Hulu is tricky. For the most part, I love it. But hulu has some weird rules about when it releases new episodes of shows, and how long they will keep it on the site. If you read the comments, people crap and moan about not having the shows on all the time. I'm not one of those people. Hey, remember when you used to have to watch the show live, and sit through commercials? Yeah. Stop complaining.
But I did happen to mess up by missing the first few episodes of Fringe on Fox. And I'm a big geek, so if I miss the first one, it's not likely that I'll watch any part of the rest. Hulu had episodes 1 and 2, and then it didn't, and then it did. So basically, I almost gave up on it, but then didn't, then did, then didn't, and now I sort of like it.
Except that the show referred to Massachusetts as "state of" instead of "commonwealth of," they don't actually show the real Harvard even though it's supposedly set in part there, South Station totally doesn't look like that, and Anna Torv is so not Cate Blanchett. Other than that, I like it. Pacey's cool, although he's got bizarrely skinny chicken legs. (Look closely.) And the dude who ate the turkey leg with the hobbit in Return of the King--you know, the dad who Faramir will never impress--is cool, too.
And speaking of Boston, there's a radio commercial for some auto insurance company, Progressive? Geico? Nationwide? that plays on the Boston accent by having an actor say "Park the car in the garden yard." Yeeeeaaaahhhhh. Whatever. That's so offensive, I don't know where to start.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Colin > Joe.
Yesterday, I recorded the Ellen show because both Colin Farrell, my favorite actor, and Joe Biden were scheduled to be on the show. Now, I love me my Hollywood actors and stuff, but Colin was scheduled to go on before Joe. Really? Really? I mean sure, *I* get it, but I'm fairly certain that whatever Joe's got going on right now is maybe a bit bigger than Colin's new movie.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Apartment Watch.
You'll recall that I'm skeptical about my apartment. I'm just waiting for the other shoe to drop. So here's where we are to date:
-Today, I called the office because my new "central" A/C system hasn't been working correctly. I'll set it to 72, the air will blow, but the room won't get any colder than 78. So I called them, and asked them to fix it, and they fixed it . . . today. That's the fastest I've ever had an apartment request fulfilled. Ever. +2
-Last night, they were putting a new carpet in right in front of the elevator. During the evening rush hour. Seems like they could have chosen a better time to do that. -1
-The gym, the roof, and the patio still aren't done. -3
-I totally lucked out with the location of my apartment relative to the rest of the hallway, in terms of traffic to the elevators, and traffic to the trash room. +1
-The washer/dryer DOESN'T DRY. -1
-Our building has valet dry cleaning. This means I can drop off a bag of dry cleaning in the morning, and in two business days, it's waiting for me in the same closet that they receive packages in. +1
-The elevators smell like sweat. And not the good kind of sweat. -1
The watch continues.
-Today, I called the office because my new "central" A/C system hasn't been working correctly. I'll set it to 72, the air will blow, but the room won't get any colder than 78. So I called them, and asked them to fix it, and they fixed it . . . today. That's the fastest I've ever had an apartment request fulfilled. Ever. +2
-Last night, they were putting a new carpet in right in front of the elevator. During the evening rush hour. Seems like they could have chosen a better time to do that. -1
-The gym, the roof, and the patio still aren't done. -3
-I totally lucked out with the location of my apartment relative to the rest of the hallway, in terms of traffic to the elevators, and traffic to the trash room. +1
-The washer/dryer DOESN'T DRY. -1
-Our building has valet dry cleaning. This means I can drop off a bag of dry cleaning in the morning, and in two business days, it's waiting for me in the same closet that they receive packages in. +1
-The elevators smell like sweat. And not the good kind of sweat. -1
The watch continues.
Really All That Difficult.
DC cabs have finally switched to meters instead of zones. Is it too much to ask that they also use the roof light to signal whether or not they are occupied? Seems so obviously win-win.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
I'm Sick.
I checked out Valentine on the CW last week because I'm a sadist. It wasn't terrible, but I doubt I'll keep with it. But there was something nagging me -- I knew I knew Kate, the mortal who helps out the gods (don't ask), from somewhere, but I didn't know where. Imdb reveals all:
Kate, played by Christine Lakin...
... is better known as Al, the tomboy from Step By Step.
This blew my mind. Almost as much as Jaime Murray playing the mother of Kristoffer Polaha on the show, even though they are the same age in real life. Almost.
Kate, played by Christine Lakin...
... is better known as Al, the tomboy from Step By Step.
This blew my mind. Almost as much as Jaime Murray playing the mother of Kristoffer Polaha on the show, even though they are the same age in real life. Almost.
Journey. Rocks.
Entertainment Weekly does an awesome job of finding crap on the internet. They have a circulation of 500k. I have a circulation of 5. It's my duty to pass these things along.
Monday, October 6, 2008
I Heart J and J.
Jacoby.
Jon.
My favorite Red Sox are just on this post-season. Ridiculous Game 4.
This photo is way cool.
On to the Rays. True story.
Jon.
My favorite Red Sox are just on this post-season. Ridiculous Game 4.
This photo is way cool.
On to the Rays. True story.
On Politics: The Choice.
Those who know me know that I dislike conflict. I veer from the dramatic. It's boring occasionally, but that's the way I am. So much so, that I don't even like discussing politics... and I live in bloody DC.
But today, I sent in my registration and my absentee ballot application. I'll be getting back a ballot soon, and then I'll vote. Sure, in Massachusetts, the winner of its 12 electoral votes is a foregone conclusion. I joke that my vote won't matter. Of course it matters. It's just a joke (albeit stemming from the bitter reality that North Carolina -- NORTH CAROLINA where I've suffered for 3 years WILL most definitely matter).
Then I came across this article today via RealClearPolitics (the best summary website of political news out there), coming from the editors of The New Yorker. I happen to hate it when the media gives its opinion about anything, or speculates about what could happen with a bailout, instead of just reporting what happened. But the New Yorker I guess isn't really news, and never purports to be. It's mostly a literary magazine, and a snotty one at that. (I also hate it when celebrities stump for political causes. To be clear, I much prefer the infinitely saavier Brangelina approach of: "if you're going to invade my privacy anyway, i'm going to fly to Africa and make you see what's going on in the world").
I started reading the opinion , because I had a slow morning... and I kept reading... and kept reading. And ultimately, I found myself agreeing with everything in it. It perfectly encapsulates the anger, and desperation, and hope that I have about this election. I don't usually do this, but yeah, I'm making my vote known.
The piece is obviously an endorsement. It's by no means an objective article. But it does at the same time suggest how awesome things could have been under a McCain presidency. There was a time where I would have followed that man. Where "maverick" wasn't just a cutesy political term, but an actual description of someone who was well aware of his duty to his constituents, and not his party. But he has changed. He's pandered to those who shunned him in elections past. And his pandering is way more frightening than Obama's (Barack's kidding no one, he's a politician, too).
It's no mistake--as momentarily startled as I was--that I apparently registered as a Republican the first time I voted in Massachusetts. Yup, I called up my town clerk to check to see if they had my info on file (I've since registered and voted in other states like New York and North Carolina), and there I was -- a Republican. (Don't freak out... a Massachusetts Republican is still a socialist everywhere else in this country. And, I changed immediately changed it back to good ol' "Unenrolled" in case you're wondering.)
Here's my scatter-brained point. Eight years ago, George Bush was elected president. I accepted that. I didn't vote for him, but he was still my president. Thing was, he forgot that. Bush forgot that you don't just become president of the people who voted for you. The losers aren't supposed to lose. Except we did. And, in fact, so did the "winners." And so the fact that after eight years of one of the worst presidencies in history (seriously, click that link and remind yourself of just how quickly the U.S. lost its international capital), the election is as close as it is is fucked up. It's fucked up.
We missed our chance at a true McCain administration. We won't get it even if he's elected. So, yeah, that vote of mine that won't matter? I can only hope that it doesn't.
But today, I sent in my registration and my absentee ballot application. I'll be getting back a ballot soon, and then I'll vote. Sure, in Massachusetts, the winner of its 12 electoral votes is a foregone conclusion. I joke that my vote won't matter. Of course it matters. It's just a joke (albeit stemming from the bitter reality that North Carolina -- NORTH CAROLINA where I've suffered for 3 years WILL most definitely matter).
Then I came across this article today via RealClearPolitics (the best summary website of political news out there), coming from the editors of The New Yorker. I happen to hate it when the media gives its opinion about anything, or speculates about what could happen with a bailout, instead of just reporting what happened. But the New Yorker I guess isn't really news, and never purports to be. It's mostly a literary magazine, and a snotty one at that. (I also hate it when celebrities stump for political causes. To be clear, I much prefer the infinitely saavier Brangelina approach of: "if you're going to invade my privacy anyway, i'm going to fly to Africa and make you see what's going on in the world").
I started reading the opinion , because I had a slow morning... and I kept reading... and kept reading. And ultimately, I found myself agreeing with everything in it. It perfectly encapsulates the anger, and desperation, and hope that I have about this election. I don't usually do this, but yeah, I'm making my vote known.
The piece is obviously an endorsement. It's by no means an objective article. But it does at the same time suggest how awesome things could have been under a McCain presidency. There was a time where I would have followed that man. Where "maverick" wasn't just a cutesy political term, but an actual description of someone who was well aware of his duty to his constituents, and not his party. But he has changed. He's pandered to those who shunned him in elections past. And his pandering is way more frightening than Obama's (Barack's kidding no one, he's a politician, too).
It's no mistake--as momentarily startled as I was--that I apparently registered as a Republican the first time I voted in Massachusetts. Yup, I called up my town clerk to check to see if they had my info on file (I've since registered and voted in other states like New York and North Carolina), and there I was -- a Republican. (Don't freak out... a Massachusetts Republican is still a socialist everywhere else in this country. And, I changed immediately changed it back to good ol' "Unenrolled" in case you're wondering.)
Here's my scatter-brained point. Eight years ago, George Bush was elected president. I accepted that. I didn't vote for him, but he was still my president. Thing was, he forgot that. Bush forgot that you don't just become president of the people who voted for you. The losers aren't supposed to lose. Except we did. And, in fact, so did the "winners." And so the fact that after eight years of one of the worst presidencies in history (seriously, click that link and remind yourself of just how quickly the U.S. lost its international capital), the election is as close as it is is fucked up. It's fucked up.
We missed our chance at a true McCain administration. We won't get it even if he's elected. So, yeah, that vote of mine that won't matter? I can only hope that it doesn't.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Copycat.
Adam did this ultra nerdy thing where he previewed the top ten fall films he's looking forward to. Duh. How have I not posted this yet? Well, I suppose with all the promises I've made about posting about Australia that I haven't followed through with, that's not such a surprise. Then again, I've only been at this 10 months. And we all know that blaming ineptitude on lack of experience releases you from the responsibilities of leadership.
Zack and Miri Make a Porno. Because Elizabeth Banks should be more famous than she is, but in the meantime, I'm enjoying watching this hidden gem of an actress as if I'm in on a cool secret.
The Brothers Bloom. Because I'm a sucker for con-men movies. And Mark Ruffalo.
Pride and Glory. Because I'm a sucker for Colin Farrell.
Australia. Because I just went there, and there's nothing but posters for the movie in all the Qantas terminals. And because Baz Luhrmann has the audacity to make a movie, and not just point a camera at pretty people speaking lines.
Revolutionary Road. Because Sam Mendes is a director I actually care about, and because Kate Winslet should have won an Oscar by now.
Doubt. Because plays rock. But also I fear the translation to screen. For example, Proof just did not have the same oomph on screen as it did in person, where intimacy is a given, and not a challenge to overcome. I didn't see The History Boys in person, but I could tell that it didn't fit on screen.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Because it looks awesome. And because some of us wish that Brad Pitt would in fact become younger again.
Twilight. Because I'm a sucker for pop culture phenomena.
Slumdog Millionaire. Because the word on the festival circuit is that this movie is awesome.
Rachel Getting Married. Because I'm intrigued by Anne Hathaway, who radiated intelligence but struck me as limited by her mannered acting... until she impressed with just a smirk in Brokeback Mountain. She's been getting all sorts of buzz for this one. And I'm a sucker for good acting.
And because they are already sort of out in theaters, I'm not going to include them in this list. But they are worth noting.
Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist. I love Michael Cera, but I'm worried that he's a one-trick pony that is going to be run into the ground before he has a chance to make it. Actors with his sense of timing are a rarity, and needs to be kept around for as long as possible.
Eagle Eye. I love B movies. The ones that do decently in theaters, although no one can remember when it was in there. The sort of movie that everyone can half-heartedly accept as a Saturday night video from Blockbuster when 6 people with wildly different tastes want to stay in. The sort of movie that will end up on endless replay on TNT, TBS, USA, FX, Comedy Central, MTV, VH1, or SpikeTV. I also love Shia Laboeuf.
Blindness. Julianne Moore is my favorite female actor of all time, and Mark Ruffalo is one of my top 5 male actors of all time. I wish early word on this movie were better.
Zack and Miri Make a Porno. Because Elizabeth Banks should be more famous than she is, but in the meantime, I'm enjoying watching this hidden gem of an actress as if I'm in on a cool secret.
The Brothers Bloom. Because I'm a sucker for con-men movies. And Mark Ruffalo.
Pride and Glory. Because I'm a sucker for Colin Farrell.
Australia. Because I just went there, and there's nothing but posters for the movie in all the Qantas terminals. And because Baz Luhrmann has the audacity to make a movie, and not just point a camera at pretty people speaking lines.
Revolutionary Road. Because Sam Mendes is a director I actually care about, and because Kate Winslet should have won an Oscar by now.
Doubt. Because plays rock. But also I fear the translation to screen. For example, Proof just did not have the same oomph on screen as it did in person, where intimacy is a given, and not a challenge to overcome. I didn't see The History Boys in person, but I could tell that it didn't fit on screen.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Because it looks awesome. And because some of us wish that Brad Pitt would in fact become younger again.
Twilight. Because I'm a sucker for pop culture phenomena.
Slumdog Millionaire. Because the word on the festival circuit is that this movie is awesome.
Rachel Getting Married. Because I'm intrigued by Anne Hathaway, who radiated intelligence but struck me as limited by her mannered acting... until she impressed with just a smirk in Brokeback Mountain. She's been getting all sorts of buzz for this one. And I'm a sucker for good acting.
And because they are already sort of out in theaters, I'm not going to include them in this list. But they are worth noting.
Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist. I love Michael Cera, but I'm worried that he's a one-trick pony that is going to be run into the ground before he has a chance to make it. Actors with his sense of timing are a rarity, and needs to be kept around for as long as possible.
Eagle Eye. I love B movies. The ones that do decently in theaters, although no one can remember when it was in there. The sort of movie that everyone can half-heartedly accept as a Saturday night video from Blockbuster when 6 people with wildly different tastes want to stay in. The sort of movie that will end up on endless replay on TNT, TBS, USA, FX, Comedy Central, MTV, VH1, or SpikeTV. I also love Shia Laboeuf.
Blindness. Julianne Moore is my favorite female actor of all time, and Mark Ruffalo is one of my top 5 male actors of all time. I wish early word on this movie were better.
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