Week 40: Jumping the Shark
As TV fans, we hear it all the time--"This show has jumped the shark"
For those of you who might not be aware, there is a web site called JumptheShark.com. The site attempts to find the exact moment when a TV show goes from being really good to being not as good. The Jump the Shark refers to the infamous Happy Days episode where Fonzie jumped over a shark on water skis. After that, it was all downhill for the show. (If you head over to the Jump the Shark web site, you can see a huge database of shows and the moment when fans feel they made the fateful jump.)
Right now, fans are debating if a couple of shows aren't becoming Shark bait. So, this week, we'll take a look at just when good shows go wrong.
1. What is the worst Jump the Shark moment for a show that you've faithfully watched? Did you continue to watch after the show took the jump or did you give up in disgust?
A couple I can think of: Babylon 5 jumped when they introduced Byron and the telepathic hippies in the final season, which killed the momentum they'd built up to for four seasons. M*A*S*H, sadly, jumped the shark when Radar left. The best years of that show, in my opinion, were when you could look in the credits and see Mike Farrell and Larry Linville at the same time. Mad About You jumped when baby Mabel was born (does anyone remember what "MABEL" stood for?). E.R. jumped the shark when Mark (Anthony Edwards) died. In all cases, I continued watching the rest of the series, I believe.
2. Is there a show that you're currently watching that you think has Jumped the Shark? Any show that currently is putting on a life vest and strapping on water skis?
Heh. 24 is hacking into terrorist databases to download waterskiiing tips (unfortunate, but not really unexpected after 3+ years mining what was really a 1 season concept).
3. Is there a show that has never taken the jump?
ALF! Ok, seriously, I guess the series that I watched that remained fairly consistently good (or improved) from the beginning to the end would be Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.
4. Is there a show that got close to jumping but then came back?
The X-Files got about as close to jumping as you can get when David Duchovny lost interest and left, but they were able to craft some decent stories with Dogget (Robert Patrick) and Reyes (Annabeth Gish) joining Scully (Gillian Anderson).
5. What elements do you think most contribute to a show making the jump?
1) Pressure from different sides to get two characters together, finally, after dancing around each other for years. 2) Too many years of original actors leaving and new actors joining. 3) Changing direction to try and attract the new popular demographic. There are other reasons, too...
Tuesday, January 18, 2005
Monday, January 17, 2005
Public Service Announcement
I treasure my visitors that visit the Inn through Google, having being led through a particular combination of terms in the search engine.
One person today searched for:
"Restaurant in Knoxville beside Riverside Tavern"
That would be either Carabba's, or Outback Steakhouse.
I hope that this helps. Thank you for your time and attention.
One person today searched for:
"Restaurant in Knoxville beside Riverside Tavern"
That would be either Carabba's, or Outback Steakhouse.
I hope that this helps. Thank you for your time and attention.
Friday, January 14, 2005
Click Away!
Did you visit here via Blogclicker or BlogExplosion?
Leave me a quick comment and say hello. I seem to be getting a good number of referrals, but not a lot of comments... I try to leave comments on blogs I visit, so hopefully this will pick it up a bit.
Even more, leave me a question or two in the comments, and I'll answer when I'm back online. Ask me anything - I'll try my best to answer.
So, welcome!
 |
 |
Leave me a quick comment and say hello. I seem to be getting a good number of referrals, but not a lot of comments... I try to leave comments on blogs I visit, so hopefully this will pick it up a bit.
Even more, leave me a question or two in the comments, and I'll answer when I'm back online. Ask me anything - I'll try my best to answer.
So, welcome!
Author Stephen White
My literary tastes don't run very high, really. I mean, compared to the body of classics that exists out in the world.
For that, go read Sheila.
I've always enjoyed Agatha Christie, and her Belgian detective Hercule Poirot, and if there are any of his stories still left that I haven't read, I'd love to find them. Her mysteries are spotless examples of plotting and characterization, misdirection and elegant suspense.
But I've recently become enamored with a different kind of mystery genre - psychological thrillers. In particular, I've come to devour anything by Robert Block and Stephen White that I can find.
Lawrence Block, author of the Bernie Rhodenbarr "Burglar" series I'll talk about another time, but Stephen White has created a character that is fascinating. Boulder, CO psycologist Alan Gregory.
As you can see to the right (at least for the time being) I'm reading "Warning Signs," which White wrote a couple of years ago. I came into the Alan Gregory series in the middle, checking out an audiobook copy of "Cold Case" from the library a year or so ago. Since with a single-author series, things happen to characters over the span of time that make it difficult to jump around from book to book. Events are referred to that I haven't read about, and recurring characters live and die from story to story, so I always like to read a series from the beginning. After I finished "Cold Case", I went back to his first book, "Privileged Information" and started from there.
Anyway, I can't say enough about White and his Alan Gregory series. Having read some Koontz, Robin Cook and even Michael Crichton lately, they can't hold a candle to White in terms of literary style, plotting, characterization... Gregory becomes involved in cases through his patients, in addition to his Assistant D.A. wife (well, girlfriend in the first couple of books). The books are in first person, inside Gregory's head, and we see him struggle with professional ethics and solving crimes from an outsider's perspective.
If you have a chance to pick up one of the books, I'd highly recommend them.
Thursday, January 13, 2005
Young at Heart
|
You Are 26 Years Old |
|
Under 12: You are a kid at heart. You still have an optimistic life view - and you look at the world with awe. 13-19: You are a teenager at heart. You question authority and are still trying to find your place in this world. 20-29: You are a twentysomething at heart. You feel excited about what's to come... love, work, and new experiences. 30-39: You are a thirtysomething at heart. You've had a taste of success and true love, but you want more! 40+: You are a mature adult. You've been through most of the ups and downs of life already. Now you get to sit back and relax. |
Friday's Feast
Feast Thirty-One
Appetizer - If you could have a free subscription to any online service, which would you like to have?
Probably one of the more extensive Fantasy sports sites, the one that will tell me things I can use, instead of recommending me not to play Willis McGahee of the Bills the week he was coming back from an injury, when he subsequently tuned up the opposition for about 150 years and 2 TD's
Soup - Describe your bathroom (furnishings, colors, etc.).
We have three in our home, mine and my wife's, the kids, and the downstairs which is really the nighttime home for Ramona the dog. Do they have particular colors? I'm a guy. How should I know?
Salad - What does the shape of a triangle make you think of?
The first thing I should say is a trinity, but in reality it makes me think of a metal orchestral Triangle.
Main Course - Name 3 things or activities that you consider to be luxuries.
1. Cruising (on a cruise ship, not like up and down some college street in a car)
2. Getting a massage (paid)
3. Traveling to Europe or Africa for a vacation
Dessert - What was the last really great movie you watched?
Probably "The Incredibles". My wife would say "The Polar Express" but I wasn't as enamored of it as she was. My kids would probably say, "Spongebob"
Wednesday, January 12, 2005
Fun at Traffic Court
I didn't see John Laroquette, and there was no sign of Markie Post anywhere. There were several Bull-like gentlemen in uniform, however.
I went to Knox County Traffic Court today to clear up my expired registration situation from last month.
God help our judicial system.
First I was told the courtoom I needed to go to was in the City/County Building, a behemoth downtown with all kinds of security. I emptied my pocketses for the metal detector, passed through fine and then was told the courtroom I needed to be in was in the Old Courthouse next door.
Feh.
I go next door, holding the elevator for a lady ladened to the teeth with crates, boxes, papers and a bag of cheetos. Up to the third floor to Fourth Sessions Court. The area outside the courtroom was full of people waiting for the court to open at 9am. Finally the lights turn on, the door opens and we all file in.
The courtroom is smaller than I'd anticipated, and filled with what look like old church pews. In comes Cheeto lady, who turns out to be the prosecutor for Traffic Court...hm. Good thing I was nice to her in the hall... She tells everyone to have a seat and wait for their name to be called, and..oh, all those awaiting arraignment should wait outside until 10am. Behind her sits the judge for the session, and a myriad of other clerks, barristers and guards wander in and out.
Not me. I sit and cool my heels for a while. She works through the docket, calling name after name alphabetically. One unlucky fellow in the seats is yelled at by the judge after his cell phone goes off. I hurriedly mute mine before it's confiscated.
Most people who are called have their offenses taken care of, but some do go before the judge for..um, well, judgement. Another unlucky guy was chastised greatly by the judge for going 112 in a 70 mph zone - he was cited for reckless driving as well as speeding, had his license suspended and was put on 6-month probation. A young woman gave a sob story about not complying with a 90-day mandated appointment with driving school, because "they hadn't returned her phone calls" when trying to schedule the class. The judge would have none of it, and off she went. Still another unlucky lady with two little kids was barked at by the judge because the older child's toy was making too much noise. Geez, back off yeronner...
Finally, CheetoProsecutor - who seemed to be very nice, but harried - breezed through to the end of the alphabet, but skipped my name. "Oh crap" I said nicely, to myself, and got up to inquire. After waiting in line a few seconds, I spoke to the nice lady and was told she was just about to ask for people's names who weren't called. I showed her the citation, and she seemed concerned that my wife - whose name was actually on the citation, although she was driving my car - was not here personally to contest or allow the ticket. I explained that she had been told by the officer that all I would have to do was show proof the registration had been updated and paid (which it now had been), and that would be the end of that. She handed the citation over to a clerk and asked me to take a seat, while they searched for the records.
So I sat.
Finally I was called back up, and stood before the judge.
I considered throwing myself bodily down on the floor, screaming and begging for the mercy of the court. I considered pointing a finger at the nearest lawyer, crying "I OBJECT! ARGUMENTATIVE! MOVE TO STRIKE!" I however, did none of those things but instead smiled politely as the judge told me that since I had paid the registration, it was dismissed but I'd still need to pay Court Costs. And to step outside till my name was called.
Court Costs?
The mysterious catch-all of fines...I think each evening someone in County Finance office looks at the days receipts, compares them to what's remaining in the year's budget and comes to an estimate of how much the courts need to make the next day. That number is divided by the number of cases, and the result is what each person has to pay in "Court Costs".
This figure, of course, includes the continuing amount of money we waste each year defending Shurf Hutchinson against all his various lawsuits, but that's another story.
Anyhoo, I step outside with the rest of the mass of humanity. Presently, a nice young man who was probably 2 when I graduated from high school directs all us unlucky Court Cost payers to follow him. We exit the third floor, exit the building, and walk over to...
You guessed it. The City/County Building, where I'd started out in the first place.
I go through security again - this time, however, the metal detector has had time to think about me since the first time I went through, and my belt buckle is deemed an Imminent Security Breach. I'm "wanded". Oh, my dignity.
I head down to the clerk's desk and pay the Court Costs. I swell with pride at fulfilling my civic duty to pay (apparently) half the total annual budget of the government of Guam, and finally leave the building.
I check my watch - it's only been just over an hour. Seems like I'd been in Traffic Court for the better part of the winter.
I had considered taking the rest of the day off from work, but since starving people in the Pacific Rim have to eat, I decide to go back to work. I vow never to have another lapsed registration, moving violation, parking ticket, noise citation or
How this story should've ended, for maximum ironic and comedic effect
The drive back to work from downtown usually takes about 20 minutes down Alcoa Highway, but today it took 25. Why?
I got a speeding ticket.
Crap.
But that's not what happened. I guess thank goodness for me, too bad for the literary world.
I went to Knox County Traffic Court today to clear up my expired registration situation from last month.
God help our judicial system.
First I was told the courtoom I needed to go to was in the City/County Building, a behemoth downtown with all kinds of security. I emptied my pocketses for the metal detector, passed through fine and then was told the courtroom I needed to be in was in the Old Courthouse next door.
Feh.
I go next door, holding the elevator for a lady ladened to the teeth with crates, boxes, papers and a bag of cheetos. Up to the third floor to Fourth Sessions Court. The area outside the courtroom was full of people waiting for the court to open at 9am. Finally the lights turn on, the door opens and we all file in.
The courtroom is smaller than I'd anticipated, and filled with what look like old church pews. In comes Cheeto lady, who turns out to be the prosecutor for Traffic Court...hm. Good thing I was nice to her in the hall... She tells everyone to have a seat and wait for their name to be called, and..oh, all those awaiting arraignment should wait outside until 10am. Behind her sits the judge for the session, and a myriad of other clerks, barristers and guards wander in and out.
Not me. I sit and cool my heels for a while. She works through the docket, calling name after name alphabetically. One unlucky fellow in the seats is yelled at by the judge after his cell phone goes off. I hurriedly mute mine before it's confiscated.
Most people who are called have their offenses taken care of, but some do go before the judge for..um, well, judgement. Another unlucky guy was chastised greatly by the judge for going 112 in a 70 mph zone - he was cited for reckless driving as well as speeding, had his license suspended and was put on 6-month probation. A young woman gave a sob story about not complying with a 90-day mandated appointment with driving school, because "they hadn't returned her phone calls" when trying to schedule the class. The judge would have none of it, and off she went. Still another unlucky lady with two little kids was barked at by the judge because the older child's toy was making too much noise. Geez, back off yeronner...
Finally, CheetoProsecutor - who seemed to be very nice, but harried - breezed through to the end of the alphabet, but skipped my name. "Oh crap" I said nicely, to myself, and got up to inquire. After waiting in line a few seconds, I spoke to the nice lady and was told she was just about to ask for people's names who weren't called. I showed her the citation, and she seemed concerned that my wife - whose name was actually on the citation, although she was driving my car - was not here personally to contest or allow the ticket. I explained that she had been told by the officer that all I would have to do was show proof the registration had been updated and paid (which it now had been), and that would be the end of that. She handed the citation over to a clerk and asked me to take a seat, while they searched for the records.
So I sat.
Finally I was called back up, and stood before the judge.
I considered throwing myself bodily down on the floor, screaming and begging for the mercy of the court. I considered pointing a finger at the nearest lawyer, crying "I OBJECT! ARGUMENTATIVE! MOVE TO STRIKE!" I however, did none of those things but instead smiled politely as the judge told me that since I had paid the registration, it was dismissed but I'd still need to pay Court Costs. And to step outside till my name was called.
Court Costs?
The mysterious catch-all of fines...I think each evening someone in County Finance office looks at the days receipts, compares them to what's remaining in the year's budget and comes to an estimate of how much the courts need to make the next day. That number is divided by the number of cases, and the result is what each person has to pay in "Court Costs".
This figure, of course, includes the continuing amount of money we waste each year defending Shurf Hutchinson against all his various lawsuits, but that's another story.
Anyhoo, I step outside with the rest of the mass of humanity. Presently, a nice young man who was probably 2 when I graduated from high school directs all us unlucky Court Cost payers to follow him. We exit the third floor, exit the building, and walk over to...
You guessed it. The City/County Building, where I'd started out in the first place.
I go through security again - this time, however, the metal detector has had time to think about me since the first time I went through, and my belt buckle is deemed an Imminent Security Breach. I'm "wanded". Oh, my dignity.
I head down to the clerk's desk and pay the Court Costs. I swell with pride at fulfilling my civic duty to pay (apparently) half the total annual budget of the government of Guam, and finally leave the building.
I check my watch - it's only been just over an hour. Seems like I'd been in Traffic Court for the better part of the winter.
I had considered taking the rest of the day off from work, but since starving people in the Pacific Rim have to eat, I decide to go back to work. I vow never to have another lapsed registration, moving violation, parking ticket, noise citation or
How this story should've ended, for maximum ironic and comedic effect
The drive back to work from downtown usually takes about 20 minutes down Alcoa Highway, but today it took 25. Why?
I got a speeding ticket.
Crap.
But that's not what happened. I guess thank goodness for me, too bad for the literary world.
Tuesday, January 11, 2005
TV Tuesday
Week 39: The King
Last Saturday would have been the 70th birthday of the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley. Fans from across the world gathered in Memphis at Graceland to celebrate the birth of the King of Rock and Roll. But Elvis was more than just the king of the musical world. He made tried to be the king of all media with appearances on TV, his movies, etc. This week, we take a look at the King of Rock and Roll.
1. Did you watch any of the Elvis movie marathons, celebrations or retrospectives on various channels over the weekend?
Who's Elvis?
2. Do you have a favorite Elvis movie? If so, which one?
Can't say I've ever seen an Elvis movie.
3. Elvis's appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show caused quite a bit of controversy and had the censors worried about his dancing. Looking back, it's nothing compared to what the censors allow on TV today. What is the most outrageous thing you've seen on TV recently?
That shows like "Finding my Deadbeat Dad" (or whatever it was called) and "The Will" still even ever get greenlit, much less produced, aired and (apparently) watched.
~ BONUS ~ Elvis's appearance on the Ed Sullivan show was a huge deal. If you were old enough to have actually seen Elvis when he appeared on the show, did you watch? What'd you think at the time? Share any memories you might have related to the event. What is your favorite Elvis TV moment or special?
Sorry - wasn't around.
Last Saturday would have been the 70th birthday of the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley. Fans from across the world gathered in Memphis at Graceland to celebrate the birth of the King of Rock and Roll. But Elvis was more than just the king of the musical world. He made tried to be the king of all media with appearances on TV, his movies, etc. This week, we take a look at the King of Rock and Roll.
1. Did you watch any of the Elvis movie marathons, celebrations or retrospectives on various channels over the weekend?
Who's Elvis?
2. Do you have a favorite Elvis movie? If so, which one?
Can't say I've ever seen an Elvis movie.
3. Elvis's appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show caused quite a bit of controversy and had the censors worried about his dancing. Looking back, it's nothing compared to what the censors allow on TV today. What is the most outrageous thing you've seen on TV recently?
That shows like "Finding my Deadbeat Dad" (or whatever it was called) and "The Will" still even ever get greenlit, much less produced, aired and (apparently) watched.
~ BONUS ~ Elvis's appearance on the Ed Sullivan show was a huge deal. If you were old enough to have actually seen Elvis when he appeared on the show, did you watch? What'd you think at the time? Share any memories you might have related to the event. What is your favorite Elvis TV moment or special?
Sorry - wasn't around.
Monday, January 10, 2005
Back Atcha
Today is Teresa's (Hatamaran's) Birthday. She gave me birthday kudos last week, so I'm returning the favor.
Happy Birthday, Teep!
Happy Birthday, Teep!
Sunday, January 09, 2005
Second Bloggiversary 2004 Year-In-Review
Two years ago, I started my blog and the Inn of the Last Home was born. One year ago I published a list of what I felt were my more noteworthy posts of 2003.
So in the spirit of all that's newsworthy and pithy, I'm opening up the log books of the Inn of the Last Home for 2004. Enjoy.
January:
Encourage, Not Discourage - Should schools post honor rolls? Should they even give out grades?
February:
Who Am I? - On blog anonymity and credibility. Or lack thereof.
What to Write, What to Write... - This one I was particularly proud of, and got linked to more than anything else I've done, I believe. In this entry I publicly thrash out my internal political turmoil.
March:
Free Will - Whose side is God on, anyway? Let's talk about it...
What A Pal - You know, I wrote this post about Neil Simon being donated a kidney - and now I have no idea what the joke I put at the end means...
For The Living - I attend the funeral of a friend's brother, and my discussion on what funerals are really about.
Conversations I - 1st of this years discussions with GiggleGirl/Tink
Word - A rare and puzzling exchange with BrainyBoy (v8). Yo.
My Reply - Oh, Bubba, Bubba, Bubba. This may be a little confusing out of context, but hey...what blog entry isn't? But then, SKB's a little confusing in context anyway...
April:
Pollenteer Talegait Harty - Glurp the Gully Dwarf whomps me over the head with a dead rat on April Fool's Day and hijacks the Volunteer Tailgate Party. Hilarity ensues.
All Keyed Up - I'm a witness to a crime.
Please, Make It Stop! - "KISS YOUR SUBSCRIPTION GOODBYE!" I'm told, in no uncertain terms. Not.
Conversations: Saved by the Bell - More baby talk with GiggleGirl/Tink
May:
Hmm. May was a bit barren. Must've had my mind on other things. Well, there's a couple of Willy Wonka posts if you must read something...
June:
Time Passes - My thoughts on the death of an old classmate.
AdventureCon - A family's adventures in the wild, untamed world of sci-fi and comics conventions...
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban: My Thoughts - Er, just what it says.
A Tragedy of Errors? - Six Unforgivable Mistakes on 9/11 caused by lack of communication.
July:
Nothing. Zilch. Zero.Noodle Nada. Our trip to Hilton Head sucked the creative juices out of me. Keep moving...
August:
SPOON: The Continuing Crisis - Day 4 - Be afraid of mysterious utensils. Be very afraid of mysterious utensils.
GoldenBoySchlagerGateUpdate - My favorite post title of all time. Something about a local political goof-off throwing his weight around. It was more interesting at the time, but I still just love the title.
GiggleGirl and friend at Hilton Head - Just a picture. But I love this one.
My 20th High School Reunion:
What's Old is New Again (Part 1 - Prep)
What's Old is New Again (Part 2 - Friday)
What's Old is New Again (Part 3 - Saturday)
September:
My New Obsession - I drool over The West Wing.
Rudeness - "PROFANITY! This is utter PROFANITY PROFANITY. This is the worst kind of PROFANITY mess I've ever seen!" No, I didn't say it. But I have something to say about it...
From the Dark To The Light - I may have been a little harsh on this one, but I can't stand cowards.
One Shining Moment - On the cusp of heaven with GiggleGirl/Tink.
Pet Peeve of the Day - B my name is Barry, dammit. B-a-r-r-y. Got it??? GOT IT???
Conversations III - Who's the parent here? I forget...
October:
Curing the Lame - An unpopular opinion on a popular subject, apparently. Of course Christopher Reeve might've been able to walk again someday - why not??
Blogger Laws - This one got some linkagery, too. Please, if you read this post - add some more!
November:
*yawn*
December:
Tomorrow is Just 24 Hours Away... - This started as just a post about the 1st Season set of the show "24" but it evolved into something way, way deeper.
The Working Life: Part 1 and Part 2 - So, what do you do at work anyway?
That's 2004 for you. Sometimes I was deep, sometimes I was just silly. I had fun, hope you did too. Have a great 2005!
UPDATE: In other bloggiversary news, Logtar is one and Ms Zoot is one, also.
So in the spirit of all that's newsworthy and pithy, I'm opening up the log books of the Inn of the Last Home for 2004. Enjoy.
January:
Encourage, Not Discourage - Should schools post honor rolls? Should they even give out grades?
February:
Who Am I? - On blog anonymity and credibility. Or lack thereof.
What to Write, What to Write... - This one I was particularly proud of, and got linked to more than anything else I've done, I believe. In this entry I publicly thrash out my internal political turmoil.
March:
Free Will - Whose side is God on, anyway? Let's talk about it...
What A Pal - You know, I wrote this post about Neil Simon being donated a kidney - and now I have no idea what the joke I put at the end means...
For The Living - I attend the funeral of a friend's brother, and my discussion on what funerals are really about.
Conversations I - 1st of this years discussions with GiggleGirl/Tink
Word - A rare and puzzling exchange with BrainyBoy (v8). Yo.
My Reply - Oh, Bubba, Bubba, Bubba. This may be a little confusing out of context, but hey...what blog entry isn't? But then, SKB's a little confusing in context anyway...
April:
Pollenteer Talegait Harty - Glurp the Gully Dwarf whomps me over the head with a dead rat on April Fool's Day and hijacks the Volunteer Tailgate Party. Hilarity ensues.
All Keyed Up - I'm a witness to a crime.
Please, Make It Stop! - "KISS YOUR SUBSCRIPTION GOODBYE!" I'm told, in no uncertain terms. Not.
Conversations: Saved by the Bell - More baby talk with GiggleGirl/Tink
May:
Hmm. May was a bit barren. Must've had my mind on other things. Well, there's a couple of Willy Wonka posts if you must read something...
June:
Time Passes - My thoughts on the death of an old classmate.
AdventureCon - A family's adventures in the wild, untamed world of sci-fi and comics conventions...
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban: My Thoughts - Er, just what it says.
A Tragedy of Errors? - Six Unforgivable Mistakes on 9/11 caused by lack of communication.
July:
Nothing. Zilch. Zero.
August:
SPOON: The Continuing Crisis - Day 4 - Be afraid of mysterious utensils. Be very afraid of mysterious utensils.
GoldenBoySchlagerGateUpdate - My favorite post title of all time. Something about a local political goof-off throwing his weight around. It was more interesting at the time, but I still just love the title.
GiggleGirl and friend at Hilton Head - Just a picture. But I love this one.
My 20th High School Reunion:
What's Old is New Again (Part 1 - Prep)
What's Old is New Again (Part 2 - Friday)
What's Old is New Again (Part 3 - Saturday)
September:
My New Obsession - I drool over The West Wing.
Rudeness - "PROFANITY! This is utter PROFANITY PROFANITY. This is the worst kind of PROFANITY mess I've ever seen!" No, I didn't say it. But I have something to say about it...
From the Dark To The Light - I may have been a little harsh on this one, but I can't stand cowards.
One Shining Moment - On the cusp of heaven with GiggleGirl/Tink.
Pet Peeve of the Day - B my name is Barry, dammit. B-a-r-r-y. Got it??? GOT IT???
Conversations III - Who's the parent here? I forget...
October:
Curing the Lame - An unpopular opinion on a popular subject, apparently. Of course Christopher Reeve might've been able to walk again someday - why not??
Blogger Laws - This one got some linkagery, too. Please, if you read this post - add some more!
November:
*yawn*
December:
Tomorrow is Just 24 Hours Away... - This started as just a post about the 1st Season set of the show "24" but it evolved into something way, way deeper.
The Working Life: Part 1 and Part 2 - So, what do you do at work anyway?
That's 2004 for you. Sometimes I was deep, sometimes I was just silly. I had fun, hope you did too. Have a great 2005!
UPDATE: In other bloggiversary news, Logtar is one and Ms Zoot is one, also.
Friday, January 07, 2005
Would You Please Just Go Away!!!
Atheist Sues to Thwart Inauguration Prayer
"An atheist who sued because he did not want his young daughter exposed to the words "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance has filed a suit to bar the saying of a prayer at President Bush's inauguration."
Sources
One of the reasons I don't do a lot of punditry posting (other than the fact I really don't know anything about anything) is that I believe assertions you make about particular subjects should be supported by tangible proof and supportable evidence.
Go anywhere you like on the web, blogs or not, and you'll see wildly unsubstantiated "facts" and stories about everything under the sun. What's worse, once everyone starts repeating the stories they become pseudo-facts - "facts" that become self-proven, simply because all your friends have said them over and over, so they must be true.
Don Williams is a columnist with the
Knoxville News Sentinel. In the past few years, he's concentrated almost solely on repudiating the Bush Adminisration's policies and actions. And that's fine...ever administration should have its feet held to the fire. Bush included, especially now that he's a lame duck president.
But his latest column, Words to the wise for Democrats, highlights some of the continuing flaws in our information and opinion-sharing process - the lack of real supporting evidence to back up your opinions, and the reliance on "conventional wisdom" or "common knowledge" as a substitute.
Maybe such polls exist, maybe they don't. Maybe Don was told they did, and he reported the fact - he may have been told by someone whose integrity he trusted. Maybe that person read a story in a publication he trusted. But unless the actual poll is presented along with the opinion, how far can the trust go? Especially when any link in the chain may have more than the most pure of journalistic intentions at heart. Continuing:
Again, maybe just such a poll exists - if it does, it would greatly boost his credibility among those who might not agree with him.
But mostly it sounds like what's typically bandied about in ultra-liberal blogs and websites - opinions that, when tossed around so much, take on a factual basis of their own, based on their listeners' desire to believe them.
Here's more with a local spin:
And it's not just on the liberal side. It's a universal problem that's perpetrated by columnists and pundits and bloggers and radio talk show hosts of every political stripe - the more you say that something is a fact, the more people believe it's a fact, and the more it becomes Conventional Wisdom. When you have millions of listeners or readers, it becomes a handy tool. It's worked well for Rush Limbaugh for 15 years or more.
Finally, I realize it's difficult to get past these things. I believe, yes, that Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed and walked on the moon in 1969 - it's been part of my upbringing for 35 years. I've seen the videos, heard the stories, read the textbooks. But how do I really know? Have I seen and analyzed the telemetry data myself? Have I interviewed the men of Apollo 13 myself? No, of course not. But I still believe it - because after 35 years (current conspiracy theorists notwithstanding) I accept it as a wonderful part of human history and would be foolish to disbelieve it.
But 35 years from now, unless we're happy that some of the current Conventional Wisdom arguments will still be around and regarded as "fact", we need to be prepared to demand proof and support for our media's assertions. And not rest until it's provided, willingly.
Because there's your doublespeak. Accepted willingly.
Go anywhere you like on the web, blogs or not, and you'll see wildly unsubstantiated "facts" and stories about everything under the sun. What's worse, once everyone starts repeating the stories they become pseudo-facts - "facts" that become self-proven, simply because all your friends have said them over and over, so they must be true.
Don Williams is a columnist with the
Knoxville News Sentinel. In the past few years, he's concentrated almost solely on repudiating the Bush Adminisration's policies and actions. And that's fine...ever administration should have its feet held to the fire. Bush included, especially now that he's a lame duck president.
But his latest column, Words to the wise for Democrats, highlights some of the continuing flaws in our information and opinion-sharing process - the lack of real supporting evidence to back up your opinions, and the reliance on "conventional wisdom" or "common knowledge" as a substitute.
'Polls show that a majority of those who voted for George W. Bush in 2004 really believed Saddam Hussein had something to do with the horrors of 9/11 and that Iraq had strong ties to al-Qaida. A similar percentage said the United States found stockpiles of chemical or nuclear weapons in Iraq. You and I know these things are not true, but lots of Fox News viewers in particular believed they happened.What polls, Don? Can you tell me? Can anyone tell me? How difficult would it have been to say something like, "A December 2004 Pew Opinion Poll showed that a majority of those...." or "A November 2004 MSNBC poll said the United States found stockpiles..."?
Maybe such polls exist, maybe they don't. Maybe Don was told they did, and he reported the fact - he may have been told by someone whose integrity he trusted. Maybe that person read a story in a publication he trusted. But unless the actual poll is presented along with the opinion, how far can the trust go? Especially when any link in the chain may have more than the most pure of journalistic intentions at heart. Continuing:
'Religious indoctrination is about as depressing. Journalist Bill Moyers noted in December that the best selling books in recent history are the "Left Behind" series by Timothy LaHaye - adventure yarns about the rapture and other manifestations of the so-called end of days - based on iffy interpretations of scripture. Millions of Bush supporters believe Jesus is returning within a generation.'Here Don did provide a source for his assertion regarding the "Left Behind" series. An assertion I believe, as well. But how does he actually know "millions of Bush supporters believe Jesus is returning in a generation"? What poll or study was that found?
Again, maybe just such a poll exists - if it does, it would greatly boost his credibility among those who might not agree with him.
But mostly it sounds like what's typically bandied about in ultra-liberal blogs and websites - opinions that, when tossed around so much, take on a factual basis of their own, based on their listeners' desire to believe them.
Here's more with a local spin:
'There's reason to believe that millions of fundamentalists - including many in East Tennessee - embrace similar positions. That's a big problem. If I believed the end was near, if I believed Saddam Hussein had something to do with 9/11, I might've voted for Bush, too.'Huh? What makes you think that "millions" of fundamentalists hold similar positions? Word of mouth? Conventional Wisdom? It's one thing to cite CW when you say something like, "Millions of fundamentalists - including many in East Tennessee - believe every word of the Bible is the literal truth". There you're deriving applesauce from apples. The effect is a product of a directly related cause. But when you equate "fundamentalists" to "hyper-confidence in the divine mission of Bush" to "belief the rapture's coming soon, so let's believe anything he says about Saddam" is as big a leap - WITHOUT tangible support - as trying to assert they all believe the moon's made of green cheese.
And it's not just on the liberal side. It's a universal problem that's perpetrated by columnists and pundits and bloggers and radio talk show hosts of every political stripe - the more you say that something is a fact, the more people believe it's a fact, and the more it becomes Conventional Wisdom. When you have millions of listeners or readers, it becomes a handy tool. It's worked well for Rush Limbaugh for 15 years or more.
Finally, I realize it's difficult to get past these things. I believe, yes, that Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed and walked on the moon in 1969 - it's been part of my upbringing for 35 years. I've seen the videos, heard the stories, read the textbooks. But how do I really know? Have I seen and analyzed the telemetry data myself? Have I interviewed the men of Apollo 13 myself? No, of course not. But I still believe it - because after 35 years (current conspiracy theorists notwithstanding) I accept it as a wonderful part of human history and would be foolish to disbelieve it.
But 35 years from now, unless we're happy that some of the current Conventional Wisdom arguments will still be around and regarded as "fact", we need to be prepared to demand proof and support for our media's assertions. And not rest until it's provided, willingly.
Because there's your doublespeak. Accepted willingly.
Friday's Feast
Appetizer - Have you been sick yet this winter? If so, what did you come down with?
Amazingly enough, no, not yet at least. Nobody in our family's had anything worse than a little cold lately. Knock on wood.
Soup - What colors dominate your closet?
Browns, earth tones. I'd like more color but can never seem to buy any.
Salad - How would you describe your personal "comfort zone"?
My comfort zone is laying on the couch, watching TV, reading a book and eating a bag of microwave popcorn.
Main Course - On which reality show would you really like to be a contestant?
God, I hate reality shows. But if I had to answer one, I guess The Apprentice. I think I could plan and organize rings around those people, even though I have no real business sense. And I know I could deal with other people better.
Dessert - Which holiday would you consider to be your favorite?
Christmas
Thursday, January 06, 2005
Creepy
Several weeks ago on "The West Wing":
Creepy.
Almost as creepy as the premiere episode of Lone Gunmen depicting a runaway jet almost crashing into the World Trade Center.
The episode aired in August, 2001.
I'm keeping one eye on the TV. Or maybe not...
[There are reports surfacing an asteroid might hit the Earth]
'[White House Aide] Charlie is wondering whether the asteroid "is gonna kill us like it killed the dinosaurs." Well, Charlie, I really don't think it's the same asteroid. Because that one, you know, crashed into the earth and everything. [Deputy Chief of Staff] Josh thinks that the asteroid will miss the earth entirely, but Charlie still wants to know what might happen:
"Likelihood is, it hits an ocean, starts a tsunami, and, you know, surf's up, in Illinois."
[Later]
[President Jed Bartlett] is sitting in his bed with a map of the world spread out in his lap. Jed is explaining that 70 to 80% of the people on the west coast will be killed by the tsunami that would result if the asteroid were to hit the Pacific Ocean.'
Creepy.
Almost as creepy as the premiere episode of Lone Gunmen depicting a runaway jet almost crashing into the World Trade Center.
The episode aired in August, 2001.
I'm keeping one eye on the TV. Or maybe not...
In the Works, Short Hits, and Googlewacking
It's pretty easy to cheat, though. For instance, in the above example I just entered "triskadeskaphobia" (which, incidentally, is fear of the number "13"), then scanned the 50-odd resulting hits for a term in the summary that looked odd. In one of them I found "screaming", entered it as the companion search term, and voila!
Wednesday, January 05, 2005
TV Tuesday
Week 38: Looking forward, looking back.
Welcome to the first TV Tuesday of 2005! It's that special time of year--when we look back at the year that was and look forward to the year that will be. A lot of people make resolutions too. So, this week, we're gonna have a bit of looking forward and bit of looking back...
1. Did you watch more or less TV during the holidays? Did you sample any new shows in repeats or watch reruns of your favorites to catch-up?
My Quest continued to catch up on 5 seasons of The West Wing. Other than watching the prerequisite holiday specials and football, not much.
2. Did you get any TV on DVD as a gift during the holiday season?
Yep, HR Pufnstuf and my kids love it as much as I did.
3. Which do you like more--watching the ball drop in NYC or all the college football bowl games?
Bowl games.
4. Looking forward--are there any mid-season replacements shows or any returning shows your anxious to see?
The Jack Bauer Power Hour, baby. That and the new Battlestar Galactica. I'm also interested in NBC's new Medium show, but I missed the first episode. And of course, The Dead Zone, whenever they decide to start it up again...
(Note: without looking, I have a feeling the above answer is identical to Michael's)
~ BONUS ~ If you watched Dick Clark's Rocking New Year's Eve (hosted by Regis), rate this year's event without Mr. Clark. Was it good, bad? Just OK? Did you miss Dick Clark or was Regis enough for you?
We had 13 people over to our house New Year's Eve, and didn't turn on the TV coverage until about 11:40. I saw Regis a couple of times, and I thought he did fine - I'm surprised to find I didn't miss Dick Clark, but that probably means he didn't really matter that much to me on New Year's Eve in the first place...
Welcome to the first TV Tuesday of 2005! It's that special time of year--when we look back at the year that was and look forward to the year that will be. A lot of people make resolutions too. So, this week, we're gonna have a bit of looking forward and bit of looking back...
1. Did you watch more or less TV during the holidays? Did you sample any new shows in repeats or watch reruns of your favorites to catch-up?
My Quest continued to catch up on 5 seasons of The West Wing. Other than watching the prerequisite holiday specials and football, not much.
2. Did you get any TV on DVD as a gift during the holiday season?
Yep, HR Pufnstuf and my kids love it as much as I did.
3. Which do you like more--watching the ball drop in NYC or all the college football bowl games?
Bowl games.
4. Looking forward--are there any mid-season replacements shows or any returning shows your anxious to see?
The Jack Bauer Power Hour, baby. That and the new Battlestar Galactica. I'm also interested in NBC's new Medium show, but I missed the first episode. And of course, The Dead Zone, whenever they decide to start it up again...
(Note: without looking, I have a feeling the above answer is identical to Michael's)
~ BONUS ~ If you watched Dick Clark's Rocking New Year's Eve (hosted by Regis), rate this year's event without Mr. Clark. Was it good, bad? Just OK? Did you miss Dick Clark or was Regis enough for you?
We had 13 people over to our house New Year's Eve, and didn't turn on the TV coverage until about 11:40. I saw Regis a couple of times, and I thought he did fine - I'm surprised to find I didn't miss Dick Clark, but that probably means he didn't really matter that much to me on New Year's Eve in the first place...
Tuesday, January 04, 2005
Monday, January 03, 2005
Next I'll Be Seeing Rhinos...
Growing up in the East Tennessee foothills, I hear many strange stories and superstitions. There are tales about strange animals that lurk in the woods and the mountains. Skunk apes roam the hills, giant bears reportedly kill and eat stray hikers....it all adds up to a rolling mythos of legends and myths.
One of the greatest myths is that of the live possum. Nobody really ever sees a live possum very often, they're mostly squashed in the middle of the road. But when I opened my front door this morning to go get my newspaper, there he was.
Hobbling across my path, down by the garage doors and around the side of the house.
The kids scurried out to see, for they had likely never seen a live one before either.
We all counted ourselves fortunate to have glimpsed such a rare find, but I happened to think later... what omen does it portend when a possum crosses your path. In the fog. On the first Monday of a new year.
I'll probably regret not running back to bed, but I for one am going to be keeping a sharp eye out for falling safes today.
One of the greatest myths is that of the live possum. Nobody really ever sees a live possum very often, they're mostly squashed in the middle of the road. But when I opened my front door this morning to go get my newspaper, there he was.
Hobbling across my path, down by the garage doors and around the side of the house.
The kids scurried out to see, for they had likely never seen a live one before either.
We all counted ourselves fortunate to have glimpsed such a rare find, but I happened to think later... what omen does it portend when a possum crosses your path. In the fog. On the first Monday of a new year.
I'll probably regret not running back to bed, but I for one am going to be keeping a sharp eye out for falling safes today.
Sunday, January 02, 2005
The Best New Year's Ever
Thursday: Birthday dinner with family, parents and in-laws at Conners in Turkey Creek. Back home for presents and cake.
Friday: Took BrainyBoy and Tink to the SpongeBob Movie, then welcomed 6 adults, 2 teens and 5 kids into our house for a Sumptious Buffet (tm) and New Years Eve festivities. Played "Cranium" and a new game called"This..." "Things...", and we all rang in the New Year on time.
Saturday: Slept till 10, watched the Vols trounce Texas A&M in the Cotton Bowl, ate leftovers from the Sumptuous Buffet (tm), played board games with my kids, and stayed in my pajamas all day long.
It was the Best New Year's Ever.
Friday: Took BrainyBoy and Tink to the SpongeBob Movie, then welcomed 6 adults, 2 teens and 5 kids into our house for a Sumptious Buffet (tm) and New Years Eve festivities. Played "Cranium" and a new game called
Saturday: Slept till 10, watched the Vols trounce Texas A&M in the Cotton Bowl, ate leftovers from the Sumptuous Buffet (tm), played board games with my kids, and stayed in my pajamas all day long.
It was the Best New Year's Ever.
Saturday, January 01, 2005
Friday's Feast
*I usually don't "theme" the questions here, but decided to do it this week in honor of 2004. Happy New Year 2005 to all of you! Come back next week to see the fancy new look!*
Appetizer
Using only 5 words, describe how 2004 went for you.
Vacationed too much...who cares?
Soup
Name something you did in 2004 that you'll probably never do again.
Worked out of state on a theatre-related job. I have a feeling, although they say they'd like me back again, that my 2-week stint in Florida as Music Director for a show was a one-time thing.
Salad
What did you learn about yourself in 2004?
That I'm not perfect.
Main Course
What notable news event from 2004 will stand out most in your memory?
Probably the election, since almost all the news coverage was related to it in some way.
Dessert
Name something you purchased in 2004 that you really, really like.
My Star Wars Trilogy DVD.
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