Absquatulate

Oscars 2008: The Boredoming

Oh yes, it's time. To be continually updated until I give up.

• Helen Mirren, LOVE your dress! Love love love!
• Cameron Diaz? Wow, what has shee been up to lately!?
• Cate! What is up with that dress? And your arms? OH! You're pregnant! Now I got it.
• I think that's MCM behind Johnny Depp!!!!
• Jennifer Hudson: Just because you got it, don't mean you should flaunt it. Whoo.
• If Clive Owen and Russel Crowe had a love child it would be Javier Bardem.
• Kerri Russel looks better as she gets older.
• Owen Wilson! Wow. Good for him!
• Oh Phillipe, don't apologize for not speaking English! Indeed, I think he should do his speech in French.
• Supporting actress: Cate Cate Cate!!! Drat, but still yay for Tilda too! She is her own style. Period.
• I STILL don't believe in Hannah Montana.
• Do you feel like the Coen Bros. are only there because they have to be? And that's not a bad thing.
• We don't really CARE about the Oscars inner workings. Ugh.
• Is Enchanted the ONLY musical movie that came out this year?
• Leading Actress: I LOVE how excited Cate Blanchett is for people who win in her categories! I haven't seen La Vie En Rose, but I've heard it is fantastic. I love how excited she is!
• God! Jack Nicholson has had work done too right? Why is he SO creepy? I don't think he can be just a regular guy.
• Renee Zellweger looks consistently pinched. Like she has a lemon up her tuchus.
• HOLY sweet mice, the ice this year is unbelievable. It's about long strands of diamonds over simple dresses. Nicole looks great, and almost human, now that she's expecting.
• When one becomes over 75, you can totally wear a white scarf with your tux. And have the longest thank you speech of the night.
• Okay, Oscar dress designers, enough with the feathered boobs.
• YAY! I'm glad "Once" won for best song, up against Disney or whatever Enchanted was. AWW she didn't get to say anything? Lame. Of all people the orchestra should have given them just a little more time.
• OH, did Jon really have her come back out???!?!?!? GOOD for them, GOOD for her! I'm glad they did the right thing.
• The Oscar set design looks like those pillars/pistons in Portal (guess what I played ALL day today?).
• Boy, this show is a snooze.
• AAAAAH, HERE is the troops portion of the show. I think I'm done with the Oscars tonight. Boring boring boring.
• You know, I feel like that the Oscars are really for the people who make the quiet magic: documentary filmmakers, special effects artists, etc, who aren't rich and aren't famous but do what they love. Best actress, but if I could watch a whole night of people who really were happy to win, that would be great.
• Diablo Cody??? Her look absolutely matches her name. And WHOA what a tat there.
• I'm done. I can't even stay up for Best Picture I could care so little. AND, I hate that Robert Plant and Alison Krauss are schilling for JCPenny. SusanW. has got the rest of the night covered on Twitter I think. Goodnight and thank you to the Academy!
• Wait, you have to know this: "Heidi Klum, isn't that the prostitute?" "..... WHAT?" "That woman, in LA? With the famous clients?" "That's Heidi Fleiss you're thinking of." "Oh."

An Invite for Dinner

A fun game to play with your well-to-do friends on the third bottle of wine is the "What Famous Person Dead or Alive Would You Invite To Dinner" guessing game, wherein all the participants talk about what erudite dinner guests one would invite to talk to US, er, YOU, the layman. I could never really commit to anyone with any great conviction. There were the usual suspects such as Newton, Hitler, George Washington that would inevitably be brought up. My choices usually included a common medieval woman, Niels Bohr, and Abigail Adams. As for modern famous people... meh. For me they're all too recent to really want me to explore MORE about what things were 'really like' for the most part. It wasn't until tonight that I realized I was overlooking the most brilliant and obvious choice! Jon Stewart. Can you imagine a dinner with all those diners? What would one serve!?

State Of The Union

Since the Golden Globes were derailed by the writers strike, I thought I'd bring you a play by play of the SOTU address. For as long as I can take it. Before I want to hurl my machine at the tv. Who wants to play the newkular drinking game? The list to be updated through the speech:

• Ted Kennedy, you've had work done I bet.
• Hillary, looking good!
• Barak, lay off the pancake makeup. Yikes! Either that, or you have the most amazing skin ever.
• Excellent, Darth Vader has arrived
• Condi is looking a little stiff, yes? Like she spent the last week carrying bricks. Maybe she has, what's she been up to lately?
• I love how Hillary is looking just annoyed enough every time they pan to her. An excellent strategy. ... and Obama, looking pensive, as if he's actually considering what is being said. Hm, I see the weakness in Hillary's approach.
• Does anybody else find it funny that George the Second is talking about health care and economy?
• Let healthcare decisions be made between a patient and a doctor? DOES THAT INCLUDE WOMEN'S REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH, YOU GIT?
• No wonder this thing is going to take 45 minutes! When after every pause the audience stands and hoots it would take an hour to read a text message!
• Woah did he just say slow, stop and reverse greenhouse gas emissions? I guess so long as the US doesn't have to do anything...
• Kyoto, anyone?
• Trust the scientists? The engineers? Nancy Pelosi obviously knows something we don't as she's swallowing a big ol' smile about that initiative not getting funding...
• Oh God, medical researchers and moral boundaries. Ban the patenting of human life? Wonder how some of the drug companies feel about that...
• There's alot of talk of faith based organizations in this speech... Does that include JCCs? How about Muslim charitable foundations?
• I like how the SCOTUS isn't standing to applaud the talking points.
• Aaaaand here's the 9/11 section.
• Of course everyone stands when talking about the troops.
• I think Cheney has a hand up GWs rear, like a ventriloquist.
• I keep hearing this "hoo" or "aaah" when people clap. Is there a secret chant that members of Congress use at this event? Like, something the Freemasons wrote?
• Okay by this point, all I hear is Charlie Brown Teacher "Mwah mwah mwaaaahhhhh"s.
• Lots of talk of Iran, what about Saudi Arabia? Oh yeah, right.
• How can he even talk about newkular intentions with a straight face? Ah sweet Moses. Vital interests, there's the Saudi Arabia mention I was looking for.
• HAW, did Nancy Pelosi bring reading material?!? You know, a director should have told Cheney and Pelosi to keep their handouts in their laps, or with their aides.
• OOOooooo the Patriot Act! Not mentioned by name, and OMG, the time to act is NOW? Plenty of time to debate LATER? ARE YOU KIDDING? [insert big company here], here's your hall pass, go piss on the public.
• YAY! Let's talk about the black folks in Sudan.
• Wow, he knows the names of alot of countries. You'd think he'd studied a globe maybe.
• AIDS relief? I guess only if you don't talk about condoms, right? Or has that changed?
• And here's the vets benefits talking point brought to you by the guys who had "other priorities" than to serve their country.
• Oh, and here is where he demonstrates that he took 10th grade Social Studies. Thank Goodness, I now have SO MUCH MORE confidence in him.
• Trust in the people? So long as they agree with his initiatives and moral compass?
• Newkular tally: 4 newkulars! I know I missed a bunch because of all the "mwah mwah mwah"s.

Meh. How underwhelming. Although, no invented words, no major flubs of the presentation. How many Newkulars did I miss?

Le SIGH

You Are 20% Girly

Um... you're a guy, right? If not, you're the most boyish girl in the world. And for you, that's probably the ultimate compliment.

How Girly Are You?

I'm kind of irritated that one of the things that makes you 'more girly' is "you're not athletic". Why do I do these? They just make me irritated for no reason. WAIT, doesn't that count as girly!???

I Used To Live On The Moon

Ratatouille: Mirror of the soul?

The Amateur Gourmet recently posted an essay titled, "Ratatouille" & Jewish Assimilation (an essay, with spoilers). Jason Kottke, possibly influenced by Megnut, had an interesting take on the movie as well. I'm sure there are many others that I haven't come across. While some see the AG's interptretation far fetched and others find it dead on, I'm not terribly concerned with whether he is "right".

Interestingly, I find his take on the movie as further evidence that the story was successfully written. I've been thinking about the story quite a bit lately, how there are many things to see, learn, and hear and that one viewing isn't really enough. He sees it as an allegory for Jewish assimilation, which is to be expected perhaps because being Jewish is at the forefront of his mind. Jason, on the other hand, saw it as a commentary for bloggers and critics, which can be expected as blogging and food criticism is at the forefront of his wife's mind, and so surely has been brought up in their house. And to me, I saw the ending as a brush-off of Collette, a further minimizing of her important leap of faith and prior contributions to both Remy and Linguini's success in favor of a tidy ending for the movie. Why not show Collette as finally in charge of the kitchen, finally getting the respect she deserves? And that's probably because I've been thinking a lot about feminism lately.

The point I'm making is simply that there are many stories to be found in this movie and the fact that people find their own meaning suggests that the story was well written. All the opinions, takes, and lessons people glean from the movie are inevitably drawn from their own personal experiences. What you think about those opinions, however, is another matter entirely.

As an aside, AG asks:

(Is it a coincidence that the scurrying rats in "Ratatouille" look a lot like those in Hitler's propaganda films? And, for that matter, why does Django have a hooked nose?)

I'm guessing that perhaps Hitler's propaganda films looked like rats scurrying, rather than rats scurrying looking like Nazi propaganda. Chicken, egg and all that. Also, the fact that Remy's dad has a big hooked nose doesn't really hit me one way or another because I know lots of people who have big hooked noses who aren't necessarily Jewish, (yours truly included) and because as most people get older their noses get bigger, so to show 'age' between rats, a larger nose and a larger body size would also denote age.

No Good Answer, Really

Location: CVS, Northeast Massachusetts
Me: Oh gawd, Mary-Kate And Ashley Olsen.  They have body spray. Wierd.
Him: What?
Me: Look, body spray.  I wonder what it smells like...
Him: Like children.

(In truth, it smells like teeth-curling sugar.  Ugh.)

Not Graduated Yet

Hints that I may have overindulged this weekend:

• Frobnosticate » Chris and Leo at the Calvin.
• When it gets late, I will not be tired, and then will pay the price tomorrow.
• The thought of red meat or cream cheese turns my tummy a little.
• Craving a bowl of sashimi rice at the local favorite Japanese restaurant for lunch. (thanks Jim!)
• Nearly unbearable craving for lentils and carrots for dinner, fortified with chicken stock, seasonings, and a veggie burger.

Nuclear JVox

J is at it again with "XYLOV". This clip feels like it should be in Brazil:

YouTube - [official] Pocoyo - Drum Roll Please

YouTube - [official] Pocoyo - Drum Roll Please.

Busta' Move

Geek, Dork, or Nerd?

How do you classify my excitement upon finding a special on PBS about Abigail and John Adams? Geek, dork or nerd?

In addition, if you haven't read David McCullough's excellent book John Adams you should pick it up. It's a fairly quick read (by McCullough standards) and a delightful insight into this high-powered relationship.

The Civil War

I've started re-watching the Civil War by Ken Burns now that it is semester break and staying in on a Saturday night to watch a historical documentary was all I could think to do. I watched it with my mother when it first aired during a hot summer's week at the tail end of my middle school Abe Lincoln obsession. And to this day the first episode nearly brings me to tears at least thrice: once during the opening sequence, once at the very end when Sullivan Ballou's love letter to his wife is read and when David McCullough informs the viewer that he was killed one week later at the battle of Bull Run, and once when we first see Abe Lincoln all clean shaven and a newly elected Senator at the tender age of 24. This is a series that should be required watching for all American citizens and it inspires me to pay more attention to my prose (current web post nonwithstanding of course :).

Little Todd all Growed Up

So, like, a really long time ago I had the pleasure of going to high school with an amazing group of like-minded folks who, by fate or some other cosmic force, decided to participate in Drama Club in 1993. We did some great stuff, like put on a production of Les Mis in 6 weeks, and do A Midsummer Night's Dream in the round on a stage we built ourselves. There were, of course, the people who played their parts in the group too, the charismatic, the prima donna, the outragously talented costume designer, the director who came out of the blue and saved us from obliteration by the administration and evil, evil pears. And there was Little Todd, skinny as a rail and the baby of the group. This was not done to belittle him or otherwise shame him, it's just one of those things that kind of came about and he took it in stride. He was funny and always had a smile and a face full of freckles and he played a mean French Revolutionary.

Well imagine my surprise when trolling around MySpace I come across his website for his production company and the trailer for his latest film. It is certainly possible that I am biased because I had good times with Todd (even when he was getting sat on by Craig at the cast part for Les Mis) but honestly, watch the trailer and be impressed. Congratulations Todd!

300

Undoubtedly I am late to the party on this one. Regardless, if you haven't see the trailer to 300 yet go hook up yer wicked fast internet connection and feed espresso beans to the hampsters in the wheel and download that sucker from Apple. I pray the movie is as good as this trailer it; they nailed the visuals, the fighting, the design, the music, every fucking thing.

Yes yes YES

• Belly filled with good, spicy Thai Sweet and Sour soup
• One ice cream sandwich, in hand
• Start Trek: The Next Generation on cable
• Aligned chakras

Questions

1. Is there any better flavor combination than dark chocolate and hazelnut?
2. Pigtails: old and busted or new hotness (for women over 23)?
3. What do you suppose the age limit is on Kaluha?
4. Good BBQ in Western MA: Where would you go?
5. Where is your favorite spot in Western MA for a day hike?
6. How about a day hike where you can return to a campsite for the evening?

Bridget Jones's Diary, Five Years Late

The only redeeming factor in this movie was Colin Firth. *fans self* He could insult me *any* day. Aside from that, I wish Bridget would get her head out of her own ass. I cannot even imagine what a travesty the sequel must be.

Han Shot First

On the one hand, this would be ridiculously easy to make oneself and well, after the whole Frank Cho thing on PvP, I'm not sure I care about supporting the artist anymore. On the other, gimmie! (why doesn't this come in babydoll tees??)

Or, perhaps, hehe gimmie!

Oscars, eviscerated.

Because I'm feeling plucky I'll be blogging the Oscar coverage as I catch it this evening, thanks in no small part to TomatoMan and his lickable 46" high definition TV. Thanks TM! So check back, I'll timestamp things in this post as updates and derision require. Swearing will most likely happen, so you know, shoo the kids into the other room.

5:40 pm E! entertainment on INHD::

• Ryan Seacrest: the the HELL is up with your bow tie and that collar? No no no!
• Issac, you're gay, we get it.
• Ryan, you don't know anything about dresses, just shut up about 'support'.
• Haha, it says poo.
• I [heart] Jon Stewart, but he's hosting the Oscars, I'm conflicted...

6:12

• To the girl sitting next to Naomi Watts: If you're on national tv, cross your legs, or at least sit with your knees together, you busty teenaged daughter of some music mogul.
• Go Matt Dillon for restraint with the BoTox.

Time to make dinner.

6:52:

• Whoo wee, Dolly...
• Keira, THAT is a fabulous necklace! Eat a sandwich darling
• Jessica Alba, great hair! Neck tattoo? So Angelina. Those earrings are very paste, you could have done better with a fabulous dress like that.
• Paul Giovanni, can you look any dumpier?
• Sandy Bullock, you're fantastic.

7:16

• Do it Issac! Grab Jessica Alba's boob!
• Salma is packed into that dress??? Dear heavens...
• Where is Scarlet?
• Merryl Streep! You look fabulous! Yay for eggplant and a v-neck. Excellent choice.
• I'm getting really sick of the constant "are those hair extensions!??" commentary.
• Nicole, very very classic, good for you. But you're Nicole, you could be so much more daring if you wanted.
• Jake no stop be on tv for me to oggle!

7:32 ABC coverage Apparently this is where the *real* coverage takes place. Silly E!, you think you're so important.

• Jen Aniston I know, I'm sorry you have to talk to these people too.
• Yay! More Jake!
• Oh great, now the talking heads are on tv mwah mwah mwah listen to me being all critic like of the movies. Where's MaryAnn?
• Pig just said, "EWW! What's with his hair?" (re: Jaime Foxx)

Okay, it's about to head inside to the awards. Giddyup.

Okay so here we are in the ceremony. Please Jon Stweart, be funny.

• Okay so I'm liking the sets. Time for tea and biscuts.
• OH NOES WHERE'S SCARLET??
• Aw man, movies about dedicated journalists are period pieces? LOL!
• Supporting actor already huh? I haven't seen any of these films, I'm such a loser. Aw, how could you NOT like George Clooney? Oh the background music is SO cheezy. Awful. Wow, that was a good little speech, political, but not bashing. Good for him.
• Steve: "I thought we were done with Ben Stiller." No, Steve, we are not, alas. God this is awful. STOP DEAR GOD JUST STOP. Whew. Okay, King Kong baby.... Although I'd forgotten about WOW, and that was good. FOR FUCKS SAKE JUST OPEN IT AND GET OFF THE STAGE. Good, King Kong.
• I really like Reese's dress. Steve thinks she's too young for it, but I disagree. Wallace and Grommit!!!!!!!!! YAY! That is the best tie ever Nick. Good show for us Yanks. I'm so happy they won, they've put in so much work into their delightful movies. Congrats and get the crackers and cheese Grommit!
• "AH! She still moves!" - Steve, watching Dolly Parton. "She looks like Michael Jackson." She just said Jesus, I guess this is to keep the mid-West watching. I have to admit her voice sounds good.

• I'm kind of guessing Tom and Katie were not invited. A bit of a shame because that would be a fantastic train wreck to oggle. Nicole baby, good for you.
• Oh for FUCK'S sake cartoon presenters? *($&#*((@! I wish there was some way to see the shorts, like on oscar.com, or on google video so that we can see them before the awards. Google? You listening?
• OMG Jen Aniston, you look fabulous. I love your dress, love your necklace, absolutely perfect. Go you.
• Russell, you totally have it in you when you clean up, you *can* be beautiful. Just embrace it.
• Oh thank fucking god, the banality of Will Ferrel. The night is now complete.
• Oh MAN that's harsh, cutting the audio on an acceptance speech by a lowly makeup designer? That's cold. She's going to beat her companion with her oscar backstage.
• You know, if you are a couture house making gowns for actresses, you can at least hide the zipper on the back somehow, rather than having it hanging out like an uncut twine belt around a Valentino gown.
• Ms. Bacall please don't break a hip walking out there.
• OMG these 'political' best actress ads are awesome.
• Charlize, you really don't look very happy to be up there. Look out! Your dress is trying to eat you and your ridiculous hair-do!
• So I have to say these musical interludes for best song are lame. I bet this is the first time anybody in the audience has seen a car on fire.
• So you know the politics theme running through this awards ceremony is indicative of the restrained nature of the whole affair. There is little pagentry in all this, the dresses are tasteful and restrained, the clips are all serious.
• Hey president of whatever, nice plug for going to the movies, watching the movie in the theater, sound and wet Twizzler nuggets coming at you from all sides, sipping a $5 cup of Coke watching commercials before a movie you paid $10 to see.
• Steve said, "Salma Hayek should be Wonder Woman." Steve is a genius and should be paid royalties if they cast her.
• Okay so I'm going to go start busting heads if Scarlet doesn't make an appearance sometime soon.
• So it seems that the the fashion for the gents is retro tux with the big bow tie, classic black, white shirt. Were they all given marching orders?
• Jessica Alba is tight. I don't mean that in a mean way, just that everything about her is tight, with the exception of her hair. Tight.
• Lily Tomlin and Merryl Streep: For a long time I didn't know what to think about Merryl, but I've decided that with this tonight, I like her quite a bit. These two ladies are pros. It's nice to see some talent on a night that professes to honor talent.
• Yay! Our first bleep out, on a song with the word pimp in it no less. THIS montage is the most surreal thing I've seen all night. So we're supposed to feel bad for a pimp, who probably smacks bitches and hoes who are turning tricks for him? This is hilarious. I guess the academy feels that they can do this now that they got the whole "black actors winning best actor/actress" thing out of the way.
• Can somebody PLEASE tell me why Jack Nickolson is sitting next to Keira Knightly for no good reason, and Scarlet is out in the cold, banging at the door clad in a potato sack begging to be let in, to be somebody??? Will someone please think of Scarlet?? Or Matt Damon? What the hell.
• Aaaand I've hit my limit of boring fashion and snoozer awards. Where's Bjork when you need her? With no Scarlet in sight, I think it's time for me to hit the hay. Goodnight, and good luck.

Happy Birthday Kermit

Summary

From EW.com's review of "King's Ransom":
The script -- basically an improv scene sprawling to feature length -- is as oddly paced and loose as infant stool.

Youch.

In Which I Succumb to an Internet Quiz

Which Rock Chick Are You?

Hm. Not sure how I feel about that. I was kind of hoping for someone a little more ... real.

Ah, change once answer from "I came around to tear your little world apart." to "I'm just a girl." (two I was torn between) and I get:

Which Rock Chick Are You?

That's a little better.

Condi, baby...

He can compose and perform a love ballad to the U.S. Secretary of State. Ladies, you know you want a peice of Ze Frank.

I wanna Uncle Liam!

Take a gander at the most imaginative and creative baby songs for Jennville's little bundle of joy Arlo. Be sure to click on the link at top to see the first one she posted.

Is Nothing Sacred?

This is disgusting. Contrary to what Mr. Janollari says, this is a destruction of the legacy, not a homage.

Secrets

While I'm in NYC dishing with the lady friends take a gander at Frank Warren's art project.  If you are in DC, you can see it for real at Anne C. Fisher Gallery.

Jerk

Boys are weird.

Bile and Vitriol

Risking damaging the precious sensibilities of the Apple loving fans out there, iTunes can kiss my cold white ass.

If I buy a song from the iTunes store, I want to be able to burn it to a cd. Period. None of this protected file bullshit.  It is MINE, I paid for it, therefore let me burn it to a fucking cd please.

*Fume*

"It's a Man, Baby!"

I'm so telling you, this ain't no woman.  I've seen drag queens more effeminate than that.

Shudder.

Not My Head!

Any people who can come up with an I, Claudius drinking game is my kind of people. I've never seen the mini-series, but any chance to brandish a cooked asparagus spear is worth taking. Who's with me!??

DIY Dammit

Go me! Wanting a wreath for our door but absolutely hating most of the wreaths I saw (and their price tags) I decided to buy a plain wreath and some decorations and do it myself. And all for $10 less than any other wreath I've seen.

*Leans back, polishes nails on lapel.*

They're coming.... for BRAAAIIIINNNNSSS....

Fresh Internet Hell

I had to take a screenshot of this, because I have the feeling it'll disappear. LOL!

Update: Looks like the quip of a tagline for the photo came from this article.  Sounds like the author is tired of writing about good ol' Brit.

 

Musical Saviors

I've been spoiled. In Rochester there is an absolutely fantastic little independant radio station called WBER. This station is a part of the BOCES educational program of NY associated with the public school system in Rochester. Not only do they provide valuable quasi-professional experience for kids in high school but it provides an alternative to commercialized radio.

Now that I live in an area that doesn't seem to have anything remotely similar to WBER I miss it terribly. Luckily I can listen to it online and thank the heavens for that. Over and over again I'd hear a song or new band on WBER only for it to hit 'mainstream' radio about 6 months later, usually while watching a morning show, or walking around a local store.

Of course there are downsides: the DJs are not professional therefore you get a wide range in ability, from high school juniors screwing around with their friends on the air to the station being knocked off-air by a lightning storm, but all is quickly forgiven when they play that new gem from a band you've never heard of months before anybody else.

So if you're looking for an alternative to the Infinitis of the music world, if you *dare* to expand your musical horizons beyond Brit and Eminem, do yourself the favor and try WBER. The plus? No commercials!

Which is more surprising?

Which is more surprising, the fact that A Perfect Circle is playing Rochester, or that there are still tickets available as of 2pm today, or that the hubby and I decided to peg the finger at adult responsibility and go to the show on a whim?

How "Kill Bill Vol. 1" caused marital strife...

"If you keep kissing me, I might change my opinion..."
*kiss*
...
So, who wants to go see Vol. II with me?

Hey, Mr. FCC, while your at it...

FCC Chairman Michael Powell said that the FCC will be investigating the, um, body modification promo that inadvertantly aired during the half time show during the SuperBowl. The good chairman says, and I quote:

"Like millions of Americans, my family and I gathered around the television for a celebration," FCC Chairman Michael Powell said in a statement. "Instead, that celebration was tainted by a classless, crass and deplorable stunt. Our nation's children, parents and citizens deserve better.

Hear hear! I couldn't agree more, so while you're busy investigating Ms. Jackson's breast, would you mind investigating the classless, crass and deplorable commercials too? Particularly the ad of the referee getting yelled at by his wife, and the horse/fart/candle ad. Thank you!

Proof

If you need it, here's proof that the "People's Choice Awards" are rigged:

Favorite musical group or band: Matchbox Twenty

They must be joking. At least pick Linkin Park or Nickelback or something SORT OF believable (please note I said believable, not good) rather than a band the peaked in 1999.

$5 or a kiss to whomever sets this to music

Absquatulate / Absquatulate / She's really fun / She's really great / For Pigs she is / The perfect mate / What's not to love? / Absquatulate!!!

Lyrics by Corey Tamas.

There is little hope for me.

If the fact that I spent way too much time trying to convince a person I'd only just met to not compare Harry Potter to the LOTR movies and to give LOTR a chance, especially because they were Catholic isn't enough to convince you of my complete and utter geekitude, perhaps the fact that I seriously LOLed at the FOTR Drinking Game will.

An excerpt:

If it's Faramir [on screen looking all mopey and angst-ridden], and he's talking about showing his quality, say, "Yeah, baby, show that quality!"

Winter happiness is...

... warm apple pie a la mode, caramel sauce drizzled over everything, some good coffee, even better company, and the extended version of The Two Towers. Thanks muchly to Pig for helping me get everything ready and to Chad for being a gracious guest. (AFAIK, he is available, ladies! ;^)

A study in contrasts

Tuesday night I was flipping around the channels, looking for some background noise as I puttered around the apartment doing some chores. ( Let me inform you dear reader that we don't have cable, just regular old broadcast TV so flipping consists of six channels.) I flipped through the regular crap of pseudo drama, news crap, Bob Hope special, MTV2, American Idol rehash on Fox, and then a true gem!

On PBS they were broadcasting the Mostly Mozart Festival Live from Lincoln Center featuring a young Chinese pianist named Lang Lang. He took to the stage and he and the orchestra began to weave a most amazing and beautiful tapestry of music! Lang Lang was passionate and amazing, the orchestra perfect, the music, Mendholsson! I flipped up one station to hear some 13year old girl trying to belt out a Donna Summers tune. I was simply struck with the juxtaposition. On one channel, something beautiful and lovely and amazing and that should be enjoyed by more Americans more often. On the other, corporate schlock scooped out to the masses with ice cream scoops. How could people willing subject themselves to a performance that consists of a host who doesn't even want to be there and braying bleached teens trying to make it BIG when a 21 year old virtuoso from China was playing his heart out with great emotion and skill and creating something truly beautiful?

So ask yourself what beauty you've seen today. Not titillation. Not lust. Not slick marketing and political glad handling. Just beauty. Go out and find some if you need to or (even better) create it yourself and marvel in a world where such wonderful things exist.