A bit off-topic, but a strong recommendation: FemRex and I have been watching our (300+) DVD collection in alphabetical order. No skipping. "What's next?" and up it goes. Each of those disks was bought for some reason (not always quality -- Vagaries of Fate steps in). Fun, surprising, educational, and some of them just get tossed. From "Manhunter" to "Moonstruck" to "Mr. Moto" in a few short evenings. Brings up some flicks that you would never otherwise be in the mood for. Highly recommended if you have a significant library of movies.
DVR? "Person of Interest" "Blacklist" "Gotham" for both of us. "Survivor" for her. (Yick.) "Flash" for me. (Nerd!) "Foyle's War because we are just that classy.
Weird Combo Day -- Reading Machiavelli's "History of Florence," took a break with a Marvel trade PB called "Secret War," going to see "Grand Budapest" in a matinee on Monday, and binging on "Fringe" (via Netflix) after FemRex's bedtime. Not usually this divergent.
"Once Upon A time In The West" -- not that I'm a total fanatic, but FemRex across the room just sighed because she could recognize the keystrokes of the title as I typed them.
First viewing in a Hollywood Blvd theater on Labor Day (on my first off-base liberty from USMC boot camp since April 1, 1969). Went into the theater a huge Leone fan (from GB&U, mostly) and came out very disappointed. Too slow; didn't make sense, etc. But as I moved from base to base over the next few months it sort of followed me around in base theaters and, rather than sit in the barracks or get drunk at the EM club, I'd go see it. I loved the music -- still didn't think much of the film through about the next 6 or 7 viewings. (Yeah, I know...)
Standing in line to see it one night, some guy ahead of me was explicating the plot and structure and suddenly the whole thing made total sense. (If you ever explicated the plot standing in line at Camp Schwab, contact me immediately!) Became a fanatic. Followed it on an almost nightly basis as it toured a string of little, itty-bitty rat-infested Asian theaters. Years passed. Saw it in Paris. Taped it off Turner. Got the DVD. Got the Blu-Ray. Probably over a hundred viewings. I'm still crazed.
(FemRex just sighed again. She knows exactly what I'm doing. I think it might be my breathing patterns.)
I can truthfully say that I have never watched it without seeing things that I haven't notice before. The last time was the cart of water bottles and Chinese laborers behind Frank that Cheyenne saw that inspired his suggestion to Jill. Ooooh. Goosebumps. How did I never notice that before?
It's most "complete" film I've ever seen. Every time I recommended it to someone, they ended up punching me. Not an action flick.
But somehow it speaks volumes to me every time. Sorry for tl;dr -- but I could go on and on. And be careful -- I will with just the slightest urging. FemRex is approaching me with a glass of water and a little pill. I think I need to lie down.
I think that you owe the sorrow you feel to our "pack." (I could use "herd," which would convey largely the same thing, except that we are more wolf than elk.) We are an animal that runs in packs (or a pack, if we have a global enough view). And we probably have a higher abstract appreciation of the others in our pack than do other creatures of their packs.
Had you not been looking down at the beach, you would have marveled at the view, but seeing a member of the pack downed awakened your connection to the pack -- and the sorrow is owed to, and given to, the pack. A wolf might not have felt it at all in that situation and you were able to walk away and not be deeply changed. But, for me, that moment, that emotion, that debt, the toll you heard and the toll you paid is what makes us human. In our best moments we do not turn our backs on the other members of the pack.
"The death of any man diminishes me." Donne (who said all of this much better).
Skimmed the comments and didn't see any mention of this little quirk. People sometimes look at me (fellow with a beard) a bit cross-eyed when I try to explain, in all honesty:
"I'm not a guy with a beard; I'm a guy who doesn't shave."
I don't want a beard. I don't really like my beard. My self image does not include "beard." But I really hate shaving, and the stuff just keeps growing. So, in a bit of self-contradictory circularity, I trim my beard about once every two months to keep it neat.
But I still prefer the occasional trim (down to about ½ inch) over shaving. And no whisker burns for Femrex (sorry if that is too much information).
P.S. for me, the beard has never been a problem professionally -- but I work as a writer in science fields for universities, gov't science agencies, and Bell Labs sort of places, so I am one among many.
I'm sorry, this is way, way Off-Topic (deserves the capitals). If the powers-that-be decide that this shouldn't make the cut of posting, I'll understand.
A friend, K.T. Beck is posting his unsold screenplays online and his "Colter" is one of them. He's not selling it; this isn't a sales pitch; it's a free download in .pdf. But if you have any interest in the history of the exploration of the continent (or just a rousing adventure), check out this script. You can click past the page where he supplies a link to his novels on Amazon, but really, there's no sales going on. The script is a fun read.
ktbeck (dot) com will get you there. I am sorry if this is inappropriate. And I have loved the very creative replies above.
-chuckle- "All I can come with" My luck holds even in my typos. ;)
I'll break trump here and actually put forth an New Year's Resolution: Spend more time with the League at "Ordinary Times" and be enriched by the experience. Thanks, folks! A very Happy New Year to All!
Incredible irony, indeed. So many wrong decisions; so much luck. Came to the realization a while ago that most of what I tried to do, I blew, and most of what happened to me, was terrific. Low skill score; but an amazingly high luck score. So I have to live with the regrets, and feel a bit guilty about all that I have that I truly do not deserve -- and pay karma back by appreciating every minute of it.
At the moment the only advice I'd send to a previous me is "For God's sake, fly to London and see Miller and Cumberbatch on two successive nights in 'Frankenstein.' Idiot!" (If that's all I can come with, I guess life is good. Still…idiot.)
Weathered veteran actress of high-impact action movies, noted for her proficiency with black powder weapons and tomahawks. Pretty much sticks to the "Western wilderness hunter/trapper" genre...
There are several mentions in this conversation of (I generalize a quote): "There are plenty of deserving actors who should get a chance to play…" I think this misses the reality of movie casting.
Rather than say a bunch of stuff you've heard before about box office draw, etc., here's an personal anecdote that, when delved into a bit, can show you some of the pressures on both sides of the question:
I wrote a (very damn good) screenplay about one of the hunter/guides of the Lewis & Clark expedition -- a fellow named John Colter, who has some small notoriety of his own. Good script, got some attention, made me a little option money. One day I got a call from a producer who was interested in pursuing this story (which is about a 30-year old white guy who stayed out West after L & C returned home, and had many adventures). The producer asked me if I was open to re-writing because he had an option on a certain performer. I said sure, who? He very abashedly said, "Meryl Streep." And got a huge laugh from me. Needless to say, the conversation went no further.
In his defense I will say that at least he was terribly embarrassed to ask, and not surprised by my response.
But give this a little bit of thought beyond the ridiculous nature of the notion of re-writing Colter to fit Streep. Here's a person who liked a script and had a star ready to work. How does he not take the shot? And, what if he had offered me six figures up front to do said crazed re-write? I probably would have taken the money. And when the news got out, he would be an idiot and I a prostitute. But that's sort of how it works. If you're lucky.
@veronica-dire One of the great things about humor is how much it can reveal about the laugher/non-laugher in the room. The teller of any joke may or may not be just using the technique to get a response, but a person sees a lot of themselves in what make them laugh or squirm. I find George C. Scott's monologue in "Dr. Strangelove" about the meaninglessness of nuclear casualties extremely funny ("I'm not saying we won't get our hair mussed…20 or 30 million. Tops."), but I imagine there are citizens of Japan who might not find it so. To me, the joke is not only funny, but incredibly valuable, a "punch up," if you will. But probably still offensive to some. I learn something about my POV, my place in the world, and what matters to me.
I doubt that the "miniskirt" joke that has engendered this fascinating sub-thread got very many real laughs, and my guess is that any vitriol contained in it was aimed at Buchanan and not at trans people. I also guess that any trans people who read it would not be particularly offended, and that if they enjoyed other parts of this site, it wouldn't serve to make them feel particularly unwelcome or drive them away. It wasn't that powerful a joke. Not enough laughs in the room to be truly offensive.
Of course this forum is a "safe" place for trans people. It's just typing on a screen and they can leave any time they like. Not the same thing as real life at all. And I, for one, am glad that you ventured into this place, even feeling that it was a risky move. May you always take such risks.
Date: September 22, 1977 - had mine and have never had a single regret. (YMMV depending on how you feel about continuing your genetic heritage.)
Complications: None. Ever. Except that I was a surgical orderly for a few years and had assisted my doctor on quite a few of these and so, despite there being no discomfort or any pain, I knew precisely what he was doing at any given moment. Which I wasn't wild about.
Most interesting fact: The surgeon that did mine, did his own. Yes, you read that right.
Last summer, while watering femrex's flowers on a sweltering day (standing well back so that my "death to flowers" aura would not take effect), the mist-like shimmer of the gentle spray drew a few chickadees who perched nearby. I kept quite still and slowly panned the water from side to side and soon they got close enough that I could actually direct the water at the birds. For about ten minutes the little cuties perched on the tips of pine branches and flitted in and out of the spray, wings flapping, chirping excitedly. Some would land and look expectantly at me until I sprayed them. About as cute as anything I've ever seen.
Dear Russell's Nurse -- I am simply devastated by this news. Please know that I am sending a very generous donation to the "Let's Bring Class Back" Fund (also known as "Cary's Kids" in memory of the classiest film star ever) as a personal statement of complete contrition. In addition I am distributing gray (matter) ribbons for everyone at my workplace to wear.
In hopes of a total recovery (and a quick pronouncement of "Everything's Jake" in regards to the facial reconstruction/renovation), I remain
FWIW - (perhaps a rather embarrassing full disclosure) I kinda like "Sex Dwarf." I do not disagree with anyone's comments here, so I had to take a moment and ask myself, "O.k., rex, why is this on an oft-chosen playlist in iTunes?" Answers: High energy (makes me type fast); I actually think it is sort of funny (not brilliant or anything, but funny in a snotty, glitter-club, we're hipper then you are kind of way); listened to on headphones, there is a lot of rather nice sound editing and aural landscaping.
Have never seen the video. Don't like Soft Cell's "Tainted Love" as much. I'll stop typing now and apply some anti-bacterial gel to my fingertips. Sorry, gents. Resume being classy… ;)
I don't want to hijack the thread or anything, but I have a question. I am a non-parent/distant uncle kind of guy. What do those little people have in those (comparatively) massive backpacks. I have carried smaller bags for five days camping in the Grand Canyon. I have to assume that the backpacks are not terribly heavy because some of those little folks are…well…little. What's in there? Thanks. Now back to our regularly scheduled discussion.
mid-60s. TV commercial for Rath's hot dogs. A quartet of people dressed like Native Americans, playing guitars a la the Beatles in a forest, energetically bouncing and singing (dear god, I can remember it so clearly):
"Eat Rath's wieners, come on strong,
Heap big energy all day long,
Rath Blackhawk wieners for lunch or snack,
Heap big flavor in every pack!"
Thanks for the responses. Like any vet, I can and will go on forever about how great my bunkmates were, but book learning and social sophistication were not the norm. A very high percentage of guys I knew had been given the choice between fatigues and jail. Many "lost souls," I suppose. I learned an awful lot about "non-white" "non-middle class" life. (My background was straight out of "Leave it to Beaver.") But as closely packed and inter-dependent as we all were, relationships still stratified out largely into "like with like," and my closest buddies tended to be guys who had read a book or two. Of those who made it back none that I kept in touch with went on to college. Maybe some of the others did and I just haven't run into them. It's a Big Old World.
*Comment archive for non-registered commenters assembled by email address as provided.
On “What’s On Your DVR?”
A bit off-topic, but a strong recommendation: FemRex and I have been watching our (300+) DVD collection in alphabetical order. No skipping. "What's next?" and up it goes. Each of those disks was bought for some reason (not always quality -- Vagaries of Fate steps in). Fun, surprising, educational, and some of them just get tossed. From "Manhunter" to "Moonstruck" to "Mr. Moto" in a few short evenings. Brings up some flicks that you would never otherwise be in the mood for. Highly recommended if you have a significant library of movies.
DVR? "Person of Interest" "Blacklist" "Gotham" for both of us. "Survivor" for her. (Yick.) "Flash" for me. (Nerd!) "Foyle's War because we are just that classy.
On “What’s the Matter with Poetry? On ‘The Consolation of Philosophy’”
Schilling, you are truly a marvel.
On “Mount Rushmore – Baseball Edition”
Hooray! Hooray! Hooray!
On “Sunday!”
Weird Combo Day -- Reading Machiavelli's "History of Florence," took a break with a Marvel trade PB called "Secret War," going to see "Grand Budapest" in a matinee on Monday, and binging on "Fringe" (via Netflix) after FemRex's bedtime. Not usually this divergent.
On “Sunday!”
"Once Upon A time In The West" -- not that I'm a total fanatic, but FemRex across the room just sighed because she could recognize the keystrokes of the title as I typed them.
First viewing in a Hollywood Blvd theater on Labor Day (on my first off-base liberty from USMC boot camp since April 1, 1969). Went into the theater a huge Leone fan (from GB&U, mostly) and came out very disappointed. Too slow; didn't make sense, etc. But as I moved from base to base over the next few months it sort of followed me around in base theaters and, rather than sit in the barracks or get drunk at the EM club, I'd go see it. I loved the music -- still didn't think much of the film through about the next 6 or 7 viewings. (Yeah, I know...)
Standing in line to see it one night, some guy ahead of me was explicating the plot and structure and suddenly the whole thing made total sense. (If you ever explicated the plot standing in line at Camp Schwab, contact me immediately!) Became a fanatic. Followed it on an almost nightly basis as it toured a string of little, itty-bitty rat-infested Asian theaters. Years passed. Saw it in Paris. Taped it off Turner. Got the DVD. Got the Blu-Ray. Probably over a hundred viewings. I'm still crazed.
(FemRex just sighed again. She knows exactly what I'm doing. I think it might be my breathing patterns.)
I can truthfully say that I have never watched it without seeing things that I haven't notice before. The last time was the cart of water bottles and Chinese laborers behind Frank that Cheyenne saw that inspired his suggestion to Jill. Ooooh. Goosebumps. How did I never notice that before?
It's most "complete" film I've ever seen. Every time I recommended it to someone, they ended up punching me. Not an action flick.
But somehow it speaks volumes to me every time. Sorry for tl;dr -- but I could go on and on. And be careful -- I will with just the slightest urging. FemRex is approaching me with a glass of water and a little pill. I think I need to lie down.
On “Of Life and Death and a Week”
I think that you owe the sorrow you feel to our "pack." (I could use "herd," which would convey largely the same thing, except that we are more wolf than elk.) We are an animal that runs in packs (or a pack, if we have a global enough view). And we probably have a higher abstract appreciation of the others in our pack than do other creatures of their packs.
Had you not been looking down at the beach, you would have marveled at the view, but seeing a member of the pack downed awakened your connection to the pack -- and the sorrow is owed to, and given to, the pack. A wolf might not have felt it at all in that situation and you were able to walk away and not be deeply changed. But, for me, that moment, that emotion, that debt, the toll you heard and the toll you paid is what makes us human. In our best moments we do not turn our backs on the other members of the pack.
"The death of any man diminishes me." Donne (who said all of this much better).
On “Beards in the Workplace”
P.P.S. Sometimes the upper lip hairs require a dab of Vaseline for proper seal while SCUBA-diving. That is all...
"
Skimmed the comments and didn't see any mention of this little quirk. People sometimes look at me (fellow with a beard) a bit cross-eyed when I try to explain, in all honesty:
"I'm not a guy with a beard; I'm a guy who doesn't shave."
I don't want a beard. I don't really like my beard. My self image does not include "beard." But I really hate shaving, and the stuff just keeps growing. So, in a bit of self-contradictory circularity, I trim my beard about once every two months to keep it neat.
But I still prefer the occasional trim (down to about ½ inch) over shaving. And no whisker burns for Femrex (sorry if that is too much information).
P.S. for me, the beard has never been a problem professionally -- but I work as a writer in science fields for universities, gov't science agencies, and Bell Labs sort of places, so I am one among many.
On “Monday Writing Prompt: Let’s Go Exploring!”
Tod -- thanks! That's very nice. And while I've got your attention, there is this bridge that I can get you for a great price...
"
Man, when I saw that online, it really looked like spam. I've posted here before and I swear there's no sales pitch of any kind in the offing. Sorry.
"
I'm sorry, this is way, way Off-Topic (deserves the capitals). If the powers-that-be decide that this shouldn't make the cut of posting, I'll understand.
A friend, K.T. Beck is posting his unsold screenplays online and his "Colter" is one of them. He's not selling it; this isn't a sales pitch; it's a free download in .pdf. But if you have any interest in the history of the exploration of the continent (or just a rousing adventure), check out this script. You can click past the page where he supplies a link to his novels on Amazon, but really, there's no sales going on. The script is a fun read.
ktbeck (dot) com will get you there. I am sorry if this is inappropriate. And I have loved the very creative replies above.
On “Throwing Resolutions To Your Past Selves”
-chuckle- "All I can come with" My luck holds even in my typos. ;)
I'll break trump here and actually put forth an New Year's Resolution: Spend more time with the League at "Ordinary Times" and be enriched by the experience. Thanks, folks! A very Happy New Year to All!
"
Incredible irony, indeed. So many wrong decisions; so much luck. Came to the realization a while ago that most of what I tried to do, I blew, and most of what happened to me, was terrific. Low skill score; but an amazingly high luck score. So I have to live with the regrets, and feel a bit guilty about all that I have that I truly do not deserve -- and pay karma back by appreciating every minute of it.
At the moment the only advice I'd send to a previous me is "For God's sake, fly to London and see Miller and Cumberbatch on two successive nights in 'Frankenstein.' Idiot!" (If that's all I can come with, I guess life is good. Still…idiot.)
On “Curious Casting”
Weathered veteran actress of high-impact action movies, noted for her proficiency with black powder weapons and tomahawks. Pretty much sticks to the "Western wilderness hunter/trapper" genre...
"
There are several mentions in this conversation of (I generalize a quote): "There are plenty of deserving actors who should get a chance to play…" I think this misses the reality of movie casting.
Rather than say a bunch of stuff you've heard before about box office draw, etc., here's an personal anecdote that, when delved into a bit, can show you some of the pressures on both sides of the question:
I wrote a (very damn good) screenplay about one of the hunter/guides of the Lewis & Clark expedition -- a fellow named John Colter, who has some small notoriety of his own. Good script, got some attention, made me a little option money. One day I got a call from a producer who was interested in pursuing this story (which is about a 30-year old white guy who stayed out West after L & C returned home, and had many adventures). The producer asked me if I was open to re-writing because he had an option on a certain performer. I said sure, who? He very abashedly said, "Meryl Streep." And got a huge laugh from me. Needless to say, the conversation went no further.
In his defense I will say that at least he was terribly embarrassed to ask, and not surprised by my response.
But give this a little bit of thought beyond the ridiculous nature of the notion of re-writing Colter to fit Streep. Here's a person who liked a script and had a star ready to work. How does he not take the shot? And, what if he had offered me six figures up front to do said crazed re-write? I probably would have taken the money. And when the news got out, he would be an idiot and I a prostitute. But that's sort of how it works. If you're lucky.
On “Eventually we reach bottom, right?”
@veronica-dire One of the great things about humor is how much it can reveal about the laugher/non-laugher in the room. The teller of any joke may or may not be just using the technique to get a response, but a person sees a lot of themselves in what make them laugh or squirm. I find George C. Scott's monologue in "Dr. Strangelove" about the meaninglessness of nuclear casualties extremely funny ("I'm not saying we won't get our hair mussed…20 or 30 million. Tops."), but I imagine there are citizens of Japan who might not find it so. To me, the joke is not only funny, but incredibly valuable, a "punch up," if you will. But probably still offensive to some. I learn something about my POV, my place in the world, and what matters to me.
I doubt that the "miniskirt" joke that has engendered this fascinating sub-thread got very many real laughs, and my guess is that any vitriol contained in it was aimed at Buchanan and not at trans people. I also guess that any trans people who read it would not be particularly offended, and that if they enjoyed other parts of this site, it wouldn't serve to make them feel particularly unwelcome or drive them away. It wasn't that powerful a joke. Not enough laughs in the room to be truly offensive.
Of course this forum is a "safe" place for trans people. It's just typing on a screen and they can leave any time they like. Not the same thing as real life at all. And I, for one, am glad that you ventured into this place, even feeling that it was a risky move. May you always take such risks.
On “How To: Get A Vasectomy”
full disclosure follows:
Date: September 22, 1977 - had mine and have never had a single regret. (YMMV depending on how you feel about continuing your genetic heritage.)
Complications: None. Ever. Except that I was a surgical orderly for a few years and had assisted my doctor on quite a few of these and so, despite there being no discomfort or any pain, I knew precisely what he was doing at any given moment. Which I wasn't wild about.
Most interesting fact: The surgeon that did mine, did his own. Yes, you read that right.
On “The real meaning of “privilege” in a nutshell…”
Taking this back to the original post -- how is it possible to think of Dick Cheney's daughter (either one) as anything but "privileged"?
On “A New Neighbor”
Last summer, while watering femrex's flowers on a sweltering day (standing well back so that my "death to flowers" aura would not take effect), the mist-like shimmer of the gentle spray drew a few chickadees who perched nearby. I kept quite still and slowly panned the water from side to side and soon they got close enough that I could actually direct the water at the birds. For about ten minutes the little cuties perched on the tips of pine branches and flitted in and out of the spray, wings flapping, chirping excitedly. Some would land and look expectantly at me until I sprayed them. About as cute as anything I've ever seen.
On “Stupid Tuesday questions, Diana Ross edition”
Dear Russell's Nurse -- I am simply devastated by this news. Please know that I am sending a very generous donation to the "Let's Bring Class Back" Fund (also known as "Cary's Kids" in memory of the classiest film star ever) as a personal statement of complete contrition. In addition I am distributing gray (matter) ribbons for everyone at my workplace to wear.
In hopes of a total recovery (and a quick pronouncement of "Everything's Jake" in regards to the facial reconstruction/renovation), I remain
Yours Truly,
A Former Sinner
"
FWIW - (perhaps a rather embarrassing full disclosure) I kinda like "Sex Dwarf." I do not disagree with anyone's comments here, so I had to take a moment and ask myself, "O.k., rex, why is this on an oft-chosen playlist in iTunes?" Answers: High energy (makes me type fast); I actually think it is sort of funny (not brilliant or anything, but funny in a snotty, glitter-club, we're hipper then you are kind of way); listened to on headphones, there is a lot of rather nice sound editing and aural landscaping.
Have never seen the video. Don't like Soft Cell's "Tainted Love" as much. I'll stop typing now and apply some anti-bacterial gel to my fingertips. Sorry, gents. Resume being classy… ;)
On “Things That Shouldn’t Exist #2”
I don't want to hijack the thread or anything, but I have a question. I am a non-parent/distant uncle kind of guy. What do those little people have in those (comparatively) massive backpacks. I have carried smaller bags for five days camping in the Grand Canyon. I have to assume that the backpacks are not terribly heavy because some of those little folks are…well…little. What's in there? Thanks. Now back to our regularly scheduled discussion.
On “Stupid Tuesday questions, Freedom 90 edition”
mid-60s. TV commercial for Rath's hot dogs. A quartet of people dressed like Native Americans, playing guitars a la the Beatles in a forest, energetically bouncing and singing (dear god, I can remember it so clearly):
"Eat Rath's wieners, come on strong,
Heap big energy all day long,
Rath Blackhawk wieners for lunch or snack,
Heap big flavor in every pack!"
Make it go away. MAKE IT GO AWAY!
"
It's Cal Worthington and his dog, Spot!
"Go see Cal. Go see Cal. Go see Cal."
On “Whose White?”
Thanks for the responses. Like any vet, I can and will go on forever about how great my bunkmates were, but book learning and social sophistication were not the norm. A very high percentage of guys I knew had been given the choice between fatigues and jail. Many "lost souls," I suppose. I learned an awful lot about "non-white" "non-middle class" life. (My background was straight out of "Leave it to Beaver.") But as closely packed and inter-dependent as we all were, relationships still stratified out largely into "like with like," and my closest buddies tended to be guys who had read a book or two. Of those who made it back none that I kept in touch with went on to college. Maybe some of the others did and I just haven't run into them. It's a Big Old World.
*Comment archive for non-registered commenters assembled by email address as provided.