You gotta love this guy
Ebert on the film Stealth: "It might be of interest to you if you want to see lots of jet airplanes going real fast and making a lot of noise, and if you don't care that the story doesn't merely defy logic, but strips logic bare, cremates it and scatters its ashes."
OK, one more: "Beautiful Thai girls who allow themselves to be picked up by U.S. pilots almost always speak English, but never mind."
Thursday, July 28, 2005
Monday, July 25, 2005
Change in the weather
I've noticed that I have been getting a lot fewer hits from google. I wonder if they restructured their search engine to give blogger a lot less importance. That's a bummer. Some of the sick-ass and weird-ass searches that used to bring people to the blog were fun to look at now and then.
I've noticed that I have been getting a lot fewer hits from google. I wonder if they restructured their search engine to give blogger a lot less importance. That's a bummer. Some of the sick-ass and weird-ass searches that used to bring people to the blog were fun to look at now and then.
Sunday, July 24, 2005
Kitty cat as teenager
Those of you in the know know that I have an orange tabby cat that is a couple of years old. He is the most belligerent cat you will ever meet. "Oh great," you're saying, "another story about one of your fucking cats. I'm so glad I checked your stupid blog today." Stay with me for a second, man, this'll be good.
His name is Gallagher and he has this fun little act he goes through when he feels he is being treated unfairly. The act is usually performed when I don't let him outside when he wants. He loves to go outside and he's well behaved when he is outdoors. He doesn't run off and doesn't fight me when I bring him back in. But he's convinced that he isn't allowed outside enough and he's right. If he wasn't such a glutton I'd let him outside every day. All he does, though, when I let him go out into the back courtyard is eat grass like the scenario from John Chrisopher's "The Death of Grass" is coming in a couple of hours. He doesn't explore his surroundings. He doesn't chase birds. Sometimes when it's really nice out he'll roll in the gross. Nine times out of ten he just eats fucking grass like a cow. One time I didn't stop him and take back inside after a few minutes to see if he would stop on his own. After about fifteen minutes I starting worrying that he might explode and just picked him up and took him inside. About thirty seconds later he puked his guts out. Because of all that I don't take him outside that often. Who wants to stand outside and watch a damn cat eat grass? Not me. I figure he needs to entertain or engage me in some way or he's wasting my time.
There are times when he demands to go outside. He'll sit in front of the back door. Look up at me and meow pathetically. I used to ignore his pleas but now I just tell him to shut the fuck up. He'll mew again and I'll tell him to shut the fuck up and then throw something harmless at him like a fork or one of the other cats. After about six hours he'll give up.
Now he's pissed that he degraded himself and he must resurrect his kitty dignity so he'll strut into the kitchen, crouch in front of the fridge, jump up and knock cartoons, rent notices and other interesting tidbits of our lives down onto the floor. By the time you get into the kitchen he's gone and you're left with a little mess of paper and novelty magnets to clean up. I can't get too annoyed about that. It's too creative.
Those of you in the know know that I have an orange tabby cat that is a couple of years old. He is the most belligerent cat you will ever meet. "Oh great," you're saying, "another story about one of your fucking cats. I'm so glad I checked your stupid blog today." Stay with me for a second, man, this'll be good.
His name is Gallagher and he has this fun little act he goes through when he feels he is being treated unfairly. The act is usually performed when I don't let him outside when he wants. He loves to go outside and he's well behaved when he is outdoors. He doesn't run off and doesn't fight me when I bring him back in. But he's convinced that he isn't allowed outside enough and he's right. If he wasn't such a glutton I'd let him outside every day. All he does, though, when I let him go out into the back courtyard is eat grass like the scenario from John Chrisopher's "The Death of Grass" is coming in a couple of hours. He doesn't explore his surroundings. He doesn't chase birds. Sometimes when it's really nice out he'll roll in the gross. Nine times out of ten he just eats fucking grass like a cow. One time I didn't stop him and take back inside after a few minutes to see if he would stop on his own. After about fifteen minutes I starting worrying that he might explode and just picked him up and took him inside. About thirty seconds later he puked his guts out. Because of all that I don't take him outside that often. Who wants to stand outside and watch a damn cat eat grass? Not me. I figure he needs to entertain or engage me in some way or he's wasting my time.
There are times when he demands to go outside. He'll sit in front of the back door. Look up at me and meow pathetically. I used to ignore his pleas but now I just tell him to shut the fuck up. He'll mew again and I'll tell him to shut the fuck up and then throw something harmless at him like a fork or one of the other cats. After about six hours he'll give up.
Now he's pissed that he degraded himself and he must resurrect his kitty dignity so he'll strut into the kitchen, crouch in front of the fridge, jump up and knock cartoons, rent notices and other interesting tidbits of our lives down onto the floor. By the time you get into the kitchen he's gone and you're left with a little mess of paper and novelty magnets to clean up. I can't get too annoyed about that. It's too creative.
Saturday, July 23, 2005
The movie/book thing
For some reason I get a kick out of reading books and watching movies that share the same story. I prefer to hold out for books and movies of quality. I sorry to say that I sat through the movie "The Bone Collector" (one of those things that happens when you are dating) but I had no desire then nor do I now to read the book on which that shitty movie was based.
Just this last week I read the book "Election" by Tom Perrotta. "Election" was a one of those movies that surprised me. I remember watching it at home a couple of years ago and loving it so much that I watched again that same weekend. The same thing happened when I first saw "Reservoir Dogs." Although I think I watched that movie three times over a weekend as different groups of friends came over.
But, yeah, movies and books. It turns out that "Election" works pretty darn good as a movie and book set. The stories vary enough and provide a little variety but both are similar in tone and pace which allows me to picture the movie's actors in my head as I read the book. I love it when it comes together like that. The book is short so not a lot was left out when it was converted to a film. A couple of storylines were rearranged for flow. I found it interesting that Broderick's character was stung by a bee in the movie and that did not take place in the novel. In the book we were inside that character's head and we knew how miserable he was. The bee sting was substituted for a page or two of the character's narration.
Since I just finished "A long way down" by Hornby I am going to have to pick up his novel "High Fidelity" someday soon. I love that movie and just watched it again a couple of weeks back. I've always wondered how the book and movie worked together. I understand that the book is set in London and I'd like to see how the characters travel between Chicago and London.
For some reason I get a kick out of reading books and watching movies that share the same story. I prefer to hold out for books and movies of quality. I sorry to say that I sat through the movie "The Bone Collector" (one of those things that happens when you are dating) but I had no desire then nor do I now to read the book on which that shitty movie was based.
Just this last week I read the book "Election" by Tom Perrotta. "Election" was a one of those movies that surprised me. I remember watching it at home a couple of years ago and loving it so much that I watched again that same weekend. The same thing happened when I first saw "Reservoir Dogs." Although I think I watched that movie three times over a weekend as different groups of friends came over.
But, yeah, movies and books. It turns out that "Election" works pretty darn good as a movie and book set. The stories vary enough and provide a little variety but both are similar in tone and pace which allows me to picture the movie's actors in my head as I read the book. I love it when it comes together like that. The book is short so not a lot was left out when it was converted to a film. A couple of storylines were rearranged for flow. I found it interesting that Broderick's character was stung by a bee in the movie and that did not take place in the novel. In the book we were inside that character's head and we knew how miserable he was. The bee sting was substituted for a page or two of the character's narration.
Since I just finished "A long way down" by Hornby I am going to have to pick up his novel "High Fidelity" someday soon. I love that movie and just watched it again a couple of weeks back. I've always wondered how the book and movie worked together. I understand that the book is set in London and I'd like to see how the characters travel between Chicago and London.
Thursday, July 21, 2005
Billion dollar babies
I am at home right now. I have to go back to work at six. I'm working a split shift today because Melanie and I can't schedule worth a shit. We're getting better, I think. I kinda like spending a few hours at home between work shifts. I guess that only works out positively when you live ten minutes from work. The last Saturday I worked a coworker told me to shut up after she said that on Saturdays her drive to work shrinks from 40 minutes to twenty and then I said "That's interesting, my drive on Saturdays is ten minutes just like every other day of the week."
I've been fooling around with music online and you know what? Alice Cooper is still making interesting music. I didn't realize he came out with an album in 2003 called "The Eyes of Alice Cooper." I discovered that fact after reading a review of his current album called "Dirty Diamonds." According to reviews he went back to a more basic rock and roll sound. Judging from the few tracks I've heard today that is true. That's good because I didn't dig the 'modern' sound of his previous two albums. He's always written catchy songs and they don't need to be dressed up. Just a couple of guitars, drums, bass and vocals will suffice, thank you. Maybe he heard some White Stripes and realized your sound is what you say it is, not what people say it should be dadgummit. You gotta admire how Alice is out there trying to make good music. Go Alice, your new songs are great.
I am at home right now. I have to go back to work at six. I'm working a split shift today because Melanie and I can't schedule worth a shit. We're getting better, I think. I kinda like spending a few hours at home between work shifts. I guess that only works out positively when you live ten minutes from work. The last Saturday I worked a coworker told me to shut up after she said that on Saturdays her drive to work shrinks from 40 minutes to twenty and then I said "That's interesting, my drive on Saturdays is ten minutes just like every other day of the week."
I've been fooling around with music online and you know what? Alice Cooper is still making interesting music. I didn't realize he came out with an album in 2003 called "The Eyes of Alice Cooper." I discovered that fact after reading a review of his current album called "Dirty Diamonds." According to reviews he went back to a more basic rock and roll sound. Judging from the few tracks I've heard today that is true. That's good because I didn't dig the 'modern' sound of his previous two albums. He's always written catchy songs and they don't need to be dressed up. Just a couple of guitars, drums, bass and vocals will suffice, thank you. Maybe he heard some White Stripes and realized your sound is what you say it is, not what people say it should be dadgummit. You gotta admire how Alice is out there trying to make good music. Go Alice, your new songs are great.
Tuesday, July 19, 2005
Top Ten
Top ten reasons I ain't got a cell phone
10) Dental equipment has better reception.
9) I prefer to walk around wearing an earpiece and talk to myself.
8) Still pissed I couldn't afford one when only drug dealers had them.
7) Those yelling fat ladies on the bus.
6) Brain cancer.
5) Designer Covers. Jesus.
4) I already have a digital camera...and a telephone.
3) Everyone else fucking has one.
2) If there's an emergency I can borrow yours.
1) I prefer alcohol for impairing my driving.
Top ten reasons I ain't got a cell phone
10) Dental equipment has better reception.
9) I prefer to walk around wearing an earpiece and talk to myself.
8) Still pissed I couldn't afford one when only drug dealers had them.
7) Those yelling fat ladies on the bus.
6) Brain cancer.
5) Designer Covers. Jesus.
4) I already have a digital camera...and a telephone.
3) Everyone else fucking has one.
2) If there's an emergency I can borrow yours.
1) I prefer alcohol for impairing my driving.
Monday, July 18, 2005
A rooma zoom zoom
The roommate went and bought the new Harry Potter book Saturday. He got home with it about noon and finished it last night around 10 p.m. How's that for savoring a 600 page book? When he finished it, he said "Aww." He wouldn't have done that if he had taken his time and enjoyed the book over a few days. Ah well, he was waiting a long time for it like everyone else. I am the last hold out. I have yet to read any of the Harry Potter books. I think I might have to read the first one just to gain a little respect from the kids in my writing group.
Firesign Theatre offer
A couple of young ladies at work are big fans of the David Cross and his project with Bob Odenkirk called Mr. Show. Melanie loaned me the first season of Mr. Show on DVD and I took it home and was under impressed. She and Natalie (Natalie works down in circulation) both attested to loving the surrealism in the sketch comedy on Mr. Show. Melanie also liked how they would weave similar themes and storylines into different sketches. The first thing I thought of when they said these things was, of course, the Firesign Theatre. I was introduced to the Firesign Theater in high school by my friend Kevin. After listening to the Firesign Theatre off and on since the mid 80's what I saw on Mr. Show was good but it paled in comparison. I definately don't want you to think I am disparaging Mr. Show or David Cross. I dig the stand up of David Cross and his character on "Arrested Development" was a hoot.
If you don't know what the Firesign Theatre is, it is a Comedy troupe that put out three awe inspiring comedy albums back in the late sixties and early seventies that are chock full of clever word play, strong and funny characters, interweaving story lines, amazing sound effects and inspired voice acting. They worked through the early 80's and reunited back in 1998.
I had mentioned to Melanie and Natalie that I would make a mix CD of some Firesign Theatre material. Turns out I had a problem since many of their albums consist of two 25 minute tracks. I was determined to spread the word so I went to download.com and found an audio editor so I could slice a few tidbits out of these long and complicated albums and add them to a mix CD. I even had to pay for it. It was worth it, though. I can see it being useful down the road.
I'd hate to put all this time into a mix CD and only give it to two people. Anyone else want one?
The roommate went and bought the new Harry Potter book Saturday. He got home with it about noon and finished it last night around 10 p.m. How's that for savoring a 600 page book? When he finished it, he said "Aww." He wouldn't have done that if he had taken his time and enjoyed the book over a few days. Ah well, he was waiting a long time for it like everyone else. I am the last hold out. I have yet to read any of the Harry Potter books. I think I might have to read the first one just to gain a little respect from the kids in my writing group.
Firesign Theatre offer
A couple of young ladies at work are big fans of the David Cross and his project with Bob Odenkirk called Mr. Show. Melanie loaned me the first season of Mr. Show on DVD and I took it home and was under impressed. She and Natalie (Natalie works down in circulation) both attested to loving the surrealism in the sketch comedy on Mr. Show. Melanie also liked how they would weave similar themes and storylines into different sketches. The first thing I thought of when they said these things was, of course, the Firesign Theatre. I was introduced to the Firesign Theater in high school by my friend Kevin. After listening to the Firesign Theatre off and on since the mid 80's what I saw on Mr. Show was good but it paled in comparison. I definately don't want you to think I am disparaging Mr. Show or David Cross. I dig the stand up of David Cross and his character on "Arrested Development" was a hoot.
If you don't know what the Firesign Theatre is, it is a Comedy troupe that put out three awe inspiring comedy albums back in the late sixties and early seventies that are chock full of clever word play, strong and funny characters, interweaving story lines, amazing sound effects and inspired voice acting. They worked through the early 80's and reunited back in 1998.
I had mentioned to Melanie and Natalie that I would make a mix CD of some Firesign Theatre material. Turns out I had a problem since many of their albums consist of two 25 minute tracks. I was determined to spread the word so I went to download.com and found an audio editor so I could slice a few tidbits out of these long and complicated albums and add them to a mix CD. I even had to pay for it. It was worth it, though. I can see it being useful down the road.
I'd hate to put all this time into a mix CD and only give it to two people. Anyone else want one?
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