Wednesday, June 30, 2004
Thank God for Small Favors
The Supreme Court declared the Child Online Protection Act unconstitutional, ensuring the rest of us continued access to free pornography, so says the NY Times. Here's an idea for parents who want to protect their children from the Internet: SUPERVISE THEM. Stop trying to ruin everything for everyone.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
つづく... (Click here to read more)
Tuesday, June 29, 2004
Meet Joe
I didn't realize my friend Joe had a website already. I have added it to links section. It's for his zine, Modern Arizona. I would say that meeting Joe was the only silver lining in my changing high schools senior year.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
つづく... (Click here to read more)
Pride
Whoa, I made a banner! Photoshop rules!
I'm sure you're wondering why I've been updating so often. Is it my new commitment to put aside real-world tasks to maintain my blog? No, I've just had a lot more free time. One of the advantages (?) of having a shitty job where you don't feel like you're needed is, well, often you're not needed. So I had the luxury of watching an old baseball game on TV today, a game I actually attended and remember quite well.
Sunday, September 4th, 1993. Labor Day weekend. My life was in shambles. I had just flipped out and nearly flunked out of high school and I had been relegated to a "gifted handicapped" (my favorite oxymoron) program in another school district. To make matters that much more complicated, this was the start of my senior year, and that meant picking a college to go to. So I was leaving everyone I knew behind and I had no idea what was going to happen and I was about to make some huge decisions which I wasn't ready to make.
We (my mother, sister, and I) had purchased tickets for the game earlier that summer, but the weather that day was pretty ugly. Gray skies and drizzle made my mother question whether or not we should bother going. For those uninformed, the New York Yankees don't always win. In fact, at that time they were struggling just to keep pace with the defending World Champion Toronto Blue Jays. So Yankees' tickets were fairly inexpensive and easy to get, the complete opposite of what they are today. Thankfully, I insisted, as our seats were under the Loge level (third-base side, for those who care) and therefore we would not get wet. But there was a more important reason I wanted to go to the game: Jim Abbott was pitching that day.
To most of you the name Jim Abbott doesn't mean a thing. To me, he was a very big deal. I had become fascinated by Jim's story when he won 18 games with the Angels in 1991. I was thrilled when he came to Yankees in a trade and I remember clipping out a story on him from the New York Times on December 25, 1992. What was the big deal? Jim Abbott was born without a right hand yet he was a successful pitcher in the Major Leagues. How did he do it? He rested his glove on his stump, threw with his left hand and, continuing that motion, put his glove on his hand. I can't say exactly why I liked him so much. It's not like I'm missing a hand or anything. I guess I was just amazed that someone could overcome an obstacle like that.
The game ended up being a momentous one. The visiting Indians were a young team full of future All-Stars like Manny Ramirez, Jim Thome, and current Yankee Kenny Lofton. They made 2 errors on one play in the third that allowed the Yankees to score three runs, a score that ended up being more than enough. Aside from an occasional walk, Abbott shut the Indians down. None of them made it to second base, thanks to two double plays and some really exciting catches, especially one play Wade Boggs in the seventh. By then the whole crowd realized that a no-hitter was in the works so the response was huge. Mom wanted to leave late in the game but I convinced her we should stay. I was only 12 but I knew how rare a no-hitter is. We compromised by heading to the other side of the stadium where we parked without leaving the seating area so we could still see all the action. I remember after the final out everyone cheered and I don't know why but I got really excited and I hugged my mom right away. The final score was 4-0.
I think the whole day made me feel a little bit better about myself. Both teams would improve in the following years and the Yankees would end up kicking some serious ass in the World Series. I would not fare as well, nearly failing out of school again and laying an egg at college, but things are starting to look up now.
Whew...quite a lot to write. Aren't you glad I don't do this everyday?
つづく... (Click here to read more)
I'm sure you're wondering why I've been updating so often. Is it my new commitment to put aside real-world tasks to maintain my blog? No, I've just had a lot more free time. One of the advantages (?) of having a shitty job where you don't feel like you're needed is, well, often you're not needed. So I had the luxury of watching an old baseball game on TV today, a game I actually attended and remember quite well.
Sunday, September 4th, 1993. Labor Day weekend. My life was in shambles. I had just flipped out and nearly flunked out of high school and I had been relegated to a "gifted handicapped" (my favorite oxymoron) program in another school district. To make matters that much more complicated, this was the start of my senior year, and that meant picking a college to go to. So I was leaving everyone I knew behind and I had no idea what was going to happen and I was about to make some huge decisions which I wasn't ready to make.
We (my mother, sister, and I) had purchased tickets for the game earlier that summer, but the weather that day was pretty ugly. Gray skies and drizzle made my mother question whether or not we should bother going. For those uninformed, the New York Yankees don't always win. In fact, at that time they were struggling just to keep pace with the defending World Champion Toronto Blue Jays. So Yankees' tickets were fairly inexpensive and easy to get, the complete opposite of what they are today. Thankfully, I insisted, as our seats were under the Loge level (third-base side, for those who care) and therefore we would not get wet. But there was a more important reason I wanted to go to the game: Jim Abbott was pitching that day.
To most of you the name Jim Abbott doesn't mean a thing. To me, he was a very big deal. I had become fascinated by Jim's story when he won 18 games with the Angels in 1991. I was thrilled when he came to Yankees in a trade and I remember clipping out a story on him from the New York Times on December 25, 1992. What was the big deal? Jim Abbott was born without a right hand yet he was a successful pitcher in the Major Leagues. How did he do it? He rested his glove on his stump, threw with his left hand and, continuing that motion, put his glove on his hand. I can't say exactly why I liked him so much. It's not like I'm missing a hand or anything. I guess I was just amazed that someone could overcome an obstacle like that.
The game ended up being a momentous one. The visiting Indians were a young team full of future All-Stars like Manny Ramirez, Jim Thome, and current Yankee Kenny Lofton. They made 2 errors on one play in the third that allowed the Yankees to score three runs, a score that ended up being more than enough. Aside from an occasional walk, Abbott shut the Indians down. None of them made it to second base, thanks to two double plays and some really exciting catches, especially one play Wade Boggs in the seventh. By then the whole crowd realized that a no-hitter was in the works so the response was huge. Mom wanted to leave late in the game but I convinced her we should stay. I was only 12 but I knew how rare a no-hitter is. We compromised by heading to the other side of the stadium where we parked without leaving the seating area so we could still see all the action. I remember after the final out everyone cheered and I don't know why but I got really excited and I hugged my mom right away. The final score was 4-0.
I think the whole day made me feel a little bit better about myself. Both teams would improve in the following years and the Yankees would end up kicking some serious ass in the World Series. I would not fare as well, nearly failing out of school again and laying an egg at college, but things are starting to look up now.
Whew...quite a lot to write. Aren't you glad I don't do this everyday?
つづく... (Click here to read more)
Sunday, June 27, 2004
Movies and Moore
Moore...get it? As in Michael Moore, the creator of the new film Fahrenheit 9/11. I saw it last night in Bethel, CT along with a few friends. I really enjoyed the film, which I guess tells you how I feel about the president. Still, I didn't enjoy it as much as Moore's last film, Bowling for Columbine. Part of what I didn't like about F9/11 was the tone of the movie. One moment in particular stands out. The film shows President Bush in a Florida elementary school on the morning of September 11th. As you may have heard, or seen, he remained in the classroom for about seven minutes after being informed of the second plane's impact. The footage is pretty chilling, because George has this look of bewilderment on his face. But Moore adds a smarmy narration and jokes about what the President might have been thinking. It just felt unnecessary. Thankfully, he refrains from trying to affect a Texas accent.
What was really exciting about the movie didn't happen on screen. As I said, we were in Bethel, and there were five of us which took up an entire row. During the first few minutes of the film, my friend Joe snickered and said something like "What a fucking hick," referring to GW. This little man in front of us, who slightly resembled Moby, turns around and asks "Could you please watch your language? This is a public forum," or something like that. Now I would have shut the hell up because I am, at heart, a coward. But Joe doesn't sit still for that kind of shit. I mean, we're all sitting there to watch a movie that derides the President, a movie which is rated R for "some violent and disturbing images, and for language." If this guy didn't want to hear a swear word he shouldn't have been in there. Anyway, Joe decided the best response was "Go Fuck Yourself." Two seats over (on the aisle) I cringed, and the guy ran out of the theatre. Inside, I was laughing but at the same time I was a little nervous. Maybe antagonizing that guy wasn't the safest thing to do, but at the same time I knew from my experience working in movie theatres that no one gets in trouble just for talking.
When he came back he was waiting in the aisle for someone to come in. This is the best part: On screen, there was no picture. Moore decided not to show any footage of the 9/11 attacks, just an audio sequence with a black screen. This guy was standing in the aisle and people started yelling at him to sit down! Now I was going totally crazy inside. This whole thing was hilarious but the film happened to be at a highly emotional point. Somehow I kept my composure. An old man came down the aisle and the little guy pointed at all of us. Now I was pissed and I realized Joe was right all along. This asshole was trying to finger all of us! The old man asked us nicely to "avoid swearing" and Joe denied everything with a straight face. No further incidents occurred during the film but Joe and this guy had a few words after the film about freedom of speech. I couldn't hear most of their conversation because of the exiting crowd noise. Let's just say they didn't kiss and make up, although Joe did rub the guy's shaved head. I told you he looked like Moby.
FYI, I also rented Death Race 2000 and Bad Santa this week on DVD. I recommend both, especially Death Race 2000. The disc features lots of trailers for other 70's exploitation cinema and an interview with Roger Corman by Leonard Maltin, a close personal friend of mine. ^_^
つづく... (Click here to read more)
What was really exciting about the movie didn't happen on screen. As I said, we were in Bethel, and there were five of us which took up an entire row. During the first few minutes of the film, my friend Joe snickered and said something like "What a fucking hick," referring to GW. This little man in front of us, who slightly resembled Moby, turns around and asks "Could you please watch your language? This is a public forum," or something like that. Now I would have shut the hell up because I am, at heart, a coward. But Joe doesn't sit still for that kind of shit. I mean, we're all sitting there to watch a movie that derides the President, a movie which is rated R for "some violent and disturbing images, and for language." If this guy didn't want to hear a swear word he shouldn't have been in there. Anyway, Joe decided the best response was "Go Fuck Yourself." Two seats over (on the aisle) I cringed, and the guy ran out of the theatre. Inside, I was laughing but at the same time I was a little nervous. Maybe antagonizing that guy wasn't the safest thing to do, but at the same time I knew from my experience working in movie theatres that no one gets in trouble just for talking.
When he came back he was waiting in the aisle for someone to come in. This is the best part: On screen, there was no picture. Moore decided not to show any footage of the 9/11 attacks, just an audio sequence with a black screen. This guy was standing in the aisle and people started yelling at him to sit down! Now I was going totally crazy inside. This whole thing was hilarious but the film happened to be at a highly emotional point. Somehow I kept my composure. An old man came down the aisle and the little guy pointed at all of us. Now I was pissed and I realized Joe was right all along. This asshole was trying to finger all of us! The old man asked us nicely to "avoid swearing" and Joe denied everything with a straight face. No further incidents occurred during the film but Joe and this guy had a few words after the film about freedom of speech. I couldn't hear most of their conversation because of the exiting crowd noise. Let's just say they didn't kiss and make up, although Joe did rub the guy's shaved head. I told you he looked like Moby.
FYI, I also rented Death Race 2000 and Bad Santa this week on DVD. I recommend both, especially Death Race 2000. The disc features lots of trailers for other 70's exploitation cinema and an interview with Roger Corman by Leonard Maltin, a close personal friend of mine. ^_^
つづく... (Click here to read more)
Thursday, June 24, 2004
Nostra-dummy
A few days ago, drunk on the Yankees' success, I opened my trap and predicted they'd win 60 games by the All-Star break. They promptly lost four of the next six games, including two of three at Dodger Stadium. Shit! This is why I never bet on sports.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
つづく... (Click here to read more)
Wednesday, June 23, 2004
Sexe et Animé
Last night I had an unusual dream. Well, unusual for me. I dreamt I was having sex with Morgan Webb. While I have had "sexy" dreams before, sometimes with celebrities even, I have never in my memory actually dreamt about a physical act of sex before. What makes this story really crazy is the next time I saw Morgan on X-Play, it was kind of uncomfortable. Almost like I couldn't look her in the eye anymore. I think sex has ruined our friendship.
On a less insane note, I watched Les Triplettes de Belleville this evening. Really good movie; it was weird but not so outrageous that it became boring. Indeed, the oddities only made it more charming.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
On a less insane note, I watched Les Triplettes de Belleville this evening. Really good movie; it was weird but not so outrageous that it became boring. Indeed, the oddities only made it more charming.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
Tuesday, June 22, 2004
"I know the pieces fit..."
What a day! I spent the entire day planning my future and I feel a lot better about myself now. The whole academic picture has a shape now; a definite direction, not just random ideas anymore. I had to wake up around 5 (been there, done that) so we could leave by 6 and get there by 8:30. I invited Dad to come along (with his fabulous Audi) as I knew he has as many questions about school as I did. I'm glad he came too because we ended up attended separate meetings and learning different things. However, we both agree that the breakfast they offered this morning featured the worst bagels ever made. They were about the size of a Gamecube disc and I suspect they were thawed a few days ago and left out. I would compare them in both taste and texture to, well, stale bread. Sorry, there is no better description.
Irregardless of the shitty breakfast, I knew I would meet with an advisor today. A buddy of mine who has been around a lot of different colleges prepared me for the worst, warning me that the orientation advisor typically offers little advice beyond the elementary. But chance favors the prepared mind, as she was actually the Chair(person) of the Department! Also, thanks to the semi-exclusive nature of the East Asian Studies major, I was the only student she had to see that day. Screw all those generic English majors! She answered all of my questions and helped me understand what I can get out of college and how to get it. Here's an overview:
2004-2005 Attend school, spit hot fire.
2005-2006 Study abroad in Japan.
2006-2007 Senior, bitch!
With any luck I'll graduate within a stone's throw of 30. Up until now, when people asked if I was "excited" about going back to school, I didn't know what to say. From today I can unequivocally say Yes.
Everything is turning up Feit!
つづく... (Click here to read more)
Irregardless of the shitty breakfast, I knew I would meet with an advisor today. A buddy of mine who has been around a lot of different colleges prepared me for the worst, warning me that the orientation advisor typically offers little advice beyond the elementary. But chance favors the prepared mind, as she was actually the Chair(person) of the Department! Also, thanks to the semi-exclusive nature of the East Asian Studies major, I was the only student she had to see that day. Screw all those generic English majors! She answered all of my questions and helped me understand what I can get out of college and how to get it. Here's an overview:
2004-2005 Attend school, spit hot fire.
2005-2006 Study abroad in Japan.
2006-2007 Senior, bitch!
With any luck I'll graduate within a stone's throw of 30. Up until now, when people asked if I was "excited" about going back to school, I didn't know what to say. From today I can unequivocally say Yes.
Everything is turning up Feit!
つづく... (Click here to read more)
Quick Oddity
I've got a lot on my mind, but quickly, check out this wooden contraption. This guy fused three different video game consoles into one glorious device. Too bad he can't sell it.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
つづく... (Click here to read more)
Sunday, June 20, 2004
Frustrated
I'm in-between workshifts here...I hate working Sundays after working on Saturday. It's not that Sunday work is hard. Frankly it's pretty breezy and I can use the CD player to listen to anything I want. Plenty of Cibo Matto, I assure you!
I'm also a little bothered by last night. Once again, I tried to "fit in" and go with some friends to a local bar. I hate bars, but I keep trying to go out in the hopes that I'll "see the light" and enjoy myself. But it didn't happen last night and I wonder if it's ever gonna happen. I don't have time to explore these thoughts online right now. Hopefully I'll have a moment to write tonight.
Big day tomorrow.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
I'm also a little bothered by last night. Once again, I tried to "fit in" and go with some friends to a local bar. I hate bars, but I keep trying to go out in the hopes that I'll "see the light" and enjoy myself. But it didn't happen last night and I wonder if it's ever gonna happen. I don't have time to explore these thoughts online right now. Hopefully I'll have a moment to write tonight.
Big day tomorrow.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
Friday, June 18, 2004
Funny or Sad? I'm not sure
By now you've probably seen an advertisement for Tom Hanks' new film, The Terminal. What I didn't know was what the story is about, nor that it is based on an incredible true story. Check this out, it's pretty amazing.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
つづく... (Click here to read more)
Thursday, June 17, 2004
Mr. Big Mouth
...that's me! I declared last Friday that I would update the site daily, like a diary. Sure enough, I posted two odd bits and then nothing for three days straight. Of course, I do have an excuse; my computer hasn't exactly been my own lately. There's been a lot of third-party usage that has left my blog stranded. But with no work today I've got all the time in the world to spout off about anything and everything:
Last night I saw Control Room, a documentary about the sometimes controversial Al-Jazeera news channel and their coverage of the war in Iraq. I thought it was quite interesting, although I must wonder if anyone at the channel produced or otherwise funded the film.
Anyway, the Yankees got off to a slow start this year. The lowest point was losing three at home to the fucking Boston Red Sox. At that point, they were a dismal 8-11. Forecasters of doom were everywhere, and anyone with a forum to do so proclaimed the Yankees were through. "End of an Era," they said. Well I thought that was ridiculous. It was only April for Christ's sake, and my Dad always taught me that the standings are meaningless before Memorial Day. So I (quietly) predicted that the Yankees would rebound and improve to 41-21, a mark they reached this Monday in Arizona. Now that I have a forum, I'm prepared to face public humiliation as I predict the Yankees will be 60-26 at the All-Star break.
Well I'm exhausted. Later!
つづく... (Click here to read more)
Movies
I've seen a lot lately. After months of accolades and a billion dollars, I finally sat down and watched The Return of the King. Frankly, it wasn't that hot. Certainly no surprises whatsoever, except for the ludicrous "ghost army" that shows up. What the hell was that about?Last night I saw Control Room, a documentary about the sometimes controversial Al-Jazeera news channel and their coverage of the war in Iraq. I thought it was quite interesting, although I must wonder if anyone at the channel produced or otherwise funded the film.
Baseball
Insult me if you want, but I am a New York Yankees fan. Sometimes I feel like writing an explanation as to why, since magazines and TV programs openly mock Yankee fans as bandwagon jumpers or arrogant jerks or sometimes just morons. However, since I know I am none of those I don't have to apologize. But I may someday, just for the hell of it.Anyway, the Yankees got off to a slow start this year. The lowest point was losing three at home to the fucking Boston Red Sox. At that point, they were a dismal 8-11. Forecasters of doom were everywhere, and anyone with a forum to do so proclaimed the Yankees were through. "End of an Era," they said. Well I thought that was ridiculous. It was only April for Christ's sake, and my Dad always taught me that the standings are meaningless before Memorial Day. So I (quietly) predicted that the Yankees would rebound and improve to 41-21, a mark they reached this Monday in Arizona. Now that I have a forum, I'm prepared to face public humiliation as I predict the Yankees will be 60-26 at the All-Star break.
Well I'm exhausted. Later!
つづく... (Click here to read more)
Tuesday, June 15, 2004
"Reply Hazy, Try Again"
So in the controversial case concerning the phrase "under god" in the Pledge of Allegiance, the Supreme Court has decided...nothing?!? The father doesn't have the right to sue so the Court overturned the lower court's ruling.
So what did we learn today? Not much apparently. The Supreme 8-Ball has spoken!
つづく... (Click here to read more)
So what did we learn today? Not much apparently. The Supreme 8-Ball has spoken!
つづく... (Click here to read more)
Saturday, June 12, 2004
Watch and Learn
This guy has got to be the worst freestyle rapper that also happens to run his own website! Go now to Angry Naked Pat: Ice Cream Fantastic and see why rapping is, in fact, really hard to do well.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
つづく... (Click here to read more)
Too Infrequent?
Maybe I'm approaching this whole "blog" thing in the wrong way. I've been using it to respond to impulses or funny things I find on the Internet. It should be more like a diary, shouldn't it? Otherwise, you have a situation where I might not post every day or even every other day. And judging by the counter, I see that you're out there reading this...honestly! I'm as surprised as you are, believe me.
So let's recap today. As you may have heard, President Bush declared today a National Day of Observance for the late Ronald Reagan. I'm still undecided how I feel about his "legacy." Is he is still the hero from my childhood who ended the Cold War or is he better remembered for his faults? Irregardless, you see, because I had no Day of Observance today. I had to go to work and sit there. You see, at my shitty job all the mail arrives in the morning. We sort it and give it to the carriers who then deliver it. The rest of day is spent collecting mail from customers over the window. But there was no delivery or window service today and another guy came in early to sort the mail. Which means my job, from 9AM to 5:30PM, was meaningless. All I could do was try not to fall asleep and make sure the building didn't burn down.
Should I be content? Happy even? Most people have hard jobs or low-paying ones. I'm paid lots of money to do little or, as today, nothing at all. I find it frustrating and dreadfully dull, but maybe that's my problem. Maybe I should be thrilled to be so securely employed in an undemanding position. What do I think? Am I bitching about a good thing or is it natural to seek an intellectual response from work?
つづく... (Click here to read more)
So let's recap today. As you may have heard, President Bush declared today a National Day of Observance for the late Ronald Reagan. I'm still undecided how I feel about his "legacy." Is he is still the hero from my childhood who ended the Cold War or is he better remembered for his faults? Irregardless, you see, because I had no Day of Observance today. I had to go to work and sit there. You see, at my shitty job all the mail arrives in the morning. We sort it and give it to the carriers who then deliver it. The rest of day is spent collecting mail from customers over the window. But there was no delivery or window service today and another guy came in early to sort the mail. Which means my job, from 9AM to 5:30PM, was meaningless. All I could do was try not to fall asleep and make sure the building didn't burn down.
Should I be content? Happy even? Most people have hard jobs or low-paying ones. I'm paid lots of money to do little or, as today, nothing at all. I find it frustrating and dreadfully dull, but maybe that's my problem. Maybe I should be thrilled to be so securely employed in an undemanding position. What do I think? Am I bitching about a good thing or is it natural to seek an intellectual response from work?
つづく... (Click here to read more)
Tuesday, June 01, 2004
Mirthful Memorial Day
Today is Memorial Day here in the United States. In theory, we're supposed to take the day off and remember our veterans...or is that Veteran's Day? Anyway, I had to go to work so I'm going to need some cheering up. Check out these sites for a good laugh:
Fenslerfilm - I don't know what's going on here, but this site has some hilarious mock PSAs based on the old G.I. Joe cartoon. In case you've forgotten (or never saw the show), every episode ended with a message to the kids at home. Helpful hints, like what to do if a fire breaks out, or what to do if your friend falls on thin ice. They always finished with the line: "Now you know, and knowing is half the battle." Fenslerfilm has dubbed and edited them for comedic purposes. They are pretty short so download them all. Trust me.
Japander (Japan + pander) - You've probably heard that lots of celebrities go to Japan to make commercials. It was basis for a decent movie last year. Many of these actors/singers/models don't do commercials in the United States for whatever reason, but Japan is another story. Obviously, these ads are only designated to be seen in Japan, but this site lets us get in on the fun. And I mean fun, because some of these ads are positively bizarre and therefore hysterical. I'm sure you'll find a favorite; mine are Nicolas Cage's pachinko ads and anything featuring the governor of California.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
Fenslerfilm - I don't know what's going on here, but this site has some hilarious mock PSAs based on the old G.I. Joe cartoon. In case you've forgotten (or never saw the show), every episode ended with a message to the kids at home. Helpful hints, like what to do if a fire breaks out, or what to do if your friend falls on thin ice. They always finished with the line: "Now you know, and knowing is half the battle." Fenslerfilm has dubbed and edited them for comedic purposes. They are pretty short so download them all. Trust me.
Japander (Japan + pander) - You've probably heard that lots of celebrities go to Japan to make commercials. It was basis for a decent movie last year. Many of these actors/singers/models don't do commercials in the United States for whatever reason, but Japan is another story. Obviously, these ads are only designated to be seen in Japan, but this site lets us get in on the fun. And I mean fun, because some of these ads are positively bizarre and therefore hysterical. I'm sure you'll find a favorite; mine are Nicolas Cage's pachinko ads and anything featuring the governor of California.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
unpaid advertising...I'm no sell out!
