Play-by-Play
Marc Spears offers a thorough account of the Nuggets/Timberwolves conflict.
The Timberwolves should know better. They're the better team yet they're letting Denver distract them. I love it.
Friday, April 30, 2004
Trash Talkin'
In his April 28, 2004 post, Gene offers some annoying basketball talk and extolls the virtues of Jon Barry. I couldn't agree more. Responding to one of my comments, he added:
To be honest, I think the Nuggets (and the Timberwolves, to some extent) are expending energy in the wrong way. The elite teams are sort of beyond displays of attitude; they operate with a certain level of cold arrogance.
He was referring, of course, to the war of words being waged by the Nuggets & Timberwolves. Barry tells Spree to shut the fuck up. Spree tells everyone that the series won't be coming back to Denver. Carmello and Camby tell Denver fans that they'll be playing in the Pepsi Center on Sunday (suggest a road win tonight). KG gives Fernando Escalade a shot below the belt (a nut shot for those keeping score), Fernando calls KG a low-class player (and apparently confronted KG after Tuesday night's game). Yesterday, the league contacted both the Nuggets and the Timberwolves and asked everyone to shut up. Marcus Camby had the final word: "I plan to be back here Sunday. For a game, not to clean out my locker.
All that I aside, I disagree with Gene about all the jabbering. If the Timberwolves are the elite team they claim to be, they shouldn't be affected by any of the distractions. The Nuggets on the other hand, an 8th seed and clearly not an elite team, have nothing to lose by talking a ton of smack. If they rattle the Timberwolves a bit, that plays to Denver's advantage. If they don't rattle them, nothing lost. Remember, the Nuggets weren't even supposed to be in the playoffs. As a fan, I'm thrilled to see my lowly Nuggets finally stepping up and getting a little nasty. Talk it up, boys!
My prediction for tonight's game: Minnesota 95 Denver 82. Sorry Nuggets, but I think this is probably the end. I'll be elated if you suprise me and take one on the road. Nuggets4Life!
In his April 28, 2004 post, Gene offers some annoying basketball talk and extolls the virtues of Jon Barry. I couldn't agree more. Responding to one of my comments, he added:
To be honest, I think the Nuggets (and the Timberwolves, to some extent) are expending energy in the wrong way. The elite teams are sort of beyond displays of attitude; they operate with a certain level of cold arrogance.
He was referring, of course, to the war of words being waged by the Nuggets & Timberwolves. Barry tells Spree to shut the fuck up. Spree tells everyone that the series won't be coming back to Denver. Carmello and Camby tell Denver fans that they'll be playing in the Pepsi Center on Sunday (suggest a road win tonight). KG gives Fernando Escalade a shot below the belt (a nut shot for those keeping score), Fernando calls KG a low-class player (and apparently confronted KG after Tuesday night's game). Yesterday, the league contacted both the Nuggets and the Timberwolves and asked everyone to shut up. Marcus Camby had the final word: "I plan to be back here Sunday. For a game, not to clean out my locker.
All that I aside, I disagree with Gene about all the jabbering. If the Timberwolves are the elite team they claim to be, they shouldn't be affected by any of the distractions. The Nuggets on the other hand, an 8th seed and clearly not an elite team, have nothing to lose by talking a ton of smack. If they rattle the Timberwolves a bit, that plays to Denver's advantage. If they don't rattle them, nothing lost. Remember, the Nuggets weren't even supposed to be in the playoffs. As a fan, I'm thrilled to see my lowly Nuggets finally stepping up and getting a little nasty. Talk it up, boys!
My prediction for tonight's game: Minnesota 95 Denver 82. Sorry Nuggets, but I think this is probably the end. I'll be elated if you suprise me and take one on the road. Nuggets4Life!
Wednesday, April 28, 2004
Sprewell's Like a School in Summer: No Class
At the end of the Nuggets/Timberwolves game (the Nuggets deserved the loss--they played horribly all night), the classless Letrell Sprewell walks slowly across the court and taunts Nuggets' fans with screams of "Fuck Y'all. Fuck y'all. Fuck y'all." Congrats, Sprewell. You just moved up to slot #2 on my Top Ten Most Hated Professional Athlete list.
At the end of the Nuggets/Timberwolves game (the Nuggets deserved the loss--they played horribly all night), the classless Letrell Sprewell walks slowly across the court and taunts Nuggets' fans with screams of "Fuck Y'all. Fuck y'all. Fuck y'all." Congrats, Sprewell. You just moved up to slot #2 on my Top Ten Most Hated Professional Athlete list.
Tuesday, April 27, 2004
Frederico Epson owns you! Part II
I don't know why this cracks me up so much, but it does. More on the Garnett/Eason front:
13. More on the Kenny G-Fransheena Easton front . . .
14. Nene and Franken Steilson turned the Nuggs paint into a KG Free Zone...
15. Yeah, hope Nene, Birdman and Frankestein Kelson give KG enough trouble (it´s a 12-foul vault)...
Heheheheh.
I don't know why this cracks me up so much, but it does. More on the Garnett/Eason front:
13. More on the Kenny G-Fransheena Easton front . . .
14. Nene and Franken Steilson turned the Nuggs paint into a KG Free Zone...
15. Yeah, hope Nene, Birdman and Frankestein Kelson give KG enough trouble (it´s a 12-foul vault)...
Heheheheh.
Monday, April 26, 2004
Fernando Escalade owns you!
During the postgame interview for Game 3 (Nuggets/Timberwolves), Kevin Garnett commented on the Nuggets' team effort. At one point he said, "Eason, or whatever his name is, played pretty good." Garnett was actually referring to Francisco Elson, a backup PF/C for the Nuggets. Today, someone posted a thread about KG's comment on a message board I frequent. Here's the result:
1. you mean Francesca Eason? Yeah, he's got game.
2. f**k you garnett, frankie elson owns you!
3. hell yeah, you best respect Frescoist Easel.
4. Freddie Eaton rocks!
5. I would love to see Elson use a big foul, put KG on the floor and shout, "what's my name bitch?"
6. I wish that Chico Nelson has got mad and will use all this madness to play the best game of his life on tuesday.
7. May Franz Hellston, unleash his demons over Devin Barnet and hell will break loose...
8. Somebody should go to the next game with a sign that says "Go Eason! Er, ELSON!"
9. Fernando Escalon will drop the hammer on KG.
10. Elson should call KG "Kenny Barnet" all next game.
11. I think we'll see similar minutes for Ferrari Escalade, and hopefully similar results as game 3.
12. Frederico Epson will see that kind of minutes only if Nene and/or Camby get in foul trouble...
As one poster astutely observed, KG was probably trying to get into Elson's head. Still, the comment made for great message board fodder.
Fuck you, Kalvin Burnett. Fernando Escalade owns you! With all we've been through, this is a great time to be a Nuggets' fan.
Elson4Life!
During the postgame interview for Game 3 (Nuggets/Timberwolves), Kevin Garnett commented on the Nuggets' team effort. At one point he said, "Eason, or whatever his name is, played pretty good." Garnett was actually referring to Francisco Elson, a backup PF/C for the Nuggets. Today, someone posted a thread about KG's comment on a message board I frequent. Here's the result:
1. you mean Francesca Eason? Yeah, he's got game.
2. f**k you garnett, frankie elson owns you!
3. hell yeah, you best respect Frescoist Easel.
4. Freddie Eaton rocks!
5. I would love to see Elson use a big foul, put KG on the floor and shout, "what's my name bitch?"
6. I wish that Chico Nelson has got mad and will use all this madness to play the best game of his life on tuesday.
7. May Franz Hellston, unleash his demons over Devin Barnet and hell will break loose...
8. Somebody should go to the next game with a sign that says "Go Eason! Er, ELSON!"
9. Fernando Escalon will drop the hammer on KG.
10. Elson should call KG "Kenny Barnet" all next game.
11. I think we'll see similar minutes for Ferrari Escalade, and hopefully similar results as game 3.
12. Frederico Epson will see that kind of minutes only if Nene and/or Camby get in foul trouble...
As one poster astutely observed, KG was probably trying to get into Elson's head. Still, the comment made for great message board fodder.
Fuck you, Kalvin Burnett. Fernando Escalade owns you! With all we've been through, this is a great time to be a Nuggets' fan.
Elson4Life!
Sports Shorts
1. The Chicago Cubs have won six in a row. Holy Cow!
2. The Denver Nuggets shellacked the Timberwolves on Saturday night. The Wolves are still trying figure out what went wrong. This is exactly what the Nuggets needed. The Timberwolves, who have never made it out of the 1st round, now have a tiny bit of doubt gnawing at them. The Nuggets, on the other hand, have absolutely nothing to loose. They weren't even supposed to come close to the playoffs.
3. Game Four playoff prediction: Nuggets 101 Timberwolves 96. Nuggets4Life!
4. The Colorado Avalanche? Who are they? The Nuggets are in the playoffs!
5. I still hate the Lakers.
1. The Chicago Cubs have won six in a row. Holy Cow!
2. The Denver Nuggets shellacked the Timberwolves on Saturday night. The Wolves are still trying figure out what went wrong. This is exactly what the Nuggets needed. The Timberwolves, who have never made it out of the 1st round, now have a tiny bit of doubt gnawing at them. The Nuggets, on the other hand, have absolutely nothing to loose. They weren't even supposed to come close to the playoffs.
3. Game Four playoff prediction: Nuggets 101 Timberwolves 96. Nuggets4Life!
4. The Colorado Avalanche? Who are they? The Nuggets are in the playoffs!
5. I still hate the Lakers.
Saturday, April 24, 2004
Doug Moe Mojo
In about six hours, I'll be sitting high in the playoff madhouse known as the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets, down 0-2 to the Timberwolves, will finally step up and get their collective heads back in this series. The team will call on that Doug Moe mojo of the 80s and return to the running game that resulted in 43 regular season wins. Fearless prediction:
Nuggets 104
Wolves 97
As a diehard fan, I'm doing what I can to move the team toward victory. I'm wearing my Denver Nuggets watch (mine is way cooler than this model. As I've had mine for a decade or so, it's difficult to find an image) and I just finished eating most of a Melo candy bar. I saved a couple pieces for Kathleen--the more people filled with Nuggety goodness, the better.
If you happen to watch the game and listen closely, you might be able to hear me. I'll be the one disparaging Sam Cassell by comparing him to the alien from Enemy Mine. He is not a pretty man.
If you have any good taunts for KG, Wally, Kandiman or anyone else on the team, send them my way. I'll try to work them into my heckling routine.
Nuggets4Life!
In about six hours, I'll be sitting high in the playoff madhouse known as the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets, down 0-2 to the Timberwolves, will finally step up and get their collective heads back in this series. The team will call on that Doug Moe mojo of the 80s and return to the running game that resulted in 43 regular season wins. Fearless prediction:
Nuggets 104
Wolves 97
As a diehard fan, I'm doing what I can to move the team toward victory. I'm wearing my Denver Nuggets watch (mine is way cooler than this model. As I've had mine for a decade or so, it's difficult to find an image) and I just finished eating most of a Melo candy bar. I saved a couple pieces for Kathleen--the more people filled with Nuggety goodness, the better.
If you happen to watch the game and listen closely, you might be able to hear me. I'll be the one disparaging Sam Cassell by comparing him to the alien from Enemy Mine. He is not a pretty man.
If you have any good taunts for KG, Wally, Kandiman or anyone else on the team, send them my way. I'll try to work them into my heckling routine.
Nuggets4Life!
Friday, April 23, 2004
Ode to the Spell Check
Anonymous
Eye halve a spelling chequer
It cam with my pea sea
It plainly marques four my revue
Miss steaks eye kin knot sea.
Eye strike a key and type a word
And weight four it two say
Weather eye am wrong oar write
It shows me strait a weigh.
As soon as a mist ache is maid
It nose bee fore two long
And eye can put the error rite
Its rare lea ever wrong.
Eye have run this poem threw it
I am shore your pleased two no
Its letter perfect awl the weigh
My chequer tolled me sew!
Anonymous
Eye halve a spelling chequer
It cam with my pea sea
It plainly marques four my revue
Miss steaks eye kin knot sea.
Eye strike a key and type a word
And weight four it two say
Weather eye am wrong oar write
It shows me strait a weigh.
As soon as a mist ache is maid
It nose bee fore two long
And eye can put the error rite
Its rare lea ever wrong.
Eye have run this poem threw it
I am shore your pleased two no
Its letter perfect awl the weigh
My chequer tolled me sew!
Wednesday, April 21, 2004
Well Said
Roger Ebert as the voice of reason? I thought he reviewed movies or something?
Stern vs Limbaugh. What's the diff?
Frankly, I can't stand either of the jokers.
Roger Ebert as the voice of reason? I thought he reviewed movies or something?
Stern vs Limbaugh. What's the diff?
Frankly, I can't stand either of the jokers.
Bob's Law: Some People Suck
I try to believe that people are basically good, that most people I encounter are good at heart and genuinely care about the people with whom they interact. In fact, I think 90 percent of people are probably nice folk. The other 10 percent, to quote an old acquaintance, "are assholes." And that's the basic idea behind Bob's Law: 90 percent of people are good and kind, the rest are assholes.
Lately, I've been struggling with the actions of those who fall in the 10 percent. Take yesterday, for instance. When Kathleen arrived home from school, she immediately burst into tears. The conversation went like this:
Derek: Are you okay?
Kathleen (tears rolling): I had a really bad day at work.
Derek: What happened?
Kathleen: I had to call Social Services.
Derek (dread fills heart): Oh, no.
Kathleen: One of my students kept saying that he didn't feel good. When I asked him what was wrong, he said, "My body hurts. My dad hits me too much."
Derek (holds Kathleen): I'm really sorry you had to go through that. I'm really sorry your student has to deal with that. Nobody deserves to be hit, especially a kid.
Kathleen: That's what I told him. I told him that it's not okay for his dad to hit him.
I'll never understand how a 300 pound man can justify pounding on a little kid. When I hear such stories, I struggle with my commitment to non-violence. Since Kathleen came home yesterday, I've daydreamed of confronting this dreg of humanity with an aluminum baseball bat. I don't want to kill him. I just want to hear him say, "My body hurts. That guy hits me too much."
I try to believe that people are basically good, that most people I encounter are good at heart and genuinely care about the people with whom they interact. In fact, I think 90 percent of people are probably nice folk. The other 10 percent, to quote an old acquaintance, "are assholes." And that's the basic idea behind Bob's Law: 90 percent of people are good and kind, the rest are assholes.
Lately, I've been struggling with the actions of those who fall in the 10 percent. Take yesterday, for instance. When Kathleen arrived home from school, she immediately burst into tears. The conversation went like this:
Derek: Are you okay?
Kathleen (tears rolling): I had a really bad day at work.
Derek: What happened?
Kathleen: I had to call Social Services.
Derek (dread fills heart): Oh, no.
Kathleen: One of my students kept saying that he didn't feel good. When I asked him what was wrong, he said, "My body hurts. My dad hits me too much."
Derek (holds Kathleen): I'm really sorry you had to go through that. I'm really sorry your student has to deal with that. Nobody deserves to be hit, especially a kid.
Kathleen: That's what I told him. I told him that it's not okay for his dad to hit him.
I'll never understand how a 300 pound man can justify pounding on a little kid. When I hear such stories, I struggle with my commitment to non-violence. Since Kathleen came home yesterday, I've daydreamed of confronting this dreg of humanity with an aluminum baseball bat. I don't want to kill him. I just want to hear him say, "My body hurts. That guy hits me too much."
Tuesday, April 20, 2004
Monday Manna . . . A Day Late
1. Playoff ticket for Denver Nuggets vs Minnesota Timberwolves, Game 3. Nuggets4Life!
2. Cinnamon swirl bagels.
3. AlterNet.org
4. Thich Nhat Hanh
5. Evening walks along the Highline Canal.
6. Calvin Schrag's The Self After Postmodernity
7. DVDs
8. Kaladi Brothers Coffee. Seriously, this independent coffee house & roaster has some of the best coffee beans to hit the planet. This is the place where I finally discovered the perfect cup of coffee. If you like coffee, try a pound of Puravida or Trieste (whole bean, of course). Make sure you keep your coffee beans frozen--freezing beans locks in moisture and flavor.
9. Diana Krall
10. Space.com. As someone fascinated with astronomy, this site provides the information I crave in language I understand.
1. Playoff ticket for Denver Nuggets vs Minnesota Timberwolves, Game 3. Nuggets4Life!
2. Cinnamon swirl bagels.
3. AlterNet.org
4. Thich Nhat Hanh
5. Evening walks along the Highline Canal.
6. Calvin Schrag's The Self After Postmodernity
7. DVDs
8. Kaladi Brothers Coffee. Seriously, this independent coffee house & roaster has some of the best coffee beans to hit the planet. This is the place where I finally discovered the perfect cup of coffee. If you like coffee, try a pound of Puravida or Trieste (whole bean, of course). Make sure you keep your coffee beans frozen--freezing beans locks in moisture and flavor.
9. Diana Krall
10. Space.com. As someone fascinated with astronomy, this site provides the information I crave in language I understand.
Sunday, April 18, 2004
Saturday, April 17, 2004
Silly Girls, EMO's for Boys
I'm in the early stages of an academic piece on politically adversarial, female-fronted power-pop. At the heart of the piece, at least what I think will become the heart of the piece, is an examination of human agency, rock music, and political policy. Does rock music possess the ability to influence who we are and the decisions we make? While my piece focuses on the transformative potential of music, the potential to move our culture toward practices that are more egalitarian and just, what happens when rock and roll reinforces harmful beliefs, values, and attitudes? For one woman's opinion, read the following.
It is a genre made by and for adolescent and post adolescent boys, who make evident, in their lyrics and dominant aesthetic that their knowledge of actual living, breathing women is tiny enough to fit in a shoebox. Emo’s characteristic sensitive front is limited to self-sensitivity, it runs in a fanciful maze of reflexive self pity, rife with a vulnerability that is infinitely self-serving. It is a high stakes game of control—of “winning” or “losing” possession of the girl (see Dashboard Confessional, Brand New, New Found Glory and Glassjaw albums for prime examples) Yet, in the vulnerability there is no empathy, no peerage or parallelism. Emo’s yearning is not to identify with, or understand, but rather to enforce sexual hierarchy and omit women’s power via romanticide.
I'm in the early stages of an academic piece on politically adversarial, female-fronted power-pop. At the heart of the piece, at least what I think will become the heart of the piece, is an examination of human agency, rock music, and political policy. Does rock music possess the ability to influence who we are and the decisions we make? While my piece focuses on the transformative potential of music, the potential to move our culture toward practices that are more egalitarian and just, what happens when rock and roll reinforces harmful beliefs, values, and attitudes? For one woman's opinion, read the following.
It is a genre made by and for adolescent and post adolescent boys, who make evident, in their lyrics and dominant aesthetic that their knowledge of actual living, breathing women is tiny enough to fit in a shoebox. Emo’s characteristic sensitive front is limited to self-sensitivity, it runs in a fanciful maze of reflexive self pity, rife with a vulnerability that is infinitely self-serving. It is a high stakes game of control—of “winning” or “losing” possession of the girl (see Dashboard Confessional, Brand New, New Found Glory and Glassjaw albums for prime examples) Yet, in the vulnerability there is no empathy, no peerage or parallelism. Emo’s yearning is not to identify with, or understand, but rather to enforce sexual hierarchy and omit women’s power via romanticide.
Friday, April 16, 2004
Rude Awakenings
MONDAY
Derek slumbers peacefully. Kathleen, who is getting ready to leave for work, races into the bedroom.
Kathleen (shouting): Derek! I need your help!
Derek (awakens immediately and shoots straight up in bed): What is it?!
Kathleen (frantic): The dogs are missing!
Derek: What the fuck do you mean the dogs are missing!
Kathleen (frantic): I took the poop to the dumpster and they were waiting on the sidewalk, like they always do. When I turned around, they were gone!
Derek (tosses sheets back and dives out of bed): Holy shit! We have to find them!
Kathleen (still frantic): I know! I know!
Derek (putting shirt on backwards, pulling on pants, oblivious to serious case of bedhead): Fuck.
Derek and Kathleen race downstairs and begin their frantic search. Within less than a minute, they find both dogs.
WEDNESDAY
7:30 AM. Kathleen is heading out the door and Derek is sleeping. The phone rings, disturbing Derek's sleep (he finally got to sleep at 3 AM*)
Derek (groans): Who the fuck is calling this early?!
(phone continues ringing--Kathleen can't reach the phone in time)
Derek (awake and angry). Jesus! Who calls at 7:30 in the morning?! (gets out of bed, storms to phone, and checks caller ID) I think it was your sister! Looks like her cell number. Grrrrrr. How many times do we have to ask her NOT to call before 9 AM. Just because she gets up at 6 AM, doesn't mean everyone else does. (checks message)
Laura (via voice mail): Kath, it's your sister. Give me a call tonight, okay? But don't call during American Idol. You know how I hate to have my television interrupted. Bye.
Derek (fuming): It WAS your sister. You're supposed to call her tonight. But not during American Idol. She doesn't want her TV disturbed. Are you fucking kidding me? She can't respect our 9 AM rule and we're not supposed to call during her fucking show?! When the fuck is that fucking show on? I'm fucking calling throughout the show. God damnit!
*I've been dealing with some wicked insomnia. Stress + back pain = little sleep.
MONDAY
Derek slumbers peacefully. Kathleen, who is getting ready to leave for work, races into the bedroom.
Kathleen (shouting): Derek! I need your help!
Derek (awakens immediately and shoots straight up in bed): What is it?!
Kathleen (frantic): The dogs are missing!
Derek: What the fuck do you mean the dogs are missing!
Kathleen (frantic): I took the poop to the dumpster and they were waiting on the sidewalk, like they always do. When I turned around, they were gone!
Derek (tosses sheets back and dives out of bed): Holy shit! We have to find them!
Kathleen (still frantic): I know! I know!
Derek (putting shirt on backwards, pulling on pants, oblivious to serious case of bedhead): Fuck.
Derek and Kathleen race downstairs and begin their frantic search. Within less than a minute, they find both dogs.
WEDNESDAY
7:30 AM. Kathleen is heading out the door and Derek is sleeping. The phone rings, disturbing Derek's sleep (he finally got to sleep at 3 AM*)
Derek (groans): Who the fuck is calling this early?!
(phone continues ringing--Kathleen can't reach the phone in time)
Derek (awake and angry). Jesus! Who calls at 7:30 in the morning?! (gets out of bed, storms to phone, and checks caller ID) I think it was your sister! Looks like her cell number. Grrrrrr. How many times do we have to ask her NOT to call before 9 AM. Just because she gets up at 6 AM, doesn't mean everyone else does. (checks message)
Laura (via voice mail): Kath, it's your sister. Give me a call tonight, okay? But don't call during American Idol. You know how I hate to have my television interrupted. Bye.
Derek (fuming): It WAS your sister. You're supposed to call her tonight. But not during American Idol. She doesn't want her TV disturbed. Are you fucking kidding me? She can't respect our 9 AM rule and we're not supposed to call during her fucking show?! When the fuck is that fucking show on? I'm fucking calling throughout the show. God damnit!
*I've been dealing with some wicked insomnia. Stress + back pain = little sleep.
Wednesday, April 14, 2004
WTF: LotP
Some people have WAY too much time on their hands.
Lord of the Peeps
In case I haven't made my position clear, peeps suck.
Some people have WAY too much time on their hands.
Lord of the Peeps
In case I haven't made my position clear, peeps suck.
Tuesday, April 13, 2004
The Mighty Denver Nuggets
A couple weeks back I predicted the Denver Nuggets would fail to make the playoffs. This is one time I'm thrilled to be wrong.
THE NUGGETS ARE GOING TO THE PLAYOFFS!
Fuck, yeah!
A couple weeks back I predicted the Denver Nuggets would fail to make the playoffs. This is one time I'm thrilled to be wrong.
THE NUGGETS ARE GOING TO THE PLAYOFFS!
Fuck, yeah!
Monday, April 12, 2004
Heroes
Here's an animated spoof of Clerks, the Kevin Smith film, that casts Marvel superheroes in the lead roles. The Silver Surfer and Galactus do Jay and Silent Bob? You gotta be kidding. Anyway, the animation took a while to load on my broadband connection. Non-broadbanders, beware.
Heroes
Here's an animated spoof of Clerks, the Kevin Smith film, that casts Marvel superheroes in the lead roles. The Silver Surfer and Galactus do Jay and Silent Bob? You gotta be kidding. Anyway, the animation took a while to load on my broadband connection. Non-broadbanders, beware.
Heroes
Monday Manna
Another list of the good things in my life.
1. The Powerpuff Girls.
2. The Denver Nuggets. If the Nuggets lose tonight, this could be a source of great disappointment. Regardless, this has been a fun year to be a Nuggets fan. I haven't been able to say that in almost a decade.
3. The Sonic Self: Musical Subjectivity and Signification, by Naomi Cumming. Read an excellent review here.
4. My Starbucks Barista Grinder has taken my coffee addiction to a new level.
5. Ella Enchanted. Kathleen and I saw this movie over the weekend. Very entertaining. Kathleen describes the film as a combination of The Princess Bride and A Knight's Tale. That description is right on the money. We loved Carey Elwes, Westley from The Princess Bride, as the villainous Prince Regent Edgar. If you catch the film, see if you think Prince Regent Edgar and his slithery advisor, Heston, were modelled after Prince John/Sir Hiss from Disney's Robin Hood. I think the live characters are an obvious homage to the animated classic. Prince Edgar/John even wear the same crown.
6. Dictionaries. We had a discussion about this at brunch yesterday.
7. Corel Wordperfect. Not everyone likes Microsoft Word.
8. Olive Oil and Aloe Soap.
9. Apple and cinnamon granola.
10. Everwood. One of the few, well-written programs on the WB.
Another list of the good things in my life.
1. The Powerpuff Girls.
2. The Denver Nuggets. If the Nuggets lose tonight, this could be a source of great disappointment. Regardless, this has been a fun year to be a Nuggets fan. I haven't been able to say that in almost a decade.
3. The Sonic Self: Musical Subjectivity and Signification, by Naomi Cumming. Read an excellent review here.
4. My Starbucks Barista Grinder has taken my coffee addiction to a new level.
5. Ella Enchanted. Kathleen and I saw this movie over the weekend. Very entertaining. Kathleen describes the film as a combination of The Princess Bride and A Knight's Tale. That description is right on the money. We loved Carey Elwes, Westley from The Princess Bride, as the villainous Prince Regent Edgar. If you catch the film, see if you think Prince Regent Edgar and his slithery advisor, Heston, were modelled after Prince John/Sir Hiss from Disney's Robin Hood. I think the live characters are an obvious homage to the animated classic. Prince Edgar/John even wear the same crown.
6. Dictionaries. We had a discussion about this at brunch yesterday.
7. Corel Wordperfect. Not everyone likes Microsoft Word.
8. Olive Oil and Aloe Soap.
9. Apple and cinnamon granola.
10. Everwood. One of the few, well-written programs on the WB.
Sunday, April 11, 2004
Personal Jesus
Seven years ago, on an Easter Sunday not unlike today, I came to the realization I could no longer consider myself Christian. I was working as the Youth and Education Director for St. John's United Church of Christ when one of the young men in the youth group asked, "Derek, do you believe the resurrection really happened?" I paused, quickly considered the ramifications of what I was about to say, and told him the truth. I said, "I have a difficult time with all of the miracles in the Bible, the resurrection included. That doesn't mean the Bible doesn't have wonderful lessons regarding the way we should live our lives. I think it does. I believe the Bible is a collection of stories and parables written by people. I don't think it should taken literally." While I feared a total freakout by both the youth and their parents, nothing happened. Still, the moment was more than a little signficant for my personal spiritual journey. Christianity no longer provided the spiritual path I needed (and I know it still works for millions). Two months later, I was offered a full-time academic lectureship and resigned my position at St. John's.
Since that Easter, I've wandered an eclectic path consisting of Wicca, Buddhism, and Taoism. The writings of Starhawk, Buddha, Lao Tzu, the Dalai Lama, Thich Nhat Hanh, and host of others provide an intricate, personal text of spiritual investigation. For the last several years, I've finally known spiritual peace.
While I won't be celebrating the Resurrection today, I did encounter a number of interesting articles that conjured up the memory of my last Easter.
Choose Your Own Jesus
Greatest Myth
President Jimmy Carter: A Compassionate Christian
The Eostar Bunny
Peeps
For the record, I think Peeps are the most heinous of Easter candy. Give me a Cadbury Creme Egg any day.
Seven years ago, on an Easter Sunday not unlike today, I came to the realization I could no longer consider myself Christian. I was working as the Youth and Education Director for St. John's United Church of Christ when one of the young men in the youth group asked, "Derek, do you believe the resurrection really happened?" I paused, quickly considered the ramifications of what I was about to say, and told him the truth. I said, "I have a difficult time with all of the miracles in the Bible, the resurrection included. That doesn't mean the Bible doesn't have wonderful lessons regarding the way we should live our lives. I think it does. I believe the Bible is a collection of stories and parables written by people. I don't think it should taken literally." While I feared a total freakout by both the youth and their parents, nothing happened. Still, the moment was more than a little signficant for my personal spiritual journey. Christianity no longer provided the spiritual path I needed (and I know it still works for millions). Two months later, I was offered a full-time academic lectureship and resigned my position at St. John's.
Since that Easter, I've wandered an eclectic path consisting of Wicca, Buddhism, and Taoism. The writings of Starhawk, Buddha, Lao Tzu, the Dalai Lama, Thich Nhat Hanh, and host of others provide an intricate, personal text of spiritual investigation. For the last several years, I've finally known spiritual peace.
While I won't be celebrating the Resurrection today, I did encounter a number of interesting articles that conjured up the memory of my last Easter.
Choose Your Own Jesus
Greatest Myth
President Jimmy Carter: A Compassionate Christian
The Eostar Bunny
Peeps
For the record, I think Peeps are the most heinous of Easter candy. Give me a Cadbury Creme Egg any day.
Friday, April 09, 2004
Foul Weather Friend?
The fighting in Iraq is the worst its been since the supposed end of the war, the National Security Advisor faces tough questions from the 9-11 commission, and where is the President? He's hanging out with his boys from the National Rifle Associate, Ducks Unlimited, and Pheasants Forever.
Unbelievable.
The fighting in Iraq is the worst its been since the supposed end of the war, the National Security Advisor faces tough questions from the 9-11 commission, and where is the President? He's hanging out with his boys from the National Rifle Associate, Ducks Unlimited, and Pheasants Forever.
Unbelievable.
Thursday, April 08, 2004
Wednesday, April 07, 2004
Ow. Ow. Ow.
While I have a number of tattoos and piercings, this is one body modification I can do without. On second thought, a Green Lantern implant might be right up my alley.
While I have a number of tattoos and piercings, this is one body modification I can do without. On second thought, a Green Lantern implant might be right up my alley.
Monday, April 05, 2004
Gratitude
While doing my regular web wandering, I stumbled across a message board post reminding us to be mindful of that for which we're grateful. Given the amount of criticizing I do on this blog, I thought I'd devote an entire entry to gratitude. Here are 10 things for which I'm grateful (in the order they came to mind).
1. Kathleen
2. Our menagerie of critters: Bishop, Clay, Java, Blossom, and Oz.
3. Turbo Tax.
4. Good & Plenty
5. Teen Titans Volume 3. This is presently my favorite comic book read.
6. Fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies.
7. Controller.controller. I ordered their EP today.
8. My mom. She sent one of her silly "Hi from Mom--Please Read" emails this morning.
9. Coyotes. We could hear them playing in the open space last night.
10. Star Wars: The Clone Wars Animated Series. Who knew three minutes could be so enjoyable?
10 things for which I'm grateful in less than 10 minutes. I actually had to edit the list in order to keep it to ten. I'll save the extras for next week.
While doing my regular web wandering, I stumbled across a message board post reminding us to be mindful of that for which we're grateful. Given the amount of criticizing I do on this blog, I thought I'd devote an entire entry to gratitude. Here are 10 things for which I'm grateful (in the order they came to mind).
1. Kathleen
2. Our menagerie of critters: Bishop, Clay, Java, Blossom, and Oz.
3. Turbo Tax.
4. Good & Plenty
5. Teen Titans Volume 3. This is presently my favorite comic book read.
6. Fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies.
7. Controller.controller. I ordered their EP today.
8. My mom. She sent one of her silly "Hi from Mom--Please Read" emails this morning.
9. Coyotes. We could hear them playing in the open space last night.
10. Star Wars: The Clone Wars Animated Series. Who knew three minutes could be so enjoyable?
10 things for which I'm grateful in less than 10 minutes. I actually had to edit the list in order to keep it to ten. I'll save the extras for next week.
Sunday, April 04, 2004
Television Injustice
Yet another quality television show has been cancelled. Wonderfalls, the quirky drama/comedy that follows the adventures of a young twentysomething who talks to inanimate objects, has been cancelled after FOUR EPISODES. What the fuck? How on earth can TV executives cancel a program after four freakin' episodes!? More importantly, how many thought-provoking programs will be cancelled in favor of yet another reality TV series? Next on Fox: High School Reunion Survivor for the Average Joe who Needs a Celebrity Makeover. More pablum for the below average intelligence of the typical U.S. American television viewer.
Yet another quality television show has been cancelled. Wonderfalls, the quirky drama/comedy that follows the adventures of a young twentysomething who talks to inanimate objects, has been cancelled after FOUR EPISODES. What the fuck? How on earth can TV executives cancel a program after four freakin' episodes!? More importantly, how many thought-provoking programs will be cancelled in favor of yet another reality TV series? Next on Fox: High School Reunion Survivor for the Average Joe who Needs a Celebrity Makeover. More pablum for the below average intelligence of the typical U.S. American television viewer.
Fleeting Memories and the Right Hand of Doom
Despite an extremely hectic schedule, I managed to catch two very engaging, yet entirely different, films. The first film, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, is one of the best films I've seen in a long, long time. At a time when I consider most films to be vacuous, form over substance faire, this piece proved touching and thought-provoking. In fact, this is one of the few films to ever bring me to tears. My eyes didn't just fill with tears--I wept openly and continued to do so for five minutes after the conclusion.
Hellboy falls on the opposite end of the tear-inducing spectrum. If you like comic book movies, Hellboy is for you. If you're looking for a deep message, you'll be hard-pressed to find one. Instead, this film is all about action, humor, and special effects. Need to escape reality for a couple hours? Hellboy should do the trick.
With a nod to Roger Ebert, I give both films two thumbs up.
Despite an extremely hectic schedule, I managed to catch two very engaging, yet entirely different, films. The first film, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, is one of the best films I've seen in a long, long time. At a time when I consider most films to be vacuous, form over substance faire, this piece proved touching and thought-provoking. In fact, this is one of the few films to ever bring me to tears. My eyes didn't just fill with tears--I wept openly and continued to do so for five minutes after the conclusion.
Hellboy falls on the opposite end of the tear-inducing spectrum. If you like comic book movies, Hellboy is for you. If you're looking for a deep message, you'll be hard-pressed to find one. Instead, this film is all about action, humor, and special effects. Need to escape reality for a couple hours? Hellboy should do the trick.
With a nod to Roger Ebert, I give both films two thumbs up.
Of Radioactive Breath and Rubber Suits
If you're a fan of Godzilla, the following is a must read:
Godzilla
For the record, I don't consider the 1998 Emmerich Godzilla, starring the very likeable Matthew Broderick, part of the official 'zilla canon. Seriously, how can you have a Godzilla who doesn't breathe radioactive fire? The very notion of a Godzilla who doesn't melt a tank or two in a movie is plain laughable.
If you're a fan of Godzilla, the following is a must read:
Godzilla
For the record, I don't consider the 1998 Emmerich Godzilla, starring the very likeable Matthew Broderick, part of the official 'zilla canon. Seriously, how can you have a Godzilla who doesn't breathe radioactive fire? The very notion of a Godzilla who doesn't melt a tank or two in a movie is plain laughable.
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