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Spring Break
2008-03-21 02:03:00 I've been on Spring Break from classes, and I've also took a little holiday from the Internet (more like the Blogosphere). Unfortunately, I haven't had a vacation from car stuff. I'm still trying to avoid smarmy car salespeople if I can.I've been watching my fair share of Netflix movies. I've watched some stuff such as Heroes (I broke down and bought the DVD set), Fay Grim and its predecessor Henry Fool, Pan's Labyrinth, and Dan In Real Life. Pan's Labyrinth is definitely worth watching, very moving story that effectively goes back and forth from period piece to fairy tale.Through my favorite Internet movie service, I also got to see why Battlestar Galactica 1980 was short-lived. It really was such a bad and cheesy show, though a few of its ideas seem to show up in the new incarnation of Battlestar Galactica, such as the humanoid Cylons. I wonder if the flying motor cycles will ever make an appearance now that Kara Thrace has discovered Earth. Advice to anyone who sees the B... More About: Spring break
Can I Get That in Euro's?
2008-03-11 19:59:00 In Barbara Ehrenreich's blog, she mentions a few Manhattan stores began accepting Euros, supposedly to accommodate European tourists, but not doubt because US dollars are quickly becoming worthless. Of course, this scenario is very familiar to those of us in Southern California, as Mexico's cities and towns close to the border have long accepted US currency from American tourists.If the dollar gets weaker, I'm sure taking Euros will become more commonplace. I wonder if I can then get my pay in Euros.Now the question is if the temporary White House resident has any solutions. After all, he made it our patriotic duty to shop a few years back.
Heroes, Season 1
2008-03-09 20:02:00 I just started watching Heroes through Netflix. Unlike Chris and Brian, I didn't get into the show early on. These days, if you're out of the loop on a TV show, it's hard to catch up. In this case, the first season's out on DVD, so I get started. Once I go through the set, I can catch up Season 2 through the website.I've only seen the first two episodes and I'm hooked. No spoilers, please. More About: Season 1
This Week
2008-03-09 04:33:00 Without going into much detail, the whole accident deal is stressful and it's not even my fault. I want the whole thing over with soon and I want to avoid the whole smarmy salesman ordeal Chris mentioned in his comment to Totaled. I'm scouring the internet ads looking for the right car at the right price. I don't want to be encumbered with car payments, especially since I had none on my other car. I have a whole lot of financial issues to worry about without car payments adding to them.It hasn't been the greatest week of classes, since I've been stressed out. Strangely enough, one of my students had an accident with his motorcycle, so I was very sympathetic.I kind of feel guilty for not posting as much lately. I've also gotten a bit behind on reading some of my favorite blogs. I miss you all (you know who you are)Spring break is coming up. In the past, especially in my student days, I entertained fantasies of getting caught up. I would use the week outside of school to read up... More About: Week
Project Runway: Season 4 Finale Part 2
2008-03-07 18:02:00 Here, you can see the designers go through casting drama.Needless to say, Christian worked his Harry Potter magic, created some "fierce" ruffles, and had a winning collection. When Tim Gunn checked in on him a month before, he had some feathered leggings. For good or bad, he ditched the Big Bird pants, but he had some amazing garments that incorporated feathers on the runway. The hat on the first look and the feathers on the final gown added to the fantasy, couture aspect of his collection. Christian also retained the giant collar Tim Gunn had some concerns about. He had some bitchy model drama before the show (one complained about the shoes). Somehow, flats wouldn't look right in the Spanish Renaissance inspired look.Jillian had so many shapes and so much variety in her collection. On a creative level, this is great. She can conceive and execute many different looks. The one thing that was missing was cohesiveness, or what they like to call a "point of view." Great work, though. I... More About: Victoria Beckham , Project Runway , Runway , Project , Season
100_0039 [Flickr]
2008-03-07 06:49:00 shindohd posted a photo: The side view. Not fun. More About: Flickr
Totaled [Flickr]
2008-03-07 06:48:00 shindohd posted a photo: Smashed in car. Someone killed my horse. More About: Flickr
Totaled
2008-03-06 19:54:00 Earlier this week, someone wrecked my car in front of my house. It's a goner and I have to drive around in a rental. I can't give any more details than that until this whole issue is settled. I've resisted the temptation to post in detail about it because it is one juicy story.I did watch the Project Runway Finale last night and I'll post on it later. Chris has a fun election parody of the last few minutes.This Tuesday, Bauhaus released a reunion album - the first one of original material in 23 years. Peter Murphy returns to some spookiness with the Love and Rockets guys and they all claim it's a "Final Solution"* for them. Who knows. They'll probably milk a whole new generation of goth kids and record a few more albums. It's a fun listen, though.Back to commuting back and forth in the rental.*Peter Murphy's cover version of the Pere Ubu classic.
Project Runway: Season 4 Final Collections (website)
2008-03-01 19:59:00 Warning: This entry contains some spoilers.I went on Project Runway 's website, and found that they have posted a gallery of the final collections. Like a little kid before Christmas, I just couldn't resist taking a peek. Unlike the coming episode, they show all five finalists' collections go down the Bryant Park runway.Last year, Tim Gunn declared the decoy practice was over. This time they returned to it with some byzantine twists.Sweet P was one decoy. Since she didn't make the cut to compete in the Fashion Week finale, she was perfect for throwing off the press during Fashion Week. However, a decision had to be made about which one would be another decoy and which one would actually compete regarding Chris March and Rami. Even though I still think decoying like this is a mindfuck, perhaps worse than the previous seasons, I am very happy for Sweet P and Chris March for getting to show at Bryant Park.Sweet P's palette is perhaps the most eclectic of the group. Gold, lavender,... More About: Website , Season
What the Frak is Going On?
2008-03-01 06:05:00 If you're a new fan or you just want an 8 minute recap of the previous three seasons of BSG, watch the vid on the Sci-Fi channel. The best part is the deadpan delivery with some jokes. I wish I could embed it, but click, watch, and listen.Speaking of jonesing for some sci-fi programming, Eureka 's most likely going to air in the summer for a third season.Just don't tell me to satisfy my withdrawal symptoms with Lost. More About: Battlestar Galactica
Project Runway: Season 4 Finale Part I
2008-02-29 08:06:00 Here is a teaser vid:Next week is the Fashion Week episode. This episode gives the expected preview of the finalists' collections with drop-in visits from Tim Gunn, who gives his ever so thoughtful editing eye to garments the designers spent months working on. Also, we find see this limbo scenario unravel - will Chris March or Rami get to show in Fashion Week?After Tim visits Rami in LA and Chris March in NYC, we see both their collections have promise. Rami does something not so drapey, but at the same time, his work is more constructed. Chris March's collection is very gothic with a shocking twist - he sewed human hair extensions into some of his dresses. It strikes some of the judges as a bit creepy; however, it reminds me of some of those odd hairstyles that hair dressers, only it extends to the garment. There's also a scene in Hedwig and the Angry Inch where Hedwig has a Cher/Tina Turner moment in blond dress to go with his very straight, long blond wig.After they have the s... More About: Project Runway , Runway , Project , Season , Finale
Yes, I've been hiding
2008-02-28 06:24:00 I haven't blogged much except to comment on Project Runway and the satirical Stuff White People Like Blog. I'm watching Project Runway right now, but no spoilers until Friday. I'm just waiting through the repeat of the reunion episode and then comes the Fashion Week episode extravaganza* we've all been waiting for. We know about Christian and Jillian getting to show their collections, but the reveal is tonight. No spoilers, please, people on the East Coast. It's not fair you get to see everything first.I've been busy with my classes. I feel like I'm buried in it, but at least I'm not too horribly behind. I've always been very disorganized. It's threatened to bite me on the arse in previous semesters, but I'm working on it. I'm tired of feeling like assignments and papers fall upon me like an avalanche. I'm tired of observing problems in class, but have no proof of it. On the flip side, I haven't always been able to effectively record merit when I see it. So, working on...
Mr. Deity and the Help Meet
2008-02-24 01:20:00 Lucy's definitely not happy with how the Script dictates human biology, especially for women. From Crackle: Mr. Deity and the Help Meet - Season 2, Ep 9
You don't have to use glue! You can use RICE!
2008-02-23 10:59:00 Yesterday, I had one of those very odd serendipitous days. I kept having chance meetings with people I knew all day in various locations, and I happened to run in to my friend Brian (not to be confused with the other Brian) at Horton Plaza. During our conversation, he told me about Stuff White People Like, which amount to an anthropological view of white people. Well, not just any white people.While others may take pot shots at white trash or neoconservative types (too easy), this blog's targets are liberal middle class. It's quite an unflattering spotlight with a nice dose of biting humor. I'm just jealous that I didn't think of it first.White guilt, hipster snobbery, sushi, and weed connoisseurs are just some of the fun observations to read. I have to warn you: You just can't read one post. Stuff White People Like is very addictive. More About: Rice
Project Runway: Reunion Episode
2008-02-22 08:38:00 This is probably one of the most civilized reunion episodes on Project Runway . No bitchfights and no super incoherent rants to answer fan questions. The producers must have kept the contestants away from the alcohol.There is, however, some never seen before footage. Heidi Klum questions if Kevin is gay and pulls out some of his odd gay humor moments. Ricky has some incredibly emotional out takes, and Heidi Klum also says some of the darndest things that doesn't make it to the final cut of any episode.Poor Victorya - she gets tagged as uptight by Heidi and Tim. However, she manages to have a Fashion Week show independent of Project Runway.As for Sweet P, it's nice that she's getting some celebrity recognition.Christian, the most likely winner in the Fashion Week Challenge, gets the viewer's choice pick. Hopefully, he'll put that $10G to good use.The reunion went through some interesting questions, but no major spoilers for next week. We know for sure that Jillian's in, but whet... More About: Episode , Reunion
Project Runway: The Art Of The Show
2008-02-15 09:53:00 Getting inspiration for art from art. This is not as pretentious as it might sound. Fashion students really do study art history in school and also clothing of the past, and this episode certainly brought me back to classes I took a lifetime ago.For this challenge, the five hopefuls for fashion week go to the Met to get ideas for creations to propel them into fashion week. As Tim Gunn points out, there were thousands of artifacts in this museum, so the field trip was only limited to three galleries: Greek and Roman, European art, and the Temple of Dendur.We all know that Rami is the queen of the drapes. In all fairness, a lot of his style has yielded some successful results. However, it has gotten to the point where we all (not just Chris March and the judges) can predict he'll look to the Grecian statues for inspiration. He creates a lovely, wearable dress, but it's no match for what Christian, Jillian, and Chris March create.Speaking of Chris March, I like that he guffawed in th... More About: Project Runway , Runway , Show , Project , Art History
Remembering Jospeh K
2008-02-13 20:10:00 Yesterday's post took me down the proverbial memory lane regarding Professor Joseph K*. I've written several posts about him in the past, starting with when I first met him. Like the relationship itself, looking back upon the whole experience has been an emotional roller coaster. Several years ago, when my friendship with him disintegrated, I was hurt and angry. I've had some time to process those feelings over the past several years and I can now look at it a little more calmly and objectively, but I don't think I'll ever have anything close to "warm fuzzy feelings."At any level in college, students find mentors in their professors. That was the nature of my relationship with Professor Joseph K, or Joe, as I'll refer to him from time to time. At the time, I thought he was different from all the other English professors at my university. He had a post-modern cool about him. He wore black clothing and sunglasses indoors. His course materials were outside of the canon, which I f... More About: Remembering
Monkey II
2008-02-13 03:35:00 In my last post, I discussed the joy of dealing with incomplete grades for students. For anyone who doesn't know what this entails, it is a basic right students have in the event they are not able to compete the coursework for a semester. There may be some variations on this policy from school to school, but here are the basic conditions:The student needs to fill out an agreement with the instructor regarding their need to finish their coursework beyond the semester.There is usually one assignment that's needed to satisfy the requirements for a student's grade, but there may be more.The student has one year from the end of the semester date to complete their work.After the conditions have been outlined in the agreement and the instructor turns in the agreement, the student's grade is recorded as "I" or INCOMPLETE.Here is the dangerous part: If a student does not complete the work necessary for them to get a passing grade, their "I" or INCOMPLETE will turn into an F.I've never t... More About: Monkey
Monkey
2008-02-12 09:45:00 One of the joys I have returning to teaching this year is letting students take on incompletes. Actually, it's not, but I somehow got into giving a student one at the end of a very short term summer course, the one that caused me to take marathon naps.It was not my intention to enter into an incomplete agreement. With this student, I didn't get all of her work, and I originally set out to assign a substandard grade. The grade gods must have been looking over her, because I wound up entering the grade as an "I" and I couldn't change it, even with a grade change form. I could have pressed on, but it was difficult once she accessed her grades.It's also been difficult as she's claimed to have e-mailed me the paper I never got. She has stuck to this claim and I've stuck to mine about never getting it. I have obsessively checked my e-mail many times for it. Recently, I have told her to print out the e-mails she sent me, attach it to a hard copy of the paper, and put it in the studen... More About: Monkey
Ursula K. Le Guin in Harper's
2008-02-11 23:45:00 It's almost been a year since I commented on an article in Harper's. While there's no shortage of great writers and articles featured, it's not very often when I see one of my favorite writers in one of my favorite magazines. Last year, Jonathan Lethem explored the definition of plagiarism in the 21st century, but this time, Ursula K. Le Guin tackles the popularly elitist idea that reading is declining.*Le Guin establishes that "Books are social vectors." Along with other "social vectors," such as television, film, and music, people do talk about what they have gained from this solitary activity. However, she questions if many people read less than they did back then. In addition, there is the modern problem of the book being made into a commodity by publishers. The literary establishment also seems to get off on a moralistic doom and gloom about how people don't read.That books are a social vector is evident in Goodreads, a website where people share what they've been readin...
Mr. Deity and the Good
2008-02-09 19:15:00 Mr. Deity and Larry discuss the finer points of some things in a business meeting. From Crackle: Mr. Deity and the Good - Season 2, Ep 8 More About: The Good
Project Runway: Raw Talent
2008-02-08 10:15:00 Here is this week's episode, scientifically reduced to pill form. This episode is indeed where no designer has gone before. Has Project Runway ever gone camp, high or low? The personalities of some... check out the frequencies on shindotv More About: Talent , Heatherette
The Daily Planet
2008-02-08 08:30:00 ElectionUnspun.Org recently chose my pic of Superman for their article "Super Influential Super Delagates." I took this pic at Comic-Con last year, but it's nice to know that people still check it... check out the frequencies on shindotv More About: Daily , Planet
Lent
2008-02-06 21:24:00 I don't know what to give up for Lent this year. Basically, I have all day to figure out what I can go without for 40 days before Easter. I wish I could give up toxic people, but the best I can do... check out the frequencies on shindotv More About: Episcopal church
ĦAy, ^@%#&%! Office 2007
2008-02-06 05:37:00 Today, Chris went on this crusade against e-mail priority flags (a God-awful invention if I ever saw one) and I went on some mini-tangent about Office 2007, which I saw as another useless Microsoft ... check out the frequencies on shindotv More About: Windows , Apple , Mac
Back to reality
2008-02-04 19:03:00 I've endured this awful cold last week and got a little behind with all my work. The worst of this cold is over, but I'm still dealing with the post-cold sinus congestion, which makes it a nightmare... check out the frequencies on shindotv More About: Reality , Back
The Apple tastes weird
More articles from this author:2008-02-04 05:22:00 Did someone fall asleep on writing the copy for this lovely Apple e-mail I got tonight? "iPhoto ready on your Macis packed with beautiful templates for you to customize." Perhaps they were awake;... check out the frequencies on shindotv More About: Weird 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
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