[Deep Thought]
You do what you do. Because if you don't do what you do, what the heck are you doing?
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Scouting the enemy.
I just watched about 45 minutes of the GOP presidential debate. Obviously, I don't agree with many of their positions, but it was interesting. Here are three observations and opinions:
1) They rarely attacked Obama. Rather, they focused on the differences among themselves.
2) Two of them seemed intelligent -- Romney and Cain.
3) Two of them seemed so stupid they shouldn't be allowed to vote, much less be president -- Perry and Paul.
I do the dirty work, folks, so you don't have to do it.
[Addendum]
They mentioned Ronald Reagan about every other sentence, even though their policies are not even similar to his.
1) They rarely attacked Obama. Rather, they focused on the differences among themselves.
2) Two of them seemed intelligent -- Romney and Cain.
3) Two of them seemed so stupid they shouldn't be allowed to vote, much less be president -- Perry and Paul.
I do the dirty work, folks, so you don't have to do it.
[Addendum]
They mentioned Ronald Reagan about every other sentence, even though their policies are not even similar to his.
Odd Days: The Long Take
I have one more movie to add to my favorites from this year's Telluride Film Festival:
In Darkness (director, Agnieszka Holland). For those of you who have already seen your last holocaust movie, you can forgo this one. But it is a powerful story about a handful of Polish Jews who escape into the sewer system and take up residency there. If you are not familiar with Holland, let me just say, she can really tell a tale.
Interestingly, the movie Tanya and I, and I dare say many others at Telluride, discussed the most is one I won't be recommending. But because we spent so much time on it, I feel compelled to tell you about it. The title is "Shame" and the director is Steve McQueen of "Hunger" fame. ("Hunger" is a movie about Bobby Sands hunger strike.)
Shame is ostensibly about a sex addict who wanders the streets of NYC looking for a hookup. Any hookup. When he is not wandering the streets, he is either watching porn or having online sex. He has a sister with a similar approach to dealing with the darkness of their past.
To me, the most notable aspect of the film is the looooonnnnnnnnnngggggggggg takes. I found them excruciating. For example, Carey Mulligan (the sister) sang New York New York in its entirety at 1/10 tempo. Holy crap. She'd finish a verse and I'd say to myself, please god, don't let her lips open for the next verse. But they did. Over and over again for what seemed like hours. I think she ruined the song for me.
So when Mr. McQueen applies the long take to every third scene of a movie about a sex addict, that means the audience gets to watch this poor protagonist (Michael Fassbinder) engage in the sex act with some random female (or male, or two females or....) for way too long. For those of you who think it sounds fun or erotic or something, let me disabuse you of that notion. What you will see is Fassbinder's butt going up and down (really, that's it. all you see is the butt filling the screen and going up and down and up and down) for...hmmmmm....maybe five minutes. Then on to the next long take. Think about it. Oof.
So we had long discussions about the back story, the definition of sex addiction, what McQueen was trying to say, and whether making the audience as uncomfortable as possible was the best way to do it. While in the gondola with two elderly men, we all discussed the chances McQueen could obtain an R rating for the film. One of the gentlemen gave a loud snort and said, "Ha. What rating comes after X?"
Let me know if you see it.
In Darkness (director, Agnieszka Holland). For those of you who have already seen your last holocaust movie, you can forgo this one. But it is a powerful story about a handful of Polish Jews who escape into the sewer system and take up residency there. If you are not familiar with Holland, let me just say, she can really tell a tale.
Interestingly, the movie Tanya and I, and I dare say many others at Telluride, discussed the most is one I won't be recommending. But because we spent so much time on it, I feel compelled to tell you about it. The title is "Shame" and the director is Steve McQueen of "Hunger" fame. ("Hunger" is a movie about Bobby Sands hunger strike.)
Shame is ostensibly about a sex addict who wanders the streets of NYC looking for a hookup. Any hookup. When he is not wandering the streets, he is either watching porn or having online sex. He has a sister with a similar approach to dealing with the darkness of their past.
To me, the most notable aspect of the film is the looooonnnnnnnnnngggggggggg takes. I found them excruciating. For example, Carey Mulligan (the sister) sang New York New York in its entirety at 1/10 tempo. Holy crap. She'd finish a verse and I'd say to myself, please god, don't let her lips open for the next verse. But they did. Over and over again for what seemed like hours. I think she ruined the song for me.
So when Mr. McQueen applies the long take to every third scene of a movie about a sex addict, that means the audience gets to watch this poor protagonist (Michael Fassbinder) engage in the sex act with some random female (or male, or two females or....) for way too long. For those of you who think it sounds fun or erotic or something, let me disabuse you of that notion. What you will see is Fassbinder's butt going up and down (really, that's it. all you see is the butt filling the screen and going up and down and up and down) for...hmmmmm....maybe five minutes. Then on to the next long take. Think about it. Oof.
So we had long discussions about the back story, the definition of sex addiction, what McQueen was trying to say, and whether making the audience as uncomfortable as possible was the best way to do it. While in the gondola with two elderly men, we all discussed the chances McQueen could obtain an R rating for the film. One of the gentlemen gave a loud snort and said, "Ha. What rating comes after X?"
Let me know if you see it.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Bucket lists.
One of the trendy terms of the day is "bucket list", meaning things you want to do before you die. You could just as accurately say "things you want to do," but I suppose "before you die" implies a sense of urgency.
I hold go-go Baby Boomers responsible for "bucket list", though I, being on the cusp, surely had nothing to do with it. The extended definition, "more of the same, but at a more frenetic, less satisfying pace," is anathema to me.
This is one of the few subjects on which Twila and I disagree. Here are our respective bucket lists [I don't know the details of Twila's list, so part of this is fact and part imagined, but the gist is correct]:
Twila's Bucket List
--------------------
1) Live in a foreign country.
2) Join the Peace Corps.
3) Write a popular novel.
4) Complete the Race Across America.
5) Do an African safari.
6) Visit India again.
7) Hike at least 50 miles a week.
8) Become an independent film addict.
9) Keep thinking of new things to do.
Durf's Bucket List
-------------------
1) Chill.
I mean, really! I've spent close to 90% of my life going to school or laboring 40+ hours a week, followed by doing budgets, taking care of property, trying to stay informed, and studying enough to maintain my employability. We've traveled extensively around much of the world. For recreation we've run in the Himalayas, biked across France, hiked across Scotland, and dived at The Great Barrier Reef. We've completed over a dozen marathons and a like number of ultra-marathons, and competed at a national level in bridge, both of which require so much time and training that they are effectively mutually exclusive at the same times. We've driven around the U.S. twice, the first time running and the next time playing bridge at every stop. In our loose change moments we either climb mountains or ride bikes. And now that what's left of my hair is turning gray I'm supposed to pick up the pace?
O M G !
Because I love my wife I won't abandon her in pursuit of her bucket list, though I'd rather have a daily colonoscopy without sedation than join the Peace Corps. But is there no empathy for my bucket list? Are flying RC helicopters, sitting in my massage chair and flicking, or contemplating my past experiences and trying to grow as a person unworthy pursuits? I truly hope not.
I hold go-go Baby Boomers responsible for "bucket list", though I, being on the cusp, surely had nothing to do with it. The extended definition, "more of the same, but at a more frenetic, less satisfying pace," is anathema to me.
This is one of the few subjects on which Twila and I disagree. Here are our respective bucket lists [I don't know the details of Twila's list, so part of this is fact and part imagined, but the gist is correct]:
Twila's Bucket List
--------------------
1) Live in a foreign country.
2) Join the Peace Corps.
3) Write a popular novel.
4) Complete the Race Across America.
5) Do an African safari.
6) Visit India again.
7) Hike at least 50 miles a week.
8) Become an independent film addict.
9) Keep thinking of new things to do.
Durf's Bucket List
-------------------
1) Chill.
I mean, really! I've spent close to 90% of my life going to school or laboring 40+ hours a week, followed by doing budgets, taking care of property, trying to stay informed, and studying enough to maintain my employability. We've traveled extensively around much of the world. For recreation we've run in the Himalayas, biked across France, hiked across Scotland, and dived at The Great Barrier Reef. We've completed over a dozen marathons and a like number of ultra-marathons, and competed at a national level in bridge, both of which require so much time and training that they are effectively mutually exclusive at the same times. We've driven around the U.S. twice, the first time running and the next time playing bridge at every stop. In our loose change moments we either climb mountains or ride bikes. And now that what's left of my hair is turning gray I'm supposed to pick up the pace?
O M G !
Because I love my wife I won't abandon her in pursuit of her bucket list, though I'd rather have a daily colonoscopy without sedation than join the Peace Corps. But is there no empathy for my bucket list? Are flying RC helicopters, sitting in my massage chair and flicking, or contemplating my past experiences and trying to grow as a person unworthy pursuits? I truly hope not.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Odd Days: Telluride
Have I mentioned how much I love Telluride? I'll make this short and sweet. We haven't seen a bvim film yet. Here are our top three so far, in chronological order.
1. Albert Nobbs. This is Glenn Close's new film about a person who spends his whole life in disguise. I hesitate to say more about the plot. Suffice it to say, Ms Close has never been better and the film is incredibly moving. And yet there is plenty of humor, surprising humor.
2. Footnote. I am horrified that we almost decided to skip this film based on the descriptive blurb. It is a story about a man's relationship with his father. Both are academics, but the father seems to be slightly autistic. Sound dry? Don't believe it for a second.
3. The Separation. An incredible film about an Iranian couple who separate because they are not permitted to divorce. The film is about the consequences of that separation. Sound familiar? Don't believe it for a second.
I should say that I am not an independent film addict nor am I a pretentious twiddlepoop. I would bet an excellent bottle of champagne that any of you reading this bog would like all three of those films. Report back, please.
We fully expect to see at least three more masterpieces before we leave Telluride. You'll be the first to hear about them!
1. Albert Nobbs. This is Glenn Close's new film about a person who spends his whole life in disguise. I hesitate to say more about the plot. Suffice it to say, Ms Close has never been better and the film is incredibly moving. And yet there is plenty of humor, surprising humor.
2. Footnote. I am horrified that we almost decided to skip this film based on the descriptive blurb. It is a story about a man's relationship with his father. Both are academics, but the father seems to be slightly autistic. Sound dry? Don't believe it for a second.
3. The Separation. An incredible film about an Iranian couple who separate because they are not permitted to divorce. The film is about the consequences of that separation. Sound familiar? Don't believe it for a second.
I should say that I am not an independent film addict nor am I a pretentious twiddlepoop. I would bet an excellent bottle of champagne that any of you reading this bog would like all three of those films. Report back, please.
We fully expect to see at least three more masterpieces before we leave Telluride. You'll be the first to hear about them!
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Odd Days: George Clooney
Here we are in Telluride, one of the most beautiful places on earth, as I know I've said before. Oh and there's a film festival here too.
We just saw our first film, a silent movie called "The Artist" (well worth seeing). Unfortunately, our screening was delayed by an hour because George Clooney was spotted outside the theater and, well...he was mobbed.
That bit of information is interesting (IMO) for two reasons: 1) Telluride fancies itself to be a festival where all participants can relax and enjoy themselves without the intrusion of the paparazzi. Cameras must be left in their cases; and 2) apparently some people consider George Clooney an actor.
Glenn Close is here. So is Tilda Swinton and Werner Herzog. Alice Waters too. But the crowd surrounds George. George of the bowl cut hair and neck-stiffening sideways glances. Go figure.
We just saw our first film, a silent movie called "The Artist" (well worth seeing). Unfortunately, our screening was delayed by an hour because George Clooney was spotted outside the theater and, well...he was mobbed.
That bit of information is interesting (IMO) for two reasons: 1) Telluride fancies itself to be a festival where all participants can relax and enjoy themselves without the intrusion of the paparazzi. Cameras must be left in their cases; and 2) apparently some people consider George Clooney an actor.
Glenn Close is here. So is Tilda Swinton and Werner Herzog. Alice Waters too. But the crowd surrounds George. George of the bowl cut hair and neck-stiffening sideways glances. Go figure.
Chatter.
A few weeks ago I was doing something outside Twila's office when I heard her chuckling. I asked her what was funny.
"I was just listening to you subvocalizing."
"Oh. Ha ha."
Fortunately there was a dictionary at hand. "Ah," I thought, "I was talking to myself."
"Did you say something, Durf?"
"No, sorry!" Oops.
I suppose I'd known at some level that I went around merrily chatting with myself, but I'd never really focused on it. Now seemed like a good time to start. After all, I didn't want a couple of meathooks to put me in one of those tops where the arms tie behind the back and cart me off to floofy land. I made it a project to stop subvocalizing and talking to myself.
So far I'm doing okay. I've mostly shut down the audible part. When I do start chattering, I realize it quickly and think, "SHHHHH!" (Sometimes I say "SHHHHH", but I still think it's progress.)
The mental part is harder, but it's important. When I thought about it, after all those years, subvocalizing is mental noise that interferes with thinking. Instead of concentrating on what's happening, my brain is creating words and articulating them, even when my speech organs are idle. That's a distraction.
As time goes on I'm doing better, but it's difficult. It's like meditation, which is also very difficult, but extremely rewarding when you succeed. You can quiet your mind for a while, but when you relax the noise starts again. It's not a failure, you just have to keep trying.
"I was just listening to you subvocalizing."
"Oh. Ha ha."
Fortunately there was a dictionary at hand. "Ah," I thought, "I was talking to myself."
"Did you say something, Durf?"
"No, sorry!" Oops.
I suppose I'd known at some level that I went around merrily chatting with myself, but I'd never really focused on it. Now seemed like a good time to start. After all, I didn't want a couple of meathooks to put me in one of those tops where the arms tie behind the back and cart me off to floofy land. I made it a project to stop subvocalizing and talking to myself.
So far I'm doing okay. I've mostly shut down the audible part. When I do start chattering, I realize it quickly and think, "SHHHHH!" (Sometimes I say "SHHHHH", but I still think it's progress.)
The mental part is harder, but it's important. When I thought about it, after all those years, subvocalizing is mental noise that interferes with thinking. Instead of concentrating on what's happening, my brain is creating words and articulating them, even when my speech organs are idle. That's a distraction.
As time goes on I'm doing better, but it's difficult. It's like meditation, which is also very difficult, but extremely rewarding when you succeed. You can quiet your mind for a while, but when you relax the noise starts again. It's not a failure, you just have to keep trying.
Just a thought.
When machines obviate the need for human labor, as they eventually will, we'll have to develop a new paradigm not only for our economy, but also for society. I doubt those who lean left politically will have any trouble adapting, but what about conservatives? The individual worker is the bedrock of their philosophy. Will the new machine age mean the end of conservatism?
Friday, September 2, 2011
Wordiness.
The reason I'm doing this blog is because Twila thought we should have a blog to succeed the world-famous, "He Sez, She Sez". NuSTAR and NYC gave us an easy blog to start with, and now we're here. I'm not the kind of person who attaches balloons to his cubicle on his birthday - I really would rather that nobody know. But NuSTAR ended and I'm unemployed, and NYC ended and I'm in Loveland. Sometimes I have to talk about myself, and sometimes I just have to say what I think - or it would be a long time between my posts. The good thing is, no-one has to read more than they want to, so I'm off the hook.
Recently I did a 3-part post about fear and pain. I know it's wordy and Dr. Phil and all that, but you should read it.
People don't talk about it much, so there could be billions, but I'm the only person I know who doesn't suffer from fear. I'm also the only person I know who doesn't suffer from pain. I told you how to do that. It's valuable.
Recently I did a 3-part post about fear and pain. I know it's wordy and Dr. Phil and all that, but you should read it.
People don't talk about it much, so there could be billions, but I'm the only person I know who doesn't suffer from fear. I'm also the only person I know who doesn't suffer from pain. I told you how to do that. It's valuable.
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