December 29, 2004
Jerry Orbach Died
Known to millions as Detective Lennie Briscoe on Law & Order, Jerry Orbach died last night, losing his fight to prostate cancer.
Posted by cj at 12:47 PM | Comments (1)
Oscar Odds
The Defamer led me to these Oscar odds.
intrade is a very, very disturbing website.
Posted by cj at 12:40 PM | Comments (0)
December 28, 2004
Susan Sontag Died Today of Leukemia at 71
Obit from LAT republished by the Trib
The obit is *amazing.* I never read Sontag's work and now will search it out. Here are some highlights from the article:
"We live in a culture," she said, "in which intelligence is denied relevance altogether, in a search for radical innocence, or is defended as an instrument of authority and repression. In my view, the only intelligence worth defending is critical, dialectical, skeptical, desimplifying." ...Emphasis added.Sontag was reading by 3. In her teens, her passions were Gerard Manley Hopkins and Djuna Barnes. The first book that thrilled her was "Madame Curie," which she read when she was 6. She was stirred by the travel books of Richard Halliburton and the Classic Comics rendition of Shakespeare’s "Hamlet." The first novel that affected her was Victor Hugo’s "Les Miserables."
"I sobbed and wailed and thought [books] were the greatest things," she recalled. "I discovered a lot of writers in the Modern Library editions, which were sold in a Hallmark card store, and I used up my allowance and would buy them all."
She remembered as a girl of 8 or 9 lying in bed looking at her bookcase against the wall. "It was like looking at my 50 friends. A book was like stepping through a mirror. I could go somewhere else. Each one was a door to a whole kingdom." ...
An early and passionate opponent of the Vietnam War, Sontag was both admired and reviled for her political convictions. In a 1967 Partisan Review symposium, she wrote that "America was founded on a genocide, on the unquestioned assumption of the right of white Europeans to exterminate a resident, technologically backward, colored population in order to take over the continent."
In her rage and gloom and growing despair, she concluded that "the truth is that Mozart, Pascal, Boolean algebra, Shakespeare, parliamentary government, baroque churches, Newton, the emancipation of women, Kant, Marx, Balanchine ballets, et al., don’t redeem what this particular civilization has wrought upon the world. The white race is the cancer of human history; it is the white race and it alone — its ideologies and inventions — which eradicates autonomous civilizations wherever it spreads, which has upset the ecological balance of the planet, which now threatens the very existence of life itself."
Posted by cj at 12:30 PM | Comments (0)
December 27, 2004
Literary Journals Abound
It's great to read an article about the growth of published writing, rather than its demise. While its true that book selling has become more commercial - and so it's ever more difficult to get a book deal - more and more people are using the power of the internet and at home publishing to create literary journals. Theories abound as to why the suddent surge, but one things for certain: if you're interested in new voices in prose and poetry, there are plenty of places to find them.
Here's the NYT article about the phenomenon
Quick Fiction, a journal discussed in the NYT piece
The Council of Literary Magazines and Presses, which lists the mags by subject and was also mentioned in the article
Posted by cj at 10:30 AM | Comments (0)
December 23, 2004
DVDs I Want to See
I need to find things to keep me busy in the next few days. So here's a list of DVDs I want to rent. Listed in order found online.
1. Manchurian Candidate
2. Napoleon Dynamite
3. King Arthur
4. Collateral
5. Bourne Supremacy (with Bourne Identity to refresh my memory)
6. Dodgeball
7. The Terminal
8. Hero
9. Matchstick Men
10. Shattered Glass
11. Win a Date with Tad Hamilton
12. Supersize Me
Some of those are guilty pleasure kinda movies. I've never seen any of them (except Bourne Identity).
Movies I want to own:
Mystic River
In America
Posted by cj at 05:52 PM | Comments (0)
You Should Be Glad You Don't Work For the Nasty
Turns out that Conde Nast does a super special holiday lunch for elite editors and publisher at the Four Seasons. A few years ago, the assistants to those mofos decided they deserved a lunch too and got one; albeit just a catered affair in a conference room. I couldn't imagine working for a company that has completely separate parties for underlings and higher beings. Yes, there's a deep chasm between the salaries of those two groups, but come on. Separate parties? Now, I could understand giving an assistant's lunch in addition to the company party (since no one ever takes their assistants out nearly as much as they get free meals themselves).
What does your company do for the holidays?
Women's Wear Daily article on the assistants' party
Gawker post on the subject
Posted by cj at 05:42 PM | Comments (0)
December 22, 2004
Sideways
Loads and loads of critics think Sideways is one of the best films of 2004. I can't really say what my top ten 2004 films will be, since like every year, most of the really good ones just came out / are coming out soon, so I haven't seen all the contenders. But I can let you know what I think about films I have seen.
So this road movie follows a groom-to-be and his best man on their last hurrah into Cali wine country. I'm not crystal clear where it takes place - I believe in Mendocino County, near Santa Barbara. Not clear why they didn't go to Napa Valley, but there you have it. Mi chavo is going to comment that I always nit pick, but frankly if the details aren't perfect, the movie ain't either.
More importantly, as mi chavo pointed out, the women aren't very detailed. Shocking. Every time they speak to each other it happens off screen. They're only there to provide companionship to our heros, the males. And there's no serious reprocussions for the asshole that is the groom to be.
Here's the rub: I understand why critics list this movie as one of the best of the year. I too relate to the satisfying aspect of Sideways; i.e. its ability to pinpoint the fears of wannabe, washed up artists who have never created work appreciated by the world at large. There's a few scenes that are simply priceless. It gives hope to every struggling artist.
So yes, I think you should see the movie. Although I tend to doubt I'll think it's better than Hotel Rwanda. Then again, what's Roger smokin? Kill Bill, Volume 2 the 2nd best movie of the year?
Posted by cj at 07:53 PM | Comments (1)
Bring on the Bubbly
Apparently, Chicagoans consume more bubbly than any other metropolitan area in the US. So it's fitting that the Trib ran an article today explaining the beauty of sparkling wine. Mi chavo, this one's for you. Here's the Trib article.
Also mentioned in today's food section:
1. Just Grapes - a new wine shop that organizes wines by type and then by taste (fruity to "complex")
2. "Stir it Up" - Chicago's Office of Tourism's program of culinary delights. My favorite: A little Bit of India Tour on Saturday, January 8
Posted by cj at 05:45 PM | Comments (0)
December 21, 2004
Cell Phones May Cause Cancer
Well, it hasn't been proven yet. But a study in the EU showed that the electromagnetic radiation given off by cell phones can permanently alter DNA and mutated cells can cause cancer.
Researchers suggest using a land line as much as possible and using a headset if you must use your mobile.
Posted by cj at 03:09 PM | Comments (0)
December 20, 2004
The Distribution Artist
Can you tell what part of my new NYT Sunday subscription I've been reading at work?
Yes, another gem from the magazine. This time about Bob Berney, the president of Newmarket Films, the distributor who took a chance on "My Big Fat Greek Wedding," "The Passion of the Christ," "Memento" and "Whale Rider" (among others, although not all were while at Newmarket). It's rather interesting to read his thought process on developing a marketing campaign for "The Woodsman," a new film about pedophilia, starring Kevin Bacon. (Shockingly, his adverts don't start or end with the word pedophilia.)
Posted by cj at 03:26 PM | Comments (0)
Blogging Navel Gazing, Part 2047
For some reason, I simply can't get enough of established media's take on blogging. The latest offering is from the NYT Sunday Magazine, "Your Blog or Mine? Sex is the favorite topic for online journals - and the very private hs never been more public," by Jeffrey Rosen
What's interesting is that mi chavo has made similar comments to those in the article. He says that dating me can be like dating a comic - you never know when personal stuff will land in the public sphere. On the other hand, I feel that as we've become closer, I've been less inclined to share our private life in this public forum. If I really need to vent (or gloat), I'll send out a private email (albeit to many people, but it's still more private than this blog).
Two things I learned from the article: Washingtonienne's Chief of Staff paramour has been outed (haven't been readin Wonkette too much recently and this article doesn't tell the name) and law blogs are known as blawgs.
Btw, Blind Boy Grunt is mi chavo. I leave it up to you to figure out where he got that pseudonym from. (It's actually interesting and easy to figure out if you know him.)
Posted by cj at 11:51 AM | Comments (0)
December 18, 2004
Digging a Hole to China
Know how when you were a kid, people used to say if you dig a hole deep enough, you'll reach China? Apparently, in Britain they said New Zealand. Some random woman dispproved our childhood notion of world geography. The nadir of the US is the Indian Ocean. Sigh. Who knew? Next you're gonna tell me Santa doesn't hate non-Christians, he just doesn't exist.
Thanks to The Aardvark for ruining that remaining shred of childlike innocence. Anyone remember the cartoons where they'd dig to China? I think they did it a lot on Bugs Bunny....
Posted by cj at 02:06 PM | Comments (0)
Confirmation of My Critique
Dana Stevens confirms my disgust of The Real Gilligan's Island in Slate. There's some odd stuff about In Search of the Partridge Family at the end of her article.
Posted by cj at 01:47 PM | Comments (0)
December 17, 2004
Lisa Marie Sold The King To The Highest Bidder
In order to increase her yearly income from her dead father, Lisa Marie Presley sold most of his estate (sans Graceland and some personal effects) to the highest bidder, aka Robert Sillerman.
Let's just get something clear: she already gets $45 million a year from hocking her dead father. It costs over $20 to see Graceland, and that's with a AAA discount. I'll admit that I fell into admiration of The King after visiting Graceland. (Memphis was on my drive from L.A. to DC and my sister insisted I stop to see the place.) But after reading his definitive biography (Last Train to Memphis: The Rise of Elvis Presley and Careless Love: The Unmaking of Elvis Presley) all I have to say is yuck!!! Elvis deserves to rest in peace instead of being used in death - as he was in life - to make money for other people.
Full AP story about Lisa's money grab here.
Posted by cj at 09:44 AM | Comments (1)
December 14, 2004
The "Real" Gilligan's Island
Total Crap! Have you seen this mess? Two versions of the troupe (so far, I've only seen one) and all they do is Survivor ripoff with costumes and fake names! Wtf?!? Who forgot that the reason people thought the original show was funny had nothing to do with a frickin reality show alliance discussion! Omigod!!!! This Is So Aggravating! How Stupid! What a Ridiculous Waste!
I suppose I'm just upset because I really had a thing for the original, and only true Gilligan's Island. At one point, I even knew the lyrics to the song that ran with the credits.
Posted by cj at 10:24 PM | Comments (0)
December 11, 2004
the best part of a book
The best part of a long book is when you're over a hundred pages into it...where you bookmark triumphly marks your foray into the heart of the book, where you're still excited by every turn of the page, and happy that you're not nearly half way through it. Where you feel like you're learning something, and being titillated at the same time. mmmm. The Other Boleyn Girl
(Mistakenly read out of order and after The Queen's Fool.)
Posted by cj at 07:59 AM | Comments (1)
December 07, 2004
going to bed mad
Someone once told me you should never go to bed mad. That if necessary, you should wash your face to cleanse yourself of tears and move on. Right. What if you're both mad and exhausted?
I didn't sleep much last night because I was so excited about launching my new blogs that I wanted to work on the templates as much as possible. I've never really used Movable Type before, nor have I used separate style sheets, so the whole thing is causing some issues. Not that I'm terribly made about that. No. That's not what I'm mad about.
Why the fuck do I get solicitation letters from my college every quarter? Don't they know that I can't even afford to fucking repay my student loan? Do they realize how annoying it is to get this stupid ass letter telling me that I need to support "Women Who Will...." and then read about all the fabulous internships and international travel done by current students of my alma mater? Don't they think that maybe, just maybe, in this economy some of their recent graduates never had the chance to do any of those fun things as students because they were too busy trying to scrounge together enough loan money to stay in school for another year? And maybe those same students are struggling to make ends meet out in the Real World?
I used to constantly write about how Swellesley was the Real World; that I was sick of people telling me I was going to grow up so much more when I got out of that coddling environment. Well guess what - the only thing that's changed is that delusional dreams get you nowhere fast when there's rent, a car note, and a student loan bill to pay. Women Who Will Change The World? Only if daddy's trust fund is paying for it.
Posted by cj at 10:22 PM | Comments (1)
Review of Dylan on 60 Minutes
Was it me, or was that the most over-hyped interview ever?
Well, it's not just me. Dana Stevens at Slate agrees.
Bradley neglected to ask his subject anything about music, current events, pop culture or religion. Instead, the interview dwelled awkwardly on Bradley's amazement at the fact that Dylan might not enjoy being a celebrity. The basic Q & A template went something like this: Bradley: "Many regard you as a prophet/god/savior/genius. What do you say to that?" Dylan: "Argh, erm, well, hmmm." Bradley: "Wow, you're so enigmatic."
Posted by cj at 11:20 AM | Comments (0)
December 06, 2004
what's in a name?
Wanna know why I chose angelheaded hipster as the title of this blog? It's from an Allen Ginsburg poem called Howl. Here's the poem with notes.
My favorite excerpts...
angelheaded hipsters burning for the ancient heavenly connection...who passed through universities with radiant eyes hallucinating
Arkansas and Blake-ligh tragedy among the scholars of war ...with dreams, with drugs, with waking nightmares, alcohol and cock and
endless balls ...a lost batallion of platonic conversationalist ...
who studied Plotinus Poe St John of the Cross telepathy and bop
kabbalah because the universe instinctively vibrated at their feet in
Kansas ...who disappeared into the volcanoes of Mexico leaving nothing behind
but the shadow of dungarees and the larva and ash of poetry scattered
in fireplace Chicago,who reappeared on the West Coast investigating the FBI in beards and
shorts with big pacifist eyes sexy in their dark skin passing out
incomprehensible leaflets,who burned cigarette holes in their arms protesting the narcotic
tobacco haze of Capitalism, who distributed Supercommunist pamphlets
in Union Square weeping and undressing while the sirens of Los Alamos
wailed them down, and wailed down Wall, and the Staten Island ferry
also wailed ...who were burned alive in their innocent flannel suits on Madison
Avenue amid blasts of leaden verse & the tanked-up clatter of the iron
regiments of fashion & the nitroglycerine shrieks of the faireis of
advertising & the mustard gas of sinister intelligent editors, or were
run down by the drunken taxicabs of Absolute Reality ...who demanded sanity trials accusing the radio of hypnotism & were left
with their insanity & their hands & a hung jury ...who dreamt and made incarnate gaps in Time & Space through images
juxtaposed, and trapped the archangel of the soul between 2 visual
images and joined the elemental verbs adn set the nouns and dash of
consciousness together jumping with sensation of Pater Omnipotems
Aeterna Deusto recreate the syntax and measure of poor human prose and stand
before you speechless and intelligent and shaking with shame, rejected
yet confessing out the soul to conform to the rhythm of thought in his
naked and endless head,the madman bum and angel beat in Time, unknown, yet putting down here
what might be left to say in time come after death,and rose incarnate in the ghostly clothes of jazz in the goldhorn
shadow of the band and blew the suffering of America's naked mind for
love into an eli eli lamma lamma sabacthani saxophone cry that
shivered the cities down to the last radio ...Visions! omens! hallucinations! miracles! ecstacies! gone down the
American river!Dreams! adorations! illuminations! religions! the whole boatload of
sensitive bullshit!Breakthroughs! over the river! flips and crucifixions! gone down the
flood! Highs! Epiphanies! Despairs! Ten years' animal screams and
suicides! Minds! New loves! Mad generation! down on the rocks of Time!
...I'm with you in Rockland
where we wake up electrified out of the coma by our
own souls' airplanes roaring over the roof they've come to drop
angelic bombs the hospital illuminates itself imaginatry walls
collapse O skinny legions run outside O starry-spangled shock of
mery the eternal war is here O victory forget your underwear we're
free
Posted by cj at 08:59 PM | Comments (3)