A happy fourth!

Gerry sent me this beautiful drawing he made attached to an email from today and couldn’t resist posting it. It’s so a well done - click through for larger size:

Still missed.

Over the last weekend, I came to realize a year had passed - we haven’t had a card game since.

Sitting in his hospital room and over the subsequent days after Bob’s passing I came to realize the measure of life’s wealth and simply put it is in the lives we touch. As the fates would have it, Bob turned out to be one of the wealthiest men I have ever had the privelege to know and he will be sorely missed.

Rush Limbaugh exposed as a limp dick - finally!

So it is somewhat surprising to hear of Rush Limbaugh’s latest run in with the law over prescription meds. Surprising because Limbaugh has been known as something of a stiff for years. His need for help in that department comes as something of a shock - in many quarters Limbaugh is often described as a bit of a walking erection.

You would think the Republican in me would be dismayed over this run in with the law for the poster boy of the conservative media.

Not really.

See, I have little taste for those among us who follow the tract of ‘do as I say, not as I do.’ While Limbaugh may turn his cyclopean gaze onto political figures in this country based upon their party affiliation - I think he is part of the problem in our country today and he has been for a very long time. His response on his radio show today to the incident, is another example of the incredible hypocrisy he lives his life by:

Limbaugh joked about the search on his radio show Tuesday, saying Customs officials didn't believe him when he said he got the pills at the Clinton Library and he was told they were blue M&Ms.

Limbaugh appeals to a certain segment of the population - he does it by painting the world into very black and white tones and casting the people who are in opposition to his views as ‘the bad guys.’ It’s this kind of rhetoric I hate the most. Mainly because it is so divisive to the body politic of our country. There are of course things we will disagree on but, for any kind of progress to be made in our country, compromise ultimately will be a part of it. Positioning the opposing viewpoint in such an extreme fashion makes it so much harder for that compromise to happen. It impedes progress, it hampers change and growth.

We always hear about wars we are fighting, ideological wars which threaten the fabric of our society. Oddly enough, it is hard to find a difference between the very terrorists we are ‘fighting’ and those who would try and take arguments over opposing views into the same extreme territory Muslim fundamentalists would. Now, before you start reacting, hear me out: I’m not saying these people are the same in all ways, they are not advocating violence the way a group such as Al Qaeda would but, they are very similar in their zero sum approach to the discussion. There is no room for opposing views in their argument and that’s a big problem.

Truth is we have some very big problems to solve in this country at the moment, problems that will only get bigger over time and if we are to do the hard work of confronting those problems and making our nation a better place, we had better realize it is necessary for us to work together to overcome those problems.

Just some food for thought.

Still, you would think Rush would be a lot smarter than that wouldn’t you. Such a lapse of judgement on his part has got to have his fans thinking (one would hope).

It’s so rare.



Very much so when you note a well done campaign in advertising.

It happens, but it’s the exception when it does:


It’s particularly hard when a client has its position in the market ingrained in the mind of the consumer. It’s when the going gets tough for people in advertising. I worked in the field for a long time, people with true talent are hard to find. The very nature of ad agencies and the inherent beauracracy stymies truly creative ideas. A concept has to get through so many hurdles, so many sign-offs, by the time a fresh idea gets to market, it has been watered down to the point where it doesn’t clearly deliver its message failing both the agency and the client.

Agencies don’t want to do bad advertising, neither do clients but, it’s hard for folks to get out of their own way and let the people who should be doing a job do that job:


In the meantime, I am a big fan of the Band, They Might Be Giants - I have been for years. Their sensibilities have always appealed to me not only in their wonderful lyrics but also in the many catchy poppy melodies they manage to craft. I would even go so far as to compare Flansberg and Linnell to Lennon and McCartney - they may not have reached the audience that the two legendary songwriters did but, they certainly have shown the same versatility and mastery of a tune:


Good advertising insofar as the world of TV commercials goes is all about marrying music and pictures in a striking and unmistakeable fashion. Getting a message across to someone in a brief snippet of time and in a way that it sticks. A way where the consumer walks away remembering their brief exposure to your ad and possibly looking for it again.



Hill Holiday’s work on Dunkin Donuts is just that, well executed repositioning of an established brand. They’ve implimented the graphics throughout the company’s printed material and it looks like they’ve done a great job of it. Makes me want to work at a place like that, seems like they’re on the ball.



These are just a few of my favorite spots from this campaign (in addition to the ones above), all marked by some very catchy tunes by TMBG:

This is for anyone who has suffered through last six years of a Bush presidency.

Some background, I went to Google, typed in the word a***ole and hit the I’m feeling lucky button - this is the site I was directed to which had me laughing hysterically. Unless you’re alone, you’ll probably want to keep the sound down but, I am sure you will enjoy this short video from:

Film strip international

Let’s get it over with.

More comic trailer previews. This one with Nicholas Cage sounded like it would be a dog but, the preview looks really good. You never know with these things though but it seems from what I could see they did a great job with the casting too.



Click here for the Ghost Rider trailer.

Speaking of superheroes...

While Superman Returns broke this past week, producers of another movie coming out this summer used it as an opportunity to promote their film. The way they set up their trailer was such that the viewer would think it was a trailer for Superman Returns as it began. Still the film looks very funny and I’ve no doubt I’ll want to see it when it is released:



Click here for trailer to My Super Ex Girlfriend.

The bastard son of Krypton.

I saw the new Superman movie and as these things go it was pretty good. Not surprising I imagine since Bryan Singer usually makes a good movie (see Apt Pupil which ranks just behind The Usual Suspects in terms of his best movies).

Following a mysterious absence of several years, Superman (Brandon Routh), comes back to Earth—but things have changed. While Lex Luthor (Kevin Spacey) plots to render him powerless once and for all, Superman faces the heartbreaking realization that the woman he loves, Lois Lane (Kate Bosworth), has moved on with her life. Or has she? Superman's bittersweet return challenges him to bridge the distance between them while finding a place in a society that has learned to survive without him. In an attempt to protect the world he loves from cataclysmic destruction, Superman embarks on an epic journey of redemption that takes him from the depths of the ocean to the far reaches of outer space.

I had a few problems with the film. It was way long. Much, much longer than it needed to be (Running Time: 2 hrs. 34 min.). It could have easily clocked in at just under or over two hours and been a lot better movie. I can only wonder if there is a special edition DVD if they’ll have anything in the way of deleted scenes since it is so unbearably long it looks like they used everything. If you don’t believe me, see if you don’t find yourself wondering when the damn thing is going to end and fidgeting in your seat for the last half hour.

That said, Kate Bosworth was wonderful (although I have to admit to getting her confused with Kate Beckinsale), Kevin Spacey was just out and out excellent as always, doing probably the best turn as Lex Luthor I have ever seen. Even Parker Posey who is known for destroying pictures was good in this (oops I get her confused with Amanda Peet). Brandon Routh was excellent as the Big Red S!

Singer has also managed to take some of the better elements of earlier Superman movies and reuse them to best effect in this film (score, titles and the appearance of a certain dead actor). I’m trying not to ruin the thing for those who do go and see it.

What I did have a problem with (spoiler text below - highlight to read):

Not to be a prude but, the plot point of Supes trying to put the moves on an obviously attached and involved Lois Lane didn’t quite sit well with me. Not that it’s so racy or anything, just that it’s kind of at odds with the whole image of Superman being this white bread pure superhero. When he is making the moves on her it is very clear she is living with and for all he knows has a family with another man. Superman the adulterer? I’m just not sure if that’s the kind of message you want for this type of a movie. What subtle message are you sending there?

The bastard son of Krypton reference is towards Lois’ kid who midway through the second act they make very clear is the child of Lois and Supes. Superman does the dirty deed with Lois (without protection no less) and then leaves behind a pregnant Lois is very uncool. Faster than a speeding bullet but unable to wear a hat? Lois certainly has a right to be pissed. Again, it’s just this cutesy kind of thing I imagine they were trying to make the character more modern but, I really think someone made a wrong turn with that one. Take out the reveal of the kid having powers and leave him as the kid of Lois and her new man and Supes becomes a more heroic figure in my book.

Also, there was a certain amount of very subtle Christian iconography that was going on it seemed. A lot of the poses and the way Supes was shot seemed very reminiscent of some of the clichéd portrayals of Christ through the centuries - much in the way the figure was posed and the point of view.



Anyway, I’m curious to see how others found it so please leave your comments below!

But then again, we always knew that.

Osama bin Laden appeared to warn Iraq’s majority Shi’ite Muslims they were not safe from al Qaeda’s new leader in the country after a car bomb devastated a Baghdad market on Saturday, killing more than 60 people.

“It is not possible that many southerners violate, alongside America and its allies, Ramadi, Falluja, Mosul ... and that their areas remain safe from retaliation,” a voice like that of the Saudi-born Sunni Islamist said in an Internet recording.

It’s just final proof Al Qaeda isn’t fighting a jihad against non-Muslims - there is no room for compromise with a group like this. Theirs is a battle of absolutes and we must commit ourselves to the total eradication of such evil in the world. We must fight this battle on their terms as they leave us no choice. The zealots of Al Qaeda make no distiction in who is a justifiable target of their violence and as such they rank right up there with other scourges of humanity over the last 100 years. Regardless of whether or not we agree with the premises behind this conflict, we cannot hide from it as they will seek us out. Let us join together and wage a thorough and merciless campaign to eradicate them and their ilk from our midst - they are animals and deserve none of our compassion or respect. The sooner we send them to their final reward, the sooner we will make the world a better and safer place. Just like vermin, pestilence or disease we must not stop until they are obliterated completely.

Time for housecleaning.

Need to go through the sidebar and do some housecleaning on the whole link experience yet again. I have to show some link love for those who are linking to me and at the same time just update some things to make life more interesting for those who drop by to visit.

The best part of the fight between Star Jones and Barbara Walters.

Although I don’t care about The View, I don’t watch The View and what happens on The View has little or no impact on my day to day life. I will shamelessly admit to enjoying a good hearty belly laugh every time I see this video which is now in heavy rotation because of recent media events:

What would Ray Miland say?

I looked up at the calendar today, a Christmas gift from Mister Bruce and realized I hadn’t changed the thing over from May to June. Then as I thought about it, I’d just as soon forget June anyway. The month started off with me feeling crappy and here were closing in on July and I’m just hoping to feel better. I thought I was out of the woods but, the last few days were just brutal. Stuff got done this month, precious little though and not anywhere near what I would have liked to accomplish - I just want to feel physically well though! June has been more like a lost month than anything else.

Some things you still enjoy...

It’s been on a couple of times lately and every time I manage to see it I am reminded by what a good movie it is:



My Favorite Brunette is a 1947 movie spoofing movie detectives and the film noir style. Starring Bob Hope and Dorothy Lamour, it also features Lon Chaney, Jr. playing Willie, a character based on his Of Mice and Men role Lennie; Peter Lorre as Kismit, a comic take on his many film noir roles; and cameo appearances by film noir regular Alan Ladd and Hope partner Bing Crosby.

Really worth watching, reminds me very much of a certain era of Hollywood movie making.

You’ve got to give some people credit for thinking outside of the box.

“We think this goes with the central message of the gospel and Jesus loves you regardless of your profession,” the statement read. “This is not about shock tactics, this is about trying to get the word of God to places most say would be impossible but we have found a way to do it.”

The only thing I imagine I’m a little bit surprised is the name of the organization - xxxchurch.

It’s not imitation, it’s theft.

There have been a few instances over the last couple of days where I’ve seen my writing (my terminology) just wholesale swiped. It’s been a bit amazing, the places I’ve seen it happen. I guess I should be flattered but, I just find myself a bit pissed. Possibly part of the reason is the people doing the swiping aren’t ready to own up to it or at the very least give me the credit for the masterful weaving of words. The thieves in question whether they be strangers or friends just come along and basically pirate ideas as their own.

It’s nothing new. Years back I would work on story concepts, rolling the things over and over in my mind. As part of the process of working out a story, I’d talk about the concepts, settings and themes before they had fully germinated only to watch as another would come takes those unrealized threads and spin them into a hackneyed and bland cloth, full of holes and clichés.

There are a few very popular and well-known plotlines (in a medium I choose not to designate), I have no doubt were commandered from me. I know full well who committed the theft and how they came by the information. In one or two cases, I am glad it was done because the fact is when you take something still incomplete and claim it as your own, you had best be able to see it through. Even if a foundation is poured, it doesn’t mean you’ll be able to build a strong and beautiful house. You need to be a skilled carpenter for that otherwise you end up with a shack. I guess it’s hard to imagine someone who finds it necessary to steal in such a way would be a skilled builder themselves.

Anyway, what I find amazes me though is that with the incredible wealth of ideas and words we are surrounded by, is it still necessary to steal? Are these thieves just f**kin’ lazy?

Never happens enough for my taste.

But always nice when comments do appear.

Your time is gonna come....

From Google video, a short from some foreign TV show of an excellent sight gag!

C’mon, if you lived here you already knew this.

Outscoring large cities in 35 countries, New York proved best in three tests of courtesy, according to the survey by Reader’s Digest.

Reporters for the magazine conducted a “door test,” to see who would hold open a door, a “document drop” to see who would help pick up dropped papers and a “service test” to measure if salesclerks said thank you for a purchase.

Speaking of crusades.

I came across this and thought I would pass it along, I think anyone who is over the age of 35 would rankle at this proposal and might want to take the time out to generate some response to it. Click on the paragraph to take a look:

Soon after the death of former President Ronald Reagan, the leader of the Ronald Reagan Legacy Project came up with the idea of removing Alexander Hamilton from the $10 bill. According to him, Hamilton has no constituency, no one will care if he is gone. While it is important to honor our nation’s 40th president, doing so at the expense of one of our greatest Founding Fathers is unnecessary and inappropriate. Hamilton’s portrait on the $10 bill is the single most significant living memorial to the man who created the modern American economy. To remove Hamilton from the $10 is to debase American history and our common American heritage.

Conducting an experiment.

The old saw is that sex sells. I wanted to test that theory so, I posted one of the photos I had from a shoot I did around this time last year up on the Flickr stream.

It’s not a particualrly revealing photo and I have procrastinated about going through all the shots from the session, cleaning them up and adjusting the color on them. I thoroughly intend on posting the whole series eventually but I’ve been focusing mainly on the things I’ve shot with the point and shoot over the last few months rather than going back and adjusting the things I did with the big camera.

So, I put up this image as a teaser image more or less just to see what kind of traffic it will generate. Also, I was hoping to get an opportunity to work with some more people on the basis of the shoot itself - we’ll see what happens but here’s the shot in question. It’s marginally nsfw but it shouldn’t really be a problem since you can’t see more than you would at a beach. I imagine though the selection of outfit and the body art are what might make it a bit racy.



*Update - a mere four hours after the shot was posted, it has moved up to the #15 position on the basis of number of views and I would not at all be surprised if it doesn’t crack the top 3 before tomorrow! I guess there’s some truth to the statement!

*Update 2 - As predicted, not even up 24 hours and it cracked the top 3 - before the week is out it may even crack number 1!