Last night before dinner I bowled a 235 game, shot four over par for nine holes, and beat a very strong opponent in tennis thanks to a solid backhand and skill at the net. And I did it all in the living room of my house.
As you've probably guessed, I got myself a Wii for my birthday. So far, it's the best $200 I've ever spent. (I was able to save $50 using a 20% off President's Day coupon which the cashier kindly pointed out as I bought one of the last consoles he had in stock only 40 minutes after calling at 8:30 Sunday morning and being told the store had enough to last well into the afternoon. Having tried seven other stores already, I knew better than to believe it.)
For me, the Wii is quite literally a dream come true; I've been trying to find a consistent tennis partner since I started playing the game with a wooden racket sometime in the late 1980s. My racket has gotten lighter over the years, and my quest for a playmate had been getting more difficult, but now the racket weighs almost nothing and the partner is available whenever I want. I am sure a more full-featured tennis game will come out for the Wii soon, but for now the Wii Sports version, which comes with the console, is keeping me occupied.
The Wii has also restored to me a pursuit I abandoned a few years ago due to smoke, noise, grease, and germs: bowling. Without the smokers, the disgusting rented shoes, and the general hell that is other people--especially the people at a bowling alley--bowling is actually a lot of fun. And when a round of golf doesn't cost more than a steak dinner and take longer than the Super Bowl, it can be a joy as well. We're spending a lot more time standing up--and running around--in front of an old tube TV and a lot less time in front of the flat screen HDTV right now. If you can find a Wii, buy it!
Oh, and don't expect as much content here for a while. I'll be trying to beat the new Zelda game.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Baby Steps
EQUAL MARRIAGE BILL INTRODUCED IN ILLINOIS!
Introduced is a long way from passed, or voted on, or even assigned to committee for discussion. But introducing a positive gay rights bill is also a big step forward from the recently concluded, decades-long battle for such simple justice as equal housing opportunities and a ban on employment discrimination. Will Illinois be the sixth state to offer some sort of formal legal union for gays (after Vermont, Massachusetts, California, Connecticut, and New Jersey)? Probably not; New England and even Washington state and maybe Oregon will beat us there. Could change be coming sooner than anyone would have dared dream five years ago? It sure could!
Introduced is a long way from passed, or voted on, or even assigned to committee for discussion. But introducing a positive gay rights bill is also a big step forward from the recently concluded, decades-long battle for such simple justice as equal housing opportunities and a ban on employment discrimination. Will Illinois be the sixth state to offer some sort of formal legal union for gays (after Vermont, Massachusetts, California, Connecticut, and New Jersey)? Probably not; New England and even Washington state and maybe Oregon will beat us there. Could change be coming sooner than anyone would have dared dream five years ago? It sure could!
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Light Speed
DVR Users Skip Commercials, Right? Wrong - New York Times
I am sure there is truth to this article--for someone. But not in our house! The only time we let the commercials play during a prerecorded program is to get up and use the bathroom or clear the dishes. (Yes, we eat in front of the TV--doesn't every childless couple?) And the only time we watch something that isn't prerecorded on our DVR is...is...
OK, live sports (though sometimes we'll record it, go out to lunch or dinner or shopping, start watching an hour late, and finish on time). But otherwise, nothing. If I am aware of a commercial, it is because (a) it was on during a football game or tennis match, (b) I heard it while I was in the kitchen rinsing the dishes and loading them into the dishwasher, or (c) I sat and watched it while waiting for my viewing companion to return from the bathroom. You try watching Rome, Extras, Desperate Housewives, Brothers & Sisters, How I Met Your Mother, Studio 60, House, Boston Legal, American Idol, The O.C., Real Time with Bill Maher, and Meet the Press--plus five episodes of The Young and the Restless--each week and still find time for commercials!
I am sure there is truth to this article--for someone. But not in our house! The only time we let the commercials play during a prerecorded program is to get up and use the bathroom or clear the dishes. (Yes, we eat in front of the TV--doesn't every childless couple?) And the only time we watch something that isn't prerecorded on our DVR is...is...
OK, live sports (though sometimes we'll record it, go out to lunch or dinner or shopping, start watching an hour late, and finish on time). But otherwise, nothing. If I am aware of a commercial, it is because (a) it was on during a football game or tennis match, (b) I heard it while I was in the kitchen rinsing the dishes and loading them into the dishwasher, or (c) I sat and watched it while waiting for my viewing companion to return from the bathroom. You try watching Rome, Extras, Desperate Housewives, Brothers & Sisters, How I Met Your Mother, Studio 60, House, Boston Legal, American Idol, The O.C., Real Time with Bill Maher, and Meet the Press--plus five episodes of The Young and the Restless--each week and still find time for commercials!
Streams of Hate
Independent Gay Forum - Taboo Topic?
Like Stephen Miller, the author of the post linked above, I hate to bring this up. But the man has a point when he says "Through drips and drabs of celebrity hate-speak, most recently Isaiah Washington and, now, former Miami NBA star Tim Hardaway, we are beginning to come to terms with an unspeakable topic: that open expressions of gay hatred are far more acceptable in the African-American community than among whites."
I mean, did you hear what Tim Hardaway said? I used to enjoy his screwball-style shots and cheer for his scrappy style of play, but come on:
In the long run, I hope that seeing and hearing these folks spout off and sound so stupid doing so makes others think about the words being said and the irrational hatred they represent. We can't change what Hardaway and Washington and others have said. But their words can be used as agents for the very changes their speakers would oppose.
Like Stephen Miller, the author of the post linked above, I hate to bring this up. But the man has a point when he says "Through drips and drabs of celebrity hate-speak, most recently Isaiah Washington and, now, former Miami NBA star Tim Hardaway, we are beginning to come to terms with an unspeakable topic: that open expressions of gay hatred are far more acceptable in the African-American community than among whites."
I mean, did you hear what Tim Hardaway said? I used to enjoy his screwball-style shots and cheer for his scrappy style of play, but come on:
Well, you know, I hate gay people....I let it be known I don't like gay people. I don't like to be around gay people. I'm homophobic. It shouldn't be in the world, in the United States, I don't like it....I don't condone it. If people got problems with that, I'm sorry. I'm saying I can't stand being around that person, knowing that they sleep with somebody of the same sex.I'm glad Tim feels free enough to say these things--that's the great thing about our country. But I'm also glad that the NBA, which is anything but a free country, is pushing him away, and that ABC finally seems to have acknowledged that Washington's invective toward his coworker was unacceptable. If nothing else, remarks like these create a hostile work environment from which gay actors and athletes, like anyone else, have a right to be free.
In the long run, I hope that seeing and hearing these folks spout off and sound so stupid doing so makes others think about the words being said and the irrational hatred they represent. We can't change what Hardaway and Washington and others have said. But their words can be used as agents for the very changes their speakers would oppose.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Don't Feel Proper
Robbie Williams goes into rehab for drug addiction - washingtonpost.com
This news is no laughing matter, of course. But it shouldn't come as a surprise that Robbie is a pill-popper. His most recent album, Rudebox, features a track, "Good Doctor," which chronicles a love of all things prescribed. In just one song, Williams name-checks/requests prescriptions for Xanax, Vicodin, Oxycontin, Codeine, Morphine, Opium, Methadone, Menocrabedene, Hydroanoxycodeine, Anolodene, Buprenopheine, ButroPhenol, Adorel, and Dorel, and sings a chorus of "Gimme loads of pills, gimme loads of pills." He even sings, "I might have a problem" before scoffing at the notion of taking a single tablet with the words "I'm Keith Moon, dickhead."
Yeah, there was no way at all to see this one coming.
This news is no laughing matter, of course. But it shouldn't come as a surprise that Robbie is a pill-popper. His most recent album, Rudebox, features a track, "Good Doctor," which chronicles a love of all things prescribed. In just one song, Williams name-checks/requests prescriptions for Xanax, Vicodin, Oxycontin, Codeine, Morphine, Opium, Methadone, Menocrabedene, Hydroanoxycodeine, Anolodene, Buprenopheine, ButroPhenol, Adorel, and Dorel, and sings a chorus of "Gimme loads of pills, gimme loads of pills." He even sings, "I might have a problem" before scoffing at the notion of taking a single tablet with the words "I'm Keith Moon, dickhead."
Yeah, there was no way at all to see this one coming.
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Big Star
King Kaufman's Sports Daily | Salon
As ex-NBA journeyman John Amaechi comes out, it's time for sports leagues to stop accepting intolerance as a given.
Every time a former professional athlete comes out, everyone starts talking about when someone who's still playing will take the chance and be the gay Jackie Robinson. More than four years ago, when former NFL lineman Esera Tuaolo came out, some columnists said it was only a matter of time, and that soon sports would have a gay male star.
Besides former US figure skating champion Rudy Galindo, though, we still have not seen a male athlete of any consequence come out. Amaechi will apparently let on during his Sunday morning interview that he knows of other, current gay NBA players, but not name names--which is, of course, the right thing to do.
Sadly, I would guess that the first person to come out while playing will not do so gladly. I am not about to devote myself to solving the puzzle, but the pieces are all right there to be assembled. Fifteen players per team, 30 teams--that's only 450 people. Eliminate the married ones and the ones with known girlfriends (not that they're all straight, but anyone going to that length is not going to be willingly outed), and you'd be left with a universe of, what, 100 guys? You can't tell me someone won't figure out, and soon, which of these remaining dribblers doesn't appear to have an eye for the ladies.
And that will be very sad. So, gay NBA players, whoever you may be, I implore you: Come out on your own. Yes, it will be difficult at first, if the player and coach reactions to Amaechi's announcement are any indication, but you will be a hero to millions, and if you have enough game, your teammates will just have to learn to accept you for who you are. And hey, you may just get a few fouls called your way out of an abundance of caution.
As ex-NBA journeyman John Amaechi comes out, it's time for sports leagues to stop accepting intolerance as a given.
Every time a former professional athlete comes out, everyone starts talking about when someone who's still playing will take the chance and be the gay Jackie Robinson. More than four years ago, when former NFL lineman Esera Tuaolo came out, some columnists said it was only a matter of time, and that soon sports would have a gay male star.
Besides former US figure skating champion Rudy Galindo, though, we still have not seen a male athlete of any consequence come out. Amaechi will apparently let on during his Sunday morning interview that he knows of other, current gay NBA players, but not name names--which is, of course, the right thing to do.
Sadly, I would guess that the first person to come out while playing will not do so gladly. I am not about to devote myself to solving the puzzle, but the pieces are all right there to be assembled. Fifteen players per team, 30 teams--that's only 450 people. Eliminate the married ones and the ones with known girlfriends (not that they're all straight, but anyone going to that length is not going to be willingly outed), and you'd be left with a universe of, what, 100 guys? You can't tell me someone won't figure out, and soon, which of these remaining dribblers doesn't appear to have an eye for the ladies.
And that will be very sad. So, gay NBA players, whoever you may be, I implore you: Come out on your own. Yes, it will be difficult at first, if the player and coach reactions to Amaechi's announcement are any indication, but you will be a hero to millions, and if you have enough game, your teammates will just have to learn to accept you for who you are. And hey, you may just get a few fouls called your way out of an abundance of caution.
Monday, February 05, 2007
Fire!
Wyndham Washington, DC
Not really. But if there ever is a fire in a hotel in which I'm sleeping, I will surely die after my experience the last few days.
Friday night was my second night in DC, and I had come back to the hotel after a 13-hour working day. Around midnight, I woke to a loud squeal. At first, I thought it was my alarm clock, and that the night had gone by rather quickly, but a voice soon followed the oddly loud squeal: "A fire emergency has been reported in the building. Please exit the hotel. Do not use the elevators."
I'm staying on the 12th floor, so this was not an appealing prospect. But I dutifully put on a pair of pants, grabbed my coat, and trudged down 12 flights. When the weary band of travelers who joined me reached the bottom of the stairs, our human stream made a quick left turn--and walked right back into the hotel lobby, where many guests, including some of my coworkers, had gathered.
Clearly, the building was not on fire. No one was panicked; no staff members were directing us across the street or telling us what on earth was going on. We just milled about, wondering if we were supposed to go back up or if something was actually wrong. One man flipped out and started pounding the bell at the desk, shouting that if the hotel was not fit for guests it should not be open, and others in the lobby were puzzled. After an hour of waiting for the elevators to be turned back on, I finally took the stairs back to my room. The door to the stairwell was held by a hotel employee, who gave the first explanation I would get for the hour from hell: "We're doing construction. This happens all the time." I subsequently struggled to sleep. Have you ever tried to go to bed right after using a stairmaster?
This incident would seem funny if not for what happened last night. After watching the Bears lose, all I wanted in the world was a good night's sleep so I could go about my Monday--my eighth working day in a row--with a little bit of energy. But two hours after I went to bed--and just as I was getting to the good part of a dream--the squeal returned. I jumped up in bed, but this time I knew better than to hurry downstairs. Instead, I looked out the window, and saw the same fire trucks arrive that had responded to the non-emergency on Friday. As I watched their drivers mosey into the lobby, I knew I was safe staying in my room. This happens all the time, right? I went back to bed and tried to sleep.
Half an hour later, the alarm sounded again. An hour later, again. Then twice in half an hour. Then once each hour thereafter. All told, I think I slept three hours last night, punctuated by seven shocking squeals from the alarm.
When I returned to my room this afternoon, a note on the Wyndham letterhead awaited me. I've reproduced it verbatim below. Text in brackets is mine.
Have you ever had a hotel experience this bad? And how can this be the second hotel I've stayed in that had to be evacuated for a non-existent fire?
Not really. But if there ever is a fire in a hotel in which I'm sleeping, I will surely die after my experience the last few days.
Friday night was my second night in DC, and I had come back to the hotel after a 13-hour working day. Around midnight, I woke to a loud squeal. At first, I thought it was my alarm clock, and that the night had gone by rather quickly, but a voice soon followed the oddly loud squeal: "A fire emergency has been reported in the building. Please exit the hotel. Do not use the elevators."
I'm staying on the 12th floor, so this was not an appealing prospect. But I dutifully put on a pair of pants, grabbed my coat, and trudged down 12 flights. When the weary band of travelers who joined me reached the bottom of the stairs, our human stream made a quick left turn--and walked right back into the hotel lobby, where many guests, including some of my coworkers, had gathered.
Clearly, the building was not on fire. No one was panicked; no staff members were directing us across the street or telling us what on earth was going on. We just milled about, wondering if we were supposed to go back up or if something was actually wrong. One man flipped out and started pounding the bell at the desk, shouting that if the hotel was not fit for guests it should not be open, and others in the lobby were puzzled. After an hour of waiting for the elevators to be turned back on, I finally took the stairs back to my room. The door to the stairwell was held by a hotel employee, who gave the first explanation I would get for the hour from hell: "We're doing construction. This happens all the time." I subsequently struggled to sleep. Have you ever tried to go to bed right after using a stairmaster?
This incident would seem funny if not for what happened last night. After watching the Bears lose, all I wanted in the world was a good night's sleep so I could go about my Monday--my eighth working day in a row--with a little bit of energy. But two hours after I went to bed--and just as I was getting to the good part of a dream--the squeal returned. I jumped up in bed, but this time I knew better than to hurry downstairs. Instead, I looked out the window, and saw the same fire trucks arrive that had responded to the non-emergency on Friday. As I watched their drivers mosey into the lobby, I knew I was safe staying in my room. This happens all the time, right? I went back to bed and tried to sleep.
Half an hour later, the alarm sounded again. An hour later, again. Then twice in half an hour. Then once each hour thereafter. All told, I think I slept three hours last night, punctuated by seven shocking squeals from the alarm.
When I returned to my room this afternoon, a note on the Wyndham letterhead awaited me. I've reproduced it verbatim below. Text in brackets is mine.
Dear Valued Guest,If you have reservations for this hotel, cancel them now. One day it will become a Westin, allegedly bigger and better than it is today. But right now it is uninhabitable. I just finished reading State of Denial (and saw Bob Woodward speak about it yesterday!), and I feel confident in saying I would have slept better at a hotel in the Green Zone in Baghdad last night.
We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused by our early morning fire alarm. [Note the absence of the "s" that would include the other six times the alarm went off!]
Be assured that the safety and comfort of our guests is our highest priority. As a safety, all alarms need to be investigated before they can be reversed. Although the timing was inopportune. [This sentence fragment is apparently their idea of a mea culpa.] Please know that we appreciate your business.
Sincerely
The Staff and Management
Wyndham Washington Hotel
Have you ever had a hotel experience this bad? And how can this be the second hotel I've stayed in that had to be evacuated for a non-existent fire?
Friday, January 26, 2007
Go for Three
Slant Magazine - TV Review: Extras
The review above is a very convincing argument that Extras should carry on for a third season--and that you should be watching the second.
I am, and it's cracking me up. From David Bowie making up a song about main character Andy to Daniel Radcliffe--AKA Harry Potter--playing a very horny version of himself, season two is everything good about season one and much more. Andy's bout of fame and struggles to deal with it are poignant and gut-busting at the same time, a winning combination.
The first three episodes of season two--and many of season one's six episodes--are available on HBO On Demand. Check it out if you have a spare half-hour. It's dry humor, but I defy you not to belly laugh at least once.
The review above is a very convincing argument that Extras should carry on for a third season--and that you should be watching the second.
I am, and it's cracking me up. From David Bowie making up a song about main character Andy to Daniel Radcliffe--AKA Harry Potter--playing a very horny version of himself, season two is everything good about season one and much more. Andy's bout of fame and struggles to deal with it are poignant and gut-busting at the same time, a winning combination.
The first three episodes of season two--and many of season one's six episodes--are available on HBO On Demand. Check it out if you have a spare half-hour. It's dry humor, but I defy you not to belly laugh at least once.
Jackpot
Berkshire Record Outlet - Bargain Classical Music
Y'all know how much I love a bargain, right? I revel in buying $60.00 shirts for $9.50 after Christmas, stocking up on sale items at the grocery store while ignoring the full-price ones, and waiting a few months to buy major-label CDs that are likely to come to yourmusic.com for $6.99. My discovery of the site above, therefore, was a revelation.
Berkshire deals in classical and jazz closeouts and overruns. While this makes for a quixotic selection, the prices are remarkable! Last night my order arrived; 22 albums for $111 including shipping. (They cleverly charge a flat $6.00 plus 10 cents extra per disc, encouraging big orders like mine.)
For that price, I'd have been happy with eight, maybe nine albums. Instead, I was able to get:
Y'all know how much I love a bargain, right? I revel in buying $60.00 shirts for $9.50 after Christmas, stocking up on sale items at the grocery store while ignoring the full-price ones, and waiting a few months to buy major-label CDs that are likely to come to yourmusic.com for $6.99. My discovery of the site above, therefore, was a revelation.
Berkshire deals in classical and jazz closeouts and overruns. While this makes for a quixotic selection, the prices are remarkable! Last night my order arrived; 22 albums for $111 including shipping. (They cleverly charge a flat $6.00 plus 10 cents extra per disc, encouraging big orders like mine.)
For that price, I'd have been happy with eight, maybe nine albums. Instead, I was able to get:
- A complete cycle of the symphonies of Carl Nielsen
- A complete cycle of the symphonies of Bohuslav Martinu
- A complete cycle of the symphonies of Johannes Brahms
- Bartok's Miraculous Mandarin and Concerto for Orchestra
- Five discs of Haydn string quartets, including an SACD
- Three discs of Haydn symphonies, including an SACD
- A disc of Haydn piano concertos
- Two discs of Mozart piano concertos, one of which includes Bach piano sonatas
- A fabulous recording of the first two symphonies by Beethoven
- Hartmann's first and sixth symphonies
- A recording of Mahler 10 in one of the less-known performing versions
- Two Bruckner symphonies
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Quacking Duck
Others will parse the entirety of last night's State of the Union; I have but a few observations. First, for all its futility--does Bush really think he can drive the debate on any issue other than Iraq at this point?--it was not a bad speech. More humble than any he has given, it dealt rather deftly with the wide swaths of terrain on which the president and Congress cannot possibly agree while offering platitudes that forced Speaker Pelosi to lead her troops in standing to applaud. None of it means anything past today, but it made for good television.
I noticed some words the president did not say last night. Nowhere to be found were the words "sanctity" or "marriage," a welcome change after years of beating the drum for an amendment. No, now the debate that must be conducted with civility is the one about immigration. Illegal aliens, congratulations--you are the new gays! I always thought Muslims would be the ones to pick up our cross, but apparently I was wrong.
I also noticed that even as he called for bipartisan cooperation, Bush could not bring himself to call the new Democratic majority by its right name. "I congratulate the Democrat majority," he squawked, joining Fox News and other Republican language-gamers in trying to make us sound stupid. Doing so abases the language and the man speaking it, Mr. Bush--but it does not change the fact that your party is on the run.
What did you think of the speech? Did you even watch? And didn't the House chamber look stunning in high definition?
I noticed some words the president did not say last night. Nowhere to be found were the words "sanctity" or "marriage," a welcome change after years of beating the drum for an amendment. No, now the debate that must be conducted with civility is the one about immigration. Illegal aliens, congratulations--you are the new gays! I always thought Muslims would be the ones to pick up our cross, but apparently I was wrong.
I also noticed that even as he called for bipartisan cooperation, Bush could not bring himself to call the new Democratic majority by its right name. "I congratulate the Democrat majority," he squawked, joining Fox News and other Republican language-gamers in trying to make us sound stupid. Doing so abases the language and the man speaking it, Mr. Bush--but it does not change the fact that your party is on the run.
What did you think of the speech? Did you even watch? And didn't the House chamber look stunning in high definition?
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Let's Get Together
Surge or merge - By Bruce Reed - Slate Magazine
I was amused by the news the other day that Britain and France contemplated a merger in the '50s, back when such notions were all the rage? (Anyone else remember maps that had Egypt and Syria as one country, the U.A.R.?) But Bruce Reed sees the news as a jumping-off point for a modest proposal of his own. "Given his abysmal standing in the polls and in the world," Reed avers, "perhaps we should worry that President Bush will be forced on bended knee to make a similar offer. Forget the surge – what if Bush wants to merge?"
Somehow I don't think this is what Bush meant by "I'm a uniter, not a divider." But after spuriously suggesting that Bush secretly wants to join hands with France, Reed makes a more serious suggestion:
I was amused by the news the other day that Britain and France contemplated a merger in the '50s, back when such notions were all the rage? (Anyone else remember maps that had Egypt and Syria as one country, the U.A.R.?) But Bruce Reed sees the news as a jumping-off point for a modest proposal of his own. "Given his abysmal standing in the polls and in the world," Reed avers, "perhaps we should worry that President Bush will be forced on bended knee to make a similar offer. Forget the surge – what if Bush wants to merge?"
Somehow I don't think this is what Bush meant by "I'm a uniter, not a divider." But after spuriously suggesting that Bush secretly wants to join hands with France, Reed makes a more serious suggestion:
But if Bush is desperate to merge, let me suggest a different target: Canada. The benefits to us are obvious: massive natural resources, low health care costs, a safe haven from global warming. Merging with Canada would be like merging with Britain and France at the same time – and Quebec offers the taste of France without all the fat. Bush could finance the whole deal with the border control savings from the first year alone.Not that Stephen Harper would be any better, but that does sweeten the deal, doesn't it?
For a president at 30% approval, a U.S.-Canada merger (under the new name "AmeriCan") can only help. Conservatives will be thrilled to learn that Tom Tancredo was wrong – Bush's merger isn't with Mexico. Liberals will admire Canada's stance on same-sex marriage. Best of all, every American will welcome the hope that comes with any merger: the 50-50 chance that your chief executive will be the one to go.
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Rollercoaster
Amazon.com: Richard Nelson's Profile
Something very strange is happening today at Amazon. After a full two years in which my reviewer ranking has never been lower than 4,000 or higher than 2,990, today Amazon shows me at 851. Long-time readers will recall that, if this were a reflection of reality rather than a glitch, it would represent my achievement of a long-standing goal to reach the top 1,000. But I'm fairly confident order will soon be restored, and I'll be back to somewhere around 3,300.
In any case, if you haven't looked lately you may find some of my most recent reviews interesting. Those who notice every change on the blog may already know about them, as I also added a sidebar widget, titled "Recent Amazon Reviews," to spotlight my five most-recent reviews. Enjoy!
Something very strange is happening today at Amazon. After a full two years in which my reviewer ranking has never been lower than 4,000 or higher than 2,990, today Amazon shows me at 851. Long-time readers will recall that, if this were a reflection of reality rather than a glitch, it would represent my achievement of a long-standing goal to reach the top 1,000. But I'm fairly confident order will soon be restored, and I'll be back to somewhere around 3,300.
In any case, if you haven't looked lately you may find some of my most recent reviews interesting. Those who notice every change on the blog may already know about them, as I also added a sidebar widget, titled "Recent Amazon Reviews," to spotlight my five most-recent reviews. Enjoy!
Lucky for Us
HBO: Louis C.K.: Shameless
One TV writer previewing this comedy special noted that despite the failure that was Lucky Louie, HBO continues to show faith in Louis C.K. The implication was that this faith is misplaced. The writer is wrong; thank goodness HBO knows it.
To be fair, the comedy in this special is probably not for everyone. Louis C.K. looks to his marriage and two small children for comedy, describing his four-year-old daughter as an asshole, a handjob from his wife as the saddest thing ever to happen in America, and taking an undisturbed shit as his greatest desire. But this raunch, while hilarious in its own right, carries with it an undercurrent of sweetness. Louis wishes, he says, that he could wake up one morning and not love his wife and two daughters--that would be easier. The implication, of course, is that for all the carping, he does love them.
Also hilarious is his extended discussion of how not gay he is--in the context of support for gay marriage. This discussion is then undermined twice to comedic effect, first when he admits that there's one man he's daydreamed about, and later when he talks about sitting on his friend to provide added pressure for a masturbation technique. They were, he notes, 11 years old at the time.
There's plenty of filth, then, but also heart. Well worth an hour of your time, and on tonight at 9 CST or any time on HBO On Demand.
One TV writer previewing this comedy special noted that despite the failure that was Lucky Louie, HBO continues to show faith in Louis C.K. The implication was that this faith is misplaced. The writer is wrong; thank goodness HBO knows it.
To be fair, the comedy in this special is probably not for everyone. Louis C.K. looks to his marriage and two small children for comedy, describing his four-year-old daughter as an asshole, a handjob from his wife as the saddest thing ever to happen in America, and taking an undisturbed shit as his greatest desire. But this raunch, while hilarious in its own right, carries with it an undercurrent of sweetness. Louis wishes, he says, that he could wake up one morning and not love his wife and two daughters--that would be easier. The implication, of course, is that for all the carping, he does love them.
Also hilarious is his extended discussion of how not gay he is--in the context of support for gay marriage. This discussion is then undermined twice to comedic effect, first when he admits that there's one man he's daydreamed about, and later when he talks about sitting on his friend to provide added pressure for a masturbation technique. They were, he notes, 11 years old at the time.
There's plenty of filth, then, but also heart. Well worth an hour of your time, and on tonight at 9 CST or any time on HBO On Demand.
Friday, January 12, 2007
Laser Genius Removal
The psychology of seduction | the Daily Mail
This article, which big bear Andrew Sullivan linked earlier today, cites a study that says that there is a correlation between body hair and intelligence in men. Here's the relevant section of the article:
This article, which big bear Andrew Sullivan linked earlier today, cites a study that says that there is a correlation between body hair and intelligence in men. Here's the relevant section of the article:
If you want an intelligent partner - seek out a man with body hair. A recent study conducted by psychiatrist Dr Aikarakudy Alias, who has been working on the relationship between body hair and intelligence for 22 years, showed that hairy chests are more likely to be found among the most intelligent and highly educated than in the general population. Excessive body hair could also mean higher intelligence.Dr Alias's research, which focused on medical students in the United States, showed that 45 per cent of male doctors in training were "very hairy", compared with less than 10 per cent of men overall. In a region of southern India, research among medical and engineering students and manual labourers found that both groups of students had more body hair on average than the manual workers.
Further investigations showed that when academic ranking among students was examined, the hairier men got better grades. Taking this study one step further, Dr Alias studied 117 Mensa members (who have an IQ of at least 140) and found that this group tended to have thick body hair. Some of the most intelligent men were those with hair on their backs as well as on their chests.
In other words, that's not back hair poking out the neck of my t-shirt--it's proof of genius. Which doesn't mean I wouldn't wax it all off if it didn't hurt so much!
Monday, January 08, 2007
Back on the Block
Alma Matters | Desperate Housewives | TV Watch | TV | Entertainment Weekly
This post heralds two returns. First, I'm composing it in a window created by clicking a "BlogThis!" button on my browser; this is something I hadn't been able to do since Blogger switched to its new version, and it was driving me crazy (and making me blog less frequently).
Second, Desperate Housewives returned from a month off last night, and it was back with a vengeance. Every couple was in some kind of mess: Tom and Lynette were dealing with his daughter, Kayla, who Lynette swore to raise when her mother (and would-be Tom-stealer) died. Susan and Ian were imperiled by Susan's continued feelings for Mike--who may end up in a prison relationship with the suddenly back-on-the-scene Paul Young. Bree and Orson haven't figured it out yet, but they're not really married, because Alma Hodge, his first wife, is back in town--and therefore not killed by his hand, though Monique may be another story--and only time will tell her true intentions. Gaby and Carlos clearly still dig each other, and Carlos's recitation of which flowers he would send her on which occasion was tear-inducing proof that whatever their problems, they're getting back together eventually. And Julie gave in and had sex with Austin after devilish Andrew told her that he would get it elsewhere if not from her, something we're taught is not true but turned out to be in this case, as Austin has also been carrying on with Andrew's sister, Danielle.
As this windy and breathless recap should make clear, there's a lot going on. But it's all engaging. The show is back to firing on all cylinders. Best moment: As Andrew explains men to Julie, he says the only ones who don't want to have sex with their girlfriends are gay guys. "And Austin isn't gay--not even after three beers," he says, before realizing himself and finishing, "Don't ask" as Julie and Danielle stare. Marc Cherry, please get this kid more lines!
This post heralds two returns. First, I'm composing it in a window created by clicking a "BlogThis!" button on my browser; this is something I hadn't been able to do since Blogger switched to its new version, and it was driving me crazy (and making me blog less frequently).
Second, Desperate Housewives returned from a month off last night, and it was back with a vengeance. Every couple was in some kind of mess: Tom and Lynette were dealing with his daughter, Kayla, who Lynette swore to raise when her mother (and would-be Tom-stealer) died. Susan and Ian were imperiled by Susan's continued feelings for Mike--who may end up in a prison relationship with the suddenly back-on-the-scene Paul Young. Bree and Orson haven't figured it out yet, but they're not really married, because Alma Hodge, his first wife, is back in town--and therefore not killed by his hand, though Monique may be another story--and only time will tell her true intentions. Gaby and Carlos clearly still dig each other, and Carlos's recitation of which flowers he would send her on which occasion was tear-inducing proof that whatever their problems, they're getting back together eventually. And Julie gave in and had sex with Austin after devilish Andrew told her that he would get it elsewhere if not from her, something we're taught is not true but turned out to be in this case, as Austin has also been carrying on with Andrew's sister, Danielle.
As this windy and breathless recap should make clear, there's a lot going on. But it's all engaging. The show is back to firing on all cylinders. Best moment: As Andrew explains men to Julie, he says the only ones who don't want to have sex with their girlfriends are gay guys. "And Austin isn't gay--not even after three beers," he says, before realizing himself and finishing, "Don't ask" as Julie and Danielle stare. Marc Cherry, please get this kid more lines!
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Summer--not Endless?
Aggggghhhhhhh! Fox cancels 'The O.C.'!
Too bad my New Year's resolution wasn't something like "Stop watching shows that have gone downhill." That would have made this announcement a godsend.
Actually, season four of the show has been much better than two or three, successfully using the bizarre cast of characters those seasons left standing to create something that resembles the delightful dramedy of the first season. But even during this renaissance, it's been clear that the premise was unsustainable. Four rich, smart kids who are finished with high school are basically spending this year hanging out and having TV-style misadventures. They've got to go to college, and we all know that no show about high-school kids can successfully follow them to college.
The show ends Feb. 22, which should give them just enough time to air all 16 planned episodes if they make the finale a two-parter and air it all on one night. Get it while you can!
Too bad my New Year's resolution wasn't something like "Stop watching shows that have gone downhill." That would have made this announcement a godsend.
Actually, season four of the show has been much better than two or three, successfully using the bizarre cast of characters those seasons left standing to create something that resembles the delightful dramedy of the first season. But even during this renaissance, it's been clear that the premise was unsustainable. Four rich, smart kids who are finished with high school are basically spending this year hanging out and having TV-style misadventures. They've got to go to college, and we all know that no show about high-school kids can successfully follow them to college.
The show ends Feb. 22, which should give them just enough time to air all 16 planned episodes if they make the finale a two-parter and air it all on one night. Get it while you can!
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Dear NFL Network
If you insist on allowing Bryant Gumbel to mar your telecasts, would you please teach him proper football terminology? Failing to convert on 3rd down and choosing to punt is NOT the same thing as "turning the ball over on downs," yet Gumbel referred to it this way each time it happened during last night's New York-Washington game. Each time I caught myself wondering if I had missed something and the team had gone for it on 4th down. This was very distracting and further reduced Gumbel's almost non-existent football credibility. Perhaps you can lure another former player to join Collinsworth in the booth?
Sincerely,
Richard Nelson
Sincerely,
Richard Nelson
Friday, December 29, 2006
I've Been Tagged
Via quite a meandering chain, I've been tagged to tell you five things you may not know about me--and tag five others to do so as well. So, Paul, Jon, James, Michele, and Zaki--you're it!
1. My favorite morning beverage is coffee--but I do not drink it. Since August I've had terrible bouts of heartburn, and eventually I realized that under the circumstances drinking coffee in the morning is very much like starting the day with a column of burning acid in my chest. But I still love the smell of brewing coffee!
2. I have put up the same Christmas tree every year since I was a boy. I bought it at Osco for $20 of hard-earned paper route money, and I still decorate it with the same ornaments and bead garland I've been using for almost 15 years. The lights, alas, have been changed a few times.
3. Before I became a staunch Democrat, my nickname was "Richard the Republican." This was in sixth grade, when I was probably the only person who even knew what a Republican was. (Though at the time I did not know that they ate babies and killed the poor in their sleep.) This folly lasted long enough that I even had a "Speaker Newt" placard on the wall of my first dorm room in college.
4. Speaking of politics, I also had an odd habit as a child of naming houseplants. This was important because I named one of them George Bush in 1991, during the Gulf War, when everyone loved him. Some time later, my mother ripped George from his pot with the cord of the vacuum cleaner--pity the fool who stands between her and a clean house! Quite soon thereafter, Bill Clinton became president. (Yes, I considered naming another plant George Bush and killing it in 2004.)
5. My life is one big sing along. When I am alone in the house or the car, I sing along with whatever music I'm playing--and often dance as well. I may refuse to bust a move at a wedding, but I am a freak in my own home.
Happy New Year!
1. My favorite morning beverage is coffee--but I do not drink it. Since August I've had terrible bouts of heartburn, and eventually I realized that under the circumstances drinking coffee in the morning is very much like starting the day with a column of burning acid in my chest. But I still love the smell of brewing coffee!
2. I have put up the same Christmas tree every year since I was a boy. I bought it at Osco for $20 of hard-earned paper route money, and I still decorate it with the same ornaments and bead garland I've been using for almost 15 years. The lights, alas, have been changed a few times.
3. Before I became a staunch Democrat, my nickname was "Richard the Republican." This was in sixth grade, when I was probably the only person who even knew what a Republican was. (Though at the time I did not know that they ate babies and killed the poor in their sleep.) This folly lasted long enough that I even had a "Speaker Newt" placard on the wall of my first dorm room in college.
4. Speaking of politics, I also had an odd habit as a child of naming houseplants. This was important because I named one of them George Bush in 1991, during the Gulf War, when everyone loved him. Some time later, my mother ripped George from his pot with the cord of the vacuum cleaner--pity the fool who stands between her and a clean house! Quite soon thereafter, Bill Clinton became president. (Yes, I considered naming another plant George Bush and killing it in 2004.)
5. My life is one big sing along. When I am alone in the house or the car, I sing along with whatever music I'm playing--and often dance as well. I may refuse to bust a move at a wedding, but I am a freak in my own home.
Happy New Year!
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Happy Holidays!
Hope that everyone reading is having--or had--a very happy holiday season. I know my holiday weekend kicked off with a bang. Our friends from Texas visited and we had dinner at Maggiano's; to celebrate Festivus, we went with a family-style meal and had lots of food--and fun! I can only hope the next two days of home cooking can match the delights of all-you-can-eat gnocchi and salmon and linguini and chicken parmesan and salads and tiramisu and profiteroles. Our table actually had to be expanded halfway through the meal to accommodate it all. 'Twas a sight to behold!
Happy holidays!
Happy holidays!
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Still Time for Gift Giving!
If you haven't seen this video yet, you're missing out on belly laughs that will burn off at least a few Christmas cookies. This is the best thing SNL has done in a long time!
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