Sperm Happy
Ohio courts rule that a man with multiple children by multiple women and doesn't support them can continue impregnating women at will.
As much as I hope this guy gets hit by a bus, I would argue that this should be included under the general heading of reproductive freedoms. It's sad but the people who test our freedoms often include degenerates.
Thursday, September 30, 2004
Tuesday, September 28, 2004
Asteroid to Miss Earth
(We hope)
Another asteroid is in the neighborhood. People with tin-foil hats are already in the basement.
(We hope)
Another asteroid is in the neighborhood. People with tin-foil hats are already in the basement.
The Anne Rice Challenge
If you haven't heard by now, Anne Rice went ballistic over criticism of her latest novel and wrote a scathing commentary on Amazon.com (scroll down to the bottom).
You want to believe it ain't so but Anne talks about it at Annerice.com.
If you haven't heard by now, Anne Rice went ballistic over criticism of her latest novel and wrote a scathing commentary on Amazon.com (scroll down to the bottom).
You want to believe it ain't so but Anne talks about it at Annerice.com.
Handling Baby Birds
Another misconception via Snopes.
I worked at the zoo for a summer and people called all the time that their kids touched a baby bird. The standard response was "Leave it alone and keep your cat inside."
The zoo called a neighbor of my mom about putting a baby owl in the owl's nest in his yard. The parent owls accepted the new baby without a fuss.
I guess if there were any truth to this cowbirds would be extinct. And we could get rid of pigeons by spraying their nesting areas with dust with human scent.
Another misconception via Snopes.
I worked at the zoo for a summer and people called all the time that their kids touched a baby bird. The standard response was "Leave it alone and keep your cat inside."
The zoo called a neighbor of my mom about putting a baby owl in the owl's nest in his yard. The parent owls accepted the new baby without a fuss.
I guess if there were any truth to this cowbirds would be extinct. And we could get rid of pigeons by spraying their nesting areas with dust with human scent.
Monday, September 27, 2004
Graphic Novel Review
The Cincinnati Library has two graphic novels that you should read (better yet, buy them and give the artists some dough).
The one that has got the most press lately is Birth of a Nation. Written by Aaron McGruder (Boondocks) and Reginald Hudlin (House Party, Boomerang, Bebe's Kids, and other movies) and illustrated by Kyle Baker (Why I Hate Saturn, a well-regarded graphic novel), Birth of a Nation was conceived as a movie chronicling the history of Blackland, the former municipality of East St. Louis.
After election fraud robs thousands of black citizens of their right to vote, a bumbling, conservative governor from Texas takes the White House. Outraged, the mayor of East St. Louis declares his independence from the U.S., establishing the nation of Blackland. James Brown is on the $100 bill, the national anthem is sung to the tune of the theme from "Good Times," and the flag is red, black, and green with Jesus in the center ("Hey, it was mostly old people at the Nation Time meetings. . .You know how old black folk feel about Jesus.")
Overall, it's a great book. The only problem I had with it is that it still feels like a movie, not a comic. It's about the length of a typical movie but could have been longer. The situations and visuals seem to be written for a movie. The degree of "outrageousness" seems perfect for a movie but aren't as extreme as a comic could take them. This doesn't make the story bad but I think it would have been much better on film.
The opposite of Birth of a Nation is American Splendor Presents Bob and Harv's Comics. The stories mainly cover the not-so-superheroic life of Harvey Pekar, a file clerk in Cleveland. Years before Seinfeld hit it big with a show about nothing, Pekar essentially did the same thing with his real life. The eternally strange R. Crumb provides the artwork—it's not as shocking as some of his underground stuff but it fits with Pekar's situations and story-telling. Some stories run four panels, others are several pages, but each one is its ideal length. The pacing, the presentation, the mesh of words and art all precisely fit the medium.
I've been a fan of Aaron McGruder for a while but avoided American Splendor up to this point (although I can't tell you why). I can't think of a better contemporary comic strip than Boondocks but American Splendor is a better comic. Birth of a Nation has a great story and I urge everyone to buy a copy if for no other reason than to piss off the tight-asses but it still feels like an adaptation of the greatest movie never made. Maybe if the book sells well enough, a Hollywood producer will take a chance on it. . . although as perfect as it is for film media, a studio would feel compelled to "improve" things. They did make a movie based on American Splendor but I doubt if anyone's got the inclination to give Birth of a Nation the treatment it deserves.
The Cincinnati Library has two graphic novels that you should read (better yet, buy them and give the artists some dough).
The one that has got the most press lately is Birth of a Nation. Written by Aaron McGruder (Boondocks) and Reginald Hudlin (House Party, Boomerang, Bebe's Kids, and other movies) and illustrated by Kyle Baker (Why I Hate Saturn, a well-regarded graphic novel), Birth of a Nation was conceived as a movie chronicling the history of Blackland, the former municipality of East St. Louis.
After election fraud robs thousands of black citizens of their right to vote, a bumbling, conservative governor from Texas takes the White House. Outraged, the mayor of East St. Louis declares his independence from the U.S., establishing the nation of Blackland. James Brown is on the $100 bill, the national anthem is sung to the tune of the theme from "Good Times," and the flag is red, black, and green with Jesus in the center ("Hey, it was mostly old people at the Nation Time meetings. . .You know how old black folk feel about Jesus.")
Overall, it's a great book. The only problem I had with it is that it still feels like a movie, not a comic. It's about the length of a typical movie but could have been longer. The situations and visuals seem to be written for a movie. The degree of "outrageousness" seems perfect for a movie but aren't as extreme as a comic could take them. This doesn't make the story bad but I think it would have been much better on film.
The opposite of Birth of a Nation is American Splendor Presents Bob and Harv's Comics. The stories mainly cover the not-so-superheroic life of Harvey Pekar, a file clerk in Cleveland. Years before Seinfeld hit it big with a show about nothing, Pekar essentially did the same thing with his real life. The eternally strange R. Crumb provides the artwork—it's not as shocking as some of his underground stuff but it fits with Pekar's situations and story-telling. Some stories run four panels, others are several pages, but each one is its ideal length. The pacing, the presentation, the mesh of words and art all precisely fit the medium.
I've been a fan of Aaron McGruder for a while but avoided American Splendor up to this point (although I can't tell you why). I can't think of a better contemporary comic strip than Boondocks but American Splendor is a better comic. Birth of a Nation has a great story and I urge everyone to buy a copy if for no other reason than to piss off the tight-asses but it still feels like an adaptation of the greatest movie never made. Maybe if the book sells well enough, a Hollywood producer will take a chance on it. . . although as perfect as it is for film media, a studio would feel compelled to "improve" things. They did make a movie based on American Splendor but I doubt if anyone's got the inclination to give Birth of a Nation the treatment it deserves.
Saturday, September 25, 2004
"Glad You Can Handle Your High"
This might be another "Reefer Madness" hoax. Isn't munchies much more common?
This might be another "Reefer Madness" hoax. Isn't munchies much more common?
Prepositional Phrases
Anyone who writes long sentences runs the risk of inadvertently coming up with a confusing or misleading statement. "Bob pet the dog and then he jumped in his car." Does that sentence mean Bob or the dog jumped in the car? We can make an educated guess but perhaps a revision might be in order.
Teacher Sends Boy Home With Feces in Bag. So was boy sent home carrying the bag of feces or was the boy sent home in the dirty bag? Normally, a little confusion makes for a more interesting day but in this case, it's just gross.
Anyone who writes long sentences runs the risk of inadvertently coming up with a confusing or misleading statement. "Bob pet the dog and then he jumped in his car." Does that sentence mean Bob or the dog jumped in the car? We can make an educated guess but perhaps a revision might be in order.
Teacher Sends Boy Home With Feces in Bag. So was boy sent home carrying the bag of feces or was the boy sent home in the dirty bag? Normally, a little confusion makes for a more interesting day but in this case, it's just gross.
Eat Steak; Stop Farting
Yes, my veins may be clogged, but at least my output from the nether-regions is relatively low. Cecil Adams explains all.
Yes, my veins may be clogged, but at least my output from the nether-regions is relatively low. Cecil Adams explains all.
Homophobic Idiot Boycotts P&G
I'd read about local boycott led by Phil Burress but now Donald Wildmon, the abject idiot who accused Mighty Mouse of using cocaine (seriously) is in on the act.
I'm buying a cartload of Pringles on my way home.
I'd read about local boycott led by Phil Burress but now Donald Wildmon, the abject idiot who accused Mighty Mouse of using cocaine (seriously) is in on the act.
I'm buying a cartload of Pringles on my way home.
God Loves Lesbians
Covington provided a link to a racist, homophobic nut. I'd imagine that anyone reading this will agree that all views expressed are idiotic but there's one that's completely without basis--the notion that the Bible condemns "women laying down with women."
I can't recite the Bible forward and back but the concept of "gays and lesbians" is not found there. Yes, there are many references to "Sodomites" and "men who lay down with men," but, despite the nut case's claim, there is no corresponding "women who lay down with women." (Paul's letter to Romans, Chapter 1, verse 26, condemns women who lust for women but every Christian denomination other than the Shakers see a difference between lust, love, and sex.) In Biblical times, same sex relations between women was not viewed the same way as it was between men.
This isn't because the Bible forgot about women and sexuality (understatement of the year). Biblical law doesn't neglect women when it comes to dress, behavior, family duties, or virtually anything else but lesbianism is not addressed. Leviticus even sets down more severe punishments for women committing acts of bestiality than for similarly perverted men (with women, the human and animal are both killed; with men, they let the sheep off with a warning...seriously).
The belief that the Bible forbids "same sex" relations is entirely modern, as is the idea that lesbians are the same as gay men. (If King Solomon wasn't able to satisfy all his 600 wives, the ones left over could do what they pleased. Is there a man among us who, given 600 wives, would forbid girl on girl action? I can believe the parting of the Red Sea but even my credibility has its limits.)
Some hard-line Christians will argue that Greek and Hebrews words that have been understood as "male homosexual" for centuries, should now be translated "male and female." There is no linguistic, anthropological, or theological basis for this reading. In fact this flies in the face of their own protests again gender-neutral Bibles that include phrases like "sons and daughters of Christ" and "Brothers and sisters in faith."
Many liberal theologians argue that the Bible doesn't even condemn homosexual men--rival religions sometimes engaged in ritualistic sex between men (the Manson family did the same thing). The Bible verses against "sodomy" could be viewed as forbidding other types of worship, not the behavior itself. I have a hard time accepting this but it is a possibility. Bible-based condemnation of lesbians is not.
Whenever I argue this point, I ask "If you believe God is male and that He can see everything, how can you expect him not to love lesbians?"
I never get a straight answer.
Covington provided a link to a racist, homophobic nut. I'd imagine that anyone reading this will agree that all views expressed are idiotic but there's one that's completely without basis--the notion that the Bible condemns "women laying down with women."
I can't recite the Bible forward and back but the concept of "gays and lesbians" is not found there. Yes, there are many references to "Sodomites" and "men who lay down with men," but, despite the nut case's claim, there is no corresponding "women who lay down with women." (Paul's letter to Romans, Chapter 1, verse 26, condemns women who lust for women but every Christian denomination other than the Shakers see a difference between lust, love, and sex.) In Biblical times, same sex relations between women was not viewed the same way as it was between men.
This isn't because the Bible forgot about women and sexuality (understatement of the year). Biblical law doesn't neglect women when it comes to dress, behavior, family duties, or virtually anything else but lesbianism is not addressed. Leviticus even sets down more severe punishments for women committing acts of bestiality than for similarly perverted men (with women, the human and animal are both killed; with men, they let the sheep off with a warning...seriously).
The belief that the Bible forbids "same sex" relations is entirely modern, as is the idea that lesbians are the same as gay men. (If King Solomon wasn't able to satisfy all his 600 wives, the ones left over could do what they pleased. Is there a man among us who, given 600 wives, would forbid girl on girl action? I can believe the parting of the Red Sea but even my credibility has its limits.)
Some hard-line Christians will argue that Greek and Hebrews words that have been understood as "male homosexual" for centuries, should now be translated "male and female." There is no linguistic, anthropological, or theological basis for this reading. In fact this flies in the face of their own protests again gender-neutral Bibles that include phrases like "sons and daughters of Christ" and "Brothers and sisters in faith."
Many liberal theologians argue that the Bible doesn't even condemn homosexual men--rival religions sometimes engaged in ritualistic sex between men (the Manson family did the same thing). The Bible verses against "sodomy" could be viewed as forbidding other types of worship, not the behavior itself. I have a hard time accepting this but it is a possibility. Bible-based condemnation of lesbians is not.
Whenever I argue this point, I ask "If you believe God is male and that He can see everything, how can you expect him not to love lesbians?"
I never get a straight answer.
Thursday, September 23, 2004
The Latest Smear
The only reliable thing about this is the line "Don't trust this message for the truth."
The only reliable thing about this is the line "Don't trust this message for the truth."
Succumb to Evil
I am now legally required to vote for Bush. I got rid of the old car and now own a 1999 Grand Cherokee. I am part of the problem.
After reading Blaise's post on the Covington blog, I got to thinking that gas pumps should have monitor screens next to them and every time you draw a new gallon a face of a dead soldier should pop up.
It drives much better than my old car but I'd feel better about owning an SUV before September 11.
I am now legally required to vote for Bush. I got rid of the old car and now own a 1999 Grand Cherokee. I am part of the problem.
After reading Blaise's post on the Covington blog, I got to thinking that gas pumps should have monitor screens next to them and every time you draw a new gallon a face of a dead soldier should pop up.
It drives much better than my old car but I'd feel better about owning an SUV before September 11.
Scorpion Queen
Where do people find the time? I'd like to spend a few months in a cage with a million scorpions but I just can't fit it in my schedule.
Where do people find the time? I'd like to spend a few months in a cage with a million scorpions but I just can't fit it in my schedule.
Class Called on Account of Ghost
I wish I hadn't seen this. Now I'll be tempted for the rest of the year.
I wish I hadn't seen this. Now I'll be tempted for the rest of the year.
Great White Still Swimming
This looks like the same story as a few days ago. No new information but at least this seems like it's still alive.
This looks like the same story as a few days ago. No new information but at least this seems like it's still alive.
Saturday, September 18, 2004
Free Lobsters
No! Don't eat them! I meant "free" as in "let go!" Stop! Stop, you barbarians!
I have no problems with England banning fox hunting and would like to see stronger laws protecting wildlife, pets, and livestock. However, I'm not sure how you avoid the slippery slope when it comes to lobsters. Lobsters are too close to roaches for me to even consider worrying about them (and I'm sure some nut would call me a murderer for stepping on a roach).
The Arrogant Worms' song "Carrot Juice is Murder" begs the question that if we deem the life of a bug to be sacred, how can we thoughtlessly slaughter innocent vegetables? "Don't think that they don't have feelings/Just 'cuz a radish can't scream!"
No! Don't eat them! I meant "free" as in "let go!" Stop! Stop, you barbarians!
I have no problems with England banning fox hunting and would like to see stronger laws protecting wildlife, pets, and livestock. However, I'm not sure how you avoid the slippery slope when it comes to lobsters. Lobsters are too close to roaches for me to even consider worrying about them (and I'm sure some nut would call me a murderer for stepping on a roach).
The Arrogant Worms' song "Carrot Juice is Murder" begs the question that if we deem the life of a bug to be sacred, how can we thoughtlessly slaughter innocent vegetables? "Don't think that they don't have feelings/Just 'cuz a radish can't scream!"
Ball Lightning
I know the Internet is the wrong place to turn to ask "Is [blank] real?" but I just talked about ball lightning in class. Cecil Adams takes the agnostic approach. I've read entertaining but not very convincing takes on it in books about the paranormal which always seem to boil down to "if it would be cool, it must be true." Google provides this (fun but not convincing). Anyone seen or know anything about it?
I know the Internet is the wrong place to turn to ask "Is [blank] real?" but I just talked about ball lightning in class. Cecil Adams takes the agnostic approach. I've read entertaining but not very convincing takes on it in books about the paranormal which always seem to boil down to "if it would be cool, it must be true." Google provides this (fun but not convincing). Anyone seen or know anything about it?
Thursday, September 16, 2004
Alligator in a Hot Tub
I know I harp too much about alligators but read this account of a mere five-footer. Usually Animal Control won't bother with anything under six feet (apparently unless you're AWOL).
I know I harp too much about alligators but read this account of a mere five-footer. Usually Animal Control won't bother with anything under six feet (apparently unless you're AWOL).
Soul-Killing Times
I'm thankful for Covington's recent post:
I was about to give up and start thinking that W is too good a candidate for America. In the last few days, I've been bombarded with nonstop stupidity, the worst of which was the realization that when people at Kroger ask for "a fourth-pound of Bologna" and object if I hand them a bag of "one quarter-pound," they didn't simply misunderstand. Nearly everyone I've tested doesn't know that "one quarter" and "one fourth" are the same thing (or am I crazy? Is there some distinction I'm not aware of?). Many of them complain when the scale rings up "0.25 pound" because they asked for a "fourth." (The value of a "fourth" couldn't possibly begin with a two.)
Management actually posted a sign saying:
(Yes, "1.00 = one pound.") And this didn't address the issue of quarters.
I used to think that I am terrible in math because I took the fewest math classes I needed to graduate and never learned calculus. Now, knowing that McDonalds calls their burgers "Quarter Pounders" due to weight, not for some obscure relationship to cost, I realize I must be very near the top in math comprehension in America. (Suddenly all my students' complaints that Pulp Fiction didn't make sense becomes clear.)
Thank you, Covington. I won't give up. But I came close.
I'm thankful for Covington's recent post:
The whining, simpering, backstabbing, doomspeak, second-guessing, self-righteousness, and ignorant pessimism that defines the left is nothing new... it's how we make damn sure the right wing stays in power. Because it's more hip to be a loser than to take responsibility for the future. After all, being a "progressive" would demand we make solid effort toward actual "progress" if we didn't gangfuck our candidates into defeat. It's far more satisying to flip our wrists dismissively at those silly fools who actually work toward their ideals one step at a time.
I was about to give up and start thinking that W is too good a candidate for America. In the last few days, I've been bombarded with nonstop stupidity, the worst of which was the realization that when people at Kroger ask for "a fourth-pound of Bologna" and object if I hand them a bag of "one quarter-pound," they didn't simply misunderstand. Nearly everyone I've tested doesn't know that "one quarter" and "one fourth" are the same thing (or am I crazy? Is there some distinction I'm not aware of?). Many of them complain when the scale rings up "0.25 pound" because they asked for a "fourth." (The value of a "fourth" couldn't possibly begin with a two.)
Management actually posted a sign saying:
0.25 = fourth
0.50 = half
0.75 = three fourths
1.00 = one pound
(Yes, "1.00 = one pound.") And this didn't address the issue of quarters.
I used to think that I am terrible in math because I took the fewest math classes I needed to graduate and never learned calculus. Now, knowing that McDonalds calls their burgers "Quarter Pounders" due to weight, not for some obscure relationship to cost, I realize I must be very near the top in math comprehension in America. (Suddenly all my students' complaints that Pulp Fiction didn't make sense becomes clear.)
Thank you, Covington. I won't give up. But I came close.
Cosmic Ark Come to Life
Before DC Comics revised history, Superman had a Cosmic Ark that, as a last ditch measure, he could use to save a handful of people (his close friends and no one else) if the Earth was ever destroyed.
This is the DNA version. It could make a decent story.
Before DC Comics revised history, Superman had a Cosmic Ark that, as a last ditch measure, he could use to save a handful of people (his close friends and no one else) if the Earth was ever destroyed.
This is the DNA version. It could make a decent story.
Silliness in Jeopardy?
If an American dressed up as Batman and broke into the White House, he'd end up looking like the Joker's breakfast. Troubles or not, England has some sense of humor.
If an American dressed up as Batman and broke into the White House, he'd end up looking like the Joker's breakfast. Troubles or not, England has some sense of humor.
Bush Rumor
Snopes reports on what I'd assumed was just a rumor about the First Lady.
I was a little surprised that no one has made a big deal out of it. (I'd bet if Tipper had killed anyone, Peter Bronson would have a field day.) One the one hand, I'm glad even the most radical of leftists have the class to leave this alone (anyone who drove as a teenager could have done the same thing) but it makes it clear that many on the right aren't playing by the same set of rules. Bill Cunningham repeatedly referred to Clinton as a serial killer because several people he was associated with died over the course of the last half century. What would he do if the shoe were on the other foot?
Snopes reports on what I'd assumed was just a rumor about the First Lady.
I was a little surprised that no one has made a big deal out of it. (I'd bet if Tipper had killed anyone, Peter Bronson would have a field day.) One the one hand, I'm glad even the most radical of leftists have the class to leave this alone (anyone who drove as a teenager could have done the same thing) but it makes it clear that many on the right aren't playing by the same set of rules. Bill Cunningham repeatedly referred to Clinton as a serial killer because several people he was associated with died over the course of the last half century. What would he do if the shoe were on the other foot?
Tuesday, September 14, 2004
IQ Drain
You can't tell me that's there's no truth to this.
Because my daughter threw up yesterday on the bus, her daycare today (not the school but the daycare) told me that she couldn't attend today. . . as I was dropping her off. She's attending her first college class.
You can't tell me that's there's no truth to this.
Because my daughter threw up yesterday on the bus, her daycare today (not the school but the daycare) told me that she couldn't attend today. . . as I was dropping her off. She's attending her first college class.
Monday, September 13, 2004
Saturday, September 11, 2004
Non-Blog Communication
After a few misses, I finally met Wes from the Walk in Brain blog. Very nice office! (As opposed the cattle car I'm sitting in.) As little as I've been getting out lately, any new contact is greatly appreciated.
After a few misses, I finally met Wes from the Walk in Brain blog. Very nice office! (As opposed the cattle car I'm sitting in.) As little as I've been getting out lately, any new contact is greatly appreciated.
Friday, September 10, 2004
Found Magazine
I just checked a book based on Found from the library. I'm glad I'm not the only idiot who reads notes he finds off the ground.
I just checked a book based on Found from the library. I'm glad I'm not the only idiot who reads notes he finds off the ground.
Fetal Footprint
I'm sure this picture is being used against abortion but this does happen. To me, it seems more demonic than "awesome" but depending on the kid, it can happen every five minutes or not at all.
I'm sure this picture is being used against abortion but this does happen. To me, it seems more demonic than "awesome" but depending on the kid, it can happen every five minutes or not at all.
Thursday, September 09, 2004
Monster Hunt
Anti-monster hunting law repealed. The U.S. and Canada have several similar laws--Champ, the monster of Lake Champlain is especially protected but most crytozoologists claims about it being illegal to hunt Bigfoot are exaggerated.
Anti-monster hunting law repealed. The U.S. and Canada have several similar laws--Champ, the monster of Lake Champlain is especially protected but most crytozoologists claims about it being illegal to hunt Bigfoot are exaggerated.
Veggies vs. Masturbation
I'd heard most of this before (T.C. Boyle provides even more disgusting details) but I never knew Graham was assaulted by mobs of butchers. (Maybe Boyle did mention that but I only skimmed.)
I'd heard most of this before (T.C. Boyle provides even more disgusting details) but I never knew Graham was assaulted by mobs of butchers. (Maybe Boyle did mention that but I only skimmed.)
Really Bad Day
Had all sorts of things planned today. Thought I might actually get a chance to stop by Wes's office. It was supposed to be the first day orientation at my daughter's school. I was supposed to have two classes.
My tire went flat, completely off the rim flat. Somehow my jack was gone. My AAA membership was lapsed. After an hour's wait, my dad showed up. We drove to the shopping paradise of K-Mart and bought a new jack. My car was too low for it to work. We got another jack. The car was too low for it too but we could jack up the back end so the front raised just enough to squeeze the smaller jack under. The hubcap was rusted on the rim. Finally got it off. Got the spare on. The spare was flat.
For the first time in my life I had to cancel a class. My daughter had to miss her first day of school. I was scheduled for a new car this month but my wife wrecked hers, so I'm driving the same 12-year old piece of crap.
I wish I had a horse.
Had all sorts of things planned today. Thought I might actually get a chance to stop by Wes's office. It was supposed to be the first day orientation at my daughter's school. I was supposed to have two classes.
My tire went flat, completely off the rim flat. Somehow my jack was gone. My AAA membership was lapsed. After an hour's wait, my dad showed up. We drove to the shopping paradise of K-Mart and bought a new jack. My car was too low for it to work. We got another jack. The car was too low for it too but we could jack up the back end so the front raised just enough to squeeze the smaller jack under. The hubcap was rusted on the rim. Finally got it off. Got the spare on. The spare was flat.
For the first time in my life I had to cancel a class. My daughter had to miss her first day of school. I was scheduled for a new car this month but my wife wrecked hers, so I'm driving the same 12-year old piece of crap.
I wish I had a horse.
Wednesday, September 08, 2004
Rats
Here's a few bits from Robert Sullivan's Rats: Observations on the History and Habitat of the City's Most Unwanted Inhabitants.
Jack Black isn't just an actor. He was Queen Victoria's rat catcher and started a fad among Victorians of keeping pet rats as pets. Beatrice Potter is said to have bought a rat directly from Jack. Sullivan theorizes that the strand of laboratory rats are descended from Black's rats.
26% of electric cable breaks and 18% of phone cable breaks are said to be caused by rats. It's estimated that 25% of fires of unknown causes are actually started by rats. One estimate is that one third of food production is destroyed by rats.
Rats have sex up to 20 times a day. If no females are available, male rats have sex with each other.
Rats are thigmophilic - they love to touch things
By 1926, Norway rats (not really from Norway) were living in every U.S. state. The last holdout was Montana which had difficult terrain and few people to feed off of. Alberta calls itself a rat-free province but this is probably not entirely true (a mayor of an Albertan city said that he would eat any rat found in town. He recanted when presented with a basketful).
The one rat per person myth debunked
"A woman said to me, 'Oh, we're goin to get a cat!' he [an exterminator] recalled. 'I said, "Miss, please don't put that cat in the cellar,' Then I came back two weeks later and I'm picking up the hair and the bones of the cat."
Cockroaches don't fly because they don't have to. One exterminator compared it to people rolling around in wheel chairs and not using their legs, getting enough to eat without walking.
The Bubonic Plague came to San Francisco near the turn of the 20th century but was covered up by politicians and business leaders (a la Jaws). Health officials reporting the plague were fired or threatened with arrest. Eventually it was contained but the plague spread throughout the American southwest. Today there are more rodents infested with bubonic plague in America than were infected during the height of the plague years in Europe.
Chickens are not susceptible to the plague. Scientists at the Pasteur Institute injected live plague bacteria into a chicken to study the reaction. Naturally, the chicken escaped and was found by a local. He cooked and ate it with his family. They suffered no ill effects but the consequences of eating plague-infected poultry is probably not conclusive until further studies.
Here's a few bits from Robert Sullivan's Rats: Observations on the History and Habitat of the City's Most Unwanted Inhabitants.
Jack Black isn't just an actor. He was Queen Victoria's rat catcher and started a fad among Victorians of keeping pet rats as pets. Beatrice Potter is said to have bought a rat directly from Jack. Sullivan theorizes that the strand of laboratory rats are descended from Black's rats.
26% of electric cable breaks and 18% of phone cable breaks are said to be caused by rats. It's estimated that 25% of fires of unknown causes are actually started by rats. One estimate is that one third of food production is destroyed by rats.
Rats have sex up to 20 times a day. If no females are available, male rats have sex with each other.
Rats are thigmophilic - they love to touch things
By 1926, Norway rats (not really from Norway) were living in every U.S. state. The last holdout was Montana which had difficult terrain and few people to feed off of. Alberta calls itself a rat-free province but this is probably not entirely true (a mayor of an Albertan city said that he would eat any rat found in town. He recanted when presented with a basketful).
The one rat per person myth debunked
"A woman said to me, 'Oh, we're goin to get a cat!' he [an exterminator] recalled. 'I said, "Miss, please don't put that cat in the cellar,' Then I came back two weeks later and I'm picking up the hair and the bones of the cat."
Cockroaches don't fly because they don't have to. One exterminator compared it to people rolling around in wheel chairs and not using their legs, getting enough to eat without walking.
The Bubonic Plague came to San Francisco near the turn of the 20th century but was covered up by politicians and business leaders (a la Jaws). Health officials reporting the plague were fired or threatened with arrest. Eventually it was contained but the plague spread throughout the American southwest. Today there are more rodents infested with bubonic plague in America than were infected during the height of the plague years in Europe.
Chickens are not susceptible to the plague. Scientists at the Pasteur Institute injected live plague bacteria into a chicken to study the reaction. Naturally, the chicken escaped and was found by a local. He cooked and ate it with his family. They suffered no ill effects but the consequences of eating plague-infected poultry is probably not conclusive until further studies.
Tuesday, September 07, 2004
Teen Sex and Television
Another study proves that television causes young people to have sex.
Of course, having parents who allow children to watch raunchy television for long stretches with no supervision has nothing to do with it.
Now that the V-chip has stopped all violence in society, it won't be long until all televisions have mandatory S-chips as well.
Another study proves that television causes young people to have sex.
Of course, having parents who allow children to watch raunchy television for long stretches with no supervision has nothing to do with it.
Now that the V-chip has stopped all violence in society, it won't be long until all televisions have mandatory S-chips as well.
Diamond Market
If you don't already know about the monopoly on diamonds, here's a good recap.
Diamonds aren't as rare as other gems like sapphires and rubies but because their market is under absolute control (Bill Gates eat your heart out), they are sold at artificially inflated prices.
Yes, I'm still bitter about paying for an engagement ring.
If you don't already know about the monopoly on diamonds, here's a good recap.
Diamonds aren't as rare as other gems like sapphires and rubies but because their market is under absolute control (Bill Gates eat your heart out), they are sold at artificially inflated prices.
Yes, I'm still bitter about paying for an engagement ring.
90-Foot Babe Blog
What struck me wasn't that it's funny or not funny but that it's been going on since April.
I'd kill for free time like that.
What struck me wasn't that it's funny or not funny but that it's been going on since April.
I'd kill for free time like that.
Saturday, September 04, 2004
Overlooked Movies
Egad, not another stupid list. From bestoflists, the most overlooked movies of the 90s (although not all seem to be from the 90s):
1 Miller's Crossing Joel Coen & Ethan Coen - I'd just used this movie in Intro. to Lit. when I found this list. My favorite gangster movie. Irish mobsters kick the crap out of Italians.
2 Safe Todd Haynes
3 The Sweet Hereafter Atom Egoyan
4 Lone Star John Sayles
5 Heavenly Creatures Peter Jackson - Jackson's only pre-Ring work that I've seen. Kate Winslet was far better in this than in the horrible boat movie.
6 Waiting for Guffman Christopher Guest - Best of Show and Mighty Wind were also great. With so many terrible comedies, I'm glad movies like this are still being made.
7 The Hudsucker Proxy Ethan Coen & Joel Coen
8 Babe: Pig in the City Chris Noonan - Several people I respect love this movie. I'd probably appreciate it more except I have a bias against talking pigs.
9 Dead Man Jim Jarmusch
10 Fearless Peter Weir
11 Bound Larry Wachowski & Andy Wachowski
12 Chungking Express Kar Wai Wong
13 The Straight Story David Lynch - Lynch can develop a better character in two minutes than virtually any other director can in two hours.
14 Searching for Bobby Fischer Steven Zaillian
15 Ghost Dog: Way of the Samurai Jim Jarmusch - probably not Jarmusch's best but I loved the mobsters.
16 That Thing You Do! Tom Hanks
17 Dead Again Kenneth Branagh - uh, some parts were interesting but I wouldn't put it on this list.
18 Sneakers Phil Alden Robinson
19 Zero Effect Jake Kasdan
20 The Butcher Boy Neil Jordan
21 Truly, Madly, Deeply Anthony Minghella
22 In the Company of Men Neil LaBute
23 Devil in a Blue Dress Carl Franklin
24 The Red Violin Francois Girard
25 Cemetery Man Michele Soavi
26 Hamlet Kenneth Branagh - My favorite adaptation of Shakespeare. Great cast (except for too-cute Robin Williams).
27 Breakdown Jonathan Mostow
28 Welcome to the Dollhouse Todd Solondz
29 The Apostle Robert Duvall - one of the few movies that looks at religion without sucking up or bashing it. Duvall is one of my favorite actors and deserved an Oscar for his performance. The movie had its flaws (e.g. Billy Bob) but the last sermon made up for them.
30 Eve's Bayou Kasi Lemmons
31 Hard Eight Paul Thomas Anderson
32 Defending Your Life Albert Brooks - parts I saw were funny enough.
33 A Little Princess Alfonso Cuaron
34 Bringing Out the Dead Martin Scorsese
35 Fireworks Takeshi Kitano
36 Jacob's Ladder Adrian Lyne - I haven't watched this in a long while but saw it for free when it came out. A good reworking of Ambrose Bierce.
37 The Spanish Prisoner David Mamet - Favorite Mamet movie. Great cast.
38 Pump Up The Volume Allan Moyle
39 Beautiful Girls Ted Demme
40 The Double Life of Veronique Krzysztof Kieslowski
41 Very Bad Things Peter Berg heard very bad things about it.
42 Richard III Richard Loncraine - not perfect but Ian McKellen makes a better Richard than Magneto and Gandalf put together.
43 October Sky Joe Johnston
44 Strange Days Kathryn Bigelow
45 My Neighbor Totoro Hayao Miyazaki - why can I find other Miyazaki's films (e.g. Castle in the Sky, Kiki's Delivery Service) but not this?
46 L.A. Story Mick Jackson
47 Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me David Lynch
48 A Bronx Tale Robert De Niro
49 The Limey Steven Soderbergh - the trailer turned me off so much that I never looked for it. Anybody seen it?
50 A Perfect World Clint Eastwood
51 Before Sunrise Richard Linklater
52 Bob Roberts Tim Robbins - saw parts. Inspiration of "Sideshow Bob Roberts."
53 Dick Andrew Fleming
54 Raise the Red Lantern Yimou Zhang
55 One False Move Carl Franklin
56 The Ref Ted Demme
57 Exotica Atom Egoyan
58 Sonatine Takeshi Kitano
59 Joe Versus the Volcano John Patrick Shanley - I know a lot of people love this one but it seems like the cinematic equivalent of Jimmy Buffett--kinda funny, kinda cute, but not really as much as the fans make out.
60 Matinee Joe Dante - Got in free. Got a free poster. I saw it at Kenwood. The lobby was full of fake movies from the movie (John Goodman plays an Ed Wood type horror director who just released Mant, part man, part ant). To get in, a nurse made you sign a waiver saying that if you died of fright, the theater could not be held accountable. At two points, a guy dressed like the Mant ran up and down the aisles, once chasing the nurse. The movie itself was good, not spectacular, but overall a fun time was had by all.
61 The Ice Storm Ang Lee
62 The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert Stephan Elliott
63 Croupier Mike Hodges
64 The Winslow Boy David Mamet
65 Girl on the Bridge Patrice Leconte
66 Bullet in the Head John Woo
67 Darkman Sam Raimi - I've liked just about everything else that Raimi has done but not this. And I got free tickets through Everybody's News.
68 Cannibal! The Musical Trey Parker
69 Fast, Cheap & Out of Control Errol Morris - great documentary involving naked mole rats.
70 Smoke Paul Auster & Wayne Wang - Did see Blue in the Face. Liked that.
71 The Last Days of Disco Whit Stillman
72 Fresh Boaz Yakin
73 Eye of God Tim Blake Nelson
74 Flirting With Disaster David O. Russell
75 Bottle Rocket Wes Anderson
76 Ashes of Time Kar Wai Wong
77 Fallen Angels Kar Wai Wong
78 Great Expectations Alfonso Cuaron
79 Kundun Martin Scorsese
80 A Midnight Clear Keith Gordon
81 Deep Cover Bill Duke
82 Ravenous Antonia Bird - haven't seen it but it looked so bad I never checked it out.
83 Twin Falls, Idaho Michael Polish - Didn't see it but a friend used this movie as an example of how art films are just as bad as action movies. From his descriptions (and he was dead-to-the-money about Titus), Twin Falls might be better off overlooked.
84 The People vs. Larry Flynt Milos Forman - my mother-in-law was Flynt's accountant for a very brief period. He fired her because he was using money from his bar to buy drugs for his now-deceased wife and wanted it covered up. With the same morality of an Enron-exec, he fired anyone who didn't go along with the fraud. If Si Leis had gone after this, Flynt might still be in jail. If Leis had been in charge of taking down Al Capone, he'd have forgotten the tax angle and focused on immorality. And Al would still rule Chicago.
85 Quick Change Howard Franklin & Bill Murray - Pretty good but I'm not sure I'd put it on this list.
86 The Secret of Roan Inish John Sayles
87 Beloved Jonathan Demme
88 Big Night Campbell Scott & Stanley Tucci
89 Topsy-Turvy Mike Leigh
90 Living in Oblivion Tom DiCillo
91 Jesus' Son Alison Maclean
92 Glengarry Glen Ross James Foley - Liked it but it still has the feel of a stage performance.
93 Chaplin Richard Attenborough
94 Dead Alive Peter Jackson
95 Jude Michael Winterbottom
96 Cradle Will Rock Tim Robbins
97 Proof Jocelyn Moorhouse
98 The Wonderful, Horrible Life of Leni Riefenstahl Ray Muller
99 Titus Julie Taymor - Titus Andronicus doesn't get the respect it deserves. Back in 1614, Ben Jonson took a stab at it and critics have pounded away ever since. No one who has read all of Shakespeare's plays would consider it to be his worst (e.g.Timon of Athens) and for years I was convinced the play would make a great movie.
But not this one. Among other things I hated was the "let's make an arty rape" scene. This could be done much, much better.
100 Mystery Men Kinka Usher - The trouble with this movie is that if you haven't read comic books, you'll miss many of the references. Actually, you have to had read one specific issue of the Avengers from the 1980s to get one scene. I did and I loved the movie but can see why so many others didn't.
Egad, not another stupid list. From bestoflists, the most overlooked movies of the 90s (although not all seem to be from the 90s):
1 Miller's Crossing Joel Coen & Ethan Coen - I'd just used this movie in Intro. to Lit. when I found this list. My favorite gangster movie. Irish mobsters kick the crap out of Italians.
2 Safe Todd Haynes
3 The Sweet Hereafter Atom Egoyan
4 Lone Star John Sayles
5 Heavenly Creatures Peter Jackson - Jackson's only pre-Ring work that I've seen. Kate Winslet was far better in this than in the horrible boat movie.
6 Waiting for Guffman Christopher Guest - Best of Show and Mighty Wind were also great. With so many terrible comedies, I'm glad movies like this are still being made.
7 The Hudsucker Proxy Ethan Coen & Joel Coen
8 Babe: Pig in the City Chris Noonan - Several people I respect love this movie. I'd probably appreciate it more except I have a bias against talking pigs.
9 Dead Man Jim Jarmusch
10 Fearless Peter Weir
11 Bound Larry Wachowski & Andy Wachowski
12 Chungking Express Kar Wai Wong
13 The Straight Story David Lynch - Lynch can develop a better character in two minutes than virtually any other director can in two hours.
14 Searching for Bobby Fischer Steven Zaillian
15 Ghost Dog: Way of the Samurai Jim Jarmusch - probably not Jarmusch's best but I loved the mobsters.
16 That Thing You Do! Tom Hanks
17 Dead Again Kenneth Branagh - uh, some parts were interesting but I wouldn't put it on this list.
18 Sneakers Phil Alden Robinson
19 Zero Effect Jake Kasdan
20 The Butcher Boy Neil Jordan
21 Truly, Madly, Deeply Anthony Minghella
22 In the Company of Men Neil LaBute
23 Devil in a Blue Dress Carl Franklin
24 The Red Violin Francois Girard
25 Cemetery Man Michele Soavi
26 Hamlet Kenneth Branagh - My favorite adaptation of Shakespeare. Great cast (except for too-cute Robin Williams).
27 Breakdown Jonathan Mostow
28 Welcome to the Dollhouse Todd Solondz
29 The Apostle Robert Duvall - one of the few movies that looks at religion without sucking up or bashing it. Duvall is one of my favorite actors and deserved an Oscar for his performance. The movie had its flaws (e.g. Billy Bob) but the last sermon made up for them.
30 Eve's Bayou Kasi Lemmons
31 Hard Eight Paul Thomas Anderson
32 Defending Your Life Albert Brooks - parts I saw were funny enough.
33 A Little Princess Alfonso Cuaron
34 Bringing Out the Dead Martin Scorsese
35 Fireworks Takeshi Kitano
36 Jacob's Ladder Adrian Lyne - I haven't watched this in a long while but saw it for free when it came out. A good reworking of Ambrose Bierce.
37 The Spanish Prisoner David Mamet - Favorite Mamet movie. Great cast.
38 Pump Up The Volume Allan Moyle
39 Beautiful Girls Ted Demme
40 The Double Life of Veronique Krzysztof Kieslowski
41 Very Bad Things Peter Berg heard very bad things about it.
42 Richard III Richard Loncraine - not perfect but Ian McKellen makes a better Richard than Magneto and Gandalf put together.
43 October Sky Joe Johnston
44 Strange Days Kathryn Bigelow
45 My Neighbor Totoro Hayao Miyazaki - why can I find other Miyazaki's films (e.g. Castle in the Sky, Kiki's Delivery Service) but not this?
46 L.A. Story Mick Jackson
47 Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me David Lynch
48 A Bronx Tale Robert De Niro
49 The Limey Steven Soderbergh - the trailer turned me off so much that I never looked for it. Anybody seen it?
50 A Perfect World Clint Eastwood
51 Before Sunrise Richard Linklater
52 Bob Roberts Tim Robbins - saw parts. Inspiration of "Sideshow Bob Roberts."
53 Dick Andrew Fleming
54 Raise the Red Lantern Yimou Zhang
55 One False Move Carl Franklin
56 The Ref Ted Demme
57 Exotica Atom Egoyan
58 Sonatine Takeshi Kitano
59 Joe Versus the Volcano John Patrick Shanley - I know a lot of people love this one but it seems like the cinematic equivalent of Jimmy Buffett--kinda funny, kinda cute, but not really as much as the fans make out.
60 Matinee Joe Dante - Got in free. Got a free poster. I saw it at Kenwood. The lobby was full of fake movies from the movie (John Goodman plays an Ed Wood type horror director who just released Mant, part man, part ant). To get in, a nurse made you sign a waiver saying that if you died of fright, the theater could not be held accountable. At two points, a guy dressed like the Mant ran up and down the aisles, once chasing the nurse. The movie itself was good, not spectacular, but overall a fun time was had by all.
61 The Ice Storm Ang Lee
62 The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert Stephan Elliott
63 Croupier Mike Hodges
64 The Winslow Boy David Mamet
65 Girl on the Bridge Patrice Leconte
66 Bullet in the Head John Woo
67 Darkman Sam Raimi - I've liked just about everything else that Raimi has done but not this. And I got free tickets through Everybody's News.
68 Cannibal! The Musical Trey Parker
69 Fast, Cheap & Out of Control Errol Morris - great documentary involving naked mole rats.
70 Smoke Paul Auster & Wayne Wang - Did see Blue in the Face. Liked that.
71 The Last Days of Disco Whit Stillman
72 Fresh Boaz Yakin
73 Eye of God Tim Blake Nelson
74 Flirting With Disaster David O. Russell
75 Bottle Rocket Wes Anderson
76 Ashes of Time Kar Wai Wong
77 Fallen Angels Kar Wai Wong
78 Great Expectations Alfonso Cuaron
79 Kundun Martin Scorsese
80 A Midnight Clear Keith Gordon
81 Deep Cover Bill Duke
82 Ravenous Antonia Bird - haven't seen it but it looked so bad I never checked it out.
83 Twin Falls, Idaho Michael Polish - Didn't see it but a friend used this movie as an example of how art films are just as bad as action movies. From his descriptions (and he was dead-to-the-money about Titus), Twin Falls might be better off overlooked.
84 The People vs. Larry Flynt Milos Forman - my mother-in-law was Flynt's accountant for a very brief period. He fired her because he was using money from his bar to buy drugs for his now-deceased wife and wanted it covered up. With the same morality of an Enron-exec, he fired anyone who didn't go along with the fraud. If Si Leis had gone after this, Flynt might still be in jail. If Leis had been in charge of taking down Al Capone, he'd have forgotten the tax angle and focused on immorality. And Al would still rule Chicago.
85 Quick Change Howard Franklin & Bill Murray - Pretty good but I'm not sure I'd put it on this list.
86 The Secret of Roan Inish John Sayles
87 Beloved Jonathan Demme
88 Big Night Campbell Scott & Stanley Tucci
89 Topsy-Turvy Mike Leigh
90 Living in Oblivion Tom DiCillo
91 Jesus' Son Alison Maclean
92 Glengarry Glen Ross James Foley - Liked it but it still has the feel of a stage performance.
93 Chaplin Richard Attenborough
94 Dead Alive Peter Jackson
95 Jude Michael Winterbottom
96 Cradle Will Rock Tim Robbins
97 Proof Jocelyn Moorhouse
98 The Wonderful, Horrible Life of Leni Riefenstahl Ray Muller
99 Titus Julie Taymor - Titus Andronicus doesn't get the respect it deserves. Back in 1614, Ben Jonson took a stab at it and critics have pounded away ever since. No one who has read all of Shakespeare's plays would consider it to be his worst (e.g.Timon of Athens) and for years I was convinced the play would make a great movie.
But not this one. Among other things I hated was the "let's make an arty rape" scene. This could be done much, much better.
100 Mystery Men Kinka Usher - The trouble with this movie is that if you haven't read comic books, you'll miss many of the references. Actually, you have to had read one specific issue of the Avengers from the 1980s to get one scene. I did and I loved the movie but can see why so many others didn't.
Thursday, September 02, 2004
Still Hating the French
Republicans (and Democrat) still make mileage over French-bashing.
Before they decided to bring back Freedom Fries, shouldn't someone have thought, "Um, weren't the French 100% correct about weapons of mass destruction and weren't we 100% wrong?"
For all the other reasons that Republicans have come up to go to war now that we've already gone, wasn't that the prime reason for the French and Germans to object to the invasion?
If voters don't put any thought to it, the Republicans are absolutely right. If we cheer for a lie, we'll get the government we deserve.
Here's a reminder of some of the sympathy the U.S. received after September 11. It's unbelievable that we lost it so quickly.
Republicans (and Democrat) still make mileage over French-bashing.
Before they decided to bring back Freedom Fries, shouldn't someone have thought, "Um, weren't the French 100% correct about weapons of mass destruction and weren't we 100% wrong?"
For all the other reasons that Republicans have come up to go to war now that we've already gone, wasn't that the prime reason for the French and Germans to object to the invasion?
If voters don't put any thought to it, the Republicans are absolutely right. If we cheer for a lie, we'll get the government we deserve.
Here's a reminder of some of the sympathy the U.S. received after September 11. It's unbelievable that we lost it so quickly.