Movie directors Woody Allen, William Friedkin and David Cronenberg will each direct a production for the Los Angeles Opera in the 2008/09 season. Allen will oversee Gianni Schicchi, one of three one-act operas that make up Giacomo Puccini's Il Trittico. The Exorcist filmmaker Friedkin will direct the other two operas in the trilogy, Il Tabarro and Suor Angelica. Cronenberg will direct the U.S. premiere of Howard Shore's The Fly, based on his own 1986 movie remake of the same name. Placido Domingo, the Los Angeles Opera's general director, says, "I'm tremendously excited about our 2008/09 season because it is full of adventure. The kind of musical and theatrical exploration which appeals not only to established opera lovers but might be the right kind of lure for potentially new audiences."
Are you freaking telling me they made an Opera based off of THE FLY??!! Is there going to be a beautiful sonnata about throwing up on your meat so you can suck it up and digest it too?
Sweeney Todd is one thing, Jekyll and Hyde, Dracula, Phantom...they all lend themselves to a beautiful setting and music. But the fucking Fly???
Color me amused and confused.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
What is wrong with me?
So a while back, Other Paul let me borrow some dvds of the show Smallville
Last night I got this one from him. Except for some bad music here and there, it's been a great series, and I am really liking the whole box set thing. Beats waiting every week for shows.
I've always heard that in America we like to destroy our heroes, they can't be perfect, we want to see them fall, we want to know their weaknesses. I guess to bring them down to our level and not have then any better then the rest of us. Now here's the thing. I'm really not into Superman at all. But Smallville works for me because it's where he came from, what made him Superman, and the whole story is just really really lonely and sad. I guess it's why, and I know I'm kind of alone in this, really liked Superman Returns. The whole movie was sad and depressing. He is a god. But when it comes down to it Clark Kent is alone in the universe, and has to deal with that.
I don't want to see heroes destroyed, but I want my Superman to be sad and lonely, and I want my Batman to be crazy as hell. I'm weird like that I guess, or it just makes for a more interesting story.
p.s. If anyone owns Battlestar Galactica or the new Dr.Who on dvd, lemme know.
Last night I got this one from him. Except for some bad music here and there, it's been a great series, and I am really liking the whole box set thing. Beats waiting every week for shows.
I've always heard that in America we like to destroy our heroes, they can't be perfect, we want to see them fall, we want to know their weaknesses. I guess to bring them down to our level and not have then any better then the rest of us. Now here's the thing. I'm really not into Superman at all. But Smallville works for me because it's where he came from, what made him Superman, and the whole story is just really really lonely and sad. I guess it's why, and I know I'm kind of alone in this, really liked Superman Returns. The whole movie was sad and depressing. He is a god. But when it comes down to it Clark Kent is alone in the universe, and has to deal with that.
I don't want to see heroes destroyed, but I want my Superman to be sad and lonely, and I want my Batman to be crazy as hell. I'm weird like that I guess, or it just makes for a more interesting story.
p.s. If anyone owns Battlestar Galactica or the new Dr.Who on dvd, lemme know.
The Daily Gadget - USB Skype Phone
I've started to use Skype as a second office line at work. For what I do it just can't be beat. For a fraction of the cost of a second phone line I get a dedicated number that anyone can call and unlimited calling anywhere in the US. Still, the hardware I use with Skype could stand a bit of an upgrade.
While the USB Skype Phone isn't the fanciest or nicest Skype handset I've seen, it is one of the cheaper ones. It's pretty much just a simple flip-style handset, but it does sport a nice list of features:
Highly Integrated with Skype, X-Lite, X-Pro etc.
Featured with Speaker Phone, with hotkey for mute and un-mute.
Support Group Feature in Skype 2.0.
Compliant with USB 1.1 specification
Customizable ring tones for incoming alert.
Support volume control using hotkeys on the phone.
Noise reduction for better sound quality.It can also be used as a handset with most other IM programs.
Simple USB plug-n-play and it's size means you can tuck it in your bag and forget about it.
$22 from GizFever
Web escapes: Jazzed Dylan, history blog awards, Audubon's birds, righteous Barney Frank, Expo design, the weekend's NFL TV schedule
Idiomatic tribute: 
Jewels And Binoculars: The Of Bob Dylan. Live in Antwerp, 2005. Michael Moore, Lindsey Horner, Michael Vatcher.
At BigO, Singapore:
More like a chamber trio for late night listening, for those who think they know their Dylan, the rasping singer will never be the same again. For jazz fans, with smouldering tracks that seem to build and build, this will be a delight.
(BigO is down as I type this. I hope it will be back up when you click.)
Best history blogs: The Cliopatria Awards were announced yesterday at the American Historical Association convention in Washington, D.C.
If you're tired of Reddit's Ron Paul fanatics and the escalating political noise, you might want to sink into something like Axis of Evel Knievel by David Noon of the University of Alasked. Judges named it Best Individual Blog:
Recently using an "on this awful day in history" format to highlight eclectic examples of the unforgivable, Axis of Evel Knieval employs its acidic wit with forensic precision.
He memorizes all the dates so you don't have to.
Birdwatching: John James Audubon's ''The Birds of America" is online, with Audubon's original text and plates. This is the same title that the Providence Athenaeum went to court for the right to sell in 2005: Athenaeum's Birds sell at Christie's auction: 5 minutes, $5 million.
What are we fighting for? Rep. Barney Frank: Refight the Nineties? Barney to Barack:
I think the best way to summarize my concern is that if you tell people that we should not be willing to refight the battles of the nineties -- including many very important ones that we are far from having won -- and if you tell people to refuse partisanship, you may be inviting people to leave the battlefield to those with whom we have the biggest differences.
(If the race wasn’t about gender already, it certainly is now -- NYT)
"The motif of folk-art paper cut-outs": A rendering of the Polish Pavilion, designed for the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai, from the always interesting BLDGBLOG: Incision Skin
Couch schedule: This weekend's NFL playoffs schedule:
Sat., 4:30 p.m., FOX
Seattle at Green BaySat., 8 p.m., CBS
Jacksonville at New EnglandSun., 1 p.m., CBS
San Diego at Indianapolis
Sun., 4:30 p.m., FOX
NY Giants at Dallas
The Web loves lists: 50 things I've learned in 50 years, a partial list in no particular order. Eric Zorn at the Chicago Tribune. Give it to somebody just starting out.
Tickled pink
Well, maybe I’m not tickled pink, but, some other shade of red other than pale, haha. Like I mentioned, I saw JJ the other day hanging around the music building. Well I wrote him on Facebook and through a few conversing notes, he asked me what I would think of hanging out before I left. Dude, HANGING OUT! Hanging out with someone I didn’t think would care to hang with me, not to mention is—to use the phrase that was used to describe one of my male coworkers by one of our male customers (odd…)—“cute as a button”. And of course I wrote back and asked him what he had in mind. He hasn’t written back, but we’ll see if this turns out :P
I can’t help but wonder what he has in mind. Wonder if he’ll invite me to his house to do entertaining things and drink or something. Heh, I dunno. My mind has run wild with many scenarios not to mention with fantasies about him actually wanting to mess around. Fat chance, but hey…you never know right? :P
Also, JJ told me he made an igloo. I went and looked at it tonight. It’s a nicely made igloo, though I didn’t go inside to take a peek.
And before I close, I’d like to mention that I had this urge to tell one of my female friends that I thought this guy in the lounge was hot. I certainly refrained myself, but still. And I’m adding his name here, to the list:
Will [last name omitted]
I actually unofficially met him when I was at that same dorm I was at and a group of people were watching YouTube videos. I only happened to notice that the beloved Ben was part of this group. Then I noticed his friend, Will. BEAUTIFUL! And I actually offered my computer services when I hooked his computer up to the faster student network as opposed to the guest wireless network. But yes, that is how I unofficially met Will, since I don’t think I introduced myself nor did he. And now that I saw him again, he is now on the Attractive Men list.
Well, ciao. I’m going to be gone soon.
links for 2008-01-10
- good jumping off point for some new CD purchases
- amusing television watching party. Watery domestic and pork rinds: I'll never make it as a thug I guess.
- "seen bands take $7,000-$15,000 advances from labels, in exchange for their masters in perpetuity. It's pretty much low level crime"
- If only. MoDo is just horrible these days. She was funny, almost, a few times in 2005, but she should just retire, and cry.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
My streak goes on!
A couple months after I turned eighteen I cast my first vote for Senator Bill Bradley in the Democratic primary between him and Al Gore.
In November of that year I cast a vote for Al Gore over George W. Bush.
In 2003 and early 2004 I gave up almost every aspect of my life that did not involve Howard Dean, but then he dropped out of the race before the New York primary. I cast my ballot for John Edwards over John Kerry.
In November of that year I cast a vote for John Kerry over George W. Bush.
This cycle I supported John Edwards for President. Not nearly to the extent with which I supported Dean, but he got my money and my word of mouth and a sticker on my car. Now he is not likely to win, thereby, keeping my streak in tact of never having supported or voted for a winning Presidential candidate. Oy.
One of these days it will actually happen, hopefully this fall when I cast a ballot for Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama.
My sister tonight told me that she has done some research and has decided to back Senator Clinton.
Me: what do you like about hillary?
Her: her top 3 priorities if shes elected
Me: and what are they?
Her: better health care, ending the war, and trying to strengthen the middle class
Her: which is me
Me: very good
Her: and i agree with her view on abortion
Her: and stem cell research
There you have it...a ringing endorsement from my sister. One from me will have to wait for I am officially declaring myself undecided as to how I will vote in the North Carolina primary, which does not come until May.
I am proud to say as a Democrat, that our two current front runners are a woman and a black man.
On the Republican side of the aisle we have one very old white man with white hair, another white man with black hair, a balding white man, and a couple white men with gray hair leading the way. So, plenty of diversity in both parties. :-)
Anyways....
Today I went to work.
I ate a banana around 11. Peeled from the bottom.
For lunch I had a turkey sub with cheese toasted and a mixture of pudding and chocolate cake.
For an afternoon snack I had some cheeze-its from the vending machine.
After work I played a few minutes of mario.
I watched 3 episodes of Psych. Civil War episode was my favorite of the evening. Amused by the fact that Gus is a civil war buff in addition to being a spelling bee buff, an astronomy buff, and a safe buff.
I'd like to be a buff of something. I guess I'm a political buff. I should find a secondary thing to be a buff about as well.
Back to my day....
I went for my evening walk. It was a beautiful night. I enjoy my walks for a number of reasons. I get out of the house for a bit. It makes you feel a little more energized when you get back. It gives you a chance to clear your head out of all the annoying things from the day. I do all my best thinking while walking, especially at night. In conclusion....walks are good.
I have been reading things online.
Resting on the couch.
Listening to music.
Eating soup and a bagel.
Now I am about ready for bed.
I need to clean my apartment this weekend. I have no spoons and now I have no bowls.
In November of that year I cast a vote for Al Gore over George W. Bush.
In 2003 and early 2004 I gave up almost every aspect of my life that did not involve Howard Dean, but then he dropped out of the race before the New York primary. I cast my ballot for John Edwards over John Kerry.
In November of that year I cast a vote for John Kerry over George W. Bush.
This cycle I supported John Edwards for President. Not nearly to the extent with which I supported Dean, but he got my money and my word of mouth and a sticker on my car. Now he is not likely to win, thereby, keeping my streak in tact of never having supported or voted for a winning Presidential candidate. Oy.
One of these days it will actually happen, hopefully this fall when I cast a ballot for Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama.
My sister tonight told me that she has done some research and has decided to back Senator Clinton.
Me: what do you like about hillary?
Her: her top 3 priorities if shes elected
Me: and what are they?
Her: better health care, ending the war, and trying to strengthen the middle class
Her: which is me
Me: very good
Her: and i agree with her view on abortion
Her: and stem cell research
There you have it...a ringing endorsement from my sister. One from me will have to wait for I am officially declaring myself undecided as to how I will vote in the North Carolina primary, which does not come until May.
I am proud to say as a Democrat, that our two current front runners are a woman and a black man.
On the Republican side of the aisle we have one very old white man with white hair, another white man with black hair, a balding white man, and a couple white men with gray hair leading the way. So, plenty of diversity in both parties. :-)
Anyways....
Today I went to work.
I ate a banana around 11. Peeled from the bottom.
For lunch I had a turkey sub with cheese toasted and a mixture of pudding and chocolate cake.
For an afternoon snack I had some cheeze-its from the vending machine.
After work I played a few minutes of mario.
I watched 3 episodes of Psych. Civil War episode was my favorite of the evening. Amused by the fact that Gus is a civil war buff in addition to being a spelling bee buff, an astronomy buff, and a safe buff.
I'd like to be a buff of something. I guess I'm a political buff. I should find a secondary thing to be a buff about as well.
Back to my day....
I went for my evening walk. It was a beautiful night. I enjoy my walks for a number of reasons. I get out of the house for a bit. It makes you feel a little more energized when you get back. It gives you a chance to clear your head out of all the annoying things from the day. I do all my best thinking while walking, especially at night. In conclusion....walks are good.
I have been reading things online.
Resting on the couch.
Listening to music.
Eating soup and a bagel.
Now I am about ready for bed.
I need to clean my apartment this weekend. I have no spoons and now I have no bowls.
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