Brand new college graduate Steven Spielberg finally gets his degree in filmmaking. Hmm, I wonder what the chances were of him failing? And imagine the poor professor who had to grade his projects and papers!
Seriously, though, props to Mr. Spielberg for going back and finishing what he started, when he clearly didn't have to.
5.30.2002
More than eight months after the September 11 attacks, New York City says a final goodbye while Mueller admits the attacks may have been preventable.
I think our sense of imperviousness as a nation, our naivete, and a false sense of security are as much to blame as any one individual. As much as I prefer that false sense of security and complacency, I bet that if there was the same level of high paranoia in the intelligence community as there was during the Cold War, the attacks would indeed have been prevented. I don't think the CIA and FBI should return to the tactics of the Cold War era (Christ, the CIA is largely responsible for creating the likes of Osama bin Laden, Noriega, etc.), but there has to be a middle-ground somewhere.
I think our sense of imperviousness as a nation, our naivete, and a false sense of security are as much to blame as any one individual. As much as I prefer that false sense of security and complacency, I bet that if there was the same level of high paranoia in the intelligence community as there was during the Cold War, the attacks would indeed have been prevented. I don't think the CIA and FBI should return to the tactics of the Cold War era (Christ, the CIA is largely responsible for creating the likes of Osama bin Laden, Noriega, etc.), but there has to be a middle-ground somewhere.
5.29.2002
5.28.2002
Filmwise Fun
Been a while since I visited the Boyz. You can find their most recent Invisibles quiz here. (6 out of 8!)
They also have a new contest, Author! Author!, wherein they've taken the heads of famous authors and inserted them into a still from a movie based on their work. Sort of frightening, but funny, too.
Been a while since I visited the Boyz. You can find their most recent Invisibles quiz here. (6 out of 8!)
They also have a new contest, Author! Author!, wherein they've taken the heads of famous authors and inserted them into a still from a movie based on their work. Sort of frightening, but funny, too.
Team members will carry a Persil sports kit of socks, sweatbands, baseball hats and mini towels, at the International Naturist Pétanque Championships. It's also all they'll be wearing.
WARNING: photo included; and remember, nudist does not equal supermodel
WARNING: photo included; and remember, nudist does not equal supermodel
If you're an Audiogalaxy user, you may want to start downloading all those songs you've been meaning to download - they may not be around much longer.
The cleanup effort at the site of the World Trade Center ends today, with the removal of the last steel beam.
Concert pianist likes the X-Files theme so much, he slipped it into a Mozart concerto.
[thanks tvtattle]
[thanks tvtattle]
5.26.2002
San Diego man has pet hippo removed from property. I know it's illegal to own one, but after ten years, that hippo is going to miss the place.
5.23.2002
This is Jim Rockford...
The Rockford Files airs every weeknight at midnight on TVLand, and if I'm sitting at my computer at that time, I'm watching. Or at least listening. I never realized how much of each episode was spent in the Firebird. It's not a Rockford Files episode without at least one car chase (I know we're back from commercial when I hear the squealing tires). And Jim gets beat up at least once per episode. I've always loved that show and I readily admit to a crush on Jim (the actor and the character). He was handsome, funny, cranky, drove a cool car, lived on the beach, and he was sweet with his dad, Rocky. He could have used some wardrobe advice, but I'll let that one slide. Also, the show had one of the best theme songs ever. The drums would kick in right after we heard that week's answering machine message. Some of my favorites from the list:
The Rockford Files airs every weeknight at midnight on TVLand, and if I'm sitting at my computer at that time, I'm watching. Or at least listening. I never realized how much of each episode was spent in the Firebird. It's not a Rockford Files episode without at least one car chase (I know we're back from commercial when I hear the squealing tires). And Jim gets beat up at least once per episode. I've always loved that show and I readily admit to a crush on Jim (the actor and the character). He was handsome, funny, cranky, drove a cool car, lived on the beach, and he was sweet with his dad, Rocky. He could have used some wardrobe advice, but I'll let that one slide. Also, the show had one of the best theme songs ever. The drums would kick in right after we heard that week's answering machine message. Some of my favorites from the list:
"Jim, It's Norma at the market. It bounced. You wantHe also had some great guest stars. Seen recently: Lauren Bacall, Mariette Hartley (with whom he would later make those great Polaroid commercials), Lindsay Wagner, and of course Tom Selleck as unbelievably dorky Lance White. Well, it's almost time for Rockford - gotta go!
us to tear it up, send it back, or put it with the others?"
"I staked out that guy only it didn't work out like
you said. Please call me. Room 234, County Hospital."
"This is Mrs. Mosely at the library.
We billed you for your overdue book "Karate Made Easy." We abuse our
libary, we don't get our cards renewed."
"This is Mrs. Lindis. Three times this month
I come to clean and it always looks like people been fighting in there.
Furniture broke, things tipped over. I'm sorry, but I quit."
"This is Dr. Souter's office again, reguarding that root
canal. This doctor is in his office...waiting. He's beginning to dislike
you."
The Weekend
What a great long weekend it was. There were 5 of us altogether, up in Massachusetts, from Saturday through Wednesday. Saturday night was the pre-finale party, sponsored by Absolut Truth. Closer to Absolut Turpentine, it was more of a hit with some than with others. Some people just can't handle the Truth. There were a couple of XF finale drinking games floating around the Internet, both of which we decided to forego - thank God, because from the looks of them, we would have been on our asses by 8:30. As a matter of fact, we skipped the alcohol portion of the show altogether.
The X-Files finale, well...it wasn't the best episode of the series, but I won't say it was a disappointment, because it wasn't. How could it be, with the reunion of Mulder and Scully, and the return of such great XF regulars as Krycek, X, Marita, Gibson Praise and the Lone Gunmen, not to mention the surprise of the still-alive Cigarette Smoking Man, living in an Anasazi pueblo village with an apparently mute female companion, growing his hair long and becoming more bitter by the day. Ten Thirteen did a neat job of stringing the aspects of the mythology into a coherent narrative line, even if they didn't tell devoted fans anything they didn't already know (or at least suspect). There were no mind-blowing revelations and the only major character to die (at least onscreen) was one that was already presumed dead (R.I.P., CSM). But the heart of the series has always been the relationship, however you define it, between Mulder and Scully, and the finale captured the essence of that relationship and returned it to the center of the show. The final scene, an almost exact recreation of a scene from the Pilot, brought the series full circle, and ended it on a satisfactory note for me.
On Tuesday a few of us went to see "About A Boy", with Hugh Grant, and I loved it. I highly recommend it to all. On a shallow note - what a difference a haircut can make in someone's sex appeal.
Tuesday night was spent once again in front of the TV for the season finales of "Buffy" and "24", both of which hit the mark, especially "Buffy". Allyson Hannigan's portryal of Willow, bad and good, has been screaming for Emmy attention for a while now, and if she doesn't get a nod for this season, then they might as well never give out another Emmy ever, since they will be devoid of any relevance whatsoever. My groveling was rewarded and Giles did indeed return for the finale - yay! He was as handsome as ever, of course (but what happened to his glasses?), and the way he just appeared in the doorway, all juiced up on magic and ready to knock some sense back into the Scoobies (mostly Willow) - very cool. And another question of mine was answered - it was Spike's soul that was restored, giving Buffy "what she deserves." In the end of a year focused on very human problems, it was fitting to have the most human Scooby of them all, the one with no superpower - Xander - save the world with his love for Willow. I can't wait for next year.
The "24" finale was also satisfying, though not as blow-me-away-ish as "Buffy". Except for the end, when they actually killed off Jack's wife, Teri (who was pregnant). Shocking, but very effective, and it fits within the thriller atmosphere of the show. What a shitty day that was, all around, huh? The show has been renewed for next season, in the same real-time format, and Kiefer Sutherland will be returning (so far the only committed cast member). There were quite a few loose ends (Nina - who does she work for? will Sheri Palmer just let David dump her like that? what of those creepy Syndicate-like financial backers of Palmer? is George Mason free from suspicion?), so I am wondering if they're going to pick up the series shortly after this one, timewise. I can't imagine it could be the next day - these people have already been awake for nearly 36 hours.
Anyway, it was a great little vacation - lots of food, lots of laughs and lots of television. What more could a girl ask for? (don't answer that question)
What a great long weekend it was. There were 5 of us altogether, up in Massachusetts, from Saturday through Wednesday. Saturday night was the pre-finale party, sponsored by Absolut Truth. Closer to Absolut Turpentine, it was more of a hit with some than with others. Some people just can't handle the Truth. There were a couple of XF finale drinking games floating around the Internet, both of which we decided to forego - thank God, because from the looks of them, we would have been on our asses by 8:30. As a matter of fact, we skipped the alcohol portion of the show altogether.
The X-Files finale, well...it wasn't the best episode of the series, but I won't say it was a disappointment, because it wasn't. How could it be, with the reunion of Mulder and Scully, and the return of such great XF regulars as Krycek, X, Marita, Gibson Praise and the Lone Gunmen, not to mention the surprise of the still-alive Cigarette Smoking Man, living in an Anasazi pueblo village with an apparently mute female companion, growing his hair long and becoming more bitter by the day. Ten Thirteen did a neat job of stringing the aspects of the mythology into a coherent narrative line, even if they didn't tell devoted fans anything they didn't already know (or at least suspect). There were no mind-blowing revelations and the only major character to die (at least onscreen) was one that was already presumed dead (R.I.P., CSM). But the heart of the series has always been the relationship, however you define it, between Mulder and Scully, and the finale captured the essence of that relationship and returned it to the center of the show. The final scene, an almost exact recreation of a scene from the Pilot, brought the series full circle, and ended it on a satisfactory note for me.
On Tuesday a few of us went to see "About A Boy", with Hugh Grant, and I loved it. I highly recommend it to all. On a shallow note - what a difference a haircut can make in someone's sex appeal.
Tuesday night was spent once again in front of the TV for the season finales of "Buffy" and "24", both of which hit the mark, especially "Buffy". Allyson Hannigan's portryal of Willow, bad and good, has been screaming for Emmy attention for a while now, and if she doesn't get a nod for this season, then they might as well never give out another Emmy ever, since they will be devoid of any relevance whatsoever. My groveling was rewarded and Giles did indeed return for the finale - yay! He was as handsome as ever, of course (but what happened to his glasses?), and the way he just appeared in the doorway, all juiced up on magic and ready to knock some sense back into the Scoobies (mostly Willow) - very cool. And another question of mine was answered - it was Spike's soul that was restored, giving Buffy "what she deserves." In the end of a year focused on very human problems, it was fitting to have the most human Scooby of them all, the one with no superpower - Xander - save the world with his love for Willow. I can't wait for next year.
The "24" finale was also satisfying, though not as blow-me-away-ish as "Buffy". Except for the end, when they actually killed off Jack's wife, Teri (who was pregnant). Shocking, but very effective, and it fits within the thriller atmosphere of the show. What a shitty day that was, all around, huh? The show has been renewed for next season, in the same real-time format, and Kiefer Sutherland will be returning (so far the only committed cast member). There were quite a few loose ends (Nina - who does she work for? will Sheri Palmer just let David dump her like that? what of those creepy Syndicate-like financial backers of Palmer? is George Mason free from suspicion?), so I am wondering if they're going to pick up the series shortly after this one, timewise. I can't imagine it could be the next day - these people have already been awake for nearly 36 hours.
Anyway, it was a great little vacation - lots of food, lots of laughs and lots of television. What more could a girl ask for? (don't answer that question)
5.16.2002
5.15.2002
Cats
No, not the play. Just evidence that the cats of the world may finally be taking over:
"You take the pop-ups, I'll handle the grounders."
Cocoa gets medieval on their ass. Weird coincidence: we had a Siamese named Cocoa when I was about nine years old, and I still have scars from the time she hung from my face, biting and scratching me.
No, not the play. Just evidence that the cats of the world may finally be taking over:
"You take the pop-ups, I'll handle the grounders."
Cocoa gets medieval on their ass. Weird coincidence: we had a Siamese named Cocoa when I was about nine years old, and I still have scars from the time she hung from my face, biting and scratching me.
And now, the Big One
Yes, The X-Files is finally ending, after nine seasons of sometimes-not-so-good but mostly ground-breaking television. The series two-hour finale, "The Truth", airs this Sunday, May 19, at 8:00 P.M. Despite being "just a television show", The X-Files has truly altered and enriched my life, taking me to places I would likely not have visited otherwise (Vancouver, L.A.) and brought people into my life that have become life-long friends. It's brought out my geeky side (not that I was too far removed from it to begin with); my entire Internet experience began as a way to follow and discuss the show with other fans, and I even attempted to write about it once in a while. I will miss the show terribly, but I am also aware of how badly it needs to end. Now, whether or not it will end badly...I don't know, but I don't think it will. I know little about the finale, and there are just too many unanswered questions for me to even speculate about them. I'm just going to sit back and watch and hopefully be moved, surprised and maybe, just maybe, even enlightened.
With the current X-Files media blitz fully underway, I thought it might be a good idea to surf around and post links to some of the articles and interviews floating around. However, it's just too dangerous out there for someone trying to avoid spoilers, and I imagine there aren't many of you who would read them anyway (for the same reason). So, I'm just going to say enjoy the show. I know I will - I'll be heading out to stay with the aforementioned friends this weekend, and we're having a finale party - not to celebrate the end of the show, but what the show gave us: each other and nine years of some pretty good TV.
Yes, The X-Files is finally ending, after nine seasons of sometimes-not-so-good but mostly ground-breaking television. The series two-hour finale, "The Truth", airs this Sunday, May 19, at 8:00 P.M. Despite being "just a television show", The X-Files has truly altered and enriched my life, taking me to places I would likely not have visited otherwise (Vancouver, L.A.) and brought people into my life that have become life-long friends. It's brought out my geeky side (not that I was too far removed from it to begin with); my entire Internet experience began as a way to follow and discuss the show with other fans, and I even attempted to write about it once in a while. I will miss the show terribly, but I am also aware of how badly it needs to end. Now, whether or not it will end badly...I don't know, but I don't think it will. I know little about the finale, and there are just too many unanswered questions for me to even speculate about them. I'm just going to sit back and watch and hopefully be moved, surprised and maybe, just maybe, even enlightened.
With the current X-Files media blitz fully underway, I thought it might be a good idea to surf around and post links to some of the articles and interviews floating around. However, it's just too dangerous out there for someone trying to avoid spoilers, and I imagine there aren't many of you who would read them anyway (for the same reason). So, I'm just going to say enjoy the show. I know I will - I'll be heading out to stay with the aforementioned friends this weekend, and we're having a finale party - not to celebrate the end of the show, but what the show gave us: each other and nine years of some pretty good TV.
Upcoming Season Finales
Six Feet Under
There are only 2 first-run episodes left to the second season. Episode #12 airs this Sunday, 5/19, at 9:00 P.M. on HBO, and the season finale, episode #13, will air on Sunday, June 2, at 9:00 P.M. (with reruns scattered throughout the following respective week). I'm not really sure where this show is headed; the plotlines have gotten a bit melodramatic and, dare I say, soap-opera-ish. Will Ruth finally seek some much needed counseling? Will Nate dump his "I-screw-complete-strangers-but-I-have-no-problems" girlfriend Brenda and hook up with the nice, stable Rabbi Ari? Will David stop being Keith's doormat? Will Keith ever get that stick out of his ass? Oo, bad metaphor. And what of whacky Lisa, pregnant with Nate's (most likely very hairy) baby? Will Claire and her guidance counselor get a little too close? Tune in to find out.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Tuesday, 5/21, 8:00-10:00 P.M, UPN (two back-to-back episodes). These are the sixth season's final two episodes - "Two to Go" and "Grave". With Buffy's producers' penchant for making character disappear, I'm not sure I like those titles. The perspective of this season has been turned inward, focusing on struggles of a more human nature, both within each of the Scoobies as well as in their relationships with each other. Even the Big Bad wasn't so big or so bad - just a trio of once-amusing-but-now pathetic nerds whose evil plans basically involve getting all the money, power and girls (except maybe Andrew on that last one). However, they may not be supernatural, but they did manage to kill off one of the Scoobies (Tara), and now Willow has gone off the magic deep end. Will Buffy, et al, be able to bring Willow back, or will she be next season's Big Bad? Is Spike trying to restore himself to his former evilness, or is he trying to restore his soul? Has Xander lost a couple of pounds? Will Dawn get a crush on Clem now?
24
Tuesday, 5/21, 9:00-10:00 P.M., FOX. I've stuck with this show all season, and despite some serious ups and downs (amnesia, anyone?), I'm glad I did. Things seem to be paying off big time now. Last night was one of the best episodes all season (partly because Dennis Hopper vith de bad accent had few lines so there was no bleeding from my ears), but mostly because of the emotional payoff we got - the scene where Jack - on his way to trade his life for his daughter's, talking on the cel phone with his wife - finally loses it when Teri (unaware of what he's doing) tells him she's pregnant. With the show's focus on non-stop action, thrills and paranoia, it's difficult to know if you've invested emotionally in these characters - they could be killed off any minute, or turn out to be a bad guy. When we see honest emotion as we did in that scene, or finally get definitive proof of a character's allegiance (the mole was revealed last night!), there's a huge payoff. When Jack finally let the tears go, I had to fight them back. As to what will happen in the end? I don't really think I could even guess at this point - I don't think any of the Bauers will die, although I wish they would put that tape back across Kim's mouth. Will the mole end up dying? Will Tony shave that annoyingly creepy patch of hair under his chin? Will the Drazen's succeed in killing Senator Palmer or will his wife finally do the job herself?
The West Wing
"Posse Comitatus", Wednesday, 5/22, 9:00-10:00 P.M., NBC. I don't know why everyone is always giving Aaron Sorkin such a hard time - he's certainly not perfect ("Isaac & Ishmael", anyone?), but this is still one of the very best shows on television. What sort of repercussions will Sam face after last week's boneheaded move? Will Bruno ask Margaret out? And would Leo be jealous? Who's stalking and threatening CJ? And will she and Special Agent Sunshine just kiss and get it over with? Where the heck did Abby go? And for that matter, what happened to Nancy? Fitzwallace is cool, but she was cooler. Will Josh actually be able to maintain an adult relationship with Amy? (I'm torn on this one - part of me wants him to, because then he'll act more grown up and he won't irritate me as much; the other part of me wants him to muck it up so that I don't have to see Amy ever again, a strong female character but sort of smug and vaguely annoying). Will Abdul Sharif rock the casbah? (You know he don't like it...) (from the description of tonight's episode, some of my questions may be answered sooner than I thought).
(all questions are purely speculative on my part, and have no basis in fact, spoiler or rumor)
Six Feet Under
There are only 2 first-run episodes left to the second season. Episode #12 airs this Sunday, 5/19, at 9:00 P.M. on HBO, and the season finale, episode #13, will air on Sunday, June 2, at 9:00 P.M. (with reruns scattered throughout the following respective week). I'm not really sure where this show is headed; the plotlines have gotten a bit melodramatic and, dare I say, soap-opera-ish. Will Ruth finally seek some much needed counseling? Will Nate dump his "I-screw-complete-strangers-but-I-have-no-problems" girlfriend Brenda and hook up with the nice, stable Rabbi Ari? Will David stop being Keith's doormat? Will Keith ever get that stick out of his ass? Oo, bad metaphor. And what of whacky Lisa, pregnant with Nate's (most likely very hairy) baby? Will Claire and her guidance counselor get a little too close? Tune in to find out.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Tuesday, 5/21, 8:00-10:00 P.M, UPN (two back-to-back episodes). These are the sixth season's final two episodes - "Two to Go" and "Grave". With Buffy's producers' penchant for making character disappear, I'm not sure I like those titles. The perspective of this season has been turned inward, focusing on struggles of a more human nature, both within each of the Scoobies as well as in their relationships with each other. Even the Big Bad wasn't so big or so bad - just a trio of once-amusing-but-now pathetic nerds whose evil plans basically involve getting all the money, power and girls (except maybe Andrew on that last one). However, they may not be supernatural, but they did manage to kill off one of the Scoobies (Tara), and now Willow has gone off the magic deep end. Will Buffy, et al, be able to bring Willow back, or will she be next season's Big Bad? Is Spike trying to restore himself to his former evilness, or is he trying to restore his soul? Has Xander lost a couple of pounds? Will Dawn get a crush on Clem now?
24
Tuesday, 5/21, 9:00-10:00 P.M., FOX. I've stuck with this show all season, and despite some serious ups and downs (amnesia, anyone?), I'm glad I did. Things seem to be paying off big time now. Last night was one of the best episodes all season (partly because Dennis Hopper vith de bad accent had few lines so there was no bleeding from my ears), but mostly because of the emotional payoff we got - the scene where Jack - on his way to trade his life for his daughter's, talking on the cel phone with his wife - finally loses it when Teri (unaware of what he's doing) tells him she's pregnant. With the show's focus on non-stop action, thrills and paranoia, it's difficult to know if you've invested emotionally in these characters - they could be killed off any minute, or turn out to be a bad guy. When we see honest emotion as we did in that scene, or finally get definitive proof of a character's allegiance (the mole was revealed last night!), there's a huge payoff. When Jack finally let the tears go, I had to fight them back. As to what will happen in the end? I don't really think I could even guess at this point - I don't think any of the Bauers will die, although I wish they would put that tape back across Kim's mouth. Will the mole end up dying? Will Tony shave that annoyingly creepy patch of hair under his chin? Will the Drazen's succeed in killing Senator Palmer or will his wife finally do the job herself?
The West Wing
"Posse Comitatus", Wednesday, 5/22, 9:00-10:00 P.M., NBC. I don't know why everyone is always giving Aaron Sorkin such a hard time - he's certainly not perfect ("Isaac & Ishmael", anyone?), but this is still one of the very best shows on television. What sort of repercussions will Sam face after last week's boneheaded move? Will Bruno ask Margaret out? And would Leo be jealous? Who's stalking and threatening CJ? And will she and Special Agent Sunshine just kiss and get it over with? Where the heck did Abby go? And for that matter, what happened to Nancy? Fitzwallace is cool, but she was cooler. Will Josh actually be able to maintain an adult relationship with Amy? (I'm torn on this one - part of me wants him to, because then he'll act more grown up and he won't irritate me as much; the other part of me wants him to muck it up so that I don't have to see Amy ever again, a strong female character but sort of smug and vaguely annoying). Will Abdul Sharif rock the casbah? (You know he don't like it...) (from the description of tonight's episode, some of my questions may be answered sooner than I thought).
(all questions are purely speculative on my part, and have no basis in fact, spoiler or rumor)
TeeVee Day
All of my favorite shows will be winding up over the next two weeks, in either season or series finales, so I thought I'd take the time today to highlight some of the shows' enders and focus on some interesting news articles. To start us off...
Farscape, by far television's best sci-fi show, is actually on its own season-schedule. The third season just ended a couple of weeks ago and the fourth season will begin some time in June (on the SciFi channel). I've been trying to get people to watch this for such a long time, and here's another chance: SciFi is airing a 23-hour Farscape Chain Reaction on Friday, May 31. Do yourself a favor and check it out. And read this article: In praise of Space Muppets.
All of my favorite shows will be winding up over the next two weeks, in either season or series finales, so I thought I'd take the time today to highlight some of the shows' enders and focus on some interesting news articles. To start us off...
Farscape, by far television's best sci-fi show, is actually on its own season-schedule. The third season just ended a couple of weeks ago and the fourth season will begin some time in June (on the SciFi channel). I've been trying to get people to watch this for such a long time, and here's another chance: SciFi is airing a 23-hour Farscape Chain Reaction on Friday, May 31. Do yourself a favor and check it out. And read this article: In praise of Space Muppets.
5.14.2002
"The Amman Zoo director said on Tuesday, that he hoped the seven-month old female tiger will mate with one of the lions soon." Well, she's certainly off to a good start.
A reality show that I just might watch. In "Back to the Floor", on PBS at 10 P.M. beginning Friday, June 14, CEOs of major corporations are demoted (temporarily, or course) to entry-level jobs; for instance, the CEO of Carnival Cruise Lines makes beds and serves drinks aboard a cruise ship. I'd like to see Bill Gates work the tech support line.
(registration required)
(registration required)
5.13.2002
As I sit here, the television is on in the other room, waiting for me to sit down and watch Six Feet Under, and there's a basketball game on. Don't ask me who's playing - I have no idea, I'm not watching. No one is watching, for that matter. Well, Sheila just walked by me on her way to bed, stopped, went into the living room, switched the channel to Comedy Central, and promptly went to bed.
I guess for Sheila it's simply a matter of principle - no sports on our TV, dammit!
I guess for Sheila it's simply a matter of principle - no sports on our TV, dammit!
The blogging "phenomenon" has been the subject of much media attention lately. The focus of the discussion are mainly the more journalistic, highly trafficked sites that cover political issues, the current war, and various other topics that are normally covered by traditional mainstream media, and whether or not these bloggers pose a threat to that mainstream media. But the debate, in my opinion, has been too narrow, with the press holding up these relatively few blogs (there are millions of bloggers) as representative of the entire blogging community. It is a wide and varied group - many blogs are simply diaries, some just act as an index of news links; many bloggers find that a web log allows them to examine a subject, such as photography, or video gaming, or a television show, in depth; and some, like mine, are just a way to be creative, to share some funny or interesting stories with friends.
I found this Salon article to be one of the better pieces written on this topic.
I found this Salon article to be one of the better pieces written on this topic.
Mama Mia Fights Back
We went to a restaurant on the shore for Mother's Day. In attendance: me, my mother, my sisters Sheila and Mary, Mary's husband Craig, and their 2 kids, Hannah and Zachary. The adults had piles of fried seafood and the kids had chicken tenders. Towards the end of the meal, this conversation:
Mommy: "How's your fish, Hannah?"
Sheila: "She had chicken."
(Hannah is not paying attention)
Mommy: "How's your fish, Hannah?"
Sheila: "She had chicken!"
Mommy: "I'm asking her about her pet goldfish! (smiling)You're just waiting for me to say something stupid, aren't you?"
We're still laughing about it.
We went to a restaurant on the shore for Mother's Day. In attendance: me, my mother, my sisters Sheila and Mary, Mary's husband Craig, and their 2 kids, Hannah and Zachary. The adults had piles of fried seafood and the kids had chicken tenders. Towards the end of the meal, this conversation:
Mommy: "How's your fish, Hannah?"
Sheila: "She had chicken."
(Hannah is not paying attention)
Mommy: "How's your fish, Hannah?"
Sheila: "She had chicken!"
Mommy: "I'm asking her about her pet goldfish! (smiling)You're just waiting for me to say something stupid, aren't you?"
We're still laughing about it.
5.12.2002
5.10.2002
"I honestly don't know how we got out. I really don't. The car was laying right on top of us." Talk about lucky! The driver was cited with driving without a license and "reckless driving." Um, yeah.
5.09.2002
I just spent an hour tearing this place apart, trying to find my sneakers and trying not to lose my mind in the process. I knew they were last in the living room, but I checked in every closet, under every piece of furniture, behind every open door; finally, I couldn't take it anymore, and I called my sister at work. Yes, I could have just put another pair of shoes on, but that wasn't the point. This had become a matter of principle.
Me: "This is going to sound crazy, but have you seen my sneakers anywhere?"
Sister: "Yeah..."
my chin drops at her lightning-quick response
Sister: "...they're behind the cushions on the right side of the couch. I put 'em there last night when Marty was chewing on them."
Me: "Thank God. I thought I was losing my mind. OK, bye."
Now that I've got 'em on my feet have recovered from the joy of my vindication...Thanks a lot for telling me, Sheila!
Me: "This is going to sound crazy, but have you seen my sneakers anywhere?"
Sister: "Yeah..."
my chin drops at her lightning-quick response
Sister: "...they're behind the cushions on the right side of the couch. I put 'em there last night when Marty was chewing on them."
Me: "Thank God. I thought I was losing my mind. OK, bye."
Now that I've got 'em on my feet have recovered from the joy of my vindication...Thanks a lot for telling me, Sheila!
5.08.2002
I saw this picture as I was whining to my mother about how cold I was with the spring breeze blowing in the windows on my short-sleeved arms. I take it all back.
Update: broken link fixed
Update: broken link fixed
Vanilla Coke, huh? I bet it tastes like cream soda. Ick. One thing that strikes me about the packaging is how similar it is to regular Coke. I wonder how many regular Coke drinkers will mistakenly grab a bottle of Vanilla Coke from the cooler when they're in a hurry?
Do not adjust your set...
No, you're not imagining things. Yes, I'm playing around with the design, again. I'm in a minimalist sort of mood and needed to pare things down a bit. I don't know if I'll re-integrate the POTW and newsfeed at a later date. Right now, I have nowhere to put them. I feel like I just emptied out the cluttered closet, re-organized everything and then turned around to find piles of stuff I forgot about and now have to somehow fit in.
No, you're not imagining things. Yes, I'm playing around with the design, again. I'm in a minimalist sort of mood and needed to pare things down a bit. I don't know if I'll re-integrate the POTW and newsfeed at a later date. Right now, I have nowhere to put them. I feel like I just emptied out the cluttered closet, re-organized everything and then turned around to find piles of stuff I forgot about and now have to somehow fit in.
5.07.2002
5.06.2002
"Up until now we have understood very little about the mechanisms that lead people to have epilepsy. The better we understand it the more accurately we can target therapies. All of these findings will have clinical implications in the future."
I think I may have mentioned this here before, but in case I haven't...I was epileptic as a child and was on phenobarbitol until I was about 13 or 14. I suffered from petit mal seizures and I was one of the lucky ones who simply "grew out of it." The news that the gene likely responsible for juvenile myclonic epilepsy is indeed good news.
I think I may have mentioned this here before, but in case I haven't...I was epileptic as a child and was on phenobarbitol until I was about 13 or 14. I suffered from petit mal seizures and I was one of the lucky ones who simply "grew out of it." The news that the gene likely responsible for juvenile myclonic epilepsy is indeed good news.
5.04.2002
5.03.2002
Rilya Wilson is not Precious Doe, or at least that's what has been determined this far. If they are not the same little girl, the story disgusts me even more - it would mean that instead there are 2 victims: one brutalized beyond comprehension and the other considered so disposable that her disappearance went unnoticed by authorities for 15 months. Why don't people care more than they do?
(registration required)
(registration required)
5.02.2002
"No matter who wins this multi-layered battle, though, family court experts say the children are the only guaranteed casualties."
Why can't people see how these situations damage children almost as much as what they are trying to prevent? There has to be a better solution.
Why can't people see how these situations damage children almost as much as what they are trying to prevent? There has to be a better solution.
In local news, UCONN student TV show entitled "I Did Your Mother" upsets female students.
[thanks, tvtattle]
[thanks, tvtattle]
"In fact," says Winthrop, "there was enough hair there you could make a moderate-sized toupee out of it."
Oh, major heebeejeebees. I wonder how often my salon cleans their foot baths?
Speaking of heebeejeebees, it's high season for ticks around here. Walking the dogs has become quite the chore, rolling them over and checking them after they go into high grass, checking myself. I've found at least one tick a day this week, and last night, after I got into bed, propped up my pillows and settled in to read my book, I saw a tick walking across my chest (I was wearing pajamas, yes). I jumped up and dispensed with the thing immediately and then proceeded to strip my entire bed and remake it. Of course now I'm wide awake, scratching at myself and imagining that there's something crawling over me. (the situation was only compounded by my reading material: 'Salem's Lot, by Stephen King) I finished the book at 3:00 AM and fell asleep probably a half hour later. And boy am I paying for it today. I slept until 11:00 (!), but I'm still wracked with aches and pains and a headache. Stupid, stupid me.
Anyway, I wonder, is there a way to spray your yard and the surrounding area with something that will kill the ticks? I should go a'hunting on the Net for information. First, though, I need to get these resumes on their merry way.
Oh, major heebeejeebees. I wonder how often my salon cleans their foot baths?
Speaking of heebeejeebees, it's high season for ticks around here. Walking the dogs has become quite the chore, rolling them over and checking them after they go into high grass, checking myself. I've found at least one tick a day this week, and last night, after I got into bed, propped up my pillows and settled in to read my book, I saw a tick walking across my chest (I was wearing pajamas, yes). I jumped up and dispensed with the thing immediately and then proceeded to strip my entire bed and remake it. Of course now I'm wide awake, scratching at myself and imagining that there's something crawling over me. (the situation was only compounded by my reading material: 'Salem's Lot, by Stephen King) I finished the book at 3:00 AM and fell asleep probably a half hour later. And boy am I paying for it today. I slept until 11:00 (!), but I'm still wracked with aches and pains and a headache. Stupid, stupid me.
Anyway, I wonder, is there a way to spray your yard and the surrounding area with something that will kill the ticks? I should go a'hunting on the Net for information. First, though, I need to get these resumes on their merry way.
5.01.2002
"Fundamentally, Aerosmith makes sexy music for good girls..."
Great Slate article on this year's MTV Icon, Aerosmith. I watched the show on MTV on its first airing, and enjoyed it. I don't generally watch tribute shows like that (all the gushing and self-congratulation makes me uncomfortable), but I love these guys. Best part about the evening: Aerosmith onstage at the end, tearing the house down and showing the likes of Train, Kid Rock, Pink, etc., who's still got the goods.
Great Slate article on this year's MTV Icon, Aerosmith. I watched the show on MTV on its first airing, and enjoyed it. I don't generally watch tribute shows like that (all the gushing and self-congratulation makes me uncomfortable), but I love these guys. Best part about the evening: Aerosmith onstage at the end, tearing the house down and showing the likes of Train, Kid Rock, Pink, etc., who's still got the goods.
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