You're On Notice!

Blogging has been light...and there doesn't seem to be a reprieve in my schedule any time soon... thus I decided to go back and visit an old favorite of mine...that takes a few seconds to express a few thoughts and feelings. These things/people are officially On Notice!

Artist of the Week...

Those of you who've known me for a while....know that I have an inclination to jazz, blues, classical, and other forms of music that aren't "on the cusp", as it were....this, coupled with the fact that I am approaching an age that almost makes it impossible to be "cool"...keeps me behind on new music that is out there waiting to be heard. Subsequently, when I do find a band that I dig...it is a relief.

I've found such a band in this week's AOTW. Two gents from Australia formed this electronic band in 2007 and released their debut album " Walking On A Dream " in November of 2008. As I've still not heard the entire work, my opinion isn't complete, but what I have heard has resonated. The lead vocals are unique...and I'm fairly certain that some will find them annoying. The music is...well...electronic...but the melodies have a laid back...yet sensual or even erotic...feel. This band probably won't change music...or even be relevant in 10 years...but this album works. Ladies and gentlemen, I offer you....Empire Of The Sun.

* the following two tracks are my favorites, thus far.

** youtube has blocked the second video.

They Just Don't Make 'Em Like They Used To

Well, I used what time I was not at work this weekend to go see Rob Zombie's anticipated remake of Halloween II. I understandably had high hopes: Mr. Zombie did a surprisingly fine job with his treatment of the first installment. He demonstrated proper respect to John Carpenter's original while providing a fresh start for a tired franchise that has been mishandled for years. Anyone who saw H2O or Halloween: Resurrection knows what I mean.

Of course, by the same note, Zombie was tackling possibly the strongest entry in the series. While Carpenter did not take the director's chair for the sequal, he did provide a solid script for what he intended to be the finale of the series that gave one hell of a sendoff to our faceless voiceless killer. For some hardcore Halloween fans (including myself), Halloween II is perhaps the best film in the Michael Myers saga. This project was a tall order for Rob Zombie.

And I'm afraid Mr. Zombie failed. Don't get me wrong...the film was highly enjoyable. The latest Halloween is far superior to anything released under the same name since the dreadful Season of the Witch in 1982 (with the exception of Zombie's first remake, that is). In many ways, the film was worth the price of admission: Zombie demonstrates his usual impeccable taste in his selection of soundtrack (big ups for the strategic use of the Moody Blues during the horrific hospital scene), the gore factor, while gratuitous when used by most directors nowadays, is wielded effectively by Mr. Zombie, and moments of actual, visceral terror recurred with increasing frequency as the film built to its climax. But nonetheless, there was something missing....

...and it only took a brief revisit to the original Halloween to realize just what the missing ingredients were. First and foremost, there are some significant differences between the Michael Myers of John Carpenter and that of Rob Zombie. The remake treats us to a Myers that is a Jason Vorhees-style overkiller, complete with grunts and heavy breathing. Gone is the cold, mechanical efficiency with which Michael Myers dispatched his prey. The final result is a meat-headed, ham-fisted mouthbreather who seems to take pleasure in murder. The very thing that made Carpenter's killer so frightening, the soulless, passionless compulsion that drove the original Myers to his objective with undying, superhuman endurance is completely lost in Zombie's translation. Zombie's Laurie Strode does not possess nearly the same strength of character as the heroine in the original productions. The indominable will to live of Jamie Lee Curtis' Laurie led her to survive encounter after encounter with Myers, and she does not come away with the same twisted mental baggage we see resulting from the experience in Rob Zombie's remake. Also, the Dr. Loomis of the remake leaves something to be desired. It is hardly the fault of Malcolm McDowell, who was actually and inspired choice to play the good doctor. But it seems, much like Mr. Zombie himself, the new Dr. Loomis is too busy sympathizing with Michael Myers to effectively do battle with him. The Dr. Loomis portrayed by Donald Pleasance in the original Halloween movies did not want to apologize to Michael; he wanted to destroy him, and thought of nothing else. The single mindedness and slightly unhinged banter and manner of the original Loomis made him almost as creepy as Myers himself. He was ready to pursue Michael Myers to the ends of the earth, if need be, when any sane person would have gone the other way. Finally, letting us inside of Michael's head, while an interesting twist, did little to add to the story. The blank slate offered to the outside world by the Myers in the original films left us wondering just what, if anything, is going on in his head; Zombie's attempt to answer that question was quite underwhelming.

All in all, I would still recommend this latest production of Halloween II. Zombie's aesthetic is still impressive, which is a consistent characteristic of his films. By the same note, though, I will also recommend that, after you leave the theatre, renting the original so you can witness the work of a true master of the genre.

Postscript: Sequels That REALLY Sucked

1. Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome

2. Halloween III: Season of the Witch

3. Shawshank Redemption II: Return to Rapeland

4. Caddyshack II (ugh)

5. Die Hard II

Artist of the week...

I'm usually on the tail end of pop culture type movements, as my tastes are steeped in the classics, and alas, this case is no different. I came across this band about three weeks ago...and three years after everyone else in the world...but have been diggin them ever since. Three brothers and a cousin have proved that rock...both melodic and otherwise...can still be written. Ladies and gentlemen...those of you who are as oblivious as I...here is Kings of Leon...

For Your Consideration: Top Ten Films of the 1980's

Granted: the 1980s was not necessarily the height of the film noir aesthetic as we saw in the Sixties or the thinking-man's film market as we had in the Seventies. We can thank Steven Speilberg and George Lucas, with their watered-down, cotton-candy family action/adventure flicks and John Hughes, with his overly-sentimental, gawdily-stylish high school melodramas for the downgrade in quality that was the rule more than the exception throughout that decade. Nonetheless, there are some true gems to be gleaned from the rubbish pile of 1980's cinema...these specimens being all the more precious considering the dirth of inspiration and imagination that consumed the movie (and music) scene. The following list is about as close to definitive as it's going to get....cause the industry did not really give us alot to work with in the course of that particular decade...but the films that made the cut are truly worth acknowledgement.

10. The Road Warrior (1981): It is rare indeed for a sequal to surpass its predecessor, but the Road Warrior does just that for the Mad Max franchise...and it's not just because of the (somewhat) larger budget the filmmakers have at their disposal. All of the things that made the first Mad Max great, the gritty, tight, briskly paced narrative and relative-newcomer Mel Gibson's bad@$$ portrayal of the title character, are cranked to full volume, but done so very tastefully, in this worthy sequal. And the apocolypse of an ending and the movie's cynical-yet-effective punchline ensure this overlooked film a spot in the top ten of the decade.

9. The Lost Boys (1987): If you can overlook Keifer Sutherland's supermullet and the subpar soundtrack, then you have yourself one of the finest vampire flicks since Salem's Lot way back in '76. Forget the tragic, moody, emo vampires of Interview With the Vampire and Twilight...Sutherland and company want to eat you and make a big mess while they're doing it. They're evil creatures of the night and damned proud of it...just as Bram Stoker, the progenitor of the literary-artistic tradition of the vampire myth, meant for it to be. And the teenage hero motif that was used ad nauseum throughout the 80s actually works, considering the twisted, misanthropic (and interesting) nature of the misfit comic-book twins faced with destroying the hip vampire horde.

8. The Terminator (1984): Even more so than Conan the Barbarian, this film established Arnold Schwarzeneggar as the bad@$$ of the decade. And deservedly so, as it is his one, truly perfect role. Schwarzeneggar brings the undying, inexorable killing machine to murderous, metallic life. And, unlike his usual tasteless action blowout extravaganzas, James Cameron allows the story and the characters time to slowly build, at the same time giving the audience the gradual revelation of the Terminator's true identity, culminating in an unbearably tense climax.

7. Caddyshack (1980): It is hard to determine who was funnier in this flick: Rodney Dangerfield or Bill Murray (and Chevy Chase in a distant third). Either way, the final product is one of the finest comedies of the decade. And of course, let's not forget that adorable groundhog...

6. Return of the Jedi (1983): Out of fairness, we can only allow one of the Star Wars films into the list, and while most everyone else puts their bets on The Empire Strikes Back (1980), my chips are all going on the series finale. Sure, Han Solo is somewhat hamstrung as a character by this point in the series, but this is more than compensated by the new, improved Jedi Luke Skywalker. He whoops @$$ in all the ways we wanted him to in the first two installments, and he has the actions-speak-louder-than-words attitude to back it up. And the final, emotional confrontation between father and son is more than any fan of the franchise could have hoped for from the finale of the series.

5. Videodrome (1983): This is one of the strangest films I have ever seen...and that's REALLY saying something, considering some of the movies I've watched. Nonetheless, considering it is some of the most bizarre, most impressionistic material in David Cronenberg's canon, he handles it without sacrificing narrative or character, something David Lynch has not managed to pull off through his entire career. But this one is definitely not for the kids...or some squemish adults.

4. Time Bandits (1981): Terry Gilliam's stab at a children's film comes off as rather nightmarish...and dense, considering it deals with issues about God, good and evil, textbook-historical accuracy, human nature, and fate. Nonetheless, the kids can still enjoy it and the grown-ups are given enough to chew on, as well.

3. The Evil Dead (1981): I believe this movie STILL holds some records for amount of gore in a single scene. That's not to say that that is all this film has to offer. Sam Raimi gave us one of the most shocking, most enduring, and, at the same time, one of the funniest horror films of all time....and he gave us Bruce Campbell on top of all that.

2. The Wall (1982): Roger Waters and Gerald Scarfe might be two of the most brilliant and disturbed minds involved in popular art. And director Alan Parker brings their haunting themes and images to life like a diabolical puppet master. While it shocks and disturbs, at the same time, it resonates with us all and speaks to the loneliness and isolation at work in each and every one of us. It is just a shame that it is marginalized with vapid drug flicks like Easy Rider and Up in Smoke. Perhaps, someday, it will get its due.

(drumroll, please). And the winner iiiisssss......

1. The Shining (1980): Since Stephen King was unhappy with Kubrick's reinterpretation of his novel, I can only surmise it was because King was jealous of the vast improvement that Kubrick had made of the production. Not enough can be said about this film: The finest, most aesthetic specimen of Stanley Kubrick's career, the performance of a lifetime from Jack Nicholson, and, of course, the "Heeeeerrre's Johnny!" axe scene that has become part of popular culture for all time. So REDRUM, y'all....and if you've not seen this movie yet, then shame on you....you're life is not complete yet!

And that's it for the first installment of the "For Your Consideration" series, which I hope to make an ongoing production here on I Herodotus. If you have any comments or questions, feel free to voice them. And if you have any greivances with the above list, you'd better come with ammo.

This one's for the kids

Scuffles and minor altercations are bound to occur amongst adolescents; it is treated almost as a rite of passage....a rite that should occur rarely, if at all. However, when your little angel starts engaging in viscious group attacks like a pack animal or commiting senseless, spontaneous acts of violence towards figures of authority, then there is obviously something at work on our younger generations that threatens the very fabric of our civilation...and drastic measures are going to be necessary.
The consideration for punishment of a criminal act of a violent nature, especially when it involves such irrational rage and sadistic relish such as that involved in the case in Polk County, Florida, or the bus attack in Kalamazoo should NEVER be mitigated by factors such as age or upbringing. In fact, the details of such cases are almost always far more shocking in their brutality and wantonness and, since theses acts are commited at such a developmental period, should be taken as an indication of something fundamentally flawed in the guilty party. And perhaps, for this reason, the perpetrators must be dealt with in a more strenuous (and maybe permanent) manner. For your consideration, as a concerned citizen, here is one possible set of corrective measures that could be followed to reclaim our youth and the future of our nation.
1st Offense: Sterilization. On top of any time served in one of our fine correctional facilities the offender should undergo mandatory sterilization, since he/she has made it obvious that they are unfit to control themselves, much less any offspring they produce. The result will either be another violent,out-of-control specimen or a tragic case of extreme child abuse. A law-abiding society has an obligation to keep that from happening.
2nd Offense: Physical and Mental Neutralization. The recurrence of violent acts during adolescence is a demonstration of an incurable, anti-social personality, incapable of taking a productive part in our fine society. Unilateral action, such as labotimization or inducing physical paralysis (best when both are combined) is the only option that the perpetrator has left for the rest of the law-abiding community. It may sound harsh, but we are doing our society a far worse service by letting these hellions mock and threaten the fabric of our civilization. These are purely hypothetical correctives, but if something of this sort is not pursued soon, it may be you or your child who is assualted next. More later.....

The entrammeling of greatness...

As I watched Andy Roddick play the match of his life...and still come up short of the necessary resolve, grit, and game to defeat a champion of Federer's stock...I began to ruminate on another talented guy that...just...can't....finish: Phil Mickelson. Both of the guys are extremely talented...both were, at one time, tauted as "the next big thing" in their respective sports...and to be fair...both have had wonderful and productive careers...Mickelson with three major championships...and Roddick with his U.S. Open title. Still, neither has lived up to expectations...and why is this?

The easy answer is that each is a contemporary with another who is arguably the "best ever" in his area....namely, Roger Federer and Tiger Woods. If Federer didn't exist, Roddick would have at least one Wimbledon...and probably another U.S. Open title...and, jeez...when one thinks of what Mickelson would've done on a "Tigerless" tour...it gets down right depressing for the guy. But this can't be the only answer...I mean...even Gary Player and Chrissy Everett won against Nicklaus and Navratilova....every now and then...and on multiple occasions. It can't just be this...

But...what if it is? What if the psychology behind the realization that...were it not for one person...you would be the greatest of your generation...is so weighty that it is inescapable and causes a self-defeating paralysis...at the very moment when one needs to summon a higher performance...to change gears...to ramp it up...take it to another level...or whatever cliche you want to use?

What must it feel like to succeed at levels higher than anyone around you for your entire life... to be told that you can re-write record books...only to find one other person...who isn't marginally better than you...but so much so that it isn't even up for discussion? Is there personal resignation...or is there an innate drive to overcome...after so many disappointments?

P.C. vs. Patriotism (because you just can't have it both ways)

There is an unhealty dichotomy at work within the American mind which seems to be grow more pervasive with each generation. While most of us are aware of the perfectly natural inclination to be proud of our identity as American, there is also this subconcsious urge (egged on by certain media personalities and politicians) to repress and outwardly deny our national will. The truly alarming part of the whole thing is, those media moguls and politicians, mostly of the leftist persuasion, have convinced us that the latter of these two tendencies is the truer.

Only in the early half of the nineties did this compulsion become known by the common nomenclature of "Political Correctness," a sort of oxymoron, if you will. It is the natural enemy of the much-older American mental habit once known as Patriotism. It is quite amazing that Americans, even (or perhaps, especially) the middle class, havemastered the mental trapeze required to practice both, since they are polar opposites and mutually exclusive. Eventually, however, one of the two must and will overcome the other. If the likes of Teddy Kennedy, who wishes to morally and financially aid our most ardent enemies, or some gap-toothed, late night T.V. personality, who wishes to savagely rip the clothes off of Alaskan tweenies, have their way, I believe you know which of these two tendencies will ultimately have sway over the American soul.

The first of the two that currently make us who we are, Patriotism, in the end, will inform who we are and how we will finally save ourselves; the other, "P.C.ness," will lead us to self-denial and an obliteration of identity, national and, ultimately, personal. If Darwin were here, he would tell us, in evolutionary survivalist terms,that Political Correctness is the next to last step toward extinction. But, after all, as an American, you still have a choice, for the time being, between the two. Choose you this day whom you will serve.

Happy Independence Day, America...and a minor tribute to LT black rabbit...

This is an early post, as I will be incognito for the holiday weekend. Still, I wanted to say something to register, respect, and recognize this most important and significant of American traditions. Ours is a unique experiment in self-governing. The mere idea of a "republic" was revolutionary and transformative in 1775...and has been an example of an ideal to attain for cultures and peoples hence. To maintain this, we rely on folks that volunteer their time, experience, and lives to make sure that what was established so many decades ago... remains...and will remain...intact. To those brave souls... I say...and I speak for a majority in this great country...simply, thank you. Those of us who choose not to serve will never know the sacrifices you and your families make...but we offer...two simple words...packed with heartfelt knowledge...thank you.

One such person is one of my best friends...in fact, I've known this guy longer than any other close friend that I have...he is the famed black rabbit. He is currently serving "in-theatre" , and is eagerly expected home by his wife and family within a few months. Simply put, he is one of the most courageous, genuine, and loyal persons I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. The thing is...we have thousands of others ...whom I've never met... that serve with him and are probably those things...and more...to others. So...to LT black rabbit...and those who are with him...I say...be well, be safe, and know that we aware.

Having lived in foreign lands for extended periods of time, I say this with an untempered resolve...this country is amazing...and I'll be damned if I let others who are either ignorant of history... or malicious in personal contempt...cloud our founding ideals...in the hope of some sort of trans-national and ideological utopia...that has been tried...and never realized or actualized. We, as Americans, have had, do have, and will have, deficiencies and inequalities to overcome...but this is the greatest nation...and political experiment...to ever exist in human history...more so than Babylon...more so than Athens...more so than Rome. It is worth preserving...it is worth respect...it is worth admiration. Let freedom ring true and loud. God bless the United States of America.

Michael Jackson, R.I.P.

I don't have much to say about MJ's passing that wouldn't or couldn't be said by many who are my age or close to it. In short, he was an incredible entertainer who didn't just transcend pop culture for a time...he was pop culture. He was my generation's Elvis. Yet...Elvis never ran around with a monkey...and didn't have a penchant for molesting sickly children.

I am still in awe of MJ's talent...go listen to "Who's Lovin You" to see how amazing he was at an early age...and will dance to his music until my soul escapes this world. Still, we can't lose sight of the person he became. In many ways...he personified the character of life on this planet....he delivered so much good...and exhibited so much evil.

So...rest in peace "King of Pop", if you can, and I'll moonwalk for the both of us.

Top 5 Michael Jackson songs:

1. Billie Jean

2. Who's Lovin' You ( technically Jackson 5...but he carries it).

3. Don't Stop Till You Get Enough

4. Rock With You

5. P.Y.T.

Honorable mention: Lady In My Life, The Way You Make Me Feel, Man In The Mirror, Workin Day and Night.

recent thoughts and musings 6/17/09...

wow...it has been a while. there are times, when my first response to current happenings is to turn to this place of exposition, contemplation...and sometimes...confession. still, a barrier has formed for me...one of life... one that has impeded submission. now, though, i feel the need to write, albeit, briefly:

1. politics. so much to say....because so much has happened. so...let's recap...those of us who voted against Obama ( and make no mistake...mine was not a vote for johnny mac)...did so with an informed suspicion that he was a velvet socialist...that the federal government would begin it's slow creep into our everyday lives. and here we are... in a few short months, we've seen our federal government, under the guise of crisis, take over 2/3 of our auto industry, force banks to take money...and then refuse to let them pay it back, appoint 22 "czars" to "oversee" industry and national productivity, threaten to tax everything from employee health benefits to work related cell-phones, and....please, let us not forget the bang-up job Obama's done with foreign policy...

my point is this: this guy was, and is, nothing more than a 21st century Fabian. in short, these folks believe that the government...not local government, mind you, but federal and unaccountable government....is the solution to every social and political problem. the ideology of socialism reeks of the blood of those helpless folks that bought into the idea of a forced equality...only to find the hand of an unfettered product of the system...tyrrany...waiting for them. just ask the venezuelans. our country has too much left in the founding tank to let this happen...yet.

2. music. at this moment...i'm revisiting a comfortable friend...miles davis' "kind of blue". this said, my musical tastes have been mercurial...gypsy kings, sade, the flaming lips, zero 7, bobby darin, allman bros, whatever compilation "that 70's guy" is working on....all satisfying in their own way.

3. readings. well...the last time i wrote, i mentioned that i'd be reading "atlas shrugged"...what i didn't know is that i'd be reading it with 5 guys that i trust implicitly...and that...as a group...would be a vestige of the famed "history 5". the reading went well...and i gleaned knowledge and perspective. an exposition is forthcoming. now, however, we are on to "that 70's guy"'s first submission (we collaborated to come up with a list...with each of us getting a "non-negotiable"...and this is his) aristotle's "politics". thus far, i'm intrigued...and skeptical as to application...still, an interesting tie-in to a randian projection of objectivism and individualism in a collective society.

4. life. without going into detail...let me say...that i am happier now than i've been in a long, long time. i feel blessed.

Our Agenda Usurped

Greetings,

It is easy to be outraged at the recent usurpations by the federal government. It is frightening when one considers the possible future--the country has definitely changed. A hand up from the community--in which the Church was the primary agent--has become the indiscriminate Robin Hood state we have encountered in Europe and can now observe burgeoning in DC. While i will not argue that we should not give Caesar his due. Caesar has, over the past century usurped the Christian agenda. Perhaps at a later time I will expand on this concept since it goes further than a simple usurpation of agenda. Even so, I cannot help but believe that the Christian world is a little culpable for this development.

When Christians ceased to be the principle source for relief from poverty and disasters in the world, whether from a lack of ability or a dearth of empathy (understand that I am not trying to posit blame), the door was opened for those seeking political leverage to snatch the agenda from the Christian community. It is difficult for me to consider the recent turn of events in Washington or the past century's government expansionist follies apart from the impoverished classes' support for their "relief" programs. I WOULD DEFINITELY LIKE TO READ YOUR IDEAS CONCERNING THIS.

Sirach 7:32-36 along with many other references in scripture strongly urged us to be the agents for poverty and disaster relief in our communities. If not us then who? Well we know the answer.

I would now like to turn this over for comments and debate.

Peace

Things old and new...

1. Wedded Bliss. First things first...one of our own wed his beautiful bride last Saturday...congrats, Dr. Zeius. The service was simple, classy, and appropriate. This...however...cannot be said of the three days of dionysian revelry that preceded this most important of days. If I see another bottle of Crown Royal in the next 6 months...it will be too soon. Also... it is just over a year since the stars aligned...causing the self-proclaimed "Bloggers Convention 2008" to occur in Savannah, Ga....for those who were there...you would be satisfied to know...that we had a Hall n Oats redux...ha!

2. On That Midnight Train To....Tennessee? Well....folks...as you can read below, I've been in a transition period, with regards to job, location, direction, etc...and I've now resolution, of sorts. I've accepted a position at a financial institution in Tennessee, and will be moving next week. Actually, my office is located in the same town as my under-grad Alma mater. Now...I am very excited about the job, as it is a considerable promotion...and am excited about being near so many folks that I care about. Still, I make this move with a trace amount of trepidation. Why? I'm not sure....it possibly has to do with the feeling of working so hard to get out of a place...only to return. This said, I am blessed, and embrace the opportunity with a full and thankful heart.

3. Hope and Change. There are so....so...many words I want/could/should type about President Obama's performance and attempt to move our nation towards a centralized and neutralized economy and politic...and will at some point. Right now...though...I just don't have it in me. Well...it's there....but I'm just...so....effing....angry...scared...and frustrated...that I'm not ready. I will say this though...both Rahm Emanuel and Hillary Clinton have been quoted recently as saying, " Never waste a good crisis.". Clinton said it most recently with regards to climate change. Think about that...these people know that families are struggling...losing jobs...losing homes...losing life savings...and their avowed and open response to this is "how can we use their suffering to advance our national-socialist agenda...". As I wrote...there will be more rants in the near future....but for now...I want to go on record as saying...this will not work. The mere premise...much less action...of redistributive economic policy is anathema to the American spirit. We will rise up, if tread upon...and we won't just flood the streets...as we have careers and families...but we are the producers...the business owners...the innovators...the do-ers...we make it happen...and we expect liberty while we do it...nay, we demand it. After all...isn't it written somewhere that it is an inalienable right endowed by our creator...not some "community organizer" who has dreams of a forced and coerced utopian equanimity. Which leads me to...

4. "Atlas, Can I Join You?". In light of the stench emanating from D.C. these days, I find it required of me to visit Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged, as it deals with some of the issues referenced above. Feel free to join me...I'll have a post soon on my related thoughts.

5. Music To My Ears. I've been visiting with my dad and grandparents all week...kind of taking things in before the move. My days have been largely spent reading and listening to music. One of the folks that I've spent an inordinate amount of time with is Mendelssohn. He is quickly becoming one of my favorite composers. His is an under-appreciated and undervalued talent...as compared to the "bigs"...Mozart, Bach, Haydn, etc..

And, finally...I am very excited about an artist that I've recently discovered. Her voice is the right mix of sensual simplicity and crisp earnestness....and her story is very compelling. She went to Europe to study French, German, and Italian for a Master's degree in Comparative Lit...and was discovered for her voice. Gentlemen, if you are so inclined....get a good bottle of wine, slide your arms around the waist of beautiful woman, and enjoy the gift of Stacey Kent.

The road less traveled...

A few thoughts on recent goings-on...both personal and otherwise:

1. Life's little surprises. Well....I've happened upon another little fork in the road...having just resigned my position with a financial institution. The thing is...at this stage of my life...any decision I make regarding work is a career decision...one that has long-lasting implications. Aside from the economic downturn that has folks..shall we say...hesitant to hire...frankly, I'm not sure what to do. I enjoy what I've been doing these last few years...and this particular path would be fairly lucrative, were I to continue. Still, I have this thing in me that wants to strike out again...as it were...to abandon reserve and travel. In fact, I've already sent multiple resumes to international schools in Europe, South America, and Asia. So...we'll see. While it can be scary...life is always an adventure.

2. The anti-stimulus stimulus. Regardless of one's political affiliation...how difficult is it to rationally discern that to call something an "emergency stimulus package", the funds would need to be dispersed fairly soon? Meaning, what are funds allocations doing in an "emergency bill" if they aren't used until 2011. I truly believe Pelosi to be the worst Speaker in a good long while.

3. A supporting list. The other day, Dr. Zeius and I were speaking...and the conversation turned to " best supporting actors of the last 25 years". The first name that came up....Bill Paxton. Think about it....Aliens, Weird Science, Tombstone, Apollo 13, True Lies, etc...this guy was in many many good movies...and his characters were all memorable. So...here is a list very quick and thoughtless list of my nominees( in no order):

Bill Paxton
Bruno Kirby
Marissa Tomei
Kevin Bacon
Ed Harris

4. Finally...a bit of music. This is one of my favorite songs...from one of my favorite albums...from one of my favorite bands in the 90's. I don't listen them much...but when I do...nostalgia sweeps me up. Ladies and gentlemen...Mazzy Star.