Archives for June 2003

June 30, 2003

Howard Makes His Move

It was an amazing day at the Howard Dean campaign, where an amazing grassroots effort raised over $700,000 in one day, bringing Dean's total contributions over $7 million. And most of this comes from individuals chipping in a few dollars here and there, not $1,000-a-plate chicken dinners. Dr. Dean is getting people excited. They (and I), think he can be exactly what a President should be. Honest, intelligent, mindful of the people who gave him his job - unlike some people I could mention. This is going to be an exciting campaign to watch; I'll be at the next Meetup Day on Wednesday.

June 28, 2003

Sad Today

And she held his hand to follow
And he held his breath, then let go
They crouched down low, sat in the front row
Untied the rope so they could fly
Hold on tight, let's get it just right,
We'll take our last flight, you and I - "Fly"

It's now been exactly one year since the website for Moxy Fruvous was updated. They've officially been "on hiatus" since their Summer 2000 tour ended, but I guess the ride's over for one of the coolest bands I ever had the pleasure to be a fan of. I'll miss their frequent trips to Boston. I'll miss their quirky lyrics, their hilarious onstage banter, their unabashed leftiness. And I'll thank/curse them forever for introducing me to Eggbot.

NBA Draft

An excellent job by the Celtics, in my opinion. Marcus Banks can come in right away and play point with some reportedly-great speed. He's fast, smart, and (in a radio interview I heard) really excited about coming to Boston. And Kendrick Perkins is a project; but as a big post player, he can't help but be an asset for a team that's spent way too much time shooting 3's.

I spent most of the first round on the phone with my Dad, talking each other through the tense moments leading up to the C's first pick. Congratulate both of us for not throwing our phones through the TV screen when they announced the selection was Troy Bell. Congratulate new GM Danny Ainge on using Bell to get the guy they wanted in the first place.

Another draft note: Bill Simmons broke his NBA-Draft-review retirement, and the whole world is better off for it.

June 25, 2003

See More Hispanic Photos

Slate managed to get screenshots of a Bush 2004 prototype page that someone accidentally left lying around the Net. The shopping page, featuring some amazingly tacky football jerseys (with "USA 43" on them) and some baby bibs, is memorable. More head-scratching is this pre-editorial by RNC advisor Matthew Dowd, where he tries to convince himself that the plummeting economy won't be a factor in next year's Selection.

There's also a cute picture of First Lady Laura "reading to Hispanic children" (It's clear the child is holding the actual book, but we've seen that the Bushes are fond of letting the kids do all the actual reading) with the wonderful caption "See more Hispanic photos" next to it. Welcome to your career as cynical campaign props, muchachas!

Incidentally, it occurs to me that I used the words "Bush" and "lying" in that first paragraph -- that reminds me to plug this CafePress shop with variations on that same theme for sale.

June 24, 2003

85 degrees

It's hard to think or write straight when the weather shoots from perpetually 50 and gloomy right up to 85 and sunny. I even went to the driving range this morning to keep from thinking or writing. The Globe had a whiny article the other day (I lost the link) about "why does it always have to rain on the weekends?" Speaking as someone who always has to work weekends, let me just give a big Nelson Muntz "ha-ha!" shout-out, and refer you to this BBC article saying that, basically, weekends are wetter because so many people don't commute. Interesting.

June 19, 2003

Music Tip: Sondre Lerche

When it comes to tracking down and announcing cool new music, I usually let Sooz do all the legwork. But I have to help spread the word about Norwegian import Sondre Lerche. He's an amazingly talented singer and songwriter who sort of reminds me of a cross between Beck and a young Morrissey, but with two names. We saw him last night at T.T.'s in Cambridge and he put on a fantastic show: great music, and a cool stage presence that's funny, self-aware and endearing. Oh yeah, and he's 20. And his website reflects his personality; check it out and listen to some of his stuff. I'm sure you'll hear the name again soon.

June 17, 2003

Party Like It's 1998

1998. Back in those days, I had nothing but $9.99 and a dream. Actually, that's still about all I have. And I don't even remember what the original dream was.

But if the dream was to create a self-indulgent, sporadically-updated website with snarky pop culture commentary and occasional ideological inconsistencies, then it's been a smashing success.

Anyway, the point is that BunkoSquad is celebrating its 5th anniversary on the Web on August 11th, and I want to use that as an excuse to drink some Scotch, mingle, and announce my 5-year plan, "Bunkosquad 2008". (A key point: I want to have at least six more movie reviews done by then.)

I'm thinking a bar in Harvard Square (probably Charlie's). And by reading this, consider yourself invited. Leave tentative RSVPs and hosannas in the Comments section below.

Your Government At Work

Osama Bin Laden is still on the loose. Saddam Hussein is still out there. But rest assured, Homeland Security is primed and ready in case the real David Nelson strikes. Honestly...I admit that there are some former child actors who pose grave threats to the public safety, but I don't think Ozzie & Harriet's kid is one of them.

June 13, 2003

Maybe Segways Aren't All Bad

A picture is worth 1,000 words. [via Eschaton]

June 10, 2003

299 Forever

Everyone seems to assume that Roger Clemens will eventually get career win #300, but what if he doesn't? What if his recent bad luck continues? The newest Don't Get Me Started looks at how the rest of Roger's season could completely unravel.

June 07, 2003

Welly, Welly, Welly, Welly, Well

So says Alex in A Clockwork Orange. So might say you when you learn that I've actually restarted the Top 100 Movies project.

June 03, 2003

Bad, Bad Sammy

Sammy Sosa was ejected tonight when his bat broke and it was filled with cork. Uh oh. Sosa, according to ESPN, will claim after the Cubs/Tampa Bay game that it was a bat "usually used in home run hitting exhibitions" and not one he intended to use.

The moral of the story: Don't cork your bat against the Devil Rays, of all teams, unless you want to be mocked.

Get Your Kicks on Route 491

The new U.S. Route 491 will wind through Utah, Colorado and New Mexico. Noteworthy? Not really, except that it is currently called Route 666, which, as you know, is Satan's favorite number. People who worry about this thing believe that Rt. 666 was the site of an alarming number of car crashes, road sign swiping, and (for all I know) crop circles.

New Mexico officials say that the route's number scared off tourists; wouldn't the opposite be true? I'd go (slightly) out of my way to drive down 666, and I know I'm not the only one. But presumably this will bring in an influx of skittish, easily spooked souls. Sounds like a savvy business decision.

June 02, 2003

You Will Be Assimilated

In a move that's good for virtually nobody, Your Government today decreed that media monoliths can now buy even more outlets! So the same company can (and will) own, in the same city:

up to three TV stations, eight radio stations, the cable TV system, cable TV stations and the only daily newspaper.

Isn't that terrific? We're sure to get a healthy dose of debate and thoughtful examinations of both sides of issues now! FCC chairman Michael Powell, whose agency was once quaintly responsible for stopping crap like this, chimed in on the decision. In a statement that made even famous liars Tommy Flanagan and Mohammed Saeed al-Sahaf shake their heads in admiration, Powell said,

"Our actions will advance our goals of diversity and localism..."

Exactly how diversity and localism will be served by having Disney and Rupert Murdoch deciding every bit of information being distributed, he didn't say.

I'm tempted not to care, since actual news is scarce in newspapers and nonexistent on radio and TV (tonight on Channel 7: 15 seconds about the Middle East and 4 minutes recapping that 2-hour kidney stone of a reality TV show which just aired on Channel 7). But who on earth, except for the Monopoly guy and his cohorts, really wants this much control in these few hands? Certainly not these people:

The critics of eased rules include consumer advocates, civil rights and religious groups, small broadcasters, writers, musicians, academicians and the National Rifle Association.

I guarantee you, you will never see that particular cultural ensemble line up together again, unless the question is "Do you like ice cream?" You'd think someone might stand up to this, and in fact some are: John McCain plans to grill the FCC on Wednesday, and there might be a few Democrats who are against it (like Howard Dean, fast becoming my favorite politician -- more on this anon). But I bet you won't hear about it on your local news.