Friday, May 09, 2008
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Meme!
Stolen from Mike, who only posts once every couple months it seems. Fucker. Arm-wrestling, bookshelf-destroying fucker.
1) Ten years ago I was...
Moving from Troy to Saratoga, to live in my parents' house with my brother, who was attending Skidmore. For my parents, trustworthy tenants. For me, cheap rent. For my brother, no $7000 worth of Room & Board tacked on to already-ridiculous tuition loans. Wins all around. Dating Mary. Self-employed, successfully.
2) Five things on today's to-do list:
Not die from this strange stomach pain.
Chug some Pepto.
Get a lot of work done at the office. Fucking Bengali fonts can suck my ass.
Chill with Erica.
Make some phone calls for house-hold projects. Carpets, a couple yards of stone, garage doors, etc.
3) Things I'd do if I were a billionaire:
Buy a baseball team.
Visit many tropical islands.
Have a media room to embarrass even the best movie theaters.
UPDATE: I was so caught up in my newfound wealth, I forgot the things I'd do after my 2 personal needs were taken care of (the islands are for both of us).
Use the money, and the power that comes with it, to make more money for causes. I have 2 or 3 favorites, Erica does too. But rather than just cut $100,000,000 checks to six organizations, I'd want to build something that would make them that much in interest alone. Na-mean? That would be my "job." Building something real, chillin' with Sachs (I'd call him J Sack, 'cuz we'd be tight) and Bono, doin' it and doin' it and doin' it well.
4) Three bad habits:
No such thing.
5) Five places I've lived:
Cherry Valley, NY
Athens, Greece
Troy, New York
Saratoga Springs, NY
I don't remember any towns before Cherry Valley.
6) Six jobs I've had in my life:
Telemarketing
Pizza Delivery
Copy shop (x2)
Translation and typesetting
Fuck, I'm boring.
If you see this, you're tagged.
1) Ten years ago I was...
Moving from Troy to Saratoga, to live in my parents' house with my brother, who was attending Skidmore. For my parents, trustworthy tenants. For me, cheap rent. For my brother, no $7000 worth of Room & Board tacked on to already-ridiculous tuition loans. Wins all around. Dating Mary. Self-employed, successfully.
2) Five things on today's to-do list:
Not die from this strange stomach pain.
Chug some Pepto.
Get a lot of work done at the office. Fucking Bengali fonts can suck my ass.
Chill with Erica.
Make some phone calls for house-hold projects. Carpets, a couple yards of stone, garage doors, etc.
3) Things I'd do if I were a billionaire:
Buy a baseball team.
Visit many tropical islands.
Have a media room to embarrass even the best movie theaters.
UPDATE: I was so caught up in my newfound wealth, I forgot the things I'd do after my 2 personal needs were taken care of (the islands are for both of us).
Use the money, and the power that comes with it, to make more money for causes. I have 2 or 3 favorites, Erica does too. But rather than just cut $100,000,000 checks to six organizations, I'd want to build something that would make them that much in interest alone. Na-mean? That would be my "job." Building something real, chillin' with Sachs (I'd call him J Sack, 'cuz we'd be tight) and Bono, doin' it and doin' it and doin' it well.
4) Three bad habits:
No such thing.
5) Five places I've lived:
Cherry Valley, NY
Athens, Greece
Troy, New York
Saratoga Springs, NY
I don't remember any towns before Cherry Valley.
6) Six jobs I've had in my life:
Telemarketing
Pizza Delivery
Copy shop (x2)
Translation and typesetting
Fuck, I'm boring.
If you see this, you're tagged.
Speed Racer - the critics
Hah.
As I figured it would, the movie is getting killed critically.
I don't know. I enjoy reading criticism, mostly because I can't write it well myself. But in terms of paying attention to critics, whether music or films, I've found very few voices that consistently speak to me. That's fine; it all just boils down to debate, which can be fun.
Thing is, I see lines like "Or maybe it's the predictable story about a guy who goes up against crooked corporate sponsors" and wonder to myself, doesn't this idiot know that every movie can be boiled down to a one- or two-sentence pitch? Sure, that device isn't new, but what is? It's the execution, dummy!
Maybe it's my ADD-addled brain, but I still believe that it was a fun movie, a basic David vs. Goliath plot well-acted within the context (this was a Japanese cartoon after all), wonderful visually.
I tend to agree that the movie didn't need to be as long as it was; some of the whiz-bang could probably have been cut to bring it in under 2 hours. Other than that though, for escapist entertainment, the movie is all win.
I loved this line though:
I'm being serious when I caution epileptics to avoid this film.
See? I wasn't kidding.
As I figured it would, the movie is getting killed critically.
I don't know. I enjoy reading criticism, mostly because I can't write it well myself. But in terms of paying attention to critics, whether music or films, I've found very few voices that consistently speak to me. That's fine; it all just boils down to debate, which can be fun.
Thing is, I see lines like "Or maybe it's the predictable story about a guy who goes up against crooked corporate sponsors" and wonder to myself, doesn't this idiot know that every movie can be boiled down to a one- or two-sentence pitch? Sure, that device isn't new, but what is? It's the execution, dummy!
Maybe it's my ADD-addled brain, but I still believe that it was a fun movie, a basic David vs. Goliath plot well-acted within the context (this was a Japanese cartoon after all), wonderful visually.
I tend to agree that the movie didn't need to be as long as it was; some of the whiz-bang could probably have been cut to bring it in under 2 hours. Other than that though, for escapist entertainment, the movie is all win.
I loved this line though:
I'm being serious when I caution epileptics to avoid this film.
See? I wasn't kidding.
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
This is bad, but it will not prove to be the "ultimate"
IrvineHousingBlog has another ridiculous house-as-ATM scenario, the largest one he's found yet.
Take out 1 million dollars in 5 years, and just mail in the keys.
Take out 1 million dollars in 5 years, and just mail in the keys.
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
WANT
Craftsman 1470 pc. Professional Tool Set
A great collection of mechanics tools. Includes 300 pc. Base Essentials Set (33300), 198 pc. Professional Essentials Set (33198), 189 pc. Specialized Essentials Set (35189), 204 pc. Advanced Access Pro's Set (33204), 106 pc. Advanced Professional Tool Set (35106), 89 pc. Specialized Access Professional Tool Set (35086), 83 pc. Ultimate Fully-Polished Ratcheting Set (35183), 77 pc. Heavy-Duty Mechanic's Set (35079), 94pc. Auto Specialty Professional Tool Set (35098) and 130 pc. Professional Impact Set (34130).
I just had a nerdgasm.
Now I need $9000.
You've got to be kidding me
So I'm reading this, and thinking it's pretty funny for the most part. I mean, sending mass e-mail advertising "sales" on cocaine?
Then this stopped me dead in my tracks:
What?!?!? That must be some sort of self-created program, because it's not listed at SDSU's website.
Any input, Chemist or Tart?
Then this stopped me dead in my tracks:
One student allegedly dealing cocaine was a month short of obtaining a master's degree in Homeland Security and worked with campus police as a student community service officer.
What?!?!? That must be some sort of self-created program, because it's not listed at SDSU's website.
Any input, Chemist or Tart?
Monday, May 05, 2008
Sneak Preview: Speed Racer
A couple weeks ago, I won tickets to tonight's showing of Speed Racer at Crossgates, and boy am I glad I have useless trivia rattling around in my head so I could call into my local ESPN Radio affiliate and answer the question "Name 5 players affected by the Madden Curse."
Brewing partner Bill (link is to his better review, and a cool screen-cap that I didn't find last night) came along, as did Dave, who is always willing to drink the beer at least. Erica backed out at the list minute, as she's just too swamped with grad school work right now, because the prof for her current class decided to add three last-minute assignments to be due this week. Did I mention this is the last week of the class? Hey, dumbass, not all of your students are 22-year-olds just off their first degree. Some are actual teachers (you know, with jobs) who plan their days to the minute; springing 6+ more pages of off-syllabus writing on them at the last minute really fucks with their lives.
Sorry, where was I?
Oh, yes.
One of the most beautiful movies I have ever seen. Sumptuous, even.
Solid-to-fantastic performances all around. John Goodman and Susan Sarandon were pitch-perfect as Mom and Pops, and some guy I don't know was just the right amount of over-the-top as the cartoonish bad guy.
Christina Ricci was a great Trixie, and it was nice that the role had more to it than just "the girlfriend." She was sharp. Oh, and pretty damned scrumptious.
Emile Hirch (who was supposedly very good in Into the Wild) was a good choice for Speed. It's been at least 15 years since I've seen an episode of the original cartoon (and I was probably stoned), but he just felt right in the role.
Matthew Fox, inspiration for much Tart lust, was a solid Racer X.
I didn't really have expectations going into this, good or bad, but I was hoping it wasn't another Transformers, pretty but vapid (at least according to everything I heard - I'm not much of a movie person, so I never saw it). Turns out I had nothing to fear.
Now, this ain't Shakespeare, but the plot was more than sufficiently fleshed out, nicely paced, with a perfect balance between comedy and drama. There were plenty of timely theater-wide LOL moments, many involving Chim Chim the monkey and Spritle the little brother.
And did I mention the movie was fucking gorgeous?
Stunning use of color. Remember what a big deal it was a zillion years ago when they did Dick Tracy in primary colors? That idea times 1000. Excellent blend of CGI and meatspace, a nice "illustrated" feel.
If this movie were candy, it would be a Lindt truffle, not a Reese's cup.
My only complaint would be that a couple of the racing scenes were too fast. I honestly can't wait for the DVD, to try to freeze-frame a few of them and figure out what exactly happened.
Rating: 5 stars. Eye candy of the highest order, good story. You will have fun.
My only caveat is that if you are prone to seizures, you might want to stay away. I'm not kidding, I used to date someone who was. We couldn't go to clubs that had strobes or disco balls. This movie might have killed her.
Brewing partner Bill (link is to his better review, and a cool screen-cap that I didn't find last night) came along, as did Dave, who is always willing to drink the beer at least. Erica backed out at the list minute, as she's just too swamped with grad school work right now, because the prof for her current class decided to add three last-minute assignments to be due this week. Did I mention this is the last week of the class? Hey, dumbass, not all of your students are 22-year-olds just off their first degree. Some are actual teachers (you know, with jobs) who plan their days to the minute; springing 6+ more pages of off-syllabus writing on them at the last minute really fucks with their lives.
Sorry, where was I?
Oh, yes.
One of the most beautiful movies I have ever seen. Sumptuous, even.
Solid-to-fantastic performances all around. John Goodman and Susan Sarandon were pitch-perfect as Mom and Pops, and some guy I don't know was just the right amount of over-the-top as the cartoonish bad guy.
Christina Ricci was a great Trixie, and it was nice that the role had more to it than just "the girlfriend." She was sharp. Oh, and pretty damned scrumptious.
Emile Hirch (who was supposedly very good in Into the Wild) was a good choice for Speed. It's been at least 15 years since I've seen an episode of the original cartoon (and I was probably stoned), but he just felt right in the role.
Matthew Fox, inspiration for much Tart lust, was a solid Racer X.
I didn't really have expectations going into this, good or bad, but I was hoping it wasn't another Transformers, pretty but vapid (at least according to everything I heard - I'm not much of a movie person, so I never saw it). Turns out I had nothing to fear.
Now, this ain't Shakespeare, but the plot was more than sufficiently fleshed out, nicely paced, with a perfect balance between comedy and drama. There were plenty of timely theater-wide LOL moments, many involving Chim Chim the monkey and Spritle the little brother.
And did I mention the movie was fucking gorgeous?
Stunning use of color. Remember what a big deal it was a zillion years ago when they did Dick Tracy in primary colors? That idea times 1000. Excellent blend of CGI and meatspace, a nice "illustrated" feel.
If this movie were candy, it would be a Lindt truffle, not a Reese's cup.
My only complaint would be that a couple of the racing scenes were too fast. I honestly can't wait for the DVD, to try to freeze-frame a few of them and figure out what exactly happened.
Rating: 5 stars. Eye candy of the highest order, good story. You will have fun.
My only caveat is that if you are prone to seizures, you might want to stay away. I'm not kidding, I used to date someone who was. We couldn't go to clubs that had strobes or disco balls. This movie might have killed her.
Irony has been dead for a while now...
... but they keep kicking, and kicking, and kicking.
Really, Laura? Really? (sorry, SNL)
Do I really need to mention New Orleans? I didn't think so.
Really, Laura? Really? (sorry, SNL)
Do I really need to mention New Orleans? I didn't think so.
No. This was not an accident.
WTF?
Nope. Sorry.
"Accident" lets this guy off too easily. He heard a noise so he shot at "it?" Without knowing where the other member of his hunting party was? This is why I hunt alone, on my own posted property, or with 5 guys I trust at a second property.
Now, I don't know what the Kentucky hunting season is like, but here in NY, in Spring season we can only take males. Which means we have to be able to identify a beard. Which means, you know, seeing a fucking turkey!
I don't know what any legal punishment should be (though there will likely be none), especially when this man's psychic punishment will last forever. But he certainly should never be given a license again.
A hunter mistook his son for a turkey, shooting the boy to death in what authorities called a terrible accident.
Oldham County police said a man and his 14-year-old son were hunting on private property in the 2000 block of Rebel Ridge Road about 7 a.m. Sunday when they got separated.
When the father noticed some movement in the woods, he fired a 12-gauge shotgun, accidentally killing his son, police said.
Nope. Sorry.
"Accident" lets this guy off too easily. He heard a noise so he shot at "it?" Without knowing where the other member of his hunting party was? This is why I hunt alone, on my own posted property, or with 5 guys I trust at a second property.
Now, I don't know what the Kentucky hunting season is like, but here in NY, in Spring season we can only take males. Which means we have to be able to identify a beard. Which means, you know, seeing a fucking turkey!
I don't know what any legal punishment should be (though there will likely be none), especially when this man's psychic punishment will last forever. But he certainly should never be given a license again.
Sunday, May 04, 2008
Makin' mad coin, and of course not paying taxes
Via TJ, a quite relevant follow-up to the previous post.
New Rule: companies that operate under government contracts need to hire Americans as employees, and pay all employment taxes.
New Rule: companies that operate under government contracts need to hire Americans as employees, and pay all employment taxes.
Makin' mad coin
Killing our own soldiers.
Shoddy work = bigger profits.
It's a no-brainer, to a Republican. Or is that redundant?
Shoddy work = bigger profits.
It's a no-brainer, to a Republican. Or is that redundant?
Saturday, May 03, 2008
I shall call this... mini meme
What is your name? Angelos
A four-letter word: arts
A vehicle: Alfa Romeo
A city: Athens
A boy's name: Andrew
A girl's name: Adrienne
Alcoholic drink: absinthe
An occupation: architect
Something you wear: ascot
A celebrity: Angelina Jolie
A food: Ahi
Something found in a bathroom: aloe
Reason for being late: Accident
Something you shout: Aaaaargh!
An animal: Aardvark
A body part: Ankle
Thursday, May 01, 2008
Shortsighted regulation is funny
Priceless:
This reminds me of various alcohol regulations they passed in Boston. You know, because they don't drink - the 3 bars per city block are just there for decoration. TJ can rant about those for hours.
First, they tried to ban Happy Hour. The legal language involved "discounting" or something. It took all of a day for bar owners to realize that it was bullshit that Bob's Furniture could discount or have a sale, but Murph's Bar couldn't. So they didn't have Happy Hour, they had "sales." One day only: Vodka drinks, $2.50!
The other one was the amount of drinks that can be served to an individual or group. If I show up at a bar first, expecting two other guys, I can't get a pitcher and 3 mugs. They can't sell an individual a pitcher. But, if the other guys show up and decide to get mixed drinks instead, I can still get a pitcher all to myself. Um...
Fans of foie gras celebrate its luxurious taste and texture, but animal rights advocates decry the cruelty of force-feeding geese and ducks via a feeding tube to enlarge their livers before slaughter. In 2006, the Chicago City Council agreed with the protestors and banned the retail sale of foie gras.
The law is enforced by citizen complaint, and restaurateurs risk fines of up to $500 per violation. There is a loophole, however: While it's illegal to sell foie gras, it's not illegal to give it away, so restaurants and hotels just serve foie under the umbrella of other menu items.
"We sell more than ever now," Jimmy Florek, owner of Chicago Game & Gourmet, an epicurean meat and produce supplier. While he doesn't personally approve of foie gras, he's happy to serve the market: "If they don't buy it from me, they'll just buy it from someone else."
This reminds me of various alcohol regulations they passed in Boston. You know, because they don't drink - the 3 bars per city block are just there for decoration. TJ can rant about those for hours.
First, they tried to ban Happy Hour. The legal language involved "discounting" or something. It took all of a day for bar owners to realize that it was bullshit that Bob's Furniture could discount or have a sale, but Murph's Bar couldn't. So they didn't have Happy Hour, they had "sales." One day only: Vodka drinks, $2.50!
The other one was the amount of drinks that can be served to an individual or group. If I show up at a bar first, expecting two other guys, I can't get a pitcher and 3 mugs. They can't sell an individual a pitcher. But, if the other guys show up and decide to get mixed drinks instead, I can still get a pitcher all to myself. Um...
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