I thought this was perfect!
[click image to embiggen]
Republican Debate 1/8/2012
The one thing that really stands out to me about the debate this morning is, with a few notable exceptions, the almost universal refusal to answer or even acknowledge the question being asked.
Update: Amusingly, as soon as I posted this, there were 5 or 6 questions in a row that were answered directly.
It seems that, for the most part, when a question is asked that can be easily answered with a candidate’s prepared and rehearsed talking points, the question gets answered. If it’s not, the question is avoided and/or ignored.
There are some good points being made by most,if not all, of the candidates at one time or another.
Update Again: No surprise, but Gingrich is really confirming the impression that he’s a petty little blowhard.
Review: The Magician King
The Magician King by Lev Grossman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is a wonderful follow-up to The Magician. Grossman continues the story of Quentin and his friends as they continue their magical adventures, but this time, Julia, his friend who never got into Brakebills, gets equal billing with Quentin, as we head back in numerous flashbacks to see her progression through the magical world that exists outside the academic structure of Brakebills.
Moving deftly between the gritty world of Julia’s past to the present day where Quentin and friends are adventuring, Grossman reunites old friends, introduces some new friends, unloads multiple surprises and twists, and captivates… but never disappoints. The Magician King is possibly (dare I say it) better than what came before.
Christmas Animatronics
There’s something creepy about animatronic bears.
I was at a friend’s mom’s Christmas party yesterday and her house is amazingly decorated with animatronic characters, four Christmas trees, animated villages, lights, bows, bells, garlands… the works. It’s wonderfully festive.
Some of the animatronic characters are in a bit of shadow and while looking at the slowly-moving bears, I was just a little bit creeped out… so I decided to run with it and took some video using my phone. Adding a bit of not-particularly-festive music changed the whole vibe from festive to disturbingly creepy.
There you have it!
I agree with Bachmann. Oh… nevermind.
In yesterday’s Republican debate, Michele Bachmann made an uncharacteristically lucid comment regarding Newt Gingrich’s claim that “I did no lobbying of any kind for any organization.” (Freddie and Fannie)
Said Bachmann…
You don’t need to be within the technical definition of being a lobbyist to still be influence-peddling.
Gingrich comes off as very Clinton’esque when he makes his “I didn’t lobby” claims.
Of course, at another point during the debate, Bachmann headed back to her comfortable but loopy world of sunshine and rainbows.
I think it’s just outrageous to continue to say over and over throughout the debates that I don’t have my facts right, when it as a matter of fact, I do. I’m a serious candidate for president of the United States, and my facts are accurate.
Ummmm…
That sounds very much like, “I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, and doggone it, people like me.”
Review: The Magicians
The Magicians by Lev Grossman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The Magicians is an absolutely wonderful book that un-selfconciously references Harry Potter, Narnia, Tolkien, and other fantasy works somehow without being plagiaristic at all. The main characters are wonderfully developed… distinctively different people who complement each other and keep the story racing along without a single dull moment.
Grossman ties the entire book together with articulate grace, weaving seemingly insignificant events at the beginning of the book into key points of the entire over-arching storyline. The Magicians is a truly satisfying read that left me wanting more.
Bohemian Rhapsody
This evening, while checking out new posts on Facebook, I came across this gem.
Well, Lori and I thought it was hysterical, since we both fell right into the trap. Megan, who is 10, didn’t get it.
So, after Lori and I did a poorly-performed duet of the song verses in question, I went to YouTube and found a video of Queen performing Bohemian Rhapsody and had Megan listen to it. She gave me lots of weird "What the heck is THIS?" looks while the song was playing, but she then understood (as much as a 10-year-old can understand her parents’ ancient memories).
The kicker to this little story comes from one of the commenters on the YouTube video. An hour later and I’m still chuckling over it.
I hate it when people compare Freddie Mercury to God. He is good but for fuck’s sake, he is not Freddie Mercury.
Thanks, speslqueen, for that wonderful [...]
Aluminum Journey
I just finished my latest video project today. This was probably the most effort I’ve put into anything I’ve done to date… more moving parts and shots than previous videos. I think it was also my first multi-location video as well.
Fun to shoot. Fun to edit (to a point). It changed focus from being an emotional, tiring journey to a lighthearted romp across various landscapes (the video, not my attitude toward making it). It also changed from having a somewhat serious message to… well… not.
I shot it using a Kodak Playsport and a Kodak Zi8. Editing was done using Hitfilm Ultimate. Music composed with SmartSound Sonicfire Pro. Additional sound cleanup was done using Audacity.
Underground Skyscraper
My weekly StumbleUpon email presented me with this link to an article about an underground skyscraper concept from a Mexican architecture group. It has everything from museums and retail space to apartments and business offices (at the bottom because “that’s where business do their best work.”)
Umbrella Corporation reference, for the win!
There are some other great pictures of the design at the link above. Intriguing, to say the least.
BadLipReading and Michele Bachmann
I saw this the other day and was stunned because of how well done it is… the substituted words match up perfectly with her mouth movements.
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFB6LQ1-WKU
I’m also amused at the first comment.
It’s more coherent than she usually is.
