Why We Like It Here
"....and a giant cow just walked by."
Michael Medved reporting from the Fair.
Take that, Elder.
Thursday, August 21, 2003
Ga-ack! Rush Limbaugh Is In My Paper! And My Bathing Suit Still Doesn't Fit!
On Sunday the Minneapolis Star Tribune published an editorial by Rush Limbaugh, the significance of which I noted here. Not surprisingly the appearance of Rush's piece drew the ire of some of the tolerant, open minded, and intellectually enlightened lefties in town. Here's my fav from Wednesday's Letters from readers:
I was troubled when I saw that the Star Tribune featured a commentary by Rush Limbaugh, a notorious racist hatemonger whose points of view are more about sharpening the sword of divisiveness than uniting us.
He is nothing but a right-wing demagogue and haranguer of the intolerant and undereducated.
I will not hesitate to discontinue my subscription should more of his work appear in so prominent a position again. It is embarrassing to have such a paper delivered to the door of my otherwise enlightened and tolerant home and community. To have this hideous scourge occupy this prime space in your paper as you did shames us all as Minnesotans.
-Cathy Grisham, Minneapolis.
You know I understand where Cathy is coming from and feel her pain. The idea that you would have to open your Sunday paper and read commentary from someone who represents an extreme viewpoint that you vehemently disagree with is quite disturbing...
Wait a minute. Isn't that exactly what I (and other local conservatives) have been going through with the Strib for about TWENTY FREAKIN' YEARS ?!?!
Gee Cathy I'm so sorry that you seeing an editorial by Rush Limbaugh in the Strib spoiled your perfect little day. Welcome to my world. Or more accurately my nightmare. I've had to put with a continuous barrage of the leftist rantings of Krugman, Dowd, Scheer, and worst of all Molly bleepin' Ivins staring me in the face at the breakfast table day after day, year after year. Publishing one editorial by Rush doesn't even begin to compensate for the suffering that I've endured at the hands of the Strib editorial page.
Don't become too troubled about editorials you don't like Cathy. You'll learn to live with it baby. I have.
On Sunday the Minneapolis Star Tribune published an editorial by Rush Limbaugh, the significance of which I noted here. Not surprisingly the appearance of Rush's piece drew the ire of some of the tolerant, open minded, and intellectually enlightened lefties in town. Here's my fav from Wednesday's Letters from readers:
I was troubled when I saw that the Star Tribune featured a commentary by Rush Limbaugh, a notorious racist hatemonger whose points of view are more about sharpening the sword of divisiveness than uniting us.
He is nothing but a right-wing demagogue and haranguer of the intolerant and undereducated.
I will not hesitate to discontinue my subscription should more of his work appear in so prominent a position again. It is embarrassing to have such a paper delivered to the door of my otherwise enlightened and tolerant home and community. To have this hideous scourge occupy this prime space in your paper as you did shames us all as Minnesotans.
-Cathy Grisham, Minneapolis.
You know I understand where Cathy is coming from and feel her pain. The idea that you would have to open your Sunday paper and read commentary from someone who represents an extreme viewpoint that you vehemently disagree with is quite disturbing...
Wait a minute. Isn't that exactly what I (and other local conservatives) have been going through with the Strib for about TWENTY FREAKIN' YEARS ?!?!
Gee Cathy I'm so sorry that you seeing an editorial by Rush Limbaugh in the Strib spoiled your perfect little day. Welcome to my world. Or more accurately my nightmare. I've had to put with a continuous barrage of the leftist rantings of Krugman, Dowd, Scheer, and worst of all Molly bleepin' Ivins staring me in the face at the breakfast table day after day, year after year. Publishing one editorial by Rush doesn't even begin to compensate for the suffering that I've endured at the hands of the Strib editorial page.
Don't become too troubled about editorials you don't like Cathy. You'll learn to live with it baby. I have.
"Would You Like That, Punk?"
Since the days of the hanging judge are well behind us my community might just have to settle for a judge who administers a little beeotch slappin' justice:
When a Hennepin County district judge tracked down two teenagers he thought had taken his son's bike, he allegedly told one, "If you ever mess with my family again you will disappear," according to misdemeanor assault charges filed Wednesday against the judge.
The charges also accuse Judge Harvey Ginsberg of hitting the boys and say that he identified himself as a judge to one and threatened to get the boy charged with a felony.
He might even have a bit of Dirty Harry in him:
One teenager told the officer that Ginsberg asked which one of them had stolen the bike and then slapped both of them in the face.
The first boy, who admitted taking the bike and hiding it behind the drugstore as a joke, said he rode away on his bike because he didn't want to get hit.
The judge grabbed the other boy off his bike, threw him onto a wooden bench, held him by the throat and threatened, "If you mess with my family again you will be dead," the complaint said.
That boy was able to free himself and told Ginsberg he was going to call police. Then Ginsberg said: "Go ahead, I'm a judge and I'll have you charged with a felony for temporary theft."
When the boy said the bike wasn't worth a felony, Ginsberg said, "Then I'll have you charged with a gross and you can go to juvy for the night. Would you like that, punk?" the complaint said.
But did he really slap the punks or merely administer a stern "patting"?
The complaint said the judge later admitted lightly patting the boy on the cheek, but denied other physical contact or threatening him or his family.
If this ever goes to trial, which is highly unlikely, I would stand in line to be on the jury.
Bike thieves in St. Louis Park be warned. Judge Harvey Ginsberg is on the case. And he's not afraid to open a can of pat ass either.
Since the days of the hanging judge are well behind us my community might just have to settle for a judge who administers a little beeotch slappin' justice:
When a Hennepin County district judge tracked down two teenagers he thought had taken his son's bike, he allegedly told one, "If you ever mess with my family again you will disappear," according to misdemeanor assault charges filed Wednesday against the judge.
The charges also accuse Judge Harvey Ginsberg of hitting the boys and say that he identified himself as a judge to one and threatened to get the boy charged with a felony.
He might even have a bit of Dirty Harry in him:
One teenager told the officer that Ginsberg asked which one of them had stolen the bike and then slapped both of them in the face.
The first boy, who admitted taking the bike and hiding it behind the drugstore as a joke, said he rode away on his bike because he didn't want to get hit.
The judge grabbed the other boy off his bike, threw him onto a wooden bench, held him by the throat and threatened, "If you mess with my family again you will be dead," the complaint said.
That boy was able to free himself and told Ginsberg he was going to call police. Then Ginsberg said: "Go ahead, I'm a judge and I'll have you charged with a felony for temporary theft."
When the boy said the bike wasn't worth a felony, Ginsberg said, "Then I'll have you charged with a gross and you can go to juvy for the night. Would you like that, punk?" the complaint said.
But did he really slap the punks or merely administer a stern "patting"?
The complaint said the judge later admitted lightly patting the boy on the cheek, but denied other physical contact or threatening him or his family.
If this ever goes to trial, which is highly unlikely, I would stand in line to be on the jury.
Bike thieves in St. Louis Park be warned. Judge Harvey Ginsberg is on the case. And he's not afraid to open a can of pat ass either.
I Hate A Parade (and more)
Today the 2003 version of the Minnesota State Fair a.k.a. The Great Minnesota Get Together kicks off. People come from all over the state and even from all over the country to attend the twelve day event and from now until it ends the local media will be saturated with coverage of the State Fair. You won't be able to pick up a newspaper (I just can’t get enough of that Farley), turn on a radio, or watch thirty seconds of the local TV news without hearing about it. Your coworkers will talk endlessly about it, droning on and on about all the food they consumed and wondering when you're going. It will soon be all Fair all the time.
God I hate it. Yes I hate the State Fair. Actually I don't have anything in particular against the State Fair. Generally speaking I hate all fairs. County fairs, state fairs, diversity fairs, job fairs you put the name fair behind something and I hate it. And lest you dismiss me as a cynical post modernist who dislikes fairs because of their middle class bourgeoisie banality let me assure you that I hate the hip Uptown Art Fair just as much. Don't even get me started on my hatred for the Minnesota Renaissance Festival. It features the highest density of freaks and geeks imaginable. Why can't we revive the Black Plague and have it sweep through the Renaissance Festival and all those who participate in the nonsense?
In fact I'll expand my spite beyond fairs to include all festivals (which damn near every city and town in Minnesota feels a need to put on), carnivals, circuses, and parades. Why do I despise them all so?
Let's start with the food. Overpriced, fried crap. Every year people who otherwise have decent tastes in food delude themselves into believing that cramming cheese curds, corn dogs, and fried Snickers down your gullet until you're just about ready to hurl (and unfortunately past that point for some) is an enjoyable way to spend a day.
And then there are smells. The wafting aroma of fried crap, cotton candy, rotting garbage, overflowing porta potties, stale beer, and BO fills your nostrils the minute you set foot into one of these events. Throw in the odor of animal manure and the added effects of hot humid weather over two weeks and you've captured the essence of the Minnesota State Fair.
And bring on the crowds. Crowds of sweaty, smelly, pushy, sticky, fleshy, pressing people all trying to get somewhere fast without having any idea where they're going. Parents pushing strollers the size of the Apollo lunar rover oblivious to anyone in their path. Families so grossly overweight that they've got smaller families orbiting around them. Idiots jabbering into their cell phones while trying to walk and chew gum, failing miserably at all three.
In late August when the temps can sometimes linger in the low 90’s with high humidity, the State Fair is about the closest you can come to the squalor of the Third World without leaving Minnesota. It’s like a virtual slums of Calcutta experience.
But what about all the fun you can have at a fair you ask? Fun? The midways consist of lame rides, rigged games, and trashy prizes. The one thing I used to enjoy about the State Fair was the freak shows. The barkers trying to lure you in to see the Lobster Boy or the Snake Lady. Now that was entertainment. But in a pique of political correctness the powers that be banished the freak shows from the Fair some years ago. The one thing I really liked. Gone.
The other thing that I used to enjoy was Machinery Hill. Big honking tractors, enormous combines, and all the latest in farm implements. That too is now a thing of the past.
As much as I hate it I'll probably find myself at the State Fair at some point this year to see some radio personalities (and Dave Thompson) if nothing else. I'll check out the animal barn, "Look at the size of that hog's....", and hit the beer gardens to maintain my sanity.
Oh I'll go to the Fair all right. As a Minnesotan I almost have to. But damnit I won't like it.
God I hate it. Yes I hate the State Fair. Actually I don't have anything in particular against the State Fair. Generally speaking I hate all fairs. County fairs, state fairs, diversity fairs, job fairs you put the name fair behind something and I hate it. And lest you dismiss me as a cynical post modernist who dislikes fairs because of their middle class bourgeoisie banality let me assure you that I hate the hip Uptown Art Fair just as much. Don't even get me started on my hatred for the Minnesota Renaissance Festival. It features the highest density of freaks and geeks imaginable. Why can't we revive the Black Plague and have it sweep through the Renaissance Festival and all those who participate in the nonsense?
In fact I'll expand my spite beyond fairs to include all festivals (which damn near every city and town in Minnesota feels a need to put on), carnivals, circuses, and parades. Why do I despise them all so?
Let's start with the food. Overpriced, fried crap. Every year people who otherwise have decent tastes in food delude themselves into believing that cramming cheese curds, corn dogs, and fried Snickers down your gullet until you're just about ready to hurl (and unfortunately past that point for some) is an enjoyable way to spend a day.
And then there are smells. The wafting aroma of fried crap, cotton candy, rotting garbage, overflowing porta potties, stale beer, and BO fills your nostrils the minute you set foot into one of these events. Throw in the odor of animal manure and the added effects of hot humid weather over two weeks and you've captured the essence of the Minnesota State Fair.
And bring on the crowds. Crowds of sweaty, smelly, pushy, sticky, fleshy, pressing people all trying to get somewhere fast without having any idea where they're going. Parents pushing strollers the size of the Apollo lunar rover oblivious to anyone in their path. Families so grossly overweight that they've got smaller families orbiting around them. Idiots jabbering into their cell phones while trying to walk and chew gum, failing miserably at all three.
In late August when the temps can sometimes linger in the low 90’s with high humidity, the State Fair is about the closest you can come to the squalor of the Third World without leaving Minnesota. It’s like a virtual slums of Calcutta experience.
But what about all the fun you can have at a fair you ask? Fun? The midways consist of lame rides, rigged games, and trashy prizes. The one thing I used to enjoy about the State Fair was the freak shows. The barkers trying to lure you in to see the Lobster Boy or the Snake Lady. Now that was entertainment. But in a pique of political correctness the powers that be banished the freak shows from the Fair some years ago. The one thing I really liked. Gone.
The other thing that I used to enjoy was Machinery Hill. Big honking tractors, enormous combines, and all the latest in farm implements. That too is now a thing of the past.
As much as I hate it I'll probably find myself at the State Fair at some point this year to see some radio personalities (and Dave Thompson) if nothing else. I'll check out the animal barn, "Look at the size of that hog's....", and hit the beer gardens to maintain my sanity.
Oh I'll go to the Fair all right. As a Minnesotan I almost have to. But damnit I won't like it.
Wednesday, August 20, 2003
Take Me Out to the Ballgame (Or Somewhere Else)
As shown in my earlier post about Pioneer Press writer Gordon Wittenmeyer, he’s not exactly the most insightful observer of the Twins. But at least he does attend the games (I think). Which is not the case with sportswriters out in Sacramento. This from today’s Sacramento Bee (via James Phillips):
An apology to our readers
On Aug. 7, a story on the cover of the Sports section about the Giants game at Pacific Bell Park was filed by a Bee reporter who was not at the game. The reporter watched the game on television at a location away from the stadium. He filed his story without telling editors at The Bee his true location, leaving the impression he covered the game from the ballpark.
In addition, it was discovered later that the story included quotes from other media outlets that were unattributed and old, made to reporters on a previous occasion before the day of the game. The story violated basic journalistic values and ethics as practiced by The Bee.
The reporter involved, Jim Van Vliet, no longer works at the newspaper. The Bee regrets the situation and apologizes to its readers.
As shown in my earlier post about Pioneer Press writer Gordon Wittenmeyer, he’s not exactly the most insightful observer of the Twins. But at least he does attend the games (I think). Which is not the case with sportswriters out in Sacramento. This from today’s Sacramento Bee (via James Phillips):
An apology to our readers
On Aug. 7, a story on the cover of the Sports section about the Giants game at Pacific Bell Park was filed by a Bee reporter who was not at the game. The reporter watched the game on television at a location away from the stadium. He filed his story without telling editors at The Bee his true location, leaving the impression he covered the game from the ballpark.
In addition, it was discovered later that the story included quotes from other media outlets that were unattributed and old, made to reporters on a previous occasion before the day of the game. The story violated basic journalistic values and ethics as practiced by The Bee.
The reporter involved, Jim Van Vliet, no longer works at the newspaper. The Bee regrets the situation and apologizes to its readers.
Generation Gap Sinks Fraters Trivia Team
The tension at Keegan’s pub before the start of Tuesday night's trivia contest was palpable. You could almost see it hanging in the air like the billowing smoke arising from the table where the Atomizer's family (a.k.a. Team K) was hunkered down. The patriarch of Team K was talking smack as I suppose he was entitled to do with his team on a three week winning streak and all (all three victories coming despite or possibly due to the absence of the Atomizer). You need to walk the walk if you're going to talk the talk and Team K had been walking over all comers of late.
But this time they faced a new challenge. For the first time in Keegan's trivia history three members of the Fraters Libertas staff would be competing on one team. Plus we had my wife on board as well to give us some gender diversity. We were ready to dethrone Team K. Our pencil was sharp. Our minds even sharper.
Alas it was not to be. We finished with a respectable score of 20 out of a possible 25 which placed us in third just out of the money (free drinks). On two of the questions we missed we had the correct answer offered up but unwisely elected to go with another choice. On the other three we didn't have much of a chance.
1. What city and country was Florence Nightingale born in?
2. In the 40's who was the second most recognizable female after Eleanor Roosevelt?
3. What is the name of the controversial Barbie doll with removable tattoos?
Team K meanwhile chalked up 23 correct to once again take the top prize. At least this time there didn't appear to be any collusion between the owner of Keegan's and Team K. They won fair and square. Well as fair and square as possible considering they had six people at their table despite the rules clearly stipulating no more than four per team. But that wasn't really a factor. The better team won last night and they were not shy about letting us know about. Winners talk, losers walk.
In the aftermath of the defeat we discussed the causes of our downfall and what we could do differently next time. We all agreed that one of our weaknesses was that all four members of our team were in close proximity of age. We're all Gen X'ers or members of the Thirteenth Generation as I much prefer to label it, and we lack the generational diversity of Team K. Either that or we all ate too much lead paint as kids.
We also realized that the true strength of the Team K familia lay not in the paters but rather with the maters. We could stand toe to toe against the Atomizer and his pere any day but the mother proved to be the difference maker. As the Atomizer's sister said, "My mom knows all kinds of obscure stuff." Like the name of the Barbie with removable tattoos for instance.
So we're looking to expand our horizons. If you're a woman fifty five to seventy five of sound mind and possessing plenty of useless knowledge who doesn't mind wasting your Tuesday evenings we have a spot for you. Being a mother a plus. A grandmother is even better. Resumes now being accepted.
In case you're curious it's Florence, Italy Betty Crocker and Butterfly Art Barbie.
The tension at Keegan’s pub before the start of Tuesday night's trivia contest was palpable. You could almost see it hanging in the air like the billowing smoke arising from the table where the Atomizer's family (a.k.a. Team K) was hunkered down. The patriarch of Team K was talking smack as I suppose he was entitled to do with his team on a three week winning streak and all (all three victories coming despite or possibly due to the absence of the Atomizer). You need to walk the walk if you're going to talk the talk and Team K had been walking over all comers of late.
But this time they faced a new challenge. For the first time in Keegan's trivia history three members of the Fraters Libertas staff would be competing on one team. Plus we had my wife on board as well to give us some gender diversity. We were ready to dethrone Team K. Our pencil was sharp. Our minds even sharper.
Alas it was not to be. We finished with a respectable score of 20 out of a possible 25 which placed us in third just out of the money (free drinks). On two of the questions we missed we had the correct answer offered up but unwisely elected to go with another choice. On the other three we didn't have much of a chance.
1. What city and country was Florence Nightingale born in?
2. In the 40's who was the second most recognizable female after Eleanor Roosevelt?
3. What is the name of the controversial Barbie doll with removable tattoos?
Team K meanwhile chalked up 23 correct to once again take the top prize. At least this time there didn't appear to be any collusion between the owner of Keegan's and Team K. They won fair and square. Well as fair and square as possible considering they had six people at their table despite the rules clearly stipulating no more than four per team. But that wasn't really a factor. The better team won last night and they were not shy about letting us know about. Winners talk, losers walk.
In the aftermath of the defeat we discussed the causes of our downfall and what we could do differently next time. We all agreed that one of our weaknesses was that all four members of our team were in close proximity of age. We're all Gen X'ers or members of the Thirteenth Generation as I much prefer to label it, and we lack the generational diversity of Team K. Either that or we all ate too much lead paint as kids.
We also realized that the true strength of the Team K familia lay not in the paters but rather with the maters. We could stand toe to toe against the Atomizer and his pere any day but the mother proved to be the difference maker. As the Atomizer's sister said, "My mom knows all kinds of obscure stuff." Like the name of the Barbie with removable tattoos for instance.
So we're looking to expand our horizons. If you're a woman fifty five to seventy five of sound mind and possessing plenty of useless knowledge who doesn't mind wasting your Tuesday evenings we have a spot for you. Being a mother a plus. A grandmother is even better. Resumes now being accepted.
In case you're curious it's Florence, Italy Betty Crocker and Butterfly Art Barbie.
Strike One
From this past Sunday’s baseball fan Q & A column by Gordon Wittenmeyer (the Pioneer Press’s beat writer for the Twins):
Q: With their recent pitching problems, why have the Twins not looked into bringing up Carlos Pulido from Class AAA Rochester?
A: .... He's not considered a big-league prospect, despite his gaudy numbers at Rochester, and still has trouble getting out left-handed hitters. Pulido, 32, has a slim shot at getting a call-up when rosters expand Sept. 1, but you won't see him before that, and probably not even in September.
Wittenmeyer again, from today’s Twins notes column:
Left-hander Carlos Pulido, 32, who returned to the organization as a minor league free agent after pitching for the Twins in 1994, was promoted from Class AAA Rochester to take Rick Reed's roster spot.
Nice call Gordo. Either Pulido had a Lazarus-like resurrection of his game in the past two days or perhaps Wittenmeyer should actually have a clue as to Twins' management intentions before answering these types of questions. Not too much to ask of the guy who’s assigned to, you know, cover the team. And proving once again, TwinsGeek should be the primary source for all your Twins insight-related needs.
From this past Sunday’s baseball fan Q & A column by Gordon Wittenmeyer (the Pioneer Press’s beat writer for the Twins):
Q: With their recent pitching problems, why have the Twins not looked into bringing up Carlos Pulido from Class AAA Rochester?
A: .... He's not considered a big-league prospect, despite his gaudy numbers at Rochester, and still has trouble getting out left-handed hitters. Pulido, 32, has a slim shot at getting a call-up when rosters expand Sept. 1, but you won't see him before that, and probably not even in September.
Wittenmeyer again, from today’s Twins notes column:
Left-hander Carlos Pulido, 32, who returned to the organization as a minor league free agent after pitching for the Twins in 1994, was promoted from Class AAA Rochester to take Rick Reed's roster spot.
Nice call Gordo. Either Pulido had a Lazarus-like resurrection of his game in the past two days or perhaps Wittenmeyer should actually have a clue as to Twins' management intentions before answering these types of questions. Not too much to ask of the guy who’s assigned to, you know, cover the team. And proving once again, TwinsGeek should be the primary source for all your Twins insight-related needs.
On Pursuing Glory-Update
I feel compelled to inform you all that Team Atomizer trounced all challengers last night at Keegan's Pub trivia, including the team made up of The Elder, Saint Paul and JB Doubtless. The streak of consecutive victories now stands at four weeks.
Despite Saint Paul's protests to the contrary, it was a fair contest. Remember, Saint Paul, there is no whining in trivia.
Despite Saint Paul's protests to the contrary, it was a fair contest. Remember, Saint Paul, there is no whining in trivia.
Tuesday, August 19, 2003
Low Watts From Hightower
Jim Hightower is currently being emasculated by Michael Medved's Mischevious Malice Maker. He was trying to make the point that there were "several" democratic movements that the US did not support in the Mid East over the years.
MM asked him to name one.
He tip toed through the tulips, not answering the question.
MM asked again.
Again, thinking he was of superior rhetorical ability, he did his best to not directly answer the question at hand.
MM, exhausted, said "I will ask one more time, can you name one democratic movement?"
Hightower, knowing the jig was up, finally pathetically responded "I can't. This is not an area of specialty for me."
Not "an area of specialty". He goes on the radio as a professional political spewer, but one of the most obvious political topics is beyond him? Anyone ever wonder why his radio show never made it?
Jim Hightower is currently being emasculated by Michael Medved's Mischevious Malice Maker. He was trying to make the point that there were "several" democratic movements that the US did not support in the Mid East over the years.
MM asked him to name one.
He tip toed through the tulips, not answering the question.
MM asked again.
Again, thinking he was of superior rhetorical ability, he did his best to not directly answer the question at hand.
MM, exhausted, said "I will ask one more time, can you name one democratic movement?"
Hightower, knowing the jig was up, finally pathetically responded "I can't. This is not an area of specialty for me."
Not "an area of specialty". He goes on the radio as a professional political spewer, but one of the most obvious political topics is beyond him? Anyone ever wonder why his radio show never made it?
All's Fair In Love And Eating
Okay, it’s almost time for the Fair.
And no offense to the talk radio hosts who will be in attendance, but we go to the fair for the food by God, the food!
Thankfully, this year, the nice fair folks have catalogued the goodies alphabetically with maps so you can start planning now how to get from the Dogzilla (1/3 pound foot long corn dog) stand to the macaroni and cheese on a stick while hitting as many beer gardens as possible.
Okay, it’s almost time for the Fair.
And no offense to the talk radio hosts who will be in attendance, but we go to the fair for the food by God, the food!
Thankfully, this year, the nice fair folks have catalogued the goodies alphabetically with maps so you can start planning now how to get from the Dogzilla (1/3 pound foot long corn dog) stand to the macaroni and cheese on a stick while hitting as many beer gardens as possible.
Costernation
Saw Open Range last night. Bottom line: it’s okay.
While being beautifully shot, the pacing of the thing blew. It was like watching fireworks and you are 10 minutes in and they give you three or four big to-dos in a row and you think “Okay, the grand finale” but then it happens again and you think the same thing. Then they launch some lame garbage for another 5 minutes and you wonder what the hell is going on and if there will ever be a grand finale at all.
The acting is good. I’m glad the actors didn’t decide to put on fake southern accents as they often do for Westerns (that has always puzzled me). And Annette Bening looked damn good as the Doc’s sister and Costner’s love interest.
But again, pacing. The movie takes considerable time to build up to the final shoot out and instead of just giving it to us, wrapping up the romance line and ending the thing, it has to be drawn out for 45 minutes. It was almost as if Costner were consciously trying to avoid the cliched ending with this approach--a strange thing to do considering the other clichés that fly fast and furious throughout the entire movie.
One other gripe, the fat clerk from ER a cowboy aint. A Star Trek Fan Club President, yes. A Simpsons web site host, yes. A Risk board game genius, undoubtedly. I just couldn’t buy him as a cowboy.
For a much better review of what could have been a great movie, go here.
Saw Open Range last night. Bottom line: it’s okay.
While being beautifully shot, the pacing of the thing blew. It was like watching fireworks and you are 10 minutes in and they give you three or four big to-dos in a row and you think “Okay, the grand finale” but then it happens again and you think the same thing. Then they launch some lame garbage for another 5 minutes and you wonder what the hell is going on and if there will ever be a grand finale at all.
The acting is good. I’m glad the actors didn’t decide to put on fake southern accents as they often do for Westerns (that has always puzzled me). And Annette Bening looked damn good as the Doc’s sister and Costner’s love interest.
But again, pacing. The movie takes considerable time to build up to the final shoot out and instead of just giving it to us, wrapping up the romance line and ending the thing, it has to be drawn out for 45 minutes. It was almost as if Costner were consciously trying to avoid the cliched ending with this approach--a strange thing to do considering the other clichés that fly fast and furious throughout the entire movie.
One other gripe, the fat clerk from ER a cowboy aint. A Star Trek Fan Club President, yes. A Simpsons web site host, yes. A Risk board game genius, undoubtedly. I just couldn’t buy him as a cowboy.
For a much better review of what could have been a great movie, go here.
We Know He'll Be Fair But What About Balanced?
With the unfortunate passing of his father this week, talk radio host extraordinaire Hugh Hewitt will not be able to make his scheduled appearance this Friday at the Minnesota State Fair . Instead James Lileks, who was slated to appear as a guest with Hugh that day, will take the reigns of the show with the able help of Hugh's producer Duane. It should be a rollicking three hours of radio and it will be fun to hear Lileks unleashed with plenty of air time to fill.
Hugh is supposed to arrive in Minnesota on Saturday to do a special broadcast from the Fair from 12:00pm to 2:00pm on local station AM 1280 - The Patriot. Unless of course Lileks turns in a virtuoso performance on Friday and Hugh becomes known as the Wally Pipp of the broadcasting world.
Since we're on the subject on radio shows and Lileks I thought I would mention an interesting item I caught last Friday while listening to the Ian Punnett show (yes, there was NOTHING else on the radio at the time). Lileks had appeared on Punnett's show a number of times on Friday mornings for a segment on music but then about a month ago the Lileks appearances suddenly ceased without explanation. Then last Friday Punnett finally addressed the matter by explaining that Lileks had become busy and had elected to "take the rest of the summer off" from appearing on his show. Funny but I wasn't aware that writing was such a seasonal occupation. Punnett then went on to guarantee (his exact word) his listeners that Lileks would be back one day soon.
Maybe they can feature the Peaches & Herb classic 'Reunited' on their first show back together:
Reunited and it feels so good
Reunited 'cause we understood
There's one perfect fit
And, sugar, this one is it
We both are so excited 'cause we're reunited, hey, hey
With the unfortunate passing of his father this week, talk radio host extraordinaire Hugh Hewitt will not be able to make his scheduled appearance this Friday at the Minnesota State Fair . Instead James Lileks, who was slated to appear as a guest with Hugh that day, will take the reigns of the show with the able help of Hugh's producer Duane. It should be a rollicking three hours of radio and it will be fun to hear Lileks unleashed with plenty of air time to fill.
Hugh is supposed to arrive in Minnesota on Saturday to do a special broadcast from the Fair from 12:00pm to 2:00pm on local station AM 1280 - The Patriot. Unless of course Lileks turns in a virtuoso performance on Friday and Hugh becomes known as the Wally Pipp of the broadcasting world.
Since we're on the subject on radio shows and Lileks I thought I would mention an interesting item I caught last Friday while listening to the Ian Punnett show (yes, there was NOTHING else on the radio at the time). Lileks had appeared on Punnett's show a number of times on Friday mornings for a segment on music but then about a month ago the Lileks appearances suddenly ceased without explanation. Then last Friday Punnett finally addressed the matter by explaining that Lileks had become busy and had elected to "take the rest of the summer off" from appearing on his show. Funny but I wasn't aware that writing was such a seasonal occupation. Punnett then went on to guarantee (his exact word) his listeners that Lileks would be back one day soon.
Maybe they can feature the Peaches & Herb classic 'Reunited' on their first show back together:
Reunited and it feels so good
Reunited 'cause we understood
There's one perfect fit
And, sugar, this one is it
We both are so excited 'cause we're reunited, hey, hey
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