"Shameful, shameful bronze..."
Friend of mine's launching an Olympic bronze pool: Fields of Bronze. Pick 5 countries; you score for each bronze and get docked points for each gold.
He's also promising snarky commentary on NBC's "prole coverage," as he's broadcast-only. And his other hobbies include shooting fish in barrels.
Thursday, January 26, 2006
I wasn't initially upset to have the Sesame Street "Capital I" song stuck in my head, but it's been two days now and I've about had it. I'm warning you not to listen here. You may as well not listen to the sad tale of the Lowercase N, either.
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Took second tonight at the quiz. We led after the first round (on the history of the Macintosh), but then took a beating on a Simpsons-based round -- specifically, one based entirely on the "Cape Feare" episode. We battled back to the lead going into the final round, but then dropped three questions, two of which are below:
1. what American composer and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member has an asteroid, a gene, a goby fish, a jellyfish, a mollusk, and a spider named for him? Frank Zappa (Phil) - we were hung up on more pioneering names, and because of the marine life mentioned went with Brian Wilson, rather than the weird noodly stuff mad scientists listen to. Once the answer was revealed, Leah asked if we would have come up with it had she said "the Gary Larson of rock." Maybe. I should have thought "spider" and remembered my conversation with Julie at ABD where she mentioned a co-worker who was a huge Zappa fan.
2. In what year did Mario Lemieux retire the first time? 1997 (Brian) - we guessed 1996. I had overestimated the usual waiting period for getting into the Hockey HoF, and then forgot that the waiting period was waived in Mario's case.
3. Who was the Apple engineer who headed up the first Macintosh project? Jef Raskin (Roy)- We got this.
1. what American composer and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member has an asteroid, a gene, a goby fish, a jellyfish, a mollusk, and a spider named for him? Frank Zappa (Phil) - we were hung up on more pioneering names, and because of the marine life mentioned went with Brian Wilson, rather than the weird noodly stuff mad scientists listen to. Once the answer was revealed, Leah asked if we would have come up with it had she said "the Gary Larson of rock." Maybe. I should have thought "spider" and remembered my conversation with Julie at ABD where she mentioned a co-worker who was a huge Zappa fan.
2. In what year did Mario Lemieux retire the first time? 1997 (Brian) - we guessed 1996. I had overestimated the usual waiting period for getting into the Hockey HoF, and then forgot that the waiting period was waived in Mario's case.
3. Who was the Apple engineer who headed up the first Macintosh project? Jef Raskin (Roy)- We got this.
Monday, January 23, 2006
3-Chord Monday #4
By the way, this project will have theme months. February is Black History Month, of course. And March is Women's History Month. April will be all noveltyish acts/songs.
January remains themeless. Today's act, the Suicide Commandos, are the godfathers of the post-Soma Records Twin Cities music scene. The album this track is from is worth more on CD than on vinyl -- rather than pay $108 for an out-of-print disc, I could get a cable from Radio Shack and digitize my LP. I may be falling back on the Commandos a lot in future months.
Suicide Commandos - "You Can't"
By the way, this project will have theme months. February is Black History Month, of course. And March is Women's History Month. April will be all noveltyish acts/songs.
January remains themeless. Today's act, the Suicide Commandos, are the godfathers of the post-Soma Records Twin Cities music scene. The album this track is from is worth more on CD than on vinyl -- rather than pay $108 for an out-of-print disc, I could get a cable from Radio Shack and digitize my LP. I may be falling back on the Commandos a lot in future months.
Suicide Commandos - "You Can't"
Sunday, January 22, 2006
Movie Log 2006 #7: The Red Shoes
Know what that one needed? Some diaries.
A common problem with movies where the plot revolves around creating something is that the "created" bit usually sucks. This was a common complaint about Mr. Holland's Opus, for instance (which I didn't see). And the "Broadway Ballet" sequence in Singin' In The Rain is the only draggy part of that film, Cyd Charisse notwithstanding. The Red Shoes has the problem reversed. There's a titular ballet in the middle, and it's indeed impressive. Unfortunately it takes to long to get to that point, the parts afterward are preposterous, the love story is clumsily wedged in there, and the whole thing is populated with thoroughly unlikable characters. But it's about ahhhhtists creating ahhhht, so it's IMPORTANT.
Know what that one needed? Some diaries.
A common problem with movies where the plot revolves around creating something is that the "created" bit usually sucks. This was a common complaint about Mr. Holland's Opus, for instance (which I didn't see). And the "Broadway Ballet" sequence in Singin' In The Rain is the only draggy part of that film, Cyd Charisse notwithstanding. The Red Shoes has the problem reversed. There's a titular ballet in the middle, and it's indeed impressive. Unfortunately it takes to long to get to that point, the parts afterward are preposterous, the love story is clumsily wedged in there, and the whole thing is populated with thoroughly unlikable characters. But it's about ahhhhtists creating ahhhht, so it's IMPORTANT.
Friday, January 20, 2006
Movie Log 2006 #6: Bound for Glory
Given what a movie buff I am (or claim to be), you may be shocked to learn that until a few minutes ago I had never seen all of any given year's Best Picture Oscar nominees. Hell, I was surprised too, running the numbers just now. Anyway, 1976 (award year '77) is now accounted for.
The first name we see in the opening credits is cinematographer Haskell Wexler, and he deserved it. David Carradine was a revelation, especially when you only know him from Kill Bill and vague memories of Kung Fu.
Also of note is Melinda Dillon, who I think is wholly underrated in everything I've seen her in, and a babyfaced Randy Quaid, whom I didn't recognize until he showed up bloodied by anti-union thugs. "Oh, sure, now it looks like Quaid..."
Given what a movie buff I am (or claim to be), you may be shocked to learn that until a few minutes ago I had never seen all of any given year's Best Picture Oscar nominees. Hell, I was surprised too, running the numbers just now. Anyway, 1976 (award year '77) is now accounted for.
The first name we see in the opening credits is cinematographer Haskell Wexler, and he deserved it. David Carradine was a revelation, especially when you only know him from Kill Bill and vague memories of Kung Fu.
Also of note is Melinda Dillon, who I think is wholly underrated in everything I've seen her in, and a babyfaced Randy Quaid, whom I didn't recognize until he showed up bloodied by anti-union thugs. "Oh, sure, now it looks like Quaid..."
Movie Log 2006 #5: Mad Hot Ballroom
I actually watched this a week ago, but forgot to blog about it because I watched at work. Watched it for work; partly as a fun thing to do for a product launch, and partly to show us what middle school kids are like, what engages them, etc. Not being a huge fan of dancing, and being opposed to judged sports, I was surprised to like it as much as I did. Cyrus rules.
I actually watched this a week ago, but forgot to blog about it because I watched at work. Watched it for work; partly as a fun thing to do for a product launch, and partly to show us what middle school kids are like, what engages them, etc. Not being a huge fan of dancing, and being opposed to judged sports, I was surprised to like it as much as I did. Cyrus rules.
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