Thursday, November 06, 2008
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
John Madden Quotes
Came across the following John Madden quotes:
"They'll score if they can just get into the endzone."
"If you see a defense team with dirt and mud on their backs they've had a bad day."
"When your arm gets hit, the ball is not going to go where you want it to."
"The fewer rules a coach has, the fewer rules there are for players to break."
"Hey, the offensive linemen are the biggest guys on the field, they're bigger than everybody else, and that's what makes them the biggest guys on the field."
But we like Madden nontheless.
"They'll score if they can just get into the endzone."
"If you see a defense team with dirt and mud on their backs they've had a bad day."
"When your arm gets hit, the ball is not going to go where you want it to."
"The fewer rules a coach has, the fewer rules there are for players to break."
"Hey, the offensive linemen are the biggest guys on the field, they're bigger than everybody else, and that's what makes them the biggest guys on the field."
But we like Madden nontheless.
Friday, March 16, 2007
Edie Sedgwick: An American Girl
The name of the girl in the picture is Edie Sedgwick. She died around 1971 from mixing prescription drugs and alcohol. She was 29. Edie was Andy Warhol's first "It" girl, and is the subject of a movie that was recently released and soon to be available in DVD called "Factory Girl". We read a very good book entitled "Edie: An American Girl". Highly recommended reading. It provides a vivid first hand view into the 1960s art scene in New York, the decandence and depravity of the old-money WASP culture, and a lesson on how easily people who have everything going for them - looks, money, talent, fame - can make a complete mess of their lives and of the people around them.
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Christmas Presents
Got a Buffalo wireless router and access point to replace the old one. This one has three times the range and twice the throughput of a traditional 802.11g router. Only $40 at www.Newegg.com
Also, bought myself a Tesoro Ciboli. What, you might ask, is that? It's a metal detector. Hope to find some relics with it.
The WB got an ambulance, construction set, a red bike, and assorted smaller items. He asked a lot of questions on the mechanics of Santa and the Reindeer. For instance, How could he get through the glass cover on the gas fireplace? Why didn't he just come through the door? Where, indeed, IS the chimney?
All answers were provided, of course. But he had the same demeaner as we did at that age. To wit, "OK, if you say so, I'll go along with it, but I have reservations". One does not ask too many questions when toys are involved.
Also, bought myself a Tesoro Ciboli. What, you might ask, is that? It's a metal detector. Hope to find some relics with it.
The WB got an ambulance, construction set, a red bike, and assorted smaller items. He asked a lot of questions on the mechanics of Santa and the Reindeer. For instance, How could he get through the glass cover on the gas fireplace? Why didn't he just come through the door? Where, indeed, IS the chimney?
All answers were provided, of course. But he had the same demeaner as we did at that age. To wit, "OK, if you say so, I'll go along with it, but I have reservations". One does not ask too many questions when toys are involved.
Book Review: The Civil War - A Narrative
No, this is not the book review that reveals the identity of the girl in the previous post.
Actually, back in October, we here at the city desk of the Factual Dog went to bed one night and discovered that we were out of new books to read. Since that would clearly not do, we went down to the basement library and started re-reading the first few pages of Shelby Foote's three-part series, "The Civil War - A Narrative, Volume 1". We first read this 2,800 page saga in 1991 (old bookmarks in the form scrap paper, such as receipts, showed the exact dates and locations I was reading it - in one case on a flight to Saginaw, Michigan).
As our readers know, we have a facination/obsession with everything Civil War, and Foote's "Narrative" is nothing short of epic. It is as readible as the best novel you will find, and as comprehensive as anything written on the subject. Moreover, he tells the story with something even the best historians lack: balance. This is not to say Foote is in any way defending the south from a political point of view. Rather, he gives you the facts as seen from both sides. You may not agree with any one political faction, but you certainly do get in the minds of the people who started and fought the war. We only give 5 star ratings to a very, very few books. This is one.
He also strikes a balance between East and West. For most Americans (at least the ones who have even a basic familiarity with American history), the Civil War was basically about Gettysburg and Grant and Lee duking it out in Virginia. Foote dedicates as much - or nearly as much - space on the "western" theater as on the east. Few people could tell you that Chicamauga was the second bloodiest battle of the War. Or that Shiloh had more casualties than the Revolution, the War of 1812, and the Mexican War combined. And Shiloh ended up at around 10th place on the list of Civil War battle casualties. Grant and Lee, remember, opposed each other for all of 13 months, almost entirely within an area of about 100 x 75 miles. The entire front was over 1,000 miles long, and there were over 10,000 battles and skirmishes.
So after reading 2,000 pages over the next six weeks, we decided to give it a rest at the North Anna River (June, 1864). We will finish it up sometime later in the year, but meanwhile, a shipment of seven books came in - none having to do with the Civil War, btw. So last week we read a book about the young woman in the picture (hint, she was 28 at the time, and is now deceased). We are now reading "Freakonmics", which is short but interesting. Will get a review out on both in no time.
Actually, back in October, we here at the city desk of the Factual Dog went to bed one night and discovered that we were out of new books to read. Since that would clearly not do, we went down to the basement library and started re-reading the first few pages of Shelby Foote's three-part series, "The Civil War - A Narrative, Volume 1". We first read this 2,800 page saga in 1991 (old bookmarks in the form scrap paper, such as receipts, showed the exact dates and locations I was reading it - in one case on a flight to Saginaw, Michigan).
As our readers know, we have a facination/obsession with everything Civil War, and Foote's "Narrative" is nothing short of epic. It is as readible as the best novel you will find, and as comprehensive as anything written on the subject. Moreover, he tells the story with something even the best historians lack: balance. This is not to say Foote is in any way defending the south from a political point of view. Rather, he gives you the facts as seen from both sides. You may not agree with any one political faction, but you certainly do get in the minds of the people who started and fought the war. We only give 5 star ratings to a very, very few books. This is one.
He also strikes a balance between East and West. For most Americans (at least the ones who have even a basic familiarity with American history), the Civil War was basically about Gettysburg and Grant and Lee duking it out in Virginia. Foote dedicates as much - or nearly as much - space on the "western" theater as on the east. Few people could tell you that Chicamauga was the second bloodiest battle of the War. Or that Shiloh had more casualties than the Revolution, the War of 1812, and the Mexican War combined. And Shiloh ended up at around 10th place on the list of Civil War battle casualties. Grant and Lee, remember, opposed each other for all of 13 months, almost entirely within an area of about 100 x 75 miles. The entire front was over 1,000 miles long, and there were over 10,000 battles and skirmishes.
So after reading 2,000 pages over the next six weeks, we decided to give it a rest at the North Anna River (June, 1864). We will finish it up sometime later in the year, but meanwhile, a shipment of seven books came in - none having to do with the Civil War, btw. So last week we read a book about the young woman in the picture (hint, she was 28 at the time, and is now deceased). We are now reading "Freakonmics", which is short but interesting. Will get a review out on both in no time.
Hmmm...New Version of Blogger
Just downloaded the new version of Blogger. I'm sure there are some cool options in here somewhere. I just don't see them.
Sunday, November 19, 2006
The Raconteurs and Bob Dylan, November 17, 2006
Saw the Raconteurs and Bob Dylan at the Patriot Center the other night. Went with GB (who gets a hat tip for organizing this little outing), DC and Will. I hadn’t been to the Patriot Center since seeing an “HFS Nutcracker” c. 1992. It’s a serviceable if unremarkable venue. This was my first exposure to the Raconteurs, and they were definitely worth seeing. I’d describe their music as hard rock of the pre-big hair Heavy Metal era (i.e., back when heavy metal was defined by powerful drums, driving bass, and assertive lead guitar, rather than by satanic symbolism and overdone stage make up). They are what we grew up calling a Rock Band: A lead vocalist, a bass player, a drummer, and a rhythm guitarist. We caught about an hour of their show, and I look forward to catching them again, hopefully outdoors.
As for Dylan, in a sense this was the first time I’d seen him too. Everything about his music and stage presence – except perhaps the lyrics themselves – is completely different from when I saw him in 1994. Which in turn was completely different from when I saw him in 1987.
Someone once said “All my favorite singers couldn’t sing”, in an oblique reference to Dylan. I had always felt that Dylan’s supposed reputation for being a poor singer was an urban myth, unless I just didn’t understand the definition of singer. He has written and performed some of the most beautiful songs ever recorded. Nowadays, I have to admit that I can’t find a whole lot in his music, particularly onstage, that I find appealing. In his current incarnation, he sings in a deep raspy voice that is akin to Tom Waits, in the same sense that Dylan’s first recordings back in 1962 sounded an awful lot like Woody Guthrie. Not that Dylan is emulating the former, in the way that he clearly was paying homage to the latter, but I can’t think of another way to describe his singing style. He is much more low key than ever, never even bothering to face the audience.
I couldn't help but sensing that many people in the audience were expecting him to stand up with his guitar and play his songs the way they know them. But they should have known not to expect that. My expectations were pretty much in line with what was delivered, so I wasn’t overly disappointed. The only thing that I found dissatisfying was that he didn’t play guitar at all. He stood at a little keyboard the whole time. Apparently there are rumors that he doesn’t play the guitar anymore due to back problems, but nobody has confirmed that.
Finally, a draw for me when it comes to a Bob Dylan show these days is the opportunity to see living history. Being in the presence of one of the central cultural figures of the 20th century is reason enough to go see him - once. He has always been an enigma, and one should know going in that he is not going to perform his old songs in the familiar way, like Neil Diamond for instance. But I think this is the last time for me. I’ll stick to the music of his that I love, and thankfully there is more than enough of that to last a lifetime.
As for Dylan, in a sense this was the first time I’d seen him too. Everything about his music and stage presence – except perhaps the lyrics themselves – is completely different from when I saw him in 1994. Which in turn was completely different from when I saw him in 1987.
Someone once said “All my favorite singers couldn’t sing”, in an oblique reference to Dylan. I had always felt that Dylan’s supposed reputation for being a poor singer was an urban myth, unless I just didn’t understand the definition of singer. He has written and performed some of the most beautiful songs ever recorded. Nowadays, I have to admit that I can’t find a whole lot in his music, particularly onstage, that I find appealing. In his current incarnation, he sings in a deep raspy voice that is akin to Tom Waits, in the same sense that Dylan’s first recordings back in 1962 sounded an awful lot like Woody Guthrie. Not that Dylan is emulating the former, in the way that he clearly was paying homage to the latter, but I can’t think of another way to describe his singing style. He is much more low key than ever, never even bothering to face the audience.
I couldn't help but sensing that many people in the audience were expecting him to stand up with his guitar and play his songs the way they know them. But they should have known not to expect that. My expectations were pretty much in line with what was delivered, so I wasn’t overly disappointed. The only thing that I found dissatisfying was that he didn’t play guitar at all. He stood at a little keyboard the whole time. Apparently there are rumors that he doesn’t play the guitar anymore due to back problems, but nobody has confirmed that.
Finally, a draw for me when it comes to a Bob Dylan show these days is the opportunity to see living history. Being in the presence of one of the central cultural figures of the 20th century is reason enough to go see him - once. He has always been an enigma, and one should know going in that he is not going to perform his old songs in the familiar way, like Neil Diamond for instance. But I think this is the last time for me. I’ll stick to the music of his that I love, and thankfully there is more than enough of that to last a lifetime.
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Kennecott, AK. The copper processing facililty for what at the time was the largest copper mine in the world. Abandonded without notice, it is a massive time capsule in the middle of nowhere. The mining company sent men there to burn it down in the 1940s, but seemed to forget to pay them. The men decided that if they weren't going to get paid, they weren't going to torch the place. This was one very fortunate missed payday. The tour costs $25 and takes over two hours. The price seemed steep at first blush; but at the end of the day, I felt it was worth every cent. Time is frozen inside these buildings. These are not reproductions or restorations. The machinery - even small items like gloves, tools, and other materials - are still there. It's as if a small civilization just vanished on a summer day in 1938.
The old railroad bridge to McCarthy. It carried copper ore from the mountains down to Cordova, where the ore was shipped to the smelting plants on the West Coast. The last copper shipment was in 1938. After that, locals used the bridge for driving. The last person to cross it in a car reportedly did so in 1968. Now it is a relic, slowly being consumed by the vast wilderness.
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