Posts

My work has conveniently included WordPress as a blocked website – it’s pleasing. I didn’t make a habit out of writing posts while at work; generally emailed them to my work address and then cut and pasted them into WordPress. Anyway, posts may be slow in coming while I change my posting habits.

Handlebar (as in moustache) Club

Some things are too amazing for words.  Follow this link and then click on the gallery to be amazed.

Day of Mourning

No man is an island entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main; if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friend’s or of thine own were; any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee. –John Donne

Today, I am saddened to hear of the death of German actor Ulrich Muehe. I knew nothing about him until last weekend when I saw The Lives of Others. I think he was superb in the intricate role of the Stasi officer assigned to monitor an artist for anti-government activities, a role that required Muehe to subtly express the character’s conflicted loyalties. BBC’s article about his death is here.

For AJ – Whoever You Are

Definition of a brat:  A child, who is old enough to know better, who picks up a new bottle of water off a store shelf, puts the bottle cap in his mouth, and then returns the bottle for me to later pick up.

Also, I don’t automatically think the mother is a failure in general because of the incident.  However, she did have a moral obligation to insure that someone else doesn’t needlessly encounter her son’s body fluids.  At that, she miserably failed.

Oh yeah, I avoid West Little Rock when possible.  The insipid sprawl hurts my eyes.

For everyone who is not AJ, feel free to revisit this post of mine from a while back and see AJ’s comments.

Random Thought

Last week while running an errand in W. Little Rock, I cut across from Cantrell to Rodney Parham on Pleasant Valley Drive. As I did, I pondered the name Pleasant Valley and what makes it so pleasant. It’s one of the only four lane roads with a wide median that I know of in Little Rock. It makes for nice driving. But pleasant? Such a bland, ordinary word in my opinion. Makes me think of 1950s nostalgia. Maybe it’s the big houses along the way. In truth, I’ve no idea.

I also wonder, though, if the road takes its name from the country club of the same name at the western end of the road. Maybe they are both named after the valley itself. Not important, I suppose.

I just think that, if I were to pay the supposedly outrageous membership fees for the Pleasant Valley Country Club, I would rather it be named something like “The Gnarliest Country Club Ever!” Please know that I have no idea how much the membership fees are – just heard rumors – for all I know they could very well be reasonable. Regardless, I have no interest in golf, or country clubs. I think they smack of elitism. But if I did join, my first act as a member would be to move for a name change. Guess that’s why I’ll never be a country club member or wear polo shirts with pleated khaki shorts. I know – never say never – but I’m fairly certain on this one.

Nurseries

So, last week, I was reading a blog in which the author, in one post, announced that she is pregnant and then, in a follow up, talked about some of the details of her pregnancy.  All of the details were clearly appropriate for a blog and seemed very normal to me (due date, info. about names, etc.) until I got to the part where she discussed the nursery.  She went into great detail about the color she plans to paint it (chocolate brown – which, by her account, is trendy) with what color accents (cream with teal blue or lime green), how she picked the colors because she doesn’t like gender specific nurseries, and exactly when she plans to decorate the room.

Not even sure why, but her description totally freaked me out.

It’s nothing personal with her.  I’m glad that she is excited about the baby and, from as much as you can know about a person from reading her blog from time to time, she seems like she’ll be a great mom.

But, at first, I didn’t even know what she was referring to when she called it a nursery.  A nursery is a place where I buy plants.  At the very least, it’s where the babies come from at the hospital.  It’s not a room that you I have to think about decorating, differently than it already is, so a baby can sleep in it.

Not even sure what that says about me – maybe that I’m not looking to have kids anytime soon, maybe that I won’t ever be, maybe I will someday and will have to consider details.  Maybe…I can’t figure it all out tonight.

China, New York, and Germany in Four Days

The Painted Veil

The chief thing that I learned by watching this movie is that I never, ever want to contract cholera.

That said, the movie, starring Naomi Watts and Ed Norton and based on W. Somerset Maugham’s novel of the same name, is enjoyable. It’s about a couple who marry for the wrong reasons and inevitably are unhappy because of their choice. When Ed Norton’s character, who is a doctor, volunteers to advise a village, in the countryside of China, about a cholera outbreak, the couple embark on a journey of discovery about themselves and each other set against the backdrop of the political upheaval of 1920s China.

I Now Pronounce you Chuck and Larry

I think the slight controversy surrounding this movie is interesting. Some people believe that it takes advantage of the ignorance of some characters to incite laughter at mean spirited homophobic jokes. At the same time, I’ve heard that some homosexual groups (most notably, a group of gay NYC firemen) endorse the movie.

There were a couple of scenes early in the movie when one character uses overtly derogatory terms and language that I found uncomfortable to watch. Later, however, that character realizes the ignorance and hurtfulness of his past actions. So, with that in mind, I think the writers were justified. To show the personal growth of a character, it is necessary, after all, to first display the character’s faults. I don’t think derision should be cast upon the movie simply because the genre happens to be a comedy.

While, in the end, I found it enjoyable and funny, I think it’s a movie that everyone should see and form their own opinion about.

The Lives of Others

This political drama deservedly won the 2007 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. Given the world’s obsession with security in the face of terrorism, the movie’s warning about unchecked government surveillance is timely. But the message is delivered in a story that is both suspenseful and compassionate. Set in East Berlin in 1984, it follows an apparently unshakable Stasi agent and the writer whom the agent is assigned to monitor to find evidence of anti-government actions. The agent soon learns that the only reason he is seeking such evidence is because a high ranking socialist party member wants the writer’s girlfriend for himself. The tension builds as the agent must decide to follow the party line or do what is clearly ethical given the circumstances.

I enjoyed every minute.

iPhone Craziness

I went to Kroger yesterday to buy some Sudafed – for the head cold I’ve been enjoying the past few days, not so I could cook some meth.  While I was there, I saw a guy walking around with an iPhone clipped to his belt.  I hadn’t seen one physically and, at first, thought, “Cool.  I wonder if he likes it as much as I’ve enjoyed every Apple product I’ve ever encountered?” 

Then, after a little while, I thought about how it’s still just a phone.  Clipped. to. a. guy’s. belt.  Don’t be that guy.  Have some self respect and put that crap in your pocket.

We Interrupt this Program…

To wish a happy birthday to Jennifer!

I think it’s simply amazing that this is the 13th that you have allowed me to share with you.  Time flies… 

XOXO

If the Indictment is True…

then Michael Vick does not have a soul.

I realize dog fights probably happen every day. I also realize that worse things happen. But in Vick’s case, he didn’t need the money. It was purely for sport, and cruelty. I hope he never plays football again. He is a waste of oxygen.

If you are interested in reading it, the press release by U.S. Attorney Chuck Rosenberg about the indictment is here.

Duets

Music geek analysis ahead. You will be bored if you don’t like that sort of thing:

It’s an understatement to say that my father and I have different tastes in television. For instance, two of his favorites are Fox News and Gaither family gospel specials, neither of which I can tolerate. So, this weekend when I was visiting my parents, I was happy when he chose to watch CMT’s 100 Greatest Duets. With some notable exceptions, I don’t like country music. But I love a good any countdown show. Ended up that CMT named “Islands in the Stream” – Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers – as the number one duet. I’m ambivalent about their choice. I like Dolly Parton but could not care any less about Kenny Rogers. There were several on the list that I like much more (think “Jackson” and “Mamas Don’t Let your Babies Grow up to be Cowboys”).

Anyway, I was thinking about the CMT countdown, and duets in general, when, on my way back to work during lunch today, “Nothing Better” by The Postal Service came up on my iPod. I love how Ben Gibbard and Jenny Lewis emphasize each other’s voices with their contrasting styles.

When listening to it, I feel Gibbard’s sorrow about the broken relationship of which he sings. And then, when Lewis interjects (amusingly with the line, “I feel I must interject here”), the lightness she brings is palpable and I know why Gibbard is so sad. The song continues with Gibbard fooling himself, and trying to fool Lewis, that the relationship can be repaired and can last forever. When he sings, “Tell me that I’m right that there could be nothing better than making you my bride and slowly growing old together,” she shuts him down for good with, “Don’t you feed me lies about some idealistic future.” She emphasizes idealistic in a way that you know poor Gibbard has not a prayer. It’s gut wrenching and beautiful all at once.

Another recent duet that I’ve been seriously digging is “The Dull Flame of Desire” from Volta, Bjork’s recently released disc. I’ve never listened extensively to Antony and the Johnsons but I certainly like Antony Hegarty when he sings with Bjork. I realize that Bjork is not for everyone, however.

Regardless, do you have any favorite duets?

No Heavy Metal Here

Earlier today, Jennie posted this about work out music. In response:

I usually make a playlist while driving to the gym (safe, I know) and then put my iPod on shuffle. If I listened to the whole playlist, it usually would run longer than the time I work out.  But I like to be certain my music doesn’t stop in the middle of exercising. Anyhow, here is the one I made last night:

“Me & Mr. Jones” – Amy Winehouse

“Balaclava” – Arctic Monkeys

“Fake Tales of San Francisco” – Arctic Monkeys

“Took Out a Loan” – Black Rebel Motorcycle Club

“Weapon of Choice” – Black Rebel Motorcycle Club

“Don’t Stop” – Brazilian Girls

“Black and White Town” – Doves

“Evil and a Heathen” – Franz Ferdinand

“Well That was Easy” – Franz Ferdinand

“Ride a White Horse” – Goldfrapp

“Ooh La” – The Kooks

“Sing me Spanish Techno” – The New Pornographers

“Champagne Supernova” – Oasis

“Electioneering” – Radiohead

“Punkrocker” – Teddybears

“C-C (you set the fire in me)” – Tom Vek

“Phenomena” – Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Rocky Horror at The Weekend Theater

This past Friday night, we attended a production of the Rocky Horror Show at Little Rock’s Weekend Theater. We had a great time. The Weekend Theater is interesting because the stage and the audience are very close to one another, providing an intimate atmosphere for any production. For the Rocky Horror Show, though, it was especially fun. The cast members were literally among the audience during several scenes which further blurred the already fuzzy line between the actively participating audience and the actors. Suffice to say that, if you haven’t seen Rocky Horror live, it’s an interesting experience.

The Weekend Theater’s production features many fine actors. Even though heckling is, as a traditional part of Rocky Horror, welcome, I was especially impressed by the way the actors skillfully handled and adapted to it. My favorites were Alan Douglas as the Narrator, Melissa Neal as the Movie Scream Queen/Magenta, and Jason M. Willey as Riff-Raff.  Jennifer loved Chad Bradford as Dr. Frank-n-Furter.

If you get a chance, it’s a fun way to spend a couple of hours on a weekend evening and support a local organization. The production continues through August 4.

Television

Have you ever known anyone who claims not to watch T.V. but then, for example, when that person comes to your house, he or she can’t take his or her eyes off the thing? 

First, it’s okay to recognize that a lot of the programming is crap but still admit to enjoying it.  Second, have some conviction if you are going to be exhaustive in your condemnation.

Yann Martel

If you have not read Life of Pi by Yann Martel, please do so when you have an opportunity.  It won the Man Booker prize a few years ago and is among my favorite books.  Recently, while browsing at Barnes and Noble, I saw it in paperback and remembered how much I love it.  Here is a quote from it that sums up the attitude of the protagonist:

The reason death sticks so closely to life isn’t biological necessity – it’s envy. Life is so beautiful that death has fallen in love with it…

Kids-in-Mind

Don’t know how long this site has been around, but it breaks down movies for parents based on three categories – Sex & Nudity, Violence & Gore, and Profanity – so that parents can judge whether or not their children should watch the movie.  By way of example, here is the profanity breakdown for the fairly new Mandy Moore/John Krasinski movie License to Wed: 

PROFANITY 5 – 1 partially bleeped F-word derivative (“mother…”), 10 sexual remarks including references to sexually transmitted diseases, 13 scatological terms, 5 anatomical terms, 9 mild obscenities, name-calling (wussy, pompous, vanilla, stupid, jerk), 16 religious exclamations.

I don’t have children, but I can understand that people don’t want their children watching some of the trash that is out there.  But I also think that, growing up, I had a fairly free hand in what I chose to watch and it didn’t warp me too much.  Or maybe it did and I just don’t know it…

I think some people just need to chill out a little.

Regardless, if you are interested in checking out the site then follow this link.

Why Kroger Compels me to Believe Social Programs are Important

When I went to the grocery store earlier this week, an older lady was my cashier. Even now, I’m not sure what to think about my encounter. My guess is that she was born long before the commercial use of bar codes but there she was using a scanner to tell me how much I owed.

Everything about her was beautiful, especially her demeanor. When she took my keys to scan my shopper card, she asked me how I was and I could tell she meant it. I smiled broadly, told her that I was fine, and returned the question. She said she was good. Again, she meant it.

Physically, her stark white hair was cut close to and conservatively permed to her head. Her hands reminded me of my grandmother’s – she clearly has worked hard her whole life – still, they were not masculine: large knuckles and broad nails but with retained femininity.

Fearing she would perceive it as patronizing, I tried not to say “yes ma’am” or the like too much. I just tried to be nice. I paid for my groceries and silently pushed my cart toward the car.

The experience affected me deeply because I think that we often neglect our senior citizens. Why was this seemingly (clearly, I don’t really know anything about her after a few, short minutes) wonderful woman forced to scan groceries? Maybe it’s her choice. If so, that’s fine.

But maybe she needs the money to pay her rent, or buy her next meal, or purchase her next prescription. If so and if she has already put in a lifetime of honest work, as a society we ought to take care of her and all the other folks who have honestly contributed to society for years.

Schedules

In the episode titled “My Drug Buddy” of the first season of Scrubs, Turk and Dr. Cox happen to get on the same bathroom schedule. It’s an obvious opportunity for the writers to exploit the anger inherent in Dr. Cox. At first, he simply rhetorically asks, “Why is there an intern in my bathroom?” Later, his anger grows as Turk continues to show up at the same time. Obviously, it’s ridiculous to get angry about someone else being in a public bathroom which is why, in my opinion, it’s funny.

That said, we have a summer intern at work who always seems to be in the bathroom when I am. The bathroom on our floor is relatively small so, short of being downright rude like Dr. Cox, speaking is unavoidable. I know it’s coincidence, but I find it wholly infuriating. I don’t even really want to see anyone else while I go about my business, let alone speak.

Oh, the tribulations of work.

Psalm 13

It’s one of my favorite chapters in the Bible. If you aren’t familiar with it, here is the text:

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

How long, O LORD ? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?

How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and every day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?

Look on me and answer, O LORD my God.
Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death;

my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,”
and my foes will rejoice when I fall.

But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.

I will sing to the LORD,
for he has been good to me.

I’ve read a number of commentaries about it; not all express the same opinion. My favorite, and most common that I have read, is that David wrote it while Saul was trying to kill him.

At the time, David was still young but had already killed Goliath and had already experienced other great successes in battle. More importantly, Samuel, as God’s messenger, had already anointed David to be king. In other words, he was an accomplished man who was destined for even greater things.

But what is David doing in Psalm 13? Whining.

I love that he is whining because the Bible describes David as a man after God’s own heart. As great an honor as that is, he was still afflicted with the human condition. It’s sort of strange, but I take great comfort in that. Always have.

The Libby Debacle

I tried to ignore it.  I really did, but it was inevitable that I would get around to writing about it.  Here’s the thing:  I don’t like that Libby’s sentence was commuted.  In fact, I find it deplorable.  But the simple fact is that the president has the power and he exercised it.  It’s part of our checks and balances, so I can live with it in the end.

That said, the Bush administration should not have been shocked or surprised that the Democratic Party attacked the president’s action.  With a republican form of government, the attacks are simply inevitable.  I’m okay with that too, especially since I tend to identify more with the left than the right.

What I do not like, though, is when folks start taking personal shots at my state. 

As I understand it, the following transpired over the past few days:  Bill Clinton apparently used the Libby thing as an example of how those in the Bush administration feel that they can do whatever they want and that they think, “the law is a minor obstacle.”  In response, Tony Snow said, “I don’t know what Arkansan is for chutzpah, but this is a gigantic case of it.”  Fuck him and his condescending rhetoric.

Read CNN’s article here if you want.