Off-Topic: Non-Baseball Entertainment Omnibus Thread

stuff

just finished reading the nine by jeffrey toobin (about the rehnquist court), am currently reading kitchen confidential by anthony bourdain and w/ the road by cormac mccarthy on deck.

been listening to a lot of m. ward lately (the transfiguration of vincent o'brien and post war) and a little grateful dead.

watched gone baby gone, 3:10 to yuma and the assassination of jesse james over the weekend. gone baby gone was REALLY good (like, maybe ben affleck should stay behind the camera?); the others were sorta meh. should mention that i saw persepolis in the theater a couple weeks back...awesome.

So, I said, uh, lama: how about a little something for the effort?

by jq higgins on Feb 19, 2008 3:18 PM EST reply actions

How was The Nine?

I've been thinking about reading that one.

"It would behoove the Orioles to play better." - Jim Palmer

by 2632 on Feb 19, 2008 3:21 PM EST up reply actions

very good...

mixes a lot light bio on the justices w/ background on the major cases of their tenures. the stuff on thomas is fascinating.

So, I said, uh, lama: how about a little something for the effort?

by jq higgins on Feb 19, 2008 3:34 PM EST up reply actions

About to watch Mommie Dearest

for the first time with my gf.

Last movie I saw in the theater was There Will Be Blood. I was pretty bummed on where they went with what was a very good first 2/3 of a film. They actually kind of tore the thing up with that ending which was pretty ridiculous.

Music? It's been mostly Brazilian Soul/Funk of late.

TV? The Wire. Almost Exclusively. I watch Bill Maher from time to time and Colbert or Stewart when I get the chance. But aside from PBS that's about it.

"Everyone always says 'You don't have to do this.'"

by Jonnypops on Feb 19, 2008 3:28 PM EST reply actions

re:

I've been watching The Wire. Two episodes Sunday, four yesterday, two so far today (and I'll watch at least two more tonight, I expect). Listening to Cursive at just this instant.

Music - Vampire Weekend, Imogen Heap, and The Kinks have been in heavy rotation the last few days.

Books - Eh, no time for reading for fun. I read several hundred pages a week for class. Just finished a book called Changing The World: American Progressives in War and Revolution. It was OK. Made some decent points about progressivism.

by pipkin on Feb 19, 2008 3:39 PM EST reply actions

er

That Cursive bit was supposed to be under the music part.

by pipkin on Feb 19, 2008 3:39 PM EST up reply actions

Why thanks for asking!

I'm currently reading a book called After Jackie: Pride, Prejudice and Baseball's Forgotton Heroes. It's an oral history of a number of African American baseball players. Honestly, I'm having trouble getting through it. The stories are all compelling, but also depressing as hell. Up next in my reading queue are Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane and The Audacity of Hope.

The only TV I'm really watching these days is the news, The Wire, and LOST. Oh and Prison Break, although that's purely a guilty pleasure. Nothing else really on. As far as movies, the last two I saw in the theater were Step Up 2 (shut up) on Sunday night, and Charlie Wilson's War, but that was way over a month ago. I enjoyed both of them.

Watching the Grammys got me onto a Kanye kick so I've been listening to a lot of him lately. And Chris Brown. I've definitely been enjoying Chris Brown lately for some reason.

by Stacey on Feb 19, 2008 3:41 PM EST reply actions

No HBO, therefore no Wire.

So, I binge on DVDs about once a year. I'll catch up on the last season next year some time...

"It would behoove the Orioles to play better." - Jim Palmer

by 2632 on Feb 19, 2008 3:48 PM EST up reply actions

I sort of think that's the way to do it

Just totally immerse yourself. Especially because it's so hard when one episode ends. I always feel like I NEED to see more right away.

by Stacey on Feb 19, 2008 3:53 PM EST up reply actions

yup

It's been so long since I've followed any series in real time, I think it would be incredibly frustrating to have to deal with commercials and a schedule and shit.

The famous Kristen opines on the matter here:
http://www.boston.com/ae/tv/articles/2008/02/09/power_watching_tv_takes_edge_off_strike/

"It would behoove the Orioles to play better." - Jim Palmer

by 2632 on Feb 19, 2008 4:05 PM EST up reply actions

Step Up 2 The Streets

takes place in Baltimore (I think, I know the first one dide) so it's okay to watch it. Anything Baltimore related can be viewed no matter what the subject matter, if only to see how accurately the city is portrayed to the rest of the country.

Along those lines, I watched "Enemy of the State" over the weekend, and "Live Free or Die Hard" a few weeks ago. Also saw "The Invasion" with Nicole Kidman a few months back. All of 'em take place largely in Baltimore.

It was interesting to see the "imaginative geography" of B-more presented in those films. Ie: they made a ton of shit up. While I enjoyed or didn't enjoy each of those films based on merit alone (Enemy of the State is awesome, Die Hard was cool, Invasion was beyond awful), it's tough to divorce yourself from your real-world Baltimore knowledge.

So when someone says "We gotta get to the corner of K and Iowa!", it just takes you out of the movie. Or when, in Die Hard, there's a car/jet chase on "the 695" and Washington, DC ambulances show up, you just roll your eyes.

I guess if the movies took place in Milwaukee or someplace like that, we wouldn't know/care that everything you see about that city is imaginary. New Yorkers and LA residents probably see this kind of shit all the time.

by PhilR8 on Feb 19, 2008 4:23 PM EST up reply actions

It's funny...

...I got sort of an inverse feeling when watching "Syriana". It takes place largely in DC, but there's a scene where George Clooney is entering the White Marsh exit of 695. It made me chuckle. Particularly since I saw that movie at the White Marsh theater.

by Chanumas on Feb 19, 2008 4:47 PM EST up reply actions

Great movie

regardless of geography.

"It would behoove the Orioles to play better." - Jim Palmer

by 2632 on Feb 19, 2008 4:50 PM EST up reply actions

Say what?

That movie was a stinker and a half. You sit there waiting for a half a dozen subplots (which look they were lifted straight off of British Investigative Journalism programs) to come together, then when they finally do you're left with a big yawn and the vague wish that they could've killed Matt Damon too.

"Everyone always says 'You don't have to do this.'"

by Jonnypops on Feb 20, 2008 2:56 PM EST up reply actions

absolutely right, Johnnypops

that movie, like "Traffic" is very hard to watch indeed.

"All I have to say is our partner is going to shock the world because he is none other than THE SHOCKMASTER!"-Sting

by jobe on Feb 20, 2008 2:59 PM EST up reply actions

Jesus

Don't get me started on Traffic. The question needs to be asked though. Is this Stephen Gaghan the most overrated/luckiest motherfucker on earth or what? He lifts the plot of Traffic straight out of the (much better) British TV series, whittles/dumbs it down, Americanizes the names and places and then gets hailed as some huge writing talent. What a bunch of bullshit.

"Everyone always says 'You don't have to do this.'"

by Jonnypops on Feb 20, 2008 3:17 PM EST up reply actions

Not only is Traffic unwatchable

its racist as well. It has a follows around a rich white girl whose becoming an addict, and act like its some tragedy. There are 5,000 drug addicts probably in every big city, and its not a tragedy then? I really, really hate that movie, as well as Stephen Gaghan.

"All I have to say is our partner is going to shock the world because he is none other than THE SHOCKMASTER!"-Sting

by jobe on Feb 20, 2008 3:54 PM EST up reply actions

it's turning out we agree more than I thought

Gone but not forgotten...

by Scott Christ on Feb 21, 2008 6:37 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah, totally

The Ikea you see in the background is the White Marsh one, too, NOT the Gaithersburg one. Pretty good movie, too.

by PhilR8 on Feb 19, 2008 4:56 PM EST up reply actions

Step Up

Both 1 and 2 take place in Baltimore, but it's a totally fake Baltimore. I mean, they're IN Baltimore it seems, but the people who wrote it don't seem to have any idea what they're talking about.

For one thing, the main girl character takes the boy character to a place she likes to go, which she says is in Hampden. But it's clearly Dundalk, or maybe Sparrows Point, because where they go is on the water with a view of the Key Bridge. I'm not saying the movie makers should have an intimate knowledge of the city, but can they at least look at a map? There isn't any water in Hampden, except for I guess the Jones Falls, and that's pushing it.

Anyway, it's Baltimore, but not really. Although a fun fact for you is in the first movie the main character's mom is played by ASA Pearlman from The Wire, and in the second movie the main character's mom is played by Kima!

(And if I'm being honest, I saw the movie for the dancing)

by Stacey on Feb 20, 2008 9:23 AM EST up reply actions

Yeah, exactly what I'm talking about

Another interesting instance:

I watched the Sum of All Fears w/ directors commentary on. They had the director (Phil Alden Robinson of Field of Dreams fame) and Tom Clancy together talking about the movie.

BTW - if you ever need evidence that Tom Clancy is a pompous ass, this commentary pretty much proves it. Whenever they show satellite photos of the area, he keeps pointing out where he owns property. "Hey, you can see my condo in this one. Hey, there's my beach house!"

Anyway, they get to some scenes in Baltimore and where Baltimore gets nuked, and Tom Clancy just keeps pointing out instance after instance of "imaginative geography." Especially funny is when after the nuke goes off and a shockwave is seen blowing throw a cornfield that is supposedly south of town and Tom Clancy says "Where is that, Iowa? That sure isn't Maryland!"

I think the director then confessed that they were only filmed in Baltimore for like a day or something, and it was done by the second unit. He was never there at all.

by PhilR8 on Feb 20, 2008 12:48 PM EST up reply actions

Lost is getting better, thankfully

I was lukewarm about this season's premeire. Liked it but didn't love it. Then they next episode, where they tell the stories of the guys from the helicopter, was great.

Then came last week's episode with Sayid (who I don't even like). It was awesome. Beyond awesome. I think it's the best episode of Lost I've seen in a long time. Hopefully they can build on that.

I'm readiong a couple of books. A collection of Raymond Carver short stories, collection of Robert Louis Stevenson short stories, "Little, Big" by John Crowley, and "Star Fraction" by Ken MacLeod. The last one isn't all that great so far, but I'm a sci-fi nerd, so I can put up with crappy writing for cool ideas.

by PhilR8 on Feb 19, 2008 4:15 PM EST reply actions

Lost

Lost has been awesome this season. The creation of an end date was brilliant. The show's pacing is excellent now and the filler episodes are gone. I didn't dislike Seasons 2 and 3 but there were just too many episodes where the plot didn't move at all (e.g. the Nikki and Paulo episode) or too slowly. There were handful of amazing episodes in seasons 2 and3 but there was too much crap. Now the plot is moving at a reasonable pace and the flash forwards are quite good.

btw, I rewatched the Nikki and Paulo episode over the weekend and it's not as horrible as a I remember. When it first aired, I think I was too pissed off that the plot didn't move at all that I couldn't judge the episode objectively. I'm not saying it's a great episode but it reminds me of a good Tales from the Crypt episode, unexpectedly creepy.

Still watching the Wire. I like it a bit more with each episode but I'm still not a huge fan.

Rocky Cherry, O's pitcher, not John C. McGinley's love child.

by birdman on Feb 19, 2008 4:57 PM EST up reply actions

I liked that episode a lot

and their entire arc. Yeah, totally a tales from the crypt/creepshow kind of vibe. I don't mind that kind of filler: it didn't further the overall storyline but was interesting, fun, well written, etc. What I DO mind is crap like the Jack gets a stupid mystical tattoo kind of filler. Ummm... no one cares, kthx.

So you're totally right that the end date has really forced the writers to stay on target and make every episode count. I'll take fewer episodes if they're mostly good to awesome. Too bad the writers strike kinda fucked things up re: this season.

by PhilR8 on Feb 19, 2008 5:05 PM EST up reply actions

jack

"What I DO mind is crap like the Jack gets a stupid mystical tattoo kind of filler. Ummm... no one cares, kthx."

"PUT IT ON ME." That line cracked up me for weeks.

Rocky Cherry, O's pitcher, not John C. McGinley's love child.

by birdman on Feb 19, 2008 5:21 PM EST up reply actions

I thought

after the lame Thailand episode, last season really took off with non-stop good episodes until the excellent finale. Even if the Nikki & Paolo episode didn't advance the plot, it was, as said above, a fun, creepy and creative kind of show. Better that kind of one-off weird, creative episode than real filler.

This season so far has been great; the flash forwards were an excellent and unique idea to mix it up -- wouldn't it be nice if a once good show like 24 had that kind of creative overhaul instead of utter turd they laid last season.

by Awesome Mike Awesome on Feb 19, 2008 6:29 PM EST up reply actions

thailand episode

You'll be happy to hear that the writers cut out a second thailand episode. Jack's tatoo right above the Chinese characters was suppose to constitute another flashback episode but I suspect it was cut after the writers were granted an end date.

I didn't like several of the early episodes in season 3. The Kate, Sawyer, and Locke episodes were boring. And I especially hated the Claire episode with the birds. After the Juliet episode, the season picked up for me.

Rocky Cherry, O's pitcher, not John C. McGinley's love child.

by birdman on Feb 19, 2008 7:39 PM EST up reply actions

Thank god

There were a few moments there where I was on the edge re: my future watching Lost. I think a second Thailand episode probably would have turned me off for good.

by PhilR8 on Feb 20, 2008 12:50 PM EST up reply actions

Also

The Nikki and Paulo episode is cool because of three words: Billy Dee Williams. On the commentary track, the writers mentioend that they purposively dressed him up in Lando Calrissian colors for his scene.

Rocky Cherry, O's pitcher, not John C. McGinley's love child.

by birdman on Feb 19, 2008 6:10 PM EST up reply actions

Works every time

Just an aside: did you know that Colt .45 was originally developed in 1963 by Baltimore-based National Brewing Co.?

http://www.brandchannel.com/features_profile.asp?pr_id=371

I had no idea. I just googled Billy Dee and somehow made my way to the website above and was enlightened.

Also just as awesome:

"Recently Mr. Natty Boh has been spotted in Baltimore in billboard advertisements for a local jewelry chain proposing to the Utz Potato Chips girl."

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1165/526282793_8cd275ebb6_o.jpg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Bohemian

Pretty much the coolest thing ever.

by PhilR8 on Feb 19, 2008 6:19 PM EST up reply actions

re:

Colt 45 had some different commercials

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naslIwDvgkM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rtm2vyHfb54&feature=related

"This is Birdland"

by drj on Feb 19, 2008 6:42 PM EST up reply actions

I'll rewatch them when I'm drunk

and see if they make more sense

by PhilR8 on Feb 20, 2008 12:53 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah...

There have been a couple boring filler episodes, but I think that was the worst.

At least Nikky and Paulo made for a few fun "Who the Hell are Nikky and Paulo jokes" from the rest of the characters.

oriolesupdate.blogspot.com

by BrianS on Feb 20, 2008 9:25 AM EST up reply actions

Lost

Lost has been phenomenal this season. I thought the finale of last season, introducing the flash-forwards was cool, but I wasn't sure I'd enjoy it if it was the new "regular" format of the show. I like it, though...it's sort of like the island scenes have become the flashbacks now.

I think the new characters from the boat/helicopter are very interested, and I'm intrigued by the Oceanic Lawyer/Expedition organizer guy (What if there are survivers? There are no survivors). Great casting job.

That's the really the only show I'm watching with any regularity these days. My wife and I will probably give "New Amsterdam" a shot when it comes out, but I'm sure it'll be stupid.

oriolesupdate.blogspot.com

by BrianS on Feb 20, 2008 9:00 AM EST up reply actions

casting

Ken Lueng is da bomb. I loved him on Sopranos. And that anthropologist character is a sexy as hell.

Rocky Cherry, O's pitcher, not John C. McGinley's love child.

by birdman on Feb 20, 2008 1:16 PM EST up reply actions

Nice Diary...

Just finished reading Undaunted Courage and started Founding Brothers.

Watched The Kingdom last night...thought it was decent.

Love the Wire but my guilty pleasure has to be First 48 on A&E.

Have been listening to Waylon Jenning's "Waylon Live" the last couple of mornings on the way in to work. Can't help it...I'm an old country fan. Not so much on any of the new "pop" country but like the older stuff.

"When you are in with the Lord there's just one reward, and they'd just as soon make it come true." -REK

by BPinOK on Feb 19, 2008 4:32 PM EST reply actions

Lessee...

The last movie I caught was "Persepolis". I don't know if anyone's familiar with the books, but it was a very faithful rendition, all the way down to the cool minimalist art style. Plus, as an Iranian, it's always great to see the fact that we're not all crazy islamist zealots portrayed on the screen.

My most favorite recent album has been M.I.A's "Kala", but I've been also really getting into the Allman Brothers recently. The new Radiohead album kicks ass, but not as much as Kala does.

As for books...I've been reading (on and off) "The Tender Bar", but it's tough to really hanker down to read a book without pictures with work, grad school, and keeping Mrs. Chanumas happy. Books with pictures, though, I have to recommend "DMZ".

TV- Lost, like Phil said has really picked up since the rather tepid premiere. There's also the Wire, like everyone else on here...as well as my recently discovered Venture Brothers/

by Chanumas on Feb 19, 2008 4:44 PM EST reply actions

I go to the comics store by the IHOP on York Rd

and treat it like a library. Go in, read for a while, leave. They don't really mind, I guess, because I'm never hassled.

I read some DMZ while I was there last time. Kinda liked it, because I like any sort of speculative fiction/future history/alt. universe type stuff, but I found the writing to be a little bland. Everyone was a good looking graduate student. Please.

I just recently picked up League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: Black Dossier. You a fan of the series? I am, but BD was disappointing in a major way.

by PhilR8 on Feb 19, 2008 5:01 PM EST up reply actions

Haven't had the chance to check out BD

But I really loved the second League of Extraordinary Gentlemen series (the one with the Martians). The first series was alright (a tad disappointing, but opening volumes tend to be), but I just loved some of the crazy throwaway ideas (like the "carnal requirements" of the mutated bear or the Invisible Man's fate) in the second series.

I used to go to that shop all the time as a kid, back when I used to buy comics regularly. Small small world.

I got the first three DMZ trades from the library and totally loved them. I can agree that everyone seems a mite bit too "hip" for a wartorn Manhattan, but the third storyarc, which deals with a thinly veiled Blackwater/Haliburton analogue was when it got very very good.

by Chanumas on Feb 19, 2008 5:09 PM EST up reply actions

I loved the first two League books...

...but with "Black Dossier" Alan Moore had an "I'm Alan Moore!" moment. Decided he could do absolutely anything, no matter how absurd, silly, out of character, or ridiculous, and it would work because..."I'm Alan Moore! I'm a goddamn genius!"

BD sucked. Still love Moore, though.

by KenDixonFanClub on Feb 21, 2008 6:48 PM EST up reply actions

My thoughts

BOOKS:

"Team of Rivals" by Doris Kearns Goodwin. Fascinating look at how Lincoln put together his Cabinet, including 4 men who ran against him for teh Republican nomination in 1860.

"A Vulgar Display of Power," a ijnterwoven collection of biographies of the victims of the 2004 murders at Alrosa Villa club. Ironically, it focuses on all the victims but Dimebag Darrell. The author did a lot of digging and even met with the shooter's mother. By the time you're done reading the story of Nathan Gale, the shooting almost seems inevitable.

MUSIC:

"Aim Scream Fire," Bullet for my Valentine. Like you expected any different.

TELEVISON
Actually, I was into "Journeyman," but it ain't coming back. "24" won't be back until January 2009, and I don't have pay-cable TV, so the whole discussion about "The Wire" is lost on me.

The last movie I saw in theaters was "Bee Movie," so I'm not much help there, either.

It's tough to keep up with pop culture during wrestling season.

I remember 14 straight foul balls in one at-bat.

by duck on Feb 19, 2008 5:46 PM EST reply actions

Besides sports

which is a huge chunk of my media intake, I watch Jon Stewart and Bill Maher, and of course the Wire, pretty religiously. But when I'm not watching those things, I am on Youtube watching old pro wrestling. Alot of WWF, but not the Attitude era from 1998-2000 with Stone Cold, The Rock, Triple H, Mankind, etc. but more the New Challengers Era with Diesel, Razor Ramon, Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels, Psycho Sid. I really love Vince McMahon's announcing career. He was so over the top and untrained, but thats what makes him fun. He beltS out "UNBELIEVABLE" so often, and always prematurely declares winners before the count of three. "ONE, TWO, THREE, YES, NEW CHAMPION, no, he got his shoulder just in time."
It's so much fun to see the badness that was WCW especially before the NWO era, that pretty much culminated in the Hulk Hogan vs. Kevin Sullivan and the Dungeon of Doom feud. Of course it's great to watch old NWA wrestling from the late 80's with Ric Flair, Dusty Rhodes, Ole Anderson, Arn Anderson, Sting, etc. I just love wrestling.

"All I have to say is our partner is going to shock the world because he is none other than THE SHOCKMASTER!"-Sting

by jobe on Feb 20, 2008 2:03 AM EST reply actions

a question (sc? exit?)

what was it about the last ted leo disc that put you off so? i listened to that and shake the sheets a bunch a couple weeks back and really couldn't detect any major deficiencies.

of course, both are no hearts of oak!

So, I said, uh, lama: how about a little something for the effort?

by jq higgins on Feb 20, 2008 7:03 AM EST reply actions

but none of them

are no Tyranny of Distance...or any of his work with Chisel.

"If you're not practicing, somebody else is, somewhere, and he'll be ready to take your job." -Brooks Robinson

by exitfare on Feb 20, 2008 7:10 AM EST up reply actions

not a fan...

of tyranny of distance, but i LOVE chisel!

So, I said, uh, lama: how about a little something for the effort?

by jq higgins on Feb 20, 2008 9:38 AM EST up reply actions

Living with the Living

I don't like being punched in the face with anyone's beliefs about anything. It's really annoying. Neil Young did the same fucking thing with that God awful Living with War album. Shake the Sheets sort of had the same subject matter, but I thought it was (1) better musically and (2) maybe a touch more subtle. I'm a huge Ted Leo fan, that was a great disappointment for me. It was sort of like Nas' two '99 albums. A once-great artist goes to shit, fast, and there's no good reason for it. Nas rebounded.

Gone but not forgotten...

by Scott Christ on Feb 20, 2008 7:54 AM EST up reply actions

I used to be a huge Ted Leo fan

and I guess I still am, but musically, I thought the new album was just boring. SC's complaints of being smacked over the head with "beliefs" didn't bother me, but the record just didn't seem inspired.

"If you're not practicing, somebody else is, somewhere, and he'll be ready to take your job." -Brooks Robinson

by exitfare on Feb 20, 2008 1:41 PM EST up reply actions

Stuff

Books: I am reading the Barack Obama book and The Bronx is Burning. On deck is Everything (The Manic Street Preachers Bio) and Hillary's book

Movies/TV: I saw Definitely, Maybe. That was obviously not my choice. There's no good TV on right now (except for The Wire), so I've turned to DVDs -- Magnum P.I. especially. I might start watching Lost.

Music: This is all I really do anyway. Bee to listening to Foals, Blood Red Shoes, The More Assured, The Cribs, Division Day, Young/Lost Ones, The Rascals, The Kooks and Pulled Apart By Horses.

"If you're not practicing, somebody else is, somewhere, and he'll be ready to take your job." -Brooks Robinson

by exitfare on Feb 20, 2008 7:24 AM EST reply actions

uhhh

Hmm.

Movies I watched yesterday/last night (had nothing better to do):

Slap Shot
Ocean's Eleven
Seed of Chucky
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

Had seen all of them. But DVD collections are just so fun.

TV has been a wasteland to me since the writer's strike. Thank God it's over. I fell behind on The Wire and need to catch up. All I've purposely sat down to watch on TV is election coverage, boxing and MMA.

Also recently re-watched:

Kill Bill, Vols. 1 & 2 (Tarantino's best work, in my opinion)
A Perfect World
The Last Samurai

Watched for the first time, finally:

Flags of Our Fathers

I've had that on DVD since December and just now sat down to watch it the other day. It was damn good, and then the last 30 minutes or so were some of the most depressing shit ever. Clint Eastwood can really spin a deflating yarn.

I do that with DVDs a lot actually. I've had Master & Commander for almost two years and NEVER watched it. Letters From Iwo Jima is waiting, too.

I got World of Warcraft because, seriously, all of the people I hang out with except for my girlfriend play. It's a pretty great game.

I really haven't listened to any new music lately. I've got a bunch on my hard drive waiting to be heard, but I haven't been in the mood to really absorb anything. For 2008 releases that I've heard, I recommend, um, Jazz Liberatorz. That's about it. Cat Power's newest covers album SUCKS.

Gone but not forgotten...

by Scott Christ on Feb 20, 2008 7:52 AM EST reply actions

FoMF - read the book

My social studies supervisor gave it to me 8 years ago or so - whenever it first came out in paperback.

Awesome read. Haven't seen the movie yet, but I'll get to it this summer.

I remember 14 straight foul balls in one at-bat.

by duck on Feb 20, 2008 8:51 AM EST up reply actions

i was really impressed...

it was pitched as a piece of jingoistic claptrap, but really sort of critiques that sort of nonsense, i think.

also, sort of interesting to see a takedown of hero worship from the guy that played a character that's sort fo the embodiment of the antihero.

So, I said, uh, lama: how about a little something for the effort?

by jq higgins on Feb 20, 2008 9:42 AM EST up reply actions

Master and Commander

I don't want to build it up too much, but I love it. So awesome.

by PhilR8 on Feb 20, 2008 12:44 PM EST up reply actions

I love the new Cat Power

everything she does is pretty awesome.

"If you're not practicing, somebody else is, somewhere, and he'll be ready to take your job." -Brooks Robinson

by exitfare on Feb 20, 2008 1:39 PM EST up reply actions

+1

Rocky Cherry, O's pitcher, not John C. McGinley's love child.

by birdman on Feb 20, 2008 2:20 PM EST up reply actions

really?

i'm not bananas about what i've heard off of jukebox.

So, I said, uh, lama: how about a little something for the effort?

by jq higgins on Feb 20, 2008 4:23 PM EST up reply actions

Love Jukebox

Love the first track New York. I feel bad about my inability to recognize most of the originals though. Ah screw it, I'm pretty damn surprised actually because I know a boatload about music history. Is there some where I can find the original song writers for these tracks? I don't have the album linear.

Rocky Cherry, O's pitcher, not John C. McGinley's love child.

by birdman on Feb 20, 2008 4:42 PM EST up reply actions

dear birdman...

get thee to an allmusic.com!

http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:avfixzrhldse

So, I said, uh, lama: how about a little something for the effort?

by jq higgins on Feb 20, 2008 5:04 PM EST up reply actions

well, i don't feel so bad

So there are two Chan Marshall songs redone. I knew I Believe in You was Dylan and Don't Explain was Holliday. There's a Hank Williams song and James Brown song. I'll admit that I'm not terribly familiar with these artists beyond their big hits. Silver Stallion is another country song and Aretha is an R&B song. I wish I could have recognized these songs immediately but oh well.

Rocky Cherry, O's pitcher, not John C. McGinley's love child.

by birdman on Feb 20, 2008 5:55 PM EST up reply actions

ugh

I hated "Theme from 'New York, New York.'" I seriously laughed out loud when she tried to be all sultry. Start spreadin' the NEWS...

Fuck outta here.

The other major problem I have with her is that her entire career seems like it's been a fucking marketing ploy. I don't mind that, really. I don't mind pop music. I don't mind pop musicians. I could give a shit about what Jessica Simpson or Kelly Clarkson are doing and how commercial it is, because that's their avenue. But Chan Marshall used to do all that, "Oh I can't look at the audience, I am so afeared of the attention!" shit. And Rolling Stone would send dumbass Jenny Eliscu or somebody to interview her, and the resulting article would inevitably speak more of the process of interviewing her -- I sat at a table with the notoriously flighty singer-songwriter, watching her eyes dart around the room between sips of coffee and drags of her many Marlboro Lights..., etc. etc. -- than anything interesting.

Now she's in fuckin' Chanel ads. She didn't like to be photographed, but now there she is, all over everything. She's like Tegan & Sara now.

I hate the idea of an artist "selling out" and think it's used in really stupid ways most of the time (e.g., "Green Day sold out!"), but Chan pretty much defines it. The whole thing is stale.

I really like most of her music, though, and I won't stop doing that just because I think she's full of shit.

Gone but not forgotten...

by Scott Christ on Feb 21, 2008 9:44 AM EST up reply actions

re:

RECENT BOOKS (not work related):

Winter World : The Ingenuity of Animal Survival Bernd Heinrich

Secret Life of Trees Colin Tudge

Fiasco: The American Military Adventure in Iraq Thomas E. Ricks

SAS Survival Handbook: How to Survive in the Wild, in Any Climate, on Land or at Sea John Wiseman

Not Without Peril: 150 Years of Misadventure on the Presidential Range of New Hampshire Nicholas Howe

reread: With the Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa E.B. Sledge

The Sledge book is probably the finest book about combat experience ever written.

I try to spend time outdoors and I'm currently searching around for a good stand of black spruce to make some gum.

MUSIC:
Beethoven 1-9, Mozart Piano Sonatas. My daughter's music teacher suggests the pieces.

I've lately (re)cycled through some early progressive rock. Yes, Floyd, Tull, and an Alan Parson's Project or two. I've also pulled out the Howlin' Wolf albums lately.

TV:
I don't watch TV other than the occasional PBS documentary, History Channel show, or occasionally a Good Eats episode. Dittos movies. I haven't seen any movies lately.

"This is Birdland"

by drj on Feb 20, 2008 10:35 AM EST reply actions

What recordings

on the Beethoven?

"It would behoove the Orioles to play better." - Jim Palmer

by 2632 on Feb 20, 2008 11:05 AM EST up reply actions

re:

Not that I know much about this.

The goal was to get my daughter (who is young) exposed. Her teacher did not recommend a boxed set by one composer or cds. She said to look for Karjan, Abbado, and she recommended the Kubliek set for a starter. She likes the Furtwangler recordings, but recommended them as next purchase as they are older, tend to be noiser, and mono. She said you'd appreciate them after first listening to other interpretations. Here's what I got.

1,2: Karjan Berlin Philharmonkier
http://www.amazon.com/Beethoven-Symphonies-Nos-1-2/dp/B000001GJM/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&s=music& ;qid=1203550912&sr=8-12

3,4: Zinman Zurich Tonhalle Orchestra
http://www.amazon.com/Beethoven-Symphonies-Zinman-Zurich-Tonhalle/dp/B00000F1BV/ref=cm_lmf_tit_12

5,6: Abbado Berliner Philharmoniker - from his complete recordings.

7,8,9: Kubliek Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Bayerischen Rundfunkorchester, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
http://www.amazon.com/Beethoven-Symphonies-Nos-Thomas-Stewart/dp/B00003ZA28/ref=cm_lmf_tit_24

"This is Birdland"

by drj on Feb 20, 2008 7:15 PM EST up reply actions

Mindless Activity

I've been working a ton lately and verging on burnout, so I've been engaging in the most brainless leisure time activity I know of: The Nintendo Entertainment System, mostly focusing on old favorites that are fun but not much of a challenge:

SMB 2 and 3
Contra
Bionic Commando (ok, this one is a challenge)

Duck Hunt is added when I've been drinking.

oriolesupdate.blogspot.com

by BrianS on Feb 20, 2008 10:58 AM EST reply actions

Wii fun

Was loving Guitar Hero III and Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam, especially TH - I LOVE the soundtrack. Lots of modern punk I'd never found on my own. Ended up downling the Damone CD just so my 11-year-old daughter and I have something in the car we both like.

But then I tore soft tissue in my elbow, so so much for that. :(

And my 7-year-old is 3/4 of the way through HARD on GH3, and that's with nystagmus...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5gLDhQepm0

(He later 4-starred this s0ng).

I remember 14 straight foul balls in one at-bat.

by duck on Feb 20, 2008 12:01 PM EST up reply actions

GH3

It steals time from me. Like, I'll start playing, and suddenly the game has gobbled up three hours that I could have been sleeping. Damn you, GH3!

by PhilR8 on Feb 20, 2008 12:43 PM EST up reply actions

First console game I've bought

Seriously, unless you count Atari 2600. I was a PC guy for 10 years. Then we got a Wii, and when I saw Slayer was on the sountrack, well, that did. I had to get it.

And I'm glad I did. Weezer's tune is fun to play, and the Slayer stuff is freakin' hard. Metallica's One is pretty easy for me since I knew how to play it on real guitar before...

But Disturbed kills me on Hard. Can't get past it.

I remember 14 straight foul balls in one at-bat.

by duck on Feb 20, 2008 1:02 PM EST up reply actions

Anybody watching UEFA

its weird, I can hardly watch MLS, but European Club Soccer is always fun to watch. My club is Tottenham.

"All I have to say is our partner is going to shock the world because he is none other than THE SHOCKMASTER!"-Sting

by jobe on Feb 20, 2008 4:38 PM EST reply actions

because...

european soccer is GOOD!

english ball is particularly fast-pasced and action-packed. i'm a west ham fan, myself, so, booo on spurs!

So, I said, uh, lama: how about a little something for the effort?

by jq higgins on Feb 21, 2008 9:39 AM EST up reply actions

Newcastle United fan

The Orioles of English football. I'm an idiot.

The other club I follow is Celtic. Celtic-Rangers makes Red Sox-Yankees look like a friendly Sunday afternoon game at the local park.

Gone but not forgotten...

by Scott Christ on Feb 21, 2008 9:47 AM EST up reply actions

Arsenal/Tottenham

is a heated rivalry....

"If you're not practicing, somebody else is, somewhere, and he'll be ready to take your job." -Brooks Robinson

by exitfare on Feb 21, 2008 2:01 PM EST up reply actions

You got that right.

I was in a Rangers Pub in Glasgow while they were playing Hibernian (another Catholic associated club from Edinburgh) and the feeling in the room was like something out of The Hate in Orwell's 1984. I don't even want to see what a Rangers Celtics match is like.

"Everyone always says 'You don't have to do this.'"

by Jonnypops on Feb 21, 2008 8:53 PM EST up reply actions

i can't recall...

if it was you that was talkign about trainspotting last week, but the edinburgh analog is hibs v. hearts, which while not as vicious as "the old firm" is the other big holy war rivalry in scotland.

the other interesting one is madrid v. barca which is partially so bitter b/c franco made madrid his poster children. ah, falangistas v. catalan!

So, I said, uh, lama: how about a little something for the effort?

by jq higgins on Feb 22, 2008 9:30 AM EST up reply actions

Oh, I know....

...I'm saying that these Rangers fans were so fired up vs Hibernian (who were described to me by the Glaswegians I was sharing pints with at the bar as "another Catholic Club, like Celtic") that I can't even fathom how far Beyond Thunderdome Rangers/Celtic matches ar.

"Everyone always says 'You don't have to do this.'"

by Jonnypops on Feb 22, 2008 9:40 AM EST up reply actions

yeah...

i'd kinda like to start doing a legendary matches checklist. see man u v. arse, liverpool v. man u, celtic v. rangers, madrid v. barca, river v. boca...

i dunno...maybe you just have to wear brown or something so it's absolutely clear you're a neutral!

(ever read among the thugs?)

So, I said, uh, lama: how about a little something for the effort?

by jq higgins on Feb 22, 2008 10:32 AM EST up reply actions

I've been following the EPL for awhile

I love Arsenal -- it's weird liking a team that consistently wins. I started following FC Barcelona when Henry transferred.

"If you're not practicing, somebody else is, somewhere, and he'll be ready to take your job." -Brooks Robinson

by exitfare on Feb 21, 2008 2:00 PM EST up reply actions

ah, but...

they were kinda silly to watch w/ figo, zidane and ronaldinho a few years back.

So, I said, uh, lama: how about a little something for the effort?

by jq higgins on Feb 21, 2008 2:51 PM EST up reply actions

ya dood

Recently watched movies: American Gangster, Grandma's Boy

TV: The Wire

Music: nothing new really. Sticking with the old reliables...every good Kool Keith project, John Coltrane, old hip-hop shit I've been listening to since I was a youth. I've heard lots of new stuff, but nothing has excited me.

by GeronimoGil on Feb 21, 2008 8:28 AM EST reply actions

re:

We need a way to bump a thread up. SC, tell the boys to get working on that.

I'd put this in one of the previous political threads if I could bump it. Anyhow, since this is a relatively general thread, I found this link on uniwatchblog.com this morning.

http://www.obamaofdreams.com/noname.html

All the Obama fans can get the O's shirt.

"This is Birdland"

by drj on Feb 21, 2008 9:43 AM EST reply actions