Things that need explaining

• Does anyone who reads this blog know enough about economics to answer this question?: How can the US economy possibly depend on domestic consumer actions if that's just a matter of money moving around within the US and not a matter of bringing more money into the US from the larger (worldwide) system?

• The song "Walking on Sunshine" just came on my radio and I enjoyed it. WTF? But I think it may have been a cover, not the original.
  

- posted by k @ 5:51 PM

 
School sucks. Let's go to the movies! (aka Holiday Movie Preview Guide Thing)

• Juno Unexpectedly pregnant, a young woman makes unusual choices for her baby. December 5 Depending on who wrote it, maybe. I had to find out Bateman and Michael Cera were in it to lift it into the maybe category.
  

• Atonement In 1935 England, a girl's accusation has lasting impact on the lives of two lovers and their families. December 7 Um, probably not. But I hope Roger Ebert will tell me what the accusation was. Depending on what it was I might change my mind.
  

• The Golden Compass A young girl tries to rescue her kidnapped friend and prevent a war with the help of a magical device and talking polar bears. December 7 Maybe--after I read the book (which I now have a borrowed copy of).
  

• Grace Is Gone A father takes his young daughters on a road trip to delay telling them that their mother has been killed in Iraq.December 7 Awww, and it's John Cusack too. NO.
  

• The Perfect Holiday A single mom dates a man who doesn't want her to know that he's a department store Santa. December 12 omg, NO
  

• The Kite Runner A man returns to Afghanistan after fleeing as a boy in the 1970s. Based on the bestselling novel.December 14 I heard this was a great book. NO.
  

• Alvin and the Chipmunks Chipmunks Alvin, Simon, and Theodore are adopted by Dave Seville and form a successful singing group.December 14 omg, wtf, NO. Can someone say "Garfield movie"?
  

• I Am Legend After a virus wipes out the entire population, the last man on Earth must find a way to survive.December 14 No. Oryx&Crake meets 28 Days Later? Nope, no thanks.
  

• Youth Without Youth A man struck by lightning suddenly gets younger and more brilliant, using these gifts to understand the origin of language. December 14 Is that man Robin Williams? Because if yes, then my answer is NO.
  

• National Treasure: Book of Secrets Treasure hunter Ben Gates returns to investigate the conspiracy that's been hiding the truth about Lincoln's assassination. December 21 Ha, ha, ha, NO.
  

• P.S. I Love You A man leaves behind a series of letters to ensure his young widow enjoys her life after he dies. December 21 Awwww. NO.
  

• Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street Shaving and vengeance converge in this film adaptation of the iconic Stephen Sondheim musical. December 21 YES! Even though, damn Tim Burton will probably make me want to vomit halfway through, still YES.
  

• Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story A fictional rock legend wades his way through drugs, women, and every musical genre imaginable. December 21 YES! Let me pencil this in for the 28th.
  

• Charlie Wilson's War A Congressman, a socialite, and a CIA agent help fund the covert war against the Soviet Union in Afghanistan. December 25 What? Is this a farce, a romance or a spy movie? But in any case, no, no, and maybe--no.
  

• Aliens vs. Predator - Requiem The Alien-Predator war continues on Earth and a small town is caught in the middle. December 25 Even though it sounds like a heartwarming Christmas tale (actually, BECAUSE it sounds like a heartwarming holiday tale) NO.
  

• Persepolis Black-and-white animation depicts the true story of a girl coming of age in Iran during the Islamic Revolution. December 25 Oooh, I didn't know they were making this into a movie. It was a good book. Hmm, maybe.
  

• The Bucket List Two terminally-ill men set out to complete a list of tasks before they "kick the bucket." December 25 Awww, how sweet. NO. (They didn't mention that one of the men is Jack Nicholson, which doesn't change my answer)
  

• The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep A boy discovers a strange egg that hatches and grows into the Loch Ness Monster. December 25 I think I have already seen this entire movie in previews. And even if I hadn't..NOOO!
  

• The Great Debaters Denzel Washington directs and stars in the true story of an inspirational professor. December 25 Awww, it's like Akelah and the Dangerous Freedom Writers. NO. (though I wouldn't mind seeing Akelah)
  

• There Will Be Blood In the early 1900s, an oil prospector strikes it rich and will do whatever it takes to keep his fortune. December 26 That sounds boring and violent. No, thank you! Holiday boredom and violence should be homemade, not produced in a shiny Hollywood studio.
  

• Cassandra's Dream Two London brothers commit a crime and the resulting guilt pits them against each other. December 28 Aww, how sweet! No!
  

• The Orphanage A woman's attempt to reopen her abandoned childhood home is interrupted by terrifying discoveries. December 28 Sounds a little too saccharine for me. I'll say NO.

My god, that was a tremendous waste of time.
- posted by k @ 2:03 PM

 
Last 5 state quarter designs revealed
Very sad. I'm still missing a bunch from last year and I think 2003. This was like the most fun EVAR. They should totally do it again. It was something that [sniff] brought us together as Americans and gave us something to celebrate. I'll always look forward to quarters (because I need them for laundry) but state quarters added that extra shiny thrill.

The quarters are scheduled to revert back to their pre-1999 designs after next year. George Washington will remain on the "heads" side of the coin, but the "tails" side where the state designs had been placed will once again feature an American eagle.

Collectors who are missing some states should not lose heart since the coins already produced should remain in circulation for about 30 years.

"Keep watching your change," Moy advises.

I will!

- posted by k @ 7:24 PM

 
Tradition! (without it, our lives would be as shaky as...)
So I was thinking about Susan Stamberg's mother-in-law's cranberry relish. It occurred to me that what it would really be good with is LATKES! Someone remind me to try this in December. (though I probably won't use as much sugar as the recipe calls for and I'm likely to use some kind of yogurt--hmm, maybe 2% Greek yogurt--instead of sour cream. but the horseradish stays.)

What, are you surprised that the recipe calls for sugar, sour cream and horseradish? Click the link if so.




- posted by k @ 6:23 PM

 
Breaking news! Kucinich in 2012 or 2016!
Kucinich joins annual protest of the School of the Americas.

As tempting as it is to make some kind of smug remark about how he doesn't have a chance, I think that the fact that a presidential candidate is taking such a publicly progressive stance on so many issues brings them into the spotlight so they can be discussed (next presidential debate: "Senator Clinton, why didn't you join the protest?" ha ha, ok maybe not yet) and perhaps lends them some credibility. He may never be elected himself, but he may pave the way for others (like Jose Sarria running before Harvey Milk did).

Oh by the way apparently Gus Van Sant is directing a movie about Harvey Milk. Hmm. Have I seen a Gus Van Sant movie that I liked?
- posted by k @ 9:18 PM

 
Good news everybody!
Yes, you can all breathe a sigh of relief now because

• I have figured out what I am going to wear for Thanksgiving.

• Hey, I am going to be in LA for Thanksgiving. It is supposed to be 70degF and Sunny. bwah ha ha ha!

• I am probably going to switch to my heavier coat (have been wearing my jacket still) tomorrow.
  

• It shocks me as much as it shocks you, I know, but I think I am tired of listening to Norah Jones. At least for a while. I will have to take a Norah holiday before I can put her back in rotation.

In other earth-shaking news, I have been listening to that weird CD Wes gave to Heidi: Zlatne Utne something Balkan Brass Band. It is very energetic and surprising. I was actually relieved when I came to a track that was only in 7/8 (1,2-1,2-1,2,3) because I could actually figure out the meter for a change.
- posted by k @ 8:07 PM

 
Shuffle
So, I have been listening to my iPod on shuffle a lot lately. I usually listen to it walking to the train, on the train and again on the way home. I am learning a lot from this practice. I'd like to say that I'm learning to accept not having control over things and going with the flow and so forth, and maybe that is true, too, but mostly I have learned

• I like most of the songs/tracks on my iPod, even though some of them I've never heard before.

• My iPod seems to be inordinately fond of the "Penis song" from Monty Python. 1400 tracks to choose from, and it keeps picking that one.
  

- posted by k @ 6:36 PM

 
Pants. I haz em.
Back from Old Navy, bringer of pants. 1 pair jeans, very nice; 1 pair dark grey slacks. Pretty much 1-to-1 replacement of items in my wardrobe that have kicked the bucket. Sad news is I was definitely 34 around and not 33 as I am sometimes.

They have some fine sweaters at Old Navy. I tried one on, and to my surprise, it actually fit and looked pretty good. Men's small. They also had argyle v-neck sweaters which I was lusting after. They come in three colors: blue, brown and green. I was leaning towards brown and green, but especially green since I already have a lot of brown in my wardrobe, though I'm not sure how the green plays on my complexion. Small, men's, v-neck. Hmm, the cable-knit are also nice.




- posted by k @ 1:11 PM

 
You know how Sunday afternoons always suck?
It's true. Not a modern phenomenon, either: you can find references in literature e.g. Bellamy's Looking Backward (1836?)


I have a guaranteed way to take the suck out of them.


Have Monday off.

w00t.

Also, I was going to be pissed that there was football instead of Simpsons, but football finished and Simpsons started, so all is right in the world.
- posted by k @ 5:02 PM

 
Happy Diwali!
A couple of weeks ago I scoured the internet for a summary of the Ramayan, but I couldn't find an appropriate one to link to. So, pictures:




- posted by k @ 3:05 PM

 
Thought of the day/year/decade
"Emancipate yourself from mental slavery; only ourselves can free our minds."

~Bob Marley.
- posted by k @ 12:29 PM

 
News from the world of religion
[Hey, this is my 402nd post! w00t.]

1. Sermon prompts tips that leads to arrest
   The Subway sandwich shop at the True Bethel Baptist Church in Buffalo was robbed at gunpoint on Friday night, but the crime was recorded on the store's surveillance video.

   what really sticks in my mind is the fact that this church as it's own Subway. I'm still boggling. Did I read that right? I've seen mega-churches, but this is a new concept to me. What's next? Wal-Church? omg, I can see it, too.

2. I heard this guy, Dave Dickerson on This American Life (podcast). I liked his piece ("The Devil Wears Birkenstocks") though I don't think the TAL description is very helpful there. Anyway, here is the exciting part: apparently Mr. Dickerson is writing a book called How To Love God Without Being A Jerk. That is totally awesome. What a great idea! I think I should also write a book called How To Be An Atheist Without Being A Jerk. That is exactly what this world of Dawkins and Hitchenses needs. Maybe we can sell them together as companion volumes.
   

- posted by k @ 8:10 PM

 
Things that make a place feel like home

• Clock radio
• Bedside lamp I just bought
• Teabags and place to store them
• When you have to go to a third new place and then come back and it's a relief.

In other news, I am having trouser troubles. When I moved here, I had to my estimation, 4 pairs of trousers:

• 1 pair of jeans
• 1 pair of grey slacks
• 1 pair of dark brown corduroys
  
• 1 fancy pair of grey trousers for if I need to get dressed up, but they are a little long so either I have to wear heels/boots or have the hems taken up.

Ok, so both the jeans and the grey slacks have developed unfortunate holes. So basically I am down to 1 pair of pants I can wear to class and work and everything. That's a problem. I guess I have to go trouser shopping. The good news is apparently there is an Old Navy nearby.
- posted by k @ 9:55 AM

 
Back from Tx
I tell you whut, if you have to fly, here how to do it:

• Have a great tailwind and leave the gate 5 mins early so you arrive 30 mins early altogether.

• Have the flight be half empty so you get a seat to yourself and all the crying babies fall asleep.

• Have a window seat and fly up the East Coast on a clear night and see all the cities hanging on the night like a jewel on an Ethiop's ear.

• Have your iPod full of podcasts and soundtracks and fully charged.

• Oh, and split a cab with someone who can get re-imbursed for it so they decide to pay for the whole thing. That way your ride home from the airport is free.
  

That's the way to do it. I recommend it.
- posted by k @ 10:21 PM

 
Sleep deprivation is fun!
So I caught the end of a Voyager episode this afternoon (long story, don't ask). It was one in which Vorick is having his pon farr and is all into B'Elanna, who of course is not into him.

Some observations:

• Vorick is a poor example of a Vulcan, really, but he's amusing in his own way.

• I swear there must be several episodes where we deal with his pon farr, but they're only supposed to get it every 7 years and show was barely on for 7 years. This looked like an early season based on the Captain's hairstyle.
  

So he challenged Tom to one of those pon farr death battles, but B'Elanna was all like "Screw that! I can fight my own battles!" and Tuvok concurs that she is free to choose her own defender, including herself.

• That was awesome. Way to smash Vulcan patriarchies by thinking outside the box!

• Of course she kicked his ass. Which was ideologically cool, too. But I hope Vulcan males don't depend on any sort of machismo for their self-image, or he's got to be hurtin.

• Do you think "Klingon in Heat" would be a better name for a band or an album?

Breakfast today

• When I ate it, I realized that I had bought a "total" Greek yogurt instead of a "2%" Greek yogurt. I like 2% Greek yogurt A LOT, but the "total" one is really quite an experience! Too rich to do on any regular basis, but very, very nice. My favorite way to have Greek yogurt for breakfast is with a fresh ripe nectarine, some nuts, and a little splenda in it. I highly recommend that.

- posted by k @ 3:56 PM