Wednesday, July 25, 2007
"A Sketch Towards a Taxonomy of Meta-Desserts"
Librarians gone wild (again): http://raspberrydebacle.com/this-may-be-the-most-useless-thing-i-have-ever-done-and-ive-seen-at-least-one-episode-of-allo-allo/
Monday, July 23, 2007
Potter was pretty good...
...I didn't think that Hallows was Hollow! Bwah-ha-ha!!! Ha!
...see, it's a pun.
...
OK, not really.
Never mind.
Anyway...
I feel that Rowling hit the beats that she needed to hit in order to finish off the Harry Potter story, without too much tap-dancing to tie up her loose ends. I definitely enjoyed the ride, and it was kind of fun to feel the synergy of sharing the read with so many other people (I saw tons of copies of Deadly Hallows running around campus today).
It struck me -- as I was pondering the "quality" of the writing, which is a hot-topic and favorite target for the semilliterati talking heads, both large and small -- that my experience of Harry Potter has really benefited from the movies. I think that many of the shortcomings of the novels are improved by the pacing and visual experience of the movies, and, of course, the intricacies and depth of the written narrative make the movies a much better experience. I will say, though, that the movies, alone, would really suffer if evaluated as isolated creations.
...see, it's a pun.
...
OK, not really.
Never mind.
Anyway...
I feel that Rowling hit the beats that she needed to hit in order to finish off the Harry Potter story, without too much tap-dancing to tie up her loose ends. I definitely enjoyed the ride, and it was kind of fun to feel the synergy of sharing the read with so many other people (I saw tons of copies of Deadly Hallows running around campus today).
It struck me -- as I was pondering the "quality" of the writing, which is a hot-topic and favorite target for the semilliterati talking heads, both large and small -- that my experience of Harry Potter has really benefited from the movies. I think that many of the shortcomings of the novels are improved by the pacing and visual experience of the movies, and, of course, the intricacies and depth of the written narrative make the movies a much better experience. I will say, though, that the movies, alone, would really suffer if evaluated as isolated creations.
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Pott-heads
Oh, and, of course: The Deadly Hallows came yesterday. I'm trying to take my time, so I'm only about a third of the way through, but it's pretty good so far. Amazingly, I've dodged any significant spoilers, so I'm probably reading on borrowed time.
Terminal
Well, the end of Summer Session II is upon me and I've a couple o' papers to write. Not really a lot of work, but my motivation is a little low. For whatever reason, I'm having a hard time getting organized and prioritized as of late. Oh well, this, too, shall pass.
In more important news, everybody is doing fairly well around here (with the exception of Piper, who's broken toe and hot spot problems are making for a pretty depressing experience right now).
On the horizon: Our tour of Washington and Oregon (well, just Spokane and Portland, really).
In more important news, everybody is doing fairly well around here (with the exception of Piper, who's broken toe and hot spot problems are making for a pretty depressing experience right now).
On the horizon: Our tour of Washington and Oregon (well, just Spokane and Portland, really).
Friday, July 13, 2007
If we haven't had a chance to tell you...
...here's the BIG news: Elektra turned out to be a Skrull in New Avengers #31! Craziness! This certainly hints at some seriously wacky implications for the post-"Civil War" Marvel Comics universe.
Oh, and Andi is pregnant. We're pretty sure I'm the father (*fingers crossed*).
Our early attempts to control the information seemed somewhat slipshod, so I'm not sure who knows and who does not -- If you see this before one of us tells you, please don't be insulted. I expect that I'll put together some sort of online something to keep friends and family up to speed, but here's what they call a "teaser" image.
It is a very exciting thing and we're both looking forward to taking a more active role in the corruption of future generations of monkeys.
Sunday, July 8, 2007
The Order of the Phoenix!
OK, this isn't about the movie. Or the book. Instead, I just wanted to share this joke from Daniel Radcliffe (courtesy of http://www.aintitcool.com/node/33245):
A guy goes into his doctor and he says, "Doctor, doctor! I think I'm going deaf."
The doctor says, "Well, please... I think you should stop masturbating."
The guys says, "Why? Would that help?"
He says, "No, but it's affecting the other patients."
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Monday, June 25, 2007
Toasty!
Well, summer is upon we Cackalackians - Not too hot, but pretty humid and muggy. I'm proud to say that I have, for the most part, adapted to the Southern weather, although I must say it boggles the mind to imagine life before air conditioning. No wonder the south lost the war. That reminds me of some of those pseudo-scientific theories about climate and temperature being a primary determinant for cultural aggression and, consequently, development. Rather silly. But, I guess, maybe not entirely untrue.
By the way, my memory -- and Google -- tells me that "We" is the correct first-person plural personal pronoun for subjects, while "Us" is for objects (direct and otherwise). So, why do I hear learned people mis-use "Us" so frequently? Sigh. I really need to read some sort of remedial grammar book (I even own an excellent one, The Deluxe Transitive Vampire.)
Anyhoo, there is life news on the horizon. For the none of you out there reading, hold on for an announcement soon.
By the way, my memory -- and Google -- tells me that "We" is the correct first-person plural personal pronoun for subjects, while "Us" is for objects (direct and otherwise). So, why do I hear learned people mis-use "Us" so frequently? Sigh. I really need to read some sort of remedial grammar book (I even own an excellent one, The Deluxe Transitive Vampire.)
Anyhoo, there is life news on the horizon. For the none of you out there reading, hold on for an announcement soon.
Monday, June 18, 2007
Cities and Suburbs
I surprise myself with my fondness for cities. I think often about the achy, regenerative, organic lives of metropolises. I guess that I find the idea of cities to be reaffirming, optimistic. It surprises and amazes that so many monkeys can climb over each other in close cohabitation without constant, bloody, conflict. It makes me proud to think that we can give each other the many concessions required to share space.
I reckon that there is no small share of naiveté in there, in my pining for a dream city of markets and parks and swirling energies. This is probably the same romantic impulse that moves longing for wilderness and forgotten spaces. It might even be the natural urge of a suburban child for the extremes that represent the exotic Other that feeds these kinds of thoughts.
Sigh. But Paris in springtime, summer in London, autumnal New York? The dreary alloy of urban winters and the hundred-thousand coffee shop hearths that string a city-dweller through long, cold, nights? Museums and memories and newness, nasty and nice? Decay and growth: The ecologies of economy and race and emotion, wrought in steel and stone and mayoral offices and free kitchens and lonely apartments? There is a very real, very important, way in which this is the human enterprise and there will always be a part of me that wants to participate.
I reckon that there is no small share of naiveté in there, in my pining for a dream city of markets and parks and swirling energies. This is probably the same romantic impulse that moves longing for wilderness and forgotten spaces. It might even be the natural urge of a suburban child for the extremes that represent the exotic Other that feeds these kinds of thoughts.
Sigh. But Paris in springtime, summer in London, autumnal New York? The dreary alloy of urban winters and the hundred-thousand coffee shop hearths that string a city-dweller through long, cold, nights? Museums and memories and newness, nasty and nice? Decay and growth: The ecologies of economy and race and emotion, wrought in steel and stone and mayoral offices and free kitchens and lonely apartments? There is a very real, very important, way in which this is the human enterprise and there will always be a part of me that wants to participate.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Where to?
For some reason, Andi and I have both started thinking about the pending possible move quite a bit. A move, if it happens, would most likely unfold throughout late spring/early summer of next year. At this point, the top candidates for our next place to live include:
Portland - The earlier compromise, as it has strong potential for Andi's career, as well as great proximity to my family. On the downside, we're not too sure about the city and the relative value.
Seattle - My slight preference over Portland, as it's significantly better for my career, but it's also expensive and further away from my family.
Albuquerque - This is the new dark horse, based on a rumored job possibility, the closeness of some old friends, and the ability to easily drive to - and from - Colorado. Not really my first choice, but Andi prefers the climate and concept to the idea of the Northwest (not to misrepresent her commitment one way or the other -- this is all still in the concept-phase for us both, anyway).
Boulder / Denver - A return to the old homeland is also a potential move, although the job prospects are slightly more complicated for both Andi and me. Also, the relative expense-to-quality ratio is a somewhat hard pill to swallow. I really don't want to commute much, but that's going to be pretty much inevitable, wherever we end up.
Chapel Hill - Staying in this area is also a consideration. We like the climate, the cost is reasonable, the people are great and, honestly, this is now our home. There's also the ol' inertia factor.
London, Paris, New York, Syndey, Hong Kong - I have a long-simmering, unrequited, dream of living abroad (or at least in a big, cosmopolitan, city), but I doubt that's really very feasible. Between the expense, the logistics, the pets, and the job scene, it's just not in the cards, I fear.
The variables, of course, are many: Career, family, friends, sanity, excitement, difficulty, preference, etc. etc. The solution to some of these factors will reveal themselves in time, but others require a bit of reconnaissance, research, and reflection. This kind of thing would be easier if we just had tons of free time and disposable cash for some scouting travel (as well as amelioration of any end-point difficulties like, oh, expensive frickin' real estate).
Portland - The earlier compromise, as it has strong potential for Andi's career, as well as great proximity to my family. On the downside, we're not too sure about the city and the relative value.
Seattle - My slight preference over Portland, as it's significantly better for my career, but it's also expensive and further away from my family.
Albuquerque - This is the new dark horse, based on a rumored job possibility, the closeness of some old friends, and the ability to easily drive to - and from - Colorado. Not really my first choice, but Andi prefers the climate and concept to the idea of the Northwest (not to misrepresent her commitment one way or the other -- this is all still in the concept-phase for us both, anyway).
Boulder / Denver - A return to the old homeland is also a potential move, although the job prospects are slightly more complicated for both Andi and me. Also, the relative expense-to-quality ratio is a somewhat hard pill to swallow. I really don't want to commute much, but that's going to be pretty much inevitable, wherever we end up.
Chapel Hill - Staying in this area is also a consideration. We like the climate, the cost is reasonable, the people are great and, honestly, this is now our home. There's also the ol' inertia factor.
London, Paris, New York, Syndey, Hong Kong - I have a long-simmering, unrequited, dream of living abroad (or at least in a big, cosmopolitan, city), but I doubt that's really very feasible. Between the expense, the logistics, the pets, and the job scene, it's just not in the cards, I fear.
The variables, of course, are many: Career, family, friends, sanity, excitement, difficulty, preference, etc. etc. The solution to some of these factors will reveal themselves in time, but others require a bit of reconnaissance, research, and reflection. This kind of thing would be easier if we just had tons of free time and disposable cash for some scouting travel (as well as amelioration of any end-point difficulties like, oh, expensive frickin' real estate).
Saturday, June 9, 2007
Ruby Quartz Glasses Optional
24 hours post-Lasik and my vision is totally stable. Quite amazing technology. I suspect that my eyes are, generally, subject to extreme dryness, and I need to keep them well-lubricated during this recovery phase. And, no, that was probably not much more exciting for me to write than it was for you to read.
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
"I'll be your huckleberry..."
Another excellent quote from a movie which may or may not be horrible. I was reminded of this while reading, "Attack of the Clones: Suspiciously Similar Movie Showdown."
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