Playing holiday catchup
Got a little lazy trying to blog while at home for the holidays, so it's time to open up the notebook ...
• Not a whole lot to report from my trip home, although I did make a couple of trips to New York to see some friends. I did finally see the World Trade Center site. It was very eerie pulling into the reopened PATH train station at the site and realizing where you are when you see this giant concrete canyon where there's constant construction. There was a lot museum-like displays on the fences surrounding the site, otherwise you might think it was just a huge construction project in lower Manhattan, as strange as that sounds. Of course, there were all the requisite tourists around, although thankfully there weren't a lot of people mugging for the camera in the area (as one of my colleagues told me she saw).
• One thing I realize I miss during my trips to New York is the mentality that walking can actually get you from place to place. It doesn't seem like a chore to walk about 15-20 blocks, especially in good weather, yet a similar trip by foot in Atlanta (in similar weather) seems like the Bataan Death March. I think I'm more spoiled here with a car, and it does skew your vision of how far things can be.
• Is there a rule that the airlines want you to wait at the airport as long as your flight is supposed to take? It was somewhat bizarre to see about 15-20 people (including myself) on my flight back to Newark waiting in line 2 1/2 hours before a flight because AirTran wasn't ready to check them in (they had to process an earlier flight first). So much for getting to the airport three hours early. And to add insult to injury, our flight out was delayed nearly an hour because of a chain of events that links back to too much air traffic from small planes in Florida.
• I was happy to see Northwestern keep up with Bowling Green in the Motor City, and I suppose it felt inevitable Josh Harris would pull out the victory, guaranteeing his wife would get the Brenda Warner/Sarah Wood/Elisabeth Hasselbeck TV treatment. Plus, trying to win the game on Brett Basanez's arm was just asking for trouble.
• OK, I understand I'm one of about five people who cared about the Motor City (but not enough to go to Detroit), but I guess that's what makes bowl season interesting -- nearly half of the Division I-A teams have at least one more game to care about. Also, the inner gambler in me comes out at this time thanks to the bowl pools/contests I'm in, even if there is no money on the line. Why else would I still be up caring about the Silicon Valley Classic?
• That Cardinals-Vikings ending was one of the craziest I've ever seen. Our reaction in the office after it happened was priceless, especially from the Packers fan sitting next to me. Props to former NU star Damien Anderson for recovering the onside kick to set up the winning score.
• Why do I feel like I'll be much happier when the holiday season is over and it's back to business as usual? Christmas was nice and all with the family, but very low-key. And New Year's looks to be the same, except that it seems like I will be spending it with me, myself and I. Seems fitting, I think.
Wednesday, December 31, 2003
Friday, December 19, 2003
Floor plans include the Andruw, the Ewing and the Kaplan
I knew they'd eventually sell the Gold Club, and I figured some type of condo development would've worked there, given the proximity to the Lindbergh MARTA station. I wonder if I'll be around or just have the money to get a place there?
However, the thought of the old infamous building housing a church at least temporarily is very amusing, and just seems very fraught.
I knew they'd eventually sell the Gold Club, and I figured some type of condo development would've worked there, given the proximity to the Lindbergh MARTA station. I wonder if I'll be around or just have the money to get a place there?
However, the thought of the old infamous building housing a church at least temporarily is very amusing, and just seems very fraught.
Christmas, already?
OK, so it's actually a little less than a week away, but I'm flying home to New Jersey this afternoon, and I've been scrambling the past week to get stuff done -- Christmas shopping for people here (although they won't get the gifts until after I get back, go figure), cards for everyone and all the assorted errands associated with travel.
With the calendar seemingly packed together, I lost a sense of timing and some time to get my holiday chores done. Thanksgiving was so late, and thus Trashmasters was also way late, and then there was just one weekend between that and my going home for Christmas. I passed on doing the Christmas lights and my meager tree. And sorta related to all of that, I haven't done any NU alumni admissions interviews yet -- although I just got the list last week (usually those come right after Thanksgiving).
Of course, the recent work situation also knocked me out of the Christmas loop, although I think I'll get back into it once I get back home. Time to do the touristy thing and see the tree in Rockefeller Center, etc.
OK, so it's actually a little less than a week away, but I'm flying home to New Jersey this afternoon, and I've been scrambling the past week to get stuff done -- Christmas shopping for people here (although they won't get the gifts until after I get back, go figure), cards for everyone and all the assorted errands associated with travel.
With the calendar seemingly packed together, I lost a sense of timing and some time to get my holiday chores done. Thanksgiving was so late, and thus Trashmasters was also way late, and then there was just one weekend between that and my going home for Christmas. I passed on doing the Christmas lights and my meager tree. And sorta related to all of that, I haven't done any NU alumni admissions interviews yet -- although I just got the list last week (usually those come right after Thanksgiving).
Of course, the recent work situation also knocked me out of the Christmas loop, although I think I'll get back into it once I get back home. Time to do the touristy thing and see the tree in Rockefeller Center, etc.
Thursday, December 11, 2003
Reprieve
I will still be employed after February 6 after all. A few more people opted for the New York position, opening up a spot for me and two others to stay. It's a nights-and-weekends schedule and the workload could be tough with a shorter staff, but I'm still employed with few other changes, so I've got that going for me, which is nice. Although most of us feel it's a stay of execution, and we're probably all polishing our resumes as we speak.
I think yesterday and today were tougher than Tuesday because at least then, there was this feeling that a whole bunch of us were going to go down with the ship. But as more people took the New York option, things were opening up for more people. Instead of six people competing for one spot, it ended up being five for three (one of the limbo six learned his fate yesterday). Better odds, for sure, but there's a different mindset with the results. As one co-worker put it, instead of having one winner, there are two losers.
In the end, we're losing six people as of February 6, maybe sooner. Unfortunately, Alyson is one of the six (and she didn't even have the limbo option). I feel so horrible for her, and now that I've been retained, things could get even more awkward than they already are. With the multitude of issues popping up thanks to the events of the past few days, that's going be one of the toughest to handle.
I will still be employed after February 6 after all. A few more people opted for the New York position, opening up a spot for me and two others to stay. It's a nights-and-weekends schedule and the workload could be tough with a shorter staff, but I'm still employed with few other changes, so I've got that going for me, which is nice. Although most of us feel it's a stay of execution, and we're probably all polishing our resumes as we speak.
I think yesterday and today were tougher than Tuesday because at least then, there was this feeling that a whole bunch of us were going to go down with the ship. But as more people took the New York option, things were opening up for more people. Instead of six people competing for one spot, it ended up being five for three (one of the limbo six learned his fate yesterday). Better odds, for sure, but there's a different mindset with the results. As one co-worker put it, instead of having one winner, there are two losers.
In the end, we're losing six people as of February 6, maybe sooner. Unfortunately, Alyson is one of the six (and she didn't even have the limbo option). I feel so horrible for her, and now that I've been retained, things could get even more awkward than they already are. With the multitude of issues popping up thanks to the events of the past few days, that's going be one of the toughest to handle.
The final countdown
I think it's D-Day, or it could be tomorrow, it all depends on the decisions of some of other co-workers. I'm feeling more nervous now (hence the early blogging) than I did when all of this hit us in the face on Tuesday. It's been a roller-coaster ride so far: first, the news that most of us are moving, then that most of us would still have jobs somewhere (either in Atlanta or New York), then the fact that only half of us may have jobs, and now the possibility that about 70% of us may be retained after all.
I should feel better about my prospects here, but I'm not going to. And this whole ordeal is a good excuse to begin the process of looking elsewhere, no matter how it turns out.
I think it's D-Day, or it could be tomorrow, it all depends on the decisions of some of other co-workers. I'm feeling more nervous now (hence the early blogging) than I did when all of this hit us in the face on Tuesday. It's been a roller-coaster ride so far: first, the news that most of us are moving, then that most of us would still have jobs somewhere (either in Atlanta or New York), then the fact that only half of us may have jobs, and now the possibility that about 70% of us may be retained after all.
I should feel better about my prospects here, but I'm not going to. And this whole ordeal is a good excuse to begin the process of looking elsewhere, no matter how it turns out.
Wednesday, December 10, 2003
Still in limbo
Right now, I could have a position with the company in Atlanta, but only if a few people they offered the New York/Atlanta option pick NYC. We'll find out Thursday or Friday. And there are about 6-7 of us all in the same position. I'm not optimistic about being retained. No matter what, it's time to really milk those contacts.
With some of the wait, all I can think of is that damn digital clock and Jack Bauer running wild all over the place trying to save someone's job.
Right now, I could have a position with the company in Atlanta, but only if a few people they offered the New York/Atlanta option pick NYC. We'll find out Thursday or Friday. And there are about 6-7 of us all in the same position. I'm not optimistic about being retained. No matter what, it's time to really milk those contacts.
With some of the wait, all I can think of is that damn digital clock and Jack Bauer running wild all over the place trying to save someone's job.
Tuesday, December 09, 2003
Monday, December 08, 2003
You take the good, you take the bad ...
The annual Trashmasters trip was fun as usual since it's one of the few times to see everyone while only having to worry about playing and not running a tournament. My team finished third, losing only to the first- and second-place teams, going a total of 12-3 (if you count the playoff match). The questions were solid, save one packet written by a very inexperienced team, and the competition was superb (it was great to see some of the West Coast folks come out to do a dry run before TRASHionals).
I had my moments playing, but I think I may have been a step slow on the buzzer, but maybe that's because I've got JD as a teammate. That may have cost me in my unsuccessful defense of the K-Tel Hell crown as well. Still, I finished tied for ninth with DEK, so that has to count for something.
One plus about having everyone in town is that it's a good excuse to take people out to eat, and I made sure to show everyone the wonder that is Ted's Montana Grill. I think everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and thankfully most were daring enough to try the bison.
Speaking of Ted, maybe it's a good thing he's worried more about bison burgers than CNN. We've got a staff meeting coming up in the morning, and well, it doesn't sound good. We're hearing rumors of different things, but my usual line about my long tenure at work, "They haven't found a way to get rid of me," may not be true soon. Who knows, though? If anything, it will make my co-worker's annual holiday party this weekend a lot more interesting. I suppose it should be a Festivus party at this point. We'll definitely have the airing of grievances.
The annual Trashmasters trip was fun as usual since it's one of the few times to see everyone while only having to worry about playing and not running a tournament. My team finished third, losing only to the first- and second-place teams, going a total of 12-3 (if you count the playoff match). The questions were solid, save one packet written by a very inexperienced team, and the competition was superb (it was great to see some of the West Coast folks come out to do a dry run before TRASHionals).
I had my moments playing, but I think I may have been a step slow on the buzzer, but maybe that's because I've got JD as a teammate. That may have cost me in my unsuccessful defense of the K-Tel Hell crown as well. Still, I finished tied for ninth with DEK, so that has to count for something.
One plus about having everyone in town is that it's a good excuse to take people out to eat, and I made sure to show everyone the wonder that is Ted's Montana Grill. I think everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and thankfully most were daring enough to try the bison.
Speaking of Ted, maybe it's a good thing he's worried more about bison burgers than CNN. We've got a staff meeting coming up in the morning, and well, it doesn't sound good. We're hearing rumors of different things, but my usual line about my long tenure at work, "They haven't found a way to get rid of me," may not be true soon. Who knows, though? If anything, it will make my co-worker's annual holiday party this weekend a lot more interesting. I suppose it should be a Festivus party at this point. We'll definitely have the airing of grievances.
Friday, December 05, 2003
Now up for rookie of the year -- Jesse Orosco
It's a bad sign for the Grammys when a band featured on the lunchtime retro show is nominated for Best New Artist. On the plus side, it was cool to hear this song on the radio since I missed it when it first came out.
It's a bad sign for the Grammys when a band featured on the lunchtime retro show is nominated for Best New Artist. On the plus side, it was cool to hear this song on the radio since I missed it when it first came out.
Thursday, December 04, 2003
T-W-E-A-K
Mark has already touched on the new season of Lingo, and I think the show looks and feels even more foreign than when it was taped in Amsterdam. The set, the somewhat dulled out picture and the blonde co-host (complete with accent) all contribute to this. Also, Chuck Woolery looks a lot slimmer and isn't as quick with the quips as before. Maybe that separation took a lot out of him.
Mark has already touched on the new season of Lingo, and I think the show looks and feels even more foreign than when it was taped in Amsterdam. The set, the somewhat dulled out picture and the blonde co-host (complete with accent) all contribute to this. Also, Chuck Woolery looks a lot slimmer and isn't as quick with the quips as before. Maybe that separation took a lot out of him.
Coming up lemons
Now it looks like Northwestern may not go bowling (or get blown out by Bowling Green) after all. The SEC may get the second BCS berth no matter what, especially when you consider Florida is going to the Outback instead of the long-rumored Peach Bowl berth. With that move, it looks like Tennessee moves into the BCS, the Georgia-LSU loser going to the Capital One (nee Citrus) against Ohio State (instead of the BCS). And with the Buckeyes not in the BCS, there won't be enough Big Ten bowl spots and the 'Cats stay home.
I'm not really disappointed if it doesn't happen since 6-6 only made it a technicality to qualify for a bowl, and it's not necessarily indicative of a good season. It was a decent season, given everything, but is it bowl worthy? I'm not sure. The one potential positive is that 10-2 Northern Illinois may go bowling after all since two SEC teams in the BCS would free up the Independence Bowl to take an at-large team.
What's really strange is while it's fun to figure out who goes where, a lot of the matchups already announced do little for me. Many of them look like those very average Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday night ESPN games where average teams hog the national spotlight because it's the only thing on. Sure, I'll watch, but only because of a couple of bowl pools. Ah, the joys of gambling (or pseudo-gambling)!
Now it looks like Northwestern may not go bowling (or get blown out by Bowling Green) after all. The SEC may get the second BCS berth no matter what, especially when you consider Florida is going to the Outback instead of the long-rumored Peach Bowl berth. With that move, it looks like Tennessee moves into the BCS, the Georgia-LSU loser going to the Capital One (nee Citrus) against Ohio State (instead of the BCS). And with the Buckeyes not in the BCS, there won't be enough Big Ten bowl spots and the 'Cats stay home.
I'm not really disappointed if it doesn't happen since 6-6 only made it a technicality to qualify for a bowl, and it's not necessarily indicative of a good season. It was a decent season, given everything, but is it bowl worthy? I'm not sure. The one potential positive is that 10-2 Northern Illinois may go bowling after all since two SEC teams in the BCS would free up the Independence Bowl to take an at-large team.
What's really strange is while it's fun to figure out who goes where, a lot of the matchups already announced do little for me. Many of them look like those very average Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday night ESPN games where average teams hog the national spotlight because it's the only thing on. Sure, I'll watch, but only because of a couple of bowl pools. Ah, the joys of gambling (or pseudo-gambling)!
Sunday, November 23, 2003
Take them to Detroit!
I'm happy that the Cats finally became bowl eligible, but it also says something about the system that Northwestern has a much better chance at a bowl game with a 6-6 record, while 10-2 Northern Illinois, 8-3 Toledo, 9-3 Connecticut and 8-4 Navy all could get squeezed out.
There's still a lot that needs to happen for Northwestern to go bowling, however. Michigan did beat Ohio State, which probably means both teams reach the BCS, opening up an extra Big Ten bowl spot for NU. Washington State's loss also helps, since the Rose Bowl may not be as keen on taking the second-place Cougars, assuming USC reaches the title game, although there is a push for traditional Big Ten-Pac 10 matchup.
The Big 12 likely will get two BCS bids, probably Texas and Oklahoma, although the Longhorns probably would get bumped if Kansas State pulls off the upset in the conference title game. The SEC could throw a monkey wrench if LSU reaches the conference title game but loses to the East champ.
As for some of those good teams who might not get a bid, a Colorado loss would leave the Big 12 short one team for its bowl slots, but the Fort Worth may take a more local team like Tulsa. There could be a C-USA slot available, but maybe not. That extra game allowed a few more BCS conference teams (Northwestern, Kansas, Georgia Tech) to slip into a bowl and further screwing the little guys.
I'm happy that the Cats finally became bowl eligible, but it also says something about the system that Northwestern has a much better chance at a bowl game with a 6-6 record, while 10-2 Northern Illinois, 8-3 Toledo, 9-3 Connecticut and 8-4 Navy all could get squeezed out.
There's still a lot that needs to happen for Northwestern to go bowling, however. Michigan did beat Ohio State, which probably means both teams reach the BCS, opening up an extra Big Ten bowl spot for NU. Washington State's loss also helps, since the Rose Bowl may not be as keen on taking the second-place Cougars, assuming USC reaches the title game, although there is a push for traditional Big Ten-Pac 10 matchup.
The Big 12 likely will get two BCS bids, probably Texas and Oklahoma, although the Longhorns probably would get bumped if Kansas State pulls off the upset in the conference title game. The SEC could throw a monkey wrench if LSU reaches the conference title game but loses to the East champ.
As for some of those good teams who might not get a bid, a Colorado loss would leave the Big 12 short one team for its bowl slots, but the Fort Worth may take a more local team like Tulsa. There could be a C-USA slot available, but maybe not. That extra game allowed a few more BCS conference teams (Northwestern, Kansas, Georgia Tech) to slip into a bowl and further screwing the little guys.
Wednesday, November 19, 2003
It's getting to that time where I'll soon be interviewing prospective applicants to the alma mater. Most of the students I talk to are bright and usually decent people. I just hope they don't turn out like this guy, who faked two hate crime incidents to draw attention to race relations on campus. To think, there was a rally on campus in support of this guy and his cause. I think everyone will be very leery in the future anytime someone brings up a racial incident on campus.
A short visit to funny time
Just a few notes and observation from my trip to Milwaukee to visit my brother:
-- Miller Park looks pretty nice from the outside and it really looms large over the highway, although I'm not sure if that's a good or bad thing. One huge positive is that the Friday's in the park that overlooks left field is open all year round. It was nice to see the field even in November, although I wondered why the roof was open.
-- It's funny that the building where my brother works is right near the student union where I played CBI Regionals seven years ago (and my only real experience of the Marquette campus). It was also nice to see a Jimmy John's again, even if we didn't eat there.
-- In some ways, Milwaukee seemed like a mini-Chicago, especially the neighborhood around Bud Selig's lunch hangout, which if I weren't paying attention could be confused with either Skokie or parts of Rogers Park.
-- It's hard to beat a free brewery tour and better yet, free beer. However, half the time I was thinking I would end up like the guy in this movie. The one thing that threw me about the whole tour was that the introductory video was narrated by the guy who does all the High Life ads, so I wasn't sure whether to take that stuff seriously.
-- Surprisingly, I'd never done any real casino gambling until I went here, which wasn't far from my brother's place. Not like the place is a real hotbed like places in Vegas or Atlantic City, but the whole vibe there (not to mention being short on money and time) showed me why I haven't found a huge pressing need to go to the casino. Or maybe it's because there was a bunch of Winning for Dummies slot machines.
As for the Evanston part of the trip, which was primarily to see this drubbing:
-- I'm wondering when was the last time I went to a home football game when the weather wasn't just plain gray and dreary.
-- I totally miscalculated how many Michigan fans were going to come out for this game. I bought tickets on the "home" side and was surrounded by Wolverine fans.
-- Louis Avant did make an amazing catch, but that's only because John Navarre threw such a horrible pass. He was ridiculously wide open, like most of the receivers on Saturday.
-- I guess I never realized that the old greasy spoon next to my old apartment was a lot like this place.
-- It was very nice to see Mr. and Mrs. Evanston Gerbil and Ms. M again.
Just a few notes and observation from my trip to Milwaukee to visit my brother:
-- Miller Park looks pretty nice from the outside and it really looms large over the highway, although I'm not sure if that's a good or bad thing. One huge positive is that the Friday's in the park that overlooks left field is open all year round. It was nice to see the field even in November, although I wondered why the roof was open.
-- It's funny that the building where my brother works is right near the student union where I played CBI Regionals seven years ago (and my only real experience of the Marquette campus). It was also nice to see a Jimmy John's again, even if we didn't eat there.
-- In some ways, Milwaukee seemed like a mini-Chicago, especially the neighborhood around Bud Selig's lunch hangout, which if I weren't paying attention could be confused with either Skokie or parts of Rogers Park.
-- It's hard to beat a free brewery tour and better yet, free beer. However, half the time I was thinking I would end up like the guy in this movie. The one thing that threw me about the whole tour was that the introductory video was narrated by the guy who does all the High Life ads, so I wasn't sure whether to take that stuff seriously.
-- Surprisingly, I'd never done any real casino gambling until I went here, which wasn't far from my brother's place. Not like the place is a real hotbed like places in Vegas or Atlantic City, but the whole vibe there (not to mention being short on money and time) showed me why I haven't found a huge pressing need to go to the casino. Or maybe it's because there was a bunch of Winning for Dummies slot machines.
As for the Evanston part of the trip, which was primarily to see this drubbing:
-- I'm wondering when was the last time I went to a home football game when the weather wasn't just plain gray and dreary.
-- I totally miscalculated how many Michigan fans were going to come out for this game. I bought tickets on the "home" side and was surrounded by Wolverine fans.
-- Louis Avant did make an amazing catch, but that's only because John Navarre threw such a horrible pass. He was ridiculously wide open, like most of the receivers on Saturday.
-- I guess I never realized that the old greasy spoon next to my old apartment was a lot like this place.
-- It was very nice to see Mr. and Mrs. Evanston Gerbil and Ms. M again.
Thursday, November 13, 2003
Conspiracy theory lives
I suppose there's some deeper meaning involved, but for now, I'm just going to enjoy the originality and absurdity of Bubba Ho-tep on the surface. It definitely entertained me more than The Matrix Revolutions.
I'm still trying to figure out how this got pitched to anyone: Elvis and JFK fight off a soul-sucking Egyptian mummy who's terrorizing the Texas nursing home where they live. Umm yeah. But somehow it worked like a charm, and I guess you can thank Bruce Campbell and Ossie Davis, playing Elvis and JFK, for that.
I suppose there's some deeper meaning involved, but for now, I'm just going to enjoy the originality and absurdity of Bubba Ho-tep on the surface. It definitely entertained me more than The Matrix Revolutions.
I'm still trying to figure out how this got pitched to anyone: Elvis and JFK fight off a soul-sucking Egyptian mummy who's terrorizing the Texas nursing home where they live. Umm yeah. But somehow it worked like a charm, and I guess you can thank Bruce Campbell and Ossie Davis, playing Elvis and JFK, for that.
Wednesday, November 12, 2003
What's she doing there?
The craziness continues at CTU, but now we've got a surprise visitor in everyone's favorite Headline News anchor. This should get interesting.
The craziness continues at CTU, but now we've got a surprise visitor in everyone's favorite Headline News anchor. This should get interesting.
Tuesday, November 11, 2003
Guess who's back?
OK, it's been a while since I've blogged. Sorry about that.
A big reason for my absence was working on TRASH regionals questions. I think they went well across the country, and our local regional was very successful. Players of all levels seemed to enjoy the questions, and I did get to read a few humdingers between the top teams. On top of that, ThrasherGirl even got in on the action again, tag teaming with me on the scorekeeping/moderating. She's a very good reader, and I hope she can help out in Chattanooga in April.
With all the time off I've been taking lately (mainly because I've got a lot to burn), it's been high time to hit the cinema, although it's been tough trying to pick things I really want to see. So far, it's been four movies in about 10 days, I think:
Lost In Translation: The weird thing about seeing this movie was that I was the only one in the theater (granted it was a 1:30 show on a very nice Friday). Somehow it seemed pretty fitting, given the mood of the film. I did like Bill Murray's performance, although I wonder if it's "showy" enough to get the Oscar nomination many are predicting. Or maybe that's the reason why he's being considered. I'd really like to see Scarlett Johansson get some acclaim, though. It's hard to believe she's just 18 -- because she is pretty believable as a recent college graduate.
The story is pretty light, but there was just something about the whole mood/aura around the film that made it satisfying. It's hard for me to put my finger on it, other than the fact that I need to round up some people to do karaoke one of these days.
Pieces of April: Katie Holmes still proves she's the only Dawson's Creek actor with any hope of a successful career after the show because she actually has some talent. Although I couldn't help but think of her as "Joey gone bad" in this film, which was cute enough to be entertaining, although it was definitely very lightweight. I was amused with her adventures in cooking Thanksgiving dinner, but the whole other subplot of dealing with her dying mother seemed a bit forced (although Patricia Clarkson wasn't too bad in that role). I enjoyed it enough, especially given the time of year.
The Matrix Revolutions: Cooch and Evil Dave both seem to have the same feelings about this movie (and the whole franchise) as me. It took me a couple of viewings to really enjoy the first film outside of the fight scenes and special effects, which should've been a bad sign heading into the next two movies. Instead of tapping into the Matrix world, we get a lot of Zion, which I could care less about. And yes, we get more of it here, great. I'm sure there's plenty of symbolism involved with these films, but sometimes I think some people want to feel like they've gotten more out of a big budget sci-fi/action film. I felt like I needed to some completion to the whole experience by watching Revolutions, and I suppose I did, but it also makes me wonder why I even bothered with Reloaded in the first place. I think I'm like a lot of people in The Matrix -- I'm content with what's going on around me, and there is no reason to challenge that.
Elf: It seems ridiculous that there's so much Christmas stuff up in the stores already, and that one station down here is already trotting out the Christmas music. And yet here I am watching a film that probably shouldn't have been released for another couple of weeks. Still, for a silly holiday comedy, this one worked because Will Ferrell can play such a kid-like character very well. It won't be a Christmas classic, but it's not Jingle All the Way, either.
A couple of things stuck out for me: One, Zooey Deschanel seems to be competing with Reese Witherspoon and Brittany Murphy for the title of "cutest girl with the roundest eyes." But props to her for attending the alma mater.
Second, the movie seemed to be weighted down by a bunch of fat guys -- and that's not including Ed Asner as Santa Claus (a fun bit of casting there). Andy Richter and Kyle Gass had supporting roles as writers working for James Caan. Plus, Jon Favreau got to direct himself for a scene as a doctor. But I think I know why Favreau has gone behind the camera -- the dude just keeps getting bigger by the movie. I think I know why Vince Vaughn hasn't done a whole lot since Swingers -- Favreau ate him.
OK, it's been a while since I've blogged. Sorry about that.
A big reason for my absence was working on TRASH regionals questions. I think they went well across the country, and our local regional was very successful. Players of all levels seemed to enjoy the questions, and I did get to read a few humdingers between the top teams. On top of that, ThrasherGirl even got in on the action again, tag teaming with me on the scorekeeping/moderating. She's a very good reader, and I hope she can help out in Chattanooga in April.
With all the time off I've been taking lately (mainly because I've got a lot to burn), it's been high time to hit the cinema, although it's been tough trying to pick things I really want to see. So far, it's been four movies in about 10 days, I think:
Lost In Translation: The weird thing about seeing this movie was that I was the only one in the theater (granted it was a 1:30 show on a very nice Friday). Somehow it seemed pretty fitting, given the mood of the film. I did like Bill Murray's performance, although I wonder if it's "showy" enough to get the Oscar nomination many are predicting. Or maybe that's the reason why he's being considered. I'd really like to see Scarlett Johansson get some acclaim, though. It's hard to believe she's just 18 -- because she is pretty believable as a recent college graduate.
The story is pretty light, but there was just something about the whole mood/aura around the film that made it satisfying. It's hard for me to put my finger on it, other than the fact that I need to round up some people to do karaoke one of these days.
Pieces of April: Katie Holmes still proves she's the only Dawson's Creek actor with any hope of a successful career after the show because she actually has some talent. Although I couldn't help but think of her as "Joey gone bad" in this film, which was cute enough to be entertaining, although it was definitely very lightweight. I was amused with her adventures in cooking Thanksgiving dinner, but the whole other subplot of dealing with her dying mother seemed a bit forced (although Patricia Clarkson wasn't too bad in that role). I enjoyed it enough, especially given the time of year.
The Matrix Revolutions: Cooch and Evil Dave both seem to have the same feelings about this movie (and the whole franchise) as me. It took me a couple of viewings to really enjoy the first film outside of the fight scenes and special effects, which should've been a bad sign heading into the next two movies. Instead of tapping into the Matrix world, we get a lot of Zion, which I could care less about. And yes, we get more of it here, great. I'm sure there's plenty of symbolism involved with these films, but sometimes I think some people want to feel like they've gotten more out of a big budget sci-fi/action film. I felt like I needed to some completion to the whole experience by watching Revolutions, and I suppose I did, but it also makes me wonder why I even bothered with Reloaded in the first place. I think I'm like a lot of people in The Matrix -- I'm content with what's going on around me, and there is no reason to challenge that.
Elf: It seems ridiculous that there's so much Christmas stuff up in the stores already, and that one station down here is already trotting out the Christmas music. And yet here I am watching a film that probably shouldn't have been released for another couple of weeks. Still, for a silly holiday comedy, this one worked because Will Ferrell can play such a kid-like character very well. It won't be a Christmas classic, but it's not Jingle All the Way, either.
A couple of things stuck out for me: One, Zooey Deschanel seems to be competing with Reese Witherspoon and Brittany Murphy for the title of "cutest girl with the roundest eyes." But props to her for attending the alma mater.
Second, the movie seemed to be weighted down by a bunch of fat guys -- and that's not including Ed Asner as Santa Claus (a fun bit of casting there). Andy Richter and Kyle Gass had supporting roles as writers working for James Caan. Plus, Jon Favreau got to direct himself for a scene as a doctor. But I think I know why Favreau has gone behind the camera -- the dude just keeps getting bigger by the movie. I think I know why Vince Vaughn hasn't done a whole lot since Swingers -- Favreau ate him.
Friday, October 17, 2003
Well, I guess the SI cover jinx works even for regional covers. And if the Cubs were going to be sunk by the 1-2 punch of a jinx and a curse, I guess so were the Red Sox.
It's been one hell of a fall for the SI cover jinx, though. Working backwards from the past few weeks:
-- The Cubs and Red Sox lose in the LCS.
-- Jake Plummer loses and then gets hurt.
-- Oregon goes into the tank (and Priest Holmes was even slowed down).
-- Mia Hamm loses twice via the U.S. soccer team and then Nomar (plus Michigan falls to Oregon).
-- The Bills would win the week after they appeared on the cover, but they're 1-3 after that.
-- Ohio State struggled against San Diego State, but did win. It would take a few weeks later for the Buckeyes to lose.
-- The NFL preview had two retroactive cover jinxes as Chad Pennington and Michael Vick both had length photo sessions for the cover before being replaced by Kurt Warner, who got hurt and then lost his job.
All of this bodes well for Missouri, who faces cover darlings Oklahoma this weekend.
However, I wonder if the jinx would extend to the Web site? To think how much I power I might actually wield.
It's been one hell of a fall for the SI cover jinx, though. Working backwards from the past few weeks:
-- The Cubs and Red Sox lose in the LCS.
-- Jake Plummer loses and then gets hurt.
-- Oregon goes into the tank (and Priest Holmes was even slowed down).
-- Mia Hamm loses twice via the U.S. soccer team and then Nomar (plus Michigan falls to Oregon).
-- The Bills would win the week after they appeared on the cover, but they're 1-3 after that.
-- Ohio State struggled against San Diego State, but did win. It would take a few weeks later for the Buckeyes to lose.
-- The NFL preview had two retroactive cover jinxes as Chad Pennington and Michael Vick both had length photo sessions for the cover before being replaced by Kurt Warner, who got hurt and then lost his job.
All of this bodes well for Missouri, who faces cover darlings Oklahoma this weekend.
However, I wonder if the jinx would extend to the Web site? To think how much I power I might actually wield.
And for crazy baseball non-sequitirs ...
-- Does it add to the misery or is it just plain irony that John Henry Williams was diagnosed with leukemia?
-- Will the Steve Bartman movie be as rushed as either the D.C. Sniper, or even worse, the Pennsylvania miners, movie?
-- Speaking of Bartman, it wasn't the greatest of nights for the 6 p.m. SportsCenter after being duped by a Howard Stern fan. How long has Stern's influence on public prank calls been lasting, anyway? I remember one of my friends in high school spoofing a Donahue show, and that had to be at least 10-11 years ago.
-- What other former Oriole (other than Cal) is going to interview for the vacant managerial job? Eddie Murray, Rich Dauer and Rick Dempsey have interviewed so far. I guess Lenn Sakata, John Lowenstein and Tippy Martinez are next.
-- Does it add to the misery or is it just plain irony that John Henry Williams was diagnosed with leukemia?
-- Will the Steve Bartman movie be as rushed as either the D.C. Sniper, or even worse, the Pennsylvania miners, movie?
-- Speaking of Bartman, it wasn't the greatest of nights for the 6 p.m. SportsCenter after being duped by a Howard Stern fan. How long has Stern's influence on public prank calls been lasting, anyway? I remember one of my friends in high school spoofing a Donahue show, and that had to be at least 10-11 years ago.
-- What other former Oriole (other than Cal) is going to interview for the vacant managerial job? Eddie Murray, Rich Dauer and Rick Dempsey have interviewed so far. I guess Lenn Sakata, John Lowenstein and Tippy Martinez are next.
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