From today's New York Times:
"As Mrs. Clinton prepared to formally endorse his candidacy on Saturday, Mr. Obama said the Democratic National Committee would no longer accept donations from federal lobbyists or political action committees. He said he would keep Howard Dean as the national chairman, but was deploying his own advisers to oversee party operations."
Just thought the italicized portion was very cool news and a step in the right direction. That's all. Since this is my 79th post, I really have nothing funny to add. Except that every time I read about Howard Dean, I pause to recall that he was, just four years ago, thought to be a legit presidential candidate. And then I smile and remind myself: "Oh yeah, he did this."
June 6, 2008
June 5, 2008
Timing is everything
June 5 is only half over -- at least here on the left coast -- but unless Phil Jackson comes up with a zenmaster zinger during the Lakers-Celts game tonight, I'm pretty sure I've found a winner for best quote of the day.
It comes to us via the New York Times, from Geoff Garin, a Clinton campaign strategist. Explaining why, in the end, Hillary couldn't wrap up the support she had counted on from superdelegates, he offered, "Hillary was seen as inevitable when it didn’t matter and Obama was seen as inevitable when it did."
It comes to us via the New York Times, from Geoff Garin, a Clinton campaign strategist. Explaining why, in the end, Hillary couldn't wrap up the support she had counted on from superdelegates, he offered, "Hillary was seen as inevitable when it didn’t matter and Obama was seen as inevitable when it did."
Sense of humor, Dry
Here's a first for me: Apparently, I'm living in a drought. If not for that gloomy fact, this photo would be kind of funny.
On the plus side, the drought has made it safe to dive from this particular bridge.
Perhaps I'll do my part -- be a part of the solution, as they say -- by drinking root beer-flavored vodka instead of water. That'll work, right?
Another thing that California might want to look into is outlawing the use of hoses to clean sidewalks. For those of you in the drought-free parts of the country: You can't go anywhere in L.A. without seeing morons standing out in front of their homes or businesses hosing down their walkways. Might have something to do with the water shortage.
Drought. It's just one letter away from draught.
On the plus side, the drought has made it safe to dive from this particular bridge.
Perhaps I'll do my part -- be a part of the solution, as they say -- by drinking root beer-flavored vodka instead of water. That'll work, right?
Another thing that California might want to look into is outlawing the use of hoses to clean sidewalks. For those of you in the drought-free parts of the country: You can't go anywhere in L.A. without seeing morons standing out in front of their homes or businesses hosing down their walkways. Might have something to do with the water shortage.
Drought. It's just one letter away from draught.
June 4, 2008
Speaking of intelligent design
Could it be that this is what the phrase was referring to all along?
As most SFTC readers know, six drinks a year is about as lush-y as I get. (Twenty-first birthday: two Diet Cokes.) But I'm wondering if root beer-flavored vodka could put an end to that. Yes, it's a real product. You can check out the other wacky flavors, including -- is this right? -- triple shot espresso vodka, at threeolives.com.
Ah, maybe I'll just have an A&W next time I get a root beer craving. Yeah, that's probably what I'll do. Never mind.
As most SFTC readers know, six drinks a year is about as lush-y as I get. (Twenty-first birthday: two Diet Cokes.) But I'm wondering if root beer-flavored vodka could put an end to that. Yes, it's a real product. You can check out the other wacky flavors, including -- is this right? -- triple shot espresso vodka, at threeolives.com.
Ah, maybe I'll just have an A&W next time I get a root beer craving. Yeah, that's probably what I'll do. Never mind.
Design: maybe. Intelligent: not so much.
It must be fun to be a science teacher in Texas, where you might have to start instructing your students on the "strengths and weaknesses" of evolutionary theory.
It must be fun to have the chairman of your state's education board tell the New York Times that he doesn't believe in evolution, and that, he believes the Earth is -- and I swear to Cal Ripken, he actually said this to the New York Times -- thousands of years old, not 4.5 billion. He backed up this well-researched scientific assertion by telling the paper: “I believe a lot of incredible things. The most incredible thing I believe is the Christmas story. That little baby born in the manger was the god that created the universe.”
I think it would be perfectly fine for this dude to be the chairman of your local church board, but couldn't he come up with another job besides chairman of the goddamn state board of education?
Loree, are you sure you don't want to move back?
It must be fun to have the chairman of your state's education board tell the New York Times that he doesn't believe in evolution, and that, he believes the Earth is -- and I swear to Cal Ripken, he actually said this to the New York Times -- thousands of years old, not 4.5 billion. He backed up this well-researched scientific assertion by telling the paper: “I believe a lot of incredible things. The most incredible thing I believe is the Christmas story. That little baby born in the manger was the god that created the universe.”
I think it would be perfectly fine for this dude to be the chairman of your local church board, but couldn't he come up with another job besides chairman of the goddamn state board of education?
Loree, are you sure you don't want to move back?
June 2, 2008
Moment of silence...
... for the late, great Bo Diddley.
I thought this obituary in the Times was really well done, particularly the passage that explains the so-called Diddley Beat, which became one of the most influential licks in rock music. As the piece describes, it's the foundation of hundreds of songs, from Buddy Holly's "Not Fade Away" to Bruce Springsteen's "She's the One" to U2's "Desire" -- all pretty excellent tunes.
It's tough to describe in print -- something like dum-dum-dum (breath) dum-dum -- but the Times also has a neat audio slide show from a 2003 interview where you can hear the beat and Diddley describing its genesis. Just go here and then select the "Signature Beat" item.
I'd venture that most people who are my age, myself included, remember Bo best for his appearance in Nike's "Bo Knows" ads in the late 80s and early 90s. (One of the best ad campaigns ever, by the way, and definitely worth watching -- although you non-sports fans would need to know that the ads star Bo Jackson, who made a huge splash at the time by being an all-star performer in both pro baseball and the NFL.) But knowing more about Diddley and his influence, I'll have to check out some of those old recordings.
I thought this obituary in the Times was really well done, particularly the passage that explains the so-called Diddley Beat, which became one of the most influential licks in rock music. As the piece describes, it's the foundation of hundreds of songs, from Buddy Holly's "Not Fade Away" to Bruce Springsteen's "She's the One" to U2's "Desire" -- all pretty excellent tunes.
It's tough to describe in print -- something like dum-dum-dum (breath) dum-dum -- but the Times also has a neat audio slide show from a 2003 interview where you can hear the beat and Diddley describing its genesis. Just go here and then select the "Signature Beat" item.
I'd venture that most people who are my age, myself included, remember Bo best for his appearance in Nike's "Bo Knows" ads in the late 80s and early 90s. (One of the best ad campaigns ever, by the way, and definitely worth watching -- although you non-sports fans would need to know that the ads star Bo Jackson, who made a huge splash at the time by being an all-star performer in both pro baseball and the NFL.) But knowing more about Diddley and his influence, I'll have to check out some of those old recordings.
Move ease
For the first post of June, I'm introducing a new feature to SFTC. I'd like to call it a recurring feature but who knows if I'll do it again. (Hasn't worked out so well for Stuff I'm Starting to Like / Stuff I Still Don't Get, which I inaugurated back in January and have yet to bring back.)
The new idea: Six-word movie reviews! First up are two current releases. The theme here is brevity, so let's get right to 'em.
1. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull: Jones still cool. Story mostly disappointing.
2. Sex and the City: Didn't see it. Seems very pink.
Clearly I'll need to see some more theatrical releases if SWMR is going to last. But -- anyone else agree with this? -- there are approximately no movies out right now that I give a rat's ass about. I've seen Iron Man and Sarah Marshall (both great), and I would have gone to a show on Saturday night but couldn't find anything remotely interesting in the papers. Now might be a good time for Buck Henry to get going on that Graduate sequel.
Hey, how 'bout another SFTC complimentary free download gift giveaway!?!? First person to identify the movie that featured Buck discussing that very idea wins a free iTunes download. And you pick the song. What could be better?
The new idea: Six-word movie reviews! First up are two current releases. The theme here is brevity, so let's get right to 'em.
1. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull: Jones still cool. Story mostly disappointing.
2. Sex and the City: Didn't see it. Seems very pink.
Clearly I'll need to see some more theatrical releases if SWMR is going to last. But -- anyone else agree with this? -- there are approximately no movies out right now that I give a rat's ass about. I've seen Iron Man and Sarah Marshall (both great), and I would have gone to a show on Saturday night but couldn't find anything remotely interesting in the papers. Now might be a good time for Buck Henry to get going on that Graduate sequel.
Hey, how 'bout another SFTC complimentary free download gift giveaway!?!? First person to identify the movie that featured Buck discussing that very idea wins a free iTunes download. And you pick the song. What could be better?
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