I can't believe The Robots is 30 years old. Kraftwerk so rocks.
How about an updated New Zealand twist from Flight of the Conchords? I love these guys. Hilarity.
Monday, July 16, 2007
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Antiques Roadshow Update
So, M went to the thingie, and she called me early in the afternoon with results on my painting.
She had been giving me grief about the frame, saying she can't believe I would consider paying $5 for that frame, let alone $12.95. So when she called me, she started off by saying the painting was only worth so much, but the frame was incredibly valuable. Like the colossal goober I am, I said "Really?!" to much laughter from my tormentor.
Turns out, they didn't have an expert with any particular knowledge of 20th century Texas painters, and they sort of sputtered and hemmed and hawed over it for a bit. At last, they came up with info from an art dealer online database, and they valued my painting at $500-1000. Yeah, big whoop, but totally worth the $12.95 and having the story.
M also said she and her friend were turned out and wearing the best boots in the place, jeans with hems the proper length, and they were both wearing their platter-size equestrian trophy buckles, and still they didn't get filmed for broadcast, alas. She said the people who were making it onto camera seemed to indicate that the Antiques Roadshow producers were set on showing Texans to be the most backward, unsophisticated bunch of rubes. One guy who was being filmed with his artifact appeared to be wearing plastic cowboy boots, and she said his jeans were an embarrassing length.
There you have it: boot snobbery. If someone is going to attempt to cowboy- or cowgirl-up in a state that actually has cowboys and cowgirls, they need to do a teeny bit of research and make sure they come correct. Now I'll have to watch that episode simply in hopes of seeing the plastic-looking cowboy boots.
So, M went to the thingie, and she called me early in the afternoon with results on my painting.
She had been giving me grief about the frame, saying she can't believe I would consider paying $5 for that frame, let alone $12.95. So when she called me, she started off by saying the painting was only worth so much, but the frame was incredibly valuable. Like the colossal goober I am, I said "Really?!" to much laughter from my tormentor.
Turns out, they didn't have an expert with any particular knowledge of 20th century Texas painters, and they sort of sputtered and hemmed and hawed over it for a bit. At last, they came up with info from an art dealer online database, and they valued my painting at $500-1000. Yeah, big whoop, but totally worth the $12.95 and having the story.
M also said she and her friend were turned out and wearing the best boots in the place, jeans with hems the proper length, and they were both wearing their platter-size equestrian trophy buckles, and still they didn't get filmed for broadcast, alas. She said the people who were making it onto camera seemed to indicate that the Antiques Roadshow producers were set on showing Texans to be the most backward, unsophisticated bunch of rubes. One guy who was being filmed with his artifact appeared to be wearing plastic cowboy boots, and she said his jeans were an embarrassing length.
There you have it: boot snobbery. If someone is going to attempt to cowboy- or cowgirl-up in a state that actually has cowboys and cowgirls, they need to do a teeny bit of research and make sure they come correct. Now I'll have to watch that episode simply in hopes of seeing the plastic-looking cowboy boots.
Saturday, July 14, 2007
BULLETIN:
HUMAN MALE HEADS COMPOSED OF SOLID BONE.
Or at least 2 of them are.
One time, my 3 year old cousin put the family car in gear and rolled the car down the driveway over her 1 year-ish old sister, who was crawling around. She had the big tire mark all the way across her abdomen and nothing broken, nothing 'sploded. True to form, they are tough bitches in adulthood too, having gotten full scholarships to college for volleyball and basketball.
Apparently, getting run over is more easily survived by some folk than others.
HUMAN MALE HEADS COMPOSED OF SOLID BONE.
Or at least 2 of them are.
One time, my 3 year old cousin put the family car in gear and rolled the car down the driveway over her 1 year-ish old sister, who was crawling around. She had the big tire mark all the way across her abdomen and nothing broken, nothing 'sploded. True to form, they are tough bitches in adulthood too, having gotten full scholarships to college for volleyball and basketball.
Apparently, getting run over is more easily survived by some folk than others.
About 10 years ago I went to thrift stores looking for frames I liked for something I was working on. I decided not to pay more than $5 each, but I came across one with a painting inside that was $12.95. I decided I kind of liked it, so I bought it anyway to keep just for the painting. Several years later, I decided to google the name of the painter, and he turned out to be a known Texas painter who was friends with Ima Hogg, the philanthropic art-patron daughter of famous Texas governer James Stephen Hogg.
Anyway, a girlfriend of mine is in San Antonio today for a taping of The Antiques Roadshow, and she took my painting. I hope she gets to be on television - she's wearing one of her big trophy Texas-size silver belt buckles which she won in equestrian competition, and she's quite lovely with that broad East-Texas accent. I'll bet they film her and use her footage. That'd be really neat. She said she'd tell them my name, and I told her to look at the camera and mention my email address and that I'm a realtor. We got a big laugh out of that.
You may be surprised to learn that to be on that program, you don't just show up with your crap and get in line. You apply to be included in a lottery drawing for tickets. Apparently something like one out of ten people actually are awarded tickets. Who knew?
I'll let you know if I get any word on that. I'm guessing they'll value the painting at $400 or so. It'll be fun to actually know how collectible it is, though, at last.
Anyway, a girlfriend of mine is in San Antonio today for a taping of The Antiques Roadshow, and she took my painting. I hope she gets to be on television - she's wearing one of her big trophy Texas-size silver belt buckles which she won in equestrian competition, and she's quite lovely with that broad East-Texas accent. I'll bet they film her and use her footage. That'd be really neat. She said she'd tell them my name, and I told her to look at the camera and mention my email address and that I'm a realtor. We got a big laugh out of that.
You may be surprised to learn that to be on that program, you don't just show up with your crap and get in line. You apply to be included in a lottery drawing for tickets. Apparently something like one out of ten people actually are awarded tickets. Who knew?
I'll let you know if I get any word on that. I'm guessing they'll value the painting at $400 or so. It'll be fun to actually know how collectible it is, though, at last.
LOVE STINKS.
Courtney Love was looking pretty harsh after she trashed her hotel suite during her birthday celebration last week.
Thinking of her a few days ago, it sprang to mind how un-punk her post Kurt transformation really was. Surgically morphing herself to look like a Faye Dunaway/Donatella Versace lovechild, it seems she's done a complete 180 from her punk roots. Remember her original nose and teeth? Yeah, she had a wide nose like the grille of a locomotive and I'm sure she hoovered up impressive quantities of Bolivian marching powder, but holy crap! She's not even 40 and she's got that burn-victim look. It really makes you wonder.
In the early 90s, Courtney was the antithesis of the popular ideal, the surgically-enhanced/genetically gifted version of beauty, and she owned that and really made it work-- why should female icons all be cookie-cutter versions of beauty? Then after Kurt dispatched himself, Hollywood types turned Courtney into a make-over project. Now she's just awash on a sandbank in the low tide of popular culture.
The irony is that in today's market, Eleanor Roosevelt wouldn't make it at all, and not because her ideas were bad (oh, she had some great personality in there, too), but simply because she was remarkably un-pretty. Courtney had the spotlight on her own terms, but couldn't tough it out with original manufacturer equipment, and that's a damned shame.
Now like a tract of industrially-wasted property, Courtney Love can regret in leisure that she tried to play their reindeer games.
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Speaking of self-loathing, I saw a guy abusing himself in his car at a stop light this week. I wondered if there was any point calling 9-1-1, but later on I decided a man who would do that at an intersection was probably dangerous. What do you think?
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Watched The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada yesterday. I love Tommy Lee Jones, even if he is politically wrong-headed. Good, unconventional movie. Lots of gorgeous border-area Texas/Mexico footage.
Woohoo! Happy Friday 13th, peoples! I'm not superstitious, but I have had some of the best things in my life happen on a Friday 13th. Enjoy!
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The new Die Hard movie is great. I laughed and laughed. Actually, measure for measure, I enjoyed this film much more than the Harry Potter fu. Even though the computer stuff was insultingly bad, it wasn't quite as bad as "The Net" starring Sandy Bullock.
Speaking of Bullock, the villain was played by the actor who played Seth Bullock, the lawman in Deadwood, only in that, he had a moustache. It's amazing, because without the moustache, he just looks wrong to me- almost baby-faced, even with salt-and-pepper hair. He's an asshole, though, so, the villain thing worked.
Another believability error was the hot karate chick in the knee-high stiletto boots kicking and chopping her way through piles of man-flesh. Yeah, perhaps she COULD do that, but in stilettos? Bitch, please. Please.
_______________________
This week I had to attend the Crime Watch meetings for my area of town. We have a couple fantastic police officers who run the meeting, and I feel great just knowing they are out there keeping an eye on things. They are smart, friendly and tremendously patient even in the face of staggering ignorance.
They went through the list of reported crimes for the area for the past 30 days, and one thing that'd happened was some guy sitting at a bar at 4am was hit over the back of the head with a bottle, and awoke a time later to find himself on the floor, his pockets emptied. The bar was a seedy little armpit of a Mexican lounge which any sane person would avoid, obviously. Pressed for time, the officer gave brief details and was on to the next item, when a middle-age white lady (who no doubt lives in the suburbs) in the group wanted more detail on the attacker, as though she might be apt to happen into them at any moment. The officer very politely flipped to the previous page and read it word-for-word, which of course imparted no additional details on the attacker. She sat there, stunned, unsatisfied, and said "but what about the guy who attacked him?" I turned to her and said "just look out for someone holding a bottle." Everyone laughed, but I think the officers were particularly amused.
I love those meetings.
_________________________________
The new Die Hard movie is great. I laughed and laughed. Actually, measure for measure, I enjoyed this film much more than the Harry Potter fu. Even though the computer stuff was insultingly bad, it wasn't quite as bad as "The Net" starring Sandy Bullock.
Speaking of Bullock, the villain was played by the actor who played Seth Bullock, the lawman in Deadwood, only in that, he had a moustache. It's amazing, because without the moustache, he just looks wrong to me- almost baby-faced, even with salt-and-pepper hair. He's an asshole, though, so, the villain thing worked.
Another believability error was the hot karate chick in the knee-high stiletto boots kicking and chopping her way through piles of man-flesh. Yeah, perhaps she COULD do that, but in stilettos? Bitch, please. Please.
_______________________
This week I had to attend the Crime Watch meetings for my area of town. We have a couple fantastic police officers who run the meeting, and I feel great just knowing they are out there keeping an eye on things. They are smart, friendly and tremendously patient even in the face of staggering ignorance.
They went through the list of reported crimes for the area for the past 30 days, and one thing that'd happened was some guy sitting at a bar at 4am was hit over the back of the head with a bottle, and awoke a time later to find himself on the floor, his pockets emptied. The bar was a seedy little armpit of a Mexican lounge which any sane person would avoid, obviously. Pressed for time, the officer gave brief details and was on to the next item, when a middle-age white lady (who no doubt lives in the suburbs) in the group wanted more detail on the attacker, as though she might be apt to happen into them at any moment. The officer very politely flipped to the previous page and read it word-for-word, which of course imparted no additional details on the attacker. She sat there, stunned, unsatisfied, and said "but what about the guy who attacked him?" I turned to her and said "just look out for someone holding a bottle." Everyone laughed, but I think the officers were particularly amused.
I love those meetings.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Barbara Bruederlin of Bad Tempered Zombie fame bequeathed me the much coveted Rockin Girl Blogger Award. As part of my reign of terror, I must pass this honor along to 5 other Rockin' girl bloggers, so look out, folks: here it comes.
Tam of View From the Porch: In the encyclopaedia entry for "badass," you'll find a picture of her. She likes driving hot rides, listening to good music, kittens and guns, and not necessarily in that order. Love. Her.
Holly of Holly's Histrionics: Holly drives a convertible with her stereo cranked as the wind rushes past, her loyal bitch Boo riding shotgun. Holly totally rocks.
Ordinary Girl - Kelly is one of the coolest people I've ever met. She looks like a teenager, and manages to be an incredibly fun person whilst still being no-nonsense and taking no shit off anyone. Girls like Kelly are what rock is all about.
Detail Medic - because she holds her own in a firehouse, and because any fan of the Cocteau Twins...
Zelda of Sleeping Ugly - recognized here because her official theme song is the Prince classic Pussy Control
Finally, big ups back on over to Barbara Bruederlin, who is even more of a music fan than I ever have been - she knows it all, and she is devoted to her favorite artists, has never lost the thrill of going to live shows and now enjoys that pursuit with her fabulous teenaged daughter.
Rock on, ladies!
I had to do it - I had to go see the new Harry Potter movie today. After what seemed like 30 minutes of trailers, the house lights went down and a woman in the audience whooped and a couple people started clapping.
Imelda Staunton was superb as Dolores Umbridge. You'll love to hate her. Actually, I love her entire wardrobe, which is a symphony of garish pinks. I actually would like to own a few of those garments in more subdued tones. That probably tells you something very disturbing about me, but who gives a crap?
One of my favorite set designs of all the Harry Potter films is the scene in this photo, in Dolores' office. Each of the decorative plates has a different kitten or cat emblazoned thereon, and the cats meow and purr and make general cat sounds as they preen and move about the plate - it's a composite of disconcerting and delightful. Actually, that's a great analogy for Staunton's performance. She's kinda evil, but not super-evil.
I recommend this film, but as so often happens, there's too much rich detail that must be left out to keep it from being 4 hours long. The centaurs should have been on screen more, but I'll bet the CGI people were thrilled we'd never get a clear look at one of those creatures. I thought they did a great job showing the house hidden in the middle of the block in London, but pretty much aside from the cat plates, there wasn't enough time for the mindless niceties of setting and character quirks.
The story line was very cohesive, and I kept thinking of surprising parallels to life in 21st century America. The political leader, fearing loss of his position, acts to prevent students from learning protective spells so that the students will never use these powers against him or his supporters. A weak, uneducated populace is more easily controlled.
Hmmm, I'm too tired to chase that rabbit. Anyway. Good movie. Go see it.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
This one's for Mushy.
I remember this public service announcement from Memphis television in the 70s. The cautionary narrative concludes with "there ain't no lower class than Tennessee Trash." I have a cousin in Arkansas who might be able to unseat TT in the filth stakes. I'm just sayin'.
SO - who's all lathered up about this Harry Potter movie thingie? And I'm not naming names, but her initials may be detail medic or some such. Yeah, I'll prolly go see it today or tomorrow, but I'm drawing the line at going to the 12:01 showing, even if the film does have Gary Oldman and David Thewlis.
Now, I'll go to the midnight movie to see Bladerunner or any of several Kubrick films, but, jeez - it's a school night.
My Dream Car
When your car is already a pestilent congregation of poo, why not turn the seat, steering column and other stuff around, give it all-wheel steering, and have some real fun? I always knew Poland couldn't be all bad. It looks like a wonky English shopping trolley sometimes. On corners, it reminds me of a wiener dog where the rear chassis is trying to come abreast of the front bits.
Watch out for the bit of film past halfway through where there are two drivers - one facing the front of the car, and one facing rear, operating the different sets of tires independently. The baffled pedestrians are a hoot.
I laughed and laughed and laughed. Dad, you're gonna love this one.
OK. I know I've posted YouTube several times recently, but just the ones I really like. It's not a problem. It's under control. I only do it on evenings, weekends, weekdays and the other times I'm awake. I can quit any time.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
OK, so Monday was kinda wild with too much to do, but I decided to carve a couple hours out of the day to take in a movie.
You MUST go see HOT FUZZ - it's simply brilliant. James in comments said it's almost as funny as Blazing Saddles. It's incredibly goofy and clever, with a few shockingly gory scenes. The language is too rough for the kiddies, too, but I highly recommend it.
So I got to the theater just as the lights were lowering and the trailers were beginning. I quickly scanned the theater and found two empty rows sorta in the middle. I walked down to those rows and went over about to the middle of one, all the while looking up to the left at the screen as I tried to find that ring to slide my cup into with my right hand. For an instant, I had the irrational thought that the armrest of that seat was warm, but I instantly dismissed it. Couldn't find the cupholder, so I decided to sit down and find the cup holder afterward. So, I sat down only to find that I was sitting on a very quiet man.
What I'm wondering about is some guy in a darkened theater who DOESn't let a woman know she's about to sit on his lap-- I mean, holy crap! It was so embarrassing. We both laughed, but later on, I decided he was a pervy git.
You MUST go see HOT FUZZ - it's simply brilliant. James in comments said it's almost as funny as Blazing Saddles. It's incredibly goofy and clever, with a few shockingly gory scenes. The language is too rough for the kiddies, too, but I highly recommend it.
So I got to the theater just as the lights were lowering and the trailers were beginning. I quickly scanned the theater and found two empty rows sorta in the middle. I walked down to those rows and went over about to the middle of one, all the while looking up to the left at the screen as I tried to find that ring to slide my cup into with my right hand. For an instant, I had the irrational thought that the armrest of that seat was warm, but I instantly dismissed it. Couldn't find the cupholder, so I decided to sit down and find the cup holder afterward. So, I sat down only to find that I was sitting on a very quiet man.
What I'm wondering about is some guy in a darkened theater who DOESn't let a woman know she's about to sit on his lap-- I mean, holy crap! It was so embarrassing. We both laughed, but later on, I decided he was a pervy git.
Monday, July 09, 2007
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