You know how some things just seem so wrong...
My friend Don is preparing to make his annual trek up to Burning Man. He loves it and so each and every year he makes his way from LA up to the desert just to be there. I’ve been talking about going out west for awhile now and the last time I spoke with Don he was really eager to know when I would get out there.
I thought I would do some online research about the whole Burning Man experience. I knew what it was (having read an article in WIRED about it many, many years ago) but, I still didn’t know the specifics.
As I was looking through the events, one of the things posted was this:
Description: Enemas have been a part of human history for thousands of years. Drop by and have a cup of coffee with us. The Best Part of waking up is coffee up your butt. Explore the sensuality and Heal this most over-looked and under-rated Chakra (Power Center). Look for us on Uranus @ 9:00
Date: Monday, August 29, 2005 - Sunday, September 4, 2005 (every Day)
(Updated: Thursday, July 21, 2005 2:03pm)
Time: 7:00am-8:00am
Duration: 60 minutes
Category: Classes/Workshops
Hosted by/Camp Name: Sacred Space - Anal Probe Camp
Email: sacred.space@att.net
As appealing as that might be to some, I think I’ll just stick to my morning cup of espresso - partaken through the mouth of course.
The best part of waking up, is not Folgers up my butt!
Aug 3, 2005
You know, when I wrote the entry about Global Frequency I had only watched about the first five minutes or so. Last night I got about halfway through the thing.
In a word... WOW!
It managed to hit just about every note correctly. Equal measures of suspense, action, creepiness all evident. Great visual effects too! I cannot imagine who in their right mind passed on this. Don’t be surprised to see the series show up on USA, SciFi or even FOX.
In a word... WOW!
It managed to hit just about every note correctly. Equal measures of suspense, action, creepiness all evident. Great visual effects too! I cannot imagine who in their right mind passed on this. Don’t be surprised to see the series show up on USA, SciFi or even FOX.
Aug 2, 2005
Speaking of Warren Ellis work...
I’ve mentioned in the past my fondness for Planetary - one of the best books around a truly fun read. Lo and behold, DC Comics has been magnanimous enough to post the entire first issue as a free pdf download on their website. Definitely worth a read if you’ve got the bandwidth:
Planetary - Issue 1
I’ve mentioned in the past my fondness for Planetary - one of the best books around a truly fun read. Lo and behold, DC Comics has been magnanimous enough to post the entire first issue as a free pdf download on their website. Definitely worth a read if you’ve got the bandwidth:
Planetary - Issue 1
The best tv show that never made it to broadcast...
I was looking forward to seeing Global Frequency make it to television. Apparently though, because of a change in the reigning junta at the WB it’s not to be. In the meantime, the big news was that the pilot episode (the only thing actually shot for air) had been posted on a P2P network and had been burning up the wire. This of course caused no small amount of consternation from the folks at the WB who, even though they had decided to pass on the show, were upset people were interested in downloading and viewing something they had not deemed worthy to put on their schedule.
Well, I’ve seen the pilot and I have to say I can understand why they’re upset. The thing looks like it would be a hit. The whole story of the pilot being put onto P2P makes for some interesting reading as well...
image from frequencysite.com very interesting, check them out.
I was looking forward to seeing Global Frequency make it to television. Apparently though, because of a change in the reigning junta at the WB it’s not to be. In the meantime, the big news was that the pilot episode (the only thing actually shot for air) had been posted on a P2P network and had been burning up the wire. This of course caused no small amount of consternation from the folks at the WB who, even though they had decided to pass on the show, were upset people were interested in downloading and viewing something they had not deemed worthy to put on their schedule.
Well, I’ve seen the pilot and I have to say I can understand why they’re upset. The thing looks like it would be a hit. The whole story of the pilot being put onto P2P makes for some interesting reading as well...
image from frequencysite.com very interesting, check them out.
Jul 28, 2005
Microbicides and you...
So, the condom may soon be a thing of the past?
AIDS is the leading killer of African-American women ages 25 to 34, and the sixth-leading cause of death among all U.S. women in that age group.
HIV is spreading fastest among Americans who are 25 and younger, with unprotected sex with men accounting for 79% of new female infections. Between 1999 and 2003, AIDS cases leapt by 15% among American women, compared to 1% for men, according to the June issue of Science.
At the same time, one in four American women has genital herpes; by age 30, half of all U.S. women will have had chlamydia; gonorrhea is also on the rise.
So, the condom may soon be a thing of the past?
AIDS is the leading killer of African-American women ages 25 to 34, and the sixth-leading cause of death among all U.S. women in that age group.
HIV is spreading fastest among Americans who are 25 and younger, with unprotected sex with men accounting for 79% of new female infections. Between 1999 and 2003, AIDS cases leapt by 15% among American women, compared to 1% for men, according to the June issue of Science.
At the same time, one in four American women has genital herpes; by age 30, half of all U.S. women will have had chlamydia; gonorrhea is also on the rise.
Jul 25, 2005
We interrupt our war on terrorism, to bring you this constitutional reminder...
Afterward, the riders of this bus got t-shirts saying:
“I went to New York and all I got was
this lousy t-shirt, a frisk and a body cavity search!”
Late breaking news from the year 1791:
Amendment IV - Search and seizure. Ratified 12/15/1791.
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
People! The world is not a safe place.
Let’s all repeat that... THE WORLD IS NOT A SAFE PLACE!
No amount of searching, frisking, prodding or probing will ever make it that way. If this reasoning were truly effective, why are there still hand guns being sold in this country? The only people who will get screwed by crap like this are the ordinary citizens of this country! F**king wake up! Are the people of this country so incredibly bovine like, they will give up each and every liberty that makes this country a better place to live than a lot of others? Whether you have something to hide or not do you really want to give the police the ability to just stop you and pry into your life just because they don’t like the way you look?
Afterward, the riders of this bus got t-shirts saying:
this lousy t-shirt, a frisk and a body cavity search!”
Late breaking news from the year 1791:
Amendment IV - Search and seizure. Ratified 12/15/1791.
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
People! The world is not a safe place.
Let’s all repeat that... THE WORLD IS NOT A SAFE PLACE!
No amount of searching, frisking, prodding or probing will ever make it that way. If this reasoning were truly effective, why are there still hand guns being sold in this country? The only people who will get screwed by crap like this are the ordinary citizens of this country! F**king wake up! Are the people of this country so incredibly bovine like, they will give up each and every liberty that makes this country a better place to live than a lot of others? Whether you have something to hide or not do you really want to give the police the ability to just stop you and pry into your life just because they don’t like the way you look?
Some notes on the issue of privacy...
From the ACLU’s site - five reasons why national identity cards should not be instituted...
A national ID card system would not protect us from terrorism, but it would create a system of internal passports that would significantly diminish the freedom and privacy of law-abiding citizens.Once put in place, it is exceedingly unlikely that such a system would be restricted to its original purpose. Social Security numbers, for example, were originally intended to be used only to administer the retirement program. But that limit has been routinely ignored and steadily abandoned over the past 50 years.A national ID system would threaten the privacy that Americans have always enjoyed and gradually increase the control that government and business wields over everyday citizens.
From the ACLU’s site - five reasons why national identity cards should not be instituted...
A national ID card system would not protect us from terrorism, but it would create a system of internal passports that would significantly diminish the freedom and privacy of law-abiding citizens.Once put in place, it is exceedingly unlikely that such a system would be restricted to its original purpose. Social Security numbers, for example, were originally intended to be used only to administer the retirement program. But that limit has been routinely ignored and steadily abandoned over the past 50 years.A national ID system would threaten the privacy that Americans have always enjoyed and gradually increase the control that government and business wields over everyday citizens.
Jul 23, 2005
Ahead of the curve...
From the WoP on June 22:
There are four guys I am hoping the Mets will pursue - I doubt they’ll get them but I certainly hope they do. The players are: Sean Casey, Alfonso Soriano, Eric Milton and Mark Redman
I pride myself on being a forward thinker when it comes to baseball. It’s a month to the day when the local guys on the sports beat finally catch up to me:
From the July 22nd edition of Newsday:
Those extra arms, however, could help land another experienced bat, such as Alfonso Soriano or Sean Casey. Texas needs more starting pitching to stay in contention, and with an abundance of young power hitters, Soriano - never a favorite of manager Buck Showalter - may be expendable.
The Mets scuttled trades that would have sent Jose Reyes or Scott Kazmir to the Rangers for Soriano before last season, then later shipped Kazmir to Tampa Bay, anyway, for Victor Zambrano.
Soriano would be a natural fit at second base. Minaya didn't sign Kaz Matsui, who is a lost cause with another season left on his three-year, $20.1-million deal, and the new GM does not have a history of sitting on his hands at the deadline.
One person familiar with the situation said the Mets and Rangers already have talked about Soriano. His 23 homers this season make him more attractive than Casey (.304, four homers), but the Rangers are reluctant to deal the slugging second baseman, and a trade seems unlikely at this point.
Soriano avoided arbitration by agreeing to a $7.5-million salary for this season - a $2.1-million raise - and he'll get another bump for 2006. Casey is making $7.8 million, and the Reds already picked up his $8.5-million option for 2006.
The Mets could put together an attractive package for either team, with a major-leaguer such as Aaron Heilman combined with prospects such as righthander Yusmiero Petit or outfielders Victor Diaz and Lastings Milledge, though Milledge is regarded as a nearly untouchable talent.
Actually, I had already figured on the players in the package which could land either guy and the only name I could see going from those aforementioned was Victor Diaz. Soriano could be had for a starting pitcher (pick a name from the following: Ishi, Zambrano or Glavine - take your pick) and Kaz Matsui (who will never get a decent break here in New York and could do with the change of scenery). Casey should be part of a package along with Milton and could be had for Diaz and two of the following potchers - Dae Sung Koo, Royce Ring, Zambrano or Ishi). Marlon Anderson or Chris Woodward could also be included in this deal. Tune back in in a month to see if I was on the money. Lord knows, I appear to have gotten it wrong on the London Underground theory.
(bet you never noticed the intentional thing with the inits of the blog - sometimes you just got to rub people’s noses in things)
From the WoP on June 22:
There are four guys I am hoping the Mets will pursue - I doubt they’ll get them but I certainly hope they do. The players are: Sean Casey, Alfonso Soriano, Eric Milton and Mark Redman
I pride myself on being a forward thinker when it comes to baseball. It’s a month to the day when the local guys on the sports beat finally catch up to me:
From the July 22nd edition of Newsday:
Those extra arms, however, could help land another experienced bat, such as Alfonso Soriano or Sean Casey. Texas needs more starting pitching to stay in contention, and with an abundance of young power hitters, Soriano - never a favorite of manager Buck Showalter - may be expendable.
The Mets scuttled trades that would have sent Jose Reyes or Scott Kazmir to the Rangers for Soriano before last season, then later shipped Kazmir to Tampa Bay, anyway, for Victor Zambrano.
Soriano would be a natural fit at second base. Minaya didn't sign Kaz Matsui, who is a lost cause with another season left on his three-year, $20.1-million deal, and the new GM does not have a history of sitting on his hands at the deadline.
One person familiar with the situation said the Mets and Rangers already have talked about Soriano. His 23 homers this season make him more attractive than Casey (.304, four homers), but the Rangers are reluctant to deal the slugging second baseman, and a trade seems unlikely at this point.
Soriano avoided arbitration by agreeing to a $7.5-million salary for this season - a $2.1-million raise - and he'll get another bump for 2006. Casey is making $7.8 million, and the Reds already picked up his $8.5-million option for 2006.
The Mets could put together an attractive package for either team, with a major-leaguer such as Aaron Heilman combined with prospects such as righthander Yusmiero Petit or outfielders Victor Diaz and Lastings Milledge, though Milledge is regarded as a nearly untouchable talent.
Actually, I had already figured on the players in the package which could land either guy and the only name I could see going from those aforementioned was Victor Diaz. Soriano could be had for a starting pitcher (pick a name from the following: Ishi, Zambrano or Glavine - take your pick) and Kaz Matsui (who will never get a decent break here in New York and could do with the change of scenery). Casey should be part of a package along with Milton and could be had for Diaz and two of the following potchers - Dae Sung Koo, Royce Ring, Zambrano or Ishi). Marlon Anderson or Chris Woodward could also be included in this deal. Tune back in in a month to see if I was on the money. Lord knows, I appear to have gotten it wrong on the London Underground theory.
(bet you never noticed the intentional thing with the inits of the blog - sometimes you just got to rub people’s noses in things)
Jul 22, 2005
Imagine a cross between the Matrix with shades of The Wall...
Set against the futuristic landscape of totalitarian Britain, V For Vendetta tells the story of a mild-mannered young woman named Evey (Natalie Portman) who is rescued from a life-and-death situation by a masked vigilante known only as “V.” Incomparably charismatic and ferociously skilled in the art of combat and deception, V ignites a revolution when he detonates two London landmarks and takes over the government-controlled airwaves, urging his fellow citizens to rise up against tyranny and oppression. As Evey uncovers the truth about V’s mysterious background, she also discovers the truth about herself – and emerges as his unlikely ally in the culmination of his plot to bring freedom and justice back to a society fraught with cruelty and corruption.
Set against the futuristic landscape of totalitarian Britain, V For Vendetta tells the story of a mild-mannered young woman named Evey (Natalie Portman) who is rescued from a life-and-death situation by a masked vigilante known only as “V.” Incomparably charismatic and ferociously skilled in the art of combat and deception, V ignites a revolution when he detonates two London landmarks and takes over the government-controlled airwaves, urging his fellow citizens to rise up against tyranny and oppression. As Evey uncovers the truth about V’s mysterious background, she also discovers the truth about herself – and emerges as his unlikely ally in the culmination of his plot to bring freedom and justice back to a society fraught with cruelty and corruption.
Shoo! Shoo! Retarded flu!
Truly funny animation of prank phone call from The Stern show - bandwidth required.
Truly funny animation of prank phone call from The Stern show - bandwidth required.
Jul 20, 2005
Yes, it’s true...
I am lazy. Easily as lazy as anyone out there. So, when Eva started a blog and I noticed how much nicer it looked it did bother me. I’ve procrastinated for a long time, figuring eventually I’ll build a site of my own with this spectacular and beautiful design. Two years later, while I’ve tweaked it, I was generally unhappy with the way the thing looked. Since I’ve been spending all this time upgrading software and installing the home network (yay, for DSL!), I thought I might as well look around and see what was available for free in the way of blog templates. So, I picked this style which will at least allow me to set up a decent links section (which I’ve wanted to do for awhile now). The links section will get built out in the coming weeks and hopefully as I play around with the template I’ll learn a thing or two in the process.
I am lazy. Easily as lazy as anyone out there. So, when Eva started a blog and I noticed how much nicer it looked it did bother me. I’ve procrastinated for a long time, figuring eventually I’ll build a site of my own with this spectacular and beautiful design. Two years later, while I’ve tweaked it, I was generally unhappy with the way the thing looked. Since I’ve been spending all this time upgrading software and installing the home network (yay, for DSL!), I thought I might as well look around and see what was available for free in the way of blog templates. So, I picked this style which will at least allow me to set up a decent links section (which I’ve wanted to do for awhile now). The links section will get built out in the coming weeks and hopefully as I play around with the template I’ll learn a thing or two in the process.
Jul 19, 2005
The powerful and destructive nature of the written word...
In an earlier post, I had noted how Blog Sensei was ruing damage inadvertently and innocently caused by comments she posted on her blog. It brought to mind, various discussions I have had over the previous two plus years with certain individuals regarding the risk associated with blogging in particular. These discussions centered basically around two things:
First, the hazard of writing an entry considered offensive and subsequently alienating a person or persons by it (of course strangers aren’t the issue here as much as friends and family).
Second, inadvertently disclosing something which would cause me embarrassment and shame.
In my conversations regarding these topics, I confessed each issue being something of a non starter for me. Mainly, I work from the presumptive view at any given time I easily manage to annoy, provoke or alienate a majority of people within my sphere because of the sheer outrageousness of my opinions or the totally ill mannered way that I voice same. I started the blog just to get into the regular habit of writing and thereby build up those muscles (so to speak). It’s the first small step on a journey to find my own unique voice by way of the written word. I feel any creative endeavor embodies a level of intimacy on the part of the creator - whether it be writing, art or some other media. Maybe it is a bit vainglorious on my part to consider myself somehow creative by publishing my inanities but, there is no question that for me the blog is an outlet.
Also, while unnerving at the level of intimacy required (for there is always the occasion to questions oneself), I have discovered as I make my way down the path of life, there is a trait I must fight to overcome. Simply put it’s the tendency to ‘play it safe.’ Compromise is an inevitable consequence of being successful in a politically correct society but, it is stifling.
How much time during the course of the day am I afraid?
Afraid of saying the wrong thing, doing the wrong thing or not even by necessity doing anything ‘wrong’ per say but having my motivations or intentions misconstrued and leading to conflict. Offending someone who I would never dream of offending and in doing so lose the great treasure of their respect and friendship. It’s not a good thing to go through life afraid and truthfully I don’t think anybody who played it safe ever made a difference in this world. They just maintained the status quo.
So, words are pretty dangerous things I guess.
The reason this little diatribe issues forth is that fortunately, Blog Sensei seems to have gotten in the habit of posting regularly again and it is through one of her posts I came to read this tidbit about someone whose employer not only read her blog but choose to write an article about it in the New York Times. Both provide interesting reading.
Maybe it’s a bit of a cautionary tale on the power of the written word. I don’t know but, I do figure if I’m going to get any better at the whole writing thing, I’ll have to keep pushing myself forward even though blogging may be akin to walking a tightrope. Seems all good things in life involve some kind of risk, no?
In an earlier post, I had noted how Blog Sensei was ruing damage inadvertently and innocently caused by comments she posted on her blog. It brought to mind, various discussions I have had over the previous two plus years with certain individuals regarding the risk associated with blogging in particular. These discussions centered basically around two things:
First, the hazard of writing an entry considered offensive and subsequently alienating a person or persons by it (of course strangers aren’t the issue here as much as friends and family).
Second, inadvertently disclosing something which would cause me embarrassment and shame.
In my conversations regarding these topics, I confessed each issue being something of a non starter for me. Mainly, I work from the presumptive view at any given time I easily manage to annoy, provoke or alienate a majority of people within my sphere because of the sheer outrageousness of my opinions or the totally ill mannered way that I voice same. I started the blog just to get into the regular habit of writing and thereby build up those muscles (so to speak). It’s the first small step on a journey to find my own unique voice by way of the written word. I feel any creative endeavor embodies a level of intimacy on the part of the creator - whether it be writing, art or some other media. Maybe it is a bit vainglorious on my part to consider myself somehow creative by publishing my inanities but, there is no question that for me the blog is an outlet.
Also, while unnerving at the level of intimacy required (for there is always the occasion to questions oneself), I have discovered as I make my way down the path of life, there is a trait I must fight to overcome. Simply put it’s the tendency to ‘play it safe.’ Compromise is an inevitable consequence of being successful in a politically correct society but, it is stifling.
How much time during the course of the day am I afraid?
Afraid of saying the wrong thing, doing the wrong thing or not even by necessity doing anything ‘wrong’ per say but having my motivations or intentions misconstrued and leading to conflict. Offending someone who I would never dream of offending and in doing so lose the great treasure of their respect and friendship. It’s not a good thing to go through life afraid and truthfully I don’t think anybody who played it safe ever made a difference in this world. They just maintained the status quo.
So, words are pretty dangerous things I guess.
The reason this little diatribe issues forth is that fortunately, Blog Sensei seems to have gotten in the habit of posting regularly again and it is through one of her posts I came to read this tidbit about someone whose employer not only read her blog but choose to write an article about it in the New York Times. Both provide interesting reading.
Maybe it’s a bit of a cautionary tale on the power of the written word. I don’t know but, I do figure if I’m going to get any better at the whole writing thing, I’ll have to keep pushing myself forward even though blogging may be akin to walking a tightrope. Seems all good things in life involve some kind of risk, no?
Let the lawsuits begin...
The cover of this week’s New York magazine was shocking to say the least. When I first saw it, I thought to myself, “They couldn’t really be stupid enough to pose for this, could they?” Considering the news lately, it wouldn’t have surprised me. Then upon closer examination I saw the small disclaimer copy to the bottom left of the image. It’s a great cover. Another example of fun with Photoshop and it underscores how you can’t really buy into everything you see these days. Boy, I’ve got to figure though the wunderkind of the Hubbard set isn’t going to let this one slide.
The cover of this week’s New York magazine was shocking to say the least. When I first saw it, I thought to myself, “They couldn’t really be stupid enough to pose for this, could they?” Considering the news lately, it wouldn’t have surprised me. Then upon closer examination I saw the small disclaimer copy to the bottom left of the image. It’s a great cover. Another example of fun with Photoshop and it underscores how you can’t really buy into everything you see these days. Boy, I’ve got to figure though the wunderkind of the Hubbard set isn’t going to let this one slide.
Jul 13, 2005
Richard Cohen’s column about an unlikely candidate to fill a vacancy on the Supreme Court...
The upshot is that even the plenty conservative Alberto Gonzales, now the attorney general and once the White House counsel, is being pummeled by religiously based right-wing groups. Based on some of his decisions when he was on the Texas Supreme Court and, more pertinent, his lack of fulsome anti-abortion rhetoric, he has been deemed unacceptable by the true leaders of this very Christian nation. It is, really, an absurdity. If he is not acceptable, then Strom Thurmond will have to be exhumed.
Funny thing is, I have to say it’s something that might be worth considering.
The upshot is that even the plenty conservative Alberto Gonzales, now the attorney general and once the White House counsel, is being pummeled by religiously based right-wing groups. Based on some of his decisions when he was on the Texas Supreme Court and, more pertinent, his lack of fulsome anti-abortion rhetoric, he has been deemed unacceptable by the true leaders of this very Christian nation. It is, really, an absurdity. If he is not acceptable, then Strom Thurmond will have to be exhumed.
Funny thing is, I have to say it’s something that might be worth considering.
Jul 11, 2005
Fun with wordplay...
Last week I caught Mr and Mrs Smith which was somewhat passable. I enjoyed it (more so than my companion), mainly because it had something that’s been missing from movies in recent years. The thing I liked quite a bit about it was the smart, snappy dialog between Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. The plot got lost about halfway through the movie but, they’re both so damn pretty to watch. All the back and forth between them harkened back to a time when movies were better scripted. I was writing a friend about it and referenced the classic dialog below - if you click through you’ll get a quicktime version of the exchange but, bonus points if you can name the stars and the movie:
Hey, you remind me of a man.
What man?
Man with the power.
What power?
Power of hoodoo.
Hoodoo?
You do.
Do what?
Remind me of a man...
Last week I caught Mr and Mrs Smith which was somewhat passable. I enjoyed it (more so than my companion), mainly because it had something that’s been missing from movies in recent years. The thing I liked quite a bit about it was the smart, snappy dialog between Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. The plot got lost about halfway through the movie but, they’re both so damn pretty to watch. All the back and forth between them harkened back to a time when movies were better scripted. I was writing a friend about it and referenced the classic dialog below - if you click through you’ll get a quicktime version of the exchange but, bonus points if you can name the stars and the movie:
What man?
Man with the power.
What power?
Power of hoodoo.
Hoodoo?
You do.
Do what?
Remind me of a man...
Speaking of USA Network...
It’s very rare that TV ever gets it right. If anything, it usually gets it wrong (and in a big way). However, over the last few days I’ve been seeing these spots (ads). They’re quiet, funny and underplayed. They manage to showcase talent and at the same time build a unique brand image. It’s the antithesis of what advertising seems to have become (fast cuts, loud and garish) but, it proves how effective a campaign can be if it’s well thought out and executed properly.
Hopefully, it’ll start a trend.
“Characters Welcome,” underscores the strength of the characters that populate the network’s programming, as well as the people tuning in to watch.
A series of spots that will run beginning July 8 presents some of USA’s more popular characters in all their idiosyncratic glory. One clip trails Monk’s obsessive-compulsive detective (Tony Shalhoub) as he monomaniacally removes every expired foodstuff from the shelves of a supermarket, while another sees The Dead Zone’s reluctant psychic (Anthony Michael Hall) foresee the loss of all nine of his cat’s lives.
and...
USA will ditch its longtime logo, which incorporates a waving United States flag — but not because of any unpatriotic feelings. McCumber says viewers thought it was a “cold” symbol. It contradicted all the things that were human about our characters."
It’s very rare that TV ever gets it right. If anything, it usually gets it wrong (and in a big way). However, over the last few days I’ve been seeing these spots (ads). They’re quiet, funny and underplayed. They manage to showcase talent and at the same time build a unique brand image. It’s the antithesis of what advertising seems to have become (fast cuts, loud and garish) but, it proves how effective a campaign can be if it’s well thought out and executed properly.
Hopefully, it’ll start a trend.
“Characters Welcome,” underscores the strength of the characters that populate the network’s programming, as well as the people tuning in to watch.
A series of spots that will run beginning July 8 presents some of USA’s more popular characters in all their idiosyncratic glory. One clip trails Monk’s obsessive-compulsive detective (Tony Shalhoub) as he monomaniacally removes every expired foodstuff from the shelves of a supermarket, while another sees The Dead Zone’s reluctant psychic (Anthony Michael Hall) foresee the loss of all nine of his cat’s lives.
and...
USA will ditch its longtime logo, which incorporates a waving United States flag — but not because of any unpatriotic feelings. McCumber says viewers thought it was a “cold” symbol. It contradicted all the things that were human about our characters."
Jul 9, 2005
I’m always commenting on how girls are different today from when I was a lad. I feel often that guys my age are the unlucky caught-in-between fellows, we were too young for women raised to embrace traditional gender roles and too old for a newer generation that left those clichés behind.
Ours was the generation of the sexual revolution - hold the door or not hold the door, which is polite, which offensive? Girls didn’t play sports so much when I was younger, they were cheerleaders. If they did play sports, it was non-contact sports like gymnastics or track and field. During my years in school, if someone said you threw like a girl it wasn’t a compliment.
Today, things are different. I regularly drive by the park located next to our house to see the girls softball teams slugging it out with each new summer season. We have the WNBA and you can’t help but see all types of muscular women pushing themselves to the limits of their endurance...
“It was pretty killer,” the teenager from Hawaii said. “Even though I finished below par, it still feels (bad) because I played so well the first nine and then I just totally messed up the back nine.'”
She now goes to the men’s U.S. Amateur Public Links next week at Shaker Run in Lebanon, Ohio. The winner has traditionally gotten a spot in the Masters.
Wie had played beyond her years all week, hitting it straight and showing a better-than-expected touch around the greens. But all of that disappeared at the most inopportune time.
What I’m doing is just getting around to saying how cool I think Michelle Wie is. 15 years old, think about that for a second. She’s fifteen and she’s competing with pros and not only are they pros but, she’s given the guys a run for their money. She didn’t make the cut this week but, she’s only fifteen which means over the next five years she’ll probably only get better.
I am confident you’ll be hearing lots more of her in the years to come.
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