GRABBINGSAND

Final Score: 117
Originally uploaded by grabbingsand.

We win the Internets.

With all of the home improvements and assorted engagements, we’ve not seen many new movies this summer. And back in June, we had an experience at a local War of the Worlds screening that diminished slightly our interest in occasional free movies. (I thought I blogged about it, but I can’t find the entry. It’s all water under the bridge now, anyway. People were called, other people called me back, there were apologies, etc.) But honestly, the summer had little quality to offer in the world of film. With few exceptions, nothing caught my eye. It felt like Hollywood was just holding its breath until the end of September.

This week, the fall movie season begins. No less than eight films are opening on September 30. And chasing after them are at least an even score of movies that should keep me coming back until New Year’s Eve.

Serenity (09.30.2005) – Saw it last night, but it still counts.
A History Of Violence (09.30.2005) – This year’s Road To Perdition.
MirrorMask (09.30.2005) – Jim. Henson. Studios.
Capote (09.30.2005)* – Phillip Seymour Hoffman was engineered in a lab for this role.
The Curse of the Were-Rabbit starring Wallace & Gromit (10.07.2005) – No Technotrousers in this one, but a huge mechanical bunny will do just fine.
Elizabethtown (10.14.2005) – Cameron Crowe’s Garden State.
Good Night, and Good Luck (10.14.2005) – Period piece about newsmen during the McCarthy era, shown in black & white. I’m so there.
Stay (10.28.2005) – Ewan McGregor in another attempt at haunted spookiness, but hopefully not a repeat of Eye of the Beholder.
Where the Truth Lies (10.21.2005)* – Kevin Bacon does noir. Why not?
Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire (11.18.2005) – Shut up.
Walk The Line (11.18.2005) – The Man needs a damn fine movie. Hopefully, this is it.
Rent (11.23.2005) – I’m here to support Detective Green.
Aeon Flux (12.02.2005) – MTV’s Liquid Television was beyond awesome. This might fail miserably, but I want to see it happen.
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (12.09.2005) – Nothing need be said.
Brokeback Mountain (12.09.2005) – The so-called “gay cowboy movie” has the potential to be good, particularly with the author of Lonesome Dove doing the script.
King Kong (12.14.2005) – Peter Jackson could film a remake of Another 48 Hours and I’d see it.
Munich (12.23.2005) – A Spielberg Holiday release about terrorism. Interesting.

This list should keep me acceptably popcorn-fed until January.

* – Limited Release

We spent the weekend getting Lost.

Nikki received the DVDs for season one for her birthday, so we’ve been using every available hour since to learn more about the 48 47 46 castaways on an uncharted desert isle. Since Saturday, we’ve burned through nine or ten more episodes, leaving us with one more full DVD out of the original six. It’s imperative that we finish the set soon, as it is severely limiting the amount of conversation we can have with folks that have actually seen the series. I’ve come close to threatening officemates with bodily harm for even mentioning that there was a new episode for the second season last week, lest they trip over their own tongue and reveal something better left unknown. But not to worry … we’ll finish this last disc tonight. Then we have to just find time to watch the new season premiere between now and Wednesday night. Tomorrow? Oh, tomorrow is out of the question …

Tomorrow night, we get to see Serenity. Finally. Our last opportunity was a few weeks ago, but those efforts were thwarted by Katrina and her initial wave of panic-stricken gas-junkies. Maybe the plan was overly optimistic even without the fuel fiasco. Did we honestly think that we could see a 6pm press screening at Phipps, then go immediately to trivia at the ‘Shroom? Yes. Yes, we did. But all that is behind us. Tomorrow is the screening for Joss Whedon’s Big Damn Space Rodeo, and we’ll be there. The rest of the world gets to see it Friday. Of course, they might decide to see something else …

Neil Gaiman’s (and Dave McKean’s) Mirrormask opens on the 30th, right alongside Serenity. This convergence of dedicated fandoms is not lost on either of the two creators. In an extensive interview with both men in Time magazine, Neil has declared this coming Friday as National Geek Day. Personally, I’m all for it. If only I had time to make some t-shirts with slogans like “Say It Loud, I’m A Geek and I’m Proud” or “We’re Here, We’re Geeks, and No, We’re Not Going to Fix Your PC.”

That reminds me. Someone within earshot mentioned having never read Neil’s reworking of Snow White. I think it was someone at dinner, back on Friday night. Well, whoever you are, you’ll find the incredibly disturbing “Snow, Glass, Apples” in its entireity over at The Dreaming. The story is online courtesy of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund.

That reminds me again. When I was in college, I got my comics locally from a guy named Gordon Lee. Gordon ran (and still runs) a comic book shop on Broad Street in Rome called Legends. He kept me supplied with copies of Sandman and other Vertigo titles. He had long brown hair that was straight like Jan Brady and a mustache that was quite unlike Jan Brady. We’d talk occasionally, but never more than might be usual for a comics fan and a shop owner. In my assessment, he was a decent guy, even if occasionally he forgot my name. After I graduated from Berry, I had no reason to return to Legends. Within a year, I had moved to Atlanta. When you live here, you go to Oxford Comics. There’s a rule. Nevertheless, I saw Gordon again in 2000. He was at Dragon*Con. He remembered me (and my name). It became a yearly thing, running into Gordon at ‘Con and saying hello.

These days, Gordon is in trouble. The story goes something like this: “Lee, the proprietor of Legends, in Rome, Georgia, faces multiple charges stemming from an incident whereby a minor participating in a community Halloween celebration inadvertently received as a trick or treat gift the 2004 Free Comic Book Day offering by Alternative Comics.”* The free comic book includes a historically fictional excerpt called “The Salon” by Nick Bertozzi. The controversy stems from a handful of comic panels that show a young and naked Pablo Picasso. Under Georgia law OCGA §16-12-81, Gordon faces two felony counts. Specifically, he is being held to account for the last letter of that particular law: “c. A person who commits the offense of distributing material depicting nudity or sexual conduct, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than one nor more than three years or by a fine not to exceed $10,000.00, or both.”

A guilty verdict could result in heavy fines and possible jail time. Originally, initial hearings were to begin on September 8, but the date has been postponed until December 1. The CBLDF has been assisting Gordon with his legal fight since February of this year. Their stance is that the comic itself is neither obscene nor illegal, and furthermore that Gordon had no intention of distributing the comic to a minor in the first place. In other words, Gordon made a mistake, but committed no crime.

I suppose this is where I should say something about how such mistakes could’ve been avoided and how such laws are patently ridiculous, but this post is long enough already.

(This week, I interviewed Amber from Being Amber Rhea. Not so coincidentally, I answered questions from Jen over at Audacity.)

For whom do you blog? For your audience or for yourself?

When I started my blog, it was just for me. I didn’t even think that anyone would ever read it – the thought didn’t cross my mind … and that’s kind of obvious in the archives, where I talk in detail about work, complain about people at the university by name, etc. As I gradually got more readers – which was basically just a handful of friends for the longest time – I got more reserved in what I would and wouldn’t say. I still mainly blog for myself, but I do think about my audience more than I did, say, 3 years ago … or even 1 year ago.

Did you ever keep journals or diaries?

I kept a journal starting in — I think — 5th grade. I would go in phases with it. Sometimes I would write pages at a time each day, then I wouldn’t write anything for a month or so. When I got my first computer in 1995, I started keeping my journal on the computer. Blogging is different from a personal journal, of course, in that there are some things that I don’t post about – but I’ve always been a writer by nature.

Do you want to write more?

I’m not sure. I had a column in the school newspaper in high school and sometimes the pressure got to be too much. I know that’s not exactly the AJC, but still … The point is, I like to write when I want to, about what I want to. As with anything, I don’t like it to feel like an obligation. So I guess this is a great non-answer.

Where will blogs be in ten years?

There is no way I can even begin to give an educated answer on that. Anything I say will end up sounding like Bill Gates back in the 80s, saying that 640k of memory should be enough for anyone. Who knows? In 2015, we might all have computer chips embedded in our skulls and blog with our minds.

What about an optimistic answer? I promise that nobody is going to take away your hovercraft if you turn out to be wrong.

I really don’t have an answer. I don’t think a lot about “where technology is going.” I really have no clue … sorry to disappoint.

What do you read (when you have the time)?

Blogs or otherwise?

One and then the other.

Well, obviously, I read the coolest Atlanta blogs [wink] as well as a few other friends’ blogs. I don’t read a lot of the really popular blogs – except dooce, because she is awesome. Books? Random stuff. Harry Potter, of course. My tastes in fiction and non-fiction are truly random. I’m working on Every Young Woman’s “How to Fend Off Horny Men” Guide now. I’m trying to remember what i read last… the last fiction was one called The Birth of Venus. And I bought a book in New York City about the MTA substations – it totally kicks ass, but is definitely arcane.

Why the REM obsession?

Why not? They’re only, like, the best band ever.

….

That’s my answer, fool.

Given 24 hours as President of the United States of America, what would you do?

Gah. Why you got to ask the tough questions? (See … I’m already evading questions, just like our current Dear Leader!) Well, I’ll try not to get hung up on the logistics of it, but I guess I would increase the education budget. I know that’s a lame answer, like wishing for world peace … but that’s all I’ve got.

You wrote your own bloggin’ code, you get weak at the sight of good CSS … so what one (or more) things would you recommend bloggers do to make their sites look or behave better?

1. Comments pop-up windows have got to go.
2. As with any personal site, restraint is a virtue. Just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should. I mean, I’m not going to lie – in 1996 my site had the blink tags, the animated gifs, text of all different colors, etc … but then I got over it. Blogs (like all sites) need to be easy to read and navigate. Just use this as an example of EVERYTHING you should not do.
3. Use a clear, readable, preferrably sans-serif font. Limit use of italics, as they are difficult to read. Make sure you have high contrast between text and background colors, for easy readability … and all the usual stuff that I could preach about for hours.

What secret talent/habit/fixation do you have that would surprise your readers?

Well, if that’s not an invitation for a salacious answer, I don’t know what is … but seriously… let me think a minute as I take inventory of my talents.

No problem.

Am I allowed to think about that one? Because I know I can think of something … maybe when I’m not at work.

You got it.

I shall get back to you, ASAP.

Thanks.

[the earth turns. fifteen minutes pass.]

I’ve got an answer … I love “Desperate Housewives” – I only missed 1 episode all last season, and I am very excited for the start of the new season this Sunday.

And now, the final question … WTF?!?

We’re all going to hell in a handbasket.

Never apply logic to a television theme song. You will always come out of the experience disappointed.

Case in point: “Those Were The Days” — the screeching theme song to “All In The Family.” In the song, Archie and Edith warble longingly about the past. They mention Glenn Miller and the Hit Parade. Shortly thereafter, they mention a previous President. In fact, they say “We sure could someone like ______ ______ again.”

“Herbert Hoover,” I thought. Then I thought again. Surely they would never want such a absolutely awful President twice in one lifetime. Hoover ushered in the Depression! That just doesn’t make sense! So it must be someone else. Someone like … Harry Truman! Sure! It even fits the meter of the song! Har-ry Tru-man!

No.

Herbert Effing Hoover.

Edith and Archie wouldn’t know a good President if he bit them.

The whole night was just like that. Last week, we were in first. Tonight, we just weren’t at all.

and I’m there before she knows it
I’ll be gone before she sees me
with my hand around her waist
I pull her back to safety
by the time she knows what’s happened
there’ll be someone else who needs me
because time keeps dragging on
and on
and on
and on

- “The Ballad of Barry Allen” by Jim’s Big Ego (2003)

Wow. I never knew that The Flash had a song all of his own. And it’s really not bad.

Barry Allen was the alter-ego of the second superhero to be called The Flash. While I’ll always cite Hal Jordan’s Green Lantern as my favorite superhero ever, I must admit that Barry Allen’s Flash was the first one to catch my fascination. I started reading The Flash comics toward the very end of a run that started in 1963. Like most DC Comics, the early issues of The Flash are rife with silliness. The Day The Flash Gained 1,000 Pounds! The Fastest Man Alive Becomes The Heaviest Man Alive! (These were two different issues, by the way.)

But where I stepped into the series (about 1984 or so), Barry Allen was dealing with far more reality. He was a widower on facing charges for breaking the neck of a man who attempted to murder his soon-to-be second wife — the same man that killed his first. For this, Barry Allen was put on trial for murder. Legal logistics aside, the pathos of a superhero on trial was just what I wanted/needed to read. Soon after, I got sucked into Crisis On Infinite Earths (mentioned here) and my fate was sealed. So long as I could find a reasonably compelling story in amongst those four-color pages, I would be a fan of comic books.

Anansi Boys (Galley)
Originally uploaded by grabbingsand.

I meant to have this review up much earlier, but I just couldn’t find the right first foothold. But finally, with only a day to go before the book drops, I found a decent place to start and finish: a review of Neil Gaiman’s Anansi Boys at JIVE.

I have a four roller coaster limit. Actually, this is a marked improvement. When I was a teenager, I was never much for the coasters, particularly if they looped. I spent far too much quality time as a very little tyke being the crown prince of car-sickness, so dizziness was something to avoid. But on Saturday, I decided to put all of that behind me. I hadn’t been to Six Flags in ten years, and the last time I went, I was chaperoning a pack of teenaged Methodists. But this weekend, we had friends up from out-of-town. They had never been to Six Flags, so we decided to just go.

Over the course of the afternoon (we got there around 2pm), I rode the following:

1. The Georgia Cyclone – Ouch. I know the Cyclone is only 15 years old, but damn, if it isn’t the most bone-rattling thing. Must be the wooden construction. For a first coaster of the day, it’s not bad, if for no other reason than the assurance that you’re not likely to find a less comfortable ride anytime soon. And hey, there’s not a loop in sight.
2. Superman: Ultimate Flight – The signs along the queue do nothing to help the uncertain. “Please secure any loose items, such as glasses, cell phones, wallets, dental fillings, spleens …” But, I figured, if I’m going to do this, I might as well do it right. It’s not like people die on these kinds of contraptions, do they? What’s funny is that by the time we were on deck for the ride, we were all far more concerned about securing our assorted belongings than any peril on the rails. We ended up staggering our places in line so the girls went all the way around first. Then when me and Vince got on, we could just pass on all of our earthly possessions without worrying with the not-at-all secure “lockers” (that don’t lock). And it was so worth it. Superman was the best ride of the park, at least from my point of view. The positioning (strapped in and angled 90 degrees from the ground) is disorienting, but only for a second. The ride is smooth and fast and just plastered a grin on my face the whole time. With the exception of one gravity-defying and stomach-threatening drop, the ride was almost perfect and much too short.
3. Ninja – Not much of a line for this one. We waited in queue for about an hour for Superman, but the Ninja was practically a walk-up-and-get-on ride. For a third coaster in a day, it wasn’t bad. A bit younger than the Cyclone, the Ninja is getting a little shaky with age — though that might’ve been the design all along. The worst part was probably the immediate stop at the end, right before it pulls into the station. Up until then, you’re just going and looping and all is well, and then … Remember that bit when Daffy Duck is dressed as Robin Hood? “Parry! Dodge! Spin! Ha! Thrust!” … and then he smacks himself with his own staff. It’s like that.
4. Mindbender – The oldest coaster of the day, as we hit neither the Dahlonega Mine Train nor the Great American Scream Machine. The Mindbender has been going through its paces since 1978. I’ve got five years on it, but it still left me stunned. If I recall correctly, Mindbender was my first looping roller coaster ever, from maybe over fifteen years ago. Not surprisingly, it was also my last until this weekend. Nikki calls this one her favorite, and I’ll grant her that for scenery and sheer variety, few rides beat it. But my opinions seem to count for little against the predisposition of my inner ear. I liked Mindbender, but it stayed with me long after I hopped off.
5. Batman: The Ride – It was only fair. You can’t ride one superhero ride without riding the other one. Unfortunately, it looks like few others at Six Flags feel the same way. Superman probably still had a very long wait by the time we got to Gotham, but Batman’s winding queue line (through a small municipal park, some drainage tunnels and up two flights of stairs) was practically empty. Of course, the absolute lack of air conditioning at the loading deck might’ve been a clue. Hopping on in the jungle-like air, I had a feeling that this wasn’t going to be nearly as fun. Batman is a hang-and-ride coaster that leaves your feet swinging in the breeze — assuming there was a breeze. Long story short, about 20 yards from the deck, my equillibrium said “No.” Luckilly, Batman is not a very long ride. In the end, the worst part was hanging in the even hotter darkness of the waiting area at the end of the ride, as they keep the previous set of cars on hold while assembling the next crew of riders. Eventually, though a malfunctioning seat kept me there for a bit longer than I’d like, my feet found solid ground again and all I’d really suffered was a little unnatural pallor and overall “bleh.”

More lessons to follow.

This is incredibly cool. If anyone had five spare twenties to burn, I’d love* you forever.

(* – By love, I mean a fraternal kind of agape love that methodists have for one another both when they are at church and when they run into each other at the mall or in the liquor store. In other words, if anybody ever asked me if you were cool, I’d tell them, “Yes, indeedy.”)

Another Wednesday Night. Another four rounds of trivia at the Mellow Mushroom. And hey, check it out! Another First Place win! Tonight, we (Nikki, Darcey, Joseph, B.J., me and The Dread Pirate Rusty) were Hispanics Taking Full Responsibility for Whatever.

(We almost went with the far more presumptuous Hispanics Taking Full Responsibility for Kicking Your Ass, but the resultant humiliation from a loss would’ve been just this side of terminal.)

Highlights: Two questions on Seventies Television, two involving odd dog names (or geographical inspirations therefrom*), one about The World Court, a bonus about the Seven Deadly Sins, a bonus about Bond Movie henchmen and a last question homerun about Earth Signs.

Lowlights: Number of colors on a clownfish? Darcey suggested two. Since she used to breed the little poissons and none of rest us have seen many clownfish that weren’t voiced by Albert Brooks, we went with Darcey. But breeding doesn’t count for much, as the answer was three. And let’s all think back to 1964, shall we? A young woman got married to some guy. It was a “Celebrity Wedding” according to the question category. Her name sounded like Sherilyn or something. The only Sherilyn I could think of hadn’t even been born in ‘64. Of course, if you spelled the name with a “C” and just dropped everything past the fourth letter …

Damn you, Congressman Salvador Philip “Sonny” Bono.