Tuesday, July 1
The Classic Brillo
Thursday, June 5
Tribute Recommends: 30 Days
Little did I know, however, that Morgan Spurlock, the creative genius behind Super Size Me, is a fellow West Virginian, born in Parkersburg and raised in Beckley. My Spurlock obsession was sparked by the viewing of his current project, 30 Days, a show on FX. I had not even heard of this show when I saw my first preview for it last week.
The premise for the show is to see what change can come about from walking in the shoes of another for 30 days. What grabbed my attention and made me watch this week's episode was that it placed Spurlock in a West Virginia coal mine for 30 days. My father has been a coal miner since before my birth, so this has always been a part of my life, but more on the periphery due to an inability to conceptualize exactly what it's like to go into the Earth for work everyday. So, it was very interesting to watch the show, both because it was definitely something close to Spurlock and something close to me.
Spurlock's discussions, both with just the camera as well as with others, are very engaging and smart. In addition to walking in the steps of a miner, he chose to do a segment on the issue of mountain top removal and surface mining, a very hot topic in the state. The emotion the surfaced in those interviews and expression of the facts were expertly captured. The hidden beauties of the state are many; the mountains hold most of them. Yet, these coal companies blow up the mountains to access coal that would be next to impossible to mine. A unique situation yet all too common theme of the human condition: do we curb our consumption habits or just continue to consume, assuming that by some miracle of God the environment will renew itself?
The show is in it's 3rd season. It's on Tuesdays at 10pm, with an encore at 11pm. I highly recommend choosing one to which you can relate and checking it out. Informative and entertaining.
Tuesday, June 3
Step it up, Associated Press!
As I anxiously awaited Colin Firth's appearance on The View, the ladies were discussing various "hot topics" when Whoopi Goldberg announced that there was breaking news coming in from the AP. It was the announcement that Hillary Clinton would concede this evening that Obama has won the proper number of delegates in order to take the Democratic nomination. This, of course, is a hugely anticipated milestone in the presidential campaign. This news is so anticipated that Barbara Walters asked Whoopi to repeat the announcement before breaking for commercial, which she did. They return from commercial and continue on chatting when Whoopi suddenly interrupts the flow for yet another AP announcement. The Clinton camp wanted to squash the former AP announcement and confirmed that Hillary would not be conceding this evening.
How does this happen with such a respected and leading news authority? Within 5 or 10 minutes time a seemingly straightforward claim is proven completely unfounded and false. This is a case of black and white that needs to remain that way--either one will concede or she will not. There is no in between or wiggle room for debate.
To read up on just how powerful the AP has grown to be, check out this article. It demonstrates the breadth of influence the agency holds and may lead you to question, based on the atrocity above, exactly why it continues to be such a force in reporting.
Sunday, June 1
Addiction: America's Next Top Model
I am, however, admittedly becoming more and more attracted to crazy marathons. Before, it was much less likely that I could watch them in their entirety because of timing. Being stuck home for 3 weeks has, however, changed this. Ironically, my first full marathon was America's Next Top Model, Cycle 5. The key to this viewing was, thankfully, the great DVR technology. I think part of my motivation for watching was to get them out of my DVR queue. How many folks would you want to see upwards of 8 episodes of America's Next Top Model in yours?
In any case, I thought this was a one time occurence. However, as I flipped through the trusty cable guide today, I noticed it was a new day of ANTM marathon on MTV! I will leave it a mystery whether or not I repeated the recording and viewing like above! Some things are just better left to secret.
Friday, May 23
A Plug
So, if you haven't before, check it out.
Wednesday, March 19
Political Monogamy: 21st Century Oxymoron
I know we had Clinton, a respectable and very strong leader, who had to dodge the storm of public opinion that followed the uncovering of his tryst with Monica Lewinsky. While completely revolting, disappointing and shocking, for some reason that incident played out without getting under my skin too terribly much. Perhaps it was that there was some small bit of consequence being paid. Instead of such extreme focus on the rest of the political package and legend and a blind eye to the moral wrong (as is the case with JFK), there was some acknowledgement of wrong and reaction to that wrong.
When Gov. Spitzer of New York came out about being nabbed by the feds for participation in a prostitution ring, it was even more revolting. A lawmaker fell to the ranks of a lawbreaker in addition to a major wrongdoer, morally speaking. Now, David Paterson and his wife have come foreward to air their dirty laundry, admitting to affairs on both ends due to a rocky marriage. Are we supposed to think it's better that they apparently agreed that they should both branch out? I do not quite understand all of this cheating and inability to be a loyal partner. And what part of these actions is meant to lead us to believe that they will be loyal leaders for us if they don't even do that with those whom they pledge their lives to andexchange vows.
As our elected lawmakers and leaders, they should know best the laws of moral and legal conduct. Why they all have chosen to be involved in legal marriages, only to violate the very basis of those marriages, is beyond me. It's optional people! It's also perfectly acceptable this day in age to get a divorce or at the very least separated...before you've violated what was to be your lifetime partner and, in many cases, the fellow parent of your children. So, why not just make it legal. Curb those apparently unforgiving human impulses and practice a little self-control. While the Governor Spitzers, Governor Patersons and many others in the world make it seem unbelievable...it really is possible. I think we should consider getting a handle on this before the future generations of America sit in their various history classes, learning of the defunct attempts to join the concepts of politics and monogamy.
Tuesday, March 18
Beware iTunes Junkies
I am an iTunes junkie.
As a proud iPhone owner and user, I have discovered new features of the phone nearly every month that make me love it more. One thing I know I had been told of early on but obviously breezed over was the new iTunes feature on the phone. The phone contains all of the great iPod features, but the added bonus is that you can download music from iTunes straight to the iPod included in the phone. I'm guessing that my breezing over this initially was divine intervention in order to avoid financial collapse!
Usually, this takes more time and effort since the typical iPod owner must login on their computer and explore the iTunes store, download and then synch that new music on their iPod. The bonus feature of the iPhone makes it so that you simply go into the iTunes Store, using the wireless internet connection and click buy.
I just discovered this and used it for the first time a couple nights ago. I have two words to describe the experience...awesome...and...dangerous. All music is a simple click away, providing you've got the wireless connection available to do so. This is probably the one area of shopping that definitely makes me the typical American consumer with an insatiable appetite.
Wednesday, February 27
Sleepy Hollow
I got to visit Sleepy Hollow, NY, or at least the immediate vicinity as I went on a site visit for work at the Tarrytown House. There was some talk at the close of the tour about how the headless horseman makes an annual visit to the estate, blowing through to the fascination of kids and adults alike. Instead of scoffing at this and laughing at the gullibility of those who would participate in such a silly thing, I thought to myself: "How cool is that for the imagination?" Just goes to show the magic of legend remains steadfast despite the passing of my years!
Friday, February 22
Expiration Worries
One of the ways I've found to help rehabilitate my ways and perhaps compensate in some way is through my milk purchases. At first glance, organic milk is expensive. To look at a carton of milk and think of paying over $3 for that milk makes one wince. However, first, there truly is a difference in taste. Organic milk is very cold and fresh tasting. That, alone though, does not validate the purchase. What does is the fact that the expiration date on organic milk gives you another good two weeks than you would otherwise get out of your milk purchase. I have been a repeat offender in the area of wasting milk as well...for years. As soon as I started buying it while in the dorm, I realized there would not be too many times that I would even polish off a half gallon within its fresh period. But, to downgrade meant possibly not having enough. And who wants to get stuck with a dry bowl of cereal in the sleepy mornings?
I have learned since this discovery that ultrapasteurization (heating the milk to a higher temp) is what extends the expiration. There is speculation, however, that you should still ditch the milk a week after opening.