- New Homestarrunner cartoon commemorating the event should be out, hopefully.
- Once again, I'll be at work during the "trick or treating," which is fine, since I never took part anyway. I'm going to ask my boss to buy some candy to put at the desk in case kids come in (they never do, but I'm at the desk all evening).
- Vikings got trounced. I figured they would, but it's still depressing.
- Proposal 2 is on the ballot this november in Michigan. It basically bans affirmative action. There is an epidemic of panic and outrage on the campus over this; it's crazy. Still looks like it's going to pass though, so that's good.
- Looks like Studio 60 is getting the axe, for various reasons (i.e., people don't watch it). I agree with one critic completely, though, who said that the sketches they show blurbs of the show doing are not funny. He said that the show set themselves up as the savior of "good" television, and then they show us these absolutely below par sketches. I thought that was a good point.
Unfortunately, the rest of the program is suffering for it. Particularly in the last few episodes, Sorkin seems to have gotten into his rhythm. It was smart again, because Sorkin was writing about what he's best at... writing. West Wing was all around brilliant, but never so much so as when Sam, Toby, or Will were talking about writing (at least to me).
Apparently, writing is not enough to keep an audience. The cast is brilliant, again (though neither D.L. Hugley or Tom Corddry seem comfortable), and it bothers me that Matthew Perry won't be on anything, and this was probably Whitford's last series, at least for awhile.
- Heroes is a big hit, but I can't stand the show. I like the Japanese guys, of course. I like the brothers, and the cheerleader story. The problem is that they are focusing on so many different groups of people that nothing ever happens to anyone. It's kind 0f like Lost, only with no interaction between all the characters.
For a lot of people, the story and setting is enough. I like dialogue, I like back-and-forth, and I like character development off of other characters. Heroes excels at the first, with very little in the latter, while Studio 60 focused on the second to the detriment of the first. Guess which one isn't getting cancelled.
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Saturday, October 28, 2006
oct - 28, 2006
Let's get to it.
- If you've ever worked service for a substantial period of time, you probably had regular customers, some of whom made you feel worse just by seeing them pull into the lot. Either they're rude, they stay for ever, they want to spend the whole time chatting with you when you have other things to do, etc. Some of those people just started coming back for the winter, where I work. It's depressing.
- Tigers lost. Not much else to say.
- Apparently, there's a new movie coming out that's making a big deal because it has a black man portraying Jesus. I have a problem with this movie; the same problem I have with any of the other ones about the life of our Lord.
This is excellent - http://weblog.wordcentered.org/archives/2004/02/25/gibson_and_communion_with_god.php
It's really long, but even if you just scroll through to where he references Scripture, that will be enough.
And are we just completely throwing out the second commandment here?
Btw, claiming Jesus was white, had blond hair, had blue eyes, or was generally anything but Semitic in appearance is foolishness.
- I've got 7 pages of my play written yesterday. They went fast, but I have only vague notions of where to go and that's only 1/15th of what I want to start with. I have a beginning an end; I'm missing the road in between. And, for those of you who've read my "episodes," I made sure the setting wouldn't be confusing.
- If you've ever worked service for a substantial period of time, you probably had regular customers, some of whom made you feel worse just by seeing them pull into the lot. Either they're rude, they stay for ever, they want to spend the whole time chatting with you when you have other things to do, etc. Some of those people just started coming back for the winter, where I work. It's depressing.
- Tigers lost. Not much else to say.
- Apparently, there's a new movie coming out that's making a big deal because it has a black man portraying Jesus. I have a problem with this movie; the same problem I have with any of the other ones about the life of our Lord.
This is excellent - http://weblog.wordcentered.org/archives/2004/02/25/gibson_and_communion_with_god.php
It's really long, but even if you just scroll through to where he references Scripture, that will be enough.
And are we just completely throwing out the second commandment here?
Btw, claiming Jesus was white, had blond hair, had blue eyes, or was generally anything but Semitic in appearance is foolishness.
- I've got 7 pages of my play written yesterday. They went fast, but I have only vague notions of where to go and that's only 1/15th of what I want to start with. I have a beginning an end; I'm missing the road in between. And, for those of you who've read my "episodes," I made sure the setting wouldn't be confusing.
Friday, October 27, 2006
on the fly
Busy day, but here are some things I wanted to jot down.
- It's really hard to defend the Republican congress right now. I keep hearing how the Christian Right is going to be staying home in the next election, and I can't blame them too much. I will be voting, of course, as the alternative seems worse, but these guys are a mess right now. I think my vote will mostly be in opposition to Pelosi getting any more power. The woman is cracked.
- Maurice Clarret and Ricky Williams have got to be two of the biggest morons in Earth's history. That thought hits me occassionally.
- Vikings vs. Patriots on monday night. The fact the Vikings beat the Seahawks means they have a shot, but I'm not expecting great things.
- Glenn Beck did a segment about how much of Iraq is better off than all the stuff you generally hear in the media, and my PSC teacher showed that today. The four communists in the front row practically leapt out of their seats. Owens (the prof) is perhaps the only true moderate teacher I've met at CMU, so he was pretty fair. I don't really have a strong opinion on Iraq anymore, but if it ticks those guys off that much, I'll at least give it lip service.
- CMU is a liberal haven of left-wing propaganda and ideology. The only name more vile to the average professor than George W. Bush is possibly Joe McCarthy. Apparently, there's evidence that McCarthy was actually a physical manisfestation of Hanbi. Thank goodness for George Clooney and his band of intrepid reporters who brought the demon to his knees.
- It's really hard to defend the Republican congress right now. I keep hearing how the Christian Right is going to be staying home in the next election, and I can't blame them too much. I will be voting, of course, as the alternative seems worse, but these guys are a mess right now. I think my vote will mostly be in opposition to Pelosi getting any more power. The woman is cracked.
- Maurice Clarret and Ricky Williams have got to be two of the biggest morons in Earth's history. That thought hits me occassionally.
- Vikings vs. Patriots on monday night. The fact the Vikings beat the Seahawks means they have a shot, but I'm not expecting great things.
- Glenn Beck did a segment about how much of Iraq is better off than all the stuff you generally hear in the media, and my PSC teacher showed that today. The four communists in the front row practically leapt out of their seats. Owens (the prof) is perhaps the only true moderate teacher I've met at CMU, so he was pretty fair. I don't really have a strong opinion on Iraq anymore, but if it ticks those guys off that much, I'll at least give it lip service.
- CMU is a liberal haven of left-wing propaganda and ideology. The only name more vile to the average professor than George W. Bush is possibly Joe McCarthy. Apparently, there's evidence that McCarthy was actually a physical manisfestation of Hanbi. Thank goodness for George Clooney and his band of intrepid reporters who brought the demon to his knees.
Thursday, October 26, 2006
more cowbell
It's the only time I'll do that, I promise. Bill Simmons is gifted, to say the least, so it more of an honorary thing than a ripoff of his homage.
- Joss Whedon needs to write another show. Unfortunately, his best receptions have been sci-fi in substance, and those don't do very well on the major networks.
- Studio 60 made an interesting point on one of its earlier episodes, that my brother pointed out to me. There's a sketch that only 2 people out of all the test groups laughed at, but Perry's character keeps in it the show because it's smart. Just because people don't get or like what you're writing doesn't mean it's not good. Of course, it could also mean it's utter trash.
- The whole Kenny Rogers "what did he have on his hands?" situation is being completely maintained by ESPN and other sports news outlets to bring some kind of intrigue to an otherwise boring World Series (as Simmons said, who outside of Michigan and Missouri is watching this thing?).
- X-men 3 was entertaining, but they messed so much stuff up. The more you know about the comic books, the less you liked the movie, it seems to me. The Phoenix was done all right, for the amount of time they had, but Juggernaut, Angel, Cyclops' death, Xavier's death, and Leech not being green and having three fingers were all problems.
- Daniel Craig is the new James Bond. The previews for Casino Royale look good, and neither Pierce Brosnan nor Sean Connery were at their best in Goldeneye and Dr. No, respectively (though Goldeneye was one of the better Brosnan films; he just didn't seem as comfortable in the role). The other "Bonds" don't count. Hopefully Craig will fall into the role.
- We watched a Keith Olbermann editorial in PSC class today. Very anti-Bush, but the guy wrote his stuff so well that I may have to start watching him more regularly. On a similar note, we also watched "Out-Foxed," the "documentary" about how Fox News is right-wing. There were only a few parts that actually used data, and the rest of it was guys who were fired from Fox News or guys from competing outlets saying how Fox is biased. I mean, they interviewed Walter Cronkite. The man is a raging communist.
- Follow-up: Republicans know Fox News is biased. The only reason I will tell a Democrat that Fox News is truly "fair and balanced" is because very little causes them to launch into a hissy fit like that does. It's fun to watch the ensuing meltdown. Also, CBS, CNN, ABC, and NBC are all left-leaning, and they claim balance, so Fox gets the same pass.
- This summer, I was at Cedar Point, and there was one of those things that you hit with a hammer, trying to get the bell to ding. A guy took a shot, and got a 97 out of 100. Then his girlfriend stepped up and got a 96. I think everyone in the vicinity breathed a huge sigh of relief for the guy, but still felt a lot of pity too.
- Joss Whedon needs to write another show. Unfortunately, his best receptions have been sci-fi in substance, and those don't do very well on the major networks.
- Studio 60 made an interesting point on one of its earlier episodes, that my brother pointed out to me. There's a sketch that only 2 people out of all the test groups laughed at, but Perry's character keeps in it the show because it's smart. Just because people don't get or like what you're writing doesn't mean it's not good. Of course, it could also mean it's utter trash.
- The whole Kenny Rogers "what did he have on his hands?" situation is being completely maintained by ESPN and other sports news outlets to bring some kind of intrigue to an otherwise boring World Series (as Simmons said, who outside of Michigan and Missouri is watching this thing?).
- X-men 3 was entertaining, but they messed so much stuff up. The more you know about the comic books, the less you liked the movie, it seems to me. The Phoenix was done all right, for the amount of time they had, but Juggernaut, Angel, Cyclops' death, Xavier's death, and Leech not being green and having three fingers were all problems.
- Daniel Craig is the new James Bond. The previews for Casino Royale look good, and neither Pierce Brosnan nor Sean Connery were at their best in Goldeneye and Dr. No, respectively (though Goldeneye was one of the better Brosnan films; he just didn't seem as comfortable in the role). The other "Bonds" don't count. Hopefully Craig will fall into the role.
- We watched a Keith Olbermann editorial in PSC class today. Very anti-Bush, but the guy wrote his stuff so well that I may have to start watching him more regularly. On a similar note, we also watched "Out-Foxed," the "documentary" about how Fox News is right-wing. There were only a few parts that actually used data, and the rest of it was guys who were fired from Fox News or guys from competing outlets saying how Fox is biased. I mean, they interviewed Walter Cronkite. The man is a raging communist.
- Follow-up: Republicans know Fox News is biased. The only reason I will tell a Democrat that Fox News is truly "fair and balanced" is because very little causes them to launch into a hissy fit like that does. It's fun to watch the ensuing meltdown. Also, CBS, CNN, ABC, and NBC are all left-leaning, and they claim balance, so Fox gets the same pass.
- This summer, I was at Cedar Point, and there was one of those things that you hit with a hammer, trying to get the bell to ding. A guy took a shot, and got a 97 out of 100. Then his girlfriend stepped up and got a 96. I think everyone in the vicinity breathed a huge sigh of relief for the guy, but still felt a lot of pity too.
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
writing
I basically made this so I'd have a place to write when I'm not at my home PC. There are a few things I should probably relate, since they might have future bearing.
1) I'm a huge fan of Aaron Sorkin's work. He's the best writer in television today, and, though I'm not nearly old enough to make this claim, possibly ever.
2) Aaron Sorkin is extremely liberal in his views, while I am not. I vote conservatively, I think conservatively, and I disagree with the ideology behind many of the plots he creates in his shows.
3) That doesn't mean he's a bad writer, or that I don't watch.
It seems to me that people on "both sides of the aisle" are too eager to get offended by people who disagree with them publicly. Democrats hate Sean Hannity. Republicans disdain Al Franken. Both sides have people who are deeply offended by the other side's pundits.
I don't get it. Jon Stewart's Daily Show is a liberal propaganda machine. They make their living lampooning our President and conservatives in Congress. I watch it when I can, because it's incredibly witty and well-done. I know some conservatives who would completely abhor the show if they saw one episode, beacuse they would be upset at Stewart's shots.
I personally think the left is worse than the right (though I'm obviously biased). The right often seems to think that those who disagree with it are crazy, stupid, emotional, and illogical. The left thinks the right is pure evil. They take being offended to a new level, and actually hate people like Rush limbaugh, Ann Coulter, Sean Hannity, and Britt Hume (Britt Hume? Yeah, I was surprised too.) .
I'm all for boycotting a show if you personally don't like it. I don't care what you watch, or why you choose not you. I care when people begin to enforce this on other people. There is a campaign on the left right now to take power away from Fox News. Instead of just not watching, they are actively trying to make it so others can't watch as well.
That being said, I'd rather people were able to not get offended by things that don't support how they feel. I'd rather people could watch Sorkin's shows for their brilliant writing, and not worry about any liberal feelings that come over. It's as if we've all become so weak. We can't handle opposing views being displayed. It bothers us; it sickens us.
I don't get it. What do we expect? People in the world don't think like you. They don't think like me. They don't think like each other. So who cares if one of them says one thing, and another says something different? Each person should know what they believe, and if you're weak enough to be swayed by a television show, then shame on you, and you'll never do much for any ideology anyway.
My point is (yes, this long ramble had a point) that just because you don't like the side something is coming from doesn't mean it doesn't have merit. The Daily Show is genuinely funny; it's liberal, but it's funny. Aaron Sorkin is genuinely gifted in writing dialogue. I want to be a writer someday, so I watch his shows and read the transcripts over and over, studying his style. I don't care about the plots, or the storyline; at least, I don't care enough to stop listening to his genius.
1) I'm a huge fan of Aaron Sorkin's work. He's the best writer in television today, and, though I'm not nearly old enough to make this claim, possibly ever.
2) Aaron Sorkin is extremely liberal in his views, while I am not. I vote conservatively, I think conservatively, and I disagree with the ideology behind many of the plots he creates in his shows.
3) That doesn't mean he's a bad writer, or that I don't watch.
It seems to me that people on "both sides of the aisle" are too eager to get offended by people who disagree with them publicly. Democrats hate Sean Hannity. Republicans disdain Al Franken. Both sides have people who are deeply offended by the other side's pundits.
I don't get it. Jon Stewart's Daily Show is a liberal propaganda machine. They make their living lampooning our President and conservatives in Congress. I watch it when I can, because it's incredibly witty and well-done. I know some conservatives who would completely abhor the show if they saw one episode, beacuse they would be upset at Stewart's shots.
I personally think the left is worse than the right (though I'm obviously biased). The right often seems to think that those who disagree with it are crazy, stupid, emotional, and illogical. The left thinks the right is pure evil. They take being offended to a new level, and actually hate people like Rush limbaugh, Ann Coulter, Sean Hannity, and Britt Hume (Britt Hume? Yeah, I was surprised too.) .
I'm all for boycotting a show if you personally don't like it. I don't care what you watch, or why you choose not you. I care when people begin to enforce this on other people. There is a campaign on the left right now to take power away from Fox News. Instead of just not watching, they are actively trying to make it so others can't watch as well.
That being said, I'd rather people were able to not get offended by things that don't support how they feel. I'd rather people could watch Sorkin's shows for their brilliant writing, and not worry about any liberal feelings that come over. It's as if we've all become so weak. We can't handle opposing views being displayed. It bothers us; it sickens us.
I don't get it. What do we expect? People in the world don't think like you. They don't think like me. They don't think like each other. So who cares if one of them says one thing, and another says something different? Each person should know what they believe, and if you're weak enough to be swayed by a television show, then shame on you, and you'll never do much for any ideology anyway.
My point is (yes, this long ramble had a point) that just because you don't like the side something is coming from doesn't mean it doesn't have merit. The Daily Show is genuinely funny; it's liberal, but it's funny. Aaron Sorkin is genuinely gifted in writing dialogue. I want to be a writer someday, so I watch his shows and read the transcripts over and over, studying his style. I don't care about the plots, or the storyline; at least, I don't care enough to stop listening to his genius.
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