Quantum Foam: Rovestorm and Other Natural Disasters (The Best of the Boodle 2005)

Have a Happy Christmas and Merry Holidays Joel.

And that includes all you hardworking possibly lawbreaking eavesdroppers at the agency that does not exist. You know who we - you - are!

Happy Christmas and Merry Holidays!

Happy Hannukwanzamas to you.

Wow! I run over to catch the 2:45 PM showing of "King Kong" at the Uptown, and look at this...

Joel, you're right about the parentheses.

A safe and happy holiday to all, no matter how you celebrate it.

bc

From one who is the reciprocal of another:

Merry Xmas and "Happy Holidays" to

my idol, Ms. Achenfan

Happy grapefruit season. The big fruit trucks have returned to the local streets, after last year's absence caused by Jeanne. So the kids going back to Gainesville can take actual nutritious food with them.

Grapefruit season is my favorite time of the year. I miss my youth when for three months of the year, I could tiptoe barefoot through the frost and pick a fresh grapefruit off the tree for breakfast. Now I have to buy them from the gorcery store or find a charity doing Indian River Citrus as a fundraiser. The Honeybell Tangelos should be in season real soon too.

Merry Citrus Season!

parrotzmom - I've always heard it called Chrismahannukwannzakah, but Hannukwanzamas certainly rolls easily of the tongue (for those of us with tongues, I mean. I certainly don't intend to be dismissive of that brave and cruelly oppressed minority who struggle daily with the pain of living in a society that is not always mindful of the difficulties encountered by the tongue-less!).

SCC - "OFF the tongue ...", dammit. It rolls easily off the tongue. Sigh.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, etc...to everyone in Boodleland!

(Go SKINS!)

A very Happy Christmas to our doublewide queen.

Merry Christmas to everyone. And God bless President Bush and Vice-President Cheney who carry the whole weight of protecting us from evil. We could not have survived as a nation or as a people without their infinite understanding of terrorism and their capacity to locate terrorists where all others were blind.

We have eliminated Bin Laden ("dead or alive"). We have exterminated al-Zarkawi. We have destoyed the powerbase of the radical Muqtada al-Sadr and destroyed his militia. Now with the help of the NSA and our telecommunication industry we will root out the terrorists in our midst.

God Bless this Adminstration.

Santa just came early to Washington: the Redskins just kicked the Giants' butts, 35-20. All is bliss. (New York got is Christmas present yesterday, when the transit workers went back to work.)

Spent the afternoon watching the game with four grandchildren at oldest daughter's house. Now home and awaiting the arrival any moment of middle daughter and four more grandchildren. What could be better than that?

Merry whatever, everybody.

I hate being wrong, but the next best thing to being error-free is to be self-correcting [hence the popularity of the self-castigation club] The comments feature was in fact activated on April 11, not April 15 as I previously asserted. And from that first day, I nominate the following comment:

===============
The comment thing is just a phase. There is no way Joel keeps this going.
Posted by: Nikos | Apr 11, 2005 11:02:04 AM | Permalink
===============

For the record, here's Joel's column from tomorrow's Post magazine, a nice piece about the tradition of leaving cookies and milk for Santa.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/20/AR2005122001086.html

Welldone Reader

Oh , and , booo

late night
sleep tight

Santa's here
real soon

and He will be bring your wish

Latest news from the North Pole --

Thanks to the cooperation of certain American phone companies, Santa's list of who's naughty and who's nice has been intercepted and compromised by a certain administration. Santa's elves are scrutinizing the large number of iPods going to a certain address on Pennsylvania Ave in Washington D.C. despite allegation of torturing going on there. Santa's trip from the North Pole could be delayed significantly this year while the list is being doublechecked.

fraud

BOOO

and a merry seasons greeting happy holiday shout out to all

It's the night before Christmas
And the Boodle is dark
But I think I will post this
As kind of a lark
I know I don't post much
Till after four-thirty
But I still read the Boodle
(Unless it gets wordy)
I wish to you all
A fine Christmas Day
(And this includes those
Who don't swing that way)
To Nani, and Tim, and to Achenfan
To Mo and to Sara
And that guy from Siam
To Loomis, JW, BC and DR
To Cowtown, Curmudgeon,
(whoever you are)
And to all the rest
Whose names I won't list
I read all your posts
(Except those that I've missed)
So goodnight to all.
(Gosh, look at the clock!)
And Peace to all fans
Of Joel Achenbach

Curmudgeon -- thanks for the link to Joel's lovely little story, and RD Padouk, thank you for the verse!

RD Padouk,
You *must* write and rhyme with us more often! A splendid effort and a jolly good read.

Latest news from the North Pole --

Due to the lack of time and the need for Santa's flight to begin on time, all allocations of iPods to the Washington D.C. area and its vicinity has been redirected to New Orleans and nearby parishes. Santa's list has been frozen to prevent further tampering. Mrs. Santa has declared all future communications between Santa and his elves in North America will be transported directly by reindeers bypassing the phone network there. In the mean time this matter has been referred to St. Patrick, the special prosecutor in St. Peter's Court, for further investigation.

Breaking news from the North Pole --

Santa's flight has begun!

nomination for Best of Boodle to RD Padouk's Dec 24, 2005 9:32:29 PM

RD Pad... Good golly [we can safely assume that I had a less generally acceptable expository exclamation in mind, originally!] that was HOT!! Ya'd think that the last few days of the year was a little late to have one of the best posts of the year, but you dunnit!

RD Padouk,

Awesome! What a fine Christmas present this morning. Thanks!

My nominations for best post of the year:
RD Padouk's lovely Night Before Christmas poem:
http://blogs.washingtonpost.com/achenblog/2005/12/quantum_foam_ro.html#c12334289

Bill the ivory-billed woodpecker - showed me how fun the comments could be. Sadly, we haven't heard from Bill lately (typical of the species, I guess):
http://blogs.washingtonpost.com/achenblog/2005/04/ivory_billed_wo.html#c5284177

CowTown, writing as DarkCow in his first (I believe) foray into fiction:
http://blogs.washingtonpost.com/achenblog/2005/08/surviving_calif.html#c8625763

American in Siam - a political discourse:
http://blogs.washingtonpost.com/achenblog/2005/11/coffee_at_carbu.html#c11312779

kurosawaguy - I was looking for his profound comment recently about what we learned from Vietnam, but I can't locate it. This very funny story will have to do:
http://blogs.washingtonpost.com/achenblog/2005/08/surviving_calif.html#c8625763
http://blogs.washingtonpost.com/achenblog/2005/12/the_annual_chri.html#c12193933

Very hard to choose! jw's baseball game with Gene W is too hard to confine to one comment (see the Joel-Be-Gone Kit starting on Aug 5 and ending some weeks later). And Sara's description of why Steinbeck makes her thirsty is one of my favorites, too, but I couldn't find it...

RD Padouk,

That's such a hoot! Thank you!

A very Merry and Happy Christmas and frohliche Weihnachten to you all!

Or frohliche Weingarten, if you are so inclined.

Happy Boxing Day.

I would like to see a joint award to Science Tim and Curmudgeon for their posts on Titan. Anytime Science and Art can get together should be cause for celebration.

Also - thanks for the kind words on my poem.

Dec 24 29:32 rapaoudouk poem, though nicely done, is yet another sign that the dominant fraction of this blog, if not growing, is self absorbed, self-congratulating and lovingly onanistic with re to themselves.
God save the queen.

Why not a paen to the great unwashed, the millions victimized by eavesdropping without warrants, the untold tens of thousands of Iraqi civilians slaughtered (30k figure is a joke)?

I tried to write such a poem, but couldn't find anything to rhyme with "surveillance"

RDP

You have talent. Was not really hoping you individually would take this on. Best wishes.

I want to nominate kurosawaguy's post about how working in the emergency room influenced him to be in favor of gun control. But while I was looking for that, I came across this one that I think also deserves to be nominated:

http://blogs.washingtonpost.com/achenblog/2005/06/solving_our_ira.html#c6209881

RD, there is indeed a cadence to surveillance. Your poem was wonderful, and you get my vote, early and often.

Happy New Year, all and sundry, jointly and severally.

Got a kick out of 'hannukawanzamas' a few (quite a few) posts back.

I applaud the idea of a "lurker week" or "lurker day" some time in the new year. Of course I have no idea how to get back to any particular blog after posting there and signing off -- sort of like Bertie Wooster trying to keep house for himself.

"Oh, Jeeves....."

And by the way I wanted to also wish everyone who is 'listening' as happy a hannukawanzamas as they can stand!

SCC - realized I cut and pasted the wrong permalink to kurosawaguy's plumbing adventure - should be:
http://blogs.washingtonpost.com/achenblog/2005/12/the_annual_chri.html#c12193901

Blorph.

lurker K-10, the Kit and Kaboodles are archived:
http://blogs.washingtonpost.com/achenblog/archives.html

And they have the snazzy permalinks. But what we need is an index, I'm afraid - or a good search engine. Where is Jeeves?

Welcome Lurker K-10

nomination for Worst of Boodle to temecula'sbabe Dec 26, 2005 8:48:03 AM

OK, I'm going to break a personal rule I made after the one and only time I posted to (a suspected) 'loper, that I would not ever respond or address a (suspected) 'loper, and address all (suspected) 'lopers (and the rest of the boodlers as well) with this:

I would like to create a new "best of" category: "Most Creative Use Of Too Much Time On One's Hands" MCUOTMTOOH (TM).

I think the 'loper wins this hands down, forever and always.

And most creative creation: the AchenDictionary. (that should be a term in the AD, if it isn't already (I'm to lazy at the moment (on dial-up) to check).

And mostlylurking made me laugh with that Blorph comment at 1:50:03 PM.

And yeah babie, I'll take a double of Blorph right now...

And welcome all true lurkers...

I also want to post a tribute to mo, TA, and any-all others who helped compile the AD, and to all of us who helped coin the terms that went into it.

Of course you all know my two favorites (I'm too lazy to verify the veracity of my own statement at the moment):

Blorph: by LP in response to me posting Jim Beam.

And

Boddle: an SCC by yours truly, which with the assistance and clarification from Achenfan took on a life of it's own.

I'd just like to clarify one thing: the boddle SCC post was on the "Den of Darkness" blog, which I think makes me the first person to invoke the SCC rules on a blog other than the Achenblog.

How's that, five posts in a row without a BOOO. Happy Boxing Day to all (or is that Merry Boxing Day?).

quadruple hat trick without an SCC

boy oyoh boy, talk about BlogHogging.

quintuple H-T

The "best of..." awards would be shockingly incomplete without an award to bc for his Harriet Miers withdrawl letter to President Bush.

Also, I propose an award category for "best nonsequitar one-liner," which should go to opus's post of Dec. 23,, 1:54:23, as follows: "My sexual preference is flightless waterfowl."

Yes, yes, Curmudgeon.

mostly lurking - As part of a project I was working on, I have the Kits & 'boodles saved in a large MSWord file (current through approximately last week - no point in trying to keep up with boodles that are still being commented upon), and that same file broken into smaller files of approximately 0.5 MB each, for easier e-mailing. It's not a true archive, as I update it from the on-line archives periodically, which means that any post-editing done by Joel & Hal gets incorporated into my file, but it's still pretty complete. Since MSWord has a search function, and the whole thing can be converted into a text file for more advanced search techniques, it might be of interest to someone(s).

I know that there are auto-indexing tools available, I just haven't practiced using any of them. But, again, it's a searchable file of pretty much the whole Kit & Kaboodle.

Thanks 'Curmy',

I'll throw it back at you:
The story of your arm falling asleep still sticks in my head as one of the best...

CowTown has given us several fine fictional offerings. If not singularly worthy of awards, they do surely deserve recognition.

Having just gone through the top-secret verification system here, I'd also like to offer my thanks to all the automated robots out there.

Bob S, your archive system sounds commendable. Hmmm, what project would that be - data mining the boodle? You don't work for one of those agencies, do you?

Bayou Self, CowTown has style and flair. I was looking for the story set in Japan, with Ninja squirrels (if I recall correctly), but couldn't find it. Bob S, if you could come up with the date - sometime in August, I think, as Cow San. And there was one featuring a Woodward-like character in a parking garage.

As I said, there are many fine comments from many boodlers.

Best of Boodle (BoB?) nomination to Nani for her story about meeting her future husband. I'm sure Bob could find that BoB.

Bob S.--

If you email me those files, I'll do an index. (You can save them as text first if it makes it easier.)

If I am allowed, I couldn't help but vote for Nanni's story as the best of the boodle.

Oh Cassandra S, I've been watching for you for weeks. Your return is a gift.

May I please make a double nomination? (1)Curmudgeon for all of his song parodies - he's the Robin Williams of the Boodle and (2) CowTown for those great stories (such visions in my head!) Gosh, it's hard to limit the nominations isn't it? - (3)kurosawaguy's story about the old fellow building a dam was such a good one.

No computer at home so I didn't get to wish all a Merry Christmas. Mine was heaven on earth, spent with children, g-children and gg-baby.

And once again, thank you to ot for offering to take photos of Alsace-Lorraine (my father's birthplace).

Have you folks seen this story? I think this makes me as angry and disgusted as anything I've read in quite a while:

Fraud Alleged at Red Cross Call Centers
Contract Workers in Calif. Stole From Katrina Aid Program, Indictments Say

By Jacqueline L. Salmon
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, December 27, 2005; A02

"Nearly 50 people have been indicted in connection with a scheme that bilked hundreds of thousands of dollars from a Red Cross program to put cash into the hands of Hurricane Katrina victims, according to federal authorities.

"Seventeen of the accused worked at the Red Cross claim center in Bakersfield, Calif., which handled calls from storm victims across the country and authorized cash payments to them. The others were the workers' relatives and friends, prosecutors said last week.

"The scam came to light when Red Cross officials noticed that a suspiciously high number of people were picking up Red Cross money at Western Union outlets near the Bakersfield center, even though few evacuees were in the area.

"The Red Cross called law enforcement authorities. Forty-nine people in the Bakersfield area have been indicted in the past three months for filing false claims with the center."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/26/AR2005122600654_pf.html

I think we need a new award category for the most outrageous asskisser of the booodle.
Only problem with this is that there is no competition among all the ~sycophants. One stands above the rest in posts readable from sea to shining sea, from dawn to dusk.
It's so bad she wears a special attachment on her mask.

I started compling a list of favorites from the beginning of the year, and completely filled a page with links.

And I haven't even gotten through Spring of 05 yet.

I don't know whether to raise the bridge or lower the river...

bc

Quick rhyming note for RD,
off the top of my head I'd consider rhyming the following with surveillance: covalence, valence, governance, impudence, incompetence, incontinence, three point stance, any kind of dance, pants (that one's got lots of amusing possibilites), askance...

But that's just me, my standards are not terribly high.

If you're still in the mood to finish your poem, I'd like to hear it.

bc

another rhyme: Jack Palance (more or less)

omniall, et. al.

I have one of our special messages to exchange. Meet you at the usual place.

o

...Sundance, effervescence, smarty-pants, Gregorian chants, song-n-dance.

ants in my pants

bonus points for internal rhyme

Mudge,
The story about fraud at the hurricane call center isn't new. Thanks for the link to the latest reporting of it at the Washington Post website.

ABCNews television did a report on it a week or so ago, maybe as early as the start of this month. The even sadder news for me is that this hurricane-call-center fraud ring was operating out of my hometown, Bakersfield, Calif.

This whole Boodle awards thing at the end of the year has me bamboozled--as all who have posted have made contributions both large and small. Two thoughts that have been swirling around in my 'noggin (along with the egg nog):

Some credit ought to be given to those that have *inspired* a great deal of the Boodling this year. My first choice award goes to George W. Bush. Of course, of course, of course, Joel, too. And perhaps Hall the Schemer for enabling the Comments capability in the first place.

The Actions Speak Louder than Words Award:
(This award has much to do with why I chose my husband over another beau.)

As bc himself wrote (to me) about the Festivus gifts he distributed:

"As far as how I got the books: I came up the the idea of giving them as
Festivus gifts at the December BPH, and simply contacted Joel at WaPo and told him what I'd like to do. We discussed and arrived at a fair solution. We met for coffee and an 'exchange of prisoners', he signed the books on the trunk of my car as I put them in the back seat. He's a very nice guy."

So, I nominate bc in this Actions Speak Louder than Words category.

Three cheers for bc

Hip hip hooray
Hip hip hooray
Hip hip hooray

Missed the ABC report-- news on TV tends to depress me more than news in print, and not real fond of ABC, either. And I tend to get home from work after the network news, and given a choice between news and Jon Stewart, I usually pick Stewart. But thanks.

Instead of "bamboozled," perhaps you are just "bamboodled"?

Cassandra S, welcome back! We've missed you!

Linda Loo, it's true - the boodle fabric has many threads, and of course I love the silly little comments as much as the profound. Your contributions are in a class by themselves. Speaking of which, thanks again for the pancake recipe, which I must print before it gets lost in the great morass of boodles past.

And thanks for the story of how bc got the Achenbooks. I was curious. What a great idea! (Gosh, I hope Joel didn't charge him too much!)

mostlylurking - Yes, the tale involving the intrepid news writer meeting a source in a garage, with a recurring theme of coffee, was indeed a fine one. But that was cranked out by one of Professor CowTown's students, as part of the world-famous CarBucks boodle.

Let's see if I can make this Permalink thing work ...

http://blogs.washingtonpost.com/achenblog/2005/11/coffee_at_carbu.html#c11272543

I'm gettin' all Achembareassed over here, Linda and omni.

mostlylurking, Joel was more than fair - I'd call it generous - with me, and I'm quite happy with how the whole thing turned out.

bc

Thanks for setting the record straight, Bayou Self. "Follow the coffee" - ha! And CowTown gave you an A. Well done.

hello fellow boodlers!!!! i survived xmas with the family in the country with no computer! and let me tell you, with MY family, that's no small feat! i hope everyone had a wonderful holiday celebration!
RD - that was a GREAT poem (maybe cuz i was in it? *grin*) very imaginative!
i too wanna vote for cowtown's ninja squirrel story (will try to find)... snarky squirrel actually had some good posts too... i still can't get the image of a squirrel typing outta my head!

hey, mo--

Feliz Navidad to you--glad you got through the holiday in good "spirits."

bc, I think it was cool Joel met you for coffee! (I'm thinking I'll have to start using Kurt Vonnegut's device of writing "I'm kidding" to clarify when I'm trying to be funny.)

mo, congrats on surviving. I think maybe the Ninja squirrel story could have been in September, when Joel actually wrote about being in Japan...

Aha - found it - Cow San's excellent story set in Japan (apparently I made up the Ninja squirrels - at least he didn't use that phrase):
http://blogs.washingtonpost.com/achenblog/2005/08/message_in_the_.html#c8883637

Blowdart Squirrels would be a good name for a rock band.

the image I recall is of squirrels being shot out of a cannon (circus style) wearing little squirrel helmets.

One Christmas my dad came home with a Christmas tree that had been spray painted **pink**. Mother wouldn't let him unload it from the car and demanded that he return it at once for the traditional green. Poor dad, "But honey, I thought you'd like it".

I would have gone with "Mad Squirrels and Englishmen."

I think Nani's post about Mr. Nani and the drive-in movies is absolutely the Best. It is the best piece of non-Joel writing this blog has seen.

I'd like to see the perennially angry person or persons who write as FachenA, goombah, goombahgirl, mike, Bob (without an S.), etc., write an Autobiography as Haiku piece, like what Nani wrote spontaneously. I'd like to know the source of the rage and contempt. If you despise the people who regularly frequent this blog, why not go someplace that doesn't have people you hate?

Maybe that should be a Boodle resolution: write an Autobiography as Haiku piece for each handle you use.

I liked Gene Weingarten's piece about the Aleutian town at the end of nowhere. The only problem with it is that I think we adjust our value scale in judging it, because we are familiar with Gene's writing and so we esteem it even more highly because we understand the depth of his emotion in being moved to write non-humorously. It's not a fair comparison against those who always write non-humorously, because we don't allow them extra points. It's still a damn fine piece of writing.

this is the one that made me chuckle!
http://blogs.washingtonpost.com/achenblog/2005/08/appropriately_n.html#c8274154

(hey, i'm kinda liking those permalinks!)

reader - you have NO idea how ironic your post is with the Feliz Navidad and *spirits*... HAH!

My grandmother passed away yesterday morning at the age of ninety-six. When my youngest brother got married (a little less than three years ago) she was pretty lively at the reception, pointing out that, "I probably won't live long enough to see another grandchild get married, so I'd better have fun tonight!"

I'm going to miss her a lot, more than I've figured out how to accept just yet.

A piece from today's WaPo brought her attitude to mind:

-- As he strapped into his binding at 12,840 feet, a chin-pierced snowboarder named Jay offered his generation's highest term of approbation for the newly opened terrain: "This is way burly, dude. I'm going for major air up here." --

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/26/AR2005122600601.html

[If the connection doesn't make much sense to anyone, not to worry. I'm out of town, and didn't have to work yesterday or today, and have spent most of that time anaesthetizing myself with alcohol. I'm sure I'll be over it soon.)

mo, I think reader knew exactly what she meant: a non innuendo double entendre I think (at least that's how I read it: "spirits" in quotes).

ah me, the worst time to boodle out of order. I'm truly sorry to hear of your loss Bob S. I'll go now to drink a shot in her memory and spend a moment in silence.

,

my condolences bob s.! it's impossible to know what to say but know that you always have the boodle! a drink to her memory!

Thank you, omni. I reckon it's bearable, but boy, these things sure do sting sometimes!

Good night all!

Bob S.,

I'm glad you wrote about your grandmother in the 'boodle. My mom died last summer and I found, quite by accident, an incredibly beautiful thing my nephew wrote about her the night she died. He had posted it on a forum he visits often. It was such a great tribute that he had written, but even nicer were the kind things that total strangers had said to him about it.

I'm very sorry about your grandmother, Bob S. I know you must have loved her a lot and I'm glad that you had so many years to get to know her. It sounds like she was one heck of a woman!

TBG

Do us all big favor and give us the gift that keeps on giving.....End this BLOG for good!!!!

It stinks.....

I'd just like to say that if you have some permas that need linking, Permalink is definitely the way to go.

Bob S., your grandmother's longevity is proof that her family gave her many happy times and memories. I'm so sorry for your loss.

My nomination for the best WP column in 2005 is The Thread that Unraveled Segregation written by Wil Haygood. I hope this is the right link (don't you just type in the http address at the top of the page?):

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp.dyn/
content/article/2005/10/25/AR20051025001700/html.

Oh dear, that link doesn't work and I'm relatively new to computers and the internet. If anyone has the time and inclination, would you please assist by supplying the right link? The article appeared in the 10/25/05 WP, written by Wil Haygood.

This link might work

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/25/AR2005102501700.html

Bob S., I'm very sorry to hear about your Grandma. It sounds like she had a good, long life and that's about all any of us can hope for.

I got "The Princess Bride" on DVD for Christmas!

Thanks so much omnigood. Joel and boodlers, my nomination is the link in omnigood's Dec 28, 2005 9:45:48 AM post.

hmmm... slow day in the boodle... i guess this is indeed the Great Darkness...

sure is.....zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Hey, slow is OK, it'll give me time to finish up some paperwork...and to continue my scan of the past year's K&K.

bc

I may use my Best Buy gift card to buy "Beetlejuice" on DVD.

All of the old VHS tapes are falling apart!

I was going to suggest that something good came out of the Dark Ages, but the Middle Ages weren't exactly Ages of Wonderfulness (pros: Magna Carta. cons: Crusades), either.

bc

Monty Python and the Holy Grail took place during the Dark Ages. From it, we learned that supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some
farcical aquatic ceremony.

Just a thought.

Note to Upper Management:

Please, (please, please) lower the thermostat--and, if it's not too much trouble, please activate the emergency overhead sprinklers at your earliest convenience.

(Texas looking like it'll have the ninth driest year on record. Hasn't been this dry since 1956--although the 1999 record is awfully darn close. Yesterday set a record at 82 degrees. Also yesterday, raging fires rampant across the state.)

I thought supreme executive power derived from conquest.

I lost my furnace just before Thanksgiving and finally got it replaced three and a half weeks later. I think we had one of the coldest Decembers on record in the northeast.
Great climate for penquins, not humans.
I could have used some of that heat, LL!

I may be an ancestor of Ms. Loomis!

bc writes:
"I was going to suggest that something good came out of the Dark Ages, but the Middle Ages weren't exactly Ages of Wonderfulness (pros: Magna Carta. cons: Crusades), either."

Don't get me started, bc...You make me very tempted to do a compare/contrast with George W. and his distant great-uncle Richard I (The Lionheart). Perhaps not as easy to use this literary device with Salah al-din and Saddam.

One of the copies of the Magna Carta will be coming here to the United States in 2015 to tour--on the 800th year of its signing. I plan to be around and assist/participate in any way I possibly can.

Charlemagne writes:
I may be an ancestor of Ms. Loomis!

With all due respect, sir, you are my ancestor.

As I suspected. My apologies for not being more certain.

I will be sure to say hello to my Grandpappy for you. I always loved his nickname: "The Hammer".

exactly 'mudge! you can't expect to wield supreme executive power just 'cause some watery tart threw a sword at you!

'cmon, where's the "watery tart" line?

Linda, I think somewhere in the past couple of months of boodling I'd referred to George W the Lyin'hearted, and you had mentioned W's relationship to Richard I (which I did find amusing).

I can see it now: "The Google Magna Carta World Tour 2015, brought to you by Microsoft and WalMart."

I wonder if they can double bill Magna Carta with Spinal Tap. Think how cool it would be to have Spinal Tap playing "Stonehenge" with the 1/12 scale set and The Document as the centerpiece, with the, er, vertically challenged dudes running around in chain mail and Middle ages gear...

bc

hah! bc booo'd...

A BOO on me.

mo nailed the watery tart.

bc

Crap. DOUBLE BOO.

bc

HAHA! woulda gotten it in sooner but my computer took a dump... obviously i'm back up now... i hate when that happens...

I've been over at the dilbertblog, and I thought this was funny, in a non-Achenblog sort of way:

"All I ask from life is that I be slightly less miserable than the people who hate me. I call that winning."
--Scott Adams

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As Joel says, quite accurately, we're "up" people here.

========

And that reminds me of "Up With People"--anybody else remember them? This is the theme song--my parents had the album: "Up, up with people, you meet 'em wherever you go. Up, up with people, they're the best kind of folks we know! If more people were for people, all people everywhere, there'd be a lot less people to worry about and a lot more people who care!!"

There is a clue here somewhere, to why it is cool to be negative. Positive people, cheerful people, serenely optimistic people, have to contend with this sort of "art" purporting to represent their views, whereas the terminally morose have all kinds of geniuses working on a beautiful expression of the utter meaninglessness of existence. I haven't come close to figuring this out, but it's one of my Big Questions.

Just rambling, here, since it's such a slooooowwww day.

Sir, I served with Charlemagne, I knew Charlemagne, Charlemagne was a friend of mine. Sir, you are no Charlemagne.

yeah, we are up people. up with people catches the spirit.

up yours?
shut up?
wazup?
wakeup?

Up with Bush? Up with this fershlugginer blog?

And I can assure you, Charlemagne had no friends!

"slightly less miserable than the people who hate me" -- Ha! Reminds me of this:

"Living well is the best revenge."

-- George Herbert, English clergyman & metaphysical poet (1593-1633)

Which reminds me of this:

"Those who seek revenge should dig two graves."

-- Chinese proverb

[Speaking of which, Joel might need a grave after what he's just done -- posted a Kit without enabling comments!]

New Kit, sort of. No boodle allowed!

Reader,

I indeed remember Up with People. (And I've never been completely successful in getting that damn tune out of my head, thankyewverymuch.) We hosted several of them at our house when I was growing up. We did that for two or three years. They would come in, spend a night or two, then move on to the next city. They were very nice folks and I don't recall them being particularly Pollyanna-ish. I think they just needed the job. I remember one of them trying to light his cigarette and having some trouble - he put the tobacco end in his mouth and tried to light the filter. It took him a few moments to realize what he was doing wrong. It was a tiring gig for them.

BOO on me, Ms. Dreamer already mentioned it...

Reader, that's a great observation. I get accused of being negative, but I think of it as being realistic. I went to an Up With People show more than 30 years ago with my Dad (my idea). He enjoyed it and I survived. I have no specific memories of songs they did - but technically they performed well.

I'd much prefer to listen to the blues - why does that make you feel so good?

Imagine the frustration of not being allowed to post a comment on one's own blog! Wow.

On the other hand, if TypePad thinks he's a robot, well, I will entertain the possibility. Remember that great story from I, Robot about the guy who was running for office and his opponent started the rumor that he was a robot? Has anyone ever SEEN Joel eat? or sleep?

Hmmm...

I ran into a quote a few weeks ago I liked, to the effect that "No happy person ever created art." But now I can't find it. Ring any bells with anybody?

Reader,

Tim Page, the current classical music reviewer for The Post, makes a similar point in his appreciaition of Joe McLellan, his predecessor:

I met Joe in 1982, at a music critics conference in Santa Fe, N.M. I was part of a contingent of junior writers and there we all were, impatient and omniscient and convinced that we would be in our twenties forever. I remember tearing apart what seemed to me a less-than-meticulously played chamber music recital, much taken with my own cleverness, until I saw Joe shaking his head mournfully. "All of that may be true," he said, "but you never convey any sense that the Brahms clarinet quintet is something pretty special." It was a pivotal moment in my professional education, and I began to grow up.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/27/AR2005122701311.html

Thanks for that link, pj. Good article.

Reader, If memory serves and with no disrespect in the slightest degree, the Up With People music and lyrics were too bland to be enjoyable. And the "people" themselves all looked alike, perfect. I enjoy "up" people but quirky folks are more fun; folks with imperfect features more interesting. mo and kurosawaguy discussed in a past boodle why most, but not all, great artists, authors, musicians, etc., had such dark sides and troubled lives. Poe, Tennessee Williams, Joyce, Richard Pryor (I loved him so much), Brando to name a few.

For those interested in King Arthur in a non-Python way (I know, no fun at all), there's the book by Roger Sherman Loomis titled, "Arthurian Literature in the Middle Ages."

(Roger Sherman Loomis is the son of Rev. Henry Loomis, who introduced the Japanese persimmon into California, as I mentioned in a Boodle during the time that Joel was touring California. I also doublechecked this in the Loomis genealogy tome moments ago.)

Excerpt:
Nothing is certain about the historical Arthur, not even his existence; however, there are certain possibilities, even probabilities. There may have been a supreme British comander of genius in the late fifth century who bore the Roman-derived name of Arthur, though it would be wrong to deduce anything about his background from the name. There is little reason to think that he held any definite sub-Roman office, whether Dux Bellorum or otherwise, and his supposed cavalry tactics are an illusion. If we grant his existence, it seems certain that his enemies were the English, and not indeed impossible that he also fought the Picts and perphaps traitorous Britons too; but there is no ground for holding that he belonged exclusively or even predominntly to the North, whereas there is definite reason to think his greatest victory was in Wessex."

http://www.britannia.com/history/historan.html

Apprently, Mr. Loomis was fairly prolific:

Loomis, Roger Sherman, 'Arthurian Tradition and Chretien de Troyes', (New York, Columbia University Press [1949]).

Loomis, Roger Sherman, 'Arthurian legends in medieval art' (London, Oxford University Press; New York, Modern Language Association of America, 1938).

Loomis, Roger Sherman, 'Arthurian literature in the Middle Ages': a collaborative history (Oxford, Clarendon Press, 1959).

Loomis, Roger Sherman, 'Celtic myth and Arthurian romance' (New York, Columbia University Press, 1927, reprints).

Loomis, Roger Sherman, 'Wales and the Arthurian legend' (Cardiff, University of Wales Press, 1956).

Loomis, Roger Sherman, 'The Grail: from Celtic Myth to Christian Symbol' (Princeton: Princeton U. Press, 1991. ISBN 0-691-02075-2.)

Beatrix Potter was pretty unhappy until she married. then as I recall she quit writing and illustrating and devoted herself to home and garden and husband and had a dandy time of it.

Beatrix Potter's stories seem like they were written by an unhappy person, and I for one do not believe they are suitable for children. The cute little furries wear clothes and talk, and get killed and eaten on a regular basis!

(I'm only half serious here. I did in fact read all her stories to my little one, but only once, and we read Winnie the Pooh over and over.)

Even Scott Adams, creater of "Dilbert," has a funny dark side. My husband over the years has had the opportunity to attend CMG (Computer Measurement Group) conferences. I usually tagged along. But he hasn't been to those conferences in some time now.

Sometime in the early 90s, the year's CMG was in San Diego. The band that played was Three Dog Night. But for another night's entertainment during the conference, the powers that organized its evening activities chose not another big-name band, but elected to have Scott Adams speak to the group. Excellent thinking on their part.

The highlight was seeing those Dilbert strips that editors saw fit to reject for print (including the little devil)--and to listen to Scott Adams explain the reasons why. Priceless!

I read and enjoyed "The Discovery of King Arthur" by the British historian Geoffrey Ashe many years ago, and found the speculation about a Roman or Roman-era "Arthur" (Riothamus, or something like that) very interesting.

In a completely different vein, I am a (huge) fan of British mystery/spy story novelist Anthony Price, one of whose mysteries is called "Our Man in Camelot" and concerns modern-day counterintelligence officer/hero Dr. David Audley's need to find the site of Arthur's famous battle of Badon Hill. The novel is salted with much Arthurian lore.

(For fans of the genre, I cannot recommend too much Price's award-winning "Other Paths to Glory," which I would rate as the third-best spy novel ever written.)

pj, that was a beautiful article. After reading it, I regret my negative post about the Up With People folks. I miss Tim Page's online chat. I remember particularly his review of Streetcar Named Desire, the opera version that was shown on PBS back in the 90s. Did you happen to see/hear the opera? Wasn't it strange?

When Desson Thomson's film review is negative, he always finds something good to say and when he really has to zing a film, he does it wittily and gently. Mr. Hunter can be downright cruel at times.

Oh, Beatrix Potter had a lousy time of it as a youngster. Her parents were Vile Victorians- children seen and not heard and all that. She was generally isolated and marginalized for being female until she began to publish her books and made her own money. Her father opposed her engagement to her publisher because he was unsuitable. He earned his income by working! The horror! She was a close observer of nature and no mean scientist,but here again she was hampered by gender bias. She resisted this treatment all her young life and once her fortune was made she dumped her parents and lived the life she chose for herself as a farmer and wife. I love her stuff as period pieces and for the artwork. We read them all to our chicklet with no ill effects.

I remember the Peter Rabbit story from my childhood with great fondness - and loving the pictures (that mean Farmer McGregor!). Winnie the Pooh was a bit too much of a sissy for me, and Mister Rogers was too goody-goody. I loved the cutting humor of Bullwinkle. With my own child, though, Winnie the Pooh was a favorite, and he watched Mister Rogers till he was well into his teens. So I grew to love them too...

I recall enjoying "The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle" as a child. (As for whether there were any ill effects, the jury's still out.)

Curmudgeon, so what are the #1 and #2 best spy novels? I love Le Carre (how do I get an accent mark?!?), so he'd probably fill out my top ten.

Nani, if you find Stephen Hunter cruel, you definitely want to stay away from this guy-
http://www.mrcranky.com/
Personally, I like a good earth scorching when it's well deserved. Good films are hard to find, and at $10 a pop I can't afford to waste my time on non-starters.
If you like foreign films and non conventional films, try Kontroll, a Hungarian film about people who live their whole lives in the subway. You''ll find it on the Dark Allegory shelf at the video store, after the Action Without Purpose and before the Gratuitous Sex.

My mother always claimed that Theadore Geisel (Dr. Zuess) was the worst thing to ever happen to the literary upbringing of the children of my generation.

Still, the Grinch is my favorite holiday story.

Joel better be careful what he wishes for vis a vis his picture at the top of this page. Did you see what happened to Jay Matthews?

SCC: Theodore

I saw Memoirs of a Geisha yesterday, with not very high expectations - and it lived up to them! It's a beautiful costume drama, rich in detail, but the story is not so satisfying. I mean, it was hard for me to cheer for someone whose only ambition was to get the man of her dreams (no offense to men, romantics, or geishas intended). I'm halfway through the book - maybe there's more to it than what came through on the screen.

Ha ha, kurosawaguy! Looks like Mr. Cranky is cheating a little, though, by choosing to review only those films that are likely to make him cranky -- e.g., the current list is The Ringer, Cheaper by the Dozen 2, and The Family Stone. Well, I guess it wouldn't be much fun if he actually *liked* the films.

["I may not have PhD in 'feelm,' but I know what I don't like!"

--Mr. Cranky, in one of his lighter moments

Ha!]

[Oh, and I just love his "proof that Jesus died in vain" rating]

My personal favorite Mr. Cranky review was of the Spice Girls movie, Spice World. He gave it three words- "No f-----g way!"
I should add that those who eschew profanity, vulgarity, and crudity should probably eschew the Crankster also.

Actually kurosawaguy, I want to broaden my film horizon and have been waiting for you to return so I could ask which of Kurosawa's films you recommend I see first. Or does it matter? I do enjoy independent and non conventional films.

Have you seen Scarlet Street? Mention Edward G. Robinson and everyone thinks "gangster" movies (Awright you guys, okay you guys, let's go you guys!). Scarlet Street is a little known film that displays Robinson's greater acting skills. He plays a meek timid bank clerk who dreams of being an artist. He has a cruel, nagging controlling wife who ridicules his artistic nature. He happens upon, rescues and falls in love with "Kitty" a damsel seemingly in distress. Hilarity does not ensue. Dan Duryea is priceless as Kitty's sleazy boyfriend.

So I guess Mr. Cranky belongs to the dark, troubled, it's-cool-to-be-negative school of creative types. He probably thinks Up With People [or is it *the* Up With People? (I hate to include superfluous "the"s)] STINK!! [Or should that be STINKS!!? Whatever. Stink, stank, stunk.]

mostlylurking, if Gene Weingarten is the humor expert who will brook no dissent on his opinions, I am the same about spy novels: I am right and anyone who disagrees is wrong. In your case, you'll be more than delighted to know the number one all-time best spy novel is (of course) Le Carre's "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy." The all-time number two is Le Carre's "A Small Town in Germany"--highly underrated by many, but that's true of many other things as well. I've no doubt you concur.

(One could argue that number one ought to be the entire Karla trlogy, of which TTSS is the first volume, and there's considerable merit to this argument. The distinction is purely definitional, with the "best" book being a single stand-alone volume. Yes, the trilogy itself taken as a whole dwarfs all other competition, kind of the way Shakespeare as a whole dwarfs all his competition, too. But the Karla trilogy has to be read in sequence, else volumes two and three don't make much sense. And of course if you read them out of order, the identity of the mole in TTSS is revealed in Honorable Schoolboy and Smiley's People--which would then utterly ruin TTSS is you didn't read it first. But going head to head, ASTIG is better than THS or SP. The opening chapter of TTSS with the student Bill watching as Jim Prideaux arrives at the school and sets up his motor home just knocks me out every time. And Le Carre's use of off-stage characters, such as Ann and Leo Harting, is practically a graduate seminar in how-to-write-a-novel.)

Read Le Carre's "Absolute Friends" this past summer and enjoyed it very much, too. Would rate it above his last four or five books (all except the last thre or four pages, anyway).

I know "The Spy Who Came in From the Cold" tends to get all the attention, but I think it's overrated.

If you like Le Carre, you'll probably like Anthony Price, too. Very cerebral, very little shoot-em-up. Prince, too, is very instructive, because although Dr. Audley is the "hero" of very one of the 20 or so books, Prince changes the P.O.V. in every book, and Audley himself often doesn't even appear until halfway through some of them, or stays in the background far longer than any comparable novelist hero tends to. Very interesting. (Also, you don't have to read him in any sequence, but I'd recommend "Other Paths to Glory" first, and then in any order, "Gunner Kelly," "The Old Vengeful" then "Our Man in Camelot." Audley's wife is interesting, and she makes her first appearance very early in the series in "The Labyrinth Makers." Some have praised "Sion Crossing," but of the 20 it is my least favorite.

Favorite foreign films seen this year:

The 2003 Hungarian film "Zelery"

The 2004 French film "Les Choristes" (The Choir)

Not sure what I'd pick for 2005...

SCC: Price, not Prince. Not even the novelist formerly known as Prince.

Memo to self: have fingers fixed.

Oh Nani, this is the high hard one on the inside corner. Which film to see first. Probably Rashomon. Then Seven Samurai, Ikiru, Yojimbo, Dersu Usala, Throne of Blood, High and Low, Sanjuro, Ran, Kagemusha and every other film he ever made. Seriously, if you watch the first three and find you don't like any of them, forget Kurosawa. Rashomon is all about point of view and the nature of truth. Seven Samurai is quite violent (but not gory or gratuitous) and quite long, more than 3 hours, but also says a lot about the life of a warrior and the life of a peasant, about male bonding and teamwork, and about identity. Ikiru centers on a man who is terminally ill and must find meaning in his life in the time that remains.

K-guy, would you be incensed if I noted to Nani that "Seven Samurai" was also the model for the great western, "The Magnificent Seven"? (And no doubt you can explicate much better than I the other Kurosawa films that were "re-made" by Hollywood, in one guise or another.)

I'd have a tough time picking my favorite foreign films of the past few years. Several Korean films come to mind, though: Oldboy; 3-Iron; and Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter . . . and Spring. I especially like the words that appear on the screen at the end of 3-Iron -- something like "It's hard to tell whether the world we live in is reality or a dream." Indeed.

Curmudgeon, I can never read Smiley again without thinking of Alec Guiness. One of his absolute best performances. I love the way every time GS gets close to prying the cover off some dirty bit of business, the others always bring Ann into the conversation to throw him off his stride. Guiness had a look in his eyes that said so much about the love and the pain of being the hubby with the horns, but he also took note of just where in the conversation the subject got switched to Ann, as if to say "Ah, so that's the door to open next." Great stuff.

Mudge, thanks for that - I do concur! I haven't re-read A Small Town in Germany in quite awhile - will have to add it to the pile - and add Price to the list. I liked Absolute Friends very much too, and The Russia House. I missed the Constant Gardner in the theater - glad to see it's up for some awards (haven't always been thrilled with the movie adaptations).

Dreamer's 2:46:54--

Weren't we supposed to leave the blog to those quaint lerkers and interlopers, so called, this week?

Monsieur Achneblog is showing great confidence in the crew by not posting free comments. But he did not close the door on this one. Maybe it is a playground for the bored.

God is great.

K-guy, I was an Alec Guiness worshipper from "Bridge on the River Kwai" onward (was young and hadn't seen his earlier stuff at that point). Yes, Guiness is forever Smiley. And no doubt you are a great fan (as I am) of one of his best-but-little-known flicks, "Tunes of Glory." An acting seminar and tour de force if ever there was one.

The use of Ann in the books and the one film/series is wonderful. Curiously, when she FINALLY makes that on-screen appearance, I was actually a bit disappointed--no living actress could quite hold a candle to the image of her in my mind. I had the same problem with the character of Diana Villers in the Aubreyad, when the were first talking about the casting for "Master and Commander." In a way, I'm glad she was omitted from the script--no actress could ever have played her compared to the image of her in my mind.

I never thought of it before until this second, but both Ann Smiley and Diana Villers are later versions of Lady Brett in "The Sun Also Rises." Hmmm. As Holmes says, "One day I shall have to write a monograph...."

You said it, mostlyjerking -- a playground for the bored. And no-one is more bored than you, it seems. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: 24-7.

But you know what? You've convinced me. I'm outta here. Time to resume my Achenvacation. I find your obsession rather Achendisturbing, to say the least.

I'm currently behind by about 30 postings (watching movies all day (To Kill a Mocking Bird) was great, and is highly recommended) and just want to say two things:

bc, I think I've established that a double BOOO is a BOOOBOOO.

And so far I think this K&K is worthy of a nomination for a best of category.

And oh yeah, I just posted a comment to the "Compulsive Nonblogging" blog.

A word of waring: that "And oh yeah" post script was typed by omnibad (and of course, the sponsor was : BLORPH).

My favorite was the camping Kit - mid October, I think.

The "Joel for President" thread was pretty amusing as well - IMHO

Nani,

I miss Tim Page's chats, too. A lot. I missed that version of Streetcar, though. It sounds familiar. I probably did read Page's review.

Akira Kurosawa was a great reader and admired many books, films, and works of art from outside Japan. Throne of Blood is MacBeth in samurai armor. Ran is mostly King Lear in kimonos. High and Low is taken from the novel King's Ransom by Ed McBain. Dersu Uzala is set in czarist Russia.
I liked The Magnificent Seven until I saw the source material. It's a pale imitation of the Seven Samurai, as For a Fistful of Dollars and the more recent Last Man Standing are taken from Yojimbo.

Best version of Streetcar Named Desire is the Simpson's musical, "Streetcar!"

Some of the lyrics...

New Orleans

New Orleeeans...
Home of pirates, drunks, and whores!
New Orleeeans...
Tacky, overpriced, souvenir stores!
If you want to go to Hell, you should make that trip
to the Sodom and Gomorrah on the Mississipp'!

New Orleeeans...
Stinking, rotten, vomiting, vile!
New Orleaaans...
Putrid, brackish, maggoty, foul!
New Orleeeans...
Crummy, lousy, rancid, and rank!
New Orleeeans!

Blanche's Song

Marge/Blanche: I thought my life would be a Mardi Gras,
A never ending party - hah!
I'm a faded southern Dame without a dime.

Stella!

Ned/Stanley: STELLLAAAA! STELLLAAAA!
Can't you hear me yella!
You're puttin' me through Hella!
Stella... STELLLAAAA!

The Kindness of Strangers

Marge/Blanche: Whoever you are, I have always depended on the kindness of strangers...
(music begins)
Cast: You can always depend on the kindness of strangers...
To pluck up your spirits, and shield you from dangers...
Marge/Blanche: Now here's a tip from Blanche you won't regret...
Cast: A stranger's just a friend you haven't met...
You haven't met...
STREETCAR!

TBG, that's one of my all time favorite Simpson episodes (although it's been a while since I've seen it). I think that's the one where Marge tells her family she's going out to rehearsal 3 times - then when she's walking out the door, they want to know where she's going! And the daycare center where the babies are like the birds in Hitchcock's The Birds...

i guess i'll have go try that joke, or something similar on April first.

Stopping in for a quick Kurosawa thought:

I think that Rashomon would not be my first recommendation (I originally typed "recommendatadtion", and considered leaving it!) for someone who hasn't seen any of his films. I saw "Seven Samurai" first, and was instantly a life-long fan. But "Ikiru" is pretty approachable, and set in recognizable times. "Seven Samurai" & "Rashomon" must be seen early, they are, simply, VERY IMPORTANT examples of what they do, and pretty fun & funny at times, as well. It's worth considering "Dodes'ka-den" as an early follow-up, also! Pretty neat commentary on how people deal with crappy situations (Tokyo slum dwellers deal with life). "Ran" ('King Lear' set in feudal Japan)is just plain beautiful. If you don't see it in a theater, then make sure that you watch it in a wide-screen format. Yojimbo is fun, too. I'm not sure that the man made any truly bad films (maybe a couple), but these titles (all mentioned previously, except possibly Dodeskaden) are a pretty good start.

I've been gone for a bit, but want to wish all a Happy New Year!

As to the best of the Kits and Boodles, there were/are so many it's hard to pick. Everyone contributes -- so many intelligent thoughts, comments, and suggestions that all should be given kudos. It's a bright spot in one's day (or night.)

A toast to the whole Kit and Kaboodle!

bdl

My reasoning for recommending Rashomon as the first Kurosawa film too see was based on three things- 1) It's a wonderful film, very influential, part of basic cinematic literacy (man that sounds pompous, doesn't it?) 2) It contains a large female role, and although there many good female roles in Kurosawa, there aren't many large ones, and 3) It's an early film, and I think it's best to watch the works in rough order. Sanjuro is a sequel to Yojimbo, etc. The change in attitude toward war between Seven Samurai and Ran is enormous. And on an unrelated but interesting point, AK does GREAT horses. His camera work in every sequence involving riding is extraordinary!

GREAT HORSES? kurosawaguy, you just made my day. Ah horses, glorious horses, my kingdom for a horse! Gangway! Clear a path! I'm off to the video shop.

Horse thou art truly a creature
without equal, for thou fliest
without wings and conquerest
without sword. (The Koran)

Oh, well, if it's horses you want, seek out The Wind and the Lion with Sean Connery and Candace Bergen. There are at least two wonderful horsey sequences- the first and second kidnappings (or more properly, the rescue from the second kidnapping). Arabs and Arabians and Sean Connery!

Here's a question for all you know-it-alls on the kaboodle. My husband asked me, because I'm supposed to know everything, but I'm not up on this. What exactly is an "Arab?" The Kurds are not Arabs, the Jews are not Arabs. Many Muslims are not Arabs, I know this. But just what are the parameters that define someone as Arab? I know it's not just people who live in Saudi Arabia, that would be too easy.

Dreamer and afan,

Obsession? I think you are projecting. How many of us would interrupt a vacation to log into this?

I stop in a few times a week for 10-20 minutes if that--just look at my posts. I don't have the time or the computer access at work to do more, except at home, where I rarely elect to make time for this outlet for creativity.

You, on the other hand, are the all-time winner in number of posts, possibly aggregate length, and interestingly, quick response. All Dreamer all the time.

That means you are monitoring, Lord knows how long--but we have a good guess, for a chance to, pardon the term, "weigh in" with some homespun verbosity or a bit-choking quote.

You are pressing the limits of your employer's trust I would think; how can you claim to be "working" when you are displaying your vast cultural knowledge, censoring, correcting and declaiming as Mr. Achenbach's capo?

It's not a disease you have, but it's worthy of a course of psychoterapy so that it doesn't grow from a big neurosis to become your reason for being. You may be half way there, from what you have disclosed about your circumstances. I am probably not the only one worried on your behalf.

I truly wish you a full recovery in the new year. You are a fine, sophisticated, highly intelligent person(s) as we have come to know you. But you gotta watch a drift into aimless blogging. It's taking over your life.

Reader, that's a pretty good question. The Wikipedia answer is longish but pretty good: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arab

Although we hear constantly about the "Arab street', those who live there would be insulted if you called them "street Arabs". Do you know why?

How will President Bush be spending New Year's Day? He'll be in San Antonio, Texas, visiting troops at Brooke Army Medical Center.

Details of the trip are sketchy at this point, according to our local paper this morning. It's not known when President Bush will arrive, how long he'll stay, with whom exactly he'll meet.

Bush is expected to visit one ward of BAMC to meet with troops--and members of their families, who are recovering from injuries suffered in combat, most of them from Iraq. The stop is expected to be similar to the nine stops Bush has made during his presidency to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.

It isn't clear how families will be selected to meet with President and Laura Bush at BAMC. Media will not be allowed into the ward, and doctors, nurses and commanders are expected to remain outside the room.

BAMC in San Antonio treats some of the war's most severely wounded--some 2,300 burn victims and amputees from Afghanistan and Iraq. Nor is it yet clear if Bush will be given a tour of the burn center where 360 individuals have been treated since 9/11 or the amputee care center which opened 11 months ago.

Bush's only stop in San Antonio as president was this past fall when he received a briefing in the wake of Hurricane Rita at Randolph AFB. Only two other presidents have visited BAMC--Bush's father on Dec. 31, 1989 after the Panama invasion, and Lyndon Baines Johnson during 1963, when he sometimes landed a helicopter to pick up a cardiologist en route to Mexico.

(I do know that) CNN's Beth Nissen has visited BAMC on several occasions and has reported from both the burn and amputee centers in difficult--yet positive and upbeat--assessments for the cable news network.

Bush has traveled to Crawford dozens of times during his presidency, and the San Antonio BAMC visit will be his first (as I mentioned).

I've been looking for a while this morning trying to find the best boodle, best kit, best comment et all.

For the best Kit, I can find no single contender (except maybe the Kit where 'crepuscular' was used.) But I have found a few of my favourite quotes from a selection of Kits.

"The Achenblog is going to evolve over time. Although monstrously self-indulgent at the moment, I am thinking that in a few months the blog will be only hideously so."
Jan 17, 2005

"Incidentally, I am hoping that this blog will eventually reach the exalted state of being "about" something. Right now it's just about how I've had too much coffee."
Jan 18, 2005

"Life is by definition a thing that adapts. It adapts promiscuously. It finds ways to survive in the strangest places. If boldly goes where no life has gone before. If life gets a toehold someplace, it will find a way to hang on."
Feb 10, 2005

This Kit and Kaboodle evolved and lives. Nice work across the board.

And the best boodle comment? There are way too many to choose. Nani's post about her husband, Loomis's illuminating posts about her family tree, all the poetry, the literature disscussions, the film disscussions, the science disscussions, all have been golden, but the best boodle comment has to go to Joel for his comment, second in blog history.

"Wait, am I supposed to REACT to the comments????? Jeepers this comment experiment is going to last about 15 minutes. This is a nightmare. Who is "James" and is it my imagination or is there something snide in his voice? Why should I sit here and take this abuse? "
Joel | Apr 7, 2005 4:16:44 PM

And best combined Kit and Kaboodle, the Cow Jokes Kit. I'm still laughing.

"mostlyjerking":
I'm not actually on vacation, I'm just taking a vacation from the Achenblog -- primarily because of you. You make me sad. I find I can no longer subject myself to you and your situation on a daily basis, and I can no longer stand to watch as other Boodlers engage in conversations with your fabricated personas. Thus I've decided to take a substantial break. As you have pointed out, I've got work to do, and I've "gotta watch a drift into aimless blogging" (thanks for da tip). So you can put your concerns for me and my employer on hold for the time being. Worry instead about your own employer -- if you have one, which I'm guessing you don't (and, again, that makes me sad).

Perhaps you could try a little self-monitoring for a change. Most of the advice you gave me in your 9:31:19 AM post is just as applicable to you as it is to me. You and your many, many personas post more comments on this blog than the rest of us combined. (No doubt you will deny this, because you so rarely tell the truth. I'm including this information primarily for the benefit of any other Boodlers out there who may care to listen and to consider the possibility that not all the people they converse with on this blog are "real.")

Good bye, and good luck.

Please wait Dreamer/Achenfan/Tom fan. I wanted your take on an idea - once they announce dates for their weddings, how's about we have an Achenweddingshower for jw and Sara? Wouldn't that be fun? "Gifts" could be favorite recipes (girly for Sara, manly for jw), favorite love songs (which Curmudgeon could parody), amusing/interesting wedding stories, tips (HA!) for a happy marriage,and so on.

mostlyjerking must be very unhappy.

"He's a professional crepe hanger and a top ranking amateur".

Curmudgeon, thanks for the link.

I am more of a reel guy myself.

Thanks, Nani, especially for the quote. Yes, an Achenweddingshower is a fantastic, absolutely fantastic, idea. I'm sure I'll be back from Achenvacation by the time it rolls around. In the meantime, "I can no longer associate myself . . ."

dreamer - all i'm gonna say is *frown emoticon*

This is a weird thing Joel is doing--the kit is divorced from the kaboodle.

Re: King Kong

I have seen some good movies recently, but can't recommend them as "family fare" so, not for you, Joel, better you should spend time with the Achendebs than go off on your own or with the S.O. to see these. But for those whose children are over 18 (I joined that club in August!):

Brokeback Mountain ****
Breakfast on Pluto ***
Rumor Has It **

Brokeback is beautiful, masterfully acted, great cinematography. I fully expect Heath Ledger to get the Academy Award.

Breakfast on Pluto is quirky, interesting--my daughter talked me into this one because she's a big Cillian Murphy fan; I liked the movie much more than I had expected to.

Rumor, well the story is not much, and Jennifer Anniston struggles to carry the movie. But the supporting cast is really good. I've always liked Kevin Costner, regardless of what anybody says. Mark Ruffalo is always dependable and Shirley MacLaine is amazing. It's very much a Hollywood movie; each cast member had his own hairstylist, wardrobe person, makeup specialist, personal assistant, masseuse, etc. It shows. Physical perfection, everywhere you look. I like that in a movie--just have to remind myself to stay away from mirrors for a couple of hours afterwards.

Saw "The Producers"on Christmas day. It was good, but like watching a broadway show in an empty theatre. Great stage actors with no intimacy with the audience, which is what makes Broadway so wonderful.

Of course, seeing the over-the-top production of "Springtime for Hitler" is just hilarious in any venue.

Saw "The Producers"on Christmas day. It was good, but like watching a broadway show in an empty theatre. Great stage actors with no intimacy with the audience, which is what makes Broadway so wonderful.

Of course, seeing the over-the-top production of "Springtime for Hitler" is just hilarious in any venue.

OK.. I only saw the movie once, but Typepad wants you to think I saw it twice.

I'm not completely clear on our self-imposed rules of civility and no name-calling in the boodle. For instance, would it be out of line to suggest (or even assert as a flat statement) that mostlyjerking is a sphincter muscle (and I'm not thinking of the pyloric valve, here)? A bit too edgy? I dunno. Boodlers, please advise and accept my apology if I have crossed the line.

One might speculate upon the psyche of a person who gets his jollies by deliberately being unwelcome and unwanted, and willfully making other people miserable for no particular purpose other than to make himself feel good. One also wonders about a person who pays such close attention to a blog he claims (and readily demonstrates) he hates. The word masochism comes to mind, which combined with the earlier referenced behavior turns into sadomasochism. But I'm not a shrink, and there may be newer, trendier diagnoses in the DMV4 I'm not aware of.

One notes the slipperiness of his identities--yet his various guises lack the humor of, say, CowTown, who sometimes appears as Cow Pie, or Cow Abonga, etc., or omni* in his roles as omnigood, omnigoof, omnibad, etc. They are playing; jerking is not. jerking doesn't know how to play like the other boys and girls so he stands over by the broken swing set, and seethes.

One notes jerking's pretty total absence of a sense of humor, which the boodle otherwise tends to esteem. He snipes, but never makes anything approaching a joke, possibly, one suspects, because his humor is stunted. I can't recall the m-jerkster ever referencing fondness for anything in the arts, be it a movie, a book, a TV show, a newspaper or magazine article. Indeed, I suspect he doesn't even know the infield fly rule, the bounder.

We all talked about sex for two or three days, but I don't recall jerking chiming in with a charming little vignette about the time in the boys locker room when he realized that he didn't exactly measure up to the other fellows, if you get my drift. Another opportunity for his self-expression and creativity was thus wasted.

Among the pathologies one senses is that of envy--a desire to "belong" but knowing he never can or will. He isn't witty, he isn't a culture maven, he isn't a snappy writer. He knows he'll never be "one of the gang." Yet it is the gang that both obsesses and infuriates him... but he can't walk away. Neither can he just lurk quietly; he has to pop up every now and then and exclaim, "Here I am! I'm so unhappy!"

I feel a Stephen King or Thomas Harris novel coming on...

Oh, and he picked on a girl.

One notes the presence of a new kit, on the movie "King Kong."

Joel has just posted a new no-replies Kit, a movie review of King Kong. He didn't like it, saying director Peter Jackson is killing the movie with special effects. "The story is not merely overshadowed by special effects, it is nearly abandoned." Joel's "two big thumbs down" review is interesting because the movie has been #1 at the box office for at least two weeks running.

What is the movie's demographic--males between the ages of 14 and 30? But it begs the more important question of when is technical wizardry (the term I used in my discussion of "Kong") too much? What are the limits? Is the "Kong" story sacrificed to a roller coaster ride of Lucas-like Industrial Light and Magic-type thrills? Has movie making entered a new era in light of 20 years or so of video games? Or is this just another Indiana Jones set on Skull Island?

I'm having trouble with my ISP this morning and posting to the Boodle, so shall make two posts, the second about a quiet movie with much impact.

And thanks, Reader, for the positive mention of "Brokeback Mountain." My husband has expressed no interest in the subject/film, so I shall steal off to the theater by myself.

I think we should leave open the possibility that mj may well be a female, actually.

But why should that make a difference? Did Mr. Curm. need a set up just to make the boys locker room point? Does it recall his own experience, hmm? He was either the object of the derision, or perhaps the bully longing to be intimate with the little man. Either way, he probably set a pattern for his entire life. Not a pretty picture either way you slice it. Ouch.

Your analysis is interesting, but it seems to be full of hubris and arrogance wrt to self-described talents--with implied length of penis, to boot. Might a little modesty be in order?

I'm gonna take a well earned vacation after today's shift. I fear that Mrs. Afan is going to "pull an Omodudu" --ya know, drive out an outsider who happens to be from Africa. Only she would know why.

But in a good Christian way, y'all have a great New Year. And see if you can possibly get straight with the Lord.

oh, so that's your solution - getting straight with the lord? you obviously haven't been paying attention - a good percentage of us are agnostic/athiest! i'm perfectly straight with the lord cuz there isn't one!

mudge - i agree with your assessment... he/she offers nothing constructive or entertaining (and that's not hubris, it's fact) and simply shows up to insult... thus the definition of the 'loper... well, if that's what floats his boat - but it's sad and it's mean...

I have not gotten into the tete-a-tete with goombah, mostlyjerking or Charlemagne, because I know him/her. Not personally, of course, but through my years of teaching. S/he is the spoiler, the person who must have his or her kicks by acting out, by being negative.

Which leads me to mention the quiet, charming French film "Les Choristes" that I noted yesterday. Not all movie reviewers liked it, including Roger Ebert, who said that as a French film it wasn't "quirky" enough. (In my humble opinion, I found it far superior to "Mr. Holland's Opus.) But this piece of cinema begs the age-old question of whether delinquent kids are better charmed than chastened?

The first part of a review of "Les Choristes" (The Choir) at:
http://www.cinescene.com/knipp/choristes.htm

There's an air of romance surrounding wayward boys, particularly in the French tradition, where they tend to be poetic as well as mischievous. In The Chorus, director Christophe Barratier draws on this tradition and adds some lovely vocal sounds. The Chorus is about an "internat" or reform school where a new teacher who writes music tames his young charges, some naughty, some just abandoned, by teaching them to sing in a boys' chorus.

The school director, Rachin, played by François Berléand, is a prissy meany who preaches a philosophy of instant punishment for all real or imagined wrongdoing ("action-reaction"); but when a new teacher, Clément Mathieu (Gérard Jugnot) shows up with a soft approach to his classes and his supervisory duties, he finds allies among the faculty and staff. The Chorus advances the frequently screened theory that delinquent kids [unfortunately, most of the boys in this school are delinquent when the teacher shows up] are better charmed than chastened; that if you can find a positive activity they excel in, the misbehavior will die out.

Please, golconda a/k/a mostlyjerkingoff, do take your well earned vacation and make it a real looooooooooooooooooooooooong one okay?

http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/GiantPandas/

Nuff said.

Loomis - that sounds lovely! i love french films! i haven't had time for movies lately, haven't even seen "rent"! and i was waiting for it!

i've been on the fence about seeing king kong b/c i love adrian brody and don't want to feel like he's possibly "sold out" - what do you guys think? is going hollywood, big-budget, mainstream selling out for a much lauded and successful indie actor?

Alas, there is no way m-jerk is a woman; he is a creature my own poor gender must acknowledge as one of our own.

Joel's review is funny. I too want to see King Kong mostly for Adrien Brody - and I've only seen him in clips and on award shows! (I've got The Pianist coming from the library). I wouldn't call his being in King Kong "selling out". I'm not even sure what that means, really, especially for an actor...What other Adrien Brody films would you recommend? (Do any of them have horses?!?)

I don't think any less of Adrian because he went for the big paycheck in King Kong--he's great, he paid his dues, and don't worry, he'll always be a "character actor" just because his appearance is not within the Hollywood norm.

But I will take this opportunity to recommend, again, "Dummy"--I got it at the local video store so it's not totally obscure. mo, you would like this movie, if you haven't seen it, put it on your list.

Sorry, Mr. Brody, for spelling your name wrong. Nani's right, it's Adrien.

Has anyone else noticed how many times Joel mentions the P-word? (Pulitzer) He's just not going to be happy until he gets one! And then he's going to want two!

Maybe we can all chip in and buy him a plaque or something. (Does the boodle have a treasurer?) But keep it quiet! It ought to be a surprise...

Nani:

Did you really mean to say: mostlyjerkingoff
(If so, why?)when you meant another name? Just thought I'd mention it.

Maybe we should just declare this 'loper day and be done with it.

See ya!

Lindaloo, my most rewarding job was house-mother in a halfway house for boys, under 18 yrs., adjudicated delinquent. Most of their "crimes" were actually survival techniques after they'd been abandoned by parents and society shoplifting food, breaking into vacant mobile homes for shelter). They came into the house as "toughs" and left as lambs. They just needed nuturing. I taught them how to grow vegetables and flowers; they taught me how to change a flat tire, throw a fast curve ball. I taught them how to waltz; they taught me the Watusi. It was a gratifying experience for us all.

Has anyone seen Capote? Phillip Seymour Hoffman is one of my favorite actors. And so versatile. A sweetie in Boogie Nights, heartbreaker in Magnolias and a meanie in The Talented Mr. Ripley (that TommyTommyTommyTommyTommy line creeped me out).

Achenfan/Tom fan/Dreamer, one of these days we'll have to discuss our fascination with Rosemary's Baby. The why of it all.

you're right reader - i stand corrected... i guess having been in the "business" i always associate indie with ART and blockbuster with EYE CANDY (ie non-art) but that is a very elitest view... of course ppl can make it big and make money without selling out... my bad...

dummy sounds wonderful! i'm going to get it tonite!

yes, Ra, I'm ashamed to admit that I intentionally said "mostlyjerkingoff". That was rude, crude and mean. My mother taught us never to speak or act in anger because it would hurt the person to whom the anger is directed and we would invariably regret it. I do regret it and offer my apology to galconda.

Sorry, in advance for blog-hogging:

Loomis,
I need some explanation as to why you grouped Charlemagne in with those that are being disruptive. I used that name yesterday and cannot see how I would be branded a 'loper.
I freely admit that I have used different names on this blog. The reason for this is simply that I enjoy this blog and occasionally wish to contribute, but feel no need to be a part of the 'regular' group. Unlike others who use different handles, I have not posted a negative comment (except a few barbs at kguy's cowpies - which I hope came across as a good natured rivalry).

Yesterday Curmudgeon wrote: "Monty Python and the Holy Grail took place during the Dark Ages. From it, we learned that supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony. Just a thought."

I replied: "I thought supreme executive power derived from conquest."
This was merely a historical reference that I thought somewhat humorous and fitting.
I then recalled all of the discussions of the Loomis family tree and figured there had to be a connection. So, I added: "I may be an ancestor of Ms. Loomis!"

I certainly meant no disrespect and I thought you took it that way when you replied: "Charlemagne writes: I may be an ancestor of Ms. Loomis! With all due respect, sir, you are my ancestor."

So, I added: "As I suspected. My apologies for not being more certain. I will be sure to say hello to my Grandpappy for you. I always loved his nickname: "The Hammer".
Once again, this was a purely historical reference to the grandfather of Charlemagne (and my ancestor) Charles 'The Hammer' Martel.

Then, kguy chimed in with: "Sir, I served with Charlemagne, I knew Charlemagne, Charlemagne was a friend of mine. Sir, you are no Charlemagne."

I thought this to be a hilarious reference to the Vice Presidential debate of 1988. The only wit I had left in me came up with: "And I can assure you, Charlemagne had no friends!" (signed by Charles Martel).

So, I am sorry if I have offended anyone. I just need to know what it was that I did so that I will not repeat the mistake in the future.

everyone - can we just forget about said 'loper? excise him from our minds... some ppl are going to be suspected of being the 'loper - only the 'loper knows who he truely is... so ignore the insults and suspicions and continue boodling... nuthing to see here...

Except, it is neither likely nor logical to think that there is just one 'loper. 1 reason to think this is that some regular contributors freely use multiple names, some disclosed, and some obviously not. No big deal, but something to keep in mind.

Also, though mo pointed out many people who post are atheist or agnostic, let's respect the fellow bloggers who happen to believe in a god. Just part of being tolerant and civil.

Charlemagne,
I am picking up your post so will respond at the top. We Boodlers don't know how many handles the 'loper has. The Charlemagne post was pretty innocent--and I had fun responding. You know your European history if you know Charles Martel, as well as Lloyd Bentsen's retort to Dan Quayle during the VEEP debate.

Because of the 'loper problems, perhaps it would be better, for awhile at least, to stick with one handle? I dunno...? I had fun in our exchange, and don't believe your posts offended anyone. But many of us Boodlers, myself included, remain a bit wary because of the 'loper.

Now on to what I intended to post...

I have been yammering into the wind for awhile now about the need for more women movie reviewers.

Maureen Dowd, op-ed writer for the NYT, combines in her Dec. 17 column thoughts about both "Brokeback Mountain" and "King Kong." I'll paste below the several paragraphs about "Kong" by Dowd, as they provide quite a contrast with Joel's review/Kit that he posted this morning:
***

...the king of the jungle remain(s) macho even as they(he) become(s) more nuanced.

The latest Kong waits for the blonde to come to him. "This time, he really seems to have the qualities of a hero in a woman's romance -- he's distant, he's suffering, he's aloof," says Cynthia Erb, a professor and the author of "Tracking King Kong: A Hollywood Icon in World Culture."

As the hairy antihero grows more sensitive with each remake, the Ann Darrow character gets more sexual and aggressive. "She goes from a naïve, innocent, screaming, virginal character in the 30's to a sexually free, liberated feminist woman in the 70's," Ms. Erb notes.

"In this one, she has the benefits of feminism and is the one who in some ways initiates the courtship. She actually works to earn his interest." And tries to save him.

Just had to pop in and add my couple 'o cents in about King Kong.

Naomi Watts does a fantastic job playing against green screens (and Andy Serkis just beyond those cameras). Adrien Brody isn't given much to do here, but he does what he can with it. Jack Black is cast pretty well in this, he gets to be Jack Black.

The amazing thing is the effects. That is what King Kong has always been about (in the 30s, Kong was state-of-the-art). Here, Peter Jackson creates Kong in the same way he created Gollum. Put Andy Serkis in a blue suit with all kinds of sensors, and have Serkis "act" the part, then go in and create the outer appearance (this time Jackson also gave him a role as the ships cook so we can actually "see" him act).

The amazing thing about this Kong is that when Jackson and his team painted him onto the blue suit, they gave him life. This may sound a bit hokey, but Jackson created life in his digital animation, much like Renaissance masters seemed to create life with their paint or stone. The end result is amazing. Look at Kong's eyes, and there is real emotion in there.

I went to see Kong opening weekend with my mom and step-dad. We were all crying at the end when the inevitable happened. This movie is what movies are supposed to be about. Escapism, that pulls you in.

Ok, I rambled much more than I meant to on this, I guess this turned into my few dollars worth of opinion.

TulsaFan writes "Look at Kong's eyes, and there is real emotion in there."

That same emotion was in the original Kong's eyes. When I saw it as a child, I burst into tears at the sight of Kong atop the Empire State Bldg., fending off the attacking planes. The fear and sadness in his eyes was unbearable. Mother comforted me with a lie. "Baby, they just ran out of film and couldn't finish the story. Kong recovers and they take him back to the jungle."

Nani... your right, there is emotion in the original. There's just something in this one that the eyes just truly looked like real eyes. That's the thing with this movie I can't seem to forget. I'm still amazed.

Your reaction to the '30s Kong reminded me of what my step-dad said as we left the theater... "No one said that was a tear-jerker" As he was trying to play the tough guy who doesn't cry and is trying to cover up the fact that he had indeed cried.

Chuckmayne, it'll take more than you,
to make me blue.
No harm, no foul,
no blood, no howl.

There wil never be a better debate zinger than that Bentson line.

I have not yet seen the new KK, but it has long been my opinion that MJ needs an editor and a good one. Perhaps now that his backside is less well padded he will begin to feel our pain. I have, however, seen the new Special Edition double DVD of the original and it is very very good. All the censored stuff is restored, the sound and picture look great, and the 6 hours of special features are generally quite watchable. I especially liked the bio of Merian Cooper, the director and model for the Carl Denham character.

Oh, and from our Size Does Matter Department, gorilla penises are small in relation to their body size. "The large average size of the human penis (five to six inches, versus three for chimps, and one-half that for gorillas) may have been, evolutionists speculate, to frighten other males. Or to attract females. Or to enhance their pleasure. Perhaps the best hypothesis is that the longer penis delivers sperm more closely to the eggs: today's biologists claim that for females who mated with several males, the male with the longest penis delivered his sperm more safely." (Margulis, L & Sagan, D. (1991) Mystery Dance, On the Evolution of Human Sexuality: Summit Books, New York pp. 23)

I didn't know it was a tear-jerker.

Joel, did you cry?

nani - did you believe your mother's lie? i like that lie! KK always bothered me cuz here's this creature taken forcibly out of his home to showcase as a freak and he reacts in a perfectly natural way and gets killed for just being himself! b/c people are scared of the unknown so they destroy it... i always cry at the end of kk - no matter what version...

That sure feels like a BOOO--I'm sure I would have held off from being the next comment after K-guy's offering if I had seen it.

Dear mo--

And does it follow then that those of us ("people")who fear the loper (unknown persons--though known for being a bore and a boer, want to destroy them/her or him?

I don't take a fancy to that point of view, even though it's inferable from the particulars of the film.

From Kathleen Parker at Townhall.com today:

"Each time I wander into blogdom, I'm reminded of the savage children stranded on an island in William Golding's "Lord of the Flies." Without adult supervision, they organize themselves into rival tribes, learn to hunt and kill, and eventually become murderous barbarians in the absence of a civilizing structure.

Commentary on this from Wonkette.com: "How tidy. But here's what's strange -- up until the moment I read this article, it never occured to me that Townhall itself was anything other than a blog itself. Can this be confirmed? Well, Parker does define blogs as "the angry offspring of narcissism's quickie marriage to instant gratification." So then we're agreed: Townhall.com is a blog.

"Look, Kathleen, it's perfectly natural to see bloggers as fast and loose operators, workign without oversight. But Lord of the Flies? That's unfair. As your column's existence proves, we're more than willing to give the most vacuous of twits a turn holding the conch.

Fitting for Achenblog? Y/N

yes, mo, I was young enough to believe Mother's lie. And to this day, I'm grateful for it.

CC- I follow your string of logic for why people attack the 'loper. However, your comment comes perilously close to putting words into mo's mouth that do not belong there.

I would suggest you be cautious of the path your about to step on.

Evil is inherent in the human mind, whatever innocence may cloak it...

cc - i think it's the other way around - the loper trying to get rid of us... i don't fear him i just don't like him... and he wasn't brought forcibly here - he/she chooses to come here with the sole purpose of insulting us. Why?

I recommend this article from the NYTimes: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/29/opinion/29twilson.html?ex=1136005200&en=ae9ff89b2a189434&ei=5070

"Don't think twice, it's all right"

the 'evil' comment above was purely a reference to the 1963 Lord of the Flies movie. It was not intended to be a commentary on 'loping or any such disagreements between 'boodlers.

In hindsight, it would appear to be a BOOO.

So sorry, piggy (from LOTF)

And, I respectfully submit that there is no "us" and "them"--no "us" and "him."

Each person on the Achenblog is an individual. Each individual has an equal right to post any comment that crosses his mind, and likewise to read or not read, respond or not respond to every other comment. Any perceived organization is purely a construct of our individual minds, a projection, if you will.

I just read the source, and I am afraid that you are mistaken. In fact, the quote sounds just like "us" before deus ex machina occurs.

or a Blorph

kurosawaguy, the video shop here doesn't have ANY of Kurosawa's films, not mainstream enough I guess. So Barnes & Noble is ordering Rashomon for me (since you recommended seeing that one first). I have a feeling these will be films one can watch over and over and learn something new each time. And I promise it's not just for the horse scenes, but since you mentioned them, are they in Rashomon?

No, not "Lord of the Flies," but close:

"This ain't one body's story. It's the story of us all. We got it mouth-to-mouth. You got to listen it and 'member. 'Cause what you hears today you got to tell the birthed tomorrow. I'm looking behind us now...across the count of time...down the long haul,into history back. I sees the end what were the start. It's Pox-Eclipse, full of pain!
And out of it were birthed crackling dust and fearsome time. It were full-on winter...and Mr. Dead chasing them all. But one he couldn't catch. That were Captain Walker. He gathers up a gang, takes to the air and flies to the sky!
So they left their homes, said bidey-bye to the high-scrapers...and what were left of the knowing, they left behind. Some say the wind just stoppered. Others reckon it were a gang called Turbulence. And after the wreck, some had been jumped by Mr. Dead, but some had got the luck, and it leads them here. One look and they's got the hots for it. They word it 'Planet Earth.' And they says, 'We don't need the knowing. We can live here.'"

[Chorus:] "'We don't need the knowing. We can live here.'"

"Time counts and keeps counting. They gets missing what they had. They get so lonely for the high-scrapers and the video. And they does the pictures so they'd
'member all the knowing that they lost."

Nicely said, Reader (at 3:37:26). Very nicely said.

Nani,

You should sign up with Netflix. You can get all sorts of movies sent right to you to keep as long as you like.

Check this out:

http://www.netflix.com/RoleDisplay?personid=51650

And you know, anyone can "join the gang" here. Remember the blog's motto:

Just Click 'Post'

WRT piggy/pj last comment, wear a figurative "condom" on your fingers when you type a post.

Thanks TBG. Gosh, I just went into the link, pulled up the brief summary of Rashomon and realized that I **have** seen this film! On a black/white television set long long ago. It made quite an impression.

The most memorable sceens with horses in Kurosawa are in Seven Samurai and Ran. The first involves mounted bandits attacking (again and again and again) a peasant village and their ronin (masterless samurai) leaders. The climactic battle takes place in a rain storm. Ran shows many scenes of samurai cavalry in full armor racing into battle. Although extraordinarily beautiful, this is not Black Stallion. AK uses these animals to show motion, power, confusion. There are unforgettable scenes of riders silhouetted on a ridgeline, horses struggling in mud and rain as their riders are beset by spearmen on foot, etc.

K-guy--I just learned from your last post that "ronin" means masterless samurai. Do you think that would therefore explain the title of the Robert DeNiro/Jean Reno film of that name?

I bleieve that's correct Curmudgeon::

cur·mudg·eon ( k...r-m¾j"...n) n. 1. An ill-tempered person full of resentment and stubborn notions. [Origin unknown] cur·mudg "eon·ly adj. cur·mudg "eon·ry n.
Notes: The etymology of the word curmudgeon has eluded us for at least two centuries, although some lexicographers have thought the solution was at hand, one to his embarrassment. When Samuel Johnson stated in his famous dictionary of 1755 that curmugeon " is a vicious manner of pronouncing c÷ur méchant, Fr. an unknown correspondent, " he was giving credit to an anonymous writer for the statement that curmudgeon came from French c÷ur, " heart," and méchant, " evil." Another lexicographer, John Ash, following in Johnson's tracks though none too carefully, gave the etymology a bit differently in his dictionary of 1775: " from the French c÷ur unknown, and mechant a correspondent "; thus misinterpreting Johnson's attribution as a gloss for the French. Although its origin is unknown, curmudgeon has been around for some time, being first recorded in a work published in 1577.

I have known Curmudgeons, and you sir are no Curmudgeon, you may have stubborn notions, but I detect no resentment in your postings.

I'll let omnigood fix his own SCC (bleieve ... pluease).

who knew you were over four hundred years old. curmudgeon indeed!

Wow...it's amazing what one can do on a week off from boodling. I've finished Moby Dick (finally), read Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro (amazing), and started The DaVinci Code (I know, but I figured I need to have an intelligent opinion about something so pervasive in pop culture). I hope everyone has had a wonderful holiday season so far, and has gotten lots done this week! Now I'm back to the real world (or at least the non-electronic methods of escapism!)

jw, I officially dislike you, a lot. I've been reading "Moby Dick" now for eight years and still haven't finished it. uuurhgghg. Did I mention that I dislike you now? Can I say on this blog how much?

UUUURRGGHGHHG!!!!

ps congratulations.

Ere quitting, for the nonce, the Sperm Whale's head, I would have you, as a sensible physiologist, simply - particularly remark its front aspect, in all its compacted collectedness. I would have you investigate it now with the sole view of forming to yourself some unexaggerated, intelligent estimate of whatever battering-ram power may be lodged there. Here is a vital point; for you must either satisfactorily settle this matter with yourself, or for ever remain an infidel as to one of the most appalling, but not the less true events, perhaps anywhere to be found in all recorded history.

Thanks Caged Rabbit for the link (1:07:.03pm) to the Giant Panda site. It's always great to learn what the little one is up to. He seems really playful and cuddly. I'll have to tune into the pandacam during the day.

bdl

jw,

I read the DaVinci Code for the same reason. Here's my intelligent opinion: It's drivel.

Reader, my 16 yr. old g-girl shares your opinion (I myself have not read DVC and am currently plowing through, but enjoying The Name of the Rose). She thought The Great Gatsby was "great" so her Christmas gift from me was a collection of short stories by F. Scott Fitzgerald and the last 3 volumes of the Lemony Persnickety series.

Nani,

My 17-year-old son got a Fitzgerald collection (Tales of the Jazz Age) from me this Christmas for the same reason! He loved Gatsby and then found and read This Side of Paradise in our family "library." Now his class is reading Hemingway and he hates him.

It's so much fun to see the younguns discover their own taste in literature.

BTW.. have you read the Lemony Snicket books? I love them. Written by a guy who got tired of the normal drivel of children's books (to use Reader's excellent word). They are hilarious and my young daughter eats 'em up.

Unimportant fact of the day:

The body of F. Scott Fitzgerald lies in the cemetery of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Rocville, Maryland

SCC - Rockville!

Crap, I lived there for almost three decades, you would think I could spell it.

Re: Ronin
Oh absolutely the DeNiro flick (pretty forgettable except for the car chase) is named for the Japanese term. I think there is a scene after Bobby D gets shot and he and the French guy with the big nose (forgot his name, something Reno) go to the home of a retired agent and get the wound treated, that they actually discuss the ronin. The retired agent builds little dioramas with toy samurai as a hobby.
Ronin have been extremely popular figures in Japanese films for decades. When Japan was faced with cultural upheaval and a shift in values following their defeat in WWII, many films addressed these issues by referring to historical parallels, times when the nation was riven by civil war and unrest, when societal norms were overthrown. The ronin figure, the lone warrior adrift in the world, sel reliant and owing allegience to no one, living by his skill and his wits, became emblematic of the times. The fact that this type of story has many similarities to American westerns has led to lots of cross pollenation. There are many classic ronin films- Yojimbo and its sequel Sanjuro, The Forty Seven Ronin, Kill, Sword of Doom, Hara Kiri, Inagaki's trilogy of films about Musashi Miamoto, etc. John Belushi's famous SNL character of the samurai is directly copied from Toshiro Mifune's role in Yojimbo, complete with muttering and scratching.

Um, that would be "self reliant". Only in the modern era have the Japanese become sell reliant.

Samurai...TV REPAIRMAN!!!

Oh, yeah.

Doh, (sound of dope slap), I left out the best and most famous ronin film of all, The Seven Samurai, which might well have been titled Will Fight to the Death for Food. Seven ronin, formerly members of an elite caste of warriors, are reduced to accepting service defending peasant farmers, people way below them on the social scale, from a band of three dozen mounted bandits for nothing more than room and board for the duration.

Alright class, if there are no further questions I will hand out the assignments for reading and viewing over the holidays and we will adjourn.
I have forced the Boodle to committ seppuku!

Been out of town, so I am just chiming in. The funny thing about The DaVinci Code it that it is so over the top ridiculous and people take it very seriously. A coworker was rehashing the points made and I told him to use this rule of thumb: "If it's in the DaVinci Code, its probably not true. That's why they sell it in the fiction section." A devout Catholic concurred, particularly since so much is blatantly heretical, not that there's any thing wrong with that, just don't take the book as scholarship.

I tried to read The Name Of The Rose, but found it too slow. I did like the touch that the hero was from the Abbey of Baskerville or some such tribute to A.C. Doyle. My mother insisted the book was a historic document because of the elaborate phony author's forward. People are a little too eager to believe what they read.

One sentence review of DVC: A fast paced but totally ridiculous thriller that is long on conspiracy theory nonsense but short on plot twists.

Dan Brown's next book will be set in DC and will involve the Masons. That ought to be just as ridiculous, but at least with a great local angle.

What is your favorite movie cliche error in D.C.? You know, like when the characters get in the car to go to the White House and you get the long shot of them crossing Memorial Bridge westbound with the Lincoln Memorial in the background? My personal favorite is the car chase on the Whitehurst Freeway in No Way Out with Kevin Costner. I mean, come on. You could have a longer car chase in my living room! (For you out of towners, the Whitehurst is less than a mile long.)

Omni, on good days I only feel 300 years old, 350 tops.

I'm a little surprised the etymology doesn't begin with cur = dog in some manner, especially since calling someone a cur was quite common back around then.

Haven't read the DaVinci Code yet (but I feel that sooner or later I'll probably have to--maybe when I see a used paperback for a quarter). However, am two-thirds the way through the new Michael Connelly (I am a devoted fan), "The Lincoln Lawyer," and so far it is terrific (beats Grisham all to hell). Two plot twists I didn't see coming.

The first time I ever read "The Great Gatsby" was on my first vacation after my first post-college job, when I decided to drive (in my first "real" bought-with-my-own-money-right-off-the-showroom-floor car, a 1970 MGB convertible) to New England and then to Quebec to meet up with some friends. On the second evening I stayed at the Harbor View Hotel in Edgartown, Martha's Vineyard, and the next afternoon sat on the veranda overlooking the harbor, ordered a bottle of liebfraumilch, and started reading Gatsby. Long story short, the book, wine, mileau, hotel, etc., were so perfect I spent the entire week of my vacation there, never got further north, never went to Quebec. It was heaven.

(Honeymooned at the Harbor View 12 years later, too. Great place.)

jw,
If you'd like more information about the fascinating life of William Marshall, Earl of Pembroke, my very distant great-grandfather used as a plot device in Brown's "The DaVinci Code," [once you come upon that section], please let me know. I read only the "illustrated" version of the Dan Brown's book, which added immensely to my appreciation of the art/architecture references in the book.

I did steal back to our local Barnes and Noble to read the most recent Newsweek cover story about "The DaVinci Code" movie. In the article, director Ron Howard said that he will remain true to Brown's book, and Brown himself is pleased with Howard's screen adaptation.

Brown's next effort, "The Solomon Key" is about the Masons, and given that several of our founding fathers were Masons, including George Washington, it promises to be--for me at least--another interesting read--sometime in 2006, I hope. However, as yet, no firm 2006 release date on Dan Brown's next book, "The Solomon Key":

The Independent/London
Cover Stories: Da Vinci spin-offs
The Literator
Published: 09 December 2005

With the film of The Da Vinci Code due in May - though that could change if Richard Leigh and Michael Baigent succeed with a plagiarism action, in the High Court soon - 2006 looks set to unleash a torrent of titles on Leonardo and his Last Supper....

Meanwhile, Transworld plays down speculation that Dan Brown's new book, The Solomon Key, will appear next autumn. To think that the health and wealth of so much of the book trade is conditioned by the actions of a reclusive ex-teacher.

(...But one US title takes the biscuit. The Diet Code by Stephen Lanzalotta, due from Warner Wellness, will offer "weight-loss secrets from Da Vinci".)

http://enjoyment.independent.co.uk/books/features/article331883.ece

A new kit is here, a new kit is here.

With a comments section!!!

"The Missing Cockatiel" (6/21) is my favorite Kit and Kaboodle of the year.

Honorable mentions go to the "Solo Dad" week of 2/14-21, all of Tom's dumb questions from "Tom Befuddled by Speed of Light (4/28) on, "Generations of Toads" (7/21), "Karl Go Say Something Dumb" (6/24 - aka the RoveStorm). Those surrounding the hurricaines are raw and a bit angry and painful, but are worthy.

There's so much good stuff all through the Kits and Kaboodle, I'm overwhelmed at the idea of picking out a "best comment"...

bc