Analysts speculate that the sector-wide layoff was a result of multiple factors, including redundancies in the singing-songwriting division, rising rehab fees that have cost the group millions, and a 34 percent decline in jump-kicks since 2003. In addition, some of Aerosmith's younger, more ambitious employees, such as Joe Perry, 57, are willing to sing and play an instrument at the same time, often for half the salary.
Tyler, already dangerously underweight, says he will struggle to put food on the table without a steady income.
*From The Onion
Monday, July 07, 2008
Saturday, July 05, 2008
Thursday, July 03, 2008
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Awww yeah! (#2 for today!)
Baseball's best mustaches (courtesy of Olivia) - I think Rollie Fingers (what a name, too!) is my favorite.
Where is my mind?
The ADD post.
Indie Artists Drum Up Corporate Ties --- YUCK! Do you really think you can still call your band "indie" at that point? I mean, I know we all gotta survive but wow does that leave a bad taste in my mouth.
"Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves."
-Abraham Lincoln
Netherlands boots tobacco users from bars and restaurants -- even in coffee shops, it's the end of an era *tear*
Indie Artists Drum Up Corporate Ties --- YUCK! Do you really think you can still call your band "indie" at that point? I mean, I know we all gotta survive but wow does that leave a bad taste in my mouth.
"Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves."
-Abraham Lincoln
Netherlands boots tobacco users from bars and restaurants -- even in coffee shops, it's the end of an era *tear*
Fugitive Fund Manager Who Faked Suicide Surrenders
Sorry I remember reading about this awhile ago, but this excerpt deserved recognition:
On the day that he was to report, Mr. Israel’s abandoned GMC Envoy was found along a shoulder of the Bear Mountain Bridge near the Hudson River with the message “suicide is painless” written in dust on the hood. The keys and a bottle of pills were still in the car.
When Mr. Israel’s body failed to turn up and the message turned out to be the theme song of ”M*A*S*H,” the authorities began to suspect he was on the run.
Sounds like some serious detective work to me.
On the day that he was to report, Mr. Israel’s abandoned GMC Envoy was found along a shoulder of the Bear Mountain Bridge near the Hudson River with the message “suicide is painless” written in dust on the hood. The keys and a bottle of pills were still in the car.
When Mr. Israel’s body failed to turn up and the message turned out to be the theme song of ”M*A*S*H,” the authorities began to suspect he was on the run.
Sounds like some serious detective work to me.
Awww yeah!
As part of the unspoken Internet aspiration to answer all of our most inconsequential questions, some giant nerd ("Thank you!") plotted out Steve McQueen's route in the chase scene from Bullitt and put an animated Google map next to the clip from the movie. Particularly cool if you live in San Francisco ("I thought that's where it was!").
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
This also looks tantalizing.
Baby Boomers Fucked Everything: a psychedelic light show
Of course it is. Artist bios are pretty hilarious too.
Of course it is. Artist bios are pretty hilarious too.
The Money Trail
David Brooks dissects where each candidates' donations are coming from (and embeds how much Barack is whooping McCain's elderly ass).
The trends are pretty clear: rising economic sectors tend to favor Democrats while declining economic sectors are more likely to favor Republicans. The Democratic Party (not just Obama) has huge fund-raising advantages among people who work in electronics, communications, law and the catchall category of finance, insurance and real estate. Republicans have the advantage in agribusiness, oil and gas and transportation. Which set of sectors do you think are going to grow most quickly in this century’s service economy?
Ever the optimist, I disagree with Brooks' theory that this is all a bait-and-switch tactic by capitalists posing as Democrats, but rather, that maybe the people who are lucky enough to get an education and live comfortably have decided to put political ideals ahead of financial gain. Maybe? As one of the many in the "catchall category", that's my angle and I know many of my friends feel the same (although we're also filed into the "young and idealistic" category, maybe as you cruise up the corporate ladder, people become more cynical... I don't know, yet).
The trends are pretty clear: rising economic sectors tend to favor Democrats while declining economic sectors are more likely to favor Republicans. The Democratic Party (not just Obama) has huge fund-raising advantages among people who work in electronics, communications, law and the catchall category of finance, insurance and real estate. Republicans have the advantage in agribusiness, oil and gas and transportation. Which set of sectors do you think are going to grow most quickly in this century’s service economy?
Ever the optimist, I disagree with Brooks' theory that this is all a bait-and-switch tactic by capitalists posing as Democrats, but rather, that maybe the people who are lucky enough to get an education and live comfortably have decided to put political ideals ahead of financial gain. Maybe? As one of the many in the "catchall category", that's my angle and I know many of my friends feel the same (although we're also filed into the "young and idealistic" category, maybe as you cruise up the corporate ladder, people become more cynical... I don't know, yet).
Monday, June 30, 2008
Frommer on Air Transport
Arthur Frommer (of the guides) attempts to predict [smart] consumer behavior now that the airlines have started to announce flight cuts, higher costs. The whole situation is quite depressing, but as with so many things, maybe it had to get that way so as to inspire real change (which so often stems from anger and frustration). So let's go!
Friday, June 27, 2008
Mmmm indie music goodness in obscure places. What's not to love?
La Blogotheque meets artists and tapes them performing in a non-traditional venue, i.e. an elevator, an alley, a hotel room, etc. Check out the Take Away Shows here.
Some suggestions: Sufjan Stevens, Au Revoir Simone, Jens Lekman, St. Vincent, the Arcade Fire. But there's so much more. Check out for yourself.
Some suggestions: Sufjan Stevens, Au Revoir Simone, Jens Lekman, St. Vincent, the Arcade Fire. But there's so much more. Check out for yourself.
This has been driving me up the wall with its insane awesomeness.
I can't wait to see one in action - just the designs and sketches are enough to titillate me!
*originally turned on to this from Chris's blog, but it's been in every real estate news blast since - man, I am so jealous of Dubaians (does anyone know if that's right? I tried googling and all I got was a sketchy Yahoo answers post.)
Comics in the Chronicle
http://www.sfgate.com/columnists/asmussen/
Today's gave me a chuckle, though I have to admit I rarely read comics in newspapers anymore. There are some Internet ones I like... though I'm never consistent. Sigh. Anyway, the "World's Greatest Father" thing amused me.
Today's gave me a chuckle, though I have to admit I rarely read comics in newspapers anymore. There are some Internet ones I like... though I'm never consistent. Sigh. Anyway, the "World's Greatest Father" thing amused me.
Sweet!
Who's coming with me?!
p.s. I love that the Fillmore is like, 3 blocks away from my apartment.
p.p.s. I hate how expensive San Francisco is - I directed a friend to their Philadelphia show (at the First Unitarian Church - loooove that place) and tickets were more than $10 less in Philly. C'mon!
p.s. I love that the Fillmore is like, 3 blocks away from my apartment.
p.p.s. I hate how expensive San Francisco is - I directed a friend to their Philadelphia show (at the First Unitarian Church - loooove that place) and tickets were more than $10 less in Philly. C'mon!
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Stewart Butterfield resigns Yahoo...
...and leaves a fantastic resignation letter behind. A bit late, and thanks to Dagen for the link, just a bit of amusing Silicon Valley gossip.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Dear lord, who does this sound like?
He might be smoking, but it would be at a cafe, hunched over a New York Times, an Atlantic magazine, his MacBook and some organic fruit-flavored tea, listening to Bob Dylan’s “Blood on the Tracks” on his iPod.
Haha, it's actually excerpted from a Dowd column on Barack Obama. And while I've mentioned I'm not the biggest Dowd fan, she did turn me on to this quote in the same column: "He is, as Leon Wieseltier of The New Republic wrote, not the seed but the flower of the civil rights movement."
Haha, it's actually excerpted from a Dowd column on Barack Obama. And while I've mentioned I'm not the biggest Dowd fan, she did turn me on to this quote in the same column: "He is, as Leon Wieseltier of The New Republic wrote, not the seed but the flower of the civil rights movement."
Private equity happenings worldwide
Just some interesting stuff going on...
"Recent reports indicate that the primary trade group for private-equity firms spent more than $740,000 lobbying against tax increases in the first quarter of 2008. The Private Equity Council, which includes Blackstone Group, Bain Capital Partners, Carlyle Group and TPG Capital, spent a total of $2.1 million in 2007."
"A newly proposed Dutch law threatens to increase taxes on private equity from 1.2% to 52%. This has investors in the Netherlands threatening to leave. The Dutch government proposed the new law last month."
"Apollo Management LP founder Leon Black is being sued for more than $3 billion over his attempt to ditch the takeover of Huntsman Corp. The chemical maker filed claims accusing Black and co-founder Joshua Harris of fraudulent interference."
1.2% to 52%! $3 billion! Can you imagine? Private equity is definitely one of the more dramatic asset classes, I'd say. Anyway, I'm done with my nerdy business release of the day. =)
"Recent reports indicate that the primary trade group for private-equity firms spent more than $740,000 lobbying against tax increases in the first quarter of 2008. The Private Equity Council, which includes Blackstone Group, Bain Capital Partners, Carlyle Group and TPG Capital, spent a total of $2.1 million in 2007."
"A newly proposed Dutch law threatens to increase taxes on private equity from 1.2% to 52%. This has investors in the Netherlands threatening to leave. The Dutch government proposed the new law last month."
"Apollo Management LP founder Leon Black is being sued for more than $3 billion over his attempt to ditch the takeover of Huntsman Corp. The chemical maker filed claims accusing Black and co-founder Joshua Harris of fraudulent interference."
1.2% to 52%! $3 billion! Can you imagine? Private equity is definitely one of the more dramatic asset classes, I'd say. Anyway, I'm done with my nerdy business release of the day. =)
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Sustainability update
Man, people are so creative and wonderful. Here are some of the things (some new, some only relatively new) going on in the green front:
solar-powered bra
sustainable dance club
energy-generating backpack
human-powered gym
solar-powered bra
sustainable dance club
energy-generating backpack
human-powered gym
Monday, June 23, 2008
Friday, June 20, 2008
Mod Hair Ken
Haha, well, I was googling hair styles for some ideas as I have an appointment tonight, and in a moment of pure, random internet glory, I came across this page which just brightened my whole day. Beard, sideburns, 2 moustaches, too! I would have LOVED this as a kid (or, uh, now) - Mattel, bring back Mod Hair Ken!
Thursday, June 19, 2008
I'd like to live near you, but first, I have some questions...
Really provocative Economist piece on the self-segregation of American communities. Includes all sorts of juicy implications in politics, economics, etc. Here's a loaded excerpt:
A good way to measure this is to look at the country's changing electoral geography. In 1976 Jimmy Carter won the presidency with 50.1% of the popular vote. Though the race was close, some 26.8% of Americans were in “landslide counties” that year, where Mr Carter either won or lost by 20 percentage points or more.
The proportion of Americans who live in such landslide counties has nearly doubled since then. In the dead-heat election of 2000, it was 45.3%. When George Bush narrowly won re-election in 2004, it was a whopping 48.3%. As the playwright Arthur Miller put it that year: “How can the polls be neck and neck when I don't know one Bush supporter?” Clustering is how.
**Credit goes to Andrea Cross for forwarding this, thanks!
A good way to measure this is to look at the country's changing electoral geography. In 1976 Jimmy Carter won the presidency with 50.1% of the popular vote. Though the race was close, some 26.8% of Americans were in “landslide counties” that year, where Mr Carter either won or lost by 20 percentage points or more.
The proportion of Americans who live in such landslide counties has nearly doubled since then. In the dead-heat election of 2000, it was 45.3%. When George Bush narrowly won re-election in 2004, it was a whopping 48.3%. As the playwright Arthur Miller put it that year: “How can the polls be neck and neck when I don't know one Bush supporter?” Clustering is how.
**Credit goes to Andrea Cross for forwarding this, thanks!
The Irish Vote
I was really disappointed with Roger Cohen's recent column, "The Muck of the Irish", not so much because of its content (which I disagree with, but if it's presented properly, I have no problem respecting different opinions), but with the style, which consisted mainly of a series of wordy insults (some racist?) and one-sentence arguments with no evidence to back it up. What the hell, Roger?
While I think the EU should look east for expansion and growth, I think that democracy wins over 'efficiency' (do you really think more Brussels bureaucracy is going to lead to efficiency?) no matter what, and in that respect, I applaud the Irish. Here is a contrary viewpoint, courtesy of the Financial Times. I don't think this necessarily means no 27-member EU, but rather, a re-working of the Lisbon Treaty until all of the members can reach an accord. Need more time to address this issue properly, but just wanted to start a discussion here so I don't forget.
Another related opinion piece.
While I think the EU should look east for expansion and growth, I think that democracy wins over 'efficiency' (do you really think more Brussels bureaucracy is going to lead to efficiency?) no matter what, and in that respect, I applaud the Irish. Here is a contrary viewpoint, courtesy of the Financial Times. I don't think this necessarily means no 27-member EU, but rather, a re-working of the Lisbon Treaty until all of the members can reach an accord. Need more time to address this issue properly, but just wanted to start a discussion here so I don't forget.
Another related opinion piece.
Rumor has it...
As a response to the slew of viral e-smears that have been circulating the internet, a Slate writer comes up with his own e-mail filled with the sorts of goodies all proper Americans want to hear about Barack Obama. Some excerpts:
Barack Obama has the DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE tattooed on his stomach. It's upside-down, so he can read it while doing sit-ups.
There's only one artist on Barack Obama's iPod: FRANCIS SCOTT KEY.
Barack Obama goes to church every morning. He goes to church every afternoon. He goes to church every evening. He is IN CHURCH RIGHT NOW.
Barack Obama's skin is the color of AMERICAN SOIL.
Barack Obama has the DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE tattooed on his stomach. It's upside-down, so he can read it while doing sit-ups.
There's only one artist on Barack Obama's iPod: FRANCIS SCOTT KEY.
Barack Obama goes to church every morning. He goes to church every afternoon. He goes to church every evening. He is IN CHURCH RIGHT NOW.
Barack Obama's skin is the color of AMERICAN SOIL.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Favorite Beatles song?
I've been thinking about this lately. For the most part, I never stick to any of my "favorites" for long, but I thought I might crystallize this moment in time by providing a list. It's a three-way tie, depending on my mood (haha my rock solid decisions always come with so many caveats...):
"A Day in the Life"
"Happiness is a Warm Gun"
"Revolution"
Now yours - go!
Haha and on a side note, while Googleimaging the Beatles for this post, I came across this argument (if you can call it that) that the Beatles were Satanists, chock full of typos. Pretty ridiculous.
Factoid
*From Wikipedia, how I love thee
"Abu Dhabi is the wealthiest emirate of the UAE in terms of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and per capita income. The average net worth for Abu Dhabi's 420,000 citizens is AED 62 million (US$ 17 million), and more than $1 trillion is invested worldwide in this city alone."
"Abu Dhabi is the wealthiest emirate of the UAE in terms of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and per capita income. The average net worth for Abu Dhabi's 420,000 citizens is AED 62 million (US$ 17 million), and more than $1 trillion is invested worldwide in this city alone."
Another wonderful facet to Wolfgangs Vault
The Crawdaddy Magazine
Read today:
-review of new Silver Jews record (yep, there's a new one!!!)
Great resource for distraction.
China's private equity
"One multibillion-dollar step at a time, China continues to wade deeper and deeper into the private-equity pool. China's State Administration of Foreign Exchange has committed more than $2.5 billion in the latest offering from TPG. This investment will be the biggest commitment made to a private-equity fund ever. That is, if you don't count the $4 billion mandate China awarded to JC Flowers a couple of months ago and China's $3 billion stake in Blackstone's management company. Those were not traditional commitments to funds managed by private-equity firms, but they do help to illustrate how sovereign-wealth funds, such as those controlled by the Chinese government, are propping up what might otherwise be a difficult fundraising environment. With this commitment, TPG's fund has about $17 billion and counting."
**Taken from Broadgate Consultants e-newsletter
Scary.
**Taken from Broadgate Consultants e-newsletter
Scary.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Does anyone else get the feeling we just might be ushering in a new era of tolerance? Feels good, right?
This article was heart-warming. And while I'm not always 100% into the California way of doing things (I'm all east coast, baby), there are definitely times when I'm really happy to be living in this state.
Telepathe
Going to see this band in the city with the lovely Leslie Emmons this week. Should be interesting. The Pitchfork reviews were good - let me know if you have opinions of your own.
For the folks back east...
This festival looks ridiculous - what an eclectic (and pretty great, for the most part) line-up!
Monday, June 16, 2008
Imagine no religion...
Times columnist muses on the glorious (though seemingly unlikely) prospect of an actual separation of church and state in American politics.
CYOA for adults
This book does look pretty hilarious.
Product Description (courtesy of Amazon)
Why Do All the Nice Girls End Up Getting Kidnapped and Held for Ransom?
In this book, YOU, the reader, are a thirtysomething part-time actor/full-time waiter suddenly caught up in a kidnapping. Julia, the girl you went out with last night, has been TAKEN HOSTAGE. What will you do? Will you go to the police and ask for help? Will you burst into the hideout, killing everyone in sight, then tell Julia that she shouldn’t misinterpret this as some sort of big commitment? Or will you unplug your phone and just get really, really drunk? The choice is yours!
You awake to the sound of the phone ringing.
“Hello?”
You hear a man’s voice. It is muffled. “We’ve got Julia.”
“Wait, what do you mean?”
“We have kidnapped your girlfriend. If you ever want to see her again---”
“Whoa, she’s not my girlfriend,” you say. “I just met her. I mean, I had a good time with her and all, but I wanna take it slow with this one, I think.”
“We understand,” the voice says. “But she’s new to the city, and presently, you’re all she has. Give us fifty thousand dollars by tomorrow or we’ll blow her head off.”
If you want to go and ask your parents if you can borrow fifty thousand dollars, go to page 173.
If you want to have sex with your ex-girlfriend, consider getting back together with her, then think better of it, go to page 183.
BE VERY CAREFUL! You’re directing the story and the CHOICES you make can result in MURDER, GRADUATE SCHOOL ENROLLMENT, TORTURE, MARRIAGE, POST-APOCALYPTIC SLAVERY, UNWANTED PREGNANCY, even TEMPING! It’s YOUR STORY and YOUR LIFE. All you’ve got to do is decide which page you want to turn to. JUST MAKE A CHOICE!
Product Description (courtesy of Amazon)
Why Do All the Nice Girls End Up Getting Kidnapped and Held for Ransom?
In this book, YOU, the reader, are a thirtysomething part-time actor/full-time waiter suddenly caught up in a kidnapping. Julia, the girl you went out with last night, has been TAKEN HOSTAGE. What will you do? Will you go to the police and ask for help? Will you burst into the hideout, killing everyone in sight, then tell Julia that she shouldn’t misinterpret this as some sort of big commitment? Or will you unplug your phone and just get really, really drunk? The choice is yours!
You awake to the sound of the phone ringing.
“Hello?”
You hear a man’s voice. It is muffled. “We’ve got Julia.”
“Wait, what do you mean?”
“We have kidnapped your girlfriend. If you ever want to see her again---”
“Whoa, she’s not my girlfriend,” you say. “I just met her. I mean, I had a good time with her and all, but I wanna take it slow with this one, I think.”
“We understand,” the voice says. “But she’s new to the city, and presently, you’re all she has. Give us fifty thousand dollars by tomorrow or we’ll blow her head off.”
If you want to go and ask your parents if you can borrow fifty thousand dollars, go to page 173.
If you want to have sex with your ex-girlfriend, consider getting back together with her, then think better of it, go to page 183.
BE VERY CAREFUL! You’re directing the story and the CHOICES you make can result in MURDER, GRADUATE SCHOOL ENROLLMENT, TORTURE, MARRIAGE, POST-APOCALYPTIC SLAVERY, UNWANTED PREGNANCY, even TEMPING! It’s YOUR STORY and YOUR LIFE. All you’ve got to do is decide which page you want to turn to. JUST MAKE A CHOICE!
There's no doubt we're getting thriftier.
I mean, the country has maxed out its credit, so it all makes economic sense. But still, the evidence is everywhere.
Former "War on Drugs" advocate admits it's a gigantic failure
Bob Barr, former federal prosecutor and member of the House of Representatives defending the federal pursuit of the drug prohibition writes in to the Huffington Post about the colossal waste of time and money known as the "War on Drugs". Despite having libertarian leanings, I'm not crazy about Barr but thought this commentary was interesting.
Another HP article using the phrase "public enemy #1" got me both enraged and nostalgic... remember when Lieberman used to be cool?
Another HP article using the phrase "public enemy #1" got me both enraged and nostalgic... remember when Lieberman used to be cool?
Neat house.
Really interesting place - love the windows/views. Side note: I'm such a real estate voyeur.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Millennials
Interesting, amusing article on the culture gap between Generation X and Generation Y (aka Millennials or "my generation" though I seriously frown on some of my cohort's behavior - see article).
p.s. Despite being 24, this article made me feel a bit old!
Calorie count legislation
As I'm sure you probably know, New York and California legislators are pushing restaurants to publish calorie counts. While I think it is important to have this freedom of information, particularly in chain restaurants and fast food joints, I am wholly against the idea of calorie counts on all menus, hell maybe even all chains (see link below). Maybe give patrons the option. I just don't think I need to know what that delicious piece of meat topped with sizzling butter or the pastry shelf at Tartine is doing to my waistline -- I'm already racked with guilt for my ability to afford such gluttonous luxuries, does one really need to bring health into it? In my opinion, the answer is a definite "no" - taste like that is too good to corrupt. In this case, ignorance really is bliss.
Suspected looters given Scarlett Letter treatment
Apparently, looting has become a problem in the Sichuan Province following the massive earthquake. I did not know that the public shaming tactic was still used. Does anyone else feel like we've had more than our share (and by "we", I mean "the world") of natural disasters recently?
Thursday, June 12, 2008
California Facing Drought
With this spring being the driest on record for much of the state, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared California to be in an official drought. What is being done to offset the effects of the water crisis?
- Gardeners must haul their own water from Mexico
- Wolfgang Puck to unveil new line of waterless meals
- Upon the conclusion of each Shamu Show at San Diego's SeaWorld, all persons seated in the Splash Zone must wring out their wet clothes over the lip of the orca tank
- Local radio stations required to play Garbage's "I'm Only Happy When It Rains" on the hour
- San Francisco will probably think up something young and hip to do
- Wildfires only allowed to rage out of control on odd-numbered days
- Spending $40 million to promote Napa Valley's new Chunky Pinot Noir
- Top scientific minds will be summoned to see if they can somehow utilize the immense body of water immediately to the state's left
*From The Onion, though the drought is very real.
Meanwhile, in Vegas (which is in the middle of a $%!&ing desert):
3:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
show every 1/2 hour
8:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.
show every 15 minutes
Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays
12:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
show every 1/2 hour
8:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.
show every 15 minutes
America going the way of the Romans, Greeks, etc.?
David Brooks examines the debt culture in America and the deterioration of financial morals. When did we stop being able to control ourselves?
Some scary figures excerpted:
Between 1989 and 2001, credit-card debt nearly tripled, soaring from $238 billion to $692 billion. By last year, it was up to $937 billion...
The agents of destruction are many. State governments have played a role. They aggressively hawk their lottery products, which some people call a tax on stupidity. Twenty percent of Americans are frequent players, spending about $60 billion a year. The spending is starkly regressive. A household with income under $13,000 spends, on average, $645 a year on lottery tickets, about 9 percent of all income.
Fifty-six percent of students in their final year of college carry four or more credit cards.
If financial values had not shifted so much, I do not think it would have been possible for certain things to have happened - obviously, the housing crisis is the first example to come to mind, but I think it probably also contributed to the spreading income gap in America (be sure to read "The Rich and the Rest of Us" for more talk of that). I need to meditate on this topic more, but I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts.
Some scary figures excerpted:
Between 1989 and 2001, credit-card debt nearly tripled, soaring from $238 billion to $692 billion. By last year, it was up to $937 billion...
The agents of destruction are many. State governments have played a role. They aggressively hawk their lottery products, which some people call a tax on stupidity. Twenty percent of Americans are frequent players, spending about $60 billion a year. The spending is starkly regressive. A household with income under $13,000 spends, on average, $645 a year on lottery tickets, about 9 percent of all income.
Fifty-six percent of students in their final year of college carry four or more credit cards.
If financial values had not shifted so much, I do not think it would have been possible for certain things to have happened - obviously, the housing crisis is the first example to come to mind, but I think it probably also contributed to the spreading income gap in America (be sure to read "The Rich and the Rest of Us" for more talk of that). I need to meditate on this topic more, but I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts.
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Play-by-play of Hillary's speech last night
From Wonkette, pretty funny.
Some excerpts:
9:30 — Ha ha, Terry McAuliffe just introduced Hillary Clinton, and then nothing happened, and he walked off and it was silent. Oh look, Hillary and Bill, coming out together. Bill is taking the lead, because he still thinks he is Governor of America.
9:36 — CROWD BACKGROUND EXAMINATION: Left to right: Gay photographer, Walt from Lost, a black gal with turtles on her shirt, Tony Soprano, fair-skinned Puritan pilgrim (from England), YO MAMA.
9:42 — She is very certain that her supporters have been “invisible.” Well sometimes, Hillary, the whiteness blends in with the clouds? If you’re looking from a certain angle? We don’t know, at all, what the hell she is saying.
9:53 — Well, she’s done. It seems pretty obvious that she’s using her leverage to force Obama to let her take over health care reform. Go for it, killer.
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Monday, June 02, 2008
Hank's Divorce
At the end of this clip, Rip Torn has the most fantastic line (worth the wait) around 6 min, 50 sec. I've discovered that I really like the Larry Sanders Show - filled with 1990s nostalgia, and hilarious. Rip Torn and Jeffrey Tambor are definitely the cast highlights.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Going green.
You know what really irks me about this whole trend? People putting so much effort into buying the right lightbulb, while completing neglecting the obvious high-impact behavior of just reducing their own waste (because I've seen these same people with their environmentally-safe toilet paper go out and buy 3 cups of coffee from Starbucks and toss away all of that garbage). In a related vein, this sounds like a terrible idea. Why not just pay $9.99 and get the dvd forever?! Worst case scenario, you hawk it to a used cd/dvd dealer.
As a clarification, I think we should all try to do as much as we can to reduce our impact on the environment and while I think all of these new ways of doing so (consumer products, clean energy, etc. etc.) are great, we shouldn't forget about the common sense tactics we learned in elementary school. Things like turning off the lights/electronics when not in use, using as little disposable products as possible, and conserving water. Basics, people! Then when you've got that down, go ahead and get fancy.
As a clarification, I think we should all try to do as much as we can to reduce our impact on the environment and while I think all of these new ways of doing so (consumer products, clean energy, etc. etc.) are great, we shouldn't forget about the common sense tactics we learned in elementary school. Things like turning off the lights/electronics when not in use, using as little disposable products as possible, and conserving water. Basics, people! Then when you've got that down, go ahead and get fancy.
It just keeps getting worse.
Hillary Clinton's campaign makes a very sad attempt to be hip with a t-shirt contest. Take a glimpse at the truly pathetic choices here (haha although I must say that the pantsuit-shirt does make me laugh).
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Homes etc.
Stable for sheep in the Netherlands.
Awesome rug from John Pour Home. Reminds me of studying foreign language in high school, when everyone puts yellow sticky notes on the nouns in their rooms to help them learn. Or at least I did.Stolen from residential architecture blog.
This sounds trippy and fascinating.
"Miracle fruit" apparently rewires your taste buds, making sweet sour, bitter sweet, and so forth, because of a component called miraculin. Interesting...
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Esquire's Best Bars List
Great compilation of note-worthy bars by state. Sadly, I haven't been to any of the three bars in SF on the list, though I've heard many good things. Bourbon & Branch, in particular, I'd like to try. What really surprised me, however, is that I hadn't been to any of the Philly bars either. In fact, the only bars on the list I'd been to were in Delaware, New York and Maryland. Guess I'll have to work a little bit harder on my drinking...
Takes me back...
**From The Onion
Stolen Tour Bus Leads Police On Chase Of Historic Downtown Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA—Police were led on a reckless, high-speed pursuit past more than a dozen of downtown Philadelphia's most historically fascinating locations Tuesday, when an armed assailant hijacked a tour bus full of elderly retirees visiting from Cincinnati. "The suspect took command of the vehicle at Chestnut Street, home to Philadelphia's famous Carpenter's Hall, where the First Continental Congress met, and then fled north in the southbound lane of Sixth Street towards the Liberty Bell," said police commissioner Charles H. Ramsey, adding that the driver would have gotten a great view of Independence Hall at sunset had he had not careened off Walnut Street at 45 mph. "He then led police past several Victorian homes, including Edgar Allen Poe's residence from 1838 to 1844, where he penned such classics as the 'The Pit and the Pendulum' and 'The Tell-Tale Heart.'" Police reports indicate the chase ended when the tour bus jumped a curb, slammed into a cheesesteak stand, and exploded in a ball of flames.
Stolen Tour Bus Leads Police On Chase Of Historic Downtown Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA—Police were led on a reckless, high-speed pursuit past more than a dozen of downtown Philadelphia's most historically fascinating locations Tuesday, when an armed assailant hijacked a tour bus full of elderly retirees visiting from Cincinnati. "The suspect took command of the vehicle at Chestnut Street, home to Philadelphia's famous Carpenter's Hall, where the First Continental Congress met, and then fled north in the southbound lane of Sixth Street towards the Liberty Bell," said police commissioner Charles H. Ramsey, adding that the driver would have gotten a great view of Independence Hall at sunset had he had not careened off Walnut Street at 45 mph. "He then led police past several Victorian homes, including Edgar Allen Poe's residence from 1838 to 1844, where he penned such classics as the 'The Pit and the Pendulum' and 'The Tell-Tale Heart.'" Police reports indicate the chase ended when the tour bus jumped a curb, slammed into a cheesesteak stand, and exploded in a ball of flames.
Friday, May 23, 2008
The internet tackles one of life's most important problems...
Missing game pieces. Well, kind of. Anyway, did you know you can print out your own Monopoly money now? I just thought it was yet another neat use of the internet to take care of even the most minor inconveniences.
Simple pleasures
You know what's great? Sourdough english muffins with a little bit of cherry preserves and mascarpone. You know what else? Blood on the Tracks traveling via iPod into my brain. You know what else? Memorial Day Weekend. I get to leave work at 2 pm today and walk around in 70-degree sunshine. I'm not bragging, but sometimes I think it's important to be grateful for the little things that make one smile. Writing it down helps. What are you grateful for?
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Things I love about San Francisco, Part 562
Bay to Breakers!
Check the video for a glimpse of how I spent last Sunday. I don't think this could happen in any other city. FYI, there is a bit of nudity.
Check the video for a glimpse of how I spent last Sunday. I don't think this could happen in any other city. FYI, there is a bit of nudity.
Heart-warming in light of tragedy
Nicholas Kristof examines post-quake China and finds citizens willing to do their part to assist others in need, despite being relatively poor themselves. Additionally, he tackles the increasingly political (rather than dictatorial) attitudes of the Communist party leaders, particularly in the face of the disaster. Quite hopeful, I say, but we'll see what happens with the Olympics...
Stuff White People Like: Bumper Stickers
Though there is no conclusive evidence about the effectiveness of these stickers, white people show no signs of abandoning the campaign. In fact, there is a popular tale in white mythology that tells of an unenlightened man driving on the freeway who saw a bumper sticker on the back of a Subaru station wagon that said “Go Veg.” The sticker was so moving that he threw the hamburger he was eating right out the window and became a vegetarian on the spot. Two days later, he affixed the same bumper sticker to their car and the process began anew until enough people had changed their views to form what we now know as the city of Portland, Oregon.
Full post here. I've never understood the fascination myself, but then again, I don't drive a car. See entry #61 for a detailed description of how superior that makes me. ;-)
Full post here. I've never understood the fascination myself, but then again, I don't drive a car. See entry #61 for a detailed description of how superior that makes me. ;-)
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
More quotations on a variety of subjects
"It is an odd thing, but every one who disappears is said to be seen at San Francisco. It must be a delightful city, and possess all the attractions of the next world."
— Oscar Wilde
"I would rather someone be wrapped in the Constitution burning the flag than wrapped in the flag burning the Constitution."
— James Colorado (not a famous person, just a regular one with articulation -- found posted on some SF-related sites)
"Art is the greatest stimulus to life."
— Nietzsche
"The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances: if there is any reaction, both are transformed."
— Carl Jung
— Oscar Wilde
"I would rather someone be wrapped in the Constitution burning the flag than wrapped in the flag burning the Constitution."
— James Colorado (not a famous person, just a regular one with articulation -- found posted on some SF-related sites)
"Art is the greatest stimulus to life."
— Nietzsche
"The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances: if there is any reaction, both are transformed."
— Carl Jung
Weather-inspired quote
"I want to do with you what spring does with the cherry trees."
— Pablo Neruda
— Pablo Neruda
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
75,000!
What a rock star. I love it. I mean, to get that many people revved up about politics, the same way they'd get revved up about Coachella or Burning Man or Glastonbury.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Bob Dylan images
Felt the need to change my desktop background and watched I'm Not There over the weekend. That's more or less how I got here. Enjoy. 
I think I'm in love
Obama gets tough in the right way, and tells Americans the truth. Swoon!
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/may/19/barackobama.uselections2008
John McCain, that same Thursday morning, was giving a speech in part about the need to move beyond the partisan bickering of the last decade. Within an hour or two, following Bush's lead, McCain attacked Obama: "What does he want to talk about with Ahmadinejad, who said Israel is a stinking corpse?" The Obama campaign emailed reporters accusing Bush of launching "a false political attack".
Now here's the important part. In the past two presidential campaigns, that's where this would have ended. The Democrat "responded" for the record, but somewhat perfunctorily, while the Republicans got their point across: the Democrats are appeasers, the Democratic nominee wants to talk to terrorists and he won't keep the country safe.
Game, set, match. This is how Bush built margins of trust with voters over Al Gore and John Kerry on national-security questions. Invoke appeasement of Hitler, toss in Israel's safety: this is exactly the kind of thing that sent Gore and Kerry running for the hills. Even Bill Clinton, who knew better how to return a punch, would have tried to change the subject back to the economy.
But the current version of the story ends differently. Last Friday, in South Dakota, Obama gave an extended and aggressive press conference in which he hit back hard. Bush and McCain, he told Americans, "are trying to fool you. They're trying to scare you. And they're not telling you the truth." He ticked off the lies that were told about Iraq and the benefits that would redound from making war there, noting that not one of the promises had come to pass.
The headline that afternoon on the influential blog of Mark Halperin, of Time magazine, conveyed the takeaway: "Bam!! Bop!!!! Bash!!"
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/may/19/barackobama.uselections2008
John McCain, that same Thursday morning, was giving a speech in part about the need to move beyond the partisan bickering of the last decade. Within an hour or two, following Bush's lead, McCain attacked Obama: "What does he want to talk about with Ahmadinejad, who said Israel is a stinking corpse?" The Obama campaign emailed reporters accusing Bush of launching "a false political attack".
Now here's the important part. In the past two presidential campaigns, that's where this would have ended. The Democrat "responded" for the record, but somewhat perfunctorily, while the Republicans got their point across: the Democrats are appeasers, the Democratic nominee wants to talk to terrorists and he won't keep the country safe.
Game, set, match. This is how Bush built margins of trust with voters over Al Gore and John Kerry on national-security questions. Invoke appeasement of Hitler, toss in Israel's safety: this is exactly the kind of thing that sent Gore and Kerry running for the hills. Even Bill Clinton, who knew better how to return a punch, would have tried to change the subject back to the economy.
But the current version of the story ends differently. Last Friday, in South Dakota, Obama gave an extended and aggressive press conference in which he hit back hard. Bush and McCain, he told Americans, "are trying to fool you. They're trying to scare you. And they're not telling you the truth." He ticked off the lies that were told about Iraq and the benefits that would redound from making war there, noting that not one of the promises had come to pass.
The headline that afternoon on the influential blog of Mark Halperin, of Time magazine, conveyed the takeaway: "Bam!! Bop!!!! Bash!!"
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Digging Collins' sarcasm today.
A Victory Plan For Hillary
If Clinton wants to continue, there’s $11 million that says she has paid for the right to go the distance. But is it hopeless? Not entirely. Given the Democratic Party’s innovative method of doling out delegates, all that’s necessary for her to snatch the nomination is:
1) A big, big win in Kentucky next Tuesday. Ideally, Obama should be limited to no more than 100 votes.
2) Oregon, scheduled for the same day, inexplicably breaks off and sinks into the Pacific Ocean.
3) Puerto Rico, clocking in on June 1, not only gives Clinton a huge majority, but also manages to become a state in advance of the vote.
4) Finally, on June 3 as the South Dakota polls open, Thomas Jefferson’s head on Mount Rushmore comes to life and starts shouting, “You go, girl.”
If Clinton wants to continue, there’s $11 million that says she has paid for the right to go the distance. But is it hopeless? Not entirely. Given the Democratic Party’s innovative method of doling out delegates, all that’s necessary for her to snatch the nomination is:
1) A big, big win in Kentucky next Tuesday. Ideally, Obama should be limited to no more than 100 votes.
2) Oregon, scheduled for the same day, inexplicably breaks off and sinks into the Pacific Ocean.
3) Puerto Rico, clocking in on June 1, not only gives Clinton a huge majority, but also manages to become a state in advance of the vote.
4) Finally, on June 3 as the South Dakota polls open, Thomas Jefferson’s head on Mount Rushmore comes to life and starts shouting, “You go, girl.”
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Does anyone else get the feeling we're way over our heads in the Middle East?
By "we", I mean Americans and this Friedman column takes a look at our historical political initiatives there.
The Bush team, by contrast, in eight years has managed to put America in the unique position in the Middle East where it is “not liked, not feared and not respected,” writes Aaron David Miller, a former Mideast negotiator under both Republican and Democratic administrations, in his provocative new book on the peace process, titled “The Much Too Promised Land.”
“We stumbled for eight years under Bill Clinton over how to make peace in the Middle East, and then we stumbled for eight years under George Bush over how to make war there,” said Mr. Miller, and the result is “an America that is trapped in a region which it cannot fix and it cannot abandon.”
In general, when I read commentary on the Middle East (which, I'll admit, is not nearly as often as I read about domestic policy, but I try to stay informed) -- most of the article is spent explaining how things work and why, with very little concrete advice on how to proceed. Sometimes I get the feeling even the author isn't certain of the knowledge he or she is relying on. Makes me wish I had taken a Middle Eastern history course in college, or something to help me understand this whole situation better. I want to muse on this some more, but in the meantime, if anyone has any resources they'd like to recommend, I welcome it.
The Bush team, by contrast, in eight years has managed to put America in the unique position in the Middle East where it is “not liked, not feared and not respected,” writes Aaron David Miller, a former Mideast negotiator under both Republican and Democratic administrations, in his provocative new book on the peace process, titled “The Much Too Promised Land.”
“We stumbled for eight years under Bill Clinton over how to make peace in the Middle East, and then we stumbled for eight years under George Bush over how to make war there,” said Mr. Miller, and the result is “an America that is trapped in a region which it cannot fix and it cannot abandon.”
In general, when I read commentary on the Middle East (which, I'll admit, is not nearly as often as I read about domestic policy, but I try to stay informed) -- most of the article is spent explaining how things work and why, with very little concrete advice on how to proceed. Sometimes I get the feeling even the author isn't certain of the knowledge he or she is relying on. Makes me wish I had taken a Middle Eastern history course in college, or something to help me understand this whole situation better. I want to muse on this some more, but in the meantime, if anyone has any resources they'd like to recommend, I welcome it.
Colbert takes on Bill O'Reilly's vintage Inside Edition meltdown
Honestly, I think everything about this is hilarious.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Did we somehow end up with the short end of the stick?
Generally, I think I have a pretty good life. As the first four-year college graduate in my family line, I definitely feel like I'm at a better place than my parents at 24 years old. I'm sure they would agree. However, on the grand scale - it seems that my generation might be facing much tougher times than previous generations (basically the boomers have really messed things up for us, and us for ourselves, most likely). Bob Herbert artfully (and tragically) describes it as the loss of the American dream. Thus, the importance (which I have been preaching about for years) of political involvement from the get-go. Believe me, the other generations are protecting their interests - and because, in a democracy, real change stems primarily from mass, coordinated action - we need to get our shit together and stop the apathy. The good news is (I love when there is good news!), it seems to be happening. Barack Obama is obviously the catalyst - but, as cheesy as it is, he's also right about this - we are the change we've been waiting for. It's like, for the past eight years, we've all been waiting for everyone else to step up. And vice-versa. Once we got a sense that others of our age/values/mindsets were taking accountability for ensuring this one (guh - don't even get me started on the 2004 election...) goes right, once we had someone who could inspire us to actually desire a well-informed state of being, well then, the changes in ourselves and our colleagues started appearing. A few years ago, I don't think I could actually believe I would ever know THIS MUCH about politics at their current state. Pet issues, sure - but details about two candidates policies, personal lives, histories, campaign goals, etc. etc. etc. - not so much. And it's not just me - it's a very large percentage of my friends. I'm just musing at the moment - there is a lot here I'd like to address, but unfortunately do not possess the time right now (oh how I wish I could stop using that phrase - where does the time go?) - but I believe things are heading in the right direction. The important thing is that we recognize our own significance, the changes that we have every potential to make. Now that we're nearly done debating Clinton v. Obama with fellow twenty-somethings (or whomever) - it's time to figure out how we're going to make sure the change we all voted for, the vague idea that the toxic political atmosphere could clear, the renewed sense of hope - let's make sure the conservatives don't kill it. I think the GOP is probably already assuming younger folks won't show up for the general election - that's not let it slip through our fingers again. Stay involved, informed, and willing to engage. I can't wait to take on some of my Republican friends (I know, can you believe it? But I'm from Lancaster county, give me a break!) and I hope the rest of you young'uns feel the same. We're a big group with a lot of political power - we just haven't been using it. Time to start using our demographic strength - seems like we'll be needing it for quite a while.
Whoops!
A New York NBC News anchor drops the f-bomb live. Hardly the first time, but still - how do people keep making this mistake?
Monday, May 12, 2008
A little too morbid for my taste...
You've probably heard about the horrific earthquake that happened in China by now - thousands are estimated to have perished. CNN's coverage of this tragedy includes video footage - and I'm all for visuals, BUT is this really necessary?
"Watch as the death toll rises »"
Does anyone really want to watch as the death toll rises? This isn't primary coverage, these are dead people. CNN (and others!) - show some respect, eh?
"Watch as the death toll rises »"
Does anyone really want to watch as the death toll rises? This isn't primary coverage, these are dead people. CNN (and others!) - show some respect, eh?
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Friday, May 09, 2008
Wolfgang's Vault Gets Even Better
Now available - the "I'm Not There" benefit concert (the dvd is out - get it!) and indie Mondays. I'm loving it. I just wish there were more available for download...
Update: I found this cover of "Masters of War" (set at the beginning to the tune of "The Star-Spangled Banner") by The Roots to be a pretty interesting listen.
Update: I found this cover of "Masters of War" (set at the beginning to the tune of "The Star-Spangled Banner") by The Roots to be a pretty interesting listen.
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Dusty: Who knew Steve Allen was so hip???
Dusty (cont.): All interviews need to be conducted in that manner, not all with a piano,but the hosts need to be playing some sort of instrument while they talk.
Agreed, my friend. I just love that this piece is AVAILABLE, and with such ease. Lordy, the times they are a-changin'...
Brooks begins to redeem himself
David Brooks contrasts the vastly different styles of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. Most of the argument we've heard before, but here was the part that shocked me:
She peddled her sham gas-tax holiday and repeated her attempt to blame Indiana’s job losses on outsourcing and Nafta. Stephanopoulos asked her to name a single economist who thinks a tax-holiday plan would work, and the daughter of Wellesley and Yale took the chance to shove the geeks into their lockers: “I’m not going to put my lot in with economists.”
When Stephanopoulos pointed out that Paul Krugman, a Times columnist, has raised doubts about the plan, Clinton lumped Krugman in with the Bush administration and said she wasn’t going to listen to the people responsible for the last seven years.
Ok I don't know how many of you are familiar with Paul Krugman, but he's WAY more liberal than I am (and despite my love of capitalism, I'm pretty liberal) and I believe he owns a Bush-faced dartboard. He's always been on the Democrats' side. Anyway, this was just shameful. Which I guess is the continuing theme of the Clinton campaign - I mean, it's gotten her this far, right? HA!
She peddled her sham gas-tax holiday and repeated her attempt to blame Indiana’s job losses on outsourcing and Nafta. Stephanopoulos asked her to name a single economist who thinks a tax-holiday plan would work, and the daughter of Wellesley and Yale took the chance to shove the geeks into their lockers: “I’m not going to put my lot in with economists.”
When Stephanopoulos pointed out that Paul Krugman, a Times columnist, has raised doubts about the plan, Clinton lumped Krugman in with the Bush administration and said she wasn’t going to listen to the people responsible for the last seven years.
Ok I don't know how many of you are familiar with Paul Krugman, but he's WAY more liberal than I am (and despite my love of capitalism, I'm pretty liberal) and I believe he owns a Bush-faced dartboard. He's always been on the Democrats' side. Anyway, this was just shameful. Which I guess is the continuing theme of the Clinton campaign - I mean, it's gotten her this far, right? HA!
This is why I love YouTube.
Who knew such awesome old stuff would eventually end up on there?
This (and the millions of other amateur videos like it) is why I don't. 4 stars, really?
Monday, May 05, 2008
Friedman scores again!
Another fabulous column from Thomas L. Friedman - he must have really rejuvenated on that book tour. I've copied way too much from the article below, but I just couldn't choose which bit to share. Read the whole thing; you won't regret it.
Our president’s latest energy initiative was to go to Saudi Arabia and beg King Abdullah to give us a little relief on gasoline prices. I guess there was some justice in that. When you, the president, after 9/11, tell the country to go shopping instead of buckling down to break our addiction to oil, it ends with you, the president, shopping the world for discount gasoline.
We are not as powerful as we used to be because over the past three decades, the Asian values of our parents’ generation — work hard, study, save, invest, live within your means — have given way to subprime values: “You can have the American dream — a house — with no money down and no payments for two years.”
Who will tell the people? We are not who we think we are. We are living on borrowed time and borrowed dimes. We still have all the potential for greatness, but only if we get back to work on our country.
I don’t know if Barack Obama can lead that, but the notion that the idealism he has inspired in so many young people doesn’t matter is dead wrong. “Of course, hope alone is not enough,” says Tim Shriver, chairman of Special Olympics, “but it’s not trivial. It’s not trivial to inspire people to want to get up and do something with someone else.”
It is especially not trivial now, because millions of Americans are dying to be enlisted — enlisted to fix education, enlisted to research renewable energy, enlisted to repair our infrastructure, enlisted to help others. Look at the kids lining up to join Teach for America. They want our country to matter again. They want it to be about building wealth and dignity — big profits and big purposes. When we just do one, we are less than the sum of our parts. When we do both, said Shriver, “no one can touch us.”
Friday, May 02, 2008
A halfway decent summer blockbuster?
I was pretty surprised today to find that Iron Man has actually gotten some pretty solid reviews. I've had mixed feelings about this film from the start:
a) I'm not a huge fan of typical summer action blockbusters - I almost always end up disappointed, so I've more or less stopped going.
b) On the other hand, I love Robert Downey Jr. Most recent example - his performance in Zodiac was definitely one of the major assets of the film.
c) I don't think the commercials do it justice at all, but the trailer seems to hit closer to the mark.
d) Jon Favreau directs. As much as I dig Swingers, and I as much as I loved his guest appearance in The Sopranos, it is now very hard to take him seriously in the role of a director. Like, really? Favreau? Maybe I'm just a snob though.
Anyway, I think my interest has piqued enough to perhaps go and pay the $10 to see it. If one of you beats me to the punch though (which is very likely), I'd be curious as to your thoughts.
a) I'm not a huge fan of typical summer action blockbusters - I almost always end up disappointed, so I've more or less stopped going.
b) On the other hand, I love Robert Downey Jr. Most recent example - his performance in Zodiac was definitely one of the major assets of the film.
c) I don't think the commercials do it justice at all, but the trailer seems to hit closer to the mark.
d) Jon Favreau directs. As much as I dig Swingers, and I as much as I loved his guest appearance in The Sopranos, it is now very hard to take him seriously in the role of a director. Like, really? Favreau? Maybe I'm just a snob though.
Anyway, I think my interest has piqued enough to perhaps go and pay the $10 to see it. If one of you beats me to the punch though (which is very likely), I'd be curious as to your thoughts.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
