Tribal & Textile Arts at Fort Mason Center this weekend, Feb. 13-15, 2009 is magnificent once again. Hundreds of collectors, artists and vendors have recreated micro-gallery spaces within one of Fort Mason's huge pier buildings. Thanks to those dear gallery owners, and the Kasky Lees production, I was able to stroll through hundreds of galleries in one afternoon, once again, pausing in the beautifully designed central plaza for some soup along the way. The chance to get glimpses into hundreds of tribal antique shops all at once always makes the show truly splendid. And the central cafe plaza designed into the show works very well too. I paused, reflected, rested and loved seeing all the gallery people, and the artists who did both-- sold some antiques and crafted new jewelry from antique components.
I can peek into tribal arts galleries from L.A., Brussels, Paris and New York, too, each little booth uniquely designed to showcase the treasures they'd collected over decades. Shelving, glass cabinets, tables and tribal furnishings were all used well, with considerate placement of charming objects reflecting the artistic and spiritual modes of their times-- the visual flow of those objects was imbued with art itself. They left just enough space around each item to give us a good look, but played up common elements, graphically and topically. I may have seemed a bit foolish gushing my thanks to the proprietors present, thanking them for the artful arrangements, and for bringing so many beautiful textiles to our town. It been a highlight of my years here for nearly a decade now. Tribal treasures filling a pier the size of an airplane hangar.
The prior weekend the giant pier becomes a glorious exhibition of The Arts of Pacific Asia, with hundreds of galleries sharing their collections again. This year I felt too sad to check that one out. But I returned to my early beloved Tribal Arts & Textiles show by myself and wandered around.
This time, Tribal Arts showcased sculpture, with lots of masks and human forms in very abstract images, from a large span of time, in human terms. I was rather blue at first, having reminisced again recently, but this year's focus was on sculpture, and there were enough of those wildly amusing objects and masks to shake me out of the doldrums. I gained a new appreciation for those sculptural treasures like little statuettes and big masks.
The masks have an abstract representation that I found very freeing. They seemed like direct renderings of emotion. And I loved the ones with dizzy expressions-- designed to elicit a chuckle. There were so many objects whose minimalist design, while hundreds of years old, captured such an essense of a mood, that they drew me in and away from my daily concerns. I found myself calling some of them operatic-- human emotion in all its glory, for better or for worse. For some seemed like embodiments of angst, so seeing the shared feeling was freeing. This guy sure gets it-- across the centuries, and continents, I've got friends.
And as in other museum visits, some of the tiniest items can speak most intimately of a shared sensibility. Moments in their time, now in mine.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Dear Madam Speaker: The Democrats Won
Basic Message = YOU WON.
Please STOP CAPITULATING to the GOP because their methods and recommendations are the destructive ideas that led to the collapse of our economy. They're declaring that they'll vote against Obama's plan anyway, so all of that capitulation you have already done isn't worth much to them. Except for GOP marketing value. The party of Newt Gingrich knows that capitulation makes Democrats look weak, which disappoints your base and makes the GOP look tougher. They're playing power games. So go ahead and strip their goodies back out of the stimulus package. Obama and the Democrats offered concessions and they still obstructed, so the offers are withdrawn. That would really shake up the pompous Republican leaders who continue to promote failed policies and myths. It would also inspire your constituents to see Democrats finally standing up for their more effective policies.
We are in a BUSH RECESSION, supported by the Republicans who are fighting Obama. The GOP ruined our economy and international reputation. Enough is enough with them. Since they've continued to obstruct, even when given some concessions, you have the permission of the 83% of us who support Obama to strip those concessions back out of Obama's stimulus package. Since the GOP seems determined to obstruct Obama, no matter what he does, don't give them anything, and withdraw the items put in there to appease them. Don't keep trying to give them more and more. That rewards their obstructionist behavior.
PUT BACK family planning into the stimulus package. Condoms are expensive and family planning helps the economy. Democrats usually support the poor who need Medicaid. It's been sad to see you guys ignore your principles just to placate the destructive GOP leaders.
ELIMINATE some of the tax breaks. The GOP obstructionists still aren't satisfied and are said to be planning to vote against Obama anyway, so go ahead and strip their goodies out. Replace those with more infrastructure spending to create jobs. Democratic ideas that have worked, not Republican myths from people who want to destroy our government.
Republican policies favoring privatization and deregulation drove this country into the ditch. They are ignoring their recent history, so you have the permission of the 83% who support Obama's efforts to fix our battered country to STOP REWARDING the disgusting GOP leaders who think this is a great time to play some power games.
When the GOP threatens filibusters this time, MAKE THEM DO IT. Let the US public see them wasting time just to preserve BANKRUPT IDEAS like trickle down economics. The Republicans have talked trickle down while practicing trickle up, including shameless war profiteering. Their privatization and deregulation schemes HAVE FAILED and even if they can't feel it and think they've got the time to play power games, the public does not agree. If they insist on power games in a time of crisis, make them go all the way through a filibuster. Let the public see the pampered GOP leaders waste time during this national crisis.
Please STOP CAPITULATING to the GOP because their methods and recommendations are the destructive ideas that led to the collapse of our economy. They're declaring that they'll vote against Obama's plan anyway, so all of that capitulation you have already done isn't worth much to them. Except for GOP marketing value. The party of Newt Gingrich knows that capitulation makes Democrats look weak, which disappoints your base and makes the GOP look tougher. They're playing power games. So go ahead and strip their goodies back out of the stimulus package. Obama and the Democrats offered concessions and they still obstructed, so the offers are withdrawn. That would really shake up the pompous Republican leaders who continue to promote failed policies and myths. It would also inspire your constituents to see Democrats finally standing up for their more effective policies.
We are in a BUSH RECESSION, supported by the Republicans who are fighting Obama. The GOP ruined our economy and international reputation. Enough is enough with them. Since they've continued to obstruct, even when given some concessions, you have the permission of the 83% of us who support Obama to strip those concessions back out of Obama's stimulus package. Since the GOP seems determined to obstruct Obama, no matter what he does, don't give them anything, and withdraw the items put in there to appease them. Don't keep trying to give them more and more. That rewards their obstructionist behavior.
PUT BACK family planning into the stimulus package. Condoms are expensive and family planning helps the economy. Democrats usually support the poor who need Medicaid. It's been sad to see you guys ignore your principles just to placate the destructive GOP leaders.
ELIMINATE some of the tax breaks. The GOP obstructionists still aren't satisfied and are said to be planning to vote against Obama anyway, so go ahead and strip their goodies out. Replace those with more infrastructure spending to create jobs. Democratic ideas that have worked, not Republican myths from people who want to destroy our government.
Republican policies favoring privatization and deregulation drove this country into the ditch. They are ignoring their recent history, so you have the permission of the 83% who support Obama's efforts to fix our battered country to STOP REWARDING the disgusting GOP leaders who think this is a great time to play some power games.
When the GOP threatens filibusters this time, MAKE THEM DO IT. Let the US public see them wasting time just to preserve BANKRUPT IDEAS like trickle down economics. The Republicans have talked trickle down while practicing trickle up, including shameless war profiteering. Their privatization and deregulation schemes HAVE FAILED and even if they can't feel it and think they've got the time to play power games, the public does not agree. If they insist on power games in a time of crisis, make them go all the way through a filibuster. Let the public see the pampered GOP leaders waste time during this national crisis.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Poetry is Back in the White House !
From the multicultural classical tribute composition specially written by John Williams, which had its funny moments and deeply moving valleys, through the rest of the ceremony, pure poetry flowed.
Our new CEO's speech will be one of those inaugural addresses remembered for generations. I am already looking forward to hearing it all the way through again. What I remember is the elegant way it incorporated some logical outlines interspersed with passionate poetry to inspire us all to participate in living out the better nature prescribed in our founding documents. He did that brilliantly-- appealing to all to rise above the static to our young country's original aspirations. And to take responsibility for the amount of and manner in which we use the earth's scarce resources, when others in the global community are still starving. He called on us to rise above the rhetoric, analyze, debate and do what works.
Then came poetry from the people. A beautiful poem that touched on similar themes as his speech had, beginning with finding one's way through some dry brambles and on to a healing journey and hope. The poem was quite epic in scope, so I look forward to hearing it again.
And the benediction was gloriously poetic as well. Calling upon universal themes that motivate us to plead to our gods, and prompt us to live up to our ideals. And he, too, called upon us all to remember our place in history, and the global community of nations.
Pure Poetry that outdoor stuff was-- and the uniting themes were love and hope and community action.
Our new CEO's speech will be one of those inaugural addresses remembered for generations. I am already looking forward to hearing it all the way through again. What I remember is the elegant way it incorporated some logical outlines interspersed with passionate poetry to inspire us all to participate in living out the better nature prescribed in our founding documents. He did that brilliantly-- appealing to all to rise above the static to our young country's original aspirations. And to take responsibility for the amount of and manner in which we use the earth's scarce resources, when others in the global community are still starving. He called on us to rise above the rhetoric, analyze, debate and do what works.
Then came poetry from the people. A beautiful poem that touched on similar themes as his speech had, beginning with finding one's way through some dry brambles and on to a healing journey and hope. The poem was quite epic in scope, so I look forward to hearing it again.
And the benediction was gloriously poetic as well. Calling upon universal themes that motivate us to plead to our gods, and prompt us to live up to our ideals. And he, too, called upon us all to remember our place in history, and the global community of nations.
Pure Poetry that outdoor stuff was-- and the uniting themes were love and hope and community action.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Songs I Have Loved to Sing
Before quittting smoking, when composing the motivational list, i thought about the songs I loved to sing, how those celebrated how to use the voice, so much like ambling through the gorgeous fashions of YSL this past weekend, let me amble now and in the near future, about songs I've loved having the breath to sing...
- Good Morning Heartache
- Gloomy Sunday
- Lover Man
- The Long & Winding Road
- Unlucky Woman
- Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered
- Hey There
- Knock on Wood
- Ain't to Proud to Beg
- Lean on Me
- Up on the Roof
- Prince of Peace (Leon Thomas)
- On a Wonderful Day Like Today
- Foyo Suvelavimwai La Meze Meyeyo
- You Don't Love Me No More
- Masquerade
- For No One (Lennon McCartney)
- I Shall Be Released
- We Can Work It Out
- I'll Be Seeing You
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Slumdog Millionaire -- dazzling urban visual rhythms
Slumdog Millionaire is NOW PLAYING at the Embarcadero Theater in S.F. I just got home from it and highly recommend it. Here are some thoughts. (I talk about the story line but not in enough detail to be a spoiler.)
I am still dazzled by Slumdog Millionaire, built around the slums of Mumbai. It is perhaps the best movie I've ever seen. Visually very dense in the most intricate sense. The visual equivalent of the poly rhythmic world music I love. The director was able to capture the action within the living city of millions bustling about. The humming activity sometimes seems like a split screen and yet it is not. That is just Mumbai, here there and everywhere. Seething and dancing urban India. And a few charming years the main characters spend in rural areas.
This dazzling city life is but the canvas for a story that evolves seemingly as chaotically organically as life itself. The editing together of the story is another remarkable feat. A nimble touch. No clunkiness in getting from point A to point B.
"Slumdog Millionaire" is about a slum kid who wins Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? in Mumbai and is interrogated by police as a fraud because how could a young man raised in the slums know that?-- So the film takes you through each of his answers in the program and shows the intense experiences that imprinted the answers into his brain. Very smart thread for the story. Very organic weaving of events into the mix. And very intense urban busy-ness throughout the film. Multiple scenes of action simultaneously, as happens in a city-- cars driving here, folks running there, train over there, and chase scene in the forefront through the alleyways... Super graphics-- billions bustling in Mumbai nee Bombay. And scenes filmed in the slums which were adjacent to the garbage dump in which our lead character was a wee tyke...
Came straight home after the movie tonight because it was so dazzling. I feel like I've spent one intense week in Mumbai back streets, with some scenes in other cities that flow right in to the plot and then our orphaned slum kids get tossed on to the next part of their lives...
Wherever you are, if it hits a big screen and you're up for a dazzling urban adventure with a sweet storyline melody thread too, I think you will love it.
I'd love to see it again. My eyes feel like a full week of walking through a famous city, Yet there were also those quiet shots-- moments of stilness that slip into some city time. Glances of calm. Or suites of colors that are pleasing in spite of their being corrugated roofing in varied stages of decay... And often the raw city sounds were fed in. Or some very R&B like bhangra tunes pounded away briefly for city set ups... The history of three kids who grew up in the urban underbelly of India. Sheer enchantment.
Yes I do believe I could go on for hours... I am still in awe...
I am still dazzled by Slumdog Millionaire, built around the slums of Mumbai. It is perhaps the best movie I've ever seen. Visually very dense in the most intricate sense. The visual equivalent of the poly rhythmic world music I love. The director was able to capture the action within the living city of millions bustling about. The humming activity sometimes seems like a split screen and yet it is not. That is just Mumbai, here there and everywhere. Seething and dancing urban India. And a few charming years the main characters spend in rural areas.
This dazzling city life is but the canvas for a story that evolves seemingly as chaotically organically as life itself. The editing together of the story is another remarkable feat. A nimble touch. No clunkiness in getting from point A to point B.
"Slumdog Millionaire" is about a slum kid who wins Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? in Mumbai and is interrogated by police as a fraud because how could a young man raised in the slums know that?-- So the film takes you through each of his answers in the program and shows the intense experiences that imprinted the answers into his brain. Very smart thread for the story. Very organic weaving of events into the mix. And very intense urban busy-ness throughout the film. Multiple scenes of action simultaneously, as happens in a city-- cars driving here, folks running there, train over there, and chase scene in the forefront through the alleyways... Super graphics-- billions bustling in Mumbai nee Bombay. And scenes filmed in the slums which were adjacent to the garbage dump in which our lead character was a wee tyke...
Came straight home after the movie tonight because it was so dazzling. I feel like I've spent one intense week in Mumbai back streets, with some scenes in other cities that flow right in to the plot and then our orphaned slum kids get tossed on to the next part of their lives...
Wherever you are, if it hits a big screen and you're up for a dazzling urban adventure with a sweet storyline melody thread too, I think you will love it.
I'd love to see it again. My eyes feel like a full week of walking through a famous city, Yet there were also those quiet shots-- moments of stilness that slip into some city time. Glances of calm. Or suites of colors that are pleasing in spite of their being corrugated roofing in varied stages of decay... And often the raw city sounds were fed in. Or some very R&B like bhangra tunes pounded away briefly for city set ups... The history of three kids who grew up in the urban underbelly of India. Sheer enchantment.
Yes I do believe I could go on for hours... I am still in awe...
Show Ideas for a Style Channel
Cinematic Style -- Movie series of films featuring fashion: like Funny Face; Slaves of New York; ADD MORE
-- Documentaries about designers and fashion. I have seen such docs on Yves Saint Laurent, Karl Lagerfeld, not sure if Givenchy has one. ADD MORE
Fashion Drama Series-- Does the BBC have any more besides The House of Elliott? Would AbFab be that since they both play in chic circles? Check international networks.
Makeoverama -- Purchase makeover segments of popular shows like Oprah, Tyra and others past and present. Could be fun to show retro makeover segments too. And the international edition-- you can probably find great makeover segments in England, Australia and Scotland. And if you're willing to subtitle, I'll bet makeover shows from other countries would be cool too.
Trinny and Susannah, What Not to Wear UK, have been so funny in their books that just because BBC America won't play them doesn't mean we should miss out. A style channel would like to share what the UK thinks a successful style transformation to be, with the witty commentary of Trinny and Susannah.
-- Documentaries about designers and fashion. I have seen such docs on Yves Saint Laurent, Karl Lagerfeld, not sure if Givenchy has one. ADD MORE
Fashion Drama Series-- Does the BBC have any more besides The House of Elliott? Would AbFab be that since they both play in chic circles? Check international networks.
Makeoverama -- Purchase makeover segments of popular shows like Oprah, Tyra and others past and present. Could be fun to show retro makeover segments too. And the international edition-- you can probably find great makeover segments in England, Australia and Scotland. And if you're willing to subtitle, I'll bet makeover shows from other countries would be cool too.
Trinny and Susannah, What Not to Wear UK, have been so funny in their books that just because BBC America won't play them doesn't mean we should miss out. A style channel would like to share what the UK thinks a successful style transformation to be, with the witty commentary of Trinny and Susannah.
Dave Chappelle gets my Mort Sahl Award for 2008
He came on stage with just a stool there and his cigarettes and talked for nearly two hours, covering all kinds of topics including lots of politics and then before you knew it, he was done. A generous long set had elapsed in waves of delightful talk.
Dave Chappelle. Saw him on November 1st. Before the election, so he joked about what those reluctant to vote for Obama might be worried about.
I was lucky enough to be in the third row at the Punchline and enjoyed every story. He, too, is a brilliant writer who wove a lot of material into nearly two enchanting hours. Lots of laughs and new perspectives.
That was the thing about Mort Sahl, he'd come on stage with just his newspaper, in a cardigan, and sit on a stool or stand and just reel off interesting, varied material about current events and before you knew it a long set had elapsed and you were still smiling, wanting more.
Dave Chappelle. Saw him on November 1st. Before the election, so he joked about what those reluctant to vote for Obama might be worried about.
I was lucky enough to be in the third row at the Punchline and enjoyed every story. He, too, is a brilliant writer who wove a lot of material into nearly two enchanting hours. Lots of laughs and new perspectives.
That was the thing about Mort Sahl, he'd come on stage with just his newspaper, in a cardigan, and sit on a stool or stand and just reel off interesting, varied material about current events and before you knew it a long set had elapsed and you were still smiling, wanting more.
Lizz Winstead gave us a full hour of political comedy
Lizz Winstead-- created The Daily Show and helped Air America develop shows, including Rachel Maddow and Chuck D and Lizz in the mornings and that's how Rachel got rolling.
Lizz is petite, pale and brunette and seems like she could be from Michigan or Wisconsin. I'd have to check that in Facebook. She reminded me of old friends of mine who were from there. She had a refreshing frankness and common sense.
I'd been to a number of comedy shows in the City looking for more political comedy, with the election coming and all, but had been continually disappointed. There would be snippets here and there but it seemed as though people were staying fairly neutral on that. The exceptions were Robin Williams, Paul Mooney and (later) Dave Chappelle. That reluctance to develop political humor makes the USA feel even more like a fascist state.
So Lizz was totally refreshing. She is indeed a fabulous writer. She was reeling off lots of Palin jokes and then stopped herself, noting that she could fill an hour with them. Then she did some McPanic and other topics, including gay marriage and No on 8.
Felt like I was watching a national treasure and I look forward to seeing her again. She has quite a web presence, so I'll check that out too.
Lizz is petite, pale and brunette and seems like she could be from Michigan or Wisconsin. I'd have to check that in Facebook. She reminded me of old friends of mine who were from there. She had a refreshing frankness and common sense.
I'd been to a number of comedy shows in the City looking for more political comedy, with the election coming and all, but had been continually disappointed. There would be snippets here and there but it seemed as though people were staying fairly neutral on that. The exceptions were Robin Williams, Paul Mooney and (later) Dave Chappelle. That reluctance to develop political humor makes the USA feel even more like a fascist state.
So Lizz was totally refreshing. She is indeed a fabulous writer. She was reeling off lots of Palin jokes and then stopped herself, noting that she could fill an hour with them. Then she did some McPanic and other topics, including gay marriage and No on 8.
Felt like I was watching a national treasure and I look forward to seeing her again. She has quite a web presence, so I'll check that out too.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Brashly Beautiful-- or Beautifully Brash, RELIGILOUS was a Smash !!
Religilous is a stupendous achievement, traveling light through centuries of religious sites, up to the present, with flash-ins of iconic moments in cinematic religious experience.
Mountains of thanks to Bill Maher because truly, folks, he's been brash enough to go ahead and do it. He asked the damn questions. To the believers. And responded calmly but honestly, with all due respect, accent on the due.
Because in between reasonable discussions, and very calm yet horrifying tidbits, Bill Maher would slam some of the religious lore of the various faiths. On equal footing, they all sound odd. But there he went, into Hyde Park was it? In some London park, where folks stand on soap boxes to make their declarations, he went to recite the very peculiar tenets of Scientology.
But he also took us to Mormon territory, showing us key locations and exploring the lore through clips of old documentaries and interviews and such.
Lots of OH, SNAP ! moments-- Bill just laying it on the line. So there was some crude stuff in there. But it highlighted the vulgarity of religious fervor still being used in the 21st century to incite violence.
Plus, Thank you thank you and I need the flash card set of the Founding Fathers' statements you tossed in there like a slide show. That's what has always galled me -- separation of church and state was a cornerstone of the freedom we sought in the New World. To be free to believe and pray however we wished, in our homes, temples and other private gatherings.
Mountains of thanks to Bill Maher because truly, folks, he's been brash enough to go ahead and do it. He asked the damn questions. To the believers. And responded calmly but honestly, with all due respect, accent on the due.
Because in between reasonable discussions, and very calm yet horrifying tidbits, Bill Maher would slam some of the religious lore of the various faiths. On equal footing, they all sound odd. But there he went, into Hyde Park was it? In some London park, where folks stand on soap boxes to make their declarations, he went to recite the very peculiar tenets of Scientology.
But he also took us to Mormon territory, showing us key locations and exploring the lore through clips of old documentaries and interviews and such.
Lots of OH, SNAP ! moments-- Bill just laying it on the line. So there was some crude stuff in there. But it highlighted the vulgarity of religious fervor still being used in the 21st century to incite violence.
Plus, Thank you thank you and I need the flash card set of the Founding Fathers' statements you tossed in there like a slide show. That's what has always galled me -- separation of church and state was a cornerstone of the freedom we sought in the New World. To be free to believe and pray however we wished, in our homes, temples and other private gatherings.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Rrrrobbeee-- you're a hard worker, Robin Williams!
Robin Williams sure knows how to "Working on New Material" !! The September Show is a beautifully crafted evolution of the June Show. Great bits with extra ornamentation, and new treats tossed in very generously, including great improv.
I saw his thus titled show in June, prior to the Olympics, and he had wonderful material about the preparations for the event and the power of modern China. Last night, the best of that stuff was entwined with the Aug 08 updates -- and new Olympic bits like doing a pommelhorse routine for us, right there on stage.
The recurring theme of the new micro-technology and conversing through texting was worked in with the beginning of the show. The club guy tells us all to turn off all recording devices and cell phones and such. Then Robie talks about not having recordings all over the place of a work in progress and a messy old white comedian flying all over the internet-- with a flash and a snap and a quick video taping. He talked about how we used to fear the age of Big Brother and now "we've entered the age of the Little Snitch." Loved that !! From the time of Big Brother into the Age of the Little Snitch !!
He did great material on the Palin. Based quite a bit on the dreary accent she has-- the smarmy goodie goodie voice. He used kind of Fargo Minnesota twang for that.
And this time he spun a lot more political humor into his routine and it worked really well. The audience was up for it and thrilled to have him crystallize our thoughts so well. He did pages and pages of the stuff and we were all eating it up and so happy to have him give us some laughs.
He did some Pope material. Spinning from being on a German TV talk show and asked about why did he suppose there was so little comedy in Germany? To which he couldn't help replying that one might suppose it could be that they had killed off all the funny people? And segued over time into the current Pope being sorta kinda having a Nazi background.
I saw his thus titled show in June, prior to the Olympics, and he had wonderful material about the preparations for the event and the power of modern China. Last night, the best of that stuff was entwined with the Aug 08 updates -- and new Olympic bits like doing a pommelhorse routine for us, right there on stage.
The recurring theme of the new micro-technology and conversing through texting was worked in with the beginning of the show. The club guy tells us all to turn off all recording devices and cell phones and such. Then Robie talks about not having recordings all over the place of a work in progress and a messy old white comedian flying all over the internet-- with a flash and a snap and a quick video taping. He talked about how we used to fear the age of Big Brother and now "we've entered the age of the Little Snitch." Loved that !! From the time of Big Brother into the Age of the Little Snitch !!
He did great material on the Palin. Based quite a bit on the dreary accent she has-- the smarmy goodie goodie voice. He used kind of Fargo Minnesota twang for that.
And this time he spun a lot more political humor into his routine and it worked really well. The audience was up for it and thrilled to have him crystallize our thoughts so well. He did pages and pages of the stuff and we were all eating it up and so happy to have him give us some laughs.
He did some Pope material. Spinning from being on a German TV talk show and asked about why did he suppose there was so little comedy in Germany? To which he couldn't help replying that one might suppose it could be that they had killed off all the funny people? And segued over time into the current Pope being sorta kinda having a Nazi background.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Dear Keith let a little scathing out in the long hours at the Dem Con in Denver
Just a couple of times, after being on air for hours already.
When an obviously great comment by a Democratic speaker was then very clumsily panned by one of his colleagues, he did not hide his contempt. When colleagues made obviously partisan snide remarks about the Democrats that seemed like RNC taglines of the day, Keith called a couple out. Parried back.
After hours and hours of coverage in makeshift broadcasting platforms, he seemed to have gotten a bit too tired to be his usually elegantly restrained self. He allowed scathing to emerge a few times. And some quick sharp jabs slipped in there. I really admired the ones I saw. Worn out Keith honestly responding to some idiot's vile yet casual smearing of a great Democrat's speech.
MSNBC may have worried that he would burn out on Day 2 of the RNC convention and be unable to join his colleagues in pretending that Republicans had any standing in an honest discussion about how to manage our country after the disastrous Republican administration of the past 7 years.
I expect that it is stressful to fake it and respectfully discuss RNC talking points when our nation so desperately needs change and not more of the same. Can't pretend to admire the current Republican crop without muscle cramps. So he should take a bit of a vacation. He deserves one. I look forward to watching a refreshed Keith, after the RNC Fake Fest. Wonderful to have him ready for the follow up season. After both conventions, with the vision of both paths presented to the world.
In the meantime, Chris can pretend he's talking about the old McMaverick of the 90's, and toss a few hardball topics the RNC is ready for and discuss their canned responses. OR... He can be among the few voices who make sure to follow up RNC standard bullet point comments with some solid questions.
Matthews could highlight the sad fact he and John Kerry know very well-- their old friend Senator McCain has changed into Candidate McCain who opposes many of the policies Senator McCain himself introduced. Their friend the maverick supported things the Candidate John Sidney McCain III has opposed. And yes, we do have a reel of clips ready, sir.
Matthews could do a great service, as Kerry has been, in helping those who liked the original version realize that guy is long gone. He gave up his own VP choice to go with Dobson's. That's a whole different guy. Your old friend would not have voted with Bush 90% of the time, My Friends. Would not have such a poor voting record on veterans' issues. The original resisted the further merging of church and state. He's gone, My Friends. ETC ETC.
When an obviously great comment by a Democratic speaker was then very clumsily panned by one of his colleagues, he did not hide his contempt. When colleagues made obviously partisan snide remarks about the Democrats that seemed like RNC taglines of the day, Keith called a couple out. Parried back.
After hours and hours of coverage in makeshift broadcasting platforms, he seemed to have gotten a bit too tired to be his usually elegantly restrained self. He allowed scathing to emerge a few times. And some quick sharp jabs slipped in there. I really admired the ones I saw. Worn out Keith honestly responding to some idiot's vile yet casual smearing of a great Democrat's speech.
MSNBC may have worried that he would burn out on Day 2 of the RNC convention and be unable to join his colleagues in pretending that Republicans had any standing in an honest discussion about how to manage our country after the disastrous Republican administration of the past 7 years.
I expect that it is stressful to fake it and respectfully discuss RNC talking points when our nation so desperately needs change and not more of the same. Can't pretend to admire the current Republican crop without muscle cramps. So he should take a bit of a vacation. He deserves one. I look forward to watching a refreshed Keith, after the RNC Fake Fest. Wonderful to have him ready for the follow up season. After both conventions, with the vision of both paths presented to the world.
In the meantime, Chris can pretend he's talking about the old McMaverick of the 90's, and toss a few hardball topics the RNC is ready for and discuss their canned responses. OR... He can be among the few voices who make sure to follow up RNC standard bullet point comments with some solid questions.
Matthews could highlight the sad fact he and John Kerry know very well-- their old friend Senator McCain has changed into Candidate McCain who opposes many of the policies Senator McCain himself introduced. Their friend the maverick supported things the Candidate John Sidney McCain III has opposed. And yes, we do have a reel of clips ready, sir.
Matthews could do a great service, as Kerry has been, in helping those who liked the original version realize that guy is long gone. He gave up his own VP choice to go with Dobson's. That's a whole different guy. Your old friend would not have voted with Bush 90% of the time, My Friends. Would not have such a poor voting record on veterans' issues. The original resisted the further merging of church and state. He's gone, My Friends. ETC ETC.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Yes the Palin Appointment was Insulting to All of Us
Insulting to women because she is definitely no Hillary Clinton and is anti-choice.
Insulting to all because she supports teaching creationism in science class.
Insulting to Obama because she has so little experience. Mayor of a town of 7,000 for a couple of years, and Governor of Alaska, with less people than San Francisco or San Jose, for a couple of years. Whereas Obama has years in the State Senate and six years in the national Senate.
Dangerous because she believes in The Rapture-- Jesus will come get you so you don't have to keep the earth clean.
Dangerous because yes she is a global warming denier and friend of Big Oil. Hubby worked for BP and Alaska gets rich on petro-dollars.
Insulting to all because she supports teaching creationism in science class.
Insulting to Obama because she has so little experience. Mayor of a town of 7,000 for a couple of years, and Governor of Alaska, with less people than San Francisco or San Jose, for a couple of years. Whereas Obama has years in the State Senate and six years in the national Senate.
Dangerous because she believes in The Rapture-- Jesus will come get you so you don't have to keep the earth clean.
Dangerous because yes she is a global warming denier and friend of Big Oil. Hubby worked for BP and Alaska gets rich on petro-dollars.
Convention Highlights -- Humor and the Big Wigs
We had lots of humor at the convention. The situation is dire so one might have wished for more vitriol, actually, but at least we had some biting humor from all participants.
Michelle's speech was beautiful and did exactly what she needed to do. It showed the deep family values she and Barack hold and teach their kids. The elegant lady had to prove she is not a monster, due to shameless right wing slander the RNC has been slinging.
Hillary's speech was moving and characteristic of her, a comfortable combination of intellectual and folksy. Her great line was something like -- I'm not surprised John McCain and George Bush are having their convention in the Twin Cities. Sometimes it's awfully hard to tell them apart.
Kerry gave an impassioned view of his confusion having known Senator McCain, who was at times the polar opposite of this new Candidate McCain. He gave a few examples and asked-- "Are you kidding me folks? "
Montana Gov. Schweitzer in his bolo tie was a very colorful speaker. Took a few paragraphs to warm up and then he really made the case for energy independence and conservation. He also threw some great jabs at Bush-McCain.
Governor Richardson said the Bush regime gets more and more arrogant as each of their failures comes to light. He, too, discussed McCain's many changes in position over the last ten years. And finished that list by saying John McCain may wear shoes that cost hundreds of dollars, but we pay a lot for his flip flops.
Gore had a brilliant speech but rushed through it. I hope lots of You Tube videos will be made and sent around with segments of his talk. He had some biting critiques of Bush-McCain and the dangers of continuing to be bullied by Big Oil.
Biden pointed out areas of foreign policy in which Obama's wisdom exceeded that of McCain's. He was strong on the areas Obama understood best. He agreed with me that Obama's take on the Georgia crisis was much deeper than McCain's; he considered the long term prospects as well. Appreciated Obama's understanding that tough, direct negotiations are crucial to our success and we need to use all the tools at our disposal, with war as a last resort.
They had a group of retired military generals and admirals who were supporting Obama speak at a certain point, too.
There were subtle references to multiple houses throughout the day. No bludgeoning, just slipping in a couple of extras here and there.
There's lots more, but for now I'll leave it at that.
Michelle's speech was beautiful and did exactly what she needed to do. It showed the deep family values she and Barack hold and teach their kids. The elegant lady had to prove she is not a monster, due to shameless right wing slander the RNC has been slinging.
Hillary's speech was moving and characteristic of her, a comfortable combination of intellectual and folksy. Her great line was something like -- I'm not surprised John McCain and George Bush are having their convention in the Twin Cities. Sometimes it's awfully hard to tell them apart.
Kerry gave an impassioned view of his confusion having known Senator McCain, who was at times the polar opposite of this new Candidate McCain. He gave a few examples and asked-- "Are you kidding me folks? "
Montana Gov. Schweitzer in his bolo tie was a very colorful speaker. Took a few paragraphs to warm up and then he really made the case for energy independence and conservation. He also threw some great jabs at Bush-McCain.
Governor Richardson said the Bush regime gets more and more arrogant as each of their failures comes to light. He, too, discussed McCain's many changes in position over the last ten years. And finished that list by saying John McCain may wear shoes that cost hundreds of dollars, but we pay a lot for his flip flops.
Gore had a brilliant speech but rushed through it. I hope lots of You Tube videos will be made and sent around with segments of his talk. He had some biting critiques of Bush-McCain and the dangers of continuing to be bullied by Big Oil.
Biden pointed out areas of foreign policy in which Obama's wisdom exceeded that of McCain's. He was strong on the areas Obama understood best. He agreed with me that Obama's take on the Georgia crisis was much deeper than McCain's; he considered the long term prospects as well. Appreciated Obama's understanding that tough, direct negotiations are crucial to our success and we need to use all the tools at our disposal, with war as a last resort.
They had a group of retired military generals and admirals who were supporting Obama speak at a certain point, too.
There were subtle references to multiple houses throughout the day. No bludgeoning, just slipping in a couple of extras here and there.
There's lots more, but for now I'll leave it at that.
Yes I Loved Obama's Speech and The Convention
I was thrilled to have watched so much of it on CSpan. I love these occasional bouts of mass hoping, and yes, once again I hope my country can wake up and shake off the robber barons and get to the tons of work we have to do to meet the challenges of the 21st century. There is a lot of exciting activity ahead and most of us want to get to it. Lots of clean up and reorienting away from wasteful consumption to more modest levels. It can be fun if we plan it well. (Or it can be an ugly smash and grab if we proceed in the Republican crisis management style.)
We need to rebalance resource use around the globe, for example. We few percent of the globe use so many of its limited resources, so we need to zoom aggressively ahead into alternative renewable energy such as solar, or we will face a lot more hostility in the global resource wars ahead. We need to de-privatize a lot of the stuff the Republicans have been bleeding dry. We need to raise the limit on payroll taxes so income above $100K is also taxed and Warren Buffet's secretary doesn't pay more than he does. There are so many positive things we'd like to do to move on to the Post Petroleum Economy, but the Big Oil Boys don't want to let go of Monopoly Capitalism.
So I hope Obama's appeal to people to forget partisanship and think of progress-- moving forward consciously and strategically to meet the challenges, rather than letting a secret Cheney cabal decide how we would be ruled to facilitate permanent, for-profit war around the globe. Well, sorry guys, wars are grotesque and we'd rather build solar panels and design better technology to save energy, and drive just a bit slower. Rather than bomb other families around the globe in search of dwindling oil supplies. We need to prepare now, because we will need petroleum to fuel the production of some of these supplies, especially as we transition.
Wasn't Obama's speech a masterpiece? He included lots of shared goals in the speech. And specific indictments of JSM III. Something for all of us. And a better sense, for me, of what he needs to do. He is seeking to arouse the sentiments of lots of heretofore non- voters, many of whom want to move forward on some key issues, so he's inviting everyone to come together around those elements. We are all patriots, so restoring the rule of law in the Executive and Judicial branches will be paramount among his tasks, I expect. Perhaps a commission could be appointed to investigate, prosecute and recommend.
We need to rebalance resource use around the globe, for example. We few percent of the globe use so many of its limited resources, so we need to zoom aggressively ahead into alternative renewable energy such as solar, or we will face a lot more hostility in the global resource wars ahead. We need to de-privatize a lot of the stuff the Republicans have been bleeding dry. We need to raise the limit on payroll taxes so income above $100K is also taxed and Warren Buffet's secretary doesn't pay more than he does. There are so many positive things we'd like to do to move on to the Post Petroleum Economy, but the Big Oil Boys don't want to let go of Monopoly Capitalism.
So I hope Obama's appeal to people to forget partisanship and think of progress-- moving forward consciously and strategically to meet the challenges, rather than letting a secret Cheney cabal decide how we would be ruled to facilitate permanent, for-profit war around the globe. Well, sorry guys, wars are grotesque and we'd rather build solar panels and design better technology to save energy, and drive just a bit slower. Rather than bomb other families around the globe in search of dwindling oil supplies. We need to prepare now, because we will need petroleum to fuel the production of some of these supplies, especially as we transition.
Wasn't Obama's speech a masterpiece? He included lots of shared goals in the speech. And specific indictments of JSM III. Something for all of us. And a better sense, for me, of what he needs to do. He is seeking to arouse the sentiments of lots of heretofore non- voters, many of whom want to move forward on some key issues, so he's inviting everyone to come together around those elements. We are all patriots, so restoring the rule of law in the Executive and Judicial branches will be paramount among his tasks, I expect. Perhaps a commission could be appointed to investigate, prosecute and recommend.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Paring Musical Selections
Eclectic music collection could also stand sorting. But I do I have some lovely gems from other countries I'd be loathe to toss. One of my images for re-using cassettes is in the proverbial tropical B&B we may run someday, or participate in. Or in my own tropical home. I have hours of gorgeous world music at home. Perhaps I can pare down the regular stuff I could access easily online...
Tossing....
Tossing....
- Not sure
- If I will
- List them one by one
- But just in case
Letting Go of Videos
I've got over 100 VHS tapes. Usually because I've loved the program and may love to see it again someday. However, I'm somewhat averse to watching things twice, although I've enjoyed reviewing some artistic or humorous films. So paring the hundreds will be challenging. I've been watching more things twice lately. Which VHS tapes can I release, knowing I could find them again, or being content with memorializing them here? Let's see....
- First one
- Second one
- Third
Lots of time sweltering on the dusty DU boards...
PLACEHOLDER to slip in clippings posted during early August.
Paring Possessions from My 'Partment
When Mom passed away, I couldn't say "Sure, I'll dash off to Buenos Aires!" to join a friend doing something wonderful. "Yes, I'd love to do voiceovers in Bollywood. Mumbai here I come!" Wasn't light enough on my feet, in my bags & trunks. There are adorable items I'd love to tote anywhere as part of my nest, and others just here as passing fancies. Lots and lots of both.
I tested 50/50 Left Brain/Right Brain. And 50/50 for Audio/Visual. So I have delights to both of those senses in abundance tucked into my place.
There's also the rugged survivalist who's grown up urban-- just wants to save the cultural stuff in case of emergencies. Part of my collecting amusing artistic and musical items is my anticipation of a time when power might blackout and all we would have would be our books and papers... I guess the CDs and DVDs would need power.... But just electrical...
Anyway, I have things from tapes of the BCCI hearings from CSpan to a Japanese sit-com called Double Kitchen. And cassettes of some great ethnic music that I chose for the funky labels then discovered to have great sound.
Speaking of nostalgic items-- we've got that temperature right now. Muggy as my younger days in Tokyo and Hong Kong.
I tested 50/50 Left Brain/Right Brain. And 50/50 for Audio/Visual. So I have delights to both of those senses in abundance tucked into my place.
There's also the rugged survivalist who's grown up urban-- just wants to save the cultural stuff in case of emergencies. Part of my collecting amusing artistic and musical items is my anticipation of a time when power might blackout and all we would have would be our books and papers... I guess the CDs and DVDs would need power.... But just electrical...
Anyway, I have things from tapes of the BCCI hearings from CSpan to a Japanese sit-com called Double Kitchen. And cassettes of some great ethnic music that I chose for the funky labels then discovered to have great sound.
Speaking of nostalgic items-- we've got that temperature right now. Muggy as my younger days in Tokyo and Hong Kong.
Friday, August 8, 2008
2008 Dancers on 8-08 -- Green special effects
How very Green and heroic of China to use so much human power during its opening ceremonies!
Amazing coordination and dedicated service to the greater goal of historic special effects. Hundreds of wave variations in color, height and tempo in stage after stage at the opening of these 2008 Summer Olympics.
This is going to be some great film. I'll want to see the full angles again. Even check out other countries' film of those ceremonies.
Kites, and lights and shadows and drums and wave dances, all gorgeously synchronized effects, including some fireworks released outside the dome, and references in the dance to the "birds' nest" stadium, as it has come to be called. And they lit up the formation in fanciful colors, highlighting the nestish elements, criss crossing beams.
And there's more and more.
Stunning theater !
Amazing coordination and dedicated service to the greater goal of historic special effects. Hundreds of wave variations in color, height and tempo in stage after stage at the opening of these 2008 Summer Olympics.
This is going to be some great film. I'll want to see the full angles again. Even check out other countries' film of those ceremonies.
Kites, and lights and shadows and drums and wave dances, all gorgeously synchronized effects, including some fireworks released outside the dome, and references in the dance to the "birds' nest" stadium, as it has come to be called. And they lit up the formation in fanciful colors, highlighting the nestish elements, criss crossing beams.
And there's more and more.
Stunning theater !
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Living the Declarative Life -- Journaling Along
Extemporize here regarding the emerging qualities of lifestyles lived 60% online. Never mind the far reaches of Second Life, the first one is being shaped by the webcam and mobile broadcasts.
Some people do seem to be living lives as they are chronicling them and which engenders which tends to blur. Are you selecting an action for its merit in your blog, webcast, and other pages-- or are you doing what you would be doing anyway, journaling be damned? And if indeed the journaling is shaping the activities, is that such a bad thing?
Yes, sadly, it can be. People have enjoyed playing mean games primarily for their video impact, victim be damned. Bullying across cyberspace. But one couldn't honestly say prior bullies required the internet to promote their activities-- they were plenty wild with only paper journaling and oral histories traded at pubs and firesides.
But the up-side is quite strong-- living to share one's experience of all the grandeur, tenderness and excitement of life-- might not be a bad idea, if the novel one is crafting treasures friendship and ecology. But then again, even the frantic disordered lives displayed before us can teach us so much. And even spare us some pain I suppose.
I was quite a vicarious friend in my youth. Treasured dramatic friends who expressed their art and went to all their shows. So in cyberspace I could trace hundreds of daring friends and add them to my friend links and bask in the second-hand glory. Kinda think I do it all the time really.
Some people do seem to be living lives as they are chronicling them and which engenders which tends to blur. Are you selecting an action for its merit in your blog, webcast, and other pages-- or are you doing what you would be doing anyway, journaling be damned? And if indeed the journaling is shaping the activities, is that such a bad thing?
Yes, sadly, it can be. People have enjoyed playing mean games primarily for their video impact, victim be damned. Bullying across cyberspace. But one couldn't honestly say prior bullies required the internet to promote their activities-- they were plenty wild with only paper journaling and oral histories traded at pubs and firesides.
But the up-side is quite strong-- living to share one's experience of all the grandeur, tenderness and excitement of life-- might not be a bad idea, if the novel one is crafting treasures friendship and ecology. But then again, even the frantic disordered lives displayed before us can teach us so much. And even spare us some pain I suppose.
I was quite a vicarious friend in my youth. Treasured dramatic friends who expressed their art and went to all their shows. So in cyberspace I could trace hundreds of daring friends and add them to my friend links and bask in the second-hand glory. Kinda think I do it all the time really.
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