Happy Birthday Pops
Born August 4, 1901, New Orleans, Louisiana. Died July 6, 1971, Queens, New York. Lives forever everywhere.
Pale moon shining on the fields below
Folks are crooning songs soft and low
Needn't tell me so because I know
It's sleepy time down south
Soft winds blowing through the pinewood trees
Folks down there like a life of ease
When old mammy falls upon her knees
It's sleepy time down south
Steamboats on the river a coming or a going
Splashing the night away
Hear those banjos ringing, the people are singing
They dance til the break of day, hey
Dear old southland with his dreamy songs
Takes me back there where I belong
How I'd love to be in my mammy's arms
When it's sleepy time way down south
Dear old southland with his dreamy songs
Take me back there where I belong
How I'd love to be in my mammy's arms
When it's sleepy time down south
new Super Hero Stamps
Today, the United States Postal Service is releasing a new set of stamps commemorating ten DC Comics superheroes. The comic geek inside of me is all a-flutter: Click for bigger
Aren't they pretty? The Comic Book Guy inside says, "Nice mix of Golden Age, Silver Age, and modern covers!" He's right, too.
Trivia time: Which one of these characters appeared previously on a U.S. stamp? The answer is below the fold.
more...
1
There was certainly a better Green Lantern picture to use than the one of Ollie blowing up the lantern in his face. But, hey, at least he's in position number two on the sheet!
Posted by: Leif at July 20, 2006 10:10 AM (M5Jcv)
2
Heh. I would've liked to have seen Guy Gardner on the stamp, myself.
Posted by: Victor at July 20, 2006 12:55 PM (L3qPK)
3
We are used to Annika posting her perspective of significant national and international events. Rat facts and stamps commemorating comic books, while cute, pales in comparison. Show us your stuff...
Posted by: will at July 20, 2006 01:03 PM (h7Ciu)
4
Will, I think the problem here is that you are failing to realize just how serious and important comic strips are.
I would certainly not want Superman to hear me complaining that his commemoratives stamps are insignificant.
Posted by: The Law Fairy at July 20, 2006 01:25 PM (XUsiG)
Posted by: shelly at July 20, 2006 03:38 PM (BJYNn)
6
The next time the USPS releases a "Designer Shoes" sheet, you can be it'll be Annika's lead post of the day.
Victor, if they'd've put Guy Gardner on the stamp, I'd've bought 1000 sheets.
Posted by: Leif at July 20, 2006 03:51 PM (M5Jcv)
7
Maybe I'm out of the loop, but who's the girl in the Superman costume?
Bowtie Pasta Parmesan With Prosciutto And Sun-Dried Tomatoes
My culinary skills produce more misses than hits, but occasionally I make something that is worth passing on. Please do not ask me about the sole meunière of a few weeks back. $35 dollars worth of fish and half of it wasted. But cooking fish requires delicacy, and I don't do anything delicately. (Well, not unless you ask nicely.)
Rather, I prefer to cook dishes that can be mixed up with a sauce, and served with a big spoon. Like the following one, which is based on a recipe from Le Cordon Bleu Complete Cook: Home Collection.
-¼ cup olive oil
-one 12 oz. package of bowtie pasta (aka farfalle)
-one large yellow onion, sliced or chopped, whichever you prefer
-about two thirds of a package of regular mushrooms, pre-sliced (what is that, two cups?)
-half a cup or more of julienned sun-dried tomatoes
-two cloves of garlic, minced
-4 oz. of prosciutto slices
-1¼ cup of Silk or some other plain soy milk
-one cup grated parmesan, or as I like to call it "Farmer John" cheese
-one to two teaspoons of capers
Start boiling the water for the pasta. You all know how to make pasta. I would subtract a minute or so from the cooking time to keep it just al dente, because the pasta will continue to cook after you drain the water and mix it with the sauce. You don't want the pasta to get too soft.
While the pasta water is heating, prepare the sauce. In a large pan, heat the olive oil until a tiny chunk of onion fries immediately when you throw it in. Turn down to medium heat. Then throw the sun-dried tomatoes, mushrooms, garlic, and the sliced or chopped onion in there. I like chopped onion because sliced onions remind me too much of earthworms after they're cooked.
Fry that stuff until the onions get browned. Be careful with the sun-dried tomatoes, which burn easily. Adjust the heat accordingly. This should take about 2 minutes. Then add the soy milk and the capers. Bring the sauce to a simmer, about another two or three minutes. Then fold in the parmesan cheese. Turn off the heat and cover the pan while you finish with the pasta.
When the pasta is ready, drain it. Then chop the prosciutto slices roughly crosswise into one inch wide pieces. Throw them in the sauce, then pour the sauce immediately over the pasta. Mix the whole thing and transfer to a serving bowl.
There you have it. Simple and fast. The prosciutto goes in last so it will retain some of its color, but eventually the red cooks away. Especially after microwaving the next day, but it still tastes good. Soy milk is a pretty good substitute for the heavy cream called for in the original recipe. I suggest a fresh sourdough baguette and a glass of merlot to go with this meal.
Posted by: Casca at June 26, 2006 10:11 PM (2gORp)
3
Next time you try sole meunière try adding a little vegetable oil to the butter. Butter has a pretty low burning point and a little vegetable oil helps raise hat point.
Why'd you sub soy milk for the cream? It seems the sauce wouldn't be as thick and creamy w/o the fat.
Posted by: Victor at June 27, 2006 02:22 AM (l+W8Z)
4
I make lots of pasta dishes. But I would never add a whole onion to one, Onion is such a powerful flavor it can drown out all the others.
I like making red sauces with a little sour cream in them, as well as either mozzerella or parmisian. and just for variety I might add gruyere.
For a lite dish try using ground turkey, or turkey sausages.
Posted by: kyle8 at June 27, 2006 03:17 AM (FGbd8)
5
The vegetable oil w/ butter idea is one i'd heard of but i totally forgot about it that time. Dang.
I substituted soy milk because it's healthier and i always have some on hand. It works fine.
I think a yellow onion is mild enough for this sauce.
I always substitute ground turkey for my red pasta sauces. I've made a gorgonzola sauce dish with arugula, which i got out of a newspaper. that was really nice. I should try gruyere someday, that sounds good.
Posted by: annika at June 27, 2006 06:22 AM (fxTDF)
6
Now is the time when I go off with my, "Fat is a necessary nutrient in moderation, or when you want something to taste good," rant...but since I'm a guest here I won't.
Posted by: Victor at June 27, 2006 10:03 AM (L3qPK)
7
Third year already? Bored to death?
Go to law school; learn to cook.
Posted by: shelly at June 27, 2006 12:45 PM (BJYNn)
Friday iPod List On Saturday
People have been doing the Friday iPod thing for a while, so I thought I'd give it a try. You know where you set the iPod at random and list the first ten songs that come up. I couldn't do it yesterday because of mu.nu's denial of service attack.
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Annika,
Tried to trackback to you, but kept getting an error.
Anyway...I followed your Weekend Ipod Random 10 meme. It turned out much less interesting than I'd hoped for.
Posted by: Robbie at June 04, 2006 04:55 PM (53jDZ)
Remembering Vietnam
Country musicians Big & Rich pay tribute to the sacrifices of our Vietnam heroes in the song and video, "8th of November." It's very touching and well done. See it at Tammy's blog.
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Badass Cars
I know you all really liked my Dukes of Hazzard banner for the car. Well, if you're a fan of the R/T, you should go here. Michele (yes, that Michele) has a post about it with some nice pictures.
By the way, I actually saw a sweet General Lee replica driving around town the other day. I wish I was quick enough with the camera phone.
Also (and this news doesn't have anything to do with Chargers, but it is related to the 70's car theme), one of the great car chase scenes ever filmed is now on DVD. The obscure 1973 film The Seven-Ups, starring Roy Scheider and Tony Lo Bianco, features a really long chase that takes place in and outside New York City. My brother, who's an expert on these things, says this chase scene is better than Bullitt's, and I can't disagree.
1
That chase scene may be better than Bullitt but there's no way it's better than the one in Mitchell. Joe Don Baker vs a Mustang....mmmmm....
Posted by: Victor at May 26, 2006 09:45 AM (L3qPK)
2
seven ups was a great movie for its time. Best car chase scene I ever saw was in the ORIGINAL "Gone in sixty seconds". That was also a mustang.
I had the best muscle car when I was a teenager. I had a baby blue 1969 Chevelle Malibu super sport 386 with a 4 barrel. It was awesome. I blew the engine and replaced it with a 327 and no one knew the difference. HA!
3
My brother had a '68 Corvette with a 427 in it. Fastest car i've ever ridden in. He had it for about six months before he couldn't make the payments anymore and they took it back. But it was fun while it lasted!
Posted by: annika at May 26, 2006 03:03 PM (fxTDF)
4
You ponsy bitches... none of you has ever been the passenger in a car with ME!!!
For what it's worth, NOTHING beats the chase scene in Bullit simply because of the McQueen factor. I have purchased a new motorcycle, so if you see someone who looks like Steve McQueen on a bike this weekend, it's probably me. Oh, not the guy who was jumping the razor wire on the old school BMW, the more mature version with the long stringy hair and extra fifty lbs of ice cream hanging off him. Well maybe something in between the two.
Posted by: Casca at May 26, 2006 03:59 PM (2gORp)
5
I distinctly remember my older cousin driving us to see 'Seven Ups'shortly after it came out. He's not the tallest dude and he wouldn't move the seat forward in his Mom's Caddy. With his arms completely outstretched his toes barely reached the gas pedal and I doubt he saw the front of the hood. He looked as much like a pimp as a caucazoid teenager from the Chicago suburbs could and I didn't question him, but it was clearly dangerous.
The movie did have some great chase scenes but what's indelible was my trip to and from the theater. The Coupe De Ville had a nice size engine and our driver didn't mind proving it. The simultanious dropping of the automatic transmission into a lower gear, the four barrels gasping for air and the needle dropping on the fuel gauge while we were pressed into our seat backs was all part of my seventies experience. These are truly wonderful cars!(I wish I still had one)
Annika, I'll keep my camera handy. Not suprisingly, there are a few Generals here in north Georgia.
Posted by: Mike C. at May 26, 2006 05:29 PM (wZLWV)
6
The first car i ever drove was my grandma's '66 cadillac coupe de ville. A 429 V8 with 340 horses.
Hey if you take any pictures of the General, send them to me!
Posted by: annika at May 26, 2006 05:43 PM (fxTDF)
7
McQueen's a pussy. He took one look at my '67 Shelby GT500 and cried like a baby.
Posted by: Pursuit at May 26, 2006 06:59 PM (n/TNS)
8"if you see someone who looks like Steve McQueen on a bike this weekend, it's probably me. Oh, not the guy who was jumping the razor wire on the old school BMW, the more mature version with the long stringy hair and extra fifty lbs of ice cream hanging off him. Well maybe something in between the two."
Like this, Cas?
"The first car i ever drove was my grandma's '66 cadillac coupe de ville. A 429 V8 with 340 horses."
Caddie! Drove a '71 DeVille Brougham, 472 V8, thing was a boat! Heavy enough to take on an F150 in a demolition derby, crappy mileage... but man, the room. It was wild to look under the hood, see a 7+ liter engine, and actually see a lot of room between it and the firewall.
Posted by: elmondohummus at May 26, 2006 08:22 PM (Weo9k)
9
Everyone should drive a Honkin Ass Caddy once in their life. Those old hoods were long enough to land a Space Shuttle on. Annika I will definitely send a picture if I spot a General!
Posted by: Mike C. at May 27, 2006 05:37 AM (y6n8O)
10
great! i dub you the unofficial General Lee correspondent for A's J.
Posted by: annika at May 27, 2006 07:43 AM (fxTDF)
11
I am honored ofcourse, but I may have offered more than I can deliever. Assuming every car show in Georgia has one of these orange Mopars I drove up to Dawsonville today only to be dissapointed at the show there. Some nice cars yes, but General no. I'm sure I've seen a few of them driving around in the last year or so but as I get older that could actually mean 3 or 4 or 6 years. I hope everyone can give me some time on this as it'll probobly take some.
I solemnly swear I will fulfill the duties of this unofficial office to the best of my ability or at least if and when I feel like it.
Posted by: Mike C. at May 27, 2006 01:47 PM (Ffvoi)
12
how nice of you to spend your saturday working for annika's journal. and i'm not even paying you (thus your unofficial status).
Posted by: annika at May 27, 2006 02:01 PM (XjPe5)
13
Sorta EMH, but less hair and more ice cream. The bike is also a bit more stock. 200 miles later, I have survived my ride. I didn't make it to the rolling hills of the Alps, but did climb the switchbacks of the Lagunas, and I'm kicking myself for not taking a camera. I did every type of riding there is, and saw spectacular vistas. Shit I even went down to Campo, and saw the INS rounding up illegals. Literally, they were squatting on the side of the road all young and busboyish.
Taylor's AI Audition
As long as we're looking at YouTube videos, take a look at Taylor Hicks's American Idol audition.
I think the coolest thing about Taylor's audition is when Simon asked him why he was there. He does not say, "Because I wanna be the next American Idol," which 99% of the people said.
Simon: Why you here?
Taylor: I want my voice heard.
Taylor: Why?
Taylor: Cuz I feel like I got one.
It's so simple and direct an answer, I can almost imagine the young Elvis Presley saying something like it to Sam Phillips back in the day.
I also love the fact that Taylor was so underestimated during his audition. Paula and Randy liked him, but you know they never imagined he might win. Not after that audition, which really wasn't too good.
Go Taylor! I hope he gets some good songs to sing because he could really become a star if the machine lets him.
2
I think he could be a star. He has something that not just anyone has. Remember the long walk he took, playing his harmonica? Remember the choir he brought out for his last song? Remember that jacket he wore? Ugly as it was, it caught your eye, and you remember it and him.
He knows what people want to hear and see.
Fav Taylor moment: I think it was the first show w/ 24 and he sang his song and brought the house down. He was smiling and laughing and the crowd was going nuts and Ryan came out and asked him what was going on? "I don't know!" Taylor answered and I laughed long and loud.
I think he'll be freakin' huge.
Posted by: Victor at May 26, 2006 01:24 PM (L3qPK)
3
Admittedly, I only saw this guy sing on the last five minutes of the last show, but I was left with the impression that as far as singing goes, this guy simply doesn't have it.
Was everyone else that bad?
Posted by: Pursuit at May 26, 2006 02:35 PM (n/TNS)
AI And BadonkadonkAmerican Idol is the best family show on TV. I'm tired of hearing some folks put it down, because there's a reason it's the number one show. It brings families together twice a week for good old fashioned entertainment that's non-political, non-violent, and safe for viewers of all ages. It's the type of entertainment that hasn't been around since the Muppets got cancelled. Sure it's least common denominator stuff, but I think that's a good thing. We need that sometimes, especially nowadays.
I hope y'all switched over to CBS after American Idol. If you had, (on the West Coast) you would have just caught Carrie Underwood trying to finish her performance of "Jesus Take The Wheel," and getting all choked up. Then about a minute later, she accepted the Academy of Country Music award for Record of the Year. And to think, only a year ago she was pretty much a nobody. It's a nice song, and I'm happy for her. Carrie also won Top New Vocalist.
[By the way, I love any industry awards show where the winners thank Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. It's a little unorthodox, but hey, entertainers are often non-conformists.]
Next, I hope you didn't miss hunky Trace Adkins trying to keep a straight face while singing "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk" inside a flock of nearly naked showgirls. That was some feat of concentration, although he kept turning around to check out the girls. And CBS kept cutting away from the action on the stage, which got pretty racy.
I also enjoyed watching Gretchen Wilson sing my new favorite song, "Politically Uncorrect," which features the lyrics:
I'm for the preachers who stay on their knees
And I'm for the sinner who finally believes
And I'm for the farmer with dirt on his hands
And the soldiers who fight for this land
And I'm for the Bible
And I'm for the flag
And I'm for the working man
. . .
I'm just one of many who can't get no respect
Politically Uncorrect
Back to AI. I wouldn't be going out on a limb if I predicted that Taylor will win it all. he gave three solid performances, but really impressed me with the last song because the lyrics were so awful. While Katherine tried to do justice to her lame original song, Taylor did his best to make his song fit him. I also think Taylor deserves to win because he just seems like such a nice guy.
1
For some reason, the thanking of God turns me off at football games, since it implies that the losing team is a bunch of evil Satan-worshippers. Even if the Lakers were to beat the Kings and Kobe were to thank God, I wouldn't immediately assume that the Kings were Baal's servants. (A loss by the Raiders, of course, is another story.)
Predictions For Tonight's 24 Finale
Jack and Audrey will try to have sex. Audrey will attempt to delay her orgasm until Jack shouts "NOW!" They both finally give up in frustration when they realize Jack is unable to "upload" anything without Chloe's help. Jack will then confront President Logan, shoot him in the leg, and go into hiding. Rocket Romano will then perform emergency first aid, but die in a freak helicopter mishap while helping evacuate the president on Marine One. A guilt-ridden Henderson will return to CTU, revive Tony, and with the help of Barbaro's vet, create a superhuman CTU agent by attaching Tony's head to a robotic body. Finally, a plane will crash somewhere.
1
What ever happened to the good old days of Peter Pumpkin?
Posted by: shelly at May 22, 2006 08:35 PM (BJYNn)
2
Heh, that's pretty good. I think we could sell that.
Posted by: Casca at May 23, 2006 06:00 AM (rEC2k)
3
I thought it was a pretty decent season finale. Of course, you have to put your sense of reality on hold but that's the fun of it. I was switching back all night between 24, Alias, and the NBA playoffs.(Alias used to be one of my favorite shows, but it really has gone down hill the past couple of seasons. I think it must have to do with Jennifer Garner hooking up with the no talent ass clown, Ben Affleck.)
BTW, I think it was Matt with whom I was debating the merits of Dallas. And if I recall I predicted that Dallas would win the Western Conference and eventually the title. Who is laughing now people?
The team has a relentless offense and a lot more "D" than people give them credit for.
Posted by: Blu at May 23, 2006 09:12 AM (j8oa6)
4
Blu,
Who would have thought it but you and I finally have a strong agreement about something-Ben Afflack, what a stiff. He is the only person who can by comparison make Jennifer Lopez appear to be acting.
I was dissapointed that San ANtonio lost but was impressed with the Mav's. SA had no answer for Terry and PArker, who can be as effective as Terry, was clearly not at his best. Could be Tropical Langoria fever has him a bit depleted of his PBF.
Posted by: Strawman at May 23, 2006 03:13 PM (G2Zzw)
5
Looks like we agree on two things, Straw: (1) Ben sucks butt and (2) this year's NBA playoffs have been outstanding. Actually, I was pulling for SA as well, but believed Dallas would beat them. Dallas is the one team every bit as deep as SA. If they get by Phoenix and meet Detroit (or Miami), I think it is that depth that will get them over the hump. I do not, however, look forward to having to watch that little dork, Mark Cuban, celebrate if his team happens to win.
Posted by: annika at May 23, 2006 04:12 PM (LcjFl)
7
You mean the same Detroit team that barely beat a horrible Cleveland team?....you mean that 6-deep team that can barely score 80 points a game?
Hey, granted they play great defense. But, they have nobody than can guard Dirk or Josh Howard. (And don't start telling me about Ben Wallace. Yeah, he can block shots at the rim, but he won't even bother Dirk on the perimeter. Wallace will have to take a shot at the German.)They are going to have play a whole lot better than they did against Cleveland to beat Dallas....and that's assuming they can get by Shaq and Wade.
We shall see.......
Bobby DarinToday is Bobby Darin's birthday. He was born in 1936 as Walden Robert Cassotto. One of the greatest popular music records of all time is Darin's second LP, That's All. My dad had the original vinyl record. I say "had" because I stole it, and now I have it. Of course I can't play it, because I don't have a working record player, but so what. It's a collector's item.
The otherwise lackluster Kevin Spacey movie about Darin's life did a good job of showing how Darin changed from a bobby sox rocker to a Sinatra-esque swinger with the release of That's All. Every song is a gem, especially the most famous single to come off of that album, "Mack The Knife."
Dick Clark begged Darin not to record "Mack," but thankfully he went and did it anyways. Now, its become a jazz standard that even twenty-somethings like myself know by heart. What other song written by a communist (Bertolt Brecht) can you say that about?
On the back of That's All, they reprinted a telegram from Sammy Davis, Jr., which I love:
Really, when you talk about guys who could swing, the name Darin belongs right up there next to Frank and Sammy.
1
Glad to know some younger people appreciate Bobby.
I have wanted to see the Spacy Movie and never had the opportunity. I remember his short lived comedy/variety TV show.
2
Next time I have a Rat Pack party, I'll be sure to invite you. I'm partial to Dean Martin.
BTW, Have you checked out my www.thingsyoushoulddo.com site lately? I've got lots of fun things to do posted.
Posted by: irishlass at May 14, 2006 07:59 PM (n0Y00)
AI Blogging
If I have any influence at all with this blog, let me use it now.
Vote for Elliott Yao Ming tonight. He totally annihilated the competition. And the competition was exceptional. But the dude with the bad teeth fukken' rocked!
1
You just knew that slimy fucking weasel was going to sell 'em out before the Prez blew his brains out. Hoping that character gets a real beat down before the shows ends.
Posted by: Blu at May 09, 2006 12:57 PM (j8oa6)
2
ANOTHER dumb twat in charge at CTU fucking things up. We ALL knew not to tell him. In fact, I'm guessing that most of us would have cut his tongue out for GP, and locked him in solitary.
Heh, where's the whacko bitch who took Chloie's job? She reminds me of the women where I work. No, I'm sorry, despite rumors to the contrary, I CAN'T read minds.
And before you get all negative on the Prez, remember if it wasn't for him, that fat pig Edgar would STILL be in every episode.
Posted by: Casca at May 09, 2006 02:30 PM (2gORp)
3
Forgot why I came to post in the heat of the moment. What I meant to say was, "Oh yeah? Maybe we WANT them running around on the loose talking to everyone. Ever thought of that?"
Posted by: Casca at May 09, 2006 02:32 PM (2gORp)
4
While your observation may be spot-on, do you honestly think that there is ANY perimeter that is sufficient enough to contain Jack Bauer?
I think not.
5
Yeah, don't you know about suspension of disbelief? On the other hand, I watch Boston Legal because it's a first rate docudrama.
Posted by: Casca at May 10, 2006 06:17 AM (rEC2k)
6
Annika,
I suspect that as the writers of 24 plotted Jack's easy penetration of the Mrine perimeter so did B-C-R-W do the same for OBL. HAd he been capatured at Tora Bora the wind would have left the sails of the administration's junk sailing for Iraq.
The last thing they wanted in their net was Old Osama.
Casca, it's clear suspension of disbelief is your entire raison detre. We need to SD to accept you as an intelligent actor upon our stage and you need it to make the entire pretext of your life palatable.
Posted by: Strawman at May 10, 2006 03:27 PM (o/gnC)
7
B-C-R-W is either a seventies rock group i am as yet unfamiliar with, or it's an acronym for Bush Cheney Rumsfeld and uh...
... Winona Judd?
Posted by: annika at May 10, 2006 03:56 PM (fxTDF)
The First Rule Of Lost
Hook up with a guy . . . get shot and die.
Update: Nice try Scof. But your theory, "DUI = bad career move," while it has some supporters, fails to explain Shannon's death earlier this season, right after she hooked up with Sayid. Thus, my theory is superior.
5
Well Libby just walkin in all random like that, I mean she'd never been to the hatch before far as I can recall. Its fishy I tell ya, ...but perhaps they killed Libby off cuz maybe she was thinking of having sex with Hurley during their picnic, maybe a lil 3 way with Chong the Korean dude, and something that horrible needs a pre-emptive strike, so that's why she's dead.
Still I think they killed 'em off like that by surprise, it wasn't planned 'till after they got arrested, and they invented this whole crap plotline with Michael being brainwashed so as to eat up the rest of the episodes for the season, thus ensuring a interested audience for another season because we want to find out what happens once they finally kill Michael off and get back to doing...well whatever they were doing...Damn, I'm lost in my own arguement.
AI Blogging
I had no intention of liveblogging AI tonight, but the first third has been so eventful, I can't help it.
Paula's meds need adjusting again. Urgently.
I was blown away by Kat. The judges were listening to a different performance. She should be safe though, I think her split second fuzz flash will ensure that.
Is Andrea Boccelli blind? I had no idea. I can name a dozen legitimate opera singers that are ten times better than him. I never understood his popularity until now.
Eliott Yao Ming was fantastic.
Pickler's "Unchained Melody?" Chain it back up again, I'm begging you.
Paris did not impress me. She sounded a bit like Gladys Knight in the beginning, which made me wish I was listening to Gladys instead. I didn't like the arrangement either.
Black velvet? I think Taylor has dandruff. I agree with Randy and Simon, a karaoke and lounge act. I can't put my finger on why, but Taylor has been sucking lately. I think he has mastered one genre, and outside it he's really unremarkable.
Chris looked hott. I totally love him. The performance could've used one or two more rehearsals. I liked the flamenco style of it, but Chris and the guitars seemed out of synch during the first half. He finished strong though.
The top three are clear: Eliott, Kat and Chris. However, the judges screwed it for Kat, and Taylor's fans are loyal. They will prop him up in the voting. Probably Kellie's fans will do that too, though she was the weakest of the six tonight. All of this makes me afraid for Eliott. If he goes tomorrow it will be a travesty.
Elemental has an introduction by Arthur C.Clarke and more than twenty stories by Brian Aldiss, David Drake, Jacqueline Carey, Martha Wells, Larry Niven, Joe Haldeman, Eric Nylund, Sherrilyn Kenyon writing as Kinley MacGregor, and a Dune story by Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson, and many others.
Arthur C. Clarke lives in Sri Lanka. According to Amazon, all publisher and author profits will go to the Save the Children Tsunami Relief Fund.
I love Sci-Fi anthologies. My favorite one so far has been Redshift. They're a great way to find out about new authors, and it seems that some writers are more willing to take risks in the short story format than in a novel.
1
I used to be a huge scifi reader, then for some reason I just could not read it anymore, Simple as that. The only Scifi writer whom I read back in the 1970's who really seemed to get the near future right was the scifi comedy writer Ron Goulart.
In his world, there were lots of the modern gadgets we have now like PC's and cell phones, but they never worked right, all politicians were liying bastards, and every other person you met was some sort of predator or pervert, Yea, he pretty much nailed it.
Posted by: kyle8 at April 20, 2006 03:53 AM (dKUT7)
2
sounds like he was a time traveler from the future
Posted by: annika at April 20, 2006 07:07 AM (fxTDF)
3
Heya Annika -
Thanks for the post - we all really appreciate it. Indeed, every single cent from the book earned by authors, artists and even the 'profit pool' is being donated to Save the Children's relief effort to help rebuild SE Asia, providing essential services and support for the children out there.
Kyle - we've attempted to get every kind of sf and f together, so there is something for everyone in the book. Hope you'll give it a shot. Who knows, you might rediscover your love of SF.
Cheers
Steve
Posted by: Steven Savile at May 17, 2006 03:09 PM (8L2QQ)
Updike
I just read an interesting article about John Updike. I've never read him. Are there any Updike fans out there? Should I give him a try?
Correction: Actually, when I was in undergrad, I tried to read Memories Of The Ford Administration, but it was pretty boring, so I never finished it. But I'm wondering if the Rabbit books are better.
1
By misusing the American military to steal Iraqi oil you have placed us on the bad side of our LORD and Savior, Jesus Christ.
And I am gay.
Posted by: DEAN BERRY -- REAL AMERICAN at April 17, 2006 03:42 AM (h/YSB)
2
Well gawd damn, isn't it nice to have a true man and prophet of God stop by and drop the word. Drink the koolaid Dean.
Posted by: Casca at April 17, 2006 06:47 AM (y9m6I)
3
I have read the Rabbit books, and I found them very depressing. Every character in those stories is a loser who screws up their life. It makes me wonder about Updike's sanity-he certainly can't be a happy man.
I recommend the books to people who think their lives are crap. It will remind you that there are a lot of people with worse lives.
Posted by: Jake at April 17, 2006 09:55 AM (XOf7A)
4
if you think Updike is depressin you ought to read anything by Henrik Ibsen. That will make you want to cut your throat.
Posted by: kyle8 at April 17, 2006 03:53 PM (jVAwk)
5
My dad loves Updike - and especially loves the Rabbit books. He keeps telling me to give them a try - so they are on my perpetual "To Read Someday" list!
I've read a lot of Updike's short stories - and the only novel of his I read was Witches of Eastwick, which is kind of a riot. Lots of fun. He's a fine writer.
6
Anni I would say it was the subject, not the author. Anything written about the Ford Admin would naturally be stonestiff boring as hell. It was bad enough living through it, I damn well ain't a gonna read nothing about it!
Posted by: 2Hotel9 at April 18, 2006 03:09 PM (RfREf)
7
Dean Berry's incisive comments on Updike eclipse anything I might say on the subject; but be that as it may ("and I'm not sure that it is," as Steve Allen would add). . . . Updike's Ford Administration book, 2Hotel9, isn't really about the Ford Administration (except perhaps in some subtle satirical way that went over my head); but what life was like in that era, as remembered by a college professor looking back at it. Gore Vidal's derisive statement that mainstream fiction is mostly about adulterous academics certainly could be applied to this book; except that about half of it is a historical novel about James Buchanan, whose biography the professor has been working on. The novel shifts back and forth between Buchanan's story and the professor's marital troubles and sexual escapades. On paper it is the kind of contemporary fiction I would ordinarily avoid, but Updike's prose style drew me in and held me; the Buchanan parts were more interesting than I would have expected; and I liked the various comments about life in early Seventies. I often quote one of the professor's observations, when he and a woman who is trying to seduce him (successfully, it turns out) are alone in her hotel room together. I don't recall the exact wording, but it's something along the lines of: "During the Ford Administration, a man and a woman alone together in a room where they wouldn't be disturbed felt almost a moral obligation to shtup." (Come to think of it, the word "shtup" may be something else in the original.) The sentence really drove home to me why I miss that much-despised era.
Posted by: Bilwick at April 20, 2006 09:48 AM (AktpP)
Online odds makers, are ignoring country rocker Bucky Covington's safely above the top three finish on last week's "American Idol" show and selecting the singer as most likely to see his journey end in tonight's results show. And chanteuse Katherine McPhee, who shocked audiences when she earned the second lowest vote total last week, is nonetheless deemed safe by the gamblers wagering on the show.
Pinnacle Sports, which offers a separate betting line on "Who will be eliminated" lists Covington as the most likely to go at 3.58 to 1 odds, closely followed by heartthrob Ace Smith [sic], who earned last week's third lowest vote tally. Katherine McPhee remains highly favored to win among Pinnacle bettors, trailing favorite Chris Daughtry.
I concur.
Update: Wild ending. I can reveal it now, since I have no Hawaiian readers, and I'm not sure Kevin watches AI in Korea.
The stunned silence after Mandisa's name was called is something I've never heard on AI before. While this field may not contain the best performers in Idol history, the talent is very evenly matched. So it's really hard to predict who's going next. I think Mandisa went because lots of people assumed she would last 'til the end, and therefore voted for someone else. Plus, she really didn't do that good last night, as Country is not her best genre.
Let me also revise and extend my remarks about Kelly, which I made after the top 24 were picked. I was wrong. I think she may have a shot at the prize, and last night she showed some serious game.
1
Mandisa? Oh, sweet God in heaven, not Mandisa!
Holy mackeral. I'm stunned...really. I was at the hockey game last night and missed the results show. Wow.
Posted by: Victor at April 06, 2006 01:55 AM (l+W8Z)
2
Annie,
I don't have a TV, and my computer's too old and slow for me to watch streaming video.
By the way, this is for you, because I know how much you love Britney.
Kevin
Posted by: Kevin Kim at April 06, 2006 04:53 AM (1PcL3)
3
I forgot, Korea is across the International Date Line, so Kevin got the results on Tuesday!
Posted by: annika at April 06, 2006 06:10 AM (fxTDF)
4
Yes; you guys recently "sprung forward," so Seoul is now only 13 hours ahead of DC instead of 14.
I should have added that I have absolutely no interest in American Idol and have become, alas, totally clueless about what trends dominate American TV these days. Strangely, I don't miss TV.
Except maybe for South Park.
Ludditically yours,
Kevin
Posted by: Kevin Kim at April 06, 2006 07:50 AM (1PcL3)
1
Didja notice how each criticism pretty much included the mention of "poor song choice?" This leads me to only one conclusion: The music (thus far) from this century sucks donkey dicks.
On XM, I pretty much keep it on 50's, 60s, Fred (classic alternative), or Top Tracks (classic rock).
Posted by: Victor at March 30, 2006 05:00 AM (L3qPK)
2
Katherine is a hottie.
As for Bucky, well, I don't kow how he got there in the first place. And then there's that whole when you're 18 you can legally change your name thing. Because with a name like Bucky, I don't see a CEO position in his future.
Posted by: Paul at March 30, 2006 05:01 AM (vbP6L)
1
Thats just too good, i would love to see those with subtitiles.
Posted by: Kyle N at March 17, 2006 03:25 AM (HIeK9)
2
Bad news. This is a hoax.
(I first blogged about the show a year ago, before a kind commenter pointed me to this confession about the hoax.)
In any case, it's funny, and the plausibility of the hoax is even funnier.
Posted by: JohnL at March 17, 2006 08:39 AM (Hs4rn)
3
Of course it's a hoaks. The Russians didn't have TV's in the '60s.
Posted by: Casca at March 17, 2006 04:46 PM (2gORp)
AI Blogging
Top four for me were Katharine, Paris, Taylor and Chris, in that order. Katharine and Paris were almost tied, but I gave the edge to Katharine because I didn't expect her to be so polished as she was.
But let me tell you, there's a reason Stevie Wonder is an icon. When Randy, who's prone to exagerration, said that Stevie is one of the greatest singers in the known world, Randy was lying. Stevie is one of the greatest musicians in history. You could see how the top twelve struggled with what he makes sound easy.
And Stevie's effect on people reminds me of how devotees react when they get close to the guru. It's supernatural.
Finally, I think Kevin may have bought himself another week.
1
I hate, hate, hate Kevin. There is nobody I'd rather see go home more.
Katharine is still my AI crush, and she has talent too. Bonus.
Oh --- wait. I hate that Ace "Soon to be appearin on the OC" Young kid even more than I hate Kevin "Chicken Little, but still sexy" Covais.
Taylor Hicks is impossible not to love.
Posted by: Robbie at March 15, 2006 06:47 AM (lbWbV)
2
Paris and Chris are my favorites. They're just so damn talented and likable. There's also something that I really like about Mandisa.
I hope to GOD Kevin hasn't bought himself another week, though I will give him props for the self-effacing remark about being this year's Sex Symbol, as long as he meant it ironically. I'm pretty sure he did.
I'm having a hard time understanding the hype of Ace. Maybe this is just me, but I really don't find him all that attractive. I'd almost say Chris is better-looking.
Posted by: The Law Fairy at March 15, 2006 12:13 PM (XUsiG)
3
Ace is a babe, but Chris is sexy! I've always had a thing for bald musicians too.
Posted by: annika at March 15, 2006 01:01 PM (bDd6W)
Today is Bobby Darin's birthday. He was born in 1936 as Walden Robert Cassotto. One of the greatest popular music records of all time is Darin's second LP, That's All. My dad had the original vinyl record. I say "had" because I stole it, and now I have it. Of course I can't play it, because I don't have a working record player, but so what. It's a collector's item.
