Filed under: Religion, Uncategorized | Tags: abortion, anti-choice, AtCenterNetwork, Freakonomics, Libertyville, pro-choice, pro-life
I stumbled upon this year-old video of from the AtCenterNetwork covering an abortion protest in Libertyville. The interesting twist in this is that instead of asking the normal question of what to do with the now-born baby, the interviewer asks what should happen to the mothers who seek the (would be) illegal abortion. No one has a clear answer. As I’ve learned form my college activism days, it’s easy to jump onto a cause bandwagon when someone paints you a black and white picture. It becomes a simple logical syllogism; if abortion is murder, and you approve of abortion, then you approve of murder. (more…)
Well here’s an interesting picture from the Digg newsfeed–a hermit crab in a glass shell. As disturbing as it looks, it’s a pretty neat idea (although those who think these little guys are cute might have a change of heart).
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: craiglist, dogs, german shepherd, painting, rottweiler
I’m at home again and have been very busy for the past few days. Today I put on the second and last coat of paint in the dining room and kitchen. I also had several scheduled pickups for Craiglist; just stuff to get rid of. Even after the whole debacle with that Kirsteen woman who stole from me I’ve rediscovered how much I love this site. It isn’t just the ability to post and find items for free—it’s the social consciousness of the place and the people who navigate it. They’re just cool people. The first person that I came into contact with today was Michele, who came to get all of the houseplants I’d posted, which was a nice break from painting. The next person was Steve, a nice student from CCSU who is training to be a shop teacher and who came to purchase my blacklight. We chatted for a little longer about teaching and painting, and the like. He was very personable, so I imagine he’ll excel as a teacher. Then came John.
Swimming after eating? Staring into the sun? Hitting a younger sibling with a shovel? Sure these MIGHT be bad for you, according to conventional wisdom, but do we really know that? While the the labs full of shovel-wielding gradeschoolers scour data for correlations, one article of great interested has already been printed! Say hello to massive dehydration and goodbye to holiday jokes about tryptophan.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: dieting, Dr. Phil, gastric bypass, obesity
The show was doomed from the beginning; I was eating my Kashi Oatmeal and reading a magazine when The Dr. Phil Show came on, accompanied by melodramatic piano music to indicate that this would be a tragic story of self destruction that could only be remedied by Dr. Phil. And a tragic story it was. Titled “Extreme Weight with The Doctors”, this tearjerker was–in part– focused on a 700lb. individual who was concerned that his obesity was going to kill him. Really. Apparently it takes a team of doctors on Dr. Phil to solve that rubix cube of modern medicine. Here’s my problem; (more…)
Filed under: Movie Reviews, Uncategorized | Tags: Adam Sandler, Blades of Glory, Dan Akroid, gay rights, Homophobia, I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry, Johnny Knoxville, Kevin James, Nick Swardson, Steve Buschemi, The Ringer
Genre: Comedy
Venue: Blockbuster
Actors of Note: Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Dan Akroid, Steve Buschemi
Rating: Pretty Funny
Viewing Date: 12 January 2008
Personal Notes: Initially expected to be a recitation of gay jokes as two friends attempt to pass as a couple in order to gain healthcare for the widower Kevin James’ kids, this movie pulls out of the expected flight path and actually delivers a back-handed complimentary message much in the way that Johnny Knoxville’s The Ringer did. Sandler’s womanizing bachelor character agrees to help James’ kids by claiming to be his life partner, and all goes well until a beautiful lawyer grabs Sandler’s eye and Buschemi’s claims investigator grabs James’ trash (it isn’t gay enough). Spreading out the punches, the movie also mocks the absurdity of two men attempting to prove their love to a government agency, as well as the unnecessary hardships created by cowokers and other intolerant attitudes that seem to shift throughout the movie. Two of the greatest sequences are at a gay Halloween party where the audience is treated to Nick Swardson’s prancing butterfly (think of Will Farrell’s stalker in Blades of Glory) and Adam Sandler’s fist-fueled correction of a religious bigot’s homosexual nomenclature.
What could have been a much lower brow movie actually turns out to be funny and positive. And a rain-soaked Jessica Biel strips down in her apartment, making the movie an Oscar nominee for any straight man. If the underlying message of tolerance doesn’t reach men in the audience, the appreciation for the decrease in competition that gay men provide should.
Filed under: Movie Reviews, Uncategorized | Tags: Bush Administration, CIA, Culture of war, John McCain, Why We Fight
Why We Fight (2005)
Genre: Documentary
Venue: Netflix
Actors of Note: John McCain
Rating: Very Good. Interesting, but not shocking for someone paying attention.
Viewing Date: 9 January 2008
Personal Notes: A very interesting documentary that no only identifies the US interest in making war for profitability, but also begins to unravel the K Street think-tank policies that are being implemented by government officials without citizen consent. The documentary also reinforces the bumblings of the Bush administration in their unilateral quest for a war in Iraq, as well as the awakening of a country that is now coming to terms with being duped into an unjustified war. Most interesting is the commentary by former CIA and government officials.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: John Nash, Max Cohen, number theory, Pi, Pi: Faith in Chaos, Talmudic scholars
Genre: Sci-Fi
Venue: Netflix
Actors of Note: That guy…you’ll know.
Rating: Nice and out there, but very well done.
Viewing Date: 9 January 2008
Personal Notes: This film flirts on that line of experimentation and weirdness but pulls it off. After realizing that this was not the Russell Crowe film based on John Nash I was captivated by the film’s raw, artistic style. It’s shot in black and white, often with the black becoming a featureless void around the lighted shots. The story itself centers on Max Cohen, a number theorist and his obsession with deciphering a number that is embedded in the universe, much like the Golden Ratio. His reclusive dedication is periodically interrupted by stock companies desiring the number to predict the stock market. Eventually even Talmudic scholars dedicated to finding the numeric representation of god begin to take interest. All the while his mentor calmly advises him against the search, telling him that not everything can have a pattern, which Max refuses to accept. The film intensity increases as Max is hounded by various groups interested in his work, as well as struggling with research hardships and his own growing obsession. It’s a very interested movie offered in a differing form that lends itself well to the story.
Filed under: Movie Reviews, Uncategorized | Tags: humor, one-liners, Oscar, Ryan Reynolds, testicles, Waiting
Genre: Comedy
Venue: Netflix
Actors of Note: Ryan Reynolds. No one else matters.
Rating: Shamefully, I really liked it.
Viewing Date: January 8, 2008
Personal Notes: Expecting potty humor with the predictable dick and fart jokes, I was pleasantly surprised when I experienced a movie of gentle vocal subtleties, underlying thematic complexities, and stark commentary on the plight of the working class in America. With lots of dick and fart jokes. You like penis? Well get ready for Christmas morning.
As much as I bash it, I actually really enjoyed it. Ryan Reynolds could recite the phonebook and I’d wet myself with laughter. Until that changes he can remake Great Expectations and I’ll love every minute of it. And I think he should.
If you like long overly descriptive tirades, blank stares, testicles, and the idea of never going out to eat in public again, jump on this train. Next stop? Oscar nomination.
Filed under: Movie Reviews, Uncategorized | Tags: Helvetica, letter setting, publishers, typography
Genre: Documentary
Venue: Netflix
Actors of Note: n/a
Rating: Would have been more interesting if I’d been into typefaces.
Viewing Date: 8 January 2008
Personal Notes: Numerous designers discuss why the love or hate Helvetica. It was interesting to hear the story and to understand the influences behind the creation of Helvetica, but much like The Sketches of Frank Gehr, it was difficult to understand if you didn’t speak the necessary language or have the same appreciation of the subject matter. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to understand, it was that I couldn’t understand because I’d never look closely enough because…well, I didn’t care enough. It’ll make the viewer look at things a little differently, but unless you’re really into typefaces, this one might not thrill you.
