Ahh, Football Season is here again. All is good with the world (other than I am unemployed, I don't know my bar score, and hurricane season is at its zenith).
It has actually been a fairly eventful couple of weeks for us. First off, our New Orleans family was in town for about a week because of Hurricane Gustav. We had them over for a lovely Labor Day cookout and watched with a sense of relief as the hurricane seemed to largely bypass New Orleans and the West Bank. They have returned home and found their houses intact and they have electricity again. The threat of Ike looms as of now, but hopefully it will hit somewhere else also. I personally vote that it hit the Dallas Cowboys.
We got to spend a decent amount of time with them last week. We went to Tunica and experienced the Paula Deen Buffet. Her famous fried chicken was pretty good but it was not really any better than Two Sisters in Jackson. The Paula Deen Buffet however has great desserts. I recommend anyone who goes to Tunica to try it out. Other than the seafood buffet on the weekend, it is actually not that expensive either.
This weekend Nicole and I went to a Nokes family reunion. That is my mother's side of the family. It is mostly put on by PawPaw's sisters Delores and Doris. This side of the family used to see each other every single Christmas Day. We have not gotten to do that since Grandma Nokes died (Granny to most of the family). So, although they bear a heavy burden to organize this event every year, I know it means a lot to those of us who remember Christmas mornings at Grandma Nokes's house, and I know she would be very pleased with her two daughters for getting the family back together. We had our first reunion last year. There were a few less people there this time but there was still a pretty good crowd.
At the park there is an artesian well that puts out warm water all year round. Instead of capitalizing on that natural spring, the park has it enclosed by a fence (actually two) and it is full of alligators. PawPaw and I found out Thursday night that they would feed the gators on Saturday at 5 PM. We talked about how we planned to see it all weekend and totally blanked at 5 and completely missed it. The park, Leroy Percy, is the oldest state park in MS and we stayed a couple of nights in one of the cabins that was original to the park. It did not really bother me but Nicole, Jessica, and Lizzie were both freaking out all night. I am not really sure why but they did not really like it. The only really bad thing about the weekend was the mosquitoes. I got so many mosquito bites I am pretty sure a blind person could read me.
I got to watch some football today. I have missed it. My Redskins look like they are gonna stink, but I did win my first fantasy football game today.
-J
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Sunday, August 24, 2008
For Lucy (don't worry this is a happy story unless you are a tree rat)
Lucy is a two year old mutt. She is part terrier and part crazy. Someone left her in her infancy at a dumpster in Meridian, MS. She was taken to the pound and adopted my my Aunt and Uncle. When she was a small puppy, her first summer, I played a major role in raising her as my Aunt and Uncle were out of town and I was in town to work for the MS AG's office. This week, I got news that made me so proud of my little baby. She killed a squirrel. Lulu, as friends and family call her has been on a mission for more than a year to "get the squirrel." She has succeeded, and I am strangly incredibly impressed and proud of her accomplishment. I can only imagine her great sense of accomplishment and the way her nub (what is left of her tail) wagged.
I am not there to congratulate her personally, so all I can do is sing her praises on the internet. So anyone reading this shold remember lucy and her first kill. If you are reading this and you are a squirrel, be afraid.
-J
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
A Random Thought
I had a radom thought I wanted to share with you today. Remember on my last post I promised quantity not quality.
Do you think that some of the cases of SARS and Bird Flu in China a couple of years ago were just misdiagnosed cases of Olympic Fever?
Do you think that some of the cases of SARS and Bird Flu in China a couple of years ago were just misdiagnosed cases of Olympic Fever?
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Live* from Beijing**
It has been a long time since I updated this blog. I have been studying and taking the Mississippi Bar Exam. It ended a couple of weeks ago. Since then I have been either on the road or taking some R&R.
With introductions aside, it is time to get to the entry proper.
First of all, I hope all of you have been watching the Olympics. The United States men have been dominating in the pool, led by the now eight gold medals of Michael Phelps. It is truly and extraordinary feat. He says he will return to the London Olympics in 2012, but he will not participate in so many races. He is obviously the biggest name in Olympics. The women's swimming team however are a national disappointment.
The United States also dominates in beach volleyball. The May/Walsh women's team looks to be fairly unstoppable. I watched a game the other day where the team from Belgium had them down and the U.S. rallied against 5 Belgium set points to win the set. Then May/Walsh completely dismantled them in the second set. On another note, the women's match between Brazil and Germany has got to be the hottest sporting event ever.
I find myself strangely addicted to watching water polo. The game is essentially hockey in the water. It came on late night in the 2000 Olympics I think and I began to watch it there. Now it comes on during the day and I still find myself watching it.
My favorite new sport is handball. I cannot believe this is actually a sport. I don't mean to take away from it as far as the athletic training or skill needed. The reason I say this is because you can literally run, not walk right up to someone and throw the ball as hard as you want right at their face. Ouch.
In non-Olympic news, it seems like we are again on the verge of a world war. This one probably makes the Vegas odds makers scratch their heads. I mean come on! I think we were all prepared for Iran or North Korea to start World War III. Then out of the blue Russia invades Georgia? Those crazy Russians, they have come out of no where to lead the pack. Although, there has been a cease fire, Russia continues to advance in Georgia. This brings up two points:
The first point is that we need to realize that this is perhaps history repeating itself. The world must take a stand unlike it did when the Germans annexed Austria and invaded Czechoslovakia. I am not advocating direct military confrontation, but Russia cannot be allowed to get away with this nor should it be allowed to retain possession of the Georgian areas seized. There is obviously a problem with the United Nations. To the best of my knowledge all the UN has said is please stop. There should be consequences lest we end up back in a world war.
The second point is only brought up by the coincidental name of the country being invaded to the home state of one of our most worthless and loudmouthed Presidents, Jimmy Carter. I find it interesting that every time President Bush farts, Carter calls him a war criminal, but he seems to say nothing about Russia invading Georgia. I must stop there. I feel my ire towards Jimmy Carter reaching a boiling point.
I promise to give posts more frequently in the future.
-J
*I am not writing this as you read it
**not actually from Beijing
With introductions aside, it is time to get to the entry proper.
First of all, I hope all of you have been watching the Olympics. The United States men have been dominating in the pool, led by the now eight gold medals of Michael Phelps. It is truly and extraordinary feat. He says he will return to the London Olympics in 2012, but he will not participate in so many races. He is obviously the biggest name in Olympics. The women's swimming team however are a national disappointment.
The United States also dominates in beach volleyball. The May/Walsh women's team looks to be fairly unstoppable. I watched a game the other day where the team from Belgium had them down and the U.S. rallied against 5 Belgium set points to win the set. Then May/Walsh completely dismantled them in the second set. On another note, the women's match between Brazil and Germany has got to be the hottest sporting event ever.
I find myself strangely addicted to watching water polo. The game is essentially hockey in the water. It came on late night in the 2000 Olympics I think and I began to watch it there. Now it comes on during the day and I still find myself watching it.
My favorite new sport is handball. I cannot believe this is actually a sport. I don't mean to take away from it as far as the athletic training or skill needed. The reason I say this is because you can literally run, not walk right up to someone and throw the ball as hard as you want right at their face. Ouch.
In non-Olympic news, it seems like we are again on the verge of a world war. This one probably makes the Vegas odds makers scratch their heads. I mean come on! I think we were all prepared for Iran or North Korea to start World War III. Then out of the blue Russia invades Georgia? Those crazy Russians, they have come out of no where to lead the pack. Although, there has been a cease fire, Russia continues to advance in Georgia. This brings up two points:
The first point is that we need to realize that this is perhaps history repeating itself. The world must take a stand unlike it did when the Germans annexed Austria and invaded Czechoslovakia. I am not advocating direct military confrontation, but Russia cannot be allowed to get away with this nor should it be allowed to retain possession of the Georgian areas seized. There is obviously a problem with the United Nations. To the best of my knowledge all the UN has said is please stop. There should be consequences lest we end up back in a world war.
The second point is only brought up by the coincidental name of the country being invaded to the home state of one of our most worthless and loudmouthed Presidents, Jimmy Carter. I find it interesting that every time President Bush farts, Carter calls him a war criminal, but he seems to say nothing about Russia invading Georgia. I must stop there. I feel my ire towards Jimmy Carter reaching a boiling point.
I promise to give posts more frequently in the future.
-J
*I am not writing this as you read it
**not actually from Beijing
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
George Carlin's Death
Well, one of my personal favorites George Carlin has died and I have little faith that his soul is in a pleasant place. Fortunately, Carlin would have agreed with me. George Carlin was essentially an evangelical atheist. Because of this he lived that one shot of his to the fullest. For this George Carlin should be both revered and pitied.
It is without doubt that George Carlin was one of my favorite comedians. I do not think he was the first observational comedian but he was certainly the most in depth and controversial. George Carlin is probably most remembered for his Seven Dirty Words, but his humor was more than just foul language. I think his legacy is mixed but as far as his comedy is concerned he was one of the greats.
I say his legacy is mixed for a number of reasons. First of all, George Carlin was a student of humanity generally and American society more specifically. A good example of this is the title of his second book "Napalm and Silly Putty." He was merely commenting on the capacity of the human mind to create two things that are so diametrically different. One is a gel like substance created to incinerate forests, villages, and people. The other is a gel like substance that's main function is copying cartoon strips from the newspaper. He also comments on how the government has demonized explicit lyrics on albums when the definition of the word explicit is "fully and clearly expressed or demonstrated." This is hardly something to be feared. Few comedians are as insightful as this. However, the thing many modern comedians have picked up on is his prodigious use of swear words. Often times today comedians rely on the foul language to be the humor. This is not a good thing.
Carlin is also to be revered because he pushed the envelope of the 1st Amendment. Carlin was arrested a number of times for his routines but was always exonerated. His Seven Dirty Words routine was the subject of a very important 1st Amendment Supreme Court Case. However unlike other 1st Amendment "heroes" such as Larry Flynt or 2 Live Crew, Carlin lost his case! George Carlin's Supreme Court case actually led to upholding of restrictions on 1st Amendment Speech. So although he should be remembered for pushing the 1st Amendment envelope, his contribution is actually one that limits the 1st amendment.
Finally, the work he did in his later years (post 2000 at least) was certainly not on par with his previous work. He seemed to be more of a caricature of himself. He was an angry old man rather than a commentator on humanity. It was a sad way for him to go out.
But hey lets not forget he was a very funny man who also did a number of children's projects, most recently being in the Pixar release "Cars." If you would like a personal suggestion of some of Carlin's work, I would recommend his books "Braindroppings" or "Napalm and Silly Putty." If you would like to see one of his many stand up specials, "Carlin on Campus" is probably his best known classic. For one of his great bits which fits the PG rating of this blog check out "Baseball and Football" Which I have linked right here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YphEUa5LPjM
Enjoy and if you feel the urge say a prayer for his soul. He wouldn't have wanted you to in his life but I bet he is wishing you would about now.
-J
It is without doubt that George Carlin was one of my favorite comedians. I do not think he was the first observational comedian but he was certainly the most in depth and controversial. George Carlin is probably most remembered for his Seven Dirty Words, but his humor was more than just foul language. I think his legacy is mixed but as far as his comedy is concerned he was one of the greats.
I say his legacy is mixed for a number of reasons. First of all, George Carlin was a student of humanity generally and American society more specifically. A good example of this is the title of his second book "Napalm and Silly Putty." He was merely commenting on the capacity of the human mind to create two things that are so diametrically different. One is a gel like substance created to incinerate forests, villages, and people. The other is a gel like substance that's main function is copying cartoon strips from the newspaper. He also comments on how the government has demonized explicit lyrics on albums when the definition of the word explicit is "fully and clearly expressed or demonstrated." This is hardly something to be feared. Few comedians are as insightful as this. However, the thing many modern comedians have picked up on is his prodigious use of swear words. Often times today comedians rely on the foul language to be the humor. This is not a good thing.
Carlin is also to be revered because he pushed the envelope of the 1st Amendment. Carlin was arrested a number of times for his routines but was always exonerated. His Seven Dirty Words routine was the subject of a very important 1st Amendment Supreme Court Case. However unlike other 1st Amendment "heroes" such as Larry Flynt or 2 Live Crew, Carlin lost his case! George Carlin's Supreme Court case actually led to upholding of restrictions on 1st Amendment Speech. So although he should be remembered for pushing the 1st Amendment envelope, his contribution is actually one that limits the 1st amendment.
Finally, the work he did in his later years (post 2000 at least) was certainly not on par with his previous work. He seemed to be more of a caricature of himself. He was an angry old man rather than a commentator on humanity. It was a sad way for him to go out.
But hey lets not forget he was a very funny man who also did a number of children's projects, most recently being in the Pixar release "Cars." If you would like a personal suggestion of some of Carlin's work, I would recommend his books "Braindroppings" or "Napalm and Silly Putty." If you would like to see one of his many stand up specials, "Carlin on Campus" is probably his best known classic. For one of his great bits which fits the PG rating of this blog check out "Baseball and Football" Which I have linked right here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YphEUa5LPjM
Enjoy and if you feel the urge say a prayer for his soul. He wouldn't have wanted you to in his life but I bet he is wishing you would about now.
-J
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Fun with local news
There were two stories in The Daily Mississippian today that were absolutely fantastic for the discerning person. For those of you who do not know, The Daily Mississippian is the student newspaper here at the University of Mississippi. It comes out every weekday even in the summer. More often than not the writing is very adequate.
So much for the introductions. The first story is more of a picture that I found amusing rather than the story itself. As many of you know, the University here is engaged in marijuana research sponsored by the federal government. Recent reports released have announced that the potency of marijuana has increased over the last few decades. The pro pot group NORML has had responses in the subsequent issues of the paper. You do not need to read the article but check out the picture here: http://media.www.thedmonline.com/media/storage/paper876/news/2008/06/18/News/Norml.Director.Seeks.Pot.Regulation.Education-3382916.shtml
Now maybe its just me, but that looks like a hand rolled cigarette in the hand of the (presumably) woman out in the weed field. Of course we all know that most rolled cigarettes are of the marijuana variety rather than tobacco. I really have no opinion on the merits of the story of the controversy surrounding the potency of the drug, however it seems to me like the wolf is guarding the sheep.
The second story that I found amusing is this one: http://media.www.thedmonline.com/media/storage/paper876/news/2008/06/18/News/Unknown.Number.Of.Ferals.Roam.Oxford-3382922.shtml
Feral cats are a huge problem and packs of feral dogs wandering around a town is certainly no laughing matter. I do think the mention of a feral goat problem is fairly humorous. I have never seen, nor did I foresee packs of wildish goats menacing our local tin can population. This is made even funnier by the classified advertisement "For Sale: Quality Meat Goats. All Sizes Available. Prices vary according to size" which was also in today's The Daily Mississippian. It seems like the demand would be low for goats when you can apparently find them roaming about town. I applaud the paper for continuing during the summer even though there are few students and apparently nothing to really write about. When the work day grows too long, or the task grows too difficult, I hope those of you who read this blog will take time out to think of the packs of feral goats around town and have a chuckle.
-J
So much for the introductions. The first story is more of a picture that I found amusing rather than the story itself. As many of you know, the University here is engaged in marijuana research sponsored by the federal government. Recent reports released have announced that the potency of marijuana has increased over the last few decades. The pro pot group NORML has had responses in the subsequent issues of the paper. You do not need to read the article but check out the picture here: http://media.www.thedmonline.com/media/storage/paper876/news/2008/06/18/News/Norml.Director.Seeks.Pot.Regulation.Education-3382916.shtml
Now maybe its just me, but that looks like a hand rolled cigarette in the hand of the (presumably) woman out in the weed field. Of course we all know that most rolled cigarettes are of the marijuana variety rather than tobacco. I really have no opinion on the merits of the story of the controversy surrounding the potency of the drug, however it seems to me like the wolf is guarding the sheep.
The second story that I found amusing is this one: http://media.www.thedmonline.com/media/storage/paper876/news/2008/06/18/News/Unknown.Number.Of.Ferals.Roam.Oxford-3382922.shtml
Feral cats are a huge problem and packs of feral dogs wandering around a town is certainly no laughing matter. I do think the mention of a feral goat problem is fairly humorous. I have never seen, nor did I foresee packs of wildish goats menacing our local tin can population. This is made even funnier by the classified advertisement "For Sale: Quality Meat Goats. All Sizes Available. Prices vary according to size" which was also in today's The Daily Mississippian. It seems like the demand would be low for goats when you can apparently find them roaming about town. I applaud the paper for continuing during the summer even though there are few students and apparently nothing to really write about. When the work day grows too long, or the task grows too difficult, I hope those of you who read this blog will take time out to think of the packs of feral goats around town and have a chuckle.
-J
Monday, May 26, 2008
Motion Picture Malaise
I consider myself a fan of movies. I especially like to go see them on the big screen and if they are good enough, I reward them with a DVD purchase. Some of the highlights of my life at the cinema (other than when I worked at one) include Jurassic Park, Independence Day, Spiderman, Little Miss Sunshine, The Lion King, Big Fish, and the Royal Tenenbaums. Now these movies are not necessarily great, but at the time I watched them on the big screen they made me feel like movies are supposed to make me feel. Little Miss Sunshine I thought was great because everyone in the theater, no matter what their background, race, age or any defining characteristic was we were all laughing hysterically. For a movie to get that reaction out of a totally different group of people to me was very special. The Royal Tenebaums I loved for the complete opposite reason. Nicole and I seemed to be the only people in the theater laughing at all. This made me feel like we got the joke and no one else did. Spiderman was nothing less than the realization of a childhood dream. Sure, I had seen clips from the old Spiderman live action TV show from the 1970s, but to see Spiderman fully realized on the big screen cannot be put into words for me. I just list the effects these three movies had on me at the time to give a sense of what I mean by making me feel like they are supposed to make me feel.
So often in life our biggest disappointments come from our greatest loves. The more you cherish something the larger the chance it will let you down. I have felt particularly let down by the recent dreck Hollywood has churned out.
First, we shall take the case of Spiderman 3. As much as I loved Spiderman the movie and Spiderman generally (I wrote my essay to get into college about why I would like to be Spiderman for a day), I found this film to be abhorring. I had no problem with Spiderman trying to be friends with the Second Green Goblin, but having the Green Goblin proclaim he was BFF with Spiderman would be like Rosie O'Donnell and Charleton Heston having a secret love child. It is absolutely against the character and the history of Spiderman. Many people liked the movie. It honestly made me wish for a short period of time that they had never made any Spiderman movies because it led to this sense of literal betrayal. I felt Sam Rami, had not only betrayed all of the fans he endeared himself to in the first movies but also he betrayed Spiderman (I know he is not real). I refuse to buy it on DVD or watch it again.
In reality there were three other tertiary films that came out recently and they all were terrible. Oceans 13, Pirates 3, and Shreck 3 all started out as nice films. I remember seeing Pirates and Oceans 11 in the theater and really enjoying my experience. By the third time around the characters were stale and the plots were awful. The ship in Pirates 3 spent half of the movie in the middle of the desert for Pete's sake. The first Shreck I watched in my room in the fraternity house with Nicole and my fraternity little brother. I remember thinking how neat it was that all of the famous fairy tale characters were part of this modern irreverent tale. By the third one it just became the same old recycled mess.
Finally, my more recent malaise has come about because I recently went to see Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. After watching this movie I can honestly say that Stephen Spielberg has lost it and that George Lucas is systematically trying to destroy my childhood which he actually helped to create. In the late 1970s to the mid 1990s Spielberg directed such movies as Jaws, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Close Encounters, ET, Schindler's List, and Jurassic Park. Now he has moved on to more entertaining fare such as AI, Minority Report, The Terminal and this new piece of Indy junk. It is obvious that he has not made a good movie in 10 years. And certainly not a great one like the ones I have just named. Thats fine, he has lost it.
George Lucas is much more blameworthy. He helped create two of the greatest movie franchises ever. Star Wars and Indiana Jones. The first films in both of those franchises are absolutely amazing. The special effects in Star Wars still basically hold up and that movie was made 30 years ago. Since then, really after the original trilogies ended, he has seemingly made his singular goal to destroy his own legacy. Phantom Menace and especially Clone Wars are just difficult to watch at all. And this new Indiana Jones movie stinks. Apparently, greasers have the unique talent of swinging around in trees like Tarzan only dreamed of, after being apart for more than 10 years you can pick right up with the woman you impregnated and left like you had just come back home from a day at work and KGB agents say certain words with an English accent. If you can suspend disbelief for all of that, you are almost there. Next you have to accept the fact that THIS MOVIE IS ABOUT ALIENS. The great thing about Indiana Jones movies was that the amount of supernatural goings on was believable. Because at one time, Lucas and Spielburg could tell a decent yarn you could believe the Holy Grail existed or the Ark of the Covenant held terrible powers, but aliens putting all of the knowlege of the universe into crystal skulls? So George Lucas has taken characters that I loved, played with, and pretended to be when I was a little kid and destroyed them. Kudos George Lucas, your goal has been achieved in my book. I feel like fans should sue you to keep you from screwing up your own work. But that is probably too late.
Speaking of late...
-J
So often in life our biggest disappointments come from our greatest loves. The more you cherish something the larger the chance it will let you down. I have felt particularly let down by the recent dreck Hollywood has churned out.
First, we shall take the case of Spiderman 3. As much as I loved Spiderman the movie and Spiderman generally (I wrote my essay to get into college about why I would like to be Spiderman for a day), I found this film to be abhorring. I had no problem with Spiderman trying to be friends with the Second Green Goblin, but having the Green Goblin proclaim he was BFF with Spiderman would be like Rosie O'Donnell and Charleton Heston having a secret love child. It is absolutely against the character and the history of Spiderman. Many people liked the movie. It honestly made me wish for a short period of time that they had never made any Spiderman movies because it led to this sense of literal betrayal. I felt Sam Rami, had not only betrayed all of the fans he endeared himself to in the first movies but also he betrayed Spiderman (I know he is not real). I refuse to buy it on DVD or watch it again.
In reality there were three other tertiary films that came out recently and they all were terrible. Oceans 13, Pirates 3, and Shreck 3 all started out as nice films. I remember seeing Pirates and Oceans 11 in the theater and really enjoying my experience. By the third time around the characters were stale and the plots were awful. The ship in Pirates 3 spent half of the movie in the middle of the desert for Pete's sake. The first Shreck I watched in my room in the fraternity house with Nicole and my fraternity little brother. I remember thinking how neat it was that all of the famous fairy tale characters were part of this modern irreverent tale. By the third one it just became the same old recycled mess.
Finally, my more recent malaise has come about because I recently went to see Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. After watching this movie I can honestly say that Stephen Spielberg has lost it and that George Lucas is systematically trying to destroy my childhood which he actually helped to create. In the late 1970s to the mid 1990s Spielberg directed such movies as Jaws, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Close Encounters, ET, Schindler's List, and Jurassic Park. Now he has moved on to more entertaining fare such as AI, Minority Report, The Terminal and this new piece of Indy junk. It is obvious that he has not made a good movie in 10 years. And certainly not a great one like the ones I have just named. Thats fine, he has lost it.
George Lucas is much more blameworthy. He helped create two of the greatest movie franchises ever. Star Wars and Indiana Jones. The first films in both of those franchises are absolutely amazing. The special effects in Star Wars still basically hold up and that movie was made 30 years ago. Since then, really after the original trilogies ended, he has seemingly made his singular goal to destroy his own legacy. Phantom Menace and especially Clone Wars are just difficult to watch at all. And this new Indiana Jones movie stinks. Apparently, greasers have the unique talent of swinging around in trees like Tarzan only dreamed of, after being apart for more than 10 years you can pick right up with the woman you impregnated and left like you had just come back home from a day at work and KGB agents say certain words with an English accent. If you can suspend disbelief for all of that, you are almost there. Next you have to accept the fact that THIS MOVIE IS ABOUT ALIENS. The great thing about Indiana Jones movies was that the amount of supernatural goings on was believable. Because at one time, Lucas and Spielburg could tell a decent yarn you could believe the Holy Grail existed or the Ark of the Covenant held terrible powers, but aliens putting all of the knowlege of the universe into crystal skulls? So George Lucas has taken characters that I loved, played with, and pretended to be when I was a little kid and destroyed them. Kudos George Lucas, your goal has been achieved in my book. I feel like fans should sue you to keep you from screwing up your own work. But that is probably too late.
Speaking of late...
-J
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)