miscellany

[jazzfish]

"But it doesn't address the fundamental problem, which is the user . . ." --$manager, yesterday

The Dixie Bonus: "[W]hile people in Rhode Island or Oregon don't look on presidential candidates who come from regions other than their own with suspicion, lots of southerners seem to be reluctant to vote for people who don't share their drawl. Of course, this is never characterized as pathological regional xenophobia -- it's just how regular folks think, and there's not supposed to be anything wrong with it." Via Kevin Drum, who adds, "Five of our last seven presidents have been from the South and the other two have been from the Southwest -- and the reason, as near as I can tell, is that most Southerners just flatly refuse to vote for anyone who comes from north of the Mason-Dixon Line. And yet, somehow, it's the rest of us who are supposedly intolerant of Southern culture. Feh." (Kevin makes the common mistake of locating the Bushes in Texas instead of the Northeast where they belong, but since it is such a common mistake it feeds into the narrative rather than disproving it.)

Note to self: avoid the seat next to elf in situations where there is even the slightest chance of someone needing to be put on check-snatching duty. I've mostly got feeling back in my arm by now. Also, Yama is some pretty tasty sushi, eel is good stuff, and ex-Jeffersonites tend to attract pretty awesome people. A good evening despite the hurting.

The past couple weeks have gone by surprisingly fast, and as jonny_law notes it's nearly time for Rosencrantz and Guildenstern at the Silver. Since I'll be in the wilderness again this weekend it's either Monday or Wednesday night. However, it's not getting started 'til 9:20 either night, which may be a bit lateish. Let me know which day y'all prefer.

Also, I'm looking tentatively at late July or early August for another reading. Any takers? Preference for dates? (And I am bloody well going to see Lawrence of Arabia some Sunday in July or August this year, since I missed it last year.)

Comments

[desfido.livejournal.com]

I'm up for the reading. I'd prefer either July before the 25th or August after the 4th.
LofA sounds good, too.

[jazzfish]

Good to know. Based on the overwhelming volume of responses and some quirks in my schedule, I'd bet on it being the second Satyrday in August (that's, what, the eleventh?). I'll keep you posted for Dirty Larry.

[rbandrews]

the common mistake of locating the Bushes in Texas instead of the Northeast where they belong

Made my comment for me. He's about as Texan as Schwarzenegger.

I finally got to see Rosencrantz and Guildenstern a couple weeks ago, and it was quite good. "Indescribable" is the word, I think. I've only seen the beginning of Lawrence of Arabia though, so I should probably borrow that next time I am at my parents' house.

[jazzfish]

"Indescribable" is about right.

REPORTER: Mr Stoppard, this new play, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead . . . what's it about?
TOM STOPPARD: It's about to make me rich.

My exposure to Lawrence of Arabia consists of a bit from the Tron DVD: "So we decided to film Tron in 70mm, which was something no one had done in ages. In fact, no one had made a film in 70mm since Lawrence of Arabia. We knew this because when we opened the camera cases there was still sand in them."

[rbandrews]

Well, the beginning (first half-hour or so) is very very good.

[jonny-law.livejournal.com]

Is Larry of Arabia playing on the big screen? I'd be interested in that, since the size of that movie is equal to the format. It's also massively long, although by then I'll be living in Springfield.

[jazzfish]

It is indeed on the big screen, on Sunday evenings in late summer. I'll keep you posted.

[jonny-law.livejournal.com]

I might be able to go to R&G on Monday if we go for dinner before the movie, but I definitely won't be able to go on Wednesday.