Adventures in My Mind
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Nov 30, 2001
"'Just take the music, the goodness, because it's the very best,' and it's the part I give most willingly."
--George Harrsion (1943-2001)
Harrison's Beatles Songs
Lennon? McCartney? Yes, absolutely. Harrison? Only if you know what you're looking for. Overshadowed by his fellow Beatles, George was the oil that kept their engine running. His blazing riffs and tight progressions turned the Beatles from pop icons to rock legends. Along with Ringo's uncomplicated, but always perfect drumming, Harrison was the springboard that allowed Lennon and McCartney to launch their splendid talents. Just one four bar solo could bring everybody back before the bridge.
It was all very fun, and sometimes very personal. Thank you, George.
0 Comments | Link to this post posted by Teddy 9:36 AM
Nov 29, 2001
Character in Harry Potter Books or current U.S. Navy Rear Admiral? You decide.
0 Comments | Link to this post posted by Teddy 10:06 AM
Can you guess the TV theme music?
Long live Pop Culture!! I think that I'm a little scared of the number of themes that I knew. Such is life for a child of the 80s.
0 Comments | Link to this post posted by Teddy 9:14 AM
Nov 28, 2001
Emeril Lagasse kicked it up a notch last night with a whole show about veal. Veal Romano. Veal Saltimbucco. Roasted Veal Loin. Yum!
I really enjoy his show, and not because he kicks up notches or ... BAM! ... his charming Boston ... BAM! ... accent, but because ... BAM! ... he's a hell of a cook and he makes it look fun. I love cooking, too. In fact, I often think that it would be really cool to be a famous chef. I think that I would be known as the Master of the French Fry. Veal and French Fry Stuffing. French Fries Rellenos. French Fry Boulliabase. Roasted Peking Duck with an Apricot French Fry Demi Glase. Mmm, just think of the possibilities.
Yeah, I like Emeril. (Although the cajun stuff does wear thin after a while.)
0 Comments | Link to this post posted by Teddy 11:06 AM
Nov 27, 2001
I have found an interesting companion piece to Jim Kukral's I Hate Lettuce blog entry for today. I do have to wonder though if the people at The Enquirer didn't have an Adobe field day with Ms. Bleeth's photo. Either way, it's damn funny.
Ever wonder what 10 years of drugs and prostitution will do to you? Here's your answer. (From Memepool)
0 Comments | Link to this post posted by Teddy 1:08 PM
Nov 26, 2001
Shame on Blockbuster. Shame on Viacom. Blockbuster has cancelled this year's upcoming Blockbuster Entertainment Awards. An action, by the way, I have no problem with. There are way to many awards shows, and the Blockbuster shindig was perhaps one of the most useless. What I do have a problem with is the reason they chose to cancel them: terrorism.
"Due to the uncertainty of the times, we can't predict consumer response to our show, nor audience behavior--especially media viewing habits--all of which are being affected by world events," Blockbuster spokeswoman, Liz Greene, told the Hollywood Reporter.
What bullshit! The real issue is that video rentals are down and they don't have the cash to foot the bill. It's also debateable as to whether they ever had an audience for their celebrity-studded crapathon, pre or post 9/11. Another issue may be that they don't think they can get enough stars to show up for fear of attack. It's a sad day when even the Hollywood egomaniacs won't show up to slap each other on the back because of perceived threats to their perfectly tanned and tucked asses.
Of course, Blockbuster isn't the only corporation to take advantage of 9/11 events--can anyone say airline industry--but to use a non-existent threat to cancel a show that no one wanted to see in the first place is a cake taker.
0 Comments | Link to this post posted by Teddy 10:33 AM
Nov 21, 2001
Went to see Harry Potter today. It was good, not fantastic but good. My two biggest complaints are that it lacked pacing and was way too long. I hate myself for saying this, but Chris Columbus could have used some of that Hollywood-style filmmaking that got all the Potter fanatics up in arms when he was selected to helm Sorcerer's Stone. There wasn't much of a story arc and many of the scenes, especially the early ones felt interminably long. The script and the direction failed to bring any real cinematic life to Rowling's otherwise imaginative and well written characters.
The acting, however, was first rate. Daniel Radcliffe was splendid as young Mr. Potter. Robbie Coltrane's perfomance as Hagrid lacked a little of the novel's humanity, but his comedic talents payed off well. Poor Alan Rickman. Will he ever play a non-sneering or non-lurking character ever again, ever?. He has been typecast more than Bob Denver, aka Gilligan. But Rickman does play the malevolent Professor Snape with a style and grace that shows why he is always cast as bad guy number one. He really is damn good at it. The supporting cast is also very good. Watch for a great performance from David Bradley as Mr. Filch.
The SFX were terribly dissapointing. A film with a reported $145 million budget should really have something more to show for that kind of cash.
Final thoughts: I enjoyed myself. It was fun to see the muggles and the wizards come to life. I do wish, though, that the filmmakers would have taken some more chances to bring Harry Potter the kind of magic that can only come from the movies. The book was good, but the movie could've been better.
0 Comments | Link to this post posted by Teddy 7:59 PM
Nov 20, 2001
Happy Birthday, Sami!
0 Comments | Link to this post posted by Teddy 12:52 PM
Nov 19, 2001
Glen and I had an interesting conversation at lunch today. Harry Potter is doing wicked business at the box office. But will it last? Monday starts production of book 2 for a Thanksgiving '02 release. Part 3 will be out in '03. A new year; a new movie. Will the movie franchise have the legs to go through all 7 of the planned books? My guess is no.
There are too many variables to handle: getting all the same actors for each movie, standardizing production costs, public interest, etc. The bugdet may be the biggest concern, though. Can you realistically spend $150 million on each of 7 movies and expect to get a return? I doubt it. They will have to control costs by shooting more movies at once, a la the Matrix sequels and the LOTR movies. Current trends say that that is not going to happen. How then do we cut costs? Re-cast characters who are now asking too much for sequels. This would be a disaster. Or do they follow the George Lucas school of filmmaking and put all of their hopes into the marketing efforts by finding a cute, cuddly, adorable - preferably with a speech impediment - creature to play a questionable, yet integral part of the movie, knowing full well that they'll sell a million of the figurines at Target? All tough choices to be sure.
It's quite possible that after this initial record setting performance of "Sorcerer's Stone" that the rest of the Potter franchise will suffer at the box office, especially since all subsequent films have such an incredibly high bar set for them. I can see it now, the second film takes 5 days to hit 100 million; therefore, it's a failure. The thrid film takes 7 days to hit 100 million; therefore, it's a failure. All of a sudden Warner Bros. executive are grumbling about taking number 4 straight to video. "Number 5 should be animated," says one highly place Warner's exec. In Hollywood, nothing spoils your future success more than your current success.
Anyway, I very much look forward to seeing Harry this week.
0 Comments | Link to this post posted by Teddy 3:19 PM
Nov 16, 2001
Is your company having an e-dentity crisis? Then you need the eNormicom Image Bucket Program™... (Courtesy of Signal vs. Noise)
A parody to be sure, but for participants and observers alike, there is a palable taste of reality in it.
0 Comments | Link to this post posted by Teddy 10:49 AM
Nov 15, 2001
Will I ever become blog of the day @ Blogger? (Sigh)
You know, if I were the conspiracy type, I would say that it's no accident that it hasn't happened yet. In fact, I might even say that all the blogs of the day have gotten together to deny me of my rightful place among their company. They're jealous. That's all there is to it, simple jealousy. My blog threatens them, makes their blogs seem weak, inferior. They wilt in comparison to my jests. They cringe under the hard truths of my topical analysis. They prostrate themselves at my witty repartee. They judge themselves unworthy of my insightful commentary. They fear me! As well they should, the filthy curs, the odious villains, the contempible swine! They will reap the whirlwind and rue the day that the powers that be blew the stale breath of life into their round, flatulent bodies!
Um, yeah. I guess it's a good thing I'm not a conspiracy type then, huh?
0 Comments | Link to this post posted by Teddy 9:25 PM
Nov 14, 2001
Are we becoming more literate? Has the move to the Internet fueled a new passion for reading and writing?
It has definitely affected me. While always a voracious reader, I supplement my normal novel and magazine reading with countless visits to my favorite news sites, ezines and blogs on a daily basis. I also write a hell of a lot more because of this little blog that you're reading now.
Do you think this true or becoming true for most of us? Has the Internet started to pay off some real cultural value, instead of just cyberbucks to the Stanford MBAs? Even the most avid porn surfer makes a stop by CNN.com once in a while.
While there haven't been any hard studies, this much we know: TV viewership is down; magazine and newspaper subs are up slightly; book sales are up dramatically. Do we want to know again? Has TV's anesthetic affect become tiresome for us? One can only hope so.
But in case it hasn't, go read a book or read a newspaper or write something to the world. It'll make you feel good. I promise.
0 Comments | Link to this post posted by Teddy 10:40 AM
Nov 13, 2001
Wow! This is really, really cool. The Big Cartoon Database. (from Blather)
You can find nearly every cartoon that has every been created. Search by studio or category; they're all there! Now to get the actual cartoon compressed and stored in the DB.
Look, I know that my joy at finding the above referenced link is in direct proportion to my geekiness - so is the fact that I just wrote "direct proportion" - but cartoons really are an amazing connection to our culture. To get a true indication of where a people are societally and culturally, all you have to do is take a look at what they think is funny. And what better place to start than cartoons. Want to get a clue about American culture in the 30's? Watch Paramount's Popeye cartoons. The 40's? Warner Bros. Looney Tunes. The 50's? MGM's Tom & Jerry. The 60's & 70's? Hanna-Barbera. And so on.
Admittedly, toons represent a mostly mainstream version of American culture, but if you look hard enough, you can find some edge stuff too.
0 Comments | Link to this post posted by Teddy 10:26 AM
Nov 12, 2001
Also from Wannabe Girl, Cursor Rally.
0 Comments | Link to this post posted by Teddy 11:17 AM
What kind of blogger are you? (from Wannabe Girl)
My results:
56 points is in the 51 through 80 precent
You are a dedicated weblogger. You post frequently because you enjoy weblogging a lot, yet you still manage to have a social life. You're the best kind of weblogger. Way to go!
0 Comments | Link to this post posted by Teddy 11:02 AM
Nov 9, 2001
Hijacking The World's Conscience by William Saletan.
0 Comments | Link to this post posted by Teddy 12:02 PM
Try not to laugh. This is a pisser.
Thanks, Jim.
0 Comments | Link to this post posted by Teddy 10:01 AM
Raspberries to the NFL and New York Jets. Please read on ...
Professional athletes are pampered crybabies that act like children instead of adults. I am a huge sports fan, especially football, but the special treatment has got to go.Robinson's situation is more troublesome still. Last month, he got arrested for having an assault rifle, high-capacity magazine clips and ammunition in the trunk of his car while driving into Giants Stadium -- and still got to start the game that afternoon. After New Jersey state police confiscated the weapon, they hauled Robinson into a stadium office and called a municipal court judge, who ordered him released on his own recognizance. The case is still pending.
An assault rifle with magazine clips? Imagine for one second that you attempted to bring such a thing into your place of employment. Now answer these two questions: 1) Would it still be your place of employment? 2) Would you have been released on your recognizance? If your having trouble with the answers to these posers, let me help. NO! and NO!
Of course, as we all know, this is merely another case of money talking. The NFL and its teams have big investments in their players, and they are certainly not going to let trivial things like professionalism, equal treatment, and high moral and ethical behavior keep them from exploiting those investments to the highest degree. It's disgraceful. It's disgusting. It's disturbing. And it's typical.
0 Comments | Link to this post posted by Teddy 9:25 AM
Nov 8, 2001
I love concept cars!
Some good words from James Lileks:
"The entire world was made of roads. And he still could not find the one that led to freedom."
And ...
"I could always amuse myself. I hope she grows up to see solitude as an opportunity - and since she also has her mother’s sociability, I can only conclude she will rule the world." I particularly like this, as I feel the same way about Aidan.
0 Comments | Link to this post posted by Teddy 1:24 PM
Nov 6, 2001
Vote Today!
That's right. Today is election day. And although it's an off year, the candidates that you will vote for today affect your life much more than those on the even years. Superior Court judges; State and Commonwealth judges; and a host of other city, county, and state positions are up for grabs. Much more than any federal position, these people affect your every day lives. They pass the taxes, the zoning laws, consumer protection acts, and a laundry list of other rules and regulations that can either help you or make your life a bureaucratic nightmare.
Many states allow day-of-election registration, so if you're not registered - it doesn't matter what party, just register - then get to your county courthouse and fill out the appropriate form. If it's too late to register for today, then register for next year. Get off your ass. Do something. Be a part of the process.
We, you and I, are the people who protect our democratic way of life in this country, and we do it with our vote. Respect the power of your vote by learning as much as you can about all the candidates. But most of all exercise the power of your vote by using it. The only wasted vote is an unused one. I will stop short of calling it your duty, but remember, there are billions of people on this planet that do not enjoy the freedom of electing their own leaders.
Here are some helpful links:
The Federal Election Committee
The League of Women Voters
Be A Voter
0 Comments | Link to this post posted by Teddy 9:35 AM
Nov 5, 2001
I hope that everyone had a great weekend. I did, even if I had to mow the lawn for what I hope is the last time this year. Aidan and Sami went for a walk while I was mowing, and it was the damned cutest thing to see Aidan stumbling up the street in his big, red fleece pullover. It was one of those perfect moments: a cool fall breeze, the smells of cut grass and mulched leaves lingering about, and a brilliant, red sun setting behind cotton-like clouds. Watching the seasons change here in the Northeast is a joy.
Mr. Green sent this link to music from the 1st LOTR film, The Fellowship of the Ring. Opening day is December 19th! Be there and be square, like a geek that is.
Seriously, though, I'll be there and so should you. J.R.R. Tolkien singlehandedly created what we now know as the epic fantasy genre. Even if you've only dabbled with authors like Anthony, McCafferey, Hickman, and Weis, you owe a lot to Mr. Tolkein. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy and its precursor, The Hobbit, are the backbone of nearly every sword and sorcery story since.
The LOTR movies could mean big things to the fantasy film genre. Fantasy writers sell millions of books each year, and yet, fantasy films are barely represented at the box office. And the ones that do make it are painful for even the most forgiving movie goer. Hopefully Peter Jackson will be true to the source material, and do something to contribute to the movie genre at the same time. A tough task to be sure.
0 Comments | Link to this post posted by Teddy 11:38 AM
Nov 2, 2001
If you like to mix up a tastey groove, like I do, then you'll love Loop Labs.
Also, for the little boy in you, Rally!
0 Comments | Link to this post posted by Teddy 3:43 PM
Nov 1, 2001
Where is your birthday in Pi?
Mine, 8/31/69, was found at 79,811.
0 Comments | Link to this post posted by Teddy 11:10 AM
