Sunday, December 20, 2009

Milorad Pavic



Ironically, it is only through his death that I have learned of his life.
But, now that I know, I need to know more.
So, it is fair to say, that if you are looking for me this winter break you'll find me in the
Newly Deceased "Unorthodox" Serbian Novelist
aisle of my local bookstore.

Wishful Drinking in the Snow

Earlier this year I reviewed the script of Wishful Drinking. Last night, in the middle of a snowstorm, I had the opportunity to actually see her one woman show.

The house was only about a quarter full, but all seemed ready to have a good night, Carrie Fisher included.

I think she delivered a tremendous performance. I was impressed by her ability, through the script and her stage presence, to completely control the audience. Seriously, she brought people from laughter to heartbreak exactly when and how she set out to. It was masterfully done and a pleasure to experience.

Since I had read the script before, some of the jokes fell flat, but I still found myself laughing heartily many a time. Audience participation however stresses me out to no end. I am too anxious for such things. I have little faith in humanity and therefore always expect things to go tragically wrong. They didn't. But it was still awkward.


Cynthia NIxon was in the house. That was fun.

I really found the moment where she talks about her daughter's ability to laugh, despite all madness, as the key to her salvation quite moving.

So, all in all, I'd say well worth the frostbite.

This Country of Ours

The only article on Tiger Woods worth reading.

Friday, December 18, 2009

Quote of the Day 12/18/09

An intellectual is someone who says a simple thing in a difficult way; an artist is someone who says a difficult thing in a simple way.
–Charles Bukowski

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

THINK!

I've copied this from ThinkProgress.org because I think everyone needs to know what "facts" are being presented to the American public (well, at least the public that for some inexplicable and inexcusable reason turns to the Fox network for their news).


Fox fudges poll numbers to claim 120 percent of the public believes scientists falsify global warming data.

Last week, Fox and Friends showed a Rasmussen poll graphic revealing that a whopping 120 percent of the American public believes scientists may be falsifying research to support their own theories on global warming:

Fox poll

Media Matters explains Fox’s fuzzy math:

Well, here’s the Rasmussen poll Fox & Friends cited. They asked respondents: “In order to support their own theories and beliefs about global warming, how likely is it that some scientists have falsified research data?” According to the poll, 35 percent thought it very likely, 24 percent somewhat likely, 21 percent not very likely, and 5 percent not likely at all (15 percent weren’t sure).

Fox News’ graphics department added together the “very likely” and “somewhat likely” numbers to reach 59 percent, and called that new group “somewhat likely.” Then, for some reason, they threw in the 35 percent “very likely” as their own group, even though they already added that number to the “somewhat likely” percentage. Then they mashed together the “not very likely” and “not likely at all” groups, and threw the 15 percent who were unsure into the waste bin. Voila — 120 percent.

Last month, ThinkProgress also caught Fox showing a pie chart documenting that 193 percent of the public supports Sarah Palin, Mike Huckabee, or Mitt Romney for the GOP nomination in 2012. So much for “zero tolerance for on-screen errors.”

Friday, December 4, 2009

USCommunity

I'm not a football fan, but I am a softy. This video is quite lovely.



I like this video for many reasons, some serious, some silly...
1. The family, in classic California style, uses the word "like" like nine million times
2. Did you see how nice that kids house is!
3. A football player admitted on National TV that he has feelings and is capable of crying
4. His twin sister was able to participate in everything with him
5. It is interesting to hear him speak around the idea that the anxiety of an event is always worse than the event itself; what a nice reminder to stay calm
6. It is also a beautiful reminder that people are capable of compassion, kindness, and generosity