Christmas in Southern California

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Went back to visit the family and the nephews (who star in this clip) for Christmas. After many seasons on the East Coast, a California Christmas seems much different.

Music is 'Corona' by the Minutemen.

The Political Compass

The chart above depicts my position on The Political Compass." I am "Libertarian Left" which puts me in the same category as Gandhi, Nelson Mandella, and the Dalai Lama, though my position seems to be further left then any of theirs. By that same token George W. Bush and Margaret Thatcher rank further right than Adolf Hitler, so I don't know how accurate such a test can be. The test is an interesting evaluation at any rate, asking basic questions about political, social, and economic issues, but it also asks how you feel about astrology and abstract art. While I don't know how the latter two items affect your political positions, it's still an interesting inclusion.

Why did ABC Hire Amanda?

Have you seen Amanda Congdon's new show on ABC? Not much different than what she did with Rocketboom, eh? Now I remember what irritated me about the show: the faux perkiness, bad jokes and insincere mugging for the camera. But at least ABC knows what sells. Check out that screen capture that ABC is using to promote the show. Why do you think they chose that particular shot? A few months ago Jason Calacanis said that Ms. Congdon was at the "top of the talent pool on the Web." Take some time to watch her newest efforts and decide for yourself where here best assets lie.

Liberal Opinion Can Be Bought

Over at the Huffington Post we find a section in which Ariana and a handful of the site's celebrity bloggers endorse the Toyota's Prius, a hybrid vehicle. The section is sponsored by Toyota.

In the advertisement, Bill Mahr says that driving a hybrid is about "terrorism and the environment." Ariana says that driving the Japanese-made vehicle is "patriotic." Both of these ideas are reprehensible tactics intended to motivate the purchase of a consumer product.

It's pretty clear that these manipulative opinions have been purchased by Toyota's ad dollars, yet they are being presented as unvarnished opinion. After all there are other hybrids out there, so why endorse just one corporation's offering?

Unbiased liberal opinion, my ass. By doing this the HuffPo just looks like a shill for any company with deep pockets. Keep your eyes open.

Updates to the Photo Gallery

There's 6 more photos in the gallery. That's not really that many. But, oh what power! what magnificence! Why haven't you taken a look yet?

Against The Day

As you can see, I bought the new Thomas Pynchon novel, Againist The Day; that's 1,085 pages of pure literary intimidation. But I think I'm up for the challenge. I purchased it for a mere $20 (list price $35) at the book tables outside of Zabar's on NYC's Upper West Side, a place I'll go from now on to pick up new releases on the cheap.

Solitary Walk

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I edited this together from leftover clips while listening to the tune incorporated herein. If there's a mood or a message, blame it on Ute Lemper and Elvis Costello.

Music is Ute Lemper singing Costello's "Couldn't You Keep It to Yourself."

CNN Watch: Two Races in the US

This CNN article which serves to fluff up Paula Zahn's 'Racism in America' program reveals something slightly insidious about the cable news giant. It seems to assert that the US is composed of only two races, a somewhat simpleminded and racist idea in itself.

What's more, the article goes on to say that survey sample was composed of 1,207 Americans "including 328 blacks and 703 non-Hispanic whites." From what races came the remaining 171 respondents?

I don't know if CNN realizes it or not, but this bifurcation is dangerous thinking, subtly turning racial perceptions into an us-and-them mentality when we should be looking at the racial composition of country in more holistic terms. It is deeply irresponsible for CNN to put ideas like this in front of the American public.

Reading Realities

That pic is a pretty accurate depiction of my intentions regarding reading. I seldom get through the stack I'd like. Usually its just a few chapters of the book I'm reading and a few magazine articles. I've gotten much slower over the years because stuff just keeps happening and I don't have the same kind of time that I used to. Hurm.

This article is a list of some of the books people wish that others would read. Interesting choices.

30 Seconds of Hopper

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This is exactly what it says it is, a 30 second shot of an Edward Hopper painting.

Hopper is one of my favorite artists. We saw this painting at Sotheby's auction house. This painting is likely now in the hands of a private collector, so I may never get to see it in person again. That's something of a shame.

No music for this clip, only the music of chance.

Please forgive the indulgence.

Updates to the Photo Gallery

Yes, at long last there are 13 new photos in the gallery. That brings us up to 154! If you haven't looked at the images yet, I encourage you to check them out.

We Hate It When Bigots Become Successful

I was working to perfectly match the font, but then I realized that it doesn't matter. Here's hoping that Mel's new movie tanks big time.