Happy Merry, everyone.
Impudent Ways: Busy Nothings From EA Hanks
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Cashmere Reading: December 23, 2007
HOLY DICK, IT'S CHRISTMAS AND I'M TOTALLY UNPREPARED.
I need to pack, clean my apartment and come to terms with my disbelief that Christmas is the birthday of god incarnate, come to relieve humanity of its woes and sins. All before 1 pm this afternoon, so let's get this shit started.
The Week In Review
I take one look at Frank Rich, and see from Barry Blitt's illustration that this week is going to be more about Obama vs. Clinton. Couched in a look at the role "experience" is playing in both parties, Rich focuses on how voters are probably tired of "experience" (the Clintons?) and more interested in "something new" (Obama?). I like the idea of McCain's inner thoughts on Huckabee ("We can only imagine what is going on inside John McCain's head when contemplates Mike Huckabee. It can't be pretty.")-- McCain is starting to look like he's regretting this whole mess, like all he wants to do is go home, fix himself some ovaltine and watch golf.
Apparently, I'm not the only one who's noticed that Rich has jumped on the Obama bandwagon, as former President Bill Clinton wrote Rich a handwritten, two page letter in response to Rich's commentary on Senator Clinton's votes on Iraq and Iran. Snap! A two page letter-- that'll show 'em!
Every now and then someone will ask me where I stand on Clinton vs. Obama, and I won't answer them because, at this point, I still don't care. I mean, I care, but I'm too busy hating the Democrats in congress to start being disappointed by the presidential candidates. I will say that I don't think Obama can win Iowa, but he does have a shot in New Hampshire. But, over all, it doesn't really matter. All he has to do is do better than was originally thought he would, while Clinton does just a little worse than people she thought she was going to do, and that's the story. The news cycle will be focused on how Obama is "gaining" on Hillary, and that gives Obama the momentum. Thoughts? Comments?
There's also an article of the "buzzwords" of 2007, things like "colony collapse disorder," "lolcat," "gorno," and "astronaut diaper." I'm reminded that I never want to hear any of these words ever again, just like I never want to hear people talk about blogs, brands, or products ever, ever again.
Sunday Styles
Maybe it's only because I don't have a Christmas tree this year, but I've been relying on the Times to remind me that it's the holiday season (the tourists in SoHo, aren't enough, apparently). Thank god for Bill Cunningham's On The Street, which is a nutso collage of small dogs with bows in their "hair," holiday themed window dressings, and Christmas trees. No wonder I have conflicted feelings about this time of the year.
Everything else in this section bores me.
The Front Section
Right off the bat, I'm freaked out. On the front page is a story about people turning the graves of their loved ones into "festive tableaux." As anyone who has lost a loved one can tell you, they seem a little, er...deader around the holiday season. I don't see how putting jumbo sized candy canes into the ground around a tombstone is going to make me feel better.
Tony Blair, who was C of E, is now a Catholic, for some reason. Maybe because he's a Middle East Envoy now? Because there's never been an issue with sending Catholics to the Middle East...
French President Nicholas Sarkozy continues to confuse me by being really good looking, and really possibly scary.
Global warming is now so bad that they have tropical diseases in Italy. Locals are hoping the tourists die of Dengue first.
There's a story with the headline:"A Place Just Like Every Other Place. Only Not."
That's the best headline I've ever read. Only not.
The Arts
This section is chock full of end-of-the-year lists, which I can't really stand. Also, after that story on the front page, I don't really feel like reading "Films That Look Death in the Eye Without Flinching."
And...on that note..Uh...Merry Christmas?
For serious people, Merry Happy. Hope the holiday treats you like the the gentlefolk you are.
Also, Merry Sunday!
I need to pack, clean my apartment and come to terms with my disbelief that Christmas is the birthday of god incarnate, come to relieve humanity of its woes and sins. All before 1 pm this afternoon, so let's get this shit started.
The Week In Review
I take one look at Frank Rich, and see from Barry Blitt's illustration that this week is going to be more about Obama vs. Clinton. Couched in a look at the role "experience" is playing in both parties, Rich focuses on how voters are probably tired of "experience" (the Clintons?) and more interested in "something new" (Obama?). I like the idea of McCain's inner thoughts on Huckabee ("We can only imagine what is going on inside John McCain's head when contemplates Mike Huckabee. It can't be pretty.")-- McCain is starting to look like he's regretting this whole mess, like all he wants to do is go home, fix himself some ovaltine and watch golf.
Apparently, I'm not the only one who's noticed that Rich has jumped on the Obama bandwagon, as former President Bill Clinton wrote Rich a handwritten, two page letter in response to Rich's commentary on Senator Clinton's votes on Iraq and Iran. Snap! A two page letter-- that'll show 'em!
Every now and then someone will ask me where I stand on Clinton vs. Obama, and I won't answer them because, at this point, I still don't care. I mean, I care, but I'm too busy hating the Democrats in congress to start being disappointed by the presidential candidates. I will say that I don't think Obama can win Iowa, but he does have a shot in New Hampshire. But, over all, it doesn't really matter. All he has to do is do better than was originally thought he would, while Clinton does just a little worse than people she thought she was going to do, and that's the story. The news cycle will be focused on how Obama is "gaining" on Hillary, and that gives Obama the momentum. Thoughts? Comments?
There's also an article of the "buzzwords" of 2007, things like "colony collapse disorder," "lolcat," "gorno," and "astronaut diaper." I'm reminded that I never want to hear any of these words ever again, just like I never want to hear people talk about blogs, brands, or products ever, ever again.
Sunday Styles
Maybe it's only because I don't have a Christmas tree this year, but I've been relying on the Times to remind me that it's the holiday season (the tourists in SoHo, aren't enough, apparently). Thank god for Bill Cunningham's On The Street, which is a nutso collage of small dogs with bows in their "hair," holiday themed window dressings, and Christmas trees. No wonder I have conflicted feelings about this time of the year.
Everything else in this section bores me.
The Front Section
Right off the bat, I'm freaked out. On the front page is a story about people turning the graves of their loved ones into "festive tableaux." As anyone who has lost a loved one can tell you, they seem a little, er...deader around the holiday season. I don't see how putting jumbo sized candy canes into the ground around a tombstone is going to make me feel better.
Tony Blair, who was C of E, is now a Catholic, for some reason. Maybe because he's a Middle East Envoy now? Because there's never been an issue with sending Catholics to the Middle East...
French President Nicholas Sarkozy continues to confuse me by being really good looking, and really possibly scary.
Global warming is now so bad that they have tropical diseases in Italy. Locals are hoping the tourists die of Dengue first.
There's a story with the headline:"A Place Just Like Every Other Place. Only Not."
That's the best headline I've ever read. Only not.
The Arts
This section is chock full of end-of-the-year lists, which I can't really stand. Also, after that story on the front page, I don't really feel like reading "Films That Look Death in the Eye Without Flinching."
And...on that note..Uh...Merry Christmas?
For serious people, Merry Happy. Hope the holiday treats you like the the gentlefolk you are.
Also, Merry Sunday!
Monday, December 17, 2007
Blog! Link! Viral!
Oh, hello dear readers!
I make up for (yet another) missing Cashmere Reading, by offering you this little video my friend and comrade Patrick Waldo and I made, for the ol' HuffPo. You can also see it on the HP here
Blog about it.
I make up for (yet another) missing Cashmere Reading, by offering you this little video my friend and comrade Patrick Waldo and I made, for the ol' HuffPo. You can also see it on the HP here
Blog about it.
Friday, December 14, 2007
Sunday, December 09, 2007
Cashmere Reading: December 9th, 2007
Baby it's cold outside...
So curl up in your new blue throw, hit your radiator with a wrench, and forget that it's before noon -- It's always scotch o'clock.
And this is your Cashmere Reading for December 9, 2007.
The Week In Review:
My brain crush of the century, Frank Rich, has zeroed in (like everyone else) on Mike Huckabee. How is this guy so boring and so terrifying at the same time? For those who haven't been paying attention (and I don't blame you) Huckabee is the candidate who was really fat, but then got skinny, doesn't believe in the IRS, is a baptist preacher, and THINKS PEOPLE LIVING WITH AIDS SHOULD BE QUARANTINED. He made this argument in '92, when he was saying that homosexuality is "an aberrant, unnatural, and sinful lifestyle." Ah the GOP -- you know it's good when the candidate coming up from the rear to lead the polls in Iowa is a complete douchenozzel. (By the way, that links takes you to a statement Huckabee issued today about how he will not recant on his idea that people with AIDS should be sent to the Island of Doctor Moreau.)
Rich points out that once again, the press was way behind on this ("It's gonna be Romney,it's gonna be Clinton....Oh, uh, It's gonna be Huckabee? It might be Obama?") and really has no clue more than anyone else does. However! I think the whole point of this week's column was to make the connection between JFK and...Obama. While everyone else was busy connecting the dots between Romney's "Mormon" speech and JFK's "Catholic" speech, ol Sneaky Richy goes to root for Obama by making him into the young savior not once, by twice!
Exhibit A:
Exhibit B:
Easy there, Frank!
(I also glance over Laurie Goodstein's piece "A Mormon's Ultimate Doorbell" because the only thing that interests me more than Scientology is Mormonism. However, I will advise anyone interested in learning anything about Mormonism to read The Book of Mormon, as well as the Doctrine and Covenants, known as the D&C. I will warn you though, they both read like Bible Fan Fiction written by fourteen-year-olds heavy into Stained. Then you HAVE to read John Krakauer's Under The Banner Of Heaven. Seriously. Read it.)
Sunday Styles
This week is super lame: Rich Russians, rich kids playing squash, and Bill Cunningham's "On The Streets" is fairly unimaginative -- rich people wearing winter white. Blah.
The only thing that catches my eye is "A Night Out With" which is with Ellen Page, who rocks so hard. I caught her new movie Juno last week, and thoroughly enjoyed.
I can't bear to read "Modern Love" any more, and I glanced over some sort of themed party thing going on where everyone dresses like it's 1992. Whatever people -- rock your scrunchies at home while listening to M.I.A.. She's better than your nostalgia for Bell Biv Devoe.
Front Section
With the holidays on us, the front section is mostly adverts, but there are some interesting stories hidden.
There's more on Huckabee's kooky go-fascist ideas about locking up all the people with AID's, natch.
The Kurds are fucked, but even more than you had originally thought.
A Foreign Aid bill is getting screwed (ahem) because it would provide funds for organizations who fund abortions for women. Anyone who watches the West Wing will instantly be reminded of Jed and Abbey arguing over breakfast about Clancey Bangert and his gag rule. God, Stockard Channing was so cool on that show.
*Bonus Depression Points!!!!*: People holding up the Foreign Aid bill?? Not Republicans!!! There are five anti-abortion Dems/Blue Dogs, including Jim Langevin (RI) and Henry Cuellar (TX). This makes me think of my mantra as of late, which I have no problem saying, is from "Sex and The City": "I don't believe in the Republican Party, or the Democratic party. I just believe in parties."
(It's at 3:40)
A man, from Baltimore of all places, says he was tortured while he was in GitMo. If we taped it, then the evidence has been destroyed. Jesus. I need more tea to deal with this. I feel like I'd feel better about this if Kurt Vonnegut were still alive.
And, Oprah is stumping for Obama. Inspiring? Scary? I can't tell!
The Arts
Listen: shut up. I don't like Radiohead. I never have. I never will. I find them cold, disinterested, and uninspiring. I know everyone else thinks they float above the ground, but I don't really care about them, or their new record, or how they sold it online for whatever anyone wanted to pay. Didn't Wilco already do that, and with a sense of humor?
Mark Twain has a play that he wrote before he died and it's being put up. Good for him!
Other than that, nothing else catches my eye besides the Grammy Nominees, specifically Amy Winehouse.
Amy Winehouse is talented -- really, really talented. She's also horribly sick and maybe a little nusto, and the photographs of her wandering around in only her bra, crying, and with god knows what caked around her nostrils are really depressing. It makes me wonder -- who doesn't set the camera down, take off their coat and say -- "Dear, take this coat. You ok? Do you need something? Are you lost?" How do you NOT do that? How do you not wrap her up, give her a cuppa?
Anyway, a little clip, to show that the lady can sing, even if she's only singing the blues.
Happy Sunday?
-L
So curl up in your new blue throw, hit your radiator with a wrench, and forget that it's before noon -- It's always scotch o'clock.
And this is your Cashmere Reading for December 9, 2007.
The Week In Review:
My brain crush of the century, Frank Rich, has zeroed in (like everyone else) on Mike Huckabee. How is this guy so boring and so terrifying at the same time? For those who haven't been paying attention (and I don't blame you) Huckabee is the candidate who was really fat, but then got skinny, doesn't believe in the IRS, is a baptist preacher, and THINKS PEOPLE LIVING WITH AIDS SHOULD BE QUARANTINED. He made this argument in '92, when he was saying that homosexuality is "an aberrant, unnatural, and sinful lifestyle." Ah the GOP -- you know it's good when the candidate coming up from the rear to lead the polls in Iowa is a complete douchenozzel. (By the way, that links takes you to a statement Huckabee issued today about how he will not recant on his idea that people with AIDS should be sent to the Island of Doctor Moreau.)
Rich points out that once again, the press was way behind on this ("It's gonna be Romney,it's gonna be Clinton....Oh, uh, It's gonna be Huckabee? It might be Obama?") and really has no clue more than anyone else does. However! I think the whole point of this week's column was to make the connection between JFK and...Obama. While everyone else was busy connecting the dots between Romney's "Mormon" speech and JFK's "Catholic" speech, ol Sneaky Richy goes to root for Obama by making him into the young savior not once, by twice!
Exhibit A:
Mr. Obama's campaign, though hardly the long shot of Mr. Huckabee's,could also fall short. But the Clinton camp's panic over his rise in the Iowa polls shows that he's on the right tactical track. The more polarizing and negative a candidate turns in style, the more that candidate risks playing Nixon to Mr. Obama's Kennedy.
Exhibit B:
The most experienced candidate in 2008 is not Mrs. Clinton, Mr. Guiliani or Mr. Romney, in any case. It's Mr. McCain, Joe Biden, Chris Dodd and Bill Richardson who have the longest resumes. Mr. Huckabee and Mr. Obama, meanwhile, are both betting that this is another crossroads, like 1960, when Americans are hungry for a leader who will refocus the nation on the path ahead.
Easy there, Frank!
(I also glance over Laurie Goodstein's piece "A Mormon's Ultimate Doorbell" because the only thing that interests me more than Scientology is Mormonism. However, I will advise anyone interested in learning anything about Mormonism to read The Book of Mormon, as well as the Doctrine and Covenants, known as the D&C. I will warn you though, they both read like Bible Fan Fiction written by fourteen-year-olds heavy into Stained. Then you HAVE to read John Krakauer's Under The Banner Of Heaven. Seriously. Read it.)
Sunday Styles
This week is super lame: Rich Russians, rich kids playing squash, and Bill Cunningham's "On The Streets" is fairly unimaginative -- rich people wearing winter white. Blah.
The only thing that catches my eye is "A Night Out With" which is with Ellen Page, who rocks so hard. I caught her new movie Juno last week, and thoroughly enjoyed.
I can't bear to read "Modern Love" any more, and I glanced over some sort of themed party thing going on where everyone dresses like it's 1992. Whatever people -- rock your scrunchies at home while listening to M.I.A.. She's better than your nostalgia for Bell Biv Devoe.
Front Section
With the holidays on us, the front section is mostly adverts, but there are some interesting stories hidden.
There's more on Huckabee's kooky go-fascist ideas about locking up all the people with AID's, natch.
The Kurds are fucked, but even more than you had originally thought.
A Foreign Aid bill is getting screwed (ahem) because it would provide funds for organizations who fund abortions for women. Anyone who watches the West Wing will instantly be reminded of Jed and Abbey arguing over breakfast about Clancey Bangert and his gag rule. God, Stockard Channing was so cool on that show.
*Bonus Depression Points!!!!*: People holding up the Foreign Aid bill?? Not Republicans!!! There are five anti-abortion Dems/Blue Dogs, including Jim Langevin (RI) and Henry Cuellar (TX). This makes me think of my mantra as of late, which I have no problem saying, is from "Sex and The City": "I don't believe in the Republican Party, or the Democratic party. I just believe in parties."
(It's at 3:40)
A man, from Baltimore of all places, says he was tortured while he was in GitMo. If we taped it, then the evidence has been destroyed. Jesus. I need more tea to deal with this. I feel like I'd feel better about this if Kurt Vonnegut were still alive.
And, Oprah is stumping for Obama. Inspiring? Scary? I can't tell!
The Arts
Listen: shut up. I don't like Radiohead. I never have. I never will. I find them cold, disinterested, and uninspiring. I know everyone else thinks they float above the ground, but I don't really care about them, or their new record, or how they sold it online for whatever anyone wanted to pay. Didn't Wilco already do that, and with a sense of humor?
Mark Twain has a play that he wrote before he died and it's being put up. Good for him!
Other than that, nothing else catches my eye besides the Grammy Nominees, specifically Amy Winehouse.
Amy Winehouse is talented -- really, really talented. She's also horribly sick and maybe a little nusto, and the photographs of her wandering around in only her bra, crying, and with god knows what caked around her nostrils are really depressing. It makes me wonder -- who doesn't set the camera down, take off their coat and say -- "Dear, take this coat. You ok? Do you need something? Are you lost?" How do you NOT do that? How do you not wrap her up, give her a cuppa?
Anyway, a little clip, to show that the lady can sing, even if she's only singing the blues.
Happy Sunday?
-L
Monday, December 03, 2007
Writers Are Sad , Also: Funny
A goodly portion of my friend collection is getting fucked over by their employers who don't think they should get money for what they do. This blows. In contrast, my friends rock. Please enjoy friend Rob's video, and support the writers: go to unitedhollywood.com
I don't get paid enough for what I do, but at least that's because of general reasons, and not because Sumner Redstone is an evil, evil man.
I don't get paid enough for what I do, but at least that's because of general reasons, and not because Sumner Redstone is an evil, evil man.
Sunday, December 02, 2007
Cashmere Reading: December 2nd 2007
Baby, it's cold outside... So get your ass under that afghan, crank up the Coltrane, and enjoy this week's Cashmere Reading.
I've gone a fortnight without some Frank Rich, and I was starting to go through withdrawals. This week he's all about challenging the inevitability of Sen. Clinton's nomination. He mention's Karl Rove's first column for Newsweek, "How To Beat Hillary (Next) November," which makes me thinking that maybe the right is even more creepy then I thought they were. What if the Bush's and the hard Christian right want Hillary to get the nomination so they can tear her to pieces, galvanizing their hardcore misogynist/fundamental/crazy-go-koo-koo voters who have don't have anyone to rally for since there's no born-again republican running?
It makes a little uncomfortable that Rich is clearly being so pro-Obama, but his point's aren't wrong. He argues that while th "racists; it's because they are defensive and out of touch,
I've gone a fortnight without some Frank Rich, and I was starting to go through withdrawals. This week he's all about challenging the inevitability of Sen. Clinton's nomination. He mention's Karl Rove's first column for Newsweek, "How To Beat Hillary (Next) November," which makes me thinking that maybe the right is even more creepy then I thought they were. What if the Bush's and the hard Christian right want Hillary to get the nomination so they can tear her to pieces, galvanizing their hardcore misogynist/fundamental/crazy-go-koo-koo voters who have don't have anyone to rally for since there's no born-again republican running?
It makes a little uncomfortable that Rich is clearly being so pro-Obama, but his point's aren't wrong. He argues that while th "racists; it's because they are defensive and out of touch,
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