Idle Ramblings: 07/01/2003

Wish me luck
Job interview tomorrow. Wish me luck. I actually would like to get this one.

The Great Pumpkin is a wuss!
For anyone who might be in the area, stop by my old stomping grounds in Water Valley this weekend for the annual ritual sacrafice of the watermelon - otherwise known as the Watermelon Carnival.

It's Funtime With Mr. Magazine! Or is it Dr. Magazine?
An interesting tidbit I received via e-mail from the UM PR Department.

UMâ€šs Mister Magazineâ€š Finds
Personal Satisfaction in Arabic Work
... Journalism professor helping show America to Middle East

UNIVERSITY, Miss. Ë† Middle East meets West in a new, slick magazine designed to show what America is really like.
Samir Husni, University of Mississippi journalism professor known internationally as "Mister Magazine," describes the publication as his biggest professional challenge and a sentimental journey. Husni is the magazineâ€šs consulting editor.
"It gives me an opportunity to serve my adopted country in a way I never dreamed I would do, in my native language," said the native Lebanese about Hi magazine, whose first edition is just off the presses.
Published completely in Arabic, Hi is funded by $4.2 million from the U.S. Department of State as part of a multi-faceted program to improve the Arab worldâ€šs opinion of the United States. Beginning this month, 50,000 copies of the magazine are distributed monthly to offices and newsstands across the Middle East.
"The magazine showcases America to the Arab world in a way no other American magazine has ever done," Husni said. "Itâ€šs a window on America." Aimed at readers ages 18-35, it sells for the equivalent of about $1.95 per issue on newsstands or by subscription.
Christopher Ross, the State Departmentâ€šs senior adviser for Arab World Public Diplomacy, said the idea for a new magazine aimed at a younger generation in the Arab world came as the agency "looked for ways to rebuild a two-way dialogue" after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
Richard Creighton, executive vice president of The Magazine Group, which won the contract to produce Hi, said it "will focus on what our cultures have in common" instead of the differences brought into focus by much of todayâ€šs media. "Our Arab and Arab-American journalists highlight those commonalities in the magazine."
With his expertise in consumer magazines and his knowledge of Middle Eastern culture, Husni is the ideal editorial consultant for Hi, Creighton said.
The name Hi was chosen because it has become a popular word for "hello" to young people throughout the Arab world, company officials said.
Stories cover a broad range of topics that are of shared interest by American and Arab audiences Ë† news, arts, celebrities, relationships, technology, careers and health. The first editionâ€šs cover story is about the American college experience through the eyes of Arab students in universities from Oklahoma to Pennsylvania. Inside stories include features on Tony Shalhoub, Golden Globe actor and star of the television series "Monk," who talks about his ethnicity and values as an Arab-American, and on the American popularity of sand boarding, which has roots in ancient Egypt, with tips for good locations for the sport in the Arab world.
Another story focuses on smoking, which still is popular among Arabs. Texts examine how to quit smoking, questions of individual rights and scientific analysis of using tobacco water pipes, which some users believe makes smoking less hazardous to their health.
Husni admits that Hi may be criticized by some as government propaganda because of its sponsor. "But if weâ€šre in the business of selling content and creating customers for the magazine, it will be judged by the way people react to it and the feedback we get," he said.
Also in Arabic, an online version can be found at www.himag.com or www.himagazine.com .
The Levant Group, one of the largest distributors of American magazines in the region, will distribute Hi and manage subscriptions. Saatchi and Saatchi in Beirut, with Appteck of McLean, Va., is responsible for regional advertising, promotion and marketing. The magazine will be printed in Manila.
(patsy r. brumfield)

You decide
Are digital watches still a neat idea?

Thanks....I guess?
Is Michael Jackson's endorsement of iTunes really something to brag about? I mean, come on. Michael Jackson?

Falling Down in Birdland
I've been a fan of the Manhattan Transfer since I was 12 or 13 and I got my hands on copies of their albums "Mecca for Modern" and "Extensions." As of last week, I have every one of the albums (excluding greatest hits albums except for the two CD set "Down in Birdland") on tape, vinyl or CD (in some cases all three.) Last week, I finally broke down an bought the much maligned 1995 release "Tonin'" which is a collection of 50s and 60s tunes performed with artists like James Taylor. And while I'm a big fan who was lucky enough to be in the fifth row of one of their concerts a couple of years ago, I'll have to admit that this album is the Star Trek V of their body of work. (Shut up, David.) In other words, nice try, but stick to what you do best. I can live with the "Disco" album "Commin' Out," but I hope from now on, they stick more to vocal jazz than modern pop. I cringe at the thought of one day hearing the Transfer do a Brittney Spears cover.

Blame Canada
There has been some noise lately in the press about liberals in America looking longingly toward Canada. It's much along the lines of Alec Baldwin saying he was moving to France after Shrub was "elected" president. And let me tell you, as a "liberal" and as someone who, as you all know, is no big fan of Bushcroft, talk of leaving the country because of the most recent swing to the right is laughable.

I have a lot of friends who are conservative. Most of them have put as much thought and heart into their ideologies as any "enlightened" liberal. And guess what, what they believe is as right for them as what I believe is right for me. And as a so-called "liberal" I feel it's my duty to stay here in my country and fight for the things I believe in. Even if it's only to piss off people like Rush Limbaugh and Donald Wilemon.

If I could get a little Buddhist here, there are times, like now, that I feel our country has become too "conservative." And there have been other times where it has been too "liberal." Most people have a comfort zone somewhere in between Ann Coulter and Molly Ivans, and when the country makes a dramatic swing, it's like wearing a pair of underwear that's a size or two too small.

Now I do believe it's easier to be conservative in a liberal society than to be liberal in a conservative society. And I don't believe it's right for one person to impose a value system on another. For example, as an atheist, I am a strong proponent of the separation of church and state, and I am currently very worried about the erosion of barriers between religion and government. However, I also respect my friends and family who are believers. I have no wish to convert them to my point of view (though there are plenty of other atheists who do.) And I have no desire to see the destruction of the church or of organized religion (though, again, there are many atheists who do.) This is simply a difference of opinion, belief and faith. Just as I would strongly disagree with anyone who has the greatly misinformed opinion that Picard is a better captain than Kirk.

I plan on staying in the good ole U.S. of A. until the Thought Police come and take me away or the Mothership returns. Same goes for staying in the great Magnolia state. For, as a "liberal democratic socialist intellectual elitist," or whatever, there is no place that I'm not more sorely needed.

Not exactly Orion Slave Girls
I think this is more than I wanted to know about William Shatner's sex life.

Robots and Big Brother
I've borrowed this article on pants nanotechnology from Dave's Blog and paired it with this acrticle about microchip implants. Put them together and you get an idea of what is really going on here. It's a conspiracy between Big Brother and the Robots which will turn the entire population of Earth in to slave labor for our evil metal masters.

This year's Emmy Nominations were a mixed bag. I was glad to see "24" and Kiefer Sutherland both receive nominations again. While I was pleased Michael Chiklis nominated again, I was disappointed that "The Shield," possibly the best show on television right now (or at least the 13 weeks it's on from January to April) was overlooked. As for comedies, the only one I watch regularly is "Curb Your Enthusiasm." It reminds me a lot of "Faulty Towers."

But I was very disappointed in several categories, especially the Multicamera Picture Editing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special category. I felt it was very weak this year. I mean everyone knows "AFI's 100 Years ... 100 Passions: America's Greatest Love Stories" is probably the front runner and is bound to blow the rest of them away. I remember commenting on the Multicamera Picture Editing while I was watching "AFI's 100 Years ... 100 Passions: America's Greatest Love Stories."

It was also good to see "Enterprise" nominated at least in the technical categories. As much as I hate to say it, I don't see it ever being nominated in anything else unless there are some dramatic changes made in those who are running the show. (Can anyone say Joss Whedon?)

iPods Rule!
There's nothing better than being able to put the entire Manhattan Transfer catalog on an iPod and carry it where ever you go. (I'm actually serious. The Manhattan Transfer rules! Along with the iPod, that is. It's a power sharing deal.)

Rate yourself on the eighties
For those of the DM or Ole Miss persuasion who might remember, I once ran a poll which asked readers to rate the eighties - that is rate the most memorable things from the decade that was the coolest, most depressing, most innovative and mindless decade which I have experienced so far. One of these days I might dig up the results and post them here, but since I'm lazy, and I'm watching VH1 Classics, here's a column I wrote several years ago but never published. Enjoy and let me know how you do. Answers are at the bottom. No cheating.

A number of people have told me over the years that where music is concerned, I’m stuck in the 1980’s. Now, after years of denying it, I now proudly admit that it’s true.
It’s not uncommon for a person to be “stuck” in the music, literature or movies/television shows which were popular when they were children or teens. How many times have the stereotypical “hippie” - with the long hair, beads - listening to Hendrix, Cream, the Beatles or some other “typical” 60’s music.
Nowadays, you’re seeing a lot of people in open-collar v-neck shirts and bell bottoms shouting “The Bee Gees rule!”
It’s a scary world.
My own admission to this musical time warp came not long after one of my latest acquisitions, Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” - the album I swore in high school that I would never own or listen to again.
Nevertheless, I found myself purchasing this icon of the early 80’s, justifying the purchase over the protests of my wife, by saying “...but it really is a good album.”
Now, it takes more than Michael Jackson to make someone a child of the 80’s. Many people who look through my collection of CD’s, cassettes and albums (yes, real vinyl albums) repeatedly use the phrase “I’ve never even heard of them.”
These are the groups I refer to as the “Oh yeah” groups. People will say “I’ve never even heard of them” and I play, sing or hum the one song on the album which the group is “known” for. Usually by the time you get to the chorus or the “hook,” they say “Oh yeah! I remember them,” sometimes followed by “I thought they were dead or something.”
My collection contains a lot of “Oh Yeah” bands.
The past year or so has really been a good one for us eficianados of the 1980’s because the music is making somewhat of a comeback. Not just from increased air play, but from movies like “The Wedding Singer” which leap back in time about 15 years for their story.
Even the bands and artists themselves are getting a new, closer look on television thanks to shows such as “Where Are They Now” and “Behind the Music” on VH1.
It’s all really great and just a little frightening when you start to relive the days of the narrow ties, Don Johnson three-day-old razor stubble and way over-don hair. (I still can’t look at my senior high school portrait.)
Now for me musically, the 80’s ends about 1986. That’s when things started to change. There was no Police, just Sting. Peter Gabriel was hitting the charts without Genesis. Glam metal bands like Poison and Motley Crue were beginning to get big.
If you think you might be stuck in the 80’s, I’ve put together a little test which could give you the answer. It’s mostly music, but there’s some other pertinent pop culture information in there as well. We’ll start with some easy ones.
1. This band or Irish boys got their start early on in the 80’s singing hard-edged politically-charge songs. They’re still around today, even though they should have quit in 1986.
2. This little girl grew up in the streets of Detroit to become the most famous woman in the history of Argentina (at least in the movies.)
3. This changed both television and music when it began August 1, 1981.
Ok, now we’ll step it up a notch.
4. Name two TV stars, turned movie stars, turned “recording artists.”
5. Name the group whose biggest U.S. hits include “Africa” and “Rosanna.”
6. Name the cute lovable extraterrestrial whose favorite food was cats, not Reeces Pieces.
Now the kid gloves come off.
Here’s the real name of a 80’s recording artists - who are they.
7. Stewart Goddard
8. Gordon Sumner
9. William Broad
Here’s the song, name the artist.
10. “I Ran”
11. “Turning Japanese”
12. “Driver Eight”
13. “Relax”
14. “Pretty In Pink”
15. “Take On Me”
Ok. If you get these, I bow to your incredible knowledge.
16. Name the band that had Chewbacca’s brother as a member.
17. The band was Haircut 100, what was their biggest U.S. “hit.”
18. When you listen to this group, you may be “Tempted” to drink “Black Coffee In Bed.”
19. How many albums did the Police release in the U.S.?
20. This quirky artist had one big U.S. hit, but it didn’t come from the album “Aliens Ate My Buick.” Who is he?
Answers.
1. U2; 2. Madonna; 3. MTV; 4. Bruce Willis, Eddie Murphy, Don Johnson (to name a few); 5. Toto; 6. Alf; 7. Adam Ant; 8. Sting; 9. Billy Idol; 10. A Flock of Seagulls; 11. The Vapors; 12. R.E.M.; 13. Frankie Goes To Hollywood; 14. The Psychedelic Furs; 15. aha; 16. Seuige Seuige Sputnik; 17. “Love Plus One;” 18. Squeeze; 19. 5; 20. Thomas Dolby.
Give yourself 1 point for each correct answer. If you scored 5 or less, hit the re-runs and the record stores; 6-10 - Don’t you remember, this was the decade when Regean was president; 10-15, You’re getting there, but you’re still not stuck; 15-20, Do you mind if I go through your record collection?

...and speaking of bagpipes...
For a free subscription to my Pulitzer-prize winning newspaper, should I ever have one, name the cartoon character, and his sidekick, who once rescued a herd of wild bagpipes captured by an evil villian as part of his diabolical plot. (You can name the villian too, if you feel so inspired.)

Joe's Movie Trivia
In the past two week's, I have watched three movies which have featured the same (or similar) arrangements of "Amazing Grace" performed on bagpipes with orchestral accompaniment. Name them. (Hint, all three were made after 1980 and are American films. One's a gimme.)

The winner will receive an signed copy of my first best-selling book, should I ever write one. (Not necessarily signed by me, however.)

More Sex!
...and while we're on the topic, the world now finally knows the status of Brittany Spears' hymen.

I AM the liberal media
This was in response to an editorial I wrote last week on the benefits of the federal government's E-Rate program to poor schools. I guess if it's in the newspaper, it must be true.

WARNING!!!! - Beyond here there be liberal political views!
There are lots of fun things on the site of one of my left-wing liberal/democratic/socialist heroes Michael Moore. You can follow the life and times of Bush II, or you can sign the new Declaration of Independence.

Sex, Sex, Sex!
I've been silent for a while, but what better way to get going again than Sex and ancient monuments.

Finding Finding Nemo
After much debate, we finally made it to a movie this past weekend. Of the 18 movies currently playing in the area, Finding Nemo was the only one we could agree on. Pixar has done it again. The story was great fun and the animation was really, really cool. I do wish I would remember not to go see family-oriented movies at times when families area going to be there, however. I think a midnight showing would be an appropriate for grouchy people such as myself to go and see movies like Finding Nemo. Either that or I should have waited another month or so before I went. Of course, to be fair, I personally think any one would have agreed that the group of mothers and kids sitting around us should have been slapped, especially the mothers, and especially the one with the cell phone.

O.K. Here's what happened. After a whole 15 to 20 minutes of sort of halfway reading about html and messing around with an html program on my computer, I thought I'd try and experiment with my Blog template. The end result is I now know a lot more about what not to do when it comes to messing with web coding, Blogs, html and so forth. I am now back (I think) at least until I try monkeying with the Blog again. So David, I feel your pain. It's just like in that song by the Smiths "Blog is a four letter word."

Idle Ramblings

Wednesday, July 30, 2003

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