Email notification to Brandon Starr's blog has been shown to reduce bad cholesterol in two-toed sloths, and has been used as an effective exfoliant.
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Monday, September 27, 2004
Conan O'Brien to replace Leno in 2009
Leno signs five-year contract, O'Brien signs guarantee to replace him in 2009.
This certainly avoids the bruhaha that occurred when Johnny Carson retired, pitting Letterman against Leno.
O'Brien has a strange act--I wonder if he'll alter it much, either between now and 2009 or once he takes over.
Interesting.
Did anyone see Conan's "Walker, Texas Ranger" lever? I thought that was about the funniest thing I've ever seen on his show--not that I watch it all that much. But when you rip them out of context, those "Walker" clips are bizarre and extreme. Funny stuff.
Crude oil over $49.50; Nigeria, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq supply problems cited.
(Disclosure: I have a long position in oil producer/refiner/retailer ExxonMobil.)
Seems like the markets are now willing to believe that the current supply and demand situation is what it is and isn't likely to allow declining oil prices soon.
Good news if you have a position in the oil stocks. Bad news if you drive a car, are a business owner, buy items that were shipped anywhere, or like spending money on things other than gasoline or fuel oil.
Hmm...
Another indication that Bush's policies aren't helping things. Four years of ignoring the possibilities of alternative fuels or increasing efficiences, all in order to help his buddies in the oil biz, plus the incompetence of his leadership viz the Bush war, means the shift in the supply/demand equation as China and India and others increased their demand for oil has caused prices to soar. Alternative fuels and increased efficiencies could have meant more slack in the demand side of the equation; letting the weapons inspectors continue to do their jobs would have meant Iraq not being shut off as a source of supply with regular sabotage attacks.
But the price continues to rise even as recent efforts to get Iraq back online mean the best exports since Bush's war started. What happens when Iraq gets another big sabotage attack? It just means there's more room for the price of crude to creep up.
(I've also read that fuel oil prices are already as high now as they ever were last winter--and we haven't hit October yet.)
If Bush is elected (for the first time, for the last time) in November, I may just double up my oil position.
Sunday, September 26, 2004
Colin Powell: Iraq insurgency is worsening
Powell: Insurgency is worsening (BBC)
Yet he says it's premature to assume elections cannot be held in January.
All righty.
Meanwhile, for U.S. troops, we're up to 1048 dead and 4026 wounded badly enough not to be able to return to duty within 72 hours, according to the Iraq Coalition Casualty Count. (this number will be higher if you click after 9/26/04.)
They rigorously follow all casualty information released by the Armed Forces. Presumably, it's accurate. But it's hard to say. If there are black ops in there, they likely aren't included. Any other groups not included? Who knows.
I wonder, regardless of the "official" current count, how many is too many to be dead or maimed due to a "President's" lie?
I have a number in mind...
Saturday, September 25, 2004
I saw "Shaun of the Dead" yesterday.
Very funny. If you missed its coming, it's a British zombie film. Half-comedy, half-horror, it isn't quite a parody of "Night of the Living Dead" and its sequels, yet it owes an extremely large amount to those films.
(VAGUE SPOILERS AHEAD)
The zombies are the classic Romero types: slow, stupid, but relentless, and dangerous in numbers.
The film also explores issues largely left untouched by the Romero films: what do you do if your friend or loved one becomes a zombie? How quickly would you recognize a zombie uprising for what it is? And, especially, how important is it to have access to beer when deciding on your safe house?
The film, while both comedic and horrific throughout, tilts toward comedy at the beginning: Shaun and his cohorts take a long, long time to realize what they're up against, with much comedy resulting. Towards the end, as main characters are threatened and friends and family disappear into the outstretched arms of the zombie horde, horror is the main ingredient. Yet some balance is always maintained.
The British style of humor is there--in reactions, in the language, in the physical humor, and in the use of pacing and cuts. But because it uses parody of American films, it never feels quite British, either. It's an interesting mix.
If you like the Romero films, horror, zombies, or making fun of any of those things, you'll love "Shaun of the Dead."
Friday, September 24, 2004
I saw "American Splendor" the other day on cable for the first time.
It's a good movie. The writer, who knew R. Crumb early on and whose comics were illustrated mostly by Crumb, has the same sort of quiet hopelessness as Crumb himself. It's easy to see why they became friends. If friends is the right word--neither person has the personality for a friendship in the usual meaning of the word. But they had some sort of close relationship, anyway.
If you haven't seen the movie "Crumb," it's even better. It's a true documentary, rather than a biopic. And Crumb's relatives are as far gone or further than Crumb himself. It's a powerful movie, kind of a downer, but extremely interesting.
These two movies would definitely make a great double feature. I'm sure someone will do it if it hasn't been done already.
Anyway, "American Splendor" and "Crumb." If you like documentaries about individuals, comics, the underground art movement, or personality disorders, you'll like these two flicks.
Thursday, September 23, 2004
Ivan hitting Gulf Coast--again!...and, Jeanne.... All you need to know about Iyad Allawi
Iyad Allawi, the "leader" of Iraq, spoke out in a speech that I'm not going to quote here. Suffice it to say, only "President" Bush and Dick Cheney have more reasons to put a rosy glow on the horrors of Iraq.
So, what do you need to know about Allawi? Why did the Bush Administration choose him?
Like Bush's dad, Allawi is a CIA guy. (This is just a link to a mild TIME article. You can find out more by Googling "Allawi and CIA.")
Talk about putting the cobra in the cradle.
House Republicans vote to overturn separation of powers Wednesday, September 22, 2004
What most of the MST3k crew...
...is now doing: (Well, a good chunk: Mike "Mike" Nelson, Bill "Observer" Corbett, and Kevin "Tom Servo" Murphy) doing an NPR radio show about movies.
At least, there was a pilot show. I don't know where it's headed. You can hear a clip from the show on the site.
Check it out.
(MST3k is short for "Mystery Science Theater 3000," my all-time favorite TV show, and if you didn't know that, you probably won't be interested in what they're doing now.)
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