I don't want to pull a Dean or anything but I had to do a back-to-back post to say:
This week in TV is going to be totally epic
Monday: Bromance and The City on MTV premier
Wednesday: Real World BROOKLYN Premiers (too bad it's New Year's)
Meanwhile, team face has a new obsession: Mama's Boys.
make sure you hear from us every so often lest we slip into a Via-coma (dan, is that a portmanteau?)
...and RIP Pinson.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Hello, I'm a Mac...
So, as Christmas in the Savino house was mostly envelope giving this year, I have just purchased a new laptop after 6 years.
I'm a little concerned because my relationships with my mac friends are quintessentially "I'm a Mac...and I'm a PC" and I don't know how to define myself now. I'm not liberal enought for mac-dom: I eat meat (veal even! foie gras!), I looooove fur, I shoot guns (ok once, but I think my mom and I might hit up the midtown gun range), I occassionally side with free market economics, I don't like Scarlet Johanson.
Crisis of conscience.
It truly was a pivotal christmas. The only tree the family had was a small potted one in the corner, instead we strung ribbons from the light fixtures and hung our ornaments there (I really should edit Real Simple). My only presents were stocking stuffers, two of which I returned. NO CHURCH this year - a very heathen christmas indeed. But now, my father and I are starting a new tradition, though this year we listened to the whole of Handel's Messiah on the couch and fell asleep, next year (and every year thereafter) we're going to see it live - and most likely fall asleep too.
Christmas Money Purchase Roundup:
2 pairs black flat boots - would anyone like a pair? I made a final-sale mistake I seriously regret
4 pairs of tickets to New York City Ballet
2 pairs work-apropriate flats - one of which may be returned
1 ella moss top
MacBook
and, most importantly
GIANT FAUX LEOPARD PRINT COAT
bless your heart intermix sales.
To Purchase:
Wireless Keyboard
Opera and Ballet Tickets for Prague
Tights
Conspicuous consumption is alive and well.
To counteract it - I'm volunteering tomorrow night, driving around in a van and giving meals to homeless men and women.
AND
After a very successful "no purchases for myself" period from September 29th through December 25th, I'm reinstating it from January 2nd to 31st [break for Prague] then until Easter.
Pretty good eh?
I'm a little concerned because my relationships with my mac friends are quintessentially "I'm a Mac...and I'm a PC" and I don't know how to define myself now. I'm not liberal enought for mac-dom: I eat meat (veal even! foie gras!), I looooove fur, I shoot guns (ok once, but I think my mom and I might hit up the midtown gun range), I occassionally side with free market economics, I don't like Scarlet Johanson.
Crisis of conscience.
It truly was a pivotal christmas. The only tree the family had was a small potted one in the corner, instead we strung ribbons from the light fixtures and hung our ornaments there (I really should edit Real Simple). My only presents were stocking stuffers, two of which I returned. NO CHURCH this year - a very heathen christmas indeed. But now, my father and I are starting a new tradition, though this year we listened to the whole of Handel's Messiah on the couch and fell asleep, next year (and every year thereafter) we're going to see it live - and most likely fall asleep too.
Christmas Money Purchase Roundup:
2 pairs black flat boots - would anyone like a pair? I made a final-sale mistake I seriously regret
4 pairs of tickets to New York City Ballet
2 pairs work-apropriate flats - one of which may be returned
1 ella moss top
MacBook
and, most importantly
GIANT FAUX LEOPARD PRINT COAT
bless your heart intermix sales.
To Purchase:
Wireless Keyboard
Opera and Ballet Tickets for Prague
Tights
Conspicuous consumption is alive and well.
To counteract it - I'm volunteering tomorrow night, driving around in a van and giving meals to homeless men and women.
AND
After a very successful "no purchases for myself" period from September 29th through December 25th, I'm reinstating it from January 2nd to 31st [break for Prague] then until Easter.
Pretty good eh?
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Brief Thought on Warrenism--wait, Christian Fundamentalism
I know there's probably a lot to say and that has been said about Rick Warren, and perhaps you've arrived at your opinion about him, but I'd like to say here that I'm astounded by Obama's choice for the Inauguration's Invocation.
Although I am atheist, I think there are hundreds of better choices of clergy to hoist up on stage rather than this clerical demagogue. Not only does he spew plenty of virulent homophobia and Christian superiority during his sermons and public appearances -- both of which I've been tracking for some time -- he's such a perfect example of the modern Christian fundamentalist, and the danger those individuals pose to our political society.
All of his sermons at Saddleback Ranch--er... Church-- they're completely frustrating. Honestly, didn't we have enough of W. Bush spouting off things like "God told me to free the Iraqi people"? How is that sentiment any more ridiculous than Warren's statements like, "I don't hate gay people; it's God's word, not mine"? [That sentiment can be seen here. Of course, the Saddleback web site has changed with the times. Oh, for the times!] They're both tantamount to the religious hubris that infects this country.
This brief entry was spurred by an earlier thought I had today, about our imminently-sworn-in President-elect Obama: What if the man said, "It's God's will to have a public, government-sponsored health care system in the United States"? I can imagine the same men and women who defended W. Bush's publicly-funded, government-sponsored and God-inspired wars would be up in arms. "Blasphemy! He's invoking God's name for a public agenda!" The difference is trivial and equally sickening.
There is plenty more to say, but I'll save that (and much more) for my time in NYC with you wonderful people. So, for now, I'll say, Rick Warren & Christian fundamentalists, enjoy your moment in the limelight. Time willing (and with some enlightenment in this country over the next... err... several centuries!), moments like these are going to be harder to snatch.
Although I am atheist, I think there are hundreds of better choices of clergy to hoist up on stage rather than this clerical demagogue. Not only does he spew plenty of virulent homophobia and Christian superiority during his sermons and public appearances -- both of which I've been tracking for some time -- he's such a perfect example of the modern Christian fundamentalist, and the danger those individuals pose to our political society.
All of his sermons at Saddleback Ranch--er... Church-- they're completely frustrating. Honestly, didn't we have enough of W. Bush spouting off things like "God told me to free the Iraqi people"? How is that sentiment any more ridiculous than Warren's statements like, "I don't hate gay people; it's God's word, not mine"? [That sentiment can be seen here. Of course, the Saddleback web site has changed with the times. Oh, for the times!] They're both tantamount to the religious hubris that infects this country.
This brief entry was spurred by an earlier thought I had today, about our imminently-sworn-in President-elect Obama: What if the man said, "It's God's will to have a public, government-sponsored health care system in the United States"? I can imagine the same men and women who defended W. Bush's publicly-funded, government-sponsored and God-inspired wars would be up in arms. "Blasphemy! He's invoking God's name for a public agenda!" The difference is trivial and equally sickening.
There is plenty more to say, but I'll save that (and much more) for my time in NYC with you wonderful people. So, for now, I'll say, Rick Warren & Christian fundamentalists, enjoy your moment in the limelight. Time willing (and with some enlightenment in this country over the next... err... several centuries!), moments like these are going to be harder to snatch.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Have blog, will travel
I'm going to tell you about this idea I have for a music blog. Don't steal it. I mean, obviously I can't stop you from stealing it -- nor would I inflict any sort of punishment on you, were you to steal it. But, like, honestly? Dick move, if you steal it. Way dick move. Because I trust you.
Most music journalism, it turns out, is really incredibly lousy. I've wanted to start a music blog for a while now -- a music blog where people could write about songs and shit without resorting to name-dropping and definition by comparison. (I don't think, for the record, that I'm God's gift to music criticism, but this would be a good way to pass the time.) My initial idea was "Synth Plinth," an altar at which to worship the pantheon of synth-pop and disco. But this felt too constricting. Plus, people with way more impressive music libraries have been there and done that.
So how's about this, instead. You go out. You're at the club. You're at the diner. You're at Duane Reade. You're at the neighborhood barbeque. You're at Shoe Mania. And a jam comes on. This is the jam you must blog about. Not only is the song reviewed, but the cultural context of the song, and its impact on your environs. Thus, every entry includes:
If you're into music and, more importantly, writing on music, does this sound like something you'd read (or write, for that matter)? And what the heck would you name it?
Most music journalism, it turns out, is really incredibly lousy. I've wanted to start a music blog for a while now -- a music blog where people could write about songs and shit without resorting to name-dropping and definition by comparison. (I don't think, for the record, that I'm God's gift to music criticism, but this would be a good way to pass the time.) My initial idea was "Synth Plinth," an altar at which to worship the pantheon of synth-pop and disco. But this felt too constricting. Plus, people with way more impressive music libraries have been there and done that.
So how's about this, instead. You go out. You're at the club. You're at the diner. You're at Duane Reade. You're at the neighborhood barbeque. You're at Shoe Mania. And a jam comes on. This is the jam you must blog about. Not only is the song reviewed, but the cultural context of the song, and its impact on your environs. Thus, every entry includes:
- Song (.mp3, last.fm or YouTube link)
- Review of song
- Google map and/or photo of location whereat song was heard
- Reflections on song's cultural import/playback method/human impact/spatial redefinition/jarring juxtaposition/associative beauty/etc., etc., etc.
If you're into music and, more importantly, writing on music, does this sound like something you'd read (or write, for that matter)? And what the heck would you name it?
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