And I'm on duty for the weekend. Usually not an exciting time. But this weekend is an exception. As curator for the weekly Owen (my hall) movie nights last semester I got the idea of doing an International Film Festival. I figured I'd do it 1) in the winter when it is easier to stay inside, and 2) when I'm on duty so I don't "waste" a weekend. So this weekend is the first Owen International Film Festival (OIFF in my anacronym-filled world). Tonight is the official kick-off event which is the Winter Olympic Opening Ceremonies from Torino. Then tomorrow we're showing the following films:
The Piano -- New Zealand
Fireworks (Hana-bi) -- Japan
Open Your Eyes (Abres los ojos) -- Spain
Italian for Beginners (Italiensk for Begyndere) -- Demark
and on Sunday:
Good Bye Lenin! -- Germany
Shower (Xizao) -- China
Amelie (Le Fabuleaux destin d'Amelie Poulain) -- France
Amores Perros -- Mexico
Anyway I'm quite excited for this event. I'm lucky that I've got some great coworkers who are eager and helped with promotions and advertising. There is a good buzz...no there is a GREAT buzz! Not to get egotistical (ok, to get egotistical), I've seen plenty of people checking out the lineup and discussing which films they will see. Of course I've heard some complaints about "Why movie X" or "Why not movie Z from country Y?" As a wise sage once said, Suck on the Good. I'm just focusing on putting on a wonderful event.
Random Opening Ceremonies thoughts:
The dude hitting the anvil looks like Mega Man. No joke. It looks like the Stanford Tree made it. Cows on skates?! Moos? People dressed as cows?! I like the big skier of people. Yeah that is cool. Is that "Gonna Fly Now" they are playing? I don't think there is a better symbol then the Olympic Rings. For as good as he is, Bob Costas always seems a bit...pompous and arrogant. There must be some kick-backs going on for 70s music stars. So North and South Korea are marching together, but not competing, but may be in 2008. I think if I was a high-ranking official in S. Korea I would want nothing to do with Kim Jong-Il. Hey, there's Germany...I think I know someone from there :) Mrs. Blair and Mrs. Bush next to each other...awww. Is anyone else like me and ever thought of getting citizenship in some small country in order to go to the Olympics? So now we've got 80s music going and apparently Mongolia has troops helping us in Iraq. Really, Mongolia? B-Dubs knows his 80s music. And the US enters. Jeremy Bloom, now there is a guy who pretty much got screwed by a certain sports organization. Hey it's Hungary (but as BC let us know "Ungaria in Italian"), which is the only country of heritage I quasi-identify with. Although when people ask what I am I just say American.
Looks like the Cavs have a plan to keep LeBron. They better. Being the ultimate cynical Cleveland sports fan, I've often felt that getting that #1 pick for LeBron was both a blessing and a curse. A blessing in that we finally won something. Now it's not a championship but we got probably one of the best draft picks of all time, a team player, and a guy that is better then advertised. The cynic in me believes that after his 4/5 years in C-town, he will bolt for some team like the Knicks, or the Clippers, of some big-city team. Well after all the flack Dan Gilbert got a year ago when he took over the ownership, it looks like he is headed in the right direction. He knows the importance of LeBron to the team, the franchise, and the city. Hopefully this all works out. Of course us Cleveland fans will understand if it doesn't.
All you Case alums and others who've made it this far, the UAAs are underway. As I grow older, my contact with the team and knowledge of who can do what is limited, but they look to be having a decent meet. Of course I have no idea how the teams are doing as Emory isn't posting team scores! Or at least that I can't find.
Friday, February 10, 2006
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Here We Go
In case you missed it there was something resembling a football game on sunday. As any self-respecting Cleveland Brown's fan, I promptly cheered for Seattle. But congrats to my native Pittsburgh-area friends: Jess, Miller, BJ, and Bluemle (I hope I spelled that correctly). I know the game has been analyzed to death, I still feel compelled to let my feelings be known:
This was probably the worst-played SB I've ever watched.
Yes, the officials stunk it up. I'm not saying it was a conspiracy against Seattle, but I sincerely object the PI and Holding penalties. More so the PI -- this is the Super Bowl folks-- let them play for goodness sakes! The receiver barely touched the defender, c'mon now. And I'm still not convinced Big Ben scored.
Speaking of the wunderkid...a QB rating of 22.whatever....as TMQ let's us know, if every pass falls incomplete, the QB rating is 36.something. What were you thinking throwing that pass that was intercepted? I'm convinced BB is overrated and has been the beneficiary of having a wonderful supporting cast.
Bad clock management on Seattle's part. Apparently Mike Holmgren has already won a Super Bowl, but you wouldn't have known with the way he handled things at the end of each half.
Commercials: nothing wow'd me (do you sense a theme here) but I enjoyed the promo of the new ABC show "Sons and Daughters." Gillette now has a six-blade razor (5 on the main area, plus one on the back for sideburns and what-not) but I guess Hitatchi has a 10-blade one.
Onto other topics:
You can get your Mr. Pibb + Red Vines = Crazy Delicious t-shirt here. Join the minions of wanna-be-hipsters! I thought about 2 seconds about buying one and then my senses got the better of me.
Last week both Bonnaroo and Coachella announced their lineups. There are a lot of overlapping artists. Good bands at the 'Roo: Radiohead, Petty, Beck, Elvis Costello, Death Cab, Bright Eyes (hate to admit it), Ben Folds, Matisyahu (to see if he's all really just schtick), My Morning Jacket, Cat Power, Nickel Creek, Steve Earle, Malkmus!!!!!, Son Volt, Clap Your..., Rusted Root, Devandra Banhart, and Mike Doughty. At the 'Coach: Depeche Mode, Franz Ferdinand, Sigur Ros, MMJ, TV on the Radio, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Cat Power, Devandra Banhart, Massive Attack, Block Party, Oakenfold, Matisyahu (again to see...), Sleater-Kinney, Mogwai, James Blount, Ted Leo, Go! Team, Art Brut, Stellastarr*, Minus the Bear, and Youth Group. Having been a 'Roo veteran (2004 yeah!) I can testify to the wonderful organization behind that one and with a lineup that I'm more into this time around, I would be more than inclined to go (any takers?). After drooling for several years at the Coachella fest and wanting to travel to the desert of SoCal, I feel they are taking a step back this year. It is a bit of a financial commitment, but a multi-day music festival is some fun times. If you have a chance to go to either, I would encourage you to do so.
I mentioned a couple posts back about Pandora and the Music Genome Project. TMT has an interview up with the founder of MGP. Very insightful and sheds some light on how they do things. It is quite a complex process.
This was probably the worst-played SB I've ever watched.
Yes, the officials stunk it up. I'm not saying it was a conspiracy against Seattle, but I sincerely object the PI and Holding penalties. More so the PI -- this is the Super Bowl folks-- let them play for goodness sakes! The receiver barely touched the defender, c'mon now. And I'm still not convinced Big Ben scored.
Speaking of the wunderkid...a QB rating of 22.whatever....as TMQ let's us know, if every pass falls incomplete, the QB rating is 36.something. What were you thinking throwing that pass that was intercepted? I'm convinced BB is overrated and has been the beneficiary of having a wonderful supporting cast.
Bad clock management on Seattle's part. Apparently Mike Holmgren has already won a Super Bowl, but you wouldn't have known with the way he handled things at the end of each half.
Commercials: nothing wow'd me (do you sense a theme here) but I enjoyed the promo of the new ABC show "Sons and Daughters." Gillette now has a six-blade razor (5 on the main area, plus one on the back for sideburns and what-not) but I guess Hitatchi has a 10-blade one.
Onto other topics:
You can get your Mr. Pibb + Red Vines = Crazy Delicious t-shirt here. Join the minions of wanna-be-hipsters! I thought about 2 seconds about buying one and then my senses got the better of me.
Last week both Bonnaroo and Coachella announced their lineups. There are a lot of overlapping artists. Good bands at the 'Roo: Radiohead, Petty, Beck, Elvis Costello, Death Cab, Bright Eyes (hate to admit it), Ben Folds, Matisyahu (to see if he's all really just schtick), My Morning Jacket, Cat Power, Nickel Creek, Steve Earle, Malkmus!!!!!, Son Volt, Clap Your..., Rusted Root, Devandra Banhart, and Mike Doughty. At the 'Coach: Depeche Mode, Franz Ferdinand, Sigur Ros, MMJ, TV on the Radio, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Cat Power, Devandra Banhart, Massive Attack, Block Party, Oakenfold, Matisyahu (again to see...), Sleater-Kinney, Mogwai, James Blount, Ted Leo, Go! Team, Art Brut, Stellastarr*, Minus the Bear, and Youth Group. Having been a 'Roo veteran (2004 yeah!) I can testify to the wonderful organization behind that one and with a lineup that I'm more into this time around, I would be more than inclined to go (any takers?). After drooling for several years at the Coachella fest and wanting to travel to the desert of SoCal, I feel they are taking a step back this year. It is a bit of a financial commitment, but a multi-day music festival is some fun times. If you have a chance to go to either, I would encourage you to do so.
I mentioned a couple posts back about Pandora and the Music Genome Project. TMT has an interview up with the founder of MGP. Very insightful and sheds some light on how they do things. It is quite a complex process.
Sunday, February 05, 2006
Mr. Pibb + Red Vines = Crazy Delicious
My beautiful friend Greer urged me to finally include this on my blog, for the sake of the fans. She really cares y'all. In all actuality I've been meaning to post this for quite awhile. In case you don't feel like watching the Super Bore, here is a little video for you to ponder over. Its been quite the rage over this thing called the interweb.
Here's the Chronic(what?)cles of Narnia! So go to the SNL link, scroll onto videos and find the video. Or you can go to this link on YouTube .
In case you were wondering, here are the lyrics. And if you are interested, here is some background on the video. Be sure to watch the girl in the ticket booth, she can't keep a straight face. And what about the line " You can call us Aaron Burr from the way we're dropping Hamiltons" -- classic.
In case you were wondering, here are the lyrics. And if you are interested, here is some background on the video. Be sure to watch the girl in the ticket booth, she can't keep a straight face. And what about the line " You can call us Aaron Burr from the way we're dropping Hamiltons" -- classic.
Dont forget about the the "More Cowbell" skit .
Its all about the Hamilton's baby!
Saturday, February 04, 2006
I'm a Liar
So on thursday I said I was going to have my Super Bowl XL preview/prediction up on friday....so I didn't get to it until today. I apologize to all of my faithful readers.
Before I get onto the matter at hand, a couple of associated thoughts. Since I know a substantial amount of international students I've been asking them if they are going to watch the Super Bowl or if they've ever seen it before. We always watch the game and hear about how there are millions and millions watching across the globe and how the Super Bowl is truly an international event. Nevermind the fact that this is a strictlyl American sport which is pretty much ignored anywhere else. Anyway, all these international students respond that no, they've never seen it. Steve Rushin offers more opinon in this week's SI.
What else? Oh yeah, there is that whole cliched-to-death opinon of "I just watch it for the commercials." Apparently there will be an ad with MacGyver/MacGyveresque (didja know his first name was Angus?) and the next shot will be fired in the razor-wars (click on Fusion).
Onto the game....so we have a #1 seed (the Seahawks) that has been playing terrific all year but is somehow the underdog versus a #6 seed (the Steelers). I'm sorry, how can a team that did not win it's division and have to win its final 5 games to make the playoffs be favored over a team that has been doing it all year? Not to mention that Seattle has NFL MVP, Shaun Alexander on their team. I'll take him over the combination of Bettis/Parker any day. What else...quarterbacks. Big Ben has gone from the anonymity of the MAC to the Super Bowl in 2 years; Matt Hasselbeck, better known as brother-in-law of Survivor alum hottie Elizabeth, certainly has the experience and the better numbers. Coaches -- gotta give props to the dual mustaches (when are those finally going to be trendy again?) but remember that this is Holmgren's 3rd SB in 10 years and he already has one ring...this is Cowher's 2nd in 11 years. Defenses.....Pittsburgh has the edge, but only by a few. For me it comes down to two things -- can Seattle put enough points on the board over the Pittsburg D? If they score over 27, then Big Ben & Co cannot keep up and the game will be a route. If the Pittsburgh D holds strong, then I see a game coming down to Special Teams with a FG deciding the game. I give the edge to Seattle here. Ok, so I guess it is pretty obvious that I'm picking Seattle (an unsexy pick btw) to win: Final Score: 27-17.
Oh yeah for those keeping track, two cities have never hosted or been in a Super Bowl -- Cleveland and Indianapolis.
Before I get onto the matter at hand, a couple of associated thoughts. Since I know a substantial amount of international students I've been asking them if they are going to watch the Super Bowl or if they've ever seen it before. We always watch the game and hear about how there are millions and millions watching across the globe and how the Super Bowl is truly an international event. Nevermind the fact that this is a strictlyl American sport which is pretty much ignored anywhere else. Anyway, all these international students respond that no, they've never seen it. Steve Rushin offers more opinon in this week's SI.
What else? Oh yeah, there is that whole cliched-to-death opinon of "I just watch it for the commercials." Apparently there will be an ad with MacGyver/MacGyveresque (didja know his first name was Angus?) and the next shot will be fired in the razor-wars (click on Fusion).
Onto the game....so we have a #1 seed (the Seahawks) that has been playing terrific all year but is somehow the underdog versus a #6 seed (the Steelers). I'm sorry, how can a team that did not win it's division and have to win its final 5 games to make the playoffs be favored over a team that has been doing it all year? Not to mention that Seattle has NFL MVP, Shaun Alexander on their team. I'll take him over the combination of Bettis/Parker any day. What else...quarterbacks. Big Ben has gone from the anonymity of the MAC to the Super Bowl in 2 years; Matt Hasselbeck, better known as brother-in-law of Survivor alum hottie Elizabeth, certainly has the experience and the better numbers. Coaches -- gotta give props to the dual mustaches (when are those finally going to be trendy again?) but remember that this is Holmgren's 3rd SB in 10 years and he already has one ring...this is Cowher's 2nd in 11 years. Defenses.....Pittsburgh has the edge, but only by a few. For me it comes down to two things -- can Seattle put enough points on the board over the Pittsburg D? If they score over 27, then Big Ben & Co cannot keep up and the game will be a route. If the Pittsburgh D holds strong, then I see a game coming down to Special Teams with a FG deciding the game. I give the edge to Seattle here. Ok, so I guess it is pretty obvious that I'm picking Seattle (an unsexy pick btw) to win: Final Score: 27-17.
Oh yeah for those keeping track, two cities have never hosted or been in a Super Bowl -- Cleveland and Indianapolis.
Thursday, February 02, 2006
The Armona, the Mean Scent
Deadspin today has a nice post about Manute Bol and his work for his native Sudan. 99% of their posts are making fun of athletes, but here is a prime example of an athlete using their fame and celebrity for a good (and devastating) cause. Be sure to read the comments.
Punxsutawney Phil apparently saw his shadow indicating 6 more weeks of winter. Compared to last year, this winter has been quite mild which is quite fine for me and my running schedule. It is nice that every day I leave for swimming practice at 5:45 there is more and more sun. Nice.
So I think we've all seen those overtly obnoxious Axe Body Spray commercials. You know the ones, some average guy puts it on and then the women (his date's mother, girls in the library) around him are all over him. Pretty over the top and not very believeable, right? That is what I thought. I scoffed at these commercials. Then something funny happend. First, for whatever reason (I think I had to buy books) I picked up a free sample. Second, I ran out of traditional soap. So I used the Axe Shower Gel until I get a chance to go to the store and buy some more soap. The stuff smells pretty good and seems to get me clean -- I'm a traditional soap and washcloth guy so the gel stuff is a bit out of my element. Later on I'm spending time with OFOMOL (for those that asked it stands for: Official Female Of Metamorphosis Of Life) and she seems to be a bit (ok a lot) more affectionate then normal. I'm enjoying it and she's telling me how good I smell. So yeah, I'm sold. I guess there is truth in advertising.
For those that spend every waking moment of their free time checking this site to see when I update it, my Super Bowl predictions will be up tomorrow.
Punxsutawney Phil apparently saw his shadow indicating 6 more weeks of winter. Compared to last year, this winter has been quite mild which is quite fine for me and my running schedule. It is nice that every day I leave for swimming practice at 5:45 there is more and more sun. Nice.
So I think we've all seen those overtly obnoxious Axe Body Spray commercials. You know the ones, some average guy puts it on and then the women (his date's mother, girls in the library) around him are all over him. Pretty over the top and not very believeable, right? That is what I thought. I scoffed at these commercials. Then something funny happend. First, for whatever reason (I think I had to buy books) I picked up a free sample. Second, I ran out of traditional soap. So I used the Axe Shower Gel until I get a chance to go to the store and buy some more soap. The stuff smells pretty good and seems to get me clean -- I'm a traditional soap and washcloth guy so the gel stuff is a bit out of my element. Later on I'm spending time with OFOMOL (for those that asked it stands for: Official Female Of Metamorphosis Of Life) and she seems to be a bit (ok a lot) more affectionate then normal. I'm enjoying it and she's telling me how good I smell. So yeah, I'm sold. I guess there is truth in advertising.
For those that spend every waking moment of their free time checking this site to see when I update it, my Super Bowl predictions will be up tomorrow.
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