Tue - August 22, 2006
Moving Day
I'd imagined not inviting you to my new new internet
home until it was fully furnished and I was entirely unpacked. Of course, art
imitates life, and so that means you'll be traipsing around the new place while
there is a sense of disarray, furniture reassembly, and boxes all over the
place.
(Um, there's a new home for this weblogging enthusiasm of mine: here)
(Um, there's a new home for this weblogging enthusiasm of mine: here)
Posted at 11:49 PM
Tue - August 15, 2006
The 12 Disciples of Nelson Mandela
I caught "The Twelve Disciples of Nelson Mandela" at
the Black Harvest Film Festival last
week.
It'll be on PBS in September.
A good film for anyone with an interest in contemporary South African history.
If you're not keen on SA History, aspects of the filmmaking might annoy you. The movie is at once a exposition about the Bloemfontein 12 and their journey into exile for the ANC, and a step-son's eulogy for his stepfather (one of the Bloemfontein 12). In delivering this eulogy, the film begins to become an autobiography of the filmmaker, which is minorly distracting (but certainly annoyed many of the reviewers).
I was able to meet the filmmaker at the screening.
It'll be on PBS in September.
A good film for anyone with an interest in contemporary South African history.
If you're not keen on SA History, aspects of the filmmaking might annoy you. The movie is at once a exposition about the Bloemfontein 12 and their journey into exile for the ANC, and a step-son's eulogy for his stepfather (one of the Bloemfontein 12). In delivering this eulogy, the film begins to become an autobiography of the filmmaker, which is minorly distracting (but certainly annoyed many of the reviewers).
I was able to meet the filmmaker at the screening.
Posted at 07:52 AM
Mon - August 14, 2006
It's Complicated (What I liked about Syriana)
I finally watched
Syriana on
Saturday night. I've had it out from netflix for at least a
month.
I liked what Syriana stood for. It captured the essence of the contemporary clusterfuck that results from the competing interests and flawed characters/entities attached to the modern middle east. When Clooney can't give simple answers to seemingly straight-forward questions, without the preface "it's complicated, but...", I feel like the essence of the situation is somehow captured.
Now, this essence might have been captured to a fault, as the movie might have been rendered unwatchable because of the slippery characters, the uncertainty of the heroes and villains, and general spastic nature of the narrative, but (again) I think this is as evocative a reification of the situation as you'll see in film.
I liked the flawed characters that are the underpinnings of generally understood entities/concepts like "reformer", "terrorist", "soldier", "government official", "lawyer", "businessman", "economist", "man of faith", etcetera.
I tend not to watch films about that region of the world (or this nexus of issues) because the gross oversimplifications that you can somehow let slide in everyday speech can't be ignored on the big screen. That said, Syriana didn't bother me in the end, because, well, it was complicated.
I liked what Syriana stood for. It captured the essence of the contemporary clusterfuck that results from the competing interests and flawed characters/entities attached to the modern middle east. When Clooney can't give simple answers to seemingly straight-forward questions, without the preface "it's complicated, but...", I feel like the essence of the situation is somehow captured.
Now, this essence might have been captured to a fault, as the movie might have been rendered unwatchable because of the slippery characters, the uncertainty of the heroes and villains, and general spastic nature of the narrative, but (again) I think this is as evocative a reification of the situation as you'll see in film.
I liked the flawed characters that are the underpinnings of generally understood entities/concepts like "reformer", "terrorist", "soldier", "government official", "lawyer", "businessman", "economist", "man of faith", etcetera.
I tend not to watch films about that region of the world (or this nexus of issues) because the gross oversimplifications that you can somehow let slide in everyday speech can't be ignored on the big screen. That said, Syriana didn't bother me in the end, because, well, it was complicated.
Posted at 07:58 PM
Excerpts from emails
In the spirit of repurposing, here are excerpts from
emails that I have sent today. Most of it is
nonsense.
---
Let me congratulate you on getting out of california.
It's fascinating work that you do. I hope you realize that.
would it be possible to go back to the burrito place that features "the triple-threat"? I've been thinking about that burrito for over a year now.
I should add, if you think that I hold a grudge then that guy's a real piece of work.
this has got too much of an absurdist quality for me to be able to take today.
i'm sure i'll be back to blithely accepting the absurd soon enough
we encouraged some people to apply and sent some suggestions to [...] before they made this process public
I'll warn [...] about the pitfalls of this sort of thing today on the phone or in person tomorrow, but brace yourself for them signing on as test site for the new product.
I hope that things have been going better for you lately.
We were encouraged to post the job long before we were anywhere near ready to start the interview process. I understand that this may mean some of you have taken other opportunities
It's a bit of a maze to actually find us.
I'm willing to take those two steps, but I'm not willing to spend any more of our resources on [...]until october.
are you back from your expedition yet?
The thing I should tell you is that the peace corps is a transformative experience, so I'd caution against programming/predicting too far ahead into the post-peace corps life.
After all your priorities might be rethought as a result of your experience and you should leave some flexibility in your future planning to allow the experience to effect you.
---
Let me congratulate you on getting out of california.
It's fascinating work that you do. I hope you realize that.
would it be possible to go back to the burrito place that features "the triple-threat"? I've been thinking about that burrito for over a year now.
I should add, if you think that I hold a grudge then that guy's a real piece of work.
this has got too much of an absurdist quality for me to be able to take today.
i'm sure i'll be back to blithely accepting the absurd soon enough
we encouraged some people to apply and sent some suggestions to [...] before they made this process public
I'll warn [...] about the pitfalls of this sort of thing today on the phone or in person tomorrow, but brace yourself for them signing on as test site for the new product.
I hope that things have been going better for you lately.
We were encouraged to post the job long before we were anywhere near ready to start the interview process. I understand that this may mean some of you have taken other opportunities
It's a bit of a maze to actually find us.
I'm willing to take those two steps, but I'm not willing to spend any more of our resources on [...]until october.
are you back from your expedition yet?
The thing I should tell you is that the peace corps is a transformative experience, so I'd caution against programming/predicting too far ahead into the post-peace corps life.
After all your priorities might be rethought as a result of your experience and you should leave some flexibility in your future planning to allow the experience to effect you.
Posted at 07:23 PM
Sat - August 12, 2006
Days Past
I believe the window to write about my 4 days off
sandwiched around lollapalooza has passed. Suffice it to say that I took 4 days
off, and mostly managed to keep
TS (who was in
town for lollapalooza) sufficiently entertained with a music-themed tour of
chicago. I had myself a break of sorts from the normal routine, but it was just
a different kind of busy in chicago, which leaves me still needing a series of
do-nothing days.
I should publicly thank flavorpill for my free tickets to lollapalooza. I answered a trivia question correctly in their weekly chicago newsletter. Besides the opportunity to win free things, they tend to recommend an interesting batch of events and happenings in the home city. I look forward to reading their recommendations every tuesday. You should subscribe to their weekly chicago email newsletter (hint, hint).
I should publicly thank flavorpill for my free tickets to lollapalooza. I answered a trivia question correctly in their weekly chicago newsletter. Besides the opportunity to win free things, they tend to recommend an interesting batch of events and happenings in the home city. I look forward to reading their recommendations every tuesday. You should subscribe to their weekly chicago email newsletter (hint, hint).
Posted at 11:16 PM
Mon - August 7, 2006
Lolla Day 3
On the last day of
Lollapalooza:
Mucca Pazza
Sparta
Nickel Creek
Hot Chip
Andrew Bird
Matisyahu
Reverend Horton Heat
Wilco
Broken Social Scene
Red Hot Chili Peppers
The "plus" category: Mucca Pazza, Sparta, Andrew Bird, Matisyahu, Wilco
Best Acts of the Day: Wilco and Andrew Bird
Other things: The worst thing about concerts has always been concert-goers. There's a startling lack of concert etiquette in general in our contemporary society, and "easy" music festivals like lollapalooza seem to exacerbate them. Beyond that, it was a fun time. I enjoyed the variety of the lineup and the ability of different people to construct different experiences for themselves. That's freedom.
Mucca Pazza
Sparta
Nickel Creek
Hot Chip
Andrew Bird
Matisyahu
Reverend Horton Heat
Wilco
Broken Social Scene
Red Hot Chili Peppers
The "plus" category: Mucca Pazza, Sparta, Andrew Bird, Matisyahu, Wilco
Best Acts of the Day: Wilco and Andrew Bird
Other things: The worst thing about concerts has always been concert-goers. There's a startling lack of concert etiquette in general in our contemporary society, and "easy" music festivals like lollapalooza seem to exacerbate them. Beyond that, it was a fun time. I enjoyed the variety of the lineup and the ability of different people to construct different experiences for themselves. That's freedom.
Posted at 11:10 AM
Sun - August 6, 2006
Lolla Day 2
Today I
saw:
Rainier Maria
Cold War Kids
The Go! Team
Coheed & Cambria
Particle
Gnarls Barkley
Blackalicious
The Flaming Lips
Kanye West
Bands that were in the "plus" category: Rainier Maria, The Go! Team, Coheed & Cambria, Gnarls Barkley, Blackalicious, The Flaming Lips, Kanye West.
Best act of the day (tie): The Flaming Lips and Gnarls Barkley. The Lips played a greatest hits type of set in a short time without compromising any of their flair for the dramatic. Gnarls Barkley had tremendous stage presence.
Self-Realization: While I'm not too old for any of the music, I am well past the point where I have much patience for crowd antics. The crowd surfing at Coheed and Cambria was particularly galling.
Other things: Kanye suffered through some sound issues during the first 1/4 of his set. Not good. Blackalicious drew a great crowd, which is bodes well for them.
Next up the final day.
Rainier Maria
Cold War Kids
The Go! Team
Coheed & Cambria
Particle
Gnarls Barkley
Blackalicious
The Flaming Lips
Kanye West
Bands that were in the "plus" category: Rainier Maria, The Go! Team, Coheed & Cambria, Gnarls Barkley, Blackalicious, The Flaming Lips, Kanye West.
Best act of the day (tie): The Flaming Lips and Gnarls Barkley. The Lips played a greatest hits type of set in a short time without compromising any of their flair for the dramatic. Gnarls Barkley had tremendous stage presence.
Self-Realization: While I'm not too old for any of the music, I am well past the point where I have much patience for crowd antics. The crowd surfing at Coheed and Cambria was particularly galling.
Other things: Kanye suffered through some sound issues during the first 1/4 of his set. Not good. Blackalicious drew a great crowd, which is bodes well for them.
Next up the final day.
Posted at 03:04 AM
Sat - August 5, 2006
Lolla Day 1
Great Start to Lollapalooza 2006. Here's who I saw
on Friday:
deadBoy & the Elephantmen
The Subways
The M's
Editors
Mute Math
Ryan Adams
Iron & Wine
The Raconteurs
Sleater-Kinney
Death Cab for Cutie
The groups that were in the "plus" category: The Subways, The M's, Iron & Wine, The Raconteurs, Sleater-Kinney. Iron & Wine is here mostly because they handled the venue better than I thought they would. The Subways played much "bigger" than their album. Chicago's own "the M's" were a new find for me. Sleater-Kinney played fantastic and really set a high bar for women who rock. The Raconteurs were the best act of day one. Besides playing their album fantastically, they (jack white) did a cover of "Crazy" by Gnarls Barkley that was the individual highlight of the day.
The bands that were in the "eh" category": deadboy & Elephantmen, Editors, Mute Math, Death Cab for Cutie. The Editors could be in the "plus" category, as they had a great stage show, but I just couldn't see myself buying a CD of theirs.
The only "minus" act I saw today was Ryan Adams. This is unfortunate because his last three solo albums have been good, and his songwriting is of a high calibre. It's just that he has a careless jerk persona that he brings to the stage which really takes away from his ability to take his singing seriously. He even referenced it today, "you're just waiting for the meltdown" before launching into a long several minute digression about "eggs".
Am looking forward to Day 2.
deadBoy & the Elephantmen
The Subways
The M's
Editors
Mute Math
Ryan Adams
Iron & Wine
The Raconteurs
Sleater-Kinney
Death Cab for Cutie
The groups that were in the "plus" category: The Subways, The M's, Iron & Wine, The Raconteurs, Sleater-Kinney. Iron & Wine is here mostly because they handled the venue better than I thought they would. The Subways played much "bigger" than their album. Chicago's own "the M's" were a new find for me. Sleater-Kinney played fantastic and really set a high bar for women who rock. The Raconteurs were the best act of day one. Besides playing their album fantastically, they (jack white) did a cover of "Crazy" by Gnarls Barkley that was the individual highlight of the day.
The bands that were in the "eh" category": deadboy & Elephantmen, Editors, Mute Math, Death Cab for Cutie. The Editors could be in the "plus" category, as they had a great stage show, but I just couldn't see myself buying a CD of theirs.
The only "minus" act I saw today was Ryan Adams. This is unfortunate because his last three solo albums have been good, and his songwriting is of a high calibre. It's just that he has a careless jerk persona that he brings to the stage which really takes away from his ability to take his singing seriously. He even referenced it today, "you're just waiting for the meltdown" before launching into a long several minute digression about "eggs".
Am looking forward to Day 2.
Posted at 12:28 AM
Sat - July 29, 2006
Mark Gordon, R.I.P.
I was tremendously saddened to learn that Mark Gordon and his wife were killed in a fire.
My first job out of college was working for Gordon's law firm, and not only had Mark personally given me a chance but he also created a new position for me. I've been disappointed with myself for not doing a better job of reconnecting with those former co-workers of mine after I returned from the Peace Corps, and this only exacerbates that feeling.
I can only offer my condolences to the Gordon's family and all their friends.
My first job out of college was working for Gordon's law firm, and not only had Mark personally given me a chance but he also created a new position for me. I've been disappointed with myself for not doing a better job of reconnecting with those former co-workers of mine after I returned from the Peace Corps, and this only exacerbates that feeling.
I can only offer my condolences to the Gordon's family and all their friends.
Posted at 10:19 PM
Thu - July 27, 2006
The Press
DGY and I
were interviewed by Catalyst Chicago today about Technology in the
Public Schools.
Posted at 07:52 PM
Wed - July 26, 2006
Sox and the City
I read movie-critic
Richard
Roeper's book, "Sox and the City: A Fans Love Affair with the White Sox
from the Heartbreak of '67 to the Wizards of Oz" and have to say that
I wasn't particularly
impressed.
He's a fan, certainly, I'm not implying that he's one of those celebrity so-called fans that tend to turn up when the cameras are rolling and the team is winning. The book tried to be about him being a fan and about the team over the years at the same time, and would have been better served by taking either approach (rather than both).
The best parts of the book were clearly his discussions of the sox teams of the 60s and 70s.
The writing about last year's team wasn't particularly compelling. The most memorable line being one about how quickly Mark Buehrle pitches (like he's left the oven on at home). The most unfortunate being his attempt to coin to the phrase "bi-soxual" to mean a chicago fan who claims to like both the cubs and the white sox. I don't think it works. It sounds like one would like both the white sox and the red sox.
Actually, I did like some of the "cubs fan vs. sox fan" writing, but none of it is new to a chicagoan.
He's a fan, certainly, I'm not implying that he's one of those celebrity so-called fans that tend to turn up when the cameras are rolling and the team is winning. The book tried to be about him being a fan and about the team over the years at the same time, and would have been better served by taking either approach (rather than both).
The best parts of the book were clearly his discussions of the sox teams of the 60s and 70s.
The writing about last year's team wasn't particularly compelling. The most memorable line being one about how quickly Mark Buehrle pitches (like he's left the oven on at home). The most unfortunate being his attempt to coin to the phrase "bi-soxual" to mean a chicago fan who claims to like both the cubs and the white sox. I don't think it works. It sounds like one would like both the white sox and the red sox.
Actually, I did like some of the "cubs fan vs. sox fan" writing, but none of it is new to a chicagoan.
Posted at 08:26 AM
Mon - July 24, 2006
Round Here
I recently came to the conclusion that I may never
unpack to my satisfaction, so it's unwise to make that a pre-requisite for
anything.
It's a busy week+ at the shazopolis (I was going to go with shazterdam but there aren't enough red lights here, and new shaz city wasn't quite right). My parents + grandparents and niece visited yesterday. It's the first time since we lived in Oak Lawn that my dad has played ping pong (1989), and the first time ever that my niece has played. On wednesday, I'm going to host a get-together of former co-workers (the CUIP Classic Crowd), next monday I'm hosting a mini-retreat/work-day for the current staff at work, and next week TS is staying here in advance of Lollapalooza. I'm taking a few days off that week before lollapalooza. I'm thinking about inviting a wide-range of personalities over, on the Thursday (Aug 3), for a pseudo-party. That idea is winning at present. I won't decide for a few more days.
It's a busy week+ at the shazopolis (I was going to go with shazterdam but there aren't enough red lights here, and new shaz city wasn't quite right). My parents + grandparents and niece visited yesterday. It's the first time since we lived in Oak Lawn that my dad has played ping pong (1989), and the first time ever that my niece has played. On wednesday, I'm going to host a get-together of former co-workers (the CUIP Classic Crowd), next monday I'm hosting a mini-retreat/work-day for the current staff at work, and next week TS is staying here in advance of Lollapalooza. I'm taking a few days off that week before lollapalooza. I'm thinking about inviting a wide-range of personalities over, on the Thursday (Aug 3), for a pseudo-party. That idea is winning at present. I won't decide for a few more days.
Posted at 07:14 AM
Tue - July 18, 2006
Here and There
I've been teaching a course this july for public school teachers on
using blogs, wikis, and podcasts (along with ppt, digital photography and
digital videography) in the classroom. It's fun, has been going well, and will
run for another week and a half.
Of course, this means that I don't have any energy for taking pictures or weblogging in my personal (or more accurately, non-work) life. One needs to have some separation.
So, I scanned a batch of pictures yesterday but didn't do much with them afterwards. I've been making a point to make a comment whenever KRT posts from the middle-east. Most of the time has been spent sleeping or working through the personal hell that is my list of "unfinished business". I'm convinced that a few more of those things being dealt with are a prerequisite before I can really enjoy this era (which could be as much as 2-3 years) for what it's worth.
Of course, this means that I don't have any energy for taking pictures or weblogging in my personal (or more accurately, non-work) life. One needs to have some separation.
So, I scanned a batch of pictures yesterday but didn't do much with them afterwards. I've been making a point to make a comment whenever KRT posts from the middle-east. Most of the time has been spent sleeping or working through the personal hell that is my list of "unfinished business". I'm convinced that a few more of those things being dealt with are a prerequisite before I can really enjoy this era (which could be as much as 2-3 years) for what it's worth.
Posted at 09:55 PM
Sun - July 16, 2006
Cameraphone
I've gotten out of the regular habit of taking
pictures with the phone, which is fine except for that the last few weeks have
had their share of documentable events. I'll get back into this sooner or
later.
Posted at 07:56 PM
Mon - July 10, 2006
Films and CDs
Films I've seen
recently: The 3 Burials of Melquiades Estrada was great.
Baraka had some great visuals, but didn't do
much for me. I am Trying to Break Your Heart - A film about
Wilco was quite good. I'll be seeing Wilco perform
for the first time at lollapalooza later this
summer.
"Syriana" is the next movie from netflix that i'll be watching. I'd like to see "A Scanner Darkly" and maybe "Superman: Returns" in the theater in the next week or so. I'm not good at making it to the theater though.
CDs I bought last week:
I went to Hyde Park records and Dr. Wax over the weekend.
"Foo Fighters" (1995) - I had owned it, but never replaced it after it got stolen. After a listen, I realized that having is not so pleasing as wanting.
"Africa [Live]: Novus Series 1970" by Miriam Makeba - I had a burned copy of this album, which I consider to be the finest collection of Makeba's work (she is at the height of her powers). A must-own for any fan of South African music.
"Sound Directions: Funky Side of Life" by Yesterdays New Quintet - I tend to buy everything that Madlib releases. I was underwhelmed by this release though.
"Grrr" Hugh Masekela (1966) - I'm still working through a Jazz appreciation program. Last week I listened to some Joe Pass, Bill Withers, Mingus, and Roy Hargrove. This week I bought another Hugh Masekela CD. I think the documentary "Amandla!" about the role of music in the anti-apartheid struggle is a fantastic starting-off point for a journey into South African music (Masekela is particularly insightful).
Thom Yorke's album "the Eraser" hits the shelves on Tuesday which will give me an excuse to go to downtown and buy some random new music.
"Syriana" is the next movie from netflix that i'll be watching. I'd like to see "A Scanner Darkly" and maybe "Superman: Returns" in the theater in the next week or so. I'm not good at making it to the theater though.
CDs I bought last week:
I went to Hyde Park records and Dr. Wax over the weekend.
"Foo Fighters" (1995) - I had owned it, but never replaced it after it got stolen. After a listen, I realized that having is not so pleasing as wanting.
"Africa [Live]: Novus Series 1970" by Miriam Makeba - I had a burned copy of this album, which I consider to be the finest collection of Makeba's work (she is at the height of her powers). A must-own for any fan of South African music.
"Sound Directions: Funky Side of Life" by Yesterdays New Quintet - I tend to buy everything that Madlib releases. I was underwhelmed by this release though.
"Grrr" Hugh Masekela (1966) - I'm still working through a Jazz appreciation program. Last week I listened to some Joe Pass, Bill Withers, Mingus, and Roy Hargrove. This week I bought another Hugh Masekela CD. I think the documentary "Amandla!" about the role of music in the anti-apartheid struggle is a fantastic starting-off point for a journey into South African music (Masekela is particularly insightful).
Thom Yorke's album "the Eraser" hits the shelves on Tuesday which will give me an excuse to go to downtown and buy some random new music.
Posted at 07:00 PM
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Published On: Aug 22, 2006 11:52 PM
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Published On: Aug 22, 2006 11:52 PM