Saturday, October 16, 2004
Did You Know?
One year ago today, the Yankees beat the Red Sox in the ALCS on Aaron Boone's dramatic Game 7 11th inning home run.
I have to ask, why the fuck is this year's ALCS only up to Game 4? What's taking longer? Well, whatever the reason, it looks like the Yanks may brow beat the Sox again this year. As I'm typing this, the Yanks have taken a 3-0 lead in the first inning, thanks to a speedy Derek Jeter and another home run by 松井秀喜. I don't like to count chickens but this is awesome. Think I'll have a High Life!
つづく... (Click here to read more)
I have to ask, why the fuck is this year's ALCS only up to Game 4? What's taking longer? Well, whatever the reason, it looks like the Yanks may brow beat the Sox again this year. As I'm typing this, the Yanks have taken a 3-0 lead in the first inning, thanks to a speedy Derek Jeter and another home run by 松井秀喜. I don't like to count chickens but this is awesome. Think I'll have a High Life!
つづく... (Click here to read more)
Friday, October 15, 2004
WTF?
I guess you can call this Autumn but the weather's kinda ugly right now. Grey skies and drizzles come and go. The temperature is pleasant, but it could be a little cooler. Certainly an improvement from summer but not yet where I'd like it.
This afternoon I watched a Russian movie that was completely insane. It was called The Commissar, produced in 1967. The 60s must have been a strange time in every nation, because this film was full of madness. Bizarre metaphors, dream sequences, and slow motion blew me away. I can't say I loved the movie but I definitely respected it. That's what makes this Russian Cinema course so enjoyable: these movies are fascinating if not always entertaining.
Last night we saw another crazy one, actually. We watched excerpts from a film called The Fall of Berlin, made in 1949. The film is drenched in absurd revisionist history and ludicrous stereotypes. Stalin is portrayed as a near-deity, a decision-maker, gardener, and hero to the world. And I mean the entire world. Immediately after the Soviets capture Berlin, Stalin arrives via airplane to cheers of gratitude. As the Americans, British, and other troops arrive, they too cheer Stalin as a champion.
Hilarious.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
This afternoon I watched a Russian movie that was completely insane. It was called The Commissar, produced in 1967. The 60s must have been a strange time in every nation, because this film was full of madness. Bizarre metaphors, dream sequences, and slow motion blew me away. I can't say I loved the movie but I definitely respected it. That's what makes this Russian Cinema course so enjoyable: these movies are fascinating if not always entertaining.
Last night we saw another crazy one, actually. We watched excerpts from a film called The Fall of Berlin, made in 1949. The film is drenched in absurd revisionist history and ludicrous stereotypes. Stalin is portrayed as a near-deity, a decision-maker, gardener, and hero to the world. And I mean the entire world. Immediately after the Soviets capture Berlin, Stalin arrives via airplane to cheers of gratitude. As the Americans, British, and other troops arrive, they too cheer Stalin as a champion.
Hilarious.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
Thursday, October 14, 2004
Iron Thursday FINAL
WARNING. Large Post tonight!
It was a sweet end to what I dubbed "Iron Thursday," as today was the last EAS 190 class. Today was also one of the better days I've had here at school, and easily the best "Iron Thursday."
The first treat came around 9:40 AM when a fire alarm interrupted my History class. We were outside waiting long enough for the professor to simply leave, so I finished early. As previously mentioned, I had no English class at all. This meant I could come home to finish work on my presentation for EAS 190, because I was unable to finish the paper until late last night. I know procrastination is a real problem but sometimes it feels like I can't write until the last minute.
While I was here getting ready my roommate's girlfriend showed up. She drove here from New Jersey so it was a little awkward. I had to be here and work while I'm sure the two of them would have rather been alone. Hopefully they found some peace and quiet after I grabbed a bus to go to class at 2:15. Was my presentation finished? Well, it was as finished as I could make it. I had prepared some simple HTML pages instead of traditional transparencies. I had no floppy disks, nor did anyone else I knew. I ended up borrowing a little "flash drive" thingy from Sachiko downstairs.
I was understandably nervous in class as I hadn't prepared as much as I wanted to, not to mention the fact that public speaking isn't easy. I used to say it made me nervous but it doesn't challenge me any more than any other test of knowledge. Sure, it's not easy, but I've learned by now that I don't suck at it like I used to think I did. Maybe it's all the practice I had in high school acting on stage, or maybe because I'm always trying to make people laugh even in class. I just had it in my mind to have fun with it, however possible.
Things didn't go so well. First off, we watched an A&E special on the kamikaze attacks of World War II. The special was hosted by the always awkwardly-animated Bill Kurtis. Watching the program after a whole course about Confucian concepts and their influence on the Bushidô spirit, the show had a new feel. Somehow, it made the entire affair more upsetting. Officially, there was something in my eye, but some people in class might have mistakenly thought I was crying.
After the program a quick discussion where we all agreed that the kamikaze had little or nothing in common with the September 11th, 2001 attacks, we had the traditional break to be followed by the presentations. If was nervous before, now I was nervous and depressed. Great mindset to deliver a speech, right?
I was somewhat soothed as I spent the break on a long walk with Prof. Fessler to get the necessary computer equipment for my presentation. As we traversed through dark, underground corridors, I thought of two things: One, the hallways looked like a horror/sci-fi movie set, and Two, this was a lot of set-up for my rinky-dink HTML presentation. I feared this much "hype" would only make my speech that much more lame.
After a 15-20 trip, and another 5-7 minutes setting up the bloody thing, Murphy's Law showed up and kicked me in the nuts. The flash drive thingy didn't work. We assumed it might just be that particular computer, so I was shown upstairs in the hope I could access the drive on a different computer and then copy the files onto a regular disk (which is what I wanted in the first place). No dice. The other presenter went first instead, sparing the class from waiting for my bad news, but that didn't improve my predicament. I was now underprepared AND without visual aids, or as the French would say, "I was fucked."
Low-Tech was the only way out of this hole. I got up there, paper in one hand, dry-erase marker in the other, and I just started talking. I tried to remember what I had written on the HTML pages, including various biographical facts concerning key figures in my paper. I hadn't written them down in the paper because they didn't belong there, but in a speech an easy way to kill time and appeal to the audience is to give some factual background about anyone you might be talking about.
So I did what I could. It wasn't curt or particularly well thought-out. Beyond writing the names of the people in my paper, I never wrote anything else on the board, like I should have. I constantly threw out citations to Confucius' Analects which make sense in a paper but don't sound so hot in an oral format. I wasn't panicking, though, and I did my best to look up and make eye contact with the class when possible. Most people seemed pretty uninterested but my occasional joke did provoke small chuckles like an defibrillator jolts a patient's body involuntarily. Frankly, I don't know how real teachers get up there and address students for a living. I better find out, though, if I really expect to participate in the JET Programme.
After several tangents and non-sequiturs, my speech grinded to a halt. Prof. Fessler asked some obligatory follow-up questions, which I feel I responded well to although I did meander in my answers. I got another laugh or two with my candidness, though. Certainly everyone was eager to leave at that point as I was the only thing preventing the class from ending as it was 5:30 PM. For most students, that means "I'm out!" I had another class to attend, but that's not the end of the story. People actually liked my speech! Maybe it was because I went last, maybe it was my self-depreciating manner, or maybe it was my voice projection and fleeting eye contact I gave the audience, but some students actually made a point to tell me they enjoyed it. One even channeled the Comic Book Guy to tell me "Best. Presentation. Ever."
I rode that high into the next class, although around 8PM I got pretty tired. Still, today ruled. I'm officially enjoying the weekend. Hell, I'm rolling so hard right now, a total stranger gave me a free beer for using my phone while I've been here typing. And a High Life to boot!
P.S. I would show you the HTML pages I prepared but suddenly the flash drive thingy doesn't work in my computer anymore, even though it worked perfectly fine earlier today. I hope I didn't break the goddamn thing because Sachiko had other things on there. I may still be fucked yet. Stay tuned.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
It was a sweet end to what I dubbed "Iron Thursday," as today was the last EAS 190 class. Today was also one of the better days I've had here at school, and easily the best "Iron Thursday."
The first treat came around 9:40 AM when a fire alarm interrupted my History class. We were outside waiting long enough for the professor to simply leave, so I finished early. As previously mentioned, I had no English class at all. This meant I could come home to finish work on my presentation for EAS 190, because I was unable to finish the paper until late last night. I know procrastination is a real problem but sometimes it feels like I can't write until the last minute.
While I was here getting ready my roommate's girlfriend showed up. She drove here from New Jersey so it was a little awkward. I had to be here and work while I'm sure the two of them would have rather been alone. Hopefully they found some peace and quiet after I grabbed a bus to go to class at 2:15. Was my presentation finished? Well, it was as finished as I could make it. I had prepared some simple HTML pages instead of traditional transparencies. I had no floppy disks, nor did anyone else I knew. I ended up borrowing a little "flash drive" thingy from Sachiko downstairs.
I was understandably nervous in class as I hadn't prepared as much as I wanted to, not to mention the fact that public speaking isn't easy. I used to say it made me nervous but it doesn't challenge me any more than any other test of knowledge. Sure, it's not easy, but I've learned by now that I don't suck at it like I used to think I did. Maybe it's all the practice I had in high school acting on stage, or maybe because I'm always trying to make people laugh even in class. I just had it in my mind to have fun with it, however possible.
Things didn't go so well. First off, we watched an A&E special on the kamikaze attacks of World War II. The special was hosted by the always awkwardly-animated Bill Kurtis. Watching the program after a whole course about Confucian concepts and their influence on the Bushidô spirit, the show had a new feel. Somehow, it made the entire affair more upsetting. Officially, there was something in my eye, but some people in class might have mistakenly thought I was crying.
After the program a quick discussion where we all agreed that the kamikaze had little or nothing in common with the September 11th, 2001 attacks, we had the traditional break to be followed by the presentations. If was nervous before, now I was nervous and depressed. Great mindset to deliver a speech, right?
I was somewhat soothed as I spent the break on a long walk with Prof. Fessler to get the necessary computer equipment for my presentation. As we traversed through dark, underground corridors, I thought of two things: One, the hallways looked like a horror/sci-fi movie set, and Two, this was a lot of set-up for my rinky-dink HTML presentation. I feared this much "hype" would only make my speech that much more lame.
After a 15-20 trip, and another 5-7 minutes setting up the bloody thing, Murphy's Law showed up and kicked me in the nuts. The flash drive thingy didn't work. We assumed it might just be that particular computer, so I was shown upstairs in the hope I could access the drive on a different computer and then copy the files onto a regular disk (which is what I wanted in the first place). No dice. The other presenter went first instead, sparing the class from waiting for my bad news, but that didn't improve my predicament. I was now underprepared AND without visual aids, or as the French would say, "I was fucked."
Low-Tech was the only way out of this hole. I got up there, paper in one hand, dry-erase marker in the other, and I just started talking. I tried to remember what I had written on the HTML pages, including various biographical facts concerning key figures in my paper. I hadn't written them down in the paper because they didn't belong there, but in a speech an easy way to kill time and appeal to the audience is to give some factual background about anyone you might be talking about.
So I did what I could. It wasn't curt or particularly well thought-out. Beyond writing the names of the people in my paper, I never wrote anything else on the board, like I should have. I constantly threw out citations to Confucius' Analects which make sense in a paper but don't sound so hot in an oral format. I wasn't panicking, though, and I did my best to look up and make eye contact with the class when possible. Most people seemed pretty uninterested but my occasional joke did provoke small chuckles like an defibrillator jolts a patient's body involuntarily. Frankly, I don't know how real teachers get up there and address students for a living. I better find out, though, if I really expect to participate in the JET Programme.
After several tangents and non-sequiturs, my speech grinded to a halt. Prof. Fessler asked some obligatory follow-up questions, which I feel I responded well to although I did meander in my answers. I got another laugh or two with my candidness, though. Certainly everyone was eager to leave at that point as I was the only thing preventing the class from ending as it was 5:30 PM. For most students, that means "I'm out!" I had another class to attend, but that's not the end of the story. People actually liked my speech! Maybe it was because I went last, maybe it was my self-depreciating manner, or maybe it was my voice projection and fleeting eye contact I gave the audience, but some students actually made a point to tell me they enjoyed it. One even channeled the Comic Book Guy to tell me "Best. Presentation. Ever."
I rode that high into the next class, although around 8PM I got pretty tired. Still, today ruled. I'm officially enjoying the weekend. Hell, I'm rolling so hard right now, a total stranger gave me a free beer for using my phone while I've been here typing. And a High Life to boot!
P.S. I would show you the HTML pages I prepared but suddenly the flash drive thingy doesn't work in my computer anymore, even though it worked perfectly fine earlier today. I hope I didn't break the goddamn thing because Sachiko had other things on there. I may still be fucked yet. Stay tuned.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
Wednesday, October 13, 2004
Working and Playing
The Yankees are playing right now, and I'm simultaneously working on my paper for EAS 190, due tomorrow, as well as a presentation to the class based on the paper. Fortunately I have no English class tomorrow (teacher called it off, "personal reasons") so I have that much more time to finish the job. This also means that the last "Iron Thursday" won't truly be an "Iron Thursday" but I'll use the term one last time.
Tonight was the last East Asian Cinema class, and tomorrow is the final "Confucianism and the Samurai Ethic" class. I'm sorry to see the latter end, but not the cinema class. We got to fill out the "evaluation" forms, I tried to be respectful but I was also honest. She asked for feedback for herself as well. I wrote down a brief outline of my problems with her movie selection. I couldn't think of any specific title to recommend, but I suggested a "genuine light-hearted film" or a "thriller."
I passed on the "Albany Anime Club" tonight, partly because of the Yanks, partly because of my work, but also because I'm not so thrilled with the direction of the club right now in contrast to the other anime club, the Anime Gamers Alliance. First off, the selection is more interesting in the AGA. Secondly, I feel like there is more of a "club" atmosphere at the AGA thanks to the online forum. The AA Club claims a website is on the way, but in the meantime I've already gotten to know several people in the AGA. I also appreciate the fact that the guy (singular) who runs the AGA immediately responded to my offer to show items from my own collection. The AA Club has a whole bunch of "officers," and I when I offered to show something I was thanked but that was it.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
Tonight was the last East Asian Cinema class, and tomorrow is the final "Confucianism and the Samurai Ethic" class. I'm sorry to see the latter end, but not the cinema class. We got to fill out the "evaluation" forms, I tried to be respectful but I was also honest. She asked for feedback for herself as well. I wrote down a brief outline of my problems with her movie selection. I couldn't think of any specific title to recommend, but I suggested a "genuine light-hearted film" or a "thriller."
I passed on the "Albany Anime Club" tonight, partly because of the Yanks, partly because of my work, but also because I'm not so thrilled with the direction of the club right now in contrast to the other anime club, the Anime Gamers Alliance. First off, the selection is more interesting in the AGA. Secondly, I feel like there is more of a "club" atmosphere at the AGA thanks to the online forum. The AA Club claims a website is on the way, but in the meantime I've already gotten to know several people in the AGA. I also appreciate the fact that the guy (singular) who runs the AGA immediately responded to my offer to show items from my own collection. The AA Club has a whole bunch of "officers," and I when I offered to show something I was thanked but that was it.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
Tuesday, October 12, 2004
Another Heart Attack
The Yankees are trying to kill me. First they take an 8-0 lead on those slovenly Red Sox with Mike Mussina throwing a perfect game. Suddenly, in the seventh, the Moose is out while the Sox put up five runs. Then they score two more in the eighth, making it a one run game! What the fuck?
It was up to Mariano Rivera to shut the door, as usual. Final score was 10-7. Much credit goes to 松井秀喜 who knocked in five runs and scored twice, nearly defeating the Sox all by himself. I hope the Yankees pull this off, hopefully in less than seven games. I'm getting too old for this shit.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
It was up to Mariano Rivera to shut the door, as usual. Final score was 10-7. Much credit goes to 松井秀喜 who knocked in five runs and scored twice, nearly defeating the Sox all by himself. I hope the Yankees pull this off, hopefully in less than seven games. I'm getting too old for this shit.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
Le Blog
Yes everyone, I am still alive. I wish I had more time to tell my story here on Dan's blog. What have I been up to? Mainly two things: trying to find my way through French bureaucracy and getting used to a very relaxing lifestyle.
As for the red tape, it is everywhere. It has actually become more funny than frustrating at this point. You want to make some photocopies? Wait a week for a photocopy card. You want to use the internet? Wait two and a half weeks for a username and password. I need to get my "carte de sejour" or long stay pass since I'll be here for more than three months. I dropped off all the necessary paperwork and was told to come back...at the end of November! At that point I won't even get the carte de sejour, but a receipt and will have to come back again to get the real thing. The U.S. is a lot of things but it's sure as hell a lot more efficient than this place. I need three signatures and two stamps to go to the bathroom!
On the other hand, I am seriously relaxing here folks. I mean it is going to be difficult to return to NYC after this stint. Most days I have one or two things on the agenda, but nothing serious. I am supposed to be working 12 hours a week and so far haven't even come close to that. They just don't have more time for me now. So I explore the city, read, plan what's for dinner, go to the library. Yesterday I played tennis, a sport I have always associated with a life of leisure, and I loved it. I'll be working on my forehand a lot between now and March.
As for specific trips I have so far been to Beaune, in the heart of Burgundy wine country. It's a lovely little town with a historic hospital (hotel de dieu) built in the Flemish tradition with a beautiful multicolor roof. Of course I also tasted some wine at a local cave. This past weekend I rented a car with some other language assistants and went to Ronchamp, a small town where there is a famous church, Notre Dame du Haut, designed by Le Corbusier. It was cool, and beautiful in a modern way. I'll take medieval architecture over modern every time, though.
Well, I will report more soon.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
As for the red tape, it is everywhere. It has actually become more funny than frustrating at this point. You want to make some photocopies? Wait a week for a photocopy card. You want to use the internet? Wait two and a half weeks for a username and password. I need to get my "carte de sejour" or long stay pass since I'll be here for more than three months. I dropped off all the necessary paperwork and was told to come back...at the end of November! At that point I won't even get the carte de sejour, but a receipt and will have to come back again to get the real thing. The U.S. is a lot of things but it's sure as hell a lot more efficient than this place. I need three signatures and two stamps to go to the bathroom!
On the other hand, I am seriously relaxing here folks. I mean it is going to be difficult to return to NYC after this stint. Most days I have one or two things on the agenda, but nothing serious. I am supposed to be working 12 hours a week and so far haven't even come close to that. They just don't have more time for me now. So I explore the city, read, plan what's for dinner, go to the library. Yesterday I played tennis, a sport I have always associated with a life of leisure, and I loved it. I'll be working on my forehand a lot between now and March.
As for specific trips I have so far been to Beaune, in the heart of Burgundy wine country. It's a lovely little town with a historic hospital (hotel de dieu) built in the Flemish tradition with a beautiful multicolor roof. Of course I also tasted some wine at a local cave. This past weekend I rented a car with some other language assistants and went to Ronchamp, a small town where there is a famous church, Notre Dame du Haut, designed by Le Corbusier. It was cool, and beautiful in a modern way. I'll take medieval architecture over modern every time, though.
Well, I will report more soon.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
Monday, October 11, 2004
Wired? Fired!
There's rampant speculation as to whether or not President Bush wears a device so he can receive auditory prompts, even during the debates. That would be a big no-no, but I have to ask the obvious question: if he's getting help and he still can't talk without sputtering and jumping around, then whoever is prompting him should be fired.
You can read all about it on isbushwired.com. The site may be very busy given the interest in this topic.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
You can read all about it on isbushwired.com. The site may be very busy given the interest in this topic.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
Eat-Drink-Man-Woman-Fuck-Off
Super Bummer
I was shocked and heartbroken to learn of the death of Christopher Reeve. After he lost so much in that accident almost ten years ago, he wouldn't give up or go away. He fought so fucking hard to walk again that other cripples actually discouraged him, telling him to dedicate himself to living with paralysis rather than hoping for a cure. Can you imagine that, having disabled people reprove you for hoping too much?
He vowed to walk again, and in recent years I heard that he had actually regained feeling in some parts of his body, even moving a finger. There was that "controversial" Super Bowl commercial, where a little special effects showed him walking up to a podium for an award. I thought he was going to make it, but living in his condition for so long was too much, apparently.
It's almost funny to think about Christopher Reeve's death in contrast to last week's passing of Rodney Dangerfield. Less than a week after Rodney died, a bigger and more shocking death occurs, cutting short his "place in the sun," so to speak. Even in death, Rodney has a dearth of respect, although I thought the skit on Saturday Night Live this week was a nice tribute.
This is not a good way to start the week. Thankfully I made it to my appointments today before learning of this news, or I would have too vexed to concentrate. And I still have a paper to write.
Fuck.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
He vowed to walk again, and in recent years I heard that he had actually regained feeling in some parts of his body, even moving a finger. There was that "controversial" Super Bowl commercial, where a little special effects showed him walking up to a podium for an award. I thought he was going to make it, but living in his condition for so long was too much, apparently.
It's almost funny to think about Christopher Reeve's death in contrast to last week's passing of Rodney Dangerfield. Less than a week after Rodney died, a bigger and more shocking death occurs, cutting short his "place in the sun," so to speak. Even in death, Rodney has a dearth of respect, although I thought the skit on Saturday Night Live this week was a nice tribute.
This is not a good way to start the week. Thankfully I made it to my appointments today before learning of this news, or I would have too vexed to concentrate. And I still have a paper to write.
Fuck.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
Sunday, October 10, 2004
Pull The Strings
Yeah, tonight I saw a "sneak preview" of the upcoming Team America: World Police. For those unfamiliar with the "sneak preview," you pay full price for a movie that has yet to be officially released. Afterwards, you have the option of staying for a regular movie for free. Sadly, you do not get to pick the free movie, it is typically a release from the same studio. In tonight's case, the freebie was Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow. Since I already own a Playstation 2, I saw no reason to waste two hours staring at computer graphics.
But I digress: Team America is quite funny. Ironically, it's not because of biting political satire or even a surplus of gags. Basically, it's a straight action movie featuring puppets. That's the big joke, as puppets are funnier than people. If you're not already smiling, wait for DVD.
The gags do come, as do the songs. Trey Parker's movies always feature great music. I can't say Team America's tunes are as good as the South Park film's musical numbers, but I'm looking forward to the release of the soundtrack so I can rock out to "America: Fuck Yeah!" and quietly contemplate my life to "I'm So Ronery" as sung by Kim Jong-il.
Of course, the best news of the night came after I left the theater and learned that the Yankees came back (again) to beat those pesky Twins. Now we've got Yankees-Red Sox one more time. It's not easy on my nerves but it's a hell of a ride. I can't see the Yankees winning in less than six games. The only question is, will the Sox have the series wrapped up and blow it, or will the Yankees simply rule? I hate to admit it, but it feels a little sweeter when they blow it rather than the Yankees winning outright. Like last year. I was disappointed the Yankees couldn't win Game 6, and then they fell behind in Game 7, but to come back, and win, wow. That made my month. I didn't even care that they lost the World Series afterwards. So long as they finish ahead of the Sox, I am oddly comfortable.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
But I digress: Team America is quite funny. Ironically, it's not because of biting political satire or even a surplus of gags. Basically, it's a straight action movie featuring puppets. That's the big joke, as puppets are funnier than people. If you're not already smiling, wait for DVD.
The gags do come, as do the songs. Trey Parker's movies always feature great music. I can't say Team America's tunes are as good as the South Park film's musical numbers, but I'm looking forward to the release of the soundtrack so I can rock out to "America: Fuck Yeah!" and quietly contemplate my life to "I'm So Ronery" as sung by Kim Jong-il.
Of course, the best news of the night came after I left the theater and learned that the Yankees came back (again) to beat those pesky Twins. Now we've got Yankees-Red Sox one more time. It's not easy on my nerves but it's a hell of a ride. I can't see the Yankees winning in less than six games. The only question is, will the Sox have the series wrapped up and blow it, or will the Yankees simply rule? I hate to admit it, but it feels a little sweeter when they blow it rather than the Yankees winning outright. Like last year. I was disappointed the Yankees couldn't win Game 6, and then they fell behind in Game 7, but to come back, and win, wow. That made my month. I didn't even care that they lost the World Series afterwards. So long as they finish ahead of the Sox, I am oddly comfortable.
つづく... (Click here to read more)
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