In almost Cummings-ish/Mixdorfian fashion, I finished Deathly Hallows in three nights flat. More than that I really cannot (or should not) say, for now, other than to say I thought it was most excellent.
Lillies of the Field. My mind was drawing a blank, as I placed it into the disc tray, as to the reason I queued this one up in the first place. Was it an interest in seeing in action the revered and noble, but yet-as-unseen-by-me Sidney Poitier? Was it one of those legions of movies I just heard about again and again through the years and thought I should get around to? In any event, it was certainly added during one of my "movies I should see" kicks and, as such, was one about which I was less-than-excited about actually popping in.
Sidney Poitier was, indeed, a sort of Jackie Robinson of the cinema - as far as I know, the first black man to be a regular leading man. He played a character with dignity and depth, and he was really good. And the film itself, I can recognize as being WAY ahead of its time (1963). That said, had it been made in 2002, it would have starred Morgan Freeman and been an eye-roller (beautiful black and white cinematography and languid pacing aside). Overall, there was a soothing quality to the film, and one that did a spot of credit to the Christian religion - leaving one with moments of inspiration, not unlike particularly good gospel music. But I'd also be lying if I said I wasn't keeping track of the time left in the film while I was watching it. You just don't do that on films you really love.
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Friday, July 27, 2007
Shat
I should mention that I watched the William Shatner Celebrity Roast with A.J. this past weekend, and it was about the funniest effing thing I've ever seen. More than that, I will not say in this forum.
Monday, July 23, 2007
Dan Speaks Out (on the candidates)
Having just watched the majority of the YouTube debate (and on the heels of earlier debates/forums, my other observations) - and following Pat's lead.
Obama: I'll say what I've said before - I'll trade off a few specifics for an articulate, inspirational speaker that is right on in a general sense, if I believe he can and will surround himself with and work with people that are brilliant experts.
Clinton: My appreciation for her growing by the appearance. She is carrying herself in a very presidential manner (in a good way). Forceful & in command, articulate and specific, and personable.
Edwards: Talk. Show. Host. I find his passionate support for many issues a little disengenuous, considering he's a latecomer to about half the parades. I also have trouble believing he'd show much moxie when the Republican Attack Machine gets under way.
Richardson: ouch. I think I like where he's coming from, but I end up being so embarassed halfway through most of his fumbling answers that I wish he'd just stop. He's well thought out on issues he dealt with as Governor, but he gets asked a question about Darfur or North Korea, and he acts like he just woke up from a nap.
Biden: Trying to win points with anger. Americans (and I) don't want that.
Dodd: Separating himself from Biden, at least. But entrenched and utterly, utterly unelectable.
Kucinitch: He may be a liberal's wet dream, but don't let this guy fool you. He's "playing politics" just like everyone else. Trying to cast the same, wide accusational net over all the other candidates in a manner that is often spurious.
Gravael(sp?): He says some things that other candidates would never dare to say, and that are probably right on: soldiers in Vietnam died in vain, end the War on Drugs, etc. In some senses, he may be 100 years ahead of his time. In most other senses, though, he's insane. Batshit.
A good thing, I suppose, that the two most electable candidates are the front runners.
Obama: I'll say what I've said before - I'll trade off a few specifics for an articulate, inspirational speaker that is right on in a general sense, if I believe he can and will surround himself with and work with people that are brilliant experts.
Clinton: My appreciation for her growing by the appearance. She is carrying herself in a very presidential manner (in a good way). Forceful & in command, articulate and specific, and personable.
Edwards: Talk. Show. Host. I find his passionate support for many issues a little disengenuous, considering he's a latecomer to about half the parades. I also have trouble believing he'd show much moxie when the Republican Attack Machine gets under way.
Richardson: ouch. I think I like where he's coming from, but I end up being so embarassed halfway through most of his fumbling answers that I wish he'd just stop. He's well thought out on issues he dealt with as Governor, but he gets asked a question about Darfur or North Korea, and he acts like he just woke up from a nap.
Biden: Trying to win points with anger. Americans (and I) don't want that.
Dodd: Separating himself from Biden, at least. But entrenched and utterly, utterly unelectable.
Kucinitch: He may be a liberal's wet dream, but don't let this guy fool you. He's "playing politics" just like everyone else. Trying to cast the same, wide accusational net over all the other candidates in a manner that is often spurious.
Gravael(sp?): He says some things that other candidates would never dare to say, and that are probably right on: soldiers in Vietnam died in vain, end the War on Drugs, etc. In some senses, he may be 100 years ahead of his time. In most other senses, though, he's insane. Batshit.
A good thing, I suppose, that the two most electable candidates are the front runners.
Friday, July 20, 2007
Watched It, Read It
I'll soon be updating the sidebar, so I thought I'd squeeze out a thought or two on the items to the right.
The Strange Case of Dr. Jeckyl & Mr Hyde: As I mentioned in an earlier post, this was a public domain Librivox volunteer recording of the Robert Louis Stephenson classic, and what looks to be the first in a series of classic horror novels I wish to work(out) my way through during my afternoon exercise at work. It was delectably read by an Englishman, and covered from a rather quaint perspective the whole notion of man dabbling in areas in which he shouldn't. Following the whole "Icarus" thing, was this perhaps about the first tale in history to call to attention the notion of rampant science without understanding? Good escapism, overall.
The Dirty Dozen: So, these days I'm not a huge action/adventure movie guy, but if and when I do go down that route, I'm a lot more likely to seek out an utterly unrealistic depiction of it all from the sixties than I am a gritty, modern bloodfest. There's almost a pall over my life with all the horror and devilry afoot in the real world as it is; I don't necessarily need a graphic depiction of it when I want to unwind at home; I prefer fantastic, campy tales of broad-brushed characters dsipalying valor, heroism, and sometimes treachery in no uncertain terms. Movies like this and The Guns of Navarrone fit into the same category as Star Wars and Harry Potter, for me: stress-free escapism. This movie, in particular and in that light, was good but not great. Par for the genre, I'd say. On a side note - this movie was one of just a handful so far that I've watched with Netflix's "watch now" feature; a technology that completely blows me away. The movies are essentially DVD-quality, steamed to your computer on-demand and in seamless playback. They basically let you use the amount of dollars you spend a month ($10, in my case) to "buy" the amount of hours worth of movies (a somewhat more limited selection, but still quite expansive) for that month. It doesn't cost you anything additional, and does not affect your movies per month status, at all. It's a total "win," as you can sit down and call up a movie on deman, as you wish. Pure goodness - as seems to be rare in new announcements from companies in this day and age. For them, I suppose it's a win, too. The more movies they stream to you, the fewer on which they have to pick up postage. Plus, if you get addicted to the feature, maybe you boost your plan up to get more hours. In any event, I guess that's what folks call a "win-win."
The Strange Case of Dr. Jeckyl & Mr Hyde: As I mentioned in an earlier post, this was a public domain Librivox volunteer recording of the Robert Louis Stephenson classic, and what looks to be the first in a series of classic horror novels I wish to work(out) my way through during my afternoon exercise at work. It was delectably read by an Englishman, and covered from a rather quaint perspective the whole notion of man dabbling in areas in which he shouldn't. Following the whole "Icarus" thing, was this perhaps about the first tale in history to call to attention the notion of rampant science without understanding? Good escapism, overall.
The Dirty Dozen: So, these days I'm not a huge action/adventure movie guy, but if and when I do go down that route, I'm a lot more likely to seek out an utterly unrealistic depiction of it all from the sixties than I am a gritty, modern bloodfest. There's almost a pall over my life with all the horror and devilry afoot in the real world as it is; I don't necessarily need a graphic depiction of it when I want to unwind at home; I prefer fantastic, campy tales of broad-brushed characters dsipalying valor, heroism, and sometimes treachery in no uncertain terms. Movies like this and The Guns of Navarrone fit into the same category as Star Wars and Harry Potter, for me: stress-free escapism. This movie, in particular and in that light, was good but not great. Par for the genre, I'd say. On a side note - this movie was one of just a handful so far that I've watched with Netflix's "watch now" feature; a technology that completely blows me away. The movies are essentially DVD-quality, steamed to your computer on-demand and in seamless playback. They basically let you use the amount of dollars you spend a month ($10, in my case) to "buy" the amount of hours worth of movies (a somewhat more limited selection, but still quite expansive) for that month. It doesn't cost you anything additional, and does not affect your movies per month status, at all. It's a total "win," as you can sit down and call up a movie on deman, as you wish. Pure goodness - as seems to be rare in new announcements from companies in this day and age. For them, I suppose it's a win, too. The more movies they stream to you, the fewer on which they have to pick up postage. Plus, if you get addicted to the feature, maybe you boost your plan up to get more hours. In any event, I guess that's what folks call a "win-win."
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Worked Out!
My workout post garnered so many comments, I thought I'd do a check in, six weeks into the endeavor. Success!!!
I actually just returned from one of my "for joy" days - a trail run out at Hyland Park; so I wasn't even in "the gym," proper. But between the fitness center, daytime trail runs, biking to work, and runs on the weekend with the girls in the Baby Jogger, I've managed to fit something in probably at least five times a week on average over the past month and a half. The fitness center workouts are intense 30 minute cardiovascular sessions (heart rate steady between 147 - 152), alternating between various machines but focusing on the ellpitical trainier (something I thought was a generic term but now find refers to a specific machine that approximates one's natural running motion, but without the impact). I churn away with water bottle and mini-towel within reach, listening to MPR podcasts or horror novels, and chase it down with a few weights, afterwards. This is mid-afternoon, when the weight room is nearly empty, and I return to my desk after a shower, to face the remaining couple of hours of work with focus & vinegar. My trail runs are of varied lengths, but usually from 30 to 40 minutes, and my bike ride into work is a farily substantial 1 hr 20 min each way. I'm aspiring to bike once each week from here on out, this summer, so I sort of feel like that covers me for the days I beg off a workout for one reason or another.
I 'm feeling just great. For all the disadvantage I have of a body with high-mileage, I have a very distinct advantage of a body that has a history of fitness. I feel like it has not taken me long to get back to a really good postion. I've dropped about seven pounds (a lot of which has been simply a new focus on not having a beer every day, and simply not eating two peanut butter and jelly sandwiches at 12:30 am every night), the jiggle is beginning to re-absorb itself into my body, and (most promising for the future) I'm still really excited about keeping on keeping on. Feeling good physically is such a powerful motivating factor; and when I can attend to this sort of body maintenance during my work day, so much the better.
I should also mention that this fitness "craze" seems to be coinciding with a general personal renaissance of sorts. I've been recording in the studio again, finding time to read books (both audio & traditional), and even stretching (well) on a daily basis; deciding that I would no longer use "well I had knee surgery in there" as an excuse as to why I'm so ridiculously far from being able to touch my own toes. Not sure if this is all great news, or if I should be a bit cautious. You know how personal betterment is like the NYSE. These bubbles tend to burst...
I actually just returned from one of my "for joy" days - a trail run out at Hyland Park; so I wasn't even in "the gym," proper. But between the fitness center, daytime trail runs, biking to work, and runs on the weekend with the girls in the Baby Jogger, I've managed to fit something in probably at least five times a week on average over the past month and a half. The fitness center workouts are intense 30 minute cardiovascular sessions (heart rate steady between 147 - 152), alternating between various machines but focusing on the ellpitical trainier (something I thought was a generic term but now find refers to a specific machine that approximates one's natural running motion, but without the impact). I churn away with water bottle and mini-towel within reach, listening to MPR podcasts or horror novels, and chase it down with a few weights, afterwards. This is mid-afternoon, when the weight room is nearly empty, and I return to my desk after a shower, to face the remaining couple of hours of work with focus & vinegar. My trail runs are of varied lengths, but usually from 30 to 40 minutes, and my bike ride into work is a farily substantial 1 hr 20 min each way. I'm aspiring to bike once each week from here on out, this summer, so I sort of feel like that covers me for the days I beg off a workout for one reason or another.
I 'm feeling just great. For all the disadvantage I have of a body with high-mileage, I have a very distinct advantage of a body that has a history of fitness. I feel like it has not taken me long to get back to a really good postion. I've dropped about seven pounds (a lot of which has been simply a new focus on not having a beer every day, and simply not eating two peanut butter and jelly sandwiches at 12:30 am every night), the jiggle is beginning to re-absorb itself into my body, and (most promising for the future) I'm still really excited about keeping on keeping on. Feeling good physically is such a powerful motivating factor; and when I can attend to this sort of body maintenance during my work day, so much the better.
I should also mention that this fitness "craze" seems to be coinciding with a general personal renaissance of sorts. I've been recording in the studio again, finding time to read books (both audio & traditional), and even stretching (well) on a daily basis; deciding that I would no longer use "well I had knee surgery in there" as an excuse as to why I'm so ridiculously far from being able to touch my own toes. Not sure if this is all great news, or if I should be a bit cautious. You know how personal betterment is like the NYSE. These bubbles tend to burst...
Sunday, July 15, 2007
New Elements
If you look to the left, the view is not very inspiring. But if you look to the right, you'll see my newest feature: Just Read, and Just Watched.
I credit the idea to Matt's On the Nightstand and In the DVD Player, on Panko Crumbs. I didn't flat out copy the format since 1) I don't keep a book on the nightstand 2) I thought the potential for meaningful discussion about these two items (oh, and I GET OFF on "meaningful discussion" about movies I watch and books I read) would be greater after I conclude the viewing/reading.
I'm not sure how such discussions will occur, as it's not like anyone else can post random comments on this blog. I suppose you could always just comment at the bottom of the most recent post, when/if it ever strikes you. Alternately, I may look for some sort of generic "chat box" to include on the side bar. We'll also see how long I can keep this current.
Finally, I realize that I risk, by doing this, scorn and ridicule during the "dry periods" (the weeks on end when I am uninspired or virtually unable to find time to read books). It doesn't seem like some people I know (I'm thinking of Stephen & Pat in particular here, and probably Matt) go through such periods, but such as it is. And as a wise man once said, "If we're going to be damned, let's be damned for who we really are."
I credit the idea to Matt's On the Nightstand and In the DVD Player, on Panko Crumbs. I didn't flat out copy the format since 1) I don't keep a book on the nightstand 2) I thought the potential for meaningful discussion about these two items (oh, and I GET OFF on "meaningful discussion" about movies I watch and books I read) would be greater after I conclude the viewing/reading.
I'm not sure how such discussions will occur, as it's not like anyone else can post random comments on this blog. I suppose you could always just comment at the bottom of the most recent post, when/if it ever strikes you. Alternately, I may look for some sort of generic "chat box" to include on the side bar. We'll also see how long I can keep this current.
Finally, I realize that I risk, by doing this, scorn and ridicule during the "dry periods" (the weeks on end when I am uninspired or virtually unable to find time to read books). It doesn't seem like some people I know (I'm thinking of Stephen & Pat in particular here, and probably Matt) go through such periods, but such as it is. And as a wise man once said, "If we're going to be damned, let's be damned for who we really are."
Friday, July 06, 2007
IPO Part 2
I should mention a couple of things regarding my new home on MySpace...
I've had a long-time dream to do updates of my recording process -which may or may not be of interest to friend. The idea behind is is sort of documentary-like in purpose. For anyone who has a curiosity about how music recording is done (albeit just one man's method, in this case), or my creative process & observations about it (while maybe not everyone's cup of tea - perhaps there is a person or two in the Oliopolis readership that might have some level of interest); this would be a place to check out. I am somewhat ambitiously planning to post entries (ugh - another blog!!!) around once a week or so for the remainder of the creation of my Secret of HIM album. Topics will range from actual studio recording progress to musings about the creation of music/lyrics to other practical and/or philosophical considerations of album-making (choosing album art; how to credit songwriting if I wrote the song but maybe I'm incorporating some musical elements added by past fellow bandmates, etc.).
I think you can just go and check out the blog and read it whenever you want, anonymously. Alternately, you can actually subscribe to the blog to get a notice when it's updated. This option would require you to actually have a MySpace account - something I encourage you all to do......SO YOU CAN BE MY MYSPACE FRIEND!!! (think you may need the account in order to post comments, as well)
I've had a long-time dream to do updates of my recording process -which may or may not be of interest to friend. The idea behind is is sort of documentary-like in purpose. For anyone who has a curiosity about how music recording is done (albeit just one man's method, in this case), or my creative process & observations about it (while maybe not everyone's cup of tea - perhaps there is a person or two in the Oliopolis readership that might have some level of interest); this would be a place to check out. I am somewhat ambitiously planning to post entries (ugh - another blog!!!) around once a week or so for the remainder of the creation of my Secret of HIM album. Topics will range from actual studio recording progress to musings about the creation of music/lyrics to other practical and/or philosophical considerations of album-making (choosing album art; how to credit songwriting if I wrote the song but maybe I'm incorporating some musical elements added by past fellow bandmates, etc.).
I think you can just go and check out the blog and read it whenever you want, anonymously. Alternately, you can actually subscribe to the blog to get a notice when it's updated. This option would require you to actually have a MySpace account - something I encourage you all to do......SO YOU CAN BE MY MYSPACE FRIEND!!! (think you may need the account in order to post comments, as well)
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Evian, Anyone?
I’ve always thought drinking bottled water was about the most ridiculous, inexplicable phenomenon in modern popular culture and now I have some stats to prove it:
Minneapolis Star Tribune
By John Ewoldt
July 02, 2007
A wave of guilty bemusement washed over Tom Chochrek of Edina as he pulled a 12-pack of Ice Mountain off the shelf at Target. "It galls me that I buy it," he said. "I could get it cheaper from the tap, but that's not so practical in the car with the kids."
Why do so many Americans choose bottled water? Certainly convenience, but better taste and smell are reasons, too. Many Americans believe that bottled water not only tastes better, but contains fewer impurities. The labels soothe us with words such as "purified,"natural springs,"artesian" and even "wellness water." Who wouldn't want to drink liquid refreshment that comes from an aquifer deep within the Earth on a remote island? That sounds better than "from the river so murky you're afraid to swim or fish in it."
Still, in a blind, informal taste test in the newsroom, seven of eight tasters thought that Minneapolis tap water was equal to or better than Dasani, Ice Mountain or Fiji. Only one taster preferred the most expensive water from the island. Others said it was "so so,"flat" or "had an aftertaste." One reviewer was convinced that all four were the same.
In 2000, Lynne Rossetto Kasper of the Splendid Table radio show did a taste test comparing Dasani, Evian, Chippewa and Minneapolis tap water. Not only did Minneapolis tap win, but Kasper was sure that Evian was tap water.
What many buyers of bottled water may not know is that Coca-Cola (Dasani), Pepsi (Aquafina) or Nestle (Ice Mountain) don't have to release their water testing results to the public like municipalities do. Nor do they add fluoride to deter tooth decay, as most municipal water operations do.
Minneapolis, for example, tests its water for more than 100 contaminants. A new filtration system in Columbia Heights removes more impurities than are required for federal water quality standards. More than 500,000 residents, including Minneapolis, Golden Valley, Crystal, New Hope and Columbia Heights get water from its plant.
Buying a bottle of water at a convenience store for 79 cents may seem cheap, but a consumer can fill the same bottle 2,850 times at the price of Minneapolis water, according to the city's website. While many Americans moan about the price of gasoline, few seem to groan about the price of bottled water, which, if you're choosing Fiji's rectangular bottle, costs about $8.50 a gallon ($2.25 for a 1-liter bottle). In total, Americans spend about $11 billion yearly on bottled water.
###
The article has a 2nd part that goes on to discuss the amount of oil used to produce those disposable plastic bottles and how only 20% of them are recycled (a far lower percentage within the wall at my place of work, I might add). It also mentions that theres a growing movement of critics of the industry, pointing out the ethical sticky wicket of using all that energy to bottle, transport (transport of goods over long distances fast becoming my new issue of choice), and package this "fancy" water for US citizens, when there's lots of people in the world that would give anything for a plentiful supply of plain old halfway clean tap water.
IPO
So, seeing where the winds were blowing...last fall I started a MySpace page as an alternative to trying to maintain a website for my music. It will allow me to:
a) have a presence on the web that is accessible, free, and more or less on par, quality-wise, with anything else out there.
b) have all the features - from song uploads to message board to blog posting, to even calendar listings (should that ever be necessary) - that I would reasonably need in order to promote myself and reach out to a larger audience (larger being very relative, of course).
c) be a place where I can post regular updates on the recording process (provided recording is "regularly" happening), something that I've always thought would be a nice thing to do.
As readers of this blog are pretty well aware, sessions down in the studio have been at a premium. I'm ostensibly attempting to put together my first true solo album (have been for the past three years, in fact), but the realities of other personal pursuits and my family have left me with little time and energy left for the endeavor. This is painfully obvious as, if you check out this site, you'll see that my creation of this page was in Nov. 06. Granted, my intention was to not "go public" with it until I had something worthwhile to report, but certainly very little has happened until a very recent and intense burst of creative power and ambition. But I decided I might as well throw it out there now, so here it is: http://www.myspace.com/danhylton
I'm not sure if you need a MySpace account in order to post comments, or even in order to listen to songs, but low risk/high reward, I suppose, if you set one up.
The other thing is - I need to decide if I want this site to do anything other than promote my music. If I start doing a little more acting around, eventually, would it be weird to have it also be a page where I promote my stage appearances and so on? Or have an acting resume? I suppose it's the same low risk/high reward situation for me. Nothing I've ever done has ever really put me on the map, anyway, so I suppose I can afford to make up my own rules.
a) have a presence on the web that is accessible, free, and more or less on par, quality-wise, with anything else out there.
b) have all the features - from song uploads to message board to blog posting, to even calendar listings (should that ever be necessary) - that I would reasonably need in order to promote myself and reach out to a larger audience (larger being very relative, of course).
c) be a place where I can post regular updates on the recording process (provided recording is "regularly" happening), something that I've always thought would be a nice thing to do.
As readers of this blog are pretty well aware, sessions down in the studio have been at a premium. I'm ostensibly attempting to put together my first true solo album (have been for the past three years, in fact), but the realities of other personal pursuits and my family have left me with little time and energy left for the endeavor. This is painfully obvious as, if you check out this site, you'll see that my creation of this page was in Nov. 06. Granted, my intention was to not "go public" with it until I had something worthwhile to report, but certainly very little has happened until a very recent and intense burst of creative power and ambition. But I decided I might as well throw it out there now, so here it is: http://www.myspace.com/danhylton
I'm not sure if you need a MySpace account in order to post comments, or even in order to listen to songs, but low risk/high reward, I suppose, if you set one up.
The other thing is - I need to decide if I want this site to do anything other than promote my music. If I start doing a little more acting around, eventually, would it be weird to have it also be a page where I promote my stage appearances and so on? Or have an acting resume? I suppose it's the same low risk/high reward situation for me. Nothing I've ever done has ever really put me on the map, anyway, so I suppose I can afford to make up my own rules.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
