Tuesday, June 28, 2005
Movies Are Better at Home
Americans prefer to stay at home and save money by watching a DVD of a low quality movie: Poll: Downturn in Movie Box Office Looks Serious, Will Ads Fall Too?
Surgery Causes Cancer!
Or at least that is what 40% of those Americans surveyed believe: CNN.com - Survey: Many believe cancer myths - Jun 27, 2005
In addition, many Americans believe that a cancer cure has been suppressed to protect health industry profits. (The same way the AMA hides those boner pills, right?)
I still run into people who believe that students need more music and art, this despite the growing number of high school students who have a hard time choosing among the fields of famous musician, hit film maker, popular anime creator, or celebrity movie actor-- all realistic career goals attainable soon after (or if) they graduate (I once had a student tell me that making it by age 25 would take far too long.) Keep in mind these are the students who don't want to become sports stars.
So can we all agree that American teens get hefty doses of music, art, and sports and could do with a good grounding in math and science, not to mention statistics?
* Often what is meant is that not enough teens study the elite arts, i.e. the boring and snobbish art forms that would've died off unnoticed and unlamented years ago, if not for massive injections of private and government funds.
In addition, many Americans believe that a cancer cure has been suppressed to protect health industry profits. (The same way the AMA hides those boner pills, right?)
I still run into people who believe that students need more music and art, this despite the growing number of high school students who have a hard time choosing among the fields of famous musician, hit film maker, popular anime creator, or celebrity movie actor-- all realistic career goals attainable soon after (or if) they graduate (I once had a student tell me that making it by age 25 would take far too long.) Keep in mind these are the students who don't want to become sports stars.
So can we all agree that American teens get hefty doses of music, art, and sports and could do with a good grounding in math and science, not to mention statistics?
* Often what is meant is that not enough teens study the elite arts, i.e. the boring and snobbish art forms that would've died off unnoticed and unlamented years ago, if not for massive injections of private and government funds.
Friday, June 24, 2005
Worst Album Covers
Oh boy, we got a really scary link for you kids! Worst album covers doesn't forget the Swedes either.
Woody Allen Shares His Thoughts
When did Woody Allen's endless and dull introspection turn into unconscious and funny self parody?
Great line:
"...I don't find political subjects or topical world events profound enough to get interested in them myself as an artist. As a filmmaker, I'm not interested in 9/11. Because, if you look at the big picture, the long view of things, it's too small, history overwhelms it. "
As opposed to the universal themes of the human condition in "Hollywood Ending," "The Curse of the Jade Scorpion," and "Anything Else." Not to mention the timeless fare of "What's up Tiger Lily." (By the way, the end scene in Tiger Lily, now disturbingly prescient, shows Woody Allen ogling a young Japanese go-go dancer for several minutes.)
Not even faintly sensing the irony, Allen is genuinely pleased to be considered a European film maker.
SPIEGEL Interview with Woody Allen
Great line:
"...I don't find political subjects or topical world events profound enough to get interested in them myself as an artist. As a filmmaker, I'm not interested in 9/11. Because, if you look at the big picture, the long view of things, it's too small, history overwhelms it. "
As opposed to the universal themes of the human condition in "Hollywood Ending," "The Curse of the Jade Scorpion," and "Anything Else." Not to mention the timeless fare of "What's up Tiger Lily." (By the way, the end scene in Tiger Lily, now disturbingly prescient, shows Woody Allen ogling a young Japanese go-go dancer for several minutes.)
Not even faintly sensing the irony, Allen is genuinely pleased to be considered a European film maker.
SPIEGEL Interview with Woody Allen
Zombies Resurrected!
They shuffle slow and mindlessly, they're driven by lower cortex impulses for survival and moan in despair. No I'm not talking about beginning fencers, it's a new zombie movie! In this one it seems George Romereo has the zombies, er I mean the recently reanimated dead, develop class consciousness: iFMagazine.com Reviews - Movie Review: LAND OF THE DEAD
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
Looking for an Exciting New Career? Become a Caped Crusader!
Forbes tells you how you can acquire Bat skills and join the growing and exciting field of costumed crime fighting: Being Batman - Forbes.com
Monday, June 20, 2005
Sunday, June 19, 2005
Saturday Beginning Class Graduates
Fred did a great job with them! Click for more Saturday pictures. (06/11/05)
Post Boomer Work Blues
Trying to collar Xers and Yers for the trades in the California Bay Area: CONTRA COSTA COUNTY / Who will fill Baby Boomers' big work boots? / Blue-collar jobs losing popularity despite good pay .
I've seen articles like this before that discuss how kids want a cushy office job, while high paying jobs in the trades go unfilled (which is kind of why they are high paying, right? Supply and demand and all that.); however, down in paragraph 23, another reason for the labor shortage is mentioned. Essentially, most high school graduates don't have enough math and science skills to get one of the better paying blue collar jobs.
I've seen articles like this before that discuss how kids want a cushy office job, while high paying jobs in the trades go unfilled (which is kind of why they are high paying, right? Supply and demand and all that.); however, down in paragraph 23, another reason for the labor shortage is mentioned. Essentially, most high school graduates don't have enough math and science skills to get one of the better paying blue collar jobs.
Career Ambitions
Can also be used as a model for the college admission essay: http://www.missouritrailertrash.com/career.htm
Thursday, June 16, 2005
Crying, While Eating
No, nothing about Texas pizzas here, but this site displays the connection betweeen tragedy and food: Crying, while eating
Texas Cheerleaders in the News
What makes Texas cheerleaders so evil? Added to their crimes of armed robberies and attempted murder: hot steaming pizza delivered fresh in 30 minutes or less: HoustonChronicle.com - Cheerleaders disciplined for 'feces pizza'
Friday, June 10, 2005
Art Schools and Museums
Why do art schools have near unusable web sites and still purport to teach web design? For an example: School of Visual Concepts
While I'm at it: the Seattle Art Museum has improved their web site over the years, to the point where instead of searching for ten minutes and clicking five times to find out when they are open, I now only have to spend three minutes and click two times. This is information that the Frye Art Museum puts directly on their web home page.
While I'm at it: the Seattle Art Museum has improved their web site over the years, to the point where instead of searching for ten minutes and clicking five times to find out when they are open, I now only have to spend three minutes and click two times. This is information that the Frye Art Museum puts directly on their web home page.
Baked Wookies
And here I was thinking that web sites have become all bland and corporate, lacking the fun of the mid-90s: PASSED OUT WOOKIES .
Thursday, June 09, 2005
Ask a Fencer: Why Are Sabre Fencers So Loud and Obnoxious?
Question:
Beloved child and I stopped in down town to watch some Sabre at a "big time" tournament. I think beloved child was relieved to see that the whole set up was not too intimidating and there seemed to be casual exchanges between competitors between matches.
I was absolutely appalled at what I have been lead to believe is poor sportsmanship. Specifically, there was more yelling and howling when certain fencers thought they had scored, than I would have expected from a battle extra in Brave Heart.
These displays included striking a pose with arms rigid and head thrown back or forward. It was the kind of thing you'd expect to see an aboriginal do after defeating a foe in hand to hand combat.
The real comedy was when the howl was not accompanied by a light to indicate a point. There would be a shout, as if to say "DIE INFIDEL SWINE" and then silence and a glance up at the dark score box. It wasn't just one guy either.
Are these childish displays encouraged?
Fencing Father of Fencers
Answer:
Dear FFF,
Sigh. Actually what you witnessed passes as good sportsmanship for sabre as long as it doesn't get personal.
I hope I have mentioned before to you and your beloved children that sabre was the most passionate of the three weapons. What you saw was what sabre fencers call experiencing the intensity of being in the joy of the moment, and what others (foilists and eppeeists) call operatic buffonery.
The yelling and screaming is a theatrical method designed to justify right of way. A lot of sabre fencers don't retreat, so it's hard to tell if they really parried. These same fencers usually don't bend their arms when they parry either. And in fact many claim anyway that they started the attack first, so the whole parry issue is irrelevant. So a blood curdling scream, followed by glaring at the official is considered by many sabre fencers as an adequate substitute for technique.
Hope to see you and your beloved children in a tournament soon!
Beloved child and I stopped in down town to watch some Sabre at a "big time" tournament. I think beloved child was relieved to see that the whole set up was not too intimidating and there seemed to be casual exchanges between competitors between matches.
I was absolutely appalled at what I have been lead to believe is poor sportsmanship. Specifically, there was more yelling and howling when certain fencers thought they had scored, than I would have expected from a battle extra in Brave Heart.
These displays included striking a pose with arms rigid and head thrown back or forward. It was the kind of thing you'd expect to see an aboriginal do after defeating a foe in hand to hand combat.
The real comedy was when the howl was not accompanied by a light to indicate a point. There would be a shout, as if to say "DIE INFIDEL SWINE" and then silence and a glance up at the dark score box. It wasn't just one guy either.
Are these childish displays encouraged?
Fencing Father of Fencers
Answer:
Dear FFF,
Sigh. Actually what you witnessed passes as good sportsmanship for sabre as long as it doesn't get personal.
I hope I have mentioned before to you and your beloved children that sabre was the most passionate of the three weapons. What you saw was what sabre fencers call experiencing the intensity of being in the joy of the moment, and what others (foilists and eppeeists) call operatic buffonery.
The yelling and screaming is a theatrical method designed to justify right of way. A lot of sabre fencers don't retreat, so it's hard to tell if they really parried. These same fencers usually don't bend their arms when they parry either. And in fact many claim anyway that they started the attack first, so the whole parry issue is irrelevant. So a blood curdling scream, followed by glaring at the official is considered by many sabre fencers as an adequate substitute for technique.
Hope to see you and your beloved children in a tournament soon!
Wednesday, June 08, 2005
Seattle Moment
I grabbed a belly bomber burrito at the Taco del Mar on the way home from south Lake Union this evening. There was a couple ahead of me attired in REI chic- she in fleece jacket, he in Guatemalan vest, and both in Teva sandals. Man was thin with ear stud, woman had the fresh scrubbed, red cheeked no make up look with her swept back and held by a silver and ebony hair brooch.
Two adorable little girls, in fleece vests and hemp sweat pants, were running about, and the woman looked over her shoulder and said, "Papaya! Rosemary! Find a table and wait for us."
Papaya and Rosemary say "Yes, mommy," in unison. Then the woman instructs the baffled counter man on how to make a "near veggie" burrito. ("Rice, beans, avocado, and cheese.")
After they finish they crammed into a new hybrid parked in front and took off.
Two adorable little girls, in fleece vests and hemp sweat pants, were running about, and the woman looked over her shoulder and said, "Papaya! Rosemary! Find a table and wait for us."
Papaya and Rosemary say "Yes, mommy," in unison. Then the woman instructs the baffled counter man on how to make a "near veggie" burrito. ("Rice, beans, avocado, and cheese.")
After they finish they crammed into a new hybrid parked in front and took off.
Profiling and Questioning at the Border
U.S. immigration officials use profiling to question a border crosser for two hours before allowing him entry. Suspect in killings had chain saw at U.S. border
Naturopath Sued
Alternative medicine is becoming mainstream: Seattle Weekly: News: Death by Natural Causes by Nina Shapiro
And what does the "physician" in quesion have to say:
"It's crap, bullshit stuff,' Dr. Lucinda Messer says of the Wilsons' charges of negligence. She asserts that it’s the Wilsons who were negligent for shunning conventional medical help."
Essentially her defense is that the parents of the deceased child should have gone to a real doctor. "Dr." Lucinda Messer trained at Bastyr.
And what does the "physician" in quesion have to say:
"It's crap, bullshit stuff,' Dr. Lucinda Messer says of the Wilsons' charges of negligence. She asserts that it’s the Wilsons who were negligent for shunning conventional medical help."
Essentially her defense is that the parents of the deceased child should have gone to a real doctor. "Dr." Lucinda Messer trained at Bastyr.
Tuesday, June 07, 2005
Most Will Be Mentally Ill at Some Point, Study Says - New York Times
My friend Pat Muir used to say that we're all crazy. Turns out he may have been right.
Registration required, etc: Most Will Be Mentally Ill at Some Point, Study Says - New York Times:
"While the new survey was carefully done, Dr. McHugh said, 'the problem is that the diagnostic manual we are using in psychiatry is like a field guide and it just keeps expanding and expanding.'
'Pretty soon,' he said, 'we'll have a syndrome for short, fat Irish guys with a Boston accent, and I'll be mentally ill.'"
Registration required, etc: Most Will Be Mentally Ill at Some Point, Study Says - New York Times:
"While the new survey was carefully done, Dr. McHugh said, 'the problem is that the diagnostic manual we are using in psychiatry is like a field guide and it just keeps expanding and expanding.'
'Pretty soon,' he said, 'we'll have a syndrome for short, fat Irish guys with a Boston accent, and I'll be mentally ill.'"
Thursday, June 02, 2005
Demetri Martin
Demetri Martin's week on Slate: A weeklong journal from a comedian and writer. By Demetri Martin
By the way, I think Demetri Martin's homepage has the best design I've seen in a long time, and as a bonus you don't need Flash: http://www.demetrimartin.com/
By the way, I think Demetri Martin's homepage has the best design I've seen in a long time, and as a bonus you don't need Flash: http://www.demetrimartin.com/
The Amazing Steve Ditko
Salon has review of "Steve Ditko (MArvel Visionaries) : Salon.com Books The amazing Steve Ditko
Ditko has long been the mysterious recluse of comicdom, but he pretty much created the concept of the graphic novel, only no one knew it at the time. Ditko's Spiderman and Dr. Strange made its way to a college audience, and comics have not been the same since.
Ditko has long been the mysterious recluse of comicdom, but he pretty much created the concept of the graphic novel, only no one knew it at the time. Ditko's Spiderman and Dr. Strange made its way to a college audience, and comics have not been the same since.
The Ninth Time Lord
And I've lost count of the cute sidekicks: BBC - Doctor Who - Characters
I actually saw the original Dr. Who, William Hartnell, on stage in Ipswich in "Puss in Boots," a Christmas pantomime. He played Dr. Who, and at a crucial point in the play the Tardis appeared from nowhere,wrapped in smoke with its blue light flashing, and he stepped out of the police call box to our thunderous applause. Exactly how and why the Doctor was involved in the plot was beyond the credulity of anyone but a ten year old Dr. Who-crazed fan. Needless to say, I loved it! Pity they couldn't have gotten the Daleks into the pantomime. I can just hear the audience shouting back to them ,"Oh no you won't exterminate all humans!"
I actually saw the original Dr. Who, William Hartnell, on stage in Ipswich in "Puss in Boots," a Christmas pantomime. He played Dr. Who, and at a crucial point in the play the Tardis appeared from nowhere,wrapped in smoke with its blue light flashing, and he stepped out of the police call box to our thunderous applause. Exactly how and why the Doctor was involved in the plot was beyond the credulity of anyone but a ten year old Dr. Who-crazed fan. Needless to say, I loved it! Pity they couldn't have gotten the Daleks into the pantomime. I can just hear the audience shouting back to them ,"Oh no you won't exterminate all humans!"
Port Townsend Visit
Snapshots of Port Townsend, Wa. from March 2005. (Sorry I'm running behind on the entries. Also didn't have time to correct perspective on the building.)
We celebrated Glenn's birthday during the Victorian festival where we toured the Rothschild house and Fort Worden.
Click on picture for more snapshots of the area.
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