world would align against us, because we are consuming, spewing, and sprawling at rates detrimental to everyone but us.
I am sick and tired of Americans living like the party is never going to end. We are killing our own planet, much as we are killing ourselves. We are a great nation with great opportunity, and yet our people cannot manage to eat healthily, stay away from pumping poison into their own bodies, or decrease the amount of waste and pollution they create. We are completely complacent to all the problems we could be solving or slowing; global warming, AIDS, tobacco, obesity… the list goes on and on. The average American is more worried about getting a flu shot this year (even though demand on not-shortage years is low) than the amount of destruction they are causing. Everything we touch we find a way to poison.
In Akira Kurosawa’s movie Dreams (I have mentioned it a few posts ago), there is a vignette about environmentalism. On a holiday meant to appreciate the beauty of nature in bloom, the spirits of peach trees that were razed return to haunt the humans that live where their forest once stood. A young boy stands “trial” in front of the spirits. They mock him for the ignorance of man, who destroys nature to suit his own whim; but the boy cries. He stood alone against his family as they cut down the orchard, crying as the ax fell. His plea to the spirits were as follows,
“Peaches can be bought, but who can buy an orchard in bloom?”
Who indeed? America; shame on YOU, and shame on US. Sign the Kyoto Treaty and start working with the rest of the world instead of against it. Stop ignoring the mess we are making of the Earth, and let’s reevaluate the lifestyles that are marching us straight to ruin.
Thanks for indulging me. See ya! Baby.
The refusal of the United States to sign the Kyoto Treaty is embarrassing and wrong. Russia looks as if they are going to sign it finally. This means that 50% of the world’s greenhouse gases will be accounted for in some way. They won’t be eliminated, but the countries responsible for generating them will be making efforts to reduce further pollution, and therefore reduce destruction of our Earth. I don’t know all of the arguments against signing it, but I am sure they are similar to past arguments; that the cost of compliance would kill many businesses, or become taxing on the government. My answer to this is, that’s unfortunate, but businessmen can restructure, and laborers can find new jobs if needed. The damage we are doing to the Earth may not be reversible. We are being horrible stewards of our planet, and as Americans, we are being horrible examples to the world.
The United States, once again, is showing how decadent and spoiled we are. Our country is single-handedly responsible for between 35% and 40% of the pollution targeted by the Kyoto Treaty, yet we refuse to align with the goals set within it. How pompous of us. If we would fall in line, over 80% of the emissions in the world would be under scrutiny, leading to a slowing of degradation of our environment. But then we’d be expected to show self-restraint, conservation, and maybe even the dreaded “inconvenience. “
Americans are ridiculous in our waste and pollution. We have parlayed manifest destiny into the notion of “rights,” and we have grossly preached the gospel of self-indulgence. We have created a culture where convenience and leisure have become more valuable than all other factors. We drive way too often, for worthless reasons, and in cars far too inefficient. What’s worse is the fact that we hide behind the notions of “America’s love affair with driving” and freedom to defend our selfish actions.
President Bush made the decision to go to war with Iraq on the notion that they harbored weapons that could be used in major offensives against peace-loving nations in terrorism. He had a spurious case at best, but the point I want to make is that he found support to go to war based on these claims. The real truth is that the United States is damaging the future of all nations with its careless living; and that is much easier to confirm than hidden barrels of biological weapons. Our WOMD are our SUVS, over-packaged food, convenience items, gluttonous use of utilities, and wasteful luxury products. Are we not just as potentially dangerous as the Iraqi regime we have fought to eliminate? Are we not terrorizing the planet with our careless ways? Is it any wonder that we are so hated? It would be foreseeable to me that the world would align against us, because we are consuming, spewing, and sprawling at rates detrimental to everyone but us.
I am sick and tired of Americans living like the party is never going to end. We are killing our own planet, much as we are killing ourselves. We are a great nation with great opportunity, and yet our people cannot manage to eat healthily, stay away from pumping poison into their own bodies, or decrease the amount of waste and pollution they create. We are completely complacent to all the problems we could be solving or slowing; global warming, AIDS, tobacco, obesity… the list goes on and on. The average American is more worried about getting a flu shot this year (even though demand on not-shortage years is low) than the amount of destruction they are causing. Everything we touch we find a way to poison.
In Akira Kurosawa’s movie Dreams (I have mentioned it a few posts ago), there is a vignette about environmentalism. On a holiday meant to appreciate the beauty of nature in bloom, the spirits of peach trees that were razed return to haunt the humans that live where their forest once stood. A young boy stands “trial” in front of the spirits. They mock him for the ignorance of man, who destroys nature to suit his own whim; but the boy cries. He stood alone against his family as they cut down the orchard, crying as the ax fell. His plea to the spirits were as follows,
“Peaches can be bought, but who can buy an orchard in bloom?”
Who indeed? America; shame on YOU, and shame on US. Sign the Kyoto Treaty and start working with the rest of the world instead of against it. Stop ignoring the mess we are making of the Earth, and let’s reevaluate the lifestyles that are marching us straight to ruin.
Thanks for indulging me. See ya! Baby.
Tamagotchi
Hey! I have spoken before about my fascination with virtual pets. Well, thanks to Bandai re-releasing Tamagotchi toys this summer, I now am once again a proud parent. Of course, I realize how sad that it is for a soon-to-be 30 year old to be obsessing over a digital pet, but I can't help myself. :) It is pretty much like the old ones, which created the virtual pet craze in the 90's, except that the new ones can use an IR beam to communicate with other Tamagotchi. It even stores a friend list (up to 50 names) of who you have talked to! For me, the ingenuity behind these toys is amazing.
I bought the thing Wednesday, and smiled at how much fun the dumb thing really is. It is funny how $15 worth of plastic and LEDs can make you happy. The egg hatched, and a little blob appeared (I named him Carlo). It didn't do much, but I still fed it and "praised" it. It was funny to see it drink from a baby bottle, so I kept feeding it... until I made it sick. So then I had to give it medicine.
My poor parenting continued on day two, when the small blob turned into a larger, white blob (who looked like a cross between Pac-Man and a doughnut). It awoke from its sleeping at 8 AM, when it started immediately making noise. Unfortunately, Thursday was my ONE day to sleep in during my break. So my silicone and plastic child woke me up. :( I decided that I had better exercise the stupid thing, since it was getting fat. So I made it play one of the two games that it can play. Soon, it had jumped over enough hurdles, and played Simon enough to make my thumbs hurt. It was trim and happy, but was hungry. So I indulged it.
Later that evening, the blob changed into what I assume is it's final form. These things are programmed to give you one of a large variety of monster designs. Mine (the "ichigothci" according to www.tamagotchi.com) is a either a lady bug-like snail, or a living onigiri (rice ball). Either way, its kawaii and chibi! Kyaa! :-P
Day three came, and I was spending the day at the hospital (a family member had surgery Friday). I forgot to place the Tamagotchi on "pause", so it had a very bad day. When I got home (9 PM), it was already asleep (the thing sleeps from 8 PM to 8 AM, and in this time you cannot play with it. This is a favor to parents everywhere). The screen was filled with virtual poop. It had gone all day without exercising, eating, and cleaning. It had literally "shat" itself off the screen... so now I am waiting for 8 AM to come so I can at least get my pet's environment sanitary again. Oh, and the screen is also adorned with a huge skull... I am not sure if it is dead or sick... must be due to the poop.
For those of you who have never played with one of these, you are missing out. Nothing beats the ego-building power of being an educated, professional adult and having to press the "toilet" button to clear the screen of little piles of digital feces. Shouldn't I be reading up about the election, or studying for my anatomy test that is coming up? I mean, I hardly looked at any biochemistry this week. It feels as if I wasted a whole week, and as if I haven't been to school in months.
Anyway, once again I am addicted to a virtual pet. If you see my backpack lying about at school or work, and it has a lime green, egg-shaped keychain hanging from it, you'll know I am once again taking my pet in public with me. Why lime green? Because Bandai, in all their wisdom, released the thing in a cavalcade of bright colors (pink, orange, purple, lime green); all attracting way too much attention for my tastes. The green was the only one that remotely had a chance at not looking too freakish. Try not to judge me. :)
Oh, and if you have a Tamagotchi, track me down so we can hook up. The IR link allows these things to breed. *SIGH* Either I have an endearing, child-like view of life, or I need some serious help growing up...
See ya!
I bought the thing Wednesday, and smiled at how much fun the dumb thing really is. It is funny how $15 worth of plastic and LEDs can make you happy. The egg hatched, and a little blob appeared (I named him Carlo). It didn't do much, but I still fed it and "praised" it. It was funny to see it drink from a baby bottle, so I kept feeding it... until I made it sick. So then I had to give it medicine.
My poor parenting continued on day two, when the small blob turned into a larger, white blob (who looked like a cross between Pac-Man and a doughnut). It awoke from its sleeping at 8 AM, when it started immediately making noise. Unfortunately, Thursday was my ONE day to sleep in during my break. So my silicone and plastic child woke me up. :( I decided that I had better exercise the stupid thing, since it was getting fat. So I made it play one of the two games that it can play. Soon, it had jumped over enough hurdles, and played Simon enough to make my thumbs hurt. It was trim and happy, but was hungry. So I indulged it.
Later that evening, the blob changed into what I assume is it's final form. These things are programmed to give you one of a large variety of monster designs. Mine (the "ichigothci" according to www.tamagotchi.com) is a either a lady bug-like snail, or a living onigiri (rice ball). Either way, its kawaii and chibi! Kyaa! :-P
Day three came, and I was spending the day at the hospital (a family member had surgery Friday). I forgot to place the Tamagotchi on "pause", so it had a very bad day. When I got home (9 PM), it was already asleep (the thing sleeps from 8 PM to 8 AM, and in this time you cannot play with it. This is a favor to parents everywhere). The screen was filled with virtual poop. It had gone all day without exercising, eating, and cleaning. It had literally "shat" itself off the screen... so now I am waiting for 8 AM to come so I can at least get my pet's environment sanitary again. Oh, and the screen is also adorned with a huge skull... I am not sure if it is dead or sick... must be due to the poop.
For those of you who have never played with one of these, you are missing out. Nothing beats the ego-building power of being an educated, professional adult and having to press the "toilet" button to clear the screen of little piles of digital feces. Shouldn't I be reading up about the election, or studying for my anatomy test that is coming up? I mean, I hardly looked at any biochemistry this week. It feels as if I wasted a whole week, and as if I haven't been to school in months.
Anyway, once again I am addicted to a virtual pet. If you see my backpack lying about at school or work, and it has a lime green, egg-shaped keychain hanging from it, you'll know I am once again taking my pet in public with me. Why lime green? Because Bandai, in all their wisdom, released the thing in a cavalcade of bright colors (pink, orange, purple, lime green); all attracting way too much attention for my tastes. The green was the only one that remotely had a chance at not looking too freakish. Try not to judge me. :)
Oh, and if you have a Tamagotchi, track me down so we can hook up. The IR link allows these things to breed. *SIGH* Either I have an endearing, child-like view of life, or I need some serious help growing up...
See ya!
Wednesday, October 20, 2004
Best Break Ever
Hey! I bet you are all wondering what I am up to (other than making up fake political ads)? Well, I have two weekdays and two weekend days left before school resumes, and I am having a blast. Here is what I have done so far to waste my time...
1) I have watched several movies on DVD that I have been meaning to see. So far, my favorite one has been Dreams (by Akira Kurosawa). More on that in a future blog.
2) I have read one book, and seven mangas.
3) I have studied Japanese.
4) I have played three hours of .Hack//Mutation on PS2.
5) I wrote much overdue emails to Atsuko and Yuki (I am sorry!).
6) I visited my friends at IWCC; Yuri and Christina.
7) I studied Anatomy and Biochemistry.
8) I have gone out for breakfast three times.
9) I have gained four pounds.
10) I have spent about 3 hours in bookstores ("shopping").
It's been one of my best breaks ever. Lonely, but fun. I need to hit my studies a little harder in the next few days, though. I sort of feel like I am not in school at all. It is funny how quickly your schedule becomes topsy-turvy. I find myself wasting so much time that just a week ago came at a premium. I keep telling myself "It is my break, I deserve a little fun because it is back to work soon enough." That has some merit, but the truth is, I don't really deny myself of all fun during my school days. So, in short, I am soooo lazy! I hope I get some work done soon!
See ya!
1) I have watched several movies on DVD that I have been meaning to see. So far, my favorite one has been Dreams (by Akira Kurosawa). More on that in a future blog.
2) I have read one book, and seven mangas.
3) I have studied Japanese.
4) I have played three hours of .Hack//Mutation on PS2.
5) I wrote much overdue emails to Atsuko and Yuki (I am sorry!).
6) I visited my friends at IWCC; Yuri and Christina.
7) I studied Anatomy and Biochemistry.
8) I have gone out for breakfast three times.
9) I have gained four pounds.
10) I have spent about 3 hours in bookstores ("shopping").
It's been one of my best breaks ever. Lonely, but fun. I need to hit my studies a little harder in the next few days, though. I sort of feel like I am not in school at all. It is funny how quickly your schedule becomes topsy-turvy. I find myself wasting so much time that just a week ago came at a premium. I keep telling myself "It is my break, I deserve a little fun because it is back to work soon enough." That has some merit, but the truth is, I don't really deny myself of all fun during my school days. So, in short, I am soooo lazy! I hope I get some work done soon!
See ya!
Monday, October 18, 2004
Paid for by the Citizens for Carl Smith
Hello. I am Carl Smith, and I approved this blog. If I was to run for an office (let's say, president), here is how my commercial would go...
America; during the days following 9-11, America has faced some tough times. Negativity and loss of opportunity have become abundant. Carl Smith, an American candidate for Americans, will end this cycle.
1) Carl Smith is a proponent of the arts; he spends about $60 a month on manga, CD's, downloading music from MSN Music, and movies. His spending is good for American economy, and supports American jobs...
2) Carl Smith is a supporter of education; he has been in college since 1992, with only a 14 month sabbitical. Other candidates say they support education, but Carl Smith has put his money where his mouth is.
3) Carl Smith understands international affairs; he has spent the last year trying to learn Japanese, cook Japanese, and talks to Japanese pen-pals. He also has interest in Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, Australia, and Hawaii (all sorts of foreign countries). Not to mention, he loves food from Mexico, Italy, France...
4) Carl Smith is a candidate of faith; he attends a church and owns a Bible. That's enough, right?
5) Carl Smith understands issues of science; he studies evolutionary biology, chemistry, astronomy, geology, and anthropology. And depending who he's with and where he is sitting at school, he studies anatomy...
6) Carl Smith is quick to realize and own up to his errors; okay, that anatomy comment was off color. And a bit sexist. I realize this. Let's not sling mud, let's look to the future...
7) Carl Smith understands health care; he is studying to be a pharmacist and lives with a nurse. 'Nuff said. He doesn't drink (well, 99% of the time). Doesn't use drugs (except to appease his raging caffeine addiction). You won't see him embarrass us with sudden diagnosis of STDs, because, well, that's a long story...
8) Carl Smith is not afraid of tough issues; he hates terrorism. He hates murder. He despises crime. In all of these controversial issues, you can expect him to take a hard stand. On other minor issues, like abortion, he likes to keep an open mind... if that's what you all want him to do.
9) Carl Smith respects the Constitution; he doesn't think the Constitution should be used as a political tool... so he hasn't read it. He is that reverent of American History. It is enough for him that Paul Revere brought the Constitution to Plymouth, to send with Lewis and Clark on their journey to buy Texas and Alaska from Napoleon, at which time George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Franklin Roosevelt, Benjamin Franklin, Stonewall Jackson, and Frederick Douglas signed it, and sent it back to Washington D.C. via the Pony Express, so that it could be engraved into the plaque that the Statue of Liberty holds. Isn't that enough for ALL of us? Why tinker with the Constitution.
Carl Smith: a candidate for YOU, and for OUR future...
See ya!
America; during the days following 9-11, America has faced some tough times. Negativity and loss of opportunity have become abundant. Carl Smith, an American candidate for Americans, will end this cycle.
1) Carl Smith is a proponent of the arts; he spends about $60 a month on manga, CD's, downloading music from MSN Music, and movies. His spending is good for American economy, and supports American jobs...
2) Carl Smith is a supporter of education; he has been in college since 1992, with only a 14 month sabbitical. Other candidates say they support education, but Carl Smith has put his money where his mouth is.
3) Carl Smith understands international affairs; he has spent the last year trying to learn Japanese, cook Japanese, and talks to Japanese pen-pals. He also has interest in Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, Australia, and Hawaii (all sorts of foreign countries). Not to mention, he loves food from Mexico, Italy, France...
4) Carl Smith is a candidate of faith; he attends a church and owns a Bible. That's enough, right?
5) Carl Smith understands issues of science; he studies evolutionary biology, chemistry, astronomy, geology, and anthropology. And depending who he's with and where he is sitting at school, he studies anatomy...
6) Carl Smith is quick to realize and own up to his errors; okay, that anatomy comment was off color. And a bit sexist. I realize this. Let's not sling mud, let's look to the future...
7) Carl Smith understands health care; he is studying to be a pharmacist and lives with a nurse. 'Nuff said. He doesn't drink (well, 99% of the time). Doesn't use drugs (except to appease his raging caffeine addiction). You won't see him embarrass us with sudden diagnosis of STDs, because, well, that's a long story...
8) Carl Smith is not afraid of tough issues; he hates terrorism. He hates murder. He despises crime. In all of these controversial issues, you can expect him to take a hard stand. On other minor issues, like abortion, he likes to keep an open mind... if that's what you all want him to do.
9) Carl Smith respects the Constitution; he doesn't think the Constitution should be used as a political tool... so he hasn't read it. He is that reverent of American History. It is enough for him that Paul Revere brought the Constitution to Plymouth, to send with Lewis and Clark on their journey to buy Texas and Alaska from Napoleon, at which time George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Franklin Roosevelt, Benjamin Franklin, Stonewall Jackson, and Frederick Douglas signed it, and sent it back to Washington D.C. via the Pony Express, so that it could be engraved into the plaque that the Statue of Liberty holds. Isn't that enough for ALL of us? Why tinker with the Constitution.
Carl Smith: a candidate for YOU, and for OUR future...
See ya!
Friday, October 15, 2004
Don't you remember the garden grove where we walked? Pluck the finest flower of them all; 't'will wither to a stalk.
I have sort of been in a sappy love story mood lately. I think it has to do with (among other things) reading the Inuyasha manga series (I read all 19 volumes that are available in English over the last 3 weeks). While it is a violent action manga, the love stories within are very touching (the comedy is good too by the way). I posted a scene from Vol.18 below.
The title of the blog comes from a song (Cold Blows the Wind by Ween), and it is related to the tragic love stories of the Far East. It particularly reminds me of a story I have fallen completely in love with... It is the first "dream" in Soseki Natsume's Ten Nights of Dreams. It is about a man who expresses his love to a woman on her death bed, and she asks him to wait for her to return to him. So he waits, by her grave side... A fantastic love story. I am working on translating the rest of the book, by the way.
I was going to blog about all of my favorite tender moments in literature and movies, but I am not sure how it would come off. I mean, there are only so many adjectives I know to explain what my heart feels (for more on the heart, peek over at Paul's Ponderings; use the link below my poll). A lot of the movie and prose moments that tug at my heartstrings have to do with situations in my own life; people I love (secretly or publicly), people I have had a hard time letting know how I feel, people who have let me down, and so on. So, to speak of too many of these things would really open myself up for a lot of examination... not something I wanted to do when I first came up with this topic.
I am also aware that I can be overly affected by matters of the heart. This is, as I have mentioned in past posts, an off-shoot of events in my life that left me broken, and reassembled me in a much more fragile version of myself. For instance, one of my favorite past times is playing video games, primarily RPGs. In the game Final Fantasy 7, there is a character named Aeris who you really start to love. In an unprecedented plot element, she is murdered before your eyes. So, not only do you see her unexpected demise, you watch as the other characters lay her to rest, and try to come to grips with her absence. I never did finish the game, because this depressed me so much. I mean HONEST depression.
So, I always use a little care in these sorts of discussions... because I know I have the ability to over-react to fiction. But, here is a short (edited) list of beautiful "love" moments from my favorite fictional works;
1) movie: Patton. General Patton stumbles upon a battlefield. The men fought through the night. Ammo and fuel ran out, so the battle turned hand to hand. One soldier mustered the strength to stay alive long enough to give report to the general, who was too late to act as reinforcement. The soldier dies as the general watches. Then General Patton leans over and kisses the man on the forehead. This is how all military leaders should behave; he realized that the man was valiant, and he honored his soul by mourning his loss. All too often we get the message that soldiers are just pawns. Of course, Primetime did a story last night that the US gov't is trying to make a Purple Heart winner, who miraculously survived a mortar attack but is now disabled, pay back his enlistment bonus. Anyway, the juxtaposition of bloody war, a godlike general, and the tender kiss on the forehead makes for a powerful scene.
2)book: The English Patient. I don't want to give away too much of this plot, especially if all you have ever known of this great story is the movie... the whole book is an exercise in challenging the reader to define what love is, how powerful of a force it is, and then dares you to make a moral judgment on the actions of others. The "return to the cave" part of the book is enough to kill a person emotionally.
3)book: The Scarlet Pimpernel. A classic. In it, a man absolutely worships his wife, but he acts like a fop to cover the fact that he is a French Revolution version of Batman. There is a scene where she storms away from him (because he is acting so ridiculous; in character), and once she leaves, he stoops to kiss the place where she stood. It was killing him that he couldn't just be passionate to the woman who held his heart.
4)movie: The Royal Tennenbaums. Here is an intimate Carl fact that I will share... this movie absolutely levels me every time I see it. I see myself as an analog of the broken Richie Tennenbaum, and my brother as Eli Cash. Anyway, the 'Baumer is secretly in love with his adopted sister. This is of course a taboo subject, but it is a good representation of all "forbidden" love that drives a man insane from the inside out. The pressure that he feels as his heart is consumed with love, and the utter lack of ability to express it leads him to attempt suicide. The suicide attempt is such a powerful scene that a lot of times I have to skip over it, especially in those times when I am in a questionable mood.
5)movie: American History X. I know what you are thinking; this isn't a movie with a lot of love in it. But there is a loving relationship between the lead character and his little brother. When the lead character's eyes are opened, and he realizes that racism and hate are not acceptable, he tries to also save his brother. It is amazing how much we are responsible for in the characteristics of our friends and family. I pretty much raised my brother, and I often feel very guilty that he isn't on the most solid path. I don't beat myself up too much about it, because he is an adult, and can make his own decisions... but this movie always strikes a nerve with me concerning the love of a big brother for his younger brother. Same as the feelings that come up when I watch A River Runs Through It, and Legends of the Fall.
6) movie: Solaris. A man loses the woman he loves, and through a cosmic coincidence, she is reincarnated (sort of). But it isn't really her. Her soul is gone; she is just a reflection of the mortal woman he fell in love with. The man must wrestle with the conflict of what to do with the doppleganger. Does he allow it to exist, and deal with he loss by living with the reflection (therefore, living in denial)? Or does he face the truth of the tragedy, and live without the woman who completed his soul? A fantastic movie that was largely overlooked (actually, it is a remake, but I do feel that the George Clooney version is better). Sometimes we find ourselves consumed by a love that simply cannot (or should not) be. The hardest thing to do is accept that you missed out.
7)movie: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Another epic movie, centered around the theme of forbidden love. And just when the couple is about to go public, and give in to love, WHAM, tragedy strikes. The most powerful moment is when Michelle Yeoh's character pins the young woman responsible for her lover's death... and lets her live. She challenges the young woman to follow her heart, and not live a life of regret from not loving. The agony of her loss, and her desire for vengeance were held in check by her understanding that life is too short to ignore love. In a fitting conclusion, the young woman (I should mention that the young woman is the gorgeous Zhang Ziyi) meets up with her true love, then promptly commits suicide. She recognizes the power of true love, and she cannot live with herself in the arms of her man when she has prohibited a similar love from being expressed in others. A fantastic and powerful love story, if not tragic. Plus there is tons of wuxia action! (wuxia is fantasy swordplay, not something perverted...)
That should do it for now. I am finding it hard, as mentioned, to separate the tender scenes from closely guarded emotions. Love always finds a way to be difficult, doesn't it? Since I opened with Ween, I will close with Ween, "Sometimes the ones you hold so close can make you cry, but it's a pain in the ass to let 'em go." (for those of you who don't know, Ween is a smart-aleky pseudo-punk/true-alternative band)
So, everyone, have a great weekend. For my friends at Creighton, have a great fall break. Since you have all of that free time, maybe you should look into one of the movies or books that I have obsessed over... :)
See ya! Oh, and love ya!
The title of the blog comes from a song (Cold Blows the Wind by Ween), and it is related to the tragic love stories of the Far East. It particularly reminds me of a story I have fallen completely in love with... It is the first "dream" in Soseki Natsume's Ten Nights of Dreams. It is about a man who expresses his love to a woman on her death bed, and she asks him to wait for her to return to him. So he waits, by her grave side... A fantastic love story. I am working on translating the rest of the book, by the way.
I was going to blog about all of my favorite tender moments in literature and movies, but I am not sure how it would come off. I mean, there are only so many adjectives I know to explain what my heart feels (for more on the heart, peek over at Paul's Ponderings; use the link below my poll). A lot of the movie and prose moments that tug at my heartstrings have to do with situations in my own life; people I love (secretly or publicly), people I have had a hard time letting know how I feel, people who have let me down, and so on. So, to speak of too many of these things would really open myself up for a lot of examination... not something I wanted to do when I first came up with this topic.
I am also aware that I can be overly affected by matters of the heart. This is, as I have mentioned in past posts, an off-shoot of events in my life that left me broken, and reassembled me in a much more fragile version of myself. For instance, one of my favorite past times is playing video games, primarily RPGs. In the game Final Fantasy 7, there is a character named Aeris who you really start to love. In an unprecedented plot element, she is murdered before your eyes. So, not only do you see her unexpected demise, you watch as the other characters lay her to rest, and try to come to grips with her absence. I never did finish the game, because this depressed me so much. I mean HONEST depression.
So, I always use a little care in these sorts of discussions... because I know I have the ability to over-react to fiction. But, here is a short (edited) list of beautiful "love" moments from my favorite fictional works;
1) movie: Patton. General Patton stumbles upon a battlefield. The men fought through the night. Ammo and fuel ran out, so the battle turned hand to hand. One soldier mustered the strength to stay alive long enough to give report to the general, who was too late to act as reinforcement. The soldier dies as the general watches. Then General Patton leans over and kisses the man on the forehead. This is how all military leaders should behave; he realized that the man was valiant, and he honored his soul by mourning his loss. All too often we get the message that soldiers are just pawns. Of course, Primetime did a story last night that the US gov't is trying to make a Purple Heart winner, who miraculously survived a mortar attack but is now disabled, pay back his enlistment bonus. Anyway, the juxtaposition of bloody war, a godlike general, and the tender kiss on the forehead makes for a powerful scene.
2)book: The English Patient. I don't want to give away too much of this plot, especially if all you have ever known of this great story is the movie... the whole book is an exercise in challenging the reader to define what love is, how powerful of a force it is, and then dares you to make a moral judgment on the actions of others. The "return to the cave" part of the book is enough to kill a person emotionally.
3)book: The Scarlet Pimpernel. A classic. In it, a man absolutely worships his wife, but he acts like a fop to cover the fact that he is a French Revolution version of Batman. There is a scene where she storms away from him (because he is acting so ridiculous; in character), and once she leaves, he stoops to kiss the place where she stood. It was killing him that he couldn't just be passionate to the woman who held his heart.
4)movie: The Royal Tennenbaums. Here is an intimate Carl fact that I will share... this movie absolutely levels me every time I see it. I see myself as an analog of the broken Richie Tennenbaum, and my brother as Eli Cash. Anyway, the 'Baumer is secretly in love with his adopted sister. This is of course a taboo subject, but it is a good representation of all "forbidden" love that drives a man insane from the inside out. The pressure that he feels as his heart is consumed with love, and the utter lack of ability to express it leads him to attempt suicide. The suicide attempt is such a powerful scene that a lot of times I have to skip over it, especially in those times when I am in a questionable mood.
5)movie: American History X. I know what you are thinking; this isn't a movie with a lot of love in it. But there is a loving relationship between the lead character and his little brother. When the lead character's eyes are opened, and he realizes that racism and hate are not acceptable, he tries to also save his brother. It is amazing how much we are responsible for in the characteristics of our friends and family. I pretty much raised my brother, and I often feel very guilty that he isn't on the most solid path. I don't beat myself up too much about it, because he is an adult, and can make his own decisions... but this movie always strikes a nerve with me concerning the love of a big brother for his younger brother. Same as the feelings that come up when I watch A River Runs Through It, and Legends of the Fall.
6) movie: Solaris. A man loses the woman he loves, and through a cosmic coincidence, she is reincarnated (sort of). But it isn't really her. Her soul is gone; she is just a reflection of the mortal woman he fell in love with. The man must wrestle with the conflict of what to do with the doppleganger. Does he allow it to exist, and deal with he loss by living with the reflection (therefore, living in denial)? Or does he face the truth of the tragedy, and live without the woman who completed his soul? A fantastic movie that was largely overlooked (actually, it is a remake, but I do feel that the George Clooney version is better). Sometimes we find ourselves consumed by a love that simply cannot (or should not) be. The hardest thing to do is accept that you missed out.
7)movie: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Another epic movie, centered around the theme of forbidden love. And just when the couple is about to go public, and give in to love, WHAM, tragedy strikes. The most powerful moment is when Michelle Yeoh's character pins the young woman responsible for her lover's death... and lets her live. She challenges the young woman to follow her heart, and not live a life of regret from not loving. The agony of her loss, and her desire for vengeance were held in check by her understanding that life is too short to ignore love. In a fitting conclusion, the young woman (I should mention that the young woman is the gorgeous Zhang Ziyi) meets up with her true love, then promptly commits suicide. She recognizes the power of true love, and she cannot live with herself in the arms of her man when she has prohibited a similar love from being expressed in others. A fantastic and powerful love story, if not tragic. Plus there is tons of wuxia action! (wuxia is fantasy swordplay, not something perverted...)
That should do it for now. I am finding it hard, as mentioned, to separate the tender scenes from closely guarded emotions. Love always finds a way to be difficult, doesn't it? Since I opened with Ween, I will close with Ween, "Sometimes the ones you hold so close can make you cry, but it's a pain in the ass to let 'em go." (for those of you who don't know, Ween is a smart-aleky pseudo-punk/true-alternative band)
So, everyone, have a great weekend. For my friends at Creighton, have a great fall break. Since you have all of that free time, maybe you should look into one of the movies or books that I have obsessed over... :)
See ya! Oh, and love ya!
Thursday, October 14, 2004
Eighteen volumes (or about $160 in monetary terms) into one of my favorite manga series, we have ourselves a very touching moment. You don't have to know anything about the characters or the plot to feel the power in these words. The manga is Inuyasha, and it is a fantastic series. Want to know more about manga or Inuyasha? Just ask me, and I will turn into super-nerd and tell you all about it! :) Enjoy the emotions and the picture.
Wednesday, October 13, 2004
Not Exactly Solid Gold
Um, I guess I was a little embarrassed yesterday when two of my friends made it pretty clear to me that I needed to update my blog. :) Not because I haven't updated it, but because I felt as if my real life was crossing into my imaginary world of blogging. You see, while I know that people read this, in my mind it still functions as a journal. When the friendly teasing began, I quickly had to think back... "oh crap, what have I written about in the last week?" Suddenly, a blogger becomes very self conscious...
Anyway, on to the bloggin'. I don't have much interest in typing this week, but I felt as if I should stay in the habit. There isn't a bunch of great news out there; most of it is about the election. Well, elections and flu vaccine shortages. But in true American fashion, we are still reporting what our celebrities are up to. No matter what goes on in the world, we LOVE to hear the gossip on celebrities.
Here is a list of stuff I have heard just in the last 24 hours, and I have been busy with school and work. That is to say, I haven't LOOKED for news, but yet all this information came to me on local 10 PM news or headlines.
Tommy Lee (from Pamela... er, I mean Motley Crue fame) is in Nebraska shooting a reality show, on the campus of the state university. Lindsay Lohan is calling radio talk shows to curse and complain about rumors being spread about her (that is soooo high school). Apparently she likes to party, and is getting a reputation. Her troubles are compounding because her parents are in a heated court battle over a domestic dispute, and her rival Hillary Duff is trash talking about her on her new CD. All of this after the whole sleazy internet community got to see her nipple earlier this year, thanks to the paparazzi. And of course, Paris Hilton is constantly in the news... but no one ever knows why (dude, she isn't that pretty).
Oliver Stone reported this week that he lost his virginity to a hooker that his father paid for, and in related news, Jennifer Lopez has been talking about her movie sex scenes, and how horrible the experiences were for her (she is playing the shy, modest card... but have you seen the photos and videos she has done the last few years?). Joey (I mean, Matt LeBlanc) is vehemently fighting allegations that he is gay. New reports say that he has paid his limo driver to set up homosexual encounters in his limo... but Matt, in a Mike Piazza-like manner, is categorically denying ever having sex with a man.
Phil Jackson, basketball coach, is writing a book. Apparently in it he reveals that player Kobe Bryant is a bad person. Really? Eminem, a controversial rapper, has a new video in which he dresses up as, and makes fun of MC Hammer, Pee Wee Herman, Madonna, and Michael Jackson. Is it 1989 again? Anyway, Jackson is ticked off because the video shows Eminem (as Jacko) with his hair on fire, playing on a bed with children, and having his nose fall off (as he chases it around a dance floor). Jackson has appealed to have video channels ban it; and BET has. Apparently, in other music news, Brittney Spears is trashy... her new commercial campaign supporting her new perfume are a little racy, and she is dressing like a stereotypical trailer park princess. And her new hubby is white trash to the core. In the words of David Spade, "Look everyone, a falling star. Make a wish!"
Oh, and in case you were wondering, Martha Stewart reports that she is having a "good time" in jail (no joke!).
Why are we so obsessed with the goings-on of Hollywood and Nashville? The answer lies in the fact that we never see these people as real to begin with. Their lives are as soap-opera-like and mellow-dramatic as their movies and TV shows are. We never understand why they complain about being hounded, and we definitely can't empathize with them when they cry about the hardships of fame. It’s the “poor little rich girl” syndrome. We don't see them as real people; they are the modern day version of Greek Gods and Titans... complete with tragedy, epic romance, falls from grace, double-crosses, conquests, passionate trysts, and feuds. And we mortals are helpless to do anything but watch.
We don't pay attention because we care; we pay attention because it is a part of the show. There is absolutely ZERO attributes that these people possess (seemingly) that we can relate to. None of us are as beautiful and elegant as they come off being... but it is all an illusion. One of my favorite things is when these tabloid magazines publish candid pictures of celebrities... Look, there is Niccole Kidman (She has cellulite all over her ass!). There is Gwenyth Paltrow (She has ketchup on her face). Brad Pitt (booger in nose). Lindsay Lohan (fell out of her bikini). They have acne. Unfortunate body hair. Look awful in swimsuits. Visible panty line/”snuggies”. Hail damage. Stretch marks. Poorly endowed (with muscles… what did you think I meant?). Spare tires. Hemorrhoids. Not blessed with brains. Just like us. But we never see it (unless the guerillas at Weekly Star get a lucky camera shot).
This is why we are taught from our parents from day one that true beauty has nothing to do with good lighting, the right clothes, a good publicist, and airbrushing. There is someone I know now that is far more beautiful than Angelina Jolie... it may not be immediately obvious, but after knowing them for a long time, you see that their beauty goes clear to the heart. I am lucky enough to know a few people who are this way.
So, we obsess over the Hollywood freak show simply because it IS a freak show. As for me, I'll take my half-dozen friends, with their weaknesses, bad days, and all. And for these few people that I hold dear, I wouldn't trade knowing you for anything fame could offer.
See ya!
Anyway, on to the bloggin'. I don't have much interest in typing this week, but I felt as if I should stay in the habit. There isn't a bunch of great news out there; most of it is about the election. Well, elections and flu vaccine shortages. But in true American fashion, we are still reporting what our celebrities are up to. No matter what goes on in the world, we LOVE to hear the gossip on celebrities.
Here is a list of stuff I have heard just in the last 24 hours, and I have been busy with school and work. That is to say, I haven't LOOKED for news, but yet all this information came to me on local 10 PM news or headlines.
Tommy Lee (from Pamela... er, I mean Motley Crue fame) is in Nebraska shooting a reality show, on the campus of the state university. Lindsay Lohan is calling radio talk shows to curse and complain about rumors being spread about her (that is soooo high school). Apparently she likes to party, and is getting a reputation. Her troubles are compounding because her parents are in a heated court battle over a domestic dispute, and her rival Hillary Duff is trash talking about her on her new CD. All of this after the whole sleazy internet community got to see her nipple earlier this year, thanks to the paparazzi. And of course, Paris Hilton is constantly in the news... but no one ever knows why (dude, she isn't that pretty).
Oliver Stone reported this week that he lost his virginity to a hooker that his father paid for, and in related news, Jennifer Lopez has been talking about her movie sex scenes, and how horrible the experiences were for her (she is playing the shy, modest card... but have you seen the photos and videos she has done the last few years?). Joey (I mean, Matt LeBlanc) is vehemently fighting allegations that he is gay. New reports say that he has paid his limo driver to set up homosexual encounters in his limo... but Matt, in a Mike Piazza-like manner, is categorically denying ever having sex with a man.
Phil Jackson, basketball coach, is writing a book. Apparently in it he reveals that player Kobe Bryant is a bad person. Really? Eminem, a controversial rapper, has a new video in which he dresses up as, and makes fun of MC Hammer, Pee Wee Herman, Madonna, and Michael Jackson. Is it 1989 again? Anyway, Jackson is ticked off because the video shows Eminem (as Jacko) with his hair on fire, playing on a bed with children, and having his nose fall off (as he chases it around a dance floor). Jackson has appealed to have video channels ban it; and BET has. Apparently, in other music news, Brittney Spears is trashy... her new commercial campaign supporting her new perfume are a little racy, and she is dressing like a stereotypical trailer park princess. And her new hubby is white trash to the core. In the words of David Spade, "Look everyone, a falling star. Make a wish!"
Oh, and in case you were wondering, Martha Stewart reports that she is having a "good time" in jail (no joke!).
Why are we so obsessed with the goings-on of Hollywood and Nashville? The answer lies in the fact that we never see these people as real to begin with. Their lives are as soap-opera-like and mellow-dramatic as their movies and TV shows are. We never understand why they complain about being hounded, and we definitely can't empathize with them when they cry about the hardships of fame. It’s the “poor little rich girl” syndrome. We don't see them as real people; they are the modern day version of Greek Gods and Titans... complete with tragedy, epic romance, falls from grace, double-crosses, conquests, passionate trysts, and feuds. And we mortals are helpless to do anything but watch.
We don't pay attention because we care; we pay attention because it is a part of the show. There is absolutely ZERO attributes that these people possess (seemingly) that we can relate to. None of us are as beautiful and elegant as they come off being... but it is all an illusion. One of my favorite things is when these tabloid magazines publish candid pictures of celebrities... Look, there is Niccole Kidman (She has cellulite all over her ass!). There is Gwenyth Paltrow (She has ketchup on her face). Brad Pitt (booger in nose). Lindsay Lohan (fell out of her bikini). They have acne. Unfortunate body hair. Look awful in swimsuits. Visible panty line/”snuggies”. Hail damage. Stretch marks. Poorly endowed (with muscles… what did you think I meant?). Spare tires. Hemorrhoids. Not blessed with brains. Just like us. But we never see it (unless the guerillas at Weekly Star get a lucky camera shot).
This is why we are taught from our parents from day one that true beauty has nothing to do with good lighting, the right clothes, a good publicist, and airbrushing. There is someone I know now that is far more beautiful than Angelina Jolie... it may not be immediately obvious, but after knowing them for a long time, you see that their beauty goes clear to the heart. I am lucky enough to know a few people who are this way.
So, we obsess over the Hollywood freak show simply because it IS a freak show. As for me, I'll take my half-dozen friends, with their weaknesses, bad days, and all. And for these few people that I hold dear, I wouldn't trade knowing you for anything fame could offer.
See ya!
Sunday, October 10, 2004
There will arise a generation that will know not the meaning of "blue light special."
Sadly, this prophecy from the Book of Carlus has come true. Many of those currently in college are too young to know the joys of the K-Mart blue light special. This is due to K-Mart's 10 year decline from department store superpower to "one step away from a Dollar General." This partly due to the slick reimaging and advertising of Target, and the cut-throat business practices of the pseudo-Soviet Wal-Mart.
But in the 80's, K-Mart was a pretty cool place. They had everything. And every so often, you would hear an underpaid teenage clerk announce "Attention K-Mart shoppers, there is a blue-light special in isle 9." And sure enough, a blue police-car-style light would be franticly spinning and shining on a rollaway fixture, parked next to isle 9. In isle 9 there would be a huge display of some overstocked, high margin item, and it would be priced "redonkulously" low. : ) You'd never know where, when, or what the next special would be... It was the sort of campy, needless drama that department stores used to use to draw customers in.
I bring up the blue light special because it reminds me of one of the first lessons I remember truly learning from my father. My father is a farm-boy philosopher: he never finished high school, he instead went to Vietnam to serve as a soldier during the war, and he somewhere along the line earned his G.E.D. College was never even an option to my dad, and because of it he has had to work very hard to earn a living for his family. He never had much use for the white-collar world or high society in general. My dad sees much of today's products and past-times as luxuries (amazing, considering we live in a time when convenience, entitlement and affluency are running out of control).
On one particular day, when I was probably about 10 or 12 years old, the K-Mart special was on a small plastic box. It had a lid that sort of fit down over the top, and inside had thin plastic veins that ran down the sides, spaced just far enough away that a cassette tape would fit upright between them. It cold hold, or "organize," twelve of your most prized cassettes (another item that the new generation is in danger of forgetting about). The box itself was made of the cheapest plastic (hard and brittle), and its value truly was next to zero.
But at the time, I really wanted to buy it. I begged and pleaded with my dad, who was very patient but getting aggravated. The answer was "no." My reply was "why?" Where was I going to put my Huey Lewis, Van Halen, Duran Duran, Twisted Sister, Prince, Men at Work, Michael Jackson, Run DMC, Police, and Weird Al tapes?
An important side note here is to remind all of you that when you were young, you assumed your parents always had a lots of disposable income. This was, for most of us, and serious overstatement. My parents were broke, and in and out of the proverbial "hole." So an expenditure on such a useless item was obviously a bad idea to him. But he never said anything alluding to being broke.
What he did say to me is something that you'd never carve into stone, but it has stuck with me my entire life. "You could keep your cassettes in a shoe box and save the money for something else. It would work just as good." And it would and it did.
My dad never bought into the theory that items had one purpose. You do not need a DVD rack for DVDs. You do not need an Ikea magazine crate to store old magazines. You don't need a banana hanger, bookmark, toothbrush holder, piggy bank, or a special utensil for grapefruit. My dad was the embodiment of bare-bones resourcefulness.
Of course, this meant years of not wearing "cool" clothes, wearing uncomfortable Wrangler jeans, PayLess shoes (same shoes for school, softball, track, and church). If the sole of your cheap shoes came loose (flip-flop-flip), a little Black Max glue would make it all right. Discarded 5 gallon buckets became tool boxes, sorting bins, step stools, and make-shift swimming pools (well, water fun dispensing units anyway).
We saved and reused tons of "throw-away junk." Empty peanut butter jars, juice jugs, plastic grocery sacks, cardboard boxes, discarded lumber, and coffee cans. My mother never bought color-coordinated tumblers for drinking out of; instead our cabinet was filled with cups from gas stations, fast food restaurants, and state fair concession stands. If the truth was known, I bet that he is physically sickened by the idea of buying some state-of-the-art coffin when there are refrigerator boxes just lying there in Tru-Value's dumpster...
Because of my dad's direction, I have always had ingenuity and imagination. I used discarded cardboard, construction paper, glue, and markers to make elaborate playsets for my action figures and toy cars. I turned metal pipes, bricks, and lumber into forts. I used milkcrates for entertainment centers, and cardboard boxes for, well, just about everything. In my own clumsy way, I still try to fix items before throwing them away and replacing them. You'd be amazed at what you can reuse; or use as cleaner, storage units, adhesive, funnels, and so on...
While the practice of using "junk" for functional items can get out of hand (I once used trashbags as luggage in college), it is a great lesson to learn. We shouldn't get too obsessed with consuming that we chase after needless and useless items. It is something that I always stop and consider (although sometimes I choose ignore it).
Thanks dad! It isn't being cheap, it's being resourceful. It's being smart, and being a good steward.
See ya!
But in the 80's, K-Mart was a pretty cool place. They had everything. And every so often, you would hear an underpaid teenage clerk announce "Attention K-Mart shoppers, there is a blue-light special in isle 9." And sure enough, a blue police-car-style light would be franticly spinning and shining on a rollaway fixture, parked next to isle 9. In isle 9 there would be a huge display of some overstocked, high margin item, and it would be priced "redonkulously" low. : ) You'd never know where, when, or what the next special would be... It was the sort of campy, needless drama that department stores used to use to draw customers in.
I bring up the blue light special because it reminds me of one of the first lessons I remember truly learning from my father. My father is a farm-boy philosopher: he never finished high school, he instead went to Vietnam to serve as a soldier during the war, and he somewhere along the line earned his G.E.D. College was never even an option to my dad, and because of it he has had to work very hard to earn a living for his family. He never had much use for the white-collar world or high society in general. My dad sees much of today's products and past-times as luxuries (amazing, considering we live in a time when convenience, entitlement and affluency are running out of control).
On one particular day, when I was probably about 10 or 12 years old, the K-Mart special was on a small plastic box. It had a lid that sort of fit down over the top, and inside had thin plastic veins that ran down the sides, spaced just far enough away that a cassette tape would fit upright between them. It cold hold, or "organize," twelve of your most prized cassettes (another item that the new generation is in danger of forgetting about). The box itself was made of the cheapest plastic (hard and brittle), and its value truly was next to zero.
But at the time, I really wanted to buy it. I begged and pleaded with my dad, who was very patient but getting aggravated. The answer was "no." My reply was "why?" Where was I going to put my Huey Lewis, Van Halen, Duran Duran, Twisted Sister, Prince, Men at Work, Michael Jackson, Run DMC, Police, and Weird Al tapes?
An important side note here is to remind all of you that when you were young, you assumed your parents always had a lots of disposable income. This was, for most of us, and serious overstatement. My parents were broke, and in and out of the proverbial "hole." So an expenditure on such a useless item was obviously a bad idea to him. But he never said anything alluding to being broke.
What he did say to me is something that you'd never carve into stone, but it has stuck with me my entire life. "You could keep your cassettes in a shoe box and save the money for something else. It would work just as good." And it would and it did.
My dad never bought into the theory that items had one purpose. You do not need a DVD rack for DVDs. You do not need an Ikea magazine crate to store old magazines. You don't need a banana hanger, bookmark, toothbrush holder, piggy bank, or a special utensil for grapefruit. My dad was the embodiment of bare-bones resourcefulness.
Of course, this meant years of not wearing "cool" clothes, wearing uncomfortable Wrangler jeans, PayLess shoes (same shoes for school, softball, track, and church). If the sole of your cheap shoes came loose (flip-flop-flip), a little Black Max glue would make it all right. Discarded 5 gallon buckets became tool boxes, sorting bins, step stools, and make-shift swimming pools (well, water fun dispensing units anyway).
We saved and reused tons of "throw-away junk." Empty peanut butter jars, juice jugs, plastic grocery sacks, cardboard boxes, discarded lumber, and coffee cans. My mother never bought color-coordinated tumblers for drinking out of; instead our cabinet was filled with cups from gas stations, fast food restaurants, and state fair concession stands. If the truth was known, I bet that he is physically sickened by the idea of buying some state-of-the-art coffin when there are refrigerator boxes just lying there in Tru-Value's dumpster...
Because of my dad's direction, I have always had ingenuity and imagination. I used discarded cardboard, construction paper, glue, and markers to make elaborate playsets for my action figures and toy cars. I turned metal pipes, bricks, and lumber into forts. I used milkcrates for entertainment centers, and cardboard boxes for, well, just about everything. In my own clumsy way, I still try to fix items before throwing them away and replacing them. You'd be amazed at what you can reuse; or use as cleaner, storage units, adhesive, funnels, and so on...
While the practice of using "junk" for functional items can get out of hand (I once used trashbags as luggage in college), it is a great lesson to learn. We shouldn't get too obsessed with consuming that we chase after needless and useless items. It is something that I always stop and consider (although sometimes I choose ignore it).
Thanks dad! It isn't being cheap, it's being resourceful. It's being smart, and being a good steward.
See ya!
Thursday, October 07, 2004
"They speak as if they are entitled not only to their own opinions but also to their own facts.”
Hi ya! First of all, let's take care of some old business. The month of September was gigantic for the web site. We had about 500 visits, which is literally twice as large as the previous "personal best." Thanks for all the support! I realize that a lot of the visits are courtesy visits (I looked at your site) or pity visits ("I had better look at Carl's site..."), but a visit is a visit! : )
Now on to new business. The title quote was from Kurt Gottfried, chairman of the Union of Concerned Scientists (I lifted it from www.newscientist.com). There has been a lot of criticism from the scientific community that a) the politicians do not understand scientific issues at a gut level, and b) that by presenting their understanding of science as political platforms, that they are limiting the ability of scientists to do good.
I want to boil this down for you all, just so that you are aware of what is happening. Because of the way our economy works, there isn't a lot of "pure science" done any more. You get funded for research and products that address a public need; even if that need is frivolous. Think of two big medical issues; obesity and AIDS. There are huge clamors for "cures" for both. People want that magic pill to erase these two epidemics. However, in both cases, there are already preventive cures out there for 90% of the cases. Eat less, eat better, and exercise more. That "cures" obesity. But America continues to get fatter.
As for AIDS, the topic is a little tougher. Having better self-control in sexual choices, as well as using protection, would cripple this disease. While there is a need for pharmaceutics to fight this deadly disease, the real "spread" of the problem has to do with complacency and ignorance. The amount of AIDS being spread by, say, accidental blood contact is far lesser than the AIDS that is being spread because people make poor sexual decisions. A simple answer is out there to hamstring this epidemic, but yet AIDS is going nowhere.
Issues like these, and of a tougher nature create a public frenzy as it is, because the average citizen has only a small understanding of the facts. This frenzy is further driven by politicians who do not understand science, but yet stir the pot by rallying the public towards or against causes. Here are some key issues that we, as the public, need to become better informed on, or at least trust better sources that Kerry and Bush.
1) The Environment: Is there actually a real threat to the environment? How severe is it? Should we be relying on fossil fuels so heavily? How much of an impact can be made towards the positive by instituting recycling programs and enacting limitations of convenience packaging of disposable products?
2) Stem Cell Research: What are the facts? Are they encouraging abortions by supporting this research? Are there far greater chances for gain than there are risks for loss? What realistically can we hope to glean from such research? Is it fair to get the peoples' hopes up that this will lead to a cure for their diseases?
3) Cloning: What value would there be in cloning a human? What are the scientific arguments against it? Are we opposed to it because it is new, because it threatens our religious sensibility, because it is unethical, or because it seems needless and wasteful? Are we prepared to take a back seat to other countries who are not as resistant to such research?
4) Space Travel: Do we need to go the moon again? What value is there in placing man in space for long periods of time? Is NASA overindulged? Do we really need to land on Mars? How much exploration is hobby, and how much is beneficial science? What can we learn, and what do we hope to discover? Is it worth the costs that it will incur?
I am sorry today's blog wasn't humorous in any way, but these are some serious things to consider during an election year. It is easy for a Presidential candidate, who has nothing but total access to media air time, to stand and SAY anything. And sadly, a lot of people just soak up every word without giving it much thought. Even those of us who are a little more diligent in our listening can find ourselves assuming that the research has been done before the speech is made. This is a bad attitude to have. Get informed, and leave science to scientists.
See ya!
Now on to new business. The title quote was from Kurt Gottfried, chairman of the Union of Concerned Scientists (I lifted it from www.newscientist.com). There has been a lot of criticism from the scientific community that a) the politicians do not understand scientific issues at a gut level, and b) that by presenting their understanding of science as political platforms, that they are limiting the ability of scientists to do good.
I want to boil this down for you all, just so that you are aware of what is happening. Because of the way our economy works, there isn't a lot of "pure science" done any more. You get funded for research and products that address a public need; even if that need is frivolous. Think of two big medical issues; obesity and AIDS. There are huge clamors for "cures" for both. People want that magic pill to erase these two epidemics. However, in both cases, there are already preventive cures out there for 90% of the cases. Eat less, eat better, and exercise more. That "cures" obesity. But America continues to get fatter.
As for AIDS, the topic is a little tougher. Having better self-control in sexual choices, as well as using protection, would cripple this disease. While there is a need for pharmaceutics to fight this deadly disease, the real "spread" of the problem has to do with complacency and ignorance. The amount of AIDS being spread by, say, accidental blood contact is far lesser than the AIDS that is being spread because people make poor sexual decisions. A simple answer is out there to hamstring this epidemic, but yet AIDS is going nowhere.
Issues like these, and of a tougher nature create a public frenzy as it is, because the average citizen has only a small understanding of the facts. This frenzy is further driven by politicians who do not understand science, but yet stir the pot by rallying the public towards or against causes. Here are some key issues that we, as the public, need to become better informed on, or at least trust better sources that Kerry and Bush.
1) The Environment: Is there actually a real threat to the environment? How severe is it? Should we be relying on fossil fuels so heavily? How much of an impact can be made towards the positive by instituting recycling programs and enacting limitations of convenience packaging of disposable products?
2) Stem Cell Research: What are the facts? Are they encouraging abortions by supporting this research? Are there far greater chances for gain than there are risks for loss? What realistically can we hope to glean from such research? Is it fair to get the peoples' hopes up that this will lead to a cure for their diseases?
3) Cloning: What value would there be in cloning a human? What are the scientific arguments against it? Are we opposed to it because it is new, because it threatens our religious sensibility, because it is unethical, or because it seems needless and wasteful? Are we prepared to take a back seat to other countries who are not as resistant to such research?
4) Space Travel: Do we need to go the moon again? What value is there in placing man in space for long periods of time? Is NASA overindulged? Do we really need to land on Mars? How much exploration is hobby, and how much is beneficial science? What can we learn, and what do we hope to discover? Is it worth the costs that it will incur?
I am sorry today's blog wasn't humorous in any way, but these are some serious things to consider during an election year. It is easy for a Presidential candidate, who has nothing but total access to media air time, to stand and SAY anything. And sadly, a lot of people just soak up every word without giving it much thought. Even those of us who are a little more diligent in our listening can find ourselves assuming that the research has been done before the speech is made. This is a bad attitude to have. Get informed, and leave science to scientists.
See ya!
Wednesday, October 06, 2004
"No Respect"
I saw on the web that Rodney Dangerfield died. This is a sad bit of news, as he was a very good comedian, and a very funny man. Dangerfield made such an impression on me growing up that whenever I adjust my tie, I think of him, and can't help feeling like I am doing a small homage to him. His humor was great because the target of most of his jokes was himself; even when he was making fun of someone else, he was the punchline.
Humor is very important to my life, and I have made it through a lot of bad times because of humor. Even on my worst days, I like to think that I am good for a few great laughs. Because of my love for humor, I can always sit down and watch Seinfeld, Simpsons, Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Kids in the Hall, Saturday Night Live, SCTV, or some other clever comedy, and completely forget about what else has been going on in the day.
It's weird to think that such a superficially disposable emotion is so strong in humans. Animals seem to have a precursor emotion to humor, but nothing as developed as ours. If you watch the great apes long enough, you soon notice that they do things with intention to get attention and laughs. They love that feedback; they mimic their trainers, pull ornery pranks, and even perform wacky stunts. Humans have taken this a step further, and have made an art form out of it. Humor comes from a mastery of timing, and a intimate knowledge of your audience.
It is odd that something that has so little to do with the survival of the species continues to present itself. Or, could it be that humor has an important role in our emotional health? Studies have shown that laughter and levity can lower stress levels, even positively influence things like depression, blood pressure, and life expectancy. Maybe humor is the mechanism we use to blow off steam.
Anyway, let's laugh; here is a few great quotes from the late-great Rodney Dangerfield.
"I tell you, with my doctor, I don't get no respect. I told him, "I've swallowed a bottle of sleeping pills." He told me to have a few drinks and get some rest. "
"With my dog I don't get no respect. He keeps barking at the front door. He don't want to go out. He wants me to leave."
"My mother never breast fed me. She told me that she only liked me as a friend."
"When I was born the doctor took one look at my face, turned me over and said, 'Look, twins!'"
See ya!
Humor is very important to my life, and I have made it through a lot of bad times because of humor. Even on my worst days, I like to think that I am good for a few great laughs. Because of my love for humor, I can always sit down and watch Seinfeld, Simpsons, Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Kids in the Hall, Saturday Night Live, SCTV, or some other clever comedy, and completely forget about what else has been going on in the day.
It's weird to think that such a superficially disposable emotion is so strong in humans. Animals seem to have a precursor emotion to humor, but nothing as developed as ours. If you watch the great apes long enough, you soon notice that they do things with intention to get attention and laughs. They love that feedback; they mimic their trainers, pull ornery pranks, and even perform wacky stunts. Humans have taken this a step further, and have made an art form out of it. Humor comes from a mastery of timing, and a intimate knowledge of your audience.
It is odd that something that has so little to do with the survival of the species continues to present itself. Or, could it be that humor has an important role in our emotional health? Studies have shown that laughter and levity can lower stress levels, even positively influence things like depression, blood pressure, and life expectancy. Maybe humor is the mechanism we use to blow off steam.
Anyway, let's laugh; here is a few great quotes from the late-great Rodney Dangerfield.
"I tell you, with my doctor, I don't get no respect. I told him, "I've swallowed a bottle of sleeping pills." He told me to have a few drinks and get some rest. "
"With my dog I don't get no respect. He keeps barking at the front door. He don't want to go out. He wants me to leave."
"My mother never breast fed me. She told me that she only liked me as a friend."
"When I was born the doctor took one look at my face, turned me over and said, 'Look, twins!'"
See ya!
This rose is for my favorite person in the world, for being so cheery and brightning up a dull day. I took this picture this summer at the Omaha Zoo's Garden of the Senses. I am pretty proud that I was able to take a picture that was in focus and centered! Actually, it is for all of you. Not just you-know-who. It has been a long time since I posted a picture, so I wanted to give all of your eyes a rest. So... here's what you do. Close your eyes, think rosey thoughts, lean forward, and smell your computer screen.
Monday, October 04, 2004
Redonkulous!
I have way too much to talk about, and not enough energy to be too clever... so consider today a catch up day:
1) Redonkulous - a new word that I learned watching a mind numbing night of TV this weekend while I studied. On the "reality" show The Apprentice, a lady either mispronounced "ridiculous" (already my favorite word, other than "dude") , or was trying to be cute. Either way, it changed my view of the English language. Other "re-donk-u-lous" shows I watched were Desperate Housewives, Wife Swap, and Boston Legal.
2) Space - It used to be the final frontier. Now we've soiled it. The international space station is having a trash problem, because shuttle flights have been halted. So they have taken to loading up parcels of rubbish, and launching them into space. This is the NASA version of tossing your cup out your car window. They had to have physicists plan the littering too, so that the parcels wouldn't boomerang back and smash into the fragile space craft. It isn't like we haven't made incidental trash in space before, but this time it was planned... and I find that sad. Unavoidable, but sad.
3) Janet Leigh - The sexy star of many great movies, including an unforgettable role in Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho, passed away today. She was a great person, great actress, and a very attractive woman. She will be missed.
4) 9/11 - I hate feeling as if talk of the Sept. 11 "attacks" are becoming passe, but it is amazing that people still hoist this event high when they need emotional effect. I saw on TV that there is a new collectible silver coin that shows the towers, and each one can be ordered for $50. The commercial claims that each coin is made from pure silver "miraculously"recovered from the wreckage of the towers. I also heard that Art Spiegelman, the author and artist that brought us the life-changing Maus books, is going to produce a controversial look at 9/11. Let's leave it alone, guys.
5) The boyfriend pillow - Have you seen this monster of a product? Look here if you haven't. I feel as if this is a slap to the face of single women everywhere. And I'm even the guy who thinks that Cuddling Rooms are an appealing idea! :) I heard that there is talk of customizing these pillows to taste: firmer arms for a more muscular friend. Sandy brought up a good point as well, why are they called "Boyfriend" pillows? Why not husband pillows?
6) Space Part 2 - The homemade space plane made another flight. I haven't much more to say about it for now, but I love this stuff! Congrats on a remarkable achievement! May you rekindle the spirit of curiosity based science, and may you have many more safe and victorious flights!
Well, that's it for now. For those of you keeping track, I took my second Biochem test today, and got a 78%... which is good. I hate saying that, because until this semester, I had a hard time with anything lower than 90%. But I studied hard, and did well (well enough, anyway). There are two questions that I had which seem as if the professor's answers were wrong, so I may even get more credit... which would push me up into "B" territory. This would be a welcome jolt to my overall grade.
See ya!
1) Redonkulous - a new word that I learned watching a mind numbing night of TV this weekend while I studied. On the "reality" show The Apprentice, a lady either mispronounced "ridiculous" (already my favorite word, other than "dude") , or was trying to be cute. Either way, it changed my view of the English language. Other "re-donk-u-lous" shows I watched were Desperate Housewives, Wife Swap, and Boston Legal.
2) Space - It used to be the final frontier. Now we've soiled it. The international space station is having a trash problem, because shuttle flights have been halted. So they have taken to loading up parcels of rubbish, and launching them into space. This is the NASA version of tossing your cup out your car window. They had to have physicists plan the littering too, so that the parcels wouldn't boomerang back and smash into the fragile space craft. It isn't like we haven't made incidental trash in space before, but this time it was planned... and I find that sad. Unavoidable, but sad.
3) Janet Leigh - The sexy star of many great movies, including an unforgettable role in Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho, passed away today. She was a great person, great actress, and a very attractive woman. She will be missed.
4) 9/11 - I hate feeling as if talk of the Sept. 11 "attacks" are becoming passe, but it is amazing that people still hoist this event high when they need emotional effect. I saw on TV that there is a new collectible silver coin that shows the towers, and each one can be ordered for $50. The commercial claims that each coin is made from pure silver "miraculously"recovered from the wreckage of the towers. I also heard that Art Spiegelman, the author and artist that brought us the life-changing Maus books, is going to produce a controversial look at 9/11. Let's leave it alone, guys.
5) The boyfriend pillow - Have you seen this monster of a product? Look here if you haven't. I feel as if this is a slap to the face of single women everywhere. And I'm even the guy who thinks that Cuddling Rooms are an appealing idea! :) I heard that there is talk of customizing these pillows to taste: firmer arms for a more muscular friend. Sandy brought up a good point as well, why are they called "Boyfriend" pillows? Why not husband pillows?
6) Space Part 2 - The homemade space plane made another flight. I haven't much more to say about it for now, but I love this stuff! Congrats on a remarkable achievement! May you rekindle the spirit of curiosity based science, and may you have many more safe and victorious flights!
Well, that's it for now. For those of you keeping track, I took my second Biochem test today, and got a 78%... which is good. I hate saying that, because until this semester, I had a hard time with anything lower than 90%. But I studied hard, and did well (well enough, anyway). There are two questions that I had which seem as if the professor's answers were wrong, so I may even get more credit... which would push me up into "B" territory. This would be a welcome jolt to my overall grade.
See ya!
Saturday, October 02, 2004
Oh, You're Going to Love this One... (or, How No Pop and No Sleep Make Carl a Dumb Boy)
Man, am I tired. I decided to write, as an experiment, to see what my blog would look like under sleep deprivation conditions.
You see, I was/am studying Biochemistry again… I am desperate to rock this next test (Monday at 2:30 PM). On the first test, even after the professor threw out a couple of spurious questions, I received a score of 68%. This was not only a giant blow to my confidence and overall grade; it was also death on my ego. I don’t get D’s. Period. Not since the days when the Old-Carl attended Bible College have I ever performed so poorly. Now, excellence in that course is a personal matter.
To this end, I have studied all week long, at least 3 hours a day; neglecting other classes, and doing just enough to stay afloat. Some days, like today, I approached 7 hours of study time on this one subject. I started from scratch; page one, day one. I covered everything; even material that we aren’t going to be tested on. So now you understand how messed up and tired I would tend to be on a Friday night, after a week of early waking, lots of studying, and late nights.
So as the witching hour approaches, I find my mind shutting itself down. I am trying my hardest to learn everything I need to know about covalent inhibition of enzyme catalysis. I started to stray, and began to read about how penicillin works by covalently inhibiting the enzymes that are necessary in creation of bacterial cell-walls. Then I realized I was many miles off course (well, I was covering far too specific of material for the test anyway).
I had to start scanning the page to see where I “should” be, and was just starting to build up momentum in my reading/note-taking when over my headphones (I have loaded about 75 hours of music onto my school laptop, and I listen to the songs in “shuffle” mode when I study… the sad thing is that I have a lot more music I wish was on my computer, but I just haven’t borrowed the CD’s back from my brother. You see, we share a common CD collection, and they are mostly with him at his house. Together we have literally hundreds of CDs…)
Anyway, back to the point. Over my headphones, as I tried to read, I heard The Eagles of Death Metal sing (in their song “Already Died”) these words;
“I see you have a new man, and he’s some sort of new age hippie, and he’s rollin’ in the money… I’m glad we are friends because we are hateful as lovers.”
That did it. I was hopeless to get back on track. Every time I looked down, and started to read, I found myself thinking about love and frustrated affections. I was thinking about people I love, people I should love more, people I just don’t love anymore… Then in true “Council-Bluffs-native” fashion, I started thinking about food (I got a serious late-night snacking problem). It took a short reach to grab a handful of candy corn (which is sooooo Iowa if you think about it). Then my thought progression went like this: its too late for this much sugar, I need to see a dentist, I am fat, I like candy corn, corn, Iowa grows corn, corn stalks, autumn means a lot of hunting, I used to hunt with my dad, I hate to hunt, I love spending time with my dad…
I started thinking about guns, and about my dad (who collects and shoots guns), and about how it’s too bad that guns are so available, and that it is sad that gun violence is so common… And in my headphones The Smiths were singing “When you laugh about people who feel so very lonely their only desire is to die, well it doesn’t make me smile. I wish I COULD laugh…It’s too close to home, too near the bone; more than you’ll ever know” (from their song “The Joke Isn’t Funny Anymore”). This song and I have a long past. I listened to it (and the rest of the songs on the album) about twenty times on a long drive home from Denver, Colorado a few years back. I cried almost the whole trip home (which is a bad way to handle a car moving at 75 miles per hour). I was as miserable then as I have ever been in my life. Now when I hear the Smiths, it sort of cheers me up it a real introspective way; my life isn’t perfect now, but at least it isn’t the suffocating, dark maze that it was in the late 1990’s.
Whew. It wasn’t until the first chords of Portishead’s “Cowboys” were emitting a ghostly melody into my head that I realized I had sat and listened to the entire Smiths song, and hadn’t even looked down at my studies once. Then I saw something move. In my kitchen: it was like someone stepped into view, peering over my stove and nook area. This is par for this time of night. I see things out of the corner of my weary eyes all of the time. It gives me a start every time too. I jumped, did a double take, and there was nothing (like always). It never fails to completely disturb me.
But then, the Dixie Chicks came on my headphones, singing that classic Fleetwood Mac song “Landslide.” And all was right with the world. And I decided to blog. And now I am done. AND my headphones are playing The Eels, and they are singing “Life is hard, and so am I, you’d better give me something, so I don’t die; Novocain for the soul, before I sputter out.” And I’m really tired. And hungry. And sore from playing racquetball today. And afraid to go into my kitchen… I’ve sputtered out for the night.
See ya!
You see, I was/am studying Biochemistry again… I am desperate to rock this next test (Monday at 2:30 PM). On the first test, even after the professor threw out a couple of spurious questions, I received a score of 68%. This was not only a giant blow to my confidence and overall grade; it was also death on my ego. I don’t get D’s. Period. Not since the days when the Old-Carl attended Bible College have I ever performed so poorly. Now, excellence in that course is a personal matter.
To this end, I have studied all week long, at least 3 hours a day; neglecting other classes, and doing just enough to stay afloat. Some days, like today, I approached 7 hours of study time on this one subject. I started from scratch; page one, day one. I covered everything; even material that we aren’t going to be tested on. So now you understand how messed up and tired I would tend to be on a Friday night, after a week of early waking, lots of studying, and late nights.
So as the witching hour approaches, I find my mind shutting itself down. I am trying my hardest to learn everything I need to know about covalent inhibition of enzyme catalysis. I started to stray, and began to read about how penicillin works by covalently inhibiting the enzymes that are necessary in creation of bacterial cell-walls. Then I realized I was many miles off course (well, I was covering far too specific of material for the test anyway).
I had to start scanning the page to see where I “should” be, and was just starting to build up momentum in my reading/note-taking when over my headphones (I have loaded about 75 hours of music onto my school laptop, and I listen to the songs in “shuffle” mode when I study… the sad thing is that I have a lot more music I wish was on my computer, but I just haven’t borrowed the CD’s back from my brother. You see, we share a common CD collection, and they are mostly with him at his house. Together we have literally hundreds of CDs…)
Anyway, back to the point. Over my headphones, as I tried to read, I heard The Eagles of Death Metal sing (in their song “Already Died”) these words;
“I see you have a new man, and he’s some sort of new age hippie, and he’s rollin’ in the money… I’m glad we are friends because we are hateful as lovers.”
That did it. I was hopeless to get back on track. Every time I looked down, and started to read, I found myself thinking about love and frustrated affections. I was thinking about people I love, people I should love more, people I just don’t love anymore… Then in true “Council-Bluffs-native” fashion, I started thinking about food (I got a serious late-night snacking problem). It took a short reach to grab a handful of candy corn (which is sooooo Iowa if you think about it). Then my thought progression went like this: its too late for this much sugar, I need to see a dentist, I am fat, I like candy corn, corn, Iowa grows corn, corn stalks, autumn means a lot of hunting, I used to hunt with my dad, I hate to hunt, I love spending time with my dad…
I started thinking about guns, and about my dad (who collects and shoots guns), and about how it’s too bad that guns are so available, and that it is sad that gun violence is so common… And in my headphones The Smiths were singing “When you laugh about people who feel so very lonely their only desire is to die, well it doesn’t make me smile. I wish I COULD laugh…It’s too close to home, too near the bone; more than you’ll ever know” (from their song “The Joke Isn’t Funny Anymore”). This song and I have a long past. I listened to it (and the rest of the songs on the album) about twenty times on a long drive home from Denver, Colorado a few years back. I cried almost the whole trip home (which is a bad way to handle a car moving at 75 miles per hour). I was as miserable then as I have ever been in my life. Now when I hear the Smiths, it sort of cheers me up it a real introspective way; my life isn’t perfect now, but at least it isn’t the suffocating, dark maze that it was in the late 1990’s.
Whew. It wasn’t until the first chords of Portishead’s “Cowboys” were emitting a ghostly melody into my head that I realized I had sat and listened to the entire Smiths song, and hadn’t even looked down at my studies once. Then I saw something move. In my kitchen: it was like someone stepped into view, peering over my stove and nook area. This is par for this time of night. I see things out of the corner of my weary eyes all of the time. It gives me a start every time too. I jumped, did a double take, and there was nothing (like always). It never fails to completely disturb me.
But then, the Dixie Chicks came on my headphones, singing that classic Fleetwood Mac song “Landslide.” And all was right with the world. And I decided to blog. And now I am done. AND my headphones are playing The Eels, and they are singing “Life is hard, and so am I, you’d better give me something, so I don’t die; Novocain for the soul, before I sputter out.” And I’m really tired. And hungry. And sore from playing racquetball today. And afraid to go into my kitchen… I’ve sputtered out for the night.
See ya!
Friday, October 01, 2004
"Good Heavens Miss Yakamoto, You're Beautiful!"
Those are some puzzling "lyrics" from the huge 80's song "She Blinded Me With Science." Why is it in the 80's that an entire song could make absolutely ZERO sense, and yet rise to the top of the charts (and have a special place in our memories as a "good" song)? Worse yet is that within a song that already made little sense, that there were bizarre interjections such as the title of this blog. Weird. I guess that was the 80's version on Lil John screaming "Yeaaah!" "Skeet Skeet Skeet!" or "What?!" in the background of a hip hop song. But, let's get back to the point... science!
I love science, as anyone who knows me can tell you. I am obsessed with evolutionary biology and anthropology, and I am very curious about everything from why stars twinkle to how the mind manages "memory." It has been killing that there have been a lot of great scientific stories this week, and I haven't had time to blog on them. I really ought to be studying my Biochemistry right now, but I will try to make a few comments of the world of scientific achievement.
1) SETI. Some of you may already be familiar with SETI (Search for Extra Terrestrial Intelligence). SETI is a series of super-powered listening stations that probe deep space for anything that resembles radio activity. Not radio activity as in a Martian version of Howard Stern, but radio activity as a repeating and structured signal. The project has even developed an "at home" version that amateur sky watchers can participate in. All you have to do is take a short certification course, and download some software. The software collects data from signals received at one of the thousands of wavelengths monitored, and its up to you to review it, and to look for characteristics that may point to intelligent and purposeful transmission.
Over the last month, SETI @ home has found some signals worth looking further into. There has been a row over whether the signals merit real scientific interest, or if it is just more fodder for conspiracy buffs, abductees, and X-Files fans. New Scientist magazine (a somewhat respectable magazine) jumped the gun a bit and announced that these were significant findings. The truth is, these signals have appeared before, and while they are being placed on a "keep an eye on" list, no true astrologer is getting too excited over it... yet. I brings up a great deal of interesting questions. Do you think that there is life out there? Do you think monitoring wavelengths of radio activity is a good way to reach them? Do you think even if we found some nugget of "proof" that there is transmittance out there, that we could ever convince the public, scientific community, and the religious sects that there is intelligent life beyond Earthbound humans?
2) Homemade rockets. Once again, I think this stuff is great. Another homemade spacecraft was launched that left the Earth's atmosphere. In the last year, we have increased the number of vessels (and humans) that have been to space without NASA's help! :) There is a contest for a privately funded group to design a viable spacecraft for commercial use (or, in layman's terms, to invent the first space bus for tourism). This week's launch was like the previous one; there was a moment where nothing but Providence kept the amateur astronaut alive.
The craft entered into a violent spin, and somehow the pilot was able to ride it out and finish the ascent. The ground control station was adamant that the pilot abort, but he continued anyway... risking death to "leave home." And he succeeded. This spirit of exploration and ingenuity is very exciting to me. Some think that the attempts are foolish (due to the danger), but I think it shows the better side of the human spirit. As a closing note, this week's flight was termed "unofficial," so the craft and pilot will once again launch in the near future (with "contest" officials on hand to verify the flight). Keep in mind, there are millions of dollars at stake here, well beyond the initial prize money for the accomplishment. Would you pay to visit space if/when it is commercially available to do so?
3) Vioxx. Vioxx is a popular non-steroidal drug that is used for arthritis. It was voluntarily pulled from production and usage by its manufacturer this week. It is a good example of how subsequent studies (after the initial approval process) can prove that something is harmful, and that it shouldn't be used. It isn't the first drug to be pulled after FDA approval. Thalamide was another failure (years ago). It caused ghastly birth defects, such as flipper-like appendages. This was probably the source of the joke used on The Kids in the Hall's Brain Candy (if you saw it, you'll know what I am referring to).
Anyway, I wanted to point out that the process that was followed with Vioxx is analogous to how all fact-based disciplines should work. Data was collected, the drug was introduced, more testing was done, data was collected and interpreted, then the drug was recalled. As I mentioned in an earlier blog, Stephen Hawking did the same with his theory of black holes. Science works best when NOTHING is held as dogma; when there are no beliefs that are beyond scrutiny. There are no sacred cows, not even in the world of pharmaceutics; a world that all too often is ruled by the dollar and not ethical treatment of illness.
That's all I have today. Nothing too sentimental or sweet, and definitely not funny. Have a great weekend everyone, and I will try to be more clever on my next entry!
See ya!
I love science, as anyone who knows me can tell you. I am obsessed with evolutionary biology and anthropology, and I am very curious about everything from why stars twinkle to how the mind manages "memory." It has been killing that there have been a lot of great scientific stories this week, and I haven't had time to blog on them. I really ought to be studying my Biochemistry right now, but I will try to make a few comments of the world of scientific achievement.
1) SETI. Some of you may already be familiar with SETI (Search for Extra Terrestrial Intelligence). SETI is a series of super-powered listening stations that probe deep space for anything that resembles radio activity. Not radio activity as in a Martian version of Howard Stern, but radio activity as a repeating and structured signal. The project has even developed an "at home" version that amateur sky watchers can participate in. All you have to do is take a short certification course, and download some software. The software collects data from signals received at one of the thousands of wavelengths monitored, and its up to you to review it, and to look for characteristics that may point to intelligent and purposeful transmission.
Over the last month, SETI @ home has found some signals worth looking further into. There has been a row over whether the signals merit real scientific interest, or if it is just more fodder for conspiracy buffs, abductees, and X-Files fans. New Scientist magazine (a somewhat respectable magazine) jumped the gun a bit and announced that these were significant findings. The truth is, these signals have appeared before, and while they are being placed on a "keep an eye on" list, no true astrologer is getting too excited over it... yet. I brings up a great deal of interesting questions. Do you think that there is life out there? Do you think monitoring wavelengths of radio activity is a good way to reach them? Do you think even if we found some nugget of "proof" that there is transmittance out there, that we could ever convince the public, scientific community, and the religious sects that there is intelligent life beyond Earthbound humans?
2) Homemade rockets. Once again, I think this stuff is great. Another homemade spacecraft was launched that left the Earth's atmosphere. In the last year, we have increased the number of vessels (and humans) that have been to space without NASA's help! :) There is a contest for a privately funded group to design a viable spacecraft for commercial use (or, in layman's terms, to invent the first space bus for tourism). This week's launch was like the previous one; there was a moment where nothing but Providence kept the amateur astronaut alive.
The craft entered into a violent spin, and somehow the pilot was able to ride it out and finish the ascent. The ground control station was adamant that the pilot abort, but he continued anyway... risking death to "leave home." And he succeeded. This spirit of exploration and ingenuity is very exciting to me. Some think that the attempts are foolish (due to the danger), but I think it shows the better side of the human spirit. As a closing note, this week's flight was termed "unofficial," so the craft and pilot will once again launch in the near future (with "contest" officials on hand to verify the flight). Keep in mind, there are millions of dollars at stake here, well beyond the initial prize money for the accomplishment. Would you pay to visit space if/when it is commercially available to do so?
3) Vioxx. Vioxx is a popular non-steroidal drug that is used for arthritis. It was voluntarily pulled from production and usage by its manufacturer this week. It is a good example of how subsequent studies (after the initial approval process) can prove that something is harmful, and that it shouldn't be used. It isn't the first drug to be pulled after FDA approval. Thalamide was another failure (years ago). It caused ghastly birth defects, such as flipper-like appendages. This was probably the source of the joke used on The Kids in the Hall's Brain Candy (if you saw it, you'll know what I am referring to).
Anyway, I wanted to point out that the process that was followed with Vioxx is analogous to how all fact-based disciplines should work. Data was collected, the drug was introduced, more testing was done, data was collected and interpreted, then the drug was recalled. As I mentioned in an earlier blog, Stephen Hawking did the same with his theory of black holes. Science works best when NOTHING is held as dogma; when there are no beliefs that are beyond scrutiny. There are no sacred cows, not even in the world of pharmaceutics; a world that all too often is ruled by the dollar and not ethical treatment of illness.
That's all I have today. Nothing too sentimental or sweet, and definitely not funny. Have a great weekend everyone, and I will try to be more clever on my next entry!
See ya!